Kingdom of Tomorrow delivers Gena Showalter’s signature mix of fantasy, romance, and action, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark. The pacing feels uneven, with rushed plot points and underdeveloped world-building. The romance is steamy but leans too much on insta-love. Still, it’s entertaining enough for fans of her style, just not her strongest work.

First and foremost I’d like thank NetGalley & Brilliance Publishing for the amazing opportunity to listen to this gorgeous book. I am forever thankful and my review is a honest reflection of my feelings towards this book.
we enter a world where two have collided and blended into a reality where monsters roam the landscape infected by a disease that turns them violent and murderous.
Our main character Arden is giving the choice to enter the Bala Royal Academy to fight these monsters. She is terrified and has panic attacks making her not the best candidate or so she thinks.
She embarks on a journey where things are not what they seem and now she’s a part of bigger fight she never imagined she would be a part of .
This book was a pleasant surprise of a book that had me enraptured by the world Gena had created. Fiona was the perfect narrator to bring Arden and this unique and dangerous world to life.
I would recommend this book to lovers of:
Enemies to lovers
Unique and dangerous world
Nail biting action
And pallet cleaners books
4 stars

So, for the first part of the book, I must say… it was slow…
And, there was a lot going on and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to follow it…

But then, the MFC, Arden, went to training school… and met Cyrus… who is a high prince, AND a ruthless trainer! (And, seemed like a real piece of work… if you ask me… but I know, no one is asking…) 🤣
She absolutely WANTS to hate him, but instead is cursing herself for finding herself attracted to him! 😮😕
What is wrong with her???

You are brought into the different worlds/realms and all the good and bad that go along with them… and I have to say, it was a really tough decision as to who she should side with! And, she questions herself all the time…
Is she doing the right thing? How is she going to keep her mother safe? Where are her friends? Are they ok?

Some world building. Lots of fighting, killing and brutality. Some friendships forged. Some love interests. And… trying to find the RIGHT PATH to move forward, and hopefully, save their world!

4 bold stars for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

#KingdomOfTomorrow:Book of Arden, Book #1.
By @GenaShowalter and narrated nicely by @FionaHardingham.
(So, apparently this is the start of a new series! I believe it’s the first I’ve read from this author, but hopefully will not be the last!!)

*** THIS WAS JUST RELEASED ON 9/1/25 !!! SO, LOOK 👀 FOR IT ON SHELVES NOW!! ***

Thanks so much to #NetGalley, #BrillianceBooks and #BrillianceAudio for an ARC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

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At 40% and I’m DNF’ing this one. I’m so bored and I don’t really care about the characters at all. I’ve never read this author but have heard good things. Maybe I’ll try another novel from them but this one was a miss for me.

Unfortunately, this one was not for me. I thought the premise of the book was interesting, with the cured being the leaders of society, and a madness overtaking the land that turns people into violent murderers.

I felt that the world-building could have been a bit more developed, and the characters felt one-dimensional. Our lead character, Arden, catches the attention of the High Prince (HP), as well as the secret Tome Society - for seemingly no reason. There isn't anything that stands out about her character that would lead you, as the reader, to understand what exactly makes her stick out above the other candidates in school. I felt like I was missing significant character descriptions, as I couldn't envision how anyone really looked.

I also felt that the characters adopt each other into their lives too quickly - Shiloh is quick to fall for Arden, and his friends immediately bring her into their circle without a lot of getting to know each other. Likewise, HP falls for Arden without a lot of care for what other people might think or how people could treat her differently as a result.

Arden and HP falling for each other also didn't feel realistic to me - I didn't see what appealed to one another, and the "bubblegum" and "lady pink" nicknames were really not my favorite.

It felt like the prince spent a significant amount of time training them in the school, and I wondered about his other responsibilities as prince and how he had time for them.

While I appreciated the narrator during much of the book, I found the male voices to be nasally and shouty, which alienated me from both Shiloh and HP as love interests. Their voices were very robotic, which made me feel like I couldn't trust either of them.

I wanted to love this, and again, found the premise to be very intriguing, but it fell flat for me in the end.

Oh wow, Kingdom of Tomorrow is such a enchanting read! 📚✨ From the very first page, I was completely hooked by Arden’s world—this intriguing blend of two split worlds, filled with broken gods, fallen statues, and heavenly artifacts that are either worshipped or feared. It’s like stepping into a dream that’s both beautiful and a little bit dangerous. 😍🌙

Arden Roosa is such a relatable character; she’s brave but also vulnerable, battling panic attacks and trying to stay safe in a world full of chaos. Her journey of self-discovery is so inspiring, and I loved watching her grow stronger with each challenge she faced. 💪💖 The story beautifully captures her inner struggles and her desire to understand her place in this mysterious universe. The way her character evolves is truly empowering! 🌸✨

And then there's High Prince Cyrus Dolion—oh my goodness, he’s both ruthless and charming! 💖🔥 Their chemistry is so intense, and I loved how their relationship develops amidst all the chaos and danger. The sparks between them really add a layer of depth to the story, making it both exciting and romantic. The tension and chemistry kept me turning pages late into the night! 🌟💕

The plot is jam-packed with twists and turns, from mystical adversaries to secret societies like the Tome Society, who guard an invisible library that seems to hold all the secrets of the future. 🕮🔮 The idea of books that foretell what’s to come is so fascinating, and it made me think about fate, destiny, and how much we really know about the world around us. The more Arden learns about the society, the more mysterious everything becomes, and I loved trying to piece it all together along with her. The story keeps you guessing and wanting more! 😱✨

What I also appreciated was how the author weaves themes of faith, fear, and hope throughout the story. The gods and artifacts add a divine touch, and the way Arden questions what she believes in makes her journey even more compelling. The book’s atmosphere is both lush and tense, with moments of quiet introspection and explosive action, perfectly balanced. 🌸🔥

Overall, this book is a magical blend of fantasy, mystery, and romance—perfect for anyone who loves stories about worlds that are as beautiful as they are dangerous. Whether you're into epic battles, mystical artifacts, or swoon-worthy romance, Kingdom of Tomorrow has it all! I honestly couldn’t recommend it more. It’s a captivating escape that left me dreaming about Arden’s world long after I closed the last page. 💕📖✨

Happy reading, everyone! Get ready for an adventure filled with magic, mystery, and a little bit of romance—you won’t want to miss this one! 🌟😊