Guardian of Defiance: A Nyx Fortuna Novel

Nyx Fortuna #5

by Michelle Manus

If only visiting old friends was merely a social call…

When Nyx’s quest to discover the secrets behind the Harvester’s rings leads her to the Meerkin homeworld of Kyvren, she’s only too happy to have an excuse to visit them. Since going their separate ways from Arkadia’s Station, she’s been unable to find any information on the state of their planet—or their attempt to reclaim it—and she only knows of one entity capable of covering up a civil war.

Of course, the one person who could probably answer every question she has is also the last person she wants to ask. But as Nyx dives beneath the surface of the conflict on Kyvren, circumstances may have her spending a little more quality bonding time with that individual than she’s comfortable with…

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, Paranormal

416 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2024

About the author

Michelle lives in a desolate land with a dark wizard, a unicorn, and a feline overlord. Despite certain stereotypes you may be familiar with, the dark wizard is not holding her captive, nor does the unicorn require virgin riders. The feline overlord, however, may well be evil.

She holds dual BAs in English and Philosophy, which has gotten her about as far as you would expect it to in life. Despite all evidence to the contrary, she’s still desperately holding out hope that in an alternate reality she’s a sword-wielding princess.

Reviews

[Linda]

I rarely give a book five stars. The series up until now has been a solid four stars, usually my highest rating, as I’ve eagerly read each new book as it’s come out. This book started out with the same solid story and characters, but in this book we learn so much more about Nyx, Seth, Griff, and Jevryn that I not only was more emotionally caught up with their stories, they all became that much more real to me.

Read this, but prepare yourself for an emotional rollercoaster and a burning desire to read what happens next.

[Kasha]

Not happy with the direction the author went at the end of the book.


Her and Seth haven’t had any chance to catch up at the beginning of the book, then they get caught up in a mission, and then he dies??? I feel like we’ve been strung along with any love interest. To kill off Seth? 😭 why not Kaden instead

[Melissa Hayden]

Where are my TRUE Urban Fantasy fans?
The ones looking for gritty fantasy in a modern setting. Not the ones looking for romance (that may happen as a side but NOT the focus of the story).

Yes, you. I'm talking to you.

I've read so many Urban Fantasy books where the evil badie pulls their punches. So much potential and promises that do NOT follow through, weakening their standing in the world.

Well, I'm thrilled to say, Michelle has earned my respect with this book and events that come to pass. Michelle doesn't pull her punches to win hearts. She plays it straight as her characters are, leaning full into their personalities as authors should do. Michelle does the tough and gritty, as expected in fantasy. Her bad guys do what they say they'll do, even though I don't want it to happen. They can kill, have killed, and will kill.

We learn more about the Harvester. Oh so neat. I have a feeling this is going to come in handy! There's more to the Stations creation and I need to know all the things about it. The promise Nyx has with the Station is important, so I'm looking forward to seeing how this will come to pass. I have a feeling it's going to be a big arc with a few other things, and can't wait to see how it all works and comes together.

I'm convinced the printing press blurred the last pages of this book on purpose. (I'm not crying, you are!) Yes, my heart is hurting. But the writing of all of this, just wow how the author works it all. To make me feel such emotions is powerful, and Michelle did it. She made me love, care, and want and to see what happens...there's going to be a lot to work out. And I know Michelle will do it. Every word Michelle uses is powerful.

Nyx has a new relationship budding. No. It's not romantic. Remember, I'm not looking for romance, because there ARE other types of relationships that mean the world to us.

It's great to see Nyx with Jevryn. The clashing yet similarities. And I want to learn more of what Jevryn knows - so, so much knowledge there! And his ability!

Nyx has a lot to work through personally after this book. I'm looking forward to how this will happen and work out. And, I may be a little interested in how the bad guy is taken care of. Because I totally want him taken care of. lol

So much to see and learn. I can't wait for more Nyx and carrying out her promises.

I've been enjoying the previous books in audiobook, however I picked this one up in print because I got tired of waiting for the audio release. I finally got the audiobook and in listening for a refresher (the next book will be out soon!) aaaaand, I'm saddened to say I don't think it was quite up to the quality of the previous books. I liked this narrator’s work on the previous books but this one was hard to listen to. You can hear the misplaced breaks that don't fit with the wording and sentences and breathing noises and some of the names are pronounced differently at times which pulled me out of the flow of the narrative. I hope the next one is better or I’ll stick with print only for the rest of the series.

[Katy]

Anyone reading this before August 2025, maybe wait for the next book before starting this one.

This was one of my favorite series, and I am not a happy camper right now. Maybe I will update my review in a year when I'm not emotionally destroyed.

[Oksana Savchenko]

I am speechless

Another fantastic read. I have been waiting for the book 5 to come out for a long time. It definitely took me for a ride. There are so many clever observations, so much angst but also laughter and wittiness. But I am not happy with the ending, I would even say I feel heartbroken. The way the author ended the book, argh. And not even a mention of this unfolding of events in her afterword, trying to justify or explain why? It felt like a hard fall without a single leaf to cushion it. I am not happy how my emotions got played at all. Is there hope for some comfort and peace in the upcoming book 6? I hope so...

[Shelby]

This book was a great continuation of the series. I am still torn about my thoughts on the main characters. The author is quite consistent with her writing of Nyx, so it's more just my annoyance with her personality. She has the emotional maturity of a teenager, especially when it comes to things revolving around Jevryn, and her deep-seeded daddy-issues. She is already a fairly rash individual, prone to act without thinking, even in non-Jevryn related incidences. But she has a big heart and a lot of bravery, so most of the other characters excuse it. It also is great from an author's standpoint, because it can really drive the plot. However, it can also lead to broody beginnings like it did in this book, where Nyx is wallowing in her own self-pity and anger for the first bits of this story, just to set up for some resolutions by the end of the book. It's just not my favorite kind of character to read about.

That being said, I love the world building and the other characters enough to overcome my issues with Nyx. I find it all fascinating and it helps me to become enthralled with the story. I love the adventures that happen in each book.

I think I have finally hit the point where I need to go back and re-read the series before reading the next published book. There were references to past books that I struggled to recall, and it just started to impair my understanding of character motivations. This book also felt a bit like the end of a big arc within the series. I am not sure where the author intends to go from here, but this definitely felt different at the end of the book than for previous installments. I'm very eager to find out, but this serves as a great spot for stopping and restarting the whole series.

[Katie]

I am not ok. I have patiently waited for each instalment to come out. The story is unique and really interesting, though I would like more on page romance. I purchased this book right when it came out in August but delayed starting it till now. It is challenging to be current with the series, it would be a lot easier to read all at once. But I read it, and I am not ok with what happened at the end of this book and what it sets up for the future of the series. I’m disappointed. I also found the POV switches to other characters than Nyx was not well done and written poorly. Not sure if I will read the next instalment.

[Cathy]

Overall, this was a pretty good read. The ending vexes me. I keep wondering if Seth is really "all dead", or if maybe he's coming back. It just happened so quickly, and his body was disposed of equally quickly, with Nyx only getting the chance to snag his earring before he's turned to ash. It made me wonder if the arch-villain was playing with Nyx's mind, and if maybe Seth gets to be slightly alive again. I can see plot points for/against this. There was almost too much emphasis throughout the book on Nyx always being able to know where Seth was and not being fooled by his illusions. This emphasis could sway the narrative either way. Maybe Seth is truly dead, because Nyx wouldn't be fooled by a fake death. On the other hand (since I don't want Seth to be dead), it seems totally in character for the bad guy to keep Seth alive, while torturing Nyx with a false death. He gets to preserve future leverage that way, while inflicting present pain. On the third hand...wait, that's too many hands. I should stop now. I am impatient for the next book, and definitely putting in my vote for Seth to still be alive.

[Nancy]

This book also hits super hard in the feels - the bulk of the book is a terrific battle scenario, but the fallout is devastating.

The bulk of the book is a terrific convergence of characters coming together and understanding each other better and honestly just being happy in the place they are in. The ending is so so difficult with a final goodbye scene that brought me to tears. As a reader, I was so so disappointed because I truly loved what that character brought to the series. I'm curious to see where Michelle Manus takes the series in the next book because I was not a happy camper when I finished the book.

[Nancy M]

Irritating...

This was not my favorite in the series. However, it did hold my attention to the end. The ending definitely redeemed this book, and I hope the next in the series delivers on the painful build-up. BUT... that being said, if the previous books in this series hadn't drawn me in and had me emotionally invested in the outcomes of the characters, I probably wouldn't have been irritated by some of their thoughts and behaviors...
So! I eagerly await the next installment of the series...

[alicat ♡➹♡]

Honestly this book was remarkably poorer than the others in the series and I feel like Nyx really became less likeable overall.

I started to get a queasy feeling about where this book was going and it did. I actually don't care about what happens next and I probably will not read another novel by Manus. I read for escapism and enjoyment and I'm pissed I wasted so much time with this interesting universe for this author to cross one of my reading lines.

[Eliza Victa]

I would've given this book 4 stars but unfortunately, I do not like it when a major character is killed off. There were scenes wherein Nyx's impulsive behavior borders on stupidity for me. I'm hoping the next book will be the last and that the situation with the Harvester and the Stations will be resolved.

[Dee]

Heartbreaking 💔

***Spoiler***
I loved this series until I didn’t 🙁 Really well written and I like the Author but was so disappointed that she chose to kill the MMC😢I read romance/adventure books to take me away for a wonderful adventure and HEA. I won’t be purchasing the next in series.

[1515]

Wished I read the reviews before starting it en coming to this ending. I just stopped at the end of chapter 47. I'm not setting myself up for two chapters of crying. I'm not reading the rest of the series.
Also the amount of 16 year old girl angst for a 28 year old in this book was a bit to much at times.

[D Clark]

disappointed in author

I don’t read books for reality. I read to escape. The author has never been one for tragedy yet in this one she does exactly that. Even though I enjoy the author’s writing and storytelling I’m done. She lost me.

[Nicole Luiken]

A solid entry into the series. It was good to hark back to the Meerkin we met in book one, and I liked the relationship developing between Jevryn and Nyx. I admit the ending took me somewhat aback, but feel the author has earned my trust enough to commit to keep reading.

[Riikka]

What the f*uck did you do that for, Michelle? 😭 Please tell me it’s a feint and not the new reality, because this is not okay. I am not okay. Major character death, seemingly for no gain. After devoting so much of the books for the reader to learn to know and love him.

[Annalise]

Wow.

[Deanaera writes...]

I cried... I cried so hard. I kind of hate you Michelle Manus... Please fix it. It hurts.

Nyx&Seth 4Ever...

[Jess]

The first half felt a little slow but the second half was really intense and that ending? I am in denial. I refuse to believe it. One of the rare times I am hoping it was a cliffhanger.

[Linsdey Weedston]

GIRL OW MY HEART MICHELLE WHY

[Krosby]

Wtfffffffff I need him backkkk now

[Boneist]

I may never forgive Michelle.

[Amanda]

DNF. Politics in books.

[Rebecca]

Omg how could this happen ????? The amount I cried at the end of this book made me want to curl up and take a good break before starting the next book.

[Aurialis]

This is the end of the road for me.

The author writes well, but I hate the direction this is taking. I had hoped that something might change in the next book, but that hope has been dashed. I am not fully convinced the ending was necessary for the plot - simply a darker path chosen. I felt cheated and strung along just for the sake of drama and I don't care for this kind of drama, when I am trying to read for fun.

PS - It would be absolutely devastating if the author is planning a romantic ending with Kaden after the hateful, unforgiving portrayal of his character in so many books. Unfortunately, I have a feeling that this book was a set up for that. I am very definitely not on board with that, and am done caring for this series.

PPS - I really, really hope this doesn't become a theme and affect her thousand sorrows series.