Fearless by Lauren Roberts
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Audience: Young Adult — Genre: Dystopian Fantasy — Sub-Genre: High Romantasy
Length: Print: 593 pages | Audio: 18:37:00 — Dates Read: 04.08.25 – 04.15.25
Spice Level: ★ ★ — Plot: ★ ★ ★ ★



🕊️ ➞ Top 5 Tropes:

Touch Her, You Die — Morally Grey MMC — Forbidden Romance
He Falls First — Forced Proximity — Enemies to Lovers



🕊️ ➞ Synopsis:

She fled as a betrayer. She returned as a bride-to-be.

Ordinary-born Paedyn Gray was prepared for a death sentence, not a proposal. After killing the king, marriage to his son, Kitt, was the last thing she—or the kingdom—expected. But with her role as queen, Paedyn would have the chance to unite Ilya and create a kingdom where Ordinaries live alongside Elites without fear.

With a decision looming, Paedyn battles between her head, her heart, and the hidden trials she now faces. Through it all, Kai Azer fights to call her his, even if it means defying his king. Are vows strong enough to unite a kingdom? Or will betrayal break them? The choice between sacrifice and self has never been more difficult… or deadly.

The final installment in the epic and sizzling fantasy romance trilogy that’s taken the world by storm.



🕊️ ➞ My Progress Notes:

It’s been 3 days since I finished it, and it feels like a lifetime of grieving. This conclusion broke me, and I wish I could read it for the first time again. #masochistic

I feel like Frank Gallagher after waking up post-bender. Send aid.





🕊️ ➞ My Thoughts:

***Possible Spoilers below

This finale wrecked me. Unequivocally.



I spent the better part of April and May thinking about this book six times a day. I don’t even know where to begin… Guess I’ll just jump in.

Fearless picked up where Reckless left off with Pae and Kai having returned to the castle and Kitt proposing to Paedyn. Which had me….



Then she accepted, and I screamed at my book.



I loved Kitt, but Kai was endgame, always. Kitt broke my heart this book; I don’t care what anyone says — I am a Kitt lover. His character arc in the book was both heartbreaking and frustrating. I understood the grief he was dealing with, the confusion of the entire situation, and his need to cling to the last of his family – Kai. In addition to all that, Kitt was taking a dose of something that would inevitably drive him mad, so his character and physical health deteriorated so quickly. I don’t see a villain when I think of Kitt. I saw a boy who wanted his father’s love, and he only received it when he demonstrated strength and power, so this fueled his need for “greatness.”

I felt for Paedyn because, through this plot, she was forced into another series of deadly trials and was disowned by all the people revealed to be her family as the story progressed. She truly cared for Kitt and wanted equality for all, but greed ultimately prevailed. Oh, when she finally got back at Blair for Adena’s death?? Priceless.



Speaking of Adena, Mak’s appearance in this was heartwrenching. I haven’t read Powerful yet, and honestly, now I don’t feel like being hurt again.



Mak’s grief and guilt broke me. I wish his ending had been different, but it made the most wholesome sense.

“See you in the sky.”

– Adena, Powerful

Kai’s yearning through all of this was the highlight of not only this book but the entire trilogy. I’ll die on that hill.



When Edric’s secret was revealed, I was livid for Kai and the abuse he sustained. Also, infuriated with his mother for allowing things to happen.



I know she had little influence and power, but sh!t, get it together. Be a mother.

Anyway…

Redirecting back to Kitt, his ending broke me, and so did his epilogue. It did leave me wondering if his solitude in the end was forced or self-inflicted. And the ones who kept him company?!?! Ugly crying.

“Bury me…” Kitt takes several shallow breaths. Then he smiles. “Under the willow tree. I… I won’t be lonely there.”

– Kitt Azer, Fearless

B R O K E N



🕊️ ➞ My Favorite Kai Azer Quotes:

“You don’t need a blade. I would bleed if only you asked.”

– Kai Azer, Fearless

“I’ve been nothing but willing when it comes to drowning in those ocean eyes. But now, I can’t fathom drowning if she is not the anchor I’m sinking with.”

– Kai Azer, Fearless

“At the end of a blade, I would love you. Until it pierced my throat, I would say ‘yes’ to you.”

– Kai Azer, Fearless

“I love you. And I’ve been waiting to tell you since I realized your eyes are my favorite color and your freckles the only constellation worth looking at. I could lie—say that you’ve stolen my every thought and heartbeat like the thief you are, but all of me was already yours. Pae, you are my inevitable.”

– Kai Azer, Fearless

“In love with a girl I’d have bowed to long before she became my queen.”

– Kai Azer, Fearless

“I would spend the rest of my days making her flower crowns if she wanted to be a queen. My queen. Not Kitt’s. Not Ilya’s. Mine.”

– Kai Azer, Fearless

🕊️ ➞ Conclusion:

To conclude: this book ripped my heart out at least four times, collected my tears in a jar, sewed me back together, and gently kissed my cheek as it ended. 10/10 would recommend. Please note that this is a mostly character-driven series with romance as the main focal point. Even so, I felt that the author was still able to create an immersive world and plot that was filled with action, banter, heartache, and joy. To conclude: this book ripped my heart out at least four times, collected my tears in a jar, sewed me back together, gently kissed my cheek as it ended, and left me with a two-month-long book hangover.

The author just announced another novella called Fearful that’s supposed to be Kitt’s perspective. If I decide one day I’d like my feelings hurt, I’ll drop a review.



Did you read Fearless yet? What did you think by the end? Were you shocked at Callum and Edric’s secrets? How did you feel about Kitt’s character in this book? Do you think he was the real villain? What were your thoughts on the ending? I’d love to hear from you! Comment your thoughts below!

xoxo,

L.B.

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