The Half King (Deluxe Limited Edition)

The Half King was such a solid Romantasy read! The concept hooked me right away—a cursed king who literally disappears into nothingness every night? Yes, please. Kian Hannibal Mortara is a royal caught in an ancient curse that threatens to steal him away forever on his 21st birthday. And Cerise Solon, our FMC, is sent to court as a would-be Seer—only she has no gift of prophecy, or any magic at all.What I really liked was the fresh spin on the fantasy worldbuilding. The idea that every noble house carries a different curse from the goddess makes the setting feel rich and layered. But it was the romance that kept me reading—the forbidden slow-burn between Kian and Cerise was intense, emotional, and full of heart. Their bond builds gradually as Cerise is pulled deeper into Kian’s dark fate, and despite the danger, their connection feels both earned and inevitable.And let’s not forget Daerick (Kian’s best friend), who absolutely deserves a spotlight. He brought so much depth, dry humor, and loyal energy to the story—easily one of my favorite supporting characters. I’d read a whole book about him, honestly.Other reasons why readers (myself included) love this book:• Unique, curse-driven worldbuilding with real stakes• Strong, intelligent heroine who’s more than just a romantic lead• Court intrigue, hidden agendas, and tension around every corner• A doomed-to-fade king you can’t help but root for• Satisfying balance between plot, politics, and romanceIf you're into romantasy with a slow-burn, high-stakes love story and an original magical setup, The Half King is definitely worth the read.

I picked up this book because of the stunning cover and sprayed edges—it whispered read me every time I passed it in B&N. Eventually, I gave in. I'm glad I did.Book one of 𝕋𝕙𝕖 ℍ𝕒𝕝𝕗 𝕂𝕚𝕟𝕘 series is a slow-burn epic filled with secrets, shifting alliances, and divine rebellion. The plot centers on Cerise and Kian, whose journey unfolds with the gravity of myth and the grit of mortal ambition. Kian is called the Half King, though that title still feels vague. A deeper explanation would’ve made the stakes feel sharper.This book reads like a war of whispers, reminding me of the Tower of Babel—mortals rising up against the gods. The first-born heirs of noble families try to defy a goddess, but the cost is steep. Cerise’s powers take time to surface, but I stuck around hoping she'd grow into her role. By the end, I was hooked.It nearly lost me in the middle, but the ending reeled me back in. I’ll be reading book two.

For me, is a ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ star read. It was well written and the characters were very complex, pacing was moderate, but I just wanted more to the story and plot. It has religious intolerance and prejudices that may have overshadowed some of the other important plot pieces. However, it is also a love story to female empowerment.***THE SECOND BOOK OF THE SERIES IS TBD***Synopsis: The 6 noble families of the kingdom are cursed. Each family experience a different curse, but it always affects the first or second born of the family. Their fates are predestined and will claim them upon their 20th birthdays. However, an unskilled, magicless seer is sent to be the emissary to the King. A king who is destined to spend his nights in the otherworld and his days fading between the other and his kingdom. A new fate is spun for her if she can find the path to break the curse. But the fates shall not be able to guide her. Will she overcome her self-doubt, forge the path, and save the King? Or will the King be banished to the other world?Impression: I really enjoyed the story once I got past the religious fanaticism. There are a few plot holes, like why one character stays in their tent the whole duration of the quest (never answered). I'm sure some of it was left for the succeeding books, but there were way too many "why is that a thing" or "what about….?" for my liking. I recommend waiting for the next book if you have not yet read this one. Hopefully it fills in the gaps.Tropes: Allies to Lovers, Quest, Prophecy, Chosen One, Forbidden Romance, Found FamilySpice level: 🌶️🌶️ - A few open door scenes, but not overly descriptive or crass.Action/War level: 💥💥 Moderately low - There are a couple of fight scenes, but nothing overly dramatic. Most of the tension is speculative chatter.

I don’t even know where to start, I absolutely loved and devoured this book!! I loved piecing together all the clues along the way but I did •not• see that twist coming at the end!✨cursed nobles ✨firstborn curse ✨faith ✨prophecy ✨self acceptance ✨slow burn ✨spicy romance ✨quest ✨world building ✨feminism✨healing from religious trauma ✨animal sidekick ✨I was hooked from the first chapter! I loved the plot and the overall message of the story which is that love and faith will always win out over corruption. Cerise is an acolyte sent to the King of Mortara to break a 1,000 year curse and along the way deconstructs her rigid, fearful and patriarchal upbringing while keeping her faith in her deity. I loved that she was able to separate the lies from the truth and live in that truth even if it threatened her life.Kian, the king, ahhh such a tortured soul…he has 6 months before the Mortara curse takes him yet is able to hold onto the tiny spark of hope that Cerise brings. He joins her on the journey to break the curse and along the way they are both able to find healing and love in each other. He’s so swoon worthy lol.There are many dangers and trials that must be faced to break the curse and a lot of world building and history into the curse. The story will continue but it doesn’t leave you on too much of a cliffhanger!