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The Sundered Realms
Liris has always been too dangerous to be allowed freedom.
Now she's the universe's only hope.
Liris has been trapped training as an elite spy her whole life. But when her elders try to sacrifice her to further their own interests, she escapes through a secret portal—only to land right in the hands of Lord Vhannor, the most dangerous spellcaster in the universe.
Vhannor has dedicated his life to defending the universe from world-devouring demons, and Liris, with her unique knowledge of an ancient spell language, jeopardizes his mission. But when she uses it to help him close a demonic portal before it can destroy all life in that dimension, he's forced to acknowledge he needs her by his side.
As they race between dimensions to fight their mutual enemies, they discover a plot that will leave every remaining realm in the universe at the mercy of demons. But to stop it, Liris will have to rely on the man whose icy gaze sees right through her... and when even her own people betrayed her, how can she trust Vhannor to stand by her when she risks the whole universe?
The Sundered Realms is equal parts epic fantasy and steamy romance in a world where being a huge nerd about language makes you incredibly epic at magic. This is an action-packed story about an interdimensional combat ambassador heroine and the most dangerous man in the universe devoting all his attention to making her unstoppable.
Now she's the universe's only hope.
Liris has been trapped training as an elite spy her whole life. But when her elders try to sacrifice her to further their own interests, she escapes through a secret portal—only to land right in the hands of Lord Vhannor, the most dangerous spellcaster in the universe.
Vhannor has dedicated his life to defending the universe from world-devouring demons, and Liris, with her unique knowledge of an ancient spell language, jeopardizes his mission. But when she uses it to help him close a demonic portal before it can destroy all life in that dimension, he's forced to acknowledge he needs her by his side.
As they race between dimensions to fight their mutual enemies, they discover a plot that will leave every remaining realm in the universe at the mercy of demons. But to stop it, Liris will have to rely on the man whose icy gaze sees right through her... and when even her own people betrayed her, how can she trust Vhannor to stand by her when she risks the whole universe?
The Sundered Realms is equal parts epic fantasy and steamy romance in a world where being a huge nerd about language makes you incredibly epic at magic. This is an action-packed story about an interdimensional combat ambassador heroine and the most dangerous man in the universe devoting all his attention to making her unstoppable.
446 pages, Paperback
Published April 16, 2024
About the author
Casey Blair
17 books265 followersCasey Blair is a bestselling author of hopeful fantasy novels about ambitious women who dare, including the Tea Princess Chronicles, Sundered Realms, and Diamond Universe: Sierra Walker series. Her own adventures have included teaching English in rural Japan, taking a train to Tibet, rappelling down waterfalls in Costa Rica, and practicing capoeira. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest and can be found dancing spontaneously, exploring forests around the world, or trapped under a cat.
For more information visit her website caseyblair.com or follow her on Instagram @CaseyLBlair.
For more information visit her website caseyblair.com or follow her on Instagram @CaseyLBlair.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
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June 13, 2024This is a quick, fun read for readers who like romantasy. The world building is fun, and I absolutely loved the fact that the magic could be done by writing math as spells. (Or, that's how I envisioned it, anyway). Two very bright research nerds find one another and negotiate their relationship while battling demons and some determined wizards, in an intriguing world setup.
March 11, 2024
Disclosure: Received an ARC from the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for a review.
The Sundered Realms is about Liris, an ambassadorial candidate in the nation of Serenthuar, one of several lands that have been isolated from each other via the Sundering. The only connections between different realms is through Gates (read: portals). Liris is one of the best scholars in Serenthuar, a prodigy of sorts, and the only person able to interpret Thyrasel, a rare dead language. This makes her uniquely positioned to help magic casters, whom use a variety of languages to craft their spells. Demon servants and their followers are the primary antagonist and like to open gates to let demons through, although there emerges a magic-wielding demon servant with a more ambitious motive.
I wouldn't be surprised if the author was a fan of Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series or R.F. Kuang's Babel. I think the setting of 'sundered' kingdoms and the intersections of magic and language has a lot of potential. It was so fascinating! Which is why I feel like so much more could've been done in setting the scene in the world-building department. The framework was all there, but I needed more description to transition the grayscale film to a color film. Was it more steampunk, dark academia, LoTR? I'd have trouble telling you. It was also difficult for me to feel invested with the pacing and the overarching conflict. The introduction of demons wasn't fearsome enough. I've read so much fantasy romance I thought my girl Liris was gonna romance one of 'em.
In terms of the characters, Liris did not irritate me and there was no 1D mean girl character so that passed my impromptu Bechdel test. Honestly, Liris is portrayed as intelligent and principled, and she isn't special because of some big power that fell into her lap, but because she's a scholar. I love that.
Her love interest, Vhannor, is a very reasonable and caring guy. Very concerned about the power dynamics between Liris and him, which I did appreciate, since a lot of other fantasy romances don't really care about that ish. But, he was a little too concerned because he brought it up A Lot. The two of them were sweet though.
I think there was a lot of unfulfilled potential with the side characters. Inealuwor, Nysia, Shry, and even Rhuil were set up very well, but then left in the dust in favor of Liris and Vhannor's domestics. Would like to hear more about them and get a feel for their personalities in the future.
Overall, this book has a really good skeleton in terms of the world and characters, but the expansion of that was lackluster.
Rating: 3
The Sundered Realms is about Liris, an ambassadorial candidate in the nation of Serenthuar, one of several lands that have been isolated from each other via the Sundering. The only connections between different realms is through Gates (read: portals). Liris is one of the best scholars in Serenthuar, a prodigy of sorts, and the only person able to interpret Thyrasel, a rare dead language. This makes her uniquely positioned to help magic casters, whom use a variety of languages to craft their spells. Demon servants and their followers are the primary antagonist and like to open gates to let demons through, although there emerges a magic-wielding demon servant with a more ambitious motive.
I wouldn't be surprised if the author was a fan of Garth Nix's Old Kingdom series or R.F. Kuang's Babel. I think the setting of 'sundered' kingdoms and the intersections of magic and language has a lot of potential. It was so fascinating! Which is why I feel like so much more could've been done in setting the scene in the world-building department. The framework was all there, but I needed more description to transition the grayscale film to a color film. Was it more steampunk, dark academia, LoTR? I'd have trouble telling you. It was also difficult for me to feel invested with the pacing and the overarching conflict. The introduction of demons wasn't fearsome enough. I've read so much fantasy romance I thought my girl Liris was gonna romance one of 'em.
In terms of the characters, Liris did not irritate me and there was no 1D mean girl character so that passed my impromptu Bechdel test. Honestly, Liris is portrayed as intelligent and principled, and she isn't special because of some big power that fell into her lap, but because she's a scholar. I love that.
Her love interest, Vhannor, is a very reasonable and caring guy. Very concerned about the power dynamics between Liris and him, which I did appreciate, since a lot of other fantasy romances don't really care about that ish. But, he was a little too concerned because he brought it up A Lot. The two of them were sweet though.
I think there was a lot of unfulfilled potential with the side characters. Inealuwor, Nysia, Shry, and even Rhuil were set up very well, but then left in the dust in favor of Liris and Vhannor's domestics. Would like to hear more about them and get a feel for their personalities in the future.
Overall, this book has a really good skeleton in terms of the world and characters, but the expansion of that was lackluster.
Rating: 3
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July 14, 2024i am not going to rate this, as i really didn't enjoy it BUT it could be me. and i also really liked the author's note at the end and won't be avoiding this author (though maybe won't be reading the rest of this particular series). i found all the magic explanations very tedious and i did skip a bunch of them and then i found all the other interactions not that endearing and really didn't like liris' monologues with herself and her being a victim and yet so good at everything all that likeable either. though i liked it that she was maybe a bit neurodivergent and so different in the way she saw things and interacted with people. still all in all not likeable for me, though i did stay till the end to see what is going to happen and hoping i was wrong and i would like it. the ending also and the romance scene in between didn't help either. all in all, definitely not my kind of book.
July 18, 2024
This is a different type of romantasy than I’m use to. I would say it should be marketed more fantasy than romance. While there is romance, I do feel that the plot takes center stage. The romance is just an extra tidbit, that does become more serious as the book progresses. Even with the progression in the romance, it isn’t the typical romantasy most readers will be expecting. Which is why I suggest stressing the fantasy side over the romance. This is not a bad thing! I just feel the reviews will reflect the creativity, and originality the author put into the story more going in knowing it’s not your every day romantasy. It is a good book, the story is very cool, and the complex world building is a delight.
This is a fun fantasy romance. The romance in this book is more slower building, reserved, and hesitant to begin with. While the book is fairly clean for the most part please be aware it is an adult fantasy romance, and will contain adult themes, situations, intimacy, suggestions, and language. The book moves at a steady pace following Liris as she leaves what she’s known her entire life behind to stop what she believes is wrong. She meets Vhannor along the way where work together to stop a great evil. Liris has a strong sense of right, and wrong. She is hard working, and a quick learner. Vhannor has some past experiences that influence his current decisions, he overall just wants the best for those he protects. The world is high fantasy with realms, portals, demons, magic, multiple languages, and so much more. It is the perfect read for any high fantasy lovers.
This is a fun fantasy romance. The romance in this book is more slower building, reserved, and hesitant to begin with. While the book is fairly clean for the most part please be aware it is an adult fantasy romance, and will contain adult themes, situations, intimacy, suggestions, and language. The book moves at a steady pace following Liris as she leaves what she’s known her entire life behind to stop what she believes is wrong. She meets Vhannor along the way where work together to stop a great evil. Liris has a strong sense of right, and wrong. She is hard working, and a quick learner. Vhannor has some past experiences that influence his current decisions, he overall just wants the best for those he protects. The world is high fantasy with realms, portals, demons, magic, multiple languages, and so much more. It is the perfect read for any high fantasy lovers.
October 3, 2024
I really enjoyed this. There is a slight romantic element, but it's very low key and not as important as the adventure component. The end felt a bit rushed after a lot of descriptive material, but I like Blair's writing and worlds, and I like the characters, so I'd certainly read another if this develops.
March 27, 2026
Great fantasy adventure with romance
The worldbuilding is intricate and fascinating. The characters are likeable: Liris has issues, but she is amazing, Vhann is wonderfully supportive, and Shry has even more issues. The story is thrilling and well-written, and the realms are fantastic.
The worldbuilding is intricate and fascinating. The characters are likeable: Liris has issues, but she is amazing, Vhann is wonderfully supportive, and Shry has even more issues. The story is thrilling and well-written, and the realms are fantastic.
December 11, 2024
Holy moly this is super young adult, no not young adult, it’s adolescent. Like 12-13 year olds. The two MCs confessed their love for each other without so much as a kiss , maybe a blushing hand hold. So corny.
Take off the new adult tag and put it where it belongs.
Take off the new adult tag and put it where it belongs.
August 17, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and it was exactly what I needed at the moment: something fast-paced and new, but not too complex. I plan to continue the series. The book is described “epic fantasy” or “romantasy” in some places, but I’d say this is fantasy with a small romantic subplot. It’s also described as adult, and while the characters are adults, at times this seems more similar to how younger characters are written. The overarching theme for the characters, the FMC in particular, is about self-determination and freedom—the ability to choose. It’s perfect if you’re looking for a fast-paced, quick read with politics and an FMC whose magical strength comes from scholarly knowledge. On the romance side, it doesn't overwhelm the plot but is part of the story arc with insta attraction and quickly saying “I love you” though the first kiss is at 50% and the one spicy scene at ~85%.
Interesting world building but without being too fleshed out — the plot and characters are constantly in motion, so you see a lot of the world but not in a lot of detail. The FMC’s power comes from knowledge of many languages and an ability to recognize patterns, which is a breath of fresh air, plus, she has a strong moral compass. Her most annoying trait, which is very minor and relatable, is a tendency to see everything as a ’test’ and some of the repetitiveness of that. She knows her value and only occasionally does it become an issue when she doesn’t realize the impacts of what she doesn’t know. The MMC is older and more experienced than the FMC but equally as smart. His annoying trait is also one of his best: ensuring those around him are making choices of their own free will and desires, not out of a sense of obligation—he just does it far too frequently. The magic or spell casting is done using many languages, patterns, and math so it’s really cool to see a world where study and academic ability impacts someone’s power instead of inherited magic.
The plot: Their world was once whole but has been Sundered along ley lines by the actions of men and now many parts are entirely gone while the rest are connected by ‘gates’. Realms with more gates and resources are in stronger positions to bargain than others. Liris, the FMC, has studied for years in her realm for the role of essentially a spy. She’s been held back by her elders from stepping into that role and the start of the book sees her escaping her world after the elders essentially sacrifice her by having her start teaching a spell caster working with demons an old language only she knows. She knows once she had finished teaching him she’d be killed, so she escapes. The small amount already shared with the spell caster, Jadrhun, was enough to make it possible for his plot to begin. From here the FMC and MMC meet as they work to stop Jadrhun and the demons while always a step behind. Jadrhun and the demons aren’t fleshed out enough to really feel the threat they pose and be scared.
There’s an age gap between the FMC and MMC but I don’t really notice it, there’s a school setting but it’s not a huge part of the plot, there’s politics while visiting different realms, and there’s lots of travel but getting from point A to B is quick most of the time so you don’t feel like you spend the whole book on a journey. It’s somewhat slow burn but also somewhat insta love. There’s banter but not as much of the side characters as I’d like, hopefully we get more of them in future books. Overall, it's a fun quick read with an interesting world and magic system with a relatable FMC I look forward to reading more.
Interesting world building but without being too fleshed out — the plot and characters are constantly in motion, so you see a lot of the world but not in a lot of detail. The FMC’s power comes from knowledge of many languages and an ability to recognize patterns, which is a breath of fresh air, plus, she has a strong moral compass. Her most annoying trait, which is very minor and relatable, is a tendency to see everything as a ’test’ and some of the repetitiveness of that. She knows her value and only occasionally does it become an issue when she doesn’t realize the impacts of what she doesn’t know. The MMC is older and more experienced than the FMC but equally as smart. His annoying trait is also one of his best: ensuring those around him are making choices of their own free will and desires, not out of a sense of obligation—he just does it far too frequently. The magic or spell casting is done using many languages, patterns, and math so it’s really cool to see a world where study and academic ability impacts someone’s power instead of inherited magic.
The plot: Their world was once whole but has been Sundered along ley lines by the actions of men and now many parts are entirely gone while the rest are connected by ‘gates’. Realms with more gates and resources are in stronger positions to bargain than others. Liris, the FMC, has studied for years in her realm for the role of essentially a spy. She’s been held back by her elders from stepping into that role and the start of the book sees her escaping her world after the elders essentially sacrifice her by having her start teaching a spell caster working with demons an old language only she knows. She knows once she had finished teaching him she’d be killed, so she escapes. The small amount already shared with the spell caster, Jadrhun, was enough to make it possible for his plot to begin. From here the FMC and MMC meet as they work to stop Jadrhun and the demons while always a step behind. Jadrhun and the demons aren’t fleshed out enough to really feel the threat they pose and be scared.
There’s an age gap between the FMC and MMC but I don’t really notice it, there’s a school setting but it’s not a huge part of the plot, there’s politics while visiting different realms, and there’s lots of travel but getting from point A to B is quick most of the time so you don’t feel like you spend the whole book on a journey. It’s somewhat slow burn but also somewhat insta love. There’s banter but not as much of the side characters as I’d like, hopefully we get more of them in future books. Overall, it's a fun quick read with an interesting world and magic system with a relatable FMC I look forward to reading more.
April 21, 2024
I received an ARC of this book from the author on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
🌶️.5 spice
What to Expect:
Unique magic system
Snarky banter
Master x apprentice / teacher x student romance
Forced proximity
FMC with a sheltered past
This series had a delicious level of complexity - I was immediately captivated by the rich world building. The universe was incredibly interesting, the politics were fraught and the magic system was so layered and unique, I haven't come across anything like it before.
Man was I desperado for a map though!! Throw in a pronunciation guide, and even an overview on how the magic system works and you'd be living. Potentially there's a map included in the physical copy of the book and not the ebook, but it honestly would have made a huge difference to the reading experience.
Both main characters were authentic and relatable. I loved that Liris came across somewhat socially awkward, despite clearly being a witty conversationalist and intellectually superior to other characters she interacts with. She's a booksmart recluse, albeit not by choice, and that came across through her abruptness, particularly with Vhann. This might sound crazy given there's no spice until right near the end, but I wish they had more of a slow burn. One minute they're acquaintances and the next they're talking about getting married. The sex conversations were uncomfortable which did kind of make them funny, but weren't all that flirty. I felt weird about it, I don't know how else to put it.
There were some great side characters introduced, I wished there had been more time spent developing both side and main characters in more depth. Vhannor didn't get much of a look in outside of some brief mentions of his family, and although I loved the way he left Liris space to take the lead, he very much blended into the background more than I would have liked for an MMC.
Sometimes it was really hard to figure out what was going on, I had to re-read pages of dialogue or descriptions trying to sort it out but was still left scratching my head. It left me feeling like...is it me? Am I stupid? It wasn't just action scenes, but whole conversations I was trying to get through, trying to read between the lines or reinterpret the tone, but still coming up empty.
I also found it really hard to picture the act of dispelling - was she writing? But also she was dancing? or did she speak to dispell? V confused. Would have loved a very graphic description of what was going on during those scenes, or maybe I missed something altogether. The ending was so hard to decipher, I honestly could not follow it so I couldn't tell you exactly what happened, so it left me feeling somewhat unfulfilled. The demons are super dangerous but then just seem to float around? Either it was all very inconsistent or we just missed that action in favour of focusing on Liris the whole time.
Overall this book had so much potential, but left me wanting more or just a final editing round with some extrapolation in parts so it was cohesive and clearer to follow. I'd still read the rest of the series out of interest for the unique plot and strong characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 stars
🌶️.5 spice
What to Expect:
Unique magic system
Snarky banter
Master x apprentice / teacher x student romance
Forced proximity
FMC with a sheltered past
This series had a delicious level of complexity - I was immediately captivated by the rich world building. The universe was incredibly interesting, the politics were fraught and the magic system was so layered and unique, I haven't come across anything like it before.
Man was I desperado for a map though!! Throw in a pronunciation guide, and even an overview on how the magic system works and you'd be living. Potentially there's a map included in the physical copy of the book and not the ebook, but it honestly would have made a huge difference to the reading experience.
Both main characters were authentic and relatable. I loved that Liris came across somewhat socially awkward, despite clearly being a witty conversationalist and intellectually superior to other characters she interacts with. She's a booksmart recluse, albeit not by choice, and that came across through her abruptness, particularly with Vhann. This might sound crazy given there's no spice until right near the end, but I wish they had more of a slow burn. One minute they're acquaintances and the next they're talking about getting married. The sex conversations were uncomfortable which did kind of make them funny, but weren't all that flirty. I felt weird about it, I don't know how else to put it.
There were some great side characters introduced, I wished there had been more time spent developing both side and main characters in more depth. Vhannor didn't get much of a look in outside of some brief mentions of his family, and although I loved the way he left Liris space to take the lead, he very much blended into the background more than I would have liked for an MMC.
Sometimes it was really hard to figure out what was going on, I had to re-read pages of dialogue or descriptions trying to sort it out but was still left scratching my head. It left me feeling like...is it me? Am I stupid? It wasn't just action scenes, but whole conversations I was trying to get through, trying to read between the lines or reinterpret the tone, but still coming up empty.
I also found it really hard to picture the act of dispelling - was she writing? But also she was dancing? or did she speak to dispell? V confused. Would have loved a very graphic description of what was going on during those scenes, or maybe I missed something altogether. The ending was so hard to decipher, I honestly could not follow it so I couldn't tell you exactly what happened, so it left me feeling somewhat unfulfilled. The demons are super dangerous but then just seem to float around? Either it was all very inconsistent or we just missed that action in favour of focusing on Liris the whole time.
Overall this book had so much potential, but left me wanting more or just a final editing round with some extrapolation in parts so it was cohesive and clearer to follow. I'd still read the rest of the series out of interest for the unique plot and strong characters.
April 8, 2024
I really enjoyed The Sundered Realms and I’m very much looking forward to the rest of the series. I also think that the core element of this that I loved is going to throw some readers off. At it’s heart, The Sundered Realms is about self determination, and there is a lot of conversation and thinking about what the freedom to choose looks like. As in The Sorceress Transcendent, Casey Blair is Throws two people into a world altering adventure and then spends a great deal of the story concerned with the gentle dynamics of their partnership. I love it. There are battles and political maneuverings, but equally important are the sharing of dumplings and the frequent check-ins to make sure Liris is acting of her own accord and not misplaced obligation.
The world Liris is born into was once one connected piece, but in a magical event it was blown apart with magic portals, or gates, connecting the sundered territories. Some territories have more gates than others and this has fueled inequalities among and within the realms. Liris was born into one of the more isolated realms and raised to be an ambassador (or spy), but her teachers have held her back in further isolation because they don’t trust her. Liris, being a very good student, has passed the time learning obscure and dead languages. Which is very convenient, because language and writing is how spells are cast. The action kicks off with Liris’ instructors compelling her to teach a spell caster who works with demons a complex dead language. Liris starts her instruction, and then is able to escape through a secret gate to another realm. Her language nerdery makes her an asset and a target in fighting demons. It’s clear to the reader, even if it isn’t to Liris, that Vhannor falls hard for her quickly. he wants to give her the world and every choice she has been denied. Liris and Vhannor are wonderful adventure nerds in love. They over think everything and have such a hard time believing the other is really offering them everything. It’s a slow burn with some excellent “we might not live through tomorrow” steam.
I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
The Sundered Realms is equal parts epic fantasy and steamy romance in a world where being a huge nerd about language makes you incredibly epic at magic. This is an action-packed story about an interdimensional combat ambassador heroine and the most dangerous man in the universe devoting all his attention to making her unstoppable.
The world Liris is born into was once one connected piece, but in a magical event it was blown apart with magic portals, or gates, connecting the sundered territories. Some territories have more gates than others and this has fueled inequalities among and within the realms. Liris was born into one of the more isolated realms and raised to be an ambassador (or spy), but her teachers have held her back in further isolation because they don’t trust her. Liris, being a very good student, has passed the time learning obscure and dead languages. Which is very convenient, because language and writing is how spells are cast. The action kicks off with Liris’ instructors compelling her to teach a spell caster who works with demons a complex dead language. Liris starts her instruction, and then is able to escape through a secret gate to another realm. Her language nerdery makes her an asset and a target in fighting demons. It’s clear to the reader, even if it isn’t to Liris, that Vhannor falls hard for her quickly. he wants to give her the world and every choice she has been denied. Liris and Vhannor are wonderful adventure nerds in love. They over think everything and have such a hard time believing the other is really offering them everything. It’s a slow burn with some excellent “we might not live through tomorrow” steam.
I received this as an advance reader copy from NetGalley. My opinions are my own, freely and honestly given.
March 26, 2024
𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 - 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝟏𝟔
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊.
The Sundered Realms sets itself up to be an epic, expansive fantasy about an academically gifted, yet cloistered, FMC on the run and her spell-wielding, demon-fighting, Lordling MMC counterpart. We're talking forced proximity, a unique magic system, high stakes and intriguing politics. A lot of building blocks that I'm sure will appeal to a whole bunch of fantasy readers. It reads pretty YA up until a fairly descriptive bonking scene, so adjust your expectations accordingly!
Liris (FMC) and Vhannor (MMC) had an interesting dynamic in that they're both hyper aware of the power-imbalance they start off with. Everyone's big on consent and freedom of choice and not making anyone beholden. They're both nerds with a tendency to overthink, so expect miscommunication and intelligent, academically-minded banter. I liked that their abilities stemmed from being studious rather some innate ability they were born with.
Unfortunately, the writing style here just didn't agree with me. There was a tendency to overexplain and overanalyse, but I found myself getting lost in those incredibly wordy explanations, to the point where I really wasn't sure what was going on anymore. My ARC copy had a lot of typos (random words/odd sentence structure) which I think also contributed to my mind doing flips midway through any given paragraph. But that's super fixable.
My main struggle was in figuring out what the antagonists were actually doing and why. I'm not sure whether this stemmed from my lack of understanding around the world-building/magic systems, but I couldn't understand why the demons were doing what they were doing or why ANYONE would wish to align themselves with them? There wasn't a huge amount of development for the side characters either - a lot of them came and went within a scene, never to be heard from again. They may receive more attention in subsequent books, as this is going to be a trilogy, so that could be resolved in the future (I wish we'd seen more of Shry in particular).
The book would also benefit from a map, because maps are cool and sexy and also I lost track of the worlds they visited and their proximity to one another super quickly. It all just became too nebulous for me in the end.
4/10
𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊.
The Sundered Realms sets itself up to be an epic, expansive fantasy about an academically gifted, yet cloistered, FMC on the run and her spell-wielding, demon-fighting, Lordling MMC counterpart. We're talking forced proximity, a unique magic system, high stakes and intriguing politics. A lot of building blocks that I'm sure will appeal to a whole bunch of fantasy readers. It reads pretty YA up until a fairly descriptive bonking scene, so adjust your expectations accordingly!
Liris (FMC) and Vhannor (MMC) had an interesting dynamic in that they're both hyper aware of the power-imbalance they start off with. Everyone's big on consent and freedom of choice and not making anyone beholden. They're both nerds with a tendency to overthink, so expect miscommunication and intelligent, academically-minded banter. I liked that their abilities stemmed from being studious rather some innate ability they were born with.
Unfortunately, the writing style here just didn't agree with me. There was a tendency to overexplain and overanalyse, but I found myself getting lost in those incredibly wordy explanations, to the point where I really wasn't sure what was going on anymore. My ARC copy had a lot of typos (random words/odd sentence structure) which I think also contributed to my mind doing flips midway through any given paragraph. But that's super fixable.
My main struggle was in figuring out what the antagonists were actually doing and why. I'm not sure whether this stemmed from my lack of understanding around the world-building/magic systems, but I couldn't understand why the demons were doing what they were doing or why ANYONE would wish to align themselves with them? There wasn't a huge amount of development for the side characters either - a lot of them came and went within a scene, never to be heard from again. They may receive more attention in subsequent books, as this is going to be a trilogy, so that could be resolved in the future (I wish we'd seen more of Shry in particular).
The book would also benefit from a map, because maps are cool and sexy and also I lost track of the worlds they visited and their proximity to one another super quickly. It all just became too nebulous for me in the end.
4/10
March 26, 2024
Oh, this was lovely! A wonderful fantasy adventure that digs deep into the world's magical theory, starring two brilliant nerds who overthink everything in a way that I, personally, found DEEPLY relatable and endearing. :)
In a world where travel is deeply regimented, Liris has spent her entire life earnestly training in languages, logic, and patterns in hopes of one day serving her nation as an ambassador. However, she's now been kept prisoner for decades without ever being allowed to USE any of that training on a real mission - and when her superiors sell her out to a man working with demons, she gives up that first life goal and escapes to do REAL good on the world...causing great chaos along the way!
It turns out that a training in languages and patterns makes her a natural spellcaster, and even a prodigy - but she's saved from being a "Mary Sue" character because, even as her well-honed skills make her immediately capable of advanced spellwork without the usual years of magical training beforehand, she still runs into real issues because she's simply not aware of some of the fundamental rules that would have been covered by that basic early training. Blair balances that tightrope really well...
And I absolutely loved the romance that develops between Liris and her new spellcasting partner, an equally brilliant spellcaster who's also rigidly ethical and over-responsible and an absolute cinnamon roll.
This is the first book in the trilogy, and there's loads of plot left in the overarching issues of this world, but the ending of this book is incredibly satisfying and also provides a lovely HEA for the two of them, which I really appreciated. (I don't know whether Book 2 will star another couple or whether this couple will take on new challenges, but I am ALL IN, either way, because I loved every character in this book, not just the main pair!)
At various points, this book reminded me (in the best of ways) of Maria Snyder's Poison Study, Andrea K. Höst's Touchstone series, and the whole ouevres of Aliette de Bodard and Kate Elliott. (Here's to thoughtful, ethical heros and heroines wrangling with complicated issues!) If you enjoy any of those authors, I would definitely recommend that you give this book a try.
In a world where travel is deeply regimented, Liris has spent her entire life earnestly training in languages, logic, and patterns in hopes of one day serving her nation as an ambassador. However, she's now been kept prisoner for decades without ever being allowed to USE any of that training on a real mission - and when her superiors sell her out to a man working with demons, she gives up that first life goal and escapes to do REAL good on the world...causing great chaos along the way!
It turns out that a training in languages and patterns makes her a natural spellcaster, and even a prodigy - but she's saved from being a "Mary Sue" character because, even as her well-honed skills make her immediately capable of advanced spellwork without the usual years of magical training beforehand, she still runs into real issues because she's simply not aware of some of the fundamental rules that would have been covered by that basic early training. Blair balances that tightrope really well...
And I absolutely loved the romance that develops between Liris and her new spellcasting partner, an equally brilliant spellcaster who's also rigidly ethical and over-responsible and an absolute cinnamon roll.
This is the first book in the trilogy, and there's loads of plot left in the overarching issues of this world, but the ending of this book is incredibly satisfying and also provides a lovely HEA for the two of them, which I really appreciated. (I don't know whether Book 2 will star another couple or whether this couple will take on new challenges, but I am ALL IN, either way, because I loved every character in this book, not just the main pair!)
At various points, this book reminded me (in the best of ways) of Maria Snyder's Poison Study, Andrea K. Höst's Touchstone series, and the whole ouevres of Aliette de Bodard and Kate Elliott. (Here's to thoughtful, ethical heros and heroines wrangling with complicated issues!) If you enjoy any of those authors, I would definitely recommend that you give this book a try.
October 16, 2024
This book is brilliant, with complex magical worlds and a badass female character who does not apologize for being good at what she does. And in that vein, the author doesn't apologize for slipping in complex language theory and philosophy. While this book will absolutely be fun for your average reader, for your overachieving, multiple-language speakers- this book will feel like coming home. That and for mature teenagers (there is Romance with a capital R in this book) Liris is perhaps the most perfect role model one could ask for.
Liris' character arc is so relatable. She overthinks, she's trying to overcome the impact of her childhood and past experiences have on how she reacts to the world, and even as she experiences difficulty breaking those cycles, she can see those patterns in others. Her unapologetic mental brilliance is inspiring because she does not make herself small. She learns, she grows, she owns her mistakes, and she moves on.
While the pacing of the romance may feel a bit fast (I can't stand a character who is madly in love after a handful of encounters) in this book the pacing of her interest feels character-appropriate. Liris is confident and knows what she wants outside of romance, why would she not apply that attitude to her love life? I also want to note that Blair does something especially masterful as she weaves through the classic trope of the miscommunication building tension, but the space it takes on the page is limited because THEY TALK TO EACH OTHER LIKE ADULTS. It's so refreshing . The banter is also super cute- awkward at times, endearing at others, but always self-reflective and witty.
As a final note. Most books I've been reading recently have plot twists that require significantly revisionist narratives or unreliable witnesses. That or they have such heavy foreshadowing that you know the changes are coming well before the characters do. In this book every detail matters and crescendos to twists and changes that are really consistent with the characters, but that you still didn't expect. It's a subtle reveal that has you realizing information at the same time as the highly intelligent main character does, and it's incredibly well done.
Liris' character arc is so relatable. She overthinks, she's trying to overcome the impact of her childhood and past experiences have on how she reacts to the world, and even as she experiences difficulty breaking those cycles, she can see those patterns in others. Her unapologetic mental brilliance is inspiring because she does not make herself small. She learns, she grows, she owns her mistakes, and she moves on.
While the pacing of the romance may feel a bit fast (I can't stand a character who is madly in love after a handful of encounters) in this book the pacing of her interest feels character-appropriate. Liris is confident and knows what she wants outside of romance, why would she not apply that attitude to her love life? I also want to note that Blair does something especially masterful as she weaves through the classic trope of the miscommunication building tension, but the space it takes on the page is limited because THEY TALK TO EACH OTHER LIKE ADULTS. It's so refreshing . The banter is also super cute- awkward at times, endearing at others, but always self-reflective and witty.
As a final note. Most books I've been reading recently have plot twists that require significantly revisionist narratives or unreliable witnesses. That or they have such heavy foreshadowing that you know the changes are coming well before the characters do. In this book every detail matters and crescendos to twists and changes that are really consistent with the characters, but that you still didn't expect. It's a subtle reveal that has you realizing information at the same time as the highly intelligent main character does, and it's incredibly well done.
December 3, 2025
I’m highly recommending this, great plot, fantastic storytelling and a strong woman character.
Rating: 4.5⭐️
I find Casey Blair to be a wildly imaginative writer. She’s incredibly inventive in her ability to craft a variety of detailed magical systems and then have her fantasy characters use those systems their magic. In beautifully plotted scenarios that capture our own imagination and connect us to the universe she’s building.
Liris, the main character and sole voice of the story, is a brilliant desperate woman. She’s been essentially “locked” away for her entire life, trapped into training that’s a literal dead end.
This is the story of her escape. How, by the force of her courage, desperation and self control, moves to change the world. And her magical power.
The other characters, especially the important spellcaster Lord Vhannor, is still a bit of a mystery here. I do wish this had been a two person POV instead. I think that extra character detail and depth of vision would have made this even better.
But there’s so much exploration to lay out and depth of world building to achieve that I could see that a single person perspective would be a good way to achieve that.
The relationship between Liris and Vhannor is fairly quick and straightforward (an example of where the 2-person POV would be helpful) but given Liris’ personality understandable. Also this is a “spicy” book, more so than some of the author’s other works. Yes, there’s sex scenes.
The second story belongs to another character from this book. So this seems to conclude their main romance.
I’m highly recommending this, great plot, fantastic storytelling and a strong woman character.
However, the magical system is a rich mixture of elements that takes time to build up throughout the story and with each character. It’s highly effective but not an aspect that’s rushed.
Looking forward to the next book.
Cover art by Kateryna Vitkovska, 2023.
Cover design by Miblart, 2024.
Hardcase design by Liz Heaven of Raven Pages Design, 2024
Rating: 4.5⭐️
I find Casey Blair to be a wildly imaginative writer. She’s incredibly inventive in her ability to craft a variety of detailed magical systems and then have her fantasy characters use those systems their magic. In beautifully plotted scenarios that capture our own imagination and connect us to the universe she’s building.
Liris, the main character and sole voice of the story, is a brilliant desperate woman. She’s been essentially “locked” away for her entire life, trapped into training that’s a literal dead end.
This is the story of her escape. How, by the force of her courage, desperation and self control, moves to change the world. And her magical power.
The other characters, especially the important spellcaster Lord Vhannor, is still a bit of a mystery here. I do wish this had been a two person POV instead. I think that extra character detail and depth of vision would have made this even better.
But there’s so much exploration to lay out and depth of world building to achieve that I could see that a single person perspective would be a good way to achieve that.
The relationship between Liris and Vhannor is fairly quick and straightforward (an example of where the 2-person POV would be helpful) but given Liris’ personality understandable. Also this is a “spicy” book, more so than some of the author’s other works. Yes, there’s sex scenes.
The second story belongs to another character from this book. So this seems to conclude their main romance.
I’m highly recommending this, great plot, fantastic storytelling and a strong woman character.
However, the magical system is a rich mixture of elements that takes time to build up throughout the story and with each character. It’s highly effective but not an aspect that’s rushed.
Looking forward to the next book.
Cover art by Kateryna Vitkovska, 2023.
Cover design by Miblart, 2024.
Hardcase design by Liz Heaven of Raven Pages Design, 2024
April 15, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (1.5)
I have to admit, I was quite intrigued by the premise of Casey Blair's "The Sundered Realms" - a unique fantasy world with a compelling magical system and a heroine who is an expert linguist. As someone who loves rich world-building and complex female protagonists, I was eager to dive in. And for the most part, I found the book to be an engaging and well-written adventure.
Blair's prose is undoubtedly strong - she has a real gift for crafting an immersive, evocative atmosphere. The world she's built, with its "Sundered Realms" and the looming threat of demonic forces, is quite fascinating. I was hooked from the very first page. The main character, Liris, is also a compelling protagonist. Her emotional journey, as she grapples with her own detachment and learns to open herself up to connection, was really well-executed.
However, I did find the pacing and world-building to be a bit uneven at times. There were moments where I found myself having to backtrack, trying to remember certain details about the magical system or the political landscape. The world is so rich and complex that I occasionally felt like I was playing catch-up rather than being fully immersed.
The romance between Liris and Vhannor also felt a bit rushed to me. I would have loved to see more of the slow build-up and longing between them before they solidified their relationship. That said, once they did confirm their feelings, the steamy scenes were quite well-done, earning this book a 1.5 on my spice scale.
Overall, "The Sundered Realms" is a solid fantasy debut that left me intrigued to want to continue the series. Fans of complex, character-driven fantasy will likely find a lot to enjoy here, even if the pacing and world-building felt a bit uneven at times. I'm curious to see where Blair takes the story next.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This review reflects my own and unbiased opinion.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (1.5)
I have to admit, I was quite intrigued by the premise of Casey Blair's "The Sundered Realms" - a unique fantasy world with a compelling magical system and a heroine who is an expert linguist. As someone who loves rich world-building and complex female protagonists, I was eager to dive in. And for the most part, I found the book to be an engaging and well-written adventure.
Blair's prose is undoubtedly strong - she has a real gift for crafting an immersive, evocative atmosphere. The world she's built, with its "Sundered Realms" and the looming threat of demonic forces, is quite fascinating. I was hooked from the very first page. The main character, Liris, is also a compelling protagonist. Her emotional journey, as she grapples with her own detachment and learns to open herself up to connection, was really well-executed.
However, I did find the pacing and world-building to be a bit uneven at times. There were moments where I found myself having to backtrack, trying to remember certain details about the magical system or the political landscape. The world is so rich and complex that I occasionally felt like I was playing catch-up rather than being fully immersed.
The romance between Liris and Vhannor also felt a bit rushed to me. I would have loved to see more of the slow build-up and longing between them before they solidified their relationship. That said, once they did confirm their feelings, the steamy scenes were quite well-done, earning this book a 1.5 on my spice scale.
Overall, "The Sundered Realms" is a solid fantasy debut that left me intrigued to want to continue the series. Fans of complex, character-driven fantasy will likely find a lot to enjoy here, even if the pacing and world-building felt a bit uneven at times. I'm curious to see where Blair takes the story next.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This review reflects my own and unbiased opinion.
May 21, 2024
After Blair's Tea Princess books, I was fairly confident I knew what to expect going in, and the book met those expectations quite well. There's lots of people who know themselves well and understand the importance of communication, but who overthink things so much that they still end up falling over their own feet.
Liris is our protagonist, someone who's been honed as a weapon by her nation, although only metaphorically. She's been trained as a linguist and diplomat, but has never been allowed to serve, and when she realises her superiors are planning on sacrificing her, she escapes and falls in the lap of a powerful spellcaster. Together they end up taking on demons and trying to save the world.
There's a lot to enjoy here. I'm of an age where young lovers failing to communicate with each other and just emoting in the opposite direction has me rolling my eyes, so it was nice to see two people who could actually talk to each other (even if they still manage to have many misunderstandings, at least they can talk it through). Liris's background means that she treats every new situation as a test that she has to pass, or terrible things will happen to her, while Vhannor is the hereditary lord of his nation and one of the top spellcasters in the world, and is all too aware of the disparity in power between them, so barely breathes without apologising to her.
At times, the book feels overwritten. There's a lot of exposition and I sometimes found myself getting lost in the weeds a bit. There was a convoluted triple-negative at one point that I eventually just gave up trying to untangle and just counted the number of "nots" to work out what it was trying to say. Still, both Liris and Vhannor are fun characters, and side character Shry was great and we didn't get nearly enough of her, although hopefully that will change in the next book. And yes, I will definitely look out for and read the next book.
Liris is our protagonist, someone who's been honed as a weapon by her nation, although only metaphorically. She's been trained as a linguist and diplomat, but has never been allowed to serve, and when she realises her superiors are planning on sacrificing her, she escapes and falls in the lap of a powerful spellcaster. Together they end up taking on demons and trying to save the world.
There's a lot to enjoy here. I'm of an age where young lovers failing to communicate with each other and just emoting in the opposite direction has me rolling my eyes, so it was nice to see two people who could actually talk to each other (even if they still manage to have many misunderstandings, at least they can talk it through). Liris's background means that she treats every new situation as a test that she has to pass, or terrible things will happen to her, while Vhannor is the hereditary lord of his nation and one of the top spellcasters in the world, and is all too aware of the disparity in power between them, so barely breathes without apologising to her.
At times, the book feels overwritten. There's a lot of exposition and I sometimes found myself getting lost in the weeds a bit. There was a convoluted triple-negative at one point that I eventually just gave up trying to untangle and just counted the number of "nots" to work out what it was trying to say. Still, both Liris and Vhannor are fun characters, and side character Shry was great and we didn't get nearly enough of her, although hopefully that will change in the next book. And yes, I will definitely look out for and read the next book.
December 4, 2025
Rating: 4.5⭐️
I find Casey Blair to be a wildly imaginative writer. She’s incredibly inventive in her ability to craft a variety of detailed magical systems and then have her fantasy characters use those systems their magic. In beautifully plotted scenarios that capture our own imagination and connect us to the universe she’s building.
Liris, the main character and sole voice of the story, is a brilliant desperate woman. She’s been essentially “locked” away for her entire life, trapped into training that’s a literal dead end.
This is the story of her escape. How, by the force of her courage, desperation and self control, moves to change the world. And her magical power.
The other characters, especially the important spellcaster Lord Vhannor, is still a bit of a mystery here. I do wish this had been a two person POV instead. I think that extra character detail and depth of vision would have made this even better.
But there’s so much exploration to lay out and depth of world building to achieve that I could see that a single person perspective would be a good way to achieve that.
The relationship between Liris and Vhannor is fairly quick and straightforward (an example of where the 2-person POV would be helpful) but given Liris’ personality understandable. Also this is a “spicy” book, more so than some of the author’s other works. Yes, there’s sex scenes.
The second story belongs to another character from this book. So this seems to conclude their main romance.
I’m highly recommending this, great plot, fantastic storytelling and a strong woman character.
However, the magical system is a rich mixture of elements that takes time to build up throughout the story and with each character. It’s highly effective but not an aspect that’s rushed.
Looking forward to the next book.
Cover art by Kateryna Vitkovska, 2023.
Cover design by Miblart, 2024.
Hardcase design by Liz Heaven of Raven Pages Design, 2024
I find Casey Blair to be a wildly imaginative writer. She’s incredibly inventive in her ability to craft a variety of detailed magical systems and then have her fantasy characters use those systems their magic. In beautifully plotted scenarios that capture our own imagination and connect us to the universe she’s building.
Liris, the main character and sole voice of the story, is a brilliant desperate woman. She’s been essentially “locked” away for her entire life, trapped into training that’s a literal dead end.
This is the story of her escape. How, by the force of her courage, desperation and self control, moves to change the world. And her magical power.
The other characters, especially the important spellcaster Lord Vhannor, is still a bit of a mystery here. I do wish this had been a two person POV instead. I think that extra character detail and depth of vision would have made this even better.
But there’s so much exploration to lay out and depth of world building to achieve that I could see that a single person perspective would be a good way to achieve that.
The relationship between Liris and Vhannor is fairly quick and straightforward (an example of where the 2-person POV would be helpful) but given Liris’ personality understandable. Also this is a “spicy” book, more so than some of the author’s other works. Yes, there’s sex scenes.
The second story belongs to another character from this book. So this seems to conclude their main romance.
I’m highly recommending this, great plot, fantastic storytelling and a strong woman character.
However, the magical system is a rich mixture of elements that takes time to build up throughout the story and with each character. It’s highly effective but not an aspect that’s rushed.
Looking forward to the next book.
Cover art by Kateryna Vitkovska, 2023.
Cover design by Miblart, 2024.
Hardcase design by Liz Heaven of Raven Pages Design, 2024
April 10, 2024
I think this was a 3 star reading experience, but I am giving it 4 stars for originality/ the unique magic system/ how true the narrative voice stayed to who the main character is supposed to be.
The Sundered Realms was a great first book set up for a new fantasy series and world! The magic system was so unique, and didn't remind me of other fantasies- and that is a good thing! I always get excited for a fantasy (especially a romantic fantasy) that feels fresh and new. I also really appreciated the approach to the power dynamic between Liris (our main character) and the love interest (not saying name to avoid spoilers)- despite there being a huge difference in power difference and experience like most fantasies, the love interest's main priority was getting them on more even footing and making sure Liris was making her own choices. Love that!
Like I said earlier, the narrative voice stayed very true to the main character- a scholar who lived in isolation and studied non stop for most of her life. She is SMART. I love that the narrative felt true to her. HOWEVER, this is where it became a three star reading experience for me- because I felt like a lot of this book went right over my head. I wasn't riding along for the big reveals and working through the problems with Liris (like I think we all prefer in these kinds of books)- I was about 20 steps behind scratching my head, and I had a really hard time picturing the action/ how the magic system work. That was a bit of a bummer for me. I also would have loved a little more chemistry between the main characters and more time spent seeing them get to know each other/ fall in love- and I would also have loved more time spent getting to know the side characters.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of The Sundered Realms! All opinions are my own.
The Sundered Realms was a great first book set up for a new fantasy series and world! The magic system was so unique, and didn't remind me of other fantasies- and that is a good thing! I always get excited for a fantasy (especially a romantic fantasy) that feels fresh and new. I also really appreciated the approach to the power dynamic between Liris (our main character) and the love interest (not saying name to avoid spoilers)- despite there being a huge difference in power difference and experience like most fantasies, the love interest's main priority was getting them on more even footing and making sure Liris was making her own choices. Love that!
Like I said earlier, the narrative voice stayed very true to the main character- a scholar who lived in isolation and studied non stop for most of her life. She is SMART. I love that the narrative felt true to her. HOWEVER, this is where it became a three star reading experience for me- because I felt like a lot of this book went right over my head. I wasn't riding along for the big reveals and working through the problems with Liris (like I think we all prefer in these kinds of books)- I was about 20 steps behind scratching my head, and I had a really hard time picturing the action/ how the magic system work. That was a bit of a bummer for me. I also would have loved a little more chemistry between the main characters and more time spent seeing them get to know each other/ fall in love- and I would also have loved more time spent getting to know the side characters.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of The Sundered Realms! All opinions are my own.
March 12, 2024
Thank you @netgalley and author for allowing me to have a taste on this ARC.
2 ⭐
The adventure of a cynical woman and her within a week—love interest to fight demons.
Liris was trained to be a spy of Serenthuar, one of realms in The Sundered realms. She's fluent in most languages especially the ancient, which makes her valuable. The Elders manipulated her to believe that Serenthuar is doing the right thing, which she came to realize that's not the truth. They trapped her within the realm and about to sacrifice her to the demon servant, but without them knowing, she has planned her way out through a secret portal.
Lord Vhannor, the 'top top spellcaster' of SRSA'S Special Operations, the Lord of Embhullor, needs Liris to help him with his apparently secret mission which comes to a full adventure together.
The premise sounds promising and exciting and thrilling. Also note that the blurb mentioned 'Lord Vhannor, the most dangerous spellcaster in the universe', which I didn't get off him.
The story feels uncooked well, too rushed yet it felt long enough, lack of tensions, insipid characters. This is a fantasy with romance as sub-plot, and again it manages to disappoint me that the relationship is insta-love and I didn't care for a bit if they ended up together or not. The FMC is cynical, and yet she wants to be trusted by the MMC, and then falls in love with him the next day. Sounds ludicrous to me.
I love a good world building book, and unfortunately this wasn't one of them. I'd forgive everything if it's a standalone book, but then I found out it's going to be a trilogy. So I can say this book isn't for me. The writing itself is okay, that's a good point from this book.
2 ⭐
The adventure of a cynical woman and her within a week—love interest to fight demons.
Liris was trained to be a spy of Serenthuar, one of realms in The Sundered realms. She's fluent in most languages especially the ancient, which makes her valuable. The Elders manipulated her to believe that Serenthuar is doing the right thing, which she came to realize that's not the truth. They trapped her within the realm and about to sacrifice her to the demon servant, but without them knowing, she has planned her way out through a secret portal.
Lord Vhannor, the 'top top spellcaster' of SRSA'S Special Operations, the Lord of Embhullor, needs Liris to help him with his apparently secret mission which comes to a full adventure together.
The premise sounds promising and exciting and thrilling. Also note that the blurb mentioned 'Lord Vhannor, the most dangerous spellcaster in the universe', which I didn't get off him.
The story feels uncooked well, too rushed yet it felt long enough, lack of tensions, insipid characters. This is a fantasy with romance as sub-plot, and again it manages to disappoint me that the relationship is insta-love and I didn't care for a bit if they ended up together or not. The FMC is cynical, and yet she wants to be trusted by the MMC, and then falls in love with him the next day. Sounds ludicrous to me.
I love a good world building book, and unfortunately this wasn't one of them. I'd forgive everything if it's a standalone book, but then I found out it's going to be a trilogy. So I can say this book isn't for me. The writing itself is okay, that's a good point from this book.
April 4, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC of The Sundered Realms by Casey Blair in exchange for an honest review! I overall enjoyed this book! I think the second half of it was better than the first. It took me a bit to really get into this story, which has mostly to do with the pacing and world building. There were times that I was just a bit confused and had to go back to sort myself out. I think part of the problem was that my focus drifted a lot in the beginning. I definitely feel like there needs to be a map. And somehow I felt like things were over-explained and under-explained at the same time. I'm not sure this makes sense, but for example I was confused on things like the world and the magic system and felt I needed more clarity there, while on other topics I felt like we were doing too much telling unnecessarily. Perhaps it's just the writing style that didn't entirely agree with me. However, I was much more interested in the story later on and definitely able to focus more. I suppose I'd suggest making sure you're paying attention to start and just keep going until you get to where the book really starts to pick up. I do really think it's worth it if you read the description and think you'd be interested!
It's not a very long read, which makes it a good book if you're looking to give a new fantasy series a try. The characters were the best part for me. I really enjoyed Liris and the romance with her and Vhannor was well-done! I would say this book is a 3.5 that I'd round up to a four because I really did think they were solid characters with an enticing relationship that made sense and was well-developed. Also rounding up because I was left definitely looking forward to the future books of this trilogy!
It's not a very long read, which makes it a good book if you're looking to give a new fantasy series a try. The characters were the best part for me. I really enjoyed Liris and the romance with her and Vhannor was well-done! I would say this book is a 3.5 that I'd round up to a four because I really did think they were solid characters with an enticing relationship that made sense and was well-developed. Also rounding up because I was left definitely looking forward to the future books of this trilogy!
April 5, 2024
Disclosure: Received an ARC from the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for a review. Thank you Casey Blair.
3/5 ⭐️
0.5/5 🌶️
Liris has a special, hidden talent that has kept her trapped in her kingdom, where they train elite spies. One day, she is brought in by her Elders to help a mysterious man who seems to be working with the demons and will possibly kill her once she gives him the information he needs. To avoid this, she escapes into a secret portal that leads to another kingdoms. After a year in hiding, she finds herself captive heading to Lord Vhannor. Lord Vhannor is a field castor, who is attempting to dispel demon portals. He finds himself needing Liris’s help since she is able to understand Thyrasel.
As Liris is interested in learning more about spell casting, Vhannor ask if she’ll like to go to the university that he owns. On the way to the university, Vhannor educates her about magic and spells. Even though they only met days before, they seem to trust each other. Once they reach their destination, it decided that Liris will learn to be Vhannor’s partner as a field castor to help figure out what the enemy’s plan involves.
Overall, it’s a good story. Liris is described as a strong, intelligent woman who uses her previous knowledge to become powerful. Vhannor, who is obviously the love interest, worries about her but trusts her enough to let her make her own decisions. I feel like the book was rushed in the beginning and in the end. I hope the next books involves more of the side characters, explanation of the involvement of demons, and would love to see a map of this world.
3/5 ⭐️
0.5/5 🌶️
Liris has a special, hidden talent that has kept her trapped in her kingdom, where they train elite spies. One day, she is brought in by her Elders to help a mysterious man who seems to be working with the demons and will possibly kill her once she gives him the information he needs. To avoid this, she escapes into a secret portal that leads to another kingdoms. After a year in hiding, she finds herself captive heading to Lord Vhannor. Lord Vhannor is a field castor, who is attempting to dispel demon portals. He finds himself needing Liris’s help since she is able to understand Thyrasel.
As Liris is interested in learning more about spell casting, Vhannor ask if she’ll like to go to the university that he owns. On the way to the university, Vhannor educates her about magic and spells. Even though they only met days before, they seem to trust each other. Once they reach their destination, it decided that Liris will learn to be Vhannor’s partner as a field castor to help figure out what the enemy’s plan involves.
Overall, it’s a good story. Liris is described as a strong, intelligent woman who uses her previous knowledge to become powerful. Vhannor, who is obviously the love interest, worries about her but trusts her enough to let her make her own decisions. I feel like the book was rushed in the beginning and in the end. I hope the next books involves more of the side characters, explanation of the involvement of demons, and would love to see a map of this world.
February 6, 2025
Dear The Sundered Realms,
😬
Yeah, it’s going to hurt you more than me.
Review breakdown:
Characters: 2⭐️ insufferable and they had the same arguments/conversations… they would not stop talking.
Setting: 3.75⭐️ the magic and the world was original and so interesting. I just don’t think the writing could handle it.
Plot: 3⭐️ and that’s being generous. It was uneven and clunky. It could not hold its own against the ridiculous ramblings of the main characters.
Theme: 2⭐️ this is more for the writing and style. It was not good. Clunky and absolutely no flow. Paragraphs seemed out of place and chapters started and stopped weirdly. I was unable to actually immerse myself because of this. And the repeating…. REPEATING! Words, phrases, and that not considering the same arguments the characters had…
Emotional Impact: 2⭐️ bravo if you can decipher this and connect to any part.
Personal Enjoyment: 2⭐️ about 60% into the book, I switched from the ebook to audio but the weird flow and clunkiness was WORSE! And the absurd pauses. It obviously wasn’t the best production.
The cover art is so captivating and the world/magic system could have been astounding if the writing, characters, and maybe everything else were better.
Beware of chapter 17, just when you think these two idiots could not be more insufferable…… I fucking hate them. Why would anyone do that to their characters?
😑🙄
😬
Yeah, it’s going to hurt you more than me.
Review breakdown:
Characters: 2⭐️ insufferable and they had the same arguments/conversations… they would not stop talking.
Setting: 3.75⭐️ the magic and the world was original and so interesting. I just don’t think the writing could handle it.
Plot: 3⭐️ and that’s being generous. It was uneven and clunky. It could not hold its own against the ridiculous ramblings of the main characters.
Theme: 2⭐️ this is more for the writing and style. It was not good. Clunky and absolutely no flow. Paragraphs seemed out of place and chapters started and stopped weirdly. I was unable to actually immerse myself because of this. And the repeating…. REPEATING! Words, phrases, and that not considering the same arguments the characters had…
Emotional Impact: 2⭐️ bravo if you can decipher this and connect to any part.
Personal Enjoyment: 2⭐️ about 60% into the book, I switched from the ebook to audio but the weird flow and clunkiness was WORSE! And the absurd pauses. It obviously wasn’t the best production.
The cover art is so captivating and the world/magic system could have been astounding if the writing, characters, and maybe everything else were better.
Beware of chapter 17, just when you think these two idiots could not be more insufferable…… I fucking hate them. Why would anyone do that to their characters?
😑🙄
April 15, 2024
Oh, wow! I was hooked by this book from page one and stayed up reading the first night until 3 am!
I loved the banter between the two strong willed, flawed but fundamentally good main characters. The world building was unique and built up over time, but there were a lot of worlds and cultures introduced and I would have liked a bit more depth to them.
Laris has studied and trained her whole life sequestered away, never allowed to really use her talents until one day she is called to assist a demon servant who will most likely use her knowledge and abilities to open an invincible portal from the demon world to all the other worlds. Seeing the disaster and injustice her talents might be used for, she determines to resist and she flees.
Lord Vhannor is a master spellcaster and the head of a demon hunting agency in the world where Laris is hiding. He conscripts Laris to help with a mission.
I loved the essential joyful nerdiness of the main characters and their competence. I enjoyed their romance, but there was a touch too much angsty discussion of who’s protecting whom for my taste. However, the epilogue was great and the sneak peek at book 2 has me super excited for that one!
April 16, 2024
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
The Sundered Realms was a very unique read with spellcasters, ambassadors, assassins, demon servants, etc. The characters were likable and the world building and magic system is unique. However, the first 2 chapters were sooooo confusing I kept having to pause to remember what the heck was going on. There was a huge plot jump between chapters 1 and 2 that threw me for a loop but eventually some questions were answered. I think the world building and the whole linguistic aspect was too complicated for me personally to understand but I know others will appreciate it more.
The way Liris and Vhannor's minds work is incredible. Liris, an ambitious genius and also a chronic overthinker/overanalyzer, always thinks everything is a test until she finally learns otherwise. Vhannor is so thoughtful and level-headed and I think him and Liris make an excellent duo. In terms of romance, I wish it was more of a slow burn. It felt too close to insta-love on Liris' part but still enjoyable watching them navigate their budding partnership at first.
Overall, I think it was a good read but it's definitely not for everyone. It definitely takes more brain power to get through this book.
*Thank you to Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
The Sundered Realms was a very unique read with spellcasters, ambassadors, assassins, demon servants, etc. The characters were likable and the world building and magic system is unique. However, the first 2 chapters were sooooo confusing I kept having to pause to remember what the heck was going on. There was a huge plot jump between chapters 1 and 2 that threw me for a loop but eventually some questions were answered. I think the world building and the whole linguistic aspect was too complicated for me personally to understand but I know others will appreciate it more.
The way Liris and Vhannor's minds work is incredible. Liris, an ambitious genius and also a chronic overthinker/overanalyzer, always thinks everything is a test until she finally learns otherwise. Vhannor is so thoughtful and level-headed and I think him and Liris make an excellent duo. In terms of romance, I wish it was more of a slow burn. It felt too close to insta-love on Liris' part but still enjoyable watching them navigate their budding partnership at first.
Overall, I think it was a good read but it's definitely not for everyone. It definitely takes more brain power to get through this book.
*Thank you to Netgalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
June 6, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and author Casey Blair for the e-copy of this book in exchange for a review.
"Liris has always been too dangerous to be allowed freedom.
Now she's the universe's only hope.
Liris has been trapped training as an elite spy her whole life. But when her elders try to sacrifice her to further their own interests, she escapes through a secret portal—only to land right in the hands of Lord Vhannor, the most dangerous spellcaster in the universe.
Vhannor has dedicated his life to defending the universe from world-devouring demons, and Liris, with her unique knowledge of an ancient spell language, jeopardizes his mission. But when she uses it to help him close a demonic portal before it can destroy all life in that dimension, he's forced to acknowledge he needs her by his side.
As they race between dimensions to fight their mutual enemies, they discover a plot that will leave every remaining realm in the universe at the mercy of demons. But to stop it, Liris will have to rely on the man whose icy gaze sees right through her... and when even her own people betrayed her, how can she trust Vhannor to stand by her when she risks the whole universe?"
I enjoy reading it.
"Liris has always been too dangerous to be allowed freedom.
Now she's the universe's only hope.
Liris has been trapped training as an elite spy her whole life. But when her elders try to sacrifice her to further their own interests, she escapes through a secret portal—only to land right in the hands of Lord Vhannor, the most dangerous spellcaster in the universe.
Vhannor has dedicated his life to defending the universe from world-devouring demons, and Liris, with her unique knowledge of an ancient spell language, jeopardizes his mission. But when she uses it to help him close a demonic portal before it can destroy all life in that dimension, he's forced to acknowledge he needs her by his side.
As they race between dimensions to fight their mutual enemies, they discover a plot that will leave every remaining realm in the universe at the mercy of demons. But to stop it, Liris will have to rely on the man whose icy gaze sees right through her... and when even her own people betrayed her, how can she trust Vhannor to stand by her when she risks the whole universe?"
I enjoy reading it.
Read
July 1, 2024Why have I reached for this book? A confluence of two reasons: I happened to get free three months of Kindle Unlimited and, more importantly, Sherwood Smith read it and wrote a review. In the review, it’s mentioned that the characters are “writing math as spells” which, naturally, attracted me. Unfortunately, the book was a disappointment, mostly because the spell-casting was so vague. If it were completely esoteric - like alohomora in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone without any explanation about how magical stuff works - I would be fine with it. If it were described in excruciating technical detail, I would be happy. This neither-here-nor-there approach simply did not sit well with me.
If you are mostly interested in the world building, it is decent. If you are mostly interested in the romance, it did not work for me. On the flip side, it’s such an easy quick read that you might want to sink an afternoon into it - just in case the weather is too hot under the heat dome.
If you are mostly interested in the world building, it is decent. If you are mostly interested in the romance, it did not work for me. On the flip side, it’s such an easy quick read that you might want to sink an afternoon into it - just in case the weather is too hot under the heat dome.
May 5, 2024
The Sundered Realms
Sundered Realms (5)
What a unique and fascinating world! I really loved how original and intricate the world and magical system was. I liked the idea behind the spells and casting forms and I enjoyed the concept as well.
The story pulled me in from the start and it was easy to get swept along in this thrilling high-stakes adventure with the characters.
Speaking of the characters; I of course enjoyed them. Liris was smart, dedicated, and independent. Her character was easy to root for and I loved watching her growth throughout the story becoming a confident take charge woman.
Vhannor was a protective, fierce man. I loved him from the story and enjoyed how he grew over the course of the story as well. He was so sweet and supportive!
Their relationship was entertaining and heartwarming to read.
Some great tropes to find here were; found family, forced proximity, independent FMC, protective MMC, end of the world high stakes, political intrigue, banter, unique spell casting, dystopianish world and so much more!
Sundered Realms (5)
What a unique and fascinating world! I really loved how original and intricate the world and magical system was. I liked the idea behind the spells and casting forms and I enjoyed the concept as well.
The story pulled me in from the start and it was easy to get swept along in this thrilling high-stakes adventure with the characters.
Speaking of the characters; I of course enjoyed them. Liris was smart, dedicated, and independent. Her character was easy to root for and I loved watching her growth throughout the story becoming a confident take charge woman.
Vhannor was a protective, fierce man. I loved him from the story and enjoyed how he grew over the course of the story as well. He was so sweet and supportive!
Their relationship was entertaining and heartwarming to read.
Some great tropes to find here were; found family, forced proximity, independent FMC, protective MMC, end of the world high stakes, political intrigue, banter, unique spell casting, dystopianish world and so much more!
May 10, 2024
I love fantasy book mixed with romance and Sundered Realms definitely delivers to the readers! I really enjoyed this book with our MC, Liris. Liris has been studying to be a spy for her whole life. And then she meets with what appears to be a demon regarding a language that only she has the abilty to talk about. She is sold to the highest bidder and she has to do the one thing she was hoping not to do, to divulge her secret!
I love the conversations with Lord Vhannor and Liris. They are so full of chemistry and stolen glances. The writing in this book is perfect as the author takes the readers into the book in a modern way of writing for fantasy. There is so much action from page to page! I also really love the ending of the book and the glance at the segway into the next book in this huge fantasy series. I can not wait to read the next book in the series!
I highly recommend to fantasy and romance readers alike!
I love the conversations with Lord Vhannor and Liris. They are so full of chemistry and stolen glances. The writing in this book is perfect as the author takes the readers into the book in a modern way of writing for fantasy. There is so much action from page to page! I also really love the ending of the book and the glance at the segway into the next book in this huge fantasy series. I can not wait to read the next book in the series!
I highly recommend to fantasy and romance readers alike!
June 6, 2024
Unfortunately, I couldn't really get into the story.
What I didn't really like:
It's a pretty interesting world, but a somewhat unclear world building and I didn't get the whole demon-fighting thing. How many demons were there? Dozens or thousands, I don't know.
A lot of repetition, e.g. the 2 main characters confirming each other, continue to assure each other that the other has choice and is wanted, has the others back, being too late to fight the demons, understand all political implications after half a word etc.
There is also too little of the main characters' lives. The story is only about when they have to take action. There is only one scene where they are relaxing and discovering food they like. Therefore their romance is not really credible.
What I did like:
It is very well written! Although I couldn't get into the story, I didn't get really bored. The world was too interesting to be boring. But I did take a long time finishing it.
What I didn't really like:
It's a pretty interesting world, but a somewhat unclear world building and I didn't get the whole demon-fighting thing. How many demons were there? Dozens or thousands, I don't know.
A lot of repetition, e.g. the 2 main characters confirming each other, continue to assure each other that the other has choice and is wanted, has the others back, being too late to fight the demons, understand all political implications after half a word etc.
There is also too little of the main characters' lives. The story is only about when they have to take action. There is only one scene where they are relaxing and discovering food they like. Therefore their romance is not really credible.
What I did like:
It is very well written! Although I couldn't get into the story, I didn't get really bored. The world was too interesting to be boring. But I did take a long time finishing it.
May 7, 2024
Review for The Sunered Realms by Casey Blair.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was great.
I give this book 4 stars for its originality, great characters, unique magic system, intricate world building and a strong intelligent FMC who uses her knowledge as power.
Expect some nerdiness from the main characters (loved it), fun banter, a little bit of spice, magic, forced proximity, supernatural creatures (demons), found family, and more. This book truly has some great tropes that will leave you wanting more.
There are some things that I wish would have been written more about, such as: the demons, the Sundering and the void. So I look forward to the next book to learn more about these things and more.
Overall, this was a fun read. I definitely recommend it to people who like romantasy books, magic, and world building.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book was great.
I give this book 4 stars for its originality, great characters, unique magic system, intricate world building and a strong intelligent FMC who uses her knowledge as power.
Expect some nerdiness from the main characters (loved it), fun banter, a little bit of spice, magic, forced proximity, supernatural creatures (demons), found family, and more. This book truly has some great tropes that will leave you wanting more.
There are some things that I wish would have been written more about, such as: the demons, the Sundering and the void. So I look forward to the next book to learn more about these things and more.
Overall, this was a fun read. I definitely recommend it to people who like romantasy books, magic, and world building.
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