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The Waif of the Sphinx
Some doors should never be opened. Some prisoners should never be freed.
In the hidden borough of Little Avalon, Merritt Vale has learned that family isn't always blood. Sometimes it's the silver-furred echinemon who saved your life, the magical children you're raising, and the community of creatures who've become your world.
When an impossible rescue leads to an ancient awakening, everything begins to unravel.
The echinemons harbor a secret someone will kill to possess. Their sanctuary becomes a battleground between old kings and new queens. In the shadows, something watches, waits, and whispers promises of power to those desperate enough to listen.
Night by night, the attacks grow closer. Each incident more brazen than the last, as if something is testing the boundaries of Merritt's protection.
The echinemons speak of a weapon forged in darkness, a blade that once brought down the mother of all dragons. Now someone seeks to forge it again, and they'll need echinemon magic to do it.
In a world where shapeshifters walk among them and portal magic can breach any defense, how can Merritt protect those she loves when she can't even trust her own eyes?
Can she stop an ancient evil from claiming its prize? Or will the very act of protecting her family be what destroys them all? Pick up this exciting eighth installment of the Merlin's Waif series today!
In the hidden borough of Little Avalon, Merritt Vale has learned that family isn't always blood. Sometimes it's the silver-furred echinemon who saved your life, the magical children you're raising, and the community of creatures who've become your world.
When an impossible rescue leads to an ancient awakening, everything begins to unravel.
The echinemons harbor a secret someone will kill to possess. Their sanctuary becomes a battleground between old kings and new queens. In the shadows, something watches, waits, and whispers promises of power to those desperate enough to listen.
Night by night, the attacks grow closer. Each incident more brazen than the last, as if something is testing the boundaries of Merritt's protection.
The echinemons speak of a weapon forged in darkness, a blade that once brought down the mother of all dragons. Now someone seeks to forge it again, and they'll need echinemon magic to do it.
In a world where shapeshifters walk among them and portal magic can breach any defense, how can Merritt protect those she loves when she can't even trust her own eyes?
Can she stop an ancient evil from claiming its prize? Or will the very act of protecting her family be what destroys them all? Pick up this exciting eighth installment of the Merlin's Waif series today!
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 7, 2025
99 people are currently reading
6 people want to read
About the author
Renée Jaggér
82 books67 followersA long time ago I was born in Los Angeles. That's where I spent many of my formative years. After I became an adult, I moved around for a bit before ending up in a small town in Oregon, very similar to Bailey's hometown. Greenhearth is fake, if you haven't already Googled that, but it's like many small towns with less than 1,000 people.
My pets...
I love animals, especially my two even if they do create havoc in my daily life. I have a cat, named Snowstorm, Storm for short. Then I have a rescue, Josephine. She's a Labradoodle - I think. It's hard to say but it's the best I can come up with.
What I'm working on...
I'm already working on the next book in the series - was working on it before Bad Attitude came back from editing. And now that it has released, need to stay on track with A Bit Aggressive.
For the latest and greatest about me and what I'm working on, check out my website: reneejagger dot com
My pets...
I love animals, especially my two even if they do create havoc in my daily life. I have a cat, named Snowstorm, Storm for short. Then I have a rescue, Josephine. She's a Labradoodle - I think. It's hard to say but it's the best I can come up with.
What I'm working on...
I'm already working on the next book in the series - was working on it before Bad Attitude came back from editing. And now that it has released, need to stay on track with A Bit Aggressive.
For the latest and greatest about me and what I'm working on, check out my website: reneejagger dot com
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 21, 2025
Blast!!! I read too fast!!
I have to hold off reading the next book in each of Renee's series. I become so engrossed that I forget to eat, which only makes the books fly by faster. For instance, the main characters are getting ready for a major battle, Val is firing up her war hammer, Shadow has morphed into his huge red fighting bear, Merritt has changed into the 15-foot Leslbolg warrior fighting tree, and Tetra raises her T-shirt and scratches her belly. Gotta love the irreverent humor.
I have to hold off reading the next book in each of Renee's series. I become so engrossed that I forget to eat, which only makes the books fly by faster. For instance, the main characters are getting ready for a major battle, Val is firing up her war hammer, Shadow has morphed into his huge red fighting bear, Merritt has changed into the 15-foot Leslbolg warrior fighting tree, and Tetra raises her T-shirt and scratches her belly. Gotta love the irreverent humor.
November 16, 2025
Loving this series
Merritt and her children are getting their new home ready to move into when danger strikes from two sides. An evil dragon is using dark magic to try and destroy everything in her path, and a vampire mob is trying to take down Merritt's friend Damian and his family. Once again another excellent story that deserves 10 stars and leaves me impatiently waiting for the next book.
Merritt and her children are getting their new home ready to move into when danger strikes from two sides. An evil dragon is using dark magic to try and destroy everything in her path, and a vampire mob is trying to take down Merritt's friend Damian and his family. Once again another excellent story that deserves 10 stars and leaves me impatiently waiting for the next book.
November 14, 2025
Another excellent read
This series is going really well. I love the characters and the storyline so far. I cannot wait for the next book and of course I really appreciate the character development of Merritt as the series continues. It’s a must read if you like books with kickass heroines with depth.
This series is going really well. I love the characters and the storyline so far. I cannot wait for the next book and of course I really appreciate the character development of Merritt as the series continues. It’s a must read if you like books with kickass heroines with depth.
November 10, 2025
Great addition
I loved the way the story blends all three series together as I loved all three. Reading the growth of Merit and her friends to protect the World and each other is exciting.
I loved the way the story blends all three series together as I loved all three. Reading the growth of Merit and her friends to protect the World and each other is exciting.
December 14, 2025
good
I love all of the characters in these books. The FMC has definitely come far from the first book in this series. There was definitely a lot of action in this book and I can’t wait to read the last book in the series.
I love all of the characters in these books. The FMC has definitely come far from the first book in this series. There was definitely a lot of action in this book and I can’t wait to read the last book in the series.
November 18, 2025
The Waif of the Sphinx
Once again the story was exciting, full of laughter and love. The community helps each other. I can’t wait to read the final book in the series.
Once again the story was exciting, full of laughter and love. The community helps each other. I can’t wait to read the final book in the series.
November 19, 2025
Merci and the gang continue to fight the bad guys. A few new twists are revealed. More involvement with the children ("Sprouts") in this one.
December 2, 2025
The echimenons need to work with the OPNM
Damian needs help to defeat the vampire gangs. Merit finally moves into her new home. The warped dragons are still a danger.
Damian needs help to defeat the vampire gangs. Merit finally moves into her new home. The warped dragons are still a danger.
November 24, 2025
I love this series!
I started with this author in Julie’s series and followed with Val’s series. I am excited to read the finale!
I started with this author in Julie’s series and followed with Val’s series. I am excited to read the finale!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews