The epic fantasy adventure continues, and yep another 600 pages! Fae, Unseelie, battles, adventure, and an unexpected transformation as the journey continues. Slowest of burns, more a pilot light so if you are looking for spice, won't find it here.

Ashley Metzler did it again! What a fantastic book! From page one, I was sucked in and could not put the book down. Aisling is the badass fmc that we need and love. Aisling's character development, along with Lir and Dagfin, has been such a joy to read. Each character is complex and unique, highlighting the level of thought and world-building Metzler put into this story. I'm such a sucker for Aisling and Lir, and I think this book really highlighted how special their bond is. With all the character development and romantic yearning, Metzler still supplies twists, turns, and explosive action that will leave your jaw on the floor.
Thank you, Net Galley and Ashley Metzler, for this ARC. I've already ordered the first paperback book copy for my personal library!

Fantastic second book! The angst, the world building, getting to know the supporting characters. All of it was fantastic! Also loved how Aisling grew a back bone and her story! Thanks for the ARC NetGalley!

I was so happy this ARC was released around the same time as the first, so i could read it straight after. I loved that this book provided more character growth (my favourite part about book series).
I cannot wait for the next book!

“He’s found me … Even here, Lir’s found me”

“Only monsters prefer to endure the night than concede to morning”

“Don’t let them domesticate you”

Damn, I was right. When I finished book one I knew I needed more. The way Aisling and Lir left things and his promise to hunt her down made me feels chills all over and this book started right when the other finishes so … you don’t miss a thing. This one felt a lot more action driven but still explored a lot of the seelie culture and the way it is so heavily inspired by Irish folklore is something that I adored in book one and couldn’t help but marvel even more at in book two. Plus, alongside the action that is taking place even stronger than before, the slow burn romance is so intense it’s impossible to not feel drawn to it. Lir is … obsessive. And obsessed. And I loved that. And Aisling grows into her powers so so much, it’s impossible not to be in awe of her and constantly follow her through!!! And when we get to the end … YES !!! It felt finally complete !!!

“The dark is yours to rule”

“I was meant to burn”

“A kiss is prayer, dark Lord. Faith-filled, spoken on one’s knees and in the dead of night. Not a weapon to be wielded nor a currency for your ambition”

“For a kiss .. I’d damn the world”

“I only ask you never un curse me. Never fail to haunt me … Never cease to possess me”

Absolutely wonderful continuation to book one, it delivered all the longing and tension I felt was missing in the first book. The story is complex and full of unexpected turns, new players and foes are introduced, loyalties are questioned and our FMC’s character really develops. The w rotting is as ever so atmospheric mom, it really made me immersed in this fantastic world. The magic is wonderfully complex and the foreshadowing of what’s to come has me itching to read the next book!

This book was a wonderful continuation of Aisling's journey. I could tell the care that went into crafting the world so we can feel like we are there every step of the way. The narrative was superior to the first book. There were times that I was holding back tears, others when I was almost dreading to read what happened next. This is truly a beautiful story, woven with themes of power, identity, love, and the battle of doing what is right versus what is necessary. The ending was a perfect stopping point to lead us into the next book, with endless possibilities to continue exploring this world and characters.

Savage Queen is the perfect title. I loved the development of Aisling's character in this book she became more than the expectations of those surrounding her. I also found it so refreshing to have a female main character who wasn't apologising or trying to make amends for choices they made. Aisling has really grown and the ability to see her through the eyes of some of the other characters really showed how each of them had their own need for her to be different.

I had a great time reading this book it had the right mix of character development and action to keep the plot moving. I also enjoyed the way this followed the first book and continued to build in a way that a lot of sequels lose.

I cannot wait to read the final book in this trilogy and I am definitely going to watch for the release date to be announced.

I read an arc of this book from the publishers through netgalley

This was so good. I loved The Mortal Queen, so when I was able to start this one almost immediately, it made my day. I really liked the book 1 recap at the beginning. I didn’t need it personally but definitely appreciated the breakdown. The first book also had a lot of flashback quotes and this one toned that down a bit.

It was so good to get back in with the characters and pick back up on the adventures and high stakes. I wasn’t a fan of Dagfin in the first, but he grew on me this go around. Couldn’t stand any of Aisling’s brothers in either. But Lir and Aisling? YES. I was hoping it would continue slow and steady. The whole Oighir part confused me. I wasn’t really sure what Fionn was trying to accomplish and he seemed kind of dumb for being some old fae king. He’s was just a petty little child. The Lady confused me too, but maybe I just missed something and didn’t get the involvement. I can appreciate a book that’s got some challenges and “games; it seems a little overdone, but they didn’t drag on and on so that was fine.

Overall, really excited with this one and can’t wait for book 3!

Thanks to NetGalley and Second Sky for this eARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Publication Date: 02/14/2025

Thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for this eCopy to review

The Savage Queen by Ashley Metzler picks up right where the first book left off, continuing the enthralling journey of Aisling and Lir. In this second instalment, Aisling faces even greater challenges as she navigates the treacherous political landscape of the fae realm. The stakes are higher, and the dangers more imminent, as new adversaries and alliances emerge.

I found the continuation of Aisling and Lir's relationship to be both captivating and complex. The chemistry between them remains strong, and their evolving dynamic adds depth to the story. Metzler’s world-building continues to impress, with richly detailed descriptions of the fae kingdom and its various factions.

A good sequel with plenty of excitement and romance.

I do think that this novel was better than the first. There was more action and character development. I did however think that some of the characters were more surface level and there wasn’t much development for their grief or emotions. <spoiler>After an important character dies, Aisling is basically fine afterwards after making a huge decision. The next scene is then like a romance scene which is kind of weird to me. </spoiler>

I also would have appreciated it if the glossary and the pronunciation guide was in the beginning and also in the first novel! I realized I had been saying the main character’s name wrong the whole time :(

Overall I really loved the idea of this book and I think the romance slow burn was wayyyy better in this novel than the first. I just think some of the scenes didn’t transition very well or I didn’t understand the lack of emotion behind some of the character’s reactions.

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

Goodness gracious I’m glad this picked up where book 1 ended. Ashley Metzler writes lyrically and has a way of hitting all my favorite tropes just right. A slow burn, enemies to lovers, political intrigue— love triangle vibes I am SCREAMING!

I cannot wait for book 3.

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for this arc.

The Savage Queen by Ashley Metzler published date 14th February 2025. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I won't lie, this book has a slower start than the first book. However, once Lir comes back into play. This book really takes off and I really enjoyed it.

The story picks up where we left off. Aisling is on her mission to Lofgren's Rise with her foul brothers and Dagfin.

The start is slow, however we then journey into another fae's realm and this is where the action starts. Lir enters the picture again with his motley crew and honestly the tension between him and Aisling is sizzling! You can feel that energy between them. The chemistry is so good. Dagfin however is a wet blanket. The Phuka has more charisma. 🤣 The love triangle is obviously a big part of the story but I honestly question the sanity of anyone rooting for him. 🤣🤣

I love that all our favourite side characters are back. The magic system gets even more interesting as Aisling continues on her journey of self-discovery. We see more of Lir's vulnerable side in this book.

I really enjoyed the plot especially as I feel like we get to know characters more as the story progresses. The world building yet again is so well done. I feel like I get so immersed in the realms Ashley has created.

The trials, and action were fast paced and entertaining.

There were a few bits I was confused about and I'm hoping more is explained in future books. I am looking forward to continuing on these characters journeys.

Thank you to NetGalley, Second Sky and the author for the arc. This is my own honest review of the book.

Her deadliest enemy, her one true love…

Aisling survived battles and betrayal after her marriage to the king of the fae. Now she is caught between two worlds, with magic flowing in her mortal veins—bound forever to Lir and his people.

She journeys to the frozen north, seeking the origin of her power. In a palace of ice and snow, Aisling falls under the spell of another fae king. Fionn is as cold and beautiful as the wilderness he rules—and he wants to make Aisling his queen.

But her bond with Lir can never be broken. Lir is wild and ruthless, and prophecies say their love will bring devastation. Still, Aisling’s dreams and desires always return to him.

When Lir storms into the ice king’s court to challenge for her hand, Aisling must choose where her heart and her loyalties lie. Loving Lir will turn the whole fae world against her and release unimaginable evil. But rejecting him will tear her apart…


Enemies to lovely’s and it’s the second book in the trilogy

ＮＥＴＧＡＬＬＥＹ
ＲＥＶＩＥＷ

3.5 stars

𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨:
- prophecies
- arranged marriage
- human princess x fae king
- woodland fae magic and creatures
- thirst for power and knowledge
- fated mates
- strong FMC
- bit of a love triangle
- slow burn
- humans vs nature

𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙘𝙚: I think only one scene towards the end of the book

𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬:
I was already in love with this world after the first book. my favourite parts were the immersive atmosphere, rich lore, unique magic system as well as all the woodland creatures and nature references (and of course a certain fae king lol).

This second book continued with everything I loved in the first. But I must say that at times it felt a bit overwhelming.
Maybe it’s just me, but the high-action scenes with multiple characters could sometimes be hard to follow, and I sometimes struggled to picture what was happening.
I also found that the chapters didn’t always pick up right where the last left off, which was a little disorienting and I kinda had to pick up on what we missed as i was reading.
Just a bit more structure in these areas would have definitely made the reading experience a bit smoother.

I also had a bit of a love-hate relationship with the main characters’ struggles. I 100% understood the tension and mistrust, but there were moments where I just wanted them to sit down and talk. That bring said once things finally progressed, I really enjoyed seeing how it all played out.

One thing I wish had been explored more was the emotional impact of loss. Some characters died or were severely wounded, but aside from one instance (I won’t name the character because of spoilers), it wasn’t really revisited. A bit more reflection from Aisling and showing how it impacted her going forward would have made these moments feel more relatable.

Despite these minor points, I still really enjoyed this sequel and can’t wait for the third book!! The plot was plotting, the hints being dropped and I’m excited to see how everything unfolds in the end.

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸.

Thank you to Ashley Metzler, Second Sky Publishing and NetGalley for kindly providing this arc!

After reading the Mortal Queen, I was so intrigued as to where this story was going and I was not disappointed. While I feel like the first book focused heavily on the worldbuilding, I feel like this one focused heavily on the plot and I am here for it. We had enemies to lovers, we had high stakes trials, we had touch her and die and the sloweeeeest burn ever but with a conclusion that was well worth the wait!

I can’t wait for book 3 to see what happens to these characters next!

What an amazing read! I’ve fallen in love with these characters and the adventures they embark on.

The pacing of this book is perfect , I couldn’t put it down!

If you like Fae kings, slow slow burns, enemies to lovers, mythical creatures, DRAGONS (!!!) and jealous men 😜 then I strongly suggest you give this series a read.

Now I must patiently wait for book 3 😭

3⭐️3🌶️

Fantasy Romance
Multi POV
Dual timeline
Celtic/irish Mythology
Unique Magic System
Sentient Magic
Fae
Magical Beasts
Love triangle


The recap at the beginning was a great touch! While I read books 1 and 2 together, I think it’s especially helpful for readers who aren’t binge-reading the series. I do wish the glossary and pronunciation guide had been placed at the front of the book, though.

The worldbuilding in this series is exceptional. I’m really excited about the overall arc of the series and how the characters’ decisions impact the lore and mythology of this world.

There were moments where the writing felt disjointed, and I found myself having to reread paragraphs two or three times to fully understand where the characters were or what was happening. In some cases, I had to just suspend my disbelief and accept the disconnect to keep moving forward. These moments needed more editing—this happened at least four times throughout.

Another thing I noticed was the loss of the detailed descriptions of the mythological beasts that were present in the first book. The creatures introduced in this one felt much more ambiguous, and I was disappointed that the vivid descriptions we saw earlier weren’t carried through.

I did feel the characters underwent some drastic changes. Their personalities shifted to the point where they didn’t seem like the same characters from book 1, which threw me off. As a reader, I struggle when I no longer connect with the main character, and unfortunately, this shift made it harder for me to stay engaged. But, I am enjoying the side characters!


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

The Mortal Queen- 4⭐️1.5🌶️
The Savage Queen- 3⭐️3🌶️

I want to say a very sincere thank you NetGalley and Second Sky for an ARC of this book 💌 my opinion is my own.

Oh my goodness, I don't know where to start. I'm so happy I got to read this quickly after I finished the first one because that cliffhanger was killer. Once again the scene setting in this book is great, and I truly felt like I was with the character. There was SO much more character development in this book compared to the first one, and I'm so here for it.

I will say, Dagfin isn't my favorite, but I understand her pull to him (even tho I didn't like it lol) Aisling and Lir's relationship development is unique in its own way, but also it had my HOOKED. I didn't know exactly what would happen, and I will say there were like two 'twists' that literally made my jaw drop. I'm so in love with this story, and I've grown attached to so many of the characters.

Once again, the writing is in my opinion very well done. It doesn't feel "immature" if that makes sense. I can sense that the author is well spoken, or at least is able to write like it. I never felt bored, or felt like things were being dragged on. The lows and highs of this book were all entertaining and had me rushing to the next page nonstop.

I truly recommend these books, and I'm sooooo excited for the next one. Ive never pre-ordered anything in my life, but this is the kind of book that I think I might do it. Absolute gem of a book, especially for those who like to escape to a fantastic world within pages and words 🤍

A true enemies to lovers, I am OBSESSED, already need the next one. Also I think i’m in love with Lir😭