DNF December Review Blitz — Day #1: I’m sharing my thoughts on some book series that I have marked as incomplete as I have never finished the first novel in the series. Find out why these weren’t for me:
Synopsis for Trial of the Sun Queen (from Goodreads):
Ten women. A deadly contest. Only one can win the Sun King’s heart.
Lor has endured twelve long years of torment under the Aurora King’s rule. Her only desire is to escape and pay him back for every moment of misery she’s endured.
When a surprise release finds her in the hands of the rival Sun King, Lor is thrust into the spotlight as she competes against nine other Tributes for the role of queen. If she wins his heart, she’ll earn her freedom and finally get her revenge.
But Lor doesn’t belong in the Sun Queen Trials. Not only does she not understand why she was freed, she isn’t a citizen of the Sun King’s court. The other Tributes resent her presence and will stop at nothing to ensure Lor is removed from the competition, permanently.
Now Lor must win, because if she loses, she dies. Or worse, she’ll be returned to the evil—and now vengeful—Aurora King.
Author: Nisha J Tuli
Series: Artefact Ouranos
# of Books: 4 (Full Reading Order Here)
Book Order: Chronological
Complete?: Yes
Genre: New Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Faerie
Heat Rating: Unsure
Point of View: First Person, Multiple
Publication Dates: September 2023 – November 2024
Source & Format: Kindle Unlimited–eBook
Disclaimer: I stopped reading Trial of the Sun Queen at 43% (start of Chapter 15) and have opted not to pick up the sequels. Find out why below…
Why I Picked it Up / My Expectations:
I found this on a whim when I had my Kindle Unlimited subscription and it sounded right up my alley: I love faerie stories and the idea of a trial or competition sounded like a lot of fun to read about.
What I Liked:
Um, I can’t really pinpoint something that I really liked but I supposed I enjoyed the idea of this story. I love the tension that comes from a good forbidden romance…but that didn’t really happen
What I Didn’t Like:
–Plot Felt Aimless–
I was nearly halfway through this book and no trial to be found. And that would have been ok had there been other things like a romance or any world building to get acquainted with but alas, nada. So I just felt like this book wasn’t really progressing in a way to keep my interest as a reader.
–Undeveloped World Building–
I felt like I was expected to understand that political hierarchy of the world right from the start. As if it is obvious why Lor is in prison and why the Sun King needs to have a contest to find his queen. But nothing is really ever explained, just assumed. I just felt lost and like I missed some key chapters.
Will I Finish It?
When my Kindle said I had HOURS left of this book when I was at the 43% mark, I just felt like the time I had already invested didn’t really pay back.
My Rating: DNF
Trial of the Sun Queen DNF | Rule of the Aurora King N/A | Fate of the Sun King N/A | Tale of the Heart Queen N/A
If you enjoy slow building stories, maybe this will work for you. But I needed a little more stimulation to keep me pushing forward.
Read if You Like: romantasy
Avoid if You: want stronger world building
- Curse of Shadows and Thorns by L J Andrews (The Broken Kingdoms Series #1)
- Mortal Queens by Victoria McCombs (The Fae Dynasty Series #1)
Have you read this? Should I return to this series? Leave a comment!
