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Drowned Empire #2
Guardian of the Drowned Empire
Now that Lyr has survived the Imperator's cruel punishment, she has only three months to prepare for the test that will decide her fate. Despite Rhyan's promise of additional training, her life has never been in more danger.
Enemies known and unknown get closer every day. While the Imperator's soldiers occupy the city, the Emartis rebels grow bolder, marking Lyr as their target.
Staying safe means more time under Rhyan's protection. But the closer they become, the more their desire ignites, the harder it becomes to resist temptation.
Secrets can only remain hidden for so long. Even ones Lyr bled for.
As new threats arrive at the Bamarian border, Lyr delves deeper into solving the mystery of her power. But revealing these secrets and surviving the Emperor's test may cost Lyr more than she can bargain for.
Loyalty will be tested. Lines will be crossed. Ancient promises will be reforged.
And most dangerous of all: as passion burns, oaths will be broken.
Enemies known and unknown get closer every day. While the Imperator's soldiers occupy the city, the Emartis rebels grow bolder, marking Lyr as their target.
Staying safe means more time under Rhyan's protection. But the closer they become, the more their desire ignites, the harder it becomes to resist temptation.
Secrets can only remain hidden for so long. Even ones Lyr bled for.
As new threats arrive at the Bamarian border, Lyr delves deeper into solving the mystery of her power. But revealing these secrets and surviving the Emperor's test may cost Lyr more than she can bargain for.
Loyalty will be tested. Lines will be crossed. Ancient promises will be reforged.
And most dangerous of all: as passion burns, oaths will be broken.
497 pages, Paperback
First published June 28, 2022
507 people are currently reading
8390 people want to read
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July 7, 2022
this series just keeps on giving.
this is everything i need in terms of unique magic and world-building, compelling court dynamics, and the angst of a forbidden romance.
while the first book ended a bit abruptly, this sequel feels much cleaner and much more wrapped up. more questions have been answered, the world history has been built up a bit more, the plot has progressed to a point where there is a clear direction for the next book, and the romance has FINALLY gotten somewhere!
so excited to see how this story will continue.
↠ 4.5 stars
this is everything i need in terms of unique magic and world-building, compelling court dynamics, and the angst of a forbidden romance.
while the first book ended a bit abruptly, this sequel feels much cleaner and much more wrapped up. more questions have been answered, the world history has been built up a bit more, the plot has progressed to a point where there is a clear direction for the next book, and the romance has FINALLY gotten somewhere!
so excited to see how this story will continue.
↠ 4.5 stars
January 12, 2025
4.28!
I am just waiting for both the novellas to be available so I can read them!!
This book was an improvement from the previous one despite the first one being amazing, the stakes in this book were high. You can see the improvement through the authors writing style and how it paced the storyline and characters. Truly amazing!
I still don't like Tristan and lyrs love pretending blems rn and I 💯 will support rhyan all day everyday I found ehyan tbh to be better than tamlin, I feel bad comparing him to tam😭
One thing that I did not like was the trial that she was set to face was so tense, sure it was sad like veryyy sad and I did love it's aftermath leading to a phenomenal ending with a cliffhanger that makes me want to grab the book immediately but it wasn't what I expected or what it was teasing us. It was supposed to be very hard for lyr and it delivered.
All in all, a solid book. Enjoyable and loveable, definitely bingeworthy. Would recommend!!
I am just waiting for both the novellas to be available so I can read them!!
This book was an improvement from the previous one despite the first one being amazing, the stakes in this book were high. You can see the improvement through the authors writing style and how it paced the storyline and characters. Truly amazing!
I still don't like Tristan and lyrs love pretending blems rn and I 💯 will support rhyan all day everyday I found ehyan tbh to be better than tamlin, I feel bad comparing him to tam😭
One thing that I did not like was the trial that she was set to face was so tense, sure it was sad like veryyy sad and I did love it's aftermath leading to a phenomenal ending with a cliffhanger that makes me want to grab the book immediately but it wasn't what I expected or what it was teasing us. It was supposed to be very hard for lyr and it delivered.
All in all, a solid book. Enjoyable and loveable, definitely bingeworthy. Would recommend!!
April 12, 2023
His nose nudged against my hair, arms pulling me against his chest. "If you keep that up, I won't have any brain cells left to spar with you."
He swallowed a moan as the carriage bounced, causing me to shift againt him. I ran my fingers across his arm. "You still have brain cells left?"
"Questionable."
This book was a freaking rollercoaster that had me sweating out all my minerals from start to finish😵
⚔️𝗚𝗨𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗡 𝗢𝗙 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗥𝗢𝗪𝗡𝗘𝗗 𝗘𝗠𝗣𝗜𝗥𝗘 - 𝗕𝗬 𝗙𝗥𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗜𝗘 𝗗𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗦⚔️
★𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
★𝗬𝗔/𝗡𝗔/𝗔: 🅽🅰
★𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗜𝗘𝗦: 𝙳𝚁𝙾𝚆𝙽𝙴𝙳 𝙴𝙼𝙿𝙸𝚁𝙴 #𝟸
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗥𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗨𝗡𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗦: 𝙷𝙸𝙶𝙷 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 - 𝙼𝙰𝙶𝙸𝙲 - 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴 - 𝙿𝙾𝙻𝙸𝚃𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙻 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝚁𝙸𝙶𝚄𝙴𝚂
★𝗣𝗢𝗩: 𝙵𝙸𝚁𝚂𝚃 𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽 - 𝙿𝙰𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙴𝙽𝚂𝙴
★𝗧𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗦: 𝙲𝙷𝙾𝚂𝙴𝙽 𝙾𝙽𝙴 - 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙱𝙸𝙳𝙳𝙴𝙽 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 - 𝚃𝙾𝙾 𝙶𝙾𝙾𝙳 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝚆𝙾𝚁𝙻𝙳 𝙵𝙼𝙲 - 𝙰𝙿𝙿𝚁𝙴𝙽𝚃𝙸𝙲𝙴/𝙽𝙾𝚅𝙸𝙲𝙴 𝙱𝙾𝙳𝚈𝙶𝚄𝙰𝚁𝙳/𝙲𝙷𝙰𝚁𝙶𝙴 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿 - 𝙿𝚁𝙾𝚃𝙴𝙲𝚃𝙸𝚅𝙴 𝙰𝙵 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙴𝚂𝚃 - 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙴𝚂𝚃 𝙷𝙰𝚂 𝙰 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝙿𝙰𝚂𝚃 - 𝚆𝙷𝙾 𝙳𝙸𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙾 𝚈𝙾𝚄 - 𝚃𝙰𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙲𝙰𝚁𝙴 𝙾𝙵 𝙸𝙽𝙹𝚄𝚁𝙸𝙴𝚂 - 𝚂𝙴𝙲𝚁𝙴𝚃 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿 - 𝚂𝙴𝙲𝚁𝙴𝚃 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿
★𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗥𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦: 👥👥👥👥/5
★𝗪𝗥𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚: ✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼✍🏼/5
★𝗣𝗟𝗢𝗧: 📜📜📜📜/5
★𝗗𝗔𝗥𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗦 & 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗚𝗚𝗘𝗥 𝗪𝗔𝗥𝗡𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦: 💀💀💀💀/5 (𝚅𝙸𝙾𝙻𝙴𝙽𝙲𝙴 - 𝙿𝙷𝚈𝚂𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙻 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙿𝚂𝚈𝙲𝙷𝙾𝙻𝙾𝙶𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙻 𝙿𝚄𝙽𝙸𝚂𝙷𝙼𝙴𝙽𝚃𝚂/𝚃𝙾𝚁𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙴 - 𝙶𝙰𝚂𝙻𝙸𝙶𝙷𝚃𝙸𝙽𝙶 - 𝙾𝚂𝚃𝚁𝙰𝙲𝙸𝚂𝙼 - 𝙲𝙻𝙰𝚂𝚂𝙸𝚂𝙼 - 𝙼𝚄𝚁𝙳𝙴𝚁 - 𝙳𝙰𝙽𝙶𝙴𝚁𝙾𝚄𝚂 𝚁𝙸𝚅𝙰𝙻𝚁𝚈)
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗟𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🔥🔥🔥/5 (𝚅𝙸𝚁𝙶𝙸𝙽 𝙵𝙼𝙲 - 𝙷𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙾 𝚂𝙴𝙲𝙾𝙽𝙳 𝙱𝙰𝚂𝙴)
★𝗦𝗠𝗨𝗧 𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗜𝗧𝗬 & 𝗤𝗨𝗔𝗡𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗬: 🚒🚒🚒/5 (𝙵𝙼𝙲 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙷𝙴𝚁 𝙲𝚄𝚁𝚁𝙴𝙽𝚃 𝙱𝙾𝚈𝙵𝚁𝙸𝙴𝙽𝙳 𝙺𝙸𝚂𝚂 𝙾𝙵𝚃𝙴𝙽 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙳𝙾 𝚂𝚃𝚄𝙵𝙵 𝚃𝙾𝙶𝙴𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚁 𝙴𝚅𝙴𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙾 𝙸𝚃'𝚂 𝙼𝙰𝙸𝙽𝙻𝚈 𝙿𝙷𝚈𝚂𝙸𝙲𝙰𝙻 [𝚈𝚄𝙲𝙺]- 𝙵𝙼𝙲 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙻𝙾𝚅𝙴 𝙸𝙽𝚃𝙴𝚁𝙴𝚂𝚃 𝙰𝙻𝚂𝙾 𝙺𝙸𝚂𝚂 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝙳𝙾 𝚂𝚃𝚄𝙵𝙵: 𝙼𝚄𝙲𝙷 𝙷𝙾𝚃𝚃𝙴𝚁 𝟷𝟶𝟶/𝟷𝟶 𝚆𝙾𝚄𝙻𝙳 𝚁𝙴𝙲𝙾𝙼𝙼𝙴𝙽𝙳)
★𝗘𝗫𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗧𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 🤐🤐🤐🤐/5 (𝙼𝙰𝚃𝚄𝚁𝙴 𝙻𝙰𝙽𝙶𝚄𝙰𝙶𝙴 - 𝙶𝚁𝙰𝙿𝙷𝙸𝙲 𝙳𝙴𝚂𝙲𝚁𝙸𝙿𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝙱𝙻𝙾𝙾𝙳, 𝚅𝙸𝙾𝙻𝙴𝙽𝙲𝙴 𝙰𝙽𝙳 𝚂𝙴𝚇𝚄𝙰𝙻 𝚂𝙸𝚃𝚄𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂)
★𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 🌹🌹🌹🌹/5
★𝗚𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗟 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗦𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗟: 💔💔💔/𝟱
★𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗟𝗘: ❌
★𝗠𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗖𝗘: 𝙵/𝙼
★𝗥𝗘𝗣: 𝙿𝚃𝚂𝙳 - 𝙰𝙽𝚇𝙸𝙴𝚃𝚈 - 𝚂𝚄𝚁𝚅𝙸𝚅𝙾𝚁 𝙶𝚄𝙸𝙻𝚃
★𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗘𝗦-𝗧𝗢-𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗥𝗦𝗡𝗘𝗦𝗦: 𝙽𝙾𝙽𝙴
★𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗘 𝗦𝗢𝗡𝗚: 🎶𝚂𝙲𝙰𝚁𝚂 - 𝙸 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙰𝙸𝙻🎶
▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰▰
First of all, I'd like to publicly thank Koisty and Lila for letting me join their Rhyan Lovers
I'd go insane if I had to fingirl about Lord Rhyan Hart's magnificence by myself. So, thank you <3
Second, this book brought the series to the next level and I couldn't be happier.
I loved Daughter, but it had a couple flaws I couldn't look past, that kept me from appreciating it completely; I'm glad to say Mallis did a splendid job patching thing up.
Guardian is possibly one of my favorite second installments I've read in the past years. It's got tons of potential that's used to its fullest and in the right way.
If you've read my review of Daughter, you'll know that one of the things that had me flipping out was the confusing and lacking world-building/lore; things got immediately better after I've discovered at the end of the book there was a glossary with name, places and terms pronunciations and definitions, but thankfully, the author took their time to explain things a little more carefully in this sequel, making it easier to remember who was who and what was what.
Another thing about the first book that really bothered me, was Lyr's characterization. I said to take my judgement of her character with a grain of salt because I was sure her immaturity and stubborness came with her character arc, and I was right.
Lyr was way more enjoyable and relatable in this book than she was in the previous one. I found myself caring for her the way I did for Rhyan, and I loved seeing how far she's come.
Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan I just found out it's pronounced Ry-an and not Ree-han, but I don't care it'll always be Ree-han to me Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan Rhyan...I don't think he could get more perfect if he tried.
The only problem I have with him is that he's not real and I can't rent him when I'm in need of a motivational coach.
He's so damn sweet, and so damn sexy.
The romance has reached limits I thought I'd have to wait at least another book to witness, so I'm not complaining. The chemistry between Rhyan and Lyr have nothing to do with the fact that they can't be together or that their love is of the only behind closed doors and dark corners kind. It's very very real, and very very hot, and I'm very very frustrated they kept getting interrupted.
I only have a couple small complaint about this whole romantic ordeal; one has less to do with LyRhyan and more to do with Tristan and Lyr and the fact that
Plotwise, this definitely overshadows the first book. The foreshadowing, little details, tension and political intrigues are all so on point and all put down with such a perfect timing, I thankfully read this in a single day, because I couldn't breath the entire time. Pretty hard to do that in a week without dying.
There were a couple twists here and there I could predict, but at least two that left me gasping in shock. Looking at them now, I probably should have seen them coming but I honestly loved being surprised, even if now I'm suffering like a little bitch.
This series actually reminds me a little of the Falling Kindoms series by Morgan Rhodes (speaking of Rhodes...he's been haunting me, lately. This might be my sign to recommend you all Mariana Zapata's All Rhodes Lead Here. Go read it, it's fantastic.). Not that it's similar in terms of plot or writing, but the general atmophere, the magic, the romance, and the drama in particular...they give off very similar vibes.
In short, this was incredible and flipping entertaining.
I wish some dialogues were a little shorter and, as much as I adore Rhyan's motivational speeches and his constant telling Lyr what he'd like to do to her, wish there was more show and less tell, but otherwise, this was perfect.
I'm happy I decided to read this now that we're only 3 days away from Lady of the Drowned Empire. I could never wait an entire year to read the next book.
Now that I've got a taste, I need my next fix asap.
May 1, 2024
Well what can I say? I struggle with 2nd books in series. I just wish I could skip them all.
That being said, this book was awfully depressing for my overwhelming week and this is clearly a me thing - not a this book thing.
It was both underwhelming and overwhelming at once for me. But - don’t take my word for it. I have a history of disliking 2nd books in series and this might just be it.
A lot of things are still unanswered… and I wish the FMC went through more character development because she’s still very immature to me
I still recommend this series and will read the rest someday - when reading depressing books will be fine with me lol
——•
When I don’t know what to read - I continue with my series 🤷🏼♀️
Happy Sunday everyone 💗
That being said, this book was awfully depressing for my overwhelming week and this is clearly a me thing - not a this book thing.
It was both underwhelming and overwhelming at once for me. But - don’t take my word for it. I have a history of disliking 2nd books in series and this might just be it.
A lot of things are still unanswered… and I wish the FMC went through more character development because she’s still very immature to me
I still recommend this series and will read the rest someday - when reading depressing books will be fine with me lol
——•
When I don’t know what to read - I continue with my series 🤷🏼♀️
Happy Sunday everyone 💗
June 9, 2022
I put my heart and soul in here. I hope you love it as much as Daughter of the Drowned Empire!
Need to start the Drowned Empire Series? Read Daughter of the Drowned Empire Chapter One Here: https://frankiedianemallis.s3.us-east...
Need to start the Drowned Empire Series? Read Daughter of the Drowned Empire Chapter One Here: https://frankiedianemallis.s3.us-east...
June 29, 2022
Guardian Of The Drowned Empire
"Freer than a Seraphim."
"Stronger than a Gryphon." - Lyr and Rhyan
Rating: One million stars. Can I do that? Because this book is worth nothing less than that. Full five at a minimum!
Spice: I will give that a solid 4/5 on the spicy scale. The spicier scenes are written like God Tier. So much good tension hot damn!!
Emotional Damage? I AM STILL REELING DAYS AFTER READING THIS BOOK OVER THE DANG CLIFFHANGERS. I read this in like 6 hours and COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!! I was so emotionally invested that I am literally dying without knowing what happens next. You get smacked in the face repeatedly at the end but in all the best ways.
HOLY FREAKING CRAP THIS BOOK! Let me start this out by saying if you have not read book one yet what are you doing with your life?! If I had to choose one series to read for the rest of my life it would be this series right here. If I was on my deathbed and could ask you for one thing it would be that you try this series. If you like magical amazingly written worlds, heartfelt gorgeous ( swoon worthy) characters, and forbidden steamy romance pick this up right now because you will not be disappointed!
Book one was such a strong introduction to this magical world and so many series lack that same draw that pulled you in in the first place but Frankie did not disappoint and gave us something even grander. I want to make GDE its own shrine it was literally that good.
"You look good," he said.
"Thanks," I said, as my heart did a little flip. "Quite a far cry from Lord 'You'll-be-the-worst-one-out-there."
"Oh, you'll still be the worst one out there." -Lyr and Rhyan
Lady Lyriana Batavia is given so much hell in this book. I have NEVER wanted to jump into a book so bad just to help beat up a ton of characters like I do with this series. You grow to care so much for her that if one hair is out of place that little piece of Rhyan in you comes out and wants to burn the world for her. Do we have to do that? No. Why? Because our girl over here is one of the strongest FMC you will ever meet. After the absolute hell she goes through she is still standing strong and facing her enemies. She does not run or hide, she stands strong and handles everything her enemies throw at her.
"You can check the wrist for a pulse in the future, - Unless you were just trying to steal a feel?" - Forsworn Ex-Lord aka Hotness overload Rhyan Hart
I am going to have to ask for a moment of silence for my heart as it stops every time I read about this man. 3..2..1.. OKAY LETS GO. Like I said in my review of book one DDE, I typically love a dark haired, dark eyed, darkness incarnate man in my books. I have put books down sometimes over this LOL! But that has all changed now. I don't think anyone will ever hold a candle to Rhyan. Rhysand? (ACOTAR) No. Demetri? (VA) No. Commander Rip? (Plated Prisoner) Not even. Rhyan has literally came in like a wrecking ball and destroyed my top tier book boyfriends list. Shattered it. He is caring, strong, brave, powerful, and freaking witty as hell. He literally had me smiling like a madwoman and laughing in this book. We got a little more of his back story in GDE and for that I am so happy.
The ROMANCE in this book is god tier (pun intended). You've got the Exiled Lord/ Lady, also he's her bodyguard, also he's her apprentice who she trains under where a relationship is forbidden and looked down on, also she's kind of needing to be engaged to another to protect her family so even more reason they can't be together. On top of in book one they are fighting liking each other, to book two they grow into a friendship where they would die for each other but still fighting the liking part and FAILING LMAO. LIKE THE TROPES ARE FREAKING AMAZING. It leads to a tension so hot you can feel from the pages, I was sweating over here.
I am so grateful this series exists because I don't know how I have lived without it this long. It is definitely my favorite series and it is carrying 2022.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
"Freer than a Seraphim."
"Stronger than a Gryphon." - Lyr and Rhyan
Rating: One million stars. Can I do that? Because this book is worth nothing less than that. Full five at a minimum!
Spice: I will give that a solid 4/5 on the spicy scale. The spicier scenes are written like God Tier. So much good tension hot damn!!
Emotional Damage? I AM STILL REELING DAYS AFTER READING THIS BOOK OVER THE DANG CLIFFHANGERS. I read this in like 6 hours and COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN!! I was so emotionally invested that I am literally dying without knowing what happens next. You get smacked in the face repeatedly at the end but in all the best ways.
HOLY FREAKING CRAP THIS BOOK! Let me start this out by saying if you have not read book one yet what are you doing with your life?! If I had to choose one series to read for the rest of my life it would be this series right here. If I was on my deathbed and could ask you for one thing it would be that you try this series. If you like magical amazingly written worlds, heartfelt gorgeous ( swoon worthy) characters, and forbidden steamy romance pick this up right now because you will not be disappointed!
Book one was such a strong introduction to this magical world and so many series lack that same draw that pulled you in in the first place but Frankie did not disappoint and gave us something even grander. I want to make GDE its own shrine it was literally that good.
"You look good," he said.
"Thanks," I said, as my heart did a little flip. "Quite a far cry from Lord 'You'll-be-the-worst-one-out-there."
"Oh, you'll still be the worst one out there." -Lyr and Rhyan
Lady Lyriana Batavia is given so much hell in this book. I have NEVER wanted to jump into a book so bad just to help beat up a ton of characters like I do with this series. You grow to care so much for her that if one hair is out of place that little piece of Rhyan in you comes out and wants to burn the world for her. Do we have to do that? No. Why? Because our girl over here is one of the strongest FMC you will ever meet. After the absolute hell she goes through she is still standing strong and facing her enemies. She does not run or hide, she stands strong and handles everything her enemies throw at her.
"You can check the wrist for a pulse in the future, - Unless you were just trying to steal a feel?" - Forsworn Ex-Lord aka Hotness overload Rhyan Hart
I am going to have to ask for a moment of silence for my heart as it stops every time I read about this man. 3..2..1.. OKAY LETS GO. Like I said in my review of book one DDE, I typically love a dark haired, dark eyed, darkness incarnate man in my books. I have put books down sometimes over this LOL! But that has all changed now. I don't think anyone will ever hold a candle to Rhyan. Rhysand? (ACOTAR) No. Demetri? (VA) No. Commander Rip? (Plated Prisoner) Not even. Rhyan has literally came in like a wrecking ball and destroyed my top tier book boyfriends list. Shattered it. He is caring, strong, brave, powerful, and freaking witty as hell. He literally had me smiling like a madwoman and laughing in this book. We got a little more of his back story in GDE and for that I am so happy.
The ROMANCE in this book is god tier (pun intended). You've got the Exiled Lord/ Lady, also he's her bodyguard, also he's her apprentice who she trains under where a relationship is forbidden and looked down on, also she's kind of needing to be engaged to another to protect her family so even more reason they can't be together. On top of in book one they are fighting liking each other, to book two they grow into a friendship where they would die for each other but still fighting the liking part and FAILING LMAO. LIKE THE TROPES ARE FREAKING AMAZING. It leads to a tension so hot you can feel from the pages, I was sweating over here.
I am so grateful this series exists because I don't know how I have lived without it this long. It is definitely my favorite series and it is carrying 2022.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 8, 2025
GUYS TAKE THIS AWAY FROM ME
July 18, 2022
(4,5 stars)
"Knowing what kind of monster I could become because of that love. Knowing the destruction I left behind. Knowing all the oaths I would break a thousand times over. Just for you. If need be, I will come for you."
This is a one POV book, told by the POV of Lyrianna (Lyr).
I really liked Lyr in this book, she seems stronger than in the first book but I wish she would stand up more for herself. When the Imperator touched her inappropriately she could have at least told him to not touch her, you don´t have to play along to anything. Rhyan is where this book is at for me! Definitely a new book boyfriend! He is respectful towards Lyr, always asks her constant, says sexy things like "Touch her and I will kill you" and he is this hot, scarred warrior!? What would you want more. Besides the touch her and I´ll kill you trope we also have a Forbidden Love trope in this book. Lyr is set to marry another man due to status and she and Rhyan are also forbidden from being together due to an oath. Nevertheless both can´t deny the pull and attraction between them and the chemistry and tension is SO good. It´s also amazingly slowburn so finally with the second book I can now confirm that this is in fact NOT YA!!
I liked some of the side characters like Lyr´s sister but I have to say most of them are pretty unlikeable in my opinion. Tristan, her fiance, is just a walking, talking red flag and I have never seen him support Lyr in anything or really listen to her needs or care for her. I think I would have loved to see a bit more of Haleika, it would have made some moments more emotional and more real. Other than that most of the side characters feel like they have some depths to them and have their own background story.
Plotwise I really enjoyed this book, there is a lot more action and romance happening compared to the first book. It also felt like the pacing picked up and everything happened a bit quicker. Most of the plot twist during the end I didn´t see coming, but one of them I managed to guess ahead. The stakes definitely seemed higher here.
I also loved that the author added two "previous" pages before the first chapter that summarized the first book in short. Kind of like the "previously on...." you get at the beginning of a tv show episode. It definitely helped remembering everything again.
Overall it was an amazing read that really pulled me in and I can´t wait for the third book to be announced and released!
trigger warnings: depression, loss of loved ones, murder of a baby, trauma, panic attacks, sexual harrassment, torture
"Knowing what kind of monster I could become because of that love. Knowing the destruction I left behind. Knowing all the oaths I would break a thousand times over. Just for you. If need be, I will come for you."
This is a one POV book, told by the POV of Lyrianna (Lyr).
I really liked Lyr in this book, she seems stronger than in the first book but I wish she would stand up more for herself. When the Imperator touched her inappropriately she could have at least told him to not touch her, you don´t have to play along to anything. Rhyan is where this book is at for me! Definitely a new book boyfriend! He is respectful towards Lyr, always asks her constant, says sexy things like "Touch her and I will kill you" and he is this hot, scarred warrior!? What would you want more. Besides the touch her and I´ll kill you trope we also have a Forbidden Love trope in this book. Lyr is set to marry another man due to status and she and Rhyan are also forbidden from being together due to an oath. Nevertheless both can´t deny the pull and attraction between them and the chemistry and tension is SO good. It´s also amazingly slowburn so finally with the second book I can now confirm that this is in fact NOT YA!!
I liked some of the side characters like Lyr´s sister but I have to say most of them are pretty unlikeable in my opinion. Tristan, her fiance, is just a walking, talking red flag and I have never seen him support Lyr in anything or really listen to her needs or care for her. I think I would have loved to see a bit more of Haleika, it would have made some moments more emotional and more real. Other than that most of the side characters feel like they have some depths to them and have their own background story.
Plotwise I really enjoyed this book, there is a lot more action and romance happening compared to the first book. It also felt like the pacing picked up and everything happened a bit quicker. Most of the plot twist during the end I didn´t see coming, but one of them I managed to guess ahead. The stakes definitely seemed higher here.
I also loved that the author added two "previous" pages before the first chapter that summarized the first book in short. Kind of like the "previously on...." you get at the beginning of a tv show episode. It definitely helped remembering everything again.
Overall it was an amazing read that really pulled me in and I can´t wait for the third book to be announced and released!
trigger warnings: depression, loss of loved ones, murder of a baby, trauma, panic attacks, sexual harrassment, torture
February 26, 2023
—✨5✨stars—
“No rope can hold you. No cage can trap you.”
————about the book————
Age: NA
Genres: Fantasy,
Cliffhanger: YEP
Writing: 8/10
Quotes: 9/10
World building: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Romance: 10/10
My rating: 10/10
‼️spoilers below‼️
———my feelings———
Most of you should know me well enough by now to know that when I post a ridiculous amount of updates (I’m sorry) with squealing and heart emojis, I LOVE THE BOOK.🥰🥰🥰
Foolish little me thought Rhyan couldn’t get any better. HA. I was wrong. 😍😭
BUT ANYWAY (don’t worry I’ll talk about Rhyan later😁)— I loved this. The start was a little slow, but after that it was just PERFECTION😭😭.
I felt like I understand the magic system and world a lot better now, and I can picture what the creatures (wow I momentarily forgot how to spell creature and had to google it😭) look like.
And the characters! I really loved Lyr in this book, she felt like she was becoming more of herself if you know what I mean? I love how brave she’s becoming, but I also love how she’s still the Lyr who cries and has bad days. And RHYAN omg this man😍😍😍—how is he the sweetest most caring DARLING ever while also being hot as fuck??? some of those scenes—🥵🥵 and apparently the third book is even hotter.
Literally the only part of the book I didn’t like was Tristanand that’s because he’s awful and controlling and I wish Lyr had left him earlier, but I understand why she didn’t.
BUT (hehehe) the romance!!!!! 😭it was so perfect. I love how they take care of each other, and EVERY SINGLE word that comes out of Rhyan’s mouth is so sweet😭 THEY’RE JUST SO ADORABLE AHHHHHHH
———Characters ———
Lyr: I LOVE HER SO MUCH. She’s so protective of her sisters, and just such an amazing character❤️
Rhyan:I could write pages but here’s a shorter version words could not describe my love for this man. He’s so caring and sweet (and he’s definitely my new book crush)
Morgana: I really like what I’ve seen of her so far, (SHE REMINDS ME OF NESTA SO MUCH) and I’m pretty sure we get her POV for the next book so I’m excited about that!
Meera: she hasn’t really had enough on-page time for me to really form an opinion on her, but she seems so meek
————Quotes————
“You’re beautiful Rhyan. You were beautiful before you were scarred. You are after. And you’re so, so beautiful inside.”
“Hey, partner. Hey, I’ve got you,” he said, “I’ve got you.”
“I looked beautiful and strong. Powerful, like a warrior.”
“Hello, lover.”
“You’re not falling apart. You’re getting stronger.”
“You are not human. You are no one’s daughter. No one’s sister. No one’s friend. No one’s lover. You are a goddess, made of the very essence of life itself.”
————Songs————
Warrior -Beth Crowley
Walk on fire -RAIGN
Tell me where it hurts -Victoria Carbol
The game we play -Bookish song collective
I walk the line -Halsey
Like a scar -Victoria Carbol
———Random extra thoughts———
I saw the twists about and coming, but I didn’t see !
Thanks for reading!❤️
“No rope can hold you. No cage can trap you.”
————about the book————
Age: NA
Genres: Fantasy,
Cliffhanger: YEP
Writing: 8/10
Quotes: 9/10
World building: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Romance: 10/10
My rating: 10/10
‼️spoilers below‼️
———my feelings———
Most of you should know me well enough by now to know that when I post a ridiculous amount of updates (I’m sorry) with squealing and heart emojis, I LOVE THE BOOK.🥰🥰🥰
Foolish little me thought Rhyan couldn’t get any better. HA. I was wrong. 😍😭
BUT ANYWAY (don’t worry I’ll talk about Rhyan later😁)— I loved this. The start was a little slow, but after that it was just PERFECTION😭😭.
I felt like I understand the magic system and world a lot better now, and I can picture what the creatures (wow I momentarily forgot how to spell creature and had to google it😭) look like.
And the characters! I really loved Lyr in this book, she felt like she was becoming more of herself if you know what I mean? I love how brave she’s becoming, but I also love how she’s still the Lyr who cries and has bad days. And RHYAN omg this man😍😍😍—how is he the sweetest most caring DARLING ever while also being hot as fuck??? some of those scenes—🥵🥵 and apparently the third book is even hotter.
Literally the only part of the book I didn’t like was Tristan
BUT (hehehe) the romance!!!!! 😭it was so perfect. I love how they take care of each other, and EVERY SINGLE word that comes out of Rhyan’s mouth is so sweet😭 THEY’RE JUST SO ADORABLE AHHHHHHH
———Characters ———
Lyr: I LOVE HER SO MUCH. She’s so protective of her sisters, and just such an amazing character❤️
Rhyan:
Morgana: I really like what I’ve seen of her so far, (SHE REMINDS ME OF NESTA SO MUCH) and I’m pretty sure we get her POV for the next book so I’m excited about that!
Meera: she hasn’t really had enough on-page time for me to really form an opinion on her, but she seems so meek
————Quotes————
“You’re beautiful Rhyan. You were beautiful before you were scarred. You are after. And you’re so, so beautiful inside.”
“Hey, partner. Hey, I’ve got you,” he said, “I’ve got you.”
“I looked beautiful and strong. Powerful, like a warrior.”
“Hello, lover.”
“You’re not falling apart. You’re getting stronger.”
“You are not human. You are no one’s daughter. No one’s sister. No one’s friend. No one’s lover. You are a goddess, made of the very essence of life itself.”
————Songs————
Warrior -Beth Crowley
Walk on fire -RAIGN
Tell me where it hurts -Victoria Carbol
The game we play -Bookish song collective
I walk the line -Halsey
Like a scar -Victoria Carbol
———Random extra thoughts———
I saw the twists about and coming, but I didn’t see !
Thanks for reading!❤️
March 20, 2024
I want to stop and savor it but IT IS SO DAMN GOOD so how do I do that?!?
April 15, 2024
“𝙔𝙤𝙪'𝙧𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜. 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙖𝙧 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙘𝙚𝙨𝙨. 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙙𝙤𝙣'𝙩 𝙜𝙚𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙙𝙪𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙤𝙧 𝙘𝙧𝙤𝙨𝙨 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙡𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙣𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙛𝙚𝙚𝙡 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙖𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙢𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙮 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙪𝙜𝙡𝙮. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙛 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙝𝙞𝙩 𝙖𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙮 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙞𝙩'𝙨 𝙜𝙤𝙣𝙚. 𝙎𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙙𝙖𝙮𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙢𝙤𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙣𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩. 𝘽𝙪𝙩 𝙞𝙩 𝙙𝙤𝙚𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙚𝙖𝙠. 𝙍𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙢𝙗𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙫𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙙. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙪𝙡𝙩. 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙤𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪'𝙫𝙚 𝙝𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙛𝙖𝙧 𝙩𝙤𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜.”
Guardian of the Drowned Empire picks up right where book one, Daughter of the Drowned Empire left off. Now that all of the world building has essentially been completed, this book ROCKED MY WORLD. SO much happened in this book, the plot, politics and tiny details were all perfectly connected. There were multiple points in this book where I was so shocked by a twist that my mouth was just hanging open. Thank the gods that it did not fall victim to the second book syndrome because this series is quickly moving up on my favorite series list.
Lyr’s character has grown SO much since the first book and for that I am thankful. She finally started to outgrow her immature, stubborn nature.
Rhyan, Rhyan, Rhyan. I loved you before and I love him even more now. I just want to kiss him, pinch his cheeks and hold him while I tell him everything is alright all at the same time.
Lyr and Rhyan’s relationship continues to progress, the delicious tension continuing to build. Their relationship despite being so secretive, seemed so natural and so much more than them stealing moments. I could kiss the ground Mallis walks on for the Lyr and Rhyan scenes she delivered this book. MAN, can this woman write the hell out of a slow burn. I honestly thought I would have to wait to get to book 3 before anything.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨
⚔️ Forbidden Romance
⚔️ Secret Relationship
⚔️ Chosen One
Guardian of the Drowned Empire picks up right where book one, Daughter of the Drowned Empire left off. Now that all of the world building has essentially been completed, this book ROCKED MY WORLD. SO much happened in this book, the plot, politics and tiny details were all perfectly connected. There were multiple points in this book where I was so shocked by a twist that my mouth was just hanging open. Thank the gods that it did not fall victim to the second book syndrome because this series is quickly moving up on my favorite series list.
Lyr’s character has grown SO much since the first book and for that I am thankful. She finally started to outgrow her immature, stubborn nature.
Rhyan, Rhyan, Rhyan. I loved you before and I love him even more now. I just want to kiss him, pinch his cheeks and hold him while I tell him everything is alright all at the same time.
Lyr and Rhyan’s relationship continues to progress, the delicious tension continuing to build. Their relationship despite being so secretive, seemed so natural and so much more than them stealing moments. I could kiss the ground Mallis walks on for the Lyr and Rhyan scenes she delivered this book. MAN, can this woman write the hell out of a slow burn. I honestly thought I would have to wait to get to book 3 before anything.
𝙏𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙚𝙨
⚔️ Forbidden Romance
⚔️ Secret Relationship
⚔️ Chosen One
May 4, 2023
“Right or wrong, I’d break my oath a thousand times for you.”
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Tension: ♾🔥/5
What to expect:
✔️ Enchanting world-building
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Gods/goddesses
✔️ Political intrigue
✔️A unique magic system 🔮
✔️ Forbidden romance
✔️ So. Much. Tension 😩
✔️ Badass FMC who is determined to protect her family, no matter the cost ⚔️
✔️ Protective and charismatic MMC who is the official new standard that I will hold all men to 💁🏼♀️
✔️ Painful twist 🥲
I. Am. Obsessed. This book 😩🤌🏻. I am just at a loss for words right now. The tension. The angst. The betrayals. The secrets brought to light. The heartbreak. The twists and turns. My heart was beating right out of my chest at numerous points throughout this book, and the ending?!? Ummm, I need the next book IMMEDIATELY otherwise idk how I’m going to cope ok thanks 🙃
“You’re the fire”
Lyriana is a strong and selfless heroine who grows so much throughout this book. She pushes her mind and body to the limit, past what she believed she was capable of, and transcends the expectations people had of her. Her devotion to her family and loved ones remains one of her most notable character traits. I simply couldn’t love this woman more if I tried. She truly is “the fire”. And the ending revelations?! Personally, I had several theories after the first book and I had a feeling… and honestly I’m so happy I was right! 🙈 (I’m trying to keep this review spoiler-free so I’m not going to say what my theory was, just that I’m glad I was on the money 😈)
“Hello, lover.”
Now, Rhyan. My god. This. Man. 😩🤌🏻 Rhyan could say “hello lover” to me any day of the week month or year and I would turn into a puddle on the floor. That term of endearment he uses with Lyr will never not get me.
I am simply obsessed and I spent the entire book angry at Tristan because I just wanted him to kindly MOVE out of the way 🙃. Rhyan is so devoted and is admirably mentally strong after all the past trauma he has endured, but it was his vulnerability throughout this book that made me love him all the more.
Now, the steaminess between Lyr and Rhyan in this book is just next level. It was agonising in the best possible way 🙈. They both deserve the entire world and more, and every happiness in-between. And if they don’t end up with a HEA when the dust settles I may riot 🙂.
Ok, I’m done for now, but yeah, read this book. Immediately.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See my review for Daughter of the Drowned Empire here! 💙
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Spice: 🌶🌶/5
Tension: ♾🔥/5
What to expect:
✔️ Enchanting world-building
✔️ Forced proximity
✔️ Gods/goddesses
✔️ Political intrigue
✔️A unique magic system 🔮
✔️ Forbidden romance
✔️ So. Much. Tension 😩
✔️ Badass FMC who is determined to protect her family, no matter the cost ⚔️
✔️ Protective and charismatic MMC who is the official new standard that I will hold all men to 💁🏼♀️
✔️ Painful twist 🥲
I. Am. Obsessed. This book 😩🤌🏻. I am just at a loss for words right now. The tension. The angst. The betrayals. The secrets brought to light. The heartbreak. The twists and turns. My heart was beating right out of my chest at numerous points throughout this book, and the ending?!? Ummm, I need the next book IMMEDIATELY otherwise idk how I’m going to cope ok thanks 🙃
“You’re the fire”
Lyriana is a strong and selfless heroine who grows so much throughout this book. She pushes her mind and body to the limit, past what she believed she was capable of, and transcends the expectations people had of her. Her devotion to her family and loved ones remains one of her most notable character traits. I simply couldn’t love this woman more if I tried. She truly is “the fire”. And the ending revelations?! Personally, I had several theories after the first book and I had a feeling… and honestly I’m so happy I was right! 🙈 (I’m trying to keep this review spoiler-free so I’m not going to say what my theory was, just that I’m glad I was on the money 😈)
“Hello, lover.”
Now, Rhyan. My god. This. Man. 😩🤌🏻 Rhyan could say “hello lover” to me any day of the week month or year and I would turn into a puddle on the floor. That term of endearment he uses with Lyr will never not get me.
I am simply obsessed and I spent the entire book angry at Tristan because I just wanted him to kindly MOVE out of the way 🙃. Rhyan is so devoted and is admirably mentally strong after all the past trauma he has endured, but it was his vulnerability throughout this book that made me love him all the more.
Now, the steaminess between Lyr and Rhyan in this book is just next level. It was agonising in the best possible way 🙈. They both deserve the entire world and more, and every happiness in-between. And if they don’t end up with a HEA when the dust settles I may riot 🙂.
Ok, I’m done for now, but yeah, read this book. Immediately.
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
See my review for Daughter of the Drowned Empire here! 💙
June 2, 2022
This book is an absolute must-read for anyone who enjoys high fantasy, romance and intrigue. It had a unique, unpredictable plot, characters to root for, and characters to loathe endlessly. Guardian of the Drowned Empire was a heart-stopping read. It was so intense, powerful, and immersive that I couldn't put it down.
This book follows almost immediately where Daughter of the Drowned Empire ended and describes Lyriana's desperate attempts to protect her Ka (family) from the Emperor and her journey towards becoming a Soutorion (soldier). It traces her complex family relations and her efforts to stand firm in a fickle world that is always ready to blame her for events out of her control.
Daughter of the Drowned empire was a good book, but Guardian of the Drowned empire was incredible. The plot twists, the tension, and the intensity of every scene left me reeling in the best way imaginable. Also, the romance was fantastic, and the pining was glorious.
Lyriana is challenged at every turn, and every circumstance works against her. Still, she perseveres. Her indefatigable will makes her story that much more compelling. Aside from Lyriana, Rhyan Hartt, the forsworn exile's journey throughout this text, broke my heart. His will to help Lyriana and his efforts to endure endless injustice without breaking made this text even more compelling than the first. The more I learned about each character in this book, the more I wanted to read. Once the worldbuilding was settled, and the contexts of the characters' circumstances were easier to understand, I couldn't stop wanting to know more about them. I fell in love with these characters a second time in this book.
This book shattered my heart, and I do not know how I am meant to wait a year for the next one. If you loved the political nuance of Throne of Glass, the intrigue of the Folk of the Air, the romance in A Court of Thorns and Roses or the lush worldbuilding of the Daevabad trilogy, this book is for you.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review**.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review
This book follows almost immediately where Daughter of the Drowned Empire ended and describes Lyriana's desperate attempts to protect her Ka (family) from the Emperor and her journey towards becoming a Soutorion (soldier). It traces her complex family relations and her efforts to stand firm in a fickle world that is always ready to blame her for events out of her control.
Daughter of the Drowned empire was a good book, but Guardian of the Drowned empire was incredible. The plot twists, the tension, and the intensity of every scene left me reeling in the best way imaginable. Also, the romance was fantastic, and the pining was glorious.
Lyriana is challenged at every turn, and every circumstance works against her. Still, she perseveres. Her indefatigable will makes her story that much more compelling. Aside from Lyriana, Rhyan Hartt, the forsworn exile's journey throughout this text, broke my heart. His will to help Lyriana and his efforts to endure endless injustice without breaking made this text even more compelling than the first. The more I learned about each character in this book, the more I wanted to read. Once the worldbuilding was settled, and the contexts of the characters' circumstances were easier to understand, I couldn't stop wanting to know more about them. I fell in love with these characters a second time in this book.
This book shattered my heart, and I do not know how I am meant to wait a year for the next one. If you loved the political nuance of Throne of Glass, the intrigue of the Folk of the Air, the romance in A Court of Thorns and Roses or the lush worldbuilding of the Daevabad trilogy, this book is for you.
**I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review**.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and I am voluntarily leaving a review
April 28, 2023
Welp. If you, like me, were hoping for Lyr to find answers and get revenge and figure her shit out in this sequel, then you are also extremely disappointed. Its unfortunate that such a great premise and world-building is lessened by a lack of plot progression and a ridiculous amount of suffering for the main character.
This is very much a filler book - everything that happens in this book has already happened in the first book - there is nothing new here. This book basically encompasses a lot of terrible and depressing things happening again...and again...and again. There is no vindication at all. None. There is nothing to make you feel like all that Lyr has suffered has been worth it. Nothing.
As a reader, this basically feels like I'm wasting my time. Sure, in a series you want there to be conflict, but you have to throw your readers a few bones - a victory here and there, a little consolation at some point. Lyr gets nothing and is left with nothing. I sit here filled with nothingness - after listening to a 16 hour audiobook.
The second major issue here is that its big "reveals" (which happen at the end, literally the last 10 pages) have been obvious from early on in the first book. Extremely obvious, and this makes Lyr come off as stupid, which she is not. Lyr would've figured this shit out already - it feels like the author is deliberately ignoring Lyr's characterization in an effort to presumably get more books out of this story. And it shows. The drag is this book feels like being in a Calculous class for 8 hours.
I know this review is harsh and I wish it wasn't because this series had so much potential. I want to give this series 5 stars but I can't. When a book is painful to read in every bad way then good world-building isn't enough.
A REALLY good example of a series that balances suffering and vindication is Plated Prisoner by Raven Kennedy. The first book is tough to get through but the 2nd had me in a chokehold. I wish this series had been similar.
This is very much a filler book - everything that happens in this book has already happened in the first book - there is nothing new here. This book basically encompasses a lot of terrible and depressing things happening again...and again...and again. There is no vindication at all. None. There is nothing to make you feel like all that Lyr has suffered has been worth it. Nothing.
As a reader, this basically feels like I'm wasting my time. Sure, in a series you want there to be conflict, but you have to throw your readers a few bones - a victory here and there, a little consolation at some point. Lyr gets nothing and is left with nothing. I sit here filled with nothingness - after listening to a 16 hour audiobook.
The second major issue here is that its big "reveals" (which happen at the end, literally the last 10 pages) have been obvious from early on in the first book. Extremely obvious, and this makes Lyr come off as stupid, which she is not. Lyr would've figured this shit out already - it feels like the author is deliberately ignoring Lyr's characterization in an effort to presumably get more books out of this story. And it shows. The drag is this book feels like being in a Calculous class for 8 hours.
I know this review is harsh and I wish it wasn't because this series had so much potential. I want to give this series 5 stars but I can't. When a book is painful to read in every bad way then good world-building isn't enough.
A REALLY good example of a series that balances suffering and vindication is Plated Prisoner by Raven Kennedy. The first book is tough to get through but the 2nd had me in a chokehold. I wish this series had been similar.
January 5, 2024
3.5*
A step up from the first book, perhaps mildly **spoiler'y** but I wasn't a fan of the potential "blackmail" storyline from someone who was built up to be a friend...there was enough girl-on-girl hate happening elsewhere that I really wasn't here for that mini-arc despite but 🙊🤐
I am not a fan of girl-on-girl hate/drama/jealousy in any read, I always find it tired and lazy writing.
While on the topic of things I didn't enjoy, Lyr's relationship with Tristan...FFS I know we're not supposed to root for them/like him - but that doesn't mean she gets carte blanche to behave as she does. I disliked their "relationship" in book1, her reasons for pursuing & maintaining it appear virtuous to her mind, I guess but it's abusive in its own way and I don't feel like the toxicity she brings to the dynamic is addressed and that's before the "emotional" bond forming with R 🫣
It stinks all the way around and gives me the icks.
On to the good:
The twists and reveals in the latter half of the book were well done, I didn't entirely see them coming - kudos FDM 👍🏼
I did enjoy the 🌶 fan art(?) at the start of the book and shared a screenshot with the GoodReads Gal Pals which may have piqued some interest 😉
I also enjoy when a sequel has a "previously in" chapter at the start to catch the reader up if there's been a gap between books - not everyone has time/desire to reread 😬
Mercurial is still my book MVP and I hope we can see a lot more of them in the next book even if I still have no idea how trustworthy they are...I just love their appearances and what they bring to the page.
Some of the hints from the previous book pay off here and the magic & world make more sense to me now. It's building nicely - if kinda clunky/slow to really hook me. I am more interested in continuing the series now that my library has gotten book3 & in all honesty the novella has been my fav of the series so far...upside = it's getting better 🙃
A step up from the first book, perhaps mildly **spoiler'y** but I wasn't a fan of the potential "blackmail" storyline from someone who was built up to be a friend...there was enough girl-on-girl hate happening elsewhere that I really wasn't here for that mini-arc despite but 🙊🤐
I am not a fan of girl-on-girl hate/drama/jealousy in any read, I always find it tired and lazy writing.
While on the topic of things I didn't enjoy, Lyr's relationship with Tristan...FFS I know we're not supposed to root for them/like him - but that doesn't mean she gets carte blanche to behave as she does. I disliked their "relationship" in book1, her reasons for pursuing & maintaining it appear virtuous to her mind, I guess but it's abusive in its own way and I don't feel like the toxicity she brings to the dynamic is addressed and that's before the "emotional" bond forming with R 🫣
It stinks all the way around and gives me the icks.
On to the good:
The twists and reveals in the latter half of the book were well done, I didn't entirely see them coming - kudos FDM 👍🏼
I did enjoy the 🌶 fan art(?) at the start of the book and shared a screenshot with the GoodReads Gal Pals which may have piqued some interest 😉
I also enjoy when a sequel has a "previously in" chapter at the start to catch the reader up if there's been a gap between books - not everyone has time/desire to reread 😬
Mercurial is still my book MVP and I hope we can see a lot more of them in the next book even if I still have no idea how trustworthy they are...I just love their appearances and what they bring to the page.
Some of the hints from the previous book pay off here and the magic & world make more sense to me now. It's building nicely - if kinda clunky/slow to really hook me. I am more interested in continuing the series now that my library has gotten book3 & in all honesty the novella has been my fav of the series so far...upside = it's getting better 🙃
February 6, 2026
3.75/5 ⭐️
last 20% was nothing but gas. i really love the politics and rebellion more than anything but still such a fun romance in the romantasy too
last 20% was nothing but gas. i really love the politics and rebellion more than anything but still such a fun romance in the romantasy too
March 4, 2025
I love this series so much, there are so many twists and turns that I was surprised by and the romance is everything!
August 22, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice Scale: .5 🌶️
Heat Scale: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This book is beyond 5 stars! I can't.
I'm going to start by admitting that I am partial towards this story because it owns my heart. This series took me by surprise and I can't get enough. It's so rare that I can't even remember the last time I got this obsessed with a series. I love the uniqueness and originality of the world, the depth of the plot and Lyr and Rhyan are the perfect slow burn we all love to suffer from.
Guardian was full of frustrating moments. It wasn't an easy ride at all, and it wasn't always the good kind of frustration, but it was always necessary.
There is a ton of foreshadowing and hints sprinkled through these books that I loved to see unfold. And it's only the beginning. We barely scratched the surface of what is to come and I am beyond excited.
The Ashera thread was an obvious one, but one I keep craving more.
Meera's vision came to life was inevitable but felt like coming full circle. (also I definitely didn't see that one coming, even if it was hinted at a million times)
The Imperator, the Emperor and their Co. can choke for all I care, and I'm counting the days until Lyr puts the blade slowly through each of them.
Lyr, my precious little angel, she didn't deserve half the things that happened to her so far. She really should just run away with Rhyan and live in exile and peace, it would be a lot less stressful and they could be matey-mates as much as they like.
And can we just take a minute and talk about Rhyan, my boy, for a second here. WHAT WAS THAT WITH HIS MAGIC MA'AM. It was perfect and I screamed for a solid 10 mins after reading.
I still think the pacing could be a little more balanced, but since I couldn't find the time to do a re-read of book 1 before diving into this, I did appreciate how we got the "previously on" while also keeping the flow of this book.
I'm an emotional reader, if a book makes me FEEL, I'm slapping that 5 stars on it. And Guardian definitely made me feel the full spectrum of emotions.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
---------
WE HAVE A BLURB AND I NEED IT!!
"Ancient promises will be reforged."
c'mon, I've been waiting for this!
Spice Scale: .5 🌶️
Heat Scale: 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
This book is beyond 5 stars! I can't.
I'm going to start by admitting that I am partial towards this story because it owns my heart. This series took me by surprise and I can't get enough. It's so rare that I can't even remember the last time I got this obsessed with a series. I love the uniqueness and originality of the world, the depth of the plot and Lyr and Rhyan are the perfect slow burn we all love to suffer from.
Guardian was full of frustrating moments. It wasn't an easy ride at all, and it wasn't always the good kind of frustration, but it was always necessary.
There is a ton of foreshadowing and hints sprinkled through these books that I loved to see unfold. And it's only the beginning. We barely scratched the surface of what is to come and I am beyond excited.
The Ashera thread was an obvious one, but one I keep craving more.
Meera's vision came to life was inevitable but felt like coming full circle. (also I definitely didn't see that one coming, even if it was hinted at a million times)
The Imperator, the Emperor and their Co. can choke for all I care, and I'm counting the days until Lyr puts the blade slowly through each of them.
Lyr, my precious little angel, she didn't deserve half the things that happened to her so far. She really should just run away with Rhyan and live in exile and peace, it would be a lot less stressful and they could be matey-mates as much as they like.
And can we just take a minute and talk about Rhyan, my boy, for a second here. WHAT WAS THAT WITH HIS MAGIC MA'AM. It was perfect and I screamed for a solid 10 mins after reading.
I still think the pacing could be a little more balanced, but since I couldn't find the time to do a re-read of book 1 before diving into this, I did appreciate how we got the "previously on" while also keeping the flow of this book.
I'm an emotional reader, if a book makes me FEEL, I'm slapping that 5 stars on it. And Guardian definitely made me feel the full spectrum of emotions.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
---------
WE HAVE A BLURB AND I NEED IT!!
"Ancient promises will be reforged."
c'mon, I've been waiting for this!
August 24, 2022
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT FRANKIE PUT IN THIS BOOK BUT I AM AN ADDICT & I WANT MORE!
Fantasy readers, drop whatever you are doing (hide yo kids, lock your significant other outta the house - do what you need to do) and GET IN ON THIS SERIES. When I read book one - Daughter of the Drowned Empire - I really liked it but this second book ..... I AM HOOKED.
Extremely unique world-building that stands out when compared to most fantasy series which tend to rely on fae/elf/shifter lore (and I love Fae but it is nice to read something new). As someone who typically falls for darker, morally grey love interest - I was completely shocked by how much I adore Rhyan. The angst and tension created by the forbidden nature of the main character's growing attraction had me chomping at the bit for more.
Don't get me wrong, Rhyan isn't all sweet - he is formidable and I sense our forsworn can get down and dirty BUT my goodness the man is just so precious. And Lyr .... poor girl cannot catch a break but I think we have a book baddie in the making (or in the re-making - the ones who get it, get it).
This was a 5-star read for me and one of my favorite books of 2022 (so far). I am really excited to see where this story goes and had a momentary sense of superiority when two of my theories came true - BRACE FOR THE ENDING BESTIES
Popular Tropes:
- One Bed
-Found Powers
-FMC/MMC Comfort after Nightmares
-Forbidden Romance
-Touch her and you die
I DO NOT KNOW WHAT FRANKIE PUT IN THIS BOOK BUT I AM AN ADDICT & I WANT MORE!
Fantasy readers, drop whatever you are doing (hide yo kids, lock your significant other outta the house - do what you need to do) and GET IN ON THIS SERIES. When I read book one - Daughter of the Drowned Empire - I really liked it but this second book ..... I AM HOOKED.
Extremely unique world-building that stands out when compared to most fantasy series which tend to rely on fae/elf/shifter lore (and I love Fae but it is nice to read something new). As someone who typically falls for darker, morally grey love interest - I was completely shocked by how much I adore Rhyan. The angst and tension created by the forbidden nature of the main character's growing attraction had me chomping at the bit for more.
Don't get me wrong, Rhyan isn't all sweet - he is formidable and I sense our forsworn can get down and dirty BUT my goodness the man is just so precious. And Lyr .... poor girl cannot catch a break but I think we have a book baddie in the making (or in the re-making - the ones who get it, get it).
This was a 5-star read for me and one of my favorite books of 2022 (so far). I am really excited to see where this story goes and had a momentary sense of superiority when two of my theories came true - BRACE FOR THE ENDING BESTIES
Popular Tropes:
- One Bed
-Found Powers
-FMC/MMC Comfort after Nightmares
-Forbidden Romance
-Touch her and you die
June 26, 2022
!@!$&@ I need book 3, now!!.
This book!! I’m really shocked this hasn’t picked up more on TikTok. I stumbled upon the authors TikTok before the release for the 1st book. I am so happy I did. I was fortunate enough to receive an arc for the 2nd installment. I am blown away. The way Frankie weaves in little details and how they come to light is perfection. The forbidden love vibes, bodyguard trope, taking care while one of the characters is injured…so many tropes to love. I am already chomping at the bit for book 3. I cannot stop thinking about this series. Rhyan and Lyr have my whole heart! “Hello, partner” *swoon*
This book!! I’m really shocked this hasn’t picked up more on TikTok. I stumbled upon the authors TikTok before the release for the 1st book. I am so happy I did. I was fortunate enough to receive an arc for the 2nd installment. I am blown away. The way Frankie weaves in little details and how they come to light is perfection. The forbidden love vibes, bodyguard trope, taking care while one of the characters is injured…so many tropes to love. I am already chomping at the bit for book 3. I cannot stop thinking about this series. Rhyan and Lyr have my whole heart! “Hello, partner” *swoon*
November 17, 2022
I usually read 3 books at a time - audio, kindle, and a physical. It’s sometimes difficult for me to read fantasy against fantasy at the same time. But it’s 10x harder when I read fantasy against Brandon Sanderson fantasy. I still did it though because he’s not overly romantic & Mallis, filled that box for me. When
It came the pacing, antagonist scenes, tone… I found myself questioning it vs accepting it.
Don’t get me wrong, I already preordered book 3. >>>Shrugs<<< I’m a sucker for fantasy-romance.
It came the pacing, antagonist scenes, tone… I found myself questioning it vs accepting it.
Don’t get me wrong, I already preordered book 3. >>>Shrugs<<< I’m a sucker for fantasy-romance.
December 16, 2022
5 Valalumir Stars ⭐️
Do you know that feeling when you reach about 70% in a book and you on purpose drag it out longer because you don’t want the book to end. That feeling you know the story is just so good you can see yourself going into a book depression when it’s over… yeah I had that feeling with this book and it just kept getting worse and worse and worse and worse the closer I reached the end. Knowing that I was dreading, absolutely dreading, reading the last pages. Because this fantastical story would finally reach its end and I’d have to wait months for book 3!
Myself to Moriel! I am farther than Lethea for this book. It’s characters, the impressive and rich storytelling and the fantastic worldbuilding, the political intrigue and intricate plot. I absolutely loved Book 1, but compared to this, the first book feels like it was just the foundation and the epic story starts here…
I honestly didn’t think that I could like a book more, and whilst I found myself frustrated, it wasn’t frustration at something annoying or wrong with the book. It was that I could so easily put myself into Lyr’s shoes and feel what she was experiencing. I was appalled for her. I was hurt for her. All I wanted to do was climb into the book and protect her and tell the Imperator and Emperor to stop! Stop their vile, vicious awful antics and atrocities that were being done to her… basically my heart burns for her.
This book ticks all the right boxes that make a good book great!
- The writing is excellent, easy to read but it feels mature and well contracted.
- Full fledged worldbuilding and a detailed lore system with its own language and customs.
- HOLY BATMAN - the character development is TOP NOTCH!
- There is a good balance of fantasy and romance elements
The plot progression does seem a bit strange at times as some moments the story moves really slowly, especially at the start (where a lot of the elements from the first book are rehashed) and then the story will instantaneously move a couple of months. You’ll also find moment in between where you’ll get a fast action section. So it’s not linear with the same speed throughout, but it didn’t bother me. I didn’t feel like I was losing details when the plot was really fast or that I was getting too much information and not going anywhere when the plot was slow. It almost reminded me of the cadence of life. Somethings go really quickly and somethings drag it out, and the reason why they feel dragged out has specific reason behind it or a moment. It was almost like the characters were going through those moments in the times the plot felt slow or they were just blurring one day into the next when it felt fast. Overall it just felt like it was moving at the right pace.
(I also really like that the book included a little summary of the first book in the beginning, even though I had read the first one right before this, it was refreshing to see that in a book as I’ve not really seen it anywhere else before. It was a nice touch).
Lyr is one of the strongest female main characters I have ever read. She is so well formed and the character progression for her goes up 5000% in this book and makes her even better! Step aside Feyre I think I found my new IT girl… Lyr went through so much and through her tenacity she just triumphs and perseveres through every crap thing that is thrown at her. She goes through a lot…fucking hell a lot…and still manages to hold her head up high, be brave and even though tempted, she doesn’t crumble into a ball in fear.
The romance is incredibly trope-y. But that is how I like my romance. You’ve got the forbidden love, you’ve got the “only one bed”, you’ve got the bodyguard and charge and the novice and apprentice. All of which is wrapped up in a lovely bow. The spice level is not very high but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to feel the tension, the yearning, and the heat that these two characters have for each other. My God there needs to be more fanfiction of Rhyan out there, because he is just an Adonis personified and I would kill to have him as mine. He has jumped to the number one spot of book boyfriends… Yes Cassian that means you are out.
From a plot perspective, there were turns in this book I didn’t see coming. but then there were things that were pretty obvious that I was just waiting to unfold. .
I am extremely glad that this book exists. I am so happy that I have read it and cannot wait to see where the story goes. We finally have a enough foundation and plot to go somewhere. Amazing… I am anxiously waiting for Lady of the Drowned Empire.
Do you know that feeling when you reach about 70% in a book and you on purpose drag it out longer because you don’t want the book to end. That feeling you know the story is just so good you can see yourself going into a book depression when it’s over… yeah I had that feeling with this book and it just kept getting worse and worse and worse and worse the closer I reached the end. Knowing that I was dreading, absolutely dreading, reading the last pages. Because this fantastical story would finally reach its end and I’d have to wait months for book 3!
Myself to Moriel! I am farther than Lethea for this book. It’s characters, the impressive and rich storytelling and the fantastic worldbuilding, the political intrigue and intricate plot. I absolutely loved Book 1, but compared to this, the first book feels like it was just the foundation and the epic story starts here…
I honestly didn’t think that I could like a book more, and whilst I found myself frustrated, it wasn’t frustration at something annoying or wrong with the book. It was that I could so easily put myself into Lyr’s shoes and feel what she was experiencing. I was appalled for her. I was hurt for her. All I wanted to do was climb into the book and protect her and tell the Imperator and Emperor to stop! Stop their vile, vicious awful antics and atrocities that were being done to her… basically my heart burns for her.
This book ticks all the right boxes that make a good book great!
- The writing is excellent, easy to read but it feels mature and well contracted.
- Full fledged worldbuilding and a detailed lore system with its own language and customs.
- HOLY BATMAN - the character development is TOP NOTCH!
- There is a good balance of fantasy and romance elements
The plot progression does seem a bit strange at times as some moments the story moves really slowly, especially at the start (where a lot of the elements from the first book are rehashed) and then the story will instantaneously move a couple of months. You’ll also find moment in between where you’ll get a fast action section. So it’s not linear with the same speed throughout, but it didn’t bother me. I didn’t feel like I was losing details when the plot was really fast or that I was getting too much information and not going anywhere when the plot was slow. It almost reminded me of the cadence of life. Somethings go really quickly and somethings drag it out, and the reason why they feel dragged out has specific reason behind it or a moment. It was almost like the characters were going through those moments in the times the plot felt slow or they were just blurring one day into the next when it felt fast. Overall it just felt like it was moving at the right pace.
(I also really like that the book included a little summary of the first book in the beginning, even though I had read the first one right before this, it was refreshing to see that in a book as I’ve not really seen it anywhere else before. It was a nice touch).
Lyr is one of the strongest female main characters I have ever read. She is so well formed and the character progression for her goes up 5000% in this book and makes her even better! Step aside Feyre I think I found my new IT girl… Lyr went through so much and through her tenacity she just triumphs and perseveres through every crap thing that is thrown at her. She goes through a lot…fucking hell a lot…and still manages to hold her head up high, be brave and even though tempted, she doesn’t crumble into a ball in fear.
The romance is incredibly trope-y. But that is how I like my romance. You’ve got the forbidden love, you’ve got the “only one bed”, you’ve got the bodyguard and charge and the novice and apprentice. All of which is wrapped up in a lovely bow. The spice level is not very high but that doesn’t mean you’re not going to feel the tension, the yearning, and the heat that these two characters have for each other. My God there needs to be more fanfiction of Rhyan out there, because he is just an Adonis personified and I would kill to have him as mine. He has jumped to the number one spot of book boyfriends… Yes Cassian that means you are out.
From a plot perspective, there were turns in this book I didn’t see coming. but then there were things that were pretty obvious that I was just waiting to unfold. .
I am extremely glad that this book exists. I am so happy that I have read it and cannot wait to see where the story goes. We finally have a enough foundation and plot to go somewhere. Amazing… I am anxiously waiting for Lady of the Drowned Empire.
May 28, 2023
i am OBSESSED!
June 6, 2022
“But first, Lyriana, remember who you are. Remember you can do this. No ropes can hold you. No cage can trap you.”
I officially am hooked and by hooked I mean completely and utterly obsessed with this series. I loved the first book, but THIS book - upped the ante even more.
Guardian picks up right where the last book ended and while the beginning had a slower pace (not a bad thing!) the last half of the book had me white knuckled holding my kindle. The action was so thrilling and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!
Things I loved:
Learning more of Rhyan’s back story
The masked ball
Lyr continuing to become stronger and more confident
The TENSION - the angst is palpable through the pages
The twists - Frankie had two twists that I did it see at all coming and I love when that happens!
The nightmare scene (IYKYK)
Sneaky Mercurial
Read this series!
I officially am hooked and by hooked I mean completely and utterly obsessed with this series. I loved the first book, but THIS book - upped the ante even more.
Guardian picks up right where the last book ended and while the beginning had a slower pace (not a bad thing!) the last half of the book had me white knuckled holding my kindle. The action was so thrilling and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!
Things I loved:
Learning more of Rhyan’s back story
The masked ball
Lyr continuing to become stronger and more confident
The TENSION - the angst is palpable through the pages
The twists - Frankie had two twists that I did it see at all coming and I love when that happens!
The nightmare scene (IYKYK)
Sneaky Mercurial
Read this series!
January 14, 2025
~4.25. I’m obsessed with the Apprentice/Novice trope in this omg it reminds me of way steamier Vampire Academy vibes. My goodness Rhyan has a way with words. I’m glad that Lyr has finally stopped being a half ass princess and finally started working. I finished this in two days I was having such a grand old time. I’m excited to see where the next book takes it.
December 4, 2022
honestly good world building but its literally two straight books of terrible depressing things happening over and over with no reprieve so looking forward to the last one for the revenge but also made it so hard to get thru bc its was depressing
May 26, 2025
Much faster paced than the first one. Lyr is starting to find herself. Rhyan is bae. Aemon is cool. Everyone else is a bitchass ho.
November 14, 2022
WOAH Just when I thought the first book was fantastic, the second one pulled all the mf stops..
👑Forbiden Romance
👑Fantasy
👑 Moments that'll make u age 20 years
👑Herione is taught how to fight by Hero
👑Herione is a strong female character who has secret powers
👑 Endless amount of goosebumps
👑 RHYAN HART😩💕
Im literally numb and at the same time drowning in emotions cause how the everloving Fuck am I gonna wait until February for the third book??
It was a rollercoaster start to finish.
You know the moment you finally sat down after doing chores and your mother calls your name again?
Yeh- this was exactly that
There was a lot going on and i felt like i switched places with Lyriana at some parts cause i could feel the emotions the characters were facing in the book.
and by the time i finished the story i felt like i ran a marathon💀
PLEASE READ THE SERIES!!! I seriously need this book to blow up like how are y'all gonna make those nasty books popular but not amazing stories like this?🤦♀️
👑Forbiden Romance
👑Fantasy
👑 Moments that'll make u age 20 years
👑Herione is taught how to fight by Hero
👑Herione is a strong female character who has secret powers
👑 Endless amount of goosebumps
👑 RHYAN HART😩💕
Im literally numb and at the same time drowning in emotions cause how the everloving Fuck am I gonna wait until February for the third book??
It was a rollercoaster start to finish.
You know the moment you finally sat down after doing chores and your mother calls your name again?
Yeh- this was exactly that
There was a lot going on and i felt like i switched places with Lyriana at some parts cause i could feel the emotions the characters were facing in the book.
and by the time i finished the story i felt like i ran a marathon💀
PLEASE READ THE SERIES!!! I seriously need this book to blow up like how are y'all gonna make those nasty books popular but not amazing stories like this?🤦♀️
January 18, 2025
I continue to be riveted by the Drowned Empire series.
Frankie Diane Mallis intrinsically understands story, and that fact is increasingly apparent in Guardian of the Drowned Empire as action and romance promised in the series’ first installment take off with haste in this sequel. It didn’t take long before I was leaving my other current reads on my shelf in favor of this one, because I was dying to know what happened. The first book of this series, Daughter of the Drowned Empire, is the perfect table setting for sweeping action and emotional consequences, and that’s what I was looking for going into this book as the continuation of the story of Lyriana Batavia. Guardian of the Drowned Empire did NOT disappoint.
I’ll say it again, repetitive of my DDE review because it bears repeating: the Drowned Empire series has something for everyone. Action, political intrigue, familial drama, academic/schoolyard rivalries, training montages, and importantly, a romance that plays with genre-favorite tropes without crossing into the cliché. Package these qualities inside a world with lush setting, competent political worldbuilding, and led by a relatable, compelling heroine, and I can’t fathom anyone who wouldn’t find these books addictive.
Each element of the story mentioned above is perfectly balanced to complement and support the main narrative without weighing it down, which is saying a lot of Frankie’s control when you consider the amount of content she’s delivering in these efficiently-paced books.
The climax of this book was a true nail-biter and satisfied my craving for action in this series. Frankie does well to ground her action scenes in emotion and storylines that are actually consequential (Lyr is pushed to action when it most makes sense)— nothing is wasted in this book; everything happens right when it needs to, right when it feels most satisfying, which is what makes action scenes memorable and meaningful.
The feeling I’m most struck by after reading the Drowned Empire series is that these characters and storylines are in competent hands with Frankie Diane Mallis. I feel taken care of as a reader in that every scene and line of dialogue is purposeful; it leaves you with a sense of finality and satisfaction at the books’ end, because the read was time well-spent. Overall, I’m thrilled and excited for more of Bamaria, Lyr, and Rhyan in books to come, and I know these books will hold up on a re-read in the meantime.
I was provided an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Frankie Diane Mallis intrinsically understands story, and that fact is increasingly apparent in Guardian of the Drowned Empire as action and romance promised in the series’ first installment take off with haste in this sequel. It didn’t take long before I was leaving my other current reads on my shelf in favor of this one, because I was dying to know what happened. The first book of this series, Daughter of the Drowned Empire, is the perfect table setting for sweeping action and emotional consequences, and that’s what I was looking for going into this book as the continuation of the story of Lyriana Batavia. Guardian of the Drowned Empire did NOT disappoint.
I’ll say it again, repetitive of my DDE review because it bears repeating: the Drowned Empire series has something for everyone. Action, political intrigue, familial drama, academic/schoolyard rivalries, training montages, and importantly, a romance that plays with genre-favorite tropes without crossing into the cliché. Package these qualities inside a world with lush setting, competent political worldbuilding, and led by a relatable, compelling heroine, and I can’t fathom anyone who wouldn’t find these books addictive.
Each element of the story mentioned above is perfectly balanced to complement and support the main narrative without weighing it down, which is saying a lot of Frankie’s control when you consider the amount of content she’s delivering in these efficiently-paced books.
The climax of this book was a true nail-biter and satisfied my craving for action in this series. Frankie does well to ground her action scenes in emotion and storylines that are actually consequential (Lyr is pushed to action when it most makes sense)— nothing is wasted in this book; everything happens right when it needs to, right when it feels most satisfying, which is what makes action scenes memorable and meaningful.
The feeling I’m most struck by after reading the Drowned Empire series is that these characters and storylines are in competent hands with Frankie Diane Mallis. I feel taken care of as a reader in that every scene and line of dialogue is purposeful; it leaves you with a sense of finality and satisfaction at the books’ end, because the read was time well-spent. Overall, I’m thrilled and excited for more of Bamaria, Lyr, and Rhyan in books to come, and I know these books will hold up on a re-read in the meantime.
I was provided an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2026
5 stars! Frankie Dianne Mallis has weaved a world that I am utterly lost in. I love Rhyan, so much. An empathic king, tortured hero, brilliant and protective, and willing to sacrifice as much of himself as he can to protect those he loves. I liked this book more than the first. The worldbuilding takes a bit to get into, but now that I know the titles and stations, it makes more sense. I can’t get enough! (Also, for a slow-burn lover like myself, this series SERVES!)
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