This one puts me in a bit of a bind, as I am thankful for having received an Advance Review Copy, but I did not end up liking it as much as I hoped to.
The setting of the Mortal Queen is placed surrounding a political alliance, bound through two individuals in marriage, a mortal princess and a fae king. Aisling, the mortal, is taken away to the fae kingdom, introduced to a world behind her castle’s walls and the enormous hills of lies her entire existence has based upon thus far. Her husband, Lir, king of the fae, guides her, but also doesn’t really?
I must admit, that I was not a fan of the main characters. Aisling grew to be very tiresome, really quick. Lir still lacks depth after almost 500 pages of reading. Not an ideal way to keep me hooked for the rest of the series, I’m afraid.
Part of it lies in the choice of words that was soooo much on the nose and annoyed me to no end, 333 mentions of “the mortal queen” made me rightfully suspicious. Always having to read either the mortal queen or the fae king got old really quick and kept a distance to the characters I didn’t enjoy.
There were parts in the book, where I felt like the narration slipped up a little, using the mortal word for the fae instead of the fae one when it was only fae talking, characters changing their mind more quickly than the wind does direction.
This also is a true slow-burn, there’s nothing much happening for a majority of the book, which left me as reader unprepared for bigger twists and a bit disappointed by a rushed ending to this instalment. Maybe this was also based for me in a lack of affection for the main characters, but I just didn’t care much at the end.
One thing I really disliked was the everpresent repetitition of every single piece of advice companions from the past or present gave the female main character. I mean, I know the advice by heart now, with how many times I had to read it and I've got a feeling it made up a quarter of the book's word count. Too on the nose, truly.
It’s certainly not horribly written, not at all, but there were stretches of dragging nothingness, then rushed plot and underdeveloped characters. This doesn’t leave me much choice but to rate it between 2.5 and 3, maybe leaning towards three stars.
I'm convinced that for a book to be truly successful in a series, it needs to be able to stand on its own without the other books. This is unfortunately not the case here, I'm left with more questions than answer and no desire to find out.

— ARC review ! 🪶

★ 4.5 rounded up

This book was full of surprises for me. It had been a long time since I last read a fantasy book, and I'm glad I got the opportunity to read this story. From the beginning, the book catches the reader's attention, and as the story progressed, I found myself wanting to read more and more. The world building is easily digestible; each detail is revealed at just the right moment. After that ending, I'm really eager to read the following book. Ashley Metzler has a unique way with words, so I'm looking forward to seeing how the story continues. The only thing I would change is adding more details of the places the characters visit.

I also need to add that the characters lived up to my expectations. Aisling went through her self-discovery journey, which thankfully wasn't overshadowed by the romance. On the other hand, we have Lir, probably my favourite character of the book. I would really like to know what his side of the story is, everything he thinks and the reasons behind his actions. However, I am glad it isn't included because I feel that most of the mystery in the story would vanish if we got his point of view. Additionally, the way the slow-burn romance is written is absolutely captivating, and I think it was really well executed.

Thanks to NetGalley, Second Sky, and Ashley Metzler for providing me an advanced copy!

“There was no such thing as good and bad. Only those who are powerful and those who are weak. Only those who eat and those who are eaten.”

Send help, I’m not ok! This was incredible from start to finish. I need more and I need it now.

Immersive world building? ✅
Intriguing Celtic mythology? ✅
A powerful love interest? ✅
Fated mates? ✅
A strong FMC? ✅

The story begins with princess Aisling marrying the fae king for a political alliance with the mortals and she is soon thrust into a magical world beyond her imagination. She meets a multitude of magical creatures along the way who are all unique and fully developed and the enemies to lovers trope is *chefs kiss*. Add a love triangle (square?) into the mix and this hit in all the right places. The romance element felt so natural and well built, no insta-love here, and despite coming from her mortal world Aisling is no damsel in distress and soon realises she’s far more powerful that she could have ever imagined.

It’s not often that I read fantasy that is this well written but there were multiple moments, especially in the last 25% of the book, where I literally slapped my hand to my mouth and rubbed my feet together in awe at the scenes that played out. I honestly could have cried when it ended as it is SO well set up for the second book and I don’t know how I’m going to function until the release date.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC, what a start to 2025 🫶🏼

This is definitely for the fans of JRR Tolkien style of writing and not ACOTAR or fourth wing.
There is world building and character building.
This is not a romance or an action packed book, it’s an epic fantasy.
You’re gonna immerse yourself in the world and get to know the main character and her history. It’s written in third person with a focus on her.
It’s a slow burn romance so don’t come looking for spice.
This is definitely a book you are either gonna love or hate depending on the above factors but it’s not a book for those that want instant gratification.

The FMC is a fish out of water and she is gonna piss you off with her willful ignorance but once she sees the truth, she fights. She is almost torture with her choices and what to do.
Even though this is a fantasy, she is very realistic. You can almost see yourself, just a normal person thrown into a world you don’t understand and don’t trust. But then you find out the world you do understand and do trust, it’s all a lie.
How would you react? Is it worth saving? Who should decide anyway?

The Mortal Queen is a fantasy novel that seamlessly intertwines elements of Celtic folklore with a tale of political alliances and personal discovery. The story follows Aisling, a mortal princess, compelled to marry Lir, the enigmatic Fae King, to establish peace between humans and the fae. As she navigates this arranged marriage, Aisling is introduced to a realm brimming with ancient creatures and primal magic, challenging her beliefs about the fae and their long-standing conflicts with mortals. Along her journey, she confronts unsettling truths and undergoes a profound transformation, realising she may not be so different from the king she is now bound to. 👀

The novel’s lyrical prose, immersive world-building, and complex character development are its standout features. I was particularly invested in Aisling as a character and thoroughly enjoyed the back-and-forth dynamic between her and Lir. Their slow-burn romance was well executed and added depth to the narrative. I was left wanting more though 😤

As I read, I was captivated by the intricate depiction of Aisling’s internal struggles, especially as she reconciled her mortal upbringing with the often harsh realities of the fae world. The book delves into themes of duty, identity, and the blurred lines between good and evil. It ends with a cliffhanger that has left me eager for the sequel!

That said, I did find it challenging to keep track of the various characters, their regions, and the pronunciation of their Celtic names. A guide connecting each king or queen to their respective power or area, along with explanations of the different types of magic and unseelie creatures, would have been immensely helpful. While I took notes as I read, having this information included in the book would have enhanced the experience.

Overall, The Mortal Queen is a richly layered fantasy with a unique take on its world and stunning prose. While it’s a heavier read than my usual picks, I’m so glad I gave it a chance—I loved it and can’t wait for the next installment.

Thank you second sky for the ARC 🩵

ARC Review

The stunning first book in the Aisling Trilogy is a perfect blend of magic, romance, and intrigue that fantasy lovers won’t want to miss.

The story follows Aisling, a mortal princess caught in an arranged marriage to Lir, the fae king. At first, she’s terrified (and who wouldn’t be, with the fae’s deadly reputation?), but Lir isn’t the monster she expected. Their relationship starts rocky, full of mistrust and tension, but slowly builds into an emotionally complex and deeply satisfying enemies-to-lovers romance.

What really stood out to me was the world-building. The author does an incredible job creating a magical realm inspired by Celtic folklore, filled with mythical creatures and a truly unique magic system. The political tension between the mortal and fae worlds adds so much depth to the plot, and every scene feels alive with stakes and emotion. Fans of Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black are going to feel right at home here!

The characters are another highlight. Aisling’s growth as she learns to navigate this dangerous world is so satisfying, and Lir—well, let’s just say he’s a fae king you’ll want to get to know better. Their dynamic is full of tension, slow-burn romance, and moments that will make your heart ache in the best way.

If you’re a fan of sweeping fantasy romances with rich world-building and unforgettable characters, The Mortal Queen is an absolute must-read.

Thank you so much to the author and Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this early.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book. A gorgeous 4 star read book from me. What an exciting plot, vivid storytelling and relatable, rich characters. I could put this book down – absolutely loved it.

I read this book in less than 24 hours. The whole entire book, and was scavenging for more immediately.

I really loved this story. From the start, I was sucked into Aisling's world and transfixed by the descriptions and magic system that the author has created. Not only is the world solidly built, but the magic system is just complex enough, and the turmoil between "sides" is established. I especially loved the descriptions of the characters, the world and the "feelings" that the characters get from the world around them. Having these hand/foot holds just let me fall into the story and get lost with these characters.

Speaking of characters, Aisling is so righteous when we first meet her and so invested in what her father and family have told her. Her experience and welcome to the world of the fae don't do her any favors for coming around and away from these learned notions. With that said, she does start to come around eventually, thanks to Lir and others from his world. While I of course wanted her to see the truth sooner, I appreciated that it wasn't just a "snap of the fingers" or "a night with the fae king" that changed her mind. This reinforced the stance from the beginning that she was not a pushover, and not someone that would balk from the truth once her eyes were opened. As for Lir, I wanted chapters from his view. I wanted to know his mind, and what he was thinking from the start. I now understand why were were not gifted this in book 1, but am entirely looking forward to it in the coming books. He definitely still has secrets to keep and I cannot wait to see what he does next.

I cannot wait for the next books to come out! I will absolutely be preordering them and telling all my friends about them!!

I very much enjoyed this book! It's not predicable, never knew what was going to happen next. Ainsley's life changed when she was handfasted to Lir the fae king in a way she could never have thought possible for a mortal. Living in the fae world introduced her to experiences and beings so different from what she grew up knowing and realized she'd been lied to all her life by her family, most importantly by her father. There's a connection between Ainsley and Lir, but they aren't sure what it is yet. Can't wait for the next book in the series, I've been drawn into their story!

While I did enjoy this and look forward to seeing more, I found there were parts that dragged a little.
I know some of this was because of it being the first in a series and it was needed. it made it harder for me to engage at first. This may have been my mood though not the book.

When i did finally get into it though, I flew through it. I had to get through about half of it for this though.


I enjoyed the characters. The world was interesting and made me want to learn more. The magical system of the fae also was enjoyable.

I do look forward to the next book when it comes out.

The beginning of this book did not give me high hopes, but I was happily surprised within the first 10-15% of the book. This was 4.5/5 stars! Mortal vs Fae, will the marriage between mortal princess and fae king solve the problem? maybe? Who is the bad guy? Good question.... The character development was beautiful and left just enough room for us to want more and more. The world building was also well executed. Together the plot was enticing and kept me sucked in from page to page. I feel like in fantasy often times the relationship between the main characters is rushed, however, in this book Aisling and Lir's relationship is smooth and beautiful and this made it more realistic to the reader. The battle between the two who are also both internally battling themselves kept me flipping the page to see if they were ever going to give in to one another, so much so that at the end of the book I was almost in tears and audibly gasping with the cliffhanger. The cherry on top is all the sentient characters especially Gilrel. I will 100% be reading on in this series.

*4.75

ARC COPY: Thank you so much for this - and honestly, one of the best arcs i have ever received.

PLOT: 10/10
CHARACTERS: 9/10
ROMANCE: 9/10
DEVELOPMENT : 10/10
WORLD-BUILDING: 10/10

I loved this. And it surprised me, because I personally didn't like how it started. The character development of Aisling, however, I thought was wonderfully built, and I also thought the other character were beautifully written too. The world-building was something I enjoyed greatly, with all the prophecies, as well as explaining of the different worlds in just one book, was absolutely incredible. As someone who prefers plot over romance, it surprised me when I enjoyed both a lot - I thought the slow burn was done really well, and the plot - the lies and the twists, I loved it so much. But I wanted to say - the ending, wow. To be able to fit that all into one book - i want to say that Metzler is talented, I really can't wait for this.

This book is about a mortal and fae forced into a marriage for peace. Absolutely nothing happened in this book until the 50% mark where the Mortal Queen threw a party trick and set someone on fire. Nothing and I mean NOTHING happened happened or gave a hint to the overall plot until the 90% mark in the book. This bool was slow, and uneventful.

Also received my copy from Netgalley, however, it was hard to find on goodreads because there’s two different covers and named authors.

I absolutely loved stepping into the world of Aisling and her journey and cannot wait to continue on into the next book. Perfect for slow-burn lovers of Romantasy and young adult. I love that I will be able to book talk this with my teen patrons and will be adding this to my collection. Easy to read and binge worthy. I know lots of readers who will devour this series. Great world building with magic, beasts, and everything you’d want for this genre. Would strongly recommend for fans of Sarah J. Maas.

Ensorcelled from the very first chapter!

I devoured the fluid prose of this unique take on a fantasy world and am now obsessed with both this world and these characters. The world building was descriptive and well paced (no info dump) sprinkled with nodes to Celtic lore. The slow burn romance was incredibly slow, with no spice, and phenomenal tension making the development and change in the relationship from enemies to lovers feel earned. Each character was unique and held their own voice helping the reader to not get lost in the volume of characters.

I loved the self discovery journey that Aisling went on, struggling to separate what she has been told her whole life from what she was learning in this new world, and decide for herself what to believe. Lir is a compelling character. I can see him being painted as morally grey at times, however, most times he is simply unapologetic about what he is willing to do to protect his people and his kingdom and is unwilling to hide or color his actions to appear as something they are not the way others do.

This book is going on my favorites list and I cannot wait for the next book!
—
🌲Debut novel
🏔️Trilogy
🌲Morally grey MMC
🏔️Slowburn romance
🌲Self-discovery journey
🏔️Forced proximity
🌲Enemies to lovers
🏔️Lies & betrayal
🌲Fantasy
🏔️Celtic lore
🌲Fae
🏔️Unseelie
🌲Anthropomorphism
🏔️Magic
🌲Prophecy
🏔️No spice
🌲Single POV
—
Thank you Second Sky and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review! 📚 (Is it too soon to request the sequel?!)
Publishers release date 2/14/2025

The only daughter of a mortal Northern king, Aisling is sent to marry the king of the Fae, the mortal enemy of her people. But as Ashling learns more about the fight between the Fae and mortals, it may be more complicated than she has always believed.

There were some interesting themes in this book that I really hope will be explored more in the trilogy - why are there so few daughters born both to the mortal world and to the Fae? How have other parts of their world lived in harmony or grudging resistance further to the South?

Lir and Aisling are incredibly appealing MCs. Aisling is a bit naive, but kind hearted and eager to befriend those in both part of her lives. Lir is incredibly withdrawn and a character who does not give much away, which I will admit makes his actions in the end of the book unsurprising, simply because I did not really feel I had much of a sense of him. Hopefully we will have more of a perspective of him in the next book, which I will definitely be interested in reading.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoyed Game of Thrones or the works of Sarah J. Maas.

The Mortal Queen by Ashley Metzler is an engrossing fantasy romance that combines intricate world-building, strong characters, and an engaging plot. Set against the backdrop of a precarious peace between mortals and fae, the story centers on Aisling, a mortal woman betrothed to the formidable fae king, Lir. As she grapples with her new role, Aisling discovers that the fae realm is as dangerous as it is beautiful, and her growing connection with Lir challenges her beliefs about her enemies.

Metzler excels at creating a vividly immersive setting, and her descriptive prose brings the fae realm to life. The romance, rooted in the enemies-to-lovers trope, is satisfyingly slow-burn, with moments of genuine emotional resonance. Both Aisling and Lir are complex characters whose arcs unfold thoughtfully, keeping readers invested.

However, the novel isn’t without its flaws. At times, the pacing lags, especially in the middle chapters, where the emphasis on internal monologues and world-building slows the momentum. Additionally, while the supporting characters add texture to the story, some feel underdeveloped, leaving readers wanting more depth and engagement with the secondary cast. The political intrigue, while intriguing, could have been expanded further to heighten the stakes.

Despite these (very minor) shortcomings, The Mortal Queen is a compelling read, blending romance, danger, and fantasy in a way that will appeal to fans of Sarah J. Maas or Holly Black. Its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses, making it a worthwhile addition to the fantasy romance genre.

4.5 stars, but I'm giving it 5 because there is no half star and I really enjoyed this book.

It is very much Young Adult. Absolutely zero spice, but the romantic tension is there. No foul language. Enemies-to-lovers (or not) with a super slow burn. This story promises such development in the second book. It was exciting, engaging, and easy-to-read. Lir and Aisling are unexpected fated mates from different species. It has a Romeo and Juliet star-crossed love vibe. The fae (Sidhe and Unseelie) monsters were interesting and well described.

Highly recommend this book especially for teens or young adults looking to get into fantasy reading. It is reminiscent of some of Sarah J. Maas's early books. Ashley Metzler is an author I will keep an eye out for in the future.

“Married to a fae king who’s dangerously perfect? Cue the slow-burn sparks and epic fantasy battles.”

When Aisling’s father signs a treaty marrying her off to Lir, King of the Fae, she’s convinced this union spells her doom—especially since the fae have a reputation for savage cruelty. But the ruthless monster she’s expecting isn’t who greets her at the altar. Lir is fiercely protective of his realm, an alluring enigma who inspires both curiosity and an undeniable attraction.
Swept into a world of spellbinding magic and fearsome beasts, Aisling discovers deadly secrets lurking beneath the fae’s glittering veneer. As she and Lir fight side by side to quell an ancient evil, Aisling’s own power stirs to life—untamed and intoxicating. Torn between her duty and a passion that defies all logic, Aisling must learn to master the strength awakening inside her or risk both the mortal and fae worlds falling into ruin.

Why You’ll Love It:
• Slow-Burn, Enemies-to-Lovers Vibes: A marriage of obligation crackles with romantic tension—and might just become something more powerful.
• Dangerous Fae World-Building: Enchantments, deadly beasts, and hidden evils will keep you on your toes.
• Passionate & Fierce Heroine: Aisling wields her growing power and her convictions with fierce resolve, making her a protagonist you’ll root for.
• Perfect for Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, and Callie Hart: If you crave swoon-worthy fae kings and action-packed fantasy, this is a must-read.

The Mortal Queen delivers a riveting dance between duty and forbidden desire, set against a breathtaking backdrop of fae intrigue. Prepare for an unrelenting journey of magic, monstrous foes, and a dangerously seductive romance.

#TheMortalQueen #AshleyMetzler #AislingTrilogy #FaeRomance #EnemiesToLovers #SlowBurn #FantasyReads #SarahJMaasFans #HollyBlackFans #CallieHartFans #Magic #ActionAndRomance #MustReadFantasy #Bookstagram #BookTok

In this story we meet Aisling who is a mortal princess- The daughter of a King of a mortal clann, who’s greatest enemy is the fae. The fae are portrayed as heartless monsters, and Aisling has not ventured alot into the world, and her knowledge of both the fae and the world is therefore limited. She is being sent away to marry the fae king, in order to establish a treaty of peace between the humans and fae- things are however not as easy as they seem- and there are more enemies lurking in the lands other than the fae, and bigger plans and schemes at play.

This book has a plotline with similar aspects to other books i have read, however this book is at the same time truly unique. We have a unique magic system with elements inspired by celtic folklore, and the system is both complex and original- with a lot of different mythical creatures in addition to the fae.

I loved the characters. This book has all the tropes that i love, but the book also focuses a lot on the actual plotline, so the romance is not the sole focus of the story. It has a nice balance between plot and romance, and i loved the slow-burn.

I did in the beginning however find the writing to be a bit heavy, so it took some time for me to get properly into the story, but the writing is elegant and poetic regardless. The last half of the book was very exciting, with lots of mysteries, political intrigues and plot-twists i did not see coming. The ending also left me wanting more, so i will definitely be continuing this series.

Thank you so much to Second Sky and the author Ashley Metzler for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley! <3