Riftborne and the Rise of a Reluctant Power: A romantasy debut that blends tension, magic and found family with a cliffhanger that bites.
Riftborne is a solid beginning to the Esprithean Trilogy by Bree Grenwich and Parker Lennox. There’s a lot of tension, political machinations, and a heroine with skills that are both extraordinary and dangerous. Fia Riftborne is marked, carrying a power she cannot yet control, and that instability draws her into the Sidhe Guard under the command of General Laryk. The story follows her training, her struggle to understand her powers, and the shifting alliances around her.
The book is written entirely from Fia’s perspective and moves at a steady pace. There’s more focus on plot than introspection, but Fia’s personal journey is still at the center of it. Her background informs her answers, her belonging. The story takes a while to explore how discrimination and hope can impact a person’s confidence. It is the friendships she makes that makes it so engaging. “They’re warm and grounded and provide balance to a world of hierarchy and conflict.
The magic system is a highlight. The concept of tethers and the differences between them feels fresh and there is a strong sense that Fia’s powers are far more complex than she understands. The training sequences ground the fantasy elements, giving the story a sense of progression rather than simply infusing it with innate power.
There is romance, but it is carefully managed. The tension is there but this book is more about world building, political stakes and Fia’s growth. Laryk himself is an interesting character, though not always a believable romantic lead. His motivations are unclear and his relationship with Fia sometimes seems more functional than emotional, which may be intentional considering the direction the series appears to be headed.
The book really focuses on the last quarter. The pace quickens, the stakes rise and the cliffhanger lands. It builds the momentum for the second instalment and leaves many strings open to explore.
There is a lot here for readers who like found family, military academy settings, hidden powers, slow burn romantasy, and stories about personal growth. Riftborne isn’t perfect, but it’s imaginative, engaging and full of potential. It feels like the start of a much bigger story and I finished it genuinely curious to know where Fia’s path goes next.
Thank you to Penguin YA for the opportunity to join the readalong of #Riftborne
