The Frostbound Queen (Realms of the Covenant #1) by Amy Pennza 

Narrated by: Benjamin D. Walker, Ellis Evans, Mollie Stark 

 

As heir to the Winter Court, Princess Liria has a duty to her realm to keep the land cold otherwise their people will perish and she knows the role well. Elves live endless healthy lives unless they fall in sorrow which is like a broken heart and they can die as a result.  Royals marry other equally or more powerful people which is usually arranged however, her parents aren't a typical married match.  Their love has always been true and deep.  When the queen had another stillborn child, she fell into sorrow and her husband the King refused to leave her side.  Without the King to rule, the realm was then turned over to their only child Liria to become Queen but being only 12 years old, she was not ready to take over the role.  The King's foster brother Ronan took the role of King regent until she came of age to take over as Queen and saw to her training to prepare to rule. 

 

Ten years later, as Princess Liria is training to take over the throne, she constantly fights with her uncle.  He keeps pushing her to choose a husband to assure the land is strong once she is made Queen but she has no desire for any of the male fae that come to court.  The only male she is interested in is Ronan.  Now that she is an adult, she finds that her feelings toward her uncle are different and she can tell his are as well but will not act on them. He is not a true blood heir and feels that the realm will not approve of their union and continues to push her to make a decision.  He leaves the castle often and never tells her what he is doing, so she decides to follow him to see where he goes.  She believes he sneaks over the human lands where elves are forbidden and possibly has a human female companion.  If they cross to the human land, their magic does not work and makes them vulnerable due to a law-bound by magic made long ago when the lands were separated after a war.

 

One night when she thinks Ronan has gone to the human realm again, she decides to go there and find him but Liria enters the human realm in a rush running from imminent danger, and runs into the human Prince Sigurn Brighthelm on the other side.  He is a gigantic formidable man with dark hair and brown eyes that is very different than her and other elves with light hair and blue eyes.  As intimidating as he looks, he is respectful, sweet, and handsome.  From the moment he first sees her, he is enamored by her beauty and he invites her to come back whenever she likes to visit in his cozy cabin away from the court where he goes to seek solitude from the castle.  Although it's dangerous, and she knows she shouldn't ever return because if she is caught it could have deadly consequences, she does go back to see him again. 

 

When the Elven Queen finally succumbed to the sorrow and died, they knew it would be a matter of days before the Elven King did as well.  A new monarch was to rule, but there was concern that Liria was not strong enough to lead and protect her people.  Liria overhears talk of her being pushed from the throne and that her Uncle will take the crown.  She runs to the human realm and waits in Sigurn's cabin seeking his help.  Although he also has issues with his kingdom, as he considers helping her, Ronan finds her to drag her back to the castle heavily guarded.  When she and Sigurn face Ronan, it appears that they are not strangers and she finds out secrets Ronan has kept from her over the 10 years he has been in her charge.  An agreement was made a decade ago that was to benefit him and Sigurn. 

 

Caught between two Kings of different realms, her heart and theirs are conflicted and they all need to make choices to save their crowns and their people. 

 

Fantasy Romance

Fae 

Magic
Destiny 

Secrets 

Forbidden Love 

Spice (MFM) 

 

This fast-paced fantasy romance was spicy and fun.  If you are not a fan of descriptive sex scenes, you will get an eyeful (or earful if you listen to the audiobook).  The story of two underdogs doing what they could to save their lands and also making the princess a high priority to keep her safe as well was an addicting read.  I do love cheering for an underdog.  The princess is young and stubborn, and although not powerful, she has ways to aid her defiance to her favor, she also learns what she needs to do to be a strong leader for her people. 

A book about love, and sometimes being a bit unconventional works better. 

 

 

 

Published May 4, 2024 available now