Prisoner of Steel and Shadow

The Forsaken, Book 1

By: Meg Anne

Narrated by: Stella Hunter, Shane East, James Joseph

Length: 7 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

A kidnapped queen

A vengeful god has stolen everything from the queen of assassins. Her title. Her power. Her memories.

Even her name.

Now merely a ghost of her former self, Shadow must enter a deadly game and fight for her freedom or risk spending the rest of her life as a madman’s prisoner.

But in order to win, she may be forced to lose what’s left of her true self in the process.

A legendary warrior

Resolved to a life sworn to duty instead of love, Ronan wasn’t prepared when the assassin queen swept into his life. Then as suddenly as she appeared, she vanished without a trace.

After five years he’s no closer to finding her, so when a prophecy offers the first clue to her whereabouts, there’s no question he’ll set off to rescue her. But when they finally come face-to-face, she has no idea who he is. In fact, she seems more inclined to slit his throat than fall into his arms.

When it becomes clear his only chance to save her is to become her enemy and enter the contest, he doesn't hesitate. He’d risk everything to bring her back.

Including his life.

After all, the only reason his heart still beats is for her.

Prisoner of Steel and Shadow is the first book in a brand-new trilogy set in the Chosen Universe. Fans of Sarah J Maas and Jennifer L Armentrout will adore this addictive high fantasy romance.

©2022 Meg Anne (P)2022 Meg Anne

How soon does the next one come out!?

Great narration casting and good new storyline from Meg Anne. Looking forward to the next book.

absolutely loved it

First off I have to say how much I love the narrators that did this story. They make you feel like you are a part of it
Ronan decided to take a little vacation and either find who he is missing, or die trying. What he didn't expect to find was exactly what he did. I don't want to give away spoilers so you need to read it
I absolutely love this book

Ok I’m hooked

First I love the narration. Everyone is pitch perfect. And the story is compelling. I’m ready for more.

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.

Outstanding and Must Listen Series

This first book of The Forsaken series picks up five years after The Keeper's Vow with Ronan's story. He is a changed man, broken and full of darkness, after losing Reyna. We get a small glimpse of what Effie and Lucian have been up to at the beginning of the book before Ronan is headed back out to continue the search. When he arrives in another realm we're introduced to new characters, including my new favorite, Bast. The loveable scoundrel somehow wheedles his way into being Ronan's sidekick and advisor. Their banter is absolutely hilarious and a fantastic bromance ensues. Ronan soon finds Reyna, now called Shadow, and finds she's sworn to protect a familiar enemy. Despite her not remembering Ronan, their chemistry is still off the charts, but he has an uphill battle ahead to make her remember, fight new foes, face an epic challenge, and get revenge against the man who stole her.

The level of thought and detail Meg Anne has put in the Chosen universe is stunning and breathtaking. Quite simply a master class in world building and character development. But, here is where I shake my fist at Meg Anne for another epic cliffhanger. I know by now to expect them, but it still doesn't make them any easier. Especially when it means we have to wait to hear the stellar voices of Stella Hunter, Shane East, and James Joseph. The level of talent these three weild never ceases to amaze and entertain. James Joseph completely steals the show as Bast. I was brought to tears of laughter multiple times.

This is a must listen series, along with the other books from the Chosen universe.

Love finding new series of an author I follow

Loved thus new series of an an author who I have listened to other series that I loved.

More adventures to hear!

Amazing narration as well!!!!

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!

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 😅🫠

Fantastic Fantasy Entertainment

Meg Anne wrote such a satisfying fantasy world that is easy to enter, full of rich characters and exciting stakes. I want more from this author she writes work that is entertaining, full of heart and depth and bubbly steamy tension.

If you love critical role, the Witcher and dungeons and dragons you’ll have a wonderful time with these characters and this world. I was fully invested from the start- that opening!

Also get. The. Audio. This multi cast duet recording is exceptionally produced and performed. James’ range of character work is stunning, Shane’s narrative voice is rumble butter and his Ronan depiction gives Geralt a run for his money- then Stella ices the cake with not only an impressive range of character voices but a smooth, nuanced and effortless performance in her narrative voice and depiction of Shadow.

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 !!!!!