A kiss can wake a princess. It can seal an oath. It can also kill. For an elemental witch, the decade long work-study program on the London Coven is the most dangerously prestigious job ever—especially with dark forces burning through witches this initiation year. And the TWO vacancies on the five witch team? Yeah, we’re calling that oddly suspicious. Rose: My college prep is about to mean … prep is about to mean absofrigginloutely nothing, my martial arts training is now key, and my element—well, it’s out of control and too passionate to tame. Hopefully, my peer and mentor, known in magical circles only as “the Prince of the Dead,” can help me. Yes, he’s English royalty, and no, no one is aware he exists. And the dreams I’m having? Just no. My new powers have already changed me, and the only way to harness them is to lose all control.
Helaine: Learning magic is easy, getting the chance to break down in my mum’s tattoo shop, sobbing because my Twin Flame broke my heart won’t be. He’s out there, I can feel it, but how do I find him when everyone in London is living to see me fail? It’s not my fault who my parents are. It’s not my fault I’m naturally talented. I won’t only save the lives of the people who hate me, I’ll give them more gossip, scandal, and romance than they can handle. What are you on about? It’s like they’re daring me. I can’t back down now.
This dual point of view novel with constant progression tells two unique stories of fellowship in one as sisters by choice navigate young adulthood. Please see the content warning in the book’s sample.
Fans of Charmed and The Magicians will resonate with themes of friendship and magic meets coming of age.
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Meet Rose and Helaine. Two aspiring young witches whose goal is to become a member of The Coven. The Coven is a group of five witches, one for each element, who protect their fellow witches and solve murders when the need arises. They are beyond elated when they learn a rumor that two spots are opening up, but when they learn the spots are Water and Fire, their hopes are dampened. Both girls hail from water witch families with affinity for spirit with one. They had it all planned out – how they were going to succeed. Now, one must strive to surpass the other so that she can become a part of. Not all is as it seems as a prophecy is also at play and the sight of a Seer who is correct for the majority of what it is that she sees. The road ahead of Rose and Helaine won’t be easy, but it is one that they have chosen to take. Only time will tell where it leads them as they undertake this journey.
Death’s Primordial Kiss by Romarin Demetri is the first book that I have read by this author. This is a YA paranormal coming of age novel that follows two witches as they strive to become stronger, find a place for themselves in the witch world and so much more. Both girls come from affluent families. Each girl has connections to greatness in their bloodlines, but they still must strive to attain it. I love how close these two girls are to each other. They want the other to succeed, but they are also determined to succeed for themselves as well. Normally, most authors have their characters go back and forth of deferring to the other but I’m pleased to say that this is not the case with this story. The girls know the stakes, and they are determined to go all out for themselves. I love this about this book. As the story moves forward we get to see the girls develop in not just their powers but their personalities as well. I appreciate how the author has them adjust so quickly to what they need to. There is some conflict between the girls and other characters that they interact with, but I like how it adds to their growth and development as characters.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I do have a complaint about it. Each chapter focuses on either Rose or Helaine, but I found it hard to differentiate between the two girls. The characters are interesting, but they are too much alike in my opinion. I needed there to be more distinction between the two girls. The further I read into the book, the more I was able to follow along with whom were who with each chapter, but in the first few chapters it was a struggle. The story is told in the first person, and this follows with each girl in the alternating chapters. I had to make myself strongly remember their separate attributes and even family ties so that I could keep them straight. Not exactly something I want to have to do while reading a story. I want to be able to tell the characters apart with ease.
This is honestly an enjoyable story, but I highly recommend that you focus on the differences between the two girls so that you can keep them straight in your head as you read. The characters and storyline are well done. For me, it takes a bit to get in gear, but once it does this book is hard to put down. I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars.
I really enjoyed this book! The characters are truely relatable to people of the same age. I remember reading the book totally relating to the characters and almost remembering my days going through similar thoughts and feelings. It was a great read and cannot wait to read more!
Kick ass for years helaine felt she didn’t belong always compete against her sister she always feels she as something to prove.this book is full of action lots of adventure if you like witch types books then I’d definitely recommend this one ladies
then again, who are they?
Helaine and Rose have competed since they were young
do they have to best each other?
or is working together in different ways the only way the Coven survives?
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Helaine and Rose best friends and elemental witches try out for a spot in the London Coven and against all odds both get the covet spot.
Enjoy their journey, struggles, fun, tears and laughter as they grow to embrace their destiny.
Get engrossed in the mystery of the brutal murders of witches.
It was a great read and I enjoyed it. The only thing that I found very irritating was that the book was written in 1st person both from Helaine’s and Rose’s point of view. Each protagonist gets every alternate chapter.
This switch in person so often made the book tedious to follow at certain points.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily choose to review it. I loved the story and the characters but found it a bit slow at times. Otherwise a great read. Would read more by this author.
She is out to prove everyone wrong as they believe she is not any good. She want to give up university to take her place in the coven but she will not. She will not let them out her down ever. A changling is out to prove she is worthy so when they are pitched against each other they find out something. What is it? Can they work together? See if they can
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Death’s Primordial Kiss is a very original book!
Loved the way the story is written. The characters are well developed and the plot is full of magic and intrigue. The twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat.
I will be waiting for the books of this author since I love her way of writing and I couldn’t put the book until the last page.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review
Death’s Primordial Kiss by Romarin Demetri is a book I loved reading. I never read anything from this author before this story and I am glad I read this story. I love reading about the paranormal and magic. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves paranormal and magic.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Rose and Helaine are given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to try out to initiate into the London Coven. They are best friends and have dreamed about getting in as the Water and Spirit witches. The only problem is, the positions open are Fire and Water. Will their friendship survive the tryouts? And if they make it into the Coven, will they be able to make it to coronation?
I’ve been really fascinated by witches ever since watching AHS Coven, and so I jumped at the chance to read this book. One of the most interesting things about this book to me is that it has a lot of discussions about the source of power and how it is channeled/handled. The different planes and dimensions of existence are mentioned, and the witches talk about where powers can be channeled from–and it’s slightly different for each element. The way magic is handled in this book is very unique in my opinion. They do talk about “controlling it,” but they also talk about elements “choosing” them. There are challenges/attainments to complete. This system of magic is very organized and incredibly rich. People can also have different abilities without being an elemental witch; there are other races such as Lusians and Spriggans that appear.
There were definitely some jaw-dropping moments in this book, particularly when (view spoiler) The events at the end of the book were very surprising to me as well, and I feel like this book just got deeper and deeper. The relationships were well-written. The main characters had a wonderful friendship, and I found the POV changes to be helpful and insightful rather than annoying. The Coven members Maddi, Gregory, and Stan were all fascinating to read about, though I would have liked to know more about the two ousted Coven members (maybe in the next book?) I particularly loved the evolution of Rose and Stan’s relationship. Like other reviewers, I am hoping they chuck their inhibitions and get together <3
I did like Rose better at first (I was rooting for her to get in as Water), but I can honestly say that I love both the main characters equally for their own reasons after reading the whole thing. Helaine was harder for me to relate to, but I ended up loving her storyline, and I am eager to see her succeed.
I often judge books by how they make me feel as I'm reading them, and this one was absolutely engrossing--it made me happy to read it. I got to the end and felt a surge a disappointment that the next book wasn't immediately available. This is a universe that I want to immerse myself in for sure! Great job, Ms. Demetri!
Two young witches try out for coveted positions with the prestigious London Coven. Rose and Helaine are bffs, close as sisters and each one is a powerful witch on her own. A good witch story for anyone who enjoys this genre!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.