Rejected Royalty

Rime & Pyre #1

by C.M. Cevis

"Eleven years of blissful hiding in plain sight, all down the drain because my father is an idiot. If I have to kill someone to fix this, I'm going to be pissed."

Sen and her brothers happily left their lives as Royals years ago. The last thing they want is to be dragged back by a father that hates them for a death that they didn't cause, and a Fae bloodline that they didn't ask for. But when his terrible decisions threaten the lives of everyone in the kingdom, the three siblings have to make a choice: Save the people, or save themselves.
Their decision sets off a sequence of events that no one sees coming, and that threatens lives, livelihoods, and relationships all around them.
How they deal with these issues will prove to their kingdoms how Royal they really are.

75 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 29, 2018

Reviews

[Susan Stradiotto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite literally, this book starts with a punch. If you don't believe me, read the first page. Ms. Cevis puts you right into the midst of the main character's conflict and will hook you into this quick novella. The start to Rime & Pyre Book 1 is heart wrenching, but launches into a modern or fantasy that is relatable to urban fantasy readers. However, it has some of the elements in the societal structure that would be intriguing to a classic or high fantasy reader. It's an afternoon read, so giving this little gem a try will cost about as much time as going to the movies.

Sen, the female lead, is the most tragic of the characters as she's constantly beaten the King, who is also her father. She is strong and spunky, and when her father gets himself into some trouble and wants to barter her off in an arranged marriage, this series launches into a fascinating play between two realms. Seth is her twin--identical, yet Sen's polar opposite. He comes into his powers just before his sister and helps her when her powers explode (quite literally). Onan is their younger brother who is a carefree and innocent character. He'll cause all those protective instincts to kick in for the reader, just like they do with Sen and Seth.

In Ms. Cevis's world, magic comes from the Fae, it's passed genetically, and it's a rare thing. So when Sen does agree to marry the prince from another realm and saves his mother using her magic, it raises quite a few brows. The book ends with a push forward to the next in the series which is planned to be available at the end of August.

All that being said, there were some minor hiccups in the writing that caused me a bit of pause and put my rating at a 3/5. I'd like to see some further diversity in the dialog between the characters, and I would have liked the climax to have a bit more of an "explosion." But all-in-all, it made for a fun Saturday afternoon.

Happy reading, Loves!
Keep turning the page, another adventure awaits...

[Lyssa Sue Shaffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally I hate cliffhangers...

But then I get hooked by something truly unusual and I find myself caught up and impatient. Rime & Pyre has me bound tightly to its release schedule.

I want the rest NOW. Sen, Seth and Onan are so much more than your standard set of royalty. And Queen Eve simply rocks. Prince Ethan is transforming before our eyes.

Volume 2 best be served up quickly or I will be the next elemental reaction

[Jeida K. Storey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book in this genre, and I'm glad I gave it a try. C.M. Cevis snatched me in from the start and I can tell this will be quite the journey. Sen is bad (and I mean the good kind!) and I love her fierceness. Can't wait to get into the rest of the series and more books by Cevis. Very fast read!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Characters are well developed and settings feel real. I'm excited to see where the story goes. Fans of the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine may also enjoy this series. A quick read that is entertaining and exciting.

[Deanna Burton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn't put it down

It pulls you in, and doesn't let go. I should have waited until all the books were released. Highly recommended read.

[Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good start

Characters are interesting and all have a sense of quirkiness. I like Sen, strong and courageous, not sure about Ethan yet. Little romance so far. Fast read.

[Rayandsarah White · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great start

Love the book. New series needs to get get you invested in the characters and this one does it. Can’t wait to read the next one

[Christine]

I read this book thinking that it was a standalone, or the first book in a series. Instead this is closer to a couple of chapters in a new book. Right when you get to a mysterious scream, you have to wait for the next book in the series. The beginning of the series is interesting, though royalty in an unnamed country, with many 'Americanisms', modern conveniences, but with a monarchy. It is not very well explained. The characters are interesting, and I would like to get to know them better. To be frank, if they were not available through Kindle Unlimited I would not bother reading the next book. Even then, since it will be about nine days until the next installment, then who knows how long until the third I will probably not continue reading them. Perhaps if they are released as a 3-in-1 book they would be worth a purchase, assuming that the three novellas create complete book.
Not bad, but not great if cliff-hangers bother you. There are some mentions of an open marriage, and in the brothel scene sex is discussed frankly.