A Storm Rises

Bloodlines Legacy #1

by Rose Garcia

A Royal Hunt
A Hidden Prophecy
A Destiny Unveiled

Fae Princess Avalynn Stromm is next in line for the throne and will one day rule all of Faevenly. But instead of fussing over ballgowns and suffering through palace politics, she’d rather be out exploring and hunting. Or, better yet, competing in the highly desired Summit Range Hunt alongside the realm’s greatest warriors.

Mateo Vela is a lowborn half-fae living in the dreaded Sublands. He longs for a better life where his family doesn't have to struggle for necessities. So when the High King of Faevenly opens his prestigious hunt to competitors from his province, he has his chance to change his fate at last. But whether that destiny ends in glory or death is yet to be seen.

Before the hunt even begins, whisperings of prophecy and revenge begin to circulate, and Avalynn and Mateo are at the center of it. And when they are thrust into the dangerous hunt, they’d just as soon have each other’s heads than work together…until they are faced with a common threat and discover there's much more at stake than crossing the finish line first.

Secrets emerge, long-buried rivalries resurface, and Avalynn and Mateo must form an unlikely alliance if they are to make it out of the hunt alive. Not to mention the undeniable pull growing between them neither one saw coming.

Genres: Fantasy, Dragons, Romantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Ebooks

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 13, 2024

About the author

Rose Garcia is a USA Today bestselling author. From a very young age, she often had her nose buried in books about other-worlds, fantastical creatures, and life and death situations. As she got older, she often thought about crafting her own tales. This dreamed stayed with her and eventually bloomed into a passion. Before she knew it, she was writing was she loved reading.

Rose is inspired by the blending of the real-world with the supernatural realm and writes sci-fi/fantasy with a heavy dash of romance. Her books feature gut-wrenching emotional turmoil and heart-stopping action. Rose is most proud of crafting #OwnVoices stories and is known for bringing richly diverse characters to life as she draws on her own cultural experiences.

Rose lives in Houston with her husband and two kids. You can visit Rose at www.rosegarciabooks.com.

Reviews

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75

OMG! So, I picked up this special book at Houston's new romance store. I'm not a huge fan of romance, but I can get behind fantasy romance. When I saw that the author was not only living in Houston, but a Latina, and the book was quite beautiful with an autograph, I had to get it. There are no fae/fantasy type books from a Latin prespective. I definitely wanted something fresh and new. It did not disappoint. I was actually surprised by the ending. And usually I don't get surprised at the end.

However, it doesn't get 5 stars. Lots of back and forth 180 degree feeling changes that left my mind hurting, and it just ended ambigiously, which I hate. But I'm all in to read the next book. I definitely recommend this one.

[Ashley Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fae and tropes and intrigue, Oh my!

Rose Garcia hits it out of the park with this magnificent addition to the fantasy genre! Mateo and Avalynn's tumultuous story is one of honor, duty, and family, calling into question everything they've ever known. From the beginning to the very end, I was reeled in hook, line, and sinker. Twists and turns and tropes galore, A Storm Rises is nothing short of a literary masterpiece.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Storm Rises - a review by Rosemary Kenny.

Rose Garcia cleverly combines a flavour of Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games and a soupçon of Andrew Einspruch's Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III's, (in The Western Lands and All That Really Matters).
Her unique style continues with Princess Avalynn Stromm, who's similarly heir to a kingdom...in this case, Faevenly.
There's also a Gale Hawthorne-like character called Mateo Vela, who's part-Fae, a skilled hunter - and her deadly rival in the High King's Royal Hunt.
A thrilling fantasy epic by Rose Garcia that you must not miss...get a copy of The Storm Rises, (Book 1 of The Fae Bloodlines) today!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way excited to get this ARC from ROSE WHO IS ONE OF MY BFF'S MOMS!!! Be jelly. Definitely her best work yet! Love Mateo and his friend group. His sassy dialogue is great and I'm a big fan. Loved that Manny was back (he was my fav from the previous books). I don't normally like sequels about the main character's children, but these have just gotten better and better. I would highly recommend reading the others first to get more of the world building and back story. These are a great mix of the fae and human realms. The traits and magic are mixed really well, and this book had a lot of great tidbits from the human realm. The ending is wack! I don't want to say too much because I'm scared I'll spoil it on accident.

[Alicia Rust · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rose Garcia is a new to me author and has quickly become a favorite of mine with A Storm Rises. This book was very captivating and kept me entertained through the entire book. The book follows Mateo Vela who is a half fae who has entered into The Summit Range Hunt with the stipulation that whoever comes in last will face the death penalty. During the hunt Mateo meets the Princess who has been placed into the hunt for one purpose and one purpose only: to keep Mateo from winning. The two quickly become partners and fight to stay alive. The twists and turns of this book and the surprise ending had me gasping in awe for such a wonderfully written book. Knowing now that this is a continuation of the Fae Bloodlines series by Rose Garcia has me fully immersed into Faevenly and needing to read that series to fully understand this world.

[Jill Gauger · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG this book was amazing. The plot twists and turns kept me glued to this story.
The MC’s Mateo and Avalynn ignited the fire in each of their respective places. The chemistry between them was undeniable.
This book will leave you wondering and wanting more.

[KMart Vet · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is an entertaining YA fantasy adventure, but it definitely requires some suspension of disbelief. I know, I know - it's a fantasy. But there has to be some realism in behavior for me. The deadly trials, fae politics, and enemies-to-allies dynamic all hit familiar YA beats, which will likely appeal to fans of the genre. However, the character motivations often felt thin—people made choices seemingly just to push the plot forward rather than because they made sense for their personalities or arcs. One particularly frustrating example was how easily a certain character suddenly trusted their longtime enemies just because of a few revelations—despite having every reason to remain suspicious.

That said, I really appreciated the Hispanic representation woven into the world, which gave the story a fresh cultural angle. It added a nice layer of uniqueness to an otherwise well-trodden premise. The book is entertaining overall, though the pacing slows down at points, and I found myself wanting more depth from both the characters and the worldbuilding.

If you love YA fantasy with dangerous trials, reluctant alliances, and just a touch of apparently-fated romance, this could be a fun read, but don’t expect anything too groundbreaking.

[Brittney Evans · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book for my review and I am going to be honest.

I initially DNF'd after the prologue. It was an info dump of world building and characters that did not matter. I went back to it after stewing it over and decided to give it another chance. I kept getting pulled out of the book by some of the terms and the overuse of other terms. I often felt like some things were added just to get the word count up. The FMC and MMC felt forced and unnatural. I'm all for having fae and humans mingling even in their religions but I could have absolutely went without the explanation of Christianity.

Personally, I did not enjoy this story at all.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of fae fun!

Mystery, intrigue, wolves and dragons. So much happens in this book and it makes for a fun ride. I felt it took the story a little while to crank up but once it did, I was hooked! The story of Mateo and Avalynn, both strong and loyal, will be captivating to see unfold. Without spoilers, I loved the plot twist and can’t wait for the next book!

[Nicole Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book begins with a curse and has minimal character and world building for a first book. Pure bloodlines are paramount in this world and the sublanders are not pure blooded and poor. A champion has risen among them who intends to save them all from the Dragon's Bellows and breathing issues many in the lowborn sublands have. A princess who is meant to be queen is yet another competitor in the hunt. Add in all the details and it seems a regular story and did not really catch my attention intently until the last 25% of the book. The author upends it all and surprised me-this is difficult with all of the books I have read! My only wish is that there was more to the first 75%. The final parts of the book and the ending will be the reason I read the next installment and made it worth pushing through.

[Sarah | Retro Girl Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Storm Rises,” the first book in Rose Garcia’s newest fantasy romance series, Bloodlines Legacy, was everything I could’ve wished for and more!

This book was amazing. It was full of some amazing action scenes, shocking plot twists, laugh out loud banter, and sweet and swoony romance.

Avalynn Stromm might be a princess, but her life is far from easy. She’s smart and sassy, and she’s determined to prove herself to the father she’s never been able to please.

But when she meets Mateo Vela, her priorities start to shift, and she soon begins to realize that not everything is as it seems.

Mateo, on the other hand, is hardened and arrogant from the very beginning. The reason he joins the royal hunt is because he’s trying to find a way to bring recognition to the Sublands.

He was determined not to let anything or anyone get in his way. However, the more time he spends with Avalynn, the harder it becomes for him to stop thinking about her.

I thought they were both wonderful characters, and I was invested in their story. And as for that ending… I can’t wait to see what happens next!

[Marissa Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

BOOK REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recently read book 1 in the Bloodlines Legacy series, A Storm Rises. I could not put this book down! Rose Garcia delivered an intriguing story that had just the right pace. Dual POV between a Princess and the Sublanders (lowest of the kingdom). Both MCs enter the Summit Range Hunt with a goal of winning! What they discover along the way opens a new world for them. Think Hunger Games meets Switched at Birth.

I can’t wait to read the next book to find out what happens next!

Using the steam rating guide provided by @romance.io the spice level was 🌶️🌶️ - Behind Closed Doors. It’s YA so not surprising. But it didn’t take away from a great story!

[Beba Andric · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first full length read by this author, and goodness me am I impressed! The prologue was so powerful, so contextually alive and wraught with tension. A woman in labour, a helpless dwarf, a man rushing to his wife, a promise made, a curse...all packed in for a magnificent start! I confess I felt drained by the end of the prologue, my heart thumping unevenly but so anxious was I to continue the story, I just took deep breaths! To me, the mark of a great author, is precisely what Ms Garcia evoked in me, and so flipping quickly too! This is a case of "why, oh WHY have I not read this author before???" And my despairing "why" got louder and louder the more I read....

This is a complex, multi faceted story, one that appears so simply yet nothing could be further from the truth! Lowborn, highborn and the pinnacle born, a Princess, enter a dangerous hunt where winner takes all and loser, well....loser is guaranteed a place in the afterlife. Rather dire stakes but when you are desperate, when you need to win, even that threat cannot deter you and this is exactly as Matteo sees it. Born a lowborn, a Sublander, with barely enough to survive on, never mind the means to buy much needed medication, Matteo is indeed desperate. His family is at risk. He's a beautiful soul, so caring and considerate, but with a healthy dose of loathing for the royal family. Sublanders are viewed with disdain, as lesser, unworthy and barely tolerated, the highborn having an air of superiority and intolerance.

What was really cool was that each chapter's header was text from an alluded letter. That in itself is very illuminating, it's a story within the story, running parallel to the main events, an account of what really happened. What else is super cool, is that even though we, the reader, knows who Matteo really is, even if he isn't aware initially, the anticipation in seeing how his life has been, what he's about, what he does, is suspenseful. Learning of his heritage came as a major shock, disbelief. He's told he's a Strong, that once his parents were king and queen but the waring between the Strong's and the Kane's led to the annihilation of the entire family. He learns of a prophecy, where he is supposed to be a saviour. Yeah, heck of a lot to accept! I loved him from the start, his loyalty, his selflessness and his determination. And his wolf, Storm, is just the most amazing protector and friend. Ms Garcia sure knows how to bring a character to life, she molds them to perfection, all of them. Each one brought forth a deluge of strong emotions in me, starting with Matteo, then leading me to Avalynn, who is put in an impossible situation by her father the king. A vile man if ever there was one, unemotional, hard, ruthless, brutal, to Avalynn as well as his subjects. Her complex situation and her sense of right were often at odds with each other, I felt her confiction deep within me. Oh my did these characters do a number on me!

I Ioved the effect Avalynn has on Matteo and she on him, that magnetic pull, against all adversary, cannot be controlled. As much loathing and disrespect they have for the other, something is burning brighter and bigger than the hunt or their misconceptions. So beautiful to see it unfold, to see the uncertainty both feel. And when Matteo succinctly says, "She makes me forget who I am. I am wholly unworthy of her" well shoot, MY insides melted! These two, what they go through, what they endure while on this vicious hunt, was both horrific and heartwarming. One thing is crystal clear, no one can escape destiny, no one can outwit fate.

This story captures so much, all of it very intriguing, the haves and the have nots, the half breeds and full Fae, the prejudice and scorn. There is nothing simple about this tale, it's intricate, complex yet easy to follow, this is a tale of discovery, not only of the self, of the truths and deceit , it's a discovery that opens up a vista of right, wrong, war, greed. And most of all, power.

Oy! Coming to the finish line my heart was thumping as loudly as their footsteps, kadonk, kadonk...at what the outcome would be, and then it stopped beating altogether... what Ms Garcia did next was the furthest thing I could even imagine! Good grief does she know exactly how to throw a punch! So brilliantly executed, I never saw it coming. But then, OMG, Ms Garcia twisted her impeccable twist even further, so much so my jaw dropped so low, unable to close, a swarm of flies could have taken residence and I would have been powerless to prevent it! And guess what? Yep, THIS author, incredibly, turned the heat up even more, a raging inferno landed in my head! The mindboggling revelations kept coming, literally assaulting me, I felt as limp as a rag! And towards the end, the reference to Camelot, what can I say, I was rendered speechless! Magnificent! Superb! Unbelievably spectacular! And just like that, I'll go back to my original statement, and issue this warning, do NOT allow this book to be abandoned, to wither away on your TBR. And if, for some reason, you DON'T have this book, you SERIOUSLY need to! Like NOW!

[Samantha West · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had been missing Cylese, Julio, Manny, Leaf, and Gabriella. Man was I surprised when I received an email about an ARC for this book. I forgot that I had signed up and still wasn't sure what the storyline was until 2-3 pages in. I was pleasantly surprised that it was a continuation of a beloved story.
Now, Rose, you're killing me with the beginning, middle, and end of this book. Very rarely do I start crying during an epilogue, but this one had me bawling! I was so happy to get more of Leaf and Princess Gabriella just to have them ripped away. Meeting Mateo, Princess Avalynn, and their family, friends and servants was interesting. The dynamic of the highborns and "lowborns" reminds me of today's society. It frustrated me so much the the "commoners" NOT from the Sublands were so cruel to sublanders, calling them lowborns, spitting on them, screaming at them, etc. They, themselves, are not highborn - meaning some type of royalty. But, because they were born anywhere BUT the sublands, they feel they're better.
The Hunt was wicked. I hope we find out more about what happened to Selene. And where did the dragons come from? Does the Dragon Bellows sickness come from the dragons?
I understand why Avalynn tripped Mateo at the finish line but I hope Mateo will figure it out quickly. I'm also hoping he sees right through the High Queen and her shenanigans.
Rose, you had me bawling at the end too. My heart was both bursting with joy and sadness when Avalynn went to the passing place. I feel we need more of that family time, maybe at the end of the final book.
All in all, this was a great continuation and am excited to see how Avalynn and the sublanders save Mateo and how Mateo reacts to the news of Avalynn being the Only One. Looking forward to seeing the Strohmms brought down, saving Faevenly, and bringing both the human and fae worlds back together!

[Sian Atherton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book a couple of days ago, but it was a unique experience for me; I have never left a book with my head absolutely frazzled and that feeling staying. I thought stepping away from it would help me get my thoughts in order, but I'm still stunned.

A Storm Rises is the first book I have read by Rose Garcia, and her writing definitely did not disappoint. Even though the prologue was only setting up the plot, it broke my heart from the very beginning. High fantasy, high stakes, and secrets are introduced from the start when Mateo Vela travels from the impoverished Sublands to the High King's palace to participate in the Summit Range Hunt. There, he meets Avalynn Stromm, the Princess of Faevenly. Together, they embark on the hunt, battling oaths, circumstances, stampedes, and dragons as unlikely allies; and are drawn together by a power beyond their control or understanding.

The dual POV was vital for my reading experience since I found Mateo endearing and honourable, whereas I disliked Avalynn for the majority of the book and only grew to like her near the end. So, the dual POV balanced everything for me. I just hope, as the series continues, the foundations of Mateo's character remain the same. The enemies to lovers trope was beautifully explored, because, while there is an immediate connection, the romance develops gradually as the two get to understand each other.

I enjoyed the story's twists, but I think there was so much focus on building good characters that certain plot points became predictable and some went unexplained. But, given this is the first installment in the Bloodlines Legacy series, I expect a lot more to come, and I have a feeling, as I previously mentioned, that I will be thinking about this book for a long time...

My only conclusion: I can't wait to find out what happens next!

[Madison DeJulio · Rating 5 out of 5]

I requested an arc of this in exchange for a review, and I'm glad I did! I devoured this book! Right from the first page we're introduced to a compelling story that is about to unfold. This one has one of the strongest prequels I have ever read. I just had to read on.

These characters and their motivations were so strong. I felt for Mateo and how much he wanted to help his family and his people. He sacrifices himself into a hunting game where the loser faces the penalty of death and the winner is rewarded in wealth. With sickness plaguing his land, he needs that wealth to heal his loved ones. I loved how much family meant to him that he would put himself through a sacrifice like that.

Then there's Avalynn who is the princess of the the Stromm land. Stromms look down on Sublanders, which is Mateo's home. Avalynn has never fit in with her royal family as they don't appreciate her. All I wanted for the poor girl was to feel loved, and I enjoyed seeing her journey finding that in Mateo. These two and their relationship were beautifully fleshed out. I felt the chemistry, and I felt like they could really understand each other and give each other what they've always needed. I can't wait to watch their romance progress in the second book.

THE PLOT TWISTS!!! I lowkey did see it coming but it still gagged me. So well executed. I loved how the twists just kept coming one after the other and so many things started to make sense.

I will be continuing this series. This was my first book by Rose Garcia, and I will be reading more from her. I didn't know this was a spin-off series until recently, so I will definitely be reading the prequel. :)

[Lindsey Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️

This is the first book I have read by Rose Garcia. It is book 1 in her The Fae Bloodlines series and I was excited to read romantasy by a Latina author. I had heard wonderful things about this series and wanted to catch up before book 3 was released. I was immediately captivated by Rosa’s writing style and world building abilities. While this is book 1 in a fantasy series, there is a lot of information to read through, but that is normal for many fantasy series. Once you get past all the information the adventure begins.

Half fae Mateo is trying to stay alive. Having entered into the Summit Range Hunt, he meets Princess Avalynn, who has been given one task. Mateo cannot win. As they become allies, keeping each other alive is their main goal. I was intrigued by why people wanted Mateo to fail and as the story unfolded, there were twists and turns I didn’t see coming. Rosa knows how to balance the storyline with the perfect amount of action, drama, and tension.

The ending of this book definitely left me wanting more. I am excited to see where Rosa takes the storyline and what will become of the chemistry between Mateo and Avalynn. There is a lot of information to get through, but when the book picks up it doesn’t stop until the very end.
Thankfully I won’t have to wait long at all before diving back into this world and find out what happens next.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
⚔️Friends to Allies
💙Powerful Families
⚔️Good vs Evil
💙Royal Hunt
⚔️Hidden Sword
💙Fae x Human Witches
⚔️Hidden Royal Identity
💙Lady in the Lake Reimagined

[Hilma · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Royal Hunt
A Hidden Prophecy
A Destiny Unveiled

In A Storm Rises by Rose Garcia for the first time a lowborn poor Fae and Sublander may participate in the Royal Hunt, a hunt where the winner can choose his winnings. But the other Fae don’t want anything to do with him and there’s Avalynn, the princess who wants to win no matter what.

From the very first I got drawn into the story. The prologue is very mysterious. There is a lot of action and betrayal, because the High King invents a new rule for the hunt: whoever finish last, will get the death penalty and he knows who that will be. Mateo Vale, the Sublander, just wants to save his family, while Avalynn is pressured by her High King Father to do everything in her power to win. But she gets doubts when she and Mateo get closer during the hunt for mythical creatures. Mateo and Avalynn are strong characters, fierce and determined. Their chemistry is great as are their interactions.

The writing style is fast paced and flowing and it is an easy read. It’s a story filled with Fae, magic, a prophecy, betrayal, romance and plottwists, mystery and political intrigue. Near the end there is this massive betrayal and a great plottwist I did not see coming. Both Mateo and Avalynn find out who they really are.

A Storm Rises is a great fantasy story, the first book I have read by Rose Garcia. There are some hints to earlier books which I have not read (but will check out), but that is not necessary to enjoy this book. I loved it and can’t wait for the sequel.

[Manuela Molteni · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Storm Rises is one of those books that sneaks up on you wearing familiar fantasy clothes… and then casually pulls the rug from under your feet.

Think The Hunger Games brushed with the mythic gravitas of The Mists of Avalon—a combination I didn’t know I needed until Rose Garcia made it work. This was my first foray into her writing, and let’s be clear: it will not be my last.

Yes, the ingredients sound comfortingly classic. Two protagonists from opposite ends of the social spectrum (we’ve met before), relentless trials, danger at every corner, a prophecy (because fantasy would file a formal complaint without one), and the eternal good-versus-evil dance. Cue the knowing nods. And yet… somehow, it all clicks.

The pacing is sharp, the stakes feel personal, and the world-building has enough texture to keep things grounded even when the plot goes full epic. But the real magic trick? A revelation near the end that had me staring at the page with a full-blown wait—WHAT? expression. I was convinced I knew where this was going. Reader, I did not.

No spoilers here—my lips are sealed—but let’s just say assumptions are dangerous things in Garcia’s hands.

A Storm Rises doesn’t try to reinvent fantasy; it refines it, tightens the screws, and then dares you to underestimate it. I’ll be right here, impatiently waiting for the next installment of what is clearly shaping up to be a gloriously epic saga.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now that I have finished this book, I really want to go back to the companion series and read all about the Strongs before the events of this book. Once the plot got going, it just kept going and I could hardly believe that I had finished the book (and now have to wait for the second one!). And the plot twists. Beautifully executed!

Mateo Vela is determined to win the Summit Range Hunt, an event established by King Stromm, and he desires the rewards that shall come from his win to help everyone else in the Sublands. On the way there, he finds out that all he believed about his life may very well be a lie.

Princess Avalynn Stromm must win the Hunt to win her father's approval. However, he doesn't want her to seek a win; he wants her to sabotage the Sublands' hunter. He sees the hunt as an opportunity to punish the Sublands for their loyalty to the decimated Strong family and perhaps prevent them from rebelling against his rule ever again.

Both seek to win. However, the hunter in last place will die, and both Avalynn and Mateo are fighting against an unwelcome attraction to each other.

While this book involves characters from a previous series, there is enough information about them to understand the events that occurred before the story begins. However, it may make you inclined to start at the beginning with Fae Away (it certainly has convinced me.).

[Seraphia Bunny · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Storm Rises is the first book in the Bloodlines Legacy series. This is a coming of age/new adult fantasy novel that is packed with secrets, a prophecy, and characters who will do whatever they must to maintain the power they hold.
A Storm Rises will detail the story of 18 year-old Mateo and 18 year-old Avalynn. Mateo is a lowlander, half human – half fae, while Avalynn is a fae princess born to the High King and High Queen. Mateo has earned the right to compete in the Summit Range Hunt. His plan is to win it to help his family who are failing due to the Dragon Bellow sickness. Avalynn, not originally not a competitor, jumps at the opportunity when the previous pick doesn’t survive a dragon attack. Now, she seeks to please her father and show him that she is worthy of the title of queen one day.
This story alternates between Mateo and Avalynn as their stories and thoughts are revealed. Romance sparks up quickly between the characters. It comes off feeling more than a little rushed. More development would have been nice. There is a mild cliffhanger at the end of this book. But the final chapters leading up the end are going to be well worth reading. Prepare for quite a few surprises.
It will be interesting to see where the author takes the storyline in book two.
4.5 out of 5 stars

[Mangai Louis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Storm Rises is in deed just that....The Author narrates the story beautifully and sets the scenes for beautifully with amazing characters and personalities.

In This book you will be left at the edge of your seats. The story takes places in Faevenly the realm of the Fae, between the Stromms and the Strongs, one seeks to unite the realms and the other seeks power and a way to divide it.

Princess Avalynn Stromm a Highborn and Mateo Vela, a poor Sublander have two different agendas. Mateo is an outcastand a halfbreed of human decent who only seeks to save his family, bring back food and medicinal seeds to safe the Sublanders. Princess Avalynn seeks to be the best Queen in all of Faevenly and to be rid of the lowly Sublanders .They both enter the Summit Range games together with other Highborns to fight for first place and the awards it brings. The award for last place was death and the banishment of their entire province....

The fight is tight and filled with twist and turns as this entire story is. There are mythical creatures, magic, survival instincts and true identities shows itself amongst the characters....The story ends with an amazing plot twist with promises for more adventure to come...

[Megan Astell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank the author for gifting me this e-book to prep for the ARC of book 2, A Shadow Falls! Unfortunately, it took me longer than intended to get through after I was interrupted midway by a family tragedy and I struggled to pick it back up and read again for a while. But better late than never! And I do still fully plan on reading book 2, as I really enjoyed this one.

I loved the story concept of this book! A high stakes competition, rivals to lovers, royalty and “outlander”, a fated prophecy. And a twist I absolutely did NOT see coming which I EXTRA love, because normally I can see plot twists coming a mile away. I loved it! The ending in a cliff hanger - also loved! I cannot wait to start book 2.

The only thing I didn’t like was it felt somewhat rushed. I love a good rivals to lovers arc but this one felt like the attraction happened way too quickly without enough distrust and coldness at first. Now, this could be explained away by a fate/ prophesy that potentially binds them together and drew them in like magnets, so I don’t discount that. It just felt slightly too fast/forced in the beginning. But not enough I wasn’t still giddily cheering for it!

I’m excited to see where book 2 goes!

[Jacqueline Corral · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic poor versus rich story set in the Fae Kingdom where the king rules harshly, if not quite evilly. A land with dragons appearing after being absent for many a year; a land where most of the Sublanders are suffering starvation; a land where lack of coin for medicinal seeds for the deadly Dragons Bellow cough is short. Cantering around an annual hunt, when winning is everything for some - yet not for all? A dangerous new clause is added sparking fear amongst the participants. Not least of which is the animal they must hunt in the forest as well as survive all else that may be there, then present their prize to the King. A King who has his own agenda. One that would see the end of the Sublands inhabitants. Will Mateo triumph and win everything for his family and friends back in his village? A story that does not end with this great read. Bring on the rest of the trilogy, I want to know what happens next. No, I need to know!

I received my copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Moni · Rating 5 out of 5]

*I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

*This is book 1 in the Bloodlines Legacy Series and can't be read as a standalone
* Third person dual pov
* Spice: thoughts of attraction and fade to black (allusions but nothing graphic)
*CW: mild use of biblical swears (no blasphemy), PG-13 violence, and read the author's note for more

This was the first book of the author's that I've read, but it won't be the last. From the start of the story, I was hooked by Avalynn and Mateo's story. Though they appeared like they were different, due to their status, they both carried the weight of wanting to protect and follow duty. I liked the tension between them as they viewed each other as enemies, yet couldn't deny a pull between them. Their chemistry was strong and their interactions were fun. As for the action and conflict of the story, it kept me engaged and guessing with some twists that readers will not see coming. Overall, this was a good introduction for me to the author and for the series. I cannot wait to read the next book.

[Kristina Marquardt · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Storm Rises grabs your attention with tragic loss and a foreseen prophecy. Secrets, curses, and conspiracies unfold as the plot thickens. With a love that can not be and a betrayal of hearts, you will find yourself in a love-hate relationship with these characters. Traveling to a world of mythical creatures, witches, and magic, it is easy to become captivated by the way Rosie Garcia spins this tale. 

The first book to a series, you'll find this novel leaving you in anticipation for the next plot twist. Everyone is not who they seem to be and each character grows as the story progresses, holding your interest with just enough action and excitement to keep you hooked. 

Written in a way that gives you a feeling of becoming a part of their world. The romance within the story is innocent and sweet, allowing all ages to enjoy this fantasy adventure. Perfect to add to your book collection. 

[Susan May · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a page turner. I found it to be wonderfully written with excellent world building. The characters were excellent and it has a lot of twists and turns with a surprise ending. This author has earned her spot on the favorites list with this one and I can't wait for book 2.
Avalynn has always wanted to join The Summit Range hunt. So when her chance comes a long she takes it. Her excitement is put on hold though when her evil father tells her what he wants her to do. She must make sure that Mateo comes in last. A new rule for the games is that the last place finisher will be given the fate of death. Mateo Vela is half fae and very nice on the eyes, at least Avalynn thinks so. He is the outsider in these games and he knows it. He has to win in order to save his family from a killing sickness and provide some needed supplies for his people. As all of the hunters plot against him, his resolve never fails. Avalynn watches Mateo as they proceed in the hunt & starts to realize that her father was wrong. Mateo isn't the person she was led to believe he was and now she must figure out how to survive this hunt and save them both. Stormshroud was a big help when they faced the evil creatures that they were suppose to be hunting and her devotion never wavered. Now Avalynn wonders if she can survive the wrath of her father after she defies him.
A great read that will keep you guessing until the very end. Can't wait for book 2.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We have a story that has fae, humans, magic, and prophecies. It is a stunning story that pulls you in and doesn’t let go. We have Mateo & Avalynn who are on opposite sides of the spectrum. One has everything they could ever need and live in the lap of luxury. The other is living day by day just trying to make it. Both have amazing personalities that you feel the pull as you learn about their lives and struggles. This story is jammed packed with drama, action, suspense, and has some pretty big twists and turns that are extremely shocking. The story is extremely well written and developed. I loved that we get to learn a bit about the characters as we journey alongside them. The book is incredibly intriguing throughout the entire story. I loved Stormy in the story and she adds the beautiful sweetness with a bit of humor to it. Then we get to the end and talk about major cliffhanger. I absolutely can’t wait to see what happens next. This absolutely a must read.

[Mandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book I've read by Garcia, and it won't be the last.

First, I have to say that this cover is stunning! Kudos to GetCovers Designs.

Okay onto the story:
Aside from the prologue, the first half of A Storm Rises took off slowly, but toward the end, I had a hard time setting the book down. It was full of court intrigue and deception, but there were also heartfelt moments, compassion, and acceptance.

Then of course, there was the cast. I loved the shadowblood foxes, Stormy, and the Enbarr. Lily was a fun character, and I'd like to see more of her in book 2. It was fun to read about Mateo and Avalynn's budding relationship.

But even after finishing, I can't understand how either Mateo or Avalynn finished last. I've been in a lot of races and competitions in my life, and it seems like Eiric would've been in last place, then Selene, and then Finnian.

I'm looking forward to seeing what happens in book 2.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5 stars. *If you have not read Fae away and that series there are spoilers in this book*

The beginning half of the book is very slow. It definitely could have been condensed. The second half really picks up though so it makes up for it. The book has some very strong characters that were well thought out. Each has a very distinct personality and backstory. The imagery was well done and the creatures in it were unique. I enjoyed the hunt but I wished it had been a lot longer. The one thing that was difficult was the love interest, it was so instant and that made it hard to enjoy. It definitely had a great plot and there’s a twist in there that’s really good! I think with some tweaking the book could be a 5 star. I will be reading the next one as I expect it’s going to start moving at a fast pace. I was given a copy of this book from the author and am leaving this review willingly.