The Omehi people have been fighting an unwinnable war for almost two hundred years. The lucky ones are born gifted. One in every two thousand women has the power to call down dragons. One in every hundred men is able to magically transform himself into a bigger, stronger, faster killing machine.
Everyone else is fodder, destined to fight and die in the endless war.
Young, gift-less Tau knows all this, but he has a plan of escape. He’s going to get himself injured, get out early, and settle down to marriage, children, and land. Only, he doesn’t get the chance.
Those closest to him are brutally murdered, and his grief swiftly turns to anger. Fixated on revenge, Tau dedicates himself to an unthinkable path. He’ll become the greatest swordsman to ever live, a man willing to die a hundred thousand times for the chance to kill the three who betrayed him.
This book truly had it all. A well-created world with well-crafted characters that had me laughing and crying and wailing and cheering. The perfect anti-hero we can’t help but love. A blend of tragedy and fortune, camaraderie, and villainy. As Blood Song, by Anthony Ryan, made me love stories of sword brothers, Winter gives us another group to laugh and cry with. All with a pinch of magic that elevates military strategy to another level.
Rooting for the underdog is our favorite thing, and this book is full of that. The most savage thing I’ve ever read a character decide happens in this book, and from that moment on, I could not put it down. While there were plenty of times I wished I could step in and intercede in some rash decision, it never reached a point that turned the story. What a fine line that is. Can any of us truly describe it? I imagine it’s different for all of us. Why else would someone rate this book 1 star while I give it 5? 🙂 Whatever that line, Mr. Winter tread it perfectly, and I can’t wait to re-read this book.
Buried beneath a suberbly crafted story is a great commentary on social structure and how those structures are an injustice to every citizen involved. How we too easily believe the lies of a majority, and most especially, believe the violent strength that maintains such structure. While the fight against systemic injustice is hard, while the decision to do evil for the sake of some greater good is easy, neither should be how we decide. History should be known, so we all understand where we come from and that no matter our gifts, we all have equal value in the whole.
The world is descending into devastating chaos. There’s a new enemy to mankind on the horizon… it’s me.
I’m ready to let go of morality. It’s time to play.
But how much ‘fun’ is too much when you’ve accidentally triggered the vampire apocalypse?! Are there any lines left that shouldn’t be crossed?
There’s a brand new hunger under my skin, and it wants more. More of Alex’s darkness, more of Zac’s light—
The two don’t go together, but that doesn’t stop the pull in my chest, or the ravenous shadowy beat that strikes a constant melody in my soul, driving me forward, destruction in my wake.
Can I really side with vampires and stand by as humanity is lost?
Because once that darkness is set free, pulling it back might be beyond my capabilities…
Just wow! This conclusion gave me everything I wanted. Dark romance, twisted love, hard choices, harder consequences, and a finale that leaves room for more! The best one yet.
Not to mention the rebrand of this series! Check out the new covers! Well done!
I’m looking forward to new adventures from Nicola Rose.
Echo Volume 4: The Last Edge of Darkness, by Kent Wayne
SciFi. Dystopian. Military.
5 stars.
A perfect conclusion to a fantastic story.
From the first, I was caught in Mr. Kent Wayne’s world of Echo. I am a sucker for SciFi military drama, and this one pushed those boundaries and added elements not typically delved into at this level. I appreciated that, though I wonder if many might find it preachy. But those people are not my problem 😉 I bring it up only because this is a review, and if you’re prone to being angry for others talking about their way that’s not your way, well, you decide.
Atriya is pushed like he’s never been, and rather than become a gregariously drawn-out beat down, it only instills the magnitude of what’s happening. I just want to talk abou tthis book with everyone. Read it. Let’s have a conversation. It’s exactly how I felt after reading Seven Surrenders and The Will to Battle by Ada Palmer. Concepts that stretch my worldview, that make me think on what I know and make me question and seek.
There are no many things to say, but I won’t add spoilers to a review, so just read this series, then get back to me. Check out all my highlights from this book on my Goodreads profile.
One door promises freedom, the other safety. Which one would you choose? Depressed and abandoned after my father dies, I’m sent to a therapy center where I must decide between two doors. Behind one door awaits life in my home country where I will continue to scramble through a tangle of mistakes and a poisonous relationship, but old and new friendships alike may be my salvation. Escape lies behind the second door, where I can run away to an unknown country far away where demanding physical labor will push aside my inner demons. This door could be a fresh start. The “Borderline” series tells two tales, of two parallel realities, based on one true story.
Taya DeVere understands “trust the reader.” She pulls us along with perfectly factored information without bogging us down in descriptive histories that would only stall the pace of the novel. I was forced to slow myself down to not flip pages too quickly and ruin the story. I just wanted to know what was going to happen!!
The heart-wrenching struggles of the MC are real, powerful and relatable even as I’ve never experienced what she was going through. Well done! The straightforward telling of events, without reason or excuse or fluffed meanderings of explanation make this experience perfect for the reader. I was in this story, and while I typically shy away from “real life” tellings (I’m a fantasy/sci-fi girl as I like my fiction fiction) I would recommend this book to everyone. I even ravaged the pages we were given to as a teaser for book two. Unnecessary, by the way- I’m already hooked!
Xacier was once king of the proud Kell Empire, but after his cousin’s betrayal he is enslaved in the fighting arena. The only way to survive? Kill everyone and be the champion. With his strength and skill, only a few battles now stand between Xacier and his freedom, and he will stop at nothing to get out and get his revenge. But when a human woman is thrown into the arena, Xacier will find himself fighting to defend her, at the risk of losing his freedom – and his life.
Samantha is crossing the galaxy to visit her ailing mother, when she is sold to the Frirens and tossed into the middle of an arena battle. Completely out of her element, her only hope of making it out of here alive lies with the strong and ruthless alien who claims her as his prize. Winning their freedom won’t be easy, though, and even if they do make it out together, Samantha isn’t sure she’ll be able to part ways with this warrior who captured her body and her heart.
Happily ever after guaranteed! Can be read as part of the series or as a standalone romance.
Xacier’s Prize was my first experience with “SciFi Alien Romance,” and I was a fan. I liked this new perspective on this type of story.
While I liked both characters, Xacier and Samantha, I was disappointed a bit with things moving too quickly. This is a common issue I have with these kinds of books, and maybe I’m too nerdy for them, but I wanted more stretching of the story.
Xacier was great. From the beginning, he was likable and relatable and most especially, consistent. I appreciated that.
There was a portion of the story I thought a bit forced, and I was confused by its use, though I guess it was the catalyst for things to happen. Still, this point swallowed some of the rest for me.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and will be taking a look at more of Lily S. Thomas‘ work. If you’re looking for a fun, quick read with elements of action and romance, this book is for you!
Author C.M. Martens 