Tuesday Reviews: The Ever King by LJ Andrews

They stole his crown. So he stole their daughter....

For years, Erik, the scarred king of the Ever Kingdom, has thought of nothing but vengeance against the man who killed his father and trapped him beneath the waves, making him a prisoner in his own realm.

Until his enemy’s daughter unintentionally breaks the chains on the Ever, and Erik makes her the unwitting pawn in his vicious game of revenge.

She’s innocent. He’s vicious. But he will take back what he lost, no matter the price.

Unless she steals his heart first.

The Ever King by LJ Andrews is like getting smacked in the face with angst, sword fights, and smolder—all wrapped up in a fantasy world that looks like it came out of a dream but feels like a nightmare if you’re emotionally fragile (which I clearly am).

We’ve got a broody, cursed king with trauma issues, a fierce heroine who does not have time for his nonsense (but also totally has time for it, especially when he’s shirtless), and enough slow-burn tension to cook an entire feast over. There’s betrayal, political scheming, forbidden magic, and a love story that hurts so good you’ll question your life choices. Basically, it’s everything you want in a romantasy, plus a few stabby moments just to keep you humble.

LJ Andrews continues to give us morally gray men, heroines who bite back, and a plot that yells “trust no one” every few chapters. Is my trust broken? Yes. Do I want the next book immediately? Also yes.

If you're a fan of crowns, curses, and kissing-that-leads-to-problems, The Ever King should be next on your list.