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Secrets of Dagome #1
Poisoned Kingdom: High Fantasy Romance
When the magic that creates life is a death sentence, her only chance to live is taming it… and the man it tried to claim. As a poisoner, Roksana knows how to keep a secret—until the power she wields and the secrets she hides begin unravelling, forcing her to flee to the dwarven kingdom. But the assassin’s mark on her skin isn’t easy to erase. When she’s discovered by her former master, the price for his silence is brutally kill the notorious War King. Except… she already did. Her target, however, refuses to die. Surviving by sheer tenacity—and the darkness her poison awakened—he sets out to hunt down the woman who dared to destroy him. When his hands finally close around his assassin’s throat, the War King does the unthinkable—he lets her live… and makes her pay. Thrusted into a world where loyalty is carved in blood and love is the deadliest illusion, two unwilling allies must join forces for a chance to survive—all while trying to ignore the treacherous fire threatening to undo them with every forbidden touch. As more secrets come to light, Roksana faces an impossible choice. Trust the man she tried to kill… or hide her power and let his kingdom burn. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Perfect for fans of high-stakes fantasy with morally grey fmc, enemies-to-lovers romance and rich, Slavic-inspired world-building. This adult epic fantasy delivers slow-burn tension, dark intrigue, and a hero torn between power and love. For readers who crave the grit of The Witcher and the allure of Bardugo’s Six of Crows, reimagined for a mature audience.
492 pages, Paperback
Published September 4, 2025
67 people are currently reading
3434 people want to read
About the author
Olena Nikitin
12 books498 followersOlena Nikitin is the pen name of a writing power couple who share a love of fantasy, paranormal romance, rich, vivid worlds and exciting storylines. In their books and out, they love down-to-earth humour, a visceral approach to life, striving to write realistic romances filled with the passion and steam people always dream of experiencing.
Meet the two halves of this Truro UK-based dynamic duo!
Olga, a Polish woman, has a wicked sense of humour with a dash of Slavic pessimism. She’s been writing since she was a small child, but life led her to work as an emergency physician. While this work means she always has stories to share, it often means she’s too busy to actually write. She’s proud to be a crazy cat lady, and together with Mark, they have five cats.
Mark, a typical English gentleman, radiates charm, sophistication, and an undeniable sex appeal. At least, he’s reasonably certain that’s what convinced Olga to fly across the sea into his arms. He’s an incredibly intelligent man with a knack for fixing things, including Polish syntax in English writing. If you give him good whiskey, he might even regale you with his Gulf War story of how he got shot.
Olena Nikitin loves hearing from their fans and critics alike and welcomes communication via any platform! https://linktr.ee/olenanikitinauthor
Meet the two halves of this Truro UK-based dynamic duo!
Olga, a Polish woman, has a wicked sense of humour with a dash of Slavic pessimism. She’s been writing since she was a small child, but life led her to work as an emergency physician. While this work means she always has stories to share, it often means she’s too busy to actually write. She’s proud to be a crazy cat lady, and together with Mark, they have five cats.
Mark, a typical English gentleman, radiates charm, sophistication, and an undeniable sex appeal. At least, he’s reasonably certain that’s what convinced Olga to fly across the sea into his arms. He’s an incredibly intelligent man with a knack for fixing things, including Polish syntax in English writing. If you give him good whiskey, he might even regale you with his Gulf War story of how he got shot.
Olena Nikitin loves hearing from their fans and critics alike and welcomes communication via any platform! https://linktr.ee/olenanikitinauthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
September 7, 2025
so...i didn't like this, and I'm sad about it.
The beginning is so promising! A misunderstanding results in a former assassin accidentally permanently maiming and nearly killing a man who turns out to be the whole a*s king. The plot was so interesting at the beginning and I was quite intrigued to see where it goes.
however, as the story moves forward, we are unfortunately presented with a hefty dose of insta-lust, which I cannot stand. Furthermore, the romance of these characters is almost entirely guided by said insta-lust and tropey moments and feel forced instead of genuine development of a relationship. He's also the epitome of "don't touch my woman!" except the touching is happening from platonic friends and he just "can't control his chaotic urges."
I also had a really hard time keeping up with the general plot and world. the magic felt extremely confusing, and "chaos magic" makes 0 sense. I assume (based on the references made) that this is a new series in a previously created universe, and if that's the case, then the lesser development does make sense to a degree, but I wouldn't recommend starting here.
I wanted to like this, especially because the cover and interior art is so stunning, but I really didn't.
**thank you to Olena Nikitin and The Nerd Fam for the ARC copy**
The beginning is so promising! A misunderstanding results in a former assassin accidentally permanently maiming and nearly killing a man who turns out to be the whole a*s king. The plot was so interesting at the beginning and I was quite intrigued to see where it goes.
however, as the story moves forward, we are unfortunately presented with a hefty dose of insta-lust, which I cannot stand. Furthermore, the romance of these characters is almost entirely guided by said insta-lust and tropey moments and feel forced instead of genuine development of a relationship. He's also the epitome of "don't touch my woman!" except the touching is happening from platonic friends and he just "can't control his chaotic urges."
I also had a really hard time keeping up with the general plot and world. the magic felt extremely confusing, and "chaos magic" makes 0 sense. I assume (based on the references made) that this is a new series in a previously created universe, and if that's the case, then the lesser development does make sense to a degree, but I wouldn't recommend starting here.
I wanted to like this, especially because the cover and interior art is so stunning, but I really didn't.
**thank you to Olena Nikitin and The Nerd Fam for the ARC copy**
March 5, 2026
╭ ✦ •
│ ⊹ 𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
I devoured this book!! I LOVE Roksana and Reynard, their banter and chemistry was *chefs kiss*🤌🏼
Olena Nikitin has quickly become one of my favourite authors over the last few years. Every time I dive into one of their books, I fall in love. Poisoned Kingdom completely captivated me, this is why I love their writing!
From the beautiful descriptions, feisty/broady characters, and fun banter to all the twists, this is my favourite book Olena has written! (also the hardcover special edition is GORGEOUS, it's a work of art! Olena's Special Edition Shop)
Also, I love that Poisoned Kingdom takes place in the same world as The Broken Bonds Duology.
✦•······················•✦•······················•✦
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥enemies to lovers
❥slowburn to spice
❥stabby fmc
❥found family
❥he falls first
❥royalty
❥court intrigue
❥morally grey fmc
❥Slavic mythology
❥unique magic system
Thank you for the ARC Olena♡
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
│ ⊹ 𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜, 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚕 𝚁𝚎𝚟𝚒𝚎𝚠 𝚜𝚘𝚘𝚗 ⊹
╰ ✦ •
I devoured this book!! I LOVE Roksana and Reynard, their banter and chemistry was *chefs kiss*🤌🏼
"𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠, 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐕𝐢𝐩𝐞𝐫. 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐠𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐚 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐈𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐦 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭… 𝐈 𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝."
Olena Nikitin has quickly become one of my favourite authors over the last few years. Every time I dive into one of their books, I fall in love. Poisoned Kingdom completely captivated me, this is why I love their writing!
From the beautiful descriptions, feisty/broady characters, and fun banter to all the twists, this is my favourite book Olena has written! (also the hardcover special edition is GORGEOUS, it's a work of art! Olena's Special Edition Shop)
Also, I love that Poisoned Kingdom takes place in the same world as The Broken Bonds Duology.
✦•······················•✦•······················•✦
⊹ 𝔀𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽 ⊹
❥enemies to lovers
❥slowburn to spice
❥stabby fmc
❥found family
❥he falls first
❥royalty
❥court intrigue
❥morally grey fmc
❥Slavic mythology
❥unique magic system
Thank you for the ARC Olena♡
_________________________________
Blog ಇ StoryGraph ಇ Instagram ಇ Twitter ಇ Facebook
July 19, 2025
Besties, I devoured this book. Single day read. Single. Day. That’s right, nearly 500 pages consumed in one sitting. Life? Nuh uh. On hold until I finish this book.
We got a badass bish who is a poison assassin AND has magic. We got enemies to lovers with a side of will they, won’t they / love to hate, hate to love. We got political intrigue. We got wild magic, fae, Slavic mythology and a whole mysterious past for our main girl. And our enemy to lover, does he have a hint of…monster!?!? Yes besties, he sure af does. Best friend that’s a kickass grumpy dwarf? Oh hell yes. (Ngl, he is giving Torbjorn vibes. Iykyk.) And did I mention it’s the first in a series? Yes, gentlepeople, it sure is. Also the author? A power couple that write together under a pen name. We get the best of both worlds right there.
You know where this is going, don’t you? Pre-ordered for its September 9 release? Done. I need this book on my shelf and in my life immediately. BRB. Changing my whole personality for this book.
People!! What are you waiting for!?!?!? Get on it!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #poisonedkingdom #thenerdfam
We got a badass bish who is a poison assassin AND has magic. We got enemies to lovers with a side of will they, won’t they / love to hate, hate to love. We got political intrigue. We got wild magic, fae, Slavic mythology and a whole mysterious past for our main girl. And our enemy to lover, does he have a hint of…monster!?!? Yes besties, he sure af does. Best friend that’s a kickass grumpy dwarf? Oh hell yes. (Ngl, he is giving Torbjorn vibes. Iykyk.) And did I mention it’s the first in a series? Yes, gentlepeople, it sure is. Also the author? A power couple that write together under a pen name. We get the best of both worlds right there.
You know where this is going, don’t you? Pre-ordered for its September 9 release? Done. I need this book on my shelf and in my life immediately. BRB. Changing my whole personality for this book.
People!! What are you waiting for!?!?!? Get on it!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #poisonedkingdom #thenerdfam
September 15, 2025
DNF at 55%
The story's premise drew me in immediately: a fugitive assassin, deep secrets revolving around forbidden magic, and a king who simply refuses to stay dead. The setup carried immense promise, blending strong Slavic folklore influences with a world that seemed to be brimming with intrigue.
The opening chapters were undoubtedly the highlight. Roksana, with her shadowy powers and venomous capabilities, made for a captivating protagonist, and the pacing suggested a dark, gripping tale ahead. Unfortunately, as the narrative progressed, the momentum faltered, revealing weaknesses. The worldbuilding, particularly surrounding “chaos magic” lacked clarity and left much to be desired.
For me, the weakest aspects of this story were two things: Reynard, the male lead, and the writing itself. Instead of portraying a complex and compelling figure, Reynard came across as suffocatingly possessive and overly jealous rather than a commanding war king. His relationship with Roksana felt rooted in clichéd insta-lust and shallow interactions rather than meaningful growth, making it hard to invest in their dynamic. I can understand that, at first, given the circumstances of how the two characters met, Reynard’s behavior might seem complicated. But once that initial “problem” is resolved, his attitude remains the same: there’s no sense of a shift from before to after, nor any deeper reflection on his part toward her. I know the explanation given for his behavior is tied to the concept of “family wild magic,” but that alone wasn’t enough to change my impression of him as a character. It all feels stagnant. In this case, the enemies-to-lovers arc is carried much more effectively through Roksana’s POV.
The second weak point for me was the writing. Initially, it seemed promising, but as I continued reading, it fell short. It lacked that spark that keeps me turning the pages, even when interesting elements were introduced. At times, scenes felt forced, as if the characters had to act a certain way just to push the plot forward, rather than behaving naturally. On top of that, there was an overreliance on explanations—too much telling instead of allowing the story to unfold organically through the events.
Poisoned Kingdom starts with a fantastic concept but struggles to sustain its initial promise. It may still appeal to readers who enjoy an overprotective male lead and don’t mind a more heavy-handed writing style, but for me it ultimately fell flat.
Thanks to @TheNerdFam for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story's premise drew me in immediately: a fugitive assassin, deep secrets revolving around forbidden magic, and a king who simply refuses to stay dead. The setup carried immense promise, blending strong Slavic folklore influences with a world that seemed to be brimming with intrigue.
The opening chapters were undoubtedly the highlight. Roksana, with her shadowy powers and venomous capabilities, made for a captivating protagonist, and the pacing suggested a dark, gripping tale ahead. Unfortunately, as the narrative progressed, the momentum faltered, revealing weaknesses. The worldbuilding, particularly surrounding “chaos magic” lacked clarity and left much to be desired.
For me, the weakest aspects of this story were two things: Reynard, the male lead, and the writing itself. Instead of portraying a complex and compelling figure, Reynard came across as suffocatingly possessive and overly jealous rather than a commanding war king. His relationship with Roksana felt rooted in clichéd insta-lust and shallow interactions rather than meaningful growth, making it hard to invest in their dynamic. I can understand that, at first, given the circumstances of how the two characters met, Reynard’s behavior might seem complicated. But once that initial “problem” is resolved, his attitude remains the same: there’s no sense of a shift from before to after, nor any deeper reflection on his part toward her. I know the explanation given for his behavior is tied to the concept of “family wild magic,” but that alone wasn’t enough to change my impression of him as a character. It all feels stagnant. In this case, the enemies-to-lovers arc is carried much more effectively through Roksana’s POV.
The second weak point for me was the writing. Initially, it seemed promising, but as I continued reading, it fell short. It lacked that spark that keeps me turning the pages, even when interesting elements were introduced. At times, scenes felt forced, as if the characters had to act a certain way just to push the plot forward, rather than behaving naturally. On top of that, there was an overreliance on explanations—too much telling instead of allowing the story to unfold organically through the events.
Poisoned Kingdom starts with a fantastic concept but struggles to sustain its initial promise. It may still appeal to readers who enjoy an overprotective male lead and don’t mind a more heavy-handed writing style, but for me it ultimately fell flat.
Thanks to @TheNerdFam for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 25, 2025
*Arc review*
Wow.
*Found family
*Slowburn to spice
*found family
*Unique magic
*Slavic mythology
Ooooo our FMC is fiesty and I likes it, our MMC is possessive and I like it.
The innuendos in this book had me howling.
The banter between characters had me howling.
I couldn't put this book down at all, I ate this up like an all you can eat buffet at a blinking fantasy ball.
Such a fun time, such a beautiful romantasy, all the feels, I need the next book, I can't wait any longer.
Thank you so much The Nerdfam , Olena the author for this fabulous opportunity to delve into another world of pur delight
Wow.
*Found family
*Slowburn to spice
*found family
*Unique magic
*Slavic mythology
Ooooo our FMC is fiesty and I likes it, our MMC is possessive and I like it.
The innuendos in this book had me howling.
The banter between characters had me howling.
I couldn't put this book down at all, I ate this up like an all you can eat buffet at a blinking fantasy ball.
Such a fun time, such a beautiful romantasy, all the feels, I need the next book, I can't wait any longer.
Thank you so much The Nerdfam , Olena the author for this fabulous opportunity to delve into another world of pur delight
July 13, 2025
True high fantasy romance. If that’s what you’re looking for, this is what you should be reading.
She wants to protect her kingdom so why did she poison her king?
It was an accident.
her power is stronger than she even realizes and the only person that can save him is her.
But neither of them are aware because they’re both pretty stubborn folk! And we know this because this gem is a two POV book- the kind I LOVE to read! You get all the good stuff and can feel like you’re struggling along with them both.
Good stuff.
This is book one in a series of length I am not aware of, but I will be keeping close tabs because I have to find out how this all shapes up.
Thanks nerd family for gifting the arc and introducing me to an excellent writer to add to my must read list!
She wants to protect her kingdom so why did she poison her king?
It was an accident.
her power is stronger than she even realizes and the only person that can save him is her.
But neither of them are aware because they’re both pretty stubborn folk! And we know this because this gem is a two POV book- the kind I LOVE to read! You get all the good stuff and can feel like you’re struggling along with them both.
Good stuff.
This is book one in a series of length I am not aware of, but I will be keeping close tabs because I have to find out how this all shapes up.
Thanks nerd family for gifting the arc and introducing me to an excellent writer to add to my must read list!
August 28, 2025
Poisoned Kingdom by Olena Nikitin
ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️.5
A solid 4-star read! The story kept me engaged from beginning to end, even if the pacing dipped here and there. From the TWs, I expected more emphasis on BDSM power-play—which was one of the main reasons I picked it up—so in that sense it didn’t quite deliver the level of darkness I was hoping for. Still, it worked well as a compelling romantasy.
The addition of footnotes and a glossary was a huge plus, especially since Slavic mythology isn’t widely known. They provided just the right amount of context without overwhelming the narrative.
The illustrations at the end of some chapters were another highlight—an unexpected but wonderful touch. I even had to check them on a color screen instead of my Kindle, and it was so worth it. They looked even more stunning in full color!
Dual POV is always a win for me. The relationship between the two MCs starts off in quite an unusual way. Our heroine, Roksana, is forced to flee the dwarves’ kingdom, straight back into her poisoner past she escaped six years earlier at a heavy price. On her journey, she nearly kills the king by accident—the same king her former Master ordered her to assassinate, a command she refused. Up until the poisoning, I honestly thought there was nothing particularly dark in the book... and then Raymond appeared, with that eye incident. Uhh, that was intense.
The tension between the two leads? Absolutely delicious. Sana can’t believe a king would ever publicly choose a killer like her over a well-bred noblewoman, while Ray constantly struggles to put his kingdom above his instincts. That push and pull made their dynamic even more addictive.
Sign me up for the sequel—I’m definitely curious where this "poisoned path" leads next.
ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️.5
A solid 4-star read! The story kept me engaged from beginning to end, even if the pacing dipped here and there. From the TWs, I expected more emphasis on BDSM power-play—which was one of the main reasons I picked it up—so in that sense it didn’t quite deliver the level of darkness I was hoping for. Still, it worked well as a compelling romantasy.
The addition of footnotes and a glossary was a huge plus, especially since Slavic mythology isn’t widely known. They provided just the right amount of context without overwhelming the narrative.
The illustrations at the end of some chapters were another highlight—an unexpected but wonderful touch. I even had to check them on a color screen instead of my Kindle, and it was so worth it. They looked even more stunning in full color!
Dual POV is always a win for me. The relationship between the two MCs starts off in quite an unusual way. Our heroine, Roksana, is forced to flee the dwarves’ kingdom, straight back into her poisoner past she escaped six years earlier at a heavy price. On her journey, she nearly kills the king by accident—the same king her former Master ordered her to assassinate, a command she refused. Up until the poisoning, I honestly thought there was nothing particularly dark in the book... and then Raymond appeared, with that eye incident. Uhh, that was intense.
The tension between the two leads? Absolutely delicious. Sana can’t believe a king would ever publicly choose a killer like her over a well-bred noblewoman, while Ray constantly struggles to put his kingdom above his instincts. That push and pull made their dynamic even more addictive.
Sign me up for the sequel—I’m definitely curious where this "poisoned path" leads next.
July 18, 2025
This book was absolutely amazing. Every twist and turn. Every character from the fmc to her best friends. This fmc is one of the few bad@ss ones in romantasy. There was never a point I found her annoying or weak. She put others ahead of herself in all the right ways. I loved the character growth and the banter was top tier. This is one of my favorites from this year and I’ll be reading all the books related to this one! A few of my favorite quotes:
“ ‘And next time you want to hit me, get that massive idiot to do it. I’ll stand still, I swear. Just don’t hurt yourself.’ “
“‘You are the light of hope in the deepest night, my Sanika.’”
“ ‘And next time you want to hit me, get that massive idiot to do it. I’ll stand still, I swear. Just don’t hurt yourself.’ “
“‘You are the light of hope in the deepest night, my Sanika.’”
August 24, 2025
There you are wrong, little Viper. I make the rules in Dagome, and there's not a single one I wouldn't break to hold you again. If the world has a problem with that… I pity the world.
~
I went into this completely blind and oh my gosh, this story was absolutely fantastic and I already can’t wait for the next installment! First of all? The symbolism in this stunning cover is chef’s kiss! It took me a little longer to read than normal, and that was all on me and life, well, life-ing, but when I picked it back up again, I found myself so immersed and could not put this book down until my eyes were screaming at me to go to bed. A mage with a history as part of a dark brotherhood of assassins, a war king, a feisty dwarf, a sassy brothel master, and a high mage truth seeker…if this mix of our cast or characters alone doesn’t draw you in, I don’t know what will, because I truly found so much enjoyment in reading the story of Roksana and Reynard. The slow burn was immaculate, as was the enemies to lovers, and I LOVED that our female main character was just as strong of a warrior as the warrior king. The book was full of gasping and emotional and heart-wrenching moments but also had me laughing out loud so many times! I have so many questions and will admit I forgot about an Easter egg very early on that had me flipping back to the beginning to add to my own theories, and I cannot wait to keep reading! This was true high fantasy at its best with the most fun and unique magic system, and I am enthralled! Thank you NerdFam for the early copy!
~
I went into this completely blind and oh my gosh, this story was absolutely fantastic and I already can’t wait for the next installment! First of all? The symbolism in this stunning cover is chef’s kiss! It took me a little longer to read than normal, and that was all on me and life, well, life-ing, but when I picked it back up again, I found myself so immersed and could not put this book down until my eyes were screaming at me to go to bed. A mage with a history as part of a dark brotherhood of assassins, a war king, a feisty dwarf, a sassy brothel master, and a high mage truth seeker…if this mix of our cast or characters alone doesn’t draw you in, I don’t know what will, because I truly found so much enjoyment in reading the story of Roksana and Reynard. The slow burn was immaculate, as was the enemies to lovers, and I LOVED that our female main character was just as strong of a warrior as the warrior king. The book was full of gasping and emotional and heart-wrenching moments but also had me laughing out loud so many times! I have so many questions and will admit I forgot about an Easter egg very early on that had me flipping back to the beginning to add to my own theories, and I cannot wait to keep reading! This was true high fantasy at its best with the most fun and unique magic system, and I am enthralled! Thank you NerdFam for the early copy!
September 9, 2025
3.5/5⭐️
2/5🌶️
Forsaken by the kingdom she’s been serving and sold out for the retribution she sought, Rokisana is on the run when she unwittingly runs into Reynard, the War King of Dagome, and near-mortally wounds him. What follows is a cat and mouse game between the two, coupled with obsession and an absolutely magnetic pull.
I enjoyed the magic system which was built in this book. I was fascinated by our FMC Rokisana’s assassin abilities, and learning along with her about her powers. Reynard was SO. FLIPPING. DOWN. BAD! and it was so much fun to read the evolution of his feelings. Lily, Tova and Irsha were wonderful side characters who I thoroughly enjoyed and hope I get to see again. Though the spice was minimal in this book, what we got was super duper delicious. I enjoyed the Polish influence as well as the creatures and references which were interwoven into the story. They brought depth to the story which was very interesting!
What I Loved About This Story:
✨True enemies to lovers
✨Assassin x The King
✨Lovable side characters and found family
✨All that yearnin’ and burnin’!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
2/5🌶️
Forsaken by the kingdom she’s been serving and sold out for the retribution she sought, Rokisana is on the run when she unwittingly runs into Reynard, the War King of Dagome, and near-mortally wounds him. What follows is a cat and mouse game between the two, coupled with obsession and an absolutely magnetic pull.
I enjoyed the magic system which was built in this book. I was fascinated by our FMC Rokisana’s assassin abilities, and learning along with her about her powers. Reynard was SO. FLIPPING. DOWN. BAD! and it was so much fun to read the evolution of his feelings. Lily, Tova and Irsha were wonderful side characters who I thoroughly enjoyed and hope I get to see again. Though the spice was minimal in this book, what we got was super duper delicious. I enjoyed the Polish influence as well as the creatures and references which were interwoven into the story. They brought depth to the story which was very interesting!
What I Loved About This Story:
✨True enemies to lovers
✨Assassin x The King
✨Lovable side characters and found family
✨All that yearnin’ and burnin’!
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
August 28, 2025
This author never misses Olena Nikitin is easily one of my favorite authors, and every time I pick up one of their books I fall in love all over again. Poisoned Kingdom was no exception. This story completely pulled me in and reminded me exactly why I adore their writing so much.
We’ve got everything I want in a romantasy: political intrigue, forbidden magic, a fierce FMC who refuses to back down, and a broody king who absolutely stole my heart. Roksana is fiery, clever, and impossible not to root for, while Reynard brings that perfect mix of strength, vulnerability, and swoony energy. I met him in the cursed bonds duology and loved him I was so excited for this book! Their banter? Chef’s kiss. Their tension? Delicious. And the slow burn? I ate it up.
The worldbuilding is immersive and layered with mythology, the side characters add so much depth (and I already want spin-offs!), and the plot had me glued from start to finish. Honestly, this was fabulous. Five stars, I loved it, and I cannot wait for book two!! Thanks to the Nerd Fam for the gifted arc!
We’ve got everything I want in a romantasy: political intrigue, forbidden magic, a fierce FMC who refuses to back down, and a broody king who absolutely stole my heart. Roksana is fiery, clever, and impossible not to root for, while Reynard brings that perfect mix of strength, vulnerability, and swoony energy. I met him in the cursed bonds duology and loved him I was so excited for this book! Their banter? Chef’s kiss. Their tension? Delicious. And the slow burn? I ate it up.
The worldbuilding is immersive and layered with mythology, the side characters add so much depth (and I already want spin-offs!), and the plot had me glued from start to finish. Honestly, this was fabulous. Five stars, I loved it, and I cannot wait for book two!! Thanks to the Nerd Fam for the gifted arc!
August 18, 2025
This was amazing!
Sana is a strong character from the start. She is fierce and doesn't take any crap. I live this about her. Usually FMC's annoyed me, but i really liked her.
Rey! Also love him. I enjoyed the banter he has with all the characters he interacts with, especially Riordan and Sana.
The found family trope is beautifully done, they argue like families do. It's perfect. The world building is OK, but I don't think it needed more explanation. The magic system is interesting. I hope we get more of that in the next book.
My favourite thing about this, was the slow burn. I love a slow burn romance. Honestly, I feel like it could of even held back more until the next book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and the authors for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
Sana is a strong character from the start. She is fierce and doesn't take any crap. I live this about her. Usually FMC's annoyed me, but i really liked her.
Rey! Also love him. I enjoyed the banter he has with all the characters he interacts with, especially Riordan and Sana.
The found family trope is beautifully done, they argue like families do. It's perfect. The world building is OK, but I don't think it needed more explanation. The magic system is interesting. I hope we get more of that in the next book.
My favourite thing about this, was the slow burn. I love a slow burn romance. Honestly, I feel like it could of even held back more until the next book.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and the authors for the eArc in exchange for an honest review.
August 14, 2025
Ate! Left no crumbs!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a must read if you love:
👑Kingdom political intrigue
🪄Unique forbidden magic
🏡Found Family
👩❤️👨Dual POV
🔥Slow-burn romance with a bit of spice
❤️He falls first
🕯️Older characters in their 30's
Roksana, our badass FMC, is a poisoner/assassin with forbidden magic who will do anything and everything to protect those she loves. Reynard, our duty-bound MMC, is a war king with wild magic that fall first and falls hard for our FMC. After a rough start to their relationship the pair ultimately work together and try to uncover secrets and betrayals from within their kingdom and the surrounding kingdoms.
The world building was descriptive, immersive, and easy to follow. The storyline was beautifully written and full of political intrigue, forbidden magic, tension, and a delicious slow burn romance. I fell in love with the side characters. Their banter had me laughing out loud. I can't wait to see how the story unfolds in the next book of the Secrets of Dagome series.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the authors for the gifted eARC!
This is a must read if you love:
👑Kingdom political intrigue
🪄Unique forbidden magic
🏡Found Family
👩❤️👨Dual POV
🔥Slow-burn romance with a bit of spice
❤️He falls first
🕯️Older characters in their 30's
Roksana, our badass FMC, is a poisoner/assassin with forbidden magic who will do anything and everything to protect those she loves. Reynard, our duty-bound MMC, is a war king with wild magic that fall first and falls hard for our FMC. After a rough start to their relationship the pair ultimately work together and try to uncover secrets and betrayals from within their kingdom and the surrounding kingdoms.
The world building was descriptive, immersive, and easy to follow. The storyline was beautifully written and full of political intrigue, forbidden magic, tension, and a delicious slow burn romance. I fell in love with the side characters. Their banter had me laughing out loud. I can't wait to see how the story unfolds in the next book of the Secrets of Dagome series.
Thank you so much to NetGalley and the authors for the gifted eARC!
September 9, 2025
⚜️ ARC review ⚜️
What a fantastic romantasy it has everything you love! A slow burn romance, enemies to lovers, a dual POV, banter, and found family, Roksana is a poisoner/assassin with secret magic forced to flee the Dwarven kingdom when she runs into a former master who assigned her to kill Reynard, the war king for his silence! The unique world building with the strong character builds and great pacing. Get ready for Roksana and Reynard when things take a turn and end with a cliffhanger! A definite must-read !
"Little Viper"
Thank you to Netgalley, Viper Dawn Press, and Olena for this ARC in exchange for my honest review
What a fantastic romantasy it has everything you love! A slow burn romance, enemies to lovers, a dual POV, banter, and found family, Roksana is a poisoner/assassin with secret magic forced to flee the Dwarven kingdom when she runs into a former master who assigned her to kill Reynard, the war king for his silence! The unique world building with the strong character builds and great pacing. Get ready for Roksana and Reynard when things take a turn and end with a cliffhanger! A definite must-read !
"Little Viper"
Thank you to Netgalley, Viper Dawn Press, and Olena for this ARC in exchange for my honest review
Read
August 9, 2025Read this if you like:
🌶 slow-burn to spice
✨️ found family
🥀 he falls first
🩶 morally grey characters
🐺 Slavic mythology
💫 unique magic systems
🕯 characters in their 30's
🌶 slow-burn to spice
✨️ found family
🥀 he falls first
🩶 morally grey characters
🐺 Slavic mythology
💫 unique magic systems
🕯 characters in their 30's
September 14, 2025
WOW! I absolutely loved this one!
If you're looking for:
- Fantasy with romance steeped in a Slavic inspired world
- A strong FMC who is pretty badass
- Found family and fleshed out secondary characters
- Political intrigue and machinations
- A king who falls first and is very - hands off my woman!
- A delicious slow burn with amazing banter, they're so witty and funny!
Then you need to grab this book. This is the first in a new duology and it takes place in the same world as their last one, but you could definitely start here. As with other books I have read from this duo, I love the world building. It's rich in Slavic folklore and mythology (I love the footnotes!) and I really enjoyed this magic system.
I loved the characters so much! I loved Sana and her friendships, especially with Tova. And she's such a great character on her own, so strong and real and just over things lol.
Sana and Reynard are just so great with their delicious slow burn. They had some amazing banter, sometimes it was sassy and smart, and sometimes it was just so full of UST, I really loved it all. I love that despite how they first met and the harm that came to Reynard, they have a gradual fall for each other.
I cannot wait to see how things continue in the next book!
Adding some notes and reminders for myself for the next book.
I received a copy of the book for an instagram tour. My thoughts are my own.
If you're looking for:
- Fantasy with romance steeped in a Slavic inspired world
- A strong FMC who is pretty badass
- Found family and fleshed out secondary characters
- Political intrigue and machinations
- A king who falls first and is very - hands off my woman!
- A delicious slow burn with amazing banter, they're so witty and funny!
Then you need to grab this book. This is the first in a new duology and it takes place in the same world as their last one, but you could definitely start here. As with other books I have read from this duo, I love the world building. It's rich in Slavic folklore and mythology (I love the footnotes!) and I really enjoyed this magic system.
I loved the characters so much! I loved Sana and her friendships, especially with Tova. And she's such a great character on her own, so strong and real and just over things lol.
Sana and Reynard are just so great with their delicious slow burn. They had some amazing banter, sometimes it was sassy and smart, and sometimes it was just so full of UST, I really loved it all. I love that despite how they first met and the harm that came to Reynard, they have a gradual fall for each other.
I cannot wait to see how things continue in the next book!
Adding some notes and reminders for myself for the next book.
I received a copy of the book for an instagram tour. My thoughts are my own.
March 8, 2026
Poisoned Kingdom is one of those books that grabs you by the collar, whispers “trust no one,” and then proceeds to yank the rug out from under you every few chapters. It’s dark, it’s twisty, it’s atmospheric as hell—and while it doesn’t hit absolute perfection, it delivers a deliciously messy, morally‑grey romp that earns its 3.5‑star sweet spot.
Roksana is exactly the kind of heroine I love to watch make terrible, brilliant decisions. She’s a poisoner with secrets stacked higher than a dwarven fortress, running from a past that refuses to stay politely behind her. The assassin’s mark on her skin is basically a neon sign that says “trouble,” and every time she tries to outrun it, the universe says, “lol, cute.”
And then there’s the War King.
Listen. If a man survives being poisoned by you and then hunts you down with the energy of a very angry, very attractive storm cloud, that’s not an enemy—that’s a future problem. Their dynamic is pure enemies‑to‑lovers chaos: he’s furious, she’s cornered, and the tension between them could probably power a small kingdom. When he finally catches her and doesn’t kill her? Oh, the drama. The audacity. The slow‑burn fire that starts crackling between them like someone lit a match in a room full of secrets.
The Slavic‑inspired worldbuilding is rich and moody, full of shadows, politics, and magic that feels dangerous in all the right ways. But the pacing sometimes stumbles—some reveals hit hard, others feel a little telegraphed, and a few emotional beats could’ve used more room to breathe. It’s compelling, but not flawless.
Still, the vibes? Immaculate.
The tension? Slow, sharp, and addictive.
The characters? Morally grey enough to make you question your own alignment.
A solid 3.5‑star read—dark, intriguing, atmospheric, and full of that “I shouldn’t want this, but I do” energy that makes enemies‑to‑lovers so fun.
Roksana is exactly the kind of heroine I love to watch make terrible, brilliant decisions. She’s a poisoner with secrets stacked higher than a dwarven fortress, running from a past that refuses to stay politely behind her. The assassin’s mark on her skin is basically a neon sign that says “trouble,” and every time she tries to outrun it, the universe says, “lol, cute.”
And then there’s the War King.
Listen. If a man survives being poisoned by you and then hunts you down with the energy of a very angry, very attractive storm cloud, that’s not an enemy—that’s a future problem. Their dynamic is pure enemies‑to‑lovers chaos: he’s furious, she’s cornered, and the tension between them could probably power a small kingdom. When he finally catches her and doesn’t kill her? Oh, the drama. The audacity. The slow‑burn fire that starts crackling between them like someone lit a match in a room full of secrets.
The Slavic‑inspired worldbuilding is rich and moody, full of shadows, politics, and magic that feels dangerous in all the right ways. But the pacing sometimes stumbles—some reveals hit hard, others feel a little telegraphed, and a few emotional beats could’ve used more room to breathe. It’s compelling, but not flawless.
Still, the vibes? Immaculate.
The tension? Slow, sharp, and addictive.
The characters? Morally grey enough to make you question your own alignment.
A solid 3.5‑star read—dark, intriguing, atmospheric, and full of that “I shouldn’t want this, but I do” energy that makes enemies‑to‑lovers so fun.
July 18, 2025
Thank you to the author and the Nerd Fam for this copy of the Poisoned Kingdom.
OH MY GOSH!! I am living for the high fantasy with a romantic sub plot. I think I might venture out more into higher fantasy novels. This book gives strong Carissa Broadbent vibes in the best way.
I truly loved the story and how it unfolded. The Poisoned Kingdom is a richly layered high fantasy tale that pulls you into a world of political intrigue, rebellion, and ancient power. You even have different factions, mages, the brotherhood, fae, just wow.
The story follows Reynard, a battle-worn war king bound by duty and cursed magic, and Roksana, a healer with secrets of her own. The king and his little assassin pair up as they’re forced to confront the lies their kingdom was built upon.
The worldbuilding is deep and immersive, with a magic system, a glossary, and footnotes. I loved the slower burn of the romance, where trust is earned and not the instant lusty vibes.
I also loved the cover art and the inside art. Truly magical, the author makes it a point not to use an ounce of AI and just chefs kiss🥰
OH MY GOSH!! I am living for the high fantasy with a romantic sub plot. I think I might venture out more into higher fantasy novels. This book gives strong Carissa Broadbent vibes in the best way.
I truly loved the story and how it unfolded. The Poisoned Kingdom is a richly layered high fantasy tale that pulls you into a world of political intrigue, rebellion, and ancient power. You even have different factions, mages, the brotherhood, fae, just wow.
The story follows Reynard, a battle-worn war king bound by duty and cursed magic, and Roksana, a healer with secrets of her own. The king and his little assassin pair up as they’re forced to confront the lies their kingdom was built upon.
The worldbuilding is deep and immersive, with a magic system, a glossary, and footnotes. I loved the slower burn of the romance, where trust is earned and not the instant lusty vibes.
I also loved the cover art and the inside art. Truly magical, the author makes it a point not to use an ounce of AI and just chefs kiss🥰
July 17, 2025
When enemies-to-lovers is 👏done👏right👏
Roksana is a poisoner with an affinity for magic even she doesn’t understand. She’s strong-willed, non-nonsense and mouthy, the perfect FMC that doesn’t have qualms in taking justice in her hands. And apparently stabbing kings in the eye.
Reynard is a big broody king…with the biggest heart. He’s so so sweet, he’s respectful and he only wants to be loved as a person - not just as a king… he’s the king of Green flags and of my heart.
The book is filled with tension, banter, teasing and adventure - all beautifully wrapped in lore and myth. And the slow burn is DELICIOUS!
Olena Nikitin knocks another one out of the park - I’m looking forward to book 2!! 🥳🥳
Roksana is a poisoner with an affinity for magic even she doesn’t understand. She’s strong-willed, non-nonsense and mouthy, the perfect FMC that doesn’t have qualms in taking justice in her hands. And apparently stabbing kings in the eye.
Reynard is a big broody king…with the biggest heart. He’s so so sweet, he’s respectful and he only wants to be loved as a person - not just as a king… he’s the king of Green flags and of my heart.
The book is filled with tension, banter, teasing and adventure - all beautifully wrapped in lore and myth. And the slow burn is DELICIOUS!
Olena Nikitin knocks another one out of the park - I’m looking forward to book 2!! 🥳🥳
July 19, 2025
“Eat shit and die bastard”
Before I even finished this one, it became one of my top reads! It was heavy on Royal Politics, but not too much to make it boring. Roksana is one fiesty, mouthy and tough woman. Reynard is the King who was just trying to help a damsel in distress when he found Roksana and almost died by her hand. She is trying to learn who she really is. He is trying to keep his kingdom.The yearning and the angst and tension, ohhh it's so stinking good!! If you love high Fantasy and a strong FMC this one is for you!! Thank you Nerdfam for the ARC.
‘My Viper, my sweet, forbidden poison. I’ll destroy your enemies, I’ll wage war for you, I’ll defy the fucking gods—but please, please, my wild desire, open your legs for me. I cannot take it any longer.’
Before I even finished this one, it became one of my top reads! It was heavy on Royal Politics, but not too much to make it boring. Roksana is one fiesty, mouthy and tough woman. Reynard is the King who was just trying to help a damsel in distress when he found Roksana and almost died by her hand. She is trying to learn who she really is. He is trying to keep his kingdom.The yearning and the angst and tension, ohhh it's so stinking good!! If you love high Fantasy and a strong FMC this one is for you!! Thank you Nerdfam for the ARC.
‘My Viper, my sweet, forbidden poison. I’ll destroy your enemies, I’ll wage war for you, I’ll defy the fucking gods—but please, please, my wild desire, open your legs for me. I cannot take it any longer.’
August 22, 2025
DNF at 41%- it started out so well. I loved the idea of the FMC but it was the MMC that didnt do it for me. He gave me ,personally, the ick. Unfortunately I just couldn't get past that. I definitely think this could be right up someone alley. The story was good and I did love the FMC and some of the side characters! Jagon was a GREAT creepy villian.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #poisonedkingdom #thenerdfam @thenerdfam
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #poisonedkingdom #thenerdfam @thenerdfam
August 30, 2025
2.5⭐
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read Poisoned Kingdom by Olena Nikitin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The first 30% of this book had me hooked — I was convinced it was going to be a 5⭐ read. The setup was intriguing, the world felt full of promise, and I was eager to see how the story would unfold. ✨📖
Unfortunately, after that strong start, the momentum just stalled. The plot slowed to endless conversations with only a few small scuffles sprinkled in, and the tension that grabbed me early on fizzled away. The MMC was the hardest part for me to enjoy — instead of coming across as a strong, protective alpha, he felt more like a jealous caveman. 🪓 He bristled at every single man who spoke to the FMC, even when she made it clear they were her family. What should have felt romantic or protective just felt suffocating.
Another disappointment was the lack of follow-through on the creatures teased throughout the story. Strigas, harpies, manticores, and dragons 🐉🦅🦇 were all mentioned repeatedly, but they never really appeared on the page. It felt more like a figure of speech than part of the living world. Based on the Slavic mythology hints, I was hoping for something closer to The Witcher — and that absence left the world feeling flat. ⚔️
By the midway point, I found myself frustrated and bored, and sadly, the story never regained the spark of its beginning.
Would I recommend it?
Not really — unless you enjoy slow-burn fantasy romance and don’t mind an overprotective MMC. For me, it didn’t live up to the promise of its start.
#PoisonedKingdom #NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read Poisoned Kingdom by Olena Nikitin in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The first 30% of this book had me hooked — I was convinced it was going to be a 5⭐ read. The setup was intriguing, the world felt full of promise, and I was eager to see how the story would unfold. ✨📖
Unfortunately, after that strong start, the momentum just stalled. The plot slowed to endless conversations with only a few small scuffles sprinkled in, and the tension that grabbed me early on fizzled away. The MMC was the hardest part for me to enjoy — instead of coming across as a strong, protective alpha, he felt more like a jealous caveman. 🪓 He bristled at every single man who spoke to the FMC, even when she made it clear they were her family. What should have felt romantic or protective just felt suffocating.
Another disappointment was the lack of follow-through on the creatures teased throughout the story. Strigas, harpies, manticores, and dragons 🐉🦅🦇 were all mentioned repeatedly, but they never really appeared on the page. It felt more like a figure of speech than part of the living world. Based on the Slavic mythology hints, I was hoping for something closer to The Witcher — and that absence left the world feeling flat. ⚔️
By the midway point, I found myself frustrated and bored, and sadly, the story never regained the spark of its beginning.
Would I recommend it?
Not really — unless you enjoy slow-burn fantasy romance and don’t mind an overprotective MMC. For me, it didn’t live up to the promise of its start.
#PoisonedKingdom #NetGalley
September 8, 2025
✨𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝑅𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌✨
📖: Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome Book 1)
Sana has been hiding from her past and evading her former master for years. With the threat of being brought back into the fold against her will, her path crosses with the very War King she was tasked to unalive. And she unknowingly leaves him, scarred and poisoned instead.
Rey shoulders the burden of a kingdom in turmoil.
All the while, he’s obsessed with hunting down the viper that struck him unaware.
As secrets, betrayals, and wild magic unravels, unlikely alliances are forged and the fate of the kingdom rests with them.
Tropes:
👀Dual POV
⚠️Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers
👩🏼🔬Poisoner Assassin FMC
👑Royal MMC
🏰Intrigue
💫Unique magic system
🩶Morally grey MCs
🙋🏻He falls first
🫂Found family
🚫Touch her & 💀
🔥Slow burn 🌶️
Despite living a past life dealing in secrets and death, Sana will do anything to protect those she loves. Rey is left at the mercy and whims of this fiery woman who intrigues and challenges him beyond measure.
Their draw is magnetic yet their positions threaten to keep them apart. Sana and Rey must choose between loyalty and love.
Poisoned Kingdom weaves a lush tale brimming with political intrigue, playful banter, forbidden magic, and a tortuous slow burn I couldn’t get enough of! I cannot wait to see what happens next in their story.
Huge thanks to the author for the review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
📖: Poisoned Kingdom (Secrets of Dagome Book 1)
Sana has been hiding from her past and evading her former master for years. With the threat of being brought back into the fold against her will, her path crosses with the very War King she was tasked to unalive. And she unknowingly leaves him, scarred and poisoned instead.
Rey shoulders the burden of a kingdom in turmoil.
All the while, he’s obsessed with hunting down the viper that struck him unaware.
As secrets, betrayals, and wild magic unravels, unlikely alliances are forged and the fate of the kingdom rests with them.
Tropes:
👀Dual POV
⚠️Enemies to reluctant allies to lovers
👩🏼🔬Poisoner Assassin FMC
👑Royal MMC
🏰Intrigue
💫Unique magic system
🩶Morally grey MCs
🙋🏻He falls first
🫂Found family
🚫Touch her & 💀
🔥Slow burn 🌶️
Despite living a past life dealing in secrets and death, Sana will do anything to protect those she loves. Rey is left at the mercy and whims of this fiery woman who intrigues and challenges him beyond measure.
Their draw is magnetic yet their positions threaten to keep them apart. Sana and Rey must choose between loyalty and love.
Poisoned Kingdom weaves a lush tale brimming with political intrigue, playful banter, forbidden magic, and a tortuous slow burn I couldn’t get enough of! I cannot wait to see what happens next in their story.
Huge thanks to the author for the review copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
August 18, 2025
Thank you Nerd Fam for this gifted eARC in exchange this is my honest review.
Poisoned Kingdom by Olena Nikitin is an epic high fantasy slow burn romance that I devoured.
Rosksana was once the deadly assassins Nightshade, killing her victims with her poisons. Having left that life to protect her friends, she works as a healer in hiding for the dwarven kingdom. Found by her former master he threatens to tell her secrets for the price of the king’s head, however through a misunderstanding she already killed him, or at least he is supposed to be dead. When they finally meet again, he lets her live, only to throw them both into a scheme to take down the kingdom and their reluctant love story.
I really enjoyed this book. No really, I loved this book. It was fast paced, the world was well built, the tension was there. There was tension beyond the love story (which I also loved). I loved Rosksana’s and Reynard’s romance and the build. This felt like a true enemies to lovers. Yes, it was built on a misunderstanding but Reynard truly wanted Rosksana dead. Also, the burn was so slow and I thought it was fantastic!
I felt the yearning for each other and I wanted to know what happened next. The book was just so wonderful. I love the world and characters Niktin created and cannot wait for more.
Overall, 5/5 stars. Poisoned Kingdom is book 1 in the Secrets of Dagome series. Buy or pre-order by September 9th.
Poisoned Kingdom by Olena Nikitin is an epic high fantasy slow burn romance that I devoured.
Rosksana was once the deadly assassins Nightshade, killing her victims with her poisons. Having left that life to protect her friends, she works as a healer in hiding for the dwarven kingdom. Found by her former master he threatens to tell her secrets for the price of the king’s head, however through a misunderstanding she already killed him, or at least he is supposed to be dead. When they finally meet again, he lets her live, only to throw them both into a scheme to take down the kingdom and their reluctant love story.
I really enjoyed this book. No really, I loved this book. It was fast paced, the world was well built, the tension was there. There was tension beyond the love story (which I also loved). I loved Rosksana’s and Reynard’s romance and the build. This felt like a true enemies to lovers. Yes, it was built on a misunderstanding but Reynard truly wanted Rosksana dead. Also, the burn was so slow and I thought it was fantastic!
I felt the yearning for each other and I wanted to know what happened next. The book was just so wonderful. I love the world and characters Niktin created and cannot wait for more.
Overall, 5/5 stars. Poisoned Kingdom is book 1 in the Secrets of Dagome series. Buy or pre-order by September 9th.
August 19, 2025
The most annoying thing this woman does is leave her books on a cliffhanger that makes you ravenous for more. This book is amazing. If you’ve read her previous series, you’ll recognize some of the characters, primarily the king.
It’s been about five years since the first series and Rey stepped up to the throne and held the kingdom at reasonable peace. But of course, in any kingdom, plotting occurs.
Sana, a healer, escapes after being found by her old master at an assassin’s guild, only to run into more trouble, and saved by Rey, but in pure fight or flight mode, does not realize who he is and terrible things happen. From here, their story is interwoven in a dance of pure intrigue and captivation from both sides as he looks for the maiden who he tried to save, and yet slowly is taking his life, and she goes back to her old world to try to save a king only to realize the terrible mistake she made. Their bond grows, as does their trust blossom, between these two very unlikely allies.
The plot twists and diabolical political scheming in this book is what makes it that much more of a great read. The side characters are also again written amazingly and are such an important part of the story. Tova completely has a piece of my heart. I cannot wait for book two!
It’s been about five years since the first series and Rey stepped up to the throne and held the kingdom at reasonable peace. But of course, in any kingdom, plotting occurs.
Sana, a healer, escapes after being found by her old master at an assassin’s guild, only to run into more trouble, and saved by Rey, but in pure fight or flight mode, does not realize who he is and terrible things happen. From here, their story is interwoven in a dance of pure intrigue and captivation from both sides as he looks for the maiden who he tried to save, and yet slowly is taking his life, and she goes back to her old world to try to save a king only to realize the terrible mistake she made. Their bond grows, as does their trust blossom, between these two very unlikely allies.
The plot twists and diabolical political scheming in this book is what makes it that much more of a great read. The side characters are also again written amazingly and are such an important part of the story. Tova completely has a piece of my heart. I cannot wait for book two!
July 28, 2025
Rating 3.75/5 ⭐️ - rounded up
Spice 🌶️🌶️
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book was a really good time. I really enjoyed the plot and I’m always a sucker for a FMC who is a healer. This story was fun because roles were kind of reversed. The FMC, Roksana, is a former assassin and potions master. She has left her old life behind and is working in a dwarven village as a healer. She has an unfortunate run in with our MMC, Reynard, the King of Dagome and there is a brutal attack. Roksana is forced to use her magic forging a connection with the king. This is when the story really takes off!! I really enjoyed the political intrigue and the magic system felt very unique.
Tropes you may like:
🗡️ he falls first
🗡️ morally gray FMC
🗡️ hidden/found magic
🗡️ found family
🗡️ witty banter
🗡️ slow burn
I will definitely be picking up the next book in the Secrets of Dagome series!
Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam and the author for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication!
Spice 🌶️🌶️
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book was a really good time. I really enjoyed the plot and I’m always a sucker for a FMC who is a healer. This story was fun because roles were kind of reversed. The FMC, Roksana, is a former assassin and potions master. She has left her old life behind and is working in a dwarven village as a healer. She has an unfortunate run in with our MMC, Reynard, the King of Dagome and there is a brutal attack. Roksana is forced to use her magic forging a connection with the king. This is when the story really takes off!! I really enjoyed the political intrigue and the magic system felt very unique.
Tropes you may like:
🗡️ he falls first
🗡️ morally gray FMC
🗡️ hidden/found magic
🗡️ found family
🗡️ witty banter
🗡️ slow burn
I will definitely be picking up the next book in the Secrets of Dagome series!
Thank you so much to The Nerd Fam and the author for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication!
August 29, 2025
This book was a plain and simple masterpiece. I can’t even begin to put into words how completely I lost myself in this world and its characters—how deeply I loved them, not only as if I were part of the story, but as if I were someone truly important to them.
The authors did such an incredible job building this world with powerful descriptions that I often felt like I was right there—standing in front of Rey or stunned by Lily’s beauty. It was utterly beautiful to witness the characters’ growth and watch them finally acknowledge what was right in front of their faces (their bloody feelings!).
And can we talk about that cliffhanger for a second? I’m dying to read the second book. I’m literally on the edge of my seat writing this because I can’t wait to see what happens next with our beloved characters. It was such a pleasure to read this book as an ARC, and I have no doubt it’s going to do amazing once it’s released.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #poisonedkingdom #thenerdfam"
@thenerdfam.
The authors did such an incredible job building this world with powerful descriptions that I often felt like I was right there—standing in front of Rey or stunned by Lily’s beauty. It was utterly beautiful to witness the characters’ growth and watch them finally acknowledge what was right in front of their faces (their bloody feelings!).
And can we talk about that cliffhanger for a second? I’m dying to read the second book. I’m literally on the edge of my seat writing this because I can’t wait to see what happens next with our beloved characters. It was such a pleasure to read this book as an ARC, and I have no doubt it’s going to do amazing once it’s released.
Thank you to The Nerd Fam for the gifted eARC. #poisonedkingdom #thenerdfam"
@thenerdfam.
November 10, 2025
Thank you to The NerdFam and Olena Nikitin for this gifted ARC. This is my ARC review and all views are my own.
I really struggled to get into this one. It starts out with our poison assassin Roksana, who’s on the run from the deadly Dark Brotherhood... only to literally run right into them in her escape 🤦♂️. She’s rescued by a nearby warrior but in her panic and confusion she attacks and permanently maims him. And of course he just so happens to be the king.
From that point on he supposedly hates her but he also cant stop dreaming of her and it all felt a bit too insta-lusty for my taste.
There were things I wanted to love
🖤the found family vibes
🖤a fierce fmc
🖤unique forbidden magic system
🖤a touch of Slavic mythology.
I even liked the nickname he gives her, “little viper.” But something about the writing style kept me from really getting pulled into the story, and I never quite connected with the characters.
I really struggled to get into this one. It starts out with our poison assassin Roksana, who’s on the run from the deadly Dark Brotherhood... only to literally run right into them in her escape 🤦♂️. She’s rescued by a nearby warrior but in her panic and confusion she attacks and permanently maims him. And of course he just so happens to be the king.
From that point on he supposedly hates her but he also cant stop dreaming of her and it all felt a bit too insta-lusty for my taste.
There were things I wanted to love
🖤the found family vibes
🖤a fierce fmc
🖤unique forbidden magic system
🖤a touch of Slavic mythology.
I even liked the nickname he gives her, “little viper.” But something about the writing style kept me from really getting pulled into the story, and I never quite connected with the characters.
August 26, 2025
I will be reading each and every book in this series, regardless of how many there are, because I love this world!! Our characters are sassy, our world is complex, there is betrayal around every corner....it's SO fun!
I am such a huge fan of yearning and boyyyyy is there yearning! Let's add in the political intrigue! It is a topic of discussion frequently throughout the book, but I think we will see even more in the later books.
This book was a really great mix of world building, book 2 set up, and romance. I didn't want to put this book down, and this was the kind of book that even though there is another book coming, I felt such a session of contentment after finishing it! Like a cliffhanger, but not one that made me want to throw my Kindle.
overall: recommend
spice: open door
I am such a huge fan of yearning and boyyyyy is there yearning! Let's add in the political intrigue! It is a topic of discussion frequently throughout the book, but I think we will see even more in the later books.
This book was a really great mix of world building, book 2 set up, and romance. I didn't want to put this book down, and this was the kind of book that even though there is another book coming, I felt such a session of contentment after finishing it! Like a cliffhanger, but not one that made me want to throw my Kindle.
overall: recommend
spice: open door
September 11, 2025
I loved this book. It honestly gave me a lot of gaming vibes. If this was a backstory in a game like Baldurs Gate, Witcher, Oblivion etc I would be in heaven. It gave me that nostalgia feel to it as I read. I also loved that it's a true assassin fmc. I love assassin books. And this one is full of danger and darkness lurking even in the mmc. The morally grey characters were brilliant, and I loved their chemistry with full-blown hate stewing.
Roksana, the fmc was an absolute fierce force with so much to give the story. I loved the side characters too. They added a lot to the story.
Epic storytelling, wonderful worldbuilding, believable characters, and great pacing.
I can't wait for book 2
Roksana, the fmc was an absolute fierce force with so much to give the story. I loved the side characters too. They added a lot to the story.
Epic storytelling, wonderful worldbuilding, believable characters, and great pacing.
I can't wait for book 2
Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews