Enemy Known

Tue-Rah Chronicles #2

by J.M. Butler

Trapped between warring forces, Amelia must own her destiny before her heart splits in two. Although cursed to be unable to kill, Amelia must still fulfill her prophetic duty to end her unwanted husband’s march of terror. Already Naatos, a world conquering warlord, and his brothers have conquered Libysha. Her people demand she vanquish them to prove her loyalty and save them. To refuse is to lose the trust of her own family and friends, the people whom she always longed to protect. But Amelia's enemies aren't only on the outside. When betrayal threatens the refuge of her allies, Amelia must return to Naatos in order to distract him from further bloodshed, all while fighting her growing affection for him and his family. Yet the more she learns of tragic history, the murkier the truth becomes. The very people Amelia defends have committed their own atrocities, including linking Amelia to a human soldier who holds half her soul in a life-threatening bond. Attacked by her allies and cared for by her enemies, Amelia struggles on, more disillusioned with her destiny. A massive army of deadly shapeshifters looms on the other side of the Tue-Rah, an interdimensional portal. With the fate of worlds resting on her shoulders, she must walk the balance between hero and villain before she is torn in two.

Genres: Fantasy, Fantasy Romance

608 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2018

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I jumped into this right after finishing book 1 and the series may just become another one of my favourites.

If the plot and wordbuilding of Identity Revealed may have left some readers confused due to the intricate universe set up and many races, Enemy Known sets everything clear and flows even more smoother and faster.

The plot manages to be pretty simply and yet full of unexpected twists you don't see coming, while the tension is nicely amped, up to a breakneck pace close to the end.
The wordbuilding is one of the most original I have ever come across and the character development first class, as far as both main and side cast are concerned.

I love WroOth to pieces. He steals the show of this series if you ask me. But Naatos is slowly starting to become a favourite, because of all those layers hinted at, in his personality. He is one of those complex characters you just know will turn the tables and surprise you with the unexpected and I'm eagerly waiting for that moment as far as he's concerned.
Amelia is perhaps even more relatable than in book 1 and I love her relationship with WroOth, as well as the relatable manner in which she is dealing with a series of choices and circumstances that could have the best of us flounder. I love her courage and determination, her compassion and her big heart. And yes. I'm even keeping my fingers crossed for her and Naatos. Shon can stuff it as far as I'm concerned.
And no! This isn't really a love triangle if you were afraid of that. Love triangles are a pet peeve of mine and I admit I was a bit worried the series might have one. But this one here's not like that. I can't say more because I don't want to spoil but... you'll see what I mean when you get to that part.

The last 20 percent of the book was a nerve-wracking rollercoaster that had me literally wanting to smack both Amelia and Naatos on the back of their heads, or maybe knock their heads together while hissing a more or less silent: 'WTF is wrong with you eejits?!' Because.... Come on!!!

So I went and grabbed myself a big bowl of icecream and a few more doughnuts and dove straight into book 3. Because that end couldn't be final. It would have honestly driven me crazy to not have the sequel at hand after that.

[Freyja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invested

I feel invested. The relationship with the brothers, their personalities and their feelings toward Amelia is relatable and feels so real. Wrooth is still my favorite character , and that chapter on the imprinting was so much fun to read. I'm yet to recover my imagination, as it ran off. The story line is easy to follow and it all comes alive.

[Marit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love it when I discover a new author who quickly becomes one of my favorites, which isn't often. This author is VASTLY underrated. So far, this series has been nothing short of awesome. I usually couldn't care less for secondary characters, but I love the brothers and Amelia. Naatos started to redeem himself in this book, whereas on book 1 I was a bit skeptical about the potential of the romance. The heroine is so admirable in every sense of the world. Naatos and Amelia are very stubborn though. I loved WroOth (this isn't even a question anymore, he is plain awesome). I especially enjoyed the hide and seek scene and the imprinting scene.

The plot: after you pull yourself through the initial confusion is me in book 1 and you find the glossary in the back, it is fairly easy to follow and still keeps you on the edge of your seat. It isn't overly complicated.
The worldbuilding: as stated above. Very original and immersing.
Characters: amazing. I am really invested in the relationships between Amelia and the brothers, as well as among the brothers themselves. QueQoa was a nice addition. I didn't so much like Kepsalon and Shon and Matthu though. The Machat in general in fact... I have to side with WroOth on this.
POVs: I have to be honest I tend to skim the chapters from Shon's point of view. He gets on my nerves.
Writing: some typos here and there. Nothing too irritating.

***SPOILERS***

But then in the last 15%-10% of the book, Amelia has to ruin all the progress she made in her relationship with Naatos and the brothers (probably), due to her own sense of misguided righteousness.... I really wanted to throw my Kindle away. Naatos's reaction didn't help, and they both fucked up royally. Well okay. Then Shon dies (FINALLY) and I think to myself, I bet he magically returns from the dead, being as pesky as he is. And alas... *cue throwing Kindle through the room.
Safe to say I didn't like the ending at all.
But when the author throws you lemons, you just have to go read the next book ASAP.

[Donna Frances · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have somewhat of an infatuation with the Tue-Rah chronicles, recently I’ve also read the 2 prologues but those are stories for another day. Today we focus on the story in hand-Enemy Known.

I find myself infuriated with the main character Amelia-her decisions which are based on emotion as oppose to logic. She has a loving family in Naatos, WroOth & AaQar & of course the brother adopted into their family as a child QueQoa.
Granted they are shape-shifting dragons with a penchant for the odd murderous rage but no ones family is perfect.

This book is far more explanatory as book 1 needs to be clarified, the story binds together your understanding of the blood curse, the Tue-Rah & the third Nalenth status that Amelia has. When the explaining is done & knowing what she does of her new family Amelia still continues to infuriate me. Clearly an intricate & well written character to have such an effect. Still pining for an Awdamn boy, still unsure of her destiny she does not want to settle with Naatos, doesn’t want to let him in, which was her original destiny. But does she?

Amelia still defends & plots for the destiny which was thrust upon her in book 1-To kill the Para’s-Naatos, WrOth & AaQar. To keep them from restoring the Tue-Rah-the gateway to all the other worlds where travel between the worlds can be free. She is embroiled is something far greater than her own understanding.

The diety, the almighty Elonumato created the worlds, the races & the Tue-Rah.

An up rise happened against Elonumato, some of the races he created tried to overthrow him. The worlds are no longer in sync, in harmony, they are seeping evil & temptation. The Para’s are here to restore the Tue-Rah & ensure its safe keeping until they can restore it.

I am very happy curled up with these stories & these characters, I love that Naatos as penance for trying to feed Amelia & a puma to hook fang spiders in book 1 then nurses the puma back to health and thus Amelia has a silver pet puma that pads around the chambers purring loudly and nuzzling into Naatos-a stern, serious & dangerous character, the thought of this makes me smile.

I am greatly looking forward to book 3.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

*5/5 Stars
I am not lying when I say that my heart rate did not slow down in the entirety of the two days it took me to read this book. So few books have managed to ensnare me the way this book did. Gosh, I cannot even get my thoughts together because my brain is scrambled from the nerves and all the things that happened. Mind you, nothing too big happened, but it was written in the way that it felt like the whole world was collapsing.
I don't even write to write anything too specific because you just have to read this book yourself.

There is more I feel like I need to write, but for now this is the review I will leave behind. I might also put in a content warning later.

(Also, I much prefer this cover compared to the rest of the series with Amelia and Naatos on the covers. It’s more fitting to the fantasy genre.)

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another thrilling & heart wrenching novel

I'm still just in absolute awe over this series. It's so masterfully written and unbelievably unique. I am a sucker for unredeemable monsters and by damn if Naatos and his brothers aren't some of my favorite ever!!!
If it wasn't already midnight I would be rushing into book 3 😍

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are things I like and things I didn't like about this series. I couldn't tell which hero I was rooting for the heroine to end up with. Reading the summaries of the final books in the series shows that Amelia ends up staying with Naatos and I can't imagine how he redeems himself. He has wantonly and casually killed *so many* people. I chose to quit reading the series.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

On to the next one!

So, I read one two and three so quick that I can't keep the stories a part now that I can review. Sorry! Amazing series, make sure you set some time aside. You will want to keep reading.

[Mariko L. Odhner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seriously messed ip relationships

I’m just impressed with the level of relationship dysfunction. It’s great that usually a character’s defective thinking about the others’ psychology is explained or few would be sympathetic.

[Myla L A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an Awesome series

Truly love the world building, the entire story, the unique creatures, the battles, the romance, the hope and the plots and twists of this story. The author has done an excellent job overall. Love the devious brothers, Amelia, and the Machat.

[Dioly Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not much of a romantic story

Not liking much of the story so far... the Lybishans are ungrateful, Amelia keeps pinning for Shon... at least the comic relief is on point! Just thinking that four more books of this torture await me saddens me.

[Coco.V]

🎁 Books 1 -3 in the Tue-Rah Chronicles Series (4 book series) are FREE on Amazon today (12/26/2020)! 🎁

[Betty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book in which you think the situation can't get worse, but it does! And it keeps getting worse! It is difficult for Amelia to be true to her purpose and to try to save her people from a war they want to win, but everything she does Naatros and his shape-shifting brothers counters or prevents.
This makes for the worst wedding day ever for Amelia and Naatros. I had to read the next book!