The Ever King

Oh dear. In a "spicy pepper book club" with 3 friends, and none of us loved this. Too much telling, not showing, and the characters were a bit wooden. I liked the concept of the world, though!

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. The characters were varied and interesting, and actually felt like people with their own stories, goals, and behaviors. The world building was unexpectedly awesome, with a really cool magic system that I haven't seen anywhere else before. And finally, the plot was really engaging. I couldn't put this book down!

I don't typically enjoy books with a darker hero, but I ended up really liking Erik. His actions could be brutal at times, but he was also thoughtful and seriously hiding a lot of wounds and a secret heart.

Our heroine Livia was also great to read about. She struck a graceful balance between softness and snark, and I actually felt like I could relate to her emotions and desires a lot throughout the story.

10/10 book, and I'm literally about to start the sequel...right now

This was a delightfully engrossing read and one that once I feel into it I could not put down. This book has all the hallmarks that I long for in a Romantasy book and all done in an original way. Think of this combination Enemies to Lovers, Morally Grey MMC, Snark and Banter, Forced Proximity Possessive Lovers and did I mention Pirates, Fae, and Vikings? This is a unique story of a beautifully detailed world and lovers who do take that title seriously. The spice in this book is just right but it high and will leave you fanning yourself when the moment arises, all the tension and the banter between Livia and Erik truly was setting the stage for The Moment.

This is my first book by LJ Andrews and it will not be my last!

I really loved this book and I am glad that I decided to give it a try! I really love how it's written, the pace and how lovable the MCs are. I thought it would be darker, though, but I am happy to say it's not as dark as it seems. The spice was also kinda good. Anyway, it might be my favorite book so far and, perhaps, for the whole year <3

Ate this up!!

I had very low expectations going into this after being burned by some bookstagram famous indie enemies-to-lovers books. It took some getting used to the writing but once that started flowing all I wanted to do was read this book! It was a fun ride, I loved all of the side characters especially Celine and Sewell and the romance was top-notch. Erik is my new book husband. I've already downloaded the second book!!

Epic story. Kinda like pirates of the Caribbean but not at all. Actually they are just on a ship. Same thing. Whatever I ate this up.

3.5 stars ✨

5★ —
❝ Hate me all you want, but don't regret me. Promise me that. ❞

pirates, vikings, magic, enemies-to-lovers, found family... what's not to love

Fae Pirates. I knew there was something missing from my life but I didn't realise it was Fae Pirates until reading this book.

Erik Bloodsinger is King of the Ever, a land plagued by a mysterious blight and locked off from the earth fae lands by the Chasm after the last Great War. Livia Ferus, daughter of Valen and Elise, blood of the Night Folk Fae, once read stories to a young boy who was held captive. Stories about a Serpent and a Songbird. As a child, she rewrote the ending. As an adult she flipped the story. “Don't let your guard down, love. Not in the Ever.”

For the first time in a long time, I was itching to pick this book up every time I put it down but at the same time reluctant to keep reading because I wanted to exist in this word forever. We begin with a little girl and boy held captive sharing moment under the moon, utterly forbidden. With much war and no lost love, separated by a magical wall are these two drawn back together in the name of vengeance.

What ensues after is just utter perfection. The banter and reluctant pull to each other. The lovable characters and the ones who eventually grew on you. The writing is utter perfection. Me and my boyfriend were talking about how when you are reading or playing a game and you get sucked into that world until someone calls you name or you hear a noise do you realize that it all wasn't real. That was this book for me. I never thought I could feel like I knew this completely fictional place like the back of my hand but oh do I. This may be the first fantasy book to steal my heart and I can't be more happy about it.

The characters are crafted beautifully. There is perfect anxiety representation and the way Erik talked Livia down, brought peace with racing thoughts was so beautiful. Livia taught Erik that imperfections did not make him weak but instead showed growth. The development between these characters made me so incredibly proud. I adore everything about this boom genuinely could not pick a single flaw.

That ending, what was that? Both were abducted by people who would rather them die than live? I can't believe Livia's family and friends ambushed Erik like that. Imagine if their own daughter was with him and they killed her.

AND the part I really wanted to bring up, Larsson. Villain era. Hell, the guy has wreaked havoc everywhere but I'm not surprised to find out he was the one that caused all of this, it doesn't surprise me at all. I had a feeling when they abducted Livia and he said something about playing the Ever King when Livia fell under the sea fae song. It just struck me as odd that he would say such a thing when he could tell Livia didn't care about who fulfilled her desire. It was a massive giveaway put so far forward it probably would never have gotten picked up if I didn't find it odd.

Anyways 3.5 stars