Poisoned. Trapped. At the mercy of a ghost . . .
She can handle this.
A month into her competition with Venator Terryn, Ayleth seems no closer to winning the Golden Prince’s trust. Why else would he call Terryn to serve at the castle on some secret mission, leaving Ayleth to manage the borough on her own?No matter. She’ll prove her worth to the prince come what may. Plenty of mysteries plague the … worth to the prince come what may. Plenty of mysteries plague the land under her protection . . . including the mystery of Terryn himself and the strange, dangerous talisman he’s been keeping hidden in his room.
Her search for answers soon finds Ayleth on the trail of her deadliest foe yet. A ghost from the prince’s past has returned to haunt the present, possessed of a powerful phantom shade capable of walking the dark paths of the Haunts. Ayleth is totally outmatched and unprepared to face such an enemy alone.
But when has she ever backed down from a fight?
Welcome back to a world where enemies and friends can be difficult to distinguish, where angels are deadly and demons desirable, and shadows of the past loom dark across the future. If you like your heroines brave, your heroes tormented, and your action non-stop, try The Venatrix Chronicles today!
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Phew, this is the darkest book in the series so far I think, it has turned very grim as Ayleth is left on her own in Milisendis outpost whilst Terryn was called to see to the Golden Prince. She discovers a stone which was pure evil in Terryn’s room and knowing what it was decides to investigate, travelling by herself to the ruins of Cro Ular which the ghost of Fayline taken over by the Phantomwitch known as Inren di Karel still haunts. She faces a danger like no other she has faced before as her foe this time is mighty and cunning and has been around doing her work in the name of her dead Queen, Dread Odile, for many years. However, Ayleth never backed down from a battle even when caught unarmoured and battle weary and on the verge of death she still strove to save the day. Terryn is still hiding secrets especially those concerned with his feelings for Ayleth which he tried to hide even from himself. Two witches are on the loose the Phantomwitch and the Warpwitch, Ylaire who was looking after Nilly the inborn child and using her shade Rasanala, to find out where her queen was buried. Seems like the venators work is far from done even though there are those who believe that they are more evil than those they hunted! Will Cerine be able to convince Gerard of this through the studies she and her fellow nun of the Siveline Temple had discovered? I am so in awe of this amazing series, I love the courage of the feisty heroine, the kindness of the Prince and the stoic stand Terryn always assumes and I look forward to reading further into the captivating and at times heart-stopping series.
When I finally got a few days to catch up on my towering to-be-read pile, this was the series I was most excited about diving back into, I think–and I’m so glad I started with it!
Book three of the Venatrix Chronicles definitely DID NOT DISAPPOINT. It had been awhile since I read books one and two–which says absolutely nothing about these books, but rather everything about my hectic life and deadlines and my extremely slooooow reading style– but I didn’t feel lost at all with this third book. Rather, returning to this series felt like catching up with old friends and strolling with them through a favorite, familiar place, which I believe is a sign of truly great writing. Those friends and those places continue to grow in this installment; I LOVE the complexity of Ayleth and Terryn’s relationship. Cerine was an interesting new perspective to read from as well. And of course the world-building was as lovely and dark and beautiful as in past books and just…*sigh*. I know I’m being kind of vague here, but spoilers in reviews drive me crazy, so I’m just going to say that if you loved the first books, you will DEVOUR this one as well, and if you haven’t started this series yet then what on earth are you waiting for??? Get on it, yesterday.
And now…on to book four!
This saga grows in detail and intricacy with every volume. It has the same kind of epic atmosphere and rolling action as Elizabeth Moon’s The Deed of Paksennarrion. As in the Deed, the characters in the Venatrix Chronicles become more real and more rich in detail as the author adds to each character in each new volume. This book introduces more depth to Ayleth and Terryn, including an apparently unrequited attraction to the other. That plus a couple of little bombs the author scatters through this book mean that I need the next book – soon.
Another mind-blowing installment in the Ventatrix Chronicles series!!!
Action-packed, fast-paced, with lots of mystery and suspense, unpredictable plot twists and the slow-burn forbidden romance that builds between Ayleth and Terryn, kept me awake all night to finish the book.
Each book in the series is a masterpiece and they get better and better as the series continues. Sylvia Mercedes has definitely a way with words, weaving vivid descriptions of people, places, situations. With each book the fantasy world she has created expands bit by bit, immersing the readers in it and leaving them crave for more.
I sincerely hope the next book comes out soon. I’m sitting on hot coals to see what comes next!!!
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review so here it is:
This is the best book of the series so far! Filled with action and intrigue, I had a hard time putting it down (not easy cooking dinner while reading I can tell you! )
Sylvia writes an incredibly powerful tale that will keep you on the edge of your seat, rooting for the underdog while keeping you wondering what’s going to happen next.
Can’t wait to read what happens to Ayleth, Terryn, Gerard and Cerrine in the next book! Sylvia Mercedes
The third book in this fabulous series sees Ayleth and Terryn chasing shade-spirits once again, and ensuring that all is well. (But it never is…)
This time though, Terryn has a different (secret) route to take, away from her, and Ayleth is left to cover their shared job description on her own. When Ayleth finds out that Terryn’s been hiding something deadly dangerous, her growing respect and feelings for him change.
One of Dread Odile’s highest aides has an eye on a family member, and the reader is introduced to the Golden Prince’s ‘suggested’ bride when she, and her Sisterhood, pay him a visit. All hell breaks loose on the journey.
There’s nothing predictable within these pages. The book is fantastically Haunts-tormented, action-packed, edge-of-your-seat scary, so well-written and well-told, and you really won’t believe what happens. This is the best one (so far), and there’s more to come. I loved this!
I chose this from a selection, then voluntarily read and honestly reviewed it. All opinions are my own.
Suspenseful and Thrilling!
WOW! Another very suspenseful and thrilling part to this amazing series. There is no end the the action and intrigue that this amazing author brings us with her storytelling. Book 3 kept me on the edge of my seat fully captivated on all the little twists and turns throughout. I am still trying to guess how this series will end. There are still some secrets that need to come to light and I can’t wait for that to happen.
The characters and plot line are fantastic and well planned out. What secrets are we going to uncover next – I can’t wait to find out.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Book 3 didn’t disappoint! Wow, let me tell you this: Ayleth is one kick butt heroine. Mrs. Mercedes did a great job connecting book 3 to the 1st two books. I didn’t feel lost starting the next book.
The individual character development made me feel more connected with the characters. I was understanding them better and seeing a new side to them. The relationship between Ayleth and Terryn begins to intensify, grow stronger, get set back…. I could go on. Man, I can’t wait to see what happens between them next.
I like how Ms. Mercedes kept the story going, but gave us some glimpses into the past to help us understand not only the background of the characters, but how they got to where they are now.
I can’t wait for book 4!