Tag: Myristica

Visions by Myristica

17187460Title: Visions

Series: The Harp & Sword Chronicles 03

Author: Myristica

Genre: High Fantasy

Length: Novel Plus (313pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (26th January 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4 ½

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: A year after becoming Prince Stephen’s warrior guard, Thaddeus is faced with his greatest challenge ever–losing Stephen to the lung sickness that has plagued him all his life. When visions of Stephen’s healing come, can Thaddeus trust them?

After only a year of being Prince Stephen’s warrior guard, Thaddeus is faced with his greatest challenge ever–losing Stephen to the lung illness that has plagued him all his life. But as Stephen lies dying, a vision is given to Thaddeus, and he must follow it if his Vome and Varie is to be saved. In doing so, Thaddeus, Stephen, and Lieutenant Kinarr find themselves pawns of the Gods and victims of Stephen’s older brother, Prince Megar, who plots to throw Stephen into slavery…and kill their father. When Thaddeus and Stephen are separated and forced into compliance by their captor, the Tearing of Souls begins, pushing Thaddeus to make the most difficult decision of his life.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This title contains elements of rape or near rape.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/visions-ebook-p-1245.html

Glossary at back of book on pg.305

Review: This story is part of a series and must be read in order. Stephen and Thaddeus have had a peaceful year since their joining, but now the Gods and Goddesses are manipulating them again. Stephen has a breathing attack that nearly kills him; both Stephen and Thaddeus receive visions that send them on a path that could destroy them both. Stephen, Thaddeus and Kinarr find themselves victims of Prince Megar, when Megar decides he is tired of waiting for the throne, setting a plan in action that the Gods like and are using to their own advantage. Thaddeus has to make a hard choice when he is separated from Stephen, but is the decision he makes the right one?

This story continues one year after the end of Passion’s Chill. Well, for those of us that adore Stephen and Thaddeus this story is about to make you wish that Megar was real, just so you could torture the b*****d, but remember he’s one sick and twisted puppy that might enjoy it. Stephen has been doing well with his health for the past year, when suddenly he is struck down again by the whims of the Gods, Thaddeus will do anything to keep his beloved alive so finally agrees to do as their visions suggest. They set off accompanied only by Kinarr and are captured by a slave trader who has an arrangement with Folon and Megar. To know more read the book *g*, seriously I am not giving anymore away about the storyline, but I will say I was surprised and my inner bloodthirsty bitch was very happy.

Visions is really well written and the world building is fabulous, each book builds more onto the world and we discover that the Dolan’s who serve the Aggregate aren’t quite as ‘holy’ as they would have everyone believe. We see many characters from the previous books and there are one or two new ones (Rown and Chinma) that I expect to see in future books (Myristica, I is watching *narrows eyes*), there are some surprises and the groundwork is being laid for the next book (The Quest).

Thaddeus and Stephen’s relationship is one of pure love (the depth of that love becomes apparent late in the book), and even though Stephen and Thaddeus can’t consummate their relationship their love is fierce and can stand anything that is thrown at it. For those of you who wonder, yes, we have the aftermath of rape and a general knowledge that it is happening, but we don’t get detailed scenes. Don’t worry though our characters are stronger than the enemy and boy, will the enemy regret it.

I will recommend this to those who love high fantasy, great characters, a complex and solid storyline, a deep pure love, battles, blood, a bittersweet ending and the promise of another great book.   

 

Blood-Mark: The Black Tigress: Episode 01: Ghost

947143_655174024498949_942182171_nTitle: Blood-Mark: The Black Tigress: Episode 01 Ghosts

Series: Dimenlien Chronicles

Author: Myristica

Genre: Paranormal, Serial Fiction

Length: Novella (87pgs)

Publisher: Dimenlien Projexts (27th May 2013)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥3 ½ – 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: A black tigress shape-shifter is loose on the city of Sapphire Ridge, California, seeking vengeance against Thomas Hampton, the lead vampire who once assisted in imprisoning her over 400 years before. When the Dimenlien Guild, led by Mistress Garen, the only being who has full knowledge of portal usage, refuses to help Hampton recapture the Tigress, he must turn to an enemy who long ago vowed to destroy him if they ever crossed paths again: Jonathan “Pal” Palomino, now a private investigator with Eagle Eye Investigations headed up by Kevin Laredo.

Kevin Laredo never believed vampires existed, let alone creatures of other worlds, but when Jonathan’s past comes back to haunt him, the world for Kevin and his team becomes smaller… and darker. And when Jonathan refuses to help Hampton, the vampire proceeds to mark Vic Turner, Kevin’s lover, threatening to pull him into the Shadow Change completely unless Jonathan agrees. But in messing with Vic, Hampton never bargained for Kevin’s interference, and he soon learns that no one messes with Kevin or those he loves.

Not humans, not monsters… and not vampires.

Purchase Link: US: http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Mark-Tigress-Dimenlien-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00D1CUYXW

UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Blood-Mark-Tigress-Dimenlien-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00D1CUYXW

Review: Kevin meets Vic again when he is attacked in a parking garage. They had met briefly years earlier, and Kevin has an instant attraction to Vic and soon discovers the attraction is mutual. Kevin offers Vic a job in his investigation agency. Vic wants to accept, but first he has a secret to admit to Kevin. Thomas Hampton is the lead vampire in Sapphire Ridge and he suspects that Arina has escaped from her prison. Now she is coming for him, but is also wrecking vengeance across the city. There’s only one way to bring her to heel and Thomas needs Jonathan to do it. But, Jonathan has hidden from the vampires for years ever since his lover’s life was taken by Veritan. To make matters more interesting, Kevin’s new lover, Vic, is the spitting image of Jonathan’s lost love and Thomas will use whatever means he has to, to gain the bait that he needs.    

This is a great beginning to a great new serial where some humans and paranormals clash. We begin the serial getting to know the characters and the parts that they slot into; the foundation on which the serial is built on and the beginning of what looks to be an interesting and compelling storyline. Each character that we visit plays an integral part in the story; the build up for what is to come in future episodes and showing us the beginnings of relationships and friendships. There are different character perspectives and they do change from scene to scene, but it is quite well done so you never really lose the thread of what is happening. it is trying to show you the characters involved and what is happening to them.

I really enjoyed this installment and how it builds the world around us as we read, introducing us to the interesting characters and giving us a background that is built upon as we go through the story. Kevin and Vic are just beginning a relationship in this first installment. We get the background story on Kevin and Vic slots in some details as he makes a confession. Jonathan is shrouded in mystery and we get hints that something in his past haunts him. As we progress, we discover what it is and the lasting effects it has on him. Thomas is someone who you think quite kindly about at first, but then he reveals his not so nice nature later and he begins to give you the creeps.

I have to admit that I was just a bit disappointed with the blurb because it has revealed details that haven’t appeared in this installment. It has whetted my appetite for the future books though. The characters are really good and we do get to know a bit about them. I have a feeling more details will be revealed in the future as the story is more padded out and expanded on. The storyline is really good and drew me in quite quickly. you have paranormals who hide from the humans and a few humans who know about them, but you also have politics going on in the paranormal world with political maneuvering, side stepping and veiled threats.

I will recommend this to those who love serial paranormal fiction, vampires, humans being dragged into the paranormal world, bloodshed, secrets being revealed and a budding new relationship. 

 

The Connecting Flame by Myristica

Title: The Connecting Flame

Series: Harp and Sword Chronicles 01

Author: Myristica

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Novel Plus (358pgs)

Publisher: Silver Publishing (21 April 2012)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Thaddeus: A warrior cursed with a Blood-Rage.

Stephen: A terminally ill prince.

Reunited after nine years, Thaddeus discovers Stephen is targeted by the Gods, but with his cursed rage, he wonders–Is he the wisest choice to become Stephen’s protector?

Thaddeus: A warrior cursed with a Blood-Rage. Stephen: A terminally ill prince. Separated for nine years, they are reunited again by two warring factions of Gods and a mysterious mist of light, all of whom have their eyes on Stephen. Knowing the dangers of his Blood-Rage, Thaddeus must determine if he is the best choice to become Stephen’s warrior guard. But with the Aggregate System of Gods involved, he may not have a choice. In spite of his terminal illness, Stephen may be the prophesied Catalyst who will bring about the downfall of the Aggregate. In order to hold on to their reign, the Aggregate have a plan… and that plan includes the manipulation of Thaddeus’s love for Stephen.

CONTENT ADVISORY: This title has a bittersweet ending.

Purchase Link: https://spsilverpublishing.com/product_book_info/products_id/755/

Review: Thaddeus is a warrior who has been cursed with Blood-Rage and his dreams are leading him home; a place where his family were slaughtered. The young prince needs him, but Thaddeus has a fear that his Blood-Rage will do more harm than good. Stephen is a young prince who is seriously ill and is also cursed. The only time he feels safe is with Thaddeus, the man who saved him years before.  Now, he needs Thaddeus more than ever.

What an absolutely fantastic fantasy that is well written and leaves you longing for more. Thaddeus has been cursed and is well known as The Marked One, who leaves dead bodies after his Blood-Rage. Stephen is a frail prince who has lived longer than anyone thought he would. These two, the warrior and the prince, are pulled together by dreams and a bond neither knew about and the gods who are manipulating them and those around them.

This story is not a romance.  It is a true fantasy that has elements of love that is just starting to develop. Thaddeus and Stephen are our main characters and both have their own form of anguish. Stephen, because of his illness and Thaddeus, because of the losses in the past and his curse. and they are both being manipulated by the Gods. We slowly learn, as we progress through the book, of the manipulation and the players the gods are using.  and we get an idea of why the gods are doing the manipulation, but things don’t always go to plan, as some gods are playing two sides.

Although there is sex in this book, it is between secondary characters that use it more for control.  Although Thaddeus does have sex, it is because of the Red Moon Day (his species mating time). There are some nasty characters in this book who you will cheerfully want something bad to happen to and some great characters who you want the best for. The world building is quite good, but I can see us getting even more in future books, so we can get a clearer picture of the game that is in play.  we get some fantastic descriptions of the surrounding areas and we get a good idea of what Thaddeus and Stephen are being shaped for.

Although we are given a warning that it has a bittersweet ending it doesn’t.  It has a ‘to be continued’ ending that made me want the next book…now.  I will be reading this book again when the next one is released, just so I can say ‘ahhh’ when I open the next book. Sighing in satisfaction, as I see how Thaddeus will rescue Stephen from the High Dolen (some of the god’s high priest). If you want to know more, read the book…Bwahahaha.

I recommend this to those who love fantasy, gods manipulation, human manipulation, nasty brothers, fierce warriors, a strong bond between prince and warrior, fantastic back stories and a brilliant ‘to be continued’ ending.