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Legacy [Dramatized Adaptation] #1, Part 1
Rain of Shadows and Endings (Part 1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation]
A masterpiece in fated mates and broken bonds world-building for fans of Sarah J. Maas, Amber V. Nicole, Kaylie Smith, and Rebecca Yarros, the first installment in Melissa K. Roehrich’s internationally bestselling Legacy Series is a contemporary dark romantasy set in a world forgotten by the gods, created for their descendants, roamed by dragons, served by Fae…and not so different from our own.
Out of all their creations, the gods favored their children the most. But with that favor came the fear that their Legacy would one day become too powerful...
A World the Gods Forgot
Devram is a realm hidden amongst the stars. The gods gave their Legacy the best of all the worlds, and then they left—having sworn to never return and to never interfere.
A Historical Event
Forced into a life of servitude, the Fae provide for the Legacy in more ways than one. Every five years, eligible Fae are gathered for the Selection and assigned to serve in one of the six Kingdoms. To be chosen as the personal Source for a Kingdom Heir is the greatest honor, and for the first time in millennia, all six Kingdoms have heirs choosing a Source. But their selections could tip the power balance a little too far.
A Chosen That Was Never Meant to Be
Tessalyn Asura was as forgotten as the realm. But when she finds herself the personal Source to the Heir of Endings, she winds up serving in the darkest Kingdom of them all. The secrets within the Arius Kingdom are meant to be learned and kept, but this was never the life she wanted. Fighting not only the fate thrust upon her, but the temptation to lose herself to desire, Tessa will do anything to escape her new destiny. Until she begins to realize that maybe their world isn’t as forgotten as they thought—and that maybe she’s the reason why.
Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!
Out of all their creations, the gods favored their children the most. But with that favor came the fear that their Legacy would one day become too powerful...
A World the Gods Forgot
Devram is a realm hidden amongst the stars. The gods gave their Legacy the best of all the worlds, and then they left—having sworn to never return and to never interfere.
A Historical Event
Forced into a life of servitude, the Fae provide for the Legacy in more ways than one. Every five years, eligible Fae are gathered for the Selection and assigned to serve in one of the six Kingdoms. To be chosen as the personal Source for a Kingdom Heir is the greatest honor, and for the first time in millennia, all six Kingdoms have heirs choosing a Source. But their selections could tip the power balance a little too far.
A Chosen That Was Never Meant to Be
Tessalyn Asura was as forgotten as the realm. But when she finds herself the personal Source to the Heir of Endings, she winds up serving in the darkest Kingdom of them all. The secrets within the Arius Kingdom are meant to be learned and kept, but this was never the life she wanted. Fighting not only the fate thrust upon her, but the temptation to lose herself to desire, Tessa will do anything to escape her new destiny. Until she begins to realize that maybe their world isn’t as forgotten as they thought—and that maybe she’s the reason why.
Adapted from the novel and produced with a full cast of actors, immersive sound effects and cinematic music!
11 pages, Audiobook
Published June 30, 2026
About the author
Melissa K. Roehrich
19 books8,340 followersMelissa is a dark fantasy romance author who loves coffee, dragons, and constantly rearranging her bookshelves. She spends her time writing, reading, and homeschooling her three boys in the Middle-of-Nowhere, North Dakota, where she lives with her boys, husband, dogs, multiple barn cats, and chickens on a small farmstead. She is constantly trying to convince her husband they need to add goats and ducks to the mix, and one day, she'll succeed.
She's not here much, so if you're looking to connect, check out the following:
*Facebook Reader Group: Melissa's Dragon Cave
*Discord: https://discord.gg/GTY757MCXF
*Instagram: @melissa_k_roehrich
*TikTok: @authormelissakroehrich
She's not here much, so if you're looking to connect, check out the following:
*Facebook Reader Group: Melissa's Dragon Cave
*Discord: https://discord.gg/GTY757MCXF
*Instagram: @melissa_k_roehrich
*TikTok: @authormelissakroehrich
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
(Advance listener copy provided in exchange for honest feedback. All opinions are my own.)
Story Rating: ★★★★★
Production Rating: ★★★★★
Spice Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (Low on explicit content, high on longing, tension, and emotional intensity.)
The Legacy is one of my all-time favorite dark fantasy romance series, and GraphicAudio absolutely understood the assignment! ZERO EMOTIONAL SAFETY AHEAD.
This story is emotionally exhausting in the BEST way. It’s tense, uncomfortable, addictive, heartbreaking, and impossible to stop listening to. If you want sweet comfort romance… this is not that. But if you love stories that rip your heart out and keep you hanging on every interaction, this series delivers.
NOTE: The Legacy series technically can be read on its own. However, later books connect strongly to the prequel series, Lady of Darkness, and listeners who start there will get a fuller experience and appreciate later character crossover and deeper context throughout the series.
Rain of Shadows and Endings is a dark bully romance with a very slow burn and includes themes of forced magical bonds, loss of autonomy, emotional and physical suffering, power imbalance, manipulation, longing, and constant tension. There’s this underlying nervous energy throughout as you wait to see what happens next and what consequences each choice might bring. It’s uncomfortable and compelling at the same time.
This first installment focuses heavily on establishing the characters and their dynamic. There is subtle foreshadowing throughout. At times it may feel like there isn’t much plot movement and that this is only dark romance for the sake of spice, but bigger things are unfolding beneath the surface and the story reveals itself layer by layer.
Performance-wise, the cast elevated every heart-wrenching emotional moment.
Jessica Schly as Tessa is lovely, gently naive and an easy character to root for. She enters the story carrying a painful past and is forced into circumstances that strip away her freedom while creating emotions she desperately doesn’t want. Watching her fight to hold onto herself despite everything she endures is absolutely gut wrenching. You want nothing more than to be her safe harbor in the storm.
Gabriel Michael as Theon is INTENSE, perfectly playing an imperfect male lead. That said, Theon is… difficult to explain without spoilers. He isn’t simply cruel for cruelty’s sake, but that doesn’t excuse the harm he causes. His expectations, upbringing, and the social dynamic create a character that is frustrating, complicated, and impossible to predict. One moment he made me want to throttle him and the next made me question whether he deserves another chance. It’s made even harder as the listener because we get his point of view while Tessa does not, and watching that divide widen is fascinating and painful.
Stewart Crank as Luka is our quiet pillar of strength and support. He shows moments of care and restraint that feel enormous in the context of Tessa’s situation, while still remaining tied to the system that hurts her. He is such a self-contained character that every interaction feels layered and intense.
Michael Glenn as Valter is the perfect villain: lecherous, sinister, and cruel. He perfectly delivers that terrifying feeling of helplessness—of there being no way out, only the constant urge to scream, "please, somebody help me!"
Donald Guzzi as Axel brings the emotional support golden retriever energy this story desperately needs. I am excited to see his character unfold.
Despite my established familiarity with the storyline, this installment still had me constantly arguing with myself because "WHY is this so delicious when I absolutely do not approve of what is happening?" The tension and longing are unreal, and GraphicAudio captures that emotional whiplash perfectly. The heavy themes in this series won’t work for everyone, but if you enjoy stories that leave you anxious, emotionally confused, and feeling ALL the things, this first installment is perfection itself. I have already pre-ordered part 2. Thank you GraphicAudio for the chance to review this installment!
My Rating Scale - I rate books based on my personal enjoyment and likelihood of continuing or revisiting a series:
★☆☆☆☆ — Did not finish / Not for me
I either did not finish the book or finished it but would not continue the series. I likely would not try more from this author.
★★☆☆☆ — Finished, but unlikely to continue
I completed the book, but I probably will not continue the series. I may try other works by the author.
★★★☆☆ — It was fine / enjoyable
I enjoyed it overall and would likely continue the series. However, I probably would not revisit or reread/relisten.
★★★★☆ — Really enjoyed it
I would likely purchase and recommend this book or audiobook. I’m excited to continue the series.
★★★★★ — A personal favorite
I loved it and would actively recommend it beyond its usual audience. I would buy both book and audiobook and follow the author’s work.
Story Rating: ★★★★★
Production Rating: ★★★★★
Spice Rating: ★☆☆☆☆ (Low on explicit content, high on longing, tension, and emotional intensity.)
The Legacy is one of my all-time favorite dark fantasy romance series, and GraphicAudio absolutely understood the assignment! ZERO EMOTIONAL SAFETY AHEAD.
This story is emotionally exhausting in the BEST way. It’s tense, uncomfortable, addictive, heartbreaking, and impossible to stop listening to. If you want sweet comfort romance… this is not that. But if you love stories that rip your heart out and keep you hanging on every interaction, this series delivers.
NOTE: The Legacy series technically can be read on its own. However, later books connect strongly to the prequel series, Lady of Darkness, and listeners who start there will get a fuller experience and appreciate later character crossover and deeper context throughout the series.
Rain of Shadows and Endings is a dark bully romance with a very slow burn and includes themes of forced magical bonds, loss of autonomy, emotional and physical suffering, power imbalance, manipulation, longing, and constant tension. There’s this underlying nervous energy throughout as you wait to see what happens next and what consequences each choice might bring. It’s uncomfortable and compelling at the same time.
This first installment focuses heavily on establishing the characters and their dynamic. There is subtle foreshadowing throughout. At times it may feel like there isn’t much plot movement and that this is only dark romance for the sake of spice, but bigger things are unfolding beneath the surface and the story reveals itself layer by layer.
Performance-wise, the cast elevated every heart-wrenching emotional moment.
Jessica Schly as Tessa is lovely, gently naive and an easy character to root for. She enters the story carrying a painful past and is forced into circumstances that strip away her freedom while creating emotions she desperately doesn’t want. Watching her fight to hold onto herself despite everything she endures is absolutely gut wrenching. You want nothing more than to be her safe harbor in the storm.
Gabriel Michael as Theon is INTENSE, perfectly playing an imperfect male lead. That said, Theon is… difficult to explain without spoilers. He isn’t simply cruel for cruelty’s sake, but that doesn’t excuse the harm he causes. His expectations, upbringing, and the social dynamic create a character that is frustrating, complicated, and impossible to predict. One moment he made me want to throttle him and the next made me question whether he deserves another chance. It’s made even harder as the listener because we get his point of view while Tessa does not, and watching that divide widen is fascinating and painful.
Stewart Crank as Luka is our quiet pillar of strength and support. He shows moments of care and restraint that feel enormous in the context of Tessa’s situation, while still remaining tied to the system that hurts her. He is such a self-contained character that every interaction feels layered and intense.
Michael Glenn as Valter is the perfect villain: lecherous, sinister, and cruel. He perfectly delivers that terrifying feeling of helplessness—of there being no way out, only the constant urge to scream, "please, somebody help me!"
Donald Guzzi as Axel brings the emotional support golden retriever energy this story desperately needs. I am excited to see his character unfold.
Despite my established familiarity with the storyline, this installment still had me constantly arguing with myself because "WHY is this so delicious when I absolutely do not approve of what is happening?" The tension and longing are unreal, and GraphicAudio captures that emotional whiplash perfectly. The heavy themes in this series won’t work for everyone, but if you enjoy stories that leave you anxious, emotionally confused, and feeling ALL the things, this first installment is perfection itself. I have already pre-ordered part 2. Thank you GraphicAudio for the chance to review this installment!
My Rating Scale - I rate books based on my personal enjoyment and likelihood of continuing or revisiting a series:
★☆☆☆☆ — Did not finish / Not for me
I either did not finish the book or finished it but would not continue the series. I likely would not try more from this author.
★★☆☆☆ — Finished, but unlikely to continue
I completed the book, but I probably will not continue the series. I may try other works by the author.
★★★☆☆ — It was fine / enjoyable
I enjoyed it overall and would likely continue the series. However, I probably would not revisit or reread/relisten.
★★★★☆ — Really enjoyed it
I would likely purchase and recommend this book or audiobook. I’m excited to continue the series.
★★★★★ — A personal favorite
I loved it and would actively recommend it beyond its usual audience. I would buy both book and audiobook and follow the author’s work.
Review of advance copy
*Thank you, Graphic Audio. I received an advance review copy for free & I am leaving this review voluntarily of my own opinions*
I can honestly say a book has never made me feel so emotional before & I know that it only was possible in GA audiobook format. Had I read this book physically I'm not sure I would've even been able to make it a quarter way through without declaring DNF. GA really made it come alive & it was.. alot.. listening to Terra & everything she has to endure mentally & physically. I honestly feel like I've met so many Theons before & they're not people I want to even associate with so imagining what Terra goes through was difficult. I imagine at some point there will be some type of "redemption" for Theon, but I honestly don't think I'll ever be able to forget what kind of person he is no matter what & the way he treated her. That being said I would say Graphic Audio did an amazing job with this one. The story itself I give 1 star ⭐ but Graphic Audio gets more than 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+
to be able to bring out what really happens in this book & hits you hard, at least alot more than any other format since as I mentioned I wouldn't have finished this book as it's just.. triggering.. but now I can't wait for the 2nd half to come out & see if Terra can get at least some wins for once in her life.
I can honestly say a book has never made me feel so emotional before & I know that it only was possible in GA audiobook format. Had I read this book physically I'm not sure I would've even been able to make it a quarter way through without declaring DNF. GA really made it come alive & it was.. alot.. listening to Terra & everything she has to endure mentally & physically. I honestly feel like I've met so many Theons before & they're not people I want to even associate with so imagining what Terra goes through was difficult. I imagine at some point there will be some type of "redemption" for Theon, but I honestly don't think I'll ever be able to forget what kind of person he is no matter what & the way he treated her. That being said I would say Graphic Audio did an amazing job with this one. The story itself I give 1 star ⭐ but Graphic Audio gets more than 5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+
to be able to bring out what really happens in this book & hits you hard, at least alot more than any other format since as I mentioned I wouldn't have finished this book as it's just.. triggering.. but now I can't wait for the 2nd half to come out & see if Terra can get at least some wins for once in her life.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews