Realm of Thieves (Thieves of Dragemor, #1) by Rhiannon Futch: A Dragon-Fueled Adventure with a Touch of Romance
When I stumbled upon Realm of Thieves, the first installment in Rhiannon Futch’s Thieves of Dragemor series, I was instantly drawn in by the promise of a fantastical world filled with dragons and adventure. As a budding fan of the Romantasy genre, the idea of intertwining romance and thievery sparked my curiosity. However, much like a dragon’s unpredictable mood, this book led me on a whirlwind of emotions—some thrilling and others a bit, well, cringe-worthy.
The story follows Brynla, our fiercely independent female protagonist, who is entangled with Andor, the not-so-charming male lead. From the start, I appreciated Brynla’s strength; she made for a compelling hero in a vibrant world teeming with potential. But as their romantic relationship blossomed, it faltered into something familiar yet troubling. Andor’s possessive and dishonest traits dimmed the spark of their connection. Brynla’s journey from independence to a more compliant role left me feeling frustrated. How is it that a strong character could transform so dramatically when romance entered the picture? It really hindered my ability to root for them, especially when Brynla seemed to forgive Andor’s faults far too easily, diluting the emotional stakes.
What kept me engaged, though, was Futch’s world-building. The pacing felt just right—neither rushed nor sluggish—and the vivid descriptions of diverse locations and intriguing creatures, including the Jurassic Park-esque dragons, were truly captivating. I found myself drawn into the nuances of dragon egg trading, the political intrigues surrounding the suen, and the complexities of the magical wards. These elements could have floated the story on their own, had the plot not become bogged down by excessive antagonists and unclear goals. With various factions vying for power, from dragon egg houses to Andor’s own family, the narrative sometimes felt muddled, diluting the tension and impact of what could’ve been high-stakes heists.
In a way, I found myself wishing for more clever twists and thrilling heist moments—Brynla’s expertise as a thief could have shone brighter if only she had been given the chance. Instead, the blunders made by her and Andor felt more prominent than their triumphs. Even the most intriguing side characters, like Andor’s family members, lingered in the background yearning for development. The lone standout for me was Lemi, the faithful dog, who quickly became my favorite character for reminding me of loyalty amidst the chaos.
Now, let’s talk about the spice factor—this is a Romantasy after all! With a smattering of heated moments, I would rate it a modest 2 out of 5 🌶️ for those looking to spice things up in their read.
In conclusion, Realm of Thieves is a mixed bag of enchanting world-building and frustrating romance. While it holds a lot of potential, especially with its creative concept of dragons and political intrigue, I found myself wishing that the romantic plotline didn’t overshadow the adventure. This book might catch the attention of readers looking for a multi-layered fantasy blended with some romance, but if you’re like me and prioritize strong character dynamics, you might be left yearning for more. Overall, I give it a solid 3 ⭐️s and look forward to seeing how Futch develops this world further in future installments.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of Realm of Thieves. I can’t wait to discuss your thoughts if you decide to dive into this lively, albeit imperfect, adventure!
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