I started this and thought to myself, "crap, another slog of "tell, don't show". I resigned myself to just getting through it so I could get to the next book. But then, about 60% of the way through, something changed. What I had originally thought was going to be a super predictable story that I'd felt like I read 100 times before became something else entirely. I'm generally really good at guessing twists and figuring out what's going to happen, but The Queen's Crown had me and HAS me actually stumped!
The author does have a tendency to tell us instead of showing us, which I find difficult to swallow, but the story is actually quite interesting, and while I don't entirely love the characters, I'm just so impressed by the way the plot is turning out that I will 100% be looking for the sequel. I need some answers!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The queen's crown is the book 1 in the league of Rulers series.

It's story of princess Sabine who had to replace her sister's position in being the lynks next queen, post her assassination.

Princess Sabine proposed the replacement in order to find her sister's killer, but less she knows that in order to do so she'll be un coding the reality.

This story was interesting, but I found Kong Rainer highly self obsessed and misogynistic. Even though he wants to help Sabine in order to stay alive but he won't miss a chance to degrade her and that was alarming.

It would have been better if Sabine could be more headstrong. Hope that changes in the upcoming series.

A great opener to a new fantasy YA series.
You're hooked from the beginning as Sabine's story starts around her sisters proposal but then she ends up being shipped off to marry another. There's a lot of mystery and intrigue to the story.

At times it felt like there was a lacking of descriptions, how certain scenes played out left you thinking eh how did that happen? But overall its a great series opener. I'm intrigued to see how to romance side starts to play out.

This book was amazing I personally love it the fact that just a few chapters in my jaw was on the floor from shock.

Better than expected! Fast-paced, plot twists and great character writing. The romance and cliffhanger will have you SEATED.

3.5⭐️ - Rival kingdoms, murder/attempted murder, masquerade balls, and arranged marriage. I really enjoyed the premise of the story, but the characters fell a bit flat for me for the first half of the book. It left with a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

I was drawn to this book from its stunning cover and vivd description and the story help a promising plot. Murder. Revenge. Marriage of Convenience.

Had me sold from only that.

There definitely some fun and intriguing parts of this book, the twins and the mystery around Sabine's sister's murder. I can't lie that I am looking forward to the release of book 2. However, I felt as though was more telling and I just couldn't imagine some of the key locations in the book. Idk i also felt like I didn't connect with the main character. She sounded so badass and witty but I just never saw her really display it in a compelling way.

King Rainer was far to distant and plain. He sounded like any old king and sure maybe he worked with his soldiers, but like in all those pages there was no real understanding of him as a character, he was merely a side piece.

I believe the author has immense potential for the next book and there is just so many ways this story the turn and even though there were some things that may have been better, it doesn't stop the next book from being a compelling and thrilling novel.

I feel like this has so much potential, but my biggest impression was feeling frustrated by the lack of information we were given. The conversations and interactions all felt abrupt and strange. We didn’t have any answers, or even clues, throughout the whole thing, so it was just frustrating to me. The king had a hunch that he knew who was the murderer. Okay. Could we get a hint? No.

After reading the whole book I’m still not sure who Sabine’s love interest is supposed to be, because none of the options seemed very appealing. The characters all felt very flat to me without any personality.

I’m left with lots of questions. How could 4 people travel through a completely dark mountain river in a canoe for days without getting out to sleep etc? Maybe I misunderstood something, but this is the type of thing that seemed to be swept aside without answers, and I still have questions lol. I’m sad about this, because I feel like I could have really enjoyed it if we had more details shown to us.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Wow, what an absolute sleeper book of 2023. I won't lie...I went in knowing nothing about this book or author (just a pretty cover) and was truly blown away. It was very easy to get into and kept me really invested in the MC and the plot. Though it does end on a cliffhanger, it was a really nice read. I have requested this at my local library!

The Queen’s Crown manages to do two things well that a lot of Fantasy Genre novels have a hard time with, the hero’s motivation and not losing the reader. Princess Sabine’s beloved sister is murdered after traveling to her fiancé’s country for an arranged marriage. Devastated, Sabine grows up fast and takes her place, so that she can find the murderer. Good story, but the dialogue did feel too contemporary American and the setting was kind of generic. These to things kept me from really getting emotionally with the story. If the author rewrites it to fix those two things, I’d be happy to read it again one day. This world gave me a faint vibe for Northern Europe and Italy at the start of the Renaissance. I suggest more research there.

Ahhh I need book 2 immediately. I feel both excited and unsatisfied which is probably a good thing. This story certainly had a lot of potential and promises. Except for the main character, I still feel like I don’t know anybody truly nor do I trust them — anybody. There hasn’t been any magic yet which was a little disappointing but I’m guessing will be part of the heart of the issue/plot/big revelation of book 2. At least I hope. I think a bit more could have unfolded and I could have done with a few more resolution points but I am willing to look the other way because I did enjoy myself reading this story and discovering the Lynk kingdom through the princess’ eyes. Will continue with the series.

The Queen’s Crown is book one in a new series by Jennifer Anne Davis, called League of Rulers.

DNF at 17%. I’m having such a hard time getting into this, and the blatant sexism is too much for me. I know it’s supposed to be a medieval setting, but it’s rubbing me the wrong way. There is also a lot of telling rather than showing, which is making connecting with the writing difficult.

Maybe I’ll come back to this, but for now I am done.

You can never go wrong with a Jennifer Anne Davis Fantasy Romance story. I have read several of her series and am excited for this new narrative. 'The Queen's Crown' kept me guessing right to the end, who would be the main love interest of the book as well as who committed murder. Davis perfectly painted a beautiful picture of the country side as the main character, Sabine, crossed through her neighboring countries. I am wholly invested in this story and not sure I can patiently wait until March 2024 to find out what happens next.

Our main character, Sabine Ludwig, is from the peaceful country of Bakley whose main industry is agriculture. Recently, neighbors from Carlon have been stealing the children from the outlying towns and villages of Bakley. In order to strengthen their forces, Sabine's older sister, Alina agrees to marry the King of Lynk, forming an alliance and securing armed forces. Shortly after arriving in Lynk, Arlina is murdered. Sabine volunteers to take her sisters place to ensure that the contract between Bakley and Lynk remains secure. She also goes because she has vowed to find her sister's killer.

I couldn't help but wonder if Sabine's name was intentional. Possibly named for the Roman myth about the Sabine women who were abducted by men from Rome. Our main character Sabine from 'The Queen's Crown', volunteers to go to Lynk but if her sister had lived and fulfilled her duty, Sabine would have been free to remain at home, marry a local man, and have children. Sabine has free will and made a choice but only out of obligation. Ultimately, I am not a fan of the King of Lynk, Rainer Manford. He is an arrogant, self serving man who only wants a wife from a royal line in order to produce an heir and help him save his throne. In the meantime, Rainer continues his side relationship with the love of his life who is unfortunately for him is not of royal blood. To me the almost 'insta-attraction' between Sabine and Rainer is confusing. He is supposed to be madly in love with someone else but he becomes incredibly possessive of Sabine. Equally, she swoons everytie she sees him topless. Sabine is a strong willed individual whom I expect way more from. The book started off at a quick pace, got a bit slow in the middle, picked up speed at the end, and ended with a great twist and a cliffhanger. I am really interested to see what happens next.

This new novel by Ms. Davis was a great read! I have read several of her works and enjoy her writing immensely. This was an interesting novel, multiple plot twists, where nothing is as it seems. I have more questions than answers and cannot wait to read what happens in the next novel of this series! Sabine never had to worry about much being the youngest of six, but everything changes when her sister is murdered. Desiring revenge, but also wanting to protect her people, she replaces her sister and finds herself navigating between politics and intelligence, while trying to adopt to their lifestyle. Some unexpected events that occurred, which has Sabine wondering what is true, for family wouldn't lie, would they? I received this novel from net galley and the publisher. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just finished the arc for this, only to realize I have to wait until April for the next book. I really enjoyed this and am so excited to find out what happens next.

This book is superbly written. This fantasy series peels away the layers one small hint at a time. Each chapter reveals a puzzle piece or opens another path to follow. I can't wait for the next book in this series, This is truly a bingeable read. The characters are well developed. The political intrigue is like nothing I have read before. There isn't a wasted line in this book, Every line is like scraping away a layer to reveal something new. The books ends with you salivating for the next installment.

This book had its moments with lots of twists and turns, but it left too many questions unanswered. Some plot holes were noticeable, like the inconsistencies with Heather's character. Additionally, the lack of world-building was disappointing. I wished for more romance in the story; it teased it but didn't deliver. If you're considering this book, I'd suggest waiting for the sequel for a more satisfying experience.

3.5/5

The Queen’s Crown follows 18yo Princess Sabine of Bakley. Content with spending her days as she wants as 6th in line, she isn’t prepared for when her older sister dies a week before her wedding to the mysterious king of Lynk, a militarily focused kingdom. Thinking it’s the only way to solve her family’s problem and find her sister’s murderer, Sabine takes her sisters place and makes the perilous journey to Lynk. Except that when she gets there, nothing is as it seems.

So here’s the thing. I got through this book really fast because it was easy to read. But I was also very confused most of the time, not really in a bad way, just confused. Like everyone was talking to the FMC, but not really. There also wasn’t a lot of world building. That would’ve helped me understand what was going on more. Hopefully there will be more lore and world building in the upcoming novels.

I really like the main character. She was your typical quick-witted, strong willed FMC. I kind of wish she did more herself for the plot. I felt like there was a lot of plot happening to her, but she wasn’t really setting anything into motion herself. Again, hopefully there’ll be more actions she takes in the future novels that can alter the story more.

I did not hate this book. I enjoy reading Davis’ writing. I have high hopes for this series and I am looking forward to seeing how this story progresses. I just want to know what’s going on.

The Queen's Crown, by Jennifer Anne Davis, is the first installment in the authors League of Rulers series. 18-year-old Princess Sabine Ludwig is the youngest daughter of the King and Queen of Bakley. Sabine thought her biggest problem was finding a man remotely interesting to dabble with while trying to fill her days with something other than knitting or drinking tea. Then the unspeakable happens. Alina, who was supposed to marry another, accepted a marriage bone with the King of Lynk.

But when Alina is murdered a week before she’s to be married, Sabine suddenly wishes for boring, ordinary days again. Instead, she is fast tracked into learning everything there is to know about Lynk and the King that will be her husband and King after she steps up for Alina and accepts the marriage contract. She also learns how to protect herself as well as the most dangerous poisons. Things don't exactly go as planned. Before she arrives, she is attacked, and nearly killed.

She arrives with her protector Lieutenant Markis Belle, who is ordered home, but refuses since Sabine's life is once again on the line, and any small mistake will likely end in tragedy. Thrown into a world of lies, power struggles, and seduction, and three siblings who have their own agendas and secrets, Sabine must learn to navigate through the foreign kingdom’s dangerous court as she seeks her sister’s killer. The closer she gets to discovering who it is, the more she questions who she can trust—including herself.

*Thoughts* First, yes, the book ends on a brutal cliffhanger ending. Unfortunately, the author kind of mentions the League of Rulers, and may include several characters who we do meet, and it seems this group has way too much power over the actions of the various countries who are always at each others throats. Rainer, the ruling King of Lynk, and his family are an interesting bunch. Sabine turns from a reckless teenager who is looking for fun, to someone forced to grow up in a hurry. When she has to face death at every turn, that's pretty easy to do, especially when you have a loyal bodyguard like Markis.

Rainer seems to honestly be trying to keep things together, including finding out who murdered Sabine who he apparently became close to. He knows that he is on a deadline to either marry, or abandon the throne. The brothers Axel and Anton are either part of the League, or have answers that Sabine needs to survive. Then there is the sister Lottie who I never trusted from the moment she was introduced. This story left me with a lot of unanswered questions, especially with all of the games and power play moves that are happening within the ruling family of Lynk. Will I continue? Of course!

I went into this book with high expectations and yet find myself somewhat nonplussed by it . Sabine is the youngest child of the King, a little wild perhaps but that’s clearly because there has been little expected from her. That all changes though when her sister is murdered and Sabine herself decides to step up and become the Queen her sister was meant to be ! In a strange Court with no idea who to trust she slowly learns that to be a Queen isn’t to really hold any power and lies and deceit most definitely muddy the waters around her !
I wanted to like Sabine but at times her desire to be seen as a Princess felt overkill and selfish, actually pretty juvenile too, is Rainier meant to be her love interest because honestly I get she finds him attractive but as a reader I personally find him boring, rude and chauvinistic! Frequent inconsistencies annoyed me, eg well trained dog suddenly eating things they shouldn’t but most of all the tell not show style of writing and just so much not explained meant I finished this feeling very unsatisfied. Clearly the author wants to keep readers guessing but this reader just wasn’t entertained enough.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair