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Castles of The Eyrie #1
Scarlight
A life saved is a soul owned.
When she was six years old, Bryn was saved from a wolf attack by a prince from a rival kingdom. Rangar Barendur’s people believe that a life saved is a soul owned, and ten years later, Rangar returns to collect his prize: Bryn. Yet Bryn is the youngest daughter of a ruthless royal family, and Rangar arrives on the night the Mir people rise up against their despotic rulers. With her castle on fire and most of her family dead, Bryn has no choice but to escape with Rangar's help.
Was she rescued…or abducted?
Taken to Rangar’s wild seaside kingdom, Bryn slowly finds beauty in the harsh Outlands. There, she discovers magic is not the sin she’s been led to believe it is. Magic can heal the sick and summon rain for the crops. As she learns the full truth of her own family’s tyrannical rule and plans to take back her kingdom by the sword or by marriage, Bryn falls under the spell of each of the three Barendur brothers. But which one will end up with her hand—and her heart—not even magic can foretell.
A Kindle Vella Top Faved...now available as an ebook and in paperback!
When she was six years old, Bryn was saved from a wolf attack by a prince from a rival kingdom. Rangar Barendur’s people believe that a life saved is a soul owned, and ten years later, Rangar returns to collect his prize: Bryn. Yet Bryn is the youngest daughter of a ruthless royal family, and Rangar arrives on the night the Mir people rise up against their despotic rulers. With her castle on fire and most of her family dead, Bryn has no choice but to escape with Rangar's help.
Was she rescued…or abducted?
Taken to Rangar’s wild seaside kingdom, Bryn slowly finds beauty in the harsh Outlands. There, she discovers magic is not the sin she’s been led to believe it is. Magic can heal the sick and summon rain for the crops. As she learns the full truth of her own family’s tyrannical rule and plans to take back her kingdom by the sword or by marriage, Bryn falls under the spell of each of the three Barendur brothers. But which one will end up with her hand—and her heart—not even magic can foretell.
A Kindle Vella Top Faved...now available as an ebook and in paperback!
344 pages, Paperback
First published May 10, 2022
1116 people are currently reading
5550 people want to read
About the author
Evie Marceau
15 books850 followersIt's possible I was born in the wrong time. I've always been drawn to the past, the future, other worlds—basically anywhere but the here and now. I write fantasy to satisfy my nagging curiosity that there is more out there, just beyond the veil.
Until I find a portal through a magical armoire, I'll continue writing romantic fantasies with a touch of darkness and hint of magic.
I'm the author of fantasy romance sagas include The Godkissed Bride series and The Castles of the Eyrie series.
Until I find a portal through a magical armoire, I'll continue writing romantic fantasies with a touch of darkness and hint of magic.
I'm the author of fantasy romance sagas include The Godkissed Bride series and The Castles of the Eyrie series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 285 reviews
July 3, 2023
He’s been in love with her for years but of course didn’t wait for her, bc why would he? Sex is no issue in his lands, but of course she was raised to be a perfect virgin for her future husband bc of course it matters in her land.
The weird things with the brothers annoy me since this isn’t RH. I don’t like that she kissed his brother and may have to marry his other brother. I hate that plot point, so i wont be continuing.
The weird things with the brothers annoy me since this isn’t RH. I don’t like that she kissed his brother and may have to marry his other brother. I hate that plot point, so i wont be continuing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2024
This is fantasy romance. Done right.
When Bryn was 8 years old, she was attacked by wolves, and a prince from a rival kingdom… saved her. In the prince’s kingdom, a life saved is a soul owned. And ten years later…. He comes back for Bryn.
Swept away to his seaside kingdom, Bryn falls under the spell of the wild Baer lands and the three magical brothers who rule it. But which prince will end up with her hand–and her heart–not even magic can foretell.
I’m on the floor. This book was everything to me. I finished it in one day. I was squealing, gasping, kicking my feet the entire time.
“She held out her hand and, for the second time in her short life, entrusted her survival to a boy with scars on his face and iron in his heart.”
These three princes…. First of all. This is like a very loose nod to Goldilocks and the Three Bears. So that alone is just such a fun idea.
But these PRINCES. I’m in love. And I don’t know who I love the most. My heart is in turmoil the entire time with the politics at play.
We love a good growth story! Bryn starts out as a naive princess and along the way flourishes in strength!
The magic system is SO COOL. Everything about the history of magic and how it’s used is fascinating. There’s part of this world where magic is forbidden and it’s just an incredible part of the story you get to experience!
“Magic. That was what felt so dangerous about the Baer princes. They were as forbidden as magic was, not to mention as mysterious and scandalous. She’d heard so many rumors and bedtime stories about their wild lands, filled with hexmarks and magic”
This romance is slow burn and it’s also absolutely heartbreaking.
“but something had shifted last night when he’d silently stroked her hair to the soft music. She always thought she would fall in love in a fit of passion, but now she had to admit that it had happened in that quiet, simple moment.”
The ending of this book, the twist I DID NOT SEE COMING will have you bouncing off the walls, screaming obscenities…. Nothing will prepare you for that ending.
This book is really sweet too. There’s tenderness and love in several of the relationships, romantic and not. It’s just a really beautiful well rounded story.
The world is incredibly immersive, it feels like you’re living right along side these characters.
This is plot first, spice second, and it was absolutely delectable!
I need to read book 2 immediately… and you need to read book 1… ASAP!
When Bryn was 8 years old, she was attacked by wolves, and a prince from a rival kingdom… saved her. In the prince’s kingdom, a life saved is a soul owned. And ten years later…. He comes back for Bryn.
Swept away to his seaside kingdom, Bryn falls under the spell of the wild Baer lands and the three magical brothers who rule it. But which prince will end up with her hand–and her heart–not even magic can foretell.
I’m on the floor. This book was everything to me. I finished it in one day. I was squealing, gasping, kicking my feet the entire time.
“She held out her hand and, for the second time in her short life, entrusted her survival to a boy with scars on his face and iron in his heart.”
These three princes…. First of all. This is like a very loose nod to Goldilocks and the Three Bears. So that alone is just such a fun idea.
But these PRINCES. I’m in love. And I don’t know who I love the most. My heart is in turmoil the entire time with the politics at play.
We love a good growth story! Bryn starts out as a naive princess and along the way flourishes in strength!
The magic system is SO COOL. Everything about the history of magic and how it’s used is fascinating. There’s part of this world where magic is forbidden and it’s just an incredible part of the story you get to experience!
“Magic. That was what felt so dangerous about the Baer princes. They were as forbidden as magic was, not to mention as mysterious and scandalous. She’d heard so many rumors and bedtime stories about their wild lands, filled with hexmarks and magic”
This romance is slow burn and it’s also absolutely heartbreaking.
“but something had shifted last night when he’d silently stroked her hair to the soft music. She always thought she would fall in love in a fit of passion, but now she had to admit that it had happened in that quiet, simple moment.”
The ending of this book, the twist I DID NOT SEE COMING will have you bouncing off the walls, screaming obscenities…. Nothing will prepare you for that ending.
This book is really sweet too. There’s tenderness and love in several of the relationships, romantic and not. It’s just a really beautiful well rounded story.
The world is incredibly immersive, it feels like you’re living right along side these characters.
This is plot first, spice second, and it was absolutely delectable!
I need to read book 2 immediately… and you need to read book 1… ASAP!
May 9, 2023
Is 2.75 stars a thing? Because 3 seems too high of praise and 2 feels too cruel. I'm going to round up to 3, though.
I'm just going to jump right in---
Tenses flipped and flopped throughout the story which I found a little annoying. And even though I know this is the FIRST installment of this series, the characters were not well rounded and thoroughly developed at all. I just finished a 342 page book and feel as if I barely know the characters. There are two couples at the end of the story that I am supposed to believe are madly in love, yet I don't understand why or how. Lusty love of their looks, maybe? It doesn't feel like the author was aiming for that to be the takeaway, but there's nothing else leading me to believe otherwise. Additionally, the Baer kingdom was described as being so different from Mirien, but it was never explained why. Ok, so everyone sleeps on the floor in one big room amidst the animals in Baer...why? Is there a reason why they don't believe in the use of beds? Do they not have the resources....but that can't be the case because they do have beds in the Mages quarters for people to recover. Why bring the animals in when throughout different parts of the context barns are mentioned and a lamb gets lost for weeks and is just fine outside? Also, if there's so much tension between neighboring kingdoms, why do they get together and celebrate all the time? It just felt like a lot of random concepts were thrown in for the sake of being able to create a small part of the story without there being some clear thought being put in to those concepts as to why they should be in the story and how they help develop it on a whole. The ending was terrible too, even for a cliffhanger that's usually used as a means to drive the reader to "HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!" It did not drive me to want to continue the story. It felt like a mess the author was creating that I'm not confident in their skills of being able to sort it out in a way that would be enjoyable to read. Maybe I'll pick this series back up at later date, but I'm not going to continue it at the moment.
I'm just going to jump right in---
Tenses flipped and flopped throughout the story which I found a little annoying. And even though I know this is the FIRST installment of this series, the characters were not well rounded and thoroughly developed at all. I just finished a 342 page book and feel as if I barely know the characters. There are two couples at the end of the story that I am supposed to believe are madly in love, yet I don't understand why or how. Lusty love of their looks, maybe? It doesn't feel like the author was aiming for that to be the takeaway, but there's nothing else leading me to believe otherwise. Additionally, the Baer kingdom was described as being so different from Mirien, but it was never explained why. Ok, so everyone sleeps on the floor in one big room amidst the animals in Baer...why? Is there a reason why they don't believe in the use of beds? Do they not have the resources....but that can't be the case because they do have beds in the Mages quarters for people to recover. Why bring the animals in when throughout different parts of the context barns are mentioned and a lamb gets lost for weeks and is just fine outside? Also, if there's so much tension between neighboring kingdoms, why do they get together and celebrate all the time? It just felt like a lot of random concepts were thrown in for the sake of being able to create a small part of the story without there being some clear thought being put in to those concepts as to why they should be in the story and how they help develop it on a whole. The ending was terrible too, even for a cliffhanger that's usually used as a means to drive the reader to "HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!" It did not drive me to want to continue the story. It felt like a mess the author was creating that I'm not confident in their skills of being able to sort it out in a way that would be enjoyable to read. Maybe I'll pick this series back up at later date, but I'm not going to continue it at the moment.
July 24, 2025
Will be in my next vlog
August 29, 2023
This book is giving off major Vikings meets Druids in medieval Britain vibes.
Bryn is a princess who, as 3rd in line, never thought about ruling. Rangar is a prince from a neighboring kingdom who saves Bryn from wolves when they're younger and now feels protective over her.
This book does not have overly poetic descriptions of the setting to draw you in. Instead, what draws you in are the intense plot twists and the raw emotions each character gives off! At first, I didn't think I would like Bryn. She starts out naive and makes poor choices, but as her sheltered life is turned upside down and she learns so much more about the world around her, she really forms into a strong likable female lead.
This book was fantastic, but don't jump into this series unless you have the second book ready to go because it ends on quite the cliffhanger! I am rapidly binge-reading my way through this series. Who needs sleep? 😆
Bryn is a princess who, as 3rd in line, never thought about ruling. Rangar is a prince from a neighboring kingdom who saves Bryn from wolves when they're younger and now feels protective over her.
This book does not have overly poetic descriptions of the setting to draw you in. Instead, what draws you in are the intense plot twists and the raw emotions each character gives off! At first, I didn't think I would like Bryn. She starts out naive and makes poor choices, but as her sheltered life is turned upside down and she learns so much more about the world around her, she really forms into a strong likable female lead.
This book was fantastic, but don't jump into this series unless you have the second book ready to go because it ends on quite the cliffhanger! I am rapidly binge-reading my way through this series. Who needs sleep? 😆
March 22, 2025
DNF 54% cette année on a dit on se FORCE PLUS. Evie ma star wtf ? Faut bien commencer quelque part et je vois la plume que j’ai beaucoup aimé dans White horse black nights mais la ??? On s’ennuie, la princesse est bad conne, et elle veut le beurre l’argent du beurre et les fesses des crémiers de la ville entière.
On a dit gourmande pas goinfre ma choupette. Un peu de pudeur ma belle.
Ça se sent qu’elle a 18 ans, et y’a ce truc ou elle découvre tout mais pas de la bonne manière donc ça me gaze. Je suis allée voir la fin en plus y’a un plot twist qui sert à rien ça m’a soûlé. Dommage mais vinted cash :/
On a dit gourmande pas goinfre ma choupette. Un peu de pudeur ma belle.
Ça se sent qu’elle a 18 ans, et y’a ce truc ou elle découvre tout mais pas de la bonne manière donc ça me gaze. Je suis allée voir la fin en plus y’a un plot twist qui sert à rien ça m’a soûlé. Dommage mais vinted cash :/
July 27, 2024
Most fickel heroine that ever heroined
I mean, come on!?! There's three brothers...want to guess how many of them she ends up with? By the end of the book it's all three and really none of the excuses were valid. She literally loves one brother who saved her life, but since the middle brother gives her attention she's more than willing to forget about the first one.
The book ends with the lamest excuse ever of separating love interests, with minimal pressure on her she caves to marry the 3rd brother who is the eldest with next to zero care that she'll break the other's heart. Not to mention the oldest brother was supposedly in love for YEARS with another girl who he was dating and she was friends with.
I want my time back!
I mean, come on!?! There's three brothers...want to guess how many of them she ends up with? By the end of the book it's all three and really none of the excuses were valid. She literally loves one brother who saved her life, but since the middle brother gives her attention she's more than willing to forget about the first one.
The book ends with the lamest excuse ever of separating love interests, with minimal pressure on her she caves to marry the 3rd brother who is the eldest with next to zero care that she'll break the other's heart. Not to mention the oldest brother was supposedly in love for YEARS with another girl who he was dating and she was friends with.
I want my time back!
April 1, 2025
Rate : ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
Spice : 🌶️ / 5
I ABSOLUTELY loved this book!
I did not know about Evie Marceau before applying for this relaunch ARC and SCARLIGHT litteraly BLEW my mind! 🤯
Just... WOW.
I finished it a few days ago, (Or, rather IT finished ME.😅) and read it in less than 48 hours because I just could not put it down. And I cannot stop thinking about it.
🐻 Rangar is definitely my book boyfriend obsession!
He is a dark, brooding, morally-grey Baer prince, obsessed with the Mir princess whose life he saved when they were both children.
His two brothers are just as swoonable even if they both are very different.
👑 Bryn is definitely not the badass FMC we most often expect in the fantasy genre. She starts as very naïve and vulnerable. But she goes through a realistic, yet beautiful personnal growth. She finds out everything the hard way but it indeed makes her stronger and I have grown very fond of her.
✨ TROPES ✨
⚔️ Fantasy Romance
🐻 Goldilocks & the 3 bears meets Brave & Game of Thrones
👑 Stolen Princess
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
🐺 Obsessed & Brooding MMC
🩸 Touch her and ☠️
🏰 Found Family
🕯️Magic Lessons
💀 Betrayal
The whole trilogy is AVAILABLE NOW on #kindleunlimited
Spice : 🌶️ / 5
I ABSOLUTELY loved this book!
I did not know about Evie Marceau before applying for this relaunch ARC and SCARLIGHT litteraly BLEW my mind! 🤯
Just... WOW.
I finished it a few days ago, (Or, rather IT finished ME.😅) and read it in less than 48 hours because I just could not put it down. And I cannot stop thinking about it.
🐻 Rangar is definitely my book boyfriend obsession!
He is a dark, brooding, morally-grey Baer prince, obsessed with the Mir princess whose life he saved when they were both children.
His two brothers are just as swoonable even if they both are very different.
👑 Bryn is definitely not the badass FMC we most often expect in the fantasy genre. She starts as very naïve and vulnerable. But she goes through a realistic, yet beautiful personnal growth. She finds out everything the hard way but it indeed makes her stronger and I have grown very fond of her.
✨ TROPES ✨
⚔️ Fantasy Romance
🐻 Goldilocks & the 3 bears meets Brave & Game of Thrones
👑 Stolen Princess
❤️🔥 Slow Burn
🐺 Obsessed & Brooding MMC
🩸 Touch her and ☠️
🏰 Found Family
🕯️Magic Lessons
💀 Betrayal
The whole trilogy is AVAILABLE NOW on #kindleunlimited
March 28, 2025
Giving this 4.5 rounding up on here because it was a reread and I still enjoyed it as much as the first time. I didn’t read the whole trilogy and I’m glad I didn’t because I got them as arcs since Evie is releasing them with new covers and they’re stunning!! I can’t wait to do the cover reveal on all my socials. I’m excited to see where this trilogy goes! 🩵
December 31, 2023
Interesting premise
I like the new place and culture differences storyline
But I think it wasn’t done very well.
I felt like it was a bit amateurish in writing and some of the plot points.
It needed a little bit more insights
I think I will continue with the series though
Really want to know what Rangar will do.
I like the new place and culture differences storyline
But I think it wasn’t done very well.
I felt like it was a bit amateurish in writing and some of the plot points.
It needed a little bit more insights
I think I will continue with the series though
Really want to know what Rangar will do.
September 26, 2023
Not to be that person but what the actual fuck was that ending?!! TALK ABOUT A CLIFF HANGER. I will be reading the rest of this series in the matter of like right, so I will be back… and I swear if there are any more cliff hangers to end this book I will lose my shit.
Great book.
Great book.
February 26, 2023
Goldilocks and the Three Bears retelling. Who would've thunk?
October 16, 2025
EXCUSE ME???????
Listen this book isn’t perfect, I started this series because I absolutely adored White Horse Black Nights and I knew this author wouldn’t steer me wrong. And she didn’t. It’s got a few teething issues, like the pacing is a bit weird sometimes. But the characters are great, especially the mmc. What a yearner. As we all know, I love a yearner. And he YEARNS.
Anyway that ending was offensive to me personally and I will be starting book 2 immediately because I feel attacked and I need to get this sorted the fuck out!!!!!!
Listen this book isn’t perfect, I started this series because I absolutely adored White Horse Black Nights and I knew this author wouldn’t steer me wrong. And she didn’t. It’s got a few teething issues, like the pacing is a bit weird sometimes. But the characters are great, especially the mmc. What a yearner. As we all know, I love a yearner. And he YEARNS.
Anyway that ending was offensive to me personally and I will be starting book 2 immediately because I feel attacked and I need to get this sorted the fuck out!!!!!!
December 17, 2023
This book had potential. At least kind of. But what the f*ck was this ending? I hated that and this said considering the fact that I couldn't feel any romance between her and rangar - but still. no just no.
March 16, 2024
2.7⭐
Otro libro que abandone porque no me estaba gustando el camino que iba dando, lit voy por el 98% pero no soy capaz de terminarlo full así que aquí va mi reseña.
En un punto del libro me llegue a cuestionar si sería capaz de leer una trilogía con los mismos personajes, si me van a tirar una historia así fuck por lo menos que me enganche lo suficiente para leer de 1000-1500 páginas de lo mismo. Pero no, incluso me molestaba cabron que la prota necesitaba la aprobación de el prota para hacer ciertas cosas, y no porque el no le permitía hacer algo sino porque su personalidad es así y fucking detesto ese tipo de personalidad.
Otro libro que abandone porque no me estaba gustando el camino que iba dando, lit voy por el 98% pero no soy capaz de terminarlo full así que aquí va mi reseña.
En un punto del libro me llegue a cuestionar si sería capaz de leer una trilogía con los mismos personajes, si me van a tirar una historia así fuck por lo menos que me enganche lo suficiente para leer de 1000-1500 páginas de lo mismo. Pero no, incluso me molestaba cabron que la prota necesitaba la aprobación de el prota para hacer ciertas cosas, y no porque el no le permitía hacer algo sino porque su personalidad es así y fucking detesto ese tipo de personalidad.
May 5, 2023
Poor sentence structure and pacing
The excessive use of 'she' and 'her', took me out of the book. By page 50, I still couldn't remember the MC's name since it was only mentioned maybe a few times and by other characters. Don't be afraid to use the character's name outside of dialogue, otherwise you're left with an excessive use of 'then she' 'then her' 'she said'. Action scenes were stunted because of this and the urgency was muddled by the poor descriptions.
I dnf at page 50.
The excessive use of 'she' and 'her', took me out of the book. By page 50, I still couldn't remember the MC's name since it was only mentioned maybe a few times and by other characters. Don't be afraid to use the character's name outside of dialogue, otherwise you're left with an excessive use of 'then she' 'then her' 'she said'. Action scenes were stunted because of this and the urgency was muddled by the poor descriptions.
I dnf at page 50.
June 28, 2024
The author could have ended the whole story in one book, two max. But no she loves drama.. I see 3 in this series??? How? Anyway I won’t be reading them.
This book was a 4~5, by 75% it became a solid 4 and by 90% it got 2 stars nearly 1 star. I’m really disappointed T.T. It was going so well!!
It got 2 stars only because I really enjoyed the first 75%, not only enjoyed but also loveeeed ittt!!
Anyway, the last four days went into waste 👍🏻.
This book was a 4~5, by 75% it became a solid 4 and by 90% it got 2 stars nearly 1 star. I’m really disappointed T.T. It was going so well!!
It got 2 stars only because I really enjoyed the first 75%, not only enjoyed but also loveeeed ittt!!
Anyway, the last four days went into waste 👍🏻.
April 17, 2023
that ending ruined it for me
I was loving this book so much. I loved the two MC’s so much together. Complete soulmates And then the ending ruined it for me, I will not be continuing on.
I was loving this book so much. I loved the two MC’s so much together. Complete soulmates And then the ending ruined it for me, I will not be continuing on.
October 7, 2023
well sheeeiiiiittt
I wasn't expecting that plot twist at all
Consider my mind completely blown 🤐
I loved this boook so much
The world building
The banter between the two mcs
I couldn't get enough 10/10 🙌🏻
Now let's get ready for sheeeit to blow up 😅
I wasn't expecting that plot twist at all
Consider my mind completely blown 🤐
I loved this boook so much
The world building
The banter between the two mcs
I couldn't get enough 10/10 🙌🏻
Now let's get ready for sheeeit to blow up 😅
October 8, 2023
Naive
Almost excruciatingly immature. I skipped quite a lot of the story as some off it was "difficult" in it's content. Didn't enjoy the easy copitulation of loyalty at the end.
Almost excruciatingly immature. I skipped quite a lot of the story as some off it was "difficult" in it's content. Didn't enjoy the easy copitulation of loyalty at the end.
June 26, 2023
So happy to have come across this book. I try to avoid stories that end in cliffhangers; but, this one captured me. I’m looking forward to reading book 2..
February 3, 2024
Soul bound
Captivated from start to finish! Two ruling kingdoms at odds. Princess in need of saving, a dark prince to win her heart.
Captivated from start to finish! Two ruling kingdoms at odds. Princess in need of saving, a dark prince to win her heart.
Read
April 11, 2024DNF @ 20%
i was just not invested at all.
i was just not invested at all.
April 22, 2024
Eh…
But that ending! Made it a bit more interesting!
But that ending! Made it a bit more interesting!
May 23, 2025
GASP. The fucking audacity at the end?? This was great.
January 9, 2025
4.5 stars
•Fantasy Romance
•Two Kingdoms at odds
•Soul Bond
•One Horse
•Retelling
•Scarred MMC
•Slow Burn
•Magic
When Bryn was attacked by wolves as a child Rangar stepped in and fought them off. In Rangars kingdom a life saved is a soul owned. When you save someone their soul becomes bound to yours and you will protect them from harm. Bryn is the forgotten heir, as the 3rd child in line for the throne no one really pays her any attention. She finds herself curious about Rangar and his people even though she shouldn’t be.
During a gathering at Bryns kingdom a battle breaks out and the castle is ignited. Both of her parents are murdered and Ragnar and his family save her and take her back to their kingdom where it’s a completely different way of life and she can’t even speak their language.
I really enjoyed this story. I liked that the magic system was simply hex’s carved into their bodies with knives. The tension between the mcs were so thick. This is a very slow burn. Theres one scene that’s semi spicy (he gets her off but they don’t get fully undressed). (Not complaining, just stating for those that are curious). I liked how Bryn who has been pampered all her life jumps right into their way of life even though it’s very different from what she’s used to.
I like Val, he’s funny although I’m scared he’s gonna die just because lol I don’t trust authors with side characters I like.
I will say Ragnar being distant with Bryn for so long was a little annoying. He’s been obsessed with her since he was a teen and yet he was hot and cold, hot and cold. Also I get that Bryns world got tossed upside down and she didn’t know who to trust but even after she’s been told countless times how awful her family was to their kingdom she still didn’t want to believe it. She still wanted to put them in danger by going and seeing her brother in person. Like wtf. (These two reasons are why I didn’t give the book 5 stars)
The ENDING. Omg. I had to lock my kindle and stare into space for a solid ten minutes before being able to function again. I did NOT see that plot twist coming AT ALL. I knew something would happen because it’s a series but DAMN IT 😭
If you’re looking for a slow burn fantasy romance with an easy magic system and a heart wrenching plot twist then definitely read this!
•Fantasy Romance
•Two Kingdoms at odds
•Soul Bond
•One Horse
•Retelling
•Scarred MMC
•Slow Burn
•Magic
When Bryn was attacked by wolves as a child Rangar stepped in and fought them off. In Rangars kingdom a life saved is a soul owned. When you save someone their soul becomes bound to yours and you will protect them from harm. Bryn is the forgotten heir, as the 3rd child in line for the throne no one really pays her any attention. She finds herself curious about Rangar and his people even though she shouldn’t be.
During a gathering at Bryns kingdom a battle breaks out and the castle is ignited. Both of her parents are murdered and Ragnar and his family save her and take her back to their kingdom where it’s a completely different way of life and she can’t even speak their language.
I really enjoyed this story. I liked that the magic system was simply hex’s carved into their bodies with knives. The tension between the mcs were so thick. This is a very slow burn. Theres one scene that’s semi spicy (he gets her off but they don’t get fully undressed). (Not complaining, just stating for those that are curious). I liked how Bryn who has been pampered all her life jumps right into their way of life even though it’s very different from what she’s used to.
I like Val, he’s funny although I’m scared he’s gonna die just because lol I don’t trust authors with side characters I like.
I will say Ragnar being distant with Bryn for so long was a little annoying. He’s been obsessed with her since he was a teen and yet he was hot and cold, hot and cold. Also I get that Bryns world got tossed upside down and she didn’t know who to trust but even after she’s been told countless times how awful her family was to their kingdom she still didn’t want to believe it. She still wanted to put them in danger by going and seeing her brother in person. Like wtf. (These two reasons are why I didn’t give the book 5 stars)
The ENDING. Omg. I had to lock my kindle and stare into space for a solid ten minutes before being able to function again. I did NOT see that plot twist coming AT ALL. I knew something would happen because it’s a series but DAMN IT 😭
If you’re looking for a slow burn fantasy romance with an easy magic system and a heart wrenching plot twist then definitely read this!
September 21, 2023
Sweet fantasy romance
Brynn and Rangar.
Brynn is the sheltered and loved princess in a wealthy and powerful kingdom. She's come of age and her parents are encouraging a betrothal between her and decent older baron from a nearby kingdom. She seems to be fine with going along with their wishes until the night of a ball, where she comes across someone from her past who has lived rent free in her mind since she was 8 years old.
Rangar is also a prince. But not a pretty, polished and elegant one. Rangar comes from a kingdom that if I had to compare it to something in reality I would say has viking mixed with Scotland type vibes. Their culture and way of life is viewed as barbaric and primitive. Despite knowing he isn't what the king and queen want for their daughter, he's come to this ball to collect what's his.
Why does he feel Brynn is his? When Bryn was a small child she was attacked by wolves in the forest and Rangar, also a child, saved her life, taking on permanent scarring in the process. In his culture, saving a life means you are forever soul bound and responsible for that life. He's loved her and felt called to protect her for years and he's ready to bring her home.
And that's the way the story kicks off. The premise is a bit more involved. There are kingdom politics, war, betrayal, lies, etc at play throughout the story. And a little sprinkle of magic in to boot.
While this is purported to be a loose retelling of the three bears, I expected her to "try" all three brothers before deciding the third brother was "just" right. And that's not what happened. Lol but that's OK. It was still good.
Things I noted-
Like many or most fantasy medieval type novels, this one has some violence. Also references to various murders and deaths, mostly off page but there nonetheless. If that's an issue for you, be forewarned.
This is a slow burn. Very slow. The heroine is a virgin, and it's decided she is to wait until marriage to consummate things. She's not married by the end of this book so beyond a handful of brief kisses and one moment of touching, there isn't much spice or heat. I'm unsure if this changes in future books as I haven't read them yet.
This ends on quite the cliffhanger. Be ready to start the next book if you want to know what happens.
The men surrounding the princess all treat her kindly. Her father, brother, Rangar, his brothers, the king etc... it's kinda refreshing to not see toxic abuse on the main character, although also weird since it's so common in this genre.
This is a pleasant, relatively low angst, fantasy read that's focused on plot more than spice.
Brynn and Rangar.
Brynn is the sheltered and loved princess in a wealthy and powerful kingdom. She's come of age and her parents are encouraging a betrothal between her and decent older baron from a nearby kingdom. She seems to be fine with going along with their wishes until the night of a ball, where she comes across someone from her past who has lived rent free in her mind since she was 8 years old.
Rangar is also a prince. But not a pretty, polished and elegant one. Rangar comes from a kingdom that if I had to compare it to something in reality I would say has viking mixed with Scotland type vibes. Their culture and way of life is viewed as barbaric and primitive. Despite knowing he isn't what the king and queen want for their daughter, he's come to this ball to collect what's his.
Why does he feel Brynn is his? When Bryn was a small child she was attacked by wolves in the forest and Rangar, also a child, saved her life, taking on permanent scarring in the process. In his culture, saving a life means you are forever soul bound and responsible for that life. He's loved her and felt called to protect her for years and he's ready to bring her home.
And that's the way the story kicks off. The premise is a bit more involved. There are kingdom politics, war, betrayal, lies, etc at play throughout the story. And a little sprinkle of magic in to boot.
While this is purported to be a loose retelling of the three bears, I expected her to "try" all three brothers before deciding the third brother was "just" right. And that's not what happened. Lol but that's OK. It was still good.
Things I noted-
Like many or most fantasy medieval type novels, this one has some violence. Also references to various murders and deaths, mostly off page but there nonetheless. If that's an issue for you, be forewarned.
This is a slow burn. Very slow. The heroine is a virgin, and it's decided she is to wait until marriage to consummate things. She's not married by the end of this book so beyond a handful of brief kisses and one moment of touching, there isn't much spice or heat. I'm unsure if this changes in future books as I haven't read them yet.
This ends on quite the cliffhanger. Be ready to start the next book if you want to know what happens.
The men surrounding the princess all treat her kindly. Her father, brother, Rangar, his brothers, the king etc... it's kinda refreshing to not see toxic abuse on the main character, although also weird since it's so common in this genre.
This is a pleasant, relatively low angst, fantasy read that's focused on plot more than spice.
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April 3, 2025DNF 10%
I was so excited to give this a try. I love Vikings and romance. Also I love her other series.
However this one was so tough to read.
First things first, the world did not feel like it had Vikings in it or it was a Viking world.
Second, the story was told in a very detachable way. I couldn't connect with anything or anyone.
Thrid, the way it was written felt rushed and vague.
Even Though I barely made it to the romance part, the first encounter of the MMC and FMC was disappointing and she was already so fascinated with him over nothing.
I just couldn't get into it and continue to force myself to read it and that is so bad because I gave up basically at the beginning of the book.
I was so excited to give this a try. I love Vikings and romance. Also I love her other series.
However this one was so tough to read.
First things first, the world did not feel like it had Vikings in it or it was a Viking world.
Second, the story was told in a very detachable way. I couldn't connect with anything or anyone.
Thrid, the way it was written felt rushed and vague.
Even Though I barely made it to the romance part, the first encounter of the MMC and FMC was disappointing and she was already so fascinated with him over nothing.
I just couldn't get into it and continue to force myself to read it and that is so bad because I gave up basically at the beginning of the book.
October 25, 2023
✨️Political Intrigue
✨️Bonded
✨️Touch of Love Triangle Feel
✨️3rd POV
✨️Plot Twist Ending/To be continued cliffhanger
Great start to the series! Heavily based on character interactions. I would have loved to learn more about the 2 Kingdoms and how they differ, characters' love interests, and over world building.
I still look forward to reading the next book and recommend this one to others who want a fantasy read with a character driven aspect.
✨️Bonded
✨️Touch of Love Triangle Feel
✨️3rd POV
✨️Plot Twist Ending/To be continued cliffhanger
Great start to the series! Heavily based on character interactions. I would have loved to learn more about the 2 Kingdoms and how they differ, characters' love interests, and over world building.
I still look forward to reading the next book and recommend this one to others who want a fantasy read with a character driven aspect.
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