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Rise of the Warlords #4
The Wrath
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter returns with a new book in the tantalizing Rise of the Warlords series, featuring a brutal Hell king and the irresistible beauty who upends his world.
For centuries, Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies, has existed for one recovering the enchanted bones of his slain wife to bring her back to life. He’s never been closer to success. But a new enemy has risen. A band of deadly war gods who have thirty days to destroy her or suffer the consequences. With time running out, Rathbone hires a maddening harpy-oracle, unaware she has an agenda of her own.
Neeka the Unwanted is a fierce warrior on a stop Rathbone and the gods. She’s seen the future if either is victorious, and it’s horrifying. She’ll do whatever proves necessary to forge a new path, even seduce the ruthless royal from his purpose. What she can’t predict? How the intense male will shatter her hard-won defenses along the way.
As Rathbone battles unexpected betrayals, cunning foes and the wild temptress he craves with every fiber of his being, he knows he must hold on to a cold dream or embrace a new flame.
Rise of the Warlords
Book 1: The Warlord
Book 2: The Immortal
Book 3: The Phantom
Book 4: The Wrath
For centuries, Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies, has existed for one recovering the enchanted bones of his slain wife to bring her back to life. He’s never been closer to success. But a new enemy has risen. A band of deadly war gods who have thirty days to destroy her or suffer the consequences. With time running out, Rathbone hires a maddening harpy-oracle, unaware she has an agenda of her own.
Neeka the Unwanted is a fierce warrior on a stop Rathbone and the gods. She’s seen the future if either is victorious, and it’s horrifying. She’ll do whatever proves necessary to forge a new path, even seduce the ruthless royal from his purpose. What she can’t predict? How the intense male will shatter her hard-won defenses along the way.
As Rathbone battles unexpected betrayals, cunning foes and the wild temptress he craves with every fiber of his being, he knows he must hold on to a cold dream or embrace a new flame.
Rise of the Warlords
Book 1: The Warlord
Book 2: The Immortal
Book 3: The Phantom
Book 4: The Wrath
368 pages, Hardcover
First published February 6, 2024
194 people are currently reading
3637 people want to read
About the author
Gena Showalter
262 books27.9k followersGena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
February 5, 2024
5 STARS
I swear, this series just gets better and better with each new installment. And this one is my favorite in the series so far. The King of Agonies delivered HARD and with a tatted surprise. Yes. Exactly the kind you're thinking. Mmm hmm. But I digress.
As a self professed Gena Showalter addict, and having read her entire backlist, I still get giddy with each new release she has. And The Wrath was certainly no exception. There's just something about this world of warlords and gods that just does it for me. And while this is a standalone in a series, you definitely want to read it in order for maximum enjoyment.
One of my favorite things about Showalters books is her witty banter and fiery sassy heroines. And boy oh boy did I love Neeka. Neeka the Unwanted is a harpy oracle and bestie of Harpy general Taliyah from The Warlord. So when Neeka seemingly turns side to work with the enemy, she has a dang good reason for it. And the reason also happens to be tall, dark, tatted and oh so dangerous.
Rathbone, King of Agonies is a god. No, like literally. And look, my obsession with this book may not have something to do with him also being Hades's nephew. And I swear to you if I was rabid for Hades's book before, I'm near feral for it now. But I digress again.
Rathbone is on a mission to recover the enchanted bones of his slain wife to bring her back to life. But his plan has a small complication. Because The Astra have a new mission, and it's to revive his dead wife only so they can kill her. And the Astra assigned to the mission is none other than Azar, The Memory Keeper. A love triangle? Not quite.
When a vision puts Neeka in the center of Rathbone's mission, they form an unwilling alliance but to different ends. Because while Rathbone thinks she'll help him to revive his wife, Neeka's vision foreshadows something much darker. And she's determined to stop it.
When I tell you the chemistry between these two is instant and fiery, I mean I couldn't get enough of them. And the slow burn romance only added to the nail biting wait of when they'll finally give in. And oh my GAWD. I was turning the pages with eager glee, completely enraptured in this world and this story. The banter between Rath and Neeka was everything. And I lived for every new nickname Neeka came up with for the god. The tension, the action, the chemistry, all of it flawlessly weaved together to make one simply unputdownable read. And now here I sit, both happy because I loved it so much, but also completely devastated knowing I have to wait for the next book after the tease we get at the end. GAWD. What am I even going to do with myself until the next installment?! *cries in fan girlish anticipation*
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
Find me on:
You are a very, very dangerous female. But worth every wound.”
I swear, this series just gets better and better with each new installment. And this one is my favorite in the series so far. The King of Agonies delivered HARD and with a tatted surprise. Yes. Exactly the kind you're thinking. Mmm hmm. But I digress.
As a self professed Gena Showalter addict, and having read her entire backlist, I still get giddy with each new release she has. And The Wrath was certainly no exception. There's just something about this world of warlords and gods that just does it for me. And while this is a standalone in a series, you definitely want to read it in order for maximum enjoyment.
One of my favorite things about Showalters books is her witty banter and fiery sassy heroines. And boy oh boy did I love Neeka. Neeka the Unwanted is a harpy oracle and bestie of Harpy general Taliyah from The Warlord. So when Neeka seemingly turns side to work with the enemy, she has a dang good reason for it. And the reason also happens to be tall, dark, tatted and oh so dangerous.
Rathbone, King of Agonies is a god. No, like literally. And look, my obsession with this book may not have something to do with him also being Hades's nephew. And I swear to you if I was rabid for Hades's book before, I'm near feral for it now. But I digress again.
Rathbone is on a mission to recover the enchanted bones of his slain wife to bring her back to life. But his plan has a small complication. Because The Astra have a new mission, and it's to revive his dead wife only so they can kill her. And the Astra assigned to the mission is none other than Azar, The Memory Keeper. A love triangle? Not quite.
When a vision puts Neeka in the center of Rathbone's mission, they form an unwilling alliance but to different ends. Because while Rathbone thinks she'll help him to revive his wife, Neeka's vision foreshadows something much darker. And she's determined to stop it.
When I tell you the chemistry between these two is instant and fiery, I mean I couldn't get enough of them. And the slow burn romance only added to the nail biting wait of when they'll finally give in. And oh my GAWD. I was turning the pages with eager glee, completely enraptured in this world and this story. The banter between Rath and Neeka was everything. And I lived for every new nickname Neeka came up with for the god. The tension, the action, the chemistry, all of it flawlessly weaved together to make one simply unputdownable read. And now here I sit, both happy because I loved it so much, but also completely devastated knowing I have to wait for the next book after the tease we get at the end. GAWD. What am I even going to do with myself until the next installment?! *cries in fan girlish anticipation*
ARC courtesy of author in exchange for an honest review
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December 31, 2023
Okay. Wow. I need to start this series from the beginning because I AM IN LOVE WITH THE WAY THESE BEINGS LOVE!!
Rathbone has spent centuries trying to put his wife back together. Neeka is the oracle who will help him find the remaining bones. The journey is what proves to these two that they deserve so much more than they ever believed.
Rathbone and Neeka were raised to feel wanting. He was "If Only" and she was "The Unwanted", however, together... these two finally found the one person perfect for them. It took a loooooong time to realize it and they had to jump over many obstacles to obtain their happiness, but I felt their hope for forever right from the beginning.
My copy of this book wasn't formatted, but that didn't stop me from savouring this story. I flipped pages while ignoring everything pertinent to my life. Who cared about laundry, dishes, or cleaning. Priorties!!
I do wish I had read the previous books in the series, but I was in no way lost or felt like I was missing something. Reading this book only made me want to read those stories pronto. So if you like paranormal romance, exceptionally oblivious but incredibly endearing heroes, fierce and hilarious heroines, and an intense plot, you'll need this book in your life.
Find more here: The Wrath
Rathbone has spent centuries trying to put his wife back together. Neeka is the oracle who will help him find the remaining bones. The journey is what proves to these two that they deserve so much more than they ever believed.
Rathbone and Neeka were raised to feel wanting. He was "If Only" and she was "The Unwanted", however, together... these two finally found the one person perfect for them. It took a loooooong time to realize it and they had to jump over many obstacles to obtain their happiness, but I felt their hope for forever right from the beginning.
My copy of this book wasn't formatted, but that didn't stop me from savouring this story. I flipped pages while ignoring everything pertinent to my life. Who cared about laundry, dishes, or cleaning. Priorties!!
I do wish I had read the previous books in the series, but I was in no way lost or felt like I was missing something. Reading this book only made me want to read those stories pronto. So if you like paranormal romance, exceptionally oblivious but incredibly endearing heroes, fierce and hilarious heroines, and an intense plot, you'll need this book in your life.
Find more here: The Wrath
November 16, 2023
"No consort of mine is ordering me around, especially while he's banging other chicks. I'll be his one and only, and he'll be mine, and that's that."
Something cracked inside his chest. To his amazement, yearning leaked out.
Anyone that knows me knows that Gena's Lords of the Underworld series and extended universe sits securely in my top 3 favorite book series of all time. Whenever I get to return to this world and these characters, it feels like a blessing - especially when I get to spend some quality time with my faves that I haven't seen in a while. The Wrath not only gave me the opportunity to enjoy that time with Rathbone, Neeka, and Hades, but Gena gave us additional layers to their characters that satisfied something in me that I hadn't known needed satiating in the first place.
Taliyah Skyhawk has been sitting comfortably in my top favorite heroines list for years now, but after this book, her bestie, Neeka Eagleshield, has officially cracked that prestigious list. I clearly have a weakness for seers and soothsayers. I don't know what it is about them, but they are almost always instant favorites of mine - perhaps its the ungodly weight of responsibility that sits on their shoulders and the way they bear that burden; the wisdom that comes with it... and the hints of madness. The empathy, the insight, the deep well of complexities that make up their characters. Having the opportunity to spend more than a fleeting few pages and references with Neeka meant that Gena was able to ingratiate all of these characteristics and more into the harpy seer's character - but then she added all of these additional layers of vulnerability and yearning and a yawning, aching loneliness that spoke to me at such a visceral level, it spooked me at first.
On the surface, Neeks is all chaos, sass, tenacity, and madness. But being known as the Unwanted for nearly the whole of her life and the toll that's taken on her, even if she pretends it doesn't bother her... my heart broke for her on more than one occasion. Neeka is an iceberg of secrets and complexity, and after finishing this book, I couldn't help but adore her as hard as I do her best friend, Taliyah.
A groan scraped his throat. He didn't understand the intensity and speed of his reaction to her. And what was this new, terrible sensation growing inside him? This... calm. As if everything was right, nothing missing, nothing broken. How was a king supposed to get anything done feeling like this? He hated it. And loved it. What did it mean?
Then there's Rathbone the Only - adopted son of Hades, and a king of the realm of agonies. This shapeshifter is your classic Gena Showalter hero - morally gray, reveler of violence, dominant as hell, all with a healthy side of emotional constipation, thanks to some unprocessed trauma seated deep in his past. Rathbone hasn't had it easy - from a childhood defined by neglect and emotional abuse, all the way to being the unwitting pawn of a villain that has had their claws rooted beneath his skin for centuries... suffice it to say, our guy has a lot going on and a lot he needs to work through.
But even with his life being regularly defined by chaos and struggle, its Hurricane Neeka that gives him the sorely needed shakeup he requires to fully shed himself of the past.
The chemistry between these two from the word "go" is combustable.
"I think you're playing with fire." His gaze dipped to her lips. "Do you want to burn?"
She ran her bottom lip between her teeth. tempted to do things to this male, and not just for the mission.
"Who says I'm not already burning?"
While we still get a new challenge that the Astra Planeta have to grapple with, this time around is a little different, because Erebus' challenge is a special kind of cruel, as he pits allies against allies and unwittingly fated mates against fated mates. The stakes are high and the tension a near constant. Who will acquire all of the bones first? What happens when they finally do? Can Neeka succeed in saving all of Harpykind from the unspeakable evil failure to complete this task will unleash without dooming the Astra Planeta and losing the man she loves at the same time?
Gena's got a lot of twists and surprises up her sleeve, and each one feels more nail-bitingly stressful than the last.
He sat leaning against the wall with his knees drawn up, the mátia staring at her intently...
Shivers tumbled over her spine, but oh, she hated when he watched her like this - because she loved it so much. When you spent the bulk of your life desperate to be seen rather than dismissed, such unwavering attention became your kryptonite.
Some non-spoilery notes:
Hades remains an absolute scene thief, and if this book accomplished anything where it comes to that man, it is that my need for his book has increased one hundred fold. I *NEED* it, Gena! It's not even a want at this point! But with all the hints and things we got this round, I have a sneaking suspicion his story will be on the horizon... fingers crossed!
Speaking of Hades - his relationship with Rathbone. I love getting to see Daddy Hades in action. The various relationships he has with his "children" - from William to Baden to Pandora, and now with Rathbone... I don't even know how to articulate the thoughts in my head, but suffice it to say, seeing him being a good mentor that genuinely cares, while also being shameless, snarky, and debauched - the combo works and it works beautifully.
Other relationships I adore: Neeka and Taliyah's friendship. Those two are absolutely solid, both as individual characters and as friends, and I am so grateful Gena didn't go the usual route with having the test of their friendship prove a negative. These two have been through so much over the centuries, so it was massively refreshing to have such trust there - especially when things started getting rather complicated. There's a reason why those two are my favorite harpies - and arguably my favorite ladies in the extended LOTU universe.
Also, the revelation that [redacted] has a was such a fun twist!
And, of course, in usual Gena fashion, after that ending, I am immediately left ravenous for more! I have so many questions about how certain things played out between two specific characters in particular. A favorable resolution almost seems impossible at this point - but Gena's imagination is boundless and her twists fantastic. I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
TL;DR: if you're a fan of the Lords of the Underworld and enjoy solid paranormal romance with a healthy side of twisted humor and deliciously agonizing heat for days, then The Wrath and The Rise of the Warlords in general should be considered essential reading. The Wrath really is Gena Showalter at her finest. It encapsulates all the things I adore about her writing, from the humor, clever twists and surprises, memorable characters, and - of course - the timeless, swoon-worthy romance. The Warlord is still my favorite Gena book, but The Wrath is officially tied with The Darkest Promise for slot number two... and if you know how much I freaking ADORE that book (I mean - come on! It's Lazarus and Cameo), then you know that that is nothing to take lightly.
Seriously - READ. THESE. BOOKS.
**NOTE: I had the opportunity to help proofread the final version of this book, and am also an active member of Gena Showalter's ARC team. My immediate thoughts after my first read through (for posterity) are as follows: I fucking loved this book, Gena Showalter is a treasure, and I will never get enough of this series or these characters or this universe. Never ever ever.**
May 2, 2024
I don't know how I managed to finish this but I did and it was a TRIAL. The plot was janky, repetitive, and yet somehow still inconsistent, and it was riddled with grammatical errors. The main heroine could have honestly been really fun/ charming in a different story or paired with a different love interest but God... The man is a shit show and I think this early quote really sums it up: Dudes uncle "You wed her, yet you maintain a stable of one hundred mistresses. Why is this lone female so important?"
Main dude "You answered yourself. They are my mistresses. She is my queen."
Also one last gripe!! The dude on the cover is not in the slightest accurate! Rathbone is described as having red skin and hundreds of eyes covering every inch of his skin! This is a cover for cowards!
Main dude "You answered yourself. They are my mistresses. She is my queen."
Also one last gripe!! The dude on the cover is not in the slightest accurate! Rathbone is described as having red skin and hundreds of eyes covering every inch of his skin! This is a cover for cowards!
February 23, 2024
Bu kitap ana seriye neden bağlanmamış acaba? Arada bakıyorum yeni gelen giden var mı diye, tamamen tesadüf gördüm çıktığını 😅
Karanlığın Efendileri serisi başka konulara evrileli çok oldu...Son çıkan kitaplarda Astra Planeta Savaşçıları konu alınıyor. Dokuz kişiler. Her biri sırayla bir görev alıyor. Kazanırlarsa 500 yıl boyunca soruzsuz bir şekilde hüküm sürecekler. Eğer laybederlerse... vay anam vay 😅
Konuya bakınca iki erkek bir kadın görüp de "aman Allah'ım yine bir üçgen mi?" moduna girdim. Astra savaşçısı Azar'ın görev aldığı kitapta Rathbone ne alaka diye de çok sorguladım. Dedim iki kişiyi bir kitapta aradan çıkartacak sanırım. Ama yoooo olmadı öyle bir şey 😂
Rathbone yüzyıllar önce Lore'u (eşi) kaybetmiştir. Kemiklerine kazıdığı hayat şarkısı sayesinde yeniden birlikte olmayı planlamıştır. Ama kemiklerin çoğu kayıp.Azar'ın görevi ise Lore'u hayata döndürüp yeniden öldürmektir. Bu ikili doğal olarak karşı taraflarda yer alır.
Bir de İstenmeyen Neeka vardır. Kendisini Phoenix bir kocaya bağlı bulan kâhinimiz. Hoş adamı ilk öldürdüğünde boşanmış sayıyor kendini ama gel de adama anlat bunu 🤦🏻♀️ Neymiş, onu da Phoenix yapıp yatağa bağlayacak sonra da vuracak kırbacı vuracak kırbacı 😂
İlk başta kim kiminle evli, kim kime meyilli çözene kadar kafam biraz karıştı. Ben Azar'ı daha ön planda bekliyordum, Rathbone odak noktası olunca şaşırdım. Aslında iyi oldu zira bu sayede Hades'i de görmüş oldum. Dert yanmıştım önceki kitaplarda, yarım kaldı hikayesi diye.. yavaştan ona da dönüyor sanırım. Bence okey.
Neeka ve Rathbone birlikte Lore'un kemiklerini bulmak için anlaşır. Huysuz, vahşi, acımasız Rathbone ve onu asla kâle almayan Neeka oldukça eğlenceli bir çift olmuş.
Konuya adapte olunca benim için aktı hikaye. Uykum gelmese bir günde okurdum. Ya evreni özledim ya da okuma aşkım depreşti 😂 zira çok çok da olay bir kurgu değildi.Ya hatta tam görev başarılı oldu, kitap bitti. Az iki bölüm daha yazılsaydi ne olurdu? Resmen şak diye kitap bitmiş 🤦🏻♀️
Sonraki görev Silver'in görünüyor. Azar görevinde başarılı olsa da hikayesi kesinlikle daha yeni başlıyor. İki arkadaş birbirine düşecek gibi...
Ama Hades de gelseydi iyiydi 😅Siobhan , Hades hazır olsun geliyorum dedi. Bakalım...
Karanlığın Efendileri serisi başka konulara evrileli çok oldu...Son çıkan kitaplarda Astra Planeta Savaşçıları konu alınıyor. Dokuz kişiler. Her biri sırayla bir görev alıyor. Kazanırlarsa 500 yıl boyunca soruzsuz bir şekilde hüküm sürecekler. Eğer laybederlerse... vay anam vay 😅
Konuya bakınca iki erkek bir kadın görüp de "aman Allah'ım yine bir üçgen mi?" moduna girdim. Astra savaşçısı Azar'ın görev aldığı kitapta Rathbone ne alaka diye de çok sorguladım. Dedim iki kişiyi bir kitapta aradan çıkartacak sanırım. Ama yoooo olmadı öyle bir şey 😂
Rathbone yüzyıllar önce Lore'u (eşi) kaybetmiştir. Kemiklerine kazıdığı hayat şarkısı sayesinde yeniden birlikte olmayı planlamıştır. Ama kemiklerin çoğu kayıp.Azar'ın görevi ise Lore'u hayata döndürüp yeniden öldürmektir. Bu ikili doğal olarak karşı taraflarda yer alır.
Bir de İstenmeyen Neeka vardır. Kendisini Phoenix bir kocaya bağlı bulan kâhinimiz. Hoş adamı ilk öldürdüğünde boşanmış sayıyor kendini ama gel de adama anlat bunu 🤦🏻♀️ Neymiş, onu da Phoenix yapıp yatağa bağlayacak sonra da vuracak kırbacı vuracak kırbacı 😂
İlk başta kim kiminle evli, kim kime meyilli çözene kadar kafam biraz karıştı. Ben Azar'ı daha ön planda bekliyordum, Rathbone odak noktası olunca şaşırdım. Aslında iyi oldu zira bu sayede Hades'i de görmüş oldum. Dert yanmıştım önceki kitaplarda, yarım kaldı hikayesi diye.. yavaştan ona da dönüyor sanırım. Bence okey.
Neeka ve Rathbone birlikte Lore'un kemiklerini bulmak için anlaşır. Huysuz, vahşi, acımasız Rathbone ve onu asla kâle almayan Neeka oldukça eğlenceli bir çift olmuş.
Konuya adapte olunca benim için aktı hikaye. Uykum gelmese bir günde okurdum. Ya evreni özledim ya da okuma aşkım depreşti 😂 zira çok çok da olay bir kurgu değildi.Ya hatta tam görev başarılı oldu, kitap bitti. Az iki bölüm daha yazılsaydi ne olurdu? Resmen şak diye kitap bitmiş 🤦🏻♀️
Sonraki görev Silver'in görünüyor. Azar görevinde başarılı olsa da hikayesi kesinlikle daha yeni başlıyor. İki arkadaş birbirine düşecek gibi...
Ama Hades de gelseydi iyiydi 😅Siobhan , Hades hazır olsun geliyorum dedi. Bakalım...
February 18, 2024
As always, I love how she writes her men and women. One of the few authors that get the dynamic right. These books are always a fun ride.
February 6, 2024
✦Review: THE WRATH: A Novel by Gena Showalter https://bit.ly/499dmkT
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 5 Stars
I could not wait for this one! I have loved Rathbone since he showed up in THE DARKEST PROMISE and started messing with Lazarus by putting stuffed leopards that looked like him in his bag that kept reappearing after he got rid of them. I’m not sure if it was to spy on him or just to mess with his head but it was funny. The harpies are always fun and Neeka is incredible so this book had a great heroine. I absolutely loved Rathbone and Neeka together. Gena Showalter always delivers an unforgettable love story. I always end one of her books thinking it’s my favorite and those characters are my absolute favorites and then the next book comes along and that books ends up being my favorite. Her characters draw me into their story, and I laugh and smile and get swept up in the worlds she creates. This is a new favorite but I’m sure I’ll say that on the next one too.
The Warlord Series is a spin-off series from The Lords of the Underground Series but you do not need to read it before picking up this series. I highly recommend the LOTU series though. It’s one of my favorites. Each book in the Warlord series is a standalone but I recommend reading them in order.
I highly recommend this book and this series for paranormal romance lovers looking for steamy romance with action, humor, powerful heroines and heroes you fall in love with.
*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
~*~*~*~
KINDLE https://amzn.to/3un6eCo
Publication Date: February 6, 2024
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Cori
Rated 5 Stars
I could not wait for this one! I have loved Rathbone since he showed up in THE DARKEST PROMISE and started messing with Lazarus by putting stuffed leopards that looked like him in his bag that kept reappearing after he got rid of them. I’m not sure if it was to spy on him or just to mess with his head but it was funny. The harpies are always fun and Neeka is incredible so this book had a great heroine. I absolutely loved Rathbone and Neeka together. Gena Showalter always delivers an unforgettable love story. I always end one of her books thinking it’s my favorite and those characters are my absolute favorites and then the next book comes along and that books ends up being my favorite. Her characters draw me into their story, and I laugh and smile and get swept up in the worlds she creates. This is a new favorite but I’m sure I’ll say that on the next one too.
The Warlord Series is a spin-off series from The Lords of the Underground Series but you do not need to read it before picking up this series. I highly recommend the LOTU series though. It’s one of my favorites. Each book in the Warlord series is a standalone but I recommend reading them in order.
I highly recommend this book and this series for paranormal romance lovers looking for steamy romance with action, humor, powerful heroines and heroes you fall in love with.
*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
~*~*~*~
KINDLE https://amzn.to/3un6eCo
February 22, 2024
I want to be Neeka when I grow up.
Having appeared in.previous books Neeka The Unwanted is not an unknown but from the moment she stepped into the page she has captivated, even for a Harpy Neeka is crazy and unpredictable. Media is an Oracle but she's an Oracle with a difference she can see the last and the future, it makes her life totally chaotic. Her title as the Unwanted comes from her mother's rejection of her after an injury as a small child leaves her deaf, Harpies do NOT have disabilities, never mind that Neeka copes so well with her deafness that unless told you would never know. Now the surprise in this book is that the Astra warrior Azar, Keeper of Secrets is not the hero, he is a side character and his task (in the war with Erebus) is secondary to the story. The "hero" is the King of Agonies Rathbone. Rathbone has spent the last few centuries hunting for the bones of his deceased Queen Lore who died during the last Ascension at Azar's hand and Azar this time around has been tasked with resurrecting Lore so he can kill her again ................ If course Rathbone has his own opinion on this and is.determined the Astra will not.only not succeed but die. Neeka, she has seen the future and doesn't like what she's seen but her chances of.changing the outcome are not good.................after all.she is the Unwanted for a reason.
Having appeared in.previous books Neeka The Unwanted is not an unknown but from the moment she stepped into the page she has captivated, even for a Harpy Neeka is crazy and unpredictable. Media is an Oracle but she's an Oracle with a difference she can see the last and the future, it makes her life totally chaotic. Her title as the Unwanted comes from her mother's rejection of her after an injury as a small child leaves her deaf, Harpies do NOT have disabilities, never mind that Neeka copes so well with her deafness that unless told you would never know. Now the surprise in this book is that the Astra warrior Azar, Keeper of Secrets is not the hero, he is a side character and his task (in the war with Erebus) is secondary to the story. The "hero" is the King of Agonies Rathbone. Rathbone has spent the last few centuries hunting for the bones of his deceased Queen Lore who died during the last Ascension at Azar's hand and Azar this time around has been tasked with resurrecting Lore so he can kill her again ................ If course Rathbone has his own opinion on this and is.determined the Astra will not.only not succeed but die. Neeka, she has seen the future and doesn't like what she's seen but her chances of.changing the outcome are not good.................after all.she is the Unwanted for a reason.
February 10, 2024
ARC REVIEW
Get ready for another wild ride with Gena Showalter's "The Wrath"! This book is like catching up with old friends – familiar yet full of surprises.
Rathbone, the King of Agonies, is on a mission to bring his deceased wife back to life by finding her enchanted bones. But he's got some serious competition in the form of deadly war gods who are hell-bent on stopping him. Enter Neeka, a feisty harpy-oracle with her own agenda. She's a force to be reckoned with and adds a whole new dimension to Rathbone's quest.
The chemistry between Rathbone and Neeka is off the charts, and their banter will have you laughing out loud. But don't be fooled – there's plenty of action and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat.
With unexpected twists and turns, "The Wrath" keeps you guessing until the very end. Showalter has once again created a world that sucks you in and leaves you wanting more.
So grab a copy of "The Wrath" and prepare to be swept away on an adventure filled with magic, romance, and plenty of heart-stopping moments. You won't be able to put it down!
Happy Reading xx
Get ready for another wild ride with Gena Showalter's "The Wrath"! This book is like catching up with old friends – familiar yet full of surprises.
Rathbone, the King of Agonies, is on a mission to bring his deceased wife back to life by finding her enchanted bones. But he's got some serious competition in the form of deadly war gods who are hell-bent on stopping him. Enter Neeka, a feisty harpy-oracle with her own agenda. She's a force to be reckoned with and adds a whole new dimension to Rathbone's quest.
The chemistry between Rathbone and Neeka is off the charts, and their banter will have you laughing out loud. But don't be fooled – there's plenty of action and suspense to keep you on the edge of your seat.
With unexpected twists and turns, "The Wrath" keeps you guessing until the very end. Showalter has once again created a world that sucks you in and leaves you wanting more.
So grab a copy of "The Wrath" and prepare to be swept away on an adventure filled with magic, romance, and plenty of heart-stopping moments. You won't be able to put it down!
Happy Reading xx
February 3, 2024
4.5 Stars
Book four in Rise of The Warlords, The Wrath is a compelling paranormal read.
Rathbone the Only, son of Argus the All-Seeing, Lorelei the Incomparable Goddess of Desire and Neeka the Unwanted the Harpy Oracle. When their paths intersect the twist, turns and revelations will have you on the edge of your seat.
I enjoyed this story and could not put it down; the characters are engaging pulling you into the journey with them and the story is well written allowing you to get lost in the words.
This is a great book and series and one I would highly recommend.
Book four in Rise of The Warlords, The Wrath is a compelling paranormal read.
Rathbone the Only, son of Argus the All-Seeing, Lorelei the Incomparable Goddess of Desire and Neeka the Unwanted the Harpy Oracle. When their paths intersect the twist, turns and revelations will have you on the edge of your seat.
I enjoyed this story and could not put it down; the characters are engaging pulling you into the journey with them and the story is well written allowing you to get lost in the words.
This is a great book and series and one I would highly recommend.
May 8, 2025
4.5 ⭐️’s
This was a fun one.
This was a fun one.
February 6, 2024
While I assumed that this story was going to revolve around the next Astra finding his mate, it was really only loosely connected to that series in my opinion, in the fact that it was centered around the next Astra challenge, which was a new idea for a connected series. The main core of the story is the connection and love that developed between Rathbone and Neeka as they worked together, which at many times seemed to have been working against the Astra. I enjoyed getting to delve into the winding and somewhat mazelike psyche of Neeka and see her find her way not only to a future where she saves those she loves, but also where she gets her HEA with Rathbone. She has had a trying life to this point to say the least and getting to see her find some happiness was rewarding. Rathbone was a jerk for a large portion of the book, making me wish I had the option to reach out and kick him right in the nuts, but as that is not possible, I am glad that more than once he got his butt handed to him. Luckily he pulled his head out of his ass and found a way to open his heart to Neeka. The Chemistry between Neeka and Rathbone is undeniable and when they spend more and more time together it becomes and powder keg ready to ignite more than once, and when it finally does it blows sky high. I really loved that Gena gave us a hint of what will be coming next and I am now looking forward to that even more, but the wait is certainly going to be torturous. Gena never fails to prove that some people are just made to be writers and some of us are made to be their fangirls.
For Full review see the blog at:
https://romancewitchreviews.blogspot....
For Full review see the blog at:
https://romancewitchreviews.blogspot....
February 7, 2024
**WARNING: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review - it will contain a few minor spoilers but, I never spoil the ending.**
If you know me, by now you know I’m an active member of Gena Showalter’s ARC team and have been for the last two years. In no way does this influence my reviews at all. I’ve been reading and loving Gena’s books since I was 17 years old. I’m 32 now, and Gena’s writing will forever hold an incredibly special place in my heart. I might be a little bias since I’ve loved her books for so long but, regardless it doesn’t take away from how incredible they are or how I truly feel about her stories. My reviews are always my honest thoughts and from my heart.
If you love her Lords of the Underworld series, then the Rise of the Warlords is the perfect continuation for you to dive into this magical world. You thought our Lords were to die for? The Astra? On another freaking level. AND we get Rathbone and more Hades?! Happy squeals! Book 4, The Wrath did not disappoint. Now we know that in this series the big bad Erebus (gags) has another challenge for the Astra; in this particular book Azar. But, it doesn’t focus on the Astra specifically. He’s here and there in the book but, it actually focuses on Rathbone and Neeka, The Unwanted.
Can you say yes for our ever fantastical Harpy Queens?! I love Neeka so freaking much. I’m continually impressed by Gena and how she makes me love these Harpies more than the last. Their humor just gets better and better in each book. I laughed so much in this one, I feel like Neeka is the ultimate baddy best friend a girl could ever want or ask for! The reason this book focuses so much on Neeka and Rathbone; and not Azar and his future Gravita (his fated one) is because of the star of this particular challenge, Lore. And let me tell you…she’s the freaking worst. Back in the day, Rathbone thought Lore was his fated one or mate if you will. Azar killed her but, Rathbone carved the song of life into each of her bones so he could bring her back to life one day. Enter in our lovingly, crazy (in the best way) Oracle, Neeka.
She knows that Lore and Erebus have something bad planned for this challenge and at the end they could all die… so it’s up to her to help… and not help Rathbone at the same time. You see, with her visions doesn’t always come clarity. And sometimes she has no idea what she’s actually doing or what her visions mean, which made this story so much fun and her character so endearing. Did I mention endearing? She’s incredibly so, and we see Rathbone start to fall for our crazy girl. Was Lore his fated one after all? Or Neeka? As this story unfolds so does their rising passion for each other… and let me tell you, sparks erupt! While he does fight it… he starts to see Neeka in a new light and realize he may not have known who Lore truly was..
“He huffed. Such prolonged stupidity. So many eyes, yet he'd failed to see the truth. He'd let pride blind him to the goddess's trickery, exactly as Hades once prophesied.”
I won’t give away the ending but, I was surprised at the twist and turns at the end. I didn’t know how this was going to end or work really but, of course Gena knew what she was doing! I also might not hate Neeka’s mom as much as I thought… again the ending was surprising! And now I can’t freaking wait for the 5th book. This book has spice but, it doesn’t have as much as the previous three books. But, it wasn’t missing it! The tension between these two… (fans herself).
Diving into this paranormal world is one of my favorite things to do.. getting lost in the pages of a Gena Showalter book is forever amazing. I’m in awe of her and her writing. Don’t sleep on this series and dive in.
If you know me, by now you know I’m an active member of Gena Showalter’s ARC team and have been for the last two years. In no way does this influence my reviews at all. I’ve been reading and loving Gena’s books since I was 17 years old. I’m 32 now, and Gena’s writing will forever hold an incredibly special place in my heart. I might be a little bias since I’ve loved her books for so long but, regardless it doesn’t take away from how incredible they are or how I truly feel about her stories. My reviews are always my honest thoughts and from my heart.
If you love her Lords of the Underworld series, then the Rise of the Warlords is the perfect continuation for you to dive into this magical world. You thought our Lords were to die for? The Astra? On another freaking level. AND we get Rathbone and more Hades?! Happy squeals! Book 4, The Wrath did not disappoint. Now we know that in this series the big bad Erebus (gags) has another challenge for the Astra; in this particular book Azar. But, it doesn’t focus on the Astra specifically. He’s here and there in the book but, it actually focuses on Rathbone and Neeka, The Unwanted.
Can you say yes for our ever fantastical Harpy Queens?! I love Neeka so freaking much. I’m continually impressed by Gena and how she makes me love these Harpies more than the last. Their humor just gets better and better in each book. I laughed so much in this one, I feel like Neeka is the ultimate baddy best friend a girl could ever want or ask for! The reason this book focuses so much on Neeka and Rathbone; and not Azar and his future Gravita (his fated one) is because of the star of this particular challenge, Lore. And let me tell you…she’s the freaking worst. Back in the day, Rathbone thought Lore was his fated one or mate if you will. Azar killed her but, Rathbone carved the song of life into each of her bones so he could bring her back to life one day. Enter in our lovingly, crazy (in the best way) Oracle, Neeka.
She knows that Lore and Erebus have something bad planned for this challenge and at the end they could all die… so it’s up to her to help… and not help Rathbone at the same time. You see, with her visions doesn’t always come clarity. And sometimes she has no idea what she’s actually doing or what her visions mean, which made this story so much fun and her character so endearing. Did I mention endearing? She’s incredibly so, and we see Rathbone start to fall for our crazy girl. Was Lore his fated one after all? Or Neeka? As this story unfolds so does their rising passion for each other… and let me tell you, sparks erupt! While he does fight it… he starts to see Neeka in a new light and realize he may not have known who Lore truly was..
“He huffed. Such prolonged stupidity. So many eyes, yet he'd failed to see the truth. He'd let pride blind him to the goddess's trickery, exactly as Hades once prophesied.”
I won’t give away the ending but, I was surprised at the twist and turns at the end. I didn’t know how this was going to end or work really but, of course Gena knew what she was doing! I also might not hate Neeka’s mom as much as I thought… again the ending was surprising! And now I can’t freaking wait for the 5th book. This book has spice but, it doesn’t have as much as the previous three books. But, it wasn’t missing it! The tension between these two… (fans herself).
Diving into this paranormal world is one of my favorite things to do.. getting lost in the pages of a Gena Showalter book is forever amazing. I’m in awe of her and her writing. Don’t sleep on this series and dive in.
February 6, 2024
RATING: 4 out of 5 Enchanted Roses
ONE-WORD REVIEW: SCORCHING
TAG LINE: 𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝓇𝓊𝓉𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓈𝓈𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝓊𝓃𝓂𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒹.
𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒾𝓈 𝓊𝓃𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓅𝓅𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒.
𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝒾𝓇𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓊𝓃𝑒𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔.
OPENING LINE: 𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒽𝒷𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓉𝑜𝓈𝓈𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝒹 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝒶 𝒷𝓊𝒸𝓀𝑒𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝒾𝓅𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒹𝓈 𝑜𝓃 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓃.
REVIEW:
Huge thank you to Gena Showalter and Naomi for the ARC of THE WRATH! I was so excited to continue the RISE OF THE WARLORDS series and Gena did not disappoint!
To begin, the RISE OF THE WARLORDS centers around the brutal, merciless Astra—an army of immortal warlords who conquer realms in order to gain a blessing on their quest to destroy their mortal enemy, Erebus, the dark god—and the women who bring them to their knees.
The Astra’s new mission to be champions is to gather the bones of Rathbone’s slain wife to bring her back to life… sounds like a second chance for true love, right? WRONG! After Death beauty checks back in, the Astra warriors want to murder her all over again. Insert THE WRATH. Forced to work together, THE WRATH is Rathbone the Only—King of Agonies—and Neeka’s—the Unwanted—love story.
“𝒩𝑜 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝑜𝓇𝒹𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹, 𝑒𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓌𝒽𝒾𝓁𝑒 𝒽𝑒’𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝓃𝑔𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒸𝒽𝒾𝒸𝓀𝓈. 𝐼’𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑒’𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑒, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉’𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉.”
𝒮𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒸𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓈𝓉. 𝒯𝑜 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓂𝒶𝓏𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉, 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝑜𝓊𝓉.
To be honest, I don’t like stories where the MMC is hung up on an ex (dead or alive—but especially dead because who’s competing with a dead woman? Ain’t nobody got time for that). I like my men UTTERLY obsessed with their women—and by women, I mean the FMC ONLY.
Fortunately, this is a Gena Showalter romance novel so of course she showed out!
“𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒶 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎, 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒹𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓈 𝒻𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓁𝑒. 𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒽 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹.”
All in all, I really enjoyed THE WRATH and recommend it to fans of paranormal romance with steam and fun banter!
Happy Reading!
Ashley
www.TheTatteredPage.com
ONE-WORD REVIEW: SCORCHING
TAG LINE: 𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝓇𝓊𝓉𝒽𝓁𝑒𝓈𝓈𝓃𝑒𝓈𝓈 𝒾𝓈 𝓊𝓃𝓂𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒹.
𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓂𝒾𝓃𝒶𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝒾𝓈 𝓊𝓃𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓅𝓅𝒶𝒷𝓁𝑒.
𝐻𝒾𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝒾𝓇𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝓊𝓃𝑒𝓃𝒹𝒾𝓃𝑔.
OPENING LINE: 𝑅𝒶𝓉𝒽𝒷𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓉𝑜𝓈𝓈𝑒𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓁𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒽𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝒹 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝒶 𝒷𝓊𝒸𝓀𝑒𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓌𝒾𝓅𝑒𝒹 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝓁𝑜𝑜𝒹𝓎 𝒽𝒶𝓃𝒹𝓈 𝑜𝓃 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓅𝓇𝑜𝓃.
REVIEW:
Huge thank you to Gena Showalter and Naomi for the ARC of THE WRATH! I was so excited to continue the RISE OF THE WARLORDS series and Gena did not disappoint!
To begin, the RISE OF THE WARLORDS centers around the brutal, merciless Astra—an army of immortal warlords who conquer realms in order to gain a blessing on their quest to destroy their mortal enemy, Erebus, the dark god—and the women who bring them to their knees.
The Astra’s new mission to be champions is to gather the bones of Rathbone’s slain wife to bring her back to life… sounds like a second chance for true love, right? WRONG! After Death beauty checks back in, the Astra warriors want to murder her all over again. Insert THE WRATH. Forced to work together, THE WRATH is Rathbone the Only—King of Agonies—and Neeka’s—the Unwanted—love story.
“𝒩𝑜 𝒸𝑜𝓃𝓈𝑜𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑒 𝒾𝓈 𝑜𝓇𝒹𝑒𝓇𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓂𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹, 𝑒𝓈𝓅𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓌𝒽𝒾𝓁𝑒 𝒽𝑒’𝓈 𝒷𝒶𝓃𝑔𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒸𝒽𝒾𝒸𝓀𝓈. 𝐼’𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝓃𝓁𝓎, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑒’𝓁𝓁 𝒷𝑒 𝓂𝒾𝓃𝑒, 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉’𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉.”
𝒮𝑜𝓂𝑒𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒸𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓃𝓈𝒾𝒹𝑒 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝓈𝓉. 𝒯𝑜 𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓂𝒶𝓏𝑒𝓂𝑒𝓃𝓉, 𝓎𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓃𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝑜𝓊𝓉.
To be honest, I don’t like stories where the MMC is hung up on an ex (dead or alive—but especially dead because who’s competing with a dead woman? Ain’t nobody got time for that). I like my men UTTERLY obsessed with their women—and by women, I mean the FMC ONLY.
Fortunately, this is a Gena Showalter romance novel so of course she showed out!
“𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝒶 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎, 𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝒹𝒶𝓃𝑔𝑒𝓇𝑜𝓊𝓈 𝒻𝑒𝓂𝒶𝓁𝑒. 𝐵𝓊𝓉 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒽 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓃𝒹.”
All in all, I really enjoyed THE WRATH and recommend it to fans of paranormal romance with steam and fun banter!
Happy Reading!
Ashley
www.TheTatteredPage.com
February 4, 2024
This book is so action packed and wonderfully written there's no good place to put it down in thirty-three chapters! It's been a long time since I stayed up all night reading a book because I simply had to know what happened next then fell asleep two chapters before the end while still reading because it was so hard to stop even when my eyes were dropping!
Neeka and Rathbone are one of my favorite couples for sure. They're both undeniably sexy, crazy (her more so than him, by a lot!) and charming. I love harpies, they're just so much fun, and alpha males who go all mushy for the right woman while being a living nightmare to anyone who dare even upset his mate, even for a second.
I loved watching their interactions and progression of their relationship. It was a wild and fun ride, that's what she said. I am salivating for more of this world and the characters we love as well as those we love to hate. Several new characters were introduced that have me longing for their stories like I do for ones we've known from the start of the Lord's of The Underworld series. I am on the edge of my seat anticipating how it's all going to click together especially after a few nuggets of what's to come were sprinkled in along the way making me want their stories now now now!
One of my favorite things about this book is that we get to see a lot more of Hades like we did in William's which just makes his book in the top three I am looking forward to the most. I have a feeling his book will see him suffer like no other has suffered so far, which for Gena is saying something. She so does love to torture her characters and I love to read all the ways they suffer. 🤣 His upcoming future seems gloriously entertaining. I can't wait to see him brought to his knees by his woman.
Neeka and Rathbone are one of my favorite couples for sure. They're both undeniably sexy, crazy (her more so than him, by a lot!) and charming. I love harpies, they're just so much fun, and alpha males who go all mushy for the right woman while being a living nightmare to anyone who dare even upset his mate, even for a second.
I loved watching their interactions and progression of their relationship. It was a wild and fun ride, that's what she said. I am salivating for more of this world and the characters we love as well as those we love to hate. Several new characters were introduced that have me longing for their stories like I do for ones we've known from the start of the Lord's of The Underworld series. I am on the edge of my seat anticipating how it's all going to click together especially after a few nuggets of what's to come were sprinkled in along the way making me want their stories now now now!
One of my favorite things about this book is that we get to see a lot more of Hades like we did in William's which just makes his book in the top three I am looking forward to the most. I have a feeling his book will see him suffer like no other has suffered so far, which for Gena is saying something. She so does love to torture her characters and I love to read all the ways they suffer. 🤣 His upcoming future seems gloriously entertaining. I can't wait to see him brought to his knees by his woman.
February 7, 2024
In Gena Showalter's latest addition to the Rise of the Warlords series, I was completely taken by the story of Rathbone, the formidable King of Agonies, and Neeka, the fierce harpy-oracle. The story, rich with dark fantasy elements, follows Rathbone's desperate quest to resurrect his wife, which takes a sharp turn with Neeka's entrance and the looming threat of war gods. The evolving chemistry between Rathbone and Neeka is captivating, making their journey not just a battle against external foes but a tumultuous exploration of heart and desire. Showalter masterfully blends intense action with deep emotional stakes, crafting a thrilling and heart-wrenching story. This book is a standout, weaving a complex tale of love, betrayal, and redemption that kept me hooked from start to finish.
February 8, 2024
I just love Gena Showalter's writing. I've loved reading everything she's ever written and this is no exception. This is the 4th book in her Rise of the Warlords series. I read the Lords of the Underworld series so it was interesting to read about some characters in this book that I was wanting to learn more about. The dynamic between Rathbone and Neeka kept me engaged in the story and I didn't have any idea what was coming up. I always know that with one of Gena's books it's going to be a good time, fast-paced, and hilarious, but it will also have a heart to it and a depth that makes it have an emotional connection. I loved this book and I look forward to the next installment to the series.
Thank you Harlequin for providing me with an ARC for this book. I appreciate it so much!
Thank you Harlequin for providing me with an ARC for this book. I appreciate it so much!
February 6, 2024
While I love all of Gena Showalter's series, I do believe that The Rise of the Warlords has jumped to the top of this list. The Astra and the Harpies are such an amazing combo, well really the Harpies and anyone. I love how they don't take any crap and are just as deadly if not more deadly than anyone we have met before. I have been looking forward to Neeka's HEA since the first time we met her! And Neeka got exactly what she was looking for in Rathbone, after you know he dropped his harem.
Neeka and Rathbone had me going aww, laughing out loud, and fanning myself once they got to the smexy scenes. I love getting in-depth about Neeka and Rathbone's pasts, it just made me feel even more that these two are perfect together. There were some great twists and turns, and the story and characters kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. In fact, I finished it in one sitting.
I can't wait to see how the next book is going to play out!!
Neeka and Rathbone had me going aww, laughing out loud, and fanning myself once they got to the smexy scenes. I love getting in-depth about Neeka and Rathbone's pasts, it just made me feel even more that these two are perfect together. There were some great twists and turns, and the story and characters kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. In fact, I finished it in one sitting.
I can't wait to see how the next book is going to play out!!
March 11, 2024
4.5 loved this one so much! Love Neeka! So funny and a much needed something new!
September 13, 2025
My favorite of the Warlords book so far. I'm excited to continue with this larger world with characters I've followed forever.
March 1, 2024
Yeah, we got Rathbone's story, he's been a part of the series for a minute now, and I loved reading it!
June 29, 2025
Well written as always, left with questions of course but I’m so ready for the next book!! Almost no spice and all world building and character arks, so totally a 5!!
May 12, 2024
review to come
February 6, 2024
I would like to start off by saying a big thank you to Gena Showalter for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts in this review are my own!
Rathbone has spent centuries trying to bring back his precious wife, so when our sexy Astra, Azar, The Keeper Of Memories is tasked with bringing her back and killing her for the final time, Rath will stop at nothing to interfere and retrieve his wife's bones and take down any Astra that stands in his way, um swoon!!! Who doesn't love a merciless king who is willing to burn the world for his love?!
The King of Agonies will bring you to your knees. He will have you begging for more! A page without him brings the agonizing anticipation of seeing him again, while the pages he graces will bring forth agonies you won’t be able to get enough of! This scarlet storm of a man knows exactly how to bring the heat, and believe me, you'll be set a blaze!
I was beside myself getting to not only return to my beloved Astra but we also are treated with some crossover characters from Gena’s other amazing series The Lords Of The Underworld. I could not be more pleased by this thrilling story! This book is true intense action, high stakes and it’s absolutely delicious!! I devoured this book…Er.. More like this book devoured me!! From the first page I was immediately sucked into this devilishly delightful world. I was a happy captive in the realm of agonies! I could not get enough of this Crimson king!
The chemistry between Neeka, the world's best oracle and Rathbone are off the charts! It was a thrill witnessing how their relationship developed throughout the story. I was infatuated with the way Neeka constantly thwarted how Rath thought she might react to somethings or certain situations. Seeing how they healed deep wounds long buried within themselves along the way, was endearing but also unbeknownst to them. It was sweet the way Rath accommodated Neeka being deaf, even while they were enemy alliances, it really spoke to his character. Rath is constantly bewildered by Neeka and it’s quite amusing. Neeka is absolutely hilarious, I was dying with all the different nicknames she created for Rath. Did I mention their teasing and banter, chef’s kiss!!
Something I thought was really fun about this book was the fact that it almost felt like a glimpse at what everyone is up to while the Astra are working on completing their task. It was a really unique experience that we haven’t really explored yet. The worlds we visit within this tale are vividly complex, lush, and so richly imaginative. This story will live rent free in my head. I was completely enamored with the emotions this story was able to pull from me. It took my emotions through an unapologetically intense adventure that I am absolutely here for!!
I truly can not devourer enough of these people and this deeply enriched world. Gena has expertly created a masterpiece with this one and I anxiously await my next ration!
Rathbone has spent centuries trying to bring back his precious wife, so when our sexy Astra, Azar, The Keeper Of Memories is tasked with bringing her back and killing her for the final time, Rath will stop at nothing to interfere and retrieve his wife's bones and take down any Astra that stands in his way, um swoon!!! Who doesn't love a merciless king who is willing to burn the world for his love?!
The King of Agonies will bring you to your knees. He will have you begging for more! A page without him brings the agonizing anticipation of seeing him again, while the pages he graces will bring forth agonies you won’t be able to get enough of! This scarlet storm of a man knows exactly how to bring the heat, and believe me, you'll be set a blaze!
I was beside myself getting to not only return to my beloved Astra but we also are treated with some crossover characters from Gena’s other amazing series The Lords Of The Underworld. I could not be more pleased by this thrilling story! This book is true intense action, high stakes and it’s absolutely delicious!! I devoured this book…Er.. More like this book devoured me!! From the first page I was immediately sucked into this devilishly delightful world. I was a happy captive in the realm of agonies! I could not get enough of this Crimson king!
The chemistry between Neeka, the world's best oracle and Rathbone are off the charts! It was a thrill witnessing how their relationship developed throughout the story. I was infatuated with the way Neeka constantly thwarted how Rath thought she might react to somethings or certain situations. Seeing how they healed deep wounds long buried within themselves along the way, was endearing but also unbeknownst to them. It was sweet the way Rath accommodated Neeka being deaf, even while they were enemy alliances, it really spoke to his character. Rath is constantly bewildered by Neeka and it’s quite amusing. Neeka is absolutely hilarious, I was dying with all the different nicknames she created for Rath. Did I mention their teasing and banter, chef’s kiss!!
Something I thought was really fun about this book was the fact that it almost felt like a glimpse at what everyone is up to while the Astra are working on completing their task. It was a really unique experience that we haven’t really explored yet. The worlds we visit within this tale are vividly complex, lush, and so richly imaginative. This story will live rent free in my head. I was completely enamored with the emotions this story was able to pull from me. It took my emotions through an unapologetically intense adventure that I am absolutely here for!!
I truly can not devourer enough of these people and this deeply enriched world. Gena has expertly created a masterpiece with this one and I anxiously await my next ration!
February 6, 2024
He might actually agree, considering he was head over heels, fallen into the abyss obsessed with a skeleton he planned to resurrect.
Gena Showalter is a gifted author. I can trust her to make me laugh while keeping me completely enthralled in her storytelling ability.
Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies only wishes one thing. To find the missing bones from his dead wife’s body and resurrect her. And in order to find those bones he hires Neeka’s service.
But he is not the only one looking for the bones. And he definitely isn’t the only one wishing to resurrect Lore.
Azar, a merciless Astra Soldier, the Memory Keeper is tasked to face Lorelei once again after her resurrection and kill her.
Neeka the Unwanted only ever wanted to be wanted but after being cursed she finds herself unable to be desired by any male.
Desperate to help her friend she makes a rash decision and lands in a heap of trouble.
Finally having had enough she decides that she is off the market and is not interested in dating anymore. Or is she?
Nowadays, she admired gorgeous males from afar and pretended she appreciated being single. Sometimes she even believed it.
Neeka’s true motives to agreeing in helping Rathbone slowly start being unfolded as the story progresses. As she slowly begins to piece her memories back, being the powerful seer that she is, she gets a glimpse into the future and sees how dark it is.
I have always been a Showalter groupie and I will read just about anything she decides to grace us with and I can count on her to deliver an entertaining, heartfelt and funny story. And she absolutely smashed it with this book.
Being inside Neeka’s mind was a delight. I could never be certain of what sassy remark she would make or what crazy thought process she would have.
Piece of cake! Mmm. Cake. Carrot. Without frosting. Or any other ingredients. She moistened her lips.
My heart soured with Rathbone’s loneliness and his desire to have a family.
I loved how captivating these two characters are. Rathbone, the embodiment of Grumpy and Neeka his Sunshine. If there’s one author that can write the sassiest, funniest banter, Gena is it.
The romance between these two really took its sweet time to bloom. Watching them slowly develop a sort of camaraderie and companionship was delightful.
I am trying to make this review as spoiler free as possible hence why I will leave it in this note. If you are a fan of paranormal romance, full of amazing dialogue, action packed, with two intriguing characters and a suspenseful plot, you will want to read this book.
While it can be read as a standalone, for a much better experience and understanding of this universe, I will encourage you to read the previous 3 books, which are also amazing.
The ARC was provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review.
March 12, 2024
*NetGalley ARC Review*
Neeka the Unwanted and her beloved Rathboner just toppled Taliyah and Roc from the top of my list in this series.
Rathbone The Only's—King of Agonies, shapeshifter, spy and closest friend of Hades—sole focus is to resurrect his murdered beloved. But first, he must find her scattered bones and put them back together. Luck would have it that harpy oracle extraordinaire—Neeka the Unwanted—might be able to help him. However, the growing attraction to the fierce little warrior begins to make him question his feelings about the woman that was his wife. The Astra are also after the bones, only because it is Azar's task to resurrect Lorelei again only to kill her, again. Neeka has seen that she must help Rathbone, but the Astra are also her allies now. Can Rathbone trust her? And how will the Astra handle a traitor who is best friends with their commander's mate? I do love a good complication!
Unlike the prior three books in this series, the main focus of the story wasn't on the Astra and the task. Honestly, it was refreshing, and this story felt a little more akin to the LotU series in the flow and storytelling. Also, from a character standpoint, I absolutely loved Neeka and Rathbone, both individually and as a couple. Neeka was so much fun.
Her awareness of him continued to sharpen. Her desire to talk to him, to kiss him and touch him and ride him and cuddle him and eat carrots off his chest only ever magnified.
She had a great sense of humor but also a strong sense of duty. She was honest as much as she was able to be—if it didn't interfere with a premonition. Rathbone proved that he wasn't a besotted fool who refused to question his feelings or misgivings about the two women at the forefront of his dilemma. He didn't push Neeka away, and he was adorable when e paid attention to the little things about her and made her happy or feel wanted beyond the sexual.
This book felt the least rushed in this series—compared to the action-packed stories of the previous teamed up couples trying to navigate romance and outwit Erebus's machinations. The Wrath is that book that I'd happily pick up again and re-read. I always love when Gena Showalter whips out the dry humor—usually directed at someone with whom one really shouldn't be messing with:
"I'll cancel the rest of your appointments for the day, Majesty," the servant said, his tone as efficient as his manner. "I'll also cancel your afternoon orgy and pencil in a good long pout in case the young lady is correct."
Hades scowled. "Very good, Pippen. Now, let us proceed."
Neeka the Unwanted and her beloved Rathboner just toppled Taliyah and Roc from the top of my list in this series.
Rathbone The Only's—King of Agonies, shapeshifter, spy and closest friend of Hades—sole focus is to resurrect his murdered beloved. But first, he must find her scattered bones and put them back together. Luck would have it that harpy oracle extraordinaire—Neeka the Unwanted—might be able to help him. However, the growing attraction to the fierce little warrior begins to make him question his feelings about the woman that was his wife. The Astra are also after the bones, only because it is Azar's task to resurrect Lorelei again only to kill her, again. Neeka has seen that she must help Rathbone, but the Astra are also her allies now. Can Rathbone trust her? And how will the Astra handle a traitor who is best friends with their commander's mate? I do love a good complication!
Unlike the prior three books in this series, the main focus of the story wasn't on the Astra and the task. Honestly, it was refreshing, and this story felt a little more akin to the LotU series in the flow and storytelling. Also, from a character standpoint, I absolutely loved Neeka and Rathbone, both individually and as a couple. Neeka was so much fun.
Her awareness of him continued to sharpen. Her desire to talk to him, to kiss him and touch him and ride him and cuddle him and eat carrots off his chest only ever magnified.
She had a great sense of humor but also a strong sense of duty. She was honest as much as she was able to be—if it didn't interfere with a premonition. Rathbone proved that he wasn't a besotted fool who refused to question his feelings or misgivings about the two women at the forefront of his dilemma. He didn't push Neeka away, and he was adorable when e paid attention to the little things about her and made her happy or feel wanted beyond the sexual.
This book felt the least rushed in this series—compared to the action-packed stories of the previous teamed up couples trying to navigate romance and outwit Erebus's machinations. The Wrath is that book that I'd happily pick up again and re-read. I always love when Gena Showalter whips out the dry humor—usually directed at someone with whom one really shouldn't be messing with:
"I'll cancel the rest of your appointments for the day, Majesty," the servant said, his tone as efficient as his manner. "I'll also cancel your afternoon orgy and pencil in a good long pout in case the young lady is correct."
Hades scowled. "Very good, Pippen. Now, let us proceed."
February 13, 2024
Alert, alert! Book hangover alert! I was almost sent into a book slump after reading this one.
The Wrath has been a long awaited release for me. Not only have I been wanting the sequel to The Phantom, but I’ve been wanting to revisit the kings of hell ever since I finished The Darkest King. Now, I’m desperate for a sequel and I’m desperate for Hades’ book!
The only thing I wish was different is the visit into other people’s storylines. And by that I mean, I wish she would bring that back. If you’re newer to Gena, she used to start at least one other plot point with the side characters in her story, sometimes not to be resolved until several books later when they got their own book (but revisited in each subsequent book). While she kind of did that in this one, it’s nothing like what it used to be. It led to fantastic world-building, delicious character-building, and made you feel like you really knew that character and was attached to them by the time their book came out. I miss that style of writing, as much as it drove me crazy back then.
That being said, while I was so intrigued by Rathbone way back in Cameo’s book, Neeka definitely stole the spotlight for me. But, duh, she’s a Harpy - that’s kind of to be expected.
If you’re wanting some spoilerish quotes, here are SOME of my faves (this book was filled with great one-liners!):
“I’ll be honest. Neeka might not be entirely sane. Immediately after she explained the situation, I asked her a question, but she’d already forgotten who I was and what she’d said. She threatened to castrate me.”
“Yep. That’s me. I can do it, too. I can find anything, anywhere, at any time. Except sometimes. And other times, too.”
How was he supposed to deal with a being like her? Cave in? He had to cave in, didn’t he?
He perched upon his seat, gazing adoringly at Lore’s remains. Something he’d done for the past twelve hours.
Twelve. Two more than ten. Eleven hours and fifty-nine minutes more than Neeka’s patience could bear.
“Anyway. Instead of setting you up with a great gal you don’t deserve,” she prattled on, unabashed, “I’ll sign you up for my class, How Not To Be a Tool.”
He halfway expected the flighty beauty to barge into his bedroom before he finished buttoning his pants. That she didn’t, even though he paused repeatedly, only worsened his mood.
“You are a very, very dangerous female. But worth every wound.”
“Dang. I really like you.”
He chuckled. “I really like you, too.”
Blasting pure defiance, Maximus bellowed, “I hate you both. I’m going to live with you, anyway, and let you train me to be undefeatable. What’s for dinner?”
The Wrath has been a long awaited release for me. Not only have I been wanting the sequel to The Phantom, but I’ve been wanting to revisit the kings of hell ever since I finished The Darkest King. Now, I’m desperate for a sequel and I’m desperate for Hades’ book!
The only thing I wish was different is the visit into other people’s storylines. And by that I mean, I wish she would bring that back. If you’re newer to Gena, she used to start at least one other plot point with the side characters in her story, sometimes not to be resolved until several books later when they got their own book (but revisited in each subsequent book). While she kind of did that in this one, it’s nothing like what it used to be. It led to fantastic world-building, delicious character-building, and made you feel like you really knew that character and was attached to them by the time their book came out. I miss that style of writing, as much as it drove me crazy back then.
That being said, while I was so intrigued by Rathbone way back in Cameo’s book, Neeka definitely stole the spotlight for me. But, duh, she’s a Harpy - that’s kind of to be expected.
If you’re wanting some spoilerish quotes, here are SOME of my faves (this book was filled with great one-liners!):
“I’ll be honest. Neeka might not be entirely sane. Immediately after she explained the situation, I asked her a question, but she’d already forgotten who I was and what she’d said. She threatened to castrate me.”
“Yep. That’s me. I can do it, too. I can find anything, anywhere, at any time. Except sometimes. And other times, too.”
How was he supposed to deal with a being like her? Cave in? He had to cave in, didn’t he?
He perched upon his seat, gazing adoringly at Lore’s remains. Something he’d done for the past twelve hours.
Twelve. Two more than ten. Eleven hours and fifty-nine minutes more than Neeka’s patience could bear.
“Anyway. Instead of setting you up with a great gal you don’t deserve,” she prattled on, unabashed, “I’ll sign you up for my class, How Not To Be a Tool.”
He halfway expected the flighty beauty to barge into his bedroom before he finished buttoning his pants. That she didn’t, even though he paused repeatedly, only worsened his mood.
“You are a very, very dangerous female. But worth every wound.”
“Dang. I really like you.”
He chuckled. “I really like you, too.”
Blasting pure defiance, Maximus bellowed, “I hate you both. I’m going to live with you, anyway, and let you train me to be undefeatable. What’s for dinner?”
February 7, 2024
The Wrath by Gena Showalter is a bit different than the previous books in The Rise of the Warlords series. Our male main character is not an Astra, instead he is Rathbone the Only, nephew to Hades.
The newest task for the Astra will have them bumping heads with Rathbone. They have a common interest but are on opposite sides. Erebus is playing them all like puppets.
Neeka the Unwanted is a different kind of Harpy. She is plagued by visions of future and past. She is also Taliyah's best friend. For reason's unknown to Taliyah and the Astra's, Neeka has paired up with Rathbone. She's had visions of the future and she's trying to find a way that they all can survive this trial.
I absolutely love Harpies. They're totally badass. No one wants to get on a Harpy's bad side. They will tear you up! Neeka can of course kickass, but her power lies in her visions. I felt a softness to her. Like a vulnerability I hadn't seen with other Harpies and it threw me for a bit. She is constantly busy in her mind trying to find solutions to make her vision change. It seems like every time she manages to do something to change the future, it doesn't affect it all. Her determination to keep everyone she loves alive keeps her constantly scheming but her heart is breaking because if she's successful and everyone lives, it's possible they will all think of her as a traitor. Neeka was the type of character that is funny and powerful but also tugged at my heart strings. I hated how everyone treated her when they thought she was a traitor. Rathbone even put her through some awful spots!
While Neeka and Rathbone work together, there is always some new bombshell. Challenge after challenge with so much back stabbing. Right up until the end I was constantly questioning who to trust. The action and story were so fast paced, it w as a real struggle to put it down at bedtime. The adrenaline kept me up.
There was so much to love about The Wrath. I have to have a good romance and I got it! Neeka and Rathbone's had me in tears multiple times. One of my favorite couples. However I've said that about the other Harpy couples too, so there's that! The action kept the adrenaline pumping and I loved every minute of it. I'm also wondering if Azar is our next hero. I was left sad for him and want him to get his HEA.
The newest task for the Astra will have them bumping heads with Rathbone. They have a common interest but are on opposite sides. Erebus is playing them all like puppets.
Neeka the Unwanted is a different kind of Harpy. She is plagued by visions of future and past. She is also Taliyah's best friend. For reason's unknown to Taliyah and the Astra's, Neeka has paired up with Rathbone. She's had visions of the future and she's trying to find a way that they all can survive this trial.
I absolutely love Harpies. They're totally badass. No one wants to get on a Harpy's bad side. They will tear you up! Neeka can of course kickass, but her power lies in her visions. I felt a softness to her. Like a vulnerability I hadn't seen with other Harpies and it threw me for a bit. She is constantly busy in her mind trying to find solutions to make her vision change. It seems like every time she manages to do something to change the future, it doesn't affect it all. Her determination to keep everyone she loves alive keeps her constantly scheming but her heart is breaking because if she's successful and everyone lives, it's possible they will all think of her as a traitor. Neeka was the type of character that is funny and powerful but also tugged at my heart strings. I hated how everyone treated her when they thought she was a traitor. Rathbone even put her through some awful spots!
While Neeka and Rathbone work together, there is always some new bombshell. Challenge after challenge with so much back stabbing. Right up until the end I was constantly questioning who to trust. The action and story were so fast paced, it w as a real struggle to put it down at bedtime. The adrenaline kept me up.
There was so much to love about The Wrath. I have to have a good romance and I got it! Neeka and Rathbone's had me in tears multiple times. One of my favorite couples. However I've said that about the other Harpy couples too, so there's that! The action kept the adrenaline pumping and I loved every minute of it. I'm also wondering if Azar is our next hero. I was left sad for him and want him to get his HEA.
February 20, 2024
Read this review on Got Fiction? Book Blog
This book opens up with Rathbone’s wife being killed by one of the Astra Planeta. If you’re new to this series, the Astra are a god-like race of warriors who are locked in constant battle between the gods Chaos and Erebus. Every 500 years, they are tasked with certain challenges. If they complete them, they are blessed for 500 years, if they lose, they are cursed. This particular challenge is the one that if they do complete, they can ascend into gods and be done with it. However this fourth task is to reanimate Lore, Rathbone’s dead wife, and kill her again.
The Astra who killed Lore originally is tasked to do it again, so at first, I have to admit I wasn’t sure who was going to get together with whom. It was like a weird love square and once Neeka joined the team, I realized exactly who our heroes would be. So she’s an oracle/harpy and she knows Rathbone will need her skills to hunt down Lore’s bones. He has been hunting for centuries and her skeleton is almost complete. But it’s a race to see who gets to Lore first. The Astra need her reanimated to kill her. Rathbone wants her reanimated to be his wife once more. But his new oracle is proving quite the distraction.
Neeka is both helping and hindering Rathbone’s plan. She has seen the future but reanimating Lore ends only in death for everyone. No one wins. So she’s stalling for time by finding the bones for him, but also always plotting on her own. Her goal is to save the day.
What I love the absolute most about this book is how much of a team these two characters are. Even when they don’t know each other, even when they don’t trust each other, these two are a team. And they make an excellent team at that. Watching Rathbone fall for Neeka is so fun, because our Neeks is a whole lot of fun packed into a small package. And Rathbone never knew what hit him. But seeing him choose Neeka over and over again makes him the swooniest of the heroes in this series.
Gena Showalter is the master (mistress) of plot twists. She can fix things that the reader doesn’t think are fixable. She can weave a story like no other, pulling threads in here, twisting threads over there…and through it all, you will hang on every single word.
***I received this book as an ARC via the author
This book opens up with Rathbone’s wife being killed by one of the Astra Planeta. If you’re new to this series, the Astra are a god-like race of warriors who are locked in constant battle between the gods Chaos and Erebus. Every 500 years, they are tasked with certain challenges. If they complete them, they are blessed for 500 years, if they lose, they are cursed. This particular challenge is the one that if they do complete, they can ascend into gods and be done with it. However this fourth task is to reanimate Lore, Rathbone’s dead wife, and kill her again.
The Astra who killed Lore originally is tasked to do it again, so at first, I have to admit I wasn’t sure who was going to get together with whom. It was like a weird love square and once Neeka joined the team, I realized exactly who our heroes would be. So she’s an oracle/harpy and she knows Rathbone will need her skills to hunt down Lore’s bones. He has been hunting for centuries and her skeleton is almost complete. But it’s a race to see who gets to Lore first. The Astra need her reanimated to kill her. Rathbone wants her reanimated to be his wife once more. But his new oracle is proving quite the distraction.
Neeka is both helping and hindering Rathbone’s plan. She has seen the future but reanimating Lore ends only in death for everyone. No one wins. So she’s stalling for time by finding the bones for him, but also always plotting on her own. Her goal is to save the day.
What I love the absolute most about this book is how much of a team these two characters are. Even when they don’t know each other, even when they don’t trust each other, these two are a team. And they make an excellent team at that. Watching Rathbone fall for Neeka is so fun, because our Neeks is a whole lot of fun packed into a small package. And Rathbone never knew what hit him. But seeing him choose Neeka over and over again makes him the swooniest of the heroes in this series.
Gena Showalter is the master (mistress) of plot twists. She can fix things that the reader doesn’t think are fixable. She can weave a story like no other, pulling threads in here, twisting threads over there…and through it all, you will hang on every single word.
***I received this book as an ARC via the author
February 7, 2024
Full Review posted at A Book Lovin' Mama's Blog
The Wrath is the fourth installment in Gena Showalter’s Rise of the Warlord series. Readers of Gena Showalter’s beloved Lords of the Underworld series will recognize the main characters in this book. I loved that we were finally getting a book with Rathbone and Neeka. Neeka is one of the harpies that I have been interested in learning more about since she was introduced to the LOTU series.
Thoughts: I’ve always loved that Gena writes kickbutt heroines, and she once again nailed it with Neeka. Neeka could very well be my favorite harpy now after reading this book. I loved her so much, and it was emotional to find out why she had the name Unwanted to her name. It was heartbreaking to learn her backstory and what happened to her, but she’s one who endured and became a kick-butt harpy and proved everyone wrong. I loved how she handled the King of Agonies and made him flustered.
Another thing Gena writes well is alpha male characters, and Rathbone was that, plus more. He is Hade’s nephew, which is definitely a plus in his character. The interactions between him and his Uncle were funny, and I loved how these two handled each other. (I loved getting more of Hades in this book, and hopefully, we will get his book soon.) Rathbone is also someone you don’t want to mess with, and that’s something I would expect from someone related to Hades, plus what he has gone through. Yes, we learn his backstory, too.
The banter between Rathbone and Neeka was comical, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud with these two. This is a slow burn, so readers will have to wait a while, but it’s so worth it. It’s obvious these two have chemistry, but one or both are stubborn. Neeka is one lucky gal to have Rathbone. =) Rathbone is one lucky guy to have Neeka, too!
This was another great installment in this funny, action-packed, adventurous world that Gena has created for her readers. I can’t wait for the next one, and here’s hoping we get more of Hades. Gena makes it really hard to pick up another book after reading her books because I need more of the characters and storylines she creates, which is why she will forever be one of my favorite Paranormal Romance authors. More people need to read her books.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, definitely. I recommend ALL of Gena’s books.
The Wrath is the fourth installment in Gena Showalter’s Rise of the Warlord series. Readers of Gena Showalter’s beloved Lords of the Underworld series will recognize the main characters in this book. I loved that we were finally getting a book with Rathbone and Neeka. Neeka is one of the harpies that I have been interested in learning more about since she was introduced to the LOTU series.
Thoughts: I’ve always loved that Gena writes kickbutt heroines, and she once again nailed it with Neeka. Neeka could very well be my favorite harpy now after reading this book. I loved her so much, and it was emotional to find out why she had the name Unwanted to her name. It was heartbreaking to learn her backstory and what happened to her, but she’s one who endured and became a kick-butt harpy and proved everyone wrong. I loved how she handled the King of Agonies and made him flustered.
Another thing Gena writes well is alpha male characters, and Rathbone was that, plus more. He is Hade’s nephew, which is definitely a plus in his character. The interactions between him and his Uncle were funny, and I loved how these two handled each other. (I loved getting more of Hades in this book, and hopefully, we will get his book soon.) Rathbone is also someone you don’t want to mess with, and that’s something I would expect from someone related to Hades, plus what he has gone through. Yes, we learn his backstory, too.
The banter between Rathbone and Neeka was comical, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud with these two. This is a slow burn, so readers will have to wait a while, but it’s so worth it. It’s obvious these two have chemistry, but one or both are stubborn. Neeka is one lucky gal to have Rathbone. =) Rathbone is one lucky guy to have Neeka, too!
This was another great installment in this funny, action-packed, adventurous world that Gena has created for her readers. I can’t wait for the next one, and here’s hoping we get more of Hades. Gena makes it really hard to pick up another book after reading her books because I need more of the characters and storylines she creates, which is why she will forever be one of my favorite Paranormal Romance authors. More people need to read her books.
Would I recommend this book? Yes, definitely. I recommend ALL of Gena’s books.
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