Author: R.L. Caulder

Series: Woven in Time

First Published: 31 July 2025

“I see someone fierce enough to survive this world, and someone kind enough to care for it and its flaws.” 

I will start by saying that I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest review. These opinions are my own. Thank you so much to R.L Caulder for sending a copy my way!

I wasn’t created to love—only to destroy. But fate doesn’t ask permission.

I wake to a world in chaos, the taste of stardust on my tongue and fragments of galaxies burning behind my eyes.

No name. No past. No idea how I came to be here.

In the ruins of a shattered battlefield, they find me wrapped in smoke and splattered with blood that isn’t mine—each of them desperate to decipher who I am and why I’ve been thrust into their war.

They claim to be kings of this world, with the power to protect me.

A wraith who moves like smoke but feels like fire, igniting sparks that dance beneath my skin.
A fae with a silver tongue and lips I ache to trust.
A vampire who drinks desire like wine and vows to ruin me sweetly.
And a shape-shifting predator whose hungry gaze sets my pulse racing, hinting at danger and surrender—if I want it.

They circle me like wolves, drawn to a power and vulnerability they can’t resist. Their heated glances and whispered promises awaken something inside me…a longing that trembles on the line between defiance and desire.

While I may feel the pull of each of them, I know I wasn’t made for their cages, gilded or otherwise. But in a fractured world at war between man and magic, I’ll need allies as I uncover who—and what—I truly am.

As their lustful whispers tangle with my thoughts and their searing touches threaten to unravel me, fragments of my memories begin to surface.

Each of them swears they’ll never let me go.

But they’ll soon learn I wasn’t made to be kept.

Some call me death. Others, salvation.

When I rise, the world will remember what it means to fall.

Touch of Oblivion was a fantastic start to a new why choose, paranormal series. It ended on one of the biggest reveals and cliffhangers that I was left staring at a wall for ages as I tried to process what I had just read. There was a perfect balance between the war plot and the slow-burning romance, which makes this a fast favourite.

Humankind, in its greed, violated agreements with supernatural beings, driven by territorial ambition. Fed up, the shifters, wraiths, fae and vampires join forces to fight back. In the middle of one battle, Wren wakes up. The humans leave her for dead, and no one is willing to risk their life to save her. It’s on this mangled battlefield where Wren meets the four kings—Torryn, the shifter king, Sylivn, the fae king, Azyric, the wraith king and Riven, the vampire king. Wren is drawn to all of them. Desperate for allies to help her discover who she is, Wren is thrust into the middle of their war despite wanting peace. As her purpose and powers reveal themselves, Wren discovers that maybe she’s not the saviour they need.

I normally don’t like the amnesia trope, but I didn’t mind it here. The prologue offered a clue concerning Wren, which piqued my interest in uncovering her nature. Despite being thrown into this world, confused and lost, she isn’t afraid to set her boundaries with the kings. She has the biggest heart. Wren attempts to protect everybody but promptly recognises that true security eludes everyone during warfare.

Torryn, Sylivn, Azyric and Riven have a tentative truce, brought together by a common enemy. Their peace feels tentative, as though one wrong move could lead to infighting because of the animosity and prejudice they have against each other. Torryn is an absolute sweetheart. He’s down to earth and cares deeply for his people. I feel he will be the calm one in the dynamic. Sylvin is our dramatic king with a sly, ruthless side. I love how dramatic he is and 100% gives Howl vibes. Azyric is the broody one. Doesn’t trust Wren—or really anyone. But even when he objects, his shadows are drawn to Wren and will always try to touch her. And then we have Riven. Be still, my beating heart! I know in a why choose romance we aren’t supposed to play favourites, but he might just be mine. Riven—ladies and gentlemen—is why I am and will always be a vampire girly. He is the perfect possessive, secret cinnamon roll hero. Riven quickly attracts Wren, and that intense draw scares her. Riven is equally infatuated with her. He will do anything and everything to keep her at his side, including hiring a chef to teach him how to cook so he can provide for all her needs. This man had me swooning all over the place.

I love how each of the guys shows Wren, in his own way, that he will stand by her despite the people’s objections. Their support is unwavering, and they aren’t above using deadly force to keep her safe. Wren’s romances with each of the kings develop at different paces. Azyric is keeping his distance, hurt that she didn’t choose to stay with him. Her relationships with Torryn and Sylvin are slowly bubbling along. She finds a quiet protector in Torryn. He stands behind Wren as she deals with her erratic powers, showing her support while letting her make the discoveries on her own. Sylvin lavishes Wren with courtly charm that makes her smile. Riven and Wren’s relationship has been a quicker burn. Riven isn’t a patient man and goes after what he wants. Their chemistry is explosive, which leads to some truly hot, steamy scenes. But I adore the quiet moments we get from him, where he does sweet things like run her bath.

These boys do not play nicely together, so it will be interesting to see how this why choose develops after Wren lets them know she doesn’t want to choose between them. We get a hint at what their dynamic will look like when Sylvin creates a cottage for them all to stay in before the next battle. The banter between Torryn, Sylvin and Riven was hilarious. Azyric is being broody and aloof, so I will be interested to see if he comes to the party in the sequel.

I am so intrigued by the world! There are Eternals vibes here, which I am obsessed with. I loved the glimpses we have of all four of the supernatural races. The shifters differ from your typical paranormal shifters as they can shapeshift into multiple animal forms, but only once they’ve connected with that animal’s spirit. The fae have a traditional folklore feel, which I always love to see. They are cruel and dangerous but hide it under their shiny façade. If you enjoy the fae from The Cruel Prince, you will love them. We don’t get a detailed look at the wraiths, but they give shadow daddy energy, which we all know is a fan favourite. And the vampires have the gothic vibes of my dreams. They are dangerous in a sexy way. I’m obsessed.

I don’t say this often, but I think everyone needs to read a Touch of Oblivion. I was hooked from the first page. The ending has left me emotionally wrecked. I’m counting down the days until the next book. I have so many questions that need answering.