A priestess. Her steward. Two paths that shouldn’t intersect.Until they do.War is coming. Insurrection brews. But royal prioress Aynu Eckme keeps out of politics. To her, only the temple counts.Aynu is relieved with her recent hire of Rhori Tidryn, a former prizefighter. He’s humble, competent, tough. Just the man to ensure her safety in such troubled times!It matters not that he stirs something … times!
It matters not that he stirs something peculiar in her. Something improper and beautiful…
An insurgent by night, Rhori loves his new job as Prioress Eckme’s steward. Even the worst part—drinking a foul goo every week to suppress his baser needs.
Rhori would do anything for the prioress.
When he takes the vow of devotion, he’s prepared to serve her for the rest of his life. He’d die for her without blinking an eyelid. It would be easy, given how much he worships her already.
The problem is, he worships her in all the wrong ways.
THE VESTAL’S STEWARD is the fifth and final Keepers of Xereill novel. It features Aynu and Rhori’s forbidden romance and concludes the Xereill saga’s Planet Hente cycle. .
Recommended reading order:
Series Starter: The Cyborg’s Lady
1. The Traitor’s Bride
2. The Commander’s Captive
3. The Dragon’s Woman
✦ A Night of Amity (newsletter-exclusive companion novelette)
4. The Samurai’s Lover
5. The Vestal’s Steward
Now you can read the entire series without waiting for the next book!
➜ Get your copy today.
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Alix Nichols’ Keepers of Xereill series is a sci fi romance tour-de-force. It has all of the ingredients perfectly measured out, equally great sci-fi and romance over the course of an ever expanding story arc filled with books each well written, well plotted and with really well-constructed characters. That’s certainly the case with the latest in the series, The Vestal’s Steward (Book 5). Aynu and Rhori’s forbidden romance stars in this book which concludes the Xereill saga’s Planet Hente cycle in grand style. Totally fun, this book can stand-alone, but I strongly urge readers to start at book 1 for maximum enjoyment. But for the fact that I’m literally dictating this review to my husband from my hospital bed I could go on and on with praises. The book definitely deserves it. Since I can’t do that I will simply note that the book is most definitely one to read, and it is easy to highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily leaving a review. The Vestal’s Steward is the fifth book in the Keepers of Xereill series and I just absolutely loved this book. I just didn’t want this story to end. I just fell in love with this great book and it’s wonderful characters. I can’t wait to read more wonderful stories from this author.
As with the other books in the series, the action keeps moving along and satisfies my need to see the evil ones get their just due. However, one of the main bad guys gets away leaving me wondering if there is more to come in this series. This may be the end of Planet Hente cycle, but are there going to be other planets to be discovered and enjoyed? I certainly hope so. As it stands now, without a main evil person being addressed, this novel is a four star read. If however, he is going to be in another novel, this book is another five star read. As with the other novels in this series, the H and h get their HEA and I get my heart warmed again by some fine story telling. I strongly recommend all of the books in this series for many hours of fun and escape to a wonderful world with many “rich bloods” as cyborgs, dragons, time stoppers and other characters created by Ms. Nichols. ” I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
Love blossoms, war ignites and Etana of mysterious gift has her day of glory
June 9, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition
3.5-4.0 stars
I liked the developing relationship between Priestess Aynu and her new steward Rhori, but the political intrigue and all the characters went in too many directions for me. I read all of the preceding stories in the series over the last fifteen months as they came out and, even with the helpful six page index of characters at the back of the book, found it difficult to remember most of the earlier plots and fit them in to this final chapter of the adventure. Etana’s story arc, which started in the first volume, was the easiest to pick up on and appreciate. The whole series read all together would doubtless eliminate that issue.
I prefer Alix Nichols’ contemporary, France-set romances but I applaud her effort to test out other genres, build new worlds and weave a complex, multi-layered adventure.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
SQUEE! I’ve been waiting for this pairing since the beginning. I just don’t really know what to say to keep me out of spoiler territory. I loved this book. I adored that Rhori and Aynu’s connection shows that what the heart feels is so much stronger than what the body does. (At least this is how I’m interpreting Rhori’s reaction to the goo.) We finally learn so many of the answers that have lain just out of reach throughout the series. But there’s still a wide universe out there and more mysteries to unravel. I hope we get the chance to come back to Xereill in the future to explore them.
I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book from the author.
Service Before Self
Culminating the Hente arc of this series, “The Vestal’s Steward” *can* be read as a standalone, but really benefits from the previous volumes for depth of background. Many of the threads of the past are woven together and secrets and past histories are revealed as the corrupt Lord Boggand continues his path of conquest and destruction. Weaving science fiction and fantasy into a possible future universe, author Alix Nichols also incorporates a passionate love story. This may well be my favorite of the series!
Alix Nichols’s The Vestal’s Steward – a sci fi romance (Keepers of Xereill Book 5) is a great conclusion to this epic series. It’s well written, great characters, a great storyline, forbidden ecstasy and on the edge suspense. Thori and Anyu definitely brings this story to life. Grab it for your enjoyment and see how it all ends.
I have voluntarily read and reviewed this advanced readers copy
A fantastic add to the series. That captures you right from the start if the book until the end. The Author does a great job at telling the story and bringing the Characters out. I definitely recommend this read.
Shauna Joesten
I enjoyed reading this final book in this series, it has a good storyline. This book is filled with action and the interaction and chemistry between the characters is wonderful. I can’t wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
In the middle of the violence, corruption and chaos Aynu and Rhori were struggling with their emotions and feelings they felt one for the other. After all the evilness in the book, it felt good to have this “special romance”. Liked that both were strong and genuine. Some twists in the story had me intrigued and hope more in the future. Exciting and intense scenes, suspense, surprises, romance, passion, good and strong characters, mystery and a lot of evil. Way to keep me interested reading and hungry for more!
I’ve been waiting for this book hoping to see many of the situations get resolved. It was also good to re-visit with some of the other people in the story that I had read about in previous books. It might be a plus for a person new to the series to read the previous books. But it was helpful though that the author included a list of characters and who they are. It also includes an explanation of all the worlds and cultures which also helped. Especially since the world building was out of this world. Pun intended.
The friendship/ attraction between Aynu and Rhori develops nicely amidst some stumbling around on their parts. Which seems perfectly normal considering the restrictions that they faced. The “Goo” never stood a chance. You’ll have to read the story because that is all I’m going to say about that.
I liked how the story ended although there will be violence. Let’s face it, we’re talking about evil and also some scenes of war. But it didn’t feel like it was overdone either.
Everything gets taken care of in this book, evil overcome. Except I did notice that one person was not dealt with yet. I’m thinking that person MIGHT get their story in a different planet named story. I hope so. I didn’t want one person to escape justice and it sounded like they had more plans for evil.
On a final note, what a great picture on this eBook cover. Those startling blue eyes really grab the attention.
” I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”
For honest review. Royal glory prionesi aynu ekme at the iltaga temple she served the temple and realm now needing a new steward she gets rhori tidryn a carpenter , once prize fighter and who worked at the healer hospital. As he encourages her to run against Lord boggard for governorship. Awesome story
I thought this was a great read and a terrific end to this series. Excitement, emotion and romance are clevery combined into an entertaining storyline that will keep you reading and leave you satisfied. I really liked Aynu and Rhori. The pull of attraction between them was powerful and how they felt for each other was easy to feel.
Wow! What an ending to this series! So many mysteries were answered from previous books. I love the banter between Rhori and Aynu. Their connection was deep and meaningful. I’m looking forward to more from this world! Alix creates a world where anything is possible and good prevails! A story full of family, heart, passion, and love. Love it!