A review by booksblabbering
Reign & Ruin by J.D. Evans

4.0

A favourite romantasy series. 

This book and series perfectly balances the romance and the plot. The characters and the magic. The world-building and the politics. 

Princess Sultana Naime was not a man, not a prince, whose temper would be seen as strength or whose unusual methods might be seen as visionary instead of disruptive. Neither was she a princess the way they believed she should be. With her father’s decline, she would rule a Council that saw her as nothing more than a steppingstone for their sons to the Sultan’s seat.

Thankfully, Naime had an affinity, for plans and schemes and seeks an alliance against her Council’s wishes with Sakram - a generations-old enemy.

Makram is the second born, disliked by his parents and feared for his magic, only elevated by his brother, the ruler, to Commander of his armies. 

Makram and Naime are the prime example of opposites attract and fit. Their love is soft, but passionate. Gentle, yet fierce. Naime is used to being seeing as a woman, as beautiful. Makram makes her feel like a Woman and Beautiful with capital letters. Her as Naime rather than her as a pawn.

<b>“If I let go“—Naime sucked in a shaking breath—” we will spend this time picking up all my broken pieces.” 

“I want them,” Makram said. “I can help you carry them.” His arms tightened around her. An imaginary fissure opened in her chest, the pain of it real enough.

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You can be strong and fall apart. Makram is Naime’s number one fan and champion and utterly in awe of her. 

The world-building is also so interesting with mages and different levels of power etc. There is also a Wheel that needs to be balanced which is Naime’s goal and will be the overarching objective of the series. 

<b>“I can shine like dawn, and you bring the peace of dusk.” She pulled her hand away. “Beginnings and endings. That is why there must be balance. To relieve the terrible with the beautiful, to make the beautiful more precious, for the threat of its absence.”

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There is spice towards the end, but it never overwhelms and the small part I did read (I am not a big fan of reading it!) was delicious, slow burn, fiery, all-encompassing. 

It is available on Kindle Unlimited!