For some, rebirth is not a reward.
Centuries ago the gods demanded Ashayna Stonemantle sacrifice her demon-tainted lover. She did, and then ended her own life, but it didn’t fulfill her obligations to the gods.
Reborn into a new body, Ashayna has no awareness of her former life until her sentient magic manipulates her into seeking out Sorntar, Crown Prince of the Phoenix. The majestic and … majestic and charismatic Sorntar reveals that she is host to a Larnkin—a spirit creature of vast power. If she can trust the word of a man who is part avian, he is host to her Larnkin’s other half. When their Larnkins awaken early and force them into an unbreakable bond, Ashayna and Sorntar are accused of being corrupted by an ancient evil. To prove their innocence, they must discover what happened in the past to pit bondmate against bondmate. As the search for the truth draws them closer together, Ashayna realizes she’s falling in love with Sorntar. But before she can tell him, his tainted Larnkin enslaves him. The gods demand she kill her beloved, as she did once before, but she will not do it, even if it’s the only thing that will keep her soul safe from his darkness.
Author’s Note: In Deception’s Shadow is a fantasy romance sword and sorcery adventure series.
Betrayal’s Price (Book 1)
Herd Mistress (Book 2)
Death’s Queen (Book 3) Forthcoming.
more
This book is recommended for readers 18+ did to adult scenes.
This is a really interesting world Ms Blackwood has created. The magic system being fueled by a symbiotic relationship, though not original, makes the plot so much more interesting. Sorntar and Ashayna’s relationship is both sweet and steamy. He is the perfect combination of boyish charm and masculinity. Ash is strong and independent without being harsh and cold. Great beginning to this series.
This was a Romantic Epic Fantasy where a strong protagonist has personal struggles when settling down in a new environment. Ashayna is hot tempered and angry, but there is something in Sorntar that makes her feisty personality waiver. Living abroad myself I could relate to Ashayna’s impressions of arriving and trying to settle into another part of her world. On occasions I felt like slapping her across the face for being so rude to Sorntar who was only trying his best to make her feel at home, but it also made for that intriguing love drama that kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen next. The evolving plot was well described, and I enjoyed being brought along on the adventure.
Wow! Another great story by Lisa Blackwood. The only problem is now I have to buy the rest of the books in the series.
Ms. Blackwood created a really great mythical world with gryphons, phoenixes, lycans, and more!
I can’t wait to find out what happens next with Ash and Sorntar.
The world is wonderful; I liked how unique it felt. The different characters and species really piqued my interest. I can’t put my finger on it or come up with the right words, but sometimes it seemed like there was a “and voila! it is done!” sort of feeling about some events.
I got this book before I realized that I really am not a big fan of the high fantasy genre. I finally decided to listen to the book after a long time just to get it off my queue.
First of all, the narrator was good, but I found it hard to listen to the book at normal speed. After speeding it up to 1.25x, it was better, but still a little difficult for me to concentrate. Maybe it’s because there are so many new names, beings, worlds, etc. in a fantasy, but listening to an audiobook version makes it hard for me to follow the characters, etc.
I’m not going to describe the storyline (mainly because I couldn’t spell the character names if I tried), but will try to describe my feelings about the book.
Personally, I never truly figured out what was happening throughout most of the book. I couldn’t see why characters did what they did and didn’t understand the magic behind it. Also, I found the whole idea of the bond mates and the bonding a little skeevy. Take two young people from different species, add in a being that has taken up residence them and then try to control every part of their life.
Add in the sexual harassment/predator undertones of this being trying to force the MC to do what he wants with her body and it was kind of disturbing. Then, after a nearly 11 hour buildup to the consummation of their bonding, the author puts a very short sex scene (with a PG rating) at the very end of the book. The book is well-written, just not my type of book.
After listening to the book, I still don’t know what the whole point was and definitely don’t care enough to read more in the series. I think I’ll just pass on more high fantasy in the future
According to the good reviews on Amazon about a hundred people loved this book.. personally I just don’t see it.
My main problem with the book was a character point. The first time we see the male lead he is being hateful and racist against humans. This makes him unlikeable. At no point in the book does he undergo any kind of epiphany or change of heart, or express any regret for his earlier beliefs. So, to me, he remains unlikeable for the whole book. So when the female protagonist falls in love with him it only feels forced and unpleasant. And when he is later threatened and in danger I can’t feel much sympathy for him. So this flaw just ruined the book for me.
Other than this one (major) failing, the rest of it is a fairly good book. Well enough written to keep your interest. Not much suspense but plenty of conflict and frustration. A few typos but not enough to bother me. The other races that the author introduces are described well, very interesting, and are reasonably unique. The other worldbuilding elements are less well done. There is a definite feel of a rich culture and a complex political scene, but you never really get any chance to understand any of it. So it feels a bit flat and unfinished. But the plot keeps you moving and makes that part easy to forgive. If the characters were more likeable this would be a solid four-star work.
Unfortunately, I do not recommend this book for anybody. The character issues were too much for me to get past. Use your own judgement though, maybe that won’t bother you (though I can’t imagine how).
I will not continue with the series.