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A Realm of Rebels
A rebellion is shaking the realm. Cities are ablaze, kingdoms are feuding, and an ancient foe is knocking on Rokava’s door.
It has been five centuries since the fall of Rahjuul at the sword of the first-ever Flame Keeper. The Henchman of the darkness’ terror lives on as nothing more than a myth in the minds of the people now. But with the insurgency of rebels in Rokava, it seems as if the events of the past are being replayed. As rebellion again gives rise to the darkness, the Flame too ignites a new hero.
Haunted by past traumas and confounded by a childhood gift from her father, Qilan Princess, Kylexa Navos, has struggled to discover her own purpose in life. She yearns for an escape to uncover her true destiny and is prepared to leave behind everything she's ever known to do so. But when her calling has other plans, Kylexa finds herself on a journey that embraces the very things she desires to avoid.
With the security of her kingdom and the neighboring Kingdom of Vlance hanging in the balance, the princess embarks on an entrusted mission that could alter her life forever. Will she be able to push past her fears and do what must be done, or will rebellion reign?
If you love the themes of hope and friendship in The Lord of the Rings and the political intrigue and plot twists of the Red Queen, then you'll enjoy the story of A Realm of Rebels. Join Kylexa and her friends as they uncover the rebellion that's threatening to destroy their land.
It has been five centuries since the fall of Rahjuul at the sword of the first-ever Flame Keeper. The Henchman of the darkness’ terror lives on as nothing more than a myth in the minds of the people now. But with the insurgency of rebels in Rokava, it seems as if the events of the past are being replayed. As rebellion again gives rise to the darkness, the Flame too ignites a new hero.
Haunted by past traumas and confounded by a childhood gift from her father, Qilan Princess, Kylexa Navos, has struggled to discover her own purpose in life. She yearns for an escape to uncover her true destiny and is prepared to leave behind everything she's ever known to do so. But when her calling has other plans, Kylexa finds herself on a journey that embraces the very things she desires to avoid.
With the security of her kingdom and the neighboring Kingdom of Vlance hanging in the balance, the princess embarks on an entrusted mission that could alter her life forever. Will she be able to push past her fears and do what must be done, or will rebellion reign?
If you love the themes of hope and friendship in The Lord of the Rings and the political intrigue and plot twists of the Red Queen, then you'll enjoy the story of A Realm of Rebels. Join Kylexa and her friends as they uncover the rebellion that's threatening to destroy their land.
- GenresFantasy
364 pages, Paperback
Published December 13, 2024
5 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Tania Ibrahim
1 book16 followersTania Ibrahim is a passionate speculative and contemporary fiction author who seeks to spread hope and honor her faith through literature that pulls the reader into the lives, struggles, and convictions of the characters she creates.
Tania currently resides in the Volunteer State with her husband Rafat, cat Soju, and dog Murphy. Besides being an author, she also works as a full-time teacher's assistant and her leisure time consists of reading, cooking, dancing, and spending time with her friends & family.
A Realm of Rebels is Tania's debut NA Fantasy novel and is the first installation of her Trilogy, The Daughters of Qila.
Tania currently resides in the Volunteer State with her husband Rafat, cat Soju, and dog Murphy. Besides being an author, she also works as a full-time teacher's assistant and her leisure time consists of reading, cooking, dancing, and spending time with her friends & family.
A Realm of Rebels is Tania's debut NA Fantasy novel and is the first installation of her Trilogy, The Daughters of Qila.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 13, 2024
A Realm of Rebels Tania Abrahim’s debut novel was definitely a new and unique read.
Although it took me about half the book for the plot to all fall into place and for the action to pick up, after that I was truly invested and once I was the rest flew by quite quickly.
The whole cast of characters were all really well done. All having to deal with the tragedies that befall them in their own ways. Then having to either lean on their King or question Him. I really loved how well faith elements were weaved into this story. Especially in Nistiri. But my favourite characters overall would definitely be Keelian Wynona, and Mason.
And then that climax….. I saw it coming in one way and in the other I was hoping it wouldn’t come to that. Yet it did. I’m not sure I’m fully recovered quite yet. And that ending too 😭 I’m fully excited to see the next book in this series to see where it goes!
*I received an ARC copy from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Although it took me about half the book for the plot to all fall into place and for the action to pick up, after that I was truly invested and once I was the rest flew by quite quickly.
The whole cast of characters were all really well done. All having to deal with the tragedies that befall them in their own ways. Then having to either lean on their King or question Him. I really loved how well faith elements were weaved into this story. Especially in Nistiri. But my favourite characters overall would definitely be Keelian Wynona, and Mason.
And then that climax….. I saw it coming in one way and in the other I was hoping it wouldn’t come to that. Yet it did. I’m not sure I’m fully recovered quite yet. And that ending too 😭 I’m fully excited to see the next book in this series to see where it goes!
*I received an ARC copy from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 2, 2024
What an adventure! A Realm of Rebels is a Christian fantasy book with an intriguing plot, likable characters, sweet romance, and a great fantasy representation of God and Christianity! 😍 I really enjoyed this story and thought the plot was cool. I’m curious about what comes next for these characters and this world, and hope we learn more about the Flame Keepers.
My reason for 4 stars is it did drag a little a times, and as a big romance lover I was disappointed that there really wasn’t much there. The love interest characters were stated to love each other but you never saw them interact as more than just friends. And other POV characters formed a liking to each other, but we don’t actually see it and then he suddenly calls her dear…it just seemed so random to me. 😅😂
That being said, I’m looking forward to more from this new author! It’s refreshing to read a good Christian fantasy book and she has a really cool story here. 😆
/I was given an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own/
My reason for 4 stars is it did drag a little a times, and as a big romance lover I was disappointed that there really wasn’t much there. The love interest characters were stated to love each other but you never saw them interact as more than just friends. And other POV characters formed a liking to each other, but we don’t actually see it and then he suddenly calls her dear…it just seemed so random to me. 😅😂
That being said, I’m looking forward to more from this new author! It’s refreshing to read a good Christian fantasy book and she has a really cool story here. 😆
/I was given an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own/
January 22, 2025
That was a wild read and I loved it!
I don't even know where to start! This is easily one of my top favorite indie books now and I need book 2 immediately!
I don't even know where to start! This is easily one of my top favorite indie books now and I need book 2 immediately!
December 6, 2024
You'll enjoy A Realm of Rebels if you like fantasy with political tension, solid world building, and strong emphasis on family. It was a great read, and I really loved the characters and complex dynamics, but I did hit a snag in the worldview.
Story: 4/5
Worldview: 3/5
Story-wise, A Realm of Rebels is rich with worldbuilding and politics. I usually steer away from political fantasy but I enjoyed the action and higher stakes. The world really felt like it had centuries of history, especially with Qila having a religiously complex past. Qila worshipped pagan gods, but in recent generations the royals have turned to the Eternal King (God). This causes a lot of tension in Qila, since the royals allowed the people to choose which god they would worship. My favorite characters really have to do with those who are siblings, Kylexa, Mia, and Nistiri (the Qilan royals) and Castian, Marcus, and Regina (the Vlancian royals). The author does a great job weaving complex family dynamics, especially with grief and loss. My favorite character was Prince Marcus, mainly because even though he had his flaws, I could see him being redeemed.
Worldview:
This is not a Christian book, nor does it claim to be, but because of its overt messaging (Eternal King = God), I did read it as such. The main character, Kylexa, does not believe in God, and I really liked her perspective and how she grew in that regard to embrace hope and a purpose. I loved how the characters prayed to God for help and guidance. There was also a mention of a pilgrimage, of going by foot to the holy city to worship God. A few characters had dreams/visions, but they emphasized praying and seeking guidance for clarity.
There is a clear emphasis in the book on the spiritual world beneath the physical world. For example, the atrophs (unseen angel-type characters, winged figures with animal heads, were rumored to protect a nation) and Rajuul, a demonic character that speaks in people's minds. There was also mention of a character visiting a pagan witch, who performed a ritual to a fertility goddess (described across 2-3 pages), but it was painted as demonic. Another God-fearing character made a good point of how wooden idols have no power, bringing some biblical truth in. And, minor spoiler, the Rajuul-possessed character uses some kind of power to resuscitate the dead and make them her minions (also presented as evil).
However, there were a few unbiblical elements that were not condoned, such as soulmates (mentioned jokingly) and a female authority/pastor figure. Also, a high priestess was said to serve God (and this was tied into the angel-figures somehow so I'm not sure how that would develop moving forward). And even though the ritual was condemned, I am never a fan of showing any kind of pagan rituals on page, especially those involving blood.
Overall:
Overall, I enjoyed the plot, characters, and tension. I understood why there was a mix of pagan traditions and serving God (given the history of Qila), but it's my conviction to make a clear distinction between what's godly and what's not. To that end, I think the author draws the line clearly in some places but then other places are not so clear. I did enjoy the story but I'm not certain I'll pick up the second book.
I got a free ebook of this novel from the author, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Story: 4/5
Worldview: 3/5
Story-wise, A Realm of Rebels is rich with worldbuilding and politics. I usually steer away from political fantasy but I enjoyed the action and higher stakes. The world really felt like it had centuries of history, especially with Qila having a religiously complex past. Qila worshipped pagan gods, but in recent generations the royals have turned to the Eternal King (God). This causes a lot of tension in Qila, since the royals allowed the people to choose which god they would worship. My favorite characters really have to do with those who are siblings, Kylexa, Mia, and Nistiri (the Qilan royals) and Castian, Marcus, and Regina (the Vlancian royals). The author does a great job weaving complex family dynamics, especially with grief and loss. My favorite character was Prince Marcus, mainly because even though he had his flaws, I could see him being redeemed.
Worldview:
This is not a Christian book, nor does it claim to be, but because of its overt messaging (Eternal King = God), I did read it as such. The main character, Kylexa, does not believe in God, and I really liked her perspective and how she grew in that regard to embrace hope and a purpose. I loved how the characters prayed to God for help and guidance. There was also a mention of a pilgrimage, of going by foot to the holy city to worship God. A few characters had dreams/visions, but they emphasized praying and seeking guidance for clarity.
There is a clear emphasis in the book on the spiritual world beneath the physical world. For example, the atrophs (unseen angel-type characters, winged figures with animal heads, were rumored to protect a nation) and Rajuul, a demonic character that speaks in people's minds. There was also mention of a character visiting a pagan witch, who performed a ritual to a fertility goddess (described across 2-3 pages), but it was painted as demonic. Another God-fearing character made a good point of how wooden idols have no power, bringing some biblical truth in. And, minor spoiler, the Rajuul-possessed character uses some kind of power to resuscitate the dead and make them her minions (also presented as evil).
However, there were a few unbiblical elements that were not condoned, such as soulmates (mentioned jokingly) and a female authority/pastor figure. Also, a high priestess was said to serve God (and this was tied into the angel-figures somehow so I'm not sure how that would develop moving forward). And even though the ritual was condemned, I am never a fan of showing any kind of pagan rituals on page, especially those involving blood.
Overall:
Overall, I enjoyed the plot, characters, and tension. I understood why there was a mix of pagan traditions and serving God (given the history of Qila), but it's my conviction to make a clear distinction between what's godly and what's not. To that end, I think the author draws the line clearly in some places but then other places are not so clear. I did enjoy the story but I'm not certain I'll pick up the second book.
I got a free ebook of this novel from the author, and all opinions expressed are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2025
This was such a fun read!! I loved the sister dynamics, and the plot twist around halfway through kept me on the edge of my seat. I highly recommend this book for any age group!!
Watch my reading vlog for a more comprehensive look into my thoughts while reading: https://youtu.be/YztHTckRiTw?si=IT3u2...
CONTENT:
Clean, no spice
Mentions of war and violence
Mentions of dark spiritual forces
Watch my reading vlog for a more comprehensive look into my thoughts while reading: https://youtu.be/YztHTckRiTw?si=IT3u2...
CONTENT:
Clean, no spice
Mentions of war and violence
Mentions of dark spiritual forces
December 7, 2024
A Realm of Rebels will take you on a wild ride of faith and adventure. Once it’s sunk its teeth into you, it’s hard to put down! The main character struggles with purpose and belief in a very realistic way. If you’re looking for a book to read, I recommend you consider this one!
January 22, 2025
“For when darkness is upon you, you have no choice but to cling to the only true Source of light. And there is darkness all around you, soldier. Everywhere. Do not be a fool. Hold tightly to your King.”
I loved a Realm of Rebels! It’s a fantasy adventure filled with lovable characters, politics, intrigue and family drama. And I am always here for the ✨drama✨
The characters were all so different with tons of personality and I loved their dynamics amongst each other. I can’t choose a favorite because I enjoyed all of them so much, however, I will say I was really partial to Wynona, but I think that’s because I’m an only child and my best friends growing up were my two cousins lol. But again, I loved all the characters so much!
I also really enjoyed the world. One of the things I look for most in books, and something I get really excited about, is when the world a story takes place in feels lived in; when you feel as though the world in which the story is happening existed before the story started, and will continue to exist after you finish reading. Ibrahim did a great job with the worldbuilding, making everything feel alive and established. Idk if that makes sense to anyone else, but I get really excited when a book feels like that! Speaking of worldbuilding, I loved River Trees so much!
Lastly, I wanted to say I found the clear Christian themes and parallels very refreshing. It’s not often I find books that have such good values. It was really uplifting to read, even with the twists and emotional damage thrown in for the story 😂 (which were equally great!!)
All that to say, I loved it, and I can’t wait for the next one!! :)
I loved a Realm of Rebels! It’s a fantasy adventure filled with lovable characters, politics, intrigue and family drama. And I am always here for the ✨drama✨
The characters were all so different with tons of personality and I loved their dynamics amongst each other. I can’t choose a favorite because I enjoyed all of them so much, however, I will say I was really partial to Wynona, but I think that’s because I’m an only child and my best friends growing up were my two cousins lol. But again, I loved all the characters so much!
I also really enjoyed the world. One of the things I look for most in books, and something I get really excited about, is when the world a story takes place in feels lived in; when you feel as though the world in which the story is happening existed before the story started, and will continue to exist after you finish reading. Ibrahim did a great job with the worldbuilding, making everything feel alive and established. Idk if that makes sense to anyone else, but I get really excited when a book feels like that! Speaking of worldbuilding, I loved River Trees so much!
Lastly, I wanted to say I found the clear Christian themes and parallels very refreshing. It’s not often I find books that have such good values. It was really uplifting to read, even with the twists and emotional damage thrown in for the story 😂 (which were equally great!!)
All that to say, I loved it, and I can’t wait for the next one!! :)
December 9, 2024
Thank you Tania Ibrahim for trusting me with an early copy of Realm of Rebels!
-
“A Flame Keeper’s sole responsibility is to keep his torch aflame, so when darkness tries to prevail, it will have no chance against the flames of the righteous.”
Okay listen, I know Christian fiction/fantasy often gets a bad rap. But Tania writes about the Eternal King so reverently and reflects how I feel about my Heavenly Father. The picture of Christ she creates in this book so closely resembles Christ, but suits the world of Rokava so well also!
Kylexa is a middle child and often feels overlooked or not helpful in any way, which is why she wants to become a Flame Keeper. I relate to this and remember after feeling overlooked growing up in a big family.
I kind of wish the Flame Keepers were expanded upon. Kylexa was bent on becoming a flame keeper in the beginning of the book, but this plot point fell to the background as the story progressed. I am sure it will come back into play as the series continues…
I liked that we got Mia’s POV, because Kylexa feels like the forgotten middle child, we get to see how Mia actually views her sister and strong and a central pillar of their family.
Kylexa’s complaining did get to me a little bit throughout the novel. Sometimes her complaining felt like it was coming from an immature teenager than a woman in her twenties.
The Eternal King tries to reach Kylexa via dreams. Even though she doesn’t believe, He still calls to her. Much like our Lord.
I found the final act was a bit all over the place. Especially Castian’s accusation that nearly causes the two kingdoms to go to war. But then the real villain is discovered and the novel ends…
Was this novel perfect? Maybe not- but despite this, it didn’t ruin the story for me at all! I really enjoyed the writing style, and the character interactions!
Realm of Rebels is out Dec 13th 2024!
-
“A Flame Keeper’s sole responsibility is to keep his torch aflame, so when darkness tries to prevail, it will have no chance against the flames of the righteous.”
Okay listen, I know Christian fiction/fantasy often gets a bad rap. But Tania writes about the Eternal King so reverently and reflects how I feel about my Heavenly Father. The picture of Christ she creates in this book so closely resembles Christ, but suits the world of Rokava so well also!
Kylexa is a middle child and often feels overlooked or not helpful in any way, which is why she wants to become a Flame Keeper. I relate to this and remember after feeling overlooked growing up in a big family.
I kind of wish the Flame Keepers were expanded upon. Kylexa was bent on becoming a flame keeper in the beginning of the book, but this plot point fell to the background as the story progressed. I am sure it will come back into play as the series continues…
I liked that we got Mia’s POV, because Kylexa feels like the forgotten middle child, we get to see how Mia actually views her sister and strong and a central pillar of their family.
Kylexa’s complaining did get to me a little bit throughout the novel. Sometimes her complaining felt like it was coming from an immature teenager than a woman in her twenties.
The Eternal King tries to reach Kylexa via dreams. Even though she doesn’t believe, He still calls to her. Much like our Lord.
I found the final act was a bit all over the place. Especially Castian’s accusation that nearly causes the two kingdoms to go to war. But then the real villain is discovered and the novel ends…
Was this novel perfect? Maybe not- but despite this, it didn’t ruin the story for me at all! I really enjoyed the writing style, and the character interactions!
Realm of Rebels is out Dec 13th 2024!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 14, 2024
I really enjoyed this debut novel! We are given a strong FMC. I love a friends to lovers trope, so if that’s yours too, you will really enjoy this. There are so many biblical references and the theme of faith is woven wonderfully throughout. I also really enjoyed the side characters and can’t wait to read the next one!
I was given an ARC but all thoughts are my own. ❤️
I was given an ARC but all thoughts are my own. ❤️
December 11, 2024
i had the wonderful opportunity to ARC read this fantasy book and that was such a high! i love books with no spice more and more and this book is a phenomenal example of a great fantasy book!
it took me a while to sit down and get into it and that is completely on me, but i loved every moment of it! the siblings relationships, the plot twists and the banter? it is safe to say that i ate this up! would definitely recommend!<3
it took me a while to sit down and get into it and that is completely on me, but i loved every moment of it! the siblings relationships, the plot twists and the banter? it is safe to say that i ate this up! would definitely recommend!<3
December 2, 2024
I loved A Realm of Rebels! Tania Ibrahim does an amazing job with her characters, particularly the FMC, Kylexa. She's fun to follow, easy to root for, and has some struggles that are oh so relatable even in our lives today. The entire main cast is noble-hearted and fighting the good fight for peace, and I loved the way Tania wove themes of faith through her story (especially the way it all came to an explosive end in the climax)! I'm a HUGE fan of big climaxes that revolve around character arcs, so naturally, I LOVED how this story wrapped up - closure and character growth, but still with an eager anticipation for the next book!
I'll also note that there was one twist in particular (regarding the "big bad") that caught me off-guard, and I'm still not quite over it. Tania, how could you :'(
Overall, a great story with some awesome faith themes and character growth! I'm excited to see where Tania takes the rest of the trilogy.
*I received an advance copy for the purpose of leaving an honest review*
I'll also note that there was one twist in particular (regarding the "big bad") that caught me off-guard, and I'm still not quite over it. Tania, how could you :'(
Overall, a great story with some awesome faith themes and character growth! I'm excited to see where Tania takes the rest of the trilogy.
*I received an advance copy for the purpose of leaving an honest review*
December 11, 2024
Book Review: A Realm of Rebels by Tania Ibrahim
Tania Ibrahim's A Realm of Rebels is a gripping tale of courage, loyalty, and defiance set in a richly imagined world fraught with political intrigue and personal sacrifice. From the very first page, the book immerses readers in a realm teetering on the edge of revolution, where power dynamics are shifting and alliances are tested.
Plot and Setting
The story centers around a cast of vividly drawn characters, each driven by their own desires and ideals. Ibrahim masterfully balances the personal struggles of her protagonists with the larger societal upheavals around them. The world-building is intricate, with layers of history and culture that make the realm feel alive and immersive. The author’s descriptions of the landscape and its people are so vivid that the setting becomes a character in its own right.
Themes
Rebellion, identity, and the moral ambiguity of leadership are key themes explored throughout the narrative. Ibrahim doesn’t shy away from showing the cost of revolution, both for the individual and the collective. The story prompts readers to question what it means to fight for freedom and how far one should go in the name of justice.
Characters
The characters are a highlight of the book. The protagonist is a rebel leader who is equal parts vulnerable and formidable, a person grappling with their role in a movement that demands both vision and sacrifice. Secondary characters are equally well-developed, each adding depth and complexity to the story. Relationships—whether forged in loyalty or fractured by betrayal—are portrayed with nuance, making them compelling and relatable.
Writing Style
Ibrahim’s prose is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into the story with its rhythm and emotional weight. The dialogue feels authentic, capturing the tension and camaraderie of a group united by a common cause yet divided by personal stakes.
Overall Impression
A Realm of Rebels is a remarkable debut (or work) that blends fantasy with real-world parallels in a way that feels both escapist and deeply relevant. Fans of character-driven fantasy and stories of resistance will find much to love here. Tania Ibrahim has crafted a tale that lingers long after the final page, leaving readers eager for more from this talented author.
Rating: 4.5/5
A must-read for anyone who enjoys stories of rebellion and resilience set against a beautifully imagined backdrop.
Sincerely, Collin Stinson
Tania Ibrahim's A Realm of Rebels is a gripping tale of courage, loyalty, and defiance set in a richly imagined world fraught with political intrigue and personal sacrifice. From the very first page, the book immerses readers in a realm teetering on the edge of revolution, where power dynamics are shifting and alliances are tested.
Plot and Setting
The story centers around a cast of vividly drawn characters, each driven by their own desires and ideals. Ibrahim masterfully balances the personal struggles of her protagonists with the larger societal upheavals around them. The world-building is intricate, with layers of history and culture that make the realm feel alive and immersive. The author’s descriptions of the landscape and its people are so vivid that the setting becomes a character in its own right.
Themes
Rebellion, identity, and the moral ambiguity of leadership are key themes explored throughout the narrative. Ibrahim doesn’t shy away from showing the cost of revolution, both for the individual and the collective. The story prompts readers to question what it means to fight for freedom and how far one should go in the name of justice.
Characters
The characters are a highlight of the book. The protagonist is a rebel leader who is equal parts vulnerable and formidable, a person grappling with their role in a movement that demands both vision and sacrifice. Secondary characters are equally well-developed, each adding depth and complexity to the story. Relationships—whether forged in loyalty or fractured by betrayal—are portrayed with nuance, making them compelling and relatable.
Writing Style
Ibrahim’s prose is lyrical and evocative, drawing readers into the story with its rhythm and emotional weight. The dialogue feels authentic, capturing the tension and camaraderie of a group united by a common cause yet divided by personal stakes.
Overall Impression
A Realm of Rebels is a remarkable debut (or work) that blends fantasy with real-world parallels in a way that feels both escapist and deeply relevant. Fans of character-driven fantasy and stories of resistance will find much to love here. Tania Ibrahim has crafted a tale that lingers long after the final page, leaving readers eager for more from this talented author.
Rating: 4.5/5
A must-read for anyone who enjoys stories of rebellion and resilience set against a beautifully imagined backdrop.
Sincerely, Collin Stinson
January 11, 2025
Excellent book.
December 13, 2024
Rating: 4/5 ⭐️
“I refused to follow him toward that destination. Even though I had no idea how to stop my feet from moving toward it.”
What a wonderful debut! Following the story of Kylexa, a young princess struggling with grief and guilt from her past, AROR pulls readers in with its relatable characters, immersive world building, and action-packed ending.
Although I love novels that honor the Lord, I’m usually skeptical of Christian fiction because it can really be hit or miss, often full of perfect characters whose arcs come too easily and finales that can are effortless for its characters to achieve. AROR, however, was not like this at all. In fact, it is what a Christian fantasy novel should look like. I found myself sympathetic to Kylexa’s wrestle with purpose and belief in the “Eternal King.” Following her journey through these thoughts and emotions provides a sense of hope and encouragement for any Christian who is confronted with hardships in their own faith.
In addition to the heartening themes of this book, I enjoyed the articulate world building and the exciting finish to the story. The fantasy world of AROR is super clear and easy to imagine. I appreciated the diversity of settings as well. And that ending! Once I reached the 75% mark, I couldn’t put the book down. It was super fast-paced and the plots twists kept it captivating until the last page.
There were a few points in the novel that dragged, but it wasn’t to the point of losing interest in the story. While the characters had super strong motivations, I would have liked to see some more concrete goals. I think this would have made the characters come to life a little bit more as well as smooth out some of the slow sections in the plot.
Overall, AROR was a fantastic read! It was a pleasure to receive this as ARC and I look forward to seeing how the rest of the trilogy plays out!
“I refused to follow him toward that destination. Even though I had no idea how to stop my feet from moving toward it.”
What a wonderful debut! Following the story of Kylexa, a young princess struggling with grief and guilt from her past, AROR pulls readers in with its relatable characters, immersive world building, and action-packed ending.
Although I love novels that honor the Lord, I’m usually skeptical of Christian fiction because it can really be hit or miss, often full of perfect characters whose arcs come too easily and finales that can are effortless for its characters to achieve. AROR, however, was not like this at all. In fact, it is what a Christian fantasy novel should look like. I found myself sympathetic to Kylexa’s wrestle with purpose and belief in the “Eternal King.” Following her journey through these thoughts and emotions provides a sense of hope and encouragement for any Christian who is confronted with hardships in their own faith.
In addition to the heartening themes of this book, I enjoyed the articulate world building and the exciting finish to the story. The fantasy world of AROR is super clear and easy to imagine. I appreciated the diversity of settings as well. And that ending! Once I reached the 75% mark, I couldn’t put the book down. It was super fast-paced and the plots twists kept it captivating until the last page.
There were a few points in the novel that dragged, but it wasn’t to the point of losing interest in the story. While the characters had super strong motivations, I would have liked to see some more concrete goals. I think this would have made the characters come to life a little bit more as well as smooth out some of the slow sections in the plot.
Overall, AROR was a fantastic read! It was a pleasure to receive this as ARC and I look forward to seeing how the rest of the trilogy plays out!
December 13, 2024
A Realm of Rebels is an exciting read from beginning to end, full of interesting court intrigue and unexpected twists and turns!
The world building is excellent, and I loved seeing themes of faith woven throughout the book. There are so many loveable characters. My favorites are Kylexa (which is a super cool name!!) and Keelian.
Overall a very enjoyable read!
That ending though...WHEN IS THE SECOND BOOK COMING OUT???
The world building is excellent, and I loved seeing themes of faith woven throughout the book. There are so many loveable characters. My favorites are Kylexa (which is a super cool name!!) and Keelian.
Overall a very enjoyable read!
That ending though...WHEN IS THE SECOND BOOK COMING OUT???
July 5, 2025
Note: I read this book and loved it so much that I REQUESTED an ARC, so this is *kinda* an ARC review, but is more so my own hype. 🤩
I think it’s important you know this book is a 5-star read for me, so now I can tell you all the reasons why. 🤭
I’m not a huge fantasy reader (yet), but this book kept me intrigued the whole time—and I’ve read it twice.
A Realm of Rebels is about a kingdom and a war and a fantasy realm and a royal family, yes, but it’s more than that.
It’s about friendship and building your own family and figuring out your own beliefs regardless of what anyone else tells you.
It’s about the truth that bravery and courage live inside each of us the same way fear and uncertainty do.
It’s about being human in a broken world.
Ibrahim crafted relatable characters, gave them real problems, and put them in a world that may be more fantasy-esque than our own, but is cleverly indicative of the world we live in.
I’m also partial to Keelian, because we all know my heart is taken by the cute blonde boy who is kind and stands up for the people he loves. 🥰
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendation: Yes! 🤩 If you’re looking for a Christian fantasy, I highly recommend!
I think it’s important you know this book is a 5-star read for me, so now I can tell you all the reasons why. 🤭
I’m not a huge fantasy reader (yet), but this book kept me intrigued the whole time—and I’ve read it twice.
A Realm of Rebels is about a kingdom and a war and a fantasy realm and a royal family, yes, but it’s more than that.
It’s about friendship and building your own family and figuring out your own beliefs regardless of what anyone else tells you.
It’s about the truth that bravery and courage live inside each of us the same way fear and uncertainty do.
It’s about being human in a broken world.
Ibrahim crafted relatable characters, gave them real problems, and put them in a world that may be more fantasy-esque than our own, but is cleverly indicative of the world we live in.
I’m also partial to Keelian, because we all know my heart is taken by the cute blonde boy who is kind and stands up for the people he loves. 🥰
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Recommendation: Yes! 🤩 If you’re looking for a Christian fantasy, I highly recommend!
November 28, 2024
3.5 stars rounded up !!
There was a lot of goodness in this book that I really enjoyed. Being an avid fantasy reader though I found some things that made it difficult for me to buy completely into the world.
The good stuff:
- strong FMC
- so many Biblical references and themes
- friends to lovers
- fell in love with a lot of the side characters
I think what made this one difficult at times for me to get through were the inconsistent speech patterns. Sometimes I felt like we were reading about royalty and other times the speech was very modern. The cousin, Wynona, who spoke River Tongue, was really just German and I was hoping for an invented language. The first half of the book was slow and I found Kylexa to be a bit whiny but the second half of the book was exciting and the plot was a lot more engaging. Keelian and Wynona were my favorite characters by far. Overall a decent debut and I will be reading the second book for sure!
There was a lot of goodness in this book that I really enjoyed. Being an avid fantasy reader though I found some things that made it difficult for me to buy completely into the world.
The good stuff:
- strong FMC
- so many Biblical references and themes
- friends to lovers
- fell in love with a lot of the side characters
I think what made this one difficult at times for me to get through were the inconsistent speech patterns. Sometimes I felt like we were reading about royalty and other times the speech was very modern. The cousin, Wynona, who spoke River Tongue, was really just German and I was hoping for an invented language. The first half of the book was slow and I found Kylexa to be a bit whiny but the second half of the book was exciting and the plot was a lot more engaging. Keelian and Wynona were my favorite characters by far. Overall a decent debut and I will be reading the second book for sure!
December 8, 2025
A Realm of Rebels is an engaging and heartfelt fantasy adventure that blends political intrigue, destiny, and friendship in a truly captivating way. Kylexa is a compelling heroine shaped by trauma, unsure of her purpose, yet brave enough to chase the truth when her kingdom needs her most. The world-building is rich, with tensions rising across kingdoms and an ancient darkness slowly resurfacing. I loved the mix of mythology, rebellion, and character growth, as well as the strong bonds between Kylexa and her companions. With plot twists, hope, and high stakes throughout, this story is perfect for fans of epic, character-driven fantasy.”
March 16, 2025
5 stars!!! OH MY GOSH WOW THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!!!!!
(ok, Maria calm down we need to give a coherent review so that other people will read this book)
I came into this book with genuinely zero expectations. I had only seen a list of tropes and the book cover before I applied for an arc of this. I had a feeling that I would like it, but I really had no expectations.
This book immediately blew me away. I think I went through every possible emotion while reading this book, happy, crying, angry, shocked, over and over again throughout the whole story. This is one of the best Christian fantasy books I've ever read. This book has so many of my favorite tropes: complicated family dynamics, childhood friends, nobles with flaws and struggles, multiple POV (with every pov being awesome!), Light versus dark... and so much more
Characters: I became so attached to all of the characters so quickly. This book did a great job of showing how well all of the characters know each other but at the same time making sure the reader didn't feel confused by the inside joke or shared pasts that the characters shared. Kylexa our main character was definitely one of my favorite characters. She's so strong and brave, but at the same time being the middle child makes her feel left behind and she struggles with grief and past traumas. I loved seeing all of those elements being developed through the story. Wynona is the dream cousin best friend she is so the sweetest I love her!! Keelian, all I have to say is this is how a guy should be written in books.....I don’t want a morally grey man... I want someone like this, He is so genuine and kind and caring....he’s the best. And the tidbit’s of romance were got where AMAZING!!!!! (if two characters don’t end up together I will riot loll) Castian was also such an interesting character, I'm really intrigued to see where his story arc goes in the rest of the series. Also, Mia, my poor girl.... I have no word for your story line..... There were such strong friendships between so many of these characters which I loved, but there was also tension and discord Which made it very realistic in my opinion. I love seeing stories that portray the inside of the royals lives, showing that they struggle too. And also all of the sad or hard topics were treated so well, they brought a level of real life to the fantasy world which I liked.
The World: wow wow wow, ok this was such a well built fantasy world the politics were somehow not confusing but also super interesting which usually in a fantasy book you get one or the other like you're not confused but you're bored or you're interested but you're confused. All the politics between kingdoms within the kingdoms were all so well done. Another aspect of the world that I loved is that there is a Christian inspired faith and you get to see point of views from believers and non-believers. The faith aspect added more to the politics and I love seeing Christian esque fantasies. I loved seeing the characters pray together and for those that didn't believe struggle with their beliefs. I always love light versus dark storylines but this one was particularly great!!!!
The Plot: And the plot was amazing too, I never knew what would happen next and I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. From the secret missions, to life at court, to the beginnings of war, this book had it all. And that ending......I can't wait for book two!!!!
PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!!! I LOVED IT SO MUCH!! (please....)
CW: Addiction, Grief, infertility, Death, moderate violence not descriptive but there are a few battle scenes, also one character in the past visited a worship place with Paganlike magic which is shown in a flashback
I received a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
A Few of Nonspoiler Favorite Quotes:
“My goodness, what I'd give to have his brain. He could take a simple task such as starting a fire and make one feel as if they didn't even know half the science behind it; never intentionally, of course. That was who Keelian was. The smartest and kindest of us all.”
“He gave a smirk. "Sure you didn't ask me to come because you're too clumsy for your own good?" I rolled my eyes. "Do not make me regret it."
“I realized that my father was still trying. Trying his best to be okay for everyone, but that didn't seem to be working. These were the things no one saw. These were the feelings people thought we nobles couldn't have. We weren't immune to family issues. We weren't immune to illness or to stress. We weren't immune to having feelings or experiencing all of the emotions of human life. We had problems, too. The king had problems, too. But we weren't immune to the love, grace, and healing that came from our Eternal King, either. That's Who I'd pray to tonight. May my family be forever in the hands of our King.”
“What's gotten better? I assure you nothing in my life has gotten better with time. It only gets worse. Everything gets worse! And I can't handle any more pain." I sobbed.
“A promise the very thing that could break a coward.”
(ok, Maria calm down we need to give a coherent review so that other people will read this book)
I came into this book with genuinely zero expectations. I had only seen a list of tropes and the book cover before I applied for an arc of this. I had a feeling that I would like it, but I really had no expectations.
This book immediately blew me away. I think I went through every possible emotion while reading this book, happy, crying, angry, shocked, over and over again throughout the whole story. This is one of the best Christian fantasy books I've ever read. This book has so many of my favorite tropes: complicated family dynamics, childhood friends, nobles with flaws and struggles, multiple POV (with every pov being awesome!), Light versus dark... and so much more
Characters: I became so attached to all of the characters so quickly. This book did a great job of showing how well all of the characters know each other but at the same time making sure the reader didn't feel confused by the inside joke or shared pasts that the characters shared. Kylexa our main character was definitely one of my favorite characters. She's so strong and brave, but at the same time being the middle child makes her feel left behind and she struggles with grief and past traumas. I loved seeing all of those elements being developed through the story. Wynona is the dream cousin best friend she is so the sweetest I love her!! Keelian, all I have to say is this is how a guy should be written in books.....I don’t want a morally grey man... I want someone like this, He is so genuine and kind and caring....he’s the best. And the tidbit’s of romance were got where AMAZING!!!!! (if two characters don’t end up together I will riot loll) Castian was also such an interesting character, I'm really intrigued to see where his story arc goes in the rest of the series. Also, Mia, my poor girl.... I have no word for your story line..... There were such strong friendships between so many of these characters which I loved, but there was also tension and discord Which made it very realistic in my opinion. I love seeing stories that portray the inside of the royals lives, showing that they struggle too. And also all of the sad or hard topics were treated so well, they brought a level of real life to the fantasy world which I liked.
The World: wow wow wow, ok this was such a well built fantasy world the politics were somehow not confusing but also super interesting which usually in a fantasy book you get one or the other like you're not confused but you're bored or you're interested but you're confused. All the politics between kingdoms within the kingdoms were all so well done. Another aspect of the world that I loved is that there is a Christian inspired faith and you get to see point of views from believers and non-believers. The faith aspect added more to the politics and I love seeing Christian esque fantasies. I loved seeing the characters pray together and for those that didn't believe struggle with their beliefs. I always love light versus dark storylines but this one was particularly great!!!!
The Plot: And the plot was amazing too, I never knew what would happen next and I was at the edge of my seat the whole time. From the secret missions, to life at court, to the beginnings of war, this book had it all. And that ending......I can't wait for book two!!!!
PLEASE READ THIS BOOK!!!! I LOVED IT SO MUCH!! (please....)
CW: Addiction, Grief, infertility, Death, moderate violence not descriptive but there are a few battle scenes, also one character in the past visited a worship place with Paganlike magic which is shown in a flashback
I received a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
A Few of Nonspoiler Favorite Quotes:
“My goodness, what I'd give to have his brain. He could take a simple task such as starting a fire and make one feel as if they didn't even know half the science behind it; never intentionally, of course. That was who Keelian was. The smartest and kindest of us all.”
“He gave a smirk. "Sure you didn't ask me to come because you're too clumsy for your own good?" I rolled my eyes. "Do not make me regret it."
“I realized that my father was still trying. Trying his best to be okay for everyone, but that didn't seem to be working. These were the things no one saw. These were the feelings people thought we nobles couldn't have. We weren't immune to family issues. We weren't immune to illness or to stress. We weren't immune to having feelings or experiencing all of the emotions of human life. We had problems, too. The king had problems, too. But we weren't immune to the love, grace, and healing that came from our Eternal King, either. That's Who I'd pray to tonight. May my family be forever in the hands of our King.”
“What's gotten better? I assure you nothing in my life has gotten better with time. It only gets worse. Everything gets worse! And I can't handle any more pain." I sobbed.
“A promise the very thing that could break a coward.”
February 8, 2025
First of all, I love the cover, it's gorgeous! 💜
Back to the book... it's such an interesting book! I kind of see it in two halves. The first half was lighter with a lot of fun medieval fantasy vibes. After about 60% it took a turn a little darker with a lot more spiritual realm things going on. I didn't love those darker aspects but that's just me.
I love how God was portrayed as The Eternal King and the lessons the characters learned about Him. The characters were all so well created and I loved how unique they all were. And the relationships! So many kinds of relationships, siblings, parental, cousins, love interests, and eek they were all so well written!
And it ended on quite a cliffhanger. 😂 😭
✨ 3.5 (rounded to a 4) Stars ✨
Back to the book... it's such an interesting book! I kind of see it in two halves. The first half was lighter with a lot of fun medieval fantasy vibes. After about 60% it took a turn a little darker with a lot more spiritual realm things going on. I didn't love those darker aspects but that's just me.
I love how God was portrayed as The Eternal King and the lessons the characters learned about Him. The characters were all so well created and I loved how unique they all were. And the relationships! So many kinds of relationships, siblings, parental, cousins, love interests, and eek they were all so well written!
And it ended on quite a cliffhanger. 😂 😭
✨ 3.5 (rounded to a 4) Stars ✨
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