Review of Haunted Crowns by E. S. Kaeryel
Book 1 in a Duet
Fantasy Fiction | Dark Fantasy | Gothic Romance | Fantasy Romance
This book was provided as an ARC (Advanced Review Copy) in exchange for an honest review. No influence, no expectations, just my own experience with the story.
If uncertainty, shifting loyalties, and a future that refuses to stay still were set inside a kingdom on the edge of something dangerous, you’d get Haunted Crowns.
Eris has always been set apart.
Whispered about. Watched. Labeled as something just slightly wrong by the standards of her kingdom.
The one constant in her life has been Stephan, someone who sees her clearly, without the weight of those rumors. Their connection is quiet but steady, built on something deeper than what either of them has fully put into words.
Until Kareon enters the picture.
And suddenly, everything Eris thought she understood, about herself, her future, and the path ahead, begins to shift.
What unfolds isn’t just a question of loyalty, but of survival… and what each of them is willing to risk for what’s coming.
Should You Read Haunted Crowns?
If you enjoy dark fantasy with layered relationships, slow-burn tension, and a blend of political stakes and emotional depth, this is likely a strong fit.
Haunted Crowns works best for readers who want a story that balances world-building, character development, and plot progression, without relying on heavy spice or predictable twists.
This is a book that pulls you in quickly and doesn’t let go.
The pacing is steady without feeling rushed, and the story unfolds in a way that keeps you engaged from the first chapter through the final pages. There are quieter moments, but they feel intentional—placed where the story needs them rather than slowing it down.
At the center of the story is the dynamic between Eris, Stephan, and Kareon.
There’s tension here, not just romantic, but emotional and situational. Each character carries their own weight, their own motivations, and their own edges. Both Stephan and Kareon fall firmly into morally gray territory, which adds another layer to the story’s tone.
There are no easy choices, and no clear lines between right and wrong.
And that’s where the story really settles in.
While vampires and werewolves are part of the world, the “haunted” aspect of the title carries more weight than expected.
It threads through the story in a way that feels intentional and layered, but saying more would cross into spoiler territory, and this is one of those elements that’s better experienced without knowing too much going in.
Final Thoughts
This one stayed with me.
Not because it relied on shock or constant twists, but because it built something that felt complete—balanced across character, world, and story. The pacing, the relationships, and the underlying tension all work together in a way that feels cohesive rather than forced.
It’s rare for a book to land like that.
And it’s even rarer for it to leave me immediately wanting the next installment.
If you’re drawn to dark fantasy with emotional weight, morally gray characters, and a story that unfolds with intention, this is one worth picking up.
Retail Link Coming Soon
(This title releases April 21 — links will be added once available)
If this story stayed with you, these reads belong on your shelf → Cursed Crowns and Dark Fantasy Reads
Track your reading journey here → Spring T.B.R. Tracker