This is the epitome of a book that you cannot put down. It is the third book in the scarred earth series and after the hint of dragons in the last book I was looking forward to it greatly. All my expectations have been met. GAI can has a managed to merge her scarred earth world with the dragon kin in the most entertaining way possible.

We have previously met Ainsley one of the queen Keeley‘s sisters and knew her as someone good with a bone arrow and one who seem to like to hide in trees. We find out that she’s not hiding but trying to avoid her crazy family especially her sister Gemma. Her sisters insist upon Gruffyn(Gruff) who is a member of another Amichai clan to guard Ainsley. Gruff is the grudge holder of his clan which just helps you understand how grumpy he actually is.

We get to see all of our old fab favorite dragons interact with Keeley and her family. As always the way the dragons siblings deal with each other is highly entertaining as well as all of Anuel‘s antics. It was especially fun to see Gwenvael’s son Var have a bigger role in this book and see how crazy the relationship between father and son is.

Beatrix is most definitely a worthy villain. She is single minded and what she wants and will use anybody and make deals with anybody to get what she wants. It was interesting to see who her newest alliances were with and how complicated her plans actually end up being.

It was fun to see the progression of Ainsley and Gruff’s relationship throughout the book as they were trying to help fight Beatrix. The group of individuals that tags along with Ainsley we’re all fascinating funny and just added to the entertainment of the story.

All in all it was a rollicking fun good time. GAI can build a fantastic world and yet every character seems to get it to do. I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book.

Heretic Royal is the long awaited 3rd installment of the Scarred Earth Series. With the cliffhanger ending that blew us all away in The Princess Knight I was dying for this book to come out and it truly delivered in all aspects. Not only do we get our beloved Dragon families but we also are given the story of the third sister Ainsley and her figuring out what her true path is in both life and love, with a Centaur of course! Ainsley and Gruff have been around each other for a while, but it takes the craziness of what is going on in their world to have them open up their eyes to the true partner that is in front of them. I could not stop smiling during my entire reading of this book. Not only is it so well written but as most readers have such an emotional connection with the author's characters, you can help but just be happy to see what is playing out on each page. I will be honest in saying that for me, the romance between the two main leads was really secondary to the story of the two Queens, Keely and Annwyl working to bring both of their worlds together to fight the hell that Beatrix wants to unleash on the world. The romance aspect of the book really took longer than normal to get to as there were many things to cover in the story from where the last book left off. I love how two of my favorite fantasy worlds are colliding and I hope we have been given some hints into future crossovers between the two families. I can only imagine some interesting pairings down the road. Warning: Don’t pick this book up unless you have time to read the whole thing, because you will not be able to put it down once you start!

I was thrilled at the end of the last book at the idea of a cross over since Annwyl is one of my favorite characters ever and I loved all of the Dragon Kin series. I was expecting only a little interaction but this book went above and beyond with all of our favorite characters from Dragon Kin mentioned and present for the entire book. The romance definitely took a back seat but when it was mentioned and in typical fashion for this author Ainsley was oblivious to Gruff’s feelings for most of the book. It focused a lot on the family dynamics and set up alliances that will be important in the next book. This one felt like it was mostly setting up the rest of the books and giving us a preview into who all will be involved in the war. I loved it thought finished it the same day I got it couldn’t put it down was happily jumping up in down with joy when I saw I was approved for an ARC copy.

The Heretic Royal continues G.A. Aiken's Scarred Earth Saga, and I am here for it. I've been enjoying this series from the beginning, and from the looks of things, I will continue to do so. I definitely recommend reading from the first book, because this series has an ongoing plot that you will want to keep track of.

The Heretic Royal follows Ainsley and Gruffyn, and they just might be my favorite couple so far! They were oblivious and downright entertaining all at once. They had an innate connection that developed from friends to lovers, and I enjoyed watching it happen.

Also, this third book adds MORE crazy, over-the-top characters in the form of dragons, The Mad Queen, Ainsley's friends and members of Gruffyn's centaur clan. It was one wild, violent, bickering ride.

Beatrix the ***** continued her nefarious plotting in this story, and I cannot wait until she gets what's coming for her. She is one crafty, heartless chick.

I am interested to see where this series goes and who will be the next featured couple.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

GA Aiken is a favorite of mine and this book was fabulous! Such intricate and hilarious world building. I hope there's more to come!

I will leave a review on Amazon and B&N on Dec 27th


I found this to be a action packed storyline, full of blood, guts and some laughter tossed into the mix. The Heretic Royal is the 3rd book in The Scarred Earth Saga, and as with the previous books I certainly enjoyed it. I enjoyed the chemistry between Ainsley and Gruff, and I can see many more books in the offering with this family. I would recommend this book to others.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is the latest book in this outstanding Author's Scarred Earth series and whilst it can be read as a standalone reading the previous books would be of benefit to set the worldbuilding and characters in place

This book is Ainsley and Gruff's story and whilst I enjoyed it I felt that it was too slow in parts - with too much time where nothing progressed and when it did I was left feeling a little deflated .
More was made of Annwyl and her Dragons , don't get me wrong I love anything to do with Annwyl and the Dragons . They provide laugh out loud moments amongst all the gore of battles ..... even those madcap family moments amongst themselves . But this was supposed to be Ainsly and Gruff's time to shine .......... they didn't except in rare moments
And whilst the outcome was satisfactory the storyline did not progress fast/far enough for me
If you want to be startled , in a good way - watch out for the "bird" on the headboard scene , its hilarious

All the above being said this is a really enjoyable book and I look forward to the next in the series , where the Author might takes us further forward in the conflict between the Queens and perhaps a scene where Isadora meets Izzy ??
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

I love G.A. Aiken/ Shelly Laurenston and I have read everything published by her. Her stories are always way out there entertaining with plenty of humor, mayhem, and over the top dynamic characters.
I would have to say to know what’s going on in this book, you really need to read the Dragon Kin series first. The wonderful characters in that series makes a grand entrance into this series.
I really liked the first two books, they were more centered on the H/h with everything going on around them.
This is the 3rd book in this series and it was just a nice enjoyable read. It still has a great world building, intriguing characters but it was very slow, there was a lot of back and forth and nothing really going on. I was waiting for something to happen and when it finally did I was disappointed with how it played out.
I feel like the characters in this series took a back seat to Annwly and the Dragons.
The main characters Gruff and Ainsley was disappointing, I wanted more of them since it was their book so I didn’t connect with them . This felt like a filler till the next book.
Overall a 3.5 but I will still read anything Aiken puts out.

I, received a free ARC from netgalley for my honest review.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Omg! So frustrated after the epilogue! I both love and hate cliffhangers, but can’t wait for the next one. I really liked that there was a lot of crossover from the dragon series and smaller skirmishes to build for the coming fight. I really wanted to see my favorite queens all in one place, and this did not disappoint!!
The romance almost seemed accidental between these characters, but the way they were written, it feels like anything else would have felt forced and awkward- he’s stiff and well, Gruff; she runs and hides when frustrated but has infinite ability and plans, it’s just no one really believes in her skills outside of her bow. In hopes for future stories however, I really want to see what happens when Isadora meets Izzy and exactly what happens in the dragon palace. Does Var find his story in Keeley’s kingdom, if he gets one? These books always have such rich secondary characters that transition beautifully into primary characters in their own stories I can’t help but want to see what happens.

READ the first two books for those with Kindle Unlimited they are free to borrow!

So now we know this will be a series since there is no true ending to this book. Yes, Ainsley Farmerson, sister of the Queen (the good one), gets her guy and has some sexy times with him. There are the fighting, blood, guts, strong women who know themselves and revel in it, laughter, and comedy that we've all come to know and love with this author.

I suggest that you also try to read: at the very least, [book:Dragon Actually|3295695][bookcover:Dragon Actually|3295695] by G.A. Aiken or [book:What a Dragon Should Know|6288940] [book:What a Dragon Should Know|6288940] to learn a bit about Annwyl the Bloody because she is a main character in and perhaps for some of those to come!. Also, for those with Kindle Unlimited, the first Dragon book is free!

Edited to add: these dragon books have a lot more sexy times and are quite graphic about them!

This book started a tad slow but really picked up quite soon and kept me at the edge of my chair for the rest of the book. I adored it, and for me, that is really a lot to admit. I don't adore a lot of books. This one is going on my comfort bookshelf along with the other two!

*ARC provided by the publisher Kensington Publishing Corp, the author G.A. Aiken aka Shelly Laurenston, and NetGalley.

I’m never disappointed with the madcap family dynamics and, with the additions from her other series, there were so many moments that had me laughing out loud. A great fantasy with a light romance.

I was very excited to read the next installment of The Scarred Earth Saga by G.A. Aiken. The Heretic Royal is a continuation of the first two books in the Smythe sisters' quest to defeat Queen Beatrix. Book one focuses on Queen Keely, book two on Brother Gemma and book three on Ainsley (the middle sister archer who spends most of her time in trees). This book also brings characters from the Dragon Kin books into the picture. It has been a while since I read the Dragon Kin and the first two books in this series, so it took me at least three chapters to catch up with the story line. There is a lot going on this book with the introduction of so many new characters into an already crowded lineup. It almost feels like the first book in a series. Everything starts to flow after a few chapters and I was completely caught up in the story.

The author's trademark hilarity is ever present and I found myself laughing out loud numerous times. Ainsley's father, Angus, is always a favorite for me in this series and he did not disappoint this time around. I also loved getting more of Isadora's story and can't wait to see what is in store for her.

I would have liked to see more of Ainsley and Gruff together and hope to see more from them in the next book. Queen Beatrix is still out there...

I am a huge, huge fan of Shelly Laurenston / G.A. Aiken and I have been anxiously waiting for this book. To have the Dragon Kin and the Scarred Earth world combine is a dream come true. I could not put down this book and saved it for the weekend because I knew that would happen. The humor, excitement and detail just keeps on getting better. Do you need to have read the other books? Honestly, yes. There is always a conclusion and closure in her books but the build to a grand finale is what I am most excited about

Great book!

The third in the Scared Earth series this book continues on the story started in the previous books. We learn more about another of the Famerson siblings - this time it is archer Ashley - as well as some more of the allies of the Blacksmith Queen.

I enjoyed the book, but it did feel a lot like it was just setting the scene for the next book - the crossover with Aiken's dragon series characters in particular

The Smythe Family is back and Queen Keeley is still trying to protect her people and her land from her power crazed murdering sister Queen Beatrix and in book three she has some help. Will it be enough end Queen Beatrix's reign or at the very least hold her off or will it just add to the full plate that Queen Keeley already has?

In The Heretic Keeley is doing her very best to keep everyone safe and help has just arrived in the form of Annwyl the Mad Queen of Garbhán Isle and all the Dragon Kin gang. If you're a true G. A. Aiken fan, you know about The Dragon Kin and how much trouble they get into. Add in the craziness of The Smythe family and what you get is a hilarious fighting good time. I anxiously await the next book to see what these two kingdoms get themselves into next time.

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of THE HERETIC ROYAL (Book 3 of the Scarred Earth Saga romantic fantasy series) by G.A. Aiken in exchange for an honest review. Ainsley Farmerson, the invisible sister, is determined to support her sister Keeley, you know-the non-evil one, in her queendom. Ainsley, accompanied by Gruffyn, a centaur of the Torn Moon Clan, and a couple of other friends go questing for ways to defeat Beatrix, you know-the evil sister who’s also a queen. Meanwhile, Keeley’s busy dealing with an invasion of foreign royalty, which includes dragons. Did I mention the dragons?

I liked the book and enjoyed the series. I recommend the book and the series to fans of humorous high fantasy with a romantic element.

#TheHereticRoyal #NetGalley

I just finish reading Heretic Royal and I love Ms. Aiken's snarky female characters make me laugh out loud. I also appreciate that the male characters just assume that the women are as capable if not more so than they. I am looking forward to the next installment of this series, and wish MS Aiken many more years of writing wonderful interesting characters and worlds.

While I love the writing in general I felt really disappointed in the end. Gruffyn had no character development, there was barely any interaction that would make an “I love you” plausible in the relation between the main characters. I felt Queen Keeley was portrayed weekly after 2 other books building her up and was disappointed. Finally, I didn’t feel there was a conclusion for Ainsley, no indication of her direction her finding her path or where she could go after this book. It left me feeling empty for her as there was no where that her character went. It left me looking forward to the younger sisters story but let down with Ainsley’s.

Aiken always manages to bring a unique blend of humor and violence to her writing. There were parts where I was cackling, and there were parts where I was reading very closely trying to work out the action of it all in my head. Also, we love women that kick ass, and they do plenty of that in these books.

The Heretic Royal by G.A. Aiken (Scarred Earth #3) 5 stars

If you put together a Blacksmith Queen, a War Monk, Annwyl the Bloody (Queen of the Dark Plains) and dragons what do you get? An epic meeting that will defy the ages – get ready for blood, dismembered individuals, burnt soldiers and great battles. In addition, you will get snarky dialogue, familiar jokes and did I forget DRAGONS. But this book is focused on Ainsley, the princess that is unnoticed (a running gag in the first three books). She will do everything to insure that her evil sister, Beatrice does not win the war. Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan (centaur) will be joining her in this endeavor, so let the chaos begin.

I loved this book! It joins the Dragon-Kin and Scarred Earth series together for epic dialogue and humor. I could go on and on about this book, but if you love the Dragon-Kin Series, you will enjoy this book. All the old familiar characters show up – I can’t wait to see the reaction from Dagmar Rheinhold when she finds out what happens to her favorite son. I hope the next book in this series will come out soon.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC.