Healer to the Broken King by Avie Adams

This early review copy was gifted to me by author Avie Adams. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Title: Healer to the Broken King

Series: Brides of Myth

Author: Avie Adams

Release Date: July 15, 2024

Publisher: Independently Published

Genre: Romantasy

Source: digital, Avie Adams

TW: injury/injury detail, domestic abuse, death, misogyny, sexism, panic attacks/disorders

Synopsis

A gods-favored Priestess mustn't fall for a godless king.

Calliste, a divine-aided healer hiding gruesome scars, has been waiting nine years to take her sacred vows. But when this day finally comes, she is abducted... by the uncompromising King Theron, who storms into her sanctuary with fury in his piercing dark eyes.

Theron demands her help and blackmails her into obedience. Which means she must journey with him to the glittering capital - the very place that marked her with nightmares and scars.

She should hate him for it, yet forced so close, she glimpses aspects of him that don't match his forbidding facade.

Darkness that sings to hers.

Secrets that shatter her heart.

And truths that steal it.

Soon, she burns for him just as much as he’s obsessed with her – a love that sparks envy from the god she serves.

Calliste will soon find out that helping Theron has plunged her into a deadly game among the immortals.

It can cost Theron his kingdom, and Calliste… her life.

Thoughts

I loved this book very much. The author, Avie Adams, has a gift for world-building that made the ancient world come alive in my mind.

One of the aspects I adored the most was the slow burn relationship between Calliste and Theron. The way their interactions evolved over time felt natural and deeply emotional. Each stolen glance and hesitant touch added layers to their connection, making it all the more satisfying when their feelings began to surface.

The mystery surrounding Theron’s son, Kalias, and his illness had me hooked from the beginning. I found myself eagerly turning pages, desperate to uncover the truth behind his condition. Similarly, Calliste’s past and the tragic death of Theron’s wife, Amatheia, were shrouded in secrecy, keeping me on the edge of my seat as the story unfolded.

The cliffhanger at the end? It had me biting my nails in anticipation. I’m incredibly excited for the next book in this series. The suspense and unresolved questions left me yearning for more, and I can’t wait to see how the story continues to develop.

It’s astonishing to realize that this is Avie Adams’ debut book. The writing was so polished and the plot so well-crafted that it felt like the work of a seasoned author. Her ability to weave together compelling characters, intricate mysteries, and a richly detailed world is truly impressive.

Overall, "Healer to the Broken King" was a fantastic read that exceeded my expectations. I’m eagerly looking forward to reading more of Avie Adams’ work and seeing where this series takes me next!