Blood of the Enemy

Chronicles of Avilésor: War of the Realms #3

by Sara A. Noë

Cato is home. Phantom has returned, but can he be the hero he once was? Cato is more powerful, dangerous, and deadly than he was the last time he wore Phantom's mask, and he's still learning how to control his powers, which have grown during his captivity. His rage almost destroyed Phantom Heights.
His blood-family is determined to make him remember what it's like to be human. And yet, the more they try to remind him of his old life, the less human he feels. His hardships forged him into something new, something the loved ones of his past can't recognize. Not Phantom. Not Cato. A7-5292.
His two families are pulling him apart. He's torn by lab and by blood . . .
. . . and the shadows are closing in around them all.

516 pages, Hardcover

Published February 8, 2023

About the author

Sara A. Noë is an award-winning author, artist, and photographer. She has had poetry, short fiction, and memoir works featured in various anthologies and journals since 2005, and her poetry is now available in the Indiana Poetry Archives. Notable art achievements include her photograph "Aftermath" published on the cover of Voices Literary Journal in 2018, photograph "Spiraling" awarded Best Still Life in a 2019 juried gallery exhibit, and charcoal artwork "The Raven" displayed in the Uptown Arts District of Michigan City, Indiana.

A Fallen Hero, the first novel in the Chronicles of Avilésor: War of the Realms series, was published in 2018 and has been critically acclaimed by NAM Editorial, The Prairies Book Review, Literary Titan, and Chronicle Focus Editorial, among others. The novel made book reviewer Lauren Gantt's list of Top 10 Favorite Books of 2019 and won the Literary Titan Gold Book Award in 2020.

The series sequel, Phantom's Mask, was released in the summer of 2020 and won the Literary Titan Gold Book Award less than two months after the novel's release.

As an artist, Sara creates her own covers and graphics. Sara lives in a little cottage with her calico cat, Calypso, who has a fondness for chewing pens and being as loud and sassy as possible.

Sara A. Noë can be followed on Amazon, Goodreads, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and her official website www.onthecobblestoneroad.com.

For more information on the Chronicles of Avilésor series, check out the website for the book series, run by the author herself: www.chroniclesofavilesor.com.

Reviews

[Andy Ryder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blood of the Enemy easily picks right back up where it left off, and the energy, drama, and tensions still hold strong with new threats slowly creeping up on the Alpha group. Book three feels like the calm before the storm, knows how to keep you on your toes with wondering what will happen next, and makes that wondering and waiting more than worth it. The stakes keep on rising with each book, and I believe they're gonna keep on getting even higher.

[Vee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed this series and looking forward to book 4. The author did a fantastic job of giving the reader more insight into the history of the lab family. Cato’s seemingly constant tug of war with his human vs non-human side was the key to keeping this book 3 interesting. I did feel like there may have been a tad too much attempt to inject normalcy, as it relates to Madison. I found her to be very annoying.
The daily lives of Cato and his lab family adjusting to Phantom Heights, without the stealth perspective, was interesting and easy to follow. There were some passages where I questioned the continuity, as it related to books 1 and 2, but later on in the story, things made more sense.
As I was reading along, my initial thought was that the characters and story line were so well developed, there would be no need for another installment, but after finishing book three, with that ending, we most definitely need a book 4.

[Elden · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's still my all-time favorite book series. I can’t say much without stepping into spoiler territory. Every other day, I checked to see when the e-book was available so I could start reading right away. I was left breath taken, and during some chapters, I was even crying. This book catapulted me right back into the story, I can’t say much without accidentally giving away spoilers, so this review is shorter than normal. (Update a year, and so later it's still fire. I just finished my 3rd reread)

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you only read one series the rest of the year - make it this one! I obsessed my way through all 3 books and now have a void in my life waiting for the 4th to drop. Truly a remarkable tale!

[Talyn Gore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know how or why, but I spent the first two novels believing that Vivian was Cato’s girlfriend, Holly was Cato’s mother and Shannon was Cato’s sister. So, needless to say, I was a little lost at the beginning of this third installment of the Chronicles of Avilésor – War of the Realms series. I am still trying to figure out where I went wrong.

With that said, on with my review of:
Blood of the Enemy, Book III in Sara A. Noë Chronicles of Avilésor – War of the Realms series, continues to build on the intricate world of the previous books, blending fantasy, suspense, and heart-wrenching emotion. As the stakes rise, the protagonist, Cato, grapples with intense internal and external conflicts that pull the reader deeper into his personal journey.

The pace of Blood of the Enemy is skillfully executed. Noë balances action with introspection, giving readers time to breathe in the quieter moments of self-discovery while driving the narrative forward with tension-filled encounters. The plot remains unpredictable, and Noë’s ability to weave in elements of betrayal, loyalty, and moral uncertainty keeps readers on edge.

Character development is a strong point in this novel. Cato’s struggles with his duality become more intense, adding layers to his character. The relationships he forms, both allies and enemies, feel real and complex. I found myself not liking Madison and her demand to know everything about everyone, and wanting to control everyone. She was always going against Cato’s and the other Alpha ghosts wishes almost to the point of sabotage. She consistently tried to bully people into doing what she wanted them to do, even going as far as to pull a gun on Cato and Jay to try to get her way. I spent a lot of time wishing Cato or another character would to just put her (and me) out of my misery.

Noë’s style remains constant in her descriptive world-building. She captures the dark, foreboding atmosphere of the series’ universe with a lyrical style that makes the reader feel immersed in the tension and beauty of this broken world.

For readers who enjoyed the previous books in the Chronicles of Avilésor – War of the Realms series, Blood of the Enemy is a compelling continuation, delivering on the promise of high stakes and emotional depth. Noë has crafted a world that is both fantastical and rooted in raw human emotion, making this book a standout in contemporary fantasy. I am looking forward to reading the next installment of the series, Lab Rat Book IV.

[Kari Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chronicles of Avilésor: War of the Realms is an amazing series in general. From the way the characters get built up, to the world building, all to the story it all connect too is the most interesting and captivating series I have ever read. The characters are very easy to get attached to in both a way to hate and love them. The series allows you to feel plenty of emotions while reading. When I started reading this series, I wasn't able to put it down.

Blood of the Enemy is my favorite book in this series and has given me such a strong connection to this world. The ending had me craving for more and I need the forth book asap. It keeps you intrested the whole way through and there wasn't a moment in this book where i felt like i couldnt read a chapter because it felt like more of a task. This book was such an enjoyment the whole way through! This is an 100% read, as the rest of the series!

[Kayla Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book III starts strong and doesn't slow down. The pacing is immaculate and the new character dynamics and pairings add an air of vulnerability and complexity. More light is shed on the characters' backstories to better reveal the psychology behind their motives in a way that is raw, genuine, relatable, and compelling. Many aspects of this book give it a more domestic feel than the previous 2, and there is a bit of a "calm before the storm" that kept me on the edge of my seat until everything came to a head and ripped me away from reality with vivid imagery and roaring emotional turmoil.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh man. Where do I start with this? As always, the story was incredible and left me thirsting for more with every turn of the page. We got to learn more about some of our favorite characters, and I won't lie. I think I cried at least once at one seen. Without giving spoilers, learning about how a certain someone feels about himself and what he is has my heart weeping. I just want to bundle him up and protect him. I can't wait for the forth book!