Such an intriguing plot, with so many twists and turns; leaving the reader wondering who exactly can you trust in Lor (the FMC)'s world? Love a book with an FMC who is fighting back against oppressions her whole life. The supporting cast of character's is top notch and the level of twists and turns keep the story suspenseful. It is an engaging, magical, yet suspicious world. You immediately wonder what more is going on in this world, and I immediately started to read the second in the series to get the answers to those questions.

Highlights:
Fiesty FMC
Enemies to Lovers
Dark Prince
Court Intrigue
Vibrant Worldbuilding

Favorite Quote: “With a temper like mine, a girl is bound to get in trouble now and then… or often.”

The selection meets ACOTAR. Ten girls fighting for the crown. Only one will be victorious. It's amazing how this book made me feel like I was reading one of my favorite series as a teenager (i.e. The Selection) but with a magical twist of fantasy, a little bit more mysterious, and a sprinkle of smut.

Rarely will you come across a fantasy book that I would consider fast-paced. Usually, the first half of the book is mainly world-building and you don't get a lot of action. With Trial of the Sun Queen, you do get the world building but you also get thrown right into the action on the first few pages. You can't get bored. The fact that not all of the world-building is done at once keeps an element of mystery. Taking into consideration that the main character Lor has grown up in a prison, we know probably just as much as her about the world she is living in. As the story unfolds we are as clueless as her and we find out important pieces of information along her. Or so we think...

Speaking of Lor, she is a strong heroine like we love to see in our books. She isn't scared to speak her mind and act on what she believes is right. I hope we would have gotten the chance to see a more in-depth character development for her throughout the story. I do understand that it might contribute to keeping the mystery surrounding the whole book. Therefore, I am very excited to see what will happen to her in the second book!

This book is for me a 3.75 stars! Thank you, NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

I really did enjoy this read. For me, it was a solid 3 stars and that’s a good rating. It means I was entertained and would likely recommend to others.

This was very reminiscent books like "Throne of Glass", the "Selection" series and the "Plated Prisoner" series. I felt like the world building felt a little flat and the city names were quite close to one another so it was hard for me to distinguish the setting at times. I did not empathize with our FMC, Lor, very often due to the way she was written. She reminded me of a bratty teenager in her ways of needing to prove herself.

While I didn't enjoy this book as I would have liked, I feel that 16-18 year old me would have loved it.

I have been on a massive fae and death game trial kick with my book reading lately.

So picking up this book was an absolute no brain-er. But man am I also just glad I did in general.

This book was so good. And drew me in quicker then most fantasy worlds do.

There were a few slow world building moments there at the start. But I was highly impressed how easy it was to get into the world of Ouranos and how invested in not only Lor, but all of the Sun Queen trial participants and even the royals throughout the story.

Lor was also just. Avery interesting character. She was strong but didn't have that main character plot armor amazing at everything strengthen. She was smart and scrappy and used those to help her. But I enjoyed there being an actual explanation why things happened that did.
I know it's fantasy. But it made things at least more based in reality. And I enjoy that a book can do that.

Something I thought was odd in this series though, was the on again off again mystery behind Lor. There were many times we were led to believe she was completely in the dark while others around her knew who or what she was. But then there would be times that it was revealed she did know things. But then they wouldnt be explained or were just kinda glossed over. I don't mind books that go either direction. It gives the reader something to either covet or guess about as the book progresses. But this weird back and forth was just kinda meh to me. Like everyone knows, including the reader. So there was bot. Good reveal at the end for any of the characters to be experiencing. It didn't take away the story for me. It just reminded me of something that you would see in an early draft before an author decided which way they want to go.

As I said though. I really liked Lor. She is one of those surprises female MC's that I've liked lately (since I tend to not care for FMC's in many series) but I also enjoyed Atlas, Gabriel, and Nadir. They all play such interesting roles in the story. And I'm so intrigued what parts they will all play as rhe series continues too. Since I feel like we haven't gotten to clearly see any of them yet.

I'm not a fan of give the whole "this series is like blah and blah combined. And if you like them you'll love this one"
But I will just throw out there, that of you liked the trials from The Serpent & the Wings of Night, and you like the whole princess suitor game from The Selection. This is very remnant of elements of both of those. Don't look to into that too much. They are definitely different books and stories. They just definitely share very similar elements at times.

I would definitely suggest grabbing. Copy of this one. It was a fun and exciting read. And worth the time.

I give TRIAL OF THE SUN QUEEN
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️5 STARS⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was given the opportunity to read this title for a review.

I wish I gave half stars, but for the purposes of this review I give Trial of the Sun Queen 3 stars overall. It had action, spice, dialogue, and intrigue - markings of what can be a great trilogy.

I enjoyed while reading for the most part, but it is similar to many other books out there - Hunger Games, The Selection, ACOTAR, and more. I could easily put this down as I read through it, it took 2 weeks to read. Although I am known to read multiple books at once, when I really like or love a book...its easy to read within days.

"Trial of the Sun Queen" by Nisha J. Tuli immediately captivated me from the first few pages, and I found myself thoroughly engrossed in its narrative. Lor's raunchy and humorous personality added a unique charm that I adored. The book masterfully blended elements reminiscent of "Fourth Wing" and "A Court of Silver Flames," incorporating an underdog mentality, and threw in a touch of the Bachelor, all within a magical Fae setting.

I devoured the entire book in under 24 hours and couldn't resist urging others to read it. Although the ending didn't deliver the anticipated big reveal, it remained satisfying, leaving me eager to dive into the next book (which I already bought). "Trial of the Sun Queen" has undeniably earned its spot as a favorite, and I'm enthusiastically looking forward to continuing the series!

The Bachelor meets deadly trial in order for one of ten women to become the Sun Queen? Count me in. This was so good, but I should have known something was up, everything seemed too good to be true. I will say that I wasn't that shocked with the reveal at the end. But this book was super fast paced and I can't wait to see what happens next.

So, I just finished "Trail of the Sun Queen" by Nisha Tuli, and I'm feeling all kinds of emotions. Let me break it down for you.

First off, the setting – Tuli takes us on this incredible journey through lush landscapes and ancient ruins. How she describes the places made me feel like I was right there, adventuring alongside the characters. It's an immersive experience that adds a whole layer of richness to the story.

Now, let's talk about characters. Our protagonist is a badass archaeologist with a penchant for getting into trouble, and I am here for it. She's the character you root for – intelligent, resourceful, and not afraid to take risks. The supporting cast adds depth and intrigue, each with their secrets and motives.

The plot is a rollercoaster of twists and turns. When you think you've figured it out, Tuli throws in a curveball that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a perfect blend of adventure, mystery, and a hint of romance that kept me hooked from start to finish.

And can we talk about the writing style? Tuli has this way of weaving words that makes every sentence a delight to read. It's like she paints a picture with her prose, and I was here for the artistry of it all.

In conclusion, if you're into gripping adventures, ancient mysteries, and characters that jump off the page, "Trail of the Sun Queen" is a must-read. Nisha Tuli has crafted a captivating story that will transport you to a world of intrigue and excitement.

A fight to the death to become queen? Sign me up! I want to thank NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this read. I want to mention that I have not read any of the books mentioned in the other reviews that this is compared to. I thought Lor was a strong character, smart and tough. I did find some parts of the story predictable but it wasn’t bad at all. I feel like all books these days are like that. There was a lot of action and excitement in each of the trials. It was a hunger games style adventure that kept me entertained. This is the 2nd ARC this month that ended on a cliffhanger that I wasn’t mad at. I’m off to book 2 right now.

Favorite Quote:”But I can’t get up. I don’t have that luxury, and I still need to win. My chance at this kind of freedom is so close I can taste it.”

Favorite Scene In 1-3 Words: Masquerade ball

*NO SPOILERS* Trial of the Sun Queen follows Lor, a prisoner in one of the worst prisons on the continent as she is whisked away and forced to compete in the trials to become the next Sun Queen. In order to save the people she loves, she is determined to win…because it is the only way. However, Lor has dangerous secrets that make her an important target for both the Sun King and the Aurora King.

This book is written in the first person POV of two characters, mainly Lor, our female main character as well as Nadir, the Aurora prince. With the perspective of Nadir we can assume he will have more of a role/importance in later books but in the first book of the series he has few, but important chapters. The book is written well, the writing style is easy to follow, and it is a fast read.

As far as the story goes, it has an interesting plot, somewhat likable characters (although Lor can be incredibly irritating at times), and it is fast paced which is another reason it is a fast read. We are left in the dark about who Lor which is frustrating. The spice doesn’t get too spicy in this book but I expect more spice in the future.

Overall, I feel like this is a fairly standard spicy romance novel. While the plot was good I wasn’t incredibly wowed by the book but it was still good. A fun, fast read. I do plan to continue reading the following book in the series.

This was my first read from Nisha J Tuli and it did not disappoint! All my friends raved about this series and they were right! Loved it and can't wait for book 2!

I didn’t know what to expect from this book and was so pleasantly surprised. It reminded me of a darker version of the Selection mixed with the Hunger Games and maybe a little ACOTAR. I ended up being so invested in Lor and genuinely surprised by the male main characters! The beginning felt a little slow but by the end I truly could not put it down. I’ll be picking up the sequel as soon as possible!

Trial of the sun queen by Nisha J. Tuli.

The story follows Lor, a 24 years old human from Aurora who spent the last 12 years in a work camp prison and suddenly finds herself in a new kingdom. She doesn't show she got there nor why. She also can't tell anyone who she really is or where she is from.
She is to participate in a trial to determine the next sun queen. But why her? All the other tributes are from high birth and important families. And she is a low key prisoner from another kingdom. Lor quickly realize that the trial are not gonna be easy. In these challenges, a mix of the bachelor and hunger games, she must win or die. Or even worse, going back to the prison.
When the sun king suddenly finds himself very interested in her, she can't help but enjoy the attentions and the love. She doesn't know what he sees in her but his small gestures and the obvious chemistry between them is enough. For now. For if she wins, she is gonna become Queen and be elevated to imperial fae. She would the. Be able to free her siblings. She focuses on that, trying not to get too distracted by the handsome King Atlas or the infuriating Gabriel, her guard.
In the meantime, the king of Aurora is made aware of Lor's disparition and charges his son to get her back. Prince Nadir has no choice but to obey. But something isn't right. Why would his father care about a single prisoner? So who is that mysterious woman and how can he use that knowledge to bring his father down?

I really enjoyed my read. It was a little bit predictable here and there and this is why I rated it 4 stars. The characters were lovable or throat punchable for the most part. I will probably ready the second one, to know what happens to Lor and what the future holds for her.

Thank you to @readforeverpub for a copy of Trial of The Sun Queen in trade for an honest review.

This book was great!! 4.5 stars!! ⭐️
This book surprised me, it was unique and unlike another book I have read before. The book was very entertaining; I still have so many questions and I can’t wait to read the next book!

I enjoyed the strong FMC and thought her story was well thought out. I was rooting for her through the entire book.

Throne of Glass meets Hunger Games in Trials of the Sun Queen. Ten women in a deadly contest for the Sun King. Lor has been in prison for most of her life, but a surprise release enters her into a competition for the Sun Queen Trials to become the next Sun Queen, and to win means freedom and power for her and her friends, but how far will this contest take her? I was in for this advenure, but at the same time, there wasn’t a lot that felt unique. I loved the stakes of the competition and the challenges, but it felt very similar to a SJM book with a lot of Hunger Games stakes. I feel like the romance never fully took off, although I do have hopes for it as the series goes on. It’s dark with interesting world building, and I liked Lor and her determination. She was resilient and brave, and I am really interested to see how the series unfolds. I think I was just kind of underwhelmed as whole. It does seem like there’s a lot of ways this story can grow, so I’m curious how the rest of Lor’s journey.

I loved it! Mainly because I love ToG and that's exactly what this is. I was really played by Atlas like a goddamn piano. Nadir instantly felt like Rhys so I knew that was the real love interest. I love Lor and her loyalty to her siblings. absolutely badass.

Hunger Games, meets Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, meets The Bachelor...

I could not get enough of this book. Could. Not.
I read this in 2 days because I was just so drowned in the story that I needed to consume it and when I came up for air with that cliffhanger... Damn.

There were so many times where I highlighted the "oh, there it is, there's the giveaway for all of it" moments. I love those subtle yet obvious clues, because they get me excited, engaged and eager to reach the next chapter. I internally screamed "I KNEW IT!" often.

I can't wait to read the second book! I loved Atlas so much but I'm not gonna lie, the entire time all I was thinking was, "he's perfect... But I need him to be darker...". I may have giggled towards the end.

Books like this always get an easy 5 star for me. If I can finish 300ish pages in 2 days, it's a no brainer. I couldn't put it down for even a second.

If you read enough books following the same tropes, you will start seeing very similar plots, stereotypes, and predictability. But this book was definitely it's own unique story.

Interesting!
To be honest I struggle with all fantasy book especially with first in series. I’d definitely be interested in reading the second book.

Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli Book Review

This book is a mix of Hunger Games meets The Bachelor with Fae and ACOTAR vibes. Its seriously *chefs kiss*
Star rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating: 🌶️🌶️
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Series: Artefacts of Ouranos - Book #1
POV: dual POV -1st person (Lor) and 3rd person (Nadir)
Tropes: Bride trials, enemies to lovers rags to riches, secret identity, slow burn

Thoughts:
I really like the FMC, she's resilient, confident and strong. She felt different compared to the other FMCs in all the other books I have read. This was a fast paced fantasy romance that had me on the edge of my seat. I loved reading this book and I read it in two days. I loved the characters, the world building, the trials, the mystery, ALL THE SECRETS. Seriously so happy I was accepted to read the ARC.
The Trials had me so engaged and they were so much more interesting than I thought they would be.
I really loved that the love interest was not clear right away. I had multiple theories on who it would be, and honestly, I am still not 100% sure.

The book ends with a bit of mystery and I cannot wait to continue the series.

Thank you to the author and Forever Publishing for gifting me a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own. *ARC provided to me via NetGalley in exchange of an honest review*