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Thief. Murderess. Sacrificial messenger.
Netriet has faced death many times but she never consented to the transformation she endured the last time her life was pulled back from the edge of death. She’s compelled to live a solitary life for fear the shadow inside her will terrify others. Lonely, Netriet longs for acceptance and friendship. Joining up with the Fair, a haven for misfits, she believes she’s found home and love with Merick. The ghosts of Merick’s past haunt him. Helplessly attracted to Netriet, he’s sworn to help her destroy the shadow within, but losing his heart to her cripples him with fear. Mistakes and misunderstandings push her away and Merick’s forced to watch her flee into the arms of another man. Torn between two men, Netriet’s true nature is drawn to one, while the shadow yearns for the other. At war with the darkness, Netriet must choose, or let the shadow swallow her completely. The fate of Regia's new republic hangs in the balance as a new enemy arises, backed by a group of violent insurgents bent on destroying everything Forest has worked for. Desperate for intelligence about the terrorist group, Forest learns the leader wants not only to claim the throne, but also her life.

197 pages, Paperback

First published April 13, 2015

60 people are currently reading
515 people want to read

About the author

Tenaya Jayne

17 books697 followers
Reading my bio, huh?
Real life sucks. I bet you feel like that sometimes, maybe even right now. That’s why I write fantasy. I need to escape depression, bitterness, bills, illness…I could go on, but you get it. In the pages of fiction, I can slay the dragons, triumph over the bad guys, be immortal, and never struggle with love handles. For a short time, I can let it all go, and be everything I can’t be in real life. Maybe you’re hurting right now. Maybe you’re in the waiting room of the hospital, or just stuck in traffic. I’ve brought a portal. Come with me…Let’s ditch this crappy popsicle stand and go somewhere great, where we can forget all this, at least for a while.
That’s why I write. I’m not an author, I’m an escape artist.
If you want to come play with me, visit www.tenayajayne.com

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5 stars
187 (45%)
4 stars
131 (32%)
3 stars
69 (16%)
2 stars
19 (4%)
1 star
2 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
Profile Image for Shurrn.
561 reviews902 followers
April 23, 2015
Finding light in the darkness...
The shadow moved under her skin like oil and shoved her forward from within.
This series is a favorite of mine. Long before I became a professional reader, I picked up the Legends of Regia series and fell in love with this High Fantasy/Romance/Action/Adventure story-line.

I've been with it for a few years, anxiously awaiting each new installment. These books are so intricate and detailed, and the characters so complex, that I felt compelled to create a character map in my review of Forest Fire.

There's an entire unique world filled with Vampires, Shape-Shifters, Elves, Werewolves, magic, ghosts, portals, sword-play... So much to get wrapped up in...

Fun Fact: The First book is FREE on Amazon so there's really no excuse not to give this series a try.

Alright, back to the book at hand... The Legends of Regia series spins multiple story-lines with each book, each swirling around a central focus or event. In this book, the spotlight shines on Netriet as the central point of focus:

Netriet
"You brought me back to myself. You saw me, even when I only felt her. You were my anchor. In my darkest moments, it was you that pulled me back.
Poor little Netriet, she has had a hard life over the course of this series and I was thrilled that she had her chance at finding love and contentment after so much pain, suffering, and heartache.

Netriet started out as a Vampire in the Royal Court of Queen Cristiana. She hated the obnoxious queen and began stealing from her for sport. Her thefts eventually landed her on the wrong side of a death-sentence and she was sent off to pay the price of her wrong-doing.

Death would have been a preferable outcome to the fate which awaited her. The mole inside Fortress used Netriet as a sacrificial messenger and sent her to the Werewolf King, Philipe. She was collard - with a particularly inventive and brutal device - she was starved and tortured. She eventually lost her arm to the collar's destructive power.

In a moment of awe-inspiring awesomeness, Netriet killed her captor, Phillipe and plunged to her death down the Eastern Regian Mountains. Well, she wasn't completely dead.

Shi, the Dryad spirit of Wolveswood resurrected Netriet using energy from The Heart of Regia... But The Heart was tainted with an evil force which wove it's way into Netriet.

Now Netriet hides from society and battles split personality...

*deep breath*
I told you, this world is detailed and complex...
And Netriet is only ONE character in a diverse cast!



Anyway... In Book Two, Netriet stumbled into the Fair and caught the eye of Merick. The unassuming Vampire juggler secretly saves Netriet from two Werewolves. In that moment he proved that he was WAY more than he seemed on the surface.

Turns out, Merick is hiding from a tragic past just like Netriet.

Netriet's fragile heart is drawn toward Merick. His nearness makes the darkness in her retreat. Unfortunately, that darkness seems drawn to another male - one infinitely more dangerous.

Even though the primary focus of this book is on Netriet, we still have plenty of catch-up time with Forest & Syrus, plus much more!

Syrus spends his days at Obsidian Mountain training new Masters,
There is a Resistance forming to topple the current government,
The restructuring of Regia continues with Forest at the helm,
We get to spend more time in the Fair (which was lovely),
There is a new threat with a family connection to Forest,
The
Rune-dy remains shifty and unpredictable,
There's spells and portals, and badass new swords...
New characters, and new conflicts...


You know, sometimes it's hard being infatuated with a series without a big fandom...

But in this case, I take pleasure in the fact that I don't have to share my book-boyfriend Syrus with anyone - Well, except for Forest - I encourage you to check out this series for yourself why I'm in love with this badass Vampire.

But be warned, He's MINE! *evil laugh*

Profile Image for Jamie  (The Kansan Reader).
686 reviews105 followers
November 10, 2016
Actual Rating: 3.5 stars
Why would you end it like that?

We get two separate stories rolled into one. On one we have Netriet and Merick. On the other hand we have Forest and the insurgents.

I like the story surrounding Forest. It stays with the other books. I wanted to know more about the insurgents and their leader who happens to call Forest 'little sister'. I wonder what he is.

With Netriet and Merick they get a tricky story. Merick has feelings for Netriet but he can't seem to express them clearly. There wasn't really a love triangle. It's hard to explain due to me not wanting to ruin the entire story line for these two and the other dude.

I'm not a huge fan of Netriet. I just never was. With the shadow in her she seemed more petty to me.

But I am a fan of Forest and Syrus now that Forest got her head out of her a$$. The ending... I have no words. Poor Syrus. I can only imagine what he felt through his bond with Forest. I wonder if he knows about Forest condition? Then again she just found out literally right before the end. Hmmm....

Well on to the next one.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Original post
Will be starting this after my Titanic read. I loathe love triangles yet here I am waltzing into one. The blurb warned me. I must be a masochist.
Profile Image for dumbells.
985 reviews5 followers
August 2, 2020
Profile Image for Quinesia Johnson.
470 reviews1 follower
May 3, 2015
I can't give away the story, but the completion of Netriet is truly great. I also enjoyed hearing more about Copernicus and the fair and Forest's new sword. It was a nice progression in the Regia series.
Profile Image for Caia_In_Wonderland.
1,060 reviews50 followers
July 1, 2019
Netriet is a great character and I love the focus on her and what happened to her. This book also makes clearer the experiments and knowledge of the Runadi, and how that will blow in their faces soon enough. Especially affecting the lives of Forest and Syrius. Very curious to see how that will come to be.
968 reviews2 followers
April 19, 2018
Good

Netriatt is an interesting character, and the fact that Shi saved her, only for the heart to manifest as something evil makes for quite the story. Makes you wonder if it can ever be pure again. And that ending, leaves me with a bad bad feeling.
Profile Image for Deborah Verma.
30 reviews2 followers
January 3, 2018
I really like this author and I am caught up in the story ... I have the whole series now and plan to read straight through!!
468 reviews6 followers
February 2, 2018
Good Read

This series has a well thought out tale spun into it I do enjoy the story and find myself looking forward to the next one.
Profile Image for Jan Hoskins.
207 reviews
February 26, 2018
Amazing!!!

Never fails to keep me enthralled with what is happening in their world. I finish one book only to start the next and I'm loving it. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Clara Harding.
149 reviews1 follower
March 19, 2015
We haven't heard that much about Netriet since the night she ran from Forest when she believed that the shadow within her wanted to hurt her kind saviour. Rather than take the chance she would hurt her she ran, ran far and wide in order to avoid all contact with anyone because she is not only ashamed but scared of who she has become. Living with a slivered shadow of the darkened heart that was placed within her by Shi so that she would live instead of die changed her in ways no one expected and no one could have possibly foreseen, The darkness become almost a life of its own, a personality that is willing to try and take Netriet's body over and push her concious down becoming the one in control, but not everything is that easy. Netriet sacrifices her life for a life of solitude so that the shadow within is unable to get access to other to hurt them but as time has passed maintain that resolve has become harder and harder. Tempting her constantly she relents to a degree and goes in search off a place where she can feel accepted, a place where she could make a home - the last place she felt that way was when she visited The Fair, the place she was given a beautiful shawl that holds nothing but pure memories for her. Arriving at the place where she lost the shawl she realizes that she never really travelled that far from Forest's lands only she is unable to cross into them, the magical barriers that were once in place are now way beyond anything they were before and although she finds comfort in this ass it means the shadows will be unable to hurt Forest, she worries why she would need such high security.

Merick is a man whose life mate and children were brutally murdered by his best friend, he lost everything that night as they burnt to death and he himself was stabbed and left for dead. Only he survived and now lives within The Fair's community. He has met Netriet before but nothing prepares him for the onslaught of feelings he is suddenly in possession of when he sees her. Scared that he is in some way going against his dead wife's memory he does everything he can to fight his feelings for her and she for him but the two have more history than than one of them realizes and a secret that is held could come tumbling out at any moment to ruin the perfectly balanced friendship/relationship they have mastered.

We learn so much about Netriet in this instalment of the series whilst still being enticed, astonished and enchanted by the continuation of Forest and Syrus's main storyline. Regia is far from at peace with much more going on behind the scenes than you could imagine! There are some amazing secrets that are revealed in this instalment that will bowl you over and will shock you to no end - By the end my hands were practically gripped to the edge of my seat!

Forest loses her faithful sword quite early on in the book and she has to go on a quest of her own to create a new one that will become much more powerful and will hold much more than just what it is made from - Magic and not just from one place or from one person! We also learn of a dreaded foe that has Forest in his sights, a man who believes in something that even Forest and Syrus together may struggle to survive, and all who hear his name pale and waver instantly - Copernicus.....

But no one really knows who this Copernicus is just that his reputation proceeds him and that he leaves destruction and fear in his wake. Many believed that he had disappeared but he had been just biding his time and his connections within the book is similar in role to that of a very clever spider, he is everywhere and nowhere - will he be the one foe to crush Forest and Syrus and bring Regia to its knees?

Ending on a classic cliffhanger that is perfectly timed and just at the right moment to annoy you but hold you spellbound in classic Tenaya Jayne style it will have you waiting on pins for the next instalment of the Legends of Regia Novel - One I cannot wait to get my hands on!!

5*****Stars without a doubt!
Profile Image for Tanela.
Author 5 books8 followers
October 15, 2016
Dark Soul did go dark, but not where I thought it would. I was hoping for a more streamline interactions with Forest. I wanted to see Forrest struggle a little more with the moral components of her new job. With that said, the story that was crafted nicely. Especially the Bale/Netrit relationship. That was a surprising way to include Bale, who was horrible and I am glad he got his due in the end. I disliked that man very much, but strong feelings towards a character means a good story. The people of the fair and Cyrus’s appearances made my heart warm and that cliffhanger……… OMG Tenaya Jayne… you are driving me crazy, but I guess it is alright and a smart thing to do. Over all I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the nice one.
Profile Image for SB Morales.
447 reviews87 followers
March 11, 2015
I love this series!! The world Jayne has created is so interesting and intriguing. I appreciate how Jayne doesn't just give me one story in her world. I get to go on adventures with so many characters. Netriet's story is so unique and I can't wait to see what happens to her next! I became obsessed with Forest from the first chapter in the the first book!! Now I'm not only obsessed with her, but the whole world. Forest is an amazing character that I just can't get enough of. I have no idea where Jayne will take us in the next book, but I can't wait to find out!!
Profile Image for Jess.
8 reviews3 followers
May 6, 2016
Wow what an exciting book! Tenaya really is a fantastic author; anybody who enjoys fantasy will enjoy her books!

This is the 4th book in the series, the story bases around Netriet and Merick (don’t worry Forest and Syrus are still heavily in the book) and how they need to overcome the shadow living inside of Netriet before it is to late…..can love save the day?! Or is the darkness to strong?!

Now the ending was a killer! I’m hot-footing for the next book; bring on autumn when it is released!
83 reviews1 follower
November 19, 2018
Never disappointed in Tenaya Jayne. I have been anxiously waiting for Dark Soul since finishing Forest Fire. Loved getting Netriet's story AND Merick's history. My only complaint would be that it was over too quickly...loved the way she left it with Netriet, and the cliff hanger took me well by surprise.
Profile Image for Country Goose.
1,131 reviews12 followers
June 29, 2015
Well.....

It was good... Merrik and Netriet were cute, in a goofy kind of way. The horrible attempt of the love triangle was hollow and not very satisfying. The first two were better.
14 reviews
September 4, 2015
WOW

This rating is greatly deserved. Loved how all characters are put together. There's the height, the downfall, and for some the redemption. Everyone deserves a second chance and I enjoy how these play out. So excited for book 5!!
Profile Image for Melissa Ward.
59 reviews6 followers
May 11, 2016
Captive

The story of Regia and its characters is intriguing as well as fast paced. Nefriet has a journey not unlike our own. She faces her inner demon and through gained confidence, with love of others, is set free. Lovely.
Profile Image for Neelam Khalil .
9 reviews1 follower
May 26, 2020
Picking this series back up, I'm not sure why I even put it down (I forgot how much I loved it!!) I started from Dark Soul because it was the one I couldn't remember properly but I was swept up in Merick straight away (again lol)
Profile Image for Arienne.
70 reviews2 followers
July 1, 2015
I thought this was a good continuance. I wasn't really sure where the story would go after the last, and now there is a new villain. 3.5 :)
Profile Image for Lacey Acree-wilkins.
15 reviews
May 17, 2015
Great book

Great book wish it was longer can't wait to find out what happens next I'm a sucker for sappy endings
Profile Image for L L Smith.
8 reviews
April 20, 2015
Oh my

When is the next book coming out? Oh my I am simple on pins and needles....oh Lord this was the best yet of Regia books...UGH I CANT WAIT!!! Write faster
8 reviews
October 20, 2015
This is so dark, I had to put it down twice, but then I had to read more. Addicting and scary, the perfect mix. Add in an unlikely romance and I was beyond hooked.
Profile Image for Donne.
1,557 reviews102 followers
July 13, 2016
This story about Nettie was not my fave Regia story but it does help move the story/series along.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews

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