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The Kindred Chronicles #1
Mercenary
Whether you believe in it or not, Fate decides when and where you belong.
Long on the trail of his rogue kinsmen and their clan’s stolen artifacts, Erevan ap Brodin, prince of Myst Innys, knows he’s close to finding them. All he needs is a guide into the Shield, where he’s sure they’ve gone. The only one around is an enticing, irate, red head with a curious effect on his magic, who refuses to guide him.
Loyal Kindred mercenary, Siobhann McLeighan, has never turned a job down… until now. Looking forward to her respite, she’s not impressed with the strikingly beautiful, arrogant Elven prince who expects her to take him into the Shield, where she swore she’d never go again. Siobhann’s respite is quickly forgotten when her pregnant sister suddenly appears with her young daughter, asking for Siobhann’s help to find her missing husband. With all of her Kindred guild mates out on assignments, she intends to go alone.
Intent on changing Siobhann’s mind about guiding him into the Shield, Erevan volunteers to help her with the quick side quest to retrieve her wayward brother-in-law. Neither of them could have imagined how this family favour would explode, revealing hidden threats to Aelozia and unveiling an ancient prophecy buried deep in the frozen mountains.
Together they will face terrible beasts to save their loved ones - and each other.
Long on the trail of his rogue kinsmen and their clan’s stolen artifacts, Erevan ap Brodin, prince of Myst Innys, knows he’s close to finding them. All he needs is a guide into the Shield, where he’s sure they’ve gone. The only one around is an enticing, irate, red head with a curious effect on his magic, who refuses to guide him.
Loyal Kindred mercenary, Siobhann McLeighan, has never turned a job down… until now. Looking forward to her respite, she’s not impressed with the strikingly beautiful, arrogant Elven prince who expects her to take him into the Shield, where she swore she’d never go again. Siobhann’s respite is quickly forgotten when her pregnant sister suddenly appears with her young daughter, asking for Siobhann’s help to find her missing husband. With all of her Kindred guild mates out on assignments, she intends to go alone.
Intent on changing Siobhann’s mind about guiding him into the Shield, Erevan volunteers to help her with the quick side quest to retrieve her wayward brother-in-law. Neither of them could have imagined how this family favour would explode, revealing hidden threats to Aelozia and unveiling an ancient prophecy buried deep in the frozen mountains.
Together they will face terrible beasts to save their loved ones - and each other.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 14, 2023
9 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Jodi Kendrick
26 books59 followersJodi Kendrick lives in Eastern Ontario Canada with her Favourite Person and chompy furbaby, while their adult children explore the wider world.
As a romance author, she writes in paranormal, fantasy, steampunk & gaslamp subgenres, and sometimes delves into urban fantasy and paranormal women’s fiction. Her characters are often quirky, sometimes cranky, but they all woman-up and get the job done while their partners ensure they survive with all their bits and bobs attached.
A history enthusiast and word dabbler most of her life, she enjoys exploring ‘beyond-the-everyday’ and the ‘time-before-now’, discovering relationship threads weaving individuals through time and place. She’s rarely seen without flashy notebooks and colourful pens.
As a romance author, she writes in paranormal, fantasy, steampunk & gaslamp subgenres, and sometimes delves into urban fantasy and paranormal women’s fiction. Her characters are often quirky, sometimes cranky, but they all woman-up and get the job done while their partners ensure they survive with all their bits and bobs attached.
A history enthusiast and word dabbler most of her life, she enjoys exploring ‘beyond-the-everyday’ and the ‘time-before-now’, discovering relationship threads weaving individuals through time and place. She’s rarely seen without flashy notebooks and colourful pens.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 15, 2023
—5 ⭐
- dark haunting romantasy and spicy? secrets and betrayals? (RIP BookTok, you'd have love this one.)
- ruthless royal mercenary x arrogant elven prince instalust, i loved the fact they were fated to each other
- dragons? guilds? magic? gimme gimme
- be ready for everything: feelings, darkness, love, action, so good.
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
- dark haunting romantasy and spicy? secrets and betrayals? (RIP BookTok, you'd have love this one.)
- ruthless royal mercenary x arrogant elven prince instalust, i loved the fact they were fated to each other
- dragons? guilds? magic? gimme gimme
- be ready for everything: feelings, darkness, love, action, so good.
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
December 18, 2023
Romantasy is alive and well! This was a very enjoyable read. The author struck a wonderful balance of action-packed adventure, fantasy world building and heartwarming romance. The writing style was smart and engaging. I was impressed by the imagery and atmosphere which possessed the rare quality I find in fantasy reads of seeming to jump right off the page. Siobhann and Eravan's characterization as heroes and chemistry as a couple were organic and believable and I found myself rooting for them to find their way back to eachother throughout the story. Sometimes was a little confused with the direction of the plot and overall worldbuilding, but I think if I had read the previous installment of the Kindred chronicles it would have provided more context. I am very much looking forward to future works by this author.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for providing a digital copy for which I am providing an honest review.
Thank you to Booksirens and the author for providing a digital copy for which I am providing an honest review.
did-not-finish
January 5, 2024DNF @ 35%
Unfortunately MERCENARY didn't have much more world building than the prequel novella and I found myself bored with the characters and a bit thrown by the short, choppy sentences. I also didn't particularly like the FMC but that's mostly because she's so prickly and I imagine that will lessen as the book goes on and she starts to trust the MMC.
Unfortunately MERCENARY didn't have much more world building than the prequel novella and I found myself bored with the characters and a bit thrown by the short, choppy sentences. I also didn't particularly like the FMC but that's mostly because she's so prickly and I imagine that will lessen as the book goes on and she starts to trust the MMC.
December 13, 2023
A fast paced and action packed fantasy romance, where the revelations are dark and haunting, and the secrets and betrayals are emotional.
Erevan and Siobhann have such chemistry and entertaining bickering that you can't help but root for them.
This is an adventure incorporating mythological creatures, fated bonds and destiny, following the journey of a mercenary human and elven prince, who's fates have been tied together.
Honest and Voluntary ARC review
Erevan and Siobhann have such chemistry and entertaining bickering that you can't help but root for them.
This is an adventure incorporating mythological creatures, fated bonds and destiny, following the journey of a mercenary human and elven prince, who's fates have been tied together.
Honest and Voluntary ARC review
January 10, 2024
"The Kindred Chronicles #1: Mercenary" by Jodi Kendrick is a spellbinding fantasy adventure that immerses readers in a world of magic, destiny, and unexpected alliances. The tale begins with Erevan ap Brodin, the determined prince of Myst Innys, in pursuit of his rogue kinsmen and their stolen clan artifacts. The only obstacle standing between him and the elusive Shield, where he believes his targets have sought refuge, is Siobhann McLeighan, a fiery and reluctant guide with a captivating effect on Erevan's magic.
Kendrick artfully crafts a narrative that weaves together the destinies of Erevan and Siobhann, both strong-willed characters with distinct personalities. Siobhann, a loyal Kindred mercenary, is thrust into an unexpected mission when her pregnant sister seeks her help in locating a missing husband. The respite she had eagerly anticipated is abandoned, setting the stage for an enthralling adventure that transcends personal boundaries and introduces unforeseen challenges.
The dynamics between Erevan and Siobhann form the heart of the story, offering a compelling blend of tension, camaraderie, and a burgeoning connection that evolves as they face the perils of the Shield together. Kendrick skillfully integrates elements of family, duty, and romance, creating a narrative that is not only driven by external threats but also by the internal struggles and growth of the characters.
The world-building in "Mercenary" is rich and vivid, with the mysterious Shield adding an extra layer of intrigue to the plot. The frozen mountains conceal an ancient prophecy that adds depth to the unfolding events, tying the characters' fates to the fate of their land, Aelozia.
The pacing of the story is well-balanced, keeping the reader engaged with a series of twists, turns, and revelations. Kendrick's descriptive prose paints a vivid picture of the fantastical world, allowing readers to easily visualize the landscapes and creatures encountered by Erevan and Siobhann.
In "The Kindred Chronicles #1: Mercenary," Jodi Kendrick delivers a captivating and immersive fantasy novel that combines adventure, magic, and romance. The story's blend of well-developed characters, a compelling plot, and a richly imagined world sets the stage for an exciting series. Fans of fantasy fiction will find themselves eagerly anticipating the next installment in The Kindred Chronicles.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kendrick artfully crafts a narrative that weaves together the destinies of Erevan and Siobhann, both strong-willed characters with distinct personalities. Siobhann, a loyal Kindred mercenary, is thrust into an unexpected mission when her pregnant sister seeks her help in locating a missing husband. The respite she had eagerly anticipated is abandoned, setting the stage for an enthralling adventure that transcends personal boundaries and introduces unforeseen challenges.
The dynamics between Erevan and Siobhann form the heart of the story, offering a compelling blend of tension, camaraderie, and a burgeoning connection that evolves as they face the perils of the Shield together. Kendrick skillfully integrates elements of family, duty, and romance, creating a narrative that is not only driven by external threats but also by the internal struggles and growth of the characters.
The world-building in "Mercenary" is rich and vivid, with the mysterious Shield adding an extra layer of intrigue to the plot. The frozen mountains conceal an ancient prophecy that adds depth to the unfolding events, tying the characters' fates to the fate of their land, Aelozia.
The pacing of the story is well-balanced, keeping the reader engaged with a series of twists, turns, and revelations. Kendrick's descriptive prose paints a vivid picture of the fantastical world, allowing readers to easily visualize the landscapes and creatures encountered by Erevan and Siobhann.
In "The Kindred Chronicles #1: Mercenary," Jodi Kendrick delivers a captivating and immersive fantasy novel that combines adventure, magic, and romance. The story's blend of well-developed characters, a compelling plot, and a richly imagined world sets the stage for an exciting series. Fans of fantasy fiction will find themselves eagerly anticipating the next installment in The Kindred Chronicles.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 5, 2024
….i really wanted to like this book but i just didn’t. the premise was interesting and the cover art is beautiful, but that’s kinda where my compliments end.
this book is lacking in several critical departments. there is little to no world building and it felt like i was eavesdropping into a conversation where i knew no context. i could follow what was going on, but it was meaningless without the context.
the characters are also really flat and the love story between the two main characters is severely underdeveloped. they meet and sleep together, then suddenly that’s it they’re soulmates and don’t have to learn or build their relationship further. it just made me not really care about what happened to any characters.
the writing is solid, but it is clunky in some parts and has lots of anachronisms and really weird sentences.
this is the line that really did it for me:
“She was consumed with the power of his desire at her core, but it also moved up into her solar plexus and threatened to split her heart wide open where her fear resided.”
solar plexus??? really??
there are many other anachronisms throughout this entire book but damn that one stuck with me the rest of the book.
there was also a huge problem on info dumping where the first 60% of the book was horrifically vague, which was made worse by the lack of world building. but then like 30 pages of information come out all at once and suddenly we are made aware of the two main characters backstories, their motivations, and all these other characters were introduced. it was jarring to go from little to no information to every question answered in one go.
there’s a lot to work with here though. there needs to be some serious world building and character development. i want to understand the magic system and why the world is the way it is! i’m interested in what’s going on, but there’s not a lot of substance to engage in. i think there is definitely an audience for this story, it just needs tweaking for that audience to enjoy it.
i was sent this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
this book is lacking in several critical departments. there is little to no world building and it felt like i was eavesdropping into a conversation where i knew no context. i could follow what was going on, but it was meaningless without the context.
the characters are also really flat and the love story between the two main characters is severely underdeveloped. they meet and sleep together, then suddenly that’s it they’re soulmates and don’t have to learn or build their relationship further. it just made me not really care about what happened to any characters.
the writing is solid, but it is clunky in some parts and has lots of anachronisms and really weird sentences.
this is the line that really did it for me:
“She was consumed with the power of his desire at her core, but it also moved up into her solar plexus and threatened to split her heart wide open where her fear resided.”
solar plexus??? really??
there are many other anachronisms throughout this entire book but damn that one stuck with me the rest of the book.
there was also a huge problem on info dumping where the first 60% of the book was horrifically vague, which was made worse by the lack of world building. but then like 30 pages of information come out all at once and suddenly we are made aware of the two main characters backstories, their motivations, and all these other characters were introduced. it was jarring to go from little to no information to every question answered in one go.
there’s a lot to work with here though. there needs to be some serious world building and character development. i want to understand the magic system and why the world is the way it is! i’m interested in what’s going on, but there’s not a lot of substance to engage in. i think there is definitely an audience for this story, it just needs tweaking for that audience to enjoy it.
i was sent this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 13, 2024
The beautiful book cover reeled me in and the blurb convinced me to give this one a change. It's a little outside my norm. I don't read a lot of romantasy so I was excited to start this one but the writing style wasn't really working for me.
I liked the world building but I felt like the start of this book started without a lot of introduction to the characters or the magic world they inhabit. Seeing how it's book 2 of an ongoing series, I think maybe reading book one would have helped tons just to get me acquainted with the characters and the ongoing plot. I wasn't sure who the main characters where or what was really happening right away which made me skim a little because I'm an impatient reader.
Once I established who the story was about it was a lot easier to follow and I enjoyed the fast pace of it. There is a lot of interconnecting threads to follow and it was getting good (bonds, magic, DRAGONS!) and than it ended *sigh*
Not a cliffy ending because the main plot definitely is still ongoing but it ended for our MCs.
I would recommended if you're looking for a read that's light on the romance and heavy fantasy vibes.
SAFETY INFO:
I liked the world building but I felt like the start of this book started without a lot of introduction to the characters or the magic world they inhabit. Seeing how it's book 2 of an ongoing series, I think maybe reading book one would have helped tons just to get me acquainted with the characters and the ongoing plot. I wasn't sure who the main characters where or what was really happening right away which made me skim a little because I'm an impatient reader.
Once I established who the story was about it was a lot easier to follow and I enjoyed the fast pace of it. There is a lot of interconnecting threads to follow and it was getting good (bonds, magic, DRAGONS!) and than it ended *sigh*
Not a cliffy ending because the main plot definitely is still ongoing but it ended for our MCs.
I would recommended if you're looking for a read that's light on the romance and heavy fantasy vibes.
SAFETY INFO:
January 12, 2024
The characterisation in Mercenary was great and left me rooting for the fmc and mmc. I cared about them and wanted to see them find their way back to each other. I also way prefer instalust over instalove so that part of the story worked for me.
I did find myself getting a little confused with the narrative, direction and journey of the story and I wish there’d been a little more worldbuilding to fully set the scene of where this all takes place.
I think the ending of the story was a little too rushed, with the temple scene and ritual only lasting a couple of pages. I also think Erevan letting Nolgan go was a little too wishy washy for me as well, give me the morally grey justice any day. The finding of the egg was a little strange and didn’t seem to have the impact that it should have.
I did enjoy and will probably sign up for Darya and Nate’s story. I received a free ARC copy and I am providing an honest review.
I did find myself getting a little confused with the narrative, direction and journey of the story and I wish there’d been a little more worldbuilding to fully set the scene of where this all takes place.
I think the ending of the story was a little too rushed, with the temple scene and ritual only lasting a couple of pages. I also think Erevan letting Nolgan go was a little too wishy washy for me as well, give me the morally grey justice any day. The finding of the egg was a little strange and didn’t seem to have the impact that it should have.
I did enjoy and will probably sign up for Darya and Nate’s story. I received a free ARC copy and I am providing an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2023
An adventurous romantasy with plenty of spicy scenes, Booktok has a new favorite on their way.
Siobhann McLeighan, a ruthless royal mercenary, can’t seem to shake the arrogant and beautiful Elven Prince Erevan ap Brodin, who volunteers to join her on a mission to save her brother-in-law in exchange for her help as a guide through the Shield.
I love a good fantasy, and this one has dragons, guilds, and magic. Despite the insta-lust introduction, the couple’s dynamic adds great tension to their story. The plot is a bit slower in the beginning, and I was confused about the narrative at times, but it all comes together in the end. If you’re in the mood for a cozy spicy fantasy, this one's for you!
Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC.
Siobhann McLeighan, a ruthless royal mercenary, can’t seem to shake the arrogant and beautiful Elven Prince Erevan ap Brodin, who volunteers to join her on a mission to save her brother-in-law in exchange for her help as a guide through the Shield.
I love a good fantasy, and this one has dragons, guilds, and magic. Despite the insta-lust introduction, the couple’s dynamic adds great tension to their story. The plot is a bit slower in the beginning, and I was confused about the narrative at times, but it all comes together in the end. If you’re in the mood for a cozy spicy fantasy, this one's for you!
Thank you to BookSirens for this ARC.
December 18, 2023
I will be honest - brutally - I was almost to the point of not finishing the book - which I never do. I can remember one book - that is how bad it was - memorable.
BUT, somewhere around the 20% read mark, you finally caught my attention - and I will keep reading now.
Ok, I have finished the book. Let me say how much I enjoyed this book once it caught my attention! The Dragon and the Phoenix is a wonderful tale. The Dragon is a War Mage and the Phoenix is a Mercenary.
Lots of family strife and contention between clans; old wars and new wars waged.
I would recommend reading this series; be patient to get started :)
The Prequel story about Nate & Darya is available from the author when signing up to her newsletter.
Thank you for that :)
BUT, somewhere around the 20% read mark, you finally caught my attention - and I will keep reading now.
Ok, I have finished the book. Let me say how much I enjoyed this book once it caught my attention! The Dragon and the Phoenix is a wonderful tale. The Dragon is a War Mage and the Phoenix is a Mercenary.
Lots of family strife and contention between clans; old wars and new wars waged.
I would recommend reading this series; be patient to get started :)
The Prequel story about Nate & Darya is available from the author when signing up to her newsletter.
Thank you for that :)
December 28, 2023
The book has a great concept and very interesting and three dimensional characters. However, I will say that it could’ve been executed a little better, I was confused at some parts of what was going on. However, the book has great world building, the world is very interesting and complex. I really like how you get a good idea of the empire and political climate and the relationships with the various races. And the little details like differences in currency, cultural differences, and experiencing discrimination in different countries really helps you feel more immersed.
Plot 3/5
World building 5/5
Characters 5/5
Romance 3/5
Smut 2/5 (not a slowburn but the smut isn’t very detailed)
Plot 3/5
World building 5/5
Characters 5/5
Romance 3/5
Smut 2/5 (not a slowburn but the smut isn’t very detailed)
April 25, 2024
A great story. Siobhann is a mercenary and she meets the elven prince, Erevan ap Brodin in a bar after an assignment is over. He wishes to hire her to take him to her boss. They are attracted to each other with Siobhann denying her growing feelings. Erevan wants to go into the Shield and it will take a promise Siobhann made to her sister, to agree to return to the Shield. This book is full of danger, conflicting emotions, great fighting scenes and an ending that is satisfying. I enjoyed reading this book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 11, 2024
I enjoyed this book, but I will admit it took a lot for me to get into. However, once I did I loved it and can’t wait to see what comes next. It had action, romance, but slow world building. I had trouble following the story. It really came together in the end. I love the dragon and the phoenix. I wanted to really like the characters, but due to the plot it was hard to engage with them. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
December 9, 2023
What a heartbreaking book! I love reading fantasy romances and this one GAVE ME ALL THE FEELS! The events, the action…perfected! Emotions, love, darkness for both the main characters. It was deep and heartfelt,.
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.
January 11, 2024
This is a great fantasy read! Fast paced and action packed, this fantasy romance is exciting and entertaining and full of secrets, danger, fated mates and betrayals. It’s an adventure about destiny, about mythical creatures, it’s about human mercenaries and Elven princes and once started I was hooked!
February 11, 2024
This is an excellent fantasy adventure! I really liked it! It is mysterious and romantic, magical and wonderful..
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.
April 2, 2024
This was a fantastic epic fantasy book! The story was captivating, the characters awesome and the fantasy elements were perfect. Highly looking forward to the next book.
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.
April 27, 2024
Dnf. Boy this book is bad. I can't read another page. There is absolutely no character or world building. The story line might be good with a decent editor to put it in order. But the author should really take some writing courses.
January 11, 2024
3.5 rounded down 👍🏻
January 15, 2024
It was a good read, but I wasn’t able to really keep up with the plot.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 30, 2024
The pacing was tough for me, but I loved the overall story of this.
I received this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received this arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews