⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? It was fine. If you like fantasy with violence, and your romance slightly on the psychotic side, then this is for you.

Roux is one of the Astra who had invaded the harpy realm. He is the third warrior tasked with a challenge that will lead to the defeat of their biggest enemy, Erebus, and freeing the Astra from his influence. His entire life he has only known torture and can’t stand to have another physically touch him. That is until Blythe the Undoing. Is she fated to be his and he hers? Can she ever forgive him for killing her consort and the father of her child? Blythe might have no choice but to rely on him if she is to survive the trials thrown at her on Ation, where Roux is slated to remove the heart of the queen.

MY THOUGHTS

Blythe and Roux are two very fascinating and consistent characters. You can count on them to surprise you often, but the outcome will always be the same. They think things through before acting, for the most part. And when confronted with a statement that could be the truth or a lie, they reason it out carefully and usually come to the right conclusion.

I’ve been watching Yellowstone recently, and the harpies, maybe especially Blythe, reminds me of Beth Dutton. She can be all soft and sweet one moment and the next she is stabbing you with a steak knife at the dinner table. In Blythe’s case, she will more likely eviscerate or decapitate you. Roux is very mysterious with all the weirdness going on in his head. I like how their frequent interactions pushed them closer together. Apart from the slow burn, it also gives them a new perspective and appreciation for each other.

I have varied feelings about the tournament on Ation. Initially, there are so many combatants, it becomes more of a bloodbath and is less engaging. The last battle is the most compelling. Ation is also inhabited by a plethora of interesting creatures, but we only get to meet them on the surface.

These books are dark, gritty and violent, and definitely not for everyone. It is worth reading them in order. The first two books do an excellent job of explaining the world and the abilities of everyone in it. They also provide a more detailed explanation of the tasks that the warriors have to complete and why.

Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Were you hooked by that book? Let me know in the comments below.

Genre: Fantasy Romance
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Rise of the Warlords
Other books in the series: The Warlord, The Immortal