Ancient evil has awakened, and blood calls to blood.
When the Witch King awakes from three centuries of slumber, Astra must find a way to prevent him from escaping his magical prison. Joined by an ally as mysterious as untrustworthy, she has to navigate treachery and old oaths for a chance to save the world as she knows—and the prince she loves.
Surrounded by enemies and with his magic tracked, Marlak learns that the key to save his wife and friends is the element he swore never to use again. To wield it, he’ll have to overcome the horrifying echoes of his past.
Meanwhile, the Witch King’s reach grows hourly.
Astra and Marlak will need the support of an unlikely group of heirs and outcasts including former enemies and begrudging allies. If they hope to stand a chance against the Witch King’s thrall, they’ll have set their pride aside and overcome old wounds.
Whatever they do, they must act fast, as their days are numbered and their doom is closer than they think.
With heart-pounding romance, thrilling magic, and a complicated found family, A Devious Brother is the epic finale of the enemies-to-lovers fae romantasy series Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom.
Action-packed, emotional, and romantic, this conclusion is perfect for readers who want not only danger and spice, but also all the warm fuzzies of a wholesome happy ending.
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Day Leitao believes in the power of stories, the power of characters, and she writes books with heroes (of both genders) finding their own magic and opening their hearts. Of course, there's also the banter and all the shenanigans that happen when personalities collide. 😂
It's always hard to say goodbye to characters, and this book is no exception. I've been taken on an emotional journey in this true enemies to lovers romance that is centered around political turmoil, impossible decisions, family relationships, friendship, banter, devotion, sacrifice, and love. Astra and Marlak face their biggest hurdles, but they aren't alone in the journey. I loved having all the POVs in this book; it was easy to switch from one to another with an overall smooth flow throughout.
The continuing storyline kept me engaged from the beginning. Detailed world building to draw the reader into the book. Strong, well-developed characters who grow and face one struggle after another.
Book 3, the final book in the series. I did an ALC copy. narration was fine. it was good.
This book was multiple POVS, but it seemed like the chapters were short. I did listen at 1.7x speed so maybe that's why?
The finale was wrapped up well. We found out more about Astra's magic and and some relationships blossomed. It had a lot happening in may different perspectives which was really nice. I always like getting into the characters head. Lots of twists and turns and evil was certainly evil, but good always defeats evil.
I really enjoyed this series and am thankful to Day for the ARCs and ALC copies as it's been a fun series.
**Thank you to the Author for the ARC; all opinions are my own.**
3.5-3.75 ⭐️ 2 🌶
Let me preface that I LOVED the first 2 books in this trilogy, but unfortunately, this one just didn't do it for me. I wanted to know how it ended, so I stuck with it. However, it was very chaotic- a lot was going on, I felt the dialogue was pretty disjointed or repetitive, and I wish we had had more time getting to KNOW the characters rather than...showing...I guess?
I do like HEAs, and am glad the main characters got to experience it. At the end, though, I was left with some lingering disappointment.
☆romantasy trilogy ☆a little spice ☆HEA ☆multiple POVs ☆fae
This series have been so fun and I love all the characters so much! I especially loved all the action, magic, worldbuilding, and emotional character development in this final book. It’s so nice to see characters accepting each others faults and healing despite of them and not always overcoming them. It shows that it’s so many ways to be strong and it felt really relatable.
“I want easy love. Calm like a river. (…) But also solid like the earth. I want our love to grow strong slowly. And I’m honored that you want me.”
Thank you so much Day Leitao for the eARC of this wholesome conclusion to an epic series! 🤩
“You know what I’m thinking?” “You can think already?” I grimace and place a hand over my heart. “Oh, what a poor job I must have done.”
🗡️ Several POVs 🩵 Complicated Found family 👑 Fated mates 🗡️ Epic action and secret identities 🩵 Elemental magic 👑 Enemies to lovers 🗡️ Forced proximity 🩵 High-stakes romances 🌶️🌶️ 👑 Snarky banter
"I understand that hanging onto false hope can feel like delaying the pain of finally admitting defeat. It’s like keeping it under the surface, where it still hurts, rather than accepting one’s fate. But at the same time, lingering hope, even if pointless, will keep you fighting until the end."
Like in book 2 I also missed our main couple as some of the others outshone them a little. I loved the ending that made up a bit for it, but would have loved more emotional scenes and action scenes with them together. This time around, I had some struggle to keep up with all the 8 POVs at some parts as their group is quite a complicated found family that travels a lot and deals in lots of different magic. It wasn’t all the time, only when the group were divided in several places, so it didn’t take away too much from the story.
PS: I got this eARC while I was sick and had to reread it from the beginning with the audiobook. The audiobook is really good so I do recommend that too!
"I want easy love. Calm like a river." He kisses the corner of my mouth. "But also solid like the earth. I want our love to grow strong slowly. And I'm honoured that you want me."
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶🌶🌶
What you'll find in this book: • Multiple POV's • Soulmate Bonds • Snarky Banter • Epic Action • Elemental Magic • Fae Courts • Scary Cinnamon Roll MMC • High Stakes • Fierce & Kind FMC
I can't believe this series is over, having journeyed with these characters throughout three books now I've come to fall in love with the characters, and their varying personalities, relationships and dynamics. One aspect of these books that I truly enjoyed was the found family dynamic that flows throughout this series. Where we initially start with one small tight knit group of characters that shifts and grows as the book goes on. Getting treated to a whole range of POV’s during this final book in the series felt so fitting considering the complex nature of the tale being told, and the multiple storylines all happening at once as the characters face challenges on their quest to save their world and garner peace. I’m always a sucker for a series with a guaranteed HEA and Day delivered on this beautifully, although I do feel that there is room for more especially when it comes to the more side characters and their futures, I was still so pleased with the ending.
The Witch King has awoken from three centuries of slumber and Astra must find a way to prevent him from breaking free of his magical prison. Alongside an ally that is both untrustworthy and mysterious, Astra with the help of her friends she has to navigate secrets, betrayals and old bargains for a chance to save the world and those she loves. Marlak, while surrounded by enemies with his magic being tracked learns that the key to saving his wife and his friends is to use an element he swore never to touch again. In order to wield this he will have to overcome the horrors of his past, all the while the Witch Kings power is growing. Astra and Marlak will need the help of everyone that is willing to provide it including an unlikely group of heirs and outcasts including old enemies and reluctant allies. If they can ever hope of overcoming the evil threatening everyone and everything they must put aside old grudges and work together. With their plans crumbling quickly they must act fast as their days are numbered.
I adore Astra, I loved her when we first met her but watching her grow and come into her own over the course of the series has been amazing. She is so steadfast in her beliefs and is always more than willing to see the good in people despite the betrayals that she's experienced. Her dynamic with Marlak has also evolved so much over the course of the series, and I enjoy that we now get to see them in a happy relationship with one another even though they keep getting unwittingly pulled apart. In this book it is Marlak that we see undergo the most development, he has to face his past and his trauma in order to be able to save those he loves. Everyone in this story has a part to play and nothing would have happened if the respective puzzle pieces didn't fit together. We get to learn so much more about the other more side characters of the series during this book with the multiple POV's Day has in place. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these characters more and exploring more of this world through their eyes. During this book I think Azur became my unexpected favourite character, I enjoyed his refreshing outlook on the other characters and their flaws while also his self reflection.
The pacing was excellent, fast enough to keep me interested but not so fast that I couldn't keep up. I thoroughly enjoyed how this story twisted and turned to provide us with a story that compliments the characters, their evolution as well as the centerpiece of the story, defeating the Witch King. The spice dotted throughout this book was great and felt super relevant to the storyline and the characters, moments of connection. This book gave me that happy ending I was looking for, but I do feel like of Day decided that there could be room for spin off books in this series. I have questions that could be answered, but at the same time if this is how the story ends I will not be complaining. If you're looking for a complete trilogy to sink your teeth into into the new year then this one is perfect.
Thank you so much to the author for sending me an e-ARC to read and review early.
Author: Day Leitao Series: Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom Publisher: Independently Published Release Date: December 23rd, 2025 Pages: 424
I wish I loved this ending as much as I loved the rest of the series!! The concept that started this series out was so strong, and this finale (while still exciting and good) seemingly traded a lot of the character growth and deep relationships we’d come to love for a lot of plot with some real racing pacing…
Astra, Marlak, Lidiane, Azur, Tarlia, Renel, Mirella, and Ziven are all back for the final stretch in their battle against the witch king - and if you counted correct, that is in fact 8 different characters whose POVs we follow throughout the book!! It’s a lot to keep up with, but they’re also all doing a lot of different things across the entire world of the book, trading groups, meeting with different royalty, hunting down the Witch King and his allies, just casual everyday activities (jk). As things get stressful and lines in the sand have to be drawn, our unlikely gang of friends (somehow also a perfect number for pairing off) bands together and pools their magic in some really cool ways!
While Astra and Marlak are technically our A-Couple and storyline, this book really drew me to Lidiane and Azur both individually and as a couple - lots of complex emotions and relationships, lies and deceit in the name of love (toxic but fun), and hopefully a happy future. Of all the couples, they got the most substance - and as a character, Azur got so much to do this time which was thrilling because he’s always been a fascinating character to me with his mysterious past and strong capabilities with magic.
While this wasn’t my favorite of the series, I really enjoyed the overarching story and getting to live in this world with the characters! Thanks so much to Day Leitao for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review.
Firstly, thanks to Day for sending me an eARC!!! 4.5⭐️
I was so excited to jump back into this world after the CRAZY plot twist and ending of book 2 and we promptly pick up right where we left off. I loved getting to watch this group of unlikely allies grow and develop throughout the series but especially in this book. The ebbs and flows of dealing with anxieties, insecurities and vulnerabilities was extremely relatable and made the characters easy to love.
After an absolute rollercoaster series of events, every single character is able to get a HEA, and that warms my heart so dang much. Everyone is paired off with their soul bonds so no one was left out and frankly, they all deserved to win, in every way possible so seeing them all find their places and their people after going through so much, was definitely needed.
The only reason this is 4.5 stars for me is because I felt just a tad thrown around with 8 different perspectives. But let me follow that up with the fact that I loveeeee all of the characters, but selfishly, I really wanted more time with Marlak and Astra.
All in all, a great ride, easy to love characters, relatable emotional themes explored, and super satisfied with the ending that everyone got (including our favorite unicorn Cherry Cake)!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This has soooo much potential and I would love to see this reviewed and edited cause I just know it can be so much more than this! I really tried but just DNF at 27%. There were too many pov changes for me to really develop any bond with the characters. So many things felt sooo shallow and not explained. Specially between the brothers. This could’ve been such a great chance for the brothers to actually talk and remove any misunderstandings. It’s insane that Renel’s personality doesn’t move past not having magic. Did he really want Marlak dead? Theres barely any background letting us know why he hates Marlak or did what he did other than seeing Marlak and his sister practicing the magic he so desperately wished he had. It feels so shallow. Theres not even a flashback showing what this relationship was like before the fire. How could years of a sibling relationship be overwritten by one man so quickly. I just don’t understand.
It’s been a long time coming! But it was a great journey. Book 3 wrapped everything up so well. We got to learn more about Astra’s magic and her background. We got to see relationships form and mend.
Although after three books I do feel like the battle with the witch king was very anticlimactic. I was expecting a little more from Marlak. But I like how he fought the witch king with his sibling by his side.
Overall, this was one hell of journey and I enjoyed every bit of it!
I didn't love this as much as the other two. A lot going on and the way things resolved was really surface level. However, if you asked me did I enjoy the series? The answer is yes
✨ Fae/elemental magic ✨ Rich fantasy world ✨ A lot of Banter ✨ Politics and romance ✨ Soul mate bond ✨ Powerfull HeroineS ✨ More redemption arc ✨ Found family ✨ End of the story
Magie des Fée/éléments ✨ Monde fantastique riche ✨ Beaucoup de railleries ✨ Politique et romance ✨ Lien d'âmes sœurs ✨ HéroïneS puissanteS ✨ Plus d'arc de rédemption ✨ Famille de cœur ✨ Dénouement de l'histoire ✨
"Ancient evil has awakened, and blood calls to blood. When the Witch King awakes from three centuries of slumber, Astra must find a way to prevent him from escaping his magical prison. Joined by an ally as mysterious as untrustworthy, she has to navigate treachery and old oaths for a chance to save the world as she knows—and the prince she loves. Surrounded by enemies and with his magic tracked, Marlak learns that the key to save his wife and friends is the element he swore never to use again. To wield it, he’ll have to overcome the horrifying echoes of his past. Meanwhile, the Witch King’s reach grows hourly. Astra and Marlak will need the support of an unlikely group of heirs and outcasts including former enemies and begrudging allies. If they hope to stand a chance against the Witch King’s thrall, they’ll have set their pride aside and overcome old wounds. Whatever they do, they must act fast, as their days are numbered and their doom is closer than they think. With heart-pounding romance, thrilling magic, and a complicated found family, A Devious Brother is the epic finale of the enemies-to-lovers fae romantasy series Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom. Action-packed, emotional, and romantic, this conclusion is perfect for readers who want not only danger and spice, but also all the warm fuzzies of a wholesome happy ending."
I listened to "A Devious Brother" by Day Leitao, narrated once again by Caitlin Kelly and a new narrator, Eden Gabay. This time, the male narrator completely won me over. I was pleasantly surprised by this change; this new voice perfectly serves the plot and the personalities of the different characters. While Astra and Marlak's absence was felt at the beginning of book 2, here, each of them is fully present. Their soulmate bond is severely tested, and they will have to do everything they can to find each other again. I really enjoyed their story. Lidiane and Azur strengthen their bond and finally stop fighting their soulmate connection (what a relief!), and confront their respective pasts. Tarla and Renel will have to use their non-magical talents to defeat evil and overcome their differences. Until the epilogue, I was convinced that Ziven and Mirella would get their own story, but no. Their story lacks development, which is why I can't give the series finale five stars. However, I did notice that all the narrative threads were tied up, and we finally understand the series title: "Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom." And surprise! Several characters could share this title. Perhaps we'll get a spin-off focused on their children and a journey to the Nowhere Lands… Does Astra still have any family? Who knows… 4.5 ✨!
"Un mal ancestral s'est réveillé, et le sang appelle le sang. Lorsque le Roi-Sorcier s'éveille après trois siècles de sommeil, Astra doit trouver un moyen de l'empêcher de s'échapper de sa prison magique. Rejointe par un allié aussi mystérieux que perfide, elle doit déjouer les trahisons et les serments ancestraux pour tenter de sauver le monde tel qu'elle le connaît – et le prince qu'elle aime. Entouré d'ennemis et sa magie traquée, Marlak découvre que la clé pour sauver sa femme et ses amis réside dans l'élément qu'il avait juré de ne plus jamais utiliser. Pour le maîtriser, il devra surmonter les terribles échos de son passé. Pendant ce temps, l'emprise du Roi-Sorcier s'étend d'heure en heure. Astra et Marlak auront besoin du soutien d'un groupe improbable d'héritiers et de parias, parmi lesquels d'anciens ennemis et des alliés malgré eux. S'ils veulent avoir une chance de vaincre l'emprise du Roi-Sorcier, ils devront mettre leur orgueil de côté et panser leurs vieilles blessures. Quoi qu'ils fassent, ils doivent agir vite, car leurs jours sont comptés et leur destin tragique est plus proche qu'ils ne le pensent. Avec une romance palpitante, une magie envoûtante et une famille recomposée complexe, « Un frère perfide » est le final épique de la série de romance féerique « Les vestiges du royaume déchu », une histoire d'ennemis devenus amants. Riche en action, émouvante et romantique, cette conclusion est idéale pour les lecteurs en quête de danger et de suspense, mais aussi de la douce sensation d'une fin heureuse et réconfortante."
J'ai écouté « A Devious Brother » de Day Leitao, narré à nouveau par Caitlin Kelly et par un nouveau narrateur, Eden Gabay. Cette fois, le narrateur masculin m'a totalement conquis. J'ai été agréablement surpris par ce changement ; cette nouvelle voix sert à merveille l'intrigue et la personnalité des différents personnages. Si l'absence d'Astra et Marlak s'était fait sentir au début du tome 2, ici, chacun ici est pleinement présent. Leur lien d'ame sœur est mis à rude épreuve et ils devront tout faire pour se retrouver. J'ai beaucoup apprécié leur histoire. Lidiane et Azur renforcent leurs liens et cessent enfin de combattre leur lien d'âmes sœurs (quel soulagement !), et font face à leur passé respectifs. Tarla et Renel devront utiliser leurs talents sans magie pour vaincre le mal et surmonter leurs différends. Jusqu'à l'épilogue, j'étais persuadé que Ziven et Mirella auraient droit à leur propre histoire, mais non. Leur histoire manque de développement, et c'est pourquoi je ne peux pas attribuer cinq étoiles à la fin de cette série. Cependant, j'ai constaté que tous les fils narratifs étaient noués, et nous comprenons enfin le titre de la série : « Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom ». Et surprise ! Plusieurs personnages pourraient porter ce titre. Peut-être aurons-nous droit à un spin-off centré sur leurs enfants et un voyage dans les Nowhere Lands… Astra a-t-elle encore de la famille ? Qui sait… 4,5 ✨ !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I’m at a loss for words, the third book in the series packs one hell of a punch!
I absolutely adored the first two books and was fortunately able to read them close together and absorb every bit of detail from the opening of Astra and Malark’s story, into the second book which comes from multiple POVs, I was fully immersed in the series and have been patiently waiting for book three. I was worried I’d forget key plot points but thankfully after just a couple of chapters it quickly came flooding back and I was once again deep into the plot of our wonderful characters.
This book feels like the perfect delivery of closure - you’re probably thinking duh, it’s the third and final book - but often we get to the “final” book and then there’s plot points left unfinished, this is 100% not the case. The author has worked their ass off to knit together SO MUCH info from SEVEN POVs with the cutest little bow it’s outstanding.
What’s even more impressive is how Day writes each character, it’s almost as if they’re written by different authors as they *sound* so individual, even when I’d take a break mid-chapter, I could resume reading and within a few lines know exactly which character I’m with.
******SPOILERS AHEAD******
I LOVED so much of this book, it’s hard to summarise but the key parts were: - the soulmates, so many beautiful soul mate bonds - not a single character that we grew to love is left without a partner, and they all get a happily ever after. Yes x100000 - the strength of Malark’s vulnerability, he’s a tough, macho man who almost gives off caveman vibes of neeeeeding to protect his wife but he sits in front of his friends, and frenemies, and admits his power scares him, he’s overwhelmed and doesn’t feel like he can do what they need him to do. And not only that, he relents and encourages Astra to whoop ass by borrowing his magic to defeat Zorwal and Otavio, AND THEN he steps up and delivers the final blow to the Witch King - chefs kiss for our hero - I love love love the scenes with Cherry Cake, I love how he swoops in to save the day like a well timed gif in a group chat, I’m so pleased he got his HEA too - The character growth in this book was insane - Renel and Azur in particular, I really really hoped that they’d re-connect and put their bond behind them, and I’m hoping that Renel being present at Azur’s wedding speaks for itself
There’s so much more I could go on to say, but most importantly, the series is now finished, it’s the perfect time to dive into a truly unique romantasy with incredibly well developed storyline, characters, world etc. everything you could want
The first book focused on creating multiple threads of storylines related to the characters, while the second one was about highlighting the interconnections between them. This final installment focused on unravelling them one by one, giving a proper resolution to the problems and neatly wrapping up their endings.
Since I read the previous book a while ago, I did have a bit of trouble at the start recollecting all the details and understanding how they affected the current scenario. But that didn't last too long, and I was immersed in the book in no time.
I can't imagine how difficult it must have been for the author to focus on so many characters at a time where each one of them was battling a different enemy. To be able to write it all with no loose ends and to create enough tension and interest must have been a challenge, yet she managed to achieve it brilliantly.
I've been with some of the characters since the first book, and it was great to see them evolve, to gain new perspectives and understand that not everything was as they were led to believe. It had themes of forgiveness and redemption, while also discovering who the true villains were. My favourite character was Ziven. He had a lot of depth and was instrumental in helping the others come to certain realisations.
The book was full of twists and turns, especially the last 40% was crazy exciting. I barely had time to breathe because of so many things happening all at once.
Usually I'm not a fan of multiple POVs because I keep forgetting whose POV I'm reading at a given point and always have to go back and check. In this case, although I did have that issue a few times, it didn't affect my reading experience by much.
The romance and spice were tastefully written. However, there was one pairing at the end of the book that I didn't agree with. It felt a little odd to me given the maturity level of the female.
The world-building, revelations, fight scenes were great. This book was a perfect ending to the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I recommend it to all fantasy lovers who enjoy complex storylines, mystery, the found-family trope, friendly banter and spicy romance.
Rating: 5/5 I received an eARC for my honest opinion.
A Devious Brother is a powerful and emotionally rich conclusion to this epic story. From the opening chapters, you can feel that everything has been leading to this moment. The final battle is intense, layered, and deeply meaningful not just because of the action, but because of what it represents fothe characters who have fought so hard to survive, protect, and atone.
One of the greatest strengths of this book is how well the multiple POVs are handled. Each perspective adds clarity and depth rather than confusion, allowing the reader to fully grasp the scope of the conflict and the emotional stakes tied to it. Every POV feels purposeful, giving insight into motivations, fears, and hopes, and showing how each character plays a vital role in bringing this story to its conclusion.
Marlak’s journey was especially compelling to watch unfold in this final installment. He is a character shaped by pain, loss, and difficult choices, yet never written as one-dimensional. What truly stood out was how his relationship with Astra became a source of light for him. Her love allows Marlak to see the good within himself, something he has long struggled to believe in and challenges him to look at others through a lens of understanding rather than resentment. Seeing how Astra really helped to shine a light on all the characters that most didn’t trust or like was great to see, I loved getting to see each character shine and really shine.
The supporting cast is just as strong, each character feeling fully realized and essential to the story. Their individual journeys, loyalties, and sacrifices make the ending feel earned and impactful, reinforcing the idea that this was never just one person’s fight, but a shared battle with lasting consequences.
A Devious Brother is more than an epic finale; it's a story about redemption, love, and the courage it takes to choose compassion after hardship. Day Leitao delivered a conclusion filled with heart, depth, and purpose, making this a truly unforgettable ending.
I want to thank the author for the opportunity to review this book.
Thank you Netgalley and Sparkly Wave for an ARC of this book.
⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (3.75/5)
A Devious Brother by Day Leitão is a solid finale that delivers on action, emotion, and closure—but it doesn’t quite hit as strongly as I hoped.
The stakes are definitely high in this installment, with the looming threat of the Witch King keeping tension present throughout. There’s a lot happening—battles, magic, shifting alliances—and it keeps the story engaging, even if it occasionally feels a bit overwhelming.
The characters are still one of the strongest parts of the book. After following them through the series, it’s satisfying to see how much they’ve grown. The relationships—especially the mix of found family and former enemies—have emotional weight, and there are some genuinely impactful moments. That said, not every character arc felt equally fleshed out, and a few developments seemed rushed.
The romance is enjoyable and has its moments, but it didn’t stand out as much this time around. The tension is there, but it sometimes gets lost among the heavier plotlines and multiple POVs.
That brings me to one of the main issues: pacing. With so many perspectives and story threads competing for attention, the middle of the book feels crowded and a bit uneven. Some moments that should have had more impact felt glossed over, while others dragged slightly longer than needed.
On the plus side, the book does a good job wrapping things up. Most of the major plotlines are resolved, and there’s a clear sense of closure by the end, which is always satisfying in a series finale.
Overall, A Devious Brother is an enjoyable conclusion with strong character moments and plenty of action, but it’s held back by uneven pacing and a slightly overloaded narrative. It’s a good ending—just not quite a great one.
Before reading this, I went back and re-read the first two books to have everything fresh in my mind. This series features enemies-to-lovers, secret identities, found family, fated mates/soulmates, tragic histories, and forced proximity. Marlak is trying to believe and trust that his brother is telling the truth when he wants to help find Astra, knowing that she is with Azur, who worked for his brother and hates him. I love how we get to see the story from the perspective of so many people. In A Cursed Brother, I fell in love with Marlak and Astra, Ziven was growing on me, and I wasn't quite sure if I liked Tarla. When A Traitor Sister started, I hated Renel for what he did to his brother, and by the end of the book, we learn that the memories of what happened the day Marlak believed he lost control of his fire, causing the death of his family, did not happen as he remembers. We start learning more about each person, what made them who they are now. There are a lot of unlikely allies in book 2, which continues in A Devious Brother.
One of my favorite things about Astra I love is how she tries to see the good in people and their reasons for the choices they make. She is put in a position where she is trapped with her husband's enemy, Azur, yet she still chooses to believe he will help her despite knowing he is bound to serve the very person they are trapped with. She is determined to save them both. Throughout this book, you see people become allied with the most unlikely people, and I definitely did not expect a few of the twists. I want to say so much more, but I do not want to give any spoilers.
This is a series with heartbreak and healing. It's about loving someone, broken pieces and all, truly seeing the other person. And lastly, it is about finding love and fighting for it, never giving up on the other person.
***Thank you, Day Leitao for sending me an ALC review copy***
It pains me to rate this lower than a 4. I loved the first book and I also enjoyed the second book. Like I said for the second book, there were too many different POV's. I do think the second book flowed better despite the multiple POVs. The third one, at times was hard to follow because we had even more POV's. I didn't really feel as much of a connection with the characters as I did in the first two books. I think she also might have been too preoccupied with making sure everyone had a partner in the end. I liked Marlak and Astra, but this story started off being theirs and toward the end it felt more like they were side characters. In book two I liked the dynamic between Tarlia and Rennell and Azur and Lidiane, but I almost feel like maybe they should have had their own novella or book. The relationships were brewing in book 2, and in book three there was so much back and forth. Instead of talking to Tarlia, Rennell made assumptions about whether or not she had feelings for him. I feel like Ziven and Morella were the single friends left in the group and they were kind of smushed together.
That being said, I did enjoy the action scenes. Marlak, Astra, Tarlia, Azur, and Lidiane were my favorite characters. I also liked Cherry cake, the unicorn. I think Day Leitao has a great concept here, and I look forward to seeing her grow as a writer. I hope for future series she will cut back on the POV's.
I received this ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
So I am a fantasy reader that enjoys a little romance in it. I am not a romance reader than enjoys a little fantasy.
Unfortunately, this one missed the mark a bit for me. Book 1 was great, I enjoyed book 2, but this one was a little too perfect. The relationships were a little too cheesy and the perfect pairings never sit well with me.
The characters are the same characters we’ve gotten to know over the last two books, and I appreciate that the author still throws us some new breadcrumbs and backstories for them. I really enjoyed the journey with these characters, from book one to the end. I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite (lies, it’s Cherry Cake).
The plot is a continuation of the first two books, with added layers. Parts of this plot seemed a little too convenient though, and some of the monologues were a little too Batman villain feeling. It’s not that it wasn’t good, just not quite what I wanted from this one.
There is a LOT going on here and multiple POV’s to experience. I personally always really like a multi POV book, and this was no exception. I liked the writing style and the way she incorporated each character’s POV in critical parts.
All in all this was a fun read, but I have to give it a 3.25 because it just didn’t wow me like I wanted.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
The series overall was great. Books 1&2 I gobbled up, and while I enjoyed book 3 here, the ending seemed very rushed and after all the build up, resolved fairly easily.
The best part of this series for me was when book 2 started with the multiple POV. I loved having everyone’s stories from their own perspectives and their relationships, instead of just the FMC and MMC.
I feel like there were conversations and situations between certain characters that needed to happen that we never truly got. Like with the 3 siblings and all their past issues. I would have loved more of Renel and Tarlia. I loved their dynamic and what she did for him to bring him peace.
As I was reading, despite knowing it was the last book, I started to wonder if there was going to be another one because we were 80% through and hadn’t even started battling the big bad guy. It all felt rushed and easily resolved despite all the set up these past books.
I loved the characters, loved the world, but the ending felt a BIT of a let down. I still enjoyed it but was just wanting a bit more.
Spice was there 🌶️ but not main priority. The tension between Lidiane and Azur was mouth watering though 🥵 their relationship story stole the show this book.
This last book in the trilogy was very adventurous and fast-paced. I love the author’s creative mind and the advanced world-building throughout this series. The magic system, different courts, species (humans, fae, tiurians, sea court) and their characteristics (fae that can’t lie), etc. are so detailed and different from any other series I’ve read.
This book has 8 main characters and jumps to different POVs! As soon as you get hooked on one character and are at the edge of your seat wondering what will happen to them next, the POV changes or chapter ends and jumps to someone else. It kept the book fast-paced and was interesting to see how the characters interacted with each other that way.
I do wish that I had more emotional connections to the characters. Reading this felt like “reading a story” but not “experiencing a story” if that makes sense.
I do love the physical copies of this series, I supported the kickstarter for the first two books and received BEAUTIFUL hardbacks with endpapers, sprayed edges, bookmarks, and beautiful character art throughout the book. They are some of the most beautiful books I own so I was happy to be selected to ARC read the last book in the trilogy.
I can never get tired of the feeling you get when a series comes to an end. And when that ending is as satisfying as you hoped for? Even better.
I've been with Day's characters for three books now, and while I'm sad to say goodbye, I feel that everyone received the ending they deserved. The story feels rounded and finished, with no loose ends left behind.
The Remnants of a Fallen Kingdom and, especially, A Devious Brother, the third and final book, were at their core a story of redemption and forgiveness. Both are hard-earned and rightly so, reserved for those who truly deserve them. There are also those who prove themselves unredeemable, and they are dealt the consequences they earned through their actions.
The curtain has fallen, and we are left with the aftermath. One filled with hope, love, and happiness. One shaped by chosen family and close bonds. One slowly transitioning into a new and better world.
Thank you, Day, for having me as your ARC reader since book one, A Cursed Son. Thank you for gifting us Marlak and Astra and their perfectly imperfect chosen family. Thank you.
Absolutely LOVED this book and it restored my faith that trilogies can be done well. I have read a few trilogies this year that I absolutely loved but by the 3rd book they just fell flat. THIS was not the case.
In book 2 we got multiple POVs and that continues into Book 3 along with POV's from some additional characters. I absolutely loved how Leitao's didn't leave anything unfinished. All my questions were answers and done in a way so well written that everything flowed and fit like a puzzle.
Astra and her found family are looking for answer to defeat the witch king while trying to work through deep family and romantic ties as well. I absolutely love how Leitao's writes the dynamics between Renel and Marlak., Renel and Azur and then Azur and Marlak. There is so much hurt, misunderstanding, forgiveness and growth between them all.
-Epic adventure -Spice with multiple couples -Found family -Forgiveness/ redemption -Multiple villains -Enemies to lovers -Friends to enemies
This book was messy, intense, and completely addictive in the way dark romance is supposed to be — and it officially earned this series a spot in my top 5.
A Devious Brother leans hard into morally gray territory, and I honestly loved that it didn’t try to soften its edges. The tension is thick from the start, the dynamic is unhinged in the best way, and the emotional manipulation? Deliciously uncomfortable. Day Leitao does a great job of making you question your own reactions — because you know you shouldn’t be rooting for certain moments… and yet here you are.
The characters are flawed, impulsive, and often frustrating, but that’s what made them feel real. There’s a constant push and pull that kept me turning pages, and the power imbalance adds a layer of darkness that won’t work for everyone — but if you’re into taboo-leaning, toxic romance that doesn’t pretend to be wholesome, this one delivers.
This series lives rent-free in my head now. It’s bold, unapologetic, and completely committed to the chaos — which is exactly why it’s sitting comfortably in my top 5 dark romance series.
I loved seeing these characters again and reading the end of their story.
I liked getting all the different povs because we could see what was going on with everyone in different locations. I also liked how the pov changed sometimes multiple times during a chapter and not just a pov a chapter.
The plot twist with Otavio wasn’t what I was expecting at all. I kinda was expecting one part but the other I wasn’t expecting at all.
I loved seeing Astra and Marlak’s story develop throughout these books. They went through so much and it was nice to see them get the ending they deserved.
My only issue throughout this book was keeping the characters straight with some of them having similar names. I’m going to blame that on the fact that I read this after midnight but Ziven and Zorwal and Astra and Azur are kinda similar.
Overall I really liked this book and felt it was a great ending to this series. I read this book as an arc.
A Devious Brother concludes the Remnants of the Fallen Kingdom trilogy and what a ride it was! While I was still not a fan of the multiple POVs and the indecisiveness, I still very much enjoy reading ADB even to the point of being up until after midnight to finish it. I was happy to see Astra and Marlak reunited once again with their love and connection still very strong. Their interactions with the other characters was quite chaotic at times and filled with sarcasm and a whole lot of snark but in the end this rag tag group accomplished what the needed and dare I say, even became family in the end. I really liked the characters’ growth and the way Day tackled some of the issues they had. They don’t magically disappear but rather, the characters learn to learn to live with it! Some realness in a world of fantasy! All in all I enjoyed ADB and look forward to reading more of the author’s work.
A Devious Brother surprised me in the best way. I went in expecting action, but this book delivers a full‑throttle, plot‑driven ride where every chapter drops a new piece of information that changes everything. It’s sharp, layered, and constantly moving, the kind of story where you realise you’ve been holding your breath without noticing.
What I loved most was how the relationship dynamics stay understated yet meaningful. Nothing is overplayed; it’s all in the glances, the tension, the shifting loyalties. Those subtle emotional beats threaded through the chaos made the stakes feel even higher.
The mystery elements were a standout for me. The reveals land with precision, and the way the author ties each thread together feels intentional and clever without ever slowing the pace.
The audiobook added so much atmosphere. The narrators captured the tension and urgency perfectly, making the twists hit even harder.
A huge thank you for this ALC. All thoughts are my own.
Thank you Netgalley, Sparkly Wave and Day Leitao for the ARC.
I'm really happy I stuck with it and finished this series. After book 2 added so many POVs I was hesitant. The ending every character received was worth the wait.
I truly enjoyed how close some of the characters got, especially with them being enemies in the first and most of the second book. Reading the different POVs to understand each character better made this trilogy fantastic. I did knock off a star because unless you read these back to back you're going to forget a lot of the small details and nothing is repeated in the beginning of the story. This desperately needs at least a small recap or added details to the story to help the reader remember where things were left off.
Overall, I really enjoyed this trilogy and look forward to seeing what else this author comes out with in the future.
I have loved this series so much and am sad to say goodbye to all of these characters.
I enjoyed getting to experience all the pov's in this one and I loved that we got more backstories for this book. I was a little shocked with how rushed the end of the book felt. Everything was wrapped up wayyy too quickly and neatly, and I wish the ending had a little more time. To say all of that though, I was happy we got closure on each of their stories.
Azur and Lidiane were by far my favorite characters in this book. A few of the other characters were a little too immature for my liking, but hey that's the point of different characters.
If you're looking for a fun adventure with magic, magical creatures, and a center core of found family you'll love this series.
Thank you Day Leitao for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was an emotional and satisfying finale that reminded me why I fell in love with this series. From the moment the Witch King awakens, the tension never lets up. I loved watching Astra step fully into her strength as she navigated betrayal, impossible choices, and her devotion to those she loves. Marlak's journey was compelling; his struggle with his past and forbidden magic added real emotional weight. The multiple POVs worked beautifully, giving depth to both primary and secondary characters, and the found-family dynamic truly shone. Packed with action, magic, romance, and heartfelt moments, this book delivered high stakes and a warm, well-earned ending that left me smiling long after I finished.