Book Review: The Mist Thief by L.J. Andrews ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Fantasy Romance / Arranged Marriage / Found Family / Slow Burn / HEA

Skadi, a shadow elven assassin princess. Jonas, a powerful fae prince she once tried to kill. Now they're married. For politics, of course. 😏 But what starts as a cold alliance simmers into a fierce, emotional, and deliciously romantic connection.

L.J. Andrews delivers another hit in the Ever Seas series. Full of wit, longing, emotional scars, and swoony spice. Think: enemies-ish to lovers, banter, tension, trauma healing, and a found family of thieves and warriors you’ll want to protect with your life. 🗡️🖤

📖 While it can be read as a standalone, starting with The Ever King makes this story so much richer. Erik and Livia's journey builds the emotional groundwork for Skadi and Jonas—and trust me, it hits harder when you’ve seen the world evolve.

✨ Favorite quote:
“Be kind, be gentle, and be monstrous. I will want you every way.” 💀❤️

It is not a secret that The Ever Seas series has completely and utterly consumed my life for the past 2 months and let me tell you, The Mist Thief is everything. The magic that LJ Andrews has used writing her books-let me tell you I AM ABSOLUTELY HERE FOR IT. 👏🏼🔥

As I said, this book was everything. From the banter, to the spice, to character growth and the cinnamon roll delight of Jonas- 🥵🥵🫠, I couldn’t get enough. Skadi is an absolute fire of a character as well. I loved that we got to continue to interact with some of our favorite characters from The Ever King and Queen( Erik Bloodsinger anyone? 🏴‍☠️🖤🫠) and we can’t leave out the Alver King and Queen, talk about goals- I mean🫠🖤-

My favorite quote: “Be kind, be gentle, be monstrous. I will want you every way.”

If you love:
🖤 Morally grey cinnamon roll MMCs
🖤 Fae and Elves
🖤 Pirates and Vikings
🖤 Touch her and die vibes
🖤 Marriage of convenience
🖤 SPICEEE
🖤 “My Wife.”
Then this book and series is for YOU!

I’m telling you, you need to add this series to your TBR, move it up on your TBR and devour it. 🖤🏴‍☠️💀

We pick up right after the epilogue of The Ever Queen, where Jonas makes his move with a proposed political alliance involving Skadi—one that definitely ruffles some royal feathers. While it’s technically a standalone in the Ever Seas world, I highly recommend starting with The Ever King for the full emotional impact and layered backstory.
This book is an emotional roller coaster, following Skadi and Jonas as they navigate their fragile alliance, the pressure of two kingdoms, and what a marriage built on politics might grow into.

The banter between them is sharp and addictive, and the dual POV gives depth to both their struggles and desires. Jonas’s many declarations of love will absolutely make your heart melt, while Skadi's quiet strength and icy power ground the story beautifully. Seeing Malin and Kase pop up as chaotic in-laws adds humor and heart, and let’s not forget the perfectly placed karma and one glorious Erikkson family mess-around.

I also loved the Ever Seas recap—it’s super helpful—and the character art in the ebook was such a gorgeous touch

This may be my favorite in the series so far. Don't get me wrong, I love Erik and Livia's story. But I LOVE Jonas and Skadi.

The alver kingdom is 100% the best place for Skadi to come out of the shell she's been forced into and Jonas is the best cinnamon roll MMC with burnt edges.

Their affinity and mesmer blend together so well and makes them a perfect couple that should never be trifled with.

LJ Andrews has done it again. The Mist Thief is a phenomenal, 5-star read that will leave you with a book hangover until you can get your hands on her next release. This was my second time reading this book and it was just as captivating as the first time.
The story centers on Skadi, a dokkalfar elf with a powerful and dangerous affinity that has made her an outcast. To protect her people, she makes a vow with Jonas, an alver prince from the earth-fae realm. What follows is a beautifully dark romance where a nightmare prince and a woman full of fire find solace in each other, becoming each other's 'beautiful monsters.'
Andrews excels at building worlds you can get lost in, and characters you become completely invested in. The bonus content featuring Tait Heartwalker only deepened my anticipation for his and Mira's story in The Stolen Crown. The stoic mask Tait wears and the golden retriever energy Mira brings is sure to fall apart with their indifferent chemistry which is built on forced proximity and internal resistance. This is the type of slow burn that keeps you turning pages late into the night.
If you love dark fantasy romance with incredible world-building, you need to read The Mist Thief (and the entire Ever Seas series). The rerelease of the hard copy of The Mist Thief is on October 14, 2025, and The Stolen Crown is coming in 2026.
A note on triggers: This book contains scenes of torture, abuse, manipulation, self-harm, explicit sex, violence, grief, and misogyny. Please check for a full list of trigger warnings before reading.

+++I have received this eARC in an exchange for an honest review+++

I want to thank @authorljandrews @netgalley @acebookspub and @berkleypub 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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We pick up right after the end of The Ever Queen, where Jonas agrees to marry Skadi to ensure the safety of the fae- both land and sea. Both are bound by duty, and refuse to involve their hearts- yet neither one can deny the pull they feel towards each other- amongst other feelings!

In true LJ Andrews fashion, the Mist Thief is anchored in rich character relationships and development. We have a delicious slow burn between Jonas and Skadi, no shortage of action and adventure, perfectly placed spice, and plenty of moments that will have you laughing out loud one minute and teary eyed the next!

As the Ever Seas is set in the same world as the Broken Kingdoms series, we get to see the first generation now as parents. And they do not disappoint! I simply adore Kase and the way he fiercely loves and protects those he holds dear to his heart. The interactions between him and Skadi are an absolute favorite of mine!

And that fierce protectiveness is definitely passed down from Daj to son, as Jonas has to prove that he may have once been a playboy prince, but he will stop at nothing to make Skadi feel seen, valued, safe, and loved. And oh, does she make him work for it!

The Mist Thief is one of those books that you’ll easily devour, and as a standalone in the series, the conclusion to their story is quite statisfying! And just as before, we get hints about what’s in store for our dear friends in book 4 and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Simply put, you need to read this series!

This series just keeps getting better and better ! The way they made Skadi feel like she finally had a real family and real home where she could be herself. My heart broke for skadi but then it was put back together as you watch her grow into a stronger version of herself not as insecure. And how Jonas knew her so well !! I absolutely adore this series

The Mist Thief || The Ever series, Book #3 by LJ Andrews
⭐️5 ||3 🌶️ || 🗣️ Dual POV, 1st Person || 🧗🏼 Cliffy Rating: 0/3 (For these MCs, next book follows different characters)

Read this if you like -
✔️ Touch her and d i e
✔️ Marriage of Convenience
✔️ Lots of "my wife" 🫠
✔️ Morally Grey-ish, Cinnamon Roll MMC
✔️ Found Family
✔️ Witty Banter
✔️ Angst
✔️ Pirates, Vikings, Elves and "Fae" (Alvers, iykyk)
✔️ Enemies-ish to Lovers
✔️ "Who did this to you?"

I've said it before, and I'll say it again. LJ Andrews does not miss! I would read anything this woman publishes. She could find a way to make a cookbook binge-worthy. This book was no different, I ate it up and left no crumbs. Let me start off by saying if you haven't yet, while this can ~technically~ read this as a standalone, do yourself a favor and read The Ever King and The Ever Queen first. While the book is written in a way that you can start here, I highly recommend these books first to take it all in and truly appreciate this world and the gift that is Jonas Eriksson. If you really want to commit to the storyline, do yourself an even bigger favor and start with the Broken Kingdoms series first, which is a prequel to this series.

I loved revisiting the familiar worlds of both the Broken Kingdoms and the Ever. Many of our favorite characters make an appearance and band together to support Jonas and Skadi. Kase and Malin's story might be my favorite of all the BK stories, so I was happy to spend most of the book in their lands.

I loved getting to know more about Jonas outside of the surface level ladies' man we saw in previous books. He has the morally grey protectiveness of Kase but the wit and charm of Ari. He's fiercely loyal and would do anything for those he loves. We definitely get to know more about Skadi as well, and her tragic past. She has tons of growth in this book and shows a whole different side of herself thanks to Jonas and his family teaching her to love all the parts of herself no matter how dark. It ends with a happily ever and sets us up for the next book, which will be Mira's.

🗣️ “He did not touch you, but someone has. I’ll be needing a name, wife. If he is still breathing, I’d like to change that.”

🗣️ "If you're trying to get under my skin, you're succeeding. The notion of you being seen by anyone else has me feeling rather violent."

(as you can see, Jonas has quite the violent side when it comes to his wife..)

🗣️ "I do not know what kings are like in your land, but in ours, we do not silence our queens."

🗣️ "Then be monstrous Wife, if that is what you are, then that is what you'll be"

I couldn’t wait to dive into Jonas and Skadi’s story. It didn’t disappoint. I loved their tension and banter through the first half of the book. I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline as well. I’m a sucker for enemies to lovers and adding in an arranged marriage on top of that is chef’s kiss. The epilogue has me incredibly excited for the next story in this series.

Thank you for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Book: The Mist Thief
Author: LJ Andrews
Series: The Ever Seas, Book Thief
Release Date: October 14, 2025
Publisher: Berkley/ Ace Publishing Group
Length: 528 Pages
Overall Rating: 5 Stars

“SHE TIRED TO KILL HIM SO HE MADE HER HIS WIFE.”

6 STAR READ FOR ME!!!

We are first introduced to Jonas and Skadi in the Everseas duology which is now a continuing series. In this book “The Mist Thief” it centers around an arranged marriage among two enemies. Now I thought Erik Bloodsinger was morally grey but holy smokes Jonas Eriksson is just as bad or good depending how you look at it. However, like Erik he is another male character that melted my heart (Swoon). Jonas is a fae Prince and the son of Kase and Malin from The Broken Kingdoms series.

Now Skadi always knew an arranged marriage was her future; she would have an arranged marriage that would strengthen her people with a powerful match. She just didn't expect it would be a man she nearly killed on the battlefield. She also knew this was no marriage to strengthen the clan but was simply a game of vengeance and retaliation and she was the sacrifice after she nearly slaughtered his people with her power. Afterall Skadi, is a Dokkalfar (shadow elven) princess who has the power to control dark mists. I really felt for all her hardships and suffering, The magic system in this book really blew me away as it was absolutely amazing! I just loved it!

Now Jonas must marry Skadi to keep her mist magic safe from other Kingdoms. As there needs to be peace between the elven and fae lands. Although they met trying to kill each other in battle, Skadi nearly killed Jonas! So what is the most peaceful and easiest solution? A marriage of convenience of course, but will it ever be something more? Will this game of revenge turn into something more? Except when new threats show up, what side will Skadi pick? Will this strengthen or weaken their marriage? Read and discover their fate.

OMG this book is a definite masterpiece! A book I could not put down and kept me turning the pages late into the night. I definitely loved Jonas, another delicious Shadow Daddy! As if Erik Bloodsinger wasn't enough! This author definitely knows how to mesmerize her readers in these exhilarating stories. This book is a definite page turner with an awe inspiring rollercoaster ride with plot twists that had my head spinning and my heart racing! I think this book might be my favorite but I mention that after every LJ Andrews book I have read. I am definitely reading The Broken Kingdoms next!

I absolutely highly recommend this book so much and I say RUN and pre-order a copy today! It is no wonder LJ Andrews has become a favorite author of mine! You can read this book in series order or as a stand alone book.

*Enemies to Lovers
*Marriage of Convenience
*Found Family
*Spice
*Fantasy
*Magic System
* World Building
*Banter
*Slow Burn

Reading Modes:
Kindle and Kob 💻📱✔️
Audio 🎧✔️

Thank you Ace/Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for the eARC. I voluntarily agreed to do an honest, fair, review and blog. All words, thoughts, ideas are my own.

So this may be unpopular opinion but I stand by it 1000%! Jonas Eriksson is the darkest and most delicious cinnamon roll MMC in the Ever! I have been in love with the Alver Magic since I was first introduced to it in The Broken Kingdoms and that love has only grown more substantial in the years since. Being able to fall back into that world with these characters in The Mist Thief has been the greatest joy, because I truly LOVE THESE CHARACTERS!

The Mist Thief may be the third book in The Ever Seas series, but it is the one that has a choke hold on my heart. Give me the MMC who is tough and badass on the exterior but is oh so ooey gooey on the inside. A Prince of Nightmares with a wicked sense of humor and the most steadfast love and loyalty for his family. Yes, please! Give me the MMC that says, I see all your darkest pieces and love you because of them.

There was nothing I don’t love about this book. The heart. The soul. The past traumas that brought us here. I was here for all of it. I loved how this book brought back so many of the characters, not only from The Ever Seas but also from The Broken Kingdoms. I loved that both the FMC and the MMC were broken themselves but fit so perfectly together once they got their heads on straight. I loved the vast range of emotions I felt while reading this book; because honey I felt it all! I’ve read this book three times and it only gets better with each read. Obviously, I’m rating the book five stars because that is all I’m allowed, but this book is deserving of so much more praise than that.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Publishing Groups for allowing me a free ebook in exchange for my honest opinion and feedback.

I thought I couldn’t love anyone more than Erik Bloodsinger, but Jonas Eriksson is a very close second. This marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers tale is absolutely captivating from start to finish. I had such a wonderful time watching Jonas bring Skadi out of her shell, and watching Jonas shed his rake ways and become her calm in the storm. I also loved seeing more of Kase and Malin and the dynamics within the Eastern Kingdom. The Ever Seas series is such a wonderful continuation of the Broken Kingdoms universe and I can’t wait to see what else is in store.

Re-release coming soon!

The Eastern Kingdom. The Alvers. Shadow Daddies aplenty. 🤭

I loved this story. The tension. The romance. The family connections. The protectiveness from both MMC and FMC!! Its so good. Plus we get more of daddy Kase....iykyk.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This re-release is even better than the original, the spice is spicier and the cover is gorgeous. The Mist Thief is a spin-off from the Ever Seas featuring characters introduced in The Ever Queen. Jonas is a damaged, morally grey hero that you can't help but love and Skadi is all hard exterior, but inside just wants to be loved. They are the perfect match for each other. The marriage is arranged but the slow burn love story will have you hanging on waiting for the flame to ignite. The side characters, as in all of LJ Andrews books are memorable and just as endearing as the main characters. I look forward to all the spin-off novels and getting to know the characters even better and fall even more in love with them.

I read The Mist Thief immediately after reading the Ever King duology. I couldn't wait to read Skadi and Jonas' story and to continue with the world of LJ Andrews. This story did not disappoint! Skadi was such an interesting character. She was hard to get a good read on in the previous duology and I was sure she would have some surprises up her sleeve. I really feel in love with Jonas during this book, the same way I fell in love with Erik. There were some places where the pacing of the story slowed down, but then it would pick up again pretty quickly. Skadi and Jonas definitely had an uphill battle to earn each others trust. Not to mention Skadi learning to trust herself and her magic. I loved Jonas' family and the town of criminals with hearts of gold that have each others backs. Now I want to go back to the original series to read about his parents.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the digital ARC. This is my honest review.

This book was a 3 star for me. I felt as though each of these books is slowly drifting further away from what I really enjoyed from the Ever King. The beginning fourth of the book was a lot of political talks about the marriage that felt as though it really dragged and got me out of the mood to read this one. I normally consume books in a day or two, but this one took me a few days to get through just because I felt that there was a lot for me to put together to get the story straight.

All in all, this was a solid 3 star read.

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

And Jonas Ericksson is now the most recent edition to my book boyfriend harem. This standalone Romantasy takes place in LJ Andrews Broken Kingdoms universe and I am absolutely head over heels for this story. The female MC, Skadi, is strong, independent, fierce, and has these moments of vulnerability that wholly resonate with me. The enemies to lovers arranged marriage is delightfully dark and heartwarming at the same time. A huge part of my adoration for this story also comes from the comprehensive universe created over the course of all the books, the epitome of found family, and their fierce loyalty that everyone in these books has to making the world a better place.

Highlights:
✨Morally Grey Cinnamon Role MMC
✨Nightmare Magic
✨Touch Her and Die
✨Arranged Marriage
✨Enemies to Lovers

Favorite Quotes: "I do not know what kings are like in your land, but in ours, we do not silence our queens."

"Then be monstrous, Wife. If that is what you are, that is what I want you to be."

Thank you to the author, Ace, and NetGalley for the advanced copy. My opinion is my own.

Oh that was fun! Similar vibes to the Ever King (my favorite of the duology)- the intrigue, the romance, the angst. This magic system is an interesting one, the more characters we meet the more I want to know the start of it all. Loved being back in this world through the lenses different characters and a new location but still got a few glimpses into where our other friends are. Can't wait for the next one. I'm ready!

I did receive an arc of this book, all thoughts are my own!

4 stars.

I love this series so much and I’m glad I finally picked up this one! It took me a while just because the fourth one isn’t coming out for awhile, but I’m excited I did! I have loved LJ’s writing in her past books, and this one did not disappoint!

SKADI!!!!!!!!!!! Hi. You guys, I love her so much. I wish we would’ve been able to see more of that closed-off aspect she had, but her growth throughout this book made me so happy. She really is just someone who has been through so much, but still felt like she couldn’t get a grasp on her life. I loved seeing how her views of the world and people changed throughout her time with Jonas.

Jonas! I love u! He cares for Skadi so much, it’s so heartwarming. The “wife” comments (swoon). I was so excited to see a book featuring him, and this one was amazing! I loved getting to know more about him!!!!

I’m still unsure if I like this one better than the first two, but I love this series so much as a whole!

This book finally solidified my need to read The Broken Kingdoms by LJ Andrews. We got a little taste of Kase & Malin (Jonas’s parents) and I am obsessed. You also get a little tease of where they came from and it was just enough to leave me wanting more.

This book was so unique compared to The Ever King & Queen in the best way. We have the goofy son of thieves agreeing to an unusual arranged marriage with an Elven princess with some really mysterious (and honestly terrifying) magical abilities. This is a sloooooow burn which made me love it more.

I’m also a huge fan of books written about other characters in the same world. It’s so fun seeing prior main characters make appearances as side characters in stories like this. LJ Andrews does a phenomenal job weaving the stories together. I’m absolutely in love with The Ever Seas books and I’m looking forward to more! (hopefully)