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So This Is Ever After

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So This Is Ever After

By: F.T. Lukens
Narrated by: Kevin R. Free
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About this listen

 An instant New York Time bestseller!

Carry On meets Arthurian legend in this subversive, “delightfully original and whimsical” (Kirkus Reviews) young adult fantasy about what happens after the chosen one wins the kingdom and has to get married to keep it…and to stay alive.

Arek hadn’t thought much about what would happen after he completed the prophecy that said he was destined to save the Kingdom of Ere from its evil ruler. So now that he’s finally managed to (somewhat clumsily) behead the evil king (turns out magical swords yanked from bogs don’t come pre-sharpened), he and his rag-tag group of quest companions are at a bit of a loss for what to do next.

As a temporary safeguard, Arek’s best friend and mage, Matt, convinces him to assume the throne until the true heir can be rescued from her tower. Except that she’s dead. Now Arek is stuck as king, a role that comes with a magical catch: choose a spouse by your eighteenth birthday, or wither away into nothing.

With his eighteenth birthday only three months away, and only Matt in on the secret, Arek embarks on a desperate bid to find a spouse to save his life—starting with his quest companions. But his attempts at wooing his friends go painfully and hilariously wrong…until he discovers that love might have been in front of him all along. LGBTQ+ Literature & Fiction Magic Romance Royalty Science Fiction & Fantasy

Critic reviews

"No one is better suited to narrate this charming gay fantasy romp than Kevin R. Free, whose bright voice overflows with silliness and pining. Seventeen-year-old Arek has just defeated the evil ruler of the kingdom and accepted the crown, not knowing that being king means he must marry his soulmate — or face death. So he sets out to woo his fellow questers, even though he’s in love with his best friend, Matt. Free’s narration is joyful and fun. He nails every character voice — from warrior Sionna’s deep rumble to the dry, sarcastic tones of the castle steward. This audiobook is an over-the-top D&D-style adventure and a slow-burn friends-to-lovers romance rolled into one. Free gets the tone just right: heartwarming but not too serious."
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Honestly is one of the best books I've listened to in a long time. It was so funny and sweet. and they storyline was good and easy to follow.

absolutely lovely story.

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This book warmed my soul through and through. I was intrigued at first because of it being a subversion of chosen one narratives exploring the consequences of having a teenager with no real training become king. While it is poking fun at the genre there was clearly a lot of love for fantasy from the author. However, even apart from the witty trope subversion the characters and the story stand on there own. Each character felt like a realistic teenager who has been through a lot as was just trying the best. The queer representation and sweet slow burn romance was just the cherry on top of this fantastic book. I highly recommend!

A lovely done pastiche of fantasy tropes

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The characters and setting kept me engaged and wanting to continue even though I am very much over the oblivious lovers trope.

Endearing characters in a compelling love story.

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