I enjoyed reading this book, did it stand out from other fantasy books? not massively, but that being said, I am intrigued to see where the characters go in the second installement

3.5/5

Going into this book, I thought i knew what i was waiting for. Carissa Broadbent crossed with Sarah J. Maas—instead i got something completely different. This book is completely different from Booktok books. It SHOCKED me so much, but it was so well written and perfectly planned out. The best part was discovering the shocking truth in the end—which i was not expecting, to be honest. I didn’t think I’d like this book that much, but i was completely wrong!!!

I had to DNF this book unfortunately as I didn't like the characters or the world building. Unfortunately it just didn't hook me in. However I have no doubt others will love it

Apologies for this review taking so long, I totally forgot to mark that id finished it on NetGalley. I really enjoyed this one and have recommended to my followers and people I know who would enjoy it, full review on my Goodreads.

This one wasn't for me and thats ok

This felt a little too YA and predictable and although thats not something thats always a negative for me, it didnt keep me engaged. Everything came far too easily to the FMC and her character felt flat. I didnt feel anything for the relationship in this book at all.

I can see however this appealing to those that are new to the fantasy genre

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I liked the overall vibes of this book - the concept of the curses was interesting and I'm always up for a fantasy story that has a bit of politics. However, where it fell down for me was the plot - it felt quite formulaic in places and I got a bit fed up with the constant travelling. However I did like the characters and I'm invested enough to follow up with the next book.

From the description, I thought this was going to be a different kind of book. There was such potential, but it just wasn't executed well in my opinion.

The writing was easy to read, and the first quarter of the book was compelling- I loved the concept of a generational curse and how this affects each noble family. Cerise’s initial journey days at the palace was full of intrigue, mystery and I enjoyed the dynamic between her and the Half King. The references about how religion can sometimes be anti-women while venerating them seems apt in these days and added an additional layer to the story.
But then the romance becomes predominant. While I do need to be in the right frame of mind for pure romance, I still enjoy a well written and complex love story in any genre. The love story in The Half King ,while sweet felt a little rushed and takes away the focus from the main plot.
There is a quest ,magic, and a few unexpected twists that set the story up for the second book in the series.

Half King by Melissa Landers had been one of my highly anticipated reads for well over a year but its release date kept getting pushed back. Finally upon its release and inclusion as a Fairyloot box pick, I was really excited to dive in. Landers brings up nostalgia for me. As a young teen, I devoured her Alienated series. It paved the way for my love of romance novels. Seeing her write an adult romance felt so appropriate. Here I am, an adult reading an adult novel by an author I loved as a teen. I was truly excited.
The premise of the novel is that Cerise serves the goddess and is destined to become a Seer. As her birthday approaches and no sign of her Gift, Cerise is sent to the palace to fulfil her position there.
Curses have plagued the realm and that includes the king – Kian. Cerise becomes obsessed with ending the curses. Not only for Kian, who she strikes up an instant romance with but also the others, including her sister.
This book had such potential, but it was really disappointing. It felt like a YA novel with some spicy scenes thrown in. The characters had some juvenile moments that didn’t quite match the tone of the book. The plot was interesting but ultimately I felt bored and not engaged.
I was so gutted that I didn’t love this like I imagined.
Thank you for the eARC

Melissa Landers’ The Half King is an enthralling start to a fantasy series filled with political intrigue, vibrant characters, and a richly imagined world. The protagonist, who must navigate the challenges of leadership and betrayal, shines as a relatable and dynamic figure. The reverse grumpy-sunshine dynamic adds a delightful layer to character interactions, offering moments of levity amidst the tension.

While the pacing wavered slightly in the middle, the twists and emotional depth kept me engaged throughout. A must-read for fans of character-driven fantasy with heart.

I really liked the premise of this book first borns cursed by a goddess who their ancestors tried to kill and the curses linked to their part in the act.

The story was fast paced and action packed and I really liked how Cerise grew and developed as the story went on starting to question all she had been taught.

I found it a really easy and enjoyable read however had to know stars off and have rounded up from 3.5 as I found there romance very insta love especially considering it involves going against her lifelong teachings.

The Half King is a really great romantasy, I feel like I've been in a bit of a slump with fantasy books recently but this one really hit the spot!

The story was so interesting, I loved the mix of politics and faith and how the main character's thoughts on both evolved as the story progressed. Kian and Cerise's relationship was lovely, if a little fast - I found the 'love makes magic stronger' thing a bit cringey though.

The ending felt complete but left things open for the next book, I'm definitely going to pick it up.

If you want something easy to read, with lore that is interesting but not overwhelmingly complex, characters who become easy to love (and hate) and which sits in the Romantasy genre then this is the book for you.

Personally, I found it slightly underwhelming. Everything was just a little bit too easy for the characters to solve. Secrets were discovered just a little bit too quickly and relationships were formed just a little bit too fast.

As I was reading, I had a feeling that this was a standalone with how rushed the writing was to get to the finale - and honestly I really think it would’ve done well as a standalone if the book had been edited as such.

I do, however, feel I picked up this book at the right time. I’ve recently read a lot of heavy hitting, lore filled books and this really helped as a bit of a “palate cleanser”. Because of this, I genuinely think I would look to pick up book 2 when available.

I want to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, and Melissa Landers for the opportunity to read this as an ARC. The review is my own opinion and I have given this freely.

Curses, Forbidden Magic and Deep Secrets

With a unique setting and fascinating magic/curse system, some interesting characters, forbidden magic and a sinister priesthood, not to mention secrets, curses, betrayal, romance and adventure, I couldn’t put this one down and am eagerly awaiting the sequel!

This is a promising start to a new series, the story races away with a great deal covered in its 512 pages.
Cerise Solon has lived, as all second children of the key lineages do, in seclusion at a temple of Shiera to train as an oracle or Seer. As her 19th birthday approaches and her power not yet revealed she is despairing of ever receiving the gift of foresight. Also strangely her actions are not visible to seers and she can change the pattern of a vision.
The Reverened Mother whilst testing Cerise speaks prophecy and swiftly sends Cerise to the capital of the kingdom of Mortara as the previous temple emissary to the the King - Kian Mortara has just died. Days later Cerise lands at the capital and swiftly finds herself in the midst of political intrigue, power games, death all relating to the Great Betrayal. Eons ago the lords of the Allied Realms four lands plotted to kill their goddess Shiera, she of two faces, one benign and one wrathful. The plot failed and Shiera cursed the four families so that the first born suffers a fate that fits the part of the plot their ancestor took part in. For the Mortara line Kian's fate is to live normally by day but disappear at night and when he turns 21 he will disappear forever. Gaining new friends and a demon hound, Cerise is soon on the hunt for a way to end the curse, something she feels the goddess is ready to bless. Only months after her arrival she is heading off with the King, and select courtiers to search for the Petros blade which promises a solution to ending the curse.
I liked this book and found it a compulsive read, however events moved along very quickly with barely time for the characters to draw breath before leaping into relationships, quests and survival I will be interested to see how the story develops and hope for some character development for Kian and Cerise.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for access to this ARC. All views are my own.

Sometimes books live upto the blurb and something they don't. Sadly this book was the latter.

I felt it needed more. More world building, more lore, more story.
Though it did have more than enough telling the story rather than experiencing the story with the characters. Time jumps of the travel was explained away, the falling in love was told to us not witnessed; all tell without the show.

And the romance was insta love. Broody, grumpy king has one chat with the new girl and it's all heart eyes and obeying.

I almost DNFed so many times, but stuck with it. I'm glad, sort of, the ending had a good twist and wrap up. And the epilogue offers a lead into the next book, though not enough for me.

I wouldn't grab this book.

I was pleasantly surprised by this book and how much I enjoyed it, of course I expected to like it based on the synopsis but it exceeded my expectations. Aside from the story itself this book was such an easy read and I didn’t want to put it down, I really liked the writing and chapter length.

I loved the banter in this book between Cerise, Kian and Daerick, their characters were true to their age and they gave me a lot of smile moments. I loved the innocence but also the fierceness of Cerise, and I loved her growth throughout the book. I found the curses and magic really interesting, and I actually really enjoyed how faith was treated in this book but also the underlying feminism - especially from Daerick.

Overall I gave this book 4⭐️. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters, the pacing was excellent and it is its own complete story but leaves it open for the next book which I believe follows other characters. I’ve been left wanting to pick up the next book as soon as it releases.

3.5
I did enjoy this book for the most part, the romance was cute and kept me going for the first 69% of the book then I just got bored and was underwhelmed with the plot and the ending despite enjoying the goddess worldbuilding. The politics and scenes at the Palace before the adventure are what I liked the most and I was sad when we went away from that setting. It's a shame this was an anticipated read for me, but ended up being quite generic for me. The Fairyloot editon is lovely though, if I can bring myself to keep it for the fantastic art, I probably will.

An intriguing story of curses, magic, secrets, lies and power struggles. This book will take you on a wild ride, with twists and turns along the way to keep you reading on. I found myself absorbed into the world and Cerise's story, with everything she thought she knew turned on its head again and again at different stages throughout her journey. The idea of these curses are interesting, and none more so than that of the Half King who fades away at sun down, only to reappear again the next morning. With the curses tied into the betrayal of the Goddess, Cerise and her allies have their work cut out for them trying to establish the different families' involvement in the treachery but also how the curse can be broken - if it even can! With Cerise's trusty hound, Blue, along for the ride, who is my favourite character of them all, there's a difficult path to follow and enemies to watch closely. Though I did enjoy this story, I didn't feel the romance side of it. I would have liked to see it written with more feeling as though there is the beginning of chemistry between these two characters, it lacked a little something for me. That being said, there were elements that I loved about the ups and downs of blossoming feelings and the tension between the two. All in all this was a curious story, though a little slower in places, and not ending in a way that necessarily made me desperate to pick up the next book. I think it would have worked well as a standalone and could quite easily have been tied up by the end.

I received a free copy of this book. All views are my own.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with this read, it just didn't grip me - which is annoying because it's exactly the type of story I enjoy. I will try it again another time and see if I do better, and I read enough to be able to recommend it to other readers.