What do you think?
Rate this book
The Severed Era trilogy #1
A Realm Undone
Centuries ago, mortals split the realm into two, with a magical veil placed firmly between them and their immortal rulers, the Tiarcons. Fueled by stolen magic, the mortal kingdoms flourished, but the Tiarcons never stopped trying to reclaim their magic and mortal subjects. And now, generations later, the veil between realms has begun to tear, letting immortal monsters ravage across the nations and threaten all the mortals have built.
Alia Meador would happily watch the mortal kingdoms buckle, as long as she could keep herself and her teenaged daughter, Lena, alive. After all, her own kingdom of Mandal, cast her out for her volatile magic, sending her to wander remote villages for decades. But when the treatment for Lena's illness comes along with a royal order to defend Mandal with the same magic they once spurned, Alia is caught between protecting the one person she loves and the reckoning she's so long desired.
With every moment spent in Mandal, Alia is subjected to the grasping of her ruthless family, a traitorous mage determined to understand the extent of her power, and the allure of the prince she once loved. And with every immortal confrontation, Alia's magic comes closer and closer to consuming her.
As the balance between realms shifts, Alia has to decide if her realm is worth saving, or if it all needs to be undone.
Alia Meador would happily watch the mortal kingdoms buckle, as long as she could keep herself and her teenaged daughter, Lena, alive. After all, her own kingdom of Mandal, cast her out for her volatile magic, sending her to wander remote villages for decades. But when the treatment for Lena's illness comes along with a royal order to defend Mandal with the same magic they once spurned, Alia is caught between protecting the one person she loves and the reckoning she's so long desired.
With every moment spent in Mandal, Alia is subjected to the grasping of her ruthless family, a traitorous mage determined to understand the extent of her power, and the allure of the prince she once loved. And with every immortal confrontation, Alia's magic comes closer and closer to consuming her.
As the balance between realms shifts, Alia has to decide if her realm is worth saving, or if it all needs to be undone.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 20, 2026
5 people are currently reading
6685 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Lienhardt
1 book32 followersJL Lienhardt is a lifelong writer and reader of fantasy novels, favoring those that explore contemporary issues through engaging magical worlds. Her debut book is being published by Rising Action Publishing in 2026.
JL lives in Michigan with her family.
JL lives in Michigan with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 1, 2025
I read the new fantasy romance by debut author JL Lienhardt and gotta say- this book IS A HIT. I could NOT put it down, and the characters felt so alive I'm still thinking about them. Read this if you’re looking for a grown-up ACOTAR, beautiful world building, entertaining and complex characters that you’ll invest in, a touching love story, smart and emotional dialogue, and a screamingly gripping and fast-moving plot. What more could you ask for?!
You can tell the author is a fan of the genre and has thoughtfully and reverently built a series in which readers fall in love with a world that feels familiar and yet avoids the too-worn tropes and tired sexism of other fantasy novels. The dialogue in this book!!! So smart, the one-liners will surprise you and make you laugh, and the exploration of trauma and family betrayal is heartbreaking and compassionate.
This book follows a 30-something mother Alia and her teenaged daughter Lena who return to Alia’s kingdom of origin - despite Alia swearing she would never return - to seek healing for Lena's magical ailment that seems to be killing her. You’re immediately thrust into the kingdom with its charms, gossip, and evils, watching Alia rediscover relationships she loved alongside memories of great trauma. Her power grows, they are all in grave danger, and the reader is along for a wild ride.
It's so refreshing to have a strong woman MC who is not a teen, but a mom who actually acts her age. She is deeply flawed, but you know her bad decisions come from a real and relatable place. Between Alias relationship with Lena (they fight like a mom and teen daughter often do), her relationship with her heartwarming group of old friends, a former lover and a new sexy and mysterious Master Mage (the sexual tension!!! You will ship these two), and the larger existential battle between the moral realm and the immortal one- I was hooked from chapter 1.
Alia is the best kind of powerful (and a little mean) but never annoying heroine that you root for as she wades through her past to understand the power she wields in the present. Will she use that power to save the mortal realm that turned its back on her??? You’ll have to see!!! Take a chance on this new author and you won’t be disappointed. JL Lienhardt really knows what she’s doing. Can’t wait for Book 2!!!!! I need to know what happens!!!!!!
You can tell the author is a fan of the genre and has thoughtfully and reverently built a series in which readers fall in love with a world that feels familiar and yet avoids the too-worn tropes and tired sexism of other fantasy novels. The dialogue in this book!!! So smart, the one-liners will surprise you and make you laugh, and the exploration of trauma and family betrayal is heartbreaking and compassionate.
This book follows a 30-something mother Alia and her teenaged daughter Lena who return to Alia’s kingdom of origin - despite Alia swearing she would never return - to seek healing for Lena's magical ailment that seems to be killing her. You’re immediately thrust into the kingdom with its charms, gossip, and evils, watching Alia rediscover relationships she loved alongside memories of great trauma. Her power grows, they are all in grave danger, and the reader is along for a wild ride.
It's so refreshing to have a strong woman MC who is not a teen, but a mom who actually acts her age. She is deeply flawed, but you know her bad decisions come from a real and relatable place. Between Alias relationship with Lena (they fight like a mom and teen daughter often do), her relationship with her heartwarming group of old friends, a former lover and a new sexy and mysterious Master Mage (the sexual tension!!! You will ship these two), and the larger existential battle between the moral realm and the immortal one- I was hooked from chapter 1.
Alia is the best kind of powerful (and a little mean) but never annoying heroine that you root for as she wades through her past to understand the power she wields in the present. Will she use that power to save the mortal realm that turned its back on her??? You’ll have to see!!! Take a chance on this new author and you won’t be disappointed. JL Lienhardt really knows what she’s doing. Can’t wait for Book 2!!!!! I need to know what happens!!!!!!
January 5, 2026
This was an absolute masterpiece. When it comes to the fantasy genre, I prefer books that aren’t heavy on the world building at the very beginning. If it’s too much, too soon, it makes me feel like my head is exploding. I like to be eased into the world and the characters and the eventual heart of the plot. That’s exactly what this book did. It gave you just a few answers at a time until it had evolved into a book that was so good I was incapable of putting it down. In fact, I actually read this twice.
I am both so insanely grateful and furious I was able to read this before publication because on one hand, I got to read this absolutely incredibly book and fall in love with this story and its characters. On the other hand, I not only have to wait for it to be officially published, but I also have to wait for the rest of the trilogy to be released. I don’t know how I’m going to survive the wait because I am already DYING from anticipation.
This has everything a fantasy lover looks for in a book- entertaining but complex characters, a heartfelt love story, absolutely gorgeous world building, emotionally charged, sharp dialogue, a grab-you-by-the-throat, wonderfully paced plot- it’s a story that is complex, gripping, and everything I look for in a fantasy book of any kind. I loved the exploration of some of the themes- familial expectations, betrayal, deep-rooted trauma, the rediscovering of strength and power you thought you lost but have actually always had- I mean I could probably go on forever. All you need to do is ask, and I will keep on rambling.
I truly don’t want to give anything away, so I will just leave you with one last plea: add this to your TBR. Immediately. Right after you finish reading this, in fact. I swear you won’t regret it!
The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for this eARC. An even bigger thank you to JL Lienhardt for writing such a spectacular book. I cannot wait for book #2!
I am both so insanely grateful and furious I was able to read this before publication because on one hand, I got to read this absolutely incredibly book and fall in love with this story and its characters. On the other hand, I not only have to wait for it to be officially published, but I also have to wait for the rest of the trilogy to be released. I don’t know how I’m going to survive the wait because I am already DYING from anticipation.
This has everything a fantasy lover looks for in a book- entertaining but complex characters, a heartfelt love story, absolutely gorgeous world building, emotionally charged, sharp dialogue, a grab-you-by-the-throat, wonderfully paced plot- it’s a story that is complex, gripping, and everything I look for in a fantasy book of any kind. I loved the exploration of some of the themes- familial expectations, betrayal, deep-rooted trauma, the rediscovering of strength and power you thought you lost but have actually always had- I mean I could probably go on forever. All you need to do is ask, and I will keep on rambling.
I truly don’t want to give anything away, so I will just leave you with one last plea: add this to your TBR. Immediately. Right after you finish reading this, in fact. I swear you won’t regret it!
The biggest thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action Publishing for this eARC. An even bigger thank you to JL Lienhardt for writing such a spectacular book. I cannot wait for book #2!
December 20, 2025
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. For the first 20% to 25% I was a bit skeptical and unsure how I felt about the story - I didn't love the characters and I was confused by the plot - but the author really turned it around. As the plot picked up I found myself unable to put the book down. I also ended up loving the characters and just wanting what was best for them. Alia was such a strong MC and her growth throughout this book was so great to see unfold. Lena was a headstrong young woman and her journey to discover her own power and strength was so fun and different to other fantasy novels. I also adored Dorian, our resident Master Mage. He intrigued me from the start. I absolutely cannot wait to find out what the next installment of the series has in store for him, especially after that cliff-hanger. This is 100% a book/series that I would recommend. Thank you Netgalley and Rising Action Publishing for the eARC of this novel.
September 23, 2025
“Undoing Mages aren’t born, they are made”
A treacherous society she once sought to rule, the king who formerly held her heart, a ruthless court entrenched with former allies, unexpected foreign enemies and a magic so powerful it threatens to consume her.
Alia Meador returns to it all in an effort to save the most important person in her life, her daughter.
A Realm Undone is a fast paced, magic-entrenched tale. It exposes brutal and raw emotions while balancing redemption and healing. I throughly enjoyed this story and felt so deeply for its many layered characters. The worldbuilding weaves folklore with traditional high fantasy.
Alia, the FMC, being older and a mother brought a fresh tone to the book. Her wisdom was not gained peacefully and the journey to discover this adds an element lacking in many current fantasy novels.
Our author sets up a second and hopefully third book with purposeful but well done cliffhangers and loose threads. Action, romance, found family, yearning, betrayal, death, monstrous creatures, dark magic and more. This book packs a punch but balances action with a hard look at emotion and the crooked path to healing.
I had the pleasure of reading the ARC of this novel. Please note the quotation shown above may be altered or removed in the final version of the book.
A treacherous society she once sought to rule, the king who formerly held her heart, a ruthless court entrenched with former allies, unexpected foreign enemies and a magic so powerful it threatens to consume her.
Alia Meador returns to it all in an effort to save the most important person in her life, her daughter.
A Realm Undone is a fast paced, magic-entrenched tale. It exposes brutal and raw emotions while balancing redemption and healing. I throughly enjoyed this story and felt so deeply for its many layered characters. The worldbuilding weaves folklore with traditional high fantasy.
Alia, the FMC, being older and a mother brought a fresh tone to the book. Her wisdom was not gained peacefully and the journey to discover this adds an element lacking in many current fantasy novels.
Our author sets up a second and hopefully third book with purposeful but well done cliffhangers and loose threads. Action, romance, found family, yearning, betrayal, death, monstrous creatures, dark magic and more. This book packs a punch but balances action with a hard look at emotion and the crooked path to healing.
I had the pleasure of reading the ARC of this novel. Please note the quotation shown above may be altered or removed in the final version of the book.
October 17, 2025
A Realm Undone starts so strong, but unfortunately loses its grip so quickly. I devoured the first 50 pages in one sitting. Alia and Lena have such a real relationship that is written so well. I also enjoyed the non-traditional beginning. Starting sort of in the middle of Alia's story and seeing her meet up with old friends she hasn't seen in decade(s?) was a great way to introduce us to the world without a info dump.
However, after those first 50 pages I realized that I needed the info dump. And reminders. And context.
I spent a lot of this book feeling lost. I never quite felt like I had enough of an understanding of the world to fully appreciate the gravity of events as they occurred. Consequently, I never really cared about or even really knew what the plot was. Many characters were introduced with very brief qualifiers, that were not mentioned in follow up scenes, making it difficult for me to keep track of who was who. Blocking in conversation scenes was lacking, making emotional tone difficult to pick up on, and confusing the heck out of me when characters were suddenly a lot closer to each other than I had thought. Conversations tended to be abrupt and difficult to follow, as halfway through someone would say something that felt completely unrelated to everything said up to that point, but the other character followed the transition seamlessly, leaving me with only obscure context clues to figure out what they were talking about now.
Cormac has the personality of a rock. I want to kick him down the street and into the sewer.
But Alia. I stuck around as long as I did for her. Hat's off to JL Lienhardt for having the balls to write a complex and sometimes downright unlikable main character in her debut novel. You can tell that a lot of love went in to crafting Alia and her relationship with her daughter Lena, and I wish we had gotten a little bit more of it. I actually think some Lena POV chapters would have really added to the story. Alia is a grown woman, but she has suffered a lot in her past, and has never really confronted her suffering. Consequently, her secrets affect her personality and her relationship with her daughter in a really realistic way. She makes some mistakes, and sometimes she recognizes that they are mistakes, and other times she does not. She keeps all of her old friends at an arm's length, which makes sense, given her exile from them was a direct result of her trauma. I wanted to DNF earlier, but pushed through for Alia's sake. Unfortunately the deeper I got the less I cared about the plot and was really ready to move on to something else.
DNF @ 73%. Something just wasn't clicking for my brain, and reading began to feel like a chore.
I would recommend A Realm Undone to readers looking for a fantasy series with a complex mother/daughter relationship, very powerful magical threats, and older main characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rising Action Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for a fair review.
However, after those first 50 pages I realized that I needed the info dump. And reminders. And context.
I spent a lot of this book feeling lost. I never quite felt like I had enough of an understanding of the world to fully appreciate the gravity of events as they occurred. Consequently, I never really cared about or even really knew what the plot was. Many characters were introduced with very brief qualifiers, that were not mentioned in follow up scenes, making it difficult for me to keep track of who was who. Blocking in conversation scenes was lacking, making emotional tone difficult to pick up on, and confusing the heck out of me when characters were suddenly a lot closer to each other than I had thought. Conversations tended to be abrupt and difficult to follow, as halfway through someone would say something that felt completely unrelated to everything said up to that point, but the other character followed the transition seamlessly, leaving me with only obscure context clues to figure out what they were talking about now.
Cormac has the personality of a rock. I want to kick him down the street and into the sewer.
But Alia. I stuck around as long as I did for her. Hat's off to JL Lienhardt for having the balls to write a complex and sometimes downright unlikable main character in her debut novel. You can tell that a lot of love went in to crafting Alia and her relationship with her daughter Lena, and I wish we had gotten a little bit more of it. I actually think some Lena POV chapters would have really added to the story. Alia is a grown woman, but she has suffered a lot in her past, and has never really confronted her suffering. Consequently, her secrets affect her personality and her relationship with her daughter in a really realistic way. She makes some mistakes, and sometimes she recognizes that they are mistakes, and other times she does not. She keeps all of her old friends at an arm's length, which makes sense, given her exile from them was a direct result of her trauma. I wanted to DNF earlier, but pushed through for Alia's sake. Unfortunately the deeper I got the less I cared about the plot and was really ready to move on to something else.
DNF @ 73%. Something just wasn't clicking for my brain, and reading began to feel like a chore.
I would recommend A Realm Undone to readers looking for a fantasy series with a complex mother/daughter relationship, very powerful magical threats, and older main characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and Rising Action Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC in return for a fair review.
January 26, 2026
Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC. Opinions are my own.
A Realm Undone follows Alia, a mother who returns to the kingdom that cast her away for her volatile magic to find a cure for her teenage daughter's illness. A cure which comes with a price: Alia must join the kingdom's defense against the monsters crossing through the veil dividing the mortal world from the magical one, which also means confronting the ghosts and traumas of her past.
This story was built quite differently compared to other similar stories in this genre. I had the perception of starting off in the middle of Alia's story, putting together the pieces of her past but also of her world as the story progressed. Admittedly this took some getting used to, but it was a fun challenge whenever I was feeling like I was missing a piece of world building or of Alia's past. I do, however, feel like this sort of approach also distanced me in some ways from Alia because I couldn't always see where she was coming from, or the full scope of her relationships.
I appreciated that there were a lot of complex character dynamics—including several romantic ones with the prince Alia once loved, her daughter's father and a hot mage who would do anything for her. I was not the biggest fan of the prince, but the other two were great! Alia's heart seems set on Dorian the mage, and I do love their sweet dynamic, but I am obsessed with a good lovers to enemies and second chance storyline, so I haven't completely given up on Alia and Finn just yet.
My favorite thing about the book was the relationship between Alia and her daughter Lena. This bond was the heart of the story, and I loved how it was such an honest and raw representation of the intense love but also the confrontations and hardships that are part of a mother/daughter relationship.
Rating: 3.5 stars
👉 Add this to your TBR if you love:
- protagonists in their 30s
- mother FMC
- court intrigue
- deadly magic
- immortal gods and monsters
- a (hot) wizard MMC
- FEMALE RAGE
- books like The City of Brass
A Realm Undone follows Alia, a mother who returns to the kingdom that cast her away for her volatile magic to find a cure for her teenage daughter's illness. A cure which comes with a price: Alia must join the kingdom's defense against the monsters crossing through the veil dividing the mortal world from the magical one, which also means confronting the ghosts and traumas of her past.
This story was built quite differently compared to other similar stories in this genre. I had the perception of starting off in the middle of Alia's story, putting together the pieces of her past but also of her world as the story progressed. Admittedly this took some getting used to, but it was a fun challenge whenever I was feeling like I was missing a piece of world building or of Alia's past. I do, however, feel like this sort of approach also distanced me in some ways from Alia because I couldn't always see where she was coming from, or the full scope of her relationships.
I appreciated that there were a lot of complex character dynamics—including several romantic ones with the prince Alia once loved, her daughter's father and a hot mage who would do anything for her. I was not the biggest fan of the prince, but the other two were great! Alia's heart seems set on Dorian the mage, and I do love their sweet dynamic, but I am obsessed with a good lovers to enemies and second chance storyline, so I haven't completely given up on Alia and Finn just yet.
My favorite thing about the book was the relationship between Alia and her daughter Lena. This bond was the heart of the story, and I loved how it was such an honest and raw representation of the intense love but also the confrontations and hardships that are part of a mother/daughter relationship.
Rating: 3.5 stars
👉 Add this to your TBR if you love:
- protagonists in their 30s
- mother FMC
- court intrigue
- deadly magic
- immortal gods and monsters
- a (hot) wizard MMC
- FEMALE RAGE
- books like The City of Brass
January 29, 2026
A Realm Undone is the first book in an Adult Fantasy series perfect for fans of women-led fantasy books like The City of Brass (my beloved) and The Sword of Kaigen.
The story follows Alia, who must return to the kingdom that cast her away because of her volatile magic in order to find a cure for her daughter’s illness. However, to have her daughter cured, Alia must agree to join the kingdom's defense against the monsters crossing through the veil dividing the mortal world from the magical one.
The story was unique from anything I’ve read before since the beginning. In fact, it’s almost as if we were beginning the story not quite from the first chapter. If I were to imagine it as a show, it would be halfway through the first episode, or at the start of episode 2, when her normal life has already been overturned and she must take action, in this case to save her daughter, Lena. Alia’s already taking her daughter back to the kingdom of Mandal, and as the reader, we must put the pieces of her past together as the story progresses. Personally, I enjoy this sort of storytelling in all mediums. It keeps me engaged. And in Alia’s case, what a past it is. However, at a certain point I do feel like the story would have benefited from a bit of build up at the beginning to connect more with the characters.
The dynamics between the characters are quite messy, complex, and very intriguing, and it’s definitely the aspect I enjoyed most of the story. That and the fact that the protagonist is a mother of a teenage daughter, which is something you don’t see often in Fantasy. Alia and Lena’s relationship was one of my favorites to see.
Here are some tropes!
protagonists in their 30s
Mother FMC
Court Intrigue
Deadly Magic
Immortal Gods and Monsters
Hot Wizard MMC
Female Rage
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author for gifting me an eARC. Opinions are my own.
The story follows Alia, who must return to the kingdom that cast her away because of her volatile magic in order to find a cure for her daughter’s illness. However, to have her daughter cured, Alia must agree to join the kingdom's defense against the monsters crossing through the veil dividing the mortal world from the magical one.
The story was unique from anything I’ve read before since the beginning. In fact, it’s almost as if we were beginning the story not quite from the first chapter. If I were to imagine it as a show, it would be halfway through the first episode, or at the start of episode 2, when her normal life has already been overturned and she must take action, in this case to save her daughter, Lena. Alia’s already taking her daughter back to the kingdom of Mandal, and as the reader, we must put the pieces of her past together as the story progresses. Personally, I enjoy this sort of storytelling in all mediums. It keeps me engaged. And in Alia’s case, what a past it is. However, at a certain point I do feel like the story would have benefited from a bit of build up at the beginning to connect more with the characters.
The dynamics between the characters are quite messy, complex, and very intriguing, and it’s definitely the aspect I enjoyed most of the story. That and the fact that the protagonist is a mother of a teenage daughter, which is something you don’t see often in Fantasy. Alia and Lena’s relationship was one of my favorites to see.
Here are some tropes!
protagonists in their 30s
Mother FMC
Court Intrigue
Deadly Magic
Immortal Gods and Monsters
Hot Wizard MMC
Female Rage
Rating: 3.5 ⭐️
Thank you to the author for gifting me an eARC. Opinions are my own.
October 2, 2025
A promising idea with a lackluster execution.
“A Realm Undone” forces Alia to return to Court where she must face justice for the crimes of her past and all she left behind when her daughter is in desperate need of a healer. A prisoner in the place she once called home she tries to navigate her powers of Undoing and ensure her daughter’s safety as darkness closes in threatening to take all that she loves from her for good.
I was so excited when I got this book and it has taken me so long to get through it. It’s rare, for me at least, to have a fantasy novel center around an older woman who is also a mother. Adding that relationship creates a complexity where not only is she navigating loyalty and danger to protect herself but also to protect her daughter Lena. They have this back and forth where it both are willing to run head first into danger of it means saving the other or just because it is in their nature and that tug of war between responsibility to your nature and your king vs to your role in a family would be more impactful if it didn’t feel like the same fight happening ever chapter. There’s a lot of fade to black to move the plot along and I got lost on which character was which and if they were good or not and if I’m honest the magic system was a bit muddy too it just seemed like a lot of ideas crammed together so you didn’t forget them later when maybe it would have worked better.
Having Alia return to the palace where she has to answer for her hasty exit and where she’s been the whole time was one of the more fun parts because again it broke the usual formula of first introductions to those relationships and romantic interests. There is love stories here and deep deep wounds and I wish we really felt that more because despite Alia feeling like she was above it all she really wasn’t and we don’t get a lot of growth from her to accept that she is just as imperfect as her old friends and flames.
This was a rougher read for me which is so disappointing because again I really wanted to sink into such a different point of view and character arch and it seems like I’ll just have to hope it finds me again at a different time.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
“A Realm Undone” forces Alia to return to Court where she must face justice for the crimes of her past and all she left behind when her daughter is in desperate need of a healer. A prisoner in the place she once called home she tries to navigate her powers of Undoing and ensure her daughter’s safety as darkness closes in threatening to take all that she loves from her for good.
I was so excited when I got this book and it has taken me so long to get through it. It’s rare, for me at least, to have a fantasy novel center around an older woman who is also a mother. Adding that relationship creates a complexity where not only is she navigating loyalty and danger to protect herself but also to protect her daughter Lena. They have this back and forth where it both are willing to run head first into danger of it means saving the other or just because it is in their nature and that tug of war between responsibility to your nature and your king vs to your role in a family would be more impactful if it didn’t feel like the same fight happening ever chapter. There’s a lot of fade to black to move the plot along and I got lost on which character was which and if they were good or not and if I’m honest the magic system was a bit muddy too it just seemed like a lot of ideas crammed together so you didn’t forget them later when maybe it would have worked better.
Having Alia return to the palace where she has to answer for her hasty exit and where she’s been the whole time was one of the more fun parts because again it broke the usual formula of first introductions to those relationships and romantic interests. There is love stories here and deep deep wounds and I wish we really felt that more because despite Alia feeling like she was above it all she really wasn’t and we don’t get a lot of growth from her to accept that she is just as imperfect as her old friends and flames.
This was a rougher read for me which is so disappointing because again I really wanted to sink into such a different point of view and character arch and it seems like I’ll just have to hope it finds me again at a different time.
**special thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review**
September 29, 2025
It was foolish to mourn flowers, something that bloomed only to die.
DNF @ 43%. This book wasn't bad but I did get bored. I tried pushing through but my heart just wasn't in it.
The goods:
- Unmade Mages wield destruction magic. This is honestly kinda fascinating...they can detect old injuries and re-inflict them. This is especially potent when the...veil monsters? Monsters from the other side of the veil? Discordant monsters? Immortal creatures of terror? that apparently nobody else can kill start terrorizing the countryside.
- Unmade Mages are created, not born and it is through extremely traumatic circumstances that they are.
- Alia and Lena's relationship...this is literally a thirties mom with a teen daughter and the equal parts love and exasperation is real.
- Flickering is super cool - it's teleportation! Easy peasy!
- Flora is a goddamn delight.
The mehs:
- I'm almost halfway through and she's just now forced into killing monsters so not a lot has really happened other than her getting imprisoned for daring to return to the palace to save her daughter, magic lessons for her daughter, and now monster unmaking (but the battles don't feel super charged to me)
- Romance option is hinted at with the Master Mage and I don't really feel like Alia and Dorian even have a connection
- Relationships in general (outside of Alia and Lena) don't feel like they have any real connection...I'm not getting the emotion behind them
The bads:
- Alia sleeping with her sister's husband (her old lover) leaves an awful taste in my mouth...I don't care that their magical pairing supposedly never severed. I do not like reading adultry, especially for someone with whom I'm supposed to be rooting for.
I think those that like slower-paced fantasy might enjoy this better than me.
Major thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an ARC. Please note the quotation shown above may be altered or removed in the final version of the book.
January 20, 2026
I’m not a true fantasy girl… just yet anyway. I say that and then a fantasy grabs me. A Realm Undone did just that! I loved that the author did not throw a ton of characters and worlds at us at once. I felt the introduction and storyline was easily manageable for a fantasy read. The story of Alia and Lena was a great base for the story. A mother would do anything for their child and Alia proves that in this book. I’ll definitely be reading book two!
February 11, 2026
I was sucked into this story from the very first page. I adored Alia, she's a seasoned FMC which is really so cool, she has a past, she has history with the characters in this story and a teenager daughter that she'll do anything to protect. I loved that this story was epic with a magic and god system that was really unique. I am a sucker for stories built around court intrigue and this really hit the spot. The mystery, the action, the deception was absolutely brilliant. I enjoyed the romantic subplot and how it didn't take away from the story, the twists were so good, the final battle had me shook and the ending was absolutely jaw-dropping!
January 23, 2026
❤️ Personal Takeaway
This fantasy was refreshing in so many ways! Not only was our FMC over 30 and a mother of a teenage daughter, but she also used one of the most unique forms of magic I’ve seen, Undoing magic. I won’t get into too many details to leave the plot a mystery, but the uses for this magic are ingenious and nearly limitless, from “undoing” a knot, to reversing previously healed injuries in a body, rendering them back to their unhealed state.
The secondary cast of characters felt so alive, and I found my heart aching for all of them. This novel really dives deep into psychology, and with it we’re given some truly raw and genuine feeling characters who have their own flaws, dreams, and ways of coping. Personally, I tend to find myself getting lost in the sea of people to remember when it comes to court drama… not this book. Lienhardt has really flushed out her cast, and the sweetheart of a wizard Dorian has especially stolen my heart.
Throughout this book, we witness Alia tackling some really hard positions; discovering how to use her magic when it could tear things apart, trying to protect her daughter while having to turn to the same court she ran from for help, running back into her ex after over a decade apart, and learning how to heal and face the things that haunt her right in the middle of the chaos.
My only wish I had for this book is that I would have loved to see more amicable interactions between Alia and her daughter Lena, but I was fully immersed and loving the ride the whole way through!
---
🧩 Tropes
- An FMC over 30 and a mother
- Court politics
- Soft wizard MMC
- Immortal monsters
- Mortal vs. Immortal Rulers
- Raw, untamed magic with a cost
- Apocalyptic world stakes
---
🧠 Themes
- Betrayal & Sacrifice
- Motherhood & Survival
- Power That Was Stolen - Is anything owed? Who does it truly belong to?
- Exile & Belonging
- Immortality v.s. Mortality
---
🧭 Recommendation
For fans who love political fantasies, older FMCs and sweeter MMCs, and novels with hard magic systems and big stakes.
---
Thank you very much to J.L. Lienhardt, Rising Action Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC, my opinions are my own. 💕
This fantasy was refreshing in so many ways! Not only was our FMC over 30 and a mother of a teenage daughter, but she also used one of the most unique forms of magic I’ve seen, Undoing magic. I won’t get into too many details to leave the plot a mystery, but the uses for this magic are ingenious and nearly limitless, from “undoing” a knot, to reversing previously healed injuries in a body, rendering them back to their unhealed state.
The secondary cast of characters felt so alive, and I found my heart aching for all of them. This novel really dives deep into psychology, and with it we’re given some truly raw and genuine feeling characters who have their own flaws, dreams, and ways of coping. Personally, I tend to find myself getting lost in the sea of people to remember when it comes to court drama… not this book. Lienhardt has really flushed out her cast, and the sweetheart of a wizard Dorian has especially stolen my heart.
Throughout this book, we witness Alia tackling some really hard positions; discovering how to use her magic when it could tear things apart, trying to protect her daughter while having to turn to the same court she ran from for help, running back into her ex after over a decade apart, and learning how to heal and face the things that haunt her right in the middle of the chaos.
My only wish I had for this book is that I would have loved to see more amicable interactions between Alia and her daughter Lena, but I was fully immersed and loving the ride the whole way through!
---
🧩 Tropes
- An FMC over 30 and a mother
- Court politics
- Soft wizard MMC
- Immortal monsters
- Mortal vs. Immortal Rulers
- Raw, untamed magic with a cost
- Apocalyptic world stakes
---
🧠 Themes
- Betrayal & Sacrifice
- Motherhood & Survival
- Power That Was Stolen - Is anything owed? Who does it truly belong to?
- Exile & Belonging
- Immortality v.s. Mortality
---
🧭 Recommendation
For fans who love political fantasies, older FMCs and sweeter MMCs, and novels with hard magic systems and big stakes.
---
Thank you very much to J.L. Lienhardt, Rising Action Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC, my opinions are my own. 💕
Read
October 9, 2025I was so excited to dive into A Realm Undone, and while it took me a bit longer to get through than expected, it was definitely worth the journey. It’s rare to find a fantasy novel centered around an older woman who is also a mother, and this dynamic adds a compelling layer of complexity to the story. Lia’s fierce loyalty and sense of duty stretch beyond just herself—she’s constantly balancing the danger she faces with protecting her daughter Lena. Their relationship, full of tension and fierce protectiveness, drives much of the emotional weight of the book.
That said, the central conflict between loyalty to family, nature, and kingdom does feel repetitive at times, almost like the same fight rehashes itself each chapter. The story also relies on a lot of “fade to black” moments to move the plot forward, which occasionally made it tricky to keep track of who was who, their motivations, and even their allegiance. The magic system felt a little muddy too—there were many ideas introduced but not always fully developed, which made it harder to stay grounded in how it worked.
Despite these minor flaws, A Realm Undone is a fast-paced, magic-rich tale full of raw emotions, redemption, and healing. I thoroughly enjoyed the layered characters and the way the worldbuilding mixes folklore with traditional high fantasy elements. Lia is the kind of heroine who’s powerful and a little bit mean—but never annoying—and she’s someone you can’t help rooting for as she wrestles with her past and the immense power she holds.
Will she use her power to save the mortal realm that turned its back on her? You’ll have to read to find out! JL Lienhardt is a promising new author who clearly knows her craft. I can’t wait for Book 2—I need to know what happens next!
That said, the central conflict between loyalty to family, nature, and kingdom does feel repetitive at times, almost like the same fight rehashes itself each chapter. The story also relies on a lot of “fade to black” moments to move the plot forward, which occasionally made it tricky to keep track of who was who, their motivations, and even their allegiance. The magic system felt a little muddy too—there were many ideas introduced but not always fully developed, which made it harder to stay grounded in how it worked.
Despite these minor flaws, A Realm Undone is a fast-paced, magic-rich tale full of raw emotions, redemption, and healing. I thoroughly enjoyed the layered characters and the way the worldbuilding mixes folklore with traditional high fantasy elements. Lia is the kind of heroine who’s powerful and a little bit mean—but never annoying—and she’s someone you can’t help rooting for as she wrestles with her past and the immense power she holds.
Will she use her power to save the mortal realm that turned its back on her? You’ll have to read to find out! JL Lienhardt is a promising new author who clearly knows her craft. I can’t wait for Book 2—I need to know what happens next!
October 16, 2025
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review, and I have to say, I have mixed feelings about this one. The premise immediately caught my attention—a mature protagonist, a world divided between mortals and immortals, and a mother-daughter relationship at the heart of the story. I really appreciated that Alia wasn’t the typical young heroine we often see in fantasy; her perspective as an older woman and a mother added emotional depth and a refreshing dynamic that I don’t often find in this genre. The worldbuilding was also intriguing, with its layered history and the tension between realms—it had all the ingredients for an epic, emotional story.
However, I struggled a bit with the writing style. Although the plot and characters interested me, the prose made it difficult for me to stay fully engaged, and I found my attention wandering more than I would have liked. There were moments of brilliance, but overall, it felt like the flow of the story didn’t quite pull me in as deeply as I hoped. Still, I think the concept and characters have a lot of potential, and readers who enjoy rich, slow-paced fantasy with complex relationships will probably connect with it more than I did. For me, it’s a solid 4 stars for creativity, depth, and ambition, even if the execution didn’t completely work for me.
However, I struggled a bit with the writing style. Although the plot and characters interested me, the prose made it difficult for me to stay fully engaged, and I found my attention wandering more than I would have liked. There were moments of brilliance, but overall, it felt like the flow of the story didn’t quite pull me in as deeply as I hoped. Still, I think the concept and characters have a lot of potential, and readers who enjoy rich, slow-paced fantasy with complex relationships will probably connect with it more than I did. For me, it’s a solid 4 stars for creativity, depth, and ambition, even if the execution didn’t completely work for me.
February 2, 2026
A Realm Undone is an amazing book filled with engaging characters with complicated relationships. You will have questions answered as the book unfolds itself, revealing love, betrayal, friendships, and evil. The book is filled with action and suspense, strong emotions, painful insights, and intriguing motivations. it is a story of love, friendship, and of pushing yourself to the brink for what you hold dear in your heart. I can't wait to see what else needs to be done to save the realm!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There were a few things about this book that immediately caught my interest such as the FMC being older with a daughter and the book’s listed comparables were the City of Brass and Sword of Kaigen. While I have not had the chance to read either of these books yet, they are both on my TBR and I have heard good things. It is not very common for the main character to have a teenage child and it can be hard to find books where the characters are closer to 30 rather than 20, so I was excited to try this one out. It is also a debut novel and I like trying out new authors.
This book is very ambitious, it has a lot going on and has a pretty complex magic system. The main character is Alia, who has been exiled from her kingdom after killing her mentor and contaminating her magic. She has been in exile for over a decade and in that time she has married a man, had a child and lost her husband. The book starts off with her trying to reach her old home so she could get help for her daughter, Lena, who is having trouble controlling her magic. Luckily, Mandal has a new Master Mage, Dorian, who is able to help Lena control and manage her magic. In exchange for his help, Alia and Lena must help protect the realm of Mandal from the immortal monsters hopping through the Veil.
It is honestly hard to give a synopsis of this book because so much happens in a very short amount of time. Personally I liked the breakneck pace and the info dumping is not necessarily bad, but it could be overwhelming at times. Instead I will just talk about a couple things I really enjoyed about the book and a couple things that were a bit weaker. The best aspects of this book were the interesting magic system and the political intrigue. I love the idea of a wild and powerful magic, in this book “The Undoing” made when a mage experiences trauma. This story has a great theme of overcoming past trauma and turning it into your strength. I also like when characters have complex dynamics between all of the side characters. Because the character grew up in the palace and left, she comes back to the same people but things have changed quite a bit, especially the power dynamics.
Some of the weaker aspects of the book for me was the character development. On paper the characters are interesting and have a good story but for whatever reason I had a hard time connecting to them. I do love grey characters and there are plenty of them in this book but I had a hard time investing. I think it may just be a writing style thing for me or a pacing issue. The book moves very very quickly and does not linger in many moments so it felt a bit abrupt at times. This book is definitely more plot focused rather than character focused, so keep that mind if you are thinking of picking it up.
Despite all this I still enjoyed the book quite a lot and for a debut I thought it was pretty strong. It had a lot of pieces and I think the author managed to put them all together pretty well. For this reason I gave it a 4 out of 5. I tend to rate debut books a bit more kindly and like to give them a chance to grow, especially when it is the first in a series. I will be keeping an eye out for the second book in this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action for the advanced reader copy.
This book is very ambitious, it has a lot going on and has a pretty complex magic system. The main character is Alia, who has been exiled from her kingdom after killing her mentor and contaminating her magic. She has been in exile for over a decade and in that time she has married a man, had a child and lost her husband. The book starts off with her trying to reach her old home so she could get help for her daughter, Lena, who is having trouble controlling her magic. Luckily, Mandal has a new Master Mage, Dorian, who is able to help Lena control and manage her magic. In exchange for his help, Alia and Lena must help protect the realm of Mandal from the immortal monsters hopping through the Veil.
It is honestly hard to give a synopsis of this book because so much happens in a very short amount of time. Personally I liked the breakneck pace and the info dumping is not necessarily bad, but it could be overwhelming at times. Instead I will just talk about a couple things I really enjoyed about the book and a couple things that were a bit weaker. The best aspects of this book were the interesting magic system and the political intrigue. I love the idea of a wild and powerful magic, in this book “The Undoing” made when a mage experiences trauma. This story has a great theme of overcoming past trauma and turning it into your strength. I also like when characters have complex dynamics between all of the side characters. Because the character grew up in the palace and left, she comes back to the same people but things have changed quite a bit, especially the power dynamics.
Some of the weaker aspects of the book for me was the character development. On paper the characters are interesting and have a good story but for whatever reason I had a hard time connecting to them. I do love grey characters and there are plenty of them in this book but I had a hard time investing. I think it may just be a writing style thing for me or a pacing issue. The book moves very very quickly and does not linger in many moments so it felt a bit abrupt at times. This book is definitely more plot focused rather than character focused, so keep that mind if you are thinking of picking it up.
Despite all this I still enjoyed the book quite a lot and for a debut I thought it was pretty strong. It had a lot of pieces and I think the author managed to put them all together pretty well. For this reason I gave it a 4 out of 5. I tend to rate debut books a bit more kindly and like to give them a chance to grow, especially when it is the first in a series. I will be keeping an eye out for the second book in this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action for the advanced reader copy.
December 6, 2025
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did, and part of that is on me. As I’ve said before, I’m a very character-forward reader. I enjoy a book most when I can get a sense of the characters. Don’t get me wrong, Alia is an interesting character, full of anger and grim resolve, but she’s also so very flat. When her friend Flora comes to talk to her, there’s no reaction from Alia; at least not an emotional one.
I can put together a list of Alia’s actions and interactions, but when it comes to her as a character, how she feels about people, what she thinks of them … I’ve got almost nothing. I’m told she loves her daughter and hates her parents, and to the author’s credit I do get the sense that Alia doesn’t like these comical, two dimensional villains twirling their mustaches in her direction, and that she obediently cares for her daughter the way the plot tells her to. But it’s so very rarely shown, and when it is it’s so brief and shallow and then back to the telling.
While I appreciate the idea of starting the book in the middle — with Alia coming home with a grown daughter to face a court of friends, enemies, and allies, I was left feeling like this was book three or four in a series, and everything was taken for granted. The book saw no need to build up tension or relationships because it could just tell me they were old friends, that they knew each other 20 years ago and everyone was hunky dory in picking up right where they’d left off.
No one cared where Alia had been in those past years, and Alia didn’t really care about what had happened to these people when she was gone. Instead everyone was focused on the immediate actions of magic training and monster killing. Again, that’s fine; the plot is solid and the writing is perfectly adequate. But Alia is a two dimensional character in a world of stand-ins who recite lines but have no personalities of their own.
Except Dorian. His is a more subtle personality, soft and yielding against Alia’s harsh determination. He is gentle — but don’t mistake gentle for kind — and the rapport between them almost works for me. In her scenes with Dorian Alia has more character, becomes more interesting, but with the focus of the book being primarily on action and dialogue, their moments don’t make up for the rest of the book.
The magic system is well done, the world building and plotting are sold and interesting. I just … I just wish there were a little more to the characters, and a lot more to their interactions. All that said, I will still be grabbing book two when it comes out.
Thank you so very much to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 5, 2025
The Realm Undone introduces readers to Alia, a mage on the run from her past who chooses to confront it to save her teenage daughter. Her journey forces her to stop avoiding her trauma and the broken relationships she left behind when she escaped, all while leading her to find herself, make new healing connections, and discover her true strength even as her country tips toward a war that could expose her realm to the cruelties of immortals and monsters.
This book was a love letter to those who’ve suffered childhood trauma, who've felt broken because of it. In addition to some really phenomenal world building that creates a compelling, magical story, the main character’s arc is intriguing, satisfying, and powerful.
Things I loved:
From the first pages, there were many excellent curiosity seeds that drew me in. JL Lienhardt is skilled at weaving in small bits of backstory that made me hunger to know more about Alia and kept me turning pages. The reveals were well-spaced, making it feel like the reader got to know Alia and understand her past at the same rate as she confronted it, which was well done. It was also fun to meet characters via old resentments, pain, and anger instead of via standard first impressions.
The world building was one of my favorite parts. I felt like I had a great understanding of the Mandal society very early, and enjoyed watching Alia navigate — and push back against— the political maze of the Mandal court. There was great tension throughout, and the author subverted my expectations at multiple points in surprising-- yet satisfying-- ways, which speaks to the organic and consistent nature of the story and characters. Each of Alia's friends and family were flawed in ways that made them beautifully human. I also loved the relationship between Alia and her teen daughter. It was refreshing to read a fantasy novel where the main character is a powerful, middle-aged mom who, despite the ability to rip monsters to shreds, flinches when her daughter's disappointed in her and is still trying to figure it all out. More of this, please!! I also need more of the Tiarcons and their brutal, magical world.
Elements to love:
- feminine rage
- super-cool magic and monsters
- trauma recovery
- redemption
- slow burn
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and need the next one ASAP! I want to return to this world and need to know how this story ends.
Thank you to JL Lienhardt, Rising Action Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
This book was a love letter to those who’ve suffered childhood trauma, who've felt broken because of it. In addition to some really phenomenal world building that creates a compelling, magical story, the main character’s arc is intriguing, satisfying, and powerful.
Things I loved:
From the first pages, there were many excellent curiosity seeds that drew me in. JL Lienhardt is skilled at weaving in small bits of backstory that made me hunger to know more about Alia and kept me turning pages. The reveals were well-spaced, making it feel like the reader got to know Alia and understand her past at the same rate as she confronted it, which was well done. It was also fun to meet characters via old resentments, pain, and anger instead of via standard first impressions.
The world building was one of my favorite parts. I felt like I had a great understanding of the Mandal society very early, and enjoyed watching Alia navigate — and push back against— the political maze of the Mandal court. There was great tension throughout, and the author subverted my expectations at multiple points in surprising-- yet satisfying-- ways, which speaks to the organic and consistent nature of the story and characters. Each of Alia's friends and family were flawed in ways that made them beautifully human. I also loved the relationship between Alia and her teen daughter. It was refreshing to read a fantasy novel where the main character is a powerful, middle-aged mom who, despite the ability to rip monsters to shreds, flinches when her daughter's disappointed in her and is still trying to figure it all out. More of this, please!! I also need more of the Tiarcons and their brutal, magical world.
Elements to love:
- feminine rage
- super-cool magic and monsters
- trauma recovery
- redemption
- slow burn
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and need the next one ASAP! I want to return to this world and need to know how this story ends.
Thank you to JL Lienhardt, Rising Action Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2026
When an exiled mage is forced back into the kingdom and court that traumatized her, old wounds, political schemes, and dangerous magic collide in ways that threaten far more than just her and her daughter's survival. And listen, this world is DARK.
This book hurt my feelings. It repeatedly made me ache for these characters. ACHE. I was so sad throughout most of this book. At its core, it feels like a character study of a woman who has endured an enormous amount of trauma and is still standing... barely. Alia is trying to be a good mother while carrying years of trauma at the hands of someone she trusted and that tension runs through every decision she makes. She loves her daughter fiercely, but she’s also painfully aware of her own shortcomings, and that made her feel deeply human to me. She also keeps her past quiet and has so many walls.
Every single person in this book would benefit from therapy. Truly. No one here is emotionally unscathed, and that’s part of what makes the story so compelling. The cast is full of flawed, politically entangled people who are all trapped in different ways: by duty, by blood ties, by guilt, by ambition, and by love they don’t know how to let go of. The court politics are messy and tense, and no one feels fully safe or fully trustworthy. One of the strongest themes for me was the idea of imprisonment, both literal and emotional. Alia is physically and magically imprisoned, but the most haunting ones are the ones the characters build inside themselves.
The magic feels dangerous in a way I really appreciated. It isn’t just a tool, it’s a burden and a ticking clock. Every time Alia uses it, there’s a sense that she’s getting closer to losing control and Lena's illness is caused by her magic. That added real weight to the action and the political maneuvering alike.
This isn’t a light or cozy fantasy. It is quieter, though. It’s heavy with grief, resentment, and unresolved history, but it’s also deeply emotional and strangely tender in the way it handles motherhood and survival. If you like stories about traumatized women navigating corrupt courts, morally complicated choices, and worlds that are already cracked long before the first page, this one is absolutely worth your time.
This book hurt me and I'm so glad I read it.
Thanks so much to the publisher, the author, and MTMC tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
This book hurt my feelings. It repeatedly made me ache for these characters. ACHE. I was so sad throughout most of this book. At its core, it feels like a character study of a woman who has endured an enormous amount of trauma and is still standing... barely. Alia is trying to be a good mother while carrying years of trauma at the hands of someone she trusted and that tension runs through every decision she makes. She loves her daughter fiercely, but she’s also painfully aware of her own shortcomings, and that made her feel deeply human to me. She also keeps her past quiet and has so many walls.
Every single person in this book would benefit from therapy. Truly. No one here is emotionally unscathed, and that’s part of what makes the story so compelling. The cast is full of flawed, politically entangled people who are all trapped in different ways: by duty, by blood ties, by guilt, by ambition, and by love they don’t know how to let go of. The court politics are messy and tense, and no one feels fully safe or fully trustworthy. One of the strongest themes for me was the idea of imprisonment, both literal and emotional. Alia is physically and magically imprisoned, but the most haunting ones are the ones the characters build inside themselves.
The magic feels dangerous in a way I really appreciated. It isn’t just a tool, it’s a burden and a ticking clock. Every time Alia uses it, there’s a sense that she’s getting closer to losing control and Lena's illness is caused by her magic. That added real weight to the action and the political maneuvering alike.
This isn’t a light or cozy fantasy. It is quieter, though. It’s heavy with grief, resentment, and unresolved history, but it’s also deeply emotional and strangely tender in the way it handles motherhood and survival. If you like stories about traumatized women navigating corrupt courts, morally complicated choices, and worlds that are already cracked long before the first page, this one is absolutely worth your time.
This book hurt me and I'm so glad I read it.
Thanks so much to the publisher, the author, and MTMC tours for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.
July 1, 2025
I read the new fantasy romance by debut author JL Lienhardt and gotta say- this book IS A HIT. I could NOT put it down, and the characters felt so alive I'm still thinking about them. Read this if you’re looking for a grown-up ACOTAR, beautiful world building, entertaining and complex characters that you’ll invest in, a touching love story, smart and emotional dialogue, and a screamingly gripping and fast-moving plot. What more could you ask for?!
You can tell the author is a fan of the genre and has thoughtfully and reverently built a series in which readers fall in love with a world that feels familiar and yet avoids the too-worn tropes and tired sexism of other fantasy novels. The dialogue in this book!!! So smart, the one-liners will surprise you and make you laugh, and the exploration of trauma and family betrayal is heartbreaking and compassionate.
This book follows a 30-something mother Alia and her teenaged daughter Lena who return to Alia’s kingdom of origin - despite Alia swearing she would never return - to seek healing for Lena's magical ailment that seems to be killing her. You’re immediately thrust into the kingdom with its charms, gossip, and evils, watching Alia rediscover relationships she loved alongside memories of great trauma. Her power grows, they are all in grave danger, and the reader is along for a wild ride.
It's so refreshing to have a strong woman MC who is not a teen, but a mom who actually acts her age. She is deeply flawed, but you know her bad decisions come from a real and relatable place. Between Alias relationship with Lena (they fight like a mom and teen daughter often do), her relationship with her heartwarming group of old friends, a former lover and a new sexy and mysterious Master Mage (the sexual tension!!! You will ship these two), and the larger existential battle between the moral realm and the immortal one- I was hooked from chapter 1.
Alia is the best kind of powerful (and a little mean) but never annoying heroine that you root for as she wades through her past to understand the power she wields in the present. Will she use that power to save the mortal realm that turned its back on her??? You’ll have to see!!! Take a chance on this new author and you won’t be disappointed. JL Lienhardt really knows what she’s doing. Can’t wait for Book 2!!!!! I need to know what happens!!!!!!
You can tell the author is a fan of the genre and has thoughtfully and reverently built a series in which readers fall in love with a world that feels familiar and yet avoids the too-worn tropes and tired sexism of other fantasy novels. The dialogue in this book!!! So smart, the one-liners will surprise you and make you laugh, and the exploration of trauma and family betrayal is heartbreaking and compassionate.
This book follows a 30-something mother Alia and her teenaged daughter Lena who return to Alia’s kingdom of origin - despite Alia swearing she would never return - to seek healing for Lena's magical ailment that seems to be killing her. You’re immediately thrust into the kingdom with its charms, gossip, and evils, watching Alia rediscover relationships she loved alongside memories of great trauma. Her power grows, they are all in grave danger, and the reader is along for a wild ride.
It's so refreshing to have a strong woman MC who is not a teen, but a mom who actually acts her age. She is deeply flawed, but you know her bad decisions come from a real and relatable place. Between Alias relationship with Lena (they fight like a mom and teen daughter often do), her relationship with her heartwarming group of old friends, a former lover and a new sexy and mysterious Master Mage (the sexual tension!!! You will ship these two), and the larger existential battle between the moral realm and the immortal one- I was hooked from chapter 1.
Alia is the best kind of powerful (and a little mean) but never annoying heroine that you root for as she wades through her past to understand the power she wields in the present. Will she use that power to save the mortal realm that turned its back on her??? You’ll have to see!!! Take a chance on this new author and you won’t be disappointed. JL Lienhardt really knows what she’s doing. Can’t wait for Book 2!!!!! I need to know what happens!!!!!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First of all, I thank the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
From the synopsis, I was captivated by the book's premise, mainly because of what I could see of the world-building and the mother-daughter dynamic. It was refreshing to see a protagonist who wasn't a nearly teenage girl with extraordinary powers, but a mother with a depth that extended to how she used her powers. Initially, I thought I had guessed the entire plot of the book, which happens constantly since I work with books and edit them, especially in the fantasy genre... but I was warmly surprised, and it was wonderful. As the story unfolded, everything fell into place, especially Alia's complex and revealing journey. I didn't expect to become so attached to her, Lena, and Dorian. I really cared more and more about these people, as if they were part of my circle of friends, and I was genuinely afraid for them. And I still am.
I believe that, for me, the best parts of the book were the world-building and the truth about Alia and Lena, and I strongly suggest that everyone read it to draw their own conclusions. The writing is also beautiful, at times poetic and reflective. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel.
From the synopsis, I was captivated by the book's premise, mainly because of what I could see of the world-building and the mother-daughter dynamic. It was refreshing to see a protagonist who wasn't a nearly teenage girl with extraordinary powers, but a mother with a depth that extended to how she used her powers. Initially, I thought I had guessed the entire plot of the book, which happens constantly since I work with books and edit them, especially in the fantasy genre... but I was warmly surprised, and it was wonderful. As the story unfolded, everything fell into place, especially Alia's complex and revealing journey. I didn't expect to become so attached to her, Lena, and Dorian. I really cared more and more about these people, as if they were part of my circle of friends, and I was genuinely afraid for them. And I still am.
I believe that, for me, the best parts of the book were the world-building and the truth about Alia and Lena, and I strongly suggest that everyone read it to draw their own conclusions. The writing is also beautiful, at times poetic and reflective. I'm eagerly awaiting the sequel.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!!!
A mother-daughter duo must grapple with both the horrors of invasion and courtly politics in this fantasy novel. Magic can be both a blessing and a curse, a fact Alia knows all too well. Tackling abuse and trauma, as well as, the desires to make the world a safer place for her child we witness a world that must change or be destroyed entirely.
I enjoyed the premise and building blocks set in place for this world, however the actual magic system and world-building fell flat. This felt more like a late-stage draft rather than a finished work ready to print. I couldn't care less about a single member of the cast, and while I know all too well that trauma causes the brain to react in rash ways when things go awry the protagonist felt at times far too young and naïve to be a middle-aged mother.
Bummer this one didn't hit home for me, as I love death magic and playing around with courtly politicking...
A mother-daughter duo must grapple with both the horrors of invasion and courtly politics in this fantasy novel. Magic can be both a blessing and a curse, a fact Alia knows all too well. Tackling abuse and trauma, as well as, the desires to make the world a safer place for her child we witness a world that must change or be destroyed entirely.
I enjoyed the premise and building blocks set in place for this world, however the actual magic system and world-building fell flat. This felt more like a late-stage draft rather than a finished work ready to print. I couldn't care less about a single member of the cast, and while I know all too well that trauma causes the brain to react in rash ways when things go awry the protagonist felt at times far too young and naïve to be a middle-aged mother.
Bummer this one didn't hit home for me, as I love death magic and playing around with courtly politicking...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4.5 stars rounded up!
I really loved the unique ideas and the politics in a realm undone. JL Lienhardt has done a great job of building up a complex world, magic system and believable characters.
I like a morally grey heroine and Alia is one who is very grey, she makes some questionable choices but I still found myself rooting for her. The thing I liked most about this book was the unique choice of bringing the reader in as Alia is returning to the palace, its rare in a fantasy novel that the reader feels like an outsider, usually our POV character has given us all the info that we need but I felt like everyone knew exactly what to expect except me (and maybe Lena). I kind of enjoyed the confusion and trying to figure out where everyone fit in.
This book did a slower pace and some of the dialogue felt stilted but I think that was the result of a debut writer finding her feet. I’m definitely invested enough to continue with the trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
I really loved the unique ideas and the politics in a realm undone. JL Lienhardt has done a great job of building up a complex world, magic system and believable characters.
I like a morally grey heroine and Alia is one who is very grey, she makes some questionable choices but I still found myself rooting for her. The thing I liked most about this book was the unique choice of bringing the reader in as Alia is returning to the palace, its rare in a fantasy novel that the reader feels like an outsider, usually our POV character has given us all the info that we need but I felt like everyone knew exactly what to expect except me (and maybe Lena). I kind of enjoyed the confusion and trying to figure out where everyone fit in.
This book did a slower pace and some of the dialogue felt stilted but I think that was the result of a debut writer finding her feet. I’m definitely invested enough to continue with the trilogy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Rising Action publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Realm Undone is a high-fantasy novel with extensive worldbuilding and a detailed magic system. Overall, I found the story enjoyable, though it felt somewhat drawn out at times, particularly toward the end, when new characters and locations were still being introduced. The worldbuilding was heavier than my personal preference, but readers who enjoy immersive, lore-rich fantasy will likely appreciate this aspect.
I was mixed on the characters. While I ultimately liked them, it took some time to become fully invested. A few plot points were predictable, and at times it felt as though a lot was happening at once, which made it challenging to keep track of everything.
The ending was both satisfying and emotional. While I enjoyed how it concluded, I think the story would have resonated more strongly for me with a slightly more streamlined approach overall.
Thank you the NetGalley and the publishers for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was mixed on the characters. While I ultimately liked them, it took some time to become fully invested. A few plot points were predictable, and at times it felt as though a lot was happening at once, which made it challenging to keep track of everything.
The ending was both satisfying and emotional. While I enjoyed how it concluded, I think the story would have resonated more strongly for me with a slightly more streamlined approach overall.
Thank you the NetGalley and the publishers for the arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟💫
An endearing and well written story full of complex women I was rooting for. Grateful to have received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher.
A Realm Undone feels like a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre, complete with a strong, atypical, FMC and interesting foes. Fans of the Witcher games will adore this book’s world building and lore.
I so appreciated Alia’s journey to reconcile with her dark past, and relatable struggles growing into womanhood. While pacing sometimes felt slow, the character building and anticipation kept me hooked. A fantastic read with a rewarding ending. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.
#ARealmUndone #SeveredEra
An endearing and well written story full of complex women I was rooting for. Grateful to have received an advanced reader’s copy from the publisher.
A Realm Undone feels like a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre, complete with a strong, atypical, FMC and interesting foes. Fans of the Witcher games will adore this book’s world building and lore.
I so appreciated Alia’s journey to reconcile with her dark past, and relatable struggles growing into womanhood. While pacing sometimes felt slow, the character building and anticipation kept me hooked. A fantastic read with a rewarding ending. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in this trilogy.
#ARealmUndone #SeveredEra
November 7, 2025
A debut novel by an author that is just amazing. I love a good book that has amazing dialogue - and this book delivers that in loads!! I found myself laughing out loud. And the characters? Well, lets say that it is refreshing to have a mother as the MC instead of a teenager. And, though having her own struggles the theme of redemption rings through the entire story. She is the right kind of powerful, the kind that resonates with women in general.
The story is great, fast paced and hard to put down. This author has moved to the top of my list with this book.
The story is great, fast paced and hard to put down. This author has moved to the top of my list with this book.
July 1, 2025
I read the new fantasy romance by debut author JL Lienhardt and gotta say- this book IS A HIT. I could NOT put it down, and the characters felt so alive I'm still thinking about them. Read this if you’re looking for a grown-up ACOTAR, beautiful world building, entertaining and complex characters that you’ll invest in, a touching love story, smart and emotional dialogue, and a screamingly gripping and fast-moving plot. What more could you ask for?!
You can tell the author is a fan of the genre and has thoughtfully and reverently built a series in which readers fall in love with a world that feels familiar and yet avoids the too-worn tropes and tired sexism of other fantasy novels. The dialogue in this book!!! So smart, the one-liners will surprise you and make you laugh, and the exploration of trauma and family betrayal is heartbreaking and compassionate.
This book follows a 30-something mother Alia and her teenaged daughter Lena who return to Alia’s kingdom of origin - despite Alia swearing she would never return - to seek healing for Lena's magical ailment that seems to be killing her. You’re immediately thrust into the kingdom with its charms, gossip, and evils, watching Alia rediscover relationships she loved alongside memories of great trauma. Her power grows, they are all in grave danger, and the reader is along for a wild ride.
It's so refreshing to have a strong woman MC who is not a teen, but a mom who actually acts her age. She is deeply flawed, but you know her bad decisions come from a real and relatable place. Between Alias relationship with Lena (they fight like a mom and teen daughter often do), her relationship with her heartwarming group of old friends, a former lover and a new sexy and mysterious Master Mage (the sexual tension!!! You will ship these two), and the larger existential battle between the moral realm and the immortal one- I was hooked from chapter 1.
Alia is the best kind of powerful (and a little mean) but never annoying heroine that you root for as she wades through her past to understand the power she wields in the present. Will she use that power to save the mortal realm that turned its back on her??? You’ll have to see!!! Take a chance on this new author and you won’t be disappointed. JL Lienhardt really knows what she’s doing. Can’t wait for Book 2!!!!! I need to know what happens!!!!!!
You can tell the author is a fan of the genre and has thoughtfully and reverently built a series in which readers fall in love with a world that feels familiar and yet avoids the too-worn tropes and tired sexism of other fantasy novels. The dialogue in this book!!! So smart, the one-liners will surprise you and make you laugh, and the exploration of trauma and family betrayal is heartbreaking and compassionate.
This book follows a 30-something mother Alia and her teenaged daughter Lena who return to Alia’s kingdom of origin - despite Alia swearing she would never return - to seek healing for Lena's magical ailment that seems to be killing her. You’re immediately thrust into the kingdom with its charms, gossip, and evils, watching Alia rediscover relationships she loved alongside memories of great trauma. Her power grows, they are all in grave danger, and the reader is along for a wild ride.
It's so refreshing to have a strong woman MC who is not a teen, but a mom who actually acts her age. She is deeply flawed, but you know her bad decisions come from a real and relatable place. Between Alias relationship with Lena (they fight like a mom and teen daughter often do), her relationship with her heartwarming group of old friends, a former lover and a new sexy and mysterious Master Mage (the sexual tension!!! You will ship these two), and the larger existential battle between the moral realm and the immortal one- I was hooked from chapter 1.
Alia is the best kind of powerful (and a little mean) but never annoying heroine that you root for as she wades through her past to understand the power she wields in the present. Will she use that power to save the mortal realm that turned its back on her??? You’ll have to see!!! Take a chance on this new author and you won’t be disappointed. JL Lienhardt really knows what she’s doing. Can’t wait for Book 2!!!!! I need to know what happens!!!!!!
February 2, 2026
I LOVE THIS BOOK! The characters are interesting and complex. The magic feels real and true to trauma, strength and beauty. The story’s overall arch is powerful and relevant as the main character struggles to fight to keep or to destroy the status quo. I can’t believe I have to wait for the next book to come out to find out it what happens next! I think I’ll read this book 12 more times while I wait lol!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews