There are so, so many dragon books in romantasy. To be fair, dragons were always pretty popular in fantasy/romantasy, even before “Fourth Wing.” But now it seems out of control! I honestly sometimes lose track of them all, which one’s I’ve read, how many new ones are coming out and what differentiates them, etc. etc. So, yes, here’s another dragon romantasy review!

Unfortunately, I’m still thwarted in this area. I’m starting to think that I may just need to stick with my more traditional fantasy books for my dragon kick, at least until it dies down a bit in massive popularity. As it stands, too often it feels as if authors and publishers may just be trying to cash in on a popular trope instead of following an organic story-making process. Such is the case here. While there were aspects of the world-building here with its use of dragons that I thought were interesting, as the story continued, this book ultimately seemed to turn more into a gangster/mafia romance story. Which I don’t dislike as a romance subgenre on its own, but wasn’t why I was picking this book up.

Ultimately, from early in the story, everything felt rather flat. The author was telling me a lot of things, but I wasn’t seeing many reasons to become emotionally involved. The characters were just kind of there, following along in many of the standard FMC/MMC archetypes that we’ve come to expect from books like this. The pacing was fairly stilted, with the book dragging significantly in the middle of the story only to fall through the floor with the almost bait-and-switch with the genre change from fantasy to mafia romance in the end. And over and over again characters and plot points operated in ways that didn’t make sense other than as quick resolutions to any challenges that presented themselves. Things happened because a problem needed to be solved. And solved quickly with very little conflict being given any time to brew.

Much of this only came to play as I continued reading, but I was already started off on the wrong foot by the way the romance was handled. When I say “fast” I can’t emphasize enough just how fast I mean. The characters meet and that’s pretty much it. Their insta-attraction/lust/love was so extreme that it felt totally unbelievable and threw me out of the book. True, I prefer a slow burn (typically even across multiple books!) but there are numerous romantasy titles I can point to that have an established romance in book one that I enjoyed (see “Shield of Sparrows.”) This book totally missed the mark for me in this department. As a bit of a side note, I’m very over the cutesy nicknames that the MMCs give FMCs. They are getting more and more ridiculous and over-the -top. If someone talked like this in real life, the cringe would be off the charts.

Sadly, this was a miss for me. I know that this author is quite prolific, so I might need to dig around her back catalog and see if I connect better with one of her previous books. I’m sure fans of her work will enjoy this, but if you want a well-developed romance or a book that focuses strongly on the fantasy elements, you may want to pass on this one. That said, if you like mafia romance, this may be the unexpected hit you’re looking for!

Rating 6: With a flat-feeling plot, lack of complex characterization, and a romance that went from zero to one hundred in two seconds flat, this one sadly wasn’t for me.

Link will go live on The Library Ladies on June 13

*ੈ✩‧₊˚Rating*ੈ✩‧₊˚
0/5 Stars
(Dnf 74%)

˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗Tropes˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
🐉 Forbidden Romance
🥚 Captor x Captive
🐉 Enemies To Lovers
🥚 Dual Pov

💭 Thoughts-
In all honesty, I was just bored bored bored the whole way through this book. I thought the fmc and mmc had no real convection or anything, so I didn’t understand why they were together, and honestly the entire plot just wasn’t that exciting for me. I thought that it needed more of a plot and some sort of real connection between the main characters. They had about as much a love/relationship connection as me and the spiders I kill and hate on a daily basis. I honestly held onto hope about this book much longer than I should have because I just hoped it would get better, and it never did. So, I just got so bored that I couldn’t read on and had to dnf it for my own sanity. I would not recommend this book because I found it boring and a waste of my time that I could have spent reading an actually good book.

(Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an

Cults? Dragons? The characters were great with chemistry and authenticity.
The romance was very on brand for Romantasy which was nice but not overdone.
The pacing and writing is what i felt like got me through it so quickly! The plot is what took me out because I didn't anticipate the ending and I can't wait to read more from the author!

Perfect if you love:
Who imprisoned you?
From Prisoner to Pretty Happy to be Stuck With You vibes
Enemies to Lovers
Elemental Magic (FRM DRAGON EGGS?!?!?!?! it's a like a secret drug which si so relatable)
"F*ck it" Moment

Thank you so much to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this arc!

Listen, I’m not even mad about this story!

The pacing is spot on, with murderous dragons, thieves, and an enemies-to-lovers trope—how can you not fall for this book?! Brynla is just trying to live her life, and everything is fine until Andor swaggeringly enters, disguising her freedom as a kidnapping. She’s rightfully both angry and intrigued.

"Realm of Thieves" is well-crafted, featuring action-packed scenes and well-timed tension between our romantic duo, along with, of course, dragons. Add in a toxic family, religious fanatics, and science, and while it may seem like a mishmash of elements, Karina Halle elevates this romanatsy to new heights. She doesn't give us the same old story; instead, we get a complex narrative intertwined with morally gray characters. I’m here for the shenanigans of Dragemor!

pretty great romantasy with some cool worldgen and rapid storytelling. well done, effective. 5 stars. tysm for the arc, would recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC!

Sadly, this is a DNF for me at 29%. I’m not putting myself through this. I refuse.
I think this will work for a lot of people - but unfortunately this was failed potential for me.

While the world building is majestic and well done - the whole plot lacks substance. There’s so many things going on that could’ve made this incredible - but it was miscalculated. The stakes didn’t feel high enough for everything that happened already and I just kept wondering what was the point. The story felt incoherent to me and I noticed plotholes and I was only 29% in.

When he leaned in to smell her at 25% in - I completely lost it lol. I physically cringed. 29% in he was ready to give her a better life? They had 3 conversations and 1 of them was an attempt to kill him.
The romance was so fast it gave me whiplash. The FMC became a doormat once she fell for the MMC.

As always, reading is subjective and you have to try it to know if this’ll be for you!

Well, Karina Halle has done it again. I swear that woman never misses. Whether she chooses to write contemporary romance, horror, psychological thrillers or fantasy- she always makes it amazing. I have yet to read something of hers and not love it.

Realm of Thieves was such a fun and unique Romantasy. It felt kind of like six of crows meets fourth wing. We had thieves who steal dragon eggs and sell them on the black market, we had a heist, we had a pretty corrupt government and a bunch of secret twists. Karina did a good job of laying out the world building, which is a bit complicated at first, but I picked it up in no time as the story progressed!

One of my favourite things in ALL books is an animal companion. Lemi was the animal companion of all animal companions. A magical dog who is as loyal as they come. Absolutely magnificent.

If you are a fan of dragons, enemies to reluctant allies, to lovers and a fast paced story. I would highly recommend. One thing with fantasy books I struggle with is sometimes they take a long time to get into the story. I’ve never had this problem with any of Karina’s books- she gets into it without jeopardizing the world building. Absolutely 10/10.

What do you get when you cross mafia with dragons that will eat you and the heist to end all heist? You get Realm of Thieves, Book 1 in the Thieves of Dragemor series.

If you are a fan of Fantasy Romance but with Dragons that will eat you, Enemies to Lovers, He Falls First, Hurt/Comfort, Touch Her and Die, Animal Sidekicks and so much more this one is for you!

Brynla has been in survival mode her entire life, dealing with an ailment and now working as a dragon egg thief for the syndikat with her trusty dog Lemi, she will do anything to stay out of the prison she escaped from but when Andor appears in her life she will forced back into a cage.

Andor has had his eyes set on Brynla and her dog Lemi for awhile, they make a dynamic duo and he knows she is the key to all of his dreams coming true. So when he tries to struck up a bargain and she refuses, he does the most logical thing and kidnaps her.

Oh but Brynla does not make it easy on him one bit and fights him along the way. Andor though is relentless is showing her they are fighting for the same thing and though Brynla isn’t happy she begins to see his side. Agreeing to work with him when it comes to acquiring the dragon eggs. But there is more that Andor has up his sleeve and when Brynla finds out the true she is more than happy to jump on the revenge train.

Though Brynla never gives up her fire she can’t help but see there is more to Andor than the facade he shows, they are more alike than she wants to admit but begins to fall for him. Andor is gone for her the moment he lays eyes on her, there is no denying his attraction to her strength and fiery attitude.

I loved Brynla’s determination and resilience after everything she has been through and the pain she suffers. For someone who has severed the same pain it really hit home for me. Andor is such a cinnamon roll, he cares for her and wants to comfort her to take away the pain <insert swoon>. After everything Brynla and Andor had both been through they deserved all the happiness with each other.

With the way Katrina ended this book setting up the next book in the series, I can’t wait to see what happens next!

Rating: 4.5 / 5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5

I am a longtime fan of Karina Halle’s books, so I was absolutely ecstatic when I was approved for Realm of Thieves! This book completely swept me away! It’s a romantasy with dragons, heists, morally gray characters, slow-burn enemies-to-lovers tension, and a touch of spice.

Brynla and Andor’s dynamic was addictive to read, with their chemistry crackling on every page. The world-building was rich and layered, the action kept me on the edge of my seat, and I adored Lemi! This was such a fun and thrilling start to a new series, and I cannot wait to see where Karina takes it next. Fans of her work and new readers alike will not be disappointed — this book was a total win!

Thank you to the author & publisher for my advanced copy!

This is a unique take on dragons with high stakes, a magical dog and interesting subplots. I didn’t love this story as much as other books by the author, but I did enjoy it. This could be a fantastic choice for a new to genre romantasy reader.

My favorite part of this book was the culty subplot - I wish we got more of this because it was SO good! I unfortunately wasn’t incredibly drawn to the dragon egg trade plot. I also felt this could have benefitted from going through another round of editing. However I’m glad I stayed for the subplot and romance!

Some of the banter in this one was really funny. I liked Brynla & Andor’s relationship in the latter half of the book. The character connection was lacking a bit for me in terms of their developing relationship. The spice was fantastic, but the build up of their relationship just felt like it could have been nurtured more. I predicted the major twist but it was still fun and exciting, it was just foreshadowed well.

I will likely continue in the series due to the epilogue, but won’t be in a major rush to read the next book.

In a world where dragon eggs are highly coveted, an illegal trade flourishes. Brynla’s loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. That is until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Andor...

Realm of Thieves had all the makings for a good read. I mean with magic, thieves, and dragons, how can you go wrong?! This world the author created was definitely unique and the characters sucked you into their story. And I love, love, loved that this book is a standalone! While their story wraps up perfectly here, the epilogue gives you a taste of the next characters story, waiting to be told.

All that being said, I did have some struggles with this book. The pacing, while perfect in the beginning, was a lot slower than I was anticipating. Don't get me wrong, I know thay pacing is usually slower with romantasy books due to all the world building, however the slower pace just didnt work for me. My other issue was the steam factor. If you’re familiar with this author, you know she writes some steamy reads, and while this story had steam, it wasn't the level I'm used to from this author. I don't know. Maybe it's a romantasy thing or it honestly might be a me thing, I just felt like something was missing.

Overall, Realm of Thieves was a bit of a mid read for me. There were parts I really enjoyed, but other parts that left me needing more. And while this book wasn't a 100% hit for me, I'm still glad I gave it a try.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Ace and Karina Halle for the gifted eARC of Realm of Thieves! All opinions are my own.

When we meet Brynla, she’s fighting for her life on an island teeming with dragons—armed with nothing but her magical dog, a stubborn streak, and a whole lot of nerve. She’s no stranger to captivity. She was raised in a fanatical dragon-worshipping cult after her rebel parents were executed and she’s made survival an art. So when she’s blackmailed into working for a ruthless, mafia-style family vying for control of the illegal dragon egg trade, she unwillingly agrees...while already plotting her escape.

As she and Lord Andor (yes, he’s as broody and dangerous as he sounds) start to trust each other, that trust slowly turns to something more. But this world is built on betrayal and secrets, and letting someone in might just cost Bryn everything she’s ever fought for.

The synopsis had me hooked with promises of dragons, mafia families, and cult backstories. I was ready for ALL the drama, betrayals, and power struggles on a grand scale. While we got a taste of that, the world-building didn’t go as deep as I hoped. I could visualize the scenes, but I wanted more texture—more lore around the cult and their influence and insight into the rival family dynamics and how they affect the citizens and their territories.

That said, this was still an incredibly fun, fast-paced romantasy. The angst was delicious, the tension was palpable, and the spice was 🌶️. I’m fully invested in where this story goes next and can’t wait to see how the foreshadowed betrayals and power plays unfold in book two!

If you’re in the mood for a romantasy full of dragons and danger, Realm of Thieves is absolutely worth the read.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

My review was posted to Goodreads on 5/24/25.
My Instagram review will be posted on 5/31/25.
My Amazon review will be posted on 6/10/25.

I absolutely adored this book, from the very first page to the very last! It’s not entirely surprising, considering there are dragons in it. 🐉 I love dragons, even if they aren’t friendly and won’t let people ride them.
Karina Halle writes such a broad spectrum of books, but this one proves she excels at romantasy as well!

Brynla was a strong, feisty FMC, who didn’t take crap from anyone. I loved how she pushed thru everything that was thrown at her, no matter what. I love a strong female character! Andor was adorable; he had the energy of a golden retriever with ADHD! 😂 I also like that he was strong enough to stand up to his father. I thoroughly enjoyed all the side characters, but Lemi was particularly endearing. I would love to have a Lemi of my own!

I loved the whole story and I cannot wait for the next book! If you love dragons like I do, or enjoy fantasy/romantasy, I highly recommend this book!

💗 My favorite quote from the book was this one: 💗
“What I really want more than anything is to matter to you. To be something to you, to be everything to you.” He pauses, swallowing hard. “I want to be your better tomorrow.” 💕

Thank you to NetGalley and BPG/Ace for giving me an advanced copy! All opinions are my own.

DNF @ 62%

Am I in the worst reading slump or am I picking bad books? I'm truly hoping it's not the latter.

I love dragon books and this was a fun, original take. I just really am not invested in our main characters or their romance. The romance felt rushed and at this point it feels like it's a different book. I can't care to continue. I love enemies to lovers but there was too much insta-lust.

Rated 3 stars. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC ebook.

Thank you Berkley for an advance readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Personally as a reader, I had a hard time getting into the book and following along. I wanted to invest in it because I love the romantasy genre and dragons, but the Realm of Thieves did not do it for me. The pacing felt off and I could not connect with any of the protagonists.

The premise of this romantasy was so good. Girl with no magical powers steals dragon eggs for the corrupted leaders of her part of the world. She gets kidnapped by the son of a different leader and forced to steal for them because she's just that good.

But why can she steal so well? What's so special about her? and then there's him.... The adventure was great. Dragons, a family of siblings with an evil father. An orphan heroine with a magical dog. I am here for the series and hoping for a little more chemistry in the romances.

This is going to be a series with interconnected but standalone romances. AND I LOVE THAT

Realm of Thieves is the first of a new series in a world where dragons are sequestered onto an island and people risk their lives sneaking into the island to steal their eggs. Syndikats from surrounding islands have black markets for these dragon eggs, not to breed dragons but for the magical properties hidden in the yolks or suens. Each dragon species exhibits different powers and they are highly coveted. Brynla works for one of these syndikats as a freelancer and while on the dragon island, she runs into Andor, son of a rival syndikat, and he kidnaps her for her talents. As they get to know each other and learn about each other's worlds, they realize they both want to forge their own paths different from the ones they're living and possibly do it together!

Karina Halle has cemented her place in my go to authors! She's written in all different genres and no matter what it is, I've thoroughly enjoyed every one! So many romantasy/fantasy books follow the same recipe but Realm of Thieves is a different beast, it'll keep you guessing and I cannot wait to see what happens next in this series!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The first half of this book was really good. I felt like there was good pacing, good world building, and what felt like a good set up for the rest of the book. Unfortunately it kind of peaked halfway through. Brynla was a really strong character in the beginning, but at a certain point she went from a headstrong thief to someone content to just do what Andor proposed. And Andor was just boring, I feel like we never learned much about him as a person. And their relationship went from strangers to suddenly in love with really nothing in between. Also for a book about the dragon egg trade, we didn’t see them that much or learn much about them. Overall interesting concept but it didn’t execute.

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!

I absolutely loved this book, the whole book is a slow burn, I can’t wait to see where the series goes.
Much in the way Quicksilver is a lot of lore, world building and character building, this book lays out the precedent for the series.
Our FMC is a fighter, a survivor, she watched both of her parents killed for their beliefs. She was then imprisoned in a convent of sorts where violence was handed down from the women in charge with medieval cruelty and brutality.
Thanks to her tough as nails, no nonsense aunt, she was rescued and now spends her days working for one of the crime families.
What do they deal in?
Dragon eggs!
The realm runs on the superhero like effect consuming the yolk has on humans (and very few animals). It can enhance speed, strength, sight, mind, etc.
Dangerous work but she is the best with the help of her space jumping dog, Brynla is just trying to survive, keep her bosses happy, keep hers, her aunt and dogs lives and freedom.

When she gets kidnapped by a rival family and made an offer she can’t refuse by a man she doesn’t want to refuse, what will happen when she finds out her truth?

This book has me absolutely hungering for more!
Enemies to lovers is always a win for me but I loved the twists along the way! Even when I cried!
The surprise pov epilogue! What a twist!!!

Halle has delved into some fantastic and fascinating worldbuilding with this novel! I absolutely loved the start of this new series. This is the perfect Romantasy for those Fourth Wing fans