Calling all Fantasy fans! This book pulled me in completely! Definitely one I recommend if you love a good Fantasy story. I can't wait to have my teens read it. Fabulous characters, captivating storyline, coming of age for several of the characters and a sweet love story that will have you cheering for their happily ever after.

Crown Princess Aria is an endearing character. She's trying to improve herself and trying to care for her people but feels like she just isn't doing it right. I loved watching her journey of self-discovery, in realizing her worth and importance and goodness and powers (not necessarily magical ones). I love how the author wove this throughout the story. And not just for Aria but for many of the characters. This is one of my favorite aspects of reading books. I love seeing characters learning who they are and figuring out how to stay true to themselves but not stay stagnate in their lives. You're going to love this one!

Baron. What can I say about him? So much! And yet, so little. I want you to experience his character for yourself. In a good way! I loved his character just as much as Aria's. They complement each other very well. Especially in their insecurities and shortcomings. But, never fear, they persevere and are wonderful together. *Happy Sigh* Oh, my heart!!! Love them!

There are twists and turns and interesting revelations and things brought to light that I never would have imagined. You won't want to stop turning the pages because there are many great surprises and goodies throughout the book. I love the relationships and the championing of each other! This is one that will leave you very happy and hoping for more!

Content: Clean. This book has nothing more than a couple of kisses. There are mild moments of peril. It is a Fantasy book so there are elements of magic and such.

I received a copy from the publisher, Shadow Mountain Publishing, via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.

Happy Reading!!!

Inspired by The Twelve Dancing Princesses, Casters and Crowns is a brilliant standalone YA Romantasy that I could not put down. Princess Aria is terrified of making mistakes, yet with the weight of the monarchy on her shoulders, she cannot seem to do anything right. Seeking a peaceable solution to a brewing civil war, Aria becomes condemned by a blood curse with a terminal deadline and must search for an unlikely ally in her quest for a cure, leading her to the complicated and obviously very handsome magic-wielding Caster, Baron. I loved every chapter of this book with a slow burn romance, letters exchanged, brotherly banter, magic, love, and familial duty. There is a quality of double mirrors in the text: twin boys, two very important deaths before the book begins with grieving families, two youngest daughters without any say in their fates. All add complexity and depth to the story that I savored. My only regret is I wish to have seen more of Jenny's personality and background.
I switched between the audio and the ebook. The dual narrators were perfect for this dual POV narrative, both speaking slowly, which I love as I can speed up to my preferred listening tempo. Both were pleasant to listen to as well.
Reading this novel felt like eating dessert: fun, rich, and enticing. I'd absolutely read more by this author in the future.
Thanks to NetGalley, Shadow Mountain Publishing, and Dreamscape Media for this ARC!

This book is absolutely epic! Casters and Crowns has to be one of my favorite fantasy/fairytale retellings yet! I loved this uniquely subtle, clever twist on two favorite fairytales! Reading this book reminded me of when I read Harry Potter for the first time. It has fantastic world building, amazing characters you want to cheer for, a lovely heartfelt slow build romance, and a plot that completely drew me in. Part Sleeping Beauty, part 12 Dancing Princesses, I loved the nods to these two favorite fairytales while being completely unique.

Crown Princess Aria’s kingdom is on the brink of war between the Casters, those gifted with magical abilities, & the non-magical. To prove her capabilities to her father the King, Aria seeks out the Widow Morton, a powerful Caster who is pushing for war, to try to negotiate peace. But instead of finding a willing ally, she is cursed for the next 100 days to be unable to sleep until she wastes away and dies, then the curse will pass to her sister and so on until the King’s entire family is dead. Not able to tell anyone about the curse, Aria tries to find a powerful Caster to break the spell.

Baron Reeves is a talented Caster whose kind gentleness, and love of his brothers definitely wins Aria over. But can he be trusted? Baron’s hiding a terrible secret of his own. Though he has great abilities, he was unable to save someone he loved & worries he’ll be unable to help the Princess. As they race against time to break the curse, they grow closer together, but will they be able to save the Princess in time & unite the Kingdom.

Elizabeth Lowham has created such a brilliant book with beautiful prose, endearing characters, and a storyline that was impossible to put down. I loved Aria who’s so relatable. She’s a perfectionist who beats herself up for every little mistake. I loved seeing her recognize her capabilities and become more confident in herself. I adored Baron & his mischievous younger brothers. He was such a kind, thoughtful person. I loved the notes he sent & the way he believed in Aria’s mission & goals.

The twists in this story were so good. I enjoy a morally gray villain whose motives are sympathetic even though the way they go about things is completely wrong. I loved the dramatic tension leading up to an exciting magical conclusion.

Highly recommend to romantsy, fantasy, and fairytale lovers. It was such a delightful story. I hope to see this world continue! I can’t wait to see what adventures Aria & Baron will get up to next. I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author and publisher. All opinions are my own and voluntarily provided.

Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book.

I LOVED Casters and Crowns! This book was so well written, and the story never lulled. The dual POV and fairytale curse aspect were great. Both main characters were relatable and loveable and I found myself rooting for their happiness. The ending was absolutely perfection.

So much more than I expected.

Casters and Crowns is a young adult fantasy novel, with princesses, witches, shapeshifters, all kinds of magic, and a sweet romance. On the surface, it is a variation on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale. But don't let that fool you. It has much more depth than that.

The main characters are Aria and Baron and we get to alternate their points of view. Aria, the princess, is a perfectionist trying to do everything perfectly and live up to her father's unrealistic expectations. And may have a little ADHD and/or OCD, which I can relate to. Baron had a loving father, but he has passed, and Baron is left with raising his brothers and trying to follow in his father's footsteps. A great treatise on family legacies.

Then you add caster magic. Not everyone has it. Those that do are branded and discriminated against. Then there are those with alternate magics, who have to hide themselves and their powers in fear of execution.

Now throw in a widow whose son was killed, a missing stepmother, daughters no one knows about, and a sleeping curse, and you have an amazing story as Aria and Baron try to work through all the issues that keep them apart.

I loved this story. It was so much more than I expected. Great character depth and growth. No one was fully what they seemed at first. Some characters provided excellent and unexpected humor. The plot kept me reading and gave a resolution I didn't see coming. The commentary on prejudice, mis-judging others, courage and power was very good.

Clean read, a few kisses. There is some heart-breaking fairy-tale violence. We see the human motivations behind the characters' evil acts, and can view them with empathy. No swearing, but it does use the word "damned" in the literal Biblical sense.

If you like fairytale retellings with big twists, fantasy-based romances, or just great characters and storytelling, this is a book for you. I give it 5 stars and recommend it for readers 14 & up.

Oh my goodness! What an exciting story and engaging world! This is my first from Ms. Lowham and I thoroughly enjoyed it. This fantasy romance is full of character growth and discovery within an amazing fantasy world.
Aria was so relatable! I definitely felt her struggle to do the right thing and to fulfill her role as crown princess. She was a perfectionist and it bled into every aspect of her life. I loved her genuine desire to be what her people needed and her care for them. I also adored her relationship with her sister, as someone with sisters myself that is something I always enjoy. She grew so much over the story. Aria began to discover what she stood for and her own beliefs.
Baron was so sweet! I loved his sense of honor and his care for his brothers. He was so self-sacrificing for them. He was struggling to survive in a kingdom that distrusted him for the abilities he was born with. I admired his hopes for the future and his determination to work for the future he wanted for his family and the other Casters.
Aria and Baron’s friendship and romance grew slowly. I liked how it developed from their friendship and how they supported one another. They were truly able to provide strengths where the other was weaker. As the story continued, both Aria and Baron were challenged to evaluate their views and to strive toward the kingdom they wanted to live in. There were so many surprises along the way and I loved seeing the plot unfold. I loved so many of the side characters, especially their families. They were so full of character and life.
This is a standalone fantasy romance with some fantasy violence and only kissing. I would recommend it to older teens and up.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion, I was not required to write a positive review.

Excellent romantasy read, I enjoyed it a lot! This cover is gorgeous too. The plot was so good in this book, it was intricate and immersive. The author did such a wonderful job, the book was so well written and is so much better than most romantasy books. The FMC Princess Aria is such a great character and she is so likable. I enjoyed how she was always striving to improve and was so very human and good. The MMC Baron also struggles to be his best self and the parallel journey these two characters go on is such an important one. Their dual points of view made it such an immersive read.

🐦‍⬛ Blurb: Cursed by magic, bound by mistakes. Princess Aria finds her destiny hinges on the mysterious Baron Reeves. Will love be enough to break the curse?

👑 Forbidden Love
🐦‍⬛ Outlawed Magic
👑 Royalty
🐦‍⬛ Magical curse
👑 Sleeping beauty vibes
🐦‍⬛ Fantasy
👑 Clean romance

🐦‍⬛ Quotes:
"Every sword ever forged is dangerous. It's a matter of who's wielding it, and I trust you to wield...”

"Most importantly, I stand tall, because even if they don't know who I am, I do.”

“The difficult road forward is worth the journey.”

This book is a fantasy thrill ride. I loved the characters and the growth that took place in each of them. I especially loved Aria, Baron, Leon and Corvin. They each grew quite a bit throughout the story. The magic is thrilling and interesting. The spells complex. This is a beautifully satisfying story of growth, learning who you are, courage and love. I would highly recommend it.

I was in the mood for a fantasy book, and Casters and Crowns was the perfect book for me! I love that this one is in the YA category, but still had a complex and well-thought out story. I loved the world and the different types of magic. It was a great balance of action, a little romance, great main characters and hilarious side characters, and magic. I will definitely recommend this one to the teens in my life.

Thank you to Shadow Mountain Publishing, NetGalley, and Elizabeth Lowham for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinions!

Let me get this one out of the way. This book was both enchanting and engrossing. Immediately after finishing, I jumped online and purchased a copy-- and then grabbed the audiobook as well. What was special about it? I'm so glad you asked.

First, Aria and Baron. I ached when they ached, and smiled when they found happiness. It was effortless to connect with both of them. Baron is such a kind, honorable, compassionate individual. Branded at a young age, he hasn't ever had the privilege of blending into Society, and much of what should have been his by birth, or status, isn't available to him, thanks to outdated laws and vicious prejudice. Still, he endures. After a string of losses, he essentially becomes pseudo-parent/guardian to his two twin brothers, and he shows his siblings how to navigate obstacles with aplomb.

"Most importantly, I stand tall, because even if they don't know who I am, I do."

Aria, on the other hand, is on the young end of her eighteen years. Enduring guidance from a progressively tyrannical parent, being caught in the middle of her parents' loveless marriage, and attempting to overcome it all as her country's future ruler, take a toll on her emotional well-being. It was such a relief to see her gain independence, find her voice, and mature as an individual.

"Aria knew it would be a long road ahead, but at least the journey had started."

Though they come at the relationship from different personal tragedies and difficulties, both Aria and Baron are paralyzed by the fear of not being enough. They balance each other well, and find wholeness as their relationship grows. Though the book takes place over about 100 days, and Baron & Aria do not make a connection until partway through that timeline, their relationship feels well-paced, genuine, and deep.

"They fit together like lemon and leaf, like sword and sheath, like two halves always meant to be whole."

Also, Baron's brothers are quirky personified, and they add lightness to a rather weighty plotline. Corvin and Leon have such unique personalities, and I found myself laughing out loud in multiple spots. It was charming to see how much they look up to their brother, even though they terrorize him (and break more than a vase or two in the process). They banter and argue, they fight and they sass, but all the brothers have each others' backs. The younger twins act as their brother's protector nearly as often as he performs that role for them. And let's just say, each brother has some unique qualities that manifest themselves in hilarious ways.

"There's no need to make a fuss!" "A fuss we have made."

And finally, the pacing. The primary plot (the curse/countdown/threat) takes up much less page time than you'd expect. There are all these other considerations and curiosities happening at the same time, and it made the story feel vast. It captured my attention in a way that few books do, and I really enjoyed tracking all the different elements. While it would have been nice to learn more about the magic system and how it works, that is only a minor criticism. I greatly look forward to consuming this book again, multiple times, in the coming years. Thank you, author and publisher, for an advance copy of this title. All opinions are my own.

Language: Zero swearing
Sensuality: Semi-descriptive kissing, but nothing more
Violence: Typical fantasy violence. Some injury, but mildly described

Casters and Crowns by Elizabeth Lowham, 384 pages. Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2024. $21.
Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
BUYING ADVISORY: HS - ADVISABLE
APPEALS TO: SEVERAL
In attempting to prove to her father that she, as the crown princess, is ready for more responsibility, Aria (18yo) goes to discuss peace with the Dowager Countess Morton without telling anyone. Their meeting goes well—until the dowager countess reveals that it was all a lie. Aria does all she can to hide the curse placed on her, but how is she supposed to defeat magic when all she knows is to fear it?
Filled with beautiful world-building, life-or-death stakes, magical abilities, and the constant flinging of creative insults between brothers, every page was a delight. Perfectionism haunts several of the characters, highlighting different avenues of dealing with mistakes and consequences. The conclusion is fitting, though I would have loved a promise of another book with these characters I have adored.
The majority of characters are implied White. The mature content rating is for alcohol use, mild innuendo, and kissing. The violence rating is for assault, fantasy violence, and mentions of murder.
Reviewer: Carolina Herdegen

Cute fantasy romance with a unique magic system. I liked the style and the characters. I wanted a little more build up of romance but overall it was a satisfying read.

"Casters and Crowns" by Elizabeth Lowham is a cozy romantasy book set in a world where Casters (magic users) are looked down on. When Aria, the heir princess of Loegria, gets cursed by a woman who wants revenge, she seeks the help of Baron, a Fluid-type Caster, to break her curse.

When I started this book, it made me question why there's no one speaking about it. It has everything a popular romantasy book has: a charming MMC, hilarious and lovable characters, and an interesting world and magic system. So if you like all these things, you should definitely check out "Casters and Crowns" when it comes out on 1st October.

The romance between Baron and Aria was the cutest. I found myself giggling and rooting for them to be together throughout the whole book. As a fan of slow burn, this was *chef kiss*!

However, out of all the things I loved in this book, my favorite was the dynamic between the characters. And I'm not only talking about the slow-burn romance between Baron and Aria. This book has multiple sibling relationships I just fell in love with, especially Baron's twin brothers. I'm confident they will be everyone's favorite characters.

The only thing I think could be better was the worldbuilding. I feel it could have been more explored and detailed, as it has so much potential. Maybe that's just my personal likes, but when reading a fantasy book, I feel the need to know more about the history of the world or country the book is set in and why things are like they are, and while "Casters and Crowns" had some parts that explained that, to me, it could have been more explored.

All in all, you should check out "Casters and Crowns" if you're a fan of a slowburn, cozy romantasy book with loveable characters. Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve always loved the books from this publishing house, and this one is no exception!

I also want to give a big shout-out to NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to read it early, and I can’t wait to buy the final copy when it’s released!

Now, let's move on to the story—The magic system was so much fun! I loved how it tied into politics and laws—it made everything more interesting.

Having dual POVs was amazing! Seeing the story from a princess’s perspective and then from a young man with magic was such a cool experience.

The slow-burn, forbidden love? Loved it. The characters were so fun, and the romance unfolding slowly just made it all the cozier. I just felt like I was reading the cutest story, while reading about self-discovery, accepting who you are, learning it's okay to make mistakes, and so much more. This book healed a little part of my heart.

The fantasy world was also exactly what I call a comfy fantasy. I’m such a fan of these kinds of books and I couldn't put this one down. I needed to read to finally see what would happen to the characters and how they would help each other.

I heavily recommend it!

I wanted something with a little magic going into the autumn months and this one ended up being such a perfect read.

I loved the pace of this book. Sometimes I struggle with fantasy. Things are too fantastical to keep up with or it drags a little with too much background. I loved how this kingdom of magical and non-magical people was set up and easy to understand.

Princess Aria strives for perfection in her role as princess and the one in line to inherit the throne. When her heart and mind differ from that of her father the king, she finds herself on a journey of self discovery and in pursuit of solutions to the problems her country face with those who have magical powers (casters).

Baron Reeves is a know castor and discriminated against for his abilities. I loved his integrity and strength of character as he defends himself and looks after his brothers.

As Aria turns to Baron for help in overcoming a curse, they get to know each other. I loved Aria’s ability to recognize prejudice and make a change in herself in how she views casters. It’s a great example of knowledge is power. How can we solve a problem if we don’t understand it?

This book kept me interested the whole time. It is also a book with a content level I would feel comfortable having my kids read. I think several of my kids would enjoy it and plan to buy a paperback for our yearly holiday book gifts. This is definitely a book I would recommend to all those who like light fantasy.

Casters and Crowns is the perfect fairytale read for a cozy fall day. This was my first read by Elizabeth Lowham and I was not disappointed. The writing style and the plot were both fantastic.

Princess Aria is truly a great character. Her personality was totally unique compared to most FMC in the fantasy genre. She had doubts about herself and wether or not she could live up to her father’s expectations, which made her a relatable character on so many levels.

Baron and Aria complemented each other so well and the romance between them was really cute. Baron had such a great personality and was always very kind. His brothers were a great addition to the story and made me laugh so many times.

The only issue I had was it had a bit of a slow start but things really picked up towards the end.

All around this was a great read and I highly recommend it!

I'll be honest. I gave this the fairest shot I could, but I could not get into the story. I couldn't bring myself to feel anything for the characters. Aria's constant inner dialog about all the marks against her got old very quickly. She's supposed to be the older sister, but seems childish at times.

Baron, ~Guilliaume~, at least had something interesting, being a Caster, going for him. I got about 20% in and when I stalled for a few days and felt no interest in picking it back up again, I knew to call it quits.

I had high hopes for it, so it still gets 3 stars for me. The plot seemed incredible, the execution was meh.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Fantasy, Sword and Sorcery, Romantasy, Historical Fantasy
Spice Level: Expect kisses
Language: Free of profanity

Here's my tru confession—I LOVE some of the female fantasy writers from the 80s. CASTERS AND CROWNS has everything I love about those novels but in a more modern packaging (this is historical, but I just mean the attitudes aren't in the dark ages).

Aria is headstrong and wants to prove herself worthy to rule. AND she gets herself in trouble. I liked how a strength was the very thing that made things worse.

Baron wants to rule his land even though he has magic as a caster. BUT he's ousted in favor of a younger brother. His dedication to his brothers is awesome.

Now put Aria and Baron together with clever letters and secrets, and you have a just-right romantasy. I enjoyed both of the characters immensely.

I actually liked how the lines between the magic-users and royalty was clear cut. The magic is pretty simple and straightforward—which is refreshing after too many books that become needlessly complicated. World building could be slightly strengthened. I saw this as medieval because of the jousting tournament and the spectacle at court. It could be a different time period, so until I have more information, I'm sticking with my gut instinct.

There is also room to grow this book into a series. I would definitely read more.

Happy reading!

Netgalley kindly provided me with an ARC of this book for an honest review, and I must say it truly is a hidden gem.

The plot and characters are exceptionally well-written, focusing on growth and self-discovery for protagonists Aria and Baron as they navigate their fathers’ legacies. Aria, the main heroine, stands out for her relatability and lack of special powers, making her a refreshing character.

Her journey to break a curse kept me intrigued, and her determination for peace over violence impressed me. The theme of growth is beautifully portrayed throughout the novel, with characters facing emotional and physical struggles and evolving into stronger individuals.

The world-building and magic system are unique yet easy to follow, and the pacing keeps the reader engaged.

Romance is subtly woven into the story, adding sweetness without overshadowing the main plot. Aria’s internal conflicts and her choice to forge her own path make her a compelling character, demonstrating perseverance and growth.

Overall, this book is a tale of overcoming challenges, learning from mistakes, and becoming the best version of oneself. It is a motivating and realistic read that captivates with its complexity and heartfelt storytelling.

This book felt like a books I've read before. I mean the part I read was interesting I guess but not interesting enough for me to pick it up a second time to continue reading. (DNF at 11%)