this cover is beautiful, props to the production team.
this book however reads like a young adult book even though it’s marketed like an adult fantasy book. I’m not a big fan of young adult fantasy so this book (although seeming to be up my alley) was a little immature for me.

Thank you so much Net Galley for the eARC! This review has already been uploaded to Goodreads :)

2 ⭐️ I need to stop reading YA.

First of all, I want to praise whoever it was that made the gorgeous cover of this book. I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover and all that, but come on... I think being a little judgemental sometimes is healthy, and pretty book covers call to me. What can I say.

Now, the premise of this book sound like something that would be right up my alley. It's not necessarily original, but it has its charm. Gwen is transported to Avalon -yes, the same Avalon from Arthur and the sword in the stone story- and its trapped there sharing magical fire powers with a cat called Merlin. So far pretty interesting if not a bit weird, but cool overall. The King of this new age, other dimension Avalon is Mordred (Arthur's nephew). He's a tyrannical ruler who entraps the souls of any and all elementals -people with magic- in the Crystal, where their souls are kept for eternity. Now, you would think that such a cold, cruel figure would be hard to be redeemed, given that he's supposed to be the romantic interest here and all... And you'd be right. He never is. There's not a redeemable thing about this overgrown man-child in the entirety of this book. It was like watching a toddler have a temper tantrum, expect this toddler is all powerful and gets a kick out of torturing people. Fun, huh?

And listen, I like my heroes morally grey as much as the next romance book lover, but the thing about mmcs is that they usually tend to treat the fmc a lot better than anyone else. The whole "she's the one" thing, but not here. He treats her marginally better, but only because he thinks he could possibly get s3x out of her before killing her and throwing her soul in a prison for... well, forever. And she's so incredibly childish and annoying.

The whole book seems rooted in naivety and hidden cruelty. The writing was immature -typical of YA, but still-, and the narrative and overall pacing went by at a snail's pace. It was quite the frustrating read, to be honest. The plot and world building was interesting, but there are many, many things to polish here.

I would recommend this book if you're a teenager just getting into fantasy, but you don't really want to jump into the big, famous books out there. Also, I'm no SJM fan, but even I can tell you that comparing this to ACOTAR is ridiculous.

First and foremost, I’m obsessed with this cover. It’s gorgeous! But I think that it might be the covers fault, just a little, that skewed my expectations going into it. I expected a more adult vibe but this reads totally YA until the last 5% or so. And I wasn’t prepared for such a young (and at times just goofy) vibe. It took me a little bit of time to get into it because the FMC was just so… Young? Talkative? Annoying? All of the above? Whatever it was, it did take me some getting used to. But once I was able to sort of drop my expectations and just take it for what it was, I did mostly enjoy this book. It was an easy read & kept me interested enough to keep going the whole time.

Though it’s not plot heavy, I feel like we are now finally set up to get some good plot in the next book, so there’s a good chance you’ll catch me reviewing that one as well. It may not have been a 5⭐️ for me, but I still wouldn’t mind seeing where this one goes.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review!

Not a bad read by any means but not anything that truly shines by itself.
Pros:
• unique Arthurian retelling
• tension between lovers
Cons:
• flat characters
• flat worldbuilding
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC!

The first book I read by Kathryn Ann Kingsley was Maze of Shadows, and it was so good i binge read the whole trilogy in two days, so when I saw this new book of hers I knew I had to request it and I was kindly granted an arc copy.

I’m glad this book didn’t disappointed me, Kathryn has a gift in creating the most engaging books, I couldn’t put this book down until the very last page.

Gwen is a ordinary girl, she lives with her parents in a farm where she helps tend to the animals especially a very mean and old cat she calls Merlin, after a very rough night where she discovers her boyfriend was cheating on her, Gwen wants nothing more than watch some TV and drink some beers but her cat have other ideas, he put her house on an inferno of a fire and created a magical portal out of nowhere, Gwen with the choice of burning alive or jumping into the unknown decides the later and ends up in Avalon where she meets the brooding, mysterious and tyrannical Mordred.

I really enjoyed the relationship between them, it didn’t felt rush, it was more of a slow burn but the pacing felt right for the story, specially because we keep hearing from other character how bad Mordred is, how Gwen have to stop him, so it felt right for them to get to know each other in a more slow way.

The end was amazing as well, it ended in a big cliffhanger and I can’t wait to read the next one and find out what Kathryn has in store for Gwen and Mordred.

Thanks Netgalley and Second Sky for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review

To Charm a Dark Prince is a loose retelling of King Arthur, which I thought was an interesting premise. I enjoyed the world-building but do think it can be expanded on throughout the next installments of the series. The characters are morally gray, especially the main male character. Gwen was honestly a bit of an annoying character, which is partly due to her age. The character is in her late teens but throughout a lot of the book she acts immaturely which I would expect on occasion from the character but not throughout the book. The romance in the book was fine, even though the timeline is quite short, I find it hard to believe that they were so into each other, especially with how annoying Gwen is. Overall, I enjoyed the book enough that I most likely will read the next book in the series and am hoping to see some more character development.

Thank you to Second Sky and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

To Charm a Dark Prince by Kathryn Ann Kingsley offers a tantalizing plunge into a world of enchantment and treachery, skillfully weaving elements of the King Arthur legend into her new fantasy romance series. Kingsley's knack for crafting intriguing villains shines in this tale, as we're introduced to the enigmatic Prince of Iron, Mordred, whose allure is impossible to resist.

Set in the magical realm of Avalon, the story follows Gwen, a headstrong protagonist, as she navigates a realm imprisoned in a lackluster stasis by Mordred. The concept of elemental imprisonment adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, promising a battle for both love and magic. However, while the premise holds great potential, the execution in terms of plot and world-building felt somewhat thin.

Kingsley's signature traits are present: a bold heroine and an unapologetically villainous love interest. However, in this case, certain aspects—such as character development and world-building—could have been more robust. As a reader, I found myself filling in gaps in understanding, and while this allowed for imaginative engagement, it also left me wishing for a more fully fleshed-out experience.

Despite the slight drawbacks, To Charm a Dark Prince remains an enjoyable read, brimming with Kingsley's distinct storytelling style. The chemistry between Gwen and Mordred is promising, and their dynamic will certainly add more intrigue to the series after what happened in the conclusion of book one - lovers to enemies anyone?

As the first installment in a new fantasy romance series, To Charm a Dark Prince offers a promising introduction, leaving readers curious and excited for what lies ahead and its premise lays a solid foundation for future developments in the series.

I had mixed feelings about this book, but I'll probably read the next one. Gwen is 19 and transported into an Arthurian world. I did love the multiverse travel. She finds herself wound up with Mordred who doesn't even pretend to be good. If you love a good villain love story, this is for you. Mordred gives off some Damon from the Vampire Diaries vibes.

⚔️ Arthurian
🔥 Elemental Magic
👑 Dark Prince
🗡️ Betrayal

Gwen is a normal teenager dealing with the heartbreak of betrayal when her cat sets fire to her house, and Gwen is forced to jump through a magical portal to save herself. This portal takes her to Avalon, which is ruled by an iron fist called Mordred. Magic has been sucked from Avalon, trapped away in an Iron Crystal that Mordred controls.

Gwen finds herself with new elemental powers, and she’s taken to the castle, where she must decide if Mordred’s decision was correct, or if magic should be let loose on the world again.

I loved Mordred. He’s the perfect broody MMC. I also loved the descriptions of how his armor shifts and moves around him.

I did have a few issues with this book, however. I’m getting a little weary of the trope that an ancient male ruler falls in love with a teenage girl who is suddenly transported to a new land. It just doesn’t make sense. Gwen is immature in her own right, waffling between decisions, fainting constantly. She’s supposed to have anxiety, but I found the fainting a bit much.

However, I did find myself tearing through this at a rapid pace (mainly because of Mordred), but it was still a fun read.

Firstly, I wanted to say that this was my first ARC through NetGalley and I felt extremely honored to be chosen to read this book. So here is my honest review. My rating is 3.5 stars.

What I will say about this story is that while I was entertained, I was confused about why Mordred came across as mentally young, but had been alive for over 1,000 years. With Gwen I expected a less mature take given that she is 19. This book definitely would fall in the realm of perhaps a young adult category. That being said, even though there was that small barrier due to the fact I am in my 30s, it kept my interest when it came to the plot in the long run.

A Spellbound journey: The Enigma of Gwen and Mordred

First of all, I want to express my gratitude to Netgalley, the publisher Second Sky and Kathryn Ann Kingsley, for generously providing me with a free advanced reader copy. This review is entirely voluntary, and I want to emphasize that it truly reflects my genuine emotions and thoughts about the story.

Star rating ⭐⭐⭐ Spice rating 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I've never read any of her works before, so I relished the opportunity to explore a new author. The captivating cover and intriguing blurb caught my attention immediately, and the overall premise seemed incredibly promising. I was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to read her book early on, and I must say, I was thoroughly immersed in the story. The blend of King Arthur's background and the magic system was a delight to explore, and the author's worldbuilding skills provided an enriching reading experience. The potential of this world has me eagerly anticipating further exploration in the series. The first book lays a strong foundation, and I'm genuinely excited to see how the story unfolds in the sequels.

While the overall experience was positive, I must admit I had some reservations about the main character, Gwen. Connecting with her proved challenging, as she came across as overly juvenile and not particularly relatable. Her continuous stream of asking questions frequently interrupted the flow of the story. Although it's natural for characters to have moments of curiosity, Gwen's constant inquiries felt repetitive and unnecessary, hindering the momentum of the plot. Furthermore, her behavior often bordered on immaturity, making it challenging to empathize with her struggles and challenges. Greater depth in her character development could have strengthened the reader's emotional connection to her journey.

Mordred, on the other hand, initially appeared mysterious and flirty, but I found it difficult to immediately connect with his character as well. Their interactions felt somewhat forced and lacked the witty banter I hoped for. Mordred's constant laughter felt unnatural. Nevertheless, as the story progressed, and we delved deeper into Mordred's character, I began to appreciate him more. His backstory and hidden complexities added depth and intrigue to his personality, which helped to redeem some of the earlier shortcomings in his introduction. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for Gwen.

Nonetheless, I still appreciated the author's storytelling and the development of the world, which managed to keep me engaged. Despite finding the writing style a bit juvenile and struggling to connect with Gwen, I'm still invested in continuing Mordred and Gwen's journey, including their romance. The world the author has created shows great promise, and with some adjustments to character development and dialogue, the subsequent books in the series have the potential to become even more captivating. I hope to witness Gwen's growth and maturity throughout the series. I’m eager to see how the author weaves together the magical elements and the complexities of the characters' relationships to create an enchanting and unforgettable story.

I had a few issues with the way this book played out. The dialogue didn’t feel authentic. The characters have all been done before. And while aspects of the plot might have been unique, I felt they could have been structured a little more soundly.

When listening to the characters speak to one another the men, especially Mordred, they felt really stilted. It felt really forced watching them interact and it wasn’t until scenes of high emotion did it seem like they sounded like people instead of creatures pretending to be human. Gwen is just as bad but in the opposite direction, she felt way too casual and the way she explained bits of her dialogue were a tad on the cringey side.

The characters were all ones I have read before. When trying to craft characters for an adult fantasy romance it’s important to have them be unique in their own ways, and unfortunately these ones fell flat and felt like a copy and paste of anything off of booktok. That being said, there’s a reason these books are so popular, people love reading books with a similar theme, especially when it’s full of tropes they enjoy. So just because I didn’t love it I’m sure most others will for the same reason.

Aspects of this plot have been done before. Girl with new power meets powerful man and has to decide if he’s the villain or the love interest. The twist here is the overt nod to King Arthur, which is definitely an interesting bit of story. So while I appreciated part of the plot, the rest was a but contrived.

All in all I’m sure this will be a very popular read with the “adult fantasy romance enemies to lovers booktok folks”. It has a lot of the tropes that are usually cherished within that subset of the community and I’m sure they will find the joy in this where I found it to be lacking.

Gwen...no self preservation instincts. The prologue pulled me in and then the story didn't really go anywhere.

While it wasn't great, I am curious where the story goes and hope that it gets better.

Thank you to Netgalley and Second Sky for sending me an ARC for an honest review.

To Charm a Dark Prince is set in a dystopian fantasy world and has some inspiration from Arthurian legend which was originally what hooked me on this story. Having recently read some other stories inspired by Arthurian legend the plot was a bit predictable and expected for me. The story wasn't really unique enough for me to feel like I was reading something special. I was not really able to connect with Gwen's character either, I found her to be a bit annoying and I just didn't find myself rooting for her.

I don't think I will be continuing with this series as it just wasn't for me. However, I have enjoyed some of Kingsley's other books in the past, so will still be checking out any new books she brings out.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️✨

Omg I found another Merlin/Arthur/etc inspired fantasy book, this one was so cool. This book is set in a sort of dystopian fantasy world? Magic and magic users are held captive by a supposedly tyrant king. It was a really cool first book in a series, and I can't wait to see how the story unfolds. This book was full of plotting and swooniness and betrayals and more plotting, and the twist at the end was expected but also unexpected.

TWs - violence, anxiety/panic attacks on page

-- ty to the author, the publisher and Netgalley for an advanced copy!

Loved the mix of Arthurian legend with supernatural time slips but wasn't too keen on the main characters. Gwen was a bit wishy-washy for me, could have been a bit stronger. Not a bad read though.

An Arthurian inspired story featuring a girl who falls into Avalon and discovers that she is an elemental and must find a way to sort her alliances between the handsome dark prince and the knights of the round table. Gwen has always suffered from severe anxiety and after her boyfriend cheats on her she suddenly finds herself falling into Avalon and that her cat is actually a talking being that is bound to her. Gwen also finds herself in the hands of the handsome but dark ruler, Mordred, the Prince of the Iron throne who has total power over Avalon but has taken a liking to Gwen. Gwen now must find a way to train her elemental powers and seduce Mordred with all of Avalon on the line. This was unfortunately... a really really not great time. Gwen read like she was a 16 year old girl who was constantly whining and honestly, felt insufferable. Also the romance was not there for me at all. The story itself felt lacking in holding an entertaining plot and felt like a really poor episode of a disney show. This read so much younger than young adult and I am actually surprised I made it to the end of this book. Despite this being the first book in the series I will not be picking up the rest of the books. I will say this, I do enjoy some of the author's other books and will continue to read from her but this one was just a big miss for me. If you enjoy arthurian inspired fantasy with a young adult touch then give this a go, maybe it'll work out better for you then it did for me.

*Thanks Netgalley and Second Sky for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

2.5
Gwendolyn is a 19 year old girl from rural Kansas. While having an awful day (finding her boyfriend cheating on her), she goes home to self soothe with some beer and pizza (of course asking her mom and dad first because she's a *good girl*). Unfortunately for her, the night in she had planned is foiled by her house catching on fire, a portal to another world, and a talking cat that wants her to overthrow the mystical world's current tyrant prince.

Gwen's character was written incredibly flat. In every instance that she feels anxious she passes out, and continually mentions her life in Kansas but other than that...there's not much to tell. She's meant to be the world heroine and has almost no redeeming qualities that would make me root for her. I did enjoy that it was hard to gauge what her heart was going to lead her to do until the end, however.

Mordred was a little more interesting, but there was no tangible connection between him and Gwen. We're just TOLD that there is, instead of being made to feel it. I honestly feel like if he had just killed her halfway through the book and continued the story I would've been wholly unaffected.

Overall, the story is written pretty juvenilely. There were a LOT of staggered thoughts, like when you have a friend who sends 50 texts instead of forming one full thought. It made it jarring to read at times. I love the idea of the world of Avalon, elementals, dragons, crafted guards, the whole nine yards. There was so much missed potential with this story.

This book was incredibly amazing!!! When I started reading it and I figured it was a fantasy inspired by the tales and legends of King Arthur, I was surprised by the thought that Mordred was the MMC!!! But then the magic, the plot, the tension, the morally grey character, the grumpy sunshine trope, the enemies to lovers … everything made this book absolutely amazing and wonderful and I loved it!!! As a first book in a brand new series, I’m more than a little bit intrigued by the story and the plot and the way the author uniquely described these characters!!! Gwen was absolutely amazing and I could relate to her so so much!!! Mordred on the other hand … was hot and brooding and morally grey and mysterious and villainous and wrong … and so so good in so many ways !!!! The figure of Merlin, spooky and weird figure that he is … it was so fun!!! And the tension and banter and spicy scenes … it made this fantasy romance so much better !!! And I think it can even considered as a bit dark … so bare that in mind!!!! But overall it was so so good!!! I’m so so grateful I had the chance to read it and I already can’t wait for the next one !!!

This book had me hooked from the beginning. Gwen was swept away into a world she knows nothing about and forced to chose a side. I was so torn about what the right decision was and I love these morally grey topics. By the end I was yelling at the book and the way it ends leaves me ready for the next book ASAP