Dragon Blood Curse was an exciting, immersive experience all around, as Butler’s penultimate story brings more mythical characters and magical regions into play with this fantasy action adventure.
Prince Airón and King Tallu have multiple schemes at work and not all are going according to their intended intentions. With their enemies bringing larger powers and armies against them, Airón and Tallu race to find a cure for the deadly curse that affects both brothers. And their own council falls into chaos and loyalties are divided as the enemy attacks.
It’s high politics, subterfuge, magical terrorists, and wars between enemies being waged across their borders and territories, and everything and everyone suffering.
Of course, there’s a prophecy or two, sacrifices that figures mightily in the coming novel, angst and some really great layering of information and people (look to the North) that just ups the stakes here.
No spoilers but this just grabs the reader from start to finish. For me, the relationship between Airón and Tallu is the least compelling element here. So many other great aspects of the series and story to focus on.
Great job. And I love the Spider. Awesome.
Cover by Hannah Latham at oexasart Lettering by Laura at Covers by Aura
The generals that once served Emperor Tallu now pursue us across the continent. General Bemishu and Kacha have made their move and we find ourselves trapped by the role Tallu has been playing his entire life. As we search for allies, the rules of imperial politics force Tallu to act more and more like his deranged father.
Still, we have a hint of hope: somewhere in the dangerous Tavornai swamps, another animalia spins her webs and rearranges fate to her own desires. Can she change ours?
We have one chance to save our lives, one hope at a future that we both so desperately want. With new allies and old nemeses, we have to risk our lives to create a world for our love.
While a reader could certainly enjoy the richness and warmth of Z.S. Diamanti’s Guard in the Garden as the cozy fantasy it’s described as, it’s also a deceptively well written story about a dwarf warrior, the only survivor of his elite unit who has returned from a long ongoing horrible war. He’s suffered a severe physical injury that’s caused a permanent disability that he’s refusing to acknowledge and is at a loss to heal his both his own wounds and deal with his mental struggles with in his new civilian life, such as it is.
For the reader, he represents so many veterans who have returned from similar wars and conflicts, with PTSD, disabilities, and with mental struggles to cope with in fitting into a civilian life and new identities.
The anger, frustration and fear is well documented in Felton Holdum, because he’s unwilling to accept that he won’t be able to get back into his squad and war. That his bonded fantasy winged partner, who perished trying to save him, won’t be revenged. Its pain, and loss and everything Felton had , now gone. And the writer brings us into Felton’s emotional state and we hurt too.
So while we may seem far away from the war and its consequences, and a small town that’s in a state of recovery, this never quite feels like a cozy place. There’s a sharp edge that waits around here, for every sweet moment,a raw piece of powerful reality to offset the tiny bits of everyday sunshine joy.
Because Galium’s inhabitants have been through it, and quietly it’s a place where, in time, Felton finds his own way through his own recovery by helping others through theirs.
It’s a beautiful, remarkable and powerful story. Rich and well crafted. Full of heart and compassion.
I’m highly recommending this. And will read the rest of the series.
Embark on a wholesome journey of healing and self-discovery. A cozy fantasy tale of forging new friendships and overcoming fears. A quiet quest of family bonds and budding romance.
From dragon fire to garden flowers …
Felton Holdum spent his entire life training to become one of Galium’s elite dwarven warriors. When a bloody battle leaves him injured, he has no choice but to move into his eccentric twin aunts’ quaint home in the town’s quiet Garome District.
With his life of military service seemingly over, the captain of the city guard gives Felton his only chance at a fresh start in the new life he never wanted.
But when a human woman barges through his front door, the grumpy dwarf starts to wonder if there is more to life than war. The sunshine woman invites him to visit her garden, where Felton gains a new nemesis and a new purpose in life.
Take a walk through the garden and see what magic awaits.
Come enjoy the hospitality of the whimsical Garome District. Meet new friends as you sample new breads at the bakery, play a game of Castle Brick at the tavern, and taste homemade pies during the annual pie baking contest at the Fall Festival.
Just outstanding. According to Harris, the author had originally intended Brutal Justice to become the finale for the series but this amazing character’s journey has become so complex and layered that one last novel was needed.
Harris with her goal of making this the penultimate narrative, fills this incredible story with so many shocking moments, absolutely stunning twists to the plot that makes sense once you see it but still makes the reader gasp in appreciation and shock that we didn’t see it coming.
This storyline brings Evie back to the trauma that set her on the path she’s taken in life, back to her kidnapping and torture.
Now she’s supported by Robbie, her fiancée and King of Orcs, her staff (and friends) through this journey.
It’s several investigations, and includes one of the most heinous criminals created, Jude Jingo.
The relationship between Robbie and Evie continues to be a very strong one, building on acknowledgement of their roles as well as their commitment towards each other. I love their dynamic.
Other crossover characters play important roles here as well, Amber and Bastion for example.
There’s thrilling, heartbreaking moments, scary battles, and shocking twists. None of which I’ll spoil. I hope no one else will either.
This and the characters are my favorites in this universe. I’ll be so sad when it’s over. But I still have one more novel to go.
What a thrilling read this is! Five stars!
Cover design by Christian Bentulan. Published by Hellhound Press Limited.
The Other Realm Universe: Should be read in order to understand the world and characters .Events and relationships build upon each other.
The Other Realm series
⭐️Glimmer of Dragons- Book 0.5 (a prequel story),
Glimmer of The Other- Book 1, Glimmer of Hope- Book 2,
Glimmer of Christmas – Book 2.5 (a Christmas tale),
Glimmer of Death – Book 3,
Glimmer of Deception – Book 4,
*It is recommended that you read The Other Wolf books 1 to 3 before continuing with
Challenge of the Court– Book 5,
Betrayal of the Court– Book 6
Revival of the Court– Book 7.
⭐️The Other Wolf Series
Defender of The Pack– Book 0.5 (a prequel story),
Protection of the Pack– Book 1, Guardians of the Pack– Book 2, Saviour of The Pack– Book 3, Awakening of the Pack – Book 4, Resurgence of the Pack – Book 5; and Ascension of the Pack – Book 6.
⭐️The Other Witch Series
Rune of the Witch – Book 0.5 (a prequel story),
Hex of the Witch– Book 1,
Coven of the Witch;– Book 2,
Familiar of the Witch– Book 3; and Destiny of the Witch – Book 4.
Death has changed bodies… and justice is about to get personal.
A dead dryad on my medical examiner’s lawn wasn’t how this week was supposed to start. But when I discover the victim was merely the latest body worn by the Other realm’s most notorious criminal, I realise this isn’t just murder.
It’s a possession.
Jude Jingo doesn’t kill the usual way. He steals lives from the inside out, jumping from body to body and leaving corpses in his wake. And now he’s wearing a face I recognise.
A face that’s getting dangerously close to someone I care about.
Officially, I’ve been ordered to close the case. Unofficially? I’m digging deeper. Because when a vampyr tries to gut me in the street and whispers about “orders”, I know this goes far beyond one dead dryad. Someone powerful wants this buried.
But I don’t bury murder.
With my rookie partner covering my back, my bonded bird raising hell, and an ogre king who takes threats against me very personally, I’m stepping off the books to hunt a body-stealing killer hiding in plain sight.
If I’m wrong, I’ll destroy an innocent man.
If I’m right, I’ll have to stop a monster wearing borrowed skin… without killing the man trapped inside.
No pressure.
Immerse yourself in The Other Detective Series – perfect for fans of supernatural crime, featuring a fierce heroine, political intrigue, brutal magic, and a slow-burn romance.
Bring the Heat is the finale of the series, bringing most but not all of the major plot lines to a conclusion.
And the issue is that there’s far too much drama and too many elements to pull off for one book for that to feel completely satisfying.
I absolutely love books 7 and 8, which featured the sisters of the Riders of the Steppe, Elina Shestakova and Kachka Shestakova. Each have their own unique story and voice that still resonates with me. I mean I woke up at night giggling madly thinking about them. Still do.
Then comes this book which tries to capture the relationship development between Aiden and Brannie but that’s overshadowed by a multitude of plots that Aiken is trying to create and then resolve by the end.
Think of a juggler with a number of different balls in the air, each vying for the attention of the audience. Each is important for the act’s success but you can’t concentrate on each individual piece too long because the next is taking its place.
That’s what happens here.
The reader can’t concentrate or connect with any scene or character because just as we get started, Aiken switches to another location, characters and drama. Something totally different is going on, removed from what we were just reading about.
The final battles to win against the Eyeless God and his priests has started. But this book is all over the place. An enormous cast of characters, on all sides and we get their POV’s, so multiple perspectives.
Changes in realms, locations, new kingdoms.
Keita the Viper is off on a covert rescue/assassination mission with Brannie and Aiden and a few of the Mi-runach who are sort of goofy, Queen Annwyl is missing ( huge section here in a new different location), then we’re back with scary Dagmar and her weird family, then the Abomination trio making plans for battle with the Dragon Queen, then Katcha and her crew. And the one-eyed King Gaius, and more. So many more.
I will admit to flipping through a couple of pages because I couldn’t figure out who some of these people were.
The final battle was predictable enough but still satisfying. And there was, as I said, still lots of loose ends about the children, that should the author ever want to revisit this universe she could easily pick up their stories.
My favorite books might just be those about the Riders of the Steppe. A fierce matriarchal sisterhood. Maybe that’s a series we should have. Amazing characters and stories.
And for now, it’s at an end. What a wild fabulous ride!
Highly recommended the series which should be read in the order it is written.
I, Aidan the Divine, am, well divine. My name was given to me by the Dragon Queen herself! I’m a delight! Cheerful. Charming. And a mighty warrior who is extremely handsome with a very large and well-hidden hoard of gold. I am also royal born, despite the fact that most in my family are horrendous beings that don’t deserve to live. And yet, Branwen the Awful—a low-born, no less—either tells me to shut up or, worse, ignores me completely.
SHE SAYS . . .
I’ll admit, I ignore Aidan the Divine because it annoys him. A lot. But, we have so much to do right now, I can’t worry about why he keeps looking at me like he’s thinking about kissing me. We have our nations to save and no time for such bloody foolishness . . . no matter how good Aidan looks or how long his spiked tail is. Because before this war destroys everything we love, we’ll have to face our enemies together. But if we make it out alive, who knows what the future will hold . . .
“In-hiding hedgewitch florist by day. Powerful demigoddess by blood. Shapeshifting immortal by accident.”- book 1 hook
Well, it’s taken seven books to get here but Shifting of the Wild is the story I’ve been waiting for and so, so satisfying.
In all my reviews I’ve made it clear that the character of Caelan has been one I consider a being I’m absolutely not a fan of, especially in the toxic relationship he’s had with Evie. He’s been the epitome of a controlling, dangerous, narcissistic personality who’s only interested in power and dominance.
And the sad, damaging nature of this relationship has been one of the worst aspects of the series. Domestic violence and abuse are front and center here. Cheating and humiliation as well in the previous story.
So this book is where Evie begins with her healing, her understanding of her past relationships , of Caelan, their abusive dynamic , and slowly starting to change and move happily forward.
Shes in Rowan’s territory after the last battles and ordeals suffered in the previous story. The damage incurred is devastating. Physically and emotionally. She’s needed space and time to heal and recover.
And yes, Rowan has been a great favorite of mine. What a great and well balanced character, including his own secrets and powers.
This narrative has multiple layers, including a new huge threat to the world from unknown sources. And Cernunnos and Moira are setting up a new plot and role for Moira with her new powers.
I just love this story, and really want the trajectory of Evie’s new relationship to continue. Fantastic work and series.
When Mother Earth comes calling, you’d better answer the door…
Evie has asked for sanctuary with Rowan, and he’s accepted, allowing her into his territory to lick her wounds and heal. Things are good for a while, until strange occurrences start happening when Rowan and Evie are together.
With similar magic, Evie feels like she’s found a kindred soul in the Shifter Lord, but other forces are about to shatter her rest and respite time and plunge them both into a type of danger they’ve never experienced before.
Someone is poisoning Rowan’s land and attempting to wrest his territory away from him. This time, the Lord isn’t powerful enough to win. But the enemy never counted on the fae heir and Floromancer’s visit, and one thing Evie is very good at is fighting for her friends.
Complications arise when Caelan figures out where she is and attempts to bring her home. But Evie never abandons a friend, and certainly not for a man who wouldn’t fight for her when she needed him to. Between fighting Caelan and fighting for Rowan, Evie is mentally and physically exhausted, something the enemy jumps on.
When the chips are down and the future looks grim, Evie will have to muster all her strength and power to fight back for Rowan, for herself, and to save Mother Earth from total annihilation.
Readers of this series have been waiting on Izzy’s story and finally we get it in How to Drive a Dragon Crazy (Dragon Kin series Book 6) by G.A. Aiken.
Issabail aka Izzy, adopted daughter of Breic the Mighty and true daughter to his mate Talaith, former assassin, powerful Nolwenn witch, has had a long, dark journey with her mother to get to her current life. The reader has been able to see her mother and Izzy through much of their later dark years until they came back together under Queen Annwyn.
And we watched the drama happen between friends Izzy, dragon cousins Calyn, and Éibhear become something that ends up tearing apart the friendship and bond between all of them fracturing.
Now 10 years later, Izzy is the terrifying General of the Eighth, Fourteenth, and Twenty-sixth Legions of Annwyl the Bloody’s army. Shes often accompanied by her best friend, Brannie, a Cadwaladr warrior dragon. And Éibhear the Blue? He’s become Éibhear the Contemptible, a ruthless vicious fighter, part of the feared Mi-runach, a death squad made up of warriors who were problematic elsewhere.
How to Drive a Dragon Crazy brings Izzy and Éibhear together again for a mission that dives deep into both Izzy and her mother’s past in the Desert Kingdom as well as returning characters, Gaius Lucius Domitus, who is ruling the Quintillian Provinces along with his sister,Lady Agrippina.
The real threat and overall series storyline starts to emerge as new religious zealotry appears. Terrific elements that become even more powerful and threatening as the story continues.
But it’s old relationships to be renewed and damage repaired so that as the adults they are now can have a better chance of surviving and being happy.
It’s hilarious, action packed, and as Aiken is so fantastic at, believably layering emotional depths that swings from poignancy to anger to fear and finally to authentic uncertainty. Moments so real that it brings the readers so intimately into these characters journey that we feel everything along with them.
With each story, I always say, this is my favorite, while knowing I’ll feel this way about the next. But I love Izzy. Always have. Branny too.
And seeing her find her own roots. So amazing. Even if the series doesn’t return there, except to smack down Haldane again, this was truly wonderful.
Highly recommended as is the series which should be read in the order it is written.
Sanity is overrated in this “captivating, funny, exciting” fantasy adventure from the New York Times bestselling author of the Scarred Earth Saga (Smexy Books).
Some things never go away, like vile enemies, bad ale, and annoying kin. But I thought I was finished with the one dragon I’d have done anything for: Éibhear the Blue, a big, gorgeous, blue-haired beast who thinks the world belongs to him. The world and, apparently, me.
So if Éibhear wants to play the caring hero and travel into the most forsaken of Gods forsaken lands to protect the one woman who doesn’t need it—namely me—I’ll let him. Because while I’m trying to fulfill a ridiculous
This book was a recommendation so I picked it up to see what I would find. A Dragon Inside is a sweet, unsurprising fantasy novel that includes dragons, dragon riders, princesses and kingdoms in peril. But adds little to the already overwhelming world of books written about this genre.
It’s the first book in a series but wrapped up the first storyline and romance pretty well by the end of the novel. King realizes he has traitor close to him, his sister, the princess helps save the day, by rescuing the dragonrider. Who ends up with the princess.
King also looks to have a HEA too.
There’s a weird magic aspect that unexpectedly occurs towards the end that doesn’t make sense and has no foundation whatsoever laid out for it.
Perhaps it’s coming in the future books.
Some readers might excuse this by saying that the story is meant for YA but all writing, no matter what age the author is aiming for, should have depth in the characters, layers to the world building and intricacies of plot. None of which happens here.
The characters should be entirely believable or engaging enough for the reader to invest their time and emotions.
For me, I thought this was just a simple, sweet, and uncomplicated plot that didn’t ask much of the reader.
If that’s something that you’re looking for, here’s a book and series for you.
This author imo does not compare with KM Shea who was mentioned in the description. Not even close.
Cover art is by Turtle Trails Publishing. Interior art (part two) is by Legowo P. Interior art (after Chapter 31) is by Sidney Brady.
She is a princess. He is chained in the dungeon. They don’t trust each other, but they are Solvar’s only hope for escaping war.
Ellie
When I discovered that my brother imprisoned a dragon rider, I plunged head-first into a whirlwind of political drama, mysterious history, magic, and an alluring prisoner.
Now the secrets I uncovered keep growing deeper. I wanted to save my people from war, but that was only the beginning. My brother and our inheritance complicated everything, and I must find new ways to deal with rebellions, assassinations, and an attraction to an impossible prisoner.
Deryk
I expected to die, but everything changed when the fearless princess swept into my prison cell. Now I must choose between loyalty to my family and dragon or a dangerous trust to an unnerving princess.
It’s been a while since I read this series by G. A. Aiken aka Shelly Laurenston, a favorite author of mine, and I haven’t a clue why it’s been so long. Maybe because I was binging the other series (Honey badgers) of hers and my book budget was just getting out of hand but anyway I’m back and thrilled to be here.
Once you’ve immersed yourself in the world of the Dragon Kin, it’s easy to slip right back into it. But you need to have read all the previous books first because none of these are standalone stories and build upon each other.
Rhona the Fearless, a great character among many strong women or female characters. In this case a dragon warrior who has been not only the one who has been the caretaker of her siblings, raising them in their warrior mother’s absence but a renowned warrior herself, who left her real passion behind for duty and family.
I love her. She’s a tremendous character and all her relationships are grounded in family and friendships, deeply rooted connections that the reader feels are vital to her and the story.
Vigholf the Abhorrent (I really love their names) turns out to be an interesting and unique match for her. One of the Northlands dragons, a Lightning, he’s from the group we’ve known before. They are a rough, tough lot that’s already connected to Queen Annwyn. And with each new story, we get intriguing new additions to the growing fabric of dragons and magical humans that is the Dragon Kin overall series arc mystery.
The two together, as they adventured off on their mission, was a great dynamic. It introduces more of Rhona’s family history and actual current situation. Her dad, the lava dragon blacksmith, the triplets who are amazing in their own ways, it just came together in a very satisfying highly emotional fantasy tale.
And sets up the next one nicely.
Highly recommend reading this entire series. Binge it if you can.
“There’s never a dull moment with these dragons. Fighting! Mayhem! Danger! . . . a fun read” from the New York Times bestselling author (Vampire Book Club).
I was raised for battle. And as the first daughter of a warrior family, I’ve earned my reputation the hard way. Yet now I fight alongside uncivilized male Northland dragons who think a female is only good for breeding and waiting back home in the cave. But it’s the foolish and foolhardy who would try to stop me, Rhona the Fearless, from doing what I do best—destroying the enemies of my kind.
So the smartest thing wily barbarian Vigholf the Abhorrent can do for me is stay out of my way as we risk all on a deadly mission in enemy territory. I don’t care if he’s fascinated by me, even though he is as attractive as he is resourceful. He’s having far too much fun putting me in difficult situations and testing my sense of duty to the limit. And I’m going to enjoy challenging his insufferable confidence, outwitting his schemes, and making him surrender in the wildest ways . . .
Praise for the Dragon Kin Series
“Aiken’s patented mix of bloodthirsty action, crazy scenarios and hilarious dialogue have made this series a truly unique pleasure.”—RT Book Reviews (4½ Stars)
“A chest thumping, mead-hall rocking, enemy slaying brawl of a good book.”—All Things Urban Fantasy
Rating: 3.5🌈
This was a very hard book for me to rate because while I really delighted in this author’s world building and the diversity of the otherworldly creatures and elements of the story, the characters were the issues here.
One, Cinnamon ‘Cinn’ Saunders is a character who shows depths of personality and layers related to his background as the story develops. Cinnamon, definitely a doormat/enabler to a seriously addicted friend, is constantly surrendering his own future and safety to saving him again and again. How you view the author’s writing a character purposely so obtuse about another person’s character will determine whether you connect with Cinn. Because he’s constantly forgiving people for their awful actions against him.
That goes for the other main character, Julien, a son of a wealthy French businessman , who is now part of the hidden government institution in Switzerland that houses and teaches those with special magical abilities, “the moteblessed”. Julien is the most problematic of characters for me. While both have tragic histories, the author uses Julien’s to excuse selfish, egocentric, and frankly, oafish behavior. He has a goal that his other two friends, Elliot and Darcy, are aware of and are helping him to achieve. But it’s extremely dangerous and potentially fatal.
How he achieves it, who he uses, even though his friends warn him against certain actions, doesn’t matter or matter much. That’s a common refrain with Julien. He does what he wants. Others warn him of potential consequences. He thinks about it and does it anyway. And he’s forgiven over and over. Because he has charisma. And a sad background.
Yet he’s supposed to be a fantastic relatable main character and not a person with flags stuck all over his storyline. SMH
What is fantastic here is the system of magic, that “other dark world “ that’s so eerily similar to theirs but not. The fractured moon that hangs above a 1995 London writhing with sentient beings so dark and mysterious, and horrifying. The motes, another intriguing creation, makes this book. Sentient? Just don’t know.
If I continue with the duology, it will be due to the magical realm and the dark realm that pulls me forward. Not the human characters. So probably not.
Book cover design by @the.ravens.touch with artwork by Olga Panfilova
An action-packed MM romance duology featuring magic, mayhem, and two broken boys finding love.
Cinnamon ‘Cinn’ Saunders thought he’d learnt to control his little ghost problem.
That is, until the moment he brings back a malevolent spirit from the shadowrealm, and quickly finds himself unjustly arrested for the murder of four people.
After breaking free of foster care and a stint in juvie, all Cinn wanted to do was keep his head down and work his way up to become a professional chef. Now he’s forced to make a choice: life in jail, or allow a stranger to whisk him away to a mysterious institute in rural Switzerland with the promise of learning how to control his terrifying supernatural abilities.
Julien, the French charismatic charmer who is charged with warding over Cinn, also has a problem: the murder of his sister is still unsolved.
He needs help. Help that only Cinn can provide. He’ll do anything to get it, including making Cinn an offer that he can’t refuse. What Julien doesn’t expect out of the bargain is their undeniable connection, which only serves to complicate matters as they navigate uncharted territories together.
Between battling an uprising of deadly creatures that not only threaten the moteblessed community, but the entire planet, and fighting their ever-growing attraction, can this opposites-attract pair overcome their demons to save the world, and each other?
The Shadows Beyond is part 1 of an MM urban fantasy romance duology, and contains explicit content. Full content warnings can be found within the book and on the author’s website. The overarching plot continues into book 2, with the end of book 1 offering a ‘happy-for-now’ for the main characters.
A Broken Blade, the first book in the completed The Halfling Saga by Melissa Blair, an indigenous writer from Canada, is a fascinating read.
It’s Blair’s first published novel and it’s a dark fantasy that features a bisexual woman protagonist, a Halfing, who’s as layered and realistic as I have read recently.
Starting from the very first paragraph, the reader is drawn into a dark narrative because Keera, the King’s Blade or assassin is also a drunk who is losing her edge.
She’s become a guilt ridden alcoholic, all the deaths of innocents she’s taken on the King’s orders, most her own people, Halflings who only wanted freedom from slavery haunting her in a very specific way. She’s self harming, a cutter.
She’s also in charge of the Shades, a group of assassins of Halfling women, stolen as children and raised to become the monsters they are.
In a dying fantasy world of humans who hate the Fae and Halfings (those who have Fae blood), all of the Halfings physically are owned by the King.
Blair creates a realistic world where the poor are starving, lining the streets with their corpses while the King and his sadistic son live extremely well, shored up by his powerful assassins.
Until an enemy known as the Shadow strikes against the King, and he sends his Blade to find him.
This is a enemy to lovers dark fantasy with the main character having a strong tragic sapphic romantic backstory. The main male character isn’t as well written as she is, and that impacts their dynamics. He’s always a lesser character and while he’s still a good one, this aspect of the story reduces the power of the relationship.
I found Keera a trapped and emotionally haunted character. She’s constantly trying to escape her surroundings only to find that those around her haven’t been truthful.
Whether you as a reader find that is a betrayal to her or not is up to you.
Who and what she actually is remains part of the series mystery. It seems that it isn’t really revealed until the end.
As the series is finished, I did skim over the descriptions of the next stories (I know, bad me), and Keera’s journey is anguished, filled with deep tragedy, and relapse. Some people weren’t happy with the ending.
Was it dark? That would make sense because Keera actually said she should pay for the deaths of the innocent victims.
I don’t know. But as tough a read as this might be, I’ll probably continue reading. The main character is real and damaged by her choices. I’ll see her out.
Is this a series for you? There’s trigger warnings plenty. SA, torture, self harm, violence, alcohol abuse, and other issues. So only you can make the decision.
Keera is a killer. As the King’s Blade, she is the most talented spy in the kingdom. And the king’s favored assassin. When a mysterious figure moves against the Crown, Keera is called upon to hunt down the so-called Shadow. She tracks her target into the magical lands of the Fae, but Faeland is not what it seems . . . and neither is the Shadow. Keera is shocked by what she learns, and can’t help but wonder who her enemy truly is: the King that destroyed her people or the Shadow that threatens the peace?
As she searches for answers, Keera is haunted by a promise she made long ago, one that will test her in every way. To keep her word, Keera must not only save herself, but an entire kingdom.
Fans of fast-paced high fantasy such as A Court of Thorns and Roses series, The Inadequate Heir, and From Blood and Ash author Jennifer L. Armentrout, will enjoy the fierce female characters, sapphic representation, and fantasy romance of A Broken Blade.
Bound By Fate (Blind Fury Book 1) is a new series by Annabel Chase and the first book is a terrific one.
I absolutely love the premise of a paranormal retirement community, along with the attendant issues of its otherworldly residents in their “later, much much later years “ of existence. Witches, vampires who have lived extremely long and rich lives and now live out their lives together. Some lively souls, enjoying their ancient lives while others exhibit significant signs of dementia.
It’s a familiar setting and group made fantastical in a complex and intimate story. One that will flow together with a weekly meeting of cardsharp players and fanatical cliques of pickleball teams. All beautifully written and believable.
Chase treats them with kindness, respect and compassion. These people are layered with degrees of history and poignancy of life at its for some.
The assistant head of their security team is an enigma, Maya August, an intriguing figure herself. She’s in hiding on this retirement island off of Savannah,Georgia. She’s been personally isolating herself from everyone. And that gives Chase ample room for her to develop Maya’s personality and reveal bits about her background as events happen.
And, wonderfully, Chase does this by bringing Maya into the community. She finally fully acknowledges her role as protector and part of them. We are enveloped by their presence as well as Maya’s ability to make her own choices for herself.
But there’s also mystery, murders, and outside forces of power here. One of those includes a person called Zale, someone who will figure into the series.
I love everything about this. The many characters, types of beings, the various mythology the author is introducing (she’s excellent at it), but above all, this realistic yet not retirement community of powerful paranormal beings. All who have issues we can identify with but on extraordinary levels.
I really can’t wait for the next story to arrive.
Btw, HOA’s are still awful no matter what the setting. FYI.
Most people move to a magical retirement island for peace and quiet—and pickleball.
Maya August moved there to disappear.
As the assistant director of security for Evermore Island—a secret community where elderly paranormals fade into obscurity—Maya has built the perfect hiding place. Her days consist of magical mishaps, avoiding the clothing-optional tennis courts, and definitely not getting attached to the island’s strays (feline or otherwise).
Then her boss vanishes. A resident turns up dead. And Maya’s carefully constructed refuge begins to crumble.
She could handle a murder investigation. She’s handled much, much worse. What she can’t handle is the HOA president forcing her back to the mainland after five years in self-imposed exile to meet Vale, the mysterious and powerful figure who’s claimed jurisdiction over her case.
But Maya isn’t interested in playing by his rules or anyone else’s.
Because if Maya can’t solve this case and keep her past buried, there are fates far worse than letting a killer walk free.
Perfect for fans of morally gray heroines, slow-burn tension, and retirement home chaos meets magical noir, Bound By Fate is the first book in the new Blind Fury-urban fantasy series.
Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words 