Thank you to Pan MacMillan South Africa for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Goddess Crown by Shade Lapite is a dazzling blend of romance and fantasy that will sweep you off into a world of gods, magic, and intrigue. While the book started off a bit slow for me, I soon found myself enamoured with the story and its rich world-building.

Kalothia has grown up hidden in the forested East after her parents were outed as enemies of the king. Raised in a woodland idyll, she can hunt, fish, and fend for herself but knows little of the outside world. On her sixteenth birthday, assassins attack her home, forcing her to flee to the king's court in the West – a beautiful but lethal nest of poison, plots, and danger, overseen by an entrenched patriarchy.

Kalothia is no damsel in distress. She’s fierce, determined, and has a sharp wit that had me chuckling more than once. Watching her navigate the treacherous court politics while uncovering her own hidden powers is exhilarating. Lapite’s world-building is so vivid you’ll feel like you’re right there alongside Kalothia, battling mythical beasts and dodging deadly plots.

Enter Nahir, the brooding warrior who becomes Kalothia’s reluctant ally. Their chemistry is off the charts. The banter, the tension, the slow-burn romance – it’s all there. But beware – Nahir might have secrets that could lead him to do something unforgivable, adding a layer of tension that will keep you guessing.

However, about two-thirds of the way in, the story lost some momentum for me. The pacing slowed, and the plot twists that initially kept me on the edge of my seat started to feel less engaging. It was a bit of a struggle to maintain my interest through to the end.