The Broken Kingdoms Review
What is it?
Vikings meet fairy tales in this world where prejudice runs high. Peoples with magicks have been forced into servitude and torment. Curses conceal the most important truths. Follow the stories of Legion and Elise, Kase and Malin, Ari and Saga, and Silas and Calista in their heart-wrenching battle for their world.
The Broken Kingdoms is a complete 9 book romantasy series by LJ Andrews. It is broken into three different parts following four different couples in four different kingdoms. While the stories take place in different kingdoms and follow different love stories, the series follows the same overall plot and timeline, so they must be read in order. Characters from previous stories will play important roles in following books.
While The Broken Kingdoms Series is complete, the universe is still going. A second generation series, The Ever Seas, already has three of its planned 6 books. Plus there is definitely room for more exploration of the world beyond the Ever Seas. The author frequently releases free bonus content involving favorite characters as well. This content is in no way required to read and understand the series, but it certainly is fun!
These are dark romantic fantasy books. As such, the author has added a list of trigger warnings that should be checked before reading.
Review
This is my best attempt to keep the series spoiler free.
I loved this series very much. The characters stories have so much depth and are easy to connect with. Because of the way the series was broken into parts by couple and kingdom, it was easy to stay involved in the world while constantly learning new information.
Books 1-3 are a Beauty and the Beast Retelling about a second princess who is being forced to marry. The problem? She is undeniable attracted to Legion Grey, the man responsible for negotiating her vows. The story takes place in the Northern Kingdom where the Night Folk (fae with connection to the earth and other elements) have been forced out of power and into captivity).
Books 4-6 are a Cinderalla retelling. These are my personal favorites and follow Kase and Malin (childhood friends) who have been forcibly separated for years. They live in the Eastern Kingdom where alvers (people of body magic) have been hunted down and used for their remarkable power. The east is a place of thieves and heists. Skills that will be critical in their fight for their empty throne.
Books 7-8 is vikings meets The Swan Princess. They follow Ari, the chatty and amiable ambassador from the North, and Saga, pretty much the only person who has ever hated Ari. Saga has been forced to serve Ari (to both of their dismays) after landing on the losing side of the battles in the East. After being wrongfully accused of murder, Ari and Saga are forced to flee Through the Southern Kingdom to prove his innocence. The problem? They can’t trust each other.
Book 9 is The Phantom of the Opera meets vikings. It is the epic conclusion and the set up for The Ever Seas. It follows Silas who has been confined for lifetimes within the empty halls of his palace. When he is finally reunited with Calista, his hearts song, their powers are amplified and final secrets are unveiled. The problem? Fate no longer has any role to play in their stories. All people must work together to save these broken kingdoms.
My favorite thing about this series is that it does not feel repetitive. With four different love stories to follow the stories could easily feel copy and pasted. However, each story and kingdom feels completely unique. Plus, I don’t hate any of the FMCs. Often I find the FMCs of romantasy stories to be very naive, pompous, or stupid. However, I really enjoyed all of the characters these kingdoms had to offer.
Why will you love it?
Enemies to lovers
Insane mysteries and secrets
Morally grey MMC
Grumpy MMC
Vikings and Pirates
Where can I read it?
These books are currently all available on Kindle Unlimited. However, you can also purchase them. They are available in omnibus formats, separated by kingdom which can save quite a bit of money as well. This series gets spicier as the story progresses. The first three books have had spicy scenes added to them. These scenes are available in the kindle version, but if you are worried about not receiving the updated physical copy, you can order them directly from LJ Andrews website.
