Nym, a healer and beekeeper, is summoned by the Queen to heal Prince Renn. He and his mother have never found a healer that could fix his lumis in twenty years; Ren plans to fail at healing him like so many before her and return home to her siblings. In Nym's feeble attempt to mend Ren's shattered lumis, Ren is able to move a toe, more than anyone had accomplished previously. Nym is forced to stay at the castle and mend Renn until he is fixed. Will she be able to uncover what happened to Renn? Will she heal his lumis? Will she ever be able to return home and continue to support her family?

I love Holmberg's writing--her excellent world building, the slow yet engaging momentum of the story, her complex characters, the diversity of her stories. Another amazing story. I am glad Holmberg writes quickly; hopefully, we will get the sequel soon!

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Kristina's Reviews > The Shattered King
The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg
The Shattered King
by Charlie N. Holmberg (Goodreads Author)
20357387
Kristina's reviewMay 21, 2025 · edit
it was amazing

My thanks to Netgalley, 47North, and Charlie N. Holmberg for the ARC in exchange for a review.

I will preface this by saying I remember reading Holmberg's Paper Magician series and really liking book 1, being disappointed by book 2, and not much about book 3. In fact, I haven't sat down and read any Holmberg books in quite some time. Don't get me wrong, I've bought nearly ALL of them over the last few years. I just haven't read them.

This book has changed my mind.

I'm actually a little grateful because now I have this whole list of books to start making my way through and that's great because something will have to distract me while I impatiently wait for news of the next book. (My guess is duology, based on what I've seen but I could see this working as a series, focusing on other members of Nym's family, maybe. Either way, in my search I signed up for Holmberg's newsletter and found out about a kickstarter coming up this summer, which I've set to notify me on launch when it goes live.)

The plot is somewhat straightforward, exactly as given in the synopsis. Nym Tallowax is a healer, the eldest of her siblings and their main source of income, who has spent the last 8 years keeping her family together and afloat since the loss of their parents. A letter summons her to the castle and Nym is forced into trying to do what others have not managed and heal the broken and ailing second born son of the king. Nym managed to make one small fix and is now being forced into serving the prince as his personal healer, leaving her family to fend for themselves. All the while, the country is drafting men in preparation for a possible war.

In terms of the story itself, I still have so many questions, but that's a good thing because it is practically guaranteed that I will be back for book 2. In fact, I have this book added to a list of physical books to preorder when I have the means to do so, that way this book can live on a shelf with other favorite fantasies. I was intrigued from the start with the idea of craftlock, which is what Nym's healing is referred to as, with mentions of two other specialties being mindreading and soulbinding. Craftlock itself is meant to be illegal in Cansere, Nym's home, and is punishable by death, but healing is allowed because the queen is desperately trying to find someone to fix her son.

I wanted to know more about the way her magic worked and I wanted Nym to get back to her family after feeling the unfairness of not only having her eldest brother drafted to the army but then essentially being forced to report to the royal family to see if she could heal Prince Renn. It was such a great hook for me, playing on the heartstrings and making me angry for a young woman who is just trying her hardest to live her life the best she can with what she has.

Add in a mysterious illness keeping the prince from ever truly being whole and it's all a well-oiled storyline. The writing keeps the story flowing smoothly, giving enough information to keep the reader guessing. Some of my theories didn't pan out, others did, and I was happy with each reveal and development. Nym's point of view never gets tiresome, despite how long the first quarter of the story felt (there is only so much inhumane treatment of our lead I can take before it wears on my heart too much).

In terms of characters, Nym is a well-rounded character, strong, stubborn and intelligent enough to reason her way through most things that come at her. I appreciated her backstory, the tragedy that has shaped her, and felt particular heartbreaks were treated with respect enough that it felt natural in the reveals and the progression of the story. Nothing seemed too much or out of place, although her stubbornness could be a little frustrating but it's par for the course of a story like this. The main character can't be too perfect, after all.

The book's second lead, Prince Renn, started out as what one would expect from a member of royalty, spoiled and demanding, until Nym arrives to set him straight. In fact, he kind of reminded me of Colin from A Secret Garden, as a recluse in the castle with a mysterious ailment who eventually, with the influence of friends, gains physical strength and independence. The two of them, Nym and Renn, paired together were the right balance for a slow-burn romance that will hopefully be more realized in the next installment. I liked how it was shown that Renn was changing for the better, with the things he changed for Nym in the castle, and the way he pushed back against his overbearing mother and stood up to his bullying big brother. Changes like this work best with actions and every change in Renn felt well-earned.

The side characters are all mostly well-developed, with the main focus being on Nym's family and Renn's family, including his guards, with enough detail to make their pains and struggles come across as losses to the reader. They may not have been on the page the majority of the time, but I do feel like we got to know them all well enough, which shows Holmberg's talent as a writer.

This makes me want to point out the magic system. I read the Acknowledgements page and thought it was a brilliant idea for Holmberg to set a challenge to create a magic system that seemed familiar and yet wholly unique to the story. I remember being similarly impressed with the magic in The Paper Magician series (that paper heart is something I can still remember this many years later), so it did not surprise me that one of this book's strongest assets is it's magic system. The idea of the lumie was just complex enough to keep readers engaged and the fact that each person's lumis has a different form made it easy to see just how imaginative Holmberg has managed to make this story. There have been similar ideas done before, I'm sure, but this stands apart for me, and as a result, it makes me that much more determined to read more books from Holmberg in the near future.

The setting is a little vague, enough for readers to fill in as the story goes on. We know the story takes place in Cansere, and that the neighboring kingdom, Sesta, has decided to start attacking the country's borders. There have been attempts to talk to the leader of Sesta, but nothing has come forth from that. As a result, Cansere has started drafting men into their army in preparation to defend themselves. The talks of war are circling around the castle, mentioned by other characters as a threat always in the backs of their minds, just out of arm's reach in a way. By the end, it culminates in a cliffhanger that makes me hope that book 2 was a little closer to being published than I think it is.

If I had to say there was anything weak about the book, I might say the pacing was too vague in the sense that I lost track of how much time Nym had been in the castle. There are mentions to changes in seasons and a certain number of weeks having gone by, but it wasn't enough to keep the timeline straight. The story focuses a lot on the day to day of Nym trying over and over to make enough healing changes to Renn, and how Renn uses those improvements to change himself by learning to fight and going out of the castle to explore, that it all kind of blends together until something comes up, usually a social event to show the characters in a different setting and around new people. Not really a disadvantage to the story, but it couldn't hurt to have some more specifics thrown in now and then. When the conflict reared up and set the last few pieces of the story in motion, I remembered the line about Spring, the season, when it was brought up but not enough to really feel the tension of the unexpected coming sooner than the characters thought it would happen. It was what I knew was coming, the WAY it happened was jarring, but I didn't remember what time of year they were in, only that it was still snowing outside, and that was about it.

In the end, this book was exactly what I wanted to read, a fantasy with a slow burn romance and a new and unique magic structure. I greatly enjoyed the experience and plan to read the book again when I have the chance. Read this book if you want something like V.E. Schwab and Diana Wynne Jones, mixed together.

Rating: I'm making this 10 Stars on my rating scale because I'm hoping the next one is everything I want to finish the story, with a resolution that makes me feel like wow, okay, let's go back to the beginning and read it again, and then I lose track of how many times I've read these books in the years to come. Fingers crossed.

I'm choosing to DNF this book at 41%. I think it had an interesting plot but wasn't executed quite like I was hoping for. I think the plot and characters could've using more depth. The potential for both was there, but I think it wasn't executed well enough to keep my attention.

Thanks for the advance reader copy of Shattered king. I absolutely adored this book, I could not put it down. The romance was built up beautifully and was so exciting from start to finish, always hoping for it to blossom. The characters and world have so much depth to it and made it so easy to fall into the story and he be completely enveloped by it.
My only complaint is having to wait for book 2!!!

I absolutely loved this book! I will be thinking about the emotional journey that Nym and Renn took for a very long time. As much as I love a big and strong MMC, it was very refreshing to read about an MMC that was was strong in different ways. Such as, his knowledge and emotional intelligence. I absolutely loved Nym as well! She didn't take bs from anyone (she may or may not have gotten herself thrown in the dungeon a few times because of it). The relationship Nym has with her siblings is heartwarming, and I hope to see more of them in the next book. I cannot wait to see what the next book in this duology has in store for us!

Thank you so so to much NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC.

The Shattered King is another immersive, character-rich fantasy from Charlie N. Holmberg, who continues to impress with her ability to blend magic, romance, and personal growth. This story strikes a compelling balance between political intrigue and personal redemption, set in a world where power—both magical and emotional—comes with a steep price.

The protagonist is layered and deeply flawed in a way that feels real. Watching him navigate the wreckage of his past while trying to do right in the present gives the book its emotional core. Holmberg’s prose is clean and accessible, with just enough lyricism to elevate the worldbuilding without slowing the pace. The magic system is unique, and the relationships—especially the slow-burn romantic elements—are handled with care and maturity.

Pros:
• Emotionally nuanced main character with a satisfying arc
• Intricate worldbuilding that doesn’t overwhelm
• Strong balance of magic, politics, and personal stakes
• Romantic subplot that enhances rather than distracts

Cons:
• Some plot elements resolve a bit too neatly
• A few supporting characters felt like missed opportunities
• Would benefit from more world-specific texture to deepen immersion

Overall, The Shattered King is a smart, emotionally engaging fantasy that stands on its own while leaving you wanting more from this world. Fans of character-driven stories with a touch of magic and romance will find a lot to love here.

Thank you 47North, NetGalley, and Charlie N. Holmberg for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! This book was so much more than I was expecting. The beginning of the book felt quite tame and repetitive but it was well written enough with a unique magic system that I wanted to keep going. I am so glad I did! This ended up having one of the most beautiful, slow burn love stories that I've ever read.

After happily accepting this book as a fantasy with a beautiful love story at it's heart, the plot took a wild turn I would've never expected. This slow burn fantasy had an action packed cliffhanger ending that has me eagerly anticipating the sequel.

The Shattered King has exceeded me expectations and I recommend to anyone looking for a unique fantasy centered on healers, a slow burn/forbidden love, and a slow paced story with an heart racing ending.

I really enjoyed this. It can get pretty dark and heavy with some themes but I find they were handled really well and with respect. The ending was a bit abrupt but I look forward to discovering what happens next in the series :)

This was so, SO good! I literally could not put it down.
The story follows Nym, who has healing magic (the only legal form of magic in their kingdom) being summoned to the castle to heal the chronically ill prince. She wants to leave to get back to her family (as she's basically in charge) but manages to actually do what no healer has done before: make progress. Thus, she is kept there, and we get to see how it progresses.

While the plot itself is probably not the most unique concept, the magic system here (which was revealed very early on) was one of the major factors that gripped me into the book. How Nym does healing was so creative and explained in such vivid detail that it kept me in the story. This was especially important, as a lot of first half of the book focuses moreso on her healing. It can feel a bit draggy, but I think the author did a good job of keeping me reading. The progression is realistic, and the plot continues to thicken as the book goes past this initial section. The action is contained to the last quarter or so of the book.

The characters here are varied. You have the main ones: Nym and Renn, who I think are great and both develop wonderfully through the story. Renn in particular really gets to grow as a person throughout.
On the other hand, I felt as if these two were the only ones given any attention in the book. Some of the 'wicked' characters felt very one-dimensionally evil, and others that were reoccurring were of low prominence and not really of great consequence. I know that this is the first book in a series, and thus possibly meant to set up the relationship and build the grounds for what happens next, and in the coming books I would love to see more worldbuilding and get to know the other characters who will be key players in the story.

Speaking of up next... this is going to be a series. Of that I was aware, and I was at peace with the fact that it would probably end on a cliffhanger and not answer all linger questions. But the cliffhanger.... truly cruel. I will be (im)patiently awaiting the sequel.

I’ve read several books by Charlie and I find it very easy to get lost in her stories. In The Shattered King, the FMC Nym is a healer called away from home and her younger siblings to work the impossible case of curing Renn the youngest prince of the royal family.The relationship between Nym and Renn is not an easy one and develops well over time. I’m always here for a slow burn romance. The plot is intriguing and kept me interested as did the characters. There is always a bit of magic in Charlie’s stories. I went in assuming this was as a standalone, but it left off on a cliffhanger so now I need book 2. This is set to be released September 2, 2025. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to 47North and Netgalley for this ARC and to Charlie N Holmberg for writing this lovely book.

The Shattered King is the first book in a duology and is told from Nym's perspective. The kingdom of Cansere is preparing for war with their neighbor and Nym's brother his conscripted to fight. Right after he leaves to Nym is summoned to the Palace to heal prince Renn. She leaves behind her six siblings who are dependent on her. Her plan is to take the trip and fail healing the prince just like everybody else who's tried. Upon meeting Prince Renn she feels sympathy for him and tries to help just a tiny bit. That bites her in the butt and the queen demands she stay and heal her son. What follows is an exploration in healing, both mentally and physically, the difficulties of chronic illness and the treatment of those deemed lesser. Plus some slow burn romance.

I really enjoyed this book. I found Nym relatable and a little sassy, my favorite. The magic system was unique and yet familiar somehow. Renn's transformation was lovely to experience. The main conflict arc is resolved at the end of the book. However, the ending killed me and is a little bit of a cliffhanger. I cannot wait to get my hands on book two. Charlie N Holmberg is an auto buy for me and book two of this series will definitely fall in that category. I do recommend checking trigger warnings. There is some discussion of hard topics but nothing is explicit.

Got this as an ARC from NetGalley, and now I have to suffer the wait to talk about how good this was until it's published in September.

And it was really good.

Nym is a healer from a small town, with the responsibility of taking care of her younger siblings after her parent's death. With war looming she is conscripted to heal a severely ill prince. She leaves behind her family with the intentions to return as soon as possible, pretending she is unable to fulfill her duty, but once she arrives she finds she is unable to leave.

I am always looking for good world building, and this book delivered. The magic system is unique and I kept wanting to see more and more. I wouldn't say this is a fast paced novel, especially in the beginning. There are large sections of healing without much outwardly happening, which really demonstrates the feeling of claustrophobia the main characters are experiencing and allows for critical moments of character development. Somewhere around the middle things start to pick up momentum and the last part is a wild satisfying ride.

I have so many questions and I cannot wait for book two.

I read The Shattered King in a single day, and it was really, really good. Nym is the kind of heroine I love to read: she’s not a fighter, but she’s strong in her own quiet, grounded way. A healer trying to keep her family afloat after losing her parents, Nym’s story is full of heart, struggle, and resilience. The magic system is original and adds real depth to her role, especially in a world that doesn’t exactly celebrate people like her.

Then there’s Prince Renn. When Nym is called to heal him, things shift—he’s not the broody, muscle-bound fantasy stereotype. He’s complicated, vulnerable, thoughtful... and honestly, a breath of fresh air. You can feel the connection between them build over time, and it never feels rushed or overdone.

What really stood out to me was the writing. The inner thoughts actually feel raw and meaningful—not like page-filler—and the pacing is slow in a good way. It gives the characters space to breathe and grow, and I never knew exactly where the story was going, which I loved.

Huge thanks to NetGalley for the eARC—The Shattered King comes out 09/02/2025, and I can’t wait to read book two. Highly recommend.

I'd like to thank NetGalley, Charlie N Holmberg, and 47North for providing me with an eARC in exchange for a review.

The Shattered King is a truly unique experience.

Nym, our FMC, has survived personal tragedy, and is the primary caregiver for her seven siblings before a letter arrives, conscripting her to the city to attempt to heal the ailing prince who has been stricken with illness since childhood. She must leave her family and is thrown into an entirely different kind of life in the process.

Renn, our ailing prince, is a kind but shy, studious person who has only ever known life with his illness and as the story delves deeper, we are rewarded with more aspects of his story and personality.

The magic system is fascinating. It reads as an extremely visual experience that I was completely enthralled by, and the themes and descriptions were absolutely stunning.

In the first chapters, I was interested. By the midpoint, I was invested, and now that I've finished, I am eagerly awaiting the next book.

There we go. It’s my first book of Charlie N. Holmberg and I didn’t know what to expect. All I had was a title. I didn’t even read the details of the book just because I want to be open for everything.
I started it on May 14th in 2025 and I have to be honest here. I would have read the book in just one flow if it would have been possible. But sadly I need to sleep, eat, drink, work and walk my dog. So I finished it on May 16th and i am still not completely sure about the book.
Yes I was hooked from the beginning. But let’s start small, shall we? Charlie N. Holmberg wrote a book about the Prince Renn and the healer Nym and all the people between them. A story about hate, mistrust, mistreatment, sorrows and lots of questions. A story that went from hate to love, from mistreatment to way better things. But the questions, they stayed. Changed. The characters were loveable. The change in them was realistic and I could feel it. But we also had a few not so likeable characters as well. The end tho …so many questions and now inhale to wait for a second book, that’s not fair at all.
I absolutely was hooked and I liked the writing style, the characters and the world where that book played. The open end tho, that forces me to read the next book, that’s not fair. Yet I give this book 4/5 stars. I have to say in the book was a bit too much about the baubles, the healing and sadly less about all other. The lovestory was interesting, not to fast, not to slow. Much background on Nym, not so much on Renn tho. Maybe the story would have been even better if we could have get a insight in Renn, his feelings and his change.
#TheShatteredKing #NetGalley

This is my first ARC book and let me tell you, I am not well! I’ve been spiraling in a Charlie-shaped book hole, and this one just handed me a shovel and said, “Keep digging.” This book left me with more questions than answers and I am completely unprepared for the fact that this is a series. As in, I have to wait for answers for who knows how long? Charlie, please—just take my sanity and give me the next book.

From the very first chapter, I was completely pulled into this story. The worldbuilding is immersive, the magic system is refreshingly unique and well-crafted, and the characters felt vivid and fully realized. It’s rare to find fantasy that feels this original, Charlie delivers on every level.

The emotional depth of each character added richness to the narrative, and the slow-burn romance was beautifully written, heartfelt, genuine, and perfectly paced.

I’m already eagerly awaiting book two. I can’t wait to continue Nym and Renn’s journey and discover more of this incredible world and its characters.

Charlie’s writing has made me a forever fan. The Shattered King is a must-read and an easy addition to any fantasy lover’s TBR.

Firstly, I'd like to thank Charlie N Holmberg, the publisher and netgalley for letting me read and review an advanced digital copy of this book, all of the following is my own opinion.


🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Another 5 star absolute banger of a story to get totally lost in by Charlie N Holmberg!!
I was so looking forward to this book and absolutely ran 🏃‍♀️ to netgalley as fast as I could when I saw it was available to read and review.
I went into this book expecting a fantasy romance that would make my heart skip a beat but what I got was sooooooo much more then that, which is always the way with Charlie's books!


The Shattered King is the first book in a duology and in it you can expect to find these tropes:

-forced proximity
-captive main character
-forbidden romance
-illegal magic
-slow burn romance M/F
-touched by something dark


Just a few content/trigger warnings (but please look into this yourself as I may have missed some, especially as I personally have no triggers myself):
There is some violence and sexual assault (NOT explicit) and also mentions of past experiences of attempted suicides, sexual abuse, (neither of these are graphic/in detail/or on page) and also death of a baby (past tense)


Overview:
The story starts with Nym who has healing powers. There is magic in this book broken down into 3 forms of "craftlock" magic; healers, soul soulbinders and mindreaders and then also just regular people without magic.
Magic had been outlawed and anyone found to be casting any craftlock will be executed but luckily (and also unluckily) for Nym the Queens son has had a life fraught with illness, ailments and broken bones where he needs healers and because of this the royal family decrees the craftlock of healing is now legal, so they can try to find someone who can cure the sickly Prince Renn and use conscription to involuntarily bring healers to the Prince to heal him (not that any have been successful at healing him yet).

In the kingdom of Cansere (where this story takes place and the royal family rule over) there are the usual social classes; rich/middle class/poor...and the richer are discriminatory to the people around them, especially towards anyone with craftlock magic. They look down on Nym and people like her and this adds an extra hardship for Nym throughout the story. There is particular reasons (not that she deserves any of them) as to why Nym is liked less by the higher society around her but I'll let you read the story to find out why.

FMC:
Nym is a very likeable main character and her backstory is heartbreaking, there are many points throughout the story that my heart broke for her. You also learn to understand throughout the book why Nym is the way she is and all she's been through and also why she puts up walls to protect herself, while very slowly (at the same time) letting those walls down for a certain prince.
There are also things about Nym that you might not fully understand at first BUT YOU WILL!! Things will naturally be explained throughout the course of the book and PLEASE stick with it, I loved that mystery in the first half of the story and hypothesising why was fun aswell!! But you will learn these along the way and honestly it just makes me love the depth of the main characters and story even more ✨️

MMC:
Prince Renn
He starts off as a whingey, annoying (3rd in line to the throne) sickly Prince (and I mean, rightly so that he whinges, he's had a pretty tough life) he doesn't yet have any empathy for those around him because he's been in so much pain, he's just been wrapped up in his own self pity and loathing as he's not been able to live the way he's wanted to his whole life. When Nym gets conscripted (against her wishes, but that's too bad for her because a conscription is law and you have to obey) to heal the Prince she's one of many before her, who have all come in and out of the palace trying and failing to heal the broken Prince at all, noone has ever been successful in giving him any kind of relief. So Nym decides when she gets to the palace she'll fail her task on purpose so she can get back to her life at home and continue to help care for her younger siblings.
When she does arrive at the palace to "heal" Prince Renn she sees how miserable his life is and when she has a turn at "trying" to heal him she feels so bad for him, so she actually does just the tiniest bit of healing to give him some relief. To everyone's shock it works and Prince Renn can partially move his foot for the first time in years! Nym gets told by the Queen she HAS to stay at the Prince's side and continue to heal him until he's better and Nym ends up staying at the castle for much longer then she anticipated (much to her reluctance).
As Renn slowly gets healed, overtime he goes from being a self absorbed, unempathetic Prince, to slowly becoming less so. The more he's healed the less he focuses on his own inward pain and more on the goings on around himself, Nym and others. He truly steps into that protective, caring, loveable main male character role so well!!


Healing:
Far out!!!!! Honestly Charlie has such a fantastic, imaginative mind!!!! The world building behind this magic system in the story is SOOOOO FREAKING COOL and so in depth!! I'm not going to spoil that part at all, just honestly go do yourself a favour and read it yourself, I LOVED when Nym was healing and I'm sure you will too. The way that happens and the descriptions are so magical and written so vividly!


AND OH MY GOODNESS THAT ENDING 😱🤯🤩🫨 I AM SOOOOOOOO EXCITED FOR NEXT YEAR TO READ BOOK 2...PLEASE GIVE IT TO ME ASAP....PLEASEEEEEE LET ME READ AN ADVANCED COPY OF THAT TOO 🙏

I will definitely re-read this story many times and I will recommend it to any and all people who are fans of this genre but honestly anyone who loves fantasy will love this!!

PLEASE GIVE ME MOREEEEE

also I would love to read Renn's POV somewhere, anywhere pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee as a whole book, as a Novella, as a bonus chapter I will take any and ALL of anything you've got but I'd love, L O V E to read his thoughts 🥹

Charlie N. Holmberg delivers a darkly enchanting and emotionally layered fantasy in The Shattered King, a story that blends mystery, slow-burn romance, and deeply human stakes with her signature magical touch.

From the opening chapters, Holmberg plunges readers into a kingdom teetering on the edge of danger, where secrets, curses, and consequences unfold with elegant precision. The worldbuilding is immersive but never overwhelming, with just the right amount of intrigue to keep the pages turning while leaving room for emotional depth. The magic system—steeped in curses and supernatural consequences—feels both fresh and mythic, grounding the fantastical in relatable human fears and desires.

What truly sets this story apart are the characters. The protagonist is complex, both fierce and vulnerable, and her journey through grief, loyalty, and reluctant trust is beautifully paced. Holmberg doesn’t rush the relationships—romantic or otherwise—which makes every emotional payoff feel earned. The slow-burn romance is subtle but magnetic, and the tension builds naturally without overtaking the broader story.

The writing is lyrical yet accessible, with moments of sharp tension and quiet reflection woven throughout. Holmberg’s talent for creating atmospheres—brooding castles, cursed lands, haunted emotions—is in full force here. While the plot twists are deftly handled, it’s the emotional undercurrent of regret, duty, and hope that gives this book its heart.

The Shattered King is perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven fantasy with romantic tension, mystery, and a hint of the gothic. It’s a strong start to what promises to be a gripping duology, and I’m eager to see where Holmberg takes the story next.

5 stars – A dark and dazzling fantasy full of heart, perfect for fans of slow-burn romance and rich, immersive storytelling

Thank you 47North and Charlie N. Holmberg for allowing me to access an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you, Netgalley, 47North, and author Charlie N. Holmberg for providing an ARC in exchange for a review! I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a 5-star read for me! I couldn’t put the book down, I was reading at work during my lunch break, and I even stayed up until 3 AM to finish it… I was simply captivated by this story.

“The Shattered King” is the story of a captive magical healer, Nym, whose mission is to save Prince Renn from his fate. Renn has lived all his life with a mysterious illness no one was able to cure, no one except Nym. When, unintentionally, Nym manages to remedy the faintest symptom of his ailment, the Queen declares her the prince’s official healer and a ward of the castle. While healing the prince, Nym and Renn start to feel drawn to each other...

I was hooked from the very first chapter. I was expecting another romantasy story just like the many others that fill the shelves in bookshops, but I was pleasantly surprised. This is a fantasy story with a bit of romance and LOADS of yearning! Some other tropes you would find in this book are forced proximity, slow-burn, and grumpy-sunshine dynamic. This book is also proof that we do not need spice to have a good romance!

The magic system was so unique and compelling, and the descriptions of the lumis were so detailed and expressive that you were able to picture everything while you were reading. Not only is it the magic that you can envision with no problem, but it’s all the descriptions along the story, all thanks to the extremely beautiful and vivid writing. There’s so much more I’d like to know about lumis, craftlocks and other magical beings… but I guess the next book will shed some light on these aspects soon.

The characters are well crafted and feel very 3-dimensional, and I loved that you get to know the main characters at the same time Nym and Renn are also getting to know each other, you’re following them —a shadow— along their journey. I thought the build-up for their romance was fantastic, and so was the banter and the ever-present intense longing. For a change, it felt very refreshing to have a FMC older than the MMC and, moreover, a MMC who is not a 2m tall hulking beast of a man. His personality is also a breath of fresh air, for he is genuinely just a good guy, he’s attentive, charming and intelligent, and doesn’t need to be either broody or scary to be considered hot. The only character I didn’t like was Prince Adrinn, are we supposed to like him at the end? Even after assaulting Nym? And, of course, here’s an honourable mention to Sten and Ard, Renn’s loyal guards. It surprised me to discover how much I cared for these characters, even though they only share a few lines throughout the story. Yet another example of how great Charlie’s storytelling is.

The pacing in the first half of the book is definitely slow, and the story is mainly focused on Renn’s daily healing process. This tempo portrays the slowness of the healing itself, and reminds us how tedious and tiring it must have been for both of them. It’s not until the last 20% of the book that action strikes. I didn’t know that this book is going to be part of a duology, so I was expecting the story to wrap up in those last pages, and then I was left terribly disappointed and shocked when I realised that was how the book was going to end. No, I do not like cliffhangers.

It’s also important to mention that there are some possible trigger warnings you might need to consider (sexual assault/abuse).

This was a surprising read for me, I hadn’t read anything by Charlie N. Holmberg (or even knew about her), and I genuinely can’t wait for the next instalment in this series.