I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’m very clearly going through a pretty intense reading slump at the moment where nothing I try is hitting, so that may have colored my opinions when it comes to Queen of Dreams, the second of what I believe (hope?) is a romantasy duology from author duo Kit Rocha. And this was a classic case of there being a lot of interesting ideas, but something getting lost in the execution.
There was a lot more world building this time around, complete with a full-on infodump at the back explaining a lot of “world stuff.” Most of it is just window dressing, however, and a lot of it feels like irrelevant backstory. And the world building that did make it into the main text, in the more political focus of this installment bogged the story down, resulting in a slog of a book, while the first one was a fun, sexy dragon fantasy romance. And where there was some relevance to it all, in terms of the developing political tensions, I felt like the story didn’t really “go there” by presenting a truly satisfying and epic battle and ending after all the buildup.
The characters and their relationships are fairly solid, and what kept me from throwing my Kindle in frustration and boredom. Zanya’s growth in her powers is particularly cool, and Sachi coming into her own and finding purpose was great. And while I didn’t care for all the political drama, giving Ash a connection to it all with his history with the villainous Sorin was great. The relationship dynamics between the three also developed in some interesting ways, particularly with Zanya and Ash, who still have more tension, and Sachi and Zanya’s codependent bond is challenged to an extent.
While I found this book underwhelming, I do think other readers would enjoy it, particularly if you enjoyed the first in the series and want more of the world and the characters.

This was my first time reading from this author. I enjoyed the storyline and characters, but something was missing. Personally don’t know if this book was for me but it would be still recommend to others who like fantasy and premise of this book

Queen of Dreams is the conclusion of the Bound to Fire and Steel Duet by the writing duo known as Kit Rocha. I enjoyed this second installment and felt that it gave me the wrapped up conclusion of the plot in this duet, but definitely left things open for the continuation of stories in this world.

This continuation of the story was more plot focused than romance compared to book one, however I found that I enjoyed that more. The world was also expanded more in this story, which did throw me off a little bit, however the expansion of the world was necessary for the plot to continue on from book one. I loved the whole cast of characters as always and I liked that the ending left things open for more stories in this world if desired.

I will say that this story is more focused on Ash and Zanya and I did feel that their relationship still feels up in the air for me. Sachi is definitely the glue between these two, and with her being out of the picture for most of the book, I was waiting for more of connection to develop between Zanya and Ash then did. I did enjoy the character growth that we got from both Sachi and Zanya during their separation, and I enjoyed seeing Zanya come into her own. However, I do think that the relationship still feels more like a V than a triad to me, but it still works regardless of my expectations of the relationship.

Overall, a fun, sexy, and action filled conclusion to this duet. I can't wait for more from this author.

You guys. YOU GUYS. Ash and Sachi and Zanya coming together in book 1 was so ridiculously good that I didn't think anything could top it. BOY WAS I WRONG. Because Sachi hadn't come into her power yet when things went down in book 1 and this is one unstoppably amazing trio when they're ALL firing on all cylinders.

But it took time for Sachi to believe in herself enough to embrace what she is. It took time and a separation from the two people who love her most. Seeing as she was dropped into the middle of the Betrayer's empire with only her wits and her training to survive and bring about his downfall, things were rough for a while. Rough for her AND for Ash and Zanya.

And the Betrayer? He was...awful. He surrounded himself with a twisted family and hammered his plans for a brighter future into something that became unrecognizable. His quest for bigger, better, best stripped away everything good from his land and his people. In the end Sachi had to choice but to dig deep and find herself.

While Sachi is working from the inside (as best she could), Ash, Zanya, and the rest of the High Court were preparing for war. Zanya needs to learn to control her powers. Ash is making plans. They're all prepared to do whatever needs to be done to end the Betrayer's reign in any way necessary.

Gods, monsters, newly awakened power, a twisted mirror court, and three individuals who have to hold tight to all their trust and belief in one another if they want to succeed.

Thanks to Montlake and NetGalley for access to a copy for review.

3.5 stars rounded up.

Queen of Dreams is part two of a duology kicked off by Consort of Fire. I don't recomment reading Queen of Dreams without having read Consort of Fire though there is a "how we go to here" section. I found the reminder useful asit's been a bit since I read part 1.

As expected from a Kit Rocha book there is plenty of heat. Sachi is the cental MC. There are chapters from the POV of Zanya and Ash as well as Sachi's but she is the Queen of Dreams and the lynchpin of their triad. Having Sachi be away from Zanya and Ash did allow for the Zanay-Ash relationship to evolve independently of Sachi which was good to see. They do have their HEA, but with obvious room for the triad's relationships to continue to grow and change - just as well given their longevity.

From a plot perspective, the Breaker is as terrible a person as one could expect if also coming across as weirdly naive. I would have liked more court intrigue.

Super fun duolgy and I will happily read any other books in this world.

Four and a half
I certainly preferred this to the first book and that's probably because there's without a doubt less bedroom activity and more about these characters particularly Zanya. This very new relationship they are all involved in is tested as yes Sachi can love both and share but Ash and Zanya have a long way to go before there's a strong love there. So with new powers of destruction and the Endless Void Zanya has a lot to learn but when Sachi becomes trapped in the Betrayers land can she embrace all that she can be ?
I do associate these authors with steamy reads but I'm very much enjoying their journey into fantasy. They have invented some fabulous characters and I will admit I wanted more of the supporting characters but I still thoroughly enjoyed this book. I will say that Sachi is a wee bit annoying although to Ash she's simply perfect (picture me with eyes rolling !) and I'm definitely team Zanya although truthfully she doesn't love herself which is a little sad. There is a resolution to the issue of the Betrayer but there's without a doubt another story set in this world surely ? Please please say yes !
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

If a main character in a triad is in another place for a big piece of the book, I expect that the other two are going to grow their relationship. It doesn’t have to be in a sexual way. I just need to see them forming a bond outside the other person.
This book was fine. The duet was interesting. It wasn’t as much as I wanted but I did enjoy it overall.

- 3.5 stars -

Queen of Dreams, the second book in Kit Rocha's Bound to Fire and Steel series, is a thrilling ride. The story follows Ash, Sachi, and Zanya, three lovers with ancient powers, as they go up against the menacing Betrayer. He’s a villain with a lot of depth, making him one of the most intriguing parts of the book.

Ash has been waiting thousands of years for a consort to help him break the Betrayer's chains. Instead, he finds Sachi and Zanya, who represent creation and destruction. Their personal growth and evolving relationship are some of the best parts of the story. Sachi’s adventures in the Betrayer’s realm and Zanya’s battle with her own dark powers are especially gripping.

The book is packed with twists and turns, keeping you hooked. There are a few slow parts, but the exciting scenes and interesting side characters more than make up for them. Even with the occasional lull, the character development and fast-paced plot make this a great follow-up in the series.

Overall, Queen of Dreams blends fantasy, romance, and adventure beautifully. The characters are well-developed, and the story keeps you wanting more. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

3.5 rounded up to 4

I really enjoyed Consort of Fire and was eagerly awaiting book 2. I enjoyed Queen of Dreams and think Kit Rocha has set up some intriguing future stories in this world. But I also think this duet should have been a trilogy. Queen of Dreams was a little rushed in parts.

I really enjoyed the beginning half of the book. It focused a lot of Zanya and I liked reading about her exploring her powers and feeling out her relationship with Ash. I could tell the book was building to something epic, and my anticipation was growing. But then I realized that there wasn't much book left. I enjoyed reading, but wish the ending had been given more time.

Read this book is you like:
-Dragon Shifters
-Poly Relationships (MFF)
-Epic Battles
-Gods and Magic

Sachi, Zanya and Ash complete their mission in this what could also be the last book in this series, I don't know. I admit that there is just no comparison between the affection and attachment I have developed toward the characters in Sectors (Beyond Series) and this recent trio, despite the fact that one of them is a dragon..... Perhaps I should have reread the first one before tackling this ending, but all in all, the very fact that I didn't feel like it says a lot...

Sachi, Zanya ed Ash portano a termine la loro missione in questo che potrebbe anche l'ultimo libro di questa serie, non saprei. Ammetto che non c'é proprio paragone tra l'affetto e l'attaccamento che ho sviluppato nei confronti dei personaggi dei settori (Serie Beyond) e questo recente trio, nonostante uno di essi sia un drago..... Forse avrei dovuto rileggere il primo prima di affrontare questo finale, ma tutto sommato, il fatto stesso che non ne avessi voglia, la dice lunga...

I received from the Publisher a complimentary digital advanced review copy of the book in exchange for a honest review.

Rocha is fast becoming one of my go to writers for this extra spicy genre. I just really like the balance they hit in their books and this one is no different.

I have really enjoyed this series. It has a great balance of story and heat. The world building is done very well. I enjoy all of the characters and appreciate how each one has grown from the previous books. I am always thrilled to find FFM poly romance books. The steamy scenes are well written and very detailed.

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The epic world of the High Court of Dreamers continues from Consort of Fire. Zanya has come into her godlike powers. She and the Dragon Ash want to keep their lover Sachielle safe but doing so instead makes her feel inadequate. Their triad romance remains the heart of the story with political machinations galore and an intriguing cast of supporting characters. When an old enemy manages to abduct Sachi will her lovers be able to stand back and allow her own powers manifest or continue to try and shelter her? While this book wraps up this particular romance arc, there are more adventures to come in this world. Thanks to Montlake and #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this world, and I truly hope we get more from it! I especially adore Aleksi, and would love a story centering on him!

As for this story, I just… I don’t know if I could put into words how much I loved this!! It was so good, and I loved all three of the main characters! The magic system/world-building is absolutely one of my favorite things, as well, and I just want so many more stories from this world!! (Yes, I’ve already mentioned that, but I really could just disappear into this world to live happily ever after there, lol!)

I also loved that I felt just a hint of sympathy for the villain - but really only a hint! Just enough to make me feel the tug on my heartstrings, but not enough to feel bad about where he ended up… He did still deserve that. (He deserved worse, but I get why it ended the way it did.)

Anyways, I can and will gush about this duology for so much longer, but I’ll just end it with many thanks for allowing me to read the eARC!

I would like to note that I received this ARC with the mindset that I would provide an honest review.
This book was a fun ride and had an interesting premise. I will say that I signed up for this ARC before I realized that it was a sequel. I was initially drawn in by the cover (and by the quote printed on the cover by a favored author) but I stayed for the book itself.
I liked how this book was more character driven than the first book. I really enjoyed the character development with Zanya in this book in comparison to the first book but I also loathed her in some parts. So that was an interesting twist while reading. We also get more from other critical characters like our ‘villain’ and more for the world building.
I will say that I wish this book gave me more. The build up throughout the series kind of left me wanting more when the war occurred and what occurred next. That could also be said about the relationship between the three lead characters. I wish the relationship and dynamic between them was explored more; especially, with all that occurred throughout the book. I do not want to get too far into the story because I want others to read this story and connect to the text like I did. Overall, this was a good read for me. I plan to read the next book and would encourage others to read this book as well.

Overall, I found this book to be good, but not great. Now the reasons for that are purely based off my preferences and not a reflection of the writers skill. I found the writing to be well done, and the story unfolded well. There was just something about the characters that I never quite got attached to them in the way I would have liked.

*ARC received from Netgalley - all opinions are my own*

TLDR: Rocha has created such a vast and interesting world with unique and engaging characters which, like in the first book, gets underutilised. There is so much potential but lacks execution for me. If you enjoyed the first though, it’s more of the same in Queen of Dreams but be aware that there are far less spicy scenes, in case that’s what you’re here for.

Disclaimer: I made a mistake when requesting Queen of Dreams for review, I wasn't aware that it was a sequel. I read Consort of Fire to get ready for QoD and I wouldn’t have made the request had I read the first book. So be aware that from the get go, I was likely never going to enjoy the sequel.

In many ways, Queen of Dreams was more enjoyable to read than the previous book. The focus was more on our main characters, Zanya the most, and their own development and finding out more history and learning about our villain. The sex and spicy scenes took a backseat (for obvious reasons) and I felt like the plot was better for it.

We finally got to see the “new” part of the world and meet our villain and his court. I think Sorin had the potential to be a great villain. I wish that he had been made to be a bit more charismatic and endearing and I think it would have suited him better. Get us almost liking him and then have us realise that he’s on the tip of sanity and is actually a monster. He is written in such a black/ white way that cheapens him and the story in my opinion. Especially when the high court and Ash still have a degree of affection for him and Ash himself even admits that he is partially to blame for the way their friendship ended and Sorin isn’t entirely in the wrong.
Similarly, his court was a great chance to expand upon their likeness to the original court and the relationships and history Sorin had with them in the past but, again, just more wasted opportunities to make this something great.

I still found Zanya to be insufferable, she has very little to like as she is just so focused on orbiting Sachi that she has nothing that makes her uniquely Zanya. This also hinders the polyamorous relationship our 3 main characters have as there just isn't any real chemistry between Zanya and Ash on their own, it’s just so focused on Sachi, even when it’s not supposed to be.

The ending was very anticlimactic as well, we spent the entire book gearing up for a war that could sunder continents and render the earth uninhabitable and it was just nothing like that. So much build up and hype for a battle that was over so quickly and was just in no way satisfying.

All in all, there is so much potential in this series and could have been such a hit but everything just falls short of being as amazing as it could be. It’s safe to say I’ll not be continuing with the series.

I used to love Kit Rocha’s Beyond series but the librarian series just didn’t really work for me and so I wasn’t sure how this writing duo’s foray into romantasy would fare. That said, I did enjoy the first book in this series but something didn’t fully click for me and I’m sorry to say, this book didn’t improve upon much. The characters are fine but they don’t really click for me, all three together and it felt like much of the same in this book as in the last book. I think this boils down to it just not being for me. YMMV.

I was able to be nice and eloquent for book one, but for book 2 I'm having trouble coming up with phrases that aren't overused to the point of meaninglessness but I want them to mean something again. This is a beautiful follow-up, resolving everything I hoped would be resolved after the last book though I had the advantage of knowing this wouldn't be the end of the books in this setting. I can't wait to see what they do next with this world.

I’d heard of Kit Rocha for years before I finally jumped in during their Mercenary Librarians trilogy (and then glommed the backlist), and this duology is such a level up for them! The world is so amazing and the characters all grab my heart and attention! I love that in so many ways Queen of Dreams is a parallel, a mirror, to Consort of Fire in the romance is between Ash and Zanya while we watch Sachi coming into her power and confidence. I loved the way things are resolved in the world with the Betrayer, and cannot wait to see continuation of the universe as they continue grabbing with the ripple effects of the Empire. This is such an incredible book, romance, story with characters I find so hard to let go of. Just, so amazing and my heart is so happy after finishing!!