This was a really enjoyable read. The writing was crisp and well-paced; the chemistry within the romance was giving; the world was a compelling backdrop to the story and made for an interesting setting. Not to mention *dragons*. I am really excited for the next book, especially after that epilogue. This was fantastic!

Karina Halle is long time favorite author of mine and it’s been delightful to see her give her own spin to the romantasy genre, hopefully this is a new era for Halle romance because this was so much fun. Realm of Thieves has it all, between the writing, the plotting, the chemistry filled romance and the world building. . .I really ended up enjoying my time within these pages and can not wait to see where Halle goes next!

Thank you NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing for an ARC.

There was so much to love in this book with the world building. It felt so unique. And as someone who loved Jurassic Park and dinosaurs I defs saw all that inspiration in the dragons as they felt like real ruthless animals like the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park, over the traditional companion dragon we tend to get. I loved seeing science really weave into the magic and world building. The eating of the dragon eggs to get enhanced abilities, how has no-one thought of this before it was so unique and refreshing. I wanted to know everything and more about this system as well as the cultures created in this. We see snippets of so many other nations with different religions and stuff in it and I really wanted to dive deeper. In some ways this ended up being a negative for me, because I found us skipping over things and not spending enough time developing all of this. Which I think is because it's a series of companion novels following different couples. So we had to get a whole beginning, middle and end of the romance into this one book. I think this really would have benefitted from being a series following the same couple. Even though I didn't fall head over heels for the couple themselves their relationship almost felt forced and rushed for me. Again probably would have benefitted from another book following them.

I will probably try the second, and will try more from the author as she always writes the most unique stories and I love her voice in her stories.

I really enjoyed this one. I was immediately sold when I saw “rival thieves” and “illegal dragon egg trade”. I thought the world building was well done and the story entertaining. I already cannot wait for the next book after that epilogue!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Pub for the earc in exchange for my honest review!

-Enemies to lovers
-Touch her and die
-Dragons, but they’ll eat you
-morally grey characters
-he falls first
-only one cave

3.5 Stars

A romantasy that subverted expectations and genre thoughts.

This is my first Halle novel. I’m not sure if I’ll invest more in this series, and I’ll explain more below. Let’s start with this being more romance than fantasy. So, if you like romantasy because of the fantasy-driven plot, you may find yourself wondering why the plot is a bit all over the place.

From a romance aspect, this story hits the mark. Andor, our black sheep middle son, who has to do dangerous dragon-blood capture for his family, and Brynla, the daughter of rebels and a thief, who is able to somehow survive the dangerous Midlands without magical powers. Okay, even I know that’s a lot, I will say Halle does an excellent job of world-building and creating an immersive fantasy realm complete with religious, political, and magical elements, though very complicated.

Pacing, setting, and the progression of the romance were successfully executed, and I enjoyed the way Andor and Brynla’s relationship evolved. Even though Andor kidnaps Brynla to start… and maybe blackmails her. Their origins are dark, but they quickly evolve. My issue with their relationship is that Andor often has some remarks that imply a more kinky direction that never evolves.

Moving to the fantasy side of things, this is where the story is a bit of a mess. From Brynla and Andor’s motivations to the plot twists thrown in, often the reason they were happening was a bit weak. The stakes are not very high in this story, and they are ultimately each driven by their own expectations, they feel other people have for them or that they have for themselves. The back half of the book progressed in surprising ways and left me with more questions than answers. In the end, I felt like there were a couple of holes that were never resolved, and I only hope that the second book in the series ties everything together.

If you like a good romance set in a magical world, this one is for you. If you’re looking for something more plot-driven outside of the romance, may I recommend Kit Rocha’s Bound to Fire and Steal Duet.

~ Landra

Realm of Thieves starts off with fire! Both literal and figurative. Karina Halle plunges readers into a perilous, dragon-infested world where survival hinges on illegal heists and shifting alliances. The opening of the novel is tightly written and genuinely exciting, with Brynla Aihr and Lord Andor positioned as clear enemies locked in a high-stakes game of leverage and mistrust. The tension simmers, and there's just enough attraction to promise a classic slow-burn enemies-to-lovers arc.

Unfortunately, that promise fades quickly.

While the world of dragon egg theft and rival dynasties remains intriguing, the story loses momentum midway. The pacing slows considerably, and the dynamic between Brynla and Andor flattens out. Though their relationship is supposed to develop from animosity to love, it never really feels like enemies-to-lovers. They’re protective of each other from the moment they meet, and their “enemies” phase fizzles far too soon. By the time love declarations enter the picture, they feel unearned—less a climax and more a foregone conclusion.

Andor and Brynla are individually compelling, especially Brynla with her cult-survivor backstory and street-hardened instincts. But together, their chemistry doesn’t quite ignite. The early tension promised conflict and slow-burn payoff; instead, we get a quick slide into mutual attachment that never has to be fought for. The stakes around their romance are low enough that Brynla’s pivotal choice later in the story is predictable, draining the scene of impact.

Adding to the disappointment is the absence of Halle’s signature darker elements—the creepy, twisted atmosphere that often elevates her romance. Realm of Thieves leans more into political maneuvering and romantic tropes, but without the grit or shadow that could have made it more memorable.

In the end, Realm of Thieves isn’t a bad book, but it feels like a debut romantasy. The strong start and compelling premise are weighed down by a sagging middle and a romance that never quite earns its emotional stakes. Readers looking for a solid fantasy setting with light romance may still enjoy it, but longtime fans of Halle’s darker, more intense stories might find themselves wishing for a bit more bite.

Dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic, and crime syndicates hire thieves to go into these dangerous lands to steal these eggs so they can be sold to the highest bidder. Brynla Aihr is searching for dragon’s nests with her magical dog when she’s kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor to help steal eggs for House Kolbeck. Brynla and Andor clash at every turn sparking heat that Brynla’s never felt before. In a world rife with betrayal and secrets how close to the flames is she willing to stand?

When I read the synopsis for this novel I was immediately drawn to this world that dragons inhabit and the magic from their eggs is currency. As I started to read it I found it easy to read and the world that Karina Halle built easy to understand. Brynla was the kind of heroine I’m usually drawn to, so why did have such a difficult time enjoying this book? I made myself keep reading it because like I said, it wasn’t hard to read or understand. I just didn’t enjoy the story. Maybe it was the fact that eggs were being stolen, or that Brynla wasn’t the easiest person to like. When Andor entered the picture I kept reading because I thought their romance might give the story a bit of a push I felt it needed. Nope. In fact, I didn’t get them as a couple at all. Sure he was big and attractive and she was mysterious and had a magic dog. Truly the dog was the most interesting character in the book. I wish I’d known a bit more about his back story! LOL.

I finished the book, so it’s not on my DNF list, but that’s the best thing that’s come out of reading this novel. It took me about 10 days to get through, which I hate. Too many books to read and too little time to do it to spend on a book I am not really loving or hating. The cover was pretty awesome, so I liked that and the dog.

This book offers a fresh take on dragon romantasy and is action-packed right from the start. However, I wished both of the main characters were more developed so that I could connect with them better. At times, they felt a bit one-dimensional, especially the female main character. I sensed there was more depth to her character that I wanted to explore but didn't fully get.

The romance came across as insta-love and felt somewhat superficial.

While the world-building was unique, the plot itself had some pacing issues. I genuinely enjoyed the story initially; it grabbed my attention and pulled me in. However, as I progressed further, the pacing seemed to lose momentum quickly, which affected the plot's overall excitement at times.

Despite these concerns, I am still interested in reading whatever comes next.

Oh, and by the way, Lemi? I’m obsessed!

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing Group | Ace, and Karina Halle for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I was so excited about this book but unfortunately it just didn’t land with me! I’m so bummed! I love the premise a lot but I just didn’t feel like it was executed well. My biggest issue was with the main characters. Both felt very flat and I just didn’t understand why they liked one another. I also didn’t care for how the story ended. I’m not sure what happened towards the end but it really lost me. I’m surprised to hear it’s part of a series. Overall, a miss for me!

Ok! I’m officially a fan! I’ve heard people rave about Karina Halle’s books for a long time but this is the first I’ve picked up, and now I know what I’ve been missing! Realm Of Thieves is fast-paced and exciting, with interesting world building and lore that’s easy to jump into and enjoy the ride. At times it was gritty and dark, raising the stakes and gripping me even more.

If you’re looking for a spicy read, this one will deliver! The chemistry between Brynla and Andor was palpable, and the way they fought their attraction was a lot of fun to read.

Realm Of Thieves even has one of my favourite micro-tropes, a loyal and loveable animal companion. So if you’re a fan of that too, this is one not to miss! I’m looking forward to reading more of the series and more from Halle in general!

**Thank you to Berkley Romance, Ace Books and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.**

So…I think I’m a romantasy girlie now?

Realm of Thieves was such a fun switch from Halle’s usual reads - rich with interesting world-building, dragon magic, a few steamy scenes, and even a few unexpected tears. I’m definitely hooked and the epilogue has me excited for book two 👀

Thanks to Netgalley for my arc! 💚

I really loved the world created in Realm of Thieves, and I think for anyone looking for a romantasy that’s heavy on the relationship this is the one for you. Lots of banter, lots of twists, secrets, and risks taken. I am very interested to see where the next chapter goes with the dragons (as in I hope even more dragon content), I actually had a hard time getting into the book at first because of the lusty way the characters started off, in moments that made no sense to be thinking lustful thoughts about your enemy, but maybe that was just me. There is a lot of plot points that can be developed with the following books in the series, I think it has a lot of promise to be a great series. Just wasn’t quite what I expected but in the end I still fell in love with the two main characters.
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This book had so much potential and it hurts to say it was not my favorite. Hear me out, the whole concept was really intriguing to me but I was really disappoint about the “romance” aspect of it. I am not a insta love girly and this book was that. I just couldn’t get over it… and it really just made the experience not enjoyable. Ugh I feel sad because I was really hoping this was going to be a fav for the year BUT there’s a book for everyone so I definitely would give it a try if you don’t mind “insta live vibes”. I really did like that the family dynamics the author describes are realistic and many can connect with the characters through that. I also though the dragon egg thieves aspect of it was interesting and added something unique to the story.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the early copy!

ARC Review of Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle – ★★★☆☆

Realm of Thieves had a promising start, and I was genuinely drawn in by the adventurous setup and immersive world-building. The first half kept me turning the pages, eager to see where the journey would lead.

But as the story progressed, the momentum began to wane. The pacing slowed considerably, and the characters—who at first felt compelling—started to flatten out. The romance, too, lost some of its spark, and I found myself pushing through more out of obligation than anticipation.

That said, there’s definitely potential here. The concept is strong, and with a different format—perhaps the audiobook—I might have a better experience. While this one didn’t fully deliver for me, it wasn’t a miss either. I’d still consider returning to the series or exploring more from the author in the future.

Realm of Thieves is book one in the Thieves of Dragemor series by Karina Hale. It’s an enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance with dragons galore and will keep you on the edge of your seat.

Brynla has lived a life of great pain and does what she must to get by. After escaping a dragon worshiping cult, she began stealing dragon eggs as a means of survival. Although stealing dragon eggs is both illegal and dangerous, it pays well, and Brynla is extremely skilled at it. Andor is from House Kolbeck, a rival to Brynla’s current employer, and he’s extremely interested in having Brynla work for him. Between Brynla’s temper and Andor’s smugness, will they be able to work together to pull off the heist of a lifetime?

Realm of Thieves has a unique world and magic system, complete with dragons and wonderful characters. What more could a girl want in a new fantasy series? Brynla is strong, brave, and determined. She is slow to let people in, but when she does, she loves fiercely. Andor is intelligent, observant, and extremely loyal to those he cares about most. The tension and banter between Brynla and Andor is fabulous, and I loved reading their story. As much as I loved them both, I think my favorite character was Lemi, the shifting dog sidekick. He’s loyal to a fault and brought such joy to both Brynla and Andor. If you’re into romantasy with a heavy dose of dragons, this is a book you will not want to miss!

Thank you Berkley Publishing Group: Ace for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

I found Realm of Thieves to be a fun, adventurous, romantasy. It has many elements that I love in high fantasy, a main character that is a rogue thief, good worldbuilding, an interesting mystery element surrounding the main character and my favorite aspect of this novel in terms of magical animals, a magic dog!

I loved Brynla as a main character. She is brave, clever and distrustful of most everyone and with good reason. She's in the middle of stealing dragon eggs when we first meet her. Halle does a very good job of building the world through her character's eyes, while weaving in bits of backstory to help us understand why Brynla is risking her life for dragon eggs that aren't even of any benefit to her like they are to most thieves. I especially loved the interaction between her and her dog, Lemi, at the start of the book. We are soon introduced in the opening chapter to the man who will be Brynla's main love interest as well, Andor. I found him to be a much less sympathetic character at first. He's pretty arrogant and high-handed. I was okay with him being flawed, though. As the story unfolds, it gives him plenty of opportunity to grow and change for the better, which I truly felt he did. .

The stakes in this novel stay pretty high throughout and we never know who might be at risk of dying or being captured. The character development for the primary and secondary characters was also strong as well. I did have some trouble keeping track of who belonged to which continent and which syndickat, at times. That was one of my main issues with the worldbuilding and plot. It was hard to remember who was who sometimes in that regard. Most of the time, those characters or groups are off page, so that could account for a lot of that. But the author does provide a character and syndicakat guide as part of the front matter in the book as well as a map. I did feel that the last quarter of the book is very fast-paced and I think that there were times I would have liked to remain in the moment just a little bit longer. However, it did keep me turning pages to see what was going to happen and find out what the mystery surrounding Brynla was going to finally reveal. I will definitely read more in this series and would like to thank NetGalley, and Berkley Publishing Group for providing me with an eARC of Realm of Thieves in exchange for this honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I hate leaving low reviews but this book fell flat for me. The characters seemed just okay - nothing extraordinary or noteworthy. The first half of the book starts out good then quickly seems to fall apart at the seems. I did read it through - although I skimmed huge portions because I got bored with it. I did not like the crazy creepy obsessiveness of the MMC but others might like it. Overall I would not read this book again.

Brynla is from Esland, where the Saints of the Fire rule. They are a tyrannical religious group that believe the dragons will destroy everyone, but them due to their worship of the dragons. Brynla's parents were rebels against the Saints of Fire, but were killed by the Saints. After their deaths, Brynla is forced to join the Daughters of Silence, the Saints's convent. She escapes and years later, makes her living as an egg thief for the Dalgaard Syndikat of Sorland. She travels to the dangerous Midland, where the dragons were banished. The syndikats want the eggs for their yolks, called suen, which give people powers when ingested. Brynla is a very successful thief until she meets Andor on one of her egg-stealing missions. Andor is one of the family members of the Kolbeck syndikat and he has been watching Brynla. He has big plans for her skills and he refuses to take no for an answer, so he kidnaps her.

This book was such a fun adventure. I loved the unique world and magic, as well as the mafia and heist storyline! The dragons in this book are extremely dangerous and deadly, and they would rather eat any people they come across. I was completely obsessed with this book, just like the other books from Karina Halle I have read. I cannot wait to read more and dive back into this world!

Thank you to Karina Halle and Ace Publishing for the gifted eARC.

thoroughly enjoyed this book! I am so excited for Karina to venture into yet another subgenre - I have been a longtime fan of hers and this book continued to prove to me why that is!

In true Karina Halle style, the world-building and atmospheric descriptions are masterfully done - especially when describing the dark city and various landscapes. Everything is intricately detailed and very easily visualized (especially for someone who has difficulty with this, like myself!).

I think the pacing of Brynla and Andor's relationship was a little quicker than I would have expected, but I still very much enjoyed their tension and banter. And once they got together, i loved their new dynamic and how Andor simps for Brynla! UGH, YES!!!!

As characters, I thought we got to know Brynla and Andor and uncover their personalities to just the right degree for this first book, and I also thought the same for the side characters. I do not want to spoil anything, but let's just say I pegged Vidar from the get go!!!

I am very excited for the next book in this series, and I cannot wait to get my grubby little hands on it!

Rating: 4 star
Spice: 2

'Realm of Thieves' delivers a pretty solid dragon heist, and honestly? The vibes were fantastic. The dragons were actually terrifying in that menacing way that is refreshing as opposed to a bumbling sidekick or exhausted ancient lizard. Brynla is the headstrong thief heroine I love to read about, navigating dangerous dragon nests and even more dangerous political games while being blackmailed by the devastatingly complex Lord Andor. The worldbuilding had me enraptured between terrifying cults, criminal empires, and high stakes heists.

However, despite being absolutely hooked to start, it slowed down immediately. And a total surprise to me, the romance had potential and the tension between Brynla and Andor was pretty good, but it felt lust to instalove without real substance behind their connection. I'm normally a fan of books under 600 pages, but I think this could have used a bit more bulk to really flesh things out. I'm hoping that the next books really kick off and give me everything I was hoping for.