Sweet Holiest of Titfires. I have never had a book or series leave me with wanting to kiss and curse an author at the same time before. There have been moments I have come close but this one truly had me contemplating looking up flights so that I could fly to where this author lived and shake/hug her.
This series reminds me of the power of literature and books. It brings to mind the famous quote that one of my favorite authors, TS Eliot wrote, “The purpose of literature is to turn blood into ink.” This author did this. I might as well call her Jesus because instead of changing water into wine she managed to turn her words into a world that is so intrinsically entwined with mythology and real-time that it changes how I see the world around me.
The majority of people can recite the names of various Gods and Goddesses whether or not they study it or believe it. They are worked into Mainstream movies. Even if portrayed as make believe they still hold a lure to them that allows imaginations to hold on to the idea that maybe, just maybe, they might hold a glimmer of truth. This author takes that morsel and runs with it. She ties together biblical names and Gods and Goddesses as if they were the prettiest of bows on a Christmas package. At no time does it seem weird to talk about Hades in the same breath as talking about Lucifer. It just works.
Therein lies the beauty of this series. It feeds the crazy addiction of believing in mythology and knowing that 14,000 years or more is nothing when it comes to discovering fate and one’s role in it. I read fast. Seriously fast, like over 1000 wpm, and yet I had to consciously slow my mind down to read slower because I did not want to miss a single detail AND trust me there are A LOT of them. I needed to savor each word as if I was a dying woman and these words were my last meal. Truly her words are mellifluously sublime. This book is HUGE!
This story is primarily about Ianthen and Soleria. Yet, don’t let that fool you because there is a ton of other characters, old and new, that have mammoth roles in this book too. Each person plays a pivotal role, in this specific time, in how this story will ultimately play out. How this author keeps the timeline straight is a testament to how phenomenal she is. I cannot count the number of times that I compared her world building to that of JRR Tolkien (LOTR) or Robert Jordan (Wheel of Time series) because of her world-building skills. However, she is better in so many ways because she adds in ground cracking, bed-breaking, wall smashing sexy moments. I felt like I had been transported back in time, fighting for Middle Earth but knowing that I got to look forward to utilizing my Costco supply of batteries.
Ianthen is my favorite—right now. I know that can change at any minute because sweet lord all these Gods are delicious. This guy though will be hard to beat. His mouth and charm are seriously out of this world. Soleria, in true fashion, is one amazingly strong female. I didn’t think she was going to be the most powerful, but I was wrong. Together they go together like peanut butter and jelly. I loved that she could make men kneel figuratively and literally.
There is so much left to this story. So many unfinished pieces left to unravel. So many dynamic characters that need to finish their story that I cannot wait to see it unfold. In one breath, I want all of the words now but in the next, I am leery because I know that it will mean the end of this journey. But for now, I implore you to check out this amazing series and buckle up because it is a ride that will blow your mind. I can say this with clarity because as a person who usually stays away from PNR (because it rarely meets up to the standards of the aforementioned Tolkien and Jordan) I needed this series like I needed air. This series is an example of why I pursued a degree in Literature. I could write a dissertation or thesis on this series from a plethora of different lenses. Kudos to this author for making me feel like I am not crazy for choosing the imaginary world over the real world.
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