If you’re looking for a quick summary, feel free to check out my shorter Goodreads review. But if you want the full scoop, keep reading!
Thy Kingdom Come was one of my most anticipated reads of the year. I had been following Ariana J. Dunne’s YouTube channel for a while before finally getting my hands on this book, and I’m so glad I did. While not perfect, this novel was highly entertaining, and I’d recommend it in a heartbeat!
What Worked
One of Thy Kingdom Come’s greatest strengths is its prose—fluid, engaging, and perfectly suited to the tone of the story. The plot is structured evenly, ensuring a steady pace that keeps the reader invested from start to finish. But the true highlight for me? The dialogue.
Dialogue in fantasy books can often feel overly dramatic, sappy, or even downright cringe-worthy. Finding the balance between weight and tone is tricky, but Thy Kingdom Come absolutely nails it. The conversations felt natural while still conveying deep, serious thoughts without becoming melodramatic. And the banter? Absolutely top-tier. In an enemies-to-lovers story, readers expect witty, entertaining exchanges, and this book delivers in every way.
Where It Fell Short
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I had a couple of minor issues.
First, the conflict occasionally felt contrived. Now, this isn’t a plot hole—the book does address the necessity of the death race by the end—but during the reading experience, it sometimes left me questioning whether everything happening was truly warranted.
[SPOILER PARAGRAPH] My second issue is harder to pinpoint. The emotional weight of the story took longer to hit me than I expected. For some reason, I didn’t feel as strongly about Meredith and Ithinor’s deaths as I did about Ambrose’s. I can’t quite explain why, but it took me a little while to feel fully invested in the characters’ emotional journeys.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Thy Kingdom Come is a gripping, well-paced, and clean fantasy read that I highly recommend. Despite a couple of minor shortcomings, it’s a fantastic book that readers of all ages can enjoy. If you’re looking for an action-packed fantasy with stellar dialogue and a compelling storyline, this one is worth adding to your TBR!
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