I want to say thank you so much for giving me this amazing opportunity to have received this arc.
It such an amazing book.
It has actions
Betrayal
Romance
Adventure
Magic
Beauty
Spice
Animal appreciation
The thing that has captivated me is that the way it has described that you’re so scared on breaking the rules because they told you that’s how it supposed to be. But breaking them, you can have relief and sometimes we don’t need to take so literal on what’s written.
I was able to relate to this a lot, and be able to find who you truly are.

This book follows Kian and Cerise on their journey to break the lifelong curses of noble families in their realm. As a whole, I thought this book was good but I didn’t think it was anything to write home about. I found some timing issues in it taking until ~50% to really get the plot going. With that being said these characters are so lovable which is a major redeeming factor.

Thank youuuuu Entangled for arcing me a copy of this book. It’s been a hot minute since I’ve ready anything by Melissa but the concept was quite an interesting one.

3.5 stars!!

Unfortunately, this story felt a bit generic and underdeveloped. Some of the key elements about the lore and curses weren’t presented fully. The “why” for Cerise’s living situation didn’t feel well explained.

The behavior of the characters felt way younger than described in the book. It felt like I was following high school freshmen. The spice that was included in this book also felt equally as childish and unnecessary to the plot of the story.

**mild spoiler**
The concept of “love-making makes my powers stronger” is just…. Really?!?!

This was an average experience. I don’t think this is a book that I would recommend very often, but others might enjoy it more than me.

Thank you Entangled Publishing and Red Tower Books for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review! 💜🧚

4 stars ⭐️

Thank you so much to Entangled / Red Tower Publishing and Netgalley for the eArc!

I really liked this book!

I thought the storyline was so unique! "a king by day, shadow by night?!" I WAS HOOKED! I loved the magic systems and the politics in the story were so interesting.

I really enjoyed Cerise's character & her growth throughout the book. I thought her relationship with Kian was a bit "insta-love" but I still liked them together!

I really enjoyed Melissa's writing style & I will definitely be reading more of their work!

Thank you so much to Entangled / Red Tower Publishing for the eArc!

I just finished The Half King by Melissa Landers, and I'm still vibrating with need for the next and how much love I feel for the book. This book completely swept me off my feet with its richly woven characters,and unexpected twists.

One of the best parts of this novel is its expertly crafted character development. the author has done an amazing job at giving readers a glimpse into the complex lives of her characters. I appreciated how she tackled tough themes and emotions, never shying away from the harsh realities her characters faced. It was important to me that she touch base on all of them and how their problems affected them
Instead of leaving it unknown until later books like you often see.

At the heart of the story is a woman who goes through a transformation from start to finish. Her growth from a vulnerable and uncertain individual to a confident, kick-ass heroine is truly inspiring. We love a girl boss moment and love watching a character find her true self.

Just when I thought I had a handle on the where the end was going, the author dropped a bombshell twist that left me reeling. I rarely encounter books that surprise me, but The Half King did just that.

Loved the dynamic in this book!! It was beautiful. Fantasies are one of my favorite genres and this book exceeded my expectations. The whole premise with first and second borns was so good!! This book ticked all the boxes for me

I really didn’t know what to expect from this new-to-me author, but the blurb intrigued me, even though it’s fantasy (and I don’t do many of those)!

With noble families, treachery, and curses, The Half King leads us through multiple challenges and puzzles in a bid to break the curses passed to first-born children.

For a reader who is generally not fantasy led, I loved everything about this. I loved that there was no test I had to pass to understand the world in which this is set.

I loved that I could read each chapter and enjoy the storyline without fear... fear of missing something massive that would later play a huge part in the story.

Of course, there are mysteries to be solved, which leads to other anamolies showing that not everything quite adds up.

Kian, the King, and his closest allies, including the lovely Cerise, stop at nothing to find long sought-after answers.

I thoroughly enjoyed the quest to break the curse that has blighted generations of noble families.

From the ending, it is evident that there is more to come in the Half King series. However, this book reaches a satisfactory conclusion should you choose not to read further.

Having said that, I can't wait for another instalment in this amazing world with Kian, Cerise, and Daerick.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was very enjoyable to me - the plot was so interesting, the world building was great and it just felt different from anything else I've ever read before. The pace was set perfectly - it was slow burn but just enough. The fantasy elements were intriguing and there were plot twists that I did not see coming. The FMC, Cerise, was such an inspiring character, and I loved seeing her character growth and how she evolved and grew in confidence throughout the book. Cerise and Kian instantly take to each other, and that can sometimes feel unrealistic and not believable but that wasn't the case here. I can't wait for the sequel.

Thank you so much Melissa Landers and Entangled Publishing for the eARC of this book.

This is for you if you love these tropes:

👑 Forbidden Romance
👑 Slow Burn
👑 Found Family
👑 Forced Proximity
👑 Magic system

The Half King is the first book in a fantasy trilogy set in a world ruled by the curses of an ancient Goddess. I love a good curse trope, so I was instantly drawn in. While the court politics and characters weren’t overly developed, it still made for an enjoyable, easy to read romantasy. The clever twists had me on the edge of my seat, and I will definitely pick up the next in the series.

Tropes

Unique magic system
Found family
Shadow daddies
Curses

** Thank you so much to Entangled Insiders, Entangled Publishing, Red Tower Books and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review**

I really enjoyed this book. That ending though! I can't wait for the second book. The beginning started out a little slow but it really picked up and I couldn't stop reading. I found the main character religious experience relatable and I loved Blue!! A lot of plot twists and turns. Thank you to Entangled for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you Netgalley and Melissa and Entangled for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

The good: I had a lot of fun with this title! It may not be everyone's cup of tea especially when Romantasy books are just being shoved out at a rapid rate but this Romantasy kept me engaged. I liked the concept and the world.

The bad: The MC could be a bit stronger and less bland. The information overload could be trimmed.

This book was beautifully written. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the FMC. I can’t wait to read the author’s next book.

In this kingdom, the three major houses, once upon a time, colluded together to slay a goddess, and as a result, every one of their first-born children have been afflicted with curses.

Cerise Solon is a second-born child, raised from birth to become a Seer, but due to tragic events, becomes emissary to the (Half) King, Kian Mortaras, who is afflicted with a first-born curse that makes him dissolve into the shadows every dusk. She is whisked away from the only home she'sever known, before her coming of age (where she expects to be blessed with the powers of sight from the goddess), to take her place as emissary. She goes there with the knowledge from a vision foretold by the Reverend Mother, that Cerise may be the one to break this thousand year long curse, but she has also been warned to be wary of everyone at court and to trust no one.

Cerise begins to come into her own from a timid trainee Seer at the convent to a more confident young woman given more responsibility as an emissary at court and council to the King. She also starts to experience more mature feelings towards the King but must repress them for fear she will not come into her Sight. She goes on a quest based on the information she has gathered from the previous emissary and enlist the help of some friends and acquaintances she has made.

I enjoyed this story and its plot twists. The author did a great job with the world building, and the epilogue left it open for a sequel. I'll be excited to pick it up when it comes out!

I like this book hut wish it had more depth. It was unique in that the four family houses in a kingdom rose up against a goddess and got cursed. Curse unique to their houses and birth order. However the plot has a lot of holes: how did magic come to be, how did Kian’s parents rule for years when first horns are cursed to die at 21 and second born is given to the temple/order, how can the king switch his allegiance to who his heart desires/where his spirit goes when he comes back so easily and more. How about a lesbian couple thrown into the mix to check a box (poorly done and shame on the author and editor for allowing it!). Also that instalove hardly ever works for me. Overall I read the book and did enjoy most of it if you take out that basically there was no depth. This was clearly written in a way for younger adult audiences but added romance makes it higher young adult. The epilogue was super weird and I’m kind of intrigued about the next book but honestly the author could clearly have wrapped it up and been done the epilogue setting up the next book wasn’t even needed.

I really fell in love with this book. It had everything. A strong female character, love, magic, great world building. I wasn't in love with the male main character at first, but he was perfect in the end. I have dreams about this world. Beautifully written 👏!

I did love that the plot was unique and it had adventure and twists and turns. It was an enjoyable read and I think that it will only get better in Book 2. The pacing is good as well.

For such a wonderful idea, I did find some things that missed the mark for me. I wasn't sold on the characters entirely and the relationship developed too fast. I prefer a slower burn with flirty banter mixed in. The female main character was supposed to be more innocent but I would have liked to see her become a stronger lead.

It is a solid effort overall and the plot is very interesting. I just felt like I needed more to live up to the great idea.

I really enjoyed reading The Half King. Cerise was such a naive, innocent character who was raised in the temple. When she is given the position of King's emissary, her world expands and she is way more open minded than most with her upbringing would be. She learns of a curse on the people and takes it upon herself to learn how to solve it. She's incredibly selfless and self sacrificing. Kian was a great MMC and Daerick was a wonderful side character.

The last 15 percent of the book was WILD and heartbreaking and crazy and awful and somewhat hopeful but terrifying? I can't wait to read the next one.

Thank you Melissa Landers and Entangled Publishing for the ARC!

This was an interesting concept where four noble houses uprise against a goddess and end up with a curse. Each curse is unique to the house. The FMC finds that she might be able to break the curses so she goes to the king. This book was filled with secrets, romance, and world building. Looking forward to reading book two.

Thank you entangled for the gifted book.

What a great book! This was full of romance, adventure & a unique magic system as the main character worked to break the centuries old curse. It was a pure joy to read.