Wow I could absolutely not put this down! I loved the idea of the trials and a girl being out of place in a foreign society. The multiple POV’s was interesting and I was so intrigued by the plot! Can’t wait to continue the series!

This is one of the best books I read in 2022, and I love it even more on the re-read! Though it is advertised as the Hunger Games meets The Bachelor, I think it is more like The Selection, but darker and spicier, with a hint of ACOTAR! I can’t wait to see what happens next… and if sparks will fly! I did the reread so I can be refreshed for the 2nd book. I still can't get over the first sentence: "That b**** took my soap!" LOL

Trial of the Sun Queen was so fun! It was exactly the kind of fun fantasy / romantasy I’ve been craving this month and a quick bingeable read! It has elements of some of really great fantasy books series like hunger games, savage lands, serpent and the wings of night, these hollow vows, red queen, and probably so many others, but I still found it unique and exciting!

Some parts were predictable and not much of the story shocked me, but I had so much fun with it and can’t wait to continue! Lor is likeable and I found myself chuckling a lot at how quick she is to throw the punches. And I look forward to learning more about Nadir in book 2, and seeing more about how the story evolves. 4.5 stars rounded up for vibes and a great time!

Thanks so much to Forever publishers, Nisha and NetGalley for the gifted arc. All thoughts are mine and I was so excited to read this!

If you liked Hunger Games and Selection, you’ll like this one too! It’s a classic ugly duckling to beautiful Sean trope but our ugly duckling was stuck in a prison then a hole and ends up a swan risking her life to marry the prince so a little different. I’m definitely intrigued enough to read the second one!

With a spunky, resilient underdog heroine and a (literally) glittering Fae court setting, "Trial of the Sun Queen" should appeal to fans of new adult fantasy romance with a heavy dash of sexual content. I expect this one will appeal to readers who enjoyed Fourth Wing--with a deadly competition and a cast populated by ridiculously beautiful people, it hits a lot of the same notes. Definitely note the content warnings as SA is a prevalent theme.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc! Opinions are my own.

The way I was INSTANTLY hooked in this story. Lor captured my allegiance as soon as the story started. I love the ACOTAR vibes that we get with the trials and trying to win over the Sun King. You know that she doesn’t have the full picture and we’re missing some key details, but with every twist and turn, your opinion on different characters is changing.

Between Atlas and Gabriel and Nadir, who do we like? Who do we hate? Who do we trust?

By the time this book ended, I was ravenous for the second installment of the series. It’s just that good.

Thank you so much to Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for this arc!

This Romantasy debut novel is perfect for readers who are new to the genre.

“Trial of the Sun Queen” follows Lord, a prisoner under the Aurora King’s rule. When the Sun King selects her as the only human Tribute to complete in the Sun Queen Trials, Lor is determined to win if only to get her revenge.

I gravitated towards this book because it was advertised to me as “The Selection” meets “The Hunger Games” and I am here to confirm that that is the case! I would even go so far as to add that it is reminiscent of “Divergent,” “A Court of Thorns and Roses,” and “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” Unfortunately, the book does not diverge much from its sources of inspiration and because I am such a huge fan of many of the series mentioned, I was able to predict most of the book’s major plot points.

One thing this book has that the others do not, however, are the alternating viewpoints. I really enjoyed reading from Lor’s point-of-view because of her strength and resiliency. Chapter’s written from Nadir’s perspective challenged me to figure out his role in the story and provided the most intrigue. Though the two were at odds the whole book, I am curious to see if that will change in the next installment.

I think that this series is perfect for new adult readers. Despite some of my frustrations with the book’s plot, I ultimately had a lot of fun reading it and I am excited to explore Tuli’s other works in the future.

This is the first book I've read from this author, and it won't be my last. The story definitely started off interesting and with action, then it slowed down a bit but once it picked back up, I devoured it. I enjoyed the characters, and there will be characters you will love and hate. I loved the strength and rebellion that Lor showed, she was definitely a survivor. I also enjoyed the back-and-forth banter between her and Gabriel and his sense of humor. They had me laughing out loud more than a few times and although he makes me question his actions sometimes, I don't hate him. I have to say that when it comes to this story, there are a lot of secrets, and the suspense is killing me. I need to know what everyone is trying to hide. Rion want's Lor dead, Nadir wants to uncover what secrets his father is trying to keep hidden, Atlas refuses to let Lor be anywhere or anything but his, Lor has her own secrets, and I'm wanting to know the answers to it all. I can't wait to read the next book in this series.

I had really high hopes for this one but I found it way to predictable and obvious. I did enjoy some of the side characters and Lor though.

Y'all this book reads SO fast. And to everyone giving recommendations for what to read after Fourth Wing.... This might be it. I've heard it described as ACOTAR meets Hunger Games, a whole bunch of hot fae shit, and I'm not mad at either. There's action, sexy time, discussion of trauma, the works. I struggled a bit understanding all of the characters' motivations, but it could just be because it's book 1.

Was the plot a bit predictable? Yes. Did I enjoy it? Also yes.

*Thank you to Forever and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Trial of the Sun Queen almost cured me of my July reading slump - it’s fast paced, I loved the characters, and it borrows elements from other stories I’ve loved so I didn’t have to think too hard about the world building. Like a lot of romantasy, the focus is more on relationships than heavy worldbuilding and deep political intrigue.

If you’re in your romatasy era or post-Fourth Wing slump, I highly recommend this one! It has elements from The Hunger Games, The Bachelor, and ACOTAR, which are all things that I love.

I did find the book to be fairly predictable - but in a fun way?

I picked it up when it was still on KU, and before it got picked up by Forever/Orbit, but I do think it’s worth the more expensive price. It’s also available on my Libby, if you like to get your books for free! Trial of the Sun Queen is the first in a four book series - the first two have been published and are available on Audible, but we have to wait until June for Book 3!

"Trial of the Sun Queen" by Nisha J. Tuli presents an intriguing and gripping premise that promises a thrilling fantasy tale of survival, competition, and revenge.

The story revolves around Lor, a character who has suffered for twelve long years under the rule of the Aurora King and is determined to escape and seek vengeance. Her journey takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself competing in the Sun Queen Trials, where winning the Sun King's heart could mean freedom and the chance to exact her revenge.

This setup immediately creates a sense of high stakes and intense competition, as Lor must vie against nine other Tributes, each with their own motivations and ambitions. The tension within this competition and the personal vendettas that develop among the Tributes offer the potential for complex character dynamics and unexpected alliances.

The book's description hints at a compelling protagonist in Lor, who appears to be a determined and resourceful character with a burning desire for justice. Her quest for vengeance adds a layer of depth and emotional resonance to the story.

The contrast between the oppressive rule of the Aurora King and the competitive trials in the Sun King's court sets the stage for a richly textured world filled with political intrigue, danger, and unexpected twists. Readers can likely expect a narrative that explores themes of power, justice, and the lengths one will go to for freedom.

Overall, "Trial of the Sun Queen" promises an engaging and suspenseful fantasy tale that combines elements of action, adventure, and revenge. It's a story that appears to have all the ingredients for an immersive and thrilling reading experience.