⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐​​ - all the stars and more

Spoiler-free review. I was fortunate enough to gain access to an arc ahead of the release of this book.

Words fail me to describe what this book made me feel. If you have a look at my book reviews on Goodreads, you can see that I'm not one for exaggerations or flowery language without cause. But every expectation I had going into this sequel was met and exceeded. If I could give it more than 5 stars, I would.

I loved The Jasad Heir dearly and one of my biggest fears going into this book was that it would not be able to rise to the incredibly high bar set by Sara's debut. However, even a couple of chapters in it was very obvious that this would not be the case. The story picked up really well from the last chapters of TJH and seamlessly pulled me back in, despite having waited years for the sequel. It felt familiar in a way that really made my heart ache. Even though the premise and setting of TJC are very different from TJH (which is already obvious when you go into the book, given where things left off), it feels like a very natural turn for the story. I'm not sure I managed to describe the sentiment well, but what I'm trying to say is that sometimes sequels have a different tone or vibe from earlier books in a series, to the point where it feels like the plot was lost at some point during the story. This wasn't the case here at all.

Arin and Essiya: I love them so much. I love them individually, I love them together, I love them when they hate each other and I love them when they don't. I don't know what Sara put into these characters, their dynamic is so interesting, fun, and exciting. If they had spent half the book peeling potatoes together, I would have still enjoyed myself immensely. Their dialogue is so witty and refreshing and I never know what will leave their mouths next. DO NOT READ THIS BOOK IN PUBLIC or you'll be kicking your feet and giggling half the time, and bawling your eyes out the other half - you have been warned. I particularly enjoyed having a bit more Arin in this book, not just because he is so intriguing as a character and I want to know what he is thinking, but also because Essiya is a bit of an unreliable narrator at times, so it's fun to see our deranged goose through someone else's eyes - a somewhat objective perspective. Without getting into much detail, I think their character arcs were well developed and made sense within the wider context of the story. I especially appreciate how this book doesn't overly sexualise it's characters and relationships, something a lot of romantasy books tend to do these days. Nothing lacked and nothing was too much.

I also really want to stress the fact that TJC was paced a lot better than TJH, it was pleasant to follow and there weren't moments that dragged or that were too rushed.

Perhaps the most notable difference from TJH is that we get two additional POVs in TJC, with Sefa and Merek joining Arin and Essiya. Personally, I am not the biggest fan of multiple-povs, as I find it frustrating to keep having to switch between storylines, but this is a personal perk of mine rather than a shortcoming of TJC. I think Sara did a good job of mixing their stories up and keeping things interesting, without making things hard to follow. Marek's pov was particularly fun, though if I had to make one small complaint it would be that Sefa's story felt like it needed another chapter or two in the latter half of the novel.

To conclude my rambling thoughts, as someone who adored TJH and has been anticipating this release for a long time, I got what I wanted out of this book and I think other fans will find so too. I can only thank Sara for putting this wonderful book into the world and for giving us these characters. If this is what her debut in the literary world was like, then I cannot begin to imagine what wonderful stories await us in the future.

How does one explain a book that makes you feel physically ill, heart in your damn throat, sick to your stomach the entire time reading it…yet it’s a masterpiece and one of your favorite duologies of all time. Sara, you have outdone yourself! This book was FANTASTIC! My heart is so heavy but in the best way. Everything made sense. Everything fit. Everything was perfect even if it wasn’t the picture perfect ending I wanted. Infinity stars. No notes. I’m so blown away that this is a debut duology. The slowest of slow burns, true enemies to lovers. Two broken souls finding their way to each other. Side characters who warm your heart. A story that transcends the pages. I’m just utterly mystified and blown away right now. If I could eloquently put into words how this story suckered punched me in the gut and I said THANK YOU! The wait was so worth it. I’m so glad and honored to have a chance to read this as an eARC! Truly honored. Thank you Sara Hashem.

This duology is so close to my heart. My expectations were definitely met—I absolutely loved how the world expanded in this second book, and getting to know more about certain characters (and seeing the political side of things develop) made everything even better. I was already in love with the main characters, and somehow this book made me love them even more.

On top of that, the romance is top tier in so many ways—emotional, well-paced, and full of tension. If I had to point out one flaw, it’s that the book could’ve easily been about 100 pages shorter. Some descriptions dragged a bit, and trimming them wouldn’t have hurt the story at all.

I do wish the ending had been a little happier, though—they went through so much in this book, and the final note felt a little too bittersweet for my taste. But honestly? I recommend this duology to everyone. It’s emotional, rich, and so worth the read.

Thank you to Orbit and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for a honest review.

Screaming, crying, throwing up. I cannot begin to explain how deep my love for this duology is. Sara Hashem is truly one of the most talented and hardworking authors I’ve ever had the privilege to read. Every word, every line—it was all filled with such precision and poise and I loved every moment of it.

Exploring the different characters through their POVs allowed for not only a better understanding of the characters themselves (especially giving us more of Arin) but also a way to better interact with the world itself.

And don’t even get me STARTED on the yearning in this book. In fact, the entire spectrum of emotions demonstrated throughout this book was insane. The rage, guilt, fear, fury, but above all, the love. Love for family and friends and home and hope.

I’m wrecked and ruined and so, so happy.

The Jasad Crown is the second book in a Fantasy Romance duology and after loving the first book when I first read it 2 years ago I’ve been obsessively waiting for this sequel and OMG I can’t find words to describe how much I loved it, it exceeded all my expectations and Arin and Sylvia’s story is definitely one of my favourites, it’s so heartbreaking and beautiful.

The Jasad Crown begins right where the previous book ended and to avoid spoilers I will just say if you haven’t read the first book yet, trust me, you’re definitely missing out, this series is incredible (and if you have, I recommend a reread, there are so many characters, places and events to remember I was really glad I did). The author created a truly fascinating and unique world and I loved learning about and exploring it, we got to see more of it in this sequel and I loved that. The plot was really interesting and perfectly paced with so many slowly revealed secrets, a lot of action and some battles, jaw dropping plot twists and so many amazing moments between all the characters. Sylvia and Arin have come so far from who they were at the beginning of this story and I must say their character development continues to be phenomenal, they are such complex characters and I loved every second I spent learning about them and discovering their secrets, I already loved them in the first book but this one made me fall for them even more. Despite everything that happened in book 1 and how impossible their relationship was I absolutely loved their slow burn romance and how perfect they were for each other, all their moments being vulnerable and honest with each other made me smile through my tears and their romance was beautiful and heartbreaking at times, I loved them so much and they became one of my favourite bookish couples. There were also so many great side characters and I loved them all and the amazing found family they made. And the ending… it was bittersweet but oh so perfect for this book, I cannot imagine a better one that would fit this story so well but I’m dying for an extra epilogue, I screamed when I realized that was the last page and want to see my favorite characters again.

The Jasad Crown is a perfect ending to this incredible duology, I cried, smiled and just loved this book so much, I recommend this duology to everyone (seriously, you need to read it) and I’m excited to see what Sara writes next, I already can’t wait to read it.

Wow!!!!! This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025, and it really did not disappoint. When I read The Jasad Heir last year, I did not expect to be blown away like I was reading that book. I've been having a hard time getting into fantasy books as of late, and this duology grabbed me and shook me to my core. I didn't know what to expect or what direction Sara Hashem would take when wrapping up this story, but I am thoroughly impressed. I enjoyed the addition of each POV! I thought it was a fitting choice to keep Sylvia/Essiya's POV as first person and Arin, Sefa, and Marek's as third person.

Essiya/Sylvia is definitely one of my favorite female MCs in any series I've read, and this book solidified that opinion tenfold. Her reluctance to be Jasad's savior as Sylvia and her constant urge to run away stayed with her throughout this book, but you could see how her two identities ebbed and flowed. Her making the decision she did at the end was really gut-wrenching oh my shaylaaaa.... I thought her arc was handled very well in this book.

It was also really fun to get inside Arin's mind and see him grapple with the world he thought he knew being torn down, and how he navigated the crisis of faith with himself and his father. It was so well executed and fit very well with his character.

The dynamic between Essiya and Arin is actually something so special... the way that they complement each other in so many ways. Her hot-headedness and his steely demeanor work so well together. But you can also see the ways in which they change each other for the better. Even Essiya's sense of humor, which Arin always tells us is not actually very funny, rubs off on him both in his inner monologue and in how he speaks to others in this book. I like that even though Essiya "betrayed" Arin, they didn't go back to simply being enemies; the previous moments they shared were still so pertinent in their interactions, even early on in the book. They love each other so much, and the epilogue actually killed me!!!!!!! LIKE GENUINELY SICKENING...

I think I will have more to write about the plot and Sefa and Marek and even about how quotable this book is ( i need editors to get on their zoom now....) but Arin and Essiya will always take the cake... and Sara Hashem did a wonderful job in continuing and ending their story in a way that did justice to both characters individually and as a couple.

i am crazy but i am free i’ll write a full review after i finish eating my walls
thank you netgalley for the arc im shakingggg

There’s no warning at the beginning of this book stating that your heart will be ripped out and your emotions will be destroyed during many scenes throughout this read. @shashemwrites thank you so very much for an early read of The Jasad Crown. I’ve been patiently waiting for this second book of The Scorched Throne Series since the cliffhanger in The Jasad Heir. This book read like a poetic masterpiece of battles, wants, sacrifices, and love. A magical Romeo and Juliet with bloodshed, loss, and creatures some only believed were in books. Every time Arin would think of Sylvia, my heart would melt. He was so strong, so calculating, but this new thing tugging at his soul… no one had ever warned him about. What was he willing to do to find her. What would he do once they were face to face? What would she do? Becoming stronger… her magic becoming more fierce… How would she react once she was back in the presence of Arin? Would he listen to her warnings… her advice? Have your heart on guard throughout this read. Have time set aside for this book because you are not going to want to put it down. Though this series is complete, and I am saddened that it does not go to book three, my teary eyes and smiling face keeps looking at the final line. Purely beautiful and gripping. I cannot praise this author enough for the world they have created. The amazing characters that they have developed. The emotions they have given life to on these pages.

I received an ARC copy of this book from Netgalley and Orbitbooks for a review.

I had high hopes for this book as it is the sequel to my favorite read of 2024, and the Jasad Crown exceeded my expectations. This is the kind of story that leaves you completely engrossed and unable to think of anything else long after you leave the fictional world. If you like books that include complex fantasy worlds, strong friendship themes, great character growth, and a compelling romance, then this story will be for you.

Sylvia/Essayia continues to be her own person in this book, and doesn’t become a perfect leader overnight once she starts working with the Jasadis. The friendships in this book with Sefa, Marek, Jeru, Wes, Rory, and Raya, add rich layers to this story, and I loved seeing how they fight for and sacrifice for each other. I also enjoyed seeing Arin grow as he realizes the world he grew up in was built on lies.

I read per year that for most average books, I can guess how they will end by about the 25% mark. I like that I kept being surprised in major and minor ways throughout the story. Once you finish the entire duology, you recognize where the clues were all along.

The bittersweet and satisfying ending still has me living in the fantasy world Hashem created. She tied up all major story lines nicely, but there were some minor plot lines that are left up to our imagination to conclude. I wanted to see a certain new queen and a former guard get together, and I wanted to reconnect with Rory and Raya. I like that I am left wondering and imagining after I finish this story.

I plan on re-reading this book on a regular basis.

5/5 Stars – A stunning sequel that completely delivered!

I wasn’t sure how anything could live up to The Jasad Heir, but The Jasad Crown absolutely did—and then some. From the very first page, it felt like I stepped right back into the world as if no time had passed. The story picks up seamlessly, and I was immediately hooked.

Getting both Sefa and Marek’s POVs this time around was such a treat. Their perspectives added so much depth and tension to the story, and the way their arcs wove into the plot made everything feel richer and more layered. The plot itself kept me on my toes—I laughed, I stressed, I teared up. And that ending? It wrecked me in the best way. I was speed-reading just to find out what would happen next.

The relationships in this book—especially the one between Arin and Sylvia—develop so beautifully. There’s real emotional growth, and I loved seeing how the characters grapple with loyalty, trust, and the weight of their pasts. Everyone’s motivations felt complex and believable, and the character work really stood out in this installment.

And the mythical creatures? Absolutely fantastical. They were full of wonder and so vividly imagined—unlike anything I’ve read before. They added a sense of magic and awe that made the world feel even more alive and immersive.

With its intricate magic system, gripping political intrigue, and swoon-worthy romance, The Jasad Crown easily ranks as one of my top reads of 2025. This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year, and I feel incredibly grateful to have had the chance to read it early.

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Orbit Books, and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. I’m obsessed with this series and can’t wait for everyone else to experience this next chapter!

This is genuinely the best book of the year if not my life, I couldn’t have asked for a better sequel, a better ending to the story, as painful as it was and as hard as I ugly cried. It was perfect and I need Sara to never stop writing

I am unwell and broken inside after finishing this book, and I mean that in the best way possible.

There was a small part of me wondering how Hashem could wrap up the story in just one book and all I can say is that she did it wonderfully.

I absolutely LOVED the extras POVs. Getting more insight into Arin’s inner workings and seeing Marek and Sefa as their own entities separate from Essiya was awesome. I’m always a fan of seeing characters from their own lens and not just via the MC’s. The extra POVs also lended to more world building, letting us see into the lives of other kingdoms and citizens.

The descriptions of the world was incredible and I spent extra time just picturing everything described, from the environment to the creatures.

The plot had me hooked and stressed. I read this book all in one sitting and my resting heart rate has been elevated today according to my smart watch.

This is hands down one of my favorite series ever. A refreshing FMC who is both silly and quick to anger, amazingly diverse representation, lush world building, and true enemies to lovers. I’m planning to reread both books once book 2 is officially released. I think this series will have a really impactful rereading experience.

I cannot thank you enough for the ARC and the opportunity to read this story early!!! I feel so lucky and can’t wait for future stories from Hashem.

This book was everything I was hoping it was going to be and then some!! This is a perfect sequel to The Jasad Heir, I could not stop reading it.

Let’s break it down:

Worldbuilding - where I had a few issues with it in book 1, I thought in this book it was seamless. We get all the main things answered, there are a few things left for interpretation, but overall the worldbuilding was amazing, I was just craving for information and it came at just the right moments.

The characters - ACHHH, I love Sylvia and Arin SO MUCH. IF you thought the banter was good in book 1, YOU JUST WAIT. Perfectly developed characters. The side characters also had their own spotlights, and we get introduced to new ones that I soon grew to love and they had their own side character development. Absolute perfection as far as characters are concerned.

The plot - the political stuff in this book got fully flushed out. I really enjoyed the plot, it was very evenly paced too. It was obvious the author put a lot of care into how everything comes together in the end and it really worked for me. The story gets wrapped up perfectly. I’m just sad this story is now over…

The writing - I LOVED the prose. There is so much depth in my opinion, the motivations and thoughts of the characters are really well explored and justified, and that shines through the prose.

I CANNOT WAIT to see what this author does next!

Thank you Netgalley and Orbit for the eARC in exchange of an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I’m genuinely broken after reading this book and I don’t know how to put myself back together again

MISS HASHEM YOU ARE CRUEL

This book! This book! It was everything I hoped it would be and more. It ripped me to pieces and put me back together again. The suspense…the angst…the romance…the twists and turns…the character growth…the pain…the triumph…ugh-there are no words for how amazing and beautiful this book is!! I devoured it in less than a day. Sylvia-Essiya is by far one of the best written heroines I have ever had the privilege to meet. I can’t even get my thoughts together to review this book!!! It is that amazing. I’m still crying happy tears!!

I have been waiting for this book ever since the cliffhanger in The Jasad Heir left me in scrambles. I literally devoured this book in one sitting because I needed to know what’s going to happen between Sylvia and Arin. Their endless tension between them is going to burst one way or another. 



Thankfully, The Jasad Crown picks up after the cliffhanger. We as readers aren’t left behind with a major time jump. We immediately pick up after we left off and continue on. I got to say that I definitely feel for Sylvia. She never wanted to notice or be involved with the ongoing war. Sylvia dealt with enough that she wanted peace, especially with her magic. However, Sylvia's bloodline doesn’t give her any moment of peace when her people need her. And it doesn’t help that Sylvia can’t really trust Urabi when they consistently hide their agenda from her. The only one Sylvia can trust, even though she shouldn’t, is Arlin.



Arlin always knew that there was something more to Sylvia. He never knew that she was an heir to the Jasad. It makes everything more tricky for Arlin because he knows his father won’t let her go. Arlin doesn’t know why, but he still beats for Sylvia, even though they consistently fight each other. It’s just inevitable for Arlin and Sylvia to be together.