What do you think?
Rate this book
Amendyr #4
The Mirror's Gaze
In the final sequel of the Amendyr series civil war has broken out in Amendyr. With undead monsters ravaging the land, an evil queen on Kalmarin’s white throne, and the kingdom’s true heir missing, Cathelin Raybrook and Ailynn Gothel must join forces to protect their homeland. They hope to gain the aid of the Liarre, a reclusive community of magical creatures, but some of their leaders are reluctant to join a war that isn’t theirs. Meanwhile, Lady Eleanor of Baxstresse thinks she’s safe across the border in Seria, but when a mysterious girl in white arrives in an abandoned carriage, she finds herself drawn into the conflict as well. Together, they must find the source of the evil queen’s power, and discover a way to destroy it before it’s too late.
246 pages, Paperback
First published August 20, 2016
12 people are currently reading
120 people want to read
About the author
Rae D. Magdon
28 books281 followersRae D. Magdon is an author of queer lesbian fiction. Her stories celebrate lesbian, bisexual, queer, and trans women falling in love, and she cares deeply about including characters of color in her work. In addition to publishing novels about all kinds of women and their adventures, she has an extensive fanfiction collection available for free online.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 17, 2024
5 stars. People stopped at book one as they got turned off from this series and that's really a shame. This series is definitely worth the read. I honestly didn't think I was going to become so obsessed with these books the way that I did. Especially these last two. Each book gets better and better. I absolutely loved this conclusion. We get all of the characters teaming up to take down Luciana and Mother Gothel and it was such a wild ride. Action packed and yet still sexy. I couldn't get enough. This world is so intriguing and I wish there were more books because I don't want to let these characters go but they all got beautiful and hard fought HEA's. I can definitely see myself rereading these again because I had such a wonderful time with them.
June 10, 2019
If you thought Lord of the Rings needed way more cuddling, then get this book!
I've never read a story, where the heros needed constant reassurance from their friends, and lovers. Every time something remotely bad happened, there would always be a round of hugs, kisses, and shoulder strokes to calm each other down. If the development was particularly disturbing, the hero's lover would take them aside, and give them special one on one time. Very graphic special one on one time. I like a little romance in my stories, as much as the next person, but the romantic subplots quickly rose to the level of distraction, in this book.
There were a lot of story choices that the author made that didn't make sense to me, as well. Like splitting the friends up, then sending all of the narrator characters with one group. Giving the reader three points of view on the same events, while, leaving us in the dark with other group. Also inconsistent character building. Ailynn spent most of the book brooding over misplaced guilt, vowing a scared duty, to kill her mother, beause some how, her mother's evil was her fault. However when given an opportunity to fulfill her duty, Ailynn threw a tantrum, because she rather stay and protect her wife, who was staying with relative safety, of the rebal army. An understandable move, but it wasn't consistent with antsy brooding hero vibe she seemed to have. Under the circumstances Ailynn's fit almost felt cowardly.
The book did finish strong. The hero's all faced their respective foes in tense action pasked show downs, that had me on the edge of my seat. However this book could have easily been better
I've never read a story, where the heros needed constant reassurance from their friends, and lovers. Every time something remotely bad happened, there would always be a round of hugs, kisses, and shoulder strokes to calm each other down. If the development was particularly disturbing, the hero's lover would take them aside, and give them special one on one time. Very graphic special one on one time. I like a little romance in my stories, as much as the next person, but the romantic subplots quickly rose to the level of distraction, in this book.
There were a lot of story choices that the author made that didn't make sense to me, as well. Like splitting the friends up, then sending all of the narrator characters with one group. Giving the reader three points of view on the same events, while, leaving us in the dark with other group. Also inconsistent character building. Ailynn spent most of the book brooding over misplaced guilt, vowing a scared duty, to kill her mother, beause some how, her mother's evil was her fault. However when given an opportunity to fulfill her duty, Ailynn threw a tantrum, because she rather stay and protect her wife, who was staying with relative safety, of the rebal army. An understandable move, but it wasn't consistent with antsy brooding hero vibe she seemed to have. Under the circumstances Ailynn's fit almost felt cowardly.
The book did finish strong. The hero's all faced their respective foes in tense action pasked show downs, that had me on the edge of my seat. However this book could have easily been better
December 24, 2017
I have, and always will be, a huge, HUGE, fan of anything Rae puts out. Today at work (I work at a bookstore lol), I finished reading The Mirror's Gaze. I honest to god had tears in my eyes reading the last page, not because of anything that would bring tears, but merely because this was the end to a fantastic journey. I don't normally read at home, and preserve that for my breaks at work, but yesterday I couldn't help myself and I read until I could barely keep my eyes open. Only the best of the best do that to me. It was so astounding for me to read about all these fantastic characters interacting and sorting stuff out together. The previous three books were all drawn perfectly together in this fourth one. Rae created such a living, breathing fantasy world and such likable characters that even a character I despised, I felt remorse for later on. I will recommend this series and any and all of Rae's books to anyone looking for a wholesome read with lots of well written smut, really thoughtful plot and representation. Thank you Rae, for writing this and all of your other books. I'm still so emotional. I feel like I've just said goodbye to a child leaving my home.
April 22, 2020
When I started this series at the beginning of the year, it was with very few expectations. A free queer retelling of Cinderella? Hell yes, I want that. And while there have been things about this series I disliked, overall I was always impressed by the world-building and lore, and of course the characters. Gay princesses. Be still my heart.
This was the perfect end to the series, as much as I hate that it has to end at all. I cried, I laughed, I was constantly finding myself bereft that it would soon be over because I fucking adore this world.
It's wonderful. It's so much more than I ever expected from a simple lesbian erotica fairytale retelling. And I am delighted that I had the chance to experience it. Now I'm off to try and dig up every other wlw fantasy book ever written, because apparently this is the niche I need in my life.
This was the perfect end to the series, as much as I hate that it has to end at all. I cried, I laughed, I was constantly finding myself bereft that it would soon be over because I fucking adore this world.
It's wonderful. It's so much more than I ever expected from a simple lesbian erotica fairytale retelling. And I am delighted that I had the chance to experience it. Now I'm off to try and dig up every other wlw fantasy book ever written, because apparently this is the niche I need in my life.
July 3, 2020
Right, so...in the beginning I thought this was just a really nice retelling of fairy tale stories, which I tried to understand how it will all come together. I went through the 2 books first and only halfway through the third I felt that pulling thread that only allowed for a tiny glimpse of how these 3 stories can intertwine. And it was by all means a beautiful result. The forth was strong within this one :)))
I am honestly very surprised at how much I have liked this series because it was soooo unexpected in how it was built. It's not a retelling at all, but instead the fairytale was just a foundational point to another kind of fairytale storytelling, by reinventing the characters, entwining more magical elements within it and giving life to very powerful women characters that make center stage in this I would say new classic fairytale.
Amazingly written and concluded. Well done!
I am honestly very surprised at how much I have liked this series because it was soooo unexpected in how it was built. It's not a retelling at all, but instead the fairytale was just a foundational point to another kind of fairytale storytelling, by reinventing the characters, entwining more magical elements within it and giving life to very powerful women characters that make center stage in this I would say new classic fairytale.
Amazingly written and concluded. Well done!
February 4, 2018
Plot was awesome. Rich world and character building. Exciting. Romantic. Sexy........ I just have one thing that bothered me as I continued to read. All three couples have the exact same sexual encounters over and over. Through the series, you could replace all the couples' names with Jane and Mary and you'd never be able to tell any of them were different when having sex. When I first got into the erotic scenes in The Second Sister I was so impressed. They were rough but romantic. Raw but not raunchy. I'd never read anything like them before. And I've read A LOT of erotica. But then came the second book....then the third and it was so disappointing to see the same thing again and again. This writer is so talented but this is an area where she really sold herself short.
May 24, 2018
The final Amendyr book was quite the tale. It loosely followed Snow White and the main character was pretty much named snow. Neva. We aren't treated to a new romance this time. This time we're treated to war. The previous three couples come back and we get to see their characters and relationships deepen which was lovely. There was a lot of payoff by the end and it made the series that much more worth it. The story definitely had its ups and downs but my only real complaint was the shortness of it. I wanted nothing more than to stay in that world. Maybe one day Rae will see fit to take us back there.
May 24, 2017
Great conclusion
This was an incredible ending to the series. I really enjoyed all four books immensely and liked the different takes on fairy tales in each one.
This was an incredible ending to the series. I really enjoyed all four books immensely and liked the different takes on fairy tales in each one.
August 11, 2017
The author is known for writing great smut, but this book has some top quality action sequences too. In addition the author successfully created deep characters and an interesting universe.
November 28, 2024
This is likely the best in the series of fairytale retells. Of course, some aspects didn't compute but this is the realm of fairytale.
March 30, 2017
The Mirror’s Gaze is a fantastic wrap up to the Amendyr Series. I give it 4.5 stars.
This fourth tale is vivid, driven, satisfying, and ultimately written well. It’s a real pleasure to read.
Each book in the series focuses on Ellie (#1), Cate (#2), and Ailynn (#3), in their own separate personal journeys and the relationships they form with others.
In this fourth installment, we get all three protagonists powering the story and the author did a great job of seamlessly bringing their POVs together to form the full narrative.
Personally, I love books that have not one but many strong female characters. We’re surrounded by so many narratives in film and books where the story is driven primarily by men with a token female thrown into the mix (if that) that it’s completely refreshing to get into a world where women are organically and unapologetically leading the story.
We also get a new character thrown in that alludes to Snow White. The Amendyr series is based upon each main female protagonist being a spin-off from a well-known fairy tale. Magdon always completely re-invents them, though, in a really fun way so that they’re familiar yet completely new.
Great read. Yes, I recommend. However, you’ll definitely need to read the series in order to get the full impact.
This fourth tale is vivid, driven, satisfying, and ultimately written well. It’s a real pleasure to read.
Each book in the series focuses on Ellie (#1), Cate (#2), and Ailynn (#3), in their own separate personal journeys and the relationships they form with others.
In this fourth installment, we get all three protagonists powering the story and the author did a great job of seamlessly bringing their POVs together to form the full narrative.
Personally, I love books that have not one but many strong female characters. We’re surrounded by so many narratives in film and books where the story is driven primarily by men with a token female thrown into the mix (if that) that it’s completely refreshing to get into a world where women are organically and unapologetically leading the story.
We also get a new character thrown in that alludes to Snow White. The Amendyr series is based upon each main female protagonist being a spin-off from a well-known fairy tale. Magdon always completely re-invents them, though, in a really fun way so that they’re familiar yet completely new.
Great read. Yes, I recommend. However, you’ll definitely need to read the series in order to get the full impact.
May 1, 2017
Excellent Ending to Amendyr Series
I absolutely loved the Amendyr series. This final book pulled from the other three, to weave a truly fantastic adventure/fantasy story, with plenty of romance included. Highly recommended!
I absolutely loved the Amendyr series. This final book pulled from the other three, to weave a truly fantastic adventure/fantasy story, with plenty of romance included. Highly recommended!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews