Lone Bloom: Nolani's Tale: A Riven Shield Story

by Talia Fen

Follow Nolani's journey. Raised by humans.

253 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2026

About the author

About the author
I am a UK-based author of fantasy and romantasy, drawn to stories of survival, loyalty, and the thin line between humanity and instinct.

When I'm not writing, I can usually be found lost in a book, wandering woodland paths, or spending time with my Husband and Children.

Find me on Socials:

Tiktok: Talia.Fen.Author

Facebook: Talia Fen's Fantasy Forest

Reviews

[Scarypopin · Rating 5 out of 5]

🌸🐺 LONE BLOOM: NOLANI’S TALE 🐺🌸
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Okay… Talia Fen, what did you DO to my heart?! 😭💔

After reading Riven Shield, I was so excited to finally get the chance to learn more about Nolani and understand the story behind the girl we met in the first book. And honestly… I was NOT emotionally prepared for this one.

We get to follow Nolani from the very beginning of her life, and knowing there was going to be heartbreak coming somehow made it even harder to read. The amount this poor girl goes through is just devastating. 🥺💔

But what really got me was seeing just how much strength Nolani has. Despite everything life throws at her, she keeps going. She keeps fighting, keeps trying to find where she belongs and somehow continues to hold onto that little bit of hope.

I also really loved the neurodivergent/ADHD representation in this book. 🧠💜 The way Nolani experiences the world and the way her thoughts and struggles are written made her feel incredibly real and relatable. You don't have to have lived through the same things as her to understand that feeling of being different or struggling to fit in.

One thing I would say before picking this up is that this is very much Nolani's story. A huge part of the book focuses on her past and everything that shaped her, with the connection back to Riven Shield becoming clearer as the story progresses.

And honestly? I think we NEEDED this story.

It gives so much more meaning to Nolani as a character, and after seeing everything she has survived, I have even more love and respect for her. 🥺❤️

There were moments where I wanted to reach through the pages and give this girl the biggest hug.

This book broke my heart, made me angry, made me emotional and somehow still left me wanting MORE. 😭📚

Talia has created a world that I'm completely invested in now, and I cannot wait to see where it goes next!

And YES… I am still absolutely ready for Marlic's story! 👀🐺

If you love romantasy, shifters, found family, emotional backstories and characters you can't help but root for, definitely add Lone Bloom to your TBR! 🌸📖

Thank you to Talia Fen for the ARC. This is my honest review. 💜

[Meg Simpson · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

🐺 Wolf Shifter
🐺 ADHD Rep
🐺 Found Family
🐺 Childhood Trauma

Having read Riven Shield, it was so lovely to get the opportunity to learn more about Nolani and finally get some background to her story.

We start right at the beginning, and while I already knew Nolani’s story was going to be heartbreaking, Talia… really?! You absolutely shredded my heart! The trauma this poor girl goes through, even in just the first few years of her life, is devastating. And yet, despite everything, she continues to push forward and refuses to give up.

I also loved seeing ADHD and neurodivergence represented so beautifully. Even if you can’t relate to Nolani’s exact circumstances, the way her struggles, thoughts and experiences are portrayed makes it so easy to connect with her on an emotional level.

The majority of this book focuses on Nolani’s history, so please bear that in mind going into it. It’s only towards the end that her story really begins to link back up with Riven Shield. But honestly, I think this book needed to be written. To truly understand and appreciate Nolani’s journey, and whatever role she may have in future books, we needed to see where she came from — and Talia has done that so beautifully.

This story broke my heart, but it also made me admire Nolani even more.

I cannot wait to see where this fantastic world goes next, and as always, I’m super excited for Marlic’s story!

[charleyreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lone Bloom - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

After reading Riven Shield, I was desperate to find out more about Nolani’s origin story. You could tell she’d been through a lot, but my heart absolutely broke for everything she had endured.

I really loved the diverse representation in this book, especially the way Lani’s AuDHD was incorporated into her early years, as well as her determination to find acceptance and a sense of belonging in her late teens. It added so much depth to her character and made her journey all the more meaningful.

I really enjoyed the writing style, and I felt the pacing was perfect for the length of the book. I have to say, Sade was definitely my favourite side character! I’m so glad Lani had someone to lean on throughout everything she’d been through.

Overall, this was an amazing story, and I can’t wait to see what comes next for the Riven Shield gang. Congratulations, Talia, on another fantastic book!

This book was received as an eARC and all thoughts are my own.

[Cece Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Firstly, thank you for allowing me to ARC read Lone Bloom.

Lone Bloom is a prequel to Riven Shield, the connection becomes apparent as the story unfolds. This is Nolani's story from the beginning.

Nolani is such a strong character, she has a very hard life full of devastating events. This creates the person she becomes.

We follow as she receives a mysterious letter that leads her to the forest where she learns of wolf shifters and a Fae Lord.

Talia is such a wonderful writer, taking us through a roller coaster of emotions. I could not put it down.

Tropes:
Wolf shifter
AuDHD representation
Found family
Childhood trauma

[Laura M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story and loved getting to discover more about Nolani’s past, although parts of it were absolutely heartbreaking to read. I even found myself crying at times! I loved following her journey to Riven Shield, and Talia got me again with all the twists and turns towards the end. Now I’m desperate for more!

I genuinely couldn’t put this book down and completely devoured it in an afternoon. If you love a story that pulls you in and keeps you wanting more, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read!

[Harper N · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.

I read the first book, Riven Shield, and couldn't wait to read this prequel and learn more about Nolani.

I enjoyed the writing style, especially the way it seemed to change as she grew from a young child to an older teen. It helps you feel like you're inside her mind, which deepens the connection between the reader and Nolani.

Nolani has a tough childhood and struggles to fit in - you can really feel that throughout the book - the relationships she forms, and how they play out are all the more bittersweet for it. You find yourself quickly drawn in and rooting for her, even knowing its a prequel.

Talia Fen managed to make me feel all of the emotions while reading this - Ioved the ending and can't wait to read more!

[amanda bedwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absolutely amazing book and a prequel to Riven Sheild. Without giving too much away, it’s explains how I like her. Life started and the turmoils that she went through including how being orphaned and taking in by different families lead to fall in love and to have a heartbroken, but then she found her true family and learn their ways but the end of the book had me both gasping and crying because it made sense and why things have happened in the past to bring it to the conclusion. I don’t wanna give anything away but you need to read this book. It’s absolutely beautifully written and it will make you laugh and cry. And at the end will make you beg for more.

[Sally Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this book has an arc read and i was mind-blowing by it. I loved the storyline and characters. I could not put it down.
This book is well written, the storyline really drawed you.
I really felt for nolani had she grow up, the trama/lost she went through. I felt like i could connect with her.
The twist that turned up i did not expect but it was brilliant. The ending was outstanding and I really hope for more books to follow.
If you like a good romantasy I highly recommend this book.