The crown chose him. Now the real test begins. Kael Thorne is no longer the powerless bastard prince everyone could ignore. With B-Rank magic crackling at his fingertips and the mysterious crown fragments responding to his will, he's become exactly what his enemies feared-and what his kingdom desperately needs. But A-Rank power comes with A-Rank problems. Political enemies emerge from the shadows, demanding to know what right a bastard has to wield legendary magic. Ancient scouts probe the kingdom's defenses, testing for weaknesses they can exploit. And somewhere in the space between worlds, something impossibly vast and hungry has taken notice of the young Crown Bearer's rapid ascension. The team that saved him is evolving too: Lyanna - Their first kiss awakened more than just feelings-their magical bond grows stronger each dayFinn - His barriers now protect entire squads, but can he protect Kael from the weight of leadership?Zara - Her speed rivals lightning, but even she can't outrun the team's growing list of enemiesMaya - Her healing magic touches souls now, but some wounds cut deeper than flesh - Aldric - Former rival turned ally, his strategic mind may be their key to survivalWhen trusted mentors become traitors and allies reveal hidden agendas, Kael must learn the hardest lesson of all: power means nothing without the wisdom to use it. The Ancient Enemy's scouts were just the beginning. The real invasion is coming, and this time, raw power won't be enough to save everyone he loves. Some ascensions require sacrifice. Some choices can't be undone. Book 2 of the complete Shattered Crown Trilogy escalates everything you loved about Book 1-deeper magic, higher stakes, and bonds that will be tested to their breaking point. If you devoured Book 1, you NEED Book 2. The crown's secrets are just beginning to unfold...