Seasons of War

The Unbroken Saga #1

by Lindsay French

Sergeant Zayne Riven was born to take his father's place as the emperor's right hand man, and he intends to use that power to destroy the regime from within. Trapped inside the corrupt regime he wishes to destroy, Zayne plays loyal war hero while secretly fighting both sides of the war. He is determined to rise to the top and destroy the emperor, even if it means destroying his soul along the way. That is until one political prisoner shatters all of his plans. The emperor has captured the rebel woman Zayne once secretly saved. The woman he could never stop thinking about. And now Zayne has been ordered to break her spirit and use her to crush the uprising.

Kira Stiles is a true revolutionary. She papers alleyways with forbidden news and hijacks the emperor's magi-tech to write messages of rebellion across the sky. And she would die a thousand deaths before helping the emperor destroy the rebels. Captivity will not break her, not even at the hands of the grumpy and brooding Sergeant Riven. But as her imprisonment stretches on, Kira begins to suspect that the infamous war hero Zayne Riven may not the heartless loyalist he seems. He may secretly be as dangerous to the emperor as she is.

Zayne faces an impossible choice. Her life or the fate of the entire rebellion.

Genres: Dystopia, Fantasy, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Dark, Romance

631 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 21, 2026

About the author

Lindsay French lives is the author of the Eclipse series. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and one of the world's cutest dogs. When she isn't trying to convince her middle school students to fall in love with reading, she's writing twisty science fiction and fantasy. There are few things she loves more than exploring complex characters, dynamic action, and unforgettable adventures.

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Reviews

[Abbie]

dnf at 46%
this book is so long and i feel like nothing is happening. im not connected to the characters at all, and the writing feels quite juvenile which is just taking me out of the story and i don’t want to continue reading.

thank you to the author for the arc but sadly this book is not for me.

[Sarah]

Thank you to Lindsay French for this advanced copy. I wanted to really like this but I just couldn’t get through it. It’s very long and I just had a hard time connecting to it and wanting to keep reading. I am DNFing at 30%.

[Tsuki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was, without a doubt, one of my favorite reading experiences of 2026. Definitely my #1 not-fantasy fiction read, as well.

The world Lindsay built in this book captures this amazing dissonance between the comforts of a home, a loving mother, a beautiful estate…all enabled on the bones of the “adversary,” which is this case is “basically everyone who isn’t committed to serving, worshipping, and obeying the Phaedra” (one of several genuinely unnerving antagonists in the story).

Throughout the book, we follow three POVs: Zayne, Kira, and Miya. Through them we see the utter chaos and destruction that is war, the terror of daring to defy what can only be described as a monster’s desperate need to maintain power (a couple of monsters, actually. I adored that we get to see the scrabbling for scraps and what that can drive people to, even though many of those scenes were extremely dark), and the not-so-quiet hope rebellion kindles in people on both sides of the battlefield. We also see how that hope transforms people. How it wraps its tentative fingers around the hearts of people who open their hearts a crack. How it fuels them, encourages them, comforts them, despite all they are made witness and party to.

I went from gigging and kicking my feet, smiling from ear to ear, to outright sobbing, to gritting my teeth through the tension you could cut with a knife… and then back again several times throughout the book.
It’s been a long time since I sneered with absolute revulsion at a character in media, or feeling my chest tighten in fear for a character, but Lindsay’s ability to build these incredibly compelling characters is absolute top tier. I HATE some of them. I ADORE others, including several side characters who I am anxious to see more of in the next installment. This was a solid 5/5 for me, and I’m so thankful I was allowed to be an advanced reader for this book!

[Bakingbookdragon (Kinsey)]

This just wasn’t the book for me. There were multiple POVs, but instead of making me fall in love with different characters, I was just left feeling a little “meh” about all of them. I DNF’d this at almost 50%. There were moments I loved, but given the size of this ARC and the amount of other ARCs I have to read, I just don’t have the time or desire to push through a book that hasn’t grabbed me by the halfway point.

Kira was a good FMC. She didn’t feel whiny despite having the circumstances in life that would validate her being whiny. Zayne’s story felt like something I had already read. He’s the bad guy, who is secretly good and working against his family and the current ruler. The Phaedra was giving me Nazi vibes especially with the reprogramming/torture moments. I didn’t stick around long enough to see how the ending brings it all together, so I can’t say how all the bits and pieces fit.

This just wasn’t a story that fit what I want right now. Maybe I will retry it later.

Thank you Lindsay French and IRIS for the eARC. These are my honest opinions.

[Megan Pursifull-Dettone · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC Review:

The first installment in The Unbroken Saga and also my first dystopian romance.

⭐️ 5/5 for emotional tension, conflicted characters, and a war-torn dystopian atmosphere
🌶️ 0/5 spice

Favorite Quote:
“Find an ounce of joy in your life and protect it at all costs because that’s what wins wars. That’s what keeps you alive and human.”

This book was an emotional roller coaster from start to finish. The author herself warned readers that she “took it easy” on us for the first half and honestly… she was absolutely right.

The story throws you directly into a world shaped by war, rebellion, fear, and survival. There are multiple character perspectives, but the heart of the story centers around Zayne Riven and Kira Stiles.

Zayne is very much a grumpy sunshine MMC, forced to play the role of the loyal soldier while secretly working against the regime from within. As the High General’s son, he’s trapped between duty and conscience, all while trying to protect Kira from the shadows.

Kira, meanwhile, is determined to fight back against the system no matter the cost. She’s fierce, emotional, stubborn, and refuses to stop pushing against the walls Zayne has built around himself. Their relationship is full of mistrust, yearning, banter, impossible choices, and the painful realization that some people feel dangerous to love.

The side characters also make this world feel alive, you genuinely feel like you’ve been dropped into the middle of a war zone where no one is guaranteed safety.

The romance unfolds through stolen moments, witty banter, terrible pickup attempts, and deeply emotional conversations. Even without spice, the tension and emotional connection hit incredibly hard.

And yes, there’s also a cat named Pumpkin ♥️

This is the kind of story that keeps you glued to the pages, desperate to know what happens next while hoping certain villains get exactly what’s coming to them.

Just remember:

HE LIES.
SEIEZE YOUR LIFE
FIGHT

[Melissa Mejia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of receiving this as an e-ARC and voluntarily will be giving my honest review. I have to say this was a long book and it took more time to read than normal as there is a lot of world building and a lot of information to keep straight! This book made me cry and left me emotionally devastated and wanting to see what is next in book 2!! There are some rough tropics that you should really read your triggers as this talks and war and torture.

“Sergeant Zayne Riven was born to take his father's place as the emperor's right hand man, but he has plans of his own. Trapped inside the corrupt regime he wishes to dismantle, Zayne plays loyal war hero while secretly fighting both sides of the war. He is determined to rise to the top and destroy the emperor, even if it means destroying his soul along the way. That is until one political prisoner shatters all of his plans. The emperor has captured the rebel woman Zayne once secretly saved. The woman he could never stop thinking about. And now Zayne has been ordered to break her spirit and use her to crush the uprising.

Kira Stiles is a true revolutionary. She papers alleyways with forbidden news and hijacks the emperor's magi-tech to write messages of rebellion across the sky. And she would die a thousand deaths before helping the emperor destroy the rebels. Captivity will not break her, not even at the hands of the grumpy and brooding Sergeant Riven. But as her imprisonment stretches on, Kira begins to suspect that the infamous war hero Zayne Riven may not the heartless loyalist he seems. He may secretly be as dangerous to the emperor as she is.

Zayne faces an impossible choice. Her life or the fate of the entire rebellion.”

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This book was a hard one for me to get through if I am being honest and I don't want this to come across as a negative review because, it truly is not meant to be negative. The storyline was good. I just felt that the pacing of it was very slow. And, kind of had a 1 step forward 2 steps back way about it. I feel it could've been shorten a little. But, this is only book 1 so that may be the reason for it to be paced the way it was.

I really connected with Kira, Zayne, Miya and Adelle. They're fighters, strong and all rebellious. I was cheering them on the whole time. Kira & Zayne's storyline is a true SLOW burn Enemies-to-Lovers. So much tension between them! There were also the devastating moments that happened in the book that really broke my heart but then there were moments that really mad me angry and had me wanting to throat punch them.

This book has multi POV. From Kira, Zayne, Luke & Miya but, they were also kind of written in 3rd person POV which really threw me off. And had me going back to re-read certain lines cuz I was confused.

I still rated this a 4 star read though because, I did enjoy the storyline all in all minus the pacing of it. And, I do look forward to reading the next one because, of course it did leave off on a cliffhanger and I need to know how it ends. Because, after all the emotional damage moments in this story I need to finish the journey.

If you enjoy:

⭐️Grumpy x Sunshine
⭐️Dark Dystopian Romance
⭐️Enemies-to-lovers
⭐️Ultra Slowburn
⭐️Forced Proximity
⭐️Touch her & 💀

The this book is for you.

[Dharika]

Thank you Lindsay French for trusting me with your book!!

But sadly the book wasn't for me!!
I really tried to push through the book but it wasn't working for me....

● Firstly, I wasn't able to relate or be one with the main characters may be I dnf'd too early so I cant say that...but then too it was like I am reading them just as characters and not the main lead!!

● The context of the story is really good, it has dystopia, it has action, betrayal, loneliness, secrets but I wasn't able to connect to the main characters....it felt like they were just one of the general characters.

● Secondly, the scenes, I just didn't understand the some scenes or the scenarios in the story where the scenes are happening or the world after post apocalypse!!!

● and ofc, the diff povs are welcome but when there's no info about the characters povs you are jumping into ( not even a Lil bit) then it becomes confusing as hell!!
I am still confused about Miya's character and her pov.

● One of the most thing which confused me were the diff characters and theor location, I didn't know which character belonged from where? Or what position they entail?

So yes, it was a no for me!!
It just didn't keep me interested!
If the execution or writing had been done better, this book really had potential!!

[K.B. Mallows · Rating 5 out of 5]

5⭐️ I knew at 25% in to this book that it was likely going to be a 5⭐️ read for me. I fear that there are many readers who will see "dystopian romance" and will go into this book with expectations that aren't going to be met, at least not in the typical sense.

This story is going to challenge you to think deeper about difficult scenarios and topics, and complicated relationship dynamics. It's going to ask MORE of you, all wrapped up in a style of writing that can sometimes feel a bit clinical, but is heavy with meaning. Additionally, the story format is unusual; it's multi-POV and alternates occasionally between current time and events that happened three years ago. Unfortunately, I think many readers of this genre will not have the patience to give this book the time they'll need to realize how masterful the story is.

This story took a piece of my soul with it at the end of that last chapter.

It reminds me of the great literary books I've read throughout my life where the underlying message was so profound that it challenged me, changed me, and lingered with me long after the last page - made me think about humanity and human dignity, the strength of the human spirit to remain unbroken and the power of love in overcoming the greatest adversaries.

Seasons of War is literally "seasons of war." You will experience the physical challenges these characters face from each ends of this brutal war, but also the struggles in the sense of the war they wage within themselves and their place in this terrible world that requires you give up your humanity in order to survive.

The author shows profound understanding of human suffering and the resiliency of the human spirit. I LIVED for Kira and Zayne's chapters, especially Zayne's. He is such a complex MMC, and my heart broke for him so many times throughout this book - for what he has endured, learning early on how love can be used as a weapon, and the painfully slow growth he showed throughout toward opening himself up to Kira, his political prisoner.

Their romance, which begins with a kiss as strangers on a rooftop three years before the current events, is tragic, beautiful and all-consuming. I loved this being the focal point, and it's such a true, fascinating concept - how one seemingly insignificant moment in time becomes so significant to two people that it changes the trajectory of whom they will eventually become.

These characters are all multi-layered and well-developed, even the villains. I especially loved the juxtaposition of the FMC Kira's personality, how she could be soft and compassionate but firece and brave all at once. The Phaedra is a worthy villain, and how he bends people to his will is both terrifying and fascinating.

There were so many other "villains" in this story who I found myself - after understanding what drove them - not entirely able to see them as full villains but victims of circumstance. I think this speaks to the power of the author's writing that she is able to lead a reader to recognize even the humanity in people who've been forced to make themselves into monsters.

There was an unexpected theme in this book - the power of mother's across opposite ends of the war. Kira's rebel mother, despite them being separated, inspired her fighting spirit, while Zayne's mother Adelle, trapped in a life as the wife of the High General to a violent regimen, secretly instilled the same values in Zayne.

It was Adelle's character that had the most devastating affect on me, and I will never get over her "Yes. Be happy, baby," line to Zayne, knowing both his and her emotional turmoil. If you are a mother, her plight and heartache for her children should resonate with you.

Chapter 67 emotionally devastated me. I was sitting on the edge of my seat, biting my nails, a ball of dread in my stomach, ready to throw my Kindle. Emotional devastation is solidly 100% in this book; do not go into it lightly.

This author will not sugar coat this story for you. War is ugly, messy, and fueled by the blood of the innocent. It can tear people apart and bring them together. No one is safe in war; it will wreck you physically and emotionally. And this book has the power to do that too if you let it.

This book is for you if you want to feel all the emotions and you want to be challenged; if you're okay with being reminded that love can just as easily be a tool for devastation as it can be for salvation, and that there are no true winners in war despite the outcome, only survivors.

Thank you to the author for sharing an advanced reader copy of this book with me. This review is my honest opinion, and I'm leaving it voluntarily.

[MissJLovesReading · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was just not for me, unfortunately. It was definitely not what I expected from the blurb. I expected a fantasy, which it absolutely is, but it ended up being a lot more in-depth than that. I found many of the chapters of the book slow and difficult to get through. I enjoyed the scenes where the FMC and MMC are together, especially when they have to tred carefully with every word and action, because there are eyes constantly assessing and judging them.

I found myself having to stop and think about why the main characters were acting, or speaking, in certain ways, wondering what their intent was and how they were trying to handle and manipulate the situation to keep each other safe, while fighting their feelings for one another. But when I say this is a slow-burn, it is one hundred year old tortoise slow. Which is great for many readers, but I need more pay-off in the romance department, which may just be a yearning for the characters to finally get together, because I immediately thought the two main characters would be so cute as a couple if they could get their circumstances to align. But it's a definite Romeo and Juliet situation.

I also enjoyed the aspect of fighting a controlling ruler from within his own team, and fighting the patriarchy, whether carefully or by joining rebellions. What I really didn't enjoy, however, was the chapters where the POV jumped to another character, other than the FMC and MMC.

Just as I was finding my groove with their stories and conversations, I would be yanked out to another female character, who to me, was a side character at best, and a confusing distraction at worst. I found myself constantly questioning why we even had POVs from her, they just felt unnecessary and quite boring, which made me feel like I had to turn the reading into a bit of a slog until I got back into the POV of the two main characters. It felt like whilst the author may have wanted the information from the side characters POVs in the book, I feel like that same information could have been included in other ways, without constantly jumping back into her own head. It just felt very jarring each time, shaking my foundation the rest of the book was grounding me in.

I also feel like because of these chapters, we readers missed out on other conversations, scenes and interactions between the two main characters, as well as their own swirling thoughts and feelings as we progressed through the book and deeper into the chaos, which would have allowed us to gain further insight into them as individuals and together.

Whilst I'm sure some people may enjoy as dystopian, fantasy with intense world-building and constant moving POVs, it just unfortunately was a book that I had to force myself to pick up, and when a book becomes a chore, it's hard to come back from. I appreciate the hard work the author put into it, however, and the intense planning it would have required.

Tropes:
-second-chance romance
-hidden identity
-protective MMC
-commander/high-up military MMC working to dismantle his ruler from the inside
-controlling leader of the land
-rebellions
-interesting magic system
-difficult family dynamics
-head vs heart
-duty vs want
-hidden conversations
-loveless relationships/relationships of convenience and duty
-difficult sibling bonds
-military

This book was generously provided to me as an e-arc as thanks for an honest review. All thoughts are my own.

[Anita · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Revolution is won in our spirit.” Her heart quickened beneath his unshifting stare, especially because she couldn't see his eyes. “We all grew up in war. We know fighting and survival. We need to learn to live.”'

Seasons of War by Lindsay French an chance encounter that left memories 3 years earlier, Zayne Riven a high ranked Officer is placed in a position he never wanted to happen. Kira Stiles is a revolutionist fighting against the regime Zayne is a part of. He is sent to guard her as a prisoner. But Zayne wears several faces. He is working within the regime to take it down from the inside, all while playing a dangerous chess match with the Phaedra.

“I'm a poison you'll beg to drink.”

All the characters are moved around a board none of them see clearly. Each of them have to grow and adapt as information is gained. Although they can't control everything, especially feelings they have from years of running, hiding, war and abuse. Each wears masks they've been forced into. The true test being when it's time to remove them, to actually allow themselves hope and love. Believing is a core theme throughout this book and its characters. Belief in themselves, in others, in a better world for everyone no matter the risks.

"I am death. And you are life."

I mean come on... the tension and heat in between these souls. Fighting for hope, for freedom. The sacrifices they'll make, the ones they already have. Throw in a slutty little shirt and you have all the makings of a slow burn, love story for the ages. There's not just love interests at play with the tension. Relationships from many places play into the difficult situations throughout. Showing that war isn't just about good and bad, right or wrong, but about all the morally grey in between and the fallout from those choices.

"She was his war."

The fight and action scenes are also amazing. You can see them play out in your mind the way they would on a big screen. Then there's the chapter that should not be named. As much action as there is, as much tension, fight and love, there is also pure devastation in the best ways. This is a 5☆, must read dystopian thrill ride, with a little romance.

I want to thank the author for allowing me to be an early part of this book's journey and for trusting my opinions of it. I can't wait for book 2!

[Scarlet Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raise your hand if you have been personally victimized by Lindsay French. 🙋🏼‍♀️ except that emoji is far too cheerful for the likes of this story. This book is devastating, traumatic, I wanted to throw my kindle at the wall at one point, I feel defeated, but hopeful, at the same time, like can anything go fully right just ONCE?! Please?? This hurts!! The Phaedra, he’s cunning, and ruthless, and I want him to die a slow horrific death, and I picture him as David Tennant for some reason. The way he speaks and thinks, the facial expressions I see when I read him masterfully manipulate, idk he just fits. The twist?! Blindsided me. Never thought that would happen.

Zayne is the general’s son and being groomed to be the next high general for the emperor. Kira is a revolutionary working to undermine the emperor’s power, Phaedra, with peaceful acts of rebellion for a network of Followers. Zayne has been secretly protecting and helping her for years, until he is ordered to take her as his prisoner and use her to root out the rebellion pockets by any means necessary. Miya is a marked woman and spy, running from the shackles of her former life, using her position to uncover secrets from her clients. Luke is Zayne’s brother, and while Zayne has no desire for the position of high general, Luke dreams of it, and the prestige of being the Phaedra’s most trusted and loyal guard dog.

Torture, mass murder, PTSD, war, imprisonment, mental reprogramming, forced proximity, slooooowwwwest of burns, hidden identities, loyalists and traitors, political manipulation. This story is DARK, and right now I can only see a speck of light at the end of the tunnel. Imagine Mockingjay capture and torture and brainwashing but like infinity times worse, that’s this. Five stars.

[Summer Seeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

I am emotionally devastated! In a book with so many ups and downs, so many smalls hurts and large scale tragedies, the ending of this book left me broken and desperate for part two. I think Lindsay may in fact enjoy our suffering…

However, this THICK boi is about war and the continued fight. It’s about never giving up and persevering even when it all hope feels lost. Despite the emotional turmoil I am currently experiencing, I can appreciate the message that prevails through even the darkest moments: Survive. Fight. Live.

While I loved our main characters Kira and Zayne - their chemistry and banter are top tier - it is the secondary characters that really stole my heart. Miya and Lance have some of my favorite moments in the book. The way that Lance takes the verbal attacks and steadfastly stands by Miya’s side despite her attempts to push him away is absolutely everything. He’s good and kind and, honestly, my kind of man. I have not seen nearly enough appreciation for the two of them.

I really enjoyed Seasons of War. Despite the length of the book, and how incredibly upsetting parts were, I found it to be a very compelling read. It held on to my attention, none of it feeling unnecessary. There is a lot of darkness in this book, but there are also so many fun and lighthearted moments sprinkled throughout, showing us that there can be good even in the worst of time.

Thank you to the author for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

[Gloria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Season of Wars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Season of Wars reminded me exactly why I’ll never get tired of a good slow burn.
Set in a dark dystopian world, this story is packed with enemies to lovers, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, a rebel prisoner, and all the “touch her and die” tension I could ask for. But what really made this one stand out was watching Zayne and Kira slowly break down each other’s walls.
Every moment felt earned, and by the end, I was completely invested in their story.
If slow burns are your thing, don’t sleep on this one.

Español: Season of Wars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Season of Wars me recordó exactamente por qué nunca me voy a cansar de un buen slow burn. Ambientado en un mundo distópico y oscuro, esta historia tiene enemigos a amantes, proximidad forzada, grumpy x sunshine, una prisionera rebelde y toda la tensión de “touch her and die” que tanto disfruto. Pero lo que realmente hizo especial este libro fue ver cómo Zayne y Kira fueron derribando poco a poco las barreras entre ellos.
Cada momento se sintió merecido y, al terminar, estaba completamente enamorada de su historia.Si eres fan de los slow burns, este no puede faltar en tu TBR.

[Kelsea Wolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about emotional damage 😅 I think this is the hardest I’ve cried over a book so far in 2026

Seasons of War is a dark dystopian military romance. We get multiple character POVs and a bit of a non linear timeline with occasional flashbacks.

Our MMC Zayne serves the Phaedra (emperor) and is the son of the High General. Our FMC Kira is the daughter of a high profile rebel who has been taken prisoner to force her mother to give information to the empire. We also follow the POV of Miya, a spy working in one of the few countries not currently at war.

This is a chonky book - over 600 pages and it covers some really heavy themes - so I suggest checking triggers and being in a good head space when reading. I could have used a few more happy moments to balance out all the heavy - but I still really enjoyed this story. The book ends on a big cliffhanger and I need book two immediately!

Thank you to Lindsay French and IRIS Influencer Society for the gifted eARC!

[Samantha Powell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a hefty one. Don’t go in expecting sunshine and rainbows. There is a lot of political scheming and heartbreak. I highly recommend starting this when you can focus and really pay attention to the political structure otherwise it can get a bit overwhelming.

Overall I enjoyed the book. The characters were complex, there was good banter, they had deep backstories and there was a good balance of likable/hateable characters. I have a hard time connecting with side characters so I was less excited to read Miya and Luke’s POVs but Miya’s journey did surprise me in the end.

I am looking forward to seeing how this plot line progresses and hoping for a little bit of better luck for these characters in the next book.

Thank you to the author for allowing me to read this as an advanced reader.

[Sara-Jane Keenan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is set in a dark dystopian world, filled with war, rebellion, devastation and survival.

I enjoyed the romance between Kira and Zayne. On opposite sides of the war, their romance should be forbidden. It gave me total futuristic Romeo and Juliet vibes and was slow burn.

I’m always happy when there’s a cat, so I appreciated Pumpkin.

The author created a detailed dystopian world with interesting characters. I enjoyed the multiple points of view. This was a big chunky book though and unfortunately, it was a little too long for me. I enjoyed the overall concept but I would have preferred it to be half the size. I did find myself losing concentration a little bit, as it was slower paced than I enjoy. It is well written and thought out, it was just not for me in the end.

Overall, I rate this 3⭐️

[Karen Vela · Rating 5 out of 5]

He catches her launching a drone delivering the message:
He lies
Seize your life
Fight (this gets added later on)
He helps her get away from his military squad actively hunting her down. As payment he gets a kiss he can’t get over. They meet three years later now in the vicinity of captor and prisoner. She doesn’t know he’s the man who saved her because he was masked during their one and only intimate time. Unknowingly, he reveals who he is with veiled threats (warnings), growls (self-preservation), phones-a-friend (with him lurking in the background) when she needs help. He may be the poison to her, but she is his anecdote. The shared trauma (in different time lines), prolonged excruciating SLOW burn, plenty of FUBAR situations, and a cast of complex in-desperate-need-of-therapy gray-almost-black characters. Fair warning: this will cause heart palpitations, emotional damage, and red haze vision. This is a story full of rage, societal oppression by a domineering political system with a paranoid god complex ruler at the helm who looks like Goliath, stabby moments, and strong female badass characters with multiple storylines. Hold onto your seats this is going to be a bumpy ride, for this story is just getting started with a second unnamed book TBA on the docket.

- reluctant captor and prisoner
- found family
- a son resistant on following in his father’s footsteps. Heavy on the sins of a father motif
- overbearing family expectations and obligations
- sibling rivalry and deep seated resentment
- sovereign tyranny and oppression in the name of a ruler with a god-complex
- hidden identities (lost princess, rebel warrior in the Phaedra’s ranks)
- pining yearning with a protracted slow burn
- morally gray MMC who undergoes a dramatic character arc transformation (real growth)
- plenty of FUBAR situations setting up for an epic conclusion (TBA) where justice is best served cold
- 3rd person POV (not my favorite but it works with this multiple storyline structure format)
- reads like a movie script

Favorite quotes
“I'm a poison you'll beg to drink.” “Play along until you inevitably give in to me. You have no idea what I could do to you without anyone knowing.” - Z (threat)

I meant it when I said I'm a poison you'll drink, not because you're a fool, but because you're a good person. I needed you to see me as cruel to avoid something more dangerous. - Z (warning)

“He's convinced his love is a poison. He can't allow himself to feel it.” A poison. That word kept taking on new layers of meaning with Zayne. - Adelle (act of self preservation)

“I wear his uniform. I'm branded with his double seals. My father is his right-hand. I'll be his right-hand one day. Don't trust me. Don't rely on me. Don't let me in, even if I try to get close. If I take one step toward you out there where everyone can see then run, because it's not me. It's the Phaedra.” - Z

You're the fucking victim in all of this. My victim. Do not say sorry to me. You've done nothing wrong. Nothing.” - Z

“You are the revolution. I don't know how to win this war, but I know if I watch you die—if I kill you—I've already lost.” - Z

“You told me to find an ounce of joy and protect it with all I have,” Zayne whispered. “That's what I'm doing.”

“You said I wouldn't want to kiss you if I knew you.” More breath against his lips. More of her. “You've never been more wrong in your life.” - K

Zayne lifted that little bud between his fingers into her line of sight. “She told me to never crush the sprouts of the first flowers. Soon, buds will break on all the trees, and it won't be alone.”

“You're a kindred spirit. I think we were born to meet.” - Adelle says to K

Gray fingers. “Yes,” the Phaedra said. “A blood sacrifice.” Red puddles.

“This all keeps moving without us. God has the universe, but we only have this. Who would care if it blinked out?”That’s all the world remembers because mankind is the god of history.” - Phaedra

[Shieeld · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m sorry, the real villain in this book is the author because why are these characters not having ONE SINGLE happy day??? Give them a break 😭

I’m enjoying dystopian novels more and more, and I’m starting to think that I actually love the genre and I need more of it.

I liked “Seasons of war” very much. From the very rich world building to the intrigue, different plot lines, and crazy villains, I had fun with this book, and I’m excited for what’s coming next, especially after how things ended.

The story was raw and heart wrenching. It’s dystopian but it’s not very far from our real world, which is heartbreaking in and of itself. That’s what I really like about the genre (same with fantasy), it’s gonna paint a world that’s so different yet so similar, and let you think about where you stand in yours. The villains are always obvious in books, it’s up to us to see who they are in real life.

If you read this book and can’t see the similarities with real life, read it again.

Going back to my review, I know that some people don’t like multiple POVs but I personally like them. I enjoyed both plot lines and I’m curious to see where things are going to go and how they will merge in the future.

The political plot is very heavy and interesting, and I admit that I got very confused at the beginning, especially with the back and forth. It got better and by the end, I’m happy to report that I understood everything. I like complicated plots so I won’t complain even if I don’t get everything from the get go.

But we need a map please 🙏

I also liked the intricacies of the internal struggle of each character, especially Zayne. He went a long way compared to the begging and I liked seeing the path that made him come to some realizations by some point in the book.

The main villain is incredible (in the best I-hate-your-guts-you-psychopath kind of way). OMG he gives the creeps. The kind of strong villain that won’t go down until he destroys the characters and their will to live and YOUR will to live. You’ll love to hate him. I’m already looking forward to his downfall.

Other than that, I have to say, we love a tortured MMC, but I wasn’t that big of a fan of Zayne at the beginning. It felt like too much sad boy energy thrown in my face, and I was like “Woah we just met sir.” I got used to it but considering that all the characters are miserable in their own way, it felt a bit too much and I felt numb to all the trauma. Like I said, there wasn’t a break to lighten things up and allow the reader (AND the characters) to catch their breath.

The reason the rating isn’t higher is because I wasn’t OBSESSED with the characters or the romance. I liked them, yes, but didn’t love them as much as I wanted to. And the reason for that is that the internal dialogues quickly became repetitive with every single character lamenting about their guilt (each for different reasons). But especially Zayne. I quickly got tired of his self pity and self hate.

Also, I’m not a fan of the insta love trope, and although one might argue that it isn’t the case here, it kinda is in a sense. Ish. It has forbidden romance too for those who love the trope.

As for the girlies, Kira and Miya and very different but I liked them both. I’m always there for a soft FMC, and I’ll always be there for a feisty one. So jackpot!

Pumpkin however stole the show and is my favorite cutie patootie. I want to see more of her in the next books 🥹

CONTENT WARNING:
This is a no spice book but it is in no way fluffy and cute. Here is the content warning as cited by the author: War, gore, torture, character death, injury to teenagers, portrayals of trauma & PTSD, implied backstory of SA for a POV character, a coerced kiss, physically & emotionally abusive antagonists, heavy manipulation and gaslighting by antagonists.

I thank the author and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

[blush_and_bookmarks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before I get into my thoughts on the story itself, I want to start with content because this is one I personally wouldn’t recommend to my specific audience.

The author was very upfront with me before I started this ARC that there was quite a bit of language, and she definitely wasn’t exaggerating! There is heavy and frequent language throughout, including many uses of the F-word and S-word, as well as one use of the C-word that caught me off guard. It wasn’t necessarily on every page—there were stretches without any—but when it was present, it could be quite heavy, sometimes with multiple uses within the same sentence or conversation. This was definitely more language than I would normally choose to read.

My other personal concern was a very small portion of the book involving a character being referred to with they/them pronouns. It only accounted for a handful of pages in an 850-page book, but because of my personal religious convictions and the type of content I choose to promote on my platform, it is something I need to mention for my audience.

As far as other content goes, this is DARK fantasy, and it definitely earns that description. There is violence, torture, manipulation, persecution, and some fairly graphic imagery. One character is also working undercover in a role resembling prostitution and is subjected to degrading treatment and comments. I appreciated, however, that the story also included men who recognized that treatment as wrong and wanted to defend and protect her.

Romance-wise, there is no explicit sexual content and the romance remains closed-door. There are some very passionately described kissing scenes, but that is as far as things go.

So why am I still rating the story itself so highly?

Because once I separate my personal content concerns from the storytelling, I genuinely really enjoyed this book.

At 850 pages, this is a commitment, but I continually wanted to know what was going to happen next. The plot was captivating, and one of my favorite elements was the conflict surrounding the Phaedra—a ruler who essentially views himself as a god and persecutes the Followers and anyone who stands against him.

Zayne, the MMC, is the son of the High General and finds himself fighting that corruption from within. His mother is secretly a Follower, and while Zayne doesn’t share her beliefs, he wants to protect her and the innocent people being persecuted. I really enjoyed watching him wrestle with what was happening around him and choose to stand against injustice even when doing so came with enormous consequences.

And then there’s Kiara. I loved that she didn’t have to be a physically powerful fighter to be strong. She had a fighting spirit, stood for what she believed was right, and refused to simply back down.

Kiara and Zayne also had SO. MUCH. TENSION. This is definitely a slow burn, and their chemistry was one of my favorite parts of the story. Nothing about their relationship felt instantaneous, and I really enjoyed watching it develop.

Despite the content that keeps me from personally recommending this one to my audience, I don’t want that to take away from the fact that the author created an incredibly ambitious story with a compelling plot, emotional characters, and themes in which I could still find truth, sacrifice, courage, and redeeming qualities.

And that ending?

Let’s just say it had me in tears at midnight. 😭

[Couby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advanced reader copy provided by the author. This review is completely voluntary and honest.

Wow… this book was a rollercoaster of emotions. If you love dystopians with capital vs rebellion wars, betrayal, manipulation, and emotional damage, then buckle up because you’re in for a ride.

Seasons of War follows several characters and how they navigate the crumbling empire ruled by the Phaedra. Kira is our FMC and she was raised in the rebellion, The Followers. Her goal is to free the nation from the tyranny of the Phaedra using her skills in technology, using the empire’s strongest weapon, PXI, against them. Zayne is our MMC, the right hand of the Phaedra, son of the High General, and a deadly soldier. To everyone, he’s a cold, unfeeling soldier; the Phaedra’s guard dog. But underneath that mask, he’s been protecting Kira for the past three years, helping her complete her missions to sabotage the Phaedra’s plans.

My favourite part of this book is how hard the characters fought to stay true to themselves, not letting the Phaedra’s brainwashing and threats get to them. Kira’s been tortured, was forced to see her own people killed, all in an attempt to get her to spill secrets to wipe out the rest of The Followers. But despite everything, she stays strong and doesn’t betray them. We see the same thing happening through Zayne. He spent his whole life trying to pretend to be exactly what the Phaedra wants him to be without actually becoming that person. It’s proven to be difficult time and time again when the Phaedra uses Kira against him. I was so proud of him when he finally said “to hell with this” and finally takes action.

I’ve forgotten how much brainwashing is involved in a dystopian. This one really caught me off guard initially because the supposed villain seems so… nice. He says such beautiful and encouraging words, but it’s all dressed to hide his true meaning; a literal wolf in sheep’s skin. This makes him so dangerous because if you don’t have your guard up, you might believe everything he’s saying. This is shown in Brandon and Luke’s characters- Zayne’s father and brother respectively. Are they willingly being the blades for the Phaedra because they truly believe what they’re doing is right and just, or are they justifying their actions by convincing themselves they’re helping when they’re actually not? I find the psychology of characters such as them to be an interesting topic because fear pushes people to do unimaginable things. People will believe what they want to justify their actions in order to protect themselves. They are exactly what Zayne refuses to become so it was a nice contrast to see these characters side by side.

The one complaint I had for this book was that it was soooo long. I think the pay off was kind worth it, but I also thought the book probably didn’t have to be 600+ pages long. Nevertheless, I did enjoy my time with this book and would recommend it if you’re down for some great character studies!

[KMart Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my third book by Lindsay French, and I genuinely think it's the strongest one yet. I've enjoyed everything she's written, but Seasons of War feels like she's pushing herself even further. It's darker, more ambitious, and emotionally heavier than her previous books, and I was so invested.

One of my favorite things about this story is that it explores rebellion and oppression from more than one angle. Kira isn't the kind of heroine who fights with her fists. Her strength comes from organizing, spreading information, inspiring people, and refusing to let a corrupt regime control the narrative. I loved seeing that side of revolution represented because those roles are every bit (if not way more) as important as the fighters on the front lines that often get these stories written about them.

The characters are easily the biggest strength of the book. Almost everyone exists in shades of gray, and their choices feel shaped by years of trauma, impossible circumstances, and conflicting loyalties. Zayne (and Luke tbh) is constantly balancing who he has to pretend to be against who he actually wants to become. Even the antagonists (their father in particular) have motivations that make sense within the world, which makes the story all the more unsettling. Nobody feels evil simply for the sake of it (except maybe the big bad), and nobody gets to stay morally untouched by the war.

This is a bleak world. There are moments that are genuinely disturbing, and the story never lets you forget the cost of living under an oppressive regime. That constant sense of dread hangs over everything, making the quieter moments between the characters feel like tiny stolen moments of light between the darkness. The romance feels so incredibly bittersweet as a result.

I also really enjoyed following the parallel stories involving the two brothers. Watching their paths diverge while still feeling deeply connected gave the novel a broader perspective on the conflict and made the world feel much larger than a single romance or rebellion.

The overall atmosphere reminded me a bit of Daggermouth. They share that same oppressive tension where every victory feels hard-earned and every decision comes with a cost. And it is WAY better than Silver Elite.

My only real criticism is that the book occasionally lingers longer than it needs to. It's a hefty novel, and while I appreciated the depth of the character work, there were stretches that could have been tightened without losing any of the emotional impact.

If you like dystopian fantasy, morally complex characters, romances built on impossible circumstances instead of toxic dynamics, and stories that aren't afraid to get dark, this is one I would absolutely recommend. It's an intense, thoughtful read that trusts its characters to carry the weight of the story, and they absolutely do.

Thanks to the author for the complimentary copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

[aishareadsnrambles · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW- 4.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

STORYLINE :
It has been a while since I read and enjoyed a dystopia book like this.
The story follows Zayne Rivens, Ciondo Royalty and right hand man to the oppressive government who has gone against everything he was taught to become a rebel, and Kira Stiles a woman who grew up as an orphan and has been a rebel her whole life. Their lives crossed and became forever entwined. We also have a character from a neighbouring country fighting for her people, Miya.
The storyline was perfectly paced and enjoyable. You'll literally be at the edge of your seat waiting to see if the rebels will be exposed, if death is coming to them, or if they'll succeed. You never know what's coming next.
I also loved the hint of romance between Kira and Zayne. It was perfectly suited to the book. I'm on the edge of my seat waiting for Volume II in the series!

CHARACTERS:
The characters were wonderfully written, and that's all a reader can ask for.
We have FMC, Kiran Stiles, a rebel, and a daughter to one. I admired how she rebelled and still saw the goodness and positivity of life. Her type of rebellion is not commonly seen. Soft on the outside, but tough on the inside. I admired how she didn't need anyone to save her and how she was ready to die for what she believed in.
Then, our tortured MMC, decorated soldier, Zayne Rivens. I could feel his pain and guilt throughout the book. The way he kept wavering, punishing himself, and standing up for the right thi g. I loved how he loved Kira. He was literally capable of letting the world burn for her.
Then we have Miya, a version of Zayne, but her life is more difficult because she had no one on her side. She took on a daunting task on her own and for her people. An amazing, admirable, and capable woman.

WRITING STYLE:
This book was a whopping 590 pages, and there were no boring pages! At first, I wondered if it was going to be good, but it exceeded my expectations.
The author's amazing writing skills shone from the first page to the last, and it made me turn the pages. From the characters, storyline, settings, and their executions. She's good!
I have no complaints. She wrote a book of 590 pages, and it's just volume I, respect!

SETTINGS:
The settings were my only complains. The present parts were okay. But, I just couldn't understand the 'post-collapse' world and how it came to be. I didn't understand the old ones and their actions. It would have been nice to have an index.
But, I understood enough to make me read and enjoy the book.

OVERALL:
This was an amazing book and I literally can't wait for the next book in the series. I want to know what's next for Kira, Zayne and Mira. And of course, the situation of Ciondi, Caspador, and the Phaedra.
I would definitely recommend it. A dystopia book like never before. Very good!

[Allison Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, thank you to the author for an ARC copy for an honest review!

Couple of major notes to start with:
- This is a long book! I like longer books, but this sometimes doesn't work for everyone.
- This is Dystopian and does have some dark war/trauma scenes. Watch trigger warnings.
- This is multi POV (4 different characters)
- Low spice (maybe 1 star..? Mostly off-scene and kissing mentioned)

Now.. onto my review!

Wow. So first off, I tend to really enjoy military / war books with trauma bonding.. so this was right up my alley. The book starts off 3 years in the past with our main characters Zayne and Kira. Then jumps right back into the main timeline where they eventually meet again. Zayne is part of the Riven family who is sworn to be by the Phaedra (like a dictator), but has a past of not doing everything "by-the-book". Kira, who is not living with her rebel mother, is trying to open people's eyes to the Phaedra's lies. With Kira being Zayne's prisoner, most of the book is trying to free her without raising suspicion of his family, the Phaedra, and the various location members throughout the book. While the Phaedra has told Zayne to get close to Kira so he can break her, he tries to keep himself further away to not let his own feelings get in the way of her safety.

Meanwhile, there are a few other characters we meet, including POVs. Luke (Zayne's brother) and Miya both have their own paths to discuss. (sorry, no spoilers here!)

Character Notes:
While Kira, Miya, Luke, and other characters do not have a major character growth, Zayne is giving us everything you could want. He is our emotionally torn, decorated soldier who feels so much pain the entire book. My heart personally breaks for him everytime post .

Location Notes:
Although the ARC did not come with a map, I heard one is coming! That will be super helpful as there are several locations mentioned.

Writing Style Notes:
As mentioned, this is multi POV and has two different times mentioned. The past and present mesh well together and I feel the swapping of POV is at good points. There is a bit of 3rd character writing within each POV.

Trigger Warning Notes:
There are two particularly dark scenes, and I mention them in this review because one of them may be disturbing to the reader if not prepared. You'll know if you get close as it's around the 2/3 mark.

Tropes:
- Military / War
- Hidden Identities
- Found Family
- Forbidden Love
- Who Did This to You
- Reluctant Captor
- Morally Grey MMC
- Overbearing Family Expectations

Overall:
Overall I really enjoyed this book. The emotional roller coaster ride played out well, and there isn't as large of a cliff hanger ending as I was expecting. My rating (4.5 stars) only dropped slightly as I felt more of the history behind how we got to the "Dystopian" era could have been provided. I absolutely will be continuing the series!

[Tammy's Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi! That reading took me some time! Don't get me wrong, it was an amazing book, but the tension and plot twists kept me on my toes. So, before giving away any spoilers, let's begin with the review for Seasons of War by Lindsay French.

About Kira:
I liked that her character is wise, not in an older and never-makes-mistakes kind of way, but in a reflective and introspective way. I used to read a lot of rebel leaders who tend to be impulsive and quick to act, but I like that (at least from what I perceived from her narrative) she thinks a lot and analyzes everything. Also, I liked the fact that she rebelled because of her need for truth, and because she wants to live, not just survive. Most people approach the rebel narrative in an explosive way, like, "I don't care if I die, it's worth it," which is honestly very dangerous. Her approach is subtle and much more respectful of life. She gave other people the truth so they can have a choice.

About Zayne:
Well, I'm amazed by how much an author can traumatize an MC while balancing making him a romantic interest for the FMC, both of which were done amazingly by the author.
The traumas kept piling up: daddy issues, survivor's guilt, plus a hero syndrome. This brother needed something to inspire him to live, so the romance trope was core to his character growth.
I loved that he was loyal to a fault to his people. Leaving aside the romance, he loved fully. His problem wasn't that he was cold, it was that he felt everything, so I loved how the author displayed his need to protect what he loved, especially given the high stakes of her captivity and his position in the regime.

About the dynamic between the MCs:
I liked that they had a job or purpose to achieve together and that they loved how they complemented each other. I mean, they were rocky because of their differences and the whole forced proximity/prisoner situation, but when they were in sync, I loved how they complemented each other's way of thinking. Like the meme about two people saying, "Someone is going to die... of fun!"
Also, the tension! Ma'am, you had my heart in my throat and my eyes stuck reading the drastic changes.

About the world-building:
I liked the mix between futuristic sci-fi and fantasy. The magi-tech elements and cultural references are very close to a contemporary background, but the main storyline is placed in a very post-apocalyptic world. It was interesting imagining the duality of the capitol, very Hunger Games and Divergent.

Final Thoughts:
Thanks to the author for this awesome experience. I have to say I was a bit confused at first when I found out about Mellie, but then I kept reading and, well, it evolved.
So, if you want to read a heart-wrenching storyline with complex MCs and world-building that could be the baby of Divergent and Maze Runner, this book is for you.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ ┇ Bookstagram ┇ BookTok

This hooked me immediately with the prologue, but the pacing slowed quite a bit after that. It’s a long book, and I found myself setting it down more than I normally would. That said, the last 30% completely pulled me back in, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages.

This story takes you on an emotional and suspenseful journey. Zayne was easily my favorite character—he absolutely stole the show. He’s such a tortured, complex MMC, and watching his character development unfold was the highlight of the book for me. As next in line to become the next High General, after his father, of a regime he secretly wants to destroy from within, he’s constantly caught between duty and his own morals. When he meets Kira while she’s trying to stir up doubt about the emperor and ends up rescuing her. From that moment on, he quietly watches over her from the shadows, determined to keep her safe. But everything changes when he’s ordered to break her in order to extract information.

The world-building was a little overwhelming at first, with a lot of information thrown at you early on, so it took some time to really understand the world. The villain, though, was phenomenal. He’s the kind of villain you genuinely despise—cruel, manipulative, and always one step ahead, making it feel like the main characters never get a chance to catch their breath.

The emotional roller coaster in this book was intense. There were moments where I was genuinely scared to keep reading because of what would happen next. That ending left me desperate to see where this series goes, and after everything these characters have endured, they truly deserve a break.

‧₊˚✧𝓦𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝔁𝓹𝓮𝓬𝓽✧˚₊‧

➳❥ Book 1 / Dark Dystopian Romance
➳❥ Forbidden Love
➳❥ Hidden Identities
➳❥ Found Family
➳❥ Morally Grey MMC
➳❥ Reluctant Captor
➳❥ Slow Burn

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷ 𝓕𝓪𝓿 𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽t𝓮𝓼

“I'm a poison you'll beg to drink.”

“You have no idea what I could do to you without anyone knowing.”

“There was nothing he wouldn't give to erase this blood from her body and soul and heal her pain. And there was no one on the planet he wouldn't sacrifice for her.”

“I'll always come back. Always...”

“He'd burn the empire down to save her.”

“Who did this to you?”

“Fuck it.”

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️

If you haven’t read Lindsay French before, you are in for a treat! Book 1 in her Unbroken Saga, Seasons of War, will take you on a journey that will make you feel everything along the emotional spectrum. Lindsay writes books that pull readers into the overall story first and foremost. She knows how to write captivating characters that from early on you have a connection with. Whether that connection is positive or negative is for the reader to decide, but I never have any issues in feeling like a part of the story when reading her books.

What a powerhouse FMC Kira turns into throughout this book. She is fighting against the people who broke her home into two sides. You are either for or against the emperor, there is no gray. She fully believes in what she is fighting for and will not allow anything to break her. Especially the surly soldier who is tasked in breaking her spirit and crushing the uprising from within. But there is something about this soldier that she can’t ignore. Trust him? Never! Confide in him? Yeah right! Fall for him? No….umm, err…she’s trying not to ok!

Zayne is not only fighting a physical war, but also a personal war. Being the High General’s son he is expected to serve the empire and stop the rebellion that is happening. Yet, he doesn’t agree with his father and has secretly been fighting on both sides. When he sees Kira again, a woman he already saved once, he can’t bear what he is ordered to do to her. And just as before, she is never far from his thoughts. How can he make his father think he is following orders while also making sure Kira knows he despises every order he’s given?

From start to end this book just continues to build. There is action, adventure, and quiet romance. Zayne and Kira are so well written, the tension and draw to each other is easy to feel and want to boil over. I cannot wait to see what happens with them as this series progresses. Lindsay has created a world that is hard to ignore or want to stop reading about. With the first in the series, you have to trust it until the very end. You will not regret reading this book and will want book 2 immediately!

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
🖤Dystopian Romance
✨Grumpy x Sunshine
🖤Political Prisoner
✨Opposites Sides
🖤Forced Proximity
✨Rebel FMC
🖤General’s Son MMC
✨Who Did This to You?!

[Bookish Emili Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lindsay French delivers a powerful and emotionally gripping fantasy in Season of War. Filled with political intrigue, high-stakes conflict, complex relationships, and unforgettable character growth, this novel raises the stakes in every possible way. From the opening chapters to the final pages, the story maintains a compelling momentum that makes it difficult to put down.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its character development. French allows her characters to grow through hardship, sacrifice, and difficult choices, creating arcs that feel authentic and deeply satisfying. Their struggles carry real emotional weight, and the relationships between allies, friends, and loved ones add depth to the larger conflict. The characters are flawed, resilient, and remarkably human, making it easy to become invested in their journeys.
The world-building continues to impress, expanding the political and military landscape while remaining accessible to readers. The tensions between factions, the strategic maneuvering, and the looming consequences of war create a constant sense of urgency. French balances action and character-driven moments exceptionally well, ensuring that neither overshadows the other.
The battle scenes are particularly well executed. They are vivid, intense, and emotionally impactful, highlighting not only the physical costs of war but also its personal consequences. Themes of loyalty, leadership, sacrifice, and hope are woven seamlessly throughout the narrative, giving the story both depth and resonance.
What elevates Season of War to a 5-star read is its ability to deliver satisfying emotional payoffs while continuing to surprise readers. The twists feel earned, the character decisions remain believable, and the ending leaves a lasting impression. Every major element of the novel works together to create an immersive and rewarding reading experience.
Overall, Season of War is an outstanding fantasy that combines rich world-building, memorable characters, emotional depth, and thrilling action. It is a must-read for fans of epic fantasy who enjoy character-driven stories with high stakes and powerful emotional moments.

[Keshsews ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️

The emotional rollercoaster that was this book!!!!

The best way I can describe this book is The Hunger Games meets Horizon.

This book follows the story of Zayne and Kira and how they navigate their life in a post apocalyptic world, fighting for their freedom and salvation. Kira is a rebel in every sense of the word. She's stubborn, fierce and will die fighting for what she believes in. Kira will always push back against the system and will try her best to make people see that they are not truly free. Her character really shows that you can never give up no matter what happens to you, and that there is always something worth fighting for even if you are the only one who's fighting for it. It was her resilience when rebelling against the Phaedra and against Zaynes walls that made her truly remarkable.

Zayne Riven, is the son of the emperors right hand man. His father had trained him and practically molded him into taking his place by the emperors side. Except, this is not what he wants. Zayne is working to systemically dismantle the emperors kingdom from the inside out, however his plans get derailed when he's forced to torture the girl he once saved, and you can guess who that is.

This story is genuinely so interesting and captivating. The world building is phenomenal and very heavy. There is a lot going on in this book especially towards the second half of the book. I love how the world building feels natural and not just thrown in for the sake of having information being there.

The character development was also very interesting to read. It's very slow but also worth it to see the difference between how zayne and Kira was from the beginning to the middle and to the end of the book. It's especially fragile as they live in a world where anything can happen at any time and their lives are constantly changing. You can see the effect of war and ruin on these characters and how it drives their motives and actions throughout the book.

This is definitely not a whole sunshine and rainbows book and will 100% emotionally ruin you but it is 100% worth it as well.

[Lilith's_Library_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

🌹⚔️ Seasons of War: A Dark Dystopian Romance by Lindsay French ⚔️🌹

As an ARC reader, I was excited to step into the world of Seasons of War, and I quickly found myself swept away by its blend of danger, romance, and survival.

Lindsay French crafts a dark and compelling dystopian world where every choice carries consequences and trust is a luxury few can afford. From the very beginning, the story pulls readers into a landscape shaped by conflict, uncertainty, and the constant struggle to endure. The atmosphere is rich and immersive, creating a setting that feels both brutal and captivating.

What stood out most to me was the emotional journey of the characters. Their struggles, fears, and determination felt authentic, making it easy to become invested in their fate. The romance develops amidst the chaos of a fractured world, adding depth and vulnerability to a story already filled with tension. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, and their relationship provides moments of hope in an otherwise unforgiving environment.

The pacing kept me engaged throughout, balancing action-packed scenes with quieter moments that allowed the characters and their relationships to grow. The stakes continually rise, and several twists kept me turning pages to see what would happen next.

While there were a few moments where I wished for a deeper exploration of certain aspects of the world-building, the strength of the characters and the gripping plot more than made up for it. French does an excellent job creating a story that is both emotionally resonant and exciting.

Overall, Seasons of War earns a solid 4 stars from me. It's a dark, engaging dystopian romance filled with danger, heartache, resilience, and hope. If you enjoy stories where love blooms against impossible odds and survival is never guaranteed, this is definitely one to add to your TBR.