⭐⭐⭐⭐ Was I hooked by that book? Yes. The Wrath is an unexpectedly sweet slow burn romance amidst all the violence, with the emphasis on burn.

For centuries, Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies, has existed only for recovering the enchanted bones of his slain wife to bring her back to life. He’s never been closer to success. But a new enemy has risen. A band of deadly war gods who have thirty days to destroy her or suffer the consequences. With time running out, Rathbone hires a maddening harpy-oracle, unaware she has an agenda of her own. Neeka the Unwanted is a fierce warrior on a mission to stop Rathbone and the gods. She’s seen the future if either is victorious, and it’s horrifying. She’ll do whatever proves necessary to forge a new path, even seduce the ruthless royal from his purpose. What she can’t predict? How the intense male will shatter her hard-won defenses along the way. As Rathbone battles unexpected betrayals, cunning foes, and the wild temptress he craves with every fiber of his being, he knows he must hold on to a cold dream or embrace a new flame.

MY THOUGHTS

This book is my favourite so far in this dark, gritty series. It is very different from the first three books in that it doesn’t focus on one of the Astra, but rather one of their myriad enemies. But don’t worry, the Astra still play an integral part.

Neeka was adorable, if it is possible to call a harpy that. She had this endearing quality to her that just made me want to give her a hug. Her actions were completely ruled by her visions and her intuition, and they usually steered her right. She was also less prone to violence than her harpy sisters.

And I would say Rathbone inspired similar feelings. He had spent centuries collecting the bones of his beloved so that she could be resurrected to rule by his side. I’m sure at times that it felt like a hopeless task, but he never gave up.

Rathbone was so absorbed in his quest and his obsession with Lore that he was oblivious to his growing attraction to Neeka. I loved how they slowly, surreptitiously grew closer. Even Neeka didn’t want to acknowledge what he might mean to her.

The one thing that is truly exceptional in this series, is the way that the Astra eventually complete their quests, but such that it benefits them more than they initially believed was possible. And it always comes as a surprise.

If you like steamy dark romance with troubled characters, then you will enjoy this series. This book stands pretty well on its own, but I think everything will make more sense if you start with The Warlord and read them in order.

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
Published: February 6, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Rise of the Warlords
Other books in the series: The Warlord, The Immortal, The Phantom