“The Princess Diaries meets Game of Thrones in this epic, engrossing royal romance…” Two months ago, Emilia Lancaster was a regular girl with a regular life.Now, through a cruel twist of fate, she finds herself living in a castle with a crown on her head, the sole heir to the Germanian throne. Between the charity balls, press events, and royal obligations, Emilia’s days are suddenly full of … obligations, Emilia’s days are suddenly full of unfamiliar responsibilities. And with a series of new suitors vying for her attention — not to mention Carter Thorne, the one man she can never have, sleeping one suite away — her nights aren’t much simpler to navigate.
One thing is certain: Emilia’s heart is in undeniable danger. But as enemies of the crown circle ever-closer… her life may be in jeopardy as well…
♛
TORRID THRONE is a royal romance about an ordinary girl who inherits an extraordinary legacy. Filled with forbidden love, murderous plots, and machiavellian intrigue, it is recommended for mature readers only. It is the second book in the FORBIDDEN ROYALS TRILOGY.
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The second book in the FORBIDDEN ROYALS TRILOGY. A dark, contemporary Cinderella story from Julie Johnson!
I absolutely devoured Torrid Throne and I am hardcore struggling to find the words to describe how awesome it is right now.
I laughed, I cried, I swooned. Yes, this is a romance, and ohgoshyes do I love Carter Thorne, but I love Emilia Lancaster starting to really grasp her own identity, too.
We saw in Dirty Halo that Emilia is a badass bitch. She handles being thrust into the the life of a royal with somehow the perfect balance of snark and grace, and I loved watching her become an even better version of herself in Torrid Throne. She’s so human and flawed… but also just a downright good person that you want to see succeed.
Torrid Throne IS book 2 of a trilogy and it does end with a cliffhanger. It’s a logical, dramatic, something’s settled for now cliffhanger with a kickass closing line, but boy do I wish I could pick up Sordid Empire right the frick now. You definitely want to read Dirty Halo first, too.
Man, is Sordid Empire likely to be a doozy, given all the dangling story threads we’re left with at the end of Torrid Throne…
Side note: Julie Johnson is one of very few authors for whom I’ll intentionally sign on for a cliffhanger like this and read as novels release-her stories are worth the temporary heartbreak between installments when she goes for a duet or a trilogy. The novels within the trilogy are on the shorter side, but we get a complete piece of the story in each one, and I appreciate that she writes standalone novels, too. Sometimes you have to shake things up!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
WOW!!! This book was an emotional roller-coaster.
I am not sure how to put into words what this book did to me, but I will try. Julie Johnson will take you on a whirlwind ride while reading this book. You will not know which way is up, down or side ways because of all the place she takes you.
Emilia Lancaster has been thrust into the royal life. She is taking it in strides because she is not 100% on what she is doing. She is slowly starting to gain her footing in this new life and learning that she could possible make a difference in Germanian.
Even with gaining her footing in her new life she still has to deal with Carter Throne. What can I say about Carter…hum. He is still the same brooding, alpha male as he was in Dirty Halo. Carter is still a major distraction to Emilia because she is not sure how to handle him or her feelings. Will she cave or will she hold strong where Carter is involved?
I can’t wait for Sordid Empire because Holy H**l what an ending to this book!!!!!
This one took on a whole different tone! Wow!!! Exciting and full of angst!! Awesome book! Need the next installment asap!!
Wow, what a read! This second part was intense. What an ending. I definitely am looking forward to part 3 in this series. I definitely recommend this author, this book and this series.
You guys!! There hasn’t been a series that I have been as excited about like I’ve been with Julie Johnson’s Forbidden Royals trilogy. Torrid Throne begins where Dirty Halo left off where Emilia must now deal with the fallout after that shocking cliffhanger in book one and the consequences her one night with Carter still has on her heart and memories.
Gah!! This story brings me right back into Emilia’s feelings as she struggles with becoming a Lancaster. But while I loved her inner snark and sass, I found that book two lacked the special something that book one had. Don’t get me wrong: Carter and Emilia were FIRE! There is something about him that is just so delicious as we watched both Carter and Emilia curse the legacy and the crown that may ultimately cost them a true chance at happiness. I just felt storywise there was a lack of progression on quite a few storylines and characters from Dirty Halo.
All in all, this book was a great tease to what I hope will be Emilia’s rise to true greatness in Sordid Empire! Bravo! 4 stars! ~Ratula
The continuation of Forbidden Royals……Princess Emilia and her overwhelming, all consuming new life as a royal is filled with angst, sadness, and a feeling of being suffocated. But it’s also a new beginnings of sorts if she embraces what has been cast down to her.
There are many hands in the pot, stirring up trouble for Princess Emilia. Octavia is ever present but I found her rather silent in this book. She’s definitely up to no good. As for Chloe, Emilia’s step sister, she turns out to be a breathe of fresh air. I love Chloe and her feisty, sarcastic caring self. An ally for Emilia. And then there is Carter, Carter, Carter………that brooding, angsty man that Emilia can’t ever have for her forever.
As Emilia becomes more comfortable in her role as a Princess, evil forces are still lurking wanting to end the monarchy. I think I know who the evil puppet master will be in the end but I also feel like it could be someone else. The ending was dramatic and created a thrilling sense to the story.
There are still so many questions yet to be answered that I can’t wait for book 3. But most importantly will Emilia and Carter find their HEA? After all, this is a Royal series with a King and Queen, a Princess and of course, a dashing Prince Charming.
4.5 Stars
This is a really good continuation of the story. Emilia is surrounded by lies and deceit and wonders who she can trust. Carter, OMG, Carter. I cannot wait for the conclusion to the story!!
I’ve been reading Julie Johnson stories for a long time and she’s blown me away with her next level, darkly delicious angst. Holy smokes is this book a rabbit hole of foreboding danger mixed with so much seductive, taboo, slow-burn tension. The second book of The Forbidden Royals Trilogy leaves you no less on the edge of your seat as when you started (and yes, it must be read in order this is NOT a stand alone).
At the cusp of peril, the new Princess Emilia starts finding her voice and her backbone within the Lancaster monarchy. However shadows are still lurking around corner making efforts to bring not only the monarchy down but to destroy the new Princess as well. I felt that the plot arc of Torrid Throne really ramped up perfectly. We see Emilia growing and dawning understanding in a lot of ways from book one. I’m excited to see where Julie Johnson takes us to wrap this series up. For me, some of the chemistry between the two mains was lost in this as the anti-hero was noticeably absent through the middle. Johnson balanced this out nicely by showcasing Emilia’s strengths and growth but I had wished there was a little acknowledgement of that growth from the anti-hero especially with the maelstrom of emotions swirling between the two.
None the less, I’m excited about this trilogy. Julie Johnson has taken contemporary issues from our current global stage and highlighted the hypocrisy while staging both sides of the coin in her beloved Germania. Through Princess Emilia we’re seeing a comforting side of human nature when in power and how that power effects her and her kingdom. I’ll be on the edge of my seat waiting for book three, Sordid Empire.
The gripping continuation of the Forbidden Royals trilogy kept me riveted! This story was poignant and heart-breaking.
Emilia is filling the shoes forced upon her. She has become the face of the royal crown and the people have embraced her with open arms.
Her life has taken an unplanned path, but her new purpose is no less important. She begins to see a future and so much of what she can offer as part of the royal family.
More secrets, more lies and deception surround her. Love for country will take precedence and sacrifices will be made. Emilia’s learning curve is steep and her burdens heavy. Forming a strong support system will be paramount to not only her sanity but her success.
In book two we get more of Carter and Chloe as their bonds continue to strengthen. Her connection with Carter is complicated but their sexual tension and attraction keep things hot!
I am eagerly anticipating the final book in the trilogy. The author keeps the story fresh and exciting. I’m never quite sure what’s coming and have no idea how everything will end. I just love it!
Torrid Throne is book two in the Forbidden Royals Trilogy. I loved it. It was captivating and I could not get enough. I loved Emilia in this one. She is pretty awesome. Emilia and Carter’s chemistry is explosive. I am dying to read Sorbid Empire!
This is the second book in the Forbidden Royals trilogy. It is not a standalone. You absolutely need to read the first book, Dirty Halo. This one picks up right after that thrilling ending. We’re thrust back into this crazy world. However, this is a brand new Emilia; a darker, angrier woman carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. She takes on her new role in her own way, and is making good changes to her life. Carter and Emilia have great chemistry and sexual tension you can cut with a knife throughout the entire book. This one was a bit more emotional than the first one. Julie Johnson always delivers great writing, with incredible descriptions of everything, plot twists and her trademark humor throughout. That end though. WHY?! Why would you do that to us?! And that last line of the entire book was terrifying but also incredibly empowering. I’m so looking forward to the final book in this trilogy. Highly recommend this entire series!!
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Torrid Throne by Julie Johnson
Julie Johnson is the devil. Yep, I said it and I’m sticking by it. I’m betting she sits in her pretty little house plotting all the evil things to give her her readers aaaall of the WTF moments and oh yes, she succeeded.
First of all, this review is going to be short and boring AF because I cannot and will not give anything away. Second, this book is NOT a standalone and you MUST read Dirty Halo first. Third, this book delivers on every tone and expectation set in Dirty Halo and then some. The book continues with Emilia really growing up in so many ways and slowly becoming the princess Germania needs. Of course, this is served with a big side a of drama and a hefty slice of that same burning attraction between her and the deliciously swoony Carter. This series is killing me in the best possible way and I am dyyyyying for Sordid Empire!
*I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
**Reviewed by Melinda for Joandisalovebooks Blog.
This Royal game of chess is heating up in more ways than one!! Perfect continuation of Dirty Halo and ultimate teaser to Sordid Empire ( which I’m so anxiously awaiting).
It is a little bit like a soap opera in the beginning and Emilia seemingly just a little out of her league, which further into the story leads to her “growing up” literally over night. I keep wondering, what role Owen’s getting to play… Carter is a little bit unnerving as he doesn’t really seems to know what he wants – Emilia yes; Emilia no:; back, forth, up and down… The final twist throws you for a loop that you’ll be in awe of the final book in the series. Great story.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
The second book in the FORBIDDEN ROYALS TRILOGY arrives March 25th! This is a dark, contemporary Cinderella story full of forbidden romance and palace intrigue
The books in this trilogy are the definition of a reader’s hangover. Julie Johnson masters character conflict, and conflict is something that the royals in Germania have in spades.
We follow closely Emilia, who is a strong, well rounded heroine. Her thrills, heartbreaks, convictions, and disappointments can very well be our own. As she takes us through a tour-de-force of her new life, as well as through a harsh reality check, she is easy to love and to root for.
I adore this author and the finesse with which she can suck us into the worlds she creates.
Torrid Throne is a fast paced continuation of the story in Dirty Halo and it does end on a cliffhanger. But trust me, trust me… that ache is so worth it.