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Thrones of Achlys #1
Bound in Mist: A Slow Burn Romantasy of Fae, Dragons, and a Deadly Bond
Achlys has never had an earthquake. Until now.
Moments later, winged warriors attack the human Station, leaving almost everyone dead.
Sierra should have died with them. Instead, the pervasive mist binds her to Rhaithmaros, a prince, assassin, and one of the warriors who attacked the Station.
The strange torc around their necks won’t let them travel more than a few paces apart without agony. Worse, if one dies, they believe the other will die too.
Their only hope of breaking the bond lies beyond rival fae courts, where ancient secrets are guarded as fiercely as the thrones themselves.
But the farther Sierra travels, the more impossible things begin to happen. The mist behaves as if it knows her. Ancient certainties begin to crumble. And the earthquake may have been only the first warning that something is terribly wrong with Achlys.
With unusual dragon companions, found family, and a world beginning to unravel around them, Sierra and Rhaith are forced together in search of answers before the medicine keeping her alive runs out.
Bound in Mist is an adventurous romantasy with a twist of science, featuring slow-burn romance, unusual dragon companions, found family, ancient secrets, and world-ending mysteries.
Moments later, winged warriors attack the human Station, leaving almost everyone dead.
Sierra should have died with them. Instead, the pervasive mist binds her to Rhaithmaros, a prince, assassin, and one of the warriors who attacked the Station.
The strange torc around their necks won’t let them travel more than a few paces apart without agony. Worse, if one dies, they believe the other will die too.
Their only hope of breaking the bond lies beyond rival fae courts, where ancient secrets are guarded as fiercely as the thrones themselves.
But the farther Sierra travels, the more impossible things begin to happen. The mist behaves as if it knows her. Ancient certainties begin to crumble. And the earthquake may have been only the first warning that something is terribly wrong with Achlys.
With unusual dragon companions, found family, and a world beginning to unravel around them, Sierra and Rhaith are forced together in search of answers before the medicine keeping her alive runs out.
Bound in Mist is an adventurous romantasy with a twist of science, featuring slow-burn romance, unusual dragon companions, found family, ancient secrets, and world-ending mysteries.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 25, 2026
About the author
D.S. Palonen
2 books11 followersD. S. Palonen writes Adventurous Romantasy with a Twist of Science, featuring epic fantasy, fast-paced adventure, high stakes, and slow-burn romance. She likes her stories the way she likes the universe: full of strange logic, soft wonder, and the occasional quantum sparkle.
Her path to fiction has been anything but ordinary. After serving as a jet engine mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, she spent years as a technical writer and editor, creating technical manuals while developing the editing, design, and Photoshop skills she now brings to publishing her own books. Along the way, military life and her husband's career led her through a collection of dream jobs—from assistant manager of a bookstore and librarian to plant specialist in a garden center—each one fueled by a lifelong love of books, learning, and growing things.
Born in Reno, Nevada, D. S. spent much of her childhood aboard a sailboat in the U.S. Virgin Islands before living in nine different states and spending four years in England, where she happily developed a lifelong addiction to tea.
Now retired and settled in Tennessee near family, she's finally finishing the stories she's been writing for years.
When she's not writing, she's spoiling her grandchildren, exploring new ideas over a cup of tea (British only, thank you), and dreaming up dangerous worlds where adventure, romance, magic, and just a twist of science collide.
Adventure is the engine. Romance is the reward.
Visit her website: dspalonen.com
Her path to fiction has been anything but ordinary. After serving as a jet engine mechanic in the U.S. Air Force, she spent years as a technical writer and editor, creating technical manuals while developing the editing, design, and Photoshop skills she now brings to publishing her own books. Along the way, military life and her husband's career led her through a collection of dream jobs—from assistant manager of a bookstore and librarian to plant specialist in a garden center—each one fueled by a lifelong love of books, learning, and growing things.
Born in Reno, Nevada, D. S. spent much of her childhood aboard a sailboat in the U.S. Virgin Islands before living in nine different states and spending four years in England, where she happily developed a lifelong addiction to tea.
Now retired and settled in Tennessee near family, she's finally finishing the stories she's been writing for years.
When she's not writing, she's spoiling her grandchildren, exploring new ideas over a cup of tea (British only, thank you), and dreaming up dangerous worlds where adventure, romance, magic, and just a twist of science collide.
Adventure is the engine. Romance is the reward.
Visit her website: dspalonen.com
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
September 22, 2026
I am completely blown away! Bound in Mist by D.S. Palonen is a high-stakes, fast-paced thrill ride that perfectly blends sci-fi survival with breathtaking fae magic on a lethal alien world.
The writing is incredibly immersive. The battle scenes are phenomenal, featuring logical physical progression and rich sensory details that make the adrenaline feel real. You always know exactly where the characters are and what is at stake, keeping the tension sky-high.
On top of that, the execution of the tropes is flawless. It delivers everything I want in a top-tier fantasy romance: fated mates, high-tension forced proximity, a spectacular reluctant enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and dragon companions.
I also loved the thoughtful linguistic depth behind the character names and appreciated the helpful pronunciation guide. I cannot wait for book two!
The writing is incredibly immersive. The battle scenes are phenomenal, featuring logical physical progression and rich sensory details that make the adrenaline feel real. You always know exactly where the characters are and what is at stake, keeping the tension sky-high.
On top of that, the execution of the tropes is flawless. It delivers everything I want in a top-tier fantasy romance: fated mates, high-tension forced proximity, a spectacular reluctant enemies-to-lovers dynamic, and dragon companions.
I also loved the thoughtful linguistic depth behind the character names and appreciated the helpful pronunciation guide. I cannot wait for book two!
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review