Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label fantasy. Show all posts

Thursday, March 5, 2026

Limerence by L.S. Delorme (VNBtM, review, and GIVEAWAY)

 


Limerence

by 

LS Delorme


Blurb:


Kara and Dante.


You may not know them by name, but you know them by deed. You feel them in the space between dreams and reality, in the inevitable crawl of time.


They have burned continents and sunk kingdoms. They’ve been worshipped and feared. Those in power call them demons. Those above power call them monsters.


They aren’t human but they once were. To each other, they are survivors, eternal mates and lovers. Their attraction is at the very foundation of existence.


When a virus older than memory returns, Dante must find a way to contain it before it injures Kara and corrupts the fabric of reality. Ghosts vanish, worlds shift, and the laws of physics can no longer be trusted.


As reality collapses, the two must return to the origin of their timeline to face the Abomination that still lurks there.















Excerpt:


“Whatever this thing is, we have to kill it.  Never mind, I’m taking her out!” Kara snarled.

 

Dante pulled back further, that was when he saw it.  The thing was bigger than a tumour and yet it had tied itself to strands of DNA all through her body.

        

He grabbed the thing and pulled.  He heard of sickening sound that the suspected might be blood vessels bursting…or worse.  When he pulled himself back into his regular form, there was a small reddish blob in his hands.  It looked like yarn or rust, but it felt like melted rubber.  He immediately dropped it.  As he watched, it started to unfold, like a puzzle.   He kicked it across the room away from them where it continued to move and squirm and unwind.    It continued this pattern until it was a shape about 4 feet tall. 

        

This thing was like nothing like he had seen before.   First, it seemed to have difficulty holding on to a continuous shape.  In one form it was covered with what looked like stalks, at the end of each was a purplish nodule or sac.   These stalks waved back and forth.   In another, it resembled a bundled collection of scabs.  But it only held each shape for a few moments before changing in a rolling fashion.  There was a smell coming off it that smelled like some strange mixture of pickles and sugar.  But it wasn’t the flipping image or the smell that made Dante feel queasy.  It was the fact that it seemed imbued with something extra to it.  Something his senses, even as a ghost, could not quite process. 


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About the Author:

Lexy Shaw Delorme (writing as LS Delorme) is the award-winning author of The Limerent Series, a genre-defying collection of emotionally resonant novels that blend supernatural mystery, psychological thriller, historical fiction, and romantic suspense. With a background as a lawyer, pop musician, and science writer, Lexy brings intellectual depth and lyrical prose to every story she tells. Now based in Paris, she lives with her French husband and two very cool sons. Her work explores themes of limerence, memory, identity, and the echoes of past lives—and she’s not afraid to push boundaries along the way.


The Limerent Series (Books 1–4)

Caio — A supernatural romantic thriller about grief, justice, and forbidden connection.

Bright Midnights — A YA dream-thriller following a magnetic girl caught between dimensions.

Fanning Fireflies — A 1940s historical ghost story and romance centered around race, secrecy, and sacrifice.

Ghosting Academy — A high-stakes psychological thriller with VR technology, elite agents, and spiritual unraveling.

Each book is a standalone yet interwoven through deeper cosmological themes and recurring characters.


Media Recognition & Reviews

Kirkus Reviews praised Caio as "an entertaining fantasy with a dash of macabre eroticism."

Bright Midnights received a coveted BookLife Editor’s Pick from Publishers Weekly, with critics calling it an "enthralling, character-rich narrative."

Fanning Fireflies was IndieReader Approved (4.8/5), described as "an emotionally charged, thought-provoking read."

 The series has been celebrated across the book blogging world as genre-bending, hypnotic, and emotionally gripping.

Awards & Honors

Bright Midnights won the Golden Wizard Book Prize (UK) in the YA Fantasy category.

Caio received a positive “Get It” verdict from Kirkus, signaling quality and appeal.

Fanning Fireflies was awarded near-perfect marks from IndieReader, achieving critical acclaim.

Media & Events

 Featured guest on BBC Radio 2 – The Gabby Roslin Show, discussing Fanning Fireflies and the mythic architecture of the series.

 Interviewed on the What We Reading UK blog and spotlighted by the British Fantasy Society.

 Frequent guest on virtual book tours hosted by LiterallyPR and Goddess Fish Promotions.

 Upcoming panelist and moderator at C2E2 Comic Con 2025.

Reader Response

 Called "a cult classic in the making" by readers.

 Described as having “characters who stay with you long after the last page.”

 Celebrated for blending literary depth with page-turning suspense.


Connect with LS Delorme



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My review:



4 stars

 

Limerence by LS Delorme follows the very powerful Kate and Dante as they strive to solve the mystery behind the disintegration and disappearance of the beings they monitor and protect. A widespread infection threatens to destroy reality, and they may not be able to counteract it in time.

 

This mind-bending fantasy tale puts a new spin on the evils that take place in the world, with complex explanations that unfold as the main characters search for answers. This book is part of the ‘Limerent’ series, so I suspect that one would appreciate it more if one reads the previous novels. The twists and turns make this a very dense story that is shaped by the intricate rules that combine science and fantasy and corporeal beings and those who are outside of the limitations of physical bodies. I enjoyed the combination of suspense and elements of romance, but this is a story that probably needs to be read multiple times to be truly appreciated, and I struggled to finish it, only to discover that there is more to come. This is a very imaginative and intricate tale that reminds us to consider perspective and unintended or intended results of each action while giving remarkable explanations for major tragedies in the history of mankind.

 

A copy of this title was provided for review


Thursday, July 31, 2025

Magelight by Kacey Ezell (Spotlight, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT




Magelight

by

Kacey Ezell




Fleeing her sheltered life, a noblewoman must trust a warrior, a forester, and a thief to unlock her true power and face her destiny.






Embrace Your Power and Forge Your Destiny


All her life, Aelys of Brionne had been weak. As the noble daughter of one of the empire’s most powerful magic-wielding families, it should have been easy for her to live her dream of bonding with a warrior protector and joining the Imperial Battlemage Corps. But when her weakness robs her of her dreams, her best friend, and the man she loves, Aelys makes the only choice she can see: she takes her fate into her own hands and she runs, leaving her safe, protected world behind.


Now she must find a way to work with three dangerous strangers—a warrior, a forester, and a thief—to escape the bandits stalking her, fight through the dangers of the untamed forest, and make her way back home, where her family and her destiny await.


Only . . . her violent protectors might be the key to the power and freedom she’s always craved. Can Aelys find the strength to choose her own destiny and become the sorceress she was born to be? Or lose herself on the path to power?






Excerpt:




“I make a lot of mistakes,” Aelys said, squaring her shoulders. “Most of the time—well, often, anyway—I have no idea I’m doing it, but I make them anyway. I thought perhaps this was one of those times. Maybe I was walking too loudly, or too close to you, or—”

“I don’t think you could ever be too close to me.”

Daen hadn’t intended to say the words out loud, but he didn’t wish them back.

“Oh.” Her voice got smaller, quieter. “I see. I suppose that’s the geas as well.”

“Must it be? Cannot I just like you? Like having you near me?”

Aelys looked up at him, a flash of heat in her eyes. “Are you making fun of me?”

“Not really.” He gave her a smile. “Men do, occasionally, decide that they like pretty women, you know.”

Aelys snorted, but then her shoulders drooped and she looked down again in what he was coming to think of as her “collapsed” posture. “At least I have that going for me, for a time.”

Daen let out a snort of his own. “Many women would—and do, in some places—pay quite a few Imperials to look half as beautiful as you. Perhaps you should consider a bit of gratitude for your natural luck, Bella.”

She sighed. “I know, and I am grateful. And thank you for the compliment. It’s just that . . . as you said. Anyone can be pretty. I wanted . . . something else.”

“And what was that?”

“Power.”



Get Magelight here, or at your favorite bookseller! 

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Author bio and links;




Kacey Ezell writes emotionally charged adventure fantasy and science fiction. She is a two-time Dragon Award Finalist for Best Alternate History and won the 2018 Year’s Best Military and Adventure Science Fiction Readers’ Choice Award. She has written multiple bestselling novels published with Chris Kennedy Publishing, Baen Books, and Blackstone Publishing. Additionally, she is a retired helicopter pilot with 3000+ hours in the UH-1N Huey, Mi-171, and EC130 helicopters. She is married with two daughters. You can join her fan community and get free stories at this link.


Join The Dragon's Horde here

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GIVEAWAY



a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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My review:
    

3.5 stars

Magelight by Kacey Ezell features Aelys, a young noblewoman who has never really found her niche in life, despite big dreams. Her unexpected rescue by a trio of harsh men results in an unwilling connection that forces them all to decide what their mutual goals are and how they can achieve them, despite the deadly challenges they face.

 

This fantasy romance is somewhat of a reverse harem story that is combined with a coming-of-age theme. I was frustrated by the heroine because she was so self-effacing and downtrodden at first, but she gradually evolved, thankfully. The trio of men who have faced their own crucibles of life form a harsh counterpoint to her experiences, and they also are pretty cranky and resistant, but it was satisfying to watch them all find a way to integrate with each other, even if the story is a slow-burn tale. There are multiple dangling threads that pique the reader’s interest, and I suspect some of the folks introduced at the beginning of the story will pop up again in the sequel. I look forward to seeing this quartet refine their connection and learn to utilize the powers that they have together.

 

A copy of this title was provided for review



Monday, February 20, 2023

Siba - The Eternal Quest by B. Singh (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

 


Siba - The Eternal Quest

by

B. Singh

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GENRE: Fantasy

 

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BLURB:

 

An epic journey of adventure, heroism, and self-exploration through the eyes of a teenage boy named Siba.

 

Siba’s life takes an exciting turn when his pet parrot takes him to a magical forest. He explores the mysterious forest-dwellers and the precious ancient wisdoms of the fantasy world when a sudden tragedy jeopardizes life on earth. To save the world, he must embark on a legendary journey to the Pole Star.

 

Siba encounters many mythical creatures and numerous thrilling challenges that jolt him to his core. They leave burning questions in his mind about the world and his own existence. He must dive into the dark labyrinths of his mind, for the last hope of saving humanity seems to be hidden there.

 

Can he solve the mysteries of the mystical world and his inner world? Can he complete his journey to the Pole Star and save the world?

 

A perfect blend of fantasy, mysticism, and spirituality that explores the answer to the eternal question – Who Am I?

 

 

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EXCERPT 


Chapter 19 – Fire & Fury

 

After hiding Celine, as Siba moved out of the crack, he saw the dragons were attacking his friends. They swooped and snatched the snow leopards with their steel-like claws. Streams of fire turned the ice into clouds of steam. Watching the snow leopards slaughtered and torn into pieces, Siba ran toward them to help. As he reached there, one dragon blocked his way and spewed fire at him. Siba ducked. The stream of fire hit the black armor but didn’t burn it. Siba was surprised to find himself unscathed. He remembered the armor was made from the dragon’s skin.

 

He got up at once and climbed the glacier. But his leather slippers slipped on the molten ice, and he fell inside a shallow crevasse. He felt a sharp pain in his right arm. He looked at it. His arm was injured and bleeding. He took his feathers out but couldn’t flutter with his right arm. He struggled with one hand but couldn’t balance to fly out of the hole.

 

After a long struggle and several attempts, Siba emerged out of the crevasse. But by that time, the dragons had already left, and their dance of death was over. Many snow leopards died. Many more were injured. Ajax emerged from one crevasse with one leg badly injured.

 

Musa shouted, “They are gone.” Several other snow leopards emerged out of the glacier from all directions. Holding his bleeding arm, Siba arrived there in tears.

 

 Amazon link

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

B. Singh grew up in a small city, Chandigarh, located near the foothills of the mighty Himalayas in northwest India. Since his childhood, he has always had an inquisitive mindset. He doesn’t settle for the pre-existing answers if they don’t make sense to him. Instead, he explores, experiments, and finds the answer himself. He has traveled across India from north to south not only for his education but also to explore different cultures and values. To continue his journey of exploration, he moved from India to Canada. After graduating from the University of Windsor, Canada, he conceived the idea of compiling his learnings in the form of a spiritual fantasy book. This well-crafted and awe-inspiring adventurous journey into a fantasy world is full of chiseled gems of wisdom that will enrich the lives of every human being on earth.

 

You can learn more on Instagram

 

 

GIVEAWAY

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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My review:

 

3.5 stars

 

“Siba: The Eternal Quest” by B. Singh features Siba, a boy on the verge of becoming a teen, whose life is full of challenges and obstacles to overcome. Accompanied by Rouble, a scarlet macaw, he embarks on a journey of discovery that leads him to many different types of animals and situations and encourages him to learn from them and other mentors. The more he learns, the more he realizes how much more he needs to discover.

 

This young-adult fantasy story is full of remarkable adventures that will stimulate the imagination and teach essential lessons about emotions, interpersonal relations, and perception. I feel that some of the language is aimed more toward an adult audience and will be a bit too philosophical and abstract for young adults to comprehend, but the lessons being imparted to Siba are well worth learning. His propensity to curse is a little disturbing, some of the language is a little stilted, and readers should be warned that there is a lot of death in the story, but overall this is a creative way to impart valuable lessons about life and obtaining emotional balance. There are a few dangling threads to encourage the reader to look for the sequel, but no major cliffhanger. Recommended for mature teens.

 

A copy of this story was provided for review


Wednesday, July 27, 2022

Beauty in the Beast by Emily-Jane Hills Orford (Spotlight, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

 


Beauty in the Beast

by Emily-Jane Hills Orford

 

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GENRE:   fantasy/science fiction

 

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BLURB:

 

Priya, a name that suggests beautiful. Amell, a name that suggests all powerful. One is a beautiful young lady; the other a beast. Their paths have crossed before, only Priya doesn’t remember Amell from her past. Or does she? And what does it all mean? The Amell she meets is part beast. So are the others at Castle Mutasim. Is she one of them, too? How can this be? What manner of creature would experiment on other living creatures, to mutate them into something bizarre and, sometimes, downright dangerous? Priya has to know. She wants to know. And she wants to make things right.

 

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EXCERPT

 

“Wait!” she called out in vain, but it was too late. Her escorts had vanished. She was alone. In the forest. With a strange creature trekking ever closer. She could hear the crunching of underbrush. Was it Roderick? Wayne? Or the unknown? D’Sonoqua? “Wait!” She stood frozen in place. Unable to move. Her weeks of training useless, for here, in the moment of urgency, she couldn’t think of what to do. Mind freeze! Lifting her head slowly, she let out a wail of frustration, the volume of her voice matching the creature in pursuit. The crashing was mere feet away and yet, still, she saw nothing but the forest. The trees. The shrubs. The annoying vines and fallen branches which threatened, and did, trip her. Again.

 

And, finally, she knew what to do. She ran. There wasn’t room enough to spread her wings and fly. At least, she didn’t think so. Jumping to the lowest tree branch, she used her chimpanzee prowess to grab hold and swing. She gained momentum in the swaying motion and swung herself to the next branch. A little higher this time. A little lower the next. Until she found herself facing a long stretch of sand and gravel and the wide, open waters beyond.

 

The beach. They had been headed toward the beach. The ancient village had stood along this stretch. Nothing remained. Only sand. Gravel. And the flapping waves lapping against the shoreline.

 

She swung once more and landed in a thick, soft patch of sand. The crunching was still close. Behind her. All around her. It echoed in the open spaces. Was this a test? Had Roderick and Wayne been set up to abandon her here? To test her abilities? She didn’t have time to ponder the possibility. An ear-piercing shriek, mere feet behind, made her jump and set off in a burst of momentum. She ran toward the water and splashed in the incoming tide, leaving a sloshing sound in her wake as she plundered ever forward.

 

But the creature, whatever it was, continued its pursuit. She was the prize. The victim. And, before the beach ended, she felt something grab her firmly, swinging her body in a circular motion as a parent might spin a child for pleasure. Only this wasn’t pleasure. And she was being swung much higher, much faster, until with a single toss she landed wrapped around a furry set of shoulders, hands and feet firmly gripped. She tried to resist. No use. The grip was too tight. She tried to scream, but only earned a mouthful of rancid, fowl-smelling fur which made her gag.

 

The creature roared. Shrieked. Roared some more. And ran. The motion was jolting. Jarring. Priya bounced relentlessly, her body repeatedly bruised with each new contact it made with the creature as the two plunged back into the forest. As branches chortled against the two, Priya sought refuge by burying her head in the furry shoulder, breathing gently so as not to gag further at the stench. It was either that or have her head scraped to shreds by resisting tree appendages.

 

 

They tore deeper into the forest, up and down inclines until finally the creature stopped. Abruptly. Dropping Priya roughly to the ground.

 

 


Amazon link

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Emily-Jane Hills Orford is a country writer, living just outside the tiny community of North Gower, Ontario, near the nation’s capital. With degrees in art history, music and Canadian studies, the retired music teacher enjoys the quiet nature of her country home and the inspiration of working at her antique Jane Austen-style spinet desk, feeling quite complete as she writes and stares out the large picture window at the birds and the forest. She writes in several genres, including creative nonfiction, memoir, fantasy, and historical fiction. http://emilyjanebooks.ca

 

Facebook

Twitter: @ejhomusic


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 GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 The tour dates can be found here

Friday, June 24, 2022

Awakenings by L. C. Conn (VBB,, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

 




Awakenings

by 

L. C. Conn

 

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GENRE:   Fantasy

 

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BLURB:

 

Many generations have passed since Carling first faced Chaos’ rage. With each incarnation, his desire to find and claim her gifts grows.

Claire is just like any other 17-year-old, or so she thought. No stranger to tragedy and heartache, she finds comfort in her great-uncle and guardian, and her best friend, Adam. Her life is settling into a happy peace. Until one night everything she knew and trusted is turned on its head.

Spirited away in the middle of the night and thrust into a world of family secrets and hidden magical abilities, Claire discovers she’s not just any teenager and she’s being hunted by her best friend’s father. Claire must learn to harness her awakening gifts before an ancient evil finds her.

Can she master her Abilities before Marcus finds her?

 

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EXCERPT

 

The footsteps had stopped. Claire tried to swallow. She had never known fear like this, not even when she had been told her parents had died and she wondered what was going to happen to her. Thoughts of her Uncle Geoff came into her head, and she wished she were home with him. It was at that moment she became aware of someone standing over her. When she pried her eyes open and looked, a dark figure loomed large, and she almost gave a cry of alarm.

 

The figure bent down, and a beam of light caught his features. Claire did not know what to make of what she saw. It was her uncle. He held out his hand to her, telling her to get up. She froze for a moment, her head spinning as she tried to make sense of it.

 

“Uncle Geoff?” Claire asked in a soft and confused voice.

 

“Come on, Kid. We don’t have all night.” He reached down and pulled her up into a standing position.

 

“We were told you were to take her to Mr Ryder immediately, Mr Brown,” Deep Voice said, shining his light on the girl.

 

“I am aware of that,” Geoff told him curtly. Then to Claire in a softer voice, he said, “I’m sorry, Kid.”


Amazon link

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Loraine Conn grew up on the outskirts of Upper Hutt, New Zealand. Her backyard encompassed the surrounding farmland, river, hills, and mountains which she wandered with her brothers and fed her imagination. After discovering a love for writing in English class at the age of eight, she continued to write in secret. It was not until much later in life that Loraine turned what she thought was a hobby, and something fun to do, into her first completed novel. 

Now married, Loraine moved from New Zealand to Perth, Western Australia in 2008, and became a stay-at-home mum. While caring for her family and after battling breast cancer, a series was born from a kernel of a dream. 

Loraine has now published the seven book fantasy series, The One True Child Series, and also the stand-alone Realm of Dragons, Fight for the Crown. Both the series and book have been released with the American based indie publishing company Between the Lines Publishing, under their Liminal Books branch, using the pen name L.C. Conn. She continues her career with many more stories waiting in the wings to be released, and even more ideas to be written.


SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

 

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 GIVEAWAY


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The tour dates can be found here



Thursday, January 6, 2022

Winter of the Owl by Iris Foxglove (Spotlight, excerpt, and review) GRR

 

 

Winter of the Owl
by

Iris Foxglove

Seasons of the Loki, Book 1



Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Tropes: Suddenly married! Stuck in a cabin/snowed in a cabin, only one bed, fish out of water, opposites attract.
Content: Grief, discussions of past emotional abuse, attempted murder, on-page kink re: use of gags, bondage, d/s.
Heat: 4 out of 5

 


BLURB

Sava has the best house in all of Lukos. He built it himself, dreaming of the day when he and Milan, the man he loved, could live there and brave the harsh winters of Lukos together—only to be devastated when Milan was found dead in the spring. Fraught with grief, Sava resigns himself to spending his winters alone.

Then a stranger appears on his doorstep, and everything changes.

Victor is a scholar from Gerakia, a land known for its long summers and vibrant history, and he has never been more unprepared in his life. Abandoned on the inhospitable island of Lukos after a disastrous relationship, Victor has to adapt quickly to survive. It helps, of course, that he’s taken in by Sava, who has the biggest heart of any man Victor has ever known. Victor and Sava start to make a home together, growing close as snow falls outside, but the true danger of a Lukos winter is closer than they suspect...

 

 

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My review:

 

4.25 stars

 

Winter of the Owl by Iris Foxglove is the first book in the ‘Seasons of the Lukoi’ series, and features aspiring scholar Victor, whose anticipated expedition to learn more about the mysterious Lukoi changes his life. Bereaved Sava Snow-Walker never expects to meet a person who focuses so much on studying as Victor, but while helping the alluring newcomer survive the harsh winter, he discovers that there are more dangers than he ever anticipated.

 

This adult gay fantasy romance provides a mesmerizing glimpse of a society carved out of necessity. The vivid imagery and harsh surroundings contrast beautifully with the gradual awakening of a naïve and submissive young man with a thirst for knowledge. I loved that dominant Sava was so patient, and I enjoyed watching Victor forging a bond with and impacting the resourceful man even as he continuously thirsts for more and more knowledge. The shifting perspectives of the societies formed are mirrored by other developments in the story, and although some things are pretty strongly foreshadowed, the tale still kept me turning the pages rapidly. I hope that some of the magical elements will be featured more prominently in the next book and anxiously look forward to learning even more about the Lukoi.

 

 

A copy of this title was provided for review


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, July 26, 2021

The Adversary by Thea Harrison (Spotlight and review)


 

The Adversary

The Chronicles of Rhyacia

 

ADULT title

by

Thea Harrison

 

 

From NYT bestselling author Thea Harrison comes the explosive conclusion to The Unseen!


Blurb:


When Dragos and Pia move to the Other land of Rhyacia, they hope starting a new life will bring safety and freedom to their family, especially their young baby, Niall. And at first their new home seems perfect… but looks are deceiving.



Beneath Rhyacia’s idyllic façade an ancient, malevolent force lurks, waiting for the right opportunity to break free of its cage. When that opportunity comes, it strikes with devastating accuracy.



While Dragos has never backed down from a fight, he’s also never encountered an enemy like this one before. How can he fight a foe who doesn’t have a body? A foe who can invade and turn his own mind against him?



How can Dragos protect his family, when at any moment one of them may become the enemy?



As Dragos and Pia race against time to fight this unseen menace, they must also acknowledge a terrifying truth—when anyone can become the enemy, no one can be trusted.



An adversary who can trap the dragon poses a threat to everyone in Rhyacia, and that means no one is safe…



***This book does NOT end on a cliffhanger***
 

 

 

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My review:

 

4.25 out of 5 stars

 

 

The Adversary by Thea Harrison is the second book in ‘Chronicles of Rhyacia’ series that features the Other land that Dragos and Pia and their associates are colonizing. The story begins immediately after the events in “The Unseen” as the desperate struggle to evict the being that has taken over Dragos’s body continues.

 

This story underscores the ruthlessness of the Wyr, and the cunning and intelligence that accompanies their athleticism and arcane powers. The heartbreaking elements shake their world to its foundation, and I suspect the repercussions will be ongoing, despite the temporary bandage that’s been applied.

 

Great cameos by multiple beings who have populated the various series in this universe. Not only did this story prompt me to go back and reread the prequel, “The Unseen,” but I am tempted to renew my acquaintance with many of the other stories set in this well-built universe. As always, the characters are both charismatic and memorable, and have unexpected depths and facets that continue to intrigue. I definitely hope that there are still many stories to come featuring some of my favorite characters of all time.

 

 

A copy was provided for review

 

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 Previous book in the series:

 


My review:


4.25 stars

 

 

The Unseen by Thea Harrison is the first in the quartet of novellas (edit: this is now a 2-book series) that continues the saga of Dragos and Pia and their growing family. It starts after the events depicted in “Planet Dragos” as Dragos and Pia relocate their home base to the Other land Dragos has named Rhyacia. All of the challenges of establishing an eco-friendly existence with none of the anticipated peace and quiet, as feverish construction efforts run into quite a few snags…some of which reveal significant peril.

 

This delightful addition to the Elder Races stories highlights what I enjoy most about these paranormal romance tales—deliciously fantastical characters, snarky dialogue, romance, danger, and great world-building. Pay attention to the warnings…this DOES end in a cliffhanger. Of course, it made me realize I had missed a story in Pia and Dragos’ life before this, and reminded me how much I loved the little novellas that popped up with new characters, particularly “Natural Evil,” which is one of my favorites. The wonderful cameos by most of the significant cast in the ‘Elder Races’ series was a delightful surprise.

 

Pia has definitely developed a feisty personality and this story reflects the adage, “that which does not kill us makes us stronger.” Her new baby, Niall, is definitely keeping everyone busy, and the rescue of a dog provides great comic relief as Dragos comes to terms with adding a “rejected snack” to his dependents. The eerie events that lead to the breathtaking climax are vividly depicted, and, impatient person that I am, made me search for and reread several of the connecting novellas while I strive to patiently await the next episode in the adventures of the Cuelebre family. Those new to these stories should definitely read some of the preceding stories in order to better appreciate the nuances and those who are fans already will enjoy re-immersing themselves in this wonderfully creative universe.

 

 

A copy of this story was provided for review