I received an audioarc through Netgalley all opinions are my own.

2,5 stars.

I really enjoyed the narration, but that is almost the only good thing about this book.

I like the world building and I think this series could turn out really good.
The magic system didn't make sense to me, since it wasn't really explained. Not that I care that much.

I didn't like any of the characters at all, they were annoying, one dimensional and legit so boring.

Gwen is a damsel in distress, and not in a good way. Her only character traits are loving animals, being from boring Kansas according to her, and fangirling about the Athur story.

Mordred is the villain and of course love interest. All he does is beat up the FMC (when sparring, but it comes of as abusive) and try to show her he is a bad guy, but also try to win her over🤦🏻‍♀️

Merlin the cat was annoying AF

I hated the ending.
I might continue with this series, because I do want to find out what is going to happen. But at the same time, the characters were so one dimensional and I'm not sure if continuing would be worth my time.

I liked the book but can’t say that it stood out amongst the other fantasy books I’ve read. The book’s ending was confusing and I’m not sure who was the villain, and what exactly was at stake, definitely will be waiting for book two.

This book has a younger tone when reading it which i didnt think would be the case based on the cover and description. I think that the storyline/plot itself was fine and really stuck to the theme of being a king arthur retelling/inspired. The characters literally are named lancelot, merlin, and the mmc is related to the late king arthur. i just really did not care or like either of the main characters. that and their romance plot was very weird and i didnt understand their chemistry at all. Overall, alright story but that was it for me.

If you take it for what it is, and ignore a couple plot holes, this is a great bit of escapism. I liked the world, I thought it was quite unique, but everything else was very typical romance fantasy (comeback queen of a protagonist, smitten villain love interest, etc.) But, like I say, take it for what it is and you'll have a lot of fun.

It's a cross between Arthurian Legend, Beauty and the Beast, and The Wizard of Oz.

Would I read the next one? Yeah, I would!

Oh, and there's a dog. This is very crucial information.

"To Charm a Dark Prince" by Kathryn Ann Kingsley offers readers an enchanting blend of fantasy and romance that delves into the captivating tale of Gwen, a spirited Texan girl, and the morally complex Prince of Iron. The narrative weaves a tapestry of intrigue as Gwen navigates a world beyond her own, encountering a prince whose enigmatic nature adds depth to the story.

While the book paints a vivid picture of this fantastical realm, some readers might find Gwen's dialogue to be occasionally immature and grating. Nevertheless, the true gem of the story lies in the characterization of the Iron prince, whose complexity and allure leave an indelible mark. The exploration of his morally ambiguous persona is undoubtedly a highlight that adds a layer of sophistication to the romance.

I loved listening to this. It was like cotton candy. The aftertaste of this book was sugary sweet. I was surprised how much I thought about this book after I put it down.

The main character's defining characteristic is that she is a human in a magic world. Gwen falls fairly flat. She's from Kansas, and that's about it. I am assuming the Kansas bit is a nod to The Wizard of Oz.

The love interest/villain had much more going on. It feels like more time was spent creating him.

The world building is a fun twist on the classic Arthurian Legends.

The narrator for the audiobook does a good job.

If you are looking for a slow burn villain fantasy romance, this is for you.

"To Charm a Dark Prince" is a captivating and enchanting fantasy novel that combines elements of romance, magic, and high stakes. The story takes readers on a thrilling journey as Gwen, a young woman transported to the magical realm of Avalon, finds herself entangled with Mordred, the dark and powerful ruler.

The author skillfully weaves a tale of intrigue and seduction as Gwen is torn between her desire to escape Avalon and her growing connection to Mordred. The tension between them is palpable, and their relationship is a delicate balance of attraction, manipulation, and hidden motives. As Gwen infiltrates Mordred's court with the intent to steal his heart and destroy his power, readers are kept on the edge of their seats, unsure of who to trust and what secrets lie beneath the surface.

The world-building in "To Charm a Dark Prince" is rich and immersive, transporting readers to the magical realm of Avalon with its captivating blend of beauty and danger. The descriptions of the court and its inhabitants, as well as the power struggles within, are vivid and bring the story to life.

The complex characterization of Mordred adds depth to the narrative. He is both a charming and enigmatic figure, with a captivating blend of darkness and vulnerability. Gwen, on the other hand, is a determined and resourceful protagonist who must navigate a treacherous path to achieve her goals.

The pacing of the story is well-balanced, with moments of intense action and moments of introspection and character development. The author's prose is elegant and evocative, drawing readers into the world of Avalon and keeping them engaged throughout.

"To Charm a Dark Prince" is a thrilling and seductive tale that will appeal to fans of fantasy romance. It offers a unique twist on the classic dynamic between a protagonist and a seemingly villainous love interest, keeping readers guessing until the very end. With its magical setting, complex characters, and intricate plot, this book is sure to leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

All the angst with this enemies to lovers trope. This paranormal adventure romance has elements of a thriller. The female main character is thrust through a portal to another dimension to save her life. Forced to make decisions and bargains no one should have to, that's where she finds herself. Enjoy the ride!

Was the story predictable? Yes. Did I still enjoy every minute of it? Also yes. I think this book is literally the dream that all us fantasy girlies have. We escape the real world through a portal and land in a place with magic and sexy Fae. Grumpy brooding sexy Fae.

Tried to keep with it but it read too much like a bad fanfiction to keep going, Gern was so flat and as the story went on I was dying for her to do or say or show anything of interest but it just never happened. I feel like this is a book the girls from booktok will eat up but it just wasn't giving me enough

To Charm a Dark Prince by Kathryn Ann Kingsley is the first installment in The Iron Crystal series. This is my first time reading Kingsley's work, and I was hooked from the first chapter!

Highlights:
- Fun, relatable FMC/narrator. I loved the way Kingsley told this story from Gwen's point of view. I was genuinely laughing at some points! The narrator brought Gwen to life so well.
- Retellings aren't usually my jam - as I am usually more inclined to read a book with a more original storyline. Like, let's be original! And that is what we get in this book, which is great. Kingsley takes Beauty and the Beast and Arthurian legends to spin up this plot. I am highly impressed that this retelling was unique and engaging.
- The pacing felt right throughout the whole novel, which is a hard thing to do! I felt like the energy made sense, and I was never bored.
- The worldbuilding of Avalon was teased in such a way that I kept wanting more! I hope we see more backstory and details of the realm as we progress into the next installment.

Room to improve:
- Mordred's characterization was a little off, for me personally. This may have been intentional, but at some points it felt like he was two separate people, and I had a hard time understanding some interactions and decision he was involved in.
- I am not a big fan of retellings, like I said above. I could see this book being even more interesting if it wasn't borrowing from other well-known tales.

Overall, I am rating To Curse a Dark Prince 4 of 5 stars, which is "this was really good!" on my 1-5 star scale.

Thank you Kathryn Ann Kingsley, Bookouture Audio, Second Sky Books, and NetGalley for this ARC audiobook in exchange for my fair and unbiased review!

This was a fun quick listen I really enjoyed it. The voice acting was really good.
The characters and the world were really interesting and engaging and really good to spend 10 hours with. I would highly recommend to people who have enjoyed books like the cruel prince.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️