Solei is a healer who struggles to grieve her brother—whose empty casket remains a dark reminder of the devastation war brings home. Captured and enslaved by foreign enemies, she fakes mutism and offers an invisible face, while all the time plotting her escape. But the enemy has eyes and ears everywhere and when she meets the emperor, all her self-protective tactics become useless, when he sees through her mask.
She can’t escape. She can’t hide. He noticed her and the more he learns, the more he wants.
But she could never… not with the man responsible for her brother’s death.
₊⊹⁀➴ 1 stars for the first 50% of the book, i was flying though it, but then i kinda got stuck. the writing was very repetitive to me and the characters’ emotions just changed so quickly and it felt like reading the same issue over and over again. also lots of plots holes and the politics of this universe was very…just not fleshed out.
Oh. my. god. Where do I even begin!? I ate this book up!! I loved everything about this book & literally could not put it down!! I loved Aris & Solei!! The plot was definitely plotting, & my poor baby Solei 😭 - she went THROUGH it in this book but that made me love her even more. Her strength, bravery & perseverance were amazing to read/witness!! The story was beautifully written & it made it feel like you were there with Solei witnessing/feeling everything she was. This book was heart wrenching but also healing & I loved every second of it!! I can’t wait to read more books by this author!! 10/10 would def recommend & will absolutely be reading again!! 🥰💖
Thank you so much for the opportunity to read an ARC of this book!! I loved everything about it & had a great time reading it!! I can’t wait to see what else the author releases in the future!! 💖🥰
I was an ARC reader for this book and I didn’t know what to expect going into this. I LOVED the writing in this book, it was beautifully written. As someone who is just getting into romantasy recently I didn’t know if I would enjoy this book but I LOVED IT. All of the perfect details and world building in the book, along with it being fast paced helps to keep you fully engaged. I love Soleil and thought she was such a strong FMC. Would definitely recommend if you are wanting to try romantasy / darker themed book.
I was blessed to read this book as an ARC reader and I gotta say, for a relatively new author, Noemi absolutely KILLED IT on this book! Her character development was 10/10. The plot! 10/10. The slow burn between Solei and Aris had me in a chokehold from the beginning! As I continued to read, I found myself facing my own trauma as Solei was healing from hers. There were a lot of moments from the beginning that I actually found myself feeling what Solei was feeling and could imagine myself living this story right along with her! Noemi did a FANTASTIC job creating a story that draws you in from the beginning and keeps you captivated until the end. Though it didn’t have the same fantastical elements as Fourth Wing, From Blood and Ash, or ACOTAR, I thought this book was right up there with them. Once I started reading, I did NOT want to put it down.
I was so generously sent a copy of this book by Noemi to read, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to get to know her as an author!
This book is about a healer named Solei who is quiet, timid, and shy after losing her entire family and her home to the Strokan empire. Taken as a prisoner of war, she finds herself as a servant/healer to the Emperor whom she blames for the loss of her family. She finds herself torn between vows she made for herself/her family, and her desire for her captor.
This book is an easy, fast-paced read if you’re in the mood for a romantic adventure. While I enjoyed this read, I think that the story could have been strengthened with more background/context/world building, and that the relationship between Aris and Solei could have been written with more depth, but overall, for being an indie author, I think Noemi Durlene is off to an excellent start and I look forward to seeing her continue to grow as an author!
As a friend of the author, I already knew she was a passionate, creative, and talented storyteller—but getting to read her debut novel as an ARC reader was truly an honor and I enjoyed every second of it.
This book had me hooked from the very beginning. I was struck again and again by the vivid, emotional depth of certain scenes and the tiny, carefully thought out details woven throughout the story.
There were moments that had my heart racing, moments that had me smiling as I read, and a few spicy moments too (love the romance!!). I especially appreciated how human and relatable the characters felt—you don’t just read their thoughts, you live in them. And as someone who’s very picky about endings (I hate depressing ones!), I was so satisfied and uplifted by how it all ended.
I absolutely loved it and feel lucky to know the woman behind the words. I can’t wait to see what she writes next. 💗
I have had the privilege of now reading two of Noemi’s masterpieces and I will be proud to say “I knew her when…” when her beautifully written stories receive all their flowers.
🌹🌸🌺🪻
First of all, being an ARC reader for this book felt so special. Noemi has a way with words that makes elements of her stories feel whimsical, magical, and feminine.
Our sweet FMC, Solei (beautiful name, right??), is a healer; trying to heal herself from the loss of her family and her home. I’d hate to call this journey an “adventure” but it is one. A mental, spiritual and physical one.
The way The Quiet Sun detailed what it means and how it feels to be a woman through loss, tragedy, friendship, and love—it felt raw, relatable and heartbreaking all at once.
☀️☀️☀️☀️
10/10, I can’t wait to continue following this author through her writing 🫶🏼
Disclaimer: I was given a copy of The Quiet Sun to read and review as an ARC reader and loved the opportunity to do so!
First and foremost, I absolutely loved and adored our main character, Solei. She was put through the wringer in this story and some of the experiences as the reader were gut wrenching to read her go through, not only in the present but also what happened to her family and what lead her up to that point. I love love love when women/FMCs are written with such strength and growth throughout the storyline!
Secondly, the romance and build up between Aris and Solei was great. I do wish there was a bit more depth to their relationship but I am satisfied with what Noemi provided with the characters. I’m a sucker for a good slow burn and this one really performed well!
I also had a personal observation that the captors in the beginning reminded me of the Dothraki from Game of Thrones, which I am not complaining at all whatsoever because wooooh 🥵
Overall, I absolutely loved the story and would continue to read Noemi’s books, she’s a fantastic author with a great sense of what a fantasy reader wants. I hope everyone has the opportunity to read The Quiet Sun. 🖤
As someone who is not a typical fantasy reader, I was nervous when given the opportunity to be an ARC reader for The Quiet Sun. However, it was SO good! The complexity and depth each character had was beautiful. It was so hard to put this one down! So so grateful to have been an early reader and even more grateful to myself for taking a step out of my comfort zone to read this!!
Five stars from the start! I truly loved this from the first chapter. Noemi writes with a precision of a seasoned author.
I was given an advanced copy of this work, but I believe if I wasn’t I would have purchased to read anyway.
I’m not the best reviewer, but the story with Aris&Solei kept me captivated and excited with every page turn. If you’re looking for your next high star read, look no further!!
Everyone say hello to your next 5 star read!!⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I had the absolute best time receiving this book early and getting to dive into this entirely new world. I would like to say I am a READER, I will read every book that crosses my path but I will also stop reading any book I don’t enjoy and I feel like I have done that a lot recently. NOT the case with this book. The author did a beautiful job at creating a new and fun world to dive into, every area of this book was so well done. I absolutely refused to put this book down and wanted to pick it right back up when I finished it.
The world building: The world created was so different from others that you see in fantasy books, and it felt like I was right there with these characters solely due to the effort the author put into making this story come alive. World building is huge for me, especially in fantasy books and this book absolutely delivered on that front
Characters: I loved the FMC (Solei) she carried the weight of so much as we all do and the author used her to show strength, growth, and so much love. Solei is such a beautiful character, with so much to unpack in why she is who she is and it made me love her so much more. If you love a female badass main character that has so much depth, Solei is for you. The MMC (won’t say a name in case of spoilers) was one of my favorites of all time!! I found myself still wanting to know more of him even after I finished this story because I loved his growth so much. I love a morally grey man and this MMC is exactly that. He understands and loves Solei so well, through all of her trauma, he sees HER. Talk about cute right???
Plot: This plot was so insanely fun and new to the fantasy world. I loved the constant plot twists (even when the betrayal moments made me cry). I need a book that keeps my mind working and this story did that so well, I could never guess what could possibly be coming next. The heartbreak I felt from this story was so worth it for the LOVE it brought.
Naomi, well done. I am so honored to have been able to read this story prior to the release date. You are going to go SO far, I know others will love this as much as I did!! I cannot wait to see what you bring to the book world🩷
A true testament to survival, vulnerability and finding one’s self even in the darkest of trials. The Quiet Sun is a remarkably beautiful story of tragedy and love. Noémi has written a stunning world that draws readers in, she puts us in Solei’s shoes and truly makes us feel we are within this character; feeling her emotions, holding her hand through the highs and darkest of lows of her journey. I have never felt so connected to a character.
Solei is a young, 23 year old woman who has experienced tremendous loss and prejudice in her short life span; losing her parents, sister and brother to tragic circumstances. To make matters worse, she sticks out like a sore thumb with her beautiful red hair, striking emerald eyes and pale skin. To her town she is a witch when in reality she is a healer just trying to find her place in the world. As much as she wishes she even had just an ounce of magic, she is no different than any other living soul in Prustan. She yearns to be seen as a normal woman, have a cottage of her own and to be able to help others. But everything changes overnight when the Strokan empire invades the lands of her small village and she becomes a prisoner of war.
Upon capture, Solei is separated into a group with other young women in her village and rendered so scared she passes as mute. She will do anything to survive, even try to save the man behind the attack of her village. The dark Emperor of Siniya who rides atop a pale horse, whose eyes are as dark as bottomless pools of obsidian and has no issue ripping a man’s still beating heart from his chest.
But all is not what it seems with this emperor. And the days that follow her capture, Solei begins a journey of unsuspecting friendship, darkness, happiness, betrayal and even love. But at what cost?
The Quiet Sun took me completely by surprise in its depth and emotion provoking plot. Truly an amazing testament to survival and rising above all the darkness in one’s life to find happiness, forgiveness and purpose. I can’t say enough about how much this book moved me. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to read more from Noémi. I rate it 5⭐️/5 and because there is a an amazingly bittersweet romance in this book with an enemies to lovers trope, I give it 1.5🌶️/5. I can’t recommend it enough! The author provides a content warning at the beginning of the book, so please take care to read before diving in if some situations/elements are triggering for you. 🖤
—————————————————————————————— I was honored to be selected as a ARC reader for “The Quiet Sun” by Noémi Durlene. I was given an ebook copy in exchange for a honest review. I attest that the above review is honest and completely my own. Thank you so much to author Noémi for the opportunity!
Let me start by saying I’m not a regular reader—I usually only read on vacation or when I find something that really grabs me. If a book doesn’t hook me in the first couple of chapters, I’ll usually set it down and not come back. I’m also a slow reader, so it takes me twice as long to get through something as most people. But The Quiet Sun? I couldn’t stop turning the pages—unless my kids needed me, of course.
This book was a refreshing change from what’s currently popular in the book world. It was fast-paced and emotionally gripping. The main character, Solei, felt like someone I could actually know in real life. She’s flawed and insecure in ways that are so familiar, but she’s also incredibly strong. Despite everything she faces—grief, war, captivity—she never stops observing, learning, and doing what she needs to do to survive. And through all of it, she wears her heart on her sleeve, which makes her feel even more real. Who hasn’t been vulnerable like that at some point?
The worldbuilding felt almost historical—like the 1800s with a modern twist (yes, girls in pants!). The author could’ve easily stretched this into a series by adding more fluff, but I appreciated how she kept it all in one powerful book. The story spans about a year and a half, though I did occasionally get lost in the timeline—but that might’ve been more about how I read than the writing itself.
I still find myself wondering about the Emperor and his backstory. While the book does answer a lot, I was left wanting to know even more about him—which is a testament to how layered and intriguing he is. The last 20% of the book hit me like a freight train. I felt everything: happiness, deep sorrow, fiery anger, full-on laughter, and most of all, a deep sense of hope.
Even though I haven’t lived through what Solei has, I understood her feelings of not belonging, of losing yourself, and the journey of slowly rebuilding—especially when you have people in your corner. I wish I could talk about some of the moments that had me literally screaming at my phone, but I don’t want to spoil it.
If you're a girl who's ever felt lost, this book is a beautiful reminder that even in darkness, you can still find light. It’s absolutely worth the read.
HIGHLY RECCOMENDED! COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN! The Quiet Sun is an amazing read! I read a lot of romance fantasy and this book had me hooked from the beginning! I would highly reccomend!!! The imagery and emotions describe in this book are so powerful. In the first two chapters I was able to connect with the main character, Solei, and empathize with her situation. I love the symbolism throughout the book. The use of different metaphors for colors and emotions allowed this world to come to life in my imagination. Noémi describes the pouring rain as cleansing/mourning during one scene, and this moved me as a reader because it had me truly feel the current situation the main character was in. I really like how the main character listens more than speaks throughout the book. This creates more understanding of her inner thoughts for the reader and has a fun secret of her faking being mute to be aware of. The level of romance was perfect. Noemi switches between extreme, harsh character building scenes with playful, happy, and suspenseful scenes really well. She jumps right into the story and the adventure takes off from the beginning, not having chapters on end of build up. If you are looking for your next book, read The Quiet Sun. I cannot wait for Noémi to publish more books in the future!
I have never written a review. This book is so bad I had to. No idea what all the high ratings are for but this book is very poorly written (all good reviews are ARC readers?). The plot is all over the place I reads like a wattpad fanfic, the amount of random time jumps is discombobulating and felt lazy. The use of traumatic events for the sake of trauma was odd and underdeveloped. The relationships in this book are not well built up nor do they have any depth to them. The FMC was incredibly boring and one dimensional and the “healing journey” she goes on is nothing of the sort. This book had promise and the opportunity to tell important story’s of abuse and SA but it ultimately failed. This book’s plot was almost random in a way and was poorly played out. It reads like the author wrote it in one sitting, do not waste your time.
not sure where the raving reviews are coming from but this book desperately needs a new editor!
it’s soo repetitive, written like a noob writer who doesn’t understand that you don’t need to tell us 500x the FMC has red hair or needs to get back to her cottage. I feel like with the right editor this could’ve been a good book. the story was also soo jumpy, i couldn’t tell what was going on half the time. it’s just such choppy writing.
Also- it’s advertised as a romantasy. There was 0 fantasy in this book that i detected. Just call it a romance at that point please.
I loved the plot and depth of character in this book. It was a very unique way to describe Solei’s story. The only reason I didn’t give this book 5 stars is because I think that the character development and relationships made in the book could’ve been written better. I wish I knew more about the other characters because it was more surface level of the relationships formed.
Thank you to Noémi Russell for the opportunity to ARC read this amazing book! Every chapter had my attention and these characters will be in my head for a long time.
Our FMC is Solei, a healer who despite her traumatic past including deaths of her family and constant hatred towards her different appearance, strives to help anyone she can. When she is captured and enslaved by the enemy during a sudden attack on her town, she fakes mutism, hoping to distract the right people in order to escape. That’s until she meets the emperor who sees through her faked mutism and begins to occupy her every thought. The more they get to know each other, the more she can’t seem to stay away. But Solei knows the truth, that this emperor cannot be trusted and she must continue to stay strong and keep her vows.
Oh my goodness. Reading this synopsis I knew that this book would be right up my alley and I ate up every second. The world that Noémi built was so detailed I felt like I was right there with Solei during her struggles. And I absolutely loved Solei as a character overall. Her voice and emotions were so real, especially with the demonstration of how grief affected her everyday life. And Aris…don’t even get me started on this beautiful tortured soul. The way he consistently shows up for Solei, nor pushing her to be anyone except who she is. So many of his lines had me messaging Noémi, just tearing up and loving every moment. Overall, this book had everything I was hoping for, and I highly recommend for anyone looking for an emotionally intense romantasy.
I don’t even know where to begin—this book wrecked me in the best possible way. From the very first page, I was hooked. It’s not just a story; it’s an emotional experience that grabs you by the heart and refuses to let go.
The characters felt so real—flawed, raw, and incredibly human. I found myself crying for them, cheering for them, and sometimes just sitting in silence, trying to process the weight of what I just read. Every emotion felt earned, every chapter pulled me deeper, and by the end, I was both completely fulfilled and utterly shattered.
What I loved most was the vulnerability. The author didn’t hold back. There were moments of heartbreak, healing, and brutal honesty that left me breathless. It’s rare to find a book that makes you feel so deeply, and this one did that tenfold.
If you’re looking for something that will move you, shake you, and stay with you long after the final page, this is the book. I’ll be thinking about it for a long, long time.
I received this book as an ARC for an honest review. My review is as follows:
The Quiet Sun captured my attention from the very first chapter and never let go. This powerful four-part novel follows the emotional and turbulent journey of Solie, a young woman whose life is forever changed when she becomes favored by the emperor of a foreign land—only to be kidnapped and subjected to brutal treatment by a neighboring kingdom. Naomi Durlene masterfully weaves themes of trauma, resilience, and healing into Solie’s story, creating a narrative that is both heartbreaking and empowering.
The emotional depth and growth of the characters were particularly striking. Each arc unfolds with authenticity, showing how pain can lead to strength and transformation. Durlene’s writing makes it easy to connect with Solie and those around her, capturing the complexity of depression, loss, and the desperation of nearly losing everything. The Quiet Sun is ultimately a moving and hopeful story of recovery, written with grace and compassion.
⭐️⭐️⭐��⭐️ I was kindly sent an ARC of The Quiet Sun by Noemi, and while it took me a bit to really get into the story, I’m glad I gave it time to grow. Once the emotional layers started unfolding, I found myself very invested.
This book is a great pick for readers who love a softer, more vulnerable FMC. Solei carries a lot of pain and trauma as she lost all of her family and then she’s taken by the dark emperor. If you’re someone who enjoys the damsel-in-distress dynamic with emotional depth, this one should be your next read.
The romance is slow burn, full of tension, forbidden longing, and a morally grey love interest that romantasy lovers will adore. The themes of healing, loss, survival, and love are woven beautifully into the narrative, and the story grows more intense and compelling with each chapter.
Definitely recommend to all who wants to get all the feels from one book instead of a series for a change.
I was given the opportunity to read this an ARC reader and I enjoyed it! It was out of the realm of what I normally read and I personally wouldn’t consider it be fantasy, at least not in the straightforward sense. I found her writing style very interesting and unique. The timeline would move quickly and you definitely had to pay close attention to keep up. I really loved Solei’s inner monologue, I felt like I could really understand what she was thinking and why. I felt like some of the side characters needed more dimension, especially her family, I would’ve like to know them better. I enjoyed the ending and was taken by surprise at how she resolved the main conflict. Overall I would recommend this to romance/ adult fiction readers
This book will break you in all the good and wrong ways. The author writes in such a way that you feel what the characters are feeling. This story follows the FMC as a shy healer, after she has lost her entire family and taken as a prisoner at war. This is an easy fast paced read with hidden romantic adventure. we have romantasy, slow burn, forced proximity, mute, enemies to lovers. Def will be looking for more books by this author, and recommending to all my friends
I got the amazing opportunity to be an ARC reader for Noémi and read The Quiet Sun! The story was beautifully written and one that made you feel all the emotions.
This story follows the protagonist Solei who is a healer. Not only is she mending the wounds of others, but she is also trying internally fix her own. She truly goes through so much and you almost feel like you’re in the plot with Solei herself with how beautifully the story was written. It may seem like a slightly slow buildup in the beginning but right when you reach the 2nd/3rd chapter, you can’t put the book down as you want to know what happens next.
This was an amazing book and I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity! I can’t wait to see what Noémi comes out with next!
Where do I begin!! Being an ARC reader for this book was such a privilege. I fell in love with the FMC Solei. This captures her story so wonderfully. Following her story, struggles, & experiences you grow so fond of her strength. This book is heartbreaking, compelling and uplifting all at the same time. This is a fast paced book, so it was a quick read for me. I adored Solei and Aris, it’s a great slow burn between them. I think Noemi is such an incredible author. I cannot wait to get my hands on her next book.
I was given an ARC copy of The Quiet Sun and I am beyond grateful to have gotten to read Noémi’s debut novel! After hearing the synopsis of this book, I knew I needed to read Solei’s story!
Solei is a healer who is captured and taken as a prisoner of war during an attack on her town. She is captured by the enemy she blames for the loss of her family. Solei’s struggles with appearance, loss, grief, and healing are heartbreaking and relatable.
With fantasy I oftentimes find myself hesitant to start, solely due to the world building that has to take place. But this was so beautifully written and pulled at the heartstrings from the start. I flew through it. The world was easy to follow and the vivid descriptions were truly like no other. I absolutely loved this book!
I would 100% recommend The Quiet Sun to any and all readers, whether they have experience reading fantasy or not🖤