**Book Review: *Symphony for a Deadly Throne* by E.J. Melllow**

*Symphony for a Deadly Throne* by E.J. Melllow is a captivating and intricate fantasy novel that explores a world of political intrigue, magic, and power struggles. The author presents a dark and enthralling narrative with complex characters, intense plot twists, and a richly developed world that draws the reader into its depths from the first page. I love that each book can stand on its own but come beautifully together.

**Synopsis**

Within the world of Aadilor sits the hidden Thief Kingdom, a land overflowing with magic and mayhem. There the Mousai, a trio of deadly sorceresses, serve the reclusive Thief King, delivering punishment and pleasure to the masses.

Arabessa Bassette is the leader of the Mousai, conducting their powerful gifts with unyielding precision. But behind her mask of control burns a desire to forge her own path—along with a tumultuous relationship with Zimri D’Enieu, her father’s right hand and the man who’s held her heart since they were children. When an unexpected invitation to vie for the Thief King’s throne pulls her into a deadly competition, Arabessa’s composure cracks as she finds herself with an impossible choice—give up her greatest love or her greatest ambition.

But sacrifices loom large in the Thief Kingdom, for the quest for power always comes at a price. With her and Zimri’s future hanging in the balance, Arabessa must decide if she’s willing to pay it.

Welcome to the world of Aadilor, where love is found between cracks and the most mesmerizing symphonies carry lethal notes. Dare to play?

**World-Building and Atmosphere**

Melllow excels at creating a richly atmospheric world where magic is both a blessing and a curse. The author takes great care in establishing the setting, immersing the reader in a world full of vivid landscapes, from dark, storm-ravaged castles to lush, mysterious forests. The world is steeped in history, with ancient traditions, cultures, and beliefs that add layers of depth to the political and social conflicts.

What makes the world-building stand out, however, is the way Melllow blends the fantastical with the human. Magic is not just a tool but a symbol of power, influence, and the burden of responsibility. This adds a level of philosophical and moral complexity to the narrative, as characters must confront the costs of using magic for personal gain versus collective good.

**Characters**

The characters in *Symphony for a Deadly Throne* are multidimensional and morally complex. Arabessa the protagonist, is a strong yet vulnerable character whose internal conflicts make her relatable. Her determination to protect her kingdom and her family, despite the treachery surrounding her, makes her an engaging and inspiring character to follow.

The supporting cast is equally well-developed, with each character having their own motivations, secrets, and struggles. From the mysterious and enigmatic love interest to the power-hungry antagonists, Melllow ensures that no character is one-dimensional. The relationships are messy, raw, and real, and they contribute greatly to the emotional impact of the story.

**Themes**

At its core, *Symphony for a Deadly Throne* is about the nature of power and the cost of ambition. The novel explores the moral gray areas of leadership, the responsibilities of those who wield power, and the sacrifices that must be made in order to protect loved ones. There are also themes of identity, family, and the pursuit of freedom in a world constrained by tradition and duty. The interplay between these themes adds depth to the story, making it more than just a high-stakes political thriller.

**Writing Style**

Melllow’s writing is fluid, with a poetic quality that enhances the immersive nature of the story. The pacing is generally well-maintained, though at times, the novel can feel heavy due to the layers of political intrigue and world-building. The prose is rich, and the author takes time to describe settings, emotions, and inner turmoil, which helps to build tension and draw the reader deeper into the world. At times, this can feel slow, but it’s clear that Melllow is laying the groundwork for the larger, more explosive events to come.

**Final Thoughts**

*Symphony for a Deadly Throne* is an engrossing, emotionally charged fantasy novel that combines political intrigue with a deeply personal journey of self-discovery. E.J. Melllow has crafted a world that feels alive, full of danger, magic, and high stakes, while also giving the characters enough emotional depth to keep readers invested in their fates. The themes explored within the novel resonate long after the final page is turned, leaving readers with plenty to reflect on regarding the nature of power, responsibility, and the consequences of our choices.

Fans of intricate fantasy stories with complex characters and high-stakes political drama will find *Symphony for a Deadly Throne* to be a thrilling, thought-provoking read.

I honestly had higher expectation because I ended up liking book 2 more than I thought I would, especially since this book has the deadly competition aspect. Sadly, that competition is executed so badly that it was the worst one I have ever read in my life. Every contestant does their tests alone and we do not even see the other contestants nor do we even learn their names. Moreover, the competition is barely part of the book, like probably barely even 5-10% of the whole book despite it being the premise of said book.

Overall, a huge disappointment because the whole premise was interesting and the romance was somewhat cringy that I couldn’t get behind it nor cared about the drama because of it. The only thing I like about the book was the reveals about the parents, especially the mom.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy for an honest review.

Each book in the Mousai trilogy works as a standalone book.

Here, we will have the story of Arabessa Bassette, the eldest sister and leader of the Mousai, an obedient daughter, a responsible and caring sister, and the one who always takes the selfless path and assumes all obligations for her king and her family. Arabessa is the one who always does what she needs to, but perhaps never what she truly wants.
And everything is about to change when she decides to fight for the throne of the Kingdom of Thieves. However, more than being the new king, Arabessa will have to make both choices and sacrifices, and the price of forging her own path may cost her the love of the man she has loved since childhood.

Symphony for a Deadly Throne is seductive, enchanting, and absolutely beautiful.

I clung to this book as if it were a soft quilt of years and felt as if my entire body was warm and smiling. In this book, Adilor's world turns old stories into nightmares, and we are swallowed up by this attractive, uncontrollable, and hungry land.
In alternating chapters, we will learn the story of Zimri, and all the pain that wraps around him like a thorny vine, as well as all the things that make his heart beat faster.
He and Arabessa were protagonists who had such challenging and definitive feelings, and I don't know if there is anything in literature - or in life - sweeter and more beautiful.
This was a story full of beauty, that unhinges you and holds you in the same breath.
It's like groping among thorns while the same spark of hope that grows in the characters' chests is the one that swallows you whole.
This is a book that consumes you, slides and closes around you like an embrace.
Books like these are what stars are made of.
P.S.: We will never have enough of you, Achak.

*I own a physical copy*

In 2019 my health started going down hill and I didn't take into consideration what that would mean for my book reviewing. Sadly, I've been trying to play catch up for years and it's been affecting my ability to keep up with present day tasks. So I greatly apologize for this but I am going to clear out all these older review books and focus on present day. I will come back and update this review if I end up reading the book, which is very possible as a lot of these books are still ones I would like to read, I just don't think the pressure looming over me is helpful. Thank you for giving me a chance to early read these books and I am so sorry I wasn't able to provide what was needed.

Symphony for a Deadly Throne is a beautiful and thrilling conclusion to the Mousai series. Easily my favourite, and the best written, of the trilogy. This is one of the best fantasy romance series l've read in a long time, and it deserves more recognition. Although this wasn't exactly what I expected, it was truly perfect in every way, and I could ramble on about it forever. I know that other readers will fall in love with this book as quickly as I did. I truly can't recommend it enough!

Even if I hadn't read the other books in the series, I liked this one very much. It has a strong female main character, and her struggle between responsibilities and feelings is brilliantly portrayed. I liked how the world was presented to us. The world-building was excellent. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book!
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this book in exchange for an honest review.

Great conclusion to the series! I was really interested in seeing how the story arcs for each sister played out, and I wasn’t disappointed. This was such a unique story with lovable characters. Highly recommend this series to all romantasy lovers!

Good way to end the story. Beautiful and quick read.
Thanks for the arc opportunity, couldn’t wait to read this book after that ending in book 2. Wanted to reread the series again the second I finished the book

This book was so beautifully written! This book is fast paced and keeps the energy up throughout. Mellow's prose never dissapoints. This was my first read by EJ Mellows and quickly became a favorite for the year.

Wow! This was definitely the standout book of the trilogy in terms of romance. The emotions were beautifully restrained yet felt so natural. The pain and complexities were truly heart-wrenching, but there was an underlying assurance that everything would turn out fine. I absolutely loved it! The way they communicated and their unwavering resolve made their connection even more compelling.

Having love both the predecessors of this book I was highly anticipating this read it was not disappointed. Speeding the first two books in the series, I was very invested in hearing arabessa and zimri’s conclusion to the series in full.
I’m very glad I got to see the end of their story as It was clear they had always had a complicated on an off relationship.
Really really enjoyed the world building. And Character development. this author is has just has the most beautiful way of describing things, Descriptions are so rich and immersive. Would Thoroughly recommend this trilogy To those seeking a world of magic, Pirates and danger.

Symphony for a Deadly Throne by E.J. Mellow is a captivating read for fans of fantasy romance and politics, particularly those who enjoy complex, emotionally charged stories about strong female protagonists navigating the intricate dance between love, power, and loyalty.

This was so good. E.J Mellow you outdid yourself with the writing, it was incredible. thank you netgalley for this arc.

Thank you to Netgally, the publishers, and E. J. Mellow

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was apart of a series, one that requires you to read the previous books for this one to make sense. I am unable to read all the previous books along with this one before the publish date. Therefore, I will rate this a fair 3/5 stars and will adjust the rating and review when I am able to read all the books in the series along with this one.

I related to Arabessa just a little bit too much so this book hit me in every single way possible that it could. Her loyalty to her sisters, her kingdom and her loyalty to Zimri were tested on every single page and I loved seeing her develop a loyalty to herself as well because she so completely deserved it.

The twists in this book I definitely hadn't seen coming throughout either of the other two books in this trilogy. The love story between Zimri and Arabessa was so frustrating to read sometimes but I feel that helped with the reading experience as they both were frustrated with each other as well. I think this is the only time I've been okay with a miscommunication trope because it was a miscommunication that neither of them wanted or could help.

Her ending was exactly what she deserved and I remember doing a little dance at the end when I finished reading the book. Arabessa is so smart and I also loved that all of the sisters attitudes and personalities complimented each other rather than being basically exact copies of one another. I don't think I could pick a favourite sister because they are all so different and complicated in their own ways and each of their stories also made sense for their own paths.

This was a captivating and thoroughly refreshing story. I was enthralled by Arabessa and Zimri's journey, overcoming obstacles and conflict to bring them together in the sweetest way. The longing a tension was top tier. I also loved this world so much that i was craving even more detail and information about it, and would love to return to it to experience more that it has to offer. The relationship between the sisters was also great to experience throughout this series, as each was written so distinctly, but I find I loved Arabessa and her story most.

This series as a whole was thoroughly entertaining and I will enjoy doing a reread soon to relive many of the exciting moments.

Thank you so much Montlake Publishing and Netgalley for sending me an eARC to read and review!

"Arabessa realized then how painful it was to grow. To move forward into something new. How hard it could be to carve one's own and who might be forced to be left behind in the process."

I know that it's almost a year too late, but better late than never, right? I don't know exactly why I didn't read this one last year since I specifically read the first two books for this eARC, but oh well lol.

Anyway, this book was okay! Compared to Dance of a Burning Sea, Mellow fell back into her old writing style because, let me tell you, the writing was WEIRD. That's the best way to describe it. Almost like Mellow was a teenager writing an essay for an English class that had to be 10 pages long.

In regards to the romance, I desperately wished the miscommunication trope wasn't the literal CENTER of this story. Much like my issue with This Cursed Light, the romance seemed to be the center of the story versus the conflict. That being said, I did like Arabessa and Zimri together (even though Zimri lacked personality for the most part). If the plot hadn't focused so much on their romance, the story would've been pretty decent. I wish Mellow had expanded on the Thief King's role, but *insert shrug emoji* At least we got to see more of the Thief Kingdom in this book.

The biggest thing I loved was this book's focus on finding/ forging one's own path, despite what others may think or want them to do. I would absolutely LOVE a spin-off with Kattiva as well.

I also loved Arabessa's mental struggle between duty and love. As I've learned recently, you need a balance, which Arabessa was lacking in her life. So I could relate to her.

Overall, a little disappointed with this finale.

"Symphony for a Deadly Throne" by E.J. Mellow deserves a solid 5 stars from me. This installment in The Mousai Trilogy is a captivating blend of characters, story, and challenges within the enchanting Thief Kingdom of Aadilor. What sets it apart is the mature tone, making it feel more grown-up than its predecessors.

Arabessa Bassette, leader of the Mousai, faces a compelling dilemma when an unexpected invitation puts her in a deadly competition for the Thief King's throne. The story explores Arabessa's internal conflicts as she grapples with choosing between her greatest love, Zimri D’Enieu, and her deepest ambition.

E.J. Mellow crafts a thrilling narrative in the mesmerizing world of Aadilor, where love and power collide, and sacrifices become inevitable. "Symphony for a Deadly Throne" is a 5-star recommendation for those ready to immerse themselves in a world where lethal notes resonate in the most mesmerizing symphonies.

I’m so sad about this but I’m having to DNF this. I couldn’t stand the characters which is a shock considering I loved their little interactions in the first two books.

I cannot stand a character being “selfless” but in actuality is just making decisions for others no matter what the other person says.

The third and final book in an amazing trilogy. I had to read the first 2 before I could start this one and I definitely ate them all up. I think the third book was by far my favorite but they were all amazing and will be added to my favorite fantasy books list :)

Thank you so much for providing me with this arc