16 Jun Book Review: The Night Prince by Lauren Palphreyman
Lauren Palphreyman built her name in the world of supernatural romance with her smash Wattpad hit Cupid’s Match, but with The Wolf King series, she’s stepped firmly into adult romantasy territory. The Night Prince is the second book in the trilogy, picking up right where the first left us — heartbroken, adrenaline pumping, and desperate for answers. Given how The Wolf King ended on such a high-stakes note, I was braced for drama, betrayals, and even more slow-burn tension.
The Wolf King series
What’s it about?
The Night Prince picks up immediately after the cliffhanger of The Wolf King. Aurora, now no longer the obedient princess her kingdom molded her to be, has thrown in her lot with the werewolves — or at least with Callum, the fierce alpha who captured her heart and challenged her to see the cracks in the human regime.
But her life is more tangled than ever. With Callum’s capture at the hands of the northern werewolf clans and the sudden appearance of Blake—the Night Prince—Aurora finds herself stranded in a brutal new court she barely understands. Blake, charismatic and cold, offers Aurora a way to save Callum and prevent an all-out war. But, as always, there’s a catch: she must marry him.
This political engagement isn’t about love — it’s about power, alliances, and survival. Blake claims he can unite the fractured werewolf clans under one crown and lead them to victory against the human monarchy. With Aurora by his side, he believes they can become unstoppable. But Callum remains imprisoned and facing execution, and Aurora’s heart is torn between her loyalty to him and the brutal pragmatism Blake represents.
As Aurora navigates the deadly intrigues of Blake’s court, she discovers that the Night Prince’s plans run deeper and darker than she ever imagined. Blake isn’t just playing political chess — he’s manipulating ancient magics, forbidden rites, and the unstable loyalties of the werewolf leaders. His ambition could either save or doom them all.
Meanwhile, Callum fights to survive imprisonment and torture, refusing to give up the memory of Aurora or his dream of a freer future for the werewolves. His resilience mirrors Aurora’s internal struggle: does she choose the boy she loves, even if it means risking everything, or does she choose the ruthless path that might actually secure peace?
Throughout the book, Aurora is forced to confront hard truths about herself and the world she thought she knew. She learns more about her own mysterious lineage — and the strange, ancient powers awakening inside her. As she becomes more entangled in the supernatural politics of the werewolf clans, Aurora realizes she is no longer just a pawn; she could be the kingmaker—or the queen—if she’s willing to claim that power.
But Blake’s grip tightens, the tension between her heart and duty snaps taut, and betrayal waits at every turn. Allies prove treacherous, enemies become necessary evils, and through it all, Aurora must stay alive long enough to decide who she truly is — and who she will fight for.
By the explosive final chapters, war is inevitable, trust is shattered, and Aurora faces an impossible decision that will shape the fate of humans and werewolves alike. And just when you think you can breathe again, Palphreyman hits you with another brutal cliffhanger that leaves you desperate for the final book.
What This Chick Thinks
Character Chemistry
The love triangle here is electric. Blake and Callum are opposites in every way — and not just in looks or style, but in their entire approach to power, loyalty, and love. Aurora’s chemistry with both men feels real and complicated. I love that she’s not passive in these dynamics; she’s actively making choices, weighing costs, and growing fiercer by the chapter.
Themes of Power, Freedom, and Identity
This isn’t just a romance novel — it’s about revolution, about dismantling systems that oppress, and about finding your voice when every force around you wants to mold you into something useful. Aurora’s arc is about claiming her right to exist on her own terms, whether that fits anyone else’s agenda or not.
World-Building and Stakes
The expansion of the werewolf world in The Night Prince is so satisfying. New clans, deeper lore, hidden magics — it all feels bigger and more dangerous. Palphreyman does a great job showing how fractured these societies are, and how fragile any hope of unity really is. The stakes aren’t just romantic; they’re existential.
Pacing and Emotional Payoff
If The Wolf King was the setup, The Night Prince is the rising action. Every chapter tightens the screws just a little more. It’s fast-paced without feeling rushed, and the emotional beats — betrayal, longing, hope, devastation — hit hard and linger.
Final Thoughts
The Night Prince is everything I want from a middle book in a romantasy trilogy: deeper world-building, messier emotions, bigger stakes, and more painful choices. Aurora’s evolution continues to be the heart of the story, and Blake’s addition as a complicated anti-hero raises the emotional tension to new heights. If you’re here for epic love, complicated politics, and heroines who refuse to be caged, you’re going to devour this.
Strong 9 out of 10.
Try it if you like:
- A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas – A second-book emotional whirlwind featuring a heroine growing into her own power and facing impossible romantic decisions.
- The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen – A strategic marriage of enemies turning into a complex, slow-burn romance in a world rife with betrayal.
- Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin – Another enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance where nothing is ever simple, and every loyalty is tested.
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