Summary:
Kya lives in the nation of Riyah working as Roav, a mercenary-like figure for the Scholars of the Morah Library. Coming from a destroyed country, Kya was chosen at birth to participate in a set of Trials to see if she is Worthy of representing one of the gods of the land of Taeralia. However, the trials are only the beginning as she is set on a quest to unravel the mystery of the Glaev, a plague that makes lands desolate and ends people’s lives. With the help of her fellow Roav and her fated mate and temporary stalker, Ryker, she will uncover the source of the Glaev and the powers that she might have always been destined to have.
Plot:
The story is mainly told through the perspective of our heroine, Kya, with the POV occasionally switching to Ryker. The plot as a whole makes sense and connects very well. There aren’t any major plot holes that I noticed and the story beats made sense. However, I think my biggest issue with the novel overall was the pacing, especially in the beginning. It felt like it was going back and forth between too fast and well-paced. Specifically, I felt like the trials as a whole were too fast and there weren’t enough details put into it. It’s a trial of the GODS! I wanted there to be more stakes behind it, and the author definitely tried to put them there, but the whole event fell a little flat for me.
Characters:
Our two main characters, Kya and Ryker are my favorite parts of this book. They are so unbelievably human and I find both of them relatable. Kya, while initially portrayed as a stone-faced mercenary with a solid moral compass, shows that she has hopes, dreams, fears, and loves just like anyone else. She is incredibly intelligent, physically strong, and quick on her feet. However, she is not unbeatable as we see her lose when she is outmatched. I particularly relate to her love of romance novels as a means to get away from things.
Ryker, on the other hand, is presented to us as the quintessential “shadow daddy” that has become prevalent in the Romantasy genre. While I can confidently say he has the possessive streak that all Romantasy MMC, he isn’t as morally grey as other male leads. He is a refreshing take on the dominate and possessive fantasy male in that he allows Kya to make her own decisions and hides nothing from her. He cares for his people and mate above all else and it’s something I can relate to.
There love story starts off a little differently with Ryker stalking Kya from afar, not due to his own insecurities, thank god, but because of political machinations. Fortunately, he doesn’t stalk her for too long before they finally unite and he explains why they can’t complete the mating bond. Kya accepts his reasons and their relationship develops from there.
Their initial dynamic required me to suspend my disbelief for a time but eventually it became believable as the story progressed. They talked and got to know each other all while feeling the stereotypical fantasy mating bond urges. Most of the scenes between them were very well written and served to show their growing love, but one or two scenes, mainly the spicy ones, seemed out of place an unnecessary. Overall, they are a fantastic couple and I can’t wait to read more about what will happen between them, both the good and the bad.
Writing Style and World-Building:
A.N. Caudle is an amazing writing. Her prose is captivating and easy to follow and consistent with whoever’s perspective it is at the time. I love how the dialogue reflects who each character is and how they think. The first person perspective perfectly fits the story as it enhances the mystery and limits the readers ability to know what is coming next.
The author does a great job of using her words to paint a picture descriptive enough that we can create an image in our mind, but not so wordy that there’s no room for imagination. The continent of Taeralia is vast and complex. Each nation has their own unique personality and culture that makes them easily distinguishable.
This vast continent is rounded out with an interesting magic system. Each person in this world is born with a specific ability, some mundane and some forbidden. The only way to gain more abilities is by being deemed Worthy by a god and bonding with a Spirit. However, this world also has dark forces at work. It seems as if there are additional ways for people to gain abilities, but we will have to wait for future books to see exactly how this works.
Overall Impression:
Kya, a Roav mercenary from the nation of Riyah, works for the Scholars of the Morah Library. Chosen at birth from a destroyed country, she must face the Trials of the gods to determine if she is Worthy. Alongside Ryker, her stalker turned Fated Mate, she goes on a quest to uncover the mystery behind the Glaev, a deadly plague decimating the land of Taeralia. The plot, though well-connected, suffers from uneven pacing, especially during the trials, which lack the high stakes expected. Kya, initially a stoic but morally righteous warrior, reveals herself to be complex and relatable, while Ryker offers a refreshing take on the possessive fantasy male lead. Their relationship, though initially questionable, deepens naturally. A.N. Caudle’s prose is captivating, with rich world-building and a distinct magic system tied to the gods and spirits. However, there are hints of darker, undisclosed ways to gain power that will likely unfold in future books.
If you like darker romantic fantasies with fun world-building and interesting characters, then this book is for you!
Rating (Out of 5):
Plot Development: 4
World-building: 5
Character Development: 5
Romance: 4
Writing Style: 5
Pacing: 3
Emotional Impact: 2
Ending/Satisfaction: 3
With all of this in mind, I would give this a solid 4 stars! It was very good and definitely worth a read though there are some minor flaws.
Favorite Quote:
“I love you beyond the bond."
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