Fifty years after the sacrifice, eight women are reincarnated on Earth, given the opportunity to return to their realms and reclaim the love they once lost.
Forgotten Kingdoms, authored by various writers, is a collection of standalone fantasy romance novels that revolve around supernatural beings and the concept of fated mates, each culminating in a happy ever after (HEA). All romantic relationships within the series are exclusively M/F.
The series includes vampires, fae, shifters, and more, with each book offering a distinct heroine and her enchanting love story that can be enjoyed in any sequence. However, I believe it’s still preferable to read them in sequence.
Title: Forgotten Kingdoms
Author: Chandelle LaVaun, G.K. DeRosa, Megan Montero, Jen L. Grey, Elle Madison & Robin D. Mahle, L.J. Andrews, Jessica M. Butler & J.M Butler, and M. Sinclair
Genres: Fantasy > Paranormal > Supernatural / Reincarnations
Read Format: Kindle Edition
Total Pages: 3,250
Reading Date: 08th September 2024 – 04th October 2024
The Reading Order – How to Read the Forgotten Kingdoms Series
- Of Blood & Nightmares by Chandelle LaVaun
- Of Dragons & Desire by G.K. DeRosa
- Of Death & Darkness by Megan Montero
- Of Shadows & Fae by Jen L. Grey
- Of Elves & Embers by Elle Madison & Robin D. Mahle
- Of Mischief & Mages by L.J. Andrews
- Of Serpents and Ruins by Jessica M. Butler & J.M Butler
- Of Claws & Chaos by M. Sinclair
Of Blood & Nightmares by Chandelle LaVaun
A woman with a haunted past.
A prince who was destroyed by it.
The fight for survival that could ruin everything they have left.
My life never truly felt like mine. It was like driving a rental car, mine on loan for now but never to belong to me. Never intended for me.
Now I knew why.
It was all a lie.
The moment that knight dragged me through The Veil into the realm of Terrea everything changed. This world is nothing like home, it’s like I’ve stepped into a fantasy and traveled back in time. The person I was and the life I lived are gone. Lost. That Veil is not reopening. I’m stuck here…Forever.
They insist I’m their lost vampire queen who has been brought back to make them whole again. But I don’t know how to rebuild a broken kingdom or why the vampires are dying. I don’t remember a past life or any sacrificial rituals they claim I did. I’m just an ER nurse from Los Angeles and I’m in way over my head. All I want is to get back to Earth and find my sister, the only person who ever meant anything to me.
Now the sacred Priestess demands I marry the heir to the throne and rule by his side. But Prince Varan is a cold, snarling, gorgeous nightmare who’d rather throw me into the pits of a volcano than even speak to me. No matter how cruel he is to me, I can’t help but be drawn to him. To need him. But trying to get through his walls might be harder than saving the kingdom from death.
In the end, Prince Varan will either kill me or break my heart into pieces…and I’m not sure which is worse.
My thoughts…
Rhodelia has been experiencing a recurring dream that has intensified recently, leading her to zone out during a flashback. During a night out in Las Vegas with her sister Morgana and their friend Saphira, she is kidnapped into the realm of Terrea, in the kingdom of Vampires, Isramaya.
It turns out she was one of the eight women who sacrificed themselves to save the kingdom fifty years ago and has now been granted a second chance at life. However, Rhodelia cannot recall her past, and being burdened with the responsibilities of a queen, she must resolve the ongoing crisis in the kingdom alongside a king who despises her.
This first instalment of the Forgotten Kingdoms series offers a great introduction to the world of Terrea. It features a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers storyline with a few twists and turns, though nothing that is particularly surprising.
I have to admit that I found it challenging to digest the story in the beginning because of the overwhelming amount of information presented at the start. However, once I got about 45% through the book, I started to understand the politics, the territories, and the characters better.
My only criticism is the repetitive use of the same flashbacks. Additionally, there are minor issues, such as Rhodelia not questioning Varan’s hatred towards her right away, and once the question was raised, it wasn’t until nearly the end that we finally received an answer.
Moving on to the next book, I’m quite looking forward to reading about Saphira’s journey in Draconia, the Kingdom of Dragons, penned by one of my favourite authors, G.K. DeRosa!
Of Dragons & Desire by G.K. DeRosa
A lost princess.
Two dragon princes fighting for her heart.
A love that will either destroy their kingdom or save them all.
Raised in a world where humans are oblivious to magic, I always thought I was ordinary. Until a breathtakingly handsome stranger pulled me into a world where creatures of unimaginable power reign, hidden from mortal eyes.
The whispers in my mind? They weren’t madness. It was the voice of my inner beast. It turns out I’m not a human at all—I’m a dragon princess.
My infuriating captor claims it’s my destiny to marry a prince, to become the savior of an ancient dragon race, and end a curse that’s left them barren. But Draconia, the isle of dragons, is a maze of ruthless royal courts, treacherous lands, and dark secrets.
With each passing day, my heart is tossed in a tumultuous storm between two princes: the charming future king—my betrothed, and his mercurial brother, who ignites a fire that could raze the entire kingdom.
And I desperately need that inner fire because it’s the key to surviving the deadly Imperia Trials. In this brutal contest, the last dragon standing will reign over our divided kingdom. Beyond love and duty, it’s a battle for survival.
But how does one choose between heart and soul when both could mean certain death?
My thoughts…
For as long as Saphira could remember, she has been hearing a voice inside her head. It was not until during a night out with her friends, Rhodelia and Morgana on her 21st birthday in Las Vegas that she had the opportunity to understand what the voice is about and also about her past life.
After being kidnapped by Ryker to the realm of Terrea in the kingdom of Draconia, she starts to understand that the voice she hears belongs to her dragon and that she has been granted a second chance for the sacrifice she made fifty years prior. It is now her moment to thrive in her rightful world and fulfil the prophecy that will aid both the commoners and the royal family lineage.
This second instalment of the Forgotten Kingdoms series written by G.K DeRosa is a much easier-to-read book than the first instalment. However, both stories share common themes of kidnapping, memory loss, and getting the memories towards the conclusion, along with a slow-burn romance. The key distinction between the two books is that the first centres around enemies-to-lovers, while the second explores a forbidden love story.
I mostly skimmed through the two parts: the story’s introduction, which recounts events similar to those in Las Vegas, and the middle of the story which rehashes information we’ve already covered from the first book regarding the encounter between Rhodelia and Saphire.
The Imperia trials that Saphire must prepare for and partake in bring to mind G.K. DeRosa’s Wolfish Series! If you appreciate stories that revolve around preparation and overcoming challenges, I highly recommend checking out that series! Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed reading Saphire’s adventure and look forward to reading Morgana’s story in the demons’ kingdom!
Of Death & Darkness by Megan Montero
A woman marked by death.
A demon who would send her there himself.
A revolution that will change it all.
Death comes to us all… or so they say. But they never said that’s what I’d become… death. I’d spent my life taking care of everyone else besides myself. I finally let go for one night. One night of freedom. One night of fun. One night to dance my burdens away. But all it took was that one night for me to be thrown into a cruel fantasy world where only the strongest survived.
All I want is to go home and find my sister, the only person who means anything to me, but I’m trapped in this world where the demons use the elements like weapons. Except I don’t have any powers like them, none of the elements bend to my will. But what I do have is lethal and terrifying, people are dropping dead at my feet and I have no idea why or how. To make matters worse, this gift of mine lands me in the King’s dungeon and now the only way out is to enter the competition to be his Queen.
I don’t want to be queen. I don’t even want to be here. But if I don’t compete in this deadly game for his hand then it’s back to the dungeon to rot. My only hope of escape lies in the hands of Lord Avalon. The bane of my existence and the most beautiful man I’d ever seen. He was the one who kidnapped me. He was the one who threw me into the dungeon in the first place. Yet now he was the one I had to convince to help me…and he loathes me with every fiber of his being. I’m no damsel in distress and with every vile word he speaks to me that hatred becomes more mutual. This fire between us is going to burn something to ashes, I just hope it’s not my heart.
Because it’s death if I do and death if I don’t.
My thoughts…
Kingdom of Demons, Isramorta is where the story will take us after a brief recap of the events that unfolded in Las Vegas—events we’ve already encountered in both the first and second books.
However, this time we gain a complete understanding of what truly transpired, including the details about the blood-stained phone that Rhodelia discovered, as well as further explanation of the elevator incident.
I noticed there were some incorrect uses of he/she in the narrative, as well as a typo where ‘food’ was mistakenly written as ‘foot.’ I had to read it twice to ensure I understood it correctly 😂. Aside from that, the story is engaging, featuring a tragic love tale, a feisty heroine, and a hero who holds a grudge over an unverified situation.
My favourite element of the story is the relationship between Morgana and her Ferinx pet, Monty! I love that she has Monty by her side to accompany her in the foreign and treacherous world. But, it’s a pity we don’t get to see an illustration of Monty in the book!
Following Alina’s introduction in this book, I can’t wait to learn more about her journey in the Kingdom of the Fae, especially after her cheeky way of assisting Morgana and Avalon in acquiring the object necessary to defeat Dacio. I’m also curious about the training she has undergone, its purpose, and what her story entails in Las Vegas.
Of Shadows & Fae by Jen L. Grey
A brooding Winter King losing his power.
A found fae princess of Summer Court who has everything he needs.
A tournament that jeopardizes everything.
Kidnapped from Earth and plunged into the heart of Fae court intrigue, I discover a shocking truth—I‘m the true heir to the Summer Court Throne, a crown my sister has claimed in my absence.
But my return is marred by tragedy: the death of a High Court member, leaving a coveted seat that must be filled at once.
With each court required to present a royal contender, the choice falls squarely on me.
As the royal Summer Court’s entrant in the ruthless Comortas, where only one competitor will survive, my lack of powers brands me as the likely first casualty, especially when only the strongest of our kingdom enter.
But the danger of the tournament pales in comparison to one of my rivals—the Winter King. The very one who I’m forced to enter into an alliance with.
He’s the most dangerous of them all and the mortal enemy to the Summer Court. Yet, his icy demeanor and hateful glares hide a storm of secrets and an inexplicable connection that draws me closer.
In the Comortas, every heartbeat could be my last. While I should be focused on survival, the Winter King is the one person who understands me more than I do myself.
But love, in this deadly tournament, isn’t just dangerous—it’s fatal.
My thoughts…
Receiving a mysterious golden ticket to a Halloween party at a casino in Las Vegas is what allows Ivy, previously known as Alina, to return to her rightful world. Fifty years ago, she was the fourth royal who gave up her life to protect the realm of Terrea.
Ivy is the rightful heir of the Summer Court, but after her death, her sister Orla inherited the title. Ivy doesn’t want the title; all that she wants is to return to earth. However, the portal is shut, leaving her with no alternative but to remain in the kingdom of the Fae.
To complicate things further, her sister has nominated her to compete in Comortas—a deadly competition where only one victor will earn a seat on the High Court. Having no memories and access to her powers, how will she survive?
In Of Blood & Nightmares, the first book in the series, it briefly mentions Ivy’s name, but there is no interaction between her and Rhodelia. Just like the previous three books, Ivy is being forcefully taken to the realm of Terrea with no memories of her past life. It would be refreshing to see a twist, such as one of the girls choosing to go willingly🤔.
I am always interested in reading the part where we first encounter the main character from the previous book. I love to see if there’s any additional information or missing parts. As for Ivy, we first read about her in book three, and it doesn’t take long before we get to that part, which occurs in chapter eight, about 23 % into the story.
Throughout the story, I find it entertaining to read the Fae’s reactions to Ivy, whether through her hand gestures, earthy expressions, or clothing choices. I also find her journey filled with challenges to be quite engaging, and her caring personality and mannerisms almost cost her life! The tensions between Ivy and Kieran, the Winter King, also add an exciting mystery!
The only thing I wish to learn more is about the life Kieran led, the period when he was known as Muir. I wonder if he remembers his former life. It sounds interesting! If you love reading enemies-to-lovers stories, challenging trials and fated mate themes, don’t wait any longer, dive into the Forgotten Kingdom series!
Of Elves & Embers by Elle Madison & Robin D. Mahle
A princess bound in flames.
A king living in shadows.
A forgotten vow written in the stars.
When I jetted off to Vegas for a reluctant girls’ weekend, the last thing I expected was to tumble through a portal into an alternate reality.
Now, I’m stuck in a world straight out of a fantasy, collared by a king who can’t stand the sight of me, and roped into a deal he insists I struck in a previous life – a life where I was an Elven princess, arch-rival to his court.
I keep telling myself it’s all a crazy dream, but the memories that barrage me every night are too real to ignore. And, as much as I hate to admit it, there’s this inexplicable pull towards this mysterious elf – my captor, my adversary, and, bizarrely, my protector.
King Hadeon is hiding things about our shared history, and I’m not sure I’m ready to dig into that mystery. Even if I dared, the revelations might be more than I can handle.
With the Moon Court Elves gunning for me and wraiths threatening to destroy everything, I’m racing against time and fate. I need to piece together my past life before it’s too late, and before history decides to repeat itself.
My thoughts…
Of all the books in the series, so far, this one has the slowest pace of them all. There is not much action, only the push and pull of emotions between Ember and Hadeon, the training that is not getting anywhere, and it only gets interesting after Ember’s brother arrives, which occurs well past the halfway mark of the story.
The only aspect of the story in the Kingdom of the Elves that I enjoy is the pets. It’s delightful to witness their interactions, and I wish they played a role in the battle against the wraiths; instead, they simply act as good companions. This is a bit disappointing. However, I’m hoping that the next story in the Kingdom of Mages will not disappoint!
Of Mischief & Mages by L.J. Andrews
A sorceress with lost power to claim the throne.
A royal thief fading to a cursed heart.
A forgotten love that will destroy their world.
When Adira’s crook of a boss sends her to a Las Vegas casino as one of his goons, her world turns upside down and she’s tossed through the gates of a strange, dangerous world of Mage courts and curses.
Disoriented and convinced she’s in a twisted afterlife, Adira is overtaken and robbed by a band of highwaymen whose seductive leader stirs something in her soul.
Soon, royal guards rescue her and believe her to be a powerful blood mage, prophesied to protect the kingdom. But while dining with the mage prince, his drunken stepbrother stumbles in, and Adira recognizes him as the thief who ambushed her in the forest.
As their forgotten pasts intertwine, Adira and a thieving prince may be the only ones who can unravel a spreading degeneration of the Mage kingdom, but enemies of old are rising and it will become a battle between spell casters where one wears the crown and the prize for the rest is death.
My thoughts…
We first read about Adira in the first book. Rhodelia, the first sacrificial woman, accidentally runs into her while desperately looking for Morgana in Las Vegas. However, the scene is not being elaborated further. The second mention of Adira occurs in the Of Elves & Embers book, which can be read in chapter 41.
Adira’s upbringing is somewhat unsettling, and her retrieval differs from that of the previous women. Perhaps, due to the memory issue, the priestess, Abba, has to intervene and assist with her retrieval to the kingdom of Mages.
I favour this story more than any of the previous ones in the series. It strikes the perfect balance of action, magic, friendship, love, and tension. Additionally, it feels unique as we are introduced to two sacrificial characters, Ember and Stella, instead of just one.
Based on what we’ve learned about Stella in this book, it seems intriguing, and I’m excited to learn more, particularly about the one bound by chains, who is Stella’s husband 😄.
The one aspect of the story that bothers me is the death of a specific character. Why did it have to occur? 😢
Of Serpents and Ruins by Jessica M. Butler & J.M Butler
A mischievous seer who can’t remember.
A wrathful king who can’t forget.
A cruel curse that binds them to a twisted fate.
My whole life felt wrong, until one drunken night in Vegas I rescued a koi and wound up dragged into a whole new world.
It has to be a dream, right? There’s magic, shifters, dinosaurs, seers, curses, and the most gorgeous man I’ve ever seen. The powerful tattooed king of the water serpent shifters. He claims that he’s my husband, my one true love, my fated mate.
Just one problem.
He’s been cursed to kill me.
I’m the reincarnated queen of this mystical land. A land dying from a vicious curse placed upon us by the same monstrous creature that cursed him to kill me in cold blood.
We have less than twenty-nine days to end both curses. But my memories aren’t returning swiftly. I’m not who I used to be. Our magic is increasingly unstable, and there are enemies I can’t even see. I don’t know if I can be who I need to be.
And how do you kill an ancient entity who always escapes death and who hates you for what you did in your previous life?
We’re running out of time, and I’m fighting to get to him. Even if he may literally be the death of me. Because I don’t know how life is worth living if I can’t live it with him.
I’d always thought that belonging and being with the one I love would be worth everything…but am I willing to die for it again?
My thoughts…
I thought I had read the toughest challenge in the series, but Stella’s trials are on an entirely different level. She must confront a curse that has plagued the Kingdom of Serpents, inflicted by entities from another world—issues that even the goddess is unable to assist her with. Thus, the story stands apart from the others in the series.
Of Serpents and Ruins introduces us to many characters and creatures, including dinosaurs, along with thrilling adventures and, naturally, a heartbreaking love story! The struggle between Stella and Brandt to remain apart, despite their deep yearning for each other, was truly tormenting!
While I appreciated the plotlines, I found the extensive explanations of the world to be less enjoyable. I would have preferred to read more about Stella’s life history before her reincarnation. Because of this, I struggled to understand the depth of love between the two characters beyond their mate bonds.
Additionally, I felt let down that Stella didn’t fully achieve her badass potential by the end of the story while facing the beings. Nevertheless, thanks to the story, I just recalled the serpent that rescued Rhodelia and Varan.
I hadn’t realized it was Cahji, and I wish the author would have included a segment from Cahji’s perspective, detailing how he came to interact with the king and queen of the Vampires! If anyone is curious about how Cahji saved them, they can refer to Chapter 27 of Of Blood & Nightmares!
Of Claws & Chaos by M. Sinclair
A forsaken wolf princess.
A new king risen to power.
One opportunity to unite their broken lands and love.
Overcome by the exhaustion of her monotonous day-to-day life, all Evera wants is one fun night out. A chance to escape a rigorous work schedule that drains her of all semblance of happiness. When a mysterious portal consumes the air before her and an enigmatic, intense man pulls her through, she wonders if her wish is being granted.
As she’s swept into a foreign, magical land she doesn’t recognize, Evera finds herself separated from the man who pulled her there—a man who not only knew her name, but seemingly everything about her.
Completely alone, Evera treks through a mountainous landscape to reach the Kingdom of Nightfall. With each step, she encounters its foreboding and mysterious qualities, making it clear that she’s not on Earth anymore.
Arriving in Nightfall brings more questions than answers, though, as she discovers that not only does she have royal blood, but there’s a primal magic running through her veins that allows her the ability to shift into a wolf. What startles Evera the most to learn is that she had a life in this world before—with the very man who stole her through the portal: Axel, the King of Nightfall.
Memories begin to resurface, and she quickly recalls that Axel had been the only person she trusted—the only one standing between her and the darkness of her parents’ rule. But has time changed the man who once swore to protect her?
A war is waged between two kingdoms upon news of her return, and Evera is the prize.
A single question wreaks havoc in Evera’s heart: Does she want to belong to anyone at the end of this?
My thoughts…
Evera, the final sacrificial woman, concludes the tales of the Forgotten Kingdom. Like the seven women before her, Evera is an orphan who struggles to make ends meet in her earthly life. Her return to her rightful realm, the kingdom of Wolves, is a true blessing, and unlike the others, she endures less suffering than they did.
Evera’s fated mate is ready with the kingdom and pamper her like a queen. The story is short and uncomplicated. It has a delightful mix of sweetness and spice and features numerous flashbacks to their previous life together. Thus, connecting with these two characters and experiencing their regret and love is much easier.
I really enjoy the author’s writing style, and because of this series, I’ve discovered another author to follow and read their published works!
However, I’m a bit gutted that I didn’t get to see what I had hoped for in the final book of the series. I was hoping all the previous characters would come together for one last celebration or battle, but it just didn’t happen😔.
