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A Desperate Path: A Romantic Fantasy of Prophesy, Power & Betrayal
*NOW A COMPLETE SERIES*
A King Can Have Anything. Except Her.
Ryo never wanted the crown. Still carrying the wounds of rebellion, he’s struggling to hold a fractured Silvanisi together while battling the creeping certainty that everyone would be better off with someone else on the throne.
Then his soldiers capture Fiona, a spy who is dangerously capable, impossible to intimidate, and very much not on his side.
She should be another threat Ryo can’t afford. Instead, Fiona becomes one of the few people who sees the man beneath the crown.
For Fiona, wanting the king she’s supposed to distrust is an equally terrible idea. She came to Silvanisi with dangerous information, a mission of her own, and one goal she can’t afford to lose sight keeping her brother alive.
But rebellion is spreading, enemies are closing in, and Fiona knows more about Lydia’s disappearance than she’s willing to reveal. With nearly every faction searching for the missing Seer, Ryo needs the intelligence Fiona possesses if he has any hope of holding his kingdom together. Trusting an enemy spy could be reckless. Refusing to trust her could be worse.
For a king raised to sacrifice what he wants for everyone else, choosing duty should be easy.
Unfortunately, Fiona makes him want something for himself.
A Desperate Path is an adult romantic fantasy with forbidden romance, forced proximity, royal court politics, a morally gray spy, slow-burn romance, and open-door spice.
Book 3 of the COMPLETE four-book Senses Series. Must be read in order. Ends on a Cliffhanger.
A King Can Have Anything. Except Her.
Ryo never wanted the crown. Still carrying the wounds of rebellion, he’s struggling to hold a fractured Silvanisi together while battling the creeping certainty that everyone would be better off with someone else on the throne.
Then his soldiers capture Fiona, a spy who is dangerously capable, impossible to intimidate, and very much not on his side.
She should be another threat Ryo can’t afford. Instead, Fiona becomes one of the few people who sees the man beneath the crown.
For Fiona, wanting the king she’s supposed to distrust is an equally terrible idea. She came to Silvanisi with dangerous information, a mission of her own, and one goal she can’t afford to lose sight keeping her brother alive.
But rebellion is spreading, enemies are closing in, and Fiona knows more about Lydia’s disappearance than she’s willing to reveal. With nearly every faction searching for the missing Seer, Ryo needs the intelligence Fiona possesses if he has any hope of holding his kingdom together. Trusting an enemy spy could be reckless. Refusing to trust her could be worse.
For a king raised to sacrifice what he wants for everyone else, choosing duty should be easy.
Unfortunately, Fiona makes him want something for himself.
A Desperate Path is an adult romantic fantasy with forbidden romance, forced proximity, royal court politics, a morally gray spy, slow-burn romance, and open-door spice.
Book 3 of the COMPLETE four-book Senses Series. Must be read in order. Ends on a Cliffhanger.
419 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 6, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 / 5 Stars
This is the third book in the series and dare I say, I think the series keeps getting better and better. This book takes place at the same time as the second book so you get Ryo’s perspective while he tries to figure out what’s happening with Lydia (and you can read book 2 to see that Lydia can take care of herself).
If will probably like this book if you like:
👀 Royal court politics
✨ Magical powers based on the five senses
👀 Prince x Spy
✨ Forbidden love
👀 Forced proximity
✨ An ending with a twist and cliffhanger
Fiona is a badass – I kept reading it and thinking of her as one of Charlie’s Angels. And yet, she has a broken heart from her parents, her upbringing, and her brother, Tiernan (remember that guy from book 1? No spoilers but he is back in this book). And she is stuck in a complicated dynamic but if anyone will figure things out, it is our girl, Fiona.
Ryo grew a lot from book 1. He is dealing with a lot of grief and the pressure of the crown. There is substance abuse in this book so keep that in mind so you can take care of yourself. Deirdre wrote it so you can understand why Ryo and Fiona would fall for each other. Do they make some impulsive choices? Of course. But I love them.
It was great to see Iris and Kira again as well. We, of course, end with a cliffhanger and I am so excited for the last book this summer.
Thank you Deirdre Lyons for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: February 6, 2026
This is the third book in the series and dare I say, I think the series keeps getting better and better. This book takes place at the same time as the second book so you get Ryo’s perspective while he tries to figure out what’s happening with Lydia (and you can read book 2 to see that Lydia can take care of herself).
If will probably like this book if you like:
👀 Royal court politics
✨ Magical powers based on the five senses
👀 Prince x Spy
✨ Forbidden love
👀 Forced proximity
✨ An ending with a twist and cliffhanger
Fiona is a badass – I kept reading it and thinking of her as one of Charlie’s Angels. And yet, she has a broken heart from her parents, her upbringing, and her brother, Tiernan (remember that guy from book 1? No spoilers but he is back in this book). And she is stuck in a complicated dynamic but if anyone will figure things out, it is our girl, Fiona.
Ryo grew a lot from book 1. He is dealing with a lot of grief and the pressure of the crown. There is substance abuse in this book so keep that in mind so you can take care of yourself. Deirdre wrote it so you can understand why Ryo and Fiona would fall for each other. Do they make some impulsive choices? Of course. But I love them.
It was great to see Iris and Kira again as well. We, of course, end with a cliffhanger and I am so excited for the last book this summer.
Thank you Deirdre Lyons for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: February 6, 2026
August 10, 2026
I absolutely loved this book! As the third book in the senses series, it was the perfect balance to see the aftermath of everything that happened at the end of book one. Watching Ryo deal with his grief, betrayal, and the weight of his oath and duty to Silvanisi was something real and raw.
His need for escape was relatable, and his desire to be true to his heart instead of duty to his kingdoms may be the wrong “choice” but one I could get behind.
The sibling dynamic was so good to see and I appreciate the duty Kira and Iris are willing to uphold to support their brother and kingdom.
Lastly, Fiona’s journey in this book was just as profound as Ryo’s. As she tries to save her brother, she must fight with her conflicting obligations and warring emotions for Ryo. Her complex history is slowly revealed and man, is it sad and tragic. She’s the antagonists you love and root for.
Book three of the senses series and an emotional, character driven story which is exactly what was warranted to help move this storyline forward with all its plot twists and turns!
His need for escape was relatable, and his desire to be true to his heart instead of duty to his kingdoms may be the wrong “choice” but one I could get behind.
The sibling dynamic was so good to see and I appreciate the duty Kira and Iris are willing to uphold to support their brother and kingdom.
Lastly, Fiona’s journey in this book was just as profound as Ryo’s. As she tries to save her brother, she must fight with her conflicting obligations and warring emotions for Ryo. Her complex history is slowly revealed and man, is it sad and tragic. She’s the antagonists you love and root for.
Book three of the senses series and an emotional, character driven story which is exactly what was warranted to help move this storyline forward with all its plot twists and turns!
February 7, 2026
This series keeps getting better and better.
Tropes:
Royal court politics
It Magical powers based on the five senses
Prince x Spy
Forbidden love
Forced proximity
An ending with a twist
Cliffhanger
Slow burn
This book takes place at the same time book 2 does but it is Rho’s version. I love the fact that we are getting his perspective. This book was wrote so we can understand why Ryo and Fiona would fall for each.
Tropes:
Royal court politics
It Magical powers based on the five senses
Prince x Spy
Forbidden love
Forced proximity
An ending with a twist
Cliffhanger
Slow burn
This book takes place at the same time book 2 does but it is Rho’s version. I love the fact that we are getting his perspective. This book was wrote so we can understand why Ryo and Fiona would fall for each.
February 6, 2026
This series keeps getting better and better! Part three time-wise runs consecutively with part two but from a different perspective and more insight into the twists and turns of the path, if you will. Fiona is dur à cuire and a new favorite character. This adventure is breathtaking and I cannot wait to see how it all comes together in the final installment. Well deserving of a 5+ star rating!
February 20, 2026
what a series!
The senses series is CRIMINALLY underrated. Not that reviews are negative, but I need more people to discover these books because they are so good and deserve so much hype!
You’ll love them if you like flawed characters, lush world building, epic love and friendship, intense battles, and a series that will keep you guessing! Cannot wait for the next instalment.
The senses series is CRIMINALLY underrated. Not that reviews are negative, but I need more people to discover these books because they are so good and deserve so much hype!
You’ll love them if you like flawed characters, lush world building, epic love and friendship, intense battles, and a series that will keep you guessing! Cannot wait for the next instalment.
February 11, 2026
Another stellar installment of The Senses! This story runs concurrently with book 2 but from Ryo’s perspective - an excellent decision in my opinion. Seeing the same chaos unfolding through the lens of the crown added a different layer to the story.
Ryo himself was a pleasant surprise. If I’m being honest, he kind of came off like a bit of a dirtbag in book 1 (lol), so getting inside his head and watching him struggle with duty and responsibility helped change my view of him. And then there's Fiona, who I absolutely loved - another strong, capable female character, and she felt perfectly matched for Ryo. It was also nice to see the sisters back in book 3. Kudos again to the author for the strong female presence in this series.
In other news, I'm still very much counting down the days until Tiernan finally kicks the bucket. :)
To say I'm looking forward to the final installment is an understatement - I can't wait to see what happens in book 4!
Ryo himself was a pleasant surprise. If I’m being honest, he kind of came off like a bit of a dirtbag in book 1 (lol), so getting inside his head and watching him struggle with duty and responsibility helped change my view of him. And then there's Fiona, who I absolutely loved - another strong, capable female character, and she felt perfectly matched for Ryo. It was also nice to see the sisters back in book 3. Kudos again to the author for the strong female presence in this series.
In other news, I'm still very much counting down the days until Tiernan finally kicks the bucket. :)
To say I'm looking forward to the final installment is an understatement - I can't wait to see what happens in book 4!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Where to start? I initially read as a critique partner but I don't like to review early copies as so much can change afterwards.
I reread it once published and wow, Deirdre knocked it out of the park. I loved Ryo from book one, and had initially hoped he would end up with Lydia but I'm so happy with both of their stories and how they progress. I can't wait for the fourth and final instalment.
I NEED Tiernan to meet a grisly demise!
And I'm really hoping for the lynx cubs to come back together. I need to see them sharing their stories and having their happily ever afters.
I reread it once published and wow, Deirdre knocked it out of the park. I loved Ryo from book one, and had initially hoped he would end up with Lydia but I'm so happy with both of their stories and how they progress. I can't wait for the fourth and final instalment.
I NEED Tiernan to meet a grisly demise!
And I'm really hoping for the lynx cubs to come back together. I need to see them sharing their stories and having their happily ever afters.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews