Review: ‘Kingdom of Tomorrow’ by Gena Showalter
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Kingdom of Tomorrow
by Gena ShowalterSeries: Book of Arden #1
Published by Montlake Romance on September 1, 2025
SubGenres: Romantic Fantasy
Format: AudioBook, Paperback
Pages: 360
Narrator: Fiona Hardingham
Length: 12 Hours And 27 Minutes
Source: Purchased
Audience: 18+/Adult
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From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes a fusion of modern and fantastical worlds, where a young woman must navigate a secret society, uncover a shocking enemy…and resist an undeniable attraction.
Twenty-year-old Arden Roosa knows only Ourland. Two worlds split and stitched together, with broken pieces from each, statues of fallen gods, and heavenly artifacts that are worshipped…or feared.
But nothing is more fearsome than the night.
A strange madness haunts the darkest hours, turning innocents into gleeful killers. Arden does her best to stay safe, until she reads a book written about her life―The Book of Arden―and everything changes.
Forced to join Fort Bala Royal Academy, Arden is paired with the ruthless High Prince Cyrus Dolion. But while he trains her for combat against a mystical adversary, she can’t deny the sparks burning between them.
If her panic attacks and war games aren’t enough, Arden is also tapped to join the Tome Society, rumored guardians of an invisible library with books that foretell the future. But the more she learns about the society, the less she understands about Ourland, the gods…and the person she’s destined to be.
I never pass up a book by Gena Showalter, no matter the genre. She’s one of my favorite authors, and I always buy physical copies for my bookcase. Kingdom of Tomorrow is the first in Gena Showalter’s Book of Arden Series, and it’s definitely different from her other books. Although it is advertised as Romantasy, the story’s tone, world-building, and plot elements fit more closely with Dystopian Fantasy, particularly with its Chosen One theme. Arden, an ordinary girl, joins a military academy and is pushed past her limits by High Prince Cyrus Dolion and other factors.
I enjoyed Arden’s journey, told entirely from her perspective. She starts timid but grows as she strives to protect loved ones and uncover the truth. Arden’s relatable anxiety and her fascination with the mysterious High Prince, whose trustworthiness is uncertain, added depth to her character development. Her new friends also helped her evolve.
This brings on the romantic subplot that was forming between Arden and the High Prince. While it’s not the main focus, the tension and development between them are woven throughout the story, especially toward the middle and end of the book. For readers seeking overt steam and spice, you will be disappointed because this is more of a slow-burning romance between Arden and the HP, with only kissing. I actually enjoyed the gradual deepening of their relationship as Arden and the High Prince’s dynamic influenced her journey.
The story primarily centers on Arden’s evolution into her world’s potential rescuer, but the complex relationship between her and HP adds emotional stakes. I’m especially curious about how the romantic bond might further shape Arden’s motivations going forward in the series.
Overall, a great start to a new series, and I give it four stars. I can’t wait to find out where Gena Showalter takes me next in this new Dystopian world that she created with Arden, who is definitely becoming a fighter.
POV: First Person (Heroine’s POV Only)
Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Book of Arden series and needs to be read in order.
Would I recommend this book? Yes. If you enjoy reading New Adult Dystopian Fantasy with a romantic subplot, then check out Kingdom of Tomorrow.
What to Expect:
✔️Romantic Fantasy/Dystopian Fantasy
✔️Academy Training
✔️Enemies to Lovers
✔️Forced Proximity
✔️Secret Society
✔️Slow Burn – Kissing Only
✔️The Chosen One
About Gena Showalter
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of nearly 100 novels. Most stories fall under the genre of romance, be they paranormal, fantasy, contemporary, or young adult. She’s also co-authored a (delightfully quirky) cozy mystery series as well as a nonfiction guide about how to write a book in a year.
Gena is a dedicated mother, grandmother, and fur-mom. A woman under construction, whose life took a few unexpected turns the past few years. But she’s learned a lot and firmly believes her best days are ahead of her, not behind her. Chances are good she’s writing her next novel and already in love with the hero.
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