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Thrall #1
Thrall
Thrall is based on the fairy tale Cinderella, the first in a new Dystopian Romance series by the author of Recruitment and The Cure.
In the realm of Kravan, children of lower-class citizens are raised in a prison-like structure called "The Tower" from birth until adulthood. Known as the Tethered, they are held in thrall until their powers reveal themselves around the time of their nineteenth birthday.
Every year, the Tethered who are tested and deemed harmless are chosen to leave the Tower and join the outside world as servants to live in the households of the ruling class. Those who are deemed threats are taken away—and no one knows what happens to them, though they suspect the worst.
Shara has spent her entire life in the Tower, longing for the day she will be chosen to leave. She's always been certain her powers would be minimal just as her mother's allegedly were, and that she would be assigned to a life of simple servitude.
When Shara receives her Placement in the home of a Noble family, she feels at first like she has finally found her place in the world. But over time, mysteries begin to reveal themselves about her Proprietor and those who live in the house…including the handsome fellow Tethered who shares a wing of the house with her.
When he offers her an opportunity to attend the annual Prince’s Ball and to see the world of the Nobility for what it truly is, Shara begins to learn the ugly truth about the divisions between the ruling class and the Tethered.
After a life spent in near-isolation, Shara must learn to distinguish friend from foe, and to decide if her new allies are who they claim to be...
Or if they will turn out to be her greatest enemies.
In the realm of Kravan, children of lower-class citizens are raised in a prison-like structure called "The Tower" from birth until adulthood. Known as the Tethered, they are held in thrall until their powers reveal themselves around the time of their nineteenth birthday.
Every year, the Tethered who are tested and deemed harmless are chosen to leave the Tower and join the outside world as servants to live in the households of the ruling class. Those who are deemed threats are taken away—and no one knows what happens to them, though they suspect the worst.
Shara has spent her entire life in the Tower, longing for the day she will be chosen to leave. She's always been certain her powers would be minimal just as her mother's allegedly were, and that she would be assigned to a life of simple servitude.
When Shara receives her Placement in the home of a Noble family, she feels at first like she has finally found her place in the world. But over time, mysteries begin to reveal themselves about her Proprietor and those who live in the house…including the handsome fellow Tethered who shares a wing of the house with her.
When he offers her an opportunity to attend the annual Prince’s Ball and to see the world of the Nobility for what it truly is, Shara begins to learn the ugly truth about the divisions between the ruling class and the Tethered.
After a life spent in near-isolation, Shara must learn to distinguish friend from foe, and to decide if her new allies are who they claim to be...
Or if they will turn out to be her greatest enemies.
402 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 15, 2023
1341 people are currently reading
6165 people want to read
About the author
K.A. Riley
65 books552 followersK. A. Riley is a writer of speculative and science fiction, dedicated to creating worlds just different enough from our own to be entertaining, intriguing and a little frightening all at once. For Riley, writing isn't a job. It's a laboratory where readers can wander into a land of ideas; it's a playground where they can scamper around, giggling, gasping, and freaking out to their hearts' content.
Riley is the top-secret pen-name of a NYT and USA Today best-selling author.
Riley is the top-secret pen-name of a NYT and USA Today best-selling author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
January 10, 2024
Fifty shades of disappointment
I understand that the author wrote a disclaimer about this being a more more adult book than others in similar types of romantic dystopian series, but this was over the top.
The vulgar and detailed descriptions (most of an entire chapter I had to scroll through till I stopped seeing the word "clit".) of the sexual exploits of the main protagonist were pornography, plain and simple. Honestly , It adds nothing of substance to the story.
I've enjoyed other series by this writer, which were very well done. But this was a genuine disappointment, not just the badly written porn, but the low character in the writer it gives evidence to in general.
I won't read any more of this author's writing.
I understand that the author wrote a disclaimer about this being a more more adult book than others in similar types of romantic dystopian series, but this was over the top.
The vulgar and detailed descriptions (most of an entire chapter I had to scroll through till I stopped seeing the word "clit".) of the sexual exploits of the main protagonist were pornography, plain and simple. Honestly , It adds nothing of substance to the story.
I've enjoyed other series by this writer, which were very well done. But this was a genuine disappointment, not just the badly written porn, but the low character in the writer it gives evidence to in general.
I won't read any more of this author's writing.
December 4, 2023
“I live in thrall for the good of the realm,” I say softly. It’s an act of penance, and Maude knows it. “To live in thrall is an honor. The choice is mine…and I vow to choose well.”
I received a free, advanced copy of this book, and it exceeded my expectations! It has everything I love about dystopian novels mixed with Cinderella.
The book is the perfect length for a weekend binge session. Once I opened it, I was thrown into the realm of Kravan. The plot kept at a nice pace throughout the book, and I really liked the characters. The end of the book has me excited and sad that I have to wait for book two to come out.
I received a free, advanced copy of this book, and it exceeded my expectations! It has everything I love about dystopian novels mixed with Cinderella.
The book is the perfect length for a weekend binge session. Once I opened it, I was thrown into the realm of Kravan. The plot kept at a nice pace throughout the book, and I really liked the characters. The end of the book has me excited and sad that I have to wait for book two to come out.
September 21, 2024
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC of this book from a canadian author I have been wanting to try!
Thrall is a dystopian twist on the cinderella story with some good tension and "touch her and I'll kill you" vibes. Born into a life of isolation and rules, Shara lives in the tower with other gifted children - named the tethered. When she turns nineteen everything changes, she meets the mysterious and infuriating Thorne and she is assigned into servitude in a Nobles home - a domestic trained to clean and serve. Things are not as they seem as Shara's curiosity starts to unravel strings - as Throne said - curiosity kills far more than just cats. Overall good book, good writing. I struggle a little in the beginning, there was a lot of repetition of the rules and concepts. I look forward to reading the second novel as this one does end on a bit of a cliffhanger.
Thrall is a dystopian twist on the cinderella story with some good tension and "touch her and I'll kill you" vibes. Born into a life of isolation and rules, Shara lives in the tower with other gifted children - named the tethered. When she turns nineteen everything changes, she meets the mysterious and infuriating Thorne and she is assigned into servitude in a Nobles home - a domestic trained to clean and serve. Things are not as they seem as Shara's curiosity starts to unravel strings - as Throne said - curiosity kills far more than just cats. Overall good book, good writing. I struggle a little in the beginning, there was a lot of repetition of the rules and concepts. I look forward to reading the second novel as this one does end on a bit of a cliffhanger.
November 15, 2025
3.5 stars, but I round down here.
January 7, 2025
3 ⭐️
Disclaimer: I’m going to review it without spoilers at the top, then create a line and anything below that line will be spoilers. Do with that what you will.
The absolute potential for this series is astounding, however, this book also seemed a little too rushed. Especially around the love interests. It’s enemies to lovers, but the banter and yearning are pretty lackluster and they confess feels entirely too early in my opinion and too strongly. It went from her hating him to them confessing how they can’t live without one another. There’s also a few gaps in the plot that just had me pausing and going “what?”.
Lastly, I think that this being described as a dystopian retelling of Cinderella might actually deter some people. I’m not a huge “retelling of fairy tales” but this one is VERY loosely a retelling with so many unique aspects about this dystopian future.
What I liked:
- Great use of human evolution, political/societal scheming and control, powers, etc. Showcasing how a government can control people merely through the control of what they consume and what laws are in place.
- There’s a lot of interconnectivity amongst characters that I like. You find things out that show how deep this all is.
- Anything with powers is automatically great, especially with a tiered power structure and inherited powers.
- There is some beautifully sad and reflective writing in this book.
What I didn’t care for:
- The love interest was entirely too rushed.
- The plot had a good cadence and then suddenly “facts” started getting just plopped with illogical situations and then everything felt a little rushed.
- Shara loses some wind in the book. In the beginning, I was fairly invested and then she just started becoming flat.
- The level of trust Shara gave Thorne almost instantly while also hating him. I know there’s some explanation to why later but she didn’t even really question some of the stuff with him. She just did it. And for her character and how they were raised, I would have expected more discourse.
SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT
————————————
What I liked:
- The use of the diary, confusion of it being Devorah and Thorne, the realization that it was actually Lady Verdan and the Prince being her son. All of this was fairly top tier.
- Tethered being called that not because they’re enslaved but because they have a soulmate that they’re meant to be with and when they find them, they’re tethered together. Loved the involvement of them not being able to read any history prior to Tethered individuals living in the Tower turning into why they’re even named what they are.
- The inventions, especially Mercutio, was ingenious and adorable. I could see this was more where the Cinderella aspect came to be. Mice, the carriage, glass shard heels, etc. I loved that these were subtle and creatively different rather than just blatantly Cinderella.
Favorite quote:
- “It was fair enough to think ill of me,” he says when he finally slips back off the bed. “But I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to prove that I deserve you. Until then, I’ll see you in the morning, beautiful, mysterious woman in red.” // This was cute and hot all at the same time.
What I didn’t like:
- All the love confessions. It was just too rushed, corny, etc.
- The sex scene felt like very lazy writing. They go from love hating to love confessions to fucking way too fast. It just felt like the author thought they needed to get it into this first book when I’d rather have just had some light touching, teasing, etc. and waited until book 2 to explore more.
- Lady Verdan suddenly knowing that they fucked, that Shara has the diary, etc. was really a plot hole. I know it’s forced to get you to question but it just made no sense how she knew all of this stuff. And why if she knew she was at the ball, why she didn’t stop her? It just seemed slapped together and not well thought out.
Disclaimer: I’m going to review it without spoilers at the top, then create a line and anything below that line will be spoilers. Do with that what you will.
The absolute potential for this series is astounding, however, this book also seemed a little too rushed. Especially around the love interests. It’s enemies to lovers, but the banter and yearning are pretty lackluster and they confess feels entirely too early in my opinion and too strongly. It went from her hating him to them confessing how they can’t live without one another. There’s also a few gaps in the plot that just had me pausing and going “what?”.
Lastly, I think that this being described as a dystopian retelling of Cinderella might actually deter some people. I’m not a huge “retelling of fairy tales” but this one is VERY loosely a retelling with so many unique aspects about this dystopian future.
What I liked:
- Great use of human evolution, political/societal scheming and control, powers, etc. Showcasing how a government can control people merely through the control of what they consume and what laws are in place.
- There’s a lot of interconnectivity amongst characters that I like. You find things out that show how deep this all is.
- Anything with powers is automatically great, especially with a tiered power structure and inherited powers.
- There is some beautifully sad and reflective writing in this book.
What I didn’t care for:
- The love interest was entirely too rushed.
- The plot had a good cadence and then suddenly “facts” started getting just plopped with illogical situations and then everything felt a little rushed.
- Shara loses some wind in the book. In the beginning, I was fairly invested and then she just started becoming flat.
- The level of trust Shara gave Thorne almost instantly while also hating him. I know there’s some explanation to why later but she didn’t even really question some of the stuff with him. She just did it. And for her character and how they were raised, I would have expected more discourse.
SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT
————————————
What I liked:
- The use of the diary, confusion of it being Devorah and Thorne, the realization that it was actually Lady Verdan and the Prince being her son. All of this was fairly top tier.
- Tethered being called that not because they’re enslaved but because they have a soulmate that they’re meant to be with and when they find them, they’re tethered together. Loved the involvement of them not being able to read any history prior to Tethered individuals living in the Tower turning into why they’re even named what they are.
- The inventions, especially Mercutio, was ingenious and adorable. I could see this was more where the Cinderella aspect came to be. Mice, the carriage, glass shard heels, etc. I loved that these were subtle and creatively different rather than just blatantly Cinderella.
Favorite quote:
- “It was fair enough to think ill of me,” he says when he finally slips back off the bed. “But I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying to prove that I deserve you. Until then, I’ll see you in the morning, beautiful, mysterious woman in red.” // This was cute and hot all at the same time.
What I didn’t like:
- All the love confessions. It was just too rushed, corny, etc.
- The sex scene felt like very lazy writing. They go from love hating to love confessions to fucking way too fast. It just felt like the author thought they needed to get it into this first book when I’d rather have just had some light touching, teasing, etc. and waited until book 2 to explore more.
- Lady Verdan suddenly knowing that they fucked, that Shara has the diary, etc. was really a plot hole. I know it’s forced to get you to question but it just made no sense how she knew all of this stuff. And why if she knew she was at the ball, why she didn’t stop her? It just seemed slapped together and not well thought out.
dnf
October 7, 2025Going to DNF @91%
This is farthest I’ve ever gotten in a book and then DNF’d.
But I quite literally can’t do it anymore
The first 30% intrigued me , and then it just started to fall flat
Like everything was being told to me rather than just…idk…..
And I liked Thorne at first too, but he is just so weird at times. It feels like he was written with a bunch of tropes in mind. And same for the FMC
I mean in dystopian, the main character is always going have the best powers, or be the most intriguing one, but I just felt like for someone who was helpless for 90 percent of the book, to find out she has one of the most rare or best powers just doesn’t hit like it should.
I was kind of like “oh wow, really, I never would have expected that” (imagine me saying that in a monotone voice)
Mind you, I got an audible subscription and used this for my 1 credit per month because the beginning was so good and now I’m sad😭
This is farthest I’ve ever gotten in a book and then DNF’d.
But I quite literally can’t do it anymore
The first 30% intrigued me , and then it just started to fall flat
Like everything was being told to me rather than just…idk…..
And I liked Thorne at first too, but he is just so weird at times. It feels like he was written with a bunch of tropes in mind. And same for the FMC
I mean in dystopian, the main character is always going have the best powers, or be the most intriguing one, but I just felt like for someone who was helpless for 90 percent of the book, to find out she has one of the most rare or best powers just doesn’t hit like it should.
I was kind of like “oh wow, really, I never would have expected that” (imagine me saying that in a monotone voice)
Mind you, I got an audible subscription and used this for my 1 credit per month because the beginning was so good and now I’m sad😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2023
This book was AMAZING! This is the first book i have read by K.A Riley.
This is a distopian Cinderella retelling. I feel it is such a well thought out /unique version of Cinderella. Shara (Fmc) is a Tethered (person with powers) who grew up in a tower learning how to serve the nobles. All Tethereds have an AI implant chip, are unable to ever touch another person, and have so many other rules to follow. Once 19, the Tethered go and serve a Noble family.
I am not one for spoilers, so Im not going to say much else about the plot line. This book was a slow burn, sorta enemies to lovers/fated mates vibe. The austhor does a fantastic job world building Kravan and has great character development.
Honestly, i can not wait until April 2024 for the second book.
This is a distopian Cinderella retelling. I feel it is such a well thought out /unique version of Cinderella. Shara (Fmc) is a Tethered (person with powers) who grew up in a tower learning how to serve the nobles. All Tethereds have an AI implant chip, are unable to ever touch another person, and have so many other rules to follow. Once 19, the Tethered go and serve a Noble family.
I am not one for spoilers, so Im not going to say much else about the plot line. This book was a slow burn, sorta enemies to lovers/fated mates vibe. The austhor does a fantastic job world building Kravan and has great character development.
Honestly, i can not wait until April 2024 for the second book.
June 24, 2025
Ugh. This book. Where to even start.
I need to stop writing in books because it makes me not want to DNF them. If I hadn't been annotating I don't like I would have made it past the 40% mark. But when I write in them I feel obligated to finish, on behalf of the next person to read it xD
But I have grown to really enjoy writing in them so I probably won't stop haha
This book was really stupid. It is hard to describe was exactly is wrong with it, it's difficult to summarize... But the characters did things that just didn't make sense. They would do things that contradict themselves two sentences apart.
Shara saying she hated Thorne the entire book was obnoxious. Like why did she hate him? What did he do? She would say things like 'he is the most odious person I've ever met' for no reason while ignoring the step sister characters being openly classist. She is like 'what have you even done to make you trust me?' like idk girl... He gave you a contraband surveillance mouse and told you his secrets in your first real interaction... That's pretty trustworthy I would say.
FMC is also really frustrating. She keeps saying over and over how she is a rule follower but then immediately breaks all the rules. Then when she gets caught she whines and says she'll never do it again... Then immediately does it again. I could go on and on, the examples of her being contradictory are endless.
The world is cool but not flushed out at all, and they don't follow their own rules.
They're like 'absolutely no touching, no exceptions ever' but then like every other chapter there is touching and it's never a big deal. It's always portrayed like 'usually touching isn't allowed but it's ok now I guess for some reason but never again except for three pages from now when it's ok again'
Everything was kept a secret until the massive exposition dump in the last 20 pages.
The tethered thing actually being like "fated mates" or whatever was a cool "twist" if you can call it that. But it was over shadowed by being a lore dump at the end, and by the dumb way it was reviled. Like why was Thorne able to leave the ball early without his masters and no one cared? He was gone for hours! Then the stepmother got back and knew everything SOMEHOW and just lore dumbed again.
The fact that the prince is her son is one thing... But he would not be calling her mom and doing her bidding... Also?! He what's to "date" FMC? Or use her powers or something but wants to have her be like a pet or something I guess?
Also the prince is much too mustache twirly and I hate that in my villains.
Unfortunately the reading slump continues with another 1 star read... Sigh... I just want to get lost in an amazing story that doesn't feel like a chore to read. Is that too much to ask?!
I need to stop writing in books because it makes me not want to DNF them. If I hadn't been annotating I don't like I would have made it past the 40% mark. But when I write in them I feel obligated to finish, on behalf of the next person to read it xD
But I have grown to really enjoy writing in them so I probably won't stop haha
This book was really stupid. It is hard to describe was exactly is wrong with it, it's difficult to summarize... But the characters did things that just didn't make sense. They would do things that contradict themselves two sentences apart.
Shara saying she hated Thorne the entire book was obnoxious. Like why did she hate him? What did he do? She would say things like 'he is the most odious person I've ever met' for no reason while ignoring the step sister characters being openly classist. She is like 'what have you even done to make you trust me?' like idk girl... He gave you a contraband surveillance mouse and told you his secrets in your first real interaction... That's pretty trustworthy I would say.
FMC is also really frustrating. She keeps saying over and over how she is a rule follower but then immediately breaks all the rules. Then when she gets caught she whines and says she'll never do it again... Then immediately does it again. I could go on and on, the examples of her being contradictory are endless.
The world is cool but not flushed out at all, and they don't follow their own rules.
They're like 'absolutely no touching, no exceptions ever' but then like every other chapter there is touching and it's never a big deal. It's always portrayed like 'usually touching isn't allowed but it's ok now I guess for some reason but never again except for three pages from now when it's ok again'
Everything was kept a secret until the massive exposition dump in the last 20 pages.
The tethered thing actually being like "fated mates" or whatever was a cool "twist" if you can call it that. But it was over shadowed by being a lore dump at the end, and by the dumb way it was reviled. Like why was Thorne able to leave the ball early without his masters and no one cared? He was gone for hours! Then the stepmother got back and knew everything SOMEHOW and just lore dumbed again.
The fact that the prince is her son is one thing... But he would not be calling her mom and doing her bidding... Also?! He what's to "date" FMC? Or use her powers or something but wants to have her be like a pet or something I guess?
Also the prince is much too mustache twirly and I hate that in my villains.
Unfortunately the reading slump continues with another 1 star read... Sigh... I just want to get lost in an amazing story that doesn't feel like a chore to read. Is that too much to ask?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2024
Best book I’ve read on KU in a while. I’m not 100% sold on the romance (and I wow, how very “advanced” these two sheltered people are the first time together). Thorne… guess he was horrible at subterfuge and planning or something?
December 23, 2023
I have to say that I really enjoyed the world building in this dystopian romance and I loved the immediate chemistry between Shara (MFC) and Thorne (MMC)
which is only amplified as time goes on and she learns who he is to her and as he helps her come to know who she really is.
This story is quick paced without sacrificing the set up. There is plenty of intrigue to keep you curious and the set up for book 2 is fantastic.
I will say just as a warning for those who follow me regularly that this book is much more adult than my usual reads and recommendations. I’ve read another YA series (Cure Chronicles) by this author which was fantastic and wasn’t expecting the more graphic nature of this novel (cursing, violence and sexual situations) in comparison, but I appreciate the author including a warning note at the beginning of the book. I decided to continue reading but I was glad to be made aware of what I was getting into. Just a warning for my clean reads/closed door friends.
All in all I’m anticipating book two and can’t wait to find out where this series goes! Thank you to the author for an advance review copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
which is only amplified as time goes on and she learns who he is to her and as he helps her come to know who she really is.
This story is quick paced without sacrificing the set up. There is plenty of intrigue to keep you curious and the set up for book 2 is fantastic.
I will say just as a warning for those who follow me regularly that this book is much more adult than my usual reads and recommendations. I’ve read another YA series (Cure Chronicles) by this author which was fantastic and wasn’t expecting the more graphic nature of this novel (cursing, violence and sexual situations) in comparison, but I appreciate the author including a warning note at the beginning of the book. I decided to continue reading but I was glad to be made aware of what I was getting into. Just a warning for my clean reads/closed door friends.
All in all I’m anticipating book two and can’t wait to find out where this series goes! Thank you to the author for an advance review copy of this book. All opinions are mine.
March 21, 2024
Plot: 4
Characters: 4
World Building: 4
Pacing: 3.5
This dystopian Cinderella retelling takes place in the realm of Kraven. In the lands there are those lower class, nobles, and a class of people known as the Tethered.
Our FMC is Shara, a tethered raised in the confines of The Tower, a place all tethered are born and raised in. Their purpose? Depending on their supernatural gift, is to serve at the whim of the noble house they are sold to.
Shara is likeable, she is smart and friendly and right of the bat I liked her. Our love interest I liked just as much. Thorne was grumpy, witty, teasing and ticked almost every box in my book boyfriend list but when reading I couldn’t shake the image of him as Challe, the character out of The Sugar Apple Fairy Tale (who I love 💕).
The characters are great, the writing is easy to read and the plot was exciting. The only negative thing I can say and it isn’t anything massive, and it is that the pacing felt slow at the start.
I look forward to leaping into book two.
Characters: 4
World Building: 4
Pacing: 3.5
This dystopian Cinderella retelling takes place in the realm of Kraven. In the lands there are those lower class, nobles, and a class of people known as the Tethered.
Our FMC is Shara, a tethered raised in the confines of The Tower, a place all tethered are born and raised in. Their purpose? Depending on their supernatural gift, is to serve at the whim of the noble house they are sold to.
Shara is likeable, she is smart and friendly and right of the bat I liked her. Our love interest I liked just as much. Thorne was grumpy, witty, teasing and ticked almost every box in my book boyfriend list but when reading I couldn’t shake the image of him as Challe, the character out of The Sugar Apple Fairy Tale (who I love 💕).
The characters are great, the writing is easy to read and the plot was exciting. The only negative thing I can say and it isn’t anything massive, and it is that the pacing felt slow at the start.
I look forward to leaping into book two.
August 13, 2024
Dystopian world building that is straight fire! The realm of Kravan has some very original Sci-Fi aspects to the Children/Citizens known as, The Ththered. Within the first couple of chapters I found my self completely absorbed. I’m so happy this is a trilogy.
I’d say Thrall is only very loosely based on Cinderella. You have the horrible Step Sisters and even a ball, but the action and romance aspects make the book down right thrilling. Thrall reads as easily as a YA book with a spice level that will put some color on your face without making you cringe.
Oh, and so totally want a Maude.
Onto book 2!
I’d say Thrall is only very loosely based on Cinderella. You have the horrible Step Sisters and even a ball, but the action and romance aspects make the book down right thrilling. Thrall reads as easily as a YA book with a spice level that will put some color on your face without making you cringe.
Oh, and so totally want a Maude.
Onto book 2!
August 14, 2024
Last night I was looking through K.A. Riley’s books and got this violent urge to read Thrall. It would not go away, no matter what I did, so I dropped everything and read it. The entire book. And it was awesome.
I love books based on fairytales and Thrall is a dystopian (enemies to lovers!) romance based on Cinderella that goes in a really fun direction.
The world building and the concept of the Tethered was intriguing from the very start and I really enjoyed experiencing Kravan along with Shara as she left the Tower for the first time. I loved that Shara is feisty and inquisitive in a world that wants her to shut up and be a harmless little maid.
The enemies to lovers relationship Shara has with Thorne was satisfying and I am beyond happy the miscommunication trope did not make an appearance. Also, as someone who prefers f/f spice, Thrall had one of the only m/f spicy scenes I’ve read that I didn’t make me wish I was reading something sapphic instead 😂
There was a fun twist I thought I had figured out but I totally did not, so that was cool. And then the book ended not with a heavy cliffhanger but with a promise of an exciting sequel, which I immediately downloaded, then crashed because I’d been up all night reading.
I love books based on fairytales and Thrall is a dystopian (enemies to lovers!) romance based on Cinderella that goes in a really fun direction.
The world building and the concept of the Tethered was intriguing from the very start and I really enjoyed experiencing Kravan along with Shara as she left the Tower for the first time. I loved that Shara is feisty and inquisitive in a world that wants her to shut up and be a harmless little maid.
The enemies to lovers relationship Shara has with Thorne was satisfying and I am beyond happy the miscommunication trope did not make an appearance. Also, as someone who prefers f/f spice, Thrall had one of the only m/f spicy scenes I’ve read that I didn’t make me wish I was reading something sapphic instead 😂
There was a fun twist I thought I had figured out but I totally did not, so that was cool. And then the book ended not with a heavy cliffhanger but with a promise of an exciting sequel, which I immediately downloaded, then crashed because I’d been up all night reading.
February 19, 2024
Arc reader: I really enjoyed that. It was a nice easy read between some pretty heavy fantasy series. I am excited for the next one. I found the main characters very likeable. I was transported into the world which I actually have been having a hard time with lately. Nice ending setting up into the next book. Can't wait!
July 10, 2024
“Dystopian cinderella retelling” certainly had me intrigued. I intended for this to be a side-story from my other series, but it was an easy read that I ended up finishing in a day. It Incorporated the classic and best of fantasy genre tropes and also twisted/turned the “cinderella” plot-line in ways unexpected but for a way better story. Solid read and easy to say i’ll continue in the series
December 11, 2023
This is my first book by K.A. Riley and it did NOT disappoint. Thrall gives Harry Potter/Hunger Game vibes with a Cinderella retelling. And it was soooooo good!
Slow burn, enemies to lovers, magic, all set in a dystopian society. The book doesn't end on a HUGE cliffhanger but I NEED TO KNOW!! Cannot wait for the next book.
5⭐1🌶️ (spice level is appropriate for a NA book)
Slow burn, enemies to lovers, magic, all set in a dystopian society. The book doesn't end on a HUGE cliffhanger but I NEED TO KNOW!! Cannot wait for the next book.
5⭐1🌶️ (spice level is appropriate for a NA book)
June 6, 2024
4.5 stars!
January 31, 2025
Great read! Ready for book 2!
December 11, 2023
*I am thankful to the Author for an ARC copy of this book*
It is spot-on as a Cinderella retelling. No spoilers but there are a few details that were right on the nose.
This story was captivating, and I cannot wait for the next in the series! The dystopian world and the magic systems are intriguing. If you're a sucker for fated mates and "who did this to you" tropes then you'll be right on board.
It is spot-on as a Cinderella retelling. No spoilers but there are a few details that were right on the nose.
This story was captivating, and I cannot wait for the next in the series! The dystopian world and the magic systems are intriguing. If you're a sucker for fated mates and "who did this to you" tropes then you'll be right on board.
July 13, 2025
Not worth reading the rest of the series
July 23, 2025
Incredible, starting the next book asap
April 10, 2025
Cinderella with a twist
Little slow going but kept me curious and guessing as to how it would end. Can't wait to start the 2nd book!
Little slow going but kept me curious and guessing as to how it would end. Can't wait to start the 2nd book!
April 29, 2025
it was okay.....a little young adult feeling
December 14, 2023
Wow! With the mention of Cinderella I wasn’t sure how this book was going to be. And it’s my first of this genre so I didn’t know what that aspect would be like either. It did not disappoint at all! Toward the last 1/3 of the book or so I had some guesses of who the initials were, but not in the capacity that it ended up being! And a few of those chapters I really wasn’t expecting 🌶️😉 but she wrote it in a way to convey what she wanted and not in a weird or “trashy” way. Her writing worked so well for me! She didn’t take forever to get to the points, but also didn’t rush it and have tons of random filler. She described things so you could follow along and even picture it, but not so overly descriptive either. I can’t wait for the next one! In the mean time I’m going to have to read her other series to hold me over lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2024
DNF 70%
I struggled with this one. This book had been sitting in my recommended list for ages, I should have left it there.
I understand the need to world build but I found myself skipping and skimming a few pages in. I found it tediously repetitive, just new words conveying the same information. I stuck with it hoping Shara would get more interesting again I was disappointed. She just isn't interesting.
Considering the amount of thought put into building this world, I would expect better than one dimensional characters. Perhaps therein lies the problem, too much focus on only one area. I've read Y/A books with a lot more heart and depth where all they did was hold hands.
Also, that prologue kind of killed it. That future Shara sounds the same as the one we are introduced to....
I struggled with this one. This book had been sitting in my recommended list for ages, I should have left it there.
I understand the need to world build but I found myself skipping and skimming a few pages in. I found it tediously repetitive, just new words conveying the same information. I stuck with it hoping Shara would get more interesting again I was disappointed. She just isn't interesting.
Considering the amount of thought put into building this world, I would expect better than one dimensional characters. Perhaps therein lies the problem, too much focus on only one area. I've read Y/A books with a lot more heart and depth where all they did was hold hands.
Also, that prologue kind of killed it. That future Shara sounds the same as the one we are introduced to....
August 7, 2025
DNF at 92%
Another idiot prop. I’m so sick of seeing it and so sick of complaining about it. I won’t let that stop me though.
We know the FMC is making stupid assumptions just constantly. She’s reading a diary that she found under her floorboards written by a girl who calls herself ‘D’. She’s writing about falling in love with a tethered man that she calls ‘T’. The majority of the angst in the plot revolves around the FMC feeling all furious and betrayed because the MMCs name starts with a T and one of the sisters has a name that starts with a D. Are we really supposed to believe that this girl so so stupid that she doesn’t spend even 5 seconds considering that other people have names with those letters? I mean the author didn’t even specify that those letters were associated with their names.
She also had her mind blown when the MMC points out that the diary might not be recent history. Even though the tech was old? Are you kidding me??
So, once again we have a brainless FMC being mentally rescued by a moderately intelligent MMC.
Thats not even mentioning the moronic actions that she blamed on ‘curiosity’ which is really just a nice way of saying someone is too stupid to live. She’s just gonna stroll across the royal lawn? She’s gonna put her employers perfume on just for kicks? And THEN be too stupid to take it off??
The characters and their relationships were incredibly flat. So much telling and so little showing. A ‘beloved’ character died at the end and I just couldn’t care less. The FMC is acting like she and the MMC actually know each other at the end of the book.. nothing in any of the pages I read indicated that they had any sort of relationship at all. He was blackmailing her for fucks sake. No good relationship is built on blackmail.
I typically would’ve quit long before 92%. I have a firm belief that life is too short to let books negatively affect your blood pressure. But the plot presented questions and I wanted answers. I went looking for spoilers so I wouldn’t have to waste my time, but nobody here obliged. So decided to take one for the team.
* Spoilers *
The tethered are called tethered because they have fated mates that make them stronger.
Our FMC and MMC are mates, obviously.
The FMC had a super special and powerful father who was a tethered with the ability to ‘hunt’/identify other tethered via sight. Everyone watched her for years to see if she’d develop his powers, but she didn’t until she touched her fated mate. Now she’s super special too.
The MMC had the brilliant idea of making the FMC touch the villain/prince so that she could identify him as tethered. The MMC knew perfectly well that this guy was dangerous. He knew perfectly well that her powers were growing and that she would be able to get this information by sight if he waited half a minute. But no. She touched the prince because her beloved mate blackmailed her into it and got sexually assaulted for her trouble. He refused to even warn her of any of this, for no reason at all, as it turns out.
The evil stepmother or whatever was actually ‘D’ and I guess maybe the prince was her baby? I don’t know because that’s when I stopped caring.
The MMC is a member of some sort of rebellion and that’s a storyline that I’ve read way too many times. Now I’m just bored and annoyed.
Another idiot prop. I’m so sick of seeing it and so sick of complaining about it. I won’t let that stop me though.
We know the FMC is making stupid assumptions just constantly. She’s reading a diary that she found under her floorboards written by a girl who calls herself ‘D’. She’s writing about falling in love with a tethered man that she calls ‘T’. The majority of the angst in the plot revolves around the FMC feeling all furious and betrayed because the MMCs name starts with a T and one of the sisters has a name that starts with a D. Are we really supposed to believe that this girl so so stupid that she doesn’t spend even 5 seconds considering that other people have names with those letters? I mean the author didn’t even specify that those letters were associated with their names.
She also had her mind blown when the MMC points out that the diary might not be recent history. Even though the tech was old? Are you kidding me??
So, once again we have a brainless FMC being mentally rescued by a moderately intelligent MMC.
Thats not even mentioning the moronic actions that she blamed on ‘curiosity’ which is really just a nice way of saying someone is too stupid to live. She’s just gonna stroll across the royal lawn? She’s gonna put her employers perfume on just for kicks? And THEN be too stupid to take it off??
The characters and their relationships were incredibly flat. So much telling and so little showing. A ‘beloved’ character died at the end and I just couldn’t care less. The FMC is acting like she and the MMC actually know each other at the end of the book.. nothing in any of the pages I read indicated that they had any sort of relationship at all. He was blackmailing her for fucks sake. No good relationship is built on blackmail.
I typically would’ve quit long before 92%. I have a firm belief that life is too short to let books negatively affect your blood pressure. But the plot presented questions and I wanted answers. I went looking for spoilers so I wouldn’t have to waste my time, but nobody here obliged. So decided to take one for the team.
* Spoilers *
The tethered are called tethered because they have fated mates that make them stronger.
Our FMC and MMC are mates, obviously.
The FMC had a super special and powerful father who was a tethered with the ability to ‘hunt’/identify other tethered via sight. Everyone watched her for years to see if she’d develop his powers, but she didn’t until she touched her fated mate. Now she’s super special too.
The MMC had the brilliant idea of making the FMC touch the villain/prince so that she could identify him as tethered. The MMC knew perfectly well that this guy was dangerous. He knew perfectly well that her powers were growing and that she would be able to get this information by sight if he waited half a minute. But no. She touched the prince because her beloved mate blackmailed her into it and got sexually assaulted for her trouble. He refused to even warn her of any of this, for no reason at all, as it turns out.
The evil stepmother or whatever was actually ‘D’ and I guess maybe the prince was her baby? I don’t know because that’s when I stopped caring.
The MMC is a member of some sort of rebellion and that’s a storyline that I’ve read way too many times. Now I’m just bored and annoyed.
November 2, 2025
Firstly, I think the cover is gorgeous. I’ve had this on my TBR for so long and every time I looked at the cover I thought, “I should read this!”
Let’s start with the things I liked:
✅ Loose Cinderella retelling with subtle elements thrown in. I thought this was cleverly done.
✅ I am a sucker for “fated mates” so loved that element here
✅ I also love the, ‘girl discovers she has new powers’ trope
✅ Maude / MOD
Then the things I struggled with:
☑️ Alllll the plot holes 🕳️.
- Why was Thorne spilling secrets to her the first time they properly meet?
- How Shara keeps saying things like, “he’s treated me terribly ever since we first met”. Um, firstly that’s not true. And secondly you’ve only seen each other a handful of times.
- Thorne saying, “how can you not know what you are to me?” Um, when would that ever have come up?
- Shara’s wilful ignorance around what she’s reading in the diary.
- The whole plan about the Ball. Shara gets absolutely 0 information beforehand and what, just figures she’s going to wing it? Then he gives her “an envelope” which has a ton of stuff inside apparently. How big was that envelope? And what was her exit strategy? There was no proper conversation about how that night was supposed to go down.
- The fact that Thorne throws out, “there are fertility suppressors in our implants”. Um, since WHEN? If that’s true, how are so many new tethered born every year?
- The info dump at the end. Why would Lady Verdan confess anything? Or the Prince for that matter? Why give Shara that much information?
☑️ The relationship between Shara and Thorne made no sense to me. They could seemingly barely tolerate each other and then BAM 💥 screwing like rabbits. Also, if they’ve been so sheltered and could never touch themselves or each other…how do either of them know what a clit is!?
☑️ Shara’s naivety and also stupidity.
I was debating reading the next book because the storyline has so much potential, but the reviews seem to imply that Shara is equally stupid and the plot is lacking, so I may just move on to something else.
Let’s start with the things I liked:
✅ Loose Cinderella retelling with subtle elements thrown in. I thought this was cleverly done.
✅ I am a sucker for “fated mates” so loved that element here
✅ I also love the, ‘girl discovers she has new powers’ trope
✅ Maude / MOD
Then the things I struggled with:
☑️ Alllll the plot holes 🕳️.
- Why was Thorne spilling secrets to her the first time they properly meet?
- How Shara keeps saying things like, “he’s treated me terribly ever since we first met”. Um, firstly that’s not true. And secondly you’ve only seen each other a handful of times.
- Thorne saying, “how can you not know what you are to me?” Um, when would that ever have come up?
- Shara’s wilful ignorance around what she’s reading in the diary.
- The whole plan about the Ball. Shara gets absolutely 0 information beforehand and what, just figures she’s going to wing it? Then he gives her “an envelope” which has a ton of stuff inside apparently. How big was that envelope? And what was her exit strategy? There was no proper conversation about how that night was supposed to go down.
- The fact that Thorne throws out, “there are fertility suppressors in our implants”. Um, since WHEN? If that’s true, how are so many new tethered born every year?
- The info dump at the end. Why would Lady Verdan confess anything? Or the Prince for that matter? Why give Shara that much information?
☑️ The relationship between Shara and Thorne made no sense to me. They could seemingly barely tolerate each other and then BAM 💥 screwing like rabbits. Also, if they’ve been so sheltered and could never touch themselves or each other…how do either of them know what a clit is!?
☑️ Shara’s naivety and also stupidity.
I was debating reading the next book because the storyline has so much potential, but the reviews seem to imply that Shara is equally stupid and the plot is lacking, so I may just move on to something else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2025
🌶️🌶️ spice level
While the book was a page turner, the world building needed work. Like the no touching rule: what did they do when they were babies, even little kids would touch unknowingly. Why the fighting at the Tower? What was the point of having them battle all of the time when the normals and harmless would never need to fight? How do you fight without touching? I just never got the point of it other than it gave Thorne a chance to touch her. Why wouldn’t Thorne have met her before? Did they have more than one Tower? Why was it important that Thorne not tell her what she was looking for touching the prince? It seems like she may have had more motivation to help if she was on-board with the plan. She needed a cause. Her healing gift was not used sufficiently in this book. It should have been used to heal a mortal wound. The chemistry was there between the two MCs, but the enemies to lovers was not strong enough. It was never real. Like in Fourth Wing, Xaden had a real reason to hate Violet. In this, we were never given a reason. Also, the diary: it wasn’t that long and she enjoyed reading, why would it have taken multiple readings to finish? They never told how Lady Vaden knew it was Shara at the ball. Lady Vaden didn’t know her friend, she had a wig on and a mask. If the king knows that Tethered live among them and that he loves two of them, why didn’t the laws change to support that? Also, wouldn’t Lady Vaden want to seek out her other half? Also, who writes details of sex in their diaries? How would Lady Vaden have found out about Shara having access to the diary? Did Thorne spill? Why have little toy mice instead of cameras if they wanted to watch their staff? Who was going through all of that video?! Letting the AI take over her body seemed a weird plot point.
So, while it was a fast read and I was interested in the story, it needed a bit more of a logic check and tighter editing. I can’t decide if I want to read the next one.
While the book was a page turner, the world building needed work. Like the no touching rule: what did they do when they were babies, even little kids would touch unknowingly. Why the fighting at the Tower? What was the point of having them battle all of the time when the normals and harmless would never need to fight? How do you fight without touching? I just never got the point of it other than it gave Thorne a chance to touch her. Why wouldn’t Thorne have met her before? Did they have more than one Tower? Why was it important that Thorne not tell her what she was looking for touching the prince? It seems like she may have had more motivation to help if she was on-board with the plan. She needed a cause. Her healing gift was not used sufficiently in this book. It should have been used to heal a mortal wound. The chemistry was there between the two MCs, but the enemies to lovers was not strong enough. It was never real. Like in Fourth Wing, Xaden had a real reason to hate Violet. In this, we were never given a reason. Also, the diary: it wasn’t that long and she enjoyed reading, why would it have taken multiple readings to finish? They never told how Lady Vaden knew it was Shara at the ball. Lady Vaden didn’t know her friend, she had a wig on and a mask. If the king knows that Tethered live among them and that he loves two of them, why didn’t the laws change to support that? Also, wouldn’t Lady Vaden want to seek out her other half? Also, who writes details of sex in their diaries? How would Lady Vaden have found out about Shara having access to the diary? Did Thorne spill? Why have little toy mice instead of cameras if they wanted to watch their staff? Who was going through all of that video?! Letting the AI take over her body seemed a weird plot point.
So, while it was a fast read and I was interested in the story, it needed a bit more of a logic check and tighter editing. I can’t decide if I want to read the next one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 13, 2025
{Sci-Fi Romantic Fiction; M/F; single POV; explicit open door}
“What in the sexy hot death stare from hell was that about?” Nev whispers.
### The World:
Shara and a bunch of other kids have grown up in what sounds like a high-rise building. They only know the word ‘garden’ from movies and select literature. Each have special powers, so I imagine them as caged superheroes. In this universe, the heroic are merely hired help for the ultra rich. Love is not allowed, but it is all that Shara thinks about. Personal wants are not allowed. The owners treat them as robots.
What makes this interesting to me is that ultimately it is a Cinderella remake, in a way. Shara later lives with a stepmother to two daughters, and Shara does all the chores. The daughters and mother ask her help for prepping for the annual ball, for the prince is searching for a wife. It’s not like any Cinderella remake I have ever read, and the people are not what you expect.
Complicating this is a rebellion among the noblemen and among the superheroes, of which we see hints. There is an added mystery as well, when Shara finds a hidden diary that she completely misinterprets.
I could mention the A.I. wristwatch: Maude=personal A.I. overlord. Maude is her own personal nag, and I love that part of the plot.
### The Romance:
Of course, I could tell this is a romance because Shara thought constantly about it. She wants to try a kiss. She wants to touch someone. I feel for her and roll my eyes at the same time.
All the girls want Thorne, another superhero. He’s dashing, kind, and helpful. Shara gets excessively jealous over him...yet he hires her to “touch the prince.” With the diary indicating an affair on his part, and a request to attract the attention of another man, she is understandably confused.
“I’m convinced I now know what it feels like to be a cow.”
“What in the sexy hot death stare from hell was that about?” Nev whispers.
### The World:
Shara and a bunch of other kids have grown up in what sounds like a high-rise building. They only know the word ‘garden’ from movies and select literature. Each have special powers, so I imagine them as caged superheroes. In this universe, the heroic are merely hired help for the ultra rich. Love is not allowed, but it is all that Shara thinks about. Personal wants are not allowed. The owners treat them as robots.
What makes this interesting to me is that ultimately it is a Cinderella remake, in a way. Shara later lives with a stepmother to two daughters, and Shara does all the chores. The daughters and mother ask her help for prepping for the annual ball, for the prince is searching for a wife. It’s not like any Cinderella remake I have ever read, and the people are not what you expect.
Complicating this is a rebellion among the noblemen and among the superheroes, of which we see hints. There is an added mystery as well, when Shara finds a hidden diary that she completely misinterprets.
I could mention the A.I. wristwatch: Maude=personal A.I. overlord. Maude is her own personal nag, and I love that part of the plot.
### The Romance:
Of course, I could tell this is a romance because Shara thought constantly about it. She wants to try a kiss. She wants to touch someone. I feel for her and roll my eyes at the same time.
All the girls want Thorne, another superhero. He’s dashing, kind, and helpful. Shara gets excessively jealous over him...yet he hires her to “touch the prince.” With the diary indicating an affair on his part, and a request to attract the attention of another man, she is understandably confused.
“I’m convinced I now know what it feels like to be a cow.”
June 20, 2024
Thrall: A Dystopian Novel Kindle Edition
by K. A. Riley
Thrall was an amazingly good surprise of a book. Rather than go down the path of the “Chosen One” who fights the dark, evil government, we are gifted a story where our FMC just wants to get along in life.
Shara is one of the tethered – a human with special powers. She has spent her whole life in the Tower, a windowless building where the walls, the floors, the ceilings are all white – with the exception of the Black Room, which is as horrible as it sounds. Shara, like all Tethered, is assigned to a human noble household. It's Thorne who places her and it's with Thorne that she finds something more than the empty life that the Tethered are expected to live.
Ms. Riley's world-building is excellent. Her half-destroyed world where around 40% of the population are expected to be slaves that feel nothing, touch nothing, and enjoy nothing, is highly believable and well-realized. Her characters match that world, each with their own issues and their own darkness. Thorne and Shara are no the normal characters seen in dystopian novels. Thorne is not the brave silent type. He understands things that no one else in the series does. Shara is not the 'Chosen One' who is destined to bring the world down.
Ms. Riley's writing is clear, easy to understand, and drives the story like a Lamborghini.
The ending? Just wow.
4 stars out of 5
by K. A. Riley
Thrall was an amazingly good surprise of a book. Rather than go down the path of the “Chosen One” who fights the dark, evil government, we are gifted a story where our FMC just wants to get along in life.
Shara is one of the tethered – a human with special powers. She has spent her whole life in the Tower, a windowless building where the walls, the floors, the ceilings are all white – with the exception of the Black Room, which is as horrible as it sounds. Shara, like all Tethered, is assigned to a human noble household. It's Thorne who places her and it's with Thorne that she finds something more than the empty life that the Tethered are expected to live.
Ms. Riley's world-building is excellent. Her half-destroyed world where around 40% of the population are expected to be slaves that feel nothing, touch nothing, and enjoy nothing, is highly believable and well-realized. Her characters match that world, each with their own issues and their own darkness. Thorne and Shara are no the normal characters seen in dystopian novels. Thorne is not the brave silent type. He understands things that no one else in the series does. Shara is not the 'Chosen One' who is destined to bring the world down.
Ms. Riley's writing is clear, easy to understand, and drives the story like a Lamborghini.
The ending? Just wow.
4 stars out of 5
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