This one has a really interesting world and magic system but was a bit slow going in. Interesting set up and a fun story overall.

Thank you to the publisher's on Netgalley for this earc. All opinions are my own.
I really wanted to love this, but unfortunately, this book wasn't for me.
One of the main issues I had was the writing. I felt like the writing didn't do the story justice. It's one of those styles that has long descriptions, but not important ones? I felt things were overly described that didn't really add to the story. Also, we keep flashing back to the 'advice' her father gave her, sometimes the same sentences repeated more than once. They felt redundant.
I think what held up the story was the lore and worldbuilding. That was interesting with the tense politics and alliances. However, i don't think this story reached its full potential.
Aisling really... didn't have much of a personality?? Like all I knew was that she was forced into marriage, she has been sheltered her whole life, and she doesn't know how to fight.
That's another thing that really irritated me. There was a battle scene where she just stood there! I don't expect every fmc to know how to fight, but I also don want them to be useless.
The only characters I enjoyed were Lir and Galad. They had solid backstories and personalities I connected with, especially Galad. Aisling's family was extremely flawed, and she kept justifying their actions. I just wished that I could like them enough for me to let all the other things I didn't like brush over my shoulder.
I think you should give this book a shot because I definitely see the appeal, I just wish it was executed differently.

A war is raging between mortals and the fae for centuries. As part of a peace treaty Aisling, a princess of the north, shall marry the fae king Lir.
Since she is a small child he learned that mortals became before the fae, how bad fae are and what the mortals need to do to secure the security of their own kind. In the weeks before her wedding she is taught by her parents again how evil they are, how they lure mortals to kidnap them, torture them and eat them and that she shall not trust anything they claim to be the truth and never to show fear for the ugly creatures the fae are.
When he is into her new home, after her wedding, she learns that nothing is what she expected. The fae are not what she thought they are, also there is a threat they fear and she learns that nobody expected her to survive her wedding.
So bit by bit she discovers details, which were kept all her live from her, nothing is what it seems and slowly something stirs within her that is turning not only the world of mortals but also the fae world upside down.


We start with the mortal point of view how evil fae are, how right it is to fight them and that a young woman must sacrifice herself for the greater good of the mortals. She marries a fae king without being aware of their traditions, their language, without really knowing anything about the enemy. So together with Aisling we get to know all the characters as well as the world. The world build is really great as well as the character development but at some points this is causing a slow pace. To shorten some things might have given the read a better pace.

The characters are really interesting as we see how prejudices are broken down when you get to know each other better, when you don´t blame crimes of one race on one person.
Aisling is a young woman who had so far a sheltered live as she was not even allowed to leave home. She believes all her father thought her so far, has a certain mind set. This happens often in the book and at some point it was a bit tedious for me. It is clear that she was brought up this way but slowly she learns that she was sold to a treaty and her father expected her to die. So should she not question other things he thought her especially when she learns in her new home that things are not as he told her to be? During the story she learns to stand up more for herself and that she wants to learn new things.
Lir is an interesting character as he wants to save the fae, stop the fires killing their forest and killing of his kind. So he is willing to accept a marriage and expects that his new bride will not survive the ceremony but when she does he is adjusting to it.
The love story between these two is really slow burn. I mean not really anything is happening between them at all beside they get to know each other more and more over the months as not even the marriage is consummated.
The other characters are really interesting as the fae dislike Aisling as mortal but during their time together, learning to know each other they get a different point of view and something like friendship, respect arises between them.

So a good idea, complex world build, good characters, good twist of the story at the end but in some parts of the story was the pace a bit too slow for me.
So I was here between 3 and 4 stars and would go with 3,5 which means I round up to 4 stars here.

I could say so many things about this book, the world building, the scenery, the storytelling, it’s all beautiful. ♥️ If you’re looking for a new fae x human romance, look no further, this satiated that need for me and I can’t recommend it enough!

This book is definitely more of a high fantasy with a focus on the politics and world building, with romance as a sub plot, but my god is it good, such an interesting read! 😍

Tropes:
🖤 Enemies to lovers
🖤 Marriage of convenience/Arranged marriage
🖤 Forced Proximity
🖤 Strong FMC
🖤 Slooooooow burn
🖤 Fae x human

This book was good, but slow. It was slow to grab my attention, but once it did I was invested in this magical world. The world building was done incredibly well, and the characters were well developed along the way. I do believe the book could have been a bit shorter- with less reflections from our narrator. These reflections felt a bit redundant at times, and side-tracked from our story.

This book heavily implies romance, but there is very little in this book itself. Our main characters built an alliance and connection, but I'm wondering if the romance will pick up in the second book.

This is definitely not an action packed fantasy, it's more of a slow burn, slow and steady story. I did appreciate the methodical world building, and the cliffhanger leaves me wanting more.

Overall, this was a good first book but not one of my very favorites.

Thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky Publishing for an eARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was such an amazing fantasy book! It was beautifully written, great pacing and an epic, intriguing plot. There are elements very typical of a fantasy book, such as magical creatures, fae, political conflict and war as well as the sweetest slooooowww burn romance(?) to top it off.

The romance in this is extremely subtle, more in the style of fated-enemies/mates. There is no spice, only touches of yearning. And that just makes me SO much better.

This is a very plot-centric book, with a captivating world that is so addictive I found it difficult to put the book down. I loved it so much, and I just adore the writing style; it’s so charming and other-worldly.

Will be reading book two immediately!

Aisling, or Ash as she prefers to be called, has grown up as a sheltered princess of the high king of the north, locked behind their iron and stone walls to keep her safe from the Aos Si (Fae). She has been raised to believe that the dreaded monsters appeared one day in the past and began stealing human land, killing, eating, and kidnapping innocent humans for fun and sport. Now, her father has arranged a peace treaty between the dreaded monsters and humans, a treaty that revolves around her. She is to wed one of the 12 rulers of the Fae and bring peace to the two groups. After marrying Lir, king of the woodlands, Ash realizes that not all her father's teachings are true. After all, the Seelie seem in their way and kind, but the monstrous Unseelie is another story. Perhaps her father doesn't know of them. Maybe he doesn't know that his fire burns and kills the ancient sentient trees. Maybe she can get him to understand.

I found book one to be good, but it was a little long; it had a lot of world and character-building, which I appreciated, but a lot of action, especially between Lir and Ash, was missing. Don't get me wrong, there were fights, spars, and battles, but something just felt a little off; if that makes sense, I kept waiting for something groundbreaking to happen. I kept waiting for the two to fall in love, and all I got was one kiss at the end of the novel. I may have read too many romance (spicy) books, but I found that side of the story lacking. However, I appreciate how strong Ash is as she navigates an unfamiliar world. I did get a little frustrated with her. However, I understand the whole I was taught to believe scenario, but at some point, you begin to make assumptions and beliefs of your own, and I found the whole my father said bit to get a little tedious. Like, we get it, but think for yourself, girl. I am excited about book 2, however, and hope that the action and romance will increase significantly, especially with the ending of book 1.

The Mortal Queen weaves political intrigue, magic, lies, monsters, and personal growth to provide a captivating tale. The story centers on Aisling, a mortal princess thrust into an arranged marriage with Lir, the enigmatic fae king, to secure peace between their warring species.
Aisling's character development is a highlight. Her journey of self-discovery is both authentic and compelling, capturing her internal struggles as she confronts long-held prejudices about the fae and navigates the complexities of her new reality.
The romance between Aisling and Lir is the slowest of burns, their relationship evolves naturally as the story progresses with tension and chemistry simmering beneath the surface.
The novel’s strength is its world-building. We experience the fae world through Aisling’s naive POV and so every inch is meticulously described and immersive, drawing inspiration from Celtic folklore to create a vivid landscape filled with mythical creatures and complex societies. There’s magic, curses, & enchanted beasts!
However, the novel's pacing can be uneven at times. Some sections delve deeply into descriptive prose and internal monologues which enriches the world-building, but slows the momentum of the plot.
This ends on a cliffhanger and I am desperate for book 2, which, luckily, is already out!

I really loved this book! It’s instantly captivating how it jumps right into the story and into the magical world of the fae. This story had a lot of twists and turns that I didn’t expect. I loved the magical creatures and the description of the fae world! It was fast paced but with that being said, I do wish there were a few more private moments between Aisling and Lir. Throughout the story Aisling references a few sweet moments between her and Lir but I wish they had been described as they played out just to get more of that connection between them. Overall, this was a create story and left off on a cliffhanger! I will definitely be reading the second book.

This is going to be a GREAT series. Aisling is the typical unprepared sacrificial virgin in her father's attempt to broker peace with the Fae. No one suspects that Aisling will develop a backbone, and much more, in her time with the Fae. As Aisling becomes more compassionate to those around her something about the mortal realm's knowledge pricks at her. Living in the magical world presents Aisling with more than she bargained for. This book focuses significantly on the world building. It has a bit of a slow pace at times but that's to be expected with a new fantasy series. I do wish that some of the relationships evolved at a faster pace but that's just my preference. Unexplored relationships and unanswered questions provide an excellent cliffhanger.

Thank you to NetGalley, Second Sky and Ashley Metzler for an ARC copy of The Mortal Queen.

The Mortal Queen is the kind of book that grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. From the moment Aisling is forced into marriage with the ruthless fae king, the tension is high, the stakes are intense, and the world is absolutely mesmerizing.

The dynamic between Aisling and Lir is everything I love in an enemies-to-lovers romance—fiery, intense, and filled with slow-burning chemistry that keeps you hooked. Lir is the perfect mix of dangerous and intriguing, and Aisling’s journey is incredibly satisfying to watch unfold. The world-building is lush and immersive, packed with mythical creatures, dark enchantments, and plenty of twists that keep the story moving at a fast pace.

But what truly sets this book apart is the writing—it’s so good that I completely forgot about the real world while reading. Every scene pulls you deeper into the magic, making it impossible to put down. I already need the next book in the trilogy, and I can’t wait to read even more from Ashley Metzler.

If you love fantasy romance with strong characters, sizzling tension, and a gripping storyline, The Mortal Queen is a must-read and I know this series is going to be an all-time favourite!

Intense. Enticing. Ethereal.

The world building is fantastic. It truly engrossed me into the story and transported me in a way that kept me engaged in its entirety. The writing is excellent and descriptive and the characters are so likable.

The pacing is on the slower side but builds to a climax that pays off well. I’m such a stickler for the pacing of the book and from the start I knew this was going to be a slow burn, but it’s written in a way that is not boring. I will say however, the dialogue got lost and the actions and small details overshadowed it. I found myself needing to revert back to certain parts in order to remind myself on what was said.

However, with that being said. I enjoyed the romantasy elements and I was pleasantly surprised by the lack of steam and spice. It’s been increasingly difficult to find a romantasy without spice, so reading this book was a nice and unexpected experience.

I would like to extend my gratitude to NetGalley, Second Sky and Ashley Metzler for the Advance Reader Copy of The Mortal Queen in exchange for my honest review.

The Mortal Queen written by Ashley Metzler and narrated by Samantha Norbury was a true slow burn. I will call it an enemies to less than enemies tale. I would have been so angry if there had not been ONE KISS in this book. I dual read and listened to The Mortal Queen. Samantha Norbury brought Aisling to life with the terminology and languages. I have immediately downloaded book 2 where I hope the less than enemies get a little spicy.

Wow, wow, wow, I am so glad go read this as the ARC, what a book, I love a fantasy and I knew just from the title, I'd love this one, give me the next books now!!

I LOVED this book. The writing style and the story line sucked me right in. The characters, including the supporting characters. The story is fast paced so kept me on the edge of my seat and dying to know what came next. Will recommend to a friend and can’t wait to see what the author writes next

Great read, can’t wait for next one to see what happens, I see now it’s a three parter. Aisling is caught between her family and her husband. How is she to choose

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

Fairytale feel with fae magic - I think I am just tired of fae books, this one just didn't hit the way I wanted too

Complex fantasy with the feel of a fairy tale - Sidhe, Unseelie, and humans battling land and nurtured fallacies and lies. A naive and spoiled princess finds out all she has known is not the truth, and the unknown evil may be the good after all. Battles and intrigue and secrets enmeshed in a new and colorful world. Great for any age.

"But those were the most dangerous sort of creatures, the lovely ones..."

Aisling is devoted to her clan, willing to give her life in order for it to be safe and thrive. But when her father, the Mortal High King, the Firehand, offers her in marriage to the fae King to form a peace treaty between their races, her world will be shaken to its very core and her loyalty to her family, her people, will be tested beyond her comprehension. Distinguishing truth from lies becomes more difficult with every exposure Aisling has to the world beyond her father's walls, and the more time she spends with Lir, the fae King, the more something mysterious and dark stirs from deep within her bones. When war breaks down the door between present and past, where do her loyalties lie and who will she save: the fae King she was forced to wed, the family she has known her entire life, or the darkness that threatens to overcome her?

Full of beautiful fae world-building, dark tension, deep-rooted lore, and twists at every turn, The Mortal Queen surprised me immensely more than I anticipated. The first 1/4-1/3 of the book is focused on world/history building to help you understand how swiftly the story takes off - but in a good way. I've never encountered a story with lore so deep that is so well thought out so quickly that you can actually follow. Every time I thought I knew where this was going, there would be a new element, keeping it fresh even though there was an undercurrent of predictability for the baseline here and there. And the slow-burn romance was a beautiful undercurrent amidst Aisling's journey of self-discovery and finding her own strength and voice.

I will say, it took me a while to get over how often Aisling is referred to as "the Mortal Queen" in narration. It's EVERYWHERE over and over and over. True, the fact that she is mortal is crucial to so much of the plotline and the turn taken at the end, but it could absolutely have been used less.

With that said, it didn't take away from the intrigue of the story and relationships within one bit. The second book is already on my TBR (this is a trilogy!) and I'm very much looking forward to seeing where the story goes next! I'll leave you with another non-spoiler quote from the book, though I did remove names to make you want to read it all the more.

"One day, they'd meet again, and she anticipated the day near as much as the day she learned of herself and her newfound fate... For their futures were woven by the lady. Intricate tapestries whose tales were knit tightly together. Needlework already sewn into the fabric of the stars. So she'd dream of him till once more they met."

Give it a chance…

This book was very close to being DNF to me, however I’m glad I pushed through it. The pacing was extremely inconsistent, however it had enough suspense to keep me going when reading.

I have just started book 2, The Savage Queen, so let’s see where this goes.