But Lor doesn't belong in the Sun Queen Trials. She doesn't understand why she was freed, and 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 wiped off the gameboard, permanently. The Bachelor meets the Hunger Games. Ten women. A deadly contest. Only one can win the Sun King's heart. Lor is rescued, or is it kidnapped? You will have to find out! She is forced to participate in the deadly Sun Queens Trials to rule beside the Sun King; Atlas. Her conditions seem to have improved drastically, now she has a chance to save her family and rule with a handsome and charming man beside her...but why does it still feel like a prison?

Nope, there's no romance in the book, just insta-lust all over it. Their whole conversation is so cringeworthy I was tormented reading it.I’m unsure if this is a debut by the author or not, but there’s a definite unpolished and stilted quality to the character development and the dialogue was cliche and made me cringe way too often. The obvious villains and heroes of the book kind of fell flat because they were caricatures instead of truly fleshed out characters that would make me want to learn more about them. Like I said, I’ve read them five or more times in the past.

The fantasy aspect of the book was the only reason I didn't rate this lower. The general premise behind it, although predictable, was relatively interesting, but just was not fledged out. Nothing really got the time to fully be explained.if atlas was master of illusion i wondered if he made his super fancy appearance and in reality he’s very repulsive like his personality (the truth about which we will learn only later🙄🙄🙄 we indeed learned it later). he was sleazy with his complements, they had bad aftertaste. Thank you, Lor. One thing I’ve always hoped for in a bonded partner is someone who can make me become a better version of the Fae I am.”

Characters: resilient and strong FMC. A kind and stupidly good-looking Sun King. Irritating (but kinda funny) Captain/escort. Curious and mysterious Prince of Aurora. i cringed every time atlas was in the scene. maybe it was me but his every remark felt condescending. if the sun king was getting to know all the tributes and smooching them in dark corners of the castle then how this book was different from the bachelor?? but thankfully i’ve read everything sjm written i so i didn’t invest in him. I'm not even joking, it feels wrong to even say that there was romance in this book, because it was a joke 😭.He tells me of the forgotten realm of Heart and its fallen queen. Its lost Artefact—a crown with a blood-red stone.” I’m drawn to this Fae whenever he’s in the room. He’s a flower and I’m a bee searching for nectar.” this review contains all the spoilers bc i’m the mastermind and i guessed all twists. bc again i’ve read this before but in different font.