The Ever King

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