I Devoured Crescent Kingdom and Now I’m Starving for More
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I should’ve known better than to start Crescent Kingdom by Tessa Hale on a weeknight. One page turned into one pack’s worth of secrets, one touch, one bite, FIVE wolves too hot to hide from. If you’ve read any of Hale’s Shifting Fate, Royals of Kingwood Academy, or Dragons of Ember Hollow books, you already know she doesn’t just write romance—she writes the kind that crawls under your skin and howls from the inside out. And Crescent Kingdom? It doesn’t politely ask you to stop running. It chases. Hard. From page one. If you’ve got a thing for wolves, magic, or a fated bond that feels like it might ruin you—in the best kind of way—this is the book you want on your Kindle tonight. Let’s talk about what made this one impossible to put down… and why I’m counting the days for book two.
Title: Crescent Kingdom (Wolves of Crescent Creek, 1)
Author: Tessa Hale
Publisher: Independently Published
Genre: Reverse Harem, Paranormal, Romance
Release Date: April 23, 2025
Pages: 242
Star Rating: 5 stars
Spice Rating: 2/5 chili peppers
Entering Wolf Shifter territory…
When the email landed in my inbox saying I’d be getting an eARC of Crescent Kingdom by Tessa Hale… I howled. Literally. (Yes, the pun was intentional, and no, I’m not sorry.) I’ve been feral for Hale’s books ever since Dragons of Ember Hollow scorched its way onto my Kindle. If you haven’t read that series—or my Dragons of Ember Hollow review—do yourself a favor and dive in. Tessa doesn’t just tell stories. She hits you with them. Hard. Short page count, big emotional count. That’s kind of her thing.
In Crescent Kingdom, we’re reunited with Wren, who you might remember as Hayden’s friend from Ember Hollow. But if you thought she was a side character, think again. Wren is half wolf, half caster, and she’s on the run from her past, her power, and most notably, her father: Bastian Boudreaux. The man is evil incarnate, and no, that’s not a spoiler—it’s right there on page one. She feels the world’s pain, literally. She can heal wounds with a touch… but that kind of power has a cost. If she’s not careful, it could kill her.
“My Little Wren, listen to the song inside you. As long as you hear your voice, you’ll always be able to come back to yourself.”
Wren’s secrets bleed through every chapter, and Hale holds nothing back—emotionally, magically, romantically. And with a kingdom this cursed and a pack this protective? Things get intense fast. This isn’t just a wolf shifter romance—it’s a fight for survival cloaked in longing, rage, and the kind of connection that doesn’t ask for permission.
While Crescent Kingdom leans heavily into wolf shifter territory, it’s laced with urban fantasy vibes—the kind that blur the line between reality and something just left of real. The story is grounded in a town tucked somewhere in Colorado. It isn’t technically real, but it feels lived-in enough that you can almost smell the pine in the air and hear the rustle of fur in the trees. Tessa Hale does this thing—subtle but powerful—where she builds just enough of a world to lock you into the pack without drowning you in exposition. It’s immersive without being overwhelming. You’re not reading about Crescent Creek or Wren’s life—you’re in it.
And speaking of Wren—this woman is steel wrapped in skin. She’s not simpering. Not soft in the way that breaks under pressure. She’s fractured, yes, but strong. Surviving. Enduring. Healing the world and bleeding for it. I haven’t read Hale’s entire backlist (yet), but I’d bet my TBR pile she doesn’t write weak women. Wren proves that.
“We’re going to make you come, and then you’re going to let your wolf free.”
The real emotional anchor, though? The pack. As each member is introduced, you don’t just learn names—you fall. Hard. Into laughter. Longing. Into the layered banter that builds their bond and makes you believe in the family they’ve built from the broken. The dialogue snaps, the loyalty stings, and the chemistry? Instant. This book pulls you into its rhythm, into its secrets, and dares you to stop turning the page. Spoiler: you won’t.
Where do I even begin with the romance? Crescent Kingdom pulls out all the stops with the most delicious tropes—fated mates, found family, and that “touch her and die” energy that had me gripping the pages. But let’s talk about the spice… it wasn’t off the charts, but damn, it definitely has its moments. The first scene on the couch in the gym? Let’s just say, I needed a glass of ice water after that. It’s detailed enough to get you hot and bothered without going over the edge.
The pacing? Perfection. It was fast enough to keep the story moving, but slow enough to let the relationship and tension build in such a smooth, satisfying way. You get this delicious, gradual build-up that makes every moment that much more intense when it finally hits.
“Please,” Locke whispered, his lips grazing my ear. “Let us take care of you.”
Now, let’s talk about the pack, because they’re everything.
- Kingston is the alpha—the one who holds it all together. He exudes leadership and power, and you can feel the weight of his responsibility.
- Locke? He’s your golden retriever in human form, always looking out for the pack, ready to make it all better. You want to cuddle him.
- Puck is the charmer, the one who works his magic to bring you to your knees. His wit and charisma are lethal.
- Brix is the broken one—he doesn’t do emotions or physical touch. But the cracks in his heart are what make him so fascinating.
- Ender is the anarchist—the one who doesn’t believe Wren is their fated mate. He wants to destroy everything she’s a part of. You can practically feel his anger and distrust radiating off the page.
I can’t choose a favorite—except maybe Ender, but he’s got some work to do before he wins my heart. For now, I’m all about the others. Each of them brings something unique to the pack dynamic, and as Wren connects with them, you can’t help but fall more and more in love with the family they’ve built together.
So, who is this book for?
Read this if you love:
- Paranormal romance with real stakes
- Emotionally complex heroines who can throw a punch and heal with a touch
- Found families that feel real
- Fast-paced reads you’ll inhale in one night
After a single day with Crescent Kingdom, I’m dying for book two. The ending left me reeling—the boys really messed up, and something huge happens to Wren that leaves her in danger. It’s been five days, and I can’t get this book out of my head. Tessa, if you see this, let me be a beta reader for book two, please! My heart can’t take the wait.
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