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Sprigs & Stone
Not yet published
Expected 6 Jan 26In a world bound by power and submission, a single sprig can crack stone.
Bound to serve ten years in the fortress of Rockspire Hold, Nova Stormont wants to keep her head down and survive. She wants nothing to do with the political games that rule Loxosceles, but when she sees the mighty exploit the powerless, obedience feels like betrayal.
As cracks spread through the regime, Nova’s defiance takes root, along with her resolve to challenge the world that claims to own her. The deeper she becomes entwined in Loxosceles’ web of control, the harder it is to tell friend from foe or freedom from another kind of cage. To change her fate—and ignite something greater—she’ll have to risk everything she’s become.
Bound to serve ten years in the fortress of Rockspire Hold, Nova Stormont wants to keep her head down and survive. She wants nothing to do with the political games that rule Loxosceles, but when she sees the mighty exploit the powerless, obedience feels like betrayal.
As cracks spread through the regime, Nova’s defiance takes root, along with her resolve to challenge the world that claims to own her. The deeper she becomes entwined in Loxosceles’ web of control, the harder it is to tell friend from foe or freedom from another kind of cage. To change her fate—and ignite something greater—she’ll have to risk everything she’s become.
376 pages, ebook
Expected publication January 6, 2026
9 people want to read
About the author
Kalleigh Royn
3 books42 followersKalleigh Royn lives in a beautiful mountain town in Southern Alberta, where she balances her work as a middle school administrator with her passion for writing. Drawing from her experiences, she weaves themes of resilience and leadership into her stories. When she's not writing or working, she can be found hiking, running, biking, or spending time with her partner and their adventurous corgi, Corgmander Riker.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 13, 2025
This book does something right from the start. The opening recap of Roots and Rubble is woven so naturally into the story that it never feels like an info dump. It gently reminds you of what happened and how things unfolded, without slowing the pacing for even a second. I read book one about six months ago, and within moments I had that perfect oh right, that’s what happened feeling. Not too long, not too short. Just right.
And then the story starts. Immediately. From page one, it grabs you and does not let go. By page thirty, I knew I was done for. I started reading around one o’clock and finished by five. One sitting. No breaks. Déjà vu, because book one did the exact same thing to me.
Throughout the story, there are subtle hints and easter eggs that make you think you know where things are heading. And then… you don’t. Something else happens entirely. The ending left me completely unwell in the best possible way. And then Leon says that line, the one that makes you question everything you just read. Is he being petty? Is he right? Is this setting us up for something much bigger in book three? Because there has to be a book three.
The characters are what truly make this story shine. Every single one of them feels layered, intentional, and alive. They don’t feel like characters anymore, they feel like people you know.
• Oron, with his fierce loyalty to those he serves.
• Bradger, the absolute goofball who brings much needed levity.
• Crux, the grumpy, foul-mouthed neighbor archetype who secretly cares more than he lets on.
• Kieran, whose development hints at a path that could go beautifully right… or catastrophically wrong.
• Leon, who is complicated, a little toxic, undeniably protective, sometimes patronizing, but also clearly driven by genuine love for Nova.
This book pulled me in again and again, keeping me fully engaged from start to finish. I was left speechless, emotionally invested, and desperate to know what comes next.
As for tropes? Absolutely nailed.
Trials.
Enemies-to-friends.
The underestimated warrior rising through the ranks.
Every single one delivered perfectly.
If you loved Powerless, Crowns of Nyaxia, or even ACOTAR, this book sits firmly in that same addictive, high-stakes, emotionally charged fantasy space. If you enjoyed any of those, Sprigs & Stone is one you should not miss.
Five stars. No notes. I’m not okay, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
And then the story starts. Immediately. From page one, it grabs you and does not let go. By page thirty, I knew I was done for. I started reading around one o’clock and finished by five. One sitting. No breaks. Déjà vu, because book one did the exact same thing to me.
Throughout the story, there are subtle hints and easter eggs that make you think you know where things are heading. And then… you don’t. Something else happens entirely. The ending left me completely unwell in the best possible way. And then Leon says that line, the one that makes you question everything you just read. Is he being petty? Is he right? Is this setting us up for something much bigger in book three? Because there has to be a book three.
The characters are what truly make this story shine. Every single one of them feels layered, intentional, and alive. They don’t feel like characters anymore, they feel like people you know.
• Oron, with his fierce loyalty to those he serves.
• Bradger, the absolute goofball who brings much needed levity.
• Crux, the grumpy, foul-mouthed neighbor archetype who secretly cares more than he lets on.
• Kieran, whose development hints at a path that could go beautifully right… or catastrophically wrong.
• Leon, who is complicated, a little toxic, undeniably protective, sometimes patronizing, but also clearly driven by genuine love for Nova.
This book pulled me in again and again, keeping me fully engaged from start to finish. I was left speechless, emotionally invested, and desperate to know what comes next.
As for tropes? Absolutely nailed.
Trials.
Enemies-to-friends.
The underestimated warrior rising through the ranks.
Every single one delivered perfectly.
If you loved Powerless, Crowns of Nyaxia, or even ACOTAR, this book sits firmly in that same addictive, high-stakes, emotionally charged fantasy space. If you enjoyed any of those, Sprigs & Stone is one you should not miss.
Five stars. No notes. I’m not okay, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
January 2, 2026
In Sprigs & Stone, Nova is thrown into another adventure, this one focused on navigating life as an indentured servant to the General of Rockspire Hold in Loxosceles.
While The General (AKA: Kieran/Leon’s brother) is a firm disciplinarian and tough shell to crack, we wonder: Is the man a monster or has he been made one? The question is explored in the constant contrast between Kieran and Leon.
As Nova tries to figure out her role in Echelon, she becomes entrenched in training to fight, conquering the faction’s cadet obstacle course, and learning to shoot. She uses her training to find control and to forget her lack of freedom and life as an indentured for a while.
She makes risky moves to try to prove herself and shed her servitude status. And most importantly, she really wants to make a difference for lower class citizens of Loxosceles.
Be prepared. Loxosceles’s political games hurt, its surprises injure, and heartwarming moments in this dangerous place are so fleeting, they ache.
Dangerous enemies resurface and new ones come to light in this second book of the Scattered Seeds series. It has an ending you won’t see coming but do not want to miss.
While The General (AKA: Kieran/Leon’s brother) is a firm disciplinarian and tough shell to crack, we wonder: Is the man a monster or has he been made one? The question is explored in the constant contrast between Kieran and Leon.
As Nova tries to figure out her role in Echelon, she becomes entrenched in training to fight, conquering the faction’s cadet obstacle course, and learning to shoot. She uses her training to find control and to forget her lack of freedom and life as an indentured for a while.
She makes risky moves to try to prove herself and shed her servitude status. And most importantly, she really wants to make a difference for lower class citizens of Loxosceles.
Be prepared. Loxosceles’s political games hurt, its surprises injure, and heartwarming moments in this dangerous place are so fleeting, they ache.
Dangerous enemies resurface and new ones come to light in this second book of the Scattered Seeds series. It has an ending you won’t see coming but do not want to miss.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I enjoyed this second book in the Scattered Seeds series just as much as the first. The tug of the heart and the mind are highlighted through Nova's realization of the bigger picture. She is finding her purpose, all while navigating the feelings of passion and loyalty. I love that the garden is healing, both for Nova's regulation as well as providing plant properties to heal others. Nova continues to learn about the deeper understanding of people, seeing beneath the surface, figuring out how past experiences affect current actions. She links those lessons into fulling seeing characters (and the contrast between Kieran and Leon).
The last line of the epilogue is perfection! I look forward to seeing where Nova goes as she continues to grow.
The last line of the epilogue is perfection! I look forward to seeing where Nova goes as she continues to grow.
December 28, 2025
Sprigs & Stone is a decadent slow burn set in a pressure cooker!
Nova has to be careful in her new role as an Indentured to the Legion, under the General. Leon’s brother. But that doesn’t stop her from wanting to right the injustices she sees in the Lower Sector.
She’s not sure who to trust but she’s determined to earn her place, to earn her freedom! With that, she’s determined to be a part of the Legion, to be accepted as one of their own. To no longer be an outsider. To make a difference.
And when an opportunity presents itself she must decide which brother is the one to follow: the one who loves her or the one who sees her. A decision which burns a bridge that she may never mend but that just might sow seeds for a brighter future.
Nova has to be careful in her new role as an Indentured to the Legion, under the General. Leon’s brother. But that doesn’t stop her from wanting to right the injustices she sees in the Lower Sector.
She’s not sure who to trust but she’s determined to earn her place, to earn her freedom! With that, she’s determined to be a part of the Legion, to be accepted as one of their own. To no longer be an outsider. To make a difference.
And when an opportunity presents itself she must decide which brother is the one to follow: the one who loves her or the one who sees her. A decision which burns a bridge that she may never mend but that just might sow seeds for a brighter future.
January 4, 2026
Book two of the Scattered Seeds series was as good—if not better—than the first.
I absolutely loved the continued character development of the Valric brothers and Nova; they showed complex and vulnerable sides of themselves. The secondary characters were well portrayed; some I loved and others I completely hated (because I was supposed to).
The twists and turns kept me fully engaged and eager to see what would happen next. The final 100 pages completely caught me off guard in the best way—I truly did not see it coming, and I loved every minute of it.
I’m beyond excited for book three, sign me up as an ARC reader, because I’m not sure I can wait that long!
I absolutely loved the continued character development of the Valric brothers and Nova; they showed complex and vulnerable sides of themselves. The secondary characters were well portrayed; some I loved and others I completely hated (because I was supposed to).
The twists and turns kept me fully engaged and eager to see what would happen next. The final 100 pages completely caught me off guard in the best way—I truly did not see it coming, and I loved every minute of it.
I’m beyond excited for book three, sign me up as an ARC reader, because I’m not sure I can wait that long!
January 5, 2026
This was so good. Definitely looking forward to the next book!
Is it just me or am I the only one starting to like Kieran more?
- forbidden love
- strong FMC
- coming of age
- dystopian fantasy
Is it just me or am I the only one starting to like Kieran more?
- forbidden love
- strong FMC
- coming of age
- dystopian fantasy
Review of advance copy received from Author
I devoured this book SO FAST!!!! It's a post-apocalyptic romantic adventure with no spice but alllll the tension and angst. I love Nova so much and how much she's grown and continues to develop and how hard she fights for herself!! This second book does an amazing job of continuing the momentum from the first, but with the addition of extra yearning (my favorite!!!) and TRIALS!! I'm not going to add any spoilers and ruin the fun, so let me just say that I absolutely love the direction that the author took the story and I was practically screaming in empathy in some parts, cheering in others. This is a series where I'm picking up the next book as soon as humanly possible to find out what happens next.
On that note, I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of this book because I loved the first one so much haha. I'll be signing up for the next one too!!
On that note, I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced copy of this book because I loved the first one so much haha. I'll be signing up for the next one too!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC read of part 2 of the Scattered Seeds series, and like the first book I was immediately drawn in.
The FMC had some significant growth in this book, and the MMC became less perfect and the author does a great job of peeling off the layers of the characters so you can see more of who they are at their cores. The introduction of the dark broody brother was the slow burning intrigue that I love in a male character, so he was a much appreciated addition.
The first bit of the book was a slower start but there was so much necessary world building that took place in there that it didn’t hurt the book at all.
Cannot wait for what happens next!
The FMC had some significant growth in this book, and the MMC became less perfect and the author does a great job of peeling off the layers of the characters so you can see more of who they are at their cores. The introduction of the dark broody brother was the slow burning intrigue that I love in a male character, so he was a much appreciated addition.
The first bit of the book was a slower start but there was so much necessary world building that took place in there that it didn’t hurt the book at all.
Cannot wait for what happens next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
As a sequel to Roots and Rubble this book didn’t disappoint, at all. Full of action, character growth and change, plot twists, cliffhangers! It wasn’t my plan to binge the book in a few sittings, but I couldn’t put it down, I couldn’t absorb the words fast enough. Each chapter flowed to the next and I had to know what happened to Nova! Her growth and self-realization in this book is staggering, and her arc was unexpected. This genre of book is not my usual flavour to read but Kalleigh’s writing style takes you there and you feel a part of it, you feel the heat, the cold, the terror, the other kind of heat too… it kept me engaged throughout each chapter and I can’t wait for more!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews