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Prophecy of the Mage Queen #1
Vow of Lies
For the last twelve years, I have been a no-one.
I have had no friends, no family, and no name.
I have kept to myself through my daily duties as a servant of the Veil.
I bless those as I pass them in a religion I know nothing about.
I am beaten, tortured, and starved as punishment for not being meek enough.
It all changes with the whisper of my name,
Juniper.
My life now has a purpose but what could it possibly be?
When a mysterious man not only knows my name but knows my purpose, I find myself on the run with a band of criminals all dead set on one thing...
Death to the Queen
I have had no friends, no family, and no name.
I have kept to myself through my daily duties as a servant of the Veil.
I bless those as I pass them in a religion I know nothing about.
I am beaten, tortured, and starved as punishment for not being meek enough.
It all changes with the whisper of my name,
Juniper.
My life now has a purpose but what could it possibly be?
When a mysterious man not only knows my name but knows my purpose, I find myself on the run with a band of criminals all dead set on one thing...
Death to the Queen
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 23, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 20, 2025
I really love this author's writing style—it immediately grabbed my attention and kept me captivated, making me eager to find out what happened next. The beginning was strong, and I was fully invested in the story until they reached the rebel city. After that, the pacing slowed, and I felt like not much was happening.
I wanted more tension between the main characters, as well as more action and magic to really bring the world to life. The question of whether she is the true queen or not was intriguing, but I needed more depth on that aspect to feel truly connected to her journey. While I understand there’s a second book, I wish the ending had a stronger hook to make me desperate to continue the series.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I’m on the fence about picking up book two. If book two brings more intensity and development in these areas, I’d definitely be more inclined to continue.
I wanted more tension between the main characters, as well as more action and magic to really bring the world to life. The question of whether she is the true queen or not was intriguing, but I needed more depth on that aspect to feel truly connected to her journey. While I understand there’s a second book, I wish the ending had a stronger hook to make me desperate to continue the series.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I’m on the fence about picking up book two. If book two brings more intensity and development in these areas, I’d definitely be more inclined to continue.
March 24, 2023
very interesting magical mystery epic journey
This is a very interesting magical mystery and epic journey for Juniper. Many secrets and lies.
She wants/needs friends but all the people she meets keep secrets from her. I admire her strength and determination to be useful.
I am very intrigued about everything going on.
Only two issues I had was it ends in a cliffhanger(I don’t like cliffhangers) and while there is a lot of setup - I thought it still went a touch slow and we don’t really find out anything about Juniper yet.
Looking forward to the next book and will preorder it right away.
This is a very interesting magical mystery and epic journey for Juniper. Many secrets and lies.
She wants/needs friends but all the people she meets keep secrets from her. I admire her strength and determination to be useful.
I am very intrigued about everything going on.
Only two issues I had was it ends in a cliffhanger(I don’t like cliffhangers) and while there is a lot of setup - I thought it still went a touch slow and we don’t really find out anything about Juniper yet.
Looking forward to the next book and will preorder it right away.
May 10, 2023
Picking up any of this author’s books is never a disappointment! And oh boy, did Vow of Lies deliver all the goods! I fell in love with it from the get go! The characters and the new world setting!
Being sold into what seems like a nunnery, at a young age and kept locked away from the world, Juniper believes this is to be her fate until she dies. A life of servitude. Living her life in the lower levels of the palace and being treated horribly. Until one day, everything changes. All of a sudden she’s added to the sisterhood of Priestesses. Somewhat like advisors for the Queen. Presented with this new life, Juniper starts to get comfortable and think this is something she’d definitely be okay with for the rest of her life. But all good things don’t last, an explosion rocks the castle and sends her into the arms of a certain rebel..
Enters Ryven. The annoyingly, handsome man who steals her away. Who shows her a whole new side of the world.. and also drops the bomb that the rebels think she may be the legendary Mage Queen? What’s a girl to do? Aside from a few traits that she posses, there really hasn’t been any other signs that she could be the all powerful Mage queen..
If you like slow-burn, enemies to lovers, found family, and dangerous adventure tropes, then I highly recommend you grabbing a copy of this book! A. Lonergan will take you on quite the adventure! 💜
Being sold into what seems like a nunnery, at a young age and kept locked away from the world, Juniper believes this is to be her fate until she dies. A life of servitude. Living her life in the lower levels of the palace and being treated horribly. Until one day, everything changes. All of a sudden she’s added to the sisterhood of Priestesses. Somewhat like advisors for the Queen. Presented with this new life, Juniper starts to get comfortable and think this is something she’d definitely be okay with for the rest of her life. But all good things don’t last, an explosion rocks the castle and sends her into the arms of a certain rebel..
Enters Ryven. The annoyingly, handsome man who steals her away. Who shows her a whole new side of the world.. and also drops the bomb that the rebels think she may be the legendary Mage Queen? What’s a girl to do? Aside from a few traits that she posses, there really hasn’t been any other signs that she could be the all powerful Mage queen..
If you like slow-burn, enemies to lovers, found family, and dangerous adventure tropes, then I highly recommend you grabbing a copy of this book! A. Lonergan will take you on quite the adventure! 💜
March 26, 2023
Okay, so this book had a bit of a slow start, but all in all, it was a fantastic read!!! “Vow of Lies” was my first time reading something by A. Lonergan, and I really loved it. Juniper, the heroine, is extremely sheltered and mistreated by the woman she calls “Keeper.” But when a new opportunity presents itself, Juniper’s eyes are opened to so much more. I thought Juniper was an interesting heroine; she’s sweet and innocent, and I loved her character development. This book had a ton of world building, and I enjoyed the idea of a Mage Queen. I can’t wait to see what happens next in this world!!!
February 2, 2025
This was so good!! I was very interesting so it kept me engaged for sure. I could tell this was all for meeting the characters and world building because there was nothing keeping me on edge while reading but the curiosity kept me HOOKED I like this aloot
March 24, 2023
The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because it took a while for me to get hooked. The first half was a bit slow and you’re just as confused as the MC. That being said, the second half was amazing and exciting and left me eager for the next book. Very fleshed-out characters as well as great world building.
January 25, 2024
2024 Reads #52/250
May 27, 2023
I received a temporary ebook copy in exchange for a review. So first, here are some short words that describe the book before I get into an actual review. I tried hard not to spoil anything in the review portion, but just as a precaution, I'm starting with these words to give people an idea of how the book is or felt to me:
Mystery
Magical
Making your mark in the world
Unknown destiny
Friends or foes
Relatable
Entrancing
Realistic world building
Loveable characters
Despise characters
A Few unanswered questions
The review portion:
*Spoilers ahead*
I honestly didn’t know what I was in for when I started this book. Yes, I was given a warning of the certain genres before I agreed to read it but I did not read the summary or do any previous research so I was going in without any real knowledge of it. The beginning and setting was definitely different as it was set in an older period. Though there wasn’t a specific year mentioned, you can definitely tell the differences from what we experience now. It wasn’t hard for me to continue reading as my curiosity was piqued. I was really surprised by the mention of a menstrual cycle in a book as it is typically not mentioned. Reading what Juniper (the main character) went through for her first Moon Cycle, as it was referred to in the novel, made me really grateful for the luxury we have now. There were several twists and turns throughout the novel that I didn’t expect, but I also didn’t seek out to solve it. I read so I can enjoy the ride of mystery. And there are still some mysteries yet to be shared in this first novel.
I definitely bonded with Juniper the most. Whether that was due to her being the main character and us having more insight to her thoughts than others, I’m not sure. But a lot of what she felt and thought was valid in her experiences. I loved the friendship she eventually found with the priestess. I was so happy for her sweet and innocent self finding someone who actually cared and treated her right after years of being treated horribly by the Keeper. Her questioning thoughts of her being the Mage Queen was always at the back of her head and rightfully so. There was no way to tell for sure if she was and with so many different instances where she didn’t have magic, let alone knew the power it possessed, and having near death experiences…it’s very easy to see why she questioned it when others tried to tell her there was a high chance she was the Mage Queen.
I’m not sure if it was because of her upbringing with the Keeper or just her natural outlook, I loved the fact that Juniper wanted to give back. She was always trying to find ways to help Ryven on their journey and even being in safety with her every need being met, she didn’t want the special treatment. She wanted to earn her keep. I admired that a lot with her. She could’ve easily agreed she was the Mage Queen and held herself to a higher pedestal, thinking like Alric that it was her right of passage to have all her needs and desires met. Whether she was worried about being the Mage Queen or not, her wanting to earn her way to what she received was just a very admirable characteristic. Heck, she even wanted to learn how to fight, tired of not having any skills to help others and defend herself. It also didn’t help that Ryven made it a point to say she was just sitting around and having everything taken care of for her so since she wasn’t busy like him, she could do a few things around the village.
There was also a point where her thoughts questioned the people who helped her like Ryven leading her to the village and Alric’s intentions. Was there more of a reason behind their intentions besides the possibility of her being the Mage Queen? She didn’t even know them, yet she was depending on them. Did they mean her ill will? I love the fact that she actually pondered these rather than assuming she was safe. Then again, after what she went through with the Keeper, it would make sense why she was weary of these new people in her life.
I also really enjoyed how magic was described into the world. I think as a misconception, the word ‘magic’ is kind of thought of as childish so even my own writings I feel like it’s too childish to be believable. But the author definitely had a nice touch in describing its workings that made it seem as natural as breathing.
Some non positives:
It was definitely an adjustment for me to get used to reading about menstrual cycles being normally spoken about in the novel. Like I said, it could be for the simple fact that it's not really ever mentioned in novels.
Ryven was a very…whiplash character. One minute he was flirty and kind, the next he was cold. I couldn’t make heads or tales where his mentality was but in all honesty, there are people in this world who have the same behavior as THEY don’t even know what they want. And I loved the fact that not only Juniper noted the constant change and was just as confused, but also the fact that she acknowledged that her heart just wanted to hurt as her sights were set on Ryven despite Alric’s closeness and affection at times. I wish we got more insight from Ryven, his thoughts and reasoning, but at the same time, it's a nice balance of mystery. There’s a lot of unanswered questions that the reader can only hope will be answered in the next book.
The characters all seemed very realistic and believable. We might not agree with a lot of their actions and sayings but that's only close to real life. We don’t know what people are thinking. We don’t know why they do the things they do. Sometimes we get put in unpleasant situations and have to adapt to survive.
All in all, I really enjoyed this novel. I probably would’ve finished it sooner but 1) I’ve noticed recently I have trouble reading ebooks. I much prefer physical books. And 2) life gets hectic. But even though I didn’t finish the novel in one sitting or even over the weekend, I was still always excited to come back to it and follow Juniper’s journey, curious where it would take her and me. I was really excited to hear there would be a sequel and I was about 25% into reading the book. Now having completed my reading, I NEED the sequel!
P.S. Leo is the best and you can’t convince me otherwise. I need more Leo moments!
I’m really glad I stumbled across this novel (thanks to a friend's shared post about the free ebook for a review) and I definitely plan on getting a physical copy of it as well as immediately purchasing the sequel as soon as it's released. More than likely, I will be rereading this novel once I have the physical copy and definitely reading it before the sequel comes out so I can easily segway into that world.
To end this review, I'd like to include some quotes I enjoyed:
“I don’t know. Why are you asking me questions? Why can’t you just tell me?” Alric unfolded himself from the table. “Because I want you to know without a shadow of a doubt who you are. I don’t want you to rely on others and what they have said because you have to be sure. Your magic will not come until then.” -Alric to Juniper
“You are Juniper and that’s all that matters. Being the Mage Queen will not change who you are. It will not change what your favorite food is or your favorite color. All it will change is that you have magic and that you’ll be queen. And if you aren’t her then you are still Juniper with the same likes and dislikes as before.” Her thumb rubbed circles on my wrist. “All you need to figure out is who Juniper is and the rest will follow. Follow your heart to the things you enjoy most. You will find your place in this world by exploring yourself. And if you are the mage Quen then you will be a strong one because you will already know who you are and your purpose. Being the Mage Queen will not change much.” - Livia to Juniper
The woman I would be. I would fight for her. I would fight for a place here and I would fight in a war if I had to. - Juniper
Mystery
Magical
Making your mark in the world
Unknown destiny
Friends or foes
Relatable
Entrancing
Realistic world building
Loveable characters
Despise characters
A Few unanswered questions
The review portion:
*Spoilers ahead*
I honestly didn’t know what I was in for when I started this book. Yes, I was given a warning of the certain genres before I agreed to read it but I did not read the summary or do any previous research so I was going in without any real knowledge of it. The beginning and setting was definitely different as it was set in an older period. Though there wasn’t a specific year mentioned, you can definitely tell the differences from what we experience now. It wasn’t hard for me to continue reading as my curiosity was piqued. I was really surprised by the mention of a menstrual cycle in a book as it is typically not mentioned. Reading what Juniper (the main character) went through for her first Moon Cycle, as it was referred to in the novel, made me really grateful for the luxury we have now. There were several twists and turns throughout the novel that I didn’t expect, but I also didn’t seek out to solve it. I read so I can enjoy the ride of mystery. And there are still some mysteries yet to be shared in this first novel.
I definitely bonded with Juniper the most. Whether that was due to her being the main character and us having more insight to her thoughts than others, I’m not sure. But a lot of what she felt and thought was valid in her experiences. I loved the friendship she eventually found with the priestess. I was so happy for her sweet and innocent self finding someone who actually cared and treated her right after years of being treated horribly by the Keeper. Her questioning thoughts of her being the Mage Queen was always at the back of her head and rightfully so. There was no way to tell for sure if she was and with so many different instances where she didn’t have magic, let alone knew the power it possessed, and having near death experiences…it’s very easy to see why she questioned it when others tried to tell her there was a high chance she was the Mage Queen.
I’m not sure if it was because of her upbringing with the Keeper or just her natural outlook, I loved the fact that Juniper wanted to give back. She was always trying to find ways to help Ryven on their journey and even being in safety with her every need being met, she didn’t want the special treatment. She wanted to earn her keep. I admired that a lot with her. She could’ve easily agreed she was the Mage Queen and held herself to a higher pedestal, thinking like Alric that it was her right of passage to have all her needs and desires met. Whether she was worried about being the Mage Queen or not, her wanting to earn her way to what she received was just a very admirable characteristic. Heck, she even wanted to learn how to fight, tired of not having any skills to help others and defend herself. It also didn’t help that Ryven made it a point to say she was just sitting around and having everything taken care of for her so since she wasn’t busy like him, she could do a few things around the village.
There was also a point where her thoughts questioned the people who helped her like Ryven leading her to the village and Alric’s intentions. Was there more of a reason behind their intentions besides the possibility of her being the Mage Queen? She didn’t even know them, yet she was depending on them. Did they mean her ill will? I love the fact that she actually pondered these rather than assuming she was safe. Then again, after what she went through with the Keeper, it would make sense why she was weary of these new people in her life.
I also really enjoyed how magic was described into the world. I think as a misconception, the word ‘magic’ is kind of thought of as childish so even my own writings I feel like it’s too childish to be believable. But the author definitely had a nice touch in describing its workings that made it seem as natural as breathing.
Some non positives:
It was definitely an adjustment for me to get used to reading about menstrual cycles being normally spoken about in the novel. Like I said, it could be for the simple fact that it's not really ever mentioned in novels.
Ryven was a very…whiplash character. One minute he was flirty and kind, the next he was cold. I couldn’t make heads or tales where his mentality was but in all honesty, there are people in this world who have the same behavior as THEY don’t even know what they want. And I loved the fact that not only Juniper noted the constant change and was just as confused, but also the fact that she acknowledged that her heart just wanted to hurt as her sights were set on Ryven despite Alric’s closeness and affection at times. I wish we got more insight from Ryven, his thoughts and reasoning, but at the same time, it's a nice balance of mystery. There’s a lot of unanswered questions that the reader can only hope will be answered in the next book.
The characters all seemed very realistic and believable. We might not agree with a lot of their actions and sayings but that's only close to real life. We don’t know what people are thinking. We don’t know why they do the things they do. Sometimes we get put in unpleasant situations and have to adapt to survive.
All in all, I really enjoyed this novel. I probably would’ve finished it sooner but 1) I’ve noticed recently I have trouble reading ebooks. I much prefer physical books. And 2) life gets hectic. But even though I didn’t finish the novel in one sitting or even over the weekend, I was still always excited to come back to it and follow Juniper’s journey, curious where it would take her and me. I was really excited to hear there would be a sequel and I was about 25% into reading the book. Now having completed my reading, I NEED the sequel!
P.S. Leo is the best and you can’t convince me otherwise. I need more Leo moments!
I’m really glad I stumbled across this novel (thanks to a friend's shared post about the free ebook for a review) and I definitely plan on getting a physical copy of it as well as immediately purchasing the sequel as soon as it's released. More than likely, I will be rereading this novel once I have the physical copy and definitely reading it before the sequel comes out so I can easily segway into that world.
To end this review, I'd like to include some quotes I enjoyed:
“I don’t know. Why are you asking me questions? Why can’t you just tell me?” Alric unfolded himself from the table. “Because I want you to know without a shadow of a doubt who you are. I don’t want you to rely on others and what they have said because you have to be sure. Your magic will not come until then.” -Alric to Juniper
“You are Juniper and that’s all that matters. Being the Mage Queen will not change who you are. It will not change what your favorite food is or your favorite color. All it will change is that you have magic and that you’ll be queen. And if you aren’t her then you are still Juniper with the same likes and dislikes as before.” Her thumb rubbed circles on my wrist. “All you need to figure out is who Juniper is and the rest will follow. Follow your heart to the things you enjoy most. You will find your place in this world by exploring yourself. And if you are the mage Quen then you will be a strong one because you will already know who you are and your purpose. Being the Mage Queen will not change much.” - Livia to Juniper
The woman I would be. I would fight for her. I would fight for a place here and I would fight in a war if I had to. - Juniper
October 18, 2024
“Vow of Lies” is a book that will leave you craving more. It begins by following a female character who has been dehumanized and made to believe she is worthless. Sold by her family into some kind of nunnery, Juniper endures not only emotional and physical abuse but also long stretches of solitary confinement, which leaves her as an empty shell of a woman. She is told she has no name and her sole purpose is to serve the Veil. As the book progresses and different circumstances unfold for Juniper, we really get to see her character develop and flourish. Watching her personal growth and transformation was a highlight for me, and I’m eager to continue with the rest of the series.
One flaw, in my opinion, is that the first half of the book was a bit confusing. I struggled to understand where the plot was heading and which characters would be significant to the storyline. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the author has intentionally kept the reader in the dark, much like the main character herself. Lonergan’s writing style, combined with the suspense woven into the novel, ensured that I was never bored—even during the slower parts of the first half. I remained engaged throughout and found myself reading quickly, eager to uncover more.
In the second half of the book, everything starts to fall into place plot-wise, and I understood the importance of the first half. The characters introduced later on are divine, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. The world-building is epic, and the fantasy elements begin to play a significant role in the story. This is my first experience reading A. Lonergan's work, and I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series as soon as I can. If you’re a fan of found family dynamics, extreme slow burns, and the promise of an enemies-to-lovers storyline, I highly recommend this book and series.
Thank you to A. Lonergan and @behindthepagesPA for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
One flaw, in my opinion, is that the first half of the book was a bit confusing. I struggled to understand where the plot was heading and which characters would be significant to the storyline. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that the author has intentionally kept the reader in the dark, much like the main character herself. Lonergan’s writing style, combined with the suspense woven into the novel, ensured that I was never bored—even during the slower parts of the first half. I remained engaged throughout and found myself reading quickly, eager to uncover more.
In the second half of the book, everything starts to fall into place plot-wise, and I understood the importance of the first half. The characters introduced later on are divine, and I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know them. The world-building is epic, and the fantasy elements begin to play a significant role in the story. This is my first experience reading A. Lonergan's work, and I’ll definitely be reading the rest of the series as soon as I can. If you’re a fan of found family dynamics, extreme slow burns, and the promise of an enemies-to-lovers storyline, I highly recommend this book and series.
Thank you to A. Lonergan and @behindthepagesPA for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 9, 2023
"I will never need a man, I will simply and only want them."
Vow of Lies surprised me at every turn!
{Plot & Pacing}
There are SO many layers we are introduced to and every single one of them drew me in.
This is a slow burn in not only romance but unveiling the deeper parts to each layer of the plot too. We open the story from Juniper's POV and are left in the dark right alongside her. We only learn what is going on as she does. I LOVE this way of writing as it leaves me on the edge of my seat the entire time!
We get very minimal clues and foreshadowing until the multiple POVs start in the back half of the book. And this set up was perfect as the action picked up more at this point also.
{Character's}
Juniper - my heart breaks for the abuse she went through while kept in the bell tower for 12 years after being taken from her family. But I admire her perseverance and her desire to fight alongside the people she comes to trust.
Alric - look I hope for the best, but this one gets the side eye from me.
Ryven - yep, this the one. I like him. I'd like to know him more................................intimately. 😘
Ash, Reva, & Grove - Reva is my girl!
I'm very curious to learn about their time as priestesses before they meet up with Juniper.
I can only imagine how amazing the rest of the series will be with the structure & bones, A. Lonergan has created with Vow Of Lies!
Vow of Lies surprised me at every turn!
{Plot & Pacing}
There are SO many layers we are introduced to and every single one of them drew me in.
This is a slow burn in not only romance but unveiling the deeper parts to each layer of the plot too. We open the story from Juniper's POV and are left in the dark right alongside her. We only learn what is going on as she does. I LOVE this way of writing as it leaves me on the edge of my seat the entire time!
We get very minimal clues and foreshadowing until the multiple POVs start in the back half of the book. And this set up was perfect as the action picked up more at this point also.
{Character's}
Juniper - my heart breaks for the abuse she went through while kept in the bell tower for 12 years after being taken from her family. But I admire her perseverance and her desire to fight alongside the people she comes to trust.
Alric - look I hope for the best, but this one gets the side eye from me.
Ryven - yep, this the one. I like him. I'd like to know him more................................intimately. 😘
Ash, Reva, & Grove - Reva is my girl!
I'm very curious to learn about their time as priestesses before they meet up with Juniper.
I can only imagine how amazing the rest of the series will be with the structure & bones, A. Lonergan has created with Vow Of Lies!
June 3, 2023
This is my first book that I have read by A. Lonergan and I BEYOND LOVED IT!!! It was intense in the beginning in the sense that there is a lot of sadness that I wish I could have fixed for Juniper, the MC. I loved how it was a slow but confusing transition into a new situation for the MC and then all hell broke loose.
I enjoyed Junipers character development throught the story. It was very inspiring to me. She gained so much depth after what happened that it made the book that much better.
The descriptions of the locations in the story were amazing. I was able to picture everything the book had to say. Although there is a map if you need help which is great.
I loved the attention to detail that was made as it created an amazing storyline with amazing characters. I am so excited to read book two because (heads-up) it ends on a serious cliff-hanger and you will want to dive into the next book ASAP!!!!
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I enjoyed Junipers character development throught the story. It was very inspiring to me. She gained so much depth after what happened that it made the book that much better.
The descriptions of the locations in the story were amazing. I was able to picture everything the book had to say. Although there is a map if you need help which is great.
I loved the attention to detail that was made as it created an amazing storyline with amazing characters. I am so excited to read book two because (heads-up) it ends on a serious cliff-hanger and you will want to dive into the next book ASAP!!!!
I received an ARC for an honest review.
May 5, 2023
I loved this book! Juniper had never known anything of herself except that she was nameless, a nobody, simply there to serve whenever the time came. She lived a lonely life after being bought from her family, no friends, no social life, no knowledge of life itself. But she was destined for so much more. After finally being released from her loneliness and put into the world with others who served as she was meant to as well, the secrets remained. Disaster truck the castle she resided in as she was kidnapped by a strange, yet handsome man, but then the secrets begin to unravel. Could she have magic? It hasn't presented itself. Could she truly be the Mage Queen? Some are convinced, others not so much. Who will truly be on her side, and who will betray her more than anyone has? I can't wait for book 2!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2023
So our lead female was sold at a young age and has been kept in a squalid room under the bell in a castle. She has been told that she is no-one just a servant of the Veil, has been punished for so many minor things, starved and isolated but one day she catches the eye of a handsome priest and everything changes. She finally meets other women who say they are also priestesses but they live in luxury with medication, rich food, a bathing area and the freedom to come and go as they please. But nothing come without a price. When the Queen sees her she ends up punished, then the rebels attack the castle and she is kidnapped and she ends up even more confused!
Great read with an interesting, twisting story and the ending is such a hook for the next book!
Great read with an interesting, twisting story and the ending is such a hook for the next book!
April 9, 2023
I found myself feeling completely immersed in this book. I felt as if I were Juniper living out this crazy life. Once I started, I didn't want to put it down. It was the perfect enemies to lovers with a slow burn. I wanted to know more. The description and fleshed out character were really brought to life. Alric is by far my favorite character. The writing style really allowed readers to connect to the characters and the world around them. Highly recommend giving this book a try. I can't wait to see where this story goes.
June 14, 2023
I purchased this beautiful hardback at the BABE23 convention and was lucky enough to meet and get it signed by Alyssa.
This was my first read by her and it didn’t disappoint, I loved everything about it!
Ryven is 🔥 🔥 🔥
This is definitely a super slow burn fantasy and I can wait for it to go up in flames. The tension is killing me.
🖤 Slowest of the slow burns
🖤 Broody H
🖤 Innocent h
🖤 Touch her and you 🔪
🖤 Forced proximity
🖤 Prophecies and lost magic
If you love any of the above, definitely recommend checking this out. Diving straight into book 2.
This was my first read by her and it didn’t disappoint, I loved everything about it!
Ryven is 🔥 🔥 🔥
This is definitely a super slow burn fantasy and I can wait for it to go up in flames. The tension is killing me.
🖤 Slowest of the slow burns
🖤 Broody H
🖤 Innocent h
🖤 Touch her and you 🔪
🖤 Forced proximity
🖤 Prophecies and lost magic
If you love any of the above, definitely recommend checking this out. Diving straight into book 2.
October 17, 2024
This book was good, but not amazing to me. I liked the concept and the idea of it, but I felt like it took too long to get to the main plot. I wish the pacing was a bit faster. I also felt like the plot didn't develop enough in this one. I expected more things to happen. I did really love the characters and I hope she falls for who I want her to fall for. I really liked the ending. I thought it was a great cliffhanger.
May 30, 2025
Bought this because it has a gorgeous special edition hardback. Finally got into reading it and it's written as if it's for young adults more than adult fantasy/romantacy but with hints of adult content. This would get a green bell pepper on the spice scale. The story and character development are very slow for build-up. I'm going to finish the series cause I don't like to leave a story in the middle but I'm wary if it'll be much better moving into book 2.
April 28, 2023
Needed More...
This was a book that needed just a little bit more. Once Juniper left the destroyed castle and made it to the compound, I hoped that things would advance further. Sure, you had the will they or not with Alric and Ryven, but there wasn't enough significant action. Don't know if the cliffhanger is enough to make me continue the series.
This was a book that needed just a little bit more. Once Juniper left the destroyed castle and made it to the compound, I hoped that things would advance further. Sure, you had the will they or not with Alric and Ryven, but there wasn't enough significant action. Don't know if the cliffhanger is enough to make me continue the series.
May 28, 2023
This has many layers that we get
glimpses of throughout the book.
It keeps you guessing about everyone
and everything. I definitely have more
questions, especially after everything
that's happening around Juniper.
I enjoyed the world building and
character development. Can't wait
for Vow of Spies.
glimpses of throughout the book.
It keeps you guessing about everyone
and everything. I definitely have more
questions, especially after everything
that's happening around Juniper.
I enjoyed the world building and
character development. Can't wait
for Vow of Spies.
February 16, 2025
I’m giving this 3.5 stars but honestly the first half of this book was a 2 for me. I really struggled. It felt so vague and gave me nothing to look forward to or get excited about. the second half of the book did pick up, but I still feel like it’s missing some depth in both the characters and the storyline. I am going to read the second book and hope that it redeems the series.
April 4, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. Right from the start, I was hooked and wanted to know what was going on with our main character. I really enjoyed all the characters we met in this one. I can't wait for the next one, especially after that ending.
April 10, 2023
I ended up DNFing this book at about 30%
I just couldn't do it. The writing was disjointed and a bit too much "here's a secret...but we can't tell you...but a secret...nope, can't tell you"
Maybe I'll try again later, because I really wanted to like this, but right now it just wasn't for me
I just couldn't do it. The writing was disjointed and a bit too much "here's a secret...but we can't tell you...but a secret...nope, can't tell you"
Maybe I'll try again later, because I really wanted to like this, but right now it just wasn't for me
August 3, 2024
I love this!!! This is a must read!
If you’re considering your next read this is an amazing option! So much happens in so little time but the world building and events are fantastic!
If you’re considering your next read this is an amazing option! So much happens in so little time but the world building and events are fantastic!
January 22, 2025
Wow! This gripped my curiosity for Juniper and why she was in the situation she was in. Then I was rooting for her to realise how much of a strong amazing person she was. I felt heartache for her when making friends and then losing them. And the ending?! I didn't expect that.
February 27, 2025
A good start to a series, lots of secrets, hidden/unknown identities. Major world-building book & leaves off on one helluva cliff hanger!
April 24, 2025
Ok colour me intrigued. The world building is a little light even for a romantasy, but the plot is absolutely fire. Immediately going into the second book!
September 7, 2025
3.5
cant wait to see how this series goes :)
cant wait to see how this series goes :)
Did Not Finish
December 19, 2025DNF @ 46%
September 19, 2024
We meet a girl who is no one. She has no purpose in life and doesn’t even use her name. Join her on her road to finding out who she is after years of being a no one with no purpose. You are going to love this series!
December 31, 2024
This book is fantastic. If you like ACOTAR or Throne of glass then this will be right up your alley. Loved the gorgeous detailed art of the hardcover book as well it looks beautiful on my book shelf.
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