I wanted to like this. I really did. But Aisling was.... honestly, she was massively brainwashed off screen and she was kinda brainwashing herself further by this point. The things she was saying and thinking felt VERY icky. On top of that, I didn't feel like the main pairing had any chemistry or even potential chemistry.

Otherwise, I liked the style of writing and really think it could work better in a different setting.

🌳 Elemental magic 🌳 Thirst for power 🌳 Whimsical folklore 🌳 Quest for truth 🌳 Passion & self discovery 🌳 Arranged marriage 🌳 Seelie and Unseelie fae 🌳 Prophecies and curses

This story sucked me in from the first chapter! I thought the writing and the world building was very immersive and the fae realms, lore and magic beautifully captured. Aisling learns that things are not always what they seem and old beliefs are challenged, more often than not by the savage and beautiful king she is bonded to, as she journeys through self discovery and awakening power.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! While there were elements of this I really enjoyed, like the world-building and character development, it was absolutely drowned by the amount of inner-dialogue and scenes that went nowhere. You could drive a truck between the conversation call and responses, someone saying something and not receiving a response until three pages later because there was a random tangent in-between. Repeat info, scenes where nothing happens, and some grammar issues (like using words incorrectly that I googled just to make sure I was right in their meaning) made this feel unresolved. Could definitely use another round of editing!

This is also sold as a romantic story, yet the two barely spend any time together and there is exactly one kiss the whole time. No declarations, no great reactions to reunions or saving lives, nothing. I kept patiently waiting for something to happen between Lir and Aisling, and nada. There was some good tension, but without any true growth or much time spent together it wasn’t enough to make me root for them.

🌶️: 0/5

GIVE ME MORE. I have been on the lookout for an approachable high fantasy with a romance that doesn’t take center stage but is crucial to the story and this is it!! It’s nothing like TOG or the Bridge Kingdom but if you’re a fan of those books you will devour this one.

The prose of this book alone is poetry, but it takes nothing away from the action or the world building like it so often can. This author did an absolutely amazing job with this book. No notes. Just the right amount of tension and conflict as well as character development, this was amazing I cannot WAIT to read the next one. I’m kind of foaming at the mouth for it tbh.

thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I mean wow, I was NOT expecting to be completely consumed by this book! I seriously could not put it down.

The author done an amazing job of being descriptive without being too wordy. There is a lot of world building and character development work the FMC, which personally I enjoyed. Some key points

• slow burn
• the FMC was enjoyable and not “woe is me” annoying like some are
•forced marriage
• I really like the magic system and the depth it was explained
• a Betrayal I was NOT expecting

I really think this has the potential to be a very viral/successful book. 4.5 stars for me.

I’m so honoured to have received an advance reader copy of this book for an honest review.

I devoured this unique take on a fantasy world! The world building was descriptive and well paced, though I would have preferred more dialogue (in the earlier chapters) between the characters instead of the detailed descriptions.

The story begins with a political alliance between a mortal princess and a fae king; a marriage that was supposed to bring peace between the mortals and the Aos Sí (Fae clan), but as Aisling (mortal queen) enters the fae kingdom she soon learns the truths of the fae world and the lies weaved to her by her own people. As the truth unravels before eyes, so does her feelings for Lir and the discovery of her own magic that raises questions of her union with Lir and her race. I couldn’t get enough of Aislings and Lirs (Fae King) chemistry, the desire to see them together was real, but alas, I must wait for book two.

There was no spice in this book but the tension was phenomenal! I would have loved to have seen Aisling and Lir together and cut the building tension and admit their feelings for one another, but towards the end of the book I felt there was a disconnect between the two and felt them drifting apart, but I suppose this will make their reunion in book two spectacular!

I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did, I was sceptical at first, but that scepticism was short lived! The writing gripped me from the start, the author has done a fab job with the writing and giving the characters the footing each of them truly deserved.

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for the ARC! I cannot wait for book 2! Talking of book 2, can I request an ARC, pretty please?

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for providing this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Mortal Queen is beautifully written and entirely mesmerizing. It draws the reader into a world where fae and mortals are at odds with one another, and Ashling, as a mortal, is given in marriage to the fae king to cement an alliance between the mortals and the fae. The book was hard to put down. I cannot wait to read the sequel to find out what happens next.

3.5 STARS!!!
The Mortal Queen turned out to be an interesting read. It took me a while to get into the story because there was a lot of repetitiveness in the beginning regarding the Aos Si and a few other things. It also took me a while to warm up to the main female character as she was a majorly judgmental character, especially towards the Aos Si, even after they showed her otherwise. However, over time I started to enjoy her character even if she made decisions that frustrated me to no end. Now when it comes to Lir, Galad, and the rest of his fellow Sidhe, even Gilrel, I enjoyed them a lot. I loved the little moments between Lir and Aisling that we actually got, and I wanted so much more. When it comes to a slow-burn romance, I don't think it can go any slower than it did in this story, but the author wrote Lir and Aisling's story interesting, suspenseful, and mysterious enough that it keeps you wanting and craving more, especially more of them. I can't wait for the moment when Aisling actually considers herself Lir's caera. I don't want to give anything away because once the story gets going it's hard to put down and I don't want to spoil anything but what a cliffhanger ending. I was not expecting that from Aisling especially after the way her father and brothers treated her at dinner and how everything was handled with the iron. She can say what she wants about Lir but he has never hurt her or lied to her like her family. Yes, he may has withheld some truth and plans but she's keeping a lot of secrets, even if what she's told is even the truth. For the life of me I can't understand why she made the choice she made at the end of the story but I'm excited to find out what her journey reveals, where it takes her and who will actually be with her at the end of it since she is surrounded by those who insist on telling lies or as they think, lies to keep people protected. Either way, I'm definitely looking forward to the next book in this series as this story is full of interesting characters, planning, plotting, betrayal, revenge, power plays, monsters, lies, truths, sacrifices and so much more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, although I did find issue with some aspects of it. It was slow to start, but once it picked up I was fully invested (perhaps obsessed with Lir - jury’s still out). The cliffhanger at the end?!?! Did not expect that at all!! One thing is for sure I will be finishing this series.

Thanks NetGalley for an ARC of this book’

This book brings a unique twist on the usual fantasy themes, with an intriguing mix of magic, powerful creatures, and family drama. The main character’s struggle between her hatred for the Sideth and her discomfort with the actions of her own family creates a strong, emotional foundation. She's not entirely mortal nor Sideth, which gives her a fascinating edge, and the exploration of her complex identity was one of the highlights for me.

However, there were some moments that didn’t sit well with me. The protagonist running away with her brothers was frustrating, especially after learning the terrible things they had done. The fact that they tried to kill her friend, Galad, left me even more disillusioned with her family. I also didn’t like that she kissed the Fae King before leaving, as it felt like a sudden, unplanned moment that didn't sit well with the story's progression.

Despite these qualms, the world-building and magic system are great, and I appreciated how Meltzier builds tension and conflict. The moral dilemmas and family betrayals add a lot of depth to the story. Overall, Mortal Queen was an engaging read that left me wanting more, even if some character choices left me questioning their motivations. I’ll definitely be picking up the next book to see how it all unfolds!

The Mortal Queen by Ashley Metzler is a beautifully written fantasy romance that takes readers into a realm of Celtic-inspired magic and mythical creatures. Aisling’s journey, from a terrified mortal bride to a fierce and magical queen standing beside the alluring fae king Lir, is captivating and full of surprises.

The author does an exceptional job crafting a rich world brimming with enchanting details and a unique magic system. The political tension between the mortal and fae realms creates a gripping backdrop, adding layers to the plot and keeping the stakes high.

While the slow-burn romance between Aisling and Lir is deliciously tense, I found myself wishing for more development in their relationship. Their chemistry is there, but I wanted to see more moments of connection and growth between them to fully flesh out their dynamic.

That said, this is a wonderful story for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black, with its blend of action, intrigue, and romance. If you love slow-burn fantasy romances with a dash of Celtic folklore, The Mortal Queen is a must-read!

World building, powers unknown, fated mates, responsibility and duty. Can’t wait to read what happens next for Aisling and Lir.

Ashley Metzler’s The Mortal Queen immerses readers in a vivid fantasy world where humans and fae are locked in an ongoing war. The story follows a classic premise: a human girl marries a fae king to forge a fragile peace. While familiar, Metzler manages to keep the narrative from becoming entirely predictable, weaving in twists that keep readers engaged.

The fantasy elements of the story are beautifully crafted, with an intriguing world-building that serves as a strong foundation. However, the romance—a key element in many YA fantasies—felt underdeveloped. Though the tension and intention for romance were present, it never fully blossomed, leaving me longing for more emotional connection between the characters.

The characters themselves were likable, but their growth felt stagnant at times, with repetitive mistakes and decisions that hindered their development. Despite these flaws, the plot was captivating enough to keep me reading, and I finished the book in just two days.

Overall, The Mortal Queen is a solid recommendation for fans of YA fantasy who enjoy engaging storylines without much focus on romance or spice. It’s a great starting point for readers new to the genre, though seasoned fantasy fans might find themselves wishing for deeper character and relationship arcs.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book was ok.

The story was slow and there were too many descriptions alongside advice Aisling was previously given about the Fae.

The premise of the story was good and I liked Lir but I won't be continuing the series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

What an AMAZING first read of 2025! I’m still speechless! 2/14 cannot come fast enough so I can dive back into Ash and Lir’s world!! Thank you, thank you, thank you Net Galley and Second Sky for approving my ARC request!

This was so good?!!? i absolutely DEVOURED this book and the main characters have my heart!! This style of writing was honestly really unique and something i have never seen before. I would definitely classify this as more of a epic fantasy than i would a romantasy. it was so good and this author is going on my auto buy list now.

This is the first novel I have read from this author and I am so very impressed. Most of the time I do not get through the first chapter of any fantasy romance books because the writing is dull. Ashley has a very detailed and wonderful prose in this- the descriptions, the characters, the slo wburn- had me from the start! Cannot wait to read the next one!

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 🫶🏼