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She Who Brought Death
“The only thing I cannot create is death itself. Only you, dear sister, can do that.”
Empress Nevia’s reign over her late husband’s empire has been plagued with death. Grotesque abominations existing only in legend–so-called “Night Creatures”–have been descending upon Danaeca and razing everything in their path, the forever burning core shards seemingly their goal. Yet the people, including King Qirin, are unwilling to discontinue pulling from the life-altering energy source, regardless of the blood it costs them.
Frantic, Nevia seeks to ease the suffering surrounding her, yet gives pause when she discovers a startling truth about herself, suggesting that she may very well play a contributing role in the destruction. After her darkness stirs and she hurts someone dear, her trusted allies shrink away, including the man whom she thought she loved.
Only Saava’s golden promise of restoration spurs Nevia forward to Gaia’s Core where the goddess has slept for millennia, yet Nevia is unprepared for the very grim reality that she is about to unveil.
Their very existence has been a lie.
Empress Nevia’s reign over her late husband’s empire has been plagued with death. Grotesque abominations existing only in legend–so-called “Night Creatures”–have been descending upon Danaeca and razing everything in their path, the forever burning core shards seemingly their goal. Yet the people, including King Qirin, are unwilling to discontinue pulling from the life-altering energy source, regardless of the blood it costs them.
Frantic, Nevia seeks to ease the suffering surrounding her, yet gives pause when she discovers a startling truth about herself, suggesting that she may very well play a contributing role in the destruction. After her darkness stirs and she hurts someone dear, her trusted allies shrink away, including the man whom she thought she loved.
Only Saava’s golden promise of restoration spurs Nevia forward to Gaia’s Core where the goddess has slept for millennia, yet Nevia is unprepared for the very grim reality that she is about to unveil.
Their very existence has been a lie.
- GenresFantasy
458 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 21, 2024
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 1, 2024
ARC review
This book was such a whirlwind. I thought I knew how it was going to end but then not even halfway through the book that guess was thrown out of the window.
Definitely a slow burn but this Romantasy book was really hard to put down. Really enjoyed the romance in this. It made it more interesting with it being a forbidden love and a love triangle.. Although this is the last book in the series it ended well and did not leave me hanging.
This is part of a series so if you are interested in reading this I highly recommend reading the first book “She Who Chose War”, which is available in paperback and on kindle unlimited. She Who Brought Death will be available on December 21st 2024! I have so much more to say about this book but I do not want to give any spoilers!!!
This book was such a whirlwind. I thought I knew how it was going to end but then not even halfway through the book that guess was thrown out of the window.
Definitely a slow burn but this Romantasy book was really hard to put down. Really enjoyed the romance in this. It made it more interesting with it being a forbidden love and a love triangle.. Although this is the last book in the series it ended well and did not leave me hanging.
This is part of a series so if you are interested in reading this I highly recommend reading the first book “She Who Chose War”, which is available in paperback and on kindle unlimited. She Who Brought Death will be available on December 21st 2024! I have so much more to say about this book but I do not want to give any spoilers!!!
December 20, 2024
This was a rollercoaster of strength, love, difficult decisions, trust, betrayal, and survival.
We follow Nevia through ‘She Who Brough Death’; the sequel to ‘She Who Chose War’ where our protagonist again has found herself faced with difficult decisions and a kingdom to rule; A kingdom that is under attack by creatures of the dark. She is having visions (or memories) of a past life that she doesn’t understand while a prophecy weighs on her decisions in love.
We follow Nevia through ‘She Who Brough Death’; the sequel to ‘She Who Chose War’ where our protagonist again has found herself faced with difficult decisions and a kingdom to rule; A kingdom that is under attack by creatures of the dark. She is having visions (or memories) of a past life that she doesn’t understand while a prophecy weighs on her decisions in love.
February 4, 2025
Book review: 3.25/5 ⭐️
Genre: romantasy
Themes: betrayal, gods and monsters,
📖 Read if you like: The Gilded Ones, When the Moon Hatched, The Hurricane Wars
Thank you to Madison Rene for an advanced copy of this book for review.
The war may be over, but death remains on the doorstep. Empress Nevis is attempting to reign over her late husband’s kingdom only to be plagued by nightmares of a past unknown while she sleeps, and to have nightmarish beasts plaguing her waking hours as they ravage the kingdom and her people. Attracted to the Feishin Kingdom’s glowing core shards, the kingdom’s greed for more power and more technology may be their undoing. Frantic to find a solution and solve the riddle of her dreams, Nevia unknowingly harms her friend and handmaiden Elante. With a newfound desperation to save her friend she sets out on a mission that will destroy the world, for the goddess she seeks for salvation has her own plans.
This was another creative story in a world that continues to grow with legends. It had an air of inception with dreams becoming reality, and reality called into question. The dark creatures presented a new and deadly threat, one that is tied to the heart of this world and the dark truth it holds. I really didn’t see the twist from Gaia’s core and it served the storyline well!
While the writing continues to be entrancing, I did have a few problems with this sequel. For starters, the action and unveiling all felt rushed, while the characters were almost too self aware. There wasn’t enough time and development for the concepts and ideas to grow. It also seemed far too easy and obvious for Nevia to discover Gaia’s Core and unlock it, as well as the final defeat. The secret of her dreams was so well veiled and then that too became obvious all of a sudden, though I cannot determine why she would seek out Saava as the solution. I thought a lot of these events needed to be better flushed out and that the pace could have been adjusted to slow down at these critical moments and speed up at the repetitive self doubt and Ardan feelings. On that point, I thought Arden’s POV served no real purpose except to underline a devotion to Nevia. He seemed the weakest character and I found myself wishing I knew more about him, besides his love for Nevia. Between the two POVs, some feelings could have been less explicitly detailed and shown in other ways. I think that is the hardest part of creating a character that can come alive in the minds of readers. It is an impression that forms from all the moments in between, all the things not said.
The time lap could also have been useful, but instead the mindset of all the characters seemed to have been at exactly the same place as they were three years ago. Personally, I just didn’t believe the love story. What starts off as a rebound suddenly becomes an all-consuming love after a few weeks? And then we fast forward to the present where apparently neither has any responsibilities despite needing the time apart to serve their respective people. And then there was an introduction to a love triangle, which could have been really interesting if it was genuine, but it was laced with so much foreshadowing that Renault’s duplicity was expected. I didn’t really like that this sort of controlling behaviour ran in the family, nor that he was so similar to Darius. Repetition in love stories is really a pet peeve of mine. While I personally didn’t take to this sort of fated romance element of this book, I know others will enjoy this die for you slow burn.
It was certainly action-packed and entertaining as a whole, but it almost felt like a different series because there wasn’t a lot of continuation besides the love story and presence of core shards. All the characters were there, but this focused more on mythology, which could have been better supported by the religious aspects developed in book 1. There were also a few logic holes in the final solution. Complicated worlds with really unique creation stories and histories are my favarouite kinds in fantasy, but they can also be the most difficult to work with. There were additionally a lot of different tropes and plot lines within this book so the focus was divergent. Together, it was a really ambitious project for a debut series.
So while it wasn’t perfect I still found myself rapidly turning pages. The dark twist on mythology was a creative one and Rene was an ability to draw readers in with her style of writing. I am looking forward to her next project.
Genre: romantasy
Themes: betrayal, gods and monsters,
📖 Read if you like: The Gilded Ones, When the Moon Hatched, The Hurricane Wars
Thank you to Madison Rene for an advanced copy of this book for review.
The war may be over, but death remains on the doorstep. Empress Nevis is attempting to reign over her late husband’s kingdom only to be plagued by nightmares of a past unknown while she sleeps, and to have nightmarish beasts plaguing her waking hours as they ravage the kingdom and her people. Attracted to the Feishin Kingdom’s glowing core shards, the kingdom’s greed for more power and more technology may be their undoing. Frantic to find a solution and solve the riddle of her dreams, Nevia unknowingly harms her friend and handmaiden Elante. With a newfound desperation to save her friend she sets out on a mission that will destroy the world, for the goddess she seeks for salvation has her own plans.
This was another creative story in a world that continues to grow with legends. It had an air of inception with dreams becoming reality, and reality called into question. The dark creatures presented a new and deadly threat, one that is tied to the heart of this world and the dark truth it holds. I really didn’t see the twist from Gaia’s core and it served the storyline well!
While the writing continues to be entrancing, I did have a few problems with this sequel. For starters, the action and unveiling all felt rushed, while the characters were almost too self aware. There wasn’t enough time and development for the concepts and ideas to grow. It also seemed far too easy and obvious for Nevia to discover Gaia’s Core and unlock it, as well as the final defeat. The secret of her dreams was so well veiled and then that too became obvious all of a sudden, though I cannot determine why she would seek out Saava as the solution. I thought a lot of these events needed to be better flushed out and that the pace could have been adjusted to slow down at these critical moments and speed up at the repetitive self doubt and Ardan feelings. On that point, I thought Arden’s POV served no real purpose except to underline a devotion to Nevia. He seemed the weakest character and I found myself wishing I knew more about him, besides his love for Nevia. Between the two POVs, some feelings could have been less explicitly detailed and shown in other ways. I think that is the hardest part of creating a character that can come alive in the minds of readers. It is an impression that forms from all the moments in between, all the things not said.
The time lap could also have been useful, but instead the mindset of all the characters seemed to have been at exactly the same place as they were three years ago. Personally, I just didn’t believe the love story. What starts off as a rebound suddenly becomes an all-consuming love after a few weeks? And then we fast forward to the present where apparently neither has any responsibilities despite needing the time apart to serve their respective people. And then there was an introduction to a love triangle, which could have been really interesting if it was genuine, but it was laced with so much foreshadowing that Renault’s duplicity was expected. I didn’t really like that this sort of controlling behaviour ran in the family, nor that he was so similar to Darius. Repetition in love stories is really a pet peeve of mine. While I personally didn’t take to this sort of fated romance element of this book, I know others will enjoy this die for you slow burn.
It was certainly action-packed and entertaining as a whole, but it almost felt like a different series because there wasn’t a lot of continuation besides the love story and presence of core shards. All the characters were there, but this focused more on mythology, which could have been better supported by the religious aspects developed in book 1. There were also a few logic holes in the final solution. Complicated worlds with really unique creation stories and histories are my favarouite kinds in fantasy, but they can also be the most difficult to work with. There were additionally a lot of different tropes and plot lines within this book so the focus was divergent. Together, it was a really ambitious project for a debut series.
So while it wasn’t perfect I still found myself rapidly turning pages. The dark twist on mythology was a creative one and Rene was an ability to draw readers in with her style of writing. I am looking forward to her next project.
December 21, 2024
This conclusion to the duology… wow. I’m speechless. We all know from She Who Brought War that Madison Rene is a talented author, but this second book is on a whole other level.
The world building in this duology is absolutely perfect. Each nation is so different (and yet there are pretty obvious comparisons to nations in real life) with their own people, customs, and history; the pacifist nation, the nomad groups, the imperial nation, it’s all so interesting to see how they interact with each other.
She Who Brought Death picks up 3 years after the end of She Who Brought War. Nevia is struggling to come to terms with losing Darius in the war (along with figuring out her trauma over what was an abusive relationship with him), fighting a rebel group that doesn’t believe she deserves the title of empress, and trying to get over the guilt of the fact that she has feelings for another man - Arden (swoon). On top of that, she’s having these odd dreams that she can’t interpret but feel so real. It’s a lot for the poor woman, but is also inspiring watching her navigate so much with such grace (though, I need to say, I love Khatalia for giving Nevia the tough love she needed to get Nevia out of her self-pitying spiral).
We get to see more about the history of Danacea’s goddesses (which I loved, there could definitely be a spin-off about Saava, Sable, and Niall I think - we got lots of their story in the second book but I feel like there is more) and what happens on Nevia’s journey to find Saava is so unique from any fantasy books I’ve read.
if you’re looking for a new romantasy to read m, I would 100% recommend the Legends of Danacea duology.
The world building in this duology is absolutely perfect. Each nation is so different (and yet there are pretty obvious comparisons to nations in real life) with their own people, customs, and history; the pacifist nation, the nomad groups, the imperial nation, it’s all so interesting to see how they interact with each other.
She Who Brought Death picks up 3 years after the end of She Who Brought War. Nevia is struggling to come to terms with losing Darius in the war (along with figuring out her trauma over what was an abusive relationship with him), fighting a rebel group that doesn’t believe she deserves the title of empress, and trying to get over the guilt of the fact that she has feelings for another man - Arden (swoon). On top of that, she’s having these odd dreams that she can’t interpret but feel so real. It’s a lot for the poor woman, but is also inspiring watching her navigate so much with such grace (though, I need to say, I love Khatalia for giving Nevia the tough love she needed to get Nevia out of her self-pitying spiral).
We get to see more about the history of Danacea’s goddesses (which I loved, there could definitely be a spin-off about Saava, Sable, and Niall I think - we got lots of their story in the second book but I feel like there is more) and what happens on Nevia’s journey to find Saava is so unique from any fantasy books I’ve read.
if you’re looking for a new romantasy to read m, I would 100% recommend the Legends of Danacea duology.
December 24, 2024
Wow wow wow . . . another absolutely stunning book by Madison, and such an epic, beautiful and fulfilling ending to the Legends of Danaeca duology. I thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish, even more so than book one if I daresay. Madison never ceases to impress me with her talent for writing. She does an incredible example of showing and not telling, and it is an absolute joy to read her words. The way she paints vivid pictures of the most lush settings, along with realistic life-like characters with their every look, feel and touch, there is such a subtle beauty in her writing that I almost find it difficult to describe or to do it enough justice by.
The plot for book 2 was exciting, with unexpected twists and touching moments. My heart goes out to all the wonderful characters, but especially Orla, and Khatalia (who has been a favourite of mine since book 1). Qirin's story truly touched my heart, and the ending in the epilogue was written so beautifully, it took my breath away and honestly formed a tear in my eye. I am so happy to have stumbled upon this series. Little did I know, it would become one of the most beautiful series I've ever read.
She Who Brought Death was a conclusion which tied up all the loose ends so well, and it was such a stunning and epic ending.
The plot for book 2 was exciting, with unexpected twists and touching moments. My heart goes out to all the wonderful characters, but especially Orla, and Khatalia (who has been a favourite of mine since book 1). Qirin's story truly touched my heart, and the ending in the epilogue was written so beautifully, it took my breath away and honestly formed a tear in my eye. I am so happy to have stumbled upon this series. Little did I know, it would become one of the most beautiful series I've ever read.
She Who Brought Death was a conclusion which tied up all the loose ends so well, and it was such a stunning and epic ending.
December 17, 2024
She Who Brought Death is a sequel that took me on a whirlwind journey through betrayal, discovery, and emotional turmoil. The world-building continues to be one of the standout features of this series, as Nevia’s empire faces new, unimaginable threats with the appearance of the terrifying Night Creatures. The stakes are higher and the tension palpable as Nevia uncovers shocking truths about herself and the world around her.
Nevia’s character development is one of the strongest aspects of this book. The emotional depth of her journey is lovely as she grapples with her dark side and the consequences of her actions. Her internal struggle coupled with the external chaos of the empire, kept me invested.
The plot is fast-paced, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had a handle on where the story was headed, new revelations and characters threw me off course which kept the story fresh and exciting.
She Who Brought Death is a strong continuation of the series, with plenty of action, heartache, and character development. Fans of She Who Chose War will enjoy this dark and complex sequel. Recommended for readers who enjoy high-stakes fantasy with emotional depth and intrigue!
Nevia’s character development is one of the strongest aspects of this book. The emotional depth of her journey is lovely as she grapples with her dark side and the consequences of her actions. Her internal struggle coupled with the external chaos of the empire, kept me invested.
The plot is fast-paced, with plenty of twists that kept me guessing. Just when I thought I had a handle on where the story was headed, new revelations and characters threw me off course which kept the story fresh and exciting.
She Who Brought Death is a strong continuation of the series, with plenty of action, heartache, and character development. Fans of She Who Chose War will enjoy this dark and complex sequel. Recommended for readers who enjoy high-stakes fantasy with emotional depth and intrigue!
December 22, 2024
Spice: 0.5/5
This book weaves a captivating tale that keeps you hooked. Even through its slower moments, Madison does a fantastic job of drawing you into the story, crafting a world and characters about which you genuinely care. Nevia, in particular, is a standout — though I initially struggled with her attitude and constant self-pity, I ended up appreciating the strength and growth she exhibited, especially as the story progressed. The multiple perspectives, from Nevia, Ardan, and Qirin, added depth to the narrative and gave me a chance to connect with each character in a meaningful way, especially as the first book was all from Nevia’s POV. Qirin especially surprised me, as I didn't expect to enjoy his POV as much as the others, but I ended up loving him just as much. Personally, I wish we had gotten to see more of Khatalia (I loved her in book 1!) and Orla (I just loved her character) and Nevia's treatment of her friendships irked me at times. Despite this, I couldn't help but root for Nevia the entire book and loving this book.
Tropes Include:
- Multi-POV
- Found Family
- Goddesses & Myths
- Race to Save the World
- Forbidden Magic
This book weaves a captivating tale that keeps you hooked. Even through its slower moments, Madison does a fantastic job of drawing you into the story, crafting a world and characters about which you genuinely care. Nevia, in particular, is a standout — though I initially struggled with her attitude and constant self-pity, I ended up appreciating the strength and growth she exhibited, especially as the story progressed. The multiple perspectives, from Nevia, Ardan, and Qirin, added depth to the narrative and gave me a chance to connect with each character in a meaningful way, especially as the first book was all from Nevia’s POV. Qirin especially surprised me, as I didn't expect to enjoy his POV as much as the others, but I ended up loving him just as much. Personally, I wish we had gotten to see more of Khatalia (I loved her in book 1!) and Orla (I just loved her character) and Nevia's treatment of her friendships irked me at times. Despite this, I couldn't help but root for Nevia the entire book and loving this book.
Tropes Include:
- Multi-POV
- Found Family
- Goddesses & Myths
- Race to Save the World
- Forbidden Magic
February 3, 2025
4/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another amazing job from Madison Rene!
The plot in this book was fast paced, and really gripping with lots of plot twists that kept me wanting more and more!
I loved seeing Nevia’s character growth in this book as she grappled with the responsibility of being Empress and the dark visions of a ‘past life’ that tormented her.
Nevia is a strong FMC who I completely loved. Her loyalty and kindness knew no bounds and she was just perfectly written. Other characters in this book were incredible too, and I especially loved Arden and his relationship with Nevia.
There was one character I did not trust at all, and my instinct was right as I delved further into the book! 👀
I absolutely LOVED Orla, and it was sometimes so easy to forget how young she actually was! But she was incredible and a good friend to Nevia.
I think Madison has done such a wonderful job with this duet; and I would recommend for lovers of fantasy, fast-paced plots, and political intrigue.
Well done girl!!!! 🖤
Another amazing job from Madison Rene!
The plot in this book was fast paced, and really gripping with lots of plot twists that kept me wanting more and more!
I loved seeing Nevia’s character growth in this book as she grappled with the responsibility of being Empress and the dark visions of a ‘past life’ that tormented her.
Nevia is a strong FMC who I completely loved. Her loyalty and kindness knew no bounds and she was just perfectly written. Other characters in this book were incredible too, and I especially loved Arden and his relationship with Nevia.
There was one character I did not trust at all, and my instinct was right as I delved further into the book! 👀
I absolutely LOVED Orla, and it was sometimes so easy to forget how young she actually was! But she was incredible and a good friend to Nevia.
I think Madison has done such a wonderful job with this duet; and I would recommend for lovers of fantasy, fast-paced plots, and political intrigue.
Well done girl!!!! 🖤
December 21, 2024
She Who Brought Death is a stunning continuation of Madison Rene's epic fantasy series, and it does not disappoint. This second installment takes readers deeper into a richly imagined world filled with danger, intrigue, and compelling characters. The stakes are higher than ever as the protagonist confronts powerful adversaries and unravels the mysteries of her destiny.
Rene's world-building is exceptional, painting vivid landscapes and breathing life into each character's journey. The intricate plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat, while the emotional depth of the story added layers of significance to every choice made.
With its perfect blend of action, magic, and profound moments, this book is a captivating read that fans of the genre will love. I was utterly enthralled and can't wait to see where the adventure leads next! Highly recommend!
Rene's world-building is exceptional, painting vivid landscapes and breathing life into each character's journey. The intricate plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat, while the emotional depth of the story added layers of significance to every choice made.
With its perfect blend of action, magic, and profound moments, this book is a captivating read that fans of the genre will love. I was utterly enthralled and can't wait to see where the adventure leads next! Highly recommend!
December 19, 2024
The premise of She Who Brought Death was incredibly creative, and I absolutely loved the author’s take on mythology! The time jump between books 1 and 2 felt refreshingly realistic and did a great job of setting the stage for new conflicts. I enjoyed the characters and was especially happy to see Orla have a role in this story. While the writing style wasn’t a perfect fit for me, I know other readers will enjoy the slow-burn romantasy and the dark twist on mythology!
Thanks to the author for an early ebook arc copy in exchange for my honest review!
Thanks to the author for an early ebook arc copy in exchange for my honest review!
December 27, 2024
I think that I liked this book a little more than the first in the series. I love it when a main character has struggles and obstacles; or doesn’t always make the correct choice right from the get go. This is so true with Nevia as she has to continue down the path as empress and trying to find where she fits and if she can fit Ardan into her life. She is fraught with doubts and insecurities and knows that her choices have caused many deaths and she doesn’t know how to live with it. I loved the writing style, making it an easy read and easy to visualize the story through the descriptions.
December 23, 2024
A stunning finale to the Legends of Danaeca series. We find Nevia, again, fighting for what us right with the odds stacked against her. We learn so much more about Nevia, about the world she lives jn and her role in that world. The story was intense with great plot twists. Many things leave you on the edge of your seat and you are constantly questioning the characters and their motives. Beautiful ending 😍
December 8, 2024
I think the plot is god the storytelling was slow paced and easy to follow and assume in the fist half the loss was great.
Part two was strange seemed hopeless and you can feel the despair of nevia i think that the fight was confusing
Also personal preference is that no magical saving a character just because they won…. I don’t like that but still great story and plot !!!
Part two was strange seemed hopeless and you can feel the despair of nevia i think that the fight was confusing
Also personal preference is that no magical saving a character just because they won…. I don’t like that but still great story and plot !!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2024
She who brought death is the second book and conclusion to the Legends of Danaeca duology.
This was a very intriguing story with a much darker tone than the first book. I will say, I didn't quite agree with the decisions of the main FMC. However, I truly enjoyed Qirin's storyline throughout the book and am so happy for his HEA!
This was a very intriguing story with a much darker tone than the first book. I will say, I didn't quite agree with the decisions of the main FMC. However, I truly enjoyed Qirin's storyline throughout the book and am so happy for his HEA!
December 17, 2024
This book was a roller coaster, but a good one! We get to follow along as Nevia discovers who she truly is, stands for what she believes in, and finds her way through a love triangle. It really keeps you on your toes! Highly recommend!
November 28, 2024
Whew that was a whirlwind! Loved every minute of it and couldn’t be more satisfied with the way it ended!
December 25, 2024
Really great second book ! I was a bit lost at first but enjoyed the ride nevertheless.
December 27, 2024
A great conclusion to a complex story. While there was a lot of obstacles in our FMC’s story, she stayed strong by and grew throughout the story. I also loved how we saw HEA’s for multiple characters, not just our FMC.
*ARC Review*
*ARC Review*
December 21, 2024
I enjoyed following Nevia along her journey. The ups and downs. The personal discovery of who she was, who people saw her as, and who she wanted to be. Being true to her heart and doing the right thing even when she could so easily have walked away from it all.
With the warning Nevia received about Quirin and Ardan I'm glad she did her own thing and her and Ardan were able to find the love they both longed for.
With the warning Nevia received about Quirin and Ardan I'm glad she did her own thing and her and Ardan were able to find the love they both longed for.
November 10, 2025
rom the very first line The only thing I cannot create is death itself. Only you, dear sister, can do that. I was completely captivated. This book is a hauntingly beautiful blend of power, grief, and the fine line between creation and destruction. Empress Nevia is one of the most complex and compelling characters I’ve read in years strong, vulnerable, and utterly unforgettable.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews