A desperate alliance. A struggle for survival. And a marriage of convenience with an epic twist of fate come together in Jeffe Kennedy’s The Fiery Crown. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, the lush romantic fantasy world of the Forgotten Empires series will sweep you away. WILL THEIR LOVE STAND THE TEST OF TIME Queen Euthalia has reigned over her island kingdom of Calanthe with determination, … island kingdom of Calanthe with determination, grace, and her magical, undying orchid ring. After she defied an empire to wed ConrÃ, the former Crown Prince of Oriel–a man of disgraced origins with vengeance in his heart–Lia expected the wizard’s prophecy to come true: Claim the hand that wears the ring and the empire falls. But Lia’s dangerous bid to save her realm doesn’t lead to immediate victory. Instead, destiny hurls her and Conrà towards a future neither could predict…
OR TEAR THEIR WHOLE WORLD APART?
Con has never healed after the death of his family and destruction of his kingdom–he’s been carefully plotting his revenge against his greatest enemy, Emperor Anure, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. When Lia’s spies gather intelligence suggesting that Anure is planning an attack against Calanthe, Con faces an agonizing choice: Can he sacrifice Lia and all she holds dear to destroy the empire? Or does his true loyalty exist in the arms of his beguiling, passionate wife–‘til death do they part?
The Forgotten Empire series is:
“Captivating…engrossing.” —Romance Reviews Today
“Sensual fantasy romance you won’t want to miss!”–Amanda Bouchet, USA Today bestselling author of The Kingmaker Chronicles
“Action-packed…sexy…highly recommend.”–Harlequin Junkie (Top Pick)
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Conri and Lia have married and Conri is ready to act but Lia is ruling the Throne with the grace a royal would have. Even though their marriage was was to unite the kingdom, feelings have developed and they do not always see eye to eye. What happens when it is time to act on the Emperor who deserves nothing less then death? Will it go according to plan?
This one surprised me quite a bit,had a bit of a shocker that blew me away. I liked the characters from the first book and it carries on into the second. You are immediately swept away in the dynamics of two seemingly strangers wrapped up in a marriage and navigating through two different perceptions of how things should be done. Great follow up book, wonderful story.
Emotionally thrilling, action packed adventure filled with engaging and exciting charters, witty dialog, heart racing twists and exciting turns all in the battle for the future. Great reading from beginning to end.
If you are looking for a has adventure, kings, queens, court life, and magic, the you have found your book. This was a great read, but if I tell you more, you won’t want to read it. This is definitely a must read!
Rated 4.5 Stars
The Fiery Crown was a wild ride. There was action, twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat with my heart in my throat anxious to see what would happen next while dreading it at the same time. This book definitely had my emotions all over the place. I cannot wait to get my overly eager hands on the next book in the series. I definitely recommend this series.
Copy provided by publisher through Net Galley
“The Fiery Crown” was a decent followup installment of the “The Orchid Throne” in the Forgotten Empire series. I wish I could say it wow me yet I am sad to report that this novel definitely lacked that spark that drew me originally to this series. If you haven’t read the blurb, “The Fiery Crown” follows Lia and Conri’s marriage of convenience and their uneasy alliance. I enjoyed the tense and the fierce banter between the two as they struggle to rule the Kingdom while seeking vengeance but less than a week has passed and the I love yous are thrown around. It kind of ruined the fierce image I had for this couple and wish they had more of a slow-burn kind of romance. Nevertheless, it wasn’t terrible and I look forward to the conclusion of their story.
Rating: 2.75 stars
This book wasn’t bad, which is why I don’t have the heart to give it 2 stars. The first book was on the precipice between 3 stars and 4 stars: almost a great book. Fiery Crown, on the other hand, is on the precipice of 2 stars and 3 stars: almost a bad book.
I think my biggest issue with this book is definitely just how SLOW it was. I wish I was exaggerating when I tell you that the first action scene doesn’t start until you’re 71% through the novel. Before that first action scene, I kid you not, it’s just the same characters talking. For hundreds of pages you just dredge through conversation, after conversation, after conversation.
And usually, I’m not someone who minds a slow read, as long as there are character arcs. The biggest issue I have with this book, is that all the characters (save Sondra) remain exactly the same. You get a little more insight on what their past is, but it’s all things we already know as a reader. We already know that Con was a slave and went through horrible things in the mines, telling us more details about it doesn’t count as character arcs. We already know Lia is only half a human, telling us more about her supernatural characteristics doesn’t count as character arcs. Emotionally, and personality wise, these characters remain utterly stagnant throughout the novel. It was exhausting and just plain boring to read about these characters, I didn’t feel invested in them in any way shape or form.
My dislike for Con just grew larger than ever. He truly, in all stereotypical manners, believes that he is right and he knows the way above anybody else. Everybody who is much smarter than he’ll ever be (Ambrose, Lia, Kara) tell him that something is bad idea, and he continues through with it anyway. To the point that I don’t even feel bad for his losses, because he brought them all on himself. This man truly thinks he can outsmart EVERYONE, and becomes the biggest pain in the ass in this novel. I really don’t even understand why anybody follows him??? He’s not charismatic or funny or smart or strategic, I don’t even understand how he’s made it this far in battle?? He literally just plunged into everything headfirst, with virtually no strategy or backup plan. Everyone warns him of a backup plan, commanders and wizards with prophecies, and women who have visions of the future, try to warn him… but nOoOoOoooo Conrí doesn’t need any of them, he will just woefully ignore all their warnings and then expect us to feel bad for him when he beats himself up about having lost everything.
Sondra & Lia much like the first book, are the only bright lights in this novel that kept this from being a 2-star bad book. Sondra actually had development as a character, both emotionally and intellectually. And Lia was funny and witty and smart, everything that Conrí lacked as a leader. I also liked Ambrose, and I felt like they (they, as in Conrí) didn’t trust him enough. If I were in this novel, at this point I would wholeheartedly listen and trust Ambrose, who’s proven himself to be their best ally in this war. And yet, the idiot Conrí walks all over the man, defying him at every turn.
All in all, I will read the 3rd book. I’m curious to see how these characters will overthrow the ruler, and I love Sondra enough that I want to know her outcome. This book seriously just barely made the mark though.