In the time of Addis, during the season of abundance, the curse will be undone and a new age will dawn. From less-than-stellar foster homes to second-rate friendships, Amethyst Webb has dedicated her life to protecting her twin sister from everything she can. So when a weeklong vacation along the Maine coastline suddenly turns on its head and lands the both of them in an unknown, foreign world, Amethyst is ready to stand as a buffer between this new place and her sister while they figure out exactly how to get back home.
At least, until they’re swept into a time-worn tradition that sees them betrothed and separated across kingdoms. Now, Amethyst must discover how they ended up in a different realm while desperately attempting to reconnect with her sister. Except with every new piece of information she uncovers, more questions arise.
About this new realm. About her and her sister. About the murky history that connects them.
And, all the while, Amethyst finds herself slowly falling for the man she intended to forsake in order to reunite with her sister, leaving her with a question she’s terrified to answer:
What if this realm is the place she’s always been destined for?
Thanks so much to Luna Literary Agency and the author for the review copy. All opinions are honest and voluntarily expressed.
If you’re looking for a portal fantasy omegaverse that leans heavily into the fantasy, this is the perfect book for you. I’m a confirmed fan of ALL the genres represented and thought this was excellent. This is very much a book that takes its time to tell the story, and we spend pages inside Amethyst’s head, so readers that want a fast pace might struggle, but it really worked for me. I enjoyed every word.
The fantasy definitely takes center stage here, along with a heavy dose of hidden identity and stranger in a strange land. The romance is the slowest of exquisitely slow burns, and it definitely elevates the chemistry between the characters.
It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, and I absolutely can’t wait to see where it goes next!
Tears of the Stolen is a romantasy that combines portal fantasy, a modern world heroine, intricate kingdoms, and a slow burn romance that truly lives up to the phrase.
One of the elements I enjoyed most was the portal premise. Amythyst and her sister are human from Arizona who unexpectedly fall through a portal into another world, where a bonding rite is already underway. Men from the various kingdoms are searching for women to become their bonded partners or "omegas", and Amythyst’s sister is immediately chosen and willingly leaves with her new bond. Amythyst, however, finds herself drawn to this unfamiliar world for reasons she does not yet understand. and that includes our MMC, Callum, who is a prince.
As someone who usually doesn't enjoy modern elements in a fantasy book... this is the exception. It made since in this book and was done very well. I particularly enjoyed the contrast between Amythyst’s modern perspective and the fantasy world she finds herself in. Callum, the MMC, has no knowledge of the world she came from, which creates a refreshing dynamic between them. Rather than simply having the heroine adapt to a fantasy world, we also get to see her explain her own world to him. I enjoyed those moments of discovery and the way they allowed their relationship to develop naturally.
There were times, however, when the references to Amythyst’s “Arizona” became somewhat repetitive. The initial contrast between her world and theirs was entertaining and useful for the story, but I felt that some of those conversations could have been condensed without losing their impact.
The romance was easily one of my favorite aspects of the book. This is what I want when I ask for a slow burn. Amythyst and Callum’s relationship develops gradually, allowing the tension and emotional connection to build rather than rushing toward the physical aspects of their relationship. And the spice does not arrive until approximately 84% into the book. Which for someone who enjoys a long buildup definitely made the payoff particularly satisfying. The anticipation was absolutely worth it.
My biggest criticism is the structure and pacing. I think the story could have benefited from another round of restructuring during the editing process. There were a few chapters and sections that felt like they could have been condensed or removed, and doing so may have created a tighter, more consistently paced narrative. The story itself held my interest, but I occasionally found myself wishing the plot would move forward a little more quickly.
Despite that, I thought Tears of the Stolen was extremely well done. The portal fantasy elements, the contrast between the modern and fantasy worlds, the developing mystery surrounding Amythyst, and the slow burn romance all worked together to create something I genuinely enjoyed. I could definitely see this book being picked up by a trad publisher.
this book is one billion panic attacks in a 600 page trench coat.
i love a portal fantasy!!! and i am a DEVOUT believer that the world needs more omegaverse romantasies!!! and while this is a really well fleshed out world with complex, fascinating fantasy elements .... literally nothing happened during the middle 500 pages of this book. nothing except riding a horse and panicking — which, valid, if you're the type of person to believe that MCs experiences should be reflective of A Real Person In This Situation, but i'm of the opinion that that often makes for a very boring and uninspired book in a fantasy! even in a portal fantasy!
i wanted to love this so bad! the concept is great, there's immense potential for this to become an epic series, and the romance and spice, once we trek through 500+ pages, is well-earned and satisfying. but i just cannot, in good conscience, endorse the plodding and frustratingly redundant plot. i see the vision though!! and this would be a good fit for someone looking to settle in for some well-worth-it slow burn, for someone who loves love well-done, thoughtful fantasy worlds, and who can perhaps better appreciate a realistic journey over an expedited, whirlwind one. i'm on the fence about picking up book two, but perhaps now that we've thoroughly and meticulously established the setting, we'll get a book two that sees much more movement and action. fingers crossed!!!
Tears of the Stolen is a book that you fall in love with slowly, just like the characters do. While the first hundred pages were a jarring entry into a new world, by the end of the story, I was sad to see the last page close. The character development was natural, the romance felt real, and the world slowly dragged you in until reality just didn't have the same vividness.
Read if you like... 🪞Fated mates/arranged courtship ✨Hurt comfort after nightmares 🪞Portal Fantasy 🍃 Kingdoms on the Brink of War 🪞Forced Proximity ✨Only one tent (and later one horse) 🪞Close sister relationships and female friendships 🍃 Trust as something that is earned 🪞FMC with a hidden past learns to come into power ✨Gentle, protective, and kind MMC 🪞He heals her during their first meeting 🍃 She feels drawn to him but doesn't know why 🪞Accurate trauma and panic attack depictions ✨Absence of violence as a sign of strength 🪞Deities who walk among the living
Thank you to Luna Literary Agency and the author for an e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
Thank you to Luna Literary Management and the author for a copy of this book.
This is a fantastic portal fantasy omegaverse, I love the world we are thrown into. This is a super slow burn as Amethyst gets to know the realm she’s been magically transported to, and she and Callum travel back to his home for the Grand Rite. Callum is the most green flag guy out there, I think. He helps her through so much trauma she has from her past while helping her settle into the new world she’s in. She also doesn’t know she’s an Omega, so there a whole other facet to their story. It does end on a brutal cliffhanger, and I can't wait for the next book!
our FMC unknowingly touches an enchanted mirror and gets teleported into another world. there she immediately get thrown into the grand rite when alpha and omegas choose each other.
a very rich fantasy solitary with a deep world building and lore. histories and gods. magic and prophecies.
and an incredible slow burn story between her and the prince callum with a perfect spice 😍
I really wanted to like this one but FMC was sexually assaulted and then was terrified when she travels to another realm and I just couldn’t get into it. Super angsty for an Omegaverse.
Tropes: Omegaverse, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Only One Bed, Heats & Knots, Breeding Kink
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was a very unique omegaverse with portal magic that had me very intrigued. If you like portal magic, an incredibly slow slow burn, dark themes, and omegaverse, I definitely think you’d like this! The story is medium-paced and has quite a few surprises, especially towards the end, and it kept my attention well. I wasn’t in love with some of the writing, but that may be because I read an uncorrected proof, and I am sure most of that will have been taken care of before publication day. Overall, I enjoyed the originality of the story, and I hope you will too!
⭐ Story: 3.75 stars 🌶️ Spice: 3 chilis
Thanks so much to Luna Literary Agency and the author for the review copy. All opinions are my own
This book really surprised me and in so many excellent ways. I think this was my first TRUE portal fantasy since like the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe, but in this one, they don’t even know that’s what they’re doing and there’s literally no way home.
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
Tears of the Stolen is book 1 in The Nephillim Accords series and tells the story of Amethyst, a totally normal girl with a totally normal twin, Sloan, who are on a totally normal vacation in Maine as a semi break from their totally normal, mundane, boring lives in Phoenix. It’s always been just the two of them ever since they were abandoned at a fire station at age 4, and ever since Amethyst has been bending over backwards to deny her own feelings and needs so she can take care of her totally helpless, baby of a twin sister.
Then one day on their vacation, they’re just meandering on the rocks near the ocean when they see an out of place vintage-style hand mirror, which of course they both happen to touch at the same time. Next thing they know, they’re portaled away from their world and into a totally magical land smack dab in the forest of a nation called Sepra. Amethyst is severely injured in the portal journey and the two are “rescued” by some people who heal them, give them language tattoos that are definitely cursed in some way, and force them to enter this super crazy but totally awesome and absolutely sacred rite. What is this rite? Well it just so happens that it’s where alphas from across the nations gather to find and choose an omega to bond, marry, and bring back to their home nation for maintaining peace among the world reasons. Oh yeah, and they’re both omegas and this world includes a fascinating interpolation of omegaverse dynamics.
Long story short, Sloan gets picked first by a seemingly normal man from one nation, leaving Amethyst to brave the scary world of the rite alone. Enter Callum, the second born prince of a different nation than Sloan’s man, whose body is literally pulled in the direction of Amethyst, seemingly by magic and fate. Callum picks Amethyst, saving her from probable death due to another very bad fall, and definitely a lot more trauma at the hands of a much worse man.
From here, we follow Amethyst and Callum’s journey to understand each other and fall in love despite really so many things that tried to keep them apart, like Amethyst’s past trauma, her misunderstandings of their world and general being from Arizona-ness, their world that seems to be at peace but is clearly on the brink of war, cultural expectations, Amethyst coming to understand her new omega status, and so much more.
I loved this book and I was so hooked from basically the moment they entered their new world. I loved how we learn about the world through Amethyst’s new, confused eyes and really appreciated Callum’s chapters too. It was so obvious how over the moon he was for her and just how totally confused she was, until she wasn’t anymore. Once she started to embrace her path and even Callum, I became totally voracious and couldn’t put it down. I loved the ways the author chose to embed omegaverse dynamics into this world. It was so smart and really helped solidify so many elements of the world and their connection, but it wasn’t all there was to it. There were so many moving themes and evolving political dynamics that we learn about and I really enjoyed those elements too.
I especially loved the way the author handled Amethyst’s past trauma, namely her extreme eldest daughter syndrome and her physical and sexual abuse. It was so well done, both in simple representation across the story, and within their romance and journey together.
I also just loved both Amethyst and Callum as individual characters and together as a couple. Callum is a super cinnamon roll mmc while also being an alpha in all the traditional possessive ways. He’s also just enamored with her and wants to know everything about her and make her comfortable and do anything she wants. Amethyst on the other hand was slow to open up but smart, did her best to adapt and learn and also claim her reality and did her best with what she had. She dealt with her trauma and at times was overwhelmed but when it was time to accept and figure out how to thrive and not just survive, she did it and I loved it. She was so easy to root for. I was eternally grateful this book is about her and not Sloan. Youngest daughters have had their time, this book is for all the girlies with eldest daughter trauma and I was here for it. I especially loved Amethyst at her peak acceptance of her omega status and everything that meant.
I also loved the slow unraveling of who Amethyst really is. There’s definitely a hidden identity there that is slowly teased throughout the book. There’s absolutely still a mystery there that will I suppose be revealed fully in book 2 (literally cannot wait), but what we are given in this book is so cool and fascinating with crazy prophecy dreams, history lessons, divine readings that tie Amethyst and Callum’s pasts and futures together, and I loved all of it. It’s very fated coded.
Also of note is the big conclusion/finale to Amethyst and Callum’s marriage ceremony, in a temple, where uh… yeah some priests watch them get down for their first knotting, you know to ensure they’re compatible for making babies. Yeah, that was awesome and I loved every second of it.
The book ends on a MAJOR cliffhanger so needless to say I am beyond ready for book 2. I am hoping that the big awful thing at the end is a misunderstanding but only time will tell…
Definitely check the trigger warnings! Not everyone wants to read a public sex scene or some of the trauma Amethyst explains about her past so make sure to check and ensure you’re the target audience.
There were some things, as an avid ov fan, that I think could have been a bit stronger. Namely, her actual nesting, and maybe some more descriptive scenes and types of scenes. I still loved it and I think the author probably gave us what she was most comfortable writing, but as someone who reads a lot of ov I had certain expectations that I’m used to. That’s honestly the only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars and stuck with 4.75 ⭐️
But seriously I’m still a HUGE fan of this masterpiece. I truly enjoyed the entire experience. It was one of the best books I’ve read in a long time and I’ll be thinking about it and this dynamic world for quite a while. If this sounds like your kinda book, definitely give it a shot! I was pleasantly surprised and not let down in the slightest.
Thank you to the author and Luna Literary for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for my honest review. All views are my own.
Genre: Adult Fantasy Omegaverse Spice: 2.5/5🌶️ *spice ratings are relative to similar books in the same genre*
The Catalog: F/M portal omegaverse, FMC falls into alternate world, twin sisters, magic and monsters, political intrigue, ancient prophecy, alpha prince MMC, age gap, protective & possessive MMC, mate choosing ritual, forced proximity, only one bed/tent, slowish burn, cum pants, pushing it back in, public sex ceremony
CWs: past rape, PTSD symptoms, past sexual assault, past abuse, past self harm
Synopsis: Amethyst and Sloane were enjoying their twin-cation when a magical mirror portaled them onto a totally different world. In this new world, there is magic and biology neither understand, yet they’re sucked into a mate choosing ceremony that results in being separated. Amethyst just wants to return home, but every day she spends engaged to an alpha prince reveals more mysteries needing to be solved.
Thoughts: TLDR: Tears of the Stolen is an intricate romance that weaves together the classic elements of fantasy romance with all the best parts of omegaverse. Expect complex world building and lore layered with mysteries, tragic backstories, and a slower burn romance between a Prince and a woman from another world.
***
Tears of the Stolen definitely surprised me. Based on what I had seen of the story via the author’s social media and the blurb, I think my brain had pictured something like outlander meets omegaverse, but with magic. However, this story is definitely so much more!
I always love well constructed lore and world building, especially for a world that really stands apart from others in the fantasy romance genre. I can say with certainty that this story, setting, and lore feels very unique. If I had to compare, I would say that the greater world setting of this series is reminiscent of Middle Earth in the sense that: there are many different fantasy and paranormal species that seem to be isolated to their own territories, there is elemental magics, political intrigue, prophecy, and a great, mysterious danger looming over the characters.
I enjoyed the overall feel of this world, but the descriptions, lore, and world building is a lot to wade through from start to finish. At times, it was really tough to keep places, deities, and languages straight. In the same vein, there were so many secondary characters that I know I wasn’t always comprehending them in a meaningful way.
That said, I am hooked on the premise of this series and am super eager to see what is going to happen with these characters, even if Jillian destroyed me with that cliffhanger. Absolutely brutal.
As for the characters, Amethyst really tugged at my heartstrings. Her backstory is truly tragic and it broke my heart that she relegated herself to big sister syndrome to the point of severe trauma. I was actually so excited for her to have a chance to grow as her own person after being separated from her twin. It was a pleasure to see her blossom and slowly fall in love with the man she didn’t think she wanted.
Callum is a wonderful MMC. He’s what I like to call a “soft boi,” in the sense that he’s gentle and kind, patient, and brimming with green flags. In every way, he is perfect for Amethyst. I also adore that he’s a blonde baddie, and I’m eager to learn more about his secretive magic as the series progresses. The veiled truth of his parentage is also very intriguing and I am dying to know more about how he came to be.
Their romance was honestly really sweet and emotionally satisfying. I really appreciated the hard conversations they had and now their emotional intimacy supported their physical intimacy.
Overall, I think fantasy romance readers should definitely check this out!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I need a moment to recover from that ending… because WHAT was that?!
I received this book as an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tears of the Fallen follows twin sisters Amathyst and Sloane, who are on vacation when they touch a mysterious mirror and suddenly find themselves transported to an unknown foreign world.
“She reached for it the same time I did. The backs of our hands brushed a hairsbreadth before we touched the handle of the mirror. The moment my finger pressed against the cool metal, my hair swirled around me on a phantom wind……”
In this strange new world, the sisters are prepared for the Grant Rite as Omegas of Sepra. During the Rite, Sloane is taken by Jacob, while Amathyst is taken by Callum.
There is SO much I want to tell you about this book, but I really don’t want to spoil anything. The world-building is extensive and there is a lot of information to take in. At times, it was a little overwhelming, especially with all the different names and details to keep track of. But somehow, despite that, I flew through this book.
The mystery surrounding Amathyst’s past is one of the things that kept me hooked. Her dreams give you little pieces of information, constantly making you wonder: what happened to her and who is she really? Some of the revelations about her past are honestly heartbreaking and difficult to read.
I usually highlight SO many quotes when I read, but this time I barely highlighted anything because I was simply too caught up in the story.
I did struggle a little with Sloane at times. I found her choice to stay with Jacob rather selfish, especially when she knew how much Amathyst needed her.
“I love you, Mimi, and I miss you. But I am staying here with Jacob. It… it feels like it’s where I’ve always meant to end up”
And yet… I also understand her. She finds something she feels she has been missing and I could understand why she made that choice, even if I didn’t always agree with it.
And then there is Callum… where do I even begin?
The way he treats Amathyst, how patient and caring he is, how much time he gives her and how he understands when she needs space… I absolutely loved their relationship. He doesn’t push her. He gives her what she needs and their bond feels incredibly special and unique.
And then… The Rite. Like… DAMN.
This book is barely spicy for most of the story and then suddenly we reach the last ~100 pages and things change VERY quickly.
Also, Amathyst’s ladies-in-waiting! I absolutely loved them. They are so sweet, caring and helpful, and you can really see how grateful Amathyst is to have them around. Their presence adds such a lovely dynamic to her life in this new world.
And then the ending…
I genuinely need some time to let it sink in. It was shocking and heartbreaking at the same time, while also giving us a huge hint about Amathyst and what, or who, she really is (because I feel there is more to her than we think). I NEED the next book because I have so many questions!
Despite the amount of information and world-building, the story never felt like a chore to read. The writing was smooth and good to follow and I loved how connected I felt to the characters. You really feel their emotions and what they are going through, especially with Amathyst and everything she has experienced.
If you love fantasy omegaverse, slow burn romance, intriguing world-building and a mystery surrounding the FMC, you definitely need to pick this one up.
Now excuse me while I continue trying to process that ending…
Thank you, Luna Literary, for the mind-blowing fantasy ARC of Tear of the Stolen by Jillian Rink! ✨📚 This was a 4.5⭐ read for me! Oh my god, where do I even start talking about this book…How does world travel happen for these two girls? Why can only they travel to another world? And how do tickets to another world end up in Arizona? So many questions, so many amazing things happening, and I’m STILL trying to process everything! The world-building felt a little slow at first, but the story was so intriguing that I kept wanting to know more. There are still quite a few unanswered questions, but hopefully, book two will give us some answers. There are lots of characters, and honestly, I got a little confused trying to keep track of everyone just like our FMC, Amethyst, who travels to other world with her sister, Sloane, and they are orphans. I really hope the next book includes a character list with their roles or occupations😂😂. It would make things so much easier to remember and refer back to! Our MMC, Callum, is a prince of the kingdom of Marish, an Alpha, and a commander of Avicourt from the other world. He participates in the Grand Rite, which helps maintain the balance between the five countries and prevent wars. After meeting Callum, Amethyst experiences several accidents and mysterious dreams whose meanings she cannot understand. How she related to them .Slowly, she finds herself growing closer to him, and I was so curious to discover what was really happening! 👀 And just when everything seemed to be going fine… what is this CLIFFHANGER😂😭 .Attack , death kidnapping ohhh my god where do I go for answer what happens next .How am I supposed to wait for the next book after that??? One of my favourite things about this story was the world travel. Exploring a completely new world was so much fun & exciting ! I loved discovering a place where life felt simpler, where people believed in their gods and honoured them through their traditions and vows .something the two sisters had never experienced in their previous lives. This fantasy had me questioning everything, discovering new things, and wanting answers at every turn. Despite the slower world-building and the number of characters, I absolutely loved the experience! Kab aayegi Book 2?! I’m already waiting!
Content Warnings On page
Discussion of self harm and cutting scars Dreams relating to off page sexual assault Bodily trauma Death of an animal Forced application of magic
Off page & historical.
Parental abandonment Parental death Death related to childbirth Cutting Sexual Assault
*Tears of the Stolen* was such an interesting and captivating fantasy romance! I really enjoyed how the story combined portal fantasy, omegaverse, magic, mystery, and slow-burn romance.
The story follows twin sisters Amethyst and Sloane, whose lives are completely turned upside down when they discover a mysterious mirror that transports them into an unfamiliar world. Suddenly separated and forced to navigate different kingdoms, Amethyst finds herself betrothed to Prince Callum while desperately trying to reunite with her sister.
One of my favorite parts of the book was the relationship between Amethyst and Callum. I loved how their romance developed gradually instead of having them fall in love immediately. Callum was such a sweetheart! He was patient, understanding, and respectful of Amethyst's boundaries, especially considering everything she had experienced in her past. I really enjoyed watching Amethyst slowly become more comfortable around him and begin to trust him. Their relationship was incredibly sweet, and I loved seeing their connection grow throughout the story.
I also really enjoyed the fantasy elements and the world-building. There were so many interesting details involving the different kingdoms, magical abilities, traditions, and mysteries surrounding Amethyst's past. Although there was a lot of information to take in at times, I loved discovering more about this unfamiliar world alongside the characters.
Another aspect I enjoyed was Amethyst's relationship with her sister. Her determination to find Sloane showed just how much she loved her, and I admired how protective she was of her throughout the story. I'm definitely hoping we get to see more of their relationship in the next book!
And that ending! I was not expecting everything that happened, and now I have so many questions that I need answered. I'm really looking forward to seeing where the story goes next!
*Tears of the Stolen* was an enjoyable fantasy romance filled with magic, secrets, emotional moments, and a beautiful slow-burn relationship. If you enjoy portal fantasy, omegaverse, mysterious kingdoms, and a male main character who is a walking green flag, I definitely recommend checking this one out!
Wow. Firstly I have to say this book is intense. The amount of content that the author has put into the descriptive side of the story is immense. There is so much to take in that it becomes overwhelming in the sense that you do question if all that she has included is necessary. Some, maybe isn't, but this story is not yet finished, as it does end of a cliff hanger of all cliffy's! The prologue is historical in that is is speaking of another Realm. The the first chapter is twin sisters, having survived the system of being orphans and brought up in homes that at times were not conducive to their safety. But Amethyst made sure her sister, Sloane was happy and safe. The sisters, on holiday in Maine come across, what Sloane describes as rubbish on the rocks, but when they both pick up a mirror, is transports them to another Realm. So begins their story of chosen Omegas being prepared for the Alphas. Neither sisters know what is going on, but when Sloane meets Jacob, he chooses her and take her with him, leaving Amethyst alone on an island, not knowing what is to come next. Her falling and injuring herself, is where Prince Callum finds her. His immediate reaction is that the injured Omega lying in the mud, is his! It is a lengthy first book in this series and I found it too long if I am honest, and am glad that Callum and Amethyst FINALLY make it to the bonding@ If you love slow burn then this is the book for you, cos OMG the waiting was killing me LOL Callum had a lot to unpack once he found out the girls had not come willingly to the Grand Rite. Which in itself was illegal, and therefore made their choosing null and void. He would have to tell the Votorist's and have Amethyst and Sloane sent back to their Arizona. But Sloan had married and bonded with Jacob, This made for a difficult decision for Callum. He didn't want to lose Amethyst, but how could he lie to the Gods just to keep her! Yep the whole story of their growing attachment and love is surrounded by a plot to initiate a war. But who was starting the unrest? Hmmm, a good story and I cannot wait to see where this all goes. Loved the ending, but as with all cliffy's I need answers right now. Reasons I enjoyed this book: OriginalPage-turnerSteamyUnpredictableWonderful characters
Thank you to Jillian Rink for providing me with an arc.
Tears of the Stolen is a portal fantasy omegaverse following Amethyst Webb who has dedicated everything to protect her twin sister, Sloane. While on their weeklong vacation to the Maine coastline, everything they know gets turned upside down when they are transported to a foreign world. Amethyst is determined to protect her sister but an ancient tradition see them both betrothed and divided between kingdoms. Amethyst will do anything to get reunited with her sister but with every new piece of information she learns, the more questions about her past arise. But as time passes, she can’t help but find herself slowly falling for the man she's betrothed too…
I really adored this book as it is a very unique take on omegaverse. I have only ever read one other portal fantasy omegaverse and that wasn’t high fantasy like this one is. This world is massive and we only get to see a small sliver of this massive fantasy world and I can’t wait see more in the next book. I really loved Amethyst and Callum, especially their slow growth into love. While they are betrothed and drawn to each other, they take a long time to get to know each other and for Callum to prove that he is safe to her. Amethyst has dealt with a lot of trauma throughout her life and most of it she hasn’t had someone to share it with due to trying to protect her sister from everything. Callum is the biggest of green flags, he is willing to do anything for amethyst especially to prove that she is safe with him and his friends because she’s never fully had a safe home.
I really loved the side characters in this book and their friendships are very sweet. I am super excited for the next book, as I believe we will see more of Sloane in the sequel. We see glimpses at Sloane’s life in this new world but they are quite minimal due to the chaos of different kingdoms that aren’t super aligned and are being forced to figure out how to cooperate given the sisters' situations. Sloane seemed like an interesting character from what we did see and I think she will be very exciting to see in the next book.
I highly recommend this book if you want a slow burn portal fantasy omegaverse. I honestly think this could be a decent starting omegaverse especially if you are nervous to just go full force into a why choose omegaverse as this one is MF. I loved this new world from Jillian and I adored seeing her write fantasy/paranormal again. Do be aware that this book has some heavy content with discussion of past sexual assault, past self harm, and more. There are content warnings in the book so if you have any concerns do check those. I am so excited for the next in this series and I can’t wait for whatever Jillian writes next.
Tropes: prophecies omegaverse age gap one bed magic soul bonds dual POV
Trigger Warnings: off page self harm sexual assault trauma parental abandonment
Tears of the Stolen is a fantasy that starts off in modern-day Maine, USA and ends up in another world. There's magic, beasts, a type of arranged marriage between different countries you could say, political interests, alphas and omegas, prophecies, royalty, and knotting lol.
This is only the second omegaverse I've ever read and I did enjoy it. I think that it was longer than necessary and could have been shortened a little though. Two sisters find a mirror in Maine, while walking along the beach and suddenly they're thrown into a marriage alliance that's a 300-year old peace treaty. My biggest issue with this book was how quickly they were willing to be a part of Magefall. One sister was immediately like we'll find our way home but let's see what happens and very quickly goes off with a man to marry him, leaving the other sister behind. I thought that was a bit.... too wild and fast rofl. Meanwhile, the other sister, Amethyst, who's POV we do get, she's struggling. She just wants to find her sister and get back to the states but yet she's got nothing to go back to so why not stay and see where this marriage thing goes? I men... I struggled with this mindset. However, after I got passed this, I liked the story better. The second POV we get is Callum, the alpha who picks Amethyst to be his Omega/bride.
What I really liked about this story was how green-flagged Callum was. He was a man who respected boundaries and he was a consent King. I love that. Amethyst's back-story really intriques me. I loved her dream scenes and wondering is she or isn't she an ancient race? I also liked her character. While she was really hesitant, I mean uh who wouldn't be, she was real with her anxiety, past trauma, her emotions moving forward. I liked that we got a character with this type of depth. The ending really did have me on the hook too. That cliffhanger. WTHeck was that?! I need answers. I want answers. Things were finally moving at a speed I liked and then book ends. Argh. When is book 2?
Portal fantasy and omegaverse aren’t my usual genres, so it took me a little while to get used to the worldbuilding, but once I got into the story, I was hooked!
My favorite part was definitely the slow burn romance between Amethyst and Prince Callum. I absolutely loved how Callum showed his strength through patience and gentleness rather than aggression. He never pushed Amethyst to trust him before she was ready, and watching him comfort her through her nightmares while giving her the space to heal had me feeling ALL the emotions. The hurt comfort in this book was so good! I also really appreciated how panic attacks and mental heath and the lasting effects of trauma were portrayed. It felt genuine and added so much depth to Amethyst’s character.
The friendships Amethyst builds with her ladies in waiting were another highlight for me. I loved seeing her find people she could lean on and feel safe with. I did get a little frustrated with Sloane for putting her own happiness ahead of her sister, but I could also understand her longing to finally find a place where she belonged.
The romance is sweet and focuses on emotional intimacy for most of the book, with things getting a little steamier toward the end. Callum is such a great example of a strong Alpha hero who doesn’t need to be aggressive to prove himself, and I loved that about him.
Overall, this was such an emotional read with a romance that really stole my heart. If you enjoy portal fantasy, omegaverse, arranged courtships, slow burns, and fiercely gentle heroes, definitely add this one to your TBR friends!
Please check trigger warnings before reading, as the story includes heavy themes involving1 past trauma and self-harm scars.
This book had me intrigued right from the start. The portal realm and the mysteries of this new world were alluring, and the characters drove me to want Amethyst to stay and find her forever place. You aren't given all the answers straight away, and you learn about the land and the structure just as much as the fmc does. We are kept as clueless as Amethyst is. Even with callums pov, nothing is majorly given away, and things are revealed in increments and I love it, it kepts me intrigued and wanting to know more.
Despite that, the book isn't slow paced. It just seamlessly moves along to the next part, and the more mysteries that are solved, the more you learn and more issues arise. And I love how you just know there is so much more to learn and figure out in future books with all the tid bits and breadcrumbs that were left along the way.
Amethyst and Callums relationship is heavily focused on consent and overcoming trauma. He gives her space and works more on the intimacy that will make her feel safe. However, once she got to a point of safety, it does become very hot in the room.
I would have loved to see more of that twin bond as that was a big part of the plot, but they barely interacted, i suppose that could be just doelwn to the author wanting them to acclimate on their own and find their own way . But hopefully, with how that ended, we will see more of that in the next book.
I did read the ARC for this and it was an uncorrected copy... With that said even in the ARC there is definitely a need for editing with some semi frequent run on sentences and typos. Outside of that though....
The story at the start did leave me a little confused but, I was thinking of this as a typical omegaverse. It's not. Portal fantasy then omegaverse. Once that clicked in my head it made a lot more sense.
The fraternal twin sisters start off in the human realm and next thing you know they are swept into a realm filled with magic. But they also happen to fall into a world where 2 designations are present being an Alpha and Omega. I was pretty curious about this world and was like okay so some humans are just now like here and pretty accepting and having to come to terms with things. I enjoyed getting to watch the fmc have to learn about the world and even finding similarities between it and hers along with her having to accept that she's an omega and what that entails. There were some outright moments that I laughed for sure. I am highly interested in reading the next book because I'm pretty invested in the story at this point.
If you like Portal Fantasy's, shifters, different races, magic and war torn world living in peace.... but maybe barely then I would definitely recommend giving it a read.
The fact that the book featured twins hooked me right from the start, and that it was a portal fantasy sealed the deal. Something very exciting happens to the girls in the beginning: while walking along the beach, they discover a mirror and touch it simultaneously, instantly finding themselves in a place completely foreign to them.
They soon part ways, continuing their strange adventures on separate paths alongside new companions. The story is told from alternating perspectives, allowing us to see events through the eyes of both Amethyst and Callum. It was fascinating to step out of the modern world—Arizona—and be plunged into a completely different realm filled with a kingdom, princes, rituals, deities, alphas, and omegas. I appreciated that there was no "insta-love" between the main characters; instead, their relationship developed naturally over time. It was a true slow-burn romance.
You know a book is truly good when you forget to get off public transport. That’s exactly what happened to me—though, fortunately, I was on my way home from work. :)
I recommend this book if you enjoy portal fantasy featuring magic, deities, prophecies, and alpha-omega dynamics. I give this book ★★★★☆!
Thank you to Luna Literary Management and author Jillian Rink for the ARC!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. My review is voluntary and reflects my honest opinion.
Book besties, I could not put this book down! Oh my goodness, this was amazing!
I loved the split POV between Amethyst (our FMC) and Callum (our MMC)! I loved how, after Amethyst and Sloan (her twin) accidentally Realm Walk, we get to learn about this new world through Amethyst's POV while also getting completely immersed through Callum's POV.
I absolutely love the worldbuilding and lore we get throughout the book and how we experience it all through the different POVs. I appreciated Amethyst's character growth throughout the story as well as Callum's willingness to compromise and comfort.
I also really loved the religious lore and how we come to understand the different gods, goddesses, and pantheons through Amethyst's studying.
There are mentions of past abuse, abandonment, and resulting trauma. There are also several spicy scenes. Please check content warnings if any of these are concerning.
I have so much more to say about this book, but then I'd be getting into spoiler territory! If you love men who have no qualms about asking for consent, prophecies, growing through trauma, Realm Walking through portal spells, and slow burn romantasy, this book is for you!
Thank you Luna Literary and Jillian for this ARC, all opinions are my own.
This book was another great reminder why I shouldn't arc read fantasy books. I absolutely fell in love with these characters and this world and I am practically itching to read the next one. 😫 This story follows the FMC Amethyst after her and her sister are transported to a magical world after touching a mirror in the sand off the coast of Maine. The beginning is a true whirlwind and I honestly don't know how Amethyst or Sloane kept it together during the early chapters of this book.
This is a very plot driven story so you definitely need to pay attention and as the FMC is learning about all the kingdoms so is the reader and you can't write anything off. I really enjoyed the magic/powers in this world and all the comparisons made between our world and this new world the FMC finds herself in. 😏
This book ends on a major cliff hanger so if you are impatient like me and prefer not to have to wait for the next book I would add this to your tbr and hold off a bit because this one was a real doozy but worth every second of emotional distress.
Thank you to Luna Literary and the author for this eARC. This is my voluntary and unbiased review.
This was a brilliant story, and I was captivated from the beginning. I always find it most beguiling when a character is thrust into another world and we have to learn about the world along with them.
This ARC was marked as an uncorrected proof, so I have ignored all the typos and errors for the purposes of this review.
This book was a slowburn with omegaverse and time/realm travel. Amethyst and her sister are orphans who are magically transported from Arizona to another realm where they learn they are omegas and are selected as brides by alphas. Amethyst is a very soft FMC. She is not stabby or sassy and has had some trauma in her life. She is also very attached to her sister, so has to learn to live without her amongst all the other things she has to go through, like learning new languages and all about the new world she is now living in. Meanwhile, Callum is the alpha who picks her. He is green flags all the way and a consent king, which we love. This book is more of a journey than a race as it deals with some heavy topics and they bond emotionally more than anything else. It does have a bit of spice (when she has her heat) when they connect and that helps break up the heavier parts of the book. The ending was wild and I didn't expect the turns it turned. I will be reading the next book to see what happens.
Many thanks to Jillian Rink and Luna Literary for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book. Those opinions are still my own.
This was a very solid and intriguing first installment.
As a portal fantasy, a significant amount of this book is spent in world-building. We, alongside Amethyst, learn everything that makes this new world turn. I think it was done really well and a lot of aspects were interesting and make me want to know even more.
Amethyst was a great FMC, easy to relate to with her constant confusion, but also her fear and her desire to not let any of her feelings show. It was truly heartwarming to feel her settle in this new world, make connection, gain confidence and slowly trust people around her for help.
Callum was the perfect MMC for that. Green flags all around. His care for Amethyst, but also everyone around them, made him so easy to root for.
I also loved that, even in an omegaverse, their romance took some time to build. Even if Callum's attraction was immediate and their biology drove them closer, they took time to get to know each other.
I'm intrigued by every plot thread that have been revealed and I cannot wait to read where Jillian Rink will take us.
Portal fantasy, a mysterious new realm, complicated family bonds, and a slow-burn romance? There is definitely a lot happening in this one!
Amethyst has spent her life protecting her twin sister, so when the two suddenly find themselves transported into an unfamiliar world, her first instinct is to keep them together. Unfortunately, fate seems to have other plans.
What makes this premise interesting is the combination of a modern-day heroine navigating an entirely different world, kingdoms filled with traditions and secrets, and a romance that develops alongside the mystery.
And then there’s Callum. A prince, an alpha, and apparently a refreshing green flag in a world where Amethyst has absolutely no idea whom she can trust.
My reaction, this is a true slow burn, with extensive world-building, plenty of unanswered questions, and a cliffhanger that sets up the next book.
If you love portal fantasy, omegaverse elements, protective heroes, and romance woven into a larger fantasy adventure, this may be one to add to your TBR!
This a MUST READ if you enjoy romance, time travel, and fantasy. Amethyst has always taken care of her sister Sloane. One day they both touch an object and are hurtled through time to a fantasy realm and split up by two men who intend to take them as wife.
Amethyst is focused on finding her sister because they are in different kingdoms now. She wants to find her and go home. However, the man she is betrothed to helps her search, and after a bit of time with him, she starts to think she'd rather stay with him as long as they can be sure Sloane is ok. Once she finds Sloane, will she stay with her betrothed?
I don’t want to give out spoilers but this book is an awesome read and you have to go out and get a copy. I liked the author so much I had to find another of her books to read!
Thank you to Jillian Rink and Luna Literary Management for the opportunity to be an ARC for this novel! ❤️
I really enjoyed the concept of Tears of the Stolen! The portal fantasy element immediately pulled me in, and I loved the mystery surrounding Amethyst and Sloane as they try to understand this new realm, their past, and why they were brought there.
I especially enjoyed Amethyst’s determination to protect and reunite with her sister, and I loved watching her connection with Callum develop. A scarred, golden-eyed prince, forced proximity, an unexpected connection, and plenty of spice!
With omegaverse elements, magic, different kingdoms, secrets, romance, and plenty still left to uncover, this was such an interesting start to The Nephillim Accords series. I’m definitely curious to see where the story goes next!
Thank you to Jillian Rink and Luna Literary for my gifted eARC in exchange for my honest review.
One minute Amethyst is on vacation with her twin, and the next she’s trapped in a strange realm, betrothed to a man she never expected to trust.
I loved how the world slowly unfolded alongside Amethyst, giving us just enough answers to keep me guessing. Her relationship with Callum was such a slow burn, and his patience and respect for her made him impossible not to love.
The mix of mystery, fantasy, and omegaverse made this such a fun read. I’m also very invested in Amethyst finding her sister and uncovering the truth behind their past.
💫 Tears of the Stolen (Nephillim Accords, 1) by Jillian Rink Fantasy Omegaverse | Magic & Monsters | Alternative World | ⚠️ Check TWs ⚠️ | 605 pp | 4⭐
_______________________________ Thank you, Jillian Rink & Luna Literary Agency, for the eARC! All thoughts are my own and left voluntarily.