The Half King (Deluxe Limited Edition)

The Half King was such a solid Romantasy read! The concept hooked me right away—a cursed king who literally disappears into nothingness every night? Yes, please. Kian Hannibal Mortara is a royal caught in an ancient curse that threatens to steal him away forever on his 21st birthday. And Cerise Solon, our FMC, is sent to court as a would-be Seer—only she has no gift of prophecy, or any magic at all. What I really liked was the fresh spin on the fantasy worldbuilding. The idea that every noble house carries a different curse from the goddess makes the setting feel rich and layered. But it was the romance that kept me reading—the forbidden slow-burn between Kian and Cerise was intense, emotional, and full of heart. Their bond builds gradually as Cerise is pulled deeper into Kian’s dark fate, and despite the danger, their connection feels both earned and inevitable. And let’s not forget Daerick (Kian’s best friend), who absolutely deserves a spotlight. He brought so much depth, dry humor, and loyal energy to the story—easily one of my favorite supporting characters. I’d read a whole book about him, honestly. Other reasons why readers (myself included) love this book: • Unique, curse-driven worldbuilding with real stakes • Strong, intelligent heroine who’s more than just a romantic lead • Court intrigue, hidden agendas, and tension around every corner • A doomed-to-fade king you can’t help but root for • Satisfying balance between plot, politics, and romance If you're into romantasy with a slow-burn, high-stakes love story and an original magical setup, The Half King is definitely worth the read.

The Half King by Melissa Landers is a YA fantasy steeped in curses, secrets, and forbidden love, offering readers an engaging—if somewhat familiar—journey through a magically afflicted kingdom on the brink of collapse. With echoes of classic tropes and a touch of intrigue, this story draws you in despite its occasional narrative missteps. The novel introduces us to Cerise Solon, a second-born noble girl expected to become a Seer and serve the goddess. Except—plot twist—Cerise has no magical gift at all. When she arrives at court, she’s thrust into a world of polished smiles and deadly secrets, all orbiting around the cursed King Kian Mortara. By day, Kian rules. By night, he vanishes, cursed to eventually fade away entirely by his twenty-first birthday. The romance between Cerise and Kian develops quickly—arguably too quickly—but settles into something more believable as the story progresses. Their chemistry holds the emotional core of the book, even if the initial spark feels a bit rushed. The plot leans into familiar territory, from the “hidden powers” trope to the reluctant ruler/lost girl dynamic, but the curse concept offers enough freshness to keep things interesting. While the world-building is intriguing, it often feels underdeveloped. The lore around the goddess and the Great Betrayal could have used more detail to raise the stakes and deepen reader immersion. That said, the pacing moves well, and the tension builds effectively as Kian’s deadline looms. The emotional weight hits hardest in the final chapters, particularly with Nina's fate and Cerise’s devastating experience. The ending tugs at the heart and sets the stage for what could be an even stronger continuation. Overall, The Half King may not reinvent the wheel, but it’s an enjoyable fantasy read with romantic tension, courtly scheming, and a genuinely compelling premise. Perfect for readers who love royal curses, slow-burn betrayals, and hidden strengths.

For me, is a ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ star read. It was well written and the characters were very complex, pacing was moderate, but I just wanted more to the story and plot. It has religious intolerance and prejudices that may have overshadowed some of the other important plot pieces. However, it is also a love story to female empowerment. ***THE SECOND BOOK OF THE SERIES IS TBD*** Synopsis: The 6 noble families of the kingdom are cursed. Each family experience a different curse, but it always affects the first or second born of the family. Their fates are predestined and will claim them upon their 20th birthdays. However, an unskilled, magicless seer is sent to be the emissary to the King. A king who is destined to spend his nights in the otherworld and his days fading between the other and his kingdom. A new fate is spun for her if she can find the path to break the curse. But the fates shall not be able to guide her. Will she overcome her self-doubt, forge the path, and save the King? Or will the King be banished to the other world? Impression: I really enjoyed the story once I got past the religious fanaticism. There are a few plot holes, like why one character stays in their tent the whole duration of the quest (never answered). I'm sure some of it was left for the succeeding books, but there were way too many "why is that a thing" or "what about….?" for my liking. I recommend waiting for the next book if you have not yet read this one. Hopefully it fills in the gaps. Tropes: Allies to Lovers, Quest, Prophecy, Chosen One, Forbidden Romance, Found Family Spice level: 🌶️🌶️ - A few open door scenes, but not overly descriptive or crass. Action/War level: 💥💥 Moderately low - There are a couple of fight scenes, but nothing overly dramatic. Most of the tension is speculative chatter.

I returned due this book is really bad quality for the price..i prefer to go for an ebook. Edges are faded and the first pages are like photocopies …..Doesn’t worth the price.

I have not read the book, please note this review is specifically regarding the quality of the hardcover deluxe edition. Hardbacks are significantly more expensive than paperback, and for that increase you'd be right to expect high quality books that look and feel impressive. This deluxe edition does not meet that expectation. The sprayed edge is blurred and dull, not at all the sharp and vibrant edge displayed in the pictures. The gold detailing on the front cover is clearly very low quality as well; you can see where the cutout has not been properly cut out, making the image look blocky, unfinished, and scruffy.

I loved This Book I wish there was more

Good book:) amazing art, worth it for my mini library

It was fine. I enjoyed the plot but I wasn’t a fan of the 3rd person POV, and also felt like none of the characters really changed at all throughout the story. You could maybe argue that the king had growth, but that was within the first 100 pages, then everyone is stagnant again. And let’s not forget about the insane plot conveniences🙄 My overall opinion is that it was a great plot that was not executed very well.