Title: Once the Skies FadeAuthor: Vanessa Rasanen
Series: Immortal Reveries #2
Pages: 600
Publication Date: March 14, 2025
Publisher: Crab Apple Books
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
The law is clear: remarry or lose the throne.
But it says nothing about love.
My husband is dead, and I’m the prime suspect. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the law requires I marry by the end of the season, or I lose my kingdom.
I followed my heart the first time; I won’t do it again.
The old tournament tradition could help me select our next king while protecting my broken heart, but I never expected a close friend of my husband’s family to show up to compete.
I don’t know if he believes the rumors and suspects me of murder, but it’s clear someone wants him out of the competition and me off the throne.
Caught in a tangled web of political games and deadly secrets, I must choose between following my wounded heart and keeping my crown…before more end up dead.
Once the Skies Fade is the second in a fantasy romance collection of interconnected stand-alones set in a magical war-torn world, where secrets have power and allies are few. This tale of love lost and fated mates brings a morally grey queen with shadowy secrets and the sarcastic general who could mend her heart…if he doesn’t put a dagger in it first.
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My Thoughts on Once the Skies Fade:
The second book in the Immortal Reveries series, Once the Skies Fade is a fantasy romance full of tension, political intrigue, a compelling murder mystery, and an amazing love story!
Calla is a recently widowed queen still grieving the loss of her husband when the law demands she find a new one. Refusing to marry for love, she sets up a tournament to choose for her, which is a perfect excuse for Matthias to arrive. An ally of her late husband’s family, Matthias enters the competition, intent on learning if Calla had anything to do with her husband’s death.
I loved Calla and Matthias and their super swoon-worthy romance. Calla is a brooding, morally grey queen with literal shadow powers who is dealing with grief and loss while still trying to run her country. She goes through a lot emotionally, and her healing journey made me sympathize with her even when she did some really unlikable things. Matthias is a sarcastic yet charming general who somehow manages to get under Calla’s skin at every turn. He’s a strong, loyal, warrior, and some of my favorite chapters were from his POV. Matthias and Calla’s banter was so good, and I liked the push-and-pull between them. You could feel the tension building between them as they both struggled with and fought their feelings.
The mix of romance, mystery, and political intrigue worked so well. The trials were great – suspenseful, unique, and intense, and a good blend of strength and strategy. With someone clearly working against Calla, the stakes were high from the start of the book, and the mystery surrounding her husband’s death had me second-guessing everyone. I loved how all the layers of deception and betrayal slowly unraveled, and the ending was perfection.
This is the second book in an interconnected series, and it can easily be read as a standalone. That being said, I think reading the first book would add more depth to some of the side characters, and I loved seeing some of my faves from the first book.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crab Apple Books for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
“I’ll take your hate. I’ll take anything you’re willing to give me. And if hate is all you can offer, I’ll take it a million times over, because an eternity of your hate is better than a lifetime without you.”
- Who did this to you?
- Shadow mommy
- fated mates
Vanessa Rasanen writes new adult fantasy romance filled with sassy attitudes, relatable characters, and slow-burn. She loves a good cliffhanger, judges books by their covers, and wishes she could write faster. Her books include a smidge of salty language, a bit of blood, and a serving of swoon-worthy romance perfect for readers who don’t mind waiting for the spice.
She lives in southeastern Wyoming with her Army pilot husband and their four kids. When she’s not writing you can find her mixing up a gin & tonic, rewatching New Girl, running a small business, and wasting time on Instagram.
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