Thank you NetGalley and Harper Voyager for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I’m not even sure where to begin. This series has so much of my heart and this honestly might have been the best book yet. Neelo is one of the most incredible and relatable main characters. Their story is super empowering and I love the non-binary representation, neurodivergent representation and how heartfelt their love story is. Honestly, it was expertly crafted.

From the very beginning I was enthralled. You have Tal, who is the most lovable bundle of sunshine. And then you have Neelo, who is working through their trauma and learning how to feel themselves not just in their body but in their mind. It was so affirming to see such great representation (of many things) in fantasy. Even how their mother battled addiction and the end - just amazing.

Despite each book being about a different couple, the plot carries on perfectly and never leaves you wanting. If anything you get more and more information and are eagerly awaiting the next installment.

This was perfect. That really is the only way to put it.

this book blew me away! I absolutely love the first 3 books and this one did not disappoint! the romance was the perfect slow burn and the plot keeps on thickening. finally being in neelo's head was amazing, leanring about them and watching them grew and find themselves was incredible. tal is amazing and literally perfect. neelo and tal's relationship is probably my favorite in the series. the nonbinary rep was amazing. I love this book with every fiber of my being! please read this series!

The twists and turns in the plot are so unexpected that they had me gasping out loud. I was completely engrossed in the story and couldn't put it down until the very end.

I not sure where to begin........I loved this book!!!!!! This story was amazing and I'm so happy I got to share in Nello and Tal's journey. This just might be my new favorite in this series! I can't wait for more!!!!!!!

Ali does it again! Not only did The Evergreen Heir continue the overarching plot of the Five Crowns series (AND WELL TOO!), but it also delivers its own story... one readers will love.

Seriously, what's not to love about Neelo? Our Evergreen Heir of Saxbridge, voracious bookworm, un-apologetically non-binary MC! They're so complex in character depth and development (and let's be real, they have the best internal development of the series so far, YES THAT INCLUDES RUA'S!) and deserves everything their kind heart desires. And secretly they do desire more than just their books and knowledge.
And Talhan... the other half of our twin golden eagles... Talhan has been 100% true to himself, yet he still grew with Neelo and continued to prove that not only could he be perfect for Neelo, but that Neelo is perfect exactly as they are for Saxbridge. (Not to mention that Neelo was capable of loving him and being loved in return...)
I saw so much of myself in Neelo and even more pieces of myself that I never knew existed.
The book starts slow in action but it's HEAVY in character growth. This book is more character driven then the others, and that's totally okay! Neelo and Talhan deserved a story just like this. It was absolute perfection.


(Also, Harper Collins... THE EVERGREEN HEIR DESERVES A UK HARDBACK EDITION. SHAME ON Y'ALL).

So crazy good. This was so amazing as a follow up and I could not put it down. I loved every second of the story and can not wait for more. If you are a fan of this series then this one will hit all the points!

The Evergreen Heir by AK Mulford is a whimsical and offbeat adventure that ventures into the realm of absurdity with a healthy dose of humor. From the eccentric cast of characters to the unpredictable plot twists, this book takes readers on a wild ride filled with unexpected hilarity. While it may not be everyone's cup of tea, those with a taste for quirkiness will find themselves chuckling along the way.

Mulford's writing style is laced with wit and clever wordplay, delivering punchlines that will leave you grinning. The author has a knack for creating bizarre situations and peculiar dialogues that often defy logic but never fail to amuse. The sheer audacity of the narrative will keep you entertained, even if it occasionally veers into the realm of the ridiculous.

That being said, The Evergreen Heir's brand of humor may not resonate with all readers. The relentless quirkiness and outlandish scenarios can become overwhelming at times, making it difficult to fully immerse oneself in the story. Additionally, some comedic moments may feel forced, detracting from the overall flow of the narrative. While it certainly provides laughs, it falls short of achieving a seamless balance between humor and storytelling.

In the end, The Evergreen Heir offers a zany adventure that appeals to those seeking a lighthearted and unconventional read. While it may not hit the mark consistently, its quirky humor and peculiar characters ensure a unique reading experience. Approach this book with an open mind and a willingness to embrace the absurd, and you're likely to find yourself chuckling at the author's comedic antics.

When I received this ARC, I was not prepared. I loved Remy and Hale, Rua and Renwick, and Bri and Lina. But I *adored* Neelo and Talhan. Neelo is this Neurodivergent Non-binary Introverted Bookworm. They just want to keep being invisible, but their mothers and Tal won't let them. Neelo reluctantly drags Tal around while they try to save their mother and their court.
I loved the peeks into the lives of our other characters as the story progressed. But I especially loved watching Neelo stop hiding from themself and the world and become the best version of themself.
So many twists and turns and surprises! I laughed, I cried. My heart broke and was repaired, somewhat

This read was an ARC, thank you to Netgalley and the author! This book was the first one in the series that I have read s my review was a bit different. This book was extremely well written and super detailed. The intense moments of joy, adventure and passion between all the characters was so enjoyable to read! Even though I didn’t feel as much attachment to the characters since I hadn’t read any other of the books in the series, I still very much enjoyed the authors writing and the unique sexuality of the main character! I’ve never read a book that so perfectly described the fluidity and sexual moments between characters with just the perfect amount of detail. Not sure I would read the rest of the books since this book was not quite my cup of tea, but I would definitely recommend it for readers who enjoys fantasy book with intense adventures and a low level of magic/supernatural events. The focus on this book is on the main characters budding romance and international mission.

The Evergreen Heir is a fun, light read that kept me turning the pages with the tension built around the main characters, and touched upon enough of the setting to make me want to pick up the previous entries in The Five Crowns of Okrith. It stumbles a bit in exploring the premise, but A.K. Mulford's reader representation made this adult fantasy romance a satisfying read for me.

Thank you Netgalley & publisher for this e arc of The Evergreen Heir: A Novel (The Five Crowns of Okrith Book 4) by A.K. Mulford
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This is a fantasy romance novel. 4*; last in the series!

Synopsis: "A court of revelry. A bookish heir. An impending marriage. And a dark new power rising in the world…If allowed, Neelo would never leave the library. Reluctant to take the throne despite their mother’s faltering health, the neurodivergent bookworm craves escape from their arranged marriage to charming fae warrior Talhan. Neelo is astonished when bonding over the written word brings them closer than ever ... But the non-binary heir’s growing affections may be cut short with witch uprisings threatening to topple the entire continent. Can Neelo claim both love and dominion before their court is reduced to ash?."

Things I liked:
1. The MCs
2. The magic/witch system mixed with fae
3. The previous books/cast and tie-ins
4. Found family themes
5. Complete series.

Things I disliked:
1. There was less adventure in this one
2. The relationship tension drug on a bit too long
3. The pace was a bit slower than a few of the past ones, I still liked it, but not as much as some of the others (i.e. books 0.5- 4*, 1-5*, 2-5*, 3-5*, & this one 4* to me)

I was glad to read this one. I love a completed series.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and their publisher for this ARC opportunity. I absolutely love this series and this book did not disappoint.

I want to start off by saying I have not had a lot of opportunities to get familiar with using "non-traditional" pronouns and I have a bit of anxiety about it. This book helped me start to retrain my brain into feeling comfortable and natural with the language. So, thank you for that. It did take awhile to get into the book because of it but it had nothing to do with the writing or content.

Neelo and Talhan are adorable and I love them. Anytime a book promotes diversity it makes me a bit weary. Many times I feel like the representation is forced and specifically written to reach "untapped" demographics and it feels icky to be frank. This book, this series, does such an amazing job of bringing these characters to life in a real and natural way IMO. Even the sexual parts of the book felt very respectful and thoughtful to the MC.

You could probably read this as a standalone but I think it's well worth diving into this series and it's subsequent novellas. It has an interesting magic system and each character has a unique way of nuzzling into your heart.

Be forewarned the ending to this book will probably make you want to toss your reading apparatus across the room. It's not a cliffhanger per se but I'm salty about it so you might be too. Just be prepared.

I look forward to this release and will continue to read and reread this series til death do us part.

The non-binary rep in this book is fantastic and not at all exploitative. I loved how it was just a normal thing in this world, and not something to draw attention to unnecessarily. The abusive family dynamics were also really well handled. I really enjoyed seeing a significant other who uplifted and supported but didn't overtake the MC in their struggles against a domineering and manipulative parent. Additionally, the emotional struggle that ensues from having such a parent was exceptionally well done, and felt very grounded in reality.

I struggled a little bit with the prose. Specifically, the dialog often felt a little too on-the-nose for my taste, especially when building the romantic tension.

Overall, I enjoyed this one, and loved seeing the non-binary rep.

I so wanted to love this fantasy embedded story, featuring a neurodivergent main character. I found that the perspective development was lacking, and didn't capture the picture of a very colorful world. I didn't find enthralling decsriptions or moving characters. Unfortunately, this was a DNF for me. I only made it to the sixth chapter while waiting for the pacing to pick up or the characters to become a little less stale.

Thanks to A.K Mulford and Harper Voyager for the opportunity to read this ARC!

The Five Crowns of Okrith series is phenomenal, and in the same league as ACOTAR + Blood and Ash + Crowns of Nyaxia. I didn't come in with any expectations, as this is my first novel that I've read with a main character who is non-binary, and written in third person. Neelo wasn't my favorite character in the first three books, but I found that their perspective was intriguing and not something that could've been developed without having a solo book devoted to them (and they deserved it!).

I absolutely adored Talhan and Neelo's romantic journey, and seeing Talhan in a role other than the strong, drunk Golden Eagle. Talhan adores Neelo for who they are, and refuses to abandon Neelo despite them pushing everyone away. And yes, there is spicy scenes. AK does a wonderful job of portraying Neelo experimenting with Talhan. It is written in a way that the biological anatomy Neelo possesses is clear, but it isn't the focus nor super graphic.

The political and magic system is unique, and continues to develop with each book. This could potentially be read as a stand alone, but the first three books are crucial for the little details to make sense. All the relationships are complex and intertwined.

I'm desperately waiting for book five already!

A big thank you to NetGalley and AK Mulford for this eArc!

The Evergreen Heir is everything I wanted it to be and more. It is the fourth book in the Crowns of Okrith series and follows Neelo and Talhan and their experiences in the Southern Court where Neelo is Heir to the throne. This book introduces another aspect of the plot that differentiates this book from the others preceding it. That being said, this book does feel to be more information-rich than the previous books, but I feel that it fits the aesthetic of the main characters well.

For the romance aspect of this novel, it is clear from the first page where it is headed, but that does not take away from how enjoyable it is! Mulford does an excellent job giving context to both characters and their history to show/prove why they are meant for each other.

Overall, this novel has not only made me super excited for the final book in this series while being a super entertaining fantasy romance book in its own right. AK Mulford always does a fantastic job ensuring that each of their books is full of diverse and queer characters which is both phenomenal and important. Can’t recommend enough!

The fourth book in the Five Crowns of Okrith series.

This. Fucking. Book.

Normally in my reviews I list what I like and what I don't like about a particular book. I can't do that for this one. I feel like A. K. Mulford unscrewed my skull and looked directly into my brain when they wrote the main character, Neelo Emberspear. And then they used the story to tell Neelo (and me) everything they desperately needed to hear. That they are not broken, they are loved, and they deserve love.

Like me, Neelo is nonbinary, neurodivergent, has a cat, and loves to read. When they're put into an arranged marriage with Talhan Catallus, the only person they've ever truly cared about, they do everything in their power to push him away (emotionally and physically lol) because they believe they will "ruin him" if he stays with them. Yet, Talhan stays. When I was first reading this dynamic I thought to myself "this doesn't feel realistic, there's no way Talhan would put up with this"...and then I realized I thought that because I was putting myself in Neelo's place. I was thinking "there's no way someone I'm interested in would ever put up with ME" and time and again Mulford gently and firmly told me "No. You are not too much or too little. You are worthy of love."

This book is perfect. It's the fantasy romance I always wanted, but never thought I'd find. And hopefully you (yes you 🫵) reading this review will be able to find a book that makes you feel even an ounce of what this book made me feel (hey, maybe it's the same book?). HIGHLY recommend checking this series out!!!!!!

If my illegible, emotional speech didn't sell you: the plot of this book is exciting and takes the whole series up a notch, there are so many diverse characters and relationships, and the world-building is incredibly fascinating and cohesive. PRE-ORDER THIS, AND ORDER THE REST OF THE DANG SERIES NOW!!

I am so happy this book exists!
To see my oldest represented in such an accurate way is so touching, I am in tears.
Neelo is them.

With that being said, what a ride this part of the series is! To have to reorder your alliances again is crazy in a good way. I was so upset that Cole betrayed Lina and ran off in the last book was maddening. Now I know he was being controlled by Adisa and not a traitor.
We find out that Fenwick is the youngest descendant of Adisa and now he has been mind altered and taken away to become king of the witches when they all thought it was Hale Adisa was wanting? Devastating!

I was excited for Neelo’s story but what I just read blew me away in terms of their love with Talhan. To know they both got they more than deserved was so exciting to read.
I loved seeing that new dimension of Tal’s character. I always knew he was a fun loving warrior, but his determination at staying by Neelo’s side was giving me golden retriever energy and I loved it because that is what Neelo needed.

Overall I can safely say that this is my favourite book in the series, Bring on Carys & Sy’s story!
Thank you Ali for writing this amazing story, you will always have a dedicated reader in me!

My favorite in the series so far! I’m a bit biased as Talhan and Neelo have always been my favorite character but I do think that this story is the most fully developed of the ones out so far.

I really liked how Neelo being non-binary was represented. It was handled with extreme care, especially during the intimate scenes.

I wasn’t in love with the last book but this book gave me hope for the next. I can’t wait for the next one now!

Big thanks to A.K. Mulford, Avon and Harper Voyager, and NetGalley for this eARC of The Evergreen Heir.

This has been my favorite installment in the Five Crowns of Okrith fantasy series. I think this series does a really good job of telling each individual story, as these are mostly standalone stories in an interconnected world. The stories do not feel rushed, and I have enough time to feel fully immersed in the characters, world and individual situation/plot.

Neelo Emberspear is an incredibly unique main character, and they are so easy to love. Who doesn't relate to an introverted bookworm who would rather live in the pages of their novels than have the responsibility of ruling an entire kingdom? I loved the juxtaposition between how shy Neelo is, yet they are incredibly brave, cunning and intelligent. The relationship between Neelo and their betrothed, Talhan, is a great take on the grumpy sunshine trope.

This was my first non-binary story, which I really appreciated being exposed to. However, in full disclosure it took me a very long time to get use to the they/them pronouns. From a grammatical standpoint it made understanding situations sometimes challenging, and I found myself having to reread portions of the story multiple times to understand who the author was referencing. I was glad for the exposure and time to reflect on the preconceived notions around gender.

Very sweet romance, and I'm excited to see where the story goes.