The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg is a beautifully written slow-burn romantic fantasy filled with depth. At its center is Nym, a fiercely loyal and practical young woman burdened with the weight of responsibility. At 24, she’s the oldest of her siblings and their sole provider after their parents’ deaths. With her younger brother Brien being drafted to war, the pressure to keep their family afloat rests solely on her shoulders. She doesn’t have time for dreams or hope—just survival.

When Nym is summoned to the royal castle to try healing the kingdom’s third-born prince, a boy who has lived in near-constant pain and isolation, she expects failure. Everyone else has failed before her. And truthfully, she's trying to fail. Her family needs her, not the crown. But fate has other plans. Out of empathy and kindness, Nym chooses to heal just one small injury for the prince—Renn. And for the first time in two decades, it's something.

In fact, it’s the moment that changes everything.

This is where Holmberg’s strength as a storyteller really shines. The romance between Nym and Renn is a slow unfurling, beautifully subtle but full of tension and longing. The yearning (OH MY GOD- RENN!!). The trust they build over time is what truly makes their relationship resonate. Every small reveal, every step closer, feels earned and natural. This isn’t insta-love. It’s a soft, careful blooming between two people. Their emotional intimacy is delicately handled, and it makes the romantic moments hit even harder.

Nym is a fantastic protagonist. Her motivations are crystal clear, and her love for her siblings never falls to the background even as her world shifts drastically. She’s guarded but not cold, practical but still capable of deep empathy. Renn, too, is incredibly well-crafted. His illness has shaped him, but he is not defined by it. He is kind, intelligent, and deeply respectful of Nym’s boundaries: a trait I appreciated so much in a male lead.

Beyond the romance, the book’s worldbuilding is intriguing. The kingdom of Cansere has outlawed all forms of Craftlock (magic), save for healing—and even that is barely tolerated. The societal tension around magic, the castle politics, and the weight of expectation on the characters give the story a solid foundation without ever becoming overwhelming. The inclusion of family dynamics—both Nym’s and Renn’s—adds another layer of depth. Renn’s siblings surprised me in the best way; their complexities unfold over time, and I ended up loving them more than I thought I would. (Even his older brother).

Pacing-wise, the novel strikes a great balance between character development and plot movement. There’s always something quietly pulling the story forward, and just when you think you know where things are headed… the ending hits. That cliffhanger has me anxiously awaiting the next installment. I need answers, and I need them now!!!

Overall, The Shattered King is a stunning beginning to what I can already tell will be an unforgettable series. With its tender romance, compelling characters, and just the right touch of magic, this book has completely won me over. I highly recommend it to fans of character-driven fantasy and slow-burn romance that aches in all the right ways.