#The Evergreen Heir by A.K. Mulford

[betterbooksandthings]

"A-spec and asexual romance novels might just be my favorite kind of romance novels. The communication is next level, the interpersonal plots are to die for, and, even better, at least one character is ace.

Really, the A-spec community has a lot to offer romance readers who’ve already bought into the project of romance at large. I.e. readers buy into the idea that the characters are going to have a happily ever after or happy for now (HEA/HFN). The joy of romance is figuring out just how those two people will get from point A to point B.

A-spec characters introduce an added layer of communication and consideration into the character’s interpersonal relationship that can sometimes get glossed over or assumed in other relationships. Allosexual and alloromantic couples do not always separate their layers of attraction (sexual, romantic, platonic, aesthetic, etc.). Don’t get me wrong: they can consider the varied ways they are attracted to and want to interact romantically, platonically, or sexually with another person. It just doesn’t happen all too often.

In contrast, I love the range of interactions asexual romance novels give readers. Some decide to do an info-dump style AVEN (Asexual Visibility and Education Network) definition. Others describe how they experience attraction and go into their feelings about what they are comfortable with the people they are in a relationship with. However they happen, these are conversations that clarify and crystalize relationships on the page for readers in satisfyingly intricate ways.

The Range of A-spec and Asexual Romance Novels

There are more and more a-spec and asexual romance books being published every year in every romance subgenre. So, there are more and more opportunities for new approaches to representing a-spec characters in interpersonal relationships with an HEA/HFN that feel more authentic to individual readers. Not every book is going to land for every reader. What I like in these a-spec and asexual romance novels might be something you dislike.

All that being said, I had a terrible time narrowing down my list to just the 16 best asexual romance novels. These books have a range of a-spec characters who are aromantic, asexual, demisexual, demiromantic, and gray ace. I have broken them up into contemporary romance, historical romance, romantasy, horror romance, and paranormal romance."

[transbookoftheday]

The Evergreen Heir by A.K. Mulford

SPOILERS FOR "THE FIVE CROWNS OF OKRITH"!

From bestselling author and TikTok sensation A.K. Mulford comes the fourth book in the Five Crowns of Okrith fantasy series, following a bookish heir’s fight to save their mother and kingdom when an unexpected romance blossoms. The crown is calling their name, yet can their head bear the weight when passion sets hearts racing? Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Sue Lynn Tan, and Jennifer L Armentrout.

A court of revelry. A bookish heir. An impending marriage. And a dark new power rising in the world…

If allowed, Neelo Emberspear would never leave the library. Reluctant to take the throne despite their mother’s faltering health, the neurodivergent bookworm craves escape from their arranged marriage to charming fae warrior Talhan Catullus. But they know their duty can be put off no longer when their mother, the drug-addled queen, disastrously lights the castle on fire.

Fighting to save their mother’s life and keep her on the throne, Neelo is astonished when bonding over the written word brings them closer than ever to their cavalier, soon-to-be husband. But the non-binary heir’s growing affections may be cut short with witch uprisings threatening to topple the entire continent. 

Can Neelo claim both love and dominion before their court is reduced to ash?

[mermaidsirennikita]

ARC Review: The Evergreen Heir by A.K. Mulford

3.5/5. Releases 6/13/2023.

For when you're vibing with... real deal fantasy romance, friends to lovers by way of arranged marriage, and a nonbinary (neurodivergent) lead.

Nerdy Neelo is reluctant to take the throne--but they may not have a choice if their mother's health keeps declining as it has been. The issue becomes even more pronounced when the queen sets the palace on fire in a drug-induced haze. On top of the pressure to rule, Neelo is facing the pressure to marry--namely, their friend, renowned warrior Talhan Catallus. As a witch uprising threatens the safety of the kingdom, Neelo must rely on their betrothed for help; even if they aren't sure if they want to marry at all.

I really appreciate the juggling this book did. It's a fantasy story, it's a romance, it's delving into a lead with qualities you rarely see explicitly drawn in either genre. While it leaned a bit too much into the "YA fantasy" vibes at points for me, I did enjoy it and I would totally recommend it to interested readers; I may very well recommend it to my sibling.

Quick Takes:

--Here's the thing: explicit representation is important in genres like fantasy where it's easy to be vague. I really liked that there was no real question about Neelo being neurodivergent and nonbinary. They weren't without pushback from other characters, but that wasn't the main point of the story. Generally speaking, I'd say that Neelo being potentially "not right" for the throne and different from their mother was more of an obstacle than Neelo being nonbinary.

--Talhan is super gone for Neelo from the jump, another thing I appreciated. Though the book is never focused on Neelo's sex organs (and it shouldn't be) it's pretty easy to read that they are AFAB. However, it never reads like Talhan is going "here's my female love interest who just does a fun little thing called being nonbinary". He is into Neelo as they are, for who they are, and that is not just about them being great on the inside. He's ABOUT them physically. And they're not a waifish David Bowie type, which is how a lot of nonbinary or otherwise gender non-conforming characters I've read play. Neelo is big and broad and not delicate.

--I appreciated Neelo's complex relationship with their mother, the love and resentment and anxiety playing there. In general, I felt like a lot of Neelo's insecurities were centered around them comparing themselves to their mother positively and negatively. As they grew beyond this, they were able to fully mature and come to terms with their wants and needs as an individual. It's very classic coming of age, but it works very well.

--I've heard that you should read the first books in this series to understand what happened here? And I've heard it stands alone. I only felt confused a couple of times. That said, there is a very "YA fantasy" vibe that goes beyond this being a fantasy novel. It's definitely not YA (more on that below) but something about it that's hard for me to name kept me from getting fully involved. A video game quality of jumping from moment to moment versus lingering. A lot of people will like that, to be fair. For me, it makes it a bit harder to fully invest in the story. Like, I was zoning in on the romance and character growth, but the witch stuff and the magical drugs kind of went over my head.

The Sex Stuff:

I really liked how the sex scenes were written here. They're explicit without being super graphic, and they describe Neelo's body without getting specific in a way that is super gendered. I also LOVED that much of this book was about Neelo accepting themself as a sexual being and exploring their desires with Talhan. There's one scene where they have anal sex because it felt more like THEM than vaginal sex, and I was like--oh, you know, as someone who isn't nonbinary I never really thought of it that way, but like... tracks. I loved reading that. (Also: anal sex? In my traditionally published non-m/m non-Tessa Bailey book? In 2023? Egad!)

Like I said, I don't know that this fully hit for me as an indvidual reader, but I think it's solid, and I like the work it did a lot. Would recommend for those interested in queer fantasy romance.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Voyager for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[antoniab93-blog]

Amethyst Kingdom

The 49th book I read this year was Amethyst Kingdom, the final book in the Five Crowns Of Okrith series by A.K Mulford. I am an unabashed fan of A K Mulford fyi, so this is a very biased review.

The 49th book I read this year was Amethyst Kingdom, the final book in the Five Crowns Of Okrith series by A.K Mulford. Check out my review for book one: High Mountain Court, two: The Witches Blade, three: The Rogue Crown- this one I did not review for some reason… and four: The Evergreen Heir. I am an unabashed fan of A K Mulford fyi, so this is a very biased review. A summary attempt The…

[lovelyloveday]

A court of revelry. A bookish heir. An impending marriage. And a dark new power rising in the world…  The Evergreen Heir by A.K. Mulford  https://bit.ly/45SJurR

[mermaidsirennikita]

So for vacation I've just been reading books that have *been out* that I haven't been able to get to (on my Kindle because I'm not hauling physical books across the ocean sorry) but as soon as I get back I'm going to be eyeball reading ARCs ARCs ARCs only for a minute because I have.................. 11! Books to review for June and July and I have read (1) of them thus far.

But for me and also for you if you're curious about some of the romance releases in the next couple months...

Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall, 6/6--sapphic historical fantasy, so excited for a sapphic romance from Alexis

The Evergreen Heir by A.K. Mulford, 6/13--fantasy romance, mostly picked this up because I believe it's an arranged marriage romance with a NB lead

The Notorious Lord Knightly by Lorraine Heath, 6/27--the only one I've already read lol, will post review about a month out but it's fabulous

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann, 7/11--a well-known dark romance that's been out a while and is being re-released as trad, picked it up because the hero is the heroine's sister's fiance and he and the heroine are kidnapped by serial killer who forces them to have sex, which is horrible! But.......... I want to know what this story is like

The Duchess Effect by Tracey Livesay, 7/11--sequel to American Royalty, which I loved

Forget Me Not by Julie Soto, 7/11--first Reylo ARC of the year, contemporary second chance enemies to lovers vibes I believe

It Happened One Fight, 7/11 by Maureen Lee Lenker--a historical romance set in Old Hollywood with bickering and a PR relationship, I think? Love this setting for historical romance

The Summer Girl by Elle Kennedy, 7/18--I just wanted to try Elle Kennedy, and I do enjoy a beachside romance

Brutal Prince by Sophie Lark, 7/25--another Sourcebooks trad rerelease, this time of an arranged marriage mafia romance... obviously I'm reading

The Rebel King by Gina L. Maxwell, 7/25--Vegas? Dark Fae? Very down for books about fair folk fucking that aren't YA

How to Tame A Wild Rogue by Julie Anne Long, 7/25--I am.... so very down for Julie Anne Long books, and this one has a privateer, a runaway bride, and only one bed. Sign me tf up

[antoniab93-blog]

The Evergreen Heir

The 54th book I read this year was The Evergreen Heir By A.K. Mulford, the fourth book in The Five Crowns of Okrith series. This is an entirely biased review because I love this author and this series!

The 54th book I read this year was The Evergreen Heir By A.K. Mulford, the fourth book in The Five Crowns of Okrith series. This author is an indie-author I found through my Podcast and Tiktok, this particular series of hers was picked up by Harper-Collins for traditional publishing somewhere around the second book. This is an entirely biased review because I love this author and this…