The Knight of the Trove

Holly Rose has created the perfect blend of intriguing world-building, nail-biting action, and smoldering forbidden romance in this adult romantasy set in the kingdom of Mellora! Cutthroat, ferocious, and snarky, Nesrin is the perfect equal to Kas, her humble cinnamon roll love interest who can be best described as a “green flag”. As a high fantasy, readers will be transported to a lush world filled with dragons, manticores, and magical artifacts, and thrown into realm-altering wars where the stakes are more than just life and death.

THE KNIGHT OF THE TROVE is the perfect opening to the series! I can’t wait to read more!

I was engaged with what was going on in this world and thought it worked overall as a way to introduce us to the world and characters. It was a strong start to the Knights of Mellora series and was enjoying that the princess didn’t want to be rescued. I thought everything worked well overall in the fantasy genre and as a romance novel. It worked well overall as a slow burn and it was a great forbidden love that was realistic in the world. I enjoyed how well Holly Rose wrote this and left me wanting to read more in this series.

I received this book as an ARC.

I enjoyed this story and the unique take on a dragon “rescue.”
I found the characters interesting and the lengths they would go to help each other heartwarming. I feel like the FMC and MMC were well-matched and I liked that they both saved each other at various times through the book.

While I enjoy multi-book stories, I love that this was able to be covered in one book so that it wasn’t overly drawn out.

I know there will be a second book being released in 2025 that focuses on another character and I will definitely be giving it a read!

Thank you netgalley for the arc.
I suggest this book to ones who loves a good romance either the right chemistry, battle and dragonssss!

A very good star for Holly Rose, I’ll read the others books of the series for sure

I loved this book! The chemistry between the FMC and the MMC was electric, the action was incredible, the world-building was the perfect amount without being info-dumpy, and the pacing of the book mad me read this in one sitting! Highly recommend and I can't wait for more from Holly Rose!

The knight of the trove
Genre- Romantasy
Rating- 4 Stars
Release Date- 8th October

This Romantasy book was actually sooo good. I was a bit sceptical because it's more of a cute Romantasy book if that makes sense, the romance side of it anyway. I normally read dark Romantasy with morally grey mmc but decided to switch it up a little and I'm glad I did!

The mmc is a monk and a walking green flag, the fmc is a badass princess that doesn't want to be rescued from the dragon and is also a knight to the trove.

It definitely had me gripped from the very beginning, that first line!?
' I was sacrificed in the usual way: bound to a pole and left for a dragon I was told would eat me alive'

This had me giggling so bad, there is banter with the dragons and between the main characters.
I loved the dragon(ady) so much. I was mind blown towards the end! Amazing plot twist, had me gasping. Was such an incredible story.

This is a slow burn BUT it was so worth it. This has spice BTW (Only one scene but it was chef's kiss, loved it) So don't go into this thinking you are going to get a lot of spice.

"The sight of blood doesn't bother me. The sight of your blood spilled by that monster bothers me"

Tropes-
Banter
Dragons
Slow burn
Forbidden romance
Strong FMC
One bed
She Teaches him

I received an arc copy of this book and it has to be my favourite arc read so far. I wish Goodreads allowed half stars because I would have rated this 4.5 stars. I almost rated it 5 stars but knocked off half a point because I wanted more, I could have easily read another 50-100 pages of the lead up to the battle. Ok now that I have the one critique out of the way I'm going to talk about what I love. Holly Rose writes very beautifully, the words flow which makes the story flow. For a fantasy book it's very fast paced. The world building is not too heavy, I would even recommend this book to someone who doesn't usually read fantasy because I feel like it's a great book to introduce you into that world. The slow burn romance was perfectly executed and the FMC and MMC were perfectly suited. I enjoyed this book so much, I don't really like to give spoilers in my reviews but the sassy dragon gave this book something extra. The book was nicely wrapped up, only one little cliffhanger but that is the lead into the second book in the series. I cannot wait for book two.

Thank you Netgalley and Victory editing for the Arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fun romantasy book! It gave me Camelot meets Laura Croft or Indiana Jones vibes. There was knights and dragons and a quest that felt very Holy Grail and the FMC being a badass mystery solver and fighter.

The MMC really was a hot cinnamon roll but it was cute dynamics as him being a non violent Monk and her being a Knight of the Dragons Trove. I will say I was suprised at how often she got hurt for someone who spent their life fighting and besting Princes and Lords who came to try and take her from the Trove. I wanted her to beat Lord Asher more than anything and was suprised she failed twice against him with all her experience.

There was some crazy cool battling in some caves the end battle at the end as well. I love me some good old fashioned murdering of fhe bad guys.

This is a solid 4.5 for me only because some more editing could have been done near the end. Example: One line said "Galter turned to quietly confer quietly." More little rushed mis wording at the end could be looked at but other than that it's a solidly written novel! I also appreciated it was shorter than those oversaturated 500 page High Fantasy filled with too much exposition. This was the perfect length executed with a great mix of plot, character growth, romance and a little spice.

Thanks again Netgalley and to Holly Rose for a great book.

Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Rose, and the publisher for allowing me access to the e-Arc.

4.25 stars

I had a lot of fun with this book. If you love a journey story with some romance and dragons then you might just love this story. I would have given it a higher rating but the writing felt at times like it was written for a slightly younger audience. This story is definitely an adult story with mature themes. I would still likely recommend it!

I never knew I needed a sassy, magic and gold loving of a mother figure that happens to also be a feared dragon by the name of Ady. She was one of my favourite characters.

I loved how the story started and ended in one book, nothing felt too rushed and I love a good quest/adventure to save the world from a tyrant and this did it perfectly! The worldbuilding was simple but it was done so well, I just want to stay in the trove that felt like a magical castle from a fairytale.

There were times when I felt like it was telling us more than showing us what the characters felt and the writing style felt very ya at some points.

I loved both Nesrin and Kas, they were different in their own ways, but went so well with each other and I was smiling at some of the things they said and did together. I love how she's the warrior and he's the cinnamon roll(who can and will kill if they hurt her).

Rating: 4.5/5

Imagine a world where the princess doesn't need rescuing... Instead, she's the one wielding the sword! I dove into this epic fantasy romance curious: Can Nesrin, a fierce knight, outwit her enemies and claim her rightful place?

Initial Thoughts:
I've always been drawn to strong female protagonists, and Nesrin's story promised just that. A princess-turned-knight, battling against oppression? Count me in! My expectations were high, and I'm thrilled to say this book delivered.
Get ready for a tale of magic, mayhem, and forbidden love! I devoured this fantasy romance, mesmerized by Nesrin's transformation from vulnerable princess to fearless warrior. Trust me, You'll love this adventure.

Storyline:
In this captivating high fantasy romance, Nesrin, a former princess turned skilled knight, shatters traditional molds. Rescued by a benevolent dragon, Nesrin has spent years honing her skills to protect herself and her new home.
When Kas, a handsome and troubled monk, arrives with a quest to find the magical golden casket, Nesrin is drawn into a perilous adventure. As they navigate treacherous landscapes, ancient libraries, and hidden temples, their forbidden feelings blossom.
This novel masterfully explores themes of feminism, self-empowerment, and loyalty. Nesrin's transformation from vulnerable princess to fearless warrior is inspiring, while Kas's inner conflict adds depth to the narrative.
The world-building is rich and immersive, with a vividly detailed realm of Mellora, complete with dragons, magical artifacts, and mythical creatures. The author's witty dialogue and clever plot twists keep you guessing until the very end.

Characters:
Nesrin's transformation is inspiring, showcasing her growth into a strong, independent warrior. Kas's troubled past and inner conflict add depth, making their slow-burn romance swoon-worthy. Supporting characters, like the benevolent dragon, enrich the narrative.

Writing Style:
The author's masterful storytelling weaves vivid descriptions, witty dialogue, and clever plot twists into a rich tapestry. With a perfect balance of humor, action, and emotional depth, this novel is a true page-turner.

Themes:
Feminism & Empowerment
Loyalty & Duty
Self-Discovery
Good vs. Evil
Love & Sacrifice
Identity & Belonging
Morality & Gray Areas
Personal Growth

Recommendation:
Fans of fantasy romance, particularly those who enjoy Sarah J. Maas and Leigh Bardugo, will devour this captivating tale. Anyone looking for strong female protagonists, slow-burn romance, and action-packed adventures will find this unforgettable.

Final Verdict:
This high fantasy romance is unputdownable! With its breakneck pace, heart-pumping action, and captivating romance, you'll be hooked. The richly detailed world of Mellora and memorable characters make this a must-read.

Rating Breakdown:
Storyline: 5/5
Characters: 5/5
Writing Style: 4.5/5
Overall: 4.5/5

Will I Recommend?: Absolutely!

Thank you for accept my arc request.

This book gave me Camelot meets Laura Croft vibes and I loved it! Knights, dragons, a cop battle at the end, what’s not to love?
This book was on the shorter end which I loved for my “let’s read” days where I just read as many books as I can as I was able to easily breeze through this one.

Thank you to NetGalley, Holly Rose, Victory Editing and Star Siren Press for allowing me the honor to read this book as an eARC. I enjoyed this book right away and I would give it a solid 3.5 rounded up to 4 stars, although if we changed book rating systems to a 10 star system, I would be giving a cool 7.5!

This read like an Elder Scrolls adventure. You had a main story quest that is related to the big conflict and as you set out to go about completing this quest, you have side quests that unravel more story lines. This gives you a very well-rounded protagonist and you feel like you know and understand her and all the onion layers she possesses.

As it is a Romantasy, we get the added bonus of a lush love story that unfolds incredibly well. Not just because they have a nice spicy scene that culminated by the very slow burn, romantic tension, but because the characters of Nesrin (FMC) and Kas (MMC) were very well and easily laid out. Their individual quests were straightforward but their characters unfolded beautifully with each page. This gave you every indication that their temperaments would mix very well and you wouldn’t ever doubt that they would make a Jane and Bingley-type of relationship.

As with any dragon, I fell in love with Ady. She had a distinct voice and gave me Saphira vibes but instead of Rachel Weisz I heard Viola Davis’s voice in my head, right away. She is regal and has the depth of wisdom that highlights her centuries of existence yet she had levity in the appropriate moments, at least the ones where I wanted them.

The actions were easy to follow and the story itself is very nicely packaged. No plot holes to speak of. I would say that it reads more like YA. Some dialogue and language usage were very modernized so it did take me out of the fantasy, knight-and-sword vibe that I was creating in my head.

I really appreciated the diversity and feeling the influence of a variety of cultures that we experienced in this book.

Forget morally grey men, forget brooding shadow daddies, and forget the billionaire Mafia bosses... I want a pacifist, cinnamon roll, bookish monk/prince!

Oh my gosh, you guys!!! This book!!!! THE KNIGHT OF THE TROVE by Holly Rose is sooooo good! I was in love from the get-go!

Far off places ✅️
Daring sword fights ✅️
Magic spells ✅️
A Prince in Disguise ✅️
Dragon battles ✅️
Friends to Lovers ✅️
Grumpy x Sunshine ✅️
Pining ✅️
Bed Chem ✅️

This book has it all! I adored everything about it. I loved the reverse damsel theme, placing Princess Nesrin not as a damsel guarded by a bloodthirsty dragon awaiting a dashing Prince to rescue her but as the fierce and fiery warrior guarding the trove and her own freedom. I loved how relatably grumpy and irritable and antisocial Nesrin was throughout the entire book; just absolutely done with men and their shit! I laughed out loud from the beginning when she was beating up the boys, taking their toys, and sending them on their way to lick their wounds!

And then enters The Bookish Prince of Veytia, a monk of Hivathe, Kasper Oh!

*swoons dramatically* 🤤😍🥰

I mean it when I say forget the morally grey morons; what you really need in your heart is a pacifist, bookish, cinnamon roll determined to achieve his quest to find a sacred artifact to protect the world from devastation. This is a man who won't even ride a mule when he's got a limb-threatening injury for fear of needlessly harming the tough old beast! A man who tries so valiantly to maintain his vows in the face of temptation even though they were vows he never wanted to take.

I'm in love with Kas, is what I'm saying.

And the quest! The world-building! The characters, creatures, magic, and the plot!!! You guys, I don't know what witchcraft Holly Rose was working when she wrote this book, but it needs to be studied. The Knight of The Trove is addictive, fast-paced, and full of conflict, battles, and realism!!! Oh! The realism! I loved that when our daring duo ran into trouble on their quest, they actually struggled to survive. There were touch-and-go moments! They weren't just BAMF fighters able to overcome every obstacle.

Honestly, when this book drops on 8th October 2024, it's going to be big! You NEED to read it! I immediately messaged my friend to get her signed up to read the ARC, too, because I needed someone to gush to about it!

The pining! The tension! The magic! The Grumpy x Sunshine vibes of our leading romantic pairing! So, so, so, so, good!!

It's absolutely a 5-star read! No, it's a 7/5. That's how good it is! All the stars! Infinite stars!

I am in awe of what Holly has created with this masterpiece, and I can't wait to watch it blow up on Booktok.

I LOVED this twist on classic fantasy tropes! I thought I was burned out on eye-roll inducing "self-saving princess" inversions, but Holly Rose proved that there is still life in this genre of storytelling, and she delivered in excess! Loved this one.

I very much enjoyed The Knight of the Trove. I thought the characters were fresh and really appreciated Nesrin being a Knight. Also loved Kas and all the quests they went on. Overall a fun, quick read. I can't wait for more Holly Rose books to come. I do wish to see more plot development and more tension throughout the series.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

Overall, I think this book is a solid 4/5!

First of all, I feel like there are not as many books now with a solid green flag character, and I LOVED Kas for that. Even his "big secret" at the end was not anything he actually lied about, and so I truly enjoyed reading something that had a male character that wasn't deceitful for any reason. This book was also filled with a lot of twists and turns and some of them were predictable but some of them were very much shocking when reading it! The Author did a great job with setting all the scenes and really making you feel like you were in the space. I only wish I got a little bit more at the end before the epilogue or what happened with some of the other people post the big ending, but it is set up perfectly for another one if that is the next step! Such a great book and definitely recommend!

I LOVED this book. The pacing was great, and I loved the slow burn, tortured forbidden love story. The storytelling was amazing and there were a couple of twists I didn’t see coming. Highly, highly recommend!

“…our shadows always follow us, no matter how hard we try to stay in the light.”

“The Knight of the Trove,” by Holly Rose

What I loved:
-The traditional damsel in distress fairytale story with princes going to a castle protected by a dragon to save the princess trapped inside but this princess doesn’t need saving because she isn’t trapped at all.
-The Arabian setting, I’ve noticed a lot of books being written in the setting of a desert and I’m here for it. The perfect imagery and also unique difference when the traditional fairytale isn’t even in the traditional type of place.
-Tension between the love interest because he is a monk and trying not to break his vows despite him never wanting to be a monk at all.
-Strong FMC X Soft MMC
-The trauma in the past of the main characters. These characters were written so well and solid and felt everything they felt.

There was nothing I would’ve changed in the book. 5 out of 5 stars. Can’t wait for the next book in The Knights of Mellora series.

-Dragons
-Arabian
-Strong FMC X Soft MMC
-Monk X Princess
-SA Trauma

Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.

“Why were there so many different ways to be controlled by your family?”

Nesrin, after being sacrificed to a dragon in her youth, became the Knight of a dragon’s trove. Kas, a vestal monk, has been sent to find a magical artifact, what it contains and where it is located no one knows. This artifact may be the key to stopping a war from raging and destroying many, but can they find the artifact and save the kingdoms, or will it fall into the wrong hands and chaos bring destruction?

At first the book felt slow for me, but then with a whirlwind I felt caught up in the plot and the characters. I loved that Holly Rose broke some stereotypical things we see in fantasy books, especially related to the main characters. Nesrin wasn’t described as fragile but yet incredibly strong or a perfect fighter, in fact she repeatedly makes mistakes in fights that land her in trouble or with injuries. She has trauma and it’s clear that it impacts her actions and reactions, and I really appreciate that reality to a character. Kas, is the definition of a good guy and I love it in every sense!

Even if I didn’t connect to Nesrin, I felt complete buy-in on the plot and the premise of this story. I enjoyed the epic quest, the search for things lost and hidden, the betrayals, and the unfolding of small puzzle pieces all together. All while tying up the book, so that even though additional books are planned, you can have a nice tied up ending for the novel. I’m very excited to read the next in the series!

The only thing I wish I would have gotten more of from this book is more of the action and fighting scenes described in particular near the end of the book. I think there were some opportunities for good tension and stress to be built as fights were described whether had by the main characters or them watching fights unfold by some of the important supporting ones. I also wanted a little more venom from Galter, to really give me that I hate you cause my friend hates you feeling.

Overall this was a great read and I give it 4.5 stars but rounded up to 5!

Thank you to NetGalley and Star Siren Press for the opportunity to read this ARC, it was amazing!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I really enjoyed this quick read and it was my first by Holly Rose. Overall, it has a HEA and FMC and MMC who quickly fall in love. The story at times did feel a bit rushed but other times had some good detail and background information. I loved that their roles were reversed and the male was being supported by the female. Additionally, the fresh take on dragons was refreshing and I literally was LOLing at times at what Ady had to say. Overall, if you are looking for a quick, light, cute read- this book is for you!

This review will be published on Goodreads and Amazon!

from the very beginning, I found myself OBSESSED with these characters and the whole “I don’t need a man to save me, I saved myself” theme was perfect. I loved the slow burn tension between the main characters and the forbidden romance between them was executed flawlessly,

4.5/ 5 stars
——————————————————————
What a fun adventure! Nesrin and Kas embark on an adventure together to save the kingdom. If you love dragons, knights, and a little mystery, this book is for you! Nesrin, our strong female fighter falls for the gentle monk (who has some secrets of his own!). The tension was *chefs kiss*, broken by the right amount of humor.

The plot features plenty of twists and unexpected details to stay engaged throughout. I enjoyed the discoveries the pair made, their growth, and their love. Ady, the dragon, comes with her own surprises.

Please read the author’s CWs before proceeding with the book! There are a few scenes with animal death, graphic injury, and graphic people death.

I enjoyed Holly Rose’s writing style. The chemistry built slowly and by the time I got to the end, I wasn’t ready for their story to be over! This book could have gone on another 200 pages and I would have kept happily reading.

I’m taking away a half-star for a lack of CWs and for some plot holes. The CW is vague and doesn’t mention any triggering themes and I wish some of them were. Readers don’t get to understand Kas’s heritage mentioned at the end, about which I was VERY curious. There’s also the mention of missing magpies (messenger birds) in the story but no clarification is given as to why other than a guess that they were being intercepted. Also, no mention of Father Ramdar. I hope these are all addressed in the next books because these felt like important details to the plot that didn’t get answered.

Overall, not at all disappointed and I will read the next one when she’s ready to do another round of ARCs. Loved the romance and adventure of this book.

Thank you to Holly Rose for the ARC of The Knight of the Trove. I enjoyed reading this epic quest as the characters embark on a journey to find specific hidden artifacts that are needed to save the world. The storyline flips what we normally see by having the young princess, Nesrin, be the dragon’s knight and Kas (the MMC) be a kind, soft and unavailable monk. Surprisingly, Nesrin is the grumpy and brooding character…not Kas...Nesrin is the one protecting Kas…who is so soft-hearted, he won’t even ride his elderly donkey.

Tropes-
Banter
Magic spells
Dragons
Slow burn
Forbidden romance
Strong FMC
She protects him
Bookish MMC

Rating: 3🌟
Captivating storyline: 3 🌎
Favorite character: Kas
Favorite side character: Adydorrstea
Spice: 1/5 🌶️
Favorite quote:
"The sight of blood doesn't bother me. The sight of your blood spilled by that monster bothers me"

The writing is more juvenile than I am used to, but that means that it is fast-paced and easy to read.

I think my book shocked me because the electric chemistry between our main characters whas coming off the page for REAL.. I ATE this book up. Not only was the chemistry unreal, the action was incredible, the writing took a show-not-tell stanse on world-building and to top it all off, I never found myself getting glazed over eyes or feelng bored. I can't wait to see what Holly Rose puts out next!

I’ve been enchanted by The knight of the trove, an Arc sent to me via NetGalley and I have been pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.
The book itself was well written with lots of wit and banter which I personally love!! There were many moments that made me smile and giggle! That monkey scene had me chuckling to myself…

The story itself follows a young maiden sacrificed to a dragon who is then made a knight to protect the dragons trove…. She battles suitors and finds herself on a quest with an unlikely Monk as her companion.

This was such a fun, lighthearted read filled with so many likeable tropes;

* Grumpy meets sunshine
* One bed
* Slow burn
* Forbidden love

I highly recommend this to anyone who’s favourite reads are fluffy romances and easy to follow fantasy/romantasy books.
The plot flowed all the way through, it was an all round enjoyable adventure from start to finish. P.S I think I need a monk in my life.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The world - building was intriguing and the action in the book had me glued to the book from page one.
It's a very intense book perfect for fans of the Crowns of Nyaxia series as it really ticks all the boxes that we're looking for in modern fantasy novels: romance, action, violence, a wee bit of spice because why not - and that tension as we immerse ourselves in a new world.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC

I really had a fun time reading this romantasy! I enjoyed the characters and their relationships. I especially enjoyed the dragons (more of their stories would be amazing).
The FMC is a strong and independent princess who is basically sick of suitors attempting to “rescue” her, and the MMC is a prince who is a chaste monk. Their relationship development was really enjoyable to read, and I loved how they both shared a respect and love for animals. Their journey together and the story overall was so much fun to read-definitely looking forward to the next books in this series!

Another great and quick fantasy!

A badass, strong and independent princess who knows her way around a weapon. Dragons. Unwanted suitors. And a whole lot of drama and politics between kingdoms.

I really loved these characters, they were so fun, funny and I really enjoyed the dynamics between them. And how those changed and developed as the story went on. And that really does make me excited to continue reading the series.

This book has really unique dragon lore (and I love when I find unique lore and backgrounds for a rather common thing you'd find in a genre).

Kas is such a golden retriever, soft cinnamon roll kind of character (AND HE'S BOOKISH), so he was so instantly loveable. That's the way to make me love a book and to instantly get connected to it - make me immediately fall in love with a character.

Highly recommend!

Thanks to NetGalley for the e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review! My Goodreads review is up and my TikTok (Zoe_Lipman) review will be up at the end of the month with my monthly reading wrap up.

This book was exactly the wholesome read I needed and absolutely fantastic. I laughed, I cried and I devoured it in a little less than 2 days.

Nesrin is a strong, lovable and fun character and it is easy to fall in love with her. Additional, her counterpart Kas, the bookish prince, is the sweetest love interest I have read about it a long time.

Holly’s take on Dragons, their troves and their Knights is absolutely stunning. The princess being her own knight, not a damsel and but a capable, independent human being, was everything I have always wanted in a knights tale.
Forget mortally grey men. I want a sweet, kind, smart and strong man like Kas.

Their love story, in my opinion, is the best one I have read in a long time. Definitely in 2024.

The pining, tension, adventure, the world building and the way Holly weaves her story is absolutely stunning.

It’s a MUST read for me. Coming out on the 8th of October 2024.

I can’t wait to see this blow up!

I loved this book! I think it was such a unique storyline and I especially liked Adys character - her personality is 10/10. This was my first "reverse grumpy sunshine" book and I loved Nesrin and Kas' relationship and how it developed more over the 2nd half of the book. Some of the fight scenes were fast paced and detailed which I love in a book! Kas was the perfect MMC and I loved the way things ended for him. The epilogue was great and its got me excited to read Book 2!