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slpowers's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
kaeli_innes's review against another edition
5.0
SO INCREDIBLE AND ADVENTUROUS!!! This story was so fast paced and was never lacking. The development with the main character Elijah was awesome to continue after The Sea of Zemira. The main love interest was so well written and you got to learn so much about her. The romance was beautiful and the ✨spice✨ was delightful. My favorite part? The 6ft7in elven warrior Aiden who we met in the previous book but got to thoroughly enjoy in this one
madelineburgetauthor's review against another edition
4.0
This was a super fun slow-burn read!
While I wouldn't really call it enemies to lovers per say... it was more like hated strangers to lovers because for me I prefer my enemies to know who each other are beforehand like "true long-time enemies" but I did love the slow hate turning to love aspect of this romance! It was different from the first book of this series though, like way different in a way I did not consider them to be connected at all until the very ending 25%. This read more like a spinoff of Elijah's point of view, very lightly connected to The Sea of Zemira but it could have probably stood on its own just fine outside of the chronicles.
I had a good time, it was easy to read. I came back to it multiple times a day just wanting more to see where this story was going.
While I wouldn't really call it enemies to lovers per say... it was more like hated strangers to lovers because for me I prefer my enemies to know who each other are beforehand like "true long-time enemies" but I did love the slow hate turning to love aspect of this romance! It was different from the first book of this series though, like way different in a way I did not consider them to be connected at all until the very ending 25%. This read more like a spinoff of Elijah's point of view, very lightly connected to The Sea of Zemira but it could have probably stood on its own just fine outside of the chronicles.
I had a good time, it was easy to read. I came back to it multiple times a day just wanting more to see where this story was going.
maxarcreads's review against another edition
4.0
I will be honest for most of this book it was circling around 3.5/3.75 for me. I was enjoying the plot and Elijah as a main character but some of the other characters were just really hard to enjoy. But it was nice to read about Elijah and see how he has changed from book 1 especially since he is now the king. He is obviously trying to do what is best for the kingdom especially for a kingdom who is scarred by the actions of his father and the weight of the crown is heavy on his head. At times he seems lost as a person, but he is committed to doing the right thing for his kingdom even if at times it makes him the bad guy.
The main being the FMC Janelle. I can agree she is a strong FMC who doesn't take sh!t from anyone who is also an assassin that was sent to assassin@te Elijah and that opening scene where they first encounter one another, and she tries to unalive him was so good to read. But as the book progressed, I just sometimes found a bit annoying to read. The thing is no matter how many times she was confronted with the fact that Elijah is not his father and while he might not be a good guy he isn't as bad as his father (definitely a grey character) and she would even contemplate the issue being like huh maybe he isn't that bad and I have it wrong but then the next turn of the page she was putting the sins of the father on the son. Like she was using the fact that he was holding her captive in his dungeon and yes, he t0rtured her to get answers as to why she was sent but it was like for 5 seconds and minor. But she acts like she isn't the one who unprovided broke into his castle, unalived 3-4 of his men and tried to kill him and then holds it against him that he defended himself and is holding her in his dungeon. She uses that to go oh he is exactly like his father. There is even a time when as she is on the journey to rescue and stop her brother who is trying to help her because another evil villain wants to basically turn her into a baby making machine against her will but one night as she is thinking of the situation she thinks of how she loves her brother but hasn't seen him in 6 years I think and how people can change and maybe he isn't the noble brother she once knew and he must have changed for the worse because of his association to Elijah. Again, this is while on the road to rescue her brother who might d!e trying to save her from a fate worse than He!!.
Now there are reasons written in to explain why she is the way she is but at times it was just frustrating to read. But this is an enemy to lovers and that was definitely portrayed in this book. I will also say her brother was also annoying to read as he was getting frustrated that Elijah was holding his sister as a prisoner in his jail after what she had done. He basically wanted her to have a free pass and escape back to their kingdom.
But it was the ending with the twists and final battle scene that gave this a final push to being a 4 and this book does leave on a cliff hanger that makes me excited to read the next book.
what is this book about:
It has been a few years since King Elijah has taken the throne after the de@th of his father with the help of his brother. He is working hard to integrate those who were forced from the kingdom and make it a safe place for everyone fae, elf, human and magical beings. But it is a kingdom who has been scarred and is also filled with mistrust and hate due to the past especially towards their new king. Elijah feels the weight of the crown and the mistrust of his kingdom as he does his best to help it heal but there are those who would still take his crown because the sins of his father. One night one such person breaks into the castle to do just that. However, SHE is captured, and it is from her capture a plot is discovered that eventually leads him on a journey. A journey that actually takes him back to the place of his birth where the evil of his father started to right more than a few wrongs. All while fighting this draw he feels towards the woman who tried to unalive him.
The main being the FMC Janelle. I can agree she is a strong FMC who doesn't take sh!t from anyone who is also an assassin that was sent to assassin@te Elijah and that opening scene where they first encounter one another, and she tries to unalive him was so good to read. But as the book progressed, I just sometimes found a bit annoying to read. The thing is no matter how many times she was confronted with the fact that Elijah is not his father and while he might not be a good guy he isn't as bad as his father (definitely a grey character) and she would even contemplate the issue being like huh maybe he isn't that bad and I have it wrong but then the next turn of the page she was putting the sins of the father on the son. Like she was using the fact that he was holding her captive in his dungeon and yes, he t0rtured her to get answers as to why she was sent but it was like for 5 seconds and minor. But she acts like she isn't the one who unprovided broke into his castle, unalived 3-4 of his men and tried to kill him and then holds it against him that he defended himself and is holding her in his dungeon. She uses that to go oh he is exactly like his father. There is even a time when as she is on the journey to rescue and stop her brother who is trying to help her because another evil villain wants to basically turn her into a baby making machine against her will but one night as she is thinking of the situation she thinks of how she loves her brother but hasn't seen him in 6 years I think and how people can change and maybe he isn't the noble brother she once knew and he must have changed for the worse because of his association to Elijah. Again, this is while on the road to rescue her brother who might d!e trying to save her from a fate worse than He!!.
Now there are reasons written in to explain why she is the way she is but at times it was just frustrating to read. But this is an enemy to lovers and that was definitely portrayed in this book. I will also say her brother was also annoying to read as he was getting frustrated that Elijah was holding his sister as a prisoner in his jail after what she had done. He basically wanted her to have a free pass and escape back to their kingdom.
But it was the ending with the twists and final battle scene that gave this a final push to being a 4 and this book does leave on a cliff hanger that makes me excited to read the next book.
what is this book about:
It has been a few years since King Elijah has taken the throne after the de@th of his father with the help of his brother. He is working hard to integrate those who were forced from the kingdom and make it a safe place for everyone fae, elf, human and magical beings. But it is a kingdom who has been scarred and is also filled with mistrust and hate due to the past especially towards their new king. Elijah feels the weight of the crown and the mistrust of his kingdom as he does his best to help it heal but there are those who would still take his crown because the sins of his father. One night one such person breaks into the castle to do just that. However, SHE is captured, and it is from her capture a plot is discovered that eventually leads him on a journey. A journey that actually takes him back to the place of his birth where the evil of his father started to right more than a few wrongs. All while fighting this draw he feels towards the woman who tried to unalive him.
bambamxo's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Received this as an ARC from Booksprout.
This book was a sequel to the fantastic Sea of Zemira, which I absolutely adored.
Instead of embarking on swashbuckling journeys with our beloved pirate crew this book, we follow up with one of our prior bad boys. King Elijah. The villain turned hero. His journey finding his fated mate, his battle to keep her safe, save his friends, his people, was just delicious.
We do encounter our pirates throughout the book, so have no fear m' heartys. ☠️
I found this book a lot more focused in terms of its plot, despite its multiple POV, it still all progressed towards the same end, it was just a nice change here to just have one conclusive plot and one timeline to stick with.
I LOVEEEEEEE the new characters, they made a pleasant addition to the story, the book would have lost something if it had been limited to just King Elijahs life himself, although he's pretty special. I am so happy that we kept our magic and portal jumping elements. Along with the Magic folk themselves. Slightly disappointed at the lack of sirens this time, I think maybe I like the prospect of man eating mermaids too much 😂 However, the shadow creature, hybrids and newiks make up for that big time.
Despite the promise of the book being even spicier this time round, I was most saddened to discover that it didn't get spicy until the 50% mark-ish, but boy, did it ever hit the hottest hecter chilli pepper rating. 🌶️ sorce-(er)yyy 🤭
I loved the plot line, the adventure, the enemies to lovers story, the forbidden romance, the wit, and the ending, just wow.
In the first book, we get a taste of a happy ending incoming (love those), but this book.. final chapter is epic, the whole thing is epic, then BAM! a swift kick to the face as a huge cliff hanger and huge plot twist is dropped in our laps! So while we are happy to end the journey, we know there's more to come.
The final words in the chapter gave me tingles of excitement for what's next.
So now I wonder what's in store for book 3, the finale, Empress of Fire. I know it's going to be the most exciting, fiery book yet! 🔥
For fans of magical battles, magical creatures, adventure, fantasy, witches,shadow monsters, touch her and die and spicy romance.
Totally deserves my 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another sizzling recommendation for all my fantasy smut sisters. 🌶️🔥
This book was a sequel to the fantastic Sea of Zemira, which I absolutely adored.
Instead of embarking on swashbuckling journeys with our beloved pirate crew this book, we follow up with one of our prior bad boys. King Elijah. The villain turned hero. His journey finding his fated mate, his battle to keep her safe, save his friends, his people, was just delicious.
We do encounter our pirates throughout the book, so have no fear m' heartys. ☠️
I found this book a lot more focused in terms of its plot, despite its multiple POV, it still all progressed towards the same end, it was just a nice change here to just have one conclusive plot and one timeline to stick with.
I LOVEEEEEEE the new characters, they made a pleasant addition to the story, the book would have lost something if it had been limited to just King Elijahs life himself, although he's pretty special. I am so happy that we kept our magic and portal jumping elements. Along with the Magic folk themselves. Slightly disappointed at the lack of sirens this time, I think maybe I like the prospect of man eating mermaids too much 😂 However, the shadow creature, hybrids and newiks make up for that big time.
Despite the promise of the book being even spicier this time round, I was most saddened to discover that it didn't get spicy until the 50% mark-ish, but boy, did it ever hit the hottest hecter chilli pepper rating. 🌶️ sorce-(er)yyy 🤭
I loved the plot line, the adventure, the enemies to lovers story, the forbidden romance, the wit, and the ending, just wow.
In the first book, we get a taste of a happy ending incoming (love those), but this book.. final chapter is epic, the whole thing is epic, then BAM! a swift kick to the face as a huge cliff hanger and huge plot twist is dropped in our laps! So while we are happy to end the journey, we know there's more to come.
The final words in the chapter gave me tingles of excitement for what's next.
So now I wonder what's in store for book 3, the finale, Empress of Fire. I know it's going to be the most exciting, fiery book yet! 🔥
For fans of magical battles, magical creatures, adventure, fantasy, witches,
Totally deserves my 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Another sizzling recommendation for all my fantasy smut sisters. 🌶️🔥
lilbirdh's review against another edition
4.0
I will never get sick of the enemies to lovers trope and it continues beautifully in this sequel. More please!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
marissuhrose's review against another edition
5.0
* I received an Advanced Copy of King Elijah in exchange for an honest review *
Make sure you read The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles #1) before reading King Elijah as it has information in the first book that you will need for King Elijah.
I want to start by saying this is a wonderful book and I am excited for the next book (hurry up D.L. Blade, that cliffhanger is getting us!)
If you're someone who ADORES Enemies-to-Lovers, magical creatures, a semi pirate story, plot twists, and a fiery female character The Zemiran Chronicles is definitely going to be a series you will love.
It was wonderful reading and getting to see Elijah's and Janelle's story while still getting some of the original characters like Lincoln and Nola and other pirates from the first book while also having a separate love story and interest in King Elijah.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and the adventure I went on with these characters. D.L. Blade is a wonderful author and really takes her readers on a journey with how descriptive and everything is from the character descriptions to the world she created.
I just have to say this was a phenomenal read and I cannot wait for the next book in this wonderful series.
Make sure you read The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles #1) before reading King Elijah as it has information in the first book that you will need for King Elijah.
I want to start by saying this is a wonderful book and I am excited for the next book (hurry up D.L. Blade, that cliffhanger is getting us!)
If you're someone who ADORES Enemies-to-Lovers, magical creatures, a semi pirate story, plot twists, and a fiery female character The Zemiran Chronicles is definitely going to be a series you will love.
It was wonderful reading and getting to see Elijah's and Janelle's story while still getting some of the original characters like Lincoln and Nola and other pirates from the first book while also having a separate love story and interest in King Elijah.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and the adventure I went on with these characters. D.L. Blade is a wonderful author and really takes her readers on a journey with how descriptive and everything is from the character descriptions to the world she created.
I just have to say this was a phenomenal read and I cannot wait for the next book in this wonderful series.
marissajanellatchreads's review against another edition
5.0
Just like the first book, I couldn't put this down. It kept me hooked from the get go!
crystal_reads22's review
4.0
I absolutely loved this book!! Elijah and Janelle are "chefs kiss".
Enemies to lovers,touch her and ☠ vibes and I loved every minute! Great fantasy romance with elves fae pirates dragons royalty. That cliiffy though. I cannot wait for book 3!!
Enemies to lovers,touch her and ☠ vibes and I loved every minute! Great fantasy romance with elves fae pirates dragons royalty. That cliiffy though. I cannot wait for book 3!!