Title: AsperfellAuthor: Jamie Thomas
Series: Asperfell Trilogy #1
Pages: 515
Publication Date: June 23, 2026
Publisher: ORBIT US
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Fantasy / Romantasy
Synopsis:
A noblewoman with hidden magic. An exiled prince with dark secrets. Only together can they escape their magical prison and save their realm, in this romantic fantasy novel from Jamie Thomas.
Asperfell, legendary prison of mages, is home to violent criminals and demented spirits. No one has ever left.
Briony, as far as she knows, is neither mage nor spirit. Growing up on a secluded countryside estate, she has spent her life removed from the politics of the capital. But after her father is killed for sedition, the vicious King Keric sentences her to death. Only by slipping through the gate to Asperfell can she save herself. To stay alive, she must find the former crown prince, banished there to die years before. He holds the key to finding their way back home.
What she finds beyond the gate is a world of dark magic and darker secrets. Of cryptic whispers and dangerous mages. And, there in the depths, a bleak and broken man with no interest in being rescued. . . .
This blog uses affiliate links for some book recommendations, and if you purchase through them, I may earn a small commission. Thanks for supporting this little bookish corner of the internet!
I didn’t know much about Asperfell when I started it, and it ended up being one of those stories that pulled me in more and more with every chapter. Briony is an easy heroine to root for. She’s intelligent, determined, and super inquisitive, even when she’s thrown into situations that are completely beyond her understanding and control. I liked watching her become more confident as she uncovered the truth about herself and her situation.
Elyan is equally compelling, though he doesn’t come into the story until about a quarter of the way through the book. At first, he’s not the most likeable, especially because he’s not very nice to Briony. Years of imprisonment have left him guarded, bitter, and untrusting. He carries a lot on his shoulders, and it’s clear he’s burdened. There’s so much underneath the tough surface he presents to everyone. As his walls slowly begin to crack around Briony, their relationship becomes one of the strongest parts of the novel.
The romance is definitely a slow burn, and though the transition from enemies to lovers felt a little abrupt, I ended up loving it. Their connection grows over the course of the story and build slowly as they learn to trust and open up to each other. Both have a lot of trauma in their past, and they go through so much more together. Their personalities balance each other well, with Briony’s optimism and determination challenging Elyan’s hopelessness in ways that gradually change them both.
The fantasy elements were another highlight. Asperfell itself is a fascinating setting that feels mysterious, dangerous, and filled with secrets. It was interesting to learn more about it and the people who reside there. I also liked learning about the history of Asperfell, and how each new revelation raised even more questions about its creation and inhabitants. The magic system is well-developed without becoming a massive info dump. I like the seamless way it was all woven into the story, and how it was tied to the kingdom’s politics, fears, and history. I have a feeling they’ll be exploring much more of this world as the series continues, and I’m eager to see where they go on their journey.
The plot is intense from the start and focuses on political plots and unrest, rebellion, uncovering secrets, exploring the prison realm, and piecing together the larger mystery surrounding the kingdom and its past. There are a few twists that I didn’t see coming, though the big reveal wasn’t too shocking.
Overall, Asperfell is an entertaining fantasy with memorable characters, immersive worldbuilding, and a wonderful romance. It’s a character-driven fantasy with rich lore, intriguing mysteries, and a great ending, though I would recommend checking out the content warnings before starting because there are some darker elements. Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
- enemies to lovers
- political intrigue
- slow burn romance
- dark magic
“It’s a funny thing, the truth, is it not? Twist it and bend it and it still retains some semblance of its former self, though it may deceive and mislead.”
