3.5 stars ⭐️

I’ll start by saying if the first 70% of the book was anything like the last 30%, this would’ve been a 5 star read. I found the story telling slow and uneventful, and at times I was quite confused and a little bored. I liked the change in character perspectives for the chapters though, as I felt it really brought the story together in the later chapters. When the plot picked up and the action started, this became a completely different book. The development of Essiya’s character increased tenfold and I was absolutely hooked with every single twist and turn. The truth of Arin’s parentage was something I did not see coming but was a very well executed plot twist- it didn’t take away from the story and made perfect sense to the overall plot. The ending frustrated me a bit- it was told beautifully but I just wanted more! I feel if this book was slightly shorter and didn’t spend so much of it world building again it has massive potential. Overall an enjoyable read and a solid finish to the duology.

The Jasad Crown is everything I wanted from the conclusion to The Scorched Throne duology and somehow more. It’s fiercer, darker, and emotionally richer than the first book, and while not every plot thread is as polished as I would’ve liked, the raw intensity of the character arcs and the story’s emotional weight more than make up for it.

Sylvia—now fully Essiya, Queen of Jasad—is such a force in this book. Her inner conflict, the way she constantly walks the edge between becoming a savior or a weapon, was harrowing to read. The exploration of power, especially when it’s born of trauma and responsibility, is so well done. And while she’s undeniably stronger here, it’s her vulnerability, her doubt, her fear of herself, that makes her unforgettable.

But it’s Arin who truly surprised me. His arc is stunning, from loyal heir, torn between family and principle, to someone who chooses truth over tradition, even when it breaks him. His moral unravelling, and the painful clarity that follows, gave this story so much heart. And together, he and Essiya have one of the most believable, beautifully fraught dynamics I’ve read in a while. Enemies to lovers is always fun, but this was something deeper: a relationship built not in spite of their differences, but because of how they challenge and change each other.

The plot moves quickly, at times maybe too quickly. There’s a lot happening: uprisings, lost magic, divine legacies, shifting alliances. And while the lore is fascinating (I would’ve loved more time with the Awaleen especially), there were moments where the pacing edged on overwhelming. Still, the tension never lets up, and the stakes are always personal. You care, deeply, because the characters do.

The ending? Absolutely devastating, in the way all good endings should be. It doesn’t wrap things up with a tidy bow, and it doesn’t need to. The resolution is earned, bittersweet, and achingly real. And the epilogue, gods, the epilogue. That final page broke me in the best possible way.

Sara Hashem has done something truly special here. This duology, with its layered politics, stunning worldbuilding, and unapologetically flawed characters, stands out in a crowded genre. If The Jasad Heir was about surviving, The Jasad Crown is about becoming, and what it costs to be more than what the world expects of you.

Another case of did I finished this or did this finish me?

Sara Hashem has a way with writing that makes me feel every possible emotion while simultaneously wanting to rip my heart out before she makes me feel TOO much.

I really really need her to write more books. Was I brutalized, punched in the gut, slit by the throat, and pierced in the soul by this series? These CHARACTERS!? Yes, yes I was. I don't learn from the consequences of my actions even when I end up on the floor in fetal position drowning in my tears when I was giggling and kicking my feet 2 hours earlier on the couch. Ha! The irony.

The reality is I'm tired. I'm tired of the way Essiya is so stubborn about her obvious love for Arin. I'm tired with Arin's PAIN and the way he says the most romantic things at the most HEARTBREAKING times. Tension so thick it can be cut with his JAWLINE. Arin cannot be topped I'm sorry.

"If your magic takes you, I will drag you back. It cannot have you."
*insert a picture of me melting*

This whole book was just me waiting for them to have a MOMENT of peace.

I'm exhausted because I didn't expect Marek and Sefa to worm themselves into my heart so deeply. CHAPTER 68?? I'M COMING FOR YOU SARA! The way they are so deeply in love but just toe themselves around each other waiting for the other to acknowledge it... oop now I'm crying again.

I can't think of a single flaw in this entire series. Not one. I wanted MORE, and that's saying something because have you seen the SIZE of this book?!??

How can one person feel hollow and immensely heavy at the same time? How am I supposed to recover from the AGONY. I don't think it's possible.

The heart of this story is the power of love. That love not only creates, but can also destroy. It comes suddenly, without anyone's permission. When you realize its presence, it's already too late. Claws have already sunk. It makes us do the most irrational, immature, inconceivable things to protect those we love. But what is love without pain?

As a second book in a duology or series) you expect there will be a couple chapters or repetitive introductions or summary of what happened in the earlier book to catch up the reader - either as a separate chapter or nestled in at the start of the story. It can be annoying for someone who went right from book one and just slow down the story. This book is not that. You launch right into action - the characters don't get a repeat background story - these is reference to the previous book where it makes sense as to what's happening now, but otherwise - you are immediately into the story. So - if you haven't read the first book, stop now - go get it and read it immediately!
With all that being said - the world building is fantastic - intricate details, variety of the landscape, magic system and a lot of characters to keep track of! (There are definitely enough side stories to keep this world going in other book... nudge, nudge Sara!)
The ending. I'm still recovering. You're up, you're down, you're confused and then it makes sense and then your heart is ripped out all over again.

i really tried to live this duology but it felt flat to me. there was so many things going on, so it left me confused at times

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The wait felt like forever, but this book was so worth it! Wrapping up the duology, we're sent on this heart-stopping adventure where Sylvia's magic develops at a terrifying rate and Arin starts to wake up to the awful secrets that have been kept from him. The romance too. Swoon. Multiple POVs give death to the story, spanning across the world. We're introduced to new characters as well, and catch up with some from the first book. I don't want to give too much away, but I 100% recommend this duology to anyone who loves a well developed fantasy with high stakes and breathtaking romance (he literally cannot touch her, but boy does he want to!)

No because…what was that?!???!
I was dreading getting to this book because I was obsessed with book one last year, however this completely blew me away. I did find the first 100-200 pages quite slow, but I was expecting it based on how book one ended, however from then on?? Absolute perfection. The pain this put me through? I had to take several breaks at work while reading because I was in the verge of tears. The epilogues broke me, I was expecting that ending and I actually thought it was going to go worse, but my loving a deranged goose Arin 😭😭😭 and also the deranged goose herself 😭😭😭

Sara Hashem has expertly crafted the final book in this duology, and I loved it. The world building was expanded upon immensely and you really got to understand the politics of the world and its history to a greater degree. The multiple POVs within the book also worked very well, allowing you to see what each character was experiencing, even when they were apart.

Of course the romance was epic, and only built upon the relationship that had been established in book one. I laughed at this book, I cried and I was incredibly moved in many parts. I’d truly recommend this book and this series to anyone who loves a great fantasy story with an epic romance, magic and an amazing cast of characters!

The Jasad Crown is the finale to the Scorched Throne duology.
Sara Hashem brings this story together like a magician, weaving her web and letting us struggle to understand how this will all end - and hopefully end well. All our beloved characters go onto journeys of their own, adventures that may or may not shape who they are and their future.

All I'll say is that this book had me crying, screaming, throwing up.
The epilogue? You are not ready for this.

All the characters go through their own challenges and grow with them, really coming into their own even if it isn't easy for them. The love story is superb, the longing and aching and all that comes with it.

I'm gonna drown myself in this book because it was just SO good. This is a duology that holds up from the first to the last sentence. I know for sure I'll revisit Sylvia and Arin because this duology is just so so good and I'm sure is one of my top reads this year.


Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this arc.

Thank you NetGalley and Little Brown UK for providing me with an e-ARC; this review is my honest opinion.

This book picks up right where The Jasad Heir left off. Our characters are separated and thrown into new situations, which means that we get new POVs in order to be able to follow events everywhere as the world in this book is thrown into turmoil and upheaval. The new POVs help understand the events, what's happening and how it ties into each other; only Sylvia's limited POV would have not been enough to showcase the extent of the chaos this world is thrown into, so well done to the author there.

The Jasad Heir has an enemies-to-lovers and opposites attract trope done right, and this book builds on that. The character arcs of the FMC and MMC feel realistic, I can see their ultimate attraction to each other and how it influences the choices they make, even in the light of duty and what they feel they should do. The conversations these characters have with each other are beautiful, I highlighted quite a couple of them on my e-reader. The epilogue will absolutely break you, be warned.

I enjoyed the politicking that happens in this book and how characters use the law and the loopholes in them to get what they want. It's very clever, but has consequences eventually and that is another thing that's done very right in this book. Things do not go unpunished.

Two minor gripes I have are the magic system, which feels very surface level and isn't very fleshed out, and the amount of concepts in this book. I would've appreciated a reminder here and there about what a certain creature was again, for example. This doesn't mean that the story can't be followed, but in order to really appreciate some scenes, it would've been nice.

All in all, a good conclusion to this duology! Sara Hashem isn't afraid to break your heart, and this book is the stronger for it.

I loved the first book, The Jasad Heir so much that I had very high expectations for this one, I’m pleased to say that it didn’t disappoint. A really strong conclusion to a fabulous duology.

At its core, this is an enemies-to-lovers story done so well. The tension is real, the stakes are high, and the emotional payoff is so satisfying. There are some truly heartbreaking moments that had me holding my breath.

And I have to say… that epilogue. One of the best I’ve read in a long time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orbit for an eARC in exchange for an honest review

I ugly cried my HEART out for the last forty minutes of this book. Full on raging against these characters and the decisions they were forced to make for each other. It was absolutely brutal and if I think about the ending for too long I upset myself again 😭
For me, this far outshone book 1 (and I really enjoyed the first book!!) and the knowledge that it's a duology and therefore now finished is pretty devastating.
One of the most immersive reading experiences I've had in so long, even when my e-reader was at home switched off I would be out and about still thinking about the characters. Finished and felt like I'd had my heart ripped out, 10/10

4.5 ⭐

What an epic conclusion to this story!
First of all, the writing is so much better compared to the previous book. Astounding!

The story picks up where the previous book ended. Right from the start we notice that the narrative is told through multiple POVs, which only enhances the entire reading experience. We get to see several sides and more insight to the plot, of the magic system and what forms this can take.

Unlike "The Jasad Heir", the tone and plot are a lot darker, there is so much happening that you absolutely find it difficult to put the book down! In spite of that, this sometimes leaves you a bit confused and makes it difficult to keep up. I would've honestly liked for something to be hinted at in the first book, to build some tension, leaving the reader with enough crumbs to still be shocked when a resolution was exposed in this second instalment.
We are presented a lot more about the lore and the world, but I would've liked to know more about the Awaleen and how they got to the point of the entombment. We are only given a bit of information about them at the end of the book.

Regarding the characters, I loved that their growth was done in such a natural way; they didn't go through a whole 180, but adapted and changed after going through challenging and heartbreaking situations (Sara, my heart shattered at the 93% mark!!)
I have to say: Arin's character arc was by far the best in the series. It's astonishing where he started and where he ended up; all that he went through and all that he learned; brilliantly done! Compared to Essiya / Sylvia, I found him a much stronger character. His feelings came through a lot stronger, I could empathize more.

I loved how the story just came together, how the conflict was solved. It wasn't just patched up and everybody was happy. It showed that everyone still had work to do to reach their happy ending, or something very close to it.
And the EPILOGUE! My God! It kept me on the edge of my seat. At some point, I started to think she cannot do this to us, she cannot leaves us like this. But in the end, we got what we expected until the very last sentence (literally!!). Beautifully done!

When I think about the fact that this is a debut duology, I get excited for what Sara Hashem might come out with next. This definitely had them all: unique lore, dark and action-filled plot, well-built characters that change and grow along with the story, a heart-warming romance filled with yearning. Oh, the yearning!

Definitely recommend The Scorched Throne duology!
Thank you NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for the honor of reading this e-arc!

This book absolutely captivated me in the most delightful way! What began as a quietly enchanting fantasy blossomed into an unforgettable experience by the final pages that genuinely resonated and astonished me.

The writing style was particularly remarkable. The author’s prose has an almost lyrical quality—elegant, reflective, and beautifully crafted. Each chapter pulled me deeper into the story, inviting me to pause and revel in the exquisite descriptions of pivotal moments. It’s one of those rare books where you find yourself marveling at how perfectly a scene is portrayed.

The plot itself felt intricately woven and complete. Everything aligned in a way that felt deliberate and earned. It's a rarity to find a duology that leaves you thoroughly satisfied, but this one nailed it!

I’m on the fence between giving it 4.5 and 5 stars—while it may not have been wildly dramatic or groundbreaking, its power lies in its subtlety, exquisite writing, and the impression it left on my heart.

That said, one aspect did frustrate me: the characters' constant neglect of sleep and food. I get it’s a fantasy world, but their extreme physical disregard felt distracting and pulled me out of the narrative at times. I longed for a touch more realism in their everyday survival.

Nevertheless, despite this one slight irritation, this duology shines as something truly extraordinary—subtle, moving, and utterly irresistible!

3.5 stars.

An enjoyable conclusion to the Scorched Throne duology.

We follow our fmc Sylvia who has been captured by the Urabi, who believe she is the one who can restore power to their former homeland. Meanwhile, our mmc Arin is in search of Sylvia at his father’s commands, however on this journey he learns some truths. I did like the enemies to lovers between Sylvia and Arin, and enjoyed when Sylvia could use her magic to appear where Arin was and we still got to see them interact with each other despite being apart, however it was just good and not amazing.
I enjoyed that we got multiple character povs, especially Sefa and Mareks, which I found particularly interesting after Sylvia’s magic had made them vanish at the end of the first book.

It was worth reading for the ending especially.

I did enjoy this duology, however it didn’t blow me away, but was still a solid read.

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I’m so sorry this duology is over! I had already enjoyed book one but I absolutely loved the end of this series, so many things that had previously been hinted finally start making sense and the complete tapestry is quite brilliant!
I loved our main characters even more and i very much appreciated the added povs and the focus on other secondary characters. I wish there was a novella to meet them again🥺
Overall this book has everything: a rich worldbuilding, complex, fascinating and visceral characters with twisted morals and ready to do everything it takes for the bigger picture. Silvya and Arin’s relationship is memorable, just think of this quote:
“ The home she had carved inside him, where the air smelled like her hair and the bells sounded like her laugh. A place where he could rest until he was old and weary, where he could only sleep with his hand settled over her heart”

The last part of the book was definitely bittersweet, painful to read as Essiya came to realise her fate but also hopeful until the last page. Well done!!

Thank you to orbit uk, netgalley and the author for a chance to read an arc of this beautiful, evocative book. All opinions are my own!

I am super grateful to the author for allowing me to be an ARC reader for this book

I absolutely loved this book, I will say the middle was kind of sluggish but I found myself wanting to go back to the book again and again in my free time which is the best thing you could ask for as a reader

I will say however that the ending didn’t give me everything I wanted. The conflict was perfectly executed however the aftermath was something I feel should have ended different. I won’t say too much as there are spoilers and I did still adore this book but the ending definitely bought it down from a 5 star

Absolutely adored the first book of this duology - The Jasad Heir.
Was so happy to be able to read the second and final part of this story.
Very unique story telling, and I'm very satisfied with how this story ended!

🌟🌟🌟🌟 4/5 stars

The conclusion to the Scorched Throne duology delivers everything I hoped for and more. Just like the first book, this sequel is packed with high-stakes action, emotional tension, and a rich, Egyptian-inspired setting that completely swept me away. I loved returning to this world—the mountain refuge, the ruined Jasadi fortress, and the desert landscapes were all so vividly described that I felt fully immersed in every scene.

Sylvia’s journey is just as gripping as before, if not more so. Her internal struggles, her fight to reclaim Jasad without losing herself, and her complicated connection to Arin kept me turning the pages. The stakes felt real, the magic was beautifully woven into the story, and I appreciated how the political intrigue deepened rather than just repeating what we saw in book one.

This was a satisfying, emotional conclusion that balanced character growth, war, and hope. I highly recommend the duology to fans of fantasy with powerful heroines, layered world-building, and settings that feel truly unique.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sylvia, the chemist’s apprentice and Champion of Nizhal, is gone. Only Essiya remains now, Queen of Jasad. No longer supressed, Essiya’s magic reigns free and it is a force to be reckoned with. Unfortunately it is not her enemies that seem to be the main target, but her mind. With armies rallying against them the Jasadi’s have only one hope: raise the fortress of Jasad. The last person to raise the fortress died, but Essiya isn’t concerned about that. She’ll take a hero’s death over going insane and killing everyone. Her only worry is whether she can hold onto her sanity long enough to raise the fortress. And whether a certain Nizhal Heir will try to stop her, either to save her life or to destroy her people.

The slow burn enemies to lovers reaches peak tension in this book as Arin and Essiya stand on opposite sides of a decades old war. Every decision they make is driven by both love and anger, a balancing act which seems to work surprisingly well for them. Arin’s strategic mind comes into full play in this book and, despite the distance and opposition, they manage to work together to reach the joint goal of peace. This is thanks to the work done in the first book to build up their relationship to a point where they can now predict each other’s movements and the reasoning behind them; a very clever form of character development from Sara Hashem. I also love how in the first book their own secrets tore them apart and in this one the secrets of others work to bring them back together.

Individually the characters also go through a lot of development in this book, both learning to give freedom to their emotions instead of locking them away or ignoring them. Essiya learns how to think of others and make decisions for the greater good instead of purely for survival. She also begins to heal from the trauma of her childhood, embracing who she is and letting other in. Arin’s development is a lot more explosive. His logical world view also takes a massive hit, which leaves him fragmented and unstable. Instead of learning to let more people is, he faces a hard lesson about trust and who really deserves his. Only when they are together do these new versions of themselves make sense.

I found the ending of this book immensely satisfying. It has sacrifice and loss and grief, but it also has hope, healing and a touch of magic.