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For Warriors!: The Vanquishers of Alhambra
Here I am again, fighting for my life. You already know me. I used to be Madame Calixta Harlow Carlyle, the exotic prostitute of Talbert, but I am not anymore. Now, I am married to a Marquess and have accepted my position as the third Vanquisher of Alhambra. Things are getting from bad to worse in the Kingdom of Alhambra. My husband Dreyden and I destroyed the demon dragon Nartago, but I know crafty Jadro must have another wretched monster lined up. After the fight, we decided to stay in Elijah's village so I could give birth to my child. But now that my daughter is born, we must keep moving to the Fort of Marr. We are so close, and yet so far.
I'm Alesha. I used to be a prostitute, but now I am a huntress. I murdered my brother, and I'm not sorry. That bastard raped me, and he had to die. He will never hurt me again. But now I must run fast and get to the train station to catch up with Calixta and the others.
OH, NO! I can see them boarding the train.
"Wait for me!" shouted Alesha.
The train pulled away. Alesha ran behind it. But the train picked up speed, and she stayed behind in the city of Nhava.
"I will find them," said Alesha. But something worse than being left behind happened to her; Lord Shedfield, her first client and lover, found her on the train platform. He noticed she had changed her Trade Tattoo. "I am going to jail and maybe end up on the gallows for sure," said Alesha.
I am Gálida the Elf, and second Vanquisher of Alhambra, and I am dying in the dungeons of the Fort of Marr. My people and I are locked in cocoons made to help us cure our injuries, but now they are our coffins. We are encased in perpetual sleep. We were gullible, and Jadro cursed us. Oh, but today, in the depth of my sleep, I can hear the steps of one that can break our curse. The one walks stealthily through the halls and searches for something not his to take. Could it be a thief or a hero?
I am Evelin, and you don't know me yet! I am water, wolf, and wind. I will kill Calixta one way or another.
"Not if I kill her first," said Jadro.
In this fantasy saga, Calixta continues with her quest for truth. This is a Grindark Fantasy that many have also categorized as Gaslamp Fantasy. It is dark and has many adult topics. It is for adults only. Please visit the Author's website for the CW.
I'm Alesha. I used to be a prostitute, but now I am a huntress. I murdered my brother, and I'm not sorry. That bastard raped me, and he had to die. He will never hurt me again. But now I must run fast and get to the train station to catch up with Calixta and the others.
OH, NO! I can see them boarding the train.
"Wait for me!" shouted Alesha.
The train pulled away. Alesha ran behind it. But the train picked up speed, and she stayed behind in the city of Nhava.
"I will find them," said Alesha. But something worse than being left behind happened to her; Lord Shedfield, her first client and lover, found her on the train platform. He noticed she had changed her Trade Tattoo. "I am going to jail and maybe end up on the gallows for sure," said Alesha.
I am Gálida the Elf, and second Vanquisher of Alhambra, and I am dying in the dungeons of the Fort of Marr. My people and I are locked in cocoons made to help us cure our injuries, but now they are our coffins. We are encased in perpetual sleep. We were gullible, and Jadro cursed us. Oh, but today, in the depth of my sleep, I can hear the steps of one that can break our curse. The one walks stealthily through the halls and searches for something not his to take. Could it be a thief or a hero?
I am Evelin, and you don't know me yet! I am water, wolf, and wind. I will kill Calixta one way or another.
"Not if I kill her first," said Jadro.
In this fantasy saga, Calixta continues with her quest for truth. This is a Grindark Fantasy that many have also categorized as Gaslamp Fantasy. It is dark and has many adult topics. It is for adults only. Please visit the Author's website for the CW.
- GenresFantasyDark Fantasy
433 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2023
5 people are currently reading
609 people want to read
About the author
Omayra Vélez
13 books86 followersOmayra Vélez is a retired US Army disabled veteran, now an award-winning author for the book Ultima Skylar. Her family now calls her Lady of Grimdark after they read her book Calixta.
The author loves Spaniel dogs and now is a fur-mom of two puppies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, one named Winston Carlyle Velez and the other named Otto Hightower Velez.
The author loves Spaniel dogs and now is a fur-mom of two puppies, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, one named Winston Carlyle Velez and the other named Otto Hightower Velez.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 18, 2023
This book is well written, the characters are well established, and the story line is excellent. This second book to the series is from beginning to end detailed and keeps you engaged in the story. A must read for any and all book lovers everywhere.
June 25, 2023
Just WOW!
A literal combination of sci-fi and paranormal genres! I love the host of characters and the transition from book one into book two. I'm not giving any of the story away - for this is a must read!! I only say to the author hurry with book number three, PLEASE!
A literal combination of sci-fi and paranormal genres! I love the host of characters and the transition from book one into book two. I'm not giving any of the story away - for this is a must read!! I only say to the author hurry with book number three, PLEASE!
April 14, 2023
I can only say is wow. I loved Calixta and in this book Ms. Velez answered many questions I had from the first book. I will not give any spoilers but be really for a great ride.
April 14, 2023
Calixta is one of my favorite books of all times. I've been waiting for this books for two years. The wait was well worth it. Calixta had her daughter and the group finally reached the Fort of Marr. I am not going to say anything else. I don't want to give any spoilers, all I am going to say is that this book is just as dark as the first if not more. This is truly a grimdark story. I loved it. I received a free copy and I am leaving a volunteer an honest review.
April 16, 2023
Read this is a trip from the US to Japan, and I could not put the book down. It was as good as the first one.
November 29, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway in exchange for my honest review.
Though I haven’t read the first book I didn’t find it difficult to follow and get drawn into the story. I felt like the first part was kind of slow in pace, but things really picked up once we got to Alesha’s story. Overall I found the book very enjoyable.
Though I haven’t read the first book I didn’t find it difficult to follow and get drawn into the story. I felt like the first part was kind of slow in pace, but things really picked up once we got to Alesha’s story. Overall I found the book very enjoyable.
March 12, 2024
Received this as an ARC.
This was the 2nd part of the ARC I read, and though I enjoyed most of the story. It felt a little repetitive, although I feel this was due to the fact it can be read as a stand-alone novel, aswell as part of the series, so from reading book 1&2 back to back, a lot of the story was in both in places, but book 2 seemed to take the repeats with edits compared to book 1.
I thoroughly enjoyed book 1, so when reading this book and getting new differentiating details on things that have already happened previously, I was like huh, what's this?! That never happened, you big liar!
If you've read both books you will understand.
I feel like the plot here was thicker and I truly appreciated that as we got more context and depth into the whole demon war situation, and it was nice to have some more side journeys for some of our heroes.
The story was definitely more intense in this book, I appreciated that, because I feel a sequel needs that. The story was a little slow to start for me, and I was genuinely worried I'd have to put this in my dreaded dnf' pile. But I persevered, I'm glad I did.
I loved the continued growth of our female main character, she is such a badass. I was sad that we didn't get as much growth on Dreyden. I felt like he was pushed to the sideline in this book, but then our lovely Alesha got a shiny new main character role and I LOVED that.
It was painful to read this ARC copy however, the spelling, grammar, and careless unproofed text passages that literally made no sense, thus made it hard to enjoy in spots. Luckily I used my head and was able to work out what it was actually supposed to say.
Whoever did a beta read on this, did you dirty Omayra, and I'm sorry for that. I hope you are able to fix the errors, because I am a fan of your work.
As always; be aware folks this book contains sensitive subjects of rape, forced proximity, sex slave trade, child loss, miscarriage, incest?, violence, death, war
Don't let that stop you though, it was a fab read.
I give it a solid 3*!
I've only knocked a star off because I've got my panties in a bunch due to the bad reading experience, had the book been without errors it'd have been a perfect 4!
Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader for you. :)
This was the 2nd part of the ARC I read, and though I enjoyed most of the story. It felt a little repetitive, although I feel this was due to the fact it can be read as a stand-alone novel, aswell as part of the series, so from reading book 1&2 back to back, a lot of the story was in both in places, but book 2 seemed to take the repeats with edits compared to book 1.
I thoroughly enjoyed book 1, so when reading this book and getting new differentiating details on things that have already happened previously, I was like huh, what's this?! That never happened, you big liar!
If you've read both books you will understand.
I feel like the plot here was thicker and I truly appreciated that as we got more context and depth into the whole demon war situation, and it was nice to have some more side journeys for some of our heroes.
The story was definitely more intense in this book, I appreciated that, because I feel a sequel needs that. The story was a little slow to start for me, and I was genuinely worried I'd have to put this in my dreaded dnf' pile. But I persevered, I'm glad I did.
I loved the continued growth of our female main character, she is such a badass. I was sad that we didn't get as much growth on Dreyden. I felt like he was pushed to the sideline in this book, but then our lovely Alesha got a shiny new main character role and I LOVED that.
It was painful to read this ARC copy however, the spelling, grammar, and careless unproofed text passages that literally made no sense, thus made it hard to enjoy in spots. Luckily I used my head and was able to work out what it was actually supposed to say.
Whoever did a beta read on this, did you dirty Omayra, and I'm sorry for that. I hope you are able to fix the errors, because I am a fan of your work.
As always; be aware folks this book contains sensitive subjects of rape, forced proximity, sex slave trade, child loss, miscarriage, incest?, violence, death, war
Don't let that stop you though, it was a fab read.
I give it a solid 3*!
I've only knocked a star off because I've got my panties in a bunch due to the bad reading experience, had the book been without errors it'd have been a perfect 4!
Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader for you. :)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2024
This sequel delivered on to all my expectations but one. I was happy it was over 300 pages long because it answered many questions. Now, I wanted to know who was this evil all encompassing power and the author didn't give much about him. This story was chuck-full of darkness. Oh yeah,
it is dark. And if you are the squeamish type, please skip this one. Without giving any spoilers, the author describes the birth of a demon. I read this chapter at 1:00 AM and after I was done I had to sleep with the light on.
Anyway, now I want to know the story of Evelin Krieger and her brothers.
it is dark. And if you are the squeamish type, please skip this one. Without giving any spoilers, the author describes the birth of a demon. I read this chapter at 1:00 AM and after I was done I had to sleep with the light on.
Anyway, now I want to know the story of Evelin Krieger and her brothers.
April 14, 2023
OMG, This was more than what I was expecting. I want book three now.
July 18, 2025
Excellent third book in the series. My wife got me interested in this series. I can't wait for the next book.
December 21, 2023
First, I am going to say what I liked.
This sequel answered almost all my questions. It started where Calixta ended. It was great to see that Calixta's character arc continued in this book. I loved that I got to know what happened to Alesha. I hated that in the first book, Alesha stayed behind. I had a feeling that in this book the author was going to use her way of writing her stories by breaking the stories into parts like she is doing in her Assembly of Thirteen series. She introduced several characters, and typical of Velez, she fleshed them out well. Most of them had a character arc that she developed to the end. She took the time to write really descriptive prose. The feelings of the characters jumped from the pages.
What I didn't like.
I wanted this novel to be longer. I wanted her to give me more information on the new characters that appeared. I have a feeling that she may have a third book giving us more information on the characters of the Krieger siblings. I love that enigmatic trio of immortals.
I dislike she placed so much attention to Alesha and her story. I wanted more emphasis on Calixta and her crew, but she did manage to bring it all together well.
Another thing that bothered me was that she gave a lot of attention to the character of Alex and then she dropped him. It was like Alex became inconsequential all of a sudden.
In the end, I gave this book 3.5 stars, but I rounded it up to 4 stars. The world-building in this series is phenomenal, or at least that is my opinion.
I am a fan of Velez's novels, so I recommend this series and this book.
This sequel answered almost all my questions. It started where Calixta ended. It was great to see that Calixta's character arc continued in this book. I loved that I got to know what happened to Alesha. I hated that in the first book, Alesha stayed behind. I had a feeling that in this book the author was going to use her way of writing her stories by breaking the stories into parts like she is doing in her Assembly of Thirteen series. She introduced several characters, and typical of Velez, she fleshed them out well. Most of them had a character arc that she developed to the end. She took the time to write really descriptive prose. The feelings of the characters jumped from the pages.
What I didn't like.
I wanted this novel to be longer. I wanted her to give me more information on the new characters that appeared. I have a feeling that she may have a third book giving us more information on the characters of the Krieger siblings. I love that enigmatic trio of immortals.
I dislike she placed so much attention to Alesha and her story. I wanted more emphasis on Calixta and her crew, but she did manage to bring it all together well.
Another thing that bothered me was that she gave a lot of attention to the character of Alex and then she dropped him. It was like Alex became inconsequential all of a sudden.
In the end, I gave this book 3.5 stars, but I rounded it up to 4 stars. The world-building in this series is phenomenal, or at least that is my opinion.
I am a fan of Velez's novels, so I recommend this series and this book.
January 1, 2024
I was given a free copy of this book and I decided to give it an honest review.
For Warriors! The Vanquishers of Alhambra is a riveting sequel that seamlessly extends the universe introduced in the previous novel. Building upon the foundations laid in the previous story, this novel goes deeper into the details of Calixta and Dreyden and the world they live in and the great evil they face. I was especially interested in watching the growth and evolution of Alesha, the obstacles and challenges that she is forced to contend with. The complexities of their political systems, social structures, and the dynamics between different factions add layers to the story and the evil they face.
For Warriors! The Vanquishers of Alhambra is a riveting sequel that seamlessly extends the universe introduced in the previous novel. Building upon the foundations laid in the previous story, this novel goes deeper into the details of Calixta and Dreyden and the world they live in and the great evil they face. I was especially interested in watching the growth and evolution of Alesha, the obstacles and challenges that she is forced to contend with. The complexities of their political systems, social structures, and the dynamics between different factions add layers to the story and the evil they face.
Read
August 25, 2025Dark, gritty, and unrelenting, this third installment of The Vanquishers of Alhambra pulls no punches. The shifting voices of Calixta, Alesha, Gálida, and Evelin bring depth and raw emotion to the story, each fighting battles both external and internal. Betrayals, curses, and brutal choices drive the narrative, and the grimdark tone never lets you forget the cost of survival. For fans of adult dark fantasy, this series continues to deliver a brutal yet captivating journey.
April 13, 2024
After highly enjoying the first book, I wondered if the sequel would be similar to the first book. It was and I look forward to future books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 13, 2024
A the dark story a good book 2 a great adult fantasy with action where the main protagonist, is great female character better than book 1
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews