Influencers gushing over 1/3 of a book- gah!

“The part where one of them had to die was an undeniable hiccup.”
I knew to ignore all those 5 star reviews written in exchange for freebies, but the book summary seemed up my alley. And certainly the big picture was Hunger Games meets The Sandman with shades of Thor-Ragnorok. But, this was only a third of a book that started off assuming I’d listened to the original series (The Chosen, apparently) and stopped abruptly without any resolution and with multiple cliffhangers. What follows in my review aren’t spoilers because trust me, no answers are given in the “book,” just lots of questions delivered with entertaining narration and teasingly nifty hooks.

“To be fair, in my fantasy I imagined us with a very different kind of swordplay.”
Near as I can tell, this book picks up five years after the other series, where Ronan maybe died? He was a shield, or The Butcher or one of The Guardians that sound like knights of the round table? The first hour and a half drops you into this fully formed world with no explanation and all these couples from the other series (huh, turns out this is fantasy romance, not just fantasy). These other couples have elemental powers, and one tells Ronan that his love is still alive, yet none of them accompany Ronan to get her back … cause (unexplained) reasons.

“You do know your way around a tentacle, don’t you?”
Ronan then charges off to a magical realm called Empiria or Glimmermere, ruled by a highlord Erevos, who’s like Loki. He finds Reyna, sans memory, and illogically signs up to join her in a Battle Royale where each of five rounds is just Erevos making up challenges and changing the rules whenever. Why is Erevos holding this competition? Why did he give Reyna fake memories and then spend five years trying to get her to love him (instead of giving her the memory that they were already married)? How come Ronan has fire magic but never does anything except show off his hot hands? So many nonsensical plots.

“I dream of soaking my baguettes in your soup.”
Putting the plot aside, I enjoyed the over the top duet narration, even if they were shout-y at times and seemed to be trying to one-up each other with random accents (French, pirate swashbuckler, Scottish and I swear there’s a blah blah blah vampire accent). The comical narration matched the caricature bad guys and buffoonish sidekick Bast (who frankly steals the show). There’s unnecessarily crude F and C bombs, especially considering the made up fantasy exclamations the could’ve been used instead (but that’s how you recognize the really bad guy, right? He calls her a C). And yes, there’s a sex scene to make clear this more of a romance book in a fantasy setting (Shane East gives deliciously growly good times, per usual). The narration and the banter helped me forget all the nonsense plots. But, being sold a third of a book, even on sale, sort of chaps my undies.

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Exciting, amazing audio perfection!

I can’t get enough of this series, and I can’t recommend it highly enough! Prisoner of Steel & Shadow is book 1 in the Forsaken series, which picks up 5 years after The Keeper’s Vow, book 8 in The Chosen series. I wholeheartedly and enthusiastically recommend listening to The Chosen series to fully understand the history and the characters (or at least the Keeper’s trilogy), but it is not required. Ronin is struggling in Reyna’s long absence and has traveled to another realm in his search for her. Throughout The Chosen series Ronin was a strong and interesting character, and I’m so glad we now get his story with The Forsaken. We meet new characters, like Bast, who is the best kind of scoundrel performed impeccably by James Joseph! I just love their bromance as Bast becomes the sidekick Ronin never wanted. Bast is the character I never saw coming and now I’m totally hooked! Their friendship is delightful and really adds depth and humor to this new story that is layered in complex emotions, mysterious plots, an old enemy who has been lurking and planning, and above all a love that will not fade. Meg Anne is a genius at weaving in the angst with exciting action and taking us to a new world with new possibilities for magic and intrigue. I knew what I was getting into when I started this book and still I found myself listening late into the tonight.

The performances by Shane East and Stella Hunter with James Joseph in duet are absolutely amazing with such deep emotions, angst, and brilliant characters of varying accents, ages, and even states of inebriation. Such an absolute joy to listen to them together in duet!

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Came in Swinging and never stoped: ARC/ ALC Review

ARC/ ALC Review

Review for Prisoner of Steel and Shadow

In terms of the story, Meg Anne does a beautiful job laying down the foundation of the main story line, and subplot to Ronan and Shadow’s story. These two plots, DO NOT COMPETE for our attention, rather they are complimentary in nature. It was well paced, with one two punches of serious moments, mixed with humor and a cliff hanger (via the falling action) that will leave you anxiously waiting for book two.

Highlights
Humor: The humor in this book was amazing and perfectly timed. It provided the levity to the story without detracting from the seriousness of the emotional or dramatic beats. A lot of the humor came from the interactions between Ronan and Bast but others had some sprinkled in

The characters: Ronan and Shadow quickly rose to the top of my favorite pairings of the Chosen Universe. Ronan is quite literally the love child of the Dread Pirate Roberts and Geralt. He is flirty, witty with sprinkle of bad boy. If I could picture a smirk, his would be deadly. Shadow is a badass assassin queen. She is intelligent, fiery but just overall sure of herself in many ways, but she isn’t without fault. Again, I love it when a female character has strength, without loosing their vulnerability that we as a reader get to see. It is what I love most about how Meg Anne writes her heroines. Now someone who stole the show for me was BAST. He is just a favorite plain and simple. He has humor, he is honest… ish…and is overall a sass pants.

That spicy scene. Just have a fan ready because oh man, Ronan has a mouth on him, and I am here for it.

Okay, the villain. Let’s just say it. Meg Anne rights hot asshole villains so well. Like I can’t blame the villain’s counterpart whatsoever for wanting to either strangle or sleep with the man.

Narration Review:

Audiobook Magic. That is what happens when you put Stella Hunter, Shane East, and James Joseph in a book together. They have such good chemistry as narrators, and play off each other’s performances, no matter the pairing. For me that elevates not only the writing but also the individual narrators themselves. It makes it impossible for the reader to tune out because they are so captivating.

Stella: What I love the most about Stella voicing the FMCs, particularly in Meg’s world is how well she embodies the character. Her performances elevate the nuances of Meg’s writing for the female character. Some standouts this book: 1) Stella as the judge of the contest between Bast and Ronan. Omg the way she played the floored, enamored and just fawny character had me dying of laughter 2) The moment between Shadow and Ronan, in the alley. Oh how I loved the quick wit in her voice when she ripped him a new one. Fantastic 3) The last two chapters. The vulnerability and just devastation in her voice as Shadow my heart in shambles. Also that sultry voice she used as Luna toward one of the characters… DAMN, it just made what she said all the more potent.

Shane: I think one of the main reasons, aside from the writing, that I fell so hard for Ronan was Shane’s performance. While Ronan does have a hard exterior, he is literally a marshmallow, one that can kill you, but you can tell that he loves hard. To infuse and evoke this type of emotion through a vocal performance, is extremely difficult and it is something that Shane does so well. Some highlights: 1) The bar scene. Drunk Ronan… EPIC. 2)That speech Ronan gives to shadow, broke me sir 3) That hallway scene, was there really a need to go that low and growl?? Blushing doesn’t even begin to cover it.

James: I’ve been having a hard time trying to articulate exactly how I feel about James’ performance simply because it was jaw dropping. He stole the show as Bast. From the accent, the pure sass, and the joie de vivre that he infused in the performance was a highlight for me. Also, James does an amazing hero, but as a villain he is fantastic. Highlights 1) The scene when he wakes up Ronan, favorite thing. It’s the way he is outraged for me. 2) The scene with Erebos and Luna. The way that James lowered his tone… its no wonder Luna wants to throttle and kiss him at the same time! 3) The accent. PURE MAGICK

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Fantastic start to the series 🔥🙌🏾

Get this book asap ! Don’t just take my word for it 🙌🏾.

Meg Anne is back at it again with Ronan’s story – Prisoner of Steel and Shadow ( The Forsaken Book 1) . Before you read this I would suggest that you read the Chosen series first; so you can get the preface and gain an understanding of the characters that make an appearance in this book. I will give you a hint (Effie and Lucian the Keepers). I was super excited to get this one; as Ronan’s character was so significant in the previous books . We get Ronan’s point of view, as he is on a journey of self destruction because the person he valued most was taken from him. Rayna, the assassin queen who has been presumed dead as this story falls in 5 years later from the previous books with Ronan. Grieve stricken with emptiness; Ronan reaches deep within and allows the reckoning to begin. Starting with his alter – ego … ( I will never tell 🤫). Will he need to leave the Circle his position as the Sheild and seek out his one true love, who is not dead?…..😱


Effie, a Keeper, has provided this message of her vision to Ronan, of the so called rumor; but in fact it is all TRUTH . Ronan is on his way home to find what he seeks, and when he does he will make it hurt 🤬! Dark magic, portals and fantasy gives you all the skin prickly feels that pull you in as a listener . I love the back and forth amongst characters in this book . I actually laughed a lot with the interactions between the meeting of the Circle and Effie. Along the way we meet Sebastian “ Bast” and I will tell you , you do not want to miss their interaction. While on his journey Ronan meets the Shadow, a very familiar being and oh boys and girls the plot thickens….

Meg Ann has written one hell of a great beginning to this series and her narrators bring it home with a bang ! Shane East, Stella Hunter and James Joseph are all fantastic . So grab this book, you will not be disappointed. Hey don’t just take my word ! Oh and did I mention the MAJOR CLIFF HANGER !!! Ha leaves you breathless. Enjoy !!!!!

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2022's most captivating soul piercing romantasy

Prisoner of Steel and Shadow is Book 1 of the Forsaken Trilogy in Meg Anne’s Chosen Universe. We pick up 5 years after the Keeper’s Vow and wow do we have ourselves another epic romantasy!

Like all of Meg Anne’s books, it was no surprise that I would love this book. It’s action packed full of humour, slow-burn angsty romance in a mystical world of Empyria to follow another epic love story of Ronan and Reyna/Shadow and features:

Inspired by The Princess Bride
Enemies-to-lovers
Competition to the
Assassins, Mercenaries, and Mages (oh my!)
Delicious villain
Loveable sidekick
Epic banter (#whisperoff)
Glorious cliffhanger
Off the charts chemistry

Reyna/Shadow was mysteriously separated from Ronan and he had spent the last 5 years searching for her and had all but given up hope ever finding her, until Effie told him about a vision that she was in fact alive, but in Empyria, so Ronan sets about on a mission to find his beloved who he does manage to locate, but sadly for him, she has no memory of him or her feelings for him and she goes by the name of Shadow.

As I’ve begun to expect from Meg Anne, we meet some captivating side characters that creep into your heart such as the likeable flamboyant Rogue Sebastian, nicknamed Bast for short and boy does he steal the show. Bast becomes Ronan’s tour-guide in the city of Glimmermere and tells him all about the ruler: High Lord Erevos and discovers that Shadow/Reyna is a loyal servant to him.

Determined to win her back and help restore her memories, Ronan decides to enrol in a “Battle Royale” deadly contest to the death in the hopes that spending time with Reyna/Shadow will help restore her memories of their love.
Although Reyna/Shadow has no memories of Ronan, what they both discover, is she does hold a very strong attraction to him: their chemistry is sizzling! Be warned though the slow-burn is intense and will torment your soul in such an excruciatingly delicious way that is unique to Meg Anne’s writing and I’m so here for it!
Add the talented voice actors of Shane East, Stella Hunter and James Joseph, and you have a multi-cast audio play of epic proportions!
These 3 actors are fast becoming my very favourites and are amazing but continue to get better with every performance.

Stella is the perfect Shadow/Reyna, she captures her emotions as she shifts into the vulnerable Reyna/Shadow who is slowly acknowledging her feelings for Ronan. I absolutely adore Stella she can do no wrong at this point. Her accent work in this is outstanding. She is the queen!

James Jospeh is the perfect Erevos and Bast – his accent work in this is impeccable: we hear Russian, American and French – not to mention the Cockney marathon he and the others pull off in the beginning – it’s astonishing how talented he is to the point where I’m now hoping we end up with a book dedicated to Bast – JJ is that good!

Shane does much of the heavy lifting in this book and portrayal of Ronan is flawless and perfectly captures his emotions as he shifts from heart-broken and broody, to the determined, jovial and seductive lover, desperately trying to stir up emotions from his fated-mate – and Reyna never had a chance what with his signature seductive sonorous tones that can vaporise you into nothingness…he is that exceptionally talented.

Shanes’s accent work in this is outstanding and there are so many in this book: Scottish, Spanish, American and even Australian – which I am a massive fan of – Shane’s Aussie accent is so perfect, I swear he sounds like a natural and that’s high praise coming from an Aussie like me.
Shane’s signature sonorous voice is flawless, not to mention his whispers – he and James Joseph have a whisper off, and while James does well, there is just something about Shane that sets him ahead of the game, his depth of talent is supreme and unmatched.

Overall, I adored this audiobook and I did not want it to end. Be warned though, this does end if a cliff-hanger, so I am impatiently waiting on the next book.
It’s an epic romantasy by a fabulous writing genius author, performed by a talented multi-cast that feels larger than the 3 actors! If I could give this more than 5 stars I would.

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Oh my his voice

Lol so yes great story and Stella is also amazing but Shane East.. I think I may be a little in love with his voice lol it just does something to me 😅🫠

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plot line has some holes!

ok so the narration of this book is absolutely incredible but the plot line of the book has some major flaws the first being why would the heroin even want to join a battle to the death knowing that even if she won she would not be awarded the prize of the contest. The prize being a coveted position of power like that makes no sense at all. secondly the hero of the story gets set up right before the final battle to the death and being late to trial means disqualification why wouldn't he want to be disqualified at that point because continuing the contest would either mean his death or the death of the woman he loves as there can only be one winner left alive at the end. idk if I will continue this series or not the book definitely ended on a cliff hanger but these holes in the plot line kind of make both the main characters seem stupid and moronic.

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I loved every moment!!!!!

Prisoner of Steel and Shadow is the start of another fantastic series!
I loved revisiting old friends like Vonn, Helena and the rest of the Circle plus Effie and Lucien. They band together to send off Ronan to find Reyna. So many interesting moments throughout this book. Erevos playing the long game with his plans for the future. Ronan and Shadow's connection and her fighting that connection, well, for a time anyway. Ronan's Holy shiz moment when he meets Shadow and Erevos for the first time.
Holy...damnnnn moments like the fun flirting in Chapter 18 when they're in the tavern. When he tells her .."you might not meow, but I bet I could make you purr." Ohhh myyyyy! Ronan pulls out ALL the stops! I love all of the characters, even the evil conniving ones.
Of course then there's stuff like the whisper-off in the tavern between Bast and Ronan. Both James Joseph and Shane East really go for it in that scene. Wow! Stella Hunter is so good at portraying the kick butt character of Shadow/Reyna. Honestly, between the three of them and this entire story, I did not want the book to end! Like, I NEED to know what happens next! Eep!

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Great Story!! Wonderful Narration!

This book made me laugh. It is a really interesting story with wonderful narration!! Looking forward to the next book!

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Pleasantly Surprised

I had no idea what I was getting into when I downloaded this book and, when I began listening, I found there were multiple narrators so I was definitely a little skeptical.

I loved this audiobook and I loved the multiple narrators! I always knew who was talking and they just did a really good job kind of acting out the scenes they were narrating.

I’m enjoying the story so far, the world building and magic system are also overall pretty easy to follow and understand. I absolutely love Sebastian! There were so many scenes where I found my self busting out laughing from the banter between him and Ronan.

Overall, I’m enjoying the story and will definitely continue on:)

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