Rise of the King: (A Bird Shifter Novel)

King of Prey #4

by Mandy M. Roth

Rise of the King Paranormal Bird Shifter RomanceWarrior, bastard, outcast, traitor to his kind, these are all labels Lazar has worn for the past several years, since he took a stand against the actions of a mad king. He’s defended the Kingdom of the Hawks even though the blood of the Falcons runs through his veins. He’s bedded their women, drank their mead and protected their king. None of that makes him one of them. An empty pit has been in his stomach for years, believing his true mate perished long ago. When he learns she’s alive, he has to not only win her over, but also make her understand men who can shift into birds aren’t the things of nightmares.They’re real, and he’s one of them.Sabrina lives a relatively sheltered life. Her overprotective uncle means well but can sometimes go too far. When he shows up with a sexy hunk she’s dreamed about, it’s all Sabrina can do to control her emotions. As old lies are uncovered, she has to decide if she should open her heart to a man who has made using women an art form and who also happens to have wings. Plus, he’s more than just any old shifter male. He’s the rightful king of the Falco, and it’s time he rose to his position and accepted his destiny, even if that destiny includes her. King of Prey King of Prey A View to a Kill Master of the Hunt Rise of the King Prince of Pleasure Prince of Flight

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Romance, Shapeshifters, Fantasy, Short Stories, Magic

242 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 2012

About the author

NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Mandy M. Roth® loves 80s music and movies and wishes leg warmers would come back into fashion. She also thinks the movie The Breakfast Club should be mandatory viewing for…okay, everyone. When she’s not dancing around her office to the sounds of the 80s, she’s busy writing paranormal operatives and kick-butt urban fantasy heroines. Mandy lives in Oxford, Mississippi with her husband and three boys. She has sold over 2 million books. Mandy has published with Harlequin, Random House/ Virgin Books, numerous small presses, and has had an amazingly successful indie career. She’s had bestselling books in a multitude of categories and genres at Amazon, Nook, Google Play, Apple Books, and Kobo.

Reviews

[JessI Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good update on Lazar, but I hate the cliffhanger, I was ready for the action to follow against his brother.

[Abra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I have no idea how this book got such good ratings. It is truly terrible - I basically hate-read it.

The bird men come from bird planet and have bird gods as they are all described. There are portals to Earth that the bird men can fly through. The only women you meet in bird society are either in a harem or work in the kitchen. The poor kitchen maids have a part time job of having to have sex with the various males around as well as working in the kitchen. The bird men despise them and call them whores. The harem workers have to not only service the king, but his brothers and men as well. They are also called whores. There are no other bird women mentioned. None. The only women with any power are the human women who mate the various members of the royal families.

A few of the books have the bird man hero masturbating in a hall or the kitchen and leaving the mess for the maids (who also have sex with them and are also despised) to clean up. There is also a lot of time spent describing the hero's sexual past and how extensive it is, which is not surprising considering they're hundreds of years old, but the way they describe women is unpleasant.

One star because of all the above and because the hero is a complete tool. This book gives the bird men increased powers. They can have dream sex with the woman who will be their mate. Lazar is the brother of the mad king of the falcons and the woman is half bird woman.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rise of the whore.

[Eva Millien · Rating 5 out of 5]

All these years Lazar though his mate had died but now he’s found out that she is very much alive and that the time has come for him rise up and take his place in this thrilling paranormal romance. The strong and captivating characters and the fascinating tale held me spellbound from the very beginning and I can’t wait to read the next one as the war with the Falcon’s grows closer. The stories are quick and sizzling romances that I recommend being read in order to get the full impact of the Accipitriadae way of life although you don’t have to.

4.5 STARS

“Copyright Night Owl Reviews”©

See my full review at:

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/v5/Rev...

[Mom23greatboys · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not always a fan of novellas, but this was great. The story doesn’t feel rushed. The destined mate thing helps as well as that they knew of each other when she was a child and they dream shared. I almost gave this five stars but I just loved the story and characters so much that I felt they deserved more story. Granted some of it may be dealt with as a side story in the next but I would have loved to see how the heroine dealt with the issue that the hero basically was slept with every women around the castle. I’m wondering how she’ll deal with it now that’s she’s living at the castle. I know he wouldn’t cheat but it’s got to cause some issues. Overall a very enjoyable read, especially for kindle unlimited.

[Diana Ricketts · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was one of my favorites for the series. I liked Gardelle and loved how he called out Lazar on his man-whoring ways. I thought it was high time one of these heroes got called out for sleeping with anything that moves. Gardelle was protective and wanted the best for Sabrina. I did like Lazar though. Once he found his mate that was it, he didn't look at any other woman again which didn't particularly happen all the time in the other books. Sabrina was a great character. She had a spunky personality and it only got better when she was around Lisa. The only thing that threw me was I thought more conflict would be resolved between the enemy and Lazar due to their relationship. It just would have made sense to end that particular conflict in this book. Overall it was a good read.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

King Lazar is the true king of the Falcos and he thought that his mate had died at a young age, when she has actually been living in the human realm cared for by her uncle.

There was so much potential here for a more detailed story, a bit more about the two warring kings, what is the bird madness that the current king suffers from etc. We didn't get much of that and Sabrina felt far to much like a blonde bubble airhead, who then turns into this awesome warrior seemingly out of nowhere.

There was also a lack of story in relation to who was the rightful king to the throne, as that seems to have been left for the other books in the series. Each book is focused on new character so you I don't feel you will get the full story on this

[Pam Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Lazar's has found his mate. What a cool story. I loved the interaction mandy has with her characters in the books and builds on them from book to book. In the story we get to hear a bit about the bad king that Lazar's left and how his mind is slipping into dark madness as the old king did. But he has his good days? Hmm oh and a secret about Larzar's. Yea your going to have to read the book to know that one lol. Anyways I LOVE this book what a great read. If your into bird shifters or shifters at all this book it for you.

[Mary Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am addicted to this series. The characters are great and so is the world. This one is about our residents falcon among the hawks. Unlike the fmcs from the other books she is only part human. However, she was raised human and has no clue birdmen existed outside her dreams. Or for that matter the man who raised her is one. She has the BEST friend ever we only see briefly, but I hope we see her again! Some of the past characters are also supporting here so I love that they don't just disappear they still play important roles.

[Mary Lou Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories just keep getting better

This series has it all—a plot that stretches through all the books, characters that make the reader like them, plenty of action, and romance, too. It’s been nice to watch the characters grow throughout the stories. I’d recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys shifter stories and the paranormal. My only complaint is that the books are too short, but that can be overlooked considering the quality of the stories. If these stories sound like your cup of tea, dive in and enjoy.

[CaroMommie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so incredibly good. The characters were phenomenal and relatable as heck. The word and scene building took my breath away.

The chemistry and passion was heated, I could feel it leap from the page. It’s also a page turner to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Do all you can to get this book, it is worth ALL of your time.

[crystal smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such good series

I really love this book I hope he is able to claim his throne as king and the Falcons and the Hawks can be reunited I can't wait to see what continues to happen in the other books

[Critterlovr · Rating 4 out of 5]

All of these are short novellas. Each is the story of one of the men meeting their human mate. The falling in love, sex, mating ritual, etc are very brief. What makes these stories worth it are the bantering amongst the characters, in my opinion.

[Anne Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving these bird shifters.

[S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Humm

Very slowly the plot grows as each book goes. Again with the fast paced storylines and looking forward to the future endings.

[Heidi Bankston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cant put it down.

I love pretty much anything Mandy M Roth Writes. 😍 I am definitely going to be sleep deprived. I am down loading the next book right now. 😊

[Irma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read but it does kind of end with a cliffhanger which I'm not a fan of.

[Pet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this story had more closure. We know war is coming but are left hanging a little there.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too much man whore for me in this one. Otherwise it was good.

[Leanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once a proud member of the Falco Pereginus, past events made Lazar a traitor to his own kind, for saving King Kabril's mate. And the king is a sworn enemy of the Falcons.
So now he lives amongst the Buteo Regalis,(the royal Hawks), drinks his fill of their mead and is widely known for sleeping with their women whether they be the help or whores he is not a picky man. But he still feels like he doesn't belong, and he has a dark hole in the pit of his stomach that nothing can fill. For he knows he will never meet the other half to make him whole, his mate, as she was killed nearly 20 years ago by the order of the king of Falcons, the mad king, his half brother Latravis.

Kabril had placed a ban on visiting Earth, the world in the other realm, But Lazar was not a man who was big on following rules. Yet 1 night while admiring the place he now calls home, he notices a guard who was strict in following the king's rules heading out of the castle and to one of the portals.
Peeking Lazar's interest he decided to follow Gardelle, to see what had him breaking the rules. Upon flying through the portal he follows Gardelle at a safe distance so the man would not feel his presence and know that someone was there behind him.
As Gardelle lands on top of a very large property, and hides away his wings like they were never there, something catches the corner of Lazar's eye. On another floor of the property he see's a woman falling from a balcony, flying at speed Lazar catches her with ease. But as soon as he catches her all the blood around his body, rushes to one point, its rushes to his groin, making him painfully aware of it.

Lazar can't believe it, but yet he knows this human female. He knows her face, her voice, her scent, her taste, and he certainly knows every inch of her body. Because for the past five years he has been visiting this tiny woman he now holds in his arms, visiting her every night. In his Dreams!!

Its only when he tries to flee the property and Gardelle catches him, does past secrets from both men come spilling out and future truths are revealed. And now ladies and gents this is were all the fun really begins.

As with all of Mandy M Roth's books that I have read before, this grips hold of you from the very first page. Its full of action, humour, romance, brilliant fight scenes and extremely hot sexual encounters.

Each book in this series has a HEA with no cliff hanger, so they can be read alone, but I really recommend that you read in book order to get the best experience of these super hot alpha males and their stubborn, strong headed yet fragile female leads.

Now if I could I would have given this book far more than the five stars I'm only allowed. If you love your Mandy M Roth books, your PNR, or even just a good book with a HEA, then this series is for you.

[Sue Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rise of the KingMandy M. Roth

Reviewed by SFF Dragon

I love this book with a hero who finds the mate he believed long dead. It has more than a HEA, it also has a few surprises in store.

I love Mandy Roth books. I've bought and read a lot of them in the last ten years and she never disappoints. 'Rise of the King' is the fourth book in the King of Prey Bird Shifter series and I was given this copy by the author in exchange for an honest review. I was hooked on the first page and really didn't want to put it down.

Peregrine Falcon Lazar has been knocking around for a couple of hundred years and served the mad kings of his realm until a few years ago, when he was ordered to kidnap Rayna, the true mate of Kabril, King of the Royal Hawks in the first book in the series. But he had a revelation and changed sides. Since then he has been loyal to Kabril and is a trusted member of the King's guards.

Believing his mad and cruel brother twenty years ago when he told him that he had killed his true mate, Sabrina, he has also become a manslut who has used pretty much every female he comes across in an attempt to relieve his frustration from five years of waking, unfulfilled, every day after dreaming of his long dead mate, and needing to fill the gaping hole in his life. But Sabrina isn't dead and after curiously following a stealthy Gardelle, he finds her in the human realm, where she has been living with her uncle since she was three years old. She knows nothing of the bird realm and Gardelle has gone to great lengths to keep it that way, even though she dreams of men with wings all the time. Now they have the task of telling her the truth. I won't give any more spoilers, you need to read this book for yourself.

I love this book. It has humour, steam, action and the HEA we all expect from a really good paranormal romance. All the books can be read as stand alones, there are no cliff-hangers here, although there is an ongoing story which runs through all the books and this one leaves us waiting for the next step. King of Prey is one of favourite series, mainly set between the realm of the Royal Hawks and Earth, but there are many different bird realms in Accipitridae, all of whom are gearing up for war. This is the background against which all of the individual love stories are set, but this one makes the coming war a bit more personal with a few surprises along the way, and not just for Sabrina. I really can't wait for the next one.

[April Symes · Rating 4 out of 5]

***A gifted copy was provided by the author for my honest review****
This is Lazar from King of Prey and this is his story. He is more of a loner. He has many labels and many of those labels are not nice. He lives with the hawks although he is a Falcon. Lazar mistakenly believes his mate died many many years ago yet he has been dreaming of this woman who ignites his soul. He doesn’t understand why he is dreaming of her when he knows his mate died. There are things about Lazar that we find out the secrets that he hides-show he is a man who is intelligent, cunning, sad, and laboring under a misapprehension about his past life. The more we read about him, the more we find out.
While on a quest for some silence, he sees one of his fellow guards heading toward the portals for Earth that are a no no and not supposed to be used. He goes ahead and follows the guard and follows the portal right into the bedroom of his supposedly dead mate, Sabrina. He was shocked to see her and not sure what was going on.
Sabrina lives with her uncle and has been protected from everything and it’s like nothing harms her. She uncle goes overboard keeping her safe and trying to keep her in a bubble. She has these dreams that her uncle tells her to forget. She yearns to live life but just doesn’t know how to break free yet. The only time she is free is in her dreams where her dream man is with her and the things they do set her pulses racing and her body overheating. Suddenly her uncle comes in one day with the man from her dreams- Lazar. She is shocked and not sure if she is going crazy but her body is going haywire. There is so much chemistry and feelings between them. Sabrina knows her body craves him while Lazar is happy to have his mate alive and with him. There is their budding relationship and the twists and turns as to why she was hidden from him. Also there is a secondary relationship of Sabrina’s uncle and her friend, Lisa going on.
I really enjoyed this story and found it engaging. I cant wait for Sabrina’s uncle’s book to find out how this all ends. There is a reckoning coming for Lazar’s half-brother. Lazar & Sabrina had this electric chemistry and the fact they are fated mates made this story even hotter. I loved how ALPHA Lazar is but Sabrina put him in his place when he got too ALPHA for his own good. {SMILE} This is a great series and I do recommend you read them all.

My rating: 4.5 stars ****

[Cherri-Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

So Magical, Mystical and AWESOME!! ! 5 stars

WOW! I LOVE THIS BOOK & THIS SERIES!!!! I fell for Lazar which surprised me! He made an appearance earlier in the series and while I admired what he did then, it still didn’t make me warm up to him. Well, trust Mandy to change my opinion (again!) and once I got to know him, I was almost cursing Mandy for making me fall for this dude after I was convinced that he was only out for number 1 – himself! This is my first series that I have read about bird shifters, but Mandy has me wanting more! I have been entranced from the start of this series, and the further in you get, the more you get to know the people, you get to learn more of their history, you hear about the different tribes/races/etc. as well as their way of life, why things are the way they are and of course the hilarious misinterpretations between the “Bird-Men” and the “Humans”! I was so surprised at the “history” of them & their races! So much that I didn’t see coming, but I loved it all!! I am a sucker for soul mates so I was thrilled to have so much romance, even when it wasn’t romance!!! Don’t want to say more & ruin the excitement of it all! You will have to read the book for yourself and then you will understand exactly what I mean!!! To have everything click and work so beautifully together, you see how long this has been in motion, just waiting to get to this point in time for EVERYONE!!! Mandy’s talent for great storytelling is what makes this so magical, mystical and awesome! But let’s not forget how funny this all was! “Young” female humans (who are in their early 20’s) without “filter” saying what just pops into their minds even before it actually does, combined with 2 “stodgy” older men who really know nothing of Earth so they get all twisted up in trying to understand what is really being said by the girls!! I had tears I was laughing so hard throughout the scenes with them all together! I have said this before, but it is worth saying again: It takes an extremely talented author to be able to write shorter stories that don’t feel like shorter stories. To be able to have you understand the characters, the traditions, the situations, the worlds, etc. while also having you fall in love with the characters and hoping for their HEA, that is a rare talent and Mandy definitely proves she has just that!

[Beth Fuller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rise of the King is for the most part my favorite book of the King of Prey series but it is also the most frustrating. Lazar has always been a special character for me since he rescued Rayna in the first book and essentially turned his back on his own kind. This book clarifies many reasons for the switch in sides and gives a great deal more substance to Lazar's character. I wasn't thrilled by Sabrina though. As life mates go, she pales against the other three women from the previous books. While she might possess a particular skill-set or two her personality is rather flat. This might not be too important though since the romance is somewhat secondary to Lazar's personal story. The most frustrating thing about this book for me is the ending. I'm not sure whether I feel let down by it or baffled. There should definitely be more to it. There is so much left unresolved, to include Lazar and Sabrina's relationship, that to say the ending is awkward is an understatement. I'm not even sure the ending could be considered a cliffhanger. This book cannot be read as a standalone; there are references to the previous books that would be lost on someone who hasn't read them. It is also woven into the other stories enough that you can't skip over it. So, if you are vested in the series you will definitely want to get this book. Don't, however, try to jump in with this book as a starting point or you will be disappointed. Despite the 4-star rating that I've checked off for this story it is really more of a 3.7 on the review scale.

*a copy of this book was received in exchange for an honest review*

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fourth book in the Bird of Prey series and another winner. Lazar, living with "the enemy" of his bird clan as he saved the king's mate of his enemy, could no long go home. A man of honor would not kill an innocent woman at the behest of his vicious king--we learn that by rights Lazar is the true king. He did not want the title but now that his half brother is ruling by cruelty he has reconsidered. Honor as a warrior doesn't hold true in his sex life. He is randy to say the least, thinking his true mate died in her youth and he would never have that place in his heart filled. Surprise, she isn't dead and both Lazar and Sabrina have been having hot dreams about each other for years, neither knowing the the other existed.

While visiting earth he finds her and discovers she has been hidden to protect her. He has to prove himself to her guardian/uncle worthy of her and ready to give up his bachelor ways.

Ms Roth gives us her humor with a feisty friend who attracts and scares the alpha warrior uncle. Hope we hear more about them in the future books. There are some surprises getting together. Sabrina doesn't fight much, her innocence slows her, however she wants to live out her dreams after meeting her dream lover. Circumstances and families keep them apart for a time.

The ending leaves us with a decision all have agreed on, without showing what happens. The book stands alone however we do want to continue on in their lives. Can't wait for the next book.

[Sharon Hatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I liked Lazar in King of Prey (He saved Rayna…OK if you haven’t read the series from the start go back!) but to really get to know how deep he is makes for an awesome story! Lazar has no title and yet many; bastard, man whore, warrior, rightful king, traitor, and mate. Full of self-loathing for the path fate his left him on, filling his days with meaningless sex with the women of the Hawk kingdom (most of which despise him while sleeping with him), and dreaming of his long dead mate he is merely existing. One day as he is seeks solitude on his lonely perch he sees one of his fellow guards headed for the portal to Earth (which is still supposed to be off limits) so he follows, right into the home of his supposed long dead mate Sabrina. There are lots of secrets held by more than just Lazar and a long ago prophecy may yet come to pass; one where Lazar and his true mate lead the Falcons against his cruel, crazy brother! Now he just needs to convince Sabrina to accept him (she has been stashed away on Earth since she was 4 to keep her safe and has no knowledge of the bird shifters), but can he first accept himself? And can they together save each other long enough to win back the throne? There is a cliffhanger ending so be warned, however the story is outstanding, probably my favorite in the series and I would highly recommend it!

[Titania · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lazar is an outcast. He lives with the Hawks even though he is a falcon. His mate died long ago so he goes through women like tissue. It doesn't matter because no hawk will take a falcon to mate. And he can never return to the land of the Falcons or can he? When Lazar learns the woman meant to be his still lives, he knows that changes must happen. Not only with his sexual exploits but also with the choices he made to leave his homeland. Sabrina doesn't believe half the stories her uncles tells her. But when she learns the dreams of birdmen is actually real, she knows that life as she knows it is over. Finding out the man who has taught her to protect herself is not nearly as safe as she thought is just one of the truths she must accept. I really enjoyed Sabrina and Lazar's story. Sabrina was a bit innocent but by no means a doormat. She respected her uncle and bent over backwards to make his time with her worry free, even though it lead to loneliness. But she refused to allow that man fated to be hers to put her in a box. I enjoyed seeing Lazar navigate a mate who for all intents and purposes is human. He must protect Sabrina even as she fights further restrictions. This story is well written but be warned, while Sabrina and Lazar get their happily ever after, Ms. Roth does not tie up the main story arc.

[Nikki Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lazar, an outcast from his own clan, has been living with "the enemy" since he saved the king's mate. He is warrior of honour and would not obey the instruction of his then king, and half brother. Lazar is the true king but did not want the title but his brother is ruling by cruelty. On the other hand he is a randy bird shifter and is happily bonking his way through the palace staff, believing his mate was killed whilst she was still a child. But he has been having erotic dreams of his mate and is tortured by what he cannot have. The females he has now want his body but still treat him as a traitor and injure him during lovemaking to show that they still think he is beneath them.

While visiting earth Lazar discovers his mate, Sabrina, was hidden to keep her from his brothers clutches due to a vague prophecy of her mating with the king of the clan. He now has to prove himself to her uncle that he is worthy of her and ready to give up his manwhoring ways.

There are some surprises getting together. Sabrina doesn't fight much but she has awesome aim with a bow and arrow. I loved her friend, Lisa. The whole manmeat thing had me in stitches and I hope we see her in a future book!!!

[Rachel V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I wrote this review I had not read the others in the series before it. I now have read them and I still believe you could read it as a standalone however I liked the whole series so I recommend reading the series.

I like this book and now I really need to read the others in the series. This book is #4 in a series however it does work as a standalone as much as you are not confused with what happens but I think some of the other characters may have been mentioned or explained in other books. I give the book 4 stars.

Again this was a novella and I wish it was longer. The shape shifters being different species of birds is a new one and I enjoyed it. We get to follow Lazar who shifts into a Falcon but is living with the Hawks at the present. The author gives you background on Lazar then ties it in with Sabrina later. I liked how this was done and I want to continue with the story also as I am seeing this plot line continuing.

I hope that Sabrina’s uncle and her friend get their book also. I enjoyed how Sabrina’s uncle was afraid of her friend but at the same time seemed to enjoy her being there also.

*I received free from author in exchange for an honest review.*

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Series!
This is a great series; this is the fourth book in King of Prey series by Mandy Roth. Lazar is a falcon shifter and has believed that his mate, Sabrina died many years ago. In that time he has been an outcast and has lived with the hawks and has left his rightful duty as the king of the falcons. When he finds out that Sabrina is alive he will stop at nothing to get her to realize they are mates. Sabrina has lead a sheltered life because of her overprotective uncle. She has no idea that shape shifters even exist. When she meets Lazar, they start learning the truth and he starts to realize that it is time for him to accept his destiny and become king of the falcons. If you are looking for a great paranormal romance that you can read in one sitting then you need to read this book. I can’t wait until the next book in this series comes out.
A Review copy was provided to me in exchange for a fair and honest review. The free book held no determination on my personal review.