The Wraith King was a well-written, engaging read with a lot of potential, but it didn’t fully capture my heart. The world-building, the tension, and the chemistry between the two leads were strong elements, but there was one major plotline that held me back from loving it more, particularly the focus on pregnancy. It was just a bit too much for me.

Let’s start with the positives. The writing itself is solid—smooth and immersive with great attention to detail, especially when it comes to the world of the dark fae and the political intrigue surrounding Gollaya and Una. I found myself invested in the tension between the two characters and their complex relationship. Goll is a fascinating character, torn between fulfilling a prophecy and his growing feelings for Una, and Una is strong, smart, and more than capable of standing her ground against him. Together, they make for an interesting pair, and the dynamics between them were definitely engaging.

However, the main story arc revolving around the pregnancy felt overemphasized. I get that it plays into the plot and Una’s role in the larger scheme of things, but for me, the entire book seemed fixated on getting her pregnant with his heir. It just didn’t resonate with me as much, and I found it hard to fully connect with the narrative because of it. It’s not that I dislike pregnancy in fantasy stories in general, but in this case, it took up so much of the story’s focus that it overshadowed other potential plotlines that I would have found more intriguing. I wanted more of the political intrigue, the dark secrets in the palace, and the actual war between the fae, not just the constant emphasis on Una’s role as the bearer of an heir.

Ultimately, while I found The Wraith King entertaining, I think it would have benefited from a more balanced focus between the characters’ relationship and the broader plot. As it stands, the story’s central theme didn’t quite resonate with me as strongly as I had hoped, but for readers who enjoy a more romance-heavy, destiny-driven narrative, this could be a great fit.

3 stars – definitely worth a read, but just not a perfect match for my personal tastes