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The War of Nine Kings #1
Gates of Thiros
"An engaging, character-driven tale of romance and clashing swords." — Kirkus Reviews
No one is born with magic. Only in the hour of breaking is it found—
and Waenia Wyvarian is about to shatter.
Waenia wears a borrowed name, crowned in borrowed blood, raised to serve a kingdom that fears her. She wears many faces to hide the one they dread—the one that surfaced once, before the court, when the power she didn’t understand came alive.
“She’d twisted herself into something they could use—then praised her for it. She’d even borrowed Nimara’s poise, her courtly grace, her effortless charm. Flirtation had become survival. A distraction. Hearts bruised, whispers spread. Let them talk. Better they saw a girl with a bleeding heart than something worse. Something unnameable. A queen couldn’t be a god. Couldn’t be a beast. She had to be human.”
But masks crack, and power never stays buried. When forbidden magic awakens in her hands, Waenia becomes Thiros’s greatest weapon… and its greatest threat.
To end a rising war against Luvian Veskar, the warlord who calls himself a God-King, her father binds her to an enemy prince—hoping to secure peace and unite their forces against the armies gathering in the west. But Waenia’s heart already belongs to the prince’s commander, Darrion Rhoane—a man bound by duty, haunted by loyalty, and carrying secrets that could unmake them both.
“He is the blade sworn to ruin her. She is the fire fated to burn him.”
Yet love and loyalty mean little when gods begin to die, and the Gate of Light—once the world’s salvation—has been corrupted by shadows that feed on the remnants of creation.
When Waenia uncovers the truth behind the name she bears—the lies she was raised on, and the secrets that could shatter her—she must decide how to go on. Torn between duty and defiance, she must choose whether to save the world that broke her… or remake it.
“You want truth to be simple. It isn’t. You are both—broken and whole. That is the burden of being human.”
“Then what’s the point?”
“To face yourself. Not to be perfect, but to understand. Life isn’t blessing or curse. It’s a question. Every day, you choose—will you answer it, or run?”
Left alone on the throne, as her father and Darrion wage war on two fronts, Waenia sees the greater threat rising in the north. When Luvian’s deception is revealed, she journeys north to rally the warring tribes—fractured by betrayal, bound by old hate—to fight beneath one banner. But the path is perilous. Captivity, pain, and loss become her teachers. Every scar draws her closer to the truth she’s long feared: to heal the world, she must lay down her sword—and face the power that once terrified her.
Torn between love and faith, destiny and defiance, Waenia must decide how to stand when she comes face to face with the man who calls himself God-King.
Will she raise her blade… or let the light choose her?
No one is born with magic. Only in the hour of breaking is it found—
and Waenia Wyvarian is about to shatter.
Waenia wears a borrowed name, crowned in borrowed blood, raised to serve a kingdom that fears her. She wears many faces to hide the one they dread—the one that surfaced once, before the court, when the power she didn’t understand came alive.
“She’d twisted herself into something they could use—then praised her for it. She’d even borrowed Nimara’s poise, her courtly grace, her effortless charm. Flirtation had become survival. A distraction. Hearts bruised, whispers spread. Let them talk. Better they saw a girl with a bleeding heart than something worse. Something unnameable. A queen couldn’t be a god. Couldn’t be a beast. She had to be human.”
But masks crack, and power never stays buried. When forbidden magic awakens in her hands, Waenia becomes Thiros’s greatest weapon… and its greatest threat.
To end a rising war against Luvian Veskar, the warlord who calls himself a God-King, her father binds her to an enemy prince—hoping to secure peace and unite their forces against the armies gathering in the west. But Waenia’s heart already belongs to the prince’s commander, Darrion Rhoane—a man bound by duty, haunted by loyalty, and carrying secrets that could unmake them both.
“He is the blade sworn to ruin her. She is the fire fated to burn him.”
Yet love and loyalty mean little when gods begin to die, and the Gate of Light—once the world’s salvation—has been corrupted by shadows that feed on the remnants of creation.
When Waenia uncovers the truth behind the name she bears—the lies she was raised on, and the secrets that could shatter her—she must decide how to go on. Torn between duty and defiance, she must choose whether to save the world that broke her… or remake it.
“You want truth to be simple. It isn’t. You are both—broken and whole. That is the burden of being human.”
“Then what’s the point?”
“To face yourself. Not to be perfect, but to understand. Life isn’t blessing or curse. It’s a question. Every day, you choose—will you answer it, or run?”
Left alone on the throne, as her father and Darrion wage war on two fronts, Waenia sees the greater threat rising in the north. When Luvian’s deception is revealed, she journeys north to rally the warring tribes—fractured by betrayal, bound by old hate—to fight beneath one banner. But the path is perilous. Captivity, pain, and loss become her teachers. Every scar draws her closer to the truth she’s long feared: to heal the world, she must lay down her sword—and face the power that once terrified her.
Torn between love and faith, destiny and defiance, Waenia must decide how to stand when she comes face to face with the man who calls himself God-King.
Will she raise her blade… or let the light choose her?
479 pages, Paperback
First published September 5, 2025
16 people are currently reading
15901 people want to read
About the author
Lili K. Buckley
1 book73 followersLili K. Buckley was born in Armenia, where she grew up immersed in Armenian and Russian classics, memorizing poetry by heart and publishing her first poem at the age of nine. She studied Child Psychology and English at the ASPU before earning her Master’s in Psychology from Harvard University, a background that gives her characters their emotional depth and complexity. Her debut fantasy series, The War of Nine Kings, blends epic battles with intimate struggles of identity, love, and destiny. She now divides her time between Massachusetts and Florida, where she lives with her husband and children.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 7, 2025
A Mesmerizing Start to an Outstanding New Series
Gates of Thiros may begin with a slow burn, but that deliberate pacing quickly reveals itself as a strength. The writing is breathtakingly poetic, painting vivid worlds and emotions with a lyrical touch that lingers long after each chapter. Just when you think you know where the story is heading, unexpected twists and turns pull you deeper into its spellbinding narrative.
By the midpoint, the book transforms into a gripping journey that balances beauty with suspense, and the finale leaves you both stunned and eager for more. This is not just the launch of a series; it’s the arrival of something truly special. Gates of Thiros sets a new standard for epic storytelling, and I cannot wait to see where the next installment takes us.
Thank you to Lili K. Buckley for a beautifully wrapped addition of Gates of Thiros through a Goodreads giveaway. It was Christmas that came early when the package arrived. Looking forward to hours of living in the world you created.
Gates of Thiros may begin with a slow burn, but that deliberate pacing quickly reveals itself as a strength. The writing is breathtakingly poetic, painting vivid worlds and emotions with a lyrical touch that lingers long after each chapter. Just when you think you know where the story is heading, unexpected twists and turns pull you deeper into its spellbinding narrative.
By the midpoint, the book transforms into a gripping journey that balances beauty with suspense, and the finale leaves you both stunned and eager for more. This is not just the launch of a series; it’s the arrival of something truly special. Gates of Thiros sets a new standard for epic storytelling, and I cannot wait to see where the next installment takes us.
Thank you to Lili K. Buckley for a beautifully wrapped addition of Gates of Thiros through a Goodreads giveaway. It was Christmas that came early when the package arrived. Looking forward to hours of living in the world you created.
December 28, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½ (4.5 / 5)
I fear this series will ruin me emotionally—and I’m seated. (THE END was 🤯 💥 😭!!!)
Epic, emotionally charged, beautifully atmospheric, dense in lore, AND richly rewarding. Readers who love slow-burn romance + epic stakes. Who want fantasy that feels intimate, not just epic. Slow build (by design). Emotionally heavy. Not a “comfort fantasy”—this one cuts and lingers.
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Political intrigue, succession wars, hidden heirs, prophecy tension. Stakes escalate steadily rather than explode all at once. Slow-burn intensity → devastating payoff. Not chaotic spice, controlled, simmering heat. Perfect for readers who love tension that tightens chapter by chapter.
💔 Romance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (🌶️🌶️) 🫠🫠🫠
Closed door. Fade to black. Emotional damage remains.
Longing, restraint, forbidden desire. Touch-starved moments, charged proximity, emotional intimacy. “Say less, feel more” energy. Darrion and Waenia’s banter hooks you first—then duty barges in like an armed guard yelling “ABSOLUTELY NOT.” You will crave their reunion. You will suffer. Then the love happens… 🫠 Worth it. Illegal to feel this much.
AND THEN—Malvaris and Waenia. The hatred. The biting dialogue. The mutual loathing. The verbal sparring that feels like emotional knife-throwing. I felt every ounce of that malice.
FINALLY… Luvian. The villain, the problem, the reason Book 2 is now a personal necessity.
👑 Character Depth & Chemistry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters feel wounded, conflicted, and alive. No cardboard villains—everyone has motive. Identity, duty, love, power, and fear constantly collide. Chemistry is earned, not handed out. You will argue about these characters like they’re real people.
🌍 World-Building & Lore ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is not a skim book. This is a cancel-your-plans, sink-into-the-world book. The worldbuilding is lush, immersive, and mythic without being confusing or trying too hard. Light vs. shadow isn’t just aesthetic—it’s existential. Like, philosophical dread, but make it fantasy. You know there’s a Bigger Darkness lurking in the background. Not a jump scare, more of a “oh… this is definitely end-of-the-world coded” situation that’s clearly going to get worse as the series goes on.
The palace. The forests. The caves. The creatures. The magic. You’re not reading it—you’re there, emotionally and spiritually.
And nothing feels random. No lazy magic. No “because the plot needed it” twists. Everything clicks. Everything earns its place.
⚔️ Violence / Darkness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brutal when it needs to be. Political cruelty, emotional violence, war trauma. Not gratuitous gore—impactful darkness.
I fear this series will ruin me emotionally—and I’m seated. (THE END was 🤯 💥 😭!!!)
Epic, emotionally charged, beautifully atmospheric, dense in lore, AND richly rewarding. Readers who love slow-burn romance + epic stakes. Who want fantasy that feels intimate, not just epic. Slow build (by design). Emotionally heavy. Not a “comfort fantasy”—this one cuts and lingers.
Plot ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Political intrigue, succession wars, hidden heirs, prophecy tension. Stakes escalate steadily rather than explode all at once. Slow-burn intensity → devastating payoff. Not chaotic spice, controlled, simmering heat. Perfect for readers who love tension that tightens chapter by chapter.
💔 Romance ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (🌶️🌶️) 🫠🫠🫠
Closed door. Fade to black. Emotional damage remains.
Longing, restraint, forbidden desire. Touch-starved moments, charged proximity, emotional intimacy. “Say less, feel more” energy. Darrion and Waenia’s banter hooks you first—then duty barges in like an armed guard yelling “ABSOLUTELY NOT.” You will crave their reunion. You will suffer. Then the love happens… 🫠 Worth it. Illegal to feel this much.
AND THEN—Malvaris and Waenia. The hatred. The biting dialogue. The mutual loathing. The verbal sparring that feels like emotional knife-throwing. I felt every ounce of that malice.
FINALLY… Luvian. The villain, the problem, the reason Book 2 is now a personal necessity.
👑 Character Depth & Chemistry ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters feel wounded, conflicted, and alive. No cardboard villains—everyone has motive. Identity, duty, love, power, and fear constantly collide. Chemistry is earned, not handed out. You will argue about these characters like they’re real people.
🌍 World-Building & Lore ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is not a skim book. This is a cancel-your-plans, sink-into-the-world book. The worldbuilding is lush, immersive, and mythic without being confusing or trying too hard. Light vs. shadow isn’t just aesthetic—it’s existential. Like, philosophical dread, but make it fantasy. You know there’s a Bigger Darkness lurking in the background. Not a jump scare, more of a “oh… this is definitely end-of-the-world coded” situation that’s clearly going to get worse as the series goes on.
The palace. The forests. The caves. The creatures. The magic. You’re not reading it—you’re there, emotionally and spiritually.
And nothing feels random. No lazy magic. No “because the plot needed it” twists. Everything clicks. Everything earns its place.
⚔️ Violence / Darkness ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Brutal when it needs to be. Political cruelty, emotional violence, war trauma. Not gratuitous gore—impactful darkness.
October 11, 2025
A magical masterpiece!
I am surprised this book hasn’t blown up yet! All romantasy lovers please do your self a favor and read this. I love Waenia’s character she is the perfect bad*** FMC, the world building is soo good, the political system is complex yet easy to understand, and the authors writing is poetic and beautiful. The naughty scenes are implied and closed door. Even with the closed door, it didn’t take away from the romance and chemistry. It ends on a cliff hanger but has enough closure that rather than being mad you’re simply looking forward to the next book.
I am surprised this book hasn’t blown up yet! All romantasy lovers please do your self a favor and read this. I love Waenia’s character she is the perfect bad*** FMC, the world building is soo good, the political system is complex yet easy to understand, and the authors writing is poetic and beautiful. The naughty scenes are implied and closed door. Even with the closed door, it didn’t take away from the romance and chemistry. It ends on a cliff hanger but has enough closure that rather than being mad you’re simply looking forward to the next book.
December 19, 2025
Wow!
Just, wow......My heart is still racing! Amazing novel! I loved every word! Great characters, vivid world building, intriguing magical and folk lore, multiple enemies, plot twists galore, AND your heart pounds at the suspense, for every page the whole novel through.
Just, wow......My heart is still racing! Amazing novel! I loved every word! Great characters, vivid world building, intriguing magical and folk lore, multiple enemies, plot twists galore, AND your heart pounds at the suspense, for every page the whole novel through.
Read
December 8, 2025DNF at 53% just couldn’t quite stick with it
Read
November 29, 2025I loved this fantasy book and read it without stopping, it was so good! I was happy to be back into reading fantasy and this book was the perfect book to get back into it!
December 26, 2025
If you love epic fantasy, ancient secrets, and power struggles, Gates of Thiros is a must-read ✨💯
A rich world, intense conflicts, and a story that pulls you in from the first pages 🌠
Perfect for fans of dark and immersive fantasy.
A rich world, intense conflicts, and a story that pulls you in from the first pages 🌠
Perfect for fans of dark and immersive fantasy.
December 14, 2025
This debut romantasy series started off well, and I look forward to continuing on with the next book.
There's good world-building here, however, I must admit to being thrown A LOT by a turning of that world that took place about midway through. That turning was a bit of a sci fi twist that I did not see coming...at all. But while it took me awhile to adjust to this new component (I'm still getting there), I think it will all come right in the end (actually I'm sure it shall as that is the definition of a good romantasy series).
The fantasy parts of the story are well done and include the interesting "power" of a very strong, determined and intelligent heroine. While at times I found myself feeling sympathy for her upbringing, she recognizes that it made her strong and was necessary as she moves forward in her leadership role. I'm still a bit murky on her original backstory (where she came from), but I'm sure as I move along, it will become clearer.
The romance here is pretty much an insta one and felt equally on both sides. Our hero is in a bit of a gray area as he is the military commander of a country that is on shaky ground with our heroine's. We also learn along the way that he has a big secret, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that secret will play out in future books. There's great banter, lots of angst and I loved our mains as a couple.
There're also some great action scenes on the battlefield and the promise of more to come. As the ending included a big cliffhanger, I hope I won't have long to wait to see how things pan out.
My only caveat (and it wasn't too much of an issue) was the pacing at times felt slow while the denouement felt a little rush toward the end. But all in all, a good start to a promising series.
There's good world-building here, however, I must admit to being thrown A LOT by a turning of that world that took place about midway through. That turning was a bit of a sci fi twist that I did not see coming...at all. But while it took me awhile to adjust to this new component (I'm still getting there), I think it will all come right in the end (actually I'm sure it shall as that is the definition of a good romantasy series).
The fantasy parts of the story are well done and include the interesting "power" of a very strong, determined and intelligent heroine. While at times I found myself feeling sympathy for her upbringing, she recognizes that it made her strong and was necessary as she moves forward in her leadership role. I'm still a bit murky on her original backstory (where she came from), but I'm sure as I move along, it will become clearer.
The romance here is pretty much an insta one and felt equally on both sides. Our hero is in a bit of a gray area as he is the military commander of a country that is on shaky ground with our heroine's. We also learn along the way that he has a big secret, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that secret will play out in future books. There's great banter, lots of angst and I loved our mains as a couple.
There're also some great action scenes on the battlefield and the promise of more to come. As the ending included a big cliffhanger, I hope I won't have long to wait to see how things pan out.
My only caveat (and it wasn't too much of an issue) was the pacing at times felt slow while the denouement felt a little rush toward the end. But all in all, a good start to a promising series.
December 30, 2025
3,75⭐
This debut romantasy series started off well at the beginning, but then it started to fade… at 60% of the book I wanted to DNF it, but I was still intrigued to finish it….
This book was a very slow read for me. There wasn't a lot of world building as much as I thought there will be, it didn’t captivate me either. The writing was okay, I guess.
OHHH!!! And the romance here is pretty much an insta one, but it wasn’t well done! No deepness of the romance!!! Nada… Just because it’s insta love, it doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be any relationship development… If you’d add more slow burn element, then this relationship would be more meaningful, would add more to the story, otherwise it felt more like another boring Hallmark movie… And without it the romance felt flat…. Spice was closed door. Fade to black (but I can live with that).
The pacing at times felt slow while the denouement felt rushed toward the end. I’m unsure if I will continue the series.
This debut romantasy series started off well at the beginning, but then it started to fade… at 60% of the book I wanted to DNF it, but I was still intrigued to finish it….
This book was a very slow read for me. There wasn't a lot of world building as much as I thought there will be, it didn’t captivate me either. The writing was okay, I guess.
OHHH!!! And the romance here is pretty much an insta one, but it wasn’t well done! No deepness of the romance!!! Nada… Just because it’s insta love, it doesn’t mean there shouldn’t be any relationship development… If you’d add more slow burn element, then this relationship would be more meaningful, would add more to the story, otherwise it felt more like another boring Hallmark movie… And without it the romance felt flat…. Spice was closed door. Fade to black (but I can live with that).
The pacing at times felt slow while the denouement felt rushed toward the end. I’m unsure if I will continue the series.
October 17, 2025
A friend recommended this book, and I honestly didn’t expect to get so pulled in. The writing is beautiful and the world is so vivid you can almost feel the wind on your skin. The politics are layered but easy enough to follow once you’re in, and the characters are really well developed. The creatures, though—wow. The crestlings are absolutely captivating, and the parvins… I’d love to see a tiny people take flight for real.
January 17, 2026
Excellent world, character and story build.The writing style is my only issue. Just like this. Short. Direct. In every page. This is not an enemies to lovers slow burn. No, this is an insta love, forbidden romance, longing, yeatning..done well. 🌶 chili pepper spice, perfect for those who like demure scenes. The FMC is not annoying and thats a plus one. Pure badass, but also not a Mary Sue. Will continue this series, despite the writing style lol.
December 19, 2025
This book was a very slow read for me. I enjoyed the world building, but it didn’t captivate me like I was expecting it to. The writing was very choppy which I found frustrating. Many sentences. Written. Like this. On every page. It made me not want to continue reading it at points. I’m unsure if I will continue the series.
January 15, 2026
This novel reminded me why I fell in love with fantasy in the first place. It has scope, consequence, and restraint. The characters are allowed to fail, suffer, and grow without modern shortcuts, and the world feels lived-in rather than constructed for convenience. The emotional weight sneaks up on you quietly—and stays. A thoughtful, mature fantasy that respects its reader.
January 16, 2026
Worldbuilding nerds, this one’s for you. The magic system has rules and consequences. The politics are layered and believable. Power isn’t flashy—it’s costly. I loved how mythology, governance, and personal sacrifice all intersect. This feels like the first book of a serious epic, not a throwaway trilogy starter. I’m fully invested.
January 17, 2026
Some stories shout. This one listens. It unfolds patiently, trusting the reader to notice the weight beneath each decision. The themes of memory, duty, and love are handled with grace. By the end, I felt like I had lived inside this world rather than simply read about it. A rare and beautiful fantasy.
September 25, 2025
Well written, the plot moves fast, and at the same time very engaging and well constructed. The end is captivating, Waenia’s struggles feel humane, and her powers not overwhelming. The chemistry between her and Darrion… I could feel every emotion. Can’t wait for book 2.
October 2, 2025
Waenia is the kind of heroine I’ve been waiting for—fierce, flawed, and done playing nice. The politics are sharp, the magic feels earned, and the writing? Gorgeous. If you like your fantasy emotional, mythic, and just a little brutal, Gates of Thiros is it. Can’t wait for the next one.
January 15, 2026
Okay but WHY is no one talking about this book?? The main character is strong without being annoying, the romance made me scream into my pillow, and the twists actually surprised me. I loved how it felt epic but still super emotional.
January 16, 2026
This is really good fantasy. Strong characters, smart politics, meaningful magic, and no wasted pages. The stakes feel real, the world makes sense, and the emotional arcs actually land. If you’re tired of bloated series with no payoff, this one delivers.
January 11, 2026
DNF at 29% 🥲 i just couldn’t do the insta love 🤦🏽♀️ the fmc had a LOT of potential to be a badass, independent fmc, but insta love just ruined it for me 😖
January 15, 2026
This book feels like moonlight and grief and promises whispered too late.
January 18, 2026
Couldn’t put this down. Beautiful worldbuilding, painful romance, and real stakes. That ending hurt—in the best way
January 18, 2026
Classic-feeling fantasy with modern emotional depth. Quietly powerful, mature, and deeply satisfying.
January 18, 2026
I didn’t expect to care this much—and then I really, really did.
October 13, 2025
Dark, beautiful, and impossible to put down.
10/10 would join her kingdom.
10/10 would join her kingdom.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews