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.

Genres: Romantasy, Fantasy, Romance

Hardcover

Expected publication July 1, 2026

Reviews

[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🌱

[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!!!

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

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

[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.

[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.

[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 ***

[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

[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.

[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 💕!

[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!

[Cover to Cover Fantasy Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things I loved about this book! Azul could have easily been written as a tragic damsel. Her journey is lonely, full of treachery and surrounded by death. She does not wait for her Knight in shining armor, she creates opportunity where there is none. In a world that sees her as nothing more than a pawn, Azul utilizes every thing (and everyone) at her disposal to become untouchable. I have so much love for her and respect for her brilliance.

Ragnar is my favorite kind of MMC; notoriously deadly and feared, but also a lover boy who values loyalty. I love that their romance isn’t the central plot of the story. Their admiration and affection is earned over the course of a slowwwww burn, that is absolutely worth every second of agony.

This book is filled with schemes, twists, conspiricies and secrets that will keep you on your toes until the very last sentence. Aalish has created a world that feels so real and tangible and I loved getting lost in it. I can not wait to read the rest of this series!

[AJM · Rating 5 out of 5]

After seeing all the beautiful art for this book I was extremely excited to get into this and it did not disappoint!

The lore, world, and characters are all so vivid and complex it is addicting to read the intricate and detailed descriptions and follow along with the characters.

It played out like a movie in my head and I was deeply invested in the romance. This has some of the best yearning I've ever read and I cannot wait to see these two characters together as the series goes on!

The descriptions really are my favourite part about this book as I really enjoyed learning and seeing the atmospheric setting as well as delving into the culture and religion.

This is more than just the romance, it is a rich and intense fantasy world with incredible world building and character complexity. There is history, court intruge and loads of different political dynamics. Ragnar and Azul complement each other perfectly! I can tell they're going to be a power couple 🤭

Absolutely loved this 5 🌟

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just wanna start by shouting my thanks to the wonderful author for allowing me to arc read this! Thank you so much, I am in awe of your brain! (In the most non weird way😂)

Ahhhhhhh! I can tell you I've never read the likes of this masterpiece, and I probably won't again. At least till its 2nd.
It dropped in my inbox and I could not. Put. It. Down! I pushed my bedtime way past the point I should've and binged.

Azul is so powerful. That refusal to give them anything, the power plays, the absolute genius? 👏

That first meeting? Perfect! The slow, 'I need you to survive but I definitely don't like it' vibes. Immaculate!

Ragnar was down bad and I was right there with him. Azul acting like she isn't affected by him? Friggin stellar! I cannot wait to see what happens with them.

Political intrigue, backstabbing, plotting. My goodness I feel like I was fed so well on this book I just cannot stop thinking about it. Well done. Just. All my applause.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, thank you so much, Aalis Blue, for sending me the ARC! Saying I enjoyed this book is truly an understatement. The planning and plotting were exquisite—written with the same elegance and power as the Khatun of Valthorne herself.

I completely fell in love with Azul. She is beautifully merciless, fierce when needed, embodying grace, strength, and authority in a way that makes her such a compelling female lead. She represents everything we love to see in powerful women characters.

And Ragnar, the Khan of Valthorne—he was everything. The yearning, the intensity… just perfect.

I loved every moment of their story and cannot wait for book two to see more of them together. Highly recommend this read!

[Hijab Hassan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Aalis Blue for the e-ARC.

What a book! This is my second 6 star read of the year!

I picked this up because the art immediately caught my eye, but the story is what completely swept me away. The Devil of Tarsyn Forest feels lush, dangerous, and deeply immersive, with beautiful prose that carries both elegance and brutality in equal measure. The writing has a mythic, almost hypnotic quality, but it never loses its sharpness, and that made the political intrigue even more gripping. I loved how the schemes unfolded gradually, how the layers kept tightening without ever feeling confusing, and how the story trusted the reader to sit inside its tension rather than explaining everything too easily.

Azul absolutely owned this book for me. She feels ethereal and devastating at once, the kind of villainess who is not just called ruthless but truly earns that label through every deliberate, logical, and brutal choice she makes.

Ragnar Valthorne was just as compelling in a different way, bringing intensity, yearning, and real strength to the story while still feeling like a fully realised character outside of his dynamic with Azul. Their relationship was one of my favourite parts because it felt dangerous, powerful, and addictive without overshadowing the rest of the plot. I also really appreciated how memorable the side characters felt, because even beyond the central pair, the cast still carried weight and presence. The worldbuilding added even more to the experience, especially with the gods, djinn, and strange creatures woven into the story in a way that felt vivid rather than decorative.

What I loved most is that this book fully commits to its darkness, ambition, and emotional intensity. The revenge is satisfying, the politics are multilayered, and the atmosphere feels full of danger at every turn.

This is perfect for readers who love dark political romantasy, villain x villain dynamics, marriage of convenience, morally gray characters, and female leads who are as cunning as they are destructive.

My rating: 6/5 stars.

[Andrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc review

The yearning, the politics and not to mention Azul’s intelligence.

When the main character is absolutely evil, and you love her for it. She's absolutely unapologetic for being vile. And I was glad seeing as she didn't changed who she was.

Then there's Ragnar whenever he came on screen in the book, whenever he looked at Azul, I always imagined flowers in her background. He was so smitten, I almost bit my hand out of his love for her.

The politics too were intriguing to read, because you never know what could ever come next.

[Grem Reeds · Rating 4 out of 5]

My full review for The Devil of Tarsyn Forest will be available closer to release!

⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4.25)

This ARC was freely provided to me by the author via Netgalley - thank you!
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.

The Devil of Tarsyn Forest has a planned publication date of July 1, 2026!

[NightReadsRomantasy · Rating 5 out of 5]

⚕⚕️𓆗 A book for the lovers of downright manipulative, badass FMC’s ⚕⚕️𓆗

Azul is such a freaking BADASS. Ragnar too (he’s so smitten XD). I loved, loved, loved reading The Devil Of Tasryn Forest. It was SO SATISFYING. I’m normally touchy about not much spice but the YEARNING by FAR makes up for it in this book (and we’ve been promised book 2 spice XD). I’m so used to reading first person. This was kinda a shock for me NGL XD, I had to readjust to 3rd person for a chapter or two. The political manipulation was 10/10 on Azul’s side (and frankly I just love the fact she gets a giant whole ass snake. Who doesn't want a giant magic snake?). Love, love, loved, and I AM AWAITING BOOK 2 with vast impatience (no pressure Aalis lol, take your time).

[Logan Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was very good once you got through the first few chapters. It started off kind of confusing and I had to reread it to figure out where I was at. Once I figured that out. It was very good! Thank you to the author for the ARC read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Sofia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly beautiful masterpiece. The plot that keeps surprising, the earning, the honesty of human nature. Read it in a day because I could not put it down. Cannot wait for the second book.

[Asma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will be back tomorrow to write a thorough review but that was just so good. I’m speechless, Azul and Ragnar I love you both.