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Among the Fallen
Remember The Fallen Ones…
Accused of a crime that he didn’t commit, Lucian Roux is on the run from his hometown, Caelum, a rural village concealed deep within The Sage’s Forest. Although carrying the weight of a criminal record and the fear of an uncertain future, Lucian sees this new start as an opportunity to achieve his one-and-only Freedom.
His freedom, however, comes with a terrible cost... A price that he might never be able to pay. Luckily, Lucian isn’t alone. In the company of a delusional goddess trapped in a mirror and a snarky peer with a passion for swords, Lucian embarks on a prophetic adventure to not only figure out the true identity of the evil entity inside him but also break the chains binding him once and for all.
Accused of a crime that he didn’t commit, Lucian Roux is on the run from his hometown, Caelum, a rural village concealed deep within The Sage’s Forest. Although carrying the weight of a criminal record and the fear of an uncertain future, Lucian sees this new start as an opportunity to achieve his one-and-only Freedom.
His freedom, however, comes with a terrible cost... A price that he might never be able to pay. Luckily, Lucian isn’t alone. In the company of a delusional goddess trapped in a mirror and a snarky peer with a passion for swords, Lucian embarks on a prophetic adventure to not only figure out the true identity of the evil entity inside him but also break the chains binding him once and for all.
379 pages, Hardcover
Published April 15, 2025
About the author
Makena Song
2 books8 followersMakena Song was adopted from Seoul, South Korea, and was raised in Longwood, Florida. From an early age, Makena’s mother, Tina Song, read countless books to her, including: The Tale of Despereaux, The Shadow Children Series, and The Missing Series. Reading allowed Makena to let her imagination run free, as these magical scenes played out in her head.
When she was introduced to Wattpad in middle school, she gained a creative outlet to express her countless story ideas. By the time she was in high school, this vault of random ideas turned into a set of fantasy novels. After she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Furman University, Makena pursued not only a full-time writing career as a marketing copywriter but also a dream to publish Among the Fallen and Among the Risen.
When she was introduced to Wattpad in middle school, she gained a creative outlet to express her countless story ideas. By the time she was in high school, this vault of random ideas turned into a set of fantasy novels. After she graduated Summa Cum Laude from Furman University, Makena pursued not only a full-time writing career as a marketing copywriter but also a dream to publish Among the Fallen and Among the Risen.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
March 3, 2026
This is an exciting adventure following 14-year-old Lucian Roux and his journey of self discovery in a world designed to work against him. I listened to the audiobook (which just came out!) and I highly recommend!
February 1, 2026
4/5 stars!
It has been quite some time since I read a book with the main character being a male, but I really enjoyed this one! Lucien's character growth was very well written and I enjoyed following along on his adventure and escape from his father's wrath.
thank you for the opportunity to read this one and for the gifted copy!
It has been quite some time since I read a book with the main character being a male, but I really enjoyed this one! Lucien's character growth was very well written and I enjoyed following along on his adventure and escape from his father's wrath.
thank you for the opportunity to read this one and for the gifted copy!
February 2, 2026
2⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok
This one was a struggle for me. It starts off strong: we’re introduced to a boy who is abused by his father and ostracized by his village for being one of the Fallen. He escapes in search of freedom and self-discovery, meeting several people along the way who teach him about the world and himself. One of them ultimately becomes his first—and only—friend.
This is very much a YA story. The characters are immature, which is expected, but at times their immaturity became frustrating. There’s also a fight scene where the MMC battles a girl, and the constant repetition of “she’s just a little girl” genuinely annoyed me. By the end of it, I was rooting for her to win.
While the book is packed with adventure, it often felt like too much was happening at once. I struggled to follow a clear plot, and many characters were introduced only to be quickly forgotten, making them feel unnecessary.
Overall, I couldn’t form a strong connection with the characters, which made it hard for me to stay engaged.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥ Chosen One
➳❥ Cursed MMC
➳❥ Adventure
➳❥ Found Family
➳❥ Betrayal
➳❥ Talking Sword
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼
“Remember the Fallen, for they will rise again.”
“I won’t die until I prove everyone wrong.”
“I suppose I owe the Gods appreciation for one thing…my first friend.”
“No one can perfectly wield their convictions like a sword and uphold their ideals like a saint.”
This one was a struggle for me. It starts off strong: we’re introduced to a boy who is abused by his father and ostracized by his village for being one of the Fallen. He escapes in search of freedom and self-discovery, meeting several people along the way who teach him about the world and himself. One of them ultimately becomes his first—and only—friend.
This is very much a YA story. The characters are immature, which is expected, but at times their immaturity became frustrating. There’s also a fight scene where the MMC battles a girl, and the constant repetition of “she’s just a little girl” genuinely annoyed me. By the end of it, I was rooting for her to win.
While the book is packed with adventure, it often felt like too much was happening at once. I struggled to follow a clear plot, and many characters were introduced only to be quickly forgotten, making them feel unnecessary.
Overall, I couldn’t form a strong connection with the characters, which made it hard for me to stay engaged.
‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧
➳❥ Chosen One
➳❥ Cursed MMC
➳❥ Adventure
➳❥ Found Family
➳❥ Betrayal
➳❥ Talking Sword
ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼
“Remember the Fallen, for they will rise again.”
“I won’t die until I prove everyone wrong.”
“I suppose I owe the Gods appreciation for one thing…my first friend.”
“No one can perfectly wield their convictions like a sword and uphold their ideals like a saint.”
February 6, 2026
Among the Fallen by Makena Song is book 1 in The Fallen Realms series by the author. This is a great debut for the fantasy series she wrote. I liked that our MC is Lucian, who is male. There are not enough stories told from the male pov, in my opinion as a reader. In the beginning of the book we met Lucian as he is being hurt. Then we learn about the Succession Ceremony that takes place occasionally in the city. This is a big deal for the city of Caelum and something happens with the ceremony, Lucien is truly on his own. This book reads so well, the world is built solidly for Lucien. I loved the character of Lucien also, he could be anyone which makes him super relatable to readers. I liked that Aaron became a sort of mentor to Lucien and also a friend to a degree. The ending of the first book leaves you on a breathless cliffhanger for the next book called Among The Risen. If you like a great YA, fantasy book you will really like this book. I can not wait to read the next one to find out what happens to Lucien and the others.
February 3, 2026
Our MC is an abused boy for being a god reincarnate. This follows him through many attempts on his life. This one took a little bit for me to get into the story but once it started to pick up I was hooked. I thought the best part was the character development and growth of our main character. I thought all of the characters were written really well. This one is definitely very emotional throughout. The MC deals with not fitting in and struggling with his own identity. It felt a little chaotic but I felt like that was genuine to how someone dealing with what he was dealing with would act, it seemed genuine. I enjoyed this, it is so much mute than just a fantasy novel it was incredibly emotional which I was not ready for. This story definitely has heart.
February 6, 2026
This book took me by surprise in an emotional rollercoaster way!! Our MC Lucien is said to be a fallen god who is cursed. Because of his history, he struggles with all kinds of abuse and identity issues. I did have a hard time getting into this book at the start, but once I got to the middle I was not only invested but emotionally invested as well! The character growth for Lucien makes me excited to see how book 2 will go!
This book was amazing & it really does tug on your heartstrings and makes you feel for the MC.
This book was amazing & it really does tug on your heartstrings and makes you feel for the MC.
January 25, 2026
Lucian is said to be the Reincarnate of a fallen god, cursed
Fallen Ones. He is only 14. Could you imagine the comments, abuse, beatings and negative community he is put in.
When Lucian is told the news of a dual ceremony.. everything changes. His teacher and mentor is no where to be found, there is an outsider among them, his sister goes missing. After all that Lucian goes on a mission/quest to figure out more about himself and how he can survive and protect those he loves. Will Lucian make it out alive from this journey? Will his new acquaintances betray him or worse turn him in?
The ending makes me want to run and get book 2, to see what happens next!
Fallen Ones. He is only 14. Could you imagine the comments, abuse, beatings and negative community he is put in.
When Lucian is told the news of a dual ceremony.. everything changes. His teacher and mentor is no where to be found, there is an outsider among them, his sister goes missing. After all that Lucian goes on a mission/quest to figure out more about himself and how he can survive and protect those he loves. Will Lucian make it out alive from this journey? Will his new acquaintances betray him or worse turn him in?
The ending makes me want to run and get book 2, to see what happens next!
April 26, 2025
Enthralling, heart-rending MUST read!
If you like stories filled with magic, a talking sword, ancient curses and prophecies, I definitely recommend this series to be added to your list of TBR!
...
Lucian Roux, since the age of four, was thrust into a world that condemns him for being a Reincarnate of the ancient Fallen god, Morpheus; and he didn't ask to be! My poor boy Lucian just can't catch a break 😭 He is so isolated and abused by his community and his father. Without spoiling much, Lucian later finds himself escaping death at every turn and meets a boy who becomes his very FIRST friend (bring your box of tissues folks 🤧). Who can Lucian trust? What mysteries and secrets lie with the Fallen and Risen gods of the past? Who is Aaron (beautifully brooding and snarky) really? Can he truly be trusted?
These are the thoughts that plague me as I continue to read along Lucian's transforming journey.
If you like stories filled with magic, a talking sword, ancient curses and prophecies, I definitely recommend this series to be added to your list of TBR!
...
Lucian Roux, since the age of four, was thrust into a world that condemns him for being a Reincarnate of the ancient Fallen god, Morpheus; and he didn't ask to be! My poor boy Lucian just can't catch a break 😭 He is so isolated and abused by his community and his father. Without spoiling much, Lucian later finds himself escaping death at every turn and meets a boy who becomes his very FIRST friend (bring your box of tissues folks 🤧). Who can Lucian trust? What mysteries and secrets lie with the Fallen and Risen gods of the past? Who is Aaron (beautifully brooding and snarky) really? Can he truly be trusted?
These are the thoughts that plague me as I continue to read along Lucian's transforming journey.
October 27, 2025
Loved the characters, loved the adventure
February 1, 2026
What if freedom was the most dangerous thing you could want?
I went into this expecting a fantasy adventure, but what I got was a deeply emotional journey about identity, guilt, and the cost of running from who you’re meant to be. Lucian Roux is such a compelling main character wrongly accused, desperate for freedom, and carrying something dark and terrifying inside himself. His fear felt real, his choices messy, and I couldn’t help but root for him even when things went sideways.
The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming. The Sage’s Forest? obsessed, and the companions totally stole my heart. A delusional goddess trapped in a mirror and a snarky, sword-loving ally added humor, tension, and some surprisingly tender moments that balanced out the darker themes perfectly. The prophecy element kept me turning pages, but it was Lucian’s internal battle between who he was, who he’s becoming, and what he’s afraid to lose that really stuck with me.
If you love fantasy with heart, morally gray struggles, found family vibes, and a touch of chaos, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
I went into this expecting a fantasy adventure, but what I got was a deeply emotional journey about identity, guilt, and the cost of running from who you’re meant to be. Lucian Roux is such a compelling main character wrongly accused, desperate for freedom, and carrying something dark and terrifying inside himself. His fear felt real, his choices messy, and I couldn’t help but root for him even when things went sideways.
The worldbuilding is rich without being overwhelming. The Sage’s Forest? obsessed, and the companions totally stole my heart. A delusional goddess trapped in a mirror and a snarky, sword-loving ally added humor, tension, and some surprisingly tender moments that balanced out the darker themes perfectly. The prophecy element kept me turning pages, but it was Lucian’s internal battle between who he was, who he’s becoming, and what he’s afraid to lose that really stuck with me.
If you love fantasy with heart, morally gray struggles, found family vibes, and a touch of chaos, this one deserves a spot on your TBR.
December 1, 2025
I absolutely devoured both books within a week. Lucian’s story was so heartbreaking. He was mentally and physically abused by his father, bullied by the village kids, and his only ally was Master Felix. Along his journey, he encounters his frenemy, Aaron Knight, and a host of others. From fallen gods to a goddess trapped in a mirror, there is a fun cast of characters to meet.
Lucian’s character arc was beautifully written. He went from victim to victor. What he thought was a curse actually worked in his favor. In spite of everything he went through, his heart to help others never changed.
The stakes were always high in both books, and there is plenty of action to keep you turning the pages. Redemption arcs are always a favorite of mine in fantasy, and this one delivered in such a powerful way.
Lucian’s character arc was beautifully written. He went from victim to victor. What he thought was a curse actually worked in his favor. In spite of everything he went through, his heart to help others never changed.
The stakes were always high in both books, and there is plenty of action to keep you turning the pages. Redemption arcs are always a favorite of mine in fantasy, and this one delivered in such a powerful way.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews