What do you think?
Beyond the Broken Throne
A scorned prince and broken family. A determined field nurse. The kingdom only they can save.
Prince Curtis has a reputation of misfortune, but when war and a power as ancient as the world itself threatens his people, he must find courage to save them.
Clarice has always admired Prince Curtis. She goes against her family’s wishes and her phobia in order to close the distance between them by becoming a field nurse amid war.
Together, they must unravel the truth behind the rising conflict with Curtis’s family, overcome ancient enemies, and protect each other as a member of the king’s court moves forward with plans to usurp the throne and gain unimaginable power over their world’s natural magic.
*****
The Lone Prince is an epic high fantasy series with heroes and villains, friends to lovers, war and political intrigue, good vs evil, and no-spice romance. It is perfect for fans of books Lord of the Rings, The Way of Kings, Eragon, and Hunger Games. Ideal for adults and teens 16 and older.
This book takes place in the same world and at the same time as the Heart of Fire series, but it focuses on a different cast of characters in a different country.
Prince Curtis has a reputation of misfortune, but when war and a power as ancient as the world itself threatens his people, he must find courage to save them.
Clarice has always admired Prince Curtis. She goes against her family’s wishes and her phobia in order to close the distance between them by becoming a field nurse amid war.
Together, they must unravel the truth behind the rising conflict with Curtis’s family, overcome ancient enemies, and protect each other as a member of the king’s court moves forward with plans to usurp the throne and gain unimaginable power over their world’s natural magic.
*****
The Lone Prince is an epic high fantasy series with heroes and villains, friends to lovers, war and political intrigue, good vs evil, and no-spice romance. It is perfect for fans of books Lord of the Rings, The Way of Kings, Eragon, and Hunger Games. Ideal for adults and teens 16 and older.
This book takes place in the same world and at the same time as the Heart of Fire series, but it focuses on a different cast of characters in a different country.
- GenresFantasy
489 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 19, 2025
About the author
Tiffany M. Rhys
8 books36 followersI write high/epic fantasy with as much action packed battles as I can reasonably fit into a plot, and all my books are no-spice with strong themes of honor, family, and light overcoming darkness. I'm here to share adventure, edge of your seat moments, maybe some laughs, tears, and heart-pounding thrills.
Finding fantasy with enough action and plot dipped in no spice romance has never been easier, now that I write it. I've been writing my stories for over 15 years, constantly working on them to make them better and better. In the year 2021, I published my first book. Between then and 2024 I published the full trilogy.
As I grew and became better at my craft, with the release of book 1 to a new series within the same world - The Lone Prince: Beyond the Broken Throne in June 2025, I made the hard choice to pull down my first trilogy to elevate the story and re-release them in tandem with The Lone Prince series.
The old trilogy, known as Aodh Generations series, has been revamped as Heart of Fire series. Aodh Generations is now how I refer to any books written within this fantasy world: Marmidon.
This has been an incredible journey and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
"The greatest adventures begin where fear ends." - Tiffany M. Rhys
"Every journey has a start and and end. If we knew what lay ahead, would we have traveled at all?" - Tiffany M. Rhys
Finding fantasy with enough action and plot dipped in no spice romance has never been easier, now that I write it. I've been writing my stories for over 15 years, constantly working on them to make them better and better. In the year 2021, I published my first book. Between then and 2024 I published the full trilogy.
As I grew and became better at my craft, with the release of book 1 to a new series within the same world - The Lone Prince: Beyond the Broken Throne in June 2025, I made the hard choice to pull down my first trilogy to elevate the story and re-release them in tandem with The Lone Prince series.
The old trilogy, known as Aodh Generations series, has been revamped as Heart of Fire series. Aodh Generations is now how I refer to any books written within this fantasy world: Marmidon.
This has been an incredible journey and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
"The greatest adventures begin where fear ends." - Tiffany M. Rhys
"Every journey has a start and and end. If we knew what lay ahead, would we have traveled at all?" - Tiffany M. Rhys
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 19, 2025
My amazon review with some elaboration for Goodreads:
High-action fantasy adventure for YA readers! (recommended 16+, no spice) Beyond the Broken Throne is the first in a series following a dynamic royal family in the midst of battling through personal challenges and threats to their kingdom. There is magic, a hint of romance (clean), and a lot of heart-pounding action. These characters are not coddled by the author and they go through A LOT. One of my favorite characters to follow was Dominic - the survival aspect of his arc was gripping.
The world is immersive, like our own but definitely with a fantasy twist including unique creatures and lore. The author stays in-line with the world's language system for deities, days of the week and seasons which is a nice touch for authenticity. It was so interesting to see hints of the "ancient tech era" that mirrors our modern cities in the real world. Imagine that we went post-apocalyptic but to the point of being a rennaissance-era society with swords and such (and magic of course) but also with a few remnants of technology remaining in some cities. While the main physical conflict in this volume reaches a resolution of sorts, the larger story of these characters is obviously to be continued in the next 3 books. You'll want to root for Curtis, Dominic, Clarice, and even Maxem as they try to confront the complexities in their own relationships and the ancient evil threatening their way of life. Buckle up!
Content: clean with no swears and no spice in the romance elements. There are some cute flirting moments but no inuendo. Because many of the characters are trained soldiers (plus a medic) fighting a war, there are a lot of battle/fighting scenes and injuries described with some blood and mild gore so keep that in mind if you're sensitive to that content. It never crossed the line for me but was much more violent than the fluffy stuff I've been reading lately. The villain is *very* villainous and will make you squirm - the peril to these characters feels legit. There is physical danger, but also a lot of emotional manipulation by the villain. For all those reasons I think it warrants the 16+ recommendation.
High-action fantasy adventure for YA readers! (recommended 16+, no spice) Beyond the Broken Throne is the first in a series following a dynamic royal family in the midst of battling through personal challenges and threats to their kingdom. There is magic, a hint of romance (clean), and a lot of heart-pounding action. These characters are not coddled by the author and they go through A LOT. One of my favorite characters to follow was Dominic - the survival aspect of his arc was gripping.
The world is immersive, like our own but definitely with a fantasy twist including unique creatures and lore. The author stays in-line with the world's language system for deities, days of the week and seasons which is a nice touch for authenticity. It was so interesting to see hints of the "ancient tech era" that mirrors our modern cities in the real world. Imagine that we went post-apocalyptic but to the point of being a rennaissance-era society with swords and such (and magic of course) but also with a few remnants of technology remaining in some cities. While the main physical conflict in this volume reaches a resolution of sorts, the larger story of these characters is obviously to be continued in the next 3 books. You'll want to root for Curtis, Dominic, Clarice, and even Maxem as they try to confront the complexities in their own relationships and the ancient evil threatening their way of life. Buckle up!
Content: clean with no swears and no spice in the romance elements. There are some cute flirting moments but no inuendo. Because many of the characters are trained soldiers (plus a medic) fighting a war, there are a lot of battle/fighting scenes and injuries described with some blood and mild gore so keep that in mind if you're sensitive to that content. It never crossed the line for me but was much more violent than the fluffy stuff I've been reading lately. The villain is *very* villainous and will make you squirm - the peril to these characters feels legit. There is physical danger, but also a lot of emotional manipulation by the villain. For all those reasons I think it warrants the 16+ recommendation.
May 2, 2025
Disclosure: I received an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book in exchange for an honest review. As someone who loves supporting indie authors, I always aim to share thoughtful, fair feedback. While I have personal reading preferences—like a love for fantasy, horses, or specific tropes—I never let that impact my rating unless it's relevant to the book’s intent or audience. I review with the genre and readership in mind.
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Beyond the Broken Throne is a thrilling, multi-perspective fantasy that pulled me in from the first chapter. I’m always a fan of books that give you a broader view of the world through different characters, and while this story focuses entirely on the "good" side, the perspectives are well-balanced and distinct. By the end, everything clicks together in such a satisfying way that it made me appreciate the structure even more.
The action scenes are absolutely a highlight. High stakes, well-paced, and incredibly vivid, they had my heart racing more than once. There were moments where I genuinely wondered how the characters could possibly survive—and that unpredictability made it so exciting.
One of the standout features for me was the monster design. Each creature is unique and rooted in its own part of the world. You don’t just see them as threats—you learn about their nature, their habitats, and the danger they represent. It added a rich, immersive layer to the worldbuilding.
If I had one minor complaint, it’s that the villain was fairly easy to spot early on. However, there were still a few twists tied to that storyline that surprised me and added depth to the narrative.
If you enjoy well-structured fantasy with multiple perspectives, creative worldbuilding, intense battle scenes, and just a touch of mystery, this book is well worth the read. I’ll definitely be looking out for more in this series or from this author.
---
Beyond the Broken Throne is a thrilling, multi-perspective fantasy that pulled me in from the first chapter. I’m always a fan of books that give you a broader view of the world through different characters, and while this story focuses entirely on the "good" side, the perspectives are well-balanced and distinct. By the end, everything clicks together in such a satisfying way that it made me appreciate the structure even more.
The action scenes are absolutely a highlight. High stakes, well-paced, and incredibly vivid, they had my heart racing more than once. There were moments where I genuinely wondered how the characters could possibly survive—and that unpredictability made it so exciting.
One of the standout features for me was the monster design. Each creature is unique and rooted in its own part of the world. You don’t just see them as threats—you learn about their nature, their habitats, and the danger they represent. It added a rich, immersive layer to the worldbuilding.
If I had one minor complaint, it’s that the villain was fairly easy to spot early on. However, there were still a few twists tied to that storyline that surprised me and added depth to the narrative.
If you enjoy well-structured fantasy with multiple perspectives, creative worldbuilding, intense battle scenes, and just a touch of mystery, this book is well worth the read. I’ll definitely be looking out for more in this series or from this author.
June 17, 2025
4.0
Summary:
“As the kingdom sinks deeper into war, famine, and unrest, his father grows desperate to find a solution. Tension and deception lurk within the Tower’s walls, and forbidden magic can no longer be forgotten.
Fate has only begun to unravel, revealing a darkness unlike anything they have faced before—one that will test their resilience, courage, and integrity.
One seeks validation that may never come.
One chases honor after defeat.
One desires to be a part of something bigger.
And one plots for indomitable power.”
Thanks for the ARC!
In order of most frequent chapter POVs
Curtis Raunnire- the younger prince with a special mission to bring a magical relic to his father.
Dominic Raunnire - the oldest prince and war hero who’s gone into one too many battles unscathed.
Clarice Fae Motigue - One of the newest member of the Kings Combat Medicine and Nursing, childhood friend to Curtis.
Curtis Raunnire - Monarch of Serrigour, seemingly to have lost his previous senses
It actually reminds me of Way of Kings in terms of pacing, writing style, and world building.
A good one for fans of High fantasy books, but you’ll need patience and brain power to get through it!
Summary:
“As the kingdom sinks deeper into war, famine, and unrest, his father grows desperate to find a solution. Tension and deception lurk within the Tower’s walls, and forbidden magic can no longer be forgotten.
Fate has only begun to unravel, revealing a darkness unlike anything they have faced before—one that will test their resilience, courage, and integrity.
One seeks validation that may never come.
One chases honor after defeat.
One desires to be a part of something bigger.
And one plots for indomitable power.”
Thanks for the ARC!
In order of most frequent chapter POVs
Curtis Raunnire- the younger prince with a special mission to bring a magical relic to his father.
Dominic Raunnire - the oldest prince and war hero who’s gone into one too many battles unscathed.
Clarice Fae Motigue - One of the newest member of the Kings Combat Medicine and Nursing, childhood friend to Curtis.
Curtis Raunnire - Monarch of Serrigour, seemingly to have lost his previous senses
It actually reminds me of Way of Kings in terms of pacing, writing style, and world building.
A good one for fans of High fantasy books, but you’ll need patience and brain power to get through it!
July 6, 2026
Well ok Tiffany. Just devastate me with the first five chapters. The hurt/comfort in this was intense and made me want more books just like this. I don’t read enough books where characters are actually injured in war and have to keep fighting for what is right. I cannot recommend this series enough. Dominic is my man in terms of abilities to fight and stay on his feet somehow. I love this series and need more.
April 20, 2026
I can not recommend this book enough! Everyone, go read it right now. Trust me!
Wow wow wow! I adore this epic fantasy! One of the best books I’ve read in a while. Probably an all time favorite!
On top of the book being phenomenal all of the art is created by the author herself!! She drew the cover, the character art, the weapons, the map!!!! And it is gorgeous!!! Gosh love that so freaking much. So much talent in one person.
This is such an incredible epic fantasy! Well written, incredibly well plotted, characters that feel sooo real, and a fascinating world. I can not believe this is her debut. She has truly honed her craft because this is very well written.
Okay, so massive fantasy world. Filled with unique words, dates, places, names, creatures. All of which can be found with a pronunciation guides in the glossary in the back of the book! Love that. Helpful to me when the different days of the week are used. There are Two races of people: men and elves basically. But they segregate themselves in their own kingdoms so we don’t see much interaction between the two yet.
This is multipov. 4 points of view. 2 princess, the king, and their childhood friend Clarice. I adore multiple povs so I have read a few of them. Something that can be really tricky with these books is handling the pacing. Making each point of view move at the same pace, not leaving too many cliffhangers when switching back and forth. Rhys handled this marvelously. I was never annoyed or irritated when changing povs, but excited to see the next part of the story. Honestly might be the best multipov that I have read. It flows very well, telling the story of a kingdom that has been under siege in a four year war which still rages.
Clarice is a girl coming of age. She has to pick her occupation and begin her career as an adult. Despite her adverse reactions to blood, she feels called to aid soldiers in the war. As a woman she has few options for that and so chooses field nurse. She sets off to the capital to begin her training along side her twin brother who is starting his own training as a drafted soldier. Clarice is kind and gentle, she loves her family and feels a deep need to help others. When the time comes she always pushes past her fears and helps protect others anyway she can. She’s a great character and I’m looking forward to seeing how she steps up to an even more important role in the next book. Also, I love that she has options when it comes to her dating life. That’s really nice, it makes her love for Curtis feel stronger, more real. I have a feeling this romance is going to be the slowest of slow burns. The amount of yearning after eachother we have already seen is adorable!
Curtis. The younger prince. The prince who has spent years running his father’s errands across the kingdom trying to earn his love. The sweet soul who tries so hard to do the right thing. A man who doesn’t fight, but serves his kingdom in other ways. He is a really interesting character. Honestly I don’t know if I have read about such a sweet boy before. But knowing guys like this in real life, guys who are honest and gentle and won’t raise a fist even to defend themselves, I’ve seen how the world beats down boys like this. Always trying to snuff out their light. I really like seeing kind boys represented in a book. They do not often get to read about themselves as main characters. I feel like these personalities tend to be annoyingly useless side characters. Curtis is anything but useless. And I’m highly interested in seeing his character development in coming books.
Prince Dominic. I mean, how can he not be my favorite point of view??? The eldest prince, the warrior prince, defender of Jushosh. And that character art? Swoon. Dominic has spent the last three or four years fighting a war. He’s been at the border wall leading the defense of his kingdom against the attempted invasion of the Marmeadan army. Years not only strategizing and ordering about troops but fighting on the front lines. He’s their kingdom’s hero. Until a new siege weapon destroys the border wall. Gravely injured Dominic and a few survivors are taken as prisoners of war. A twist I did not expect.
We see the immeasurable weight on Dominic’s shoulders. How he deals with his first failure being such a grand one. The responsibility for his soldiers he voluntarily carries, sometimes to a fault. His brilliance in strategy, and great leadership skills in delegating and willingness to let others take charge. How he puts his pride aside when lives are at stake. Gosh. He’s just such a phenomenal character! Where’s the men like this? I’ll take five please. Morally good, honorable, valiant men will always be superior main characters to the dark, morally gray shadow daddies. Through Dominic’s story we see the war, travel through the land, meet people, and feel the depth of just how much is at stake. Also, we have my favorite side character Kenneth. Oh Kenneth! Dominic’s giant, loyal honor guard. Gosh I love him so much!!! Look, if Kenneth dies in this war we riot.
Dominic loves his brother so much. Many times he thinks about him, wonders how Curtis has been these last years. Worries for him. Loves him. Due to their father, a troubled king, the parallels of Dominic and Cur to Boromir and Faramir are very strong. I have always loved their bond and personality differences. This is the first book I have ever read that perfectly replicates that feeling. So if you love Boromir and Faramir as much as I do, you need to read this book!!!!
The group of soldiers Dominic is with through this story are the best. Wide range of personalities, but all the men are brave and persevere through extremely rough challenges. I loved seeing their commradery and brother hood. This is the type of story that shows the good in men. Male authors, please take notes. This is the type of male friendship we love to see. Where they lean on eachother’s strengths and are unquestionably loyal and honorable. Even when bickering. It’s just so freaking amazingly written!!!!
A lot happens in this book. Like a lot. War, siege, mystery. A worn out king battling his own inner demons and wanning self confidence. A battle between the light and dark. Dabbling in old, outlawed magics called weaving. The king’s internal battle is fascinating. A once great man driven to making bad decisions due to burn out and self doubt. A battle we all struggle with at times. Self doubt in our own abilities is one of Satan’s greatest weapons. The battle between light and dark is a well thought out allegory for Christian beliefs. Something I am recently growing an appreciation for seeing in books. And I think Rhys does it exceptionally well in this book.
My favorite part of this is the feeling this book gives me. Similar vibes to tolkein and c s Lewis. But especially Tolkein. The way he wrote his characters, men that are strong in battle yet had many soft sides to their personalities. Great warriors who cried and wrote poetry. The pinnical example of what I believe is the type of man God wants us to be. That’s the men these main characters are in this book. Valiant and strong, yet loving caretakers. Men who cry because they aren’t scared of emotions. For this reason I recommend this book to boys and girls. These characters are great example for both, and it is not often that we find books which are easily marketed to both men and women. But this one does.
There was a noticeable difference while I read this book compared to some of my other recent reads. In my mind and home it brings a light with it. A goodness. It doesn’t chase away the holy spirit like I am realizing many secular books do. And I just think that is really cool. That a fantasy book can still carry a light with it. I want to find more books that do that. And will definitely be buying and reading everything Tiffany M Rhys publishes moving forward.
Content notes:
Horse dies by monster
Battle, swords, fighting, burns, death of war
One brief moment of spousal abuse
Wow wow wow! I adore this epic fantasy! One of the best books I’ve read in a while. Probably an all time favorite!
On top of the book being phenomenal all of the art is created by the author herself!! She drew the cover, the character art, the weapons, the map!!!! And it is gorgeous!!! Gosh love that so freaking much. So much talent in one person.
This is such an incredible epic fantasy! Well written, incredibly well plotted, characters that feel sooo real, and a fascinating world. I can not believe this is her debut. She has truly honed her craft because this is very well written.
Okay, so massive fantasy world. Filled with unique words, dates, places, names, creatures. All of which can be found with a pronunciation guides in the glossary in the back of the book! Love that. Helpful to me when the different days of the week are used. There are Two races of people: men and elves basically. But they segregate themselves in their own kingdoms so we don’t see much interaction between the two yet.
This is multipov. 4 points of view. 2 princess, the king, and their childhood friend Clarice. I adore multiple povs so I have read a few of them. Something that can be really tricky with these books is handling the pacing. Making each point of view move at the same pace, not leaving too many cliffhangers when switching back and forth. Rhys handled this marvelously. I was never annoyed or irritated when changing povs, but excited to see the next part of the story. Honestly might be the best multipov that I have read. It flows very well, telling the story of a kingdom that has been under siege in a four year war which still rages.
Clarice is a girl coming of age. She has to pick her occupation and begin her career as an adult. Despite her adverse reactions to blood, she feels called to aid soldiers in the war. As a woman she has few options for that and so chooses field nurse. She sets off to the capital to begin her training along side her twin brother who is starting his own training as a drafted soldier. Clarice is kind and gentle, she loves her family and feels a deep need to help others. When the time comes she always pushes past her fears and helps protect others anyway she can. She’s a great character and I’m looking forward to seeing how she steps up to an even more important role in the next book. Also, I love that she has options when it comes to her dating life. That’s really nice, it makes her love for Curtis feel stronger, more real. I have a feeling this romance is going to be the slowest of slow burns. The amount of yearning after eachother we have already seen is adorable!
Curtis. The younger prince. The prince who has spent years running his father’s errands across the kingdom trying to earn his love. The sweet soul who tries so hard to do the right thing. A man who doesn’t fight, but serves his kingdom in other ways. He is a really interesting character. Honestly I don’t know if I have read about such a sweet boy before. But knowing guys like this in real life, guys who are honest and gentle and won’t raise a fist even to defend themselves, I’ve seen how the world beats down boys like this. Always trying to snuff out their light. I really like seeing kind boys represented in a book. They do not often get to read about themselves as main characters. I feel like these personalities tend to be annoyingly useless side characters. Curtis is anything but useless. And I’m highly interested in seeing his character development in coming books.
Prince Dominic. I mean, how can he not be my favorite point of view??? The eldest prince, the warrior prince, defender of Jushosh. And that character art? Swoon. Dominic has spent the last three or four years fighting a war. He’s been at the border wall leading the defense of his kingdom against the attempted invasion of the Marmeadan army. Years not only strategizing and ordering about troops but fighting on the front lines. He’s their kingdom’s hero. Until a new siege weapon destroys the border wall. Gravely injured Dominic and a few survivors are taken as prisoners of war. A twist I did not expect.
We see the immeasurable weight on Dominic’s shoulders. How he deals with his first failure being such a grand one. The responsibility for his soldiers he voluntarily carries, sometimes to a fault. His brilliance in strategy, and great leadership skills in delegating and willingness to let others take charge. How he puts his pride aside when lives are at stake. Gosh. He’s just such a phenomenal character! Where’s the men like this? I’ll take five please. Morally good, honorable, valiant men will always be superior main characters to the dark, morally gray shadow daddies. Through Dominic’s story we see the war, travel through the land, meet people, and feel the depth of just how much is at stake. Also, we have my favorite side character Kenneth. Oh Kenneth! Dominic’s giant, loyal honor guard. Gosh I love him so much!!! Look, if Kenneth dies in this war we riot.
Dominic loves his brother so much. Many times he thinks about him, wonders how Curtis has been these last years. Worries for him. Loves him. Due to their father, a troubled king, the parallels of Dominic and Cur to Boromir and Faramir are very strong. I have always loved their bond and personality differences. This is the first book I have ever read that perfectly replicates that feeling. So if you love Boromir and Faramir as much as I do, you need to read this book!!!!
The group of soldiers Dominic is with through this story are the best. Wide range of personalities, but all the men are brave and persevere through extremely rough challenges. I loved seeing their commradery and brother hood. This is the type of story that shows the good in men. Male authors, please take notes. This is the type of male friendship we love to see. Where they lean on eachother’s strengths and are unquestionably loyal and honorable. Even when bickering. It’s just so freaking amazingly written!!!!
A lot happens in this book. Like a lot. War, siege, mystery. A worn out king battling his own inner demons and wanning self confidence. A battle between the light and dark. Dabbling in old, outlawed magics called weaving. The king’s internal battle is fascinating. A once great man driven to making bad decisions due to burn out and self doubt. A battle we all struggle with at times. Self doubt in our own abilities is one of Satan’s greatest weapons. The battle between light and dark is a well thought out allegory for Christian beliefs. Something I am recently growing an appreciation for seeing in books. And I think Rhys does it exceptionally well in this book.
My favorite part of this is the feeling this book gives me. Similar vibes to tolkein and c s Lewis. But especially Tolkein. The way he wrote his characters, men that are strong in battle yet had many soft sides to their personalities. Great warriors who cried and wrote poetry. The pinnical example of what I believe is the type of man God wants us to be. That’s the men these main characters are in this book. Valiant and strong, yet loving caretakers. Men who cry because they aren’t scared of emotions. For this reason I recommend this book to boys and girls. These characters are great example for both, and it is not often that we find books which are easily marketed to both men and women. But this one does.
There was a noticeable difference while I read this book compared to some of my other recent reads. In my mind and home it brings a light with it. A goodness. It doesn’t chase away the holy spirit like I am realizing many secular books do. And I just think that is really cool. That a fantasy book can still carry a light with it. I want to find more books that do that. And will definitely be buying and reading everything Tiffany M Rhys publishes moving forward.
Content notes:
Horse dies by monster
Battle, swords, fighting, burns, death of war
One brief moment of spousal abuse
July 7, 2026
Overview:
Language 🤐: none (Radaz used to like curse their god of mischief so there’s that if that’s something that would bug you)
Romance ❤️🔥: letter exchange/hand holding (so not much)
Violence ⚔️: PG-13 there is a lot of violence in this book and it’s intense and decently descriptive. There is a war and things are really falling apart in this world. This book will definitely not be for some readers. It is supposed to not be pretty, lots of death on page.
⚠️Abuse, war, anxiety, depression, prisoners of war, lots of physical distress, starvation or threats of starvation, lots of threats to life⚠️
Tropes/Micro tropes
- Multiple POV
- Anxiety/Depression rep
- Forbidden Magic
- High/ Epic Fantasy
- World building that pulls you in
- Good vs Evil
- Despair and Hope
My Thoughts:
Man oh man this story was a lot! The character are truly put through if through this story. I’ll be honest it started a bit slow for me but it was really gripping me by the end and I’m so ready for the next book because the ending there! There are so many things left unsolved.
A few of the POVs I didn’t enjoy as much as others but I’d say that’s pretty typical. The world building is great but it does take a bit to get what all is going on which I believe is totally the purpose. I think the ins and outs of the world are described wells and I understand what is going on and hope to come to understand more of the political intrigue and complexities that are going on in the coming books. We get lots of info and peeks into different aspects of this very interesting world that I thoroughly enjoyed getting introduced to!
Now go highlight a few of the characters
Dominic was probably my absolute favorite POV. Man is he absolutely put through it in this story. The growth and struggles he goes through are gripping. His chapters were the ones I truly devoured and was always like what’s going to happen next how is this situation going to be handled. I loved his devotion to country and family and those in his care. The group he goes through it with were entertaining and I loved the dynamics they had.
Curtis, oh sweet Curtis. My heart ached for him throughout the story. The conflicts he faces in trying to do best for his country and family were appealing. Watching his struggles and growth throughout the story had me absolutely cheering for him in the end. I’m on edge for what comes next for him.
Clarice was an interesting POV to have, she is the only female POV we have in this story and also the only one outside the royal family we follow. Her journey is different but still has great growth. I know in the coming books it will be even more interesting to see what happens next with the conflicts she is facing. It was interesting having more of the common persons POV as well to go along with witnessing the events that the royal family is dealing with and seeing it from her perspective. She has some girlish problems and tendencies that make sense for her character but had me shaking my head sometimes, but that could have been because I was anxious to see what was happening in a different POV where peril was more imminent. She definitely grew on me through out the story and I’m looking forward to seeing more of her in the coming books.
Maxem was an interesting POV being the king and father of the boys. Seeing the full weight of his kingdom on his shoulders and the effects it had on him. I am interested to see what comes next for him. There is so much weight he is carrying that is definitely crushing and the choices he makes though frustrating at times when taken with what he’s facing can be understood in some ways. His families thoughts about him and others comments about him make me believe there’s lots of depth to him that we have yet to seen. I’m very intrigued in what is going to come next an how things will be handled.
This is definitely a great beginning to an Epic fantasy series that deals with very heavy subject and does not shy aways from them. This is definitely not gonna be everyone’s cup of tea but if you want an epic story with adventure and deep themes and depths that the characters are faced with and are going to have to overcome this is a series to check out. I’m looking forward to starting the next book which releases a few weeks from now.
Language 🤐: none (Radaz used to like curse their god of mischief so there’s that if that’s something that would bug you)
Romance ❤️🔥: letter exchange/hand holding (so not much)
Violence ⚔️: PG-13 there is a lot of violence in this book and it’s intense and decently descriptive. There is a war and things are really falling apart in this world. This book will definitely not be for some readers. It is supposed to not be pretty, lots of death on page.
⚠️Abuse, war, anxiety, depression, prisoners of war, lots of physical distress, starvation or threats of starvation, lots of threats to life⚠️
Tropes/Micro tropes
- Multiple POV
- Anxiety/Depression rep
- Forbidden Magic
- High/ Epic Fantasy
- World building that pulls you in
- Good vs Evil
- Despair and Hope
My Thoughts:
Man oh man this story was a lot! The character are truly put through if through this story. I’ll be honest it started a bit slow for me but it was really gripping me by the end and I’m so ready for the next book because the ending there! There are so many things left unsolved.
A few of the POVs I didn’t enjoy as much as others but I’d say that’s pretty typical. The world building is great but it does take a bit to get what all is going on which I believe is totally the purpose. I think the ins and outs of the world are described wells and I understand what is going on and hope to come to understand more of the political intrigue and complexities that are going on in the coming books. We get lots of info and peeks into different aspects of this very interesting world that I thoroughly enjoyed getting introduced to!
Now go highlight a few of the characters
Dominic was probably my absolute favorite POV. Man is he absolutely put through it in this story. The growth and struggles he goes through are gripping. His chapters were the ones I truly devoured and was always like what’s going to happen next how is this situation going to be handled. I loved his devotion to country and family and those in his care. The group he goes through it with were entertaining and I loved the dynamics they had.
Curtis, oh sweet Curtis. My heart ached for him throughout the story. The conflicts he faces in trying to do best for his country and family were appealing. Watching his struggles and growth throughout the story had me absolutely cheering for him in the end. I’m on edge for what comes next for him.
Clarice was an interesting POV to have, she is the only female POV we have in this story and also the only one outside the royal family we follow. Her journey is different but still has great growth. I know in the coming books it will be even more interesting to see what happens next with the conflicts she is facing. It was interesting having more of the common persons POV as well to go along with witnessing the events that the royal family is dealing with and seeing it from her perspective. She has some girlish problems and tendencies that make sense for her character but had me shaking my head sometimes, but that could have been because I was anxious to see what was happening in a different POV where peril was more imminent. She definitely grew on me through out the story and I’m looking forward to seeing more of her in the coming books.
Maxem was an interesting POV being the king and father of the boys. Seeing the full weight of his kingdom on his shoulders and the effects it had on him. I am interested to see what comes next for him. There is so much weight he is carrying that is definitely crushing and the choices he makes though frustrating at times when taken with what he’s facing can be understood in some ways. His families thoughts about him and others comments about him make me believe there’s lots of depth to him that we have yet to seen. I’m very intrigued in what is going to come next an how things will be handled.
This is definitely a great beginning to an Epic fantasy series that deals with very heavy subject and does not shy aways from them. This is definitely not gonna be everyone’s cup of tea but if you want an epic story with adventure and deep themes and depths that the characters are faced with and are going to have to overcome this is a series to check out. I’m looking forward to starting the next book which releases a few weeks from now.
June 9, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It is an action-packed, high-stakes epic fantasy that kept me on the edge of my seat. The pacing and world-building were excellent, and I was able to keep up with the various locations the characters travelled to, the creatures they encountered, and even some of the lore surrounding the world. The danger in Marmidon is very real and the characters go through a LOT physically and mentally. They question themselves, fail sometimes, but they they find courage even in their lowest moments.
My favorite part about this book is definitely the characters and the relationships that they have with each other. Each POV character is starting from a different place at the beginning of the book: Maxem struggling as King of Jushosh, Dominic fighting at the border, Curtis on one his father’s many errands, and Clarice about to choose her profession. They experience failure, pain, doubt, victory, and betrayal. I can’t wait to see where their journey will take them and how they will grow.
The relationship between Dominic and Curtis is one that I hope will be explored in future books. It’s interesting to see how one son is praised while the other is scorned by his people and even some of his family. I found that despite the way other people see them, at their core, the two princes are not that different. They both possess strength, courage, and the desire to do what is right.
Clarice’s POV didn’t have as much excitement going on compared to the other POVs until the later part of the book, but with the events that occurred at the end, I get the sense that her character is being set up for a bigger role in the future. I am also looking forward to when she and Curtis will reunite and finally get to have a full conversation.
Despite Maxem’s missteps, I hope we see him mend his relationship with all of his family, especially with Curtis. With his character, it feels like he goes forward but then he goes backwards. We got to see a glimpse of the kind of king he could be—strong, honorable, protective. I would love to see him gather his courage and hold on to it instead of letting his insecurities win.
The villains in this book are truly evil, and we only get to see a fraction of their power. There is so much we don’t know about them but it is clear they can do a lot of damage rather quickly. I am curious to learn more about their motives and the plans they have for Marmidon.
Overall, this was an excellent start to the series. I recommend this book for anyone who loves epic fantasy, adventure, immersive world-building, and relatable characters. I can’t wait to jump back into this world and see what happens next!
My favorite part about this book is definitely the characters and the relationships that they have with each other. Each POV character is starting from a different place at the beginning of the book: Maxem struggling as King of Jushosh, Dominic fighting at the border, Curtis on one his father’s many errands, and Clarice about to choose her profession. They experience failure, pain, doubt, victory, and betrayal. I can’t wait to see where their journey will take them and how they will grow.
The relationship between Dominic and Curtis is one that I hope will be explored in future books. It’s interesting to see how one son is praised while the other is scorned by his people and even some of his family. I found that despite the way other people see them, at their core, the two princes are not that different. They both possess strength, courage, and the desire to do what is right.
Clarice’s POV didn’t have as much excitement going on compared to the other POVs until the later part of the book, but with the events that occurred at the end, I get the sense that her character is being set up for a bigger role in the future. I am also looking forward to when she and Curtis will reunite and finally get to have a full conversation.
Despite Maxem’s missteps, I hope we see him mend his relationship with all of his family, especially with Curtis. With his character, it feels like he goes forward but then he goes backwards. We got to see a glimpse of the kind of king he could be—strong, honorable, protective. I would love to see him gather his courage and hold on to it instead of letting his insecurities win.
The villains in this book are truly evil, and we only get to see a fraction of their power. There is so much we don’t know about them but it is clear they can do a lot of damage rather quickly. I am curious to learn more about their motives and the plans they have for Marmidon.
Overall, this was an excellent start to the series. I recommend this book for anyone who loves epic fantasy, adventure, immersive world-building, and relatable characters. I can’t wait to jump back into this world and see what happens next!
April 8, 2026
Warnings: bloody battle scenes and the aftermath
This was such an amazing epic fantasy with war, political intrigue, magic, and a slow-burn no-spice romance (that is a small subplot right now)! Each chapter held my attention, and I was reluctant to put it down! I liked seeing the vital roles that each character played and how their parts weaved together throughout the story. The world-building was so richly descriptive and detailed that it felt like I was watching an action-packed movie! I was emotionally invested in the characters and every aspect of the story. The tense moments were mingled with hope and had me on the edge of my seat.
King Maxem is desperately trying to save his kingdom of Jushosh from Marmeada's army. Sending his youngest son, Curtis, on missions to collect "trinkets" that he thinks are their only hope, while his oldest, Dominic, is at the front of the battle guarding the gates.
In another city, Clarice and her brother, Calvin, prepare for their professions in Serrigour, where they grew up. She will train to be a field nurse, and he will serve in the army. Clarice is hoping to rekindle her childhood friendship with Prince Curtis, but meets Blake, who is stationed there and befriends her, which complicates her feelings.
Little do the royals know that there's evil hidden within their own walls, and it wants the unthinkable in exchange for the kingdom's salvation.
This was such an amazing epic fantasy with war, political intrigue, magic, and a slow-burn no-spice romance (that is a small subplot right now)! Each chapter held my attention, and I was reluctant to put it down! I liked seeing the vital roles that each character played and how their parts weaved together throughout the story. The world-building was so richly descriptive and detailed that it felt like I was watching an action-packed movie! I was emotionally invested in the characters and every aspect of the story. The tense moments were mingled with hope and had me on the edge of my seat.
King Maxem is desperately trying to save his kingdom of Jushosh from Marmeada's army. Sending his youngest son, Curtis, on missions to collect "trinkets" that he thinks are their only hope, while his oldest, Dominic, is at the front of the battle guarding the gates.
In another city, Clarice and her brother, Calvin, prepare for their professions in Serrigour, where they grew up. She will train to be a field nurse, and he will serve in the army. Clarice is hoping to rekindle her childhood friendship with Prince Curtis, but meets Blake, who is stationed there and befriends her, which complicates her feelings.
Little do the royals know that there's evil hidden within their own walls, and it wants the unthinkable in exchange for the kingdom's salvation.
May 14, 2026
I found this story very interesting. It has all the elements of a great fantasy story. The author did a great job with the characters. The most important part of stories is hero’s but in order for a hero to shine there must be an equal villain. The author certainly delivered with Darmeon Vartnish.
The story follows the royal family as they try to navigate their people through war and all the atrosities that go with it. King Maxem seems to be a weak king or at least one that has lost his confidence and his spirit. He has 2 sons that are totally different but both good and honest. Dominic is the fighter and commands his own troops and the people love hin. He is known for defending & helping his citizens. Then we have Curtis. He is known for his bad luck and his knack for finding trouble. Definitely not a leader. As the rumors of invasion spread Dominic & Curtis notice their father has changed. He keeps sending Curtis to find ancient relics rambling how they will help him defeat his enemies. The artack finally comes and as the battle rages Dominic is seen being thrown over the wall and presumed dead. In the meantime our villain shows his true colors by trying to make a deal with the king. The king is torn. Does he sacrifice his kingdom or something that should be precious to him? Darmeon has made the offer and now all he has to do is wait for the kings answer.
Definitely a page turner and I recommend it to any fantasy lover.
The story follows the royal family as they try to navigate their people through war and all the atrosities that go with it. King Maxem seems to be a weak king or at least one that has lost his confidence and his spirit. He has 2 sons that are totally different but both good and honest. Dominic is the fighter and commands his own troops and the people love hin. He is known for defending & helping his citizens. Then we have Curtis. He is known for his bad luck and his knack for finding trouble. Definitely not a leader. As the rumors of invasion spread Dominic & Curtis notice their father has changed. He keeps sending Curtis to find ancient relics rambling how they will help him defeat his enemies. The artack finally comes and as the battle rages Dominic is seen being thrown over the wall and presumed dead. In the meantime our villain shows his true colors by trying to make a deal with the king. The king is torn. Does he sacrifice his kingdom or something that should be precious to him? Darmeon has made the offer and now all he has to do is wait for the kings answer.
Definitely a page turner and I recommend it to any fantasy lover.
June 23, 2026
Beyond the Broken Throne by Tiffany M. Rhys dropped me straight into the action from the very first page and never let me catch my breath — in the best possible way! The story weaves together multiple compelling perspectives, and the shifting POVs kept me fully engaged as each character faced their own gauntlet of dangers and impossible odds. Clarice's journey from a young woman with limited choices to a field nurse determined to find her own path was inspiring to follow, while Curtis's struggle with the weight of ancient power and betrayal from within his own court had me riveted. And Dominic — what an absolute standout. His resilience and quiet strength through some truly harrowing circumstances made him one of the most admirable characters I've encountered in a while. The world-building feels rich and expansive, the political intrigue is layered, and the blend of war, magic, and personal stakes makes for a thoroughly engaging read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 21, 2026
3.5/5 starts but rounding it up to 4
This is a nicely crafted CLEAN fantasy that doesn't shy away from the dangers and difficulties that something like war brings. We follow four main POVs in this book, each one experiencing the invasion of their country in different ways. There are dangerous moments, tense moments, and intriguing events that transpire throughout the story that will keep readers turning the pages.
Out of all the POVs, though, Prince Dominic's was the most impressive story arc and my personal favorite. It really enthralled me, outshining the other arcs by a long shot. King of a double-edged sword though because it feels like the other characters don't get quite the same treatment. However, plenty of foundation has been laid out for Rhys to do a lot more with those characters in her subsequent books and I look forward to seeing how their stories and characters advance.
This is a good series to get into if you're a fantasy lover AND want clean fantasy. There is violence and battle but NO language, NO spice, and nothing outrageous.
This is a nicely crafted CLEAN fantasy that doesn't shy away from the dangers and difficulties that something like war brings. We follow four main POVs in this book, each one experiencing the invasion of their country in different ways. There are dangerous moments, tense moments, and intriguing events that transpire throughout the story that will keep readers turning the pages.
Out of all the POVs, though, Prince Dominic's was the most impressive story arc and my personal favorite. It really enthralled me, outshining the other arcs by a long shot. King of a double-edged sword though because it feels like the other characters don't get quite the same treatment. However, plenty of foundation has been laid out for Rhys to do a lot more with those characters in her subsequent books and I look forward to seeing how their stories and characters advance.
This is a good series to get into if you're a fantasy lover AND want clean fantasy. There is violence and battle but NO language, NO spice, and nothing outrageous.
September 27, 2026
This book was such an interesting read. The magic system and world is very complex, and I’d be lying if I said I never got confused. However, I really enjoyed all of the different facets to the world. At first all of the povs were a little intimidating, but as I kept reading, I began to appreciate the inclusion of them all. They all gave a really unique perspective on the events of the story, which made it a lot easier to follow. I loved the way all of the characters were so well written, and how I felt like I knew them all so well by the end.This plot is so unique and well written, and I will definitely be reading more by Tiffany M Rhys! I would highly recommend you go give this book a chance, even if you are relatively new to epic high fantasy.
December 10, 2025
I loved so much about this book. Curtis feels relatable, struggling with his confidence and courage. I love that in this book, as compared to her other book Heart of Fire: the Gift of Marmidon, you have an interesting magic system set up for this world, and the world itself is one that has developed technologically in the past but much of that has been lost in calamities, so it's an interesting mix of typical fantasy with swords and magic, but with hints of modern technology and buildings. This Kingdom also looks down upon magic, where the nation they are at war with, is very accepting of magic. Anyway, I loved all the characters and the story. I'm excited for the next one!
July 2, 2025
This book is the perfect young adult fantasy romance. It has no spice, not even implied spice. The book has multiple points of view, but it was easy to follow along. The world building was detailed giving this fantasy almost a realistic quality. The world building of the setting was great, but the addition of the detailed creature designs added more, giving the story an extra layer. The book had a few twists I saw coming, but as a young adult novel I think it was good twists. I hope to read more about this world and to read more from this author.
July 8, 2025
This was a great start to the series with interesting characters. The different perspectives of the characters are narrated well and the story moves at a good pace. I really liked prince Dominic and Prince Curtis characters and their relationship.
May 1, 2026
This book has a lot of fighting. You start out in the middle of the war and end at least what feels like the end of the war at the end of the book with a massive cliffhanger. This book covers survival skills, battle techniques, the characters integrities, friendship, and overcoming one’s fears. This book is heavy with world building and character building two fighting countries and the strains on those countries that a war can bring even though there is a lot going on you can still follow along well I can’t wait to read the second book so I can get some closure from that cliffhanger on one of my favorite characters.
July 8, 2026
While it took me a while to understand the world building, I must say that it is definitely unique and multi layered! The characters are full of depth and the evil is definitely EVIL. High fantasy, found family, band of brothers, and creative storyline! Fast paced and entertaining! Ready for book 2!
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