Book: The Lost Deer Queen by H J Nichols
Reviewed by Michele (spicysithreads)
Rating: 5/5
I received this book from the author, so I could dive into it before book two of The Woodland Kingdom series. Thank you to H. J. Nichols for letting me be part of the review team!
This was such a great read! I loved how it seemed like it was set in the present, and how they lived just like humans do! I went in completely blind—literally all I knew was “fantasy”—and it still managed to exceed every expectation. The pacing is quick and addictive. The worldbuilding is creative without drowning you in details, which I actually loved because it made it so much easier to focus on the characters and get invested in them.
Mae, our FMC, is a twenty‑something bookstore owner whose life gets turned upside down when the murdered royal family’s secrets reveal that she’s next in line for the throne. She accepted everything so quickly - It surprised me! New lineage, new responsibilities, leaving her old life behind, and she has to marry a stranger in a few months to keep her crown! This story had me, especially when the "Bachelorette" games started !! The princes all had such distinct personalities, and the banter, the friendships, the genuine attempts to win Mae over, and of course the drama made it ridiculously fun to read. The fast pace worked in its favor.
On top of that, Mae is discovering her magical abilities, figuring out who she can trust, and trying to piece together what really happened to the royal family—and whether it’s part of something bigger. There’s truly a little bit of everything here. I also really appreciated the honest portrayal of anxiety. It’s something that often gets brushed aside or minimized, especially in adult characters, so seeing it handled with care felt so good to me as someone with anxiety. I really loved this part of the book!
And then the ending. I was absolutely blindsided. I did not see that twist coming—probably because I was too busy paying attention to the princes—but wow, what a reveal. It was such a strong way to close the book, and now I’m genuinely excited to see where the series goes next. I’m so impressed by how well this author weaves a story, and I HIGHLY recommend picking this one up.
Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Elemental magic
Prophecies and fate
Found family
The chosen one
Morally grey MMCs
Multiple love interests
Forced proximity
Political intrigue