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Secret Minders #1
Killing Secrets
Magic isn’t a blessing when it costs your life.
When a century-old war reignites and an army with magic-users invades, Prince Arran of Nithle must act quickly to protect his kingdom. But the enemy isn’t after his kingdom. They’re after him, and death is closing in faster than his inability to properly swing a blade.
To ensure the prince’s safety until the threat has passed, the Union, an organization that safeguards all human kingdoms, sends a warrior with unmatched skills to act as his personal guard. Trained from birth to spill blood, Ryla’s expertise strikes fear in enemy forces as she meets their attacks at every turn.
Arran’s efforts to better understand his protector lead him to uncover devastating truths about both her and the war. These are secrets that make the enemy bolder and cause fissures among his people. Secrets that—in the wrong hands—could lead to everyone’s undoing.
When a century-old war reignites and an army with magic-users invades, Prince Arran of Nithle must act quickly to protect his kingdom. But the enemy isn’t after his kingdom. They’re after him, and death is closing in faster than his inability to properly swing a blade.
To ensure the prince’s safety until the threat has passed, the Union, an organization that safeguards all human kingdoms, sends a warrior with unmatched skills to act as his personal guard. Trained from birth to spill blood, Ryla’s expertise strikes fear in enemy forces as she meets their attacks at every turn.
Arran’s efforts to better understand his protector lead him to uncover devastating truths about both her and the war. These are secrets that make the enemy bolder and cause fissures among his people. Secrets that—in the wrong hands—could lead to everyone’s undoing.
- GenresFantasy
498 pages, Paperback
Published March 22, 2024
6 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Laura A. Barton
4 books33 followersLaura A. Barton has a knack for getting lost in worlds that don’t exist. Whether of her creation or another’s, she loves magic-stained realities and living, breathing characters. In the “real world,” she lives in Ontario, Canada with her fiancé and their dog, Lila.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
August 30, 2025
Laura A. Barton’s Killing Secrets, the first installment of the Secret Minders series, pulls readers into a world where a century-old war reignites and the survival of kingdoms hangs in the balance. When an army of magic users threatens Prince Arran’s realm, The Union—an organization devoted to safeguarding all human kingdoms—dispatches a warrior to serve as his personal guard. But as the prince learns more about this warrior, dangerous secrets surrounding the war begin to surface, secrets that could unravel everything.
One of the most refreshing aspects of this novel is that Prince Arran is not the flawless, invincible warrior prince so often seen in fantasy. Instead, he is a ruler who relies on the strength and skill of those around him—particularly his guard, Ryla. Finally, we are given a strong female warrior who protects rather than being protected. And Ryla isn’t the only one. The women throughout this story are portrayed as layered, flawed, and deeply human, yet their strength shines through in ways that inspire even in the face of unimaginable fear.
The pacing is brisk and immersive, with action scenes that leave you holding your breath as tension builds. Barton’s prose is both beautiful and heartbreaking, weaving moments of tenderness into the ferocity of battle. Without giving away spoilers, there is one particular scene that struck me as one of the best I’ve ever read in fantasy—where heartbreak, strength, resolution, and truth collide on the battlefield in unforgettable fashion.
The world-building is rich and vivid; you’ll feel as though you are traveling the very roads of Nithle alongside the characters. By the end, I found myself both satisfied and eager for more—I cannot wait for the release of book two to continue this journey.
For fantasy lovers, Killing Secrets is a must-read. It delivers action, depth, and characters who stay with you long after the last page.
One of the most refreshing aspects of this novel is that Prince Arran is not the flawless, invincible warrior prince so often seen in fantasy. Instead, he is a ruler who relies on the strength and skill of those around him—particularly his guard, Ryla. Finally, we are given a strong female warrior who protects rather than being protected. And Ryla isn’t the only one. The women throughout this story are portrayed as layered, flawed, and deeply human, yet their strength shines through in ways that inspire even in the face of unimaginable fear.
The pacing is brisk and immersive, with action scenes that leave you holding your breath as tension builds. Barton’s prose is both beautiful and heartbreaking, weaving moments of tenderness into the ferocity of battle. Without giving away spoilers, there is one particular scene that struck me as one of the best I’ve ever read in fantasy—where heartbreak, strength, resolution, and truth collide on the battlefield in unforgettable fashion.
The world-building is rich and vivid; you’ll feel as though you are traveling the very roads of Nithle alongside the characters. By the end, I found myself both satisfied and eager for more—I cannot wait for the release of book two to continue this journey.
For fantasy lovers, Killing Secrets is a must-read. It delivers action, depth, and characters who stay with you long after the last page.
March 8, 2024
Strong , interesting start of a duology ! From the first page you are immediately engulfed into this story. We have a conflict between two lands, they have been enemies for a long time. Then you have the Killers and the Keepers who are a very mysterious group of people.
There are a lot of mysteries in this book, who all slowly got solved. There is a lot of action, tension and emotions in this book. Our main character Arran is such a strong but believable character. It's good to see that he's not just a fictional character without flaws. That he also struggles with the things he went through.
But not only Arran is a strong character, all the main characters in this book have their own strengths and are written so well. The story itself was also really good, the world building and magic system was well elaborated.
Last but not least I want to thank the author for providing me with an earc.
There are a lot of mysteries in this book, who all slowly got solved. There is a lot of action, tension and emotions in this book. Our main character Arran is such a strong but believable character. It's good to see that he's not just a fictional character without flaws. That he also struggles with the things he went through.
But not only Arran is a strong character, all the main characters in this book have their own strengths and are written so well. The story itself was also really good, the world building and magic system was well elaborated.
Last but not least I want to thank the author for providing me with an earc.
October 4, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My initial reaction reading this book was “wtf!?” How could Laura A. Barton do this to us!!? After getting over (but not really) the shock, I was able to appreciate the incredible story. The author built an amazing world with fascinating magic that corrupts the weilder. The characters were incredibly well-developed having to live with or overcome many challenges. I felt their suffering and oftentimes their lack of control. The story and battles were highly detailed and expertly written. I need to know more about the Union and their secrets. I can’t wait to read Book 2 of the Secret Minders Series: Echoing Secrets to find out if, even after so much loss, the kingdoms are able to rebuild and move past the lies and deceit of their ancestors!
My initial reaction reading this book was “wtf!?” How could Laura A. Barton do this to us!!? After getting over (but not really) the shock, I was able to appreciate the incredible story. The author built an amazing world with fascinating magic that corrupts the weilder. The characters were incredibly well-developed having to live with or overcome many challenges. I felt their suffering and oftentimes their lack of control. The story and battles were highly detailed and expertly written. I need to know more about the Union and their secrets. I can’t wait to read Book 2 of the Secret Minders Series: Echoing Secrets to find out if, even after so much loss, the kingdoms are able to rebuild and move past the lies and deceit of their ancestors!
May 17, 2024
Killing Secrets by Laura A. Barton
At its heart, Killing Secrets is a story of struggle and hope. Set in a pseudo-medieval realm where several small kingdoms stand against a magical threat, the scenes are vivid and the characters are well fleshed out. The writing is clear, giving the reader a strong idea of where and why things are happening. The themes within are deep and thought-provoking. My favorite characters are hard to choose, but I found myself most drawn to Prince Arran, Killer Ryla, Knight Ley, and Princess Mihel (she’s a side character, but oh-so-fascinating! I hope there’s a lot more of her in Book 2!). The leading characters each have full arcs. The stakes are high. The twists are so much fun. This book is the first half of a planned duology, but that said, it stands well on its own. I do look forward to more, however — especially to see where the characters go from here and what roadblocks will get in their way!
Fans of high fantasy, action, politics, and great world-building, as well as memorable characters who struggle with real problems in believable ways, this book is for you!
Content: Fantasy violence, mild language, and PTSD.
At its heart, Killing Secrets is a story of struggle and hope. Set in a pseudo-medieval realm where several small kingdoms stand against a magical threat, the scenes are vivid and the characters are well fleshed out. The writing is clear, giving the reader a strong idea of where and why things are happening. The themes within are deep and thought-provoking. My favorite characters are hard to choose, but I found myself most drawn to Prince Arran, Killer Ryla, Knight Ley, and Princess Mihel (she’s a side character, but oh-so-fascinating! I hope there’s a lot more of her in Book 2!). The leading characters each have full arcs. The stakes are high. The twists are so much fun. This book is the first half of a planned duology, but that said, it stands well on its own. I do look forward to more, however — especially to see where the characters go from here and what roadblocks will get in their way!
Fans of high fantasy, action, politics, and great world-building, as well as memorable characters who struggle with real problems in believable ways, this book is for you!
Content: Fantasy violence, mild language, and PTSD.
January 23, 2026
Okay WHAT?!
She's the emotionally unavailable protector
And HE needs protecting.
I was intrigued. Literally every time these two were on the page together I wanted more!!! Aaran is just such an endearing character and Ryla... What can I say about Ryla? She was my favorite. Stole the show for sure. Also, I found her really funny? Even though she's physically incapable at making a joke 😂
But I also loved Adel, the soft FMC with an actual backbone!!
And supporting characters Knight Ley and Princess Mihel, I'm really looking forward to learning more about them in the next book.
Are there slow parts in the story? Yes. But once the ball drops it doesn't stop rolling! Stick with the long intros and conversations and there is huge payoff once the action starts.
Would I have liked more cracks in emotion with Ryla when applicable and more of Aaran pushing for it? Yes, but there's another book, so I will pretend to wait patiently 🤭
That ending has me wondering if me or the characters know who the true antagonists are in this story, and I can't wait for more!! 🩷
She's the emotionally unavailable protector
And HE needs protecting.
I was intrigued. Literally every time these two were on the page together I wanted more!!! Aaran is just such an endearing character and Ryla... What can I say about Ryla? She was my favorite. Stole the show for sure. Also, I found her really funny? Even though she's physically incapable at making a joke 😂
But I also loved Adel, the soft FMC with an actual backbone!!
And supporting characters Knight Ley and Princess Mihel, I'm really looking forward to learning more about them in the next book.
Are there slow parts in the story? Yes. But once the ball drops it doesn't stop rolling! Stick with the long intros and conversations and there is huge payoff once the action starts.
Would I have liked more cracks in emotion with Ryla when applicable and more of Aaran pushing for it? Yes, but there's another book, so I will pretend to wait patiently 🤭
That ending has me wondering if me or the characters know who the true antagonists are in this story, and I can't wait for more!! 🩷
July 31, 2024
This was a great start to a fantasy series! The world building was described well and it was an interesting take on magic and the perils it can inflict.
I still have so many questions that I need an answer to! The secrecy of everything and everyone was woven through the story well with different POV’s. I’m still unsure of who to believe or trust and how things could conclude in the next book.
Arran was a strong, likable character. He had real emotions. Real struggles. And worked through them in a clear and concise way without the problem disappearing immediately. That was such a refreshing take on the realities of power, responsibility, and war.
And Killer Ryla was so mysterious and I wished I got more peeks into her past and her thoughts overall.
I was still confused on who the dahems were exactly and why they had access to magic so easily. But I’m hoping that will be answered in the next book!
I still have so many questions that I need an answer to! The secrecy of everything and everyone was woven through the story well with different POV’s. I’m still unsure of who to believe or trust and how things could conclude in the next book.
Arran was a strong, likable character. He had real emotions. Real struggles. And worked through them in a clear and concise way without the problem disappearing immediately. That was such a refreshing take on the realities of power, responsibility, and war.
And Killer Ryla was so mysterious and I wished I got more peeks into her past and her thoughts overall.
I was still confused on who the dahems were exactly and why they had access to magic so easily. But I’m hoping that will be answered in the next book!
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February 2, 2024I wrote it, so I’m not going to rate it. But, just know, I’ve read it many, many times, and I don’t hate it.
March 22, 2024
Loved it! Laura did an amazing job weaving characters and plot. Can’t believe it’s a debut!
January 3, 2026
Over the last year, I've had so much fun becoming friends with Laura. We met at an author market where we were both selling our books. We ran into each other and were set up beside each other enough times that we had no choice but to become friends. I'm so glad I finally got around to reading her fantasy novel. It's fantastic. If you love epic fantasy and want to support an underrated indie fantasy series, check this one out! I'm looking forward to book two!
June 15, 2025
Magic isn’t a blessing when it costs your life. What an opening line! This book hooked me from the first page and never let go. Prince Arran is a refreshing protagonist intelligent is physically vulnerable, making his dynamic with Ryla, his deadly protector, absolutely compelling. The world-building is rich, the magic system intriguing, and the political intrigue keeps you guessing. The secrets uncovered throughout the story add layers of tension, and the chemistry between Arran and Ryla is electric. A must-read for fans of The Priory of the Orange Tree and The Shadow of the Wind!
March 3, 2024
This year I decided to purposefully only read female-written works and I couldn't have started out more strongly than with Killing Secrets. I could launch into a long-winded account of spoilers on this one, but I will stick to the highlights in my review. I received an ARC copy of this beauty thanks to Laura Barton trusting me with her debut high-fantasy novel! A true coming-of-age story in the making, this book is part one of two and is being released this month. So what sets apart Killing Secrets from other works in this genre? Well, aside from being incredibly well-written (I can tell this isn't Barton's first publication, albeit her first high fantasy one), I appreciated the intensive world building and characterization that sucks the reader in from chapter one. The plot is well-paced and choice of wording is *chef's kiss* making it not-just-another YA fantasy novel. Barton has (rightfully) pushed spice aside in exchange for engaging plot-points, mental health representation and an ever-changing narrative of young people coming into themselves and their power. In this debut, Barton leads with strong female characters and political intrigue leaving readers wanting to know more! Killing Secrets is just that- all about secrets. I found myself diving deeply into chapter after chapter in this hefty tome of a book simply because I had to know ALL the answers. While it does not end on a cliffhanger, Killing Secrets certainly gears up for book two in a way that will have readers waiting with bated breath for more. Overall, Killing Secrets is a well-executed and stellar start to a series that I cannot wait to see overtake the reading world by storm.
March 31, 2024
Multiple Kingdoms, a secret society, magic. I mean what more could you want?
This author is so well written, her descriptions and word choice were perfect. There are little phrases and words that get repeat so thoughtfully to really pack a punch where needed.
Each character is well written with their own motivations and appreciated the mental health rep.
Arran and Adel are perfect. I love how they grow together through these hard times.
Ryla and Mithos, I just found myself cheering for both of them. They just seemd to have so much to fight for, while at the same time kind of being stripped from having a "real" life aside from duty.
Their stories are just so captivating.
Truly giving a 4.5. Why not five? It was just a bit slow in the beginning, I didn't find myself truly hooked until about 50% of the way through, but I loved this book regardless.
This author is so well written, her descriptions and word choice were perfect. There are little phrases and words that get repeat so thoughtfully to really pack a punch where needed.
Each character is well written with their own motivations and appreciated the mental health rep.
Arran and Adel are perfect. I love how they grow together through these hard times.
Ryla and Mithos, I just found myself cheering for both of them. They just seemd to have so much to fight for, while at the same time kind of being stripped from having a "real" life aside from duty.
Their stories are just so captivating.
Truly giving a 4.5. Why not five? It was just a bit slow in the beginning, I didn't find myself truly hooked until about 50% of the way through, but I loved this book regardless.
March 22, 2024
Review to come, I literally just finished I need to gather my thoughts lol—but such a stellar book. I know it’s literally in the title, but I wasn’t expecting so many SECRETS? I loved the little breadcrumbs Laura left for us, I COULD NOT GET ENOUGH. Fantasy lovers, this book is for you—but I do want to say as someone who typically reads more romantasy than high fantasy, I didn’t mind one bit that the romance wasn’t the main focus. The romance is ✨chefs kiss✨ but the story and characters are captivating on their own🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
OKAY REST OF REVIEW TO COME.
OKAY REST OF REVIEW TO COME.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews