<u>Rating</u> 3.5-4/5 (I felt like the first half of the book was strong, but the second part felt rushed)
<u>Spice</u> 🌶️🌶️/5

<u><b>Tropes</b></u>
✵Touch her and ☠️
✵Arranged Marriage
✵Lovers to Enemies to Allies
✵Dark Romantasy
✵Secret Identities
✵Cliffhanger ending
✵Morally Gray FMC


<b>They called me the Blood Queen. I was known as the most ruthless, bloodthirsty queen in all of Esfer"</b>
This book had me hooked from the moment I started reading it! I felt like some of the plot twists were predictable; however, it did not take away from my enjoyment while reading. The book has spice, mystery, fantasy elements, and action. The character arc of Lyla, the FMC, seemed well thought out and highly enjoyable. I struggled with Rune's character as he seemed less thought out - there were instances when I thought I was reading about two separate characters. In all honesty, Rune's character felt dull and annoying rather than being a strong contender for Lyla.

The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I cannot wait to see what happens in the next book!

<b>You're mine. No one fucks with what's mine."</b>

I really liked this book, I read it all in one sitting over a few hours. It kept me hooked between the storyline and the tension between the main characters of the story. The ending left me ready for the next book in the series as well. It was more on the dark side of fantasy and romance genres, but I knew that going in and loved it.

Layla, known as the Blood Queen, does anything for peace in her kingdom and to avenge her parents’ murders. When her kingdom is strife with murders, drugs, and people discussing rebellion Layla struggles to be what she needs to be without losing herself in the process. Her marriage proposal to a Brutal Prince will secure peace in her kingdom. With lies between those she trusts most and lies with her fiancé her life is thrown into chaos and she struggles to right the wrongs she caused.

“Blood Queen” by Caitlin Denman is a great fantasy book. I like that only royalty has magical powers and that they have familiars. I loved how Layla is strong but also lacking confidence. I was a little confused with Rune’s character though, he was so confident and cunning at the beginning but then would act so brainless and only good for his brawn at other times which didn’t seem to make sense for what Layla ends up finding out he was, but it wasn’t that big of a deal for me. I did like their constant fighting between each other. I gave it a 5 out of 5 stars, I was hooked from beginning to end.

Blood Queen follows our heroine, Layla, who came to be Queen after her parents were murdered. Her advisor, Brandt, plays a big role in running the kingdom for now until she's ready to step into those shoes and in the meantime, she works to right injustices in her kingdom. Which usually involves murder. And so, Layla developed the nickname "the Blood Queen" over the years. With the murders and mayhem occurring in her kingdom, unrest grows amongst her people. In hopes of quelling the unrest and creating more stability, Layla agrees to marry a foreign prince. On the eve of her meeting her betrothed, she goes out for one last night on the town with a stranger as a single woman. And in the morning? She discovers said stranger is actually her betrothed.

I really loved Layla. I love that Layla is part-time Queen/part-time assassin. I think that's so badass and really enjoyed seeing a heroine completely capable of taking care of herself. I mostly liked Rune as a character, except for the scene we got where he couldn't control his anger when he believed Layla murdered his friend and he nearly killed her. But he did grow and seemed better at controlling that anger by the end of the book. Mostly. Areas for future character growth though, right? I liked Rune and Layla together. There was a nice balance of Rune being "don't touch what is mine" kind of alphamale, while also allowing Layla to handle her problems herself (because she's badass and she CAN!).

I like the mystery aspect this book had but did find it weird that she struggled to come to the conclusion that Brandt was the bad guy. It seemed very painfully obvious to me, but I also think she just didn't want to see it because he raised her and was the only "family" she had left.

If you're looking for an fast read, spicy, romantic fantasy (with murder!) this is for you! If you like pain this book is also for you because that ending? Ouch. KILLER. Are you kidding me? That's the cliffhanger you're leaving me with??! Brutal! But I want more. Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Layla is the queen of an unstable country. She decides to marry a foreign prince for the good of her country. ON the eve of her betrothal's arrival, she decides to indulge in one last passionate night with a stranger....

Intriguing plot. Love the dramatic politics moves.... The heroine is terrific. Brave, smart and sassy. Love the romance.

Thanks to the publisher for the arc.

I started reading this book last night when I first got accepted on NetGalley and I have not put it down since.

The perfect combination of spice, fantasy, romance and action.

The first couple of chapters I thought were a little predictable but then I was hooked on the twists and turns throughout. Now I’m excited to find out what happens next in the reign.

It’s an easy read, not too long but plenty of story and action!

The first book I have read of Caitlin Denman but certainly will be taking a look at her other published work.