Where it all Began: Manx Cat Guardians Origins (Book 1)Why did he crave something that would condemn him to a life of purgatory? A man who was born to be king. How could a lowly servant be the one thing he wanted more than his crown?King Óláfr the Black was a Norseman and was no stranger to suffering: pain was nothing he’d not experienced time and time again at the hands of those who pertained to … those who pertained to love him. It hardened his heart to what could be.
Until fate stepped in, in the form of a Guardian Cat, Maximillian.
Maximillian’s need to connect the two soulmates gave Óláfr his first and only taste of love.
Maximillian’s ability to go against the laws of his kind gave Óláfr an unthinkable decision.
Maximillian shows Óláfr that fate will not be messed with, not without consequences.
But Óláfr knows he’s being watched, his people thirsting for blood. A priest, a fire, a blood eagle, and a promise of redemption. Can two souls searching for love find each other again?
Where it all Began (Manx Cat Guardian Origins) the prequel to Manx Cat Guardian Series, these books are not standalones, and this book links directly to Searching for a Soul to Love. They should be read in order to gain the background. It is an MM historical romance, with soulmate connections, slow burn, angst, and an ancient paranormal cat that likes to interfere. This book has a cliffhanger with no HEA until book 4.
Trigger Warning: There are some scenes of violence.
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The Manx Cat guardians were brought about by the Old Gods to help help soul mates find each other but with the coming of Christianity and it’s teachings, the world is changing. Maximillion became a guardian at a very young age and even with guidence he has some difficulty allowing the events to unfold as they will and because of his interferance things didn’t go as he planned. With the help of the Gods he sought to right the wrongs he caused by helping these two broken souls in the future.
In a time when a new god is changing the landscape of love, the Manx Cat Guardians are sent to guide soulmates to one another. The arrogance of one such guardian brings two men together only to have them torn apart in the worst way one could imagine. His role changes to guide these souls back to one another and right his wrongs, but it also paves the way for other Guardians to carry out their roles throughout the ages.
I never imagined that I would be so torn and ravaged by a story. What happened was utterly horrible! But there’s so much promise and connection that my yearning is much greater than my shock and depression. I seriously never saw any of what happened coming. Not only were two men made to feel the consequences of time, religion, and vindictive warriors, but they were put into the situation because of the impatient urgings of an arrogant king. I have no words for how painful their situation was or how horrendous the punishments of that time period were. Their story is one I simply must read to ease my own soul regarding two men who deserved better.
This whole premise is incredibly interesting. While it was quite difficult to get into the story once it jumped to the historical beginning of Max’s part in Aaden’s tale, it was a great introduction to his role and how everything connects. Though I will say that things took a turn for the awkward when we got the cat’s more…sensual leanings? We’ll see if he gets his own story to make that less weird, but for now it’s best if you just kind of gloss over his musings and focus on the other romances.
Despite being a rather long prologue, this set everything up for the series and while I’m a bit squeamish about the original couple, I’ve got some high hopes for everyone we’ll meet and where we’ll be taken on this rather intriguing journey.
This was an absolutely heartbreaking read. Óláfr and Magnus were star-crossed soulmates, meant to be together but kept apart by the beliefs of the time they lived in. I ached for these men and hated those who kept them from being together – including, at times, Óláfr. Maximillian was their guardian, an overweight white cat with dual-colored eyes. But Maximillian was so much more.
As painful as this book was for me, it also had me completely hooked. I can’t wait to see the soulmates brought together in this series, especially Óláfr and Magnus, now reincarnated in modern times. I’m ready to learn more about the guardians as well. The writing here was very good, and the story will stay with me. I’ll be moving on to the next book as soon as I can fit it in my schedule. I’m excited!
Where It All Began: Manx Cat Guardians Origins is the prequel to the Manx Cat Guardians series. This is the first book I have read by J.P. Sayle. When I first started to read this book, I was confused, but after a while I got sucked into this story. This story was unpredictable, and it serves as a great introduction for a few of the characters that are seen later in the series. There was plenty of love, danger, betrayal, forgiveness in this story. I am intrigued with the world-building, and I cannot wait to see what happens next. I recommend this story and I know that I will continue reading the rest of the series because I need to know what happens next!
Where It All Began by JP Sayle is part of the Manx Cat Guardians Origins series. It is an emotional journey that had me tearing up over Magnus and Olafr. A heartbreaking story but one that gives a powerful story. This well written tale gives us backstory for the rest of the series. I cant wait to read the rest of the series. I am fully drawn in.
I received an advanced reader’s copy of the book and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review and recommendation.