The Thorned Crown cover art

The Thorned Crown

A Darkly Enchanting Romantasy of Blood-Bound Vows, Broken Realms, and a Love that Could Reshape Fate.

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The Thorned Crown

By: Jem Andrews
Narrated by: Ryan Pierson
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About this listen

A princess bound by duty.

A fae prince bound by oath.

A dying kingdom where magic is no longer silent.

When Princess Elira of Thornevale is ordered to marry a fae prince to save her crumbling kingdom, she prepares to sacrifice everything—her freedom, her future, even her fears of the dangerous magic stirring beyond the Veil. But what begins as a political alliance soon unravels into something far more perilous.

Prince Caelen of Myrien is no stranger to bloodshed. Bound by ancient law and haunted by his realm’s past, the last thing he wants is a human bride. Yet when Elira steps into the cursed Forest of Thorns, her presence awakens something long buried—an artefact of ruin, a prophecy unspoken, and a bond neither of them expected.

Together, they must navigate a fragile truce, evade enemies hiding behind courtly masks, and confront a crown forged of thorns and betrayal. As the Veil between worlds frays and whispers of war grow louder, Elira begins to question everything: her kingdom, her heritage, and the power humming in her blood.

Because the crown isn’t just waking.

It’s choosing.

©2025 Jem Andrews (P)2025 Jem Andrews Fantasy Royalty
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Most relevant
This short dark fantasy story had promise, with beautiful, lyrical writing that painted an atmospheric world. The tone and imagery were strong, and the author clearly has a gift for crafting haunting, poetic prose. However, while the language was lovely, the story itself struggled to match the depth of its aesthetic.

At just over two hours in audio format, it felt too brief to truly immerse the listener in the world or its characters. The bursts of action that were over almost as soon as they began. When conflict did arise, it was described too vaguely to carry much weight, leaving the tension unresolved and the stakes unclear.

Ultimately, it was a story that looked and sounded like dark fantasy but didn’t quite deliver the emotional or narrative impact the genre promises. With more time to expand the plot and explore its characters’ motivations, it could have been far more compelling. Still, the elegant writing style earns it three stars; a beautifully written tale that simply needed more substance.

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