The Death-Made Prince: Runewitch Saga, Book 1

Name: The Death-Made Prince: Runewitch Saga, Book 1
Rating: 4.4 (2600 reviews)
Author: Lisette Marshall

by Lisette Marshall

4.4

About this book

Thraga is a runewitch with nothing left to lose. After being sentenced to the gallows for avenging her lover’s murder, her execution is interrupted by an unexpected cellmate: Durlain Averre, a rogue prince and necromancer who is as infuriating as he is lethal. Durlain offers a desperate bargain—he will help Thraga resurrect her fallen lover, but only if she uses her forbidden magic to help him liberate his sister from a rival king’s dungeon.

The partnership is volatile from the start. Thraga loathes Durlain for his connection to the man who destroyed her family, while Durlain masks his own secrets behind a sharp tongue and a cold, necromantic exterior. As they flee from the authorities and navigate a treacherous web of court intrigue, the line between ally and enemy blurs.

The journey forces Thraga to confront the possibility that her past is built on lies, and that the man she is grieving was never the person she believed him to be. Caught in a deadly chase, Thraga and Durlain must rely on each other’s dark, complementary powers, discovering that their mutual animosity may be masking a dangerous, undeniable pull.

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What readers are saying

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thorn of mine

"| fantasy romance | high fantasy | witch x necromancer | rune magic | death-made | fire mage | court politics | morally grey | political intrigue | mystery | secrets | enemies x lovers | quest | single POV | SLOW burn | feminine rage | SPICY | touch her and dxe | OCD rep | nicknames | anxiety rep | forbidden romance | cliff-hanger | plot-twist | one horse | care taking | It’s been a few years since I last read a story by Lisette Marshall, and I was instantly reminded why I love her work. Lisette is a master of weaving together rich fantasy worlds, complex characters, and heart-stopping romance. Lisette builds amazing worlds, develops intriguing characters, and crafts plots full of twists and turns. The final 30% had me wide awake in the middle of the night, anxious, thrilled, but also kicking my feet and grinning like a fool. Lisette truly knows how to build tension and then deliver an ending that causes a complete and utter crash out. The dynamic between Thraga, a rune witch on the run, and Duralin, a necromancing fire mage with secrets of his own, was absolutely electric. Their banter? Unforgettable. The dialogue was brimming with wit, tension, and just the right amount of venom. Underneath all that verbal sparring, though, was a surprising tenderness. A quiet, aching vulnerability that made their connection feel raw and real, while being layered underneath a resistance full of tension and hidden yearning. I especially admired the OCD and anxiety representation woven naturally into the story; it added authenticity and depth without ever feeling forced. The nature of OCD is repetitive, and the reality of anxiety is that it is always lurking beneath the surface. I found the representation to be so realistic and relatable. The world-building was lush, the mystery was gripping, and the slow burn? One of the slowest and most satisfying I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading and experiencing. The story unfolds entirely through Thraga’s POV, but Lisette gifts us a glimpse into Duralin’s mind at the end, truly, a perfectly placed moment that leaves you thirsting for the next book. The Death-Made Prince is everything I want in a fantasy romance: morally grey characters, delicious tension, sharp and cutting banter, and a world that feels alive with magic, secrets, and mystery. It’s easily one of my favorite reads of 2025, and I cannot wait to see what comes next. This is absolutely one of my favorite reads of 2025. I highly recommend The Death-Made Prince by Lisette Marshall. Happy Reading, Friends xx ["

October 19, 2025 Verified Purchase

arienwen

An Unforgettable Fantasy Read

"⭐️3.75/5 stars ⭐️ I can’t, in good faith, talk about this book without mentioning the end. If you are a reader who despises cliffhangers, you might want to add this to your TBR (and you’re going to want to read it) until the sequel is announced, because I am STILL reeling over that ending. This cliffhanger is the cliff that keeps on giving. It’s going to stay with me until the day I get to read Book 2. Why are you going to want to read The Death-Made Prince anyway? First and foremost is the world that Lisette Marshall has created with such a unique and refreshing magic system! I was hooked from the first mention of runes and necromancy. Linguistics is a subject that has always fascinated me, both in reality and in fantasy. Seeing Thraga’s runic witchcraft described as a formulaic language made both my mathematician and reader hearts throb with anticipation. Moreover, I loved Marshall’s take on necromancy - I didn’t realize how literal the “death-made” title for Durlain would be! In The Death-Made Prince, Marshall really does combine a variety of magical elements to create a fantasy world that is hard to leave. But what also makes The Death-Made Prince hard to ignore are the characters. Thraga and Durlain both have their tragic backstories, but it’s what lies beyond their backstories that truly make them stand out. Thraga is a runewitch with OCD and anxiety, and I just have to say that the representation is ON POINT. On the other hand, Durlain is a loveable black cat MMC who tries so hard to be an idiot (and does succeed). While their enemies-to-lovers relationship is a slow, slow, SLOW burn, it makes it all worth it in the “end.” The banter between them is top-notch and had me hooked and invested throughout. There were times when their banter was the only thing that kept me reading. The first 50% was slow and I had some trouble staying invested. BUT, I will encourage any reader who looks at my review to STICK WITH IT. The last 20-30% of the book made it oh so worth it. It really picks up once Durlain and Thraga arrive at the Dawn House (iykyk), featuring secrets, lies, and espionage. Oh, and of course the sexual tension. From then on, the plot moved quickly, and I couldn’t put my Kindle down. And then, there was the cliffhanger. But you already knew that. All in all, The Death-Made Prince introduced a fantasy world that I am loath to leave (even if for a little bit). While the beginning was slow and seemed to drag on, the end was amazing and I do not, and never will, regret reading it. Catch me again when Book 2 is announced… Thank you to Lisette Marshall and the team at Behind the Pages for letting me read an early copy of The Death-Made Prince! I’m honored to give my honest thoughts on this book and support its release. ["

October 19, 2025 Verified Purchase

Dylan Lemox

Fantastic Read!

"🖤”𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒃𝒍𝒆, 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐, 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆.”💜 The Death-Made Prince by Lisette Marshall is the perfect enemies to lovers read!😍🐦‍⬛💜 🖋️Review Thraga lives in a world where runewitches are killed for simply existing. Just hours from being sent to the gallows, a mysterious prisoner shows up and sets her on a path she never thought possible. When these two collide, they are never the same. This book is Lisette’s best work yet! I loved the characters, the story, and the romance. The tension between these two characters was palpable and I ATE IT UP!!! Between the fast-paced plot and the witty banter, I couldn't put this one down. The OCD rep in this book was perfection. I loved how Lisette explored grief and overcoming heartache in this one. From the magic system to the Norse lore this book was such a fantastic read. I cannot wait to read book two and explore more of this story and this amazing world the author has created. And that freaking ending!!! 🤯😳🫢 Do not sleep on this book, it has everything you want in a romantasy and more!!! If you enjoy creative magic systems, yearning and tension that will have you melting and kicking your feet, epic action and adventure, or well thought out complex characters, look no further this book is for you!! Genre: Fantasy Romance Publication Date: October 21st, 2025 Series: Runewitch Saga - Book 1 Pages: 545 ⭐️-5 🌶️-2 Tropes: 🐦‍⬛Both MCs are Morally Grey 🗡️Enemies to Lovers 💜OCD Rep 🐦‍⬛Deadly Quest 🗡️Norse Mythology 💜Necromancer & Witch 🐦‍⬛Slow Burn with Spice And More… 🚨⚠️This book has dark elements and is not suitable for all readers. Please be sure to check the trigger warnings before reading this book!⚠️🚨 ["

October 20, 2025 Verified Purchase

Tea & Tomes

Dark, Twisty, Unforgettable

"Thank you Lisette Marshall for the free gift! I really enjoyed this one, though I did feel it ran a bit long. Some of the pacing dragged, especially near the end where the characters seemed to face one too many “captured by the enemy” moments before the story moved forward again. Still, despite those slower stretches, the slow-burn romance was absolutely perfect. The tension between Thraga and Durlain built so naturally that when their connection finally deepened, it felt completely earned. The worldbuilding was rich and immersive, filled with fascinating magic and political intrigue that felt both original and grounded. The rune-based magic system, in particular, was such a refreshing and creative element. And as always, Lisette Marshall’s characters were layered, flawed, and endlessly compelling. Even with a few pacing hiccups, this story pulled me in completely, and that ending left me reeling. Lisette Marshall continues to prove why she’s one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to see where she takes this series next. It promises to be dark, twisty, and unforgettable. ["

October 22, 2025 Verified Purchase