This is truly one of the most original romantasy’s I have ever read. I found it to be unique in its magic system, world building, and romance. It was refreshing to have a male character who was different from the traditional warrior one typically finds in books like this. It felt like we got the chance to know Renn’s heart before any kind of romance began, and I truly appreciated that. Nym was a relatable character with a steel backbone wand a sharp tongue, yet still a gentle heart. I enjoyed their coming together through the healing and the art of the “lumis” itself. I can’t wait for the second book because that cliffhanger was a tough one to swallow. I look forward to reuniting with Renn and Nym in what I can already tell will be a satisfying series! Thank you NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this amazing opportunity in exchange for my honest review!

I’m so thankful to have been able to read an ARC of The Shattered King before its release on September 2nd.

I tore through The Shattered King and now I’m just sitting here already counting down the days until the next book. Charlie Holmberg has such a gift for creating immersive, magical worlds. The healing magic in particular felt so unique and powerful, described in such vivid detail. I really loved this unique take on healing abilities—I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like that before in a book. 🙌🏻

But what completely stole my heart was the slow-burn romance between Nym and Renn. They did start as enemies due to the circumstances of how both of them met and because of their own trauma and difficulties that they had to face individually. But the longer they spent time with each other, the more they learned about each other, and the walls started to crumble—revealing a deeper connection forming regardless of the situation. It’s subtle at first, but full of longing and tension that builds beautifully. If you’re someone who lives for yearning, this is your book.

The world was built beautifully, and the family connections and relationships were rich and felt so real. Please keep in mind that this book does discuss trauma and difficult topics, but this also helps you as a reader better understand the main characters, why they are the way they are, why they make the decisions they make. It also shows how you can heal and get through it with others, and that you don’t have to feel alone.

This was a fast-paced read that kept me completely hooked. The last few chapters were so emotional, and I never saw the twists coming — they just kept hitting one after another .I still can’t get over it. I can’t wait for the next book to see how the story continues. Renn and Nym left me with a heartwarming feeling. They both showed such strength and character growth throughout the book. They both went through so much and deserve the best of life.

There’s this one moment I can’t stop thinking about 🥹:

"I would shift the seas for you," he whispered, tracing the shell of my ear. "I would let the gods shatter me every noon and midnight. I would worship you until my last breath."
And when she says, "You owe me no promises," and he answers, "I would give you every oath, Nym." — that just wrecked me. 😮‍💨❤️

Some tropes you’ll find in The Shattered King:
✨ Forced proximity
🔥 Slow burn
💔 Enemies to lovers
⚔️ Brink of war
🩺 Mysterious illness
🚫 Forbidden romance
🌿 Unique healing abilities
⚖️ Illegal magic

3.5 stars
The first 20 percent of the book made me think I wouldn’t give the book less than 4 stars
I mean i like the magic system a lot the idea of lumis it shapes and the healing aspect is interesting! But i felt after a while it became a bit repetitive we witnessed the same routine of healing for big part of the book until the end.
The queen made mad so much I couldn’t understand how she could treat the only person that helped her son this bad!
I liked how the healer and the prince’s relationship evolved it wasn’t rational for sure.
Overall i like the book and would recommend for someone that like slow paced books with new magic system.

This first installment in a new fantasy series introduces us to an entirely overwhelmed healer, stolen from her family by a despotic queen to save her horrifically broken son. Nym is angry and panicking. They just took her brother for the war camps! Who will keep her siblings afloat when they’re already balanced on the knife edge of starvation? It’s moody and angry, and oddly feminist, which is not something I expected from this author, though it’s still a very traditional variation on that theme. This is high fantasy that I think will really speak to women who are happy enough with the idea of a traditional marriage, but are really really tired of all their work being discounted. And while that sounds a bit simplistic, like the women navigating that dynamic.. it isn’t. Holmes delivers a nuanced take that I deeply enjoyed, even or maybe especially when I also wanted to put some people in timeout. Plus a really unique magic system and plenty of action!

The plot is lively, the writing almost cozy in the way it unfolds, weaving in world building with Nym’s backstory. The romance is zero peppers. But the world around them is HBO level gritty. I’m not especially sensitive, but the beekeeper bit in the synopsis had me expecting a bit more space between us and the horrors. Nope! It’s all right there in brutal detail.

Nym is very much the helpmeet. Even though she’s the one with all the power, she’s trapped, treated constantly like she’s a machine to be abused and how dare she speak up! Honestly, the entitlement of these people! And stupidity. How is she supposed to fix anything if you break her?? And yet, despite these trials, we don’t really see Nym change so much as the pieces of her are revealed - strong, clever, and a teeny bit impulsive in her anger. Her children might be her siblings rather than of her body, but Nym is the picture of suffering motherhood.

Renn now, Renn is growing! He’s more a prop than a person at first, but as his pain eases, we see him grow quickly beyond the cerebral intelligence into a proper adult. He might not approve, but he’s too overwhelmed by his own suffering to do anything except take and take from Nym, with no bandwidth to think of the consequences. And while Nym is enraged, she’s also accepting of her relationship with Renn from the get go. There’s some lovely ego there - she’s the only one to ever succeed! But, it’s also ingrained in her to give this care work generously, even if she’d ALSO still like to be paid at least subsistence wages. More committed feminists will be annoyed that Renn’s recovery, love, and new moral backbone are so intertwined. But there’s something deeply enticing in the fantasy that the ways we bleed ourselves dry will eventually open the eyes of our unloving loved ones. At least, when there’s magic and mayhem in the mix.

Renn isn’t going to be my new favorite book boyfriend anytime soon (I’m not into parenting my partner, nor is he nuanced enough to deserve it.. yet!), but Nym is a powerhouse I can’t wait to follow into the next stage of this adventure while pretending my husband is going to finally see the light if I also cure him of his ills (pretty much just lactose intolerance, which I feel isn’t going to have the same heft… but then his sins are also much smaller).

4.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Shattered King is a beautifully written fantasy full of emotion, magic, and healing!
The story follows Nym, a smart and strong heroine with a unique kind of magic that focuses on healing!
Renn, a noble with a painful past and illness, is a perfect match for her. Their journey together is full of tension, growth, and slow burn.

The world building great with a magical system that feels very creative.
The idea of lumis, a magical energy that reflects a person’s inner self, is one of the most interesting parts of the story!!
It’s not just about fantasy; it’s about learning to see yourself differently and finding strength even when life has been cruel..

Great for readers who enjoy:
🌿 Unique healing magic
🏰 Royals and rebels
💔 Characters overcoming trauma
🗡️ Slow-burn romance without the spice

Absolutely amazing!

I truly loved this book. The magic is so very unique, the world-building/tension is on-point, and the character arc growth is perfect. Nym is unique, smart, fiery, passionate, and very relatable. Renn is the perfect complement to her character and I especially enjoyed his character growth. There are multiple layers to this story, keeping every facet interesting. I loved the banter, hated certain characters (until I didn't), and was thoroughly hoping for the best for Nym and Renn. This ends on a cliffhanger and I am so sad. Cannot wait for the continuation of this series!

If you like outlawed birthright magic, arrogant but multifaceted nobility, peasants with spunk despite being forced into giving free labor, and truly dangerous villains, choose this book! Perfect for readers of Laura VanArendonk Baugh, Tara Grayce, and W. G. Gingell.

Rated PG-13 for gore, sexual abuse, and physical abuse
--clean romance (no explicit sexual scenes, some kissing)
--scenes of sexual abuse/assault (mildly depicted including some unwanted sexual touch, references to previous rape that is not depicted)
--moderate violence, including death and amputation
--some mild language (not gratuitous)

I received this eARC free from NetGalley. My opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

Thank you to NetGalley, Charlie Holmberg, and 47North for ARC!

First of all, I didn’t expect The Shattered King to hit me as hard as it did, but wow—this book quietly pulled me in and didn’t let go. I read it in one go. Nym, a healer and beekeeper, gets swept into palace life and ends up caring for a reclusive prince with a mysterious illness. I loved how our FMC felt practical, compassionate, and a little stubborn in all the best ways. Our MMC, Prince Renn, is the kind of character who stays with you—not because he demands attention, but because he’s so achingly human underneath all that he's been dealt.

The slow-burn relationship between Nym and Prince Renn was a highlight for me. At first, their relationship is distant and uneasy. Their connection builds gradually, growing out of mutual understanding, shared vulnerability, and a kind of reluctant tenderness. It’s not rushed. There’s hesitation, miscommunication, and doubt—but that’s what makes it feel so real.

Holmberg’s take on magic as healing was also refreshing. The way she describes healing and everyones individual lumis liken to objects in the real world was very fascinating.

It’s not a loud, flashy fantasy—it’s intimate, emotional, and beautifully written. If you’re into character-driven stories with subtle magic and heartfelt relationships, this one’s absolutely worth your time.

Hi, thank you so much for allowing me to read this ARC!

This is a book with themes of love, healing and strength. The magic systems and concept of lumis were beautifully crafted (I wonder what my lumis would look like)! I love how varied and creative they were - as a doctor myself, I often find myself using anecdotes and metaphors such as these to make patient care feel more tangible and relatable for them. I may be borrowing a couple of these for my practice.

I loved how carefully the concept of chronic pain and chronic illness was presented by Holmberg, showing how these patients often struggle to differentiate between their illness and themselves. We see how consumed Renn is by his illness, but is soon treated by Nym and her holistic treatment plan where she recognises the need for psychological support (through reading and games), but also physical support (exercise) in improving overall wellbeing. This represents the cornerstone of healthcare in this day and age, recognition that as healthcare professionals we work in teams to not only treat, but prevent further illness too.

Nym Tallowax es una joven sanadora obligada a abandonar a su familia para cumplir con una orden real: intentar curar al príncipe Renn, enfermo y confinado durante años a causa de un accidente devastador. Lo que comienza como una misión forzada, con la intención de fracasar rápidamente y regresar a casa, se convierte en una experiencia transformadora para ambos protagonistas.

Nym es una mujer marcada por la pérdida y la responsabilidad. Crió a sus hermanos menores tras la muerte de sus padres, y vive con el peso constante de tener que ser fuerte por los demás. Su renuencia inicial a colaborar con la corona es comprensible: representa a los que siempre dan sin recibir nada a cambio. Sin embargo, su sentido del deber y su humanidad la empujan a involucrarse más de lo que pretendía.


--

Me costo trabajo los primero capítulos, pero conforme la historia avanza se va poniendo mejor.

Me pareció interesante como funciona la magia de Nym.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest

A captive healer, forced to heal a mysterious prince that all before her have failed to heal.

A mysterious prince, captive to chronic illness and trapped within his abilities.

The first book in the new series by Charlie Holmberg, The Shattered King tells a story of growth, perseverance, and magic. This book had me captivated the whole time, the writing style is so well suited to fantasy as it is both lyrical and direct.

I was in love with Prince Renn and Nym, both who felt like distinct characters and faced their own personal growths together and separate. I loved getting to see the development of their relationship, and it felt natural and dynamic.

Most impressive, is the design and description of the “Lumis”, the mental representation of the human body where Nym heals that specific person. It was so creative how every persons is different, and the imagery was so vivid.

Overall, The Shattered King is captivating, magical, and romantic. I can’t wait to read the second book.

4.5 stars

There's so much I loved about this book, starting with the unique magic system. The story is woven around a healing magic whose practitioners can enter people's lumie (somewhat like their souls) to set things right. Each person's lumis looks different, and Holmberg did an amazing job describing them.

One thing that always makes me nervous when a fantasy world has healing magic is that it'll be used to just magically heal everyone, overcoming all obstacles and nullifying disability and the impact of injury. I was pleased to find that Holmberg didn't fall into this trap. Even as Nym spends the book trying to heal Prince Renn, his experience with disability is portrayed with nuance and understanding, and I found myself relating to him very deeply.

Other highlights of the book included a beautiful slow-burn romance, a main character who would do anything for her family, and a cliffhanger that's sure to taunt me until the second book comes out.

Thank you to NetGalley and 47North for the ARC!

The prince of Cansere has been ill his entire life, and his mother has spent decades drafting physicians and healers to attempt to cure him. Just days after her brother Brien is drafted into Cansere's army, Nym is drafted the castle to attempt to heal the prince and when her talents have an effect, she is forced to stay at the castle in hopes of healing him completely.

I wasn't sure how I felt about this at first because the descriptions of Nym's healing felt very reminiscent to Still the Sun. As the story went on, it clearly differentiated into its own story but some of the prose is so lovely, I might not have minded if it didn't - "And while our breaks were short, I found our walks the most devastating to my resolve against him, because they showed me the breadth of his soul, a wide net tethered by our similarities, strong enough to catch all our differences." Just lovely.

One major warning - this is clearly the start of a duology or series of some kind! I will be anxiously awaiting the next one!
4.5/5 stars!

5 stars — I’m still thinking about this book hours after finishing it.

The Shattered King completely swept me away. From the first chapter, I was hooked—but it was the final third that broke me open. The tension, the reveals, the emotional stakes—I devoured those last chapters with my heart in my throat and haven’t stopped thinking about them since.

Nym is one of the most grounded and quietly strong heroines I’ve read in a long time. A healer and beekeeper trying to keep her family afloat When her brother is conscripted into war, she’s pulled into the capital to treat the mysteriously ill Prince Renn. Her plan? Fail quickly and return home. But nothing goes as planned.

Prince Renn is distant, enigmatic, and clearly suffering from something no one else has been able to treat. The dynamic between Nym and Renn is a slow-burn that simmers with tension and aching vulnerability. Watching their bond shift from wary obligation to fragile connection was one of my favorite aspects of the book.

But this is more than a romance—it’s a story about sacrifice, loyalty, and the deep cost of power. The magic system is compelling, the court politics are twisted and layered, and Holmberg’s writing is sharp, immersive, and surprisingly emotional. I felt everything.

I truly don't know how Charlie N. Holmberg managed to craft something this thoughtful and richly woven in such a short amount of time—but I’m in awe. And after that ending? I’m desperate for the next installment.

Thank you to 47North and NetGalley for the gifted ARC. This book has easily earned its place on my list of top 2025 reads. Releases September 2, and you won’t want to miss it.

I was lucky enough to receive this book as a digital arc, the true rating for this book is 4.25 stars.

This book and the characters are so good, I truly wasn’t expecting to love The Shattered King as much as I did, but prince, or rather king Renn with his character development and how so obviously Inlove and polite and so young love is excellent.

Nym’s mother instincts and all her billion siblings genuinely made me feel like I was part of the family. The reveal of Ursa and how she lost her life to save nym and yet a part of her lives on still.

This book is so so so good and I cannot wait for book 2 to come out, though I know I’m gonna be waiting a while since this book isn’t even out yet!

I really enjoyed this book! The characters are wonderfully developed, making it easy to root for their triumphs and feel their struggles. I loved the slow burn romance between Nym and Renn, it was full of tension, tenderness, and those quiet moments that say everything. The forced proximity made every interaction feel charged and meaningful, and the magical healing added this beautiful emotional layer to it all. I was especially drawn to the magic system; it’s unique, clever, and seamlessly woven into the plot. If you're looking for a captivating and truly imaginative fantasy read, this one is an absolute must!

Thank you 47North and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows Nym (FMC) and Prince Renn (MMC), two deeply broken souls, one struggling mentally, the other physically, as they embark on a journey of healing. It’s a slow-paced story, weaving together several tropes:

✳️healer/patient
✳️MMC younger than FMC
✳️forbidden love
✳️forced proximity

The magic system in this book, Craflock, is absolutely stunning. It introduces healers, soulbinders, and mindreaders in a way I haven’t seen in any other story.

I’m not usually a fan of slow-paced books, but this one was so beautifully written and had such a unique magic system that I didn’t even notice the lack of action for most of the story. I was completely captivated by the world-building, and honestly, I didn’t even care that “nothing” was happening in terms of plot, action movement. Then, around the last 20%, the pace picked up, launching into a whirlwind of emotions, non-stop action, and a breathtakingly conclusion.
However, that cliffhanger? Crazy and now, I have no idea how long I’ll have to wait for the next book!

Thank you NetGalley, North47 and author for this book for review. All opinions are my own.

The story fell a little flat to me. DNF at around 20 percent, maybe the plot should have been developed to be more thrilling. 2 stars.

WOW. It actually physically pains me that I love this book so much and its not even out yet and i have to wait even longer for the second book?

This was phenomenal. I read it in one sitting. i havent read any other fantasy book with this same type of plot/world building. if you wanted to get extremely vague you might find something similar. I read 150-200 books a year and i usually can guess the twists and its really hard when you read that much to love a book and for it to not feel like every other book but THIS was so different and i cannot wait to read more!

well deserved 5 ⭐️ and will be waiting on actual pins&needles for the next one!

Rating: 3.5⭐

Spoiler-Free Review:
As my first ARC, The Shattered King was an experience full of layered emotions—equal parts intrigue, frustration, and curiosity. Charlie N. Holmberg introduces a fresh magic system, craftlock through the lumis, a unique form of healing that feels grounded and textured, rather than just a magical fix-all. I appreciated the depth given to the craft and how the story explored healing beyond the physical.

Set in a rigid society where magic is tightly restricted, the book paints a world on the brink of unraveling, and in that space, we meet Nym—a healer whose dedication and resilience are immediately put to the test. The dynamic between Nym and Prince Renn forms the core of the story, though I struggled to fully connect with their early interactions. The romance didn’t quite land for me until later in the book, but it found its footing more convincingly as the story progressed.

While the second half offered stronger character development and a twist that did pique my interest, I found myself frequently frustrated by the treatment of the protagonist and some of the societal logic within the world. That said, the prose is readable and smooth, and there are compelling elements here for readers who enjoy magic systems rooted in care, survival, and quiet strength.

Will I continue with the series? I’m not sure. I didn’t walk away needing to know what comes next—but I did close the book with a sense of admiration for how it tried to do something different.

Spoiler Discussion (read on if you’ve finished the book):
A large part of my frustration came from how Nym was treated after accomplishing what no healer had managed to do. The palace’s treatment of her—meager food, no rest, no pay and no recognition—was dehumanizing, and while it may have been used to contrast Prince Renn’s eventual kindness, it felt like too much. Renn's excuse for not knowing about her mistreatment and then immediately fixing it fell flat—it was the bare minimum, not something that earned my sympathy.

Later, when he asked Nym what she wanted as a reward and she asked for a walk around town, I was baffled. She hadn’t been paid, her family was in a desperate state, and she still didn’t ask for food or money. It didn’t feel like a believable reaction for someone in her situation.

The romance, too, was hard to believe at first. Their dynamic started more clinical than intimate, and it wasn’t until the latter part of the book that their bond felt more natural. That said, the reveal at the end was an interesting development, and I can see why readers might be curious to continue. I just didn’t feel compelled enough myself.

Lastly, I couldn’t understand the kingdom’s decision to outlaw all magic except healing. That short-sightedness led them to lose in battle to a nation that did nurture magic. It seemed like a strange strategic choice, and it was hard to buy into that aspect of the world-building without more explanation.

Wow. Just… wow. I’m not even sure where to begin. First, a heartfelt thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this absolute gem. The Shattered King is the first book I’ve read by Charlie Holmberg, and it definitely won’t be the last.

From the very first page, I was hooked. The writing strikes a beautiful balance, being poetic yet grounded, so you’re never lost in the lyricism but fully present with the story as it unfolds. And what a story it is. Nym, a healer, is summoned to tend to the prince, Renn, whose body is shattered. That’s all I’ll reveal, because this is a tale best experienced without spoilers. Let it unfold at its own pace; you won’t regret it.

The magic system is refreshingly unique yet intuitive, requiring little exposition or heavy-handed worldbuilding. And the characters? Every single one, no matter how brief their appearance, feels vivid and fully realized. The world Holmberg has crafted is immersive, enchanting, and an absolute pleasure to spend time in.

This is easily a 5-star read for me.