A Court of Thralls and Thorns: Throne of the Blood Fae

The Forth Guild, Book 1

De: Tia Didmon

Narrado por: Naomi Rose-Mock

She wasn't enlisted. She was sold.

Ashe Rebec is a chosen daughter of the Order. A syndicate that runs the criminal underbelly in the Kingdom of Warriath.

Her stepfather has protected and hid her power from the royal court. But when the king places a hefty price tag on commoners with residual fae magic, he cashes in on the windfall, expecting her to join the other healers. And money isn't the only reason he wants Ashe behind castle walls.

As the a newest recruit in the king's elite army she is thrust into grueling trials to determine her elemental powers. And while the king claims to want commoners with magic, his generosity doesn’t extend to the Forth Guild. Testing positive for dragon magic is an affront to every noble in the castle. Especially the kings fourth son, Prince Zander Rayne who is bonded to the largest silver in the horde.

As the war with the Blood Fae escalates, Ashe unravels links to her past, her heritage, and her family's motives—but with a kingdom that wants her dead and her fate tied to a vengeful royal, how can she survive when her deadliest adversary is her own dragon?

Find out what scorches the skies of Warriath by listening to A Court of Thralls and Thorns, the enemy-to lovers, fantasy fiction series listeners are comparing to Sarah J. Maas, Stephanie Garber, and Carissa Broadbent.

One click to start this Fantasy Romance adventure now!

©2025 Tia Didmon (P)2025 Tia Didmon

Great audiobook

I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook it got a great storyline I really enjoyed how well written the story is the author did a really great job writing this story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Life on the edge

This is the first book in The Forth Guild story. I was sucked into Ashe's world from the first chapter. It is full of danger, suspense and challenges that just may kill Ashe. Her father sells her to the king, only to become a dragon rider, if she can keep from her dragon trying to kill her. What I love about Tia Didmon is she writes characters I want to read. I loved that I could get lost in the story and before I knew it the story was done.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Well written, but hard to fully get into

I was expecting a stronger romantic pull earlier in the story. The writing itself is polished, and the author’s voice is confident, with detailed world-building and a well-developed fantasy setting.

However, the romance takes a long time to truly develop. This is a very slow burn, and readers who prefer early chemistry, tension, or emotional connection between the leads may find it difficult to stay invested at first. The story places a heavier emphasis on world-building before the romantic arc really comes into focus.

I also found the plot somewhat hard to follow in places, as a lot of information and fantasy elements are introduced early on, which made it harder to fully grasp the stakes right away. While I appreciate the ambition and craftsmanship behind the story, it took longer than expected for it to fully pull me in.

This book is likely a better fit for readers who enjoy dense fantasy worlds, political intrigue, and an ultra slow-burn romance rather than those looking for a romance-forward romantasy experience.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Wonderful story!

I absolutely loved this adventure and can’t wait to see how the next book starts. Ashe is a young woman who gets to ride dragons and absolutely loves every minute. But her life isn’t easy and won’t be in the future. She does have some great experiences and creates great memories but her story is only just beginning. I definitely recommend this book to everyone who loves a romance story that involves dragons and their abilities.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Strong Characters in a Familiar World

Tia Didmon’s A Court of Thralls and Thorns is an engaging listen, led by a compelling protagonist in Ashe. Her history as an assassin’s daughter and her survivalist grit provide a solid foundation for the performance. The highlights of the audio experience are the "found family" dynamics within the Thrall Squad and the slow-burn tension between Ashe and Prince Zander. The mystery surrounding Ashe’s parentage and the threat of the Blood Fae kept the plot moving with a welcome layer of intrigue.
​Narrator Naomi Rose-Mock did a wonderful job bringing this world to life. Her distinct character voices were impressive; you never felt confused about which character was talking, which made the squad interactions much more enjoyable.
​However, despite the strong narration and character work, I struggled to fully connect with this story. The plot and world-building felt significantly derivative of other popular dragon-rider series, which made it difficult to stay fully immersed in the narrative. While it is a well-produced fantasy romance, the heavy reliance on familiar tropes prevented it from feeling truly unique. It is a capable start to the series, but it ultimately didn’t resonate with me as much as I had hoped.
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