The Nine Realms

by Emilee N.K. Robbins, Molly Spain (Editor), Grace Morris (Illustrator)

Waking in the Ice Realm with no recollection of who she is, why she was found, or what she wants, Centrea spends months learning secrets and stories that pit her against a rising King in the Southern Star Realm. Her only friends are misfits - her maid or Keeper, an old gossip, and her illustrious host, Rostair. During the Greentime Ball, the most important event of the Northern Realms, she waits with bated breath for Rostair to declare his affections. What happens changes her life forever. Centrea demonstrates how women who are naive, flawed, and anxious can still be strong.

362 pages, Paperback

Published April 16, 2025

About the author

Emilee N. K. Robbins is a trained historian turned fiction writer. She loves telling compelling stories set in enchanting fantasy worlds with relatable characters that readers really root for. When she’s not writing she enjoys seeing new places, spending time with loved ones, and enjoying a good cup of coffee.

Reviews

[Betsy]

If you love fantasy that feels like being wrapped in a blanket while wandering a magical palace… this is your sign to read The Nine Realms.

This story follows an FMC who wakes up with no memory — she doesn’t know who she is, where she came from, or where she belongs. And as the handsome king helps her navigate a world of creatures, secrets, and magic, you feel like you’re discovering the realms right alongside her.

The world-building is vivid and immersive — each realm feels alive, detailed, and full of wonder and danger. I genuinely felt transported.

What I loved most was the character development. Watching the FMC slowly piece herself back together kept me turning the pages.

And the twist?
I did NOT see it coming. My jaw dropped when the truth was revealed.

As the mystery deepens, you start questioning everyone — because something feels… off. And you’re left wondering who she can really trust.

This is a perfect fall or winter read if you want cozy atmosphere, rich fantasy, and a story that lingers after the final page.

Thanks to Nook and Fable Media and author Emilee N.K. Robbins for the gifted copy.

[T.L. Routledge]

Something that really stuck out to me about this book was how each of the realms was its own unique environment creating a beautiful world. Made me want to go there myself!

This book was beautifully written, filled with heart, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you turning the pages.

Can’t forget to talk about the cover of this book! Simply lovely.

Excited for next of the series!

[Tori Foster]

This was such an absolutely amazing read! All the world building and the characters were perfectly written in my opinion. The writing itself was phenomenal and had me hooked the entire time I was reading it! Definitely recommend and can’t wait to read her next book when it comes out!!

[☾ MauveMeg ☾]

This was a wonderful relaxing read. 🥰
I have particularly enjoyed the extensive world building, along with very well written and fleshed out characters. The plot was good and entertaining to read, even though a little predictable personally.
Centrea is definitely a unique FMC, we love seeing a curvy beautiful woman, who prefers writing over fighting, and slowly learns who she used to be.
The writer did an amazing job at describing characters, places, and vibes as well. I have enjoyed reading this a lot, and the sole purpose of me giving 4 instead of 5 stars is simply that it doesn’t reach the same level of some of my 5⭐️ reads.
BUT it can very easily be your 5 star read and I absolutely recommend picking this series up before the next book comes out! 🩵

[Ashley Low]

I really enjoyed the prose, suspense, and dialogue in this book. The setting was really beautifully crafted. The characters were also very compelling and complex. I am excited for the next books in this series!

[Royce Marnell]

Loved it! Can’t wait for the next one!

[Reader]

A great ride with unexpected twists and turns. A good entry into this genre. I look forward to the follow up books!

[Armando Ramirez]

The Nine Realms by Emilee N.K. Robbins is an easy 5-star read for me. This book hooked me from the very first chapter and never really let go, thanks to its rich worldbuilding and an amazing cast of characters that feel distinct, layered, and genuinely alive.What pulled me in immediately was the mystery surrounding Centrea and the way she’s found: injured, in the snow, with no memories of her past. You’re dropped into the story with the same confusion and disorientation she feels, and it instantly engages you as a reader. That sense of “What happened to her?” lingers over every scene and quietly drives the narrative forward.As the story unfolds, your inner detective can’t help but wake up. The author does a fantastic job sprinkling breadcrumbs throughout the book, some subtle, some much more obvious, and it’s incredibly satisfying to piece them together. I don’t want to spill the "tea", but this is absolutely the kind of story where paying close attention pays off. You’ll constantly be asking yourself what’s important, what’s misdirection, and who you can actually trust.I especially loved how the Ice Realm and its people shape Centrea as a character. The relationships she forms there, the care (and sometimes conflict) she experiences, and the way others respond to her missing memories all influence who she becomes. By the time her memories start returning, you can really feel the tension between who she used to be and who she has grown into among these people. That contrast makes her journey feel earned and emotionally powerful.The ending, in particular, really worked for me. It ties together the mystery, the relationships, and Centrea’s personal growth in a way that feels both satisfying and full of potential for what comes next. Watching how her experiences in the Ice Realm affect her mindset and the choices she ultimately makes was one of my favorite parts of the entire book.If you love character-driven fantasy with a strong sense of mystery, emotional growth, and just enough clues to keep you theorizing the entire time, The Nine Realms is absolutely worth your time, and your 5 stars.

[CrysTellsReads]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ 4.5 Stars

The Nine Realms is an immersive fantasy that pulled me in from the very first chapters and never fully let go. Emilee N.K. Robbins crafts a world so vivid and textured that you can practically see the palace halls, feel the fabrics of what everyone wears, and even taste the teas being poured. The attention to detail in the world-building made it incredibly easy to feel connected to this story and completely grounded within it.

Centrea awakens in an unfamiliar place with no memories of who she is or how she arrived there, and her confusion, fear, and slow self-discovery are written with such care. You feel her struggle to hold herself together as she begins to realize that the people around her—and the truths she’s being told—may not be what they seem. That emotional tension pairs beautifully with the forced proximity and forbidden romance elements, while the found family dynamics add warmth and depth to the story.

The pacing kept me hooked, and I was genuinely eager to know more at every turn. And that ending? I did not see the plot twist coming, which made it all the more satisfying. This is a beautifully written fantasy with strong emotional undercurrents, rich atmosphere, and a heroine you can’t help but root for.

If you love immersive worlds, slow-burn tension, and stories where identity and truth unravel piece by piece, The Nine Realms is absolutely worth picking up.

[Tales with Atticus]

This book completely swept me away. It starts quietly with a girl waking in an unfamiliar world, no memory, just cold air and a stranger’s kindness. But, before I realized it, I was utterly lost in the atmosphere of it all. The writing is immersive in that slow, lyrical way that makes you want to linger in every description like the palace halls, the intricate teas, the faint sense that something isn’t quite right.

What I loved most was how the story balances beauty with unease. There’s this dreamlike quality where everything feels soft and glittering on the surface, but underneath, there’s tension, secrecy, and a sense that danger is just out of sight. Centrea’s confusion and self-discovery are so well handled in that you feel her trying to hold herself together, even as she realizes the people around her might not be what they seem.

This isn’t a fast-paced fantasy; it’s one you sink into. The politics, the subtle romance, the mystery of identity and it all unfolds patiently and deliberately. By the end, I wasn’t just curious about who Centrea used to be, but who she might become.

The Nine Realms feels like standing in a snow-covered garden at twilight... beautiful, still, and full of secrets. I can’t wait to see what happens as this world expands in book two.

Haunting, elegant, and quietly powerful.

[CinBooks]

If you’re looking for a fantasy that feels like curling up under a blanket while getting lost in a magical world, The Nine Realms might be exactly what you need. ✨📖

Our FMC wakes up with absolutely no memory of who she is, where she came from, or where she belongs. As she tries to figure everything out with the help of a handsome king, we get to discover the different realms, creatures, magic, and secrets right alongside her.

The worldbuilding was definitely one of my favorite parts. Each realm felt unique and detailed, with its own sense of wonder and danger, and I could easily picture myself wandering through this world.

I also really enjoyed watching the FMC slowly piece together her past and figure out who she could trust. There was always this feeling that something wasn't quite right, which kept me guessing throughout the story.

And THAT TWIST. 👀 I genuinely did not see it coming! My jaw was on the floor when everything finally came together.

This gave me all the cozy fall/winter fantasy vibes I was looking for, while still giving me plenty of mystery, magic, and secrets to keep me invested.

If you love immersive fantasy, mysterious pasts, magical realms, and twists that actually surprise you, definitely add this one to your TBR! 🍂

[Dee Layton]

This is a book that I was kind of hesitant to read because it really wasn't sure what it would be about but I decided what the hay I would give it a chance. No judgment I didn't even read the blurb I seen how beautiful the cover was and was like you know what let's do this. I am so glad I did this is book one in the records of realms series.
This book was absolutely just so phenomenal this is the first time I've ever had the honor of reading anything by this author. And I am just blown away with how well things were written. The characters were absolutely phenomenal, the world built up in the story was just flawless. I read through this book in 2 days because it is a rather long book and I loved every second of it. It kept my attention and everything was so easily understood. Absolutely looking forward to book two in this series cannot wait.

[Jaimie M]

I gave this 4.5 stars, .5 chili peppers. I won this book in a Tik Tok drawing. And started following the author.
I really enjoyed the world building, and magical creatures in this book. And the characters were all interesting. I will say I always seem to fall to fast for the MMC and a lot of times it ends up he is not what he seems. I'm just a sucker for toxic.

The FMC has lost her memory and the side characters all want to help her find out who she is or who she is becoming, gives a light heartedness to the beginning. But just WAIT. LOL

I loved the ending and I look forward to finding out where Centrea's story ends in book 2 which I am arc reading now for the author. Great book for Fantasy lovers!

[Jasmine]

⭐ Overall Rating: 4.25/5
🔥 Burn Level: 4/5
🌶️ Spice Level: 2/5
💧 Emotional Rating: 4/5

I received an ARC through Iris Influencer Society, and I really enjoyed this fantasy romance.

Centrea wakes up with no memory of who she is, where she came from, or why she’s there, and discovering the world alongside her made this such an enjoyable reading experience.

The world-building kept me engaged, and I loved slowly uncovering the mysteries surrounding her past while watching her grow stronger throughout the story.

This book offered a nice balance of fantasy, mystery, adventure, and romance.

Thank you to Emilee N.K. Robbins and Iris Influencer Society for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Samantha Vargas]

I wasn't sure what to expect when starting this story, following the FMC as she battled memory loss and trying to discover who she truly was, but I was quite impressed and excited to see the softness and realness of Centrea as she discovered new things about herself. Think of this book as a Downton Abbey or Bridgerton vibe in a fantasy realm where you don't know what's going on, but there are magical creatures, beautiful friendships, and an amazing ball to look forward to. I was on the edge of my seat sussing everyone out and trying to piece together the story while also lowkey wishing the Lord of the estate would just hurry up and court her! It was great! I loved it.

[Tasha]

This book has a very slow start. Loads of character development. A ton of world building. An exorbitant amount of time spent on tea. A sprinkle of plot. Yet somehow, it didn’t deter me! Somehow, my curiosity won over what could possibly be described as “too slow” for most. But just wait… it all comes together in such intricate writing it explains the desire for “just one more chapter”. I only put it down, at 4am, because i could no longer keep my eyes from burning with sleep!

It gives surprising twists, devious plans, and sorrowful motivations.

The story indicates a continuation. Further development of the FMCs story. No cliffhanger!!! just a mild precession to the next part!

[Courtney Pityer]

I must say that I found the book The Nine Realms to be a very facinating five star read! You really have to admire the journey that Centrea embarks on because when we meet her she has no idea of who she is and where she has come from. She is cast into a web of intrigue having to be careful of each step that she takes and you really have to admire her as an fmc because a lot of women wouldn't be willing to do that sort of thing. However, she manages to persevere and make the best of things. I will say I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

[Amber Falleaf]

This book had me so immersed in it from the world building, to the character development, the danger. Absolutely amazing.

The FMC woke up not remembering who she was.
She had to piece herself back together through the book.

I loved the way Emilee drew you in with this wonderful fantasy. Ready for the next book.

Thank you to Emilee N.K. Robbin’s and Nook & Fable for copy of this beautifully written fantasy world.

[Jules unmuted]

An amnesia fantasy book

She’s been rescued and cared for it seems. Wrapped in love and honor that’s really just wearing the correct face and saying the correct thing. What is true is the question for most of the book.

Love and betrayal go hand in hand sometimes.. I felt bad for her, because when you don’t know who to trust and then you fall for the handsome face and silver tongue. Only to end up wondering what’s true and what’s not.

On to book 2 I go!

[Angiewagg]

I love fantasy and this book did not disappoint.
When you wake up and have no memories - you take help when someone offers it.
I loved watching the characters develop and the plot twist? I did not see it coming and I must say it was the chef's kiss to this book.
Thank you Iris Influencer Society and Emilee for this amazing opportunity.
I received an advance review copy at no cost and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Carrie R. B.]

This was an amazing fantasy read! The world building and the mystery of Centrea’s true identity drew me into this story right away. Even though I knew things probably weren’t as they seemed, I was still surprised by the revelations that slowly unraveled throughout the book. The world is super fascinating, and I am excited to learn more about the different realms in future books. I highly recommend you add this one to your TBR!

[J.D. Crist]

This was a wild ride. the mystery of who she is really helped to drive the story forward. It is a complex world of unique realms that you get to learn about through the eyes of the FMC as she learns about it herself while trying to remember who she is.

And that plot twist...😱. I can't wait for the next installment to see what happens next.

[Susan Vanderlaan]

What a magical ride, I felt like I was swept away into an unknown world, walking the halls of this magical palace figuring out who everyone was and wondering how things would unfold for the fmc. I knew although she didn’t remember her past that she had to be a badass, and that definitely didn’t disappoint. I’m so excited to continue on this journey with book 2!

[Angel aka BooksnCats007]

3.75🌟
The premise was enjoyable, but the pacing was very slow. Things really start to pick up about 73% in.
I will say, I was intrigued and had to continue to find out who the FMC was.
The ending did feel a little rushed, but I remain hopeful that book 2 will allow is to explore the main characters more.

[L Vermeulen]

The Nine Realms is a richly imagined fantasy filled with intrigue, magic, and heart. The world is vast and beautifully detailed, each realm offering its own wonders and dangers, while the story balances epic stakes with deeply personal struggles. The characters face choices that feel both weighty and human, and the twists keep the pages turning. At once atmospheric and emotionally resonant, this is a captivating read that lingers long after the final chapter.

[Gabi Kielkucki]

Beautiful. This is the only word that comes to mind when I think of this story. It is beautifully written, the poetic prose dancing across the page. I was sucked into this story, the majesty of this world that Emilee has created, and I just fell in love.

[Jennifer Loschiavo]

If you like easy to read “high” fantasy this is for you. Cozy but the character depth is well written.

[Mybookish.odyssey]

What a pleasant surprise this book turned out to be!!! The world building is so immersive!!! The plot twist was sooooo unexpected!!!

[K.T. Holder]

Immersive and beautifully unsettling

The Nine Realms is an engaging fantasy story with immersive world building and smooth, easy-to-read prose. We follow Centrea, a young woman who wakes with no memory of who she is or where she’s from, and is immediately thrown into a world full of secrets and lies. The mystery of her identity kept me hooked from the start, and I enjoyed discovering the world right alongside her.

Emilee N.K. Robbins has created a beautifully detailed setting that feels both unique and familiar; expansive yet accessible. There’s so much detail, but you never feel lost or confused. This is the kind of book that quietly draws you in and keeps you wanting more.

Overall, a strong and enjoyable fantasy story—perfect for readers looking for an immersive world, a touch of mystery, and a curvy FMC who kicks butt!

[Lynzee Schott]

An extravagant, magical palace✅
A handsome, patient, swoon-worthy King✅
Memory loss✅
... wait, what?

The Nine Realms is a buildup of mystery and fantasy, with an FMC who can't remember who she is--where she comes from--or where she belongs. The details in this book make it feel as if you're touring the palace with the handsome King as he helps her remember who she is, with creatures, secrets, and magic around every corner.

And when things start feeling ... off ... you can't help but wonder who she can trust.