Human Reborn

The Kingdom of Disce #1

by Aryn Eleven Shaw

*Step into your next Romantasy series*

WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM OF DISCE

After losing her family at a young age, Alexis now lives at the pleasure of the King and Queen of Disce at the Kingdom's capitol. Her life is seemingly normal, if even a bit mundane. She attends all the seasonal festivities, makes friends with both the court's men and women, and visits the capitol's library to read in her spare time. She lives a life of privilege, one that even comes with employment as she travels through Disce on behalf of her King.

But not everything is as simple as it seems...

Not only is Alexis a human in a kingdom full of Discerni and the mystical, but she's also the first of her kind to be allowed access to the ancient texts the magical race covets. Traveling across Disce in a quest for her King, Alexis searches for a book she shouldn't be allowed to see while asking no questions in return.

WELCOME TO THE OLD WORLD

Set on a path not of her own making, Alexis finds herself questioning her previous lack of curiosity when she meets the King's firstborn son in her travels. The Prince lives with a fire that both excites and inspires Alexis, fueling her to not only question his father's intentions but the values she's lived with for the past ten years.

And he's not the only one with eyes on her...

Thought to be sleeping for thousands of years, the most powerful of the Ancient Ten takes an interest in Alexis, demanding that she become his Human Reborn. The Ancient warns of change coming to the Old World- change that sees his brothers and sisters awakening while the magic of the Four Kingdoms begins to strengthen.

Grappling with the attention of an Ancient who not only has plans for her but for the whole of the Old World, Alexis if forced to confront her previous mundane life as she questions fate, prophecies, and the mystical, all of which intertwine in a story as old as the Ancient himself.

Genres: Fantasy

789 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 1, 2026

About the author

Aryn Eleven Shaw is an American writer debuting her first Romantasy novel, Human Reborn, The Kingdom of Disce: Book I. She has a genuine passion for storytelling and creating heartfelt characters, and loves writing of deeper themes that are meant to spark thought and conversations.

She wrote her first full book, Human Reborn, in 2022, purely for herself. She let it collect dust in her laptop for three years before deciding to (timidly) step into the indie author realm and share it with the world.

Reviews

[Rebecca ~ readinginNZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC review✨

“I’m thinking why… whenever I stand under something so beautiful and inspiring, you are always there at the center of it.”

✨ Epic, immersive world-building
✨ Fate & prophecies
✨ Super slow burn
✨ Touch her and die
✨ Found family
✨ First-person POV

This book completely consumed me. I loved everything about it and need to be back in this world immediately.

Alexis lives among the royals of Disce, trusted by the king and sent across the realm in search of lost knowledge about the old world, the ancients, and long-buried magic. Watching her move through this world - questioning what she knows and who she might be - was utterly captivating.

“I need to fulfil my curiosity on my own time and in my own way, and no longer be strung around by men who have secret agendas, and intentions.”

The world-building is expansive and beautifully written. Disce’s three courts - Knowledge, Warrior, and Woodlands - are richly imagined and distinct, while settings like Fumagalli and Pyre (beyond Disce’s borders) feel vivid and alive. This is epic fantasy done right.

The supporting cast is exceptional. Alexis’s travelling companions from the Court of Knowledge bring warmth, humour, and loyalty, and the found-family dynamics woven throughout the story add real emotional weight. And Golem - ancient magic in a jar, quietly protective, and completely iconic - stole my heart.

The prophecy thread builds slowly before detonating into a reveal that recontextualises everything that came before it, while Stormfall, Hirovale’s legendary bird of ash and a gift to Alexis, is the kind of mythical creature that immediately feels iconic.

And then there’s Prince Keane 🥵🥵🥵

“He lives with such energy and life that his mere presence calls for you to live with him.”

“I was thinking I may have met my match with you.”

The romance is an excruciating slow burn. The spice is absolutely spicing - an entire book of foreplay, tension, longing, and restraint and I was deeply unwell in the best way.

“It’s a dangerous game we play, one in which I’m often reminded how out of depth I am because the man literally exudes sensual confidence.”

Keane is devastating, magnetic, and firmly in the touch her and die camp.

“Oh, Alexis, this is nothing. I promise you. When the day comes that I actually make advances on you, you’ll beg me to make good on my words.”

Every interaction crackles. Every look means something.

This is epic fantasy with heart, heat, and teeth - and I already know this series is going to own my soul.

✨ Thank you so much to Whimsy Words PR and Aryn Eleven Shaw for trusting me with an ARC.

Chaos, vibes, and opinions are all my own ✨ please give credit if you share.

[Nicole Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review ✨️📖

This book was absolutely beautiful, as soon as I got into it I was entirely consumed 🤍✨️

I cannot wait to jump back into this world when the second book is released!

First I want to say how much I adored the friendship development between Alexis and Alanna 🥺 this was one of the things that made this wholesome for me, as well of course for Cal and Alexis! 🤍🤍

The character development all round was absolutely amazing, the world building was truly captivating and so well developed. I was so engrossed with every detail. From Disces three courts - Knowledge, Warrior and Woodlands they are all so beautifully described and easily imagined while the settings of Fumagalli and Pyre felt so vivid and immersive!

Side note, i can't wait to read more on the city of Pyre i absolutely adored the wholesomeness that Clair and McQuoid brought to the story! 🥺

The supporting characters and Alexis companions were just as well loved as the main characters and the found family aspect to this book was stunning, truly well developed!

Ancients, this story was stunning from start to finish and I am so happy to know there will be more to come!

If you love a story of found family, prophecy, possessive MMC, bad ass FMC's, female friendship and epic world building you have to put this one in your diary!

Releasing new year's day and an absolute must read!

I won't say too much more for fear of saying too much other than please add this to the tbr!


Thank you to Whimsy words for the arc and to Aryn for the gift this book is!


Alxis x Keane ❤️‍🔥⚔️

[Natalie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you to Whimsy Words PR and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review 📚.

Genre/Themes: 🧝🏻‍♀️⚔️🐦‍🔥🏰👑🪾🪄🍺📚🏔️
Tropes: Set in a Magical Realm, Fae, Found Family, Ragtag Team of Heroes, Curvy Heroine, Not Like the Other Girls, Elemental Powers, Forbidden Magic, Magical Quest, Ancient Prophecy, Riddle to Solve, Mythical Creatures, Insta Lust, Royalty/Commoner, Morally Grey Characters, Slow Burn, Dubious Consent, Love Triangle, God/Goddesses, Sacrifice, Past Lover as Antagonist, Cults, Buried Secrets, Raising the Dead, Unlikely Alliance, Amnesia
Positives: some intriguing world-building and aspects of main plot
Room for Improvement 🔎 : distracting prose issues, poorly paced plot, superficial characterisation
Rating: 🌕🌗

✍🏻 Full Review - RISK OF SPOILERS 🛑

I want to preface this review by saying I am a huge advocate for self-published authors. It makes publishing more accessible for people from different backgrounds. Therefore I want to make it clear that I do not mean to belittle, mock or shame the author when I say this - this novel was nowhere near ready to be published, and it is disingenuous that their team has told them otherwise.
I say this as someone trained/educated in editing, English and creative writing. Yes, when reading an ARC I expect typos. The disclaimer of this one mentioned ‘final edits, formatting and proofreading’ were left to do, when this was sent out about 4 weeks before release day. This manuscript did not need ‘final’ changes, it needed full-scale developmental and copy/line edit. And, not to toot my own horn, I really wish it had been me that had gotten their grubby little editor hands on it. In its current form, this novel was near-unreadable.
From the narrow vocabulary I got the impression that English was not this author’s first language, or if it was, it is not something they were further educated in. Again - this doesn’t have to be a barrier to getting your writing out there, but it means an author needs even more support to get their work to publishing standard. This did not happen here. I have no idea if this manuscript was beta-read but I can only suspect it wasn’t. If I were the author I would seriously consider retracting this novel, getting a high quality edit, and re-launching it before even considering releasing a sequel.

🧍‍♀️Characterisation:🧍‍♂️
The characterisation was backed into a corner by two things - firstly, the incessant ‘telling not showing’ with repetitive phrasing and secondly, the heavy-handed world-building when it came to the cultural differences of the Courts and the Discerni vs Humans.
I didn’t find Alexis engaging. While she was perfectly nice - befriending those often outcast and advocating for humans - with a whimsical wonderment about the world, she didn’t challenge me as a reader. Her internal monologues were just repeating events and asking obvious questions, all while she got away with absolutely everything. Yes, she was the King’s ward, with special permission to enter the libraries and read magical documents forbidden to other humans. But she did NOT have permission to use magic and summon, which she did all the time. She spoke to Royals and officials inappropriately with no repercussions, and was fucking TWO Princes. All of the characters ended up loving her, even antagonists. I actually felt pleased when Keane’s mother showed distaste for her, so she had some sort of flaw and felt real. Instead, she enjoyed her booze and wielded a dagger and ‘would never turn down’ Keane’s sexual advances, enjoying being watched by Hirovale. It was like she was written as a man’s wet dream. It was better when she defended herself against two men, advocated for a female Lord, and fought for her autonomy regarding being Hirovale’s Human Reborn, but then she was forgiving of Desmond and Keane torturing a spy to death and decided she wanted to be violent too. She also wasn’t funny, and I struggle to connect to characters that I don’t see humour in. Any attempts at nuance, like her ambition and sexual openness versus her bookish nature, were said to mean she couldn’t be Knowledge, she had to have been Warrior (she was actually from Woodlands). All characters were put in a box so there was no room for complexity. I got sick to death of reading about her ‘curiosity’ and how she was ‘too perceptive’.
Keane was one of the biggest reasons I disliked this novel. What was his personality outside of sex? By the end of the book I didn’t know what he liked, disliked, did for fun, was interested in, his family dynamics or what his life growing up was like. I was constantly told that he was ‘playful’ or ‘mischievous’, but it was only ever sex jokes. He could have done some pranks, enjoyed actually playing a game, been goofy - but instead looks, gazes, or nods were deemed enough. I was told how ‘formidable’, ‘regal’, proud’, ‘commanding’ and/or ‘demanding’ he was, but where? Worst of all? This man was basically a sex pest. There were at least two occasions where he ignored Alexis outright saying no or covering herself up only for him to push her into sex anyway ‘because he could tell she wanted it’. His summoning would also cause her physical discomfort, all for him to demand sex. I could go into a huge discussion about this, but I won’t. And again, Keane was painfully unfunny. He wasn’t sexy either - his dirty talk was unrealistic and stilted, sounding more like the author’s voice than a distinct character. His nickname for Alexis, ‘trouble’, made me recoil. That’s a nickname for a toddler, not a 22 year old woman. His obsession with Alexis admitting to being Warrior was also incredibly aggravating and did nothing to enhance their chemistry.
Hirovale was much the same - a Keane Lite. Apparently easily amused, playful and mischievous, but with no real evidence to back this up. He admitted to watching and listening to Alexis naked or having sex, in fact watching her whole life from the age of 14. Alexis didn’t like him, describing him as ‘alluding’ (which was a clunky word to use) but he was no better than Keane. Another sex pest that got away with it because Alexis admired his powers and thought he was hot.
The characters I did like? Golem, Cal and Lord Daniel. Golem’s silent conversations with Alexis were sweet, and I liked the change of pace when their dialogue (well, Alexis’ dialogue versus his yes/no) bounced back and forth without interruption. His magical kiss-and-make-up with Keane, initiated by Alexis, was way too glossed over, though. That could have been a real opportunity to explore his influence and presence in Keane’s life as a child and shown growth in Keane to forgive. Alas. Cal was jolly and loyal, but again contradicted this regimented idea of what it meant to be Knowledge. He did organised fist fights and travelled everywhere with Alexis, having too much fun getting drunk and stoned to be studious, but because he was content in his life it meant he wasn’t Warrior? I got tired of him being referred to as Alexis’ ‘big friend’. Lord Daniel was who Alexis should have been pursuing. He was actually mysterious, not Keane’s forced Shadow Daddy mysterious. He was chivalrous, loyal, powerful and soft-spoken, and his subtle signs of longing for Alexis were bittersweet. In fact, he seemed pretty Knowledge, but there we are. Desmond, Keane’s brother, was similar to Lord Daniel. I got bored of hearing how ‘stoic’ he was, but he was intriguing and I wanted to know more about his stealth and his investigations as an Informer. Alanna was an icon who couldn’t shine because every single time she did or said something her ‘cool grey eyes’ would be mentioned, or her ‘cold, Discerni disinterest’. It became funny after a while, but it was criminal because Alanna was level-headed, blunt and independent. Her backstory was interesting and her relationship with Cal - the private reserved nature of it - was sweet and more realistic. Again, not very Warrior, hm? Her involvement in Desmond and Keane’s scheming seemed to be forgotten about. In fact I don’t even remember the name of the Discerni she was meant to be keeping tabs on in the group. Barnes and a brother/sister pair (whose names I don’t remember) were the other Warrior Discerni in the gang, and there were three human soldiers whose names I don’t remember either. These characters were forgettable and added very little to the story. Mana and Holis were Alexis’ remaining friends - Knowledge Discerni twins - and aside from worshipping Hirovale added very little as well. Mana was Desmond Lite - ‘quiet’, ‘stoic’, unreadable. He did ‘rare smiles’. Then Holis was just Cal Lite, a jovial pub-goer who liked fighting. King Zander was barely in the story, but when he was I was told how ‘welcoming’ and ‘endlessly kind’ he was. Boring. I didn’t feel his closeness with anybody, even if I was told about it. The Queen was far less of a push over, actually chastising her sons and disagreeing. She was criminally underwritten. King McQuoid was a brief character too, and his wife Clair was another perfectly nice character. Their banter and flirting was the only effective examples in the whole novel, in my opinion. They were underwritten, though I believe the author plans on writing a spin-off about them. Elena, the Bardot boys’ sister, only appeared properly once even though she was such a huge influence in the story. She was depicted as an ‘airy’ hippy, basically, and only appeared to tell Alexis her past. Forgettable. Alexis and Hirovale’s Bird of Ash, Stormfall, was anthropomorphised to the point of being annoying. His caws could be translated into everything - ‘annoyance’, ‘defiance’, ‘greeting’ or ‘acknowledgement’. He always puffed his chest or spread his wings ‘proudly’. I got sick of hearing about him, to be honest.
The antagonists, then. Troy - the third Bardot brother - and Yiannis and Isham, the Princes of Livyatan. The Leviathan brothers had the potential to be decent villains. Two sides of the same intimidating, charismatic coin - Yiannis smug and arrogant (evidently this time), Isham manipulative and sly. They were completely forgotten about in the final parts of the novel, only providing two incidences of mild peril. The same with Troy, who became a background issue once again.
There were a smorgasbord of other minor characters - bar-maids, Lords and Ladies, Morose the Pyre Librarian, children and stable-boys, other Discerni or human citizens. Some conversations with them provided opportunity for characterisation, others didn’t.
But every single character was bogged down with near-identical body language. Every line of dialogue or every movement was punctuated with ‘smirks’, ‘smiles’, ‘looks’, ‘watches’ ‘eyes met and held’, ‘glances’, ‘nods’, ‘grimaces’, ‘eyebrows furrowed or raised’, ‘eyes widened or rounded or narrowed’, ‘shifts’, ‘sighs’. And yet all of these identical expressions were meant to depict every emotion, or were ‘knowing’, ‘hardened’, ‘softened’, ‘in approval’, ‘in acknowledgement’, ‘in apology’. How does a look of desire differentiate between a look of solemnity? A tick of a jaw, a small wrinkle, an eye twitch, a cheek bite? Anything? Any ‘rugged’ or ‘woodsy’ (yes, a real descriptor) character would always ‘move their hand to their beard’ in thought, or a character would just default back to ‘Discerni indifference’. If a conversation between two people is happening, I do not need to be constantly reminded of where they are looking - I can guess. Every event or movement does not need to be started with ‘I watched as’ - again, I can guess. Other behaviours were unnecessarily described as ‘absolute’, or ‘open’, or ‘small’, or ‘heavy’. What on Earth is ‘small embarrassment’? The experience of an emotion doesn’t need to be described as ‘the full being’ of somebody, either. Body descriptions were very vague too, limited to skin, hair and eye colour with pretty much everyone having ‘accentuated muscles’. McQuoid’s scar was a needed reprieve, but there needed to be more. Freckles? Different body shapes? Unique teeth, unique flaws?

🗺️World-Building:🗺️
The story was set in the Kingdom of Disce, with the magical (fae-adjacent) native beings called Discerni. A map in the published edition will no doubt be very helpful, because even as I write this I realise the regions and towns were somewhat confusing. Was Woodlands part of Knowledge, or a region in itself? Was Pyre part of Warrior, or separate, with it being the Fire element? Was Disce the entire continent, Livyatan and Aireal included, or just the Earth element cities? Anyhow, certain aspects of the world worked really nicely when the author leant more into senses and description. Knowledge was built upon Oak trees and greenstone. I struggled with the size perception sometimes, but Alexis associated the Knowledge towns with the smell of cinnamon and with ale and whiskey, and used magical moving stone paves to climb up a cliffside. Gaumond of Warrior was built from black granite, with peppered trout as the food of choice and a tiered landscape, toddy being the traditional drink. Fumagalli of Warrior had a secret tree-height city, with a sleep-draught mist protecting the rural village facade below. All very Earth elemental. Then Red Falls was built into a mountain - cold and rocky - so its summoners wielded fire. Very Viking-esque. The Red Falls library was awesome, built into a mountain with circular levels. Each region had its own fashions, of clothing style and colour, hair styles and eating/drinking arrangements. I genuinely really enjoyed all of these aspects, until it came to the flawed ‘personality’ culture. Knowledge had Golem as its mythical creature, a Discerni-oid creature that looked like clay, soil and bark, while Pyre had Snow Tigers and Tarragons (dragons - not seen at all and only mentioned once or twice, also the name of a herb which was distracting). Again, these genuinely great aspects became bogged down with repetitive and limited descriptions. ‘Ambiance’ was used as a crutch word, as was ‘lively’, ‘boisterous’, ‘raucous’, ‘gloomy’ or ‘moody’. While everything was ‘perfect’, ‘beautiful’, ‘stunning’, ‘sparkling’, ‘serene’, ‘calm’, ‘cozy’, ‘twinkling’, or ‘something [Alexis] had never seen before’. Metaphors were clunky, like inanimate objects such as trees ‘daring to’ or ‘having the audacity to’ be tall or something. The concept of Summoning magic was interesting, but pretty glossed over. Powerful summoners like Keane or Daniel had access to ‘raw power’, or some could even wield two elements for some reason. What the difference between ‘raw’ power and standard power was, I have no idea. I also didn’t understand how Desmond had a ‘stealth’ summoning, or Troy had an ‘emotions’ summoning. They could only do so with people ‘stood on the Earth’, but that still doesn’t seem like an Earth-specific power to me? What about Fire summoners? Can they like, go invisible or something, as long as you’re stood next to a fire? Unclear. I did like the use of symbols, though, whether on banners or tattoos, or the fire Alexis could see coming from the Pyre natives bodies. Other aspects were done very organically and subtly, like the ‘moons’ that ‘reached apex’ and the Ancient Ten who were slowly introduced instead of a huge info dump about them. I wanted to know more.

📝Prose/Plot:📝
When I read ARCs I highlight things as I go along to refer back to in feedback - lack of clarity or confusing word choice, ‘telling not showing’, repetitive words/phrases, typos, unnecessary telling after showing or repetition of the same information just with different words. I highlighted 12,200 in this novel. Yes, you read that right. And I reckon it would be far more if I went through it again. That is what made it near-impossible to read. Just when a sentence would start to flow, it would be stunted again. Odd turns of phrase were distracting and endlessly repeated, like ‘the full of’ the trees or a group, ‘I can envision’ instead of imagine, everything unnecessarily emphasised by ‘truly’ or ‘genuine’ or ‘in full’, or just straight-up grammatical errors like ‘without abandon’ or ‘to get to the route of’. Tenses would randomly change, too, often incorrectly. Ellipses were overused and lost all impact, and I have compiled a Smut Sin List : ‘folds’, ‘bundle of nerves’, a penis ‘piercing’/‘pounding’/‘pulsing’/‘throbbing’/‘plunging’, the G spot, breasts ‘flushing’, nipples relentlessly being ‘tugged’, second orgasms while still having the first one, getting erect again almost instantly, it hurting when it first goes in and dirty talk so unnatural it made me cringe. Also some lovely inaccuracies such as a bar of soap being used to rub a vulva (bacterial vaginosis, anyone?), fingers stroking a vulva after being up her arse (UTI?) or trying to use vaginal lubrication to put a finger up her arse… UNDER WATER (micro-tears?). Don’t get me wrong, there were some hot moments, but ruined by the prose.
Pacing wise, this novel was way off. I do not exaggerate when I say it took over 300 pages to get to the first major event - the length of some full-length novels. It was a crying shame - the Red Falls library and the Bird of Ash was genuinely a great scene but I doubt many readers would get that far. The Fumagalli mystery should have been discovered after Pyre, not before, and there should have been just one Court gathering at the Twin cities. There were four or five repetitive sex scenes which weren’t necessary at all, and I just want to say - adding one new sexual activity is not progressing a story. I don’t need to read the same sex scene again just to add in a hand-job.
The last few hundred pages were just Alex and Keane travelling back to Gaumond to have penetrative sex, just after his father was assassinated. Again, far too long for a poorly timed side-plot. This novel also played into my biggest pet peeve, which is the toxic narrative that penetrative sex is the only ‘real’ sex. It excludes lesbians, big time, and honestly with the number of non-penetrative sex scenes it had lost all impact by the time it happened. The ‘16 times’ conversation and Hirovale’s confession scene were both total missed opportunities, ultimately just repeating the plot to us with no unique insight of the character’s differing perspectives. Let downs.
Overall, I cannot in good conscience recommend this novel. I would really encourage the author to either invest in a higher quality editor, or if this isn’t financially viable, find some free resources on creative writing techniques or self-editing. There is a fascinating story and world buried in here somewhere, it deserves to be told right.

[greta]

I'm so sad this book wasn't for me, I had to dnf at 12% 🥺 after seeing the synopsis and this cover, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to read this. while it wasn't meant for me, I'm still open to trying this author's books in the future!

the side characters were really one dimensional and weren't fleshed out enough to make them feel unique or have any personality to them.
however, I did like Alexis and Keane. them two felt more like real people! also Golem was an interesting character. for some reason reminded me of gollum from lord of the rings if he was mute lol.

now, the writing style was my biggest issue unfortunately... it was well over descriptive to the point where I knew I couldn't read nearly 800 pages of it. 😭 all the things were unnecessarily over explained and so made the plot extremely slow moving. for me, personally!

I did enjoy the magic system and the main idea of the kingdom and how everything worked, but the writing style itself just didn't work for me... I'm still thankful and glad that I had a chance to read this!

[Khas Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨Human Reborn ✨

Alexis, a human living in a kingdom of Descemi is tasked by the king to travel the kingdom’s in search of a book, in libraries that humans haven’t been granted to access in thousands of years…

Why is this book so important? Only the king knows…

Alexis’s glow up is amazing, she goes from a content being to an absolute badass!

And Keane, oh Keane! Don’t get me started on Keane 😍

What to expect:

- Touch her and 💀
- Possessive MMC
- Defy Fate
- Chosen One
- 🌶️🌶️🌶️

A huge thank you to the Author and Whimsy Words PR for providing me with an ARC for review

[Paper Nessie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pacing: 5
Characters: 5
Lore: 5
Imagery: 5
Dialogue/Monologue: 4
Engagement: 5
Overall: 5
Hook: pg. 71 (6% through)

Get ready for your next romantasy obsession! If you yearn to be stuck inside another epic series that deserves your hyper-fixation, I highly recommend that you start New Year's off with Human Reborn—the first book in the Kingdom of Disce series by Aryn Eleven Shaw.

This new epic is what I consider "true romantasy," and has something for every reader. I'm talking a Court of Thorns and Roses vibes, Lord of the Rings lore and world-building, and Avatar: The Last Airbender adventures and power.

You'll be transported into a world where humans and Discerni (magical folk) co-exist, and explore the lore and politics behind it all. You'll debate with the characters over moral- (😏 or mortal-) dilemmas and identify the fine line between contentment vs. complacency vs. curiosity. You'll be fascinated by the scenery of each court and will itch to make a Pinterest board of their magical libraries. You'll be invested in a romance with a type of burn that I can't even label (truly, it's very subjective) but that's complemented by Carolina Reaper levels of spice 🌶🌶🌶🌶🌶 (yes, mature adults only, please!)

It's been so long since I've felt invested in a series and am so honored to have been gifted an ARC of Human Reborn by Whimsy Words and Aryn before its official release. I cannot wait for the second book, as well as the other stories that Aryn has in store for us. The Kingdom of Disce is really on track to becoming romantasy's next BIG HIT!


If your body is ready to commit to Disce, you can pre-order Human Reborn NOW on Amazon or via Kindle Unlimited. Official release: New Year's Day

Wishing Aryn the happiest of book debuts! The first of many releases to come! 🤗

[InfiniteLibrary]

DNF at 15%
I thought the world building was really good in this one but I found the writing style to be overly descriptive and repetitive which wasn't a good sign given this is over 700 pages and ultimately didn't gel with it! I also just didn't really like the main protagonist though I appreciate how independent she was.

[Ja’Laya Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this ARC of Human Reborn by Aryn Shaw. The story is rich in worldbuilding, mystery, and slow-building tension, following Alexis as she begins to question the life and beliefs she’s accepted for years. I loved the contrast of a human navigating a magical kingdom and how her curiosity and growth slowly pull her into something much bigger than herself. The introduction of the Ancients, prophecies, and rising magic adds depth and intrigue, making the stakes feel epic and inevitable. This book taught me that questioning the life you’ve been given can be the first step toward discovering who you’re truly meant to be. A strong start to a fantasy series with a lot of potential. Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC. ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

[Marie Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

The plot: at the heart, the plot is interesting and I genuinely wanted to find out what was going to happen.

The characters: I enjoyed reading Alexis; she had a strength of character I related to. I liked her friendship with Cal.

Romance: unfortunately, I find a lot of these fantasy/romance novels are all utilising the same plot devices and it's becoming predictable and ultimately, a cliché. In all honesty, I would much prefer a fantasy novel with magic, lore, epic battles & political intrigue without any of the romance added.

Writing: there were some brilliant descriptions of the setting which were vivid and immersive, making me feel part of the world. However, there were occasions where we were told what to think or feel rather than leaving to inference. I found this over writing weighed down the narrative and made me step away from the book multiple times. This has the potential to be a page-turner, but for me, it's not quite there yet.

[Liana Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you Aryn and @whimsywordspr for trusting me with this ARC. Publishing tomorrow (01.01.2026) I just know this will take off, absolutely beautiful work!

6 ⭐️♾️
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (open door, frequent, descriptive spice)

This book WRECKED me. I have not felt this way about a book in a long time, I could even say this was my favourite read of the year and I’m so glad I finished it right in time to say this!

Magical beings, immortal gods, beautiful realms and creatures, tension. Chefs kiss.
But it is LONG (789 pages) you need to be in the right mindset for this, it starts off slow with major world building.

Within the Kindom of Disce, Alexis lives and works under the wings of the King & Queen. Her simple life in the Capitol of Knowledge, turns out to be not so simple when she embarks on a secretive mission under the guidance of the King.

During this mission, beautiful friendships blossom within her travelling group. The way Aryn was able to build every single character and their personalities as the book progresses, you love, you hate, you grieve, you long. Alexis herself and her character development was fantastic, she is strong, driven, inquisitive, stubborn and passionate. Normally I struggle to connect to FMC as they tend to be “fragile” and this is notttt the case. She is FIERCE and I love her and all she stands for.

I won’t go too far into the men of this book as you need to read it for yourself, but my god there’s only ONE option for Alexis but dang she could be in a why choose the whole book I swear. Wonderful friendships, supportive and protective men.

A little favourite moment of mine:
“Because you look good, damn good, covered in blood and soot and soul. It’s all so fucking exhilarating.”

[Romantasy Bookbird · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first instalment of the Disce kingdom. This book is thick with just any of 800 pages but when you start reading it does not feel that length. This epic and immersive world building is next level with such amazing descriptions you feel like you’re right there with them.

Alexis lost her family and was taking in by king Zander Bardot who resides in knowledge. She is then given the task of finding a certain book and spends two years with her travel companions in search of it. She’s the asked to travel to warrior and meet with the heir Prince Keane.

There is instant attraction between Alexis and Keane with the slowest of slow burn and tension throughout but it is so worth it for when they finally give in. Keane is swoony and stands behind our FMC.

The found family and friendships in this novel I just adored and the other characters made just added to this story.

There’s a hidden prophecy, court secrets and a flirty Ancient. What more could you want? I cannot wait to read what happens next!

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly believe this book has major spin-off potential. It’s one of those stories that made be become deeply invested in multiple characters, especially as we’re given glimpses into their pasts throughout the book. Every character feels like they could carry a story of their own.

So let me sum this arc up quickly and tell you why I recommend it—without spoilers.

Themes
Dark academia mixed with romance and heavy fantasy. And when I say heavy, I mean adult fantasy, not the “toddler fantasy” I’ve been running into lately. The magic, politics, and stakes was intentional and exciting.

Environment / Worldbuilding
Alexis travels on behalf of the King takes her to many different different kingdoms and the descriptions of these kingdoms are on point. Each one feels unique . I personally want to live in Fumagalli —but you’ll have to read the book to understand why. Every kingdom has its own unique culture and characters, which really adds depth to the world building.

Characters
The diversity is done right. Skin tones are clearly described, and everyone doesn’t look the same. The characters are well-written, memorable, and genuinely likable, which made it easy to stay emotionally invested.

Plot
Fast-paced. Action-packed. Spicy.
Actually—spicy x2 🌶️
There’s no dragged-out slow burn here. We get right into it, and the story keeps moving.

looking foward to the secound book

[Karolina · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a privilege it has been to finish up this year by reading Human Reborn. I was lucky to receive an arc copy of this book, which is due to be released on 1st January 2026. This debut book by Aryn Eleven Shaw is a must have for your 2026 TBR.

The world building is immersive, beautiful and will have you captivated within the first few chapters. All of the characters were written with such love and care and it was very clear to see that even the “minor” players, were given the chance to be seen.

I never thought that I would fall in love with not one but two mute characters in a book, the way in which Aryn has been able to build their personalities without ever having them speak a line is a testimony to her ability as an author.

And of course we cannot forget about our FMC, Alexis and MMC, Keane. Their relationship was a “normal” burn from the initial acceptance however, I would say that the way in which they took their time to develop and grow on their friendship was refreshing to read and I really enjoyed getting to see their character developmen.

The ending sets you up perfectly for the next chapter of their journey and I really can’t wait to delve back in to the world of Disce.

[Addy]

Soft DNF at 5% 💜


Unfortunately, I just couldn't get into it. However, it could definitely be a mood/timing thing because I have a lot going on atm.

Normally, books such as this are right down my alley. Definitely will be giving it another shot in the future!

Thank you so much for allowing me to ARC read!

[Beautifully Broken Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨️✨️✨️ Human Reborn ✨️✨️✨️

✨️ Slow Burn
✨️ Forced Proximity
✨️ Human / Discerni
✨️ Ancient Prophecies
✨️ Found Family
✨️ Strong & Intelligent FMC
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶🌶
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book had me addicted from the start! I genuinely lost sleep reading this, I couldn't put it down.

The world building is elaborate in detail and is beautifully written throughout.

In the begining of the book, apart from Alexis and Cal (who are top tier), I had no idea who I was routing for. I would start to lean towards certain characters then remember something shady they said or did in an earlier chapter, so I was kept guessing for a while with no idea if certain characters had nefarious motivates. The characters keep you hooked as the plot builds, then once your comfortable with the characters then plot takes off - so much happens in this book. I feel like I've lived a full life reading it.

The characters in this book feel like family by the end, after everything we go through together. There's so many side characters who could have been main characters in their own right and are such a joy to read (I cannot wait for Clair and McQuoid's story later this year!). I love Cal, Alanna and Golem they are amazing. I had tears in my eyes when Alexis hugs Golem on her balcony, I love the dynamic between these two and hope there is more of that in the next book.

Oh Keane, the man that will bring us all to ruin 🥵. Smug in his confident smirks, that man has earned his ego. He definitely has a k!nk for powerful women and encourages Alexis to live to her full potential, all while letting her come to decisions and conclusions on her own, in her own time. He encourages her to be defiant, strong and question everything she thinks she knows about the world and herself.

The 16 times recounting! Although this book isn't written in multiple POV's this chapter allowed us a peak into Keane's emotions and it was everything we and Alexis needed. Adding Keane to the book boyfriend list 🖤

I love the back and forth between Alexis and Hiro and how much of a wind up merchant he is enjoying her frustration and how she doesnt care about respecting him, just puts him in his place. Seeing this relationship develop in the next book is going to be INTERESTING!!

Easy 5 Stars from me, it was right up my street and I could and probably will talk about it all day if you ask me about it. If you love fantasy I would highly recommend this read ✨️

"I don't have the words to give you yet and I don't know where they will take me when I can finally say them, but just know that I do recognise the battle within me. Its small right now, but its definitely there..."

"Under the shadow oak where you belong, Alexis."

"Every damn thing I need, Alexis."

[Kath Moll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed the theme of the book but not sure if would read the 2nd book. Grammar poor, tendency to start something then jump elsewhere leaving you wondering what had happened. Whilst not against sex there was way too much when inference would possibly be better and made the book a better length.

[R. M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC review: 3/5. The book is longer than it needs to be and I didn't find the characers interesting or developed enough to be invested in their romance.

The writing style was repetitive and over-wordy, to the point that some good editing would have cut 15-20% off this book without affecting the plot or pacing. To give an example, early in the book (second or third chapter I think) there is a description of a 'Discerni' trying to summon trees in the Flats and failing: "The land had no intention of changing its ways and anyone else attempting to do the same would do well to rethink that decision." the second half of the sentence isn't just unnecessary but clunky to the point of being distracting from the description.
It's a shame that this wordy writing style keeps reappearing, as the world seems interesting with it's tight class system, blending of fantasy with academia with adventure, the mystical elements, the moving between different cultures. The first couple of descriptions I thought were lovely, but the superfluous and oddly structured clauses irritated me quite quickly.
Also, this is slightly nit-picky but roughly the last 10% of the book had the word Ancients on almost every page as a placeholder for showing Alexis' irritation, frustration or horniness. While it's normal for fantasy books to have an alternative for curses rather than d-mn or f-ck, it doesn't usually come up on every page for several pages in a row. Especially when it's the only word on those pages getting italicised it's really noticable how much its getting used.

The minor characters were one-dimensional, which is not surprising when 21 characters are introduced in the first 40 pages - I counted, because keeping up with characters is something I do sometimes struggle with. There's a lot going on, and yet not enough for each character to be decently fleshed out.
Minor characters are either frosty towards Alexis - mostly working women, such as a pub landlady or warrior woman Alanna - or throwing themselves at her to help her - Gail, pretty much every male character introduced. Alexis does seem to be a girl's girl which I appreciate; she is charming and friendly towards other female characters, even the ones who don't like her (namely Alanna) and eventually winning them round without being pushy.
Alexis herself is a character built of modern fantasy heroine tropes stacked on top of each other in a silk dress with thigh slit. She's snarky. She's sexy. She can outdrink men. She can fight men. She can read even though she's not allowed (but she is allowed because she's the King's favorite (not actually sarcasm)). She's the lowest class and race but accepted in high society because she's the King's favourite. She's beautiful but she's not vain and she doesn't do anything for her appearance but she's so beautiful men throw themselves at her. There are more examples but they push into spolier territory.
I do like Alexis for her refusal to be told what to do, and actively fighting being told what to even when everyone around her thinks she's being silly or dramatic. I also like that some of the minor characters (particularly Cal) have her back even in those moments.
Keane is the sexy mysterious prince who falls in love with her. If you read a fair amount of romantasy; exactly like that, you've got him down already. He is snarky and mysterious, and even though he's very attracted to her independance, he takes that independance at every opportunity he gets (forcing her to sleep in his telt for her 'safety', the court scene with Lord Daniels).

The spicy scenes were pretty good with decent variety between them. The chemistry between Alexis and Keane is strong, both their characters work well in the scenes, the talk during and after flowed well. I also appreciate that Alexis has agency and experience in intimacy, and makes that clear to Keane during those scenes.

In all, Human Reborn is a fairly generic example of the romantasy genre; it ticks off a lot of the tropes without subversion, the writing's a little bloated, the plot ploughs on pretty quickly which is always good. While I don't think I'm interested in following the rest of the series, this book would be good for people who are big fans of the romantasy genre, because it will tick pretty much all their boxes.

[Chelsie reads books · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you WhimsyWords PR for the ARC, in exchange for a review. This book was published on 1st of Jan so I’m alittle behind in reading it. 👀

This is sadly a 2 stars for me. The synopsis of the book was intriguing and I had high hopes for this, it just didn’t give me that 5 star feeling or any real excitement.

I enjoyed the aspects of the world building, the courts, Knowledge, Warrior and Woodlands, Pyre were all described beautifully. Even the secret city. I could imagine every single one. I was confused by the set up of each court though, not really understanding them apart from the types of clothing they wore, knowledge was modest, whereas warrior was more risqué and revealing. I wanted to know more about them.

This was a longgg book, which most fantasies are, but I felt like nothing was really achieved, the first part had me interested, on their travels to the Red falls but then we had to come back from Red Falls and it just took along time. I did enjoy when they got to Pyre and we met The Prince and Princess and the library scenes. Afterwards I was confused by the human reborn thing and I thought it could have been explained abit better, what is a human reborn? I was left wondering. Alexis was able to do and see things others couldn’t, why?

I’m sorry, but Alexis and Keane weren’t it for me, he hardly spoke to her and only did when he wanted to have sex, which was a lot! I know that romantasy is romance first plot second in most cases but there was no build up or tension. his summoning power was always lustful and caused her great pain. But they were destined? This could have been explored more or could have been left out. let’s not even talk about Hiro. I didn’t understand that at all.

What I did love, was Golem, the dutiful side character, his watchful eye and the way he cared for Alexis without saying anything was very sweet 🥺 however he did drop off at the end with no real explanation..but still I loved him.

I think the thing that put me off the most was the way the story flowed, there were too many spelling and grammar errors and I had to keep going back to try and understand what was going on. This book has so much potential and it could be amazing with adjustments, it just wasn’t for me unfortunately.

[Claire Carruthers · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 100% a 6 star read!
Human Reborn is an absolute masterclass in fantasy story telling.
A world described so richly and vividly that you feel as though you are right there with the Characters.

In the world of Disce, people are either magical or not; Human or Disceri. Disceri have the ability to summon but humans do not.
We follow a woman called Alexis, who was taken in by the King and Queen when she was young after being orphaned. Alexis travels far and wide in employment to the King looking for a specific book. Yet on her next journey she is accompanied by two of the kings sons. Keane and Desmond, to begin with I was very intrigued by Keane and not a fan of Desmond. But they further you get into this incredible world and story your perspective of different characters change as you get to know them. As Alexis tries to fulfil the demand of her king she ends up on a journey of much more- one of self discovery.
Aryn Eleven Shaw has an absolute affinity to pull you in on this journey- If it wasn't for the fact I was made to see people during the Christmas period I would have locked myself away in the different kingdoms of Disce- The Greenstone Mountains, The Palisades, The hidden city and the Kingdom of Pyre, and all the magical creatures and abilities.
This romantasy is definitely a medium burn that keeps you on the edge of your cuddle chair, the tension, yearning and desire is top tier.
I cannot and I mean cannot shout loud enough about this novel - I believe this series will be the next ACOTAR with how good it is and wow that ending...I...did...not...see...that...coming!! Twist of the year!
Summer of 2026 seems way to far away for book 2!!

My thanks to Aryn Eleven Shaw and Whimsey PR for the opportunity to ARC read Human Reborn. All comments are my own.

[MJ | fortheloveofbooks01 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book and all opinions are honest and my own.

This book is beautiful, plain and simple. The world building is immersive and unlike any fantasy book I have read so far. The author's writing style is engaging and intricate; The Kingdom of Disce comes to life on the pages, with rich descriptions that pull you into the story while it unfolds. The FMC has so much substance: Alexis is bold, confident, steadfast, inquisitive, strong yet emotional, and you are able to see both the personal and interpersonal transformations she goes through on her journey throughout this book. The romance between Alexis and the MMC is fiery, filled with swoon-worthy monologues, the best type of tension and yearning, and the spice is sppiiiccyyyy! 🥵 (I may have needed breaks to compose myself while reading this 😳). And - plot twist, the ending!? - has me anxiously waiting for the next book to see how Alexis’s story continues.

My favorite tropes in this book:

🌍Epic world building
🪄Unique magic system
🫂Found family
💀Touch her and die MMC
🦮Golden retriever best friend
🦅Magical creature sidekicks (hi Golem & Stormfall!)

The only thing that would have made reading this book better was having the physical book in my hands! The magic of reading a story like this on pages you can feel underneath your fingertips is everything, and I will absolutely need a physical copy of this book. For the exceptional quality of the writing and storytelling alone, this book deserves five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and for all the high fantasy lovers out there, this one's for you. 🫵

P.S. - I love a woman who can hold her liquor 🥃😏

[Sarah Gower · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a highly enjoyable, epic read that completely swept me away. From the very first pages I felt genuinely transported into the world. Every location felt distinct and beautifully realised, and the descriptions were so vivid that I could clearly picture what the characters were seeing and experiencing.

I really liked the main character, Alexis, and as her story unfolded I found myself completely invested in her journey and firmly standing in her corner. The slow-burn romance was done beautifully, with wonderful chemistry and a dynamic that felt natural, engaging, and deeply satisfying to follow.

One of the things I really appreciated was how strong the side cast was. Every supporting character felt purposeful and genuinely enjoyable to read about, and none of them ever outstayed their welcome. I also loved the way the underlying mysteries were handled. Just enough questions were planted along the way to keep me curious and invested, and it was genuinely satisfying to see those threads gradually unravel as the plot unfolded, while still leaving plenty of questions waiting to be answered. I can’t wait to see how future books in the series build on this.

The plot had me hooked from the beginning, and even after closing the final page I was left feeling a little lost without this world and its characters. This is strong sign for me of a truly immersive read and I highly recommend this book for anyone looking for new fantasy read in the new year.

I received an ARC of this book, and this is my honest review.

[TheCozyChapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Human Reborn completely pulled me in and did not let go.

From the very beginning, there’s this quiet sense that something important is unfolding — not loudly, not all at once, but patiently. Watching Alexis wrestle with identity, loyalty, and the weight of truths that refuse to stay buried was deeply compelling. Her journey feels personal, raw, and earned.

What stood out most to me was the emotional atmosphere of the story. There’s tension simmering under the surface at all times — in conversations, in silences, in the things left unsaid. The found-family moments bring warmth and humour, grounding the story and making the stakes feel real and human.

The story takes its time, and when the bigger revelations begin to surface, they shift everything you thought you understood. It’s one of those books where the meaning settles in slowly, then hits all at once.

And then there’s Prince Keane. Magnetic, restrained, devastating. The slow-burn romance is exquisitely painful — built on longing, tension, and self-control — and I was emotionally undone in the best possible way.

This is a powerful debut that balances heart, mystery, and yearning beautifully. I already know this series is going to stay with me for a long time.

A huge Thank you to Whimsy Words PR and the lovely author for an arc of this amazing book 🫶🏼

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished this little after midnight and all I can say is wow! There are not many books that make me sit there in awe when I turn the last page, this was one of them! What a way to end the year! This book kept me up past my bedtime many nights.

Get ready for your next epic romantasy obsession!!!
The way that Aryn Eleven Shaw writes is so immersive. I felt like I was there in the moment with these characters throughout the book.
The story follows Alexis the FMC a human in a land full of magical Discerni including the MMC the delicious and very swoon worthy Prince Keane. She is sent on a quest to travel the kingdom to find a book for the King. While on this journey it becomes much more than finding the book it’s a journey to find out who she truly is! She begins to question what’s she’s been taught and what she believes.
The tension and yearning between the 2 main characters and the chemistry they share was worth the wait.
The way that Aryn wrote all the side characters they became my found family as well!
The ending sets us up perfectly for the second book which I need like yesterday!
I will absolutely be buying a trophy copy of this book to add to my bookshelf!

Thank you to Aryn Eleven Shaw and Whimsy Words PR for letting me journey to the Kingdom of Disce!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you, Aryn, for the ARC and letting me enjoy this masterpiece early!

4.5 ⭐️
3 🌶

I need the next book in this series! While the book itself was long and the pacing kept me guessing at some points, I have completely fallen for these characters. I was with them for their epic journey, the ups and downs, and truly felt as though I was part of this kingdom!

The world building was natural and swept me into the story with seemingly no effort. The magical system was unique but not confusing, allowing me to truly appreciate the kingdom of Disce and the various courts and cultures.

The author has a great sense of humor, and keeps it fitting with each character. I usually get annoyed or bored with the secondary characters, but each one was intentional and unique.

Did I mention Keane?! 🥵💕 I do believe his steadfast support and encouragement helped win him a coveted book boyfriend spot! Alexis certainly didn't need him to stand up for her because she is fierce in her own right, but the touch her and 💀 aspect did not hurt one bit! The spice was certainly spicing at all the right points 🌶

I think this will be one of the next titles we see advertised and hyped up all over social media!

[Emma Tea Cakes and Book Dates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for your new OBSESSION- Human Reborn is a must for your 2026 Romantasy TBR!!!! 🦅💚 🌳

Move over Kingfisher, Rhysand and Xaden there's a new broody bad boy in town!!!

I have to be honest I haven't been as invested in a world since ACOTAR! With phenomenal world building, Aryn Eleven Shaw very quickly immerses readers into the Kingdom of Disces, with her vivid descriptions and beautiful prose.🌹🥀📖

We travel throughout the Kingdom, with Alexis, a confident, inquisitive, and dagger wielding FMC, as she completes the Royal Mission, meeting each of the Courts and their diverse cultures on a quest for a book like no other.🌳💚🖤📖

The tension, the unlikely camaraderie within her entourage, the adventure, the MC's- honesty it has everything you could possibly want from a fantasy novel and Keane- Well, you couldn't get a more swoon worthy MMC!!! And he's not the only one who's got their eyes on Alexis...💨👀

You know you've got it bad when you reach the end and want to dive straight into book 2!!! This is definitely one book I'm going to need a physical copy of for my trophy shelf!! 🏆📚

Thank you very much to @whimsywordspr and @aryn.eleven for the opportunity to read this wonderful ARC in exchange for an honest review

[Ashley Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished Human Reborn, the first book in the Kingdom of Disce series by Aryn Eleven Shaw, and I am still reeling. It is long at just under 800 pages, but every single page is worth it! You get to know every character and location with such depth that by the time you're halfway through, you aren’t just reading, you are living in the Kingdom of Disce.

The world-building is, in a word, incredible. Aryn has this stunning way of painting a picture with her words that fully immerses you in the story. I can't stop daydreaming about how magical it would be to travel to Fumagalli, Gaumond, and Pyre.

The story sets the stage beautifully for what I think will be a truly epic romantasy series. It has ancient gods, prophecies, human and Discerni (magical beings) coexisting, the best found family, mythical creature sidekicks you will ADORE, and court intrigue mixed with a whole lot of whiskey, ale, and toddy's 🥃🍺. And Alexis and Keane just might be one of my new favorite book couples ❤️.

Thank you Aryn and Whimsy Words PR for this incredible ARC🫶. I highly recommend to anyone looking for their next romantasy obsession! I cannot wait to see what happens in book 2 ✨️🗡❤️🔥

[Oratilwe · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book to kick start my 2026 reading journey. I couldn’t put this book down making it a solid 5 star from me, and a book I highly recommend if romantasy is your thing!

I was drawn to the FMCs strength of character, and the MMCs humour and unwavering belief in the FMC. Their relationship development was a tortuous slow burn which was addictive. There is a third being involved in their relationship towards the end, which is intriguing and confusing at the same time. I’m hoping book two answers some of the questions around this.

I liked how this book had two strong MCs, plus a group of really interesting and dynamic side characters who form their travel companions. I hope we hear more from these side characters in future books.

This book beautiful sets the scene ahead of further books following the two MCs journey, as they work with Ancient magical beings to right the wrongs of the current world where they live.

I honestly cannot wait to read what happens next.

This is an ARC review.

[Erin Masura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Aryn Eleven Shaw and Whimsy words PR for this genius arc. The story is beautifully written. Aryn uses such descriptive wording that the reader is immediately transported into the world with the characters. Speaking of characters Alexis is a human in a magically world yet she holds her own. Throughout the story she truly transforms into the bada*s woman she and others always knew she could be. Keane is well absolutely a new book husband. His banter, magic, love and support to Alexis is absolutely amazing. “Don’t hide yourself, Alexis,” he says quietly, “not from me, not from anyone here.” "It was always going to be me and you, Alexis.”
The other characters feel like long lost friends and help to make this book even better. If you're looking for a fantasy world to escape into with epic world building, harass fmc protective fmc and spice escape into Human Reborn.
Truly looking forward to joining the characters back in Pyre soon.

[BlueWaterLily · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC Review: I was given an advanced copy of this book by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall rating: 3 🌟
Available now on Kindle unlimited

I'm really on the fence about this book. It had all the elements of a good romantasy but I'm not sure it was executed as well as I hoped. The plot was interesting but it was slow paced and took a while to start. I liked the world-building as well and the romance was solid. I liked the chemistry between Alexis and Keane. I would have liked it better if the romance was more slowburn.

My main issue was I didn't like Alexis the FMC and I struggled to be invested in her storyline which affected my enjoyment of the book. I read a lot of romantasy and while I do think it's a well crafted book, I've read a lot of these tropes and themes before, so it wasn't anything new for me.

Overall, I think I would recommend the book as a whole but I don't think it's for me personally. Thank you to the author for sending me this ARC.

[Reading with Shaan ✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so grateful to have received an ARC of Human Reborn by Aryn Eleven Shaw! The world-building is epic, with each court described in its own beautiful way. The MMC is possessive, with all the "touch her, you die" vibes, and the slow burn? SO good! The tension and longing were on fire, and when the spice hit, it definitely spiced things up 🔥. The FMC is strong and smart, and seeing her navigate through the world while questioning everything really drew me in. The relationships (whether family, friends, or romance) added so much emotional depth. I couldn’t put it down, and I’m already counting down the days for book 2! If you love a slow-burn romance, suspense, and complex characters, Human Reborn is a MUST-read!