A vengeful god has stolen everything from the queen of assassins. Her title. Her power. Her memories.
Even her name.
Now merely a ghost of her former self, Shadow must enter a deadly game and fight for her freedom or risk spending the rest of her life as a madman’s prisoner.
But in order to win, she may be forced to lose what’s left of her true self in the process.
A legendary warrior
Resolved to a life sworn to duty instead of love, Ronan wasn’t prepared when the assassin queen swept into his life. Then as suddenly as she appeared, she vanished without a trace.
After five years he’s no closer to finding her, so when a prophecy offers the first clue to her whereabouts, there’s no question he’ll set off to rescue her. But when they finally come face-to-face, she has no idea who he is. In fact, she seems more inclined to slit his throat than fall into his arms.
When it becomes clear his only chance to save her is to become her enemy and enter the contest, he doesn't hesitate. He’d risk everything to bring her back.
Including his life.
After all, the only reason his heart still beats is for her.
Prisoner of Steel and Shadowis the first book in a brand-new trilogy set in the Chosen Universe. Fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout will adore this addictive high fantasy romance.
USA Today and International Bestselling Author of fantasy and paranormal romance. Creator of #MenByMeg. Glitter Addict. Taco Enthusiast. Lip Sync Battle Champion.
Meg loves to write about sassy heroines and the men that love them. She is best known for her adult fantasy romance series The Chosen, which can be found on Amazon.
So Ronan and Reyna finally got their own series. I knew I'd love it, as I do all of Meg Anne's books, but this? This is a straight up masterpiece I WAS NOT PREPARED. I have no idea how I'm supposed to pick a favourite series now.
SERIOUSLY THOUGH, Meg's writing gets better and better with each book, and in Prisoner of Steel and Shadow I am simply blown away by how brilliantly connected everything is to the previous books (which you should read by the way).
I was planning to reread all that came before, but didn't have time to which didn't turn out to be a problem because I jumped back into the world with ease so newer readers won't have any problems getting into the story either.
Now, can we talk about how romantic, and at times heartbreaking, this book is? AGAIN, I WAS NOT READY.
Ronan loves Reyna so much that it hurts *ME*. I just want to cry when I think about it. He proves his love again and again throughout the book.
Reyna meanwhile doesn't remember poor Ronan (HENCE THE HEARTBREAK!!!), so he has to do everything in his power to make her memories come back which ends up being a contest where he might lose his life. No biggie, just another day for one of the Chosen.
We also got to see some old faces, one I wasn't expecting, but was pleasantly surprised to see which I shouldn't be because they're kind of evil but I can't hate this character, I really can't. Sorry.
THEY'RE THE VICTIM ACTUALLY, THEY DID NOTHING WRONG!!! THEY'RE MY LITTLE MEOW MEOW OKAY? OKAY.
If you knew who I was talking about dear reader...ANYWAY, I loooove the twists, I love the pain, I love the romance and the plot and the one steamy scene we got that deserves a mention because it was hot.
WHAT I HATE IS THE CLIFFHANGER, and by hate I mean I love but also hate, like a 50/50 thing. How many times do I have to use the words "cruel" and "Meg" in the same sentence? At least one more. A VERY CRUEL WAY TO END A BOOK, MEG. HOW ARE YOU EXPECTING ME TO BREATHE???
All the stars, and an extra star for the future therapy bills.
*Thank you to the amazing author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Apparently, this is a spinoff, and I did not read the original series. Throughout the entire book, I felt like I was missing relevant parts of the story. It had multiple points of view, and the French lothario Bast was the only character I found mildly entertaining. The narrator was talented, and I’m sure if you're a fan of the original story, you’ll enjoy this book’s adventure and "romance." I’m not a fan and will not continue the series. Pet peeve: cliffhanger endings.
for someone who has never read the other series, I had a blast. steamy, violent new adult fantasy is my bread and butter and this was a feast. delicioso
I went into this knowing that there are like 7 books in this world ahead of this book. After research, I learned that while reading the others will help understand this book, that it wasn't necessary. And I can understand that now. There were things that I had to play catch up on but I wasn't so in the dark that I couldn't figure out what was going on.
I desperately wanted more world-building and descriptions, and I think it's cheating having one of the languages in the world be French (and slightly annoying) but that could be a me thing. Otherwise, I enjoyed the ride and the twists. I didn't love it but I enjoyed it enough to read the next book.
ALC Review – Prisoner of Steel and Shadow The Forsaken series ( A Chosen Novel) by Meg Anne Narrated by Shane East, Stella Hunter and feat James Joseph
Meg Anne is back at it again with Ronan’s story – Prisoner of Steel and Shadow ( The Forsaken Book 1) . Before you read this I would suggest that you read the Chosen series first; so you can get the preface and gain an understanding of the characters that make an appearance in this book. I will give you a hint (Effie and Lucian the Keepers). I was super excited to get this one; as Ronan’s character was so significant in the previous books . We get Ronan’s point of view, as he is on a journey of self destruction because the person he valued most was taken from him. Rayna, the assassin queen who has been presumed dead as this story falls in 5 years later from the previous books with Ronan. Grieve stricken with emptiness; Ronan reaches deep within and allows the reckoning to begin. Starting with his alter – ego … ( I will never tell 🤫). Will he need to leave the Circle his position as the Sheild and seek out his one true love, who is not dead?…..😱
Effie, a Keeper, has provided this message of her vision to Ronan, of the so called rumor; but in fact it is all TRUTH . Ronan is on his way home to find what he seeks, and when he does he will make it hurt 🤬! Dark magic, portals and fantasy gives you all the skin prickly feels that pull you in as a listener . I love the back and forth amongst characters in this book . I actually laughed a lot with the interactions between the meeting of the Circle and Effie. Along the way we meet Sebastian “ Bast” and I will tell you , you do not want to miss their interaction. While on his journey Ronan meets the Shadow, a very familiar being and oh boys and girls the plot thickens….
Meg Ann has written one hell of a great beginning to this series and her narrators bring it home with a bang ! Shane East, Stella Hunter and James Joseph are all fantastic . So grab this book, you will not be disappointed. Hey don’t just take my word ! Oh and did I mention the MAJOR CLIFF HANGER !!! Ha leaves you breathless. Enjoy !!!!!
The Queen of cliffhangers has done it again! I am so freaking happy that Meg went back to this world with Ronan and Reyna/Shadow. The tension and excitement was amazing! But that ending was a doozy!! I'm going to go insane waiting for the next book!!! Meg always brings to life the best characters. Whether it's a side character you can't help but fall in love with (Bast is best friend goals) or an enemy you love to hate, she has a talent for making you fall in love with them all. Great job!!!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*ALC Review* This first book of The Forsaken series picks up five years after The Keeper's Vow with Ronan's story. He is a changed man, broken and full of darkness, after losing Reyna. We get a small glimpse of what Effie and Lucian have been up to at the beginning of the book before Ronan is headed back out to continue the search. When he arrives in another realm we're introduced to new characters, including my new favorite, Bast. The loveable scoundrel somehow wheedles his way into being Ronan's sidekick and advisor. Their banter is absolutely hilarious and a fantastic bromance ensues. Ronan soon finds Reyna, now called Shadow, and finds she's sworn to protect a familiar enemy. Despite her not remembering Ronan, their chemistry is still off the charts, but he has an uphill battle ahead to make her remember, fight new foes, face an epic challenge, and get revenge against the man who stole her.
The level of thought and detail Meg Anne has put in the Chosen universe is stunning and breathtaking. Quite simply a master class in world building and character development. But, here is where I shake my fist at Meg Anne for another epic cliffhanger. I know by now to expect them, but it still doesn't make them any easier. Especially when it means we have to wait to hear the stellar voices of Stella Hunter, Shane East, and James Joseph. The level of talent these three weild never ceases to amaze and entertain. James Joseph completely steals the show as Bast. I was brought to tears of laughter multiple times.
This is a must listen series, along with the other books from the Chosen universe.
I've read other books from this author that I've enjoyed so I was excited to give this one a try based off the synopsis. I love paranormal books so this one seemed perfect for me. It was a good read although I the beginning of the story was slower than I expected. However, once I was really able to get into the story, I started to enjoy it more. I enjoyed Ronan, Sebastian, Shadow (Reyna) and other characters that came into play in this story. I enjoyed the back-and-forth banter between Ronan and Bast. The love Ronan has for Reyna was undeniable and their chemistry was off the charts. This story has action, suspense, adventure, enemies, friendship, lovers, romance, steamy scenes and more. It ends with a cliffhanger but I'm unsure if I will read the next book in this series.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 - Loved it! Action-packed, fast-paced and engaging fantasy read!
This was my first book by Meg Anne and now I'm headed over to KU to download the rest of her novels 🤣. This is book 1 of 3 in the Forsaken series, which is connected to the Chosen series but can be read on its own.
Prisoner of Steel and Shadow follows Ronan on his venture to find the love of his life after being separated for 5 years. What he finds is not what he expects and he must overcome challenges to get close to Reyna again.
There's so much I love about this book! It has assassins, mercenaries and mages with witty banter, swoonworthy moments and thrilling battle scenes. The majority of the book is told from Ronan's POV but there's a few chapters from Shadow (Reyna) and the villain 😈. Bast is definitely my favorite side character - he's hilarious and adds extra flair to the book. The world is well built and easy to follow while keeping it entertaining. And that ending 😱. The book hangover is real...I seriously can't wait for the next one!
“Do with me what you will. My heart, my life, they’re yours. They’ve always been yours, because without you to share them with, they mean nothing at all.”
Check out this book if you like fantasy reads with: ✔️ Strong MCs ✔️ Assassins & mercenaries ✔️ Mages & hidden powers ✔️ Enemies to lovers ✔️ Multiple POV ✔️ Humorous banter ✔️ Forgotten past ✔️ Fierce competition ✔️ Low spice 🌶/5
The queen of the cliffhangers is back! Meg Anne never fails to pull me in. I keep saying I don’t do cliffhangers and then here I am, pressing play on another of her books.
If you love epic fantasy romances. This is the series for you. The twists and turns keep you listening well after you should have hit pause, you know, to sleep, or care for your family…I’m not saying I almost forgot to pick my child up from school, but I was transfixed while listening.
This guy. The things he’s doing. The reasons. I just can’t, my heart. I love him so much.
Although this is the start of a series, it is a spinoff from another series. You don’t need to have read/ listened to that as you are given all the information you need. However, what happened to me was I wanted to know all the things, so I went on a buying spree.
Stella Hunter, Shane East, and James Joseph narrate this book in duet, and it is an amazing example of why duet is my favourite narration style. Each of them brings something so unique to the story and the characters. There is a whisper-off between Shane and James that I thought had been over exaggerated until I heard it. Credit worthy just for that.
Am I glad that I have the ARC for the next one? You can bet.
This was surprisingly good. Most of the time if something is advertised as an SJM/JLA kind of thing, I don't really enjoy them, but this is an exception. (maybe because it reminded me more of The Serpent and the Wings of Night, which is a far better reference IMO)
The transition from the original series was seamless, and it wasn't difficult to grasp what was going on without reading that. I loved how it allowed the new characters to shine and shift the focus on them by allowing them space to breathe and exist on their own. After the first few chapters, I was already hooked and ready to jump into this mad quest to find Rayna.
The depth of the worldbuilding, the drama, the characters, and the banter between them were top notch and I wish it was a little longer.
Book: Prisoner of Steel and Shadow Read By: Ebook Author: Meg anne Genre: Fantasy Romance Recommend: Yes < b>Age recommendation: 18-30+ Years My feelings:
Ronan and Reyna, beloved characters from previous books, finally receive their own series in a masterpiece by Meg Anne. With each page, her writing grows stronger and more captivating. In Prisoner of Steel and Shadow, the connections to previous events and characters are woven together seamlessly, creating a cohesive and brilliant plot. The romance between Ronan and Reyna is heartbreakingly beautiful, with Ronan's unwavering love for her shining through every page. The return of old familiar faces adds depth to the story, including a surprising but lovable character who may or may not be harbouring dark intentions. Twists, pain, romance, and action abound in this fantastic read, culminating in a steamy scene that will leave readers breathless. But beware the cruel (in a good way) cliffhanger ending that will have readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly anticipating what comes next. This book deserves all the stars and an extra one for any future therapy bills it may incur from its avid readers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Ronan, is a shell of himself ever since his love disappeared. He finds out that she may still be alive, and goes on a mission to, hopefully, find her. This is his story and may become a fight for love.. but, his fate may lead to death.
Reyna, "Shadow", is an assassin.. she has become the king's shadow and is doing his bidding. The king offers a proposition to enter a competition, it order to make her own path.. Shadow doesn't what to do it, but finds that she has no other choice.
This book gives you everything.. Love, heartbreak, longing, hope... Violence, intrigue, suspicion, conflict.. and it's not over yet. I cannot wait for the next book, it's an amazing start to the series.. I definitely suggest reading her past books, there are some new characters, that add so much to the story.
Overall, I highly recommend reading this new series!!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Man! I have missed this world! I devoured The Chosen and The Keepers series several years back and was so glad to finally jump back in. Ronan has been a favorite of mine from the start so I’m stoked we get to find out more about him and his lady love. And Bast! Come on! I know he’s gonna be a new fan favorite :)
Meg Anne weaves together delicious webs of everything that is great about fantasy romance! Action, mystery, humor, fantastic world building, and hits it with a sexy stick. Pre-ordering the rest of the series right now!
I realise that The Chosen series had featured Shadow (Reyna) and Ronan in it but I haven't read that series yet so they were new characters to me.
Ronan has been searching for Reyna for a long time which leads him to another place where she might be. Only she's not exactly like he knew her. I loved the playful banter, flirting and yes the fighting too that they had together. It made the book for me. As did Bast. He was a constant source of laughs. I might have had a sneaky cry at the end of this book i wont lie. It genuinely sad. This book definitely set things up nicely for the rest of the series and I will be glued to it to see what will happen next. A great read
First off I have to say how much I love the narrators that did this story. They make you feel like you are a part of it Ronan decided to take a little vacation and either find who he is missing, or die trying. What he didn't expect to find was exactly what he did. I don't want to give away spoilers so you need to read it I absolutely love this book
It honestly takes a while to like shadow. It might be because we get more pov of Ronan, and more of his pain to read and all. But although you see how shes feeling contradictory feelings, i would have loved to see little bits of Reyna come through, kinda showing that shes breaking the spell. Instead we just get her being horny lol
Loved all the characters! The banter between characters was awesome! Ronan searches for his love after 5 years apart! Swoon worthy scenes & battles & banter! High fantasy!!! This is a great start to this series!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
So glad to see Ronan's return, as well as the Kiri, her mate, and many others I loved in Anne's previous series. Spice was GREAT, world building was wonderful as always and I can't wait to read the rest.
If the Princess Bride was an assassin, and her lost love was The Witcher, you'd get this baby!
If you're just trying out this world, no worries, you can ABSOLUTELY read from right here! However, if you're a long-time fan of The Chosen world, there are Easter eggs you'll love, and it picks up five years after Keeper's Vow, where Reyna was taken.
Trust me, it's delicious! SO👏MANY👏YUMMY👏ELEMENTS!👏I freaking DEVOURED it so fast!!!🙌😍💜
Alright, so Reyna/Shadow's and Ronan's story. Think a nod to the Princess Bride, but Shadow's the missing Queen of Assassins and her memory is wiped by the uber-patient & devious god of death. She's brought low and made subservient, but even in an impossible situation, she HAS HER HOPE! There's a touch of the Bachelor, except it's ASSASINS all wanting to be the High Lord's champion. Oh, and the lovely Witcher vibes? Yes, and they positively made me snort-laugh! Ronan and Bast are so Geralt & Jaskier, and Ronan is NOT wanting any of it. 🤣 Bast is one of my newest favorite sidekicks, by the way, such a charming degenerate, lol There's a particular chapter that had me in stitches, so much so hubs asked what was so funny. There are curl your toes sumptuous whispers from Ronan to Shadow, giving me all the shivery feels, though with most situations, Shadow has a blade aimed at him!🤣 But, Shadow IS his five-year lost love, and he wants her back and will face whatever she throws at him. (And that superhot🥵 forespice, whew!🥵) Now after devouring this, I bet you'll want to go check out the previous books, before the next in The Forsaken Trilogy comes out! If so, start with Mother of Shadows!)
Pour this fabulous writing into the fabulous hands of Shane East, Stella Hunter & featured James Joseph as Bast (absolutely the BEST kind of charismatic deviant) and you have absolute 👩🍳💋🤌!! I read AND listened to this fantastic story, and let me tell you, you need to run and grab a version, or two, of this right now!
This is a non-spoiler review so please forgive my vagueness, this book, as with all of the books I have enjoyed by Meg Anne, ends with a cliffhanger but don't let that put you off, the story and the characters are amazing and well-crafted.
The main characters are Ronan, Sebastian, and Shadow (Reyna) but all the supporting characters are well-drawn and interact well. I enjoyed the back-and-forth banter between Ronan and Bast. The love Ronan has for Reyna is undeniable as is their chemistry which is palpable and hot. I'm so looking forward to finding out what else the author has in store for them. This story has something of everything - love, romance, steamy scenes, friendship, enemies, action, suspense, and adventure.
In terms of the story, Meg Anne does a beautiful job laying down the foundation of the main story line, and subplot to Ronan and Shadow’s story. These two plots, DO NOT COMPETE for our attention, rather they are complimentary in nature. It was well paced, with one two punches of serious moments, mixed with humor and a cliff hanger (via the falling action) that will leave you anxiously waiting for book two.
Highlights Humor: The humor in this book was amazing and perfectly timed. It provided the levity to the story without detracting from the seriousness of the emotional or dramatic beats. A lot of the humor came from the interactions between Ronan and Bast but others had some sprinkled in
The characters: Ronan and Shadow quickly rose to the top of my favorite pairings of the Chosen Universe. Ronan is quite literally the love child of the Dread Pirate Roberts and Geralt. He is flirty, witty with sprinkle of bad boy. If I could picture a smirk, his would be deadly. Shadow is a badass assassin queen. She is intelligent, fiery but just overall sure of herself in many ways, but she isn’t without fault. Again, I love it when a female character has strength, without loosing their vulnerability that we as a reader get to see. It is what I love most about how Meg Anne writes her heroines. Now someone who stole the show for me was BAST. He is just a favorite plain and simple. He has humor, he is honest… ish…and is overall a sass pants.
That spicy scene. Just have a fan ready because oh man, Ronan has a mouth on him, and I am here for it.
Okay, the villain. Let’s just say it. Meg Anne rights hot asshole villains so well. Like I can’t blame the villain’s counterpart whatsoever for wanting to either strangle or sleep with the man.
Narration Review:
Audiobook Magic. That is what happens when you put Stella Hunter, Shane East, and James Joseph in a book together. They have such good chemistry as narrators, and play off each other’s performances, no matter the pairing. For me that elevates not only the writing but also the individual narrators themselves. It makes it impossible for the reader to tune out because they are so captivating.
Stella: What I love the most about Stella voicing the FMCs, particularly in Meg’s world is how well she embodies the character. Her performances elevate the nuances of Meg’s writing for the female character. Some standouts this book: 1) Stella as the judge of the contest between Bast and Ronan. Omg the way she played the floored, enamored and just fawny character had me dying of laughter 2) The moment between Shadow and Ronan, in the alley. Oh how I loved the quick wit in her voice when she ripped him a new one. Fantastic 3) The last two chapters. The vulnerability and just devastation in her voice as Shadow my heart in shambles. Also that sultry voice she used as Luna toward one of the characters… DAMN, it just made what she said all the more potent.
Shane: I think one of the main reasons, aside from the writing, that I fell so hard for Ronan was Shane’s performance. While Ronan does have a hard exterior, he is literally a marshmallow, one that can kill you, but you can tell that he loves hard. To infuse and evoke this type of emotion through a vocal performance, is extremely difficult and it is something that Shane does so well. Some highlights: 1) The bar scene. Drunk Ronan… EPIC. 2)That speech Ronan gives to shadow, broke me sir 3) That hallway scene, was there really a need to go that low and growl?? Blushing doesn’t even begin to cover it.
James: I’ve been having a hard time trying to articulate exactly how I feel about James’ performance simply because it was jaw dropping. He stole the show as Bast. From the accent, the pure sass, and the joie de vivre that he infused in the performance was a highlight for me. Also, James does an amazing hero, but as a villain he is fantastic. Highlights 1) The scene when he wakes up Ronan, favorite thing. It’s the way he is outraged for me. 2) The scene with Erebos and Luna. The way that James lowered his tone… its no wonder Luna wants to throttle and kiss him at the same time! 3) The accent. PURE MAGICK
*ALC review* This is quite simply my all-time FAVOURITE book by Meg Anne, who is fast becoming my kindred spirit of a favourite author! I had the privilege (and yes it is a privilege and not one I take for granted) of getting an advance listener copy of this book and I basically inhaled it over the space of a day. A disgusting image I know, but hear me out. It is one of those books which just transports you to another world you desperately never want to leave but all too soon it ends and with one of her trademark brutal cliffhangers.
I loved everything about this book. It continues on from where we left off in the Keepers Trilogy so you get a glimpse of the after happy evers of our favourite characters in this universe, Helena/Von and her circle and Effie and Lucian. However, this book starts the trilogy of Ronan, a fan favourite but he's a very different man in the wake of losing Reyna the one he loves and embarking on a quest to another realm to try and save her.
This is where Meg Anne's truly amazing talent as a writer comes into play, she is able to beautifully portray Ronan's dark despair and grief at the beginning but balance that with her wonderful light and humour throughout the book as he sets off on his journey and encounters some delightful new characters, my favourite of which being Bast aka an adorable cheeky foppish French lothario and bon vivant who worms his way into being Ronan's new sidekick.
But then mixed in with this is the drama and tension of a realm which is ruled by a surprisingly familiar "heroic" ruler who is about to launch a series of brutal trials and competitions to find the best warrior to be his champion. Chief among the contestants, the current champion the beautiful but deadly Shadow who is trying to escape from being the ruler's wife. Shadow is the most badass heroine I've read in a long time, she is a highly skilled assassin who can take down anyone but isn't expecting our beloved Ronan. It's a sensual enemies to lovers fantasy romance which is off the charts fantastic!
This book reminded me of elements of Sarah J Maas epic Throne of Glass but a much more tailored down version with much needed lightness and humour added into the mix. Its a thrilling, intense and engulfing read and I have just fallen in love with this new world already. I am salivating for the next book....patience was never one of my strong suits.
Once again, Meg Anne has gifted us with the truly incredible voice acting geniuses of Shane East, Stella Hunter and James Joseph and I was in audio heaven listening to them. I am in serious danger of needing these three to read EVERYTHING to me they are scarily amazing. This book is an extra treat because it is basically catnip for those of us who like accents ;) Chapter 1 has a wonderful scene which I like to dub #cockneyoff and Shane East and James Joseph battle it out to seduce you with their shiver inducing whispers. This seriously has everything, booming alpha warrior Shane, sultry and seductive Stella, tantalising and swoon-worthy James....oh and did I mention the accents? Travel around the world in this one, American, French, Russian, Cockney, Newcastle, Australian. It is clear Meg Anne loves her audio readers!
I love love love love love love love love this book.
Talk about lovely suspense that you come to both love and hate! This book is exactly that and so much more. I love following Ronan’s adventure to Empyria as he searches for Reyna, his true love. The entire journey is mesmerizing, magical and momentous. It is one of those rare stories that feels more like a movie playing out and would indeed be fun to watch onscreen. I love the world of The Chosen that Meg Anne has created as well as the unique characters that we always find there. My favorite side character here is Sebastian, known as Bast for short. He is entertaining, colorful, funny and sometimes helpful as he guides Ronan and explains the ins and outs of the city Glimmermere and more importantly, the High Lord Erebos who rules it and holds a deadly contest. Ronan soon meets the beautiful Shadow and their chemistry is both immediate and scorching hot. He joins the contest just so that he can spend time with her. His connection to her is intense and familiar, and he will do everything he can to make her his own. Shadow is reluctant to give in to her attraction because her life is at stake if the High Lord finds out - he also happens to think that she belongs to him. The competition in the games takes places alongside the competition for Shadow’s heart and it is thrilling! The “hate” part of this suspenseful, action-packed tale is the incredible cliffhanger at the end. I will be waiting very impatiently to see what happens next!
I listened to the audiobook and was completely drawn in by the voice acting of Shane East as Ronan, Stella Hunter as Shadow and James Joseph as Bast. I’ve always been a fan of Shane’s growly whisper, but James gives just as good as he gets when they have a whisper off. It’s the best and should not be missed! Shane pulls us into the longing and sadness that Ronan feels over losing Reyna as well as his hope over the connection he feels with Shadow. He puts his growl and those amazing whispers to work more than once and it’s so very hot! Stella is perfect, as always. She portrays Shadow’s strength and vulnerability as she navigates the uncertainty of her feelings and her future. Her accents are simply fantastic! James is amazing at Bast, bringing out his flair for the dramatic, his flirtatiousness and his moments of rare seriousness. His French is wonderfully fun as he helps make Bast the lovable lothario and supportive sidekick that you hope will someday get a story of his own. The audio is incredible and it’s the best way to experience this exciting, non-stop adventure!
Book: 1 of 3 (The Forsaken) **UPDATE: DNF'd final book at 45%. 2nd book is the best in the series - but the 3rd book .... I don't know what happened but it felt like the author fell out of love with her story. The characters progression throughout the series is undone, the FMC is nothing but a damsel who IMO is super weak spirited, there are huge plot holes, and I just can't continue. The first two books are worth reading, but I cannot recommend the 3rd book - which is kind of a series killer, so be forewarned.
Adventure: 🗻🗻🗻🗻🗻 Spice: 🌶 Drama: 💔
Synopsis: Ronan drags himself into and out of days after the loss of his beloved Reyna, Queen of Assassins. When news that her body was found comes, he seeks only to separate from his life to escape his pain. At his moment of death, fate intercedes, and he learns that she is still alive in another realm. He embarks on a journey to get her back, but when he arrives and learns she does not remember him, he enrolls into the same championship battle as she does to not only remind her of their love, but to protect her at all costs.
Review: This story was a grasping tale with lovable characters, fun banter, and decent action. I got major Throne of Glass vibes! I will say that there were points in the story where I felt like more depth or detail was needed. I wish the championship trial would have been built up more or would have lasted longer with more opportunities for banter between Shadow and Ronan. I also felt confused over Shadow’s character, as it’s often discussed how talented she is – yet we don’t really see it. We see Ronan save/cover for her a lot – but she didn’t seem “strong” or “clever” on her own. I also wish we would have gotten more back-ground on the Night Crawlers as she is the supposed queen of them – but I have no sense of who they are, why they didn’t avenge her, etc. So, I have lots of question but am intrigued and will continue with the series. If you liked Throne of Glass, if you like silly banter, and if you want a deliciously loveable hero – give this a try! Happy reading.
“What I wouldn’t give to have someone look at me the way you look at her.”
“I’ve only ever had one mission, to reunite with the woman who pierced my broken heart back together. You were the one who taught it to speak your name. It beats for you.”
Prisoner of Steel and Shadows is the first part of the Forsaken Trilogy by Meg Anne. If you are already familiar with Meg´s Chosen and Keepers series, you can look forward to meeting familiar faces again. But even if you don´t know this world yet, you will be able to follow this one easily, even though you will want to pick up the other books to get to know ALL the characters 😉
This is the start of Ronan´s story, who is literally fighting his way to his HEA. He has one mission, find the fierce female assassin, who stole his heart and make her his. For this, he must leave the people he trusts and loves most behind as well as his position in the Circle as Shield to the Kiri. He may not only end up fighting for love but enter a fight of life and death.
He also makes new acquaintances on the way, one of them is Sebastien “Bast”, who, believe me, is a character you want to meet. So, the budding bromance between Ronan and Bast certainly is one highlight I really enjoyed reading about. Meg Anne is known for creating great dialogues and banter that makes the read even more entertaining. They are written in a way that you feel and laugh with these characters. You love, despise, and be amused but also feel the gut-wrenching pain. There are scenes so full of emotions that really got to me.
What I also love about Meg´s writing, which always draws me deeper into her stories, are the descriptions of places, scenes, and situations as they are so well defined and it's easy to mind portal yourself into her tales. There is adventure, twists, steam, and the plots are always well thought out that you keep asking for more.
Already looking forward to the second part of this journey because Meg is also known for her notorious cliffhangers and this one was a mother….. gimme book 2 stat, now, please!
Side Note: I also cannot wait to experience this book and the whole series again in audio as this will be performed by a delicious narrator sandwich including Shane East, Stella Hunter & James Joseph
What a fantastic fantasy, this is Ronan's story, if you read The Chosen series you will understand more of the story. We have Ronan grieving after 5 years after loosing Reyna. You will discover things are more convoluted than what you might think at first, I love the twists and turns I am getting in this story. I really loved Ronan. The narration done by Shane East, Stella Hunter and James Joseph was amazing, they all did a terrific job portraying their characters. I suggest you do the audiobook if you love them, is really good. I can't wait to find out what comes next, that cliffy was so good.