Title: Trickster King
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #9
Rating Out of 5: d!), 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect), 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2024

There really wasn’t much of a point of conflict in this Royal States novel, and there is no great romance (because Jessica and Pat have already had theirs in Storm Called). Mostly, this is kind of an epilogue feel / bridge to the next part of the Royal States stories in that it’s mostly just Pat running amok in the world. And all of those chaotic and fun moments throughout. I absolutely adored it, and it was a lot of fun. But I did keep wondering when the Big Evil or some such would come out. Or even when Pat would come up against some actual opposition to his holiday adventures.

I really enjoyed not only getting to know what makes Patrick tick a whole lot more. But it was also fantastic to learn more about Eddie and some of the difficulties he faces. Plus, it’s a great insight into just what makes Patrick’s protegee tick and why he is on the path he is. It’s also nice to know just why Patrick is known as the Trickster King, and just how manipulative he truly is. All of this story was great character building and a bit of a history lesson to some of the conflicts building in the Royal States world.

In the world that we live in, constantly working and being active is seen as a positive thing. I love that in this, Patrick is aware that breaks are important. And that, even though he is constantly driving forwards to make change, he is aware that sometimes, even he needs to stop and take a breath. By having breaks and downtime, we are able to actually function better and be more efficient when we are driving towards our goals. I’m at a point in my life when I feel like I am juggling a hundred plates, and it was a nice reminder that I too, can put them down sometimes and just… breath.

Although this chronologically occurs earlier in the series, it is definitely worth reading Trickster King as book number 10. There are hints to what happens throughout this story, but you really appreciate it after you read the other stories. Plus, this gives a bit more background to Deidre’s mistake (which you find out about earlier), and just makes me hang out to read the next book. Or the next. Or the next. Really, whichever one features Deidre’s romance is going to be an epically amazing one. I hope.

Image source: Smashwords

Title: Runaway
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #8
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

I absolutely love that this follows Tom, Ethan’s brother after he is plunged into his role as the heir to California. And all of the craziness that followed Ethan’s abdication and Rachel’s parents’ demise. It’s also fantastic that he has been empathically bonded to Cassandra for a long time, with everyone knowing and just waiting. At first, I thought that their story was honestly going to be a little simpler than Ethan and Rachel. But, it turns out, that it had just as many twists and turns. Actually, I felt a little more unsettled at Cassandra’s story, but also loved her so damn much in the end.

Cassandra is an incredibly sweet and gorgeous lead. And I love that this sweetness is actually what ultimately saves her. Particularly as it is what makes her impossible to manipulate to more devious purposes. I mean, often, being sweet and kind are considered weak traits. But, ultimately Cassandra was able to use her good-nature to protect those that she loves. I personally love that she realised Tom was desperately in need of hugs, and chose to just… hug everyone to stop him from looking special to her somewhat evil parents. Plus, Copperfield is able to highlight that being a giver is actually a really good thing, but something that’s easy to take advantage of.

Even though I couldn’t stand any of the actions of Cassandra’s parents, I really wasn’t expecting the twist of their true motivations towards the end. It gave every single interaction a far more sinister motive and made me feel incredibly uncomfortable. I actually really look forward to rereading this in the future and picking up on some of those many hints. And seeing everything through a different lens. I mean, it’s one thing to have evil parents who are using you for political gain, but the reality is so much worse! Although, I did absolutely adore how Cassandra, her future MIL and Queen Jessica all chose to mess with this plan in the most entertaining ways possible.

I often consider running away to escape the responsibilities of life and being an adult. So I can completely understand why this entire story revolves around the idea of Cassandra and Tom getting in a car and fleeing. We all have a breaking point, and this was a really pleasant way to deal with that point in their sanity. That they can sort out their relationship and future roles in the kingdom in the journey just made it all that much better. I too want to run away and come back with more money and sanity, but, alas, that’s just not likely to happen at any point in my life.

Image source: Barnes & Noble

Title: Cold Flame
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #7
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Rachel and Ethan are a fantastic couple, one that is completely supportive and work incredibly well together. I love that I knew this story was going to be coming up, because of the hints about them in Bonds. But, their story was way better and sweeter than I was anticipating. I mean, they have a whole lot of obstacles against them, and Rachel’s mental health is incredibly tragic – but, they manage to enjoy one another’s company and just… learn to grow together and support one another.

There are hints to just how horrible the New York Royal family is throughout the Royal States series, but I honestly didn’t quite realise the level to which they are… horrifying. The insidious tendrils of their abuse are woven throughout this entire story, and I love how Rachel works incredibly hard to overcome this. I also absolutely adore the support animals that she has and how they actually work to help her deal with her trauma. The fact that they are animals which I wouldn’t associate with being support animals… even better.

As much as I loved this story, I wanted a whole lot more time with Rachel’s research and the library. I love the idea of a treasure trove of information and all of the points that can be made about inequality with good information. There was so much potential there, and my nerdy brain kind of fixated on this. It also highlighted the amount of intelligence Rachel actually possesses and how attractive a quality this is for both Ethan and herself when they find themselves attracted to one another. Following on with Rachel’s intelligence, I love how she is able to use her hybrid Talent to extinguish a wildfire. And how poignant her points about letting Flameweavers be involved in fire control is.

There are a multitude of societal commentaries throughout this series, but, as usual, it is the powers and the emotional toll of the characters that I adore. I particularly love how her PTSD and trauma is handled with humour, but also highlights just how difficult her journey has been. And that’s not even beginning to discuss just how ridiculously horrible the treatment of refugees is throughout this state of California (but honestly, just globally as a general).

A number of secondary characters throughout this story make me want to dive further into this world. Luckily for me, Terry’s story is told in Iron Unicorn. As is Ethan’s second brother’s in Runaway. But, what I really want out of this series next is Ian’s story. His empathy as a fellow survivor of the New York family is beautiful, and now I want to find his happily ever after and the battles he’ll be forced to face.

Image source: Amazon