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Cover of A Kingdom Scarred

A Kingdom Scarred

by K.A. Riley

🌶️🌶️mild·Fae of Tíria #1
3.9 on Goodreads (658)

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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?

A human woman stumbles into a fae realm and catches the attention of a captivating fae lord who refuses to let her go. If you love ACOTAR-style forbidden tension with a Hunger Games edge, this hits the sweet spot.

Synopsis

For fans of A Court of Thorns and Roses and other Fantasy Romance comes a tale filled with twists, turns, and passionate, forbidden desire. “I was a prisoner in these ruins, captive of a Fae who was as perilously alluring as the lands where I now stood.” A thousand years ago, the mortal realms of Kalemnar were separated from the land of the Fae by a dark, poisonous mist that takes lives with all the cruelty of the sharpest blade. Lyrinn Martel has been told all her life that the Fae deserted their lands long ago, leaving them to decay and ruin. Rumors still swirl to this day that the Immortals were malevolent creatures, bent on destroying the realms of humans…and that their departure was a welcome blessing. But one fateful night, as Lyrinn flees for her life, she discovers a hidden path up the cliff beyond her town that guides her to the Fae realm of Tíria. There, she encounters a Fae so extraordinary and captivating that she finds herself inextricably drawn to him, despite her fear that he plans to send her to her death. When Lyrinn escapes the Fae lands, she finds herself summoned to the palace of the mortal king. Even as her journey begins, she discovers that the alluring Fae is not done with her—and he has no intention of ever letting her go. For fans of Fantasy Romance such as A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Kingdom Scarred is the first book in an exciting new Fantasy Series by the author of Recruitment and The Cure.

book details below may contain spoilers. some hidden

At a Glance

K.A. Riley channels that irresistible ACOTAR energy—a mortal girl thrown into a dangerous fae world where the most alluring person might also be the most deadly. The enemies-to-lovers tension between Lyrinn and Mathraan crackles on every page. Be warned: this is a series starter with a cliffhanger, so have book two ready. Best for readers who love being thrown headfirst into lush fae worldbuilding with a slow-burn romance that keeps you guessing.

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.

3.91 ★ (658)

Page CountHow long the commitment is.

419 pages

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

2022

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

CliffhangerEnding 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

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)

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
fae romanceenemies to loverscaptive romanceforbidden lovehidden identitysecret powerforced proximity
RomanceMagicActionAngstWorld
Theme Constellation

Mood & Vibe

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

adventurousromanticintensemysteriousdangerous

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

engagingimmersivesuspensefuldramatic

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.

moderate

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.'

fae courts and politicspage turner

Characters

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal

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

survivorreluctant chosen onegeneral badass

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

fae princemorally gray MMCbrooding prince

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.

enemies to loversforbidden lovelove/hate tensionpush and pullcaptor/captive

Spice Details 🌶️

spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
🌶️
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Spice Level 2

Spice StyleNot just how much spice, but what kind. Emotional intimacy? Explicit but vanilla? Plot-driven heat? Know your flavor.

Steamy scenes woven into a fae enemies-to-lovers arc. The tension builds through forbidden desire before delivering satisfying on-page intimacy.

Getting SteamyGentle kinks. Fun but nothing too crazy. The appetizer, so to speak.

tensionlonging glancespossessive/protectiveanticipationwall pinning

Bringing the HeatFor those who know exactly what they came for. This is where you find your exact brand of chaos. The good stuff.

possessivedominance
Browse more books by spice level →
This stuff might hit different. No shame in needing to know what's coming. (5)▼
spoiler protected·tap tags to reveal
violencecaptivitydangerbattle scenesdeception
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World & Setting

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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.

fae realm / faerie courts

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.

Tiria, a hidden fae realm accessible through a cliff path

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

fae

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.

addictive readtension finally satisfiedadrenaline rush

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

anytime

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

cozy eveningbedtimevacationlazy Sunday

Fae of Tíria

A Kingdom Scarred

#1 A Kingdom Scarred

A Crown Broken

#2 A Crown Broken

Of Flame and Fury

#3 Of Flame and Fury

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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.🌶️🌶️mild
PagesHow long the commitment is.419
PublishedWhen this hit shelves. Helpful for tracking vibes by era.2022
GoodreadsThe crowd's verdict. Take it with salt, though. Some masterpieces are polarizing.3.91 ★ (658)
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.

Fae of Tíria #1
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