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2.5 stars

this was a bit of let down as a sequel. I really enjoyed the first 30-40% but after that I felt like the characters were too sappy for me. I also just felt like a shift in Erik's personality too which is a shame. The fantasy plot just lost me a bit too unfortunately:(

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Okay, this book was so much better than The Ever King. Like, I liked book one well enough, but The Ever Queen had me hooked from chapter one. Livia fully steps into her power and I was HERE for it. She’s no longer just reacting—she’s choosing, commanding, and making the kind of messy, bold moves I wanted from her in the first book.

And Erik?? Way more depth. Still broody, still dangerous, but we finally see what’s under all that armor, and it works. The tension between them is so much more earned now. I was actually rooting for them this time instead of just waiting for something to happen.

Also, the pacing is way better. Less wandering, more action, and the emotional beats actually hit. There were moments I had to stop reading just to take it all in (and maybe scream into a pillow).

If book one felt like setup, The Ever Queen is the payoff. Magic, betrayal, longing, big reveals... the last few chapters had me glued to the page and that ending??? I need book three like yesterday.

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The world expanded so much in this book two for me. I enjoyed it and the more time we got to spend with side characters. I enjoyed where the plot on and I'm excited to go into the next.

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I am still reeling from this book. Every chapter left me on the edge of my seat demanding resolution, desperate for more. The thing I love the most about these books . . . Well beside Eric Bloodsinger and his villainous ways . . . Is the world that L.J. Andrews creates and the importance of each characters story in the rich tapestry of that world. Can you read The Ever Seas series on its own - yes. Is it even better when you’ve read the rest of The Broken Kingdoms series - undoubtedly.

Highlights:
✨Morally Grey MMC
✨Feisty FMC - with a lovely soft side
✨Pirates
✨Found Family
✨Suspense
✨Supporting Cast Ensemble

Favorite Quote: “To me, you will always be the most beautiful of monsters. “

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

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The second book in the Ever Seas series, the Ever Queen continues to follow Erik and Livia in their bid to save the Ever and make their way back to one another. It’s full of adventure, treachery, and magic. I absolutely loved being reunited with the Night Folk and Alvers when they joined forces with the Ever Crew to rescue Livia. (Those Eriksson boys are an absolute delight!) The fae and their disappearing island were fascinating, and I couldn’t wait to see what part they will play. I truly couldn’t put it down, and can’t wait for more from the Ever.

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This book picked up right where the first book left off: with excitement and tension! You’re thrown right into the plot, and it sucks you in from the get-go. Erik and Livia both experience so much pain and so many hardships right off the bat. I was invested in the continuation of their story right away.

One of the things I loved about this book is that we really get to know the earth fae more. Livia’s childhood friends play a much bigger role in this book, and it was impossible not to fall in love with all of them. I loved seeing Livia’s and Erik’s loved ones coexist in order to get her back home. It scratched an itch I didn’t know I needed scratched!

I do think that the plot of this book in the middle kind of plateaued a little bit. The initial problem in this book felt like it was resolved really quickly, and then we were hit with a lot of spice for a good chunk of pages. I can see why a lot of people would like that, but as someone who is more invested in plot than spice, it started to fall a bit flat for me.

But it did quickly pick back up! The last 30% or so of this book was wild, and I loved every minute of it! It was the magical pirate battle of my dreams, and I loved every second of it!

I can’t believe that Livia and Erik’s story is pretty much wrapped (or it feels that way), but man, do I love these characters. I cannot wait to continue reading about this world and I am so stoked to read Jonas’s story👀

All in all, giving this one 4.5⭐️s!

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Love this series so much! The political intrigue makes for such an engaging read. I love that this series is exciting and keeps me guessing. The world has such depth and so do all of the characters. I love the pirate element of this series and how it is crafted by the author. Perfect for fans of Romantasy, dark themes in Romantasy, high stakes fantasy, spice, and morally grey fae.
Plus all the ‘touch her and ☠️’ fans will fall for this MMC

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I absolutely adore Erik and Livia's story.

The Ever Queen brings their story to the perfect conclusion.

This book is a non stop page turner filled with action. From an emotional rescue to epic battles, I never wanted to set it down.

I am grateful to Berkley and Netgalley for the arc. I offer my opinion freely and I was blown away by the bonus content.

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I had high hopes for The Ever Queen after loving The Ever King, and while it didn’t quite hit the same mark for me, there’s still a lot to appreciate. The first third was fantastic! It was fast-paced, had high stakes, and was full of pirate-adventure energy. I don’t usually enjoy the “main characters separated” trope, but it mostly worked here, and I loved seeing Erik team up with Livia’s family. The side characters really got a chance to shine, and the world expanded in interesting ways. My one negative of them being apart was that it was soooo long so I sort of got bored of it.

After Livia’s rescue, the pacing slowed, and the story started to feel a bit repetitive. Some of the emotional moments leaned a little too heavily into melodrama, and Erik’s softer side, while sweet, it sometimes felt slightly overdone. I also found the magic system a bit confusing and wished for more balance between the romance and fantasy elements.

That said, there’s still so much to love! It had great found family themes, sizzling chemistry, and some standout moments of emotional growth. Erik’s arc was especially moving, and the final battle was vivid and cinematic. While I didn’t love this as much as book one, it still offered a satisfying conclusion for these characters, and I’m excited to see where the spin-off takes us next.

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Wow....Just wow. I'm so glad I had a chance to read this ARC right after I read The Ever King for the first time. I really loved these books and I can't wait to read more from LJ Andrews.

Just like I said in my review in The Ever King, the writing continues to be stellar. Top notch writing. This book starts right off where The Ever King leaves you. Livia is taken and Erik has to get her back. I love that he puts away his pride, he goes to her family for help, and the land gang comes to The Ever to raise all sorts of chaos. The found family trope is really strong in this book, and not just because of Livia's friends, but also Erik truly finds his place with everyone, and I loved watching that develop. There were a lot of fun surprises and it really couldn't have turned out better in my opinion. I can't wait to read the next book with Jonas and see where his story goes!

Also, you HAVE TO go sign up for LJ Andrews' newsletter so you can get the bonus epilogue. IT IS EVERYTHING and you won't regret it! I already know these two books are going to be in my top reads for the year, and it's January.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

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Dr. Smut's Checklist Book Review: The Ever Queen (re-release)
1. Trigger Warnings: 0.75/1
You know I live for a good trigger warning, and The Ever King delivered when he literally made her a necklace out of her enemies. Iconic. I won’t spoil what happens in The Ever Queen, but let’s just say… the man upgrades his gift-giving, and yes, I swooned. Bloodsinger can make me a DIY murder trinket any day.
That said, after how The Ever King ended, I was bracing for things to get even darker. It was still savage, but I wanted just a bit more bite.
Thats why it’s getting 0.75 out of 1 for trigger warnings.
2. Characters: 1/1
Bloodsinger has my entire heart. The yearning, the obsession, the way he’d burn his entire kingdom to ash just to get her back. He is the living, breathing definition of “touch her and die.” Swoon.
And Livia is absolutely not a damsel. She fights just as fiercely to return to her king. Their bond is equal parts brutal and beautiful.
Also? The enemy kings putting aside their hatred to save the woman they both love and uniting entire peoples in the process? We love to see it. The growth. The redemption. The found family vibes. I ate it up.
Full point for characters. No doubt.
3. Plot: 1/1
This plot had everything: gut-wrenching desperation, high-stakes action, joyful reunions, and the kind of revenge that makes your soul sigh with satisfaction.
The world of the Ever Seas is lush and vivid, and the added layer of political intrigue this time around? Chef’s kiss. It elevated the tension in all the right ways.
And let’s not forget Livia’s besties because they came out SWINGING for her and we love to see it.
Full point for plot.
4. Smut: 0.25/1
Listen, the smut we did get? Solid. Tension-filled. Decadent. But compared to the absolute yearning and hunger we got in The Ever King? This one felt a little too restrained for my taste.
I was hoping for unhinged, obsessive, gods-are-watching-and-we-don’t-care levels of spice. Instead, we got a lighter pour. Still good, just not unholy. And I was ready for unholy.
Thats why its only getting 0.25 for smut.
5. Fun-to-read: 1/1
The plot was captivating. The magical world was so rich and enchanting. The character arcs and development were heartwarming to watch unfold. Every element worked together to create a story that was so beautiful and fun to read!
Full point for fun to read!

OVERALL: that is 4 out of 5 stars and I am going to give it one chili pepper for the spice because I wanted more and I wanted it to be more feral. It had undying devotion. Political betrayal. Kings uniting to save one queen. I devoured it.
This edition re-releases on September 16 in hardback form with all new bonus material! Preorder it now if you love morally grey pirate fae kings, fated mates, magical worlds, and men who’d burn kingdoms for their girl.

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The conclusion to Erik and Livia's love story, The Ever Queen, provides nonstop action as they find there way back to each other after Book #1 cliffhanger. While a bit heavier on the world building, we find two sides coming together to form the perfect harmony between the worlds.

The Songbird and The Serpent love and devotion is perfection!

And book #3, a standalone, featuring Jonas, I am here for it!!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group | Ace

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3.5 stars rounded up. I can’t pinpoint exactly what didn’t work, but it seems our MCs fell into the same trap other sequels do where their entire personality seems to be their relationship or fighting for each other. I LOVED getting to know more of the Earth fae and seeing the friendships form. Meeting more side characters hyped me for The Mist Thief, and thankfully it’s a new couple focus.

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Hello loves! Prepare to set sail on a voyage unlike any other with L.J. Andrews’ rerelease of The Ever Queen. If you seek a tale that sweeps you away on a strong current of magic and emotion, this book is a compass pointing to adventure.
Andrews is a true master of the charts, crafting a world so vivid you can almost feel the spray of the ocean. Her ability to create heartfelt characters ensures that every person you meet aboard this ship feels real and necessary. Having read The Ever Queen before, I can confirm that this rerelease is a journey that feels brand new, eliciting raw, fantastic emotions as if I were navigating these waters for the very first time.

This book is a powerful exploration of the human heart, confronting storms with remarkable sincerity. The moment Erik says, "King, please. She needs me to find her; she…she needs me to remind her to breathe," I felt that anxiety deep in my soul. As someone who has faced similar struggles, that line served as an anchor in a tempest, reminding me of the profound connection found in moments of vulnerability.
The character growth in this saga is transformative. Watching how Stieg felt about Erik and Erik's reaction was a tear-inducing, truly heartfelt revelation. Their emotional journey is beautifully rendered, demonstrating a bond forged on the high seas of mutual respect and deep loyalty.

The Ever Queen is a bustling harbor of unique elements. It boasts a unique magic system that moves with the unpredictable force of the ocean tides. This is a story about found family—a crew of misfits united by circumstance and unwavering dedication. You'll find heart mates and the thrilling "touch her and die" intensity that protects those they cherish.
The narrative brings together an explosive cast—pirates, earth fae, sea witches, and elves—all colliding in one massive battle that ensures the voyage is anything but smooth sailing.
The bonus content included in this rerelease is a treasure map leading to pure gold. Prince Rory's conversation with Erik is a truly heartwarming tearjerker you don't want to miss.
If you are ready for a tale that delivers high-stakes adventure and a powerful emotional current, The Ever Queen is the thrilling journey you've been waiting for.
Get your copy with the new content in hard copy on 16 Sep 2025!
+++I have received this eARC in an exchange for an honest review+++

I want to thank @authorljandrews @netgalley @berkleypub and @acebookspub for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.

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Livia + Erik

-fantasy romance
-pirates
-enemies to lovers
-captor/captivee
-slow burn

Best time of my life! I stumbled by mistake upon The ever king and it was a very fortunate time for me because i was in the mood for a pirates book, but i had a lot of problems with the one i previously read before. NOT A SINGLE ONE DID WHAT THE EVER KING HAD DONE FOR ME IN A DAY, it is and probably will always be my favorite book with pirates. As for the ever queen, i was fortunate to receive an arc and i absolutely devoured it.
Livia has come such a long way from where we left her in the ever king and a loved to a badass queen in action. As for our ever king, i love me some man obsessed with his girl, and let me tell you Erik is that person, his fierce love for livia Is something a lot of people strive for, it really make you heart so whole when you read about them! Omg AND THE FOUND FAMILY PHEWWWW, they where something else it made my chest ache of how cute they were😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨🤭🤭 I could see some connections already and im so excited for them you wouldn’t believe what’s in store next but you’ll absolutely love it. AND THE SPICE top tier spice ahah

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I practically begged the gods for the eARC for this after reading a eARC of The Ever King a few months ago and somehow I was blessed and also thankfully not disappointed! There were tears that were cried, laughs and gasps that were had and I enjoyed pretty much every second of it! I really l loved so much about this book but I really enjoyed the conclusion to Livia’s and Erik’s triumphant love story! The tension from the cliffhanger from the first book had me devouring the first part of its sequel to see how it goes and let me just say, that I could only hope to have a great love like theirs. It truly knows no bounds.

What I’m really interested in is the very interesting conclusion 👀 and what it could mean for this fantastic world! I went into this not know there was going to be another story to be told but I can honestly say I’m SO happy that there is!

This book was action packed, had some spice, heartfelt moments and a whole lot of love! I definitely recommend this series!

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I really enjoyed the story overall but this book didn’t feel as rewarding as the first book. It hopped around a bit in terms of focus points and pacing. Still the series was a great duology and I still would recommend it to romantasy lovers. I definitely want to read more in this world too.

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I loved the first have and would have loved for it to be longer! The second have was good too, just personal preference.

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The Ever Queen
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I LOVED this book so much!!! Erik’s fight back to Livia. Livia’s fight to survive and some of our favorites from The Broken Kingdoms (Valen!!) back in the fight! And the bonus scenes!! Love getting more of these characters and more pieces of this amazing world!! Such an amazing story!

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The Ever Queen was everything I thought it would be and more! This book was the most perfect way to end the Ever Seas Duet. It truly has it all. Suspense, thrill, romance, fantasy…. Something to pull in every kind of reader. I absolutely devoured every single word & loved every single second of it. I already want to do a reread! The world-building, the characters, the romance… it was beautifully written & emotionally impactful. It’s one of those books that makes you feel everything, & I think that’s the marker of a truly wonderful book.

Livia is my QUEEN. I loved seeing her character development. She was always a strong character, but to see her really embrace her new role in this book was so inspiring & badass. She & Erik have such a strong love & connection to each other. I really loved the way you could feel how strong their love for each other was through the pages as you were reading. The found family was also so amazing - one of my favorite portrayals of found family I’ve ever read. I love the way all the characters interact with each other, & you can feel how strong their bonds to each other are. They protect and love each other fiercely, and it’s just such a beautiful group dynamic!

I cannot recommend this duet enough! I didn’t want this book to end, but at the same time I couldn’t put it down. I loved literally everything about it. There isn’t one single thing I would change!

I love this world that LJ Andrews has created with the Ever Kingdom & I seriously cannot wait to see what else she has in store for us with these characters!

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