Good fantasy romance, incredibly entertaining. Livia is brave, smart, as well as, vicious, clever and hard when she needs to be. She had growth over the course of the story and you can feel the emotions of Livia and Erik as their relationship develops. The book had all the favorites, enemies to lovers, romance, pirates, fae, magic and more. I cannot wait to continue the story in book 2.

I had this book on my radar for a while now and I am so happy that it is getting traditionally published soon. It is that version that I read, and not the auto published version. While I did already buy the original version for the library, I didn't have the time to read it before now.

So this is a fae pirate slow burn romantasy with a morally gray MMC and some spice. It took me a couple of chapters to get my bearing, like in any new fantasy book, but than, I devoured it. I haven't read much pirate books so it was refreshing. The world and magic system are well build and it is action packed. The dual POV did make some of the plot twist less surprising but I did get blindsided by that cliffhanger ending. Can't wait for book two!

Now, this book has trigger warnings. It deals with trauma, and the FMC suffers from panic attacks. This book might not be for everyone.

If you love pirates, Vikings, fae, and a darkly compelling romance, this book is for you. Imagine Pirates of the Caribbean, but with a darker, spicier twist.

From the very first page, I was hooked on Erik and Livia’s story. Their connection runs deep, shaped by their shared past and impossible circumstances. Erik Bloodsinger is the ultimate morally gray villain you can’t help but root for, and Livia’s bravery and sass make her the perfect counterpart to his darkness. Their dynamic is intense, filled with tension, longing, and some of the best enemies-to-lovers chemistry I’ve read in a while.

Beyond the romance, the story is packed with action, intrigue, and one of the best found family elements I’ve come across. The character development, particularly Erik’s, is beautifully done—watching his icy heart start to thaw for Livia had me absolutely hooked.

Thank you, NetGalley and Berkley, for the advanced copy!

Read the indie version and being able to dive back into the arc for the trad edition brought all the love I have for this book back!

Is there a way to fall even more in love with a book because that’s what happened with me and The Ever King.

Things I loved:
Enemies to lovers
Childhood meeting
Touch her/him and ☠️
He falls first

I will start off by saying I loved this book. It is a forbidden dark Romantasy that had me hooked from the beginning. I loved the morally grey MMC and his backstory. The found family was incredible, and the romance had me actually swooning.
The spice was perfection, and the vibes were immaculate.
There were pirates and fae, filled with magic and betrayal.
This book had it all. I am immediately starting The Ever Queen. 5⭐️

This book had be completely from the first chapter. I either started it at the perfect time for myself or I don’t know what but I felt myself craving a sea side adventure and how lucky I was to be accepted for a early copy of this one because that’s what I got but also so much more!

This was a sloww burn, enemies to lovers (forbidden romance?) with rival kingdoms involved 👀. Also our main male character, Erik, is quite unlikable in the BEST way!! I loved watching his story unravel and evolve, he truly is a man of secrets and mystery!

I haven’t had the chance to read the authors original series, The Broken Kingdoms, that The Ever Seas series is set in. However, that definitely didn’t affect my enjoyment of this story. If you’re looking for Pirates of the Caribbean vibes but where the morally grey character gets the girl and there’s fae Vikings involved.. read The Ever King! It’s easy to get lost in, the world isn’t confusing and I had so much fun while reading it!

L.J. Andrews delivers another spellbinding fantasy with The Ever King, weaving a tale of enemies-to-lovers romance, dark intrigue, and breathtaking world-building. The story follows a fierce heroine entangled with a ruthless king, both driven by secrets and power plays that keep the tension crackling on every page.

Andrews’ lyrical prose and immersive storytelling shine, though some pacing issues slowed the momentum in the middle. Still, the chemistry between the leads and the rich, Norse-inspired setting make this a compelling read for romantasy fans.

A captivating start to a promising series—perfect for those who love courtly intrigue, slow-burn romance, and a touch of dark magic. ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Ever King by L.J. Andrews is a dark romantasy that completely swept me away! This story has everything—pirates, high-seas adventure, and a sweet yet sizzling romance that had me swooning. When an innocent princess is taken captive by the ruthless pirate king seeking revenge against her kingdom, forced proximity and an irresistible enemies-to-lovers dynamic take over. The tension, the slow burn, and the morally gray pirate king? Absolute perfection. I think I’ve found a new top book boyfriend!

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the gifted copy—this book is a must-read!

WHAT AN ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE READ! I was absolutely HOOKED from the start and I couldn’t put it down! It was constantly a “one more chapter” book and I couldn’t stop thinking about it when it wasn’t in my hands!

The writing is INCREDIBLE! LJ, you are a GODDESS!! The pacing of this book is so good. You will absolutely get sucked in and think of nothing else until this book slowly consumes your soul. The vivid imagery, the banter, the action, ugh I cannot say enough good things!

The character development was perfection, if you want a TRUE enemies to lovers, this is THE ONE! The HATRED from the beginning and the slow blossoming of lust and love was *chefs kiss*. And don’t even get me started on the spicy scenes! HOLY HELL! Ya girl was frothing at the mouth and drooling

Idk where I find a sexy pirate like Erik Bloodsinger but I’ll be scouring the beaches of Maine for the foreseeable future trying to find one! He has absolutely earned a spot in my top book boyfriends. A sexy, protective, “touch her and die” MMC, that isn’t toxic and has so much wit and charm, ugh he is swoon worthy

DONT EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THE ENDING! LJ, girl, you did me so dirty! When I flipped that page and saw “acknowledgments” I was CRUSHED! WHAT DO YOU MEAN THATS THE END?! Surely this book is missing pages!! OH MY GOD I NEED THE NEXT ONE IN MY HANDS IMMEDIATELY! This book will remain in my head rent free for the foreseeable future and you bet your bottoms a review of book two will be coming STAT!

LJ Andrews is a top fantasy author for me and one I will always reach for her books. The Ever King is just a book that I want to shove into everyones hands because it is AMAZING. The storytelling, the characters, the world-building...it is all just incredible and captivating. I'm so glad she got picked up for this series because it deserves all the attention and to be in book stores everywhere and be seen. I can't wait for more and more from LJ.

“𝙎𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙙.”
“𝙎𝙚𝙧𝙥𝙚𝙣𝙩.”

♾️⭐️ | 3🌶️

-pirates, vikings, fae
-captor x captive
-forced proximity
-enemies to lovers
-villain gets the girl
-morally grey MMC
-princess FMC
-touch her and 💀
-found family
-“mine”

WHY did I put this off for soooo long? This was one of the best reads I’ve read this year. I’m already on my way to binging The Ever Queen and committing the rest of my time to LJ Andrews.

Imagine Pirates of the Caribbean but with vikings and fae, and make it darker and spicier.

“𝘾𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙪𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙩𝙝, 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚, 𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙥 𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩.”

I loved Erik and Livia’s story from the very first page of the prologue. Their relationship goes so much deeper having met at such a young age and under vulnerable circumstances. That’s why you find yourself rooting for the villain when he says he’ll be back.

“𝙃𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙤, 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚. 𝙄 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙄’𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

But omg, the character development that you witness as you see bits of Erik Bloodsinger’s heart start soften with Livia just yanks all of your heartstrings. She’s the light to his dark and she’s so brave and sassy.

“𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙪𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚. 𝙍𝙪𝙞𝙣 𝙢𝙚. 𝘿𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙮 𝙢𝙚. 𝘼𝙨 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙨 𝙄 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”

On top of the mystery, the tension, romance, and political intrigue, is some of the best found family. I’m already in the second book and I can tell you it’s SO GOOD. 🥹

“𝙏𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙨𝙝𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙢𝙚.”

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the advanced copy!

Well, that went by way quicker than anticipated because as soon as I started it, I didn’t stop till I was done. Now I need the next one because Livia and Erik have stolen my heart!
Thank you to Berkley, Netgalley and LJ Andrews for an early copy!

The Ever King has been trapped in his realm for ten years while plotting his revenge against the Earth Fae King who killed his father. One day, he feels a magnetic pull through the barrier that separates their kingdoms and knows this is his chance to reclaim his power. The pull leads him straight to Livia, the Earth King’s daughter and his one chance towards healing his land. He kidnaps Livia and plans to use her as leverage, but they are forced to get to know one another on their journey back to the Ever Kingdom, and both Erik and Livia keep confusing hatred and attraction. Only time will tell if they are each other’s salvation or ruin.

This was such an enjoyable read with a mix of action, romance, court intrigue, and lots of will-they or won’t-they moments. The chemistry between Livia and Erik is electric from the start, and watching them slowly give in to each other had me giggling and kicking my feet!

I really enjoyed the development of their relationship and how they helped each other work through their traumas, that they are both more than what their pasts have made them to be. Livia and Erik are complete by themselves but complement each other so well and I love that Livia just becomes more of a badass instead of becoming a damsel in distress!

The storyline is also complex with a lot of history and moving parts to keep the pages turning. There wasn’t a dull moment. I do feel like we didn’t get to know some of the side characters as well, even some that were referenced a lot or became significant in the end so it was a bit confusing when some names reappeared and I had to wrack my brain to remember who they were. I also feel some significants moments in the story that were impactful to the plot instead of the main characters’ relationship were a bit rushed or not explored enough, but didn’t take away from the overall story.

I enjoyed reading the Ever King a lot! I recommend this for people who are fans of romantasy, royal court life, pirates, court politics, and forbidden love.

Forgive me while I wait to be kidnapped by Erik Bloodsinger.

I am STILL swooning over this treasure trove filled dark fantasy. It's got fae, vikings, and pirates that will sweep you off your feet and pull you under the rolling waves of the sea. I could not put this down and read it practically in one sitting.

12/10 recommend!

I can just tell that from how this was written I’d have gotten sea sick many times.
Oh wow I love how this story began. I was fully invested and hanging on by a thread to see everything g that was going to happen. I did feel like it lost a bit of steam in the middle, but then it picked back up towards the end.
Speaking of the end… what was that. I’m going to need answers now because I will not be okay until I know that everyone else is okay. And right now nobody is safe.
Thank you so much NetGalley and Berkley for the arc! Can’t wait for the next one

The Ever King!!
If there is one thing about me, it’s that I’m never going to shut up about this book. NEVER. IT is hands down my favourite duology. Everything about this book is PERFECTION.

For years Erik, King of the Ever has been plotting revenge on the Earth King who killed his father, making him a prisoner in the Ever. However, his plans change when the Earth Kings daughter Livia unintentionally breaks the magical chains between the earth fae and the ever kingdom. Erik kidnaps her and steals her to the Ever, but nothing is ever as it seems and soon Erik finds that Livia may be stealing his heart. With darkness spreading across the ever, Erik is determined to save his kingdom and get revenge.

LJ has the most incredible writing. It is beautiful, poetic and she captures the essence of pirate fae perfectly! Livia, though not a “warrior” is a force to be reckoned with. Though she is soft, she discovers her vicious side and holds her own amongst the Ever crew. I loved her fury (magic) being able to heal the lands, her bravery, kindness, determination, resilience and ability to love make Livia one of my favourite FMCs! Erik though bloodthirsty and harsh is also a traumatized boy inside, wanting to please a father who saw him as nothing but an heir. Erik is loyal, fierce, and complex driven by love and vengeance. He is my ultimate book boyfriend and I absolutely LOVE him. (He makes Livia bone jewelry from his enemies?? hello???)
The side characters are also amazing, Aleksi , Livia’s cousin and Rave member (like an army) Jonas and Sander (Alver dark magic twins) and Mira (who can create the most insane illusions) along with Tait and Sewell (i love them!) and Celine.. the Ever Crew.. every single character is incredible and serves a purpose.

This book was previously Indie published, but this new cover along with some bonus scenes comes to stores (like Indigo!!! and Barnes and Nobles!!) in August!! and I am SO so so SO excited. This book is infinity stars

Thank you NetGalley & Ace publishing!

🏴‍☠️enemies to lovers
🏴‍☠️Viking pirate fae
🏴‍☠️morally grey
🏴‍☠️touch her and 💀☠️
🏴‍☠️Fury magic

Though this book takes place 10 years after the Broken Kingdom series ( the Royal parents, with young Erik!) you do NOT need to read the BK to understand the Ever King (however you should read them because they are SO GOOD!!!)

Give me all the pirate romantasy!! 🦜🏴‍☠️ I've been wanting to read this series, since I heard great things about it from friends who read it's indie release, so I was so happy to get an ARC for the trad published version! It will be officially out on August 5, 2025.

I feel like this book is quintessential romantasy--enemies on opposite sides of a war to lovers with a broody, mysterious, & dark MMC with a strong & caring FMC. There's so many great side characters, high stakes, and surprising twists. The world building feels detailed but not tedious. I've been in a bit of a slump recently and reading super slowly, but I ate this one up so fast!

The story starts with the FMC and MMC as children--I love this trope! It gives their relationship more depth and back story, and we get more insight into how both have been affected by the events of the story as they become adults.

Be warned, though, the ending will have you ready to throw out your TBR to continue reading the series!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

LJ Andrews has once again delivered the perfect recipe for a romantasy binge-read: one morally gray king, one fierce heroine with a dagger (and a plan), and enough political intrigue to keep your heart racing like you’re storming the castle yourself.

The Ever King is a story of high-seas adventure, stolen thrones, and the kind of enemies-to-lovers tension that could set fire to an entire fleet. Our heroine? Smart, sharp, and playing a dangerous game with the very man she should be running from. Our hero? Brooding, powerful, and—of course—hiding secrets that could change everything. Add in a lush world of magic, betrayal, and slow-burn romance that burns, and you’ve got a book that’s impossible to put down.

If you loved The Bridge Kingdom or Fourth Wing, you’re going to devour this one. But fair warning—prepare for the book hangover. And possibly some light emotional devastation.

This book is amazing and deserves all the hype! The perfect romantasy with compelling characters and a well executed enemies to lovers trope. Definitely a must read!

Book Review: The Ever King by L.J. Andrews

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Thank you @acebookspub and @berkleypub for an eARC of this book!

💭QOTD:

HI. LJ?? What kind of magic did you put in this book because I am obsessed. Seriously, this was one of my favorite reads! L.J. Andrews delivers an adventure packed with danger, heart-stopping twists, and swoon-worthy moments that had me glued to the pages. And the tropes? Chef’s kiss. This book checked every box on my favorites list, and I loved every second of it!

The dual POV was masterfully executed—I loved getting inside both Livia and Erik’s heads, adding so much depth to the story. And speaking of Erik… I’m obsessed. His unwavering loyalty and willingness to do anything for Livia made my heart ache in the best way (and the gifts he gives her… IYKYK!). Every interaction between them was pure electricity—I was cackling, kicking my feet, and absolutely feral (except for the moments that wrecked me—this book will have you feeling everything).

Livia’s journey was just as captivating. Watching her grow, uncover the history of her people, and step into her own strength was both beautiful and empowering. She’s the kind of heroine you can’t help but root for—fierce, resilient, and deeply human. The way her anxiety and past trauma unfolded resonated with me in such a profound way, making me feel truly seen. That was one of the most meaningful parts of this book for me. LJ weaves these experiences with such care, portraying them not as something to hide or be ashamed of, but as challenges to face and overcome. It was powerful, and it left a lasting impact on me.

Even though I haven’t read the 9-book series that came before (yet!!), I had no trouble diving into this world. The story was easy to follow but rich in lore, and now I can’t wait to go back and binge the rest of the series.

From start to finish, this book kept me on the edge of my seat, constantly yearning to know what would happen next. The twists, the tension, the romance—everything was perfection. Thank you LJ for adding another book for me to obsess over. Can’t wait to read book 2 (and to go back to read the Broken Kingdoms!)