absolutely incredible novel. I loved all of the relationships coming to their natural (if sometimes heartbreaking) conclusions, it felt romantic and realistic and just so right. the political intrigue grows to the point of war, devastating me and the world both. READ THIS BOOK

(look the first one has a title and cover that have NOTHING to do with the book, idk what was happening there. but read it so you can read the sequel!!!)

ps for the love of god check triggers

I read Gilded Crown during my October Reads, excited to return to the duology and was thinking about re-reading The Gilded Crown before starting The Antlered King. Thankfully, Gordon does a wonderful job with giving us a little bit of a recap so I didn't really have to go back and read book 1 all over again.

Now, I enjoyed the darker tones with the themes of Death, Immortality, and forgiveness. Hellivir still annoyed the shit out of me with many of her choices, but there were some points where I did have to think a couple of times about why she did them. I felt like some of her growth went backward here and Sullivan was, of course, just creeping around.

I still had a good time reading this, Gordon writes this beautifully, and it gave me a lot to think about after completing this duology. Not one of my favorites but I did still like it.

3.5 rounded up 4.

Thank you NetGalley & Avon Harper Voyager for the eARC for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for giving me an eARC of this title in exchange for an honest review! After how much I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this series, I was beyond excited to have a chance to read the second. I do think it tried to do just a bit too much to follow up the powerhouse of the first book, but I still loved it immensely and am sad my time with the world and the characters is over. As part of the “doing to much” it felt like there was some weird characterization— especially pertaining to Sullivain— where the reactions felt either out of character or like we’d skipped a few steps in characterization. Everything just felt a bit too heightened, as though we needed to reach some sort of threshold in order for the ending to have the expected punch. That said, it has been nearly a year (at the time of reading) since I read the first book so, while Gordon does a really excellent job of reminding us of all the important things that happened in book one, it is possible that I’ve forgotten some of the more nuanced bits of character interaction. But, I still loved this book, and this series, and am sad that it’s now over.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for allowing me a ARC to read.

The Antlered King by Marianne Gordon is a hauntingly beautiful blend of dark fantasy and mythic folklore that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. This book is an immersive journey into a world where nature and magic intertwine in ways that feel both ethereal and grounded, as if you’ve stumbled into an ancient fable whispered through the forest.

The story centers around the Antlered King, an enigmatic and powerful figure tied to the wilds, and a young protagonist (no spoilers here!) whose life becomes irrevocably linked to his mysterious realm. Gordon’s prose is lush and evocative, painting scenes so vividly that I could almost feel the damp moss underfoot, hear the rustle of leaves, and catch the faint, otherworldly hum of the King’s presence. The atmosphere she creates is unparalleled—equal parts eerie and enchanting.

What stood out the most was how deeply rooted the book feels in folklore. Gordon doesn’t just pull from mythological tropes; she breathes new life into them. The Antlered King himself is both terrifying and captivating, a perfect embodiment of untamed power. His character is written with such nuance that he feels more like a force of nature than a mere antagonist or ally. You’re never quite sure whether to fear him, trust him, or something in between.

The protagonist’s journey of self-discovery, set against the backdrop of this wild and untamed world, is equally compelling. The themes of sacrifice, survival, and the tenuous balance between humanity and nature are woven throughout the story, giving it a weight that lingers long after the final page. The relationships between the characters—tense, tender, and sometimes heartbreaking—add emotional depth to an already rich narrative.

While the pacing is generally strong, there are moments in the middle where the plot slows down, delving deep into introspection and the lore of the world. For some, this might feel like a lull, but for me, it added a layer of immersion that made the climactic moments hit even harder. The ending—without giving too much away—is bittersweet and utterly satisfying, leaving just enough unanswered to keep me thinking about it days later.

If I had one critique, it’s that the secondary characters, while interesting, sometimes felt overshadowed by the sheer presence of the King and the protagonist’s arc. I would have loved to see more development for a few key figures, as their stories hinted at untold depths.

Overall, The Antlered King is a mesmerizing tale of magic, mystery, and the primal pull of the wild. Marianne Gordon has crafted a story that feels timeless, like a myth passed down through generations, yet wholly unique in its execution. It’s a must-read for fans of dark fantasy and folklore who enjoy lush world-building, morally complex characters, and stories that linger in your mind long after you’ve finished.

Rating: 4.5/5 stars. Highly recommended, and I can’t wait to see what Marianne Gordon writes next!

God, what an incredible book! Somehow the prose and characters got even better in book 2. I’m just so in awe of the character development and the world building of this book. There’s so much to bite down on here and i could not stop reading. This is somewhat of a flat arc (for Hellevir at least) and it is so wonderfully executed.

I absolutely loved this book and hope that they decide to make one to come after. The characters stole my heart and I give it 4 stars!

I really liked the first book and was excited when I saw this here on netgalley! This was a strong conclusion to this duology and it was a great way to finish off the story. the characters were fantastic and everything fell into place very well. Nothing seemed weird, the pieces fit together and the story played out as it should have.

3.5 Stars

𓄋 Morally grey characters
𓄋 Tragic Sapphic
𓄋 Necromancy
𓄋 Religious exploration/trauma

I loved The Gilded Crown so much I had to re-read it to make sure I didn't miss anything. However, Marianne did an awesome job at recapping everything in this sequel so I wasn't completely lost.

The Antlered King continues down the darker story side with death, immortality, and forgiveness. Some of Hellevir’s choices will have you side eyeing her, making you think twice, maybe even a third time. Sullivan is still creeping around, doing the most to be just as terrible and intriguing as before. I did feel like the main story line felt a little like a side quest.

The writing is still gorgeous, and the world-building was on point yet again. The pacing was decent but Hellevir’s growth seemed to take one step forward and then two steps back though, which made me feel like we were running on a treadmill. Doing all this legwork but getting nowhere.

Not my favorite read this year but there were many parts I enjoyed and choices I was left thinking about long after I put the book down.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Publishing, and Marianne Gordon for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

No one is more sad about this rating than me. Especially because I re-read the first book in preparation to read this ARC (which ended up not being necessary because the author really did a great job recapping the major elements of the first book for the reader) and ended up loving it more than when I'd initially read it. Unfortunately, the conclusion to this story really left me cold. I actually had to take a bit to mentally process my feelings on it. Ultimately, though, I'm just immeasurably disappointed by how things turned out.

I will say that the writing was, once again, stunning and immersive. Despite my rating and overall feelings on the plot, there were also some character moments that really stood out. There was also an issue with some of the character development/resolution, but we'll get there.

The biggest issue I had with this book is that the plot was very repetitive and cyclical. If that had been a commentary on both the cyclical nature of abusive relationships and the conflicts that arise with the trope "with great power comes great responsibility" then I think it would've worked. Unfortunately, that didn't seem to be the case. It really just seemed like a vehicle to draw out the story. As a side effect, all of those character moments and developments also felt repetitive. Hellevir's character growths ended up feeling like they didn't matter because every time another character would make an observation or criticism, Hellevir would take that, seem like she was growing, then go right back to old habits. Again, if this felt like the point of the story, it would have been fine. The ending, however, seemed to me to show that wasn't the case.

Then, there's the romance with Sullivain. That was one of my main criticisms of the first book. When I thought the author was going to go a different direction with it, upon my reread I felt like the relationship worked. This book killed that thought real quick. The romance, as it is in this book, did not work for me at all. I can't get too deep into it because it delves heavily into spoilers. As much as I disliked this conclusion, I won't spoil things for people. Instead, I'll say that Sullivain's character arc and her relationship with Hellevir felt unearned.

As for the stuff with The Antlered King himself, that also felt largely unsatisfying. Again, can't say anything due to spoilers, but I really wish there'd been a bit more detail and clarification about him.

Overall, this was probably one of my most disappointing reads of the year. The ending in particular really failed for me and delivered an unsatisfying and frustrating conclusion to a duology that I'd hoped would be favorite.

The reading experience for this book was super immersive and perfectly blends folklore, horror aspect’s, mythology, and fantasy in my opinion. I definitely feel like the characters are the stars of the show and Hellevir was fantastic! Overall I enjoyed this read!!

⭐ 5 !

When I finished the first book of this duology, The Gilded Crown, I started my review by saying "this book was s0mehow completely different from what I expected and also exactly what I would've wanted", and that statement is just as accurate about this installment as it was the first. The covers for these books do them an incredible injustice as they really make you think these are classic romantasy novels, or at least lighthearted in nature, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

Hellevir's story is relentless and when the punches start, they don't stop. I wanted to look away but I just couldn't, it was brutal, but it was offset by just how rich, atmospheric, and alluring this world is. On another positive note, there is more Sullivain this book! She is awful, but in the best way, and getting inside of her head was such a delight, especially with how disconnected I felt to her last book.

I loved it, I might've cried a little, but it was worth it. I would recommend this series if you enjoy:

-Truly morally grey characters
-Tragic sapphic pining
- Explorations of religion, family, and forgiveness

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was blown away by the depth and emotion of this book! The world is so vividly drawn, I loved being immersed in it. I read slowly so I could absorb all the details and really feel every scene. This book takes place several years after the first one. Hellevir is still processing the events that occured years ago. Then war begins, and her focus must shift to the present. She feels torn between her family and Sullivain, but she tries to do what she feels in her heart is right. Love is a major theme of the book, but I wouldn't call it a romance. It's more about realizing that the people you love most aren't always good for you, and finding a way to relate to them that's compassionate but also respectful of yourself. This against the backdrop of civil war, with Sullivain fighting to keep her kingdom and Hellevir acting as a healer, trying to save as many lives as possible. The ending didn't make me happy, but it felt true to the characters. I'll definitely look for more by this amazing author!

Not so long ago as I write this, I had the privilege to read the first book of this duology. It had been sitting on my TBR for some time as I kept passing it up based on my assumption that it would be a fairly standard romantasy tale; the cover, frankly, made it blend in to the point where I would have ignored it entirely if I had not heard it was sapphic. “Standard romantasy but make it sapphic” is enough of a hook to make me curious to try something.

When I finally got around to reading that first book, it was nothing like I’d imagined. The story was rich with complicated characters and a claustrophobic world that left me anxious to read the next part. And wow, that wasn’t the conclusion I had expected, but perhaps I should have known better than to ever assume I knew where this was all going.

The Raven’s Trade as a whole is not for the faint of heart. It’s not the darkness of the world, but the circumstances and choices presented to the characters that make it such a “difficult” read. Hellevir makes mistakes but never does she feel stupid for making them: she tried her best given what she knew and the restraints around her. Sullivan is cruel but no matter what she does, it comes after a lifetime of being molded into that role. How much control do either of these two really have over their lives and choices? I wouldn’t call this series a tragedy exactly, but it certainly follows the rules of one, much more than any other template.

Now, I’ve said my piece on the whole duology. If any of that intrigues you, if you’re a fan of hurt no comfort (lol), if you enjoy reading sapphic stories that aren’t straightforward romances… do check out the first book. And if you enjoy the ride, pick up the second when it comes out.

For those who already have read the first book and want to know about the second: the Antlered King is a book about death. Death, immortality, the afterlife, and what people do and don’t deserve. The “surface” plot picks up a few years into Hellevir’s self-imposed exile and follows her continual efforts to protect the people she loves and prevent a civil war. But that’s only the surface. Mind you, it’s surface one that masterfully wracks up the tension and nearly had me pacing the room and yanking on my hair as I knew I couldn’t trust a single moment of peace. But the real heart of the story is its questions and themes. Is wanting to be a good person enough to absolve us? Or do only our actions matter? What purpose does shame serve in helping or hindering our growth? Is eternal suffering a fitting punishment for mistakes we made in life? At what point do we stop giving people second chances? Is forgiveness a weakness or a strength? It’s these ideas that take center stage as the story reaches its conclusion, and they’re what will make or break the ending for you.

Perhaps you’ll disagree with Hellevir’s choices. I know I never could have made them. But I’m not Hellevir and can only wish someone might make the same choices for me as Hellevir made for other characters. That someone might see the good in me even when I can’t see it in myself. Because the alternative is the void, which is really just shame, and that never solves anything.

Truly phenomenal I absolutely loved this as much as the first one. This is such an underrated series.

This was OK! Kind of sounds like the a demon books when first looking at the book. I wasn't the biggest fan of this but it was a decent read.