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Compelling Fates Saga #3
A Bond so Fierce and Fragile
Torture. Darkness. Loss.
That’s what the Fae king has planned to break her.
But Elessia is prepared to fight.
She is ready to fight her way out of the king’s claws, fight to save Havlands from rebels and Fae alike, and above all, fight to return to the one she loves.
But in the end, it’s her own life she might need to fight for the most, and even though her mate will do anything, including rip the entire world to shreds, to keep her safe, there is nowhere to hide when the gods themselves are after you.
That’s what the Fae king has planned to break her.
But Elessia is prepared to fight.
She is ready to fight her way out of the king’s claws, fight to save Havlands from rebels and Fae alike, and above all, fight to return to the one she loves.
But in the end, it’s her own life she might need to fight for the most, and even though her mate will do anything, including rip the entire world to shreds, to keep her safe, there is nowhere to hide when the gods themselves are after you.
508 pages, Paperback
Published August 20, 2025
5777 people are currently reading
26163 people want to read
About the author
Sophia St. Germain
7 books1,268 followersSophia St. Germain is a Swedish-born, American-married author whose obsession with mythology and defiant princesses began with diaries full of stories at ten years old. Nowadays, she writes dark romantasy with fierce, flawed women and the swoon-worthy men who are obsessed with them, always with scorching slow burn and found family.
When she isn’t plotting her next world, she’s likely fueled by an iced latte, navigating a slightly chaotic life with her own mini FMC, husband, and dog, often recovering from a reality TV binge.
Having lived in five countries and four states, Sophia is a traveler at heart. She dreams of a life by the beach where she can dip into the ocean whenever she wants and write on a balcony with the waves as background music.
When she isn’t plotting her next world, she’s likely fueled by an iced latte, navigating a slightly chaotic life with her own mini FMC, husband, and dog, often recovering from a reality TV binge.
Having lived in five countries and four states, Sophia is a traveler at heart. She dreams of a life by the beach where she can dip into the ocean whenever she wants and write on a balcony with the waves as background music.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,818 reviews
August 25, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ The wait for the 4th and final book may destroy me after reading that ending 😩
December 11, 2025
A rare DNF for me in over 2 years and over 200 books, most of which are romantasy.
The characters, world and creation that the author has made was interesting, I was invested. As I read through the book, a small irritation started growing on me: the authors choice of sentence structure.
I am very aware this is a very petty and stupid reason not to finish a book, but I was so baffled by the author's strange decision to utilise sentence breaks in an attempt to slow down or dramatize the work. It completely choked the life out of the narrative. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, take a hard look at chapter 14 - 17. She uses this syntax choice of three sentence breaks to illustrate her point EIGHTEEN times in the span of three chapters. Actual. Fucking. Madness.
I cannot EVER read another book where the author uses sentence structure like:
She would never have to hide in fear again.
He would make sure of it.
He would ensure she was safe.
She was his heart.
This is okay to put together Sophia!!!!! Please!!!!
This goes on for PAGES occasionally. Just pages and pages and pages of it. I just wanted to throw myself off into the aether and drown in my literature sorrows. I've chewed through JRR Tolkien describing trees for pages and pages and pages and I somehow persevered. This has conquered me, I could not survive the madness. I was sitting in the bath, screaming at the page, "No! What are you doing!! You're ruining it!!"
I could not even imagine finishing the book.
I skipped to the end.
And left with a bad taste in my mouth.
One I would never recover from.
You see how that doesn't work?
I'm so sorry, Sophia, but this needed edits. Heavily. A heavy handed person to say, it's okay to use commas and make your sentences befriend one another. I'm not a perfect writer, and I'm not a smart reader. I'm just someone who couldn't continue hearing the same rhythm of reading in her head for the foreseeable future. I just couldn't do it for hours on end
FORGIVE ME
The characters, world and creation that the author has made was interesting, I was invested. As I read through the book, a small irritation started growing on me: the authors choice of sentence structure.
I am very aware this is a very petty and stupid reason not to finish a book, but I was so baffled by the author's strange decision to utilise sentence breaks in an attempt to slow down or dramatize the work. It completely choked the life out of the narrative. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, take a hard look at chapter 14 - 17. She uses this syntax choice of three sentence breaks to illustrate her point EIGHTEEN times in the span of three chapters. Actual. Fucking. Madness.
I cannot EVER read another book where the author uses sentence structure like:
She would never have to hide in fear again.
He would make sure of it.
He would ensure she was safe.
She was his heart.
This is okay to put together Sophia!!!!! Please!!!!
This goes on for PAGES occasionally. Just pages and pages and pages of it. I just wanted to throw myself off into the aether and drown in my literature sorrows. I've chewed through JRR Tolkien describing trees for pages and pages and pages and I somehow persevered. This has conquered me, I could not survive the madness. I was sitting in the bath, screaming at the page, "No! What are you doing!! You're ruining it!!"
I could not even imagine finishing the book.
I skipped to the end.
And left with a bad taste in my mouth.
One I would never recover from.
You see how that doesn't work?
I'm so sorry, Sophia, but this needed edits. Heavily. A heavy handed person to say, it's okay to use commas and make your sentences befriend one another. I'm not a perfect writer, and I'm not a smart reader. I'm just someone who couldn't continue hearing the same rhythm of reading in her head for the foreseeable future. I just couldn't do it for hours on end
FORGIVE ME
February 12, 2026
3.5 ⭐️ absolutely adored getting Frelina's POV, the side characters and their story was a great addition to the main plot! I was definitely tearing up at multiple points in this book. I can't wait to read book four and see how everything pans out now.
November 28, 2025
Nope. Nope. Nope. Sorry this book lost me.
Lets start with Merrick and Lessia. Merrick, my man, you KEEEEEPP telling us how Lessia is the kindest, bravest, strongest, selfless most amazing person ever but can we be for real? Lessia kind of sucks...like a lot...are we talking about the same person? Does the author understand that you cannot just tell us someone is all of these things, you also have to show it through their actions and through their own POV?
Alright next and maybe my most infuriating. Raine and Frelina. This entire series has been about the power of mates and how there's nothing in the world like them and without them life is meaningless blah blah blah. So okay. If you want Raine and Kerym to be viable romantic options in this series, why for the love of god did you introduce them to us with mates that have been killed? These dudes are now written off in my mind, I will never support a relationship with them and anybody else because they are all barely functioning whilst pining desperately for dead girls. So why oh lord fucking why, am I expected to enjoy Raine and Frelina? He is barely functioning around his grief for his ex. He is never going to love Frelina even a fraction of the same amount SO WHY ARE YOU GIVING THEM A RELATIONSHIP??? Make this make sense to me because its not clicking. At a certain point I feel genuinely sad reading their chapters because Frelina was settling for the bare minimum from this man. Like what about when you both die huh? What then???? In this book there seems to be some kind of afterlife, so Raine is going to fuck off and be with his mate and what for you then Frelina huh????? Why is this a romantic path in this book? And the ending??? What was said right at the end??? What's the point AT ALL with these two?
Kill off all these dudes and I'm so serious they are a waste of time in this story. They aren't even any good in the war because every single character in this book seems to be stumbling around fucking lost in every single war scene. Like this may be the most incompetent selection of characters I've ever read in a fantasy book.
You know what? I'm still not done.
Lets discuss the sentence structure in these books. Its a joke. A JOKE. Sophia obviously loves a sentence break and is forcing it upon the rest of us. Every other bloody page we get something like this:
She didn't need to ask which ones.
She could feel it in her brittle bones.
There was no hope of survival, not for her.
Please make it stop!!! Not everything is this dramatic. Not every single sentence needs you to hold your breathe for so long before moving onto the next. Like god fucking damn it.
You know all this being said I'll probably still read the final book hahaha.
Lets start with Merrick and Lessia. Merrick, my man, you KEEEEEPP telling us how Lessia is the kindest, bravest, strongest, selfless most amazing person ever but can we be for real? Lessia kind of sucks...like a lot...are we talking about the same person? Does the author understand that you cannot just tell us someone is all of these things, you also have to show it through their actions and through their own POV?
Alright next and maybe my most infuriating. Raine and Frelina. This entire series has been about the power of mates and how there's nothing in the world like them and without them life is meaningless blah blah blah. So okay. If you want Raine and Kerym to be viable romantic options in this series, why for the love of god did you introduce them to us with mates that have been killed? These dudes are now written off in my mind, I will never support a relationship with them and anybody else because they are all barely functioning whilst pining desperately for dead girls. So why oh lord fucking why, am I expected to enjoy Raine and Frelina? He is barely functioning around his grief for his ex. He is never going to love Frelina even a fraction of the same amount SO WHY ARE YOU GIVING THEM A RELATIONSHIP??? Make this make sense to me because its not clicking. At a certain point I feel genuinely sad reading their chapters because Frelina was settling for the bare minimum from this man. Like what about when you both die huh? What then???? In this book there seems to be some kind of afterlife, so Raine is going to fuck off and be with his mate and what for you then Frelina huh????? Why is this a romantic path in this book? And the ending??? What was said right at the end??? What's the point AT ALL with these two?
Kill off all these dudes and I'm so serious they are a waste of time in this story. They aren't even any good in the war because every single character in this book seems to be stumbling around fucking lost in every single war scene. Like this may be the most incompetent selection of characters I've ever read in a fantasy book.
You know what? I'm still not done.
Lets discuss the sentence structure in these books. Its a joke. A JOKE. Sophia obviously loves a sentence break and is forcing it upon the rest of us. Every other bloody page we get something like this:
She didn't need to ask which ones.
She could feel it in her brittle bones.
There was no hope of survival, not for her.
Please make it stop!!! Not everything is this dramatic. Not every single sentence needs you to hold your breathe for so long before moving onto the next. Like god fucking damn it.
You know all this being said I'll probably still read the final book hahaha.
July 14, 2025
The level of crying I did for this book...I've got a headache. The ending was beautiful
February 18, 2026
4.5⭐️ that ending!!! 🤯🤯
June 12, 2025
Just to cancel out Jagoda’s review of 1 star when the book isn’t even out?! Even someone with an ARC would have left a review. The first two books were great, I devoured them within days and can’t wait for the next! This is the author’s livelihood someone is messing with, wish them all the best with the next release
September 1, 2025
I wanna give this third book a 3.5 ⭐️.
I LOVE and ate up the first two books of the series and was so excited with how soon and early this third book came out. I think it's just a me problem, but it was difficult for me to read and eat this one up. After reading a chapter or two, I would get bored and do something else and never had the energy to keep reading until hours later. There were times where I had days in between reads just to get back in.
I just felt like the story and plot in this third book lacked something, and felt more of a filler book to get to the next book. There literally wasn't any action until the last 20% of the book, which I guess is for the plot and the journey Lessia went through, but everything turned up lackluster for me. All the different POV's were nice from afar, but I think that's where the story lacked because the main story wasn't evolving like the other books. It kind of felt jumpy and skimming over in-between scenes just to get the story along. I was expecting more, especially in the beginning of the book with how book two left off, but that lacked as well.
This book was more in-depth of the minds of the characters and their feelings. We really get to see Merrick turn from this scary dude to a man who freaking LOVES his mate. He's like down bad for the FMC in this book, and it was nice to see how much he loves her and how he can freely express that. I did enjoy seeing their relationship become stronger throughout this book.
*spoiler*
Things finally picked up at the end of the book where the war began, but even the fighting and story building there lacked. Everyone seemed pretty much useless to me. I get they were gonna lose from the start due to just numbers, but it didn't even feel like a "war". And then the lead up to Rioner finally showing up and Lessia finally pulling up to go through with the prophecy was so BORING. I love fantasy for the world building and being able to immerse myself into the story and feel like I'm standing next to the characters, but that whole scene ended up with me disappointed. Had me saying "that was it?" and putting the book down to come back to it later just so I could force myself to finish it. I think the choice of POV for that scene was the wrong one, and literally had no magic to it.
The ending at least got me a bit hooked and eager for the next book. I think with this one in particular, I'm used to fantasy stories having so much action and things happening constantly, that this one wasn't up to par.
I LOVE and ate up the first two books of the series and was so excited with how soon and early this third book came out. I think it's just a me problem, but it was difficult for me to read and eat this one up. After reading a chapter or two, I would get bored and do something else and never had the energy to keep reading until hours later. There were times where I had days in between reads just to get back in.
I just felt like the story and plot in this third book lacked something, and felt more of a filler book to get to the next book. There literally wasn't any action until the last 20% of the book, which I guess is for the plot and the journey Lessia went through, but everything turned up lackluster for me. All the different POV's were nice from afar, but I think that's where the story lacked because the main story wasn't evolving like the other books. It kind of felt jumpy and skimming over in-between scenes just to get the story along. I was expecting more, especially in the beginning of the book with how book two left off, but that lacked as well.
This book was more in-depth of the minds of the characters and their feelings. We really get to see Merrick turn from this scary dude to a man who freaking LOVES his mate. He's like down bad for the FMC in this book, and it was nice to see how much he loves her and how he can freely express that. I did enjoy seeing their relationship become stronger throughout this book.
*spoiler*
Things finally picked up at the end of the book where the war began, but even the fighting and story building there lacked. Everyone seemed pretty much useless to me. I get they were gonna lose from the start due to just numbers, but it didn't even feel like a "war". And then the lead up to Rioner finally showing up and Lessia finally pulling up to go through with the prophecy was so BORING. I love fantasy for the world building and being able to immerse myself into the story and feel like I'm standing next to the characters, but that whole scene ended up with me disappointed. Had me saying "that was it?" and putting the book down to come back to it later just so I could force myself to finish it. I think the choice of POV for that scene was the wrong one, and literally had no magic to it.
The ending at least got me a bit hooked and eager for the next book. I think with this one in particular, I'm used to fantasy stories having so much action and things happening constantly, that this one wasn't up to par.
October 14, 2025
Oh I've got a lot to say. 1.5 was GENEROUS.
First of all!!!! They had sex after shed been in a boat tortured for like a week? Disgustang. You telling me she's covered in blood and old grime and you're eating her out? Absolutely not would a bath first not hurt?! Turned my stomach had to skip it. Not that I was missing much Lessia and Merrick romance bored me.
Leading onto my second point, this felt like some sort of author self insert. Every single chapter is just how amazing and great and selfless and brilliant Lessia is. Yawn. Whatever. Lazy writing show it to us don't just tell us I started to resent her it was just constant Lessia Fan Club. Concequence of writing three books in one year I think just banging them out there's no depth here.
Also they were in the middle of battle and there was time for the sister to have a little time by herself to sob while the apparent mighty raine hugs her? In what world? They'd be slaughtered immediately.
CONTINUING from that point - you've told us these are four of the worlds mightiest warriors to ever live and are centuries old and known throughoit the kingdom. But then at no point have you shown us why. There was no epic skills displayed, no battle brilliance focused on. They seemed absolutely average.
ALSO, had some of my LEAST FAVORITE trends I'm seeing in modern fantasy. First one is that all characters seem to be romantically paired up - boring, unrelatable, unrealistic. AND MY MOST DESPISED THING!!!?! Why the HELL are you killing a character to bring them back to life it is BORING!!!! death has no impact anymore because I don't care because I know you're going to bring them back. KEEP THEM DEAD 2K26.!!!!!! write about the aftermath! Baddies nowerdays could never handle divergent series. I'd say kill Lessia and have this last book about the aftermath but then it would just been the We Love Lessia Club being sad and that would just be annoying.
If anyone sees me reading the next book in this series when it comes out call the police someone is blackmailing me with a loved one's life xoxoxoxox
First of all!!!! They had sex after shed been in a boat tortured for like a week? Disgustang. You telling me she's covered in blood and old grime and you're eating her out? Absolutely not would a bath first not hurt?! Turned my stomach had to skip it. Not that I was missing much Lessia and Merrick romance bored me.
Leading onto my second point, this felt like some sort of author self insert. Every single chapter is just how amazing and great and selfless and brilliant Lessia is. Yawn. Whatever. Lazy writing show it to us don't just tell us I started to resent her it was just constant Lessia Fan Club. Concequence of writing three books in one year I think just banging them out there's no depth here.
Also they were in the middle of battle and there was time for the sister to have a little time by herself to sob while the apparent mighty raine hugs her? In what world? They'd be slaughtered immediately.
CONTINUING from that point - you've told us these are four of the worlds mightiest warriors to ever live and are centuries old and known throughoit the kingdom. But then at no point have you shown us why. There was no epic skills displayed, no battle brilliance focused on. They seemed absolutely average.
ALSO, had some of my LEAST FAVORITE trends I'm seeing in modern fantasy. First one is that all characters seem to be romantically paired up - boring, unrelatable, unrealistic. AND MY MOST DESPISED THING!!!?! Why the HELL are you killing a character to bring them back to life it is BORING!!!! death has no impact anymore because I don't care because I know you're going to bring them back. KEEP THEM DEAD 2K26.!!!!!! write about the aftermath! Baddies nowerdays could never handle divergent series. I'd say kill Lessia and have this last book about the aftermath but then it would just been the We Love Lessia Club being sad and that would just be annoying.
If anyone sees me reading the next book in this series when it comes out call the police someone is blackmailing me with a loved one's life xoxoxoxox
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2025
”𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙬𝙖𝙩𝙘𝙝. 𝙇𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙢 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙘𝙖𝙣’𝙩 𝙗𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙠 𝙢𝙚.”
A Bond So Fierce and Fragile by Sophia St. Germain
5⭐️ | 3🌶️
-fae, shifters, humans
-multi POV
-unique magic
-prophecies
-touch her and 💀
-trauma & healing
-war & political intrigue
This book was beautiful, heartbreaking, devastating, and healing all at once.
We’re picking up right where we left off and are tossed into a whirlwind of trauma and high-emotions in the midst of a looming war.
“𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚’𝙨 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣.”
The way I’ve grown so attached to these characters makes this such an impactful story. In book 2, I wasn’t entirely convinced I’d like Frelina’s character but by book 3 I think I was more interested in her POV chapters than anyone else haha.
Lessia really rises above and endures everything that gets tossed at her without letting it break her gentle spirit. And Merrick…that male, that snarly, broody, intimidating male can do no wrong.
“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙄 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚—𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡—𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
And Loche, and Raine, and Amalise and all the others.. I just love them 🥹🫶🏻😭.
I’m still spiraling after that last 10% and I can’t make sense of my emotions but I NEED book 4 in my hands in order to recover. And I know she’s writing another series in the same world and I’m DYING for more clues.
“𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚?”
“𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨, 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙚?”
Thank you so much, Sophia, for the advanced copy! Being a part of this journey since book 1 has been an absolute thrill ride.
A Bond So Fierce and Fragile by Sophia St. Germain
5⭐️ | 3🌶️
-fae, shifters, humans
-multi POV
-unique magic
-prophecies
-touch her and 💀
-trauma & healing
-war & political intrigue
This book was beautiful, heartbreaking, devastating, and healing all at once.
We’re picking up right where we left off and are tossed into a whirlwind of trauma and high-emotions in the midst of a looming war.
“𝙒𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙧𝙩 𝙞𝙣 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣’𝙩 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚’𝙨 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣.”
The way I’ve grown so attached to these characters makes this such an impactful story. In book 2, I wasn’t entirely convinced I’d like Frelina’s character but by book 3 I think I was more interested in her POV chapters than anyone else haha.
Lessia really rises above and endures everything that gets tossed at her without letting it break her gentle spirit. And Merrick…that male, that snarly, broody, intimidating male can do no wrong.
“𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙄 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙢𝙚𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙥𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙚—𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙙𝙖𝙧𝙠 𝙘𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙤𝙪𝙡—𝙗𝙚𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪.”
And Loche, and Raine, and Amalise and all the others.. I just love them 🥹🫶🏻😭.
I’m still spiraling after that last 10% and I can’t make sense of my emotions but I NEED book 4 in my hands in order to recover. And I know she’s writing another series in the same world and I’m DYING for more clues.
“𝙋𝙚𝙤𝙥𝙡𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙤𝙣’𝙩 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙥𝙮 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨, 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚?”
“𝙋𝙚𝙧𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙚𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙛*𝙘𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙨, 𝙨𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙬𝙚?”
Thank you so much, Sophia, for the advanced copy! Being a part of this journey since book 1 has been an absolute thrill ride.
December 28, 2025
6⭐️ PERFECTION.
Devastatingly soul crushing AGONY.
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I am rendered utterly speechless.
This book ripped me to pieces from THE FIRST GODSDAMNED PAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 💔💔💔
Also, Raine & Frelina 🥺❤️🩹😭
Devastatingly soul crushing AGONY.
😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭
I am rendered utterly speechless.
This book ripped me to pieces from THE FIRST GODSDAMNED PAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 💔💔💔
Also, Raine & Frelina 🥺❤️🩹😭
October 30, 2025
I know most love this book but I just couldn’t. The entire book is one big gloom and doom, “I’m gonna die and there is nothing I can do about it” whine fest. Seriously folks, that is not an exaggeration at all. Not one time in the entire story did Elessia grow a backbone and buck the prohecy to fight for her life. She just accepted an assumption and insisted she will die, die, die. Well, it drove me nuts, nuts, nuts.
September 4, 2025
Comme le tome 4 de la saga d’Auren avec les side romances qui commencent 🩷
November 5, 2025
That ending was criminal....
"Merrick and Lessia... they were respect, they were fight, they were hope, they were...love."
I will say this book was a bit slow for me in comparison to book 2. I felt like for 70% of it there were plans of things happening but nothing actually happened if that makes sense. It felt a tad repetitive but then the ending? SO GOOD. It 100% made up for it because now I am ready to finish with book 4!
Also, I still love Merrick FOREVER. I knew this author wouldn't disappoint me 🤣
"Merrick and Lessia... they were respect, they were fight, they were hope, they were...love."
I will say this book was a bit slow for me in comparison to book 2. I felt like for 70% of it there were plans of things happening but nothing actually happened if that makes sense. It felt a tad repetitive but then the ending? SO GOOD. It 100% made up for it because now I am ready to finish with book 4!
Also, I still love Merrick FOREVER. I knew this author wouldn't disappoint me 🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2025
never thought there would be a day I read a book that gave me major throne of glass vibes🫰🏽🫰🏽
December 21, 2025
I cried actual tears
February 10, 2026
Full transparency, as always - Yes, I am Sophia’s friend/PA/alpha reader. Despite all that, I will always review honestly.
This book was everything I wanted, and everything I didn’t know I needed.
It took all of the best parts of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly & A Promise so Bold and Broken, mixed them together, and then added some lagniappe (a little something extra) for good measure.
There are 4 POVs in this one, and while that might typically edge on too many for me - I get irritated when I’m pulled out of a part of the story I’m really invested in - I never once felt frustrated by them. They all flowed very well from one to the other, and Sophia chose the right moments to make the switches.
I will warn you that the tone of this book is darker than the first two. It has a lot more trauma and war. I personally like those high stakes and darker tones in my books, but I would completely understand it not being right for every person.
As for the romance(s):
Sophia definitely upped the spice in this one (I’d give it 3🌶️ on my scale), and also added more relationships for you to become invested in… or shocked by.
The last few chapters had me sobbing multiple times and I’m not one who cries easily.
And that ending?! Let’s just say I was texting Sophia some shocked expletives and leave it at that. 😆
All in all, this was my favorite book of the series so far, by far.
At this point it feels certain this series will dethrone all others - apart from TOG - as my top favorite romantic fantasy series ever.
This book was everything I wanted, and everything I didn’t know I needed.
It took all of the best parts of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly & A Promise so Bold and Broken, mixed them together, and then added some lagniappe (a little something extra) for good measure.
There are 4 POVs in this one, and while that might typically edge on too many for me - I get irritated when I’m pulled out of a part of the story I’m really invested in - I never once felt frustrated by them. They all flowed very well from one to the other, and Sophia chose the right moments to make the switches.
I will warn you that the tone of this book is darker than the first two. It has a lot more trauma and war. I personally like those high stakes and darker tones in my books, but I would completely understand it not being right for every person.
As for the romance(s):
Sophia definitely upped the spice in this one (I’d give it 3🌶️ on my scale), and also added more relationships for you to become invested in… or shocked by.
The last few chapters had me sobbing multiple times and I’m not one who cries easily.
And that ending?! Let’s just say I was texting Sophia some shocked expletives and leave it at that. 😆
All in all, this was my favorite book of the series so far, by far.
At this point it feels certain this series will dethrone all others - apart from TOG - as my top favorite romantic fantasy series ever.
November 7, 2025
After how A Promise So Bold and Broken ended, I was ready for chaos, heartbreak, and a few life-ruining plot twists. Instead, I got… a lot of wandering, overthinking, and beautifully written filler. Don’t get me wrong — Sophia St. Germain’s prose is still gorgeous (seriously, she could make a grocery list sound poetic), but this book felt like it was circling instead of sprinting.
The emotional stakes were high — I could feel the pain, the longing, the exhaustion — but the plot just didn’t move. The characters spent so much time processing their trauma that I started to feel like I needed therapy too. The romance that once burned so bright turned into a slow, uneven flicker. I wanted sparks, betrayal, passion — and got mostly quiet brooding and cryptic conversations.
That said, it wasn’t a bad book. There were moments — especially toward the end — that reminded me why I fell for this world in the first place: the aching vulnerability, the glimpses of redemption, the dark magic simmering under the surface. But it just didn’t hit like before.
Final thoughts: Beautiful writing, interesting world, but not enough payoff for the emotional investment.
3/5 stars — good bones, soft heart, but missing that fire that made the earlier books unforgettable.
The emotional stakes were high — I could feel the pain, the longing, the exhaustion — but the plot just didn’t move. The characters spent so much time processing their trauma that I started to feel like I needed therapy too. The romance that once burned so bright turned into a slow, uneven flicker. I wanted sparks, betrayal, passion — and got mostly quiet brooding and cryptic conversations.
That said, it wasn’t a bad book. There were moments — especially toward the end — that reminded me why I fell for this world in the first place: the aching vulnerability, the glimpses of redemption, the dark magic simmering under the surface. But it just didn’t hit like before.
Final thoughts: Beautiful writing, interesting world, but not enough payoff for the emotional investment.
3/5 stars — good bones, soft heart, but missing that fire that made the earlier books unforgettable.
December 27, 2025
I’m at an absolute, and very rare (for me), loss of words. What I already knew to be one of my new favorite romantasy series has officially tipped into the realm of emotional devastating obsession after this book. So much more powerful and heart wrenching then I ever would have thought!
Book 3 picks up right where we left off in 2, and takes us on an emotional roller coaster as we continue to follow all of these characters as they struggle with their internal and external battles.
-𝗳𝗮𝗲, 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳-𝗳𝗮𝗲, 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝗴𝗼𝗱𝘀, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀
-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗰𝘆
-𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
-𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳
-𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀
-𝘄𝘆𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀
-𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶 𝗣𝗢𝗩
-𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀/𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀
“𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆—𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒓, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔… 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
Book 3 picks up right where we left off in 2, and takes us on an emotional roller coaster as we continue to follow all of these characters as they struggle with their internal and external battles.
-𝗳𝗮𝗲, 𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗳-𝗳𝗮𝗲, 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀, 𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝗴𝗼𝗱𝘀, 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝘀
-𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗵𝗲𝗰𝘆
-𝗳𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀
-𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳
-𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀
-𝘄𝘆𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝘀
-𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶 𝗣𝗢𝗩
-𝗺𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀/𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀
“𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆—𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒓, 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔… 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
October 15, 2025
Truputuką jau erzino mane dalykai šioj daly + labai ilgai skaičiau, tai tik ⭐️⭐️⭐️. BET pabaiga gera, lauksiu paskutinės dalies!
September 30, 2025
Overview: Torture. Darkness. Loss.
The Fae king seeks to break her—but Elessia will not bend. She must fight to free Havlands from rebels and Fae alike, and struggle to return to the one she loves. But when even the gods turn against her, she may be battling for her own life.
In a world where love is fragile and loyalty is tested, how far will she go to protect her bond?
My thoughts: I really wanted to enjoy this - this felt a lot more action-packed than the second book yet somehow felt really lacklustre.
I don't know if it's the author's style or a disconnect between their brain and mine, but reading this felt like the equivalent of watching a storyboard for an animation. They've roughly sketched out the scenes and the dialogue, and sure, you can watch it and get an idea of what's happening, but all the colour, texture and finishing touches that will turn it from a sketch into an actual image/final film are missing.
For such an expansive world, I didn't feel like I got a sense of anything outside of our merry band of travellers. For example, I don't recall seeing any mention of other crew members on the ships. At all. Is it just the five or six of them hoisting the main sail in between getting it on? The Lake of Mirrors so was so non-descript and short.
It's built up so much, but they simply "pass" into the realm, all we get is some weird thought-conversations in some weird mirrored room like a cringey bachelor pad. No surprises, Lessia and Merrick get it on then too.
The actual battle was slightly confusing - I couldn't get my bearings on where people were and what was happening.
I also wish Lessia and Merrick had been drawn out - the yearning was so much better than the actual relationship. And Frelina and Raine felt..... stupid? Not very eloquent but I found myself skipping through their parts. I also take issue with a number of word choices for the spicy scenes.
Petition for 'sloppy' and 'milked' to be struck from the record?!
If this book and #2 were combined, with all the filler removed and the content cranked up to 11, this would be a great book. But it felt thin.
Having said ALL that - the ending did get me misty-eyed. So bonus points for eliciting an emotional response, but I'm PMS'ing so it's not hard.
1. A Tongue So Sweet and Deadly ★★★
2. A Promise So Bold and Broken ★★
3. A Bond So Fierce and Fragile ★★
The Fae king seeks to break her—but Elessia will not bend. She must fight to free Havlands from rebels and Fae alike, and struggle to return to the one she loves. But when even the gods turn against her, she may be battling for her own life.
In a world where love is fragile and loyalty is tested, how far will she go to protect her bond?
My thoughts: I really wanted to enjoy this - this felt a lot more action-packed than the second book yet somehow felt really lacklustre.
I don't know if it's the author's style or a disconnect between their brain and mine, but reading this felt like the equivalent of watching a storyboard for an animation. They've roughly sketched out the scenes and the dialogue, and sure, you can watch it and get an idea of what's happening, but all the colour, texture and finishing touches that will turn it from a sketch into an actual image/final film are missing.
For such an expansive world, I didn't feel like I got a sense of anything outside of our merry band of travellers. For example, I don't recall seeing any mention of other crew members on the ships. At all. Is it just the five or six of them hoisting the main sail in between getting it on? The Lake of Mirrors so was so non-descript and short.
"The Lake of Mirrors," Kerym mused. "No one has been there for centuries."
"For good reason," Thissian broke in. "The gods cannot be trusted....It's a dangerous place."
It's built up so much, but they simply "pass" into the realm, all we get is some weird thought-conversations in some weird mirrored room like a cringey bachelor pad. No surprises, Lessia and Merrick get it on then too.
The actual battle was slightly confusing - I couldn't get my bearings on where people were and what was happening.
I also wish Lessia and Merrick had been drawn out - the yearning was so much better than the actual relationship. And Frelina and Raine felt..... stupid? Not very eloquent but I found myself skipping through their parts. I also take issue with a number of word choices for the spicy scenes.
Petition for 'sloppy' and 'milked' to be struck from the record?!
If this book and #2 were combined, with all the filler removed and the content cranked up to 11, this would be a great book. But it felt thin.
Having said ALL that - the ending did get me misty-eyed. So bonus points for eliciting an emotional response, but I'm PMS'ing so it's not hard.
1. A Tongue So Sweet and Deadly ★★★
2. A Promise So Bold and Broken ★★
3. A Bond So Fierce and Fragile ★★
August 6, 2025
Where to start? I can’t decide if I want to scream or cry. I may have done both during the last three chapters. I’m still wavering between both and it’s been hours.
I’m once again suffering from a Sophia induced book hangover, mourning the loss of these characters after finishing one of her books. The second half was harrowing, and I know I’m prone to exaggeration… but in this, I’m not. It’s brutal. Big girl/guy panties required. The first two books of this series were suspiciously similar torture - I get it now. She has a style. I should have seen this coming. Well, it’s too late now. I’m all in, no turning back.
I have fallen so deeply in love with about 8 different characters, and I’m invested in every single one. Did I mention nobody is truly safe?? t’s screaming TOG vibes, where everyone’s relationships, sanity, health and well-being are up for grabs. There’s plenty of love, suspense, selflessness, humor and kindness to even it out, but I’m still teetering towards damaged at the end of it. Call me a glutton for punishment: Can’t wait for the next and final installment in December!
This series is one that I will HIGHLY recommend to anyone that asks for a book recommendation and possibly many people that don’t.
Thank you Sophia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. What a gift.
I’m once again suffering from a Sophia induced book hangover, mourning the loss of these characters after finishing one of her books. The second half was harrowing, and I know I’m prone to exaggeration… but in this, I’m not. It’s brutal. Big girl/guy panties required. The first two books of this series were suspiciously similar torture - I get it now. She has a style. I should have seen this coming. Well, it’s too late now. I’m all in, no turning back.
I have fallen so deeply in love with about 8 different characters, and I’m invested in every single one. Did I mention nobody is truly safe?? t’s screaming TOG vibes, where everyone’s relationships, sanity, health and well-being are up for grabs. There’s plenty of love, suspense, selflessness, humor and kindness to even it out, but I’m still teetering towards damaged at the end of it. Call me a glutton for punishment: Can’t wait for the next and final installment in December!
This series is one that I will HIGHLY recommend to anyone that asks for a book recommendation and possibly many people that don’t.
Thank you Sophia for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. What a gift.
November 29, 2025
I’ll be real rn I STRUGGLED with this book and was so glad when I finally finished it. The first 2 books were fun but I was so over the plot/story in this book.
First—where did Merrick’s personality go?? This book was literally just him snarking and him tweaking about Lessia. I HATE when a solid romantasy series goes “control alt delete” on the MMC’s personality as soon as he gets with the FMC, and this book did exactly that. I wish it had been an entire book of yearning before giving into the mate bond bc it was just way too fast after her “heartbreak” over Loche. (Also by the end of this book I thought Loche’s chapters were more interesting than Merrick and Lessia’s)
Lastly, why didn’t Raine just have an ex or rejected mate before?? His relationship with Frelina cheapened the concept of a mate bond so much imo. Literally just a good ol’ fashioned ex would’ve had the same impact.
This series was originally so fun but I’m bored and overall kinda over this whole world and plot?? I don’t think I’ll read the last book lol
First—where did Merrick’s personality go?? This book was literally just him snarking and him tweaking about Lessia. I HATE when a solid romantasy series goes “control alt delete” on the MMC’s personality as soon as he gets with the FMC, and this book did exactly that. I wish it had been an entire book of yearning before giving into the mate bond bc it was just way too fast after her “heartbreak” over Loche. (Also by the end of this book I thought Loche’s chapters were more interesting than Merrick and Lessia’s)
Lastly, why didn’t Raine just have an ex or rejected mate before?? His relationship with Frelina cheapened the concept of a mate bond so much imo. Literally just a good ol’ fashioned ex would’ve had the same impact.
This series was originally so fun but I’m bored and overall kinda over this whole world and plot?? I don’t think I’ll read the last book lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2025
Eh. The ending fight was so bad. I had no idea what was going on, I couldn’t picture it, and I felt no sense of fear of stress or concern. Even when Thissian got killed, I honestly couldn’t remember any defining characteristic about him. And way too many women crying in the fight scenes. Like literally in the middle of an attack, they’re being comforted by a big male in the middle of the battlefield. How have they both not been killed already. And where’s the baddass lady warrior trope.
I thought the first book was a fun read, but the series really went downhill from there.
I thought the first book was a fun read, but the series really went downhill from there.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 4, 2025
What the hell happened to the writing??
I like the plot and all but the writing was awful. The dialog was so weird, a lot of repition, and she somehow managed to make wyverns sound like teenagers??
Also Raine and Frelina are fucking weird. Feels forced as fuck. Isn't he supposed to be like hella old? again very confusing.
I like the plot and all but the writing was awful. The dialog was so weird, a lot of repition, and she somehow managed to make wyverns sound like teenagers??
Also Raine and Frelina are fucking weird. Feels forced as fuck. Isn't he supposed to be like hella old? again very confusing.
September 6, 2025
DNF - you can’t write a really compelling and believable romance in the first book and then just get rid of that because of a “mate bond” where there is zero connection between them
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2026
4.5 🌟
This is hands down my favorite book in the series. I absolutely DEVOURED it & the audiobook is INCREDIBLE (but you can’t go wrong with Anthony Palmini)
I don’t even know where to begin. The slow burn, build up, and character development from books 1 & 2 really pay off in this book. The series hits a strong climax full of pain, grief, and heartbreak but in the most beautiful way possible.
The way grief is portrayed in this book, and the way that each character deals with it differently was so moving. It was heartbreaking and devastating but also healing in its own way, and I just know there’s more to come in the last book 🥲
I really loved that we got some other character POVs in this book and the depth and character development of Frelina, Raine, and Locke’s characters were amazing. Frelina and Raine really grew on me and I really love watching their relationship blossom.
Also the spice in this book 🥵🥵 10/10 no notes & listening to Anthony Palmini talk dirty will always do things to me 🤤
Please do yourself a favor and pick this audiobook up. This book is incredible & the audiobook is SO FREAKING GOOD!
I am so sad and so scared that I only have one book left 😭 this series has been such an incredible journey and I love these characters so much, I’m going to be devastated when I have to say goodbye ❤️🩹
This is hands down my favorite book in the series. I absolutely DEVOURED it & the audiobook is INCREDIBLE (but you can’t go wrong with Anthony Palmini)
I don’t even know where to begin. The slow burn, build up, and character development from books 1 & 2 really pay off in this book. The series hits a strong climax full of pain, grief, and heartbreak but in the most beautiful way possible.
The way grief is portrayed in this book, and the way that each character deals with it differently was so moving. It was heartbreaking and devastating but also healing in its own way, and I just know there’s more to come in the last book 🥲
I really loved that we got some other character POVs in this book and the depth and character development of Frelina, Raine, and Locke’s characters were amazing. Frelina and Raine really grew on me and I really love watching their relationship blossom.
Also the spice in this book 🥵🥵 10/10 no notes & listening to Anthony Palmini talk dirty will always do things to me 🤤
Please do yourself a favor and pick this audiobook up. This book is incredible & the audiobook is SO FREAKING GOOD!
I am so sad and so scared that I only have one book left 😭 this series has been such an incredible journey and I love these characters so much, I’m going to be devastated when I have to say goodbye ❤️🩹
August 22, 2025
"Do you want me to tell you no one—mate or not—has loved anyone the way I love you? That I would laugh as the world fell apart as long as you stood by my side? That even if I could only have one fucking night—one night pretending you’re mine—I’d take it?"
This was such a great continuation of the series, picking up right where the second book left off.
Alessia is facing and dealing the prophecy with Loche, Merrick and her friends at her side. They are fighting the rebels Rioner and the fae and things are looking bleak for them at times.
Not only do I love Lessia and Merrick, but Loche and all the other side characters really help to make this book amazing. I was tearing up a couple of times throughout this book, and that ending.. what a cliff hanger! I definitely need the next book NOW.
This was such a great continuation of the series, picking up right where the second book left off.
Alessia is facing and dealing the prophecy with Loche, Merrick and her friends at her side. They are fighting the rebels Rioner and the fae and things are looking bleak for them at times.
Not only do I love Lessia and Merrick, but Loche and all the other side characters really help to make this book amazing. I was tearing up a couple of times throughout this book, and that ending.. what a cliff hanger! I definitely need the next book NOW.
September 23, 2025
A Bond so Fierce and Fragile was everything I was hoping for! Sophia St. Germain did not disappoint with this one. I couldn't put this book down. It was an emotional read.
The story picks up right where we left off in the second book. I enjoyed the multiple POVs in the story. This really added depth to the character development.
What to expect
-Fated mates
-Found family
-Slow burn romance
-Political intrigue
-War
-Trauma and healing
-Female rage
This series is top tier! I am counting down the days until I can get my hands on the final book. I have become so attached to these characters! Thank you for this beautiful series Sophia.
The story picks up right where we left off in the second book. I enjoyed the multiple POVs in the story. This really added depth to the character development.
What to expect
-Fated mates
-Found family
-Slow burn romance
-Political intrigue
-War
-Trauma and healing
-Female rage
This series is top tier! I am counting down the days until I can get my hands on the final book. I have become so attached to these characters! Thank you for this beautiful series Sophia.
July 5, 2025
Is it considered stalking if you constantly check the authors page to see if there are any sneak peaks or book updates - no didn’t think so - impatiently waiting for book 3 <3
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