This book had a lot of things about it that I liked. I LOVED the Wrath and the Dawn and Heart's Blood vibes this book gave me. I loved that this w was a cursed wheelchair bound prince romance. I really felt for him and all the sacrifices he made for his kingdom and to honor his brother's last request. I loved watching him learn how to truly live.

The FMC was also well done. I liked their relationship progression overall, even if it sometimes felt a little disjointed. I liked watching them learn how to be a united front for the well-being of their kingdom. It was definitely an interesting dynamic having them in a marriage of convenience/political marriage so soon after his brother, her former fiance, passed away.

I really liked his best friend and his bodyguard turned general. I loved the found family dynamic he had with the others afflicted as well.

I did not like the cheating incident and that he was basically forgiven so quickly? The sacrifice she made at the end for him after that was stretching that suspension of disbelief a bit too far.

I did not care for the ending either. I felt like it needed another 250-500 words at least at the end. But I do recognize that the ending style is becoming more and more popular. It's just a style I don't care for. I like for things to have a more defined ending vs cliffhanger style ending.

Thank you to Whimsical Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.

For fans of:
- Daughter of the Salt King

A queen raised to lead her people and a king shut away from his birthright are bound together by tragedy and circumstances. With their enemies closing ranks around their borders, they have one summer to live. One summer to save their people.

This book includes:
- will they won't they
- a lethal curse
- found family in the most true and wholesome form
- grief and survivor's guilt
- excruciating lack of communication
- atmospheric desert setting
- political alliances and generational betrayal
- arranged marriage and forced proximity
- duty above all else
- disabled MMC
- cliffhanger ending

I loved "Queen of Shifting Sands" and I can't wait for book 2. Lystra felt so real to me as if she were one of my friends. Her love for Cormac and all the grief she endures as a result of her death touched my heart. I also adored Elerk. His quiet strength was so beautiful and I loved seeing how he loved and cared for his "found family." At moments, it was devastating to read through all of his self-hatred and I just wanted to give him a big hug. The imagery is very well done in this book, and I could clearly picture the desert and the city in my mind's eye.

If you're looking for a story about two strangers bound together to fight against insurmountable odds, this one is for you. The magic elements are very subtle and it doesn't have a lot of action. Still, this story has masterful political manipulation and two protagonists who will make you fall in love with their stoic generosity and unshakable devotion to their people.

I received this eBook as an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Kaitlyn Carter Brown, and Whimsical Publishing for the opportunity to review this book. This review is also available on my GoodReads - check out my profile https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/62314863

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this title in exchange for this honest review.

I’m not sure I have a lot to say, other than my feelings are mixed: the concepts were really interesting, especially the curse, but the execution of them left a lot to be desired personally. The main characters didn’t really feel like they brought anything new and particularly memorable to the table, and their romance didn’t really manage to captivate me. I liked the disability rep, but I did feel a bit off with the desert setting. I’m not a professional, but it did feel vaguely orientalist to me.

There was a lot going on here that I enjoyed. The magic system, the animals, the general idea of this book is great. I really like the way the author worked with the curse and the community around it. That was really heartwarming to see.
The book itself is rather a slow read, so I struggled with that. It took me awhile to finish, since it didnt grip my attention.
Overall it was fine, but missing the hook for me. 3 stars.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced readers copy.

A slow build fantasy set in an intriguing desert kingdom struggling to survive. Lystra was on the cusp of having everything she was trained for and her heart's desire, when her fiancée, the king, is killed and the country faced with an overpowering enemy that brings war in months. The only chance the kingdom has is if she marries the now-dead king's brother. An untried man with a devastating curse few know about must maneuver political intrigue and a grieving woman's heart to save the country they both love.

The pace of the story is slow until the later part of the book when it picks up. However, that allows for the relationship to grow between the two leads (it is told in 2 povs) which otherwise might be a hard sell. The characters are strong and the world-building is good. Brown wrote a prequel that I have not read which I think would have added something to the story, particularly when it comes to the unusual large lizards that are part of Lystra's tale. Other reviewers have noted that story was action-filled and had a very different pace than this one. It will be interesting to see how the next one turns out. There is a heart-pounding cliff-hanger which may anger some but leaves me just wanting the next one out now..

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

“Before the eyes of their kingdom, he and Lystra were nothing more than a legal arrangement, a political alliance. As it should – as it must – be. And yet something drew him to Lystra the way the stars were drawn in their orbit across the desert night sky”

After seeing her fiancée, the king of Instanolde, die in an ambush, Lystra mourns both her lover and her future as queen. However, with her conniving grandmother’s schemes, she ends up in a political marriage with her late fiancée’s brother, Elerek, a mysterious and elusive man. Having had a deadly curse all his life, he and Lystra recognise in each other both pain and hopefulness. His touch could sign her death and that’s something he won’t go through. However, the heart wants what it wants. Amidst an imminent attack, they have to prepare the kingdom for survival as well as fend off their hearts.

“somehow, Elerek felt as if his soul had been given wings, Lystra’s smile disarming his every doubt”


Full of magic and romance, this book was simply perfect. I loved the setting, the cardants, Elerek and Lystra, all of it. It reminded me of “We hunt the flame” by Hafsah Faizal and “The wrath and the dawn” by Renee Ahdieh, both astounding books. It’s full of political drama, a forbidden romance and fantastical elements that make this story so magical. The suspense in the last chapter was amazing and I am eager to read its sequel.

All in all, I simply have to give this book a 5 / 5. This is how you do a fantasy novel.

I don’t give 5 stars out lightly but I loved this! If you enjoyed City of Brass, this one’s for you 🏜️

Themes
* betrayal, deceit
* romance subplot
* politics
* desert setting
* deadly curses
* friendship, found family
* disability rep
* war
* stars, constellations 🌌

Lystra and Elerek were written so so well 👏🏼 Very multi-layered and credible.

I really liked how disability was portrayed here too. As someone who has a physical impairment, it’s nice to see positive and real portrayals of disability. Most books usually paint it as nothing more than a major hindrance and find ways to overstretch physical boundaries of the characters so they can ‘overcome’ their disabilities in some way, so it’s refreshing to see that this book doesn’t fall victim to that narrative. Elerek finds comfort in his wheelchair, he finds strength and ability in his own way, yet he is assisted when needed and doesn’t refuse help, nor does his plotline revolve around his disability - rather, the focus is on the curse that was placed on him.

As for Lystra … she is the definition of a queen 👑 the way she was raised absolutely makes sense as to how her romance subplot developed at the pace that it did. All the while her grief was balanced proportionately. I still believe she is starlight 💫😭

The side characters were also quite good and I was invested in them too - I wish we got to see more of them actually.

Whilst at some points in the middle I wished there was more action as the pace slowed a little, I was still engaged in the plot, characters and settings. All the juicy stuff happened at the very end.

Can’t wait for the second book (im assuming there will be one 🤞🏼) and I’ll definitely be buying a physical copy of this ARC. This is one of those instances where I will do anything to spread the word about how great the book is - it deserves way more hype!

I'm giving this 3 stars, it was fine, there was nothing I hated about it and there was nothing wrong with it. But it didn't blow me away and I didn't get out of it what I wanted.

I think that some of this is due to how it's marketed and some of this is to do with the characters, but also how different this book is to the short story you can read before it. None of the cool fun things present in that short story we're in this book except for one small desert ride that was part of a chapter.

When it comes to the marketing this is a new adult fantasy romance, I don't see any reason for this to be new adult I'm not aware of anything not suitable for a young adult audience and there was no romance, I assume this is going to be a longer series and I can see that there are potential romantic pairings that could form but this book was not that at all. The closest to romance this got was mutual admiration. So if this was advertised as a YA fantasy and I'd gone into it expecting that I potentially would have rated it higher.

Then when it comes to the two main characters we follow at the start of the book I was 100% cool with them they were both interesting and I really like Elerek, but they showed no growth throughout this and even though they both acknowledged the people they need to be for the responsibilities they've ended up with no movement was made towards that. I also really didn't like how self deprecating they both were and it wasn't in a fun little joke way it was a lot.

Thanks to @netgalley and the publishers whimsical publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There's feelings - grief, love, and more. And cool worldbuilding! I love the reptiles especially.

I also love the character dynamics. The characters feel real and relatable.

But that ending! I hate it and love it at the same time.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a new fantasy read

Includes:
Reptiles
Disability rep
Curses

The Queen of Shifting Sands, written by Kaitlyn Carter Brown, was simply put - amazing.

A cursed king. A queen by name. The slow burn between the two. The setting in the desert landscape with it's own given features and fantastical qualities.

Can we also appreciate the cover? Stunning artwork of Lystra.

The novel is a 2 person perspective novel - Lystra and Elerek. Each chapter titled with whose point of view it is.

Every scene played out beautifully in my mind, the writing painting a picture of the details of the characters, the world and the nuanced actions. Can I say how much I appreciated those last chapters? The climb towards this moment was built up with so much tension, and to end the book on a cliffhanger leaves me wanting more.

This is 100% a must read.

The beginning is a little slow but it picks up. And you won't regret it.

Thank you NetGalley!

I had such a great time with this story! It had such a great combo of world building, romance, and epic fantasy. I’m such a sucker for a dual POV as well. The setting of the desert felt so immersive, which I love. I can’t wait for book 2!

It's time to accept defeat and recognize I have no desire to come back and pick it up again. It's a shame, because I really wanted to love this book, and Elerek's chapters kept me coming back, but my dislike for Lystra is simply beyond fun at this point.

Regardless, it is a promising story and I thoroughly enjoyed the originality of it and the world building. If someone enjoys reaaally slow paced stories, with a great heap of drama and prejudice, it might be your book, and I recommend giving this a try. If for nothing else, but for this brave new world.

As always, thanks to Netgalley for granting me the ARC.

I had various grievances with this book that I believe could be easily fixed with a couple more editing passes. Similes were overdone at times, making them too long and breaking the pace and immersion. They are also overused, finding multiple on the same page.

Dialogue doesn't make much sense at times, with characters changing their minds midway without new information presented, or answering incongruously to the current conversation.

Lystra makes a couple of ableist and classist remarks, which makes her hard to like.

There's a pre-established relationship with Elerek, but they lack the intimacy for it to be believable. Soon after claiming he loves her, he's pining after Lystra and deeming her "the most beautiful girl in Instanolde".

The story opens with the death of King Cormek and the two main characters dealing with their grief while having to prepare for a war. I wish we had had more time to meet Cormek so we could understand their loss. I think where Queen of Shifting Sands misses the mark is bringing out any type of emotion. Other characters' deaths feel inconsequential to the reader because there's no emotional investment in them.

Thank you to NetGalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited for this, the premise was so interesting and different to anything I’ve read - but unfortunately this one fell flat for me.

I loved the desert setting and the use of “cardants” but the storyline was really confusing and the pacing was really off. I felt like nothing happened until the last 50 pages so I was really bored for the majority of the book.

I didn’t really see the chemistry between the two main characters and tbh I really didn’t like the MMC…

Wow! This was incredible. I loved the desert world so much. And the characters were all so lovable and I enjoyed watching their growth.
I was intrigued from the very beginning with the death of Lystra's Fiance. The pacing was good and I didn't feel bored. But I felt like some scenes should have been expanded.
My only complaint is that some parts felt redundant, as in reminding you of the timeline they were going against or just how dreadful Elerek thought of his life.

I really hope there is more to come!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review

I'm sorry but you can't do this to me... When is the next one coming?? Okay I have to be honest it did took me a while started the book because I wasn't sure about what was happening but then when I finally did I couldn't put it down, so there's a princess supposed to marry a king but then he dies and his brother who as a disability so they decided that they should married and both rule the country.. And then there is a curse.. and I can't say more about that... But..... WHAT?????? I need more El and Lystra

Yeesh! Ok so this really lights up the last 50ish pages and my god is it a page turner!! Lystra is the heir of a house who's husband, the king, was recently killed in an attack in front of her. Elerek is the king's older brother who has been cursed since birth and is arranged to marry his brother's wife. This book has interesting world building and a creative plot but unfortunately %75 of this book is dull exposition. The fourth that isn't is amazing! Action packed and romantic. I just wish that it was a faster and more evenly paced read.

“We all have one life, Elerek. A mighty gift from the Maker of the stars.”

Thank you, NetGalley, Whimsical Publishing, and Kaitlyn Carter Brown for providing me with a free copy of this book to review.

Tropes: Forbidden romance, arranged marriage, friends-to-lovers, dark secrets, slow-burn romance, rivals

There are so many great things to say about this book.

I knew I would love it after reading just the first few paragraphs. It’s familiar yet unique. It’s heartbreaking yet wholesome. And it had me hooked from beginning to end. The writing style is simply poetic and so beautiful that I felt like I was entranced. The setting is rich with lore and great visuals. Even the side characters provide depth, each having distinct personalities and roles within this fairytale of a story.

With dual POV books that I’ve read in the past, I’ve always found that I favored one character’s perspective over the other. That one protagonist outshined the other, leaving the latter in a shadow. Not with this book, however. Both Elerek and Lystra’s unique voices, unique interpretations, add something great to an already fantastic read. They balance each other out and compliment each other in the best ways possible.

I simply cannot wait for the second book's release. I need so many answers! If you’re a forbidden romance lover such as me, this book will sate and yet have you craving more. Lystra and Elerek’s inevitable romance has shifted from a bud into a bloom. I’m eager to see what the petals say for them.

This love story is one made for the stars.

Queen of Shifting Sands was such a unique fantasy adventure! The desert setting was ripe with beautiful culture and fascinating creatures, and the political and romance aspects were a fun addition. I did find that the story dragged at some parts – especially in the middle – and the plot-twists weren’t particularly shocking, but it was a fun read.

“Up above, the stars he loved so dearly danced in all their might, singing ancient proverbs. In a glorious exchange, the sky turned orange and the sand turned pale blue.”

The worldbuilding was the strongest aspect of the novel – bold, creative, and so fun to read. Massive lizard-ish creatures that people raced and rode to battle, long gorgeous draping fabrics, battles with both magic and weapon. I thought the magic was really well woven into the story, and the entire concept of curses – especially the central curse – was really unique and interesting to read about.

“With this crown, I crown you, Lystra, daughter of House Arghan, queen of Instanolde. May you reign with grace, honor, and a strength as sure as the dancing stars above.”

Lystra was also such a cool fmc, though I have to admit that I wasn’t allll that invested in her story. She was strong and perseverant, which I admired, but I just couldn’t connect with her at times… but I found that I felt the same way about most of the characters.

“Tragic, and yet noble. Unbroken despite a world that had waged its worst. A man who both lived and died in the same cursed breath.”

I did really like certain parts of our mmc’s character – he was caring and he really thought things through, which is always a good character trait for kings. Plus I loved the rep of him being in a wheelchair! I thought that was really well done (though I wouldn’t know personally), and I thought it blended well with his character. However he had this portrayal of being socially awkward and abrupt, which I just didn’t really see? Like we kept getting told that he wasn’t great at socialising, but I could never see it… anyway, he was a cutie.

“Despite their differences, the divides between them, and the distance the curse required, perhaps they could do this, accomplish the impossible.”

The romance was… meh. I don’t know, I got invested at some stages, and then un-invested again. I thought the pacing was a bit off – it was like they were both grieving and barely had genial feelings for each other, and then instead of a slow build up, they were just kinda in love? Like I swear they didn’t even have that many convos. Also the slight love triangle with another character was a little odd.

Nonetheless, overall this was a really interesting read! Great adventure and political intrigue, stunning worldbuilding. Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC copy!

WOW!

What did I just read? In the best possible way. The tragedy, the angst, the plot twists. It was all incredible. A little slow-paced, which is why it's 4 and not 5 stars (and also because it ended on a cliffhanger) but the amount that happened in the last 50 pages was insane. I am also not the biggest fan of the third person because we don't know what is happening in the characters' heads, but this author combined them perfectly. I knew exactly what each character was thinking at most times (dual POV). Ms. Kaitlyn Carter Brown, you definitely know how to hold a reader's attention!

Tropes: We have arranged marriage turned lovers (although they don't know of each other's love until the end of the book); we have disability - the main character is wheelchair bound (and cursed!); "my Queen"!!!!!; ex-fiance's brother; protective of each other (and their kingdom)