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Empire of Engines #1
Beyond the Throne
Once there were four kingdoms.
Now there is only the Empire.
For a thousand years, Akkadia, the Empire of Engines, has reigned supreme, unchallenged. Within the Capitol, a city patrolled by machines, ten districts lay separated by social standing. While the wealthy enjoy the best of what life has to offer, the poor starve.
Only the Resistance, a group of ragtag rebels from all corners of Akkadia, dares to challenge the Empire. In recent months, they’ve been growing bolder, but it’s never enough.
Leo is a mechanic, living and working within the Capitol. His menial job ensures his family is provided for, but he dreams of giving them a better future.
Skye is a rebel, who has fought, spied, and killed for the Resistance for the past eleven years. Her only goal is to bring the Empire to its knees—no matter the cost.
When fate brings them together, they must decide what is right and what is wrong in the pursuit of freedom, how far each of them is willing to go, and what they must sacrifice along the way.
But unbeknownst to Skye and Leo, there is another enemy, more powerful and deadly than any threat posed by the Empire. An enemy who lurks beyond the throne…
Now there is only the Empire.
For a thousand years, Akkadia, the Empire of Engines, has reigned supreme, unchallenged. Within the Capitol, a city patrolled by machines, ten districts lay separated by social standing. While the wealthy enjoy the best of what life has to offer, the poor starve.
Only the Resistance, a group of ragtag rebels from all corners of Akkadia, dares to challenge the Empire. In recent months, they’ve been growing bolder, but it’s never enough.
Leo is a mechanic, living and working within the Capitol. His menial job ensures his family is provided for, but he dreams of giving them a better future.
Skye is a rebel, who has fought, spied, and killed for the Resistance for the past eleven years. Her only goal is to bring the Empire to its knees—no matter the cost.
When fate brings them together, they must decide what is right and what is wrong in the pursuit of freedom, how far each of them is willing to go, and what they must sacrifice along the way.
But unbeknownst to Skye and Leo, there is another enemy, more powerful and deadly than any threat posed by the Empire. An enemy who lurks beyond the throne…
- GenresFantasy
455 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 31, 2025
5 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Terry
6 books52 followersRachel Terry grew up in a small town where nothing much ever happened, dreaming of grand adventures and far-away places, which she found between the pages of books. When not writing, she can be found reading, making YouTube videos, gaming with friends, or indulging in her love of history. She currently resides in the Midwest with her family and a cat named Crinkles.
Visit her online at: rachel-terry.com
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Visit her online at: rachel-terry.com
YouTube: RachelTerryAuthor
Instagram: rterrywriter
Facebook: rachelterryauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 30, 2025
4.5/5 stars
Rebellion, dragons, and automatons, what more could you want? Beyond the Throne throws you straight into the heart of a dystopian empire ruled by classism, surveillance, and mechanized control, and doesn't let up for a second.
I had such a good time with this. It’s the kind of book that reminds you revolution is messy, violent, and often necessary. This isn't a story that tries to soften the edges; people fight, bleed, and die for change, and the cost of that is front and center. I loved that. It gives the stakes a visceral weight.
The romance? Look, I didn’t feel a huge spark between Leo and Skye, but I adored their dynamic all the same. She’s all blades and anger; he’s soft, hopeful, and wounded in quieter ways. Their first encounter (with a dagger at the throat, naturally) is pitch-perfect. I was totally sold on the mutual respect and emotional growth, even if the chemistry didn’t quite sizzle for me. That said, Leo and Sheboleth’s friendship? Obsessed. Give me more of that devoted friendship any day.
I also can’t get over how much worldbuilding was packed into this. The disability rep was a pleasant surprise. And the inclusion of POVs from those circling the edges of villainy? Brilliant.
And that ending?? Absolute chaos in the best way. Everything escalated again and again until I couldn’t turn pages fast enough. What a great time!
Thanks so much to R&R Book Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
Rebellion, dragons, and automatons, what more could you want? Beyond the Throne throws you straight into the heart of a dystopian empire ruled by classism, surveillance, and mechanized control, and doesn't let up for a second.
I had such a good time with this. It’s the kind of book that reminds you revolution is messy, violent, and often necessary. This isn't a story that tries to soften the edges; people fight, bleed, and die for change, and the cost of that is front and center. I loved that. It gives the stakes a visceral weight.
The romance? Look, I didn’t feel a huge spark between Leo and Skye, but I adored their dynamic all the same. She’s all blades and anger; he’s soft, hopeful, and wounded in quieter ways. Their first encounter (with a dagger at the throat, naturally) is pitch-perfect. I was totally sold on the mutual respect and emotional growth, even if the chemistry didn’t quite sizzle for me. That said, Leo and Sheboleth’s friendship? Obsessed. Give me more of that devoted friendship any day.
I also can’t get over how much worldbuilding was packed into this. The disability rep was a pleasant surprise. And the inclusion of POVs from those circling the edges of villainy? Brilliant.
And that ending?? Absolute chaos in the best way. Everything escalated again and again until I couldn’t turn pages fast enough. What a great time!
Thanks so much to R&R Book Tours and the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
July 2, 2025
❤️🔥‼️𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗢𝗥 𝗙𝗔𝗡𝗦‼️❤️🔥
If you love the absolute thrill of navigating the intricate political intrigue and subterfuge of Andor as the rebellion assemble to topple an evil empire, then YOU NEED TO PICK UP THIS BOOK!!!
𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 is an adult standalone epic fantasy that throws you at the heart of a dystopian empire ruled by a tyrannical emperor.
You’ll also find that the resistance is assembling, the dragons are sassy, and the mechanized robots are utterly terrifying.
𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐁𝐑 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
💛 Epic Fantasy
⚙️ Dystopian World
💛 Evil Empire + Ancient Evil
⚙️ Rebels and Resistances
💛 Mechanized Robots
⚙️ Dragons
💛 High Stakes Political Intrigue and Subterfuge
⚙️ Slow Burn Romance
💛 Reluctant Rebel MMC
⚙️ Morally Gray FMC
💛 Action-packed!
I had a great time reading this book! It kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time. I’m literally on my Andor-high and this PERFECT to satisfy my cravings for rebellion shenanigans, morally-grey characters, and action-packed scenes!
The world-building was also so immersive, without being overwhelming. It unfolds smoothly around you as you read.
You get a close-up of how the empire works: how cruelty and injustice are the way of life. People are oppressed by the emperor through his mechanized robots.
Then you see the rebellion building a network of people ready to resist and how much it truly takes to topple an evil empire.
I adore how nuanced each characters are, as they all navigate a difficult world. The romantic subplot is honestly…adorable. Leo is soft and hopeful while Skye is all rage and how they balance each other.
___
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀʀᴄ, ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍʏ ᴏᴡɴ
___
If you love the absolute thrill of navigating the intricate political intrigue and subterfuge of Andor as the rebellion assemble to topple an evil empire, then YOU NEED TO PICK UP THIS BOOK!!!
𝗕𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗲 is an adult standalone epic fantasy that throws you at the heart of a dystopian empire ruled by a tyrannical emperor.
You’ll also find that the resistance is assembling, the dragons are sassy, and the mechanized robots are utterly terrifying.
𝐀𝐝𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐓𝐁𝐑 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞:
💛 Epic Fantasy
⚙️ Dystopian World
💛 Evil Empire + Ancient Evil
⚙️ Rebels and Resistances
💛 Mechanized Robots
⚙️ Dragons
💛 High Stakes Political Intrigue and Subterfuge
⚙️ Slow Burn Romance
💛 Reluctant Rebel MMC
⚙️ Morally Gray FMC
💛 Action-packed!
I had a great time reading this book! It kept me at the edge of my seat the entire time. I’m literally on my Andor-high and this PERFECT to satisfy my cravings for rebellion shenanigans, morally-grey characters, and action-packed scenes!
The world-building was also so immersive, without being overwhelming. It unfolds smoothly around you as you read.
You get a close-up of how the empire works: how cruelty and injustice are the way of life. People are oppressed by the emperor through his mechanized robots.
Then you see the rebellion building a network of people ready to resist and how much it truly takes to topple an evil empire.
I adore how nuanced each characters are, as they all navigate a difficult world. The romantic subplot is honestly…adorable. Leo is soft and hopeful while Skye is all rage and how they balance each other.
___
ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴀʀᴄ, ᴀʟʟ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ ᴀʀᴇ ᴍʏ ᴏᴡɴ
___
July 22, 2025
I enjoyed some parts of this story and other parts, not so much. I'll split it between what I did and didn't like because other readers may enjoy the story.
The villians in this story, for me, were written better than the heroes. Not the emporer himself as much but Lydia with her ambition and what she would do to keep her brother alive. She schemes and doesn't care who she sacrifices to get to her goals. A worthy villain.
We do have dragons in this story, which is always a plus for me. The only thing that bothered me was that Sheboleth acted... too human... Dragons, for me, should always feel a bit above humans. But that is a personal opinion. At least she tries to help.
What I didn't like... the resistance felt like it was there just because we needed two sides. They aren't very good at what they do. They lose a lot of agents (mostly due to poisoning themselves so they don't get caught) with nothing to show for it. But at least that is only if they do anything at all. I can't say I was rooting for them to win.
I liked Leo as one of our main characters, but I liked Anyah as a side character more than Skye, who is our other main.
I struggled with this story, but the writing is good and easy to read. It was just not totally for me.
The villians in this story, for me, were written better than the heroes. Not the emporer himself as much but Lydia with her ambition and what she would do to keep her brother alive. She schemes and doesn't care who she sacrifices to get to her goals. A worthy villain.
We do have dragons in this story, which is always a plus for me. The only thing that bothered me was that Sheboleth acted... too human... Dragons, for me, should always feel a bit above humans. But that is a personal opinion. At least she tries to help.
What I didn't like... the resistance felt like it was there just because we needed two sides. They aren't very good at what they do. They lose a lot of agents (mostly due to poisoning themselves so they don't get caught) with nothing to show for it. But at least that is only if they do anything at all. I can't say I was rooting for them to win.
I liked Leo as one of our main characters, but I liked Anyah as a side character more than Skye, who is our other main.
I struggled with this story, but the writing is good and easy to read. It was just not totally for me.
May 16, 2025
Evil Empire • Rebels • Dragons • Multi-POV
You had me at dragons 🫶
Ancient evil empire with a modern day twist. At the beginning of this book I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. The world setting of this book is extremely unique. We have a morally gray, highly skilled FMC, “the rat” (you’ll have to read it to understand that 🤪). Then we have the sweetest MMC and some diabolical side characters. This is not a Romantasy read, read it for the plot! At the height of it all I had no idea what was coming next, and adding in dragons? Sold.
You had me at dragons 🫶
Ancient evil empire with a modern day twist. At the beginning of this book I had no idea what I had gotten myself into. The world setting of this book is extremely unique. We have a morally gray, highly skilled FMC, “the rat” (you’ll have to read it to understand that 🤪). Then we have the sweetest MMC and some diabolical side characters. This is not a Romantasy read, read it for the plot! At the height of it all I had no idea what was coming next, and adding in dragons? Sold.
May 25, 2025
This book 😍
To me it was a unique mix on the politics from hunger games while adding in elements similar to Eragon with a steam punk vibe threaded throughout. The world was extremely well thought out and the pacing of the novel moved well throughout the whole book. I loved that the ending left room for more story to tell, without a huge cliffhanger (which I personally hate). This was my first read of this author and I will be picking up more of her items as I go since this was amazing!
To me it was a unique mix on the politics from hunger games while adding in elements similar to Eragon with a steam punk vibe threaded throughout. The world was extremely well thought out and the pacing of the novel moved well throughout the whole book. I loved that the ending left room for more story to tell, without a huge cliffhanger (which I personally hate). This was my first read of this author and I will be picking up more of her items as I go since this was amazing!
August 28, 2025
This was received as an ARC in exchange for an honest review — thank you Rachel Terry & MTMC Tours for the gifted eARC.
Book: Beyond the Throne
Series: Empire of Engines (#1)
Genre: Adult Epic Fantasy
Rating: 3.5⭐
4/5 Relationships
3/5 Characters
3/5 Plot
1🌶
*:✿˚⋆ SPOILER FREE REVIEW *:✿˚⋆
Ok, so this one was a bit hard for me to review. I’m not sure exactly why, but I usually know right away how I feel when I finish a book. With this one, I’ve been sitting on it for two days, trying to get my bearings before writing this review.
I think my overall thought is that it’s a good book—no more, no less. It’s not something I’ll be recommending to everyone. Not because it’s bad in any way, but because it reads more like a softer version of an epic fantasy. I don’t think I’d recommend it to an avid fantasy reader, as it leans a little on the “vanilla” side, and here’s why:
When it comes to the plot, the story itself is interesting, but it isn’t anything I haven’t seen before. That doesn’t bother me in itself—fantasy often starts from the same baseline premise—but what makes a book stand out is the way the author builds on that foundation. In this case, the premise follows a reluctant hero who rises against a villain (the empire), and with the help of their newfound family, they resist, fight back, and work to create a better world. If you read a lot of fantasy, you know this setup well. What matters is how it’s executed and what’s added to make it feel fresh and new and I just feel like not much was added to differentiate it from every other book with that premise.
As for the characters, I felt there wasn’t much depth, either for the main characters or the supporting ones. We do get a bit of backstory for the FMC, but everyone else remains surface-level. We see glimpses of the MMC’s family outside of his new circle, but not enough to really make us care about them.
Most other characters have a name, a hint of personality, and a role, but nothing that goes deeper. We don’t really explore their pasts, motivations, or even distinct personalities. Side characters pop in here and there, sometimes with a line or two that gives us an idea of their vibe, but not enough to make them memorable. Honestly, most of them could have died, and my only reaction would’ve been, “That’s unfortunate,” before moving on.
The relationships, however, were much better. Since this is classified as epic fantasy, the romance was a subplot, but I thought its development was well done. Both characters’ personal struggles and the issues they faced together made the relationship bloom into something meaningful. In this case, the slow burn felt very much worthwhile. The friendships formed throughout the story were also touching and added some heart to the mix.
The writing style was coheren and easy to read.
The pacing was consistent for the most part. There were two points where I was a little confused about the timeline, but it wasn’t enough to negatively impact my experience.
The book does not end on a cliffhanger.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. I do think it could have been slightly shorter, which would have made it sharper. I flew through the first half and was completely captivated, but then the story slowed down. I felt like I had to push through the middle because not much was happening. The conversations weren’t as purposeful, and I think what was covered in 50 pages could have been done in 25. That said, if you’re looking to get into adult or epic fantasy, this could be a solid starting point.
Book: Beyond the Throne
Series: Empire of Engines (#1)
Genre: Adult Epic Fantasy
Rating: 3.5⭐
4/5 Relationships
3/5 Characters
3/5 Plot
1🌶
*:✿˚⋆ SPOILER FREE REVIEW *:✿˚⋆
Ok, so this one was a bit hard for me to review. I’m not sure exactly why, but I usually know right away how I feel when I finish a book. With this one, I’ve been sitting on it for two days, trying to get my bearings before writing this review.
I think my overall thought is that it’s a good book—no more, no less. It’s not something I’ll be recommending to everyone. Not because it’s bad in any way, but because it reads more like a softer version of an epic fantasy. I don’t think I’d recommend it to an avid fantasy reader, as it leans a little on the “vanilla” side, and here’s why:
When it comes to the plot, the story itself is interesting, but it isn’t anything I haven’t seen before. That doesn’t bother me in itself—fantasy often starts from the same baseline premise—but what makes a book stand out is the way the author builds on that foundation. In this case, the premise follows a reluctant hero who rises against a villain (the empire), and with the help of their newfound family, they resist, fight back, and work to create a better world. If you read a lot of fantasy, you know this setup well. What matters is how it’s executed and what’s added to make it feel fresh and new and I just feel like not much was added to differentiate it from every other book with that premise.
As for the characters, I felt there wasn’t much depth, either for the main characters or the supporting ones. We do get a bit of backstory for the FMC, but everyone else remains surface-level. We see glimpses of the MMC’s family outside of his new circle, but not enough to really make us care about them.
Most other characters have a name, a hint of personality, and a role, but nothing that goes deeper. We don’t really explore their pasts, motivations, or even distinct personalities. Side characters pop in here and there, sometimes with a line or two that gives us an idea of their vibe, but not enough to make them memorable. Honestly, most of them could have died, and my only reaction would’ve been, “That’s unfortunate,” before moving on.
The relationships, however, were much better. Since this is classified as epic fantasy, the romance was a subplot, but I thought its development was well done. Both characters’ personal struggles and the issues they faced together made the relationship bloom into something meaningful. In this case, the slow burn felt very much worthwhile. The friendships formed throughout the story were also touching and added some heart to the mix.
The writing style was coheren and easy to read.
The pacing was consistent for the most part. There were two points where I was a little confused about the timeline, but it wasn’t enough to negatively impact my experience.
The book does not end on a cliffhanger.
Overall, I enjoyed the read. I do think it could have been slightly shorter, which would have made it sharper. I flew through the first half and was completely captivated, but then the story slowed down. I felt like I had to push through the middle because not much was happening. The conversations weren’t as purposeful, and I think what was covered in 50 pages could have been done in 25. That said, if you’re looking to get into adult or epic fantasy, this could be a solid starting point.
May 29, 2025
📖𝑩𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒆
📝𝖱𝖺𝖼𝗁𝖾𝗅 𝖳𝖾𝗋𝗋𝗒
❥𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝟷 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙴𝚖𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙴𝚗𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝙳𝚞𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚢 - 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜
❥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝙴𝚙𝚒𝚌 𝙵𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚢
❥𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙼𝚊𝚢 𝟹𝟷𝚜𝚝 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻
❥𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟺𝟻𝟻 𝚙𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜
➜𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭🧐
Thank you so much to @rterrywriter & @rrbooktours for my #gifted ARC of 𝑩𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒆! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.
This book was a wild ride from start to finish and I loved every second of it. I was living for the steampunk vibes it was giving, and while it was definitely more fantasy than Romantasy, I thought it was excellent! The slow burn between the MCs (Skye and Leo) added just the right amount of romance to the story and I loved everything about it!🥰 This book was pretty unique for me and I loved all the mechanical/industrial aspects in it, while also adding in everything I love in a good fantasy read like magic and DRAGONS. Any book with dragons is going to be an automatic yes for me!
I loved the dynamic between Leo and Skye and ALWAYS love a morally grey FMC! Having a FMC who is morally grey and then a sweeter MMC is always such a treat! Leo is so sweet and I loved seeing their relationship grow from reluctant allies to lovers. The plot was exciting and I loved that it was multiple POVs! In a book that is more plot driven than romance driven, having the different POVs is just the best because I love being able to see into everyone’s heads and get their perspective on what is going on.
The plot was exciting and there were so many twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and the world building was written beautifully. I loved the way the ending wrapped mostly everything up with no major cliffhangers, but that there was still some openings for more stories!
I definitely recommend this one for anyone who loves a good fantasy with dragons and steampunk vibes!
➜𝘼𝙙𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝘽𝙍 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚:
⚙️Evil Empire
⚙️Rebels and Resistances
⚙️Slow Burn Romance
⚙️Reluctant Rebel MMC
⚙️Dragons
⚙️Ancient Evil
⚙️Morally Gray FMC
⚙️World-Ending Stakes
⚙️No Spice
⚙️Multi POV
➜𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Once there were four kingdoms. Now there is only the Empire.
For a thousand years, Akkadia, the Empire of Engines, has reigned supreme, unchallenged. Within the Capitol, a city patrolled by machines, ten districts lay separated by social standing. While the wealthy enjoy the best of what life has to offer, the poor starve.
Only the Resistance, a group of ragtag rebels from all corners of Akkadia, dares to challenge the Empire. In recent months, they’ve been growing bolder, but it’s never enough.
Leo is a mechanic, living and working within the Capitol. His menial job ensures his family is provided for, but he dreams of giving them a better future.
Skye is a rebel, who has fought, spied, and killed for the Resistance for the past eleven years. Her only goal is to bring the Empire to its knees—no matter the cost.
When fate brings them together, they must decide what is right and what is wrong in the pursuit of freedom, how far each of them is willing to go, and what they must sacrifice along the way.
But unbeknownst to Skye and Leo, there is another enemy, more powerful and deadly than any threat posed by the Empire. An enemy who lurks beyond the throne…
━━━━ ༻❁༺ ━━━━
📝𝖱𝖺𝖼𝗁𝖾𝗅 𝖳𝖾𝗋𝗋𝗒
❥𝙱𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝟷 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙴𝚖𝚙𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝙴𝚗𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝙳𝚞𝚘𝚕𝚘𝚐𝚢 - 𝙸𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚌𝚘𝚗𝚗𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚂𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎𝚜
❥𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘: 𝙴𝚙𝚒𝚌 𝙵𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚢
❥𝗥𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 𝙼𝚊𝚢 𝟹𝟷𝚜𝚝 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟻
❥𝗣𝗔𝗚𝗘 𝗡𝗨𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥: 𝟺𝟻𝟻 𝚙𝚊𝚐𝚎𝚜
➜𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨💭🧐
Thank you so much to @rterrywriter & @rrbooktours for my #gifted ARC of 𝑩𝒆𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒆! This review is comprised entirely of my own thoughts & opinions, & is based on the copy I received.
This book was a wild ride from start to finish and I loved every second of it. I was living for the steampunk vibes it was giving, and while it was definitely more fantasy than Romantasy, I thought it was excellent! The slow burn between the MCs (Skye and Leo) added just the right amount of romance to the story and I loved everything about it!🥰 This book was pretty unique for me and I loved all the mechanical/industrial aspects in it, while also adding in everything I love in a good fantasy read like magic and DRAGONS. Any book with dragons is going to be an automatic yes for me!
I loved the dynamic between Leo and Skye and ALWAYS love a morally grey FMC! Having a FMC who is morally grey and then a sweeter MMC is always such a treat! Leo is so sweet and I loved seeing their relationship grow from reluctant allies to lovers. The plot was exciting and I loved that it was multiple POVs! In a book that is more plot driven than romance driven, having the different POVs is just the best because I love being able to see into everyone’s heads and get their perspective on what is going on.
The plot was exciting and there were so many twists and turns I didn’t see coming, and the world building was written beautifully. I loved the way the ending wrapped mostly everything up with no major cliffhangers, but that there was still some openings for more stories!
I definitely recommend this one for anyone who loves a good fantasy with dragons and steampunk vibes!
➜𝘼𝙙𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙏𝘽𝙍 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙤𝙫𝙚:
⚙️Evil Empire
⚙️Rebels and Resistances
⚙️Slow Burn Romance
⚙️Reluctant Rebel MMC
⚙️Dragons
⚙️Ancient Evil
⚙️Morally Gray FMC
⚙️World-Ending Stakes
⚙️No Spice
⚙️Multi POV
➜𝙎𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨:
Once there were four kingdoms. Now there is only the Empire.
For a thousand years, Akkadia, the Empire of Engines, has reigned supreme, unchallenged. Within the Capitol, a city patrolled by machines, ten districts lay separated by social standing. While the wealthy enjoy the best of what life has to offer, the poor starve.
Only the Resistance, a group of ragtag rebels from all corners of Akkadia, dares to challenge the Empire. In recent months, they’ve been growing bolder, but it’s never enough.
Leo is a mechanic, living and working within the Capitol. His menial job ensures his family is provided for, but he dreams of giving them a better future.
Skye is a rebel, who has fought, spied, and killed for the Resistance for the past eleven years. Her only goal is to bring the Empire to its knees—no matter the cost.
When fate brings them together, they must decide what is right and what is wrong in the pursuit of freedom, how far each of them is willing to go, and what they must sacrifice along the way.
But unbeknownst to Skye and Leo, there is another enemy, more powerful and deadly than any threat posed by the Empire. An enemy who lurks beyond the throne…
━━━━ ༻❁༺ ━━━━
July 8, 2025
This was somewhat of a mixed bag for me and, admittedly, a little hard for me to rate. Ambitious in scope, there are some interesting ideas in this book, but not everything landed. I was tempted to DNF before the 20% mark, but I stuck with it because—to the book’s credit—there was always something just interesting enough to keep me turning the pages.
The world-building is on the softer side and felt fairly standard, with a familiar empire-versus-rebellion setup and a caste-like city structure that I’ve seen in other fantasy books. I did enjoy the way it layered in some sci-fi elements, though—especially the contrast between the mechanical and the organic. But, all in all, the setting didn’t feel particularly fresh.
The characters—of which there are a few—felt a little flat to me. I felt the most connected to the MMC, and liked him and his POV scenes the best. I especially appreciated his friendship with his non-human companion, which was layered with more depth than most of the other human relationships. The FMC, on the other hand, I never got a good feel for and there was nothing particularly memorable about her. Their romance also didn’t work for me—it came out of nowhere and lacked any real tension or chemistry. I wouldn’t even classify it as a slow-burn because there was no lead-up.
I did like the thread involving the emperor, though, whose increasingly erratic behaviour gives the political story a more unstable, psychological edge. I hadn’t been expecting that, and I wish it had been explored more.
The pacing is slow in the beginning as the story sets up and steady in the middle, but it rushes through the final stretch in a way that felt jarring. Almost like the author was running out of steam and wanted to wrap things up quickly. I also think it would have been better to have fewer POVs because the constant shifts between them—sometimes within a single chapter—were a bit much.
Overall, this was a solidly okay read for me. I won’t be racing out to grab the next one when it releases, but I might come back to it someday—if curiosity gets the better of me.
The world-building is on the softer side and felt fairly standard, with a familiar empire-versus-rebellion setup and a caste-like city structure that I’ve seen in other fantasy books. I did enjoy the way it layered in some sci-fi elements, though—especially the contrast between the mechanical and the organic. But, all in all, the setting didn’t feel particularly fresh.
The characters—of which there are a few—felt a little flat to me. I felt the most connected to the MMC, and liked him and his POV scenes the best. I especially appreciated his friendship with his non-human companion, which was layered with more depth than most of the other human relationships. The FMC, on the other hand, I never got a good feel for and there was nothing particularly memorable about her. Their romance also didn’t work for me—it came out of nowhere and lacked any real tension or chemistry. I wouldn’t even classify it as a slow-burn because there was no lead-up.
I did like the thread involving the emperor, though, whose increasingly erratic behaviour gives the political story a more unstable, psychological edge. I hadn’t been expecting that, and I wish it had been explored more.
The pacing is slow in the beginning as the story sets up and steady in the middle, but it rushes through the final stretch in a way that felt jarring. Almost like the author was running out of steam and wanted to wrap things up quickly. I also think it would have been better to have fewer POVs because the constant shifts between them—sometimes within a single chapter—were a bit much.
Overall, this was a solidly okay read for me. I won’t be racing out to grab the next one when it releases, but I might come back to it someday—if curiosity gets the better of me.
May 29, 2025
Beyond the Throne is a compelling dystopian fantasy that has confirmed Rachel Terry is one of my absolute favorite authors! It is set amidst a resistance against an oppressive empire, replete with dragon automatons and mechanical beasts that enforce the mad Emperor’s rule. Akkadia is known as the Empire of Engines. This steampunk setting was SO interesting and added such a unique spin! Don’t you worry, there are also real dragons too, and my goodness, did Sheboleth the dragon ever win my heart!
After reading a few of Rachel Terry’s books, I’ve become very used to her signature POV switches. She opts for multiple POV with a fairly large cast, which while not for everyone, I absolutely love. It provides this really expansive overview of her worlds and helps readers to understand the motives of all involved. Terry is very skilled at creating compelling villains and exemplifying how a person can get to that point.
There is some very sweet, slow burn, no-spice romance, but I would say this book is more focused on a fantastic plot and the underlying friendships and trust that forms between characters. I personally prefer a little romance with my fantasy over a little fantasy with my romance, so this was perfect for me. The lore and world building were so well done, and I can’t wait to read the next book (which I believe is a prequel), so I can learn even more about the history of these kingdoms.
I am also so curious if the author is a fan of Skyrim, as I got so many Skyrim vibes with the dragons, imperial guards, and soul stones! I enjoyed this one so much, and will most certainly read Book II in the Empire of Engines duology! Well done!
After reading a few of Rachel Terry’s books, I’ve become very used to her signature POV switches. She opts for multiple POV with a fairly large cast, which while not for everyone, I absolutely love. It provides this really expansive overview of her worlds and helps readers to understand the motives of all involved. Terry is very skilled at creating compelling villains and exemplifying how a person can get to that point.
There is some very sweet, slow burn, no-spice romance, but I would say this book is more focused on a fantastic plot and the underlying friendships and trust that forms between characters. I personally prefer a little romance with my fantasy over a little fantasy with my romance, so this was perfect for me. The lore and world building were so well done, and I can’t wait to read the next book (which I believe is a prequel), so I can learn even more about the history of these kingdoms.
I am also so curious if the author is a fan of Skyrim, as I got so many Skyrim vibes with the dragons, imperial guards, and soul stones! I enjoyed this one so much, and will most certainly read Book II in the Empire of Engines duology! Well done!
May 18, 2025
I was lucky to receive an ARC for an honest review of this book.
Beyond The Throne follows the twists and turns of Leo's life in a world of dragons, rebellion, power struggles, automatons (robotic guards) and a touch of magic in the form of soul stones and demons.
The story has a slight dystopian / steampunk vibe based around a concentric circle district system being run by the emperor who wants his people fearful of the consequences of going against him. Leo is the reluctant hero only joining the resistance fighters when his life takes a sudden turn, and a series of events leaves him out of options. Befriending a dragon and gaining the trust of the rebels helps lead Leo towards learning how to end the reign of the emperor, the automatons and the powers that control him once and for all.
The book is written at a good pace with several points of view from different characters throughout; it is an easy and quick read, and I wanted to keep reading to discover what would happen next. The ending was a satisfying one, ending in such a way that there weren't too many unanswered questions but leaving enough that more books in the series could delve into what happens going forward and possibly more backstory to some of the characters which would be great.
A couple of trigger warnings for violence leading to death, torture. A gently growing romance too but no spice for those that prefer the less is more in the romance stakes.
Beyond The Throne follows the twists and turns of Leo's life in a world of dragons, rebellion, power struggles, automatons (robotic guards) and a touch of magic in the form of soul stones and demons.
The story has a slight dystopian / steampunk vibe based around a concentric circle district system being run by the emperor who wants his people fearful of the consequences of going against him. Leo is the reluctant hero only joining the resistance fighters when his life takes a sudden turn, and a series of events leaves him out of options. Befriending a dragon and gaining the trust of the rebels helps lead Leo towards learning how to end the reign of the emperor, the automatons and the powers that control him once and for all.
The book is written at a good pace with several points of view from different characters throughout; it is an easy and quick read, and I wanted to keep reading to discover what would happen next. The ending was a satisfying one, ending in such a way that there weren't too many unanswered questions but leaving enough that more books in the series could delve into what happens going forward and possibly more backstory to some of the characters which would be great.
A couple of trigger warnings for violence leading to death, torture. A gently growing romance too but no spice for those that prefer the less is more in the romance stakes.
May 4, 2025
I gobbled this book up!
I was sent an ARC by Rachel Terry and my goodness I'm very lucky to have.
Leo, our reluctant rebel, finds himself dragged from the monotony of his daily grind life and entangled with the rebels seeking to destroy the empire.
We have an evil emporer being corrupted by ancient magic. Dragons. Mechanical war machines. Rebels fighting to destroy the oppressive regime set by the current empire. Found family. Dynamic battle scenes and hidden secrets causing major plot twists!
I really liked the steam punk vibe of the writing. The story flowed really well and the different pov really added to the story. The atmosphere was so well described and really set the scene. Even the parts of the story set in the wealthier areas keep this energy as they're constantly surrounded by the machines.
The characters worked really well together and separately, the different povs were executed brilliantly - allowing the reader to be fully immersed in each individual character arc whilst also adding to our overall understanding of the world and the desperation for change.
The slow burn romance in the book going from distrustful/reluctant allies to lovers was super sweet.
This was a really great fantasy read. Well written, well paced and characters that you're able to very easily empathise with.
I was sent an ARC by Rachel Terry and my goodness I'm very lucky to have.
Leo, our reluctant rebel, finds himself dragged from the monotony of his daily grind life and entangled with the rebels seeking to destroy the empire.
We have an evil emporer being corrupted by ancient magic. Dragons. Mechanical war machines. Rebels fighting to destroy the oppressive regime set by the current empire. Found family. Dynamic battle scenes and hidden secrets causing major plot twists!
I really liked the steam punk vibe of the writing. The story flowed really well and the different pov really added to the story. The atmosphere was so well described and really set the scene. Even the parts of the story set in the wealthier areas keep this energy as they're constantly surrounded by the machines.
The characters worked really well together and separately, the different povs were executed brilliantly - allowing the reader to be fully immersed in each individual character arc whilst also adding to our overall understanding of the world and the desperation for change.
The slow burn romance in the book going from distrustful/reluctant allies to lovers was super sweet.
This was a really great fantasy read. Well written, well paced and characters that you're able to very easily empathise with.
June 5, 2025
Beyond the Throne by Rachel Terry is a gripping blend of rebellion, grit, and heartache set in a beautifully bleak world where mechanical order rules and freedom feels like a distant dream. In Akkadia, the sharp divide between rich and poor crackles with tension, and the rising rebellion simmers with the hope of change—even if that change comes at a high cost.
Leo, a soft-spoken mechanic with a fierce love for his family, is a wonderfully grounded protagonist. His reluctant entanglement with the Resistance brings much-needed emotional depth to the battle-scarred world. In contrast, Skye is all edges and fire—loyal to the cause but haunted by the cost. When their paths collide, the chemistry and conflict between them add a fresh layer of stakes and heart to the narrative.
The world-building is immersive—equal parts steampunk and dystopia, with districts divided by status and a Capitol crawling with machines. Terry’s portrayal of class disparity and rebellion feels painfully relevant and sets a powerful stage for moral complexity and sacrifice.
The pacing occasionally dips, especially during some exposition-heavy moments, but the emotional tension and high-stakes action keep the momentum strong overall.
Leo, a soft-spoken mechanic with a fierce love for his family, is a wonderfully grounded protagonist. His reluctant entanglement with the Resistance brings much-needed emotional depth to the battle-scarred world. In contrast, Skye is all edges and fire—loyal to the cause but haunted by the cost. When their paths collide, the chemistry and conflict between them add a fresh layer of stakes and heart to the narrative.
The world-building is immersive—equal parts steampunk and dystopia, with districts divided by status and a Capitol crawling with machines. Terry’s portrayal of class disparity and rebellion feels painfully relevant and sets a powerful stage for moral complexity and sacrifice.
The pacing occasionally dips, especially during some exposition-heavy moments, but the emotional tension and high-stakes action keep the momentum strong overall.
July 5, 2025
Beyond the Throne is a standalone epic fantasy, and tells the story of two rebels, one reluctant and one renegade, in their fight against an evil empire. But there is a more dangerous enemy still, one that lurks beyond the throne..
⚙️ Evil Empire
⚙️ Rebels and Resistances
⚙️ Slow Burn Romance Subplot
⚙️ Reluctant Rebel MMC
⚙️ Morally Gray FMC
⚙️ Standalone
⚙️ Ancient Evil
⚙️ World-ending Stakes
⚙️ No Spice
⚙️ Multi POV
I love books that have a dystopian setting. This also gave me that Mortal Instruments anf Mad Max feel. This book gives you battles with dragons and then you have robots and some chaos. What's not love?
I love the authors writing style of giving you multiple points of view. I personally always like that style because I like seeing things through the eyes of each character. I love the relationships that were built throughout the course of this story.
I personally thought that the no spice aspect was a breath of fresh air from a lot of the books I've been reading. I could actually read more books like this.
There are some violent scenes in the book so just check out any trigger warnings before reading. Over all this was a great read. I'll be very interested to see what happens in the other books in the series.
⚙️ Evil Empire
⚙️ Rebels and Resistances
⚙️ Slow Burn Romance Subplot
⚙️ Reluctant Rebel MMC
⚙️ Morally Gray FMC
⚙️ Standalone
⚙️ Ancient Evil
⚙️ World-ending Stakes
⚙️ No Spice
⚙️ Multi POV
I love books that have a dystopian setting. This also gave me that Mortal Instruments anf Mad Max feel. This book gives you battles with dragons and then you have robots and some chaos. What's not love?
I love the authors writing style of giving you multiple points of view. I personally always like that style because I like seeing things through the eyes of each character. I love the relationships that were built throughout the course of this story.
I personally thought that the no spice aspect was a breath of fresh air from a lot of the books I've been reading. I could actually read more books like this.
There are some violent scenes in the book so just check out any trigger warnings before reading. Over all this was a great read. I'll be very interested to see what happens in the other books in the series.
May 31, 2025
I really enjoyed Beyond the Throne.
This book has districts, dragons, a resistance and some really awesome characters that you just fall in love with. This book includes so many things you’d want in a fantasy. The book includes some really unique world building I haven’t read before including mechs, tracker systems and so much more. It was a multi POV book which I found to be really helpful to the characters and just overall this book is amazing if you’re looking for a new fantasy read that’s has some unique plots and a unique story.
You follow Leo who is a doll maker in district III as he tries to provide for his mom and younger sister and Skye who is apart of the resistance trying to take down the current throne. There’s also POV of characters such as Fabian a musical performer for the current throne and his story of him and his sister. Not only are the main characters such an amazing group but the supporting characters and their stories are so heartwarming.
If you love books that include found family, dragons, and major character development and moral questioning as well as new found friendship then this book is definitely for you!
This book has districts, dragons, a resistance and some really awesome characters that you just fall in love with. This book includes so many things you’d want in a fantasy. The book includes some really unique world building I haven’t read before including mechs, tracker systems and so much more. It was a multi POV book which I found to be really helpful to the characters and just overall this book is amazing if you’re looking for a new fantasy read that’s has some unique plots and a unique story.
You follow Leo who is a doll maker in district III as he tries to provide for his mom and younger sister and Skye who is apart of the resistance trying to take down the current throne. There’s also POV of characters such as Fabian a musical performer for the current throne and his story of him and his sister. Not only are the main characters such an amazing group but the supporting characters and their stories are so heartwarming.
If you love books that include found family, dragons, and major character development and moral questioning as well as new found friendship then this book is definitely for you!
May 15, 2025
Overall, I enjoyed liked this book. Were there things I wished could have been better, yes. I thought the writing and the plot were fantastic. I loved the ideas and where the story ultimately went. On the other hand, the ending felt a little rushed and incomplete, and the switching of POVs felt awkward at times. The book is written in third person multi-POV, but at times the POV would switch mid chapter without a noticeable break in context. For example, on paragraph would be in the MMC’s POV, and then the next would be in the FMC’s POV. It took some use getting to, but it still felt a bit awkward. I was generally surprised by the ending as it did not go the way I was expecting (since it says that this is book 1), but it wrapped up nicely if this would be considered a standalone. Overall, I think this book was fun to read. It had a nice mix of dystopian and fantasy which is something not a lot of books do. As I said, the story and plot were great and I had a fun time reading this book. ☺️
May 18, 2025
This book was sent to me as an ARC copy.
I wish Goodreads gave half stars! Because this book was a 3.5 for me. I ultimately went with 3 rather than 4 because there were a few things lacking for me.
This book is dystopian/steampunk/fantasy and more plot driven than romance.
I enjoyed the multi pov but at times it got confusing because it switched quickly like mid-chapter and didn’t really have a clear line of when it was someone else’s pov.
I enjoyed having a strong morally grey fmc while the mmc is softer. There relationship building was good to read.
Towards the end it seemed rushed and that the author was just trying to finish the story. If it was a standalone I would understand the rushing but I says “Empire of Engies #1” so I’m assuming there will be more to follow?
The little twist at the end was nice, I do enjoy a book in a series that doesn’t end on a crazy cliffhanger!
I wish Goodreads gave half stars! Because this book was a 3.5 for me. I ultimately went with 3 rather than 4 because there were a few things lacking for me.
This book is dystopian/steampunk/fantasy and more plot driven than romance.
I enjoyed the multi pov but at times it got confusing because it switched quickly like mid-chapter and didn’t really have a clear line of when it was someone else’s pov.
I enjoyed having a strong morally grey fmc while the mmc is softer. There relationship building was good to read.
Towards the end it seemed rushed and that the author was just trying to finish the story. If it was a standalone I would understand the rushing but I says “Empire of Engies #1” so I’m assuming there will be more to follow?
The little twist at the end was nice, I do enjoy a book in a series that doesn’t end on a crazy cliffhanger!
June 27, 2025
A book with dragons, mechs, political intrigue, a rebellion and demons, what more could you want from a fantasy?? This multiple POV story was fun to jump into and learn about their society and discover secrets through the eyes of the characters! Watching the main male character Leo as he learns to stand up to society and that just living may not be enough and ends up joining the rebellion while still debating giving up and reading his internal thoughts on it all was enjoyable. If you’re looking for a single book fantasy adventure with a small hint of romance, this book is for you! My rating 4.3/5.
Thank you to the author and MTMC tours for the gifted copy of this book, all opinions given are my own!
Thank you to the author and MTMC tours for the gifted copy of this book, all opinions given are my own!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2025
Beyond the Throne is a solid start to Rachel Terry's Empire of Engines series. The worldbuilding is impressive. It's one of those worlds that feels lived-in and real, where you can tell the author put a ton of thought into how everything connects.
The characters are probably my favorite part though. They're just so... human?
What I really loved is how Terry balances all the action with genuine character moments. You're invested in what happens because you actually care about these people, not just because there's explosions or whatever. The pacing is great too—never felt like it was dragging but also didn't feel rushed. Honestly, if you're into fantasy that doesn't talk down to you and has characters worth rooting for, you should definitely check this one out.
The characters are probably my favorite part though. They're just so... human?
What I really loved is how Terry balances all the action with genuine character moments. You're invested in what happens because you actually care about these people, not just because there's explosions or whatever. The pacing is great too—never felt like it was dragging but also didn't feel rushed. Honestly, if you're into fantasy that doesn't talk down to you and has characters worth rooting for, you should definitely check this one out.
May 31, 2025
Rachel Terry's "Beyond the Throne" is a fantastic read. The steampunk world she created is really cool and easy to get into.
I loved how the story moved – it was well paced and kept me hooked. The way the story switched between different characters' POVs was also really well done and made it even more interesting.
The best part for me was the characters and how they interacted. Rachel Terry did a great job making them feel real and their relationships were believable.
Overall, "Beyond the Throne" is a really good book. If you like steampunk and great characters, you'll love this. I definitely want to read more from this author!
I loved how the story moved – it was well paced and kept me hooked. The way the story switched between different characters' POVs was also really well done and made it even more interesting.
The best part for me was the characters and how they interacted. Rachel Terry did a great job making them feel real and their relationships were believable.
Overall, "Beyond the Throne" is a really good book. If you like steampunk and great characters, you'll love this. I definitely want to read more from this author!
May 31, 2025
Morally grey character
Strong FMC
Strong plot
Dragons? Say no more.
What begins as an ancient evil empire with a modern twist quickly escalates into a story unlike any other. The world is incredibly original, introducing a morally gray, exceptionally skilled female lead affectionately (or not-so-affectionately) dubbed 'the rat' – a mystery you'll love uncovering. Alongside her, you'll find the most charming male character and a cast of truly wicked side players. Forget the romance; this one's all about the plot. And just when you least expect it, dragons arrive, elevating an already unpredictable tale."
Strong FMC
Strong plot
Dragons? Say no more.
What begins as an ancient evil empire with a modern twist quickly escalates into a story unlike any other. The world is incredibly original, introducing a morally gray, exceptionally skilled female lead affectionately (or not-so-affectionately) dubbed 'the rat' – a mystery you'll love uncovering. Alongside her, you'll find the most charming male character and a cast of truly wicked side players. Forget the romance; this one's all about the plot. And just when you least expect it, dragons arrive, elevating an already unpredictable tale."
May 7, 2025
This book was an ARC copy. I knew this book was not a 3 star book, but I couldn’t decide if it was a 4 star book. Ultimately, I went with 4 stars.
This book was very enjoyable. It’s like a mixture of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and How to Train your dragon. It’s almost completely focused on the mission, but there is some closed door romance.
I did struggle towards the end. It slowed down just a little, but it was all set up for the ending.
Overall I would recommend this book to friends.
This book was very enjoyable. It’s like a mixture of Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and How to Train your dragon. It’s almost completely focused on the mission, but there is some closed door romance.
I did struggle towards the end. It slowed down just a little, but it was all set up for the ending.
Overall I would recommend this book to friends.
May 26, 2025
In this standalone book we meet Skye and Leo who are fighting for a better future. Skye being part of the resistance is fighting a regime that killed her parents. Leo is working hard to take care of his family. When his friend tricks him into meeting with the resistance everything changes. We get to meet several other characters and get their povs as well. I really enjoyed getting to meet Leo and Skye and the tough choices they have to make. The book wraps up happily with hope for a better future
May 31, 2025
Happy release day!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to pick up this book, and it did not disappoint. As per usual, Rachel Terry did an excellent job with world-building and character development throughout the story,y and I LOVED the vibes of this book. The steampunk setting was so refreshing and really brought the story to life. I also really loved our FMC, Skye, and found her to be a very compelling main character (not to mention the slow burn romance).
I’m really looking forward to the prequel, along with future fantasy releases.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited to pick up this book, and it did not disappoint. As per usual, Rachel Terry did an excellent job with world-building and character development throughout the story,y and I LOVED the vibes of this book. The steampunk setting was so refreshing and really brought the story to life. I also really loved our FMC, Skye, and found her to be a very compelling main character (not to mention the slow burn romance).
I’m really looking forward to the prequel, along with future fantasy releases.
May 3, 2025
🔥 Rebellion. Secrets. Power plays. This book is a high-octane fantasy thrill ride!
⭐ What works? A gripping plot, intense world-building, and a fierce heroine who’s impossible not to root for. The tension? Immaculate.
⚡ What could be better? Some relationships could hit harder, but honestly? The twists make up for it.
✨ Final verdict? If you love rebellions, unlikely alliances, and jaw-dropping reveals, add this to your TBR ASAP.
⭐ What works? A gripping plot, intense world-building, and a fierce heroine who’s impossible not to root for. The tension? Immaculate.
⚡ What could be better? Some relationships could hit harder, but honestly? The twists make up for it.
✨ Final verdict? If you love rebellions, unlikely alliances, and jaw-dropping reveals, add this to your TBR ASAP.
June 1, 2025
Dragons! Need I say more? But seriously, this book had me turning pages as fast as I could.
The Empire, rebels, automata, dragons! This was great. A more mature story than we have seen from Rachel, this is my new favorite.
Showing the realities of war, rebellions and death. She did not go into gory detail, and I for one appreciate that.
There was just a bit or romance, and that also did not go into details.
The Empire, rebels, automata, dragons! This was great. A more mature story than we have seen from Rachel, this is my new favorite.
Showing the realities of war, rebellions and death. She did not go into gory detail, and I for one appreciate that.
There was just a bit or romance, and that also did not go into details.
May 27, 2025
This was a great book with an engaging plot, interesting world building, a rebellion, twists & turns, secrets, a fierce FMC, a strong and steady MMC, a determined dragon, and many side characters you'll love or hate. This is a standalone fantasy that is worth adding to your tbr today.
I received an arc of this book and all opinions are my own.
I received an arc of this book and all opinions are my own.
May 29, 2025
I was sent an ARC copy by Rachel Terry.
I really enjoyed the world building, rebellion, real dragons along with automaton dragons, multiple POV. Loved both FMC (Skye) and MMC (Leo). For me was a little slow at the beginning while building the world and setting up the plot. At times a description/set up were a little wordy. Look forward to
reading Book 2 in the series.
I really enjoyed the world building, rebellion, real dragons along with automaton dragons, multiple POV. Loved both FMC (Skye) and MMC (Leo). For me was a little slow at the beginning while building the world and setting up the plot. At times a description/set up were a little wordy. Look forward to
reading Book 2 in the series.
May 16, 2025
Overall this was a pretty good book! It was a creative take on a rebellion. I enjoyed reading about the various districts and goals throughout the story. It can be a bit difficult at first to have understanding of all the characters as there are several to learn in the beginning.
May 21, 2025
i LOVED this book! The sci fi / fantasy cross over, the past and the present colliding, our broody badass FMC, our boy next door type MMC, the storytelling. I liked it all! This is a must read on release day!
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