I enjoyed it and I don’t know what I was expecting also it trilogy 2 book series it’s a romance fantasy

Married to a dark fae king, her world is now one of danger and desire…

The fae have been at war with mortals for as long as Aisling can remember. Now, to save her people, she must sacrifice herself – by marrying the savage fae king.

As her wedding draws closer, Aisling prepares for a fate worse than death. But when she meets her new husband, he is not at all the beast she expected.
An absolutely irresistible, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers romance,

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Mortal Queen.

I loved the premise — an arranged marriage between a human and a fae with hints of hidden magic? Yes, please! Unfortunately, the execution fell flat for me. The writing felt clunky, often switching between calling Aisling by name and "The Mortal Queen" within the same paragraph, making it hard to stay immersed. The third-person POV also created some distance, making it difficult to connect with the characters.

Repetition was another issue — Aisling's father’s warnings about the fae were drilled into the narrative a little too often. The slow pacing of both the plot and romance didn’t work for me, as I prefer a fast-paced, high-stakes romance.

That said, I seem to be in the minority. If you enjoy slow burns and love the premise, you might have a much better experience!

This book was so beautifully written. I felt so immersed in the world, and while this made the pace a bit slower it made the story all the more magical. I loved the fact the lore was different to maybe others with its gaelic references. I would say that it is slightly false advertising to say the fae court is full of passion and desire, because this was a super slow burn. I am desperate to read book 2 now because I have got to see what happens to Aisling

“You’re the only creature on the Earth that’s been given the opportunity to view this war from two pairs of eyes. Don’t blind yourself to one to uphold the lies of the other.”

“The Mortal Queen,” by Ashley Metzler

I liked the plot of the book about the human princess and the fae king arranged marriage. I liked the mystery of how everything would unfold when the characters found out the motives of the other characters, good build up for that. The book blurb said it’s good for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Holly Black, and Callie Hart; I wouldn’t say any of those authors can be compared to Ashley Metzler, its hard to say because this is the first book in the series but this story so far doesn’t feel as big plot wise and character wise to be compared to authors who write much bigger worlds, I just didn’t get the vibe for it. The biggest part that held me back from giving it a 5 star was that it was really slow at the beginning, the last half of the book though was really good and right up my alley. 4 out of 5 stars, definitely be reading book 2 in the series.

-Fae
-Arranged Marriage

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

I thought this was a really good start to a fantasy series. I do think it’s marketed a bit wrong though. I was expecting more of a Romantasy with some steam scenes and there was almost no romance throughout the book, just a lot of tension. I was waiting for it to happen but it just…. Didn’t happen. Which is okay! But it was marketed as a steamy fantasy so I was going into this novel fully expecting that.

Otherwise I thought the plot was really well done with a unique magic system and world with a spin on fantastical creatures. Overall I would definitely give this one a read!

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 stars! I absolutely loved the concept of this book. I also loved the different creatures present in this book and thought they were all so unique! Unfortunately, I think the execution fell flat. I do think a lot of it was due to it being third person. I could never really connect with the characters or the story happening. The romance was okay, but I expect that it will pick up in the next book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

That ending got me! I need to know what happens next.

If you’re a fan of a romance that takes its time to build, this one delivers. The slow burn between Aisling and Lir kept me hooked, making every interaction between them feel charged. The writing was immersive, filled with vivid descriptions that brought the world of the fae to life.

An arranged marriage between a mortal and a fae king is one of my favorite tropes, but the story goes beyond that. Aisling’s journey of self-discovery was one of my favorite parts, watching her grow into her power and challenge what she thought she knew. The world-building was detailed and atmospheric, making it easy to get lost in the magic and danger.

Overall, if you love fantasy with rich storytelling and an enemies-to-lovers romance, I’d definitely recommend this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky Books for the gifted copy!

I loved this story! I really enjoyed the conflict between Lir and Aisling - I could feel the pull between them but appreciated that they didn't instantly give in. It added tremendously to the plot and the slow burn makes you crave their final connection all the more. Aisling has a lot of growth in this book alone, which makes her a likeable character. She starts as naive and loyal to her family, then becomes powerful and loyal to herself. She is not an FMC that is scared to do what she feels best, and doesn't hesitate to speak up when she knows of any wrongdoing. I read a lot of fantasy and this book is not like any others that I have read prior. There were a few times I bet Aisling's inner turmoil was repetitive, but otherwise I was drawn in to the story and couldn't put the book down. I am eager to read the second book in the series.

Hi and thank you for this book!

I found it quite hard to get into, and I really had to urge myself to finish it. The initial worldbuilding was a struggle for me to get through.

The FMC and Fae king dynamic was interesting but the slow burn was not enough to really capture me.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

4⭐️1.75🌶️

Fantasy Romance
Single POV
Celtic/irish Mythology
Unique Magic System
Sentient Magic
Fae
Magical Beasts
Marriage of convenience
Yearning
Slow burn

Mortal Queen is a republication of Aisling: Breath of the New Creature. I won’t lie, I think the old title and cover were more eye-catching than the new ones, though even the previous covers didn’t quite capture the fantasy vibe, so I understand the change. As for the title, The Mortal Queen feels a bit forgettable. I’m not sure why the team went with it, especially when Breath of the New Creature (or something close to it) would have been much more exciting.

It’s also a little odd to see Aisling referred to as “Mortal Queen” in the narration instead of her name so often—about 50% of the time, in fact. It took me out of the story at times, making me wonder if the author added her name later and used “Mortal Queen” as a placeholder. It definitely kept me from fully connecting with the characters.

That said, the mythology, descriptions of beasts, and the beautiful writing around the magic were my absolute favorite parts of the book.

I really enjoyed the romantic tension. It was so delicately done, letting the focus remain on Aisling’s growth as a character before introducing a more consuming romance. I’m excited to see where it goes in book two.

I’m so glad I have the second book as an eARC because I’m starting it right away!

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky Books for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Mortal Queen by Ashley Metzler swept me into a captivating world of magic, political intrigue, and unforgettable romance. Aisling’s journey from reluctant bride to fierce warrior alongside the enigmatic fae king, Lir, was absolutely enthralling. Their chemistry crackled with tension, making this enemies-to-lovers arc irresistible.

Metzler’s lush world-building was reminiscent of favorites like Sarah J. Maas and Holly Black, with deadly enchantments and mythical creatures at every turn. The story’s thrilling twists and deep emotional stakes kept me flipping pages late into the night. Fans of slow-burn romances with action-packed adventures and strong-willed heroines will adore this book.

I’m already eager for Book 2 — this series is destined to be a favorite among romantasy lovers!

Thank you Net Galley, Bookouture Audio and Second Sky for providing me with an ARC/ALC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, from the very beginning I was sucked in to this magical and immersive world. The world building was great and it felt a bit different to other fae fantasy books due to its new take on the Seelie, Unseelie and other magical creatures.

Aisling was an interesting main character, she has grown up being told one thing about the fae and you really feel her world being thrown upside down when she starts to find out the truth. There were times when I found her annoying because of how she was treating Lir and the other fae but I can also see how this added to her character. She was a character who was torn between what she’s been told by her family and this new world she was living in and I think the reminders of that even if it was repetitive were necessary.

The romance aspect of this book isn’t very prevalent but I can see the crumbs that were laid out. The book focused more on the politics and world building but I did enjoy the tension between Lir and Aisling. I’m looking forward to where that relationship goes in the next book and the possibility of a love triangle with Dagfin.

As well as reading this book I was given the opportunity to listen to the audiobook. The narrator Samantha Norbury did a fantastic job at immersing me in this world. The way she depicted all the different characters and creatures was excellent and it really added depth to an already great story. If you have the option of listening to this story I’d highly recommend it.

This story is definitely a slow burn but I’m excited to read the next book in the series and to see where Aisling’s story will go.

The Mortal Queen by Ashley Metzler is an enthralling fantasy that weaves romance, danger, and magic into a captivating tale. Aisling’s forced marriage to Lir, the king of the fae, leads her into a world of enchantment and deadly intrigue. While the fae are feared as monsters, Lir proves to be far more complex than she expected—both a fierce protector and a dangerous allure. As Aisling uncovers dark secrets and her own hidden powers, she must navigate treacherous alliances and a growing attraction that threatens to unravel everything. A thrilling, action-packed story with rich world-building and compelling characters.

3.75 ⭐️

Super magical read. Lots of familiar tropes and themes here...fae against humans, prophecies & curses, fated mates, an arranged marriage, enemies-to-allies-kinda lovers-to....?...well honestly I don't really know but that cliffhanger has me EXTREMELY interested to find out! Aisling's adventure squad at the end made up of her gaggle of brothers and Fin going into the next book....well, I definitely can't wait to see what they get into. Did someone sayyy...cough...book 2 potential love triangle...cough cough...!?!?! 😏

This book in and if itself was a slow burn - steady, methodical pacing the whole way through with a super climactic payoff. This could, however, feel slow to you if you are used to reading action-packed fantasy.

The writing here is rich in detail and depth. The world building gave me a mysterious and ethereal vibe.

While the descriptive prose was immersive, the narrator's reflections sometimes overpowered the actual conversations happening between characters. Because of this, dialogue exchanges lost their natural rhythm at times, and I found myself backtracking to remember what had just been said. A more streamlined approach to internal thoughts would have helped maintain the tension and clarity of character interactions.

The "romance" here is more of a fated mates alliance. Yes, Aisling and Lir build a connection along the way, and there's a heavy emphasis on Aisling coming to terms with being lied to her entire life about the fae. She has crazy, deep rooted prejudices that influenced her attitude quite heavily, to the point that I didn't start to like her character until about the halfway point.

I didn't find myself having cartoon-eyes at Lir. It could be because their dynamic felt more like a friendship for 90% of the book, but damn that "I'll hunt you down" at the end really has me rethinking how he's going to show up in book 2. This series still has a lot left to give and I need it to crank up a notch on the drama and passion for the next installment!

✔️ Fae x Humans
✔️ Prophecies & Curses
✔️ Arranged Marriage
✔️ Enemies-to-Allies-to-kinda lovers vibes
✔️ Heavy Xenophobia
✔️ Fae King MMC, Human FMC
✔️ Part of a Trilogy
❌ No steam or spice (but there is slow building Romance)

I’m not usually keen on 3rd person but I did really enjoy this, I loved that the main plot was not the romance, there was a real plot with great world and character building. The romance was secondary o a plot tat could have actually survived without the romance, although of course it did make a good book better by having the romance element.

The Mortal Queen* by Ashley Metzler is a story that initially feels like a slow burn, but ultimately rewards readers who push through. The first 40% of the book can be a bit of a struggle, bogged down by political intrigue and the introduction of a large cast of characters, making it hard to keep track of everything. At this point, I was honestly questioning whether this book was for me.

However, once the plot picks up, it does so in an exciting and unexpected way! The twists and turns, combined with a cast of characters you can’t help but either love or despise, transformed my reading experience. What started as a potential 2-star read quickly became a 4-star one. The pacing shifts dramatically, and by the end, I couldn’t put it down.

I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book in the series, and if you’re patient with the slow start, *The Mortal Queen* will reward you with an engaging, thrilling journey.

I really really wanted to like this book, I enjoyed the plot and the overall storyline was great, but I feel like some characters lacked depth and there were alot of unnecessary repeats of things.
I also didn't love the slow burn throughout the entire book.
Overall not bad but not amazing

I don't know how I feel about this one. The main characters were quite unlikeable, which isn't always a bad thing, but I felt disconnected from them. I give major points to the world building and magic system, as well as all the characters of the fae world. That was the best part, in my opinion. I just kept waiting for more to happen, more to suck me in and make me unable to put the book down, but it never really did. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

First of all big thank you to NetGalley and Second Sky for allowing me an early access to the ARC of The Mortal Queen by Ashley Metzler. 🌹⚔️🌲

I devoured this book, and have already requested the next book in series because I NEED to know what happens next. Not only did The Mortal Queen pull me into a world drenched in tangible magic, but Ashely Metzler crafted equally as enchanting characters. For fans of slow-burn romance, enemies-to-lovers and fae magic this will be your next favorite book.

The pace is what I consider to be steady. There wasn’t a moment I didn’t end a chapter and not have the story still creeping into my mind. The world building made me forget I was reading, and every time a character spoke I fell a little more in love with them.

Speaking of falling in love, can I just say Cardan Greenbriar may have some competition with the introduction of Lir? No I’m serious, I’m adding him to the book boyfriend list. Anytime Lir was in a scene I was on the edge of my seat and smiling like an idiot. Not only is this a proper slow-burn, but a true enemies-to-lovers. A relationship full of longing and intense desires to rid each other of the other but feeling the pull of fascination beneath it all.

Aisling is a main character I can root for, someone I found myself wanting to find her footing in a world she’s hardly experienced. She is witty, eager to learn, intelligent, and observant. Behind her violet eyes is a fighter who is just now realizing she can take the world in her hands if she so desires. There’s nothing I love more in a book than someone realizing they have every ability to change their world, and they cannot and must not rely on others to do it for them. Her character growth from the beginning of the book to end is satisfying.

A few things I personally enjoyed. Loved the light flower blooms and the attention to detail when creating Lir's fae kingdom and how it contrasted with the moral world Aisling was familiar with. I really enjoyed way little things (I’m not going to list as to not spoil) came back together in a full circle manner.

Although this book is advertised in a fae romance, there was no spice in this book. Personally, I am a no spice/closed door girlie so this worked out for me. However, the tension between Fir and Aisling was sizzling so do not discredit the romance! It is very, very much there. It was refreshing to read a balanced romantasy book that did not let either fantasy or romance take over too much of the plot.

I highly recommend this book, and will scream into all of the internet voids for people give it a read. I can’t wait for the next book in the series!

4/5 stars
This book was a roller coaster of pace for me. This is the first book for me from this author. I like a good romancstay to break away from contemporary or dark romance. And everyone knows my feelings towards a slow burn. It was one of those that as you watched the world build and the characters banter you were ready for them to finally admit something to relieve the tension.

One thing that bugged me was the switch between third and first person, which I don't see a lot in the stories. But it added another level to the story and the dynamics.

I would recommend this to a romancstay lover for sure. Even though I craved more spice or more in the relationship aspect, it was an overall good read.