Oh my gosh that ending?!?! Emberly! I am hooked and I am so glad I don’t have to wait to read the next book Throne of Air and Darkness.

In this King Arthur reimagining, we meet Veyka who, through unfortunate circumstances, is crowned the elemental Queen of Annwyn.

She is set to be betrothed to the Brutal Prince, Arran, the Terrestrial Fae heir. They must join together to unite peace between the two Fae races.

But the traitorous court of Annwyn has been plotting against Veyka and she is out for revenge. Arran thinks Veyka is a spoiled brat but can’t keep his eyes and other things off her 👀 As they come to an understanding, Arran learns that there is more to Veyka than meets the eye and begins working with her to exact her revenge. They cannot deny the pull they have to each other as much as they try.

But Veyka has another secret for the good of the kingdom she keeps hidden away and when she finally tells Arran it threatens everything they have been working towards.

As they get closer to the finding traitors, those closest to them are endangered and they journey to find the answers and expose the truth.

Will they find the traitors? Will Arran get past Veyka’s deception?

Read Crown of Earth and Sky to find out ☺️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I was hooked to this book from the first line, this book had all my favourite things, fae, shifters, enemies to lovers, spice and it was written so well.

I loved Vella the main female character, I loved how she was a little morally Grey at the start but was also the powerful heroin, I loved that she was curvy and also held herself with power and pride. Arran was a good leading male, I really liked him but I did not love how he went back and forth between hating her then loving her a second later.

The story was amazing, the world building was amazing, it was well written and kept me interested the whole way through. I cannot wait to dive into book 2.

Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This felt eerily familiar to Queen of Roses series, which is also a fae retelling of the king arthur series where the nods to king arthur’s tale are just a big round table and some similar names. Truthfully, I feel like I could just copy and paste my review from Queen of Roses here as they are so similar in so many ways. (They’re also by the same publisher so I’m wondering if there’s more connection here that I just don’t know about?)

This isn’t anything groundbreaking, there’s plot holes everywhere, weird character development and questionable world building, cliches left and right, and our FMC Veyka is frustrating at best (she’s petty and selfish and I think it’s going to be difficult for her to really be a redeemable character). BUT, it is a light, easy, fun read that’s good when you don’t want to get into anything too epic or complex but just want to be lightly swept up in a magical world. This isn’t one to overthink, you just need to go with the flow of it and not question anything if you want to enjoy the read.

What I will say though, is the romance here is a million times better than Queen of Roses. Veyka and the Brutal Prince are a dreamy combo together! There’s actually some pretty steamy tension here, and while the sex scenes themselves are ‘meh’ the build up has been really well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an E-ARC

Wow!! What can I say that others haven’t said in their reviews before me? This book was beautifully written, well thought out and absolutely brilliant. I was wary at first but not for very long as its words wound themselves around me and kept me hooked until the very end like the vines themselves that Arran controlled. With every page that I read I was transported to a beautiful realm with danger and secrets at every turn. A slow burn of lust and spice.
I have enjoyed reading Veyka’s journey from a trapped and tortured princess to the strong and powerful queen that she has become. Even though learning of her past and the pain that she has had to endure was hard to read at times it was hard to tear myself away from the book.
Congratulations to the incredible author Emberly Ash, I look forward to reading book two which I have already downloaded.

I enjoyed most of this book and it has some really strong bonuses in my opinion starting with the trigger warning at the beginning. I am not usually bothered, but I know there are people who can get really hurt by them.
Other things I enjoyed:
-dual POV
-the magic system
-fae
Some of the plot twists were predictable, while others blew my mind and the ending left me really curious.
What could have been better in my opinion was the relationship between the main characters, the hate at the beginning felt a bit forced and it didn't make a lot of sense for me, it felt more like it was added just to have the enemies to lovers trope. Also, if they can't lie, why didn't she straight up asked every member about being the traitor? Or only royals couldn't lie? Maybe they just felt like they couldn't lie in that moment specifically.

Vekya Pendragon suddenly finds herself Queen of the Elemental Fae after the murder of her brother and twin, Arthur. In order to secure peace between the Elemental and Terrestrial Fae, a marriage is arranged to the heir of the terrestrial kingdom. Arran Earthborn, nicknames the Brutal Prince, is one of the strongest terrestrial fae and spent his years honing his skills on the battlefield, not at court. Vekya does not wish to rule either. After her brother's death, she mourned him and passed her duties onto the royal council. Secluded for years from her family and the court, she still battles the trauma of her past while hiding a secret that can destroy her present. But can Vekya and Arran put their differences aside to rule the Fae in peace?

This was a unique take on the Arthurian Legend. It was well written and easy to follow. The pacing was good, and the plot had a good balance between the romantic elements and moving the story along. Vekya was an interesting character - she has strength in so many ways, but also has to battle her past trauma before she can really step into the role of Queen. Arran is portrayed as strong and protective, and wants to force Vekya to open her eyes to the challenges of ruling the kingdoms. While this seemed somewhat overdone to me at times, I think readers who enjoy dark romance will appreciate this relationship and how it developed.

This book does have some dark and difficult elements, so I encourage readers to review the content warnings at the beginning of the book. Thank you to the author, Emberly Ash, and the publisher, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

“I should have died in the womb”

I love when a book draws you in with an opening line. It was hard to put this book down once I started. I was totally engrossed in Veyka’s quest for revenge and learning the secret she’s been keeping to protect herself and the kingdom. I love a book with a strong, murderous, stabby FMC especially when it’s paired with a strong, “you’re mine” MMC who falls first! I’m so glad I didn’t have to wait for the 2nd book to find out what comes next for Veyka and her knights of the round table.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and Emberly Ash for the ARC

WHAT THE!?
Hooked. I was hooked from the dedication and the first line. I read this book so fast I almost forgot to feed my children! I knooowww how could it be this good. READ IT. Find out.
• Dual POVs
•Fae magic 💫
•Enemies to lovers 💞
• Found Family
•Stabby FMC
The Brutal Prince OMG 🥵
Emberly Ash has written a great King Arthur kind of retelling! I loved it who knew I needed it!
The dark romance elements and the complexity of the characters I loooved!
Also this books ends on a cliffhanger!
Can’t wait to read the next book!
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC 🫶🏼

This dark, steamy fantasy reimagines the Arthurian legend with a fae twist. The story centers around Veyka Pendragon, who unexpectedly becomes queen after her brother's murder. I was captivated by the intricate political intrigue and the murder mystery at the heart of the plot. Veyka, a strong, physically imposing character, breaks the mold of traditional female leads, which I found refreshingly empowering. The spicy and frequent romance may not be for everyone, but I appreciated it. However, I struggled with Veyka's focus on revenge and her sometimes unlikable character. The book ends on a cliffhanger, but I'm intrigued to see what happens next.

Crown of Earth and Sky is book 1 Secrets of the Faerie Crown series by Emberly Ash.
Such an amazing story. An enthralling steamy fantasy romance with dark elements made this book so compelling.
The world building was immersive & character dynamic was outstanding.
The creative magic system was engaging.
The characters' added an extra layer of intrigue. They possess both charm and complexity, making them incredibly engaging characters.
I was so impressed by the way Emberly weaves a story and I cannot wait to see where this story goes. Ready to jump into Throne of Air and Darkness.

Thank You NetGalley and Victory Editing for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This book surprised me in a really good way, I never knew I needed a King Arthur retelling involving fae in my life. When it starts with “I should have died in the womb” you know it’s going to be a good story, I was hooked from that very first sentence.

Veyka Pendragon suddenly finds herself the new and unexpected queen to a kingdom she doesn’t want and a marriage alliance she didn’t ask for when her twin brother is murdered. Veyka only cares about one thing, getting revenge for her brother’s murder.

Whilst this is loosely based off a King Arthur retelling, the subtle nods are there and cleverly intertwined but it’s a completely different story. It was an enjoyable story which kept me engaged and guessing throughout. There were so many twists and turns and you’re never really sure who you can trust as it’s full of secrets, lies and betrayals. Sometimes I did find the story a little confusing as things weren’t fully explained and then never mentioned again.

Both Veyka and Arran are really well written and I enjoyed the romance and the dual POV as it gave great insight into the characters. Veyka is strong, independent and doesn’t need anyone to protect her. I thought her grief and trauma was realistic and enjoyed seeing her character growth as the story progressed. Like Veyka, Arran was never destined to rule but is determined to do his duty. He is the most powerful terrestrial fae and his strength and power is clear from the start. He is overprotective of Veyka which puts them at odds with each other.

This was a strong opening to a new series and I’m looking forward to seeing how the story continues. It does end on a brutal cliffhanger that I wasn’t expecting and the series isn’t complete yet so bear that in mind. However if you enjoyed ACOTAR or are a fan of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, fated mates, spice and political intrigue then this book is for you!

Wow. This book blew me away. I have read more than a few fantasy and romantasy books and this book is the first in awhile to remind me why I love this genre.

I love a dual POV and with Veyka and Arran both are so well written. The author did an outstanding job of showing the motivations and complexities of both characters and seeing them grow and get to know each other made me even more invested in their story. I felt that the darker themes were handled so well, and although there is some miscommunication, but it's done so well and truly makes sense for the plot that it made me a convert of this trope.

The use of Arthurian fantasy in a fae world was done so well - the perfect amount of homage to the original with a new take to make it feel like a completely new story. I mean it's an Arthurian re-telling without an Arthur - that could have been awful but instead it was refreshing and new. This is what retellings should be.

This book feels so immersive. Between the location, atmosphere, world-building, and multiple plotlines it could have been overwhelming, but it instead balances out and kept me pulled through this book and I read it all in less than a day (and immediately needed to start the next one).

So excited to read what I have found is a new favorite series, I can't wait to see more.

Wow, I truly could not put this book down! I devoured this book, like neglected-all-responsibilities-to-read-this-in-two-days devoured. I haven’t read a King Arthur retelling quite like this. I really liked the uniqueness of it.

The plot was really intriguing. The fae court can only have one heir, and as twins were birthed, and Veyka being second born and without powers, was locked away and tortured by her mother in hopes to instill powers in her. Once Arthur become king, he frees Veyka and locks mommy dearest away. That is until he dies and Veyka is betrothed to the Brutal Prince. I really enjoyed their chemistry, while I was a bit confused why Veyka hated Arran, I can chalk it up to her PTSD, hatred for being crowned Queen, and him being in closest proximity. Their enemies to lovers plot line was great.

Huge thank you to the author and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

I’m still reeling from the cliffhanger ending!! Luckily I have the next book waiting.
I enjoyed the world building of this book and I really enjoyed the last 1/3 of the book. Things really started to come together then and the plot seemed to take off.
The FMC seems to have finally found her footing by the end and I think I’ll enjoy seeing her growth in the next book. A word of warning there are some super dark elements to this book which may be triggering.

I would say a strong 3.5/5 for me with fingers crossed for the next book.

Thank you to Emberly Ash and NetGalley for letting me read this book in exchange for a review!

Key Points:
Arthurian legend retelling
Enemies to lovers-ish
Shifters
Elemental magic
Arranged marriage
Badass FMC
Touch her and die
Spice
Political/court intrigue

I enjoyed reading this book so much! It's a loosely based retelling of Arthurian legend in a fascinating fantasy world filled with fae, spice, and political intrigue.

Veyka, our FMC, endured hell before her brother came to her rescue. She's harboring a secret that she believes makes her weak, and has trained endlessly to hone her body into a weapon. She's stubborn and has some tunnel vision when it comes to revenge, but I loved watching her grow and learn to trust others.

The MMC, Arran, known as the Brutal Prince, is unexpectedly betrothed to Veyka upon her ascension to Queen. He honors and upholds his duty to the kingdom, doing whatever it takes to protect the realm and Veyka. It was amazing to witness him learn more about Veyka and realize just how cunning and protective of the kingdom she is as well. He's broody and has an inner beast with a fierce temper, but Veyka matches him in every way.

I would definitely recommend this book for romantasy readers. It ends on a cliff, but thankfully Book 2 is out!

3.5 stars
In "Crown of Earth and Sky," author Ash weaves a twisted mythology retelling of the Arthurian legend, blending fantasy, romance, and dark elements into a captivating narrative. The story revolves around Veyka Pendragon, the newly crowned Queen of the Elemental Fae, as she navigates a treacherous court, seeks revenge on those who betrayed her and grapples with a dangerous secret that could unravel her world.

The strength of the novel lies in its characters, particularly the formidable and relatable female protagonist, Veyka. The characters are easily likable, and the banter between characters adds a layer of charm to the story. Veyka's resilience and strength make her a compelling lead, She really reminds me of Aelin from ToG.

While the strengths of "Crown of Earth and Sky" are evident, there are some drawbacks that affected my rating of this book. One notable aspect is the rapid progression of the romance between the main characters. The declaration of love in the first book felt a bit rushed for me as did all of the steamy scenes. Along with a fast-paced romance, the storyline occasionally becomes confusing, making it challenging to follow the intricate web of plot twists and character motivations. I hope to see some character growth from Veyka, I think that would solve most of the issues I had with this book.

Despite these drawbacks, the novel presents a fresh take on familiar mythology and offers an intriguing blend of fantasy and romance. Fans of the Arthurian legend will appreciate the unique twists, and those who enjoy strong female protagonists will find Veyka's journey compelling. I would love to read the 2nd book in the series and I can't wait to see what unfolds next!

I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Right off the bat this book had a strong start.
-Arranged Marriage
-Enemies to Lovers
-Magic
-Fae / Shifters
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This dark romance fantasy follows Veyka Pendragon and her journey to the throne she was never meant to rule. The book hooked me from the beginning, jumping right in which I love. I did find the spice was there fairly early on in the book and while I generally prefer a slightly slower burn, with more build up, it was an enjoyable read for me. The ending left off with a cliffhanger and I’m looking forward to reading the second book in this series.

I really liked this one and the cover is beautiful. This was a fantasy romance that was fast paced and interesting. I also loved the romance. Veyka and Arran made a great match for each other and I just couldn’t get enough of them.
I didn’t find it very dark and it was realistic. I recommend this book if you like fantasy and I’m excited for book 2.
4.5⭐️
Thanks Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op.

Rating: 3.5 stars

I had a lot of fun reading this book! It definitely brought me out of the slight reading slump I was in.

The highlight of the book for me was the characters. We have our FMC Veyka who is grieving the loss of her brother. She is despondent and disinterested in everything except avenging her brother’s death. She was so tough and independent, but also just in so much pain. I really enjoyed her character arc in this first instalment and I’m excited to see her growth in the next book. And then we have Arran🙈 Ahhh I loved him so much! He was grumpy and ruthless, but with Veyka, we got to see different sides to him. The romance between Veyka and Arran was a great slow-burn romance. There is no she fell first, he fell harder situation here because Arran just fell HARD, that’s it. He was resisting his feelings for so long, but we knew that he was a goner for her🤭

We have also have a great group of supporting characters. Gwen and Parys were some of my favourites. Both of them have suffered following Arthur’s death, but they handle it in different ways. I really hope we get to see them find some happiness in the next book because they deserve it.

The only reason I didn’t give it a higher rating was because I felt that the world-building and the plot were confusing at times. Some things were not explained clearly and it would take me a few pages to grasp what was going on. But that didn’t stop this book from being super addicting and I can’t wait to dive into the second book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was amazing! The romance was beautifully done and the writing was perfect. I absolutely loved the plot line and it was very well planned out.