This book is the best sequel I have ever read. Words can’t properly express how deeply I experienced this book. I laughed, cried, got angry and everything in between. I was enthralled the whole way through.
I love this story, these characters and this world, and now that it’s over I’m not sure how to let go.
It was an absolute honour to get to read this early.

Thank you

After reading this series I am dead, cooked, nothing else has affected me this way. I just wanted more, give me a book long epilogue to the epilogue. I felt for the characters, I felt all the yearning and tension and political drama. My cold little heart cannot stand to feel all these emotions. A lot happened in this book, there’s more world building, backstory and so much character development. I definitely could see this book being a trilogy just so we can get more development of some of the ideas, but that doesn’t take away from the book or series as a whole. Some of the reveals I saw coming and some I was just blown away by. This is a series everyone needs to read, I cannot recommend it enough. Sara Hashem is officially an autobuy author for me

Thanks to Netgalley and Orbit for this e-ARC that I chose to read and review

A new instant buy author for me! The first book really took me by surprise and I loved it. The second installment was only better. Not only did the romance of this duology completely and utterly consume me, but the second book greatly expanded in the plot and world building. I simply devoured this book and will be recommending this for a long time.

Thank you NetGalley and Orbit Books for the early copy!

This is a hard review to write, partly because I can't believe this duology is already complete, and partly because I have such complicated feelings about how it all ended. While The Jasad Crown didn’t deliver the resolution I had hoped for, I can’t deny how much I enjoyed the journey.

Let’s start with the highlights: once again, the Egyptian-inspired elements were captivating. This world felt both nostalgic and new, and I was fully immersed in it the entire time. The characters also completely stole my heart, just as they did in the first book. I was deeply invested in them, and that emotional connection is a testament to Hashem’s talent.

That deep investment, however, is probably why some parts of this book felt especially difficult. Without spoiling anything, I’ll just say that these characters go through a lot. While I don’t expect every fantasy story to end in a perfect happily ever after, I did hope for a sense of emotional closure. Instead, many arcs felt left in pieces, and I finished the book feeling more unsettled than fulfilled.

In terms of pacing, this book felt overly long for the ground it covered. I usually love long reads. I want to linger in a world as much as possible, but here, the extra length didn’t always serve the story. Some plotlines felt more like detours than necessary steps toward the finale.

That said, reading is entirely subjective, and these thoughts are just my personal experience with the book. I normally focus on the positive in my reviews, and I’m sharing these thoughts only because I received this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Despite my mixed feelings on this book, one thing is clear: Sara Hashem is an incredible writer, and I will absolutely be reading anything she writes next.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Loved! This picked up RIGHT where The Jasad Heir left off, and I love how intricate and interwoven Arin and Sylnia’s stories were. The more we progressed in the story, the more we learned of the their BACKSTORY, which is my favorite way to get to know my characters. Peeling back the layers.

I loved the different POVs we got, and how much they added to the story. This is a fantasy duology I WILL be coming back to for a reread. Chef’s kiss. So incredible. Sarah, your writing is beautiful and I can’t wait to see what you gift us with next!

Hot take...

Oof I don't even know where I want to begin. Let me start by saying it's not that I didn't like this book. That wasn't my issue. I think what had me hung up the most was the pacing and the length. Which is crazy because this book isn't even that long, but it felt like I was reading a 700-page fantasy vs a 400-page one. For some reason this book felt extremely dense. And I found myself struggling to invest myself into the story this time.

I loved book one. Loved the concept, the characters, the magic, and everything, but there was some disconnect for me in this sequel. I found it harder to reconnect myself to this world and the characters. Arin was by far my favorite character. Honestly, his chapters were the ones keeping me the most invested in the story. I didn't really know how to feel about Sylvia's character in this one. Mixed feelings. I also wasn't a huge fan of the multiple POVs for Sefa and Malek. This is more of a personal preference, as I am not a huge fan of the multiple POVs. But that being said, I also feel like that is what contributed to the elongated feel of this book.

Now for the ending, and the question being, did the ending make it all worth it? I don't know. Personally, I liked the ending, but I also thought it could've been more. I found myself wanting to see more after the final "battle". Overall, it definitely had its moments, and I still very much enjoyed the complexity of the magic system. I also really loved Arin's character and his growth/depth in this book. He, by far, was the best character in the whole series.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4/5

When I tell you that I spent the last half of 2023 and most of 2024 thinking about all the scenes in The Jasad Heir that lived rent-free in my head, it is not an exaggeration. Sara Hashem wove such a beautiful story in her debut novel that I absolutely could not wait for the end of the duology to be released.

And OH BOY, was this book a doozy.

Sara pretty much took the manacles off of her story in The Jasad Heir and let The Jasad Crown run free of its shackles. When I say that magic went crazy in this book, it REALLY went crazy. For a world that was losing its magic, this book went in and said, "well, time to bring magic back." And I absolutely loved the fullness of the world itself, the kingdoms fleshed out even further, and the politics as it played out. And because this book took us to four different POVs this time, we really did get a look at how many of the factions were mobilized across the story.

But the best parts of this book--and its predecessor--are hands down Arin and Sylvia. Their love story and their character conflicts/struggles have always been the crux of Heir--Sylvia's more so. But in Crown? Holy shit on a stick, things just got even more complicated. The addition of Arin as a main POV brought this book to an even better degree of storytelling, because when I tell you THIS MAN. THIS MAAAAAAN IS SAVAGE. Spitting so many damn bars across this book. And my girl Sylvia matched his freak SO WELL they're practically perfect for each other.

And to tell you I was sobbing every so often in this book. By the end I was catatonic. By the EPILOGUE my soul left my body.

Yeah. Sara is now responsible for all my therapy bills. Now give me more plsthx.

I enjoyed this far more than the first book.
Right from the jump, the pacing felt tighter, the story pulled me in, and the characters almost jumped off the page with how alive they felt.

And then, around the 60% mark, things started to drag for me. Some story beats felt like were rushed, while others were really dragged out. There were also quite a few repetetive conversations/situations that got a bit dull after the first time.

That being said, Sara is really really good at writing characters. Every single one felt so real and fleshed out - the side characters especially really stood on their own in this book.
Arin especially gets a lovely amount of characterization in this story, which I ate. up.

But Sylvia. oh Sylvia. want to talk about a strong FMC? want to talk about a powerful woman who isn't afraid to kick ass and commit war crimes? and who's also feeling like she has the weight of the world on her shoulders, has been emotionally manipulated and abused, and just needs 500 naps and a snack? meet Sylvia. she likes daggers, her chosen family, and Arin. She struggles a lot with asking for help and also chosing what kind of kingdom she wants to build with the legacy that's been left for her.

And the romance.
The romance is stellar. Once again, a stunning enemies to lovers story that is my new definition of slow burn (I will be holding all other stoic, brooding characters to Arin's level, thank you). The romance really was the strongest throughline of this story, with good reason - this relationship is so. damned. good.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Orbit for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

As someone who loved the tension and pacing of The Jasad Heir, I was eager to dive into this ARC—but unfortunately, this sequel just didn’t capture the same magic for me.

I only made it through about a third of the book before setting it aside. The pacing felt slow, and I struggled to reorient myself in the story. While I expect some reacquainting with characters in a sequel, this one took a bit too long to find its footing. I found myself constantly trying to remember who was who, and the spark that made the enemies-to-lovers dynamic so compelling in book one felt distant or missing altogether.

The introduction of new characters didn’t quite hold my interest either, and I was hoping for more momentum and emotional stakes early on. That said, I still think this series has strong potential—I may return to finish this later on, but it wasn’t the gripping continuation I had hoped for.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I finished reading The Jasad Crown by Sara Hashem approximately two hours ago, and I’m shaken to my core.

I really love this series.

If you like complex, Egyptian-inspired worlds with fascinating lore or enjoy true enemies to lovers (my favorite trope of all time) with the angst done right, this is the series for you.

I will never emotionally recover from this book.

This book took 10 years off my life, but in the best way possible. Hashems ability to create a world with such unique lore, culture, and creatures really makes you invested in the book. I loved book 1 and felt so incredibly grateful to receive an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The continuation of this story was heart wrenching, but hopeful. I fell even more in love with all the characters and even some of the “bad guys.” Everything lives in this grey area where there is not right answer, but you continue to root for the people at the center of this story even when they are making choice you hate. The main focus of this story is Sylvia and her journey within herself and for her people, but the romance subplot?? ATE IT UP. I need like 10 more business days to process Arin and everything I love about him as a character. The yearning is top tier and I can’t wait to recommend this book to everyone I know (sorry in advance for the tears you will shed.) This was easily a 5 star read for me because it contained everything I love: enemies to lovers (or worse), a big cast of friends/found family, complex fantasy and lore, and high stakes!

Hashem can write a character that grovels and yearns, and I’ll devour that everytime! I loved the Jasad Heir and this book is very much in the same vein but with even higher stakes and tension! I kicked my feet giggling and swooned, I love an enemies to lovers romance that is truly what it says it is. Not disguised. If you liked the Jasad Heir, you’ll love this one too.

Don’t miss this scorcher! Whew.

This is the second and final book in the duology. I love the banter and the yearning between Arin and Sylvia continue to be the best part of the book. Sylvia continues to fight to restore her kingdom and protect her people and her friends. I found the plot and magic system a great part of this book. However, the beginning was a little slow for me and slightly hard to follow. However I still loved the book and characters. The epilogue was everything!!

3.5⭐rounded down. I have a hard time reviewing this one because while I was reading, I found it compelling and wanted to keep going. And yet when I would put it down, I kinda just didn't think about it very much. Well, that holds true until the last 20-25%, which was a bit fast for my preferences. So my complaints are not so much specific as a general feeling about it. Except for one specific complaint which is that I wish there was a glossary or list of kingdoms, their rulers, and their Awal. It's been a year since I read the first one and I kept forgetting which was which.

I did love that we get more points of view compared to the first book - to dip into Arin's mind and to actually get to know Sefa and Marek better. I definitely became more attached to our cast of characters, which made the rollercoaster at the end a lot more emotional for me. Were many tears shed? Yes. Is that a surprise for me? Not really 😂

4.75

gosh, I’d been waiting for an epic fantasy with a strong romantic subplot that didn’t dominate the fantasy plot. and I got it in this book!

this sequel builds on the worldbuilding and character development in the first to really construct an epic story and bring it home in a satisfying way. the world is extremely rich for a duology without being overwhelming at any one point, and there are sophisticated political machinations that combine with the magical lore and mythology of the world to really make a plot worth reading.

at the same point, the characters of this book are really ones you want to root for. even in book one, I wasn’t so attached, but I was really empathizing with the main character in this one. she’s been complex throughout, but I think her struggles and self-doubt are more evident in this book, and create a really moving emotional arc for her in this book. like it’s really something.

two minor complaints: it’s a pretty long book with a slower start, and the ending cuts off too early and denies me some emotional resolution

I will update this review with a link to a feed post in the future, once my physical copy has arrived.

Hashem is able to not only build a shockingly expansive world but also have characters with delicious tension at the center of it all!

The book felt a little dragged out and oddly paced. Once we made it to the conclusion I was kinda already over it? It took me a few weeks to finally sit down for that last 10% and it just didn’t hit as hard as I wanted it to, despite liking the ending as a whole. The pacing overall hurt my enjoyment and flow.

I don’t know if it is attributed to the same critique but the deaths of characters didn’t give me as much as I thought it would. I was kinda like oh okay instead of truly devastated despite loving those characters.

Arin is however book boyfriend #1! This sequel really has all the yearning, banter, and tension you could ask for! Love Essiya too, truly beautifully built characters.

I would absolutely recommend this duology to anyone looking for a badass main character, political conflict, with a slow burn enemies to lovers at the core!

An Exhilarating End to a Phenomenal Duology!

The Jasad Crown delivered everything I wanted and more — an emotional and action-packed conclusion to an already fantastic series. The storytelling was absolutely beautiful: the lore, the dialogue.

Sefa and Marek (Mareekkkkk😭) such sweet side characters, I'm so glad we got to see more of them!

Sylvia and Arin…ughhh now going into my top couples! Actual enemies to lovers! A little banter and suddenly one of them is bashing the other in the head 😫 and that endinggg, sobbing once again!

Sara Hashem crafted the perfect finale, and I’ll be thinking about these characters for a long time!

Highly recommend this duology to anyone who loves fierce heroines, slow-burn enemies to lovers romance, and rebellions with real stakes!

Thank you @netgalley and @orbitbooks_us for the eARC!!

Current rating: 4.5 stars

I just know I would have loved this book even more had I done a reread of book 1 before diving into this, but alas, I didn't manage to get hold of a library copy. I also took a break while reading this due to life/responsibilities getting in the way, so all this led to me forgetting a few minor details of this world (but thankfully I remembered the majority of everything). Nevertheless, I found this to be a great read, especially since I was buzzing with excitement after I read The Jasad Heir!

I have a lot of praise for this book, most of which I can barely put into coherent sentences, so this will be a brief spoiler-free review.

First off, I really enjoyed the different POV chapters which gave deeper insight into the characters. Loved revising old characters and being introduced to new ones, but of course, my favourite character was Sylvia. Her character arc through this duology was incredible! I just wanted her and Arin to be happy, they've gone through so much :(( [On a lighter note: Arin + Sylvia in this duology are actual enemies-to-lovers and their scenes together are always a highlight]

I was invested throughout, and I loved the dialogue, humour, and action scenes. The last ~25% especially was so intense that I couldn't look away and even felt ILL thinking about the fates of these characters who I've grown quite attached to. I can't believe this duology is over, but I am hoping to revisit it one day so that I can read both books back-to-back!

The first book in this duology was good, but this second book blew me away. It has political scheming, action, magical creatures, a captivating love story, and fantastic side characters. The story kept me hooked the whole time and had me crying by the end.

If you like enemies to lovers fantasy romance without spice, this is definitely a duology you should pick up!

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit Books for providing me with a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for my review.

I actually DNF'd the first book so I didn't read this one. I'm not going to lie, I am super butthurt about not liking this duology. I really really wanted to love this and make it my whole personality. I love when books pull from real life culture, in this case, Egyptian, but I didn't find any connection in the third of the book I read. Maybe it's because most Egyptian media is very much surrounded by pyramids and mummies? Anyways, I found this kind of boring. Like, things were happening, but nothing was happening at the same time. It's too long of a book for me to be this bored. I think this book could have easily been 200 pages shorter and it would have been better.