Dominions Books In Order

Publication Order of Dominions Books

Dominions (Series by Abigail Owen)
Abigail Owen writes the “Dominions” series of epic romantasy novels. It is upper Young Adult and New Adult, meaning ages 18 and up is the intended audience.

“The Liar’s Crown” won a 2023 RONE Award in the Young Adult Romance category. It was a finalist for a 2023 Holt Medallion in the Young Adult Romance category.

“The Liar’s Crown” is the first novel in the “Dominions” series and was released in 2022. Some shadows keep you safe, while others kill you.

Everything about Meren’s life is a lie. As the hidden twin princess that was born second, she just has a single true purpose: to sacrifice her own life for her sister should death come for her. She has been living under the guise of a poor and obscure girl without any standing, slipping into the palace and into the role of the true princess whenever danger is present.

Now the queen has died and the ageless King Eidolon has just sent Meren’s sister a gift, this eerily familiar gift, and a marriage proposal. Meren does not trust him, so she does what she was born to do and secretly takes her place on the eve of the coronation. Which is why, when this figure made out of shadow abducts the new queen, he gets Meren by mistake.

While she attempts to escape, all of her lies start to unravel. And not just her own lies. The Shadowraith that took her has got secrets of his own. While he struggles to contain the shadows that he wields, some other faces, identities which threaten her very life.

Winter is at the walls. And darkness is looming. The only way to save her sister and their dominion is to murder Eidolon, and the Shadowraith that has stolen Meren’s heart.

Meren is such an easy character to want to root for. She has a high sense of loyalty and this desire to want to what is right for all that are involved. Her power is still developing. Reven is an incredibly unique character. He is everything that is good, yet battles pure evil from inside himself. And the novel just ends so nicely as well, it will be interesting to see where a sequel takes the story.

“The Stolen Throne” is the second novel in the “Dominions” series and was released in 2023. Meren’s twin sister is the true queen of Aryd. She survives, by hiding and clinging to life out in the desert, as Meren reigns as the false queen right alongside the monstrous King Eidolon. There is just a single escape from this gilded prison: Reven. Her Shadowriath. And her heart. But only the shadows that he struggles to control grow much more powerful and more sinister.

It is really just a matter of time before they wind up turning on him. And Meren.

Even escape does not mean true freedom, however since they are still on the run from Eidolon’s unstoppable armies. Once they learn that there is a traitor among them, Meren has no choice but to become the queen that she was never meant to be. Because while one evil is hunting her, the other loves her more than himself. And her own fate lies with both of them.

Meren is just as delightful and wonderful as ever, and the writing and world building is stunning as per usual. It’s great seeing other parts of this fantastic world and the characters dynamics change and grow throughout more of Meren’s journey. This is an exciting read, with some great characters, an excellent world, and just enough romance so that things stay interesting.

It is an even better read than the first with an action packed and fast paced plot which delivers on the promise of the first novel in the series. There’s so much more to this one: more plot twists, more action packed edge of your seat type scenes, more history of the different dominions, and the intricacies of the magic system. And there’s more monsters as well.

“The Shadows Rule All” is the third novel in the “Dominions” series and was released in 2024. Darkness is ascending the throne. Let the darkness rise in this breathtaking finale of the #1 New York Times bestselling author’s “Dominions” series.

King Eidolon has taken everything. Meren’s throne, her Shadowraith, and the rest of her kingdom. She is a queen without anybody to rule, and this tattered army that is not even hers. Hope has been fading fast.

Now the shadows, which used to torment Reven live inside her, wheedling and hissing, and entice her to betray all her friends. Which could spell death for them all, because without the wraith she fell for, without Reven, she is all shadows and no light.

The Alignment is almost upon them, the culmination of centuries which have fueled this vengeful king’s festering rage.

They are under-powered and out numbered. Even if they could possibly unleash any of the trapped goddesses, they could succeed in destroying the kingdom and everything that is in it.

This final novel in the series is much bloodier and darker than the first two novels. There are numerous situations where you fear for your beloved and favorite characters. Abigail has you on the edge of your seat just wondering how they would come out the other side. These characters are in constant peril and on the move. This is another stay up way too late, well after your bed time, can’t put it down. It pulls you right in and you are just as desperate to plow through the entire thing as you are to savor it and make the whole thing last a little bit longer. Abigail’s creativity, world building, and imagination are top tier and makes this story that much better.

The story being told here is a perfect balance of palpable tension, exhilarating adventure, unexpected twists, nail biting danger, some deep emotions, and soul touching romance. It’s a twisty windy roller coaster from page one to the last as it begins with intensity and never lets up on you.