4.25stars-
MIRROR OF LIES is the second instalment in Nina Croft’s contemporary, new adult LUCIFER’S MIRROR paranormal, fantasy romance series focusing on nineteen year old Amber, and wolf shifter Khaosti aka Khaos. MIRROR OF LIES should not be read as a stand alone as it picks up after the events and cliff hanger of book one LUCIFER’S MIRROR. If you have not read Lucifer’s Mirror , there may be spoilers in my review.
SOME BACKGROUND: Three years earlier our heroine was found injured without a memory of who she was, or where she came from. Tossed into the child welfare system, Amber went from home to home where she would meet her best friend Zayne, and eight year old Josh until the night everything begins to spiral out of control.
NOTE: If you have not read book one LUCIFER'S MIRROR, there may be spoilers in in my review
Told from dual first person perspectives (Amberr and Khaosti) MIRROR OF LIES focuses on rescue and recovery of Khaosti following his imprisonment by his father, Khronus, the King of Astrali but his rescue is just the impetuous for our heroine to claim her birthright and prepare for war. Amber is the only being with the knowledge as where to find Lucifer’s Mirror, a magical portal that must remain closed lest Lucifer himself escapes from H*ll but the deeper Amber begins to search for the truth, the number of betrayals grows with each level of discovery and acquisition of her previously hidden powers.
The world building continues to be complex and detailed as Khaosti’s own dysfunctional family history plays into the impeding wars. As Amber struggles with the secrets that could very well destroy everyone she loves, Khaos must come to terms with what he lost, and what he will gain in the process.
The relationship between Khaos and Amber is an enemies to frenemies to lovers but there is more than one man willing to sacrifice himself for the love of our heroine. Destiny has determined the descendant of the goddess Selene is a bonded mate to the man who will be bestowed the powers of the Vortex but is Khaosti the man blessed by the gods. The $ex scenes are passionate without the use of over the top, sexually graphic language and text.
Once again, there is a large ensemble cast of colorful, magical and questionable secondary and supporting characters including Amber’s BFF Zayne who is now a power unto himself; Hecate, the old crone, Thanouq the Griffin, and Khaosti’s father Khronus, as well as Lucifer, and Grimlet the gargoyle. The requisite evil has many faces.
MIRROR OF LIES is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, magic and power, family and deception, acceptance and love. The premise is action packed, intricate and enchanting; the characters are numerous, otherworldly and mythical. MIRROR OF LIES ends on a cliff hanger-you have been warned
copy supplied for review