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The Book of Names #1
The Unnamed
"A gift that is not freely given loses its worth. And when it's forcibly taken, a gift can become a curse."
Reim was raised for one purpose: to inherit the Vuorian throne—a crown that demands she protect her fractured, volatile kingdom from those within its walls who seek to ruin it—the Unnamed. A destiny few believe she can fulfill. Least of all, Reim herself.
With her beloved father's health rapidly declining, and the threat of insurrection looming, she makes a desperate deal—sealed in magic and blood—with an enigmatic Unnamed man known only as the healer. But when he finally comes to collect his due, the price he demands not only has the power to destroy her, but everything she thought she knew about honor, justice...and love.
For lovers of the lyrical, character-driven storytelling of V.E. Schwab's Invisible Life of Addie Larue with the incisive social commentary of M.L. Wang's Blood Over Bright Haven comes the first book in a gripping new fantasy duology, The Unnamed—a bold reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin that examines the transformative power of names, identity, self-growth, and love, all while delivering fast-paced action and a slow-burn romance that will leave readers eager for more.
Reim was raised for one purpose: to inherit the Vuorian throne—a crown that demands she protect her fractured, volatile kingdom from those within its walls who seek to ruin it—the Unnamed. A destiny few believe she can fulfill. Least of all, Reim herself.
With her beloved father's health rapidly declining, and the threat of insurrection looming, she makes a desperate deal—sealed in magic and blood—with an enigmatic Unnamed man known only as the healer. But when he finally comes to collect his due, the price he demands not only has the power to destroy her, but everything she thought she knew about honor, justice...and love.
For lovers of the lyrical, character-driven storytelling of V.E. Schwab's Invisible Life of Addie Larue with the incisive social commentary of M.L. Wang's Blood Over Bright Haven comes the first book in a gripping new fantasy duology, The Unnamed—a bold reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin that examines the transformative power of names, identity, self-growth, and love, all while delivering fast-paced action and a slow-burn romance that will leave readers eager for more.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 15, 2026
About the author
M.S. Masood
1 book99 followersAuthor. Psychiatrist. Soup Enthusiast.
Can be found overstaying her welcome in bookstores and cafes around the world, judging soup but never people. A humble listener and enthusiastic teller of stories, thanks to the encouragement of her ever-patient husband and children.
Lives in Philly, but is a Tar Heel for life.
Can be found overstaying her welcome in bookstores and cafes around the world, judging soup but never people. A humble listener and enthusiastic teller of stories, thanks to the encouragement of her ever-patient husband and children.
Lives in Philly, but is a Tar Heel for life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews
April 16, 2026
“The land belongs to no one, my love.
It is we who belong to the land.
It is we who come from its heart, my love.
It is we who will return to its hand.”
This indie published anti-colonialist Rumpelstiltskin retelling is so beautifully written, so thoughtfully put together, that I can’t imagine it won’t go trad. And then I’d like to respectfully request the next book ASAP and for MS Masood to quit her psychiatry job and start writing full time. Maybe if her clients read her books they won’t need treatment anymore. I’m cringing as I write this, because how selfish am I being? But forgive me, this story is stunning.
Reim is heir to the Vuorian throne, princess of a people who were once oppressed and escaped only to go to war with and conquer another group, now known as the Unnamed. With her father growing sick, and believing the future of her kingdom is at risk, Reim makes an unbreakable deal with an Unnamed man called the healer, only to find herself duped.
“I was willing to die for what I did to my kingdom. But am I willing to live with it?”
The anti-colonialist message is simple and clear, emphasizing the tragedy and backlash of one group conquering another under the guise of progress and peace. And it’s not just the cruelty of oppression that is highlighted, but the loss of identity when one culture imposes their rules and traditions on another.
My poor sweet FMC Reim is buried under so much weight. Of living up to her father’s expectations, of the belief that she is cursed and will bring ruin to her people, of not being sure that the strict order of her father’s rule, her ancestor’s rule, is actually just. Her intentions are usually honorable, but her execution is flawed and impulsive, leading to mistakes and self doubt. But even as I cringed, I rooted for her the whole story. I have to believe Masood’s background in psychiatry helped her create beautifully complex characters that are difficult not to empathize with.
When I read the MMC was a healer, I assumed he would be warm, gentle and kind. And I had to sit back and adjust my expectations when instead I discovered he is as ruthless as he is fair, as hard as he is kind. His warmth is more of an inferno. I’m not complaining though. His chemistry with Reim? Ignites. The burn? A tease. It builds slowly, gradually burns hotter, then disappears into a puff of smoke every time I think these two are going to resolve their differences. I’m not sure if I was fanning myself or desperately trying to fan their flames.
This whole story is written in spare lyrical prose with metaphors crafted into the sentences rather than using extra flowery wording. I found myself savoring the beauty of individual sentences while simultaneously wanting to swipe quickly through my Kindle to find out what happens next. I flew through this considering there is no audiobook, although I hear one is in the works. This is a gorgeous story with a diabolical ending.
5⭐️’s Kindle
——————————————————
Pre-read: A Rumpelstiltskin reimagining with anti-colonialist themes, a healer MMC, written by a psychiatrist.
February 1, 2026
4.5 / 5 Stars
I could not put this book down – I read this until too late at night and then woke up and read it before work. It’s an anti-colonial fantasy reimagining of a Rumpelstiltskin, but it is so much more than just that one sentence.
Let’s start with the story. Reim’s family has been in power for centuries and they keep order by oppressing The Unnamed. They view them as lesser than and they subjugate them to cruelty and death. And Reim is set to inherit the throne but something deep inside of her doesn’t feel like this is right, but how do you question your father who has raised you and loved you unconditionally? That father-daughter dynamic was so real and heartbreaking. To realize that your parent may have been a great parent but is a deeply flawed (and in this case, pretty shitty) person. Gosh, that was honest and raw.
I think the author also did a great job of showing what it might actually look like to try to undo centuries of oppression. How messy and complicated that would be regardless of your good intentions. How many mistakes can be made and how much pushback there will be. There is no easy answer but the work persists.
Then we have the romance. If you want true enemies to lovers, you have it here. And not just, he dislikes her, but he is literally her enemy and she is literally his enemy. But why it works is because they see beyond the enemy part and see each other as humans. The book is written from Reim’s POV so you see how her feelings develop. I wanted a tiny bit more to understand why he went from enemies to lovers because we don’t get his POV but I was so invested in their relationship that I was just happy with the end result. If you love a man who is a giant force of nature but is gentle and tenderhearted at the same time, you will love The Healer.
And my heart felt for Reim. She has spent her whole life feeling like a curse and that she is not worthy, no matter what she accomplishes. Of course that is going to bleed over into other parts of her life like her relationship. Did I want to shake her at times and tell her to communicate with the man in front of her? OF COURSE. But healing isn’t that easy and quick. And boy, am I proud of her for being brave and trying.
I am excited for book two because I want to learn more about the magic system. This book focused more on building out the societal structures and explaining the history so I was left with some basic questions about how the magic works and how the phoenixes are involved but I feel (or hope) that will be answered in book two.
Oh and don’t ask me about the Rumpelstiltskin of it all. I was not raised on the Brothers Grimm so I only know the very basic storyline and I think that it does reimagine a deal gone wrong very well.
Lingering questions or not, I rate books on how hard they are to put down (because we’ve all slogged our way through books that were objectively good but just didn’t hit the spot for some reason). This hit the spot. Highly recommend it.
You will probably like this book if you like:
💚 Anti-colonial fantasy reimagining of a classical fairytale (Rumpelstiltskin)
💚 First book in a duology
💚 Mysterious, enigmatic MMC x Strong, stubborn FMC
💚 True enemies to lovers
💚 Sloooooooow burn
💚 Low spice (kissing only on page) but there is still so much chemistry
💚 Complicated family dynamics
💚 Found family
💚 Twist and cliffhanger ending
Content warning: suicidal ideation.
____________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I am so excited to read this. It is a Rumpelstiltskin reimagining and it that examines the transformative power of names, identity, self-growth, and love. I did have to be reminded of what Rumpelstiltskin is about and were the Brothers Grimm ok? I feel like that answer is debatable 😂.
I could not put this book down – I read this until too late at night and then woke up and read it before work. It’s an anti-colonial fantasy reimagining of a Rumpelstiltskin, but it is so much more than just that one sentence.
Let’s start with the story. Reim’s family has been in power for centuries and they keep order by oppressing The Unnamed. They view them as lesser than and they subjugate them to cruelty and death. And Reim is set to inherit the throne but something deep inside of her doesn’t feel like this is right, but how do you question your father who has raised you and loved you unconditionally? That father-daughter dynamic was so real and heartbreaking. To realize that your parent may have been a great parent but is a deeply flawed (and in this case, pretty shitty) person. Gosh, that was honest and raw.
I think the author also did a great job of showing what it might actually look like to try to undo centuries of oppression. How messy and complicated that would be regardless of your good intentions. How many mistakes can be made and how much pushback there will be. There is no easy answer but the work persists.
Then we have the romance. If you want true enemies to lovers, you have it here. And not just, he dislikes her, but he is literally her enemy and she is literally his enemy. But why it works is because they see beyond the enemy part and see each other as humans. The book is written from Reim’s POV so you see how her feelings develop. I wanted a tiny bit more to understand why he went from enemies to lovers because we don’t get his POV but I was so invested in their relationship that I was just happy with the end result. If you love a man who is a giant force of nature but is gentle and tenderhearted at the same time, you will love The Healer.
And my heart felt for Reim. She has spent her whole life feeling like a curse and that she is not worthy, no matter what she accomplishes. Of course that is going to bleed over into other parts of her life like her relationship. Did I want to shake her at times and tell her to communicate with the man in front of her? OF COURSE. But healing isn’t that easy and quick. And boy, am I proud of her for being brave and trying.
I am excited for book two because I want to learn more about the magic system. This book focused more on building out the societal structures and explaining the history so I was left with some basic questions about how the magic works and how the phoenixes are involved but I feel (or hope) that will be answered in book two.
Oh and don’t ask me about the Rumpelstiltskin of it all. I was not raised on the Brothers Grimm so I only know the very basic storyline and I think that it does reimagine a deal gone wrong very well.
Lingering questions or not, I rate books on how hard they are to put down (because we’ve all slogged our way through books that were objectively good but just didn’t hit the spot for some reason). This hit the spot. Highly recommend it.
You will probably like this book if you like:
💚 Anti-colonial fantasy reimagining of a classical fairytale (Rumpelstiltskin)
💚 First book in a duology
💚 Mysterious, enigmatic MMC x Strong, stubborn FMC
💚 True enemies to lovers
💚 Sloooooooow burn
💚 Low spice (kissing only on page) but there is still so much chemistry
💚 Complicated family dynamics
💚 Found family
💚 Twist and cliffhanger ending
Content warning: suicidal ideation.
____________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I am so excited to read this. It is a Rumpelstiltskin reimagining and it that examines the transformative power of names, identity, self-growth, and love. I did have to be reminded of what Rumpelstiltskin is about and were the Brothers Grimm ok? I feel like that answer is debatable 😂.
July 13, 2026
This is probably a 3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ so rounding up! Lots of good elements but some things that took me out of the story as well. Let’s dive in
PLOT
Reim is the princess & army commander in charge of enforcing her father’s brutal laws onto The Unnamed, a group of second-class citizens forced into labor, poverty, & stripped of dignity. Her father is sick & she will do anything to help him, like venture into the heart of Unnamed territory to find a mystery healer. But what will be want from her in return? This book has
- enemmmies to ?
- forced proximity
- found family
- a woman reckoning with who she is
- really interesting themes
- Rumplestiltskin retelling
- some steam but no spice yet
PROS
- The concept of the Unnamed is so unique & fascinating. I thoroughly enjoy their story & want more of it. I also love that they can’t lie & what their history is & I love that this feels like a nod to oral storytelling being the historical mechanism to keep certain cultures alive. I think this is just super interesting.
- Super like sifr as a side character. Also Mori. But I’m a sucker for a gruff older nurse type woman & a sweet, slightly sassy young boy so that was written in the cards for me.
- Our main girly really started to figure stuff out at the end & go for gold which I appreciated.
- I quite like the politics of this. The people vs. people & who should lead/what does history actually say is rather intriguing.
- Ending had 1 reveal I predicted but another that has me like 👀👀 OH OKAY.
- I like the MMC quite a bit.
- I really enjoyed the cultural displays, especially of the oppressed people. The overarching message of finding & keeping joy where you can was really lovely.
MID
- The FMC was mid for me. I appreciated quite a few things about her but she also just made a bunch of assumptions & ran with those as fact & that’s tough for me because that kind of conflict I don’t find interesting. She was both incredibly hesitant while also being really daring; it maybe felt inconsistent? Very waffle-y? BUT I liked her direction at the end & am excited to see her nut up in book 2.
- Rather low on the worldbuilding here considering how important I think things will be? There are elements introduced briefly & then they flutter away without explanation or description. But maybe we’re leaving that for book 2? Idk this was more of a character journey it seems so maybe book 2 is for world stuff. Leaving as a mid for now because of that.
CONS
- The relationship development was kinda wild. I think it should have either taken them WAY longer - given the circumstances - to get to where we got, or had some VERY intense conversations. I feel like we glossed over some serious bumps in the road & I couldn’t get over it. I also don’t think we witnessed enough of their interactions to actually see their relationship develop.
- With the lower worldbuilding came sort of a muddy understanding of motivations for our antagonists. & when I don’t quite understand their “why” I get taken out of the story.
- There were a couple of character behaviors I just didn’t quite buy. Like people who have been loyal to Person A for years all the sudden being willing to keep secrets from them for Person B? Idk, I just didn’t buy it.
This is a really interesting sorry & if the concept sounds cool I encourage you to give it a try! As of this moment I’m interested in book 2!
PLOT
Reim is the princess & army commander in charge of enforcing her father’s brutal laws onto The Unnamed, a group of second-class citizens forced into labor, poverty, & stripped of dignity. Her father is sick & she will do anything to help him, like venture into the heart of Unnamed territory to find a mystery healer. But what will be want from her in return? This book has
- enemmmies to ?
- forced proximity
- found family
- a woman reckoning with who she is
- really interesting themes
- Rumplestiltskin retelling
- some steam but no spice yet
PROS
- The concept of the Unnamed is so unique & fascinating. I thoroughly enjoy their story & want more of it. I also love that they can’t lie & what their history is & I love that this feels like a nod to oral storytelling being the historical mechanism to keep certain cultures alive. I think this is just super interesting.
- Super like sifr as a side character. Also Mori. But I’m a sucker for a gruff older nurse type woman & a sweet, slightly sassy young boy so that was written in the cards for me.
- Our main girly really started to figure stuff out at the end & go for gold which I appreciated.
- I quite like the politics of this. The people vs. people & who should lead/what does history actually say is rather intriguing.
- Ending had 1 reveal I predicted but another that has me like 👀👀 OH OKAY.
- I like the MMC quite a bit.
- I really enjoyed the cultural displays, especially of the oppressed people. The overarching message of finding & keeping joy where you can was really lovely.
MID
- The FMC was mid for me. I appreciated quite a few things about her but she also just made a bunch of assumptions & ran with those as fact & that’s tough for me because that kind of conflict I don’t find interesting. She was both incredibly hesitant while also being really daring; it maybe felt inconsistent? Very waffle-y? BUT I liked her direction at the end & am excited to see her nut up in book 2.
- Rather low on the worldbuilding here considering how important I think things will be? There are elements introduced briefly & then they flutter away without explanation or description. But maybe we’re leaving that for book 2? Idk this was more of a character journey it seems so maybe book 2 is for world stuff. Leaving as a mid for now because of that.
CONS
- The relationship development was kinda wild. I think it should have either taken them WAY longer - given the circumstances - to get to where we got, or had some VERY intense conversations. I feel like we glossed over some serious bumps in the road & I couldn’t get over it. I also don’t think we witnessed enough of their interactions to actually see their relationship develop.
- With the lower worldbuilding came sort of a muddy understanding of motivations for our antagonists. & when I don’t quite understand their “why” I get taken out of the story.
- There were a couple of character behaviors I just didn’t quite buy. Like people who have been loyal to Person A for years all the sudden being willing to keep secrets from them for Person B? Idk, I just didn’t buy it.
This is a really interesting sorry & if the concept sounds cool I encourage you to give it a try! As of this moment I’m interested in book 2!
April 24, 2026
3.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
“Finding joy, no matter how small, is a type of resistance. It was all we had at times. It was something that couldn’t be taxed, stolen, or deprived.”
Drawn from the tale of Rumplestiltskin, The Unnamed is a promising fantasy romance debut that unfolds a blood-drenched tale of treachery, power, and dangerous alliances.
We're drawn into Vuor, an erratic Kingdom that thrives in its glory, yet beneath its soil lies the remnants of a tragic massacre and it's bloodied legacy carried by a shunned tribe of unnamed people.
As the ailing King of Vuor nears his end, his vulnerable heir and high commander, Reim, is burdened by the threat of insurrection, especially as her surroundings view her to be an abomination on this kingdom. In her desperation, Reim strikes a reckless deal with an unnamed man known as "the Healer" to save her father in exchange for a price she is yet to pay.
And little did Reim know that the bargain will alter the fate of Vuor forever.
The story is set in an atmospheric world that is woven with vibrant threads of intricate lore and history, and it beats strongly with anti-colonialism sentiments that is deeply felt.
They are chaos. We are order.
This fantastical world echoes the devastating tragedy of when entire nations and tribes are deemed unworthy and brutally murdered. How easily history paints the victors in shades of glory, while those who are defeated are tormented by the lingering grief and despair.
To Reim, their history was a play celebrating the glory of her people, but to the Unnamed it marked the beginning of their oppression and unbeknownst to this heir, she is about to lift the veil that obstructed the truth for very long.
And the truth will shatter the illusion she lived in.
Political scheming and maneuvering is quite entertaining when the romantic pairing have a true, true enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The stakes are pulled higher and the tension sizzles.
I'm impressed by how layered and well-thought the story is, my only qualm is that the pacing was unsteady and the romance developed quickly, especially given the dark circumstances surrounding it.
Congratulations to M.S. Masood on her debut. Keep an eye on the sequel!
Content warning: violence, oppression, death, betrayal, and mentions of committed massacre in the past.
“Finding joy, no matter how small, is a type of resistance. It was all we had at times. It was something that couldn’t be taxed, stolen, or deprived.”
Drawn from the tale of Rumplestiltskin, The Unnamed is a promising fantasy romance debut that unfolds a blood-drenched tale of treachery, power, and dangerous alliances.
We're drawn into Vuor, an erratic Kingdom that thrives in its glory, yet beneath its soil lies the remnants of a tragic massacre and it's bloodied legacy carried by a shunned tribe of unnamed people.
As the ailing King of Vuor nears his end, his vulnerable heir and high commander, Reim, is burdened by the threat of insurrection, especially as her surroundings view her to be an abomination on this kingdom. In her desperation, Reim strikes a reckless deal with an unnamed man known as "the Healer" to save her father in exchange for a price she is yet to pay.
And little did Reim know that the bargain will alter the fate of Vuor forever.
The story is set in an atmospheric world that is woven with vibrant threads of intricate lore and history, and it beats strongly with anti-colonialism sentiments that is deeply felt.
They are chaos. We are order.
This fantastical world echoes the devastating tragedy of when entire nations and tribes are deemed unworthy and brutally murdered. How easily history paints the victors in shades of glory, while those who are defeated are tormented by the lingering grief and despair.
To Reim, their history was a play celebrating the glory of her people, but to the Unnamed it marked the beginning of their oppression and unbeknownst to this heir, she is about to lift the veil that obstructed the truth for very long.
And the truth will shatter the illusion she lived in.
Political scheming and maneuvering is quite entertaining when the romantic pairing have a true, true enemies-to-lovers dynamic. The stakes are pulled higher and the tension sizzles.
I'm impressed by how layered and well-thought the story is, my only qualm is that the pacing was unsteady and the romance developed quickly, especially given the dark circumstances surrounding it.
Congratulations to M.S. Masood on her debut. Keep an eye on the sequel!
Content warning: violence, oppression, death, betrayal, and mentions of committed massacre in the past.
January 10, 2026
Reim spends her days patrolling the outer cantons and enforcing order among the Unnamed while quietly doubting her worth, her future as ruler, and the cruel “curse” others have placed on her all her life. Desperate to save her father, she strikes a dangerous bargain with a mysterious Unnamed healer one that heals him but ultimately sparks a revolt, dethroning her father and forcing Reim into power. I absolutely loved this book. The world is rich and immersive, the fantasy feels alive through its unique language, and Reim is a deeply compelling heroine vulnerable, fierce, and painfully human. Her journey, the healer’s patience, and that brutal cliffhanger left me desperate for book two.
September 3, 2026
Holy Moly, this book was so good.
I am so happy to see arab culture and representation in a fantasy book, I love reading about my ppl and culture. The anti-colonialist theme went hard in this book, and I loved that as well. Names really do have power, and imperialism does take that away.
When I think of this I think of all the enslaved people who had names chosen by their "owners" and immigrants or POC who change their name to an americanized version so it's easier to pronounce.
The romance was bedazzling, I like how it progressed. Both the healer and Reim were such interesting complex characters. I love Reim so much, even though her father was a tyrant, she is nothing like him and she does so much to make up for her sins. Her relationship with her father, was so beautiful. I love how unique of a book this was, mixing culture, politics, romance, and magic.
And I especially loved the unnamed. Having their names withheld to keep their magic away is such an interesting premise.
Also the writing was so lyrical and smooth, it felt just like a fairytale.
I am so happy to see arab culture and representation in a fantasy book, I love reading about my ppl and culture. The anti-colonialist theme went hard in this book, and I loved that as well. Names really do have power, and imperialism does take that away.
When I think of this I think of all the enslaved people who had names chosen by their "owners" and immigrants or POC who change their name to an americanized version so it's easier to pronounce.
The romance was bedazzling, I like how it progressed. Both the healer and Reim were such interesting complex characters. I love Reim so much, even though her father was a tyrant, she is nothing like him and she does so much to make up for her sins. Her relationship with her father, was so beautiful. I love how unique of a book this was, mixing culture, politics, romance, and magic.
And I especially loved the unnamed. Having their names withheld to keep their magic away is such an interesting premise.
Also the writing was so lyrical and smooth, it felt just like a fairytale.
Review of advance copy received from Author
HOLY GOOD BOOK GODS!
First off, Thank you to The Nerd Fam for allowing me to apply to ARC read & the biggest THANK YOU to M. S. Masood for providing me an eARC.
Now to the book! One of my top reads, HANDS DOWN of 2025! If you enjoyed the messaging behind Blood Over Bright Haven, then you NEED to read this book. I have zero critiques. The characters are beautifully complex. The discussions of doing the work to unlearn biases & to stand up to do the right thing even though its hard. To acknowledging that an oppressed group fighting back will ALWAYS be just. I will recommend this book to everyone & I cannot wait for the next book in the duology!
First off, Thank you to The Nerd Fam for allowing me to apply to ARC read & the biggest THANK YOU to M. S. Masood for providing me an eARC.
Now to the book! One of my top reads, HANDS DOWN of 2025! If you enjoyed the messaging behind Blood Over Bright Haven, then you NEED to read this book. I have zero critiques. The characters are beautifully complex. The discussions of doing the work to unlearn biases & to stand up to do the right thing even though its hard. To acknowledging that an oppressed group fighting back will ALWAYS be just. I will recommend this book to everyone & I cannot wait for the next book in the duology!
August 14, 2026
Nope. I am not okay after that ending. Nope nope nope. I don’t like that cliffhanger, not one bit. Book one of a duology and I can’t wait to finish!!!
What a fantastic book, incredible world building and character growth. A beautiful slow-burn romantasy, with a touch of mystery. Our uncertain FMC, Reim,has internalized the hateful taunts and rumors towards her but she no longer can rely on her father’s presence as defense against the worst. MMC the Healer has done the unthinkable. But as Reim rises to the occasion, even after all he has survived, he is still learning and finds he can be in awe.
Slow burn
Haters-to-enemies-to-lovers
Forced marriage
He falls first
Touch her and 💀
Wound-tending
Single POV
Deadly Cinnamon Roll MMC
I strongly recommend this for readers who enjoyed Penn Cole’s “Spark of the Everflame,” and “The Jasad Heir” by Sara Hashem. And, if you love Sir Knight aka Cedric Thorne from “Smoke & Scar” and “Splintered Kingdom” by Gretchen Powell Fox.
Themes include prejudice, discrimination, anti-colonialism, social inequity, fighting back, challenging the oppressors, greed, power, and more.
What a fantastic book, incredible world building and character growth. A beautiful slow-burn romantasy, with a touch of mystery. Our uncertain FMC, Reim,has internalized the hateful taunts and rumors towards her but she no longer can rely on her father’s presence as defense against the worst. MMC the Healer has done the unthinkable. But as Reim rises to the occasion, even after all he has survived, he is still learning and finds he can be in awe.
Slow burn
Haters-to-enemies-to-lovers
Forced marriage
He falls first
Touch her and 💀
Wound-tending
Single POV
Deadly Cinnamon Roll MMC
I strongly recommend this for readers who enjoyed Penn Cole’s “Spark of the Everflame,” and “The Jasad Heir” by Sara Hashem. And, if you love Sir Knight aka Cedric Thorne from “Smoke & Scar” and “Splintered Kingdom” by Gretchen Powell Fox.
Themes include prejudice, discrimination, anti-colonialism, social inequity, fighting back, challenging the oppressors, greed, power, and more.
August 12, 2026
I liked the writing style and the world building, but did not like the romance and main characters.
The FMC is a highly trained fighter and high commander of the guard, but can’t fight off a single person without a man stepping in to help her. She is fearful of succession and although trained by her father, cannot successfully handle and communicate during court/royal meetings without the help of a man. She is easily manipulated and spends a good portion of the book ruminating on topics in her head. Within weeks she falls in love with the man who MURDERED her father in front of her. But after being told his murder was for the greater good, she accepts it. Granted, her father was a tyrant, but to fall in love with the murderer who betrayed you and impacted you so deeply? It was icky to me. I don’t feel the FMC showed much growth, often flip flopping between decisions and feelings.
I did not like the MMC. I didn’t like how he treated and talked down to the FMC. He judges her and maneuvers to coax her out of the depression he caused by murdering her father. His affection for the FMC seems to come out of nowhere, they barely spend time together throughout most of the book.
The side characters Sefr and Mori were sweet.
The plot pacing was medium to fast paced. I enjoyed the writing style, which gave me Samantha Shannon vibes. I felt some of the plot twists were predictable and the antagonists needed more development.
The world building was interesting. I liked the political machinations/intrigue. I thought the magic system with the book of names played into the Rumplestiltskin retelling aspect of the story. I wanted more of the magical creatures mentioned in the story. This book has heavy themes of racism and oppression. These were handled well within the story.
This book has steam, no spice.
Overall, the romance and (for me) unlikeable main characters really impacted my enjoyment of the story. I am undecided if I’ll read book 2. I would try another book series by this author.
The FMC is a highly trained fighter and high commander of the guard, but can’t fight off a single person without a man stepping in to help her. She is fearful of succession and although trained by her father, cannot successfully handle and communicate during court/royal meetings without the help of a man. She is easily manipulated and spends a good portion of the book ruminating on topics in her head. Within weeks she falls in love with the man who MURDERED her father in front of her. But after being told his murder was for the greater good, she accepts it. Granted, her father was a tyrant, but to fall in love with the murderer who betrayed you and impacted you so deeply? It was icky to me. I don’t feel the FMC showed much growth, often flip flopping between decisions and feelings.
I did not like the MMC. I didn’t like how he treated and talked down to the FMC. He judges her and maneuvers to coax her out of the depression he caused by murdering her father. His affection for the FMC seems to come out of nowhere, they barely spend time together throughout most of the book.
The side characters Sefr and Mori were sweet.
The plot pacing was medium to fast paced. I enjoyed the writing style, which gave me Samantha Shannon vibes. I felt some of the plot twists were predictable and the antagonists needed more development.
The world building was interesting. I liked the political machinations/intrigue. I thought the magic system with the book of names played into the Rumplestiltskin retelling aspect of the story. I wanted more of the magical creatures mentioned in the story. This book has heavy themes of racism and oppression. These were handled well within the story.
This book has steam, no spice.
Overall, the romance and (for me) unlikeable main characters really impacted my enjoyment of the story. I am undecided if I’ll read book 2. I would try another book series by this author.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2026
From the very first page, this book completely captivated me. It lingered in my thoughts long after I put it down, to the point where I found myself at the final chapter, wishing there was more. The author's writing style is mesmerizing, the characters are wonderfully endearing, and the sheer emotional depth of the story makes it a truly remarkable reading experience.
August 31, 2026
[This review can also be found on my BLOG]
CW: violence, blood, injury, murder, death, death of parent, confinement, colonialism, war, grief, xenophobia, classism
--
This is a Rumpelstiltskin reimagining where Reim, heir to the Vuorian Throne who is seen as unfit and a curse by her people, makes a deal with a member The Unnamed - the civilisation her people conquered following their own oppressed ridden past - in order to save her father's life. The Healer's half of the deal is not immediately set in stone and when he comes to collect his due it throws Reim's world into more chaos than she expected.
I was immediately sucked in by the overall vibes of the worldbuilding, lore and history as well as the retelling side of things which was deliciously unqiue and I flew through the book in pretty much a day.
Reim was such a brilliantly written main character and while there was a fair bit of internal monologuing and tendency to second guess everything and everyone, for a character facing so much rejection who is constantly looking to do the best for those around her and to find love for herself, this all fit so well for her arc!!
I also really liked the Healer as a character and how the fraught relationship between him and Reim developed over the course of the book, though the amount of times they got interrupted and weren't able to properly communicate made me want to SCREAM. The overall fast pace of the story did make the timeline fly by too and I found myself wishing we had gotten more on page scenes between them akin to that first training yard scene (I LOVED THAT PART SO MUCH) or even the Healer's PoV. However, the moments we did get between the two of them still gave the slow-burn vibes that were promised.
The anti colonial themes, particularly the attention and commentary given to the cycle of violence and grief that come when one nation dehumanises and oppresses another was so well addressed. As well as how the veracity of history is so often obscured by "the victors" and the importance of openly changing your worldview in order to seek true justice.
The political intrigue overall was super engaging and I loved many of the supporting characters too, especially Sifr and Mori!
I loved that this book had my brain constantly cycling through theories about certain things that have been left unanswered in this first book and im really looking forward to seeing where everything goes next, especially after that excruciatingly perfect ending !! I also look forward to finding out more about the magic and phoenixes.
I'd say if you enjoy the atmosphere and character dynamics of An Ember in the Ashes and The Jasad Heir, as well as unique fairytale retellings like Thorn then you'll no doubt enjoy this one too!
CW: violence, blood, injury, murder, death, death of parent, confinement, colonialism, war, grief, xenophobia, classism
--
This is a Rumpelstiltskin reimagining where Reim, heir to the Vuorian Throne who is seen as unfit and a curse by her people, makes a deal with a member The Unnamed - the civilisation her people conquered following their own oppressed ridden past - in order to save her father's life. The Healer's half of the deal is not immediately set in stone and when he comes to collect his due it throws Reim's world into more chaos than she expected.
I was immediately sucked in by the overall vibes of the worldbuilding, lore and history as well as the retelling side of things which was deliciously unqiue and I flew through the book in pretty much a day.
Reim was such a brilliantly written main character and while there was a fair bit of internal monologuing and tendency to second guess everything and everyone, for a character facing so much rejection who is constantly looking to do the best for those around her and to find love for herself, this all fit so well for her arc!!
"Courage is not the absence of fear, albi. It is being afraid and doing the right thing anyway."
I also really liked the Healer as a character and how the fraught relationship between him and Reim developed over the course of the book, though the amount of times they got interrupted and weren't able to properly communicate made me want to SCREAM. The overall fast pace of the story did make the timeline fly by too and I found myself wishing we had gotten more on page scenes between them akin to that first training yard scene (I LOVED THAT PART SO MUCH) or even the Healer's PoV. However, the moments we did get between the two of them still gave the slow-burn vibes that were promised.
The anti colonial themes, particularly the attention and commentary given to the cycle of violence and grief that come when one nation dehumanises and oppresses another was so well addressed. As well as how the veracity of history is so often obscured by "the victors" and the importance of openly changing your worldview in order to seek true justice.
"But if you’re being honest about wanting things to be better for us, I can tell you that before you do anything with your hands, you have to do it first with your ears and heart. You’ll have to listen and learn, and that means you’ll have to unlearn a lot too."
The political intrigue overall was super engaging and I loved many of the supporting characters too, especially Sifr and Mori!
I loved that this book had my brain constantly cycling through theories about certain things that have been left unanswered in this first book and im really looking forward to seeing where everything goes next, especially after that excruciatingly perfect ending !! I also look forward to finding out more about the magic and phoenixes.
I'd say if you enjoy the atmosphere and character dynamics of An Ember in the Ashes and The Jasad Heir, as well as unique fairytale retellings like Thorn then you'll no doubt enjoy this one too!
March 26, 2026
(4.5 stars)
Thank you so much to my friends who raved about this book and put it on my radar! Indie author M.S. Masood has brought us a beautifully written anti-colonial fantasy tale full of tension, romance, and adventure. Our main character Reim is the heir to an imperial throne trying to keep its kingdom under control through intimidation, repression, and fear. But through a transition in power and a little bit of exploration, Reim finds herself questioning the world view she's been raised with. She faces a lot of tough choices and we're along with her for the adventure!
I thought Masood's prose was beautiful and the anti-colonial messages were powerful without being too heavy handed. This is also a duology and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book! Highly recommend this one!
Thank you so much to my friends who raved about this book and put it on my radar! Indie author M.S. Masood has brought us a beautifully written anti-colonial fantasy tale full of tension, romance, and adventure. Our main character Reim is the heir to an imperial throne trying to keep its kingdom under control through intimidation, repression, and fear. But through a transition in power and a little bit of exploration, Reim finds herself questioning the world view she's been raised with. She faces a lot of tough choices and we're along with her for the adventure!
I thought Masood's prose was beautiful and the anti-colonial messages were powerful without being too heavy handed. This is also a duology and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book! Highly recommend this one!
January 7, 2026
I absolutely flew through this book!! This is a fantasy packed with political intrigue, high stakes, and characters that will definitely pull you in fast.
The story follows Reim, a future ruler trying to hold her kingdom together as everything around her starts to fall apart. When she finds out her father’s health is rapidly declining, desperation forces her into a dangerous bargain with a mysterious healer who is apart of the unnamed.
The tension absolutely hooked me. Between duty, power and identity, survival and don’t get me started on that slow burn romance!!! Sooooo good. And after that ending? I don’t know how I’ll wait for book two!
The story follows Reim, a future ruler trying to hold her kingdom together as everything around her starts to fall apart. When she finds out her father’s health is rapidly declining, desperation forces her into a dangerous bargain with a mysterious healer who is apart of the unnamed.
The tension absolutely hooked me. Between duty, power and identity, survival and don’t get me started on that slow burn romance!!! Sooooo good. And after that ending? I don’t know how I’ll wait for book two!
May 25, 2026
The Unnamed was absolutely incredible! It was so unique. The prose was beautiful! Somewhere partway through I realized the author is a psychiatrist (my b for not reading about the author beforehand), but the writing made so much sense in the best way. The attachment wounds, the way she wrote splitting, grief, cognitive distortions, the list goes on, and all woven so naturally into the characters and story. Truly incredible.
I had tears in my eyes multiple times and then THAT ending??? Are you fucking kidding me. The cliffhanger was criminal.
Also go heels!!!
Cannot wait for book two.
I had tears in my eyes multiple times and then THAT ending??? Are you fucking kidding me. The cliffhanger was criminal.
Also go heels!!!
Cannot wait for book two.
March 11, 2026
The Unnamed follows our main character Reim, the daughter of the monarch of Vuorian. As Reim’s father is facing death she makes a deal with the enemy of the kingdom, the Unnamed. The healer helps Reim’s father survive, but wants something in return. And what he comes back for later changes Reim’s life forever.
Okay so, I really liked the relationship between Reim and her father, I found it to be very realistic, like she loves him and he loves her but it’s not that easy? and with a whole kingdom on the line it’s even harder? I think the flashbacks were a great addition to the story, but would have liked to know more? but I also assume the things that are purposefully hidden will have meaning in book 2.
The dynamic between Reim and the Healer?!?! Had me giggling and screaming! I wouldn’t call it a traditional enemies to lovers but damn was it good. The tension and all their scenes just had me so giddy!!!
I adore Reim as a main character, although I like character who are never weak and always willing and capable having Reim was so refreshing. Like yes my whole life just changed and ”yes I will bedrot because I simply don’t know what to do?” like yes yes!!
But at the same time she is such a strong character!
If you know me you know I adore all arab mythology/arab culture infused fantasy books and this was no exception, to be able to read about your culture in this beautiful way and reading your language is something that will always be so so special to me.
I mean reading about the people dancing and slowly realizing they are dancing the dabke? AMAZING!!
Having our culture be something that is cherished and enjoyed even in fictional ways warms my heart so much!
What I would have liked a bit more is the world building? I found myself a bit confused about how the world actually functions but but like the second half I had understood enough to get it!
Was the ending a bit predictable? sure but was it still very very good and fitting for this story? YES!
But for a debut novel this is absolutely brilliant! Can’t wait for the sequel!
Okay so, I really liked the relationship between Reim and her father, I found it to be very realistic, like she loves him and he loves her but it’s not that easy? and with a whole kingdom on the line it’s even harder? I think the flashbacks were a great addition to the story, but would have liked to know more? but I also assume the things that are purposefully hidden will have meaning in book 2.
The dynamic between Reim and the Healer?!?! Had me giggling and screaming! I wouldn’t call it a traditional enemies to lovers but damn was it good. The tension and all their scenes just had me so giddy!!!
I adore Reim as a main character, although I like character who are never weak and always willing and capable having Reim was so refreshing. Like yes my whole life just changed and ”yes I will bedrot because I simply don’t know what to do?” like yes yes!!
But at the same time she is such a strong character!
If you know me you know I adore all arab mythology/arab culture infused fantasy books and this was no exception, to be able to read about your culture in this beautiful way and reading your language is something that will always be so so special to me.
I mean reading about the people dancing and slowly realizing they are dancing the dabke? AMAZING!!
Having our culture be something that is cherished and enjoyed even in fictional ways warms my heart so much!
What I would have liked a bit more is the world building? I found myself a bit confused about how the world actually functions but but like the second half I had understood enough to get it!
Was the ending a bit predictable? sure but was it still very very good and fitting for this story? YES!
But for a debut novel this is absolutely brilliant! Can’t wait for the sequel!
March 25, 2026
4✨ The Unnamed is an anti-colonial Rumpelstiltskin retelling with high stakes, introspection, political scheming, and a slow burn romance. It examines the complexities and devastating lasting effects of oppression, internal battles while unlearning biases, and working to undo the damage of the ones that came before despite all the odds stacked against you.
I loved all the different dynamics with a range of side characters - layers of emotional complexity all around and I found out after that the author is also a psychiatrist and you can really see evidence of that woven throughout.
The writing style felt very unique and it did take me a little while to get used to but I appreciated how immersive it felt, like I was truly in the main character’s head experiencing her thought processes in real time. It could get a little frustrating at times but I think it’s because it felt like a mirror, reminding me of my own anxieties and way of thinking so it was probably just hitting too close to home lol we follow Reim on a journey of self discovery and it really authentically encapsulates the human experience in all its messiness and ups and downs. Things aren’t always easy and straightforward with a simple solution, no matter how bad we want them to be.
I was so locked in for the first half of this book and could not put it down, but the second half did lose me a bit, as it became more drawn out, focused on the introspection, and repetitive at times. I also did predict part of what happens but that’s a me problem ha the ending was still crazy and I will definitely be picking up the next book to find out what happens!!
You can definitely tell so much heart and soul was poured into this book ❤️
I loved all the different dynamics with a range of side characters - layers of emotional complexity all around and I found out after that the author is also a psychiatrist and you can really see evidence of that woven throughout.
The writing style felt very unique and it did take me a little while to get used to but I appreciated how immersive it felt, like I was truly in the main character’s head experiencing her thought processes in real time. It could get a little frustrating at times but I think it’s because it felt like a mirror, reminding me of my own anxieties and way of thinking so it was probably just hitting too close to home lol we follow Reim on a journey of self discovery and it really authentically encapsulates the human experience in all its messiness and ups and downs. Things aren’t always easy and straightforward with a simple solution, no matter how bad we want them to be.
I was so locked in for the first half of this book and could not put it down, but the second half did lose me a bit, as it became more drawn out, focused on the introspection, and repetitive at times. I also did predict part of what happens but that’s a me problem ha the ending was still crazy and I will definitely be picking up the next book to find out what happens!!
You can definitely tell so much heart and soul was poured into this book ❤️
January 22, 2026
WOW what a debut?!!!
I was hooked right away by the Rumpelstiltskin retelling premise, but I stayed for Reim. I was rooting for her stubbornness and determination the entire time, especially as she’s caught between duty and survival. Watching her wrestle with who she’s supposed to be versus who she actually is really worked for me.
This is definitely a character-driven story, but the plot is soooo good. The pacing kept me fully engaged, the slow burn romance had me absolutely hooked, and even though I had a tiny suspicion about the twist near the end, it still hit like a ton of bricks when it happened.
And the writing!!!!!!! Honestly, fantastic. I’m a little blown away by how strong this debut was, and I already can’t wait to see where this duology goes next.
Thank you to NerdFam for the opportunity to apply for the ARC and M. S. Masood for providing me with an advance copy! The Unnamed is out now!
I was hooked right away by the Rumpelstiltskin retelling premise, but I stayed for Reim. I was rooting for her stubbornness and determination the entire time, especially as she’s caught between duty and survival. Watching her wrestle with who she’s supposed to be versus who she actually is really worked for me.
This is definitely a character-driven story, but the plot is soooo good. The pacing kept me fully engaged, the slow burn romance had me absolutely hooked, and even though I had a tiny suspicion about the twist near the end, it still hit like a ton of bricks when it happened.
And the writing!!!!!!! Honestly, fantastic. I’m a little blown away by how strong this debut was, and I already can’t wait to see where this duology goes next.
Thank you to NerdFam for the opportunity to apply for the ARC and M. S. Masood for providing me with an advance copy! The Unnamed is out now!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author and The Nerd Fam for the advanced reader copy of this romantasy. This book was so damn good ya'll. This is enemies to lovers done right. 👏👏👏 Nobody gets kidnapped by some hot guy, there aren't a list of generic lines included just to call out a trope, these are real layered characters.
Not only is this romantasy well written, but it has real meaning, tackling hard topics of oppression, racism and colonialism while still having plot twists that will have your jaw on the floor. You will be unable to put this one down.
I highly recommend checking this one out and I will definitely be continuing this duology.
Not only is this romantasy well written, but it has real meaning, tackling hard topics of oppression, racism and colonialism while still having plot twists that will have your jaw on the floor. You will be unable to put this one down.
I highly recommend checking this one out and I will definitely be continuing this duology.
February 23, 2026
I’m halfway and I just don’t really care what happens. It’s insta love and I don’t vibe with that. The way it’s going is just irritating me so I’m stopping here.
September 30, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5 stars
WOW. That ending!!!
M.S. Masood was introduced to me by a friend from our book club. We all read The Unnamed this past month, and I'm so glad she was introduced because I loved this book!
Masood is a South Asian Muslim indie author who is also a psychiatrist, and I could definitely pick up on some of the mental health themes throughout the story, some of the mental health themes throughout the story, especially with Reim and her constant overthinking, self-doubt, guilt, and questioning whether she's capable of becoming the person everyone expects her to be.
Reim has spent her life training to eventually take over as Maliki of Vour and protect her kingdom from the Unnamed people. The problem? She doesn't actually believe she can be a good ruler.
And GIRL. 😭
Reim was STUBBORN. I already know I'm a harsh critic when it comes to my MFCs, but this woman stayed stubborn until the very end, until it was literally too late. She's this badass High Commander who can make difficult decisions and lead people, yet internally she's constantly doubting herself, blaming herself, and questioning whether she's capable of ruling.
And that's the thing about Reim that really stood out to me: she is so willing to see the good in everyone else and trust them, but she doesn't trust herself. 🫠
She wants to believe there's more to people than what she's been told, and she gives people chances even when everyone around her is telling her not to. Meanwhile, when it comes to herself and her own ability to lead? She's constantly second-guessing herself.
There were so many times I wanted to shake her and tell her: TRUST YOURSELF AS MUCH AS YOU TRUST THESE PEOPLE.
Her father was stubborn like her and wouldn't listen to her either, so I guess we know where she got it from. 😂
At the heart of everything, though, Reim genuinely wanted to do what was right for Vour, for the Unnamed, and for the people she loved. Even when her decisions frustrated me, I understood where they were coming from.
Basteel? ANNOYING.
Sifr, the Elder, Baby, and Mori? Give me the found family. 🥹
And then...
THE HEALER.
Excuse me, sir. 😅🫠🧡
The Healer is officially in competition with Dr. Adam Carlsen in the Yearning Olympics because we already know I love a man who knows how to YEARN. And the way M.S. Masood described this man??? Ma'am. You knew what you were doing.
This story is inspired by the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, which I honestly don't remember well enough to tell you all the connections 😂, but I loved the fantasy world, the mystery surrounding the Unnamed, the politics of Vour, and constantly questioning who Reim should—and absolutely SHOULD NOT trust.
This is going to be a duology, with the second book hopefully coming next year, and respectfully...
I NEED IT NOW.
Because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?!
Although...the Architect?
That part I can believe.
See spoilers below. 👀
---
⚠️ SPOILERS BELOW ⚠️
First of all, Reim makes a deal with the Healer to save her dad...
AND HER DAD ENDS UP DEAD ANYWAY.
BY THE HEALER.
AND THEN THE HEALER MAKES REIM HIS WIFE?!
I was sitting there like OH MY GOD. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
But the Architect reveal??? LISTEN.
Looking back, I feel like the book had been warning Reim about trusting people from the beginning.
During Sifr's trial, when he's facing execution, her father is essentially trying to teach her that because of who she is and the position she's going to hold, she can't just trust everyone. But Reim sees something in Sifr and ultimately saves him anyway.
And honestly, with Sifr, I love that she did. 😂 He becomes part of that found family with the Elder, Baby, and Mori.
But it establishes something really important about Reim: she sees the good in people and chooses to trust them, sometimes against her better judgment. Yet she STILL doesn't trust herself. 🫠
Which makes me wonder if that entire lesson during Sifr's trial was foreshadowing what happens with the Architect.
Because when Reim tells the Architect that she needs to warn the Healer about Basteel's threat to seek revenge on him, THAT was the moment I started thinking...
Wait a darn minute.
Why are we trusting the Architect?!
I literally went back to my highlight on page 275 where I had written:
Is the Architect good or bad?
Then later Reim decides that the one person she might be able to trust with the Book of the Unnamed is...
THE ARCHITECT.
And I'm sitting there like:
Hmmmm. Reim. Maybe DON'T?
And what does she do?
SHE TELLS THE ARCHITECT.
GIRL. STOP. 😭😭😭
Then when Tamir said the Architect had been helping him see the truth about how the Healer was using Reim, I was like:
OMG. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS OFF.
Her willingness to see the good in people is one of the things I actually like about her, but GIRL, there is a difference between seeing the good in someone and handing them sensitive information. 😭
Maybe her father's warning during Sifr's trial wasn't really about Sifr at all.
Maybe that was the warning we and Reim were supposed to remember later.
She is intelligent. She's a High Commander. She's been trained to lead Vour. She KNOWS people have agendas. Yet sometimes I'm sitting here watching her hand people information like:
REIM, PLEASE USE YOUR HIGH COMMANDER BRAIN.
But that ending completely got me. The Healer killing her father, the marriage, Tamir, the Architect, everything we thought we understood about who was manipulating whom...
I HAVE QUESTIONS.
And now I'm supposed to wait until the next book???
Absolutely not.
M.S. Masood, respectfully, please give me book two immediately. 😭
WOW. That ending!!!
M.S. Masood was introduced to me by a friend from our book club. We all read The Unnamed this past month, and I'm so glad she was introduced because I loved this book!
Masood is a South Asian Muslim indie author who is also a psychiatrist, and I could definitely pick up on some of the mental health themes throughout the story, some of the mental health themes throughout the story, especially with Reim and her constant overthinking, self-doubt, guilt, and questioning whether she's capable of becoming the person everyone expects her to be.
Reim has spent her life training to eventually take over as Maliki of Vour and protect her kingdom from the Unnamed people. The problem? She doesn't actually believe she can be a good ruler.
And GIRL. 😭
Reim was STUBBORN. I already know I'm a harsh critic when it comes to my MFCs, but this woman stayed stubborn until the very end, until it was literally too late. She's this badass High Commander who can make difficult decisions and lead people, yet internally she's constantly doubting herself, blaming herself, and questioning whether she's capable of ruling.
And that's the thing about Reim that really stood out to me: she is so willing to see the good in everyone else and trust them, but she doesn't trust herself. 🫠
She wants to believe there's more to people than what she's been told, and she gives people chances even when everyone around her is telling her not to. Meanwhile, when it comes to herself and her own ability to lead? She's constantly second-guessing herself.
There were so many times I wanted to shake her and tell her: TRUST YOURSELF AS MUCH AS YOU TRUST THESE PEOPLE.
Her father was stubborn like her and wouldn't listen to her either, so I guess we know where she got it from. 😂
At the heart of everything, though, Reim genuinely wanted to do what was right for Vour, for the Unnamed, and for the people she loved. Even when her decisions frustrated me, I understood where they were coming from.
Basteel? ANNOYING.
Sifr, the Elder, Baby, and Mori? Give me the found family. 🥹
And then...
THE HEALER.
Excuse me, sir. 😅🫠🧡
The Healer is officially in competition with Dr. Adam Carlsen in the Yearning Olympics because we already know I love a man who knows how to YEARN. And the way M.S. Masood described this man??? Ma'am. You knew what you were doing.
This story is inspired by the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, which I honestly don't remember well enough to tell you all the connections 😂, but I loved the fantasy world, the mystery surrounding the Unnamed, the politics of Vour, and constantly questioning who Reim should—and absolutely SHOULD NOT trust.
This is going to be a duology, with the second book hopefully coming next year, and respectfully...
I NEED IT NOW.
Because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?!
Although...the Architect?
That part I can believe.
See spoilers below. 👀
---
⚠️ SPOILERS BELOW ⚠️
First of all, Reim makes a deal with the Healer to save her dad...
AND HER DAD ENDS UP DEAD ANYWAY.
BY THE HEALER.
AND THEN THE HEALER MAKES REIM HIS WIFE?!
I was sitting there like OH MY GOD. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!
But the Architect reveal??? LISTEN.
Looking back, I feel like the book had been warning Reim about trusting people from the beginning.
During Sifr's trial, when he's facing execution, her father is essentially trying to teach her that because of who she is and the position she's going to hold, she can't just trust everyone. But Reim sees something in Sifr and ultimately saves him anyway.
And honestly, with Sifr, I love that she did. 😂 He becomes part of that found family with the Elder, Baby, and Mori.
But it establishes something really important about Reim: she sees the good in people and chooses to trust them, sometimes against her better judgment. Yet she STILL doesn't trust herself. 🫠
Which makes me wonder if that entire lesson during Sifr's trial was foreshadowing what happens with the Architect.
Because when Reim tells the Architect that she needs to warn the Healer about Basteel's threat to seek revenge on him, THAT was the moment I started thinking...
Wait a darn minute.
Why are we trusting the Architect?!
I literally went back to my highlight on page 275 where I had written:
Is the Architect good or bad?
Then later Reim decides that the one person she might be able to trust with the Book of the Unnamed is...
THE ARCHITECT.
And I'm sitting there like:
Hmmmm. Reim. Maybe DON'T?
And what does she do?
SHE TELLS THE ARCHITECT.
GIRL. STOP. 😭😭😭
Then when Tamir said the Architect had been helping him see the truth about how the Healer was using Reim, I was like:
OMG. I KNEW SOMETHING WAS OFF.
Her willingness to see the good in people is one of the things I actually like about her, but GIRL, there is a difference between seeing the good in someone and handing them sensitive information. 😭
Maybe her father's warning during Sifr's trial wasn't really about Sifr at all.
Maybe that was the warning we and Reim were supposed to remember later.
She is intelligent. She's a High Commander. She's been trained to lead Vour. She KNOWS people have agendas. Yet sometimes I'm sitting here watching her hand people information like:
REIM, PLEASE USE YOUR HIGH COMMANDER BRAIN.
But that ending completely got me. The Healer killing her father, the marriage, Tamir, the Architect, everything we thought we understood about who was manipulating whom...
I HAVE QUESTIONS.
And now I'm supposed to wait until the next book???
Absolutely not.
M.S. Masood, respectfully, please give me book two immediately. 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2026
Every once in a while, I read a book that reminds me what fantasy is capable of doing.
The Unnamed is one of those books.
This is an anti-colonial Rumpelstiltskin retelling steeped in Arab and Southeast Asian influences, and I genuinely don’t know how to explain everything this book managed to make me feel. I expected political fantasy. I expected enemies-to-lovers. I expected a clever retelling.
I did not expect one of the most thoughtful explorations of colonization, dehumanization, inherited fear, complicity, accountability, and the stories people tell themselves to justify oppression that I have read in fantasy.
At the center of the story is Reim, Vuoran heir and High Commander in a kingdom built on the exploitation of a people known only as the Unnamed. They have been stripped of their names, their history, their resources, their freedom, and their power. They live under curfews. They work the mines. Their labor provides comfort for people who barely regard them as human.
And the Vuorians don’t think of themselves as monsters. That’s what makes this book so unbelievably powerful.
Masood shows how oppression constructs its own internal logic until cruelty can be understood as self-defense by the people wielding it.
The Unnamed aren’t children in the same way Vuorian children are children. Their ages don’t matter because they aren’t like us. Their intentions don’t matter because they don’t act like us. Mercy is dangerous because exceptions create vulnerability. Violence is necessary because without it, they might do to us what we have spent generations doing to them.
They are chaos. We are Order. And once that distinction has been accepted, almost anything can be justified.
What fascinated me even more was how Masood explores the fear underneath it. Vuorian society is obsessed with preserving its victory, its borders, its laws, its history, its superiority—and eventually Reim has to ask an incredibly simple question: If our right to all of this is so absolute, why are we always so damn afraid of losing it?
Why the walls? Why the segregation? Why the surveillance? Why the executions? Why must history be rewritten? Why must another group of people be reduced to something less than human for your own identity to remain intact?
And then Masood takes that political fear and makes it deeply personal, because fear isn’t only written into Vuor’s laws. It’s passed from parent to child until inherited trauma becomes indistinguishable from inherited hatred.
Reim’s relationship with her father absolutely gutted me because this book never takes the easy way out and tells her that the man she loved was secretly a monster who never loved her.
He loved her. He was also responsible for horrific things. Both are true. Reim can love her father and condemn him. She can grieve the kingdom she knew while recognizing that its fall was inevitable because it was built on lies and fear. She can acknowledge that she participated in oppression while believing she can become something other than the person she was.
This entire book asks you to sit with conflicting truths without trying to make one cancel out the other.
And nowhere is that more powerful than Reim’s attempt to reckon with her own complicity. She isn’t let off the hook because she eventually realized what was happening was wrong. She benefited from the system. She enforced it. She watched people suffer and, for too long, did nothing.
So when she finally decides she wants to make things right, the Unnamed don’t exist to congratulate her for becoming a better person.
They tell her to listen. To learn. To unlearn.
They tell her that they don’t need her self-pity. They don’t need her to save them so she can feel better about herself. She cannot expect forgiveness. She cannot expect praise. Making things right cannot be about making Reim feel absolved. It has to be about the people who were harmed.
That distinction between guilt and accountability might be my favorite thing about this entire book.
Reim spends so much of the story believing that because she has done wrong, she deserves to suffer for it. But suffering doesn’t repair anything. Martyring herself doesn’t feed anyone, rebuild anything, restore what was stolen, or change the system she helped uphold.
At one point, she essentially asks herself: I was willing to die for what I did to my kingdom—but am I willing to live with it?
And FUCK.
Because living with it is harder.
Living means accepting that you cannot undo what happened. That the people you’ve harmed may never forgive you. That becoming better doesn’t entitle you to recognition for becoming better.
You listen. You learn. You repair what you can.
And then you keep choosing what is right whether people praise you or not, stay with you or not, love you or not.
That alone could have made this a five-star book for me.
AND THEN THERE IS THE HEALER. Oh, this fucking man.
Because somehow, while doing ALL OF THAT, Masood also gave me an enemies-to-lovers, forced-marriage slow burn with a revolutionary king who is ruthless, principled, infuriating, deeply devoted to his people, absolutely obsessed with antagonizing his wife, and so painfully, obviously gone for her that I spent a significant portion of this book wanting to grab Reim by the shoulders. Girl. HE CANNOT LIE. LET HIM LOVE YOU 😭
Reim has spent her entire life believing herself to be a curse and a burden. Almost every experience she has had with love has taught her that love is conditional or transactional, so when someone begins choosing her simply because he wants her, she cannot believe it.
What makes it especially compelling is that his love for Reim never becomes absolution. He can love her while still telling her that what she did was wrong. He can understand how she became the person she was without pretending that the harm she caused therefore doesn’t matter. And they can choose to work together toward something better without requiring the past to become less horrific first.
Again: conflicting truths.One person can contain so many of them. And apparently so can one book.
In book two, I am hopeful more world-building. The glimpses we get of the history of the Unnamed, the Book of Names, Vuor’s conquest, and the way history was transformed into mythology and propaganda were fascinating, and I desperately wanted to understand even more about what existed before. Give me the politics. Give me the culture. Give me the history. I want all of it.
But that is less “this book failed to give me something” and more “Masood created a world I am now rabid to know everything about.”
I finished The Unnamed thinking about occupation and displacement. About segregation and dehumanization. About the way people turn exploitation into entitlement and conquest into destiny. About how history becomes propaganda when the people who benefited from violence are allowed to tell the story of how that violence occurred.
I thought about fear passed from generation to generation until children inherit enemies they have never personally known.
I thought about the difference between justice and revenge.
I thought about what it actually means to take accountability for harm when forgiveness isn’t guaranteed.
I thought about loving people who were wrong.
I thought about choosing to become better without requiring anyone to applaud you for doing it.
And somehow I also spent an unreasonable amount of time swooning over a murderous, magical, husband.
Fantasy can entertain us while still asking incredibly difficult questions about power, history, identity, violence, love, and what we owe one another.
The Unnamed did all of that. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read.
10/10. No notes.
The Unnamed is one of those books.
This is an anti-colonial Rumpelstiltskin retelling steeped in Arab and Southeast Asian influences, and I genuinely don’t know how to explain everything this book managed to make me feel. I expected political fantasy. I expected enemies-to-lovers. I expected a clever retelling.
I did not expect one of the most thoughtful explorations of colonization, dehumanization, inherited fear, complicity, accountability, and the stories people tell themselves to justify oppression that I have read in fantasy.
At the center of the story is Reim, Vuoran heir and High Commander in a kingdom built on the exploitation of a people known only as the Unnamed. They have been stripped of their names, their history, their resources, their freedom, and their power. They live under curfews. They work the mines. Their labor provides comfort for people who barely regard them as human.
And the Vuorians don’t think of themselves as monsters. That’s what makes this book so unbelievably powerful.
Masood shows how oppression constructs its own internal logic until cruelty can be understood as self-defense by the people wielding it.
The Unnamed aren’t children in the same way Vuorian children are children. Their ages don’t matter because they aren’t like us. Their intentions don’t matter because they don’t act like us. Mercy is dangerous because exceptions create vulnerability. Violence is necessary because without it, they might do to us what we have spent generations doing to them.
They are chaos. We are Order. And once that distinction has been accepted, almost anything can be justified.
What fascinated me even more was how Masood explores the fear underneath it. Vuorian society is obsessed with preserving its victory, its borders, its laws, its history, its superiority—and eventually Reim has to ask an incredibly simple question: If our right to all of this is so absolute, why are we always so damn afraid of losing it?
Why the walls? Why the segregation? Why the surveillance? Why the executions? Why must history be rewritten? Why must another group of people be reduced to something less than human for your own identity to remain intact?
And then Masood takes that political fear and makes it deeply personal, because fear isn’t only written into Vuor’s laws. It’s passed from parent to child until inherited trauma becomes indistinguishable from inherited hatred.
Reim’s relationship with her father absolutely gutted me because this book never takes the easy way out and tells her that the man she loved was secretly a monster who never loved her.
He loved her. He was also responsible for horrific things. Both are true. Reim can love her father and condemn him. She can grieve the kingdom she knew while recognizing that its fall was inevitable because it was built on lies and fear. She can acknowledge that she participated in oppression while believing she can become something other than the person she was.
This entire book asks you to sit with conflicting truths without trying to make one cancel out the other.
And nowhere is that more powerful than Reim’s attempt to reckon with her own complicity. She isn’t let off the hook because she eventually realized what was happening was wrong. She benefited from the system. She enforced it. She watched people suffer and, for too long, did nothing.
So when she finally decides she wants to make things right, the Unnamed don’t exist to congratulate her for becoming a better person.
They tell her to listen. To learn. To unlearn.
They tell her that they don’t need her self-pity. They don’t need her to save them so she can feel better about herself. She cannot expect forgiveness. She cannot expect praise. Making things right cannot be about making Reim feel absolved. It has to be about the people who were harmed.
That distinction between guilt and accountability might be my favorite thing about this entire book.
Reim spends so much of the story believing that because she has done wrong, she deserves to suffer for it. But suffering doesn’t repair anything. Martyring herself doesn’t feed anyone, rebuild anything, restore what was stolen, or change the system she helped uphold.
At one point, she essentially asks herself: I was willing to die for what I did to my kingdom—but am I willing to live with it?
And FUCK.
Because living with it is harder.
Living means accepting that you cannot undo what happened. That the people you’ve harmed may never forgive you. That becoming better doesn’t entitle you to recognition for becoming better.
You listen. You learn. You repair what you can.
And then you keep choosing what is right whether people praise you or not, stay with you or not, love you or not.
That alone could have made this a five-star book for me.
AND THEN THERE IS THE HEALER. Oh, this fucking man.
Because somehow, while doing ALL OF THAT, Masood also gave me an enemies-to-lovers, forced-marriage slow burn with a revolutionary king who is ruthless, principled, infuriating, deeply devoted to his people, absolutely obsessed with antagonizing his wife, and so painfully, obviously gone for her that I spent a significant portion of this book wanting to grab Reim by the shoulders. Girl. HE CANNOT LIE. LET HIM LOVE YOU 😭
Reim has spent her entire life believing herself to be a curse and a burden. Almost every experience she has had with love has taught her that love is conditional or transactional, so when someone begins choosing her simply because he wants her, she cannot believe it.
What makes it especially compelling is that his love for Reim never becomes absolution. He can love her while still telling her that what she did was wrong. He can understand how she became the person she was without pretending that the harm she caused therefore doesn’t matter. And they can choose to work together toward something better without requiring the past to become less horrific first.
Again: conflicting truths.One person can contain so many of them. And apparently so can one book.
In book two, I am hopeful more world-building. The glimpses we get of the history of the Unnamed, the Book of Names, Vuor’s conquest, and the way history was transformed into mythology and propaganda were fascinating, and I desperately wanted to understand even more about what existed before. Give me the politics. Give me the culture. Give me the history. I want all of it.
But that is less “this book failed to give me something” and more “Masood created a world I am now rabid to know everything about.”
I finished The Unnamed thinking about occupation and displacement. About segregation and dehumanization. About the way people turn exploitation into entitlement and conquest into destiny. About how history becomes propaganda when the people who benefited from violence are allowed to tell the story of how that violence occurred.
I thought about fear passed from generation to generation until children inherit enemies they have never personally known.
I thought about the difference between justice and revenge.
I thought about what it actually means to take accountability for harm when forgiveness isn’t guaranteed.
I thought about loving people who were wrong.
I thought about choosing to become better without requiring anyone to applaud you for doing it.
And somehow I also spent an unreasonable amount of time swooning over a murderous, magical, husband.
Fantasy can entertain us while still asking incredibly difficult questions about power, history, identity, violence, love, and what we owe one another.
The Unnamed did all of that. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read.
10/10. No notes.
December 15, 2025
I was flying through this book. It’s fast paced & keeps you on your toes the entire time. I love a badass FMC, & Riem is absolutely that. She has her flaws, like her stubbornness, but she’s fiercely loyal & always striving to do what’s right, which makes her feel incredibly relatable & human.
I do wish the relationships had been fleshed out just a bit more. At times, I found myself confused about why the MMC was immediately so protective of Riem & how her feelings for him developed so quickly but it didn’t take away from my love for this book at all.
And the ending??? This is the first time in a long while that a cliffhanger actually made me yell & throw my Kindle away from me. How could you do this to me 😭😭😭
Thank you to The Nerd Fam & author for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I do wish the relationships had been fleshed out just a bit more. At times, I found myself confused about why the MMC was immediately so protective of Riem & how her feelings for him developed so quickly but it didn’t take away from my love for this book at all.
And the ending??? This is the first time in a long while that a cliffhanger actually made me yell & throw my Kindle away from me. How could you do this to me 😭😭😭
Thank you to The Nerd Fam & author for the gifted eARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 25, 2026
Dark, Poignant Romantasy
WOW, just wow.
Incredibly heartfelt and poignant dark romantasy. You will be immediately pulled into a world much like our own, where fear of the unknown persuades others to discriminate and terrorize.
I was captivated from page one! My heart ached for both the FMC and MMC due to layers of generational trauma and pain.
I CANNOT wait to follow their journey!!!
WOW, just wow.
Incredibly heartfelt and poignant dark romantasy. You will be immediately pulled into a world much like our own, where fear of the unknown persuades others to discriminate and terrorize.
I was captivated from page one! My heart ached for both the FMC and MMC due to layers of generational trauma and pain.
I CANNOT wait to follow their journey!!!
May 14, 2026
I loved this! Not only for the story but for the care with which you can feel this was written. I appreciated the sharp conviction against colonialism, highlighting the power of names and cultural traditions that an oppressed people hold dear. My spirit is with the Unnamed, especially the healer (the banter 🤌🏽😘), but couldn’t help but empathize with Reim too. It was brilliant that the FMC is an heir from the world of the oppressor, that we get to witness the crumbling and reshaping of her worldview. I came to an understanding of how her inner turmoil about her identity, and her complicated relationship with her father, causes so much distrust.
I loved the poetic writing: “his smile is hacked away by another cough, this one deep and strangling as it powers out of him, causing his stalwart spine to bend in a way no enemy ever could.” There are wonderful side characters, like Sifr & Mori! And there was a particularly moving scene that made me smile as it reminded me of the images of G@zans celebrating Ramadan.
This is an all too relevant story of imperialism, loss, heartache, loneliness, and the push/pull of holding multiple identities. Yet it’s also full of that precious hope that so many of us, particularly those of the Global Majority, are trying to cling to. That change, of hearts and of systems, is possible.
AND THAT ENDING!!! omfg 😩😭🫠
I loved the poetic writing: “his smile is hacked away by another cough, this one deep and strangling as it powers out of him, causing his stalwart spine to bend in a way no enemy ever could.” There are wonderful side characters, like Sifr & Mori! And there was a particularly moving scene that made me smile as it reminded me of the images of G@zans celebrating Ramadan.
This is an all too relevant story of imperialism, loss, heartache, loneliness, and the push/pull of holding multiple identities. Yet it’s also full of that precious hope that so many of us, particularly those of the Global Majority, are trying to cling to. That change, of hearts and of systems, is possible.
AND THAT ENDING!!! omfg 😩😭🫠
May 26, 2026
Going to need book two asap. Psychiatrist are about to take over the literary scene. 🔥🔥🔥
June 12, 2026
I enjoyed the plot of this story and the characters. A never thought I’d find a reimagined Rumplestilskin hot, but look at me now! 🥰
That said, the writing style was a little too much for me. It felt forced and melodramatic—there was a lot of over explaining when I felt the story just needed time to breathe. I don’t think every reader will feel this way, so I encourage people to read the book and find out for themselves! ❤️
That said, the writing style was a little too much for me. It felt forced and melodramatic—there was a lot of over explaining when I felt the story just needed time to breathe. I don’t think every reader will feel this way, so I encourage people to read the book and find out for themselves! ❤️
December 30, 2025
Thank you to Nerdfam for giving me a chance to apply for this arc, and thank you to M.S. Masood for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.
I absolutely loved this story and devoured most of it in a single sitting because I needed to know what happened, and understand our characters. This is a slow burn, enemies to lovers and I loved every second of the journey!
We went from 0 to 100 from the very start, with this epic world being built and the tension between the two different people was present from the get go. I found myself invested and needing to know how the world got to this place and understand the politics and the struggles.
A lot of this narrative is focused on the characters of the healer and Reim. Reim has grown up thinking she’s a curse and is different. She has a lot of real struggles and issues that make her seem like a person as opposed to just this character on paper. The fact that I wanted to yell at her for some of her choices just shows that she was real and has the room for growth. She goes on a real journey of self realisation and discovery throughout the book, and I truly enjoyed going along with her.
There are so many themes throughout and we look at oppression, how names make a person, the darkness of those who treat people as ‘other’. These real and important points are so important to the narrative, and also the appearance of hope and how people can fight for the food change and how you can succeed when others want to destroy you.
I do wish we’d had some dual POV so I know what was going on in our gorgeous healers head, but I like the mystery and the not knowing 👀
This book isn’t even out yet and I need the next one!! I have to know what happens after that ending. I need to read more of this gorgeous writing. I need answers, so many answers!! What an amazing book 😍
I absolutely loved this story and devoured most of it in a single sitting because I needed to know what happened, and understand our characters. This is a slow burn, enemies to lovers and I loved every second of the journey!
We went from 0 to 100 from the very start, with this epic world being built and the tension between the two different people was present from the get go. I found myself invested and needing to know how the world got to this place and understand the politics and the struggles.
A lot of this narrative is focused on the characters of the healer and Reim. Reim has grown up thinking she’s a curse and is different. She has a lot of real struggles and issues that make her seem like a person as opposed to just this character on paper. The fact that I wanted to yell at her for some of her choices just shows that she was real and has the room for growth. She goes on a real journey of self realisation and discovery throughout the book, and I truly enjoyed going along with her.
There are so many themes throughout and we look at oppression, how names make a person, the darkness of those who treat people as ‘other’. These real and important points are so important to the narrative, and also the appearance of hope and how people can fight for the food change and how you can succeed when others want to destroy you.
I do wish we’d had some dual POV so I know what was going on in our gorgeous healers head, but I like the mystery and the not knowing 👀
This book isn’t even out yet and I need the next one!! I have to know what happens after that ending. I need to read more of this gorgeous writing. I need answers, so many answers!! What an amazing book 😍
Review of advance copy received from Author
It has been a long time since I wrote a review right after reading the book. I usually take time to process my thoughts but with this one, I just have to get it all out 😮💨 cuz WHAT DID I JUST READ?!!!
I think this would be the next booktok sensation 🤌🏻 I really hope it does 😭 because this one hell of a book deserves that and much much more 🥹✨
I won't be giving you a peak inside the book because I feel like whatever I say would be a spoiler.
All I can tell you is that I couldn't put it down. I just had to pick it up even when I was surrounded with people, grad school projects and even when I should've slept, all I could think of was them, all I dreamt of was them 😭
The writing style, the sentence structure, the characters were all very beautifully presented that even without a double pov, we could understand everything as if we were right there with them🤍
The emotions Reim (FMC) felt were so real and relatable that it was easy for me to be Her And live as HER as I read along 🥹🤌🏻
And the chemistry 😭 top notch! they just had this connection, this invisible thread that kept pulling them towards each other even when it was only reasonable for them to stay miles away ❤️🔥
The only thing I regret about this book is that I read this too early🙂 I should've waited till the second book is out😭 my poor heart can't handle these twists and cliffhanger.
Thank you MS Massoud for this amazing opportunity to read and review your book before it's out in the world 🥹❤️🩹
I think this would be the next booktok sensation 🤌🏻 I really hope it does 😭 because this one hell of a book deserves that and much much more 🥹✨
I won't be giving you a peak inside the book because I feel like whatever I say would be a spoiler.
All I can tell you is that I couldn't put it down. I just had to pick it up even when I was surrounded with people, grad school projects and even when I should've slept, all I could think of was them, all I dreamt of was them 😭
The writing style, the sentence structure, the characters were all very beautifully presented that even without a double pov, we could understand everything as if we were right there with them🤍
The emotions Reim (FMC) felt were so real and relatable that it was easy for me to be Her And live as HER as I read along 🥹🤌🏻
And the chemistry 😭 top notch! they just had this connection, this invisible thread that kept pulling them towards each other even when it was only reasonable for them to stay miles away ❤️🔥
The only thing I regret about this book is that I read this too early🙂 I should've waited till the second book is out😭 my poor heart can't handle these twists and cliffhanger.
Thank you MS Massoud for this amazing opportunity to read and review your book before it's out in the world 🥹❤️🩹
January 15, 2026
This book completely surprised me. I’m not a romantasy reader, but it would be a real disservice to label this story as just romantasy anyway. It grapples with far bigger, more meaningful themes. Beyond any romantic elements, the book offers a powerful exploration of colonialism and its devastating impact: how it fractures nations, invents divisions between people, and leaves lasting scars that shape generations. Stories like this feel vital, and we need more books willing to tackle these ideas with this level of care.
The writing is truly beautiful—immersive, lyrical, and compelling enough to pull me in despite this not being my usual genre. I was often frustrated and even annoyed with the lead character, but that frustration came from how real she felt rather than from poor writing. She’s impulsive, stubborn, and frequently makes the wrong call, yet those flaws are balanced by her resilience, her fierce loyalty, and her refusal to stop questioning the world she’s been shaped by. Her growth feels earned, messy, and deeply human, and I found myself rooting for her even when I wanted to shake her. That emotional tension kept me invested from start to finish.
And the ending… an absolute cliffhanger. I closed the book already desperate for the sequel and cannot wait to see what comes next.
The writing is truly beautiful—immersive, lyrical, and compelling enough to pull me in despite this not being my usual genre. I was often frustrated and even annoyed with the lead character, but that frustration came from how real she felt rather than from poor writing. She’s impulsive, stubborn, and frequently makes the wrong call, yet those flaws are balanced by her resilience, her fierce loyalty, and her refusal to stop questioning the world she’s been shaped by. Her growth feels earned, messy, and deeply human, and I found myself rooting for her even when I wanted to shake her. That emotional tension kept me invested from start to finish.
And the ending… an absolute cliffhanger. I closed the book already desperate for the sequel and cannot wait to see what comes next.
January 24, 2026
7/29/26 - Re-read on Audio! Primary narration by Nikki Massoud was SO GOOD! I loved her as the voice for Reim and I loved the way she was able to change her voice for the other characters. Just as good on audio! The big moments still hit and the intensity is perhaps even better on audio because of the narration!? AMAZING
January 2026 Original Review:
Do you like a fantasy retelling? Do you like TRUE enemies to lovers? Do you like not being sure if can trust anyone? That is this book in a nutshell and I ATE.IT.UP.
I'll be the first to tell you that I don't read a lot of fantasy. But in the last year I dipped my toe into the fantasy pool (i.e. Fourth Wing and Divine Rivals). This book lived up to the hype that I feel like those books had. Contemplative, political intrigue, first person perspective that gives you all of the struggle of our FMC, romantic tension, I am just beside myself with how much I loved this.
Reim is our strong FMC and she's tough physically but also relatable with her internal struggles and coming to terms with maybe the life and world that she grew up in isn't all straight and clean cut as she thought. Maybe she didn't know good from bad all the long...
Then there's the tension!!! The push pull of the healer and Reim. The unknown. So many questions.
This is the first of a duology and I am itching for the second book!
January 2026 Original Review:
Do you like a fantasy retelling? Do you like TRUE enemies to lovers? Do you like not being sure if can trust anyone? That is this book in a nutshell and I ATE.IT.UP.
I'll be the first to tell you that I don't read a lot of fantasy. But in the last year I dipped my toe into the fantasy pool (i.e. Fourth Wing and Divine Rivals). This book lived up to the hype that I feel like those books had. Contemplative, political intrigue, first person perspective that gives you all of the struggle of our FMC, romantic tension, I am just beside myself with how much I loved this.
Reim is our strong FMC and she's tough physically but also relatable with her internal struggles and coming to terms with maybe the life and world that she grew up in isn't all straight and clean cut as she thought. Maybe she didn't know good from bad all the long...
Then there's the tension!!! The push pull of the healer and Reim. The unknown. So many questions.
This is the first of a duology and I am itching for the second book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 260 reviews