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Within Forsaken Shadows
Wishes haunt. Monsters lurk. Souls fracture.
After the unthinkable shatters her world, Sorrel Zdraevit is driven from her homeland of Eisa into a foreign kingdom carved from living shadow. With her sister, Yulia, at her side, Sorrel must learn to endure a landscape where nightmares prowl the forests, political loyalties shift like smoke, and every step forward is dragged by the weight of grief.
Their reign has fallen. Their lives have been irreparably damaged beyond all recognition. Yet surrender is not an option.
With a small band of devoted allies, the once-princesses cross treacherous mountains, elude relentless enemies, and confront beasts born of darkness as they journey through the daunting realm of Kesgoldol. But the threats outside pale in comparison to the memories stalking them from within.
As truths unravel and long-buried wounds surface, Sorrel and Yulia must decide what they can bear to remember—and what they can no longer afford to believe. If they are to claim any hope of a future, they must first survive the shadows determined to claim them.
An intentionally paced, historically inspired fantasy of sisterhood, quiet strength, and the long road out of ruin, Within Forsaken Shadows continues the Fallen Reign series with emotional depth, perilous stakes, and heroines whose greatest powers are the courage to bear compassion in an unforgiving world.
After the unthinkable shatters her world, Sorrel Zdraevit is driven from her homeland of Eisa into a foreign kingdom carved from living shadow. With her sister, Yulia, at her side, Sorrel must learn to endure a landscape where nightmares prowl the forests, political loyalties shift like smoke, and every step forward is dragged by the weight of grief.
Their reign has fallen. Their lives have been irreparably damaged beyond all recognition. Yet surrender is not an option.
With a small band of devoted allies, the once-princesses cross treacherous mountains, elude relentless enemies, and confront beasts born of darkness as they journey through the daunting realm of Kesgoldol. But the threats outside pale in comparison to the memories stalking them from within.
As truths unravel and long-buried wounds surface, Sorrel and Yulia must decide what they can bear to remember—and what they can no longer afford to believe. If they are to claim any hope of a future, they must first survive the shadows determined to claim them.
An intentionally paced, historically inspired fantasy of sisterhood, quiet strength, and the long road out of ruin, Within Forsaken Shadows continues the Fallen Reign series with emotional depth, perilous stakes, and heroines whose greatest powers are the courage to bear compassion in an unforgiving world.
Paperback
Published January 20, 2026
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7 people want to read
About the author
Marissa Miller
7 books85 followersAuthor, Marissa Miller, can often be found frolicking about in thunderstorms, drinking her weight in tea, or playing with one of her numerous beloved pets. When she isn’t any of these places, Miller is at her desk, working on one of her novels. Her works include the award-winning first installment of the adult dark literary fantasy Fallen Reign series, Beneath the Scarlet Frost, and her young adult When Wicked series.
Along with a love of incorporating historical inspiration, Miller believes fundamentally in the power of imagination, language, and creativity. She seeks to use her expression of literary craft to resonate with readers, build thought-provoking worlds and characters, and explore the connection literature holds in readers’ lives. Not afraid to delve into dark or heavy topics, Miller’s works embody the motif that no matter the depth of darkness, and weight of topic, there is always a little light and harrowing story to be found in the shadows.
Along with a love of incorporating historical inspiration, Miller believes fundamentally in the power of imagination, language, and creativity. She seeks to use her expression of literary craft to resonate with readers, build thought-provoking worlds and characters, and explore the connection literature holds in readers’ lives. Not afraid to delve into dark or heavy topics, Miller’s works embody the motif that no matter the depth of darkness, and weight of topic, there is always a little light and harrowing story to be found in the shadows.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 17, 2026
Thank you Marissa for an ARC of Within Forsaken Shadows!!! One of my most anticipated releases for the year and I’m not disappointed. 🩶
We pick up after the events of book one, with a bit of a time jump. Another book of beautiful and intentional prose that also explores the complexities of guilt, trauma, betrayal, and survivors guilt plus some. The characters were so raw and real and the feelings they had to navigate while trying to survive was so incredibly portrayed.
The basis of this book is not a ton of action, it is a lot of reflection and travel and that usually does not keep me engrossed in novels, though I recognize the importance for the set up of future events. But something about the way Marissa writes and this world in general just kept me wanting more.
Another easy 5 stars no questions asked. If I could give this more than 5 stars I absolutely would. If you haven’t read book one, Beneath the Scarlet Frost, you need to.
We pick up after the events of book one, with a bit of a time jump. Another book of beautiful and intentional prose that also explores the complexities of guilt, trauma, betrayal, and survivors guilt plus some. The characters were so raw and real and the feelings they had to navigate while trying to survive was so incredibly portrayed.
The basis of this book is not a ton of action, it is a lot of reflection and travel and that usually does not keep me engrossed in novels, though I recognize the importance for the set up of future events. But something about the way Marissa writes and this world in general just kept me wanting more.
Another easy 5 stars no questions asked. If I could give this more than 5 stars I absolutely would. If you haven’t read book one, Beneath the Scarlet Frost, you need to.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank ya Marissa Miller for letting me arc read again for this book!
it is as good as the first book! The characters gothrough so much. And have so much growth. I loved the way she wrote how each character grieves differently. Sorrel and Yulia are some of my characters and I cannot wait to see where they go next!
it is as good as the first book! The characters gothrough so much. And have so much growth. I loved the way she wrote how each character grieves differently. Sorrel and Yulia are some of my characters and I cannot wait to see where they go next!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Review of advance copy received from the Author
Within Forsaken Shadows is book 2 of The Fallen Reign Series by Marissa Miller.
This was a very emotional book for me. It was masterfully written with multiple POVs. I couldn't stop turning the pages. I devored the book in about 24hrs. Marissa takes you on a whirlwind of emotions using richly detailed POVs as Sorrel, Yulia, Roland, Rafe and a few others travel through foreign lands to safety. It was heartwrenching to see how they individually dealt with the aftermath, the consequences of their decisions and the struggles ahead of them. Can Sorrel and Roland rebuild their relationship? Will Yulia come to terms with her affinities and become friends with Rafe? The answers are masterfully written in this sequel. Make sure to have some tissues handy, you're going to need them!
Start your journey by grabbing Beneath the Scarlett Frost which is out now.
Within Forsaken Shadows releases on January 20th.
Within Forsaken Shadows is book 2 of The Fallen Reign Series by Marissa Miller.
This was a very emotional book for me. It was masterfully written with multiple POVs. I couldn't stop turning the pages. I devored the book in about 24hrs. Marissa takes you on a whirlwind of emotions using richly detailed POVs as Sorrel, Yulia, Roland, Rafe and a few others travel through foreign lands to safety. It was heartwrenching to see how they individually dealt with the aftermath, the consequences of their decisions and the struggles ahead of them. Can Sorrel and Roland rebuild their relationship? Will Yulia come to terms with her affinities and become friends with Rafe? The answers are masterfully written in this sequel. Make sure to have some tissues handy, you're going to need them!
Start your journey by grabbing Beneath the Scarlett Frost which is out now.
Within Forsaken Shadows releases on January 20th.
January 20, 2026
I appreciated getting to read Within Forsaken Shadows ahead of release. Following Beneath the Scarlet Frost (Book 1), Miller delivered on expectations and continued to carry the tone of a dark, literary fantasy. The characters, now fleeing for their lives, have found themselves in another country, steeped in lore and magic. This is an area where Miller’s world building particularly shines. The reader, amongst the awe and the danger, is left to wonder if the characters can reconcile with the aftermath of Book 1. Composed of multiple POVs, this book is character-driven and reflective but also psychologically complex, opting for tension and depth instead of the effortlessness of stereotypical psychology. Ultimately, it was a great reading experience and while I would enjoy staying in the setting of this particular book, I know that whatever Miller has planned for future books will be just as immersive and unique.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to Marissa Miller for the arc copy of this book! I’ve been so excited for the release of this book. If you haven’t already read Beneath the Scarlet Front (this first book in this series) please do so!!
First off this book was both everything I wanted it to be and also surprised me in so many wonderful ways! The themes of family and self acceptance continue to be strong throughout this continuation but this book also heavily explores grief and the journey the two sisters take in learning to live through that. I loved the duel POV in this book because it allows us the chance to see two different types of grieving and how that affects our main characters and their relationship to one another and those around them.
This book also takes us out of Eisa and into a whole new country with new magic and new dangers. The expansion of this universe and the continued rich world building in this story is delightful! We meet new characters in this book and learn so much more about characters we only got to briefly meet in the first book. I loved getting to know them and their stories. I feel like there is still so much more to learn about them in future books as well!
I’m so excited to see where this story continues to go and can’t wait to continue it in the future!
First off this book was both everything I wanted it to be and also surprised me in so many wonderful ways! The themes of family and self acceptance continue to be strong throughout this continuation but this book also heavily explores grief and the journey the two sisters take in learning to live through that. I loved the duel POV in this book because it allows us the chance to see two different types of grieving and how that affects our main characters and their relationship to one another and those around them.
This book also takes us out of Eisa and into a whole new country with new magic and new dangers. The expansion of this universe and the continued rich world building in this story is delightful! We meet new characters in this book and learn so much more about characters we only got to briefly meet in the first book. I loved getting to know them and their stories. I feel like there is still so much more to learn about them in future books as well!
I’m so excited to see where this story continues to go and can’t wait to continue it in the future!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a beautifully written continuation that leans heavily into emotion and character growth. The story focuses more on the internal journeys of teh characters than nonstop action, and that choice works well here.
The writing is smooth and engaging, allowing the story to unfold naturally even with its heavier theme. A strong sequel with emotional depth and thoughtful pacing.
The writing is smooth and engaging, allowing the story to unfold naturally even with its heavier theme. A strong sequel with emotional depth and thoughtful pacing.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews