This book was the perfect end to the scorched throne duology.
The Jasad Crown picks up after the epic cliffhanger that concluded the first book. Sylvia and Arin are separated and coming to grips with their individual realities, but constantly at the forefront of each other’s minds. They each have to make determinations between love and duty and how these affect the future. This book also had other Povs which allowed us to see more of the scorched throne world.
I enjoyed the consistency of Sylvia as a fierce FMC who is able to glean truths and come to realisations that perhaps all is not as it seems. The humorous banter from book 1 was ever present in this book as well from Sylvia and Arin and even from the other complex characters that were introduced.
I also enjoyed reading about Arin’s growth, and his openness to seeing the truth and acting on it.
This story was riveting and filled with elements of adventure, found family, angst, and all enduring love.
I still have not recovered from the epilogue, and I don’t think that I ever will.
A part of me wishes that this series was a trilogy so that the story’s pacing could be evened out more.
Nevertheless, I can’t wait to see what Sara Hashem writes next!

I was so happy to enter back into this world with Arin and Sylvia, this second book was the perfect way to wrap up the duology. Hashem does a perfect job writing TRUE enemies to lovers, and has a wonderful way of capturing real human emotions, showing her characters imperfections and character growth throughout both of her books in this series. I also found myself rooting for the side characters almost as much as the main FMC and MMC, I would love to see some spin-offs about them. Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

hey, can you hear me? i'm screaming and crying. a knock-out sequel honestly. there may or may not be tears in my eyes.

there were points with the plot that i could be like uhh.......we gotta address this, but honestly i love these characters and their relations so much im gross sobbing. and the last page........ THE LAST PAGE? i feel like my whole being has been eviscerated with the ending. i just...need a little more...I'm begging...

essiya was also so fun to read. i love that she's the kind of character that doesn't apologize for her actions, that is a little selfish with her actions. arin is also a delight to read. the push and pull between these two even in the sequel STILL had me eating so well. the prose between the two of these had me giggling and kicking my feet (not literally).

my heart hurts after finishing this. if you enjoyed the first book you will most definitely enjoy this sequel. both books had me gripping the metaphorical pages because i could not consume it fast enough. i never wanted to put this book down. i KNEW i was going to enjoy every second of it.

thank you to netgalley and orbit books for the eARC!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 6 stars

UGHHHHHHH this is perfection. True enemies to lovers, the yearning, the magic system, the world building, the gorgeous prose. I can't believe it's possible because I loved the Jasad Heir, but the Jasad Crown blew it out of the water. The ending had me staring at a wall for 30 minutes.

Sylvia's journey to accepting her role as Essiya was so beautiful and rich in its depth and hardship. Arin's loyalty to her was so earnest and special. I also loved the plantonic love Sefa and Marek and Essiya have for eachother, despite everything. Marek's undying love for Sefa and what Sefa goes through after he dies will haunt me forever. MY POOR ANGELS.

The duology will forever be among my all-time fave books list... and the emotional damage of will probably stay with me for my lifetime, too.

HUGE thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books | Orbit for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts and opinions.

This was so well-plotted and laid out, everything felt very intentional and like it built upon the first book. The world building, the character development, each character's own journey? Incredible.

This book also adds two additional POVs beyond Sylvia and Arin, in Sefa and Marek, which was a great choice. Since all four characters are in different parts of the world and contributing in very different ways, I appreciated having a wider lens of the world while also getting that insight into what's going on. I also appreciated the choice to have Sylvia be the only first person POV, which helped give her a distinct narrative voice - I find that the distinctness can often get muddled when an author tries to write too many first person POVs.

The worldbuilding in this book took everything from book one and just enlarged it. I loved how much we got to see of the different countries and cultures, and the Egyptian inspiration was wonderful.

I do want to talk a bit about the romance - and specifically, whether this should have the romantasy tag. I'd argue no, as I think this is a fantasy with a romance as a driving force of the plot where the romantic interests exist well outside of their relationship with one another as well as have plenty of non-romantic, plot-relevant scenes. But there is definitely a romance, which I felt developed naturally over the course of the duology, and look, I just want both Sylvia and Arin to have a few moments of happiness, is that really too much to ask???

I found this to be a fairly complex fantasy world and plot, with characters who were just as complex, and lots of stakes and emotional impacts. I really don't think I could have asked for much more.

I'm very excited to see what Sara Hashem writes next.

Thank you to the publisher, Orbit, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

I don’t know where to begin. I read the Jasad Heir a few weeks ago, and immediately signed up for the ARC to its conclusion. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
Enemies to lovers. Family trauma. Inequality of wealth and power AND magic.
The absolute slowest of burns.
Sylvia and Arin struggle against all of these things, including impending war, and they still find a way to love each other in spite of it. Rich plot, rich side characters too! I thought Vaida was a great developed and super complicated character, the kind you love to hate. And how great was it to see Marek and Sefa again?
The epilogue? THAT ending? Soul broken, speechless, crying. Please give me more.
Sara Hashem, you have absolutely ruined me, I am sobbing, and I just want to hug Arin and Sylvia and place them in a gentle, romantic universe where no one ever hurts them again.
I loved this duology. I very selfishly want more. I’m just floored. I really am. It’s going to take me a while to pick myself off the floor.
The Jasad Crown drops 7/15/25.

The Jasad Heir is an Egyptian-inspired fantasy debut that delivers a compelling blend of political intrigue, slow-burn romance, and rich world-building. The story follows Sylvia, the hidden heir of a fallen kingdom, as she navigates a world where magic is outlawed and her identity must remain secret. Her journey intertwines with Arin, the heir of the oppressive Nizahl empire, leading to a complex relationship that evolves from enmity to reluctant alliance.

The novel excels in its exploration of themes such as identity, power, and resistance. Hashem's writing brings depth to the characters, particularly in the nuanced portrayal of Sylvia and Arin's dynamic. The political landscape is intricately crafted, adding layers to the narrative that keep the reader engaged. While some pacing issues arise, with certain sections feeling rushed or slow, the overall storytelling remains compelling.

The romantic tension between the protagonists is a highlight, offering a satisfying enemies-to-lovers arc that complements the broader themes of the story. The world-building is immersive, drawing readers into a setting that feels both unique and authentic. Despite minor flaws, The Jasad Heir stands out as a strong debut, leaving readers eager for the sequel.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

4.5 ⭐️

What an amazing end to an amazing story! Arin and Sylvia are one of my top favorite fictional couples! This is a 5 ⭐️ series for me!

This is true enemies to lovers but also still being enemies at the same time basically for the whole story. The banter and relationship between the two is top tier. I absolutely love the side characters and the world building. I laughed, I cried, I loved it all. It did seem to drag a little near the end but that ending was fantastic. I love the world building and lore! It’s so unique and immersive. Definitely pick up this duology ASAP! You won’t regret it! Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for this early copy of the book! The first book was 5 ⭐️ for me so being able to read the final book made me so happy!

4.5/5 stars.

With gorgeous writing, lush worldbuilding, and masterful dialogue, The Jasad Crown is even better than the first book.

The author has really come into her own, making vast improvements on issues that had kept me from fully enjoying The Jasad Heir. The pacing was more consistent, and the growth of Sylvia / Essiya in both maturity and conviction was remarkable. Strong-willed yet ambivalent, I had struggled to connect with Sylvia in the first book as I was often frustrated by her carelessness and confused by her motivations.

Whereas The Jasad Heir skimmed the surface in terms of the worldbuilding and magic system, the sequel dove in. The multi-POV chapters spread across the kingdoms enriched the complex tapestry of political intrigue and fascinating Egyptian-inspired magic (although Sefa’s chapters took some jarring turns and Marek’s chapters, while amusing, didn’t advance the plot much).

Arin, the broody and calculating MMC, continued to delight. Insight into his scheming as he navigated a field of emotional landmines was my favorite part. The slow burn romance was swoon worthy as they overcame generations of obstacles to trust and love each other, even if the fade-to-black intimacy was ill-timed (this is not the first romantasy to have a mid-battle love scene, nor will it be the last).

This was a 5 star read until 70% when the plot lost momentum and took questionable turns to a rushed ending. After centuries of magical conflict across war-torn kingdoms, the resolution was somewhat anticlimactic.

That being said, I would highly recommend The Jasad Crown to fans of epic romantic fantasy with rich worldbuilding, evocative prose, and a deliciously tense enemies-to-lovers slow burn.

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

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for the ARC. After annotating the heck out of The Jasad Heir last month, I nearly screamed when early access to The Jasad Crown hit my inbox…easily one of my most‑anticipated reads of 2025.

I loved book one so much that I rationed this sequel like contraband chocolate, determined to stretch the experience. Oddly, the story’s choppy pacing meant I could set it down more often than I expected; momentum came in bursts instead of a steady climb.

One big change is the jump to four(‑ish) POVs. Sylvia (and Essiya), Arin, Sefa, and Marek each bring something worthwhile, but every time I sank into one thread, the narrative yanked me into another. Helpful for scope, sure—but it chipped away at immersion.

The cast is also scattered across half the continent: Sefa holding things down in Lukub, Marek grinding through trainee camps and hanging out in Nizahl’s upper villages, Arin politicking in Nizahl proper, and Sylvia either in mountain passes or in Jasad. You absolutely need a map to keep it straight.

Where the book truly shines is in its worldbuilding. It’s that “Leigh Bardugo” approach—no hand‑holding, no lore dumps. The story assumes you already care about the Sirauk Bridge or the Awaleen and lets context do the lifting. You work a little harder, but the payoff is a world that feels lived in and layered. The prose is equally sharp:

“Duty is a weight we should carry between us, not a weapon we use to crush each other.”

“The time is always right, and it is the rest of us who are wrong.”

“Survivors strike first and repent second.”

Lines like these lodge in your head and hit harder than they have any right to.

And then there’s Arin and Sylvia—my favorite brand of agony. Enemies, reluctant allies, lovers, enemies again…the slow burn is excruciatingly good, made worse (better?) by the fact that Arin touching her could literally kill him:

“If I learn how it feels to touch the untouchable Heir, how could I live in a world where that knowledge only haunts me?”

Side characters refuse to be background noise. Marek and Sefa’s platonic ride‑or‑die friendship is everything, and folks like Maia, Lateef, Namsa, Jeru, and even Vaun (ugh) feel fully realized, each tugging the plot in their own direction.

Where things wobble is the final act; key moments—especially Wes and Marek’s deaths—fly by so fast they barely register. I should’ve been sobbing. Instead I blinked and turned the page, wondering how I’d missed the emotional gut punch.

Even with those stumbles, the series is still an easy recommend for its layered world, razor‑sharp prose, and characters I can’t quit. Give it another editing pass and it could’ve been legendary; as it stands, it’s simply very, very good—and absolutely worth your time

Perfection. 5 ⭐️ I absolutely loved this.

I fell in love with the characters, the writing, the plot in The Jasad Heir, and it was the same with this book. The perfect amount of enemies to lovers, tension, ANGST, and heartbreak 😭

I loved the new POV’s. It was fun getting to know Sefa and Marek in a new way and seeing how their POV’s contributed to the plot.

I’m just obsessed with Arin and Essiya. The way they naturally gravitate towards each other, the slow burn, ugh it was amazing. Their story was written so beautiful to me. I have no notes, just perfection. I (selfishly) want more of them 😭

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me the ARC!!

The Scorched Throne is easily one of my new all-time favorite series. I'm struggling to find words for how wonderful this conclusion was to such an incredible story.
The character development was just perfect. Watching Essiya come into her own as a ruler at the cost of her own sanity was so painful but also admirable. Her complexity and the love she has for the people around her makes her such a fantastic character to read about.
Likewise, Arin's struggle to leave behind everything he thought he knew merged gorgeously into his steadfast loyalty and love for Essiya. His skill as a strategist and leader combined with his relationship with Essiya made him the perfect MMC.
I am a huge fan of political fantasy, so the plot in this book was so well-excuted. The tension between the kingdoms and watching both Essiya and Arin dominate their own thrones was just perfect. [As devastated as I was at Marek's death, I did appreciate that Sefa was able to live for herself, instead of being attached to Marek all the time because of his love for her. (hide spoiler)]. The use of different POVs was seamless and gave such good glimpses into the minds and hearts of each character.
[I usually struggle with books that end with the loss of magic or the reversed death of a character. It really worked in this case, though, seeing that Essiya was never actually dead, and magic was distributed to everyone. (hide spoiler)] So, the ending was perfect for the characters and the story (and had me in tears).
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit Books for the honor of reading this eARC. I absolutely cannot wait to read what Sara Hashem writes next!

Why does it have to be a duology😭 Not but truly, epic from the very first page.

Absolutely amazing.

If you liked, better yet loved, Jasad Heir then this is just icing on the cake. There are so many twists and turns in this action packed book. There were so many unexpected things, the book and plot just blew me away. Arin is 👌👌 in this one and you get a ton of his perspective this go round.

Biggest complaint? That it ended. Truly that's all.

Perfect conclusion to the Scorched Throne duology!

I didn’t think it was possible to top The Jasad Heir, and then this book came along. What I loved more than anything was the addition of more character POVs. I felt like they help with character and plot development. Normally I want to skip back ahead to hang out with the main characters, but I loved the time spent with the “friends of”. I read this book in 24 hours, and enjoyed the entire emotional rollercoaster the story took me on. Everyone should add this duology to their TBRs ASAP!!!

"The Jasad Crown" - Obsessed Doesn’t Even Cover It

Okay, let me just say The Jasad Heir ruined me in the best possible way. This book had my emotions in a chokehold. I laughed, I raged, I swooned, and that ending left me breathless.

First of all, Arin and Essiya are the perfect kind of opposites. She’s all fire, he’s ice. Their chemistry is explosive, and I enjoy how they challenge each other. The enemies to lovers romance here is flawless, tense, slow-burn, and packed with so much delicious angst. I enjoyed there moments together every single time!

The pacing is impeccable. Not a single dull moment. I was intrigued by the heart-stopping action and twists. Sefa and Marek's POVs were insightful and added so much to the plot. The world-building and magic system are a perfect complement to the first book.

But that ending had my heart pounding, and then that epilogue!! Excuse me!!? I need more!!

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for a copy of this e-arc.

Thank you Sara Hashem! I enjoyed this very much!

Spice: 0/5 (closed door)
Romance: 5/5
Enemies to lovers
One love interest
Silver hair MMC
RATING: 5 out of 5

I can't breathe, I can't sleep, I can't recover from this masterpiece. I am going to be haunted by this book for years to come and I mean that in the very best way.
I am going to compare every FMC to Sylvia and no MMC will ever measure up to Arin.
They are truly enemies to lovers, the slow burn was scorching, and the angst was consuming (think of Mr. Darcy's hand flex).
Every single chapter was interesting and did a fantastic job at slowly bringing everything and everyone together. You got just the right amount of depth from each main and side character to where no one was forgotten about and no one was over hyped.
She ended this book in the most bittersweet way, every question you had in book one was answered, every feeling you can have you will go through, and you will never know what is going to happen next all the way until you hit the Acknowledgments page.

I really wish this would have been a trilogy just because I selfishly want more and I hope one day she does decide to dive back into this series because I love every single character and would gladly read a book about any character in this universe.

Thank you NetGalley, Orbit and the very talented Sara Hashem for this ARC

The Jasad Crown by Sara Hashem delivers a breathtaking conclusion to the Scorched Throne duology, blending explosive magic, sharp political intrigue, and deeply human emotion. Sylvia’s evolution from fugitive to queen is masterfully written—raw, vulnerable, and fierce. Trapped by enemies and haunted by her past, she must embrace her legacy and fight for a kingdom that may no longer believe in her.

Hashem’s writing shines brightest in the emotional complexity between Sylvia and Arin, whose paths collide in a storm of loyalty, doubt, and burning chemistry. Arin’s internal struggle between duty and justice adds richness to a story already brimming with tension. The Egyptian-inspired worldbuilding remains lush and immersive, but it’s the moral ambiguity and character-driven plot that truly elevate this finale. Heartbreaking, empowering, and full of fire, The Jasad Crown sticks the landing with a finale that’s as satisfying as it is devastating. This is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy with teeth, heart, and unforgettable characters.

Enjoyable enough, but didn't leave a lasting impression. I did like the characters and found them interesting, but the plot didn't fully captivate me or feel particularly bland. It had some good moments, but overall, it didn't quite deliver for me.

What an overwhelmingly bittersweet ending to one of the best duologies I've read!

When I received the email notification of the ARC approval, I was equally scared and excited to see how Arin and Slyvia's story would end. We waited for almost 2 years, and here they finally were.

*SPOILERS AHEAD*

I loved that we started and ended with Arin's POV. His personality shone so much more in the Jasad Crown and it was lovely to see how much respect and admiration he had for Sylvia/Essiya. There were times when I felt that his character was "too" perfect, but his chemistry with his guardsmen balanced it out. His vulnerability when it came to Vaun, Wes, and Jeru humanized him. On a lighter note, his little moments of jealousy and protectiveness for Essiya had me giggling and grinning from ear to ear.

Of course, we can't forget Essiya. She was ashamed of surviving, and that's what made the ending so important to me. She chose herself and was brave enough to chase the kind of life she wants to live. She's one of my favorite FMCs for the sole reason that she's always been so authentic and transparent to the readers. In both books, Essiya constantly displayed her train of thought with little to no regard for how others might take it. Her candidness with Arin in this book made their dynamic so much more fun and heartwarming.

While the book was lengthier than most, I felt it was necessary to tie up loose ends in the story. However, some scenes felt too rushed (IYKYK), and the amount of information, along with the introduction of new concepts, can get very overwhelming to the reader. Overall, I will miss this series so much it hurts. I can't wait to re-read this and have both books on my shelves.

THANK YOU to Orbit Books and NetGalley for this ARC!

Five stars is not nearly enough for the epic conclusion to this enchanting duology. Haunting, lush, and unforgettable. I was as enthralled with THE JASAD CROWN as I was with book 1, in entirely new ways