Vispilio

Vispilio #1

by Audrey D. DeBoer, Jack Jacobs (Narrator)

Robin Hood has a new name—the Vispilio, a thief by night. But does he seek justice...or vengeance?

Antony Bronson has never known his past—as far as he knows, he's the second son of his father Bron and has lived an unremarkable life in the village of Barnswood, other than a fateful fall from a tree that caused him to lose memories. But when rumors of a lost prince—the Prince Adrian who was supposed to have died in an act of war ten years before—begin to surface among the kingdom of Southborn, Antony begins to wonder if he's been told the truth. So does Adelaide DuMont, the girl who had been destined to be the prince's beloved, and Sir John, the hated son of the former king's advisor. As Antony discovers his true identity, so does King Tanor, who will stop at nothing to make sure his crown is secure. To some a prince, to others a pretender, Antony must forge his own destiny—as the true king of Southborn, or as an enemy of the people. A thrilling adventure of political intrigue, royal drama, and a romance as old as Robin and Maid Marian.

Genres: Fantasy

Audible Audio

Published September 4, 2025

About the author

Audrey D. DeBoer is a Grand Rapids, Michigan native and has been writing for as long as she could read. Vispilio is her debut novel. When she’s not writing fiction, she’s a marketing copywriter. DeBoer and her husband Jerry live in GR with their beloved cats, Scout and Mina.

Reviews

[Dave Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outlaws and kings, star-crossed lovers, some crazy dark moments, and awesome worldbuilding. This book was so good! I can see Audrey Deboer becoming one of my favorite indie authors. Highly recommended!

[Carina_inkdrinker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what a story! 
Vispilio is Audrey's first book, and I need more! 

Vispilio is filled with a big ass epic royal drama that will leave you furious but on the edge for what will happens next. There is just so much happening in those 500 pages. From lies, betrayal and rebellion in this world. 

You have the villains that you will be rooting for, and then you have the villains you hate. But also knew they could have been a better person. Probably the reason why I hate him, because I know if he wasn't a coward, he could have done so much better. 

The characters are fantastic, you will get a handfull of povs. That will be slowly introduced to you, before you get more. So you don't feel overwhelmed or mixed up with who is who. 

Audrey did a fantastic job with making them feel believable with believable motivs and action. 

Everything with this book was just so fantastic to read, and i truly enjoyed it from start to finished.

Can't wait to read more from her.

[Kayliani Shi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this in audio format for the first 95% and then read the rest in the book :)
The audio... was crazy. Especially during a few scenes where the violence was extremely dark, it was bone-chilling to listen to.

A great rendition of Robin Hood, done in a very unique way. I haven't read a book in a while featuring as many POVs as it did, and Audrey did this fabulously well... I don't pity the "villains" but I can at least understand their way of thinking to a degree, which I always appreciate in these kinds of stories.

If you want a gut-punching read that will keep you entranced chapter after chapter AND you are looking to support an indie author, this just may be the book for you!

[Pete Reviews Books Good · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC on Willow Wraith Press, but what an awesome book! 4.5 for sure.

[Fran · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vispilio

The prologue sets the stages for what happens in the present. What really happened in the woods with the woodman? Whose body did he find? What did his daughter find? How would that impact the present as we meeting Tanor and see his dreams of the past as he describes them but what is real? He’s the king in question.
Meeting Antony we hear his voice as he and others are in the bar and men arrive from war. Memories he hopes flood back as past and we meet him. Memories flood back as Antony is glad he never had to fight a war but John had a hard time sleeping as memories flood back about his first kill and will there be more?
He knows his father did well and lived a quiet life and well loved by villagers. His father was upset with him he was drunk all night in the bar and the family was present but what’s next?
Rumors have a way of spreading and pasts can destroy the present.
Adelaide and her aunt Pauline have a long ride until they arrive in Southborn and wished she was back with her father and closed her eyes and dreamed.

They are very class conscious and Adelaide likes Lucas but Roger is in the king’s council. But Roger had three sons and l lost his wife but she recalled talks about her marrying Prince Adrian . He then in front of King Tanor but struggling from the war and money tight and the loan given to the crown to pay for the war raising taxes had to be one answer. Then the mention of the Grey Queen and stating she’d pay what is due them but page 59 brings in conspiracies. Facing King Tanor and Adelaide is now accepted into his court and will be attending tob the Queen .
Things will change and we move on to Antony who now was to get a chance to get orders fur bows and arrows for his father’s business and making back sine money needed.
Then John takes the spotlight and enters his dad Tenor and the words flow and Claudia’s voice is heard as she shares her news with him. Enter Adelaide as she will be part of his court and and his views on land and title according to his father.
Each character has his/ her own struggles as Adelaide now has to tend to the Queen and John hopes to get land and a title plus a bride. Antony freaks about Adrian real or just a memory. Is he alive?
A duel within the minds of John, Tanor , Antony and more as they each want more than deserved. John wants a title and land, Antony meets Adelaide and sparks ignite and Tanor wants to know more about a ring as Antony in chapter 20 wants to know about his own. Why melt it down as Carter suggests? It was a beautiful and intricate thing and enough to cover his taxes. Then a figure moving about and an encounter with a man where is the ring?
Next Adelaide and the queen her other ladies and what about the child she’s carrying? Then a harsh truth and the king and someone else will share a child but will Claudia not do to stop what was started and what about Lucas and his role ? What is Adelaide going to do and things get more tense as will Prince Adrian be found is he alive? Trae page 171 and hear the kings words about those that returned from war and taxes .
Claudia and Elanor and a child to be born. It gets more intense throughout this chapter as the queen is going to have her child and told Elanor he will forget about her if it’s a son. But tragedy sets in and the child is gone and blamed Adelaide. Page 181 read her innermost I. The conversation between her and John turns interesting as the focus is Adrian did she see him?
John wanted to marry her because he cared about her but will she?
Chapter 22 changes it all.
Then Adelaide and Lucas talk about her father and the Mam of the Lion and she thought it was Adrian. The queen and Magg needed time together and Lucas’ father speaks to him about sending every man or men every tax collector to ensure taxes are paid. Men home from war then things changed.
Chapter 23 you hear Antony and sir Edwin and tax collector but why was Antony there? Then told Antony he better pay on time and in the bar he sees the thief and will he and Carter went after her with Marcus and facing off with the girl . Then a harsh reality and Marcus faces off with Antony what happens next changes it all. Who was he really? Why did Bron say words that destroyed him? Then Antony vs Marcus and tragedy and he’s now wanted will he be found .
Each chapter highlights on character and his/ her wants and actions that often only benefit the person highlighted. Lucas is great but in the end what is his new role and how will he deal being a warden?
The author leaves us wondering who Antony really is and will he have to run forever? Will Bron turn him in? Then we meet Herne and his daughter who was the thief and another man claiming haven’t let them go what will the end be and shocked seeing Antony?
Adelaide now has to deal with the burial of the child and wait until you see the sad scenes and then Adelaide realizes who is not in the grave.
Sadness and confrontations as Tanor lets John know he’s to deal with Antony who he says killed Marcy even though the incident required siege to stop him from using his knife. But Adelaide night be their next killed if Antony is not . Lies, deceptions and revenge are at the heart of this novel. No one character is innocent and what Claudia does adds to the grief and tension but dies Tanor even care?
Harsh truths and Adelaide faces off with Antony just who is he really and and entire royal line gone and what did he reveal about Bron?
Accusations to his face is he really a killer and Adelaide had her voice heard but will she really marry John? Why? Is she forced into it? There is much more told to John but now the truth about Elanor and the king.
All kings cheat and no more cared about Claudia and where is Marcus’s body?
Then John and his anger , Elena and Harvestmouth settling to stay at Burnswood and cold and sickness plus the harvest month tax paid and then on to bowyer’s house what will Bron do and what is Carter going to do and who is after him?
Lives were challenged, many were lost as John left Adelaide is now the lady of the manor but then King Alfred we finally meet and why does he want Tanor dead and who will come for him? Was Alfred really there ? Was he not dead? Whose son was Antony really and will Adrian come for him is he alive? Read chapter 68 and hear the interactions between Antony and Adrian and will they both decide to earn the trust of their people and will Adelaide fight for him and the people? Then awakened what you learn is the truth and just who is the prince that was lost? What will Antony decide?
The final chapters we see the Grave Digger burying 3 bodies and the last the hunting party leaves us with a chilling silence and a threat. What is next for those alive? Who will take the lives of those left and who claims to be the king of Hemlock Forest and a thief as the title means: vispilio and more. A night thief or robber or as the gravedigger or undertaker who buries the dead.
Powerful, many plots and different voices heard as the author draws the closing scenes and we wonder where all those before have gone or are they going to be in book 2?
Fran Lewis just reviews

[Alexa Loughery · Rating 5 out of 5]

I throughly enjoyed this book and that cliff hanger!!! I cannot wait to read the next one. This book kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time….each time I thought I figured out the direction the book was going it completely changed the opposite way. It was very refreshing to read a book I couldn’t figure out as I was going.

[Thea Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vispilio by Audrey D. DeBoer is very loosely inspired by the folktale of Robin Hood. The narrative mainly follows Antony Bronson, the foundling son of a local bowyer; Adelaide DuMont, an orphaned lady come to court to find a husband; and Sir John Behrens, the bastard son of King Tanor. When the Southborn common folk of the Isle grow restless—after the end of a long war with the North doesn’t bring them the promised prosperity—these three young adults in their twenties must decide who they want to be and what side they want to fight for as decade-old betrayals come to light.

DeBoer’s novel artfully constructs a fresh story out of a familiar mythos with just a dash of Hamlet. Her characters are uniquely their own, and the plot is a rich construction of high fantasy, complete with its own religion, distinctive regions, and royal intrigues. One gets a good sense of the world’s geopolitics reasonably quickly in a way that enhances the narrative instead of bogging it down with exposition. Action and romance pepper the narrative in equal measure, but while graphic violence is on page, the sex is mainly closed door. The characters drive the plot forward, and readers will get a glimpse of good people who make flawed choices, bad people who occasionally show humanity, and how trauma informs poor decisions. DeBoer’s pacing is excellent, with every chapter giving a sense of urgency that will keep readers in suspense and have them turning the page to see what happens next. DeBoer wraps up the plot and character arcs in a way that’s an emotionally satisfying conclusion for the beginning of this tale but sets up the premise nicely for the ensuing books, where, hopefully, she’ll expand the world into the North and eventually off the Isle.

Vispilio is a solid debut novel with fluid prose and a compelling plot that whets the appetite for its continuation. Readers who enjoy character-focused epic fantasy with webs of intrigue may clamor for the next book to hurry. Those who do not enjoy keeping up with political scheming or character soul-searching may not engage with this story.

I received an ACR from Reedsy

[Unshelved. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

[Jori · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good! It’s been a while since I’ve had a book that I can’t put down..this was it! Witty, intense, and heartbreaking at times; there were a number of plot twists and things I didn’t see coming. So well-written and I already can’t wait for the next book! I look forward to re-reading this one when #2 comes out.

[Ken Bertucci · Rating 5 out of 5]

I already want a sequel. This book is non stop ride with everything you want in a fantasy/historical fiction. It’s got elements of Game of Thrones mixed with Robin Hood and a good bit of its own self mixed in. I could not put it down. I would have skipped work just to keep reading it.

The writing was great and engaging from the first page. The story was paced out perfectly. Right when you think “oh here it may slow down a bit and I just have to get through it” you’re proven wrong. It’s exciting and thrilling, the intrigue gets you from the start and doesn’t let up until the last page.

Any criticism I’d have is just small things maybe I would have done differently, but nothing even worth dwelling on.

Truly a joy to read, I know I’ll be picking this up again in a year or two just to enjoy it again.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew this story had similarities to Robin Hood, so I was expecting a unique retelling. I wasn’t expecting the court intrigue, coming-of-age journey, and elaborate world building.
The characters were fully human, both endearing and flawed. There were moments when I was shouting at the page for them to realize things faster, and moments when their choices brought tears to my eyes. The Villians are so deeply flawed and yet understandable at the same time. I look forward to the next installment.

[Jessica Gladden · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed 'Vispilio' by Audrey DeBoer! The characters were multi-dimensional and relatable. The pacing is perfect - not too slow or too fast. While there were some parallels to Robin Hood, as others have mentioned, there was still an original storyline that was engaging and not too predictable. I look forward to the second book!

[STRANGE GIRL BOOK REVIEWS · Rating 5 out of 5]

What first drew me to Vispilio was not the cover or the blurb, but the ‘story within the story’ of this novel. I found out that this project was 15 years in the making. As author Audrey D. Deboer shared with me, she was a teenager when she started, but the story wasn't right until she reached adulthood. It was a fun passion project for a long time, where the characters simply had to grow up with her and she had to grow as a writer.
Based on my conclusions, this approach really paid off in the end. And you will find out why next.

THE PREMISES
The story is loosely based on the tale of Robin Hood, but it takes a shape of its own very quickly into the narrative. It is a story of a prince that was lost, who became Antony Bronson, who took up the form of the legend many called the Vispilio—the thief by night. Many people die for him. Many died for him when he was a prince and then a pretender. His real name is Prince Adrian, victim of an ambush along with his father, King Alfred, by the scheming mind of usurper Tanor and his bastard son, John.
But the Men of the Lion believed the legitimate heir to the throne would come back and take the crown once again, to bring justice to an unjust world.
To better discern the legend of Vispilio, Ms. Deboer shared this:
“The term Vispilio is Latin. It means both thief by night and gravedigger. The title of the story when I first wrote it (at 14 years old) was "Enemy on the River," because the final scene was a 14-year-old Antony confronted with Tanor standing by the river during a hunt, and he had the choice of whether he was going to kill him or not. But obviously the story got much larger than that so I scrapped that title and researched a better one for a Robin Hood retelling. The story was originally much more Robin Hoody, but as it grew I realized I didn't want it to be a true Robin Hood retelling, but its own unique story. But of course there are parallels (Antony=RH, Adelaide=Marian, Tanor=Sheriff of Nottingham, John is a Guy of Gisborne esque character)”

CHARACTERS
Whether we analyze the main characters, like Adrian or Adelaide, or the secondary characters, like Bron or Claudia, it is easy to understand why it took so many years to bring this novel to fruition. All characters breathe life, for lack of better terms. They all possess that sort of ‘three-dimensional’ depth with layers upon layers of details. All their strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, sense of humor, phobias, childhood traumas, they are all brought to the forefront for the readers to really begin to feel emotionally invested in the story. In fact, each chapter goes by the name of a character, not by number, which further leads us to focus on that particular character the chapter at hand is named after.

THE SETTING
Another area worth highlighting is the setting of this story. Though this is a work of fiction, the 13th-14th century atmosphere is brilliantly realized. The prose is direct, clean, and simple. No fastidious modern euphemisms are encountered throughout this journey, and to the credit of the author, the mindsets of the characters moving about fit the world. We don't want to see, particularly in this type of fiction drama, characters who think like 21st century Gen Z’ers.
A good example of this is when Adelaide compares the mending of bones to her menstruating cycle—as a naturally occurring phenomenon:
“Adelaide wondered how it could be that a bone could grow back stronger after being broken. How did the body know how to do that? The same way her body knew to bleed every month, she supposed.”
This example, as simple as it may be, is really a great way to keep us grounded to the world and historical setting, along with its characters, such as a young girl of that time.

CONCLUSIONS
When I encounter a book like Vispilio, my job as a reviewer gets that much easier because everything works:
The book knows what it wants to be and what it wants to accomplish.
The prose, though simple and straightforward, is devoid of modern euphemisms.
The characters are believable and multilayered.

The second book will be called Militis which is Latin for soldier, it's currently being finished, and I'll be there to enjoy part 2 of this extraordinary legend!
💜

[Devin (Bromantasy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vispilio was recommended to me a ton even before I decided to dedicate November to only indie reads, and was pitched as an adult gritty Robin Hood retelling with good character work. It is all of those things for sure, but what I think is the most compelling and impressive thing is the level of court intrigue, backstabbing, and overall political maneuvering that this story has. Once the politicking became the primary focus I found myself moving through this at a wild pace because I just had to know what was going to happen next. As if that wasn’t enough, the character work is top notch, the dialogue was smooth with a natural feel, and the visceral hatred I had for the antagonist is something I haven’t experienced in a long while. Couple all these things together with the fact that this is a debut novel, and that is why this is hands down my biggest surprise of the year, earning it a 4.25 (rounded to 4 here).

DeBoer has laid the foundation for what could be a generational Political Fantasy, a series that could one day go toe to toe with the greats in the space. It hits all the right notes for anyone who loves this genre for what it really is, a drama filled, scheming, tension laden landscape that has you on the edge of your seat even in the most innocuous of moments. You’ll find yourself analyzing every conversation for double meanings, foreshadowing, or traps being laid as you grow to love—and hate—these characters. While the brutality is woven in, the heart of the story lies with the characters and their experiences as the people are pushed past breaking and lines are drawn.

Full in-depth review can be found at BroMantasy.com .

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!
This book was an adventure.
I was reminded a little of Shakespeare's King Lear and Hamlet.
The way the author takes the reader from loving a character, to hating them (at least that was me with a few), without feeling manipulated, but so natural.
Also, the "ending." I'm not upset about there not being a complete ending.
In a sense it gave the same feeling as a Guillermo del Toro movie. The ending isn't exactly what I wanted, but what the characters needed, at least for the time being. You don't feel cheated.
All the branches of the story and the way the author intertwined them.
Normally there's a main storyline and branches that seem to waste space, but with this book, it was all a magnificent journey.
Going from John, to Adelaide, to Antony...every time it would switch there's that little drop as you want to keep reading about that particular character and know more about the current. But then you're pulled into the other storyline until going back to another. There was no down.
The author is truly gifted in the art of storytelling.

[Charlotte Chiew · Rating 5 out of 5]

i loveLoveLOVE this story. The premise is old as time - a simple peasant boy is actually the king’s son. (Or is he?) - but it’s the authors words and the way details unfold that makes any story. And this one hooked me in from the prologue. I loved the twists and turns and how the different layers made me think I knew the ending but kept surprising me. The narrator’s ability to do character voices is really something else! My favourite audiobooks are when the narrators seamlessly do very different performances for all the major characters. The narrator’s voices for the different characters wowed me at the start, but then, there are a few times when he definitely overdid them and jolted me out of the story. Like a loud caricature voice instead of suggesting/implying or letting the authors’ words tell the story and touch the listener. Still, the story is strong enough to make me carry on, and for the most part, he does an excellent job. Looking forward to book 2!


[Jordan Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fantastic debut!

Audrey D. DeBoer's Vispilio is a fun ride from start to finish. It's a twist on the Robin Hood character, but this isn't your Disney version. It reads more like the A Song of Ice and Fire books, packed with court intrigues, betrayals, nobles you love to hate, and more POVs than you can shake a bow and arrow at.

The world is well crafted, with special care given to the gods and religious elements, making the setting of Vispilio feel lived-in. Some of the twists had me second-guessing where the story might take me, and at least one made me think of a very specific Robin Hobb twist that left my mouth hanging open!

This is a tense and fun read fraught with peril and political scheming. With a colorful cast of characters, there's bound to be one every reader can resonate with. I personally felt an affinity for Antony and loved where his path took him.

I'm very much looking forward to what DeBoer does with the sequel! 4.5 stars!

[Bridget Hemingway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! I both read and listened to the audiobook. I liked that it was written with each chapter being from a different character’s perspective! It was interesting getting the perspective of the different characters especially from the “villain” point of view. The characters were in depth and I immediately found myself quickly picking my favorites. This book kept be guessing and had the perfect amount of action, romance and drama! I liked the Robinhood type of storyline but with the court aspect as well. The end was a cliffhanger that made me just keep wanting more!

[Sally A · Rating 4 out of 5]

Started to lose me near the end.

I really wanted to give this one a 3.5, in the beginning, it was really interesting but the characters stalled in their development. I found myself skimming paragraphs in the last third of the book. I just wanted a little more depth in the protagonist and his love interest. Sorry for the vague review, I’m trying not to give any spoilers. It’s definitely worth a read, but finished a little flat and it was a tad unrealistic at the end.

[Ellie Kaiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! Written in third person with changing perspectives, each character feels REAL and seeing the world from their POV gives so much depth to the plot. Engaging from begining to end. Since it is based on Robin Hood, I found myself reading more and more to find out how the characters made their way into that familiar mold. Instead of making me check out, the underlying story made me feel more excited and surprised as I read this unique take.

[Adam Bassett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new take on the Robin Hood tale, Vispilio is an origin story with a deep interest in court intrigue. The book unfurls slowly, across many characters’ perspectives, to paint a deeper vision of the kingdom and its peoples. Read the full review on Before We Go Blog.

[mgsweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The truth spoken is the truth known."

If you like....

✅the swashbuckling adventures of Robin Hood
✅the political intrigue of Game of Thrones
✅the gothic horror of Shakespeare's Hamlet and Richard III

.... then this is the book for you!

DeBoer's Vispilio builds on the foundation of historical and medieval epics to create a kingdom of her own making. Can't wait for book #2!