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Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles #3
The Sands of Titans
A woman marked by destiny.
A dark prince blinded by reason.
And a deadly game that could break them forever.
Duna's whole life was a lie. A clever manipulation of her memories by the one person that she should have been able to trust. He claims that it was the only way to keep her safe, but Fate always has a way of catching up. Now, Duna's path has brought her back to the one place where it all began, the Forgotten Kingdom - her home.
An ancient evil stirs, once more. A single tip of the scales and it will be released from its cage into the human realms, where nothing will be able to stop its total destruction of the mortal world. Nothing - but a secret prophecy long foretold on the eve of battle.
When rumors of war reach Duna, she finds herself facing her biggest regret, where she will do anything to protect the man of her heart. Even become his greatest enemy.
When lives are at stake, can true love ever survive?
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This book contains an intense slow-burn dark romance, high spice and angst, with forced proximity, one bed, and an over-the-top morally gray shadow wielding MMC. It is for mature audiences only due to strong language, scenes of violence and death, and explicit adult content. 18+ recommended.
The Sands of Titans is book 3 in the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles and CANNOT be read as a standalone. Make sure to read The Snows of Nissa (book 1) and The Storms of Fury (book 2) before starting.
A dark prince blinded by reason.
And a deadly game that could break them forever.
Duna's whole life was a lie. A clever manipulation of her memories by the one person that she should have been able to trust. He claims that it was the only way to keep her safe, but Fate always has a way of catching up. Now, Duna's path has brought her back to the one place where it all began, the Forgotten Kingdom - her home.
An ancient evil stirs, once more. A single tip of the scales and it will be released from its cage into the human realms, where nothing will be able to stop its total destruction of the mortal world. Nothing - but a secret prophecy long foretold on the eve of battle.
When rumors of war reach Duna, she finds herself facing her biggest regret, where she will do anything to protect the man of her heart. Even become his greatest enemy.
When lives are at stake, can true love ever survive?
AUTHOR'S NOTE:
This book contains an intense slow-burn dark romance, high spice and angst, with forced proximity, one bed, and an over-the-top morally gray shadow wielding MMC. It is for mature audiences only due to strong language, scenes of violence and death, and explicit adult content. 18+ recommended.
The Sands of Titans is book 3 in the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles and CANNOT be read as a standalone. Make sure to read The Snows of Nissa (book 1) and The Storms of Fury (book 2) before starting.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 20, 2024
31 people are currently reading
519 people want to read
About the author
Isabella Khalidi
11 books100 followersIsabella Khalidi is an adult dark romance & fantasy author. Her novels are deep and complex, filled with scorching romance that leaves the reader breathless and yearning for more. From an early age she has shown love for ancient lore and mythology, igniting her dream of one day becoming a successful author.
The Snows of Nissa is her first published novel, with the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles as her debut adult fantasy series.
Follow her on Instagram: isabellakhalidiauthor.
The Snows of Nissa is her first published novel, with the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles as her debut adult fantasy series.
Follow her on Instagram: isabellakhalidiauthor.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 26, 2024
i am at a loss for words.
this review will not be spoiler free! this is book three in the series, so i definitely recommend checking out the first two books prior to reading this one since they directly follow the same storyline :)
“just know this, i would rather live a single moment with you by my side than an eternity without you in it.”
the sands of titans follows duna damaris, as she uncovers secrets about her past that were hidden from her for most of her life. she learns where her origins are, despite it coming as a major shock to her system.
it has been one year since duna has seen her lost love, cathal ragnar. the two mourn the loss of one another through their respective chapters in the story, and are eventually reconnected when duna returns once again.
the two struggle to come to terms with their feelings, feeling more hatred towards one another than anything else. because let’s be real, talking through so many emotions at once can be REALLY difficult especially when there’s been so much time that has passed.
upon reconnecting, cathal comes to a major realization. the pair are eternally bonded, because they’re mates. 🥹
i really love the writing in this series, and how isabella beautifully portrays her characters and their feelings. her way of storytelling is beautiful.
this book definitely builds suspense that i feel like will play a major part in book four. and i CANNOT WAIT to read it✨
“don’t think that death will save you from me.” he looked him straight in the eye. “i am death. and i’ve only just begun.” and ripped his heart out.” the man that you are cathal <33
i’m in love with the characters and this world.
this was the first book i’ve read in a long time, and i’m so grateful to have been an arc reader for it :)
this review will not be spoiler free! this is book three in the series, so i definitely recommend checking out the first two books prior to reading this one since they directly follow the same storyline :)
“just know this, i would rather live a single moment with you by my side than an eternity without you in it.”
the sands of titans follows duna damaris, as she uncovers secrets about her past that were hidden from her for most of her life. she learns where her origins are, despite it coming as a major shock to her system.
it has been one year since duna has seen her lost love, cathal ragnar. the two mourn the loss of one another through their respective chapters in the story, and are eventually reconnected when duna returns once again.
the two struggle to come to terms with their feelings, feeling more hatred towards one another than anything else. because let’s be real, talking through so many emotions at once can be REALLY difficult especially when there’s been so much time that has passed.
upon reconnecting, cathal comes to a major realization. the pair are eternally bonded, because they’re mates. 🥹
i really love the writing in this series, and how isabella beautifully portrays her characters and their feelings. her way of storytelling is beautiful.
this book definitely builds suspense that i feel like will play a major part in book four. and i CANNOT WAIT to read it✨
“don’t think that death will save you from me.” he looked him straight in the eye. “i am death. and i’ve only just begun.” and ripped his heart out.” the man that you are cathal <33
i’m in love with the characters and this world.
this was the first book i’ve read in a long time, and i’m so grateful to have been an arc reader for it :)
February 23, 2024
The Sands of Titans is the third book in the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles, a dark fantasy romance series. This book, for the most part, picks up a year after the events of book two, with the main characters separated by Duna’s disappearance. Tropes include hate to love, secrets & betrayals, shadow daddy, morally gray, and hidden identities. This is a dark fantasy romance so please see content warnings for dark themes and explicit content.
The Lovely: I loved the main characters and their relationship. So much hate and anger has built up to cover the hurt and pain, creating an angsty environment. You can really feel the anguish of both main characters and that makes their interactions so much more emotional and rich.
Also Lovely: The lore and history of the kingdoms becomes even more fleshed out and deep, which I loved. The way the author describes it is immersive and I enjoy learning about each of the kingdoms. This book was much more focused on Duna’s back story and her relationship with Cathal, and we do learn a lot more about the lore.
The Mundane: My only meh, and I’m trying to stay spoiler free here, was that something I would have expected to happen in the first third of the story did not happen until the 2/3 mark. So, that was a bit frustrating to wait for.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Flames
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book delivers as a dark and spicy fantasy romance. I’m much more into the world building and lore now, and cannot wait to see how the main characters approach this next challenge facing them. This is expected to be a five book series, with book 4 due to release in late spring 2024 and book 5 in summer 2024. So, thankfully, not long to wait. If you like spicy fantasy romance with a strong FMC and gods and myths, I think you would like this book.
The Lovely: I loved the main characters and their relationship. So much hate and anger has built up to cover the hurt and pain, creating an angsty environment. You can really feel the anguish of both main characters and that makes their interactions so much more emotional and rich.
Also Lovely: The lore and history of the kingdoms becomes even more fleshed out and deep, which I loved. The way the author describes it is immersive and I enjoy learning about each of the kingdoms. This book was much more focused on Duna’s back story and her relationship with Cathal, and we do learn a lot more about the lore.
The Mundane: My only meh, and I’m trying to stay spoiler free here, was that something I would have expected to happen in the first third of the story did not happen until the 2/3 mark. So, that was a bit frustrating to wait for.
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars 4/5 Flames
Recommendation: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book delivers as a dark and spicy fantasy romance. I’m much more into the world building and lore now, and cannot wait to see how the main characters approach this next challenge facing them. This is expected to be a five book series, with book 4 due to release in late spring 2024 and book 5 in summer 2024. So, thankfully, not long to wait. If you like spicy fantasy romance with a strong FMC and gods and myths, I think you would like this book.
February 26, 2024
The Sands of Titans" delves into Duna's quest to uncover the truth behind her fabricated memories, leading her back to her origins in the Forgotten Kingdom. As an ancient evil, Apophis threatens to unleash chaos upon the world, Duna grapples with protecting her loved ones while confronting her past. A perilous game of fate unfolding, the ultimate question arises: Can love between Duna and Cathal endure amidst the impending devastation and the challenges that threaten to tear them apart forever?
My heart was ripped out, stomped on, and then, for good measure, I'm pretty sure she spit in my mouth. Isabella has this way of making you be able to feel the way the character feels. Their hurt becomes your hurt.
Even though the tensions are high, we still get our spicy scenes, and man, are they top tier and so good!!
I could not put this book down. The beginning of the book has a little bit of a slower pace, but the 2nd half picks up. And the ending, omg. I feel like Isabella's has a thing for last sentence cliff hangers. My mind is reeling, and I'm already coming up with crazing theories of what that ending could possibly have meant!!! I need people to hurry up and read so I can talk to them about this!
My heart was ripped out, stomped on, and then, for good measure, I'm pretty sure she spit in my mouth. Isabella has this way of making you be able to feel the way the character feels. Their hurt becomes your hurt.
Even though the tensions are high, we still get our spicy scenes, and man, are they top tier and so good!!
I could not put this book down. The beginning of the book has a little bit of a slower pace, but the 2nd half picks up. And the ending, omg. I feel like Isabella's has a thing for last sentence cliff hangers. My mind is reeling, and I'm already coming up with crazing theories of what that ending could possibly have meant!!! I need people to hurry up and read so I can talk to them about this!
February 22, 2024
Oh my. This series.
The world building is just fantastic and the characters are so well developed. This book is definitely my fav of the series so far.
It has action, it has mythology, it has humour, it has spice, it has super cool, awesomely cute but would unalive you with one swipe animals. Basically, it has everything!
For the first half of the book I really wanted to bang some heads together! A certain lady was reallllyyy frustrating me. Don’t hurt my Cathal!!!
And a shout out to baby Shah!!! Oh my heart!
I LOVE this series and cannot wait to see what happens next!
The world building is just fantastic and the characters are so well developed. This book is definitely my fav of the series so far.
It has action, it has mythology, it has humour, it has spice, it has super cool, awesomely cute but would unalive you with one swipe animals. Basically, it has everything!
For the first half of the book I really wanted to bang some heads together! A certain lady was reallllyyy frustrating me. Don’t hurt my Cathal!!!
And a shout out to baby Shah!!! Oh my heart!
I LOVE this series and cannot wait to see what happens next!
February 17, 2024
The best one in the series so far! I absolutely LOVED this book. The clarity we get on so many things is beyond amazing. The drama, the heat, the answers, the plot twists! So many things fall into place in this book. If you've been following the series, then you NEED to jump into this book immediately! This series is absolutely amazing, and this book makes it even more exciting. I fly through them because I just can't get enough. I can't wait for book four!!!!
November 11, 2024
**this review is for both book 3 and 4**
“He hated her. He loved her. She’d killed him. He’d kill for her. She’d ruined him. He’d ruin her back. It was as simple as that.”
When I start to actively root against the main characters being together I know the author has lost me. The first 50% of this book was amazing...because they weren't together. I stand by what I have said, the plot and the world building is phenomenal. However, I cannot stand the main characters. To start, I don't understand why they are obsessed with each other other than a pull in their chest when around the other. My biggest gripe with fated mate stories is not proving that beyond a pull to each other a deep love and respect for each other is established. Otherwise it's depressing that you only love - more like obsess over - each other because of some predetermined force of fate. I want to believe that even without fate you would would be madly in love with each other. Unfortunately, this isn't the case here. They don't even seem to like each other other than when they f**k.
Second, the dreaded miscommunication trope was blazing hot in this series. This is why I have no faith in fantasy series and don't get my hopes up. They end up being so predictably frustrating. The lack of communication and running wild on assumptions was out of hand. It also made no sense. Why would Duna be scared for Cathal knowing he is the actual God of Death...you don't think he's the most powerful being on land? Where is the logic girlie...
Third, if I did have a fated mate and he treated me the way Cathal treated Duna while knowing who she was to him...I would spend my entire existence cursing the gods (hello Roxy Vega I desperately miss you) and doing whatever I could to break the bond. Where is the self respect? Also the hypocrisy from Cathal being so angry at all her secrets while gaslighting Duna to be the villain...do you not remember all your secrets, some that you are still keeping, and abandoning her with no explanation not so long ago in book two?? I wanted to stab my eyes out. The problem is Cathal tells us he loathes himself for how he treated Duna and would do anything for Duna but his actions contradict that.
Here's an example. Literally right after Duna and Cathal clear the air, apologize, and have a near death experience where Duna saves his life he used the first opportunity (Melina) - don't even get me started on the caricature of Melina and how messed up his treatment of her was - to "get back again" at Duna. Let me just lay this out...while now understanding why Duna did what she did, the trauma upon trauma she experienced and understanding her intentions - despite being misguided - were to protect Cathal...he takes the very first opportunity to hurt Duna using Melina. It was actually disgusting. Full stop, if Duna had any self respect/preservation she would have left him there and realized he has zero respect or actual love for her. But alas Duna rolls over every time because of course let's not actually do the hard work to resolve our problems and instead bury it under sex. Nothing makes me less interested then when a heroine who is portrayed as independent and strong tragically disappoints.
I'll finish this series because the books are short and I am committed at this point. I will absolutely be skimming the cringey spice scenes and honestly Cathal and Duna's character interations.
“Quite tragic, how we learn to appreciate the beauty of something that no longer exists. That only years after its passing, do we realize how it was the flaws and imperfections that made it so perfectly breathtaking and devastatingly divine.”
“He hated her. He loved her. She’d killed him. He’d kill for her. She’d ruined him. He’d ruin her back. It was as simple as that.”
When I start to actively root against the main characters being together I know the author has lost me. The first 50% of this book was amazing...because they weren't together. I stand by what I have said, the plot and the world building is phenomenal. However, I cannot stand the main characters. To start, I don't understand why they are obsessed with each other other than a pull in their chest when around the other. My biggest gripe with fated mate stories is not proving that beyond a pull to each other a deep love and respect for each other is established. Otherwise it's depressing that you only love - more like obsess over - each other because of some predetermined force of fate. I want to believe that even without fate you would would be madly in love with each other. Unfortunately, this isn't the case here. They don't even seem to like each other other than when they f**k.
Second, the dreaded miscommunication trope was blazing hot in this series. This is why I have no faith in fantasy series and don't get my hopes up. They end up being so predictably frustrating. The lack of communication and running wild on assumptions was out of hand. It also made no sense. Why would Duna be scared for Cathal knowing he is the actual God of Death...you don't think he's the most powerful being on land? Where is the logic girlie...
Third, if I did have a fated mate and he treated me the way Cathal treated Duna while knowing who she was to him...I would spend my entire existence cursing the gods (hello Roxy Vega I desperately miss you) and doing whatever I could to break the bond. Where is the self respect? Also the hypocrisy from Cathal being so angry at all her secrets while gaslighting Duna to be the villain...do you not remember all your secrets, some that you are still keeping, and abandoning her with no explanation not so long ago in book two?? I wanted to stab my eyes out. The problem is Cathal tells us he loathes himself for how he treated Duna and would do anything for Duna but his actions contradict that.
Here's an example. Literally right after Duna and Cathal clear the air, apologize, and have a near death experience where Duna saves his life he used the first opportunity (Melina) - don't even get me started on the caricature of Melina and how messed up his treatment of her was - to "get back again" at Duna. Let me just lay this out...while now understanding why Duna did what she did, the trauma upon trauma she experienced and understanding her intentions - despite being misguided - were to protect Cathal...he takes the very first opportunity to hurt Duna using Melina. It was actually disgusting. Full stop, if Duna had any self respect/preservation she would have left him there and realized he has zero respect or actual love for her. But alas Duna rolls over every time because of course let's not actually do the hard work to resolve our problems and instead bury it under sex. Nothing makes me less interested then when a heroine who is portrayed as independent and strong tragically disappoints.
I'll finish this series because the books are short and I am committed at this point. I will absolutely be skimming the cringey spice scenes and honestly Cathal and Duna's character interations.
“Quite tragic, how we learn to appreciate the beauty of something that no longer exists. That only years after its passing, do we realize how it was the flaws and imperfections that made it so perfectly breathtaking and devastatingly divine.”
February 26, 2024
༻❥🐺🔥🐺❥༺
📖𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺•𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆📖
🎉🔥ℋ𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓎 ℛℯ𝓁ℯ𝒶𝓈ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓎!!🔥🎉
──────✩🔥☆🔥✩──────
📚𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊•𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒📚
✨𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙰𝙽𝙳𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙸𝚃𝙰𝙽𝚂 𝙱𝚈 𝙸𝚂𝙰𝙱𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙰 𝙺𝙷𝙰𝙻𝙸𝙳𝙸
✨𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟹 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙶𝙾𝚃𝚃𝙴𝙽 𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙶𝙳𝙾𝙼 𝙲𝙷𝚁𝙾𝙽𝙸𝙲𝙻𝙴𝚂
✨𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
✨𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝙵𝙴𝙱. 𝟸𝟼𝚃𝙷 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
╰┈❥𝙰𝚅𝙰𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝙺𝚄!✨
✨𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
✨𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ || 𝟻
──────✩🔥☆🔥✩──────
✨✨𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔✨✨
Thank you so much to Isabella for my gifted eARC of 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐒!
This book was everything I thought it would be and more! I was so excited to jump back into the Fogotten Kingdom with Duna, Cathal, and the whole crew. With the way that Book 2 ended, I definitely had some thoughts about where I thought this book was going to go, & it delivered in every way imaginable.
Duna is one of my favorite FMCs. She is such a complex character & I really felt like she came into her own in this book. I absolutely loved seeing her character development as she starts to unravel the mysteries surrounding her origins. The lore & world building are so in depth, and so fascinating to learn about!
One of my favorite things about this book was the amount of emotion our characters conveyed in it. Cathal & Duna’s relationship is so complicated & heart-wrenching, & you see so many of their vulnerable moments in this book. It pulls you into the story in a very emotionally impactful way. There is still action, suspense & romance, but the emotions, angst, & tension run pretty high in this book, & Isabella writes in such a way that you feel it all through the pages as if you are right there with the characters. Her writing is just amazing, & really creates such an immersive reading experience that you feel resonate in your soul.
The world-building in the first half was amazingly written in true Isabella fashion, & really provides so much insight into a lot of the questions I had from the first two books, especially about Duna & the visions she was experiencing in Book 2. We get so much information & I ate it all up. I LOVE a good info dump & this one was absolute perfection. And then the second half of the book takes off with the action!
The romance was also AMAZING. Duna and Cathal are so electric; their chemistry is off the charts amazing & so deliciously angsty & tension-filled. Complicated, soul-deep, & heart achingly beautiful, their relationship is definitely not sunshine & rainbows. Their connection is so undeniable, & I just really love them. And don’t even get me started on the spice! It’s perfect - tasteful, written well with the plot, and absolutely DELICIOUS. You will melt.
I loved everything about this book, and it’s definitely my favorite in the series so far. The writing and the emotions really pulled to me and it just all worked so well together. I FLEW through it. I loved getting so many answers to my questions! I have about 100 new questions and the ending had me screaming, so I’m definitely needing the next book!
Overall, YES. Yes, you absolutely need to read this series ASAP if you haven’t already because it’s perfection in book-form. If you’re on the fence, then this is your sign to stop what you’re doing and start because you will love it!
🔥✨𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄...✨🔥
★Enemies to Lovers
★Forced Proximity
★Morally Grey Shadow Daddy MMC
★Touch Her AND Him and Die
★Gods & Prophecies
★Only One Bed/Only One Horse
★Double Hidden Identity & Rediscovery
★Multiple POV
★Heavy Spice & Angst
★Fantastical Creatures/Armies
★Sassy, Badass FMC
──────✩🔥☆🔥✩──────
📖𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺•𝚁𝙴𝚅𝙸𝙴𝚆📖
🎉🔥ℋ𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓎 ℛℯ𝓁ℯ𝒶𝓈ℯ 𝒟𝒶𝓎!!🔥🎉
──────✩🔥☆🔥✩──────
📚𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊•𝐃𝐄𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐋𝐒📚
✨𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚂𝙰𝙽𝙳𝚂 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙸𝚃𝙰𝙽𝚂 𝙱𝚈 𝙸𝚂𝙰𝙱𝙴𝙻𝙻𝙰 𝙺𝙷𝙰𝙻𝙸𝙳𝙸
✨𝙱𝙾𝙾𝙺 𝟹 𝙸𝙽 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝙶𝙾𝚃𝚃𝙴𝙽 𝙺𝙸𝙽𝙶𝙳𝙾𝙼 𝙲𝙷𝚁𝙾𝙽𝙸𝙲𝙻𝙴𝚂
✨𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐄: 𝙳𝙰𝚁𝙺 𝙵𝙰𝙽𝚃𝙰𝚂𝚈 𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴
✨𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐃𝐀𝐓𝐄: 𝙵𝙴𝙱. 𝟸𝟼𝚃𝙷 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟺
╰┈❥𝙰𝚅𝙰𝙸𝙻𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 𝙾𝙽 𝙺𝚄!✨
✨𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐍𝐆: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ || 𝟻
✨𝐒𝐏𝐈𝐂𝐄 𝐋𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐋: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ || 𝟻
──────✩🔥☆🔥✩──────
✨✨𝑴𝒚 𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔✨✨
Thank you so much to Isabella for my gifted eARC of 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐒 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐒!
This book was everything I thought it would be and more! I was so excited to jump back into the Fogotten Kingdom with Duna, Cathal, and the whole crew. With the way that Book 2 ended, I definitely had some thoughts about where I thought this book was going to go, & it delivered in every way imaginable.
Duna is one of my favorite FMCs. She is such a complex character & I really felt like she came into her own in this book. I absolutely loved seeing her character development as she starts to unravel the mysteries surrounding her origins. The lore & world building are so in depth, and so fascinating to learn about!
One of my favorite things about this book was the amount of emotion our characters conveyed in it. Cathal & Duna’s relationship is so complicated & heart-wrenching, & you see so many of their vulnerable moments in this book. It pulls you into the story in a very emotionally impactful way. There is still action, suspense & romance, but the emotions, angst, & tension run pretty high in this book, & Isabella writes in such a way that you feel it all through the pages as if you are right there with the characters. Her writing is just amazing, & really creates such an immersive reading experience that you feel resonate in your soul.
The world-building in the first half was amazingly written in true Isabella fashion, & really provides so much insight into a lot of the questions I had from the first two books, especially about Duna & the visions she was experiencing in Book 2. We get so much information & I ate it all up. I LOVE a good info dump & this one was absolute perfection. And then the second half of the book takes off with the action!
The romance was also AMAZING. Duna and Cathal are so electric; their chemistry is off the charts amazing & so deliciously angsty & tension-filled. Complicated, soul-deep, & heart achingly beautiful, their relationship is definitely not sunshine & rainbows. Their connection is so undeniable, & I just really love them. And don’t even get me started on the spice! It’s perfect - tasteful, written well with the plot, and absolutely DELICIOUS. You will melt.
I loved everything about this book, and it’s definitely my favorite in the series so far. The writing and the emotions really pulled to me and it just all worked so well together. I FLEW through it. I loved getting so many answers to my questions! I have about 100 new questions and the ending had me screaming, so I’m definitely needing the next book!
Overall, YES. Yes, you absolutely need to read this series ASAP if you haven’t already because it’s perfection in book-form. If you’re on the fence, then this is your sign to stop what you’re doing and start because you will love it!
🔥✨𝐏𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄...✨🔥
★Enemies to Lovers
★Forced Proximity
★Morally Grey Shadow Daddy MMC
★Touch Her AND Him and Die
★Gods & Prophecies
★Only One Bed/Only One Horse
★Double Hidden Identity & Rediscovery
★Multiple POV
★Heavy Spice & Angst
★Fantastical Creatures/Armies
★Sassy, Badass FMC
──────✩🔥☆🔥✩──────
February 8, 2025
I don't know how I've managed to read 3 of them so far.
World building - has good points
Descriptions - can be good, if at some points over the top. INCREDIBLY repetitive when it comes to the descriptions of the bodies of other people. Also every male character is 6 foot, muscular and dreamy with long hair. Every female character is petite, perky, has long straight hair and piercing eyes of various colours. No joke.
Plot - slow, kind of hard to follow, info dumps every 10 chapters and nothing of substance in between. Has so much potential!
Spice - 10 out of 5 in terms of description and filth
Main Characters - oooh where do I begin!
Why is every MFC and MMC the exact same in EVERY. SINGLE. FANTASY. BOOK!
MFC is described as intelligent but is definitely not cause they can never see what's right in front of their face. Great with weapons but has always been just a grunt in the army or never noticed for their talents (what). Smart mouthed except for when it counts. So fixated, obsessed and down right stupid when it comes to the MMC. Can see red flags in only a select few (for Plot reasons which is beyond obvious). Is incredibly independent until it comes to a man and then becomes a Stepford wife. Discovers that the MMC has dark shadows that come out his body and they can hear each other in their heads but NEVER QUESTIONS IT?! HOW WOMAN! HOW STUPID CAN YOU GET!!!
Has some trauma, yep cool, but acts like they are the ONLY one to have ever experienced anything and they walk around playing the victim. Skinny, perky, toned and eyes for days. Oh, also every man, commoner to royal or God, is obsessed with her. Why? She's oblivious the absolutely everything, thinks with her poon and loves to play with weapons. Well, on second thought maybe that's why...
MMCs are always dark, brooding, has anger issues that if it weren't for how sexy they are the MFC would see as abusive and psycho (cause he is!) Thinks with his P and thinks that is love. Violent like so many other characters but somehow for him it's OK and it's hot. Is manipulative, doesn't communicate properly, and expects to be worshipped. Also walks around with a chip on his shoulder and definitely identifies as a victim too.
Both characters are one dimensional. They have no chemistry with each other except for in bed but somehow they trust each other complicity, they would die for the other one, and you never see these two interact on any normal level, you only see them 'bond' when they have xxx. They don't communicate. At. All. The only times they communicate is with their bodies, and talking VERY dirty.
This series so far is confusing because there are elements that I love but so many I don't. I love fantasy, but the characters, their strengths and flaws, the way they interact with one another, need to be realistic otherwise you never connect with them. Doesn't help that in this series the God of Dealth and at least one royal from every realm love the MFC and are obsessed. Why? Just why? How is this helpful to the story? She's the popular girl while also being weird and off in her own world.
If you thought you were human, the discovered you can have a conversation with someone in you heads, bring animals back to life, and have intense visions that include the God of Life... wouldn't you be freaked and question it and want to find answers? If you're Duna apparently not
World building - has good points
Descriptions - can be good, if at some points over the top. INCREDIBLY repetitive when it comes to the descriptions of the bodies of other people. Also every male character is 6 foot, muscular and dreamy with long hair. Every female character is petite, perky, has long straight hair and piercing eyes of various colours. No joke.
Plot - slow, kind of hard to follow, info dumps every 10 chapters and nothing of substance in between. Has so much potential!
Spice - 10 out of 5 in terms of description and filth
Main Characters - oooh where do I begin!
Why is every MFC and MMC the exact same in EVERY. SINGLE. FANTASY. BOOK!
MFC is described as intelligent but is definitely not cause they can never see what's right in front of their face. Great with weapons but has always been just a grunt in the army or never noticed for their talents (what). Smart mouthed except for when it counts. So fixated, obsessed and down right stupid when it comes to the MMC. Can see red flags in only a select few (for Plot reasons which is beyond obvious). Is incredibly independent until it comes to a man and then becomes a Stepford wife. Discovers that the MMC has dark shadows that come out his body and they can hear each other in their heads but NEVER QUESTIONS IT?! HOW WOMAN! HOW STUPID CAN YOU GET!!!
Has some trauma, yep cool, but acts like they are the ONLY one to have ever experienced anything and they walk around playing the victim. Skinny, perky, toned and eyes for days. Oh, also every man, commoner to royal or God, is obsessed with her. Why? She's oblivious the absolutely everything, thinks with her poon and loves to play with weapons. Well, on second thought maybe that's why...
MMCs are always dark, brooding, has anger issues that if it weren't for how sexy they are the MFC would see as abusive and psycho (cause he is!) Thinks with his P and thinks that is love. Violent like so many other characters but somehow for him it's OK and it's hot. Is manipulative, doesn't communicate properly, and expects to be worshipped. Also walks around with a chip on his shoulder and definitely identifies as a victim too.
Both characters are one dimensional. They have no chemistry with each other except for in bed but somehow they trust each other complicity, they would die for the other one, and you never see these two interact on any normal level, you only see them 'bond' when they have xxx. They don't communicate. At. All. The only times they communicate is with their bodies, and talking VERY dirty.
This series so far is confusing because there are elements that I love but so many I don't. I love fantasy, but the characters, their strengths and flaws, the way they interact with one another, need to be realistic otherwise you never connect with them. Doesn't help that in this series the God of Dealth and at least one royal from every realm love the MFC and are obsessed. Why? Just why? How is this helpful to the story? She's the popular girl while also being weird and off in her own world.
If you thought you were human, the discovered you can have a conversation with someone in you heads, bring animals back to life, and have intense visions that include the God of Life... wouldn't you be freaked and question it and want to find answers? If you're Duna apparently not
March 10, 2024
⚠️‼️ Potential spoilers in synopsis ‼️⚠️
Please be aware of author's content warnings for this book.
The Sands of Titans is the third book of the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles.
Can home be a place you don't know at all? It's been a year since Duna ran away from Baqar and found herself face to face with an army that claimed to be hers.
Faced with the realisation that her whole life has been a lie, Duna fights against unknown powers to reclaim her memories, in order to be able to move forward. Even though this includes having to draw a line under her relationship with Cathal, whom she left behind for the sake of avoiding the inevitable bloodshed that would have resulted from him learning the truth of what happened with Madir in Nissa.
As Duna slowly recovers the memories of her past life, she gains an understanding of her true identity, of the world she lives in and slowly processes the reality of what this entails, including the role that she has played thus far.
But try as she might, Duna can't seem to escape her destiny, and it's only a matter of time before circumstances throw her back in Tyros and into the path of Cathal, who has spent the last year doing everything in his power to forget Duna, her perceived betrayal, and to get over the hold that she inexplicably has on his soul.
As Duna and Cathal's unbreakable bond clashes with the strong feelings whipped up Duna's flight from Baqar, dark forces that may be even more powerful than them rise to power in the background. Cathal's reaction from learning the truth about Nissa may have been predictable, but will Cathal throw himself into a fight of magnitude he could not have possibly foreseen?
💭 I have never made a secret of the fact that great characters are an absolute must for me to fully appreciate a book and this is such a strong point of this series.
I'm not much of a writer, but having read hundreds of books I think I can quite confidently state that it takes a special skill set to be able to write a character as strong and equally vulnerable, admirable and at the same time enough of a hot mess to not make you hate them for being too perfect - particularly when this applies to FMCs.
Duna is all those things. The Sands of Titans provides A LOT of backstory for Duna, which drives the first half of the book, and on paper this could have easily descended into a Little Miss Perfect situation. Except it doesn't, because there are enough character traits (and flaws) thrown in to make her frustratingly human and annoyingly relatable. This is actually something that drives part of the plot, which in my humble opinion is just a bit genius.
Although I really enjoyed this book, there was a lot more information than plot in this one. The first half felt pretty much like one big flashback, explained through Duna's memories flooding back into her while she's unconscious and I felt it would have been nice for the background information to be more mixed in with some 'here and now' scenes as I found it a little hard to process in such a big chunk and I felt like it also affected the pace of the story in that first half, even though I thoroughly enjoyed this as a means of introducing some great new characters.
I can't say I'm an expert in dark fantasy romance either, but if this is your jam, you can't tick more boxes than what this series offers. I have previously reviewed the first two books so I won't repeat the points I made there, but if you're starting to feel fed up with the Winter cold and need something to melt the ice, this series is for you.
A particularly welcome addition was the Petra/ Axel interaction. Angry-I-really-can't-stand-you action *smirks* scene. Yes please. More of that.
The next installment in this series is due out in April and I'm totally here for it. Thank you Isabella for letting me have all the ARCs, this series is giving me a welcome breath of fresh air.
Please be aware of author's content warnings for this book.
The Sands of Titans is the third book of the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles.
Can home be a place you don't know at all? It's been a year since Duna ran away from Baqar and found herself face to face with an army that claimed to be hers.
Faced with the realisation that her whole life has been a lie, Duna fights against unknown powers to reclaim her memories, in order to be able to move forward. Even though this includes having to draw a line under her relationship with Cathal, whom she left behind for the sake of avoiding the inevitable bloodshed that would have resulted from him learning the truth of what happened with Madir in Nissa.
As Duna slowly recovers the memories of her past life, she gains an understanding of her true identity, of the world she lives in and slowly processes the reality of what this entails, including the role that she has played thus far.
But try as she might, Duna can't seem to escape her destiny, and it's only a matter of time before circumstances throw her back in Tyros and into the path of Cathal, who has spent the last year doing everything in his power to forget Duna, her perceived betrayal, and to get over the hold that she inexplicably has on his soul.
As Duna and Cathal's unbreakable bond clashes with the strong feelings whipped up Duna's flight from Baqar, dark forces that may be even more powerful than them rise to power in the background. Cathal's reaction from learning the truth about Nissa may have been predictable, but will Cathal throw himself into a fight of magnitude he could not have possibly foreseen?
💭 I have never made a secret of the fact that great characters are an absolute must for me to fully appreciate a book and this is such a strong point of this series.
I'm not much of a writer, but having read hundreds of books I think I can quite confidently state that it takes a special skill set to be able to write a character as strong and equally vulnerable, admirable and at the same time enough of a hot mess to not make you hate them for being too perfect - particularly when this applies to FMCs.
Duna is all those things. The Sands of Titans provides A LOT of backstory for Duna, which drives the first half of the book, and on paper this could have easily descended into a Little Miss Perfect situation. Except it doesn't, because there are enough character traits (and flaws) thrown in to make her frustratingly human and annoyingly relatable. This is actually something that drives part of the plot, which in my humble opinion is just a bit genius.
Although I really enjoyed this book, there was a lot more information than plot in this one. The first half felt pretty much like one big flashback, explained through Duna's memories flooding back into her while she's unconscious and I felt it would have been nice for the background information to be more mixed in with some 'here and now' scenes as I found it a little hard to process in such a big chunk and I felt like it also affected the pace of the story in that first half, even though I thoroughly enjoyed this as a means of introducing some great new characters.
I can't say I'm an expert in dark fantasy romance either, but if this is your jam, you can't tick more boxes than what this series offers. I have previously reviewed the first two books so I won't repeat the points I made there, but if you're starting to feel fed up with the Winter cold and need something to melt the ice, this series is for you.
A particularly welcome addition was the Petra/ Axel interaction. Angry-I-really-can't-stand-you action *smirks* scene. Yes please. More of that.
The next installment in this series is due out in April and I'm totally here for it. Thank you Isabella for letting me have all the ARCs, this series is giving me a welcome breath of fresh air.
February 28, 2024
Inspiring and Heart Wrenching
This book will leave you reeling. Be prepared to follow your favorite characters as mortals, gods, and demigods face a world where everything they thought they knew from Snows of Nissa and Sands of Fury is called into question and nothing is as it seemed.
Filled with all the passion, intrigue, and mythos that is a signature of @isabellakhalidiauthor style. This book is real, raw, and a reflection of living in a time of drama and trauma. I felt every decision that Duna made, her feelings of loss and hopelessness at the beginning were clearly grounded in the actions and decisions made in the previous books. Cathal was a powerhouse of emotions in ways that even I didn't expect. I was surprised at the depths and degree of his reactions at first, but I found this was a vital part of the larger narrative and was needed to move all the characters to the draw dropping ending. This is part of the wonderfully subtle interweaving of myth and fantasy that the author is creating across all books...and I loved it. Surprises abound and I was thrilled to see subplots being developed that made use of the well crafted secondary characters that I have been anticipating seeing more of since book one and which I am excited to learn more of.
Overall, if you want a book that is a well crafted, beautifully paced, and emotionally charged read that is equal parts Fantasy and Romance than this is a book you will want to check out. I must note that this is an 18+ romance that is not dark per say, but which reflects a world that is at the nexus of an eternal battle of Good vs Evil where men and women are equally warriors and lovers on the battlefield and in the bedroom. This is a world where nothing is as it first appears and mysteries, as well as prophecies, make the characters wonder how much of their lives are in their control. But at its heart, this is a book that shows mortals, demigods, and gods must fight to become who they want to be and fight to be with who they want.
A quote from Chapter One stands out to me. Lt. Roman Valeria tells Duna, the FMC, "Our past shapes us, but it does not define us. What we make of ourselves is in our own present hands." What a way to challenge both a character and the reader.
This book will leave you reeling. Be prepared to follow your favorite characters as mortals, gods, and demigods face a world where everything they thought they knew from Snows of Nissa and Sands of Fury is called into question and nothing is as it seemed.
Filled with all the passion, intrigue, and mythos that is a signature of @isabellakhalidiauthor style. This book is real, raw, and a reflection of living in a time of drama and trauma. I felt every decision that Duna made, her feelings of loss and hopelessness at the beginning were clearly grounded in the actions and decisions made in the previous books. Cathal was a powerhouse of emotions in ways that even I didn't expect. I was surprised at the depths and degree of his reactions at first, but I found this was a vital part of the larger narrative and was needed to move all the characters to the draw dropping ending. This is part of the wonderfully subtle interweaving of myth and fantasy that the author is creating across all books...and I loved it. Surprises abound and I was thrilled to see subplots being developed that made use of the well crafted secondary characters that I have been anticipating seeing more of since book one and which I am excited to learn more of.
Overall, if you want a book that is a well crafted, beautifully paced, and emotionally charged read that is equal parts Fantasy and Romance than this is a book you will want to check out. I must note that this is an 18+ romance that is not dark per say, but which reflects a world that is at the nexus of an eternal battle of Good vs Evil where men and women are equally warriors and lovers on the battlefield and in the bedroom. This is a world where nothing is as it first appears and mysteries, as well as prophecies, make the characters wonder how much of their lives are in their control. But at its heart, this is a book that shows mortals, demigods, and gods must fight to become who they want to be and fight to be with who they want.
A quote from Chapter One stands out to me. Lt. Roman Valeria tells Duna, the FMC, "Our past shapes us, but it does not define us. What we make of ourselves is in our own present hands." What a way to challenge both a character and the reader.
March 5, 2024
STORY LOVE
♥️♥️♥️♥️
SPICE
🌶️ medium(ish)
RECOMMEND
💳 yes
Fate.
“I can control my destiny, but not my fate. Destiny means there are opportunities to turn right or left, but fate is a one-way street. I believe we all have the choice as to whether we fulfill our destiny, but our fate is sealed.” Paulo Coelho
The Sands of Titans is Isabella Khalidi’s third installment in her Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles & cannot be read as a standalone. The story is set in two parts & spans approximately a year from the moment Duna runs away from Baqar, ultimately abandoning Cathal. When Shah lands in an unknown place, Duna is greeted by an army. An army in which she is ranked as a Commander.
Isabella opens the story by revealing scenes of the past from an unfamiliar point of view. The prologue remains one of my favorite parts of the series because of its intrigue. I hope she continues this format throughout the remainder of the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles.
The world-building in The Sands of Titans is another example of how the locations can become a character of its own in the story. New characters & locations are revealed through Duna's point of view. The use of lore & mythology combined with the details provided makes it easy to visualize what Duna is seeing. It's one of the best parts of Isabella's storytelling.
While Duna is acclimating to her new reality, Cathal is reeling from her seemingly betrayal. After a year of searching for Duna, he finally gives up & his hurt turns into anger. He has to make his "introduction" in his true form to the new king of Tyros while also dealing with the threat from the heir of Nissa.
On separate missions, Cathal & Duna are in proximity to each other at the camp where they first met. There is so much angst, push & pull between the two. There is also miscommunication between Duna & Cathal. Duna's martyred herself by keeping secrets from Cathal & Cathal is determined to punish Duna. When the two finally unite, their reunion is explosive. Duna gathers the courage to tell Cathal why she ran away from Baqar & Nissa. Cathal reacts as expected & his actions lead to devastating consequences.
Throughout The Sands of Titans, the characters we were introduced to in the first two installments of the Forbidden Kingdom Chronicles are not who they appear & there's a bigger agenda that we are not aware of yet. Some secrets have yet to be revealed. The biggest secrets of all are the answers to one question. Why?
If you're interested in a series that intertwines different cultural lore, mythology & fated mates, give the Forbidden Kingdom a read. The Sands of Titans ends on a cliffhanger & the wait shouldn't be too long when more answers are revealed in the fourth book, The Plains of Wrath, expected to be released in late spring.
Enjoy!
Thank you for the opportunity to read The Sands of Titans in advance!
♥️♥️♥️♥️
SPICE
🌶️ medium(ish)
RECOMMEND
💳 yes
Fate.
“I can control my destiny, but not my fate. Destiny means there are opportunities to turn right or left, but fate is a one-way street. I believe we all have the choice as to whether we fulfill our destiny, but our fate is sealed.” Paulo Coelho
The Sands of Titans is Isabella Khalidi’s third installment in her Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles & cannot be read as a standalone. The story is set in two parts & spans approximately a year from the moment Duna runs away from Baqar, ultimately abandoning Cathal. When Shah lands in an unknown place, Duna is greeted by an army. An army in which she is ranked as a Commander.
Isabella opens the story by revealing scenes of the past from an unfamiliar point of view. The prologue remains one of my favorite parts of the series because of its intrigue. I hope she continues this format throughout the remainder of the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles.
The world-building in The Sands of Titans is another example of how the locations can become a character of its own in the story. New characters & locations are revealed through Duna's point of view. The use of lore & mythology combined with the details provided makes it easy to visualize what Duna is seeing. It's one of the best parts of Isabella's storytelling.
While Duna is acclimating to her new reality, Cathal is reeling from her seemingly betrayal. After a year of searching for Duna, he finally gives up & his hurt turns into anger. He has to make his "introduction" in his true form to the new king of Tyros while also dealing with the threat from the heir of Nissa.
On separate missions, Cathal & Duna are in proximity to each other at the camp where they first met. There is so much angst, push & pull between the two. There is also miscommunication between Duna & Cathal. Duna's martyred herself by keeping secrets from Cathal & Cathal is determined to punish Duna. When the two finally unite, their reunion is explosive. Duna gathers the courage to tell Cathal why she ran away from Baqar & Nissa. Cathal reacts as expected & his actions lead to devastating consequences.
Throughout The Sands of Titans, the characters we were introduced to in the first two installments of the Forbidden Kingdom Chronicles are not who they appear & there's a bigger agenda that we are not aware of yet. Some secrets have yet to be revealed. The biggest secrets of all are the answers to one question. Why?
If you're interested in a series that intertwines different cultural lore, mythology & fated mates, give the Forbidden Kingdom a read. The Sands of Titans ends on a cliffhanger & the wait shouldn't be too long when more answers are revealed in the fourth book, The Plains of Wrath, expected to be released in late spring.
Enjoy!
Thank you for the opportunity to read The Sands of Titans in advance!
February 22, 2024
SO. MUCH. ANGST. Whew. The Sands of Titans is the 3rd installment in the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles. I will say, this installment of the series is much slower to get started than the first 2 books. With that being said, you HAVE to hang on because it is worth it once the author sets everything up. The author does a great job at providing insight into why her characters particularly Duna Damaris acts and thinks the way she does. You'll want to reach into the book and hug Duna. We are also introduced to a couple of new characters who I hope will be in the fourth book as well!
Once Cathal and Duna are reunited at camp, things start getting very complicated very quickly. There is a fantastic push and pull to their relationship which creates so much angst, I had to take several breaks while reading!
Cathal and Duna's relationship squeezed the heart out of my chest and I found myself shouting at these characters through the second half of the book. I love the world that the author created and absolutely cannot wait for the 4th installment in the series.
Let's talk spice. THE. SPICE. IN. THIS. BOOK. WILL. HAVE. YOU. GASPING. FOR. AIR.
The way Cathal absolutely worships Duna will have you in a puddle.
What I liked:
-Cathal and Duna's relationship (yes, even with the heartache they caused me :P)
-The spice
-The world-building
-The new characters
What I wasn't a huge fan of:
-So much world-building at the beginning. I would have been nice to have something in there to break it up a bit.
Overall 4/5 stars
Spice: 3.5/5
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Once Cathal and Duna are reunited at camp, things start getting very complicated very quickly. There is a fantastic push and pull to their relationship which creates so much angst, I had to take several breaks while reading!
Cathal and Duna's relationship squeezed the heart out of my chest and I found myself shouting at these characters through the second half of the book. I love the world that the author created and absolutely cannot wait for the 4th installment in the series.
Let's talk spice. THE. SPICE. IN. THIS. BOOK. WILL. HAVE. YOU. GASPING. FOR. AIR.
The way Cathal absolutely worships Duna will have you in a puddle.
What I liked:
-Cathal and Duna's relationship (yes, even with the heartache they caused me :P)
-The spice
-The world-building
-The new characters
What I wasn't a huge fan of:
-So much world-building at the beginning. I would have been nice to have something in there to break it up a bit.
Overall 4/5 stars
Spice: 3.5/5
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2024
Best book of the series, right here. THIS is what I knew book three would be! I've been fortunate to be part of the ARC team for book two and three and I'm so grateful for the opportunity!
The Sands of the Titans is book three of the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles. I like to keep my reviews spoiler free, so I don't want to give too much of a synopsis. But this book gave me everything plot-wise that I wanted! The story has been building to Duna discovering more about her past and boy, did we get answers! I was thrilled to discover more of her backstory - confirming for me a lot of my theories!
What I liked: I liked the dual POVs - and the way we stayed in them for significant chunks of time. As always, the author's writing is beautifully descriptive - I always feel very immersed in the world she's created. I love the expert way she has given us hints of the plot in the first two books and I'm excited to see it coming together. The spice. You are going to need a cold shower after this one. Not only the spice, but the intimacy - its perfect. One of my hopes in the previous book was to see more of the emotional connection between Duna and Cathal and we got that, which I was thrilled about!
What I didn't like: I can't think of a thing. This has been my favorite book of the series!
I cannot wait for the next book! I cannot wait to see more of it come together. I have some guesses about the plot, but I can't wait to find out!
The Sands of the Titans is book three of the Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles. I like to keep my reviews spoiler free, so I don't want to give too much of a synopsis. But this book gave me everything plot-wise that I wanted! The story has been building to Duna discovering more about her past and boy, did we get answers! I was thrilled to discover more of her backstory - confirming for me a lot of my theories!
What I liked: I liked the dual POVs - and the way we stayed in them for significant chunks of time. As always, the author's writing is beautifully descriptive - I always feel very immersed in the world she's created. I love the expert way she has given us hints of the plot in the first two books and I'm excited to see it coming together. The spice. You are going to need a cold shower after this one. Not only the spice, but the intimacy - its perfect. One of my hopes in the previous book was to see more of the emotional connection between Duna and Cathal and we got that, which I was thrilled about!
What I didn't like: I can't think of a thing. This has been my favorite book of the series!
I cannot wait for the next book! I cannot wait to see more of it come together. I have some guesses about the plot, but I can't wait to find out!
February 20, 2024
"𝘠𝘦𝘴, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘧𝘦𝘢𝘳. 𝘛𝘰 𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘯 𝘗𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘳𝘢’𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘹 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘱𝘵 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘵𝘩, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘺 𝘣𝘦. 𝘛𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘴𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘢𝘻𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳, 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘴𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘴𝘦𝘭𝘧 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘹."
Isabella Khalidi wrote it again - a brilliant book!
At the beginning, I feared to have forgotten too much but it turned out pretty easy to dive into the storyline again. While book one and two are an up and down action-packed journey, "The Sands of Titans" gives the up and down on an emotional level. And what emotions it delivers! I cried, my heart broke, I turned hopeful and then this vicious cirle started again!
I got a completely different glimpse of the characters, especially Duna and Cathal but that only made me fall in love with them more. Cathal, oh that General. I wanted to hold him so close and tell him everything will be fine soon. He's just ... and his love for Duna is ... and the way he behaves when ...! *melt, melt, puddle, vaporize*
After finishing the book, my mind turned into a board full of possible clues. "The Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles" series is still like a big puzzle that reveals only enough pieces to not see the big picture. And I love it! And the foreshadowing!!!
To sum it up, as talented Cathal is in his shadow wielding, as good is Isabella Khalidi with writing action-loaded, mythological, mysterious, very spicy, heart-breaking books.
5+/5 stars
This is an honest, not influenced ARC review.
Isabella Khalidi wrote it again - a brilliant book!
At the beginning, I feared to have forgotten too much but it turned out pretty easy to dive into the storyline again. While book one and two are an up and down action-packed journey, "The Sands of Titans" gives the up and down on an emotional level. And what emotions it delivers! I cried, my heart broke, I turned hopeful and then this vicious cirle started again!
I got a completely different glimpse of the characters, especially Duna and Cathal but that only made me fall in love with them more. Cathal, oh that General. I wanted to hold him so close and tell him everything will be fine soon. He's just ... and his love for Duna is ... and the way he behaves when ...! *melt, melt, puddle, vaporize*
After finishing the book, my mind turned into a board full of possible clues. "The Forgotten Kingdom Chronicles" series is still like a big puzzle that reveals only enough pieces to not see the big picture. And I love it! And the foreshadowing!!!
To sum it up, as talented Cathal is in his shadow wielding, as good is Isabella Khalidi with writing action-loaded, mythological, mysterious, very spicy, heart-breaking books.
5+/5 stars
This is an honest, not influenced ARC review.
February 19, 2024
The Sands Of Titans
Book three in The Forgotten Kingdom series
Isabella Khalidi
Oh me oh my, into Cathal’s arms I would fly!
I have been itching to get my hands on this book and not only did it not disappoint, but it delivered so much more than I was anticipating.
Isabella really manages to capture the pure angst of the lead characters in this story.
Did I scream at them in my head a few times? Yes of course! Did I want to bash their heads together for each being so stubborn? Obviously! But this is what creates the tension and the beautiful story of passion that these two bring alive on the pages.
I have enjoyed each book of this series so far and they just keep getting better, as we find out more of the story and history.
The ending this time was superb 👌 I cannot wait to see what chaos awaits in the next book.
All I can say is that, I am truly thankful Isabella writes like a demon possessed haha
If you want a super sweet romcom then this is definitely NOT the book for you.
But….if you want to be immersed in a world of myths, secrets, deception, lust, battles, warriors, badass fmc and a tragic love story written through the ages of time, then this IS the book for you.
You MUST read the whole series to understand what’s going on, they are not standalone books, but so worth the read.
Book three in The Forgotten Kingdom series
Isabella Khalidi
Oh me oh my, into Cathal’s arms I would fly!
I have been itching to get my hands on this book and not only did it not disappoint, but it delivered so much more than I was anticipating.
Isabella really manages to capture the pure angst of the lead characters in this story.
Did I scream at them in my head a few times? Yes of course! Did I want to bash their heads together for each being so stubborn? Obviously! But this is what creates the tension and the beautiful story of passion that these two bring alive on the pages.
I have enjoyed each book of this series so far and they just keep getting better, as we find out more of the story and history.
The ending this time was superb 👌 I cannot wait to see what chaos awaits in the next book.
All I can say is that, I am truly thankful Isabella writes like a demon possessed haha
If you want a super sweet romcom then this is definitely NOT the book for you.
But….if you want to be immersed in a world of myths, secrets, deception, lust, battles, warriors, badass fmc and a tragic love story written through the ages of time, then this IS the book for you.
You MUST read the whole series to understand what’s going on, they are not standalone books, but so worth the read.
February 24, 2024
"I would rather live a single moment with you by my side than an eternity without you in it."
Book 3 in The Forgotten Kingdom series is finally here and it does not disappoint. Last year I read 115 books, almost all of them romantasy and somehow this manages to be completely different to any of them, and that is a spectacular feat. This series has all of the elements that I love from the genre - shadow daddy, badass FMC, found family, and of course a healthy dollop of spice - but yet it also has something so unique and fresh that I just absolutely love.
Isabella is an absolute plot mastermind and the sheer DEPTH of this story amazes me. I love trying to work out all the little easter eggs, and as a Swiftie you'd think I'd be better at it. The mythology element is so well thought out and the multi POV works really well for building up my love of all of the characters.
My heart of course belongs to Cathal but there's definitely an Otho sized space in it too for my respectful king 🖤
As always, honoured to be a part of Isabella's street team and so proud of all of the hard work that I know she puts into each and every one of these books.
Book 3 in The Forgotten Kingdom series is finally here and it does not disappoint. Last year I read 115 books, almost all of them romantasy and somehow this manages to be completely different to any of them, and that is a spectacular feat. This series has all of the elements that I love from the genre - shadow daddy, badass FMC, found family, and of course a healthy dollop of spice - but yet it also has something so unique and fresh that I just absolutely love.
Isabella is an absolute plot mastermind and the sheer DEPTH of this story amazes me. I love trying to work out all the little easter eggs, and as a Swiftie you'd think I'd be better at it. The mythology element is so well thought out and the multi POV works really well for building up my love of all of the characters.
My heart of course belongs to Cathal but there's definitely an Otho sized space in it too for my respectful king 🖤
As always, honoured to be a part of Isabella's street team and so proud of all of the hard work that I know she puts into each and every one of these books.
February 9, 2025
This is by far the best so far in the series and I can't wait to jump straight into the next book as soon as I click the little tick to save my review.
It's been a gruiling process to get here but by the end we've finally hit that spot thats been so close but so far for the last three books, I mean hopefully it could all just take another turn for our characters and we will have another book of pining for them. The chemistry is written so well between them I've never questioned it throughout reading.
I loved going back to the forgotten kingdom and her battling away to get some answers and her memories but I'm still slightly confused as to what is going on and more easter eggs are being dropped along the way, who are these characters that we once knew? Petra your up to something I just know it!
I'm really enjoying the writing; even in third person, that Khalidi has given every character a memorable experience making the readers job easier to follow and remember who's who.
The magical system I thought lacking throughout this series is well and truly made up for in the forgotten kingdom too. I just need some answers to big questions!
It's been a gruiling process to get here but by the end we've finally hit that spot thats been so close but so far for the last three books, I mean hopefully it could all just take another turn for our characters and we will have another book of pining for them. The chemistry is written so well between them I've never questioned it throughout reading.
I loved going back to the forgotten kingdom and her battling away to get some answers and her memories but I'm still slightly confused as to what is going on and more easter eggs are being dropped along the way, who are these characters that we once knew? Petra your up to something I just know it!
I'm really enjoying the writing; even in third person, that Khalidi has given every character a memorable experience making the readers job easier to follow and remember who's who.
The magical system I thought lacking throughout this series is well and truly made up for in the forgotten kingdom too. I just need some answers to big questions!
February 28, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶🌶
This book is absolutely phenomenal.
After the ending of book two I wasn’t sure the direction that the book was going to take but it was utter perfection. It was a gorgeous piece that I felt was absolutely needed to explore the hurt, forgiveness and freedom of some of the characters.
It is so evident that Duna after the events of the previous books is in such an absolute state of unknown and it is incredible when she starts to break free of the confines of her mind and past and move forward towards to the strong independent badass we all know she is. I loved learning more about her past and her origin and it fit in beautifully with the story allowing us to discover new characters and lush environments.
As the book goes on you can see that despite everything we have learned there are still secrets yet to be shared and more character dynamics to explore and I’m here for all of it.
That ending was craaaaazy and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.
🌶🌶🌶
This book is absolutely phenomenal.
After the ending of book two I wasn’t sure the direction that the book was going to take but it was utter perfection. It was a gorgeous piece that I felt was absolutely needed to explore the hurt, forgiveness and freedom of some of the characters.
It is so evident that Duna after the events of the previous books is in such an absolute state of unknown and it is incredible when she starts to break free of the confines of her mind and past and move forward towards to the strong independent badass we all know she is. I loved learning more about her past and her origin and it fit in beautifully with the story allowing us to discover new characters and lush environments.
As the book goes on you can see that despite everything we have learned there are still secrets yet to be shared and more character dynamics to explore and I’m here for all of it.
That ending was craaaaazy and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.
February 26, 2024
My goodness, where do I start with this. This book was such a fun a read, I managed to read it all in one sitting. And when I hit the end I was so upset, I was not ready for that ending. I already need the next book. This book does pick up right after the other two books so you do need to read those for it to make sense. And honestly you will not be disappointed when it comes to reading this series. I truly love Cathal and Duna and the angst in this one was top notch to the point you want to grab their heads and smack their faces together and be like just kiss already. Or well, just speak the truth. In this one you got to see a few different perspectives of different characters, not just Duna and Cathal. Expanding more of the world Isabella has created. Causing you to really question where is this going to go. This book just came out and I am dying to get my hands on the next one.
February 26, 2024
What in the holy hell Isabella!? I need to know what you put in these books that make them so addictive for real.
Firstly, this is book 3 in a series so you HAVE to read the first two to understand what's going on. This one picks up shortly after the events of book two; Duna is learning what exactly the visions she has been seeing truly are, and trying to come to terms with a lot of new information (this is really hard to write without spoiling so bear with me here 😅). And poor Cathal 😭 he's been worried sick, searching for Duna to no avail for A YEAR. Isabella is a master at stomping on my heart and making me love every minute of it..just, read the book. Hell, read the series if you haven't yet. It is SO worth it..I'll just be spiraling until the next one comes out so I can go through the whole process again. 😂
Firstly, this is book 3 in a series so you HAVE to read the first two to understand what's going on. This one picks up shortly after the events of book two; Duna is learning what exactly the visions she has been seeing truly are, and trying to come to terms with a lot of new information (this is really hard to write without spoiling so bear with me here 😅). And poor Cathal 😭 he's been worried sick, searching for Duna to no avail for A YEAR. Isabella is a master at stomping on my heart and making me love every minute of it..just, read the book. Hell, read the series if you haven't yet. It is SO worth it..I'll just be spiraling until the next one comes out so I can go through the whole process again. 😂
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2024
✨ᴀʀᴄ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ✨
ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀɴᴅꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛɪᴛᴀɴꜱ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ 3ʀᴅ ʙ��ᴏᴋ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴏʀɢᴏᴛᴛᴇɴ ᴋɪɴɢᴅᴏᴍ ᴄʜʀᴏɴɪᴄʟᴇꜱ. ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱɴᴏᴡꜱ ᴏꜰ ɴɪꜱꜱᴀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀᴍꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜰᴜʀʏ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴏɴᴇ ᴀꜱ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴛᴡᴏ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙʏ ꜰᴀʀ ɪꜱ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ ꜱᴏ ꜰᴀʀ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴀꜱ ʟᴀᴄᴋɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ 2 ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ, ᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴜᴛʜ. ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ꜱᴏ ʀᴀᴡ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴ ᴛꜱᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ꜱɪᴍᴘʟʏ ᴛᴜɢꜱ ᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ. ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴡᴇ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴀᴍᴀᴢɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴀᴅᴀꜱꜱ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀꜱ ꜰɪɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇʀᴍꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ ʜᴀꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇᴄɪᴅᴇ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ɪᴛ. ᴄᴀᴛʜᴀʟ’ꜱ ᴠᴜʟɴᴇʀᴀʙɪʟ��ᴛʏ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ. ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ ʏᴇꜱ, ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙɪɢ ᴀꜱꜱ ᴍᴀɴ, ʙᴜɪʟᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴋɪʟʟ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴘᴜᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʜɪꜱ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʀᴇꜱᴇʀᴠᴇꜱ. ᴀɴʏᴡᴀʏꜱ, ɪꜱᴀʙᴇʟʟᴀ ᴀꜱ ᴜꜱᴜᴀʟ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴇʀ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ꜱɪᴍᴘʟʏ ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ᴡᴀɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴꜱ ɴᴇxᴛ.
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴀɴᴅꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛɪᴛᴀɴꜱ ɪꜱ ᴛʜᴇ 3ʀᴅ ʙ��ᴏᴋ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰᴏʀɢᴏᴛᴛᴇɴ ᴋɪɴɢᴅᴏᴍ ᴄʜʀᴏɴɪᴄʟᴇꜱ. ʏᴏᴜ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱɴᴏᴡꜱ ᴏꜰ ɴɪꜱꜱᴀ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛᴏʀᴍꜱ ᴏꜰ ꜰᴜʀʏ ʙᴇꜰᴏʀᴇ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴏɴᴇ ᴀꜱ ɪᴛ ɪꜱ ᴀ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴀᴛɪᴏɴ ᴏꜰ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴꜱ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ ᴛᴡᴏ ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ. ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙʏ ꜰᴀʀ ɪꜱ ᴍʏ ꜰᴀᴠᴏʀɪᴛᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴇʀɪᴇꜱ ꜱᴏ ꜰᴀʀ. ɴᴏᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴀʏ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴀꜱ ʟᴀᴄᴋɪɴɢ ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰɪʀꜱᴛ 2 ʙᴏᴏᴋꜱ, ᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ɪꜱ ɴᴏᴛ ᴇᴠᴇɴ ᴄʟᴏꜱᴇ ᴛᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʀᴜᴛʜ. ʙᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ɪꜱ ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛʜɪɴɢ ꜱᴏ ʀᴀᴡ ᴀɴᴅ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ɪɴ ᴛꜱᴏᴛ ᴛʜᴀᴛ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ꜱɪᴍᴘʟʏ ᴛᴜɢꜱ ᴀᴛ ʏᴏᴜ. ɪɴ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙᴏᴏᴋ ᴡᴇ ꜰɪɴᴅ ᴛᴡᴏ ᴀᴍᴀᴢɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴀᴅᴀꜱꜱ ᴡᴀʀʀɪᴏʀꜱ ꜰɪɴᴀʟʟʏ ᴄᴏᴍɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴛᴇʀᴍꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ᴛʜɪꜱ ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴇʏ ʜᴀꜱ ʙᴇᴇɴ ᴀɴᴅ ᴛʀʏɪɴɢ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴇᴄɪᴅᴇ ʜᴏᴡ ᴛᴏ ᴍᴏᴠᴇ ꜰᴏʀᴡᴀʀᴅ ꜰʀᴏᴍ ɪᴛ. ᴄᴀᴛʜᴀʟ’ꜱ ᴠᴜʟɴᴇʀᴀʙɪʟ��ᴛʏ ᴡᴀꜱ ꜱᴏ ᴇᴍᴏᴛɪᴏɴᴀʟ ᴀɴᴅ ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ. ʙᴇᴀᴜᴛɪꜰᴜʟ ʏᴇꜱ, ʙᴇᴄᴀᴜꜱᴇ ʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡᴇ ʜᴀᴠᴇ ᴛʜɪꜱ ʙɪɢ ᴀꜱꜱ ᴍᴀɴ, ʙᴜɪʟᴛ ᴛᴏ ᴋɪʟʟ ᴊᴜꜱᴛ ᴘᴜᴛᴛɪɴɢ ʜɪꜱ ʜᴇᴀʀᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴛʜᴇʀᴇ ᴡɪᴛʜᴏᴜᴛ ʀᴇꜱᴇʀᴠᴇꜱ. ᴀɴʏᴡᴀʏꜱ, ɪꜱᴀʙᴇʟʟᴀ ᴀꜱ ᴜꜱᴜᴀʟ ʜᴀᴅ ᴍᴇ ᴄᴀᴘᴛɪᴠᴀᴛᴇᴅ ᴡɪᴛʜ ʜᴇʀ ᴡʀɪᴛɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ɪ ꜱɪᴍᴘʟʏ ᴄᴀɴɴᴏᴛ ᴡᴀɪᴛ ᴛᴏ ꜱᴇᴇ ᴡʜᴀᴛ ʜᴀᴘᴘᴇɴꜱ ɴᴇxᴛ.
ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
February 22, 2024
I am absolutely loving this series, and book three is so damn good!
I still love Cathal, and am holding out so much hope that his and Duna's complicated relationship, can un-complicate itself!
At the beginning of this book we have Duna arriving home, her true home that is, where this amazing world is described, and how it it's interwoven into Duna's life and who she is. So many things have been answered, yet there are still truths to be uncovered.
If you love mythology, fantasy and spice, you will love this book series. Make sure you start from book 1. I assure you, you won't want to put it down!
I still love Cathal, and am holding out so much hope that his and Duna's complicated relationship, can un-complicate itself!
At the beginning of this book we have Duna arriving home, her true home that is, where this amazing world is described, and how it it's interwoven into Duna's life and who she is. So many things have been answered, yet there are still truths to be uncovered.
If you love mythology, fantasy and spice, you will love this book series. Make sure you start from book 1. I assure you, you won't want to put it down!
February 26, 2024
Phenomenal
Absolutely AMAZING third installment to the series! I could not put this one down!
This installment focuses very much on character development, revealing a plethora of information and throwing our characters into the perfect maelstrom of personal growth.
This book is not only well-written, it is action-packed, it is fast paced, and it is a total must read!
There is trauma, action, surprises, revelations, heartache, test of fortitude and spirit, yearning, delicious spice, and so much more. This series is an absolute must read!
I am left on the edge of my seat in anticipation for the next two books, because there is no doubt in my mind that they are going to be insanely good!
Absolutely AMAZING third installment to the series! I could not put this one down!
This installment focuses very much on character development, revealing a plethora of information and throwing our characters into the perfect maelstrom of personal growth.
This book is not only well-written, it is action-packed, it is fast paced, and it is a total must read!
There is trauma, action, surprises, revelations, heartache, test of fortitude and spirit, yearning, delicious spice, and so much more. This series is an absolute must read!
I am left on the edge of my seat in anticipation for the next two books, because there is no doubt in my mind that they are going to be insanely good!
February 27, 2024
I’m obsessed with this series. Isabella keeps us wanting more with each book.
This book answers so many questions. The writing is beautiful. Isabella does a fantastic job of world building, character development, and pulling on our emotions. There were times I put the book down and said “WTF”, but trust the process. Isabella is taking us on a journey, there are twists, turns, pain, happiness, laughter, times where you think I need to learn how to use a sword…or is that just me 😜, love and spice.
I love Cathal… one of my favorite quotes in this book
“I would rip the very stars from their orbits if they ever outshined your magnificent light.”
This book answers so many questions. The writing is beautiful. Isabella does a fantastic job of world building, character development, and pulling on our emotions. There were times I put the book down and said “WTF”, but trust the process. Isabella is taking us on a journey, there are twists, turns, pain, happiness, laughter, times where you think I need to learn how to use a sword…or is that just me 😜, love and spice.
I love Cathal… one of my favorite quotes in this book
“I would rip the very stars from their orbits if they ever outshined your magnificent light.”
March 3, 2025
I don’t wanna talk right now. This may be my favorite of the whole so far. Nothing will beat that first shadow scene of the series. The amount of twists, plus the sexual tension even though they both acted childish. That last chapter 🤩 this series has just been fun, spicy and so easy to read. It’s simply enjoyable. Do wish Roc and Shah were around more like previously. Another character who is climbing to be my favorites is Cian, I expect big things from him soon. Also, we FINALLY get little insights to Petra who is definitely more than I expected. I’ll come back and edit this another time I feel like this book has altered my ability to think coherently at the present moment 😂
February 18, 2024
So intense. So many answers and still so many more questions.
The relationship between Cathal and Duna has changed drastically and it feels like an enemies to lovers slow burn the whole second half of the book. There was just so much that happened in The Sands of Titans as a whole and the ending will have you screaming and being thankful that the next book is coming out in 2 months.
Isabella Khalidi did the dang thing 👏🏻👏🏻
And by that, I mean kept my attention gripped and ripped out my heart and made me cry and cheer.
The relationship between Cathal and Duna has changed drastically and it feels like an enemies to lovers slow burn the whole second half of the book. There was just so much that happened in The Sands of Titans as a whole and the ending will have you screaming and being thankful that the next book is coming out in 2 months.
Isabella Khalidi did the dang thing 👏🏻👏🏻
And by that, I mean kept my attention gripped and ripped out my heart and made me cry and cheer.
April 7, 2024
Fantastic Fated Mates
Wow! This story had me hooked. I binge read it in one day. Duna finally comes to realize a great many truths about herself and one of those truths is she cannot hide from the overpowering love she has for Cathal. There is a lot of self discovery for her in this book and we finally have some answers. The best part for me was when the fated mates finally bare themselves to each other. Beautiful. Truly. I can't wait for the next book .
Oh and there is plenty of shadow daddy action. 😎
Wow! This story had me hooked. I binge read it in one day. Duna finally comes to realize a great many truths about herself and one of those truths is she cannot hide from the overpowering love she has for Cathal. There is a lot of self discovery for her in this book and we finally have some answers. The best part for me was when the fated mates finally bare themselves to each other. Beautiful. Truly. I can't wait for the next book .
Oh and there is plenty of shadow daddy action. 😎
February 21, 2024
Don’t read this book before reading the Snows of Nissa and the Storms of Fury. This book is NOT a standalone
This book clarifies and answers MOST questions the characters and us the readers have been dying to know since book 1
The introduction of new characters only add to the story not distract with meaningless side characters.
The mythology and history is so well written and thought out that it feels so believable.
Duna and Cathal and their ever evolving relationship and history are *chefs kiss*
On a side note… Axel and Petra 🔥 Can’t wait to read more about those two 🫠🫠
And I can’t leave without mentioning the spicy scenes which are the most well written pieces of smutty, wet dream heaven! Isabella Khalidi is a Queen!
This book clarifies and answers MOST questions the characters and us the readers have been dying to know since book 1
The introduction of new characters only add to the story not distract with meaningless side characters.
The mythology and history is so well written and thought out that it feels so believable.
Duna and Cathal and their ever evolving relationship and history are *chefs kiss*
On a side note… Axel and Petra 🔥 Can’t wait to read more about those two 🫠🫠
And I can’t leave without mentioning the spicy scenes which are the most well written pieces of smutty, wet dream heaven! Isabella Khalidi is a Queen!
January 3, 2025
The ending finally showed progression
Each book in this series is fine, easy, quick read fitting to the dark romantasy genre, I just feel like not much happens and more or less is the same story each time. I still like Cathal, not a fun of Duna I just don’t see her appeal or tenacity. I skimmed basically the whole book and was glad it was over. I’m bored, not sure I’ll continue.
Each book in this series is fine, easy, quick read fitting to the dark romantasy genre, I just feel like not much happens and more or less is the same story each time. I still like Cathal, not a fun of Duna I just don’t see her appeal or tenacity. I skimmed basically the whole book and was glad it was over. I’m bored, not sure I’ll continue.
September 14, 2024
Sigh this book will be so much better if the 2 leads are less idiotic and frustrating. So typical for storylines to make the leads behave like idiots instead of just confronting each other with the truths, but I guess there would be no story to continue with. And if the book has less sex every 5 pages, that would be great. The plot is actually pretty good.
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