Biblical Fantasy Retellings with Ashton E. Dorow
- MommaSaurus
- Dec 7, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Feb 6
The Royals of Acuniel by Ashton E. Dorow
Quick Summary
Genre: Biblical Retellings, Adult Fantasy, Medieval Romance
Recommended Age: 16+
Possibly Concerning Content: (details below)
🤬 Language: Level 1
❤️ Romance: Level 3
🛡️Violence: Level 4
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Review:
This series is such a wonderful series for anyone searching for faith in their fantasy! With action packed adventure and battles, medieval accuracy, fantastic world building, wonderful characters and great stories throughout, they make wonderful medieval fantasy books on their own. But then add in the prayers and the underlining theme of trusting God that is woven throughout the series and it's just the perfect mix for Christian fantasy readers! Each book is a reimagining of a Bible story, book one is Ester, book two is Ruth, book three is The Prodigal Son, book 4 is Othniel, and book 5 is Deborah. I highly recommend these books but please pay attention to the 'Head-up' section below (especially with Book 4) as some of these books can have heavier themes.
If you like...
Fantasy without magic
Family supporting family
Friends to More Romance (Book 5)
Arranged marriages (Books 1 and 2)
Second chance romance (Book 3)
God given gifts
Divine intervention
The power of prayer
Medieval settings
Books in Series
Book 1: The Peasant Queen
Blurb
"A king haunted by memories of his past... A young woman fighting against her future...
Torn from her home and all that is familiar, Arabella of Caelrith finds herself as the unwilling bride of King Rowan of Acuniel--the man whose vengeful war stole her family. Bitter and confused, Arabella struggles to find her place in this new life. That is, until someone tries to kill the king. Despite repeated warnings to stay out of the matter, Arabella investigates the attempt on Rowan’s life, and his parents’ long ago murder, unconcerned with the potential cost of her interference. But when tragedy strikes, the seriousness of the situation becomes all too clear. Is the price of knowing the truth higher than she is willing to pay? When the fate of the kingdom and all that she holds dear is at stake, will Arabella have the courage to stand against the evil endeavoring to destroy them all? Did God really abandon her when He left her to this fate? Or was she put in the king’s palace… for such a time as this?" - From Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content Guide*
Click on the dropdown icon for details. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language Level 1
None
❤️ Romance Level 3
Kisses and fade to black between married couple
🛡️ Violence Level 4
War/battles
Someone is assassinated
‼️ Heads Up
Past: Death of parents
Grab your copy
Grab a copy on Amazon*
Grab a copy on Bookshop*
Book 2: The Love of a Princess
Blurb
"Princess Adelaide of Acuniel forsook her dreams of a love match the day she agreed to a marriage treaty with the Crown Prince of Trilaria. While nothing like her childhood expectations, her life with Prince Miles is simple, comfortable. But then a plague ravages Trilaria, leaving her a widow and the kingdom without a ruler, and her new life is thrown into chaos. Her mother-in-law begs her to return to her father's house, but Adelaide refuses, pledging to stand by the newly widowed queen and the kingdom she has come to love. No matter what the future may hold.
Two potential heirs are found in the twin nephews of the late king, but only one can ascend the throne. Upon the discovery of critical information, Adelaide's mother-in-law contrives a daring plan to have the right man chosen. Acting on this plan could cost Adelaide everything? Or it could open the door to a future beyond her wildest imaginings." - From Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content Guide*
Click on the dropdown icon for details. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language Level 1
None
❤️ Romance Level 3
Kisses and fade to black between married couple
🛡️ Violence Level 4
War/battles
‼️ Heads Up
Past: Death of husband
Past: Death of adult child
Death of siblings
Complications during childbirth (all survive).
Grab your copy
Grab a copy on Amazon*
Grab a copy on Bookshop*
Book 3: The Runaway Prince
Blurb
"Crown Prince Roland of Acuniel has spent his life living behind the mask of the perfect prince. And it's slowly killing him inside. At his wits end, Roland devises a daring plan to escape royal life and forge a new future on his own terms with his betrothed, Lady Elyse of Dallin, at his side. But when Elyse breaks his heart by refusing to go with him, Roland decides to flee alone, leaving Elyse, his family, and the throne far behind.
He trades his princely mask for a new one–that of the celebrated Sir Tristan, fighting in tournaments and stealing hearts all across the continent. He’s finally his own man and life could not be better. Yet why does he still feel empty inside?
When his new life unexpectedly collides with his past, everything Roland thought he wanted is turned upside down. Did he make a mistake in leaving Elyse and Acuniel behind? And if so, how can he ever return home and face the damage he has caused?" - from Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content Guide*
Click on the dropdown icon for details. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language Level 1
None
❤️ Romance Level 3
Passionate Kisses
🛡️ Violence Level 3
Mock battles though people get hurt
‼️ Heads Up
Past: Thoughts of suicice
Past: Womanizing
Past: Substance abuse: alcohol
Grab your copy
Grab a copy on Amazon*
Book 4: The Warrior Prince
Blurb
"When Prince Gareth of Acuniel accepted orders to bring aid to a neighboring ally, he saw it only as a chance to prove himself a worthy replacement for his errant brother. He never thought it would lead to him falling for his host’s daughter–a beautiful, guarded young woman condemned for her physical disability. Yet Lady Rienna, shackled by secrets and mistrust, has no interest in a romance.
Heartbroken by her rejection, Gareth returns home, ready to put the matter behind him. But his homecoming is far different than expected, and only serves to deepen his wounds.
Nearly a year later, Gareth once again finds himself riding to the Kingdom of Linton’s aid–and this time, the stakes are much higher. Faced with conquering a city in order to prevent Rienna from being given to an abusive man, Gareth knows he must do everything possible to succeed. Rienna may not love him… But how could he ever forgive himself if he left her to such a fate?" - from Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content Guide*
Click on the dropdown icon for details. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language Level 1
❤️ Romance Level 3
🛡️ Violence Level 4
War and battles with injuries described
‼️ Heads Up
Bullying due to deformity
Off page: a side character is sexually assaulted
Prisoners become prisoners of war
Grab your copy
Grab a copy on Amazon*
Book 5: The Princess of Dreams
Blurb
"For eight years, Princess Matilda of Acuniel has carried a heavy secret–her dreams often reveal the future, warning of death or danger. Fearful of this strange gift, Tillie does her best to bury it, instead focusing her energy on her two greatest desires: one, fighting alongside her brothers in battle, and two, winning the heart of Lord Phillip of Dallin. To her everlasting frustration, however, neither desire seems likely to happen. Her father will never consent to her being a soldier, and Phillip has yet to see her as anything other than the little girl he’s always known.
As Acuniel celebrates its three-hundredth birthday, Tillie’s unwanted gift resurfaces in a chilling way. Though she’s remained silent all this time, letting this particular tragedy unfold without trying to stop it is unthinkable.Her intervention begins a series of events that will reveal enemies both old and new, and thrust Acuniel into a war that could change the course of its history forever. Tillie yet has a role to play in all of it–but is it the role she so desires? Or are some dreams destined to remain forever out of reach?" - from Amazon
Possibly Concerning Content Guide*
Click on the dropdown icon for details. May contain spoilers.
🤬 Language Level 1
None
❤️ Romance Level 3
Passionate kisses
Fade to black scene between married couple
🛡️ Violence Level 4
Attempted assassination
War and battles with injuries described
Two horses die (one off page)
‼️ Heads Up
A woman is kissed and groped against her will
A man threatens to assault a woman
Childbirth described in detail with complications (all survive)
Grab your copy
Check out the interview with Ashton E. Dorow
📍*Possibly Concerning Content Disclaimer: I try my best to include all relevant content notes, or possibly concerning content, but I may not catch everything and/or you may feel things are concerning that I do not. Please research individually if you’re sensitive to specific topics/subjects! 📍
Have you read any of Ashton's books yet? Which one was your favorite? (mine is book 2) .
Want to add some P.C.C. we may have missed?
Let us know in the comments or send us a message!
Don't forget to click on a tag below to find more books like this one!
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