The story launches right into the world of a healer and beekeeper named Nym. We follow our FMC as she goes from raising her 7 younger siblings to being conscripted by the crown to attempt to heal the ailing youngest prince and taken abruptly from her family and all she knows. We follow as she works to heal the broken pieces of the prince. The way the author describes each characters souls allowed me to feel like I was right there with Nym.

As the book progresses, we learn more about the prince and how his ailments may be more than just physical. Watching as he interacts with Nym and they both slowly become attached to each other felt like a true slow burn. As the healing progresses so does their admiration for each other.

As the healing progresses and comes closer to completion, the kingdom is faced with adversities that continue to advance and as the kingdom is on the brink of war Nym will do whatever she can to finish this process for the prince. In the final few chapters some dramatic ends and surprise reveals truly had me both devastated and on the edge of my seat. Hopefully there is another book coming soon as the end of this book was a major cliffhanger!


Thank you to both the author and Netgally for providing me with this ARC, opinions provided in this review are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

She's a peasant healer. He's a prince who has been sick his whole life. And their story, from despise to friendship to forbidden feelings, is the most sweetest I have read in a while. Both characters are quite soft and genuine and the relationship between them sweet and innocent.

The story is rather slow paced, with truly slow burn romance, and if you're used to fast paced stories with full of exciting action, this one might not be for you. But I assure you, the silent, sweet tension between the two does pay off in the end, and it will make your heart ache. It's all about the shy smiles, lingering glances and brush of fingers.

I had some issues with the pacing throughout the story, where it sometimes felt like the writing was too hasty, skipping interesting details and encounters totally, only to describe another session of healing. The slow process of the healing was the main event of the plot, with not much else happening. The vibe was calm and cozy, until the end. The end... That was epic, with surprising plot twists and a jaw dropping, high stakes cliffhanger that will make you want to grab book 2 immediately.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, it was amazing.. Of course it was, a Charlie N Holmberg story is always is. The writing was perfect, worldbuilding was to the point, I was hooked and my energy and interest never dropped. I finished in almost two days and I will totally take my time to marinate in the feelings..
Thank you thank you!

Charlie's writing never disappoints. I love the worlds she creates and I immediately get immersed into the story. I can't wait to read the next book especially given this one ends on a cliffhanger.

I got off to a somewhat rocky start with this one. I did not immediately like Nym’s narration and found it hard to connect with her. I’m pleased that I persevered though, after my initial difficulty I did really enjoy this.

The story follows Nym, a craftlock healer, who is drafted to heal the prince of a mysterious illness that has plagued him since childhood. Taken from her family and treated poorly, Nym’s only thought is to finish her job quickly so she can return to her family.

This is what I struggled with most at the beginning of the story. Nym was so fixated on returning to her family that it felt like she only had that personality trait, and it was only after I started seeing more of her that I really began to enjoy the story. I also found the treatment the royals subjected her to to be almost cartoonishly evil, especially the queen.

However, I absolutely loved Prince Renn as a character and I liked seeing how he developed through the story. I thought that the magic system was interesting and the castle politics following the war were intriguing.

I found the second half of the book far more exciting than the first and I flew through it quickly once I was at about 60%.

I will definitely be looking out for the next installment!

Thank you so much to 47 North and NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Book Review: The Shattered King by Charlie N. Holmberg

The Shattered King hooked me from the very first chapter, which is rare for me. The writing was captivating, drawing me in and making it hard to put the book down. It was a mistake to start reading it at 9 pm, I stayed up for hours until I couldn’t keep my eyes open.

The story stands out from many other romantic fantasy books I’ve read. Nym, a 24 year old healer, is the oldest of nine kids. After losing her parents, she had to grow up quickly, taking on the roles of both mother and provider for her younger siblings. Her journey begins when she receives a royal summons to heal the bedridden prince, setting the stage for a unique story.

I loved Nym. From the start, she comes across as smart, level-headed, hardworking, and kind—a refreshing change from the typical sarcastic, stubborn, or overly argumentative FMC ( often found in enemies-to-lovers tropes).

The magic system is another standout aspect of the book. I also found interesting how author incorporated Nym’s real life experiences to her magic and showed exactly how hard did she have to work to heal the prince. I couldn’t help but compare it to other books where the FMC is simply portrayed as effortlessly powerful without putting in the same kind of work.

The romance in The Shattered King is subtle yet heartwarming. It’s a slow burn that allows the yearning and connection between the characters to develop naturally. The romantic elements complement the story instead of overshadowing it.

Overall, I loved this book and can’t wait for the Book 2.

All opinions expressed here are my own.I received access to this eARC through NetGalley and would like to thank both NetGalley and the publisher, 47North, for the opportunity to read this story.

This romantasy had no business being as good as it is for something that the author wrote in a breakneck *fifteen days*!! I was captivated and didn't want to put it down--which is a lot given I have a whole graveyard of DNFs. I really enjoyed the POV of the protagonist, FMC Nym who is brash, talented, and has a layered and compelling backstory that I haven't seen before in fantasy. I was worried that the story would be a bit Beauty and the Beast given the plot, but Holmberg does a good job balancing the power dynamic between Nym and Prince Renn. I appreciated that some of the theories I had about the plot were proven wrong and the unique magic healing system. I think fans of The Folk of the Air would enjoy this Part One of a duology, since it has similar vibes with political intrigue and the slow build to all hell breaks loose. It also reminded me of Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri; iron willed protagonists and forced proximity. I can't believe now I'm stuck waiting for Part Two...

Nym is a craftlock healer who is taking care of her siblings after losing their mother and father. The kingdom of Cansere is preparing for war and drafting its citizens into service,. Nym's brother is called up to serve and receives a letter from the queen herself, calling her to heal Prince Renn. Forced to become the prince’s official healer and a ward of the castle, and with her only hope of returning to her family hinging on the prince’s recovery, Nym must navigate the castle’s cruel and twisted court and uncover the haunting truth behind Prince Renn’s illness.

The world building allows the reader to picture themselves in the story. The romance is a nice slow burn , which I love. However , the story moved at a slow pace for me. But I still enjoyed reading it





descriptive writing allows the reader to picture themselves in the story.

FFS, I hate cliffhangers! But this book was so good! A really creative magical universe, and beautifully crafted characters in Renn and Nym. There was a point in the beginning where certain parts were mentioned but not fully explained and I was afraid it was going to be one of those stories that doesn’t quite reach its potential, but then gradually all became clear. I don’t want to give anything away, but I did feel a little disappointed in the development of Nym and Renn’s relationship at the end. I can’t say more than that, but I can’t wait to hear what others think about it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this in advance of publication! I cannot wait for the follow up.

Hooked from the very start, I’ll absolutely be getting The Shattered King upon its release! Full stars, this story leaves me wanting more with every turn of the page.

There’s a reason I don’t usually pick up fantasy/romance books (I refuse to say 'romantasy') when the series is just beginning—because if it’s good, I’ll be hooked, and then I’ll be stuck waiting. That’s exactly what happened here. It was my mistake choosing this one to read as an ARC because it is quite good, and now my impatience is going to skyrocket until the next book comes out.

As you all may or may not know, I am already a fan of Charlie N. Holmberg’s books. I loved the Whimbrel House series, and I have the Spellbreaker and Paper Magician series both in my TBR pile. This book adds to my belief that she is a good writer.

We meet Nym, a magical (craftlock) healer who is taking care of her siblings after losing their mother and father. The kingdom of Cansere is preparing for war and drafting its citizens into service, as proved by her younger brother being called up. Much to her surprise, she receives a letter from the queen herself, calling her into service, but this service is to help heal Prince Renn.
Prince Renn is trapped in his own body, having an unknown illness on top of injuries obtained when he fell down a long set of stone stairs. It has made him cold and distant, believing he will never be healed.

Nym arrives intending to fail the test so she can return to her family, but she’s intrigued by Renn’s illness and torn about not using her gift to help. She manages to heal a very small part of his illness, but it is more than any healer before has managed to do. In doing so, she becomes indentured to the royal family to spend every waking hour trying to fix Renn’s other ailments. In living there, she learns the connections between the rest of the royal family and finds herself drawn to the prince as his walls slowly come down.

This book has quite a lot to enjoy. The descriptive writing allows the reader to picture themselves in the story. Whether it is the cold stone walls of Nym’s room, Renn’s posh chambers, or the bustling market of Nation’s Row, the writing lets you lose reality as you walk along with the characters. The magic system is unique and creative, which makes this book all the more interesting. There are no magical blasts from cast spells, but quiet changes made through abilities that had once remained hidden.

Their romance is a slow burn but worth the wait. The progression of their relationship is something that both of them fight (mostly Nym), but inevitably give in to. For those who are keeping score, there are no spicy scenes in this book, but the romance is beautiful.

All in all, this book is well worth reading. Even though I’m frustrated by the cliffhanger, it’s a testament to how invested I’ve become. I’ll absolutely be picking up the next book—and that’s exactly what any author hopes to achieve

Title: THE SHATTERED KING
Author: Charlie N. Holmberg
Release Date: September 2, 2025
Re-readability: Yes, will likely reread before the second book is released.
Binge-Read Score: Read in 2 days! Great read!

Overall Thoughts:
The world Holmberg creates in THE SHATTERED KING is whimsical and I absolutely loved the creative take on healing magic. The beginning starts with a bit of a slower pace, but I think it served essential background and really did a great job painting all the characters in a 3-dimensional light. Similar to a boulder starting to roll down hill, the momentum in this story builds throughout and I am very excited to read a second book. Thank you to the author, Charlie Holmberg, and 47North for the early access.

Nym—our fierce, quietly determined FMC—is raising her seven siblings when she receives an unexpected summons to the palace. Her task? Attempt to heal the kingdom’s ailing prince, Renn, who has been sick since infancy. No doctor or healer has succeeded, but the Queen refuses to give up, yanking healers from their lives in a desperate attempt to save her only son.

As Nym steps into this gilded cage of royal desperation, she finds herself entangled in more than just a healing mission. Renn, the grumpy, melancholic prince, begins to develop feelings for Nym—and honestly, who could blame him? She’s powerful, stunning, and quite literally saving his life.

This story takes you deep into a magical realm where healing gifts are forbidden—unless, of course, you’re trying to cure the Queen’s heir. The worldbuilding is rich, imaginative, and unlike anything I’ve read before. One of the most compelling elements is Nym’s healing process: every person is different on the inside, and that unpredictability brings the magic to life.

If you’re craving a slow-burn romance filled with forced proximity, aching yearning, and a grumpy-sunshine dynamic set in a vivid magical world—this is your book. Be warned: the ending packs a cliffhanger the size of Texas.

Nym isn’t meek—she’s quiet, yes, but she holds her own. She’s practical, focused, and deeply shaped by her burdens. At times she might seem distant or emotionally flat, but given her life circumstances, it makes sense. She’s learned how to move through the world like a shadow, hoping not to be seen.

Renn, the MMC, is heartbreakingly sad. Life has beaten him down, and he’s long since stopped fighting—until Nym gives him a reason to hope. He’s young, yet wise in ways pain often teaches. There’s so much more to him than he realizes, and I adored watching him rediscover his worth.

Oh, and his family? Absolutely awful. I hated them.

5/5 stars!!
Healer/Patient
Prince/Peasant
Forced Proximity
Forbidden love

Thank you for allowing me to read this before publication!

The book begins with Nym in her small town as she says goodbye to her brother, who has just been conscripted to the military. Nym barely has time to miss her brother before her own conscription letter arrives. She is a healer, and she is required to travel to the palace to attempt to heal the prince (who has been ill for 20 years).

Warning- the book ends on a cliffhanger, so beware! You'll be turning the page for more :)

Such a unique idea! Absolutely loved this and am now looking forward to book 2!

I read and enjoyed Charlie Holmberg’s The Hanging City and some of her other books have been on my TBR for awhile, so I jumped at the chance for an ARC of The Shattered King. I'm super glad I did because shadow daddies and morally grey bad boys are now out, and sickly sexy consent kings are in!

This book was an absolute delight to read. The characters all had a strong sense of uniqueness about them, even ones who didn't speak many words. I related a lot with Nym as the "oldest" child who feels responsible for her younger siblings, and I was endlessly fascinated with her magic and the entire magic system of the book in general. It's so cool to think about her being able to see someone's lumis (the book's version of a psyche/soul/essence) and everyone having a unique lumis with all the different iterations we get to see throughout the book. The way she works with the magic has a lot of depth, and this is well explored throughout the book. I also love that she speaks before thinking, because honestly, same. Nym is snarky to the point of foolishness, she can't help but try to heal those hurting, she cares deeply for her family, and she's also fiercely protective of her own heart. I love her and think she was wonderfully written.

Prince Renn is proof that good guys can be hot and interesting and they need their time in the sun again! He's kind without being perfect (because good does not have to mean boring!), and you really see him grow into who he is throughout the book. The number of sweet, kind, heart gushing lines from Renn... he's like the guy who finally comes along after so many disappointing heartbreaks just as you give up on finding love, and I love that for Nym. Some of my favorite lines of his I feel like are mild spoilers, but just trust me when I say that he will make you swoon.

A few honorable mentions go to Ard and Sten, Renn's guards. They're men of very few words who have a profound impact and sense of existence in the series, and it's definitely a testament to Charlie Holmberg's writing that I felt so attached to so many characters including these two who had relatively few lines throughout the book.

While I love the yearning and the romance involved between Nym and Renn and all the tension that brings, I think the mystery surrounding Renn's lumis, the pending war, secrets of the queen (which I thought I figured out but I was so so wrong by the time the plot twist was revealed), and just generally the goings on besides the Renn/Nym interactions were SO interesting. The book ends on a cliffhanger and I don't know how I'm going to survive until the sequel is released, mostly so I figure out what happens with the war and with where we left things at the end of the book in the state of the world. I absolutely flew through the last 10% because the action was gripping and the reveals were surprising to me, so nothing about this book felt predictable. I look forward to reading the next book, and this was absolutely a slam dunk read for me!

I would like to thank 47North for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.2 Stars

Nym Tallowax is a healer, except she doesn't heal body's physically she heals them magically with a skill called craftlock which has only recently been legalized due to the noble family's ailing son. The Kingdom is on the brink of war, her family seemingly falling apart when the worst happens, she's conscripted to the noble family's castle to try her hand at healing the Queens youngest son Prince Renn.

Nym was determined to fail this test and return home to her family as quickly as possible, but fate has other ideas. Can she heal someone who's broken in ways she's never seen before, can she break through the prince's icy exterior, or will everything and everyone fall apart like so many pieces of shattered glass?

Marvelous! The Shattered King kept me hooked from page one until the last.
Which for me is surprising as not a ton happens in the book, in fact it's mostly revolving around two characters and 90% of the times they are doing the same thing over and over again but yet so much more then that also happens. The writing is so good, it pulls you from one page to the next, and a lot of this has to do with one absolutely wonderful thing: The magic system.

The magic system in this book is like nothing I've ever read before. I do NOT want to give spoilers but I will say it had me hooked from the beginning. It was such a clever idea and the way it's used not only as a magic system itself, but also an amazing way to get to know characters on a deeper level then we would be able to otherwise. See inside them and make connections and ideas happen in ways that it felt new and unpredictable.

I only had one complaint the whole book and that was a single scene where Nym is portrayed as more naive than any women would be given her past (we're later informed on), her experience taking care of her siblings, and the warnings of not one but two people she trusts. It came out of nowhere and never happened again but it left me reeling and I got so mad I had to put the book down for several hours.

The ending was also a little disappointing. Not that it was bad, but I'm not a huge fan of cliffhangers, and this one, as well as the twist, will leave people reeling.

I would highly recommend fans of fantasy and new original magic systems give this one a shot. The romance is simmering but not hot, at least not yet. I will leave you romantic types with a final quote:

"I feared him-what he represented for me, his closeness to me, like we were braiding together so tightly I would never be able to separate from him before the inevitable knife cut our rope."

*Warning this tile contains some scenes with:
Sexual assault/abuse/torture/blood/dismemberment

Charlie N. Holmberg does it again—The Shattered King is an exquisitely written dark romantasy full of court intrigue, unique magic, and slow-burn romance that hits all the right notes. This book might just be my new favorite of hers.

Nym is a compelling protagonist—resilient, practical, and devoted to her family. Her reluctant journey from rural healer to royal ward unfolds with heart and tension. The magic system, especially the concept of lumis—individual and deeply personal magical imprints—is breathtaking in its beauty and originality. Holmberg’s take on healing magic feels fresh, intimate, and emotionally resonant.

Prince Renn is a mystery wrapped in icy layers, and the slow burn between him and Nym is masterfully executed. Their growing connection is tender and hard-earned, with every small moment packed with emotional weight. The court intrigue and haunting secrets behind his illness kept the pages turning, and I loved how the plot didn’t shy away from darker, more twisted revelations.

This book is richly atmospheric, emotionally layered, and deeply romantic in a way that never overpowers the magic or mystery. I am obsessively ready for the next book in this duology. Holmberg’s storytelling just keeps getting better.

“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.”

4.5 stars. Loved this book, so, so good! I adored the main characters: Renn, a broken 20-year-old Prince, and Nym, a broken 24-year-old healer. Despite his shattered state, Renn is like a ray of sunshine. He's shy, kind, and bookish, and the way he is fussing over Nym is so cute. And he's just simply so relatable.

The slow-burn romance was delicious. The gradual build-up, the tender moments, the longing - ahh, I ate it up and left no crumbs.

The healing magic was unique and creative (didn't expect that at all, tbh), and it was interesting to read about.

The only reason I can't give this book 5 stars is the second revelation about Nym's past (around 74% mark). I won't spoil, but the "aftermath" of that traumatic event is a hard no for me. Just no. Yes, I'm a bad person, I know, but I hated that detail.

But overall, I greatly enjoyed this book. It’s not a standalone but the first in a duology, and I can’t wait for Book 2!

Thank you to NetGalley, author Charlie N. Holmberg and 47North for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

"My body for the crown. My blood for the Phoenix."


The kingdom of Cansere is on the brink of war. Young men are conscripted from their homes, and a royal decree from the queen has made healing the only legal form of craftlock. Nym, a healer and beekeeper, is the sole provider for her family of seven now that her younger brother has been sent to the warfront. But when a letter comes from the queen, summoning Nym to the palace to heal Prince Renn, the kingdom’s ailing shut-in, Nym finds herself making the tumultuous journey from her family’s apiary to the capital city. Nym is determined to fail the queen’s mission and return to her younger siblings as soon as she can.

But escaping the castle’s hold isn’t as easy as failing a simple test. Prince Renn is cold and distant, and his illness is nothing like Nym has ever seen before, nothing she could ever imagine treating. In a moment of connection with Prince Renn, Nym manages to remedy the faintest symptom of his ailment―only to discover that no healer before has made such progress. Forced to become the prince’s official healer and a ward of the castle, and with her only hope of returning to her family hinging on the prince’s recovery, Nym must navigate the castle’s cruel and twisted court and uncover the haunting truth behind Prince Renn’s illness―even as she finds herself irrevocably drawn to him.

"I was a broken healer, a woman whose craft would become illegal the second he was whole again. A woman too shattered by men to allow another to break her."


HOLY WOW, I NEED BOOK TWO IMMEDIATELY.

This has become my absolute favorite of Holmberg's. It has everything: captive healer, recalcitrant prince, magical healing, a mystery illness, forced proximity, snobby royal to considerate friend, and BAM! WAR CONFLICT!

It has hints of To Poison a King and even a beauty and the beast-esque let-her-visit-family-even-though-he's-afraid-she-won't-come-back that brings them closer together and made me squeal but don't for a minute think it doesn't stand on its own.

Nym is down-to-earth, having been forced to grow up too soon. She takes care of her younger siblings and has since she was sixteen. I practically laughed maniacally whenever she would lose her temper, pointing out LOGICAL THINGS to the ridiculous demands of the nobility. She did get thrown into the dungeon for her troubles but honestly they needed a little lip. I enjoyed discovering more of her scars as she and the prince got closer. I rejoiced and was filled with happiness when she got to go home to see her family. I sighed dreamily when he confessed and wept with sympathy when she fought against herself. I would die for Nym.

Renn originally wasn't anything more than an unhappy and snobby prince with a hellish helicopter mother. But as he begins to see Nym more as a person rather than a tool, his personal growth is ASTOUNDING (but believable). He's smart, bookish, pretty, teasing, considerate, kind. He respects her boundaries. He isn't afraid to confess his feelings. He does the hard things and feels the good feelings. He shares in her wonder and enjoys being able to provide for her. He appreciates the sacrifices she makes and he tries to support her as much as he can. HE EVEN THROWS HIS MOTHER OUT OF HIS ROOM. The mama's boy! I WAS SO PROUD. YOU GO, RENN!

Outside of just loving the two of them, I was constantly fascinated by the craftlock of this world. Healing craftlock works by dowsing into a person's lumis (a magical manifestation of the body), each person having a different looking lumis with a different fix to their ailments. Nym is unique in that she can see death lines, making her a far more effective healer since she won't accidentally off someone. Renn is unique in that his lumis is (or at least, would have been) a kaleidoscope of color with various blown glass balls and baubles. I can just imagine just how beautiful it would be, even in its shattered state.

While war is an afterthought that's mentioned in the background most of the book, it hits hard in the last quarter and boy do things heat up quickly.

I cannot wait to see more of the other two craftlocks in book two: soulbinding and mindreading.

"I would worship you until my last breath."
"You owe me no promises."
"I would give you every oath, Nym."


Healer-centric fantasy lovers will eat this one up.

Major thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC! I've already pre-ordered this baby since I liked it so much.

In a village in the kingdom of Cansere lives Nym, a healer who has raised her many siblings. Their kingdom at war, their king's youngest son afflicted with terrible illness, and so Nym is conscripted to join a long line of physicians and healers to attempt to fix their ailing prince. The story is of a slowly unfolding romance that reminded me slightly of Beauty and the Beast, though none of the characters were described as beastly in appearance, but more that the two characters had a similar pattern in warming to each other, and even a few minor details like the love of books. Though there are numerous fantasy books that deal with healing magic, this story has a very imaginative version. Nym's own story, which she shares as her trust grows, adds an additional layer of complexity. And, despite their mutual feelings, their different stations in life appears to be something that can only be overcome in childrens' fairy tales. Just when I settled into the idea that this was simply a slow-burn romance that would resolve one way or another before the last page, this tale takes a more dramatic turn toward the end and complication arise that indicate that this is only the beginning and I can't wait to continue this story in what I hope will be its swiftly delivered sequel.
I received access to this eARC thru NetGalley (for which I want to thank NetGalley and the publisher, 47North) for an honest review. The opinion expressed here is my own.