Of Silver and Beasts

Goddess Wars #1

by Trisha Wolfe

In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.

When Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena.

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.

A Dark Romantic Fantasy series.

Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance, Paranormal, Mythology, Young Adult, Science Fiction

265 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 18, 2013

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USA Today bestselling romantic thriller author. From an early age, Trisha Wolfe dreamed up fictional worlds and characters and was accused of talking to herself. Today, she lives in South Carolina with her family and writes full time, using her fictional worlds as an excuse to continue talking to herself.

Reviews

[Isa · Rating 2 out of 5]

 
First of all, the beginning is filled with info-dump. Not only that, most of it is told instead of shown.
The first few chapters are basically the main character info-dumping her whole world and personal life in an inner monologue. I don't know if it was just me, though the info-dumpy inner monologue certainly didn't help, but I personally could not connect at all with Kaliope, the main character. This book uses first person narrative, so I was expecting to feel... something towards Kaliope. It didn't happen. Most of her sentences feel robotic. Is that deliberate, because she's traumatised? Or because she has cybernetic parts and mercury in her blood? Either way, it didn't work for me.
 
I had a hard time ignoring the mercury thing. The characters seem human, and there's talk about technology keeping them safe from mercury - in Kaliope's case, a clamp keeps mercury from reaching her heart. I don't know, I'm not an expert on mercury poisoning, but I'd worry about it reaching her brain, besides if you can get it from eating too much fish or inhaling tainted air, what would mercury in her blood do to her? We're told that Alyah, the goddess of healing, watches over her, I guess that's what's keeping her safe, but what about everyone else?
 
The matriarchal society was another thing that kept me from connecting with the characters. Listen, I'm a feminist, I believe in equality - that's the key: equality. Anything other than that is creepy, no matter how benign you try to make it sound (though it failed at that), and I couldn't stop seeing the characters as unfair for buying into this. Yes, it's part of Kaliope's character arc to realise that men aren't useless, but that wasn't easy to appreciate considering I only kind of connected with her character near the end.
 
I actually felt bad for Caben: his father, the king, was murdered by invaders. His realm is under attack. And Kaliope's empress has him abducted, supposedly to keep him safe, while his people need his leadership to survive. And when he makes it known he's not happy with this, Kaliope fantasises about punching him the face. I mean... is the author actively trying to make me dislike the main character?
 
Kaliope is charged with protecting him, and their first interaction, while she leads him to his rooms so he can wash and eat, goes like this:

Marching ahead of Prince Paynebridge, I take the lead and exit the chamber. “Keep up,” I say to him under my breath. Once we’re farther down the corridor, I say louder, “If you try anything stupid, I’ll slice you from stomach to throat. I don’t care who you are.”

Then she thinks about killing him because he asked for food, and men aren't supposed to order women around...
There are strong female characters, and I love reading about them, and then there are these... hyperbolic absurdities. Which I hate with a passion.
 
Taking all of this into perspective, plus the fact that Caben comes from a somewhat misogynistic society, their relationship seems forced.That being said, halfway into the book the plot becomes more engaging, and the characters more bearable and believable, and I finally started to enjoy the story.
 
Anyway, give this a chance. The plot has potential, and if it were not for the characters I probably would have liked this book - and as I pointed out at the beginning of this review, perhaps this dislike is just mine, and others won't share it.

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can also find this review and a giveaway on my blog.

4.5 stars

I am convinced that Trisha Wolfe is made of magic. Magic mind, magic hands (for her ability to put on paper what is in her mind), magic that runs into her book and then reaches out to the reader to grab them and hold them in place, forcing them to continue reading. Why? Because yet again she has created another fantastic world, another set of characters who don't give you the option of not loving them, and because...well, because she's Trisha Wolfe.

Welcome to Cavan, one of the Three Realms and a place where women are the protectors. Kaliope is the new head of the Nactue, the Empress Iana's personal guard. Sworn to a lifetime of duty and protection, she couldn't be happier, having trained for this since she was a young girl. But when another of the Three Realms is attacked, it falls to Kal to guard Prince Caben, the last remaining heir to his kingdom. As far as she's concerned, he's a spoiled prince who is keeping her from protecting the the Empress. But things only get worse when the Otherworlders attack, and Kal and Caben find themselves kidnapped and taken below ground. The rules are much different here; for survival, they will have to fight to the death in a caged arena, against others who have also been kidnapped from different realms. Kal's urge to find her way out strengthens when she realises she needs to get back the relic that was stolen from the Empress, for the survival of both Iana and Cavan. And then of course there's the matter of why the Otherworlders have been attacking. And through all this she has to somehow keep both herself and the prince alive.

Wolfe truly excels at her worldbuilding. Her worlds are complex, made up of different elements, and yet they all fit together to create an outstanding backdrop. In this case we have a queendom, where women are highly respected and are the ones chosen to look after their families and generally take a slightly more leading role in society. There is the mythological element, where it is custom to pray to the goddesses. I love mythology, and when done well, they make a book incredibly intriguing; needless to say, it was done well here. I really enjoyed reading about what each of the goddesses were responsible for, and of the divide between good and evil, and then how this was extended in the story. The Otherworlders are the enemy race who live below ground, a concept both intriguing and perhaps slightly unfathomable when looking at it from a personal perspective. I can't imagine living most of my life underground, away from the fresh air and the sun (although to be honest, it's not like the sun comes out here all that often anyway). I really liked how they were presented overall as really aggressive, the enemy, but then you see this other side to them and realise that it's not all what it seems. Finally, the idea of mercury being the most valued material, the thing that keeps everything running and that everyone depends on. This world is one that has been thoroughly explored, and it is clear that the author has taken the time to really get to know it herself.

Kal then builds on this herself by being a really strong character. She never shirks from her duty, and she will do what she thinks needs to be done; her loyalty, her strength, her sense of needing to protect others and always putting herself second, all these are emphasised through her relationships with her friends and mother. It was really nice to see her grow throughout the book, allowing herself to confront old memories and letting someone in - someone who is not female. Kal's past is an incredibly sad one, where her brutal father had no care for her mother and even less for her; when I found out what he did to her, I was shocked and horrified, not to mention angry. It's easy to see how that affected her attitude towards men. Caben himself I found to be quite different from the usual love interests, even aside from the fact that he is a prince. He, too, grows throughout the book, becoming more responsible and more aware, really becoming stronger in all senses of the word. I loved the dynamics of their relationship and how that kept changing, and it was so heart-warming to see them accept each other despite their pasts and be there for each other. The secondary characters were well-written too, and their happiness and pain became my own. Bax was a particular favourite; as soon as I started to see certain things, it didn't take long for me to warm to him.

Once again this author has astonished me with the world she has created, and I really just had to carry on even when I told myself I would stop reading at a certain point. It's clear that Trisha Wolfe has explored each angle of this world, and because of that I felt like I was right there in Cavan and then underground, experiencing everything for myself; I had a clear understanding of how this world worked. What pains me now is that we have to wait for the sequel. I will have to come up with ways to get my Trisha Wolfe fix in the meantime.

[Siiri (Little Pieces of Imagination) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Actual rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

I accidentally stumbled upon Tuff Girls sign ups and I am so beyond glad I did, because I probably wouldn’t have seen this book otherwise. And I got to read it before the masses did! YAY! It was a completely different experience for me in the sense that usually when I have a review book on my hands, I think about the rating and critique, but in this case, I didn’t remember to concentrate on the pros and cons, I just enjoyed the ride of awesomeness.

The story. Kaliope is a protector of her empress and leads the Nactue which is the empress’ personal guard group of 5 young female protectors. She gets assigned to guard a prince from an alliance country and when the underworlders attack her country, she and the prince get kidnapped in the process. Now, in the underworld, they must fight for their life in a cage against others alike. Nothing is as it seems and Kaliope’s faith in her goddesses and in her own abilities to protect the innocents as well as her loved ones is put to an unimaginable test.

My thoughts. It was a first time for me to read about a matriarch society which itself was so intriguing and different. Mad props for Trisha for pulling it off! Gah, I want to tell you so much, but I don’t want to spoil it so bare with me while I ramble. We have a strong, kick-ass and rational heroine who now belongs to the group named ‘my favorite heroines of all time’. Kaliope has a good head on her shoulders and in addition to being a fierce warrior, she is a kind, strong, old soul who grows a lot throughout the novel.

What else do we have? Let’s see: A swoon-worthy hero who among other things is a prince? Check. Love that blossoms from respect and friendship? Check. A dark, exciting and an original tale? Check. It had everything I expect from a great book. There was this one scene where I was so frustrated that nothing happened, but it was compensated more than enough a little further on. The story takes place in a matter of days, but it actually feels longer so the romance, which takes the backseat in the plot, feels natural and real. It's definitely not head-over-heels or insta-love.

The ending left me in a range of emotions of love and rage and everything in between because I loved the book, but I was so sad that it was over and that ending left me craving for more. It was unputdownable, addictive, original, dark and twisted. Moreover, there were scenes that made me want to barf due to its gruesomeness and sob my eyes out due to how emotionally painful it was. WARNING: do not eat while you’re reading the cage fight scenes. I almost gagged while chewing a Caesar salad lol. It get’s messy!!

*an arc was provided in exchange for an honest review*

More of my reviews can be found on my blog.

[Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't a bad book, especially not for a freebie. However, it did have some problems.

1) Grammatical errors/typos: Misused words like discrete for discreet, or linage for lineage. Also the tenses were occasionally messed up, and sometimes a word was wrongly made plural or possessive.

2) Sexism: The MC's society was matriarchal, which doesn't mean it wasn't sexist. It was, which was especially apparent when compared to the love interest's patriarchal society (which was also sexist). Thankfully, the sexism was mild, and in the end the MC came to some realizations about equality.

3) Too Much Action: This is purely a personal issue. I tend to zone out while reading lengthy, intricate action sequences, and there were a lot of them.



But there were good things too, like decent worldbuilding, a downplayed romance (although it did start to take over a little bit toward the end), and a kick-butt heroine. I really like the idea of this book—people getting kidnapped to another world and being forced to fight to the death inside an electrified dome, all in order to resurrect an evil goddess. The author writes fairly well, despite the errors I mentioned. Overall, however, I just didn't connect.

[summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Silver and Beasts is a story of loyalty, love, and faith. A story that was perfectly executed, complete with a complex plotline and excellent world building. The mythology aspect was the best component of OSAB, and is for sure one of the best mythology books I have read thus far.

The story follows a protector named Kaliope, whose unwavering loyalty gives her the job of protecting her empress. She is a total badass, while at the same time relatable due to her human tendencies. She did not make stupid or naïve decisions. She was actually a very smart girl, something not so common in YA/NA protagonists. *fist bumps*

And don’t even get me started on Caben. *giggles*

OSAB has many different aspects to the plot. Sometimes, books attempt to make their storylines seem complex and intricate, but they sadly fail. All the book succeeds in doing is in giving me a headache from the lack of explanations and overall sloppiness of how the plot was handled. What really made this book stand out was that not once was I confused about the plot. It was explained perfectly, and I personally believe that Trisha Wolfe did an outstanding job at the beginning of the novel in setting up the story and basic framework for the rest of the series.

At times I feel like I have no right to critique authors for their writing skills, as mine aren’t that great, but this is a problem I noticed from the reader’s standpoint. I am in no way implying that I can write better than the author; but, I felt compelled to point this out as it was noticeable. What I am referring to was that sometimes, the writing felt kind of choppy, although most of the time it was pretty good. This did not happen very often, but it occurred enough for me to take notice.

I became somewhat worried that based on how the book started out, that I would be bombarded with feminist ideals. Not that I don’t believe in gender equality, (am a strong supporter of it, actually) but I predicted that the author would weave not-so-subtle hints of feminism in this book, trying to force the reader to believe that men are stupid, selfish cowards who are much weaker than women. However, the author did NOT do this, thankfully. Instead of trying to prove that women are better than men the whole time and trying to shove this belief into our minds –which I would have thought she would have done, from how the story began- she used this belief to demonstrate Kaliope’s growth and change of beliefs throughout the story. Over time, Kaliope began to realize that it’s not women against men competing for the “better gender”, it’s actually that both genders are equal. (LOL, that’s a big ‘ol paragraph…)

I have come to the conclusion that anyone who is awesome enjoys mythology, so if you are awesome, read this book. Don’t expect a light read; OSAB is a book that has different elements to the plot that make the overall novel intriguing and captivating. The action scenes are intense and gripping. Frankly, I wonder if Trisha Wolfe holds some kind of magical abilities, her story is just that great, it is hard to comprehend the amount of effort she put into this beautifully-woven book.

[Farrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking amazing! I loved Of Silver and Beasts so much. Dark romance, warring goddesses, thrilling battles-this book has it all.

The atmosphere of this book was so well done. The feel of the entire book was dark, yet sensuous, and that feeling permeated throughout the whole story. I really liked how brilliantly done that was.

The world building for this book was also great. The world that the characters live in is very different. Caben's kingdom was a more traditional set up. Not a sexist place, but with the same old fashioned traditions that we still live with today. Meanwhile, Kaliope's world went to gender equality and a little more. Women rule the kingdom. Men don't really hold higher positions, even though they are respected. (Imagine what happens when they meet up with their clashing ideals). There weren't any holes in the world-building, from the kingdoms, to the mythology.

Kaliope was a very strong heroine, though I wouldn't expect anything else from one of Trisha's leading ladies. She has had a lot of pain in her past, but she fought it all. Not only that, she ended up in one of the most revered positions in her kingdom. She came off as a bit of a man-hater at first, with all the issues with her father and her quickness to judge Caben. But, she became more open minded as the story went on. She was a total beast. Definitely an awesome heroine.

Caben seemed like just a pampered prince when we first meet him. But, it would be a mistake to underestimate him. He's fiercely loyal to his people and those he loves. He's determined to do what he can to help in any situation. He is incredibly crafty and clever. And he can take anyone down in hand to hand combat. On top of that, he was intent on learning how to fight with weapons so that he could defend himself, his loved ones, and his kingdom. Basically, he was as much a total beast as Kaliope was. And he was so sweet. It was impossible not to fall for him.

The romance in this book developed steadily and believably. The heat slowly simmered between them. And it was definitely HOT. But, they were also very sweet together. Apart, they were strong, but, together, they were an unstoppable team. I loved Kaliope and Caben as a couple and I'm hoping that they get a happy ending.

The plot was fast paced. There were a ton of thrills and surprises along the way that had me hooked. And the ending was so epic! I can't wait to find out what happens next!

Of Silver and Beasts was a magnificent New Adult dark romance. Anyone who likes romance, thrills, secrets, and dark mythology should definitely read this book.

*I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review

[Jaime (Two Chicks on Books) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I beta'd this for Trish and it was fantastic!!!! Loved this one sooooooooooooooooo much :D

[Atmika Singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trisha Wolfe has a talent for storytelling and creating highly imaginative world. This time it's mostly dark with magic, action, violence, blood, mercury, goddesses and so much more. I really like Trisha Wolfe's writing. I've read two books by her and both have been equally amazing. I'm so glad that I signed up for the street team because how else were I to discover such a great author and get to read her books before everyone else.

The world building is great. It feels like you are reading some great mythology but it's all original creation. The world is so vivid, detailed and intricate that I believed it to be real. That's what makes a great fantasy novel. The power to make you believe in it's reality. Cavan is a queendom, a matriarchal society. I haven't read any book which explored such a culture. So that's definitely new and the feminist in me loved it. I seriously think that women make better leaders.

Nactue Guard is a group of women who are to protect the Empress. Kaliope is made the leader of the group but shortly afterwards, the Empress makes her charge of Prince Caben's safety who is the only living heir to their neighboring kingdom. He appears spoilt and proud at first testing Kaliope's patience but when Cavan is attacked by the other-worlders and they are abducted and taken below to a realm to fight for survival they form an alliance and connection.

Kaliope is brave, strong and tough. She cares for her friends and family. She believes the mercury running in her veins is a curse and tries to hide it from everyone. She builds a wall around herself and focuses only on her duties. She is fiercely loyal to the Empress and goddess. Kaliope is bad-ass and I love this in a heroine.
Caben is perfect. He is loyal, strong, clever and so sweet. I loved his smile. It made me want to smile too. He wants to escape to protect his Kingdom but he also cares about the people he loves and will go to any lengths to protect them.
The romance is slow, sweet and seductive. It's steamy and swoon-worthy. Wolfe sure writes great romantic scenes. It's so natural and right but it does not take over the entire plot.

The pace of the book is great. It's a read-in-one-sitting kinda book. So many unexpected things keep happening that you will keep turning pages. It will make you hold your breath and sometimes sigh in relief because seriously anything can happen. I hated the ending though in a way that I loved it. It's brutal and made me so angry and I want the next book so bad. The book is dark, there is a dystopian feel to it. There is violence and death. I recommend it to older teens. Fans of fantasy will love it. MUST READ!

[Rashika (is tired) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good NA FTW
I was going to say a whole bunch of other stuff but I cannot remember.

But read this. It's a quick read, had tons of actions, a good romance, likeable characters and a good plot. Let's not forget the world building though. That was pretty good too.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this story. Trisha always knows how to write amazing strong characters and slips in just enough chemistry to curl your toes. This is a must read.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***

Of Silver and Beasts by Trisha Wolfe
Book One of the Goddess Wars series
Publication Date: April 19, 2013
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC provided by the author

**Due to mature content, this book is intended for ages 17+**

Summary (from Goodreads):

In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.

When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena.

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.

What I Liked:

I really liked this book! I expected it to be excellent, because it came highly anticipated and promoted by the book blogging community. This book is the first book written by Trisha Wolfe that I have read (shh, don't tell her!), even though I have been a huge fan of hers for quite some time. It is mostly because of her upcoming novel Fireblood. Oh my GOSH, how I want that book.

Anyway. This book was awesome! The world-building, the plot, the characters, the romance... wow! I was very surprised by how well this book was written. Not that I did not expect it to be well-written, but I was gob-smacked by the superb quality! (no offense, Ms.Wolfe!)

The world-building was so, SO good. This book is a fantasy novel, and therefore, readers must get a feel for the world and the setting and the customs from the beginning. It is not always easy for the author to do this, with dumping a ton of information on the reader all at once. Ms. Wolfe did not have this problem. I got a fantastic understanding of the world of Cavan in the beginning and throughout the novel. This is an amazing fantasy world that Ms. Wolfe has created!

The mythology in this book is also excellent. I was never really confused about the goddesses and rituals and powers and whatnot. It was very obvious that Ms. Wolfe put a great deal of thought into the mythology of this book (not that she wouldn't put a great deal of thought into ANY part of the book).

The plot was all-around pretty good. Once we get to the cage fighting, not much happens, until the next big scenery jump. I liked the progression of Caben and Kaliope's relationship. That seemed to take over as the primary plot, when we as readers got to the cage fighting.

The romance was by no means overwhelming. This book was fantasy, and mythology, and then romance. I loved the romance in this book. I previously mentioned how the cage fighting part of the book is eclipsed by the romance, but it's more like they are dual plot-lines, but the romance is more prominent. I focused more on the romance than the cage fighting, because the romance was so sweet! No insta-love whatsoever. You can trust Ms. Wolfe to have her characters have a gradual progression of feelings! And yay for no love triangle! Always a plus with me.

Kaliope is an awesome protagonist. We know she will be tough and and kick-butt and loyal to the bone, but she is also sweet and caring and not always sure of herself. Her weaknesses make her strong, especially her mercury. I admire her, and I think that despite her tenacity, she is a lovely example of what I like see in Young Adult and/or New Adult fantasy books.

Caben is basically a perfect counterpart for Kaliope (if it's okay if I use the word "counterpart" without offending anyone). He is headstrong and courageous and slightly domineering but not in the overly alpha way where you just want to punch them in the face! Nah, he is great. I really, really like him. The scenes with him are my favorite - which is awesome, because he is in so many of them!

What I Did Not Like:

There was not too much that I did not like! A few minor things, really. I thought the pacing at the end was a bit rushed. Throughout the book, there was a slow pace, even with the action scenes. Not necessarily slow, but not quite fast either. But then the last 20% (ish) were really fast. But this was not too much of a hindrance! I just feel like while I savored the first 80%, I did not grasp the last 20% as well.

The plot is sort of slow, once we get to cage fighting. I expected this, because the majority of the book is at the cage fighting prison, but not much happens. Kaliope and Caben's relationship really develops, which is great! There are fights, some theories, but not too much. I don't know, maybe I just expected more.

The ending. Brace yourself. All does NOT end well. But there are more books in this series!

Would I Recommend It:


YES, totally! I absolutely LOVE fantasy (it's my favorite genre!), but I feel like I haven;t read a lot of good ones recently. This one is definitely an EXCELLENT fantasy novel. And it's a New Adult age level novel! So, you New Adult fans will love this book! It's also got a steampunk feel to it. Definitely heavy on mythology. This book is so diverse! Everyone could read it (and hopefully like it!).

Rating:


4 stars. I anxiously await Of Darkness and Crowns!

[Kimberly (Book Swoon) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Silver and Beasts is a New Adult Dark Fantasy by Trisha Wolfe, featuring one awesome, derriére kicking heroine. There was enough action and drama to keep me turning the pages, as well as a unique world setting and a touch of romance.

The Summary:

Kaliope has just been chosen as leader of the Nactue Guard, whose duty is to protect her Empress. When neighboring land is under attack by the Otherworlders, it becomes Kaliope’s duty to protect Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. Have patience with Prince Caben, if you think he’s a pain in the butt like I did, but just give him a chance because he turns out great later.

What happens next is where some serious action happens. In the midst of attack on the Empress and the City of Cavan, Kaliope and Prince Caben are kidnapped and taken to the crazy underground arena. Get ready for some serious fight sequences, strange creatures, and some swoon worthy romance as they fight for lives.


The Setting:

There are two great settings in Of Silver and Beasts, both have some great setting descriptions given by the author and wonderful details put into the world building, making me feel like I was right there with Kaliope.

The beginning of the story takes place in the City of Cavan where Kaliope is about to become part of the Empress’s Nactue Guard. The city conjures up images of vast, sweeping deserts with Towering glass buildings. In the City of Cavan, women are trained to be warriors for their Empress. This is why Kaliope is such a great fighter, and plays an important part later on in the book.

The second setting takes place after the City of Cavan has been attached by Otherworlders. Kaliope and Prince Caben are captured and taken to an underground arena. It is here where they must fight for their lives in a giant domed cage. I lOVED this part of the book; the setting along with the great fighting sequences really make this book happen. It reminded me of gladiator style arena, but here you have not only men and women fighting, but bizarre monsters, who have been scientifically mutated by the Otherworlders, fighting against one another. It’s crazy and awesome all at the same time!

The Characters:

I really like both of the main characters Kaliope and Prince Caben. Kaliope is this awesome woman who has been trained to be a warrior, but deep down inside she has insecurities just like the rest of us, especially about the mercury inside her blood. Her character had a lot of emotional growth in the story. She needs to save her empress, protect the Prince, find a sacred relic, and kick some serious mutated monster butt! Nothing too much for a heroine like Kaliope.

Oh my gosh, when I first started reading about Prince Caben, I thought he was totally stuck up. But I quickly changed my mind once I got to know his character better, then I really liked him, a lot. One of the best things about Prince Caben’s character is how he supports Kaliope, especially after they are capture and have to fight in the arena.

The Love Interest:

Amid all the action and fighting, there is a wonderfully slow building, romance between Kaliope and Prince Caben. There’s a lot of back and forth banter between the two, building great tension, leading to Swoon worthy romance!

Swoon Factor:

Amore. This is a New Adult Fantasy genre. The main focus is definitely the fantasy/science fiction element, but it also has a mature romance that is classy, but smoldering.

Swoon Factor "Quote"

He (Caben) pulls his head back, and his gaze trails over my face. I glance at the glowing rivers lighting my arms and know what he sees-the swirling mercury on my face; around my eyes.

His thumb skims my cheek. “You're my goddess.” Then his lips fall to mine as he rolls me to lie beside him.

What I liked:

This is my first book by Trisha Wolfe, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I’m really glad I was given the opportunity to read Of Silver and Beasts. I just need to say that the actions scenes featuring Kaliope were by far my favorite parts of the book, along with the great setting details.

What I would have liked or felt could have been better:

The only thing that comes to mind is at the very beginning of the book it seemed a little slow, but that didn’t last long. For me, Of Silver and Beasts was nearly perfect, and definitely a great read.

The Ending:

If you're a fan of Fantasy and Science Fiction, and looking for a story with a strong female Main Character, and like great action and fighting scenes, then I think you should definitely check out Of Silver and Beasts.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

I received this book from the author in exchange for a my honest review.

[Briana · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Jaiden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at: Girls on YA Books

~Review:
I am going to start off by saying,..Don’t ever underestimate Trisha Wolfe. It will make you feel like a fool. Now, that being said, Trisha, I have never underestimated you. No. Not one bit. With every story of hers I am blown away. She has an incredible talent that I am glad she hasn’t let go to waste. I tend ti have the nasty habit of reading a books synopsis and then completely forgetting what it is about when I start it, jumping into a book without reading the synopsis, or skimming the synopsis and totally not understanding what the book is supposed to be about. I kind of like it though. I never do it on purpose but it always turns out for the better. Ok, well maybe not always but most of the time. Where am I going with this?

Yes, I skimmed the synopsis and had no clue what the heck I was getting into. All I knew was the author was Trisha Wolfe and the cover was really pretty xD Was it one of those books that turned out for the better because I didn’t read the synopsis? Well I wouldn’t say because of it but yes. It had positive results. I just find that I am pleasantly surprised when I do so. I did end up going back to Goodreads and reading the synopsis…but moral of the story: I am bad with synopsis’, Trisha Wolfe is amazing so I have full trust in her amazingness to not read the synopsis, Of Silver and Beasts has a pretty cover, and this book was really really good.

I don’t know how she does it but Trisha can take one of the most unusual plots and turn it into something magnificient. Seriously. Where did this book come from? Who would have thought of it? Not me that’s who! I can’t express how great this author is. Just how amazing her writing and stories are, so is she. Trisha is one of my most favorite authors. She is like a buddy-‘ol pall. ;D Knowing what a great person she is gives a positive feedback for her book. No, that does not mean this review is bias. I give credit to authors as authors and authors as people separately. I may love the author but dislike the book. I have sworn to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth so don’t worry your little heads. ;D

One other thing Trisha has down pact is her tragedies. People, I can’t number the times her stories have ruined my swollen my heart with love and then completely deflated it because of her endings. She is one cruel mistress. The endings leave you wanting nothing but more and hanging on a thread because of the wait. Now, I feel as if I have been talking too much about my synopsis problems and Trisha’s book as a whole so I am going to get a bit more focused k? K.

Of Silver and Beasts is extremely unique. It kind of had that whole “Hunger Game” feel but…better. I liked how Trisha could take a huge world-wide plot and completely make it her own. So now that I have mentioned the Hunger Games, you may as well know that things get pretty intense, thrilling, action packed, and tragic. I felt pain for the characters that didn’t have any real part in the story. There is one part in particular that killed me. It was a pairing of blood (you will get that when you read it…hopefully). The reaction of the other killed. The devastation, anger and emotion that Trisha managed to get through was tragic. Tragic. That word will pop into your head a lot when you read it.

I can’t really say more for fear of too many spoilers but know this: Of Silver and Beasts is a spectacular book that seized my heart. I am highly anticipating book two. I think you all should read it! If you have never read anything by Mrs. Wolfe before might as well start now! The characters in this book were wonderful and I enjoyed reading from the protagonists point of view. She was a great heroine and the hero…DAMN! That boy is HOT ;D I love him to no end. Oh goodness….I can feel spoilers trying to pull themselves to the surface. I might as well go. Moral of this review: Read. Read. Read. Of Silver of Beasts and the author are amazing. There is no room for disappointment.


~Rating:

4 of 5 stars!!!

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Check out my tour stop for the book here to read an excerpt!

Before I get through the gist of this review, let me just say that I loved this book. And that anything I might continue to say may sound like complete gibberish. Because holy geez, Of Silver and Beasts was amazing! So many feels, magic, action - everything I love!

Let's start off with the plot! Like most YA fantasy or adventure stories I like, there's action, fight scenes, magic, etc. Basically the quick, readable, entertaining stuff that usually keeps me reading. What I didn't expect though, was how the novel really hooked me in, keeping me past midnight to finish. Sure, usually the action in any novel will maintain my interest, but the different feels in the novel also captivated me. For the sake of not spoiling the plot, let's just say "bad things" happen. Though I hated that bad things had to happen, these things do keep me reading! It seemed like every time something devastating happened, I just had to find out what happens next, in hope that Kal somehow will save the day. Eventually, she would do something to help out, only to have something else happen to someone she cares about. Of course this cycle went on and on until the book ends, while I cry for more.

But the story wouldn't be this captivating without the feels. SO. MANY. FEELS. As I said before, there are some pretty bad things that happened, but there was one particular thing in the end that I just hated. And of course by that, I also mean that I loved it, however much sense that makes. Admittedly, you can somewhat predict it would happen, but still, it's so devastating! Again, however much this might make sense, in my head it was like, how-could-you-do-this-to-me-argh-why-why-why-where's-the-next-book-how-dare-you-end-it-this-way-but-wait-i-love-you.

And of course there's the characters! Kal initially came off as a bit cold of a character, but definitely a strong one. However, I liked that eventually you get to see her more vulnerable side, when her loved ones are faced in terribly dangerous situations. I also admired her undying loyalty towards the Queen and her duty - I can't imagine doing something like that myself! The rest of the Nactue Guard was also admirable, though I'd love to see more of them! (Or *slight spoiler* what's left of them dun dun dun...)

Like the one in Astarte's Wrath , the romance here in Of Silver and Beasts was also slowly developed, but just as sweet, intense, and delicious. Unlike Astarte's Wrath or many other fantasy-romance novels, however, the romance isn't so much the center of the story, or very obvious from the beginning. Nonetheless, I really enjoyed the development of the romance and the love interest himself. Trust me, the romance is definitely swoonworthy and full of chemistry.

One more thing I feel like I should mention is the world. The part of the world you see in the majority of the novel is much darker than I expected, with a gladiator ring and ferocious beasts of sorts. Mercury, technology and different gods also plays a vital part in the world, though I'm hoping there's more of that explained in the next book. Overall, though, I thought the world Trisha Wolfe built here was solid and intriguing!

Clearly, Of Silver and Beasts is a novel that I just can't stop fangirling about! I enjoyed everything in the novel, and was immensely swayed by the different emotions and characters. If you're looking for a NA fantasy, dark fantasy-romance, or paranormal romance, pick this one up ASAP - you won't be disappointed!

* Thank you to Trisha Wolfe & the Tuff Girl Legion for the review copy!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You're to do great things, Protector Kaliope." Removing his ring, he slips it on my thumb. Then he kisses my palm. "And I love you more than any other."

CURSE THE GODDESSES!!! How can you do this to me Trisha?! She has once again managed to turn me into a weeping mess at the end of this book. After Astarte's Wrath, I just got so addicted to her writing and since I've been on a serious fantasy withdrawal before these books, I instantly devoured them and can't seem to get enough of them. So yes, for all you fantasy/supernatural/paranormal lovers out there---GO READ TRISHA WOLFE'S BOOKS IF YOU STILL HAVEN'T STARTED YET!

I'm still trying to recover from everything that happened because it was just so epic. Once again, Trisha has managed to blow my socks off with the world that she uniquely created in this book. It was fantasy because of the goddesses, but it also had a futuristic and dystopian touch to it as well. I admit at times, I can't seem to get my head to wrap around all the details because it was just so elaborate and unique but I did love every single one of it nevertheless. I've read quite a lot of fantasy and dystopian novels and I really have to applaud Trisha again for painting a very unique world that I haven't encountered before.

What I loved about this story is the perfect combination of suspense, action, and romance. So we meet Kaliope, our very strong-willed Nactue leader who only had one thing in mind: serve and protect the empress of her queendom. But then the threat of the Otherworlders escalated quickly and just a few days after she was given her position as Nactue, all hell literally broke loose in their land and she was abducted alongside Prince Caben down to the Otherworld. So let's talk a bit about Prince Caben. I honestly hated his guts just as much as Kaliope did at first because he just seemed so stubborn, sneaky, and way over his head. But with all the things he and Kal went through together, you just know that their bond was already set in place and that their attraction grew with every single day they spent together. If you read Astarte's Wrath, you'd know that one of the steamiest moments there happened inside a bath and just to give you a small spoiler, Kal and Caben's first real steamy moment also started while they were submerged in a body of water. I just loved how their relationship progressed even while they were being held as prisoners because more than just being romantic lovers, they were also each other's best friend, companion, partner-in-crime, and source of sanity. So yes, Prince Caben transformed from being a seemingly hot-headed, cocky, spoiled prince to a swoony, loyal, and strong man in love.

But don't get me wrong, this book wasn't really just about the romance--it was more about all the suspense, action, and gut-wrenching twists and turns. I really don't want to spoil anything about this part because every single moment is worth discovering on your own but I do have to mention one of my most favorite parts--The Reckoning. It was a bit like Hunger Games but set in a cage, between two people and so much more gruesome. I don't know if I'm just bloodthirsty but I kinda got disappointed that some violent scenes were not described fully in detail. But all the fights did have me at the edge of my seat because you just don't know what the outcome could be. After that, I got the shock of a lifetime with the revelation as to WHY all these were happening and had to happen in the first place. I really did not see that coming. And of course, more action ensued and before I knew it, I was tearing up uncontrollably as the story ended on a heartbreaking cliffhanger. Yep, that definitely undid me but even though it was kind of tragic and painful, it still held so much promise and hope that I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel!

[Emily Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Silver and Beasts was a truly engaging story. Ms. Wolfe has written another fascinating tale that provides near constant entertainment. Though I wasn't sure what to expect at first, I applaud Trisha Wolfe for gifting readers with another imaginative tale.

Kaliope, or Kal as she is affectionately referred, is head of the Nactue, those who guard the empress of her homeland, Cavan. She would do anything to keep her empress, kingdom and people safe--including babysitting another kingdom's prince as his own home is destroyed by Otherworlders. When a surprise attack on Cavan leads to not only Caben, the prince, and Kal's capture, but unravelling of her homeland, Kal plans to do everything in her power to keep Caben safe and save her home. This includes protecting Caben (and maybe, just maybe falling in love with him), fighting to the death in a caged arena, battling inhuman enemies and stealing back the relic that gives her empress power and life.

While over time I grew fond of him, Caben was not originally a character for whom I cared. He's selfish, arrogant and, a times, pretty sexist. His relationship with Kal is a trigger for character growth and as the novel continued, you could see him changing for the better. Kal was a strong character. Her devotion and determination make her a very relatable young woman. We didn't see into the lives of the minor characters too much, but I am fond enough of them to hope they play a larger role in the future of the series.

The world-building was pretty dang good. Though here and there I had difficulty imagining some elements of the story, the author handles this fantasy excellently. The settings and background of the story were absolutely brilliant. There were several themes that I hadn't often read before that were intriguing, including a society where women play a more dominant role than men. Ms. Wolfe handles this with grace. Not only is her story fantastical, but her writing style will draw in its readers very quickly. Time will pass by faster than you thought because you will be sucked into the story until the very end!

Alas, I must admit that Of Silver and Beasts did not have my full attention immediately, but rather I gradually warmed up to the story and its characters. The plot moved a bit too slowly at points--which is the main reason for the "near constant entertainment." I also was eagerly anticipating the romance of this story as I am especially fond of the relationships Ms. Wolfe creates and when it didn't appear in the very beginning, I was somewhat disheartened. As the story progressed, so did my enjoyment of the story and by the end, I was sad that it was over. I can say with full honesty that I am looking forward to the next installment. So many things are left unanswered… I can't wait to see how everything unfolds!

As there is some mature content in this, I would recommend this to older young adult/new adults fans looking for a fantasy. Of Silver and Beasts is sure to draw its readers in and have them more than ready for the sequel once they reach the end--because really… WHAT THE HECK!

I received an e-copy of this novel from the author for my honest opinion and review.

This review can also be found at my blog, Book Jems!

[Tee Loves Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've kept my mercury-tainted blood a secret for fifteen years, with the exception of those closest to me. Now at nineteen, I plan to advance with the rest of the protectors today--normal, unblemished. I won't be pitied. I've earned my spot among them as an equal. ~Kaliope, Loc 58

Trisha Wolfe has consistently amazed me with her ability to create these worlds and characters that are so entirely captivating. Of Silver and Beasts is arguably her most raw and gripping tale yet, with the story of Kaliope, the mercury-blooded girl who is the protector of her kingdom's empress. The whole premise of their kingdom, with women being revered and leading the roles that in most societies would be the responsibility of the men, was really neat, and feminist side of me was in the corner jumping for joy! Kaliope made one hell of a heroine along with her fellow Nactue Guards, and this unique dystopian storyline just got creepier and more disturbing as the pages flew by!

I loved both Kaliope and Caben; not only were they good together, but they were just cool characters in general. Her rather disturbing yet completely fascinating condition was such a neat plot twist, and I loved how the mercury flowing within her was such a great source of power for her. And Caben, while coming across as a spoiled little nobleman at first, turned out to be strong and determined when it came to Kaliope and their plight. Their world was crumbling around them, but Kaliope never faltered in her faith in her goddess, and Caben never doubted that she had the strength to help them somehow make it out alive.

When the action started, I could tell right away this was not going to be easy on the nerves. Kaliope and Prince Caben both had strong will to fight, but when they were taken underground with the Otherworlders it didn't look good for anyone. In a sport reminiscent of the Hunger Games, people were forced to fight to the death in gruesome battles where anything goes, including some nausea-inducing mutilation to help the odds. My nerves were completely shot after reading this, I mean nothing was held back in making you feel like you're right there in the thick of this terrifying world! I was holding my breath every time Kaliope and her Prince had to face their own matches, and throughout the suspense there were some great moments that had my heart racing!

Fans of Trisha Wolfe will of course love seeing her prove yet again the brilliance of her creative mind, and I myself can't wait for the next book in this series!!


"Let's go see the court horses." He turns and starts toward the palace. "I assume you at least stable your horses equally. Or are only female horses thought of as good enough for the court?"
Walking up beside him, I smile. "Oh no, Your Highness. They're all stallions." I slant my eyes his way. "We think males are only good for mounting." ~Caben and Kaliope, Loc 758

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so fortunate to have received this from Trish a few weeks ago to read. Because this book is nothing short of amazing. I was hooked from the minute I started reading and I could not put it down. I was immediately pulled into the land of Cavan and into Kaliope's world.

Kaliope is one kick ass female and you all know by now how much I love fierce, strong protagonists in my books. Kaliope has gone through some major trials in her past and still bears a heavy burden. She feels that her clamp in her chest is a curse, where her mother had always praised the goddess that it was a gift. Not many know of the stolen mercury that runs through her blood and Kaliope prefers to keep it that way. She serves as one of the Empress's Protectors and she puts duty and honor above all else. Upon receiving a promotion to be the leader of the prestigious Nactue Guard, her first assignment is to protect a prince (the last of his line) from a neighboring kingdom.

When we first meet the prince, Caben, he is arrogant, stubborn, and a bit pig-headed. He and Kaliope do not hit it off in the beginning at all. She feels that she should be protecting the Empress, as is her duty, not baby-sitting a petulant prince. However, after they are attacked and captured, Kaliope will not waver from protecting her charge.

I liked Kal and Caben. I felt their relationship came naturally and didn't feel forced at all. They both find themselves in a less than desirable situation and must depend on each other to stay alive. Watching Caben chip away at Kaliope's protective exterior made my heart melt. Having been betrayed by the man she calls her father, she never thought she would give her heart to any man. And yes, Trisha sure knows how to write those scenes that make you swoon! :)

"He wraps me in his arms, pulling me closer to his chest. My mouth presses against his, motionless, unsure—and he nips my bottom lip with his teeth. I gasp, and his tongue darts inside. Lips parting and closing, his tongue tangling with mine, Caben guides me to match his rhythm. My fear subsides as we steal each other’s breath."

I loved how devoted Kal was to her friends and her fellow Protectors. She was always willing to put herself at risk for the sake of others and I think that right there tells you just what kind of person Kal really is. Up until the very end, Kaliope is willing to make the hard sacrifices to protect the ones she loves.

What one word would I use to describe Kal? Resilient.

I cannot wait for Of Darkness and Crowns- especially after the ending to this book!!! Oh, and she mentioned it was going to have Caben's POV... *fans self*

*I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.*

[♥ Rebecca ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review can also be found on my blog: A Match Made in Heaven

I was a bit disappointed with this since I have come to expect so much from Trisha Wolfe. I really wanted to love this, but I couldnt.

First of all, the world it was set in really drove me crazy. I couldnt stand the idea of a matriarchy. Its not like I want to be ruled by men, but it should be equality and anything else just feels wrong. Kal tried to explain that it wasnt about forcing men to obey, but to show respect and a woman's need to protect her family. I dont care how it is justified its still wrong. And I know Kal came around in the end, and that was part of her journey. Learning that men are just as useful as women. But it was still infuriating. At the end, when Kal is like, "Hey, Caben can take care of himself after all. Maybe he is good for something." And I am just thinking, "No shit!" It didnt make it any easier for me. I still hated everything about her society, and couldnt really come around to her either because of it. It nearly ruined the whole book for me.

I didnt really like Kaliope anyways. She was so dedicated to becoming a Nactue and had trained since she was 12 years old. But within her first few days of duty, she is already breaking every order she is given. How could she be so bad at it if she had been training most of her life, and it mean everything to her? She was rude and condescending and so full of herself. I enjoyed Caben but I dont really get what he saw in Kal, besides her physical bad-assness. She was so mean to him. Their relationship felt really forced to me. I didnt feel a real connection, and when they had sex it felt too soon.

But I enjoyed the story's mythology, and I look forward to finding out more about the goddesses. I usually love the worlds of high fantasy, so hopefully Of Darkness and Crowns wont have as much misandry and can focus more on developing other aspects of the world. This also had a great deal of well written action sequences and a fully capable heroine. So I will read the sequel, but my expectations arent too high.

[Ashley Knapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

Trisha Wolfe is such an awesome world painter. The entire world, this book takes place in, comes to life as you read. I found Of Silver and Beasts to be an original and refreshing read for me. I love the idea behind the book, and the execution of it was spot on. We are taken on a ride to the queendom of Cavan where Mercury is the main power source and so very important. We are given characters that are full of depth and rich in their our individual roles.

Kaliope is our main character. She is, with no better way to put it, kick ass. She is a strong and capable heroine. She is driven and determined to protect and serve the queendom she resides in. Even when given orders she does not want to follow, she carries them out to the best of her ability. I loved how loyal she is to her friends. She does not take any of them for granted, and she appreciates each friendship. She would die for her friends, because they have also became her sisters. She learns about herself and what she is capable of throughout the course of the book. She has to accept her abilities and realize that she is not invincible.

Our main guy is Prince Caben. He is a swoon worthy hero. He is serious in his commitments to his realm and grows to want to save the other realms just as much as his own. He is full of surprises and keeps our Kaliope on her toes. I love his humor and wit. He has such a likable and rich personality. He helps bring this book to life.

What can I say? I really enjoyed this. I couldn't put it down once I started and I didn't want it to end when it did. I want the next one as of yesterday. (I don't handle cliffhangers well.) The adventure and story of Kaliope and Caben has only just begun and I CAN NOT wait to continue on with it.

Find more of my reviews @ Caught Reading Redheaded

[Lea (Between fantasy and reality) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy Trisha Wolfe’s books and the worlds she creates but the world of Of Silver and Beasts is definetly my favorite. I love the socities she created, the mythology and the whole world is simply wonderful. Especially the Cavan, where women have the power and men are also respected. Kaliope is one awesome character. I admire the ability of Trisha Wolfe to create such strong and independent women who carry a lot on their shoulders yet they still kick-ass on a daily basis and Kalipoe is one prime example. She is fierce, loyal, smart and determined yet she also has a softness to her which she hides. Then comes Caben , the prince of another kingdom, with different rules, so of course their personalities clash, especially when Kal’s new duty is to protect him. Enter a lot of bickering and fights, dangerous situations and a battle to survive, they fall in love. To cut to the chase, Of Silver and Beasts is a book filled with action and passion and many surprises thrown our way and I fiercely recommend it to everyone. It is such a fantastic story.

[Ria · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are so many dimensions to this book I enjoyed every spectrum...The ending is heart breaking but all the characters know what they must do. The next book is going to be sooooo good!! I’m pining AWAY...ALREADY!


My Rating

4.5 Mercury, Clamps, Fathers, Goddesses, Reckoning, Grimmal, Moon Goddess filled stars!! For an amazing adventure in a beautiful new world full of action, love, and the power struggles between Gods. Go GET Of Silver and Beasts!!


Full Review @ http://www.abookishescape.com/2013/05...

Laters Baby

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a free book off of Amazon, I wasn't expecting too much from this book. Boy, was I surprised! It gave me such a feeling of nostalgia for my roleplaying history that I couldn't help but devour this. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one!

[Michelle Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHOA! Just holy freakin' wow!

A more articulate review coming soon.

[Bj]

Free on Amazon as of 2/18/15!

[Haley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5, maybe slightly more.

This is one of the better Kindle books I've read. Sure, it could have used some more editing, but it was well-paced, interesting, and pretty original as far as the world goes.

Kaliope was mostly very strong and believable. But she also had a fit of stubbornness anytime someone (Caben) tried to help her, and it did get a bit tiring that she always saw the offer of help to mean she was viewed as incapable or weak. I like stubborn characters, but she was so consistently determined to be stubborn for stubborn's sake that I found it hard to feel for her sometimes.

Caben was my favorite character. I found him a acceptable mix of humor and compassion and strength, far more willing than Kaliope to let go of his stubbornness when the time called for it.

I also liked the contrasts between the matriarchal and patriarchal societies in which Kaliope and Caben respectively lived. I'm seeing a lot of reviews that think Cavan is just full of reverse sexism, but I didn't see it that way. Yes, it had some flaws in the system, in treating men as a little too weak rather than equals, but come on, it was nowhere near as bad as the actual patriarchy we live in. They didn't treat men as worthless, just less, and I found it realistic for the society to have that flaw. So Kaliope and Caben discovering those flaws, that men and women are different but equals... The growth worked for me.

But the world still felt, overall, unfinished. I wanted much richer details about the systems, about the alliances between kingdoms, and about the religions. I was given just enough information to let me know what was happening and to keep me in the loop, but no more. So it was hard to place myself in Cavan or in the Otherworlders' underground kingdom, because I just couldn't picture them as a whole. And I need way more info about those goddesses!

Also, I agree with other readers than the romance started slow and interesting, but then turned immediately to instalove. Kaliope has never felt anything for any man, but she suddenly completely and utterly loves Caben? I loved him too, but for her, it felt like a relationship of convenience. It's the first guy she's ever spent time with, but he's perfect for her? And she's totally willing to jump into a relationship while they're essentially trapped in a gladiator ring? Hmm.

Finally, the plot was interesting, but the middle is a bit slow. Lots of exciting action and fight sequences, and good information gathered, but I think the fights make it seem like more is happening that is actually being accomplished. Otherwise, I was pleased with the pacing, especially toward the end.

Finally, what annoyed me most was the way they kept excusing the abuse Kaliope's dad inflicted on her and her mother. Like, it is CLEAR that he was abusive—he literally shot his daughter up with lethal mercury just to save himself from the law—and that the reason Kaliope attacked him so long ago is because he was beating her mother, but then Kaliope feels so bad and so guilty for the entire book for using her mercury powers to drive him mad to stop him. HE WAS ABUSING YOUR MOTHER, I DON'T CARE HOW VIOLENTLY YOU STOPPED THAT FROM HAPPENING. It was treated like it was shameful, when it should have been a good thing that she fought back.

That sounds like a lot of criticisms, but I really did enjoy my times reading this. I liked Kaliope's determination and strength, and the way she and Caben let their walls down. I loved the unsteady alliances, and the desperation to stay alive and keep everyone safe. I extra loved the way they stayed allied at the end as Kaliope rebuilds the Nactue with these unusual people. I thought the action was written wonderfully and didn't shy from violence. And I'm looking forward to learning more about the goddesses in the sequel and finding out how everything comes together!

[Sierra Clothier · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a beautifully written fantasy that to me is more YA than adult. It's wild and thrilling, delving deep into the minds of people and the goddesses they covet. I think the book has a bit of an identity crisis, but all in all it was a fantastic ride and I'm desperate to read book 2.

The blurb says at the bottom a dark fantasy romance. I don't see it as dark, even though there was a couple of chilling scenes. And the cover I've seen, while stunning, doesn't say fantasy in any way. There is also only one small sex scene that was almost fade to black and very tame. I actually thought it was appropriate, but it just points more toward YA.

I loved the scene that was pivotal in the relationship between Kal and Caben in The water. It was subtle and delicate in the pits of despair they were in. And I adored how the highest honor was given to women only: Protector of the Queen. Women are strong and fierce in this story and I can't get enough!

[Jassica Sun · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could have been great, but I just felt that it was a little monotonous and it didn’t evoke much emotions in me to be there in the situations with the characters. Plus the lead female character was a little annoying with her saviour complex.

[JWinter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, action packed book.