Everyone lies. When working for a sex mage, it’s the only way to stay safe.That’s the first thing Jaeda learns when she’s named as the Chosen. The mage needs a sacrifice, and she’s willing to give it. Maybe too willing. After all, this man is lust incarnate; a woman would have to be insane not to want him, even if he is dangerous.But desiring someone’s body is very different from falling in love. … different from falling in love. In her line of work, the two must never be confused. She doesn’t even know his name! He’s simply The Jackal, a terrifyingly powerful sex mage, and she’s his altar. Her lust fuels him. He needs it.
And that puts her in control.
Now, she gets to spend her days with a mage who wields sex like a weapon and his assistant who’s as irresistible as some long-lost god brought to life. The things they do to her body are amazing, and the rest? These men want to spoil her with the kind of riches she’s always dreamed of. It’s the best job she can imagine.
Unfortunately, it’s never that easy. This is supposed to be about making magic – that’s it. Feelings have no place in a mage’s temple. Affection is a curse. But when the enemy decides she’ll make the perfect weapon to steal the Jackal’s power, what’s she supposed to do? After all, she’s just a stupid girl caught in the middle. Her job is to just lie back and take it.
Except, someone’s been lying.
It might even be her.
POWER OF LIES is a complete novel with a reverse harem, polyamorous storyline. It is intended for a mature audience due to the presence of consensual sex, group sex, M/M scenes, and plenty of vulgar language – as well as some potentially triggering violence since the bad guys don’t always play nice. While this is a love story, it may not be right for all readers.
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This is Auryn Hadley. Amazing plot, truthful characters, very unique and I LOVED every sentence. This is my new favorite series for me. I just know that I will love this series. I know that Auryn Hadley ticks all the things I need in a book but this one I know will not break my heart like her other series. This will be different but in the best of ways. Must read!!!
Overall: 5/5
As a new series, sometimes it can be a little hit and miss, even with your most favourite authors – you don’t know the characters, the world, what will the plot be like. Frankly, it’s never hit and miss with Auryn Hadley. Once again, she proves that her writing skill is second to none, and as always, I am in absolute awe with her world building skills. I’ve read five series by her, and I’ve never been disappointed by the worlds she invents. She creates worlds like Degas painted ballerinas. And her ability to pull you into a long book without realising is seemingly effortless.
Aside from the world building, one of the things that really stood out for me were the characters. I loved these characters. They are older than many characters you see in the RH genre (I don’t read many poly-a books, so I couldn’t comment from that point) and had a depth that you don’t often see, and they are so unapologetic about who they are. While they are on a journey, and to some degree they are trying to find themselves, it’s not like they’re trying to establish who they are. They are who they are, and that lends itself to the way in which the plot builds and how they react to it. This is the start of another fantastic series sunder her belt.
Good Read, BUT-
Fantastic story with fantastic characters. Unnecessarily and ridiculously long. Too much repetition throughout made the book at times a tedious read.
The majority of the book is sex scenes with tidbits of character development. The real action doesn’t really start until the 50/60% mark. Like I said. Tedious. It would have been a 5-star rating if the pace of the story moved faster.
If you can get past (aka skimming) the first half, you’ll enjoy the outcome. I look forward to reading book 2. Here’s hoping it isn’t as overzealous as its predecessor.
For me, Jade is the epitome of a strong woman. Making the best of a life that she was thrown into and taking advantage of her new situation makes me admire her. She is intelligent, beautiful, and adaptable. No one even realizes how dangerous that combination can be. The hands off rule really made the book better for me. Because it added more depth to the story. And the twist that I wasn’t expecting got me excited. Of course there were hints and it probably would’ve been less predictable if there weren’t so many hints but it still worked for me. BUT Treb is my fav! I love him dearly!
Auryn Hadley is a master at world building. Somehow, she is able to transport the reader into her books and make her characters feel real. In this book, we are transported to a world where a land hungry king uses mages to take over land and its people. Each Mage uses a different simple emotion to fuel their power; pain, lust, joy, anger and so on. This book centers around Jade, a prostitute who becomes the chosen and the Jakal, a lust mage and his second. This book is full of steamy scenes. Most of which are not the conventional. It is more than that though. There is plotting and power and tender moments. There is pain and fear and determination. The mages may be fueled by simple emotions, but this book is woven with complex layers that makes it look simple.
I’ve come to expect fabulous plots and long books I can sink my teeth into from this author, and the first of her new series is no exception. While not quite as detailed and epic as her amazing Rise of the Iliri (ROTI) series, Power of Lies is just as good – and infinitely sexier. Ms. Hadley has created a magical story where a great deal of sex is necessary to the plot and yet somehow doesn’t overtake the book, only enhances it. The characters of this book are so wonderful and interesting, with a huge spotlight on heroine Jaeda, a consummate survivor who is so strong, having overcome many hardships. Through Jade’s narrative the author wrote about real-life concepts I have pondered over many a time – the difference between sex and love, the debate over misplaced jealousy for a physical act, and the ways society has taught women to think of sex so much differently than how they do men, including tying their self worth to it in many ways. I found Jade to be such an empowering and interesting heroine but the heroes were no slouches either. As I love with this author’s books, I didn’t know who the potential harem members were as I was reading, so I won’t describe them here to preserve that for other new readers – suffice to say I was not disappointed in the least. Whether you are a fan of ROTI or not, I encourage you to check out this series – if you are a fan of this author like I am I think you will love it, but it is different enough from ROTI that if you were not a fan of that series you might love this one instead. I am so looking forward to what happens next for these characters!
Auryn Hadley is a master world builder, it’s one of the things I love most about her books, this amazing world you’re being introduced to and of course, this book is no different. I loved being a part of this world while I read this book, the imagery was on point. I loved these characters so much, they were so fantastic and powerful. Jaeda has got to be one of my favorite FMC ever written, she is so strong, intelligent, confident, and so bada**. Simply put Jaeda was EMPOWERING and I loved that. And don’t even get me started about the men in this book *fans self* They are hot, and the book is sexy as sin. Read in public at your own risk because the steaminess of this book is off the charts, I’m surprised my kindle didn’t catch on fire.
The way stigmas were tackled was so refreshing and the book itself was just so original, I can honestly say I haven’t read anything like it. I was drawn in from the first page and was sad when I reached the end because I just wanted it to keep on going and see what happens next! Can’t wait to read the next one! The world, the characters, the words, they were just so beautifully written, I can’t recommend this book enough.
I am so in love with this book. For those wondering about the steam, it is off the charts! For those wondering if there’s plot? Of course there is. It’s Auryn Hadley, after all. It’s mixed in (and part of) the steam.
But really? The reason I’m so enamored with this book? The complete and utter acceptance between the characters. That sex doesn’t mean love, and THAT’S OK! I love that’s it’s poly. I love their dynamic, and the understanding and respect they show each other. They can see each other’s worth, and it’s not tied to their anatomy.
It’s so refreshing to see this represented in a book, to show that when everyone knows, it’s ok, and can be good.
Scorching hot!
I love Auryn’s work. Everything she writes is engaging and so incredibly well written that the world around you falls away. This book is no exception except that.. holy cow this book’s heat levels are off the charts! Holy hotness batman this is not a book you want to read in public and I highly advise having a change of clothes readily available. Just an incredible read but prudes need not apply. (Unless said prudes are looking for a reason to convert.) Come join us on the dark side.. Careful. It’s a bit wet over here.
Absolutely amazing book loved , great story, characters and smexy times too! Definite 5 star for me!
I did receive an ARC for my honest review. There was a bit in the beginning that made me uncomfortable, but in hindsight after getting more information later on it made me less squicked out. (That is the only thing negative I have to say about this book, and it was not enough for me to drop the rating down to 4 stars. Maybe like a 4.75).
I LOVED this book. Auryn has done it again and created another new series. It is absolutely fantastic and deals with sex shaming and more. The power that people have that can be used for good or evil, or those doing the best they can to pretend to be evil in order to protect the most people.
The relationships are amazing. The characters have depth and nuance. There is also dealing with the stigmatism of growing up to believe being gay is bad but knowing you do like men and women. The world building was AMAZING and the landscape was perfect. This is such an amazing book I wish I could describe it with justice. The Orchid is such a strong badass MC secure in her sexuality and womanhood even when others try to hate her or punish her. The men in her life are amazing and all represent something different she needs in her life.
And THE EPILOGUE IS EPIC!!!!!! I am anxiously looking forward to Magic of Lust coming out in February-ish.
It is so hard to find GREAT writers with compelling characters, plots, and fantastic pacing and development. Like, you can find good and a lot of mediocre, but few GREAT especially within RH and really romance in general. Since, I am not the biggest fan of contemporary romance and lean more toward paranormal, scifi, steampunk, urban fantasy stuff it makes it even harder. (That doesn’t mean I don’t read contemporary it just usually isn’t my jam).
So, I am sooooo willing to wait for Auryn’s books because I know the quality I am getting. There are like 5 authors within RH that are GREAT and I will read everything they’ve ever done and ever will do. Good authors I will always read before mediocre, but almost everyone gets a read because of the small world this subgenre is, though there are a few I have written off completely and refuse to read.
TL;DR Basically, what I am saying is I am VERY excited and Auryn Hadley is one of the few GREAT authors that are pure quality and can do whatever they need to put out quality books even if I don’t like waiting, I’m more than willing.
Welp… I have about a million things to do, but instead I spent yesterday reading this 500-page monster in a single sitting.
Holy. Freakin’. Crap.
If you like sexy, and you like poly romance, and you like feelz, read it. Just make sure you’ve got a nice block of time set aside first.
People who know me know that I’m all about the bromance. Books like this are my catnip.