Gr 8 Up--Inimitable Kevin R. Free returns for another happily ever after match with bestselling author Lukens. As the story begins, the hardest part is over--right? Arek and his BFFs have beheaded the Vile One, saving the realm of Chickpea. Until the rightful heir is restored, Arek agrees to assume the throne--temporarily. Except the princess was trapped in the tower so long that she's…dead. Not only must Arek rule, but unless he finds a soulmate by his 18th birthday, he'll fade away. Literally. His wooing efforts all misfire--even as his one true love is right there by his side. Free effervescently voices the motley crew--King Arek, mage Matt, fae Lila, bard Bethany, warrior Sionna, knight Rion--but he bestows his finest performance on Harlow, the dignified (disdaining) steward of the castle. VERDICT Even when the narrative occasionally drags, Free advances with irresistible glee.

King Arek pines after his court mage Matt. Arek's destiny was to defeat the Vile One and save the kingdom, but with that task done, he agrees to temporarily be the king until the true heir can be found. With the princess--the rightful heir--found dead in her tower, a magical inheritance clause keeps Arek tied to the throne. He must bind himself to his soul mate before his 18th birthday in three months--or die. Matt is his first choice, but, convinced that Matt doesn't reciprocate his feelings, Arek turns to the princess's diary for advice on courtship. While looking for love among his adventuring party--turned--royal advisers, Arek struggles to prove himself a worthy king to the mistrustful populace and avoid war with other kingdoms. A magical bard, prophecy-pushing wizard, and giant monster in a moat serve as a backdrop for a slow-burn romance. The casual acceptance of LGBTQ+ nobles and a central gay romance makes this a refreshing departure from the usual heteronormative feudal fantasies. Comedic moments abound without overshadowing or undermining the more high-stakes elements. Reading like the love child of a late-night D & D session gone awry and a romantic drama, Lukens' book is a delightfully original and whimsical narrative. Most characters default to White; one member of Arek's group has dark skin and black hair. An enticing read for both romance aficionados and D & D lovers. (Fantasy. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Arek thought he'd fulfilled his destiny when, with the help of his scrappy group of friends, he beheaded the evil king of Ere. Crowning himself interim king is just a temporary safety measure. But, whoops, the kingdom's lost heir turns out to be long dead, and now Arek's magically bound to a throne he never wanted. Worse, if he doesn't soul-bind himself to a life partner, he'll disappear into nothing. Arek's been in love with Matt, his mage and childhood friend, forever, but Matt's never shown any sign of liking him back, and Arek can't ask him for a lifelong commitment just to save his own life. So, putting his heart aside, he attempts to woo his remaining friends--any one of whom would be at home in a Dungeons & Dragons game--as the clock winds down. Lukens has created a magically expansive world where there's no homophobia and the only roadblock to romance is having the courage to delve into your own heart. An adventure that's both madcap and tender.

A queer teen navigates happily-ever-after in Lukens's (In Deeper Waters) tropey medieval romance. Seventeen-year-old Arek did what the prophecy asked of him: assembled a troupe of skilled followers (bard, Fae, knight, mage, and warrior), quested his way to the castle, and beheaded the Vile One, saving the Kingdom of Ere. Now what? He never planned on being king, but since the kingdom's heiress is dead, he's stuck; moreover, it turns out that he, as monarch, must soul bond with someone before turning 18 in three months or he'll wither away. The perfect candidate is Matt, his beloved mage, best friend, and longtime crush (who reads as white, like Arek), but Arek's afraid Matt would bond out of obligation, not affection. And so begins a comedy of errors, as Arek tries to woo one (then another--and another) of his friends. The pacing can drag as Arek tries to figure out the business of ruling, and the mishaps bringing Arek and Matt together, then apart, continue, but queer love, nonbinary gender identity, and polyamory are all refreshingly accepted in this medieval-esque world in which determining whether love is reciprocated nevertheless remains as difficult as ever. Ages 14--up. Agent: Eva Scalzo, Speilburg Literary. (Mar.)