I can’t believe I’m going to have to admit it out loud that I really did not enjoy reading The Heretic Royal.
I loved The Blacksmith Queen (I LOVEEEEEE) and even The Princess Knight (We took sometime getting use to each other but we truly did enjoy each others company) but this book was just…..tedious?
Ainsley is annoying to be honest
Now before you come at me, hear me out. Ainsley’s entire family is interesting to say the least. They are over the top and I love their uniqueness but Ainsley just annoyed me. 
I can’t even remember Gruffyn’s characters to be honest except something about his clan holding long ass grudges.

There is next to nothing when It comes to romance..I mean, at least give us some chemistry to go with. Nada. Or maybe that’s just for me (See!I’m trying to be polite).

Alast! I will forever weep at the thought of not liking The Heretic Royal especially after falling in love with The Blacksmith Queen and The Princess Knight. 
See! Dramatic me would totally fit into Ainsley’s family.

The third in a comedic adventure series, I was excited to see familiar characters still being humorous, outrageous, and blunt. Unfortunately, this book did seem like a bit of a filler for whatever is coming next in the series. Nothing overly exciting happened for me in the plot, it just focused on a different sibling and her character growth, which was a benefit, but not what I was in the mood for. I am still looking forward for the series continuation, but as someone who is very plot oriented, I hope more happens to continue the conflict between sisters and how they will handle the divisive family personalities.

I read the previous books in this series and had been looking forward to reading this one. And it was just as good as the previous two. These characters, they make you love them. And this story, keeps you hooked.

I loved this book!!

I can't wait for the next one in the series but joining our favorite new royal family is our other favorite royal family!!! Annywl and Keeley together and then add in Gemma is great. Now Ainsley is trying to find her way in the family where they seem to forget she is there.

The continuation is great and there are so many great things in the book that I re-read it all the time.

I loved reading this book! I love her writing and this series so much, and now that I've caught up with my reread (plus my read of the other series set in this world) I could finally get to this book! I just love this world and these characters so much!

G.A. Aiken's writing is always comedic, crazy and chaotic. I always have a blast consuming these stories, and this latest one with heretic in the title? I had to know more, and it was another great story in this world and i couldn't get enough!

This family who are dealing with one of them being the villain, I've really enjoyed them. To get Ainsley's story, and Gruff's, was so fantastic, I really enjoyed them together and their dynamics. Just the way that he regards the whole situation, basically as something to entertain him, yeah, they were so great!

Given that this is a fight on who the ruler should be, there are a bunch of politics and machinations, plots and schemes. Adding in all these wonderful characters and their relationships, really brought this book to life, and told a compelling tale!

Reading this book was so fantastic, and I can't wait for whatever's next, under G.A. Aiken or Shelly Laurenston!

As much as I enjoyed the first book in this series, this second installment didn't work as well for me. It wasn't bad by any means, and if anything the writing was better than the first. I just didn't connect with the romance in this one, and that is something I personally need as a reader.

I love this entire series, and the third book did not disappoint. The playful language, the outstanding characters, and the absolutely bonkers and thrilling plot make this another unputadownable book by Aiken!

The Torn Moon Clan of centaurs is known for being off-putting and rude, and Gruff is their official Grudge Holder, tasked with nursing the group's lust for vengeance and then seeing it through. Ainsley is the younger sister of not one, but two, queens (who are currently at war), making her a princess of sorts. Ainsley prefers to sleep in a tree over a castle, and her sisters won't trust her with any important tasks. Her family isn't keen on royal decorum and is unprepared when dragons and a famously mad queen (not one of their relations) land in their courtyard. This sets off new diplomatic challenges and a potential opportunity if they can ally against their sociopathic sibling and her rival throne.

Here's the problem. The writing... is just not good. There's an overzealous dedication to adverbs to the point of distraction (and I say that as a person with my own overindulgence to consider). The dialogue is childish-- I assume it's an attempt at irreverent humor that doesn't work because it isn't actually fun. By having all the characters constantly fighting and insulting one another, there isn't any meaningful conversation in the mix. And there's only so many times I can hear someone yell the same basic accusations. At least give me something more creative than "rude!" or "mean!" or "bitch!" They (as in the whole cast of characters) literally tell anyone and everyone to shut up and/or fuck off at the slightest provocation, regardless of the situation or relationship. We also routinely witness people being called hysterical for being angry, and it's apparently embarrassing to cry or see someone else cry. I want to emphasize that I know it's over the top on purpose, but it's grating to experience, especially because there isn't even one emotionally well-adjusted person around to call them on it or look directly into the camera and shake their head at it all.

On a more serious note, there's repeated, casual acephobia from the start because Ainsley can't imagine how someone would give up sex, associating it with only the most fanatic religious devotees. And later, we kind of find out a murderous nun is aroace? So while Ainsley's impression remains that most monks and nuns are sexually repressed, her psychotic friend stands out as someone who's actually embracing the strictures... Yay for representation. Plus, I wanted to scream because everyone's referred to as a male or female. This isn't the only fantasy guilty of this approach by far, but damn.

This was a flop for me. The romance isn't even worth discussing at any length. Here's the gist: Gruff is randomly devoted to Ainsley. Nothing happens for most of the book. They have a wild night with a million orgasms (only a slight exaggeration), and they yell at each other about how they're in love. At least I can promise that the summary is less painful than the full experience. I don't think I'd pick up another book by this author though I've read the entirety of this series thus far.

This entire series so far has been a joy to read and in each book you get a pov from a different sister. It's funny and full of magic. Also I love the covers. So beautiful.

4.0 Stars

This is a terrific action-packed fantasy romance that is heavily weighted on the action more than the romance. The humor is spot-on, as Aiken consistently delivers in her books. The main relationship is between Ainsley, sister to the queen, and Gruffyn, a centaur of the Torn Moon Clan.

She's human. He's a centaur. But both pledge loyalty to the queen (Ainsley's older sister) opposing Ainsley's other sister, an evil woman bent on taking over the land.

The story is full of family banter, slapstick humor, violence and fights. But it all fits, unfortunately with little left over for the romance. But if you're invested in the Blacksmith Queen's journey to defeating her sister, this book is not to be missed. The author has developed a rich world full of adventure, mythical creatures, and magic.

***5 Stars***

Is there a book series (or even tv series) that you love simply because of the crazy?
This is that series for me, well that the others she has written, and I freakin’ loved it!
Especially since my fav Mad Queen and Dragons were a part of it!

But I loved getting to know Ainsley and Gruff and watching as Ainsley found her footing with her sisters and showed her sneaky side when dealing with them. Gruff’s name is apt and I honestly couldn’t blame him for only speaking when it was with someone he liked. Their journey was fun because it was simply that they liked each other and while it took them both a long time to act on their attraction, I liked how they got to know each other and just liked what they saw.

But as for the series plot line, I do like that we are getting closer to a showdown with Beatrix…especially since the Dragons and the Mad Queen are involved, but I’m totally looking forward to seeing where things go and crossing my toes that we get more of Isadora and Var in the future!

I received this book from Netgalley for a honest review.

he Heretic Royal is the third book in the Earth Saga series, while I enjoyed this book, it was not my favourite. Having said that I really do enjoy all of Shelly Laurenston's book and I'm sure I will be rereading this series.

I was so excited to see some old characters!! It was a must read and I didn't want it to end! Hopefully we get another one with returning favorites!

The Heretic Royal is the 3rd book in The Scarred Earth Saga. I’d already read the first 2 and loved them, so I was ecstatic to get the opportunity to recieve an ARC of the 3rd! This book follows Ainsley, who is the “forgotten” child in the series. It’s both comical and sad how often her family forgets where she is or that she even exists.

In this book, she decides to finally determine her own destiny, by doing what she wants and not what she is told. And of course, along the way she falls in love. I love the character development in this book, even if there isn’t much progression in the overall storyline. I love the series and can’t wait to read the next!

definitely recommend reading through that section before trying any of the recipes.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

God save the queen! But which queen? Cruel, power-hungry, soulless Beatrix, wife of King Marius, the Wielder of Hate? Or her sister Keeley, a blacksmith who wants to live a peaceful life but, when pushed, can do more than bend metal with her hammer? As war breaks out across the land, every person, centaur, and dragon must pick a side, even the members of Keeley and Beatrix’s family. Ainsley is one of those family members; often feeling invisible within her family, Ainsley, willing to do whatever is necessary to stop Beatrix, will be sure to make her presence known.

The Heretic Royal picked up right where The Princess Knight left off, and I was so excited to jump right back into things with Keeley, Gemma, Ainsley, the centaurs and more. I found myself laughing as much as I did with the previous two novels in the Scarred Earth Saga as I dove back into the events involving Beatrix’s consuming desire for power. I enjoyed the new characters and what they brought to the story, especially Annwyl the Bloody; they all contributed wonderfully to the story and I can’t wait to see what they will bring to the next novel. I did feel that this installment in the Scarred Earth Saga seemed to end rather abruptly; the climax and falling action seemed a little rushed.

This is the 3rd book in the Scarred Earth Saga. Ties in nicely with past characters. The pace of the story is good and the book is really engaging. the author has a distinct narrative voice in the fantasy realm. For me, it was an enjoyable, interesting, and entertaining read.

Like the previous books in this series, I was completely enthralled by this book. Five out of five stars!

Each time I read one of these book I find more to love. This was a fun fantasy read. Each character had their quirks and that’s what I love about this series! Especially the unique pets they find along the way. Everyone has a unique perspective- I love the ongoing bickering! It makes it feel real. I would rate this a 4 out of 5. I definitely recommend reading in order.

Utterly Fantastic!! This is an excellent continuation and the ups and downs are even crazier. I was a little surprised that Ainsley was getting her story next, I expected it to be Kera or something, but it was just right for the next step in the saga. The chemistry, banter, fierceness, and tenderness was all there as it should be. I love this saga and am crazy excited for more!

I adore GA Aiken/ Shelly Laurenston, and will always read anything she writes! I really liked the Dragon Kin series, and the Pride series, and okay, all if it.

That all being said, something about the Scarred Earth Saga books leave me wanting more, wanting more of the energy and verve of the earlier books by this author, wanting them to be a little longer and delve into life past the HFN (Happy For Now.) Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed this book, I will read any of the subsequent books, and I liked Ainsley and Gruff (and the whole crazy family.)

I particularly liked the appearance of some familiar characters from the Dragon Kin series - that was a really fun crossover! (I will be SO disappointed if anything seriously bad happens to them!)

Beatrix seems like a caricature at this point, just pointlessly, needlessly evil, and frankly, I'm not that interested in her as a villain - I'd rather just have more hijinks among the family and potential love interests!