“I would crush worlds for her. I would cross the skies and seas to chase her light. I’d never stop.”

This book was absolutely phenomenal. The enemies to lovers trope will forever have me in chokehold. And leave it to @authorljandrews to execute that trope every 👏 single 👏 time 👏

Erik Bloodsinger is not your hero. He is your villain, and his intentions are not always good. However, there are some moments where his heart is shown more than what he lets on. If you want a morally grey MMC, Erik Bloodsinger is going to be your new book boyfriend.

If you want a slow burn that will have you reading and turning pages a mile a minute because the tension is unbearable, you’ll love this book. And by the way, the wait is worth it. 😉

Tropes:
🏴‍☠️ enemies to lovers
🏴‍☠️slow burn
🏴‍☠️ forced proximity
🏴‍☠️ he falls first

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the copy!

This was a fabulous story! I love all her books! They are a must read! This is a story about adventure, pirates and childhood friends.

Absolutely love this series and I couldn’t believe I got the ebook and physical copy! Absolutely wonderful storytelling and helped me dive into fantasy a little bit more!

The Earth Fae and the Sea Fae once were at war and it ended with the Sea Fae being banished underneath the Chasm. Years later, Erik Bloodsinger, the bloodthirsty pirate king of the Sea Fae, finds his path to revenge by an unlikely source, the daughter of the Earth Fae who killed his father. Livia is meant to be just a bargaining chip to winning Erik's war, but both of them feel an undeniable pull towards each other that threatens to change everything they once stood for.

The teen in me who was obsessed with Pirates of the Caribbean and Will Turner is jumping up and down screaming at this book! And the adult in me who's obsessed with fae, enemies to lovers, touch her and die, growly MMC's, and slow burns is breathless from all the time spent gasping over this book!

This was such a fun romantasy that had incredible world-building, political tension, found family, and a swoon-worthy romance that I can't get over! Livia and Erik are so sweet together and Erik for sure made it on my list of fave book boyfriends! Not only were the main characters amazing, but all the side characters stood out so well and contributed so much to the story. I loved getting insights in their lives and who they are and it made for a great cast of characters.

The ending made me scream and I can't wait to read the next one!!

If you loved Pirates of the Caribbean and you’re looking for a fae Romantasy book with similar vibes, this is the one. I love how unique the magic system is and I can’t wait to learn more about their world. Also: that ending!

✅ Erik Bloodsinger, Ever King, King of the sea fae & Livia, princess, Earth Fae. Liv & Erik first met as children when Erik was prisoner in Liv’s surface Kingdom. Liv tried to comfort Erik during his imprisonment and they exchanged small tokens

In the current time, the spell holding the Ever Kingdom separated from the rest of the world via chasm has been broken and Erik is hunting the token he left for Livia.

✅ Dual POV
✅ Vibe is Pirate King x Fae
✅ cliffhanger end
🌶️: yes

I absolutely loved this book. I love everything about Livia & Erik and their relationship. They are each others destiny and I love the journey to get there. I haven't read very many pirate romances and honestly i'm 100% here for it. The side characters are amazing and well thought out, each having their own story that is so interconnected it makes this story so intricate. The magic is fun and a bit dark at times but it just goes hand in hand with it all.
I can't wait for everyone to read this book and experience the love, passion and crazy dark adventure we embark on.

4.5 ⭐️

This book was EVERYTHING.
It’s beautifully written, & full of longing / tension.
I loved every second and devoured it in no time!!

This was a GREAT intro to a new world and new set of characters! I felt like I was reading Pirates of the Caribbean with some mythology thrown in and a little more magic. The ONLY reason this wasn't a full five star for me was because I felt a little too much whiplash from Erik and Livia. A little too much LUST with a reminder of why they *hated* each other. But once they gave into I fell in love. Erik was a man after my heart! Standing up for the things and people he believes in. Doing anything for his people. Recognizing he is doomed for his feelings for Livia if she doesn't reciprocate, while also pulling Livia out of her shell a little bit. Livia was wonderful! She was naive and also very stuck in her beliefs. She was just deciding she wanted to experience things with a man when she is reunited with her soulmate (for lack of a better term). I LOVED watching these two rile each other up. I LOVED watching Livia break Erik's walls, and I LOVED watching her come a little undone by him. She didn't understand why she was so drawn to this bad boy when really he was a wonderful man with little boundaries in the way of protecting what he considered his. That cliffhanger was a gut punch BUT luckily book 2 is available to jump into.

Livia feels something in the air. A bit unsettled if you will before her parents are to set off on their annual trip with the other rulers of the kingdom. She finds herself thinking of the broken boy in the jails all those years ago. The one who claimed to come back and wreak havoc on their territory as retailiation for what had been done to his family. But nothing has happened in so long why would it now. But then everything happens at once. The divide between the Earth fae and the Sea fae is lifted, and Livia is reunited with the boy (now man) she has found herself thinking about on and off for years. He is off course ridiculously handsome but has kidnapped her as a bargaining chip to use against her dad. This is how she finds herself on a ship sailling away from the only home she has ever known with a man she can't read. A man who keeps reminding her of what she is, a prisoner, while also doing nice things for. And sometimes she finds him looking at her with something like desire in his eyes. And he calls her love of all things which yes of course it does things to her. So she has to remind herself that he is the BAD guy. But the longer they spend together the more she starts to like. The more she starts to see what he is hiding behind his mask as King. The more she starts to want things with him that she hasn't ever experienced before. And once she realizes that everything he thought he knew was different she recognizes that they have a connection deeper than she thought possible. She realizes she loves and would do anything to help his land and his people even leave hers.

Erik has been dead set on revenge for the last 20 years of his life. He keeps thinking about the girl who read him stories in the jail. The girl who is his enemy's daughter. He hasn't been able to figure out a way to get said revenge until fate seems to answer him and the divide between his world and hers is dropped for a night. A night that he uses to his advantage to kidnap said girl- Princess Livia. He will use her as a bargaining chip with her father to get revenge on what was done to his father all those years ago. He finds himself drawn to Livia though. He doesn't like it when she is sad but wow does he LOVE it when she gets riled up. When he sees her sass. A side she doesn't seem to pull out a lot unless she is with him. He has never felt this connection with someone before, but he can't dive into it because she is his enemy. Even though SHE isn't responsible for anything that happened all those years ago. But the longer he is with her the more he finds himself falling HARD and FAST for her. The more he finds himself providing for her and wanting her to be happy with him. The more he finds himself wanting this pull to be two sided. The more he finds himself wanting her to be truly his. So when she gives in and he realizes that she feels the same way he does he feels a peace that he hasn't felt since he saw her all those years ago. She helps him see that he has confused his past with revenge versus what actually happened. She makes him stronger. She makes him possessive which is why he would do anything for her. And he literally means ANYTHING.

This was perfectly paced. I loved the mix of adventure and found family and romance and steam. I loved all of the different kindgoms and found myself excited of what all is to come out of this world. I love a morally gray man, and Erik was perfect in that role. The ending of this one killed me BUT I have a feeling I am going to like book 2 even more than this one. I liked the magic system as well. I will 100% be going back and reading the Broken Kingdom series! I highly recommend this if you haven't already picked it up!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 stars

thank you to Ace and Netgalley for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

The concept of pirate fae got me. Although I am new to the Romantasy genre, I can attest that this was a great depiction of Romantasy. the friends to enemies to lovers, the kidnapping, the angst and the overall plot line kept me quite intrigued. I loved "Serpent" and felt he had so much depth to him, but I wish we got more from the "Songbird".

Can't wait to continue the series!

The Ever King is a richly imagined fantasy romance story that delivers on emotional intensity, sweeping stakes, and a hero whose devotion borders on mythic. Reading this book feels like voyaging through the seas.

Erik Bloodsinger is the kind of character who lingers; fierce, broken, and utterly consumed by passion. “Hate me, curse me, I care little, so long as I was the first thought of her day and the last of her night.”

The romance is central and powerful, which moments that feel cinematic and will be branded on the inside of my eyes for years to come. I could see the water, taste the salt, feel the devotion.

“I kissed her until she understood I would crush worlds for her,” completely describes the book’s tone as dramatic, heartfelt, and unapologetically intense.

Andrew’s’ prose is evocative and beautiful, and her themes (sacrifice, loyalty, the cost of power) resonate throughout.

“Scars paint out stories, they give proof to the battles we’ve survived.”

Overall, the Ever King is a compelling read with high emotional stakes and a memorable FMC. If you enjoy morally grey characters, intense romance, and the high seas, this one delivers.

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

Absolutely loved these. The pirate/viking vibes, the magic and world building was so so good, it pulled me in and I was obsessed. Livia and Erik were 😮‍💨🤌🏼 *adds morally grey pirates to my never ending list of fictional men I love*. The nicknames??? YES YES YES. The way Erik is so possessive, no nonsense and just an absolutely tortured soul was scrumptious, I ate it up. Also the side character’s were so lovable and some of my favorite parts. Definitely recommend if you want a romantasy!!

4.5 stars!!

“I am in your hands, I am at your command, for you have made me love you, and you will be my destruction because of it.”

ACOTAR meets Pirates of the Caribbean? Yes Please! In The Ever King, L. J Andrews delivers everything I didn’t even know I needed with a delicious slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance submerged in the middle of an intense struggle for power, a buffet of fae magic, and danger at every turn. From the very first page, I was immersed in the darkly romantic, sea-soaked realm of The Ever King, where vengeance intertwines with vulnerability, and a stolen crown sets the scene for stolen hearts… specifically, mine.

Meet Erik Bloodsinger, the broody King of the Ever Kingdom, every bit the morally gray villain we love to fall for, scarred, complex, cruel, and yet deep down capable of love. Driven by loss, betrayal, and a thirst for revenge, nursing his fury and waiting for the perfect moment to strike back… and when that moment arrives, it is not with an army or a storm, but with a girl. A simple mistake…

Enter Livia Ferus, the enemy's daughter, a sheltered, innocent princess who, through one reckless act, shatters the magical chains that have kept Erik bound to the Ever Kingdom. But freedom comes at a price. Now in Erik’s grasp, she becomes part of his plan to get back everything that belongs to him, everything stolen from him by Livia’s family. But make no mistake, the princess is no damsel, and as the story deepens, so does her strength, spirit, and her effect on the King who vowed to use her.

L.J. Andrews creates a dark fantasy world that feels unique where fae, pirates, and sirens co-exist seamlessly. The chemistry between Erik and Livia crackles with intensity, and while the romance is undeniably spicy, it has emotional depth that elevates it beyond just attraction. Perfect for fans of dark fantasy romance who crave morally gray heroes, dangerous bargains, and emotionally charged love stories with bite, The Ever King is a page-turner that offers more than just spice, it delivers heart, healing, and the kind of magic that lingers long after the final page. Containing violence, captivity, and emotional manipulation… this is not a light romance, but one that dives deep into the darkness before earning its light. Where are my lovers of darker fantasy? Ready to be stolen? The Ever King awaits.

Thank you, L.J Andrews, Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the chance to read an e-copy of this book!

Give me all the jack sparrow vibes and I’m sat. Erik Bloodsinger is one of the best MMCs, the “I’ll be the villain for you” type that we all know and love. The development of the romance was amazing and I couldn’t stop thinking about this story when I wasn’t reading or listening! I can’t wait to devour book 2!

LJ Andrews completely swept me away with The Ever King. From the very first page, I was pulled into the Ever world—full of high seas, fae magic, and political intrigue. The author’s world-building was phenomenal, painting vivid scenes that felt cinematic and immersive.

The dynamic between Erik and Livia was a standout. Their enemies-to-partners arc was emotionally rich and believable, and their journey to heal the lands plagued by a mysterious sickness kept me turning pages late into the night. Andrews navigated their tension and growth with finesse, and I genuinely didn’t want to leave their side.

And that ending? Wow. What a cliffhanger. I audibly gasped and now I’m counting the days until the next installment.

Thank you to the author, publisher and @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Serpent & The Sparrow.

Erik Bloodsinger is a fine man on a mission. Livia is finally trying to let loose at the masquerade ball and is drawn to a mysterious gentleman.

And the rest is history.

I thoroughly enjoyed this romantasy, enemies-to-lovers, epic tale with ‘touch her and die’ vibes, found family and tension beyond tension. If you were ever a fan of the bad guy, were obsessed with Pirates of the Caribbean or Hook, you’ll probably want to pick this one up.

And also, @akalucyrivers and Will Thorne CRUSH it on the audiobook version. Cue *swoon*

I loved this. I've recently begun indulging in pirate themed fantasy books and this was perfect. I really enjoyed the pacing and while the romance was slow, I know it is a long series so I am excited to see how it will continue to build. The writing was also so good!

If Falling for the Villain is wrong….then I don’t want to be right baybeeee!

This was a 5⭐️ read for me. I’m kicking myself for not reading it sooner! Because HOW do you give me Enemies to lovers/friends to lover and forbidden love all wrapped in to one?! And their Nicknames! Their back story! Uhh This was so delicious I ate it up.

Think Pirates of the Caribbean (Will Turner and Elizabeth Swan) meets Captain Hook from Once upon a Time🙌

This is a Dark Romantasy
With really good plot
Romance driven however pace gets a 10/10
Lots of tension and scheming
Sea faes (aka pirate fae) and Earth Faes [there’s other types but these are the main ones]
Each character has their own abilities (which is amazing! Kept even the side characters super interesting and intreagin)
This book has a very unique magic system yet easy to understand

Livia is our sunshine FMC. She meets our grumpy MMC Erik when they are children. He is the son of the Sea Fae king that attacked her people. She is the daughter of the king that killed his father (the King).

There are many secrets to be revealed and plenty of twist and turns along the way. The cliff hanger is pretty heavy. You won’t see it coming. I started the second book immediately! L.J. Andrew’s, if you’re watching this. Thank you for this masterpiece. Here are some quotes that had me gasping!


"I would burn the world to keep you safe, even if it meant losing myself in the flames."

I’m not okay! I was kidnapped and taken to a different kingdom and I’m totally okay with that! This book was so good and I’m very thankful that the second one is readily available.

Also, Serpent and Songbird are the cutest nicknames!

Possessive alpha male ✅
Kidnapping ✅
Bonds ✅
Banter ✅
Spice 🌶️✅✅✅

I’ve had The Ever King by LJ Andrews on my radar for a while but never got the chance to pick it up until I spotted it on NetGalley, and I’m so glad I did. It took me a little while to get used to the dialogue, but once I settled in I was completely hooked.

This fantasy romance follows a fierce heroine caught in a world of deadly bargains, dark magic, and an irresistible, complicated king. The magic system is one of the parts I loved most. It felt rich, unique, and easy to get lost in. And just when you think you know where the story is headed, it leaves you with a cliffhanger that has me eager to dive into the next book.

Overall, this was such an addictive read. 4.5 stars from me, and I’ll definitely be continuing the series.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!!