Kingdom in the Stone

by Nela Mičková

To save both her life and her crown, she must flee into the deadly Vermilion Mountains—where monsters prowl in the shadows… and where she must face the most dangerous one of all: the creature her father forced her to become.

Daughter of a ruthless king, Princess Morgane has grown up in a kingdom imprisoned in stone, surrounded by the perilous Vermilion peaks—lands steeped in blood and legend. After surviving repeated attempts on her and her brother’s lives, she escapes into the heart of the mountains, where every step is haunted by beasts of the wild and the darkness within her own soul.

Now she must choose: follow in her father’s merciless footsteps, or carve a new destiny of her own. Can Morgane survive the bloodthirsty beasts and shattering illusions? Will her frozen heart learn to love again? Or will the secrets buried in the mountains consume her forever?

Genres: Romantasy

460 pages, ebook

Published September 16, 2025

About the author

[EN] Nela Mičková is a Czech author who recently began publishing in English. Writing has been her lifelong love—she completed her first novel at thirteen, and at just seventeen, she published her official debut, The Kingdom in the Stone, in 2023. Its sequel, Cracks in the Stone, followed in 2024—both released in her home country, where the duology quickly found success. The series now marks a rare step for Czech YA fiction into the global market—bringing a blend of dark fantasy, emotional depth, and fairytale vibes to a wider audience.

When she’s not writing about cold-hearted kings or cooking witch potions, she’s studying molecular biology, lifting heavy weights, or re-reading her favorite fantasy novels for the hundredth time.

[CZE] Nela Mičková se narodila roku 2005 v Praze, ale cítí se jako čistokrevná Severomoravanka, odkud sahají všechny její kořeny. S nezdravou vášní studuje molekulární biologii a vedle toho se věnuje prostorové a plošné tvorbě. Roku 2017 obdržela za svůj výtvarný příspěvek cenu mezinárodního festivalu Mene Tekel bojujícího proti totalitě. Psaní knih je její vášní už od mala, svou první knihu dokončila ve třinácti letech, avšak jejím spisovatelským debutem se stala až young-adult fantasy Království v kameni, která vyšla roku 2023. Následujícího roku se dočkala pokračování s názvem Trhliny v kameni. V šuplíku má připravených několik dalších rozepsaných i dokončených rukopisů.

Reviews

[Haley R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wowed me more than I truly anticipated.

These two main characters were gripping, and I would follow them anywhere from now on. The FMC is power, strength, resilience and you can feel her transform in front of you as this story progresses. Matched by the brute aurora and just an 'awe' of the MMC was beautiful. This world building was very vivid, descriptive and honestly, I wish I could just see this in real life. An easy yet pulsating read that I can't wait to come back to.

[meimei · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

quick premise
a romantasy novel where we follow princess morgane living inside a kingdom trapped from the outside world. although the stone walls are said to protect, there are countless attempts made on morgane's and her brother's lives. and with the king's merciless and strange behavior, morgane flees from warnings, searching for answers.

morgane meets finn (and a lovely bird companion), who both are determined to protect their people. as they progress, morgane can either choose the footsteps her father carved, or she will choose to fight the monster she was forced to become.

quick thoughts
this was such a fun read. the characters are lovely and filled with growth throughout the story. this book feels like a dark fairytale that reminds you of countless other books but still twisted in its own uniqueness. from an interesting plot to beautifully written characters, anyone with an interest in fantasy and romance will be hooked. there was plenty of mysteries that have you questioning where the story will lead.

originally translated in czech to english, this author did a wonderful job creating such a mesmerizing world. thank you for the arc!!

[Chrissytina Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Spice rating: 🫑

Princess Morgane lives in a kingdom trapped under stone. While the stone protects the people from monsters, the deadliest monster is the one who sits upon the throne…the king. After multiple threats on her life, Princess Morgane flees the kingdom in search of answers and a way to dethrone the king.

During her journey, Morgane meets Finn, whose village has long been forgotten by the king and is regularly attacked by monsters. Together, they set out to find a way to save their people.

Kingdom in the Stone by Nela Mičková is a romantasy novel. Overall, I enjoyed reading it. I liked the characters and their growth throughout the book. The story was intriguing and definitely pulled me in and kept me reading. The romance that builds off closed door and very sweet.

However, the writing could use some refining. (Although, this could be due to the fact that it’s translated.) Throughout each chapter, the perspective changes multiple times (sometimes these changes even happen within a single paragraph). It makes it tough to decipher who’s speaking or thinking. I did get used to this as I read the book, but it was quite jarring in the beginning.

[Mom Needs Magic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one.. First chapter? Totally hooked!! The princess, the king, the princes, the nobles… honestly, everyone kept me intrigued 👀

I have to say … some parts reminded me of other deeply beloved fantasy series 🌌 (let’s say certain creatures and scenarios) but it still managed to feel fresh, exciting and definitely unique.

Now, let’s talk characters…
Morgane, I adored you 🩶 she is a strong, complex FMC with beautiful character growth.
And Finn, Oh My Finnigan … you were such an inspiring presence, thank you for existing (idc if it’s just in a book) 🥹 Watching their journey unfold was 🤌🏻🤌🏻

The world building was strong, with just the right amount of detail (it was so easy to immerse myself in this story) .. and the pacing? Love how it flowed smoothly from start to finish.

P.S. I know… there have to be more secrets involving the twins 👀🫢

[Kaydee R Straw · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book surprised me with how good it was. The premise was good, a kingdom in stone with a cruel stone-cold king, and our main character, a princess trying to make her kingdom a better place. I enjoyed seeing the relationship between Gabriel and Morgane grow! I also enjoyed the MMC.
My only big issue with this book was the pacing. I feel like everything happened extremely fast. It almost made me feel like I didn’t have enough time to really get to know the characters and have smaller intimate moments with them. However, there is a second book I’m hoping will get translated that way I can fall in love with them even more!!

[Tara Mathis · Rating 4 out of 5]

WOW!!!!

This was a new adventure for me to go on!!!!
I was not dissappointed!!
From the beginning I was hooked into this world of stone and wondering what was going to happen next.
✨The FMc I loved, she was just trying to make her kingdom better with an evil father, and the MMC is a monster (🤤🔥🔥) need I say more lol. Witches,betrayal, I should hate you but I don’t love, ligh & dark bond!!!
Very well done ma’am , definitely will be reading anything you put out, count me along for the ride ❤️❤️❤️

[Ashen Frigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank the author for providing me with an ARC for my honest review.
Lovely YA fantasy romance. It gives the feeling of a dark fairytale. A cold princess, an evil king, perilous mountains, witches and dragons!
I loved the short poems before every chapter. Originally published in Czech, the translation was very good and the prose lovely.
While I feel it could have used a final polish, it is definitely worth a read for any YA romantasy lovers.

[Rebecca Horist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I was gifted this ARC for review

Note: I am posting late due to tech difficulties on my end

I enjoyed this romantasy.
The character development of Princess Morgane was really great and empowering. Dethrone the king!!
It is a slow build but I loved the world that was created. It was like a dark fairytale- those who liked Stephanie Gerber (Carval and OUABH) will be a fan of this book.

I genuinely look forward to reading more from Nela.

[Sarah Williford · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️
Forced Proximity
Princess X Commoner
Witches and Monsters

Honestly, such a great fantasy with just the right amount of romance peppered in along the way!

The way Finn and Morgane’s relationship evolved is so beautiful.

“Sure, we have flaws, and our love sometimes traps us. But... we’re happy.” “You’re starving,” Morgane said, unconvinced. “Maybe,” Finn admitted, “but we’re still happier than you.”

Also Gabriel and Hadrian anyone??

I was gifted an ARC and I am leaving an honest review.

[Harley · Rating 4 out of 5]

check it out


So I liked the story and the concept but I wasn’t full on in love.

I know the author isn’t American so I guess there were translation things where it doesn’t make sense to me it would to someone else. If you read the about and it’s something that’s up your alley I highly recommend

[Angel Webster · Rating 5 out of 5]

this is a very slow action but it builds. it was absolutely amazing and I loved it.

the word building and characters were a nice slow steady pace with wording.