Magic awakens. Darkness stirs. The Wraith Lord hunts.
The war raging in the South seems a remote danger for seventeen-year-old Diamond Gillon until her home is brutally attacked.Catapulted into a terrifying new existence where legendary beasts arise, magic is condemned, and half-blood fae like her have no rights, Diamond is inexplicably drawn to Commander Hugo Casimir. But he is a ruthless elite … Commander Hugo Casimir. But he is a ruthless elite guard owned by a cruel, immortal fae queen who murders her own people for magic.
A prisoner in Hugo’s world, Diamond’s circumstances become ever more perilous; for the Queen covets more than just magic. Diamond must escape—before her fate, and that of The Eight Kingdoms, is sealed in shadow and chaos.
When her life hangs in the balance, will Hugo prove to be her friend and ally, or an enemy unworthy of her heart?
A Bond of Venom and Magic is the first installment in this breathtaking four book romantic fantasy series. Perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas and Holly Black. Hold onto your heart, dive in and be swept away in this spectacular epic sword and sorcery adventure.
This book is written for those who enjoy upper YA high fantasy tales
It is a full length 105000 word novel and is not a stand alone, contains some mild cursing and sexual content.
“I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars! This was seriously one of the best books I’ve read all year! I was sucked in right away with the first page and found it to be such a breath of fresh air! Jewels like this come few and far in between. It was such an extremely FUN, magical, and fantastic read. I found myself excited to continue reading it.” Verified Amazon Customer.
“Can I just say WOW!! This book was an amazing magical fantasy adventure! This is a new author for me, but I love fantasy so I was excited to read this. The author did not disappoint! Diamond and Hugo…Oh my gosh…love the characters even though it’s complicated. That just adds to the suspense! I love this book and I am so excited to read the next one! This book gets 5***** from me all the way around. Excellent suspenseful fantasy magic filled book! You have got to check this book out!” Verified Amazon Customer
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A page turning drama of young girl that discovers she has magic.
Diamond is a half-blood which makes her an outcaste. She loses her father to the dark monsters. She is saved by a warrior, the Queen’s guard, but is she really saved? The adventure follows Diamond and the Queen’s guard, Hugo. Diamond is being hunted by Master Ragor, Lord of Wraiths and she doesn’t know why. She is only a half-blood so what is the reason that he is seeking her? Diamond is thrown into fighting for her life. She is confused by her feelings toward Hugo and his feelings for her. She gets conflicting signs, first he wants to protect her, thenhe totally ignores her, what is he hiding. There are brutal attacks, unusual friendships, unsuspected betrayal and mixed emotions. This book has it all. Can’t wait to continue reading the next book.
I have always been an elitist when it came to sci fi/fantasy and have believed that only those such as Tolkien, Frank Herbert and Robert Heinlien, or And Mcaffrey, Melanie Rawn and Mercedes Lackey would ever be good enough for me. And while not quite there yet, I’m happy to say I’ve found a serious “could be” in Karen Tomlinson.
Creating a believable world complete with peoples, places, language and beliefs has to be truly a difficult thing. For me it would be near impossible. Karen Tomlinson has begun to do so in her first book of the Goddess and the Guardians in a very entertaining way. I think it has a ways to go before it becomes a world I can see as something real and believable, but it is a tremendous start. I found I had a more difficult time putting it down than I anticipated at the beginning. Now I am anxious to finish this review so I can begin book 2.!
My only reason for a rating of 4 stars rather than 5 is that I feel she needs to pare down the repetition of emotions that both Hugo and Diamond express. It gets monotonous enough that I find myself skipping parts because of it. I’m hoping book 2 gets that a little more under control. I really don’t like skipping parts of any book.
Still, very well done!
I really liked this book because it had an exceptional main character. I loved Dimond as she was mixed blood but could hold her own. I found her to be refreshing. Her love interest Hugo made me want to go through my kindle and slap some sense into him at some points, but I was still rooting for them overall. I would love to read more books in this world.
A Bond of Venom and Magic…Wow what a story. This book will anger, entice, enthrall and bind you to it. You will not be able to put it down for no other reason than to find out what happens next. I normally do not read YA books because their naivete and stupidity drive me crazy. The character development and storylinrcand world building in this book are phenomenallly done. Diamond is very naive and innocent at time but she also has great moments of strength and clarity. And given the enormity of her tasks she grows into her power and worth in the right time frame. Hugo is an immense mess of aman…he cannot figure out what he needs. He knows what he wants but cannot quite get it. He mademe want to slap, maim and hug him all at the same time. This book has it all truly evil protagonists, monsters and demons and fantastic world’s to conquer. If you are looking for a wimpy fairy tale this book is not for you. If however you want a truly magnificent kickass journey that will keep your heart beating you have found it in A Bond of Venom and Magic.
Diamond is half-human/half-fae. She is looked down on for it. Saved by Hugo, she’s pulled into his world that’s ruled by an evil queen. Diamond will have to fight against the queen and Wraith Lord and hope she survives. Nail-biting action. Loved it.
A Bond of Venom and Magic is the first book in The Goddess and the Guardians series and it starts off with the reader immediately in the midst of the action. Armoured Winged Fae, hounds from hell (or similar), fights to the death, it’s all going on.
This was a great introduction to this world and I really have high hopes for Hugo and Diamond but it did start to grate on me, just a tad, with their lack of trust and miscommunication. Now, I get it. I really do. I wouldn’t trust someone who worked for the enemy under those circumstances either BUT we hear of this connection between them and how Diamond really believes Hugo this time but then it all changes and we’re back to hating him. This detracted slightly from the story for me and I do hope there is less of this in the future books in the series.
Saying that though, I think that was my biggest gripe. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can’t wait to delve back into Hugo’s world sometime in the near future.
A venomous read!
Magic awakens…
Darkness stirs…
The Wraith Lord hunts…
Great and interesting writing. It started out so incredibly interesting and hooking but…
My god! This heroine is not a heroine at all. Wow. Like seriously! I’m putting this out there – she turned into such a pathetic and weak character. I had high hopes for her in the beginning but that is all gone now. It’s good the author didn’t shy away from panic attacks – I liked that but my gosh this character and some of the the others. Nope. Nope. I know this sounds too harsh but I did still enjoy the story in spite of that.
Hopefully there’s character growth in the next books. I already own them all but I am so not reading them now. Nope.
I’m torn between a three and four rating but eventually gave it a four, purely, for the fact that the story, world and writing was good. Also, overall it was enjoyable at times.
Full of goddesses, magic, fae, destiny, enemies and bonds.
Perfect for readers of high fantasy romances.
Audiobook
The narrator was so flipping amazing. It made this whole book so worthwhile. My god! I fell in love with the narrator and the narration. I just love her voice and everything about it!
I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the author/publisher.
This book was really spectacular. I had heard so many good things about this book, and I am so glad that I listened and took a chance on this author. Tomlinson’s brand of high fantasy really impressed me.
The plot of this book is really complex. There are so many different elements that are bound together to make the story. There are a lot of breadcrumbs throughout the story that I would have loved more information on, but will no doubt be answered in the next book. The world building is really fantastic and quite vivid. There were some twists in the plot that I was not expecting, which I enjoyed. Anything that keeps me guessing gets my heart pumping. The story was really fast paced. I loved the action in the story, but I would have also liked things to slow down now and again.
The characters are very powerful. I felt that Hugo was the strongest character. We get to see his inner workings and feel as he feels. He is a very willful character that is conflicted a lot throughout the story. Diamond was a character that I didn’t really feel as much for. She was mostly a damsel in distress throughout the book and I would have loved to see her more confident and capable. At one point in the book she has to survive in the woods for weeks alongside an injured Jack. She has to care for him and help them survive. This part of the book was where I enjoyed reading about Diamond the most. Throughout the rest of the book she seems way too dependent upon Hugo to the point that it was just annoying. And I have to be honest and say that I don’t care for her name one bit. It just sounds silly to me. I liked Jack’s character. He seems like a nice guy and a good ally. He seems to be very interested in Diamond, and his interest strikes me as very genuine. Diamond saved his life and he develops feelings for her. It makes for a very compelling aspect of the story. Especially when Hugo and Diamond have a bond and are secretly fighting their feelings for each other. The Fae Queen was just despicable. She really made me want to claw her eyes out. She was so heartless and unforgiving. Just plain evil.
I really appreciate some of the diversity in the book. I really liked the racial issues that were touched upon in this book. Since Diamond is half fae and half human, she is considered a half-breed and looked down upon. Half-breeds have no rights and are treated unfairly in the book. Diamond has struggled with her social status all her life and you can tell that it has taken its toll on her in some ways. I also liked the inclusion of gay characters in the book. I really hope to see more of Tom and Zane in the next book. I adore them.
I would have liked more clarification to the magic in this world. Diamond just possesses magic all of a sudden with no explanation. When Hugo uses his magic it is very vague. I didn’t feel like I fully understood where it came from or how it worked.
I really adored the array of fantasy creatures in this book. They were all very creative. I especially liked that Tomlinson’s version of fae have wings. I’d never really seen that done before and felt it was a unique twist.
Overall, I love this story! It delivers a very unique high fantasy story that you will not want to miss out on! I definitely have a new favorite author, and one that I recommend you watch out for. I expect great things from her!
4 out of 5 stars
Welcome to the world of the Fae . With a war brewing in the south Diamond has been left unaffected until the day she is attacked at her little school house . Her life is turned upside down. She heads to a world where the legendary beasts arise and magic is not what you want to have . Being a half fae she is basically at the bottom of the barrel according to the world of the Fae . When Hugo comes into her life , she is drawn to the cruel guard . Will they survive the evil queen who wants Diamond for her power and will they realize that they are more to each other .
This is such a good fantasy novel , the characters are well written. Diamond is an outcast but she is also a strong girl that when push comes to shove she will fight for those she loves and needs . She grows up a lot through out the book . I can’t wait to see where the author takes her . Hugo well this poor man is well basically between a rock and hard space . He wants to protect Diamond from the evil queen but he is torn because he works for the queen and she wants Diamond . You really see Hugo go through so many emotions when he is with Diamond from love to ultimate protection . They are a couple that will grow hopefully together .
This is an epic ya fantasy , you are transported to a time and place of magic . You have the good versus evil , heartbroken heroine and an epic mystery that needs to be solved . I couldn’t put it down . The characters are lovable and the story is good . I will say that there are a few things that did bother me like the repetition of the some of the emotions both the main characters had . It just seemed flat and yes I admit I skimmed those parts . Over all I really enjoyed this book and fell for the characters . This would be a great book for teens who want an epic read for this summer . Even us adults that love getting lost in a great fantasy .
Wish I could give this 5 stars but unfortunately I cant. For a few reasons. It was an extremely slow read. The traveling was over long and it was repetitive in some of the things we were already told. Hugo was a lot to take. I didnt like him 80% of the book. He was a dick! Thats me being nice. He was sooo horrible to Diamond. He was abusive both mentally and physically. He was so harsh with her. Now…he didnt beat her but he hurt her plenty. He knew what was going to happen when he took her to the Queen and her lands. He was selfish and wanted her close so he brought her anyways and that poor girl was abused in so many ways. I felt for her. She was 17 years old and was sheltered so imagine her surprise to getting beaten and injured and seeing all these horrific things. She almost died a few times as well. Dont get me started on the Queen…she needs to die. She’s cruel and a psychopath! She earned the title of what a real bitch is. To be fair to Hugo he felt he had to be the way he was with her to protect her. Yes, it was true in a way. However, he should have thought of another way instead of leading her to his Queen who would use her and kill her. I really wish he took that mystery Lord up on giving Diamond to him to protect her and reveal her destiny. He couldnt because he is in love with her. Yes, I know I dislike him but doesnt mean its not true. They both have feelings and its going to be a cruel ride. I wouldnt say she was weak but definitely damsel material. Being sheltered does that but she did step up many times to protect people. This writing style isnt for everyone and nothing is what it seems story wise. This is not for the faint of heart. If your looking for sweet oh no this isnt it! 🙂 I’m not sure if I want to be invested and continue the series. I liked it but I think the writing style is getting to me. She is excellent at world building character building and the story is good. Being long and drawn out isnt my favorite and this is what it is. Thats ok though dont let it stop you from reading it!