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Of Nettle, Sorrel, and Elm: A War of Life and Death Book 1
Trigger Explicit Sex Scenes, Masturbation, Death of a Loved One, Murder, Described Blood, Graphic Violence.
Stuck in Eukaryote, a quarter exclusively for humans. Walled off from the rest of the world, lives Lanira. Destined to an eternity she dreads. One in which the wielders of life magic control where all the other magic wielders live and can go. The humans are banned from ever leaving their quarter, but Lanira dreams of more, something that can reshape the politics of Magia.
300 years before she was born, the entire structure of her world emerged from the ashes of the War of Life and Death. Life magic reigns supreme and death magic is nearly a distant memory. The practice outlawed in all but one quarter.
Lanira knows anyone caught practicing death magic can be arrested and taken by the Radiant guards. Unfortunately for her, she sees the dead in her dreams every night.
Join Lanira on her journey across the entire world, to uncover her true self, where the dead hold the key to forgotten truths. Lanira will forge unbreakable bonds, and find herself drawn to ill-fated love that ignites a romance that may doom them all.
Stuck in Eukaryote, a quarter exclusively for humans. Walled off from the rest of the world, lives Lanira. Destined to an eternity she dreads. One in which the wielders of life magic control where all the other magic wielders live and can go. The humans are banned from ever leaving their quarter, but Lanira dreams of more, something that can reshape the politics of Magia.
300 years before she was born, the entire structure of her world emerged from the ashes of the War of Life and Death. Life magic reigns supreme and death magic is nearly a distant memory. The practice outlawed in all but one quarter.
Lanira knows anyone caught practicing death magic can be arrested and taken by the Radiant guards. Unfortunately for her, she sees the dead in her dreams every night.
Join Lanira on her journey across the entire world, to uncover her true self, where the dead hold the key to forgotten truths. Lanira will forge unbreakable bonds, and find herself drawn to ill-fated love that ignites a romance that may doom them all.
438 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2025
16 people are currently reading
366 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 5, 2025
A real page turner! As a fan of Romantasy novels, I can't wait for the second one to come!
July 9, 2025
This book was incredibly interesting and I looked forward to continuing to the next chapter. The vibes were spooky, which is what initially drew me into the book.
What I liked most was the MFC, particularly her character growth. She starts off as someone who denies and/or avoids the truth and critical conversations with others, but then challenges herself to have tough conversations and face the truth, even if discomforting. I also loved how different she was when compared to other MFCs in this genre. Specifically, she is not timid or shy when it comes to her romantic interest and sexuality. It was rather refreshing to read about a woman who was not scared to take chances and be the one to make the first, rather bold move. I did find the MFC a bit immature at times, but that is to be expected for a fresh 21-year-old who has been sheltered her whole life. The immature parts were small and did not overtake the book. I also enjoyed that she was thoughtful about her behaviors, particularly in reaction to her emotions. This showed more maturity when compared to some of the immaturity she displayed. Further, I liked that the MFC understood humans were complex and came with a history of trauma, leading to her being able to have empathy and forgiveness towards others, such as her mother and the MMC.
The combination of the world and magic were unique. Although the plot and politics were quite tropey (poor human girl who really is very magical and will save the world), I loved it. I am a big fan of fated mates (one of my favorite tropes), especially opposites who balance each other, and this book delivered that!
Further, I really enjoyed the MMC. He also had amazing character growth, which was a slow burn. He did not just immediately abandon his whole world view because of the MFC. Rather, he had to be challenged and exposed to the truth numerous times to slowly shift his way of thinking. This approach was also refreshing.
My biggest critique: When reading other’s review’s of books, I truly never agreed with comments that the writing was poor, of the timing/pace of things was off, or the author told and did not show. I am not picky about writing style and do not tend to notice those things. However, for this book, it stuck out. My guess, and when I look I think I am correct, this was the author’s first novel.
-The timing/pacing was super awkward. One sentence would end and the next would say “two weeks later.” I would question if I was reading that correctly… how did she go from getting off her horse to two weeks later? The scenarios would end abruptly and time would just jump. This happened throughout the whole book and often.
-There was a bunch of telling and less showing. There was a lot that was shown, but a good chunk of the story was telling. Many paragraphs would state this happened, and then that happened, and then this happened.
-The language used to write the story was more immature than what I am used to. Things like, “he would be balls deep inside me.” I had to remind myself I was not reading a young adult novel, as the violence and sexual content of the book was for adults.
-Many characters were aged at over one hundred to several hundred years old, but written like teenagers.
Despite my critiques, I liked the story. However, I am not sure that I plan to pick up the next book. If the next book came with better editing and advancement with the writing, I would definitely read the next.
What I liked most was the MFC, particularly her character growth. She starts off as someone who denies and/or avoids the truth and critical conversations with others, but then challenges herself to have tough conversations and face the truth, even if discomforting. I also loved how different she was when compared to other MFCs in this genre. Specifically, she is not timid or shy when it comes to her romantic interest and sexuality. It was rather refreshing to read about a woman who was not scared to take chances and be the one to make the first, rather bold move. I did find the MFC a bit immature at times, but that is to be expected for a fresh 21-year-old who has been sheltered her whole life. The immature parts were small and did not overtake the book. I also enjoyed that she was thoughtful about her behaviors, particularly in reaction to her emotions. This showed more maturity when compared to some of the immaturity she displayed. Further, I liked that the MFC understood humans were complex and came with a history of trauma, leading to her being able to have empathy and forgiveness towards others, such as her mother and the MMC.
The combination of the world and magic were unique. Although the plot and politics were quite tropey (poor human girl who really is very magical and will save the world), I loved it. I am a big fan of fated mates (one of my favorite tropes), especially opposites who balance each other, and this book delivered that!
Further, I really enjoyed the MMC. He also had amazing character growth, which was a slow burn. He did not just immediately abandon his whole world view because of the MFC. Rather, he had to be challenged and exposed to the truth numerous times to slowly shift his way of thinking. This approach was also refreshing.
My biggest critique: When reading other’s review’s of books, I truly never agreed with comments that the writing was poor, of the timing/pace of things was off, or the author told and did not show. I am not picky about writing style and do not tend to notice those things. However, for this book, it stuck out. My guess, and when I look I think I am correct, this was the author’s first novel.
-The timing/pacing was super awkward. One sentence would end and the next would say “two weeks later.” I would question if I was reading that correctly… how did she go from getting off her horse to two weeks later? The scenarios would end abruptly and time would just jump. This happened throughout the whole book and often.
-There was a bunch of telling and less showing. There was a lot that was shown, but a good chunk of the story was telling. Many paragraphs would state this happened, and then that happened, and then this happened.
-The language used to write the story was more immature than what I am used to. Things like, “he would be balls deep inside me.” I had to remind myself I was not reading a young adult novel, as the violence and sexual content of the book was for adults.
-Many characters were aged at over one hundred to several hundred years old, but written like teenagers.
Despite my critiques, I liked the story. However, I am not sure that I plan to pick up the next book. If the next book came with better editing and advancement with the writing, I would definitely read the next.
March 30, 2025
First off, I loved the story and I loooved Nik and his dirty talk. 🥵
Now the writing wasn’t the greatest and the transitions from one spot to another wasn’t smooth. It was almost jumpy or skipping like a CD would, you could still understand it but it just wasn’t smooth. It didn’t take away from the story but I could understand where someone a little more critical would hate to read this. But I’m a vibe girly and this book hooked me! I can’t wait for the second one!!
Now the writing wasn’t the greatest and the transitions from one spot to another wasn’t smooth. It was almost jumpy or skipping like a CD would, you could still understand it but it just wasn’t smooth. It didn’t take away from the story but I could understand where someone a little more critical would hate to read this. But I’m a vibe girly and this book hooked me! I can’t wait for the second one!!
July 17, 2025
I could not put this book down! I stayed up waaayyyy too late for several nights in a row reading it. I loved the spooky vibes, I was obsessed with all the characters. Especially Nira, and Nik! I cannot wait for book number two!
I actually really enjoyed the writing style and pacing. I honestly can’t believe this book doesn’t have more reviews. Please read this book!
I actually really enjoyed the writing style and pacing. I honestly can’t believe this book doesn’t have more reviews. Please read this book!
September 2, 2025
This book was so dang good. It made me feel so many feels, and I could not put it down. I just kept telling myself, "one more chapter." And I don't often feel that way about books. I was never bored, and never wanted it to end. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I am super excited for the next book.
February 18, 2025
I loved this book and can’t wait for the next one!
March 21, 2025
I seriously loved this book! From start to finish, I was hooked and couldn’t put it down.
March 29, 2025
This is such a great escapism book with so much depth and emotion. My mind is already turning about the possibilities to come in the story of Lanira. A must-read.
March 30, 2025
I read this book in one day! It was that good. I can’t wait for book #2.
April 4, 2025
This book was unputdownable! I loved the world building, and can’t stop thinking about the characters. Lanira and Nik are one of my new favorite book couples!
April 5, 2025
Sorry! Dnf at 26% Nice story for the younger ones, but not for me.
June 16, 2025
Not sure how this book hasn’t blown up yet. So good!
March 30, 2025
I couldn’t get into this book.
Sounds like an awesome plot line but I couldn’t get into the reading style.
It felt very “than this happened, than this” just wasn’t smooth enough to really get into.
Sounds like an awesome plot line but I couldn’t get into the reading style.
It felt very “than this happened, than this” just wasn’t smooth enough to really get into.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews