I enjoyed this story so much! I had such fun reading this tale and diving deep into this world. Nisha did such a good job of building the world around these characters!

I would love to interview Nisha on my podcast after April! This book was so much fun. The pacing was good and the characters are likable.

The first line of the book hooked me. I laughed out loud with it. I loved the concept and can't wait to read the rest of the series.

The cover is also gorgeous.

This book was SO good! This was a 6 star read for me. I could not put this down and I cannot wait to continue the series. This story has such wonderful character building, great banter and is just an overall good time.

I appreciate this story so much. You have a strong MFC, she is not whiny, shes a survivalist. She does not complain she gets it done, regardless if it is unfair. This is a slow burn, and the story gets more intense, spicer as it goes. I love the names are easier to read, understand, along with the cities, towns. Not super shoved with adjectives, or useless information, and it unfolds slowly. No information dumping like a majority fantasies do. This was on my favorite reads of 2024. Brilliantly done, and I have read the whole series in a week!

The Selection meets The Hunger Games with a romantasy touch.

Lor has been in a Fae prison for 12 years along with her brother and sister. After being sent to the equivalent of solitary confinement, only much worse, Lor is kidnapped from the prison to take part in the Trials. She’ll compete against other women for the chance to marry the Sun King, the fae ruler of a neighboring kingdom. Of course, since this is the first book of a series, not everything is as it seems.

A quick read that really serves the purpose of introducing the characters while leaving out several back stories. You know that there is more here but just enough is there to get your interest.

I love a good romantasy series. I immediately picked up the second book to follow the story! This reminded me of Throne of Glass so if you’re looking for something to read when you’re done with that series, this is the perfect thing to pick up.

CW: death, violence, mentions of past sexual assault

I ended up reading a physical, finished copy and I’m kicking myself that I didn’t pick up the e-arc to scream about!

it was everything I want in a Romantasy!!

A badass main character, memorable AND lovable side characters, queer relationships mentioned without being plot points OR forced, action, mystery, and an overall plot that kept me hooked through the whole story.

From the first line of “that bitch took my soap” to the cliffhanger ending, I was entranced. I need to dive into the rest of the series immediately because I need answers!!

Lovely writing and premise! I enjoyed getting to know the characters in this world, as well as the tension/mystery that kept the plot moving. This felt like a setup novel for the series and I hope there is more character development to come!

the hype is real!!

This book has you feeling everything. Your smile , you get frustrated, you even talk to yourself and the book. Like you can warn the FMC of things and she would listen. Not. I devoured this book and am starting the second one instantly. The characters are amazing, the plot is good, there is lust, mystery, desire for more and a driven FMC that will do anything to help the ones she loves. Read this book!

Since the first book, I was HOOKED. I read lots of books and honestly this is one series that I still think about to this day. A perfect amount of characters, world building, spice etc. would definitely recommend!!

*The Trials of the Sun Queen* is a captivating first installment in a series brimming with Fae politics, court intrigue, and a deadly contest where ten women compete to become the Sun Queen and marry the King. Think *The Bachelor* meets *The Hunger Games* in a high fantasy setting—what's not to love?

This book was the perfect pick to scratch my classic fantasy romance itch. From the first page, I was completely immersed, especially with the audiobook narration, which brought the world to life beautifully.

The story follows Lor, a 24-year-old human who has spent twelve years imprisoned with her siblings. After being thrown into the Hollow and kidnapped, she finds herself at the Sun Palace, forced to participate in the Sun Queen trials—an ancient tradition in which ten females from the finest Fae families compete for the king’s heart. Among them is Lor, the lone human contender.

Lor’s fiery spirit made her a joy to read about. Her past is shrouded in mystery, but we get tantalizing glimpses of the hardships she endured at the prison, Nostraza. The abuse and loss she and her siblings faced only make her determination to win the trials that much more compelling. Winning could mean not just freedom, but the chance to finally give her siblings the life they deserve.

The Sun Palace setting is lush and full of intrigue, and the trials themselves promise twists and turns. What really excites me are the hints and foreshadowing for future books, which leave me eagerly anticipating the next installment. I’m already diving into *The Rule of the Aurora King*!

While the romance is a slow burn and the spice is light for now, I’m confident the tension will build to something special as the story unfolds. If you love an enemy-to-lovers dynamic, this one’s for you!

Probably the single best opening line of a book ever. I had such a fun time reading this one. I sacrificed sleep for it and it certainly kept me guessing! I dove immediately into the second book after reading.

I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I tandem read and listened and it was such a fun experience. The audio is A+ and I love being able to read and listen to a fantasy book at the same time.
This was such a great start to this series. It pulls elements from so many fantasy series that I love and creates this masterpiece. It's fast paced, action packed, and starts to dabble in the romance aspect (more romance to come in the next books)

-Hidden identity
-Trials (deadly competition but make it the bachelor)
-Magic

It was a bit predictable at times, but regardless I had such a fun time reading this book!!!

what an EXCELLENT debut to what feels like its about to be my latest fantasy obsession…i loved our fmc so much!! from the first page, she’s a crafty, witty, and emotionally empathic character who you can’t help but root for. this intricate world and swoon worthy romance had me wanting the sequel asap rocky!!!! i can’t wait to continue!

This series is amazing! The trials are intense and anyone who enjoyed the bachelor/the bachelorette or even bachelor in paradise will eat this up

Trial of the Sun Queen is a book that I've been wanting to read for quite some time. I'm so happy to finally read it, because it did not disappoint! I completely dropped my other reads, because this book had me completely consumed!

If you love:
~Romantasy
~Fierce FMC
~Deadly Trials
~Slow burn
~Dual POV
~Fae
~Revenge
~The Bachelor x The Hunger Games vibes

Then you'll love Trials of the Sun Queen!

This was fast-paced from the beginning, and it just got better and better. Not to mention, I was extremely surprised by some of the events and who had been hiding things from the beginning. It was such an immersive read, and I loved every minute of this book.

"The Trial of the Sun Queen" is an electrifying fantasy romance that grips you from the very first page. Set in a dark, twisty world, the story follows Lor, a young woman who has spent most of her life in the brutal Nostraza prison. After being thrown into solitary confinement, she’s unexpectedly pulled into a deadly competition to become the next Sun Queen, ruled by the enigmatic Atlas. While the premise may echo familiar tropes like The Hunger Games and The Selection, this book offers a unique blend of danger, mystery, and forbidden romance that will keep you turning pages. The stakes are high, the twists are plenty, and the world-building is both rich and immersive.

Lor is a refreshing protagonist, a grown woman at 24 with grit, depth, and a sharp sense of humor. Her relationship with her siblings adds emotional weight to the story, as they’ve all endured unimaginable hardship together. As Lor navigates the treacherous Trials, her conflicting emotions toward Atlas—the mysterious, seemingly perfect Sun King—create an enticing slow-burn romance. The dynamics between them are full of tension, and the suspense surrounding Atlas’s true intentions keeps the reader on edge. Add to that a cast of morally gray characters, and you’ll find yourself questioning who’s truly good and who’s just playing the game.

With strong LGBTQ+ and POC representation, The Trial of the Sun Queen offers a compelling, action-packed narrative that blends magic, mystery, and a bit of spice. If you’re a fan of slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers romance and love the thrill of a deadly competition, this book is a must-read. The writing is fast-paced and descriptive, drawing you into a world of fae, dark secrets, and a love story that’s bound to captivate. The cliffhanger ending will have you racing to pick up the next book—this series is one you won’t want to miss!

I have seen this book being marketed as a Bachelor/Hunger Games/Throne of Glass combo and while there are definitely aspects to each of those in this book it was also wholly its own. I am curious about how the remainder of the series is going to play out! This book was a bit spicier than I like, so if that's something you want to avoid, feel free to use my warnings below or skip this series!

If you don't like to read spicy scenes in books (like myself) then I recommend you skip/skim the following chapters:

🌶️ Closed Door Modifications: Chapters 18, 21, 29 & 33

Thank you so much to Forever Pub for this advanced copy on NetGalley! 🤍

WOW loved - heard this pitched as a Bachelor meets Hunger Games/ACOTAR mash-up and I was HERE FOR IT. A great first book in the series, enough breadcrumbs to make you interested in the next one but still fulfilled its duty as book 1. Loved, and can't wait for book 2.