Jade Presley’s debut novel in the Never List series immediately establishes itself as a fantasy romance that refuses to play by traditional rules. From the opening pages, where protagonist Rylee Gray finds herself cornered by the menacing enforcer Turner, Presley demonstrates a keen understanding of tension and world-building that hooks readers and refuses to let go. The kingdom of Lumathyst emerges as a character in its own right—a stratified society where social mobility is nearly impossible and the Never List serves as both punishment and mysterious fate for those who dare cross the royal boundaries.
The premise centers around four immortal princes who need a fated mate to unlock their full powers and protect their kingdom from imminent threats. While this setup might sound familiar to seasoned fantasy romance readers, Presley’s execution brings fresh perspective through her complex protagonist and the morally gray world she inhabits.
Character Development: Complexity in Every Corner
Rylee Gray: The Anti-Princess Protagonist
Rylee stands out as a refreshingly complex heroine who defies the typical fantasy romance mold. Rather than being a noble-born woman destined for greatness, she’s an Ashlander—the lowest social class—with a dangerous secret that could destroy everything she’s working toward. Her motivations stem from genuine desperation: finding her missing sister Erin, not romantic ambition or power hunger. This grounding in family loyalty immediately makes her relatable and sympathetic.
Presley skillfully develops Rylee’s character arc through her relationships with each prince. Rather than simply falling into instalove, Rylee maintains her agency and sharp wit throughout her journey. Her ability to challenge each prince while learning from them creates dynamic relationships that feel earned rather than contrived. The revelation of her demi heritage and wind powers adds layers to her character without feeling like a convenient plot device.
The Four Princes: Legends of Chaos Worthy of Their Title
Each prince receives distinct characterization that goes beyond basic archetypes:
- Jax (The Nightmare) – His ability to manipulate emotions could have made him a one-dimensional dark love interest, but Presley explores the burden of his power and how it affects his relationships. His protective instincts and vulnerability beneath the intimidating exterior create compelling internal conflict.
- Pierce (The Mind) – The intellectual of the group whose telepathic abilities are explored with nuance. His relationship with Rylee develops through shared quiet moments and intellectual connection, showing Presley’s understanding that different characters need different types of intimacy.
- Kal (The Fire) – His warmth and ability to fly provide a nice contrast to the darker elements of the story. His straightforward approach to caring for Rylee offers stability in an otherwise chaotic narrative.
- Axl (The Chaos) – His connection to the ocean and more adventurous spirit brings levity and passion to the group dynamic.
The princes’ relationships with each other feel authentic, built on centuries of friendship and shared responsibility. Their willingness to sacrifice their power upgrades rather than risk Rylee’s life in the Athanry ceremony demonstrates character growth and genuine love.
World-Building: A Society of Stark Contrasts
Presley creates a fantasy world that feels both familiar and fresh. The kingdom of Lumathyst operates on a rigid class system that directly impacts the plot and character motivations. The distinction between Ashlanders, Aris, and nobility isn’t just window dressing—it drives conflict and creates real stakes for Rylee’s deception.
The author’s attention to detail shines in smaller world-building elements: the Occuli scribes with their black eyes and purple robes, the magical blasters used by enforcers, and the various cities with their distinct characteristics. The threat from Erithmore and the mysterious Faders group adds external conflict that promises to expand in future installments.
However, some aspects of the magic system and governmental structure could benefit from clearer explanation. The relationship between the kings and princes, and exactly how power transfers work, sometimes feels vague when clarity would strengthen the political intrigue.
Romance Elements: Passion with Purpose
The “why choose” romance framework allows Presley to explore different types of love and connection without forcing her protagonist into an impossible choice. Each relationship feels distinct and necessary to Rylee’s character development. The author handles the physical intimacy with appropriate heat while maintaining character development and plot momentum.
The emotional stakes feel genuine because Presley took time to establish each relationship individually before bringing the group together. The princes’ decision to potentially forgo their power upgrades rather than risk losing Rylee provides a powerful emotional climax that demonstrates their priorities.
Plot Structure and Pacing: Tension Balanced with Character Development
The novel maintains strong pacing throughout its substantial length, balancing action sequences with character development and world-building. The search for Erin provides an underlying mystery that keeps readers engaged beyond the romantic elements. The revelation that Erin is actually alive and involved in the Faders organization sets up intriguing possibilities for future books.
The Athanry ceremony and its consequences create genuine suspense, even though readers expect Rylee to survive for the series to continue. The cliffhanger ending, while potentially frustrating for some readers, effectively builds anticipation for the next installment.
Writing Style: Accessible Yet Engaging
Presley’s prose strikes an effective balance between accessibility and sophistication. Her dialogue feels natural and distinct for each character, while her descriptive passages create vivid imagery without becoming overwrought. The author demonstrates particular skill in writing action sequences and emotional moments with equal effectiveness.
The multiple POV structure allows readers insight into each character’s motivations and internal conflicts. The shifts between perspectives feel smooth and purposeful rather than jarring or excessive.
Themes and Social Commentary
Beneath the romantic plot lies thoughtful exploration of class inequality, family loyalty, and the price of power. Rylee’s status as an Ashlander forced to hide her identity reflects real-world issues of social mobility and systemic oppression. The princes’ desire to reform their kingdom rather than simply rule it suggests progressive themes that may develop further in subsequent books.
The importance of chosen family versus blood family emerges through Rylee’s relationships with both her sister and her friends Ivy and Layce. These connections ground the fantastical elements in recognizable human emotions.
Areas for Improvement
While largely successful, “The Never List’ has some weaknesses that keep it from reaching its full potential:
The political structure and magic system could use clearer exposition. Some plot threads, particularly regarding the Faders and Erithmore threat, feel underdeveloped and serve more as setup for future books than integral story elements.
Certain secondary characters, while serving their plot functions, could benefit from additional development. Turner, for instance, serves as an effective antagonist but remains somewhat one-dimensional.
The length of the novel occasionally works against it, with some scenes feeling extended beyond their narrative necessity. Tighter editing could strengthen the overall impact.
Comparison to Similar Works
“The Never List” fits well within the current fantasy romance landscape alongside works like Sarah J. Maas’s “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series and Jennifer L. Armentrout’s “Blood and Ash” series. However, Presley’s focus on class inequality and her protagonist’s working-class background distinguish it from many contemporaries that feature noble or destined heroines.
The “why choose” romance element places it alongside works like C.N. Crawford’s “The Marked Girl” series, though Presley’s approach feels more integrated into the plot and character development rather than serving primarily as wish fulfillment.
Series Potential and Future Outlook
As the first book in the Never List series, this novel succeeds in establishing a compelling world and character set with room for significant expansion. The cliffhanger ending and unresolved plot threads create anticipation for future installments, though readers should be prepared for an incomplete story arc.
The revelation about Erin and the broader threat from the Faders organization provides clear direction for future books while maintaining focus on character relationships and development.
Final Verdict: A Promising Start with Room to Soar
“The Never List” represents a solid entry into the fantasy romance genre that shows particular promise for future development. Jade Presley demonstrates strong character development skills and creates a world that feels both escapist and relevant. While the novel has areas for improvement, particularly in world-building clarity and pacing, it succeeds in creating an engaging story with likeable characters and genuine emotional stakes.
“The Never List” will particularly appeal to readers who enjoy complex protagonists, multi-partner romance, and fantasy worlds that explore social inequality. Those seeking a complete story arc may want to wait until more books in the series are available, given the cliffhanger ending.
Recommended for readers who enjoyed:
- Sarah J. Maas’s “A Court of Thorns and Roses” series
- Jennifer L. Armentrout’s “Blood and Ash” series
- C.N. Crawford’s “The Marked Girl” series
- Elise Kova’s “Air Awakens” series
- Amanda Bouchet’s “Kingmaker Chronicles”
Content warnings: Sexually explicit scenes, themes of class discrimination, violence, mentions of torture, family separation, and mortality stakes.
Jade Presley has created a fantasy romance that, while not perfect, shows considerable promise and establishes her as an author to watch in the genre. “The Never List” succeeds in creating investment in its characters and world, making readers eager to see where the story leads next.
