What do you think?
Rate this book
Thorns of the Crimson Lily: A Gaslamp Fantasy Thriller of Romance and Espionage
"Wow, this is some 5-star spice! The desire between these characters and the imagination of the author was out of this world. Loved every page!" — 5 Stars, Amazon Review
"I didn't expect it to affect me so deeply—I'm still thinking about these characters and their lives. This book is absolutely worthy of your time!" — 5 Stars, Amazon Review
She survived betrayal, but vengeance may cost her heart.
Left for dead, Lysa awakens in the lavish sanctuary of her mentor—the legendary Morrigan. But recovery brings complications in the form of Rian al'Duer, Morrigan's dangerously charming and maddeningly arrogant nephew. Lysa’s innocence burned away the night she was betrayed, leaving only a smoldering thirst for revenge and the will to dismantle the conspiracy that destroyed her life.
Their pursuit plunges them into a perilous game, tracking the elusive shadow known as Saito across the dazzling, deceptive world of Aetura. From the gaslit streets of Breyonne, where whispers conceal deadly secrets, to the luxurious casinos of Monte Luce, where fortunes shift with each heartbeat, their journey leads to Xi'an—a nation as seductive as it is perilous, brimming with ancient rituals and cutthroat intrigues.
As Lysa dons the seductive and deadly persona of the Crimson Lily once more, each step draws her deeper into danger—and closer to Rian, whose hidden depths ignite a passion she vowed never to feel again. With every shadow they chase, their lives entwine more intricately, blurring the line between ally and lover, trust and betrayal.
Can Lysa exact her vengeance without losing herself—or worse, losing her heart to the one man capable of destroying it? In this intoxicating game of revenge, romance, and redemption, the ultimate price might be more than she's prepared to pay.
Not all scars heal. Some become weapons.
"I didn't expect it to affect me so deeply—I'm still thinking about these characters and their lives. This book is absolutely worthy of your time!" — 5 Stars, Amazon Review
She survived betrayal, but vengeance may cost her heart.
Left for dead, Lysa awakens in the lavish sanctuary of her mentor—the legendary Morrigan. But recovery brings complications in the form of Rian al'Duer, Morrigan's dangerously charming and maddeningly arrogant nephew. Lysa’s innocence burned away the night she was betrayed, leaving only a smoldering thirst for revenge and the will to dismantle the conspiracy that destroyed her life.
Their pursuit plunges them into a perilous game, tracking the elusive shadow known as Saito across the dazzling, deceptive world of Aetura. From the gaslit streets of Breyonne, where whispers conceal deadly secrets, to the luxurious casinos of Monte Luce, where fortunes shift with each heartbeat, their journey leads to Xi'an—a nation as seductive as it is perilous, brimming with ancient rituals and cutthroat intrigues.
As Lysa dons the seductive and deadly persona of the Crimson Lily once more, each step draws her deeper into danger—and closer to Rian, whose hidden depths ignite a passion she vowed never to feel again. With every shadow they chase, their lives entwine more intricately, blurring the line between ally and lover, trust and betrayal.
Can Lysa exact her vengeance without losing herself—or worse, losing her heart to the one man capable of destroying it? In this intoxicating game of revenge, romance, and redemption, the ultimate price might be more than she's prepared to pay.
Not all scars heal. Some become weapons.
345 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 11, 2025
4 people are currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
J.S. Herod
14 books9 followersJ.S. Herod is a Literary Titan Award-winning author of immersive epic fantasy and romantasy, celebrated for his deep character work, layered storytelling, and evocative, lived-in worlds. His writing style blends emotionally charged prose with a touch of grit and humor, grounding high fantasy in very human experiences.
Though he currently lives in the quiet rural town of Myrtle, Mississippi, Herod’s roots stretch across the country. Born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in southeastern Oklahoma on the Choctaw Nation Reservation, his early years were shaped by tribal storytellers and long hours wandering libraries at Ole Miss while his mother pursued a degree in Linguistics. As a teenager with a thirst for knowledge and a love of words, he was fortunate enough to sit in on college-level literature and linguistics classes—experiences that lit a lifelong fire for language and story.
Later, he spent two decades moving from state to state—from Texas to North Carolina to Pennsylvania—collecting memories, mistakes, and a kind of wisdom that only comes from living a few lifetimes in one. Those years, and the people in them, gave him an enduring belief in the power of found family, a theme that echoes through all his work.
Herod’s characters are flawed, fierce, and heartbreakingly real—struggling with trauma, mental health, love, and loyalty. And while his stories span vast kingdoms and mythical lands, they are always, at their core, about connection. “I don’t have friends,” he often says. “I have extended family.”
When he isn’t writing, you’ll likely find him designing book covers, editing trailers, or brushing up on marketing—doing everything himself as an independent author. But when he manages to steal a quiet moment? Picture a leather chair, a glass of 15-year-old Macallan, a fine Macanudo, and a well-worn classic in hand.
His goal? To make you feel something. To make you remember.
Though he currently lives in the quiet rural town of Myrtle, Mississippi, Herod’s roots stretch across the country. Born in Dallas, Texas, and raised in southeastern Oklahoma on the Choctaw Nation Reservation, his early years were shaped by tribal storytellers and long hours wandering libraries at Ole Miss while his mother pursued a degree in Linguistics. As a teenager with a thirst for knowledge and a love of words, he was fortunate enough to sit in on college-level literature and linguistics classes—experiences that lit a lifelong fire for language and story.
Later, he spent two decades moving from state to state—from Texas to North Carolina to Pennsylvania—collecting memories, mistakes, and a kind of wisdom that only comes from living a few lifetimes in one. Those years, and the people in them, gave him an enduring belief in the power of found family, a theme that echoes through all his work.
Herod’s characters are flawed, fierce, and heartbreakingly real—struggling with trauma, mental health, love, and loyalty. And while his stories span vast kingdoms and mythical lands, they are always, at their core, about connection. “I don’t have friends,” he often says. “I have extended family.”
When he isn’t writing, you’ll likely find him designing book covers, editing trailers, or brushing up on marketing—doing everything himself as an independent author. But when he manages to steal a quiet moment? Picture a leather chair, a glass of 15-year-old Macallan, a fine Macanudo, and a well-worn classic in hand.
His goal? To make you feel something. To make you remember.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 23, 2025
When I tell you I FLEW through this book, I mean it!! Finished Shadow of the Crimson Lilly and Thorns of The Crimson Lilly, just today!! Book 1 was good, but book 2 was sooo much better!! Now I’m mad I can’t see where they go next RIGHT NOW! Will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next one!
February 11, 2025
This book kept me captivating. I couldn't hardly put it down once I started reading it! I definitely want to know what happens between these two characters and then the other characters that come into view! It definitely got my interest up! I loved this book so much already it already has me wanting to hear him say kitten more to her hehe and the fighting along the side each other that was perfect! I definitely loved those! I definitely have more questions now, but a lot of them got answered in this book! Can't wait to see about the next book! I definitely give this book five stars, though 💕🥰🥹😊
January 23, 2025
I really enjoyed Lysa's and Rian's story. It has angst, thrills and spice. Part of the story reminds me of Mission Impossible with the tasks they have at hand. I look forward to reading the next book! Thank you for the opportunity as an ARC reader.
February 22, 2025
This novel is a gripping blend of fantasy, romance, and political intrigue, delivering a layered story filled with betrayal, revenge, and unexpected alliances.
JS Herod crafts a powerful protagonist in Lysa Renaud, an assassin haunted by loss and driven by vengeance. Her journey is intense, and her dynamic with the enigmatic Rian Al’Deur crackles with tension, wit, and undeniable chemistry.
From the very first page, balancing fast-paced action with deep character development, the world-building is immersive, with vivid descriptions that bring Breyonne and the snow-covered estate to life.
The writing style is sharp and evocative, with strong sensory details and a masterful use of show, don’t tell.
What makes the book especially enjoyable is its emotional depth—Herod doesn’t just craft thrilling action scenes but also explores grief, trust, and redemption in a way that feels genuine. The romance builds, laced with banter and tension.
If there’s room for improvement, it would be in pacing—some middle sections feel slower compared to the intense opening.
Also, the antagonist, Saito, could have a stronger presence earlier on.
However, these are minor critiques in an otherwise excellent novel.
JS Herod crafts a powerful protagonist in Lysa Renaud, an assassin haunted by loss and driven by vengeance. Her journey is intense, and her dynamic with the enigmatic Rian Al’Deur crackles with tension, wit, and undeniable chemistry.
From the very first page, balancing fast-paced action with deep character development, the world-building is immersive, with vivid descriptions that bring Breyonne and the snow-covered estate to life.
The writing style is sharp and evocative, with strong sensory details and a masterful use of show, don’t tell.
What makes the book especially enjoyable is its emotional depth—Herod doesn’t just craft thrilling action scenes but also explores grief, trust, and redemption in a way that feels genuine. The romance builds, laced with banter and tension.
If there’s room for improvement, it would be in pacing—some middle sections feel slower compared to the intense opening.
Also, the antagonist, Saito, could have a stronger presence earlier on.
However, these are minor critiques in an otherwise excellent novel.
March 24, 2025
I fell victim to the first two books in the series this prompt-typer released. It's now my solemn duty to warn others so they do not suffer a similar fate.
We need to talk about these A.I. generated books flooding the self-pub market. You know the ones. The "authors" don't bother mentioning that a chatbot wrote every damn word. They think we can't tell.
We can tell.
Anyone who's read an actual book can spot these things a mile away. Maybe the people cranking them out don't realize how obvious it is. Hell, maybe they don't read enough real books to know the difference. Or maybe they just don't care.
Either way, they need to label this garbage properly. And don't give me that "but I came up with the story idea" nonsense. You didn't write anything. You just fed prompts into a machine and called yourself an author.
That's not writing. That's not even close.
We need to talk about these A.I. generated books flooding the self-pub market. You know the ones. The "authors" don't bother mentioning that a chatbot wrote every damn word. They think we can't tell.
We can tell.
Anyone who's read an actual book can spot these things a mile away. Maybe the people cranking them out don't realize how obvious it is. Hell, maybe they don't read enough real books to know the difference. Or maybe they just don't care.
Either way, they need to label this garbage properly. And don't give me that "but I came up with the story idea" nonsense. You didn't write anything. You just fed prompts into a machine and called yourself an author.
That's not writing. That's not even close.
February 26, 2025
Allow a day for this dark, EXPLICIT steamy adult enemies-to-lovers spy fantasy with betrayal, drugs, ff action, grief, politics, murder, and mystery (definitely not in that order). 4 1/2*.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews