t is a book about an introvert who struggles to express their feelings and desires, who meets the perfect person to bring them out of their shell and embrace life. I loved this so much. what an amazing worldbuilding book

Another banger from Ali. I absolutely cannot wait to read the 5th and final installment in the Five Crowns of Okrith series. I loved reading about Neelo and I don't think I've ever seen representation like this in a book. It was really refreshing.
Action, adventure, romance and steamy scenes! What more could you ask for?!

This was the first book I’ve ever read that featured a non-binary main character. Neelo, the main character, is a neurodivergent bookworm that I found very relatable, as I am also an autistic individual that loves books. The way that Neelo interacted and spoke was very accurate to how a high-functioning autistic person speaks and acts, so I’m very happy with the representation in that matter. Just like in the other books, this one was AMAZING, and so was the world building. It had the right amount of spice but not so much that it detracted from the rest of the story. Loved this book so much. Thank you for the ARC!

This was my first non-binary character and it took me a few chapters to get into the story but it was amazing. Neely and Tal are amazing characters and I love reading their story and the romance was perfect

📖 The Evergreen Heir
📖 AK Mulford
📖 The Five Crowns of Okrith (book #4)
📖 384 pages
📖 5 stars
📖 My Thoughts 📖
~ARC sent for review~
Loved Neelo's character, and I am so glad we got to know them more! Looking forward to book 5, this one leaves off on a cliffhanger. Highly recommend this fantasy series if you haven't started it yet!!

Excellent storytelling as always! Mulford's world building remains a favorite. I loved how the relationship between Neelo and Talhan unfolded. I thought the way the author approached gender identity was interesting and the way it translated through the story. Adjusting to they/them pronouns took a minute, my brain automatically goes to plural characters. But hopefully authors like Mulford will continue to set precedent for other authors when including neurodivergent main characters.

Beautiful and amazingly written just like the others before. I will continue to love this series for ever!

Once more AK Mulford proves to be a favorite author of mine.

Often with interconnected fantasy, there is a necessity to reread before every installment that comes out. Mulford gives us enough background without coming off as info-dumping to catch up and not get confused about the politics and characters.

I feel like ranking this series is impossible at this point; I love each character and book so fervently all for different reasons. As always, Mulford gives us the reputation that I often feel the genre is so desperately in need of. Neelo is nonbinary, going by they/them, and their gender identity is never the focal point of the book—they just are. Their relationship and the struggles that they endure and have to overcome is their journey.

The spice in this one was done in such a unique and beautiful way. It didn’t steal shine from the plot, but it also was done tastefully to keep with Neelo’s gender identity. It was vague enough in the details to be neutral, but crumbs scattered to know their assigned gender. I have never read anything so carefully and well done, but Mulford always astounds in her ways to be inclusive without shoehorning or flashing it.

The found family was also a wonderful addition to this installment. It is one of my favorite tropes and one that made a profound impact.

Phenomenal! Beautiful writing, and such an inclusive fantasy romance! I can’t wait to read the rest of this series and everything else by A.K. Mulford.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I’m loving this series by AK Mulford and this installment is no exception.

I was initially skeptical of the tiktokers recommending this as a follow up to acotar but it’s really great at filling that Sarah J Maas void in my life.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

AK Mulford never misses and the book does not change that. Fantastic continuation to this series. Great queer representation. Banter is great as always.

As with every book that I’ve read from this author, this book was absolutely amazing. I’ve absolutely fallen in love with this series. I’m not a typical reader of fantasy.. but this series has sucked me in and I’m hooked. And this book was no exception. It was fast paced, and full of amazing characters. And I absolutely loved the inclusion in this book. Neelo is non-binary, and their character was written amazingly well. This is the first book I’ve read in the perspective of someone like this. And I absolutely love that people can now have a story that they can identify with. And Talhan.. he the fierce warrior. But for Neelo, he is more. He’s understanding, and kind, he’s funny, and bright. He brings Neelo out of their shell and helps them be what they need to be. I am looking forward to the final book in this series, as I’m excited to see how Okrith and all the rulers deal with the threat against them. And I’m dying for Carys’ story.

I love the Five Crowns of Okrith! This series is so good, but the Evergreen Heir is by far my favorite book!!! This book is so well written! I have been looking forward to this one and it did not disappoint.

Neelo is such a fun and diverse character. Neelo is so relatable for a lot of us who are neurodivergent. It's so refreshing to read a book with a character you can relate to. It's als0 refreshing to read a book about a world that's not hung up on pronouns and judgement. A world that allows people to just be who they are and they are accepted and loved. With no one trying to change them.

This is a must read!!!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this. It did take me a little longer to get into it than previous books in the series. I also really appreciate the representation in this series.

Friends to Lovers, Slowburn Romance, Fated Mates, Found Family.

Such an incredible read! I loved Neelo’s character development throughout this book and to learn more about them. Watching both Neelo and Talhan come into their own and learn how to show vulnerability was so beautiful to experience. The representation of Neelo as a nonbinary character was something that I have yet to see portrayed accurately and well. Their story was represented so respectfully and truthfully. As someone with social anxiety, Neelo’s ways of understanding the world, navigating through it, and shaving out their space in was beautiful in so many ways. I didn’t realize I needed this type of representation until reading this book. I felt so heard while reading this and enjoyed it thoroughly.

Overall, Mulford’s creation of the world of Okrith is one of my favorites. I enjoy how in each book, we still get glimpses and moments of the previous characters to see how their stories are shaping out. Mulford has created such an incredible world through the vivid imagery she creates. I want to visit all of these courts more than words can describe. I would highly recommend this book and will definitely do a reread.

I enjoyed this book and I could not put it down. I really enjoyed the characters and the writing was really well done. It made you want to keep reading.

This series just goes from strength to strength.

We join Neelo this time, reluctant heir to the throne, they would rather be reading than ruling.

Neelo is betrothed to Talhan, who you will remember as one half of the Twin Eagles.

Neelo and Talhan journey together to try and help Neelos mother, whose health is failing due to her addictions, but they learn so much more about each other along the way.

Similar to the previous installments in this series, this is a new story centred around a new pairing, but interwoven with the larger picture. The threat of the Witch uprising.

As always, we touch base with the people we know and love from the previous books, and four books in, the stakes are now high

Cannot wait for the next one!

Full disclaimer. I was gifted a copy of this book from the author and the publisher but the review is not influenced by this.

Thank you to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for sending me this eARC first of all.

I do like this series. I love that there is a larger plot for the entire realm along with the smaller plots. I also love that we get to look at different perspectives within each book.

I love the inclusivity of Neelo as a character. I think the struggles and feelings that Neelo goes through with gender identity deserve to be included in way more writing.

I am not a big fan of characters that constantly doubt themselves or think themselves unworthy. I struggled liking Ray for the same reasons. However, I do appreciate the character development in situations like these. I love that Neelo starts to fit more into themselves by the end, I just wish they had made even more progress. I also was a little disappointed that her and Tallan were fated. I was really hoping they just loved each other that deeply and he empowered them personally without that connection that they can’t control.

The romance plot is a little redundant at this point. Still appreciated but we can all guess what will happen. I am interested to see how the series completes. The only perspective left is Carys and the eastern court so I’m ready to see who wins this throne!

I have so much love for this series to begin with, and The Evergreen Heir took it to a whole other level! The Five Crowns of Orkith has easily become one of my favorite romantasy series. I love the inclusion that A.K. Mulford has in her stories, and appreciate that she showcases the demons that some people have to deal with on an everyday basis.

I was hoping and waiting that Mulford was going to have a story surrounding Neelo Emberspear, and it didn't disappointment. Neelo is by far my favorite character of the series (Rua right behind), I can identify with them so much, especially also being a socially awkward bookworm. Being able to read and envision how Neelo was able to put their self doubts behind them, terrified or not, and try to do right by their court is everything. I loved the self growth of their character so much, and all of the other characters.

I can't wait to read the next installment of this series!

Thank you so much NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the eARC.