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Thieves of Dragemor #1
Realm of Thieves
One of Paste’s Best Fantasy Books of June 2025!
Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.
For Brynla Aihr, crime and survival have always gone hand in hand. Ever since she escaped the fanatical dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s had to carve out a life doing the stealing dragon eggs. Egg theft is illegal and, in most cases, fatal. To breach a dragon’s nest means a harrowing journey through the ancient wards spelled to keep the monstrous beasts confined. Dragons can’t get out and only those with a death wish can get in.
Despite the risks, dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic. An illegal trade flourishes under competing criminal empires, and Brynla’s loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. Until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor, a formidable lieutenant of House Kolbeck, and thrust into the dangerous political games of rivaling dynasties.
Brynla and Andor clash at every turn, sparking heat in ways Brynla’s never felt before. But in a world that’s prophesized to return to the dragons, and rife with betrayal and secrets at every turn…how close to the flames is she willing to stand?
Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.
For Brynla Aihr, crime and survival have always gone hand in hand. Ever since she escaped the fanatical dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s had to carve out a life doing the stealing dragon eggs. Egg theft is illegal and, in most cases, fatal. To breach a dragon’s nest means a harrowing journey through the ancient wards spelled to keep the monstrous beasts confined. Dragons can’t get out and only those with a death wish can get in.
Despite the risks, dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic. An illegal trade flourishes under competing criminal empires, and Brynla’s loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. Until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor, a formidable lieutenant of House Kolbeck, and thrust into the dangerous political games of rivaling dynasties.
Brynla and Andor clash at every turn, sparking heat in ways Brynla’s never felt before. But in a world that’s prophesized to return to the dragons, and rife with betrayal and secrets at every turn…how close to the flames is she willing to stand?
423 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2025
172 people are currently reading
25009 people want to read
About the author
Karina Halle
122 books19.6k followersKarina Halle is a screenwriter, former music & travel journalist, and the New York Times bestselling author of Grave Matter, Blood Orange, & The Royals Next Door, as well as 80 other romances across all sub-genres, ranging from spicy rom coms to gothic horror and dark fantasy. Needless to say, whatever you're into, she's probably written an HEA for it.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
When she's not traveling, she, her husband, and their pup Perry, split their time between a possibly haunted 120 year-old house in Victoria, BC, and their condo in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 543 reviews
June 6, 2025
“I stand where you stand. And you stand at the forefront of my life. Everything else falls to the wayside. Every thought, every feeling, it revolves around you, like you’ve embedded yourself under my skin, deep enough that I couldn’t get you out even if I tried.”
i think the story itself had potential, but the romance and the characters weren’t doing it for me. Brynla and Andor were fine, nothing about either of them stood out. Andor becomes kind of obsessed with Brynla too early and too fast, it was so off putting and verging on creepy at the start. i didn’t like his nickname for her either and Brynla didn’t have much of a personality, shes just.. there. i do wish that there was more intention put behind the dragon egg / dragon aspect in general, it could’ve been really cool to see more of the characters sneaking and thieving around. the last quarter of the book fell apart, nothing made much sense— no urgency, no high stakes, no solid reasoning for any of it to be happening. it also ended it a way that doesn’t warrant a sequel imo, but i won’t be continuing regardless.
➻ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Berkley Publishing for the arc, all opinions are my own.
i think the story itself had potential, but the romance and the characters weren’t doing it for me. Brynla and Andor were fine, nothing about either of them stood out. Andor becomes kind of obsessed with Brynla too early and too fast, it was so off putting and verging on creepy at the start. i didn’t like his nickname for her either and Brynla didn’t have much of a personality, shes just.. there. i do wish that there was more intention put behind the dragon egg / dragon aspect in general, it could’ve been really cool to see more of the characters sneaking and thieving around. the last quarter of the book fell apart, nothing made much sense— no urgency, no high stakes, no solid reasoning for any of it to be happening. it also ended it a way that doesn’t warrant a sequel imo, but i won’t be continuing regardless.
➻ many thanks to NetGalley, the author and Berkley Publishing for the arc, all opinions are my own.
September 9, 2025
✩ 3.85 stars ✩
What to Expect:
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ “Who did this to you?”
➼ Only One Cave
➼ He Falls First
➼ Dragon Egg Trade/Thieves
➼ Rival Kingdoms
➼ Hidden Identity
➼ Doggie Side Kick
➼ Chronic Illness Rep
➼ Forbidden Love
➼ Dual Narration?? Third narrator??
➼ Dual First Person POV??
“What I really want more than anything is to matter to you. To be something to you, to be everything to you.”
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that dragon books have really popped off recently. So many authors are focusing on the dragon rider angle, so it was really refreshing to read such a unique take on the dragon genre. In this book, dragons are locked away behind a magical barrier. It keeps them in, but it doesn’t keep people out. Their eggs are prized and highly sought after for the magical abilities they can grant those who consume them, but obtaining them is dangerous and can only be accomplished by highly skilled thieves.
This is where our FMC comes in. Her parents were rebels and she is orphaned and sent to a prison convent at a young age. She manages to escape with the help of a family member and then moves to a place full of impoverished criminals and castaways in order to keep her freedom. There she works as a thief for a very dangerous man and is paid for the dragon eggs she procures for him. For reasons unknown to her, she is immune to the powers granted to others by the dragon eggs, but her dog has the power to teleport which he uses to help her hunt down eggs.
I thought the world building and plot were so refreshingly unique. The romance was a bit insta lovey, but they both seemed so starved for love and kindness that it kind of made sense to me. There were some big reveals near the end that I think will lead this series in very interesting directions. I was honestly expecting this to be mid, but I was really impressed! This was a great read and one of the better dragon books I’ve read. Plus, I think there’s a lot of room for the dragons to become a much bigger part of the story in book two. Looking forward to it!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I’m actually really excited about this one, but I just realized I read something by this author before and gave it 1 star. 🙃 Hoping I’ll enjoy this one more since it’s not dark romance…🤞🏻
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
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What to Expect:
➼ Forced Proximity
➼ “Who did this to you?”
➼ Only One Cave
➼ He Falls First
➼ Dragon Egg Trade/Thieves
➼ Rival Kingdoms
➼ Hidden Identity
➼ Doggie Side Kick
➼ Chronic Illness Rep
➼ Forbidden Love
➼ Dual Narration?? Third narrator??
➼ Dual First Person POV??
“What I really want more than anything is to matter to you. To be something to you, to be everything to you.”
I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that dragon books have really popped off recently. So many authors are focusing on the dragon rider angle, so it was really refreshing to read such a unique take on the dragon genre. In this book, dragons are locked away behind a magical barrier. It keeps them in, but it doesn’t keep people out. Their eggs are prized and highly sought after for the magical abilities they can grant those who consume them, but obtaining them is dangerous and can only be accomplished by highly skilled thieves.
This is where our FMC comes in. Her parents were rebels and she is orphaned and sent to a prison convent at a young age. She manages to escape with the help of a family member and then moves to a place full of impoverished criminals and castaways in order to keep her freedom. There she works as a thief for a very dangerous man and is paid for the dragon eggs she procures for him. For reasons unknown to her, she is immune to the powers granted to others by the dragon eggs, but her dog has the power to teleport which he uses to help her hunt down eggs.
I thought the world building and plot were so refreshingly unique. The romance was a bit insta lovey, but they both seemed so starved for love and kindness that it kind of made sense to me. There were some big reveals near the end that I think will lead this series in very interesting directions. I was honestly expecting this to be mid, but I was really impressed! This was a great read and one of the better dragon books I’ve read. Plus, I think there’s a lot of room for the dragons to become a much bigger part of the story in book two. Looking forward to it!
✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼ ҉ ✼
Pre-read: I’m actually really excited about this one, but I just realized I read something by this author before and gave it 1 star. 🙃 Hoping I’ll enjoy this one more since it’s not dark romance…🤞🏻
≪ ◦ ❖ ◦ ≫
Connect with me on Instagram
March 11, 2025
so unfortunately i find myself very underwhelmed by this one 😭
i typically love karina’s books for how fast paced and thrilling they are, i feel like her stories are always super unique and addicting and while i felt that way for the front half of the book i certainly did not feel that way about the rest 😭
somewhere along the lines this book hit a plateau in almost all aspects for me, the characters and the romance became very one dimensional… almost boring? i kind of only stayed in it for lemi and to finally figure out where the plot was taking me.
as im super bummed out this book didnt hit for me the way i hoped it would i definitely do see myself giving it a try through the audiobook in the future… see if that helps bring some dimension and excitement back into it for me.
i typically love karina’s books for how fast paced and thrilling they are, i feel like her stories are always super unique and addicting and while i felt that way for the front half of the book i certainly did not feel that way about the rest 😭
somewhere along the lines this book hit a plateau in almost all aspects for me, the characters and the romance became very one dimensional… almost boring? i kind of only stayed in it for lemi and to finally figure out where the plot was taking me.
as im super bummed out this book didnt hit for me the way i hoped it would i definitely do see myself giving it a try through the audiobook in the future… see if that helps bring some dimension and excitement back into it for me.
June 1, 2025
A solid romantasy with an intriguing and unique twist on the dragon world—Karina Halle always nails the romantasy genre! While the pacing was up and down, I had a fun time with Realm of Thieves.
The first four chapters...I WAS HOOKED, and those initial pages made such an impression. The author did a fantastic job quickly building the world and thrusting the reader right into the action + emphasizing the perils of the Midlands and its dragons.
As I mentioned, I loved the world-building. In the acknowledgements section, the author mentions taking inspiration from the ominous feeling of dinosaurs in movies like Jurassic Park. The dragons totally had that dinosaur-esque vibe, which I loved. The atmosphere felt like How to Train Your Dragon mixed with Jurassic Park, with mafia vibes and darker undertones. And not only did the author write a unique dragon element, she excelled at creating a political structure with increasing tensions among the kingdoms—which I'm guessing will explode in later books. And the religious aspect added another layer of intrigue.
Though the middle 15-40% was on the slower side, even though the book started off with a bang. The interspersed action scenes, mini quests, and heist is what kept me on the line. The romance and character development had a ton of potential. Yet I wish there was a little bit more of an emotional connection between Brynla and Andor. While it wasn't explicitly insta-love, it seemed that way at times. Their romance also felt almost surface level.
I wish this book were longer so there'd be more of a deep dive into each character's backstory. I think that would've helped improve the well-roundness of the individual characters + their romantic relationship. That's not to say I didn't love Brynla. She was quite headstrong and seriously was everything I need in a fantasy heroine. It seems like this is an interconnected standalone, and I will be continuing with this series. I do think there were a fair amount of looser ends in Brynla + Andor's story, so I hope we get more of a conclusion for them in later installments. Though overall an enjoyable, dragon romantasy!
Thank you so much to Ace Books for an ARC of Realm of Thieves. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
The first four chapters...I WAS HOOKED, and those initial pages made such an impression. The author did a fantastic job quickly building the world and thrusting the reader right into the action + emphasizing the perils of the Midlands and its dragons.
As I mentioned, I loved the world-building. In the acknowledgements section, the author mentions taking inspiration from the ominous feeling of dinosaurs in movies like Jurassic Park. The dragons totally had that dinosaur-esque vibe, which I loved. The atmosphere felt like How to Train Your Dragon mixed with Jurassic Park, with mafia vibes and darker undertones. And not only did the author write a unique dragon element, she excelled at creating a political structure with increasing tensions among the kingdoms—which I'm guessing will explode in later books. And the religious aspect added another layer of intrigue.
Though the middle 15-40% was on the slower side, even though the book started off with a bang. The interspersed action scenes, mini quests, and heist is what kept me on the line. The romance and character development had a ton of potential. Yet I wish there was a little bit more of an emotional connection between Brynla and Andor. While it wasn't explicitly insta-love, it seemed that way at times. Their romance also felt almost surface level.
I wish this book were longer so there'd be more of a deep dive into each character's backstory. I think that would've helped improve the well-roundness of the individual characters + their romantic relationship. That's not to say I didn't love Brynla. She was quite headstrong and seriously was everything I need in a fantasy heroine. It seems like this is an interconnected standalone, and I will be continuing with this series. I do think there were a fair amount of looser ends in Brynla + Andor's story, so I hope we get more of a conclusion for them in later installments. Though overall an enjoyable, dragon romantasy!
Thank you so much to Ace Books for an ARC of Realm of Thieves. As always, my reviews are one hundred percent voluntary and all opinions are my own :)
May 28, 2025
KARINA HALLE DOES IT AGAIN. Like I knew she would 👏🏼
Fantasy romance with chemistry, plot, and romance absolutely lives within the pages of Realm of Thieves. The only reason I didn’t finish this book in one sitting is because of life and all that. But wow, this was addictive, it was refreshing, and absolutely binge able in every way.
Please do yourself a favor and add this book to your TBR. THANK YOU.
Thank you to the publisher and Karina for an early copy!
Fantasy romance with chemistry, plot, and romance absolutely lives within the pages of Realm of Thieves. The only reason I didn’t finish this book in one sitting is because of life and all that. But wow, this was addictive, it was refreshing, and absolutely binge able in every way.
Please do yourself a favor and add this book to your TBR. THANK YOU.
Thank you to the publisher and Karina for an early copy!
October 29, 2024
Realm of Thieves has everything a romantasy reader could want in a story: rival thieves in a black market dragon egg trade, an incredibly unique world of magic and mysteries, and a teleporting dog. Heart-pounding action is perfectly balanced with sizzling romance. I can't wait to continue this series!
May 26, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!
Sadly, this is a DNF for me at 29%. I’m not putting myself through this. I refuse.
I think this will work for a lot of people - but unfortunately this was failed potential for me.
While the world building is majestic and well done - the whole plot lacks substance. There’s so many things going on that could’ve made this incredible - but it was miscalculated. The stakes didn’t feel high enough for everything that happened already and I just kept wondering what was the point. The story felt incoherent to me and I noticed plotholes and I was only 29% in.
When he leaned in to smell her at 25% in - I completely lost it lol. I physically cringed. 29% in he was ready to give her a better life? They had 3 conversations and 1 of them was an attempt to kill him.
The romance was so fast it gave me whiplash. The FMC became a doormat once she fell for the MMC.
As always, reading is subjective & sometimes I’m a hater :)
Sadly, this is a DNF for me at 29%. I’m not putting myself through this. I refuse.
I think this will work for a lot of people - but unfortunately this was failed potential for me.
While the world building is majestic and well done - the whole plot lacks substance. There’s so many things going on that could’ve made this incredible - but it was miscalculated. The stakes didn’t feel high enough for everything that happened already and I just kept wondering what was the point. The story felt incoherent to me and I noticed plotholes and I was only 29% in.
When he leaned in to smell her at 25% in - I completely lost it lol. I physically cringed. 29% in he was ready to give her a better life? They had 3 conversations and 1 of them was an attempt to kill him.
The romance was so fast it gave me whiplash. The FMC became a doormat once she fell for the MMC.
As always, reading is subjective & sometimes I’m a hater :)
June 10, 2025
Wow, what do I even say except this book was incredible. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, and every character feels thoughtfully crafted. The romance was beautifully paced and emotionally satisfying. As someone who adores books with dragons, I came in with high hopes, but this story still exceeded my expectations. I’ve read several of Karina’s other books, and I genuinely think this might be her best yet.
Brynla is strong and smart and unapologetically herself and I love that in a main character, especially one who is a woman. Andor is kind and compassionate and swoon worthy. I love that he doesn't let his father order him around and he stands his ground with regards to Brynla despite his father's wishes otherwise. Lemi, the furry companion, stole my heart. He’s not just a sidekick—he’s a vital part of the story, and I’m so glad the author chose to add him.
The epilogue was the cherry on top and leaves us with an exciting tease for what’s to come. It looks like we might be getting an enemies-to-lovers arc in the next installment, and I am absolutely here for it.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 6/10/25
Brynla is strong and smart and unapologetically herself and I love that in a main character, especially one who is a woman. Andor is kind and compassionate and swoon worthy. I love that he doesn't let his father order him around and he stands his ground with regards to Brynla despite his father's wishes otherwise. Lemi, the furry companion, stole my heart. He’s not just a sidekick—he’s a vital part of the story, and I’m so glad the author chose to add him.
The epilogue was the cherry on top and leaves us with an exciting tease for what’s to come. It looks like we might be getting an enemies-to-lovers arc in the next installment, and I am absolutely here for it.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Ace for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Pub Date: 6/10/25
August 20, 2025
DRAGONS. DAGGERS. DESIRE. 🌶️🌶️🌶️ spicy!
“I want to be your better tomorrow”
I am officially a fan of Karina Halle. This had such crazy Daenerys Targaryen/Game of Thrones vibes. From dragons to illegal dragon egg trade and great animal sidekick with magic powers—and REALLY good world building (thorough explanations & great pacing)— I was hooked from the first chapter.
I think the backstory was the best part of this book for me. I’m surprised this book is not really talked about—it has everything that your heart desires in a romantasy genre & the STUFF HE SAYS TO HER!!! Every woman’s weakness!!!
“I’ve never been a good girl and I’m not about to start with you”
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW!!!!
“I want to be your better tomorrow”
I am officially a fan of Karina Halle. This had such crazy Daenerys Targaryen/Game of Thrones vibes. From dragons to illegal dragon egg trade and great animal sidekick with magic powers—and REALLY good world building (thorough explanations & great pacing)— I was hooked from the first chapter.
I think the backstory was the best part of this book for me. I’m surprised this book is not really talked about—it has everything that your heart desires in a romantasy genre & the STUFF HE SAYS TO HER!!! Every woman’s weakness!!!
“I’ve never been a good girl and I’m not about to start with you”
FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW!!!!
November 27, 2025
i really just needed so much more 😩
July 10, 2025
There was so much to love in this book with the world building. It felt so unique. And as someone who loved Jurassic Park and dinosaurs I defs saw all that inspiration in the dragons as they felt like real ruthless animals like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, over the traditional companion dragon we tend to get. I loved seeing science really weave into the magic and world building. The eating of the dragon eggs to get enhanced abilities, how has no-one thought of this before it was so unique and refreshing. I wanted to know everything and more about this system as well as the cultures created in this. We see snippets of so many other nations with different religions and stuff in it and I really wanted to dive deeper. In some ways this ended up being a negative for me, because I found us skipping over things and not spending enough time developing all of this. Which I think is because it's a series of companion novels following different couples. So we had to get a whole beginning, middle and end of the romance into this one book. I think this really would have benefitted from being a series following the same couple. Even though I didn't fall head over heels for the couple themselves their relationship almost felt forced and rushed for me. Again probably would have benefitted from another book following them.
I will probably try the second, and will try more from the author as she always writes the most unique stories and I love her voice in her stories.
I will probably try the second, and will try more from the author as she always writes the most unique stories and I love her voice in her stories.
June 10, 2025
Realm of Thieves delivers a fresh and thrilling take on dragons in a Romantasy setting. Karina Halle creates a world where different kinds of dragons exist, and humans risk everything to steal dragon eggs from an island full of dangerous dragons. The dragon eggs are highly sought after because they can grant magical powers to humans, adding a really unique twist that felt almost like Jurassic Park meets fantasy mafia romance.
The story follows a badass FMC who’s a skilled thief—and after being abducted by the black sheep son of a powerful mafia family, she’s forced to help them pull off an epic heist. The tension and chemistry between them were so good, and the mafia family dynamics brought extra depth to the story. Plus, she has a magical dog sidekick, which made it even better.
The heist storyline added so much excitement and tension, and the whole world was immersive and unique. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend you give it a try.
Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted ARC!
The story follows a badass FMC who’s a skilled thief—and after being abducted by the black sheep son of a powerful mafia family, she’s forced to help them pull off an epic heist. The tension and chemistry between them were so good, and the mafia family dynamics brought extra depth to the story. Plus, she has a magical dog sidekick, which made it even better.
The heist storyline added so much excitement and tension, and the whole world was immersive and unique. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend you give it a try.
Thanks so much to Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted ARC!
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March 19, 2025rtc closer to release date!! i pinky promise i’m not being sneaky & secretive on purpose :’)))
June 3, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
2.5 stars
A really great beginning that quickly went downhill.
The start of this book was awesome. Perilous circumstances with the MCs in direct opposition and throwing enemy vibes immediately. The first 10-15% really pushed the enemies to lovers and also slow burn. They acknowledged some attraction but weren't being ruled by it.
But that all ended quickly. The middle of the book slumps hard and both characters just seemed to lose all their interesting qualities and just became blah...which then also causes problems for the relationship that's trying to be showcased. I just had no cares about any of it :(
There was also a lack of maturity that was missing here. The decision making was mostly questionable, and the dialogue was either immature or weirdly contemporary at times.
Sorry to say this was not one I really enjoyed 😣
2.5 stars
A really great beginning that quickly went downhill.
The start of this book was awesome. Perilous circumstances with the MCs in direct opposition and throwing enemy vibes immediately. The first 10-15% really pushed the enemies to lovers and also slow burn. They acknowledged some attraction but weren't being ruled by it.
But that all ended quickly. The middle of the book slumps hard and both characters just seemed to lose all their interesting qualities and just became blah...which then also causes problems for the relationship that's trying to be showcased. I just had no cares about any of it :(
There was also a lack of maturity that was missing here. The decision making was mostly questionable, and the dialogue was either immature or weirdly contemporary at times.
Sorry to say this was not one I really enjoyed 😣
May 29, 2025
The world was cool, I like the dragon lore. However, idk about this one. There was hardly any plot because it was all about the romance…
First, thank you to the Nerd Fam for this gifted early copy!
The romance started out well, but all the lies really gave me the ick. I did not like how the MMC handled several things, and that made him iffy to me. Then after being upset about these things he does, the FMC turns around and does THE SAME THINGS TO HIM. I just had a hard time with this romance, and really stopped caring towards the end of this book, which really stinks.
This book had so much potential, but for me, it was hard to care about a story that isn’t there, and a romance where no one tells the truth, and does selfish things the whole book.
2.75 stars ⭐️
First, thank you to the Nerd Fam for this gifted early copy!
The romance started out well, but all the lies really gave me the ick. I did not like how the MMC handled several things, and that made him iffy to me. Then after being upset about these things he does, the FMC turns around and does THE SAME THINGS TO HIM. I just had a hard time with this romance, and really stopped caring towards the end of this book, which really stinks.
This book had so much potential, but for me, it was hard to care about a story that isn’t there, and a romance where no one tells the truth, and does selfish things the whole book.
2.75 stars ⭐️
June 10, 2025
2025 reads: 142/300
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
ever since brynla aihr escaped the dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s been stealing and selling dragon eggs to survive. it’s this skill that leads lord andor to kidnap her for his own gain. though the two clash at every turn, brynla can’t deny the growing attraction between them.
this was an interesting book! i hear “dragons” and i’m sold. this book also had some drama between different families. this was explained a bit in the beginning, which i appreciated since it helped lay the foundation for this to be explored later in the book. of course, with this being a romantasy, there was also plenty of romance. i enjoyed how this played out and thought brynla and andor made an interesting pair. i’m eager to see where the next book takes them!
i received a digital review copy from the publisher via netgalley in exchange for an honest review. this did not affect my rating.
ever since brynla aihr escaped the dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s been stealing and selling dragon eggs to survive. it’s this skill that leads lord andor to kidnap her for his own gain. though the two clash at every turn, brynla can’t deny the growing attraction between them.
this was an interesting book! i hear “dragons” and i’m sold. this book also had some drama between different families. this was explained a bit in the beginning, which i appreciated since it helped lay the foundation for this to be explored later in the book. of course, with this being a romantasy, there was also plenty of romance. i enjoyed how this played out and thought brynla and andor made an interesting pair. i’m eager to see where the next book takes them!
May 20, 2025
5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Realm of Thieves
Author: Karina Halle
A book based on Dune and aspects of Jurassic Park? But with dragons? Karina’s first dragon book? IT WAS AMAZING! Brynla is a hired thief that steals dragon eggs with the help of her magical dog, and on one of her hunts she is kidnapped. Andor kidnaps her with the plan to have her steal eggs for his family instead. It’s important to note that dragon eggs are magic and worth A LOT, and it’s also illegal to steal them. Something is special about Brynla but he can’t quite figure out what it is. All he knows his he can’t let her go. This book is told from the POVs of both Brynla and Andor. It’s full of magic, political intrigue, dragons, and a splash of spice. This book really had it all! I loved reading the authors note at the end. Queen Karina!!! Thank you so much for this ARC. This book releases 6/10/25!
Realm of Thieves
Author: Karina Halle
A book based on Dune and aspects of Jurassic Park? But with dragons? Karina’s first dragon book? IT WAS AMAZING! Brynla is a hired thief that steals dragon eggs with the help of her magical dog, and on one of her hunts she is kidnapped. Andor kidnaps her with the plan to have her steal eggs for his family instead. It’s important to note that dragon eggs are magic and worth A LOT, and it’s also illegal to steal them. Something is special about Brynla but he can’t quite figure out what it is. All he knows his he can’t let her go. This book is told from the POVs of both Brynla and Andor. It’s full of magic, political intrigue, dragons, and a splash of spice. This book really had it all! I loved reading the authors note at the end. Queen Karina!!! Thank you so much for this ARC. This book releases 6/10/25!
July 4, 2025
Ok! I’m officially a fan! I’ve heard people rave about Karina Halle’s books for a long time but this is the first I’ve picked up, and now I know what I’ve been missing! Realm Of Thieves is fast-paced and exciting, with interesting world building and lore that’s easy to jump into and enjoy the ride. At times it was gritty and dark, raising the stakes and gripping me even more.
If you’re looking for a spicy read, this one will deliver! The chemistry between Brynla and Andor was palpable, and the way they fought their attraction was a lot of fun to read.
Realm Of Thieves even has one of my favourite micro-tropes, a loyal and loveable animal companion. So if you’re a fan of that too, this is one not to miss! I’m looking forward to reading more of the series and more from Halle in general!
**Thank you to Berkley Romance and Ace Books for providing me an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.**
If you’re looking for a spicy read, this one will deliver! The chemistry between Brynla and Andor was palpable, and the way they fought their attraction was a lot of fun to read.
Realm Of Thieves even has one of my favourite micro-tropes, a loyal and loveable animal companion. So if you’re a fan of that too, this is one not to miss! I’m looking forward to reading more of the series and more from Halle in general!
**Thank you to Berkley Romance and Ace Books for providing me an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.**
June 29, 2025
3.5 stars!!
Ok…so…
The pacing felt off for this story & I didn’t feel like it flowed too well! The romance was ok and cute but nothing truly memorable. What I enjoyed the most was the action, plot twists, sidekick dog LEMI 🥰 and the DRAGONSSS!!
I enjoyed it enough to want to read the next one but I just wish we got more of Brynla’s savage side because it was AWESOME and I needed way more!!!
Ok…so…
The pacing felt off for this story & I didn’t feel like it flowed too well! The romance was ok and cute but nothing truly memorable. What I enjoyed the most was the action, plot twists, sidekick dog LEMI 🥰 and the DRAGONSSS!!
I enjoyed it enough to want to read the next one but I just wish we got more of Brynla’s savage side because it was AWESOME and I needed way more!!!
May 21, 2025
i'm so unsure how to feel about this...
this is a good palette cleanser "fantasy" book, but unfortunately the later half didn't live up to the promising beginning. I will admit that it grabbed me and kept me hooked up until the middle-end, and there were several quotes I loved.
the first half felt like a completely different book from the second half, morphing into some sort of a mafia story with a sprinkle of dragons than a fleshed out & thorough fantasy. i was entertained but often confused by the choices & actions of the characters and the order of their world. when theres a glossary, i get excited, but then world building ended up truly lacking, along with key character development. i also didnt really feel or understand their connection aside from them just being the two main characters.
do you expect me to believe ardor's father, a tough, mean man, would allow this prisoner under the roof of his house for a month with no problem? that there was absolutely no conflict in her living with his entire family? for like a whole month. there was nothing about how ardor's family played in the world.
every single "conflict" felt extremely anticlimactic. i didn't have to work for anything in this book at all which made it just a little dull. the characters spoke like teenagers and i just didn't feel conviction in their relationship at all... also "lavender girl" is such an ick. what is the obsession with fantasy fmc's having a random color hair?
this is a good palette cleanser "fantasy" book, but unfortunately the later half didn't live up to the promising beginning. I will admit that it grabbed me and kept me hooked up until the middle-end, and there were several quotes I loved.
the first half felt like a completely different book from the second half, morphing into some sort of a mafia story with a sprinkle of dragons than a fleshed out & thorough fantasy. i was entertained but often confused by the choices & actions of the characters and the order of their world. when theres a glossary, i get excited, but then world building ended up truly lacking, along with key character development. i also didnt really feel or understand their connection aside from them just being the two main characters.
do you expect me to believe ardor's father, a tough, mean man, would allow this prisoner under the roof of his house for a month with no problem? that there was absolutely no conflict in her living with his entire family? for like a whole month. there was nothing about how ardor's family played in the world.
every single "conflict" felt extremely anticlimactic. i didn't have to work for anything in this book at all which made it just a little dull. the characters spoke like teenagers and i just didn't feel conviction in their relationship at all... also "lavender girl" is such an ick. what is the obsession with fantasy fmc's having a random color hair?
Want to read
December 20, 2024Thank you so much to Berkley & NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
SO excited to start this!!
SO excited to start this!!
May 29, 2025
Unfortunately, this book suffered from false expectations from how it’s being marketed for me personally. I went into this book expecting a dark mafia-esque vibe set in a fantasy world with dragons and enemies to lovers. Instead, I read a “he falls first & harder” romantasy with dragons in the background. I would NOT consider this enemies to lovers AT ALL.
Giving this book 3 stars because as a story itself, it isn’t terrible. I couldn’t get past the fact that my expectations from how it’s being marketed were so different from the story that I read, and it severely and negatively affected how I received the book.
If you’re looking for an adult fantasy book with “how to train your dragon” vibes, dual pov, “he falls first”, you’ll love this book.
thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
Giving this book 3 stars because as a story itself, it isn’t terrible. I couldn’t get past the fact that my expectations from how it’s being marketed were so different from the story that I read, and it severely and negatively affected how I received the book.
If you’re looking for an adult fantasy book with “how to train your dragon” vibes, dual pov, “he falls first”, you’ll love this book.
thank you to NetGalley for the ARC
October 10, 2025
dnf at 7%
she was already on thin ice with the "egg yolks give you powers" because on page one these people are like, "So, what you're saying to me is if I can eat this yolk, my moves will become the best in the whole world." -Nacho Libre
she was already on thin ice with the "egg yolks give you powers" because on page one these people are like, "So, what you're saying to me is if I can eat this yolk, my moves will become the best in the whole world." -Nacho Libre
June 10, 2025
This mafia fantasy about dragon egg thieves is thrilling, seductive and adventurous. many parts in this had me gasping "nooooo!" I loved that the dragons are dangerous and not your friend. I also loved the period pain rep in this. and there was a specific quote about grief that had me highlighting almost a whole page. While I did find the "middle" (maybe 15-40%) a bit slower, the rest of the book was bang on.
arc kindly provided through netgalley but all thoughts are my own.
arc kindly provided through netgalley but all thoughts are my own.
June 29, 2025
3.5 rounded up.
The premise of this book is SO COOL. I’ve never read anything quite like this. Dragon egg hunting. A magical dog. Dragon egg yolk gives you powers (I’ll take a dozen pls). Mafia-esque family dynamics.
There were some aspects of it that I wasn’t clicking with for whatever reason. I think I struggled a little bit feeling the chemistry between these two main characters.
I really like this authors writing style so will definitely be checking out her other books!
The premise of this book is SO COOL. I’ve never read anything quite like this. Dragon egg hunting. A magical dog. Dragon egg yolk gives you powers (I’ll take a dozen pls). Mafia-esque family dynamics.
There were some aspects of it that I wasn’t clicking with for whatever reason. I think I struggled a little bit feeling the chemistry between these two main characters.
I really like this authors writing style so will definitely be checking out her other books!
June 1, 2025
KARINA HALLE MY QUEEN 😩🤌🏼 once again another banger that i will be thinking about until my last breath. thank you so much for the opportunity to arc read !!
interconnected standalone series
illegal dragon trade
where mafia vibes meets romantasy
enemies to lovers
touch her and die
spice
he falls first
chronic illness rep
morally grey characters
full arc review to come ❤️🔥
interconnected standalone series
illegal dragon trade
where mafia vibes meets romantasy
enemies to lovers
touch her and die
spice
he falls first
chronic illness rep
morally grey characters
full arc review to come ❤️🔥
June 13, 2025
I give him my most frightening killer look, which makes everyone else go "Ooooh."
Thank you Netgalley and Ace for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've read, and enjoyed (very much), three Karina Halle books. Imagine my excitement when I saw that I was approved by Berkley/Ace to review one of my most highly anticipated books of the year!
The story had IMMENSE potential. A convent of corrupted nuns, a syndikat (mafia) romance, thieving, heists, Dragons, and magical eggs? I loved the premise, but I need to be completely honest in this review - I had an absolute crisis while reading this. This was simply not good.
I recognize that this is an ARC, but this read like an unedited first draft. The prose was so hard to get through and felt like a smattering of adjectives and commas thrown into a sentence. At one point, I counted a single sentence with 75 words and 9 commas.
It also felt confused about what kind of genre it was supposed to be. It tried to fit into the mold of fantasy with the inclusion of a glossary of world-unique terms, and used curses like "damnation" and "Blazes". But the dialogue otherwise sounded very contemporary and juvenile:
- a goddess is referred to as "the lava lady"
- at one point the MMC refers to "a cock-blocking doggo"
- the FMC refers to her plans as "improv"
- there were three too many un-ironic mentions of "half-hard dick"s
I did enjoy Lemi, the shifting dog, and appreciated the endo representation in this book. I'd give this one a pass if you're looking for an immersive fantasy romance. If the writing points above don't annoy you and you're looking for a mafia romance with a hint of fantasy.... this might be for you.
Thank you Netgalley and Ace for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've read, and enjoyed (very much), three Karina Halle books. Imagine my excitement when I saw that I was approved by Berkley/Ace to review one of my most highly anticipated books of the year!
The story had IMMENSE potential. A convent of corrupted nuns, a syndikat (mafia) romance, thieving, heists, Dragons, and magical eggs? I loved the premise, but I need to be completely honest in this review - I had an absolute crisis while reading this. This was simply not good.
I recognize that this is an ARC, but this read like an unedited first draft. The prose was so hard to get through and felt like a smattering of adjectives and commas thrown into a sentence. At one point, I counted a single sentence with 75 words and 9 commas.
It also felt confused about what kind of genre it was supposed to be. It tried to fit into the mold of fantasy with the inclusion of a glossary of world-unique terms, and used curses like "damnation" and "Blazes". But the dialogue otherwise sounded very contemporary and juvenile:
- a goddess is referred to as "the lava lady"
- at one point the MMC refers to "a cock-blocking doggo"
- the FMC refers to her plans as "improv"
- there were three too many un-ironic mentions of "half-hard dick"s
I did enjoy Lemi, the shifting dog, and appreciated the endo representation in this book. I'd give this one a pass if you're looking for an immersive fantasy romance. If the writing points above don't annoy you and you're looking for a mafia romance with a hint of fantasy.... this might be for you.
June 22, 2025
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
Realm of Thieves is a strong entry point into Karina Halle’s Thieves of Dragemor series. It throws you into a gritty, high-stakes world where dragon egg smuggling is both illegal and lethal—and where two thieves find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous game, caught between survival and something more personal.
Brynla was easily the highlight for me. She’s sharp, resilient, and her past with a dragon-worshipping cult adds real weight to her choices. I appreciated how her backstory shaped her without defining her. Andor, her reluctant partner-turned-love interest, didn’t grab me as much. I liked him, but I didn’t love him, and I think their relationship needed more development—especially as the story wrapped up.
The world-building is where the book really shines. The magic system, the dragon lore, the black-market politics—all of it felt creative and well thought-out. The plot moved at a good pace, with a nice balance between the action and romance. I just didn’t find myself fully invested emotionally. I enjoyed what was happening, but I wasn’t deeply hooked.
The ending felt a bit rushed, and I was left wanting more—particularly in terms of the main couple’s arc. I’d expected their story to continue into the next book, so it was a surprise (and a bit of a letdown) to find that the series moves on to new characters. That shift made the conclusion feel a little unfinished.
That said, I’m still interested in seeing where the series goes. The world has a lot of potential, and I’m curious to see how it expands in future books.
Realm of Thieves is a strong entry point into Karina Halle’s Thieves of Dragemor series. It throws you into a gritty, high-stakes world where dragon egg smuggling is both illegal and lethal—and where two thieves find themselves on opposite sides of a dangerous game, caught between survival and something more personal.
Brynla was easily the highlight for me. She’s sharp, resilient, and her past with a dragon-worshipping cult adds real weight to her choices. I appreciated how her backstory shaped her without defining her. Andor, her reluctant partner-turned-love interest, didn’t grab me as much. I liked him, but I didn’t love him, and I think their relationship needed more development—especially as the story wrapped up.
The world-building is where the book really shines. The magic system, the dragon lore, the black-market politics—all of it felt creative and well thought-out. The plot moved at a good pace, with a nice balance between the action and romance. I just didn’t find myself fully invested emotionally. I enjoyed what was happening, but I wasn’t deeply hooked.
The ending felt a bit rushed, and I was left wanting more—particularly in terms of the main couple’s arc. I’d expected their story to continue into the next book, so it was a surprise (and a bit of a letdown) to find that the series moves on to new characters. That shift made the conclusion feel a little unfinished.
That said, I’m still interested in seeing where the series goes. The world has a lot of potential, and I’m curious to see how it expands in future books.
May 9, 2025
In Realm of Thieves, Karina Halle immerses readers into a dragon romantasy filled with twists, an action-packed plot, and a simmering slow-burn romance!
In order to survive, Brynla is a dragon egg thief, risking death for an incredibly dangerous job that is, not to mention, very illegal. She steals eggs for elite families / powerful crime organizations for those that offer the highest payments. Accompanying her on her missions is her biggest asset (and arguably my favorite character), her magical dog, Lemi. That is a bit of a crude description, but seriously this dog was awesome. among other things, he could teleport?? I loved him.
While attempting to steal a dragon egg, Brynla (and Lemi) are kidnapped by Andor of the extremely powerful House Kolbeck. Andor's goal is basically to recruit her (by force using blackmail) and use her dragon egg hunting skills to benefit the house. There is so much animosity between the two of them at first, it's definitely enemies to lovers with a sizzling slow burn, but it was sort of an insta-lust situation which I think made it not as exciting for me. They certainly had electric scenes together and great chemistry, but when there's repeated mentions of their mutual attraction it takes the fizzle out for me just a tiny bit. However, both Andor and Brynla were very well-developed and complex characters in my opinion:
Andor was kind of ADHD and very charming (though not at first), not to mention he deals with a LOT of pressure. Brynla on the other hand was the most stubborn, badass FMC and I absolutely adored her. This book was captivating and I had such a blast reading it!
Thank you so much to Berkeley and NetGalley for this ARC!!
In order to survive, Brynla is a dragon egg thief, risking death for an incredibly dangerous job that is, not to mention, very illegal. She steals eggs for elite families / powerful crime organizations for those that offer the highest payments. Accompanying her on her missions is her biggest asset (and arguably my favorite character), her magical dog, Lemi. That is a bit of a crude description, but seriously this dog was awesome. among other things, he could teleport?? I loved him.
While attempting to steal a dragon egg, Brynla (and Lemi) are kidnapped by Andor of the extremely powerful House Kolbeck. Andor's goal is basically to recruit her (by force using blackmail) and use her dragon egg hunting skills to benefit the house. There is so much animosity between the two of them at first, it's definitely enemies to lovers with a sizzling slow burn, but it was sort of an insta-lust situation which I think made it not as exciting for me. They certainly had electric scenes together and great chemistry, but when there's repeated mentions of their mutual attraction it takes the fizzle out for me just a tiny bit. However, both Andor and Brynla were very well-developed and complex characters in my opinion:
Andor was kind of ADHD and very charming (though not at first), not to mention he deals with a LOT of pressure. Brynla on the other hand was the most stubborn, badass FMC and I absolutely adored her. This book was captivating and I had such a blast reading it!
Thank you so much to Berkeley and NetGalley for this ARC!!
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