Tag: first in a series

Review:  Chameleon Assassin (Chameleon Assassin Series Book 1) By BR Kingsolver

 

Rating: 4⭐️

This is another engaging, interesting series by Kingsolver, an author who I automatically follow. I enjoyed this story and the character, a woman assassin/thief raised by her criminal parents in a dystopian world. 

The world building is well established and the society is one that the reader can understand visualize. 

Voted Best Urban Fantasy 2017, it’s very contemporary in its content with corporations ruling over the population, and the Chamber of Commerce at the top. The poor have become even more worse off and the rich elite are obsessed with staying there. 

Kingsolver is best at portraying the lower classes, the castoffs of society, where her spare language is used to maximize the impact of their lack economic status and dire social conditions. The way that Libby, utilizes her mutations (a norm of this world) is fascinating. She’s a rare type, one being a chameleon, perfect in her many roles from assassin to thief. 

Her parents, both great characters as well, are intriguing in their own roles and I look forward to learning more about them. 

The storyline is suspense filled with plenty of action, mystery, and intriguing characters. 

This introduces the reader to her and her world, setting the groundwork. 

My few thoughts about her development was that a character so well trained, and established, especially from a young age, wouldn’t be telling a “friend “ details about a delicate highly confidential heist, one that could potentially cause her death and that of her father. That made no sense. She would have kept quiet.   

This and a few other narrative “mis-steps” took some credibility away from her character. 

Chameleon Assassin (Chameleon Assassin Series Book 1)

 By BR Kingsolver was a fun read and another Kingsolver recommendation.

Cover art by Heather Hamilton-Senter

The Chameleon Assassin Series Chameleon Assassin Chameleon Uncovered Chameleon’s Challenge Chameleon’s Death Dance

Buy link

 Book 1 of 5: Chameleon Assassin Series 

Blurb 

Voted Best Contemporary/Urban Fantasy of 2017 by eFestival of Words

I’m the best thief, hacker, and assassin money can buy. But even I know when a job is too dangerous.

In 2200, corporations rule what’s left of civilization, turning the world into a ruthless battlefield of wealth and survival. The elite live in their walled estates, indulging in luxury, while the mutants, the poor, and the criminals scramble to survive.

That’s where I come in. Need a corporate rival eliminated? A priceless artifact retrieved? A high-security system hacked? I’m your girl—if the price is right.

But even paradise has its problems. A deadly new drug is killing off the elite’s sons and daughters, and the 

Chamber of Commerce wants me to find out who’s behind it. Millions are on the line. Bodies are piling up. And this time, there may be no clean way out.

They think I’m just another player in their game.

They’re wrong.

If you’re ready for a gritty, high-tech thrill ride with a heroine who never blinks, start here

Review: MidLife in Gretna Green (Midlife Recorder Book 1 ) by Linzi Day

Rating: 4.75⭐️

Linzi Day and her fantastic series Midlife Recorder are both new to me. And I’m so very excited and thrilled about this new author and urban fantasy adventure she’s sending me on. 

It’s got everything I look for and love in main characters and world building. Both are complex and realistic in their respective forms and have so much potential for deeper exploration and growth. 

It begins with Niki McKnight, an older woman who has just been widowed and is now mired down in loss. She’s cut herself off from her small group of friends, and she’s bullied by her boss at work. Only her small Maltese dog, Tilly, is keeping her grounded. 

Day paints such a raw, painful portrait of a woman who is so despairing, so lost, unable to breathe,  she’s incapable of movement.  And at this point, she’s hit with one more awful event. A letter from a lawyer with a notice about her grandmother’s death and estate. 

Niki is forced into a reluctant journey that becomes an emotional roller coaster of revelations, magical moments,and intense memories as everything Niki is forced to understand  that she’s been living with a faded life.

Such a richly crafted, intelligent and inspiring story. Time after time, Nike comes to a point where she’s got to make new connections and decisions about her life, where old perceptions have to change and new ones formed. It’s a remarkable journey and the relationships she forges as she grows are ones the reader engages with as well.

So many amazing characters here to connect with and love. That’s including a sentient house whose storyline is as powerful as Niki’s.  What I love is I think the author is giving the readers so many subtle details and elements to think about alongside the amazing storylines that are happening. Tiny little things I puzzle with as scenarios work themselves out. Love that. 

The magical moments and systems are intriguing and I can’t wait to see how they expand as her powers as a Recorder grow. 

This will definitely be a great favorite of mine. And Niki? She’s right there too! 

There is a potential for romance but she’s a widow and the relationship was abusive. She’s in no hurry to go into another relationship. 

She’s building something new here. That’s her focus. And I’m here for every single step of her journey. 

Just outstanding work. 

Gorgeous Covers that absolutely drew me in. 

Cover Design: Axe Designs

Midlife Recorder series:

Midlife in Gretna Green #1

Painting the Blues in Gretna Green #2

Ties That Bond in Gretna Green #3

Seeing Red in Gretna Green #4

Code Yellow in Gretna Green #5

Market Forces in Gretna Green #6

Coming next

Spilling The Tea in Gretna Green #7

Half An Orange in Gretna Greene #8-Oct 30,2026

Buy link

        Midlife in Gretna Green: Cozy Contemporary Celtic Scottish Fantasy (Midlife Recorder Book 1)

    

Blurb 

It’s never too late to learn how to stand up for yourself

Niki McKnight has spent her entire adult life being bullied—first by her husband and then by her boss.

Recently widowed, she’s in dire need of an extreme life makeover. But she never expected it to come in the form of her beloved Gran leaving her a magical Celtic estate and a mysterious new job as a Recorder—whatever the hell that is!

She and Tilly, her adorable Bichon Frise, head to Scotland to claim her inheritance with no freaking clue what’s in store for them.

In Gretna Green, they meet a colourful cast of characters, including a sentient house, talking cat, Celtic god, Fae king and a sketchy lawyer.

Can the woman who wouldn’t stand up to her husband and was bullied by her boss find and wield the authority required to keep Vikings, Pict and Fae royalty in line?

With the help of her family’s psychic gift and some magic – she just might!

MidLife in Gretna Green is perfect for readers who’d enjoy an uplifting story of found family with cozy paranormal fantasy elements. Set in a magical house with a woman who wants to find and use her own voice and finally claim her power.

Publication date

July 4, 2022

Language

‎English

Print length

474 pages

Book 1 of 7

Midlife Recorder

Review: Space Deputy (Interstellar Sheriff #1) by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating: 4⭐️

 Jenny Schwartz, especially her recent work, is an auto read for me. Her world building is detailed, fascinating and imaginative. And her universe is filled with characters that are memorable even if their roles are ones that are secondary in nature, or even just narrative beautifully crafted flashes of beings that make indelible impressions. 

More often than not, these are AI beings, or beings other than humans who capture the reader’s attention and engage with their emotions. 

It’s Harry the Mech and the Interstellar ship, the Lonesome, with their own stories and secrets. I adore them. 

Thelma Bach, the outrider from a mining planet who naively thought she’d overcome the prejudices against her “kind” is a terrific character. I really wanted to know more about her planet, upbringing, the type of society that raised someone like her and her brother Joe.  

This is an area of background I wish Schwartz had explored more. Because the prejudice against “Rockers”, their sort of unique accent is mentioned frequently and a historical context is required here. 

 The masterpiece of the story is the universe building, the types of chemistry, minerals and asteroids mining that’s going on. And how some of the different elements are used in this world. And exploited. By companies, governments and sought after by interstellar pirates.  The political system and layers of bureaucracy seem very realistic and credible. 

Back to the main characters. Thelma who’s in an awful position at the beginning of the book is a resourceful woman. And I appreciate that about her. 

What’s not credible about this book is the romance. It’s a no spice, no chemistry, and imo, ‘where’s the time to actually set up any relationship between them’ sort of romantic dynamic. Blink and they are spouting feelings of love. Without any reason for it. She had no idea. But ok let’s go with it. 

And that’s an issue. Because Thelma is trying to adjust to a new world, new people in whatever form they make take, new jobs including one she’s trying to create for herself, and several galactic or interstellar missions to answer as a newbie. 

So why push a credible woman character into a relationship with her boss , flag of unequal power issues, (who isn’t as multi dimensional a personality as she is) in the first book. Whenever Max appears in a scene, all I see is a generic bland male character. For one who is supposed to be a ex-soldier, dangerous etc, the character comes across as none of those things. I’m thinking he’s my grandmother’s soap operas lead. Not good. 

So the women characters are well done. The romance aspect is puzzling. The world building is everything. Love the supporting cast of characters. Especially the diner owner. Love her!

It’s intriguing enough that I’m going on. It’s a quick read. Which is another win for it.

Interstellar Sheriff series:

Space Deputy # 1

Space Rodeo #2

Space Specter #3

Space Baby #4

Buy link:

 Book 1 of 4: Interstellar Sheriff 

Blurb 

Welcome to the Saloon Sector, Deputy!

Thelma Bach graduated top of her class after four years at the Galactic Justice academy. But she’s a Rock Sector citizen. She was a fool to believe the core worlders would ever allow her to beat them at their own game. She’s been assigned to serve her seven years as a deputy in the Saloon Sector. The message for the Federation’s out-world citizens is clear: you’ll never be our equal, so don’t even try.

The core worlders chose the wrong person to push around.

Assigned to the despised frontier, Thelma will get her revenge even if she has to subvert a sheriff with a mysterious background (one who served with her Star Marine brother – will she be a baby sister forever?), charm artificial intelligences, fight bandits and negotiate with aliens.

It’s not a question of whether Thelma will survive her exile, but whether the Saloon Sector will survive her!

***

If you love hopeful science fiction with strong characters, fast-paced action, and a sense of fun, dive into the Interstellar Sheriff series, now.

Publication date

July 12, 2018

Language

‎English

Print length

220 pages

Book 1 of 4

Interstellar Sheriff

Galactic fiction, science fiction, 

Review: A Knack for Metal and Bone: An Epic Fantasy Steampunk Adventure (The Knack Book 1) by Kim McDougall 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

“A royal tinker and a rogue soldier must unite to stop the monsters threatening their city—and unravel the secrets lurking within it.”

I’ve been incredibly lucky lately as the books I’ve grabbed up by “new to me” authors have turned out to be fabulous novels and, in some cases, great series. This is one of those. 

I wasn’t familiar with Kim McDougall before but she’s firmly in my TBR list now.  A Knack for Metal and Bone, the first in her series, The Knack, is a fantastic steampunk fantasy novel. Inventive, full of magnificent characters and epic storytelling, once I started I couldn’t put it down. 

The characters are richly detailed and beautifully crafted in their variety of backgrounds and forms. From mech to shifters to elves to extraordinary creatures that emerge from the Meadow, the world is full of characters the engage both mind and heart with their journey and their own unique abilities. 

Rowan is one I count as my favorite character and a uniquely crafted hero in this genre. She’s a royal princess who prefers her mechanics and workshop, avoiding her role in society and court. She’s a mech engineer, with a unique talent and touch, one that comes with an own story. She lost her arm as a child in an attack, one that sent her older brother, the heir into a 20 year coma, and cost the Kingdom their father who died. 

Now she works in her tower workshop, with her mech arm and mech bird as companion, visiting her comatose brother daily and beloved Aunt. Until a mission changes her life.

Rowan is a masterful character. Multilayered, believable, grounded by her intelligence and ability with machines. Brace without stupidity, thoughtful and just an impressive personality. And her equal is the wolf shifter, Conall. An ex-commander in the Kingdom’s Rangers, he’s been hiding due to his actions in a past war. But this mission brings them together with others of equally strong or strange abilities. 

The mission, their journey through wildly unpredictable situations and weird environments is exciting, dangerous and compelling. It’s breathtaking reading. And watching the growth of the individuals coming together, well most of them, into a cohesive unit is everything. The relationships between them are believable, grounded and real.

Which often makes the events suspenseful and nerve wracking. Because the danger is high at each stage of the journey.

The ending sets up the next story. It’s a steady progression as they set out to continue forward on the knowledge they’ve gained. 

They’ve finished one stage but the next one, the very dangerous one is just starting. 

This is such a fantastic story, full of outstanding characters and epic storytelling that I’m excited to share it.

Grab it up.  The second book too. 

Published by Wrongtree Press. 

Cover art and design by Christian Bentulan

The Knack (2 book series to date)

A Knack for Metal and Bone #1

Mech and Magic #2

Buy link

        A Knack for Metal and Bone: An Epic Fantasy Steampunk Adventure (The Knack Book 1)

    

Blurb 

A royal tinker and a rogue soldier must unite to stop the monsters threatening their city—and unravel the secrets lurking within it. 

Rowan doesn’t just work with machines—she hears them. The hum of engines, the whisper of gears and wires—they speak to her through the magic that flows from her mech hand. Whether she’s fine-tuning the colossal automaton that protects New Torwood City or toiling in her workshop, being a mechanic is the only life she truly enjoys. But the Regent’s Council wants more. They demand a princess who will embrace the pomp and ceremony of royal duty, not a tinker with oil-stained hands. 

When she’s unexpectedly recruited into Ranger Squad 54 for a mission deep into the wild Meadows, Rowan leaps at the chance. Finally, a way to serve her city and put her unique talents to use—far from the glittering halls of royalty. 

Conall, an ex-commander, knows the dangers of the Meadows firsthand. Discharged from the Rangers when his inner wolf broke free during battle, he now makes a living running rare artifacts between New Torwood and the southern cities. But the Rangers have a new mission for him—one that could clear his tarnished record. A group of international scientists has vanished, and recovering them is critical for the future of New Torwood. Failure could push the city into a war it cannot afford.

Thrown together on a high-risk mission, Rowan, Conall, and the Rangers of Squad 54 will face unimaginable dangers in the wilderness and uncover dark secrets that could shake the foundations of the city they’ve sworn to protect. But the real menace might be at the heart of New Torwood itself. 

Embark on a thrilling adventure with A Knack for Metal and Bone, the first book in an epic new fantasy-steampunk series from the author of The Valkyrie Bestiary.

December 5, 2024

Language

‎English

Print length

450 pages

Book 1 of 2

The Knack

Fantasy, steampunk/fantasy, epic fantasy adventure, steampunk science fiction/fantasy, 

Review:  Ravenwood (Tanyth Fairport Adventures Book 1) by Nathan Lowell

Rating: 4.5⭐️

“You’re never too old to make a bad decision.”

That was the line that hooked me. And one I may have printed out on a sweatshirt. 

From there I tumbled gently into the fantasy world of Tanyth Fairport, a older woman who’s been traveling around for 20 years, learning her craft, teaching others, and hoping for word of her son who got away from his abusive father as soon as possible. 

Her backstory is one that unfolds along with the other characters she encounters, as the situation develops.

She travels alone, dresses in clothing that could be either gender, disguising herself on the road from those who would victimize a woman. That’s a perfect representation of her on the cover, with her metal tipped staff. 

She has a goal to achieve. She wants to learn from one of the last Witches of the Woods before that woman dies. If Hermit of Lammas Wood will teach her.  And she must reach there before the winter comes. 

Of course, things will not go as planned. People will need help. And as Tanyth must decide whether to stay or go, we learn about the herbal remedies and medicines, communities, and religious rituals in a way that is real and meaningful. It’s built slowly and carefully grounded in these characters and their lives and beliefs. 

And then comes the magic, seeping into the world and storylines on the wings of a Raven. 

For a novel that was a slow start I was absolutely absorbed by the concept, characters and the journey that Tanyth was taking midway through. By the end I was sorry to see this stage end but excited for the next chapter to come. 

I’m late to the writing of Nathan Lowell but I’m so impressed by the stories and worlds I’ve encountered. 

Here’s one more recommendation I’m happy to share. 

Tanyth Fairport Adventures (3 book series) :

Ravenwood #1

Zypheria’s Call #2

The Hermit of Lammas Wood #3

I wish I knew who did that amazing cover and artwork. That’s a perfect illustration of Tanyth on the road right down to her staff. 

Buy link 

 Book 1 of 3: Tanyth Fairport Adventures 

Blurb 

You’re never too old to make a bad decision.

After twenty winters on the road, Tanyth Fairport makes one last pilgrimage in her quest to learn all she can about the herbs and medicinal plants of Korlay before settling down to write her magnum opus. Her journey is interrupted when she decides to help a small village and learns that much of what she knows of the world may not be quite as it seems. 

Nathan Lowell blends wiccan tradition and shamanistic lore into a fantasy quest for a new – if unlikely – heroine. She learns that the familiar sometimes hides the fantastic and that, even when you think you’ve made your decisions, life doesn’t always agree.

Publisher

Durandus

Publication date

October 26, 2011

Language

‎English

Print length

382 pages

Book 1 of 3

Tanyth Fairport Adventures

Review: The Wizard’s Butler by Nathan Lowell

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I stumbled across this story by accident and I’m absolutely thrilled I did because I love both the story and finding a new prolific author to explore. 

This highly entertaining and gently immersive series is one that builds slowly, pulling us into the magical world along with the non-magical ex soldier Roger Mulligan. 

Desperately searching for a new start, after 3 tours of duty with the military in Afghanistan and as a EMT once home, a ad for a butler sends Roger upon a new path. 

That the author is himself a former military veteran is telling in the crafting of Roger Mulligan. He is absolutely believable in this book, his appreciation for the uniform, the manner in which his role as a butler has similarities with his previous duties, without the hazards and risks. He’s a good man, a guardian.  Which as it turns out is exactly what is needed most.

Told from Roger’s perspective, we meet the house, his “employers”, the elderly owner of the house and the magical situation he’s entering into.

I think what I love about this the most is Roger’s ability to adapt to ideas and concepts that would shatter others and, in how Lowell has written him and this story, I found him and how everything flows together totally credible. 

We don’t “see” the pixies or fairies because Roger can’t. He’s not talented. A element that turns into an unlikely strength for all.

 This isn’t a romance.  But a terrific book full of fascinating characters and found family, as well as a magical place. 

The sequel, the recently released, The Wizard’s Cat, is an excellent read and I’ll review it shortly. 

 I really hope that Lowell has several more books planned for this series. I’m definitely hooked. 

A winner and one I’m happy to share. 

Cover Art: Alexandre Rio

The Wizard’s Butler:

The Wizard’s Butler #1

The Wizard’s Cat #2

Buy link

 Book 1 of 2: The Wizard’s Butler 

Blurb 

“He thinks he’s a wizard,” they said.

For five grand a month and a million dollar chaser, Roger Mulligan didn’t care how crazy the old geezer was. All he had to do was keep Joseph Perry Shackleford alive and keep him from squandering the estate for a year. 

They didn’t tell him about the pixies.

Publisher

Durandus, Ltd.

Publication date

March 19, 2020

Language

‎English

Print length

350 pages

Book 1 of 2

The Wizard’s Butler

Review : Demon Hunter (The Collegium Book 1) by Jenny Schwartz 

Rating:3⭐️

I enjoy author Jenny Schwartz’ work, especially her recent series. But Demon Hunter is an example of how the age of a novel can date the story and how certain aspects of society can change our perspectives on how we view a story.

This was written in 2014.  How readers look at diversity and women in particular has certainly changed. While the majority of Schwartz’s main female characters tend towards white, blonde and powerful, magically, not all have fit within that tight box. 

However, Fay Olwen, the MFC here does. While there’s an ever so brief mention of a great great grandmother being of color, that’s dropped afterwards. And her jaguar shifter boyfriend/future husband/partner is said to look like having Arabian influences, that’s it.  He’s based in Cyprus for what that’s worth. 

The bigger issues are with accountability, responsibility and how women are treated and perceived here as opposed to the men in this world and their lives. 

Spoilers ahead. This is a novella so not all aspects of the story and world as well developed as you might expect from a longer version.

But her father, the head of the Collegium and one who has been directing the events of the past and current storyline, one that includes some devastating moments, is at the end, not really held totally accountable.  For her traumatic upbringing, her current situation, the attacks against her etc. He says his version of “ my bad “ but then goes on to place the blame his secretary. It’s her fault! Bad secretary!

Yes, indeed. His power hungry, sex driven secretary. Poor little(big power hungry ruthless) guy. She did all number of bad things and deeds. Which she acknowledges her part. However,she didn’t raise Fay, keep her from her mother. Or any of the other heinous acts. Turns out it really doesn’t matter, because now everything is alright between father and daughter. It’s the secretary’s fault. She just wants to be powerful. Oh no. Just like the father. But it’s worse when the secretary wants it. 

Doesn’t seem to matter the abuse he put his daughter through, that he was going to turn her into a demon. All’s well. 

And the last? After she had sacrificed herself , then tada! It worked out, she, the most powerful mage ever, is going to become the “little woman “ standing next to Leopard shifter Steve Jekyll,  the next in line ruler to be. That’s extremely frustrating to see that her storyline is playing out in this manner. Both story threads are much in keeping with a patriarchal narrative with father and boyfriend’s role. Very 2014.

When i read this, there weren’t any additional stories and no “series “. So I have no idea if this character or the dynamics evolved from this basic plot and foundation. 

It does appear that not seven books are about this couple. Only book 2, which has husband shifter Steve getting a mission, and needing help from his wife/mate. So nope. 

The last was written in 2016 with different characters. I don’t think so. 

Sometimes the year a book was written in dates a story and sometimes it doesn’t. Here it definitely does. 

For me, it diminishes it.  It might not for everyone. 

Cover design by Lou Harper Designs

The Collegium – 7 books

Demon Hunter #1 2014

Buy link

 Book 1 of 7: The Collegium 

Blurb 

The most powerful mage in the world has been betrayed. So where is she hiding? What happens when she returns?

You can bleed and die banishing a demon, but Fay Olwen discovers there are worse hurts. Betrayed by the Collegium and by her father, she must build a new life away from New York.

Leopard shifter Steve Jekyll would have her build it with him. But loyalties are never simple and new love never easy.

When demons are unleashed, Fay tracks the evil back to the Collegium, and now all hell will break loose because Fay fights for the innocent, and Steve will protect what is his.

Jenny Schwartz

Publication date

December 15, 2014

Language

‎English

Print length

141 pages

Book 1 of 7

The Collegium

Review:  Deadly Claws (Witch in the Woods #1) by Jenna St. James 

Rating: 4.5⭐️

 Im binging a number of new paranormal cozy mysteries at the moment and this is one of the better ones. 

Jenna St. James’ Witch in the Woods series already has 35 released books ready to read for new readers which is fantastic. And each is a quick and well plotted story at around 170 pages so they just fly by. 

James has also delivered engaging characters and an intriguing setup in a  “hidden from normal people“  island that is inhabited by those who are paranormal beings or have parents who are. 

Shayla Loci, a 45 year old law enforcement agent is returning home after being away for years working with a paranormal federal agency. Her strange parentage is highly unusual and huge part of ongoing narrative of the series. 

She’s a terrific central figure here, and meshes well with all the town folk who have reoccurring roles and become important characters in the series. Especially the new sheriff and his preteen daughter. 

There’s mystery and murder. And many developing relationships that bring up past issues and historical events. 

The story keeps a fast pace and provides enough insight into the town’s history and new characters that my interest never waned.

Highly entertaining and a winner!

A Witch in the Woods (35 book series):

Deadly Claws #1

Buy link

        Deadly Claws (A Witch in the Woods Book 1)

    

Blurb 

A 40-year-old Witch with a New Career

A Gargoyle Sheriff Raising a Teenaged Daughter

And an Enchanted Island Full of Secrets


Career-driven witch, Shayla Loci, is about to turn forty and is ready for a change. When she retires from capturing criminal supernaturals for the government, she figures her days of chasing bad guys are over. Little did she know her new job as the game warden on Enchanted Island would thrust her right back into harm’s way…and she wasn’t even officially on the clock yet! But when Sheriff Stone enlists her help to find out who killed an island resident, Shayla readily agrees.

Between sorting through alibis, gathering clues, and mentoring a wayward teenager on how to be a witch…Shayla’s life is hectic. If only her estranged dad–the King–wouldn’t insist she take her bodyguard, Needles, with her everywhere she goes. Just when Shayla believes she’s identified the killer, a new threat emerges…leaving her to make a snap decision that may cost her her life.

This new paranormal cozy series with a twist on midlife discovery will leave you guessing and hungry for more!

Publication date

March 23, 2021

Language

‎English

Book 1 of 35

A Witch in the Woods

Review:  Tigra by R. J. Leahy

Rating: 3⭐️

A first book by this author, I thought Leahy did a good job with many aspects of the story and world building. 

The plot of a escaped woman soldier ending up on a planet where there’s several other cultures at war , including one that has and continues to systematically obliterate one of  planet’s “animals “, the Tigras.  Different planetary cultures she comes into contact with approximate earth religions with zealotry and magical rituals associated with them.

Leahy does a excellent job layering each city/tribe with their own individuality, and even with an abundance of characters, it’s not hard to separate out each smaller personality in the supporting role from another one from a different culture. 

The battle scenes, the weapons, all well defined and varied. Same for the ship Jeena Garza arrives on. 

If you are hearing a “but” here, you are correct. 

My main concern or issues are with the two or perhaps, one character here. 

🚩Trigger warnings for torture, multiple S.A., child death, which occurs during Jeena Garza’s capture and long imprisonment by the enemy during the prologue. 

Jeena has undergone unbearable torture, physically traumatic and emotionally devastating experiences. Ones that are so severe, so damaging that those who have suffered from them along side her didn’t survive. Yet, upon escaping, she’s able to accept touch and have sexual relations months later. She was “hurt, went a little mad “. But she’s fine now. 

Absolutely not believable. And establishing the sort of behavior that seems to disavow what happened to Jeena in the prison does an incredible disrespect to the reality of survivors of SA no matter that she’s a fictional character. 

Past that, the relationship between Sampson the Tigra and Jeena also felt equally rushed and not well defined. He’s actually absent for a period of time during the story, which leaves a development “hole” for the relationship and plot lines.  They are friends until suddenly they aren’t. 

Everything works here but the characters themselves. They need better definition and layering. 

There’s 2 more books to the series. Read this and those stories if you find it interesting. 

Tigra (3 book series)

Tigra #1

Tigra II: The Sins of Rothra Orr

TIGRA III: The Light of God

Buy link

Amazon.comhttps://www.amazon.comTigra – Leahy, R.J.: Kindle Store

 Book 1 of 3: Tigra 

Blurb 

Elite soldier Jeena Garza crash-lands on the desert world of Ararat, desperate to escape the trauma of war and her recent imprisonment. She wants solitude. A place to disappear. To forget and to be forgotten.

Instead, she finds Samson — a tiger-like beast feared for its ferocity. But Samson is different. Gentle. Intelligent. Maybe more than just an animal.

As ancient prophecies stir and buried secrets rise, Jeena is thrust into a battle for a world she doesn’t understand — and a destiny she never asked for. To save him, she’ll raise a forgotten people, topple an empire, and awaken something lost for eons.

She was forged as a weapon

He was born a beast.

Together they will change a world and challenge man’s place in the galaxy.

Review: The Sundered Realms (Sundered Realms: Book 1) by Casey Blair

Rating: 4.5⭐️

I find Casey Blair to be a wildly imaginative writer. She’s incredibly inventive in her ability to craft a variety of detailed magical systems and then have her fantasy characters use those  systems their magic. In beautifully plotted scenarios that capture our own imagination and connect us to the universe she’s building.

Liris, the main character and sole voice of the story, is a brilliant desperate woman. She’s been essentially “locked” away for her entire life, trapped into training that’s a literal dead end. 

This is the story of her escape. How, by the force of her courage, desperation and self control, moves to change the world. And her magical power.

The other characters, especially the important spellcaster Lord Vhannor, is still a bit of a mystery here. I do wish this had been a two person POV instead. I think that extra character detail and depth of vision would have made this even better.

But there’s so much exploration to lay out and depth of world building to achieve that I could see that a single person perspective would be a good way to achieve that. 

The relationship between Liris and Vhannor is fairly quick and straightforward (an example of where the 2-person POV would be helpful) but given Liris’ personality understandable.  Also this is a “spicy” book, more so than some of the author’s other works. Yes, there’s sex scenes. 

The second story belongs to another character from this book. So this seems to conclude their main romance. 

I’m highly recommending this, great plot, fantastic storytelling and a strong woman character. 

However, the magical system is a rich mixture of elements that takes time to build up throughout the story and with each character. It’s highly effective but not an aspect that’s rushed. 

Looking forward to the next book.

Cover art by Kateryna Vitkovska, 2023.

Cover design by Miblart, 2024.

Hardcase design by Liz Heaven of Raven Pages Design, 2024

Buy link:

 Book 1 of 1: Sundered Realms 

Blurb 

Liris has always been too dangerous to be allowed freedom.
Now she’s the universe’s only hope. 

Liris has been trapped training as an elite spy her whole life. But when her elders try to sacrifice her to further their own interests, she escapes through a secret portal—only to land right in the hands of Lord Vhannor, the most dangerous spellcaster in the universe.

Vhannor has dedicated his life to defending the universe from world-devouring demons, and Liris, with her unique knowledge of an ancient spell language, jeopardizes his mission. But when she uses it to help him close a demonic portal before it can destroy all life in that dimension, he’s forced to acknowledge he needs her by his side.

As they race between dimensions to fight their mutual enemies, they discover a plot that will leave every remaining realm in the universe at the mercy of demons. But to stop it, Liris will have to rely on the man whose icy gaze sees right through her… and when even her own people betrayed her, how can she trust Vhannor to stand by her when she risks the whole universe?

The Sundered Realms is a steamy romantic epic fantasy in a world where being a huge nerd about language makes you incredibly epic at magic. This is an action-packed story about an interdimensional combat ambassador heroine and the most dangerous man in the universe devoting all his attention to making her unstoppable.