The Devil of Tarsyn Forest

by Aalis Blue

Book 1 of an Empire-Building Saga

When Azul awakens in a foreign world, she's already trapped as a pawn in a royal conspiracy.
Her only ally is Ragnar Valthorne, a warlord whose curse marks him as 'blessed' by death and whose need for her political acumen matches her need for his protection.
But conspiracies, once started, rarely end as planned.
When a forgotten power left by a nameless god emerges from the wreckage of the royal family's ambitions, Azul will claim it—no matter the cost.
For she shall either find a way or make one.

Please start with the glossary at the back of the book.

Content warnings:

Queen of Sheba is a dark fantasy series intended for mature readers (18+). This story contains explicit depictions and references to sensitive content that may be disturbing or triggering to some readers.

This book includes:

Sexual Assault (implied)

Suicide and suicidal ideation

Physical abuse and violence

Child abuse and neglect

Graphic violence and murder

Blood and gore

Mental health struggles, including depression and trauma

Domestic violence

Manipulation and gaslighting

Reproductive coercion and forced pregnancy themes

Body horror

Cultural practices that may be disturbing to modern readers

Death and dying

Psychological trauma and PTSD

Power imbalances in relationships

Threats of sexual violence

Violence against women

Starvation

Please note: This story does not sanitise or romanticise trauma. The protagonist is navigating severe violations of bodily autonomy, familial betrayal, and systemic oppression within a patriarchal society. 

Reader discretion is strongly advised. If any of these topics are particularly sensitive for you, please prioritise your mental health and wellbeing when deciding whether to engage with this story.

This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and practices depicted are products of the author's imagination within a fantasy setting and should not be interpreted as endorsements of harmful behaviours or an insult to the cultures from which inspiration is pulled.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Romance, High Fantasy

Hardcover

Expected publication July 1, 2026

Reviews

[Ali (Taylor’s version) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could take them both (and not in a fight)

[charlene ✿ · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars
★★★★★

⋆ Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ⋆

What an exceptional book. One of my favourite books of the year. Pre-ordered expeditiously!! (currently $0.99 so grab your copy now!!)


A rich, multi-cultural dark romantasy with a Nigerian cultural influence and drenched in political intrigue... I was sat and I didn't get back up until this was done. Incredible start of a series.

This story is about the women. The power they hold, that surrounds them, the power they claim and slowly met out. In a world structured to diminish them, women are the centre, the heartbeat and lifeblood. The Devil of Tarsyn Forest centres the complex women in power, and play the games of politics and war.

"Her father told her once: if one wishes to build an army, they need one of three things- great wealth, great reputation, or great power."

Adopted by the crown, she is the new princess, to be used as a political pawn in an arranged marriage and secure an alliance. Her betrothed is the deadly Ragnar Valthorne, Great Khan of the Valthrone tribe, the infamous warlord. Marriage to this warlord is a death sentence. Her future was sold and decided for her, but she will not go down willingly or quietly.

"Warlords who enslaved without care. Who killed and conquered and left nothing but ash in their wake. Warlords who had no allies, only enemies. Warlords whose wives rarely survived more than a few years before dying from violence, disease or despair. Who wedded slaves, not free women.
She was a slave, wasn't she? An expensive slave, but a slave nonetheless.
They were sending her to die.
And expecting her to be grateful to be they'd warned her."

Ambitious and willing sacrifice anyone and anything, Azul is accustomed to be untrusting and unbendable. She is a woman given very few freedoms, so she must take them, by force, or cunning. Her safety is an illusion, so she carves out a space for herself from the flesh of those that threaten it, and those who have brought her pain. Azul is a cunning, intelligent, vengeful and ruthless character, scheming and plotting her way into power. She is the embodiment of feminine rage, a weapon forged from despair now aimed at burning down the world.

"If she were angry every time she faced injustice in this world, she would anger herself to death."

The romance was delicious. Ragnar was filled with yearning and devotion, and the slow-burn simmered, laying the foundation for the next book.

What this book does so well is highlight the agency and autonomy and how women suffer from the worst. Wives, daughters, sisters, servants, all suffer from the hands of men, all must sacrifice and use their wits to survive, to thrive, to be have a sliver power and security. It highlights the betrayal of other women to uphold and perpetuate the misogynist and sexist structures that will ultimately fail them.

"there was nowhere women did not suffer under the hands of men"

I cannot wait for the rest of the series!!!

Would I recommend this book??
I love this book so much. I would definitely recommend it 💖

Will I re-read this book?
babes I don't own this book but I pre-ordered its so I can reread this to my hearts content.

⋆ tropes: ⋆
- arranged marriage
- reluctant allies to lovers
- political intrigue and schemes
- rise and fall of empires
- Nigerian culture
- revenge plot
- feminine rage
- gods
- morally grey characters

⋆ please check the content warnings as this one is a dark romantasy with some heavy and sensitive topics!! ⋆
☞ content warnings: **contains spoilers**
adoption, alcohol consumption, animal attack, animal death, arranged & forced marriage, blackmail, blood & gore depiction, bullying, captivity & confinement, classism, child abuse, childbirth (mentioned), colonisation, dead bodies & body parts, decapitation, death of a child, death of a parent & guardian, death of a sibling, death of a son, drugging, domestic abuse & violence, exile & banishment, grief & loss depiction, hanging, imprisonment, infertility (mentioned), intimate partner abuse & violence, knife, sword & axe violence, medical treatment, miscarriage (mentioned), murder & attempted murder, panic attacks, paralysis, pregnancy (mentioned), physical illness & injuries, poisoning, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), rape, scars, starvation, sterilisation, self-harm, sexual assault, sexual harassment, slavery, slut-shaming, strangulation, suicide, torture, weight loss, war themes & military violence.

Blog ✿ Goodreads ✿ TikTok ✿ Twitter ✿ Instagram ✿ Pinterest ✿ StoryGraph ✿ Discovery ✿ 

[Nao :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝐷𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑙 𝑜𝑓 𝑇𝑎𝑟𝑠𝑦𝑛 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡
𝑄𝑢𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑆ℎ𝑒𝑏𝑎 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝟷

First of all I would like to thanks the author for sending me this arc I was just so happy to get selected to arc read Queen of Sheba 🌱

🩷/5

🐍 The thing I liked the most in this book is the theological aspect; it’s a rich world with a lot of lore, and I really liked the way she keeps some mystery and makes us discover them through the book. I’m so excited to get more lore in the other books because I feel that I’m going to be surprised by what’s going to happen

⋆༺𓆩 ‧˚𓆙˚‧ 𓆪༻⋆

🐍 The court intrigue >>> there’s a lot of politics setting and I don’t honestly think that it’s really a romantasy but more a fantasy with romance (I think it’s why I liked it that much). There’s enough interaction to make us want more but that’s not the main plot and that’s really good.

⋆༺𓆩 ‧˚𓆙˚‧ 𓆪༻⋆

🐍 My girl Azul, I was rotting for her throughout the book. She’s the villain, but she has every right to be. She’s cunning, deadly, smart, and very manipulative of EVERY thing/one around her.
she just refuses to be the victim of her fate and just wow, her character was so well written I loved the way she’s not scared to do monstrous things but she never does it herself she makes people do it for her, every time I was like “dang she’s smart”

⋆༺𓆩 ‧˚𓆙˚‧ 𓆪༻⋆

🐍 Now Ragnar 🌝obviously I love him too, he’s my kind of MMC, down bad for his woman doing EVERYTHING for her, their interactions were so cute because I feel like at first he is totally secretive and I think he has too a lot of lore I just can’t wait to see him even more. At first, it was clearly an alliance, but he fell almost instantly for her. I miss them already😔

⋆༺𓆩 ‧˚𓆙˚‧ 𓆪༻⋆

🐍 It will be released on the 1st of July, featuring 3 different editions: Illustrated Hardback with bonus chapters (only for preorder), illustrated paperback, and Amazon paperback. For more details, you can go to the author account🌱

[Érika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with the ARC for the marvelous adventure in exchange for an honest review.

And OMG! Honestly this book took me out of words on how much of an amazing adventure it was, I had to devour this book in less than two days cause I couldn’t put it down.

First of all, it was an AMAZING surprise to find the cast and culture of my fellow cousins Nigerians on this book. Along with the Mongolian (I figured he was Mongolian, but honestly I’m not sure) was so refreshing. Out of the amount of fantasy books with European gods and white small fragile girlies this was such a breath of fresh air, representative and beautifully made.

Azul is an INCREDIBLE character. When someone makes a clever girl, dressed in a sheep clothing, THIS is what I expected. She’s so smart, so ruthless and so set on her revenge it’s just inspiring. She’s beautiful, doesn’t lower her had to no one, and as she says many times in the book She dares, and she dares a lot of things. Everyone in this book gets obsessed with her and it’s understandable, cause I’m also so damn obsessed with her I want 5 books more with only her deceiving people and ending empires while looking beautiful.

The overall plot is so well made it’s insane. Lots of things remain unexplained at the start, in order to create a tension and a secret about the past, present and future that will come the light in the right moment to make you literally GASP! The politics, the religious plot, everything its written to a marvelous outcome and its so mature, so high fantasy I’m honestly in love. I’m sure after this I’ll end up in a reading slump for I wont be able to find anything to match this, but honestly I’m so happy I found my way to such and amazing book and such sweet author I’m not even mad about it.

The only way I can finish this review its by saying this is one of my favorite reads of the year and its a book you won’t be able to put down. If you love a strong female character that won’t lower her head to anyone and will seduce and deceive her way into bringing down an empire this book is to for you.

Super excited for the next books in this series!

[Sarha · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before anything, thanks so much @aalisblue
for giving me the opportunity to read your book in advance.

Queen of Sheda is a dark romantasy, and it comes out on July 1st.

What a book. The author paints a rich world filled with culture, gods, and folklore—I especially loved that part. Everything around theology, even if it’s a small part of the book, was brilliant and well developed. I really hope we’ll see much more of it in the future.

The FMC, Azul, is not kind—she’s ambitious and will do anything to gain power. And to be honest, I loved that about her. She knows she has to fight to get what she wants, and she will do literally everything to get it, even if she has to commit treason.

I loved the politics—it was really intense, so much that sometimes I got a bit lost, but I was still fully invested. In every chapter, something happens: plot twists, deaths, alliances…

And I really loved Ragnar, our MMC. The yearning is insane—it’s one of the best I’ve ever read. He’s so deeply devoted to her, and he would do anything for her. I can’t wait to read more about them together.

I highly recommend this book!!!

[Le Cy · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

To start off... Well, where do I even start with this? This was absolutely incredible. It came so close to perfection that it physically hurts my heart not to give it 5 stars. The synopsis promised, and the book absolutely delivered. I had to force myself to take my time with this book, because every intricacy of the plot and every little detail deserved that much attention.

The Devil of Tarsyn Forest is a revenge story filled to the brim with court intrigue, scheming, and a full cast of morally-gray characters. I absolutely adored the writing style from page one. The prose felt unique in a way that kept me completely hooked. Every word seemed deliberate and carefully placed, while still flowing effortlessly. And I also loved that the book opened with an epigraph. It really helped to set the tone, and after reading it, I immediately buckled up for whatever chaos I was about to get myself into lmao.

Almost instantly we're thrown straight into the depths of the political intrigue, and when I say the plot hits the ground SPRINTING, I mean it. The story felt incredibly fast-paced, yet everything remained layered, calculated and unpredictable. Every single chapter the reader is presented with new information that completely shifts the bigger picture, and we have to piece together Azul's plan as we read, which I found to be super engaging.

Beyond that, the dialogue felt so... real. Each character had distinct personalities, and their speech reflected that perfectly. All their interactions, their choices of words, their actions, constantly revealed who they were as people. And that made the characters genuinely feel three-dimensional.

Speaking of characters, I absolutely loved all the women in this book. Azul, Chidinma, Obiageli, Nyraxa, Nkiru, heck, even the Ugoeze and Iyom. They were all fascinating in their own ways: cunning, intelligent, brave, ambitious, and strong. This is exactly the type of female representation I live for in books. Azul in particular was just such an compelling character to read about. She fascinated me from beginning to end, and while I didn't agree with all of her choices, I fully understood what she stood for. She made it so easy to root for her, even at her cruelest. I also really enjoyed some of the male characters, Ragnar and Borji in particular were my favourites, but again, all the characters felt distinct and purposeful, each carrying their own agendas and motivations, and it made the interactions between these characters so much more interesting.

The relationship between Azul and Ragnar in particular leaves so much more to be desired, and I'm already so excited to see how they will grow together in the next installments of the series. Ragnar absolutely stole my heart lol. He spends a good portion of the book being the very embodiment of yearning, and I genuinely loved the dynamic and the tension between the two of them.

The only thing that is preventing me from giving this book a full 5 stars is that I ocassionally struggled to keep up with the plot. Is that partially a me problem? Honestly, maybe. But I think that for a large portion of the book, I felt like I only understood about 60% of what was happening, and I found myself having to constantly refer back to previous chapters and other notes I'd taken just to keep up with everything. I feel like the author juggles so many intricate details and plot points at once that sometimes, the story can become a bit convoluted. I also would have appreciated a little more time dedicated purely to worldbuilding. I think easing readers into the world more gradually would have helped make everything much easier to follow, instead of throwing everything at the reader all at once. That said, I do understand that slowing down for more exposition may come with the cost of the book's intense pacing. (And while I'm aware that the glossary is there for any confusion with the titles and terminologies, my confusion was more about the larger political landscape and faction dynamics rather than the vocabulary itself...)

Nonetheless, this was a phenomenal read. I am so glad to have picked this up, and I will absolutely be keeping an eye out for The Viper in the Winter Boudoir. And if you felt that this review intrigued you in any way, please, please, PLEASE pick up the book!!

(P.S. I love that I caught some Chinese-inspired phrases throughout the book, and I'm assuming the author is also a fan of Chinese media like I am!! I'm not knowledgeable enough to comment on all the cultural inspirations behind the story, but it was a very refreshing setting as compared to all the other fantasy books I've been reading)

(P.P.S. I ALSO DID NOT REALISE THE AUTHOR IS SUCH A TALENTED ARTIST)

(P.P.P.S. I also want to commemorate the fact that I finished reading this on my birthday, yay!)

Thank you Aalis Blue for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Talia N · Rating 3 out of 5]

thank you very much to the author for sending me an e-arc of this book.

who doesn't love a good revenge story?

the devil of tarsyn forest was fast-paced, ambitious, and packed to the brim with political maneuvering, morally gray characters, and more than enough moving parts to make this story feel satisfying to read. i had a lot of fun with this book and i can appreciate how well the complexities of this world are presented without feeling too sloggish. the prose was easy to read, it flowed well, and stays this way throughout while the story throws things at you from left, right, and centre.

that being said, a gripe that i had with this book was the fact that it tries to be *everything* at once. the worldbuilding pulls a lot of inspiration from middle-eastern, african, and vaguely asian cultures, and while i admire the intention of building a complex and lived-in world, the execution makes it feel like they were there 'just because', rather than being fully fleshed out. at points, it reads more like a world that's trying to prove that yes it is complex and there are Things Happening.

and things do get complex very quickly. as a seasoned high fantasy reader, i felt like i could mostly keep up and parse with everything we get introduced to, although even then it felt a little more demanding than needed at points. you get hit with all these different names, titles, terminology, factions really early on in the story and if you're not paying attention, it would be easy to get lost. it's not that this book inherently bad or badly written, i'm not saying that at all. more like, it assumes that the reader has spent equal amounts of time in this world and with these characters as the author has, which is most definitely not the case. so whenever a new threat or new faction or a sometimes even a new character is introduced, we get rushed along too quickly as if we were supposed to have instantly understood exactly where this piece of the puzzle goes.

one of my biggest questions while reading this was azul's motive beyond 'these people treated me badly so i'm going to kill them all'. she has so so much potential as a complex and morally gray character and i feel like a lot of this nuance was not fully explored. even beyond the halfway point, i still felt like i wanted more clarity about azul, what she wants to do, why she's in the body that she's in, and ultimately, what it all means. there were definitely hints but i feel like those breadcrumbs don't pay off in satisfying ways.

in terms of characters, there are a LOT of them and to me, that serves as both the appeal and the issue, if that makes sense. too many characters are introduced too quickly and there just isn't enough space for the main cast to fully settle into their roles. relationships between different characters are presented with almost a passing remark and that meant that we didn't get the depth of those relationships needed to make those big reveals land stronger emotionally.

however, i did really enjoy azul as a character. she's cunning in a way that feels earned and i loved the fact that this book let her embrace her darker side. it was such a refreshing change of pace to see that the people who have wronged her in the past are dealt with just like that. it's cold, it's harsh, and it definitely feels very satisfying. however, i feel like azul could have been explored even more as a villain. a lot of her backstory feels like pretty standard main character arcs, with just a bit of a darker edge. we can see that she's headstrong and shrewd and at times just outright merciless but that's more often than not shown through what's going on around her, as opposed to us knowing her inner thoughts and motivations on a deeper level.

and the ending just works. after the culmination of the politicking and scheming and twists, it felt justified and i finished this book feeling like i had just finished off a nice strawberry shortcake.

overall, this book is a good story with its strengths in plot, prose, and pacing, but i do think that it needs a little sanding down around the edges, perhaps fewer characters being introduced at once, more time for the emotional moments to hit, or just clearer payoffs to some of the still-unanswered mysteries by the end of the book.

a very solid story and i had a lot of fun reading this! 3.5/5

[Scarlet · Rating 4 out of 5]

True rating: 4.5/5 ⭐

Once again, a huge thank you to the lovely author Aalis Blue for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book in advance. It is truly a huge honor <33. (Spoiler-free review)

Okay... so... where do I even begin? Honestly, I have no idea where to start because of the sheer amount of things that I want to say. (A much longer and more detailed review will be posted to my Instagram!) After waiting for what felt like forever, I finally got the chance to receive an ARC, but truth be told, the wait was SO worth it.

As the first book in the upcoming Queen of Sheba series, The Devil of Tarsyn Forest brings this series to a promising start.

The worldbuilding/plot:
The world that this series takes place in, Oblivia, is rich and immersive, with every part of it having its own distinct and diverse traits. Oblivia is a world largely inspired by historical African and Asian influences, giving it a refreshing change from the classic medieval European setting. It's hard to describe things without spoilers, but the plot itself is deeply complex, with many elaborate layers and intricate twists, involving both the characters and in-world politics.

The main characters:
Our FMC, Azul, is a cunning and deadly character who knows how to stand her ground while also not being afraid to do so. Adaptive, resourceful, confident, intelligent, and intuitive, Azul is a character who knows what she wants from the very start of the story and isn't afraid to use any method she can get to accomplish it. A formidable friend and even more formidable foe, Azul handles hardships and obstacles throughout the book in a way that showcases her impressive range of strengths. Azul is many things, and while she's certainly no hero in the classic sense, (nor does she intend to be) one cannot help but root for her regardless.

Next up is Ragnar, our MMC. Usually, I tend to be wary of romances and MMCs who are described as 'powerful' or 'strong', often coming from a high status or position of power (which they usually exploit as they see fit, often creating a toxic power-imbalanced relationship between them and the FMC) but fear not, while Ragnar is a powerful man, he is nothing like the MMC tropes that I'm usually worried about. Dare I say that he's one of the best and most respectful MMCs I've ever come across so far? He's determined, resourceful, respectful, dedicated, and isn't afraid to respect people's boundaries. (I cannot stress this enough, because of how important and rare this is, which makes Ragnar all the more likeable)

The romance:
As someone who doesn't like reading/watching anything romance related, I'm really glad that I gave this book a chance. Incredibly enough, this book is spice-free (minus some of the ARCs), which is extremely rare to find these days. There is no instant lust nor is there an instant magical love at first sight trope which again, is incredibly refreshing. The romance is an ongoing slow burn that is respectful and endearing. It may not be particularly soft, but it certainly makes up for it in many ways.


Overall, the book was a great read, filled with rich worldbuilding, a compelling plot, complex characters intertwined with plenty of political intrigue. (The only reason I didn't give this book 5 stars is because the book starts off with a lot of terminology that doesn't get explained, which felt a little confusing initially.) I absolutely adore this book and can't wait for more to come.

[Katya & the Braincells Inc. · Rating 4 out of 5]

OVERALL RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4 stars!

🚨 Since this is an early copy (thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!), I am excluding my usual "spoiler-ful" section in this review.

Spoiler-free review: Okay, first of all -- wow.

I went into this ARC completely blind (literally no context, just vibes), and immediately got HOOKED. For the first several chapters, I genuinely did not realize this was supposed to be a transmigration story until Chapter 9. The prologue hints at it loosely, but the reveal takes a while to properly settle into place, so I spent the opening stretch trying to piece together the politics, the lore, and why every character felt suspiciously layered. I also had no idea this was a villain x villain setup, which ended up being one of my favorite surprises!

Most importantly, the choice of worldbuilding is lovely! I loved the African and Mongolian cultural influences; those are so rare to see in fantasy. The court politics between the African prince and princess faction especially were so interesting to read (and my biggest highlight) because every conversation felt layered with strategy, pride, alliances, old grudges, all that good stuff. The glossary at the end was also deeply appreciated because there's a lot to absorb early on.

I also ended up surprisingly invested in the character dynamics; Azul, in particular, absolutely carried the story for me. Every time the POV returned to her I lock in immediately. Starting with her fighting for herself was a strong move; it's such a brutal but effective opening because it immediately tells you who she is.

My thoughts on Ragnar are a bit spoilery, so I'm holding back for now, but wow... what a guy. I love a male lead with immense, unquestioned power over his people, who uses that exact same power to ensure his Khatun has everything her heart desires. ☺

The beginning is a little confusing on a first read, however. The POV shifts in some chapters completely caught me off guard at first. I genuinely had to flip back a few times because I thought I missed a page somewhere lol. BUT. Once I got my footing around Chapter 8 (plus a little desperate Google searching for context), everything started clicking into place. And Borji... I have mixed feelings. I liked the mystery around him, but every time he appeared I got nervous because he was giving major "secondary male lead in a love triangle" energy. So imagine my gigantic relief when I realized Ragnar was the real ML.

The writing style itself is pretty straightforward. If you're looking for highly lyrical or ornate fantasy writing, you may find this one simpler than expected. Nothing complicated or flowery (though I really wish it leaned a little more atmospheric or stylistically ambitious); but I think it works for the novel because it keeps the pacing fast, especially once the plot really gets moving around the middle chunk of the book.

Despite the rocky start, this book is over 500 pages and uses every page well. I legit could not get enough. Usually I feel the drag somewhere in fantasy this long, but here I genuinely kept wanting "just one more chapter" until suddenly it was 3 AM! This will probably get even better on a re-read now that I actually understand what the story was setting up from the beginning.

If you like morally complicated protagonists, layered political dramas, and unique cultural inspirations, put this on your radar!

I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
NOTE: This review was first published on May 13th 2026, and later edited on May 17th for clarity.

[Grace Catney · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the author, Aalisblue, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. I also want to say thank you to the author for reaching out on Tiktok wishing me a fun time with the book!

The Devil of Tarsyn Forest completely exceeded my expectations. This is not a light romantasy, it is a dark, politically intricate fantasy filled with ambition, betrayal, power struggles, and morally complex characters who will do whatever it takes to survive.

One of the strongest aspects of this novel is Azul. She is ruthless, intelligent, calculating, and unapologetically ambitious. Rather than being written as a traditionally likeable heroine, she is allowed to be sharp-edged and deeply flawed, which made her one of the most compelling protagonists I’ve read in a long time. Watching her navigate court politics, shifting alliances, and dangerous conspiracies was endlessly fascinating.

The worldbuilding is rich and immersive, drawing inspiration from African and Eurasian influences in a way that feels refreshing and unique. The political intrigue is heavy throughout the story, and while there are a lot of moving pieces and characters to keep track of, it ultimately creates a layered and rewarding reading experience. Every character has their own motivations, and the constant tension keeps the stakes high from beginning to end.

One small challenge I had at the beginning was keeping track of the large cast of characters, particularly as many of them are referred to by multiple titles and positions. Personally, i think a character glossary would benefit readers in the future. Thay being said, this speaks to the depth and complexity of the world, but it did take me some time to remember who everyone was. Thankfully, reading on Kindle made it easy to search previous mentions and refresh my memory when needed.

My only other minor critique would be the frequency of POV shifts within some chapters. There were occasions where the perspective changed several times in quick succession, and I found this occasionally disrupted my immersion just as I was settling into a character's viewpoint. I think slightly longer stretches with each POV could have made some scenes feel even more impactful. That said, this is very much a personal preference, and it didn't diminish my overall enjoyment of the story.

Ragnar Valthorne was another standout character. His devotion, vulnerability, and unwavering belief in Azul created an intriguing dynamic between them, especially against the backdrop of such a dark and unforgiving world.

This is a slow-burning, complex fantasy that prioritises politics, character motivations, and long-term scheming over fast-paced romance. Readers looking for morally grey characters, intricate power plays, rich worldbuilding, and high-stakes fantasy will find a lot to love here.

Despite my minor critiques, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and became deeply invested in both the characters and the world. I am very excited to continue with this series and see what happens next.

[cc · Rating 4 out of 5]

e-ARC from NetGalley.

**Trigger warning for forced abortion, which is not included in the content warnings listed at the beginning of the book.**

What to say about this book? It was ... not what I expected. The synopsis makes it sound like an isekai romantasy. It is very much not. It reads more like Game of Thrones if we were following a non-incestuous Cersei Lannister ghost in a concubine court.

The story opens on our protagonist literally dying. In her last seconds of life, she curses the prince who killed her, drawing the attention of a passing ghost who promptly possesses her corpse.

Thus begin the desperate machinations for power in a court plagued by vindictiveness and abuse, all as the possibility of war looms on the horizon.

Aalis Blue is a skilled writer in many ways - the prose was beautiful, the characters were well fleshed out, the stakes felt real, the storylines were compelling - but there was a sense of unnecessary vagueness to it all that made things difficult to understand. And not in a way that made sense or seemed to lend itself to deeper mystery or character dynamics. It felt more like it was supposed to make sense, but just didn't (ie: references to a forgotten childhood meeting that, at some points, seemed like it hadn't truly been forgotten, but maybe it had and the scene was referencing something else, and, at others, seemed like it occurred between different characters, but could have been mistaken/false identity or absolutely nothing at all.)

In some ways, this reminded me of one of my favorite stories, Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat. Like Laurent, Azul is constantly plotting, planning, scheming, and setting contingencies with those around her none the wiser and unsure if she can be trusted. She seems to incur a fierce sense of loyalty without a true understanding of how she has earned it. But, unlike Laurent, we are viewing this story through her perspective and are still left in the dark as to what she's doing.

Despite these drawbacks, I was utterly compelled by these characters and this story. While I was confused as to how we went from plotting against a stranger, to meeting him for the first time, to his being willing to take an arrow and hide a murder weapon (that I don't think she even used and am still not sure what it was or who died) for her in the span of, like, two rather benign interactions, I also didn't feel the need to question it too much, because I was more focused on the vendettas and betrayals playing out from every corner.

Ultimately, I did truly enjoy this story, but wish things had been a little more fleshed out and that, as our central protagonist, Azul was someone we could understand.

Also, I still don't know who Sisi is or why she hasn't come after Azul yet.

[Sofi Paczka · Rating 5 out of 5]

My fascination with Azul can only be described as love at first sight. In case you didn’t know, Aalis is an incredibly talented artist who, alongside others, teased the most stunning portraits, and I was inevitably drawn in. Once I began reading, maybe without even realizing it, I fell deeply for this woman.

If this were a love triangle between Ragnar and me, I would go to war for her (though, obviously, the Khan would wipe the floor with me :). From the very first moment, she was female rage incarnate and the living embodiment of women ruling the world. I was so captivated by her scheming and planning. She was always so far ahead of the game she might as well have created it. And that, as a woman, felt incredibly empowering.

Without excelling in martial arts or battlefield combat, she brought an entire nation to its knees. I became obsessed with trying to understand what she was planning, what was going on in her mind. I don’t mind admitting there were moments I felt completely lost, moments of little faith when it seemed like everything was about to fall apart… and then she would laugh maniacally, as if every piece were simply clicking into place. It was addictive.

I hadn’t realized I’d grown complacent to a certain kind of fantasy, and don’t get me wrong, there are many great books, recognized or not, that I’ve loved, but this felt different. This is the kind of story that’s refreshing, unique, and utterly enthralling. It reminded me why I fell in love with this genre in the first place, and how much I’ve missed richly intricate world-building.

I’ve never described a book this way before, but it felt… nutritious (when you read it you’ll know what I mean). Every character had their own agenda, and you’re just there, watching it all unfold; alliances forming, betrayals cutting deep. There wasn’t a clear line between good and bad, I guess everyone was simply trying to survive until the winner took it all.

And amidst all the chaos, the battles, the wreckage, the bloodshed, there’s something achingly beautiful about Ragnar’s devotion to Azul. I wish there were someone so willing to burn everything he’s built just to keep me by his side. I’m convinced that if she asked for his heart, he would rip it from his chest and place it in her hands. That’s the level of devotion we’re talking about. I’ve highlighted so many quotes I don’t even know which one is my favorite.

I’m so excited to know this is only the beginning of what feels like a life-changing story, one I truly hope reaches the farthest corners of the world. And I’m so grateful to be here, witnessing it come to life.

A true pleasure, Aalis, infinite thanks for welcoming to this wonderful community, let’s build the Empire of Sheba together.

[nikitaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

★★★★☆

Before I even got the ARC, I actually found Aalis Blue randomly on Instagram and fell in love with her art. I had no idea she was an author at the time. So imagine my surprise when I saw the cover on NetGalley and realized the characters I had been admiring were from her own novel. I was so excited to find that out, and even more excited when I got the chance to read it.

There is something incredibly satisfying about reading a fantasy where the protagonist refuses to be softened for the reader's comfort. Azul is ruthless, calculating, and relentlessly ambitious, and I loved every second of it.

From the first chapters, it became clear that this was not going to be a story about a chosen heroine learning to be brave. It is a story about a woman who has already decided she will seize power no matter the cost.

"Azul Borjigin did not lose. Not to men. Not to the gods. Not to anyone."

The political intrigue was one of my favorite parts. Every alliance felt fragile, every conversation seemed to hide another motive, and every victory came with consequences. I also loved how much attention was given to women's influence within the world, especially through the line: "Women have been playing this game since before your ancestors learned to ride..."

And then there's Ragnar. I am weak for a devoted love interest, and Ragnar delivered. His yearning, loyalty, and respect for Azul made every interaction between them so good. "Ragnar understood the weakness of his flesh; that he would, one day, cross deserts and burn kingdoms for the chance to kneel before her again." I don't know whether I want to be WITH him or be him.

The reason this wasn't quite a five-star read for me comes down to the world being very dense. There were moments where I struggled to keep track of the political dynamics and all the moving pieces, especially in the beginning. But once things started clicking, I was fully invested.

This was such a strong start to the series. It gave me a morally gray heroine worth rooting for, fascinating court politics, rich mythology, and a romance built on yearning rather than instant attraction. I already need the next book ASAP!

Thank you NetGalley and the Aalis Blue for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Raven · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader’s copy.

4.5/5 wrath-filled stars 🥀🥀🥀🥀

This is a very special fantasy featuring a wealth of court intrigue and immense world-building inspired by Nigerian and Asiatic cultures. I’ve never read anything quite like it and I’m so glad it exists.

The Devil of Taryn forest follows FMC Azul—a woman sold to the local king—as she is brought back from the brutal brink of death and swears vengeance on everyone who has ever done her wrong. Through sharp political maneuvering, seduction, and the support of a mystical snake familiar, Azul plots to take down her adversaries including her own tribesmen.

As she and the women around her are used like a pawns by the war-making men around them, Azul and her sisters build up their own offensives using blackmail and reputation. While the story progresses—somewhat slowly—an unlikely romance unfolds between Azul and the MMC raising the stakes of Azul’s revenge plot and testing her devotion to seeking vengeance.

What I loved about this book, beyond the diversion from the standard euro-centric fantasy background, was that there was always a thrilling sense that something unexpected was about to happen. And it often did. This plot kept me on my toes and for 90% of the book I had no idea where it was going to take me next. All the while, we the readers are treated to a rich array of characters all with their own interesting motivations and backgrounds.

Unfortunately, the last 10% of the book is where I knocked off half a star as I found it quite predictable with too many deux ex machina moments that cheapened the wits of Azul and her allies for me. There were also several incidents where characters would affect critical elements of the plot “off camera” with everyone but the reader suddenly understanding what is going on. It felt jarring and was confusing at times. Additionally—and this didn’t affect the rating, but thought I’d give my 2 cents anyway—I don’t love the anime book cover and felt like there was stronger artwork in the book itself.

With that said, I had so much fun reading this book and thoroughly enjoyed experiencing Azul scheme against truly hatable characters. Looking forward to book 2!

[Grem Reeds · Rating 4 out of 5]

An ARC was freely provided by the author via Netgalley - thank you! The Devil of Tarsyn Forest has a planned publication date of July 1, 2026!
Please read the author's CW/TWs in full. This features SA themes, intense systematic misogyny, and many other tough subjects. I felt they were all handled well without being romanticized, but the author still pulls no punches.

Buckle up, because this is gonna be a long one: my rambling review, and the series.

After finishing The Devil of Tarsyn Forest, I think this series is going to be something truly special. I can FEEL it. Billed as a dark political fantasy romance, it’s got all the makings of a true epic: intense and convoluted politics, backstabbing, invisible machinations set up from before the story even begins, only to be revealed at the eleventh hour. Characters with complex morals and goals. A truly morally grey/black FMC?! A world that has deep roots in our own (a lot of the culture is inspired by the Igbo people of Nigeria; the setting is a deeply misogynistic one, with classism, corrupt powers and politics; and everything is in shades of grey)… I could continue.

When I say I devoured this… I mean I read the entire thing - just shy of 600 pages - in less than 24 hours. I read while I ate. I read instead of sleeping. I took a nap while reading, woke up, and continued reading.

Oh, and: read the glossary first. Just trust me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.25) | 🌶️ (0.5)

This came sooo close to being a 5 star read. I couldn't understand some of the character's logic at times, based on what I'd read about them before. There were plenty of surprises from characters I didn't see coming, and those were great, but a couple left me confused about how a character went from Y situation to making C decision. I'm not sure if that's plothole-y, the writing just needs to be tightened a bit, or the payoff just hasn’t hit and will come around in a later book, but they either took me out of the story, or put me on alert to learn why it the choice was made. Some anachronisms also showed up that felt odd and out of place to me.

The blurb doesn’t do this justice. It doesn’t ready you for the absolute ride this is, but honestly? I get it. I sure can't do any better. I feel the blurb tells more about the series as a whole, rather than the singular first book.

We follow so many characters, and while Azul is absolutely the main character, the story is so dense and slow (affectionate, in the BEST way) that if we didn't follow the other characters as Blue has us, it would be a mess of random things happening with no context.

I can't stress that the cast of this book is absolutely MASSIVE, deservedly so. I found most of them are easily remembered and kept track of. I still would have liked to see a dramatis personae at the back, in addition to the glossary. I only had issues remembering who someone was with a few like, barely seen characters, and I'm content with that.

It's hard to say whether characters… stayed in-character, which is one of my huge personal preferences - I mean, tbh way more than preference: it'll make or break a book for me. But hear me out. Everyone is wicked smart, cunning, and has their own personal goals and end-game… Especially the handful and a half of main and secondary characters. Like, holy shit. A lot of time I just had to throw my hands up and trust the author. I wasn't disappointed. Both short term and long haul schemes were wild, engaging, and always fit the orchestrating character(s).

I just don't have enough words for this. I haven't read such an enjoyably dense, intricate story since the Malazan Book of the Fallen series, which is very firmly my most favorite series, ever. I don't know what I'm going to do while waiting for the next book.

So I'll leave you with some quick bits!

Don't read this if:
* You want plot, motives, payoff handed to you quickly and especially neatly
* You want a quick read with little to no commitment to the series
* Your "slow burn" preference means the couple have fallen in love and gotten together by 50%
* Intense, brutal patriarchy doing brutal patriarchy things are a sensitive spot for you - or, tread lightly
* Your preferred FMCs are immediately or quickly relatable, and their shoes are comfortable

DO read this if:
* You like wife guys, guard dogs in love, he falls way earlier and way harder
* Morally grey (maybe even morally black) FMCs are your thing
* You like the edge-of-your-seat, I'm-sorry-WHAT?!, type feelings about everything
* You want deliciously painful yearning, cat-and-dog (it'll make sense) toying, "you want me? Maybe I won't," vibes
* "Villain" FMCs before have always felt shallow, way too easily swayed, and/or are tempered by their match (he would NEVER)


Please keep in mind that although ARCs don't often change much, if at all, before publishing: it is possible, and this review is based on pre-released content.

[Readineer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I enjoyed this book very much!

The mixture of African and Mongolian cultures is so interesting! This book is rich with details and different characters, it sucks you in and you are at times afraid of what is going to happen.

We follow Azul, a „bought“ princess with the goal to sell her to a Khan warlord. She is caught in the middle of royal scheming, where one person is more viscous than the other. She is often assaulted, humiliated, they try to poison her, but they don’t know who they are dealing with.

The harem dynamic with different wives of the king made an interesting setting and it set up the story quite well. Azul is alone and unprotected, wherever she turns someone is ploying against her. Only that she is not helpless as she seems. She is a heartless and merciless against her enemies and she is here to play the long game.

Ragnar is a warlord who is instantly enamoured with Azul. He decides to trust her and give her his heart, and even though the odds are against everything, he is still unrelenting in his trust. There don’t really have a lot of interaction within the book and most of the time she doesn’t really care for him or anyone in particular.

And the 🐍! It was one of the cutest characters!

All in all, this story is full of politics and scheming. It is so refreshing to have a different cultural background in a book. The characters felt more real, more tangible.

The book is full of mystery and the plot is slowly revealed with every scheming plot. At 80% I wanted to throw away my kindle but the end was very satisfying. Mostly I didn’t know where the story is going, but at the end most of the lose threads were wrapped up.

I wouldn’t call this romantasy, since there is no real romance happening. For me this is more of a high fantasy book.


*** Thank you Aalisblue for the ARC ***

[Sylvia‎♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

first of all i wanna thank Aalisblue for granting me this arc 😭🫶🏽 i am forever grateful, and now for my review:
i loved the world building in this story, when i first saw the map my jaw was literally left wide opened cause of how beautiful it was.
i loved that that there was artwork in the story, it enhanced my reading experience and kept me excited as i read the book. i love the lore about the gods i'm so sure the name Ukhel has been engrained into my brain atp and Tsenkhinn Narvaal.
the glossary at the back was also extremely helpful with all the titles and meaning for certain words (the amount of times i used it is very important but i don't remember so...)
Azul has got to be my new fav fmc, she's cunning and doesn't give up when she has set her sights on something, she's such a well-written character i cannot wait to see more of her in volume 2
and of course, Ragnar Valthorne the man you are, my new book HUSBAND. the level of obsessed this man is with Azul is *chef's kiss*. he's so in love with her and so pathetic about it too but he's also very respectful😭 the amount of times he had me giggling is concerning
I loved the political intrigue this book gives us, how the hierarchy among the Borjigin and the Warlords worked and even the system among the women of the Borjigin. i absolutely loved watching the women doing things, even if it was small things that were done in the background, i absolutely love how these small things impacted the story so much. i hope to see more of this world in volume 2 (i'm scared af)
i also loved how the author intergrated African and Eurasian culture into the story in a way that felt natural, the vibes were just immaculate dear lord!
i hope that once the book comes out everyone is able to enjoy this book and feel the way i felt while reading it (which is a mix of everything btw) 😭

[bluevioletbb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible first installment. A dark fantasy romance packed with political intrigue, complex characters, and a vast, immersive world, this book completely pulled me in from the start.

One of my favorite aspects was how brilliantly the women are written. This story will make you think twice about ever underestimating a woman. The female characters are calculating, vengeful, clever, strategic, ruthless when necessary, and constantly operating several moves ahead. If you enjoyed some of the powerful, politically savvy women of Game of Thrones, you'll find a lot to love here.

The characters themselves are fascinating even the secondary ones. I especially loved the two main leads, Azul and Ragnar. Ragnar's yearning absolutely pulled at my heartstrings, and the dynamic between them was one of the strongest parts of the story. Nothing is ever quite as it seems, and watching them navigate shifting alliances, conspiracies, and dangerous power struggles kept me invested the entire time.

This is a dense book, though. There were several moments where I had to stop and reread sections to fully grasp everything that was happening. As a result, it took me longer than usual to finish, but I don't consider that a negative. There's a tremendous amount information with this first book about the politics, history, and intrigue woven into the narrative, and it feels like we've only scratched the surface of what's to come.

The world itself is fascinating—it seems like a rich blend of several cultural influences with some of the sprawling complexity and atmosphere that reminded me of Game of Thrones. It feels vast, lived-in, and full of stories yet to be told. I’m hoping to see even more worldbuilding in the coming books.

That said, please pay attention to the content warnings. This is intended for mature readers, and it contains numerous potentially triggering topics. If you're sensitive to darker subject matter, definitely review the warnings before diving in.

Overall, this was an amazing and deeply interesting start to the series. The political maneuvering, the character work and the romance, have me already eager for what is to come in this series.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the e-ARC. This review was left voluntarily.

[Fedy Tsubasa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you SO much to the author for providing the ARC!
Buckle up for a very chaotic review, as I know how I felt about this book, but not how to properly articulate it.


Did I fully understand everything that happened? I hope so?
Did I thoroughly enjoy this read? Absolutely.


This was such a unique book! I was hooked from the Prologue, and found incredibly difficult to put it down (might have read until 3 AM once, whoops).

Never knew what to expect next, and the pacing/way information was provided to the reader at unconventional times made it read a bit like a dark legend unfolding (if that makes any sense to anyone else). Sometimes information was withheld, and you would read weird details that apparently made no sense... Until they did. I wonder how many tiny details that foreshadowed revelations I missed that I would catch with a reread.

The Epigraph at the very beginning sets the tone: Someone wants to record chronicles from the past. Because of this, the fact the narration doesn't have clear POVs at times is quite fitting and helps setting the scene and conveying a more whimsical (?) vibe. It was quite refreshing and atmospheric.

It was politics heavy, with more and more characters you have to keep track of (and thank God for the Glossaries at the end!), which was actually part of the "fun" of this book. And WARNING: This is a dark read, with dark themes and characters, FMC included.
Not Ragnar, our yearning king, though: He's a cinnamon roll. Borji too. Basically Azul has all the Evil Masterplanner braincells among the 3 of them.

So, in conclusion: I do not know how to properly write a review, but I loved this book and I'm tempted to pre-order the beautiful hardcover version.

[4eyed_panda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Aalis Blue for providing me an eARC copy!

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 ALL THE STARS

I am at a loss for words. I am agape, pearls clutched, dk what to do with myself and need book 2 ASAP

This EXCEEDED my expectations, Aalis Blue did a phenomenal job on delivering her story. Could it have been told as straight to the point? NO THIS IS NOT THE TYPE OF BOOK. This was a hell of a journey. It has African and Mongolian world building influences, has layers filled with character tension, HEAVY political intrigue, high stakes, yearning, and emotional damage (this was me personally). You will be invested from the beginning to end. Nothing was predictable. Every chapter you unfold, you'll find yourself reading until 3 am, forget your adult responsibilities, don't know what time is but at least you'll know you're reading a masterpiece.

The FMC Azul is a character I think every girl needs for inspiration. Merciless, intelligent, cunning, and deadly. Reading what she goes through and what she does to get things done, is it questionably moral? Yea but you know what? Good for her, she has my respect. Literally the definition of Hell hath no fury as a woman scorned.

Lord have mercy, Ragna 💕. Despite him being a warlord, that man is grounded and knows boundaries. I think because of that his chemistry with Azul has no force tension or insta love. Just a soft slow burn with yearning which I absolutely adored whenever he talked about or thought about Azul 🥺💕

I do appreciate that the other side characters were given the same treatment to add to the story. I was feeling all types of emotions which is good. I was able to remember every single one of them. I was also mostly mad LOL.

Overall this was a unique read and definitely hit that spot for me for a dark fantasy epic. Can't wait to see more from Aalis Blue 💕

[Mariam ✮⋆˙ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Reader Copy

many thanks to the author to let me read this masterpiece of a book

This isn't just normal dark fantasy, this is about women who were degraded to merely females, their lives depended on whether they are useful to men in bed or not
They are murdered, r*ped and sold for men's enjoyment and benefit.
But one woman rising from the dead, to avenge her death at the hands of her adoptive brother who tried to kill and r*ped her.

She was going to burn the world upside down to get her revenge.

This is the story of Azul of the Borjigin.


This story will forever be carved in my mind
Between Azul's political schemes and getting her revenge on one hand, and Ragnar Valthorne, the warlord who couldn't even fight his feelings for his strong and wicked wife.
This was amazing
Everything was.

The first ARC ever that I found worthy of my time and my love for it

I was expecting a masterpiece and I got one!!

It's a complicated story, with so many characters and a very complicated world building that needs to be completed through the next books.
I love how I just imagined everything happening in an alternative universe in south/west Africa. From language to clothing and costumes. It was just giving this rich culture vibes and I couldn't not think of those parts of the world and their people.
(Though I might be wrong but this is what I imagined while I read the 580 pages book!)

In the end
Who wouldn't love a girl getting revenge on everyone who mistreated her and accused her of being a wh*re and they defended the man when she was actually r*ped?

I loved seeing how she didn't spare a soul who dared to hurt her

[SashasBookHaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know what to expect going into this, but WOW. This story completely blew me away. From the very first page, I was hooked. Easily one of my favorite reads of 2026 so far.

A dark historical romantasy filled with political intrigue, inspired by Eurasia and Africa. The world felt so unique, immersive, and beautifully written that I genuinely could not put it down. There’s still so much mystery surrounding these characters, and I cannot wait to see what Aalis Blue has in store next. I’m also incredibly grateful for the glossary at the end because it was SO helpful. And the illustrations? Absolutely stunning.

Azul is very much portrayed as the villain — as she should be. Honestly, I hope she becomes even more ruthless in the next book. She’s hard and merciless toward everyone around her, yet soft when it comes to her “love.” I will always root for a morally grey female character. Azul is deadly, calculated, and shows no mercy. When she’s trapped in a palace full of scheming people trying to kill her, how else is she supposed to survive if not by learning to play the game too?

And Ragnar… the simp that you are. The Great Khan. My warlord. The man who would burn the world — and himself — for Azul. My newest favorite MMC.

One of my favorite relationships in the story was actually the platonic bond between Azul and Borji. Their loyalty and devotion to one another was beautiful. The way they protected each other without hesitation or question made me emotional, and I honestly wish we got even more of them.

-Marriage of convenience
-Morally Grey Characters
-Political intrigue
-African and Asian Mythology
-Dark historical romantasy
-He falls first
-Touch her and die
-Betrayal

Spice level:
🌶️

[little fox ⋆˚✿˖° · Rating 5 out of 5]

I needed a moment to gather my thoughts because how do I recover after reading this absolute masterpiece?

Everything about this story, the plot, the characters, the writing, was crafted so beautifully that I’m struggling to put my feelings into words. It’s one of those rare reads that completely sweeps you away.

One of the things I loved most is that there isn’t a single “good” character in this story, not in a conventional way. Each person is a villain in their own right, and that complexity made the story even more compelling.

Azul, our main character, is a force to be reckoned with, a cunning, calculated woman navigating the treacherous dynamics of court politics. I absolutely adored her. From the very first page, I was captivated by her intelligence, and just when I thought she couldn’t possibly surprise me further, there she goes. What I loved the most is her self-awareness, what I mean is she knows exactly who she is and fully embraces it, using it to her advantage. A queen if you ask me

And Ragnar OH MY GOD where do I even begin? Our feared warlord, the man everyone dreads, another yearner added to the list 😩 Watching him being completely gone for Azul was actually hilarious in the best way possible, I love this man

The world-building was rich, immersive, and incredibly unique, drawing inspiration from African culture in a way I haven’t encountered before in fantasy. It added so much depth and originality to the story. It honestly feels lacking to put it into words but what I’m trying to say is the author outdid herself. From the characters to the setting, the writing, and even the art! I’m completely obsessed <33

[Tola_bookdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many thanks to the author for an advanced ebook!

This was one of those books where I sat there after finishing, not even sure where to begin. The Devil of Tarsyn Forest seriously did not come to play in what it delivered.

This story builds itself through layers of character, tension, and careful unfolding. It’s not about overwhelming you all at once, but about pulling you in so deeply that by the time you realize it, you’re already completely invested.

Don’t even get me started on our main character, Azul. She’s not written to be soft or easily loved, and that’s exactly what makes her unforgettable. Cunning, deadly, calculating, and fully aware of it. There’s no hesitation in her, no uncertainty, just clear and unapologetic ambition. The way she moves through the story with such precision feels almost unsettling at times, but in the best way. She’s not here to be liked, she’s ALWAYS here to win. And I respected that completely.

And then there’s Ragnar. There’s a restraint to him that sets him apart from other male characters. And that choice, that control makes his presence feel grounded.

Azul and Ragnar’s dynamic isn’t built on imbalance or forced tension. It’s two strong people navigating each other without losing themselves in the process.

The world-building is rich without being overwhelming. The African influences give it a distinct identity that feels refreshing, and every part of it carries weight. The politics move beneath everything intricate ,mess and constantly shaping the story in ways that keep you paying attention.

[Abi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Devil of Tarsyn Forest
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~5 STARS

Thank you to the author for giving me a free e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is a dark fantasy full of political conspiracies, theology and folklore. The whole world and plot felt beautifully unique and rooted so deeply in culture that it felt real. I was in awe of the author's ability to create such a complex world full of gods, creatures and magic

I must say Azul was everything I ever craved in a female main character. She is so special to me, for so many reasons. She is proud, complicated and morally-grey (but the grey is so dark it's basically black). Truly, she was my favourite part of this book and she will always have a special place in my heart from now on.

There was a perfect split between plot and romance. The book started off setting up the very strong foundation for world-building and character backround. Each character that we were introduced to felt so fully fleshed out and complex in their own ways - even if they were not the MCs. And then when we finally started getting to the romance... it was PERFECT.

I ADORED Ragnar. I mean who doesn't love a (lowkey evil) man that YEARNS with his whole body and soul for his wife.

I would definitely say this is a book for someone that enjoys:
- historical fantasy/romantasy/political thriller
- marriage of convenience
- political plots and backstabbing and manipulation
- a pathetically obsessed MMC and his hot evil wife
- morally grey characters!!!
- revenge!! a lot of it

[Lia · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review
​⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️ (Mostly for moderate violence)

​First of all, I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book in advance. 💕

❀࿔˙ॱᐧ.˳˳.⋅ೃ❀ᮬ࿔˙ॱᐧ.˳˳.⋅ॱ˙ೃ❀࿔˙ॱᐧ.˳˳.⋅ೃ❀ᮬ࿔

​I loved how well-written Azul is. She isn't afraid to do "monstrous" things, yet she is wise enough to achieve her goals without lifting a finger, instead, she knowingly provokes her enemies or strategically uses those around her. She understands that court life is full of treachery and despite those wishing for her downfall, she proved to be far more cunning than I initially expected for the first few pages.

​Then there is Ragnar, a powerful MMC who deeply respects his Khatun. I loved their first meeting and his reaction when he discovered Azul's true identity. He didn't hesitate for a second to call her his Khatun (swooning).

​While everyone else are swooning over Azul and Ragnar, I’ll gladly take Borji! 🥰 Even though he only has a few scenes, he is such an incredible character that he quickly wormed his way into my heart. (Hoping he has scenes in the second book)

​Lastly, the lore and world-building were excellent. The story progresses naturally, but the way the lore is revealed kept the opening chapters from ever feeling slow. The level of detail kept me reaching for the next page, and I appreciated the inclusion of a glossary so that the world-building never felt like a "dump" of information.

Can't wait for the second book of this series 💕!

[Vee G · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK WAS DELICIOUS!!! 💥

The world building was AMAZING. Did I fully understand everything that was happening? Not so sure. Did I thoroughly enjoy reading it? HELL YEAH.

AZUL was LETHAL, DEADLY, SMART, MERCILESS, INTELLIGENT and absolutely UNHINGED — AND I LOVED IT!!! I LOVE a good revenge story and seeing a female character who was oppressed, abused, and wronged become the one scheming, plotting, outdoing EVERYONE and literally bringing down an entire kingdom with her intelligence?! GOD, it was SO satisfying to read.

I especially loved that Azul was never presented as anything other than what she truly was. Her intentions were clear from the start, her lethalness stayed consistent throughout the story. She trusted no one, used people for her own agenda, and stayed ten steps ahead of everyone else. IT WAS LOVELY.

Now coming to our lovesick warlord RAGNAR — THIS MAN!!!! This lethal, beautiful, deadly man who is feared by everyone, yet Azul had him wrapped around her finger SO fast. One interaction and this man was willingly submitting himself to her. He walked straight into every trap she set for him, VOLUNTARILY asked her to use him however she pleased, and felt proud when she actually did. GODDDDD their interactions were sizzling. The tension? INSANE.

Book 1 isn’t super romance-focused, but whatever we got between them was RAVISHING and I already need MORE of them together immediately.

GIVE ME BOOK 2 ASAP PLEASE!!!!

[Whispers of ink · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ and more

First off, a huge thank you to Aalisblue for granting me this ARC! I'm so grateful for the opportunity to read it. Now, onto my thoughts!

One of the standout features of this book is its rich theological world and lore. I appreciated how the author unfolds the mystery throughout the story, and I’m eager to explore more in the upcoming installments.

The court intrigue was captivating; while there is some romance, the narrative feels more like a fantasy with romantic elements, which I enjoyed. The political dynamics added depth without overshadowing the main plot.

Azul, the villain, is a fascinating character. She’s clever and manipulative, refusing to be a victim of her circumstances. Her actions are driven by a strong determination, and I admired how she orchestrates events from the shadows.

Ragnar, the main male character, also captured my attention. He’s loyal to Azul, and their interactions are sweet. Initially, their relationship felt transactional, but it quickly developed into something deeper, and I can’t wait to see where their story goes. I already miss them!

If you enjoy morally complex characters, intricate political dramas, and unique cultural inspirations, definitely add this one to your reading list!

I received a free copy from the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicolette · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review

I needed 2-3 business days to recover from that masterpiece 🫣

First of all, that’s a 6 ⭐ read for me, and I can confidently say it’s the best read of 2026 so far. Believe me, I’ve read some really good books this year, but that one consumed me and didn’t even leave the bones 🤣

Our FMC - Azul; God, I love that woman - her conspiracies, her cruelty, her vengeance, her revenge, and her mind. That’s the perfect example of feminine rage we all look for, and the author did a great job with it. I couldn’t put that book down; I craved more of her moves and was intrigued until the end to see how her plans would unfold.

Then we have our MMC - Ragnar, the man he is 😏 I love powerful men who know how to worship their women, treat them as equals, and maybe be a little terrified of them too 🤣

This couple embodies power. I need more of them, more of this world.

I fell in love with the universe, as if my imagination was unlocked - seeing colors and places, something I don’t experience often. Usually, when I read, I just accept all the descriptions as facts, but truly imagining the places, worlds, and buildings only happens with these 6-star reads. After Alchemised last year, I thought no book could match that level, but the author here proved me wrong.

I’m very grateful for the opportunity to read this masterpiece as an ARC. I’ll be recommending it to everyone, and I’m planning to buy every available edition of it. Goodbye July salary 🤣

[Ella Stainwright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5⭐️
This is BY FAR the best ARC I have ever read and I am so so grateful I was given the opportunity to read this early. Except now I have to wait even longer until book two.
Azul is the FMC I have always wanted to read but have never found: morally great from the very beginning, and smarter than almost any others I have seen written. Did the betrayals she committed make me furious with her: yes. Do I love her anyway? 100%.
Then there was Ragnar. His level of yearning was SPECTACULAR. I loved him so much, and I loved how much respect he had for Azul. Same goes for Borji. I wish he had told Azul they met before so I could see that interaction, but I’ll live. I loved their relationship and how vehemently they protected each other.
And of course there was the revenge. Which was perfect - everyone who needed to die, died. Somadina’s death felt like such a relief, and I loved the way Azul tore the harem apart from within.
This book MUST be read and then re-read and then recommended to everyone you know. The only thing that holds me back from giving it 5 stars is the confusion over the multiple names each character had - it completely threw me off for the first 70% of the book. Worth it though!