MoodReads - Romance Book Discovery
The Stacks
DiscoverMy ShelvesReading Stats
Sign upLog in
MoodReads - Romantasy Book Discovery

because goodreads doesn't
have a spice filter

Discover

  • Discover Page
  • Reading Stacks
  • Tropes
  • Moods
  • Creatures
  • Spicy Books

Get MoodReads

  • so what is it.
  • iOS App
  • Browser Extension
  • MoodReads Premium
  • Gift a Subscription
  • For Creators
  • Share MoodReads

Go Deeper

  • FAQ
  • Roadmap
  • Request a Feature
  • vs Goodreads
  • vs StoryGraph
  • Who Built This?

The Serious Stuff

  • Values
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Support

get emails when something big happens. no spam, just news.

© 2026 MoodReads. Built by a romantasy reader for romantasy readers.

rattle the stars, bitches.

Cover of Queen of Hearts

Queen of Hearts

by May Freighter

🌶️fade to black·Empire of Shattered Crowns #4
4.3 on Goodreads (114)

Rate this book

sign in to add to shelves, track reading status, and see your stats

find similar →
ReportSpoiler settings

Ending

reveal ending

Why Read This?The one-sentence sell. What do you get for showing up to this book, even when it's hard?

You'll get a satisfying dose of political machinations and romantic tension that leaves you eager for the next book in the series.

Synopsis

Only one can wear the crown of Dante. After Emilia awakens from her brush with death with a divine message and a newfound determination to take the reins of her destiny, her allies uncover shocking betrayals and treachery within her court. Despite the challenges, and with the Pope seemingly on her side, the date for her coronation is set. Meanwhile, Thessian embarks on a dangerous mission to quell the budding rebellion in the South. His journey is fraught with distractions and unexpected obstacles, including an old flame who may be his downfall. The fate of Dante hangs in the balance. With spies within their midst, lies at every turn, and new revelations that shake their resolves, Emilia and Thessian must go above and beyond to protect their loved ones.

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

A curator's note goes here with flavor that could spoil the plot.

trope onetrope twotrope threetrope four

Book Details

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Goodreads RatingThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.

4.34 ★ (114)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

351 pages

PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.

2024

Primary GenreWhat type of book this is. Romance? Fantasy? A 400-page therapy session disguised as a thriller?

Romantasy

PairingWho's falling in love? The gender makeup of your main romance. Helps you find your specific flavor of love story.

M/F

POVWhose head are you in? First person = deep in the feels. Third = watching from above. Dual = emotional whiplash (affectionate).

First Person

Romance PacingHow long until they kiss? Slow burn = 300 pages of tension. Insta-love = page 12 and it's already chaos.

Slow Burn

AudiobookCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

AvailableCan you experience this book while driving? Washing dishes? Working out while emotionally destroyed? Check here.

Yes

FormatHow fancy is the audio? Standard = one narrator. Full cast = theater kids went off. GraphicAudio = a MoViE iN yOuR mInD.

Single Narrator (unspecified)

NarratorThe voice in your ears.

Unknown Narrator

Narrator Count

Single

TropesPlot devices and story situations that drive the romance. These are the circumstances that throw characters together or create conflict, not how they personally relate.

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
bet/wager romancesecret heir/royaltyarranged marriageblood feud romancegames/trials romancecompetition romancehidden past revealed
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

MoodWhat you felt reading this. Swoony? Gutted? Deliciously unhinged? The emotional fingerprint.

darktenseromanticdramaticsuspensefulbroodingatmospheric

Writing StyleHow the author writes - prose style, dialogue approach, and narrative voice. This is about craft and delivery, not emotional effect.

dramaticimmersivebroodingatmospheric

Story PacingDoes the story sprint or saunter? Fast = you'll miss sleep. Slow = you'll savor every word. Medium = balanced chaos.

fast

Emotional WeightHow much are you gonna cry? Light = fun feels. Moderate = real stakes. Heavy = bring tissues. Devastating = call your therapist.

heavy

Energy RequiredCan you read this on a Tuesday after work, or do you need a full Saturday and three cups of coffee? Low/Medium/High.

medium

VibesOne perfect sentence that captures the essence. Like: 'Fae politics meets forbidden romance with zero chill.'

deadly trialstournament arcpage turner

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

FMC ArchetypeWho is she? The female main character's core identity/role. Assassin? Healer? General Badass?

royaltysurvivormorally gray fmc

MMC ArchetypeWho is he? The male main character's core identity/role. Your exact flavor of book boyfriend.

morally gray mmcbrooding princedark/tortured soul

Relationship DynamicsThe interpersonal dynamic between the main characters. How do they relate to each other? This is about character energy and connection style, not plot situations.

forbidden loveslow burn
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (9)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
deathemotional abuseviolencebetrayalcaptivitygriefmoral compromisepolitical intriguepower struggles
Browse books by content warning →

World & Setting

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

World TypeWhat kind of world are you stepping into? High fantasy = full secondary world. Urban fantasy = magic in modern cities. Portal = starts here, goes there.

high fantasy

Primary SettingWhere does the story physically take place? Court intrigue = palace. Dark academia = campus. Cozy witch vibes = small town. This is about location, not world rules.

royal court / palace

Fantasy CreaturesWhat supernatural beings populate this world? Fae courts, vampire covens, dragon riders, or just regular humans doing their best.

demonswitches/wizards/warlocksfaedragonsshifters

Reading Context

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

Emotional PayoffWhat you get for showing up. The catharsis, the growth, the 'I'm a different person now' moment. This is why the hard books are worth it.

tension finally satisfiedaddictive readthe angst delivered

Best Time of YearSeasonal mood rings for books. Summer romance reads different than winter gothic.

autumn

When & Where to ReadContext matters. Some books are Beach Trip energy, others are 3am Bedtime spiral-reads. Trust.

at nightsummer evening

this page is just the start

  • import your Goodreads or StoryGraph TBR. we tag every book with spice, tropes, CWs, mood, all of it
  • tell us a vibe (“enemies to lovers fae, high spice”) and BookMatch finds the book
  • 4,000+ romantasy books searchable by 45 fields
  • book clubs, reading challenges, and a community of readers who get it
free account

Quick Facts

Spice LevelThe heat scale. 0=wholesome, 1=kisses, 2=fade-to-black, 3=tasteful spice, 4=explicit, 5=you need a cold shower. Know thyself.🌶️fade to black
PagesHow long the commitment is.351
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2024
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.4.34 ★ (114)
EndingEnding type: HEA = forever happy (you'll cry happy). HFN = happy for now (open to interpretation). Bittersweet = complicated feelings. Know what you're signing up for.reveal ending

SeriesThe series this book belongs to and where it falls in the reading order.

Empire of Shattered Crowns #4
Similar picks →

My Notes

Loading...

Short Takes

quick 280-character reactions for this book. drop a thought, rate the vibe, keep scrolling.

Sign in to share your take.

Loading...

Book Chat

live reactions, hot takes, screaming into the void about Queen of Hearts

Similar Books

Cover of Fearless

Fearless

The Powerless Trilogy, #3

Lauren Roberts

🌶️·dual POV
arranged marriageforced proximitylove triangle
Cover of Crowntide

Crowntide

Lightlark, #4

Alex Aster

🌶️🌶️🌶️·first person
love trianglefated matescaptive romance
Cover of Glass Sword (Red Queen, #2)

Glass Sword (Red Queen, #2)

Red Queen, #2

Victoria Aveyard

🌶️·first person
hidden identitylove trianglegames/trials romance
Cover of A Fate of Wrath & Flame (Fate & Flame, #1)KU

A Fate of Wrath & Flame (Fate & Flame, #1)

Fate & Flame, #1

K.A. Tucker

🌶️🌶️·first person·✓
arranged marriageforced to marryhidden identity
Cover of Glow of the EverflameKU

Glow of the Everflame

Kindred's Curse, #2

Penn Cole

🌶️·first person
enemies to loversforbidden loveforced proximity
Cover of All This Twisted Glory

All This Twisted Glory

This Woven Kingdom, #3

Tahereh Mafi

💕🚪·multi-POV
forbidden lovearranged marriageforced to marry
Cover of The Foxglove King (The Nightshade Crown, #1)

The Foxglove King (The Nightshade Crown, #1)

The Nightshade Crown, #1

Hannah F. Whitten

🌶️🌶️·third person·✓
love triangleforced proximityhidden identity
Cover of Iron & EmbersKU

Iron & Embers

The Ashes of Thezmarr, #1

Helen Scheuerer

🌶️🌶️·dual POV
enemies to loversforced proximitybodyguard/protection detail