REVIEW: Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle

In Realm of Thieves by Karina Halle, Andor Kolbeck considers himself the black sheep of his royal family. Even his heightened abilities from ingesting the suen from dragons’ eggs hasn’t helped him find his place in the family businesses. That’s why Andor prefers to go on adventures of his own. Mostly in search of more dragon eggs to use or sell in his realm of Norland. Then he spots a beautiful lavender-haired woman also in the Midlands searching for eggs with her loyal hound by her side. And Andor knows he must get closer to her. Because as sneaky and talented a thief Brynla Aihr appears to be, there’s something about her that pulls at his heart. While that might be dangerous for him, he doubts it’s any more so than the missions he keeps taking. Perhaps Brynla might want to help Andor in his endeavors going forward. He might just have to insist even if she declines.

“So either you come with me right now and join our side, or you die the same way your father did, hanging from the gallows.”
She gives her head a small shake, eyes narrowing into something so cold I feel it in my chest. She’s a marvel, this one.
“There’s a third option that you’ve forgotten about,” she says quietly.
“And what’s that?”
“That I kill you.”
She grins. Sweet and deadly.
Then she’s at me faster than I can blink.

Bynla spent years trying to escape from a convent full of frightened, silent young women and the elders who warded over them, causing harm in the name of their dragon-worshipping faith. Even after finding freedom in the wastelands of Esland, each day is still a struggle to survive. Becoming a thief was out of necessity. But Brynla finds that she and her dog Lemi are well equipped to traverse the volcanic landscape of the Midlands in search of dragons’ eggs. When she crosses paths with another thief–this one a handsome bearded man who seems to know a little too much about her–Brynla has no plans of cooperating with him. But Andor makes some valid points about being more successful teaming up together. Too bad he had to push his hand and basically take her captive. Brynla thrives on rebellion and knows she’ll somehow find a way to free herself. Although as she gets to know Andor and his friends and family better, she isn’t as gung-ho to leave his side.

‘You’re not supposed to enjoy the company of your blackmailer’s arms.’

With a mafia-type feel blended in alongside epic fantasy–complete with dragons!–and a forbidden romance, REALM OF THIEVES was just what I was hoping for from Karina Halle’s latest novel.

‘I was once his captive, then his thief, and now I am only his.’

CW: View Spoiler »Murder, torture, chronic pain (detailed), parental death « Hide Spoiler

REALM OF THIEVES started off Karina Halle’s Thieves of Dragemor series on a good note. It had the complicated backstories and tangled up relationships I love in her work. And this also had morally grey characters (I mean, they *were* thieves) who were part of a hierarchy much like mafia families with all the intricate double-crossing and lack of trust you would expect. But it was the forbidden romance that formed between Brynla and Andor as well as their hunt for dragon eggs that really made this a page turner–once I got a read on the cast and how their realms worked.

Told from Andor and Brynla’s POV (with the epilogue from Andor’s brother Vidar’s POV), it was honestly quite fun to follow along on their adventures. Danger did abound of course, given that they were thieves. And it could be tough to tell if Brynla or Andor were being fully honest at times. They came from very different backgrounds: Andor came from a wealthy, highbrow family while Brynla was an outcast in her realm. That difference in upbringing and resources made for some tension between the pair. But it was a point of interest as well. Brynla couldn’t imagine what it was like to not grapple with your daily existence, wondering where the next meal or funds were coming from. Andor was fairly awed by how resourceful and smart Brynla was. Not to mention her strength, both physically and mentally. They truly complemented each other well as a couple.

The secondary cast was stellar, as I would expect from Halle. They were quite the assortment of people and pasts. I grew to love Andor’s crew aboard the ship that took them all over the realms on their dragon egg quest and had to smile with how they welcomed Brynla into their fold–once she proved herself worthy of course. And I think Andor’s family’s dynamics will be something readers will enjoy, too. It was so very complex. The four Kolbeck siblings along with their father and uncle I’m sure will continue to scheme and change the course of their future going into the next book which will likely be Vidar’s story. Looking forward to it.

QOTD: Have you hopped on the Romantasy bandwagon yet? If so, have any favorite books or series to recommend?

Book Info:

Publication: Published: June 10th, 2025 | Ace | Thieves of Dragemor #1

Two thieves vie for dominance in the illegal dragon egg trade, putting both their lives and their hearts on the line in this scorching romantasy from New York Times bestselling author Karina Halle.

For Brynla Aihr, crime and survival have always gone hand in hand. Ever since she escaped the fanatical dragon-worshipping cult that controls her homeland, she’s had to carve out a life stealing dragon eggs. Egg theft is illegal and, in most cases, fatal. To breach a dragon’s nest means a harrowing journey through the ancient wards spelled to keep the monstrous beasts confined. Dragons can’t get out and only those with a death wish can get in.

Despite the risks, dragon eggs are highly coveted for their magic. An illegal trade flourishes under competing criminal empires, and Brynla’s loyalty has always been to the highest bidder. Until she finds herself kidnapped and blackmailed by Lord Andor, a formidable lieutenant of House Kolbeck, and thrust into the dangerous political games of rivaling dynasties.

Brynla and Andor clash at every turn, sparking heat in ways Brynla’s never felt before. But in a world that’s prophesized to return to the dragons, and rife with betrayal and secrets at every turn…how close to the flames is she willing to stand?