Oh how I love a Morally Grey MMC. Eric Bloodsinger is the epitome of a Book Boyfriend. This story was riveting; I could not put it down. L.J. Andrews has done an amazing job weaving the tapestry of this world, it is rich and complex and you cannot help but want to know more about all of the characters in Livia and Eric's orbit. (which is a key component of great storytelling for me). This was my first book in The Broken Kingdoms universe, and it absolutely hooked me, so looking forward to the sequel.

Highlights:
✨Morally Grey MMC
✨Strong Willed Kickass FMC
✨Rich World Building (highly recommend reading the other stories in the Broken Kingdoms world)
✨Supporting Case Ensemble
✨Pirates
✨Vikings/Norse

Favorite Quote: "Hate me, curse me, I cared little, so long as I was the first thought of her day and the last of her night." 💀

Thank you to the author and Ace for this advanced copy. My opinions are my own.

I really liked this one, I can definitely understand why I’ve seen it floating around social media. When reading this I got the same atmosphere as Shadow and Bones / Six of Crows with the romantic tension of Emma and Hook from Once Upon A Time. I couldn’t help, but keep picturing them in my head during some of the interactions.

I liked the action throughout the story, banter, political elements, different clans and history between not only our two main characters, but the war torn world they were born into. I think there are a lot of elements to like here. But at times, I felt there was too much happening. I like how our MMC is revealed to be good in some ways here and there, but don’t think all of them are necessary as it adds to the chaos of everything else happening. I’m excited to read the next book in the series!

I’ve heard so much about this series and it did not disappoint! Pirate vibes, a war between sea & earth folk, elemental magic, and political intrigue made for an exciting & action packed fantasy. As good as the plot was, the enemies to lovers romance between Erik Bloodsinger aka the Ever King and Livia aka Princess of the earth folk was the star of the show.

Erik is the perfect morally grey touch-her-and-die love interest who can’t seem to stay away from the girl who’s supposed to be his captive. Livia has been stolen away from all she knows and loves, but can’t help but feel like the Ever is where she’s supposed to be. I loved the history between them and how things were revealed along the way. The plot twist & cliffhanger will leave you wanting to read the next one immediately and I’m looking forward to continuing!

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

Normally I love me a cinnamon roll hero, but this is the kind of shadow daddy energy I am here for. The world-building in this book is so rich and layered and so cool, but it was the characters who really captured me. I need more and I need it ASAP!

The Ever King was my introduction to the world of LJ Andrews and I was immediately obsessed. The worlds she creates are rich and complex, but easy to understand. Erik and Livia’s story is addictive, and I couldn’t put it down. The complex family dynamics between the fae and Alver royals, and the found family of the Ever Crew adds a richness to the story that makes you care deeply for all of the characters. Erik is a villain, but he has a soft heart under the dangerous exterior, and Livia is the one to bring out his kinder side. Livia is brave, kind, and fiercely loyal. She sees the best in everyone, especially Erik.

I really can’t express how much I love this book and all the characters. The story drew me in, and I never looked back.

This captivating adventure was an absolute delight! Liv and Erik’s story was a perfect blend of romance and fantasy. This Sea Fae Romantasy follows the enemies-to-lovers trope, filled with angst, banter, and secrets. The pacing was well-maintained, and the action-packed moments kept me on the edge of my seat, making it a page-turner. The unique magic system and political intrigue were seamlessly integrated into the story’s setting. The cliffhanger left me craving more, and the bonus chapters that provide the backstory before the Songbird and the Serpent offer a deep dive into the history of their conflict. I highly recommend this book; it’s an easy 5-star read. Well done!

The Ever King is a strong start to L.J. Andrews' Ever Seas series, filled with pirate lore, dark secrets, and slow-burn romance. Livia is a bold and determined heroine, and her dynamic with Erik, the cold and ruthless pirate king, drives much of the emotional tension in the story. Their relationship builds slowly with plenty of angst, betrayal, and guarded vulnerability.

The world is richly imagined, with just the right amount of magic and danger to keep the stakes high. Fans of morally gray characters, revenge plots, and fantasy romance will find a lot to enjoy here.

At times, the pacing felt a little uneven, especially in the early chapters, but the story finds its rhythm once the main conflict takes shape. Andrews' writing style is vivid and dramatic, and she continues to deliver emotionally charged fantasy that keeps readers coming back.

The Ever King is everything that I want in a romantasy! The vibes are Pirates of the Caribbean, but make it Fae, with a broody, mortally gray male lead, and I loved every page. I was hooked on page 1 and loved how the plot and world developed. Erik and Livia's tension and yearning are phenomenal, and when I wasn't reading, they were all I could think about. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of Livia's anxiety and how she learned to cope with it.

This book has found family, enemies to lovers, and an amazingly creative magic system. The twist and ending cliffhanger left me devastated!

I highly recommend this book to any and every romantasy reader, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the series. Thank you, Berkley Publishing Group, for providing this arc via NetGalley for an honest review.

Holy Crap! This book was phenomenal! I can’t believe I waited soooo long to read it! I loved the pirate vibes, that fated mate trope, enemies to lovers, there was just so much to love about the story. A romantasy lovers dream book, cuz it had it all. Glad I don’t have to wait for the next one to release!

Holy. Freakin. Cow.

Welcome to my new obsession. I devoured this book in under 48 hours. Erik. BLOODSINGER. <—not mad about autocorrect capitalizing that. 🔥 Livie is one of my favorite FMC’s I have had in awhile! I am intrigued by the magic and world!!! I need more Jonas tho because he had me hooked from chapter 1!

I order The Ever Queen already from @ttpagebookstore (support small when you can)! Using @a.court.of.geek.and.glitter ‘s rep code!

Y’all I have not been this obsessed with a series since Spark of the Everflame! 🔥 I am down bad for this characters.

I will be SCREAMING about @authorljandrews from now until forever. So get used to hearing about her! Thanks @thelostbooksofjess & @shopliterarychic for hyping! Tiffany I am SO excited for your *licensed* merch to come!!!!!

@berkleypub & @acebookspub We are so excited to see this series go trad and get in even MORE readers hands! 👏

Will be posting on socials 8/5/2025

The Ever King by L.J. Andrews is an enthralling fantasy romance that completely captured me from page one. The world-building is rich and immersive, every kingdom, court, and shadowy corner feels alive with history and magic. I especially loved the unique magic system, which added depth and intrigue to both the plot and the characters’ motivations.

The chemistry between Livia and Erik is everything. Their dynamic is full of tension, unspoken longing, and emotional complexity that had me flipping pages just to see what would happen next. Every interaction between them felt charged and meaningful, making their journey all the more gripping. I love that Andrews keeps you guessing with Erik's intentions and they are not at ALL what you originally thing they are!

L.J. Andrews balances romantic tension with political stakes and action so well. The writing is vivid, the pacing tight, and the emotional beats hit just right. If you're a fan of fantasy with layered characters, forbidden romance, and a touch of danger, this one is a must-read.

I can’t wait to see what’s next in the series!

The Ever King was the very first book by LJ Andrews I ever read, and I read it during one of the most difficult times of my life. After not reading anything for many years, it's the book that marks the beginning of a huge turning point in my life.

The tale of the Serpent and the Songbird grabbed me immediately. I absolutely adore Liv and Erik's story, even if it starts as messy as it could ever have. Their history and Liv's reluctance to acknowledge it before it breaks her, Erik's obsession for revenge that really just is his obsession for her. The fire that consumes them both.

Livia's ferocity by the end of this book shines to sharply. I absolutely loved her character development. How Erik helps her grow, giving her confidence to be her true self on the surface. I'm a sucker for a king that kneels for his queen.

And the bonus chapters! The cherry on top getting this long awaited backstory!

Thank you so much to Ace/Berkley, Netgalley and of course, LJ Andrews for the opportunity to review this version of The Ever King before its traditional debut.

Wow! I had heard so many great things about this book, and it kept getting pushed to the side, but thank goodness I got an ARC to the sequel so it forced me to read it. And I'm mad at myself that it took me this long to get to it, but also kind of happy because I would have been dying if I couldn't start the next book right away. LJ Andrews' writing style is fantastic. It's very descriptive, and she doesn't say things explicitly. Her writing is top notch, and I can already tell you she's an auto-read author for me now.

I was hesitant at first because I haven't ever really been a pirate kinda gal, but oh man. Maybe I'm entering a pirate era? I might be questioning everything now. The tropes are fantastic. You have childhood frienemies, star crossed lovers, enemies to reluctant lovers, fated mates, it's all delicious and the sexual tension is chefs kiss. These two have a lot going on with each other and I love the development they both have because of their feelings for each other. Both of them end up being what you wouldn't expect them to be and I loved it. Seriously, if you love a good romantasy or want to give it a try, this is a great one to pick up. It's easily going to be a top read of the year for me and it's only January.

Spice:🌶🌶🌶

I LOVED this book! It made me remember why I love the romantasy genre in the first place!
Both main characters had me hooked on their story and invested in what happened to them from the jump. I think I found my newest book boyfriend to add to my list (Erik is everything I want and need in my life)! The world that Andrews has built is magical and beautiful! Like, who doesn't love sirens, fae, and pirates! I am on the edge of my seat after that ending as well! Let's just say I will not rest until it is in my grubby little hands!

I first read this book in 2023 and then read The Ever Queen 2 months ago. Needless to say I vaguely remembered much from book 1 and that bothered me. So my first re-read since… ever? 😱at least within the last decade? How pretty is this new edition (right next to my indie copy) coming out as the series gets republished! 😍

Re-reading The Ever King gave me a whole new appreciation for the nuance and depth in the supporting cast. The romance and tension between Livia and Erik are still top-tier, but this time, I was completely pulled in by the side characters.

Celine is brilliant and exudes ride-or-die vibes 🙌. Her loyalty to Livia isn’t just sweet, it’s strategic. She’s a thinker, a quiet protector, and the kind of friend every heroine needs. There’s something simmering beneath the surface with her (and maybe with Alek 👀), and I’m dying to see her get more book time in the series 🙏

Alek surprised me even more this time around. He comes off as witty and light, but there’s a clear edge to him. He’s observant, too smart for his own good, and you can tell he’s playing a longer game. He’s one of those characters who could flip the board without warning and I love that energy 🔥

Lady Narza? Chilling, creepy, goosebumps 😬 The first time through, she felt like a villain, super witchy vibes 🧙‍♀️Now? She’s complicated, definitely. Her power, her ambition, the history between her and Erik..it all lands differently now. I wouldn’t call her redeemable (yet), but she’s compelling and growing on me. Like the wickedly unhinged grandmas of folklore (looking at you Evil Queen in Show White, Grandma in Hansel & Gretel, Wolf in Red Riding Hood) 🤨

Sewell is quiet and steady. He’s the kind of character who won’t be flashy but will absolutely break your heart in a quiet and loyal way. I need his backstory! ❤️‍🔥

These side characters elevate the story. They bring weight, perspective, and tension that give the world of the Ever Seas real texture. Honestly, they make this more than just a romance, they gave me a deeper appreciation for the layered world and standout side characters.

Thank you to @netgalley, Berkley Publishing Group and LJ Andrews for the ARC copy.

Book Review: LJ Andrews’ The Ever King.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for my gifted ARC.

Let’s just get this out of the way—this book owns me now. I picked it up thinking I’d read a few chapters before bed. Instead, I was held hostage by a sea king with a vendetta and a princess with a spine of steel until 3AM. This is the kind of romantasy that hijacks your brain, shreds your heart, and makes you thank it for the pain. I loved every second.

Erik Bloodsinger is everything a dark fantasy romance hero should be—scarred, ruthless, emotionally feral, and dead-set on revenge. He’s the Ever King, trapped beneath the sea for years by a curse tied to the very man who slaughtered his father: the Earth King. When fate hands him the ultimate weapon—Livia Ferus, daughter of the Earth King—he does exactly what you’d expect. He kidnaps her. Chains her in his underwater kingdom. Plans to use her as leverage. It should be a straightforward power play.

Except it isn’t.

Because once upon a time, when she was a curious, compassionate child, Livia snuck into a cell to read fairytales to the boy behind the bars. The boy who would grow into a monster. The boy who never forgot her. That boy is now a king, and the little girl who once comforted him? She just became the woman who might undo him completely.

This is enemies to lovers at its sharpest. These two don’t just come from opposite sides of a war—they are the war. Livia was raised to hate the sea fae. Erik was trained to kill her kind. And yet, there’s a gravitational pull between them that neither of them can deny. I could feel every spark, every clash of wills, every second of tension that built between them like a wave about to crash.

And the banter? Perfect. He calls her Songbird with a bite in his voice that slowly softens. She calls him Serpent like she’s daring him to strike. Their dialogue crackles with anger, chemistry, and repressed longing. It’s not just spicy—it’s emotionally loaded. You believe their pain. You feel their fear. And when they finally give in? It’s devastating in the best way.

The worldbuilding is vivid and immersive, with sea-bound magic, ancient curses, and power systems that feel fresh. The political tensions between the Earth and Ever kingdoms add depth, and the supporting cast is excellent. Jonas, Sewell, Celine—I am begging the gods of fantasy publishing to give each of them their own books. The found family vibes in Erik’s crew made my heart ache in all the right ways.

One of my favorite quotes—and it hit me right in the gut—was this:
“Hate me, curse me, I cared little, so long as I was the first thought of her day and the last of her night.”

Tell me that doesn’t wreck you a little.

Also: the mental health rep in this book is something that needs to be highlighted. Livia’s struggles with anxiety and trauma aren’t just thrown in for flavor—they’re handled with real care. And Erik doesn’t “fix” her. He supports her. He protects her, yes, but he also listens. And he respects her pain. Watching her stand up for herself, for him, and for their bond had me in tears more than once.

And let’s talk about that ending. I won’t spoil it, but I gasped. Audibly. The twist was brutal, brilliant, and somehow exactly what the story needed. I slammed the book shut and immediately opened The Ever Queen because I could not sit with that kind of cliffhanger in my soul. LJ Andrews, how dare you.

There are a few pacing bumps in the middle and a couple of world details that could’ve been clearer, but honestly? I didn’t care. The emotional payoff, the romantic arc, the sheer vibe of this book drowned out any imperfections. I came for morally gray fae and sea magic. I stayed for a love story that felt like both a battle and a balm.

This is not a fluffy romance. It’s intense, dark-edged, and at times brutal. But if you love tortured kings, fierce heroines, found family, political intrigue, and slow-burn enemies to lovers with real bite—this is your book.

Erik Bloodsinger is a monster, a king, and a man who will raze the world for one woman. And Livia Ferus? She’s the light who walked into the darkness—and made it hers.

Ohhhh what a cute Romantasy book. It defiantly took me a lot longer to get invested into the story line as I felt like the beginning was quite slow (not even that much world building It just felt slow. I was unsure of what I was going to think about this book, but since I was approved for the entire series as ARC's I knew I needed to keep going. I was pleased when I got about half-way I was fully engaged into this book. I loved the banter and tension between the main characters and the spice.... yes please!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

What really stood out to me was the writing itself: beautifully cohesive and lyrical, with lines that made me stop and reread just to soak them in. The worldbuilding felt rich and lived-in, and I loved the overall concept—it strikes a great balance between classic fantasy tropes and original twists. I really enjoyed how easy to read this book was!

The relationships between characters were another highlight. Whether it was tension, loyalty, or quiet understanding, each dynamic added emotional weight to the plot. That said, I personally felt that some of the connections developed a bit too quickly, specifically the romantic connections. A slower burn and extra layers of interaction and depth of the relationship would have added even more impact

Still, the atmosphere, quotes, and storytelling voice carried me through. I’m excited to see what else this world has to offer

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an e-ARC of this re-published version of The Ever King

I would like to start off by thanking Berkeley for the ARC and opportunity to review this book early!

Right away this book pulled me in with a unique plot that I felt like I had not really seen before. The MMC kidnapping his enemies daughter and taking her to his kingdom? Yes please! I did enjoy the ending of the book and the cliffhanger will likely have me wanting to continue to book two.

However, I am personally a big fan of slow burn and felt the physical relationship happened a little too quickly for me. This is just an opinion though and overall did not take away from the story. My main gripe has to do with the internal main character dialogue. The FMC constantly stating she regrets wanting to MMC, then next minute going after him had me contemplating DNFing. I could definitely see certain individuals in my bookstagram audience enjoying this, and will be recommending it to those people.

"I will follow your darkness across the skies and seas."

I'm hooked on a new Romantasy series, The Ever Seas. A young girl befriends a young boy held in the prisons of her father, gifting him a charm necklace where he vows he'll return for her someday. That day has come many years later as two worlds, separated by the chasm, collide for a enemies to lover story.

He's the notorious Pirate, Bloodsinger, who all are afraid, and she is the daughter of a King who killed his father. This book concludes with a cliffhanger, so needless to say I started book 2 immediately.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group | Ace