Realm of Thieves cover art

Realm of Thieves

 Preview

Audible Standard 30-day free trial

Try Standard free
Select 1 audiobook a month from our entire collection.
Listen to your selected audiobooks as long as you're a member.
Get unlimited access to bingeable podcasts.
Standard auto renews for £5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Realm of Thieves

By: Karina Halle
Narrated by: Jack Hart, Saskia Maarleveld, Chris Tester
Try Standard free

£5.99 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for £15.55

Buy Now for £15.55

About this listen

 One of Paste’s Best Fantasy Books of June 2025!

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 doing the unthinkable: 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? Dragons & Mythical Creatures Fantasy Crime Fiction Dragons Heartfelt

Critic reviews

Praise for Karina Halle

"Realm of Thieves should be on every Romantasy lover's 2025 must-read list! Karina has crafted a captivating, magical world full of danger, mystery, romance, and, most importantly, DRAGONS!”—Jennifer L. Armentrout, #1 New York Times and international bestselling author

“Karina Halle always charms.”—New York Times bestselling author Christina Lauren

"Realm of Thieves is as creative, charming, and clever as its spectacular heroine, Brynla. Blending dragons, magic, banter and spice, Halle delivers the perfect romantasy read."—USA Today bestselling author Kate Golden

"Clever. Thrilling. Seductive. An utterly hypnotic adventure that I can't wait to continue."—USA Today and internationally bestselling author K.A. Tucker

"Captivated on page one. This new world is the perfect, gritty place to escape. With heart-racing action and perfect tension, Halle has done it again!"—USA Today bestselling author LJ Andrews

“Realm of Thieves has everything a romantasy reader could want in a story: rival thieves in a black market dragon egg trade, an incredibly unique world of magic and mysteries, and a teleporting dog. Heart-pounding action is perfectly balanced with sizzling romance. I can't wait to continue this series!”—Demi Winters, author of The Ashen Series

"Karina Halle's talent for weaving sensual tales filled with mythology, fantasy and razor-sharp wit continues to delight"—Lucy Eden, author of Love in Bloom

“Jurassic Park [meets] Fourth Wing”—Shelf Awareness

"Halle’s first in a new action-packed, sexy thrill ride is perfect for fans of Rebecca Yarros and Jennifer L. Armentrout."—Library Journal
All stars
Most relevant
3.5⭐️|1.5🌶️

Okay, so I’m usually a total sucker for mafia romances—but you throw dragons into the mix? Say less. I was IN. The first four chapters? Absolute bangers. I was locked in. The vibes? Like How to Train Your Dragon had a dark fantasy baby with Jurassic Park, and then the mafia showed up and asked to be included. Wild. Loved it.

Karina Vale nailed the worldbuilding right out the gate. The Midlands? Danger. The dragons? Not your cuddly ride-or-die pals—straight-up death lizards. The political drama and brewing tensions between kingdoms? Chef’s kiss. There’s even a whole fire cult and magic egg yolks that give you powers (no, seriously—someone get me a dozen, scrambled). Honestly, the magic system and religious elements were super cool, and I loved how science and fantasy got all tangled up.

But then... the middle of the book hit, and the pacing just kind of went “meh.” Like, the momentum from those first chapters? It tripped over a rock and took a nap. I stayed interested thanks to the action scenes, heists, and a magical dog (yes, really), but things slowed way down and the romance? Oof.

So. Brynla and Andor. I wanted to love them. The potential was THERE. She’s jaded and broody and has been through hell. He’s a golden retriever in human form—enthusiastic, overly trusting, constantly wagging his metaphorical tail. We almost had a reverse grumpy/sunshine thing going on, but their romance felt... rushed. Like, there were time skips, and we’re just told they got closer instead of seeing it happen. Insta-love-adjacent vibes. Andor gets weirdly obsessed with her almost immediately. Like sir, calm down, you just met.

And listen—I could maybe overlook all that if not for the aunt scene. Brynla’s aunt (her last living family) is dying right in front of her. She’s literally screaming at Andor to come help. He has healing powers. This man resurrected her DOG. But what does he do? Stares blankly. Keeps interrogating some dude who’s obviously not talking. And when he finally shuffles over, it’s too late. I was FLOORED. And then a week later she’s in the bathtub with him?? I—????

Anyway.

Character-wise, I liked Brynla a lot. She’s tough, smart, and not here for anyone’s nonsense. And yes, shout-out to the period pain rep—felt seen (especially because I read that part while fighting my own monthly boss battle). Andor was fine, just not super memorable. “Lavender girl” was cute, but overall he didn’t stand out for me.

As for the world? Obsessed. The volcanic island full of unkillable dragons, the corrupted convent of murder nuns, the whole egg-magic system—it was all super creative. I wanted more of it. We got glimpses of other nations, cultures, and religions, and I was like, “Yes please! Tell me everything!” But we just kinda skimmed over it. I blame the standalone format—trying to fit a whole romance, political plot, and worldbuilding into one book? It’s a lot. This really needed to be a duology, or part of a series following the same couple. The ending especially felt rushed and a bit unfinished.

Also, I gotta say... some of the dialogue had me blinking in confusion. We’ve got a literal goddess referred to as “the lava lady,” a “cock-blocking doggo,” and the FMC casually calls her plan “improv.” Like, are we in a fantasy world or a BuzzFeed sketch?

Despite all that, I did enjoy it. The dragons were feral and terrifying, the heists were fun, and the world is genuinely cool as hell. Even though the romance didn’t hit for me and the pacing was uneven, I’m still invested in the series. I want more dragon eggs, more cults, more worldbuilding, and—hopefully—more emotionally coherent love interests.

Mafia + dragons + magic eggs = iconic premise. Worldbuilding = great but needs more love. Romance = could’ve used a lil CPR. But the vibes? Immaculate. I’ll be back for book 2. 🐉🔥

Dragons, Mafia, & Magic Eggs? I’m So In.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.