The Chains Undone

The Battleboxer Trilogy #2

by Sorcha Sam

Only one man can make him question if freedom is truly all he wants.

Handlers deserve to be hated. Yet Imalroc finds himself following his tempting, trusting handler Rerdas into sinister new arenas. He can’t bring himself to hate Rerdas, and his feelings are deepening like quicksand. Freedom from the battleboxes was the dream that kept him alive. There’s a chance to make the dream true, and he can’t let any man, even one he might fall for, stand in his way.

Rerdas returned from Draal with a secret that could start a war. If he wants the people he loves to survive, he must use the Duke of Umber to escape the political trap closing around them. But feigning a relationship with the duke feels like betrayal when it’s in front of the battleboxer who is stealing his heart. The same man he’s asking to bleed for him in one battlebox after another.

This is the sequel to The Sword Unbroken. It is the second book in the Battleboxer Trilogy, a high-heat m/m Romantasy trilogy that should be read in order.

Genres: Fantasy, Enemies To Lovers, M M Romance, Slow Burn

Unknown Binding

Published June 29, 2026

Reviews

[lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy by the author!

BEWARE : LOTS of spoilers ahead!!

I don’t think I’ve ever read a forbidden romance that’s felt SO forbidden. Unbearable even. I want these two together soooo bad! But the morality of it all was too loud to ignore. Each sweet moment between Imalroc and Rerdas made the after taste more bitter than the last. Which is why Imalroc’s escape was such a RELIEF!!!! Freeedoooom! Now they can began anew and start off right! Right? Well... that’s contingent on them both wanting to actually be together. More on that in the next book!

The second half of this book is a complete roller coaster! I had to take a break between each chapter to bring down my blood pressure! On one side of the coin Imalroc’s POV was so hopeful, so promising, and on the other side Rerdas’s POV was pure terror! Fear and hopelessness and loss 😭😭😭😭😭😭 don’t get me wrong, it’s entertaining for the mind but bad for my heart lol.

Miscellaneous thoughts:
- Almatra is such a great friend 🥹
- Etiana’s death was so unexpected!!! Kill your darlings but like is Etiana even a darling??? Technically not bc she enjoys battleboxing, BOUGHT a battleboxer, and made said battleboxer fight for her own gain. So, not a darling, so why’d she have to dieeeeee 😭 uuugh
- my ALL TIME favorite trope is second chance meeting/reunion. Even more so when things ended terribly hehehe. So I’m ready for the messy yummy reunion between Imalroc and Rerdas!
- …I am not ashamed to admit I’m still unsure of how to pronounce Rerdas name. I’ve been saying Rare-dus in my head but I feel like it’s wrong 😩
- seeing Imalroc come into his own at River is addicting!

I can’t wait to get my hands on the last book! I’m greedy so I selfishly hope it arrives quickly!

[Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of Advanced Copy received from the Author

I managed to get my hands on an ARC of the Chains Undone, and let me tell you, if the first one had me captivated, the second one was damn near impossible to put down. I am admittedly not a fast reader, so the fact I barrelled through this in under a week is a feat I never imagined any author capable of.

A perfect mix of romance and camaraderie that had me smiling like an idiot, gut-wrenching heartbreak and angst that made me want to transport myself to Inofar just so I could give the characters a hug myself, and intense action that had my heart in my throat and left me dizzy from holding my breath... Sorcha Sam demonstrated once again just how criminally underrated she is as an Author.

The main characters are all so brilliantly multidimensional, they have unique and expertly thought-out personalities, distinct quirks, and enough flaws to make you wholeheartedly root for them even when they mess up or make questionable decisions. Even the secondary and minor characters seem completely realised and fleshed out.

I cannot recommend this book enough. For any fans of fantasy - in any capacity - please look no further than the Battleboxer Trilogy.

Now just to stare at a wall until book three comes out next year!! ;)

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

˗ˏˋ ꒰ 𝟓/𝟓 ★ ꒱ ˎˊ˗

oh-💔

well, this was worth it even tho i'm now not ok lmaooo🤡😭😭 i really thought i was prepared, mostly, somewhat- i was not🤡 and that i could handle the cliffy & the wait for the last book- i can't- i might perish💀 2027??!!!? seems like a lifetime away lol 💔

𝑰𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒐𝒄 𝒃𝒂𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒉, 𝒕𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒄 𝒎𝒆𝒘𝒍 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒔𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒆𝒈𝒈𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅.

ok, i might be too dramatic, but pleaseee my love for Imalroc & Rerdas is endless, my hurt little babies deserve the best, i could not wait a second longer to read this book, and now i already miss them, and i can't believe that's how i had to leave them for now- 💔🤧🤧 still worth it🥲

“𝑺𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕.” 𝑯𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒑𝒖𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒔 𝒊𝒇 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒅. 𝑭𝒖𝒄𝒌, 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈? 𝑯𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔, 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒂 𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒚 𝒎𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒇𝒆𝒄𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒐𝒐𝒏-𝒕𝒐-𝒃𝒆-𝒅𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒕𝒆.

this was a rollercoaster of emotions & events, it was thrilling, action-packed and full of feelssss!!💓❤️‍🩹💔 the lowkey 𝐂𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 & 𝐇𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐆𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐬 vibes were still everything, there were cunning court politics, brutal battleboxing for the entertainment of the privileged, upper class, captivity & fighting for freedom - like their lives depend on it, and hopeful alliances & heartbreaking betrayals- all of these so well-done, and still uniquely enough, i was totally hooked!!

𝑰𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒐𝒄 𝒅𝒊𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒅𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑹𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒔. 𝑩𝒖𝒕 𝒉𝒆’𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒔𝒐 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒏𝒐 𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒐𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓, 𝒖𝒏𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒔.

Imalroc & Rerdas didn't make it easy for themselves, but tbf none of their circumstances were ever easy😭 so i totally forgive them for acting like idiots (in love), they had been through a lot & still have a long way to go- yet there were many tender, loving moments that were *everything* to witness, and i could not get enough of!! Rerdas was such a simp, had been since the beginning tbh haha i love him😭 and Imalroc was still a total badass with stabby vibes but secretly a softy yearning & starving for love😭 despite their situations & roles they had to play, they both were so incredibly soft & gentle with each other, so considerate too qwq there was a lot of character development, individually & together too, their bond was strong and undeniable- even when things seemed hopeless & impossible.. and while i was also *especially* soo happy for Imalroc- my heart was breaking too- and when the roles got reversed that was like a knife straight into heart ahahaha i need them both to be happy, together, omg-

  𝑰𝒎𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒐𝒄 𝒃𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒉𝒊𝒎, 𝒑𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈. “𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖,” 𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒂𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒅, “𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉.”
  “𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆.” 𝑹𝒆𝒓𝒅𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒖𝒎𝒃𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒖𝒕𝒉. “𝑲𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒎𝒆. 𝑷𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒆.”

i might not make much sense lol, all i know is i'm obsessed and cannot wait for the final book in this awesome trilogy!!😭🤧💓💔 it's also super underrated, i wish more people knew about this hidden gem!!✨😭🥹


【 જ⁀➴ 𝓲 𝓪𝓹𝓹𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓲𝓪𝓽𝓮 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓐𝓻𝓬 𝓲 𝓻𝓮𝓬𝓮𝓲𝓿𝓮𝓭 𝓯𝓻𝓸𝓶 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓪𝓾𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓻.ᐟ 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓼𝓮 𝓪𝓻𝓮 𝓶𝔂 𝓸𝔀𝓷, 𝓰𝓮𝓷𝓾𝓲𝓷𝓮 (𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓬𝓱𝓪𝓸𝓽𝓲𝓬) 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽𝓼 ⊹˙✧ 】

➥ ᴍᴍ
➥ ᴛʜɪʀᴅ-ᴘᴇʀsᴏɴ, ᴅᴜᴀʟ ᴘᴏᴠ
⛓ ʜɪɢʜ ғᴀɴᴛᴀsʏ
⛓ ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠᴇ × ᴄᴀᴘᴛᴏʀ
⛓ ᴇɴᴇᴍɪᴇs ᴛᴏ ʀᴇʟᴜᴄᴛᴀɴᴛ ᴀʟʟɪᴇs ᴛᴏ ʟᴏᴠᴇʀs
⛓ ғᴏʀʙɪᴅᴅᴇɴ ʀᴇʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴsʜɪᴘ
⛓ ʜᴜʀᴛ/ᴄᴏᴍғᴏʀᴛ
⛓ ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜ & ʟᴏᴠᴇ sᴛᴀʀᴠᴇᴅ
⛓ sʟᴏᴡ ʙᴜʀɴ
⛓ ᴏɴʟʏ ᴏɴᴇ ʙᴇᴅ
⛓ ᴊ/ᴘ, ᴛᴏᴜᴄʜ ʜɪᴍ & ᴅɪᴇ
⛓ ɢʟᴀᴅɪᴀᴛᴏʀ-ʟɪᴋᴇ ʙᴀᴛᴛʟᴇʙᴏxɪɴɢ
⛓ ɴᴏᴍʙʟᴇᴍᴀɴ/ʜᴜɴᴛsᴍᴀsᴛᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ ᴀ sᴇᴄʀᴇᴛ
⛓ ғᴀᴍᴇᴅ ʙᴀᴛᴛʟᴇʙᴏxᴇʀ ᴡɪᴛʜ sᴀᴅ, sᴛᴀʙʙʏ ᴠɪʙᴇs
⛓ ғɪʀsᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇs, ғʀᴏᴛᴛɪɴɢ
⛓ ᴄʟɪғғʜᴀɴɢᴇʀ, sᴇʀɪᴇs ғᴏʟʟᴏᴡs ᴛʜᴇ sᴀᴍᴇ ᴄᴏᴜᴘʟᴇ
➽ ᴛᴡ: ᴘᴏᴡᴇʀ ɪᴍʙᴀʟᴀɴᴄᴇ (ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴍᴄs), ᴛᴏʀᴛᴜʀᴇ (ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴍᴄs), ᴅʀᴜɢɢɪɴɢ, ᴀʙᴅᴜᴄᴛɪᴏɴ, ɪɴᴊᴜʀʏ/ɪɴᴊᴜʀʏ ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟs, ᴠɪᴏʟᴇɴᴄᴇ, ᴍᴜʀᴅᴇʀ, ɢᴏʀᴇ, ʀᴀᴘᴇ (ɴᴏᴛ ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴍᴄs, ɪᴍᴘʟɪᴇᴅ, ᴍᴏsᴛʟʏ ᴏғғ-ᴘᴀɢᴇ), ᴍᴀɴɪᴘᴜʟᴀᴛɪᴏɴ, ʙᴇᴛʀᴀʏᴀʟ, ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠɪᴛʏ/sʟᴀᴠᴇʀʏ, ɢʀɪᴇғ, ᴀʙᴜsᴇ (ᴘʜʏsɪᴄᴀʟ & ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ), ᴄʜᴇᴀᴛɪɴɢ-ᴀᴅᴊᴀᴄᴇɴᴛ (ʙᴇᴛᴡᴇᴇɴ ᴍᴄs, ᴘʜʏsɪᴄᴀʟ, ғᴏʀᴄᴇᴅ)

[Kathleen in Oslo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a bit uneven, but it really picked up in the second half and, oof, that ending!

This installment starts directly where book 1 left off, and prior reading is required. I found it a bit slow at first, as things remained pretty static on the plot front -- with the cousins + Imalroc reunited, then resuming their battlebox-tour in search of big payouts -- while Imalroc's hot/cold act and Rerdas's constant guilt and insecurity got repetitive after a while. On the one hand, I appreciate the author's care in showing how the power dynamics between Rerdas and Imalroc inescapably complicate their feelings, actions, and reactions, and how Rerdas/Imalroc as individuals cannot escape the status, assumptions, and privileges (or lack thereof) assigned to "master"/ battleboxer in the larger world. That said, there was a stretch where the forward momentum stalled as we kept circling the same emotional sinkhole, with seemingly no resolution in sight.

But then, a series of big events hurtles the narrative into full-speed-ahead mode: the reappearance of dastardly Umber and even-more-dastardly Hize; a fateful decision by Imalroc; and a homecoming of sorts by Rerdas and Etiana, which -- picking up a theme from book 1 -- yet again showed how the cousins' naivete, indeciveness and short-sightedness is as much their downfall as any of the Queen's machinations. There is significant emotional fallout of all this, but it is no longer the main focus, much to the story's benefit. Instead, the various pieces are moved around the board in preparation for the (presumably) big showdown, with some new characters introduced and even more questions raised about loyalties and alliances.

And yes, that cliffhanger! Part of me wants the author to walk it back in book 3, part of me wants them to gut it out. All I can say is that, while I recognize the flaws in the first two books, I am definitely on the hook for book 3.

I got an ARC from the author. This is my honest review.

[Erin Weaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of a series and you definitely need to read the first book.

This book completely pulled me into its world from the very first chapter. It picks up immediately after The Sword Unbroken left off. The world building is vivid and immersive, making every village, town, battle, and political conflict feel real. The action scenes are intense and well written, keeping the tension high without losing sight of the emotional stakes.

At the heart of the story is the relationship between Rerdas and Imalroc, two people who know they shouldn’t want each other, yet can’t stay away. Their slow-burning connection is filled with yearning, longing, and just the right amount of angst, making every interaction feel meaningful. Watching them struggle with what their dynamic should be and what it actually is and their feelings was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The story also tackles larger themes of politics, oppression, and human rights, adding depth beyond the romance and action. Imalroc’s decision to seize a chance at freedom is both heartbreaking and empowering, and the consequences ripple through the rest of the story. The reversal of roles, with Rerdas and Etiana becoming the prisoners instead, was an unexpected twist and I hope Book 3 explores Rerdas’ realization of what Imalroc went through.

And then there’s that ending…what a cliffhanger! I immediately wanted the next book because there are so many unanswered questions and I have to know what becomes of these characters.

If you enjoy rich fantasy worlds, thrilling battles, emotional slow-burn romance, and stories that aren’t afraid to explore difficult themes while leaving you on the edge of your seat, this is one you’ll want to pick up.

[KT Reeds · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭😭😭 so mad it’s over and I have to wait for the third one. Honestly, the sequel was even better than the first book—a lot of sequels feel like a rushed add-on, but this one certainly does not. It works very cohesively and the twists keep coming. If you haven’t read the first one, def do that before picking up this one!!

I was very lucky to have read this story when it was in its earlier draft and posted online, and the changes to this version has made the emotional connection between Rerdas and Imalroc sooo much more close and far at the same time. Needing them to be together, but knowing they have a long long way to go before it can ever truly be healthy. Watching Imalroc move on and find happiness while the roles reverse had me in tears 😭. I’m so happy for him, and so sad that he doesn’t know what’s going on with Rerdas at the same time.

There are also so many terrifying fights that go along with the worldbuilding in such clever ways. Such a cool world. The different regions have unique traditions and cultures—-and it is so satisfying near the end when you see all the different regions trying to work together. It really feels like every detail is thought-out and accounted for.

I also really like how grey all the characters are. Most of them have their faults, some truly serious faults, but it makes them feel so real. And Imalroc is just the perfect character—-he’s great, no one can’t fight me on it, not even him. Tis facts.

I kind of already know what is going to happen in the third book—-and I am very very hype. This is a series that, for me, gets better the longer you’re with it.

I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy by the author :))

[Ember P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to need a few minutes to either cry or scream into a pillow after reading that book. I'm pretty sure my heart rate isn't going to go down for another week. The fight scenes along are written with such cinematic detail it's like watching a movie inside your head, my heart was racing as I watched Imlaroc first through one impossible battle after another. And seeing Imlaroc opening up to Rerdas and letting some of his emotions show was breaking my heart, especially when struggling to know what love and freedom means to him when he has never been free 💔 Neither man can get the other out of his head and Rerdas is desperate to show that intimacy doesn't have to mean submission and imalroc's touch doesn't have to bring pain. Their brief stolen moments are smoking hot 🔥 🔥 and surprisingly tender. Despite all the bad choices and cruel things Rerdas has done his feelings for Imlaroc remain true, but can they ever overcome their horrible start of handler and slave and meet as free men in a budding relationship. As the court politics, intrigue and rebellion sweeps them apart, author Sorcha Sam throws the readers off the dreaded cliffhanger leaving an HEA and even their very survival hanging by a slender thread. We can only hope that Sorcha resolve this story quickly 🙏♥️

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy and first of all: want to apologize for how long it took me to read and write a review. i recently started a full time job so i haven’t had as much time to read but oh my GOD. this series is so enthralling and leaves you on the edge of your seat. the chemistry is INSANE and genuinely this may be the best forbidden love story i have ever read. what i love is that even though there is romance in this, we get so much more than that. we get intense story lines and fleshed out characters, we get world building and political intrigue. it’s truly everything you could want in a high stakes fantasy. plus i truly love how fresh the plot is! don’t get me wrong: i love a story filled with magic or fairies and what have you…but the plot and dynamics of this series is so refreshing and new and when i tell you i couldn’t put it down i mean i sometimes accidentally was late returning from lunch breaks at work because ‘well i need to keep reading, i can’t stop!’.

i cannot wait for the next installment, i am so ready for more. thank you to the author for this incredible series! instant favorite!

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story has my heart! Rerdas and Imalroc are both written so well! I love both of these characters so much! I was thoroughly immersed from the beginning of this book, I had to know what would happen after the way the first book ended and I was not disappointed.
This book begins where the first one left off.
In this book I got to see their relationship start to blossom and them open up and I couldn't have been happier. All I want is for Imalroc to be happy! The forbidden love aspect I think has me in a choke hold!
Umber is the bane of my existence, can you take a hint... lol Without getting into spoilers I was shocked at what Rerdas had to go through and was waiting for a knight in shining armor moment! That ending though, come onnnnn I don't want to wait! LOL

Overall I really recommend this book I really enjoy their story so far and I cant wait to read the third book!

[Kira Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to receive an advanced readers copy, devouring the whole book on the first day! The story picks up right where The Sword Unbroken ending, with Rerdas and Imalroc, trying to balance new found feelings with old ones while at the same time trying to survive in a very dangerous political world. Family relations, friends, enemies, and personal desires influence many of the choices made throughout the book by not only Rerdas and Imalroc, but Etiana as well.

As a solid midway point in a trilogy, this story does need to be read in order to fully understand the dynamics between characters and why certain decisions are made by them. Now to go back and read it again!

[Eliana Zimmerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this book down! The pacing, drama, and stakes are all steadily increased throughout the story. The world is expanded and explored as the plot thickens and the characters choices become more complicated. Rerdas and Imalroc have been through so much, and they are merely in the middle of their journeys.
I want to say so much but don't want to spoil anything at the same time.
If you haven't read the first book, The Sword Unbroken, please do! And come back to this one immediately, because hooo boyyy, it's well worth it. I can't wait to see what Sorcha Sam has in store for The Battle Unseen!

[Sunny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been with this book since it was on w*ttpad. The second book was always my favorite and I was eager to read the published version. I've got to admit I was a bit disappointed, not so much with the book itself but with the fact that Rerdas' best arch was moved to the third book. So now I must wait even longer for the next one. However, that aside, I enjoyed this book. It was nice to see a bit more of a relationship develop between Rerdas and Imalroc. I also cried over every line about how much Rerdas doesn't want to fight- if you know, you know.

Plot: 4/5
Characters: 5/5 (I'm a total Rerdas simp)
Writing: 3/5

[Jeanette Waters · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two in the Battleboxer Trilogy, "The Chains Undone" immediately picks up where book one ended. Honestly, the story start was so slow, it was almost going in reverse. We're assured that Rerdas and Imalroc 'really care for each other' by the author. That wasn't the problem. Readers (or at least this one) might not care so much. Two whinging idiots. Things pick up speed towards the last third of the book. By then, I was skimming. I do wonder if the whole cliffhanger ending was because the author knew they'd lose some readers. Even with things being in flux, I might not be tempted to read book three.
Not really for me. Although I do find the idea of battleboxers interesting.

[Adam Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could have been 3 stars because I skimmed through almost the entire latter 25% of this book. I just did not care about Imalroc’s solo shenanigans… and I seriously can’t pronounce, let alone remember, hardly any of the names in this book. Maybe just me, and I don’t mean to sound like a roaring racist, but it was irritating! Can’t anyone at all have a name I can say? I am still not sure I’m pronouncing Rerdas nor Imalroc correctly, tbh! And character names are really important to me.

All this being said… the first 75% of the book was so utterly lovely. Just fantastic. And thus, I must know what happens next, and I am sat for when Book 3 comes out. Yippee!!

[Danni Crass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was both a beautiful and heartwarming read but also a little heartbreaking. The feelings that Rerdas and Imalroc have for one another but they doubt it a way that twists your insides. I knew it was still book two but I was not prepared for the cliffhanger the way it was written. It..just really..wow. I was hoping another HFN again but nope. You totally gutted me and now I am sitting here needing book 3 like yesterday. My heart really goes out to Rerdas. I don't know how this will effect him and one can only hope Imalroc can get him through it before they break him further.

[Bluesky39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I enjoyed the first book in this series so much that I joined the author's newsletter. It was very good with drama, romance, action and more. The Chains Undone is so much better! The tension rises and rises as the story goes on. Between Rerdas and Imalroc, between Rerdas and Umber, between the queen and the people of the Southern Feld. So much going on and the pages go by too fast! I highly recommend this to any reader who enjoys romance with drama, action, family loyalty, political intrigue, and, so much more. You will love it!

[Savanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was provided an Advanced Reader Copy by the author!

I read the first published versions of these books on wattpad many years ago and am so excited to finally own a copy. Truly loved these books when I first read them, and they are even better now.

Imalroc and Rerdas are an incredible pair that your heart will ache for in every way possible. The character development is suburb, and the cliffhanger ending will leave you wanting more.

This is the closest I have come to scratching the itch left behind by Captive Prince. Extremely excited for the third book in the series early next year!

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was significantly better than the first. It flowed well, it lacked any story drag, and the characters felt more alive.

I loved seeing how Imalroc and Rerdas' relationship ship "grew" under such difficult circumstances. Their struggles felt real and pulled at my heart so hard.

Also, that end... Excuse me?! How dare you end it like that! I need to see this through to the end because I need to see how this comes together.

Kudos to the author because this book was a very big upgrade.

[Miruru Shouting · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story keeps getting better and I'm so invested in Rerdas and Imalroc's story. There's so much going on, I can't imagine everything wrapping up in the next book. I feel like there needs to be 10 more books after this so I can stay immersed in this world and the characters.

I can't wait for the next book. This series is so addictive, I couldn't put the book down and finished it in one go.

[Amy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Arc copy -
This book is so good and was such a surprise!! It is so well written, nothing felt unnecessary or slow. The characters are perfect. I adore Imalroc and my heart bleeds for Rerdas.
This has literally ripped my heart out and stomped on it and then left me hanging on a cliff!!! But my god it's was worth it. Come on book 3!!!
This is a must read!!

[Ayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

I absolutely cannot wait for the third book. This trilogy is just phenomenal. I don't often find a book or series that is truly a five star read but these two books completely are, I have no doubt the third will be as well.

[Anne]

Deep in the political intrigue, and I was thoroughly entertained. The only thing I didn't love was having the lovers separated for so much of the story. Still, it was a gripping read, and now I'm patiently waiting for the final book.