Ever Blessed is the beginning of a promising fantasy romance series, and I really enjoyed the collage of different mythology inspirations at play. I will note the romance is pretty light in this book compared to other romantasy books but I suspect the romance will take up more of the plot in the next book. This was great for me as I much prefer fantasy, but heads up so readers have appropriate expectations.

Captain Elva, warrior princess of Vettona, is promised to Prince Fynton in an effort to bring their nations long-lasting peace. The world they live in has a bloody history of war and vengeful gods, and now the Ever Blessed (those with the innate magical abilities and access to magic's source) are the target. Elva must hide her powers, and play the role of gracious princess to a man she knows almost nothing about for the good of her people. She is also recovering from two heartbreaks, the woman she left behind for her betrothal, and the woman who was killed by Fynton's people in a battle. I think Elva is a decent example of the 'stabby fmc' archetype which I don't love, but she's definitely a strong character and I love that she wasn't made to be naive or infantilised. Fynton was interesting, albeit a little bland, but I didn't get swoon-worthy vibes from him. Avi on the other hand? PLEASE.

The second storyline follows Innes, a witch in hiding, who embarks on a dangerous quest for an explanation and solution for a blight ravaging their land. This brings her into path of a band of Vettonian warriors and into the arms of an unexpected love interest. I much preferred Innes' storyline over Elva's and I wish they were a bit more balanced. Innes has a lot of heart and is willingly to risk her life for the people she cares about, but I felt like she wasn't really a protagonist in her story, everything just kind of happened around her. I also love witches in fantasy in general, so I would've liked more witchy-ness.

Ever Blessed is set in a queer-normative world. There are multiple LGBT characters and relationships which aren't painted as unusual or shameful which is always fantastic. I just really struggled through the middle third of this book, it had a super strong orientation and the ending did a bit of work to redeem it, but I mostly remember struggling to pick it back up.

I am undecided about whether I'll continue the series, but I probably will if I can find a comprehensive recap of book 1 when the time comes because I wouldn't read this again.

I really enjoyed this! The characters were fun and the plot was what I was looking for. I'm here for a fast paced plot. The writing was amazing

I'm really looking forward to reading the second book

In a world on the brink of collapse, Ever Blessed weaves a tale of political intrigue, ancient magic, and the fragile balance between love and duty. The ruling Gods control the Ever, a powerful magic that sustains the lands, but as the magic begins to falter, the Gods turn their wrath on the Ever Blessed—mortals gifted with its diminishing power. With the world in chaos, Elva, the warrior princess of Vettona, is thrust into a fragile alliance with Fynton, the heir to the rival kingdom of Clochain. Though promised to him in marriage, Elva struggles with growing feelings for the man she can’t trust, leading to tension and emotional complexity.
Simultaneously, Innes, a Witch who hides her bond with the Ever, embarks on a dangerous quest to cure the blight that threatens her world. Her path unexpectedly crosses with Elva’s kingdom, forcing Innes to make a heart-wrenching decision between her love for a warrior and her duty to save her people.
With a vivid backdrop of a dying world, Ever Blessed is a gripping blend of political intrigue, shifting allegiances, and emotional stakes. Both Elva and Innes face personal and external battles, making choices that could reshape their fates. The novel explores themes of love, loyalty, freedom, and the cost of making the wrong decision in a world where even the Gods are not above vengeance. It's a story that leaves you questioning: can love truly save the world, or will duty reign supreme?
One of the most powerful aspects of Ever Blessed is the LGBTQ+ representation. Elva's internal struggles, as she navigates her feelings and the expectations placed upon her, resonated deeply with me. The emotional depth of her journey made me tear up, and the way the book handled her story made me feel so seen and understood. It’s a beautiful, authentic portrayal that I will always cherish.
The slow burn of Elva and Fynton’s romance was worth every moment of anticipation. Their journey is one of emotional growth, trust, and tension, and when their connection finally ignites, it’s nothing short of powerful.
This was my first Olivia O'Flynn book, and I can without a doubt say that I will forever be reading any book she puts out. Her masterful world-building, complex characters, and emotionally charged storytelling have made me a devoted fan. Ever Blessed is a captivating read that ensures I’ll be eagerly anticipating her future works!
This book was an easy 5-star read for me, and I will forever be recommending it to anyone and everyone who will listen to me!
Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for allowing me early access to read the uncorrected reading copy ARC— all opinions are mine alone.