Curse of Shadows and Thorns

The Broken Kingdoms, Book 1

By: LJ Andrews

Narrated by: Stina Nielsen

A rebellious princess. A cursed rogue. A forbidden love that will bring a kingdom to its knees.

As niece of the king, Elise Lysander cares about two things: sneaking into gambling dens, and avoiding an advantageous marriage at all costs.

When her uncle holds the life of her deathly ill father over her head, reluctantly, Elise puts her fate into the hands of Legion Grey, the handsome and mysterious dowry negotiator. He may be arrogant and infuriating, but soon Legion incites a blistering, forbidden passion she can’t ignore.

As their attraction grows, so do the dangers: attacks from black-eyed people, a cursed enemy who is more beast than man, and rumors of fae returning for the crown they believe was stolen from them long ago.

After a bloody coup upends the kingdom, Elise flees with Legion, but nothing is as it seems. The man she allowed into her heart reveals his own secret plans with the return of magic—and he has every intention of using Elise to see them through.

With war between magic and mortal on the horizon, Elise must pick a side to protect her kingdom. Does she stand with her people who stole the throne? Or with a man who lied his way into her heart and whose secret past could bring her destruction?

Filled with luscious world building, banter-filled romance, and epic battles, Curse of Shadows and Thorns is the first book in The Broken Kingdoms series.

©2022 LJ Andrews (P)2022 Podium Audio

A bit disappointed

This series is one of my absolute favorite but I’m very disappointed that every part in the book on Audible that is sexual the narrator skips right over the entire parts until it’s over and continues on with the book. Plus throughout the book from beginning to end the narrator skips sentences and paragraphs plus a lot of words are changed from what is in the book.

Good twists

Really enjoyed this one. Good story, plot twists and good romance. Wish it was a little spicier. Great narration. I hope the rest of the series is as good!

Weak MFC

Why does the MFC take responsibility for so many of the MMC's choices? She constantly acts as though she owes him. As if he didn't lie and deceive her to use her. Otherwise, it's an average read. Not great but not terrible either.

Great read!

This book was a great read! Love the characters of course and the story too.

Welp…

Thanks a lot Stina! You are great again! Ugh, it’s so infuriating… haha. Anything I have heard Stina Nelson read has been great. Secondly, a lot of comments keep talking about the beauty and the beast retelling blah blah, okay cool, let’s move on from that. I think the way LJ told the story was great! It was different and I think the pace was good, things happened how they were to happen based on the manipulation of certain other factors. (My poor attempt of not giving away story).

However I have found that with out a doubt miscommunication tropes are so frustrating, maybe not my thing. Stop being so stubborn! Anyway. Really loved it. I am glad I took a listen.