Curse of Shadows and Thorns
The Broken Kingdoms, Book 1
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Narrated by:
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Stina Nielsen
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Written by:
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LJ Andrews
About this listen
A rebellious princess. A cursed rogue. A forbidden love that will bring a kingdom to its knees.
As niece of the king, Elise Lysander cares about two things: sneaking into gambling dens, and avoiding an advantageous marriage at all costs.
When her uncle holds the life of her deathly ill father over her head, reluctantly, Elise puts her fate into the hands of Legion Grey, the handsome and mysterious dowry negotiator. He may be arrogant and infuriating, but soon Legion incites a blistering, forbidden passion she can’t ignore.
As their attraction grows, so do the dangers: attacks from black-eyed people, a cursed enemy who is more beast than man, and rumors of fae returning for the crown they believe was stolen from them long ago.
After a bloody coup upends the kingdom, Elise flees with Legion, but nothing is as it seems. The man she allowed into her heart reveals his own secret plans with the return of magic—and he has every intention of using Elise to see them through.
With war between magic and mortal on the horizon, Elise must pick a side to protect her kingdom. Does she stand with her people who stole the throne? Or with a man who lied his way into her heart and whose secret past could bring her destruction?
Filled with luscious world building, banter-filled romance, and epic battles, Curse of Shadows and Thorns is the first book in The Broken Kingdoms series.
©2022 LJ Andrews (P)2022 Podium AudioYou may also enjoy...
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🖤 This one is about Elise Lysander, the niece of the king. Elise’s role in her uncle’s household is to do what she is told, but it rankles. She spends most of her time with her friends (who happen to be servants in her household) sneaking out to walk among normal people. When the king finally tells Elise that it’s time for her marriage to be arranged for her, she has little hope for a love match. Agitators would topple the monarchy (they stole the crown from the former fae monarchy, so fair play, honestly) so the expectation is for Elise to ensure the might of her bloodline. But when the matchmaker chosen for her turns out to be handsome and charismatic Legion Grey, another problem arises. None of Elise’s suitors stir her heart like Legion does. Legion holds his cards close to his chest, and when Elise starts to learn his secrets, she has some decisions to make, some that will test her loyalty. 🥀
🖤 I was not surprised to have loved this book so much, since I have been obsessed with every LJ book I’ve read so far, so much so that I joined her street team! I started with the Ever Seas so I had some spoilers for this book but it didn’t affect my enjoyment. I absolutely loved getting to know the young Elise and swooning over Legion. I enjoyed Elise’s story arc because in the beginning she knows her future will be planned out by others, and over the course of the book she begins to wonder if she can shape her own fate. There was a ton of action in this one and I suspect it will just keep going. The secrets that were revealed!! Ahhh some of it caught me off guard! And THAT CHARACTER showing up at the end?! I can absolutely see how people finish the whole nine book series in under a month. Bring on the next one! 🥀
🎧The audiobook is amazing!! I love the narrator (this one is a solo narration). She uses an American accent. The audiobook can be sped up with no distortion.
🖤 As an aside, the Broken Kingdoms series follows four couples, split into a trilogy, another trilogy, a duology, and a standalone. All are interconnected! 🥀
🖤🥀Curse of Shadows and Thorns by LJ Andrews🥀🖤
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Surprised
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Shadow and thorns
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶/5
This book was fantastic! While my family battles covid, I read this book in three days and honestly couldn't put it down.
I know people claim it is much like Armentrout's novels and there is some frustration there, but who can argue that all authors take ideas and guidance from their favourite authors? Come on people! I've read so many fae novels and almost all draw something from ACOTAR or ToG! This is normal! And it's been a while since I read Jennifer's first Blood and Ash book, but I didn't draw that many huge comparisons.
This book was engaging, fun, and honestly have surprises in it. I often find I can guess plot twists and major surprises in books but this book took me by surprise at least 3 times.
It is a major contender for my favourite book list. It's really a nail biter and had me on my toes after the first surprise. I didn't find it too similar to other books nor did I find the plot basic.
I really enjoyed it and feel everyone should give it a read!
I'm off to read book two right this second!
Not super spicy but it hints at future spice and did have some samplers to wet the tastebuds to what is undoubtfully in store.
The plot was solid and didn't feel rushed or slow. Honestly, it was well paced.
The characters had great backgrounds and you got to really bond with them and get inside their heads (it is a single pov and a first person pov.).
Honestly it's a great read and I highly recommend it!
What a magnificent read!
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