A gripping Romantasy with a badass FMC and the perfect blend of plot and spice, Chef’s kiss!

I devoured this book! Ember is a relatable, foul-mouthed, no-nonsense FMC just trying to care for her father and brothers after their mother’s death. Luckily her mother teachers her some stealthy stealing skills before her death. So to keep them fed, she's a master thief, until one job lands her in the middle of a ritual that whisks her off to another world.

There, she's mistaken for the prophesied Chosen One and told she must marry a prince (rumoured to be a beast) to restore their magic. Problem is, Ember’s falling hard for the insanely hot Captain of the Guard.

She doesn’t want the crown, she just wants to go home. But her sharp wit, fierce loyalty, and refusal to play princess make her unforgettable.

And Rhaell... I haven’t connected with a MMC this much since Xaden or Rhysand. The secret pining? Absolute perfection. He keeps you guessing about his background the entire way through.

You won’t be able to put this book down, the twists had me gasping. Highly recommend!

I've really struggled with a rating for this one because for as much i enjoyed aspects of it there was quite a bit i didn't enjoy and I actually had quite a few questions after i finished it. although that could have been me missing a part of the plot lol.

In saying that this story was enjoyable and i did have a good time reading it although i'm not sure if i feel the need to read anymore

4.5 stars⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy of this release!!! I loved every single second of this one

Ugh. It tried to be epic fantasy and romantasy at once, and fumbled both. The world-building was thin, the romance kicked in way too late, and the modern dialogue made the FMC sound out of place and kind of clueless. Their relationship felt rushed, and the spicy scenes were more cringe than chemistry. Overall, I had a hard time staying invested. It dragged in places, and when a romantasy doesn’t make me want to binge-read, that’s usually a red flag. I’ve read some great titles from this publisher, but this one didn’t quite deliver for me. Generous as I tend to be with ratings, this landed on the lower end for me.

Magic and romance and excitement. Ever7you could possibly want from a book. A delight to read. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantsy.

The fae politics are ofd and interesting. And the language is quite vulgar which is good, for me anyway. Some people may be offended by some of the topics of reproductive conversations and other feminine topics so check your triggers but over all a decent fantasy and the series shows promise.

The Promised Queen
This was a refreshing romantasy that came along at the right time for me. I loved the unique magic system and the interesting fantasy characters that bought the drama and danger to the story. The author has a great way with her writing, it’s humorous without being silly, bringing to life great characters with great banter and interactions.
I really liked the dual timelines that ran through this - which I didn’t realise it was at first, and I found myself eager to see what role this played in the story. The most refreshing part? It wasn’t POV chapters. Not that I’m against that at all, but sometimes it’s nice to be on the outside looking in, rather than in someone’s head all the time. It helped to provide an air of mystery in the story which supported the later plot twists which I throrougly enjoyed!
I’m really hoping for a book 2 in this adventure - I’m really invested in Rhaell!

Thank you to Kate Johnson, Harper Collins and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Wow!!! 4.5 stars!! I was not prepared to be on the edge of my seat the whole time reading this!! I could barely put this book down! I was thinking about it when I wasn’t reading it, wondering what is going to happen next. The plot twists!?! I was NOT prepared! I love Rhaell and Ember. I can’t wait to see what the Promised One has in store for us next! 🫶🏼💖

Thank you to Kate Johnson, One More Chapter (Harper Collins Publishing), and NetGalley for gifting me an eARC of The Promised Queen.

Originally the cover caught my eye, but after reading the blurb, I really liked the sound of The Promised Queen as it promised an exciting magical world with a strong female protagonist. After a thieving job gone awry, our main character Ember is transported from her clockwork city to a magical world. Unfortunately, the people of this world have been fighting against a blight of dwindling magic and infertility, which they recognise Ember as their saviour and solution to all their problems. Ember decides she must escape this world as soon as possible, or risk being trapped in a life of servitude, married to the brutal prince.

The premise and the world was quite fun and the portal magic and world building was enjoyable. I would even say that parts of this book were kind of funny, almost satirical of romantasy, but I couldn’t really tell if this was intentional or not. I especially loved the addition of all the mythical creatures and seeing how Ember interacted with them. I think Ember and Rhaell as individual characters were fine, but I actually found Phoebe more interesting and wished we had spent more time with her. She was often physically in a scene but didn’t seem overly present as a character. The plot twist at the end was good but was a little predictable if you were paying attention. I did find Ember’s language to be inconsistent, particularly when one page she would go from 1800s English beggar to a modern language a page later. This might be a personal pet peeve, but it really bugged me how many times the word Um, Er, or some other variation of this was used throughout the book.

Overall, even though it was predictable at times, it was an okay read but the things mentioned above really pulled me out of the story. If you’re someone who really loves romantasy that has digestible world building and lore, you’ll probably enjoy this book (but check the content warnings).

4 ⭐️ The Promised Queen by: Kate Johnson is Publishing on June 5, 2025 with HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter

It’s a very descriptive story that allows your mind to build a vivid world. It is definitely a fantasy type book. I did find parts of the story and writing to be repetitive in an unnecessary way. It had a slow burn but does pick up in interest. It has some spicy scenes that if you’re not into can skip only a chapter or so. Even though it started slow once it gets going it doesn’t really stop. You learn different things as it goes along and some twists. A great start to what is likely to be a good series.

Happy publishing day and big thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for allowing me to share my honest opinions.

This book was an (almost satirical) romantasy with a funny premise and fun world building. I love the premise that the wrong chosen one has showed up and now has to deal with a bunch of drama. I would say this could be read as New Adult as long as you are okay with the open door spicy scenes. This is not super serious high fantasy romance, so set your expectations accordingly.

The main character was a laugh, an imperfect crystal in a land of precious jewels is relatable. The love interest was kind of a standard love interest until he wasn't. No spoilers but if he seems a little bland, he's not, just keep reading. The quest they go on together and the creatures they meet along the way were all good world building, and I'd like to see a sequel for sure.

Thank you to Kate Johnson, One More Chapter, and NetGalley for facilitating me with a review copy of this book at no cost and with no obligation. I reviewed this book voluntarily, and all opinions are my own.

Unfortunately, this one didn’t really work for me. The premise had promise, but I struggled to connect with the main character and found the world-building a bit underdeveloped.

There were a few moments that stood out, but overall it felt like it was missing the depth and cohesion I was hoping for. Just not the right fit for me, though I can see others enjoying it more.

I was hooked from the beginning!
It was amazing and engaging.
I was instantly sucked in by the atmosphere and writing style.
The characters were all very well developed .
The writing is exceptional and I was hooked after the first sentence.

this was my first book by this author and i'm sad to say i wasn't the biggest fan of it. 😔

the characters acted a bit juvenile in certain dialogues, especially ember. she was also extremely repetitive about her situation with her family. like, i get it, but girl do something!
none of the male protagonists caught my attention either. they were too nonchalant and simplistic in character for me to care for them.

the writing style was okay. i wish it wasn't so repetitive and was more engaging with the dialogues.

i was interested at first to see what was going on and the fact that the "promised one" was supposed to be bed by this monster was funny yet disgusting.
also direct quote from the book: "Bearing a child got you a special memorial. Not doing so made you lesser." like, excuse you ???? um, no. i don't wanna read that in my books.
i've also never been a fan of portals and felt meh about prophecies... so these were more things that put me off the book a bit. i'm sure it's a me problem and i feel like people could potentially enjoy this book, but this one was sadly not for me personally.

i can't recommend this to any of y'all but if it sounds like something you may enjoy - i hope you love it more than i did!

Thank you Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for providing me with a e-arc in turn of a honest review!!

For me this was a read with mixed feelings regarding two main things. First, the pace feels very slow, i think some chapters are way to long and for me it was very hard to engage with the story.
Secondly, the writing felt very bland and i couldn´t connect with the main character Ember...
I think the plot for this story had a lot of potential if the world building could´ve been more developed or just thought out a bit more.
I loved Rhaell´s character and for me he kept the story being a bit more engaging for me.

Ember, our FMC, is thief and a good one. She steals out of necessity, to provide medicine for her father. She breaks the law so her brothers don’t have to. She’s lived a hard life in a hard world. Ember picks the wrong house to steal from and finds herself being viciously sacrificed for a ritual she knows nothing about. The Promised Queen is a portal fantasy and Ember falls through the portal into a strange, new world. Now she has to find her way back.

The world Ember finds herself in is just a brutal but filled with magic, prophecies and creatures she could never have imagined. Ember’s declared the promised one, foretold to arrive when the land has been blighted. Magic is fading and children are few and far betweeen. She’s promised to the King’s Grandson, and expected to produce heirs. To the king, women are nothing but vessels for babes. The king is horrifically patriarchal and beyond traditional. It seems the prince, the beast, follows in his grandfathers footsteps if the court gossip is to be believed. He’s said to be monstrous, deformed, abhorrent.

Ember has to find a way home.
Together with the captain of the guard, Rhaell, they journey across land and sea to find a way to heal the land and send Ember home. Inextricably drawn together despite the secrets they’re both keeping. The threats come from every angle and it’s a race against time to complete their quest before they’re discovered or killed.

Full of twists and turns, exciting and fast paced. A more unique Romantasy, with a high fantasy setting and a modern, sexually confident, foul mothed FMC. Some readers might find this jarring but I enjoyed it.
Rhaell’s backstory is heartbreaking and he carries the weight of his past.

There’s plenty of interesting species and societies explored; Myr, Dragons, Hafmey, Rakka and literal Sea Horses. The Myr are fascinating and i could read a whole book on them. Multiple POV’s. The magic in this world is all around and can be claimed by anyone, wielded by will, what’s available is easily summoned and controlled.
The last section is wild and some of the twists and turns I didn’t see coming.

Some heavy themes in this book that may trigger some people ; abortion, pregnancy/birth trauma, generational trauma, infertility, threat of sexual assault. Though there is a strong conversation about bodily autonomy that feels particularly prevalent in today’s world. A strong message that a women’s value is not measured by her fertility.
Aside from the above darker themes, The Promised Queen is a fun and easily readable.

Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This fantasy novel drew me in right from the start, thanks to its fantastic main characters who were beautifully crafted and truly brought the story to life. They were so well written that I felt invested in their journey and loved following their interactions and growth.

The fantasy world was equally captivating, with a plot that kept me turning the pages. The setting felt rich and imaginative, and I appreciated how the author wove together all the different elements to create a truly engaging story.

That said, there were moments when the characters felt a bit underwhelming — some of their actions or motivations could have been explored more deeply to add even more dimension. Additionally, while I understand the need to ground the reader in this world, I sometimes felt the author relied a bit too much on description and telling us about the characters’ strengths instead of letting their actions speak for themselves.

Overall, though, this was a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy read, and I’d recommend it to anyone who loves immersive worlds and compelling characters

Brutally thrown from her own world into a strange world of magic and mayhem, Ember Hart has unknowingly stolen herself a prophecy. Determined to get back to her family, Ember teams up with the mysterious Rhaell to embark on a quest that will restore the land and send her home, uncovering secrets and scandals that defy everything she has been told.

The two main characters are well developed and allows you to gain a much deeper insight into their beings. There is plenty of chemistry and tension between the two, and a good sprinkling of spicy scenes in this semi-slowburn. The rest of the cast of characters are well written and offer a lot of twists that leave a lot of scope for future instalments in this potential series. Despite having a predominantly human population, the world is also filled with a handful of alternative civilisations that we are introduced to and a ton of background lore to suit. Packed full of fantasy plot, their quest takes you through the world from the skies to the depths, setting out a series of suspense filled trials sure to have you glued to the page. It was exciting to have so many twists and turns throughout, and I loved that this book had such a strong focus on the fantasy aspect of the Romantasy genre. And as a Brit, it was refreshing to see regional influences and dialects transposed into a fantasy setting instead of the standard formal Bridgerton-eske style we’ve all become accustomed to. I especially liked how well described the writing was, as it painted such intense imagery as I read and left my brain feeling satiated.

Thank you to Kate Johnson and the publishing/NetGalley team for allowing me the opportunity to give an advance review of this book. If you’re looking for a headstrong FMC leading a fantasy driven Romantasy, then look no further as I rate this a solid 4/5 stars ✨

Thank you for the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Content warning: Reproductive issues/choices, sexism, sexual assault.
I went in expecting a serious fantasy world with some fun tropes based on the book description, but it read quite unserious (almost like a parody book.). The characters were shallow and were a bit messy/unclear in their motivations and intentions. I felt there was a lack of world building and explanations, instead the majority of the book was spent talking about reproductive rights/issues in the fantasy world. Anyone who was caught having an abortion was executed - it read like a bit too much of a parody of a current country. The other part of the book was the men in the fantasy world describing the FMC as a wench and constantly talking about her body, sexually assaulting her, and how she's nothing except for uterus. The overall plot hidden behind these other parts was really interesting, I think the execution just felt lackluster for me.

The instant love trope is also something I did not enjoy, but that's more personal preference.

I think overall it's a 2/5 for me. I like the cover art and the description, but the characters and world was too shallow for me to enjoy.

This is a riot! A layered and twisty romantasy with dragons and double-crossing and curses and magical jewels - so much fun 🤭

Ember is a thief, and her thieving has landed her in a magical world where she is believed to be the promised queen. She's foul-mouthed and vulgar, but used to acting on her wits, following her instincts, and is so resilient and adaptable - I adored her.

Rhaell is a bodyguard, protector, fighter, instrument of the king, whatever and these two team up to keep one step ahead of the danger. They are brilliant together, with plenty of chemistry, even with all the secrets and trust issues that they face.

With kingdoms and people and animals to get to know, author Kate keeps it all on track and gives just enough detail to follow the action without getting bogged down in the world building. Check TWs, (violence, murder, torture, infertility) and be ready for quite a steamy read 🌶 🌶

Kate Johnson writes in many different genres and this book is a cracker!

Thank you Kate Johnson and One More Chapter for the ARC. Opinions are my own.