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Rogue Secreto
From the author of Mortal Queens and Oathbound comes a fast-paced standalone in a roman empire world, filled with danger, catacombs, secret identities, and a forbidden romance.
Marsella steals secrets with a glance. Veiled behind a mask, she becomes the Rogue Secreto—a whispered legend who trades truths for coin. The emperor hires her to unearth the secrets of his enemies, never suspecting the masked phantom unraveling empires is his own beloved daughter.
He offers Marsella’s hand in marriage to bait his foes, while the Rogue Secreto silently dismantles them.
Until Marsella meets a boy with a silent mind.
He waits in the ruins of a forgotten age, locked behind a shimmering wall of water, left to rot by history. She returns to his cage again and again, drawn to the hush of the place, to the mystery of him. He becomes her solace. Her escape. Her most dangerous secret. And to him, she gives everything—her name, her whispers, her heart.
Until one secret promises his release.
Because he has waited a hundred years for this moment. And the secrets Marsella has been feeding him have become his key.
Too late, she learns the
He wasn’t locked away to be forgotten—he was sealed away to be kept.
Because some monsters don’t bare teeth.
Some lure you in softly—and break your heart slowly.
“I can hold them,” he said softly. “Tell me your darkest secrets, and I’ll carry them for you.”
ROGUE SECRETO is perfect for fans of Heartless Hunter or One Dark Window. It sits at the upper end of the YA genre.
Marsella steals secrets with a glance. Veiled behind a mask, she becomes the Rogue Secreto—a whispered legend who trades truths for coin. The emperor hires her to unearth the secrets of his enemies, never suspecting the masked phantom unraveling empires is his own beloved daughter.
He offers Marsella’s hand in marriage to bait his foes, while the Rogue Secreto silently dismantles them.
Until Marsella meets a boy with a silent mind.
He waits in the ruins of a forgotten age, locked behind a shimmering wall of water, left to rot by history. She returns to his cage again and again, drawn to the hush of the place, to the mystery of him. He becomes her solace. Her escape. Her most dangerous secret. And to him, she gives everything—her name, her whispers, her heart.
Until one secret promises his release.
Because he has waited a hundred years for this moment. And the secrets Marsella has been feeding him have become his key.
Too late, she learns the
He wasn’t locked away to be forgotten—he was sealed away to be kept.
Because some monsters don’t bare teeth.
Some lure you in softly—and break your heart slowly.
“I can hold them,” he said softly. “Tell me your darkest secrets, and I’ll carry them for you.”
ROGUE SECRETO is perfect for fans of Heartless Hunter or One Dark Window. It sits at the upper end of the YA genre.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 6, 2025
About the author
Victoria McCombs
25 books1,303 followersVictoria McCombs is the author of many YA novels, with hopefully many more to come. All her stories are no spice with no language or gore. She’s drawn to stories of stubborn courage, dangerous romance, and atmospheres thick with fairytale intrigue. When she isn’t drafting, she can be found raising four wildlings with her husband in Omaha, Nebraska, fueled by hazelnut coffee and an unwavering respect for her deadlines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
May 13, 2025
“Rogue Secreto” by Victoria McCombs is a fast-paced, young adult fantasy standalone with ancient Roman vibes. It is easy to read and hard to put down. I especially loved the illustrations. Our morally gray heroine, Marsella, can see others’ secrets with one glance. She also wants to find someone who loves her when they know who she truly is. Marsella disguises herself as the Rogue Secreto and is hired by the emperor to steal people’s secrets (the emperor also happens to be her father). But where will she draw the line? Accompanying the intrigue, there is a great romance that I was rooting for. I love that the author kept me guessing on a certain character and whether they were good or bad.
This is a multi-layered story with subtle Christian themes. It has themes of power and secrets, and makes the reader question how much power one person should hold. It deals with how we judge and perceive people. Marsella learns that we need to factor in mercy and grace. She can steal their secrets, but can she see their morals or their intentions? Through Marsella’s (the Rogue Secreto’s) story, we see that evil is a slippery slope. There are also beautiful depictions of sacrifice and love. I highly recommend this story to fans of young adult fantasy!
I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: the word “da*n” is used; a girl is called a witch and a devil; another religion uses blood sacrifice and seers; mention of hell and demons; mention of alcohol; someone had an affair and a mention of se*ual immorality; an animal is killed; bastard children born out of wedlock; underage drinking; mention of gambling.
TW: brief mention of madness and abuse.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
This is a multi-layered story with subtle Christian themes. It has themes of power and secrets, and makes the reader question how much power one person should hold. It deals with how we judge and perceive people. Marsella learns that we need to factor in mercy and grace. She can steal their secrets, but can she see their morals or their intentions? Through Marsella’s (the Rogue Secreto’s) story, we see that evil is a slippery slope. There are also beautiful depictions of sacrifice and love. I highly recommend this story to fans of young adult fantasy!
I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content: the word “da*n” is used; a girl is called a witch and a devil; another religion uses blood sacrifice and seers; mention of hell and demons; mention of alcohol; someone had an affair and a mention of se*ual immorality; an animal is killed; bastard children born out of wedlock; underage drinking; mention of gambling.
TW: brief mention of madness and abuse.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
May 1, 2025
A dark and heavy but beautiful story of understanding love, greed, power, and ultimately, sacrifice. As always, McCombs writes fascinating characters who end up feeling like friends. Though it happened slowly, I loved seeing Marcella grow from being the dutiful daughter who saw the worst in people but still believed the best about herself to seeing herself, and others, clearly. The twists in this story had me all twisted up inside, but as she does so well, McCombs brought the story to a satisfying conclusion.
Definitely worth the read, but this book is heavy, so I recommend taking your time and making sure you’re in the right headspace for it.
💫 I received an ARC from the author, but I wasn’t required to post a review. All these little ramblings are my own.
Definitely worth the read, but this book is heavy, so I recommend taking your time and making sure you’re in the right headspace for it.
💫 I received an ARC from the author, but I wasn’t required to post a review. All these little ramblings are my own.
March 9, 2025
I could not put this down. I have been a fan of Victoria’s writing for a little while now and this is the 2nd ARC I’ve read (the first was Rune and I loved that too!) I could not put this down. I read well into the night and many chores suffered for a couple of days - but it was so worth it! The story is interesting, unique, emotional and has so many layers. I loved the ancient Roman feel to the story and the complexity of the main characters. Highly recommended!
April 22, 2025
Thank you to Victoria for this digital ARC!
I’m not exactly sure how to feel about this book. There were elements that I really loved about it, but it took me a long time to get invested in the story and process what was happening. Part of that might be my fault, but I didn’t connect to the mythology aspect or the characters much. The premise was great, but I wish we had more clarity on who these gods were and what they did. I would’ve liked more explanation on Marsella’s powers, especially how that tied into the mythology. I kept getting characters confused, partly because I didn’t connect with them. I had difficulty differentiating when Marsella was the Rogue Secreto and when she wasn’t. I wish there was more character development in general. That being said, I appreciated the message and how the book wrapped up a lot. As the book progressed, especially toward the end, I became more invested in the storyline and figuring out how everything was going to wrap up. I wish that was focused on more. Secrets play a big role in this book, and I liked how it caused the characters to reflect and understand each other. The romance is a subplot, and I appreciated how it was written. I wish we saw more from it, but I understand why it was written the way it was. While this book left me wanting more, I do think many readers will appreciate and understand it better than I will. I did come off of reading a fast-paced fantasy so that may impact how I feel about this book. I’m excited to read more of Victoria’s books!
There was a kiss.
I’m not exactly sure how to feel about this book. There were elements that I really loved about it, but it took me a long time to get invested in the story and process what was happening. Part of that might be my fault, but I didn’t connect to the mythology aspect or the characters much. The premise was great, but I wish we had more clarity on who these gods were and what they did. I would’ve liked more explanation on Marsella’s powers, especially how that tied into the mythology. I kept getting characters confused, partly because I didn’t connect with them. I had difficulty differentiating when Marsella was the Rogue Secreto and when she wasn’t. I wish there was more character development in general. That being said, I appreciated the message and how the book wrapped up a lot. As the book progressed, especially toward the end, I became more invested in the storyline and figuring out how everything was going to wrap up. I wish that was focused on more. Secrets play a big role in this book, and I liked how it caused the characters to reflect and understand each other. The romance is a subplot, and I appreciated how it was written. I wish we saw more from it, but I understand why it was written the way it was. While this book left me wanting more, I do think many readers will appreciate and understand it better than I will. I did come off of reading a fast-paced fantasy so that may impact how I feel about this book. I’m excited to read more of Victoria’s books!
There was a kiss.
April 1, 2025
3.5*
-Single POV
-Roman inspired
-A unique dark fantasy
-Romance subplot
-A girl who can see secrets
-A boy trapped behind a wall of water
*I received an ARC from the author. Opinions are my own.
-Single POV
-Roman inspired
-A unique dark fantasy
-Romance subplot
-A girl who can see secrets
-A boy trapped behind a wall of water
*I received an ARC from the author. Opinions are my own.
April 21, 2025
While I'm not that into the idea of Roman Fantasy, this story kept me hooked the entire time. Marsella represents a good person who struggles, as the apostle Paul says, to not do what they don't want to do. While at times that darker side of this dark fantasy startled me, it wasn't so dark that there wasn't redemption or a good ending.
My only real let down was that at the end there seemed to be too many open-ended plot lines surrounding the Fortune Coins connection to the Tenebrae (I felt like by the way they were described there was a way to satisfy the tenebrae if it got them?), Cassia and Marsella's relationship, and some personality things about Atticus. But as I said, overall this was a thrilling read that speaks to the truth that greed mixed with power can corrupt even the most well-meaning of us.
Cws: kissing, injuries, some of the secrets stolen deal with immoral acts that may bother readers)
Synopsis: The emperor's daughter has a secret to hide: she can steal other people's secrets.
Initially an object of scorn, Marsella grows into power through the use of cunning and her gift as the Rogue Secreto, a stealer of secrets. While helping the emperor, her father, usher in a 'new-age of truth and justice' she stumbles upon a young man trapped in the forbidden woods. What's stranger? He seems to keep drawing her back...
As the story progresses, Marsella walks a fine line between tyrannical anarchy and strict justice as she helps clean out her beloved home of dark-hearted folk. But when helping her father steal a powerful treasure from the visiting empires turns into tragic accidents and vicious plots of greed, she must make an unthinkable choice.
My only real let down was that at the end there seemed to be too many open-ended plot lines surrounding the Fortune Coins connection to the Tenebrae (I felt like by the way they were described there was a way to satisfy the tenebrae if it got them?), Cassia and Marsella's relationship, and some personality things about Atticus. But as I said, overall this was a thrilling read that speaks to the truth that greed mixed with power can corrupt even the most well-meaning of us.
Cws: kissing, injuries, some of the secrets stolen deal with immoral acts that may bother readers)
Synopsis: The emperor's daughter has a secret to hide: she can steal other people's secrets.
Initially an object of scorn, Marsella grows into power through the use of cunning and her gift as the Rogue Secreto, a stealer of secrets. While helping the emperor, her father, usher in a 'new-age of truth and justice' she stumbles upon a young man trapped in the forbidden woods. What's stranger? He seems to keep drawing her back...
As the story progresses, Marsella walks a fine line between tyrannical anarchy and strict justice as she helps clean out her beloved home of dark-hearted folk. But when helping her father steal a powerful treasure from the visiting empires turns into tragic accidents and vicious plots of greed, she must make an unthinkable choice.
May 7, 2025
Quotes
“If we seek justice, let us call upon the one who sees truth.”
“You shouldn’t hold the weight alone . . . I can hold them,’ he said softly. ‘Tell me your darkest secrets, and I’ll carry them for you.”
“I never thought you were the destruction.”
“I’d be chasing a daydream, while he’d be living a nightmare.”
“I have chosen you, brave one, to lead the empire. Do what must be done to save it.”
Review
Of the seven out of eleven books that I’ve read from Victoria, this might be my new favorite. (And I feel like I say that every time, but it’s true). Somehow, even after reading so many of her books, her poetic style of writing gets me every time. It’s beautiful–the worlds she creates jump off of the page. And her pacing is always so good.
Even still, this book is so different from the previous ones that she’s written. It was heavier, playing with themes of darkness and destruction. But as the characters developed, and all hope seemed lost, and I truly couldn’t figure out how it was going to end, light shone through. The allegorical snuck up on me in such a beautiful way. And because I read this book in less than 48 hours, I was able to see how it was peppered throughout. It’s definitely a book that will get better and better with each read.
Please note: This e-ARC was gifted to me by the author, but this review is honest and entirely my own opinion.
“If we seek justice, let us call upon the one who sees truth.”
“You shouldn’t hold the weight alone . . . I can hold them,’ he said softly. ‘Tell me your darkest secrets, and I’ll carry them for you.”
“I never thought you were the destruction.”
“I’d be chasing a daydream, while he’d be living a nightmare.”
“I have chosen you, brave one, to lead the empire. Do what must be done to save it.”
Review
Of the seven out of eleven books that I’ve read from Victoria, this might be my new favorite. (And I feel like I say that every time, but it’s true). Somehow, even after reading so many of her books, her poetic style of writing gets me every time. It’s beautiful–the worlds she creates jump off of the page. And her pacing is always so good.
Even still, this book is so different from the previous ones that she’s written. It was heavier, playing with themes of darkness and destruction. But as the characters developed, and all hope seemed lost, and I truly couldn’t figure out how it was going to end, light shone through. The allegorical snuck up on me in such a beautiful way. And because I read this book in less than 48 hours, I was able to see how it was peppered throughout. It’s definitely a book that will get better and better with each read.
Please note: This e-ARC was gifted to me by the author, but this review is honest and entirely my own opinion.
May 15, 2025
this book single handly took me out of such a bad book slump. I was so immersed in this story & couldn't stop thinking about it! It is a "romantasy" in the sense that it is a "roman fantasy" - it's quite unique & I love how the story ends. Romance is a sub plot here & it is heavy on the fantasy.
May 1, 2025
Rogue Secreto is easily one of my new favs. If you like books set in the Roman empire you'll definitely love this one! The world building, the fmc are top notch
May 5, 2025
This book was beautifully written. This book sucks you in and loving the characters. It is a clean roman fantasy. That I would highly recommend.
May 23, 2025
Victoria McCombs has done it again. Taken a common setting, Ancient Rome, and written a unique fantasy story with more twists and turns than a catacomb.
Marsella, third daughter of the emperor, has a secret that could tear apart the empire. She’s Rogue Secreto who can read minds and ferret out the deepest thoughts a person would rather keep hidden.
I loved the tension between her personas, especially as she tried to keep the darkness she consumed as Rogue Secreto from wrecking her relationships with her family, her father in particular, as well as her fellow citizens. There’s a romantic subplot with a young man trapped behind a wall of water, and, I confess, I didn’t see where that was going to end up.
Themes of redemption and second chances are woven through, making the darker aspects of the story all the more fascinating.
I would’ve liked a little more character development and a deeper look at the mythology, including more background about the Fortune Coins, but the action keeps rolling and kept me turning the pages.
Marsella, third daughter of the emperor, has a secret that could tear apart the empire. She’s Rogue Secreto who can read minds and ferret out the deepest thoughts a person would rather keep hidden.
I loved the tension between her personas, especially as she tried to keep the darkness she consumed as Rogue Secreto from wrecking her relationships with her family, her father in particular, as well as her fellow citizens. There’s a romantic subplot with a young man trapped behind a wall of water, and, I confess, I didn’t see where that was going to end up.
Themes of redemption and second chances are woven through, making the darker aspects of the story all the more fascinating.
I would’ve liked a little more character development and a deeper look at the mythology, including more background about the Fortune Coins, but the action keeps rolling and kept me turning the pages.
September 24, 2026
This was a re-read, and I feel like it was even better this time!!! Victoria McCombs is my #1 favorite author, and this is my favorite book!!!!
Characters
Marsella- I don't know how she did it! All those secrets!!!!!
Cyrus- OH MY GOSH!!!! LOVEEEE!!!!!! Poor guy
Plot- It was SO good!!! I thought the double identity and secrets thing was really cool!!
Writing- The best- Ever
Content
Violence- Some gets forced to cut their own tongue out (not super descriptive but on page) Someone gets stabbed in the shoulder and another in the heart and dies
Language- One h word
Romance- Kisses only
Other- Someone is fighting against an evil power, and another accepting it
15+
Characters
Marsella- I don't know how she did it! All those secrets!!!!!
Cyrus- OH MY GOSH!!!! LOVEEEE!!!!!! Poor guy
Plot- It was SO good!!! I thought the double identity and secrets thing was really cool!!
Writing- The best- Ever
Content
Violence- Some gets forced to cut their own tongue out (not super descriptive but on page) Someone gets stabbed in the shoulder and another in the heart and dies
Language- One h word
Romance- Kisses only
Other- Someone is fighting against an evil power, and another accepting it
15+
May 5, 2025
Victoria McCombs writes fantasy books with such imaginative stories and vivid world-building. And this one is no exception! One thing I love about her books, no matter the sub-genre, is that I always get so lost in them. The stories are immersive, vibrant, and beautiful in their own ways.
Rogue Secreto is a Roman fantasy about Marsella, a girl who can read a person's darkest secrets with just one glance. Through most of the book, I felt passive toward Marcella because of what she chose to do with her ability. But if there was ever a time I felt sorry for her, it was when she relived the secrets of others as if she were them, in her nightmares.
This book is just a big question of good vs evil. So much of the characters' actions are in that morally grey area. Do they have good intentions? Most of them. Are they doing the right things with those good intentions? Not so much. Is the Emporer good for protecting his people? Is Rogue Secreto bad for stealing secrets? What the heck to think about Cyrus!? 🥴😄
If there's one thing I've learned about myself while reading McCombs' books, it's that all of my guesses for the ending will be wrong. 😂 She has some of the best twists in her books and I'm fully here for it.
I've loved all of her books. What's more to say? 💁🏻♀️
Rogue Secreto is a Roman fantasy about Marsella, a girl who can read a person's darkest secrets with just one glance. Through most of the book, I felt passive toward Marcella because of what she chose to do with her ability. But if there was ever a time I felt sorry for her, it was when she relived the secrets of others as if she were them, in her nightmares.
This book is just a big question of good vs evil. So much of the characters' actions are in that morally grey area. Do they have good intentions? Most of them. Are they doing the right things with those good intentions? Not so much. Is the Emporer good for protecting his people? Is Rogue Secreto bad for stealing secrets? What the heck to think about Cyrus!? 🥴😄
If there's one thing I've learned about myself while reading McCombs' books, it's that all of my guesses for the ending will be wrong. 😂 She has some of the best twists in her books and I'm fully here for it.
I've loved all of her books. What's more to say? 💁🏻♀️
November 15, 2025
This book was OK. I mean it was nothing special. It read like a similar slightly different version to one dark window except for replace the cards with coins and there were still a monster locked up so couldn’t help but correlate those two and the love story was pretty boring in my opinion. I mean there was some slight yearning but nothing really happened. I’m sure this is just first book and it could probably get better in the rest, but honestly not really sure if I’m that interested. But if you’ve never read the Shepherd king duology then this might actually be really good to you.
![Profile Image for Sara [semi ia].](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1789487238i/184595227._UY200_CR33,0,200,200_.jpg)
April 6, 2025
Ah that was so good!!!
—🥀—
I’ve never read a Roman based novel before
But thatttt!!???
Like..
It was really good :0
—🥀—
I always love any kind of girl character that Victoria creates but
She was
AWSOME!!
Please like
How?!!!
Every time we get such good FMC!!!!???
—🥀—
The romance was really mild which is always refreshing:>
Like we love just a little idk it’s just nice sometimes
Cause ALL THE TIME
It’s always so unrealistic?!
So claps for that :D
—🥀—
Rouge Secreto is definitely a book you should check out it’s
-
Such a good story spun by such a good storyteller definitely is one for the shelves
So excited to see what she comes up with next!
—🥀—
I’ve never read a Roman based novel before
But thatttt!!???
Like..
It was really good :0
—🥀—
I always love any kind of girl character that Victoria creates but
She was
AWSOME!!
Please like
How?!!!
Every time we get such good FMC!!!!???
—🥀—
The romance was really mild which is always refreshing:>
Like we love just a little idk it’s just nice sometimes
Cause ALL THE TIME
It’s always so unrealistic?!
So claps for that :D
—🥀—
Rouge Secreto is definitely a book you should check out it’s
-
Such a good story spun by such a good storyteller definitely is one for the shelves
So excited to see what she comes up with next!
May 24, 2025
“I didn’t know why I was so desperate to free him. It might have been because I pitied him, but I suspected my reasons were far more selfish. He told me the woods only let monsters in. I believed him. If I was right, then Cyrus was like me—touched by magic—and I wasn’t alone. If I freed him, it would be like freeing a part of myself.”
Synopsis: That quote is a good synopsis for part of this book. The Rogue Secreto can read the secrets of people’s mind. She gets hired by people to find things out about other people. Her father is the emperor and he hires her, but doesn’t know it’s her, because the Rogue Secreto hides behind a mask and a cloak.
Review: I truly loved this one! It would have been so easy to binge, but I was busy and when I read it, I wanted to make sure I had time to read a lot at once. It truly took me so long because I couldn’t devote the time needed to read it.
This book had a little side of romance, a lot of mystery, a lot of suspense, and thrills to be unraveled.
This one is set in the Roman Empire and I love books written in times before technology. They’re so immersive and easy to follow along with our characters. This story also has politics and the search for a suitable husband… it’s amazing how it has a slice of everything, while not feeling overwhelming.
Bravo to Victoria for writing such an amazing YA novel.
🔥 Spice: mild. PG. A kiss and touching hands.
Read if you enjoy:
🇻🇦 The Roman Empire
🥰 Watching someone fall in love
😈 One Dark Window’s villain
😱 A few twists and turns
Thank you, Victoria, for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. I truly loved this one! It is out now and available on Kindle Unlimited!
Connect with me on Instagram and TikTok!
Synopsis: That quote is a good synopsis for part of this book. The Rogue Secreto can read the secrets of people’s mind. She gets hired by people to find things out about other people. Her father is the emperor and he hires her, but doesn’t know it’s her, because the Rogue Secreto hides behind a mask and a cloak.
Review: I truly loved this one! It would have been so easy to binge, but I was busy and when I read it, I wanted to make sure I had time to read a lot at once. It truly took me so long because I couldn’t devote the time needed to read it.
This book had a little side of romance, a lot of mystery, a lot of suspense, and thrills to be unraveled.
This one is set in the Roman Empire and I love books written in times before technology. They’re so immersive and easy to follow along with our characters. This story also has politics and the search for a suitable husband… it’s amazing how it has a slice of everything, while not feeling overwhelming.
Bravo to Victoria for writing such an amazing YA novel.
🔥 Spice: mild. PG. A kiss and touching hands.
Read if you enjoy:
🇻🇦 The Roman Empire
🥰 Watching someone fall in love
😈 One Dark Window’s villain
😱 A few twists and turns
Thank you, Victoria, for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. I truly loved this one! It is out now and available on Kindle Unlimited!
Connect with me on Instagram and TikTok!
June 2, 2026
This is kind of hard to rate. I started the book thinking it'd be a 5 star. By the end, I thought maybe a 3. But now the day after, thinking about it has me rating it a 2.
It started SO well and I was completely captivated for the first third of the book. The protagonist was a good balance of morally questionable without being unlikable. Her gift was intriguing and what she was doing with it and how events were starting to unfold. The writing was compelling.
It started to lose me when it added romantasy elements and I think the book suffered for it. I love romance (one of my favourite things to read), but those parts were dull and underdeveloped. I didn't feel it at all and I think the story would have been more compelling if there weren't mutual feelings between two of the characters. The male character would have been more interesting
I think the overall plot would have ultimately played out better if that character was handled differently. (I also thought the book blurb was misleading in this regard as I thought that's what I'd be getting). But that plotline doesn't even wrap up anyway, so it really feels shoehorned in. But even so, if there was going to be a tacked on romance, that would have worked better.
By the last third, I just didn't care much anymore. Things are larger than life and dramatic, but I felt the book worked better when it kept it a bit smaller. There is so much thrown at you rapid-fire at the end (including worldbuilding that is an afterthought after the final events of the book). I felt very separated from the events and people. The story feels messier, the writing is not as tight, and it feels like it was rushed. Some of it isn't explained, and instead is "we don't know how this works" which feels like a bit of a cop-out. I think if it was kept smaller, the ideas that were there could have been explored more.
I also found it strange the timing of
And the whole reason behind being locked up in the first place didn't make a lot of sense.
And if this were the case, shouldn't it be something the people should know a bit about instead of being entirely ignorant of?
There are many things that aren't explained or don't make sense.
I didn't mean to go on this tangent of confusion, but as I'm writing the review, all these questions are popping up. In hindsight, I think maybe she was trying to shoehorn in a Christian allegory at the expense of stronger storytelling.
So overall, I ended up disappointed after how I devoured the beginning and am left increasingly frustrated the more I think about the story. But I appreciate the ambition. I'd consider trying another book by this author down the road though and hope it is more like the strong beginning this book had.
It started SO well and I was completely captivated for the first third of the book. The protagonist was a good balance of morally questionable without being unlikable. Her gift was intriguing and what she was doing with it and how events were starting to unfold. The writing was compelling.
It started to lose me when it added romantasy elements and I think the book suffered for it. I love romance (one of my favourite things to read), but those parts were dull and underdeveloped. I didn't feel it at all and I think the story would have been more compelling if there weren't mutual feelings between two of the characters. The male character would have been more interesting
I think the overall plot would have ultimately played out better if that character was handled differently. (I also thought the book blurb was misleading in this regard as I thought that's what I'd be getting). But that plotline doesn't even wrap up anyway, so it really feels shoehorned in. But even so, if there was going to be a tacked on romance, that would have worked better.
By the last third, I just didn't care much anymore. Things are larger than life and dramatic, but I felt the book worked better when it kept it a bit smaller. There is so much thrown at you rapid-fire at the end (including worldbuilding that is an afterthought after the final events of the book). I felt very separated from the events and people. The story feels messier, the writing is not as tight, and it feels like it was rushed. Some of it isn't explained, and instead is "we don't know how this works" which feels like a bit of a cop-out. I think if it was kept smaller, the ideas that were there could have been explored more.
I also found it strange the timing of
And the whole reason behind being locked up in the first place didn't make a lot of sense.
And if this were the case, shouldn't it be something the people should know a bit about instead of being entirely ignorant of?
There are many things that aren't explained or don't make sense.
I didn't mean to go on this tangent of confusion, but as I'm writing the review, all these questions are popping up. In hindsight, I think maybe she was trying to shoehorn in a Christian allegory at the expense of stronger storytelling.
So overall, I ended up disappointed after how I devoured the beginning and am left increasingly frustrated the more I think about the story. But I appreciate the ambition. I'd consider trying another book by this author down the road though and hope it is more like the strong beginning this book had.
May 27, 2025
A fast paced roman fantasy was never something I thought I'd ever read but I'm glad I did. The twists, secrets and climatic ending were unexpected and had me clutching my phone (ebook). The magic system was intriguing, and Marsella was an interesting character to follow along with. My only cons with this book were: an innuendo I would have personally left out and a few descriptions of wounds. Overall the story was unique and exciting with a good balance of dark vs. light themes. Due to it being a darker heavy read I wouldn't personally recommend for teens under 16 in my circle. But once they are older, this one is going in my recommend pile for older teens and adults😁
April 12, 2026
This book was amazing.
It kept me turning pages, the action throughout this book was great.
I loved the mystery side of it with Cyrus.
The aspect of her power, stealing secrets, was cool to read about. All the jobs we get to see her do are entertaining. Her trying to keep her identity a secret was a good way to add tension to the plot.
The setting of the book was great, I loved the world in here.
The end wasn’t what I expected but I enjoyed it.
5 Stars!!
It kept me turning pages, the action throughout this book was great.
I loved the mystery side of it with Cyrus.
The aspect of her power, stealing secrets, was cool to read about. All the jobs we get to see her do are entertaining. Her trying to keep her identity a secret was a good way to add tension to the plot.
The setting of the book was great, I loved the world in here.
The end wasn’t what I expected but I enjoyed it.
5 Stars!!
May 7, 2025
4.5
I liked Marsella’s character growth and redemptive arc. She went from blaming others for certain outcomes to taking responsibility. Then there was Cyrus who bore the darkness of others, including Marsella’s. She wanted to be someone who was kind after she met him, and he was able to share some of his burdens with her.
I liked the theme: people can be redeemed from their darkness.
I liked Marsella’s character growth and redemptive arc. She went from blaming others for certain outcomes to taking responsibility. Then there was Cyrus who bore the darkness of others, including Marsella’s. She wanted to be someone who was kind after she met him, and he was able to share some of his burdens with her.
I liked the theme: people can be redeemed from their darkness.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2026
Ehhhh I have too many issues with this book to feel like writing them in a review.
Specific criticisms aside, this is my overall impression after reading:
The story was dark, and it just never got light enough, even at the end. It made me feel blah. And that's just not how I want my books to make me feel.
Don't recommend.
Specific criticisms aside, this is my overall impression after reading:
The story was dark, and it just never got light enough, even at the end. It made me feel blah. And that's just not how I want my books to make me feel.
Don't recommend.
July 2, 2025
More fantasy than romance
Not my ideal ending
Liked the strangers to lovers(never read that trope before)
Reminded me of One Dark Window
Not my ideal ending
Liked the strangers to lovers(never read that trope before)
Reminded me of One Dark Window
December 6, 2025
"The world was not my burden to bear."
May 3, 2025
A YA Roman fantasy that doesn't focus on gladiator games.
"Every secret, every dark piece of knowledge I had. All of it unspooled like yarn, going to him. With each secret I told, the pressure lessened. And he held the darkness with me."
If you enjoy chaotic family dynamics, Rogue Secreto is the book for you. The FMC straddles two identities. First, she is the third born daughter to the emperor. Second, she disguises herself as the Rogue Secreto-someone able to see secrets with a glance. As a reader who THRIVES on the duel/hidden identity trope, Victoria hit every mark. I can't begin to imagine the challenge of having people love you as one persona and hate you as the other. There is also a deeply complex relationship between Marsella and her father that broke and healed me in equal measure.
There's an intense slow burn romance, and it wove beautifully into the other aspects of the plot: politics, family drama, and the obstacles that come with duel identities. Cyrus is a tragic love interest, and I have a soft spot for people like him. Life's dealt this boy a tough hand, but somehow he comes to accept his fate-as unfair and cruel as it is. I never knew if Marsella should fully trust him. I wanted Cyrus to be trustworthy so badly haha but I lived for the mystery that surrounded him. It made Cyrus such an intriguing love interest.
I've read 6 of Victoria's books, and each one has amazing themes. Rogue Secreto is no exception. Here, there's a focus on whether someone should be defined by their worst acts, or should there be some kind of redemption if that person accepts the consequences and strives to be better. Since Marsella sees a person's darkest secrets, she believes all people have varying degrees of darkness-no one is ever really capable of true goodness. However, Victoria does a great job of showing how people can choose to fight back against the darkness inside themselves, and when that happens, it can change not only a single life but the world.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rogue Secreto. If you like some mystery mixed with fantasy, lots of plot twists, and a heroine who experiences so much growth, this is a book you need on your 2025 TBR.
"Every secret, every dark piece of knowledge I had. All of it unspooled like yarn, going to him. With each secret I told, the pressure lessened. And he held the darkness with me."
If you enjoy chaotic family dynamics, Rogue Secreto is the book for you. The FMC straddles two identities. First, she is the third born daughter to the emperor. Second, she disguises herself as the Rogue Secreto-someone able to see secrets with a glance. As a reader who THRIVES on the duel/hidden identity trope, Victoria hit every mark. I can't begin to imagine the challenge of having people love you as one persona and hate you as the other. There is also a deeply complex relationship between Marsella and her father that broke and healed me in equal measure.
There's an intense slow burn romance, and it wove beautifully into the other aspects of the plot: politics, family drama, and the obstacles that come with duel identities. Cyrus is a tragic love interest, and I have a soft spot for people like him. Life's dealt this boy a tough hand, but somehow he comes to accept his fate-as unfair and cruel as it is. I never knew if Marsella should fully trust him. I wanted Cyrus to be trustworthy so badly haha but I lived for the mystery that surrounded him. It made Cyrus such an intriguing love interest.
I've read 6 of Victoria's books, and each one has amazing themes. Rogue Secreto is no exception. Here, there's a focus on whether someone should be defined by their worst acts, or should there be some kind of redemption if that person accepts the consequences and strives to be better. Since Marsella sees a person's darkest secrets, she believes all people have varying degrees of darkness-no one is ever really capable of true goodness. However, Victoria does a great job of showing how people can choose to fight back against the darkness inside themselves, and when that happens, it can change not only a single life but the world.
I thoroughly enjoyed Rogue Secreto. If you like some mystery mixed with fantasy, lots of plot twists, and a heroine who experiences so much growth, this is a book you need on your 2025 TBR.
December 27, 2025
‘He told me the woods only let monsters in. I believed him. If I was right, then Cyrus was like me—touched by magic—and I wasn’t alone. If I freed him, it would be like freeing a part of myself.’
This fast-paced fantasy has a touch of Ancient Rome, complete with togas, and it’s packed with intrigue, secrets, danger, romance, and subtle Christian themes. The twists kept me turning pages. It is a little darker and heavier than other books I’ve read by this author.
Marsella is “gifted” and loves her sisters. Her struggle with carrying the load of the secrets she reads was heartbreaking. Her path to realizing that giving one person too much power can be disastrous kept me riveted. I loved that she learned the importance of mercy and grace! Cyrus! What can I say about Cyrus that won’t spoil the story? He has a huge secret. When he offered to help her carry her load of secrets I might have melted to a puddle. I loved that Marsella cared about him enough to choose not to read his secret. The connection between Marsella and Cyrus was amazing and they were definitely tested and tried.
A few more quotes:
“I can hold them,” he said softly. “Tell me your darkest secrets, and I’ll carry them for you.”
“I wish you were out here with me always. You’ve no idea how much I need you.” “I will be here, day and night, for eternity. Whenever you need me, you have me.”
“Your role in this was just as important as his.” My teeth clenched like grating stones. “I am the bait to lure out the monster.” “And what obedient bait you have been.”
This fast-paced fantasy has a touch of Ancient Rome, complete with togas, and it’s packed with intrigue, secrets, danger, romance, and subtle Christian themes. The twists kept me turning pages. It is a little darker and heavier than other books I’ve read by this author.
Marsella is “gifted” and loves her sisters. Her struggle with carrying the load of the secrets she reads was heartbreaking. Her path to realizing that giving one person too much power can be disastrous kept me riveted. I loved that she learned the importance of mercy and grace! Cyrus! What can I say about Cyrus that won’t spoil the story? He has a huge secret. When he offered to help her carry her load of secrets I might have melted to a puddle. I loved that Marsella cared about him enough to choose not to read his secret. The connection between Marsella and Cyrus was amazing and they were definitely tested and tried.
A few more quotes:
“I can hold them,” he said softly. “Tell me your darkest secrets, and I’ll carry them for you.”
“I wish you were out here with me always. You’ve no idea how much I need you.” “I will be here, day and night, for eternity. Whenever you need me, you have me.”
“Your role in this was just as important as his.” My teeth clenched like grating stones. “I am the bait to lure out the monster.” “And what obedient bait you have been.”
May 12, 2025
Full of intrigue, treachery, and secrets (so many secrets), this dark romantasy was everything I was hoping for and so much more! Victoria McCombs is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her books never disappoint, and Rogue Secreto was another winner. I absolutely loved it! It is darker than her previous books, but it still had moments of hope and light, which I really appreciated.
Marsella was a complex character. Being able to see other people's secrets had its advantages, but its drawbacks too, as did her hidden identity. Even though she made some poor decisions along the way, ones that I didn't always agree with, she was still very likable.
I was very intrigued by Cyrus. Why was he trapped? Could he be freed? Was he good or bad? I had so many questions and was very eager to learn more about him.
I thought the Fortune Coins were very interesting. I was very intrigued by what they could do and the power that they held.
This was an incredibly compelling story. I didn't want it to end. I thought the pacing was perfect. I was always eager to get back to it when I had to set it aside. I liked the Ancient Rome setting and thought the worldbuilding was great. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark fantasy! I can't wait for McCombs' next book!
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
Marsella was a complex character. Being able to see other people's secrets had its advantages, but its drawbacks too, as did her hidden identity. Even though she made some poor decisions along the way, ones that I didn't always agree with, she was still very likable.
I was very intrigued by Cyrus. Why was he trapped? Could he be freed? Was he good or bad? I had so many questions and was very eager to learn more about him.
I thought the Fortune Coins were very interesting. I was very intrigued by what they could do and the power that they held.
This was an incredibly compelling story. I didn't want it to end. I thought the pacing was perfect. I was always eager to get back to it when I had to set it aside. I liked the Ancient Rome setting and thought the worldbuilding was great. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys dark fantasy! I can't wait for McCombs' next book!
I received a copy of this book and voluntarily reviewed it. All thoughts and comments are my honest opinion.
April 28, 2025
I really enjoyed this immersive dive into a world that was based on the Roman Empire. When I first saw this book announced, I was immediately intrigued by the premise of a girl who could steal someone’s deepest secrets with just one glance, but was drawn to a boy trapped behind a wall of water making it impossible for her to discover his secrets.
This book does have a little bit of a darker tone, which is honestly to be expected when you’re in the secret stealing business. I would say that anyone over sixteen could read it no problem, but any younger than that I would definitely preview it first especially because everyone handles and processes things differently.
I thought that Marsella was a strong character and the way her drive shifted over the course of the story was very interesting. I really liked the way that her worldview changed, as well as how the moral dilemma she faced during the course of the story caused me to think about how I might handle things if I was in her shoes. It’s so easy to be drawn into seeing only the dark and evil things in this world, and I loved the ultimate message of choosing to see the beautiful things as well as the bad things, as well as the point that not we cannot be judged solely by our pasts.
A side note on the religion in the novel: The main empire worships a being that speaks through fire and through the priests, possibly this could be a representation of God, but I didn’t think so. It is mentioned that another empire worships a darker being but there is not really an explanation of what that looks like. While this clean fantasy certainly had some darker content (SLIGHT SPOILER: a dark shadow monster who wants to devour all the evil it sees) it was also a good reminder of the beautiful things that grow in darkness and shadows
All of that to say, it gave me a lot to think about and I’ll probably be purchasing a physical copy in the future.
This book does have a little bit of a darker tone, which is honestly to be expected when you’re in the secret stealing business. I would say that anyone over sixteen could read it no problem, but any younger than that I would definitely preview it first especially because everyone handles and processes things differently.
I thought that Marsella was a strong character and the way her drive shifted over the course of the story was very interesting. I really liked the way that her worldview changed, as well as how the moral dilemma she faced during the course of the story caused me to think about how I might handle things if I was in her shoes. It’s so easy to be drawn into seeing only the dark and evil things in this world, and I loved the ultimate message of choosing to see the beautiful things as well as the bad things, as well as the point that not we cannot be judged solely by our pasts.
A side note on the religion in the novel: The main empire worships a being that speaks through fire and through the priests, possibly this could be a representation of God, but I didn’t think so. It is mentioned that another empire worships a darker being but there is not really an explanation of what that looks like. While this clean fantasy certainly had some darker content (SLIGHT SPOILER: a dark shadow monster who wants to devour all the evil it sees) it was also a good reminder of the beautiful things that grow in darkness and shadows
All of that to say, it gave me a lot to think about and I’ll probably be purchasing a physical copy in the future.
August 14, 2026
2.4 stars~
This book was a strong 4 or 5 star story up until the VERY end... The ending was just...not good, honestly. It was rushed and confusing. There were so many unanswered questions, so many things that made no sense.
MILD SPOILERS AHEAD:
Firstly, I wish the darkness would have been permanently defeated in the end. I wasn't a fan of the continuous, eternal spiral of the Tenebrae. I wanted the characters to rise above their circumstances and DEFEAT that darkness forever.
Secondly, I wish there would have been more romance between Marsella and Cyrus on those final pages. Marsella seemed so cold towards him, for no reason, there at the end. He didn't deserve that from her. The "smile" they gave each other on the last page just wasn't enough for me. I wanted to know that they live happily-ever-after with each other.
Thirdly, I didn't like the way Atticus was handled in the end. I was hoping he would be redeemed and the darkness, itself, would be defeated permanently.
Lastly, there were some loose threads that I wish would have been explained. Did Cassia ever forgive her sister? I hope so.
All in all, this book was, mostly, enjoyable and entertaining. It wasn't until those final pages that the story kind of fell apart and disappointed me for various reasons.
This book was a strong 4 or 5 star story up until the VERY end... The ending was just...not good, honestly. It was rushed and confusing. There were so many unanswered questions, so many things that made no sense.
MILD SPOILERS AHEAD:
Firstly, I wish the darkness would have been permanently defeated in the end. I wasn't a fan of the continuous, eternal spiral of the Tenebrae. I wanted the characters to rise above their circumstances and DEFEAT that darkness forever.
Secondly, I wish there would have been more romance between Marsella and Cyrus on those final pages. Marsella seemed so cold towards him, for no reason, there at the end. He didn't deserve that from her. The "smile" they gave each other on the last page just wasn't enough for me. I wanted to know that they live happily-ever-after with each other.
Thirdly, I didn't like the way Atticus was handled in the end. I was hoping he would be redeemed and the darkness, itself, would be defeated permanently.
Lastly, there were some loose threads that I wish would have been explained. Did Cassia ever forgive her sister? I hope so.
All in all, this book was, mostly, enjoyable and entertaining. It wasn't until those final pages that the story kind of fell apart and disappointed me for various reasons.
Read
May 4, 2025One thing that I've been finding with indie books is that they are some of the most unique stories I have ever read! It just makes my love for indie authors grow so much more every time, and Rogue Secreto is no different.
This one throws you into a world inspired by ancient Rome, with a girl blessed with the first magic in decades and a boy trapped in a cage for eternity. Their story is wrapped in secrets and darkness, and the plot twists that those caused caught me off guard every time. The magical elements reminded me a bit of One Dark Window too, and I was immediately thrilled about that!
I'm not sure I was part of the intended audience for Rogue Secreto; that is the main reason I'm not giving it a star rating. However, it was still such a fun read and something I would definitely recommend to older teens!! Thank you so much to Victoria for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
You'll like this if you like:
📖 ancient Rome
📖 forbidden romance (subplot)
📖 secret identities
📖 YA fantasy
✨TW: this book contains topics of death/murder, violence, and betrayal.
This one throws you into a world inspired by ancient Rome, with a girl blessed with the first magic in decades and a boy trapped in a cage for eternity. Their story is wrapped in secrets and darkness, and the plot twists that those caused caught me off guard every time. The magical elements reminded me a bit of One Dark Window too, and I was immediately thrilled about that!
I'm not sure I was part of the intended audience for Rogue Secreto; that is the main reason I'm not giving it a star rating. However, it was still such a fun read and something I would definitely recommend to older teens!! Thank you so much to Victoria for sending me a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!
You'll like this if you like:
📖 ancient Rome
📖 forbidden romance (subplot)
📖 secret identities
📖 YA fantasy
✨TW: this book contains topics of death/murder, violence, and betrayal.
September 1, 2025
Oops, just realized I never actually wrote my review. It's been a while now since I read Rogue Secreto, so this review will be sparse
The magic systems of Marsella being able to read people's secrets and the Fortune Coins were pretty fun. I will say though, the names of the Fortune Coins felt a little too medieval/English for a Roman-inspired setting. I also had a little bit of a struggle with the suspension of disbelief with all of Marsella's sneaking around, and whether the daughter of the emperor would really be able to get away with that much.
Overall, Rogue Secreto is a book with a unique premise, but it just didn't quite click with me.
Cautions: light/moderate romance; one kiss; one scene where a character accepts unwanted advances while under the influence of magic; brief, non-graphic moderate/heavy violence; two instances of a swear word used for its original meaning; one instance of swearing
(I received an eARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
The magic systems of Marsella being able to read people's secrets and the Fortune Coins were pretty fun. I will say though, the names of the Fortune Coins felt a little too medieval/English for a Roman-inspired setting. I also had a little bit of a struggle with the suspension of disbelief with all of Marsella's sneaking around, and whether the daughter of the emperor would really be able to get away with that much.
Overall, Rogue Secreto is a book with a unique premise, but it just didn't quite click with me.
Cautions: light/moderate romance; one kiss; one scene where a character accepts unwanted advances while under the influence of magic; brief, non-graphic moderate/heavy violence; two instances of a swear word used for its original meaning; one instance of swearing
(I received an eARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
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