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Evamore #1
Kingdomless
The remnants of the United Kingdom of Garth, once ruled by the legendary Dynasty of Evamores are in the throes of conflict. Ten years ago, King Wren of the West discovered Raelle washed up on the shores of the Balour Sea, with no memory of the first nine years of her life. She was brought back to the castle and dutifully cared for and cherished by the king and his three older sons. On her nineteenth birthday, the Western Kingdom’s adoptive princess is secretly sent away by her stepmother to marry King Veras as a token of peace between the kingdoms. But, the Northern King has other plans.
As Raelle’s amnesia melts away with the help of a northern storyteller, she discovers more about the Kingdom of Garth, magic, the lovetie connection of the Evamores, and her role in the grand scheme of things. She is confused, angry, and curiously comfortable in the North.
A dark shadow overcasts all the kingdoms, and a threatening influence of the fallen god Kellar seems to spread among the people, inciting disorder and violence. While the fate of the kingdoms may rest on Raelle's shoulders, she can’t help but feel kingdomless. Betrayal is everywhere, from her own adoptive family to her newfound friends. Fearless, observant, witty and determined, she is torn between her attraction to King Veras’ good nature and the unexplained pull to the Tracker Calak. The challenge that she faces is not simple. As the old gods, laws and magic awaken, so does her own sense of self. There is a choice to be made, step into the role expected of her, or to dive into the unknown and make her own destiny.
This YA fantasy novel asks the reader important coming of age questions, captures the attention with witty dialogue, relatable characters, and a world that is reawakening its forgotten magic. The readers will be entranced and hungry for more (and perhaps a piece of chocolate cake).
Kingdomless Editorial Review:
"KINGDOMLESS is everything fantasy should be. I was on the edge of my seat with every chapter. Raelle is found after a shipwreck and lives her life as a princess surrounded by her lovable brothers. But all isn’t what is seems as her life is torn apart. She finds herself in the care of a king and thrust into a magic system she never could have imagined existed. Raelle’s strength and determination on her path to find herself and save the ones she loves isbreathtaking. The swoon-worthy men, the badass women, and the overarching story of magic and deep, differing sorts of love are all woven together like a work of art. There are so many twists and turns I can’t even mention because it would ruin the surprise… This is a must-read if you love female-driven fantasy!" - Author Kat Blackthorne
As Raelle’s amnesia melts away with the help of a northern storyteller, she discovers more about the Kingdom of Garth, magic, the lovetie connection of the Evamores, and her role in the grand scheme of things. She is confused, angry, and curiously comfortable in the North.
A dark shadow overcasts all the kingdoms, and a threatening influence of the fallen god Kellar seems to spread among the people, inciting disorder and violence. While the fate of the kingdoms may rest on Raelle's shoulders, she can’t help but feel kingdomless. Betrayal is everywhere, from her own adoptive family to her newfound friends. Fearless, observant, witty and determined, she is torn between her attraction to King Veras’ good nature and the unexplained pull to the Tracker Calak. The challenge that she faces is not simple. As the old gods, laws and magic awaken, so does her own sense of self. There is a choice to be made, step into the role expected of her, or to dive into the unknown and make her own destiny.
This YA fantasy novel asks the reader important coming of age questions, captures the attention with witty dialogue, relatable characters, and a world that is reawakening its forgotten magic. The readers will be entranced and hungry for more (and perhaps a piece of chocolate cake).
Kingdomless Editorial Review:
"KINGDOMLESS is everything fantasy should be. I was on the edge of my seat with every chapter. Raelle is found after a shipwreck and lives her life as a princess surrounded by her lovable brothers. But all isn’t what is seems as her life is torn apart. She finds herself in the care of a king and thrust into a magic system she never could have imagined existed. Raelle’s strength and determination on her path to find herself and save the ones she loves isbreathtaking. The swoon-worthy men, the badass women, and the overarching story of magic and deep, differing sorts of love are all woven together like a work of art. There are so many twists and turns I can’t even mention because it would ruin the surprise… This is a must-read if you love female-driven fantasy!" - Author Kat Blackthorne
460 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2022
35 people are currently reading
9185 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Garyfalakis
3 books161 followersMICHELLE GARYFALAKIS was born and raised throughout Ontario, Canada. She currently lives just outside of Hamilton, Ontario with her husband, four kids and Snowy (their friendly Samoyed-Border Collie). When she isn’t obsessively typing out new stories on her computer, you can find her drinking coffee with a friend, snacking on some guacamole or binge watching Outlander (again). Michelle loves finding creative ways to communicate with people, and her passion for storytelling is the newest addition to that list. She would love to connect with you through her social media accounts, which can all be found on her website: www.michellegaryfalakis.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
April 17, 2022
So you came to the reviews to see if you should read the book, huh? THE ANSWER IS YES. 10000x YES!
If you loved Throne of Glass, Bridge Kingdom or From Blood and Ash just go away rn and get the book.
I have a high standard for high fantasy books, and a high standard in general for the cadence of a book and world building. This book did it all PERFECTLY.
I was screaming out loud at plot twist after plot twist, and constantly confused on who i was rooting for!
Here are some tropes you’re in for a treat with:
- 2 people, 1 horse
- amnesia
- love triangle
- arranged marriage
- Grumpy Sunshine
… and honestly so much more….
I seriously would go as far as saying that this writing is comparable to SJMs in ToG. It’s that good. I am counting down the days until book 2!!!
If you loved Throne of Glass, Bridge Kingdom or From Blood and Ash just go away rn and get the book.
I have a high standard for high fantasy books, and a high standard in general for the cadence of a book and world building. This book did it all PERFECTLY.
I was screaming out loud at plot twist after plot twist, and constantly confused on who i was rooting for!
Here are some tropes you’re in for a treat with:
- 2 people, 1 horse
- amnesia
- love triangle
- arranged marriage
- Grumpy Sunshine
… and honestly so much more….
I seriously would go as far as saying that this writing is comparable to SJMs in ToG. It’s that good. I am counting down the days until book 2!!!
March 25, 2022
Well....
I honestly didn't expect much from this book, it's a coming of age book and I don't always hold high hopes for them. If you're coming here to check this book out after looking at the Facebook ad, as a warning there is NO SPICE (the ad stated there was spice). However even without spice this book had me hooked. It's sweet, a little predictable with a slight twist but after reading so many books what isnt predictable!I cant wait for the next book!
I honestly didn't expect much from this book, it's a coming of age book and I don't always hold high hopes for them. If you're coming here to check this book out after looking at the Facebook ad, as a warning there is NO SPICE (the ad stated there was spice). However even without spice this book had me hooked. It's sweet, a little predictable with a slight twist but after reading so many books what isnt predictable!I cant wait for the next book!
May 27, 2022
when i tell you i became OBSESSED with this book from the first chapter.....i literally couldn't put it down. read it in two sittings. EPIC story. i can't WAIT for the next one to come out! SO SO SO many good tropes all tied up into one awesome story. Giving me acotar vibes so if you liked that series, you'll DEFINITELY love this one.
March 27, 2022
Kingdomless is a good book, especially from a debut author. I liked the story and the main character Raelle. After finishing the story, I felt like there was something missing and I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to. That's when I realized, I didn't really like either love interest. Although they are both well written characters, I didn't really care for either one of them. However, the story itself is interesting and the side characters help to keep the story balanced.
This is a good novel for fans of Lexi Ryan, Maria V. Snyder and Jennifer Anne Davis.
Ratings:
- Quality of Writing 3/5
- Sadness level 0/5
- Ease of Reading 3/5
- Plot Development 3/5
- Heroes 2.25/5 (for both)
- Heroine 3/5
- Characters 3/5
- Enjoyability 3/5
- Logic 3/5
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
This is a good novel for fans of Lexi Ryan, Maria V. Snyder and Jennifer Anne Davis.
Ratings:
- Quality of Writing 3/5
- Sadness level 0/5
- Ease of Reading 3/5
- Plot Development 3/5
- Heroes 2.25/5 (for both)
- Heroine 3/5
- Characters 3/5
- Enjoyability 3/5
- Logic 3/5
Overall Rating: 3 Stars
April 28, 2022
It pains me to give only 3 stars to this book, because it’s actually a very good story and I enjoyed it a lot. It just felt too unedited, mainly with regards to pacing. Everything moves so quickly in this story that it doesn’t allow for emotional weight or depth to settle in, despite having some of the most interesting, intense plot twists/moments that I’ve read. I’d have loved for this story to be stretched out over multiple novels and give the reader more time and space to connect to the characters, the world, and the emotional arc. The too-fast pace essentially negates every kind of potential tension, even in action scenes like battles or romance. Still, the writing is strong, the plot and dialogue are solid. The world/magic is creative and interesting. Despite its flaws, I super enjoyed this story! If you like fantasy with lost princess/chosen one vibes and multiple love interests you should consider picking this one up! Beware the fade to black, though, if that bothers you, as well as some maybe-cheating (it’s complicated, buuut it’s there).
May 9, 2022
4.5⭐️
You know that feeling where you finish a book and immediately afterwards think “I NEED to check out the author’s other work” because that’s how good the book was? Well, that is how you feel after reading Kingdomless, except *surprise* this is the author’s debut book and it is AMAZING.
I enjoyed this SO much. Right off the bat you are sucked into the story without any complex world building. Raelle is a relatable female main character, and I loved her confidence and strength as she was forced into her new situation.
This is technically a YA fantasy, but I can promise you that the banter and tension does NOT read on the “younger” side of YA. This book has multiple love interests, twists and turns (several that make you go🤯), comedic moments, MAGIC, and times that will make your heart break. One of my favorite aspects of a book is always the found family trope and this book has it with a group of excellent characters. Rae’s brothers are going to be my favorites I can just tell (it’s a group of brothers with red hair who joke around with her….um Fred & George Weasley is that you?).
Kingdomless is the first in a series and it ends on a cliffhanger, but don’t worry, the second is coming out SO soon. I highly recommend and will be counting the days until I can continue this adventure!
📖BOOK IS ON KINDLE UNLIMITED
You know that feeling where you finish a book and immediately afterwards think “I NEED to check out the author’s other work” because that’s how good the book was? Well, that is how you feel after reading Kingdomless, except *surprise* this is the author’s debut book and it is AMAZING.
I enjoyed this SO much. Right off the bat you are sucked into the story without any complex world building. Raelle is a relatable female main character, and I loved her confidence and strength as she was forced into her new situation.
This is technically a YA fantasy, but I can promise you that the banter and tension does NOT read on the “younger” side of YA. This book has multiple love interests, twists and turns (several that make you go🤯), comedic moments, MAGIC, and times that will make your heart break. One of my favorite aspects of a book is always the found family trope and this book has it with a group of excellent characters. Rae’s brothers are going to be my favorites I can just tell (it’s a group of brothers with red hair who joke around with her….um Fred & George Weasley is that you?).
Kingdomless is the first in a series and it ends on a cliffhanger, but don’t worry, the second is coming out SO soon. I highly recommend and will be counting the days until I can continue this adventure!
📖BOOK IS ON KINDLE UNLIMITED
March 13, 2022
I loved every second of this book. The suspense kept me wondering and I often found myself asking questions about the characters while I was at other tasks.
The author compels you to feel love, fierce dedication for this family unit and a need for more of these characters.
Eagerly awaiting book 2-95.
The author compels you to feel love, fierce dedication for this family unit and a need for more of these characters.
Eagerly awaiting book 2-95.
May 1, 2022
If you are about to click “want to read” I literally implore you to download immediately move it to “currently reading.”
You do not want to pass this up
I was sucked in from the start.
It doesn’t take very long for the plot to pick up and gain speed.
This book has twists and turns and some big revelations.
The ending is quite the cliffhanger and I’m itching for book 2 to be released to find out what happens next!
This book has:
Multiple love interests
Light spice (it’s YA but there is dirty banter and kissing)
Magic
Action
Incredible side characters
Secrets and deception
You do not want to pass this up
I was sucked in from the start.
It doesn’t take very long for the plot to pick up and gain speed.
This book has twists and turns and some big revelations.
The ending is quite the cliffhanger and I’m itching for book 2 to be released to find out what happens next!
This book has:
Multiple love interests
Light spice (it’s YA but there is dirty banter and kissing)
Magic
Action
Incredible side characters
Secrets and deception
June 15, 2022
Wattpad-esque attempt at a YA fantasy
I could feel the bones of the story and world rattling while I was reading, but there’s not a whole lot of meat here. There’s a vision for this story, it just isn’t executed very well.
I skimmed most of this book, swiping page after page, and didn’t lose any important plot elements or surprises, which is what really sucks, because I did have average expectations for this novel.
The book needs pacing adjustments and the characters need some more solid development. There was quite a bit of info-dump at the very beginning of this book which made it feel like I was slogging through quicksand.
There is WAY too much telling going on, especially for an almost 400-page story. Nothing is shown to us - we do not get to experience the depth of our characters’ feelings or actions. Events move at such a quick pace that there is no time to absorb anything that is going on; we just go from scene to scene with no exposition. Characters (even our main), lands, politics, etc. all felt glossed over or unaddressed, so the world building lacks where it should have been stronger.
There were also some moments where this felt like it was leaning towards more of a New Adult audience rather than a Young Adult one.
I think the author could have had a much better foundation and a much more compelling story if there was better editing and the writing was more honed. Storytelling is a craft, so I applaud this author’s attempt and I hope her future endeavors rise above this one.
I could feel the bones of the story and world rattling while I was reading, but there’s not a whole lot of meat here. There’s a vision for this story, it just isn’t executed very well.
I skimmed most of this book, swiping page after page, and didn’t lose any important plot elements or surprises, which is what really sucks, because I did have average expectations for this novel.
The book needs pacing adjustments and the characters need some more solid development. There was quite a bit of info-dump at the very beginning of this book which made it feel like I was slogging through quicksand.
There is WAY too much telling going on, especially for an almost 400-page story. Nothing is shown to us - we do not get to experience the depth of our characters’ feelings or actions. Events move at such a quick pace that there is no time to absorb anything that is going on; we just go from scene to scene with no exposition. Characters (even our main), lands, politics, etc. all felt glossed over or unaddressed, so the world building lacks where it should have been stronger.
There were also some moments where this felt like it was leaning towards more of a New Adult audience rather than a Young Adult one.
I think the author could have had a much better foundation and a much more compelling story if there was better editing and the writing was more honed. Storytelling is a craft, so I applaud this author’s attempt and I hope her future endeavors rise above this one.
May 4, 2022
I mean, it was fine. Gonna need everyone to stop comparing it to Throne of Glass though. Didn't give that vibe at all. Raelle is no Aelin, and neither love interest was particularly likeable.
May 25, 2022
I did really like the world that author, Michelle build for this book. It is really what kept me reading the most. Raelle is an intriguing girl. She held mystery that was slowly revealed as the story progressed. Which at the same time, Raelle grew from a girl to a woman.
In the beginning, I struggled a bit as even though I was just starting the book, it felt like I was on episode 3 of a television series. I don't really know why but it just felt like there was a bit of the back story missing even though, it was clear what was transpiring to lead up to Raelle and her journey. Also, the story did not pick up for me until after I was a third of the way in. I did find that I struggle to form a strong emotional connection to the characters. Overall, I did like this book, and it intrigued me enough that I would continue this series.
In the beginning, I struggled a bit as even though I was just starting the book, it felt like I was on episode 3 of a television series. I don't really know why but it just felt like there was a bit of the back story missing even though, it was clear what was transpiring to lead up to Raelle and her journey. Also, the story did not pick up for me until after I was a third of the way in. I did find that I struggle to form a strong emotional connection to the characters. Overall, I did like this book, and it intrigued me enough that I would continue this series.
August 24, 2022
I am SHOCKED that this is the author’s debut novel, because the pacing, character development, and world building are at the quality of someone who’s been doing this for years.
I was immediately invested in the story line. I kept waiting for the inevitable lull in the action to accommodate the entire chapter(s) of world building you see in other fantasy works, but the it was incorporated flawlessly without a pause in the plot or suspense.
I am unbelievably excited for the next book because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!
I was immediately invested in the story line. I kept waiting for the inevitable lull in the action to accommodate the entire chapter(s) of world building you see in other fantasy works, but the it was incorporated flawlessly without a pause in the plot or suspense.
I am unbelievably excited for the next book because I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS!
June 23, 2022
Wow. I’m in love with these characters. Well, I seriously hate a few of them too. The book just ended and I want to cry. I have so many mixed emotions. The biggest one being sadness I can’t read what happens next lol.
The story was really cool. I loved Raelle. She’s young, strong, kind of innocent, but also not. She is strong not just physically, but mentally too. She has no memory prior to a shipwreck 10 years ago. She has been adopted by the king and raised in his southern kingdom with 3 badass brothers, all with different strengths. These relationships mold her into this super badass, smart, and cunning young woman. She suddenly had to rely on these strengths to carry her through unknown territory as she navigates her newly uprooted life. She has to adapt, form trust and bonds with people to get through it. And then all sorts of hell breaks loose lol. I swear all of that is essentially in the description! No spoilers.
I loved the little bits of current terminology thrown into what seems like an older setting. Horn dog was used once I loved it. At one point, my heart was thumping so vigorously. I had so much anxiety. Like pounding as if the situation were happening to me lol. If a book can make feel so many things that intensely, then the author has a serious gift. Take my money lol! I laughed, I cried, got angry, happy, relieved, angry some more and now I’m just left feeling shocked, betrayed, and empty, but also hopeful, vengeful, and ready to tear sh** up! Cannot wait for book 2.
The story was really cool. I loved Raelle. She’s young, strong, kind of innocent, but also not. She is strong not just physically, but mentally too. She has no memory prior to a shipwreck 10 years ago. She has been adopted by the king and raised in his southern kingdom with 3 badass brothers, all with different strengths. These relationships mold her into this super badass, smart, and cunning young woman. She suddenly had to rely on these strengths to carry her through unknown territory as she navigates her newly uprooted life. She has to adapt, form trust and bonds with people to get through it. And then all sorts of hell breaks loose lol. I swear all of that is essentially in the description! No spoilers.
I loved the little bits of current terminology thrown into what seems like an older setting. Horn dog was used once I loved it. At one point, my heart was thumping so vigorously. I had so much anxiety. Like pounding as if the situation were happening to me lol. If a book can make feel so many things that intensely, then the author has a serious gift. Take my money lol! I laughed, I cried, got angry, happy, relieved, angry some more and now I’m just left feeling shocked, betrayed, and empty, but also hopeful, vengeful, and ready to tear sh** up! Cannot wait for book 2.
July 5, 2022
I don’t even know when I downloaded this book or how I heard about it, but I’m glad I did. It’s not the most daring or page turning book I’ve ever read but it’s come closer to that then most I’ve read lately. What a great start to a series and I’m excited to start the next book!
April 18, 2022
Great book, easily one of my new favourites. The storyline is great, easy to follow, and fast enough so you never lose interest. I read this book in 2 days, I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait for the sequel.
April 18, 2022
I was pleasantly surprised with this book! I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump, and every book I’ve picked up just haven’t hooked me until this one! I’m looking forward to the next one!
March 12, 2022
This is a story about a character who is trying hard to trace her roots. The story builds up pretty well and there are some not-so-obvious twists and turns leading up to the climax. However, I found the number of chapters to be a little too many. As a result, the flow of reading is broken in some places where it actually spoils the experience instead of building up the suspense.
There are also many usages of modern slang, although the story itself is set in a medieval setting. I could find some typographical errors as well. Since the climax is open-ended and this is the first book in a series, there isn't a sense of closure felt at the end of reading it. At certain occasions, descriptions of the main characters sound repetitive as their quirks and nuances are highlighted again and again in different chapters.
However, if you like the elements of fantasy, mystery, suspense, war and romance mixed together, this is a good attempt at combining them. Details surrounding basic needs such as the type of food that is consumed, the type of clothing being worn and the kind of shelter that the characters stay in have been described in a lot of detail in many places.
There are also many usages of modern slang, although the story itself is set in a medieval setting. I could find some typographical errors as well. Since the climax is open-ended and this is the first book in a series, there isn't a sense of closure felt at the end of reading it. At certain occasions, descriptions of the main characters sound repetitive as their quirks and nuances are highlighted again and again in different chapters.
However, if you like the elements of fantasy, mystery, suspense, war and romance mixed together, this is a good attempt at combining them. Details surrounding basic needs such as the type of food that is consumed, the type of clothing being worn and the kind of shelter that the characters stay in have been described in a lot of detail in many places.
March 16, 2022
If you're looking for a new series that will grip you from the beginning, then the first book in of The Evamore Series could be the right choice for you.
Kingdomless contains hints of mystery, fantasy, and romance, with the author doing a great job of combining all of them into one seamless story.
I did find a few errors that pulled me away from the story, but not enough to stop me from reading the next book in the series. Overall, the characters are likable if over-described at some points, and the plot is good.
While it didn't have a cliffhanger, it did leave a few questions unanswered that I suspect will be resolved in the following books in the series.
Kingdomless contains hints of mystery, fantasy, and romance, with the author doing a great job of combining all of them into one seamless story.
I did find a few errors that pulled me away from the story, but not enough to stop me from reading the next book in the series. Overall, the characters are likable if over-described at some points, and the plot is good.
While it didn't have a cliffhanger, it did leave a few questions unanswered that I suspect will be resolved in the following books in the series.
March 16, 2022
If you're looking for a new series that will grip you from the beginning, then the first book in of The Evamore Series could be the right choice for you.
Kingdomless contains hints of mystery, fantasy, and romance, with the author doing a great job of combining all of them into one seamless story.
I did find a few errors that pulled me away from the story, but not enough to stop me from reading the next book in the series. Overall, the characters are likable if over-described at some points, and the plot is good.
While it didn't have a cliffhanger, it did leave a few questions unanswered that I suspect will be resolved in the following books in the series.
Kingdomless contains hints of mystery, fantasy, and romance, with the author doing a great job of combining all of them into one seamless story.
I did find a few errors that pulled me away from the story, but not enough to stop me from reading the next book in the series. Overall, the characters are likable if over-described at some points, and the plot is good.
While it didn't have a cliffhanger, it did leave a few questions unanswered that I suspect will be resolved in the following books in the series.
June 15, 2022
No spoilers
Potential was there if you squint. But it fell WAY flat. It was very cliche and super rushed. Average girl gets insane amount of power for no reason. Save yourselves don’t read this
Potential was there if you squint. But it fell WAY flat. It was very cliche and super rushed. Average girl gets insane amount of power for no reason. Save yourselves don’t read this
May 12, 2022
✨Kingdomless Review:✨ WARNING: My review has some curse words so if you don’t like it, skip my review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I was kingdomless. A princess without a place to call home.”
Ahhhh okay I’m not even sure where to start!
Raelle is one badass bitch! Like damn!
Okay so now that I got that out of the way…
-“You aren’t nothing to me.” His eyes fixed on my mouth. “You are everything, and that’s the problem.”
Raelle was found by the shore at the age of 9 by her adoptive father The Western King. She ends up not having any memories prior to her waking up after being rescued. She has a healthy relationship with her adoptive family besides her stepmother who on her 19th birthday decides to ship her off to the North in a unexpected arranged marriage to the Northern King, King Veras.
I can’t go into too many details (I really want to!) without spoilers but she ends up meeting a group of people who she ends up trusting and in other words they become a part of a family.
Also, I’m not really into love triangles in books because they just kinda really irritate me but this one was very well written and it wasn’t BAD . I feel like it kinda got to the point of certain things 😎
Calak- My boo! Okay so from the start I just LOVED him. His personality “chefs kiss” from the beginning I loved how he could be an ass and playful but also he has drive and motivation.
Bree- I love that bitch. She is a badass as well! (I loved how the female characters in this book were not defenseless.) I love how she spoke her mind and was a character that everyone just loved. (I’m still crossing my fingers for a miracle)
Can’t say anything else without spoilersss!
Sloan- Ughh I just LOVE her support with Raelle and again she’s also a badass!
Yuri- Most likely to be kissed 😏 you know you know. He’s also the one they go to if they need to be stitched.
Rig- My man, his hands are the only weapons he needs and the one to get punched 😉 again you know you know.
Verás- I have a love hate for this guy. I’m looking forward to see his character development.
Bowan- I just love him and his protectiveness.
-“No. I don’t know. It’s just a lot and I really, I need… I need you to punch me.”
-“Raelle, if you need to talk, we can just-”; “Fine. No talking. Whatever you want, Princess.”
Anyways, the story was pretty fast paced but also not to the point where it feels like everything was skipped over. I loved how I didn’t get bored with overwhelming nonsense.
I can’t wait to read the next book where I’m hoping we see more of Holden, Danier, and Kolt.
Must read!!
YA/upper Fantasy, you could say even enemies to lovers, lost family, character building troupe.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I was kingdomless. A princess without a place to call home.”
Ahhhh okay I’m not even sure where to start!
Raelle is one badass bitch! Like damn!
Okay so now that I got that out of the way…
-“You aren’t nothing to me.” His eyes fixed on my mouth. “You are everything, and that’s the problem.”
Raelle was found by the shore at the age of 9 by her adoptive father The Western King. She ends up not having any memories prior to her waking up after being rescued. She has a healthy relationship with her adoptive family besides her stepmother who on her 19th birthday decides to ship her off to the North in a unexpected arranged marriage to the Northern King, King Veras.
I can’t go into too many details (I really want to!) without spoilers but she ends up meeting a group of people who she ends up trusting and in other words they become a part of a family.
Also, I’m not really into love triangles in books because they just kinda really irritate me but this one was very well written and it wasn’t BAD . I feel like it kinda got to the point of certain things 😎
Calak- My boo! Okay so from the start I just LOVED him. His personality “chefs kiss” from the beginning I loved how he could be an ass and playful but also he has drive and motivation.
Bree- I love that bitch. She is a badass as well! (I loved how the female characters in this book were not defenseless.) I love how she spoke her mind and was a character that everyone just loved. (I’m still crossing my fingers for a miracle)
Can’t say anything else without spoilersss!
Sloan- Ughh I just LOVE her support with Raelle and again she’s also a badass!
Yuri- Most likely to be kissed 😏 you know you know. He’s also the one they go to if they need to be stitched.
Rig- My man, his hands are the only weapons he needs and the one to get punched 😉 again you know you know.
Verás- I have a love hate for this guy. I’m looking forward to see his character development.
Bowan- I just love him and his protectiveness.
-“No. I don’t know. It’s just a lot and I really, I need… I need you to punch me.”
-“Raelle, if you need to talk, we can just-”; “Fine. No talking. Whatever you want, Princess.”
Anyways, the story was pretty fast paced but also not to the point where it feels like everything was skipped over. I loved how I didn’t get bored with overwhelming nonsense.
I can’t wait to read the next book where I’m hoping we see more of Holden, Danier, and Kolt.
Must read!!
YA/upper Fantasy, you could say even enemies to lovers, lost family, character building troupe.
May 12, 2022
Raelle has only ever known one home; the Western Kingdom, where King Wren took her in when she turned up years ago, with no memories of her previous life. When her evil stepmother Estra plots to kidnap her and send her to the Northern Kingdom, the only life she’s ever known is turned upside down. Maybe things aren’t so bad in the north, where King Veras is actually quite sweet, and she quickly makes friends with the Trackers who brought her there—except for the aloof Calak. Raelle can’t get comfortable for too long when lies threaten her cushy stay in the palace, and she discovers a few secrets of her own.
Sending love across the kingdom to:
💌 The Trackers. Although initially sent to kidnap her, the fierce and loyal group of people are the friends that Raelle finds that she can trust in a place where things aren’t always what they seem. I especially loved Sloan, who is such a badass of a woman.
💌 Majorly crushing on Raelle’s love interests. Yes, there are two, but this isn’t any ordinary love triangle. Calak and Veras have very distinct personalities that don’t just revolve around being in love with Raelle.
💌 Chocolate cake and western wine. The food seriously had my mouth watering, and I loved the sassy cook Clara that produced delicious food for the palace.
💌 Story and Lore. This story has some serious world-building that includes really cool stories from the past that completely jump off the page and make me want to continue to spend time there. With a sequel on the horizon and another story set within the same world, you can totally do that! I’ve had the pleasure of seeing what the second novel has to offer, and trust me when I say that the #evamoreseries just keeps getting better and better.
💌 Fantasy, for people that aren’t really into fantasy. I’m more of a contemporary YA gal myself, but this story completely drew me in and made me feel connected to Raelle because of all the messages of home and found family.
Check out more book reviews, podcast episodes, and nostalgia here.
Sending love across the kingdom to:
💌 The Trackers. Although initially sent to kidnap her, the fierce and loyal group of people are the friends that Raelle finds that she can trust in a place where things aren’t always what they seem. I especially loved Sloan, who is such a badass of a woman.
💌 Majorly crushing on Raelle’s love interests. Yes, there are two, but this isn’t any ordinary love triangle. Calak and Veras have very distinct personalities that don’t just revolve around being in love with Raelle.
💌 Chocolate cake and western wine. The food seriously had my mouth watering, and I loved the sassy cook Clara that produced delicious food for the palace.
💌 Story and Lore. This story has some serious world-building that includes really cool stories from the past that completely jump off the page and make me want to continue to spend time there. With a sequel on the horizon and another story set within the same world, you can totally do that! I’ve had the pleasure of seeing what the second novel has to offer, and trust me when I say that the #evamoreseries just keeps getting better and better.
💌 Fantasy, for people that aren’t really into fantasy. I’m more of a contemporary YA gal myself, but this story completely drew me in and made me feel connected to Raelle because of all the messages of home and found family.
Check out more book reviews, podcast episodes, and nostalgia here.
April 4, 2022
I received a copy of this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kingdomless by Michelle Garyfalakis - even if it wasn't perfect.
I'm not a huge fan of the love-triangle trope, especially when it isn't written in such a way that both love interests are equally appealing. Unfortunately, it was easy to see throughout this book that one romance choice for the main character was going to be the wrong choice - and the lukewarm interest the main character held for one of the men just didn't hold enough weight to make me doubt the obvious choice of the other one. I never doubted who she was going to end up with, even though the author tried her hardest to persuade me otherwise.
Messy love interests aside, the book was well-written, if a little predictable. I loved the main character, and her spitfire banter with some of the other characters. There was a lot of good comradery between the various characters that I found especially enjoyable. I wasn't a huge fan of the evil-step-mother, because, frankly, that's been done to death and she had zero personality outside of her role, but otherwise, I felt all of the characters were well-defined.
Don't let these few points fool you though - the book was good. I loved the plot, the majority of the characters, and the witty dialogue. The princess could be a bit naïve, but she wasn't a helpless damsel (well, she did faint a few times). I was enthralled with the story once I got into it, despite the few things that bothered me, and read through the entire thing in one sitting. I think if you can look past the couple of poorly done tropes, this is a solid story, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Young Adult Fantasy Romances.
I thoroughly enjoyed Kingdomless by Michelle Garyfalakis - even if it wasn't perfect.
I'm not a huge fan of the love-triangle trope, especially when it isn't written in such a way that both love interests are equally appealing. Unfortunately, it was easy to see throughout this book that one romance choice for the main character was going to be the wrong choice - and the lukewarm interest the main character held for one of the men just didn't hold enough weight to make me doubt the obvious choice of the other one. I never doubted who she was going to end up with, even though the author tried her hardest to persuade me otherwise.
Messy love interests aside, the book was well-written, if a little predictable. I loved the main character, and her spitfire banter with some of the other characters. There was a lot of good comradery between the various characters that I found especially enjoyable. I wasn't a huge fan of the evil-step-mother, because, frankly, that's been done to death and she had zero personality outside of her role, but otherwise, I felt all of the characters were well-defined.
Don't let these few points fool you though - the book was good. I loved the plot, the majority of the characters, and the witty dialogue. The princess could be a bit naïve, but she wasn't a helpless damsel (well, she did faint a few times). I was enthralled with the story once I got into it, despite the few things that bothered me, and read through the entire thing in one sitting. I think if you can look past the couple of poorly done tropes, this is a solid story, and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Young Adult Fantasy Romances.
June 7, 2022
This book is -easily- in my top 5 of 2022!
The world-building is phenomenal. The Kingdom of Garth has been divided into four kingdoms; respectively the North, East, South, and West, each with its own King ruling over it.
Raelle was nine when she was found shipwrecked with no memory of who she was, her family, or where she had been going. She was taken in by the King of the Western territory and accepted as one of their own.
Ten years later, on her 19th birthday, she is drugged and sent away by her step-mother, unbeknownst to her now father, the king, and her three brothers. When Raelle is met by the group that is to escort her to the North, she finds herself in multiple awkward situations that force her to depend on one particular member of the unit, Calak, despite how off-putting he seems, and they seem to simultaneously warmup to one another. (The banter between them is great!)
Not long after, she arrives at Castle Mount and meets King Veras only to be told that he has no intention on marrying her (I won't spoil why), but acts as though he's quickly catching feelings for her, which only confuses Raelle further. But Raelle finds that the more time she spends with Calak, the more he encompasses her thoughts. Even as she begins to feel things for King Veras, Calak continues to 'live in her head rent free'.
I won't spoil the rest of the story but there is a lot of amusing banter between Raelle and Calak that will leave you questioning which is better- the person that challenges you, frustrates you, and pisses you off or the person that you're supposed to fall in love with, the easy choice, the one who should feel right. How do you decide between the hearts of two very different men that both feel right for opposing reasons?
If you like ACOTAR, Crescent City, or Rhapsodic, you will LOVE this book!
I'm already counting down the hours to the release of book 2!
The world-building is phenomenal. The Kingdom of Garth has been divided into four kingdoms; respectively the North, East, South, and West, each with its own King ruling over it.
Raelle was nine when she was found shipwrecked with no memory of who she was, her family, or where she had been going. She was taken in by the King of the Western territory and accepted as one of their own.
Ten years later, on her 19th birthday, she is drugged and sent away by her step-mother, unbeknownst to her now father, the king, and her three brothers. When Raelle is met by the group that is to escort her to the North, she finds herself in multiple awkward situations that force her to depend on one particular member of the unit, Calak, despite how off-putting he seems, and they seem to simultaneously warmup to one another. (The banter between them is great!)
Not long after, she arrives at Castle Mount and meets King Veras only to be told that he has no intention on marrying her (I won't spoil why), but acts as though he's quickly catching feelings for her, which only confuses Raelle further. But Raelle finds that the more time she spends with Calak, the more he encompasses her thoughts. Even as she begins to feel things for King Veras, Calak continues to 'live in her head rent free'.
I won't spoil the rest of the story but there is a lot of amusing banter between Raelle and Calak that will leave you questioning which is better- the person that challenges you, frustrates you, and pisses you off or the person that you're supposed to fall in love with, the easy choice, the one who should feel right. How do you decide between the hearts of two very different men that both feel right for opposing reasons?
If you like ACOTAR, Crescent City, or Rhapsodic, you will LOVE this book!
I'm already counting down the hours to the release of book 2!
April 17, 2022
There are so many ways that this story could go, I think the series is going to be epic! Can't wait for the next book to be released!!
Raelle is such a badass - she had a few moments where I was like "hello, isn't xyx obvious?!?!" but overall she was a very non-annoying fmc and I cannot wait to see how she develops!
The world building was easy to digest and really amazing - with hints of magic and gods/demigods blended in.
This book is on the YA side of (no) spice with some promise - there were some kisses and tension that had a little something-something 😉
Probably some spoilers from here on ---
Team Calak - omg the vanilla pudding scene 🥵 also, major Jamie and Claire vibes from the shared horseback riding!
"The more I discovered about myself, the more I realized that I don’t belong to any of the kingdoms. I was kingdomless. A princess without a place to call home."
________________
“You’re arrogant, insufferable, stubborn and moody, and Clara isn’t someone who gives her approval away freely. And yet, somehow, you have her wrapped around your little finger.”
“First, none of my fingers are ‘little.’ Second, I’m a delight.”
________________
Happy Birthday Rae. Surprise, they’ve kidnapped you and plan to ransom you for peace. Enjoy your new life in this frozen hell hole.
________________
“You wear it well. Vanilla pudding is definitely your color.”
_______________
Bowan 🥰🥰🥰 “If anyone here, and I don’t care if it’s the fucking King himself, lays a hand on you, you come directly to me. Understand?”
______________
“You aren’t nothing to me.” Calak swallowed his eyes fixed on my mouth. “You are everything, and that’s the problem.” 💕💕💕
Raelle is such a badass - she had a few moments where I was like "hello, isn't xyx obvious?!?!" but overall she was a very non-annoying fmc and I cannot wait to see how she develops!
The world building was easy to digest and really amazing - with hints of magic and gods/demigods blended in.
This book is on the YA side of (no) spice with some promise - there were some kisses and tension that had a little something-something 😉
Probably some spoilers from here on ---
Team Calak - omg the vanilla pudding scene 🥵 also, major Jamie and Claire vibes from the shared horseback riding!
"The more I discovered about myself, the more I realized that I don’t belong to any of the kingdoms. I was kingdomless. A princess without a place to call home."
________________
“You’re arrogant, insufferable, stubborn and moody, and Clara isn’t someone who gives her approval away freely. And yet, somehow, you have her wrapped around your little finger.”
“First, none of my fingers are ‘little.’ Second, I’m a delight.”
________________
Happy Birthday Rae. Surprise, they’ve kidnapped you and plan to ransom you for peace. Enjoy your new life in this frozen hell hole.
________________
“You wear it well. Vanilla pudding is definitely your color.”
_______________
Bowan 🥰🥰🥰 “If anyone here, and I don’t care if it’s the fucking King himself, lays a hand on you, you come directly to me. Understand?”
______________
“You aren’t nothing to me.” Calak swallowed his eyes fixed on my mouth. “You are everything, and that’s the problem.” 💕💕💕
May 24, 2022
Kingdomless is a young adult fantasy novel set in the United Kingdom of Garth. A young woman named Raelle was found washed up on shore and has no memory of anything prior to her being rescued by the king. She's brought in and made a part of the family, and her three brothers adore her. But her stepmother does not like her. At all. And on her 19th birthday, her stepmother sends her away. This event sets off the rest of the story, which follows Raelle as she slowly starts to get her memory back and learns more about herself and the kingdom. And not all of it is good.
I really enjoyed this book. It's engaging and easy to get lost in. There are some twists and turns along the way, which keep it exciting and fun. The world-building is wonderful and really shines through. The imagery it evokes is easy to picture, and it makes you feel as though you're in Garth right along with Raelle.
There's action, romance, and at the heart of things, a coming of age story that will make you smile. The dialogue is entertaining at times. The plot flows nicely. And the characters are mostly likeable.
While I did think the book was a little long for what it was, and it was a little slow in a few spots, I found myself immersed within the pages and delighted with how it all played out. The ending isn't a cliffhanger, but it does leave some unanswered questions that will hopefully be tackled in the next book. I know I'm looking forward to it.
4 stars!
I really enjoyed this book. It's engaging and easy to get lost in. There are some twists and turns along the way, which keep it exciting and fun. The world-building is wonderful and really shines through. The imagery it evokes is easy to picture, and it makes you feel as though you're in Garth right along with Raelle.
There's action, romance, and at the heart of things, a coming of age story that will make you smile. The dialogue is entertaining at times. The plot flows nicely. And the characters are mostly likeable.
While I did think the book was a little long for what it was, and it was a little slow in a few spots, I found myself immersed within the pages and delighted with how it all played out. The ending isn't a cliffhanger, but it does leave some unanswered questions that will hopefully be tackled in the next book. I know I'm looking forward to it.
4 stars!
May 31, 2022
Readers May Need Some Time to Settle Into the Story. It took me some time to settle into Raelle's story and feel a lot of connection to her character and plights. There is an air of mystery as Raelle's coming of age story uncovers her past, and she begins to find her place in her present. The pieces were a little slow to fall into place for me--but once they did, I enjoyed the plot twists and character development, and interactions that created the world for this fantasy series opener.
Kingdomless Launches the Series--and Leaves Loose Ends for the Next Book. Once the story and the characters came together--the storyline flowed well with a nice blend of the predictable and the unexpected. While there is a bit of resolution, readers will definitely need to wait for the second book to tie up some of the loose ends. While I didn't immediately love Raelle as a character--I think she won me over halfway through the novel.
Would I Recommend Kingdomless by Michelle Garyfalakis? If you enjoy a blend of coming of age, young adult romance with some magic and fantasy elements, this novel is an entertaining read that will catch your interest and pull you toward the next book of the series. The story is undoubtedly written to appeal to its young adult target audience as it blends the historical time with modernized characters and dialogue. I would recommend it to older teens and young adults who enjoy a solid female character navigating a fantasy world and finding her place.
I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
Kingdomless Launches the Series--and Leaves Loose Ends for the Next Book. Once the story and the characters came together--the storyline flowed well with a nice blend of the predictable and the unexpected. While there is a bit of resolution, readers will definitely need to wait for the second book to tie up some of the loose ends. While I didn't immediately love Raelle as a character--I think she won me over halfway through the novel.
Would I Recommend Kingdomless by Michelle Garyfalakis? If you enjoy a blend of coming of age, young adult romance with some magic and fantasy elements, this novel is an entertaining read that will catch your interest and pull you toward the next book of the series. The story is undoubtedly written to appeal to its young adult target audience as it blends the historical time with modernized characters and dialogue. I would recommend it to older teens and young adults who enjoy a solid female character navigating a fantasy world and finding her place.
I received a copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.
May 16, 2022
I need book two of this series immediately! I hate that book one ended – I could have kept on reading forever (and definitely lost sleep while reading book one because I never wanted to put it down!)
What starts as a mystery without knowing Raelle’s past, quickly turns suspenseful as Raelle is whisked away “secretly” to the North.
Kingdomless continues with action, romance, betrayal, lies, and even a surprise that I never saw coming!
This quickly became a favorite read of mine and I passed the book to my 16 year old – certain she is going to love it as much as I did!
I easily envisioned the book while reading and while it is labeled ‘young adult’, I felt the storyline and characters were not unrelatable. Yes, far younger than me, but I feel that the timeline is set in an age where maturity was definitely found sooner rather than later. Aside from some of the younger characters (Raelle having just turned 19 years old) and the fantasy aspect, I found this to be an enjoyable read – not something I would say is only for the young readers (or maybe just for young readers and those of us still young at heart).
I most certainly look forward to reading book two and highly recommend reading Kingdomless.
What starts as a mystery without knowing Raelle’s past, quickly turns suspenseful as Raelle is whisked away “secretly” to the North.
Kingdomless continues with action, romance, betrayal, lies, and even a surprise that I never saw coming!
This quickly became a favorite read of mine and I passed the book to my 16 year old – certain she is going to love it as much as I did!
I easily envisioned the book while reading and while it is labeled ‘young adult’, I felt the storyline and characters were not unrelatable. Yes, far younger than me, but I feel that the timeline is set in an age where maturity was definitely found sooner rather than later. Aside from some of the younger characters (Raelle having just turned 19 years old) and the fantasy aspect, I found this to be an enjoyable read – not something I would say is only for the young readers (or maybe just for young readers and those of us still young at heart).
I most certainly look forward to reading book two and highly recommend reading Kingdomless.
May 23, 2022
This action-packed adventure begins when Raelle is sent away from her adopted home against her wishes on her 19th birthday to be traded in a peace treaty with the Northern kingdom. While Raelle struggles with her pull to get home and memories about her birth family, not to mention the distractions of a handsome king she's pretending to be engaged to, a cunning Queen makes her move and puts the entire Kingdom of Garth in jeopardy. Nineteen-year-old Raelle is coming of age while fighting emotional and literal battles which the complications of a love triangle aren't helping.
With a blend of old and new, Kingdomless, Book 1 in the Evamore Series, brings the harshness and restrictions of the 17th century to a group of young adults with a decidedly contemporary vernacular. Raelle has been trained to fight and is an expert with a bow and arrow, so although it's essential for the fate of the kingdom to stay alive, she often joins fights and finds herself in life-threatening situations. More adventures await as the cliffhanger ending leaves readers with unanswered questions about the fate of Raelle, the magical leader of the Evamores, and her rightful kingdom.
A sincere thank you to the author for an audio edition of the book.
With a blend of old and new, Kingdomless, Book 1 in the Evamore Series, brings the harshness and restrictions of the 17th century to a group of young adults with a decidedly contemporary vernacular. Raelle has been trained to fight and is an expert with a bow and arrow, so although it's essential for the fate of the kingdom to stay alive, she often joins fights and finds herself in life-threatening situations. More adventures await as the cliffhanger ending leaves readers with unanswered questions about the fate of Raelle, the magical leader of the Evamores, and her rightful kingdom.
A sincere thank you to the author for an audio edition of the book.
May 14, 2022
This book blew my mind!!!!! Do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK ASAP!!! From the beginning I was completely captivated by the world and the characters of this story. Raelle is such a badass and dynamic character. She’s thrown into this impossible situation and she handles it like a queen! The world is stunning, the character development is superb and the twists and turns have you laughing, crying and gasping the entire way through.
After being kidnapped and taken to the Northern kingdom to be married she meets a misfit band of warriors who take her in and make her one of their own. We get one horse trope, enemies-to-lovers, found family, lost princess, amnesia, mates and unknown magic…all in one!!!! 🙌🙌🙌
The broody tracker Calak and the sweet king Veras offer Rae pretty of options for love and the witty banter is to DIE FOR! But of course nothing is as it seems and as Raelle gets her memory back she discovers more than she ever could have expected.
“You are not nothing. You are everything, and that is the problem” ughhhhhhhhhh yassssss!
This book is why fantasy is my favorite genre. I haven’t had a book hook my and take my captive like this in so long.
After being kidnapped and taken to the Northern kingdom to be married she meets a misfit band of warriors who take her in and make her one of their own. We get one horse trope, enemies-to-lovers, found family, lost princess, amnesia, mates and unknown magic…all in one!!!! 🙌🙌🙌
The broody tracker Calak and the sweet king Veras offer Rae pretty of options for love and the witty banter is to DIE FOR! But of course nothing is as it seems and as Raelle gets her memory back she discovers more than she ever could have expected.
“You are not nothing. You are everything, and that is the problem” ughhhhhhhhhh yassssss!
This book is why fantasy is my favorite genre. I haven’t had a book hook my and take my captive like this in so long.
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