Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me access to the eARC of this book!

King Foretold by Jayci Lee is the second book in their Real of Four Kingdoms series. We follow our main characters as they try and rid the realms of the evil they encounter in the first book.
I really enjoyed the Korean mythology aspect of this book, because this is a mythology I don’t know much about. I really enjoyed the character building in this book; it really feels like Sunny is growing and becoming more confident. One thing I did not enjoy about this book was, surprisingly, the romance. It felt forced in places and love triangle-esque, but it just wasn’t for me.
All in all this book was a fun read, but it did come up a little short for me. Despite that, I am still excited to see how this series will progress and I loved the writing style.
a solid 3.5 stars overall.

So I went into this book not sure how many books would be in this series. After finishing it, it better not be a duology because I need more in this world!

I loved that KING FORETOLD added more to the found family vibes that NINE TAILED started. I also liked that this book focused on Sunny’s journey and other relationships. There is plenty of romance but there was so much mystery and so many questions about Sunny from the first book that I was happy to get to learn more about here in this installment.

I feel like the twist in the end was a little predictable but you could also say that it was foreshadowed well in the first book.

This was a great sequel with a really interesting premise. As I mentioned in my review of NINE TAILED, this series is perfect for fans of Elizabeth Lim and Sue Lynn Tan or those who enjoy mythology and folklore.

I would definitely continue this series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3 star read for me, did enjoy the book but did take a while to get into the book for me. Do enjoy Jayci Lee's books though

I absolutely love Jayci Lee's storytelling and world building. These books are so beautifully written I find myself fully immersed in the world and having the best reading experience.

Don't miss reading Nine Tailed before jumping into this title in order to really follow the plot

Was a fun sequel to nine tailed, I was lucky to get a physical of the first book for a readathon. I’ll definitely be buying myself the paperback of this too. The world building or continuation of it was fun, the story was fun and the magic.

Thank you to NetGalley and Jayci Lee for the opportunity to read and review King Foretold- Realm of Four Kingdoms Book 2

Introduction
Jumping back into the story of the Realm of Four Kingdoms took me a little while to warm up and fully recall the story line but it wasn't long before I was back to my eye rolling at Sunny, like ... urgh ...guuuurrrrl pleeeease! And just like that, I was home. Bear with me, this review is all love believe me. Go with it...

World building
We are spending alot of time in the Kingdom of Sky for this one, where Sunny is training to develop her skills in defeating a dark threat and learning to harness the Yeoiju’s magic.
There are defined feeling and design in the worlds that the characters of the story traverse. For example, characters travel through a void and can moon shift usung bodies of water- both these experiences are unique and feel different from each other. Also, the Four Kingoms and the mortal realm feel different from each other too. I love how this is done.
Through the description of colours and terrains, I felt I could visulise where events were taking place.

Characters
The author is brilliant at writing and shaping characters; with their strengths, flaws and interactions. Sunny, as a reluctant heroine, drives me crazy at times. Her inner dialogue just makes me want to shake her, but despite her flaws she grows in her reflections about/with her friends.
Lee writes with emotion and feeling. There are some beautiful scenes that portray heartfelt and raw emotion- and some that are pure power and rage.

Romance and Spice
The romance element is slow burn (For the love of the Gods, Sunny ... sort it out!!) But when characters finally realise the truth of their relationship, things get a little more spicy.

Chapter 27
Chapter 27 is what I would call the power and devastation chapter. Without giving too much away (no spoilers here thank you) this is where Sunny finally faces her nemesis and it's an all out battle between light and dark and let me tell you, the plot be plot twisting in this chapter! I was completely hooked.

Overall
Realm of Four Kingdoms is a brilliant story, interwoven with mythology, romance and fantasy. It's the fight between light and dark, good and evil - whilst trying to retain the sense of self.

I cannot wait for book 3 and to see where it goes next.

What a wonderful sequel the series pick up right where the first one left off. The characters and banter was so delightful. The world-building still enraptured me and held my interest the whole book. So excited for the next book

This story pulses with magic, heartache, and fierce determination. And, the blend of Korean folklore with contemporary emotion gives this world such depth and soul, and the romantic tension crackles on every page. I devoured every moment. It’s epic, emotional, and utterly spellbinding.

Overall, this continues the epic tale from Nine Tailed in an epic way. The growth of the characters was much more pronounced, the action (both like, regular action AND spicy action) was legit, and the comedic beats landed well. The snark in this series is top notch, honestly. My only complaint is one scene where the exchange isn't very genuine. It feels forced, like, this beat has to happen now, so it's happening - buckle up!

Otherwise, this is an excellent second installment of the series and after that ending, there better be a third book!

Specific conversation where the conversation didn't feel quite right. THIS IS A SPOILER, READ AT YOUR OWN RISK.
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When Sunny admits that she loves Ethan by the cave before they are intimate, her words just don't sound genuine to me. I get that she was over flowing with emotion and wanted to share, but it had a forced quality to the interaction.

Wow!!!!
First of all, I didnt realize this was the second book of a serie, so I read the first book — which was so captivating I read it in one day! — then I resumed my reading of King Foretold. Incredible writing, breathtaking plot and plotwists and of course a *chef kiss* romance. I mean the yearning, the chemistry, the longing and the spice is perfectly mixed together! This book got me hesitating between Jihun and Ethan. But besides the romance, I like the fluidity of the writing and of course the inclusion of Korean mythology and words.
The author Jayci Lee managed to create a worldbuilding so diverse and fantastic in a well described manner — not too convoluted, not too vague —, it got me out of a reading slump, feeling like the first time I read a fantasy book.
The only thing which had me stop reading was the highstake tension of the dangerous missions Sunny goes through, along with her friends.
Speaking of them, the secondary characters are well written too, making me actually fear for their lives... which I was right to fear!
This saga leaves us on an emotional rollercoaster, a cliffhanger, and what a cliffhanger ! Indeed Think, Sunny, think !
I can't wait to read book 3!! 4.5/5 stars for this read, I hope in the next book, our Gumiho hero learns a bit more of self love and less scared of her dark side.

As a big fan of mythology, I’m really enjoying this Korean-influenced take on a new adult romantasy. This second book has some of the character growth I wanted more of in the first, with plenty of action-adventure to keep the fantasy side of the story moving.

In the human world, gumiho Sunny was stuck. She pretty much quit maturing in early adulthood, drifting through life except for a brief period with Ben and Ethan. Now that she’s in a magical realm juggling multiple prophecies, a messy romance, and a training montage that makes Rocky look like a wimp, she’s feeling pretty stressed. Plus, now she has FRIENDS and maintaining her little storm cloud attitude is getting harder as she gets closer to them. Plus, the bad guy is really gross and there’s nothing more confidence crushing than waiting around for him to strike while barely making any progress at mastering your superhero skills.

Book two attempts to weave in many story threads - epic fantasy, warrior academy, star-crossed lovers, political intrigue, and found family just to get started - and it does each of these beautifully while it’s doing them. But there are simply too many and not enough time, leaving each of these threads feeling unfinished. I would have liked more time to develop Jihun’s story and the source of his feelings. Or maybe Hana and the suhoshin training. The quick pace and gentle, self-deprecating snark in Sunny’s voice made every page a delight. I would have happily devoured another 100 pages or more to give the middle and its many parts more development!

While the book suffers a bit from trying to be too many things, altogether it’s a fresh and entertaining read for fans of retellings who are tired of yet another Greek myth or fairytale. (Maybe you started down this new sci fi/romantasy retelling journey with Lunar Chronicles and now you’re ready for something different? Just me?) I’m very excited for a third book, which will hopefully revisit and complete some of the more exciting unfinished threads from King Foretold. (Or really just Jihun, dang it. More of the broody, confusing one!)

King Foretold is the second installment of the Realm of Four Kingdoms series by Jayci Lee and will be released to the public on August 26, 2025. 

I HIGHLY recommend reading book 1, Nine Tailed, before starting King Foretold in order to fully grasp and understand the plot.

This book picks up right where we left off in book 1. Our beloved nine tailed fox shifter, Sunny is back in the realm of four kingdoms with her new found friends being dually trained in combat and magic all so she can hopefully, finally defeat the evil villain Daesong.

King Foretold has everything you want in a fantasy novel. It is action-packed  with whitty banter, tension filled romance, magic, mystery, friendship, and found family.

The character development in this book is so great. Sunny's growth, in particular, is deep. Even though she still struggles with her true feelings and how to deal with them, she has learned to open up her heart and befriend those that are close to her to the point of even caring deeply for a couple of them and also, love. 

The banter between Sunny and all the side characters is on a whole new level of fun and real. Thus making them relatable to the readers.

The writing is beautifully descriptive, enhancing the immaculate world building. Even with all the Korean folklore being explained, it isn't overbearing and does not slow down the pacing, making this book a quick read and easy to follow. 

If you enjoy mythology, fantasy, and even KDramas, then I absolutely recommend you read both Nine Tailed and this book, King Foretold. 

As always, I want to thank NetGalley and Montlake for allowing me to read an eARC of King Foretold in return of my honest thoughts.

A fantastic next installment in this adult Romantasy series! 

Book two picks up where book one left off, so you really do need to read these in order. It's been nine months since I read book one, and I will admit I was a tad lost at the very start needing a bit more of a reminder on character names and how book one ended. But once I got there I thoroughly enjoyed King Foretold.

It's a fast paced action adventure that reads very easily, and I appreciated it for that. It's not dense with worldbuilding and fantasy (which is fine, but not at all for me). This installment spends a lot of time on Sunny training and learning her magic, denying her feelings for Ethan, and also turning down super-hot Jihun. The balance of romance and fantasy totally worked for me! 

At times Sunny did read a bit young and naive, and at 130-something I wanted her to be a bit more confident. The group of side characters continues to be highly entertaining, lols were had and tears were shed! I am invested in this story and can't wait to find out what happens next! 

I also absolutely loved that there is A MAP and a pronunciation guide at the beginning of this book. Do want for literally every book please.

This book had me in its grip from the very first page and refused to let go. There’s something deeply powerful about a story that balances myth, heartbreak, and rebellion with such raw intensity, and this one does it all with the rhythm of an epic ballad laced in starlight and sorrow. The romance crushed me in the best way. There’s so much unsaid, so much yearning steeped in sacrifice. I was clinging to every quiet glance and every missed moment between them. The world-building is exquisite, rich with Korean mythology that pulses through every scene, and the writing is poetic without losing clarity, emotional without ever tipping into sentimentality. It wrapped me in a spell. I’m going to be thinking about this one for a long, long time.

Wow wow wow.

I read and loved Nine Tailed and NEEDED to know what happened next. Thankfully I was able to get King Foretold on NetGalley, but now of course I need know what happens next again! Ugh.

Anyway, King Foretold picks up where Nine Tailed left off and contains all of the fun banter, humor, mythology, and action I loved about the first book. I enjoyed seeing Sunny grow in her badassery and also learn to trust her friends and Ethan! She’s been alone for so long, so seeing her reluctantly accept her ragtag group of friends was heartening.

Sunny has decided to keep Ethan at arm’s length for spoilery reasons, and of course it does no one any good. I very much enjoyed seeing them interact, however.

Jayci Lee has woven a really unique and interesting story and I absolutely cannot wait to know what happens next!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC. While I did receive an ARC, this review is entirely my own thoughts.

King Foretold is the second book in this series so I would definitely recommend reading the first one first as this one picks up where the first book left off with Sunny back in the Realm of the Four Kingdoms. She is being trained in both magic and combat and still trying to figure out where things are with Ethan and Jihun. I found myself definitely enjoying Jihun's character a lot in this book. I'm actually enjoying him way more than Ethan, but I do still like Ethan. This story has great characters, action, banter, tension, magic, mystery, suspense and a cliffhanger ending that left me excited to read the next book in this series.

Having devoured the first book, Nine Tailed, I was so excited to see King Foretold on NetGalley.
I thoroughly enjoyed continuing Sunny's story. I love the Korean folklore, its fascinating to learn about. Unfortunately I didn't get into this one as easily as I did Nine Tailed (Maybe because it was such a long gap between reading Book 1 and this one). However it is definitely worth the read to find out what happened next. Also the banter between characters is great and Sunny's inner thoughts and general attitude always makes me giggle. Now to wait for the Book 3...!
Thank you for the opportunity to read King Foretold.

I loved the first book so much andnim having a great time with the second book it's like reading a Kdrama..

Book 2 of the series, this one packs a lot more lore and character development. I enjoyed it, almost as much as Nine Tailed.
The banter is witty and hilarious, the tension stays taught for so long, and seeing the changes the main characters experience is just the right amount to move the story along.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the arc! All opinions are my own.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

I was excited to get my hands on "King Foretold," especially after finishing "Nine Tailed" in a few sittings earlier this year. I did a quick reread of "Nine Tailed" to refresh on the mythology and terms, but this was probably overkill as Jayci did a great job in folding the reader back into the worlds that she created. The glossary at the back of the book was also very helpful.

As with "Nine Tailed," I was captivated by the combination of Americana and Korean folklore. The plot was enjoyable and unique. Looking forward to the next book in the series and hope that Jayci continues to write romantasy.