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Seasons of War: A Dark Dystopian Romance
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26Sergeant 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.
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.
- GenresFantasy
Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 28, 2026
About the author
Lindsay French
4 books42 followersLindsay 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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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 28, 2026
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
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
Review of advance copy received from Author
If there’s one thing I can tell you, it’s this: Seasons of War does. not. disappoint!!
The moment Lindsay French announced she was writing a dark dystopian romance, I was all in. I dove into this one headfirst with absolutely no safety net. No blurb, no synopsis, no clue what was waiting for me beyond that first page and honestly, none was needed. I already knew this was going to be something special, and she delivered in every possible way.
From the very first chapter, the tension is suffocating in the best possible way. It feels like reading underwater, every chapter pressing down harder, leaving no room to breathe. The chokehold this book had on me was immediate and relentless, and I regret absolutely nothing.
This is an epic, brutal story layered with tyranny, betrayal, a sadistic governor, and a world crushed beneath oppression. Yet woven through all that darkness is something fierce and unshakable: HOPE.
At the center of it all stands Kira Stiles, a character who embodies exactly what revolution is built on. She is proof that all it takes is one person with an unyielding spirit to rise, stand firm, and refuse to bow.
This book is dark, gritty, and emotionally raw. It shattered my heart into tiny pieces and then stitched it back together before the final page...Only to leave me desperately wanting more! It completely rooted me to my spot, shut out the rest of reality, and had me so deeply invested that I was mentally drafting restraining orders against anything or anyone bold enough to interrupt my reading.
Powerful, immersive, and utterly unforgettable, Seasons of War is one that should not be missed.
The moment Lindsay French announced she was writing a dark dystopian romance, I was all in. I dove into this one headfirst with absolutely no safety net. No blurb, no synopsis, no clue what was waiting for me beyond that first page and honestly, none was needed. I already knew this was going to be something special, and she delivered in every possible way.
From the very first chapter, the tension is suffocating in the best possible way. It feels like reading underwater, every chapter pressing down harder, leaving no room to breathe. The chokehold this book had on me was immediate and relentless, and I regret absolutely nothing.
This is an epic, brutal story layered with tyranny, betrayal, a sadistic governor, and a world crushed beneath oppression. Yet woven through all that darkness is something fierce and unshakable: HOPE.
At the center of it all stands Kira Stiles, a character who embodies exactly what revolution is built on. She is proof that all it takes is one person with an unyielding spirit to rise, stand firm, and refuse to bow.
This book is dark, gritty, and emotionally raw. It shattered my heart into tiny pieces and then stitched it back together before the final page...Only to leave me desperately wanting more! It completely rooted me to my spot, shut out the rest of reality, and had me so deeply invested that I was mentally drafting restraining orders against anything or anyone bold enough to interrupt my reading.
Powerful, immersive, and utterly unforgettable, Seasons of War is one that should not be missed.
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 26, 2026Emotional tension, dystopian atmosphere, and character conflict. Seasons of War by Lindsay French is a gripping dark dystopian romance filled with rebellion, betrayal, political tension, and a romance that burns quietly beneath the weight of war.
The story shines through its morally conflicted characters and emotionally charged atmosphere. Zayne Riven is the kind of MMC who feels constantly at war with himself—playing the loyal soldier while secretly planning to destroy the empire from within. His internal conflict gives the story a heavy emotional tension that makes every decision feel dangerous.
Kira is equally compelling as a fearless revolutionary unwilling to surrender her beliefs, even in captivity. Her dynamic with Zayne thrives on mistrust, restraint, and slow-building emotional vulnerability, creating a romance that feels sharp and intense rather than soft or easy.
What stands out most:
* dystopian rebellion setting
* morally grey war hero MMC
* imprisoned rebel heroine
* enemies-to-lovers tension
* secret resistance plotlines
* emotional sacrifice and loyalty conflicts
* slow-burn dark romance
The romance unfolds in stolen moments, loaded conversations, and the growing realization that both characters are risking far more than their lives.
The story shines through its morally conflicted characters and emotionally charged atmosphere. Zayne Riven is the kind of MMC who feels constantly at war with himself—playing the loyal soldier while secretly planning to destroy the empire from within. His internal conflict gives the story a heavy emotional tension that makes every decision feel dangerous.
Kira is equally compelling as a fearless revolutionary unwilling to surrender her beliefs, even in captivity. Her dynamic with Zayne thrives on mistrust, restraint, and slow-building emotional vulnerability, creating a romance that feels sharp and intense rather than soft or easy.
What stands out most:
* dystopian rebellion setting
* morally grey war hero MMC
* imprisoned rebel heroine
* enemies-to-lovers tension
* secret resistance plotlines
* emotional sacrifice and loyalty conflicts
* slow-burn dark romance
The romance unfolds in stolen moments, loaded conversations, and the growing realization that both characters are risking far more than their lives.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I went between crying, screaming, giggling with Seasons of War. 10/10
I adore Kira and Zayne as MCs. I have a strong attachment to MANY of the side characters. The twists and turns kept me reading for long binges at a time. The villain, the Phaendra is absolutely a joy to despise.
I cannot wait to continue the series!!!
I adore Kira and Zayne as MCs. I have a strong attachment to MANY of the side characters. The twists and turns kept me reading for long binges at a time. The villain, the Phaendra is absolutely a joy to despise.
I cannot wait to continue the series!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you to the author for the advanced copy of this book.
This was a good dark dystopian read - I enjoyed having different perspectives throughout, and the plot line was really engaging.
This was a good dark dystopian read - I enjoyed having different perspectives throughout, and the plot line was really engaging.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This story took me on an emotional rollercoaster. Lindsay French makes it so you REALLY feel the helplessness of the Characters. A truly amazing read.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews