Bound to the Broken Crown (Book 1 of ?) by Astoria Hope

First Line:

The mage to my left thrust her hands skyward, conjuring a desperate gust of wind that made my banner of crimson and gold snap violently overhead.

Summary:

A cursed prince, a powerful mage, and a contract that brings them both together.

Princess Emrys has known nothing but the curse since he was young. Plagued by the monster that fights for control within him, he tries to rule with his brother, but always falls short.

Isca must soothe the beast living within Prince Emrys. He is destructive, unkind, and incredibly lonely.

They are both a tool to the Assembly of Mages, brimming with powerful magic, but the contract loses its meaning when they bare their truths.

My Review: NO SPOILERS

SUCH a good read

This book was incredible! A perfect blend of romance, tension, and politics. I really enjoyed how the author built the world. It was pretty easy to follow and thoroughly entertaining!

I adored Isca and Emrys. The way they softened for each other while still maintaining healthy banter had me giggling and kicking my feet 🤭they were so well-written as individual characters and as a couple. Emrys especially said some lines that had my heart ACHING. Ugh, so, so good.

The only reason I took so long to read this was that I didn’t want it to end!

Thank you so much for choosing me as an ARC reader!

Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My Favorite Quote(s):

It always began with the feelings—too many, too loud.

Wanting someone, wanting any connection of flesh, anything a normal man would want was too dangerous.

As the seamstresses left the room, I looked back at my reflection in the mirror: a woman being packaged for delivery.

“I swear, if I stay pressed against you, I will lose all control. No, I will explode, destroying this tent, someone walking nearby…at the very least my trousers.”

Page Count

542 Pages

Date Finished:

January 27th 2026

Book Genre:

Fiction, Fantasy, Romance, Dark, Tense, Adventure