Where Dreams Fall: A Romantasy cover art

Where Dreams Fall: A Romantasy

Defying Fate, Book 1

Preview

Get 30 days of Standard free

$8.99/mo after trial ends. Cancel anytime
Try for $0.00
More purchase options

Where Dreams Fall: A Romantasy

By: R.L. Caulder
Narrated by: Anthony Palmini, Jacci Prior
Try for $0.00

Auto-renews at $8.99/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $27.01

Buy Now for $27.01

Summary

In a world in which dreams are guarded and nightmares are unsanctioned, one woman's unraveling mind may hold the key to everything the empire fears.

Elysia has spent her life thus far beneath the white clouds of the Dromin elves, protected from nightmares and the Nithrin elves that feed on them—until now. Her dreams have begun to twist into haunting scenes of ancient creatures, death . . . and a mysterious figure cloaked in light and shadow. Elysia suspects he's a Dromin elf breaking multiple laws to appear to her, and his whispered words and lingering touch ignite a spark between them that the gods themselves will soon fear.

When the queen dies and a brutal selection process to replace her begins, Elysia quickly realizes the waking world is fracturing alongside her sleeping one. Women across the empire are offered to the elven high priestess, put forward as potential heads for a crown drenched in blood and lies. Elysia finds herself at the center of the trials, and if she's to survive them, she'll have to decide what she's willing to fight for—and if she can live with the choices she's forced to make. Because only one will be chosen as queen, but all will be broken in the process.

Elysia eventually ascends into the elven world to find the one who stirred her heart is waiting there, but his true identity is far more dangerous than she ever imagined. Choosing each other will mean forsaking the world they're trying to save . . .

Sweeping, perilous, and aching with forbidden passion, Where Dreams Fall is the first book of a dark romantasy series in which love is the most dangerous rebellion of all.

Narrated in duet style.

©2026 R.L. Caulder (P)2026 Podium Audio
Action & Adventure Epic Fantasy Heartfelt Dream
adbl_web_anon_alc_button_suppression_c

Critic Reviews

“The romantasy book of the year! Where Dreams Fall is the kind of book that consumes you. Caulder is a master at transporting her readers to a lush and sexy fantasy world with a nonstop plot and hot-as-sin romance. If this is a dream, please don’t wake me up.”—Sara Cate, New York Times-bestselling author of the Salacious Players’ Club and Wilde Boys series

"A fierce romantasy that's not afraid to show its claws. Pulse-pounding intrigue, delicious romance, and an ending that left me speechless! Where Dreams Fall is everything I want in fantasy romance."—L J Andrews, USA Today-bestselling author of The Ever King and Broken Souls and Bones

“A pulse-pounding descent into a world where nightmares bleed into reality and salvation comes cloaked in starlight. R. L. Caulder weaves terror and tenderness with masterful precision. Elysia’s desperate flight will leave your heart in your throat, only for a velvet-voiced dream-keeper to steal it entirely. Dark, seductive, and utterly addictive, this is fantasy romance at its fiercest. Dive in . . . if you dare wake up.”—C. R. Jane, USA Today-bestselling author of the Spartan Flame and Pucking Wrong series

All stars
Most relevant
The audiobook truly transported me into another realm filled with dreams, nightmares, elves, and magic. Now I’m back in the mortal world just waiting for book two 😭

It was hauntingly beautiful, with dreamy word-building, the storyline was super unique and multi-layered, there was tension and suspense, literally EVERYTHING you could ask for in a romantasy.

I was obsessed with the storyline between the two main characters, my jaw was on the floor towards the end. I am yearning for an update on the main characters but would also die for a prequel or deep dive into the history of this world. AHH.

If you loved Heavenly Bodies by Imani Erriu (my fave), then you’ll also love this!!

The duet narration audiobook was done perfectly as well. Highly recommend listening to this one or immersive reading for the full experience.

“I can choose to feel like a victim of fate, or I can choose to weave my own threads into that fate” 💜

WOW OKAYYYYY !!!! This is how you do a romantasy! 😩🧝🏼‍♂️🔮☁️🗡️👸🏻🕊️💜🌌 ⛰️✨

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

In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.