4⭐️ 2🌶️

A big thank you NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC!

Set in a kingdom cursed for the sins committed by ancestors long ago, Cerise lives a sheltered life in servitude to the Goddess. That is until a death at Court and an ominous foretelling puts into motion events which lead Cerise to the position of Lady of the Temple to the “Half King” . Cerise must break the curse to save the kingdom and the man she loves, but secrets and hidden enemies are all around and time is running out…

I was immediately drawn to the Half King - I always love a good Beauty and the Beast re-telling! The world building is brilliant and I was quickly drawn into Cerise’s world. The story felt fresh and I enjoyed the background to the kingdom and the curses.

Cerise is a likeable FMC, she is innocent annd quick-witted and she throws herself into situations whole heartedly. She isn’t afraid to love, even if she knows it will cause her pain. I also really liked her love for animals!

Likewise the Half- King, Kian, is a likeable m, solid MMC. I particularly found his relationship with Delora intriguing at first, and really liked how that developed once Cerise arrived at the Castle and we discover more about each character.

Some parts felt more YA than NA. In particular some relationships came across as immature, and the speed and ease Cerise gained the confidence of Kian and other members of the Court I felt lacked the complexity of an adult novel. But it didn’t take away from the enjoyment of the book and the spice brings it back up to NA territory!

Overall I really enjoyed the Half-King, it kept me entertained and guessing right until the end. I’m looking forward to reading the second part to this duology!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.
4 stars rating from me. Loved the plot and the storytelling in The Half King; with relatable, likable characters. Loved every single second reading it.