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.

Rating: 3.75

A Mix of Action, Romance, and Fantasy

I read this book in one sitting, captivated by the author's blend of witty banter, engaging trials, and a unique twist on popular themes.

The world-building is intricate, though occasionally confusing. However, this didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. What sets this book apart is its accessibility, making it an excellent choice for those new to the romantasy genre. The writing is consistently strong, with just the right amount of spice to keep things interesting.

Overall, I found this book to be an enjoyable read, and I'm excited to see where the series goes from here.

If The Hunger Games and The Selection had a romantasy baby, this would absolutely be it! Full of secrets and memorable characters that I loved to love and hate, I can't wait to dive head-first into this series!

3.5 rounded to 4!

While I wouldn't say this was the most original book, I really enjoyed reading it. It gives ACOTAR, Throne of Glass, Hunger Games, The Bachelor, vibes but in a way that keeps it intriguing instead of stale. I loved Lor. Her character development is a beautiful mix of frustrating and relatable. The dual-POV was done very well—you knew just enough to piece things together and still be confused. I also really liked that Lor's chapters were in first-person and Nadir's were third person! Interesting choice, but I think it worked.

One of my major gripes was with the pacing. It was super slow and a number of scenes could have been sped up or cut without impacting the story in any way.

Either way, I'm excited to read the rest of the series!

The beginning felt a bit slow, but it was so worth it. I absolutely loved Lor’s development, and I am so exited to read the following books! The trials were actually interesting and I like how while clearly Lor would pass the trials (because if she didn’t there wouldn’t be a book) it didn’t feel like she had thick plot armor. It genuinely felt like she could be just as injured as the other characters or worse. I also appreciate how as the reader I could grasp the idea of her being “special” but I like how the big news was left to be discovered at the end, which made me want to read the next book instantly.

This book was absolutely incredible! Before diving in, I’d heard it described as The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor but with magic and fae. While that comparison is intriguing, it doesn’t even begin to capture the magic and depth of this story.

From the very first sentence, I was hooked. The world-building was immersive and vivid, drawing me into a realm of high-stakes trials, fae politics, and sharp-witted characters. Speaking of characters, Lor’s sass and resilience made her an instant favorite. Every trial she faced had me on the edge of my seat, stressing over the dangers she encountered and cheering her on as she persevered.

The dual POV added a fascinating layer to the story. Initially, I found myself wondering why we were following a character who didn’t cross paths with Lor, but as the pieces started falling into place, it became clear how cleverly the author had woven their perspectives together. The Easter eggs scattered throughout the narrative were a delight for a detail-oriented reader like me, and they added an extra layer of intrigue.

While I managed to guess the ending, it didn’t detract from the experience one bit. The journey to get there was so thrilling that I flew through the pages, eager to uncover every twist and turn.

I can’t wait to immediately dive into book two and see where this story takes me next!

This series is absolutely phenomenal and I cannot wait to continue it!!! everyone should read this book.

Book Review
Book Title by Author Name
⭐️⭐️

I really wanted to love this book, and I found the cover appealing—but unfortunately, it didn’t live up to my expectations.

While the first 45–50% of the book was, at the very least, enjoyable, things started to unravel after that. It felt like a mishmash of familiar elements from Throne of Glass, The Hunger Games, Divergent, and even Harry Potter (Goblet of Fire). These similarities weren’t subtle, and instead of feeling inspired, they came across as distracting.

Finishing the book was a struggle. I’ll admit I skimmed parts, and the more time I spent reflecting on it afterward, the more flaws I found. That’s never a great feeling. While I can see the effort the author put into building this story, there were just too many aspects that didn’t work for me.

I doubt I’ll continue with this series, but I can see why it might appeal to readers who don’t mind books that lean heavily on familiar tropes. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me.

What an intriguing start to a series!
Lor grew up in prison, hiding a secret about why she was there. Then she is abducted by Fae rulers from another land to compete for the hand of the King as essentially a sacrifice. However, the king is more than a little interested in her. Meanwhile, a moody prince investigates why his father is obsessed with a prisoner who has suddenly gone missing.

I really loved the world-building here! We learn about the world at just the right pace and it keeps you locked in on the two different storylines. The characters are so tricky! Lor is an unreliable narrator, but in a really deft way that makes you mostly trust her anyway. While this book has a lot of romance novel elements, it does end on a cliffhanger that makes you question who is endgame with Lor and I loved it! I am really to keep guessing through the rest of the series!

A fast-paced, entertaining, and thrilling beginning to a story about an amazing heroine and her fight for freedom and justice.

The Bachelorette meets ACOTAR meets The Hunger Games in this first book of the fantasy series! Ten women, one deadly contest. One must win the Sun King’s heart! Lor has been imprisoned and tortured for 12 years, almost as long as she can remember. When she surprisingly ends up in the hands of the Sun King, Lor is thrown into the spotlight and a deadly competition. If she wins, she also wins her freedom. But she doesn’t belong in the competition, and if she loses, she loses her one chance at freedom.

This was a lot of fun and the ending left me running to download the second book asap. I found this world easy to understand, with an extremely lovable heroine you just have to root for! It also had some spice! It is the perfect beginner book for people wanting to get into romantasy & a fun series.

Lots of magic, an intense competition, a badass fmc, lots of secrets, friends & foes and a sun king who can’t get enough of Lor… a great first book of this series & I can’t wait for the rest!

A fun approach to fantasy. I look forward to reading the entire series! I enjoyed the characters! Tuli has a great start to a series here.

Trial of the Sun Queen by Nisha J. Tuli is an addictive read that had me hooked from start to finish. The world is vivid and full of danger, the romance is the perfect slow burn, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. Tuli’s writing pulls you right into the action, and every twist kept me on edge. If you’re into fantasy with court intrigue, deadly challenges, and just the right amount of tension, this one’s a must-read. It’s perfect for fans of action-packed fantasy books!

3.75⭐️

Trial of the Sun Queen is a fun read that blends high-stakes competition with court intrigue, Fae politics, and a touch of slow-burn romance.

The story follows Lor, a twenty-something human who, after enduring half her life in a prison with her siblings, is suddenly thrust into the Sun Queen Trials. These deadly competitions pit ten women against one another in a fight to win the hand of the Sun King and Imperial Fae, Atlas. Lor is a feisty fighter with a sassy mouth and plenty of secrets of her own. The stakes are high—not only for Lor’s survival but also for the chance to uncover the mysteries of her past and secure a future for her siblings.

The plot is definitely action packed and engaging. The whole story is filled with high stakes gripping adventures. The trials are intense, filled with action, betrayal, and a few unexpected twists.

Although there is very little world building, it is not completely unexpected since the story is mostly told from Lor’s perspective and she has been imprisoned since she was a child.

Atlas, the Sun King, is a mix of charm, mystery, and possessiveness that kept me guessing…is he genuine or fake?!?

The writing style, though vivid and creative, does have its flaws. Some of the dialog was a little cringe, and the audiobook narrator’s delivery adds an unintentionally whiny tone to Lor’s voice, so I switched to reading just my ebook.

Despite its imperfections, the Trial of the Sun Queen is an entertaining if not slightly predictable read. It delivers the kind of fast-paced, romantic fantasy that’s easy to get lost in. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, but the kind that makes you want to immediately dive into book two and continue the journey.

Troupes:
✨Games and trials
✨Secret identity
✨Slow-burn

Overall, this book is a great start to what feels like a very promising series that I will definitely read.

I would like to thank Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for gifting me the ARC through NetGalley. Opinions are my own.