"North Queen" by Nicola Tyche follows the gripping tale of Princess Norah Andell, heir to the throne of Mercia, and Alexander Rhemus, the loyal commander of the Mercian army.

For ten years, Mercia has been locked in a fierce battle against the Shadow King and his dark army. To protect Norah from a seer's prophecy of her capture, her father hides her away. But when her father falls in battle, Norah's whereabouts are lost to all, including herself. Three years later, she is discovered with no memory of her identity or the kingdom she is destined to rule.

As the loyal protector of Mercia, Alexander has awaited Norah's return, knowing that she holds not only the fate of the kingdom but also his heart. However, when Norah is found, she has no recollection of their past together. With war still looming, Norah is pressured to marry and secure an alliance crucial for Mercia's survival. Caught between duty and love, Alexander grapples with his feelings for Norah and his obligations to the kingdom.

As Norah navigates her newfound role and attempts to save Mercia from impending doom, she is drawn into a twisted fate orchestrated by the Shadow King. With winter's harshness and a formidable enemy threatening Mercia, Norah must confront her past and embrace her destiny, even if it means sacrificing everything.

"North Queen" is a compelling tale of love, duty, and destiny set against the backdrop of a kingdom on the brink of destruction.

I really enjoyed reading this book.
I read it over a few days, and couldn't wait till I got free time to read it more. Can't wait for the second one

At this point, I feel like you've read one romantasy book, you've read them all. I found the start of this one slow in terms of plot, and felt deeply unsatisfied with how mysteries were unraveling at the end. However, the political landscape was really interesting, and I think that folks who enjoy the romantasy genre would really like the love triangle that is set up in the book. I would keep reading the series to have the main mystery solved, but I would not necessarily be reading more of these books for the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I understand that there is a market right now for romance fantasies, but every time I pick up a new one, I find myself disappointed. I've been sitting on this one for a long time (well past the publication date) and that's because I'm reluctant to share my honest opinion when it isn't going to be positive. The premise was interesting: an amnesiac princess must save her kingdom from the threat of the Shadow King and also gets involved in some sort of love triangle. Okay, so maybe it wasn't as interesting as I had initially thought...it's basically every other YA/NA novel trope mashed into one without any real sense of creativity. The writing was stilted and not enjoyable. I think it needed another dose of editing, and perhaps it received it after I was given my e-ARC, but from reading recent reviews I'm not feeling too positive about that. It's a good first half, then a less than good second half, with a lot of WTF moments. Questionable choices involving the author's attempt to diversify the cast. And the plot was overall predictable. I'm sure this will be up someone's alley, but it just wasn't right for me.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the e-ARC! I will be reviewing and/or showcasing this book on my social media accounts when I can. Thanks again very much appreciated and looking forward to this book!

When Norah discovers she's the future Queen of Mercia, she's trust into a life filled with court politics, where she doesn't know who to trust. To save her kingdom from the Shadowland, she must marry. But before she can, the Shadow King whisks her away.

I couldn't wait to dive into this book, and it did not disappoint! Nicola Tyche delivers a captivating story from the very first page. The world-building is exceptional, the plot keeps you engaged, and the romance is wonderful.

The characters in this novel are truly compelling, each with their own flaws and complexities that make them feel incredibly real. Norah, despite her lack of memories, emerges as a strong and independent. While the Shadow King is everything a morally gray fan needs!

Filled with unexpected twists, the right amount of political intrigue and a hint of magic, North Queen is a true page-turner from start to finish. I can't wait to continue the journey with the next book!

The cover drew me in and I'm so glad it did. North Queen is the fantasy story I have been wanting to read for a long time. It definitely gives off Throne of Glass vibes, but also very unique. I adored the characters and the romance taking place in this book.

Honestly so ready for book two, I don't know how I'm going to wait.

I recently had the pleasure of delving into this book, and I am beyond impressed with the mesmerizing world that the author has crafted. From start to finish, the intricate plot weaves a tapestry of suspense, emotion, and unexpected twists that kept me eagerly turning the pages.

One of the standout features of this book is undoubtedly its characters. Each one is meticulously developed, breathing life into the narrative with their unique personalities, motivations, and flaws. The protagonists are not just names on paper; they are relatable, complex individuals with whom readers can form a genuine connection. The antagonist, too, is not a mere foil but a multi-dimensional force that adds depth to the story. The author's ability to create such well-rounded characters is a testament to their storytelling prowess.

The plot unfolds seamlessly, drawing the reader into a richly layered narrative that expertly balances tension, drama, and moments of poignant reflection. The pacing is impeccable, maintaining a perfect rhythm that keeps the reader engaged without sacrificing the depth of the story. The author skillfully navigates through various plot arcs, interweaving them with finesse to create a cohesive and satisfying whole.

What sets this book apart is its ability to tackle profound themes while maintaining an accessible and engaging narrative. The book seamlessly combines suspense and emotional depth, making it a truly immersive experience. The author's prose is both elegant and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers in the reader's mind long after the final page is turned.

As I reached the conclusion, I found myself yearning for more from this talented author. Their ability to craft a gripping plot and bring characters to life is truly commendable. I eagerly anticipate future works and would wholeheartedly recommend this book to any reader who appreciates a masterfully told tale. If you're searching for a book that seamlessly blends captivating characters with a compelling plot, this is a shining example. I can't wait to explore more literary worlds crafted by this exceptional storyteller.

This book was INSANE!! I loved nearly every character and the plot was so intriguing! I will definitely be recommending this one! I need to get my hands on the second one immediately!

I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was pulled into this book! I loved the characters and the story. I can't wait to read the next book!

DNF 20%

“North Queen” is the first book in the Crowns series by Nicola Tyche and tells the story of Princess Norah.
Unfortunately I have to say that I didn't warm up to “North Queen” at all. The blurb was really promising, but the story didn't live up to my expectations.
It's really rare that I say that I really don't like anything about a book, but unfortunately that's the case here.
The author wastes no time and throws us straight into the events. Not unusual for a fantasy book, but still not particularly helpful here.
The writing style is not my thing at all. Everything often seems so hectic and swollen that it's just strange.
Unfortunately, neither the characters nor the plot could blow my mind. The characters are very superficial and not well developed and the plot was just boring and I quickly lost interest in the story.
Unfortunately for me “North Queen” was a flop.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

"North Queen" by Nicola Tyche is a fantastic story that effortlessly blends gripping action with aching romance, delivering a compelling introduction to a tantalizing trilogy. In this enchanting tale, Princess Norah Andell, heir to the war-torn kingdom of Mercia, emerges as a lost heir with no memory of her identity or the weighty responsibilities that now rest upon her shoulders. Nicola Tyche weaves a thick plot filled with intrigue and war, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they navigate the complexities of Norah's conflicted duty and the loyalty of the fearless commander, Alexander Rhemus. The story unfolds against a backdrop of winter hardship and impending darkness, as the kingdom teeters on the brink of destruction. Tyche's skillful storytelling and vivid characterization make "North Queen" an unputdownable read, promising a deliciously twisting trilogy that will leave readers yearning for more.

This book reminded me a lot of Throne of Glass. Norah was a bad ass FMC and very relatable. The world building was easy to follow but rich in uniqueness and detailing. Anxiously awaiting the next book!

Thank you NetGalley and the author for an ARC. These are my own thoughts:
This was one of the best series I have read this year. As soon as I finished the first book, I ran over to Kindle Unlimited to pick up the other 2 and they did not disappoint. I do regret that the first 100 pages of North Queen did not hold my interest, but I am glad I stuck through it because as soon as The Shadow King and The Destroyer made their entrance, I was hooked.

My only regret is that I wish I cared about the Queen Regent, unlike how I grew to love her and Salara-Mae in books 2 & 3.

Everything else was just brilliant. I hope this series gets picked up for film or TV because this would be a story worth revisiting.

Unfortunately the writing style just wasn’t for me and it made it impossible for me to read it without wanting to tear my hair out by the root.

I received this book for free for an honest unbiased review from Netgalley.

I wish more books were this well written. Characters were witty and the setting fantastic.

im extremely sad that I didn't enjoy this as much as i expected to. the plot is all over the place & the characters felt very underdeveloped for me to develop a connection to any of them or root for them. that said the political intrigue was THERE & made it extremely interesting. & i love love triangles but this one was kind of icky to me??? still excited to see what the author does in the future but not the biggest fan of this book. it was okay for a debut i think but I was expecting way more when I jumped in. the first 25% was a DRAG to get through. i do think there's is an audience for this book. its just not me. but if you do decide to pick this up, just slog through the first 25% & it will get better. the last quarter of the book was extremely engaging and fun for me so there's that.

Thank you to netgalley for an arc of this book. all thoughts & opinions are my own and not influenced in any way.

I loved this one. So many aspects of it sucked me right in and I felt like the characters were really well defined. This is a must read!

Okay, holy SJM love triangle alert. I spent the first half of the book waiting for Norah to realize she wanted Alexander again and boom - Mikael comes along and just whips that thought right out of my head. I love enemies to lovers and this was REALLY well done. I can't wait to read the second book!