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Realms of Ruin

Astrals and Nokts, Book 1

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Book 1 of Astrals and Nokts

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Pub Date Apr 07 2026 | Archive Date Apr 02 2026


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Description

Dominus and Ruin were both starving. They just didn’t realize it was for each other.

Realms of Ruin is a forbidden and fated Plated Prisoner x Lady of Darkness romantasy.

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Vengeance is the game. Betrayal sparks the truce. The one thing they didn’t count on: desire doesn’t play by the rules.

As the king’s most elite ice-wielding spy, Ruin Vespera thrives on retribution. The loss of her parents and her closest friend have forged a shield around her heart, caging her in from her deepest desires. Her singular focus is to hunt down the rebellion general, Dominus Zarek, the realm’s greatest threat.

Only, when she meets Dominus, he’s not who they said he was. He is protective, powerful, and possesses very rare shadow magic. The general forces her to re-examine the world she thought she knew, and a drastic bargain unravels the truth behind the growing darkness across the realms. As the lies fall away, the monsters she uncovers won’t let her go without a fight. The king’s elite hunter has become his number one target.

Dominus is the one man she’s meant to kill.

But without this alliance, she’s as good as dead. He’s the one man with the power to melt the ice around her heart. Yet with every day that passes, their alliance, like the darkness over the land, deepens. But to choose each other, they’ll have to betray everything they’ve ever fought for.

And falling in love might cost them both their realms.


Dominus and Ruin were both starving. They just didn’t realize it was for each other.

Realms of Ruin is a forbidden and fated Plated Prisoner x Lady of Darkness romantasy.

...


Advance Praise

Early readers say:

"My heart is in shambles. The whole Liberation crew are my found family now. As someone who reads back to back fantasy romance, Realms of Ruin completely stood out. I am so invested."

"I read it twice and wish I could scrub my brain and read it anew... the combo of the magic and the romance and the feelings all connecting was so beautiful." 

"I love your writing style. I enjoyed your world building and unique magic. I don't know any other author who describes magic like you do." 

Early readers say:

"My heart is in shambles. The whole Liberation crew are my found family now. As someone who reads back to back fantasy romance, Realms of Ruin completely stood out. I am so...


Available Editions

EDITION Ebook
ISBN 9781971198002
PRICE $5.99 (USD)
PAGES 395

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Average rating from 3 members


Featured Reviews

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Your next slow-burn, high-stakes romantasy obsession just arrived—Realms of Ruin is everything you didn’t know you needed. We follow 26-year-old Ruin Vespera, a deadly spy training to become one of the King’s elite dreki, fueled by a desire to avenge her parents. But when she’s forced to make a bargain with the rebellion’s dangerous leader, Dominus Zarek, the hunter becomes the hunted, and nothing is as black-and-white as it seems.

This book has it all: a rich magic system, political intrigue, lust-inducing tonics, found family, mental health rep, and slow-burn romance that actually feels earned. The banter between Ruin and Dom made me swoon (and blush) more times than I can count, and the tension is deliciously real. Their connection grows naturally amidst chaos, danger, and epic stakes, and the way the romance unfolds never feels rushed.

Realms of Ruin is thrilling, sexy, and heartbreakingly emotional. By the end, I was left absolutely unwell and desperate for the next installment. Nika McKinney has officially won me over—I cannot wait to see what comes next in this series.

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