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The Fallen Realms #1
A Kingdom in Chains: The Fallen Realms Book One
The magic of the Northern fae has vanished. Humans now rule with chains and cruelty. Winnie, powerless and broken, is sold as a living doll to a sadistic queen — nothing more than entertainment for her depraved court of twisted pleasures. But in the blood-stained halls of Verin, Winnie finds the one thing more dangerous than her captors: her fated mate.
One touch changes everything.
That single touch with Driss — the queen’s dangerously lethal favourite — ignites a primal bond that burns through every defence. Forced to hide their connection, Winnie and Driss must perform for their lives, sacrifice pieces of their souls, and walk the razor’s edge between survival and surrender. Every glance risks torture. Every touch risks death. Yet in a world ruled by fear and brutality, their forbidden love becomes the spark of rebellion — a fierce, burning hope that might free them from their chains…or reduce the entire world to ashes.
One touch changes everything.
That single touch with Driss — the queen’s dangerously lethal favourite — ignites a primal bond that burns through every defence. Forced to hide their connection, Winnie and Driss must perform for their lives, sacrifice pieces of their souls, and walk the razor’s edge between survival and surrender. Every glance risks torture. Every touch risks death. Yet in a world ruled by fear and brutality, their forbidden love becomes the spark of rebellion — a fierce, burning hope that might free them from their chains…or reduce the entire world to ashes.
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2026
About the author
A.M. Rodgers
1 book26 followersAshlee is a debut author of dark fantasy romance. Obsessed with forbidden bonds, brutal courts, and the razor-thin line between survival and surrender, she writes stories where love is as dangerous as the magic it defies. When she’s not lost in worlds of chained fae and sadistic queens, she can be found in Regional Victoria with too many books and a stubborn belief that even the darkest hearts deserve a chance at redemption. She is currently at work on the next book in the series. Connect with her on social media.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 8, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens, and I’m leaving this review voluntarily.
Dark Romance
Trigger Warnings: Violence, Abuse, Profanity, Rape, Sex
A Kingdom in Chains by A.M. Rodgers was an addictive, brutal, and emotionally charged read. This story is very dark… far darker than I expected… but I still couldn’t put it down. A few moments even hit me harder than I anticipated.
I loved the FMC, Winnie, a Fae who’s good‑hearted and a bit naïve, but written with depth and intention. The pacing is quick, and the slow-burn reveals were incredibly satisfying. The twist at the end blindsided me in the best way (and ripped my heart out for a solid five minutes).
The MMC is your classic broody, magnetic Fae male, and together they serve as the Human Queen’s “Dolls.” Their forbidden connection fuels the early part of the story and adds a desperate, aching tension throughout.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much action and violence this book delivered. It kept the stakes high and the pages turning. Some of the trigger-warning content genuinely shocked me, but it also gave the story the emotional weight it needed to land.
This is the first book in The Fallen Realms series, and as a dark romance, it absolutely worked for me. I’m already itching for book two—please, please, please let it come soon.
Dark Romance
Trigger Warnings: Violence, Abuse, Profanity, Rape, Sex
A Kingdom in Chains by A.M. Rodgers was an addictive, brutal, and emotionally charged read. This story is very dark… far darker than I expected… but I still couldn’t put it down. A few moments even hit me harder than I anticipated.
I loved the FMC, Winnie, a Fae who’s good‑hearted and a bit naïve, but written with depth and intention. The pacing is quick, and the slow-burn reveals were incredibly satisfying. The twist at the end blindsided me in the best way (and ripped my heart out for a solid five minutes).
The MMC is your classic broody, magnetic Fae male, and together they serve as the Human Queen’s “Dolls.” Their forbidden connection fuels the early part of the story and adds a desperate, aching tension throughout.
I was pleasantly surprised by how much action and violence this book delivered. It kept the stakes high and the pages turning. Some of the trigger-warning content genuinely shocked me, but it also gave the story the emotional weight it needed to land.
This is the first book in The Fallen Realms series, and as a dark romance, it absolutely worked for me. I’m already itching for book two—please, please, please let it come soon.
May 14, 2026
Obsessed with this world, the characters, everything!
Think forbidden fae love, sneaking around, secrets and a sprinkle of violence in the midst of battle ✨
I seriously did not want this book to end.
Thrown straight into the chaos from the get go and did not ease up - no boring chapters here.
The story took so many intriguing turns and I loved that you couldn’t predict what was around the corner.
Driss and Winnie are the ultimate MCs.
I already know this is going to be one of my favourite series. I am impatiently awaiting the release of the second book. Can’t wait to see more from this Author!
Think forbidden fae love, sneaking around, secrets and a sprinkle of violence in the midst of battle ✨
I seriously did not want this book to end.
Thrown straight into the chaos from the get go and did not ease up - no boring chapters here.
The story took so many intriguing turns and I loved that you couldn’t predict what was around the corner.
Driss and Winnie are the ultimate MCs.
I already know this is going to be one of my favourite series. I am impatiently awaiting the release of the second book. Can’t wait to see more from this Author!
Read
September 4, 2026“In a kingdom built on chains, love might be the most dangerous form of rebellion.”
There are some books that throw you straight into the darkness and make you figure out how to survive alongside the characters.
A Kingdom in Chains is absolutely one of those books.
From the very beginning, this story drops you into a brutal world where the Northern fae have lost their magic and humans have taken control. What follows is a dark and often heartbreaking journey filled with oppression, violence, forbidden desire, dangerous power and the desperate fight for freedom.
And honestly, this book does not hold back.
Winnie immediately pulled me into the story. She is placed in an absolutely horrific situation, forced into the role of a “living doll” for a sadistic queen and her court. Watching her navigate that world was difficult at times, particularly because of just how cruel the circumstances surrounding her are.
But what I loved most about Winnie was her resilience.
She may have been stripped of her freedom and her magic, but there is a strength underneath her vulnerability that refuses to disappear.
Then we have Driss.
Dangerous, arrogant, morally questionable and completely magnetic.
Exactly the kind of MMC I apparently cannot resist.
The chemistry between Winnie and Driss was one of my favourite parts of the book. Their fated-mate connection adds an incredible layer of tension because this isn't a romance that can simply happen openly. Every glance, every touch and every moment between them carries consequences.
Their relationship develops against a backdrop of fear and brutality, which makes the softer moments feel even more meaningful.
There is something so addictive about watching two characters find a tiny piece of hope in a world that is determined to take everything from them.
And then there is the world-building.
I really enjoyed discovering the history of the fae and the circumstances surrounding their lost magic. There is clearly a much larger story unfolding behind the events of this first book, and I loved the feeling that there were pieces of the puzzle being carefully placed throughout the story.
The political side of the world also adds plenty of tension.
Humans hold the power.
The fae are oppressed.
The queen rules through fear.
And beneath it all, something is beginning to shift.
The idea of rebellion slowly taking shape gave the story an extra layer that I really enjoyed. The romance isn't happening in isolation—it becomes tangled up with something much bigger.
Freedom.
Power.
Magic.
Survival.
And that made the stakes feel considerably higher.
This is definitely a dark romantasy, though, and I think it's important to go into it knowing that. There are some incredibly heavy themes throughout, including slavery, abuse, sexual violence, degradation and graphic violence. These aren't light touches, and readers should absolutely check the trigger warnings before picking this one up.
For me, some of the darker content was difficult to read, but it also helped establish just how horrific the world Winnie and the other fae are trapped in.
One thing I particularly appreciated was that the story doesn't stay stagnant. There are twists, secrets and revelations that kept me questioning where things were heading. Just when I thought I had a handle on the direction of the story, something else would shift.
And that ending...
Let's just say I was very happy to know this is the beginning of a series because I am definitely not finished with this world.
I need to know what happens next.
While I did have a few moments where the pacing wasn't quite perfect for me, and some of the darker elements were challenging, overall I found this to be a gripping first instalment.
A.M. Rodgers has created a world that is dark, violent, passionate and full of potential, and I am genuinely intrigued to see how The Fallen Realms continues.
There is something incredibly compelling about a story where two people who have been stripped of almost everything find each other—and instead of becoming weaker, their connection becomes the spark that could ignite an entire rebellion.
A Kingdom in Chains is brutal. It's messy. It's emotional. It's dark.
But underneath all that darkness is hope.
And sometimes, that's the most dangerous thing of all.
Thank you to A.M. Rodgers and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
★★★★☆ 4 stars
🖤 Dark romantasy
⛓️ Fae under human rule
🔥 Fated mates
👑 Cruel royalty
🥀 Forbidden romance
✨ Lost magic
⚔️ Rebellion
🌑 Morally grey characters
🔥 Dangerous chemistry
📖 Series opener
There are some books that throw you straight into the darkness and make you figure out how to survive alongside the characters.
A Kingdom in Chains is absolutely one of those books.
From the very beginning, this story drops you into a brutal world where the Northern fae have lost their magic and humans have taken control. What follows is a dark and often heartbreaking journey filled with oppression, violence, forbidden desire, dangerous power and the desperate fight for freedom.
And honestly, this book does not hold back.
Winnie immediately pulled me into the story. She is placed in an absolutely horrific situation, forced into the role of a “living doll” for a sadistic queen and her court. Watching her navigate that world was difficult at times, particularly because of just how cruel the circumstances surrounding her are.
But what I loved most about Winnie was her resilience.
She may have been stripped of her freedom and her magic, but there is a strength underneath her vulnerability that refuses to disappear.
Then we have Driss.
Dangerous, arrogant, morally questionable and completely magnetic.
Exactly the kind of MMC I apparently cannot resist.
The chemistry between Winnie and Driss was one of my favourite parts of the book. Their fated-mate connection adds an incredible layer of tension because this isn't a romance that can simply happen openly. Every glance, every touch and every moment between them carries consequences.
Their relationship develops against a backdrop of fear and brutality, which makes the softer moments feel even more meaningful.
There is something so addictive about watching two characters find a tiny piece of hope in a world that is determined to take everything from them.
And then there is the world-building.
I really enjoyed discovering the history of the fae and the circumstances surrounding their lost magic. There is clearly a much larger story unfolding behind the events of this first book, and I loved the feeling that there were pieces of the puzzle being carefully placed throughout the story.
The political side of the world also adds plenty of tension.
Humans hold the power.
The fae are oppressed.
The queen rules through fear.
And beneath it all, something is beginning to shift.
The idea of rebellion slowly taking shape gave the story an extra layer that I really enjoyed. The romance isn't happening in isolation—it becomes tangled up with something much bigger.
Freedom.
Power.
Magic.
Survival.
And that made the stakes feel considerably higher.
This is definitely a dark romantasy, though, and I think it's important to go into it knowing that. There are some incredibly heavy themes throughout, including slavery, abuse, sexual violence, degradation and graphic violence. These aren't light touches, and readers should absolutely check the trigger warnings before picking this one up.
For me, some of the darker content was difficult to read, but it also helped establish just how horrific the world Winnie and the other fae are trapped in.
One thing I particularly appreciated was that the story doesn't stay stagnant. There are twists, secrets and revelations that kept me questioning where things were heading. Just when I thought I had a handle on the direction of the story, something else would shift.
And that ending...
Let's just say I was very happy to know this is the beginning of a series because I am definitely not finished with this world.
I need to know what happens next.
While I did have a few moments where the pacing wasn't quite perfect for me, and some of the darker elements were challenging, overall I found this to be a gripping first instalment.
A.M. Rodgers has created a world that is dark, violent, passionate and full of potential, and I am genuinely intrigued to see how The Fallen Realms continues.
There is something incredibly compelling about a story where two people who have been stripped of almost everything find each other—and instead of becoming weaker, their connection becomes the spark that could ignite an entire rebellion.
A Kingdom in Chains is brutal. It's messy. It's emotional. It's dark.
But underneath all that darkness is hope.
And sometimes, that's the most dangerous thing of all.
Thank you to A.M. Rodgers and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
★★★★☆ 4 stars
🖤 Dark romantasy
⛓️ Fae under human rule
🔥 Fated mates
👑 Cruel royalty
🥀 Forbidden romance
✨ Lost magic
⚔️ Rebellion
🌑 Morally grey characters
🔥 Dangerous chemistry
📖 Series opener
August 9, 2026
⭐ 4/5 Stars
A Kingdom in Chains basically looked at dark fantasy romance and said, “You know what this needs? Oppression, slavery, missing magic, political chaos, murderous royals, questionable coping mechanisms, and a man who apparently considers turning his enemies into stew a perfectly reasonable personality trait.”
Naturally, I kept reading.
This book gets dark very quickly, and I mean dark. Winnie is thrown into a brutal world where the fae have lost their magic, humans have taken control, and survival often means enduring things no one should ever have to endure. There are some very heavy themes here, including slavery, sexual violence, degradation, physical abuse, and graphic violence, so definitely check the trigger warnings before going in.
What worked for me most was that underneath all of that darkness, there is actually a much bigger story unfolding. The romance is important, but this is not just two attractive fae making questionable decisions while everyone around them suffers. There is a resistance movement, political tension, missing magic, secrets involving the North and South, betrayal, rebellion, and a larger conflict that kept getting more interesting as the book progressed.
Winnie also grew on me quite a bit. She starts out simply trying to survive, but by the end she is making her own decisions, choosing what she wants to fight for, and developing a much stronger sense of purpose. I especially appreciated that she was not reduced to simply being someone’s mate. She has her own anger, grief, motivations, and increasingly dangerous ideas about what should happen to the people responsible for everything the fae have endured.
And then there is Driss.
Driss is sarcastic, violent, damaged, possessive, occasionally unhinged, and apparently one bad day away from putting someone in a soup pot. So obviously he was entertaining. 😂 His dark humor gave the story some much-needed breathing room, but I also liked that underneath the jokes is someone who has endured his own trauma and learned to survive by shutting down emotionally.
The dual POV worked really well for me because Winnie and Driss experience the same world from completely different emotional places. That helped keep my hyperactive squirrel brain entertained, especially once the political and magical mystery really started opening up.
Where the book lost a star for me was mostly in repetition and relationship development. The mating bond is very intense, and after a while there were quite a few repeated thoughts about needing each other, belonging to each other, jealousy, separation, and the overwhelming pull between them. I understood the bond pretty early, so I would have traded some of those repeated internal thoughts for more conversations and quieter moments where Winnie and Driss actually learn about each other as people.
I also wanted a little more emotional breathing room after some of the heavier events. Winnie goes through an enormous amount of trauma, and occasionally the transition back into attraction, jealousy, or romance happened faster than I personally wanted. I could absolutely believe that desire and trauma can coexist, but I wanted some of those emotional wounds to sit on the page a little longer before the story moved forward.
The book could also benefit from another proofreading pass. I noticed several grammatical issues, typos, and wording errors throughout. None of them prevented me from understanding the story, but there were enough that they occasionally pulled me out of the moment.
Overall, though, I genuinely enjoyed this. It made me angry, uncomfortable, suspicious, amused, and invested, which is considerably better than a book making me feel absolutely nothing. The second half especially hooked me once the larger political conflict and magical mystery began taking center stage.
For me, five stars would have required a little less repetition, more relationship development outside the mating bond, slightly stronger emotional pacing after the heavier scenes, and another editing pass.
But that ending? Yeah. My squirrel brain is already asking questions it has absolutely no intention of patiently waiting to have answered.
—Mz. Sassy K.
SassyReviews.com
NOTE: As always, all thoughts, reactions, fangirling, suspicious side-eyeing, and sleep-deprived ramblings are entirely my own. My reviews are always unbiased, unfiltered, and unapologetically honest—whether I loved the book, wanted to throw my Kindle across the room, or somehow managed to do both.
A Kingdom in Chains basically looked at dark fantasy romance and said, “You know what this needs? Oppression, slavery, missing magic, political chaos, murderous royals, questionable coping mechanisms, and a man who apparently considers turning his enemies into stew a perfectly reasonable personality trait.”
Naturally, I kept reading.
This book gets dark very quickly, and I mean dark. Winnie is thrown into a brutal world where the fae have lost their magic, humans have taken control, and survival often means enduring things no one should ever have to endure. There are some very heavy themes here, including slavery, sexual violence, degradation, physical abuse, and graphic violence, so definitely check the trigger warnings before going in.
What worked for me most was that underneath all of that darkness, there is actually a much bigger story unfolding. The romance is important, but this is not just two attractive fae making questionable decisions while everyone around them suffers. There is a resistance movement, political tension, missing magic, secrets involving the North and South, betrayal, rebellion, and a larger conflict that kept getting more interesting as the book progressed.
Winnie also grew on me quite a bit. She starts out simply trying to survive, but by the end she is making her own decisions, choosing what she wants to fight for, and developing a much stronger sense of purpose. I especially appreciated that she was not reduced to simply being someone’s mate. She has her own anger, grief, motivations, and increasingly dangerous ideas about what should happen to the people responsible for everything the fae have endured.
And then there is Driss.
Driss is sarcastic, violent, damaged, possessive, occasionally unhinged, and apparently one bad day away from putting someone in a soup pot. So obviously he was entertaining. 😂 His dark humor gave the story some much-needed breathing room, but I also liked that underneath the jokes is someone who has endured his own trauma and learned to survive by shutting down emotionally.
The dual POV worked really well for me because Winnie and Driss experience the same world from completely different emotional places. That helped keep my hyperactive squirrel brain entertained, especially once the political and magical mystery really started opening up.
Where the book lost a star for me was mostly in repetition and relationship development. The mating bond is very intense, and after a while there were quite a few repeated thoughts about needing each other, belonging to each other, jealousy, separation, and the overwhelming pull between them. I understood the bond pretty early, so I would have traded some of those repeated internal thoughts for more conversations and quieter moments where Winnie and Driss actually learn about each other as people.
I also wanted a little more emotional breathing room after some of the heavier events. Winnie goes through an enormous amount of trauma, and occasionally the transition back into attraction, jealousy, or romance happened faster than I personally wanted. I could absolutely believe that desire and trauma can coexist, but I wanted some of those emotional wounds to sit on the page a little longer before the story moved forward.
The book could also benefit from another proofreading pass. I noticed several grammatical issues, typos, and wording errors throughout. None of them prevented me from understanding the story, but there were enough that they occasionally pulled me out of the moment.
Overall, though, I genuinely enjoyed this. It made me angry, uncomfortable, suspicious, amused, and invested, which is considerably better than a book making me feel absolutely nothing. The second half especially hooked me once the larger political conflict and magical mystery began taking center stage.
For me, five stars would have required a little less repetition, more relationship development outside the mating bond, slightly stronger emotional pacing after the heavier scenes, and another editing pass.
But that ending? Yeah. My squirrel brain is already asking questions it has absolutely no intention of patiently waiting to have answered.
—Mz. Sassy K.
SassyReviews.com
NOTE: As always, all thoughts, reactions, fangirling, suspicious side-eyeing, and sleep-deprived ramblings are entirely my own. My reviews are always unbiased, unfiltered, and unapologetically honest—whether I loved the book, wanted to throw my Kindle across the room, or somehow managed to do both.
April 28, 2026
I need book two immediately… for my own emotional wellbeing!
OMG, I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. I just wanted something new to read in a genre I love, and this ended up giving me absolutely everything I could have asked for - and then some.
Love, hate, passion, war, fae, mating bonds, spice - yes, plenty of spice - and an evil queen I absolutely loved to hate. What more could I want?
Winnie is such a force to be reckoned with, and I always love a strong female lead who can hold her own. But Driss? Oh, Driss. He is arrogant, cocky, sarcastic, self-centred, and exactly the kind of character who should annoy me…except he completely won me over. Beneath all that attitude, he is fiercely loving, protective, and the kind of mate who had me wishing I was Winnie.
And that ending? Seriously. What an ending. I am now left pacing the floor, wondering how long I have to wait for book two.
If you’re after a fast-paced dark romantasy full of twists, betrayal, passion, drama, tension, and everything in between, this one is absolutely for you. A.M. Rodgers will not be unknown for long.
OMG, I honestly didn’t know what to expect when I started this book. I just wanted something new to read in a genre I love, and this ended up giving me absolutely everything I could have asked for - and then some.
Love, hate, passion, war, fae, mating bonds, spice - yes, plenty of spice - and an evil queen I absolutely loved to hate. What more could I want?
Winnie is such a force to be reckoned with, and I always love a strong female lead who can hold her own. But Driss? Oh, Driss. He is arrogant, cocky, sarcastic, self-centred, and exactly the kind of character who should annoy me…except he completely won me over. Beneath all that attitude, he is fiercely loving, protective, and the kind of mate who had me wishing I was Winnie.
And that ending? Seriously. What an ending. I am now left pacing the floor, wondering how long I have to wait for book two.
If you’re after a fast-paced dark romantasy full of twists, betrayal, passion, drama, tension, and everything in between, this one is absolutely for you. A.M. Rodgers will not be unknown for long.
April 27, 2026
This book does not ease you in...it throws you straight into a brutal, twisted world and never lets up. The author really said “what backstory?” and drops you into an evil queen with a collection of dolls.
The pain? Heavy
The stakes? Constant
And the dynamic???
An unhinged, dangerous MMC with an insanely arrogant edge. A ride-or-die FMC who never folds.
The tension, the touches, the “we shouldn’t but we will” energy… yeah, I ate that up. The connection between the two of them is insane, and I absolutely adored the love, the bond, the pure touch her and die energy.
Dark, chaotic, a little unwell… but completely addictive. That ending almost had me throwing my Kobo at the wall.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The pain? Heavy
The stakes? Constant
And the dynamic???
An unhinged, dangerous MMC with an insanely arrogant edge. A ride-or-die FMC who never folds.
The tension, the touches, the “we shouldn’t but we will” energy… yeah, I ate that up. The connection between the two of them is insane, and I absolutely adored the love, the bond, the pure touch her and die energy.
Dark, chaotic, a little unwell… but completely addictive. That ending almost had me throwing my Kobo at the wall.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 2, 2026
Wow, what can I say.
I was kindly given the opportunity to read this book through Booksirens and am under no obligation to write this review!.
I thoroughly enjoyed this although I am not use to such a fast paced story line.
I love Winnie's character development throughout this book. Her and Driss's love story is captivating even though it feels so rushed. So much happens in this book.
I did not see that ending coming and I was completely shocked of most of the events throughout this book.
I can honestly say I can't wait to see what comes next and what the next book holds fir Winnie and Driss, will they get their powers back? Will the king be killed?
I was kindly given the opportunity to read this book through Booksirens and am under no obligation to write this review!.
I thoroughly enjoyed this although I am not use to such a fast paced story line.
I love Winnie's character development throughout this book. Her and Driss's love story is captivating even though it feels so rushed. So much happens in this book.
I did not see that ending coming and I was completely shocked of most of the events throughout this book.
I can honestly say I can't wait to see what comes next and what the next book holds fir Winnie and Driss, will they get their powers back? Will the king be killed?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 9, 2026
Absolutely amazing read. This was phenomenal! I was not expecting this to be this freaking good. I was so absorbed in this, I just couldn’t put it down. The characters, the world building, the plot, perfectly executed. I need what comes next.
May 2, 2026
Ummmm I’m gonna need book 2. Immediately.
May 6, 2026
wow! what a great read!!
I wish it never ended! A great story line, with twists that keep your reading! Love the characters , can’t wait for the next book.
I wish it never ended! A great story line, with twists that keep your reading! Love the characters , can’t wait for the next book.
July 13, 2026
I was hooked!
Pleasantly surprised on how this story captivated me, was fully invested from the beginning! Can’t wait for book 2! Be warned it’s dark but I loved it! As a dark romance reader and lover of anything gory, shocking bits - the darkness of this book will be around 2.5 out of 5 for me. But that’s just me
Pleasantly surprised on how this story captivated me, was fully invested from the beginning! Can’t wait for book 2! Be warned it’s dark but I loved it! As a dark romance reader and lover of anything gory, shocking bits - the darkness of this book will be around 2.5 out of 5 for me. But that’s just me
August 8, 2026
This book has a dark theme, a slow fated mates romantasy.
The characters are brilliantly worked out and so is their growth!!!
I loved the scenery of the world building, very impressive!
A very good first installment in this romantasy series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The characters are brilliantly worked out and so is their growth!!!
I loved the scenery of the world building, very impressive!
A very good first installment in this romantasy series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 13, 2026
immediate auto buy territory
Not something I would normally read but recommended by a friend.
Surprised how much I enjoyed the world of Winnie and Driss & already hanging out for book 2!
I just know this author will be on my auto buy list from now on - this was too good & I can’t wait to read whatever they write next.
Not something I would normally read but recommended by a friend.
Surprised how much I enjoyed the world of Winnie and Driss & already hanging out for book 2!
I just know this author will be on my auto buy list from now on - this was too good & I can’t wait to read whatever they write next.
May 28, 2026
Ooooh what to say? Ultimately I enjoyed this and it's left me wanting more - the final twist had a twist!
It does start off pretty dark with sexual slavery so watch the warnings but soon moves onto the real story. I loved Winnie, the FMC and can't wait to find out what's next for her.
It does start off pretty dark with sexual slavery so watch the warnings but soon moves onto the real story. I loved Winnie, the FMC and can't wait to find out what's next for her.
May 23, 2026
One thing I absolutely want to say about this book is read the trigger warnings! I did not realize how much sexual assault there would be in it even though the author put trigger warnings in. Otherwise I rather enjoyed this story. It did remind me a lot of The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty. Especially in the beginning. This is more on the fantasy side as it includes fae. I really loved Winnie and I felt bad for her with all she has had to go through after losing her powers. There were some things I was able to predict like what had happened to Knox but even still I enjoyed the story. I look forward to reading the next book if there is one!
August 9, 2026
Firstly, this author can write. I found no issue with the actual prose. It was easy to read and had genuine moments of humour that made me smile. The found family was also a fun thing to read.
My issues were with the FMC's and MMC's reactions to the world around them; I personally found that it didn't make sense to me. At times, and while humour can help, I felt a heavy moment lost its gravity.
Keep in mind, this is a personal preference, and overall this is not a bad book. Check your triggers for this one.
My issues were with the FMC's and MMC's reactions to the world around them; I personally found that it didn't make sense to me. At times, and while humour can help, I felt a heavy moment lost its gravity.
Keep in mind, this is a personal preference, and overall this is not a bad book. Check your triggers for this one.
July 26, 2026
The fae have lost their magic and the humans that once lived alongside them are taking control. Winnie finds herself being taken by humans and that is just the beginning of the story.
This book is well written with a good developing relationship between the FMC and MMC. There are twists to the story which kept me engaged and wanting to find out what happened next. I can’t wait to read the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book is well written with a good developing relationship between the FMC and MMC. There are twists to the story which kept me engaged and wanting to find out what happened next. I can’t wait to read the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 7, 2026
A Kingdom in Chains by A. M. Rodgers is a beautifully written dark fantasy that blends romance, oppression, and rebellion into a gripping and emotionally charged story.
Set in a world where the fae have been stripped of their magic and imprisoned by humans, the novel immediately establishes high stakes and a haunting atmosphere. At the center is Winnie, a young fae woman forced into the role of a living doll, her identity and autonomy controlled by those in power.
After Winnie and Driss discover they are soulmates, the story shifts into something far more expansive. Their bond becomes the catalyst for change, pushing them into a dangerous journey to restore magic and reclaim freedom. Together, they face the harsh realities of a broken world while holding onto hope that they can overturn the system that has enslaved their people.
The narrative follows their struggle for survival and their determination to overthrow the tyrannical rulers who suppress fae magic. Their plan to destroy the rune stone that binds their power adds urgency and direction, while also allowing space for emotional growth and deeper connection between them.
One of the novel’s strongest elements is the chemistry between Winnie and Driss. Their relationship feels alive on the page, layered with both tenderness and tension. However, their bond is tested in a way that is both shocking and impactful. While I understood the influence behind Driss’s actions, it was still difficult to reconcile, and I believe readers will feel the same.
The darker tone of the novel may not appeal to all romance readers, but for those willing to explore more intense themes, it offers a rewarding and immersive experience.
A Kingdom in Chains is a compelling dark fantasy with strong characters, emotional depth, and a powerful central conflict. It leaves readers eager for what comes next, and I am already looking forward to book two.
I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery.
Set in a world where the fae have been stripped of their magic and imprisoned by humans, the novel immediately establishes high stakes and a haunting atmosphere. At the center is Winnie, a young fae woman forced into the role of a living doll, her identity and autonomy controlled by those in power.
After Winnie and Driss discover they are soulmates, the story shifts into something far more expansive. Their bond becomes the catalyst for change, pushing them into a dangerous journey to restore magic and reclaim freedom. Together, they face the harsh realities of a broken world while holding onto hope that they can overturn the system that has enslaved their people.
The narrative follows their struggle for survival and their determination to overthrow the tyrannical rulers who suppress fae magic. Their plan to destroy the rune stone that binds their power adds urgency and direction, while also allowing space for emotional growth and deeper connection between them.
One of the novel’s strongest elements is the chemistry between Winnie and Driss. Their relationship feels alive on the page, layered with both tenderness and tension. However, their bond is tested in a way that is both shocking and impactful. While I understood the influence behind Driss’s actions, it was still difficult to reconcile, and I believe readers will feel the same.
The darker tone of the novel may not appeal to all romance readers, but for those willing to explore more intense themes, it offers a rewarding and immersive experience.
A Kingdom in Chains is a compelling dark fantasy with strong characters, emotional depth, and a powerful central conflict. It leaves readers eager for what comes next, and I am already looking forward to book two.
I received an Advanced Review Copy (or ARC) on Reedsy Discovery.
May 22, 2026
I went into this book not knowing quite what to expect, but it quickly became one of those books that’s hard to put down. It has everything I enjoy in a dark romantasy, fae, forbidden romance, tension, twists, danger, and just the right amount of spice without overpowering the story. Winnie is a strong and resilient FMC who holds her own, while Driss completely won me over with his arrogant, protective, and surprisingly layered personality. Their chemistry and banter felt natural, and the emotional depth behind their connection made me genuinely invested in them. The world-building was immersive, and the darker themes added real weight to the story without losing the emotional heart of it. I especially loved how unpredictable the plot felt, with twists that kept me wanting to read just one more chapter. The pacing kept things moving, and once the story picked up, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. That ending left me desperate for book two, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what this author writes next!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 15, 2026
"A Kingdom in Chains" by A M Rodgers completely shattered me in the best way possible. From the first page, I felt trapped right alongside Winnie, feeling the weight of her stolen power and the crushing cruelty of a world where magic has been ruthlessly silenced.
It is dark, visceral, and incredibly intense—not for the faint of heart, but absolutely magnetic. ⛓️✨
Watching Winnie navigate the sadistic court of Verin as a "living doll" was heart-wrenching, yet her resilience is what truly grounded the story for me. And then there is Driss. Their connection isn't just romance; it’s a terrifying, primal spark that flickers in the darkest of places. That forbidden bond feels like a dangerous dance on the edge of a blade, where every stolen glance could mean death.
Rodgers has crafted a haunting atmosphere of fear and brutality, but beneath that blood-stained surface lies a fierce, burning hope that I found impossible to look away from. If you love high-stakes fantasy with scorching chemistry and a rebellion that threatens to turn the world to ash, you need to pick this up immediately.📚❤️🔥
It is dark, visceral, and incredibly intense—not for the faint of heart, but absolutely magnetic. ⛓️✨
Watching Winnie navigate the sadistic court of Verin as a "living doll" was heart-wrenching, yet her resilience is what truly grounded the story for me. And then there is Driss. Their connection isn't just romance; it’s a terrifying, primal spark that flickers in the darkest of places. That forbidden bond feels like a dangerous dance on the edge of a blade, where every stolen glance could mean death.
Rodgers has crafted a haunting atmosphere of fear and brutality, but beneath that blood-stained surface lies a fierce, burning hope that I found impossible to look away from. If you love high-stakes fantasy with scorching chemistry and a rebellion that threatens to turn the world to ash, you need to pick this up immediately.📚❤️🔥
August 13, 2026
3 stars. Lost a half because the SA for the first half is a bit rough, so note the trigger warnings. The author seemed to spend more time writing that than the consensual scenes, which did leave me feeling a bit itchy. Will probably read the next, though, assuming most, if not all, of the non consensual involvement is over.
I did like that the MMC has a crew of “are they just besties, or do they kiss sometimes?” friends. Can’t wait to find out the answer. I also appreciate that we didn’t have to do the “here are the compulsory 3-9 chapters of him being “broody.”” You can have a fun MMC. He can even still maybe be awful. A person can be funny AND morally gray AND have a Tragic Backstory (TM).
Question: do we call it cannibalism? When it’s fae eating people? Or are they different enough species that we don’t, like when a shark eats another species of fish? If yes, then TW for cannibalism, too, I guess. If no, then there are some honestly pretty funny scenes that are not cannibalism.
I did like that the MMC has a crew of “are they just besties, or do they kiss sometimes?” friends. Can’t wait to find out the answer. I also appreciate that we didn’t have to do the “here are the compulsory 3-9 chapters of him being “broody.”” You can have a fun MMC. He can even still maybe be awful. A person can be funny AND morally gray AND have a Tragic Backstory (TM).
Question: do we call it cannibalism? When it’s fae eating people? Or are they different enough species that we don’t, like when a shark eats another species of fish? If yes, then TW for cannibalism, too, I guess. If no, then there are some honestly pretty funny scenes that are not cannibalism.
May 10, 2026
Book 1 of The Fallen Realms. And a wonderful start it is! Look forward to more from this world.
'Every glance risks torture. Every touch risks death. Yet in a world ruled by fear and brutality, their forbidden love becomes the spark of rebellion — a fierce, burning hope that might free them from their chains… or reduce the entire world to ashes.'
The characters were very compelling and complex and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
'Every glance risks torture. Every touch risks death. Yet in a world ruled by fear and brutality, their forbidden love becomes the spark of rebellion — a fierce, burning hope that might free them from their chains… or reduce the entire world to ashes.'
The characters were very compelling and complex and perfectly steamy together. Plot was intriguing and intense and well paced. World building was excellent and impressive. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2026
Morally gray characters fill this dark fae fantasy. Northern fae have no more magic; their land and their lives are ruled by humans. Winnie is captured and is forced to be a "living doll," at the mercy of a sadistic queen. The queen derives pleasure from depravity and violence to fae slaves in her kingdom. With one touch, Winnie and a male "doll" trigger a primal mate bond. The queen will not stand for that in her brutal realm. A rebellion is in the making but will they even survive to gain their freedom?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Loved this book! Was one of those can't put down, thinking about it in the shower, would skip a day of work to finish type books. The Author is very clever with hidden easter eggs and very subtle hints throughout. Really enjoyed reading this, I would put on the same shelf with Sarah J Maas easily. Up there with Quicksilver too.
Really nice to see some different MMC other than the typical.
Overall would read again (probably very soon) as I want to mark all those easter eggs now that I know the story!
Really nice to see some different MMC other than the typical.
Overall would read again (probably very soon) as I want to mark all those easter eggs now that I know the story!
May 6, 2026
Not sure what I was expecting when I started reading this book, but definitely will say it blew me away. I really enjoyed the world building and the charaters. Main characters go through so much. The story did start slow but once it picked up it sucks you in and leaves you wanting more. Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 10, 2026
An intense and beautifully written fantasy romance that pulls you in from the very first page. A Kingdom in Chains offers a perfect blend of dark intrigue, emotional depth, and powerful character connections. With its gripping storyline and unforgettable romance, this book is an absolutely compelling read.
August 14, 2026
Intense story with action packed scenes. Characters were multi layered and relatable. Their journey together wasn't without roadblocks. Storyline was interesting and kept my attention from beginning to the end. Read this now. It was fantastic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 5, 2026
Fabulous Read
Great read from a debut author. Lots of twists and turns that kept me intrigued. Can’t wait for book 2.
Great read from a debut author. Lots of twists and turns that kept me intrigued. Can’t wait for book 2.
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