This is sooo good, and has so much potencial for its future books. I'm excited to keep going!

It has a very good world-building, it's quite interesting even though it was a bit hard to get into it at first. It had the typical confusing start, when you get a lot of information and it's overwhelming, but it is quite well done.

I really liked the characters, they were entertaining to say the least. Plus, I loved Veyka and Arran together. There was animosity, there was tension, and there was a spark; at least, I felt it from their first scene together. It might've been insta-lust, but it was sooo entertaining.

Plus, lot's of drama and plots in this one. Definitely a fun read.

Having seen comparisons between this and Briar Boleyn’s Queen of Roses, I was certain I’d love this. Whilst it was very good, and actually quite similar, I didn’t love it as much sadly.

*Crown of Earth and Sky* by Emberly Ash is an enchanting journey into a world of elemental fae, dark secrets, and intense romance. The audiobook, narrated by the immensely talented Lilly Drake and Xander Marceaux, elevates this captivating story to a whole new level.

Lilly Drake, as always, is the perfect voice for a fairytale romance. Her narration of Veyka Pendragon is both powerful and nuanced, capturing the queen's struggle for revenge and her fight to protect her kingdom. Drake’s voice effortlessly conveys Veyka’s strength, vulnerability, and determination, making her a character listeners will both empathize with and admire.

Xander Marceaux is the ideal choice for Arran Earthborn, the storied Brutal Prince. His deep, commanding voice brings Arran’s character to life, perfectly matching the intensity and complexity required for this role. Marceaux’s portrayal of Arran’s ruthless exterior and the hidden depths beneath is compelling and adds an extra layer of intrigue to the story.

The chemistry between Drake and Marceaux is electric, making their interactions as Veyka and Arran both intense and captivating. Their performances complement each other perfectly, enhancing the tension and romance between the characters.

Emberly Ash’s twisted mythology retelling of the Arthur legend is rich with dark elements, high stakes, and steamy romance. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep listeners on the edge of their seats, and the world-building is vivid and immersive.

If you’re looking for a high-steam fantasy romance with dark elements, *Crown of Earth and Sky* is a must-listen. Lilly Drake and Xander Marceaux’s stellar narrations make this audiobook an unforgettable experience. Five stars for this mesmerizing fairytale brought to life!

I really liked this fae fantasy very much! It has a complete world building. The book ends on a cliffhanger but the next book is around the corner and i can't wait for it!
Veyka and Arran are both fae and dealing with their own trauma's. I really liked the world building and the writing style of Emberly.

Thankyou very much Netgalley and the publisher for providing this arc read. All opinions are my own.

The spice is spicying. Am I a sucker for an MMC who fell first and harder 1000%. 4.5 what a fun read, but definitely got lost in the spice and forgot thier was a plot sometimes. The middle started to feel a bit monotonous but the cliffhanger got me right back in. Cannot wait to read the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Emberly Ash for letting me read the arc for free.

Crown of Earth and Sky is the first installment in the Secrets of the Faerie Crown series.

After reading Blood of a Fae series, when I heard that there was another Arthurian retelling, I just knew I had to get my hands on it. The dedication!!! Chef's kiss!! I was hooked right from the first sentence, literally.

Veyka Pendragon, Crown Princess of the elemental fae, assumed she would have freedom from the crown's responsibilities with her brother Arthur as king. But everything changes when Arthur is murdered in cold blood, and Veyka is named heir. And now, she's expected to marry the heir of the terrestrial fae and rule their kingdom of Annwyn together. However, Veyka has her own agenda in place: a plan to avenge her brother's murder. She must choose: will she take up her responsibilities to care for the kingdom, or will she let her thirst for revenge lead her to desert?

You just know the book is going to be fire when the first sentence is,
"I should have died in the womb."

Quotes from the book,
"The darkness tried to consume me. But this time, I looked up and saw the stars."

“Touch her, speak to her, breathe in her direction—and I will hold you down while she shreds the skin from your body slice by slice.”

I know it's a must for there to be a battle at the end of a fantasy book, but I really didn't anticipate that massacre. And, what is with that ending!!??? Can't wait to read book2!!!

If you liked Blood of a Fae series or enjoy Arthurian retellings, this should be your next read.

Thank you NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for a review!

I wanted to love Crown of Earth and Sky - the world needs more spicy Arthurian retellings (not something I thought I’d ever get to say, but here we are) and this one almost delivered.

The world building set things up very nicely, but the characters were missing something that I can’t quite put a finger on. It might’ve been that Arran was too much brood and that wasn’t what I needed while reading this?

One thing that did deliver was the spice - although there were a few points where it felt like we were intentionally just checking off plot beats to get there.

I can’t complain too much; while the first half was a drag the second half did pick up and I might still read the next.

The whole story was gripping and compelling. I really loved how the author took her time with the character development - they didn't miraculously get over their issues, it took time and effort and the timing felt so right. Can't wait to read the next book!

Thank you very much for providing this copy of E-ARC for me to read. Unfortunately, I was not a big fan of Crown of Earth and Sky for the reason that it wasn't what I was looking for in a book, but I'm sure with other readers it may have been perceived better. One of the main things I noticed about the book was that it had a very distinct writing style that reminded me quite a bit of Sara J. Maas' A Court of Thorns and Roses which I was also no the biggest fan of, so readers who are looking for something similar to that book will find what they are looking for here. I want to make it known that my review on this title is not a measure of the actual book but rather my own opinion of the plot and romance itself which I as a reader unfortunately just couldn't get into. I think at another time and place I may have enjoyed reading Crown of Earth and Sky, but right now I just didn't enjoy it as much as I would have liked to. The book itself is very well polished and there were few plotholes, with twists being very intriguing.

I have given this book a 3.5 star, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and am so excited to start the second book with a cliff hanger like that! I found the beginning of this book slightly slow and difficult to understand all the world building and language that comes with it. I disliked Vekya at the beginning of the book but the character development was absolutely amazing. She goes from seeming to be so selfish (which is fair enough with what she has had to deal with) to being very caring about her kingdom and Arran which I loved. The tension between the two main characters was insane as well as the banter.

There is a lot of spice in this book which don't get me wrong, I loved, but I also found that there was a bit too much emphasis on Vekya's body all throughout the book.

Despite this I really enjoyed and i cannot wait to carry on with the series.

Thank you to netgalley, the author and Cara Maxwell romance for providing me the free ebook of Crown of earth and sky.

"Crown of Earth and Sky" presents a captivating mix of courtly scheming, elemental magic, and passionate romance but doesn't quite sustain reader engagement throughout. Veyka Pendragon, thrust into queenship amid treacherous court politics, seeks vengeance against human betrayers. Her relationship with the enigmatic Brutal Prince, Arran Earthborn, adds depth but occasionally veers into melodrama rather than genuine substance, detracting from the novel's pacing and emotional impact.

While the book vividly constructs a magical world and promises a high-stakes plot, it struggles with inconsistent character motivations and relies heavily on well-worn tropes. The alternating perspectives of Veyka and Arran, alongside their tense dynamic and central storyline, offer enjoyable elements but may not appeal to readers uncomfortable with explicit content, which was the case for me.

Crown of Earth and Sky by Emberly Ash offers an intriguing blend of court intrigue, elemental magic, and dark romance, but falls short in fully engaging the reader. The protagonist, Veyka Pendragon, is thrust into a perilous position as queen amidst a traitorous court, all while seeking vengeance on the humans who betrayed her. Ash sets up a rich world with the potential for deep exploration, yet the novel struggles to balance its complex plot and character development.

Veyka's dynamic with the Brutal Prince, Arran Earthborn, is one of the most compelling aspects of the book. Their relationship is fraught with tension and a simmering conflict that promises much but often delivers more melodrama than substance. Arran, as the strongest terrestrial fae in millennia, is a formidable character whose brutal methods and enigmatic personality add a layer of unpredictability. However, the constant push and pull between him and Veyka sometimes feels repetitive, detracting from the novel's pacing and emotional impact.

While Crown of Earth and Sky excels in creating a vividly magical world and a plot brimming with potential, it falters in its execution. The narrative is weighed down by excessive exposition and a convoluted storyline that can be difficult to follow. Additionally, the stakes, though high, often feel undermined by inconsistent character motivations and a reliance on familiar tropes. Emberly Ash crafts a tale that, while not without its flaws, provides a passable escape into a world of elemental fae and courtly conspiracies, making it a decent read for fans of the genre looking for a new twist on familiar themes.

❝The darkness tried to consume me. But for the first time, I looked up and saw the stars.❞
Revenge, peace, and assassinations.
❝In the next breath, I was alone. Just like always.❞
Veyka Pendragon is the crown princess of the Elemental Fae, her twin brother, Arthur, the king. But one fatal event turna Veyka’s life around and she is now the queen. To ensure peace, Veyka marries Arran Earthborn, who is known as the Brutal Prince.
❝I wanted to kill and maim. After nights of fitful sleep, I’d woken that morning with bloodlust on my tongue.❞
I so desperately wanted to like both Veyka and Arran, and I did try to, I just couldn’t. Unfortunately. Don’t need to say more tbh.
❝’Let’s make them bleed.’❞
Some chapters felt longer than others. The start made me want to read more, but as the reading went on, it got more and more blah. This really had potential. But I ended up skim-reading most of this book. The reason I gave it to stars was because of the smut and a bit for the revenge plot. Ahh, it had so much potential! It sucks to say this, but I will not be reading the rest of the series.
Hopefully, this will be someone else’s next favorite read even though it wasn’t my favorite read. There are enemies to lovers, fae, drama, murder, assassins, so if you like any of these check it out and see if you like it better!
❝For all that has been, and all that will ever be.❞
Happy reading!♥️

I enjoyed this book. It felt a lot like Briar Boleyn's Queen of Roses to me and I am obsessed with that series. About like 15% into this book I was searching to see if the two were related and outside of the inspiration material of King Arther I couldn't find anything. That being said, their stories are not the same, but the writing felt remarkably similar. }

About this book. I read it in one sitting and was the second book I finished this day. I truly enjoyed the story and the writing. Yes there were some formatting mistakes, but nothing that took me out of the story.

I have always been one for a strong FMC, and this book delivers. She might be a little too strong and hard-headed in some cases, but none the less she is a "I am Woman hear me Roar" type character. I do wish the MMC gave her a little more space to make her own choices. I understand in the plot why that was not the case, but I still wish he let her make her own choices as she is the Queen, albeit not by choice but Queen none the less.

I do recommend this book if you like:
Forced Proximity
Arranged Marriage
Trauma Bonding
Duel POV
Strangers to Lovers (I cant really call them enemies since they aren't entirely enemies)
Arthurian Fae Fantasy

Thank you NetGalley and Emberly Ash for the opportunity to read the eArc. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Review readers, please note that these are my own honest opinions in exchange for the chance to read the ARC.

Overall, this was a good book, the last 15% being the best part. The way it came together and the connection between Veyka and Arran kept me hooked. It definitely gave me the enemies to lovers romance I was looking for. I'm excited to read book 2 and hope to have all my questions answered.

I was hooked from the first chapter.

Strong, capable and determined are descriptors for both the MMC and FMC.

Both have troubling past that has shaped them into those characteristics and I like the fact that it hasn’t them cruel as it easily could have.

I enjoyed the relationship developments between Veyka and Arran, as well as everyone in her inner circle.

Spectacular twists and turns, suspense and the cliffhanger ending that is leaving me wanting more

Title: Crown of Earth and Sky
Author: Emberly Ash
Rating: 3.5/5

The best aspects of this book are the dual point-of-view from the main characters, the built-up tension between them, and the main plot. Initially, the writing may seem lacking at the beginning, but it significantly improves shortly after the first few chapters (assuming this might be due to reading the advance reader copy). There are mature scenes in the middle of the book, clearly targeting an adult audience. The unexpected ending was a delightful surprise, and the identity of the culprit was not predictable, adding to the enjoyment. I am eagerly looking forward to reading book 2, "Throne of Air and Darkness." My interest in the plot has me fully invested, and I am curious to see where the author takes it.

Thank you to @netgalley and @caramaxwellromance for providing me with the opportunity to read and review this book.

#crownofearthandsky #throneofairanddarkness #emberlyash #uncomingrelease #purplebooks #spicebook #book #bookstagrammer #netgalley #read

A wonderfully dark fae retelling of the Arthur legend! Absolutely loved this. I fell for the characters almost instantly and loved the way that they swept me up with them.
Treachery, retribution, love, lust, and of course some wonderful spice - what more could you want in a book about fae? nothing!
A great start to a new series from Emberly Ash, and I look forward to more.

Crown of Earth and Sky is a dark and sensuous retelling of the Arthurian legend, leaving the readers in an absolute daze and a demand for for more of the spicy story, told as only Emberly Ash is able to tell it. Crown of Earth and Sky is full of personal growth, treachery, despair, retribution, longing, and yes, love. You follow along with the characters, and watch as they start off with angry, hotheaded temperaments, or being cold, calculating, then slowly evolve to where they start to feel emotions other than anger and disdain towards one another. The descriptive elements in this book are so vivid, the characters are brought instantly to life. If you love Arthurian stories, do yourself a favor, and pick up a copy of Crown of Earth and Sky. Just make sure you have books two and three at hand, this is not a stand alone book.

Goodreads Review:

Given how popular fae stories have become, I thought this was an interesting take on fantasy fae. The concept of the Terrestrial and Elemental fae, their kingdoms and history, and their magic system and powers was well laid out, easy to follow, and a really interesting version of fae/a fae world. It had pretty good world building and plenty of court politics laid out. I enjoyed the hints at the King Arthur myth, but I wouldn’t call it a retelling. The romance was good. It features true enemies to lovers where they actually hate each other for a good portion of the book, arranged marriage, forced proximity, slow burn, etc. etc. I thought Veyka had good character growth, Arran less so, but his character probably didn’t need it as much. The whole cast of characters was really good and well written, I cared about them and what happened to them. I cared about the plot and the secrets that were uncovered. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series and seeing how everything plays out.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing an ARC.