Daughter of the Drowned Empire

Drowned Empire, Book 1

By: Frankie Diane Mallis

Narrated by: Stefanie Kay

Cleopatra meets Fourth Wing in this romantic fantasy series with forbidden romance, political intrigue, and slow burn spice.

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#1 in Historical Fantasy

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Lady Lyriana Batavia is third in line to the Seat of Power in Bamaria: a position of wealth and privilege, but not safety. Bamaria falls under the rule of the Lumerian Empire, survivors of a celestial war whose island sank in the Drowning. Now all Lumerians submit to the Emperor and his strict laws about magic. He decides what magic can be practiced and what powers remain forbidden. He decides who will die for possession of forbidden magic.

Lyr's own cousin was executed for wielding the wrong kind. And for years, Lyr has sworn to protect her older sisters, helping them conceal their own illicit magic.

But when Lyr must participate in the ceremony that reveals her power, she uncovers something else entirely. Something that means banishment from the Empire.

Faced with death in exile, and leaving her sisters behind, Lyr has no choice but to accept a deadly contract. She has seven months to train as a warrior and pass the Emperor's brutal test of strength, without magic.

But when she's forced to train with Lord Rhyan Hart, the man she's secretly loved since she was a girl—a feared warrior in exile himself, forbidden to her in every way—she's in danger of losing far more than her family, life, and country.

Rebel forces, and an invading army, are destabilizing Bamaria, just as her family's secrets threaten to reveal themselves.

Surviving the training, and saving her sisters may mean sacrificing her own heart.

©2022 Frankie Diane Mallis (P)2025 Seven Queens Press

Daughter of the Drowned Empire

there aren't enough words to express just how much I loved this story! The characters, the worldbuilding, everything was perfection!! I cannot wait to read the rest of the series!!

Wow!!! I’m in love!

The “who did this to you?” moment!!! Swoon! And the voice actor said it perfectly, beyond perfectly! I love the main character Lyr, I am so in love with Ryahn, and the world that this author has created is so beautiful and well put together! I’m not sure I’ve ever gotten through an audiobook faster, I just couldn’t put it down!

unfulfilled potential

I found myself getting annoyed at the MC A LOT. There's too much repetative inner dialouge, and she needs to grow up. I was hoping for her to evolve through the book, but no. Maybe in the next? Don't think I'll continue the series. I liked Rhyan, and am curious on his story. I did NOT like all the similar names, and how many times can one repeat the full title of the MC in a book?!Here's a potential in the world and in the plot, but I must say this was not a very good start to the series for me.

Exceptional!

This is truly a breath of fresh air from the usual fantasy story. Amazing action and romance intertwine to tell a brand new story that is breathtaking and wonderfully read by the narrator.

Boring story doesn’t go anywhere

There were way too many damsel in distress vibes and the plot literally stands still. There isn’t even really a cliffhanger. It just kind of ends at a bizarre place. Not worth the read.

Whimpy Sounding Main Character

The story was pretty good. I like the characters. But the narrators voice makes me crazy. The main character sounded pathetic, weak, and on the verge of tears the entire story. I don't think it was the author's doing. I think it's how the narrator choose to portray the main character.

So constantly, as I'm trying to enjoy the story, I'm cringing from the constant bursts of whining. And it was unnecessary. Most of the time the author hadn't written any words to make that whining tone necessary.

Wonderful

This was such a fun listen and I’m so excited to continue this series. The slow burn romance was angsty and great. I loved the magic system and the uniqueness of the whole world and how magic affects life. Definitely worth the listen!

DNF

So much of this was a no for me. To start, her relationship with Christian Tristan is a bit disturbing but mostly unnecessary. A lot of unexplained lore is thrown at you that you have ro just go along with. Then the final straw for me was all the drama! Everything is thrown at the main character which would be fine if she was strong and defiant and given opportunities to overcome them and prove herself but no. She gets beaten down again and again and falls apart every time.

Great New World

Loved the narrator and the introduction to this new world. The audiobook was a re-read for me, and it was excellent! The slow burn is burning and I can’t wait to keep reading.

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING

This book was so good to listen to and I’m happy I did not only did it teach me how to say all these fancy names and cities that Frankie has come up with but I couldn’t stop listening