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Lorelyi: The Paladin
“ The Paladin” is a sweeping fantasy romance by A.D.B. that follows Lorelyi Tyraelomn’s rise to power as Oerythelor’s High Priestess and guardian of Vaespyra, their ancient rhône. As she walks the blurred line between the realms of the living and the dead, Lorelyi will confront the shifting nature of morality, face the shadows of her past, and rediscover a love thought lost to time.
- GenresRomantasy
769 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 23, 2026
ELVES, Yes!! So excited for a fantasy romance about elves. Think LOTR.
Elegant gorgeous creatures. I mean, look at the book cover 😍🖤
Heartbreaking, traumatic & beautiful
Definitely recommend for fantasy fans.
Also audio is amazing 🙌🏻🎧🖤
Elegant gorgeous creatures. I mean, look at the book cover 😍🖤
Heartbreaking, traumatic & beautiful
Definitely recommend for fantasy fans.
Also audio is amazing 🙌🏻🎧🖤
March 21, 2026
I gobbled up Lorelyi in a day - I listened to the audio and loved every moment of it. We are with the elves and this book just felt like a Romantasy but the plot was the main focus and I loved every minute of it. We have so many characters that really make this story great! It’s not tropey and makes it feel like a breath of fresh air !
March 15, 2026
Going into this, I didn't know much about it. I've seen a few friends read it and enjoyed it. And I had another friend ask if I wanted to buddy read it. I'm a sucker for a gorgeous cover so it was a win already for me.
I wasn't expecting to be so completely swept away. The writing here is sheer poetry, weaving together high fantasy and romance in a way that feels entirely fresh. The world is built on a strong foundation of a terrifying atmosphere where danger lurks in every shadow, yet you can't look away.
Beyond the setting, the character work is profound. They occupy a gray area that constantly challenged my perception of right and wrong, keeping me deeply invested in the journey. It’s an emotional and dark rollercoaster with almost flawless pacing. I started reading and simply couldn't stop until the very last page.
I wasn't expecting to be so completely swept away. The writing here is sheer poetry, weaving together high fantasy and romance in a way that feels entirely fresh. The world is built on a strong foundation of a terrifying atmosphere where danger lurks in every shadow, yet you can't look away.
Beyond the setting, the character work is profound. They occupy a gray area that constantly challenged my perception of right and wrong, keeping me deeply invested in the journey. It’s an emotional and dark rollercoaster with almost flawless pacing. I started reading and simply couldn't stop until the very last page.
August 17, 2026
I don’t even know how to explain Lorelyi: The Paladin without sounding a little feral about it because this book is just beautiful.
The writing is gorgeous. The worldbuilding is so detailed, and I could actually see Oerythelor while I was reading. The places, the magic, the history, the violence, the quiet moments. Everything felt vivid enough that I could picture it through the characters’ eyes instead of just being told what the world looked like.
And Lorelyi herself is such an interesting contradiction in the best possible way. She is kind and gentle and soft, and then five seconds later she is absolutely fearless and savage. She has this sweetness to her, but there is also something incredibly powerful and dangerous underneath it.
And then there’s Vaespyra.
I don’t even know what to do with her. 😂 The way this entity exists within Lorelyi and can completely shift her into something darker, fiercer, and honestly terrifying was one of my favorite parts of the book. When Vaespyra comes forward, Lorelyi becomes someone else entirely, and I was obsessed every single time it happened.
But Dae.
DAE.
That man’s entire universe is Lorelyi.
He would burn the world down if that’s what it took to protect her, but what I loved even more is that he doesn’t just protect her. He becomes what she needs. He adjusts to her, supports her, stands beside her, and becomes whoever he needs to become in order for her to feel safe and secure.
What else do you need from a man, really? 😂
And I really loved that this didn’t feel tropey.
This isn’t one of those books where I was mentally checking off enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, one bed, etc. It feels like true high fantasy with this sweeping romance woven through it. And at the heart of everything, this really is Lorelyi and Dae’s story. Their history, their devotion, their connection, and the lengths they are both willing to go for each other.
And if we’re being completely honest, they are both a little morally gray.
Which obviously made me love them more.
The side characters are fantastic, and the darker scenes do not hold back. When this book gets violent, it gets violent. Definitely check your triggers because some of these scenes are brutal.
And the spice?
The spice is SPICING. 🌶️😂
Like…
HELLO.
For a debut, this is incredibly ambitious. There is so much world, history, magic, emotion, violence, love, and mythology packed into this story, and somehow it still feels deeply personal.
And now I’m beta reading book two, which feels mildly illegal because I already know things and I have no one to scream at. 😂 I’ve also gotten to know A.D.B. since reading this, and she is genuinely one of the kindest souls. Somehow that makes me love this book even more because now I understand a little bit of where all that heart came from.
I love this world.
I love Lorelyi.
I love Dae.
And apparently I live in Oerythelor now. 🖤
5 stars. Absolutely obsessed.
The writing is gorgeous. The worldbuilding is so detailed, and I could actually see Oerythelor while I was reading. The places, the magic, the history, the violence, the quiet moments. Everything felt vivid enough that I could picture it through the characters’ eyes instead of just being told what the world looked like.
And Lorelyi herself is such an interesting contradiction in the best possible way. She is kind and gentle and soft, and then five seconds later she is absolutely fearless and savage. She has this sweetness to her, but there is also something incredibly powerful and dangerous underneath it.
And then there’s Vaespyra.
I don’t even know what to do with her. 😂 The way this entity exists within Lorelyi and can completely shift her into something darker, fiercer, and honestly terrifying was one of my favorite parts of the book. When Vaespyra comes forward, Lorelyi becomes someone else entirely, and I was obsessed every single time it happened.
But Dae.
DAE.
That man’s entire universe is Lorelyi.
He would burn the world down if that’s what it took to protect her, but what I loved even more is that he doesn’t just protect her. He becomes what she needs. He adjusts to her, supports her, stands beside her, and becomes whoever he needs to become in order for her to feel safe and secure.
What else do you need from a man, really? 😂
And I really loved that this didn’t feel tropey.
This isn’t one of those books where I was mentally checking off enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity, one bed, etc. It feels like true high fantasy with this sweeping romance woven through it. And at the heart of everything, this really is Lorelyi and Dae’s story. Their history, their devotion, their connection, and the lengths they are both willing to go for each other.
And if we’re being completely honest, they are both a little morally gray.
Which obviously made me love them more.
The side characters are fantastic, and the darker scenes do not hold back. When this book gets violent, it gets violent. Definitely check your triggers because some of these scenes are brutal.
And the spice?
The spice is SPICING. 🌶️😂
Like…
HELLO.
For a debut, this is incredibly ambitious. There is so much world, history, magic, emotion, violence, love, and mythology packed into this story, and somehow it still feels deeply personal.
And now I’m beta reading book two, which feels mildly illegal because I already know things and I have no one to scream at. 😂 I’ve also gotten to know A.D.B. since reading this, and she is genuinely one of the kindest souls. Somehow that makes me love this book even more because now I understand a little bit of where all that heart came from.
I love this world.
I love Lorelyi.
I love Dae.
And apparently I live in Oerythelor now. 🖤
5 stars. Absolutely obsessed.
June 10, 2026
First of all, I want to thank A.D.B. for sending me a physical copy. For some reason this book was next to impossible to get in Canada and she was kind enough to send it to me.
This novel literally felt like a Romantasy version of Lord of the Rings. And I say this with all of the good and the bad that comes with that.
The first half of the book felt slow as it needed to explain itself and build its lore. And it did so in a very High Fantasy fashion. I did find myself getting a little lost, but I was able to recover quickly as we proceeded through.
And then we got to the villain. You know you have a good villain when you hate their guts. Especially once he reveals his plans. He seriously caused my rating to go up.
If you love High Fantasy like Lord of the Rings but want something more….Lorelyi is for you.
This novel literally felt like a Romantasy version of Lord of the Rings. And I say this with all of the good and the bad that comes with that.
The first half of the book felt slow as it needed to explain itself and build its lore. And it did so in a very High Fantasy fashion. I did find myself getting a little lost, but I was able to recover quickly as we proceeded through.
And then we got to the villain. You know you have a good villain when you hate their guts. Especially once he reveals his plans. He seriously caused my rating to go up.
If you love High Fantasy like Lord of the Rings but want something more….Lorelyi is for you.
July 23, 2026
I'm very behind on reviews, but this is one that I have to get out there because the book was so beautiful. Lorelyi is a story decades in the making and you can tell the amount of work and heart that went into it. The gorgeous writing and atmosphere, dark mysteries, fascinating characters, brutal action, sweeping romance, and many surprises simply swept me away.
Lorelyi's life, both her past and present, is dark and complex yet she pours everything into helping others and trying to do the right thing. And let me tell you, this woman is savage when it comes to those she cares for. Her powers, attitude, determination - I just adore her.
I didn't know what to expect going into this and it almost felt like each chapter in the beginning was taking me on a different adventure, giving unique pieces of the story without being overwhelming. I was wholly invested in the mystery and journey, and how things were going to tie together. Another aspect I loved was that while we do have romance, it isn't the driving force here and picked up more on the fast side, while leaving the main story itself to be the slow burn. I also went through all of the emotions while reading this, having many visceral reactions to certain scenes. I loved it, definitely need answers, and cannot wait for what is to come with future books!
Lorelyi's life, both her past and present, is dark and complex yet she pours everything into helping others and trying to do the right thing. And let me tell you, this woman is savage when it comes to those she cares for. Her powers, attitude, determination - I just adore her.
I didn't know what to expect going into this and it almost felt like each chapter in the beginning was taking me on a different adventure, giving unique pieces of the story without being overwhelming. I was wholly invested in the mystery and journey, and how things were going to tie together. Another aspect I loved was that while we do have romance, it isn't the driving force here and picked up more on the fast side, while leaving the main story itself to be the slow burn. I also went through all of the emotions while reading this, having many visceral reactions to certain scenes. I loved it, definitely need answers, and cannot wait for what is to come with future books!
August 22, 2026
I was drawn to this book by the stunning cover and was then very quickly as impressed with the writing. I've been craving dark romantasy (but like, actually dark romantasy and not romantasy with some dark romance). ADB has beautiful prose and utilizes vocabulary in a way that is impressive without it being difficult to wade through. I thought the possession magic was very cool and unique, and I personally love some darkness in my stories, so I enjoyed that there was a slow build toward that without it being gratuitous at all. I thought the characters were well developed, as was their relationship, and I can definitely see this series continuing to build in an exciting way.
October 8, 2026
This book is beautifully done with a rich backstory and characters to become obsessed over. Lorelyi and Dae are a romance for the ages and watching Lorelyi with her journey is both heart wrenching and soul filling. Highly, highly recommend and hope a second book comes out soon!!!
October 2, 2026
Read this!!
To be honest, I didn't really know where it was going half the time, which was actually really refreshing from a romantasy perspective because so much of the genre now is so formulaic and predictable. I absolutely LOVED that the author did not mess around with Lorelyi and Dae. I hate when authors give us unrealistic tension or negativity between love interests to garner intrigue or yearning. Again, it's become so formulaic in the genre that it's now just boring - but no! ABD gives us these two, standing 10 toes down for one another, nothing will break them, no back and forth...and I absolutely ate it up. Even when dealing with their past or really any conflict in the story, ADB did not drag out scenes and represented a more realistic timeline of events.
I also appreciated that the familiar tropes of the genre, such as fated mates, second chance love, & miscommunication, were done differently (but I'll avoid details as not to spoil it for future readers) This was a really fresh and fun romantasy and I can't wait for book two.
To be honest, I didn't really know where it was going half the time, which was actually really refreshing from a romantasy perspective because so much of the genre now is so formulaic and predictable. I absolutely LOVED that the author did not mess around with Lorelyi and Dae. I hate when authors give us unrealistic tension or negativity between love interests to garner intrigue or yearning. Again, it's become so formulaic in the genre that it's now just boring - but no! ABD gives us these two, standing 10 toes down for one another, nothing will break them, no back and forth...and I absolutely ate it up. Even when dealing with their past or really any conflict in the story, ADB did not drag out scenes and represented a more realistic timeline of events.
I also appreciated that the familiar tropes of the genre, such as fated mates, second chance love, & miscommunication, were done differently (but I'll avoid details as not to spoil it for future readers) This was a really fresh and fun romantasy and I can't wait for book two.
July 7, 2026
I’m blown away! This book was so good and unique!
The writing was beautiful, it felt like poetry.
The beginning was action-packed, and I loved how the FMC was introduced with her magical powers, already this powerful presence.
I’m completely obsessed with the relationship between the MCs. Omg Dae 😭🖤 He’s the embodiment of ‘let the world burn as long as I’m with her’.
The second half was brutal, I thought I was going to be sick, and so heartbreaking.
The world and magic system felt so unique. I need to know more. I’ll definitely read the next books.
The writing was beautiful, it felt like poetry.
The beginning was action-packed, and I loved how the FMC was introduced with her magical powers, already this powerful presence.
I’m completely obsessed with the relationship between the MCs. Omg Dae 😭🖤 He’s the embodiment of ‘let the world burn as long as I’m with her’.
The second half was brutal, I thought I was going to be sick, and so heartbreaking.
The world and magic system felt so unique. I need to know more. I’ll definitely read the next books.
March 4, 2026
Lorelyi caught me off guard in the best way! I had the book since late 2025 but didn’t get around to it until after the holidays and my only regret is that I took so long to start it. I savored every moment of this story from how beautifully it was written to each convoluted character. But the FMC surprised me the most of all because even though she hits the ground running from page one as fierce and powerful, the layers you’re able to pull back reveal just how raw and vulnerable she is. There are so many moments that give you pause and it’s so different from everything else out there at the minute. Where most books focus heavily on the relationship between main characters, I loved dissecting the other relationships in her life. The journey this story takes you on will undoubtedly eviscerate you.
Again, from beginning to end this book is enrapturing. ADB really surpassed my expectations going into this knowing it was a debut novel, honestly NO NOTES. If you’re a fan of LoTR or just that style of writing, do yourself a favor and check this out.
Again, from beginning to end this book is enrapturing. ADB really surpassed my expectations going into this knowing it was a debut novel, honestly NO NOTES. If you’re a fan of LoTR or just that style of writing, do yourself a favor and check this out.
September 30, 2025
An entertaining book!
I found the book to be compelling even though it was of a genre I usually entertain. The author introduces you to a new world of drama, intrigue, and romance. I found each category balanced enough to keep me entertained and compelled to keep reading.
The author is a great storyteller, and I expect to find more exciting stories from her!
I found the book to be compelling even though it was of a genre I usually entertain. The author introduces you to a new world of drama, intrigue, and romance. I found each category balanced enough to keep me entertained and compelled to keep reading.
The author is a great storyteller, and I expect to find more exciting stories from her!
February 13, 2026
Let me start by saying that what A.D.B. achieved is pure magic and Lorelyi is and will forever be a novel etched into the very fabric of my heart and soul. A.D.B.’s poetic writing weaved together one of the most beautiful epic, high romantasy novels that I have ever read. The world she created is so unique, utterly alluring and at the same time terrifying. Not only do you experience the world of elves and men but the living and the dead. To carry you through this novel A.D.B.’s character work is absolutely masterful! You feel EVERY raw emotion of the character’s and it drew tears from me multiple times. Because you get to know these characters so intimately, you are challenged as the reader to grapple with some of their actions and it leaves you thinking beyond the pages. It is a longer novel in which every single page is earned and the superb pacing will take you there. If you enjoy a sweeping novel full of quests and an over arching journey you will LOVE this! If you enjoy a love that defies all odds and is enduring into the CENTURIES you will devour this! And, if you like a book that challenges you in your views of good vs. evil you will not want to put this down. Basically I cannot recommend this enough!
August 24, 2026
This book was a high fantasy story with a ton of world building. It is so detailed, but not in an overwhelming way. Lorelyi is a very complicated character and written so well. She is determined and powerful. There is romance as well. However, even though it is important to the story (I see you Daedolus, lover that you are) it is not the whole of it. It felt more like a support system to the main course. All of the characters really go through it, emotionally as well as physically. There is a lot of action that is sometimes very violent (it is a tough world) but is still written beautifully so it never felt like too much. I will definitely read more from this author.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews