The Heretic Royal: An Action Packed Novel of High Fantasy (The Scarred Earth Saga)
The Heretic Royal: An Action Packed Novel of High Fantasy (The Scarred Earth Saga) book cover

The Heretic Royal: An Action Packed Novel of High Fantasy (The Scarred Earth Saga)

Paperback – December 27, 2022

by
Price
$9.99
Format
Paperback
Pages
336
Publisher
Kensington
Publication Date
ISBN-13
978-1496735089
Dimensions
5.5 x 0.76 x 8.25 inches
Weight
10.4 ounces

Description

Praise for The Heretic Royal “This tale of magic and mayhem is told from multiple perspectives, and readers will need to keep their wits about them as the action speeds along and the dialogue pings among sarcastic dragons, earnest fathers and obnoxious siblings.” — Bookpage Praise for G.A. Aiken’s Scarred Earth Saga "Electrically fun...turns the usual fairy-tale class dynamics upside down...this is a book that encourages trust in people's goodness, if not their patience or good sense. It's light on the romance, but prodigiously good for the heart." —The New York Times on The Princess Knight “I really enjoyed the furious adventure and romance of The Princess Knight .” — Smart Bitches, Trashy Books “Fans will be glad to see Aiken’s characteristic over-the-top humor and rapid-fire dialogue on display.” —Publishers Weekly "Aiken's world building shines as she fills the series with dwarves, elves, centaurs, and demonic wolves which only Keeley can control. Tilting more toward fantasy, this paranormal romance will be a hit with fans of both genres who enjoy tales that are lighthearted and humorous...Teens are sure to relate to Keeley's rivalry with her sisters and her need to protect them." —Booklist on The Blacksmith Queen "G.A. Aiken writes fantasy romance with a grin and a wink...Aiken builds a world and characters that feel real despite the sexy centaurs, demon wolves, and two suns in the sky. It may be laugh-out-loud funny, but at its heart this is a story of a woman who cares deeply for both the family she has and the one she creates." —Bookpage on The Blacksmith Queen "[This] series launch by paranormal romance author Aiken is set in a world full of centaurs, witches and necromantic war monks...[A] Pratchettesque tone." —Publishers Weekly on The Blacksmith Queen G.A. Aiken is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Dragon Kin Series and the Scarred Earth Saga. When she's not writing about sexy dragons and feminist blacksmiths, she's writing about hot wolf, lion, tiger, and other fang-filled predators as Shelly Laurenston, the acclaimed and bestselling author of the Pride series, the Call of Crows, and the Honey Badger Chronicles. Originally from Long Island, she now lives on the West Coast and spends most of her time writing and making sure her rescued Pitbull doesn't love everyone into a coma. Please visit her online at GAAiken.com.

Features & Highlights

  • In this riveting, feminist tale perfect for fans of Katee Robert and Nalini Singh, two sisters battle for a single throne, warring factions take up arms, a land is divided, and uncertain allies become very certain lovers. With subtle commentary on today’s political polarization, this riveting epic celebrates strong female characters and champions the underdog with diverse, expert world building.
  • Gods save the queen!
  • Ainsley Farmerson has always planned to break free of the family business—and the family drama. But what was once farming, smithworking, and bickering over the dinner table has turned into open warfare between sisters. Sides have been taken, lives are on the line, and Ainsley has no doubt which sister must be queen. She’ll do whatever is necessary to take down the soulless Beatrix. Even if that means joining forces with angry battle nuns, irritating monks, and overbearing centaurs.Gruffyn of the Torn Moon Clan has no time for human beings. And yet . . . there is something about the uncontrollable princess that he can’t ignore. Maybe it’s the way her eldest sisters underestimate her. Or her bravery facing down dragons and mad queens from distant lands. Whatever the reason, Gruff is willing to fight by this human’s side. Not only for the entertainment value, but because she’s right. Beatrix must never be queen. So whatever he has to do, whoever he has to destroy, Gruff will battle beside Ainsley. Fast. Hard. And with absolutely no mercy . . .“The action speeds along and the dialogue pings among sarcastic dragons, earnest fathers and obnoxious siblings.”
  • –
  • Bookpage

Customer Reviews

Rating Breakdown

★★★★★
60%
(1.4K)
★★★★
25%
(596)
★★★
15%
(357)
★★
7%
(167)
★
-7%
(-167)

Most Helpful Reviews

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Great Reading

I love a book that makes me laugh out loud and many of G.A. Aiken's book do just that. This was no exception. The characters may sometimes appear to be ridiculous or exaggerated but I prefer to consider them larger than life, quirky and definitely different. I haven't read all of the dragon series book so I was not familiar with many of the reintroduced characters in this particular story, however, I have a new favorite, the Mad Queen. She works with Keeley, Gemma and Ainsley in this latest story against Beatrix and I just loved her. I don't think I've read about a more colorful and crazy character in any series I've read. Once I got into the book, I read it any chance I had I enjoyed it very much. I was surprised that Keeley didn't take a larger role in the story but Gemma and Ainsley had solid storylines and the new animals caused me to smirk also because I thought they were good additions to the storyline. I was happy to discover that the story continues although I thought the evil Queen Beatrix was going to be brought down by the new alliance but I guess not yet. If you're familiar with the previous books I'm sure you'll enjoy this latest installment. If you haven't read the previous book, make sure to start with those first. Otherwise you'll miss out on important details.
2 people found this helpful
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hold on, lots happening

The Scarred Earth Saga continues with much occurring -- there is adventure, battles (great & small), humor (sometimes off the wall), family shenanigans and drama, a bit of romance, and twists and turns a plenty. As with the prior books, it is primarily a fantasy story with a relationship forming and becoming serious subtly happening in amongst the rest of the story. This series takes place on the opposite side of the huge mountain range from the author's Dragon Kin series with little more than a brief mention of dragons and the "mad queen" occurring in the prior books as no one crosses those mountains (or at least never returns if they do). However fans of that series will get a treat as part of the royal dragon army has indeed crossed those mountains with Annwyl, Fergus and several of his siblings and other relatives to find out what is going on and offer some wisdom and advice to Keeley and her sisters about what it now means and is expected of their change in status to "royals" and warnings on what might expect on dealing with Beatrice. All in all, it was an enjoyable, interesting and entertaining read that left looking forward to the next book.
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The Heretic Royal

Another great read following the characters of Keeley, Gemma, and Ainsley against Beatrix. Along with characters that you would have read about from the dragon series books. If you have not read the first of the series I would start there first because you might miss out on important details. I would recommend this series to anyone that likes humor, romance, and action.
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Wonderful world building addition to The Scarred Earth Saga!

Another delightful story full of great characters. Can’t wait for next book!
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Good

Love of strong's female character in a lead
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I ca n not wait for the next one

Incredible and riveting finished in half a day.
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Fun fantasy series!

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

G. A. Aiken’s Scarred Earth Saga books absolutely go for it & I love that about them. When you read them, expect to find lots of dramatic moments, brawls & near brawls, chaos, & family squabbles & adoration (also betrayal).

They’re some of the most fun & wild fantasy books I read.

The Heretic Royal is book 3 in the saga & you must read books 1 & 2 before beginning.

In this book, Ainsley, a princess & sister of Queen Keeley, is paired with Gruff, a centaur & champion Grudge Holder who's known for being taciturn.

The chapters are short, there’s some attempt to build alliances, some family & kingdom-wide drama, & a hot sex payoff.

I definitely recommend this series if you’re looking for something bonkers that you don’t want to look away from.

4⭐️. Out 12/27.
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The Dragons are Back!

The Smythe Family is back and Queen Keeley is still trying to protect her people and her land from her power crazed murdering sister Queen Beatrix and in book three she has some help. Will it be enough end Queen Beatrix's reign or at the very least hold her off or will it just add to the full plate that Queen Keeley already has?

In The Heretic Keeley is doing her very best to keep everyone safe and help has just arrived in the form of Annwyl the Mad Queen of Garbhán Isle and all the Dragon Kin gang. If you're a true G. A. Aiken fan, you know about The Dragon Kin and how much trouble they get into. Add in the craziness of The Smythe family and what you get is a hilarious fighting good time. I anxiously await the next book to see what these two kingdoms get themselves into next time.
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I deeply enjoyed the Heretic Royal as the third book in the series

In the first two books, we learned that Beatrix would be the queen. Then, one of her sisters also became a queen. Their family is huge, and Beatrix turns out to be really evil, giving the order to murder everyone in her own family. The third book is full of family stuff.

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