I don't think I'd ever be tired of reading something from Kit Rocha.

Their character work is just so masterful, and varied, its so good. Sachi's development, Zanya's vulnerability, and Ash's general "Who hurt you?" anger, they're a really great combo of characters, and their writing of all three is brilliant. And because they know how to feed us, the plot was lush and enticing. You were worried for characters, you were upset with people, and the overall badassness that envelops our lady protaganists, was very well done.

Good freaking food.

The narrators did a wonderful job of brining the characters to life. I sincerely enjoyed the audiobook.

Thank you to Montlake, Brilliance Audio, and Netgalley for an audio/e-copy.

Queen of Dreams is the sequel to Consort of Fire. This fantasy series follows three lovers through their dreams and powers.

I enjoyed book one but book two fell flat for me unfortunately. The tension was gone, it dragged on and on, and I lost interest in the entire plot and characters by the end. I can absolutely see why others still love this book if they were really invested in the world to begin with.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Kit Rocha, and Montlake for providing this free ARC. This is my honest review! This published on August 6th!

I have posted my review on Goodreads, my Facebook book club, and will make a TikTok to post around the publishing date.

Queen of Dreams. sequel to Consort of Fire, picks up right after the events of book 1. Sachi, Zanya and Ash are dealing with the aftermath of the events of book 1 and learning to deal with Zanya’s new powers but also trying to find their footing around each other..But they do not have as much time as they wish as war looms and The Betrayer makes his move.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable read. Just like book 1, Kit Rocha manage to craft an engaging, emotional story where the characters are complex and we spend time exploring their feelings and emotions. I particularly enjoyed Zanya’s arc in this book and her learning slowly to trust and be vulnerable and come into her full power.

The evolution of Zanya and Ash’s relationship was also a highlight of the book for me. Whereas Sachi and Ash have an easier bond, the book takes the time to explore Zanya’s own relationship to him through a series of beautiful (sometimes heartbreaking) scenes where they learn they are much more similar than they thought.

The supporting cast of characters remains very strong. They all have their own individuality and I love the way they are incorporated in the story, Aleksi in particular i’ve developed a big soft spot for for spoiler reasons!

The horny dragon book continues to earn its nickname! The spice and romance in this book are just as enjoyable as they were in the first installment. I liked the way the bond between each protagonist is explored and how it deepens the relationship between the three.

Although I wish we could have had a bit more time to breathe in the last part of the book, where I felt some aspects were a bit rushed, Queen of Dreams is still an amazing sequel that ties up the story of Zanya, Sachi and Ash perfectly.

Queen of Dreams is book two in the Bound to Fire and Steel series. This story picks up right after the events in Consort of Fire. Sachi, Ash and Zanya are learning to deal with their new relationship while they try to figure out what to do about all of the groups planning to move against them and the other gods. Zanya has new powers that she must learn to harness. Sachi feels useless locked in the castle for safety. Ash doesn’t want to have to fight his brother again and must face his fears to save everyone. The three of them, along with the rest of the character, must go their separate ways before they can come back together to fight the evil in their world. Will they succeed or will one of them die during the fight?

Sachi is definitely a princess but she is also tied to the dream. She might look like a tiny, helpless doll but if she can learn to harness her connection to the dream she will be strong and she thinks that will make her useful. It was nice to see how Sachi went from delicate princess who was raised to be a weapon to her becoming fully herself. Ash carries so much fear and guilt but Sachi and Zanya are opening him back up to love. His need to protect everyone he loves while also opening his mind to how he can help others was a nice journey. Zanya is a god now but she has no idea how to control her new power. The three of them have to deal with evil in the human world while also trying to fight evil from The Betrayer. The author creates a second complete world with The Betrayer. The author continued to develop the stories of the other gods surrounding Ash, Sachi and Zanya. I really enjoyed that part of the story.

The author has created a unique and complex world with living gods. This is a scifi/paranormal/fantasy book. You must read book one first. Every event in this book is started in book one. I believe this book was a set up for another book but I’m not sure. I will definitely read more from this author in the future.

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake for the arc. I loved this series. FFM romantasy is my jam and this was so good. I loved seeing Zanya and Ash's relationship grow and Sachi come into her power. This was fast paced and steamy, grounded in great characters and a rich world. I know some weren't a fan of the length of the last battle but I love a drawn out climax battle scene. I also appreciated that we got a longer denouement to address what happened and provide a last steamy scene. I'm sad to let this world go. This is definitely a series I'll be rereading and an author I will revisit. So happy I took a chance on a second book in series arc. I highly recommend.

This is the second installment in the series, that delivers a captivating blend of fantasy, romance, and adventure. Ash, Sachi, and Zanya, three powerful lovers, unite to face the ancient evil of the Betrayer. Ash has waited millennia for a consort, but instead finds himself connected to Sachi and Zanya, who embody creation and destruction. The character development is superb, mainly as Zanya battles her inner darkness and Sachi navigates the Betrayer’s treacherous realm. The plot is fast-paced and filled with twists, making for a thrilling read. The book balances epic battles with intimate moments, offering a satisfying conclusion while leaving me eager for what’s next in this rich, magical world.

A great conclusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I love a good fantasy story and if it is steamy, all the better!

Sometimes when I'm reading high fantasy with epic romances, I do wish for some steamy scenes. Well, it's as if Kit Rocha heard my silent plea and made that happen in this epic conclusion to their duology!

This story is nothing if not FOR ME specifically. Epic love story, dragons, court politics, fighting against evil - this has it all! I continued to love Zanya, and Sachi was really giving time to shine in the hideous court of the Betrayer. I grew to adore the High Court of gods surrounding them as Zanya adapted to her new shadow queen powers. I knew Sachi's Super Saiyan moment was coming and was so excited throughout my read for it! Oh and when it hit? Perfection. A wonderful conclusion to a wonderful duology. I want many more of this style of romantasy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC.

The conclusion to Ash, Sachi & Zanya’s task to rid their world of the Betrayer’s evil. Epic fantasy of a amorous dragon (iykyk - I don’t my review rejected) and the two women who join forces to stop their world from crumbling. Great ending to the duology. Heat level - 10 ghost peppers. 5 Stars.

Queen of Dreams is book 2 in the Bound to Fire and Steel by Kit Rocha.
This was the perfect romantasy story!
I immediately got sucked into this amazing world. With these phenomenal characters.

I was highly anticipating this sequel as I was letting wanting more of Zanya and Ash’s dynamic in the first book. Queen of Dreams did not disappoint — the romance, action, steamy scenes and side characters all delivered. Sachi is captured by Sorin and because of that Zanya and Ash are left to lean on eachother in her absence. Zanya’s unsure of her powers but Ash can relate to her feelings of isolation and fear, so him along with Sachi are able to help her realize the strength that comes from being supported by those that love you. Sachi also had an interesting arc here as she goes through a bit of changes while under Sorin’s harsh rule. I’m just happy that the characters have finally bonded and are a sturdy unit. I would give anything to have more books in this world following some of the other characters. I really enjoyed this one.

If you've read any of Kit Rocha's books, you pretty much know what to expect. This time it is not a dystopian world, nor space, but a paranormal world where mages, werewolves, dragons and all possible magical and fantastic creatures live. But at the heart of it all is still love.

Since I haven't read the first book in the series, maybe some things were confusing for me, but at the same time, enough hints are given to the previous one that maybe only more detailed descriptions were missing, but I still got the general picture.

Far, far away, beyond the seven lands and seas, there is a country whose king has promised a monster living nearby that every hundred years a princess will be brought to him and he will protect them from other monsters during that time. But the king (as kings always do) doesn't want to sacrifice his daughter, so the orphans are found and raised in the royal household, one as a princess and the other as an assassin tasked with killing the monster the moment the princess needs to be handed over again. But these girls are no ordinary false princess and murderer. Something special happens when they are handed over, and to protect each other and the monster, they reveal abilities that have been kept secret until now.
This second book is about how the girls experiment with their new abilities, how they get to know each other as lovers, how they overcome their fears and prepare to accept everything their abilities have to offer.

There's excitement and sizzling love, and there's no limit to fantasy. At first it felt like I was reading an adult version of Millie Bobby Brown's new film “Damsel” :), but the similarity is only superficial, Kit Rocha's story goes much deeper, but yes, the beginning is quite similar.

Queen of Dreams is so fun. It opens with Ash, Zanya, and other members of the High Court preventing soldiers from burning an old woman as a witch. Rot in The Sheltered Lands is being spread by the regents who took control after Zanya murdered the evil king. There are intrigues, preparations for war, gods fighting gods, lovers sparring using their full abilities, lovers loving to their full abilities, and endless buckets of hope. The world building in this series is amazing and I am so excited that we will get more duologies centered around the Court of the High Dreamers.

Our Dragon god, Ash, is still horny for his consort, Sachielle, and her lover, Zanya. Zanya has manifested her powers as the avatar of the Endless Void and still learning her powers. Sachi is an object of desire for the Betrayer, and he steals her away. As in Consort of Fire, Sachi is the emotional center of Queen of Dreams, but here we also see her bring her skills to undermining The Betrayer in his own power center.

I massively overthink things and tie myself into knots trying to express all the visceral and thinky thoughts that I have about books. I am quite capable of hyper fixating on a single element and my whole review of a fun, exciting book will make it sound like a dry treatise on emotional labor. I refuse to make Queen of Dreams sound dull by going on and on about the way the trio love all aspects of each other and the contrast between that and the rigid, extractive control The Betrayer exerts on his court and his people. I love this exchange between Ash and Zanya:

“There’s only one thing to remember,” he said softly. “Sometimes the world needs monsters. Everything you learned today? You’ll have it to use against the Betrayer.”

She nodded, her eyes shadowed.

“He’s a monster for the sake of being a monster. You?” He smiled. “You’re her monster. And that makes all the difference.”

I received this as an advance reader copy from Montlake and NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.

Hard to get into at first but stick with it you won’t be disappointed. Sachsen, Zanya and their dragon have a mission, to keep their world together. Can they do it? Or can the betrayer stop them!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you for allowing me to review

A solid follow-up to the Consort of Fire. The Betrayer plays (as expected) a huge role in this one - the world is expanded as we get a deeper look at its politics and history. The relationship between Ash, Zanya and Sachi deepens and it's quite interesting to see how they continue to navigate it together and separately. Still very steamy (and exploring the characters and their personalities through the sex scenes - which is great).

My favourite part was seeing Zanya finding not just love in Ash (and of course her endless devotion to Sachi), but also family in the small circle of the Dreamers. I also really liked the various dynamics between the Dreamers - great fun to read.

Like some other reviewers mentioned, the last battle was a bit too long for me, but I totally see how it would be fun to read for those who enjoy such scenes.

Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A exciting conclusion to the love triad of Ash, Sachi, and Zanya. After the death of the evil king and discovering the mechanisms of the Betrayer involved in the tortured upbringing of Sachi and Zanya, our group of lovers navigate their relationship together along with preparations with the war that exists on the horizon. Plenty of training for Zanya and Sachi really begins to shine in the second half of this book. The ending is exciting and nail biting. all in all an enjoyable conclusion to this arc.

Zanya has awakened into her new form and is learning how to control her new skills, but while she and Ash are away fighting battles Saichi has to stay home were she'll be safe. Until they realize that the war with the empire is inevitable and she starts exploring the power of the dream, but it is during one of these trials that she is stolen from Ash and Zanya...
As much as I'm a fan of Rocha, I have to say this is the first of their traditionally published novels that's hit as well as their self published stuff did. I loved the relationships in this and how strong the individual characters are, even the bad guy had his moments. I think they have more coming in this world as a different series and I can't wait to read it.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Montlake Publishing

Heat Factor: Two sexathons, separated by many pages of extremely unsexy plot.
Character Chemistry: It was already love, now we’re going to make it deeper.
Plot: Sachi taps into her power.
Overall: It was…fine.

First thing’s first: you should 100%, definitely, absolutely read Consort of Fire before you pick up Queen of Dreams. This duology follows the same triad of protagonists as they work out the kinks in their HEA. Literally and figuratively. Actually, if you care about spoilers, you should read Consort of Fire before you read the rest of this review.

When we left Ash (the Dragon), Zanya (the Shadow Queen), and Sachi (the giant ball of sunshine that holds them together) at the end of Consort of Fire, Zanya had just tapped into her power. In doing so, she saved Sachi from dying, but now she’s all kinds of freaked out because it turns out she’s kind of a god. We had also learned that there was a big evil bad guy (henceforth BEBG) who was not only running the Empire on the other continent, but was also planning something Nefarious.

You’d think that given the set-up with said BEBG, this book would be off to a rip-roaring start, but it’s not. In fact, the first third is quite slow, especially compared to Book 1, which, while it had a lot of world building, also had a lot of tension right from the beginning. But here we spend a bunch of time with Zanya figuring out her powers and running away into the shadows any time there’s a hint of sex. And also have a scene where Sachi and Ash have some sexy rumpus in Ash’s bedroom. And there’s some politics going on and some war strategy stuff. Despite things happening like soldiers magically burning down villages, the stakes don’t seem all that high.

Things finally pick up a bit around the 40% mark, when Sachi is kidnapped by BEBG and brought to his creepy dystopian empire. Sidenote: I was so confused when I opened the book and there was a map where I recognized *nothing*. Like, did I forget the names of all the places? No, it’s a map of the other continent; that just doesn’t become clear until halfway through the book.

Anyways, there’s a whole thing where Ash and Zanya want to go rescue Sachi but need to learn to trust that she knows how to do things like survive in a hostile political environment—they fought their kind of war with swords and shit, now they need to cede the battlefield to her. Sachi might seem like a nice submissive ray of sunshine, but she was also trained in seduction and assassination. Unfortunately, we don’t see a whole lot of this soft power badassery, because Sachi might do better with the BEBG than her partners would, but she’s still very much over her head. She does finally achieve godhood but the process felt a bit hand-wavy.

Please note that the big climactic battle is not actually the climax of the book; instead, the high point of the relationship arc happens afterwards, when our friends are all in bed together and have the longest sexathon known to man. A literal climax, if you will. I like a good erotic romance but this was a lot. Just like, let’s go through every possible configuration of these three people in one really long scene. I know, intellectually, what work this scene is doing (especially since now they have a deeper bond because of sex magic), but it was frankly boring to read.

Honestly, I thought the first book in this duology was much stronger than this one. I didn’t feel like the romance developed much here, nor did two of the three main characters. Yes, Sachi did become more developed, which balances out her lack of growth in the first book, and all the plot about the BEBG sets the stage for broader upheaval in this world (and therefore sets the stage for future books). But the growth the characters underwent was not significant enough to change their dynamic. In short, while some stuff happened, most of the book didn’t have a ton of forward momentum.

Because of this lack of forward momentum, the message got a little heavy-handed. I know that the same ethos of care for others and with power comes responsibility was present in Consort of Fire, but I was so invested in the tension of the story that it simply permeated the background. Here, it’s much more explicit:

"He had failed Sorin, just as he’d failed the world beyond his castle. But every day was a chance to make a different choice. To try again, to do better. Ash knew what his choice would be—to use everything he was to protect the people he had harmed with his complacency. To be worthy of the gift he’d been given when the world entrusted him with the power to see his dreams made real. Maybe someday Sorin would make that choice, too. Until he did…The rest of them had an empire to save."

This is a nice message, but I don’t generally read romance for didactic purposes.

I’ve been very grumpy in this review—perhaps grumpier than is warranted. So in closing, I will state, for the record, that I did read this book quite quickly, and will probably read the next duology in this series as well. (Especially because I now know that the Kraken does, indeed, have tentacles.) Sometimes I just want some very sexy epic high fantasy romance in my life, and even when it doesn’t completely succeed, this fits the bill.

I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

I am sad to leave this world. I need more books. Maybe for the other gods? Please? As usual, Donna and Bree give us all the spice and all the girl badassery. I enjoyed reading Zanya's journey to embracing her full god power and Sachi being happy because she got to be useful and actually feel useful. I can relate to that feeling as I think we all can from time to time. All in all, this was a satisfying conclusion to the series but I really would love to revisit the world in the future.

I haven't fallen into a good fantasy world in a while and this series was so perfect. It has an amazing world of Gods and Political Intrigue and an amazing cast of characters. I love Ash, Zanya and Sachi. We got to see them find each other in the first book and we get to see them really solidify and become a true unit in this book. I love that we saw all of the characters grow, into their powers and learn to trust each other.
I love the battle season. They are gripping and I was on the edge of my seat (even know I knew love would win) .
I love a good villain and The Builder (Betrayer) was all that and a box of crayons. I almost felt sorry for him as he tried to rebuild his old life.
Sachi has always been just a background character to me from the first book as I loved Zanya but she really came into her own in this one. She was deep in the thick of the Betrayers court and she held her own. I think Zanya's training with weapons and her fighting skills are easy to see but Sachi was a true spy and kinda scary.

I love the world, I love the characters, I love the spice. I really hope there is more coming in this world. I was really moved by the Lover's story and in the last battle when he was cut off from the Dream, it was such a good start to a story. I really want him to find his love.
There are so many great stories that are yet to be told in this world. I really hope they write more.

I would recommend for those that like spicy romantic fantasy, with political intrigue, good overcoming evil where love conquers all.