It started with iridescent wings... now one woman must face danger and mystery beyond her wildest imagination.
Created by Primordials, daemons were made in the likeness of humans following a devastating betrayal. And for nearly six hundred years, Agnes was the Mage who protected them, kept them alive, and gave them power. Since her death, the seven factions of daemons have been on the brink of war, inching closer and closer to burning the world to the ground.
Anthropologist Greer Myers believes mythical creatures belong in fairy tales. But when she is unexpectedly thrust into the world she thought only existed in the folklore she studied, the source of her unusual magic is whispered amongst the daemons. The plot for her rise, or her fall, begins in the shadow of a secret society established to hunt her ancestral line.
When a strange man appears with a grimoire and claims that he can help her find her birth mother, Greer- smart and independent- decides to take on the mystery by herself. Weaving lies about her identity and going undercover as a journalist, the mission for information seems safe enough at first, but soon Greer learns the hard way just how sinister and otherworldly her mother’s death really is.
Perfect for fans of paranormal suspense like Deborah Harkness’s A Discovery of Witches series-- As the Fallen Rise is your best next read! Scroll up and click BUY NOW at the top of the screen to join the action!
As the Fallen Rise by Sadie Hewitt is one of the best new fantasies I've read this year. The plot is unique and held my interest the entire book. The characters are diverse and so full of life you can't help but care for them. I have a few things in common with the MC which I thought was fun. We both were anthropologists for universities (I was in forensics though) and both of us lived with our best friends of 10 years. Although, I don't think I'll be manifesting any secret powers anytime soon...
This book really does have it all and then some: √ Vampires, mages, fairies, djinn, angels, etc. √ Found family √ Enemies to lovers √ Spice (it's not the driving force though, the story is and I love that!)
I absolutely recommend this book and can't wait for Book 2 to come out! Happy reading!
Sadie Hewitt's "As the Fallen Rise" presents a thrilling foray into an intricately crafted urban fantasy realm, brimming with mystery and dangerous magic.
Anthropologist Greer Myers finds herself catapulted into the supernatural world when she discovers that fae and vampires are real when she is chosen to become the Mage. As she delves deeper into a world she previously thought was confined to stories, the secrets of her ancestry and family threaten to consume her.
Hewitt expertly constructs a plot rife with intrigue, cleverly weaving in a clandestine society and a quest to uncover the truth behind Greer's lineage. The narrative is marked by a sense of urgency, as each revelation peels back the layers of a sinister mystery and widens the world as we know it.
The strength of the story lies in its dynamic characters and their relationships, compelling world-building, and the palpable sense of impending conflict. Hewitt deftly balances high stakes, intense action sequences, and a dash of spicy romance, inviting readers into a richly textured universe teeming with secrets waiting to be unraveled.
This urban fantasy not only captivates with its fast-paced plot but also hints at a larger, more intricate series awaiting exploration. This book lays a solid foundation, promising a rich, complex narrative yet to unfold.
❗️I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily❗️
I have really been into fantasy lately, and this did not disappoint 🙌🏻
Greer, our fmc, discovers she has magic within her, during a traumatic event. She then has to learn everything there is about magic, other creatures, and the other realms.
For 600 years, mage Agnes has protected them, but since her death, the seven factions of deamons are on the brink of war. Cain is the mmc, and I absolutely adore him.
Includes- - Paranormal romance - Enemies to lovers - Tons of different characters - Found family - Badass fmc - Antihero - LGBTQIA rep - Multiple povs - Twists and turns - Slow burn - Spicy - Cliffhanger
This was absolutely EPIC!!! Mages, primordials, demons, vamps… There was a little spicy scene that got pretty hot, some tension building up to that point was glorious. It does end on a cliffhanger and if you read the author’s notes at the end of books then I’m pretty certain you will love this author even more. This was such a beautifully told story, well written, developed relationships, deep friendship, love… I cannot WAIT to see Greer grow into herself and embrace her badass abilities that are sure to come! I did not expect this to be so amazing. I need more of Odette & her world 100%. Well deserved ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I received this book from the author as an eARC in exchange for my unbiased opinion.
I was chosen to be part of the ARC team for this book and I have to say I absolutely was not disappointed! This book had a way of making the world inside it come to life with vivid detail. The MC is a persistent and strong individual with a secret not even she knows. Sadie Hewitt takes you on a journey with Greer in hopes of discovering her true identity and what lies deep within her. Along the way you meet so many wonderful characters with their own backgrounds and with the occasional POV switch you learn more about them building the story even bigger than I expected. ⭐️ 4/5 🌶️ 1/5 ⚔️ Fantasy 🖤 Enemies to Lovers 🧚🏻♀️ Mythical Creatures 🫶🏻 Found Family
As the Fallen Rise, by Sadie Hewitt 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 2/5 🌶️🌶️
I received an ARC of Sadie Hewitt's debut novel "As the Fallen Rise" and was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was drawn into this story.
FMC Greer discovers power within herself during a traumatic event and her world is flipped upside down as she learns that magic, creatures, and other realms are real.
The plot was fast paced, with a solid cast of characters, relationships, mystery, stunning visual descriptions, and satisfying payoff.
Overall this was a great start to a new series. I'm excited about the cliffhanger and ready for the next book!
“It started with iridescent wings... now one woman must face danger and mystery beyond her wildest imagination.”
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy for an honest and voluntary review.
TWs - gore and violence
As the Fallen Rise by Sadie Hewitt follows the characters Greer Meyers, Cian, Paige and Delia, Odette, Isaac, and Jonas. Greer and her best friends who are a LGBT couple, Delia and Paige are brave, smart, young college women. Cian, Isaac, and Jonas are vampires. Odette is a faerie, and there are so many more otherworldly characters. Greer is forced on the Hero’s Journey, and is faced with her family history and conflicts of her bloodline and centuries old war. But, not everyone is on her side. Her mother Celeste, a Djinn named Eligos, and Jonas, one of the vampires, are going to do what they can to prevent or permanently stop Greer from her fate. From secrecy to betrayal.
Genre 5/5 This is truly a dark fantasy/paranormal suspense novel without going too overboard on the TWs. Expertly crafted for the genre.
Characters 5/5 Hewitt did an impeccable job bringing her characters and world to real life. She made each character real and multi dimensional. From feeling for the MCs to hating the antagonists. Cian is chaotic neutral turned chaotic good. Isaac lawful neutral, Jonas chaotic evil, Celeste lawful neutral, Greer changes numerous times, Delia and Paige Lawful good, Odette lawful neutral to lawful good, and then there is the side character Deborah who I feel has more to play in the full novel.
Plot/theme 4.5/5 Solid hero’s journey. Greer is sometimes foolish as she tries to uncover her family secrets and she follows the refusal to call of arms fluently. My favorite characters immediately became Odette and the power couple Delia and Paige. There is forced proximity, quid pro quo, magic, betrayal, angels and demons, and just everything you want in a fantasy novel. Not to mention the much on genre, kingdom war/race war between the magical creatures and humans.
The only things that I had a small issue with was suspending my disbelief due to certain key points being convenient or too easy given the denial and rejection belonging to the hero’s journey of the main female protagonist Greer. I feel like this was because this copy was 287 pages and the author had to force the story forward. I will change my review based on my reading the full 400+ copy. Another plus, consent is consent is consent. There is no dubious or lack of consent here, and if that was a category on it’s own, 5/5.
Pacing 4/5 like mentioned above, the pacing felt rushed in a few chapters and I have full faith that was fixed and addressed in the full novel and will edit my review upon reading the real copy. Other than that, the normal pacing of the majority of chapters was nice and smooth.
Voice 5/5 Hewitt’s writing is amazing. She describes her world and brings you in. She breathes life into the characters and makes you feel as if you know them in real life. She writes in a way that appeals to the senses and does not ignore a single one. Also, I love the fact she has REAL consent throughout the story!
Spice level 1.5 (not counted in rating, just a description on what to expect!) She going in to mild detail, nothing to explicit but the scene is there. Maybe that changes in the 400+ novel completed copy. I enjoyed the way she described the characters during the act. But if you want spicier, it doesn’t pass 1.5 - will change this based on my read of the fully published copy.
Overall 4.7/5 to 5/5 I will definitely be reading the rest of the series and getting the full novel versions. I recommend Sadie Hewitt and this series. Hopefully it has sequels. If this is a standalone then I will be getting a physical copy regardless.
Rating: 4.5/5 (rounded up) Quick Reasons: only one juicy, steamy scene.... but what a scene it was!; how DARE you put those feelings in my heart?!; this cover, this story, the whole package is gorgeous, devoured it; entertaining, snarky, fabulous
Y'all. Sadie Hewitt is QUICKLY becoming a new favorite author of mine. I suppose that's no surprise--she is a MASTER story teller, weaving prose rife with vivid imagery and heart wrenching emotion like there's no tomorrow (and I mean... in a lot of her books so far, this seems to be a theme). I've only read 2 of her books so far (I'm almost all the way through a 3rd from her)...but they have each touched me in very different ways.
"Keep practicing. I'll be back soon."
"Wait!" Greer cried out as Cian entered the brush at the edge of the forest. "What about my car?"
He shrugged a shoulder. "Refrain from doing magic that you can't control? I'm not sure what to tell you."
First, a warning: As The Fallen Rise ends on the BIGGEST cliffhanger. WHY WITH THE CLIFFHANGERS?!?!?! AGHHHHH! I'm lucky I already have the second book in this series, so I can just dive right into it...because Penguins, you will want to dive right back into it! These characters are complex, stubborn, realistic, sometimes HORRIBLE....all the things you could ever possibly want to see, to bring a well-rounded, well thought-out character straight off the page to life. The magic is both old (some of the same tropes/etc) AND very creatively new. If you're a lover of all things monsters/mythical/otherworldly, you are BOUND to find it lurking in this series in fresh, unique ways.
Sadie Hewitt did an amazing job of blending OUR day to day world, with the world she has crafted and created for these books. The journey is well-paced and seamless; there is drama, suspense, emotions that very well could choke you up if you're not careful, jealousy, betrayal, love... This is not necessarily a STEAMY book, though there is a scene in which steam plays a part, so be mindful of that. Above all, this was fast-paced, entertaining, and I NEED TO KNOW HOW THIS ENDS!
Three missing girls was bad enough. The bodies of three missing girls washing up on the banks of the river that ran through town, each missing their head, was the work of a serial killer.
Not that Jonas could dispute it. He had been keeping a canine tooth from each victim since the day he had been turned.
Jonas needed to correct himself. Running his hands through the bag filled with thousands of teeth he had collected over the years--THAT was the closest thing to a religious experience he was sure to ever get.
If you haven't read Sadie Hewitt yet, Penguins, I definitely recommend picking her up in the new year. This book is fantastic--the prose is pretty and purple in all the right ways, the characters will curl themselves into the corners of your heart, and this story is bound to leave you feeling a thing or a million. If you're a lover of fantasy, magic, and cliffhangers, this one's for you. Are you ready to meet the Mage, Penguins? Because she's more than ready to meet you.
Book: As the Fallen Rise By: Sadie Hewitt Rate: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Basic Plot: Created by Primordials, daemons were made in likeness of humans following a devastating betrayal. For almost 600 years, the Mage, Agnes kept them safe, alive and powerful. But since her death, the 7 factions of deamons have been on the brink of war. Anthropologist, Greer Myers believes mythical creatures belong in fairytales. But quickly, she is thrust into a world she thought only happened in the folklore she studies. Her rise, or her fall, begins with a secret society created to hunt her ancestral line. When a strange man gives her a grimoire and claims to be able to find her birth mother, strong and independent Greer decides to take it into her own hands. Soon enough though, she finds just how sinister this other world truly is.
Opinion: This was my very first ARC book and it was such a cool experience, knowing I was reading a book very few have! Hewitt is a new author, this being her first publishing, and she completely surprised me. Her character building was great and I felt like I was able to get to know them and their reasoning behind choices they make. Her scene setting was detailed but not tedious or boring and I loved the banter between some of the characters. The romance was a side plot but it was refreshing to be able to focus more on Greers growth rather than a growing dependence on the MMC. I have just one complaint really, and it is that at some parts of the book, the writing seemed a bit choppy. Some times it was due to word choices that just didn’t quite flow well or how sometimes it seemed to jump around between timing/places/people etc. It didn’t ruin the reading experience, and I can’t imagine the challanges that come with writing a novel, so it’s not at all a deal breaker.
Overall: I was left with quite a few questions from some of the hints that are dropped through the book and I can’t wait for her next one! She’s a new author and has some kinks to workout but this book is completely worth the read, the story is captivating and I can’t want to see where it goes.
As the Fallen Rise is an urban fantasy of epic proportions, combining multiple worlds full of different beings, a tension-building romance, twists and mysteries everywhere, heartwarming friendships, and one incredibly heartbreaking scene that made me cry. It's multiple POVs, but mostly follows Greer, a 26 year old woman who comes to learn that her entire life has been a lie.
THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN CRAVING. If you like the world building aspect with all the different types of beings in The Vampire Diaries but want that aged up & with fallen angels involved, READ THIS! Book 2 comes out January 10th, and I plan to preorder when it becomes available. I also need this one in a physical copy because she's gorgeous inside and out.
There are so many questions I can't wait to delve into more in book two, the possibilities are endless and I already know Sadie Hewitt is going to make it even better! I can't wait to see how the three "worlds" collide, what part Greer exactly plays in it all, and what happens with Delia & Cian.
The romantic tension was built perfectly, and that 🌶🌶 scene was superb and well worth the wait.
I literally couldn't put this book down. I read the last 70% of it today, ignoring the chores I needed to do other than eating so I could keep reading. There was never a dull moment. Everything kept the tension/mystery/worldbuilding expanding. I can't wait to see where it goes as it has so so sooo much potential. I can't wait!
As The Fallen Risen by @sadiehewittbooks ⭐️: 5 of 5 🌶️: 3 of 5 📚: 346 pages 💬: “Then there was nothing, but power. It filled her. Every cell of her body, every fiber of her essence was overflowing with unrelenting, untouched energy.”
Read it if you like: ✔️ Fantasy ✔️ Enemies to Lovers ✔️ Magic/Angels/Demons/Vampyr ✔️ Found Family ✔️ Bada$$ FMC ✔️ Deep friendship
BLURB: Greer Myers (FMC) believes mythical creatures belong in fairy tales but her own unusual magic is whispered amongst the daemons. When a strange man says that he can help her find her birth mother, Greer decides to take on the mystery by herself. Weaving lies about her identity and going undercover as a journalist, the mission for information seems safe enough at first, but soon Greer learns the hard way just how sinister her mother's death really is.
🖤 This book has all the perfect elements for a great fantasy: AWESOME FMC, I liked Greer so much! She’s such a strong minded character, despite finding out so many secrets and darkness she maintenances true to herself and I can’t wait to see her bada$$ kick in even more on book two. The enemies to lovers here is REALLY you guys! And it has the sweet amount of s3xual tension before the slow burn complete burst into hot flames! The space level is GOOD. This book is addicting: once you start it’s hard to stop and I can’t wait to read book two!
Ps: This is the author’s debut book and she already wrote an amazing book! OH and it does end in a cliffhanger
✨𝐀𝐋𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰✨ 🎧: As the Fallen Rise: The Mage, Book 1 📓: Now available on Audible! 🎙️: Narrator: @frankienarrates
Greer Myers is a budding anthropology researcher and the world she knew suddenly shatters after a chance encounter sends her on a course of uncovering clandestine societies, hidden magic, and mythical creatures she thought only existed in the folklore she researches.
Long-kept secrets begin to unravel and Greer finds herself in the center of sinister intentions, betrayal, and otherworldly threats.
Tropes: 👀 Multi POV 👯♀️ Sassy FMC 🧙🏻♀️ Mythical creatures & supernaturals 🫥 Hidden identities 💫 Elemental Magic & training 🧑🧑🧒🧒 Found family 💔 Betrayal 🌶️: moderate
Greer serves as the central character of this story but the book expands to feature a dynamic ensemble cast. The audiobook narrator paints a vivid and rich world. Each character is distinctly portrayed and every emotion and quip well represented.
Greer is sassy, smart, but impulsive. We explore her loss and struggle with self-identity. I am looking forward to her continued journey throughout this series as she grapples with the consequences of her choices and unknown future. The other supernatural creatures have long, storied histories and I cannot wait to see how their storylines continue to intertwine.
Filled with thrilling magic, captivating lore, and a gripping plot, As the Fallen Rise is a fantastic installment in this contemporary urban fantasy series!
Huge thanks to the author for this advanced listening copy! This is my honest and voluntary review.
Where do I even start? This book literally had it all! There was magic, vampires, angels, demons, a hero’s journey, betrayal, and so much more!
Our FMC Greer is thrust into a world of magic after a traumatic event happens. Her past is not the past she knows. She has to learn about this “new to her” world, and try to find the answers on why she was lied to for so long. This story is its own vibe and I am here for it! Sadie created so many magical characters in this new series and I can’t wait to learn more about each of them.
Lots of tension, some spice, and action packed. It does end on a cliffhanger, and no HEA here (at least not yet!). For a debut novel Sadie did a fantastic job with this story! I am dying for book two already!!!
Thank you to @sadiehewittbooks and @rrbooktours for allowing me to be apart of this tour and review this story!
the first book in a now duology , I've been pleasantly surprised by it and I liked the ending for how it left off with the plot. A Mage is accidentally awakening her powers by defending herself, investigating a cold case murder that gets her more involved than she would think she would dip her toes into the case for. Our side characters are interesting enough to carry the plot where our unlikeable main character falters, and the intrigue of the old spirits keeps my intentions and attention to keep reading this supernatural tale. for fans of Shadowhunters and the tv show supernatural this is perfect pallet cleanser and fast paced and such a pageturner. 3,5 stars is as good as my Melissa Foster 3,5 stars rating , it just means a low stakes (for me) book that I know I can turn my hard thinking brain off with.
ARC Review: This book was a fast paced adventure that throws you curveballs! Vampyres, faeries, witches, and more. With LGBTQ+ characters, diversity, badass female characters, this book has something for everyone! Paranormal fantasy, with some murder mystery sprinkled in, having you scratching you head on what could be going on. And lastly, the steamy slowburn romance building between Greer and Cian, which had me in a mix of emotions, from hurt to blushing! Super excited to see where and what adventures Greer and her new friends will come across!
I read the ARC of this book and absolutely am obsessed! I loved the new take on the fantasy genre and definitely adored Greer! I can’t wait to read more 🤩
I was chosen as an ARC reader for this book, and I am so grateful I was! This book is stunning; the writing, the story telling, the environment, and the feelings it brings are just beautiful. Sadie really brings to life all the characters on Greer’s journey to discover herself, and I can’t wait to read more!
As The Fallen Rise got me hooked from the first chapter. The story is very immersive, capturing my attention from the first chapter, and it got pretty intense throughout, so i couldn't stop listening (i finished the audiobook in just two days). The narrator's performance is outstanding, with brilliant voice inflexions for all characters. I particularly enjoyed the suspense and plot twists, as Greer (our heroine) worked to uncover the mystery behind her birth mother’s murder. Along the way, she discovers countless secrets and makes new friends, all while navigating the complexities of a magical world she’s just stepping into. Greer’s growth is what really stood out to me. She stays true to herself throughout. There's also a slow-burn romance brewing between her and Cian, the charmingly smug vampire, but it wasn't the main focus of the story, and it worked great for this first book in the series! I'm very much looking forward to reading the next installment, especially after the heartbreaking cliffhanger ending.
Highly recommend this book if you enjoy urban fantasy, hidden magic, mythical creatures, multiple POV, found family, enemies to lovers, LGBTQIA+ rep, and a touch of spice 🌶.
Alright, here is a shout out to all of my fellow Paranormal Fantasy readers out there! Read this one! I don't normally start out my reviews with the "you need to read this" but, you guys, dang it was good! Especially if you liked the book series A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness, I think you would really like this one too.
Sadie Hewitt's story was constantly giving us something. She did a great job at keeping me glued to the pages while the next event started to ramp up or the new lead in her research started to get really juicy. There was a fantastic pace for the story. You never get the feeling that the conversations were going dry and had some great one liners that had me rolling with laughter. There are a few moments were we are jumping temporarily into other character's POV - and I do mean quite briefly. It is used to set up some very good dramatic irony moments! Other than a small handful of chapters with the character swap, you stay in Greer's POV the whole time.
The romance is spicy! A wonderful slow-burn full of bantering and on the edge of being an enemy to lover situation that happens for a majority of the book. Then my Goodness it gets HOT between two characters. I think Cian is very yummy! I mean a tall, quite attractive, brooding vampire with an Irish accent - Yup, ready for the bill and pack him up for me please!
The author's story was so much fun to read and had a fantastic plot. If you could see my copy of this book, I've marked the snot out of it with tabs on parts that were my favorite moments or times that I went "Oh Shit!". That cliffhanger was great and made me want to pick the next one up straight away.
This is Sadie's debut novel that is a solid home run. AND It is the beginning of her series! I can't wait to see where this author takes us next in her writings. She definitely knows her way around a story!
I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a voluntary honest review.
Wow! This was a lot more than I expected. I have been reading a few books that are similar in factions, magic, secrets and betrayal. This book brought all of these together and gave so much more.
This is the first book, and got a bit slow and repetitive in storyline. However, once it picked up ... oh it was everything after that.
Greer was a bit naive at times, but when it came down to loyalty, she was my fave. I loved her with Cian, but I was a bit sad how that ended before the book was over. I am hoping that in book 2 we get to see a turn in that relationship.
Cian was NOT as bad as another character in the book, and I am glad. He was definitely a shadow daddy here 😉
If you are looking for a HEA, you will not find it here ... however, it is worth the read and suspense for book 2.
As the Fallen Rise is not my usual type of fantasy. It’s more contemporary, set in modern day, and has a lot of that as a focus. And yet…I got so hooked on the plot and characters that I couldn’t stop reading. Greer, our protagonist, is going about her life when she’s attacked by a guy in an alley. It unleashes the magic inside her, and then daemons begin coming out of the woodwork, having felt her. A vampire named Cian is mysteriously following her and urging her to practice her magic, while she tries to keep herself and her friends Delia and Paige alive as attacks by daemons grow. When she finds out not only does she have magic, but her mother has been lying to her all her life, things begin to spiral as she chases that trail.
Greer is very relatable. She has friends and a job and seems well adjusted outside her terrible relationship with her mother. Her discovery of having magic, and of all the other magical creatures, freaks her out, but she’s not able to deny what’s right in front of her. I think she resisted the perfect amount, pacing wise, before diving in. While Cian urges her on for his own ends. She finds out she’s a Mage, a rare being coming from only one bloodline, and often skipping generations even years after the last Mage died. But there’s more to her than that, and her search for answers leads her to a place she never could have expected.
Cian is desperate to get the potion that will let him walk in the sun. When the last Mage died, her potion died with her, and he could no longer day-walk. His frustration with Greer at first is quite obvious, but he helps open her eyes to her powers and the truth of who she is, on multiple levels. And the sexual tension between the two begins to rise as they start working together. I really liked their sort of budding relationship/hook up with clear feelings. Cian likes to alike more aloof than he really is. He surrounds himself with other vampires because he clearly doesn’t want to be alone, and he longs for his lost humanity.
I really enjoyed the mystery here and following Greer as she tried to uncover everything. The side characters were also great. Everyone from Issac to Delia to Paige to Celeste felt like they were well developed. As was everyone’s relationship with Greer herself. While Greer’s life felt very grounded. We see her at her job and going out with groups of friends. Even drinking and dancing with her vampire friend! I usually can’t hook into contemporary fantasies, but this one really did manage to hook me despite that. I even enjoyed seeing Greer’s life continue on with all the struggles she was dealing with. And seeing how those things change along the way.
When a sinister entity approaches Cian to turn on Greer, he’s put in a bad situation. He tries to navigate it as smoothly as possible, but things, of course, go wrong at the eleventh hour. With the truth of who Greer is, and the power inside her, now known, the entity makes his play for her power. Leaving tons of fall out in his wake. I won’t spoil what happens, as you should absolutely read this yourself! I’m about to jump into the sequel and can’t wait. The next book promises to be nuts with where we left things here.
As The Fallen Rise - As The Fallen Rise Series #1 - Review
Couple: Greer and Cian
Author: Sadie Hewitt
Tropes: angels and demons, fantasy, PNR, hidden plots, multi-POV, enemy to lover to enemy, secret identity, hidden powers
Review: This book. OH. MY. GAWWD. It kicks off an all new series that is full of fantasy and romance. While, this first book does not have a ton of spice, it is full of angst and building tension. It centers around Greer, a young woman who finds herself in the middle of a magical war with ancient creatures.
I really enjoyed this read since the development of the plot was shocking and kept me guessing. I thought Greer’s character was resilient and so well developed that I cannot wait for the next book. I also liked how her origins and family were slowly shown throughout the book with just enough to not give away how her magic manifests. I also loved how her and Cian bantered throughout the book.
The book centers around the emergence of Greer’s power and the age-old quest of her having to save the world from evil paranormal beings. The path she forges in the story is different since she is a hero who is open about her faults and leans on others who have more knowledge while still doing it her way. The book is written in multi-POV but focuses mainly on Greer. The inclusion of the other POVs allows us to gain understanding of the many different subplots and deceptions that occur between the other characters and players in the shadows.
The main MC in this book is Cian and he us an anti-hero in al the senses. When we meet him, he is reluctant to trust Greer and sees her as another witch who will do whatever they want. As the book progresses, we see him begin to trust her more and opens up to her…all the while secretly plotting to get what he wants at her expense. The deception he was in on made me not want to like him but as the book unfolds, I found it hard to hate his character since he had so much growth in this first book.
As tension rises between the paranormals and Greer, we see the djinn Elios take it upon himself to harm Greer’s found family and thus setting off the final climatic events of book 1. The ending is explosive and leaves you hanging for book 2 after we learn about all the deceptions, secrets, betrayals and emotions during the final battle scene where we also meet Greer’s father.
This book was a terrific first book for this author and sets the stage for a nail-biting series that you will want to read today. I am excited for book 2 and hope we get more from Cian’s POV and fingers crossed he makes it up to Greer.
I am part of Sadie’s street team and received an ARC copy of this book to read before the release of the second book in the series. After finishing it I purchased a copy because I loved it that much!
Sadie has renewed my love of fantasy, I don’t think I have been so invested in a book or excited for a series to continue in a LONG time! It was so well done, so well researched, so well written, absolutely magical!
Her style of writing is easy to read and engaging. The description in the book was phenomenally done, I could literally imagine and feel everything being described, it added so much depth and magic to the story line and just made the entire thing that much better!
The book was mainly written from the MC, Greer’s, POV, but every once in awhile you’d get a chapter from a supporting character, I loved how this was done, it was added information and backstory that was definitely needed! The characters were all very well developed, I loved how each one grew and emerged throughout the story. The slight romance/spice was such a slow burn, I loved it! It didn’t overpower the story which I think was great for a series debut!
Just absolutely MAGICAL!
Blurb from As the Fallen Rise:
Created by Primordials, daemons were made in the likeness of humans following a devastating betrayal. And for nearly six hundred years, Agnes was the Mage who protected them, kept them alive, and gave them power. Since her death, the seven factions of daemons have been on the brink of war, inching closer and closer to burning the world to the ground. Anthropologist Greer Myers believes mythical creatures belong in fairy tales. But when she is unexpectedly thrust into the world she thought only existed in the folklore she studied, the source of her unusual magic is whispered amongst the daemons. The plot for her rise, or her fall, begins in the shadow of a secret society established to hunt her ancestral line. When a strange man appears with a grimoire and claims that he can help her find her birth mother, Greer- smart and independent- decides to take on the mystery by herself. Weaving lies about her identity and going undercover as a journalist, the mission for information seems safe enough at first, but soon Greer learns the hard way just how sinister and otherworldly her mother’s death really is.
4.5 This book had it all: great friendships, characters, world-building, setting, and heartbreaking betrayals. I am so happy that I requested an ARC for this book. The writing had such a calming feel that I felt like I was swimming in a sea of emotions.
Summary: The book starts with Greer going through her day as usual. On the way home, an unusual incident pushes her from everything normal to everything that is not. Her past is not her past. She has been lied to for decades. The creatures that only existed in mythology are suddenly real. And they are coming for her. As a friend or foe? She doesn't know, but she will have to figure it out fast. Before she becomes a tool for someone to use. She has to understand this world, its politics, hierarchy, and history, in order to defend herself against those who are here to harm her.
Plot and writing: The tone of the text was excellent. Its tone was so calm and serene that it engulfed me as a reader and carried me into the story as it unfolded. It is written in the third person, and we mostly follow Greer throughout the story. There are a few chapters that follow different characters.
The plot had all the elements: an intriguing beginning, extensive explanations and world-building, heartfelt emotions, and a strong conclusion. We start with Greer being a normal person, and then, when thrown into this mythical world, we find her trying to understand her past and the new power that is flowing through her veins.
I would have loved an explanation of the magic system, but since this is the first book and we are following Greer, who is new to this magic herself, the explanations will be revealed to her and us at the same time.
Characters: We are introduced to a lot of characters, and I enjoyed all of their personalities. Each and every character is introduced very uniquely and has a lot to contribute to the story.
I am excited to see how the plot will progress and where these characters will end up in the following books.
Recommend: I would like to recommend it to all the readers who enjoy fantasy, witches, vampyres, fae, action, and a bit of spice in their stories. The writing was kind of similar to 'The Forgotten Witch' by Jessica Dodge. So if you loved that book for its exceptional writing, then you might enjoy this one as well.
I received an ARC of this book, for my honest review
First of all, a huge thank-you to the author for allowing me to be a member of her ARC team. “As the Fallen Rise” released May 9, and it was a huge pleasure to have had a chance to read it already.
Greer is a perfectly normal anthropologist, just minding her own business, when strange things start happening. She’s pretty sure her hospital nurse had actual wings, some random guy gives her a weird book that apparently only she can read, and to top it all off apparently all the myths and legends Greer has studied might actually have some truth in them. It’s been a long week.
Clever and independent, Greer was a really enjoyable FMC. For the most part, she doesn’t do much that would result in frustrated screams of ‘why would you do something so stupid?!’ which is always nice. She’s definitely not perfect, though, and she most certainly has some errors in her judgement.
The side characters, too, were fun and only seemed to add to the story. The story is partially told through multiple POVs, so we get to see a little into some of their actions and motivations when they’re outside of the MC’s vicinity. And that love interest? Yes, please!
The plot itself was interesting and kept my attention, and it didn’t feel like anything came in from way out of left field. It flowed, and it made sense, and the background knowledge that was needed was explained in a reasonable and easy to understand way without feeling overly trite. At several points I caught myself laughing or tearing up, and that’s not always an easy reaction to elicit. I found myself looking forward to what would happen next, and I’m already eagerly awaiting book 2.
The only critique I really had was that, occasionally, the phrasing was a little off. For example, “…the gravel driveway crackling beneath the sandals donning her feet.” The gist of the word (donning, as in, to put on an article of clothing) is correct, but the actual use is not. This type of issue arises several times throughout the book, and it was just noticeable enough to bug me. It’s entirely possible that it was just an editing error that hadn’t been corrected yet, since I was reading an ARC copy.
I was intrigued in the blurb of this story. It is such a refreshing story combining Paranormal and Fantasy. This story has a slow burn romance subplot that is heavy on Plot, World Building and Character Development. If you're looking for Angst, Tension, Betrayal, Heartache and Epic Fight Scenes look no further.
What do you do when an attack on your life unleashes unknown power you never knew you had?
What do you do when you realize that the life that you have been living has been a lie?
Greer is an Anthropologist who thrives on the knowledge of past Cultures and Lore. When her ordinary life catapults into a world she thought only existed in the folklore she studied, Greer doesn't know where to turn or who to seek out for help.
After a vicious attack that resulted in her defending herself with abilities that are not common in humans, Greer doesn't know what to believe. When the source of her unusual power is unleashed revealing her whereabouts; Greer is left with more questions than answers. In order to find the answers that she seek she must first look into the past which leads her not only to her lineage but also the knowledge of a Secret Society that has been established centuries ago to hunt and eliminate her ancestral line.
When a strange man by the name of Cian approaches Greer with a grimoire that has been passed down through her generation, Greer embarks upon a dangerous journey to learn who and what she truly is. Unfortunately, Greer never imagined her truth would reveal a world of Vampires, Fae, Djinn, Secret Societies and other mythical beings.
With the help of her BFF Delia, Frenemy Cian and his 2 Vampyre buddies and a Fae Warrior who's been on the run for centuries; Greer believes she will be safe against the dangers lurking in the shadows but who will keep her safe from the dangers lurking right under her nose?
Expect to Find:
🌎 World Building ✨Urban Paranormal Fantasy 🌶️ Slow burn 👭 LQBTQ+ Rep 🗡️ Murder Mystery 🪄 Magic 🧛 Mythical Creatures 🧚 🧛 Diverse Characters 🧚🐺 👪 Found Family
I was given this book as an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I’d give this between a 3.5-3.75. This was a great start to the series, I am really excited to read more as they come out. I think book 2 is out this fall!
Our FMC has a secret that not even she’s aware of yet, one that’s going to change her whole life and change everything she knows. We open in the year 1635 with Agnes, a powerful mage and move into present day where we meet our FMC Greer, a graduate researcher working to study Native American tribes in the PNW. As the story progresses we learn more about the magical creatures that are living in the world.
This is an urban setting paranormal/supernatural fantasy, and I think the author does a good job at interweaving the urban setting and the fantastical - something that can be really hard to achieve without losing something from one or the other. I also appreciate the way that the lore is built into everything that’s around our FMC and also what she’s working on.
I also like that our characters are all trying their best to figure out what is happening and making decisions based on the knowledge they have, all making mistakes along the way. I liked getting to know the various characters as the story progresses. Cian was giving very Damon/Enzo from the vampire diaries in the best way. He’s a vampyre who wants what he wants and is going to make some morally grey choices to get it. Odette is the hesitant Fae who just wants to live as quietly as possible but obviously gets thrown into the mix. We then have Delia, Greer’s best friend and roommate who along with her girlfriend get dragged into this magical push and pull all while trying to support Greer.
As a warning the story does include violence and gore in case that’s something you’re sensitive to! There is low spice in the series (a single scene), but has an amazing depiction of consent!
I cannot wait to get to book 2 and would recommend to anyone who enjoys urban setting paranormal/supernatural stories!
THANK YOU so much @sadiehewittbooks & @rrbooktours for my gifted copy of 𝗔𝗦 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗙𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗘𝗡 𝗥𝗜𝗦𝗘! I loved it so much and the bookmark and stickers were perfection🥹
This book was AMAZING!! I really enjoyed it! It was fast-paced and exciting and had all of the elements of a perfect Fantasy read. The mythical creatures in it were fantastic and I loved how many there were! Witches, Faeries, Angels, Demons, Vampyres… literally every creature you could think of and I was living for it. There was epic world-building, a unique and fascinating magic system, fantastic and well developed characters, and a really well balanced blend of plot and romance. I was astounded that this is Sadie’s debut novel, because the way it’s written seems like it’s from a seasoned author.
Greer is a fantastic FMC! She was so easy to connect with, and it was awesome to see her discover more about herself! She’s so resilient and intelligent, and I love that the main focus of this book is her discovering more about herself and her power. She’s just so awesome and relatable, and a really strong character. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for her!
The slow burn, enemies to lovers romance between Greer and Cian was perfection and I was loving their banter and tension! I had so many mixed feelings about him as I read through the book, and I really enjoyed his character’s growth.
The plot was paced perfectly, kept me guessing, and quite literally shocked me at certain parts. The ending has a HUGE cliffhanger, so just be prepared for that! This book is definitely one you should add to your TBR if you’re a fan of fantasy romance! It was a page turner I couldn’t put down and it was full of everything I love about an epic fantasy read! Definitely recommend, and can’t wait to read more in this world with these characters!
In this whirlwind paranormal fantasy, Sadie Hewitt brings her readers on a wild ride of daemons, primordials, mages, vampires and fae. Events are set into motion when researcher Greer comes into her powers and the daemons across the realms take notice. Greer rockets into a world of intrigue, betrayal, secrets, and lies.
Tropes: Fantasy / Paranormal Fantasy / Historical / Spicy / Found Family / LGBTQ+ Representation / Slow Burn / Enemies to Lovers / Multiple POV’s
Characters: Greer Meyers: The Mage – researcher, finds out about her powers accidentally when her adopted mother is killed. Greer is a badass FMC, she can handle anything thrown at her. She has a roommate, and tries to keep her powers from her, but it soon becomes unable to hide them when vampires come to her door.
Cian: Hottie Vampire, slow burn romance with Greer. He makes a deal with a djinn, and is helping Greer, but the deal is that he’ll kill her once he can read the grimoire. Odette: Fairy Nurse – doesn’t want anything to do with Greer – has been hiding from the Fae lands for over 200 years.
Diana: Greer’s roommate, who Cian thinks is some sort of supe, but TBD on what she is. Is engaged to Paige, who is also BFF’s with Greer. (And meets her untimely demise at the end of the book)
Some Highlights: - Sadie Hewitt can literally do no wrong. She’s an auto-purchase for me, and this book sealed that deal. I loved the cast of characters, and the comedic timing of this book. - Greer really feels like a real person in this book. Hewitt has done a great job of giving Greer real human emotion. She reacts to things the way people would react, there’s nothing false about it. - I love that the romance/spice is there, but it’s secondary to the plot. I like that – it lets us dive into Greer and her powers a lot more. I’m giving it a 2.5/5 on the spice meter. - Overall this book is a 4.5/5 for me. There were a few slow spots, but that makes sense in the first of a series. (World Building). I’m excited to read the second in the series as an arc reader!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.