The Rebel and the Captive

The Memory Puller #3

by Kris K. Haines

The Rebel and the Captive is the gut-wrenching third installment in The Memory Puller series, romantic fantasy full of epic adventure, thrilling twists, swoony couples, and a witty found family. Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, Nisha J. Tuli, and Carissa Broadbent.

**MAJOR SPOILERS FOR PREVIOUS BOOKS BELOW. PROCEED WITH CAUTION**

Sparks of rebellion can catch fire, even in the darkest hour.

Cassandra Fortin has been taken by her enemies, locked away at the edge of the world and separated from everyone she loves. But when a chance encounter offers her the opportunity to fight for her life, she seizes it despite insurmountable odds. She’ll need every ounce of her new strength, not to mention her new friends and evolving power, to win the day—and her freedom.

Tristan Saros has been taken by his allies, spirited away to an ancient jungle village where a group of rebels have been preparing for their Prince’s arrival for centuries. Their goal? Restore Tristan to the Crystal Throne of Ethyrios and end the reign of his terrible brother. There’s only one problem: he may have to forsake Cassandra to do it. As Tristan grapples with his new fate, dodging threats from all sides, he’ll have to make an impossible choice—save his people or save the woman he loves.

But if the Rebel and the Captive can find their way back to one another? Sparks ignite and worlds will burn.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Romance

575 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 26, 2025

About the author

Kris K. Haines is a fantasy romance author and lover of all stories stabby, spicy, and swoony. Especially those featuring foul-mouthed, hot guys with wings.

Kris has four goals when she writes a book: make you laugh, make you cry, turn you on, and blow your mind.

A Jeopardy!® silver medalist and self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie, Kris can be found barreling down mountains in the winter and hugging the turns on her motorcycle in the summer. That is, when she doesn’t have her nose stuck in a book.

She lives outside of Philadelphia, PA with her supportive husband, and two sassy pugs.

Kris loves to connect with readers who want to fangirl with her over book boyfriends. Come say hi!

TikTok: @kriskhainesbooks

Instagram: @kriskhainesbooks

Reviews

[Kris Haines]

Being real here with y'all. I REALLY wanted to try to push to get this one out before the end of 2024. And there's a chance I still could! I even have 50K words written.

But I'd rather not overcommit and underdeliver.

If you've made it through The Exile and the Savior, you know that there are many, many, many more plot threads that need to be woven into this narrative.

And me being the chaos gremlin that I am, I've added a BUNCH more to The Butcher and the Ballerina (coming to tide you over in July 2024!). I tried to work on both manuscripts at the same time, but that was just NOT happening.

My process involves hugely messy drafts that I then read over, and over, and OVER again, restructuring, changing dialogue, fixing plot holes, adding small details. And I want to make sure I have enough time to do that before giving y'all the third installment that you deserve.

Especially after that cliffhanger in TEatS. #sorrynotsorry

Maybe this is all TMI, but I've always been an oversharer. And fuck if I'm going to stop now...

Y'all are the freakin' best. Thank you for your encouragement and your patience. I'm determined not to let you down.

XO - Kris

[Chloe Fordham]

REVIEW🌟
incredibly grateful to have received this as an eARC as i love the series and was eagerly waiting for this. my one big note to make right now is haines writing is so wonderful and i care about each of the characters we get to read about from their povs. sometimes i can struggle with multi povs and find myself caring about more couples than others. this is not the case for this book. cass and tristan, cael and xenia, and ronin and mireille all have such intricate, unique love stories and all of them i read with ease. i was sold to the book by tristan’s sarcastic, funny, hotness and cass’s amazing soul but cael, xenia, ronin and mireille are all spectacular characters.

QUOTES❤️‍🔥
If there was a happily ever after waiting for them, he'd get her a house and fill every room with books. Well, every room besides the bedroom.

"We delude ourselves into thinking it's worth the pain.
You take the bad along with the good. What's the other option?
To never experience love at all?"

"I've seen the way he looks at you," Erik said, softly. Wistfully.
"As if you're the warmest ray of light parting the clouds of his lifelong gloom." He nodded toward the open door. "My brother could use some sunshine."

When he obliged, his lids sliding closed and his lips parting
for a kiss, she pushed up onto an elbow.
And clocked him across the jaw.

"More than any crown or any throne.
In every world that's ever been and every one that's yet to come.
Maybe I can find us one with a happier ending."

i have just finished and need time to think about my review but these are my crazy notes whilst reading:

NOTES🐉
definitely needed the recap with the intricate plot but when i read it i was like OHHH YES of course i remember that bloody tragic ending!!

cassandra being fae is so exciting i have such hopes for her i feel she will be so so important to everything and powerful

tristan and cassandra being separated is breaking my heart but reunions are one of my favourite plots

ione im happy you are alive but stop rubbing wings with my man
oh my god it’s worsened she’s set them up a date dinner HE LOVES ANOTHER GO AWAY
OMG SHES DRESSED IN LINGERIE NO NO NO GO AWAY
THE PROPHECY ISNT YOU I CANT WAIT FOR THEIR REUNION WHEN HE SEES

the world building is insanely written im so impressed its like a film

i am loving the storyline of the prison and the scary man who controls it and ronins pov

‘HI’ is so funny but cute omg

OH GO AWAY IONE our love will save this world yap yap no it WONT

‘you reckless little fool’ CRYING

i missed hella so much

SHE JUST PISSING KISSED HIM GO AWAY
NOOOO CASS AS IF SHE SAW

the kennel has broke my heart omg

OH THE DOUBLE HOMICIDE OF THE HUMANS TREATMENT AND THE DRAGON TREATMENT MAY WEEP

i absolutely love mireille and ronin their tension is helping my cass and tristan heartache

cael being in his lover era UGHH i love when the unemotional unavailable men join the good side

the talk about love in the pool is heartbreakingly relatable

‘WARMEST RAY OF LIGHT PARTING THE CLOUDS OF HIS LIFELONG GLOOM’ CRYING AGAIN

the way he calls her light and sun is making me emotional

i’m so scared they’re going to hurt cael or xenia things are too happy

SHE CLOCKED HIM ACROSS THE JAW HAHAHAHAHAAB OMg perfect reunion

BIRDWOMAN MORE TEARS the nostalgia

i am so proud of cass she’s come so far from the sister who tried to help humans the best she could from her small place in the world and now look at her

MISS HAINES I DONT LIKE HOW HAPPY XENIA AND CAEL ARE IM SO SCARED ITS GOING TO BE RIPPED AWAY THEY PORTALED SO EASILY

GOOD EFFIN GIRL the spice is so so good

I KNEW SOMETHING BAD WAS GOING TO HAPPEN I JJST BLOOFY SAID IT

oh my god it’s all connected lizbeth revenge !!!!

CAELS GOT A FUCKING DRAGON I COULD CRY IM SI HAPPY AT THIS TURN OF EVENTS

that was a whirlwind , rip ana you were funny

THAT APPEAL SCENE MY GOD i knew she wouldn’t die but ??? what do you mean they’ve gone through this again and again?!? where is REENA?!? who is coming?!?

GOODBYE WORMWOOD u bitch

oh tristan grieving scenes break me

the keog man just giving in after seeing cass’s power is also HUGE LIKE WHAT?!? his old dragon burning him being his ending!!!

the fact we have to wait for xenia to be back i would’ve slapped him too

ronin and mireille going back to friendship im crying

she’s his empress im crying

OH MY GOD OH MY GOD

oh my god his DAD ARE YOU KIDDING EW MY GOD

okay i’m slightly confused at the ending i need to sit on it because what do you mean eamon is just travelling to fight a goddess that no one knows if she is actually real and how has he managed to get to the halfway if the others are struggling

DADDY WHAT DO YOU MEAN DADDY THE EPILOGUE HAS THREW ME OFF WHY IS A LITTLE GIRL IN THE SOUL REALM CALLING CAEL DADDY AND MAKING XENIA CRY

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kris is once again responsible for me losing sleep.

I was EXTREMELY lucky to be given an eARC copy of The Rebel & The Captive, the newest book in the Memory Puller series, which I have been frankly obsessed with since I picked it up last spring. I was over the moon to step back into the unique magic system and reacquaint myself with all of the characters I adore, of which there are many. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Kris K Haines has a knack for writing consistently engaging storylines while maintaining breakneck pacing. I fly through each and every book of hers because I cannot. Put. The dang thing. Down. And R&C is no different.

We left our story off in E&S (book 2) in a precarious position with all our main characters being separated from one another, meaning we have 4 separate storylines happening at once.
As a side note before I get into our main 4, I wanted to say am so thankful for the Butcher & the Ballerina (book 2.5.) I loved Ronin’s and Mireille’s story so much & was so happy to get more of them in R&C. It’s easy to write side stories or novellas and let the story just remain as a background glimpse or context, but it’s certainly harder to get readers equally invested in the side characters, enough to want more of them. Kris seamlessly elevated Ronin & Mireille to main characters themselves through B&B and followed through with their stories in R&C.

That being said, we’re talking 6 different POVs - no small feat, fellow readers! That comes with a lot of potential for the plot to get overly convoluted and details to become distracting, but once again Kris balanced all of them perfectly. I thoroughly enjoyed each and every plot line, and am so impressed with Kris’s ability to somehow connect each and every one by the end of the book, I truly didn’t see how everything would play out. And praise the creator that there was no true love triangle. E&S had me frightened.

Im already writing too much so I’ll try to keep it short:
- Cass consistently remains one of my favorite FMCs. She’s relatable, realisitic, and far more level headed than I could ever claim to be. Seeing her navigate her new circumstances (ya know) while still remaining true to her character was lovely, I almost wish I had more of her POV but I think Kris balanced the 6 well without writing a monster sized novel.
- Tristians storyline was a little less engaging for me, but he’s still a total heart throb and I did really enjoy seeing him step into his role as rightful prince and become a leader of the rebels. I only wish I had more of his internal thoughts about his brother and father a bit more, but maybe we’ll get that in the next book.
- Xenia is an absolute ray of sunshine. I simply love reading her POV. It feels like stepping into your own bestfriends mind. Even when things are bleak, her characters perspective has a great way of lightening the mood. And don’t get me started with her and Cael’s romance, oh girl I’m a sucker for a grumpy sunshine, what can I say?
- I actually think Cael’s side quests & POVs were my favorite (am I biased towards broody, damaged MMCs? Maybe.) His pining & plotting were fantastic. I cannot WAIT for his POV this next book I am chomping at the bit.
- Mireille is an absolute queen in her own right, I love her embodiment of dark femininity - the sensuality, the rage, the resilience, and the passion. I’d read a whole series with her as the primary FMC.
- I would forsake all worldly treasures and aspirations for Ronin Matakos. I simply am obsessed with him. I will say, I need more info on his sister. Need, not want.

Last thing I’ll say: PLEASE give me back Reena. I need to know what she’s been up to.

Overall I was so extremely pleased with R&C, my biggest complaint is I wish it were longer. I adore this series and cannot wait for the next book. I honestly wish we were guaranteed more. Until then, I guess I’ll be obsessing on my own time.

Thank you!

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: The Rebel and the Captive (The Memory Puller, Book 3)

The Rebel and the Captive follows Cassandra, Tristan, and their friends and allies. As this is the third installment, A LOT goes down and to ensure no major spoilers, I’m keeping my review as vague as possible! I highly recommend reading The Butcher and the Ballerina (book 2.5) prior to diving into this one!

We delve deeper into the history of the empire and the small sparks of rebellion throughout the centuries. Carefully laid plans come to fruition, peppered with secrets and betrayals.

Tropes:
👀 6 POVs
💕3 couples
🙌BA & resilient FMCs
🪽Wing daddies
🐺Wolf daddy
🏰Kingdom rebellion
💫Prophecies & memory magic
🐉Dragon sidekick
🌶️Spicy microtropes

This story kept me completely engrossed the entire time! I was squealing, screaming, and sending panicked messages.

I am utterly *obsessed* with this series and all of the main characters. Each FMC exhibits different types of strength and I loved watching them continue to grow and embrace their vulnerabilities and the possibilities with the MMCs. These MMCs have been through so much throughout the centuries and make me absolutely feral with their humor, possessiveness, and general hotness 🪭🪭🪭

The past and present converge as our heroes work towards a future of a better empire and embrace new beginnings. In The Rebel and the Captive, Kris delivers a dazzling and flawless story filled with epic angst, swoon, intrigue, and hope.

I am begging everyone to read this series to experience these 3 beautiful and unique love stories that are woven throughout this series!

Prepare for:
🌟Starcrossed Lovers
🌦️Grumpy/Sunshine Forbidden Romance
⚠️Enemies-to-Lovers-to-Enemies-to-???

"𝘐 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘵𝘦, 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘳, 𝘰𝘧 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘧*𝘤𝘬*𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘢𝘺."

"𝘚𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐'𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐'𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥."

"𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶, 𝘵𝘰𝘰, 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴𝘦. 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘐𝘯 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘭𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦."

Thank you Kris for the ARC opportunity! This is my honest and voluntary review.

[Meg (fantasybook.adventurer) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨The Rebel and the Captive✨

Three romances. A grand set of dire stakes. A future being rewritten. I have loved this series so much- and it’s not over yet!

TRATC is book THREE in the Memory Puller series (books 1, 2, & 2.5 are out now!) and it begins RIGHT where we left off from the mega cliffhanger in book two. Book 2.5 is SO VITAL, please read it as well before continuing.

In the third book, we follow 6 third person POVs. Each are so unique, individualized, and well done. Each relationship has its angst, hope, and heartache. Forbidden love. Partial prophecies. Friends to enemies. You name it, it’s all here. Along with magic, fae, hidden identities and plot twists, if you want a treat, this is one worth indulging in!

I have grown to love each of these couples so much. I thought Kris did a phenomenal job showcasing the beauty in brokenness and the ache and heat of building and giving trust. I’m so PROUD of these fae men (especially Tristan and Cael- they had to do really hard things and still remained faithful). The spice is 👩‍🍳💋🥵. The action, tension, frustration. You feel everything in this book and then the reveals at the end!! Y’all. YALL. Stop wasting time. Dust this off your TBR shelf and getting to reading today because this book comes out March 26! Plenty of time.

Tropes you may find in TRATC are star crossed lovers, forbidden love, fated mates, unique Fae, all the banter, medium-high spice (I think it’s a good ratio and done so well!), prophecies and hidden identities, character growth, increased world building, found family, lots of action and tension, and a dragon!

Kris, I have loved so very much reading through your world. I am so grateful for this gifted arc and STOKED FOR THE NEXT BOOK.

[Rachel Downs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got an E-ARC of this book eeeek!! Thank you so much for letting me read this early!!! I devoured this book after waiting patiently to get my hands on it after that cliff hanger in book 2!! SPOILERS AHEAD READ AT YOUR OWN CAUTION!!!!!!!!!



The anxiety of Tristan and Cass being apart in the first half of the book had me speed reading so I could get them back together ASAP! Thank God Tristan didn’t entertain a love triangle situation or it would have sent me.

Ione pissed me off in the beginning and it came full circle cause she really was a bitch.

Cael and Xenias portions of the book actually might have been my favorite!! I really loved diving into their relationship.

Ronin and Mireille’s storyline was good but lacked a little depth in my opinion, but there was a lot going on so that could have contributed to it.

Now as far as the plot itself: I really enjoyed the first half of the book. The tension between Cael and Xenia was chefs kiss. The longing of wanting Tristan to get Cass back was sooo good. The whole Zephyrus storyline had me intrigued with the evil father and saving the dragon. But then towards the end things seemed to be happening too easily almost. Tristan just showing up and saving Cass from moat monsters. Then the end of their time in Tartarus kind of lost me. The surprise attack? Sure that was good but then they are just hiding out until they are goaded out. And once goaded they weren’t ambushed? They just walked up to fight the big bad guy and he just ends up surrendering?? Idk I guess I wanted a little more depth here and probably more brutality.

All in all I enjoyed reading this book and look forward to the conclusion of the series whenever that may be!

[Brittany Kilinsky · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
Admittedly, this is a less than perfect addition to the series (I gave 5 stars to the previous three books), but I still really enjoyed this one. This one was more plot focused, especially for the first quarter which made it hard to get into, unlike the other books which are fast paced and have romance from the jump. Once it got it’s footing though, I was hooked. I absolutely loved seeing all of the couples finding their way back to each other in one way or another after the endings of the previous two books. My favorite still remains Mireille and Ronin, but I’m in love with all three of the main couples. I really appreciate authors who leave room to grow in the romance department so the sequels feel like we have something to look forward to. I’ve read series that felt like they were dragging it out for the sake of more books and this one doesn’t feel that way at all. I could honestly read a million more books about these characters because they’re so fleshed out and well done. I’m very excited for the next book and this is still one of my favorite series ever.

[SofiaZ · Rating 3 out of 5]

⭐3.5

I am excited to see where the story goes from here

Between 3.5 and 4 stars, but I feel like sometimes I connected to the characters a bit less than the previous books in the series

[Maria Elena | pagesofmaria · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been two whole days since I finished this book and all that I have in my brain is "AAAAAHHHHH!!!"

It is no mystery by now that I love this series, and by now the author has earned herself a spot on my Favorite Authors shelf in my heart. “The Memory Puller series” are probably four words that many people on Bookstagram (and probably BookTok too) are used to reading by now because it’s what I write every time you ask a variation of “What’s your favorite series?” and “What book do you want more people to read?” or “What book do you always recommend?” This series consumes me body and soul. The world, the characters, THE ROMANCES (yes, plural, because there are three main couples in this series and I love them all!) are all top tier Romantasy.

With more time and a few less comittments, I would have likely inhaled this book in a matter of days, which is saying something for my slow reader self. I was that anxious to see things-that-I-shall-not-divulge-because-spoilers happen after the ending of not just The Exile and the Savior, but also of The Butcher and the Ballerina. Rest assured, this book has satisfied me on all fronts. Plot, characters, romance arcs, it was all perfect. PERFECT! (And can I please just have Tristan, Cael and Ronin as my book boyfriends? The whole lot of them. Please don't make me choose!)

By now I know to expect to be wowed by the endings of this series, and yet, Kris K. Haines has still mamanged to shock and surprise me. Is there anything more a reader could ask from a book?

Here are some tropes!
📚 Multi-POV for 3 Distinct Couples
💫 Starcrossed Lovers
☀️ Grumpy/Sunshine Forbidden Romance
⚔️ Enemies-to-Lovers-to-Enemies-to-???
💥 Hate Fooking
🗡️ Knife-to-Throat Handy
☠️ Touch Him and Unalive
👑 Political Intrigue & A Fight for the Throne
❤️‍🔥 Epic Levels of Yearning

Thank you to the author for graciously gifting me an eARC of this book (of which I then proceeded to purchase a paperback for my trophy shelf, as one does). Opinions are my own.

[Marijane Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A non spoiler review✨

This was my first ever eARC and it was soooo cool to receive the book before it’s released! I enjoyed this book a lot!! I read it literally in one setting so that says it all! Thank you very much for the eARC Kris, you have beautiful writing and can’t wait to read more of your books!

It starts off with a recap which I was thankful for because it’s been a while since I read the second book, but you can skip this if you’d like!

I was instantly hooked right back into the story! I didn’t spend the first 1/4 of the book wondering who the hell these people are (which happens often) so I feel like I enjoyed the story a lot more.

I loved that we got more of Cael and Xenia, their relationship is just so cute I wish they would get their own little book! Cass and Tristan are one of my fav book couples and I can’t say much without spoiling but *chefs kiss* to their story in this book!

With the world expansion in this book you were still able to follow along with the story and each others little journeys weaved into one another, you didn’t feel like there was a random side story going on and skim past it which is always good! I enjoyed all the places we got to go to, Tartarus was very interesting!

There was good banter in this book, and I reckon the appropriate amount of spice! It wasn’t overpowering to the story itself and it was well written.

Grumpy Ronin is one of my favs and I just need him to have his happy ending! Talking of endings, whaaaaat! I kinda expected the twist at the main ending but the epilogue got me!! Now that is definitely a way to get a reader to want the next book RIGHT NOW 😅

Overall 4.25 stars from me ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

Tropes:
Forbidden romance
Heated romance
Spice
Close proximity
All the banter
Found family

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything!! Book 2 ended on SUCH a cliffhanger, and if you follow Kris' reading order, you have to read The Butler and the Ballerina (which was also AMAZING) before moving on to this one. So the anticipation was built y'all.

But it TOTALLY paid off!!! This book brought us to a whole new city- Tartarus, the prison city, which has no guards, no hierarchy, except what the prisoners decide. The mists that surround the city is what keeps prisoners in. It was so interesting to read about this city, and all the ins and outs of how it was set up. Cassandra and Ronan enter the prison together, where Mireille (the ballerina) has been for 200 years.

Xenia also finds herself in an interesting situation. Multiple situations, actually. I don't want to give away too many details, because it really is the best to experience this fresh. It was just SUCH a good book.

Sometimes in a 4 or 5 book series, the books in between the 1st/2nd and last books can feel boring, lengthy, and like they're just a place filler to make the series more impressive. That is NOT the case with Rebel. This book takes on a life of it's own, and ends on another cliffhanger, leaving you with continued anticipation for book 4, the final book.

I love this series so so so much and can't give it enough hype. It is terribly underhyped, and it shouldn't be!!! It's got something for everyone- winged fae men, wolves, mystery, and other mystical creatures!

[Trisha West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first e-ARC and OMGGGGG, I freaking loved this book!!! I was (im)patiently waiting for this release, so to be able to get my hands on it early was so exciting and did not disappoint!

I love that KKH gives a little recap of the storyline at the beginning of each book - super helpful! The way she was able to weave 6 POVs together seamlessly without feeling abrupt or disjointed was 👩‍🍳💋

I laughed, I cried because I was happy, cried because I was sad, cheered when karma was found, sweat a little when things got spicy 😏🥵 and gaped wordlessly when there were twists and turns I didn't see coming.

The 🌶🌶 and romance was SO well done, too. It didn't overpower the storyline, there was build-up, and there was so much emotion that my chest was cracking open too! 🥹😂

10/10 would recommend. Immediately.

[Samantha Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars – Another incredible installment in the Memory Puller series!

I’m so honored to have received an e-ARC of The Rebel and the Captive, and this series keeps getting better. Picking up after The Butcher and the Ballerina(2.5), we follow Cassandra, now a captive alongside Reena and Ronin the Butcher, while Tristan is rescued by allies determined to fulfill a prophecy and place him on the throne. Torn between his duty as a rebel Emperor and his love for Cassandra, Tristan faces impossible choices.

Though reading Butcher and the Ballerina (2.5) adds depth and can be helpful for the plot and character development in this book, Rebel and the Captive does a great job of providing context and getting you hooked regardless of reading. I usually struggle with multiple POVs, but I absolutely fell for the side characters—especially Caol and Xenia. However, I also want MORE of Ronin and Mirielle and their complex history. The action, twists, and surprises kept me hooked, and the ending? Absolutely wild as always! The romance and spice were perfect, and I love how Cassandra’s character continues to grow stronger in each book. Cannot wait for the next book!

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Thank you to KKH for gifting me an eARC of this book, I was so excited to receive it as I am eager to see what happens next in the series! I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, if Kris K. Haines is writing a book, I’m reading it. The detailed recaps of the previous books in the beginning? Chef’s kiss. Ma’am, you have created some lovable characters with compelling stories all woven together so nicely. The Tristan/Cass reunion and Cael getting a bonded dragon were my top 2 moments of this book that had a lot to deliver. Another fun adventure with sassy dialogue and heartwarming moments across all species. BUT, Kris, if you don’t get Xenia back together with my guy Cael STAT..we are going to have words jk i love you and I know you’ll make it happen💓

[Lexi Rachelle Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

How am I supposed to just go on living my life after that ending?! The last line absolutely wrecked me and I AM UNWELL. How can it be the best and worst way to end a book ever???😭 I love a good cliffhanger but dang. This book technically isn’t even released yet and I’m going out of my mind wanting the next one.

From the very BEGINNING I was on the edge of my seat and I devoured every👏single👏page👏 It feels like I spent the entire time either screaming, swooning or flipping off my kindle. There were so many different plot points going on and the way everything was woven together was honestly a masterpiece.

If it wasn’t obvious, this was 10000000 stars. All the stars. Infinity stars. Favorite book of the series. Now I’m going to need 5-7 business days to recover.

Thank you to the author for sending me a copy to review!

[Aleksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride!.....

[Amyreonna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Abigail The Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ 𝓐𝓡𝓒 𝓡𝓮𝓿𝓲𝓮𝔀✨

(Slight spoilers for the series, this is book 3)

“𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐’𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐’𝘷𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘦𝘥.”

🌟5/5🌟

🌶️3.5/5🌶️

📖Notes📖
The Rebel and The Captive (R&C) is book 3 in The Memory Puller series with book 1 being The Memory Puller (MP), book 2 The Exile and The Saviour (E&S) and the novella/book 2.5 being The Butcher and The Ballerina (B&B). Once again I am so grateful to Kris for providing me with an eARC this time for The Rebel and The Captive - I was so excited to jump back into this world and these characters! When I tell you this book was a wild ride I truly mean it, I wish Cass could pull my memory so I could read it all again for the first time! This book is my absolute favourite in the series (and I fell in ✨love✨with Ronin in B&B) and I am so impressed with the journey this book took me on and the progressions we’ve made in the plot, character development and world building since the end of book 2.

As well as an incredible list of important characters, a pronunciation guide and trigger warnings, Kris includes a recap in the beginning of each book in the series which makes it super easy to jump straight into the action. Even though I could recall the events of the previous books, the series recap really helped to jog my memory on small details I’d forgotten which made the process of starting book 3 a lot smoother. I wish more authors would include recaps so thank you Kris for doing this!

Each chapter moves fluidly into the next regardless of which POV we were reading from (more on that later!) with the chapter lengths being the perfect combination of being shorter but still containing all the relevant information needed. I mean, does no one else groan audibly if their kindle says over 30 minutes? Give me a sweet 15 minute chapter please, who really wants to read a chapter over 50 minutes?! Definitely not me (Suzanne Collins I’m looking at you!👀)

Right, we’re at the point where I need to break down why this is my favourite book in the series, so we’re going to do this based on the three areas I mentioned earlier that I believe have made the most growth since the beginning of the series. Bare with me for this, it’ll be worth it!

1. Characters/POVs🗡️🪽

The series revolves around our MMC Tristan, FMC Cassandra as well as side characters Cael, Xenia, Ronin and Mireille. Each character is unique in their own way but when brought together, they bring out the strengths in each other which is really fantastic to watch unfold. MP provides us with the POVs of our main characters with E&S providing two extra POVs of Cael and Xenia. B&B gives us an insight into the POVs of both Ronin and Mireille but it is R&C which pulls all 6 POVs together! That is not a small feat for any reader but the way Kris weaves one POV into the next is so seamless it’s very easy to digest without getting confused. I believe the addition of Ronin and Mireille’s POVs since E&S ties the whole book together and really helps to suck you into the story and keep you reading. Our characters are split into multiple locations at the start of this book so the many POVs help us to understand the way in which things are happening and when they are happening, as well as helping us understand the world a little better. Each character shows tremendous growth in this book compared to the last time we saw them, so props to Kris for amazing character growth! Let’s briefly break down each character:

🪽FMC Cassandra - Cass has most definitely had the wildest ride out of all of our characters, but the growth she shows both physically and mentally is admirable, making her a great FMC. She isn’t given a choice in some changes that are made, but the way she learns to own herself and hone her skills is incredible. She shows the grit and determination to succeed whilst staying true to her emotions and what she believes in, and the strength she finishes R&C with gives me great hope for the future in book 4. Go on Cass, keep smashing it!💪🏼

🖤MMC Tristan - Tristan and his camouflaging wings never fails to amaze me but what really got me in this book was how he had to battle himself most of all - he had to make really tough decisions that would’ve consumed him but listening to his heart truly saved him! When so much is thrown upon you whilst you’re desperate for direction, all you want to do is hide but Tristan took it all on board whilst still fighting with his heart, for his heart. His capacity for love despite the costs is admirable! Tristan proved himself to be a great leader and I can’t wait to see how much stronger he grows moving forward. Go get ‘em, birdman😉

💚Cael - Oh Cael, aka Daddy Pterodactyl, stole my heart and made me swoon in this book! He was just a dream😍. Whilst making me kick my feet like a little girl on multiple occasions, he also truly impressed me with how he handled his emotions. Cael’s ability to hit a really low point and get himself to a happy, positive emotional state (albeit with help from a certain someone) is something that should be applauded. I felt for Cael in those low moments but seeing him living his best life, standing up for what he believes is right and finding a purpose worth living for made me feel so proud! He truly proved that what others define as a weakness does not define you, and the right people with see these things are your strengths! Now poor Cael isn’t left in the best position at the end of R&C, but his mental state is so much stronger than any other book that I know he can get through this. Book 4 will be the strongest Cael yet!

☀️Xenia - Xenia is such a ray of sunshine and the spark of positivity everybody needs! But what happens when that isn’t the case and life forces you to see the rain clouds? Xenia goes through it in this book I won’t lie to you, but she allows herself to feel all the emotions, not just the good, and lets herself be picked up by those she loves which to me shows incredible strength to be so vulnerable. She achieves things she never thought she could in previous books and proves that brains really can beat brawn! The end has me worried, book 4 better be good to my girl!

🩵Ronin - Wolf daddy Ronin isn’t your typical sweetheart - he’s fractured, scarred and rough around the edges but that makes him so interesting and I wouldn’t change a thing about him! (Well, maybe besides his brooding😂) In all seriousness Ronin is clouded by the past in this book and when memories of the past forge into his present he doesn’t know what to do with himself. We’ve seen Ronin be vulnerable, we’ve seen him be strong and best his inner demons but this book really showed us how he learns to own his wrong doings too. When you’re so great and powerful, it’s hard to accept that things should’ve been different so for him to acknowledge that and work at fixing it, again shows great strength in a different kind of vulnerability but these were cards he needed to show to get what he truly wanted. I have high hopes for him and Mireille in book 4, R&C has really shaped him to become his best self!

🩰Mireille - An apothecarist, ballerina and assassin?! I mean, what more could you really want from a character! You want a wolf bi-form with a fiery attitude too? Well you’re just in luck!😂 In all honesty Mireille is my favourite character purely because of how much I can relate to her, and how much I love her because I’m also a dancer! In R&C we get to see who Mireille has become since the events of B&B and she definitely has her mind and emotions guarded and carries more scars, both mentally and physically. R&C really shakes things up for Mireille as she’s forced to confront people and emotions she never thought she’d have to feel again, with all the complexities that comes with it. R&C forces Mireille to become vulnerable and break down the cages around her heart in order to follow what her heart truly wants. Once she allows these walls to break, we see a different side to her as she begins to heal. Now, things aren’t perfect by the end of R&C but we can assume that a version of Mireille who’s more open with her emotions will be with us for book 4. Mireille deserves the love and attention from friends all around her as well as the one she loves, so I’m proud of her for taking the steps forward she does in R&C. You’ve come a longgg way girl!

Wow, that was longer than I expected, let’s get into the world building shall we?

2. World Building🌎

Now, Kris has a brilliant way of writing when it comes to world building and I wish other authors would take note of this because it’s fantastic. A lot of authors will spam you with lots of information at the beginning of a series to help you understand the world moving forward, but who truly wants to read hundreds of pages of world building when all you want to do it get to the nitty gritty of the plot? When given too much information at once I can struggle to focus, so this kind of writing style can become overwhelming to me and in some cases lead to a DNF. Kris has developed a fantastic way of writing that almost drip-feeds you the information you need right when you need it, stopping you from becoming overwhelmed. Imagine it’s like getting a map, but you’re only getting the pieces of the map you need at each time instead of unfolding a gigantic masterpiece bigger than your bathroom floor. This become especially important in R&C since we have more POVs, which means we have more ground to cover. We also start to learn of other places the characters haven’t been to, but not once did I feel confused about the world! R&C has given me a greater understanding of Ethyrios and its inner workings, and since this book I feel more confident going into book 4, knowing the journey ahead will be a great one for these characters as they journey through new territories. Thank you Kris for creating a world so easy to digest whilst also being so incredibly full of detail!👏🏼

That wasn’t too long right? I promise I’ll wrap this up soon, just bear with me!

3. Plot✍️

Okay, so this point really coincides with what I’ve already said about the POVs and the world building which is why I’ve left it till last but the plot of this book is ✨immaculate✨ I could not fault it! Due to how seamless the POVs blended into each other and how clear the areas of the world were described, I believe I was able to follow the storyline with ease which added to me not being able to put this book down! Everything just made perfect sense whilst I was still fooled and shocked by the twists and turns that took place. This story is such a ride because I felt every emotion under the sun, a true rollercoaster of emotions but that element made me invest in these characters so much more! I went from giggling with Cael and Xenia to shouting in anger at Ione to squealing like a girl at Ronin to sobbing my heart out at the epilogue (iykyk) and I’m so grateful to experienced something with my emotions so fully.

Overall, I am SO impressed with everything R&C had to offer and hopefully you can see now why this is my favourite book in the series so far! The writing is immaculate, the story-telling is compelling and the characters are so loveable they’ll stay with you for life. Thank you again Kris for providing me with an eARC and allowing me to support your incredible series. Here’s to book 4!💪🏼👏🏼✨

TL;DR: This book is amazing, the characters are amazing and the world is amazing! Fae daddy’s, wolf daddy and badass FMCs and all 6 of these POVs are in this book. Do NOT sleep on The Memory Puller Series as this book is the best!

[InkBoundHearts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would like to thank Kris for the ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly I would like to apologise for my untimely review. Shit happened I fell behind on my physical reading.
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025 and wow it did not disappoint. I just love Kris’s writing; the way she packs so much humour into her dialogue. I love that the series has morphed into multiple POVs and that I’m actually invested in all their stories. I love that the main characters are balanced individuals who act like adults instead of the generic cookie cutter MCs that basically just whine and act like toddlers. It’s so refreshing. And most importantly I just love the world and story. Not to mention 3 very hot MMCs. What’s not to love. Can’t wait for the conclusion.

I would like to add that I will be purchasing the hard cover for this book. I love the character art for Kris’s hardcovers and since I was extremely tardy with my review I feel awful about receiving an arc and my pages not counting on KU.

[Cladis Brocardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m addicted to them all. There’s no couple that’s slightly boring, they’re all amazing. That being said, Cael and Xenia have my whole heart, they’re so good together, their chemistry is unmatched, and they’re literally my favourite comfort couple.

Notes for future self: Xenia had an accident and is currently in some sort of comma. Cael, Cassandra, Tristan, Ronin and Mireile are trying to win the war so they can go search for Xenia’s soul and bring her back. Cael fought his father and older brothers and killed them all - he now has a dragon by the way. They all found out that Tristan’s brother, the current emperor asshole, is commanding a war against the *Goddess herself?* and he’s got Ronin’s sister with him. Cassandra died a couple of times but somehow she always manages to get back. Reena said they will meet again soon, which means Cassandra will either die soon or the goddess will return Reena to be part of the group again. Ione (Tristan’s ex) betrayed the whole rebellion, she wasn’t turned into a Fae by Tristan, Tristan’s father did it. The book finished with Xenia in the “other world” living a life without previous memories, just a few snippets of it. She receives a visit from a little girl and when she asks the girl who sent her there, the girl replies it was “her Daddy, obviously”, and I nearly had a heart attack because DOES SHE MEAN CAEL? IS SHE THEIR DAUGHTER? Can we please get the next book?

[Belinda Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not okay. I will never be okay.

From the first chapter, this book had me in a chokehold. From jaw-dropping twists to soul-wrenching betrayals, The Rebel and the Captive shattered me and somehow, I loved every second of it. 😭🔥

In this gut-wrenching third installment of The Memory Puller series, Kris K. Haines once again proved she is a master of romantic fantasy, seamlessly weaving together epic adventure, swoony romance, witty found family banter, and soul-deep character growth. 💥👑 Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca Yarros, Nisha J. Tuli, and Carissa Broadbent—if you love pain, passion, plot, and prophecy, this is for you.

SPOILERS for previous books ahead — tread lightly!

Cassandra Fortin, our fierce, resilient FMC, has been taken by her enemies and locked away at the edge of the world 🌌—torn from everyone she loves. But when a sliver of opportunity presents itself, she fights. With evolving powers, loyal allies, and sheer grit, she claws her way toward freedom, even when the odds are stacked high.

Meanwhile, Tristan Saros, Prince and long-suffering cinnamon roll ✨, finds himself among rebels who’ve been waiting centuries for him to take the Crystal Throne and end his tyrant brother’s rule. But here’s the gut-punch: doing so might mean giving up Cassandra. The impossible choice he faces broke me. 💔👑

All the while, we dig so much deeper into the empire’s history, the long-simmering rebellion, and the true cost of power. Past and present collide in explosive, breathtaking ways. Secrets are revealed, alliances tested, and yes—hearts are broken. 😩

There are 6 POVs, each as compelling as the next. Watching these three couples evolve? I SOBBED. Each FMC shines with her own kind of strength 💪, and the MMCs? I’m feral. Their pain, their loyalty, their unrelenting love??? I need help.

I highlighted entire paragraphs because I was screaming, squealing, and texting my friends in a panic every other chapter. 📱😭

This book gave me:
✨ Found family chaos
🔥 Epic angst + swoon
🫣 Heart-stopping betrayals
🐺 A very hot wolf daddy
🐉 A DRAGON SIDEKICK
💥 Memory magic + prophecies
💘 Spicy microtropes
🥹 Character growth that broke me

Tropes You’ll Love 💫
✨ Star-crossed lovers
🌤️ Grumpy x sunshine
💔 Enemies-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-???
🪽 Winged daddies with trauma
🏰 Rebellion against a tyrant kingdom
🔥 “Touch her and die” energy
🥹 Reunions and second chances
⚔️ Dual missions with impossible stakes
💡 Multi-POV excellence
🫶 Found family teasing & loyalty

If you’re a fan of:
💥 Intricately built fantasy worlds
💘 Swoonworthy, angsty romance
🩶 Complex characters with painful pasts
🌌 High-stakes rebellion & epic magic
Then The Memory Puller series NEEDS to be on your shelf.

Thank you SO much to the author for the ARC opportunity 💖. I will never emotionally recover from this book. The way the storylines came together, the way every character had a moment to shine, the way the ending hit like a freight train—Kris, how dare you?? And also thank you.

Please read this series. Fall in love with these broken, beautiful souls. Let them ruin you like they ruined me.

P.S. Read The Butcher and the Ballerina (Book 2.5) before diving into this one. You won’t regret it. 😭📖🔥

[Cinder · Rating 4 out of 5]

READ

𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: 4/5⭐
𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝖥𝖺𝗇𝗍𝖺𝗌𝗒 𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾
𝗧𝗬𝗣𝗘: 𝖲𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌
𝗔𝗚𝗘: 𝖭𝖾𝗐 𝖠𝖽𝗎𝗅𝗍
𝗦𝗔𝗙𝗘𝗧𝗬: 🔴
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𝗘𝗩𝗔𝗟𝗨𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡:
𝖢𝗈𝗇𝖼𝖾𝗉𝗍 𝗂𝖽𝖾𝖺: 4/𝟻 🤔
𝖯𝗅𝗈𝗍: 4/𝟻 📖
𝖶𝗈𝗋𝗅𝖽 𝖡𝗎𝗂𝗅𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀: 4/𝟻 🌎
𝖶𝗋𝗂𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗀: 5/𝟻 📝
𝖯𝖺𝖼𝗂𝗇𝗀: 4/𝟻 ⏱
𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌: 5/𝟻 👥
𝖱𝗈𝗆𝖺𝗇𝖼𝖾: 4/𝟻 ❤️
𝖲𝗉𝗂𝖼𝖾: 2/𝟻 🔥
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𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦 / 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘:
🤫💔 𝖥𝗈𝗋𝖻𝗂𝖽𝖽𝖾𝗇 𝖫𝗈𝗏𝖾
👪 𝖥𝗈𝗎𝗇𝖽 𝖥𝖺𝗆𝗂𝗅𝗒
🔮 𝖯𝗋𝗈𝗉𝗁𝖾𝖼𝗒
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𝗠𝗬 𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦:
I'm obsessed with this series, it's really rare, but in this case the second book was even better than the first. The addition of new POVs made the story engaging and I couldn't stop reading. The pacing improved in this installment and the story is so fascinating with characters that show a lot of depth.
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𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗬: Cassandra and Tristan try to discover more abut the rebels, who plan to uprise the emperor. But once they decide to join the rebels, they are arrested and Cassandra is put in prison (where she turned into a Fae) and Tristan is freed by his former lover (who he turned also into Fae and believed dead for centuries). Xenia and Cael can free themselves, but Cael lost a wing, and now they aren't returning to the Colonies.
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𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦:
👩 Cassandra Fortin: former shrouded sister, turned Fae
👨 Tristan Saros: Officer, Fae, exiled prince
𝖲𝗂𝖽𝖾 𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌: Xenia (best friend of Cass and also a shrouded sister) and Cael (Fae, officer, friend of Tristan), Reena (Beastrunner, friend), Mireille Valette:
👨 Ronin Matakos: the Butcher of Aethalia, his wolf was caged
𝖲𝗂𝖽𝖾 𝖢𝗁𝖺𝗋𝖺𝖼𝗍𝖾𝗋𝗌: Selene (Ronin's twin, member of Teles Chrysos)
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𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗟𝗗 𝗕𝗨𝗜𝗟𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚:
Fae are the descendants of the High Gods and feed on human emotions. Humans were banned from the continent and agreed to sell their memories (the raw materials for Delirium to nourish the Fae). But some Fae are working against the Emporer and want equality between the races.
There are different types of Fae: Windrider (winged fae), Beastrunner (shifters) and Deathstalker (poisonous)
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𝖶𝗂𝗅𝗅 𝖨 𝖼𝗈𝗇𝗍𝗂𝗇𝗎𝖾 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽𝗂𝗇𝗀 𝗍𝗁𝖾 𝗌𝖾𝗋𝗂𝖾𝗌? ✔️
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝗆𝗈𝗋𝖾 𝖻𝗒 𝗍𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖺𝗎𝗍𝗁𝗈𝗋? ✔️
𝖶𝗈𝗎𝗅𝖽 𝖨 𝗋𝖾𝖼𝗈𝗆𝗆𝖾𝗇𝖽? ✔️
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𝗧𝗪 / 𝗖𝗪: attempted sexual assault, violence, kidnapping, torutre, gore
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The Memory Puller Series
𝟏. The Memory Puller: 4⭐
𝟐. The Exile and the Savior: 5⭐
𝟐.𝟓. The Butcher and the Ballerina: 3.5⭐
𝟑. The Rebel and the Captive: TBR
𝟒. Untitled: TBR

[Jillsbooknook · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


"I don't care if choosing you means I'm damning this world to destruction."

The Rebel and the Captive is the third novel in The Memory Puller series, an adult urban romantasy. Written in third person pov, the story follows Tristan and Cassandra after they have been pulled apart by treason and rebellion. Cassandra must find her way back to Tristan and, to do so, fight insurmountable odds. Tristan, meanwhile, is faced with a looming prophecy that pits duty and love against one another.

Farther away, Xenia and Cael find themselves trapped and desperate to free one another. In order to do so they must risk everything...and then Mirielle and Ronan after centuries of separation and disdain the memories of their time become the key to everything...but will they have a second chance or are they just a distant memory?

Holy crap this book has a lot going on and I am HERE for it.

The stakes are so much higher in this book but the journey is smooth and riveting. I loved exploring the different story lines for the three romances. Tristan and Cassandra show that they will fight for each other no matter the cost. Xenia and Cael had my heart in a chokehold as they worked together as equals to figure out a path to freedom. As for Ronan and Mierielle - these are characters you meet in book 2.5 and you need to read their story to understand what happens here.

"I crave you. The sounds you make. The way you taste. I've been dying to touch you since the moment you came back to me."

This book does contain spice. I would say 3.5 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers. All couples in this book have previously been together so when they have the space for the spice they are very much into it. Spice I would say appears around the 30% mark and continues throughout. The spice is detailed and explicit with a few occasions of angsty spice to shake things up. Also, our ladies are not quiet and the males love it...

What I loved most about this book was how well the three stories blended together. They are such clear story arcs that thread together and reveal something so much bigger and I always felt excited to switch to different POVs as a result. There is action, betrayal, rebellion, duels, pining, a dragon, and so much more to keep you on your toes. I honestly could not put this down and finished it in 24 hours! The ending itself is a bit of cliffhanger but boy is it a good one that will have you amped for the next book.

I cannot recommend this series enough and book 3 shows each book gets better and better!

Thank you so much to the author for this arc!

[Sian Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝘽𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨

Turns out prison isn’t that different to the shitshow masquerading as “freedom”

𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛

Everything

𝘽𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙩𝙪𝙛𝙛

Dictators
Manipulative bitches
The fact that I’ve finished reading it already

𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨/𝙨𝙪𝙗 𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙧𝙚𝙨

Romantasy
Starcrossed lovers
Grumpy/sunshine
Forbidden romance

𝙊𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨

Our couples(ish) from the first three books are finally on a path to properly unite against all the bad guys. Of which there are many. I truly can’t say much else about the plot because spoiler much!

Luckily, Kris is one of those unicorn authors that has a recap at the start of each book 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘴! Seriously, this should be mandatory for memory deficient readers like me.

This book is chocked full of badass heroines, action, twists and surprises, rage-inducing douchebag bad guys, and book boyfriends.

May I interest you in a playful, cinnamon roll, feather-winged hottie with a filthy mouth? Or a sexy, protective, bat-winged male with a stocking fetish? Or perhaps you’re more interested in a roguishly handsome, tattooed, scarred shifter with a huge…wolf? Well, this book has them all! And the super strong females who captivate them and keep them on their toes.

Six main characters, all with their own POVs - which usually would be overwhelming in a negative way, but somehow Kris made it feel completely organic in such a way that I was even looking forward to each one!

They each have their own trials and tribulations to face because they had mostly been separated at the end of The Exile And The Saviour. I feel like Cass probably had it the hardest here, but she also had the most growth, and I can’t wait to see what she can do with her loved ones by her side.

There were a few twists and surprises along the way, and whilst some of my guesses were right, several weren’t and I love how the writing had my imagination running in wayward directions.

And what an ending! I’m already yearning for the next instalment! I have questions, and theories, and hopes…and this book has set us up for another wild ride in the next.

The camaraderie, the love, the action and adventure, the smut! It’s all just so damn good!

If you love the likes of ACOTAR, FBAA, and even Fourth Wing because we get a dragon in this one, then you should absolutely pick up this series! I cannot recommend it enough. Truly. Go! Pick it up! Why are you still here?

ARC kindly provided in exchange for my honest review.

𝙍𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨

🤤🤤🤤🤤
💦💦
🤣🤣🤣
😭😭😭
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, let me count the ways of how much I LOVE THIS SERIES!

First, I feel I should mention that I did receive an EARC of The Rebel and the Captive but that in no way has any influence on my review. In fact, I do not tend to write reviews ( though I plan to change that due to so many sponsored reviewers out there providing false reviews for the $$) or who requests EARC/ARCs just to avoid the obligation of writing a review. With this being said The Memory Puller Series is worth my time and energy!

I will not summarize the book because let's be honest, you already read the synopsis and she already has you hooked, you just want to know what makes this worth it. So with that, let's start with a warning... IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE PREVIOUS BOOKS DO NOT START WITH THIS ONE. There are currently 4 books in the series, starting with The Memory Puller. Although the author, Kris K. Haines, takes pity on us bookworms and book dragons alike, and provides an overview of the previous stories, you will get lost if you do not start from the beginning.

This book is set in the POV of 4 characters but is written very well, where you do not get lost and forget whose POV it is being read in. I love the fact that our Heroines are strong but still have vulnerabilities, that they are not sorry about. That is right, crying is not weakness, we just move right along. These women persevered where others may not and don't wallow in their own self-pity. I love the banter between the love interests and the other characters. The story always seems fresh, and the world is captivating.

In this release, the story never seems rushed, repetitive, or boring, which, let's be honest, is hard to do after 4 books. But let us warn the readers now.... There is one part of the book that I love to hate... That we all as readers derive perverse enjoyment from... there is another freaking CLIFF HANGER! All her books end in one, so be prepared.

Now let's see all the Romantacy boxes this Checks:
Banter ✅
Action ✅
Political Upheaval✅
Hot Men and Women ✅
LGBTQ+ Representation✅
Spice✅✅✅🔥

So all in all, this is one of my favorite series, I will NEVER understand how it has not gotten more hype, and you need to sprint to get your copy. And not just your kindle free edition either, because this is a book you are going to want to reread over and over again... You might even say... It's going to hold you captive😉

[Gabrielle (belle.bookcorner) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I devoured this 500-page book in just a single day—it's that addictive!

The Rebel and the Captive picks up right where the 2nd book left off, following Tristan's quest to save Cassandra.
It also introduces a fresh set of characters, including a few familiar faces from The Butcher and the Ballerina—Ronin and Mireille officially join the gang!
If you're worried about forgetting the events of the previous books, fear not—the author kindly provides a recap for books 2 and 2.5 – These recaps are one of the things I like from this series!

The author has done an excellent job of crafting a seamless, well-paced plot that kept me glued to my Kindle from start to finish!
The use of multiple POVs is a fantastic touch, offering deeper insight into various perspectives as multiple events unfold simultaneously across different locations.
Each POV is equally compelling, with none feeling more or less engaging than the others.

Cassandra's character growth shines in this installment.
After gaining a new body, she must learn to survive and reconnect with her friends and Tristan, her lover. Her training with Ronin and Mireille pays off spectacularly, and her newfound power is impressive!

This series continues to improve with every book, and I am now thoroughly invested in both the plot and the characters.
The wait for book 4 is going to be a hard one, especially after that cliffhanger ending and its unexpected twist, which genuinely caught me off guard!

Overall, The Rebel and the Captive is a fantastic addition to the series—highly enjoyable, entertaining, and utterly addictive.
I wholeheartedly recommend it to fantasy romance fans who love star-crossed lovers, grumpy x sunshine dynamics, prophecies, hidden identities, rebellion, and a sprinkle of spicy moments.
I’m eagerly looking forward to the next instalment to see what happens next!

I received an advanced review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily!

⚠️ 𝐓𝐖: graphic sexual content, strong language, gore, torture, violence, colonial oppression, sexual assault (none of the main couples), references to parental abuse, depiction of mental illness and suicidal thoughts.

[Haley | wickedbeebooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️‍🔥”For the woman Cassandra had been at the Temple. A rebel wolf in sheep’s clothing, waiting to tear her enemies apart with her teeth.”❤️‍🔥

OKAY. Kris’ very first book, The Memory Puller, is one of my favorites ever. But SOMEHOW she keeps managing to raise the bar!!!

This book blew me away, lived rent free in my mind, left me in tears, and had my heart pounding in my chest at every turn. The scope of this world just got SO much bigger, and in the most seamless and artful way. If you’re a high/urban fantasy, Crescent City, romantasy lover, this needs to be on your radar NOW!

This book picks up right after the events of book 2, and not only are we in an incredibly precarious situation across the board, we’ve also now got THREE fantastic, lovable, and swoon-worthy couples to root for. They’re each so distinct and unique in their dynamics, there’s quite literally no POV that I’m not deeply, heart achingly invested in.

Kris has also managed the most perfectly executed expansion of world-building in this book. The lore runs deeper and deeper, and it’s all so intricately crafted and explored, while also being presented to the reader in natural and digestible ways. After the events of the previous books, I had absolutely no idea what I was headed into… and this completely surprised me with every intricate twist and turn that built on themselves seamlessly.

I truly was engrossed in quite literally every page of this beautiful book, and I’m DYING to know what our characters are in for next. If you love tension, lore, prophecies, epic escapes, magical creatures, multiple povs, seeing every corner of a fantasy world, captivating romance, toe-curling spice, and never, ever wanting to put a book down, I PROMISE that you will LOVE this.

Kris, I am so, so grateful to have been able to arc read this book, and to have been able to dive so headfirst into this amazing series that you’ve somehow managed to improve upon at every turn. Thank you so much for having me on the ARC team, and I cannot wait to see what you do next.

[Chaos & Courtships~ Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ✨
🪽𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓡𝓮𝓫𝓮𝓵 𝓐𝓷𝓭 𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓒𝓪𝓹𝓽𝓲𝓿𝓮 (𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝑀𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝒫𝓊𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓇 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝟥)

Another day, another 5 star banger from Kris K Motherfcking Haines. 👏🏻👏🏻 The woman has delivered AGAIN, crafting the perfect blend of elevated worldbuilding, twisty plots, beloved characters, effortless dialogue, humor, and all the feels.

This picks up where The Exile And The Savior left off, and wastes no time setting the stage for the impending emotional whiplash. It follows 3 couples, and several intricate storylines, weaving them together seamlessly as the overarching story unfurls.
As for our OG couple, they find themselves separated by circumstances beyond their control, with Cassandra being held captive by the enemy, and Tristan in the midst of a rebellion. They are both pushed to their limits, and face impossible choices, as their hearts are desperate to be reunited.
Xenia and Cael, our resident grumpy sunshine couple, added so much angst and emotional depth to the story. And Ronin and Mireille, who were featured in the prequel novel, The Butcher & The Ballerina, absolutely stole the show. I love how their connection just keeps evolving and growing- I’m obsessed with both of them, and would read an entire series dedicated solely to their journey. 🫠

Without spoiling the series for you, I will just say that this one has got to be my favorite of the series so far. And that’s really saying something. Each book has been subsequently darker, deeper, and more addictive- and this one just checked every damn box, and took me every place I wanted to go. It was a whirlwind of adventure, angst, swoonworthy romance, spicy spice, found family, and all the emotional damage you could wish for. And I loved every minute of it. If The Memory Puller Series is new to you, it NEEDS to be on your radar. It’s just one of those series that will have you absolutely hooked, begging for the next book! Dive into book 1 NOW, and prepare to be obsessed.

[dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

*arc reader!*

God its so good to be back with some of my favourite characters! I missed this world so much and was desperate to get back in with Cass and her gang.

I’ll admit, Tristan had me going for a significant amount of time lol. I love the guy but every time he deliberated over his future with Cass concerning Ione and the rebellion I wanted to scream at him to fix his shit- which he did do eventually. Speaking of Ione though, god i hated her and I don’t even know if that hatred was justified but I have my theories about what her next moves are 👀

I LOVED Cass so fucking much in this book. It felt like she really came into her own as fae and proved that she is an absolute force to be reckoned with. I cannot wait to see what she does as the story progresses.

RONIN AND MIREILLE. Y’all I will scream their names from the rooftops. I already loved them both so much after reading the novella but their storyline in this added angst and heartache to an already delicious mixing pot. Their shared history is so decadent and so fucking painful that i knew it was going to hurt watching them reunite to help Cass. Your honour, I’d die for them.

I spent much of this book scared for Xenia, with *most* of Cael’s wretched family leering over her- but I’m fucking glad Cael accepted what his heart already knew. Their love is so beautiful. Lord that epilogue though, my heart😩😩

The plot twist??? I fucking called it. I knew it. I KNEW IT.

I loved this book, the action and the story telling and the spice- all so fantastically delicious. More please.

If you haven’t picked up this series yet, you must make haste!

Also, one more thing…

WHERE THE FUCK IS REENA????? Release my girl, i beg.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

“𝙎𝙝𝙚’𝙨 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄’𝙢 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩…𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙄’𝙫𝙚 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙚𝙙.”

The Rebel & the Captive by Kris K. Haines
4.5⭐️ || 3🌶️

• Star-crossed lovers
• Grumpy x sunshine
• Unique Fae & magic
• Fated mates
• Touch her & die 💀
• Found family
• Rebels with a cause
• Dragon sidekick

Holy hell—this book had 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 and I devoured it like a last meal.

This is book three in 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘗𝘶𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘳 series, an urban romantasy that throws you straight into the deep end—told in third person but in SIX different POVs…you get ALL the drama.

We mainly follow Cassandra and Tristan, as they’re torn apart by betrayal and rebellion, each on a journey that pits love, destiny, and survival against 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳���𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 they thought they knew. But that’s just one of THREE love stories woven through this book—and every single one hits.

♡ Tristan & Cassandra — soulmates separated by war, fueled by aching devotion.
♡ Xenia & Cael — equals in rebellion and tenderness, absolute chokehold.
♡ Ronan & Mierielle — returning from book 2.5 (read it!!), with that tortured, fate-twisted chemistry that burns.

The stakes are SO high in this book. AND, the spice is HOT with an emotional payoff that is absolutely worth every heart-wrenching moment.

"𝙄 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙛 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙄'𝙢 𝙙𝙖𝙢𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙡𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙪𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣."

But it’s not just the romance. The multi-POV storytelling is masterful. Each arc flows into the next like gears in a well-oiled, emotional machine. Every POV switch felt fluid with them all building to something so much 𝘣𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 than any one love story.

I inhaled this book in under 24 hours. And the ending is a delicious cliffhanger that hurts in the best way and sets up book four for absolute emotional wreckage—can’t wait to read it.