The blood of my friend is on Aon’s hands, a King who would do anything to protect me. He believes his actions are justified because of a prophecy by the Ancients predicting my undoing by the hands of a friend. I refuse to accept it. Nothing can justify what Aon did, what he took from me. But as one threat is buried, another arises. The other Kings and Queens of Under are waking up from their … up from their crypts, and a war among us is imminent. The need for revenge and power is driving immortals to the brink of madness.
While the other Kings and Queens of Under are blinded by their own selfish conquests, something big and more dangerous than anything we’ve ever faced is about to shake Under to its core.
There’s one King who seems to hold the key to it all, the answers to our fate. A white-winged angel, a legion whose mind is made of a thousand souls with magic strong enough to hold the Ancients captive at the bottom of the pool.
The King of Blood.
I just need to determine whether he’s an ally…or the worst enemy Under has ever seen.
more
4.5 Stars
Book four of a six book series and I am still really enjoying this story. I’ll keep this short and sweet as I have already reviewed the three previous books and don’t want to sound like a broken record. The writing, pace, and plot all remain top notch. Edu got his head out of his ass (finally). The prophecy we’ve heard so much about comes to pass in a twist. Part of which I had already guessed, but part of which broke my heart.
All the Kings and Queens have arisen. Lydia remains a strong heroine. Aon a sexy sadist you can’t help but love. SIDE NOTE: I still think these books would have been that much better with sex scenes…grumble. (lol) I’ll also admit that I find myself a little frustrated with the one step forward…five steps back pace of Lydia and Aon’s relationship. I get it, there are six books and we can’t have them happily ever after at the end of book one. But for a reader (at least this one) it gets a bit…I don’t know…frustrating? Tiresome? Repetitive?? How many times is something going to separate them when they JUST got back together?? However, that goes with the territory when you have six books dedicated to the same couple’s story. Last, we again end on a crazy cliffhanger and I will sit not patiently for book five…
So with king of blood book 4 in this series we are back where we left off previously.
Can Lydia find it within to forgive Aon his past crimes, committed despite his nature ultimately to protect her?
So when Lyd in true bad-ass style forces Aon’s hand and outplays the master laying all his vulnerabilities bare in front of an unwanted audience my heart kind of broke slightly.
This end game also forces Lydia herself into choosing one or the other hence the attitude from her corner.
Well played warlock I salute your devious nature even if it slightly back-fired.
We also get to see Aon’s madness erupt so violently and also unexpectantly when he kinda loses it not believing anyone person least of all the woman he adores could feel anything remotely real and true for him.
My heart really did hurt with this moment it was just so tragically sad.
For such a self-possessed individual he lacks the confidence in his own allure to retain her affection for him he also doesn’t believe he is worthy of such a prize as she.
We also did get to experience a much more loving and playful side of Aon which I especially appreciated.
Q; I am totally adoring that hilarious sidekick he has all the best one-liners and I love everything about him including his interactions with Aon, so funny.
More kings and Queens are added to the overall mix agitating the pot and that ending it was just so explosive.
The two reveals regarding the prophecy I did actually guess though I wasn’t expecting it to go down quite the way it did.
Despite guessing It didn’t take away my enjoyment, still fully onboard and invested.
Love this series and can’t wait for the next instalment after that cliffhanger ending.
An observation and it is only an opinion: but I do think this would be even better with all the x-rated stuff included, Aon and Lydia have such chemistry and I do so love me a sadist.
I also know I can read it on the author’s website and I most definitely do indulge myself there but it would be so much better if included.
This series and Under have such a dark vibe that It really doesn’t seem like it would be out of place.
Despite that, I am still hard-core fangirling this series it is fantastic and one I highly recommend.
I voluntary reviewed a copy of King of Blood (The Masks of Under #4).
Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/9460945-bex-beckie-bookworm
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I can’t – my heart can’t take anymore.
“We are far more than the stories that are told of us, my beautiful sister. I cannot wait to see what stories they tell of you. “- Ini
Lydia is beginning to settle? Into her role as Queen of Dreams. No, her world isn’t getting any less dangerous just more expected?
As the void slowly recedes and Under becomes the world it once was new threats come to existence and lines are clearly drawn between friend and foe. Well, maybe not so clearly. Lydia’s casual approach at life (or death in this case) makes sense. She can’t change what is and despite events that, at first glance, seem like senseless violence Lydia sees beyond the black and white. The perpetrator believed what they were doing was for a greater purpose. How can she condemn someone for acting on what they believed served the greater good of all?
“Into the darkness of my mind, my soul, I stare. Nothing shall gather within the shadows. In the twisting nettles, the briers, the thorns. I feel the pain that makes me whole. Balm not the biting sands that sting my flesh, for in that sorrow is my joy. “- Aon
This passage holds so much meaning.
Aon has suffered so much loss. He has always been the black sheep, the feared and unwanted. And now we see it may have been for valid reasons.
He portrays himself as cold, cruel, and untouchable yet for his
Lydia, he will remove his mask
He will sacrifice the world to protect her.
‘That through all the fear and the horror, you would not succumb to hopelessness in the face of death and suffering. “-Aon
If only who knew how true his words would become.
The king of blood. So beautiful. So righteous. He is the keeper of the peace. The final words of wisdom. He has the power to bring unity to Under or to destroy all that he perceives as warped. He holds the chains of the ancients.
I’m not risking spoilers.
I will say this may be the most intense and suspenseful episode yet.
Emotionally this was the hardest one for me.
I cried those heart wrenching silent tears. I screamed “please no!” countless times. Held my breath praying the worst would not come to pass.
As I write these words my heart still lies shattered at my feet. Broken and battered.
If you risk one new author
Try one new series
Let it be this one
Do not pass this series up!
Under…a different world! I don’t usually read this genre, and usually would not plan to read a book from a not oft read genre whose story is a part of a series. However, I am so pleased that I decided to give Ms. Kingsley’s The Masks of Under a try! Lydia and Aon are fighting very hard for their HEA! And then… a twist happens, or should I say another twist happens. Engaging, colorful, imaginative. Cannot wait for #5!
Another wonderful book in the Masks of Under series. We keep learning more and more about this world and how people live while Lyd tries to survive and understand what’s happening to her and around.
Aon and Lyd story keeps evolving and we learn about old kings and queens trying to figure out, at the same time as Lydia, if they are friend of foe.
More magic, new monsters and creatures, hard decisions to make, true love, fights,… everything you are wishing to read in a fantasy/paranormal book with a powerful love story.