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Daindreth's Assassin #4
Daindreth's Sorceress
They overcame his mother’s plots and broke both their curses, but can they survive his inheritance?
Amira Brindonu has won. The man she loves has been freed from his curse and her mother’s people have chosen to ally with their cause.
Even as Amira and Daindreth celebrate victory and Thadred grows in his power as a sorcerer, trouble stirs on the horizon. Not everyone is ready to recognize the rightful heir. Vesha’s reign brought the empire peace and prosperity. Many lords and barons must be convinced if they are to swear allegiance to Daindreth.
Meanwhile, Vesha seeks out greater power. In a desperate effort to protect the empire, she will make yet another deal with a fallen goddess. And this time, Vesha is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone—even herself.
Daindreth’s Sorceress is the fourth book in the five-book Daindreth’s Assassin Fantasy Romance series. 0. The Archduke***
1. Daindreth’s Assassin
2. Daindreth’s Outlaw
3. Daindreth’s Traitor
4. Daindreth’s Sorceress (releases July 2023)
5. Daindreth’s Empress (releases January 2024)
*** The Archduke is a companion novella showing events from Daindreth's perspective in the first half of Book #1. It can be read before or after the main books.
Amira Brindonu has won. The man she loves has been freed from his curse and her mother’s people have chosen to ally with their cause.
Even as Amira and Daindreth celebrate victory and Thadred grows in his power as a sorcerer, trouble stirs on the horizon. Not everyone is ready to recognize the rightful heir. Vesha’s reign brought the empire peace and prosperity. Many lords and barons must be convinced if they are to swear allegiance to Daindreth.
Meanwhile, Vesha seeks out greater power. In a desperate effort to protect the empire, she will make yet another deal with a fallen goddess. And this time, Vesha is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone—even herself.
Daindreth’s Sorceress is the fourth book in the five-book Daindreth’s Assassin Fantasy Romance series. 0. The Archduke***
1. Daindreth’s Assassin
2. Daindreth’s Outlaw
3. Daindreth’s Traitor
4. Daindreth’s Sorceress (releases July 2023)
5. Daindreth’s Empress (releases January 2024)
*** The Archduke is a companion novella showing events from Daindreth's perspective in the first half of Book #1. It can be read before or after the main books.
337 pages, Paperback
First published July 11, 2023
310 people are currently reading
2514 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Wheatley
34 books4,570 followersElisabeth Wheatley is a fantasy author because warrior princess wasn’t an option. She loves tea and asking questions.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
December 23, 2024
The beginning of Daindreths Sorceress is a sweet end as Daindreth and Amira get married and begin their campaign to take back the empire. Then the courtly games begin.
Vasha made some really bad decisions convincing herself it was for the right reasons. Her partnership with Moreyne and cythraul was very creepy.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
Vasha made some really bad decisions convincing herself it was for the right reasons. Her partnership with Moreyne and cythraul was very creepy.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
November 20, 2024
"He looked up to Amira as the guards bound his hands (...).
"How?" Boless asked, gaping at her. "How did you do it?"
"I'm Daindreth's goddamn assassin." - hell yeah, you are! 🤘
This book was powerful, and it delivered exactly what they deserved. Of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without a fight, but damn, it was delicious. Also, the spice level! Significantly increased. Yet, it stayed romantic. Just a bit spicier. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Amira has changed so much. She’s become the woman she always wanted to be - soft, loving, and loved. Now, she’s more a woman than a weapon. She’s brave, loyal, and Daindreth has chosen her to be his destiny builder. Together.
The female rage? On point!!! Especially, when she finally met her father after Cursewood visit. She finally got to show him she’s in charge. King Hyle was a disappointment. Always has been. He’s a perfect example of how weak men fear strong women.
"You would kill an innocent man?"
Don’t talk to me about innocence when you stole mine."
Solid. 🤌
"You fully expect me to give you my allegiance, don’t you?"
"I do. Because now I see why you shackled Amira - you’re afraid of her. Terrified, even. And we both know that if you betray me, not even the gods can save you from her."
Vesha also deserves some attention because I finally got to see her in close with her own POV.
What I can’t figure out is what emotion truly drives her. Obsession, love, duty, desire for power and control? Maybe she’s lost in all of them. She’s definitely lost in her titles and goals.
In the end, Vesha might be greedy, but she’s brave. Corrupted by evil, but brave. The little bit of goodness left in her keeps reminding her of the brutal mistakes and delulu decisions she’s made, but she chooses to stay on her course and push her heart aside.
"It was her moment of triumph. So why did it feel like this was the worst thing she had ever done?" - gurl, because it is. Brace yourself, because it’s gonna get ugly.
"How?" Boless asked, gaping at her. "How did you do it?"
"I'm Daindreth's goddamn assassin." - hell yeah, you are! 🤘
This book was powerful, and it delivered exactly what they deserved. Of course, it wouldn’t have been possible without a fight, but damn, it was delicious. Also, the spice level! Significantly increased. Yet, it stayed romantic. Just a bit spicier. 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Amira has changed so much. She’s become the woman she always wanted to be - soft, loving, and loved. Now, she’s more a woman than a weapon. She’s brave, loyal, and Daindreth has chosen her to be his destiny builder. Together.
The female rage? On point!!! Especially, when she finally met her father after Cursewood visit. She finally got to show him she’s in charge. King Hyle was a disappointment. Always has been. He’s a perfect example of how weak men fear strong women.
"You would kill an innocent man?"
Don’t talk to me about innocence when you stole mine."
Solid. 🤌
"You fully expect me to give you my allegiance, don’t you?"
"I do. Because now I see why you shackled Amira - you’re afraid of her. Terrified, even. And we both know that if you betray me, not even the gods can save you from her."
Vesha also deserves some attention because I finally got to see her in close with her own POV.
What I can’t figure out is what emotion truly drives her. Obsession, love, duty, desire for power and control? Maybe she’s lost in all of them. She’s definitely lost in her titles and goals.
In the end, Vesha might be greedy, but she’s brave. Corrupted by evil, but brave. The little bit of goodness left in her keeps reminding her of the brutal mistakes and delulu decisions she’s made, but she chooses to stay on her course and push her heart aside.
"It was her moment of triumph. So why did it feel like this was the worst thing she had ever done?" - gurl, because it is. Brace yourself, because it’s gonna get ugly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 27, 2024
⭐ What I Liked
*The way Amira dealt with the traitors! I audibly gasped and woke my poor sleeping husband up. I thought she would give a big speech, and only have the axe be symbolic or something!!! Wow.
*I really enjoy that Amira's relationship with her sister is changing. It feels quite realistic.
*Amira & Daindreth's relationship has grown at a good pace. I like that they are struggling to learn how to rule together.
*The Istovari in general, although I would have liked to have seen their culture fleshed out a bit more.
*Thadred's character development.
📝 Some Notes
*Some punctuation errors (ex: page 295 has some missing quotation marks).
*The word 'clipped' instead of 'said' is highly repetitive and unnecessary.
* I wish that the first three books were one book, and I have a feeling I will think the same of the last three books. I enjoy the plot points, but I don't see why they're made across separate smaller books with larger font.
My husband attends many writing conventions and has told me that perhaps it's because self publishing is difficult enough to do without creating lengthy books. You gotta hand it to the author for having a lot of chutzpah! But I could see these books being compressed into the size of something like a David Eddings book (par example; The Redemption of Althalus).
*The way Amira dealt with the traitors! I audibly gasped and woke my poor sleeping husband up. I thought she would give a big speech, and only have the axe be symbolic or something!!! Wow.
*I really enjoy that Amira's relationship with her sister is changing. It feels quite realistic.
*Amira & Daindreth's relationship has grown at a good pace. I like that they are struggling to learn how to rule together.
*The Istovari in general, although I would have liked to have seen their culture fleshed out a bit more.
*Thadred's character development.
📝 Some Notes
*Some punctuation errors (ex: page 295 has some missing quotation marks).
*The word 'clipped' instead of 'said' is highly repetitive and unnecessary.
* I wish that the first three books were one book, and I have a feeling I will think the same of the last three books. I enjoy the plot points, but I don't see why they're made across separate smaller books with larger font.
My husband attends many writing conventions and has told me that perhaps it's because self publishing is difficult enough to do without creating lengthy books. You gotta hand it to the author for having a lot of chutzpah! But I could see these books being compressed into the size of something like a David Eddings book (par example; The Redemption of Althalus).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2025
I must say, each book is better than the last. I am curious how things with Vesha will be wrapped up in book 5.
Amira & Dain are still a lovely couple, I deeply appreciate how much they love each other. I am 1000% rooting for Thadred & Sair. I appreciate the multiple POVs, even if Vesha's are starting to get more and more depressing.
Amira & Dain are still a lovely couple, I deeply appreciate how much they love each other. I am 1000% rooting for Thadred & Sair. I appreciate the multiple POVs, even if Vesha's are starting to get more and more depressing.
July 20, 2025
DNF, which is rare. I found the author through her hilarious and relatable IG posts (team Book Goblin!!) and desperately wanted to love the series. The super informal/unpolished/AO3 writing style annoyed me right away (I died a little every time someone said "I'm alright") but in books 1 and 2 the story was good enough to keep me going. 3 was starting to really slog, but with 4 I got partway through this book and was SO BORED with the plotline going nowhere, and sick of Amira and Daindreth, that I returned the Libby copy so others could read it.
Amira has totally lost all personality by this point in the series, aside from occasional flares of "I'm a classic trope strong badass female MC" here and there.
Daindreth is incredibly boring as well. The man literally has no faults or personality now he's not fighting the cythraul.
The only really interesting parts of this book were from Vesha's POV, even though I have huge beef about this character because her motivations are super weirdly out of whack. Supposedly she is making deals with the cythraul to...protect the people of the empire from misery? But there is no evidence anywhere of her being a person who actually cares about others - see her treatment of her SON and her sister! Which makes me think her motivation was supposed to be power? But if that was the case, I'm not sure she would've cared so much about avoiding natural disasters. So was she just lazy and didn't want to deal with the admin headaches? But if so, why is she clinging to the regency??
So many questions.
Amira has totally lost all personality by this point in the series, aside from occasional flares of "I'm a classic trope strong badass female MC" here and there.
Daindreth is incredibly boring as well. The man literally has no faults or personality now he's not fighting the cythraul.
The only really interesting parts of this book were from Vesha's POV, even though I have huge beef about this character because her motivations are super weirdly out of whack. Supposedly she is making deals with the cythraul to...protect the people of the empire from misery? But there is no evidence anywhere of her being a person who actually cares about others - see her treatment of her SON and her sister! Which makes me think her motivation was supposed to be power? But if that was the case, I'm not sure she would've cared so much about avoiding natural disasters. So was she just lazy and didn't want to deal with the admin headaches? But if so, why is she clinging to the regency??
So many questions.
November 5, 2025
Nothing that I have checked out from the library could grab my attention. Just nothing is interesting right now, and maybe that's what a reading slump is. Anyway, as I tried to get into some other book, all I could think about was how much I wanted to continue reading about Dain & Amira and see how things turned out for them. I love this series, I love that Amira doesn't let herself be defined by what happened to her, that she is growing and healing and loving. I couldn't wish for someone to identify with more.
January 10, 2024
3.4
slowly this series is starting to get good. since it's not finished i can't rate its trash ya status yet - the next book comes out this month, luckily.
the writing style is much the same, but the plot as always remains interesting, and thadred doesn't let me down 😘
unfortunately this book was suddenly a lot more explicit than the previous ones which kinda hit me out of nowhere and gave me a jumpscare and then i skipped forward a lot of pages and got a spoiler soo
slowly this series is starting to get good. since it's not finished i can't rate its trash ya status yet - the next book comes out this month, luckily.
the writing style is much the same, but the plot as always remains interesting, and thadred doesn't let me down 😘
unfortunately this book was suddenly a lot more explicit than the previous ones which kinda hit me out of nowhere and gave me a jumpscare and then i skipped forward a lot of pages and got a spoiler soo
September 21, 2023
I think this might be the best one yet!! And I’m super looking forward to the next one!!
January 22, 2024
A big draggy in the middle. BUT I am excited to see the fourth book and where our leading Lords and Ladies take us. 2 spice scenes, only 1 with any sort of real detail and I must say GOOD BOY DAIN.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 24, 2024
So dark!!! Can't wait to see how the gang gets out of this!
April 13, 2025
This is my favorite of the series so far. Starts with a wedding, ends with a coronation, and in between is so much lore and raising of stakes. Loved it!
October 3, 2025
I think this one has been my favorite so far in the series. Here is why:
-finally. They are married!
-the court intrigue is great
-getting back into assassin and spy work
-more kelpy. Love him.
This is just a heads up. This one gets dark! The poor dogs. 🥺 and that trial. Woah. Like woah. Wickedly great tho.
-finally. They are married!
-the court intrigue is great
-getting back into assassin and spy work
-more kelpy. Love him.
This is just a heads up. This one gets dark! The poor dogs. 🥺 and that trial. Woah. Like woah. Wickedly great tho.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2024
I’m so sorry that I lied in my last review saying that “ this series is definitely worth your time”. But I did honestly believe it when I wrote it.
As you can see after the last book I continued on to the fourth in the series. I hate to say this and I rarely do this but I DNFed it at 63%. So I’m not sure how it ended or if it gets any better but this is my honest review.
While I read I noticed a TON of typos or incorrect spelling which usually doesn’t annoy me but since this was the fourth book in the series I had hoped the author would pick up on them.( this is nothing against Elisabeth, I love her content online but I just want to be honest)
I initially loved Amira and Daindreth but the minute they got married and started to become intimate they started to weird me out. Why is it that Amira becomes violent and starts biting Daindreth against his will? It’s not cute and it’s not hot, it genuinely grossed me out since Daindreth did not reciprocate her.
Not only that but when I’m in Daindreth’s POV he has repeatedly described Amira as monstrous. Now we can all collectively agree that we all love Amira’s badass type but in what world is monstrous a compliment? I noticed as well that Amira hasn’t really grown as a character, sure she now harbors love for other people but she still holds grudges and acts out. She doesn’t think before she acts leaving Daindreth to clean up her mess. It would be fine if this was book one considering that was her original character but I do expect to see some growth here people!
Now Vesha 🤦♀️. I don’t even know where to begin with her. She is probably one of the stupidest people I’ve ever had to read. Even after being betrayed by her right hand man who only ever had her best interest at heart and her demon “friend”, she still won’t admit that her plan is extremely flawed. Who in their right mind would actually believe that demons would keep up their end of the bargain by “protecting the empire”. Those in no way mix AT ALL. Does she not realize that famine,disease, and natural disasters are you know natural? Only God himself would be able to prevent such things and yet she believes that making deals with devils will fix all her problems. And she continues to think about how unselfish she is, like WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT????
Also the amount of weeping in this book is insane. He wept, she wept, it wept. Can we please get it together? Weeping isn’t going to do a whole lot I promise you.
But yeah really sorry that I lied even though I didn’t mean to. Thanks for reading anyway!!!🤗
As you can see after the last book I continued on to the fourth in the series. I hate to say this and I rarely do this but I DNFed it at 63%. So I’m not sure how it ended or if it gets any better but this is my honest review.
While I read I noticed a TON of typos or incorrect spelling which usually doesn’t annoy me but since this was the fourth book in the series I had hoped the author would pick up on them.( this is nothing against Elisabeth, I love her content online but I just want to be honest)
I initially loved Amira and Daindreth but the minute they got married and started to become intimate they started to weird me out. Why is it that Amira becomes violent and starts biting Daindreth against his will? It’s not cute and it’s not hot, it genuinely grossed me out since Daindreth did not reciprocate her.
Not only that but when I’m in Daindreth’s POV he has repeatedly described Amira as monstrous. Now we can all collectively agree that we all love Amira’s badass type but in what world is monstrous a compliment? I noticed as well that Amira hasn’t really grown as a character, sure she now harbors love for other people but she still holds grudges and acts out. She doesn’t think before she acts leaving Daindreth to clean up her mess. It would be fine if this was book one considering that was her original character but I do expect to see some growth here people!
Now Vesha 🤦♀️. I don’t even know where to begin with her. She is probably one of the stupidest people I’ve ever had to read. Even after being betrayed by her right hand man who only ever had her best interest at heart and her demon “friend”, she still won’t admit that her plan is extremely flawed. Who in their right mind would actually believe that demons would keep up their end of the bargain by “protecting the empire”. Those in no way mix AT ALL. Does she not realize that famine,disease, and natural disasters are you know natural? Only God himself would be able to prevent such things and yet she believes that making deals with devils will fix all her problems. And she continues to think about how unselfish she is, like WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT????
Also the amount of weeping in this book is insane. He wept, she wept, it wept. Can we please get it together? Weeping isn’t going to do a whole lot I promise you.
But yeah really sorry that I lied even though I didn’t mean to. Thanks for reading anyway!!!🤗
Read
October 15, 2024I don’t want to give an actual rating to the final two books of this series because I thought they were good and yet could not recommend them.
I loved the first three books, although I think they could have been combined into one. The latter half of the series was just as interesting as the former. The reader sees Vesha’s perspective in this book, which I appreciated but found redundant at times. There is also a great set up for the Thadred and Sair love story, which just came out as a separate book (Bastard’s Honor).
However, I can’t recommend the final two books because they contain excessively graphic violence, particularly against babies which just struck the wrong cord with me, as well as pretty graphic sex scenes. I have never been able to enjoy books or films that have such horrific or sexual imagery so as to pop back up in my mind as I just go about my day.
Some fantasy books are fine by my innocent standards because the intimate scenes are predictably placed and easy to skip, but Wheatley writes these scenes so that they are real aspects of the plot and contain important conversations. It was also a bit of whiplash since the first three books contained no sex at all.
Overall, I think Wheatley is a great author with a lot of attention to world building and historical accuracy. I very much look forward to reading any more of her books that have no sex in them.
I loved the first three books, although I think they could have been combined into one. The latter half of the series was just as interesting as the former. The reader sees Vesha’s perspective in this book, which I appreciated but found redundant at times. There is also a great set up for the Thadred and Sair love story, which just came out as a separate book (Bastard’s Honor).
However, I can’t recommend the final two books because they contain excessively graphic violence, particularly against babies which just struck the wrong cord with me, as well as pretty graphic sex scenes. I have never been able to enjoy books or films that have such horrific or sexual imagery so as to pop back up in my mind as I just go about my day.
Some fantasy books are fine by my innocent standards because the intimate scenes are predictably placed and easy to skip, but Wheatley writes these scenes so that they are real aspects of the plot and contain important conversations. It was also a bit of whiplash since the first three books contained no sex at all.
Overall, I think Wheatley is a great author with a lot of attention to world building and historical accuracy. I very much look forward to reading any more of her books that have no sex in them.
October 27, 2025
Daindreth's Assassin: 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
Daindreth's Outlaw: 3⭐⭐⭐
Daindreth's Traitor: 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daindreth's Sorceress: 3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daindreth's Empress: 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be my favorite book in the whole series, overall I think I am more invested in the world overall and how they make everything right again. That to me is more interesting than Dain and Amira as a couple, they are just meh to me. I would never call them couple goals.
Amira
I honestly feel she hasn't grown at all as a character, she is still impulsive and filled with rage. I don't expect all that to go away but this is book 4 and we haven't really seen her work on herself. Many can argue that its been one thing after another since the beginning, however we have seen growth from others. Even on the wedding night scene I was just thinking I'm so over this, I wonder what Thadred is doing. As a couple I don't think they are interesting or make you fall for their story.
The best thing she did in the book was the scene when she got justice on those who tried to murder her. I re-read it twice it was that good, and I will likely read it again. It makes me sad that she is so used to being used and putting others first that she doesn't realize she is doing it again with Dain. The only difference is that now she does it of her own free will. She is still dirtying her hands and doing all the things Dain can't stomach. She is the one who has to live with that in the long run.
Dain
Ughh he is the worse MMC, mostly because he is so boring and lacks a spine. The only thing he did well in the whole series was stand up for Amira when they tried to kill her. I liked at least seeing some passion, he actually cares about something and lets it show. For most of the books he was so resigned and convinced he wouldn't survive he did absolutely nothing. His cousin had more impact at court than he did at the point.
Overall as a character I don't enjoy reading about him. If nothing else I wish with all the years of the cythraul in his head he would of at least learn to be strategic, learned anything that would help him run his kingdom well. He is so naïve thinking they will resolve things with no blood shed and that his mother won't fight back. His whole dialogue with Amira after she handled the dirty work with the attempted murder was gross to me. He doesn't like the difficult things she has done in the past, but is okay with using her to get her hands dirty so he doesn't have to. I don't think he realize he is using her as much as her father did, just because she offers doesn't lessen the fact that she is still used.
Vesha
She has gone so far into the deep end that she has lost her mind. Many can question how much of mind was still intact after dealing with the cythraul for so many years. However, now she is 1000% gone, she loses time and has no idea what is happening around her. Starting to think the god is taking over her body and giving orders and she just can't remember. In that one scene she says my children and the cythraul look at each other. I also think they are stalling for time, for what exactly not sure yet but its obvious.
Thadred
My favorite character, the scene where he is in are the best and I keep wanting to read more. I really hope he gets a spin off. I loved that he is finally learning to use his magic and I really think he could do so well with the Isotovari, he could lead training and help them get back so much of what he lost. He did so well leading them to rescue Amira and Dain in the last book. I just see so much potential.
Fonra
From the beginning there was something about her I don't trust. Maybe is how the author wrote her as so one dimensional, sweet, quiet, kind, innocent, perfect lady, etc. It's so nauseating 🤮 I wish in this book we would of seen another side of her. Where yes she is quiet and the perfect lady but it hides someone who observes those around her knows all about court politics. She lets other underestimate her but she is strategic and very smart and knows how to play court game. Hasn't seen the harsher realities but overall understands why they need to be done. She could of been a great character, and someone who helps Amira learn so much about court politics.
She needs to grow the hell up and start getting ready to be the queen or when she gets married her husband will walk all over her and make all the decision. I hope she uses this time at court wisely to grow up and see things as they really are, so she can toughen up and get ready to rule. However, I think what happened with her uncle and cousin will just drive a wedge between her and Amira.
Istovari
They are all amazing, going with Amira to a place where they know everyone hates them. Willing to sacrifice for their people. Knowing if something goes wrong they will be the first to die and the rest of the Istovari will be left stuck in the curse wood.
I would of love to have read more about Amira's mom, how her conversation with King went when they were alone. Plus her meeting the King's new wife and how she remained so controlled and didn't punch both of them.
Overall
I like the world building and can't wait to see what happens and how they rebuild. Don't love Amira and Dain, don't care for them as a couple. We need more of Thadred, I want him in every scene.
Daindreth's Outlaw: 3⭐⭐⭐
Daindreth's Traitor: 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daindreth's Sorceress: 3.5⭐️⭐️⭐️
Daindreth's Empress: 4⭐⭐⭐⭐
This might be my favorite book in the whole series, overall I think I am more invested in the world overall and how they make everything right again. That to me is more interesting than Dain and Amira as a couple, they are just meh to me. I would never call them couple goals.
Amira
I honestly feel she hasn't grown at all as a character, she is still impulsive and filled with rage. I don't expect all that to go away but this is book 4 and we haven't really seen her work on herself. Many can argue that its been one thing after another since the beginning, however we have seen growth from others. Even on the wedding night scene I was just thinking I'm so over this, I wonder what Thadred is doing. As a couple I don't think they are interesting or make you fall for their story.
The best thing she did in the book was the scene when she got justice on those who tried to murder her. I re-read it twice it was that good, and I will likely read it again. It makes me sad that she is so used to being used and putting others first that she doesn't realize she is doing it again with Dain. The only difference is that now she does it of her own free will. She is still dirtying her hands and doing all the things Dain can't stomach. She is the one who has to live with that in the long run.
Dain
Ughh he is the worse MMC, mostly because he is so boring and lacks a spine. The only thing he did well in the whole series was stand up for Amira when they tried to kill her. I liked at least seeing some passion, he actually cares about something and lets it show. For most of the books he was so resigned and convinced he wouldn't survive he did absolutely nothing. His cousin had more impact at court than he did at the point.
Overall as a character I don't enjoy reading about him. If nothing else I wish with all the years of the cythraul in his head he would of at least learn to be strategic, learned anything that would help him run his kingdom well. He is so naïve thinking they will resolve things with no blood shed and that his mother won't fight back. His whole dialogue with Amira after she handled the dirty work with the attempted murder was gross to me. He doesn't like the difficult things she has done in the past, but is okay with using her to get her hands dirty so he doesn't have to. I don't think he realize he is using her as much as her father did, just because she offers doesn't lessen the fact that she is still used.
Vesha
She has gone so far into the deep end that she has lost her mind. Many can question how much of mind was still intact after dealing with the cythraul for so many years. However, now she is 1000% gone, she loses time and has no idea what is happening around her. Starting to think the god is taking over her body and giving orders and she just can't remember. In that one scene she says my children and the cythraul look at each other. I also think they are stalling for time, for what exactly not sure yet but its obvious.
Thadred
My favorite character, the scene where he is in are the best and I keep wanting to read more. I really hope he gets a spin off. I loved that he is finally learning to use his magic and I really think he could do so well with the Isotovari, he could lead training and help them get back so much of what he lost. He did so well leading them to rescue Amira and Dain in the last book. I just see so much potential.
Fonra
From the beginning there was something about her I don't trust. Maybe is how the author wrote her as so one dimensional, sweet, quiet, kind, innocent, perfect lady, etc. It's so nauseating 🤮 I wish in this book we would of seen another side of her. Where yes she is quiet and the perfect lady but it hides someone who observes those around her knows all about court politics. She lets other underestimate her but she is strategic and very smart and knows how to play court game. Hasn't seen the harsher realities but overall understands why they need to be done. She could of been a great character, and someone who helps Amira learn so much about court politics.
She needs to grow the hell up and start getting ready to be the queen or when she gets married her husband will walk all over her and make all the decision. I hope she uses this time at court wisely to grow up and see things as they really are, so she can toughen up and get ready to rule. However, I think what happened with her uncle and cousin will just drive a wedge between her and Amira.
Istovari
They are all amazing, going with Amira to a place where they know everyone hates them. Willing to sacrifice for their people. Knowing if something goes wrong they will be the first to die and the rest of the Istovari will be left stuck in the curse wood.
I would of love to have read more about Amira's mom, how her conversation with King went when they were alone. Plus her meeting the King's new wife and how she remained so controlled and didn't punch both of them.
Overall
I like the world building and can't wait to see what happens and how they rebuild. Don't love Amira and Dain, don't care for them as a couple. We need more of Thadred, I want him in every scene.
June 6, 2024
If I never hear/read the phrase “As best as…” again it will be too soon.
Don’t get the audiobooks of this series. Between the poorly executed accents and the mispronunciations of words, it is painful.
Writing polish and narration aside, I found the series fairly interesting…until the end. And then I felt betrayed. The apparent climax didn’t impact as you would expect, so the end left you less than satisfied.
Wheatley has promise as a writer. What she needs is a good editor and someone else to do the narration.
Don’t get the audiobooks of this series. Between the poorly executed accents and the mispronunciations of words, it is painful.
Writing polish and narration aside, I found the series fairly interesting…until the end. And then I felt betrayed. The apparent climax didn’t impact as you would expect, so the end left you less than satisfied.
Wheatley has promise as a writer. What she needs is a good editor and someone else to do the narration.
April 11, 2024
1.5 stars, I'll round up to 2 for book goblin.
Honestly I just did not love this one, and that ending! Amira surprised me and not in a good way.
I keep reading for Thadred.
Honestly I just did not love this one, and that ending! Amira surprised me and not in a good way.
I keep reading for Thadred.
September 26, 2024
This book is a great continuation of the series, expanding on the lore and world-building while diving into political intrigue and character growth. I love how Elisabeth Wheatley crafts flawed, unique characters like Daindreth and Amira, who complement each other beautifully despite their differences. Their relationship feels strong and genuine, built on mutual respect and devotion. While this book leans more on character development and serves as a build-up to the final one, the addition of court politics keeps it engaging. Looking forward to seeing where it all leads!
November 17, 2024
Oh this one was fabulous. It starts with A & D's Istavori wedding which was beautiful and fun and something I would enjoy. Now normally I skim the wedding scene in books as overly sentimental or boring but this one - it was perfect. Then we have D& A together, together - so cute. And Thadred's disgust at their newlywed behaviour - haha. The book was so much more fun than the last couple, with a lightness (despite the gathering demon hoarde) now that D & A are free of their respective curses and married. Amira was less angsty, more balanced but still suitably vicious when necessary and a little impulsive and unpredictable when her rage takes over - cough beats up & kidnaps the king - cough. And I loved how A has to be the reasonable one when determining the punishment for trying to kill her. Altho I do think her punishment for the son was excessively cruel. Thadred was also amusing, especially how his ex's were giving him warnings. I want that to be plot point in the next book - that he has an entire spy network of friendly ex's. Vesha is a selfish idiot. Sure she is not herself now but her reasoning for the second deal doesn't hold up. Yes when D was a little boy it was stupid but you could understand it. Now it's just about not giving up her power no matter how she tries to spin it.
December 22, 2024
Amira comes into her own, as a Sorceress and as Empress.
Cromwell and Fonra grow in power as they grow ascharacters.
Court politics get interesting, and lethal, having to accommodate their former sorceress enemies in the face of a greater threat.
And more Vesha; this time from her POV. I understand that the best villains aren't villains in their own eyes, and the author genuinely seems to feel for Vesha.
I find her irritating.
I cannot empathise with a character who deals with demons, knowing full well that they ARE demons. The persistent argument that she's doing all this for the 'greater good' of the Empire is so fundamentally flawed that it would be laughable - except for her mounting death toll.
There is no 'greater good' possible with demons, nor do they seek it.
Vesha's either stupid, or delusional - if you were being charitable, you might say 'damaged.'
But she is literally hellbent upon the most illogical course. She is a deeply frustrating character. We are supposed to accept that she genuinely believes she is doing 'good' in the face of all the evil she commits and permits. I can't buy into her character, nor forgive her just because she believes the lies she tells herself.
Cromwell and Fonra grow in power as they grow ascharacters.
Court politics get interesting, and lethal, having to accommodate their former sorceress enemies in the face of a greater threat.
And more Vesha; this time from her POV. I understand that the best villains aren't villains in their own eyes, and the author genuinely seems to feel for Vesha.
I find her irritating.
I cannot empathise with a character who deals with demons, knowing full well that they ARE demons. The persistent argument that she's doing all this for the 'greater good' of the Empire is so fundamentally flawed that it would be laughable - except for her mounting death toll.
There is no 'greater good' possible with demons, nor do they seek it.
Vesha's either stupid, or delusional - if you were being charitable, you might say 'damaged.'
But she is literally hellbent upon the most illogical course. She is a deeply frustrating character. We are supposed to accept that she genuinely believes she is doing 'good' in the face of all the evil she commits and permits. I can't buy into her character, nor forgive her just because she believes the lies she tells herself.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2025
Personal Note: I'm a little bummed that I won't get the chance to finish this series because the library doesn't have the final book. What a let down! I feel like it was finally getting to the crux of the story and now I'm stuck in a perpetual limbo. Sadness, indeed.
With Book 4, I felt again that the divisions between the books are odd. This one didn't feel quite long enough to be its own story and I still think it could all be combined into either a duology or a longer stand alone. The storyline is good and I really enjoyed the addition of Vesha's point of view to this installment. It's novel to have the main antagonist all of a sudden become more understandable as a result of being in her head. I think it's been an interesting decision on the author's part to make someone who literally summons demons a sympathetic character. She apparently truly does think she's doing the right thing for the empire, but man she is terrible at making the follow up choices here... It takes the "do whatever it takes" aspect from most stories and adds a different twist. I like it.
I'm still not 100% sold on Amira, but I like pretty much everyone else in the story so I will hopefully get to continue reading when the library acquires a copy of the last book.
With Book 4, I felt again that the divisions between the books are odd. This one didn't feel quite long enough to be its own story and I still think it could all be combined into either a duology or a longer stand alone. The storyline is good and I really enjoyed the addition of Vesha's point of view to this installment. It's novel to have the main antagonist all of a sudden become more understandable as a result of being in her head. I think it's been an interesting decision on the author's part to make someone who literally summons demons a sympathetic character. She apparently truly does think she's doing the right thing for the empire, but man she is terrible at making the follow up choices here... It takes the "do whatever it takes" aspect from most stories and adds a different twist. I like it.
I'm still not 100% sold on Amira, but I like pretty much everyone else in the story so I will hopefully get to continue reading when the library acquires a copy of the last book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2025
3.75 stars. As book 4 out of 5, this one was a little disappointing 😕 Don't get me wrong, I still love the characters, the relationships, and the magic. This book just felt...off?
Let's start with what I liked: the introduction of Vesha's POV chapters. This was a great insight in to her motivations, the cythraul, and it gave a sense of ominous foreboding when you switched back to Amira, Daindreth, and Thadred's chapters.
As always, my boy Thadred steals the show! I love him so much and I can't wait to see his story play out in the last book, as well as in his standalone novel 😍
However, some of the conflicts in this book felt like they were resolved way to easily. Some victories didn't feel like they were earned, making the moments less exciting. The time line of events seemed a little rushed, I would have liked to see more of an exploration of different side plots in conjunction with the main storyline, which would help the book feel more fleshed out. I also felt like both Daindreth and Amira started acting out of character towards the end of the book, some of their actions were pretty brutal, even for Amira lol.
I am looking forward to reading the next book regardless, I'm interested to see where our characters go from here! 😊
Let's start with what I liked: the introduction of Vesha's POV chapters. This was a great insight in to her motivations, the cythraul, and it gave a sense of ominous foreboding when you switched back to Amira, Daindreth, and Thadred's chapters.
As always, my boy Thadred steals the show! I love him so much and I can't wait to see his story play out in the last book, as well as in his standalone novel 😍
However, some of the conflicts in this book felt like they were resolved way to easily. Some victories didn't feel like they were earned, making the moments less exciting. The time line of events seemed a little rushed, I would have liked to see more of an exploration of different side plots in conjunction with the main storyline, which would help the book feel more fleshed out. I also felt like both Daindreth and Amira started acting out of character towards the end of the book, some of their actions were pretty brutal, even for Amira lol.
I am looking forward to reading the next book regardless, I'm interested to see where our characters go from here! 😊
December 10, 2025
They overcame his mother’s plots and broke both their curses, but can they survive his inheritance?
Amira Brindonu has won. The man she loves has been freed from his curse and her mother’s people have chosen to ally with their cause.
Even as Amira and Daindreth celebrate victory and Thadred grows in his power as a sorcerer, trouble stirs on the horizon. Not everyone is ready to recognize the rightful heir. Vesha’s reign brought the empire peace and prosperity. Many lords and barons must be convinced if they are to swear allegiance to Daindreth.
Meanwhile, Vesha seeks out greater power. In a desperate effort to protect the empire, she will make yet another deal with a fallen goddess. And this time, Vesha is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone—even herself.
Heather's Notes
While I enjoyed this story, and I will continue, I did not really like so much of Vesha's POV. I get the author is trying to show us that she thinks she is doing the right thing, but all it showed me was how stupid she is. She held on to her belief way past the point of believability. I loved Amira and Daindreth's part of the story though. I wished we had gotten more of that part of the story. Still with only one more book to go I will finish this series.
Amira Brindonu has won. The man she loves has been freed from his curse and her mother’s people have chosen to ally with their cause.
Even as Amira and Daindreth celebrate victory and Thadred grows in his power as a sorcerer, trouble stirs on the horizon. Not everyone is ready to recognize the rightful heir. Vesha’s reign brought the empire peace and prosperity. Many lords and barons must be convinced if they are to swear allegiance to Daindreth.
Meanwhile, Vesha seeks out greater power. In a desperate effort to protect the empire, she will make yet another deal with a fallen goddess. And this time, Vesha is willing to sacrifice anything and anyone—even herself.
Heather's Notes
While I enjoyed this story, and I will continue, I did not really like so much of Vesha's POV. I get the author is trying to show us that she thinks she is doing the right thing, but all it showed me was how stupid she is. She held on to her belief way past the point of believability. I loved Amira and Daindreth's part of the story though. I wished we had gotten more of that part of the story. Still with only one more book to go I will finish this series.
April 25, 2025
I can't stress enough how much I enjoy the antagonist in this series. She is so well written, and her arch keeps getting more and more tragic. In the first couple of books, I disagreed, but understood where she is coming from. In this one, you see her make compromise after compromise, until she is blinded by how wicked she has truly become. So chilling, especially since that is often how people become the monsters they fear.
As for the rest of the story, it is a bit slower paced in areas than the others were, but not disinteresting. The characters are forced to make difficult choices, and ones that leave a bad taste in my mouth, but also ones that I'm not sure I could make any better in their place.
The romance comes to a head in this book. BE WARNED: it does get spicy (too spicy for my taste, so I just skipped that part). Also, even the side characters have a cute, budding romance, and I am here for it!
I really am anticipating the finale book!
As for the rest of the story, it is a bit slower paced in areas than the others were, but not disinteresting. The characters are forced to make difficult choices, and ones that leave a bad taste in my mouth, but also ones that I'm not sure I could make any better in their place.
The romance comes to a head in this book. BE WARNED: it does get spicy (too spicy for my taste, so I just skipped that part). Also, even the side characters have a cute, budding romance, and I am here for it!
I really am anticipating the finale book!
July 15, 2025
Things are coming to a head. It seems that the final standoff between Daindreth's allies and Vesha (serving Moreyne) is pretty much all that remains. I do like how unconventional Amira and Daindreth are, and how they jointly maneuver their political opponents so they cannot stand against them.
I am more and more uncomfortable reading Vesha's perspective as she falls apart before our eyes. Her delusion brought this upon her, and I really mourn the loss of her agency. For all the suffering and trauma she has visited upon her son, I wanted her to regret and realize she was wrong. Moreyne has taken this opportunity from us and I kind of feel like Vesha is done. Everything from this point forward is just Moreyne pulling her strings. I hope Amira realizes in time and is able to invite the other gods onto the earthly field to defeat her.
Medium level gore warning on one scene in particular.
I am more and more uncomfortable reading Vesha's perspective as she falls apart before our eyes. Her delusion brought this upon her, and I really mourn the loss of her agency. For all the suffering and trauma she has visited upon her son, I wanted her to regret and realize she was wrong. Moreyne has taken this opportunity from us and I kind of feel like Vesha is done. Everything from this point forward is just Moreyne pulling her strings. I hope Amira realizes in time and is able to invite the other gods onto the earthly field to defeat her.
Medium level gore warning on one scene in particular.
February 15, 2024
I'm pretty sure I've said it in every review I've done for this series, but I cannot get over how much I love Daindreth and Amira.
This book wove a story of political intrigue and daring moves, bravery and fear, confidence and uncertainty.
Elisabeth Wheatley has made me fall in love with these characters - each so unique, flawed in their own ways, trying to do the best they can with the choices they have. I'm still finding out - over and over - how much I like having a morally gray FMC and an honorable MMC. Daindreth and Amira are two sides of a coin, yet as different as darkness and daylight. I love the way she's created this loving relationship between the characters, relying on each other, respecting each other, stepping up when the other can't, but hopelessly devoted to one another.
Thankfully, I've already purchased the next book.
This book wove a story of political intrigue and daring moves, bravery and fear, confidence and uncertainty.
Elisabeth Wheatley has made me fall in love with these characters - each so unique, flawed in their own ways, trying to do the best they can with the choices they have. I'm still finding out - over and over - how much I like having a morally gray FMC and an honorable MMC. Daindreth and Amira are two sides of a coin, yet as different as darkness and daylight. I love the way she's created this loving relationship between the characters, relying on each other, respecting each other, stepping up when the other can't, but hopelessly devoted to one another.
Thankfully, I've already purchased the next book.
March 24, 2025
3.8 ⭐️ rounded up
It makes me happy to see Amira growing into her role as empress and a wife. I enjoy how sweet on her Daindreth is, even more so when we see that he is capable of vengeful moments on her behalf. Also, I really enjoy Thadred and Sair, and I’m so glad a book for them was released!
So why not quite 4 stars? I think it was the frequent POV changes. For the record, I have no problem with different POVs in books, but in this case when the POV changed that (almost always) also meant a jump forward in time. The time jumps weren’t overly long, but they still made the story feel sort of disjointed… almost like it was a compilation of journal entries rather than a book? Also, it took longer than I hoped to really feel engrossed in the story, though I did get there eventually.
I look forward to seeing how everything resolves in the final book, and I’ll definitely check out the Thadred spin off after that!
It makes me happy to see Amira growing into her role as empress and a wife. I enjoy how sweet on her Daindreth is, even more so when we see that he is capable of vengeful moments on her behalf. Also, I really enjoy Thadred and Sair, and I’m so glad a book for them was released!
So why not quite 4 stars? I think it was the frequent POV changes. For the record, I have no problem with different POVs in books, but in this case when the POV changed that (almost always) also meant a jump forward in time. The time jumps weren’t overly long, but they still made the story feel sort of disjointed… almost like it was a compilation of journal entries rather than a book? Also, it took longer than I hoped to really feel engrossed in the story, though I did get there eventually.
I look forward to seeing how everything resolves in the final book, and I’ll definitely check out the Thadred spin off after that!
June 5, 2025
I’ve been enjoying the story. We finally get a wedding! The slowburn is at an end and we get our first spicier scenes. The spicy scenes are pretty mild, compared to what else is out there, and they are on the short side.
The plot is plotting. Lots of twists in this book. I like having Vesha’s chapters, because they add depth to the story knowing her motives and her mistakes. For how careful she is I’m surprised by some of the mistakes she made in the book, but at the same time it is telling of her desperation.
I love Amira’s strength, sometimes it comes with rage and sometimes it’s a quiet wave. We get several examples of both in this book.
*side note I found a few editing errors, but it was few and doesn’t detract from the story.
The plot is plotting. Lots of twists in this book. I like having Vesha’s chapters, because they add depth to the story knowing her motives and her mistakes. For how careful she is I’m surprised by some of the mistakes she made in the book, but at the same time it is telling of her desperation.
I love Amira’s strength, sometimes it comes with rage and sometimes it’s a quiet wave. We get several examples of both in this book.
*side note I found a few editing errors, but it was few and doesn’t detract from the story.
August 31, 2024
A really fun sequel that reminds me of the second book in this series. It was also the only book i gave three stars instead of four in this series as I felt it could have been compressed into the then unread third book but with interesting character development through fluff. I later understood why the second and the third books were separate with the empact of the ending of the third book and how it needed time to breathe.
This book also appears more so as a prelude to the final one with mostly only build up and character focus more than plot focus. However, it receives four stars instead due to the addition of court politics which I always enjoy and cannot wait for more of.
This book also appears more so as a prelude to the final one with mostly only build up and character focus more than plot focus. However, it receives four stars instead due to the addition of court politics which I always enjoy and cannot wait for more of.
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