Tortured Souls

by Melissa K. Roehrich

Fate bends to no one except the cursed.Official blurb coming soon!

Tortured Souls is book one of two in dark fantasy romance series. It will end in a cliffhanger. As always, your mental health and boundaries matter. It is highly recommended you check the Content Information for the triggers, tags, and tropes for this series before diving in. They can be found on Melissa's website or at the back of the back.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Fantasy Romance, Dark Fantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 12, 2026

About the author

Melissa is a dark fantasy romance author who loves coffee, dragons, and constantly rearranging her bookshelves. She spends her time writing, reading, and homeschooling her three boys in the Middle-of-Nowhere, North Dakota, where she lives with her boys, husband, dogs, multiple barn cats, and chickens on a small farmstead. She is constantly trying to convince her husband they need to add goats and ducks to the mix, and one day, she'll succeed.

She's not here much, so if you're looking to connect, check out the following:

*Facebook Reader Group: Melissa's Dragon Cave
*Discord: https://discord.gg/GTY757MCXF
*Instagram: @melissa_k_roehrich
*TikTok: @authormelissakroehrich

Reviews

[Youssra (semi ia)]

👀👀👀

[RedFireLady · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing start to a new series by Melissa K Roehrch!

I have been a fan of her books for years and was so excited to read an ARC of Tortued Souls. This story, true to MKR style, is immersive and well planned with amazing world and character building, and easter eggs peppered throughout the story.

Kailia is an amazing FMC. She is complex and layered, flawed but tough, traumatized and smart. She has a hard time understanding social cues and an aversion to touch because of her traumatic past, which causes her difficulty when interacting with people. She is written in a way where you can't help but to understand her and all the baggage that she has, and admire the strength it takes for her to carry it all.

Cethin is intense and broody, but in a way that had me swooning. He is driven to save his people and won't let anything stop him from it, no matter the cost. He carries his own trauma and guilt, and as it slowly eats away at him he find himself even more desperate to find a solution to his kingdoms problems. When he forces Kailia to marry him he sets off a chain of events there is no way he could have predicted.

Razik..this man. I have loved his broody, angry ass since the Lady of Darkness series and I so love getting more of his story in Tortured Souls. What's not to love about a hot, moody dragon?

The way that MKR develops her stories and weaves everything together is just magic. The relationship building coupled with that slow burn tension and yearning, along with never being quite sure who is the predator and who is the prey in this story, had me hooked! I absolutely devoured this book and I will just be over here slowly dying as I wait for the next one to be released.

[Caitlin_]

I can’t skip a Melissa K Roehrich release. No one writes dark, twisted, and complex like she does!

[Leanna Streeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melissa Roehrich has officially done it again, Tortured Souls didn’t just meet my expectations, it absolutely obliterated them. If there was ever any doubt about her being my favorite author, this book cemented her place firmly at the top.

I devoured this in less than 24 hours because putting it down simply wasn’t an option. Every chapter pulled me deeper into the story until I reached that final page wondering how I was supposed to function while waiting for the next book.

Kailia is easily one of my all time favorite FMCs. She is layered, raw, and profoundly human. Watching her navigate trauma, mental health struggles, discomfort with touch, and the weight of social situations felt incredibly authentic and handled with so much care. Characters with real challenges always resonate with me, and Roehrich wrote Kailia with empathy, strength, and emotional nuance that made her unforgettable.

And our king… the mystery, the broodiness, the quiet intensity, I am completely gone for this man. Somehow I love him even more here than in the Darkness series. Seeing pieces of his story unfold was both satisfying and tantalizing, especially because Roehrich intentionally kept so much of these characters shrouded in mystery before now.

Then there’s Razik, a character I have loved every single time he’s appeared and finally getting more of his backstory was EVERYTHING. His journey is just as compelling, adding even more depth to a world I already never want to leave.

Speaking of this world… Roehrich is an absolute mastermind. The way she threads connections together, plants Easter eggs for longtime readers, and expands the emotional landscape of her universe is nothing short of brilliant. You can feel the intention behind every reveal.

The pacing is steady, the world-building is immersive, and the storytelling is utterly addictive.

Yes, this is a prequel, but new readers can absolutely start here. At the same time, longtime fans will be rewarded in the best possible ways.

And that cliffhanger? PERFECT. Sharp enough to leave me feral for the next installment, but not so abrupt that it feels cruel.

Books like this are exactly why Melissa Roehrich remains an auto read author for me. When she writes stories this powerful, this emotional, and this consuming… I honestly don’t see that changing anytime soon.

I loved every second of this reading experience and already know this is a story I’ll be thinking about for a very long time.

[Shannon Farley]

A new series by the amazing Melissa K Roehrich! Sign me up! 💞😊

[heba]

RCT

Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Amanda | escapetoerilea · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMGGGGGG 🫠🫠🫠🫠 full review to come but I'm a puddle - instant book hangover

[Charlee Umstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooo, this finished me. I mean I finished this. One may wonder how I’m feeling.. FERAL! That’s how I’m feeling! Because I’m sorry WHAT DO YOU MEAN THAT IS WHERE YOU ARE LEAVING ME DANGLING OFF THE PEAK OF MOUNT EVEREST MELISSA?!!

I was absolutely consumed by this story from beginning to end. I didn’t want to eat, I didn’t want to sleep. Work? What’s that? Do I know how this found family ends up because I’ve read the Lady of Darkness series (multiple times), yes. Does it matter? Fucking no! And also, I’m now questioning everything that I know of these three from LoD! You know why? Because Cethin, Kailia and Razik are a found family anomaly. The ultimate in enemies to still enemies and maybe greater enemies than when they started out. 🥴

Tortured Souls is moves and counter moves, it’s who’s hunting who? It’s who and what can I trust? Can I even trust myself? Manipulation and deception and stabbing. It’s ARE YOU FKKING KIDDING ME?! The character work, the chess game, the mind blowing revelations at the end will have you staring at a wall while simultaneously internally raging.

Kailia is our neurodivergent FMC with a tragiccc past; she’s uncomfortable in crowds, hates being touched, and who needs shoes and pants anyway?! She is a breath of fresh air with her blunt replies, snarky comments, and stabby ways yet also relatable given her raw emotionality and the depth of her character. She’s like an onion with all of the layers that need to be peeled away.

Cethin, the moody, mysterious, powerful king who will do anything to save his kingdom, including pushing past his power limits, sanity & happiness. His constant understanding and gentleness with Kailia solidified my love for this male. But the way these two just manipulate the shit out of each other was honestly impressive!

And then we have RAZIK! Our favorite broody, bitter, bowl-loving dragon 🖤 I love how well Razik and Kailia connected, he gained her trust in a totally different way than Cethin did and their banter was some of my favorite! They both have dry humor, they’re blunt and don’t really GAF about hurting feelings and it was the best! And her taunting him about the BOWL, CLASSIC! In total transparency, I was worried about reading his storyline because I knew we were going to experience his source bond with Wren and it always feels a little like cheating when we KNOW who & what the endgame. But Melissa handled this SO TASTEFULLY! It was all kind of glossed over in a way that made it easy to read and I’m so glad there really weren’t more emotional ties between the two than there were! So have no fear, if this is also a concern if yours going into this book! Also, the further insight into Razik’s past & his history with Cethin was so needed! Their anger and hate towards each other is palpable. I continue to understand this dragon more and more with each series and I will never get enough of him!

As I said before, the ending left me dying. I’m 💀. Gone from this world. I need you all to read this ASAP if you love MKR, LoD, or want to read a story about 3 people who truly HATE each other with a passion.

The end. Goodbye.

[lilly]

i fear i need this like i need air

[Eren Valentine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to put into words the level of love I have for this book. I thought I loved the characters during Lady of Darkness? Oh boy! This book I have gone back and forth between huh wow, okay I'm mad at him and easily OMG HE'S SO PERFECT. Well whiplash aside from the characters and really watching where they were before being a found family was beyond captivating. I absolutely loved getting more of this world and returning back to people that we know later on. Let me tell you that the banter in this book has banter! Melissa definitely cranked up the banter levels for this one and I'm so glad that it was there! I absolutely loved everything between our trio, be it 1 on 1 or 2 on 3 and all the combinations. The twists and turns kept be glued to the pages and I really regretted that I have to sleep. My level of obsession? Higher than it was before. Melissa does amazing work with crafting her stories and really dragging you in and finding the little easter eggs from the other series, trying to connect the dots, keeping you guessing and thinking that we know everything.... I think we're FAR from knowing everything and I never know what to expect but it is the Chaosverse after all for a reason.

If you're looking for a book with top tier banter that banters, grumbly and growly dragon shifter, mysterious and broody man, and a neurodivergent Queen who loves using her pointy objects to make a point, and a deep story that will keep you thinking about it and making you re-read and dive back into the other ones to try to find answers..... This book is it!

[realms.of.romantasy (Cara B) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good gods! Melissa has done it again! With every book she leaves me speechless, and 𝑻𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝑺𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒔 is no different! This is why she is my all time favorite author! She writes stories that are powerful, complex, dark and deeply rooted in trauma. Her words are beautiful and immerse you so deep into all your feels leaving you yearning for more every single time. She writes characters that you hate to love and love to hate; characters that are layered and beautifully flawed. The “tortured souls” of these characters are heart wrenching and raw. You can feel their pain through every word Melissa writes! She is an absolute mastermind at weaving her immersive worlds together with all the connections and all the Easter eggs planted ingeniously. The banter in this book is of EPIC proportions and, holy cow, how can such a tiny little female have THAT much sass 😂. Kailia shines in this book!

I loved every minute of being back in Avonleya, seeing these beloved characters for who they once were and how they came to be who we’ve grown to love in LOD. But be prepared for some soul gripping angst; lots of twists and secrets; and, as always, some emotional damage. I am already chomping at the bit for the rest of this story!!

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! It’s a MKR book, so I wasn’t expecting to dislike it, but I had such a fun time!! And by fun, I kind of mean emotionally devastating, but you know, classic MKR.

The banter was bantering! By far my favorite part of the book. The slow burn is done so well (and it’s really slow by the way). The banter along the way gives such a good taste of what’s to come, and it does not disappoint. Every time they interacted, I felt like squealing or smiling or laughing, and I just loved them.

The plot is also of course incredible. It’s intense, dark, and amazing in every way. It’s not my favorite MKR book, but it definitely deserves a top slot.

I had a great time reading this, and I’m looking forward to seeing where the story takes us.

You do not need to read other MKR books to enjoy this one! It will definitely spoil some things from other series, but you can simply just read this one and have a blast while reading.

Thank you very much to MKR and her team for the copy of this book! All opinions are my own.

[Ashley Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Melissa blows me away. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this, being set before the timeline of other series of hers (can still be read without having to read the other series) but it was so good.

How she writes characters that you can hate one minute and love the next will always amaze me. Don’t want to give anything away yet but expect lots of tortured, hurting souls. Betrayals and secrets. Tension, slow burn, politics, I loved every bit of this

[Larissa Heller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Melissa has brought me into the world she has created and made me fall in love with the characters. As someone who has read both Lady of Darkness and Legacy series, I though I had a general idea of what to expect, and boy was I wrong.

Avonleya has a problem. Well, a few problems. The fae are mysteriously dying, the people are being attacked by wraith-like creatures (targeting Cethin specifically), and the council wants Cethin to be married like yesterday. Enter, Kailia. Cethin thinks he has the perfect plan to get Kailia and her abilities to help his people; Kailia wants nothing to do with him; and our favorite grumpy dragon despises Cethin and tentatively starts to build a friendship with Kailia.

My favorite part of Melissa's books is the depth to the characters.

Cethin is feeling the pressure of the Crown after the passing of his father. He is willing to do anything to find a way to protect his people, including bringing in an outsider that nobody knows anything about. He pushes past his limits and finds creative ways to help. And of course, he is keeping the most secrets from everyone - not only his council, but also his new wife.

Kailia is such a great character because she has so much depth. While her background starts as a mystery, it is clear that she is heavily traumatized (as evidenced by her touch aversion). She has a "stab first and ask forgiveness later" mentality which doesn't earn her the most fans. But Kailia doesn't let anyone tell her what to do, at least without a lot of work on their part. While she is navigating a new world, new customs, and new responsibilities, she has to learn how to let Cethin in and prove herself worthy of her new title. But Kailia might be keeping the most secrets of them all.

Razik. Razik, Razik, Razik. He is just as grumpy as I remember him from the other books, but he really tugged on my heartstrings in Tortured Souls. As one of the last descendents of Sargon, Razik is still hurting from being left in the realm. He is only close to a few people, and feels so alone. He thinks that he has found a kindred soul in Lia, but secrets have a way of catching up with everyone. Once everything ends, will Razik be more alone than ever?

The world building is also done in a way that isn't a total info dump but makes sense. Yes, there are a lot of Gods, and yes there are a lot of different types of beings, but they're explained well.

Tropes in Tortured Souls include
Arranged (forced) Marriage
A whole lot of Yearning
One Bed
Hunter x Hunted

It is not necessary to read Lady of Darkness or Legacy before reading this book, but it was definitely fun to see easter eggs throughout the book. And trying to figure out how the characters get from Point A (Avonleya) to Point B (Lady of Darkness) is an extra level of entertainment.

I am honored to be part of Melissa's ARC team and share my love for this chaosverse with you all!

Tortured Souls releases February 12 2026.

[Lissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars. No notes. I am unwell.

If you’ve read Melissa K. Roerich’s LoD or Legacy series, you already know she thrives on emotional damage and chaos, it’s safe to say Tortured Souls is no exception. That said: you do not need to have read any of her previous works to dive into this book. This is an interconnected world, not a required reading order situation (there is a guide on her website for those who want peak emotional devastation like me 🫣)

This is a dark fantasy romance packed with power struggles, dangerous alliances, morally questionable decisions, and twists that absolutely refuse to be guessed.

And I tried to guess because I always do. With this book? Not a chance. Every time I thought I knew where the story was going, Melissa said ‘cute’ and yanked the rug out from under me. Who’s the cat? Who’s the mouse? I genuinely don’t know and I’m not convinced the author does either 😂

Now the characters. Because wow.

Kailia is an unapologetic, neurodivergent FMC who hates touch, crowds, and stupidity. Her personal motto is stab first, process feelings never, and I respected her instantly. She is flawed, prickly, reactive, and gloriously unpolished! The narrative never forces her to soften or shrink to be “likable.” She is herself. Deal with it. We love to see it.

Cethin is an absurdly powerful king doing everything he can to save his kingdom… while keeping you guessing every step of the way. His banter and tension with Kailia had me kicking my feet at 2am, and I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface of who he really is

And then there is Razik.
Antisocial. Broody. Dragon shifter. Chronically unimpressed. Watching him go head-to-head with Kailia was hysterical, and his bowl-hoarding tendencies absolutely ended me. Touch his bowls at your own peril. I would read an entire spin-off about Razik, ‘Bowls, Bloodshed, and the Dragon Who Said “Don’t”’

If you enjoy slow burns that hurt your feelings, twists that give you whiplash, morally gray characters, and banter that makes you laugh out loud like an unhinged person, Tortured Souls delivers. Ruthlessly.

Disclosure: I’m part of the Tortured Souls ARC/Street Team. Opinions are entirely my own.

[Samantha Hembree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that I am feral for more of this story right now when I know the characters endgames from Melissa’s other series should tell you what an incredible and addictive book this was.

Melissa writes complex characters like this so well - she’s able to do such a good job of showing the layers of our three main characters and peeling them back bit by bit throughout the story in a way that feels authentic and shows their growth. You definitely don’t need to read Lady of Darkness to dive into Tortured Souls, but what a rewarding read it was having been introduced to these characters already and getting to learn more about how they came to be.

I have to say this - RAZIK. IS. EVERYTHING. I am fully obsessed with this character and the broody boy that he is. I enjoyed him in Lady of Darkness, but this has cemented him on my book boyfriend list. His exterior is rock hard but to be one of the few people he cares for… 🖤🖤 And a thank you to Melissa for giving us glimpses of his procurement of bowls - what a perfect Easter egg that had me giggling like crazy.

Kailia!! Melissa never lets me down when it comes to female leads. Kailia may have a tragic backstory that has led to her own struggles she’s yet to overcome, but she doesn’t let that define her. She’s strong and stubborn while also fighting to be able to have softness and trust in her relationships she’s building. After everything she’s been through, she’s giving people the opportunity, but we all saw from that ending what happens when you wrong her!!!

Cethin may be a powerful king who was raised for this role and to protect his people, but baby boy is a yearner when it comes to Kailia!! He’s desperate for her and while his methods are certainly gray, I still couldn’t help but root for it to work out in his favor because of how feral he is for her!

I am so pleased with this book and cannot wait for more from these characters!!!

[Kelly McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

TINY FIEND!!!!!!!!!!!

It is no secret that I love the Chaosverse, and the moment I knew who this book would focus on, I was completely locked in.

If this is your first Chaosverse book, I am genuinely jealous of you and also deeply concerned for your mental health.

This book was absolutely perfect. If you have been craving more of tiny fiend and a deeper understanding of who she truly is, buckle up because this delivers on every level. I can already tell the character growth we are heading toward is going to be artful and devastating in the best way. Even coming in already familiar with many of these characters, finally getting a deeper dive into them was beyond satisfying.

Once again, Melissa Roehrich proves she is the queen of banter. I was kicking my feet and giggling more times than I can count. Kailia’s blunt, no nonsense approach to everything is endlessly entertaining, and adding Razik into the mix absolutely took me out. Watching their relationship unfold was such a joy.

And Cethin. Ooooo baby. The family traits are STRONG. The attitude, the secrets, the presence. Every chapter from his POV felt tense, moody, and intentional, always leaving me wondering what his endgame really is. But the patience and gentleness he reserves for Kailia? Yeah. That did things to my heart. A true shadow daddy.

This book felt like a full game of cat and mouse, keeping me on edge the entire time. And knowing the sneaky, mastermind genius behind these characters, I trusted absolutely no one. Who’s the cat and who’s the mouse?

This feels like the perfect setup for something truly god tier. That ending??? I’m sorry, can I please take a restorative nap? Someone wake me up when book two is ready.

If you love broody dragons, sharp banter, territorial fae, and the twists, deceit, and mind games that come with ruling a kingdom, this one is for you.

[Jenna Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ARC Review✨
Spice level: 🌶️.5

This book didn’t just break my heart…it carved it open, chewed it up and spit it out.

Tortured Souls is a story about curses, crowns, and the unbearable weight of loving a kingdom more than yourself and protecting it at all costs. Cethin is the kind of king who will let people believe he is a monster in order for his people to be able to sleep safely at night. He is also understanding and gentle. And that quiet, self-inflicted villainy? It wrecked me. But I couldn’t help but want more.

Kailia is no fragile queen. She is sharp, feral, and unapologetic. She is a woman who survives by striking first and asking questions never. She is haunted by trauma. She doesn’t let people in easily. And being touched is one thing she can’t get past. It made me feel for her. Her raw emotion was so relatable and vulnerable, and I could feel it on every page.

And Razik…god, he is Sweet, lonely, and cursed. His loyalty, his resentment, the way he stands in the shadows loving a kingdom that never truly chose him…I was not emotionally prepared for this.

The banter is *chefs kiss.* The yearning and slow burn is everything. And the tension between these three is suffocating in the best way. Every interaction feels layered with betrayal, longing, and destiny tightening its grip and not wanting to let go.

This story is heavy with fate and sacrifice. And the cliffhanger? Oooo it’s cruel…Absolutely cruel! Book 2 can’t come soon enough!

[Bella · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a long-time lover of Melissa’s stories, I was so excited to read an advanced copy of Tortured Souls, and as someone who knows how Kailia, Cethin, and Razik’s stories end, I could not wait to learn how they got there and what it took for their roles and relationships to fully form.

Melissa always creates characters that feel so raw & real, and the experiences they have had might not be the same as ours, but the emotions felt can be just as powerful. Kailia was no exception to this — as someone who was not diagnosed as neurodivergent until my early 20’s, I was wholeheartedly able to relate with how she viewed and understood the world and the interactions of people around her. She is 100% a shoot or stab first, ask questions later type of FMC and a lot of that is due to the training and trauma she endured in her younger years.

Cethin is known as the wicked king, and although he acts as if he is woefully taking up that mantle, his secrets indicate there is more truth to that than meets the eye. Also, if you think Razik was broody in the Lady of Darkness series, just wait until you meet him now. His character is very emotionally complex but so many facets are relatable — the idea of learning to solely rely on yourself rather than risk the disappointment of loving and losing, is something that many of us have shared at one point in time. The ending is a surprise I did not see coming, and I will be counting down the days until we learn where their stories lead!

[Stephanie Chiocchi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Melissa for this eARC 🖤

“Because sometimes you had to be the villain in one story to be the savior in another.”

Melissa does it yet again 🙌🏻 Seeing how our dream team, Cethin, Kailia, and Raz all meet exceeded expectations. The question we’re all wondering now is - okay but how did they get to what they are in Darkness bc that was not the ending I expected??!

The way Melissa gives us the tiniest of clues to piece the chaosverse together is nothing short of genius. The world building and pacing? Perfection. I am somehow at all times finding answers that also leave me with even more questions. Everything she says means something at some point with dragon eggs galore. Moves and countermoves as our favorite characters say.

“She never had high expectations of males to begin with.” Did I ever trust Kailia? Absolutely not but her internal monologue was relatable af and I was rooting for her at the same as not trusting her. Stabby and fiesty? Our favorite type of FMC.

We got Raz and his bowls - which is important on my check list! We got him being even more broody than before. We got some answers about Cethin (and again, a million more questions!) Again, Melissa’s skill at writing characters you love to hate and hate to love.
I can’t wait for book 2 to see how this will all come together. And an angry mama bear that is Saylah!!

[FloofyMooseReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tortured Souls is the first book of the Avonleya series, a dark fantasy romance duology. While this is a prequel of sorts to the Lady of Darknes series (my favorite series of all time), you do *not* need to have read that series first. I received an advance review copy and my thoughts are my own. Thank you to the author for my eArc.

Tropes and themes include:
✨Forced marriage
✨Banter
✨Neurodivergent, stabby FMC
✨Forced proximity
✨Secrets and betrayals
✨Broody dragon guard
✨Everyone has tortured pasts and is morally gray
✨Slowburn yearning

Rating: 5/5 Stars 2/5 Flames
Nickname: Tiny Fiend

The Lovely: From the dedication (which made me feel so seen) through the yearning and hurt to the secrets and betrayals, this Tory kept me pulled in and on the edge of my seat. And, sometimes cackling (”are you sure you two aren’t”… iykyk). And if you think you know what to expect from having met Kailia, Cethin and Razik in Lady of Darkness? I can assure you, you do not. And that ride is wild.

Recommendation: Just go read this now. Then maybe (re)read Lady of Darkness while you wait for book two. I have so many thoughts and emotions after that cliffhanger of an ending it is going to take some time to think through them. If you’re in the mood for a dark fantasy romance with raw, relatable characters and tortured yearning, I think you would like this book.

[Tracy Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely ADORED this book!

Having read all of the previous series, I was waiting with bated breath for the ARC of this to come through and boy it did not disappoint.

We’ve had some exposure to some of the characters in previous series, but to meet them in more detail especially knowing how they have been portrayed in part previously was fantastic.

Kailia is a complete and utter bad*** an intriguing mix of strength and weakness. Her backstory, from what we could gleam so far was particularly harrowing. She is the master of the long game and I adored the witter banter between both her, Razik and Cethin.

Cethin is a master of shadow and mystery. Forced into a role he reluctantly transitions into the King that is expected of him, who takes no prisoners whatsoever. However his compassion and understanding when it comes to his somewhat reluctant wife is completely endearing.

The plot was everything I’ve come to know and love from a Melissa series. The Easter eggs were top notch and I was 100% drawn into the whole hemisphere so much so I feel I need to go and do another LoD series re-read for the umpteenth time!

Read it, read it. Then give yourself some time to process. You’ll thank me for it. Waiting for the next one, please don’t keep us waiting long!!

[Sabina Graziano · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️

I have no words! What an amazing book which amazing characters!! I truly enjoyed reading this book. It had me so hooked that I could barely put the book down and it was all I could think about! I felt a wide range of emotions throughout this story! I tried to absorb every single detail like a sponge! I was on the edge of my seat at parts, giggling and laughing at others, freaking out and panicking at many more. No matter what emotions I was feeling, I was so happy to be reading it.

Learning more about these characters has been so much fun! The amazing representation of a neurodivergent female was my favorite! It was written so well and can relate to some of her moments!! But we can't talk about characters unless we bring up the broody dragon that steals all of hearts!! Then the kings of all kings that makes us question so much! My favorite part was the banter between all of these characters!! Chef's kiss!!

Overall, I loved this book so much and I can't wait until book 2!! I highly suggest this book and all of the other chaosverse series by Melissa K Roehrich!! But please check your trigger warnings before picking up any book!

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Okay, and if you wake up pressed against me or my arm is around you, am I going to be stabbed?”
“Possibly.”

I went into Tortured Souls having only read Rain of Shadows and Endings, and I was completely pulled into this world from the very first chapter. Melissa Roehrich has a gift for writing yearning, and this book is full of it. The banter between the characters is not only funny, but it also helps you fall in love with them and learn so much more about their relationships.

The plot is layered with intrigue and filled with twists and turns that I genuinely did not see coming, keeping me engaged and eager to read until the final page.

Tortured Souls is a prequel to the Darkness series. It can absolutely be read first, but readers should be aware that reading the Darkness series beforehand does contain spoilers for this story.

Welcome to Avonleya.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️½

Recommended for readers who enjoy:
✔️ Slow-burn yearning that hurts so good
✔️ Emotional tension and internal conflict
✔️ Intrigue with twists you don’t see coming
✔️ Morally complex characters

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh. My. GAWD! This book is absolutely incredible. The world building is excellent as is the magic system. If you've read Lady of Darkness, you'll recognize some characters as well as the overall foundation of the world. This story follows Kailia, Cethin and Razik pre Darkness and I love seeing gaps filled in as it goes on. We see Kailia as she battles with her internal demons and Cethin as he gently tries to help her overcome her personal struggles. The longing that forms between them as the relationship grows is powerful and we'll written. Razik is grumpy and brooding, but has a genuine heart and does his best to help Kailia in her new life while managing a deep loathing for his king. In true Melissa fashion, chaos is completely unleashed and I was left reeling at the end. I don't know how to wait for the next one!

[Alisa Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Queen of Chaos has done it again! This book was *chefs kiss*! The banter was top tier! I don’t think I’ve ever giggled so much in a dark romantasy book before. The tension between our main characters. The way I was sucked in and sat for all the drama and the mystery!
Melissa is in my top 5 favorite authors of all time. And I am a huge LOD fan, but this book may be some of her best work yet! The characters felt so solid, and even though they are fantasy characters, very relatable. Which is one of the things I love most that Melissa does.
If you are a fan of any of her other series then I highly recommend this book. It’s fantastic and you will have just as much fun, heart ache, questions and chaos as all her other books. So, if you like that kind of adventure, buckle up and enjoy the read!

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This book captivated my attention the whole way through. I felt the entire range of emotions and had an instant book hangover when I finished. My favorite things about this book include:


-fantastic neurodivergent rep (FMC)

-slow burn romance: and I mean SLOW BURN…..the tension, the YEARNING, it was all there

-slow burn friendship: this is a trope that has never stood out to me before, but I was as invested in this friendship as much as the romance

-BANTER: the dialogue in this book is so witty and clever

-twists and turns: if you think you know what is going to happen in this book because you are familiar with the characters……no you don’t!!

All in all, I can already tell this is going to be one of my favorite books of 2026

[Mia King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so lucky to receive this as an ARC. but holy wow. I didn’t know how this book was going to go since I have already met these characters. However everything Melissa writes, I adore and she blew me away. The banter in this book was everything. The blunt jokes, the awkward interactions, everything was just perfect. I truly fell in love with Cethin and Kailia so much more than I thought…which is why the ending of this book ripped my heart out and stomped on it. The secrets…the betrayals…I’m so ready for book two! These two might actually be my favorite in the whole chaosverse. Kailia soared to one of my favorite FMC’s and that’s not something that I say very often. 5 stars and being back in the chaosverse soothed my soul

[Mary-Ann I · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant! Stunned ! Speechless ! Flabbergasted ! The details are in the name “Tortured Souls” end-stop.
I’m in awe that an author can simultaneously expand , upend and yet keep the characters consistent. It’s impeccable. I thought I knew these characters (I mean I know their future from Lady of Darkness & The Legacy )but I really knew almost nothing. The angst, tension and banter were superb , as was the neurodivergent portrayal . Lia is everything I’ve ever wanted in an FMC-strong, flawed , full of stabs & irrevocably herself. “Occupation? …. Queen” So many secrets, betrayals, loathing , so much to unpack - I’m totally embracing this new branch of Chaos!

[Jessica Beatty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, I am just blown away by another incredible story written by MKR. She pours her heart and soul into her writing and her raw emotion bleeds onto the page.

I devoured this beast of a book and am begging for more. I want to lose myself in Avonleya and let it consume me. The character building is phenomenal 👏 The inner dialog, the banter, the tension- it all had me absolutely hooked. The multiple POVs allows you to build a personal relationship and understanding of each character, and makes your heart hurt for them in such an intimate way. This story reignited my obsession with the Lady of Darkness series and I am ready for a re-read so that this feeling never ends!