I'd give this a solid 3.5.

An overall enjoyable story with some really unique elements. For example, the wheelchair bound king and his way of functioning was explained well and logically e.g. having to be lifted down stairs, wider coridoors for his chair etc. His curse was the main focus of the plot rather than his disability which was done well. As well, he was not a character described as hating the chair but instead saw it as a tool to help him get around, which was unfortunately refreshing in the fantasy world of disability rep.

The author did a good job of describing the emotions each of the characters felt, making them feel compelling and believable. For example, the love suplots felt natural and progressed logically.

The pacing did fluctuate throughout this book though - took me a while to get into it and a few attempts to actually get into the rhythm of the book. However once I was there I enjoyed the ride.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

If you are looking for a book with lots of adventure and a good plot then this book is for you! It’s a slow burn epic romantasy with lots of good banter and loveable characters. The ending left me wanting more and I can’t wait until the next book to see what happens!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

I-loved-this-book! This is a new author to me and I already am a true fan. The world building was epic including curses and reptilian creatures trained to race. The emotional depth to the writing and the clever premise captured me immediately. Not to forget the gorgeous cover...

Elerek is the eldest brother who should have been the rightful king from the start. Unfortunately, he was cursed in infancy and the affliction is so devastating. He is also crippled and, in a wheelchair, because no one could attend to his needs to heal him. Anyone he touches is also cursed. Lystra has been raised to become a queen someday...the plan is finally in place as she is set to marry Elerek's brother. Then he is killed and a whole new plan must take place in order to save their people.

The storyline was so fascinating and at times utterly heartbreaking. Our main couple is drawn together by grief and the love of their people that they both are determined to protect. Watching Elerek and Lystra's relationship change and slowly grow into something more was special. The side characters were so well drawn, too. Even Myra who I wasn't rooting for in the romance department, made my heart tug in deep understanding. I had complete empathy for so many...oh, my heart hurt! And bile rose in my throat every time the grandmother was on the page...I hope justice is served!!

My only complaint is that the book ended! I have so many burning questions...AHHHH! When is the next book out?! Sigh. I don't know if I can wait...double sigh.

5 stars

Title: Queen of Shifting Sands by Kaitlyn Carter Brown
Instanolde Chronicles #1

Release Date: March ,12th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

In the kingdom of Instanolde, Lystra eagerly anticipates her wedding to the king, believing her future is secure. However, tragedy strikes when her betrothed is killed, leaving the kingdom vulnerable. In a desperate attempt to protect her realm, Lystra forges a marriage alliance with Elerek, the brother of her deceased love, who bears a curse that threatens his life. As they face impending invasion and navigate their own personal struggles, Lystra and Elerek must unite to save their kingdom and confront the dangers lurking in the desert.


"Queen of Shifting Sands" is a thrilling fantasy romance filled with intrigue, high stakes, and the enduring power of love and duty.

The relationship between the two main characters is beautifully portrayed, with a slow burn that adds depth and complexity to the story.

As the plot unfolded, I could feel the weight of grief and tragedy that glooms over the characters and was fully immersed in their world.

Tropes:

Slow-Burn Romance
Political Intrigue
Grief and Tragedy
Quest and Adventure
Strong Female Lead
Fantasy


This is a must-read for fans of fantasy and romance, and the ending will leave you eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.


Thank you to Whimsical Publishing, The Author Kaitlyn Carter Brown & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

"Queen of Shifting Sands" by Kaitlyn Carter Brown is a captivating journey into a world of magic, intrigue, and self-discovery. After an attack that kills the king, there are two people who are hurt the most- and who have to come together to protect their home and their people.

Lystra has just lost the love of her life, the man she was supposed to marry. She has been raised to be a Queen and her people cry out for her - but her future was taken with her King. Now her only way to protect her people and become queen is to marry his brother, Elerek- the now heir to the throne. And they only have one summer to make their city safe, and she’s determined to pull through.

Elerek has spent his life alone and avoiding people, waiting to die. Despite being the firstborn, he was never supposed to be the King. Everyone doubts him, everyone he needs support from to save his country - because he’s unknown, because he’s in a wheelchair. How could he possibly be strong enough to lead them through a war? And what they don’t know, what would definitely make the elite revolt against his rule- Elerek is cursed.

Both of them are grieving the loss of the King- a brother and a fiancé. But they need to come together if they want their people to survive the coming war.

A beautiful story about grief and resilience, and about hope and determination.

————————

Key points i really loved about this book that

- there was no instant love between Lystra and Elerek. So often in fantasy, the loss of a previous partner isn’t holding them back. There is real and raw grief of both characters part, and they struggle with knowing they have to be married and what the recently deceased King would think of their marriage. But there’s a stunning show of respect and mutual admiration that grows into some affection.

- the creativity and devastation of the curse the Elerek has. Everyone he touches gets cursed as a result, so he must live his life touching no one, or people he’s already accidentally doomed to a torturous death. Their skin turns translucent, their insides slowly becoming water until they’re a sack of fluid and organs. And when the curse finally takes them, they burst like a water balloon - leaving nothing behind but water on the ground. No body to bury or burn. It’s supremely devastating and tragic

I was sent this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, for a full review see Amazon or Goodreads.

I loved the premise of this and the cover caught my attention straight away! Quick read and I'm looking forward to reading more by this author.

In Queen of Shifting Sands by Kaitlyn Carter Brown, the narrative unfolds through the captivating lens of two distinct points of view, creating a rich blend of tension and romance that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

One of the highlights of the book is undoubtedly its choice of trope - the combination of arranged marriage and forbidden love injects a fresh perspective into the narrative, keeping readers guessing until the very end. However, while the tension between the protagonists is palpable, I found myself yearning for more interaction between them.

Visual stunning, the book´s cover is a testament to the meticulous attention to detail that permeates every aspect of the world-building. From intricately crafted settings to nuanced character portrayals, the author demonstrates a keen ability to immerse readers in a richly imagined universe. The characters themselves are multifaceted, their complexities gradually revealed as the story unfolds, allowing readers to witness their growth and development firsthand.

Yet, despite its many strengths, this book leaves some lingering questions unanswered, leaving readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. As someone who was thoroughly captivated by the first installment, I cannot wait to delve deeper into the world crafted by the author and explore the unresolved mysteries that linger tantalizingly on the horizon.

This was a good read, but it wasn't a GREAT read, mostly because the pacing is all over the place, which is very unfortunate because I really liked the world and absolutely LOVED having a disabled main character. I was more interested in the plot than the romance, (seriously, that curse had me in its clutches), but it was okay. Didn't feel earned enough considering the circumstances, though.
I really liked the complicated relationship between Lystra and her grandmother, but I'd like to see it fleshed out more. I'd also like to see more of what makes Lystra so special to her people, as this is never properly shown.
Something else that didn't quite sit right with me was how a certain character (that I won't name because of spoilers) plays into the curse. I'm sure will see more of it in the future, but I think their motivations should have been cleared in this book.
The ending is very abrupt--that goes into pacing, again.
Not the best book I've ever read, but I did really loved the world, and I'm curious to see where the story goes.


Thank you NetGalley and Whimsical Publishing for the ARC.

5 stars from me. Loved every single detail about this story. So good. So mesmerizing. Amazing story.

I loved this book SO MUCH. I was hooked from the first page. Political intrigue, the setting, the tragic ended romance and the start of a new one. Meddling family. Trusted friends. The new kings curse was gruesome but brilliant. I loved Lystra so much. Her loyalty and bravery and badassery were just everything.