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Heresy
When a shocking murder rocks Cyberus to its core, alliances shift between the five territories, and long-buried secrets begin to surface. Enter Elowen of House Dryadalis, who is thrown into an unexpected alliance with the formidable Wiccan territory as she races against time to uncover the truth behind the murder. In doing so she stumbles upon a startling revelation – fragments of a past life she can't remember. Amidst the chaos, Elowen finds herself drawn to the mesmerizing, enigmatic leader of the Wiccan coven. But as their feelings deepen, so too does her determination to unlock the mysteries of her forgotten past. Haunted by friendships and whispers of a life she can't recall, Elowen embarks on a journey of self-discovery, unraveling the tangled threads of her hidden history. With each revelation, she edges closer to the truth – and closer to the heart of the danger threatening to tear Cyberus apart. Join Elowen on her quest for answers as she navigates treacherous alliances, uncovers long-buried secrets, and confronts the shadows of her forgotten past. Will she unlock the truth in time to save her homeland, or will the darkness consume her and Cyberus alike? Prepare to be swept away by a tale of mystery, romance, and intrigue – The City of Angels is waiting
498 pages, Hardcover
Published June 22, 2024
6 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
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August 16, 2024
Edit: I feel the need to express that I myself don’t mind reading non/dub consent on page, and me bringing this up didn’t effect the rating of this book.
I just feel it’s important for the reader to be properly informed, and if needed, protected from harm ❤️
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰:
The only mention of this topic was “sexual abuse” which can mean a variety of different acts in and of itself. It wasn’t stated if this was mentioned on or off page or if it happens to any of the main characters.
But it does. A detailed rape and murder scene takes place on page. I always check all and any TW/CW before I read a new book, but I felt like this one was lacking in that department, and I felt the urge to be clear for the sake of your mental health ❤️
When writing these scenes it’s VERY important to list the correct TW/CW at the beginning of the book. Rape is normally listed as “non consent” and/or “dubious consent” (depending on the circumstance).
𝐍𝐨𝐰, 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰! (spoiler free)
It genuinely saddens me that I can’t leave a more
positive review on a indie authors debut book… but I am nothing if not honest in my reviewing process. I wanted to love this book so badly, but it all just fell flat for me.
The book starts off with a lot of info dumping. No, not the kind you may think (i.e lots of lore), but lots of unnecessary details, words and scenes we could do without. For example, do we really need a paragraph of details going over what colour the sky is or how dense the forest is, as someone crouches down to look upon the face of the person they’re speaking to? Or would it rather be expected for either the dialogue to continue, or perhaps a description of the persons face?
This kind of writing is jarring and a bit all over the place. It feels as if the writer lost focus of what was happening and the result is that, as a reader, I loose interest. Scenes like this happen throughout the book. It’s subtle, but this is the biggest reason for why I failed to connect with the book.
As for the plot, it confused me. And it arguably gets more confusing as you keep reading. There’s next to no development and the plot just doesn’t make sense to me. The “plot twist” and the end of Part 1 feels like it’s shocking just for the sake of it. I wasn’t wowed by it, on the contrary, it gave me the ick. I also didn’t jam with how female bodies and appearance were described in this book. It was a little triggering to me.
The characters fell flat for me too, unfortunately. I had a really hard time connecting with any of them, and this resulted in me not feeling empathy for them in scenes that were supposed to stir up strong emotions from me as the reader.
I started skimming the book at around the 40% mark so from there on out I don’t feel confident in giving my thoughts, as I was quite unfocused at that point if I’m being completely honest.
However, if a book has no redeeming qualities (at least in my own personal opinion) after 40% then I can’t recommend this book with a good conscience.
Edit:
I’d like to end this on at least *something* positive:
I really liked the cover, it was what drew me in from the beginning. And the map provided inside the book is gorgeous! Obviously a lot of time and effort has gone into this book and I can appreciate that, but I struggled with it a lot because it felt like being told a story rather than being shown. But writing is a craft like any other, and I’m sure the author will improve with her future books!
I just feel it’s important for the reader to be properly informed, and if needed, protected from harm ❤️
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐚 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐰𝐚𝐬𝐧’𝐭 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐰:
The only mention of this topic was “sexual abuse” which can mean a variety of different acts in and of itself. It wasn’t stated if this was mentioned on or off page or if it happens to any of the main characters.
But it does. A detailed rape and murder scene takes place on page. I always check all and any TW/CW before I read a new book, but I felt like this one was lacking in that department, and I felt the urge to be clear for the sake of your mental health ❤️
When writing these scenes it’s VERY important to list the correct TW/CW at the beginning of the book. Rape is normally listed as “non consent” and/or “dubious consent” (depending on the circumstance).
𝐍𝐨𝐰, 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰! (spoiler free)
It genuinely saddens me that I can’t leave a more
positive review on a indie authors debut book… but I am nothing if not honest in my reviewing process. I wanted to love this book so badly, but it all just fell flat for me.
The book starts off with a lot of info dumping. No, not the kind you may think (i.e lots of lore), but lots of unnecessary details, words and scenes we could do without. For example, do we really need a paragraph of details going over what colour the sky is or how dense the forest is, as someone crouches down to look upon the face of the person they’re speaking to? Or would it rather be expected for either the dialogue to continue, or perhaps a description of the persons face?
This kind of writing is jarring and a bit all over the place. It feels as if the writer lost focus of what was happening and the result is that, as a reader, I loose interest. Scenes like this happen throughout the book. It’s subtle, but this is the biggest reason for why I failed to connect with the book.
As for the plot, it confused me. And it arguably gets more confusing as you keep reading. There’s next to no development and the plot just doesn’t make sense to me. The “plot twist” and the end of Part 1 feels like it’s shocking just for the sake of it. I wasn’t wowed by it, on the contrary, it gave me the ick. I also didn’t jam with how female bodies and appearance were described in this book. It was a little triggering to me.
The characters fell flat for me too, unfortunately. I had a really hard time connecting with any of them, and this resulted in me not feeling empathy for them in scenes that were supposed to stir up strong emotions from me as the reader.
I started skimming the book at around the 40% mark so from there on out I don’t feel confident in giving my thoughts, as I was quite unfocused at that point if I’m being completely honest.
However, if a book has no redeeming qualities (at least in my own personal opinion) after 40% then I can’t recommend this book with a good conscience.
Edit:
I’d like to end this on at least *something* positive:
I really liked the cover, it was what drew me in from the beginning. And the map provided inside the book is gorgeous! Obviously a lot of time and effort has gone into this book and I can appreciate that, but I struggled with it a lot because it felt like being told a story rather than being shown. But writing is a craft like any other, and I’m sure the author will improve with her future books!
June 12, 2024
heresy is an incredible story based in an amazingly developed fantasy world. it grasped my attention from the start and kept me on the edge of my seat! the plot line is emotional and action filled, the characters are so well written and so lovable. definitely a MUST read book!
August 11, 2024
I really liked the reincarnation story and the variety of characters that we read about: witches, elves, fae, dwarves.
This story is about rediscovering a past that Elowen has forgotten when she was reborn an elve and the decisions she has to make about her future including who she wants to love and what she wants to be with her new life as she rediscovers who she was in her past.
This story is about rediscovering a past that Elowen has forgotten when she was reborn an elve and the decisions she has to make about her future including who she wants to love and what she wants to be with her new life as she rediscovers who she was in her past.
June 12, 2024
When I say this book will have you on your KNEES …
Heresy is a fresh new take on fantasy that gives readers a brand new world/magic system to love, along with intriguing/mysterious characters to obsess over! I mean Killian Thorne is just HOT, and the incredibly diverse cast of complex characters keeps you entertained and intrigued throughout the entire story!
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and never sat back. Just when I thought I knew what was happening a new twist would come along and shock me!
This was truly one of my favorite books I have read in a long time, and I am so lucky to have been given the chance to enjoy it as an ARC reader!
Katie Reiser truly makes magic happen!!!!
Heresy is a fresh new take on fantasy that gives readers a brand new world/magic system to love, along with intriguing/mysterious characters to obsess over! I mean Killian Thorne is just HOT, and the incredibly diverse cast of complex characters keeps you entertained and intrigued throughout the entire story!
I was on the edge of my seat the entire time and never sat back. Just when I thought I knew what was happening a new twist would come along and shock me!
This was truly one of my favorite books I have read in a long time, and I am so lucky to have been given the chance to enjoy it as an ARC reader!
Katie Reiser truly makes magic happen!!!!
June 13, 2024
Katie has created a world that you don’t want to leave and characters that you love instantly ❤️❤️❤️
July 11, 2024
Wow. I haven’t written a detailed review in a hot minute!
SPOILERS BELOW:
Okay, overall I really like the storyline - it was really refreshing, the magic, the world building, the characters descriptions, it felt new. I’ve felt like I’ve been reading a lot of the same books just in different fonts lately and then one was exciting.
Reading Style: I read this in two waves. Wave One: I read 80% of the book in ONE sitting, yes I pulled an all nighter. I was captivated. Wave Two: Finishing the book a few days later.
So this might be a “me” problem, but it’s 4 stars for because I didn’t feel emotionally invested in hardly any of the characters, other than the Elle, Killian and Bowen. Now, I’ve seen A LOT of promo content for this book and character art. And just didn’t feel it. When Elle’s brother dies, I didn’t care, it felt like she didn’t care. When Wren dies, I didn’t care, I cared about Bowen though and the devastation that he felt. I think this is a “me” problem because I’d used to multiple POV’s and I kept telling myself, Elle doesn’t have her memories, she isn’t that emotionally invested in these people.
Plot: This story was good, it was a long game, but good. I personally LOVE how much time passes. I can’t stand when everyone happens in such a short time frame. There were several moments in the Part 2 that I kept questioning “what the heck everyone was doing” or “why is Elle doing nothing”? With the ending of Part 1, the assault, I really had hoped to feel and experience Elle’s devastation, I didn’t get that. I did feel like she was depressed, but her feelings weren’t really monologued to me. I guessed quite a bit of the book, but there were a few things that really did take me by surprise. The ended, that surprised me a little bit, more in terms of how fast paced it was and trying to have my brain comprehend it and keep up. I really didn’t think we were going to get to an actual war happening yet, that one took me by total surprise.
I give kudos to Katie for not being afraid to kill off “main characters”. I’ve felt like authors have been scared to do this and I’m happy to know she isn’t afraid of that. While I wasn’t personally attached to any of them, I’ve heard from other reader that were. (Now, if Bowen dies in a future book I’ll be destroyed.)
Avel: I freaking love him. I think he’s going to die for real in the future, but I love him. I knew he wouldn’t be “for real” dead, I just had a feeling in the build up that he was going to come back to life.
Alrich: I KNEW it was him. It was all in that first encounter and how she described his eyes. To be fair, I didn’t expect him to die in the first book, I thought that the plot was going to play out longer, so that did surprise me.
Dad: I think it was his absence that made me figure him out as the king. When someone is mentioned a few times subtlely, I still pick up on it (typically) and going through the list of characters that we knew something about he was the only plausible option. We also didn’t really get to know him, I don’t even think he had lines until the end (I might end wrong!) so seeing him be “evil” wasn’t all that surprising. What was surprising was the final fight and his death, I thought he was going to like the “Maeve” or long game evil villain. I for real wasn’t prepared for his death in book one. (Although I have a theory that maybe he isn’t really gone, with the staff breaking and spirits free, it did feel almost “too easy” for me to be totally on board with it.)
Probably another “me” problem, I need to know what everyone else thinks of Killian??? Maybe I read too much dark romance, but he wasn’t all that toxic to me. Only in that last encounter was I made at him. The rest of the time, I felt for him. I really liked Killian. Someone whom he had a very deep and meaningful relationship in the past with, a wife, a mate, a friend, a Queen, someone you tried to make a family with and she doesn’t remember you. I would have been destroyed, lashed out, probably tried to have you remember it all too. (Someone please tell me I am not alone in this!!)
CALIX. Okay, so I get the vibe by the end that this is her person. I think they will be endgame, unless this pulls a TOG and Killian = Chaol, Calix = Dorian, and her Rowan is actually still out there… But any who, I don’t know how I feel about him. I LOVED how he supported her, he encouraged, but he also kinda tells her who she needs to be still. We didn’t actually meet him until the end of the book, so there really isn’t much to know or for me to be emotionally attached to him about currently. I find it suspicious that at any point he could have broken out of prison and conveniently did it when Elle and Killian were having issues. Again, not much to know about him so not much for me to connect with yet.
For Katie’s first book I am super impressed. Knowing she has this slotted for 7 books, yay! I can’t wait to jump further into this series. I genuinely have no clue where this story will go at this point and that makes me excited. I have a few predictions but can’t wait to see how she grows as a write in this journey. To be fair, Katie did get to hear a lot of my “play by plays” and feelings when reading this. So, if you’re reading all the way through this review enjoy my emotional torment of not knowing how and what I feel.
So, you want a book that takes place in magical realms, had a diverse cast, lots of magical beings (elves, dwarves, witches, dragons, and more), is slated to be a long series, by a new author who isn’t afraid to make drastic decisions, then Heresy is for you!
SPOILERS BELOW:
Okay, overall I really like the storyline - it was really refreshing, the magic, the world building, the characters descriptions, it felt new. I’ve felt like I’ve been reading a lot of the same books just in different fonts lately and then one was exciting.
Reading Style: I read this in two waves. Wave One: I read 80% of the book in ONE sitting, yes I pulled an all nighter. I was captivated. Wave Two: Finishing the book a few days later.
So this might be a “me” problem, but it’s 4 stars for because I didn’t feel emotionally invested in hardly any of the characters, other than the Elle, Killian and Bowen. Now, I’ve seen A LOT of promo content for this book and character art. And just didn’t feel it. When Elle’s brother dies, I didn’t care, it felt like she didn’t care. When Wren dies, I didn’t care, I cared about Bowen though and the devastation that he felt. I think this is a “me” problem because I’d used to multiple POV’s and I kept telling myself, Elle doesn’t have her memories, she isn’t that emotionally invested in these people.
Plot: This story was good, it was a long game, but good. I personally LOVE how much time passes. I can’t stand when everyone happens in such a short time frame. There were several moments in the Part 2 that I kept questioning “what the heck everyone was doing” or “why is Elle doing nothing”? With the ending of Part 1, the assault, I really had hoped to feel and experience Elle’s devastation, I didn’t get that. I did feel like she was depressed, but her feelings weren’t really monologued to me. I guessed quite a bit of the book, but there were a few things that really did take me by surprise. The ended, that surprised me a little bit, more in terms of how fast paced it was and trying to have my brain comprehend it and keep up. I really didn’t think we were going to get to an actual war happening yet, that one took me by total surprise.
I give kudos to Katie for not being afraid to kill off “main characters”. I’ve felt like authors have been scared to do this and I’m happy to know she isn’t afraid of that. While I wasn’t personally attached to any of them, I’ve heard from other reader that were. (Now, if Bowen dies in a future book I’ll be destroyed.)
Avel: I freaking love him. I think he’s going to die for real in the future, but I love him. I knew he wouldn’t be “for real” dead, I just had a feeling in the build up that he was going to come back to life.
Alrich: I KNEW it was him. It was all in that first encounter and how she described his eyes. To be fair, I didn’t expect him to die in the first book, I thought that the plot was going to play out longer, so that did surprise me.
Dad: I think it was his absence that made me figure him out as the king. When someone is mentioned a few times subtlely, I still pick up on it (typically) and going through the list of characters that we knew something about he was the only plausible option. We also didn’t really get to know him, I don’t even think he had lines until the end (I might end wrong!) so seeing him be “evil” wasn’t all that surprising. What was surprising was the final fight and his death, I thought he was going to like the “Maeve” or long game evil villain. I for real wasn’t prepared for his death in book one. (Although I have a theory that maybe he isn’t really gone, with the staff breaking and spirits free, it did feel almost “too easy” for me to be totally on board with it.)
Probably another “me” problem, I need to know what everyone else thinks of Killian??? Maybe I read too much dark romance, but he wasn’t all that toxic to me. Only in that last encounter was I made at him. The rest of the time, I felt for him. I really liked Killian. Someone whom he had a very deep and meaningful relationship in the past with, a wife, a mate, a friend, a Queen, someone you tried to make a family with and she doesn’t remember you. I would have been destroyed, lashed out, probably tried to have you remember it all too. (Someone please tell me I am not alone in this!!)
CALIX. Okay, so I get the vibe by the end that this is her person. I think they will be endgame, unless this pulls a TOG and Killian = Chaol, Calix = Dorian, and her Rowan is actually still out there… But any who, I don’t know how I feel about him. I LOVED how he supported her, he encouraged, but he also kinda tells her who she needs to be still. We didn’t actually meet him until the end of the book, so there really isn’t much to know or for me to be emotionally attached to him about currently. I find it suspicious that at any point he could have broken out of prison and conveniently did it when Elle and Killian were having issues. Again, not much to know about him so not much for me to connect with yet.
For Katie’s first book I am super impressed. Knowing she has this slotted for 7 books, yay! I can’t wait to jump further into this series. I genuinely have no clue where this story will go at this point and that makes me excited. I have a few predictions but can’t wait to see how she grows as a write in this journey. To be fair, Katie did get to hear a lot of my “play by plays” and feelings when reading this. So, if you’re reading all the way through this review enjoy my emotional torment of not knowing how and what I feel.
So, you want a book that takes place in magical realms, had a diverse cast, lots of magical beings (elves, dwarves, witches, dragons, and more), is slated to be a long series, by a new author who isn’t afraid to make drastic decisions, then Heresy is for you!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2024
Heresy was AMAAAAAZING. Katie always had me guessing what was going to happen next. The cliffhanger after Part 1 broke my heart - it will probably break yours too. Just keep reading! I couldn't put the book down. It was an epic fantasy adventure, with not only ONE but TWO shadow daddies.
July 14, 2024
Heresy is a fantasy murder mystery in the land of Cyberus. We follow our FMC Elowen on her quest to find the murderer. This quest leads her to an unexpected alliance with the Wiccan coven & Elowen finds herself drawn to its leader. Fragmented memories of her past life seep through the cracks of her mind and we get to also embark on her journey of self-discovery.
I was immediately drawn in by the fast paced, in-depth detailed world-building. When I say I am OBSESSED with this book I mean it. I truly felt as though I was Elowen and experiencing the events unfolding in real time. This book was INTENSE, part I left me with tears in my eyes and my jaw on the floor. Part II had my mind spiraling from the plot twists and introduction of new characters, politics, and species. Part III had me in tears not once, not twice, but approximately 5 times. Katie does an absolutely FANTASTIC job at writing her characters in a way that makes you feel a deep connection to them. I was heavily emotionally drawn to and attached to pretty much every character, making the story line more impactful for me. Elowen is such an amazing FMC, she goes through SO MUCH, but she maintains her fierceness & compassion for others throughout. Did I mention the books also got a lil bit of spice??? Let me tell you… I fell in love with 4 men from this book… Avel, Bowen, Killian, & Calix all own a piece of my heart now & I will never recover. Read this book & you will know exactly why!
I was immediately drawn in by the fast paced, in-depth detailed world-building. When I say I am OBSESSED with this book I mean it. I truly felt as though I was Elowen and experiencing the events unfolding in real time. This book was INTENSE, part I left me with tears in my eyes and my jaw on the floor. Part II had my mind spiraling from the plot twists and introduction of new characters, politics, and species. Part III had me in tears not once, not twice, but approximately 5 times. Katie does an absolutely FANTASTIC job at writing her characters in a way that makes you feel a deep connection to them. I was heavily emotionally drawn to and attached to pretty much every character, making the story line more impactful for me. Elowen is such an amazing FMC, she goes through SO MUCH, but she maintains her fierceness & compassion for others throughout. Did I mention the books also got a lil bit of spice??? Let me tell you… I fell in love with 4 men from this book… Avel, Bowen, Killian, & Calix all own a piece of my heart now & I will never recover. Read this book & you will know exactly why!
June 12, 2024
Heresy✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Wow... this book was a lot, but in a good way! This follows a fae female main character named Elowen. She is of high status and seems to have it all going for her... until someone is murdered! Who killed them, why, and the way they died is traumatic! This murder completely turns her life around as she tries to figure out who the culprit is!
It then follows her story as she tries to recall her life leading up to the murder and why.. not to mention there's some shadow daddies 👀
It's primarily fantasy with romance tied into it, AND a murder mystery?? What more could you ask for?? This book felt like I was reading someone's dream. The twists and turns thrown your way just keeps you wanting more and it definitely kept me guessing. The amount of magic and fantasy in this book is unreal. It's definitely a world building book so it packed a lot of events in, but I can't wait till book 2 comes out!!
I was so blessed to be able to read this book early! Thank you so much @authorkatiereiser!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Wow... this book was a lot, but in a good way! This follows a fae female main character named Elowen. She is of high status and seems to have it all going for her... until someone is murdered! Who killed them, why, and the way they died is traumatic! This murder completely turns her life around as she tries to figure out who the culprit is!
It then follows her story as she tries to recall her life leading up to the murder and why.. not to mention there's some shadow daddies 👀
It's primarily fantasy with romance tied into it, AND a murder mystery?? What more could you ask for?? This book felt like I was reading someone's dream. The twists and turns thrown your way just keeps you wanting more and it definitely kept me guessing. The amount of magic and fantasy in this book is unreal. It's definitely a world building book so it packed a lot of events in, but I can't wait till book 2 comes out!!
I was so blessed to be able to read this book early! Thank you so much @authorkatiereiser!!
June 12, 2024
Heresy is the first in a diverse series and the beginning of an epic journey!! I was so thankful to get an arc of this back in February, and it was truly one of my favorite books of the year!! It truly has a great plot and cast of characters! The author included diversity and inclusivity while writing and it is very evident! I don’t want to spoil anything….but THERE ARE TWO SHADOW DADDIES, A MID SIZE FMC, AND SO MANY MORE HOT CHARACTERS TO LOVE!!!! Go read it asap. Pls. So we can fangirl together.
October 10, 2025
Plot made no sense and the characters were cardboard cutouts. No good
November 26, 2024
I really wanted to like this book and keep going. I DNFed it at about 33%. I came to the reviews section to see if I was the only one who felt this way, but I saw a few others that thought exactly the same. I wasn’t prepared for the SA scene that ends part 1, and it wasn’t clearly listed as a trigger. I think too many characters entered the scene too quickly, without real character or relationship development, and I couldn’t really connect with them. The cover is absolutely stunning, and I really wanted to love the story, but it just wasn’t for me 😔😢😔😢
September 12, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! I was so drawn in the WHOLE time wondering HOW this was going to go down and who the heck she was and I was just dying to see her step into her power! I really enjoyed watching Elowen grow! Her pacing for her growth wasn’t fast BUT it wasn’t too slow. Loved all the world building in this book and it set things up so perfectly for the rest of the series!
From the moment she mentioned a second heartbeat she could hear that WASNT Killians … I knew this book would rip my heart out!
I was (maybe could be still) team Killian but over time while she was starting to question things and mentioning gaps in the relationship… I was also! So it was fun going along that journey with her and wanting the same answers and realizing something IS OFF.. BUT WHAT?!?!?!
Still left with so many questions about what actually happened within this coven and Killian and Calix. I have my own theories but we will see!!
Either way I recommend this read! It was suspenseful, loving, found family and an awesome battle at the end!
OH AND DRAGONS 👀
From the moment she mentioned a second heartbeat she could hear that WASNT Killians … I knew this book would rip my heart out!
I was (maybe could be still) team Killian but over time while she was starting to question things and mentioning gaps in the relationship… I was also! So it was fun going along that journey with her and wanting the same answers and realizing something IS OFF.. BUT WHAT?!?!?!
Still left with so many questions about what actually happened within this coven and Killian and Calix. I have my own theories but we will see!!
Either way I recommend this read! It was suspenseful, loving, found family and an awesome battle at the end!
OH AND DRAGONS 👀
July 16, 2024
🪽 Heresy 🪽 @authorkatiereiser
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
“We are in this together through the hereafter…it’s always been you and me.”
Heresy is a fantasy romance novel set in the amazingly developed, magical world of Cyberus. A shocking murder occurs which cause the alliances between territories to shift and secrets to become unearthed. Elowen is our strong FMC who is allied with the Wiccan territory as she tries to uncover the truth about the murder and along the way uncovers fragments of a past life she can no longer remember.
This was soooooooo brilliant. The world building is top tier, the characters are well developed and likeable and diverse and there’s the perfect blend of fantasy, romance and mystery. I never wanted the book to finish or to leave this world - just run and read this. It is also the most beautiful cover if we are judging books by covers. I had whiplash from the incredible twists and turns and was guessing right up to the end.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫
“We are in this together through the hereafter…it’s always been you and me.”
Heresy is a fantasy romance novel set in the amazingly developed, magical world of Cyberus. A shocking murder occurs which cause the alliances between territories to shift and secrets to become unearthed. Elowen is our strong FMC who is allied with the Wiccan territory as she tries to uncover the truth about the murder and along the way uncovers fragments of a past life she can no longer remember.
This was soooooooo brilliant. The world building is top tier, the characters are well developed and likeable and diverse and there’s the perfect blend of fantasy, romance and mystery. I never wanted the book to finish or to leave this world - just run and read this. It is also the most beautiful cover if we are judging books by covers. I had whiplash from the incredible twists and turns and was guessing right up to the end.
August 17, 2024
I don't even know where to start with this review. This book literally has everything! Adventure, mystery, magic, dragons, love, mates, suspense, jaw dropping moments, and literally anything else you can imagine. I was fully zoned into the story and trying to figure out what was going on the entire time. Elowen is such an interesting character, and her storyline is even better. I already love how big it seems like the found family is, which is one of my favorite things in fantasy series! Also, this is probably a bit of a spoiler (So, WARNING), but when it comes to love interest for Elowen... I am not sure who I love more. Dare I say I think Calix has already won me over a bit. What is even better is that we have barely even scratched the surface with him and his character, and I cannot wait!!! This is just a MUST read if you love well written fantasy!
August 12, 2024
I Absolutely!! Recommend it. It had me hooked immediately. I loved reading every bit of it. Witches, covens, fantasy,found family, drama. It has everything I look for.
August 29, 2025
This book was a fun story but the writing was a little off for me. Too YA. I did like the FMC, but there were parts of the story that weren't consistent and I got bored halfway through.
December 19, 2024
I have so much to unpack for this book. Spoilers included bc I couldn't find them anywhere and read the whole book so you don't have to.
First, I will say this cover is absolutely gorgeous!! I’m not gonna lie and say that it wasn’t one of the main reasons why I wanted to read this book in the first place. That, and the fact that it’s fantasy meets murder mystery.
Part one was stunning. I was hooked, I was intrigued, and I was so excited for more, until the end of part one. I will say a big criticism of this book is the fact that there is a trigger warning section, but the SA (specifically what kind of very detailed SA) that takes place at the end of part one was not included in the triggers. It was upsetting to have gone through the triggers and still not be prepared for what was going to happen (imo). So keep that in mind if you want to read.
I didn’t love the FMC. I think part of this is due to the writing style. She would be upset with a male character (rightfully so) but then two seconds later go back to being super friendly like nothing happened. Something would happen, and there she is sobbing. It was like there was no lead-up to why she was crying. I felt like the other characters acted out of character half the time as well. **SPOILER** For example, like when Avel went into the river to bathe with Elowen nonconsensually and was trying to touch her while she was naked in the river?? And wouldn't listen to her when she said stop?? He wouldn't consummate ANYTHING when they were dating/engaged, so why would he do that in the river?? That seemed so unlike him, like he was a completely different character. Then two seconds later she's joking with him like she didn't have a PTSD attack about it.
A lot of this book felt like whiplash, and I wasn’t sure how we got to certain parts of the plot even with rereading previous pages.
Ultimately the writing is not good. I think this book needed another round or two of editing before it was released. And I'm sorry, but I'm shocked at the high reviews. I was gaslighting myself into thinking I was the problem, but luckily this was a buddy read and my girl L had the same thoughts as I did. If this isn’t a love-hate relationship with a book, then truly, idk what is.
Honestly, I finished this book because I couldn’t find spoilers anywhere online… but you better believe that I’m going to read the second one because I need to know what’s going to happen next.
!!SPOILER TIME!!
Avel's brother SA'd her. And her dad turned out to be part of the plot to murder her??! Didn't see that one coming I'll admit. And Then Elowen kills both of them. Also, Calix comes into the picture maybe 3/4's of the way in and I was fully expecting him and Elowen to be endgame by the end of this book. But in true whiplash fashion, on the last page, she's curled up on Killian's lap like he DIDN'T come to save her when she needed him most?! Like nothing happened when he was being a JERK and all Calix did was help her?!
My review in two words: I can't.
First, I will say this cover is absolutely gorgeous!! I’m not gonna lie and say that it wasn’t one of the main reasons why I wanted to read this book in the first place. That, and the fact that it’s fantasy meets murder mystery.
Part one was stunning. I was hooked, I was intrigued, and I was so excited for more, until the end of part one. I will say a big criticism of this book is the fact that there is a trigger warning section, but the SA (specifically what kind of very detailed SA) that takes place at the end of part one was not included in the triggers. It was upsetting to have gone through the triggers and still not be prepared for what was going to happen (imo). So keep that in mind if you want to read.
I didn’t love the FMC. I think part of this is due to the writing style. She would be upset with a male character (rightfully so) but then two seconds later go back to being super friendly like nothing happened. Something would happen, and there she is sobbing. It was like there was no lead-up to why she was crying. I felt like the other characters acted out of character half the time as well. **SPOILER** For example, like when Avel went into the river to bathe with Elowen nonconsensually and was trying to touch her while she was naked in the river?? And wouldn't listen to her when she said stop?? He wouldn't consummate ANYTHING when they were dating/engaged, so why would he do that in the river?? That seemed so unlike him, like he was a completely different character. Then two seconds later she's joking with him like she didn't have a PTSD attack about it.
A lot of this book felt like whiplash, and I wasn’t sure how we got to certain parts of the plot even with rereading previous pages.
Ultimately the writing is not good. I think this book needed another round or two of editing before it was released. And I'm sorry, but I'm shocked at the high reviews. I was gaslighting myself into thinking I was the problem, but luckily this was a buddy read and my girl L had the same thoughts as I did. If this isn’t a love-hate relationship with a book, then truly, idk what is.
Honestly, I finished this book because I couldn’t find spoilers anywhere online… but you better believe that I’m going to read the second one because I need to know what’s going to happen next.
!!SPOILER TIME!!
Avel's brother SA'd her. And her dad turned out to be part of the plot to murder her??! Didn't see that one coming I'll admit. And Then Elowen kills both of them. Also, Calix comes into the picture maybe 3/4's of the way in and I was fully expecting him and Elowen to be endgame by the end of this book. But in true whiplash fashion, on the last page, she's curled up on Killian's lap like he DIDN'T come to save her when she needed him most?! Like nothing happened when he was being a JERK and all Calix did was help her?!
My review in two words: I can't.
August 18, 2024
*First and foremost, please read the TW before starting this book!
Heresy was everything I could’ve asked for in a romantasy - action, romance, suspense and magic. We have elves, witches, fae, DRAGONS and SHADOW DADDIES (yes multiple!). If I could have my perfect fantasy world, it would be Cyberus.
From the start, I fell in love with Elowen and her personality. Her character development in this book is EVERYTHING. The author does a great job making you feel Elowen’s emotions throughout the story. You feel like you’re with her every step of the way, trying to piece together the mystery that takes place in Part One. Warning - you will fall in love with many of the characters but for your own sake please don’t get too attached for reasons I can’t disclose because of spoilers.
Also, the world-building book is INTENSE but the author does a great job using descriptive language to really immerse yourself in this fantasy world. Also the map is *chefs kiss.* Again, a reminder that this is book one so the world-building can feel a little overwhelming but it sets the stage for a great story with a ton of plot twists.
Heresy truly had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Katie did an incredible job with this story and I’m patiently waiting for the next book to find out what happens next!
Heresy was everything I could’ve asked for in a romantasy - action, romance, suspense and magic. We have elves, witches, fae, DRAGONS and SHADOW DADDIES (yes multiple!). If I could have my perfect fantasy world, it would be Cyberus.
From the start, I fell in love with Elowen and her personality. Her character development in this book is EVERYTHING. The author does a great job making you feel Elowen’s emotions throughout the story. You feel like you’re with her every step of the way, trying to piece together the mystery that takes place in Part One. Warning - you will fall in love with many of the characters but for your own sake please don’t get too attached for reasons I can’t disclose because of spoilers.
Also, the world-building book is INTENSE but the author does a great job using descriptive language to really immerse yourself in this fantasy world. Also the map is *chefs kiss.* Again, a reminder that this is book one so the world-building can feel a little overwhelming but it sets the stage for a great story with a ton of plot twists.
Heresy truly had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Katie did an incredible job with this story and I’m patiently waiting for the next book to find out what happens next!
August 19, 2024
Heresy could not be more of a 5⭐️ read if it tried. Between the characters, the chemistry, the plot & the world, this book was PHENOMENAL. I was so invested in the plot and the characters that I truly couldn’t put this down!
What to expect:
- Magic (a coven)
- Fated Mates
- SO MANY unforgettable and extremely attractive lines from the love interest(s)?
- Plot twists
- Beautiful descriptions and writing style
- “Good Girl” & “That’s my girl”
- CHEMISTRY & 🌶️
A few of my favorite lines: ** MILD SPOILERS**
- “He needed no weapon, no exertion, he spoke death, and it was done.”
- “ ‘Is this mine?’ ‘Yes, but to be very fair — you were dead. It was of no use to you.”
- “That’s not just our Queen you’re barking at — that’s my woman.”
- “He didn’t protect me because I was fragile, he protected me because I meant something to him.”
- “The rain seemed to follow me like a bonded duckling, and I knew its mannerisms and temperaments.”
I love this book so much. It kept me on my toes and left me with lots of new book boyfriends. I cannot wait for the next one. 😍
What to expect:
- Magic (a coven)
- Fated Mates
- SO MANY unforgettable and extremely attractive lines from the love interest(s)?
- Plot twists
- Beautiful descriptions and writing style
- “Good Girl” & “That’s my girl”
- CHEMISTRY & 🌶️
A few of my favorite lines: ** MILD SPOILERS**
- “He needed no weapon, no exertion, he spoke death, and it was done.”
- “ ‘Is this mine?’ ‘Yes, but to be very fair — you were dead. It was of no use to you.”
- “That’s not just our Queen you’re barking at — that’s my woman.”
- “He didn’t protect me because I was fragile, he protected me because I meant something to him.”
- “The rain seemed to follow me like a bonded duckling, and I knew its mannerisms and temperaments.”
I love this book so much. It kept me on my toes and left me with lots of new book boyfriends. I cannot wait for the next one. 😍
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