Really enjoyed this and love how unique the story and characters are. Her Soul for a Crown is beautifully written, fast paced, with a slow burn romance, and lovable characters.

I loved how strong Anula was and her vision for women to have more ~anything~ in society. I liked her character development throughout the book and seeing her grow as well.

I loved Reeri and his whole family. The dual POV added such a nice element to this book especially since the FMC and MMC were “tethered”.

100% recommend for readers who enjoy slow burn romance.

For a very long time I’ve been chasing the feeling I had when I first read The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh. Time and time again I have read books and just let out a little sigh in disappointment. The balance would be off and the books never matched the allure, magic, and chemistry that leaped off the pages. Luckily, Reeri and Anula capture that magic in Her Soul for a Crown, and they shine.

For a very long time I’ve been chasing the feeling I had when I first read The Wrath and the Dawn by Renée Ahdieh. Time and time again I have read books and just let out a little sigh in disappointment. The balance would be off and the books never matched the allure, magic, and chemistry that leaped off the pages. Luckily, Reeri and Anula capture that magic in Her Soul for a Crown, and they shine.

This book is ultimately a sharp revenge tale, highlighting the slippery aspect of governing, the weight of those in power and the powerless. I adored certain aspects about this novel, but I didn’t care for the mythical elements and just wanted to skip them. I think in this instance the mythology weighs down the pace of the narrative and feels like a crutch the author clings to for comfort. Gosh that sounds harsh, but sometimes I just want a novel without the convoluted web of lore. The fantasy aspect needed to be toned down a bit and utilized with a light touch, I'm looking for flair and finesse. Use fantasy sparingly and wisely! I’m also going to put my foot down and say: we didn’t need the side plots or side characters.

This book was strong enough to have Anula and Reeri stand alone and I wish we got that story. The chemistry in this book is just glorious and so well constructed that it needed to be the leading aspect of the narrative. Alysha's writing shines with Anula and Reeri on the page and I will heavily praise it (besties, the chemistry? stunning). Also this book has such a rich source material, and I wish we had the opportunity to lean into it more.

Nevertheless, I truly appreciate when an author keeps me guessing after an epilogue. After reading this book, I can't wait for whatever Alysha's writing next. Her Soul for a Crown is promising, and striking. Plus the cover art? Beautiful.

Thank you so much Sourcebooks Casablanca for the digital arc and for the lovely interactions on social media!!

I can't wait to put the physical copy on my shelf!
I loved the book, the slow burn is slow burning, the lore is loring!

I like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for giving me a read.

When it comes to this book, I found it... boring. I had read books similar. I also didn't quite grasp the magic aspect. I think I did by the end, but what I took away from this is:

There was no evil demon, just someone tagged as one. In the end, he simped for her pretty hard and fast.

Yearning is so back!!!

From the first few chapters, I was HOOKED. Slow burn romantasy inspired by Sri Lankan mythology?? Yes please and thank you! This book has everything you could ever need - forced proximity, tethered bonds between enemies who obviouslyyyy turn to lovers, rich worldbuilding that’s not too confusing or info-dumpy, delicious banter, found family elements, a rage filled fmc, revenge, lovable side characters (Calu’s witty one liners got me giggling!) and so much more!!

I really loved the FMC, Anula, and her whole character arc. Watching her grow from rage-fuelled, tunnel-visioned revenge to realising she needed to fight for her people, and actually let herself love and care for others (and herself!) was just so satisfying. She’s forced to question everything she thought she knew about the gods and divinities and the way she relearns and rebuilds her beliefs made her journey so captivating. Even after everything she's been through, she still chooses strength and hope and determination, and I just loved her so much, and she reminded me of my girl Aelin! And after reading the author's note at the end and finding out Anula was inspired by the first queen of Sri Lanka made the whole story feel even more fascinating.

I love a book that has some in real life mythical backing in it, so the summary definitely caught my eye.

I love a strong FMC but Anula did piss me off at some points with her entitlement. But seeing her character grow thought the book did make me eventually fall in poverty with her.

I grew to love Reeri and the Yakkas and the growth they had as well.

Terri’s yearning as he wanted to get to know Anula while in his situation was just so heart wrenching.

It was good read - give it a 4/5!

4.5⭐

Thank you so much to Alysha Rameera and Source Books Casablanca for the ARC.

𝐇𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐂𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐧 is an epic, slow-burn romantasy inspired by Sri Lankan mythology follows a fierce orphaned young woman with an affinity for poisons and revenge who would do anything to end the reign of heartless rajas—even sell her soul to the most dangerous cursed god of all—the Blood Yakka, Reeri.

This book swept me off my feet the second the book started. The decadent prose and feminine rage was present all throughout the book, not missing a beat with the rage and anger emerging from Anula, the FMC.

The relationship between Anula and Reeri is so well done. The author added a unique twist to the forced proximity trope. The banter and tension between them was messy for them but the way their emotional intelligence in dark times together was a compelling dynamic. Not to forget the yearning, which was absolutely immaculate between them. The romance stemmed so organically that it became compelling to read about both of them.

𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐢, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐘𝐚𝐤𝐤𝐚 is the male lead and is based on the Sinhalese folklore of the demon Reeri Yakseya, believed to be one of the most cruel and powerful demons. In HSfaC, his character is different. He's more empathetic and we see a more different side to him. He's a very well-written and mature male lead, whose behaviour and actions are layered and flawed, haunted by the mistakes of his past and full of heart to right his wrong. He loves his people a lot and he yearns to be so much better. He punishes and blames himself for all the pain caused because of him, which makes him feel so much real. He yearns and loves Anula so much that he becomes so pathetically in love with her, changing his perspective of her and ready to sacrifice himself for her.


𝐀𝐧𝐮𝐥𝐚, the female lead, was based on the Queen Anula of Anuradhapura, who was the first queen-regeant in Sri Lankan history. The Queen in the mythology was said to have married six times and during her five year reign, she poisoned her way through four husbands, causing her to rule on her own. This version of Anula in HSfaC is very different yet similar. Anula in pretense was married multiple times here and she's a poison master. She yearns to claim the throne and crown, the change the patriarchal kingdom and to give equality to women. She wants to bring change to her people and exact revenge for all the wrongs done to her and her origin village. She's cunning, cruel, determined, arrogant and brave, not stopping until she succeeds. She's also fierce and stubborn, standing for what is right. Her dearly interactions with Reeri were stubborn but her reasoning was always valid She never betrayed the values she learnt and her unwavering loyalty to her people, even at her lowest, shapes her to be a powerful and empowering female lead. Her growth over the span of the book made it feel honest and well deserved.

The world-building was amazingly intricate and phenomenal. Rameera derives her world-building from Sri Lankan Mythology and Sinhalese Folklore, with subtle references from the original lore. Most, if not all, characters have been a significant figure in the Sinhalese folklore and the author gave them a new and unique side, a new story to them. The political intrigue was so vivid and the religious intrigue was nothing less but vivid. The rollercoaster of emotions I felt when there were betrayals, sacrifice and bloodshed is incomprehensible. The revenge plots were so deeply planned yet faltered, but they still found a plan within the chaos. The emotionally attached stakes were really high, which made me sob at times. The plot lines were immersive and the foreshadowing for them was very subtle but made so much sense when revealed. The decadent and purple prose was very Immersive and made me feel more engaged to the storyline.

The platonic relationships and bonds between Reeri and his siblings were heartwarming. It was essentially a standout for me to read about. The side characters were well developed, some I still loathe and some are very memorable.

Overall, I loved this novel so much! If there would ever be another novel set in this universe, I would love to read it! This is a romantasy filled with forced proximity, slow burn, yearning, platonic bonds, betrayals and sacrifices, perfect for readers of Sarah J Maas, Scarlett St. Clair, and Tasha Suri's The Jasmine Throne.

Alysha Rameera has come up with a very fast paced, slow-burn fantasy romance based on Siri Lankan mythology. I enjoyed it quite a lot. Not a single page was boring for me, which is very rare for me these days.

The author has brilliantly portrayed forced proximity that I fully enjoyed and cracked up when the 'blessed gift' made commentary on the situations and provided unsolicited advices to the MLs. I mean it surely added funny flavour to the plot.

Anula, OMG, she was such a strong character. I have no words for how much I liked her. She went through the worst and still it didn't turn her into a villain. That says a lot about how beautiful her soul was. A lot of people just become stone after going through so much. How about we meet up some day, Anula? I could use your advice or two. LOL.
BtW, her character arc was the strongest and the best.

Reeri, my heart broke for him too, so many times. Like come on, cut him some slack, would you?
That Katadiya character made me furious on so many occasions. If I were the FMC there, I wouldn't have been so generous on giving her so many chances. or may be I would have?

Reading the author's notes about the mythology and the liberties she took here and there, I was awed. I mean it all started with 'what ifs', didn't it?
To sum it up, I ate it up. Loved it.

This book completely swept me off my feet. What a ride! I’m honestly still reeling from how much I adored it. From the intense romance to the rich worldbuilding and the unforgettable characters, this story had everything I could want in a fantasy novel. (Warning: very long review. I needed to convey how much I loved it!)

Let’s start with the romance: Anula and Reeri’s relationship was chef’s kiss. The tension, the banter, the emotional highs and lows—it was all so deliciously messy and compelling. Their dynamic brought a great mix of heat and humor, especially in the midst of darker, more intense moments. I'm a huge fan of forced proximity and hate-to-love, and this book delivered those tropes so well. The soul-tether between them added so much depth and urgency, it amplified everything they felt and made every interaction crackle. And the yearning! The YEARNING!! Absolutely immaculate!

Reeri, the male lead, was hands down one of my favorite parts of the novel. I’m a sucker for a well-written romantic lead, and he checked all the boxes: layered, flawed, haunted by past mistakes, and yet still full of heart. His love for his people, his yearning to do better, and the pain he carries made him feel so real. I just wanted him and his fellow Yakkas to be happy.
Anula, our fierce and brilliant heroine, won me over immediately. She’s strong and stubborn, with a mind as sharp as her tongue. While she did frustrate me at times, especially in her early interactions with Reeri, her reasoning was always valid, and her growth over the story felt honest and earned. She never betrayed her values, and that unwavering loyalty to her people made her incredibly compelling.

The worldbuilding was nothing short of phenomenal. The culture, the lore of the gods and divinities, the blessed gifts, the politics and power dynamics, it all felt so organic and vivid. Nothing was dumped or forced; the information was revealed naturally through the story, and I never once felt lost or overwhelmed. The author clearly put a ton of thought and care into crafting this world, and it paid off beautifully.

Plot-wise, this was a rollercoaster: betrayal, bloodshed, revenge, love, magic—it kept me on my toes the whole time. There was never a dull moment; even the quieter scenes were steeped in tension and anticipation, making every turn in the story feel significant. The emotional and action-packed stakes of the plot kept me completely invested, and I couldn’t put it down. It was impossible to predict where the story would go next, and that’s part of what made it so exciting! The unpredictable twists and turns kept me fully engaged.

And let’s not forget the relationships beyond the romance. Reeri’s bond with his siblings, especially Calu, who was a standout for me, was so heartwarming and fun. Calu's sunny mischief was the perfect foil to Reeri’s gruff seriousness, and their brotherly bond added so much emotional texture to the story. The side characters were all memorable, with some I loved, some I hated, and some I was surprisingly conflicted about. Everyone had depth, and no one felt like filler. Even minor characters had moments that mattered.

The writing in this book is absolutely captivating! From the very first page, the author’s unique voice pulls you in, wrapping you in a world of vivid descriptions and sharp, evocative language. The way the author uses words to build atmosphere—whether it’s the tense silence before a battle, the warmth of an intimate moment, or the eerie hum of ancient magic—is nothing short of magical. I was immediately immersed in the rich, textured world where every detail felt purposeful and alive. There was so much foreshadowing! So many details that make so much sense after finishing this novel.
One thing that stood out to me was the author’s use of archaic language like “betwixt” and “mayhaps.” While these words are rare in modern conversation, they fit perfectly in the context of the world the author has crafted. It’s as if she chose to bring this story to life in a language that felt both timeless and deliberate, creating an old-world charm that makes the reading experience feel like stepping into another era. The choice wasn’t just for fun—it added weight and depth to the story.
Simply put, the author’s writing is exceptional. It’s eloquent without being overbearing, rich without drowning in unnecessary detail, and perfectly attuned to the emotional rhythm of the story. It’s the kind of writing that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page.

And that author note at the end? Such a wonderful surprise. I had no idea Anula was inspired by a real historic figure, the first queen of Sri Lanka who was remembered mainly as the woman who poisoned six husbands to get the throne, while her male predecessor’s crimes were overlooked. This book obviously isn’t meant to be historically accurate, but knowing that made it even more powerful. You can tell how much research and heart went into this story. The author did a phenomenal job!

This book deserves so much hype. It’s one of the best fantasy novels I’ve read in a while, and I’ll be shouting about it for a long time! I’d recommend this book to readers who want to be swept into a world of gods, divine realms, and rich mythology; who love powerful magic, a fiery romance full of longing, and heroines and heroes who fight for more than just survival—they fight for who they are.

Alysha Rameera’s debut is the kind of book that sinks into your bones and absolutely wrecks your sleep schedule. The tension is unreal. The yearning is absolute agony in the best way. Steeped in Sri Lankan-inspired mythology, Her Soul for a Crown delivers everything you want: forced proximity, an enemies-to-lovers dynamic so sharp it hurts, poisoned jewelry, and a world that is as deadly as it is magical.

I had heard whispers about this debut and was so excited. Within the first few paragraphs, I knew this was something special. It was genuinely refreshing to read a fantasy book so unlike anything else out there.

Anula and Reeri are everything. They are bound by magic, tangled in revenge, and drawn to each other whether they like it or not. I devoured this book, and honestly, I’m mad I can’t experience it for the first time again.

If you love slow-burn tension, rich mythology, and a romance that makes you a little feral, this one is for you.

Wow wow wow this is going to be a hit! I had to leave a review here because I hope others will jump on the chance to read this. When you read a lot of fantasy books, they sometimes start to all feel the same. Her Soul For. Crown is different, beautifully-written, and has memorable characters. I loved diving into this mythology; it was all new to me, but the author does a great job with storytelling and I didn’t feel lost. I can’t wait for my fantasy and mythology loving friends to get their hands on this book. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read in advance!

When I read the backstory of how Alysha Rameera decided to write this novel, I knew it was important for this time.

Her astute observation of a Sri Lankan historical figure being chastised for coming into power in a ruthless way highlighted that if this figure had been male, he would have been feared if not respected but being female, Anula of Anuradhapura is villainized.

Rameera also mentioned that she thought that the gods/demons in Sri Lankan culture should also be revisited as those that are in power often tell the story and perhaps the motivations for demons that are cruelest should be explored as well.

Now, the stage is set for a richly textured tale with political intrigue, fantasy, romance and more in Her Soul for A Crown where we follow Anula on her quest for power to thwart the current raja and serve her people justly and Reeri, a cursed god, who wants to restore his kind as they make a bargain with each other to upend the world as we know it.

In a time where we are seeing Romantasy books being churned out before the trend ends, this novel is worth the purchase as it brings to light a story that otherwise has not been in the mainstream of storytelling and can support this author who no doubt has curiosity about many more topics I can't wait to be enlightened about.