Why we’re excited
Sorrel has locked the Dark King back in his prison, but Merc, the man she loves, is badly hurt and the court sees her as a tool. The Prince pushes her toward a choice that looks like treason. Then the road north runs through the Forest of Reflection, where the darker part of her starts to speak.
J.R. Ward is best known for the Black Dagger Brotherhood. This is the second Kingdoms of the Compass book and continues directly from the first, so start with book one. It suits romantasy readers who like battle stakes and a heroine with a dangerous streak.
On our most-anticipated list since 21 October 2026. See all the most anticipated books →
What to know about Throne of Frost and Flame
Throne of Frost and Flame is Book 2 in the Kingdoms of the Compass series. New readers should begin with Book 1, Crown of War and Shadow.
J.R. Ward is new to The Bookish Elf: none of their books has a review here yet.
It sits at No. 18 on our April 2027 most-anticipated list, which ranks the month's books by how many readers have saved them.
From the publisher
She caged the Dark King. Now she has to survive what comes after.
Sorrel bought Anathos a breath of peace when she cast the Dark King back into the Fulcrum—but victory leaves bruises. Merc, her fiercest protector and the man she’d burn kingdoms for, lies broken in Prosperitus… and Sorrel is forced to wait while enemies sharpen their smiles.
Because the court doesn’t celebrate heroes. It uses them.
As whispers turn to knives and intrigue turns lethal, the Prince—her only ally with real power—forces Sorrel toward a choice that reeks of treason. Obey, and she may betray everything she fought for. Refuse, and she may doom the realm.
When Merc can finally stand, Sorrel turns north to marshal more armies before demon hordes spill across the land. But the Forest of Reflection waits on the road—where truth becomes a weapon, love becomes a weakness, and the darkest part of Sorrel learns to answer back.
And as the Dark King strains at his cage, Sorrel must find the courage to win a war for Anathos…without losing her soul to the darkness rising inside her.
Description supplied by the publisher.
We haven’t read Throne of Frost and Flame yet. When our review goes up, it will replace this page.
