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Kingdoms of the Compass #1
Crown of War and Shadow
An outcast burdened with a curse and a mercenary who's out for himself collide in this star-crossed, slow-burn, high-stakes romantic fantasy
In the dead of night, passions rise and empires fall.
Welcome to Kingdoms of the Compass.
The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world, stalking the night.
No one is safe.
Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast, she’s spent her whole life within the walls of her small village, ostracized for her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and maybe find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.
Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.
She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.
Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.
The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.
But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though passion runs hot between them, enemies are around every corner, and danger and betrayal threaten at every turn.
In the dead of night, passions rise and empires fall.
Welcome to Kingdoms of the Compass.
The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world, stalking the night.
No one is safe.
Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast, she’s spent her whole life within the walls of her small village, ostracized for her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and maybe find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.
Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.
She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.
Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.
The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.
But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though passion runs hot between them, enemies are around every corner, and danger and betrayal threaten at every turn.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2026
1691 people are currently reading
30454 people want to read
About the author
J.R. Ward
167 books52.8k followersJ.R. Ward is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous novels, including the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. She lives in the South her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 728 reviews
January 22, 2026
This dark romantacy was an unputdownable book! I really loved the story, the characters and the world building! It also comes with a magnificent beautiful cover. This is my first book that I have read by this author. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s books, because this one was just breathtaking. Some of the themes that I noticed in this book were fate versus choice, trust and betrayal, secrecy and survival!
This is a forced proximity, hidden magic novel. I found that the characters in the story were strongly developed and it came with vivid imagery! The world building in this book is phenomenal. I love that this book had twists in it, that I did not expect. I would consider this a slow burn romance and it being more of a subplot in the book. Overall, I give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars rating! This book gave me The Lord of The Rings movie vibes!
Thank you to NetGalley, author J.R. Ward and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for this great eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is set to be released on February 17, 2026!
This is a forced proximity, hidden magic novel. I found that the characters in the story were strongly developed and it came with vivid imagery! The world building in this book is phenomenal. I love that this book had twists in it, that I did not expect. I would consider this a slow burn romance and it being more of a subplot in the book. Overall, I give this novel a 4 out of 5 stars rating! This book gave me The Lord of The Rings movie vibes!
Thank you to NetGalley, author J.R. Ward and Tor Publishing Group | Bramble for this great eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review and feedback. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
This book is set to be released on February 17, 2026!
Want to read
August 14, 2025I'm sorry, am I to understand that the MMC is a mercenary called *checks notes* ...Merc?
March 18, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an ALC of Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward
Yeahhhhhh.. so if you find yourself needing me this year. Don't. I shall remain huddled in my lair reading Netgalley books until further notice. Unless it's the second coming of Hercules leave me and my books the heavens alone!
I continue to wonder what is in the water these authors are consuming.. Just when I am BEYOND positive I cannot be impressed any further.. I pick up the next book and I am reminded just how wrong I can actually be.
I do apologize in advance, this might be one of those explanations that sound better in my head but, here goes nothing. In most other circumstances this would almost be considered "too much" as far as lyrical writing goes but the author writes it in such a way where it works here . I think it's the constant momentum the author keeps throughout the book. While the text is very dense and rich the story itself is in an endless forward motion. This resulted in an absolutely beautiful read.
However, while it was beautiful I do recommend checking the trigger warnings here. Some topics might be hard depending on where you are in your healing journey. As always this book will be here waiting when you think you're ready. Honestly, it's not even so much the topics themselves but more of the hauntingly realistic way the author writes through the topics.
Until next time
Hades
🩵
Yeahhhhhh.. so if you find yourself needing me this year. Don't. I shall remain huddled in my lair reading Netgalley books until further notice. Unless it's the second coming of Hercules leave me and my books the heavens alone!
I continue to wonder what is in the water these authors are consuming.. Just when I am BEYOND positive I cannot be impressed any further.. I pick up the next book and I am reminded just how wrong I can actually be.
I do apologize in advance, this might be one of those explanations that sound better in my head but, here goes nothing. In most other circumstances this would almost be considered "too much" as far as lyrical writing goes but the author writes it in such a way where it works here . I think it's the constant momentum the author keeps throughout the book. While the text is very dense and rich the story itself is in an endless forward motion. This resulted in an absolutely beautiful read.
However, while it was beautiful I do recommend checking the trigger warnings here. Some topics might be hard depending on where you are in your healing journey. As always this book will be here waiting when you think you're ready. Honestly, it's not even so much the topics themselves but more of the hauntingly realistic way the author writes through the topics.
Until next time
Hades
🩵
February 19, 2026
Absolutely breathtaking.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm honestly over the "poor/orphan girl's quest who develops new powers when it's convenient" plot, and I found this hard to want to finish, the only reason I didn't dnf is because it's an arc and an audiobook.
I think the story lost me when the MMC offers to help our FMC if she sleeps with him (13% in) and she was into the idea basically saying "well, I don't want to die a virgin anyway" I got the immediate ick. When he says he wants access to her wet folds (gross) in order to help her, it just really turned me off.
And though it literally says in the synopsis "The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage." But let's be real, I didn't read that far in the synopsis, but even that on its own doesn't sound too bad, but the way it was written in the book was bad.
It didn't matter what he did/said after that, I already had a negative image of him.
The dialogue is insanely cringy.
Not the best narrator choice, she reads very slowly and with a melodic tone of voice. The narrator sounds like she's whisper talking, like she's trying to read quietly in a singsongy voice. It almost reminds me of an older (time not age) Disney princess with the mousy faint voice, and it's quite distracting.
- Forced proximity
- Chosen mates
- Hidden magic
- Who did this to you?
I think the story lost me when the MMC offers to help our FMC if she sleeps with him (13% in) and she was into the idea basically saying "well, I don't want to die a virgin anyway" I got the immediate ick. When he says he wants access to her wet folds (gross) in order to help her, it just really turned me off.
And though it literally says in the synopsis "The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage." But let's be real, I didn't read that far in the synopsis, but even that on its own doesn't sound too bad, but the way it was written in the book was bad.
It didn't matter what he did/said after that, I already had a negative image of him.
The dialogue is insanely cringy.
Not the best narrator choice, she reads very slowly and with a melodic tone of voice. The narrator sounds like she's whisper talking, like she's trying to read quietly in a singsongy voice. It almost reminds me of an older (time not age) Disney princess with the mousy faint voice, and it's quite distracting.
- Forced proximity
- Chosen mates
- Hidden magic
- Who did this to you?
Currently reading
January 13, 2026Intimidated by this book's length lmao, but I am ready 🫡😗
___________
Thank you to Tor Books for the ARC and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
___________
Thank you to Tor Books for the ARC and to Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
February 25, 2026
DNFed at ~25%.
This book felt like I was watching a wild TLC show, with Sorrell’s innocence shadowing the entire book. Why did she not correct him that she was in fact the opposite of a prostitute? Was she 15? Or was she just a prudish 20 something who had been living under a rock?
The amount of giggling and “I’m sorry what”’s that came out of my mouth were astounding. What do you mean she thought she couldn’t swim but then when she jumped in the water she grew fins?
All just too much of a fever dream for me.
This book felt like I was watching a wild TLC show, with Sorrell’s innocence shadowing the entire book. Why did she not correct him that she was in fact the opposite of a prostitute? Was she 15? Or was she just a prudish 20 something who had been living under a rock?
The amount of giggling and “I’m sorry what”’s that came out of my mouth were astounding. What do you mean she thought she couldn’t swim but then when she jumped in the water she grew fins?
All just too much of a fever dream for me.
February 19, 2026
**𝔄ℜℭ ℜ𝔢𝔳𝔦𝔢𝔴** ℭ𝔯𝔬𝔴𝔫 𝔬𝔣 𝔚𝔞𝔯 𝔞𝔫𝔡 𝔖𝔥𝔞𝔡𝔬𝔴 𝔟𝔶 𝔍. ℜ. 𝔚𝔞𝔯𝔡 (𝔎𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔡𝔬𝔪𝔰 𝔬𝔣 𝔱𝔥𝔢 ℭ𝔬𝔪𝔭𝔞𝔰𝔰 #1)
Release Date: February 17, 2026
5⭐️3🌶
This is MOST unlike anything I've read from J. R. Ward, and I'm not even a little bit mad about it. The voice feels different, but the level of emotion and depth of characters is the same. She's still a master a weaving together an amazing plot with characters that have real emotional depth.
This book has a slow burn romance that is full of tension and a tad bit of jealousy. The hidden powers and lost princess vibes play a prominent role, but this lost princess is not taking lip from anyone!
Blurb (minor spoilers):
Sorrel has lived her entire life confined within the high walls of her small village. Orphaned a birth, she has never had any family to care for her, and she's worked as a kitchen maid for the local innkeeper since before she can remember. She also has the ability to recall someone from deaths door. The villagers won't look at her or even talk to her, but they will call upon her skills when a woman is in labor and appears that she and the baby may die.
Merc arrives in this small town and mistakes Sorrel for a "lady of the night". However, she's never shared her body with another person before, but she's willing to play along with his misassumption, so long as he can get her out of her current situation.
The village is convinced that Sorrel is behind the murder of several young men from her village that occurred in the forest. Despite it not being her fault, they assume it to be her because she is the cursed one with dark and unexplainable powers. Sorrel can either leave town on her own or hire Merc to guild her to the next town. He agrees, but only will take payment from her body. She agrees to this stipulation, despite having no experience in the area of using your body for payment, or using your body for anything really.
Merc is not your typical "knight in shining armor". He is a mercenary that will take payment in many forms. He also pretends like he doesn't care for her current charge, Sorrel, other than getting her to where he's agreed to take her. But he always puts her needs first despite how dire their situation is.
Sorrel is so strong and soft at the same time. I love her as a character, because she's not cut and dry. She has a lot of gray to her. Sorrel frequently has panic attacks and doesn't know what to do, but she trusts her gut and she trusts that Merc will protect her.
This series has absolutely captivated me, and I cannot wait to see where Merc and Sorrel go in the next installment.
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Shadow Daddy/Healer
🍁Hidden magical abilities
🍁Lost princess vibes
🍁A cursed outcast
🍁Morally gray mercenary
🍁Kingdom on the brink of collapse
🍁Sizzling tension
TW:
✨Violence
✨Attack from beasts/animals
✨Outcast from society
✨Bribery/manipulation
✨Sexual content
Thank you to @netgalley and @jrward for the ARC copy!
Release Date: February 17, 2026
5⭐️3🌶
This is MOST unlike anything I've read from J. R. Ward, and I'm not even a little bit mad about it. The voice feels different, but the level of emotion and depth of characters is the same. She's still a master a weaving together an amazing plot with characters that have real emotional depth.
This book has a slow burn romance that is full of tension and a tad bit of jealousy. The hidden powers and lost princess vibes play a prominent role, but this lost princess is not taking lip from anyone!
Blurb (minor spoilers):
Sorrel has lived her entire life confined within the high walls of her small village. Orphaned a birth, she has never had any family to care for her, and she's worked as a kitchen maid for the local innkeeper since before she can remember. She also has the ability to recall someone from deaths door. The villagers won't look at her or even talk to her, but they will call upon her skills when a woman is in labor and appears that she and the baby may die.
Merc arrives in this small town and mistakes Sorrel for a "lady of the night". However, she's never shared her body with another person before, but she's willing to play along with his misassumption, so long as he can get her out of her current situation.
The village is convinced that Sorrel is behind the murder of several young men from her village that occurred in the forest. Despite it not being her fault, they assume it to be her because she is the cursed one with dark and unexplainable powers. Sorrel can either leave town on her own or hire Merc to guild her to the next town. He agrees, but only will take payment from her body. She agrees to this stipulation, despite having no experience in the area of using your body for payment, or using your body for anything really.
Merc is not your typical "knight in shining armor". He is a mercenary that will take payment in many forms. He also pretends like he doesn't care for her current charge, Sorrel, other than getting her to where he's agreed to take her. But he always puts her needs first despite how dire their situation is.
Sorrel is so strong and soft at the same time. I love her as a character, because she's not cut and dry. She has a lot of gray to her. Sorrel frequently has panic attacks and doesn't know what to do, but she trusts her gut and she trusts that Merc will protect her.
This series has absolutely captivated me, and I cannot wait to see where Merc and Sorrel go in the next installment.
Themes/Tropes:
🍁Shadow Daddy/Healer
🍁Hidden magical abilities
🍁Lost princess vibes
🍁A cursed outcast
🍁Morally gray mercenary
🍁Kingdom on the brink of collapse
🍁Sizzling tension
TW:
✨Violence
✨Attack from beasts/animals
✨Outcast from society
✨Bribery/manipulation
✨Sexual content
Thank you to @netgalley and @jrward for the ARC copy!
January 30, 2026
Rating: 4/5 ⭐
I received an ARC of Crown and War Shadows and overall, it was a really good Romantasy read! I loved the dynamic between Sorrel and Merc—they’re both great characters, and I was rooting for them most of the time. The world-building was also solid.
I think the book could have benefited from some more editing in certain spots to help the flow, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the story. Can’t wait for the sequeL!
Thanks Netgalley and Tor for the advance copy!
I received an ARC of Crown and War Shadows and overall, it was a really good Romantasy read! I loved the dynamic between Sorrel and Merc—they’re both great characters, and I was rooting for them most of the time. The world-building was also solid.
I think the book could have benefited from some more editing in certain spots to help the flow, but it didn't stop me from enjoying the story. Can’t wait for the sequeL!
Thanks Netgalley and Tor for the advance copy!
September 2, 2025
I always love J.R. Ward books, but I especially loved this beginning of a new series. There were some twists I saw and some I didn't. Very much already looking forward to the next installment. Welcome addition to the world of fantasy/romantasy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for access to the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for access to the ARC.
February 23, 2026
We have to be honest about what this was. This was a last ditch attempt at an author who ruled the trending romance subgenre a good 20 years ago to stay relevant.
In her prime JR Ward was everything. She was the queen of paranormal romance with her BDB vampire books. 15 year old me worshipped at her altar.
However, it's been 2 decades, 20+ books, various spinoff series and some weird attempts at contemporary romance and her star has dimmed. Dare I say she's lost the spark that made her spectacular. I say this as a beloved reader but also as someone who has to look at the numbers. Dark Lover currently has 355,627 ratings on goodreads vs her latest BDB release Lover Forbidden which sits at 4,004 ratings. That's quite the dip.
It's normal for long running series to wane. Interests shifts. Paranormal romance supremacy eventually evolved into urban fantasy which has now shifted into romantasy being the next big thing. And this shift from her (6 years too late mind you) is... kind of desperate.
This had none of her former magic. The world building was inexistent, the characters were flat, and the plot was so fucking uninspiring. It was like she had a checklist of fantasy plot points and just threw them all in there. The protagonists had little chemistry and Sorrel was so reminiscent of a chosen it was irritating.
I did appreciate her attempt to shift her prose, from urban fantasy to more high fantasy. But at times it was unnecessarily flowery, and it just became annoying. She tried to end every single of the 95 chapters in a cliffhanger which just made the sentence structures annoying.
No amount of generic romantasy plot twists at the end could save this. I just hope she abandons this series as quickly as she did that firefighter series and that YA boarding school girls thriller.
Seriously, she needs to stop trying to be trendy and just write what comes to her. Like she did at the very beginning.
In her prime JR Ward was everything. She was the queen of paranormal romance with her BDB vampire books. 15 year old me worshipped at her altar.
However, it's been 2 decades, 20+ books, various spinoff series and some weird attempts at contemporary romance and her star has dimmed. Dare I say she's lost the spark that made her spectacular. I say this as a beloved reader but also as someone who has to look at the numbers. Dark Lover currently has 355,627 ratings on goodreads vs her latest BDB release Lover Forbidden which sits at 4,004 ratings. That's quite the dip.
It's normal for long running series to wane. Interests shifts. Paranormal romance supremacy eventually evolved into urban fantasy which has now shifted into romantasy being the next big thing. And this shift from her (6 years too late mind you) is... kind of desperate.
This had none of her former magic. The world building was inexistent, the characters were flat, and the plot was so fucking uninspiring. It was like she had a checklist of fantasy plot points and just threw them all in there. The protagonists had little chemistry and Sorrel was so reminiscent of a chosen it was irritating.
I did appreciate her attempt to shift her prose, from urban fantasy to more high fantasy. But at times it was unnecessarily flowery, and it just became annoying. She tried to end every single of the 95 chapters in a cliffhanger which just made the sentence structures annoying.
No amount of generic romantasy plot twists at the end could save this. I just hope she abandons this series as quickly as she did that firefighter series and that YA boarding school girls thriller.
Seriously, she needs to stop trying to be trendy and just write what comes to her. Like she did at the very beginning.
February 16, 2026
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I enjoyed JR Ward's writing over the years in one of her UF/PNR series so I was really excited to see how she would take on a new series in a new genre. Crown of War and Shadow, a Fantasy with some romance, is the first book in The Kingdoms of the Compass series. I vacillated back and forth on how to rate this. While there were some points that initially I wasn't super on board with, others that made me *grrr* out loud, I can say I was really engaged the entire time and it was difficult for me to put the book down. So whatever my thoughts were while reading the book my feelings were engaged and ultimately it paid off by the end.
A world with some magic in it has trapped an evil King and his demons behind a magic wall. That wall or fulcrum is starting to weaken and crack, demons are crossing over and once is it weak enough, The Dark King will be able to cross back into this world or plane of existence. Sorrel has lived her life in a small village as a servant in an Inn. She is an orphan and has always been there as long as she can remember, helping the women of the village give and survive dangerous births. She also has a special gift, if she looks you in the eye she can see your death.
When the fulcrum starts to fail and her village almost doomed Sorrel learns she has a fate, one that will take her on a journey into great danger to find the Queen who talks to no one and convince her to use her armies to fight against the demons. A mercenary will help her travel to this Queen, but there is a cost, one that Sorrel is willing to pay, to spend a night of passion with him. Merc is scarred, strong and something about him pulls at Sorrel immediately.
I thought this would be your basic Orphan is the chosen one story. And while it is set up that way, there is much more underneath that is slowly hinted at and teased out. Sorrel has a destiny and there is a prophecy she is a part of, along with a reason behind her hidden magic. I liked that so much of it was a mystery and we discover all of it with her character.
There is a romantic sub plot also happening between her and her escort Merc. He too has a past that is unclear but the reader is sure it is full of heartbreak as well. As they journey together to find the Queen they have many obstacles to overcome and each builds the bonds between them. I liked the slow burn of the romance, even if at times it was infuriating, I was definitely a fan of the relationship building between them. Merc, was a bit stupid at times as he had mistaken Sorrel as a prostitute in the beginning, so some of his assumptions about her were wildly unfounded, still I did love his protectiveness of her and willingness to march towards certain death to help her.
The overall story was a great set up. There is a lot going on in this world and as we are discovering it with the MC. I did struggle with the pacing as at times it moved slowly and then at other times so quick. This could be part of the writer's intent though, so that we are in tune with the single POV main character. There is a great backstory and lore, a curse, betrayal from an unexpected source and a building love that will cross plains of reality (probably). Getting to the end was definitely worth the journey. There is a bit of a cliff hanger type ending. I'm so excited to see what Sorrel will do in the next book and how much more magic there is to be uncovered.
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
I enjoyed JR Ward's writing over the years in one of her UF/PNR series so I was really excited to see how she would take on a new series in a new genre. Crown of War and Shadow, a Fantasy with some romance, is the first book in The Kingdoms of the Compass series. I vacillated back and forth on how to rate this. While there were some points that initially I wasn't super on board with, others that made me *grrr* out loud, I can say I was really engaged the entire time and it was difficult for me to put the book down. So whatever my thoughts were while reading the book my feelings were engaged and ultimately it paid off by the end.
A world with some magic in it has trapped an evil King and his demons behind a magic wall. That wall or fulcrum is starting to weaken and crack, demons are crossing over and once is it weak enough, The Dark King will be able to cross back into this world or plane of existence. Sorrel has lived her life in a small village as a servant in an Inn. She is an orphan and has always been there as long as she can remember, helping the women of the village give and survive dangerous births. She also has a special gift, if she looks you in the eye she can see your death.
When the fulcrum starts to fail and her village almost doomed Sorrel learns she has a fate, one that will take her on a journey into great danger to find the Queen who talks to no one and convince her to use her armies to fight against the demons. A mercenary will help her travel to this Queen, but there is a cost, one that Sorrel is willing to pay, to spend a night of passion with him. Merc is scarred, strong and something about him pulls at Sorrel immediately.
I thought this would be your basic Orphan is the chosen one story. And while it is set up that way, there is much more underneath that is slowly hinted at and teased out. Sorrel has a destiny and there is a prophecy she is a part of, along with a reason behind her hidden magic. I liked that so much of it was a mystery and we discover all of it with her character.
There is a romantic sub plot also happening between her and her escort Merc. He too has a past that is unclear but the reader is sure it is full of heartbreak as well. As they journey together to find the Queen they have many obstacles to overcome and each builds the bonds between them. I liked the slow burn of the romance, even if at times it was infuriating, I was definitely a fan of the relationship building between them. Merc, was a bit stupid at times as he had mistaken Sorrel as a prostitute in the beginning, so some of his assumptions about her were wildly unfounded, still I did love his protectiveness of her and willingness to march towards certain death to help her.
“There are many things you can question about me. Morals, scruples, the very air in my lungs. But never doubt that I want you.”
The overall story was a great set up. There is a lot going on in this world and as we are discovering it with the MC. I did struggle with the pacing as at times it moved slowly and then at other times so quick. This could be part of the writer's intent though, so that we are in tune with the single POV main character. There is a great backstory and lore, a curse, betrayal from an unexpected source and a building love that will cross plains of reality (probably). Getting to the end was definitely worth the journey. There is a bit of a cliff hanger type ending. I'm so excited to see what Sorrel will do in the next book and how much more magic there is to be uncovered.
January 26, 2026
I’m a longtime fan of J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, so I went into this book with high expectations and a lot of goodwill. I wouldn’t have committed to an almost 20-hour audiobook if I didn’t truly think I was going to enjoy it. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t work for me.
The pacing felt very slow, with long stretches between plot points that didn’t always seem to connect clearly. I also struggled with the FMC, whose self deprecating inner dialogue and poor decision making made it difficult for me to care for. The love interest was more interesting, but the romance itself lacked the tension and spark I was expecting.
I did appreciate that the final chapters introduced a lot. There were some interesting revelations.
However, for me, that late payoff didn’t quite make up for how drawn out and confusing much of the journey felt. Overall, this just wasn’t the book I was expecting going in.
The pacing felt very slow, with long stretches between plot points that didn’t always seem to connect clearly. I also struggled with the FMC, whose self deprecating inner dialogue and poor decision making made it difficult for me to care for. The love interest was more interesting, but the romance itself lacked the tension and spark I was expecting.
I did appreciate that the final chapters introduced a lot. There were some interesting revelations.
However, for me, that late payoff didn’t quite make up for how drawn out and confusing much of the journey felt. Overall, this just wasn’t the book I was expecting going in.
January 28, 2026
4.5 stars! Thank you NetGalley and J.R. Ward for the introduction to this amazing world.
This really feels like the start of something special.
Crown of War and Shadow pulled me in fast with its mix of magic, danger, and slow-burn romance. What I loved most was the character growth. Instead of an instantly badass FMC, we actually get to watch Sorrell find her strength, which made everything feel more real and earned.
Sorrell and Merc’s relationship builds naturally, with tension, trust, and emotion that never feels rushed. Every chapter felt purposeful, the worldbuilding had depth without being overwhelming, and even the side characters mattered.
By the end, I was already frustrated that I have to wait for book two because I’m fully invested.
This really feels like the start of something special.
Crown of War and Shadow pulled me in fast with its mix of magic, danger, and slow-burn romance. What I loved most was the character growth. Instead of an instantly badass FMC, we actually get to watch Sorrell find her strength, which made everything feel more real and earned.
Sorrell and Merc’s relationship builds naturally, with tension, trust, and emotion that never feels rushed. Every chapter felt purposeful, the worldbuilding had depth without being overwhelming, and even the side characters mattered.
By the end, I was already frustrated that I have to wait for book two because I’m fully invested.
Did not finish
February 26, 2026I am a fan of Ward’s BDB series and it pains me to say, this book did not work for me. The synopsis seems fine in theory but the execution just wasn’t there. I got to 23% in the audiobook and will not be finishing.
A few different reasons, the pacing was slow and fast. I cannot imagine the amount of needless fluff in this 466 page, 14 hour 54 minute book. The weird sexualization of this seemingly young FMC made me uncomfortable. Additionally, the narrator’s voice also skewed very young, very whimsical, and I just couldn’t get into it.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook copy.
A few different reasons, the pacing was slow and fast. I cannot imagine the amount of needless fluff in this 466 page, 14 hour 54 minute book. The weird sexualization of this seemingly young FMC made me uncomfortable. Additionally, the narrator’s voice also skewed very young, very whimsical, and I just couldn’t get into it.
Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook copy.
January 28, 2026
DNF at 25%
No one is more disappointed than I am with my rating. I’m very familiar with JR Ward’s books and writing style. I love her BDB series and was thrilled when this book was announced. Despite this having a very exciting premise, it was a very boring book.
I got a little over 5 hours into the audiobook and very very little had happened. I wasn’t really excited by the book or the storyline. It could’ve been really cool but it just didn’t deliver. After five hours I knew little about our two main characters or their goals.
The narrator was a poor choice as well. She used a veryyy slow, melodic tone of voice, which I wasn’t a fan of and it didn’t match the character. If I were to just rate her I’d probably give 2/5.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
No one is more disappointed than I am with my rating. I’m very familiar with JR Ward’s books and writing style. I love her BDB series and was thrilled when this book was announced. Despite this having a very exciting premise, it was a very boring book.
I got a little over 5 hours into the audiobook and very very little had happened. I wasn’t really excited by the book or the storyline. It could’ve been really cool but it just didn’t deliver. After five hours I knew little about our two main characters or their goals.
The narrator was a poor choice as well. She used a veryyy slow, melodic tone of voice, which I wasn’t a fan of and it didn’t match the character. If I were to just rate her I’d probably give 2/5.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
November 11, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and Tor Publishing for the gifted copy of this eARC.
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
⭐️ 3.5/5
🌶 2/5
🧠 4/10
Cliffhanger: 3/10
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete series. Single first-person POV. There are some darker elements in this story. Publication date 2/17/2026.
This was a big book for a first in a series. It feels like a lot happens but also not a lot. Probably because we spend a lot of time with the two main characters but there are parts of the story that feel a little stuck in the mud. The world itself gave me midevil Witcher vibes. Everything feels like it has a layer of grit on it. Nothing ever felt comfortable at any point. There is so much mystery surrounding our FMC Sorrel and MMC Merc. Some twists you may see coming but probably not everything.
The romance feels very much like a subplot that teases a lot. For me, Merc does not give us a classic Romantacy MMC. It felt like even the reader is kept at arms length with his hot and cold routine but it only adds to the air of mystery surrounding him. The plot is a little clunky in spots. At points it seems to drag and others it moves at lightning speed when it should have slowed a bit to add to story. But I really did like this book enough to want to continue the series. I would like to see how these characters continue to develop and where the story is going.
Genre: Romantic Fantasy
⭐️ 3.5/5
🌶 2/5
🧠 4/10
Cliffhanger: 3/10
Noteworthy: Book 1 of an incomplete series. Single first-person POV. There are some darker elements in this story. Publication date 2/17/2026.
This was a big book for a first in a series. It feels like a lot happens but also not a lot. Probably because we spend a lot of time with the two main characters but there are parts of the story that feel a little stuck in the mud. The world itself gave me midevil Witcher vibes. Everything feels like it has a layer of grit on it. Nothing ever felt comfortable at any point. There is so much mystery surrounding our FMC Sorrel and MMC Merc. Some twists you may see coming but probably not everything.
The romance feels very much like a subplot that teases a lot. For me, Merc does not give us a classic Romantacy MMC. It felt like even the reader is kept at arms length with his hot and cold routine but it only adds to the air of mystery surrounding him. The plot is a little clunky in spots. At points it seems to drag and others it moves at lightning speed when it should have slowed a bit to add to story. But I really did like this book enough to want to continue the series. I would like to see how these characters continue to develop and where the story is going.
March 9, 2026
I rated this book 3.5 stars
This audiobook ended up being a really interesting experience for me. The narrator did a lovely job capturing Sorrel’s early softness — her voice starts out so small and meek that I honestly wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first. But as Sorrel grows into herself, the narration shifts with her, and that evolution ended up being one of my favorite parts of the performance. There were a couple of tiny moments where character voices blurred, but nothing that pulled me out of the story.
The book itself starts slow, and I had to give it a little grace while the worldbuilding settled in. But once the plot starts moving, it moves. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding who Sorrel and Merc actually are — the slow drip of revelations kept me curious, and the tension between them is steady and satisfying. There’s one moment of near‑betrayal that absolutely punched me in the chest. Even after I understood what was really going on, it still gnawed at me in the best angsty way.
One of the things I appreciated most was the theme of kindness. Sorrel spends so much of her life feeling unseen and unwanted, and the story quietly reinforces that the good you put into the world matters, even when no one acknowledges it. That message lands beautifully toward the end.
There were a few things that didn’t quite work for me. The slightly archaic language felt a bit uneven, and the travel logic got a little wobbly — especially when a previously dangerous journey suddenly became quick and easy. But those were small bumps in an otherwise engaging story.
By the time I reached the finale, the book had shifted into something much bigger and more mythic than I expected. The reveals reframed earlier chapters in a satisfying way, and the ending sets up a lot of potential for book two — especially for Sorrel and Merc. I’m definitely curious to see where their story goes from here.
Overall, this was a solid start to a fantasy series with strong character arcs, emotional depth, and a finale that delivers. I’m glad I listened to the ALC and will likely continue with the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and J.R. Ward for the advance listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
This audiobook ended up being a really interesting experience for me. The narrator did a lovely job capturing Sorrel’s early softness — her voice starts out so small and meek that I honestly wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first. But as Sorrel grows into herself, the narration shifts with her, and that evolution ended up being one of my favorite parts of the performance. There were a couple of tiny moments where character voices blurred, but nothing that pulled me out of the story.
The book itself starts slow, and I had to give it a little grace while the worldbuilding settled in. But once the plot starts moving, it moves. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding who Sorrel and Merc actually are — the slow drip of revelations kept me curious, and the tension between them is steady and satisfying. There’s one moment of near‑betrayal that absolutely punched me in the chest. Even after I understood what was really going on, it still gnawed at me in the best angsty way.
One of the things I appreciated most was the theme of kindness. Sorrel spends so much of her life feeling unseen and unwanted, and the story quietly reinforces that the good you put into the world matters, even when no one acknowledges it. That message lands beautifully toward the end.
There were a few things that didn’t quite work for me. The slightly archaic language felt a bit uneven, and the travel logic got a little wobbly — especially when a previously dangerous journey suddenly became quick and easy. But those were small bumps in an otherwise engaging story.
By the time I reached the finale, the book had shifted into something much bigger and more mythic than I expected. The reveals reframed earlier chapters in a satisfying way, and the ending sets up a lot of potential for book two — especially for Sorrel and Merc. I’m definitely curious to see where their story goes from here.
Overall, this was a solid start to a fantasy series with strong character arcs, emotional depth, and a finale that delivers. I’m glad I listened to the ALC and will likely continue with the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and J.R. Ward for the advance listening copy. All thoughts are my own.
February 24, 2026
Crown of War and Shadow by J.R. Ward
Poor Sorrel, everyone in her town hates her because she's different but they have the nerves to call on her for help. The world building is long and lengthy because this is one of the cases where the world expands as the main character explores the world. When Sorrel's town decides to kill her over a misunderstanding she runs away with a mercenary who I think comes across as a little gruffy, grumpy, and bossy male lead but he's also soft and over protective of Sorrel.
So while running away she decides to also gather help to fight the demon king, since there's signs that he returned. There's a little bit of a journey going to different kingdoms to see if they would help defend the nation/town that pretty much disowns her. There's a lot of action, fighting, and monsters in this book so it's definitely a fun read.
Tropes:
Outcast Heroine
Slow burn
One Bed
Overprotective male lead
Forced Proximity
Hidden Magic
Secret
Betrayal
Thank you to NetGalley, Bramble, Tor Publishing Group for the gifted copy!
Poor Sorrel, everyone in her town hates her because she's different but they have the nerves to call on her for help. The world building is long and lengthy because this is one of the cases where the world expands as the main character explores the world. When Sorrel's town decides to kill her over a misunderstanding she runs away with a mercenary who I think comes across as a little gruffy, grumpy, and bossy male lead but he's also soft and over protective of Sorrel.
So while running away she decides to also gather help to fight the demon king, since there's signs that he returned. There's a little bit of a journey going to different kingdoms to see if they would help defend the nation/town that pretty much disowns her. There's a lot of action, fighting, and monsters in this book so it's definitely a fun read.
Tropes:
Outcast Heroine
Slow burn
One Bed
Overprotective male lead
Forced Proximity
Hidden Magic
Secret
Betrayal
Thank you to NetGalley, Bramble, Tor Publishing Group for the gifted copy!
February 18, 2026
I was extremely excited to go into this book since I just started her Black Dagger Brotherhood series which I am loving so far.........BUT..........
This book started out extremely humorous with her writing style that I adore so much. It felt like satire because the romantasy elements were extremely exaggerated; so much so, I was laughing so hard that I could not take anything seriously (I truly hope that was her intent).
The FMC is an orphan "virgin" girl who, of course, has hidden powers and does not know who she truly is. The MMC enters the page covered in leather and is a dick to put it bluntly. There is a quest they must go on together; to find the truth of her origin, and that was when things WENT WAY DOWNHILL. It wouldn't have been such an issue if the world was properly built out. There was virtually ZERO world-building in this, just pure confusion once you get to parts two and three... and this is coming from someone who reads high/epic fantasy. NOTHING WAS FLUSHED OUT.
I had to call it quits, DNFing at the 60% mark after the MMC did a horrible thing that put a bad taste in my mouth.
Thank you, Netgalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
PS: the audio performance is great, if you were curious ;)
This book started out extremely humorous with her writing style that I adore so much. It felt like satire because the romantasy elements were extremely exaggerated; so much so, I was laughing so hard that I could not take anything seriously (I truly hope that was her intent).
The FMC is an orphan "virgin" girl who, of course, has hidden powers and does not know who she truly is. The MMC enters the page covered in leather and is a dick to put it bluntly. There is a quest they must go on together; to find the truth of her origin, and that was when things WENT WAY DOWNHILL. It wouldn't have been such an issue if the world was properly built out. There was virtually ZERO world-building in this, just pure confusion once you get to parts two and three... and this is coming from someone who reads high/epic fantasy. NOTHING WAS FLUSHED OUT.
I had to call it quits, DNFing at the 60% mark after the MMC did a horrible thing that put a bad taste in my mouth.
Thank you, Netgalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
PS: the audio performance is great, if you were curious ;)
February 11, 2026
This started out strong, and there were several components I really enjoyed (the overarching plot, the world building, the twists throughout the book), but ultimately I could not get past how much I hated the MMC. While I liked his character in the beginning, the constant (baseless) accusations of the FMC being a prostitute and his refusal to believe otherwise were annoying. These accusations made even less sense with the additional information we get about his character towards the end of the book. Between several instances of what was, in my opinion, pretty disrespectful behavior towards the FMC and him not apologizing (or even exhibiting any remorse) for said behavior, it was really hard to buy into the romance.
I'm interested enough in the plot to pick up the next book in the series when it comes out, but god I hope there is somehow a different love interest (i dont think this is likely).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
I'm interested enough in the plot to pick up the next book in the series when it comes out, but god I hope there is somehow a different love interest (i dont think this is likely).
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I made myself mad after I finished this book because I realized I'd now have to wait a whole year+ for the next book in this series to come out. I got on Goodreads to write my review and got even more mad when I remembered this book technically isn't out yet either! I read the ARC. 😭
What an incredibly strong beginning to a fantasy series! All plot points were beautifully tied together, the call-backs were clever, and the story is one I'll remember forever. I struggle with large reads because I lose interest fast, but that was not the case for this one. Every single chapter added important progression to the story. EVERY SINGLE ONE... while keeping the story interesting. The chapters were small and didn't feel overwhelming.
The love felt genuine between our two main characters because it had a chance to grow with authenticity. Each additional character played important roles, even the ones that felt insignificant in the beginning later came back to add really good plot twists. The story overall was well written with a beautiful ending that will throw us gracefully into the next book.
I am really happy to begin my year with a five star read. It was an emotional ride I honestly was not prepared for but I'm grateful for it. Thanks for letting me be able to read this book before its official release. I will most definitely be grabbing the second as soon as it is available to me.
What an incredibly strong beginning to a fantasy series! All plot points were beautifully tied together, the call-backs were clever, and the story is one I'll remember forever. I struggle with large reads because I lose interest fast, but that was not the case for this one. Every single chapter added important progression to the story. EVERY SINGLE ONE... while keeping the story interesting. The chapters were small and didn't feel overwhelming.
The love felt genuine between our two main characters because it had a chance to grow with authenticity. Each additional character played important roles, even the ones that felt insignificant in the beginning later came back to add really good plot twists. The story overall was well written with a beautiful ending that will throw us gracefully into the next book.
I am really happy to begin my year with a five star read. It was an emotional ride I honestly was not prepared for but I'm grateful for it. Thanks for letting me be able to read this book before its official release. I will most definitely be grabbing the second as soon as it is available to me.
January 20, 2026
4-4.5⭐️
I feel this is the start of a fantastic new series!! 😆
It has mystery, action, romance and originality.
As much as I love a FMC who is such a badass right from the start, in this book, our FMC doesn’t start off with this energy and it’s such a refresher to have character development and actual questions going on in my head!!
For me this isn’t a typical romantasy and actually has a very interesting world and depth which has me wanting book 2 so bad!
I loved it! Absolutely recommend 🫶
I feel this is the start of a fantastic new series!! 😆
It has mystery, action, romance and originality.
As much as I love a FMC who is such a badass right from the start, in this book, our FMC doesn’t start off with this energy and it’s such a refresher to have character development and actual questions going on in my head!!
For me this isn’t a typical romantasy and actually has a very interesting world and depth which has me wanting book 2 so bad!
I loved it! Absolutely recommend 🫶
November 30, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Crown of War and Shadow Book 1 in the Kingdom of the Compass series
This first book in the Kingdom of the Compass series pulled me in right from the start. We’re introduced to Sorrel, our MFC, an outcast the villagers rely on in times of need but refuse to truly see. I immediately connected with her resilience and quiet strength. Then there’s Merc, our MMC… and let me just say, the “shadow daddy” energy is real. J.R. Ward paints him in a way that feels dark, powerful, and magnetic without ever overpowering the world around him. The world building is rich. This story leans into Romantasy with a slow burn pull and an almost impossible quest that forces the characters into growth, tension, and vulnerability. The romantic angst? Absolutely perfect. It never felt rushed, and every moment added to the emotional heartbeat of the book. I also really loved the additions of Thale and the Inn, great characters who brought depth and personality while expanding the world, especially the Southern Outpost. I’m genuinely hoping we’ll see more from that part of the map in future installments. Overall, the book gave me total Witcher vibes, but with J.R. Ward’s unmistakable flair. Her writing style remains one of my favorites, immersive, emotional, and sharp.
Thank you to @netgalley, @torbooks, and @jrwardauthor for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mark your calendars. Pub Date: February 17,2026
If you love romantasy or J.R. Ward, you’re going to want this on your shelf.
#CrownOfWarAndShadow #JRWard #KingdomOfTheCompass #RomantasyBooks #FantasyRomance #SlowBurnRomance #BookReview #ARCReview #NetGalleyARC #TorBooks #Bookstagram #Bookish #ReadersOfInstagram #BookTok #FantasyBookTok #RomantasyTok #WitcherVibes #ShadowDaddyEnergy #BookRecommendations #UpcomingReleases #2026Books #MustReadFantasy
Crown of War and Shadow Book 1 in the Kingdom of the Compass series
This first book in the Kingdom of the Compass series pulled me in right from the start. We’re introduced to Sorrel, our MFC, an outcast the villagers rely on in times of need but refuse to truly see. I immediately connected with her resilience and quiet strength. Then there’s Merc, our MMC… and let me just say, the “shadow daddy” energy is real. J.R. Ward paints him in a way that feels dark, powerful, and magnetic without ever overpowering the world around him. The world building is rich. This story leans into Romantasy with a slow burn pull and an almost impossible quest that forces the characters into growth, tension, and vulnerability. The romantic angst? Absolutely perfect. It never felt rushed, and every moment added to the emotional heartbeat of the book. I also really loved the additions of Thale and the Inn, great characters who brought depth and personality while expanding the world, especially the Southern Outpost. I’m genuinely hoping we’ll see more from that part of the map in future installments. Overall, the book gave me total Witcher vibes, but with J.R. Ward’s unmistakable flair. Her writing style remains one of my favorites, immersive, emotional, and sharp.
Thank you to @netgalley, @torbooks, and @jrwardauthor for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Mark your calendars. Pub Date: February 17,2026
If you love romantasy or J.R. Ward, you’re going to want this on your shelf.
#CrownOfWarAndShadow #JRWard #KingdomOfTheCompass #RomantasyBooks #FantasyRomance #SlowBurnRomance #BookReview #ARCReview #NetGalleyARC #TorBooks #Bookstagram #Bookish #ReadersOfInstagram #BookTok #FantasyBookTok #RomantasyTok #WitcherVibes #ShadowDaddyEnergy #BookRecommendations #UpcomingReleases #2026Books #MustReadFantasy
March 15, 2026
I was going to give this a four ... but then the last 100 pages cranked it up to five stars.
What a strange, yet brilliant story. So totally unlike JR Ward. Unless perhaps in the prose. At times, in the BDB she writes in a similar style, flowery, in a way she must imagine old worldly narrative (think scribe virgin). My only criticism of this book is that I don't particularly enjoy this. For me, it took a good chunk of this book to get used to. This prose doesn't feel natural. Perhaps that's just me but honestly I wasn't sure it was necessary.
A silly small criticism really though because this is of course a BANGER and Ward has completely excelled. Though this is Romantasy/fantasy rather than paranormal romance....it's extremely well done. The backstory is rich and complex. The world building is top notch. A heavily character driven novel that delivers with growth and beautiful emotional depth. And of course twists and turns.
Yep, Ward is the OG for a reason. And I say that not with blind faith as an over enamoured fan of hers... but as a true fan of fantasy. Can't wait for the next installment when please god's we will learn Marc's true name!
What a strange, yet brilliant story. So totally unlike JR Ward. Unless perhaps in the prose. At times, in the BDB she writes in a similar style, flowery, in a way she must imagine old worldly narrative (think scribe virgin). My only criticism of this book is that I don't particularly enjoy this. For me, it took a good chunk of this book to get used to. This prose doesn't feel natural. Perhaps that's just me but honestly I wasn't sure it was necessary.
A silly small criticism really though because this is of course a BANGER and Ward has completely excelled. Though this is Romantasy/fantasy rather than paranormal romance....it's extremely well done. The backstory is rich and complex. The world building is top notch. A heavily character driven novel that delivers with growth and beautiful emotional depth. And of course twists and turns.
Yep, Ward is the OG for a reason. And I say that not with blind faith as an over enamoured fan of hers... but as a true fan of fantasy. Can't wait for the next installment when please god's we will learn Marc's true name!
March 11, 2026
3.5
The pacing was a little funky in the middle of this.
Content note: graphic birth, death during childbirth, spiders
ARC audiobook copy provided by publisher via netgalley
The pacing was a little funky in the middle of this.
Content note: graphic birth, death during childbirth, spiders
ARC audiobook copy provided by publisher via netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Crown of War and Shadow by J. R. Ward
Kingdoms of the Compass #1
3.7⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 4)
Spice: 2.0/5
Cursing: min-
Format/Source: audio from NetGalley, Bramble Romance, and Macmillan Audio
Genres/Tropes: fantasy, romance, slow burn, forced proximity, one bed, touch her and die, who did this to you, hidden magic
Audience: Adult
Setting: Badlands
Characters: Sorrell, Merc, and many more minor characters
👍 short chapters, twists, min- cursing, Sorrell, healer rep,
👎 slow at times, Merc is too wishy washy
Description:
The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world, stalking the night.
No one is safe.
Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast, she’s spent her whole life within the walls of her small village, ostracized for her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and maybe find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.
Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.
She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.
Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.
The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.
But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though passion runs hot between them, enemies are around every corner, and danger and betrayal threaten at every turn.
I enjoyed this novel, especially Sorrell, her healing abilities, and also the twists. It did tend to drag at times seeming to be a little too long. I recommend this to those who enjoys long romantasy books.
#bookstagram #booklovers #romantasybooks
Kingdoms of the Compass #1
3.7⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 4)
Spice: 2.0/5
Cursing: min-
Format/Source: audio from NetGalley, Bramble Romance, and Macmillan Audio
Genres/Tropes: fantasy, romance, slow burn, forced proximity, one bed, touch her and die, who did this to you, hidden magic
Audience: Adult
Setting: Badlands
Characters: Sorrell, Merc, and many more minor characters
👍 short chapters, twists, min- cursing, Sorrell, healer rep,
👎 slow at times, Merc is too wishy washy
Description:
The Fulcrum is failing, and demons are slipping into the mortal world, stalking the night.
No one is safe.
Especially not Sorrel. An orphan and an outcast, she’s spent her whole life within the walls of her small village, ostracized for her mystical abilities. She wants to survive…and maybe find somewhere she can call her true home. But Fate has other plans.
Sorrel has been chosen. Cursed.
She must cross the Badlands to return the Queen's crown and convince the fearsome female to save their world from destruction.
Well aware she’s no brave hero, Sorrel makes a dangerous deal with Merc, a brooding, commanding mercenary known only by his unscrupulous profession.
The deal? A night in his bed that she will never forget, in exchange for her safe passage.
But Merc has secrets of his own, and even though passion runs hot between them, enemies are around every corner, and danger and betrayal threaten at every turn.
I enjoyed this novel, especially Sorrell, her healing abilities, and also the twists. It did tend to drag at times seeming to be a little too long. I recommend this to those who enjoys long romantasy books.
#bookstagram #booklovers #romantasybooks
February 17, 2026
A breathtaking ride with an ending that floored me.
Crown of War and Shadow is everything I crave in epic fantasy: lush world-building, morally tangled characters, and a plot that never lets up. But that ending? I did not see that coming. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the story twisted in a way that was both devastating and brilliant.
The emotional stakes are sky-high, and the author doesn't pull punches. Every alliance, betrayal, and whispered prophecy builds toward a finale that leaves me staring at the last page in stunned silence. It's the kind of ending that makes you want to reread the whole book just to catch the clues you missed.
If you love fantasy that respects your intelligence and wrecks your heart in the best way, this is it.
I received this ARC copy of Crown of War and Shadow from Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
#CrownofWarandShadow #NetGalley #TorPublishingGroup
Crown of War and Shadow is everything I crave in epic fantasy: lush world-building, morally tangled characters, and a plot that never lets up. But that ending? I did not see that coming. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, the story twisted in a way that was both devastating and brilliant.
The emotional stakes are sky-high, and the author doesn't pull punches. Every alliance, betrayal, and whispered prophecy builds toward a finale that leaves me staring at the last page in stunned silence. It's the kind of ending that makes you want to reread the whole book just to catch the clues you missed.
If you love fantasy that respects your intelligence and wrecks your heart in the best way, this is it.
I received this ARC copy of Crown of War and Shadow from Tor Publishing Group and Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
#CrownofWarandShadow #NetGalley #TorPublishingGroup
January 27, 2026
**ARC READ**
3.75⭐️
2/5🌶️
First person/single POV
Book 1 in a multi-book series
Format: ALC
Mild spoilers ahead
The FMC carried the show
A huge thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read one of my most anticipated releases of 2026 as an ALC! I’m so very grateful for this listen.
In all honesty, JRW’s BDB series was not for me no matter how much I really wished it was. So when she announced that she’s writing a romantasy, I figured this is my chance to join the JR Ward world because this genre is more my style. But…. I’m kinda disappointed in this.
As a writer, she truly reigns supreme; I now see why readers go so hard for her. Because everything that I look for in a romantasy is here except unfortunately, for the romance.
The plot was plotting. The pacing was perfection. The fantasy world/magic system is original enough. World building is slow & steady throughout. Even the language was on par for how people should speak in a fantasy setting with the ideal vocabulary & everything. The way she writes is clear & concise; almost sharp. & also, on occasion with some sexy/sultry undertones to it.
& the opening: I love the brutality it foreshadowed. The start helped paint such a harsh but all to real look at the struggles of life for a woman & children. The beginning really pulled on my heartstrings.
The strongest element of this book/The star of this show is the FMC. She is presented to us as someone who’s been sheltered & could be naive but we quickly learn that she knows how to stand up for herself & others with equal fervor. She’s resilient & tenacious & a fighter for what she believes is just even though she has always been the town’s pariah. I fell in love with her by the end of her quest.
Now for the weakest element of this story: the MMC (& subsequently the relationship.) He is just not it as a love interest. When we initially meet him, I got excited because I love how he’s described as someone less than perfect physically. He’s got long black hair in braids with beads on them🤮 with one eye scarred & white. & with the tops of his pinky fingers missing. Not the looks of a standard male love interest although just as huge & built. But then we get to know him…. & there isn’t a drop of charisma to him or charm or anything for that matter, good or bad. He’s as dry as a cracker. The way he behaves/the way he treats her uch & not in a hehe wink wink bully romance/dark romance kinda way. More of in a despicable kinda way.
Cherry on top: we get insta-lust from them both. Ok, her I can understand a bit because she’s this innocent virgin. But what was the purpose, story wise, for him to be treating her like a whore he can pay?? Every time he is on page, I lost interest. They don’t have a drop of chemistry. How did they get to spice by the 50% mark I’m baffled when all they have going for them is miscommunication. & that first sex scene was just ich!! (Don’t wanna spoil to much as to why.)
I love that the majority of the time, she pulled her own & didn’t need him because he was off page wounded & needed saving or sleeping with whores or who knows what. She was busy saving herself or the situation. He is almost never attune to her being hurt or needing assistance. Like, idk how to explain this!!! He’s got nothing attractive as a love interest. So I’m confused as to why he was given such a significant part of the story in book 1 when it’s a 4 book series & could have been stretched out till later somehow. Maybe this could have benefited with his POV who knows. Maybe next book.
I also noticed how repetitive it gets sometimes; with thoughts & dialogue. Which brings me to add that this could have been significantly shaved down page wise. It was just unnecessarily too long & way too overdrawn in many areas.
But a great ending with some truly unexpected plot twists.
Audio: obsessed with this narrator! One of my new favs. All her different voices (male/female) were so damn good except for the MMC. She just could not voice a good job with this character.
**Releases 2/17/2026**
3.75⭐️
2/5🌶️
First person/single POV
Book 1 in a multi-book series
Format: ALC
Mild spoilers ahead
The FMC carried the show
A huge thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to read one of my most anticipated releases of 2026 as an ALC! I’m so very grateful for this listen.
In all honesty, JRW’s BDB series was not for me no matter how much I really wished it was. So when she announced that she’s writing a romantasy, I figured this is my chance to join the JR Ward world because this genre is more my style. But…. I’m kinda disappointed in this.
As a writer, she truly reigns supreme; I now see why readers go so hard for her. Because everything that I look for in a romantasy is here except unfortunately, for the romance.
The plot was plotting. The pacing was perfection. The fantasy world/magic system is original enough. World building is slow & steady throughout. Even the language was on par for how people should speak in a fantasy setting with the ideal vocabulary & everything. The way she writes is clear & concise; almost sharp. & also, on occasion with some sexy/sultry undertones to it.
& the opening: I love the brutality it foreshadowed. The start helped paint such a harsh but all to real look at the struggles of life for a woman & children. The beginning really pulled on my heartstrings.
The strongest element of this book/The star of this show is the FMC. She is presented to us as someone who’s been sheltered & could be naive but we quickly learn that she knows how to stand up for herself & others with equal fervor. She’s resilient & tenacious & a fighter for what she believes is just even though she has always been the town’s pariah. I fell in love with her by the end of her quest.
Now for the weakest element of this story: the MMC (& subsequently the relationship.) He is just not it as a love interest. When we initially meet him, I got excited because I love how he’s described as someone less than perfect physically. He’s got long black hair in braids with beads on them🤮 with one eye scarred & white. & with the tops of his pinky fingers missing. Not the looks of a standard male love interest although just as huge & built. But then we get to know him…. & there isn’t a drop of charisma to him or charm or anything for that matter, good or bad. He’s as dry as a cracker. The way he behaves/the way he treats her uch & not in a hehe wink wink bully romance/dark romance kinda way. More of in a despicable kinda way.
Cherry on top: we get insta-lust from them both. Ok, her I can understand a bit because she’s this innocent virgin. But what was the purpose, story wise, for him to be treating her like a whore he can pay?? Every time he is on page, I lost interest. They don’t have a drop of chemistry. How did they get to spice by the 50% mark I’m baffled when all they have going for them is miscommunication. & that first sex scene was just ich!! (Don’t wanna spoil to much as to why.)
I love that the majority of the time, she pulled her own & didn’t need him because he was off page wounded & needed saving or sleeping with whores or who knows what. She was busy saving herself or the situation. He is almost never attune to her being hurt or needing assistance. Like, idk how to explain this!!! He’s got nothing attractive as a love interest. So I’m confused as to why he was given such a significant part of the story in book 1 when it’s a 4 book series & could have been stretched out till later somehow. Maybe this could have benefited with his POV who knows. Maybe next book.
I also noticed how repetitive it gets sometimes; with thoughts & dialogue. Which brings me to add that this could have been significantly shaved down page wise. It was just unnecessarily too long & way too overdrawn in many areas.
But a great ending with some truly unexpected plot twists.
Audio: obsessed with this narrator! One of my new favs. All her different voices (male/female) were so damn good except for the MMC. She just could not voice a good job with this character.
**Releases 2/17/2026**
January 27, 2026
This audiobook was an absolute standout listening experience. With a single narrator, Stina Nielsen, handling every voice, she delivers a phenomenal performance, effortlessly shifting between male and female characters without ever pulling me out of the story. Each character felt distinct, grounded, and emotionally true, which made the listening experience seamless and immersive.
The writing itself is poetic and lyrical, and the audio format truly brings that style to life. Hearing the prose aloud adds weight and beauty to the story in a way that enhances every emotional beat. The narrator’s pacing and tone elevate the language, making the quieter moments just as powerful as the high-stakes ones.
The worldbuilding is deep, rich, and intricate, and on audio it feels fully realized. I was completely immersed in every scene…from tense, intimate moments to dangerous, fate-driven encounters. When you are reading/listening to the first book in a high fantasy series, it can take a bit to get through the world building and character development and I felt a bit of that with this novel as well. But do not be deterred. The payoff is so worth it. The atmosphere is heavy, dark, and layered, and the narration makes the world feel alive rather than overwhelming.
I also loved how the ending was handled. It answers a lot of lingering questions and provides satisfying closure to this part of the story, while still leaving you desperate for the next book. There is clearly more of this story to tell, and this audiobook does an excellent job of wrapping up key threads without losing that sense of anticipation for what comes next in this series.
The MMC, Merc, is dark and gruff and the author takes risks with this character in how he is portrayed, especially around the intimate scenes. The FMC, Sorrel, is also written in a way that is not your usual FMC and it’s enjoyable to be in her head as she works through this epic adventure. The character flaws and development through the story are refreshingly different, especially for this genre.
If you enjoy dark, immersive fantasy romance with lyrical writing and top-tier narration, Crown of War and Shadow is absolutely worth experiencing on audio. I received an advance listening copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.
The writing itself is poetic and lyrical, and the audio format truly brings that style to life. Hearing the prose aloud adds weight and beauty to the story in a way that enhances every emotional beat. The narrator’s pacing and tone elevate the language, making the quieter moments just as powerful as the high-stakes ones.
The worldbuilding is deep, rich, and intricate, and on audio it feels fully realized. I was completely immersed in every scene…from tense, intimate moments to dangerous, fate-driven encounters. When you are reading/listening to the first book in a high fantasy series, it can take a bit to get through the world building and character development and I felt a bit of that with this novel as well. But do not be deterred. The payoff is so worth it. The atmosphere is heavy, dark, and layered, and the narration makes the world feel alive rather than overwhelming.
I also loved how the ending was handled. It answers a lot of lingering questions and provides satisfying closure to this part of the story, while still leaving you desperate for the next book. There is clearly more of this story to tell, and this audiobook does an excellent job of wrapping up key threads without losing that sense of anticipation for what comes next in this series.
The MMC, Merc, is dark and gruff and the author takes risks with this character in how he is portrayed, especially around the intimate scenes. The FMC, Sorrel, is also written in a way that is not your usual FMC and it’s enjoyable to be in her head as she works through this epic adventure. The character flaws and development through the story are refreshingly different, especially for this genre.
If you enjoy dark, immersive fantasy romance with lyrical writing and top-tier narration, Crown of War and Shadow is absolutely worth experiencing on audio. I received an advance listening copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC.
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