Tattered Allegiance

Luminia #1

by Lee Colgin

an alternate cover edition can be found here

When a mixling falls hard for a full-blooded fae, and turmoil brews between the species, which perilous path will they choose?

A forbidden love

Life as a mixling is a struggle for Rahz. The child of a fae father and human mother, he grapples with his identity, unsure of where he fits. Despite it all, he finds a love that defies barriers in his best friend, Jindal. As long as they’re together, Rahz needs nothing else.

A looming war

As a full-blooded fae, Jindal doesn’t fully understand the harsh realities of Rahz’s life. Still, his heart and unwavering loyalty belong to his beloved. The glaring differences in their worlds might create an ever-growing chasm between them, but he refuses to allow anything to tear them apart.

Tested bonds

When a human uprising threatens the delicate balance of the fae world, the young lovers find themselves swept into the tempest. With war on the horizon, and loyalties in question, their bond is put to the test as they face a choice: stay true to each other, or allow a tattered allegiance to crush their vows and hearts alike.

Tattered Allegiance is an introduction to Colgin’s new Luminia Series. It features a steamy friends-to-lovers romance, apricot pastries, found family feels, and spicy times in a hayloft!

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Fae, Paranormal, Friends To Lovers, Magic, Romance

236 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 27, 2023

Reviews

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly interesting start to what seems like an interesting series. I love the relationship between Jindal and Rahz, it's very sweet. I wish it had been a but more developed, but based on what had to happen in the plot I can see why it didn't. So I really hope we see them more on the next book. Because yes, I'm down to going forward with adding this book series to my wait list.

[Ana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite authors and I'm super disappointed but this book is just meh.
The romance is kind of sweet but not like the all consuming slow burn romances I came to love from this author.
Everything felt rushed and not given real time to unfold. For example the journey: it isn't described in a way I could believe it's life altering for both MC's.
I couldn't connect with both characters, especially needy and oblivious Jindal got on my nerves.
Not sure if I'll continue this series.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

4 stars

Tattered Allegiance is the first book in the Luminia series by author Lee Colgin. It’s set in an eponymous fictional world and features themes of belonging, othering, being caught between two worlds, friends to lovers, and found family. The narration is split pretty equally between Rahz and Jindal, too. I think this does a great job of exploring the two characters’ lived experiences and really shows how their fae and mixling identities help them appreciate each other, even as it sometimes threatens to wedge between them. The book opens with a short introductory chapter of our two main characters as tweenagers. During this short chapter, we learn that our MCs are childhood best friends and that both are just now starting to feel and understand more romantic and deeper emotions for each other. If you like friends-to-lovers tropes, I think you’ll find this a delightfully sweet beginning for these two.

Read Camille’s review in its entirety here.

[Alix Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un grand merci à l’auteure pour cet ARC et sa confiance.

Une belle découverte dans un nouvel univers fantasy!
Rahz est un sang mêlé, mi fae mi humain, avec un cœur généreux et aimant, qui aide son prochain sans compter.
Jindal et lui son meilleurs amis (et secret crushes) depuis des années.😏🥰

J’ai adoré les voir en tant qu’adolescents au début. En fait c’est comme si on lisait les péripéties suivant le "et ils vécurent heureux pour toujours", leur couple est formé, sérieux et épanoui, mais de nouvelles aventures surviennent. On passe de "nous contre le reste du monde" à des dissensions au sein du couple.
Des divergences d’opinions causées par les nombreuses révoltes humaines et la guerre couvante entre fae et humain.

Rahz est donc pris entre deux feux, n’étant qu’en partie fae contrairement à Jindal qui l’est entièrement.

Il y également plusieurs intrigues secondaires mineures mais non moins intéressantes (notamment l’attente du réveil de la mère de Jindal par laquelle j’ai été happé).

Mais surtout, dès que Rahz s’est mis à raconter l’histoire à propos du gardien ça a été le coup de foudre! J’avais besoin d’un livre sur le gardien!😍 Et devinez quoi, l’auteure à déjà tout prévu, ce sera le quatrième volume dans la série Luminia.

Ce fut donc un début de série assez calme, qui donne le temps de se familiariser avec les personnages et les prémices de l’univers dans lequel ils évoluent. (Car il y vit beaucoup plus que des fae et des humains).

P.S.: N’oubliez pas l’épilogue bonus en lien à la fin du livre pour plus d’action.😉

[Kassu · Rating 3 out of 5]

3+⭐

There's an interesting world here and a lot of potential but this felt completely like an extra story. This couple gets together right at the beginning and then it's just going back and forth on will Jindal prioritise Rahz or won't he. And we only get glimpses of the bigger plot.

Jindal is also almost annoyingly naive. While it's sort of interesting to see how his eyes start to open, it feels a bit unrealistic that they really didn't talk about any of these things with Rahz. They've been together a decade and friends even longer.

I have Gatherdawn and since the world interests me, I'm sure I'll read it. But it's almost a relief that it's a different couple. I guess we'll see Jindal and Rahz as supporting characters?

[... · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy this author's books, and this wasn't an exception. It's definitely a series-starter, though, and, despite the "epilogue" (which I was glad to get!) really felt like it strayed in the direction of a cliffhanger-ending more than an HFN, given the impending war. I very much love the world building, as always, and how it's connected and consistent with her vampire books 🥰

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had no idea when I started this that it was going to be a continuing series following the same MCs: Jindal and Rahz. I just saw the blurb and thought "Best friends to lovers PNR by Lee Colgin? I'm in!" I'm honestly so glad I did because I needed a dose of fluffy love. Jindal and Rahz are absolutely adorable together. They've loved each other most of their young lives. It was always each other for them. Even before their first kiss they just knew. I just loved how sweet they were together. I also loved Jindal's bubbly personality and how it contrasted with the more serious Rahz. Jindal's a bit innocent in a way, with his head in the clouds, while Rahz is well aware of the hardships of the world around him.

Sadly, the plotline takes these two away from each other for a bit, but I think it was needed as it sort of gave them a taste of what would happen if their paths were to diverge. War is coming between the fae and humans. As a half breed Rahz is going to have to pick a side. You'd think his decision would be easy as he is in love with a full fae. You would be wrong. There are so many other things that Rahz's decision could lead to. This will make way more sense once you read it, but I don't want to give away any spoilers. Just know that you're getting a lovely romantic pairing in this series opener with a few surprises along the way. This one ends on a soft cliffhanger which is alright with me because that means there's more Jindal and Rahz to come!

[Susan Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jindal and Rahz

This story takes place in a world where human and fae live. But they are not treated equally. Humans are regarded as "less than" because they live such short lives and they don't have abilities such as fae do.

So that makes life a bit more difficult for Rahz and his mother. Rahz is half human. His mother is human.

Jindal is full fae and is oblivious to the way humans are treated as lesser beings.

Now the Queen is asking all "mixlings" to travel to the capital and register. Yeah, I'd be leery too.

The book opens the door to the inevitable war between fae and humans.

I love the romance and love between Jindal and Rahz. The tension is felt throughout the story that war is coming and its going to be bad. I just want to shelter Jindal and not let him see the atrocities of war. But in the next books I don't think that's possible.

Great storyline. This book is just the start and I love all the characters in it. Looking forward to the next installment!

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

At a young age, Jindal secretly had a crush on his best friend, Rahz; little did he know Rahz had eyes for Jindal. It only took one kiss to bring them together. As they advanced to adulthood their feelings never changed, and they were now mates.

Rahz's father, a full-blooded Fae, left his mother before he was born to raise him. He wanted nothing to do with the child. Rahz having a human mother and a Fae father is considered a mixling. Rahz had one friend who caused many problems in Rahz's childhood by constantly being riled by him.

Rahz and Jindal's relationship is tested when the Queen announces that all mixling was to sign a document to pledge their loyalty and demand an oath to be signed. There's trouble in the south and Rahz feels it is not the pledge allegiance to the Queen but to use the mixlings to fight the war with the humans. The Princess seeks Rahz's help with his magic.

With this turbulence in their life, Jindal's mother who has been dormant for so many years, awakens. The decision becomes harder for both, to make a choice. Lindal wants to stay with his newly awakened mother but promises to join Rahz he would go with him to fight. Love wins out.

This book seems to be a wonderful start for this new series.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in a day…

I really liked this pair! Although not a lot happens in the beginning, I liked seeing them move from friends to lovers, and then see them grow as people. I want to know more about the turmoil their world is facing. This ends on a strong HFN - for now only because of the looming conflict. I hope there are more stories about Jin and Rahz.

[S a n d r a · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Rating: ⭐⭐⭐✨

This author’s covers never fail to enlarge my neverending TBR! And of course this new book was no less!! I was instantly intrigued by this story, and knowing it was about a fae and his mixling sweetheart, I wanted to read it even more.

Let me tell you this new series is not made up of standalones, at least it doesn’t look like it since here we have a HFN that works as the opening of the story. One starred by a sweet and heartwarming couple that will make you swoon.

We meet Jindal and Rahz when they are kids, barely 13, and already best friends. They grew together but their different heritage (Jindal being a full breed fae while Rahz only half fae and half human) proves to be a struggle between the two, at least sometimes. But the two, even young as they are, are very much in love with each other and they won’t let such things get between them.

The story soon jumps 10 years into their future, and I loved how established they are from the beginning. Most romances revolve around the main couple forming: them meeting, falling in love and overcoming the barrier to make their relationship work. Not so much this time, and even though I myself usually enjoy the build up of the romance (many times much more than the sappy romance itself), I loved how natural it was them being together.

Jin and Rahz have been together since forever, and they can’t even imagine a time apart from each other. They live a modest life and are happy that way, but when rumors of war bring back memories of old nightmares and ignite Rahz’s deepest fears, the two begin to discuss differences between the fae and the human, and how things work for the two races in Luminia.

As I said before, this book works as the opening for a bigger story. Here we meet our mains as well as a couple of their friends and their families. Through them we get a deeper insight into this fae universe: how humans and fae cohabitate, about fae’s dormancy, about magic and differences between full faes and mixlings, and also about revolts and the royalty’s intentions.

The romance is the sweetest thing you could ever read. I loved how in love Jin and Rahz are, how hard it is for them to be apart and how they struggle but try to understand each other. Their love is palpable from the very beginning, and it doesn’t even feel rushed since it starts when they are young. I’m not even exaggerating with how warm these two made me feel, their love is such a pure thing and I loved every scene they shared together.

Jin is a sweet little thing, so emotional and sensitive; he’s softer than Rahz, and maybe even more sheltered, but that starts to change when Rahz shares with him his particular view on humans living among faes and the different status both have. No, it’s not easy for Jindal to understand Rahz, and I absolutely loved that: I loved for it to be difficult for him to put himself in Rahz’s (and human’s) shoes, since he has a somewhat utopian view of the world and hasn’t had the need to take in the bigger picture.

So far, their adventure has only started and I can't wait to discover what will be of them, of their friends and of Luminia. Also, there are so many interesting topics introduced (as the Gatekeeper) I hope the author will elaborate in future books!

[Sadonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up!

This review and much more can be found at Love Bytes Reviews

Rahz and Jindal are best friends. But as they are growing up, it seems that they will be more than friends. Turns out they are best friends, lovers and mates. Despite Rahz’s fae father having left his human mother and Jindal’s mother going dormant when he was born, they’ve had a pretty good life. They have Bessa, Jindal’s human housekeeper/nanny who has been like a mother to him. Rahz’s mother has been a wonderful parent to him. And most importantly, they have each other.

But things are changing. Rahz has long been plagued by nightmares of war. When the royal delegation comes to their small northern village proclaiming that all halflings must travel to the capital to register and sign a pledge of loyalty to the queen, he knows things are amiss. There are rumors of rebellion in the south and trouble along the trade routes. It appears that the humans in the realm are tired of doing most of the work for the least pay, lack of respect and autonomy and generally not having agency of their own. It’s an expensive and long trip and means that Rahz will have to be away from Jindal for nearly a month – something they’ve never experienced.

Rahz make the trip with Falen and other halfling friend. Falen is more fae than human in appearance and demeanor. He understands Rahz’s reluctance though and can definitely see his dilemma. When Rahz meets with a very surprising potential partner in trying to make peace, not war, things change. He will need to leave his home for an unknown length of time to help set things on the right path. The question is will he come alone or with his mate?

Well this is a delightful kickoff to this series. Jindal and Rahz are so sweet. Best friends to lovers and mates in the best possible way. Rahz goes from the picked on halfling to a strong mage as he grows into his adulthood. Jindal loves him with all his heart even though he is torn by his own family situation. They clearly belong together and while there are other forces that keep them apart for a short time, their destiny seems to bring them back together. I really enjoyed the fae world the author created. I can’t wait to find out what happens next. The intrigue and the potential for war or peace is compelling. Rahz and his powers are destined for something – we just don’t know exactly what yet. Note – this book ends on what I’d call a cliffhanger, but not the kind where you want to throw the book across the room 😉 While trouble is definitely brewing, Rahz knows that he is doing the right thing for the right reasons and hopefully the right leader. Only time will tell how things will go. Recommended particularly for fans of fae and fantasy.

[Katriana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was quite surprised by how this book was constructed, and I'll share why soon. First, I want to start by acknowledging how Lee carefully constructs a world that's believable, and so full of detail. While Rahz was going on his journey we as readers were on that journey as well, there were so many great descriptions of the different landscapes they came across. Which I found quite pleasing! The language used in this book would be comparable to a book taking place in the olden days? It definitely doesn't take place in modern times.

The second thing I noticed is how Lee made every character contribute something to the overall story. You had Bessa, who was the kind, loving, and caring, cook/baker/housekeeper, you had a bully that everyone got fed up with, and then you have other side characters that helped with the conversations that occured throughout the story.

I found that the idea of the Fae in this story getting almost dragged into a slumber unwillingly quite unique. Jindal never gave up with hoping his mother would wake up soon and retain her memories. I also enjoyed how it was described how the mixlings differed from the Fae, and what they have compared to what the Fae don't, and vice versa.

Now to say why I was surprised by this books construction. This book starts off as Jinny and Rahz bring teenagers, then it fast forwards ten years and they are an established couple. Now I didn't mind that, it was written quite well and didn't feel rushed. I was just surprised that this story started with the two MC's already being an established couple. Cause usually the book shows the journey the mc's go on to become a couple, whereas this one wasn't like that. Which I appreciated, I like when things are different, and this book certainly was.

Overall, I'm looking forward to what's to come.

[LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

In my first book by Lee Colgin, I was transported to the world of the Fae. A world in which fae and humans live together and sometimes have children together. The Mixlings are borne of a fae and a human parent alike. They are larger and stronger than their fae counterparts and have magic as well.

Rhaz is a mixling that has fallen in love with a fae named Jindal. They’ve grown up together, live together, and now work in their small town of Jodpirn. But trouble always comes, this time in the form of an uprising against the fae and their queen. Humans are tired of being treated as less than and of working harder than the fae for what little they have. Then comes the announcement, all mixlings must travel to the Queen’s court to swear loyalty and sign a registry. All mixlings and only mixlings. Rahz has concerns. He is afraid of the order. What will it be used for? Will he be conscripted into an army for the Queen? Will he be forced to fight against humans like his mother? What will he do?

This story is so well written that I was immediately engulfed in the what, the how, and the why. I fell for our sweet and loyal couple within minutes and wondered perhaps unfairly why Jin didn’t always understand the why as well. Then again if you’ve never been treated unfairly, never been treated as less, how would you know? It’s a story that begs you to feel for Rahz and Jin. The emotions, the drama, the pull for fairness and safety for all. I’m so enamored of this kingdom already. More, please, is all I have left to say.

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

I always know I’ll be in for a treat with the world building and characters in this author’s fantasy stories. I loved the world of Luminia with its mix of fae and human, especially with the war brewing between the two. Rahz and Jindal are wonderful as friends who grow to lovers, but are torn between their relationship and responsibilities to family and their world.

I liked the difference world view of mixlings, humans, and fae. Jindal slowly comes to realise that life is different for those who aren’t fully fae. I thought his journey was realistic, as was his need to be there for his mother, just in case. The idea of immortality having a down side of dormancy that can hit at any day for any amount of time is different and interesting. I also liked Rahz’s world view of someone who is of mixed parentage, so sees both sides, and wants to do what he can to help.

The supporting cast are well fleshed out, and also feel very real. I particularly loved Jindal’s relationship with Bessa who has stepped into the void left by his slumbering mother. Their circle of friends is made up of a variety of personalities.

Luminia itself is fascinating, with its quasi medieval setting with added interesting infrastructure. I liked that not all the royals are invested in keeping the status quo, and would love to read more about how the war pans out.

This story felt like the first in a series of adventures for Jindal and Rahz with the way it ended. I’d recommend reading the bonus story that takes place soon afterwards. It left me wanting more.

[Kendra Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC received from GRR for an honest review.

Jindal is a full blood fae. His mother is in hibernation and his father is a distant, hard man. He doesn't have the best life but with Rahz at his side he feels like it.

Rahz is a mixling (half fae, half human). He's never known his fae father since the man left before he was born. His mother and grandparents are the best and love him unconditionally.

Jindal and Rahz have been best friends since they were little boys. When they were early teenagers they realized that they had deeper feelings than just friendship. Now ten years later and they're still together. There's talk of humans rebelling and mixlings having to register. Jindal and Rahz start to realize that things are different for each of them. Will they be able to work out their differences or will it tear them apart?

This is a well written story, that slowly and smoothly progresses throughout. It has good world and character building. I would've liked more excitement through the story. It didn't seem like much went on other than day to day life. The adventure starts way late in the book and it was just starting to really get exciting when it ended. I guess there's more coming in the series and maybe then the excitement will happen. So if you like slow building fantasy, this is a book for you.

[Cas ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was supposed to be an ARC before the nightmare of what last month was for me and the author graciously said I did not need to read it, but I wanted to circle back and do so because 1) I was interested in the book when I signed up and 2) because of the author’s kindness.

The story is 97% fluff, with a smattering of pretty tame steamy scenes & what feels like setting the stage for future books. Marketed as sweet friends to lovers, low stakes romance it definitely hits those notes for me. Rahz & Jinny’s love starts young and wholesome and grows into a steadfast and committed mating over the course of the book, but there is never a question of will they won’t they, the only turmoil in the story is for the most part external. (Although some emotionally negligent & absent parents are also an issue)

I would’ve liked more to happen with the bully but that’s a personal preference. And I hope that we get more about what’s going on in the rest of realm in the coming books because Colgin sets the stage for a potential interspecies war & how important Rahz will be and then the story ends with them setting out on their journey. I think some people will be disappointed that not much happens but going into it knowing it was fluff, I wasn’t. It was cute and it makes me want to read more of Lee Colgin’s work in the future 🤷‍♀️

[Elizabeth D · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 This was a quick read and generally sweet tale with lots of world building and set up for the rest of the series. Jin is sweet, exuberant, and more than a little naive. As a full-blooded fae, despite the fact that his partner, Rahz, is a mixling (halfblood) and Jin has been raised by a distant fae father and a loving human housekeeper, he has zero awareness of why the less well treated treated humans and mixlings might not love the status quo. We start to see some shifts in understanding in this book, but with plenty of room for him to continue to grow in the rest of the series. Rahz is much more aware that the current power structure is unfair, and he’s determined to help those who need it, not just those he cares about, though he’s torn about the risk of separation from the fae he loves so dearly.

The two of them have been together since they were teens and spend much of this book physically separated, so it definitely felt more like a fantasy novel that has some romance than a romance in a fantasy setting. We’re definitely poised for the rest of the series with lots at stake, hopefully some new allies, and plenty of uncertainty about what’s going to happen in this world.

I look forward to reading more!

I received an ARC from GRR. This is my honest review.

[Michael Barnette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sweet enchantment of a read

Jindal (a full-blood fae) and Rahz (a half human, half fae) begin a friendship as children that becomes so much more as they get older. A classic friends to lovers story, set in a classic world of Fae and Humans—along with incubi who are mostly mentioned in passing in this installment—and what the author refers to as mixlings. The mixed blood half fae, half human offspring. Also a classic trope is the fact that humans are not highly regarded by the fae who happen to, unsurprisingly, own everything while humans struggle barely able to make ends meet.

It comes as no surprise when the Fae Queen decides that mixlings need to register and swear fealty to her.

The tropes are pretty standard, but the author manages to enchant the reader, not with the stock tropes, but with the solid characterization of Jindal and Rahz and how they interact with their world, each other, and a host of well rounded secondary characters.

Thanks for a lovely, sweet and enchanting read. I’m looking forward to the sequel.

[Kkhmonrai · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this sweet story of friends as lovers. I wouldn't call it a friend TO lovers, because that happens really early on. There's no slow-burn, pining romance. I enjoyed watching Rahz and Jindahl grow as friends and lovers, especially Jindahl coming to understand the differences and discrimination Rahz faced. Even as an adult, it seemed the village only accepted Rahz because of what he could do for them. Jindahl's tale was also a bit sad, with an absent mother and harsh father. I was so glad they had each other, Jindahl's cook/pseudo-mother, and Rahz's mother for comfort. It's an interesting world, with the idea of fae dormancy, and mating with a human birthing half-breeds with greater magic (but NOT greater respect). I look forward to learning more about how Rahz's magic works and the potential upcoming war between humans and fae.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Juniper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things I liked about this book:

Rahz and Jindal: two best friends who fit together beautifully and whose friends-to-lovers trajectory offers depth and nuance to the childhood sweethearts trope. Each faces different challenges and approaches things from different angles: a dreamer and a pragmatist who bring out the best in each other.

The world building. The dynamics within fae society and culture are fascinating (in ways both good and bad). This story is definitely laying the groundwork for more to come, not just in the connection between the protagonists but in the world they inhabit: they’re standing on a precise, and its clear here that sides will need to be chosen and upheavals weathered. In so many ways, this book feels like the first step in what’s going to be a *journey*, and I’m here for it. 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

*I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

[Debby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rahz has loved Jindal forever but he feels their differences in way that Jindal does not. Rahz is a mixling while Jindal is a full fae. Jindal does not realize how hard that makes life for him but he loves Rahz and would anything for him. Then trouble arrives in the form of the royal coach with a demand to register and swear an oath/pledge. Jindal is forced to recognize the differences then as he does not have to travel for one month to register and swear an oath.

Tattered Allegiance sets the scene for the coming problems. The south of the country is having issues with humans rebelling against the fae. Rahz and Jindal live in the north and so far, any rebellious violence has not reached them. Their love for each other is expressed so freely and sweetly in their haven in the hay loft, but we know that haven will not last. With this as the first book, we shall all be looking forward to the next one to see what the future holds for them. Excellent start for a new series!!

[L H · Rating 5 out of 5]

They are different. One is mixed, the other a full fae. Rahz worries that his not being a full fae will be the thing that will pull him and Jindal apart.  But what is most obvious is how much these two love one another and want to be together. Each realizes that there are things going on in the world that can come between them. For Rahz it is having to make choices between humans and the fae that are difficult and go against what he believes. For Jindal who does not have that conflict there is the need to empathize and to try to understand his partner's point of view. They have been through so much together, growing up and forging a friendship, connecting across the attraction to falling in love. This is yet another chapter in their growth together as a couple. Their story is a nice lead in for this series and a testament to the fact that with love although the bond may bend it need not break.
I received an ARC from GRR and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jindal is a full Fae. Even as a child he knew that the mixling Rahz was his future. As they got older their future together seemed secure. But fate is a fickle bitch and just may have other plans.

Jindal and Rahz were very vivid characters. This book was full of great imagery, “I lick my lips, mouth watering at the sight of his pretty c*** jutting proudly from a patch of silky purple curls”. “We fit together like two halves of the same soul”.

There was nice world building, The core of the story was interesting and the main characters, Fae and mixlings, all had a role to play in the telling. I’m really curious about the secrets that were coming about their countries future and the part the mixlings will play in it.

This authors series’ always seem to have great scope and each books sets up the next in a well defined manner. A pleasure to read.
I received an arc of this book.

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good sweet story about lost innocence and true love and standing up for what you believe in. Jindal and Rahz are best friends and eventually mates. They have known each other for years but Jindal has never really understood the differences between them, one a fae and one a mixling: half human and half fae. Their world is swiftly changing whether Jindal wants it to or not and Rahz is about to get caught up in it, just because he is different. I loved this sweet story! I got quickly caught up in this new world. Jindal has his eyes opened in a harsh way when reality intrudes into their small town. These two have to figure out what they ultimately stand for and what they will fight for. The author assures us these two will get their happy ending, but they are about to embark on quite the adventure.

[Lexicdark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story has SO much potential. You basically have 3 factions, full fae, full human, and the mixlings. Fae rule everything, humans are little more than indentured servants, and the mixlings are valued based on their looks and magic. Our 2 MCs are a fae and mixling who have grown up together in a back country village and are childhood sweethearts. But now there is unrest and the humans are revolting, and the ruling fae want all mixlings to register with them.

This book should have been full of conflict, and tension, and angst. But it wasn't. Every time something would start to turn and be edgy or cause conflict, it was all okay and everyone was fine. It drove me crazy! Then you have the major cliff hangers at the end. If you want epic fantasy, but without too much tension, this one might be for you.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. There is a lot of descriptive language and world-building and a full, loving relationship. Rahz, a half-fae/half-human mixling, and Jindal, a full-blooded fae, whose mother has lain dormant his entire life, have been friends since childhood. Now, as adults, they are in a full-blown romantic relationship.

Rahz has been plagues by nightmares of an impending war for years. Their lives are idyllic, but Jindal does not fully understand the prejudices against mixlings and humans in the same way that Rahz lived that reality. Now, the humans in the south are fighting for fairness and going against the Fae Queen. Can Rahz and Jindal continue to live in their peaceful village and not be affected? This book has a lot of passion, supportive relationships, magic, and love. It ends in a HFN and will be concluded later in the series.

[Azdude · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, Lee Colgin creates wonderful stories and great characters. Tattered Allegiance - the first in a new series - is no exception. The two main characters - Jindal and Rahz are from different backgrounds and struggle to come to terms with their different racial cultural and economic backgrounds. These two work to overcome these differences throughout the story all during a time of upheaval that threatens to pit their respective cultures against each other - and as a result threaten the relationship between these two friends since childhood.

The author spins a brilliant tale of intrigue, adventure, love and learning. This is an excellent book that is a great harbinger of things to come in this new series offering by the author.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first introduction to Lee Colgin. Although it wasn't a wow for me (I'd say 3.5 stars), I did enjoy my time reading it. I was a little confused about some of the world, like fae going dormant. It wasn't explaining why they go dormant and what causes it. I thought Jin and Rahz were cute together, and I appreciated that they were already in an established relationship, and facing difficulties together but also having differing opinions. I thought Jin was a bit immature and childish, but I liked his growth through the story. I assume Jin's and Rahz's story continues in the next book, and I look forward to seeing where their adventure takes them.

[RN · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable story and great world-building by the author. There’s a beautiful love story between the MCs and because this happens towards the beginning of the book, as the story unfolded I was on edge waiting to see what would happen to Jindal and Rahz. Was there a trap for mixlings? Well, I can’t answer that here because – no spoilers! - but I did not foresee the twists in this story. Although this story is complete in itself, this book really sets the scene for further story-telling in this world. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this story and this is a voluntary review.