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Realm of Zadrya #1
Oaths & Vengeance
Darrow is death on the battlefield.
He crushes the enemy with his mind and slays with his sword.
This powerful elf is an adversary I can't hope to defeat.
But I need his help.
He'll only give it if we marry in secret.
And I have to open portals for him whenever he wants.
My family will kill me if they find out about any of it.
I have no choice.
Aella either has a lot of nerve or courage to ask me for a favor.
I should kill the half-druid where she stands.
Except she has mastered a rare ability I need.
I plan to bind her to me and get my revenge.
I tell myself I won't touch her, that she repulses me.
It's a lie.
And it isn't long before I want to own every part of her.
Curses chain us both.
I am incapable of love.
She can't escape her warmongering uncle.
But soon, we realize we're also each other's potential cure.
Somehow, we must look beyond centuries of bloodshed and familial hatred.
Especially once we realize the fate of our world may depend upon it.
Welcome to the Realm of Zadrya, where nothing is as it seems, not the people, plants, or animals. Whether it's beautiful, foul, or just odd, it's all dangerous. If you decide to step into this strange place of magic, mystery, and deception, please try not to get eaten along the way. We'd hate to lose you before the end.
Note- This novel is an enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romantasy. It contains adult content, including violence, foul language, rough spicy scenes, torture, and a sentient murder garden that takes no prisoners—maybe not even you. Read Oaths & Vengeance at your own discretion.
He crushes the enemy with his mind and slays with his sword.
This powerful elf is an adversary I can't hope to defeat.
But I need his help.
He'll only give it if we marry in secret.
And I have to open portals for him whenever he wants.
My family will kill me if they find out about any of it.
I have no choice.
Aella either has a lot of nerve or courage to ask me for a favor.
I should kill the half-druid where she stands.
Except she has mastered a rare ability I need.
I plan to bind her to me and get my revenge.
I tell myself I won't touch her, that she repulses me.
It's a lie.
And it isn't long before I want to own every part of her.
Curses chain us both.
I am incapable of love.
She can't escape her warmongering uncle.
But soon, we realize we're also each other's potential cure.
Somehow, we must look beyond centuries of bloodshed and familial hatred.
Especially once we realize the fate of our world may depend upon it.
Welcome to the Realm of Zadrya, where nothing is as it seems, not the people, plants, or animals. Whether it's beautiful, foul, or just odd, it's all dangerous. If you decide to step into this strange place of magic, mystery, and deception, please try not to get eaten along the way. We'd hate to lose you before the end.
Note- This novel is an enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn romantasy. It contains adult content, including violence, foul language, rough spicy scenes, torture, and a sentient murder garden that takes no prisoners—maybe not even you. Read Oaths & Vengeance at your own discretion.
485 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 22, 2025
54 people are currently reading
468 people want to read
About the author
Susan Illene
40 books493 followersSusan Illene served in the US Army for eleven years and worked as a human resources specialist and an Arabic linguist. She served two deployments to Iraq, and after leaving the army, she studied history at the University of Oklahoma. She currently lives with her husband and two sons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 290 reviews
August 30, 2025
──⟡⋆˙✩ 2 stars ✩ ⋆˙⟡──
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ How bad would it be to fall for my enemy whose heart was as cold as ice and would never thaw for me? *ೃ༄
𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 βօօҟͲąցʂ 𓍯𓂃
➽ Enemies to lovers
➽ Marriage of convenience
➽ “She’s my WIFE” moments
➽ feral “Who hurt you” scene
➽ MMC incapable of love
➽ Insta-lust
➽ Fated mates
The book had a lot of promise. I really enjoyed the beginning—but then it slid downhill fast and became dreadfully boring.
𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕀𝕤 𝔸𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥: ℕ𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕪 𝔼𝕕𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 ᯓ★
The premise grabbed me. Aella and Darrow are from rival kingdoms—actually, at war. When she’s forced to ask him for a favor, he demands her hand in marriage as payment. But they’re sworn enemies, with blood on both sides of the family. They keep the marriage a secret, leaving Aella torn between aiding her uncle’s war against Darrow’s people and secretly helping Darrow with his own hidden plans.
𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝔾𝕆𝕆𝔻 ᯓ★
★ Aella’s garden. Yes, you heard me right. Her garden is full of sentient plants: flesh-eaters, toxin-releasers, fruit-biters, finger-snappers. Some will lick you affectionately, others will curl up beside you when you’re upset. They’re high-maintenance divas but also absolute sweethearts. Easily the highlight of this book.
★ Aella herself. Strong, kind, mature, and reasonable. She made smart choices, handled herself well, and was genuinely admirable. She was a delight to read about.
𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝔹𝔸𝔻 ᯓ★
★ The romance. Marketed as a slowburn—and people are just tossing that word around these days. Slowburn? Where? I must need new glasses because I didn’t see it. Less than halfway through, they’d already kissed twice. Attraction came way too fast.
★ Darrow. Our so-called male lead. Insufferable. Selfish. Annoying. Like a fly buzzing in my ear. Why is the bar for fictional men—who are literally written for women—even lower than the bar we’ve already buried six feet underground for real ones?
If you’re incapable of love, don’t string a woman along. If she says no, don’t push—even if you know she wants you. Attraction doesn’t cancel boundaries. BOY, KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS.
And don’t get me started on the classic “I pretended she was you while sleeping with her.” Excuse me? Not only do you lack self-control, you’re also using other women as stand-ins? That’s not romance, that’s insulting.
Then there’s his arrogance. One moment, he declares he won’t bed Aella unless she begs, and that he won’t be faithful (but she’s welcome to find her own lovers). Next moment, he changes his mind and suddenly now she isn’t allowed lovers and he’ll be faithful too. Excuse me, sir? You don’t just get to change the rules whenever it suits you. This marriage was a transaction, not your personal playground. Where’s her say? Why does he get to dictate everything?
If I could, I’d bash his skull in. Sadly, I’ll have to settle for my corpse rotting on his bed.
𝕀𝕟 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕔𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟 ᯓ★
I’m salty. I was hyped for this book and it betrayed me. No regrets about reading, though—Aella’s sentient garden made it worth it. That’s the only thing I’ll remember fondly.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an Arc. All thoughts are my own
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
⇢ ˗ˏˋ Connect with me on Instagram ࿐ྂ
*ੈ✩‧₊˚ How bad would it be to fall for my enemy whose heart was as cold as ice and would never thaw for me? *ೃ༄
𓂃 ࣪˖ ִֶָ𐀔 βօօҟͲąցʂ 𓍯𓂃
➽ Enemies to lovers
➽ Marriage of convenience
➽ “She’s my WIFE” moments
➽ feral “Who hurt you” scene
➽ MMC incapable of love
➽ Insta-lust
➽ Fated mates
The book had a lot of promise. I really enjoyed the beginning—but then it slid downhill fast and became dreadfully boring.
𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕋𝕙𝕚𝕤 𝔹𝕠𝕠𝕜 𝕀𝕤 𝔸𝕓𝕠𝕦𝕥: ℕ𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕪 𝔼𝕕𝕚𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟 ᯓ★
The premise grabbed me. Aella and Darrow are from rival kingdoms—actually, at war. When she’s forced to ask him for a favor, he demands her hand in marriage as payment. But they’re sworn enemies, with blood on both sides of the family. They keep the marriage a secret, leaving Aella torn between aiding her uncle’s war against Darrow’s people and secretly helping Darrow with his own hidden plans.
𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝔾𝕆𝕆𝔻 ᯓ★
★ Aella’s garden. Yes, you heard me right. Her garden is full of sentient plants: flesh-eaters, toxin-releasers, fruit-biters, finger-snappers. Some will lick you affectionately, others will curl up beside you when you’re upset. They’re high-maintenance divas but also absolute sweethearts. Easily the highlight of this book.
★ Aella herself. Strong, kind, mature, and reasonable. She made smart choices, handled herself well, and was genuinely admirable. She was a delight to read about.
𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝔹𝔸𝔻 ᯓ★
★ The romance. Marketed as a slowburn—and people are just tossing that word around these days. Slowburn? Where? I must need new glasses because I didn’t see it. Less than halfway through, they’d already kissed twice. Attraction came way too fast.
★ Darrow. Our so-called male lead. Insufferable. Selfish. Annoying. Like a fly buzzing in my ear. Why is the bar for fictional men—who are literally written for women—even lower than the bar we’ve already buried six feet underground for real ones?
If you’re incapable of love, don’t string a woman along. If she says no, don’t push—even if you know she wants you. Attraction doesn’t cancel boundaries. BOY, KEEP IT IN YOUR PANTS.
And don’t get me started on the classic “I pretended she was you while sleeping with her.” Excuse me? Not only do you lack self-control, you’re also using other women as stand-ins? That’s not romance, that’s insulting.
Then there’s his arrogance. One moment, he declares he won’t bed Aella unless she begs, and that he won’t be faithful (but she’s welcome to find her own lovers). Next moment, he changes his mind and suddenly now she isn’t allowed lovers and he’ll be faithful too. Excuse me, sir? You don’t just get to change the rules whenever it suits you. This marriage was a transaction, not your personal playground. Where’s her say? Why does he get to dictate everything?
If I could, I’d bash his skull in. Sadly, I’ll have to settle for my corpse rotting on his bed.
𝕀𝕟 ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕔𝕝𝕦𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟 ᯓ★
I’m salty. I was hyped for this book and it betrayed me. No regrets about reading, though—Aella’s sentient garden made it worth it. That’s the only thing I’ll remember fondly.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an Arc. All thoughts are my own
°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･
⇢ ˗ˏˋ Connect with me on Instagram ࿐ྂ
September 4, 2025
Enemies to lovers. Cursed hero. Secret marriage. Morally gray.
This book pulled me in right from the start. I really enjoyed how the storyline expanded with Darrow and Aella, even though their relationship felt a bit forced at times. Once things got moving, I loved the depth it brought to the world and how it tied into the bigger conflicts.
The morally gray aspect of the story is what stood out the most for me. When the bad side starts to look like the good side, it makes everything so much more complex and layered. Darrow is powerful, ruthless, and cursed never to love, yet he will do absolutely anything to protect his wife. That intensity made him fascinating to read about.
Aella’s uncle drove me insane. He was so awful that I found myself angry every time he appeared, but it definitely kept me invested in her struggles.
I also appreciated the slow burn romantasy vibe and all the tropes I love. It was action packed, emotional, and full of tension.
Overall, this was a solid and entertaining romantasy. If you enjoy morally gray heroes, dangerous bargains, and high stakes magic, this series is worth diving into.
This book pulled me in right from the start. I really enjoyed how the storyline expanded with Darrow and Aella, even though their relationship felt a bit forced at times. Once things got moving, I loved the depth it brought to the world and how it tied into the bigger conflicts.
The morally gray aspect of the story is what stood out the most for me. When the bad side starts to look like the good side, it makes everything so much more complex and layered. Darrow is powerful, ruthless, and cursed never to love, yet he will do absolutely anything to protect his wife. That intensity made him fascinating to read about.
Aella’s uncle drove me insane. He was so awful that I found myself angry every time he appeared, but it definitely kept me invested in her struggles.
I also appreciated the slow burn romantasy vibe and all the tropes I love. It was action packed, emotional, and full of tension.
Overall, this was a solid and entertaining romantasy. If you enjoy morally gray heroes, dangerous bargains, and high stakes magic, this series is worth diving into.
August 3, 2025
This was 4.75 ⭐️ for me, but I’m rounding up, simply because I rarely hand out my 5 star ratings.
This one gets my highest rating I can give without it being god-tiered. I LOVED this book, I had such a great time reading it! It is classic romatasy in all of the best ways… Magic, slow-burn romance, hidden powers, secret marriages… but with just enough uniqueness to make it feel fresh and immersive.
First of all… an FMC in her 30’s? Yes, please! She’s smart, capable, and resourceful, but she also has softness and emotion. She struck a great balance between practicality and vulnerability, and I enjoyed being in her head. It felt refreshing to follow someone who actually felt like an adult woman with a lived experience.
The MMC didn’t win me over immediately. He makes a few questionable comments early on (nothing too awful, just eyebrow-raising), but his loyalty is never in question. He consistently shows up for the FMC and by the end, I really liked how his character had grown. He became more open and emotionally available.
The romance itself was a slow burn, and I thought it worked really well. It wasn’t the only focus in the story, but it wove through the main plot in a way that felt very balanced. The tension builds steadily throughout, and when the spicy scenes come, it didn’t feel like the story lost momentum or forgot what it was doing. (Also: the “who did this to you?” trope makes an appearance, and I always love that.) Add in fated mates, enemies to lovers, and a secret marriage? All my favorite things!
I have to give a huge shout-out to the sentient garden, it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book. The lore around the plants… their powers, personalities, even how they interact with the characters, was such a cool addition to the world. I read that the author’s son helped come up with the garden’s details, and that made me love it even more. I thought it was so whimsical and it added so much depth to the story.
The supporting cast didn’t get a ton of page time, and while I wouldn’t call it a “found family” story, the secondary characters felt like natural parts of the world. They weren’t fully fleshed out, but they also weren’t treated like NPCs or background noise, ane they played their roles well. I didn’t mind the limited development.
The pacing overall was really solid… not a breakneck binge read, but a story I wanted to take my time with. It unfolds at a steady pace that lets you explore the world without getting bogged down in info-dumps. That slower burn really worked for me.
There are plenty of threads left hanging, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series. Between the romance, the garden lore, the magical politics, and the character growth, I’m fully sat and invested in what happens next.
HUUUUUGE Thank You to NetGalley and Victory Editing for allowing me to read this one, I absolutely loved it!
This one gets my highest rating I can give without it being god-tiered. I LOVED this book, I had such a great time reading it! It is classic romatasy in all of the best ways… Magic, slow-burn romance, hidden powers, secret marriages… but with just enough uniqueness to make it feel fresh and immersive.
First of all… an FMC in her 30’s? Yes, please! She’s smart, capable, and resourceful, but she also has softness and emotion. She struck a great balance between practicality and vulnerability, and I enjoyed being in her head. It felt refreshing to follow someone who actually felt like an adult woman with a lived experience.
The MMC didn’t win me over immediately. He makes a few questionable comments early on (nothing too awful, just eyebrow-raising), but his loyalty is never in question. He consistently shows up for the FMC and by the end, I really liked how his character had grown. He became more open and emotionally available.
The romance itself was a slow burn, and I thought it worked really well. It wasn’t the only focus in the story, but it wove through the main plot in a way that felt very balanced. The tension builds steadily throughout, and when the spicy scenes come, it didn’t feel like the story lost momentum or forgot what it was doing. (Also: the “who did this to you?” trope makes an appearance, and I always love that.) Add in fated mates, enemies to lovers, and a secret marriage? All my favorite things!
I have to give a huge shout-out to the sentient garden, it ended up being one of my favorite parts of the book. The lore around the plants… their powers, personalities, even how they interact with the characters, was such a cool addition to the world. I read that the author’s son helped come up with the garden’s details, and that made me love it even more. I thought it was so whimsical and it added so much depth to the story.
The supporting cast didn’t get a ton of page time, and while I wouldn’t call it a “found family” story, the secondary characters felt like natural parts of the world. They weren’t fully fleshed out, but they also weren’t treated like NPCs or background noise, ane they played their roles well. I didn’t mind the limited development.
The pacing overall was really solid… not a breakneck binge read, but a story I wanted to take my time with. It unfolds at a steady pace that lets you explore the world without getting bogged down in info-dumps. That slower burn really worked for me.
There are plenty of threads left hanging, and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series. Between the romance, the garden lore, the magical politics, and the character growth, I’m fully sat and invested in what happens next.
HUUUUUGE Thank You to NetGalley and Victory Editing for allowing me to read this one, I absolutely loved it!
August 11, 2025
ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
Ok so I finished it and honestly, that was the hardest part.
On paper, this book had everything you could like in a romantasy. morally gray love interest, cursed bargains, lush fantasy setting. and while the bare bones for a great plot and detailed worldbuilding are there, the actual reading experience was.. a lot of exposition and not a lot of payoff.
our main character spends most of the book in her own head, kind of like one long never ending monologue. she asks lots of questions about the world and other people's motives, which is fine, but I felt like half of those thoughts could've been cut and replaced with.. you know, actual scenes. we hear about how dangerous her plant garden is at least five separate times in the first 3 chapters but instead of showing me one plant snap up a mouse in the first chapter (instant buy-in!), we get the same internal warning over and over. that said, the plant lore itself was one of my favourite details. it was creative, unique, and I was glad to see it incorporated in later parts of the book.
the romance.. was forced. the male love interest's personality is 50% smirking and 50% being horny, which isn't exactly peak swoon material. there are no real consequences after supposedly "high-stakes" moments, so the tension never lands. at some points, he comes off as manipulative, otherworldly, and unreliable (so fun!!) but it loses its edge when every boundary she sets evaporates after one kiss. still, i did enjoy the occasional POV shift to him, his perspective did have moments of intrigue the female main character's didn't always capture.
worldbuilding-wise, this was a buffet of intriguing concepts. dark elves, unseelie, dangerous species, mysterious fountains and yet, none of them were fleshed out enough to feel real or tied meaningfully to the plot.
if you've read other big romantasy hits lately, you'll probably remember some familiar beats here, but without the emotional depth or stakes that make those stories stick. i'm grateful to have received an ARC, and I do think the foundation for a great fantasy romance is here, it just needs sharper editing, higher stakes, and characters with a little more bite. with some refinement, i could see a much stronger sequel delivered!
Ok so I finished it and honestly, that was the hardest part.
On paper, this book had everything you could like in a romantasy. morally gray love interest, cursed bargains, lush fantasy setting. and while the bare bones for a great plot and detailed worldbuilding are there, the actual reading experience was.. a lot of exposition and not a lot of payoff.
our main character spends most of the book in her own head, kind of like one long never ending monologue. she asks lots of questions about the world and other people's motives, which is fine, but I felt like half of those thoughts could've been cut and replaced with.. you know, actual scenes. we hear about how dangerous her plant garden is at least five separate times in the first 3 chapters but instead of showing me one plant snap up a mouse in the first chapter (instant buy-in!), we get the same internal warning over and over. that said, the plant lore itself was one of my favourite details. it was creative, unique, and I was glad to see it incorporated in later parts of the book.
the romance.. was forced. the male love interest's personality is 50% smirking and 50% being horny, which isn't exactly peak swoon material. there are no real consequences after supposedly "high-stakes" moments, so the tension never lands. at some points, he comes off as manipulative, otherworldly, and unreliable (so fun!!) but it loses its edge when every boundary she sets evaporates after one kiss. still, i did enjoy the occasional POV shift to him, his perspective did have moments of intrigue the female main character's didn't always capture.
worldbuilding-wise, this was a buffet of intriguing concepts. dark elves, unseelie, dangerous species, mysterious fountains and yet, none of them were fleshed out enough to feel real or tied meaningfully to the plot.
if you've read other big romantasy hits lately, you'll probably remember some familiar beats here, but without the emotional depth or stakes that make those stories stick. i'm grateful to have received an ARC, and I do think the foundation for a great fantasy romance is here, it just needs sharper editing, higher stakes, and characters with a little more bite. with some refinement, i could see a much stronger sequel delivered!
August 31, 2025
I read this as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I really really liked this book. If you're a fan od Legends of Thezzmar, The Bridge Kingdom, or Crown of Nyaxia, you'll probably enjoy this one. Similar vibes. But, I thought I was reading a really good romantasy. I was mistaken. What I actually read was a great fantasy sci-fi with a romantic plot.
First, the world building. 5 stars on the world building. Not only do we get a fantasy realm, we get a whole planet. It answers the question what would happen if you mixed Stargate with Terresan. You didn't know you had that question? You do now!
Second the characters. Thank goodness we actually have a 33 year old heroine who has lived a little and seen some things. This is not a stereotypical teen finds a mentor to train her to become the chosen one. Shes a self trained- already- come- into -her- power chosen one. And I am here for it. If I had one criticism of this book though, was it mentions her age way too many times. It took me out of the story a bit.
The MMC? Well if you like a "Touch her and you ☠️!", "Who did this to you?" Bone crushing, bad boy... read the book. Thank me later.
Now if you've read my reviews, I cannot leave out mention of excellent side characters. We have them here. Complete with a good found family trope. By far the best side characters: M^rder Garden. Think how we usually love the puppy or adorable dragon, but instead they are plants... that think you are crunchy. (BookDragon approves of this.)
The only real criticisms I had while reading were the constant reminding of their hair color, age, eye color, and race. Could have used less of that. Trust the reader to get it. The other thing was that the divide between Seelie, Unseelie, Light elves and Dark elves was a little confusing. It started to make sense in the end, so maybe it will make better sense in book 2.
All in all, this one is going on my recommended reads.
I really really liked this book. If you're a fan od Legends of Thezzmar, The Bridge Kingdom, or Crown of Nyaxia, you'll probably enjoy this one. Similar vibes. But, I thought I was reading a really good romantasy. I was mistaken. What I actually read was a great fantasy sci-fi with a romantic plot.
First, the world building. 5 stars on the world building. Not only do we get a fantasy realm, we get a whole planet. It answers the question what would happen if you mixed Stargate with Terresan. You didn't know you had that question? You do now!
Second the characters. Thank goodness we actually have a 33 year old heroine who has lived a little and seen some things. This is not a stereotypical teen finds a mentor to train her to become the chosen one. Shes a self trained- already- come- into -her- power chosen one. And I am here for it. If I had one criticism of this book though, was it mentions her age way too many times. It took me out of the story a bit.
The MMC? Well if you like a "Touch her and you ☠️!", "Who did this to you?" Bone crushing, bad boy... read the book. Thank me later.
Now if you've read my reviews, I cannot leave out mention of excellent side characters. We have them here. Complete with a good found family trope. By far the best side characters: M^rder Garden. Think how we usually love the puppy or adorable dragon, but instead they are plants... that think you are crunchy. (BookDragon approves of this.)
The only real criticisms I had while reading were the constant reminding of their hair color, age, eye color, and race. Could have used less of that. Trust the reader to get it. The other thing was that the divide between Seelie, Unseelie, Light elves and Dark elves was a little confusing. It started to make sense in the end, so maybe it will make better sense in book 2.
All in all, this one is going on my recommended reads.
July 11, 2025
This book cured my book hangover. I could not put it down. I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS! I must know what happens to them!!
I enjoyed the world and magic. (I tried hard to picture the portal magic but I always pictured the gate from the Stargate tv show. That's not on the author, that's just my brain being weird.)
Seriously invested in the series. Will definitely read the next book.
Thank you BookSirens for the ARC!
I enjoyed the world and magic. (I tried hard to picture the portal magic but I always pictured the gate from the Stargate tv show. That's not on the author, that's just my brain being weird.)
Seriously invested in the series. Will definitely read the next book.
Thank you BookSirens for the ARC!
September 13, 2025
Oaths & Vengeance is the first book in the Realm of Zadrya series. The story is set in a magical world where there is political unrest between the kingdoms of Therress & Veronna. Aella, the powerful FMC, enters into a secret marriage with her enemy Darrow in effort to save someone she loves.
I rated the book 4/5 stars. I enjoyed the progression of the story and the relationships between the characters. The world building was well done and the descriptions of the kingdoms helped the reader understand the differences/locations of each. I also loved that there was a map!
The writing style was easy to read and the pacing kept the story flowing. I enjoyed all the characters, especially Aella & Darrow! The slow burn had me anxiously waiting for them to catch feelings! The magic system was unique and included individual powers as well as powerful plants.
Thank you to Susan Illene and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I rated the book 4/5 stars. I enjoyed the progression of the story and the relationships between the characters. The world building was well done and the descriptions of the kingdoms helped the reader understand the differences/locations of each. I also loved that there was a map!
The writing style was easy to read and the pacing kept the story flowing. I enjoyed all the characters, especially Aella & Darrow! The slow burn had me anxiously waiting for them to catch feelings! The magic system was unique and included individual powers as well as powerful plants.
Thank you to Susan Illene and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
September 19, 2025
4.5🌟 This magical world developed books is going to take you to a kingdom far away.
Aella is a druid half-fae with the power to open faraway portals. Her magic is so powerful that her uncle keeps her around, and punishments will be set upon her if she commits treason.
Darrow a dark fae who is destined to find his true mate in Aella. He comes from Therres, he is cursed not to love, but can he feel something for Aella?
These enemies-to-lovers find their way in this well-written story, where magic gardens, mystical animals come together for one purpose make sure Aella is free of her abusive uncle and make sure Zadrya and Therres are done with their war.
This book was given to me as an ARC by the author for an honest review. This is a voluntary and honest review.
✅️Enemies-to-lovers
✅️Spicy🌶🌶.5
✅️Adult FMC
✅️Touch her and 💀
Aella is a druid half-fae with the power to open faraway portals. Her magic is so powerful that her uncle keeps her around, and punishments will be set upon her if she commits treason.
Darrow a dark fae who is destined to find his true mate in Aella. He comes from Therres, he is cursed not to love, but can he feel something for Aella?
These enemies-to-lovers find their way in this well-written story, where magic gardens, mystical animals come together for one purpose make sure Aella is free of her abusive uncle and make sure Zadrya and Therres are done with their war.
This book was given to me as an ARC by the author for an honest review. This is a voluntary and honest review.
✅️Enemies-to-lovers
✅️Spicy🌶🌶.5
✅️Adult FMC
✅️Touch her and 💀
July 18, 2025
⭐️ 4.75
This book made me FEEL THINGS. I’m not saying all good things because UGHHHHHH. I don’t think I’ve ever been more frustrated with a MMC and I am BEGGING for a curse solution to happen next book - which I need as soon as humanly possible.
FMC - Aella is strong willed, fiercely protective of her loved ones and innocents. Shes had a rough life and you can tell how much she has struggled, but despite that she still always tried to help others as best as she can. You only want good things for her.
MMC- Darrow has me feeling all sorts of ways. he is without a doubt the most frustrating MMC I’ve encountered. I know he’s cursed not to love, but man he made it HARD to want to love and understand him the majority of the time. I know he has redeeming qualities and that if the curse is lifted I will most likely fall for him as hard as Aella will, but I’m wayyyyyy more petty than Aella is 😂 i’m really gonna need to seem a redemption where he truly sacrifices anything for her in the future for me to fully fall for him.
The plot is grounded in high stakes: the search for the mythical Naforya fountain, without which their world will die. It’s mostly fast paced but gives you intense and meaningful interactions throughout. You want to root for these characters and get to know them better, as well as more of their backstories.
The world-building is immersive, detailed, and original. I was especially intrigued wjth flora and fauna of the FMC’s garden where plants are sentient and fiercely protective of the FMC.
I’m looking forward to the possibility of dragons playing more of a roll in the future and to find out some of the answers to a lot of unanswered plot lines!!!
I will absolutely be needing physical copies of this series and highly recommend everyone to add to their TBR.
Thank you Susan for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC and I would be thrilled to receive an ARC for the second installment !
Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Slow burn
Elves, Druids, dark fae
Touch her and die (literally)
Fae court
Secret marriage
Dual 1st person POV
This book made me FEEL THINGS. I’m not saying all good things because UGHHHHHH. I don’t think I’ve ever been more frustrated with a MMC and I am BEGGING for a curse solution to happen next book - which I need as soon as humanly possible.
FMC - Aella is strong willed, fiercely protective of her loved ones and innocents. Shes had a rough life and you can tell how much she has struggled, but despite that she still always tried to help others as best as she can. You only want good things for her.
MMC- Darrow has me feeling all sorts of ways. he is without a doubt the most frustrating MMC I’ve encountered. I know he’s cursed not to love, but man he made it HARD to want to love and understand him the majority of the time. I know he has redeeming qualities and that if the curse is lifted I will most likely fall for him as hard as Aella will, but I’m wayyyyyy more petty than Aella is 😂 i’m really gonna need to seem a redemption where he truly sacrifices anything for her in the future for me to fully fall for him.
The plot is grounded in high stakes: the search for the mythical Naforya fountain, without which their world will die. It’s mostly fast paced but gives you intense and meaningful interactions throughout. You want to root for these characters and get to know them better, as well as more of their backstories.
The world-building is immersive, detailed, and original. I was especially intrigued wjth flora and fauna of the FMC’s garden where plants are sentient and fiercely protective of the FMC.
I’m looking forward to the possibility of dragons playing more of a roll in the future and to find out some of the answers to a lot of unanswered plot lines!!!
I will absolutely be needing physical copies of this series and highly recommend everyone to add to their TBR.
Thank you Susan for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC and I would be thrilled to receive an ARC for the second installment !
Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Slow burn
Elves, Druids, dark fae
Touch her and die (literally)
Fae court
Secret marriage
Dual 1st person POV
August 19, 2025
I LOVED this book! Like I'm still thinking about it days later. And I need book 2 right now. The world building was done excellent on a gradual scale so you can really understand and envision the different areas. And the magic system was so unique and not like anything I have seen done before.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨Morally Grey MMC
✨Powerful FMC
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Secret Marriage
✨Marriage of Convenience
✨Slow Burn
✨Dual POV
✨Elves, Fae, Druids
✨Fated Mates
✨Touch Her and ☠️
✨M☠️rder Plants
✨Cliffhanger
Fist off Aella and Darrow are just perfect for each other and I love that they are both older (30s/40s). Aella is a very powerful and skilled portal opener who is smart and sneaky to hide her true power from her uncle. Darrow is a very powerful dark elf, fighting on the other side of the war against Aella and her family. Aella would do anything to keep her cousin safe, including making a deal with the devil himself. Or in her case, Darrow. But oh my, that tension and that slow burn was shheeewwwww so slow but also so right. I loved seeing them grow together and watching Aella become stronger to stand up more for herself to protect Darrow.
I cannot wait to see what happens in book 2. The cliffhanger left me on the edge of my seat and I'll be impatiently waiting to know what is going to happen. But I really hope Aella and Darrow get the happily ever after they so wish for.
Thank you so so much Susan Illene for gifting me with an early reading copy. This book was top tier and I'm so glad I got to read it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨Morally Grey MMC
✨Powerful FMC
✨Enemies to Lovers
✨Forbidden Romance
✨Secret Marriage
✨Marriage of Convenience
✨Slow Burn
✨Dual POV
✨Elves, Fae, Druids
✨Fated Mates
✨Touch Her and ☠️
✨M☠️rder Plants
✨Cliffhanger
Fist off Aella and Darrow are just perfect for each other and I love that they are both older (30s/40s). Aella is a very powerful and skilled portal opener who is smart and sneaky to hide her true power from her uncle. Darrow is a very powerful dark elf, fighting on the other side of the war against Aella and her family. Aella would do anything to keep her cousin safe, including making a deal with the devil himself. Or in her case, Darrow. But oh my, that tension and that slow burn was shheeewwwww so slow but also so right. I loved seeing them grow together and watching Aella become stronger to stand up more for herself to protect Darrow.
I cannot wait to see what happens in book 2. The cliffhanger left me on the edge of my seat and I'll be impatiently waiting to know what is going to happen. But I really hope Aella and Darrow get the happily ever after they so wish for.
Thank you so so much Susan Illene for gifting me with an early reading copy. This book was top tier and I'm so glad I got to read it. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
September 8, 2025
This was a 4.5 stars read but I rounded up because it was so much fun to read. 🙌
This was such a fun and captivating read! I absolutely loved the characters, the unique magic system, and especially the way magical plants were woven into the worldbuilding. It felt so fresh and creative. The marriage of convenience was such a perfect setup, especially since it led to a forced proximity situation (one of my favorite tropes). And his nickname for her, “dear wife”, even when they couldn’t stand each other, had me laughing every time 😂.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was done so well, and I was hooked from start to finish. The only reason I couldn’t give it the full 5 stars is because I was craving a little more love and passion by the end. Without giving away spoilers, I completely understand why that wasn’t the case, but it still left me wanting more. Fingers crossed the next book delivers all that slow-burn payoff!
I’ll be waiting very impatiently for book two 😍🙌
Thank you to the author Susan Illene for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🩷
This was such a fun and captivating read! I absolutely loved the characters, the unique magic system, and especially the way magical plants were woven into the worldbuilding. It felt so fresh and creative. The marriage of convenience was such a perfect setup, especially since it led to a forced proximity situation (one of my favorite tropes). And his nickname for her, “dear wife”, even when they couldn’t stand each other, had me laughing every time 😂.
The enemies-to-lovers dynamic was done so well, and I was hooked from start to finish. The only reason I couldn’t give it the full 5 stars is because I was craving a little more love and passion by the end. Without giving away spoilers, I completely understand why that wasn’t the case, but it still left me wanting more. Fingers crossed the next book delivers all that slow-burn payoff!
I’ll be waiting very impatiently for book two 😍🙌
Thank you to the author Susan Illene for the ARC in exchange for an honest review 🩷
August 3, 2025
This book was honestly a breath of fresh air after several DNFs and lower rated ARCs. It got me excited to read again and kept my intention despite the book being longer. I really loved the sentient plants and all the details added there, it’s not often I’ve read a story with flora being “supporting characters” but I love what the author has done here with them.
I also love that the FMC is in her 30s, it’s refreshing to have a MC who isn’t stupid, immature and annoying!
The romance was more slow-burn, I’m excited to read future books in this series to see how their relationship grows and changes.
I received a copy of this book for free from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
I also love that the FMC is in her 30s, it’s refreshing to have a MC who isn’t stupid, immature and annoying!
The romance was more slow-burn, I’m excited to read future books in this series to see how their relationship grows and changes.
I received a copy of this book for free from BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 4, 2025
“Oaths and Vengeance,” by Susan Illene
I love how the romantic tension was filled with hate and how it started. I knew quickly I would like his book, and I was so right. My favorite part and the reason why this book stands out from other fantasies is her dangerous garden that bites. I loved everything from marriage of convenience to forbidden romance to portal making magic. 5 out of 5 stars, can’t wait for the next book.
-Slowburn
-Enemies To Lovers
-Marriage of Convenience
-Forbidden Romance
-Elves
-Portal Magic
-Dangerous Garden
Thank you for the ARC, Booksirens.
I love how the romantic tension was filled with hate and how it started. I knew quickly I would like his book, and I was so right. My favorite part and the reason why this book stands out from other fantasies is her dangerous garden that bites. I loved everything from marriage of convenience to forbidden romance to portal making magic. 5 out of 5 stars, can’t wait for the next book.
-Slowburn
-Enemies To Lovers
-Marriage of Convenience
-Forbidden Romance
-Elves
-Portal Magic
-Dangerous Garden
Thank you for the ARC, Booksirens.
August 22, 2025
Some key tropes!
Morally Grey MMC
Powerful FMC
Enemies to Lovers
Forbidden Romance and more!
I received this book as an arc for an honest review and omg I loved this book! The tension the slow burn was sloowww burning but it kept me wanting more 😩😩😩 omg I was eating this book up. Darrow the man he is! And that cliffhanger omg book two can’t come fast enough! Thank you again Susan Illene for the arc! ❤️ Please read this book
Morally Grey MMC
Powerful FMC
Enemies to Lovers
Forbidden Romance and more!
I received this book as an arc for an honest review and omg I loved this book! The tension the slow burn was sloowww burning but it kept me wanting more 😩😩😩 omg I was eating this book up. Darrow the man he is! And that cliffhanger omg book two can’t come fast enough! Thank you again Susan Illene for the arc! ❤️ Please read this book
September 6, 2025
Received this as an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.
This book definitely had me by surprise! We have a 33 year old FMC which I loved, it’s nice to read about a MC who is similar in age. We have dual point of views but maybe we could have had a few more from the MMC.
The world building was great, not too much information was laid on you at one point and was introduced through out. The politics to begin with had me rereading bits a few times to work out who was who, but after a while this became easier.
I loved the fake marriage trope (one of my faves) and our main characters, along with the side characters. I love all the different powers/magic each character has and the mention to different creatures. I really enjoyed our FMC garden and the different species of plants I thought they were a brilliant addition and add something different. I loved that they had a purpose towards the end and I’m hoping we see more of both of these in future book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend if you’re looking for powerful FMC and MMC, fake marriage and rivals. But prepared for the cliff hanger ending. I found it did dip a little in the middle where I didn’t feel like the story was progressing much, but it didn’t last long.
This book definitely had me by surprise! We have a 33 year old FMC which I loved, it’s nice to read about a MC who is similar in age. We have dual point of views but maybe we could have had a few more from the MMC.
The world building was great, not too much information was laid on you at one point and was introduced through out. The politics to begin with had me rereading bits a few times to work out who was who, but after a while this became easier.
I loved the fake marriage trope (one of my faves) and our main characters, along with the side characters. I love all the different powers/magic each character has and the mention to different creatures. I really enjoyed our FMC garden and the different species of plants I thought they were a brilliant addition and add something different. I loved that they had a purpose towards the end and I’m hoping we see more of both of these in future book.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend if you’re looking for powerful FMC and MMC, fake marriage and rivals. But prepared for the cliff hanger ending. I found it did dip a little in the middle where I didn’t feel like the story was progressing much, but it didn’t last long.
September 15, 2025
•This book is a hard no for me to recommend to anyone. The cover is aesthetically pleasing, but the story within it is disjointed, too much inner monologue within characters, and I believe the book should have included trigger warnings.
•It was different and refreshing to have a thirty three year old FMC named Aella, but through the character, the author used so many words for descriptions that were unnecessary and too much to remember throughout the book.
•The MMC, Darrow, was arrogant and encouraged an open forced marriage until HE decided it bothered him to see her with another lover. His 110 year old father revealed to Darrow he could sense that Darrow and Aella were bonded mates and Darrow did a complete turn a bout in regards to their marriage vows.
•As well as a bonded marriage that allowed these half fae to engage in adultery, the author had Aella go to the temple to discuss with the nameless god her dilemma(forced loveless marriage) and the deity responded with that she eventually would "do the tango" with her soon to be husband. (Cringe)
•Darrow also discussed with his father about the galaxy beyond their world to find the Naforya fountain.
•What really bother me as a reader was that the author was unable to use any synonym for the word "earth" when the characters were talking about putting their hands in the soil or using their elemental powers. The author referred to them as earth powers. Ugh.
•It was different and refreshing to have a thirty three year old FMC named Aella, but through the character, the author used so many words for descriptions that were unnecessary and too much to remember throughout the book.
•The MMC, Darrow, was arrogant and encouraged an open forced marriage until HE decided it bothered him to see her with another lover. His 110 year old father revealed to Darrow he could sense that Darrow and Aella were bonded mates and Darrow did a complete turn a bout in regards to their marriage vows.
•As well as a bonded marriage that allowed these half fae to engage in adultery, the author had Aella go to the temple to discuss with the nameless god her dilemma(forced loveless marriage) and the deity responded with that she eventually would "do the tango" with her soon to be husband. (Cringe)
•Darrow also discussed with his father about the galaxy beyond their world to find the Naforya fountain.
•What really bother me as a reader was that the author was unable to use any synonym for the word "earth" when the characters were talking about putting their hands in the soil or using their elemental powers. The author referred to them as earth powers. Ugh.
August 23, 2025
Oh we are SOOOO BACK! Fantasy is back in the game with the first book in the Realm of Zadrya series where Lord of the Rings meets the Maas universe. The battle of the elves featuring mythological creatures such as dragons, Pegasi, Centaurs, Unseelie, amongst other dark creatures, and travel via portals. Thank you so much for the ARC Susan!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
”Feeling any nausea?” “No.” “Good. I wanted to be certain that when we kiss during the wedding ceremony, neither of us throws up in front of the king.”
Aella is half Druid and half elf, forced to live with her cruel and abusive uncle who uses her for her power over portals in a war with another elf faction. When her younger cousin falls sick she makes a deal with the enemy to save her life and marries him in secret. Darrow is half dark elf and half elf, second son of the enemy, known for his violence and cruelty. When Aella asks for his help he too finds use of her abilities and suggests a marriage of convenience. What’s a marriage with the enemy if you are cursed to never love? As the truth of the state of the world begins to unravel, they end up finding common ground in wanting to heal the world and rid it of the dark elves and unseelie. The only problem is they need to travel to a different realm to get it - and Aella is the only way to get there.
”Oh, yes. If a man doesn’t kill you at first sight, they must have a good heart.”
The world in this book is so good I could picture every location, each plant in Aellas garden and each character. There is still so much of their realm and other realms to see and I’m so glad that not everything is given away in this book. Who is the true enemy! Where is this artifact they need? Will they break the curse? It’s making me ITCH for the next one because wtf Susan?! That ending!!!
”He was a tempting package, and I desperately wanted to see more. I needed to slap myself.”
Don’t get me started on this absolute slow slow burn. Whilst the chemistry is HOTTTT they’re both still not fully IN IT as they guard their hearts. Their sarcasm and hate banter is hilarious, which evolved into spicy admissions of lust and jealousy. If Darrow is feral for her now, I can only IMAGINE how violent he’s going to be if they manage to break his curse. And idk about anyone else but the long haired book boyfriends are just doing it for me lately🤭
”I vow to all the nameless ones that I will have you - mind, body, and soul, Aella. You won this battle with that delicious mouth of yours, but I will win the war.”
I love how he was able to gently let Aella figure out everyone’s intentions for herself and didn’t burden her straight away with the state of their realm. She started as a naive asset to a cruel man and turned into a fiery, powerful and independent elf despite the intense level of her abuse from her uncle. She never broke even in her naivety and doubts about the truth, illustrating her loyal nature. I can’t wait to see how she continues to grow!
There is still so much I want to say but this review is hectic enough, so just go read this!! What’s included:
⚔️ Touch her and die
☠️ Enemies to lovers
⚔️ Marriage of convenience
☠️ Political fantasy
⚔️ Mythical creatures
☠️ Unique Magic
⚔️ World Building
☠️ Found family
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
”Feeling any nausea?” “No.” “Good. I wanted to be certain that when we kiss during the wedding ceremony, neither of us throws up in front of the king.”
Aella is half Druid and half elf, forced to live with her cruel and abusive uncle who uses her for her power over portals in a war with another elf faction. When her younger cousin falls sick she makes a deal with the enemy to save her life and marries him in secret. Darrow is half dark elf and half elf, second son of the enemy, known for his violence and cruelty. When Aella asks for his help he too finds use of her abilities and suggests a marriage of convenience. What’s a marriage with the enemy if you are cursed to never love? As the truth of the state of the world begins to unravel, they end up finding common ground in wanting to heal the world and rid it of the dark elves and unseelie. The only problem is they need to travel to a different realm to get it - and Aella is the only way to get there.
”Oh, yes. If a man doesn’t kill you at first sight, they must have a good heart.”
The world in this book is so good I could picture every location, each plant in Aellas garden and each character. There is still so much of their realm and other realms to see and I’m so glad that not everything is given away in this book. Who is the true enemy! Where is this artifact they need? Will they break the curse? It’s making me ITCH for the next one because wtf Susan?! That ending!!!
”He was a tempting package, and I desperately wanted to see more. I needed to slap myself.”
Don’t get me started on this absolute slow slow burn. Whilst the chemistry is HOTTTT they’re both still not fully IN IT as they guard their hearts. Their sarcasm and hate banter is hilarious, which evolved into spicy admissions of lust and jealousy. If Darrow is feral for her now, I can only IMAGINE how violent he’s going to be if they manage to break his curse. And idk about anyone else but the long haired book boyfriends are just doing it for me lately🤭
”I vow to all the nameless ones that I will have you - mind, body, and soul, Aella. You won this battle with that delicious mouth of yours, but I will win the war.”
I love how he was able to gently let Aella figure out everyone’s intentions for herself and didn’t burden her straight away with the state of their realm. She started as a naive asset to a cruel man and turned into a fiery, powerful and independent elf despite the intense level of her abuse from her uncle. She never broke even in her naivety and doubts about the truth, illustrating her loyal nature. I can’t wait to see how she continues to grow!
There is still so much I want to say but this review is hectic enough, so just go read this!! What’s included:
⚔️ Touch her and die
☠️ Enemies to lovers
⚔️ Marriage of convenience
☠️ Political fantasy
⚔️ Mythical creatures
☠️ Unique Magic
⚔️ World Building
☠️ Found family
September 5, 2025
Thanks Susan Illene for this ARC
What a wonderful breath of fresh air this book was. I came for the 30+ yr old FMC, because I'm so tired of the 20 somethings saving the day and stayed for a richly engaging story.
My one nitpick is that Illene does spends some time showing instead of doing, particularly when describing clothing, especially when its not needed to advance the story.
The MMC didn't pop as much as I thought he would, would be interesting to see how he changes in the next book(s) as the story develops. That being said, his "who did this to you‽" shouty man scene was perfection, even with a curse that robs his ability to feel love. My sweet summer child, you don't get capslock shouting if your feelings are totally deaden.
What a wonderful breath of fresh air this book was. I came for the 30+ yr old FMC, because I'm so tired of the 20 somethings saving the day and stayed for a richly engaging story.
My one nitpick is that Illene does spends some time showing instead of doing, particularly when describing clothing, especially when its not needed to advance the story.
The MMC didn't pop as much as I thought he would, would be interesting to see how he changes in the next book(s) as the story develops. That being said, his "who did this to you‽" shouty man scene was perfection, even with a curse that robs his ability to feel love. My sweet summer child, you don't get capslock shouting if your feelings are totally deaden.
August 24, 2025
Let’s start with this: NEW OBSESSION ✨UNLOCKED✨
I can’t believe what I just read (in an extraordinary way!!!) This book hooked me right away with its unique premise, and the balance between romance and plot??? Magnificent 🤌🏻
The more I read, the more the world expanded in such a captivating way and I could already sense the book hangover coming 🥹
Now let’s talk characters… my all time favorite trope is Enemies-to-Lovers and Aella and Darrow DELIVERED!! Their first encounter was everything! .. the sass, the chemistry, and while being enemies on the battlefield? I just can’t! … Perfection 💁🏻♀️
And Darrow… oh my god, where do I even start? My Bookbf list it’s getting out of hand at this point and idc! 👀 Every scene with him had me hyperventilating. The solstice night moment? I GASPED. Then later when things got spicy 🌶️ let’s just say, I had to put the book down for a second 😮💨 …
Aella? I don’t have anything to say besides GO GIRL!!.. yes, she is innocent but she is also smart and fierce and I looove her 🫢
The intriguing story kept me on my toes, and I loved that the plot stayed strong without taking away or overpowering the romantic tension ❤️🔥 Slow burn? Check! ✅
Overall, this story had everything I want in a romantasy 🤌🏻 (worldbuilding, smooth writing, a perfect balance between plot and romance, and characters who make you feel in every scene)
The cliffhanger??! I need the next book ASAP 😭
A special shoutout to Aella’s Garden 🪴💖(Magical & Terrifying in equal parts)
Vas also deserves a special mention (mysterious, intriguing, and someone I definitely want more of in the future books) 👀🫢
I can’t believe what I just read (in an extraordinary way!!!) This book hooked me right away with its unique premise, and the balance between romance and plot??? Magnificent 🤌🏻
The more I read, the more the world expanded in such a captivating way and I could already sense the book hangover coming 🥹
Now let’s talk characters… my all time favorite trope is Enemies-to-Lovers and Aella and Darrow DELIVERED!! Their first encounter was everything! .. the sass, the chemistry, and while being enemies on the battlefield? I just can’t! … Perfection 💁🏻♀️
And Darrow… oh my god, where do I even start? My Bookbf list it’s getting out of hand at this point and idc! 👀 Every scene with him had me hyperventilating. The solstice night moment? I GASPED. Then later when things got spicy 🌶️ let’s just say, I had to put the book down for a second 😮💨 …
Aella? I don’t have anything to say besides GO GIRL!!.. yes, she is innocent but she is also smart and fierce and I looove her 🫢
The intriguing story kept me on my toes, and I loved that the plot stayed strong without taking away or overpowering the romantic tension ❤️🔥 Slow burn? Check! ✅
Overall, this story had everything I want in a romantasy 🤌🏻 (worldbuilding, smooth writing, a perfect balance between plot and romance, and characters who make you feel in every scene)
The cliffhanger??! I need the next book ASAP 😭
A special shoutout to Aella’s Garden 🪴💖(Magical & Terrifying in equal parts)
Vas also deserves a special mention (mysterious, intriguing, and someone I definitely want more of in the future books) 👀🫢
July 5, 2025
Oaths and Vengeance is such a wonderful story that grabbed me from the first and held me hostage until the end. With a strong FMC, Aella, and equally strong MMC, Darrow, that you will fall for with their playful and funny banter, the slow simmering chemistry that finally explodes. The story is adventurous, heartwarming, numerous twists and spins, magic, and plants with personalities. Fascinating mystical romance that left me definitely wanting more.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 1, 2025
Susan Illene’s writing style is engaging and immersive, though at times it felt a little long-winded, and I was tempted to skip some of the details. That said, the prose overall made it easy to stay connected to the story and the world.
The characters were a highlight for me. Darrow is absolutely loveable, Aella is strong and compelling, and the villains felt truly villainous, which made the stakes feel real. I enjoyed seeing how each character navigated the challenges and conflicts within the story.
The world-building was well done, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. I never felt bored, and the plot moved steadily, balancing action, intrigue, and character development nicely.
Overall, this was a solid and engaging start to the series. I’m looking forward to seeing how the story and characters continue to develop in the next book. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for letting me read this—this review is honest and entirely my own.
The characters were a highlight for me. Darrow is absolutely loveable, Aella is strong and compelling, and the villains felt truly villainous, which made the stakes feel real. I enjoyed seeing how each character navigated the challenges and conflicts within the story.
The world-building was well done, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish. I never felt bored, and the plot moved steadily, balancing action, intrigue, and character development nicely.
Overall, this was a solid and engaging start to the series. I’m looking forward to seeing how the story and characters continue to develop in the next book. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for letting me read this—this review is honest and entirely my own.
July 15, 2025
Tropes: other-world, elves, magic, literal-enemies, MFC is a softie, magical garden, powerful MFC, powerful MMC.
Aella is a powerful, magical elf and an orphan. She's 33 but still under the protection of her uncle, a sadistic elf who's leading the war against other elves. The story revolves around the war between the elves and their world slowly dying unless they find an artefact that gives life to their planet. This is book one.
1. The book took me a long time to read despite not being more than 400 pages long. I think it's because the author made a decent effort to make it action packed.
2. Good world building. I was not too invested in other magical creatures which don't play a role in the story. Wisps, centaurs... it didn't matter to me if they didn't move the plot in some way. I sort of skipped those paragraphs.
3. The story is intriguing. MFC who is under the control of her uncle by being cursed, she falls unconscious any time she leaves his territory. MFC who is cursed by not being able to fall in love.
4. The author allowed a world that allows both male and female elves to express themselves sexually without being judged. The rules are the same for both.
BUT
1. Despite a lot of action, I feel like the book could have been condensed. The number of times Aella went on portal trips but then nothing happened, could have been cut down.
2. The extra magical creatures didn't contribute much to the storyline. I think they could have been cut.
3. I kept thinking that according to the story, the MMC can't fall in love with the MFC, but then he was possessive of her, cared for her, craved her, listened to her limitations and followed them, allowed her liberty of his body, was gentle with her, missed her and lusted after her. What is love, if not this. I don't know what the author defines love as, but this is it.
4. Supposedly, the MFC could roam around wherever in the enemy kingdom without going unconscious so that really confused me.
I'll be anxiously waiting for the next installment when they try to reach earth.
Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing the e-ARC. Views are my own
Aella is a powerful, magical elf and an orphan. She's 33 but still under the protection of her uncle, a sadistic elf who's leading the war against other elves. The story revolves around the war between the elves and their world slowly dying unless they find an artefact that gives life to their planet. This is book one.
1. The book took me a long time to read despite not being more than 400 pages long. I think it's because the author made a decent effort to make it action packed.
2. Good world building. I was not too invested in other magical creatures which don't play a role in the story. Wisps, centaurs... it didn't matter to me if they didn't move the plot in some way. I sort of skipped those paragraphs.
3. The story is intriguing. MFC who is under the control of her uncle by being cursed, she falls unconscious any time she leaves his territory. MFC who is cursed by not being able to fall in love.
4. The author allowed a world that allows both male and female elves to express themselves sexually without being judged. The rules are the same for both.
BUT
1. Despite a lot of action, I feel like the book could have been condensed. The number of times Aella went on portal trips but then nothing happened, could have been cut down.
2. The extra magical creatures didn't contribute much to the storyline. I think they could have been cut.
3. I kept thinking that according to the story, the MMC can't fall in love with the MFC, but then he was possessive of her, cared for her, craved her, listened to her limitations and followed them, allowed her liberty of his body, was gentle with her, missed her and lusted after her. What is love, if not this. I don't know what the author defines love as, but this is it.
4. Supposedly, the MFC could roam around wherever in the enemy kingdom without going unconscious so that really confused me.
I'll be anxiously waiting for the next installment when they try to reach earth.
Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing the e-ARC. Views are my own
July 15, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5-Star-Read
I didn’t expect to be quite so enthralled by this book—but it surprised me in the best possible way.
A layered romantasy with rich world-building and sharp emotional stakes
The story follows Aella, a half-fae, half-Druid young woman whose rare portal-travel ability makes her a strategic pawn in her uncle’s military ambitions. Secretly, Aella’s powers are far stronger than she lets on. In the aftermath of a battlefield encounter, fate forces her to beg Darrow—half-fae, half-dark elf, and heir to a cursed bloodline—for a healer to save her young cousin, the price is steep: a marriage of convenience, and use of her portals at his request.
What begins as a tactical alliance shifts—gradually, then all at once—into something deeper. Darrow, bound by a curse that supposedly renders him incapable of love, finds his carefully constructed emotional distance challenged by jealousy, longing, and Aella’s resilience.
The slow-burn romance is well executed, with a healthy dose of tension and layered dynamics. Their chemistry is built through sharp dialogue and begrudging mutual respect, which seemingly becomes something more though neither of them can yet admit it.
The plot is grounded in high stakes: the search for the mythical Naforya fountain, without which their world will die. The world-building is immersive, detailed, and original—with a particularly compelling depiction of flora and fauna, including a garden where plants seem to have their own intentions (and possibly dragons).
One moment for me: when the nameless god approvingly “good girl”s Aella for choosing the man who caused her heart to race… „Sure, he’ll be an ass and likely frustrate you in many ways, but you’ll always feel alive with him.“
If I have one minor complaint, it’s purely personal: I couldn’t quite place how Darrow smells. No pine, no spice, no rain—did I miss it?
A strong debut start of a series that balances intricate fantasy with real emotional depth. I’ll be first in line for the sequel.
I didn’t expect to be quite so enthralled by this book—but it surprised me in the best possible way.
A layered romantasy with rich world-building and sharp emotional stakes
The story follows Aella, a half-fae, half-Druid young woman whose rare portal-travel ability makes her a strategic pawn in her uncle’s military ambitions. Secretly, Aella’s powers are far stronger than she lets on. In the aftermath of a battlefield encounter, fate forces her to beg Darrow—half-fae, half-dark elf, and heir to a cursed bloodline—for a healer to save her young cousin, the price is steep: a marriage of convenience, and use of her portals at his request.
What begins as a tactical alliance shifts—gradually, then all at once—into something deeper. Darrow, bound by a curse that supposedly renders him incapable of love, finds his carefully constructed emotional distance challenged by jealousy, longing, and Aella’s resilience.
The slow-burn romance is well executed, with a healthy dose of tension and layered dynamics. Their chemistry is built through sharp dialogue and begrudging mutual respect, which seemingly becomes something more though neither of them can yet admit it.
The plot is grounded in high stakes: the search for the mythical Naforya fountain, without which their world will die. The world-building is immersive, detailed, and original—with a particularly compelling depiction of flora and fauna, including a garden where plants seem to have their own intentions (and possibly dragons).
One moment for me: when the nameless god approvingly “good girl”s Aella for choosing the man who caused her heart to race… „Sure, he’ll be an ass and likely frustrate you in many ways, but you’ll always feel alive with him.“
If I have one minor complaint, it’s purely personal: I couldn’t quite place how Darrow smells. No pine, no spice, no rain—did I miss it?
A strong debut start of a series that balances intricate fantasy with real emotional depth. I’ll be first in line for the sequel.
August 5, 2025
This book's gorgeous cover (who else is a cover snob?) and summary immediately attracted my attention, and then the next 500+ pages had me engaged right to the cliff-hanger end.
Susan Illene introduces readers to her complex world of Zadrya with intriguing main characters of Aella (female) of Theress and Darrow (male) of Veronna (yes, definite Romeo and Juliet vibes) who are from enemy territories and begrudgingly unite in a secret, political marriage that meets their individual agendas. Their lives become more intertwined than planned as they navigate the ongoing conflict between their homelands, life-ending curses...and their growing attraction for one another.
I really liked that Aella and Darrow are older (33 and 46 respectively) as this reflects their decision-making and their experiences better than the usual fantasy adolescents/young adult range of this genre's characters. They are both extremely powerful elves in terms of magic as well and it was good to see how they both came to respect the other's abilities and grow to trust each other instead of just leaning on their initial assumptions. For example, I enjoyed watching how Darrow's cutthroat nature really just hid his protective nature for those he cared about such as his aunt, twin sister, friends and eventually, his wife. Although cursed to not be able to love (which felt like a stretch to me, but more about that in a bit), he still showed all the actions in terms of providing care, safety and even affection, especially towards Aella. For example, those readers who like the 'touch her and die' MMC type will certainly like Darrow!
Aella is a wonderfully strong female striving to survive, yet also thrive, in spite of the restrictive and abusive environment she is forced to live in due to her sadistic uncle's, Lord Morgunn’s selfish regime. It's incredible to see her resiliency as well as resourcefulness as evident with her sentient garden of deadly plants, which is refreshingly original, and how they play an integral part throughout the story. She is someone who still feels strongly about the injustices she observes, especially at the hands of her uncle, and it’s amazing to see how she fights these with the little power she has.
In terms of what I didn’t like about the story, I did feel the conflict with Darrow’s curse preventing males in his line to not ‘feel love’ was a bit of a stretch given Darrow’s actions showed the opposite. It will be interesting to see how this continues to unfold throughout the series as it feels a bit flimsy to me. Also, I felt the aspect of Aella’s portal opening abilities and mention of ‘inter-galatic’ travel to be a bit off-putting as it veered from the historic fantasy feel to more of a sci-fiction context instead. This in and of itself was interesting and worked with the story, but also felt out of place too (and I’m someone who loves Doctor Who, so it’s not a major problem, just feels like it should be mentioned or re-categorized in case someone else was expecting pure fantasy).
Overall, I do recommend this new stories, especially if you like strong main characters, enemies-to-lovers/arranged marriage trope, lots of action and a well-paced plot and worldbuilding that doesn’t overtax your brain. I look forward to how Aella and Darrow’s adventures continue!
P.S. Huge thanks to BookSirens for my complimentary advanced reader’s copy.
Susan Illene introduces readers to her complex world of Zadrya with intriguing main characters of Aella (female) of Theress and Darrow (male) of Veronna (yes, definite Romeo and Juliet vibes) who are from enemy territories and begrudgingly unite in a secret, political marriage that meets their individual agendas. Their lives become more intertwined than planned as they navigate the ongoing conflict between their homelands, life-ending curses...and their growing attraction for one another.
I really liked that Aella and Darrow are older (33 and 46 respectively) as this reflects their decision-making and their experiences better than the usual fantasy adolescents/young adult range of this genre's characters. They are both extremely powerful elves in terms of magic as well and it was good to see how they both came to respect the other's abilities and grow to trust each other instead of just leaning on their initial assumptions. For example, I enjoyed watching how Darrow's cutthroat nature really just hid his protective nature for those he cared about such as his aunt, twin sister, friends and eventually, his wife. Although cursed to not be able to love (which felt like a stretch to me, but more about that in a bit), he still showed all the actions in terms of providing care, safety and even affection, especially towards Aella. For example, those readers who like the 'touch her and die' MMC type will certainly like Darrow!
Aella is a wonderfully strong female striving to survive, yet also thrive, in spite of the restrictive and abusive environment she is forced to live in due to her sadistic uncle's, Lord Morgunn’s selfish regime. It's incredible to see her resiliency as well as resourcefulness as evident with her sentient garden of deadly plants, which is refreshingly original, and how they play an integral part throughout the story. She is someone who still feels strongly about the injustices she observes, especially at the hands of her uncle, and it’s amazing to see how she fights these with the little power she has.
In terms of what I didn’t like about the story, I did feel the conflict with Darrow’s curse preventing males in his line to not ‘feel love’ was a bit of a stretch given Darrow’s actions showed the opposite. It will be interesting to see how this continues to unfold throughout the series as it feels a bit flimsy to me. Also, I felt the aspect of Aella’s portal opening abilities and mention of ‘inter-galatic’ travel to be a bit off-putting as it veered from the historic fantasy feel to more of a sci-fiction context instead. This in and of itself was interesting and worked with the story, but also felt out of place too (and I’m someone who loves Doctor Who, so it’s not a major problem, just feels like it should be mentioned or re-categorized in case someone else was expecting pure fantasy).
Overall, I do recommend this new stories, especially if you like strong main characters, enemies-to-lovers/arranged marriage trope, lots of action and a well-paced plot and worldbuilding that doesn’t overtax your brain. I look forward to how Aella and Darrow’s adventures continue!
P.S. Huge thanks to BookSirens for my complimentary advanced reader’s copy.
August 22, 2025
I received this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review, thank you Susan!
Aella is a wind and portal channeler of incredible power, power that she keeps carefully hidden from her cruel uncle and guardian, Lord Morgunn. Fortunately or unfortunately, her skill has also caught the eye of the enemy lord's very powerful second son Darrow. When Aella's beloved cousin falls ill with a deadly fever, as fate (or perhaps the nameless gods) would have it, the only person who can help is a connection through Darrow. But in return for his help, she must agree to marry him and channel portals when and where he wants. This might not be so bad if he weren't the enemy aaaand if he wasn't cursed from his paternal line to never be able to love. But Aella agrees anyway, and begins to discover that maybe not all is that it seems and maybe she is the key to everything.
Oaths & Vengeance is a fast, exciting read. Seriously, it's 512 pages and I flew through it in a week. I really enjoyed the dual POV change between the FMC and the MMC because it really gave insight to their thoughts and feelings almost simultaneously throughout the story. Also, as a kind-of gardener and houseplant mother, I loved Aella's sentient garden of dangerous plants! If only mine would react to threats the way hers do 💁🏼♀️
This book is for you if you like:
•True Enemies to Lovers
•Arranged Marriages
•Touch her and 💀
•Who Did This To You
•Curses
•Portals (tbh I thought this was very cool)
•Protective plants (🥺)
Aella is a wind and portal channeler of incredible power, power that she keeps carefully hidden from her cruel uncle and guardian, Lord Morgunn. Fortunately or unfortunately, her skill has also caught the eye of the enemy lord's very powerful second son Darrow. When Aella's beloved cousin falls ill with a deadly fever, as fate (or perhaps the nameless gods) would have it, the only person who can help is a connection through Darrow. But in return for his help, she must agree to marry him and channel portals when and where he wants. This might not be so bad if he weren't the enemy aaaand if he wasn't cursed from his paternal line to never be able to love. But Aella agrees anyway, and begins to discover that maybe not all is that it seems and maybe she is the key to everything.
Oaths & Vengeance is a fast, exciting read. Seriously, it's 512 pages and I flew through it in a week. I really enjoyed the dual POV change between the FMC and the MMC because it really gave insight to their thoughts and feelings almost simultaneously throughout the story. Also, as a kind-of gardener and houseplant mother, I loved Aella's sentient garden of dangerous plants! If only mine would react to threats the way hers do 💁🏼♀️
This book is for you if you like:
•True Enemies to Lovers
•Arranged Marriages
•Touch her and 💀
•Who Did This To You
•Curses
•Portals (tbh I thought this was very cool)
•Protective plants (🥺)
September 2, 2025
I adored this!!! Unputdownable and I didn’t want it to end. Susan Illene has crafted a wonderful fantasy world where all the classical magical beings and creatures you expect blend with unique flora and fauna found only in this world. Aelle’s garden was a masterstroke in creating an emotional connection with nature for both the characters and the readers. I absolutely loved the main characters! Aelle was refreshing to read, finally, an FMC who was 30+! Despite having lived a rather challenging life, she still found ways to resist, be resourceful, and maintain her ability to be empathetic and compassionate towards those who deserve it. Plus, her slightly feisty nature was a joy to read. Darrow was written just how I like my enemies-to-lovers MMCs. I don’t want to love them from the start, so you go on the same emotional journey the FMC does. He starts out being a little arrogant and pushy, but then there is a moment when everything shifts and boy oh boy, I think this one is going to have my heart by the end of the series. The banter and slow burn tension between them was perfect, and when there was spice it spiiiiiiiced! If you love slow burn, high stakes, enemies-to-lovers, “who did that to you” tropes, this book is 100% for you! I’m literally going to be hanging on the edge of my seat until book two!!!
Thank you to Susan Illene, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for providing me with the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Susan Illene, Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op and NetGalley for providing me with the digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 27, 2025
ARC Review 🐭
OMG! 😱 This book had a literal choke hold on me!! I got this book as an Arc read and I couldn’t have been happier.
The world building in the book was gradual with the story which I really liked. I LOVED all the different types of creatures in this book. The Pegasus, the nameless god, her amazing plants?! 🪴, and so many more.
The slow burn romance was perfect. The enemies to lovers was perfect. The races in this book were perfect. The magic systems were perfect. The jokes and bickering between the characters were also perfect. 💚
It was such a breath of fresh air to read a romantasy that had more races than just Fae, and Elves. This had ogres, dark/light elves, druids, pixies and more! ☺️
The cliffhanger at the end though… mindblown! 🤯 I now cannot wait to read her next book which is supposedly coming out before the end of this year! (I cannot wait!!!)
*Comments for the author as an Arc read:
I only thing off I noticed was the odd text spacing. Some pages sentences had lots of spaces between the words.
Is this dark? Kind of yes. Has mature themes.
Is this spicy? Yes! 🙌
Did I eat this up? Yes!!! 100%!
Would I recommend this book? Definitely yes! This book has a different magic system than most, the races were a nice change, and the slow burn was slow burning haha, and the cliffhanger left you wanting more, what else could you ask for?! 👌
OMG! 😱 This book had a literal choke hold on me!! I got this book as an Arc read and I couldn’t have been happier.
The world building in the book was gradual with the story which I really liked. I LOVED all the different types of creatures in this book. The Pegasus, the nameless god, her amazing plants?! 🪴, and so many more.
The slow burn romance was perfect. The enemies to lovers was perfect. The races in this book were perfect. The magic systems were perfect. The jokes and bickering between the characters were also perfect. 💚
It was such a breath of fresh air to read a romantasy that had more races than just Fae, and Elves. This had ogres, dark/light elves, druids, pixies and more! ☺️
The cliffhanger at the end though… mindblown! 🤯 I now cannot wait to read her next book which is supposedly coming out before the end of this year! (I cannot wait!!!)
*Comments for the author as an Arc read:
I only thing off I noticed was the odd text spacing. Some pages sentences had lots of spaces between the words.
Is this dark? Kind of yes. Has mature themes.
Is this spicy? Yes! 🙌
Did I eat this up? Yes!!! 100%!
Would I recommend this book? Definitely yes! This book has a different magic system than most, the races were a nice change, and the slow burn was slow burning haha, and the cliffhanger left you wanting more, what else could you ask for?! 👌
July 16, 2025
I was lucky enough to be given an ARC of Oaths & Vengeance by Susan Illene and WOW… what a ride!
From the very first chapter you’re thrown into Paxia and Zadrya, and instantly meet Aella and Darrow. From the passive‑aggressive little moments (blowing kisses, anyone?) you know these two are endgame, but it’s going to be one hell of a journey to get there.
Aella is such a brilliant FMC powerful, strong‑willed and fiercely protective of innocent people. Orphaned and stuck with her absolute nightmare of an uncle who uses her magic for his own gain (and tortures her when she doesn’t comply), yet she still refuses to break. Loved her resilience and fire.
Darrow… where do I even start? Cursed along with every man in his bloodline, yet still bold enough to propose a secret marriage to his sworn enemy. A telekinetic badass with serious touch‑her‑and‑die energy—dark, dangerous, and utterly addictive to read.
And the plot? Incredible. Fast‑paced, layered with secrets, ancient grudges, political intrigue and high stakes from start to finish. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, and every twist had me glued to the page.
Highly, highly recommend, book one isn’t even officially out yet and I’m pining for book two!
From the very first chapter you’re thrown into Paxia and Zadrya, and instantly meet Aella and Darrow. From the passive‑aggressive little moments (blowing kisses, anyone?) you know these two are endgame, but it’s going to be one hell of a journey to get there.
Aella is such a brilliant FMC powerful, strong‑willed and fiercely protective of innocent people. Orphaned and stuck with her absolute nightmare of an uncle who uses her magic for his own gain (and tortures her when she doesn’t comply), yet she still refuses to break. Loved her resilience and fire.
Darrow… where do I even start? Cursed along with every man in his bloodline, yet still bold enough to propose a secret marriage to his sworn enemy. A telekinetic badass with serious touch‑her‑and‑die energy—dark, dangerous, and utterly addictive to read.
And the plot? Incredible. Fast‑paced, layered with secrets, ancient grudges, political intrigue and high stakes from start to finish. The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, and every twist had me glued to the page.
Highly, highly recommend, book one isn’t even officially out yet and I’m pining for book two!
August 18, 2025
Rating: 3.5⭐
Oaths & Vengeance was a great start to a new series; the story was packed full of plot, which kept me engaged throughout, and overall I thought it was a very enjoyable read.
The pacing of the book was spot on; there was plenty to this first book, which a lot of set up for further books. I'm intrigued to see where this goes next for sure!
You may be wondering, then, why I only rated the book 3.5⭐ - the story kept me coming back, but I did find that the writing occasionally took me out of the world that I so desperately wanted to get lost in. I found that the author would both "show" and "tell" points which wasn't always required - trust that the reader can understand from the writing, as sometimes it was a little jarring. I also felt that some of the storyline was told very early on and very matter-of-factly (looking at you, Darrow) and I feel like it would have been more exciting as a reader to drag this out a little longer, and for both us and the characters to figure it out together.
Saying that, I enjoyed Aella and Darrow's relationship and Aella's internal battles throughout the book, and I look forward to what is next in the realm of Zadrya!
Oaths & Vengeance was a great start to a new series; the story was packed full of plot, which kept me engaged throughout, and overall I thought it was a very enjoyable read.
The pacing of the book was spot on; there was plenty to this first book, which a lot of set up for further books. I'm intrigued to see where this goes next for sure!
You may be wondering, then, why I only rated the book 3.5⭐ - the story kept me coming back, but I did find that the writing occasionally took me out of the world that I so desperately wanted to get lost in. I found that the author would both "show" and "tell" points which wasn't always required - trust that the reader can understand from the writing, as sometimes it was a little jarring. I also felt that some of the storyline was told very early on and very matter-of-factly (looking at you, Darrow) and I feel like it would have been more exciting as a reader to drag this out a little longer, and for both us and the characters to figure it out together.
Saying that, I enjoyed Aella and Darrow's relationship and Aella's internal battles throughout the book, and I look forward to what is next in the realm of Zadrya!
August 26, 2025
First and foremost, I REALLY liked this one. Any complaints I have, I think, are because it's the first book and those can be hard to do when there's a lot of world-building. I'm a glossary girlie, so while I appreciated and heavily used the map, I wish there had been some basic descriptions of some of the world-building basics to refer back to, like Seelie vs Unseelie, or what dark elves and druids are. I mean, you're able to figure it out, but there's a LOT to keep track of and the definition of "fae" is different in like, every fantasy book.
My only other gripe - that I hope will be resolved in book 2 - is that I want angry Aella. We saw it a bit towards the end, but I want her to get big mad. She's a tad too passive for me right now, and I want to see that feminine rage.
ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, I ate this up so fast!!!! While there is a lot to keep track of, it's GOOD. I love Darrow's group of friends, Rynn is a precious angel baby, and this is the first book I've read where I cried over plants?????
I am counting down the days to when Darrow's curse is broken because I just want a scene where's he's overwhelmed with how beautiful a butterfly is and cries about it.
My only other gripe - that I hope will be resolved in book 2 - is that I want angry Aella. We saw it a bit towards the end, but I want her to get big mad. She's a tad too passive for me right now, and I want to see that feminine rage.
ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, I ate this up so fast!!!! While there is a lot to keep track of, it's GOOD. I love Darrow's group of friends, Rynn is a precious angel baby, and this is the first book I've read where I cried over plants?????
I am counting down the days to when Darrow's curse is broken because I just want a scene where's he's overwhelmed with how beautiful a butterfly is and cries about it.
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