Captive and Crown

The Heartweaver Series Book #1

by Yashira Ponce

This title was previously available on NetGalley and is now archived.

Buy on Amazon

*This page contains affiliate links, so we may earn a small commission when you make a purchase through links on our site at no additional cost to you.

Book 1 of Heartweaver

Pub Date Feb 06 2026 | Archive Date Mar 09 2026

Ponce Publishing

New Adult | Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy

Talking about this book? Use #CaptiveandCrown #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!

Description

A psychically empathic soldier trapped in the bowels of an enemy kingdom. A telepathic prince with motives as unreadable as his mind. Two rivals bound by a fragile, shifting alliance.

Corporal Kaia Velaverde has led her empathic strike squad through impossible missions before, bending emotions to protect her nation of Allende. To save her homeland, Kaia must steal a rare volatile mineral from the Kadarons—Allende’s merciless northern oppressors and the people she’s sworn to hate. But when the heist unravels, Kaia is captured and thrown into the palace dungeons.

Summoned unexpectedly to the quarters of Prince Leander, a powerful telepath feared for his cold, lethal cunning, Kaia must decide whether this handsome royal is a trap to avoid or the key to returning home. Suspicious but pragmatic, she accepts his calculated hospitality while secretly crafting an escape plan.

Yet the more time she spends with Leander, the harder it becomes to reconcile the myth of the villainous Kadaron prince with the man who listens to and—perhaps—understands her. As Kaia uncovers the true reason behind his interest in her, she finds herself caught in a conflict greater than she imagined—one that could decide her fate and the future of her nation.

Now, Kaia must choose: cling to her hatred of all things Kadaron, or gamble her life—and her heart—by trusting the enemy.

Captive and Crown is the first book in the Heartweaver series. Fans of high-fantasy, political intrigue, enemies-to-lovers, and slow burn, spicy romance will devour this tale.

A psychically empathic soldier trapped in the bowels of an enemy kingdom. A telepathic prince with motives as unreadable as his mind. Two rivals bound by a fragile, shifting alliance.

Corporal Kaia...

Available Editions

EDITION	Ebook
ISBN	9798994069103
PRICE	$4.99 (USD)
PAGES	383

Available on NetGalley

NetGalley Reader (EPUB)

NetGalley Shelf App (EPUB)

Send to Kindle (EPUB)

Download (EPUB)

Additional Information

Average rating from 9 members

Featured Reviews

Elia W, Reviewer

Wow, my mind is still reeling from the last half of Captive and Crown. While the beginning of story was a little slow and **trigger warning - there is some prisoner brutality** by the second half of the book, the pace of the story was great and I was immersed in the story!

Both Kaia and Leander were very complex characters so it took some time to feel like I knew who they were but once I did, I loved them both. I don't want to spoil anything but there are some twists and turns and reveals that kept me turning the pages to the end!

The world of Zoi and how the different powers work took awhile for me to understand and I still have questions but I still loved this world and want to know more! Some things in the word seem from a previous time but then there is other technology and cars that speaks to the higher tech of today. Again, nothing bad, just made me a little confused at times.

I love both Kaia and Leander's hearts and their need and want to help others and the greater good. They were different, yet similar in so many ways. I also love (most of) Kaia's fellow soldiers and friends and Leander's team. I especially loved Navin, Priam and Bego!

I truly loved the end! It was happy with still knowing there is more to come and I am so excited for the second book in this series! This was such a unique Romance Fantasy book and I can't wait to dive into the world of Zoi again!

Was this review helpful?

Reviewer 2002507

This is a wonderfully refreshing original story. Slow to start with but had me absolutely hooked by the end. That ending though!

The magic and powers in the world does take. a little while to get your head around but it's explained pretty well.

Be prepared for the twists! Normally I can tell when something will be a twist but this time I couldn't but also didn't come out of nowhere, it was very cleverly done.

This was 100% an adult romantasy and has been written like one from the start. The downfall of some of these from my personal experience is they just don't balance well and focus so much on either romance and the fantasy element is lacking or they focus so much on the fantasy the romance feels forced with no real connection. This book was balanced perfectly and I cannot wait to read book 2.

Very highly recommend if you love a good immersive romantasy.