Harbinger

by Niah Bach

In Praetoria, the elite do not have any special talents. Then why is it the only imperial princess is having vision-like nightmares? These dreams foretell the destruction of her world and the death of her family, and every day they gain strength in their horror.
The return of a particular imperial rook changes the tone of her dreams, providing her with much needed relief. But this too is perplexing, for he is a rook and she an elite. The law strictly forbids a union between the two.
Yet four little female moiohs scheme to bring them together, providing the path to secure their future, a future threatened by traitors who would use the princess as a way to steal her father's throne.

Genres: Fantasy

354 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2024

About the author

I'm a Gen X dragon that has achieved legendary status in procrastination. I am a pro at avoidance. However, give me a list of objectives to complete and my completism compels me to finish it quickly. Yep, I'm a gamer, and newly appointed DM of my family's D&D game. Hope you enjoy my world!

Reviews

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Niah Bach’s “Harbinger” is the pilot book in the Praetoria Chronicles series. After the intriguing cover captured my attention, I found myself entering the fascinating world where Praetorians are caught in a drama involving political intrigue and danger. The Praetorians are humanoid beings with feline features. Some of them have magical talents. They operate with a caste system. The story revolves around Princess Keira, who is trapped in a world of dark dreams and political machinations.

As other elitists vie for control, which would involve usurping her father as emperor, Keira’s situation becomes increasingly urgent. Her nightmares take a turn when she starts dreaming of a man who offers her solace and safety. Nicolae, a warrior from a lower caste, has also been dreaming about a mysterious beauty he feels compelled to protect. Their connection deepens when Keira secretly takes off on a quest, to a mystical fortress, to bring information to a master mage who she feels can help save her people from the encroaching darkness that she senses will destroy them. Through his dreams, Nikolai knows that she is in danger. He feels compelled to save this mysterious woman. In doing so, he puts his own life in peril.

Bach has a talent for world-building. She provides a helpful list of terms and customs before readers jump into the story. This helps build a solid foundation, allowing them to quickly immerse themselves in the intricacies of Praetorian life. The vivid descriptions of the landscapes and settings, throughout the tale, help readers visualize this unique world.

The political drama is riveting, holding readers on the edge of their seats as alliances shift and betrayals unfold. The tension between the characters is palpable, and the stakes increase as Keira embarks on her quest to consult with the master mage. The inclusion of magic adds a layer to the narrative which enhances the suspense and the feeling of impending doom that hangs over Keira and her family.

Overall, “Harbinger” is a beautifully crafted fantasy/intrigue that is a must for readers who enjoy these genres. Niah Bach has laid a strong foundation for what promises to be an enthralling series. I look forward to the next installment and am eager to see how Keira and Nikolai’s journey unfolds in the face of the encroaching threats.

[Belinda Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world feels balanced on the edge of collapse, and that tension never fades for a single moment. Even during quieter scenes, there is an unsettling awareness that something terrible could happen at any time. Praetoria feels fragile, like a kingdom holding its breath, and that constant sense of danger kept me completely absorbed. It made every decision feel urgent and every moment feel heavy with consequence.

[Amy C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into Harbinger expecting a fantasy story, but what I got was something much more emotional and immersive. The princess’s visions felt raw and unsettling, and I loved how they weren’t treated as a gift but as something terrifying and lonely. The forbidden connection with the rook added such a tender, aching layer to the story. I couldn’t stop reading.

[Aaron Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book surprised me in the best way. The world of Praetoria is beautifully imagined, and the tension between duty, law, and the heart is handled with such care. The dreams felt vivid and haunting, and the slow shift when the rook returns was incredibly satisfying. I found myself rooting for these characters from the very first chapters.

[Chloe Bae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how this story balanced danger and tenderness. The nightmares were chilling, yet the moments of relief and connection felt so human and real. The political tension added stakes without overwhelming the emotional core. This is the kind of book that lingers in your mind long after you close it.

[Edward L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me feel things I wasn’t expecting. Fear, hope, tenderness, and a constant sense of unease woven together beautifully. The relationship between the princess and the rook was subtle and powerful, and I adored how the smaller characters played such an important role in shaping the future.

[Norma Trahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could feel the love and care the author poured into this story from beginning to end. Nothing felt careless or rushed. The emotional details, the character interactions, and even the silences were handled with intention. It gave me the sense that this world mattered deeply to the author, which made it matter to me as a reader as well.

[Sara Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pacing allowed me to truly live inside the world rather than rush through it. I felt like I was walking alongside the characters, experiencing their fear, hope, and uncertainty in real time. The story gives you space to feel, to think, and to connect, which made the emotional moments land with incredible strength.

[Rita J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harbinger feels thoughtful and intentional in every possible way. Each scene builds naturally on the last, and nothing feels unnecessary or placed there just to fill pages. There is a quiet confidence in the storytelling that made me trust the author completely. By the end, I felt rewarded for paying attention.

[Chad J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tension between duty and desire was beautifully written and deeply affecting. You can feel the princess being pulled in opposite directions, torn between what she wants and what she must do. That emotional struggle is painful, intimate, and incredibly real. It made her choices feel meaningful and heartbreaking at the same time.

[June Rankin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend this book to readers who appreciate slow-building tension, emotional depth, and thoughtful worldbuilding. It rewards patience and attention, offering a rich and meaningful reading experience. If you enjoy stories that stay with you long after the last page, this one is worth your time.

[Christopher Cullinan · Rating 2 out of 5]

What stayed with me most was the emotional restraint in this story. The author does not force feelings onto the reader, yet the emotions arrive naturally and powerfully. I felt the fear, the longing, and the quiet desperation beneath every choice the princess made. That subtlety made the story feel honest and deeply affecting.

[Kenneth M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dreams felt like more than nightmares. They felt like warnings etched into the soul of the story. Each vision added urgency and weight, making me anxious about what was coming while still hoping desperately for a different outcome. That emotional tension kept me fully engaged from start to finish.

[Country Mama · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harbinger by Niah Bach is the first book in the Praetoria Chronicles by the author. The author created the world of Praetoria which is a world of catlike creatures. There is a ruling class, an elite class, rook classes, mystic classes and more in this book! The author even created a month system with names and how long each month is, along with holidays of the year, and days of the week titles. That was creative and reminds me of Tolkien's worlds he created in his books!
Now onto the story of Harbinger. The story is well written and is a fantasy book with magic involved. Keira is our FMC who is the princess to the crown and she has visions that are terrifying about all that she holds dear. She comes into contact with Nikola who is a different class, he is a rook and she is a noble or elite. They have a forbidden love and I love that in a book! There is so much happening in this book with classes, politics in the kingdom, forbidden romance, and action and adventure! I highly recommend this one for fans of epic fantasy reads!

[Doris Cham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to connect so deeply with the characters, but I did. The princess felt real in her fear and determination, and the rook’s presence brought a sense of calm and strength that was incredibly compelling. The forbidden aspect of their relationship added so much emotional weight.

[David C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harbinger is beautifully paced and emotionally rich. The dreams are genuinely unsettling, and the way they evolve throughout the story kept me hooked. I appreciated how the romance was handled with restraint and respect, making it feel sincere rather than dramatic for the sake of it.

[Paula Sharpe · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story lingers quietly after you finish it, which is something only truly strong books manage to do. Hours later, I was still thinking about the visions, the choices, and the fragile hope woven through the narrative. Certain scenes replayed in my mind, leaving a lasting emotional imprint.

[Ronald Conklin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantasy that feels intimate rather than grand, and that intimacy is what makes it special. Instead of overwhelming you with spectacle, it draws you close to the characters and their inner lives. I felt emotionally connected in a way that made the story feel personal rather than distant.

[Joseph R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harbinger feels like the beginning of something truly powerful. It lays a strong emotional and narrative foundation while leaving you eager for what comes next. I finished the book feeling impressed, satisfied, and genuinely excited to continue this journey with these characters and this world.

[Katherine O. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how the story treats destiny as something heavy rather than glamorous. Knowing the future is portrayed as a burden that isolates the princess and forces her to carry pain in silence. That perspective felt refreshing and emotionally real.

[Vera G. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The relationship dynamics in this book are beautifully layered. Every interaction carries meaning, even when very little is said. The quiet moments spoke just as loudly as the dramatic ones, which made the connections between characters feel genuine and earned.

[Rebecca G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a sense of quiet courage woven through the story that I really admired. The characters do not act boldly for attention, but out of necessity and love. That made their choices feel grounded and believable.

[Dorothy Holder · Rating 5 out of 5]

The atmosphere of Praetoria is incredibly well done. I could feel the tension in the palace walls, the unspoken rules, and the constant awareness of danger. It created a setting that felt alive and emotionally charged.

[William L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me slow down and truly experience the story rather than rush to the end. I found myself rereading certain passages just to fully absorb the emotion and meaning behind them. That kind of connection is rare.

[Kellie Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The way the author builds emotional stakes without relying on spectacle is impressive. The danger feels real because it threatens relationships, trust, and hope, not just lives. That made every turning point feel deeply personal.

[Rena M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

By the time I finished the book, I felt emotionally satisfied yet eager for more. The story leaves you with questions, feelings, and a strong desire to continue the journey. It is the kind of book that quietly earns your admiration and stays with you long after you close it.

[Kelly Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was constantly drawn into the emotional depth of the story. The balance between fear, longing, and hope is masterful. Each character’s inner world felt real, and I often found myself reflecting on their choices long after finishing a chapter.

[Dwayne D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The princess’s courage and resilience felt earned rather than forced. I admired how she navigates a dangerous world while carrying the weight of visions that threaten everything she loves. It made her triumphs feel powerful and her vulnerabilities profoundly human.

[Jacob D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The tension between destiny and choice is explored with such depth that I found myself questioning what I would do in her place. The story kept me on edge, invested in both the survival of the kingdom and the emotional well-being of the characters.

[Rick J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harbinger is the kind of story that stays with you long after you finish it. The combination of rich worldbuilding, emotional resonance, and suspense made me feel like I was part of the world. I closed the book feeling impressed, moved, and eager to continue the journey.