The Keeper of Eden

by L.B. Disher

Condemned to the Arena for a crime they didn’t commit, fae brothers Wayden and Nathan are forced to strike a dangerous bargain: serve a new master in exchange for their lives or die at one another’s hands.

When their paths cross with December’s, a captive fae-hybrid, who’s thrust into a deadly world that she’s unprepared for, Wayden and Nathan must earn her trust as they discover that their lives are bound together by a prophecy steeped in ancient secrets and lies.

As war looms between fae and human, and a fanatical cult seeks to unleash an ancient entity hellbent on destruction, the three battle not only for survival, but for each other. Hunted and pitted against each other, all three must fight to change their fates—before the world falls with them.

Genres: Fantasy

469 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2026

About the author

Author of speculative fiction, L.B. Disher dreams up imaginary places whenever she can, including the complex world of her in-progress debut trilogy, The Guardians of Eden.

She lives in Ohio with her husband, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and a mini horse with an attitude, and is a full-time paramedic and firefighter.

When not working or spending ungodly hours daydreaming on ways to terrorize her characters, L.B. can be found with a good book and a mug of coffee.

Reviews

[ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Keeper of Eden by L.B. Disher

An absolute SOLID 6 star read and I’m not sure any book will be able to top this one.

This was absolutely incredible. The world building was insane. I’d say the first 20% is a little slower, BUT it absolutely has to happen. It gives you some back story and much needed information for the two mmc’s which later completely shapes them into who they become.

It’s a raw, character-driven read where growth is hard, downfalls are devastating, strength is tested, and triumphs are earned and boy do our characters here earn their way.

I loved when December (FMC) was introduced. She truly went through hell with all the suffering she endured. While weak in the beginning, she came out so strong. Her, Wayden and Nathan had the best banter with each other. I enjoyed their push and pull on all sides as well.

Final Thoughts: This book is written so well that you’re immersed into every scene. It’s truly brought to life and makes you feel exactly what the characters do. I may or may not now have a case of bipolar disorder. 🫢

Thank you so much to L.B. Disher for the ARC and for allowing your DM’s to be open while I give my play by play reactions as I read and for entertaining me along the way. You’re incredibly talented and I can’t wait for the world to read this story when it comes out 🖤

✨TROPES✨
Touch & Die
Forced Allies
Found Family
Fae Magic
Hurt | Comfort
Multiple POV’s
Fight to the Death Trials
Cliffhanger

Publication Date: 03|2026

[Sammi Loves Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

War makes monsters of the best of us.

The Keeper of Eden by LB Disher

Ahh this book! Multiple POVs, the slowest of burns. There's persecution, loss, mental and physical battles and so many twists and turns youll feel like you're our on a roller coaster.

Wayden is our older brother and protector. Nathan is our loyal soldier. December is our survivor. Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient artifact, our trio are pushed mentally and physically, learning to trust each other and themselves in world set against them.

Tropes
- Found family
- Who did this to you?
-Touch her and ☠️
- Slow burn

Pros
- Found Family
- He Calls her by his nickname
- The slowest of burns 🔥

Cons
- Emotional damage, these characters go through it, you are set for an emotional roller-coaster! (Make sure to check those TWs)
-WDYM I have to wait for the sequel!

Overall rating 4.5/5

Such a great ARC read, can't wait for the rest of the series . If you're a fan of Throne of Glass I think this will be right up your street.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, I love this book. It is incredible, thrilling and took me on an emotional journey. You are pulled into fantastical worlds as you follow the three main characters on their journey through the different trials that they are forced to endure. I love the camaraderie between the three and how they become a family.

I became so immersed in the pages that the action mixed in with character moments kept me turning the pages. I was sad that it had to end as I had become attached to each of the main characters. I can’t wait to see what comes next for them.

Thank you L. B. Disher for ARC and I can't wait till the world reads this story when it comes out.

[Olivia L. Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the honor of receiving this book as an ARC.

First of all, I found the worldbuilding and magic system fascinating in this book. It has urban fantasy blended with epic fantasy style lore, and it just felt very fresh.

I did get a little confused by the time jumps (there are a few right at the beginning), but once we got to the present day telling, the story really took off.

The chemistry between the three characters was so good. Eerie vibes and unknown depths to them.

I found the characters loveable, and the ending heartbreakingly good.

I am definitely intrigued to see where this story goes!

[Rebecca Bourne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goodness! Where do I start?
Some of these plot twists had my jaw on the FLOOR. I adore that a lot of Wayden's story early on would usually be given to the *Token Female*. I love the brotherly bond. Each character feels unique and real. My heart rate is still up- I finished the book about five minutes ago. I need book 2.
It does have a bit of a slower start BUT that slower start is CRUCIAL for a huge payout later.
I'm going to have to sue for emotional damages.

[Riley Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! The first couple of chapters were a bit slow but the rest of the book flew by. I was so sad for it to end. The book is mainly split into 3 povs with another character having 2 or 3 chapters themselves. There's enough action and thought provoking scenarios to keep you engaged but not overwhelmed. highly recommend this book!

[RogueMarina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the character driven plot and worldbuilding. I found something so ominous and mysterious for each character where it was hard to know their true intentions and how it would affect the plot. The multipov definitely fleshed out each character and gave them more depth as well.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. L.B. does an amazing job with character development and story pacing. This is one of those refreshing takes on Fae and a world that's gritty and painful. This is one you don't want to miss. Definitely looking forward to book 2.

[Renee Oquinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 star story the Winchester brothers meets fae. two brothers hunted and on the run for what they are. they eventually join the army resistance but are betrayed and sentenced to fight for years in a gladiator style arena. Wanted for their experience they are given the opportunity to escape the arena in exchange for their service, when they end up meeting Eden everything changes. absolutely enjoyed this

[bry’s corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. I really like December. I hope a second book comes.

[Tvisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mysterious powers of 'The Codex of Eden' has me craving for book 2!! 😳

If you're bored of low-fantasy where everything is cheerful with a happily ever after....... This is the book you've been needing! ⚡

This book will not be a gentle caress, it is dark, epic with high stakes of life & death..... 🫢

The story is set in the world where there is prejudice against Fae creatures. So, there are two fae brothers who are running for survival, determined to end the war & bring justice to the fae race..... But, it all goes downhill & they're being used and tortured...Their lives are full of challenges. They managed to rescue/capture this girl named December from being experimented on! So now all three of them are stuck together facing "worsities" of life while on a quest to find 'The Codex'. It turns out they hold a deeper truth - a connection to primordials, codex & eden !!

Their strength & resilience is Innefable....I've been in awe the whole book
Wayden's quality of bearing everything for his loved ones & suffering in silence. He's like the father of the group.
Nathan's ability to not let the darkness reach his soul (the situations he went through). Also helping wayden to not lose his control. He's like a protective brother.
December's ability of enduring everything thrown at her & emerging stronger. She's feisty.... lil spitfire! Omg! The things she have gone through....😭 She deserves a great life & great love.....

Y'all have to read this book 😩✋🏻

The plot is engaging... I couldn't put the book down even for a sec..... The constant surprises & romantic tension kept me hooked all along!

The pace of this book is mid, deliberately explaining the details while not letting you get bored!

The story has 3 POVs in the Third Person...it feels like you're the god watching the scene unfold from above 😂

Thankyou for giving me this ARC to read!! ✨

[Lacy · Rating 4 out of 5]

🔪 ARC Review 🧛‍♂️

3.7

In this dark fantasy, brothers Wayden and Nathan are fae in a world where humans and fae definitely do not get along.  As they try to find their place in the world, they continue to become captives of someone or other.

While working to free themselves, they encounter December, a half-fae/half-human, who has grown up locked up and experimented on.

The three become an unlikely team, ordered to infiltrate, steal, and kill by their captors. Can they successfully complete their task? 

 But, more importantly, should they?

This was an enjoyable read, with found family, fight scenes, and brotherly love.  I liked it quite a bit.

December is a character I really connected with and wished a happy ending for.  She was so damaged and untrusting and any growth for her or ability to be self-sufficient or even to figure out how to stand up for herself into he face of bullies was something I was always hoping for.

Nathan and Wayden's brotherly connection was so turbulent - sometimes at odds and sometimes sticking up for each other.  It was a rollercoaster of a relationship.

I really liked the villains and would love to see a novella or some short stories about their back stories once the series gets going.  In some ways, I could see myself siding with some of them.

If you like Shrek, the Sookie Stackhouse books (True Blood), or Crowns of Nyaxia, you may like this book.

Triggers: Death, Murder, Violence, Grief

[Eric Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fantastic!

The debut novel by L.B. Disher is a tense, fun, character-driven adventure full of heart and deep emotion.

LB Disher writes powerful characters that get absolutely put through the wringer throughout the story. The two brothers, Nathan and Wayden, are fleshed out remarkably well, and you deeply feel all the trials they’re forced to endure through the story. Their dynamic is tense, but you truly understand where both of them are coming from, and the character work is top-notch throughout.

The third main character, December, is also written extremely well. We get a great picture of her being brought up in nearly non-stop trauma without it feeling gratuitous or over the top. Watching her character unfold throughout the book is a joy, and you end up deeply attached to her by the end.

The story takes a bit of time to get going, but it’s definitely worth the wait once things properly kick off. There’s a great cadence of action mixed with character moments, and with each chapter, I just wanted to keep going.

The end leaves plenty of places for the story to go without feeling like a complete cliffhanger. This is shaping up to be the beginning of a great series, and I’m very excited to see what comes next!

Do yourself a favor and check it out!

[B.W. Green · Rating 3 out of 5]

For readers who love a new but not disorienting fantasy world, found family, trauma bonding, magic with a cost.

I need great characters to draw me into a story, and this book had me by the end.
I loved the 2 main character's adopted brother relationship. Their relationship seemed realistic and their bond was my favorite part. The main characters' abilities and attitudes felt earned, which I really appreciate. I'm not personally the biggest fan of "I love you and I don't know why" romance, but it worked ok with those two characters.

The sentence architecture occasionally confused me during action, but I read an advanced copy, and edits were likely made after I read it.

I reserve 4 and 5 stars for books that MADE me read them. This one didn't quite at the beginning, but ending definitely did, so I'm giving 3.5 stars.

Content: Language throughout but not overwhelming. Physical desire and arousal described but no on page sex. Violence throughout, but you kind of know what you're getting into reading about fantasy war.

[Tiara Sleight · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible, thrilling, emotional journey.

The Keeper of Eden explores fantastical worlds with amazing world-building and daring characters who face impossible decisions with each turn. There's a beautiful underlying tone of camaraderie and family that really pulls all the characters together into three main points of view that keep you engaged with every chapter. By the time you're finished, you'll be dying to know more.

There's something amazing about a book that can transport you to another dimension, which is exactly what L.B. Disher has done. You feel as if you are a part of the adventures, which emotionally attaches you to each person the MCs come across (whether it be for good or bad).

I couldn't put it down, and will be re-reading it upon its publishing date, undoubtedly.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fortunate enough to get an Advance Reader from the author.

I have to say, I was hooked very early on, but something shifted energywise about halfway through and I slowed down my pace a good bit. I feel like the flow got a little off in the middle, and it picked up pace pretty quickly towards the end.

This is very similar to True Blood and Vampire Diaries in the sense that there's something special about our heroine, and there are two male protagonists. Fortunately they are not fighting for her affection (yet?) but they are brothers. Having read/seen similar stories, this still felt relatively fresh in voicing. I didn't feel like I was reading something I've read a hundred times before.
I am looking forward to the next book because that ending was brutal. I definitely feel like a lot happened and I need a book two to help me work through what all happened.

[Stephanie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a great book - we have fae, which there are many different types - humans, dead gods, war, death.

The two main mc's are brothers and are trying to find their way in the world when their mother is murdered for being a fae - they are taken in by a human, that used to kill fae, and then leave to find their way in the world.

They are both powerful warriors, Reapers, and save a hybrid fae, December. Wayden and December fall in love but then things happen.

I know there is a second book coming so we can find out what happens - there is a murder at the end of the book that left me shooked. Great story!

[Alexia Muelle-Rushbrook · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get an ARC copy of this fantasy book.

There's a slow start - or rather a sense of slow burn getting into the story because the timeline actually moves quickly, seeing the three main characters jumps over a decade throughout the book, giving a much wider insight to what makes them into the adults they are.

I liked the mix of the two brothers plus December's story. I found her story the most compelling, hers is certainly the most harrowing beginning, but all three weave together well, resulting in a solid fantasy.

[Paul Zareith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. The dynamics between the brothers worked out incredibly well and December was very likeable too. The initial part starts out a bit slow, but I liked how the story is sped forward through judicious use of timeskips. The presentation remains approachable throughout, and once we enter the arena, the plot absolutely flies from there.

I have limited familiarity with mainstream fae literature, but the story reminded me of Spartacus except with magic, fae and vampires and Kristoff's Nevernight (both of which I absolutely loved) .

[Amelia Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a FANTASTIC start to a series!!!

It's dark, dark, dark, dark, but tinged with hope. The brothers give off BIG Sam and Dean (SPN) vibes, and while I know that wasn't intentional, at all, fans of the show will love this book!

The beginning is a tad slow, but absolutely necessary to the characters' growth and to get into each one's head. I love love love Nathan's level headedness, and Wayden's rash--almost sadistic side. And December figuring herself out is a lovely, harrowing journey.

I'm simultaneously devastated and satisfied with the ending, and ready for MORE!!

[Stephanie Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg this books was absolutely addicting, amazing, spectacular, phenomenal and so so so much more then I could have ever expected. The way the story was built to the characters and the story overall was done probably the best I’ve read in awhile! I’ve been obsessed with this book since I first saw the sign up and it didn’t disappoint me I couldn’t put it down and I can’t stop telling everyone about it! Order it pick it up! Read it obsess and maybe cry a little 😅🫣 truly thank you so so much for letting me read this early!

[Paola Prado · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an emotional roller coaster. The way I went from laughing to crying to throwing my kindle across the room is crazy. I think the plot was engaging and had me reading one more chapter into the late nights. I really fell in love with the brothers and the way their relationship with December grew. I absolutely CANNOT wait for book 2, I am desperate to find out what happens next. 10/10 recommend.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My heart!! This book broke my heart over and over and I still couldn't put it down. The MMC's were tortured prisoners but when freedom came they unknowingly traded one prison for another. The FMC, December, was weak and broken but with the help of the MMC's she learned to be strong. They made their own family. This ended on a cliffhanger but I can't wait for the next book.

[Nicole Sapriken · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This book is intense! The world that these three are in is a dark and dangerous one. The character and world building in this book are so deep that you feel like you are there with them, going through the pain and suffering as well. So amazingly written.
I look forward to seeing where this one goes in the next book.
Make sure to check the trigger warnings before starting this read.