Oh man, I’m so bummed about this one.
I devoured Book 1!!!! it had me hooked from start to finish. But with this sequel, I found myself skimming just to get to the ending.... The momentum really slowed down for me and I’m not even sure why exactly???

There were just so many names, nicknames, worlds, and powers to keep up with
it felt overwhelming at times. I kept feeling confused and a little lost, which made it hard to stay connected. the characters didn’t quite pull me in the same way.

I still love this world and these characters, and I think the story as a whole is worth reading.
But for me Book 2 didn’t hit with the same magic as Book 1

✦ 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙀𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙌𝙪𝙚𝙚𝙣 ✦
by LJ Andrews

Book 2 ✦ The Ever Seas
452 pages

Publication date: The Ever Queen is re-releasing in hardcover with bonus content on 𝘚𝘦𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝟣𝟨𝘵𝘩, 𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟧.
eARC: @netgalley

𝘋𝘶𝘢𝘭 𝘗𝘖𝘝
𝘛𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘦 🔥
𝘗𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘴, 𝘧𝘢𝘦, 𝘦𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘯
𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦
𝘍𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘢𝘮𝘪𝘭𝘺
𝘉𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘣𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘴
𝘊𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 & 𝘋𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘮𝘢𝘨𝘪𝘤

Perfect ending for Erik Bloodsinger, the Ever King, and Livia Ferus, the Ever Queen. 🖤

I love the series recap at the beginning of the book because book 2 picks up where book 1 left off and doesn’t lose steam. The first half is Livia trying to escape the clutches of Larsson, Erik’s older brother. Then in the second half, there is a major battle against Larsson and Fione. Unlikely alliances were made and the bonding between King Valen and the Ever King was golden. A great cast of characters. Some of my favorites are Sewell, Jonas, Gavyn, and little Rorik.

Erik Bloodsinger is the definition of morally grey and I ate it up. Livia is truly the light to his darkness. I love their connection, the nicknames, and the romance/spice. Perfect.

“𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘶𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴.”

I loved the bonus chapter at the end of this book with the vows and thought that it was a great addition to the story. Also, I love the set up for book 3, The Mist Thief. I'm excited to see what happens with Jonas (the nightmare prince) and Skadi. 🖤

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group | Ace and @netgalley for the opportunity to preview the new traditional version of The Ever Queen. Now I’m ready for Jonas & Skadi in The Mist Thief!
Rating: 4.5/5

"Livia Earthmender, the queen of kings!" 🥹

The middle of this one lagged a bit. I do realize that Eric and Livia deserved their reunion, though. I was happy they got that! I was just impatient, ready to get into the action.

Towards the end was one of the most epic, fearsome clashes of forces I've ever read. The writing was so descriptive; I saw each and every moment that was described in my head in detail! As someone who has trouble visualizing, this was amazing. The world of the sea fae is unique in every way, with the use of their singing/voice as power and the sea witches with their herbs and spells.

The plot twist and redemption arc with Naza was something I wasn't ready for. She is an important, complex character that unexpectedly grew on me.  Her ability to admit she did wrong was refreshing. Livia's parents were caring, loving, and understanding. I think they healed Eric in all the ways he deserved as a boy. 🥰 This was a wonderful conclusion to their story. I'll definitely be reading book 3.

It took me a while to finally get around to reading this book as I read The Ever King last year. I’m glad I finally did though because I really enjoyed it!

It was fun to see Erik and Livia find their way back to one another again. I love the side characters in this series too, they really make it for me.

My only issue was how long it took for the main characters to be together again but once they did, it was magic!

This picks up right where the Ever King left off, and I think if you enjoyed The Ever King, you won't be disappointed by this sequel. Like the rest of the books in this world, this is a duet within a larger world, so the next book will not be about the same two main characters but will continue their story as well as the non-romance plot lines.

The best parts of this book: definitely the POV chapters from Erik, the MMC. This had a lot of plot come together outside of the main couple, and ultimately had a satisfying resolution. I appreciated the additional worldbuilding on top of the first book, as well as the character development between Erik and Livia.

After The Ever King completely wrecked me in the best way, I had sky-high expectations for The Ever Queen and let me tell you, LJ Andrews didn’t just meet them, she obliterated them. This sequel was everything I could’ve hoped for and somehow so much more. The world-building? Next level. I didn’t even realize there was more to explore in The Ever, but LJ took us deeper than ever, and I loved every second of it. The expansion of the lore, the magic, the stakes was immersive in a way that had me glued to every chapter.

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to preview the new Traditional version. I love the series recap at the beginning of the book letting you know everything you need to know from The Ever King. I love the character glossary and glossary at the end of the book and the bonus chapters.

“What do you not understand? I care nothing for my life if she is not in it!”

After ending The Ever King on cliffhanger - The Ever Queen is filled with suspense and adventure!

We get to meet Livvy’s family and adding them into the story I couldn’t love the story more!!

Spoiler:

The cousins breaking Erik out of prison to rescue Livvy was one of my favorite parts!! They brought humor and undying loyalty and taught Erik what it was to be loved and treasured by family.

“I have no plans of spending less than a thousand turns with you at my side. Until I’m hunched and my skin is sagging off my bones.”

Everything out of Erik’s mouth towards Livvy is fire!

I can’t say this enough - listen to the audio on this one. The readers make the story even more compelling.

Romance content: 4+ open door scenes.

The Ever Queen is the second book in The Ever Seas series by LJ Andrews and this one picks up right where the first book left off. I fell in love with the first book, The Ever King and while I thoroughly enjoyed this book as well I didn't like it quite as much. This story is fast paced, the character progression is wonderful and the worldbuilding is just as good as the first book, if not better. I really loved Erik's POV chapters in this book and I liked seeing him form relationships with Livia's family. The spicy scenes are well done and I would be remiss not to mention the throne scene because nothing is better than a throne scene imo. I love Erik's willingness to do literally anything to get back to Livia and protect her at all costs. He is truly King material and the fact that he treats Livia as a true Queen is the cherry on top.

I do plan to continue this series despite future books not being about Erik and Livia because I feel like the author has a wonderful world here and there is definitely more story to be told.
4.5 stars rounding down to 4 but this book is wonderful and I was really pleased with the outcome which isn't always the case with a second book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Romantasy • Dual POV
Pirates, fae, sirens
Spice • Found family

This is book two in The Ever Seas series and picks up right where The Ever King left off.
There’s more pirates, adventure, and revenge.
The Ever Queen felt even more romance-heavy to me than the first book with so many emotional moments. The way we see certain people come together and accept each other is heartwarming. I was smiling while reading over and over 🖤 The devotion in these books is like no other!
Erik and Livia are officially one of my favorite fantasy couples ever. They have a perfect dynamic - I love seeing Livia embrace her dark side and Erik be more open to the light in himself.

“𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘶𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘬𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘴.”

📖Thank you NetGalley and Berkley for my eARC
The Ever Queen is re-releasing in hardcover with bonus content on September 16th

I absolutely loved this book. The more I love a book the harder I find the reviews to write so please bare with me.

This series has cemented itself as one of my all time favourites! Normally I am not a fan of the couple being separated for any length of time but watching Erik having to convince the earth fae to help him and build bonds (even reluctantly) was just perfect.

The little call backs to the broken kingdom series from Valen were so well done, you wouldn't feel like you needed to have read the original series but for those lf us that have it is such a nice addition

I will be thinking of Erik and Livia for long time yet I can tell. LJ Andrews seems to improve with each book even when I don't think that it would be possible!

I love the set up for the next book as well and I'm excited to see what happens with Jonas!

The bonus chapter at the end with the vows was absolutely wonderful and I am so glad it has been added to the new trad version of this story

My fav fictional couple, this was everything I needed and wanted it to be and more, the writing is beautiful and addictive, I can never simply put an L J Andrew's book down!

“To those whose souls exit their bodies when the villain whispers, “hello, love…”

I could not put this book down. I am forever an Erik Bloodsinger girlie. This man is the blueprint of the morally black MMC, he is the epitome of everything I love in a male main character: morally grey, fearsome, barbed, loyal to the bone, and deeply unaware of his own worth. Like??? Sir. You are the storm and the anchor to the ship that holds my heart. I would follow you into the Ever Sea, no questions asked (even though I do get sea sick).

This sequel was epic in every way. Action-packed, emotionally wrecking, and so, so satisfying. The time Erik and Livia spend apart? Handled so well. There was no lag, no loss of emotional weight. The tension stayed burning, and when they finally reunited? I screamed (and maybe cried a little).

Livia’s journey in this book is a triumph. She’s strong, ruthless, but still soft in the ways that matter. Watching her grow into her power, and choose Erik again and again, was such a payoff after all they’ve been through. These two are soulmates, and their love felt fated and feral in the best way.

Also? The fantasy of it all. Bone crowns. Sea battles. Fae magic. Sirens. Pirates. Witches. Elves. Earth and Sea Courts. It’s rich and cinematic and addicting. The world LJ has built is dripping with magic and danger and romance, and I never wanted to leave. Its honestly Pirate of the Carribean but make it a dark romantasy.

Quotes I loved:
“I will do every wrong and wicked thing if it brings her back.”
“I would follow your darkness, every ugly truth, across the skies and seas.”
“There is no line, no sea, no sky I would not cross for you.”

SOMEONE HOLD ME. This book was everything I wanted in a romantasy finale and more. Will book 3 every compare?! Stay tuned as I am picking that up next.

Tropes & Vibes:
⚔️ Captor to captive to lovers

an absolute masterpiece! erik & livia are one of my favorite book couples forever! lj andrew’s’ writing is so addictive & i can’t wait to continue this series!

It’s no surprise that I’m back here to tell you all about how much I love this duology. Erik Bloodsinger knows how to PINE. I thought he was down bad in book one but LJ literally said hold my beer, rolled up her sleeves, and proceeded to write an entire book filled with devotion. Without giving anything away, I love how this book also set up the future stories while still giving Erik and Livia their beautiful arc.

So I just finished Erik & Livia's duology and I am not okay...I need more of them. These books have a special place in my heart, I loved every second of reading them. I haven't read a book or series in a while that kept me as intrigued as this series has! If I could give this book 6 stars, I would!

The plot in this, the found family, the romance & spice, the characters- everything in this book made me fall in love over and over. The world building is amazing and you can picture literally every detail written! I absolutely adored getting to know Celine, Jonas, Mira, Tait, everyone on the crew and the side characters more, every character in this book made the story and the banter was amazing between them all- like I haven't laughed so hard!
But this one also gave me alllll the feels, especially the first half of the book, my Gods- I was a wreck
Also, the action in this never stopped, I was on the edge of my seat numerous times, but that final battle scene & the fights were so well done.

Now, onto Erik & Livia- my new book bf and gf, they have a place in my heart forever. Erik- the man that you are, the way he speaks, the way he fights for Livia, for his crew, his friends, he is everything!
And Livia, she's such a badass, I loved watching her grow into her role in this one, her strength, the way she never gives up, she really showed her fierce side and I fell in love even more with her.
I can't get enough of this series & I am stoked to read about Jonas & Skadi in the Mist Thief next!

If you haven't read these books, please do, I 100% recommend them- 5 stars for both! They were amazing & LJ really knows how to capture your heart with her writing

4.5 ⭐️

This duology is just so damn good.

We pick up where we left Livia being taken by a surprising traitor, and Erik on the rampage to find her. I love that he put his pride aside to go to the fae isles to her family and friends and beg for help - seeing them all interacting was perfection. I also loved seeing the new gen going rogue and escaping with Erik! Watching them all work together with some more familiar faces later on top tier - and seeing Erik start to create bonds with Livia's family was icing on the cake.

Also, Jonas' book is next and I'm loving the set up we have for it!!

A solid, fun romantasy! Nothing breaks the mold here... It’s the same story you’ve read countless of times, but this one is on the stronger end of the spectrum for me. I had so much fun reading it, particularly in the first 2/3rds.

I loved the world of the Ever King! L.J. Andrews created a really cool universe with unique magic that follows rules/structure. Plus, I thought she built the world without too much info dumping, which is always an impressive feat.

I loved her side characters! I had no problem remembering who was who even though there were probably 10+ supporting players. Each one was super unique and I look forward to learning more about them in book two.

I enjoyed Erik and Livia’s relationship and thought it evolved naturally (but also predicatively). Erik was such a fun “villain” in the beginning of the story. Dude has got charisma! I’m a sucker for a morally grey MMC who is obsessed but not controlling!

I really enjoyed reading the Ever King and plan to dive into book two very soon. I gasped when I turned the page and saw it was the acknowledgments. That cliff hanger!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for my free advanced reader copy.

LJ you outdid yourself with Ever Queen. The book was just a thrill ride. I mean the action and battles was just amazing and kept me on my toes so to speak. And Sewall I was balling during that scene and was happy it worked out. I really liked that Livia got her own Ever Name that was so cool. The whole book was BREATHTAKING. I also love the extras in this version.

This book is a blood-soaked love letter to vengeance, Norse mythology, and the kind of fated obsession that burns kingdoms down. The Ever Queen picks up where The Ever King left us gasping, and doubles down on the pain, passion, and absolutely feral devotion between a monster king and the queen who refuses to be anyone’s pawn. If you like your romantasy with Viking vibes, knife-to-throat confessions, and enemies dying for touching her, you’re not ready for this book, but read it anyway.

This duet was everything and more! I absolutely loved these books. The pacing I found to be really good overall of course there was some slow parts but I really didn’t mind them. Every single character throughout this book was just amazing and they brought so much to the story!

Erik and Livia have my heart I love them together so much. I love how accepting and open armed everyone was for Erik and the same for Livia in the ever it was so heartwarming and emotional.

I really liked that all of the heirs joined together to fight for Livia and help Erik it was just really nice to see everyone get together for the same person they love and slowly start to understand one another and become friends/family.

And let me tell you I am sooooo excited for the next book with Jonas because I have a feeling that book is going to be so good!! Also I need a book for Mira and her love interest and a book for Celine my absolute favorite side character!!