North Queen kicks off the Crowns trilogy with a blend of political intrigue, magic, and romance. Princess Norah Andell returns to a kingdom at war, grappling with lost memories and a duty she doesn't remember. The story weaves a complex love triangle between Norah, Alexander, and the enigmatic Shadow King, Mikael. The narrative offers a rich world-building experience, reminiscent of Game of Thrones and A Court of Thorns and Roses. While the plot is engaging, some readers might find the pacing uneven, and the character development could be more nuanced. Nonetheless, it's a promising start to a series that fans of epic fantasy and romance may appreciate.

When I was approved for this Arc, I didnt actually realise the book had already been released.
Never the less, dive in I did. And I loved it, to the extent Tyche is now an auto-buy author for me.

This was a fun Roman task! I like the Queen! The only thing about it is I did not like the love interest! I thought she chose the wrong guy! Still, I rec omens this for fans of Kendra Blake!

DNF at 36% (200 pages)

The premise of this was so interesting but it unfortunately didn't work for me. The way it opens draws you in with the amnesia plot line, but the further you get, the more inconsequential that feels. It's meant to be a secret, but when people do find out, no one seems bothered by it.

I was also sensing the classic FMC, Hero, Villain love triangle coming from a mile away, and we had barely had time to build up the first connection in almost half the book. I think we just needed more time for her to get established back in her role and to build up the war.

I received an advance review copy of this book, and this review represents my honest opinion. Thank you to netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

As both a librarian and a lover of dark fantasy romance, I would highly recommend North Queen to readers who enjoy lush fantasy settings, strong-willed heroines, and slow-burn romance with an edge of mystery. It’s perfect for fans of The Bridge Kingdom or Throne of Glass. While some elements feel familiar, the execution is gripping enough to make it stand out in the genre. If you enjoy courtly intrigue, star-crossed romance, and a touch of darkness, this book is well worth adding to your TBR list.

Oh my goodness. I loved this one. the vibes and atmosphere were great, as well as the world building

Do you not like handsome, powerful men who change the fate of kingdoms for you?

yes I do. Anytime villian gets the girl i am on board. Enemies to loves is my favorite and this delivered. I love a good arraigned marraige and this is,.

Ahhh! Thank you to the writer. This first book to the series was absolutely amazing and I commend you for me wanting to commit my reading time to this romantasy. Norah is the Queen that all Fantasy Queens should amulet. This woman speaks her mind.
Rules with confidence and intelligence. She’s not afraid of anyone. She will not anyone bully her. The only thing that she battles is her heart. Her heart falls at the feet of two different men.
Two difficult gorgeous men might I add. Alexander and Mikal are two men who rule with power, but that power is distributed out in different ways. Their physical bodies though are the same. The writer got it writer with the seductive description of the two men’s hulking form. The first book builds mostly on the romantic love interest and the political aspects for Norah.
During these moments things start build bridges/ gaps and provide question or answers for future journeys for Mercia and the Shadowland. I enjoyed the book so much. I was entertained. I give this book two snaps and a twist. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on!

There's a lot to love in this one: the world is interesting and well developed, and the characters are complex. I quite enjoyed this one!

In this captivating fantasy romance, the author weaves a beautifully intricate world filled with magic, adventure, and an undeniable chemistry between the protagonists. From the very first page, readers are drawn into a richly imagined landscape where the stakes are high, and love transcends boundaries.

The characters are delightfully complex, each facing their own trials and transformations. Their journey is not just about romance; it’s about self-discovery and the courage to embrace one’s true self. The chemistry between them crackles with tension, making every shared moment feel electric and deeply meaningful.

The plot is expertly crafted, balancing moments of heart-pounding action with tender, intimate scenes that linger long after the book is closed. The author’s lyrical prose brings the settings to life, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the beauty and danger of this enchanting world.

Overall, this book is a delightful escape that deftly combines elements of fantasy and romance. It’s a testament to the power of love and the strength found in vulnerability. Perfect for fans of the genre, it’s a story that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a magical journey of the heart!

The scenery and character development is there but I’m not gonna lie I’m still confused as to what’s going on. Also there’s a cliffhanger ending. It’s fantasy so maybe it’s just all groundwork for the series and I will pickup book 2.

# North Queen
# 9/26/2024 ~ 9/29/2024
# 3.5 / 5.0

I unfortunately DNF this book. It was a me problem in that I just kept getting pulled out of the story due to the name of the kingdom, Merica. I just couldn’t stop thinking of ‘merica which every time it was mentioned I was just returned to reality. I’m am bummed but it was too distracting.

The book couldn't grab me. The first few chapters dragged on. I missed the tension. The protagonists seemed pale and one-dimensional.

I'm really living for the romantasy trends right now. I put this one off for a bit because, despite the interesting premise, I was concerned I wasn't going to enjoy it as much in light of all of the romantic fantasy novels and series I've been devouring lately. However, I was definitely proven wrong. Was it a little predictable and cliche? Sure, but I still think the tropes were handled well and the writing was captivating enough to keep me entertained. Besides, when you're writing for such a popular genre, it's sometimes more about the journey than the destination, and I enjoyed my journey. I'll definitely be diving into the rest of the series.

North Queen by Nicola Tyche is a high fantasy romance that stands out with its rich descriptive writing and dual POVs.

i enjoyed the characters, Norah, has a combined blend of bravery and kindness. She strives to show mercy but isn’t afraid to confront challenges. At times, her naivety was apparent, but I’m hopeful for her growth in the sequel. Mikael is someone who gives off those "I despise everyone but her" attitude. He was sweet but I wanted to see more of a darker side to him.

The book shines with its intricate world-building and political intrigue, and the pacing is well-executed. While the romance is present, it takes a backseat to the more prominent elements of political drama and world-building. Don’t expect many steamy scenes here, but the enemies-to-lovers dynamic is engaging, with the tension effectively built up. The slow burn of the romance is well-crafted, and the action-packed fight scenes add to the book’s fast-paced and entertaining nature. I particularly enjoyed the glimpses into Mikael’s perspective, which provided valuable insight into his character. The interactions between characters are rich with chemistry and tension, making for an engaging read.

I enjoyed the world building and romance in this book. I couldn't wait to see where the story took me as Norah was taken by your Shadow King. The story kept me engaged and excited to continue.

This book definitely kept me guessing.
Firstly, a narrator with no memory of who she is made it impossible to know who to trust or root for. There was a lot of underlying menace, and I definitely want to read the next books if only for the chance to see her recover her memories.
Love triangles aren’t my favorite in general but the author did a good job of confusing who we should be loyal to and who Norah should end up with.
This book is definitely gripping! If you like medieval court intrigue and danger, you’ll like this.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital arc.

I really enjoyed the book. Norah is a fascinating character and I couldn't imagine how heavy her responsibilities are. The turn of events was surprising especially when enemies become lovers. I like how Nicola Tyche melded the two worlds together. The ending was a great shock. Now, I am hooked on the story of Norah. I bought the book's Kindle version because the cover is so pretty. I also can't wait to read the second and third books. Thank you, Nicola Tyche and NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this book so much.

Romatasy fans wil loooovvee this one. I would recommend this to the readers who love stories where the villain gets the girl.

This one was okay. It had a decent plot and okay characters. I wasn’t bored but I didn’t enjoy it either.