Since this was book 3, I had to read all three to get the full picture—and honestly, I kind of regret the time commitment. The whole “Brady Bunch but make them wolves” setup gave me serious déjà vu, like someone took LJ Andrews’ Viking pirates, added fur, maxed out the inclusivity meter, and called it a day. Nothing against representation—love to see it when it feels organic—but here it felt like a box-checking exercise.

The plot? Predictable. The big bad was obvious from the jump, and the main character went from identity crisis to expert queen in five minutes flat. She didn’t know who she was for two decades, but suddenly she’s a political mastermind navigating courts with flawless ease? Sure, Jan.

There’s an audience for this—clearly, since it’s book three—but it’s not me. The story just never felt like its own thing. Borrowed tropes, borrowed vibes, and not enough emotional grit to ground it. Not my jam. At all.

I am not okay now that this series is complete. The hangover is so real. I feel so attached to these characters!! The epilogue gives me hope that the world will live on!!

Now to get into the story!! I just loved how inclusive and loving this series has been. We get to watch characters struggle with identity, expression, perception, and so many REAL issues. Even though this is a magical fantasy setting with shifters and sorcery, the struggles are still so relatable.

It was so emotional to watch Briar and Maez's story unfold. I felt more was at stake for these two than Sadie/Navin or Calla/Grae.

I am also so relieved that we still had Calla and Sadie's POVs too! It kept the story seamless when moving from book to book.

This was the final book of the Golden Court Trilogy, and it didn't disappoint.

This book was more of Briar's story, and her finding out who she really is. I really enjoyed watching her go from timid in the first book to fierce in this one.

I was really happy with the ending!

After being really disappointed with book 2 in this series I was nervous to tackle the finale. After giving myself a few days after finishing to decompress I’m finally sitting down to give my thoughts. First, I want to mention immediately off the back this book was so much better than its predecessor. The ending alone made everything worth it. But I’ll elaborate more on that in a bit. In terms of the overall story arc across the series I enjoyed it. But didn’t enjoy it enough to make it into my favorite fantasy series.

Now my first big pro like I mentioned was the ending. So many Romantasy books hype up a big battle. It gets barreled through and next thing we know everything is wrapped up done. Which as we all know that would never happen in real life. And yes I know this is fantasy but even fantasy books can incorporate that level of realism. This book did that. The ending was well executed and paced. And it gave our characters a chance to come down from that battle and actually start to live and move on from what they’ve endured. So thank you A.K. Mulford for giving humanity back to fantasy fiction characters.

Another pro I had in this one was the different romance with each couple. Now if you read my book 2 review your probably thinking, “Lexie you hated that element in book 2”. Yes, yes I know however I’m glad I gave it time to play out. Because A.K Mulford did a great job telling each couples story. They all their own dynamic and there was nothing watered down about any of them. Plus they all got happily ever afters in their own unique way. That in itself felt real and different. So I appreciate that I was proven wrong.

Now, here’s where my cons come in…

Even though in the end I enjoyed all the characters I still think there was way too many of them. The storylines at times got confusing to the point where I kept mixing people up. Like at one point I couldn’t remember who Briar was. Or I’d get Calla and Briar backwards. Then once Sadie was added in Oof. I knew I had to slow it down and re-read to keep track of what was happening. Plus all three of our leading ladies are strong, loyal and full of heart which is great but because of that their voices became a little muddled.

My next issue is honestly coming as a shock from me. But I think this book had a bit too much spice. You’re probably thinking, “what lexie no how could you say that?!?” I know, I know but when the spice is too cranked up and starts to overshadow the plot is where I start to have problems. The frequency and the timing of our spice scenes didn’t always fit. I wish for this books case we had less spice and more meaningful moments. But hey that’s me you decide for yourself if I’m right or wrong.

Overall, I enjoyed this trilogy and can confidently say I’d recommend it. Even though it’s not my favorite Romantasy series I still think it’s 100% worth the read.
Lastly big Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

*TLDWR*: A Heart of Crimson Flames is a powerful, emotional, and satisfying conclusion to A.K. Mulford’s Golden Court Trilogy. With rich worldbuilding, heartfelt queer romance, and high-stakes magical conflict, it delivers a thrilling ride that ties up each storyline beautifully. A must-read for fantasy fans who love character-driven epics with real emotional payoff. 4.75/5 Stars

Title: A Heart of Crimson Flames
Author: A.K. Mulford
Genres: Adult/New Adult, Sci‑Fi & Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy
Core Themes: Wolf pack politics, dark and musical magic, dragon allies, shapeshifter romance, family bonds, epic war, queer representation

From opening to close, A Heart of Crimson Flames is a thrilling, emotionally charged conclusion to a saga steeped in magic, love, and loyalty. A.K. Mulford masterfully weaves together multiple POVs—Briar, Calla, Sadie, Navin, and Maez—creating a tapestry of perspectives that deepens the narrative and keeps the pace brisk and immersive. Each character arc is earned, resonant, and brimming with growth.

What stands out:
Razor‑sharp emotional depth: Briar’s evolution—from captive heir to empowered leader—and her reunion with Maez, now a formidable sorceress, is both heart‑wringing and beautiful. The rekindling of love under pressure fosters one of the trilogy’s most compelling relationships.
High-stakes conflict: A continent-wide war—felt through battlefield grips, political intrigue, and crackling magical confrontations—gives rise to visceral tension and keeps the reader firmly invested.
Worldbuilding magic: The musical-based magic system and the bond between the Songkeepers and their dragon add vivid, original layers to the conflict. Navin’s and Sadie’s quest to unlock ancient sorcery is a highlight.
Queer representation**: The tender and authentic portrayal of queer relationships is handled with respect and depth—a thrill to see woven thoughtfully through every major romance.
Satisfying closure: Even with complex plots converging, the ending delivers a gratifying resolution for each storyline, with a hopeful, inspiring glimpse of peace and future growth.

Why You’ll Love It
If you adore fantasy rich in romance, complex magic, and heartfelt emotion, this finale offers a powerful blend of all three. It wraps up a sweeping trilogy in style—satisfying yet surprisingly fresh. The stakes feel earned, the love stories feel real, and even in the darkest moments, a glimmer of hope shines through.
Final Rating: 4.75/5 Stars

I have been searching for a great fantasy book, but A Heart of Crimson Flames fell a little short for me. I loved the characters, dark magic system and the world building, but the pacing felt off and I had trouble connecting with the story. I will say this is my first wolf romance in a hot minute, but the writing felt a little YA for my taste even in spite of the spice. All in all, I had fun, but I don't know that I would read again if I hadn't already read books 1 and 2.

Thank you Netgalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Intense and emotional final book in the 3 part series. Dynamic relationships, spice, dark magic, action, found family and wolf pack politics produce a strong and captivating, beautifully written romantasy story line and conclusion to the Golden Court series. Loved the series. Highly recommend.

Returning to the world of A Heart of Crimson Flames felt like slipping into something familiar and comforting, yet still full of surprises. This installment delivered a satisfying blend of rich magic, swoony romance, and layered political intrigue that kept me engaged from start to finish. One of the most commendable aspects of the book is its commitment to inclusivity, there’s such thoughtful and authentic representation woven throughout, and it was genuinely refreshing to see characters who reflect a broad spectrum of identities, backgrounds, and experiences. It made the story feel more grounded, more human, and ultimately more powerful.
The relationships between characters, both romantic and platonic, brought a lot of warmth to the story. There are some truly tender, heart-melting moments that had me grinning, as well as a few unexpected twists that added tension and kept me on my toes. That said, I did feel like the pacing could have been more consistent. Certain chapters moved too slowly and felt overly drawn out, while other key scenes, particularly emotional or high-stakes moments, seemed to fly by before they had time to really land. I found myself wishing for more depth and introspection in those sections, especially when the characters were dealing with grief, longing, or internal conflict. The groundwork was there, but I wanted it to linger longer and hit harder.
Despite these pacing issues, I still thoroughly enjoyed the ride. This book leans into the “romantasy” genre in all the right ways, offering an adventurous yet heartfelt narrative with just the right amount of personal growth. It may not be flawless, but it's vibrant, full of heart, and undeniably worth picking up if you're looking for an inclusive, character-driven story that balances magic and emotion with grace

Fast paced, emotional, and an amazing wrap up to this trilogy. I loved seeing Briar come into her own, and become the woman she was meant to be. I felt like the relationships and the politics were well written, and the dynamics between each of the characters were engaging and captivating. Magic, spice, passion, it was all there and more!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! I’ve been loving this series and this installment is great

This book was a ride, especially know it was the last one, you grow so attached to the characters you never want it to end!

I had to sit with this one for a couple of days because I was genuinely torn on how to rate it. I really enjoyed the overall story arc across this trilogy but, I think this is just one of those books where I really wanted to love it, and there were things I loved! But also… I struggled.

Let’s start with the good: the ending. So many romantasy series spend hundreds of pages building up to an epic final battle, only to wrap it all up in one blink-and-you-miss-it chapter. Not here. This conclusion was well-paced and gave the characters enough room to actually live in the moment. That alone deserves some applause.

I also really appreciated how each love story in this series was different. No cookie-cutter romances, each couple had their own dynamic, their own flavor. Everyone’s version of happily ever after looked a little different, which felt very real. I had especially high hopes for Maez and Briar going into this book, and their story absolutely came through for me.

Now, here’s where it got tricky for me…

The spice. Oof. If you liked the slow burn in book one, brace yourself. Book two turned up the heat, and this one kept it cranked. For me, it was a bit too much. Not that I’m anti-spice (let’s not get dramatic), but the frequency and timing didn’t always feel like a natural fit with the story (same remark I had in book two). Fewer but meaningful moments would’ve had more impact.

And I’m just going to say it — I could not, for the life of me, keep Calla and Briar straight. From the start, my brain made an [incorrect] executive decision: Briar is the tomboy, Calla is the girly girl. That was it. No further edits accepted. Unfortunately, that mental shortcut did not help with the rotating POVs, especially with Sadie added in. I found myself flipping back way more than I wanted to just to figure out whose head I was in. They’re all strong, protective, and full of heart, but their voices started to blur together by the end. With so much going on, I think we lost some of the clarity between them.

Bottom line: if you’re into fantasy with a strong romantic core and don’t mind a generous helping of heat, this might be right up your alley. For me, it was a mix of high points and a few “hmm” moments, but I’m glad I stuck with the series.

This book was such a perfect way to wrap up the Golden Court Trilogy!

I knew nothing about this series or author before being approved for this ARC. So not only did I get introduced to a new series but a new author as well. The first 2 books in the series are a must read before diving into this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon & Harper Voyager for the chance to read this eARC in exchange for my review ♥️

When I say WHAT? I mean it in the best way. I am so in love with A.K.'s writing and the opportunity to read A Heart of Crimson Flames was SO INCREDIBLE. I couldn't put the book down. They have once again given me PERFECTION.

Gripping, emotional, and full of twists—this one had me hooked from start to finish. Thank you Harper for this ARC!

I didn’t realize this was a series and didn’t read the first book this was good but don’t know if I would read it again. It deserves 3/5 stars, thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book to read!

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for this ARC.

This was the final book of the Golden Court Trilogy, and A.K. Mulford definitely delivered. I have enjoyed every book I've read from them, and this was no different.

I loved how this book was more of Briar's story, and her finding out who she really is. There was dark magic, plenty of spice, action, and wolves. Briar started this trilogy as a timid princess, and finished as a true warrior.

I really liked the twist with how Calla, Grae, and the rest of the pack were able to finally defeat King Nero. He needed taken down during all of the books, and finally got a wonderful ending he deserved.

I look forward to reading more from this author!

I really wanted to love this book. The cover is gorgeous and the premise sounded right up my alley. I’m a big fan of fantasy with emotional depth and strong female leads, so I thought this would be a hit for me. And to be fair, the writing is beautiful. A.K. Milford clearly knows how to craft a story. The worldbuilding is vivid and the pacing felt just right.

But for some reason, I just couldn’t connect with it. I kept waiting for that moment where I’d feel fully pulled in, but it never quite came. I’d find myself putting it down and not feeling a strong urge to pick it back up. Maybe it was the characters or maybe I just wasn’t in the right headspace for it, but it didn’t quite resonate with me the way I’d hoped.

That said, I do think this book will be perfect for a lot of readers. It’s well done and I can see why others would be swept away by it. It just wasn’t the right fit for me personally, and that’s okay. Not every book is meant to be everyone’s favorite.

In typical A. K. fashion she has written another A++ book. Whether it’s a fantasy book or a romance book she knows just what to write to make you want more and I always want more!

This was a strong conclusion to the trilogy, with plenty of action, character arcs for all three POV characters (something I thought was lacking in the second) and plenty of action and spice. I did think that because the POVs were so expanded we lost a bit of nuance—particularly in the dual brother betrayal storylines and in Grae and Navin being somewhat sidelined, but not enough that it detracted from my enjoyment of the series.