Tag: the bridge kingdom

Book Review: The Tempest Blade (The Bridge Kingdom #6) by Danielle L. Jensen

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 26 hrs
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: October 9th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The heart-pounding finale to the USA Today bestselling Bridge Kingdom series.

A fugitive on the run, Ahnna has one return to Ithicana with warning of the greatest threat her homeland has ever faced. But as she escapes into the wilderness, it is with the man who broke her heart hunting at her heels—and James wants more than justice. He wants revenge.

Desperate to prove his loyalty to his family, James ventures into dangerous territory to capture his father’s killer. But the longer he follows Ahnna’s trail, the more his certainty of her guilt is tested—and the more the passion they once shared reignites.

As schemes twist tighter and war brews, Ahnna and James discover that the enemy isn’t each other—it is the masterminds manipulating them both in pursuit of power. Yet their greatest obstacle remains, because their loyalties are to opposing sides in the battle to come. As the storms of the Tempest Seas lower their defenses, James and Ahnna must choose where their hearts on the battlefield, or in each other’s arms.

BEST DANG CONCLUSION I COULD HAVE IMAGINED.

Tis no surprise, I am a DLJ stan. Easily one of my top five favorite fantasy authors WITH GOOD REASON Y’ALL. The first two books in this series are a duo I reread practically every year and I can declare that this is number three on my favorite list for this series. BECAUSE OMG.

I’m so happy that we got all the POV’s!!!! It felt epic and enhanced and getting every nuanced angle from all of the powerful players of this series was exactly what the ending needed. I was shocked that I barely noticed this book was 26 hours long. Every page has depth and is packed with action and longing and begging for everything to end up okay.

DLJ writes fantastic twists and intense scenes. The emotions I am forcibly put through are exactly what my dreams are made of when I pick up a book like this. MAKE ME FEEL SOMETHING.

Anyways, I’m obsessed with every character, every love story, and literally every single thing about this book. DO NOT PASS THIS SERIES UP. IT IS COMPLETE. YOU HAVE NO EXCUSE NOW.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 3-4ish open door
  • Violence: high
  • Content warnings: war themes and loss of life, a baby nearly drowns, near death experiences, animal attacks

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Book Review: The Twisted Throne (The Bridge Kingdom #5) by Danielle L. Jensen

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 496 pages
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: October 10th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

A commander who bled to defend her people, Ahnna is haunted by two beliefs. The first is that she failed to protect Ithicana from invasion. And the second is that saving her homeland means leaving it behind forever.

The Maridrinians left Ithicana in ruins and its people impoverished. So when the wealthy kingdom of Harendell claims her as a bride for its crown prince, Ahnna is prepared to do whatever it takes to gain influence as the future queen. And to control the gold that comes with the throne.

Yet Ahnna swiftly discovers that beneath the beautiful surface of Harendell’s court is a dark underbelly built upon schemes, duplicity, and the pursuit of power. The only individual who holds himself above the politics is not her future husband, but his infuriating half brother, James. And as she begins to question whether Harendell is the ally it claims to be, Ahnna finds herself drawn into a forbidden attraction to the wrong prince.

As deadly plots tighten around her, Ahnna must decide whether saving her people will be achieved as a bride…or as a blade.

AT LAST.

I am so happy to finally have this book in my hands (or ears because this is only audio right now). And I really loved that I thought it brought back some nostalgic original The Bridge Kingdom vibes (aka books 1 and 2). I do adore Kerris & Zarrah but I had a harder time connecting with their story so Ahnna and James’ was right up my alley.

I loved the new characters and the new ruthless areas that I hadn’t seen yet. There’s a lot more politicking and twists and betrayals. And I looove the way DLJ writes action scenes. They always put me on the edge of my seat.

Another forbidden romance that built slow and had intensely curious how this book was going to shake out. I loved the dynamic between Ahnna and James too. The passion and chemistry was there and sooo many good swoon moments. I loved getting more of Ahnna’s mindset and thoughts behind things that have happened over the series too.

I loved the dramatic cliffhanger and can’t wait for the last book!!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: low-moderate
  • Romance: low innuendo, 2ish open door
  • Violence: high

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Book Review: The Endless War (The Bridge Kingdom #4) by Danielle L. Jensen

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Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: TBD pages
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Audible
Release Date: May 25th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Newly crowned as king, Keris has watched powerless as his forbidden relationship with Zarrah is revealed. But when Zarrah is imprisoned by the Empress, Keris knows there is only one way to save her: to ally with the kingdom he nearly destroyed.

Imprisoned on the dreaded Devil’s Island, Zarrah faces two choices: prove her loyalty to the Empress who condemned her or die a traitor. Yet as she struggles to survive among violent prisoners, Zarrah uncovers a third path: a rebellion to overthrow tyranny entwined with a destiny she must fight to claim.

While the Empress plots a war with devastating consequences, Keris and Zarrah must find their way back to each other. Yet their greatest adversary is the fiery passion between them. Unless they overcome the bitterness of betrayal, their love will not be the bringer of peace but rather the fuel that turns the Endless War into an inferno.

KERIS.

I binge read this on release day because I have no chill (and also I loathe spoilers so it becomes a necessity). ANYWAYS. I loved this. It was a great wrap up to Keris and Zarrah’s storyline.

I ADORE Keris. I loved his character progression throughout. He had a lot of hard choices and had to find a way to help his kingdom. I loved his passion (maybe a bit of an obsession) with making sure Zarrah was safe. It provided an arc that I was here for. He’s full of swoon and romantic moments.

Zarrah showed some solid character changes too. I liked getting her POV and seeing the subtle moments as she continued to struggle with the the truths of her life were unraveling.

I didn’t love some of the romantic scenes. One just flat wasn’t for me and I wish there would have been more general alone/quiet time. I LOVED all of the action, don’t get me wrong, but it made me ache a bit to see Keris and Zarrah together more.

There’s some perfectly placed Lara and Aren moments (of which I will hear NO SLANDER about). I thought it concluded well and the small hints about Ahnna have me excited to see even more of this world.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 3-4 open door; moderate – high explicit
  • Violence: high & graphic
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of life, battle themes, blood/gore depiction, cannibalism, near death experiences

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Book Review: The Inadequate Heir (The Bridge Kingdom #3) by Danielle L. Jensen

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Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆
Audience: New Adult Fantasy Romance
Length: 625 pages
Author: Danielle L. Jensen
Publisher: Audible Originals
Release Date: November 18th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Return to the world of The Bridge Kingdom in this sensuous fantasy full of romance and intrigue that is perfect for fans of From Blood and Ash and A Court of Silver Flames.

A soldier raised as heir to an empire, Zarrah is motivated by two truths. The first is that the Veliant family murdered her mother. And the second is that her pursuit of vengeance will put every last one of them in their graves.

The Endless War between Maridrina and Valcotta has raged for generations, leaving thousands of Zarrah’s people dead and countless more orphaned. So when she’s given command of the contested city of Nerastis, Zarrah is prepared to do whatever it takes to destroy the Maridrinian forces who oppose her. And to kill the Veliant prince who leads them.

Yet a chance encounter with an anonymous, and handsome, Maridrinian causes Zarrah to question whether the violence she’s perpetrated is justice or a crime. And as she continues to meet the nameless man each night, she finds common ground – and fiery passion – in his arms.

But when identities are revealed, Zarrah must decide whether to embrace a chance at peace…or march to the drums of war.

THIS WAS EVERYTHING.

I know my review won’t fully encapsulate how much I loved, LOVED this forbidden fantasy romance. I’ll just say it again, READ THE BRIDGE KINGDOM SERIES.

Keris is my new man. Holy wow did I love him (and who would think I’d love a blonde man? lololol). I loved his tenacity and absolute unbending will to do anything he needed to in order to protect Zarrah. But never fear, Zarrah is an amazing heroine in her own right who takes down the forces around her with some killer moves. I LOVE THESE TWO. TIH was about double the length of TBK/TTQ which means we got a whooooole lot more. I love that there was more depth, more nuances, further understanding of choices and the world. IT’S ALL HERE.

I would completely forget that this actually covers the entire TTQ timeline. I was wrapped up in what felt like a new story. I love that it all was fresh and even when there were some moments of cross over I was over the top anxious wondering what was going to happen next.

AND THE VILLAINS. There’s top notch ones running around this story. Another was added that made me want to throw them across a room. THE BETRAYAL. THE ENDING. MY HEART HURTS. I thought I was emotionally prepared, but alas, DLJ knows how to rip my heart out and beg for the next book.

Needless to say, YOU MUST READ THIS.

Overall audience notes:

  • NA Fantasy Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: multiple open door
  • Violence: murder, torture, executions, physical altercations, weaponry, many near death experiences

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