It's hard to start a book off abruptly straight into a big scene without it feeling too much and losing the attention of the reader, but this author dies it beautifully. Unfortunately for me I could not find the connection and found too many contradictions in characters personalities etc. Great idea but found the execution not for me sadly.

Daughter of the Drowned Empire is a new adult high fantasy/romantasy by Frankie Diane Mallis; it is book one in the Drowned Empire series. It follows Lady Lyriana, who is third in line to the Seat of Power in Bamaria, but her position is not one of safety. Her cousin is gone, her sisters need protection, and now so does she. With her plans shaken and on the threat of having to leave her home, she has to take the only option available to her: training to be a Soturion warrior in only seven months. But she’s not alone; Lord Rhyan, an outsider in Bamaria, has to prove himself by helping Lyr get through training. However, this isn’t their only trial because Bamaria is under threat, so are Lyr and her family, and Lyr needs to be strong enough to fight for not just herself and her family but for her country—she cannot fail.

The first few pages had me thinking this was going to be another teen romance, but it quickly took a turn, and my mouth was hanging open as my heart rose to my throat. It was a good lead into getting to know the feeling of the world completely tilting on its axis for Lyr. With every chapter, she becomes stronger, but she is running on fumes and completely ragged, and then she has to put on her clothes, don a smile, and pretend everything is fine. She has no time to breathe because she has so much responsibility and is full of so many real fears. My heart was aching for every interaction she had with Tristan but I got why she was doing it, and that added to my pain for her, and that pain never stopped coming. I was so deeply connected to this character at points; she made me smile, and in these moments I felt like I could breathe, so it wasn’t so intense the whole way through the book, but there were plenty of points and twists that I didn’t predict at all. I have a few theories and predictions for the series as a whole, some of which I believe will come to fruition, but I’m looking forward to seeing the progression of it. We didn’t get much of her sisters in this book, but at the points at which we did, I was stuck on my feelings for them. At first, I felt they weren’t taking into account everything Lyr was doing, but later on, I loved them for giving her the truth she needed to hear – even if she wouldn’t take it. I enjoyed the training aspect of this. I don’t often read books with it, and I always enjoy it, but this is gruelling; you feel her struggle, but the support she’s getting from Rhyan makes it easier even if she doesn’t fully realise he is helping her, keeping her strong in a place that would do anything to see her falter. She is such a strong character; she has had to be; she’s had no choice in it, but she is also a fighter in spirit; she has something to prove to those around her and herself. She’s a protector, a fighter, a warrior, and by the end of the book, I think she’s finally realising she can be. This whole book is a growing period for Lyr with so many ups and downs. It was a thorough journey, and I can’t wait to see how much she grows in book two.

I loved Rhyan’s entry to this book; his first line is something that made me smile so much, and at points he became this anchor for Lyr, and she needed that, but I also think he needed that connection because he’s isolated and just as lonely as she is. We don’t get a lot of Rhyan as this book is from Lyr’s POV, so we find out these small pieces of his history as she does, and my heart aches for him. He is a protector also; you can see him battle between wanting to keep her strong and get her through training but also wanting to care for her and protect her from everyone, even the things she can’t tell him about, and there are so many things she can’t confess. Their partnership hints at a bump due to a revelation, and I felt the pain on both sides of this, but even with this, there is a draw between them, and with their oath, it makes what they have all the much harder—hello, forbidden romance. I enjoyed the small amount of flirtatious banter between them, Rhyan’s confession, and also how soft and understanding he could be with Lyr. He was her support system, and at points, he demanded her focus on him in a way that I knew she needed; she needed to know someone was with her, but he also needed her to know in a way that he was struggling not to step in and help her, battling his control and in a way just like her controlling what ‘they’ see. They both have this strong desire to save people, and I think this comes from no one saving them.

It took me a moment to adjust to a completely new world because I hadn’t read a high fantasy book in a while; thankfully, the world-building wasn’t overly complex, but I wished I had read the appendix first because I felt a bit thrown into the deep end. Nevertheless, I was finally hooked about halfway through the first chapter. I was absorbed into the trials Lyr is suffering through, the strength of someone who seems to be a second from falling apart, fully aware of and yet hasn’t got the chance to. When Rhyan entered, I felt like I could breathe; he sometimes became an anchor for her, but I was still totally lost in Lyr. My heart was in my throat many times. I was waiting to see what else would happen to her and wishing nothing more would. I feel so connected to Lyr’s story and the part Rhyan is playing in it. I have so many theories for what will happen in the Drowned Empire series, and I can’t wait to dive back in; therefore, my rating for Daughter of the Drowned Empire is Five out of Five stars.

If you are a fantasy reader and love it when a character has the weight of the world on her shoulders but needs to keep appearances, gruelling training sessions, invading political affairs, a book that is full of tension and has you constantly guessing and thinking of many theories as to what little things mean, then pick this book up. I was impressed with how gripped I was reading this book, as I don’t often venture into the genre. Daughter of the Drowned Empire tackles a lot of topics such as panic attacks, grief, depression, and, at some points, torture, and if you hate vomiting, you might want to skip some paragraphs. I felt for how Lyr was feeling in this book. I had felt some of the emotions and the pressure, so I think it was an easy marriage for me, but it’s not just Lyr that I loved. Rhyan made me grin every time he called her partner, but he showed so much strength in this book as well. They are both such strong protectors, so I look forward to seeing more of him and their interactions and watching their partnership grow throughout the series, and hopefully, my theory for them comes true. Daughter of the Drowned Empire is such a strong debut for Frankie Diane Mallis!

I want to thank Hodder & Stoughton for allowing me the opportunity to ARC via Netgalley. Daughter of the Drowned Empire releases on 1st August 2024. The quotes I have used may not be in the final released copy of this book.

Lady Lyriana Batavia, the third in line to rule, has found herself in a complicated situation. First, her cousin was executed due to the possession of a forbidden magic, then her two sisters were revealed to own similar of the kind, leaving her alone to save them all. Unfortunately, on her ceremony day, she discovers the truth about herself that, almost, results in her banishment from the Empire, the place she has loved all her life.

The only thing that could force her stay is becoming a soturion. She takes on a most likely impossible task, training with Lord Rhyan Hart (her crush since forever), for she can't be separated from her sisters lest anyone shall discover their secret.

Listen, I don't think I fully comprehend the magic system in this book yet I enjoy it all the same. However, I find Lyr's character to be.... suffocating to put it nicely. I get it that she has a role to play, marriage of convenience seems the best thing to aim for considering the fact that (she feels) she is the one who is meant to be her sisters' savior, but her unending desire for Rhyan just rubs me in the wrong way. And her whining, God, I need the book to be over so bad.

I don't hate the book in general, but I don't love it either. I'm contemplating to pick up the continuation of the series, I genuinely hope she will undergo a major character development in the second book.

This book was a slow introduction to the series. Lots of very unique and intricate world building that took me a minute to get my head around and took several glossary flips and re-read sentences. But god once I did get my head around this world I was IN LOVE. This book had so many different layers to it and built on lots of gripping themes. There was forbidden romance, suspense, political intrigue & unrest, illegal and forbidden magic and a focus on complex forms of abuse. I feel like these characters make such an impact and embed themself in you from book one. They’re multifaceted and complex and there is so much patience and thought that has gone into the character development and exploring the past trauma and motives in this book. Without this there is no way the following books could have been as good as they were as this book really does help you completely immerse yourself in this world and these characters. Book one and I already knew Ryan Hart was going to be a new god tier book boyfriend and I will willingly give him my heart and let him keep it forever. I think there’s so much more to him than you see in this book which just makes you utterly ravenous to read on and explore his character more. The subtle acts of love you see him demonstrate from the get go are just unmatched to anything I’ve read before, they are so delicately scattered throughout the book and made my head feel so warm and fuzzy inside.

The first chapters of the book were captivating and got you into the story quite quickly.

Lyr is such an amazing main character. Her personality is everything- kind, considerate, dedicated and more. She was the one that first got me into the story. I always wanted to keep reading to know what would happen to her.

Her relationship with Rhyan was everything. I loved their banter and care for each other.

The world and the magic system was rather easy to understand especially as it’s not explained only once at the beginning.

I will definitely be reading book 2, as I have LOVED this one. I feel like a lot happened in this one but even more will happen in the next book(s).

Lyriana Batavia is third in line to the Seat of Power in Bamaria. Bamaria falls under the rule of the Lumerian Empire, survivors of a celestial war whose island sank in the Drowning. Now all Lumerians submit to the Emperor and his strict laws about magic. He decides what magic can be practiced and what powers remain forbidden. He decides who will die for possession of forbidden magic.

Every year, those of age must participate in a ceremony that reveals their magic. Those who reveal illicit magic are condemned to death. When Lyr finally comes of age, her ceremony uncovers something else entirely. Something that means banishment from the Empire.

Faced with death in exile, and leaving her sisters behind, Lyr has no choice but to accept a deadly contract. She has seven months to train as a warrior and pass the Emperor’s brutal test of strength—all without magic.

But when she’s forced to train with Lord Rhyan Hart, the man she’s secretly loved since she was a girl—a feared warrior in exile himself, forbidden to her in every way—she’s in danger of losing far more than her family, life, and country.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It took me a hot second to get into the book, but once we got past the two year time skip I was quickly sucked into the book.

At times I did find Lyr annoying and frustrating, especially with some of the decisions she was making - I wanted to yell at her - but they were in keeping with her character. I felt she was true to who she was.

I really appreciated the lack of power Lyr has, now I'm sure in future books she'll probably get a power up, but it's great to have a weak MC. So often the FMC is super amazing at everything right from the get go, so it's really nice to have a training arc that's legitimately a training arc. I can't wait to see how she grows.

At times the world building can be a bit confusing with all the names, but I didn't realise there was a glossary until the end - so that should solve any problems.

There's something about the book that feels different, and I'd definitely recommend a read - especially if you like to see characters grow and get stronger. Also I'm super fascinated to see how the romance works out, it's a part of the story but it's not the main focus!

thank you to netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this arc.

4 stars.

while it took me a while to get through this book, i really did enjoy it. i've said it a million times before–i LOVE slow burns, and this definitely was one. i'm excited to see where this series will take us.

i really enjoyed the characters in this. lyriana was relatable—yes, girl, i also hate running. the main characters were good, the side characters were there, i'm sure we'll get to know all our enemies up close in the next book.
the only thing i had issues with sometimes was the dialogue. sometimes it was a little–and i hate using this word, but for lack of a better term–cringe-y. and i'm so sorry but the "who did this to you" was, apart from being overdone, poorly executed. 😭

but anyway, i really would love to read the sequel, and i would recommend this one to anyone who loves throne of glass-style fantasy with a cool magic system.

What a wonderful book!! I am so mad it took me this long to finally start this series.

From the very start we are introduced to such an intriguing and engaging plot that is filled with twists and turns and non stop action as well as polictical aspects all set amongst some of the most beautiful and descriptive world building that it’s so easy to get a clear understanding of every little detail. I instantly loved Lyr the fmc and her character growth throughout the book the strength that she portrays from the very beginning as she finds herself keeping a secret oath to protect her two older sisters is just so well written. Every character is complex and filled with so much depth and even some mystery and just so well thought out the character development is really beautiful to see.

Of course my favourite is the potential love story that is slowly developing and as someone who loves a slow burn romance I am so invested in this one, the pining and the angst was torturously never ending but I am so here for it and can’t wait to see what’s to come!

I highly recommend the start of what I’m sure is going to be an epic series and I am so excited to find out what’s to come next!

4⭐️

Daughter of the Drowned Empire is the first instalment into the Drowned Empire series by Frankie Diane Mallis.

Following 19 year old Lady Lyriana Batavia, third in line to the seat of power in Bamaria. We follow her story as her life gets turned upside down due her path not going down a route she imagined, unrest within the city (?), different political parties (this isn’t as heavy as it may sound, so don’t fret) and a potential forbidden love interest.

I was and still am, really intrigued by the world, the magic system and very curious to see where the story takes us in the rest of the books.

It definitely gave me Fourth Wing/Throne of Glass vibes and in the best way.

Thank you for Net Galley and Hodderscape for an ARC of this book ✨

I love a good forbidden romance and this one was wonderful! I can't wait to read the next book in this series! Mallis' writing is strong and the characters were wonderful!

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for this eCopy to review

I loved Daughter of the Drowned Empire and stayed up far to late finishing it. An easy to follow empire and magic system we predominately focus on Lady Lyriana (3rd in line to the throne), but their land is in unrest as they do not like her father being the ruler. At her revelation ceremony Lyr is revealled to be powerless after a horrific test to see if she has dark magic Lyr is going to be banished. Using her quick thinking she asks to become a soldier instead. I loved seeing how Rhyan helps her accept her weaknesses and how she helps her sisters.

It was fast-paced, with a good mix of politics, secrets, mysteries, fights, magic and of course romance. I cannot wait for book 2!

This book was a good first instalment, fast paced, good relationship dynamics between the characters. I always enjoy a forbidden romance, and I liked the premise. Lyr hides her sisters forbidden magic but finds out she has none of her own and so she must train as a warrior, so intriguing.
I did find that there was a slow start and perhaps a little info dumping at times but that often comes with a new fantasy, so I appreciated the assistance to understand the complex world building.

This was a great first instalment to the series, the magic is so unique and this world is archaic in its strict laws and standards. Lyr is an interesting FMC, I’m not sure i love her choices when it comes to Tristan, and she’s sitting on the fence of a love triangle which I kind of hate but the laws are restrictive, and this is keeping her apart from the man I think she should choose.

I still think there’s more to Lyr than meets the eye and I hope in book 2 more is revealed.

A new action packed addition to the ever growing romantasy genre that I am sure will become beloved by fans everywhere.

Thanks to Netgalley and Hodderscape for an eARC of this book.

I LOVED this. I'm literally frothing at the mouth for the next book. This was everything I want from the first book in a new romantasy series. It was fast paced, great world building, a magical warrior academy with an FMC that is the underdog and a MMC where giving in to his glaringly obvious feelings is forbidden.

This was delicious. I couldn't get enough of this and I am now obsessed. I couldn't get enough of this, and I am now obsessed and will be recommending this to anyone who will listen.

I definitely recommend for anyone who, like me, has been searching for the feels and the highs that Throne of Glass gave them for the past 10 years.

Unique world building with rich relationships between characters and ALL the political intrigue.

When Lyr discovers she is powerless, she only has one option. Training at the military academy is brutal without magic but all the more so when her father's rule is in question and everyone is out to get her... Except her trainer who she's secretly loved for years.

The world is incredibly interesting but takes a while to get into with the depth of the world building. The appendixs at the back were helpful but unfortunately I only found them at the end.

Lyr is a very interesting character, strong loyalties to her family and her Ka and a resilience that is admirable. I liked how she knew what she wanted and proceeded to do what she could to achieve it.

I seriously enjoyed this book! Gripped from the start, love all the characters, I definitely think this is going to be one of my favourite fantasy reads if the series keep going like this!

I absolutely LOVED everything about this book, it had me hooked from the very first chapter.

This is a fantasy with PLOT, it’s interesting and original. I love that Lyr is flawed and slightly naive at times because her character development in this book in phenomenal.

The romance is also perfection, I’m definitely rooting for her partner - goodbye Tristan!

I struggled to put this book down, it’s addictive and magical.

It was a bit slow to start of with but as a first book I understand the need to dive into the world building!

Excellent slow burn that I really enjoyed, sometimes the FMC decisions would really annoy me but I overall enjoyed reading this!!

Lyr has kept her sister's forbidden magics a secret for years, but when she turns out to have no power of her own, her life is over. Her only chance is to train as an assassin.

This book had a reasonably good premise, but my goodness it was slow. Painfully slow. It took so long to get to anything good, I was bored. I finished the book, but it was a real struggle and I won't be picking up the sequels.

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review