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The Chained Prince: A Dark Fae Romantasy Novel
The chained prince haunting her dreams isn’t a nightmare.
He’s real—and fate won’t let either of them go.
Fae mage Araya Starwind has survived the New Dominion’s brutal rule by keeping her head down and her magic leashed. To stay safe, she binds herself to a powerful human mage—Jaxon Shaw—whose protection comes at a steep and controlling cost.
But when the fae male from her dreams turns out to be the missing prince, Araya is drawn into a conflict she never asked for—and a connection she can’t escape.
Now, she’s caught between two impossible obey the laws that keep her caged, or risk everything for a freedom she never believed in.
A dark fae romantasy full of forbidden magic, twisted loyalties, and slow-burning tension. Perfect for fans of ACOTAR, The Prison Healer, and From Blood and Ash.
He’s real—and fate won’t let either of them go.
Fae mage Araya Starwind has survived the New Dominion’s brutal rule by keeping her head down and her magic leashed. To stay safe, she binds herself to a powerful human mage—Jaxon Shaw—whose protection comes at a steep and controlling cost.
But when the fae male from her dreams turns out to be the missing prince, Araya is drawn into a conflict she never asked for—and a connection she can’t escape.
Now, she’s caught between two impossible obey the laws that keep her caged, or risk everything for a freedom she never believed in.
A dark fae romantasy full of forbidden magic, twisted loyalties, and slow-burning tension. Perfect for fans of ACOTAR, The Prison Healer, and From Blood and Ash.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 3, 2025
106 people are currently reading
1265 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 176 reviews
January 13, 2026
4.5⭐️
“ In another life, he would have sought her out.He would have knelt at her feet and offered her every piece of himself—his heart, his magic, his name. Everything he had would have been hers.”
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💙Fated mates
⚔️ slow burn
💙 sharing dreams
⚔️ male yearning
💙 he falls first and hard
⚔️ she doesn’t know a bout mates
💙 extremely tortured MMC
⚔️ she tends his wounds
💙 forbidden romance
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
𝗡𝗗𝗔-𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗘𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 2:30
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
Let me start was saying that I knew that I would like this book but I was weary because I thought it was a love triangle and I rarely love those like I usually avoid them but this is not a love triangle or in my opinion at least. I won’t go into details with this because I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who is reading this review. So if this was holding you back to from picking this book please don’t pick it right now!!
I couldn’t put this book down I finished it so fast and it’s been sometime since I binged a book like this!! And once I finished it I started the next book in the series.
The MMC was so sweet and went through so much. He was chained in prison for 25 years !!! And when you get to his inner monologue and his thoughts about the FMC OMG he is so precious.
The FMC was kinda annoying me because everyone was warning her and everything but at the same time I get her and that she was everything to survive
The side characters were fun and I adored Sarafina
We are not talking about that Jaxon absolutely not
All in all I loved the book and I absolutely recommend it
“ In another life, he would have sought her out.He would have knelt at her feet and offered her every piece of himself—his heart, his magic, his name. Everything he had would have been hers.”
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
💙Fated mates
⚔️ slow burn
💙 sharing dreams
⚔️ male yearning
💙 he falls first and hard
⚔️ she doesn’t know a bout mates
💙 extremely tortured MMC
⚔️ she tends his wounds
💙 forbidden romance
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
𝗡𝗗𝗔-𝗕𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲 𝗘𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵
↻ ◁ || ▷ ↺ 2:30
. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁. . ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁ ⟡ ݁ . ⊹ ₊ ݁.
Let me start was saying that I knew that I would like this book but I was weary because I thought it was a love triangle and I rarely love those like I usually avoid them but this is not a love triangle or in my opinion at least. I won’t go into details with this because I don’t want to spoil anything for anyone who is reading this review. So if this was holding you back to from picking this book please don’t pick it right now!!
I couldn’t put this book down I finished it so fast and it’s been sometime since I binged a book like this!! And once I finished it I started the next book in the series.
The MMC was so sweet and went through so much. He was chained in prison for 25 years !!! And when you get to his inner monologue and his thoughts about the FMC OMG he is so precious.
The FMC was kinda annoying me because everyone was warning her and everything but at the same time I get her and that she was everything to survive
The side characters were fun and I adored Sarafina
We are not talking about that Jaxon absolutely not
All in all I loved the book and I absolutely recommend it
June 5, 2025
YOU NEED THIS!!
This book absolutely blew me away! How was this a debut novel?
The authors writing manages to pull you in from the very beginning and you won’t want to put it down. I am completely speechless at the fact this is the author’s first book. This book was so good!
Our setting is in the time of the New Dominion, where human mages rule and have learned how to use fae magic to oppress them. Fae women at the time of their cycle are sent off to become breeders unless they were lucky enough to be picked to bond to a human mage and used for their body and power. Which is the lesser of two evils when your back is forced in a corner?
We follow Araya, our fae FMC, who has decided that a bond is the better and safer option. Especially when she was asked to bond to Jaxon, who she has known and had feelings for, for many years. However, if she is bonded to Jaxon why does she keep dreaming of another man? Who is he and why does she keep seeing him?
What to expect
⭐️Human vs Fae
⭐️Slow-Burn
⭐️Forced Proximity
⭐️Shadow Magic
⭐️Forbidden Magic
⭐️Obsessive Villain
⭐️Tension
⭐️Touch her and ☠️
Becca Calder is a genius finding a new way to spin a fae Romantasy that felt like a breath of fresh air. Not only was this an amazing Romantasy but she found a way to bring a light to dark underlying themes and topics. Abusive relationships, oppression, manipulation, I mean I am just completely speechless with this authors writing. How she managed to take these dark topics and spin them the way she did in this book is absolutely mind blowing. I need the second one in my hands asap! I need everything this author writes! Highly recommend!
This book absolutely blew me away! How was this a debut novel?
The authors writing manages to pull you in from the very beginning and you won’t want to put it down. I am completely speechless at the fact this is the author’s first book. This book was so good!
Our setting is in the time of the New Dominion, where human mages rule and have learned how to use fae magic to oppress them. Fae women at the time of their cycle are sent off to become breeders unless they were lucky enough to be picked to bond to a human mage and used for their body and power. Which is the lesser of two evils when your back is forced in a corner?
We follow Araya, our fae FMC, who has decided that a bond is the better and safer option. Especially when she was asked to bond to Jaxon, who she has known and had feelings for, for many years. However, if she is bonded to Jaxon why does she keep dreaming of another man? Who is he and why does she keep seeing him?
What to expect
⭐️Human vs Fae
⭐️Slow-Burn
⭐️Forced Proximity
⭐️Shadow Magic
⭐️Forbidden Magic
⭐️Obsessive Villain
⭐️Tension
⭐️Touch her and ☠️
Becca Calder is a genius finding a new way to spin a fae Romantasy that felt like a breath of fresh air. Not only was this an amazing Romantasy but she found a way to bring a light to dark underlying themes and topics. Abusive relationships, oppression, manipulation, I mean I am just completely speechless with this authors writing. How she managed to take these dark topics and spin them the way she did in this book is absolutely mind blowing. I need the second one in my hands asap! I need everything this author writes! Highly recommend!
May 9, 2025
I absolutely love this book. The plot is really good and the way everything is written makes you want to devour the book.
What they do to the fae people is so awful and I can’t wait to see how everything is going to end.
I hate how Jaxon manipulated Araya when she was only trying to survive the life that the Arcanum bring on the fae and I hope Loren will fight his demons because he deserves the world for everything that happen to him!
Thank Book Sirens and Becca for this ARC and I can’t wait for the second book to come out.
What they do to the fae people is so awful and I can’t wait to see how everything is going to end.
I hate how Jaxon manipulated Araya when she was only trying to survive the life that the Arcanum bring on the fae and I hope Loren will fight his demons because he deserves the world for everything that happen to him!
Thank Book Sirens and Becca for this ARC and I can’t wait for the second book to come out.
July 14, 2025
“Had (he) really saved her— or had she simply stepped into the only cage that had been left open?”
“The Chained Prince,” by Becca Calder
I really loved this story. The plot was seriously so good. The women are used for reproduction which was horrible and there is slave dynamics. I loved the tension in the romance aspect and the growth of the FMC figuring out which person to be with and who is good for her. I loved the shadow daddy magic, that character was the best and I can’t wait to read more about him in book 2. I just loved the dark themes with the magic system in this book so much. 5 out of 5 stars.
-Mages
-Multiple possible romance partners
-Shadow Daddy
-Fae
Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.
“…if she gave enough of herself there would be nothing left to regret.”
“The Chained Prince,” by Becca Calder
I really loved this story. The plot was seriously so good. The women are used for reproduction which was horrible and there is slave dynamics. I loved the tension in the romance aspect and the growth of the FMC figuring out which person to be with and who is good for her. I loved the shadow daddy magic, that character was the best and I can’t wait to read more about him in book 2. I just loved the dark themes with the magic system in this book so much. 5 out of 5 stars.
-Mages
-Multiple possible romance partners
-Shadow Daddy
-Fae
Thank you for the ARC, Netgalley.
“…if she gave enough of herself there would be nothing left to regret.”
May 10, 2025
I'm normally not a big fantasy reader but something about this book drew me in. I think I felt every emotion possible during this book.
Araya our FMC is a fae who is oppressed by human mages. I felt sad for the childhood she had to endure, happy that she found love, disappointed that she was so naïf,… in the beginning I was happy for Jaxon but the more his character developed the more I started to hate him. And then there is Loren, yes I'm mad at him for keeping wallowing in guilt, I was screaming at him "what's done is done, change the future!" But he just wasn't listening to me 🙊
I loved the mystery in this book and due to the cliffhanger a lot of the mystery will remain until the rest of the series comes out! I can't wait for the next book to get out, I'm so invested in the journey of Araya 😍
Araya our FMC is a fae who is oppressed by human mages. I felt sad for the childhood she had to endure, happy that she found love, disappointed that she was so naïf,… in the beginning I was happy for Jaxon but the more his character developed the more I started to hate him. And then there is Loren, yes I'm mad at him for keeping wallowing in guilt, I was screaming at him "what's done is done, change the future!" But he just wasn't listening to me 🙊
I loved the mystery in this book and due to the cliffhanger a lot of the mystery will remain until the rest of the series comes out! I can't wait for the next book to get out, I'm so invested in the journey of Araya 😍
October 31, 2025
**Full review on my blog: The Swoon Collection**
Great start, the ending not so much
OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐ It Was Okay
The premise was so intriguing — the fact that they were fated mates, and they first met in dreams? Wow. I thought the story would be about a rescue mission, and together, they would work to liberate their people from human oppression. I thought that at least if they are fated mates, then they would do everything to be together and save each other, right?
If that’s what you’re expecting with this book, you’d be as disappointed as I am.
The prologue? Captivating. I was sooo excited because my last read was a DNF, and I wanted something to wake me up from this slump. I thought this book was it. The start was great; I devoured the whole first quarter of the book because I wanted to get to the part when they would meet. Their first meeting? Devastating. But after that, it became clear where Araya’s loyalty lay, and the story just went downhill from there for me.
Araya had my sympathy at first because she was just trying to survive. I understood that she didn’t really have a lot of options, so she clung to the one she felt most comfortable with. What frustrated me to no end was her misplaced loyalty. Her choices were selfish, with no real consideration for her people, and she kept giving excuses for her abuser. I wouldn't call her a strong or independent heroine at all.
Loren wasn’t any better. I hurt for him at first, because he’d been in chains for the past 25 years, tortured by thoughts of what happened to his people, his loved ones, and the fact that he found his mate while he was powerless to do anything about it. He felt guilty and pushed his mate away, thinking she'd be safer that way, which was noble, but by the end of the book, I was tugging my hair in frustration. At least he had a clear view of the Arcanum, though, and he was still loyal to his people, unlike Araya.
I needed both of the main characters to shake off their defeatist attitudes yesterday. The only character I loved was Serafina. She’s the type of heroine I love in books — with backbone and not afraid to give real talk to her best friend.
Did I laugh? No.
Did I cry? No. I got teary-eyed from the Prologue, but that was it.
SWOON SCORE: 🦋🦋 One Sigh, No Replay
Loren did say and think some slightly swoon-worthy thoughts about Araya.
The best thing he could do—for both of them—was forget she ever existed.
I loved how feral he got when Araya was hurt or in trouble. He definitely did “who did this to you?” well.
STEAM LEVEL: 🌸 No Spice
Slow burn is for real in this book. Nothing had happened yet between Loren and Araya. I can't even say that the attraction between them was simmering. There were brief, on-page scenes between Araya and Jaxon, though.
Do I recommend this? I did not love the story and will not be reading the next book, but don't let my review stop you. This didn't work for me, but you may have different thoughts altogether.
~Thank you to the author and BookSirens for giving me an ARC of this book. This is my honest review, and I'm leaving it voluntarily.~
Great start, the ending not so much
OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐ It Was Okay
The premise was so intriguing — the fact that they were fated mates, and they first met in dreams? Wow. I thought the story would be about a rescue mission, and together, they would work to liberate their people from human oppression. I thought that at least if they are fated mates, then they would do everything to be together and save each other, right?
If that’s what you’re expecting with this book, you’d be as disappointed as I am.
The prologue? Captivating. I was sooo excited because my last read was a DNF, and I wanted something to wake me up from this slump. I thought this book was it. The start was great; I devoured the whole first quarter of the book because I wanted to get to the part when they would meet. Their first meeting? Devastating. But after that, it became clear where Araya’s loyalty lay, and the story just went downhill from there for me.
Araya had my sympathy at first because she was just trying to survive. I understood that she didn’t really have a lot of options, so she clung to the one she felt most comfortable with. What frustrated me to no end was her misplaced loyalty. Her choices were selfish, with no real consideration for her people, and she kept giving excuses for her abuser. I wouldn't call her a strong or independent heroine at all.
Humans lie. Especially when they want something.
But this was Jaxon. Her Jaxon.
Loren wasn’t any better. I hurt for him at first, because he’d been in chains for the past 25 years, tortured by thoughts of what happened to his people, his loved ones, and the fact that he found his mate while he was powerless to do anything about it. He felt guilty and pushed his mate away, thinking she'd be safer that way, which was noble, but by the end of the book, I was tugging my hair in frustration. At least he had a clear view of the Arcanum, though, and he was still loyal to his people, unlike Araya.
“Nothing the Arcanum does will ever be good for my people, no matter what they promise. I could never sell my people out for a little comfort.”
I needed both of the main characters to shake off their defeatist attitudes yesterday. The only character I loved was Serafina. She’s the type of heroine I love in books — with backbone and not afraid to give real talk to her best friend.
“Because I’m not bound to them the way you are, Araya.” Serafina’s voice softened, but the words were no less sharp. “I don’t have to wonder who I am when I look in the mirror. Can you say the same?”
Did I laugh? No.
Did I cry? No. I got teary-eyed from the Prologue, but that was it.
SWOON SCORE: 🦋🦋 One Sigh, No Replay
Loren did say and think some slightly swoon-worthy thoughts about Araya.
The absent Goddess was cruel, to dangle her before him now. In another life, he would have sought her out and courted her. He would have knelt at her feet and offered her every piece of himself—his heart, his magic, his name. Everything he had would have been hers.But in this life? He could never acknowledge her. Could never admit her existence. Not even if the power she granted him was enough to tip the balance. Because if the Arcanum ever learned he had a mate…
The best thing he could do—for both of them—was forget she ever existed.
I loved how feral he got when Araya was hurt or in trouble. He definitely did “who did this to you?” well.
STEAM LEVEL: 🌸 No Spice
Slow burn is for real in this book. Nothing had happened yet between Loren and Araya. I can't even say that the attraction between them was simmering. There were brief, on-page scenes between Araya and Jaxon, though.
Do I recommend this? I did not love the story and will not be reading the next book, but don't let my review stop you. This didn't work for me, but you may have different thoughts altogether.
~Thank you to the author and BookSirens for giving me an ARC of this book. This is my honest review, and I'm leaving it voluntarily.~
November 2, 2025
I was lucky enough to get the arc and I absolutely loved it the plot the characters this is a really good romantasy I love the love interest but I do not like Jaxon he really gets under my skin with the way he treats the MFC araya the start of the book was good then it slacked a little in the middle but from 70% and up it was action packed hence the reason I adjusted my rating I would recommend this and I cannot wait for book 2.
This is a reread for me and again I tested it 4 stars I did this reread because I’ve got the arc for book 2 and I want to dive right into it love this series so far loving the plot and I can now go into book 2 with out wondering who is who or what is going on
This is a reread for me and again I tested it 4 stars I did this reread because I’ve got the arc for book 2 and I want to dive right into it love this series so far loving the plot and I can now go into book 2 with out wondering who is who or what is going on
June 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I want to start off by thanking NetGalley and the author for offering me the ARC for an honest review. To be honest, I wasn’t sure when I read the description how this novel was going to be any different than all the other fae, bonded-mates, etc books out there, but this book was SO good! I appreciate that the author was able to offer up a story that we haven’t necessarily seen before using elements that are so popular. In short, there’s an ongoing battle between human mages and the fae. The mages use fae blood, bones, and their aether to strengthen their own powers. Our MFC Arya was captured as a child, had her ears clipped, and a sigil was tattooed on her hand to severely limit her power, just like all the other fae she knows. Once fae females reach “maturity” they’re often bonded/sold to mages to bear them a child. Think Handmaids Tale meets ACOTAR. Arya’s long-lost teenage love, Jaxon, returns from war and offers her a bond she can’t refuse. Her excitement to be bonded to someone so powerful who can keep her safe and who she loves quickly evaporates. Jaxon pulls Arya into his secret project which involves a the fae prince who has been locked in a deep dark dungeon being tortured and barely kept alive for the past 25years… and it just so happens it’s the same fae male Araya thought was just a fake person she saw in her dreams. OOF. Trying to please her husband to not lose the one thing keeping her safe, Araya pushes herself beyond her limits. Jaxon is beyond manipulative, abusive, and cruel. All in all, I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the second book!!
I want to start off by thanking NetGalley and the author for offering me the ARC for an honest review. To be honest, I wasn’t sure when I read the description how this novel was going to be any different than all the other fae, bonded-mates, etc books out there, but this book was SO good! I appreciate that the author was able to offer up a story that we haven’t necessarily seen before using elements that are so popular. In short, there’s an ongoing battle between human mages and the fae. The mages use fae blood, bones, and their aether to strengthen their own powers. Our MFC Arya was captured as a child, had her ears clipped, and a sigil was tattooed on her hand to severely limit her power, just like all the other fae she knows. Once fae females reach “maturity” they’re often bonded/sold to mages to bear them a child. Think Handmaids Tale meets ACOTAR. Arya’s long-lost teenage love, Jaxon, returns from war and offers her a bond she can’t refuse. Her excitement to be bonded to someone so powerful who can keep her safe and who she loves quickly evaporates. Jaxon pulls Arya into his secret project which involves a the fae prince who has been locked in a deep dark dungeon being tortured and barely kept alive for the past 25years… and it just so happens it’s the same fae male Araya thought was just a fake person she saw in her dreams. OOF. Trying to please her husband to not lose the one thing keeping her safe, Araya pushes herself beyond her limits. Jaxon is beyond manipulative, abusive, and cruel. All in all, I hope we don’t have to wait too long for the second book!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2025
Thank you to Becca Calder for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 5 stars.
Genre(s): dark fantasy romance.
Overall impression: The Chained Prince had me in a chokehold until the last page. It was dark, bloody and gruesome but executed perfectly. I felt so much empathy towards the fae that suffered at the hands of the power-hungry human mages with no chance of escape. The main characters were no exception, both being abused by the same tormentor and having to rely on each other mentally to survive. The tone of the book was really bleak until the last 1/4, when the pace ramped up and a lot of moving parts came together to offer some hope. There were lots of twists and turns and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book when it's released!
Tropes:
➵ Heroine with forbidden magic
➵ Bound to the villain
➵ Morally black characters
➵ Tortured brooding hero
➵ Hidden identity
➵ Complex love triangle
➵ Dreams about another man
➵ Fated mates
➵ Forbidden romance
➵ Forced proximity
➵ Shadow daddy
➵ Enemies-to-?
➵ Touch her and 💀
➵ Slow-burn romance
➵ Humans vs Fae
➵ Fantasy war brewing
➵ Ends on a cliffhanger
⤷ Plot:
The setting of the story was really dark. The fae were under the control of mage humans that had learned how to strip and manipulate fae power to oppress them. It was particularly bad for women who had the choice to either bind themselves to a single human mage and lose their rights to them, or be used as a breeder for the next generation of magic wielders. This bleak overtone lasted for most of the book and it was particularly difficult to see Araya in such an abusive and toxic relationship, which she deemed to be the lesser of two evils. It wasn't until the last 1/4 of the book where the plot picked up and wasn't so dreary. Though it ended at a very uneasy spot and you didn't really know where any of the characters stood or what would happen to them next.
⤷ Characters:
Araya was a victim of abuse for most of the book and because of the world dynamics, she was unable to fight back or hope for a better fate. I had a lot of empathy for her and was hoping her fated mate would find a way to free them both from their prison. I could understand why she resisted her mate once she gained an ounce of freedom and finally had a choice but it was still heartbreaking to read because I just want the characters to have a HEA. Neither Araya or Loren went through much character development during the first book but I hope they both grow and get to experience some happiness in the next book.
Loren played a pretty dormant role for most of the book - being locked in the prison and unable to access his magic. He was tortured and abused, and had pretty much given up by the time he met his fated mate. He had a lot of demons and trauma to navigate by the end of the book, and I hope he gets a chance to work through them with Araya as the series progresses.
Jaxon was one of the most insufferable characters I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. He enjoyed torturing people that couldn't fight back and threw his rank around to get whatever he wanted. I hope he suffers.
⤷ World-building:
The world was a really grim place and I definitely wouldn't want to actually live in it. But I loved how detailed the descriptions of the village and castle were, contrasting the fae living in poverty to the oppressive human mages living in luxury. The magic system was also really interesting - where human mages could manipulate a fae's power using bones and magic. I'm excited to learn more about Araya's powers as they develop later in the series.
⤷ Writing:
I really liked the way the story was written. It had a really good flow and I could easily read it for long periods of time and binge it in a few sittings. It helped that there was the perfect balance between fantasy world-building/plot and dark romance.
Statistics:
➵ Date read: 03/05/2025-05/05/2025 (3 days).
➵ Page count: 378.
➵ Type: e-book.
➵ Volume: series.
➵ Special: direct from author ARC.
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Rating: 5 stars.
Genre(s): dark fantasy romance.
Overall impression: The Chained Prince had me in a chokehold until the last page. It was dark, bloody and gruesome but executed perfectly. I felt so much empathy towards the fae that suffered at the hands of the power-hungry human mages with no chance of escape. The main characters were no exception, both being abused by the same tormentor and having to rely on each other mentally to survive. The tone of the book was really bleak until the last 1/4, when the pace ramped up and a lot of moving parts came together to offer some hope. There were lots of twists and turns and I can't wait to see what happens in the next book when it's released!
Tropes:
➵ Heroine with forbidden magic
➵ Bound to the villain
➵ Morally black characters
➵ Tortured brooding hero
➵ Hidden identity
➵ Complex love triangle
➵ Dreams about another man
➵ Fated mates
➵ Forbidden romance
➵ Forced proximity
➵ Shadow daddy
➵ Enemies-to-?
➵ Touch her and 💀
➵ Slow-burn romance
➵ Humans vs Fae
➵ Fantasy war brewing
➵ Ends on a cliffhanger
⤷ Plot:
The setting of the story was really dark. The fae were under the control of mage humans that had learned how to strip and manipulate fae power to oppress them. It was particularly bad for women who had the choice to either bind themselves to a single human mage and lose their rights to them, or be used as a breeder for the next generation of magic wielders. This bleak overtone lasted for most of the book and it was particularly difficult to see Araya in such an abusive and toxic relationship, which she deemed to be the lesser of two evils. It wasn't until the last 1/4 of the book where the plot picked up and wasn't so dreary. Though it ended at a very uneasy spot and you didn't really know where any of the characters stood or what would happen to them next.
⤷ Characters:
Araya was a victim of abuse for most of the book and because of the world dynamics, she was unable to fight back or hope for a better fate. I had a lot of empathy for her and was hoping her fated mate would find a way to free them both from their prison. I could understand why she resisted her mate once she gained an ounce of freedom and finally had a choice but it was still heartbreaking to read because I just want the characters to have a HEA. Neither Araya or Loren went through much character development during the first book but I hope they both grow and get to experience some happiness in the next book.
Loren played a pretty dormant role for most of the book - being locked in the prison and unable to access his magic. He was tortured and abused, and had pretty much given up by the time he met his fated mate. He had a lot of demons and trauma to navigate by the end of the book, and I hope he gets a chance to work through them with Araya as the series progresses.
Jaxon was one of the most insufferable characters I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. He enjoyed torturing people that couldn't fight back and threw his rank around to get whatever he wanted. I hope he suffers.
⤷ World-building:
The world was a really grim place and I definitely wouldn't want to actually live in it. But I loved how detailed the descriptions of the village and castle were, contrasting the fae living in poverty to the oppressive human mages living in luxury. The magic system was also really interesting - where human mages could manipulate a fae's power using bones and magic. I'm excited to learn more about Araya's powers as they develop later in the series.
⤷ Writing:
I really liked the way the story was written. It had a really good flow and I could easily read it for long periods of time and binge it in a few sittings. It helped that there was the perfect balance between fantasy world-building/plot and dark romance.
Statistics:
➵ Date read: 03/05/2025-05/05/2025 (3 days).
➵ Page count: 378.
➵ Type: e-book.
➵ Volume: series.
➵ Special: direct from author ARC.
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December 7, 2025
It was easy to get into and once I fell into the world I couldn’t stop. It’s going to be so hard waiting for the sequel!
January 26, 2026
I am torn on this review so take it easy on me! Spoilers ahead
I want to start with my usual rant about ARC reading. I understand that you want good press to start your book release 100 percent, but it just feels like lying when these amazing five star reviews are on here without anyone saying anything productive or insightful. but again I rant about this constantly so here is my review!
FMC:
Now, this is a personal thing and a personal preference when reading. If I had known our main character is in a DV relationship I honestly would not have picked up this book. I struggle with those stories and I have a hard time connecting with our main character because of them. This taints my opinion of her and where I want to say things like: She is far too intelligent to let this guy change her whole world, she is too naive for someone who has lived through what she has or how can I like a character who keeps helping the clearly evil people I have to say: Well he coerced her, and made her feel special and groomed her into this position.
So truthfully I don't really like the person our main character is, but I feel like an asshole because of the DV. Take that as you will, but she isn't my favorite. When you grow up in a horrible system and watch everyone around you being abused by that system how do you ever turn a blind eye to it that character to me is spineless and not one I want to read about. She helps in birth clinics and knows the horrors she could've faced yet happily put on her nice new clothes and banged Jaxson and loves him. If he hadn't hit her she would've kept on towing the party line and enjoying pretty parties. I can't see you as the hero when you only care when you've been hurt dv or not it's one of my least favorite traits of a female lead. I can't connect to the girl who shrugs her shoulders at the world until the world quite literally slaps her in the face. Would she have even cared what they did to Loren if Jaxson hadnt shown his true colors? If he had continued to be kind and doting?
Also, Jaxson took off without a word to her for three years. She used his name and advantages and did nothing else but enjoy that privilege for years, and when he comes back she just jumps at the chance to be with him with minimal resistance and question. She even sleeps with him almost immediately no problem. Yes she's in a bad system, yes I get that but fight for something! Try and do anything.
but again, that's my own personal preference for a lead character.
MMC:
We honestly didn't get a lot of time with Loren. We got glimpses into the mate thinking, some torture, then some self hatred. Which fair I guess, but again least favorite type of trope for a MMC. You say in a cell for 25 years wanting out to help your people etc, and the moment you do and get the power to do so you turn into a mopey baby about it. Explain that to me. Also, if you care so much about hurting your mate why not just say so? Why delve into communication trope when you could just be honest since she has no clue what your connection means. You are going to condemn your people because what? She may not be happy with you? Grow a spine no wonder the shadows don't want you as the heir, you can't make any tough choices.
Plot and world building:
I think we get bare basics on world building in this one and for a society based on strict rules and power structure we probably should have had some more background on it. The plot currently sits at there is a war, and Lorens blood is needed to control shadows, and then mates. It feels too basic for what she is trying to achieve with this. We get oppression, people hurting, a rebellion, and yet we spend more time in half cooked up dreams that explain nothing and clearly don't make our FMC like or trust Loren so they just exist as proof of a mate bond.
Overall:
Overall the pacing of this book was the killer for me. We have the FMC happy and in love with Jaxson for 85 percent of this book despite some red flags he doesn't really do anything out of expectation until he hits her and then we have the victim of DV mentality that is just difficult to read. We also get the mention of mates with no movement and no other real plot points or connection. The bones are there this book and series just isn't for me.
I want to start with my usual rant about ARC reading. I understand that you want good press to start your book release 100 percent, but it just feels like lying when these amazing five star reviews are on here without anyone saying anything productive or insightful. but again I rant about this constantly so here is my review!
FMC:
Now, this is a personal thing and a personal preference when reading. If I had known our main character is in a DV relationship I honestly would not have picked up this book. I struggle with those stories and I have a hard time connecting with our main character because of them. This taints my opinion of her and where I want to say things like: She is far too intelligent to let this guy change her whole world, she is too naive for someone who has lived through what she has or how can I like a character who keeps helping the clearly evil people I have to say: Well he coerced her, and made her feel special and groomed her into this position.
So truthfully I don't really like the person our main character is, but I feel like an asshole because of the DV. Take that as you will, but she isn't my favorite. When you grow up in a horrible system and watch everyone around you being abused by that system how do you ever turn a blind eye to it that character to me is spineless and not one I want to read about. She helps in birth clinics and knows the horrors she could've faced yet happily put on her nice new clothes and banged Jaxson and loves him. If he hadn't hit her she would've kept on towing the party line and enjoying pretty parties. I can't see you as the hero when you only care when you've been hurt dv or not it's one of my least favorite traits of a female lead. I can't connect to the girl who shrugs her shoulders at the world until the world quite literally slaps her in the face. Would she have even cared what they did to Loren if Jaxson hadnt shown his true colors? If he had continued to be kind and doting?
Also, Jaxson took off without a word to her for three years. She used his name and advantages and did nothing else but enjoy that privilege for years, and when he comes back she just jumps at the chance to be with him with minimal resistance and question. She even sleeps with him almost immediately no problem. Yes she's in a bad system, yes I get that but fight for something! Try and do anything.
but again, that's my own personal preference for a lead character.
MMC:
We honestly didn't get a lot of time with Loren. We got glimpses into the mate thinking, some torture, then some self hatred. Which fair I guess, but again least favorite type of trope for a MMC. You say in a cell for 25 years wanting out to help your people etc, and the moment you do and get the power to do so you turn into a mopey baby about it. Explain that to me. Also, if you care so much about hurting your mate why not just say so? Why delve into communication trope when you could just be honest since she has no clue what your connection means. You are going to condemn your people because what? She may not be happy with you? Grow a spine no wonder the shadows don't want you as the heir, you can't make any tough choices.
Plot and world building:
I think we get bare basics on world building in this one and for a society based on strict rules and power structure we probably should have had some more background on it. The plot currently sits at there is a war, and Lorens blood is needed to control shadows, and then mates. It feels too basic for what she is trying to achieve with this. We get oppression, people hurting, a rebellion, and yet we spend more time in half cooked up dreams that explain nothing and clearly don't make our FMC like or trust Loren so they just exist as proof of a mate bond.
Overall:
Overall the pacing of this book was the killer for me. We have the FMC happy and in love with Jaxson for 85 percent of this book despite some red flags he doesn't really do anything out of expectation until he hits her and then we have the victim of DV mentality that is just difficult to read. We also get the mention of mates with no movement and no other real plot points or connection. The bones are there this book and series just isn't for me.
September 18, 2025
The Chained Prince by Becca Calder is a darkly captivating romantasy that holds from the first page. Araya Starwind, a fae mage chained by fear and survival, has lived with her real power hidden beneath the suffocating New Dominion. Her connection to Jaxon Shaw, a dominant human mage, affords her safety but at the expense of freedom, binding her to his dominance.
The tale spins a suspenseful turn when the enigmatic fae prince who torments her visions becomes more than just a dream. His presence draws Araya into a perilous maze of outlawed magic, broken allegiances, and a future she never wanted. Caught between the shackles of compliance and the flame of defiance, she must make decisions that will try her mettle, heart, and strength.
The author crafts a world of intense tension and atmosphere, where liberty is bought with a heart-wrenching cost and love is accompanied by danger. Araya's slow-burn relationship with the prince in chains is loaded with tension, and the restraint is skillfully set against the darker elements of control and rebellion.
With its addictive blend of political machinations, taboo love, and high-magic danger, The Chained Prince is an enchanting series starter that will mesmerize readers of ACOTAR, The Prison Healer, and From Blood and Ash.
The tale spins a suspenseful turn when the enigmatic fae prince who torments her visions becomes more than just a dream. His presence draws Araya into a perilous maze of outlawed magic, broken allegiances, and a future she never wanted. Caught between the shackles of compliance and the flame of defiance, she must make decisions that will try her mettle, heart, and strength.
The author crafts a world of intense tension and atmosphere, where liberty is bought with a heart-wrenching cost and love is accompanied by danger. Araya's slow-burn relationship with the prince in chains is loaded with tension, and the restraint is skillfully set against the darker elements of control and rebellion.
With its addictive blend of political machinations, taboo love, and high-magic danger, The Chained Prince is an enchanting series starter that will mesmerize readers of ACOTAR, The Prison Healer, and From Blood and Ash.
May 13, 2025
First thing's first; I'd like to thank Book Sirens and Becca Calder for the opportunity to read the first book in Eldergreen series prior to release, I thoroughly enjoyed the journey and quite literally couldn't put it down. I read this book in one sitting. I genuinely couldn't believe that this is a debut novel!
This series already has a lot of my favourite fantasy elements; oppressed races, seeds of rebellion, blood magic, supressed powers... definitely a winner for me. If you enjoyed The Plated Prisoner series or Mistborn I'd say this is a must-read for you.
The prologue grabbed me instantly; the opening was so strong that I was hooked immediately. We're introduced into a world where the fae are fighting against humans who want to colonise and own not just the land but the people. Worse yet, they want to use the fae people's bones in order to steal a magic that isn't theirs.
Fast forward a couple of decades, and we meet Araya. Araya is an extremely talented and intelligent young female - unfortunately she's also three quarters fae, and due to be sent to the Arcanum's mandatory breeding program where she will bear children she will never raise and have her powers stripped from her...
...wow, way to get me invested! The loss of identity, of autonomy? I'm hooked. I found the descriptions of oppression and colonisation really powerful, perhaps not as nuanced as other novels, but really well done and there was this insidious kind of feeling behind it. The descriptions of physical changes imposed on the fae, their treatment and the 'schools' they were forced into were reminiscent of Western colonisers and their treatment of indigenous peoples. The fae had had their language eradicated, forcibly beaten when it was uttered to the point that it had been forgotten and their distinctive ears mutilated... I mean, we already knew humans were the worst, right? I hope that by being able to put themselves in the position of the protagonists, that non BIPOC readers are able to empathise a little more with marginalised peoples.
The other aspect of the story that really impacted me was the relationship between Araya and her so-called 'saviour', Jaxon. I'll start by saying I detest Jaxon. He is a textbook piece of shit, but the way the author detailed the creeping, subtle way coercive control can gradually become more suffocating and more dangerous was masterful. Araya has spent most of her life not knowing love or safety, and that vulnerability is just what Jaxon needs to bind her to him and use her powers for his own gain. Ugh, I just hate him.
The last major player is Loren. The lost fae prince with his sentient shadow magic. Him, I love. I won't say too much as I don't want to spoil anything, but his relationship with Araya is complicated to say the least. He's been tortured, chained, and stripped of his identity and birth-right. Loren really starts to come into his own at the end of the book and I can't wait to see more of him.
Full review:
https://www.thebookcat.co.uk/post/the...
This series already has a lot of my favourite fantasy elements; oppressed races, seeds of rebellion, blood magic, supressed powers... definitely a winner for me. If you enjoyed The Plated Prisoner series or Mistborn I'd say this is a must-read for you.
The prologue grabbed me instantly; the opening was so strong that I was hooked immediately. We're introduced into a world where the fae are fighting against humans who want to colonise and own not just the land but the people. Worse yet, they want to use the fae people's bones in order to steal a magic that isn't theirs.
Fast forward a couple of decades, and we meet Araya. Araya is an extremely talented and intelligent young female - unfortunately she's also three quarters fae, and due to be sent to the Arcanum's mandatory breeding program where she will bear children she will never raise and have her powers stripped from her...
...wow, way to get me invested! The loss of identity, of autonomy? I'm hooked. I found the descriptions of oppression and colonisation really powerful, perhaps not as nuanced as other novels, but really well done and there was this insidious kind of feeling behind it. The descriptions of physical changes imposed on the fae, their treatment and the 'schools' they were forced into were reminiscent of Western colonisers and their treatment of indigenous peoples. The fae had had their language eradicated, forcibly beaten when it was uttered to the point that it had been forgotten and their distinctive ears mutilated... I mean, we already knew humans were the worst, right? I hope that by being able to put themselves in the position of the protagonists, that non BIPOC readers are able to empathise a little more with marginalised peoples.
The other aspect of the story that really impacted me was the relationship between Araya and her so-called 'saviour', Jaxon. I'll start by saying I detest Jaxon. He is a textbook piece of shit, but the way the author detailed the creeping, subtle way coercive control can gradually become more suffocating and more dangerous was masterful. Araya has spent most of her life not knowing love or safety, and that vulnerability is just what Jaxon needs to bind her to him and use her powers for his own gain. Ugh, I just hate him.
The last major player is Loren. The lost fae prince with his sentient shadow magic. Him, I love. I won't say too much as I don't want to spoil anything, but his relationship with Araya is complicated to say the least. He's been tortured, chained, and stripped of his identity and birth-right. Loren really starts to come into his own at the end of the book and I can't wait to see more of him.
Full review:
https://www.thebookcat.co.uk/post/the...
May 12, 2025
✨️ ARC Review ✨️
Thank you for the opportunity to get to read The Chained Prince early!
Honestly, this was such a refreshing take on fae and human relations even though it is dark. Considering how many fae centered books focus on the overwhelming power the fae hold, it was a very different feeling having them be the repressed ones, having their magic be controlled and used against them. Using their bones too? Horrendous. They aren't safe even after they die.
This book also does a frighteningly realistic job portraying the terrifying and confusing dynamic of abusive relationships. I felt sick to my stomach at points with how accurate some of the interactions were.
A MMC with feelings that isn't perfectly in control of his shadows? Yes please. And a FMC that is trying to survive by picking the lesser of two evils in a system not designed to help her? I can't wait to see her thrive in the future. I wish we saw more of the FMC's best friend. Fingers crossed she ends up with a place in the continuation of this story (which I need so very badly right now, please start drafting).
Thank you for the opportunity to get to read The Chained Prince early!
Honestly, this was such a refreshing take on fae and human relations even though it is dark. Considering how many fae centered books focus on the overwhelming power the fae hold, it was a very different feeling having them be the repressed ones, having their magic be controlled and used against them. Using their bones too? Horrendous. They aren't safe even after they die.
This book also does a frighteningly realistic job portraying the terrifying and confusing dynamic of abusive relationships. I felt sick to my stomach at points with how accurate some of the interactions were.
A MMC with feelings that isn't perfectly in control of his shadows? Yes please. And a FMC that is trying to survive by picking the lesser of two evils in a system not designed to help her? I can't wait to see her thrive in the future. I wish we saw more of the FMC's best friend. Fingers crossed she ends up with a place in the continuation of this story (which I need so very badly right now, please start drafting).
June 3, 2025
I received an eARC for this book and I'm already waiting for book 2.
This story takes you on a wild ride with a unique magic system, fae and humans and an ongoing war. There is fated mates and lots of secrets. There's betrayal and political intrigue. It has everything that you can want in a dark fae romantasy novel.
It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I read it in 24 hours (even though I had to work). This is a great debut novel and I would recommend it to everyone.
I am not a fan of 3rd person POV but it didn't bother me as much in this book.
I am excited to continue this story with book 2.
This story takes you on a wild ride with a unique magic system, fae and humans and an ongoing war. There is fated mates and lots of secrets. There's betrayal and political intrigue. It has everything that you can want in a dark fae romantasy novel.
It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time. I read it in 24 hours (even though I had to work). This is a great debut novel and I would recommend it to everyone.
I am not a fan of 3rd person POV but it didn't bother me as much in this book.
I am excited to continue this story with book 2.
May 24, 2025
love this one, there is a very precise magical system for the Fae that is controlled by human mages. the storyline is clear and action packed, building suspense throughout. it is definitely a book I would recommend and I am very much looking forward to the next in the series 😁
I read this as an arc and my opinions and review is my own honest view of what I read.
I read this as an arc and my opinions and review is my own honest view of what I read.
April 30, 2025
Whoa, what a ride!! 😮💨
Everything spiraled there at the end and I NEED that next book!!
Bonded to one man and fated to the prisoner he t0rtures. It’s distressing and intriguing. I devoured this book in a day!
Add to your TBR if you enjoy 👇
Dark Fantasy Romance
Fated Mates w/ Complicated Twists
Possessive and Obsessive Villain
Reluctant Heroine
Dark Bargains
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Touch Her and D!e
In this world, part fae are treated horribly. Think Handmaid’s Tale but with fae and humans. Possessed by Arcanum— the fae are beaten into submission and the women are transactionally bonded to human mages in order to strengthen the men’s magic (through magic siphoning) and bear their children. It’s dark and oppressive.
Araya reaches that point where it’s her time to face the fate her kind must endure, but in swoops her knight in shining armor. Jaxon is the man that gave his word to her years ago that he would save her from that kind of future. Full of sweet promises of protection, Araya bonds with him for out of self-preservation, but not all is as it seems. She believes that he wants to make the world better for her people, but truths are revealed and a side of him comes out that she never could’ve imagined existed.
Everything spiraled there at the end and I NEED that next book!!
Bonded to one man and fated to the prisoner he t0rtures. It’s distressing and intriguing. I devoured this book in a day!
Add to your TBR if you enjoy 👇
Dark Fantasy Romance
Fated Mates w/ Complicated Twists
Possessive and Obsessive Villain
Reluctant Heroine
Dark Bargains
Forced Proximity
Slow Burn
Touch Her and D!e
In this world, part fae are treated horribly. Think Handmaid’s Tale but with fae and humans. Possessed by Arcanum— the fae are beaten into submission and the women are transactionally bonded to human mages in order to strengthen the men’s magic (through magic siphoning) and bear their children. It’s dark and oppressive.
Araya reaches that point where it’s her time to face the fate her kind must endure, but in swoops her knight in shining armor. Jaxon is the man that gave his word to her years ago that he would save her from that kind of future. Full of sweet promises of protection, Araya bonds with him for out of self-preservation, but not all is as it seems. She believes that he wants to make the world better for her people, but truths are revealed and a side of him comes out that she never could’ve imagined existed.
December 22, 2025
3.5/5! There was something missing here and I cannot put my finger on it, but I still enjoyed my read! I felt so heavily for Araya and Loren, honestly and all the fae. God that is such a shitty life for them to have. this definitely was darker in the themes like there was no bright shine of happiness at all in this book lmao. I did sometimes want to tell Araya to pick herself UP but also like this is all she knows :/
I wish there was a bit more backstory on how Jaxon saved her because that is just referenced to but we get no info about it which I thought was like a specific choice to show at the end finally and have it be like a big reveal of him only saving her bc he saw how powerful she was or something but that never happened lol. I also wish there was more between Loren and Araya during her visiting him in the dungeon, like we only saw her with him like what twice? And then in the dreams we only got like 3-4? Idk I wanted there to be more there.
Also Serafina girl I hope you’re okay 😅😅
I am intrigued to read the next one so I will, but I worry a bit about how it’s going to go because while this first book was a bit different than the normal romantasy in the sense that the fae are the minority, the second book could end up being like every other romantasy out there. Captive girl learning about her tortured mate and what that means and etc. but we shall see!!
Also this first book had “spice” but with Araya and her abuser basically. It’s not detailed but it is sad because at first you’re like he just gives me the ick but then as it goes on you’re knowingly reading about her sleeping with her abuser bc it’s all she knows and she’s trying to survive :( so for that there will be no rating here. Hopefully the next book gives us some happiness.
I wish there was a bit more backstory on how Jaxon saved her because that is just referenced to but we get no info about it which I thought was like a specific choice to show at the end finally and have it be like a big reveal of him only saving her bc he saw how powerful she was or something but that never happened lol. I also wish there was more between Loren and Araya during her visiting him in the dungeon, like we only saw her with him like what twice? And then in the dreams we only got like 3-4? Idk I wanted there to be more there.
Also Serafina girl I hope you’re okay 😅😅
I am intrigued to read the next one so I will, but I worry a bit about how it’s going to go because while this first book was a bit different than the normal romantasy in the sense that the fae are the minority, the second book could end up being like every other romantasy out there. Captive girl learning about her tortured mate and what that means and etc. but we shall see!!
Also this first book had “spice” but with Araya and her abuser basically. It’s not detailed but it is sad because at first you’re like he just gives me the ick but then as it goes on you’re knowingly reading about her sleeping with her abuser bc it’s all she knows and she’s trying to survive :( so for that there will be no rating here. Hopefully the next book gives us some happiness.
April 26, 2025
I received this as an ARC from Book Sirens & my views are my own. I was intrigued straight away with this by the book cover so was keen to read it. From the very first chapter I was intrigued as I felt like it chucked you straight in. I feel like most fae stories are about how powerful they are yet this showed them as weak to start with. I liked Araya but I found some of her decisions at times foolish & found myself frustrated with her (mainly because of how she was around Jaxon). I absolutely adored Loren straight away. I enjoyed the story telling of this & am now eager to find out what will happen in the 2nd book with how it was left! Highly recommend this book
October 20, 2025
Honestly I was hoping that this would be a bit more fast-paced, because this book feels like an introduction that describes the manipulation, the toxic relationship and the loss of self identity, that will be discussed more in the second one (the book about the ACTUAL story). It kind of feels like a really long prequel that it’s important to what happens next, but doesn’t engage the reader enough to keep it going. I want to read the second book, because I don’t want to believe that I wasted half a day reading something that goes nowhere.
The start was a bit slow, with no real description of the world, so it’s hard to imagine, but the little “plot twist/realisation” when you read a bit more, it makes for a good start. The development, or better the escalation, of Jackson’s character is something I was really interested in seeing, especially related to Araya and Loren.
Araya’s character is a traumatised, enslaved woman with no sense of self worth and identity. She’s a manipulated victim that grew up in slavery and has been reconditioned to believe that she’s an object to be owned, and that the manipulative and toxic “relationship” she’s in (Jackson’s ownership of her) is the best thing that she could have ever gotten. Obviously she’s in better physical conditions than the other enslaved fae, but the emotional and psychological manipulations have a huge part in devaluing her already meek and fragile character.
Jackson’s toxic, selfish, violent and manipulative character is so well described that it makes me shiver whenever he lovebombs her, whenever he says “she’s making him do this”, whenever he shows how horrible he really is, because it’s so close to the reality that it hits you deep inside. Araya’s manipulation runs so deep that she can’t even imagine leaving Jackson, if that’s the “love” the situation made her think she feels for him (cause I refuse to believe that, after everything he’s done, after she realised that she’s in danger with him, she loves him for real), or the fear of his retaliation, it’s not clear to me, but she’ll need a lot of help to completely overcome that trauma (if she ever understands that what she’s going through is a trauma related response, and not real feelings).
Loren’s trauma from the prison and torture reduced him to a shadow (no pun intended) of himself, he doesn’t believe he deserves anything, and that breaks me because I wish he had more anger than self hatred.
Hopefully the second book pick up the pace and we see actual action and development, with the main characters (Araya and Loren) growing in their respective roles.
Spice: 0.5/5
The start was a bit slow, with no real description of the world, so it’s hard to imagine, but the little “plot twist/realisation” when you read a bit more, it makes for a good start. The development, or better the escalation, of Jackson’s character is something I was really interested in seeing, especially related to Araya and Loren.
Araya’s character is a traumatised, enslaved woman with no sense of self worth and identity. She’s a manipulated victim that grew up in slavery and has been reconditioned to believe that she’s an object to be owned, and that the manipulative and toxic “relationship” she’s in (Jackson’s ownership of her) is the best thing that she could have ever gotten. Obviously she’s in better physical conditions than the other enslaved fae, but the emotional and psychological manipulations have a huge part in devaluing her already meek and fragile character.
Jackson’s toxic, selfish, violent and manipulative character is so well described that it makes me shiver whenever he lovebombs her, whenever he says “she’s making him do this”, whenever he shows how horrible he really is, because it’s so close to the reality that it hits you deep inside. Araya’s manipulation runs so deep that she can’t even imagine leaving Jackson, if that’s the “love” the situation made her think she feels for him (cause I refuse to believe that, after everything he’s done, after she realised that she’s in danger with him, she loves him for real), or the fear of his retaliation, it’s not clear to me, but she’ll need a lot of help to completely overcome that trauma (if she ever understands that what she’s going through is a trauma related response, and not real feelings).
Loren’s trauma from the prison and torture reduced him to a shadow (no pun intended) of himself, he doesn’t believe he deserves anything, and that breaks me because I wish he had more anger than self hatred.
Hopefully the second book pick up the pace and we see actual action and development, with the main characters (Araya and Loren) growing in their respective roles.
Spice: 0.5/5
June 1, 2025
I am UNWELL. SICK. ILL.
*the woman was too stunned to speak*
I… need 3-5 business days to process what I just read. Did I finish this book, or did it finish me? I could honestly keep going. I am not eloquent by any means, but this book... this story... TOOK ME OUT. I NEED BOOK 2 ASAP, IMMEDIATELY… I fear I may perish without it.
I was wholly and utterly captivated from the first page. Had I not had responsibilities or the need to sleep, I would have finished it in one sitting. It physically pained me to put it down, and when I did, it was all I thought about.
The world-building in this book is not just good; it's exquisite and masterful. You'll feel like you've been transported to a whole new world. The magic system and dynamic between humans and Fae are unique and unlike anything you've read before. There are darker elements woven throughout the narrative, and Becca delivered a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of an abusive relationship. The slow, insidious progression of gaslighting and manipulation is depicted with unsettling accuracy in a 'rips my whole heart out of my chest' kind of way. This also ends on a cliffhanger that rivals all cliffhangers, so brace yourself!
Meet Araya, our fiercely stubborn yet naïve FMC, who exists in a world where the Fae are oppressed and exploited by humans. Faced with limited options and a powerful instinct to survive, she is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to bond with an old flame, seeking safety and perhaps love in his arms. Cue insidious foreshadowing. This sets the stage for a gripping tale of love, survival, and betrayal.
Araya is stubborn but also naive in so many ways, and I loved (and hated) watching her character arc progress. It's very clear just how deep Jaxon has his claws, brilliantly illustrating the disorienting dynamics prevalent in abusive relationships. You can see her wavering as the story progresses, and I desperately wanted her to make the right decision. She is clearly at war with herself and questioning everything she has ever known. Her journey is one you won't be able to tear your eyes away from.
Jaxon, one of the MMCs, is headstrong, intensely cunning, and the very embodiment of narcissism. Early on, it became glaringly clear that his intentions toward Araya were far from romantic; he was not the hero she believed him to be. "Hate" isn't a strong enough word to describe what I feel towards that man.. loathe ENTIRELY, wholeheartedly, and disrespectfully.
Loren, (our sweet baby angel) is the second MMC and is the textbook definition of a tortured soul (literally… tortured). I knew from the beginning I was going to be immediately smitten with him. His character arc is complex, and his intentions are good, even if his methods fall short. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and his guilt and shame are eating him alive. He is a shadow daddy, but the shadows in this story are very unique. He doesn't command them in the way other stories portray them. These shadows possess sentience and are deviant, testing the limits. They only respond to those worthy of them and make it very clear when they find you lacking. I can't wait to discover their origin and full ability in the next book.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk...Please please please read this book. You won't be disappointed! Thank you so much, Becca, for gifting me this ARC, and I ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE… really... I can't. I'm dying here, and I know you will be, too, waiting to see what happens next.
*the woman was too stunned to speak*
I… need 3-5 business days to process what I just read. Did I finish this book, or did it finish me? I could honestly keep going. I am not eloquent by any means, but this book... this story... TOOK ME OUT. I NEED BOOK 2 ASAP, IMMEDIATELY… I fear I may perish without it.
I was wholly and utterly captivated from the first page. Had I not had responsibilities or the need to sleep, I would have finished it in one sitting. It physically pained me to put it down, and when I did, it was all I thought about.
The world-building in this book is not just good; it's exquisite and masterful. You'll feel like you've been transported to a whole new world. The magic system and dynamic between humans and Fae are unique and unlike anything you've read before. There are darker elements woven throughout the narrative, and Becca delivered a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of an abusive relationship. The slow, insidious progression of gaslighting and manipulation is depicted with unsettling accuracy in a 'rips my whole heart out of my chest' kind of way. This also ends on a cliffhanger that rivals all cliffhangers, so brace yourself!
Meet Araya, our fiercely stubborn yet naïve FMC, who exists in a world where the Fae are oppressed and exploited by humans. Faced with limited options and a powerful instinct to survive, she is presented with the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to bond with an old flame, seeking safety and perhaps love in his arms. Cue insidious foreshadowing. This sets the stage for a gripping tale of love, survival, and betrayal.
Araya is stubborn but also naive in so many ways, and I loved (and hated) watching her character arc progress. It's very clear just how deep Jaxon has his claws, brilliantly illustrating the disorienting dynamics prevalent in abusive relationships. You can see her wavering as the story progresses, and I desperately wanted her to make the right decision. She is clearly at war with herself and questioning everything she has ever known. Her journey is one you won't be able to tear your eyes away from.
Jaxon, one of the MMCs, is headstrong, intensely cunning, and the very embodiment of narcissism. Early on, it became glaringly clear that his intentions toward Araya were far from romantic; he was not the hero she believed him to be. "Hate" isn't a strong enough word to describe what I feel towards that man.. loathe ENTIRELY, wholeheartedly, and disrespectfully.
Loren, (our sweet baby angel) is the second MMC and is the textbook definition of a tortured soul (literally… tortured). I knew from the beginning I was going to be immediately smitten with him. His character arc is complex, and his intentions are good, even if his methods fall short. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and his guilt and shame are eating him alive. He is a shadow daddy, but the shadows in this story are very unique. He doesn't command them in the way other stories portray them. These shadows possess sentience and are deviant, testing the limits. They only respond to those worthy of them and make it very clear when they find you lacking. I can't wait to discover their origin and full ability in the next book.
Thanks for coming to my TED Talk...Please please please read this book. You won't be disappointed! Thank you so much, Becca, for gifting me this ARC, and I ABSOLUTELY CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT ONE… really... I can't. I'm dying here, and I know you will be, too, waiting to see what happens next.
July 10, 2025
I forgot this was part of a series, because the way this book ended on a cliffhanger confused the hell outta me 😂 I literally whisper shouted “What??”
The story follows a three quarters fae named Araya who does whatever she can to survive from becoming used for breeding and having her magic stripped from her.
So she ends up being bonded to a human named Jaxon Shaw, who she has history with, much to her best friend's (who also has fae in her & is a Healer) dismay.
We also have a fae prince named Loren, who's been shackled with iron cuffs in a rotting cell for twenty five years. Everything changes when Araya meets him, and from that point on the prince does everything to try to protect her from Jaxon.
There were so many things that frustrated me about Araya, our fae FMC. But then I'd have to remind myself that she did have human influence for most of her life, and she was ignorant of her fae roots. & Despite making questionable decisions she was just trying to survive.
What also frustrated me was Loren's actions. I get he did them because he thought he was protecting Araya, but he should've told Araya the truth about what's going on between them and let her decide what to do with the information. (I hate when MMCs keep the FMC in the dark; this is why they get angry! 😮💨)
The cliffhanger CHILLED me. I'm afraid book two will be intense *shivers* & I do hope Loren & Araya work out their problems, because they'll need it if they want to help the fae against the humans. (I'm not ready to witness Jaxon's insanity 😩 I want this man d e a d!)
Rating: 4.75/5
The story follows a three quarters fae named Araya who does whatever she can to survive from becoming used for breeding and having her magic stripped from her.
So she ends up being bonded to a human named Jaxon Shaw, who she has history with, much to her best friend's (who also has fae in her & is a Healer) dismay.
We also have a fae prince named Loren, who's been shackled with iron cuffs in a rotting cell for twenty five years. Everything changes when Araya meets him, and from that point on the prince does everything to try to protect her from Jaxon.
There were so many things that frustrated me about Araya, our fae FMC. But then I'd have to remind myself that she did have human influence for most of her life, and she was ignorant of her fae roots. & Despite making questionable decisions she was just trying to survive.
What also frustrated me was Loren's actions. I get he did them because he thought he was protecting Araya, but he should've told Araya the truth about what's going on between them and let her decide what to do with the information. (I hate when MMCs keep the FMC in the dark; this is why they get angry! 😮💨)
The cliffhanger CHILLED me. I'm afraid book two will be intense *shivers* & I do hope Loren & Araya work out their problems, because they'll need it if they want to help the fae against the humans. (I'm not ready to witness Jaxon's insanity 😩 I want this man d e a d!)
Rating: 4.75/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2026
⭐🔥 A dark, emotional plunge into trauma, power, and survival — gripping, painful, and impossible to look away from.🔥⭐
4‑Star Review
This indie fantasy was an emotional gauntlet — raw, intense, and at times genuinely difficult to read because of how deeply the characters’ trauma is felt. Becca Calder writes emotion with such sharp clarity that you don’t just observe the pain… you live it alongside the characters. 😭💔✨
Araya’s journey is especially heartbreaking. Watching her navigate Stockholm syndrome, manipulation, and the suffocating weight of a toxic, abusive relationship is devastating — and intentionally so. One of the MMCs made my blood absolutely boil, which is a testament to how effectively the author crafts emotional responses. You’re meant to hate him. You’re meant to feel trapped with her. And it works.
The side characters were a breath of relief — loyal, funny, grounding — though I found myself wishing they had been fleshed out just a little more. Still, their presence added much‑needed balance to the darkness.
And then there’s the other MMC… broody, feral, tragic backstory, the whole delicious package. 🖤🔥 I adored him, but I do wish his bond with Araya had been developed more deeply. I’m hoping book two gives us the emotional payoff I’m craving.
The ending? Strong, satisfying, and absolutely engineered to make you grab book two immediately. 📚⚡
4‑Star Review
This indie fantasy was an emotional gauntlet — raw, intense, and at times genuinely difficult to read because of how deeply the characters’ trauma is felt. Becca Calder writes emotion with such sharp clarity that you don’t just observe the pain… you live it alongside the characters. 😭💔✨
Araya’s journey is especially heartbreaking. Watching her navigate Stockholm syndrome, manipulation, and the suffocating weight of a toxic, abusive relationship is devastating — and intentionally so. One of the MMCs made my blood absolutely boil, which is a testament to how effectively the author crafts emotional responses. You’re meant to hate him. You’re meant to feel trapped with her. And it works.
The side characters were a breath of relief — loyal, funny, grounding — though I found myself wishing they had been fleshed out just a little more. Still, their presence added much‑needed balance to the darkness.
And then there’s the other MMC… broody, feral, tragic backstory, the whole delicious package. 🖤🔥 I adored him, but I do wish his bond with Araya had been developed more deeply. I’m hoping book two gives us the emotional payoff I’m craving.
The ending? Strong, satisfying, and absolutely engineered to make you grab book two immediately. 📚⚡
June 11, 2025
✨ ARC Review: The Chained Prince by Becca Calder ✨
This book completely took me by surprise — in the best way possible! 💥 I didn’t expect to be so drawn in, but Becca Calder delivered a raw, heartbreaking story that explores the devastating consequences of power, greed, and control. It’s a dark fantasy that really leans into the emotional toll of abuse and oppression.
Watching Araya struggle through an abusive relationship and a total lack of self-worth was hard to read at times. 💔 I found myself wishing she would grow more, fight back, make the hard but right choices… but her arc felt intentionally stifled, perhaps a reflection of how deep those wounds go. It made the story more painful — and more real.
That said, I absolutely couldn’t put this book down. I devoured it in one sitting and then stared at the last page like: wait, that’s it?! 😱 The ending hit fast and left me desperate for the sequel.
If you love dark fantasy with emotional depth, complex power dynamics, and stories that don’t shy away from pain, this one is for you. 🔥 I’m seriously hoping for a gorgeous shelf trophy of this book one day!
📚 Tropes: emotionally scarred heroine, villain love interest, slow-burn trauma healing
💥 Trigger Warnings: emotional abuse, toxic dynamics, low self-worth
This book completely took me by surprise — in the best way possible! 💥 I didn’t expect to be so drawn in, but Becca Calder delivered a raw, heartbreaking story that explores the devastating consequences of power, greed, and control. It’s a dark fantasy that really leans into the emotional toll of abuse and oppression.
Watching Araya struggle through an abusive relationship and a total lack of self-worth was hard to read at times. 💔 I found myself wishing she would grow more, fight back, make the hard but right choices… but her arc felt intentionally stifled, perhaps a reflection of how deep those wounds go. It made the story more painful — and more real.
That said, I absolutely couldn’t put this book down. I devoured it in one sitting and then stared at the last page like: wait, that’s it?! 😱 The ending hit fast and left me desperate for the sequel.
If you love dark fantasy with emotional depth, complex power dynamics, and stories that don’t shy away from pain, this one is for you. 🔥 I’m seriously hoping for a gorgeous shelf trophy of this book one day!
📚 Tropes: emotionally scarred heroine, villain love interest, slow-burn trauma healing
💥 Trigger Warnings: emotional abuse, toxic dynamics, low self-worth
June 18, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 stars Overall, I enjoyed this! The story felt unique and I appreciated that the plot didn’t follow a typical character arc. Both main characters are deeply flawed and troubled, which made them compelling to follow. I’m definitely intrigued to see how they come together in book 2!
That said, I wish the magic system and some of the scene descriptions had been fleshed out more. I fiund myself confused and needing a bit more world-building depth. I also think that a couple more chapters would have helped tie things together.
Tropes & vibes:
🌙 They see each other in their dreams
🖤 Obsessive villain
😈 Tortured, brooding hero
👥 Sentient shadows
🎭 Hidden identity
⚔️ Enemies to something more
👑 Fae vs. human tension
🚫 Handmaid’s Tale vibes
🛁 Walks in while bathing
❓ “Who did this to you?”
💀 “Touch her and die”
🌀 Complex, morally grey characters
👑 Royalty
🔥 Rebellion
Spice: 🌶/5
That said, I wish the magic system and some of the scene descriptions had been fleshed out more. I fiund myself confused and needing a bit more world-building depth. I also think that a couple more chapters would have helped tie things together.
Tropes & vibes:
🌙 They see each other in their dreams
🖤 Obsessive villain
😈 Tortured, brooding hero
👥 Sentient shadows
🎭 Hidden identity
⚔️ Enemies to something more
👑 Fae vs. human tension
🚫 Handmaid’s Tale vibes
🛁 Walks in while bathing
❓ “Who did this to you?”
💀 “Touch her and die”
🌀 Complex, morally grey characters
👑 Royalty
🔥 Rebellion
Spice: 🌶/5
June 12, 2025
This was a unique take on a magic system and I really enjoyed it! In this world, the fae are lower on the totem pole than humans. Araya is such a strong FMC without being annoying or whiny like can happen sometimes and she can really hold her own. There was complexity with her bond and past with Jaxon and then Loren throws a curve ball into the mix as her fated mate. I love a dreamwalker 🤪 The internal battle between what she thinks can help keep her safe and what her heart tells her is right was so interesting. The overall plot never slowed down and I was excited to keep picking this up. I do feel like Serafina and Araya never really hashed out their issues and the ending felt a little rushed but that cliffhanger ending definitely left me wanting book two!!
~ I received this eARC free from NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and Becca Calder! My opinions are my own and voluntarily given~
~ I received this eARC free from NetGalley. Thank you to NetGalley and Becca Calder! My opinions are my own and voluntarily given~
June 8, 2025
✨𝑩𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝑹𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘✨
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒄𝒂 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 🥰
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
I didn’t know what to expect from this dark romantasy. I was intrigued and went in knowing very little, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the world-building, the political setup, and the characters 😍
The fae are treated horribly in this world, but following the main character as she fights for what she believes is right was an interesting journey. She chose a path we don’t often see in this type of book, and I really appreciated that detail 📚
The story dipped a bit in the middle—some chapters felt flat—but it picked up again around the 70% mark 🤗📖
Despite that, I was hooked from the start and will definitely read more from this author 💖
Thank you for the ARC @beccacalderauthor I really appreciate it 💖
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒃𝒚 𝑩𝒆𝒄𝒄𝒂 𝑪𝒂𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓 🥰
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈:
⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️
I didn’t know what to expect from this dark romantasy. I was intrigued and went in knowing very little, but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the world-building, the political setup, and the characters 😍
The fae are treated horribly in this world, but following the main character as she fights for what she believes is right was an interesting journey. She chose a path we don’t often see in this type of book, and I really appreciated that detail 📚
The story dipped a bit in the middle—some chapters felt flat—but it picked up again around the 70% mark 🤗📖
Despite that, I was hooked from the start and will definitely read more from this author 💖
Thank you for the ARC @beccacalderauthor I really appreciate it 💖
Read
December 19, 2025I downloaded this during a “stuff your kindle day”, and I’m so glad I did! This was a quick read for me because the writing sucked me right into the book. The power struggle between humans and fae was done differently than what has been common of this genre.
I do wish there was more character development for the FMC. Her progression has been slow, but after her experiences it’s also fair to assume that it will take her time to unravel from her negative thought patterns.
I do wish there was more character development for the FMC. Her progression has been slow, but after her experiences it’s also fair to assume that it will take her time to unravel from her negative thought patterns.
November 14, 2025
this book was incredible, literally was just scrolling through my kindle library, went 'oh yeah that one sounded good maybe I'll start it' and then finished it same day??? the concept was brilliant, I have so many questions and I NEED ANSWERS 😭😭😭
June 22, 2025
This has very quickly rocketed to one of my favourite reads this year. My heart broke during every Loren chapter, devastated in the best possible way. I'm desperate to know what happens next
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