The Forbidden Heir trilogy by Emilia Jae is another delightful romantasy series that I’ve heard so little about. It hasn’t gone truly viral yet, but I wouldn’t be surprised if BookTok picks this one up soon, because it’s got all the classic tropes, action, and banter that readers love.
Elianna Solus is the Captain of the fae armies, leading her troops in a more than century-long war with the fae kingdom’s mortal neighbors. The war began the very night she was born. She is the daughter of the king, kept a secret from the rest of the family and the kingdom her whole life, because she was born to his true love, but not his wife. When the queen finds out that the king’s mistress has just given birth to his firstborn child, she agrees to let the child live, but only if the king allows her to wage war against the mortals after they killed her family.
Now, Elianna is forced to keep her true identity a secret and has no choice but to follow the queen’s orders. Those orders take her to a mortal war camp, where she and one of the other officers plan to ambush them. Things, as usual, don’t go quite as planned, and Elianna ends up stranded in unfamiliar territory with only the human commander, Jace Cadoria, her sworn enemy. Enemies-to-lovers shenanigans ensue.
The blurb for these books promised House of the Dragon meets Throne of Glass, and this series delivered on those promises with a badass heroine, a found family, and a war between relatives for the throne and the future of the realm. There are no actual dragons, but there are wyverns, which give a similar vibe.
The Forbidden Heir is written to include the points of view of not only the main protagonists but also the villains. It’s a relatively uncommon choice that definitely adds to the story and makes for a fascinating reading experience with all kinds of intrigue.
Lia is a classic romantasy heroine, tough-as-nails and hopelessly impulsive, with a heart of gold and a willingness to sacrifice for her people. And Jace, the human commander, is her perfect foil. He’s steady and practical but with a similar ferocious need to protect the ones around him. Outside of the main protagonists, partially because of the multi-POV element, the supporting characters are similarly well-developed, with journeys of growth and love stories of their own that make this story layered and complex, and a delight to read.
High action and nefarious plots abound in each chapter of this story. The danger is high, and the events will keep readers on the edge of their seats dying to know what happens next. Between battles and disasters, there are extremely touching moments exploring both love and family and a moving conclusion that brings this story to a perfect close.
The Forbidden Heir is a classic romantasy trilogy, with all the tropes readers love, but with a fresh perspective and tone. It’s also available on Kindle Unlimited, so it’s perfect for your next romantasy read.
Writing: 4.5
Spice: 2.5
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