A slightly different take on standard fantasy fare, with a tale full of political intrigue. Our witty lead is bound and determined to win over the heart of her lost love through a marriage contest ... where the goal is not the coveted prince, but another contestant. This is a tale of queer love and gave me "The Goblin Emperor" (Katherine Addison) vibes. But there isn't much else to be had here. In fact, I have no idea why there was any kind of fantasy backdrop and especially magic. It had no purpose. This is a solid tale, well-written and well-plotted, of love lost and found again, despite all barriers. I also enjoyed the audiobook narration.

I listened to the audio version of this book, and the narrator did a nice job. When it comes to content, I felt the world building was lacking and some of the characters were a little flat. I like the premise of this book, but I found myself confused multiple times while reading because some of the background and explanation around the countries, politics, and magic seemed to be lacking. It almost felt like a second book in a series. I did really enjoy Phera’s personality. I love a strong feisty main female character. I also liked that all of the main characters had flaws. Thank you NetGalley and Grand Press for providing me with an ARC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to PR by the Book for inviting me to review this, they provided me free copy access to the audiobook via NetGalley.
The Duchess of Kokora was outside my usual kind of read but I enjoyed the chance to change up my listening experience, esp with themes on inclusive relationships, strong sassy FMC vibes, and engaging narration from Bridgerton's Adjoa Andoh!

This audiobook is a delight, filled with humor, rich world-building, and a brilliant twist on the marriage games trope. Adjoa Andoh’s narration brings out every ounce of wit in the dialogue, delivering the Duchess’s scathing comebacks with perfect timing and making the banter even more enjoyable. The complex world of magic, politics, and court intrigue is richly detailed, from the divisions between the magical Signed and non-magical Unsigned to the wonderfully chaotic marriage games. Andoh’s skillful voice work draws out the nuances in the characters' personalities, making each one distinct and the story’s stakes thrillingly real. The inclusion of deeper themes on social justice and marginalized identities only enriches this action-packed adventure, giving it a memorable impact and depth.

What sets this book apart is its clever blend of romance and action, tied together with tender LGBTQIA+ representation and vibrant humor. Andoh beautifully brings the romantic elements to life without veering into clichéd or overdone territory, even during the jaw-dropping cliffhanger. This series debut also showcases unique magical elements and political strategy, making it a satisfying read for fantasy lovers who crave engaging plots and sharp dialogue. The Duchess’s bold personality and Andoh’s superb narration make it impossible to put down; you’ll be staying up late, absorbed by every twist, duel, and scheme. For fans of clever fantasy worlds and whip-smart humor, this audiobook is a gem, and I’m eagerly awaiting the sequel—with Andoh, of course, to narrate!

4.75 magical stars!

🎧 Audiobook 🎧 is super well read by one of my absolute favourite narrators: Adjoa Andoh!!

I loved this one, right up until the jaw-dropping (romantic) cliffhanger of an ending!

This adventure contained everything that I need to love any fantastic story: great world building, an underlying magical principle that brings that world building together perfectly, deeply-lovable yet flawed characters who reflect upon their mistakes to push themselves towards personal growth, and some form of conversation on contemporary social injustices/marginalization. Add to this incredibly strong female main characters, plus all of the plot-twisting schemes, shenanigans and corners turned, and I stayed up WAY too late into the night listening to this amazing book. Truly smitten.

I will say that I personally identify as pan-romantic ACE. Plus, I also left my teenage years behind decades ago. So, while I can deeply enjoy books containing elements of romance, I personally abhor endlessly awkward YA romance without depth or consequence. Nor do I enjoy smut written purely for smut's sake (no judgement - just not for me as an asexual). This book, among several that I have read lately, has had beautifully tender elements of romance intertwined into high stake, mad-dash adventure with careful deliberateness. I really appreciate this. Additionally, all praises to amazing new 2SLGBTQIA+ authors taking the fantasy and science fiction worlds by storm.

I typically feel much more strongly about cliffhanger endings - most especially those used by debut authors at the beginning of a new series. But as this one is more romantic in nature (as opposed to a cliffhanger that holds someone's life on the line until the next book comes out), bothered me less than usual. Though, I really hope that the sequel comes out soon so that we can all find out what happens!! Also, if Adjoa Andoh isn't narrating the sequel, I will absolutely revolt!

Huge gratitude to Netgalley, and the publisher Grand Press, for an Audio-ARC of this book, in exchange for my truly honest review.

I honestly felt confused for most of the book!

I read on other reviews that it felt like we were in book two of a trilogy or duology and I agree! The book felt like I should be knowing way more of the world. I don’t understand the magic system neither do I understand the politics + no map so I have no idea where is what in this world.
A novela to start off the series would’ve been good I think or better world building.

I listened to the audiobook and it feels like it wasn’t a good fit. Don’t get me wrong Adjoa Andoh is a great narrator but my understanding is that, these characters are in their early/mid twenties, Adjoa Andoh’s mature voice through me off for the whole book. I ended picturing all of them in their 30s

To me the prince and Phera hand way more chemistry than Phera with Rocelle! I really loved the exchanges between the two, they were a great match for each other. I don’t understand their dynamic, why is she so enamoured with Rocell.

The story itself has great potential, there’s some intrigue, wittiness, the pacing is good and there’s a little twist at the end.

2 stars/DNF at 34%.

This book feels like it is missing the beginning of the story. The world, magic system and politics is poorly explained and when there is some explanation, it is usually done in a info dump that doesn’t make much sense, doesn’t actually explain things or is unnecessary. The characters are unlikable, the promised competition is hardly on page and is just boring, and the romance can hardly be called romance and the plot is fairly predictable.

There’s a couple interesting side characters but they cannot keep me engaged enough to finish this book. Also I am not a fan of this narrator’s narration decisions, especially for the men and the accents given to them.

An intriguing story with a feisty FMC! The FMC enters in to the marriage games to marry the prince. However, it’s not the Prince she is after. This story is a sapphic romance. The FMC is a funny and firey character who was fun to follow. The world building was good and plenty of twists and turns!