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These Lies That Snare Us
“Light and dark are two entities and must remain so. Without that balance, without that separation, the world would come apart.”
“And what does that say about you and me?” I dared, meeting his eyes.
Amber irises lit up once again and he growled, “You will always be my exception.”
Now that her uncle is gone, and with him the demon Abaddon too, Aster Fairwae, once the lost Seelie princess, has finally reclaimed her title and throne. Except that the demon prince left with a promise to return with backup—and took Raven, the brother of Aster’s best friend.
Aster’s newly found mate, Nox, Night King of the Unseelie Court, searches for Raven while she tries to get a grip on her own small council and court. They are obstinate at best and only agree to work with her and Nox if he drops the Veil separating their courts. But breaking the barrier between light and dark has consequences; ones that Nox is not willing to risk.
Nox’s refusal to drop the Veil causes a rift between him and Aster at a time when they desperately need to stand together. The threat of Abaddon’s return looms and secrets about what Aster and Nox really are begin to surface. Soon, they are both faced with the reality that the curse the demon placed on Nox so long ago may not be over—that it might never be.
“And what does that say about you and me?” I dared, meeting his eyes.
Amber irises lit up once again and he growled, “You will always be my exception.”
Now that her uncle is gone, and with him the demon Abaddon too, Aster Fairwae, once the lost Seelie princess, has finally reclaimed her title and throne. Except that the demon prince left with a promise to return with backup—and took Raven, the brother of Aster’s best friend.
Aster’s newly found mate, Nox, Night King of the Unseelie Court, searches for Raven while she tries to get a grip on her own small council and court. They are obstinate at best and only agree to work with her and Nox if he drops the Veil separating their courts. But breaking the barrier between light and dark has consequences; ones that Nox is not willing to risk.
Nox’s refusal to drop the Veil causes a rift between him and Aster at a time when they desperately need to stand together. The threat of Abaddon’s return looms and secrets about what Aster and Nox really are begin to surface. Soon, they are both faced with the reality that the curse the demon placed on Nox so long ago may not be over—that it might never be.
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2024
56 people are currently reading
298 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Tork
9 books85 followersRachel Tork is the author of fantasy romance and contemporary romance books, including the Evening Star Saga. She adores rainy days, Reylo, and early mornings snuggled on her couch.
She writes quick-paced fantasy with snarky, yet flawed, characters, as well as deeply emotional romance that proves love really can conquer all.
You can follow Rachel on Instagram and TikTok at @racheltorkauthor
She writes quick-paced fantasy with snarky, yet flawed, characters, as well as deeply emotional romance that proves love really can conquer all.
You can follow Rachel on Instagram and TikTok at @racheltorkauthor
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 16, 2024
So, here we are. These Lies That Snare Us, book 2 of the Evening Star Saga. I read the ARC a month ago, and let me tell you— the only thing that’s really sticking with me is how much it pissed me off. So, buckle up, because we’re about to go for a ride.
We kick things off with the Demon Uncle dead, Aster resurrected, and somehow, she’s now the Seelie Queen. Problem? She’s basically Queen of Chaos with no council, no advisors, no handmaids—nothing. Instead, she relies on her BFF to do her makeup and dress her up like we’re playing dress-up at a sleepover. And her nail polish? It's been chipping for days. This is royalty, folks!
And what does our girl Aster do? Does she try to make alliances to secure her throne? Pfft, please. She’d rather spend her time making bad choices and smashing with her mate at every possible opportunity. Oh, and if you’re wondering about the demons looming over the kingdom? We’ll get to that tomorrow, after a quick round of disappointing, under-10-second sex that somehow ends with an earth shattering orgasm. This is basically me and my “diet starts tomorrow” plan. Spoiler: Tomorrow never comes.
Nox. Ugh, Nox. He's supposed to be the guy with all the answers, but instead, he’s the king of cryptic BS. Instead of giving Aster any real information to help her manage her kingdom, he’s busy being all mysterious and puzzle-y. Great intentions, sure, but it's annoying AF. Maybe if he just gave her a straight answer once in a while, she wouldn’t end up doing idiotic, life-threatening things like, I don’t know, GOING TO A DEMON NEST ALL ALONE WITH ZERO FIGHTING SKILLS?
Here, let me present some receipts:
“I was untrained, both in weaponry and in my magic, but after our argument this morning, I just needed to be me for a few hours. I needed to be a little reckless.”
Girl, that’s not reckless—that’s plain stupid.
A demon appears and tells her that her master (who has Raven, Lil’s brother) wants to talk to her, Aster nonchalantly says “Sure, I’ll go with you.”
Stupid.
“I had to do what Abaddon wanted—I would deal with whatever happened—I just needed to get Raven out.”
Yeah, Queen for a Pawn. Dumbest chess move ever.
And of course, when she gets mutilated and tortured in a Bellatrix x Hermione way in the demon nest, does she learn from it? Does she have PTSD? Fear? Pain? Nah. Instead, she’s all like, “Let’s take a tour of the Unseelie Court!” Sure, girl. That makes sense. After getting mangled, a grand tour is exactly what I’d be asking for.
And then, there’s this ridiculous club scene with Nox and Aster, "the party girl'. They get there, and Aster’s out the door in, like, 10 seconds because her magic lit her up like a Christmas tree. Party girl strikes again! Woop woop!
Next, Aster's cousin comes to the court for the coronation and immediately behaves like she's been here the entire time and she's the boss that deserves to know everything. The group openly discusses the mate bond and the sexual activities between Aster and Nox, right in front of them! Are we forgetting that they are a King and a Queen??!? Heads would fly if I were Aster!!!
Then, to top it all off, the cousin starts demanding answers about anything and everything like she’s in charge. Aster tries to dodge her questions, but girl, seriously—HEADS. WOULD. FLY.
Some more shit happens, the cousin's mother dies, there's more sex, another kidnapping, the council members continue being asses and that's about it.
I was even less impressed with this book than I was with the first one. This might be a good story on Wattpad, but it doesn't have the capacity to be a published book in my opinion.
We kick things off with the Demon Uncle dead, Aster resurrected, and somehow, she’s now the Seelie Queen. Problem? She’s basically Queen of Chaos with no council, no advisors, no handmaids—nothing. Instead, she relies on her BFF to do her makeup and dress her up like we’re playing dress-up at a sleepover. And her nail polish? It's been chipping for days. This is royalty, folks!
And what does our girl Aster do? Does she try to make alliances to secure her throne? Pfft, please. She’d rather spend her time making bad choices and smashing with her mate at every possible opportunity. Oh, and if you’re wondering about the demons looming over the kingdom? We’ll get to that tomorrow, after a quick round of disappointing, under-10-second sex that somehow ends with an earth shattering orgasm. This is basically me and my “diet starts tomorrow” plan. Spoiler: Tomorrow never comes.
Nox. Ugh, Nox. He's supposed to be the guy with all the answers, but instead, he’s the king of cryptic BS. Instead of giving Aster any real information to help her manage her kingdom, he’s busy being all mysterious and puzzle-y. Great intentions, sure, but it's annoying AF. Maybe if he just gave her a straight answer once in a while, she wouldn’t end up doing idiotic, life-threatening things like, I don’t know, GOING TO A DEMON NEST ALL ALONE WITH ZERO FIGHTING SKILLS?
Here, let me present some receipts:
“I was untrained, both in weaponry and in my magic, but after our argument this morning, I just needed to be me for a few hours. I needed to be a little reckless.”
Girl, that’s not reckless—that’s plain stupid.
A demon appears and tells her that her master (who has Raven, Lil’s brother) wants to talk to her, Aster nonchalantly says “Sure, I’ll go with you.”
Stupid.
“I had to do what Abaddon wanted—I would deal with whatever happened—I just needed to get Raven out.”
Yeah, Queen for a Pawn. Dumbest chess move ever.
And of course, when she gets mutilated and tortured in a Bellatrix x Hermione way in the demon nest, does she learn from it? Does she have PTSD? Fear? Pain? Nah. Instead, she’s all like, “Let’s take a tour of the Unseelie Court!” Sure, girl. That makes sense. After getting mangled, a grand tour is exactly what I’d be asking for.
And then, there’s this ridiculous club scene with Nox and Aster, "the party girl'. They get there, and Aster’s out the door in, like, 10 seconds because her magic lit her up like a Christmas tree. Party girl strikes again! Woop woop!
Next, Aster's cousin comes to the court for the coronation and immediately behaves like she's been here the entire time and she's the boss that deserves to know everything. The group openly discusses the mate bond and the sexual activities between Aster and Nox, right in front of them! Are we forgetting that they are a King and a Queen??!? Heads would fly if I were Aster!!!
Then, to top it all off, the cousin starts demanding answers about anything and everything like she’s in charge. Aster tries to dodge her questions, but girl, seriously—HEADS. WOULD. FLY.
Some more shit happens, the cousin's mother dies, there's more sex, another kidnapping, the council members continue being asses and that's about it.
I was even less impressed with this book than I was with the first one. This might be a good story on Wattpad, but it doesn't have the capacity to be a published book in my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2024
He trailed his mouth up my inner thigh and whispered, "Do you like me on my knees before you? I hope so."
Ok so how many more nights do I need to wait for Nox to show up in my dreams? I'm waiting!
Gosh what a wild ride this book was. It felt like non stop action and I have more questions than answers! Very excited for book 3. I need to know what happens next!
Nox was as swoony as he was in the first book. Maybe even more so. I loved that he was so protective of Aster but that she was an independent soul and could handle herself. But we love a guy who will 💀 anyone who threatens his love.
Poor Aster is just trying to do her best and find her way in her new role as Queen. It seemed like she couldn't get a win though. I think if I were her I would struggle to know who to trust outside of my small circle of friends.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Go get your lady love, Nox!
Ok so how many more nights do I need to wait for Nox to show up in my dreams? I'm waiting!
Gosh what a wild ride this book was. It felt like non stop action and I have more questions than answers! Very excited for book 3. I need to know what happens next!
Nox was as swoony as he was in the first book. Maybe even more so. I loved that he was so protective of Aster but that she was an independent soul and could handle herself. But we love a guy who will 💀 anyone who threatens his love.
Poor Aster is just trying to do her best and find her way in her new role as Queen. It seemed like she couldn't get a win though. I think if I were her I would struggle to know who to trust outside of my small circle of friends.
I can't wait to see what happens in the next book. Go get your lady love, Nox!
October 8, 2024
Cliffhanger! How am I gonna live now waiting for the next book????
February 2, 2025
The writing surely improved in this book, need the third one asap
September 14, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5/5
*These Lies that Snare Us* is nothing short of phenomenal! Rachel Tork masterfully weaves a tale of light and dark, love and sacrifice, as Nox and Asteria navigate the ever-growing chasm between their worlds. Aster's journey from a lost Seelie princess to a queen struggling to hold her court together is filled with gripping tension and heart-wrenching choices. Nox, the enigmatic Night King of the Unseelie Court, continues to captivate with his fierce love for Aster and his relentless pursuit of Raven. The stakes are higher than ever as the threat of Abaddon's return looms, and the secrets surrounding Nox and Aster begin to unravel.
The push and pull between Nox and Aster is beautifully written, and their struggle to balance their love with the demands of their courts adds layers of depth to their characters. The world-building is exquisite, and the tension kept me on the edge of my seat. And that cliffhanger? It shattered my heart into tiny pieces. Rachel has left us with a soul-crushing ending that has me desperate for the next installment. Nox and Asteria *must* find their way back to each other. If you're looking for a story that will keep you hooked from start to finish, *These Lies that Snare Us* is it. Highly recommend!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2025
So good.
What's that ending. Seriously?? Like there isn't a 3rd book currently and that cliffhanger was off the charts. We learned many secrets. But I need more of all the characters. So much going on. Still so many secrets we don't know. Who is the demon at the end and why did he take her? So many questions and no answers.. I need more.
What's that ending. Seriously?? Like there isn't a 3rd book currently and that cliffhanger was off the charts. We learned many secrets. But I need more of all the characters. So much going on. Still so many secrets we don't know. Who is the demon at the end and why did he take her? So many questions and no answers.. I need more.
September 15, 2024
This book series is turning out to be so good. I love the character development and how much the world has grown in the story. I can’t wait for book 3.
January 8, 2025
OMG NOOOO
SHE FORGETS HIM!??!!!?!?😲
SHES BEEN TAKEN!?!!?!??😳
I MUST HAVE THE NEXT BOOK 😐😩
SHE FORGETS HIM!??!!!?!?😲
SHES BEEN TAKEN!?!!?!??😳
I MUST HAVE THE NEXT BOOK 😐😩
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2024
I cannot wait for the next book. I love the characters and while the plot can drag or be very predictable in places, I will say I am well and truly hooked and after that ending, I am at the edge of my seat waiting for the next installment!
September 20, 2024
4/5 stars!!
The second installation in the Evening Star Saga did not disappoint!! I was a little worried after the first book that, as a second, it would fall prey to second-book syndrome and nothing would actually happen, but I liked this book much better than the first. There was actually lots of action, political intrigue, and tension, so needless to say, I cannot wait for the next book because I absolutely NEED to know what happens!
As far as the plot, the book still follows Nox and Aster as they navigate dealings within her new court after her uncle's death, attempting to find Raven after he's been taken, and the looming threat of Abaddon's return (and all of Aster's silly decisions along the way). The plot is refreshing, not overdone, and I can't wait to see where Rachel takes Nox and Aster next.
Thank you to Rachel Tork and her team for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The second installation in the Evening Star Saga did not disappoint!! I was a little worried after the first book that, as a second, it would fall prey to second-book syndrome and nothing would actually happen, but I liked this book much better than the first. There was actually lots of action, political intrigue, and tension, so needless to say, I cannot wait for the next book because I absolutely NEED to know what happens!
As far as the plot, the book still follows Nox and Aster as they navigate dealings within her new court after her uncle's death, attempting to find Raven after he's been taken, and the looming threat of Abaddon's return (and all of Aster's silly decisions along the way). The plot is refreshing, not overdone, and I can't wait to see where Rachel takes Nox and Aster next.
Thank you to Rachel Tork and her team for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews