Early Review: Solomon’s Crown by Natasha Siegel

 Solomon’s Crown 

by Natasha Siegel

Scheduled to publish on March 14, 2023

// 5 👑 out of 5 //

This is Richard I/Philip II fanfic and I’m so here for it. If you’re unfamiliar with these historical figures, never fear because IT DOES NOT MATTER. Siegel makes it clear in her author’s note that she plays fast and loose with historical accuracy - in that there is very little. 😂 

Richard I and Philip II are one of those “were they lovers?” situations. (Historians just love telling us how two kings sleeping in the same bed was a PR move/political statement. Sure, Jan.) And frankly they lived 1000 years ago so it’s damn near impossible to get a definitive answer but who cares? They lived a THOUSAND YEARS AGO. To us, they have always been and will always be characters in a story. This author is just using them to tell her own story. 

The family drama between Richard, his father the king, and his brothers was compelling and totally had me invested. I know a (small) bit about the Angevins and the Plantagenets (Henry II, Richard the Lionheart and King John included) and I thought it was a very believable way for their stories to unfold. (Again, any historical knowledge is fairly irrelevant to the plot or general enjoyment of this book.) I was completely invested. 

The development of the relationship between Richard and Philip was a delicious slow burn and totally had me all in from the beginning. It was such a beautiful connection between the two men.

I thought it was poignant and beautifully written. The scenes between Philip and Richard are full of unspoken feelings, angst, electricity and sensuality. Later, there are incredible declarations of love and desire. The big question, though, is: will it end like Captive Prince, with two kings in love coming together to rule both kingdoms in peace, or like Song of Achilles, doomed to their fate and parted by death? How will the two men, leaders of rival lands, overcome the political obstacles? Is their love strong enough?

Tropes and story elements:

• rivals/enemies to lovers 
• slow burn
• royalty 
• family drama 
• high stakes political shenanigans 
• “it could never work”
• longing
• so much longing

Other pertinent info:

• historical fiction 
• romance 
• medieval setting
• queer MCs (m/m)
• dual POV
• closed door

cw: a gruesome boar hunt /animal death, other deaths by various medieval means

Solomon’s Crown is scheduled to be published on March 14, 2023.

5 ⭐️ out of 5

I enjoyed this book SO much. Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for providing the digital ARC.