I listened to an ALC through NetGalley. I found the narrators (IslayJacobs & Nick Mondelli) to be perfect for this story. Both narrators captured the emotions in the story and had a way of pulling you in. The only thing I struggled with is that there wasn't a lot of difference in tone/accent for the different characters. The narration would have been so much better if it was done in Duet instead of Dual. Other than that they did a great job.

The book itself had some ups and downs for me. I understand the inner turmoil that Solomon was going through but I found some of his behaviors to just be off putting. Then there was Devonry, I found her to be annoying through a good chunk of the book but near the end it was good to see her find her strength.

The book had enemies to soon-to-be lovers, guard/princess romance, betrayal, one bed trope, touch her and die, and fated-mates. While I didn't like some aspects of the story I found it to be good overall and will definitely continue the series.

Audio
⭐️ 3/5
🌶️ 2/5

After the murder of her Father Princess Devonry finds herself as a refuge, running away from her fathers killer with her insufferable guard that made an oath to always protect her.

This audiobook was pretty fun to listen to. I enjoyed the world and the story building, I think it could have been a little bit more, but for an easy read it was enough for me to enjoy it. I did like the banter but I think as a writer in this day and age you have to realise that everyone is writing this exact same book and that we need some tension release in the first book rather that the second as I will definitely forget what this book was about and will probably never pick up the next one when it eventually comes out. Give us some wins!

What I liked
- I liked that even thought the main characters are not ready to have sexy times yet, the authors have written in some smut that goes in their minds, I liked it a lot.
- I liked the prologue
- I do like the story of the villain and I am looking forward seeing how the main characters will battle them
- One bed, one horse, good girl, who did this to you?, fated mates, vampires

What I disliked
- I wish the book ended with the rest of the prologue.. like I kind of was looking forward to it and now I feel sad.
- Solomon that just does not understand how annoying his mind is when he thinks about how useless Dev is because she is a princess. Big oof.
- I still don’t understand that in the land where fated mates are in high regard they “can’t” be together and like that just miscommunication trope I was not happy with
- I think I am done with haters/enemies to lovers books as I just want some action and not a whole book about fantasising about each other

Audiobook provided by Netgalley, all opinions are my own

Thanks so much to @netgalley for the chance to review Crown of Blood and Glass - I did not want this book to end! I can’t wait for book 2 - I’ll devour it equally as fast! Devonry is a spoiled princess and she is guarded by her forever/former friend Solomon. Solomon has already “awakened” and has amazing powers, while his princess has not. He also learned that Dev is his soulmate. He can’t be with her, so he is constantly snarky with her. The two have to go on the run, and Solo will do anything to keep her safe.

I grew to love Devonry because she was so bratty at first. Excellent narration, which passion in appropriate places, like battle scenes.

I don't like plagiarism. I finally had to dnf at 60% because this book is blatantly plagiarizing Akatsuki No Yona (Yona of the Dawn). That manga happens to be one of my favorites so I'm very familiar with it. Everything from the murder of her father to cutting off her hair and falling off a cliff. They even used nearly the same fake name for the princess while she was hiding out. It's a shame because the writing style wasn't that bad but I can't read something I know is plagiarized.

Thank you to netgalley for this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4.75 stars

I was provided an audio arc in exchange for an honest review.

The audio narrators did a phenomenal job! The details the writers put into this book make it incredible to listen to.

The story had my attention the whole time. I loved the magic system and the gods. I enjoyed watching our FMC begin to grow and find herself beyond being just a naive princess. Our MMC is broody and sexy and so in love it hurts, literally.

This book is also incredibly well written! The world building was not overdone or underdone. It was perfect! I could imagine everything. There’s also no annoying info dumping which I appreciate.

I had to knock of .25 of a star for some things that really bothered me though.

Originally I was going to knock 2 stars off one for the weird smut “prologue” and one for her dad not letting Solomon tell her they were soulmates. The reason I changed it to .25 of a star is because by the end I didn’t care. I loved everything else in this book so much.

So the prologue was weird and out of place. It Is suppose to be a future scene… but it doesn’t happen in this book. So it makes zero sense. By the end of this book our Main Characters have a pretty good camaraderie. The prologue is a smut scene with our FMC still super torn on if she hates him or not. It just makes no sense. The “hatred” (its more like annoyance) between the two will be over done if it continues into book 2. I hate it when things get drawn out too long. I’m still hoping it’ll somehow makes sense or is removed. I didn’t let this influence my rating. Just my thoughts.

Now the big thing I was hung up on for 75% of the book. This whole world is based on the gods chosen lines ruling. They believe in reincarnation for nobles. So why the hell in a world where the gods decisions are so important would a king of all people go against their wishes. The princess herself says gods given soulmates are a gift and rare. But the king makes Solomon hide this and says he can never be with her. It makes no sense. I did get over this by the end , but I definitely had to note it. To me it’s a major plot hole, because so much rides on Solomon’s devotion to the princess, and I see no logic behind her father’s decision.

Also note the epilogue is not an epilogue. It’s just another chapter. That didn’t bother me, because I know there’s more books coming. I just wanted to note that.

There is zero on page romance or true spice in this book. We get some sweet inner monologue. We get some smutty fantasy thoughts and dreams, but nothing on page. I mean they don’t even kiss once. There is definitely tons of tension though… so I think we’ll be getting some good stuff next book!

I know I ranted a good bit about some things, but over all I loved this book. It gave me strong Throne of Glass vibes. If you know me; you know that’s my favorite series. Like imagine if Chaol ended up being the main love interest. That’s what I kinda get here.

I will definitely be reading the next one! I’m hooked for the story lines and the smooth writing!

Absolutely LOVED it! What a captivating story. I love reading books that feel super real. Even when characters are drinking blood to survive. LOL! I was reading this like I would a book with humans it was so good. I knew it was book one so expected a cliffhanger but was pleasantly surprised that this while it leaves me wanting more…needing to know what is going to happen; it also left me pleasantly content. Lots happening in the story - a slow burn with spice (just read), enemies to lovers (with not loving… just read), and a kingdom in peril. I was here for this!

Thank you for the ARC audiobook in exchange for a review.

Let’s start with the audiobook. I thought the audiobook was very well done. It is told from a dual POV, and I enjoyed both narrators and the production. The book works well as an audiobook so great job Dreamscape!

Now about the book. This book started off so well then just fizzled flat. From the prologue, I was hooked and excited for how the book was going to go. It follows Princess Devonry who is arranged to marry a prince of a neighboring kingdom when she came of age. This Prince fails to show up when she is presented, and then she learns of the betrayal when her father is killed. Her longtime bodyguard Solomon is secretly in love with her but…literally nothing happens. He saves her life and gets her out of the kingdom and this is where it just fizzles out. I keep waiting for something great to happen and it never did. Then it just ends. It was not done very well. I think I see what the intent was but it didn’t hit for me. Overall, the story is ok but nothing extraordinary.

Thank you to Dreamscape Media for access to this Advanced Listening Copy in exchange for my honest review. The audiobook will be released on August 22, 2023.

Devonry and Solomon were childhood friends. In the present, we’re following them on their enemies to lovers journey. They’re princess and guard. Devonry awaits an upcoming arranged marriage and will eventually become Queen. Unforeseen events finds Devonry and Solomon on the run.

This is a very generic fantasy romance. There is barely any worldbuilding. The magic system of awakened/unawakened blood was underutilized. Devonry and Solomon were not particularly memorable main characters. The “enemies” dynamic consists of pointless antagonism. As far as the romance, the main characters have a lot of internal thoughts of lust/attraction, but I felt the chemistry was lacking. We get no relationship development, no friendship, nothing that makes them particularly right for each other.

Otherwise, Crown of Blood and Glass is a very fast, easy read. It’s a straightforward story and easy to understand as far as the fantasy plot elements go. The dual narration by Nick Mondelli and Islay Jacobs is smooth and articulate. Fans of From Blood and Ash would probably enjoy this.