I have enjoyed the whole series AK Mulford has put together. This is a wonderful addition that I know the fans have requested. It was absolutely amazing!

I'm not sure why this one took me a little more to get into. I enjoyed the non-binary and neurodivergent representation. I wasnt as "into" this couple as the others but still liked the storyline! the romance was definitely fun.

Neelo has spent their entire life trying to avoid the never ending parties of the Southern Court and their responsibilities as it’s Heir. Talhan has always seen Neelo for exactly who they are.
Neelo is a wonderful Grump to Talhan’s Sunshine and they make a wonderful team as Neelo has to save the Southern Court after her mother abandons her duties as Queen to fall deeper into the excess Court’s revelries
I love this series and cannot wait for the next installment

Overall Rating - ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice - 🌶️🌶️
World Building - ⭐⭐⭐.5
Character Development - ⭐⭐⭐.5
Trigger/Content Warnings - Death, Parental loss

Overall Thoughts; This is a weird one for me, cause I love it for certain elements, but it feels like the weakest in the series for me. Not that that makes it bad, it's just a bit of a lull compared to the other three and I'm assuming the next one. However, as an autistic person, this was great. Granted, every autistic person is different, but there were a number of things that were extremely close to my life experiences. I think the only unfortunate part is that Neelo is just autistically coded and not stated as being autistic (or the fantasy version of it), which is a shame.

Plot; I liked how the plot of this was emphasized by how Neelo sees the world. It was slow, a lot slower than some of the others in the series, but the focus was as a lot different. I can see why NT people would perhaps find it boring, I found it interesting to read the plot of a book like I see the world. Either way, my only big eh with it was that everything major happens in the last like, 15% of the book xD Like, a LOT happens in that short period. Still, it moved the individual story and the overall series story forward efficiently enough. I think some things could have stood to have bigger moments (specifically the parts that lead into the next book) but aside from that, great.

Characters; Neelo is a nice change of pace. While each of the main characters have all had their person issues, Neelos just were so personal for me, it was nice. I wasn't a huge fan of the back and forth with shutting people out, but Neelo has some good growth and I was a fan. The rest of the characters were pretty straight and true with not a lot of development, but with how the book was written, it kind of makes sense and I'm not mad about it.

Romance; I will say, I love them, they are great, but also Jesus fuck I was really hoping they weren't fated. It would have been that much more beautiful if they weren't . Regardless, it's nice to see a disable (coded) character having someone who's just a support instead of a miscommunication trope or something throwing it off. Not as realistic, but it's fantasy and I was supportive romantic companions, which this gives amazingly. 10/10 I adore them. I will say though, the second sex scene I 100% couldn't get into it because I was very concerned with the oil thing. I just.... Some things don't belong some places and I'm hurt glad it wasn't vaginal xD

Writing; Milford's writing has always been my style. I like how they wrote through the lense of the disability (code) and kept with it the whole way. There was a little bit more lightbulb without explications until the explanation is upon them moments than I liked, but that's about it. Otherwise, I enjoy their writing.

*****Thank you to A.K Mulford for the E-ARC*****

I absolutely loved The Evergreen Heir. Not just because of the story but because of Neelo and the lessons I have learned.

When I first started reading I struggled with comprehending the they/them pronouns and that’s because I’ve never had to use any other pronouns before except from she/her and he/him. It didn’t take long for me to realise that that’s who they are, what they believe and what they want to be called. I have never been so aware of the assumptions I make about someone’s pronouns and I thank Ali for educating and exposing me to other pronouns. It’s a lesson that I will keep with me forever.

I have never read a book where I have resonated so much with a character and focused more on them and their nuances than the story. I sometimes have trouble articulating how I feel so it was so nice to see what I think and feel written down.

I felt that there was and undercurrent of Neelo feeling uncomfortable in their surroundings and around people. I loved that they had someone they loved and trusted (Rish). Everyone needs a Rish, especially to remind them to eat.

I also really appreciated that Neelo didn’t need to be ‘fixed’. I’ve found that in a lot of stories neurospicy characters and magically fine by the end. There is no change in who we are and we don’t need to be changed.

As for the story I cannot wait for the next book. I’m hoping it will be about Carys and Ersan.

Thank you, Partner bibliolifestyle harpervoyagerus for the gifted copy for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

If you are looking for a non-binary lead in a book, look no further. Neelo is the character you have been looking for. This book can be read as a standalone but is part of a series and the plot from prior books might get spoiled. I want to read the others but I just got this one last week and didn’t have time with my impossible schedule as it is. But it's definitely on my list. Love the writing style and from all the reviews on TT and the writers posts and the comments from readers I enjoyed this story and its execution. This was seriously - 🤌♥️
Everyone deserves a love story and to see themselves in a spicy scene.
#normalizeeverything

Read if you like:
- Non binary MC
- Friends to lovers
- Forced proximity
- Arranged marriage
- Slow Burn
- Murder Attempt Mystery
- Fated Mates
-Grumpy/Sunshine
-Neurodivergent MC
-Magic System

I'm convinced that every A.K. Mulford book is PURE magic! I absolutely devoured "The High Mountain Court" and "The Evergreen Heir" was no different. The main character Neelo is one of my new faves. They are neurodivergent, which made me feel so seen! Reading about their interactions and some of their personal struggles made me feel less alone. I loved reading about a character that didn't want to inherit the throne, doesn't want kids themselves, and is an introverted bookworm. All of these character traits are rarely (if ever) found in fiction, and I felt so validated by seeing them. I haven't even got around to talking about how swoonworthy Talhan is?! How is someone so hot and respectful?! I'm asexual and even I found myself crushing on him. Neelo and Talhan's relationship was built on so much respect and validation and I AM HERE FOR IT!!!!! You can never go wrong with friends to strangers to lovers romances!

This was an excellent continuation of the series! I was drawn in immediately and was quickly swept away in the world. I loved getting to these beloved characters better. I think this may very well be my favorite of the series so far.

Love this book so much. I really appreciated the diversity representation and enjoyed the slow burn all the way through. I was so excited to dive into Neelo's story and was not disappointed at all! Highly recommend.

***4.0 Stars***

Overall,
I have read a few books with non-binary people in them as side characters but not from their perspective. I will say it took a minute to get used to, but once I did I found I really enjoyed the fact that a book like this could even exist and get traditionally published. On top of that Neelo is neurodivergent as well which allows for a really great and rare type of main character in the fantasy romance genre. The book had great world building and like other books in this series a really great plot.

Recommendation,
A.K. Mulford is a really great writer if you are just finding yourself in the fantasy romance genre. This is the 4th book in the series and I think that you should read those before getting to this one.

***I received an Arc of this book from Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review***

This was so good! I love Neelo, and I love their story. Coming off of an assassination in the Western Court, Bri and Lina discovered the south was next, warning Neelo that their court is now in danger.

Neelo is the complete opposite of the Southern Court - shy and introverted, prefers reading over people. In a court that centers around debauchery, the Heir of Saxbridge would like to remain as just that, but the Queen has other plans. An orchestrated brawl to set them up with Talhan as their betrothed and a refusal to stop bringing in a dangerous smoke for the Queen and her courtesians, Neelo has their work cut out for them.

I absolutely loved seeing Neelo grow as a person in this book, as well as how they changed in terms of Talhan. In order to save their court and their mother, Neelo has to go on far more adventures than they've ever wanted to, and of course Talhan just has to be there too. Maybe they can push him away, or maybe they won't. But either way, Talhan seems determined to help Neelo with whatever they want.

The representation of Neelo and their choices, how their family and friends has supported and accepted them is a really refreshing thing to see in fantasy. I'm so happy with the job the author has done with this character, as well as with LGBTQ representation throughout the entire High Mountain Court Series.

This was an amazing read. This was the first book I've read where the main character is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns and I was blown away by how well done it was. AK Mulford definitely took the time to research, listen, and create a story that felt authentic and in no way stereotypical. The neurodivergence of Neelo was also incredibly well done. The representation in this book was off the charts and I loved every moment of it. The plot and its interconnected-ness was divine, and I didn't feel like it strayed the way other interconnected series do. This book was a journey of self discovery, grief, finding the courage to love and let yourself be loved, being learning to be comfortable in your own skin.

I loved this series so far, so I was really excited for the latest installment. Unfortunately, this one fell a bit short for me. As a nonbinary person myself, I loved the representation Neelo offers. However, the love story in this one was just not as compelling. The overarching plot was good, if a bit confusing, but it felt like a lot of Neelo's inner monologue was just going in circles.

Thank you, Avon and Harper Voyager, A.K. Mulford, and NetGalley, for the ARC.

I loved this book and this series. I've been meaning to read it for a long time, and when I received the ARC for The Evergreen Heir.

This book follows Neelo, the Heir of Saxbridge, who is non-binary, and Talhan. I loved Neelo.

There are a couple of spicy scenes like in the books before. They were very well done.
I recommend reading this series. This book was one of my favorites in the series.

I am absolutely OBSESSED with this book. The Evergreen Heir is definitely my new favorite in this series, and I cannot wait for more. The mutual pining between Neelo and Talhan, the queer characters, the twists and turns and the near-death experiences. I liked how there was a good mix between the fantasy and romance aspects, and would argue there's even a bit of a mystery element. My one issue is that I am more of a dual-POV kind of person because I like to know what each person in the relationship is thinking or feeling, and I wish we could have seen what was going on in Talhan's mind. But I am glad that of the two, we got Neelo's point of view. I am going to need A.K. Mulford to drop some information about the next book(s?) in this series because THAT CLIFFHANGER?? I would recommend this to anyone that loves a good queer fantasy romance, but would say that it reads better if you have read the three previous books so you can get more context.

Thank you to netgalley and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy of this book!

Did I have to speed read all of the books that came before this one? Yes. Putting aside that struggle, I really enjoyed this series and I loved the diverse cast of characters that it introduced me to. I loved the slow burn romance and the representation of non-binary folks. The magic system was also really really interested and Mulford did an exceptional job with world building.

The Evergreen Heir is a beautifully written story with political intrigue, fated mates, and acknowledging that sometimes we are our own worst enemy. The main character, Neelo, is a nonbinary, neurodivergent heir to the Southern Court who is dealing with a chaotic mother who is ready to abdicate to fully embrace the Southern party lifestyle without any of the responsibility of ruling, a best friend/betrothed that Neelo doesn't want to admit they want (yet 👀), and a violet witch plot threatening to upend Okrith.
The bookish heir traverses the Southern Court with their best guy Talhan in an attempt to save their mother (and the entire Southern Court really) from the witching brew that she is addicted to and identify the sources of the brew leads Neelo on an adventure that forces them to face truths about themself and some of the other important people in their life. We meet with some old friends from previous Five Crowns of Okrith books, have a massive, crazy plot twist, and end Neelo's story on a happy note, while the overarching, connecting threads of plot end on a cliffhanger.
The pacing of this book was just right. We are given enough background and world building that someone picking this book up could read it as a standalone (with a few small gaps in the relationship dynamic between the kings, queens, and heirs to the courts).
The diverse representation in this book was also so well done. The main character Neelo is nonbinary and uses they/them pronouns, but the story doesn't really focus on Neelo coming into their gender identity - they are already comfortable and accepting of who they are. We more see Neelo struggle with being introverted and having anxiety while balancing their role as Heir and future ruler. There is also an established poly relationship that is accidentally exposed and comes as a surprise to everyone except Neelo.
Overall an excellent book that I would definitely recommend and can't wait to see how it is wrapped up in future book(s)!

I love A.K Mulford already, but now I love her even more. This series is one of my favorites! Book four sets us up for the last book in the series and doesn’t disappoint as so many “books in the middle” can do. Not this one, it’s amazing.

Not only is this book (and series) full of incredible representation, it’s full of plot and prose. A.K has what I refer to as a “devourable” writing style. I can start one of her books and look up 2 hours later and not every realize how much time has passed. I have to clear my calendar when I read her books. Book 4 has dark forces threatening the world while our main character Neelo is trying to save her mother and the empire while trying to wiggle out of an arranged marriage. Neelo begins to see that they can no longer put off the inevitable as the threat to destroy the nation and bring down the throne.

AK is just a master at storytelling and before you know it… one word at a time, one chapter at a time, one book at a time you are transported to another place and time!!!!! Absolutely loved!

**I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley (and then proceeded to buy the hardcover anyway) and this is my honest review**

I've been waiting eagerly for Neelo's moment to shine and A.K. Mulford did not disappoint! In The Evergreen Heir we finally get to focus on a non-binary main character and their love interest. Neelo often feels out of place in the southern court, distancing themselves from the revelry and debauchery that their mother has made the focus of court life. But they must step into their position as the heir and find out how the violet witches plan on bringing down the southern court before it is too late.

A.K. Mulford always manages to give us characters that leap off the page. By the end of this book Neelo and Talhan were like old friends. Each had their own relatable characteristics and troubles. The way that Talhan doggedly sticks by his friend but also knows when to give them space is beautiful.
I also love that the side characters are as well developed as the MC's. We don't get as large of a cast in this book, but we still get to see some of our previous MC's and characters come back.
A.K. Mulford also didn't shy away from providing us with spice but they wrote it in a way that honored Neelo's identity. Being my first spicy book with a non-binary MC using they/them pronouns, I wasn't sure if I would it difficult to follow. However after the first chapter, I quickly caught on and didn't have any issues with confusion due to pronouns.

I feel like the overall mystery and pacing of this book was a little slower than previous, but its all setting us up for the last book in the series. The real conflict is between Neelo and their mother. The main focus was heavily on Neelo and their own personal journey with the mystery and overarching plot in the background. I'm excited for book 5, and am glad this one didn't end completely in a cliffhanger without resolution.

Neelo has become one of my favorite characters in this series, even though I think as a book The Witches Blade ranks among my favorite out of the four currently published.

Thank you to A.K. Mulford and Harper Voyager for the ARC of The Evergreen Heir.

The Evergreen Heir is the 4th book in the Crowns of Okrith series and just like those before it, I couldn’t put it down!

I have been so intrigued by Neelo since the first book (The High Mountain Court). They are bookish and quiet but oh so brilliant. A.K. As usual has done a fantastic job with the diversity in her books. Neelo is non-binary and though it’s not said aloud I think they may be on the spectrum. While our golden eagle Tal seems to have dyslexia.

Tal and Neelo are thrust together to try and figure out just what is in the witches brew, a potent drug, that the southern court indulges in. Neelo’s mother is an addict and is suffering from the effects of the brew. Neelo thinks that there may be more to the brew based on how it’s affecting people and they learn to lean on Tal to help.

The book has fated mates, intrigue, some spice (handled wonderfully!) and secrets. Absolutely one of my favorite series that does so much for representation in the fantasy genre.