Review of ‘Trial of the Sun Queen’ (Artefacts of Ouranos #1) by Nisha J. Tuli. Discover the fast-paced, intriguing yet predictable world of Trial of the Sun Queen, the first book in Nisha J. Tuli’s Artefacts of Ouranos series. The story kicks off strong, introducing Lor who is a fierce and determined heroine fighting for her survival in a ruthless competition to become the next Sun Queen. With a premise reminiscent of A Court of Thorns and Roses and The Selection, it promises romance, betrayal, and plenty of court intrigue. While entertaining enough to keep you turning pages, does this novel truly deliver something new, or does it fall too easily into familiar and predictable tropes? Let’s dive in and unpack the highs and lows of this romantasy read.
‘Trial of the Sun Queen’ (Artefacts of Ouranos #1) by Nisha J. Tuli is a fast-paced but predictable romantasy with an intriguing premise
Synopsis
Lor has endured twelve long years of torment under the Aurora King’s rule. Her only desire is to escape and pay him back for every moment of misery she’s endured.
When a surprise release finds her in the hands of the rival Sun King, Lor is thrust into the spotlight as she competes against nine other Tributes for the role of queen. If she wins his heart, she’ll earn her freedom and finally get her revenge.
But Lor doesn’t belong in the Sun Queen Trials. Not only does she not understand why she was freed, she isn’t a citizen of the Sun King’s court. The other Tributes resent her presence and will stop at nothing to ensure Lor is removed from the competition, permanently.
Now Lor must win, because if she loses, she dies. Or worse, she’ll be returned to the evil—and now vengeful—Aurora King.
Review
Right from the start, Trial of the Sun Queen had me hooked. Lor’s story was gripping, and I loved the way she was introduced—strong-willed, determined, and desperate to escape the prison she’s been trapped in. Her journey into the Sun Queen trials set up an intriguing premise, and I was excited to see how it would all play out.
Lor has spent years imprisoned, enduring brutal conditions with no hope of escape until she’s suddenly offered a chance at freedom. Taken to a lavish palace, she is thrown into a deadly competition where she must prove herself worthy of becoming the Sun Queen. Surrounded by scheming rivals, an infuriatingly charming prince, and rulers who see her as nothing more than a pawn, Lor quickly realizes that survival isn’t just about strength but about playing the game. As the trials unfold and betrayals mount, unexpected alliances form, making her question whether winning the crown will truly set her free or just trap her in another cage.
As the book went on, though, a lot of the plot and characters felt predictable. By the halfway point, I already had a good idea of who would betray who, what twists were coming, and how things would unfold. Atlas was so obviously fake, and Gabriel? Absolutely hated him. Nadir didn’t leave much of an impact either. I know he’ll be more important in future books, but in this one, he was just there.
The trials were entertaining, and the fast pacing made it an easy, engaging read. But the plot definitely gave me A Court of Thorns and Roses vibes, mixed with The Selection (even though I haven’t read it, the comparisons seem accurate). At first, the story had a more adult feel, but as it progressed, it started reading more like YA. The instant love trope didn’t do much for me, and Lor, who started out as a tough, resilient protagonist, became frustratingly naive as the story went on. I expected more from her, so that was a bit of a letdown.
Even with its flaws, I can’t say I didn’t enjoy it. It was fun, fast-paced, and easy to get through. Plus, knowing it is (or was) a self-published book makes me appreciate it even more. I have a feeling the sequel will be stronger, especially as the world and characters develop further.
Final thoughts
The first half was definitely stronger than the second. The story had a solid premise, but the predictability of the plot and characters held it back. Still, it was entertaining enough, and I’ll be picking up the next book.
Rating
6/10
Details
- Trigger Warnings: Forced captivity, violence, emotional manipulation, and power imbalances in relationships.
- Themes: The story prominently features themes of resilience, survival, and power struggles, as well as the consequences of betrayal and trust.
- Representation: The book includes LGBTQ+ representation, with queer characters in the cast. It also features a diverse fantasy world inspired by various mythologies.
- Pages: 400
- Publication date: September 12, 2023
- Publisher: Self-published, Forever
- About the author: Nisha J. Tuli is the bestselling author of Trial of the Sun Queen—the first in the Artefacts of Ouranos series—which became a BookTok hit thanks to her amazing fans. The originally self-published series was acquired by Forever Publishing and Orbit UK in 2023, and will soon be published in 15 other languages around the world.
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