Author: L.J. Andrews
Series: The Ever Seas #1
Genre: Fantasy, pirates, enemies-to-lovers
Pages: 408
Release Date: July 19, 2023
My Thoughts on The Ever King
I loved this book – I read it super quickly!! I was excited to read a “pirate” fantasy romance, though this one has a twist since they’re sea fae. Also, a quick note: this series is standalone, but it’s set in the same world as Broken Kingdoms by this author. I did not read the Broken Kingdoms series, but I easily figured out that this Ever Seas series is set in the future and focuses on the children from the other series.
“Such a beautiful little bird. What a pity it was that her serpent had come to ruin her.”
Erik Bloodsinger
Erik Bloodsinger is the King of the Ever Kingdom. He and his kingdom are trapped in their realm under the sea – locked out by a spelled chasm from the earth-side realm after losing the war. He’s been patiently waiting for the spell to be broken, so he can claim back a powerful relic that belongs to his family.
Livia Ferus remembers the Ever King from when he was a boy stuck in her father’s (literal Viking fae daddy) dungeon during the war. She’d visit him and read him stories about a Songbird and a Serpent. He was banished back to the sea, but he promised he’d be back. And Livia might just be the reason why. She unknowingly broke the spell keeping him out of her realm.
Erik is out for vengeance, and maybe the best way to get back at the killer of his father is to steal that king’s daughter.
I love a kidnapping – what can I say?! Obviously, it’s helpful when they know each other from the past and are pretty much guaranteed to be mates – hello matching tattoo symbol things.
“Careful with your threats of my untimely death, love, or you might end up stealing my heart.”
Erik Bloodsinger
I wasn’t sure how the Ever realm was going to work with their people being sea fae – when I started the book, I just thought they were underwater and maybe lived in like a bubble but apparently when you go through the chasm, it’s “two sides of the same coin” so they have their own islands and land above water. Their ships are also built to travel above or below water which was cool. I loved all the pirate and crew lore that was in the book!
Erik’s supposed to hate Livia, but he’s drawn to her, and he remembers the young girl that visited him and gave him hope. Erik has a lot of trauma and even physical scars as reminders; I still feel like I’m confused as to why he was fighting in wars as a kid. He’s morally grey, and he pretty much kills anyone that steps out of line or does anything remotely traitorous – as he should though!! Also, did I mention his blood can kill people? So, everyone is scared of him.
“Hate me all you want, but don’t regret me. Promise me that.”
Erik Bloodsinger
Livia gets over being kidnapped quickly, which I didn’t mind. She figures out that there’s more to Erik’s plan than just vengeance and hatred of her people. Erik’s trying to save his realm. Their land is dying – it’s cursed. And Livia might just be able to help – she’s an earth fae and can heal the land. Match made in heaven?!
Overall, I loved Erik and Livia getting to know each other again, on very different terms. I loved the side characters and friends, and literally everyone has such cool and different powers – it was fun to discover them. The plot was interesting, and the ending left me ready for book 2!
Farewell Thoughts
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