This book read more as fantasy than romance to me. It was just okay, a very slow-moving beginning and hard to get into. I'm sure the sequels would be better.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for ARC. All opinions are my own.

I was really enjoying this story and the world the author was building until I had to stop. I was about a third in when Euthalia mentioned that she engaged in sexual exploration with her handmaidens, who were in a lower position than her. She was their queen and she was in a position of power. It's very similar to a professor and their assistant and it made me very uncomfortable. The sexual exploration with a fellow woman is not the problem, it's the fact that a queen engaged with all of her handmaidens, who are subservient to her. She even commented on it, remarking that she felt that her highest handmaiden could never completely open up to her when they partook in their exploration, probably because she was held back by their positions. And that's the moment I stopped reading. If Euthalia was so aware, she should know that she was doing something wrong and should not have continued. I very much got the impression that her number one handmaiden felt compelled to do things with her and that is exactly the problem I had with it.
It was a shame, I was really enjoying the book up until that point. If it's not too late, the author can potentially change the situation. The handmaiden can be turned into a fellow royal and the two can be on equal footing. If that was done, the issue I had with their sexual relationship is gone and I would happily continue reading.

More and more now I have been coming back to one of my favourite genres and that is fantasy. I am so glad that I got to read this book it is just awesome.

I was interested in this book after reading the summery, but quickly realized I was going to have trouble finishing it. It starts out super slow, and doesn't really seem to start moving until about half way, where everything speeds up double time, and the rest of the story fly's by. Though the story does get more interesting, it's annoying that the first part was so hard to enjoy.

4 STARS!

WHAT I LIKED:
From the very beginning, I though that this book was written beautifully. The author packed so much detail into what they have written and while this made it pacing a little slow at times, I really enjoyed it.
Following this, when the story really started get further into the plot, I found I couldn't put it down!
Euthalia and Conri were intriguing characters, and they compelled me to keep reading way past when I should have gone to sleep. There was so much beauty in this book and I really can't wait to own my own copy, I love fantasy romance and feel like there isn't enough of it.

WHAT I DIDN"T LIKE SO MUCH:
The beginning really would have benefitted from some better pacing, as this did make it a little difficult to get into and I've seen other people have the same problem.

That being said, I really look forward to reading what this author has in store next and I may add to this review later when I've had some more time to process.

WOULD I RECOMMEND? Yes
WOULD I READ AGAIN? Yes

This review is based from my ebook copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Such a well-written and intriguing storyline. I liked the story from start to finish. Such a wonderful world-building. I felt like I was actually in the book it was so good.

This book fooled me!! I enjoyed the story, was getting into Lia and Con...and then, and then, it ends before, before it even truly begins!! And when I checked for the next book...it's coming out next year!! I'd've forgotten it by then!!

But it was a nice story, interesting world building here, more than half of this book devoted to what leads them to where the story really starts. Calanthe sounds like paradise and the Flower court sounds wicked. Lia is definitely more than she seems, managing to deal and delay Anure's machinations to claim her court to protect Calanthe. Con is immovable in his quest, more than a prince now, or is it less? And together they will succeed in bringing down Anure's reign...or so Ambrose, the last known wizard, says. So many interesting and complicated characters here, so much at stake. And we haven't really started on the tale yet.

So half the battle was won by Con, by getting Lia to his side. The next part of the battle is obviously in the next book, and is much much more difficult. Sigh. This is maybe 25% or a third at most, of the entire tale. If it weren't for that, I'd give this 4 stars. As it is, it's left me hanging.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of the book. I pray for the chance to read the next one in the series.

Painfully paced (first chapters of the book crawled) but the idea is there. Just seems some stronger editing.

loved Jeffe Kennedys previous books but this one was very hard to get through most of the book was about setting up the "world" so much so that you never get a chance to really get invested in the characters, in fact I really did not like any of the characters at all which also makes hard to read.  I hope the next one is a better read.

I tried to get into this story, but it was too confusing and didn’t grab my interest. The Mc, Euthalia, was not relatable. The world was too discombobulated and hard to follow. It read more like someone trying to write high fantasy instead of YA fantasy.

This book was received as an ARC from St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

Our readers have heard wonderful news about this book and the drama and conflict it entails and I must say they will not be disappointed. The Orchid Throne tells the story of Lia Queen of Calanthe and Conri former Prince of Oriel who were banished into exile from the emperor and determined to save their kingdom but the key rests in this ring that has a special meaning to Lia and when Conri and Lia meet they have more to fight for than their kingdom....they fight for each other. This book was filled with adventure and drama to the max and the book was so enticing from beginning to end just for that. Our readers will enjoy this book and still will be talking about it.

We will consider adding this title to our Romance/Fantasy collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.

For me, The Orchid Throne by Jeffe Kennedy got off to a slow start, I even set it aside and read another book before going back to it. But once I picked it up again, I could. not. put. it down. Please tell me that this is the first of a series!!!

Lia, the princess of Calanthe is beautiful, desirable and betrothed to the Emperor who is a monster who has destroyed most of the kingdoms of the world. Conri is the former Crown Prince of Oriel, who watched his family die at the hands of the Emperor. A prophecy states that Lia and Conri must marry to bring the kingdoms together, but how can this happen when they are so far apart, in so many ways?

I loved this novel and can't wait for the next one!!!

The concept was interesting but the writing style was not my cup of tea. The writing was awkward and wordy and at points a bit muddled. That's not to say that the book was bad...it just didn't resonate with me.

This was perhaps a little slower initially than some other books I’ve read by this author but nevertheless it does set itself up to be a satisfying tale when she’s finally finished with it. I’m guessing it’s going to be a trilogy as we need to find out not only much more about this seemingly sentient land but also get to see our lead couple take a stand against the mysterious Emperor.
Lia is Queen but in order to protect her people she was betrothed to the Emperor whose ambitions and cruelty know no bounds. I won’t ruin it but it’s very obvious that Lia is both smart and wily as she avoids matrimony. Lia might appear sweet and naive but this Queen is anything but !
Conri has been told in order to defeat the tyrant who has caused so much destruction that he must have the fabled ring that sits proudly upon Lia’s hand. Well good luck with that one because brute force will only get him so far. The couple do not trust each other but they both realise that as events become precarious they do in fact need each other.
The world building lacked a little something for this reader but it certainly made up for it with the court etiquette that was as much baffling as it was amusing. The way Lia is forced to behave and act is only second to her wardrobe and style ! Poor Conri is so confident in himself and he has to suck up several revelations as the couple cement their ahem alignment ( relationship dear reader ) and although it wasn’t my perfect read I’m very excited to discover how they start to handle the situation they are left in .
This voluntary take is of a copy that I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

3.5 stars -

Fantasy-romance is quickly becoming my new favorite genre to read. What’s not to love? You’ve got the best of both worlds! Epic world-building and settings in a world unlike our own, with a sensual and steamy romance thrown in the mix? Count me in!

The Orchid Throne definitely embodies it. Following Euthalia “Lia” and Conrí on their journey towards each other was fun. This was a slow-burn romance and worth every minute of the wait. Of course, as with any good fantasy, there is magic, a villainous Emperor and prophecies that need fulfilling - all good things but I wish it was explored more.

Despite the detailed world-building, I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would have liked to, but I did love their union. I wanted more personality from both of them; more raw, unfiltered truths and untold stories about how they came to be who they are. Apart they’re definitely likable in their own right, but together they’re something else entirely and I’m excited to see how they handle the obstacles of the Kingdom that most definitely will come their way in the next book.

I have to admit i was skeptical when it came to the romance with this fantasy book. However it delivers in the end.

This is book one in a trilogy and much of it is spent setting up the world of what would come about for book 2 and 3. I felt that it was dragging the first 45% but then once the main characters meet then the action picks up and it;'s explosive.

I really want to read book 2 in the series to see how tyrant emperor finds out that he has been outsmart by Lia and Conri.

A wonderful fantasy romance! Interesting world building, a strong heroine, and a great love interest. Action, fantasy, and romance all in one!

THE ORCHID THRONE is a strong beginning to a new series. Told in alternating first person points-of-view, we follow Euthalia, the queen of Calanthe- a living flower island, and Conri, the former prince of Oriel who is now known as the Slave King. Conri is plotting revenge against the current emperor, Anure, who has viciously conquered and destroyed many small kingdoms (including Oriel) to create his empire. Somehow, Calanthe has been spared and left Euthalia as the ruler- in part due to her engagement to Anure and in part due to stunning political acumen.

Euthalia has been tasked by Anure with stopping Conri at Calanthe, which poses a bit of a conundrum with her because of the principles of the living land. Conri is traveling to Calanthe due to the prophecies told to him by the wizard Ambrose. As most wizards have been killed and Anure claiming magic does not exist- however, this may not be true.

As they come together, they must overcome their pasts to work together to save Calanthe. This book is a small piece of a much larger story, and in part, makes this one feel like a prequel. Most of the book is world-building and character-building, and this is very strong. Euthalia and Conri are three-dimensional and Calanthe is easy to imagine. However, in terms of overall plot, it is relatively small in this book- not much happens yet, and the reader is left with a lot of questions. I still really enjoyed the book, the story, the world, and the characters (Ambrose may be one of my favorites), but I do wish it was longer or that I had the next one already!

This is great for people looking for an epic fantasy series with many books to come- I can't wait to continue the saga! Do be forewarned you will be left with many questions, however. Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher through netgalley. All opinions are my own.

From page one the "The Orchid Throne" started off slow and within time it started to pick up momentum allowing the author to create a memorable read. The style of writing the author used was able to convey Lia and Conri's feelings and thoughts beautifully throughout the story and the fantasy driven barely there romance which I didn't quite understand how it fill in with the overall plot won me over yet I would like to notate that once the romance was consummation, the ending fell short. Though at completion I was left with more questions than answers, I was left impressed and looking forward to the continuation of this series.

Slow starting but really well worth sticking with. I was glad in the end that I persevered through the first chapter or so because once the story got going it was so good. I can't wait to see what happens next!