I was pleased when Net Galley and the publisher gave me an ARC of this book … but the ARC was only a sample of the first four chapters. While the writing was fine, it seemed fast paced. I had no real grasp on the character or her world, but Cerise seemed decent enough. However, nothing in the four chapters I was given was enough to make me interested in spending money to buy this book, or take the time to get it from the library.

This book definitely lived up to the hype! I originally received this as an ARC but loved it so much I had to buy the book and listen to the audio version as well. The audiobook narration was exceptional, truly bringing the characters to life. I was captivated by the intense sexual and political tension between Cerise and the Half King, which added layers of depth to the plot. The story had plenty of action, all while weaving in a compelling underlying love story. Also the idea of firstborns being cursed, along with the revelation of Cerise’s powers and the mystery surrounding what really happens to the Half King at night, is such a fascinating spin on this concept. I cannot wait to see what will happen in book 2!


*Thank you to Melissa Landers, Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Red Tower Books and Netgalley for the ARC copy. I am freely leaving my honest review.

My Rating: 4
My Review- Thank you for the sample of the first four chapters and I have to say I love it so far. The first few chapters have given me what I think will happen in the story and that is Love, action, and mystery I like the female lead so far every kind and sweet but she does not know what is going on in her world, and the king I think will be a new book boyfriend for me. I am so interested in the book that I went to Barnes and Noble to buy it, and I can't wait to read the rest of the book this year.

I've learned my lesson here. That lesson is to not sign up for previews of ARCs. I think I've been cat fished by too many books to leave an honest review based on the first few chapters. It surely has potential and I do want to read the whole book eventually but for now my rating will have to be neutral.

Thank you to the author, Entangled Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC preview. I attest I am leaving these remarks honestly and voluntarily.

This has been one of my most anticipated books of the year. It is such a good fantasy romance book and I could not put it down. I would highly recommend this book.

Fast paced romantasy adventure with political intrigue. This is a great time and you need to check it out.

# The Half King
# 12/14/2024 ~ 12/16/2024
# 5.0 / 5.0

This preview gave a perfect glimpse into the fantasy world and introducing the characters. I already am attached to Cerise’s kind-hearted nature and want her to succeed in all of her endeavors. I can only guess at what to come once she discovers her true powers, assuming she has any. I am definitely hooked and look forward to reading and reviewing the entire book!

I waited to release this review until I finished the book! The preview was so good I had to get the whole book and read it!

“The Half King” Preview by Melissa Landers is a fast paced, excellent introduction to the rest of the book. I really liked the preview, it ended on the perfect cliffhanger to get people excited about the story and to read the book.

I would give the preview a 4/5, and the whole story a 3/5.

I thought the overall plot of this story was extremely interesting. The big ideas of the story were unlike any other story I have read. The author created easter eggs and hints throughout the story very well.

Although this book was full of so much second hand embarrassment, I hated when Daetrik referred to Celeste and Kian as Mom&Dad. Also, I think this story fell victim to having a main character whose main personality trait is being innocent and new.

As much as I was excited to read this story after the preview the rest of story did not hold up to my expectations. The end of the book seemed like it should end, the climax was perfect for an ending to the story, not a series. The ending did not lead up to a sequel leaving a dissatisfied ending.

This review is left voluntarily, and thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an ARC of this book.

I'm hooked!!! I ran out and purchased a copy if this book, I need to now what's next. Thank you for the preview.

Im leaving this review after I finished the whole book, after being completely sucked in by this preview version!

This was on my list of highly anticipated books for the year and holy wow was it worth the hype!, The world building and the character arcs were everything I wanted this book to be. The world building was what really got me and just sucked me into the story! The magic system was just complex enough, and the curse was a nice touch to create the angst. I’m a reader that appreciates when I can sit down with a book and the time just melts away while I’m reading, to the point where I look up and hours have gone by. This book definitely did that for me!

I appreciated the twists and turns this book presented, as I am most definitely a reader that always ties to guess where we are headed. This book, I got some of the things right, and some of them not. I also still don’t know answers to some of my questions, and cannot wait for book two when those may be answered!

I’m unable to give a proper full review yet, as I only got a preview of the first four chapters. From the intriguing world building and plentiful information provided in the beginning, you get a good feel for the setting and its characters. I thought the introductions were done well and flowed nicely with the plot. I am pleasantly surprised and will be picking this up to continue the story to see where this goes!

I only got a sneak peek of the first four chapters, so I can’t give a full review just yet. The premise is really intriguing and definitely piqued my curiosity. I’m excited to see where the story goes. So far, I’m loving the unique worldbuilding and the writing style flows really well, making it easy to get into. That said, I’m not totally sold on the main characters just yet. I’m hoping they’ll grow on me as the story unfolds because this book has so much potential.

I had the chance to read the first four chapters thanks to Entangled! Excited to see where the story goes!

I’m not gonna lie, this book was not what I expected it to be. I was very intrigued with this story that I could not put it down. The magic and lore is something I’ve never heard of and I loved to hear every new bit of information that was given. That PLOT TWIST is something that I never would have guessed. Nothing could have prepared me for that moment and I was left with my jaw on the floor. I couldn’t see how the romance would work at the beginning but when that one moment happened, it was much easier to see what direction it was going. After that, the romance really started to pick up and I loved this story more. I’m excited to see where this story will continue in the next book.

I recommend everyone to read this book!

Thank you to the author, Entangled Publishing, and NetGalley for this e-ARC.

The Goddess cursed all of the kingdom's noble families' firstborn children after a tremendous betrayal. Depending on their bloodline, each child is afflicted with perilous beauty, destructive knowledge, or insatiable bloodlust.

As Cerise begins to uncover secrets and piece together the puzzle, a race ensues to find the Half King and all the firstborn descendants from each family before they turn 21 and the curse fully takes control.

This book has it all, plot twists, magic, romance, and self-realization.

Thank you Netgalley, Melissa Landers, and Entangled Publishing, LLC | Entangled: Red Tower Books for providing me with the ARC excerpt of this book. I am leaving my honest review voluntarily and without coercion.

I'm glad that a preview of "The Half King" was on NetGalley, since I was thinking of buying it after reading the synopsis. After reading the first 4 chapters, I am intrigued as to what happens next. The characters and the story so far were interesting, and it does not help that the preview kind of ended on a "cliffhanger." I might end up buying or borrowing it from the library in the future.

I enjoyed the sample. The world building was interesting, and it captured my attention well enough to continue reading the rest of the book. I can’t give a proper, detailed review as I was only provided about 40 pages

I really enjoyed the writing style in this preview. It drew me in, and I’m curious to see where the story goes. The world-building has me intrigued, and I’m excited to read the full book!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy of this preview.

I just finished this little sample, and I am so grateful I preordered the full book! I can’t wait to see where this story goes! So far I’m very intrigued by the magic system, and to see what’s in store for Cerise!!

This short snip of the book definitely makes me want to read the rest of the book! My interest is piqued but there’s also not a lot has happened (yet). I plan on reading the final copy of The Half King.