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Mirage and Moonfire
Not yet published
Expected 9 Feb 27Even immortal assassins can’t outrun fate.
Lex has spent her life killing for Avalon. As one of Oberon’s most powerful assassins, she is feared for her lethal skill, rare magic, and unwavering loyalty to the King of the Fae. But Avalon has begun to feel less like home and more like a cage, especially now that Oberon’s latest command comes with an expectation Lex has no intention of When her next mission ends, she will return as his queen.
When Oberon sends her beyond Avalon’s borders, Lex sees her first real taste of freedom. Her Enter modern-day Greece, find Zeus, and stop him before he reignites an ancient war that could destroy humanity. But beneath Athens’s sunlit ruins and pulsing nightlife, gods, demons, Fae, and monsters move unseen among ordinary humans. Every lead draws Lex deeper into blood-soaked secrets, a prophecy no one wants to explain, and an uneasy alliance with Nathan, a powerful demon with his own reasons for finding the King of the Gods. Arrogant, dangerous, and impossible to ignore, Nathan infuriates Lex as much as he draws her in—but the closer she gets to him, the harder it becomes to tell desire from trust, truth from another trap, or whether Zeus is the real threat at all.
If Lex wants to survive the war gathering around her, she’ll have to decide whether to become the weapon others want her to be—or walk away from the world that made her one.
Lex has spent her life killing for Avalon. As one of Oberon’s most powerful assassins, she is feared for her lethal skill, rare magic, and unwavering loyalty to the King of the Fae. But Avalon has begun to feel less like home and more like a cage, especially now that Oberon’s latest command comes with an expectation Lex has no intention of When her next mission ends, she will return as his queen.
When Oberon sends her beyond Avalon’s borders, Lex sees her first real taste of freedom. Her Enter modern-day Greece, find Zeus, and stop him before he reignites an ancient war that could destroy humanity. But beneath Athens’s sunlit ruins and pulsing nightlife, gods, demons, Fae, and monsters move unseen among ordinary humans. Every lead draws Lex deeper into blood-soaked secrets, a prophecy no one wants to explain, and an uneasy alliance with Nathan, a powerful demon with his own reasons for finding the King of the Gods. Arrogant, dangerous, and impossible to ignore, Nathan infuriates Lex as much as he draws her in—but the closer she gets to him, the harder it becomes to tell desire from trust, truth from another trap, or whether Zeus is the real threat at all.
If Lex wants to survive the war gathering around her, she’ll have to decide whether to become the weapon others want her to be—or walk away from the world that made her one.
- GenresFantasy
295 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 9, 2027
About the author
Katharine Ann Melton
2 books27 followersI grew up in Northern California and started writing at a young age. I began writing screenplays and poetry, then decided to try my hand at writing my first novel. It took over 20 years to finish and it has gone through so many changes. It is interesting looking back at where it began and how it came to be what it is today. I started writing as a hobby and looked into getting it published. There were many doubts and frustrations, but I am really happy that I actually went through with it. I hope to write multiple books in different genres; at least try.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gods, Demons and Everyone Else’s Agenda
I enjoyed following Lex beyond Avalon’s borders; I was less convinced by everyone’s determination to keep her in the dark.
⭐ 3.5/5
🌶️ 3/5
Mirage and Moonfire by Katharine Ann Melton combines dark fantasy, mystery and a developing romance in modern Greece. This first book in The Moonfire Series follows immortal assassin Lex, primarily through her first-person narration, with third-person scenes revealing things she doesn’t know. Those shifts create useful tension, although I preferred her viewpoint.
Sent from Avalon to find Zeus and prevent a war, she finally has a chance to explore beyond Oberon’s control—with his deeply unwelcome expectation that she’ll return as his queen. Considering he helped raise her, that demand is unsettling, and her difficulty refusing him feels convincing.
Lex’s bluntness, swearing and sarcasm make her entertaining company, although some observations feel repetitive or overly judgemental. Her loneliness and grief made me care about her search for freedom beyond the impressive fighting skills. I wanted her choices to shape events more often; sometimes her resistance felt more verbal than effective while other people determined her path. Some early investigative decisions also seemed unconvincing for an accomplished Sicario, with her reputation doing more work than her actions. This improved as she encountered unfamiliar circumstances, and later limitations addressed my concern that her powers might solve everything too easily.
When Nathan enters the picture, his intimidation initially outweighs his romantic appeal, but their quieter exchanges gradually create chemistry beyond Lex’s descriptions of his appearance. Learning about his past helped me understand why he keeps people at a distance, even when his choices frustrated me. I was happy to let their connection develop gradually across a series, and the tenderness made it feel personal. Physical intimacy developed naturally, with willingness and care clear in those scenes. Outside them, things are more complicated. Attraction remained stronger than trust, and repeated retreats into secrets and conflict weakened my belief in the relationship. I wanted the book to spend more time questioning when protection becomes control.
Trying to untangle everyone’s agendas kept me engaged even when I suspected where the mystery was heading. Seeing clues connect remained satisfying because Lex’s emotional reactions gave the revelations weight. My suspicions about Oberon and Nikolai proved well founded, although I wanted more depth beyond their cruelty. Enough answers arrive to make the remaining questions rewarding; I just occasionally wanted someone to give this woman a straight answer.
As the story gave me more perspectives on the gods, I wasn’t always convinced by how their past behaviour was weighed against the more sympathetic picture being presented. I wanted more room to question their accounts, and some characterisation felt more useful for moving the plot forward than helping me understand the people involved.
Exploring Greece’s streets, bars and nightlife alongside Lex made it easy to understand her excitement about leaving Avalon. Supernatural beings moving through modern surroundings made the setting appealing, though some locations felt more like atmospheric backdrops than places with lives beyond her encounters. The history and politics become increasingly personal, but the atmosphere works better than the mythology. The gods sometimes feel like powerful fantasy characters with familiar names, and I wanted more depth.
With Lex feeling so isolated, I understood why the group’s warmth mattered to her, particularly when Dem made her feel welcome. Her vulnerability mattered more to me than her increasing power. The darker material establishes danger, while action and reflection give confrontations emotional weight. Clear prose and sarcastic humour kept me entertained despite some repetition and unevenness.
By the final pages, I felt there was enough payoff for a first instalment, although both the romance and wider conflict remain unresolved on an emotional cliffhanger. The secrecy frustrated me, some relationship choices didn’t convince me, and I wanted more depth from the world-building. Those reservations kept this at 3.5 stars, but Lex’s struggle for independence and the unfolding mystery kept me invested.
Tropes
Assassin Heroine
Enemies to Lovers
Reluctant Allies
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Prophecy
Secrets and Hidden Agendas
Greek Gods in Modern Greece
Content Warnings
Graphic Violence, Blood, Gore and Body Horror
Death, Murder and Threats of War
Torture, Dismemberment and Genital Mutilation
Sexual Violence, Unwanted Sexual Contact and Threats
Coercive Control, Psychological Abuse and Manipulation
Unwanted Marriage Pressure from a Former Guardian
Abduction, Captivity and Restraints
Strangulation and Choking
Parental Death, Grief, Childhood Trauma and Nightmares
Suicidal Thoughts
Misogyny and Dehumanisation of Sex Workers
I’d recommend this to fantasy romance readers who enjoy an outspoken assassin heroine, dangerous alliances and supernatural intrigue in modern Greece. The secrets and relationship choices sometimes tested my patience, but Lex’s search for freedom kept me invested. Go in expecting dark content and an emotional cliffhanger. I’ll be continuing the series—there’s still plenty I want answers to.
Thank you to Intrepid Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed following Lex beyond Avalon’s borders; I was less convinced by everyone’s determination to keep her in the dark.
⭐ 3.5/5
🌶️ 3/5
Mirage and Moonfire by Katharine Ann Melton combines dark fantasy, mystery and a developing romance in modern Greece. This first book in The Moonfire Series follows immortal assassin Lex, primarily through her first-person narration, with third-person scenes revealing things she doesn’t know. Those shifts create useful tension, although I preferred her viewpoint.
Sent from Avalon to find Zeus and prevent a war, she finally has a chance to explore beyond Oberon’s control—with his deeply unwelcome expectation that she’ll return as his queen. Considering he helped raise her, that demand is unsettling, and her difficulty refusing him feels convincing.
Lex’s bluntness, swearing and sarcasm make her entertaining company, although some observations feel repetitive or overly judgemental. Her loneliness and grief made me care about her search for freedom beyond the impressive fighting skills. I wanted her choices to shape events more often; sometimes her resistance felt more verbal than effective while other people determined her path. Some early investigative decisions also seemed unconvincing for an accomplished Sicario, with her reputation doing more work than her actions. This improved as she encountered unfamiliar circumstances, and later limitations addressed my concern that her powers might solve everything too easily.
When Nathan enters the picture, his intimidation initially outweighs his romantic appeal, but their quieter exchanges gradually create chemistry beyond Lex’s descriptions of his appearance. Learning about his past helped me understand why he keeps people at a distance, even when his choices frustrated me. I was happy to let their connection develop gradually across a series, and the tenderness made it feel personal. Physical intimacy developed naturally, with willingness and care clear in those scenes. Outside them, things are more complicated. Attraction remained stronger than trust, and repeated retreats into secrets and conflict weakened my belief in the relationship. I wanted the book to spend more time questioning when protection becomes control.
Trying to untangle everyone’s agendas kept me engaged even when I suspected where the mystery was heading. Seeing clues connect remained satisfying because Lex’s emotional reactions gave the revelations weight. My suspicions about Oberon and Nikolai proved well founded, although I wanted more depth beyond their cruelty. Enough answers arrive to make the remaining questions rewarding; I just occasionally wanted someone to give this woman a straight answer.
As the story gave me more perspectives on the gods, I wasn’t always convinced by how their past behaviour was weighed against the more sympathetic picture being presented. I wanted more room to question their accounts, and some characterisation felt more useful for moving the plot forward than helping me understand the people involved.
Exploring Greece’s streets, bars and nightlife alongside Lex made it easy to understand her excitement about leaving Avalon. Supernatural beings moving through modern surroundings made the setting appealing, though some locations felt more like atmospheric backdrops than places with lives beyond her encounters. The history and politics become increasingly personal, but the atmosphere works better than the mythology. The gods sometimes feel like powerful fantasy characters with familiar names, and I wanted more depth.
With Lex feeling so isolated, I understood why the group’s warmth mattered to her, particularly when Dem made her feel welcome. Her vulnerability mattered more to me than her increasing power. The darker material establishes danger, while action and reflection give confrontations emotional weight. Clear prose and sarcastic humour kept me entertained despite some repetition and unevenness.
By the final pages, I felt there was enough payoff for a first instalment, although both the romance and wider conflict remain unresolved on an emotional cliffhanger. The secrecy frustrated me, some relationship choices didn’t convince me, and I wanted more depth from the world-building. Those reservations kept this at 3.5 stars, but Lex’s struggle for independence and the unfolding mystery kept me invested.
Tropes
Assassin Heroine
Enemies to Lovers
Reluctant Allies
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Prophecy
Secrets and Hidden Agendas
Greek Gods in Modern Greece
Content Warnings
Graphic Violence, Blood, Gore and Body Horror
Death, Murder and Threats of War
Torture, Dismemberment and Genital Mutilation
Sexual Violence, Unwanted Sexual Contact and Threats
Coercive Control, Psychological Abuse and Manipulation
Unwanted Marriage Pressure from a Former Guardian
Abduction, Captivity and Restraints
Strangulation and Choking
Parental Death, Grief, Childhood Trauma and Nightmares
Suicidal Thoughts
Misogyny and Dehumanisation of Sex Workers
I’d recommend this to fantasy romance readers who enjoy an outspoken assassin heroine, dangerous alliances and supernatural intrigue in modern Greece. The secrets and relationship choices sometimes tested my patience, but Lex’s search for freedom kept me invested. Go in expecting dark content and an emotional cliffhanger. I’ll be continuing the series—there’s still plenty I want answers to.
Thank you to Intrepid Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
With its intriguing premise, this book is sure to appeal to those who like a modern-day take on mythology. Set in modern-day Greece and featuring demons, fae, Greek gods and monsters, the novel explores the power dynamics between these groups.
The protagonist, Lex, is a Fae assassin from the realm of Avalon. Her latest mission is to find Zeus in modern-day Athens and prevent him from reigniting an ancient war that could destroy humanity. She is strong, stubborn and highly capable.
She soon finds herself engrossed in the human world, forming an unlikely alliance with the demon Nathan in the process.
While the relationship dynamics are entertaining and fun, I didn't find them entirely realistic.
Both the world-building and the magic system show promise, but they aren't fully developed. There's clearly scope for more, here, and I’m excited to see where the second book will take us.
However, the pacing is slightly off, feeling somewhat artificial and too convenient in places. For me, the pace only really picked up around a third of the way through the book. On a positive note, there are plenty of action scenes and descriptive fight sequences, which I like. Paired with the political aspect, these give the story very high stakes. The ending is quite abrupt, though, leaving you wondering how the story will unfold.
Nevertheless, it's an entertaining read with lots of cool, strong characters. If you’re a fan of urban fantasy settings with nods to Greek mythology, I’d recommend giving it a shot. Three stars overall!
The protagonist, Lex, is a Fae assassin from the realm of Avalon. Her latest mission is to find Zeus in modern-day Athens and prevent him from reigniting an ancient war that could destroy humanity. She is strong, stubborn and highly capable.
She soon finds herself engrossed in the human world, forming an unlikely alliance with the demon Nathan in the process.
While the relationship dynamics are entertaining and fun, I didn't find them entirely realistic.
Both the world-building and the magic system show promise, but they aren't fully developed. There's clearly scope for more, here, and I’m excited to see where the second book will take us.
However, the pacing is slightly off, feeling somewhat artificial and too convenient in places. For me, the pace only really picked up around a third of the way through the book. On a positive note, there are plenty of action scenes and descriptive fight sequences, which I like. Paired with the political aspect, these give the story very high stakes. The ending is quite abrupt, though, leaving you wondering how the story will unfold.
Nevertheless, it's an entertaining read with lots of cool, strong characters. If you’re a fan of urban fantasy settings with nods to Greek mythology, I’d recommend giving it a shot. Three stars overall!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for providing access to an e-ARC! All opinions in this review are my own.
Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. I started off with an open mind but did not enjoy the writing style from the very beginning. I have read plenty of books with descriptive writing, but in my opinion, this author takes it a bit far with the descriptions. I do not need every move of a fight scene explained. I think this book could have benefited from some stricter editing. I kept reading because the premise sounds interesting, and the writing did eventually grow on me, but then the plot wasn’t moving as fast as I would have liked. I also did not have any connection with the main character. With all of that being said, I did not complete this novel.
I really wanted to like this, and I think if I had connected with Lex more, I would have kept on reading to find out what happened to her. I am still interested in learning about her past and in finding out how the book ends, but it was not compelling enough for me to continue to read through long descriptions of violence and characters I did not care about.
I would not discourage someone who finds the description interesting from picking this up. It just did not work for me and that’s okay. If you are looking a fantasy read that reads as more of an action novel than fantasy, I would recommend checking this out.
Unfortunately, this one was a miss for me. I started off with an open mind but did not enjoy the writing style from the very beginning. I have read plenty of books with descriptive writing, but in my opinion, this author takes it a bit far with the descriptions. I do not need every move of a fight scene explained. I think this book could have benefited from some stricter editing. I kept reading because the premise sounds interesting, and the writing did eventually grow on me, but then the plot wasn’t moving as fast as I would have liked. I also did not have any connection with the main character. With all of that being said, I did not complete this novel.
I really wanted to like this, and I think if I had connected with Lex more, I would have kept on reading to find out what happened to her. I am still interested in learning about her past and in finding out how the book ends, but it was not compelling enough for me to continue to read through long descriptions of violence and characters I did not care about.
I would not discourage someone who finds the description interesting from picking this up. It just did not work for me and that’s okay. If you are looking a fantasy read that reads as more of an action novel than fantasy, I would recommend checking this out.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was so fun! It was a captivating mix of urban fantasy and ancient mythology that kept me entertained and engaged!
Let me start with the world building because that was one of my favorite parts. It is incredibly rich and immersive, blending elements of Avalon (fae realm- the golden cage), demons & Greek gods into a seamless, high stakes urban fantasy. The magic system was so unique the way it blended hereditary fae power + demonic energy + ancient divine traits.
Also, this was enemies to lovers done right. Lex and Nathan's immediate mutual distrust made the slow burn BURNNN and build so naturally into well earned intense romantic intimacy. It also worked so well with the plot which I appreciated immensely.
The narrative did slow down slightly for me in the middle, where the pacing felt a bit drawn out as the plot pieces were being set up for the final conflict (I usually give this some grace for a book 1 of a series). With that being said though, the explosive momentum and gripping tension of the final act completely made up for it, leaving me incredibly eager to see where the author takes this series next!
Thank you to NetGalley & the author, Katharine Ann Melton, for the ARC!
Let me start with the world building because that was one of my favorite parts. It is incredibly rich and immersive, blending elements of Avalon (fae realm- the golden cage), demons & Greek gods into a seamless, high stakes urban fantasy. The magic system was so unique the way it blended hereditary fae power + demonic energy + ancient divine traits.
Also, this was enemies to lovers done right. Lex and Nathan's immediate mutual distrust made the slow burn BURNNN and build so naturally into well earned intense romantic intimacy. It also worked so well with the plot which I appreciated immensely.
The narrative did slow down slightly for me in the middle, where the pacing felt a bit drawn out as the plot pieces were being set up for the final conflict (I usually give this some grace for a book 1 of a series). With that being said though, the explosive momentum and gripping tension of the final act completely made up for it, leaving me incredibly eager to see where the author takes this series next!
Thank you to NetGalley & the author, Katharine Ann Melton, for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was drawn to Lex’s struggle for freedom from the very beginning. As a powerful Fae assassin expected to become Oberon’s queen, she has every reason to question the life chosen for her. I loved her sarcastic attitude, fierce independence, and the vulnerability hidden beneath her deadly reputation. Exploring modern Greece alongside her, with its gods, demons, and supernatural secrets, made the mystery even more intriguing. Nathan was a complicated addition, and although I enjoyed their growing chemistry, I sometimes struggled to believe in their connection when trust remained so fragile. I also wanted more depth from the mythology and fewer frustrating secrets keeping Lex in the dark. Still, the unfolding revelations, found family moments, and emotional stakes kept me invested. The ending leaves plenty unresolved, and I need answers about the characters and their tangled agendas.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Set in Greece, the home of the gods, this story brings together an interesting mix of mythology, demons, shapeshifters and Fae. The storyline is a good one, and the characters, particularly Lex, are well described and interesting. There are some exciting moments that made me want to keep reading and discover what would happen next.
However, I found the pacing a little slow in places. There was quite a lot of description devoted to clothing that I felt wasn't always necessary, and some of the fighting scenes went into such detail about individual blows and kicks that they began to feel drawn out.
Overall, this wasn't the best book I've read, but it certainly wasn't the worst. The concept was intriguing, and there was enough to keep me interested, although a tighter pace and less detailed description would have improved my reading experience. Having read part of the preview of the second book, I'm curious to see how the story develops.
However, I found the pacing a little slow in places. There was quite a lot of description devoted to clothing that I felt wasn't always necessary, and some of the fighting scenes went into such detail about individual blows and kicks that they began to feel drawn out.
Overall, this wasn't the best book I've read, but it certainly wasn't the worst. The concept was intriguing, and there was enough to keep me interested, although a tighter pace and less detailed description would have improved my reading experience. Having read part of the preview of the second book, I'm curious to see how the story develops.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The plot was really good, and I loved how well-developed the characters were! There was so much potential in this story, and I was genuinely interested in seeing how everything would unfold.
That said, some parts felt a little rushed. There were moments when the story seemed to jump from one event to another without quite enough explanation or transition, which made the pacing feel a bit choppy at times. A few things also felt a little underdeveloped, and I would have loved to see certain plot points explored in more depth rather than moving on so quickly.
Despite that, I really enjoyed the overall storyline and thought the characters were a strong point. I just wish the story had taken a little more time to let everything unfold naturally. I think that would have made an already interesting plot even more impactful!
Overall, an enjoyable read with a great plot and well-written characters, even if the pacing could have been a bit smoother.
That said, some parts felt a little rushed. There were moments when the story seemed to jump from one event to another without quite enough explanation or transition, which made the pacing feel a bit choppy at times. A few things also felt a little underdeveloped, and I would have loved to see certain plot points explored in more depth rather than moving on so quickly.
Despite that, I really enjoyed the overall storyline and thought the characters were a strong point. I just wish the story had taken a little more time to let everything unfold naturally. I think that would have made an already interesting plot even more impactful!
Overall, an enjoyable read with a great plot and well-written characters, even if the pacing could have been a bit smoother.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews