Once you get past the 20% drag of set up mostly assisted by the leads amnesia, the story does pick up into a more classic YA fantasy.
The hardest part for me was that the main characters were 25 and 29 so I did assume this would be slightly adult focused but the writing, pacing etc, was very young. At times in the beginning it almost felt middle grade with the level of simple explanation that took place.

Thank you to the author and to Netgalley for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

After having been missing for three years, princess of Mercia, Norah Andell has reappeared, but she has no memory of who she is or where she’s been. Faced with a war her county has been fighting ten years, a man from her past, and the influences of all those around her, what will she do?

Beware, this review will contain minor spoilers.

actual rating: 3.75 - 4 stars

To start with what I liked: I really liked the character interactions in this book. The pacing was also well established, and the concept was incredibly interesting. However, I regret to say this book just wasn’t for me. While I could recognize that it was a well and thoughtfully written book, I found myself not invested, I did not get attached to the characters or their relationships. A love triangle (square?) is difficult when done well, but in this case, it felt like each character was only given favorable characteristics or attention when they were on screen and otherwise, they didn’t exist. Norah’s approach to the shadow king and the war waffled far too much for me and I also found myself uninvested in what quickly became a predictable relationship. This made me sad as the basis is there for an incredibly tense, well-written enemies to lovers vibe, and Tyche clearly has to the talent to make that happen, however I felt like too often, scenes were included for the sake of the relationship and weren’t considered as to how they would affect the overall plot and dynamic, and in doing so, any tension felt manufactured. I don’t want to wax on, as it was a well-written book and it will be perfect for someone else, just not me. However, I do want to bring up my biggest issue with this book: the memory loss. While it’s pitched as a major part of this book, it is basically dropped halfway through and not brought up again until the end. It does not provide the tension necessary, it feels just like a convenient plot device for Norah to agree to marry the enemy, which Norah herself even acknowledges in her internal monologue. It is never explained, and the tension on which this book is pitched is not the main plot of the story, which while I didn’t dislike the main plot, I felt a bit mislead.

Thank you again to Netgalley and the author for this e-arc.

Rating: 4.5 Stars
Thank you @netgalley and publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a book! The first book in a trilogy and it had me turning each page wanting to learn more about the world, Norah herself and what happens next. The world is beautiful, interesting and the storyline is gripping. The love interests for Norah who is crowned Queen to Mercia moments after she's found after being lost for three years with no recollection of where she was all this time and how her "lover" managed to find her in the "wild" where no man has ever made it out.

The Shadow King, oh hello?! I have a lot to say about him - bad, horrible and somehow has a soft side? Is it something I was expecting? No, I was expecting him to be brutal and yet somehow he was soft to Norah and what happened in their story. I feel there is more to Norah when it comes to the animals from the "wild" which i'm sure this will be seen in the next instalment in the series. There wasn't much "spice" as I hoped. There was a slow-burn love triangle between The King & Alexander "her love before she lost her memories".

I'd definitely want to read the next book since it ended on a really good cliffhanger, we do love Norah!

I really enjoyed this book - the plot, world building and the characters, it was a joy to read! The turmoil between character loyalties and kingdom loyalties, and of course the love interests.

The characters are really well written, and I enjoyed getting to know each of them and following them on this whirlwind adventure!

The book ends on a cliffhanger and I'm really looking forward to reading what happens next!

A huge thanks to Nicola Tyche, Columbia River Publishing and Netgalley for the ACR of North Queen in exchange for an honest review. This is Nicola Tyche's debut novel in the Crown's Trilogy, and I am grateful to be one of the first people to read this story.

MIKAEL HAS ME IN A CHOKEHOLD. I love him.

This was incredible from start to finish, and I am not easy to please!! It is 2am right now and I’m already wishing I could immediately stay up all night and dive into the next book.

Great fast paced romantasy with a very likeable heroine and intriguing set up. Fantasy romance which has decent world building, good character development and an actual plot as well as just romantic scenes goes down very well on a cosy reading day. This was very enjoyable. Recommended for people who wish SJM actually still bothered with plots and worldbuilding and those who recently loved Rebecca Yarros’ Fourth Wing.

"North Queen" by Nicola Tyche delivers an unexpected and exhilarating reading experience, blending fantasy, romance, and a captivating plot that kept me guessing. This first installment of a twisting trilogy had me hooked from the start, immersing me in a world of war, amnesia, and the complexities of love and duty.

From the moment I delved into the pages of "North Queen," I knew I was in for a wild ride. The initial uncertainty quickly transformed into absolute captivation, as the story unfolded with surprising twists and turns. The development of the protagonist, the enigmatic Princess Norah Andell, is a true highlight. Despite her memory loss, Norah's character exudes confidence and determination, showcasing her unwavering resolve to protect her kingdom and navigate the labyrinth of her own heart. Witnessing her growth and resilience is a delight, and her willingness to challenge conventions and influence others adds an intriguing layer to the narrative.

The tangled web of relationships in "North Queen" fuels the story's tension and keeps readers engrossed. The love triangle (or perhaps a square) introduces a sense of emotional turmoil, leaving readers torn between their loyalties and anxiously speculating about the potential outcome. The author skillfully crafts complex characters, each with their own flaws and red flags, further blurring the lines of trust and challenging readers to constantly reassess their alliances.

The pacing of the book is impeccable, seamlessly blending action-packed sequences with moments of introspection and character development. The plot unfolds at just the right pace, maintaining an air of suspense and surprise. Tyche’s ability to keep readers engaged, excited, and uncertain about what lies ahead is a testament to their skill in crafting a thick and layered story.

In conclusion, "North Queen" is an unpredictable and enthralling fantasy romance that exceeds expectations. With its gripping plot, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists, it immerses readers in a world of war, love, and the struggle for identity. As the story concludes with a cliffhanger, I am on the edge of my seat eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Many thanks thanks to Nicola Tyche, Columbia River Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced copy of North Queen in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a true gem. It's a romance written in the stars with just the right amount of magic and action. The prose is beautiful and style is completely unique. I loved it and I'm betting you will too!

This book was unexpected! I love a good fantasy romance, but I also want story building with character development which can be hard to find. At first I was unsure- I wasn't grabbed quite yet, but then about 20 percent in the book my brain was GLUED. I love The North Queen, seeing her character develop, trying to figure out who she is every step of the way. Focusing on how both main characters in the book developed kept me reading, and tying the plot into it was even better. I kept thinking I knew where the story was going but every step of the way it caught me off guard! I want more- and to end with a cliffhanger, even better! I am SO ready for the next book!

A huge thanks to Nicola Tyche, Columbia River Publishing and Netgalley for the ACR of North Queen in exchange for an honest review. This is Nicola Tyche's debut novel in the Crown's Trilogy, and I am grateful to be one of the first people to read this story.

Now please excuse my unprofessional review: this book had absolutely no business going this hard.

Did I start this in the afternoon and then stay up all night reading?
Was I not able to sleep for stressing about the love triangle (or is it a square??)?
Am I still reeling over the plot twists and potential outcome?
Do I want to punch multiple characters in the face?
Am I already begging Nicola for book 2?
The answer to all of the above is a yes.

At first, I thought this might be another predictable amnesia story with waring kingdoms and arranged marriages. North Queen is anything but. Norah had me hooked from the very beginning. Our FMC, even without her memories, is a confident, feisty force willing to do whatever it takes to protect her kingdom, innocent lives, and her heart. She's willing to look beyond the obvious, break with decades of tradition, and influence others to do the same. Norah is caught between her life long love and potential marriages that could save her kingdom from another world war, and each of her potential suitors have an abundance of red flags. The mark of a good story for me is staying engaged and excited, while not having a clue of what is going to happen next. I still do not know who to trust and root for, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. I'm going to go out on a limb and say even with all the warnings and bad behavior, I'm team Mikael and I'm going to wind up loving Sorel by the end...

Entirely gripping and engrossing from the start. Norah is a headstrong and marvelously fiery protagonist that leads this whirlwind story that spins tales of far away lands, kings, seers, duty, fate, war and love. Look out readers this new series is coming for you and if you’re anything like me, you won’t want to put it down 👑❤️🔥