The Embrace of Steel and Sorrow
Note: To avoid massive spoilers, it is highly encouraged to read A Touch of Gold and Madness prior to reading the first installment in the prequel trilogy.
Before there was Griffin Silas, there was Chrome Freyr…
Two elite teen Kinetic Warriors must protect the princess at all costs, but they never anticipated that they would both fall in the process.
Chrome Freyr, the greatest Kinetic Warrior in living memory, is only sixteen years old. The only mission on his mind is to protect her—the princess. For reasons he can’t explain, he feels an intense compulsion to save and nurture her, having been drawn to her energy since that fateful day on the playground when he was ten years old. However, King Forest does everything in his power to keep the two apart.
When asked to protect the princess in Chrome’s stead, Slate Helair, a fellow elite warrior, doesn’t hesitate. The plan to remove the king from power depends on the princess’s well-being and strength, so he’ll play his role in fostering her confidence and abilities. However, he doesn’t expect to be drawn in by her simmering fire, which he is unable to resist during her training sessions.
The insurgency is in its infancy stages to permanently remove the king from power in order to spare the world from unfathomable chaos. The members must walk a delicate line to keep their secrets hidden and those closest to them shielded from the king’s wrath. One slip-up could cost them everything they hold dear to their hearts.
The Embrace Of Steel and Sorrow is the first installment of the much anticipated interconnected prequel trilogy to The Celestials of Arcadia series. Leading up to the events of Devolution Day, twists and turns are revealed that lead to the mind-blowing ending in A Touch of Gold and Madness. With themes like angst, warrior bromance, betrayal, forbidden romance, and palace intrigue at the forefront, dive into the tragic past lying within the truths that captured readers of A Touch of Gold and Madness.
The Embrace of Steel and Sorrow is a dark urban fantasy romance centered around heavy topics regarding trauma and mental health. Although the characters are aged as teens, this is not a young adult story. Please be sure to check content warnings before delving into the main characters’ dark pasts from The Celestials of Arcadia. Your mental health is important.
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K.L. DeVore
K.L. DeVore is a writer who knows how to blend the stark beauty of a dark world with the tender complexities of the human heart. Her stories weave a tapestry of intense emotions, slow-burn romance, and the raw realities of trauma and healing. Whether she's exploring the clash of magic and betrayal or the delicate dance between a broken soul and redemption, DeVore's writing offers a window into worlds both haunting and beautifully transformative.
Her debut novel, A Touch of Gold and Madness, opens the door to the Celestials of Arcadia universe—a place where assassins and princes alike are bound by secrets, curses, and the looming threat of chaos. At the heart of her writing are characters who are as imperfect as they are unforgettable. Take Gray Monroe, a princess turned assassin, and Griffin Silas, a tortured prince with a violent affliction. Together, they navigate a path paved with power struggles, secrets, and an undeniable, slow-burn connection.
Celestials of Arcadia: Insurgency
In the heart of the Celestials of Arcadia universe, Insurgency unfolds a tale of rebellion, forbidden alliances, and the harsh truths that shape a world on the brink of war. Set against a backdrop of political turmoil and dark secrets, this prequel trilogy explores the rise of an insurgency that will change the fate of Arcadia forever.
Celestials of Arcadia: Insurgency consists of one book and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of one more book. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
Main series Celestials of Arcadia

