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The Valens Legacy #9

Secret Treaties

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Having killed Gradatim's pet demon, Sean now has to move onto Portland, a true Gradatim stronghold. When the Gradatim breaks the silence with an attack on Sean's family, Sean's response is drastic and immediate, yet the Gradatim cannot help but to escalate their own response. Pushed into a corner, Sean and the Lions' response is both drastic and deadly, sending shockwaves through both magical and governmental organizations.

Forced now into a two front war as Sean has to deal with the consequences of his own actions, other parties start to take an interest in him and his crusade as politicians start to wrangle inside the government and council heads look to settle old scores as well as new ones, doing their best to take advantage of the changing dynamic in their own bids to gain power.

But allies have a way of turning up in the places that you least expect, and when it comes time to take a stand, there are still people who will stand for what is right.

WARNING: “Secret Treaties” contains explicit sexuality, nudity, violence, bad language, arson, robbery, attempted murder, actual murder, military style raids, mass combat, self-defense, pro-active self-defense, destruction of private property, thermonuclear devices, vandalism, breaking and entering, kidnapping, secretive government officials, tantric magic, polyamory, mayhem, demons, people who aim to misbehave, gratuitous sex and violence, and a dandelion that was just minding its own business and being all proud because it was the first dandelion to ever grow in Africa, and some guy just picked it, and now there aren't any again.

281 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 12, 2018

463 people are currently reading
121 people want to read

About the author

Jan Stryvant

56 books552 followers
I'm new to the Harem / LitRPG thing (If I'd known more about LitRPG when I wrote Shadow, I might have incorporated more elements of that into it).
I have a FT job, so I work on this when I can. Hopefully the next one will be even better.
https://stryvant.blogspot.com/

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5 stars
1,122 (58%)
4 stars
607 (31%)
3 stars
181 (9%)
2 stars
14 (<1%)
1 star
10 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
Profile Image for Steve Naylor.
2,503 reviews127 followers
September 21, 2018
Rating 3.75 stars

I think the first 5 books were the best in the series. The last couple of books it seems like the characters are just going through the motions. Sean at this point is all-powerful. There aren't many setbacks to his plans. He is also getting people pregnant like Oprah giving away shit at her talkshow " Your getting pregnant, and you are getting pregnant, you are getting pregnant too!". He has 6 kickass wives and now all of them are pregnant. However, how much longer can he keep bringing his pregnant wives into combat? What happens when they all have their babies. He is not going to be having sex for 3 hours every night when they are born. Its kind of like watching a TV show where the 2 main characters are into each other. The show is almost never really as good once they actually get together. You see it coming and know it is going to happen but, its almost never as good. It was a good story point when Roxy wanted to have Sean's cubs. There was buildup and tension up until it happened. After that, it was like he was running a baby factory! Still as good read, and I like the characters, but I do think it has lost a little bit of its edge.
Profile Image for Jay Collins.
1,630 reviews15 followers
April 20, 2019
3 to 3.5 stars, pretty much the same as the other books.
Profile Image for Gilbert Stack.
Author 96 books78 followers
July 19, 2018
Stryvant succeeds in significantly upping the tension in this series by bringing the U.S. Federal Government into the plot. It turns out that the government has known about mages and lycanthropes from the beginning of the nation and thanks to the Treaty of York has basically ignored the activities of mages so long as they leave U.S. citizens alone and maintain the “silence” so that everyday Americans do not find out about their existence. Lycanthropes were accepted as the property of mages which makes sense seeing as the U.S. accepted black slavery in the country at its founding. However, the war between the lycanthropes and the mages is becoming louder and some mages have abandoned the silence and committed atrocities in their efforts to kill Stryvant’s hero, Sean. Sean’s responses to these provocations are increasingly brutal. The U.S. can no longer sit on the sidelines, but it’s still not clear who they will support in the ongoing war. I still haven’t made my mind up as to whether or not I like how the government is handled by Stryvant. It forced me to exert a little extra suspension of disbelief. But good or bad he still increased the tension in a way the mages have failed to do over the last few books. And with different factions in the government wanting to handle the lycanthrope/mage war in ways that promote their own interests—not necessarily the good of the country—there is room for a lot more tension in future books. We’ll just have to wait and see if Stryvant can pull it off.
9 reviews
July 25, 2018
Ok it keep me interested but man I could do with out the personality swap

So great book ... only problem is the wired burning and glowing eye stabbing etc.... thing that happend at the start of the book and how long it took to reveal what it was that caused it. Seriously I just don’t enjoy extended undertones of things out of the norm over multiple chapters... it ends up making the read frustrating because you read and read thinking this funk wrong person play Sean is going to fix it’s self soon but you get to the end of the book and say the cause of the problem but never write and explain if it’s corrected and fixed.

Anyway read the book get frustrated, big taboo kind makes you think that person who in previous books seemed nice is actually a total ass whole while the real Sean is coping and trying not to feel hurt but I think some payback is definitely due and I mean payback

Spoiler

Because the damn pooka fucked up sean and almost erased him and gave his older cuz a role that he should have not of broken some much trust with ... because me I would have rampaged after the reveal like seriously rampaged total abuse of trust on not only yourself but the people you love and figured out how to ban them from the current existence... but in all honesty Vince never opened a back door on his own firewall spell and that thing blocks people from interacting with his mentally and mana completely so I feel there is your plot whole which sucks because it messed the storyline up
388 reviews
July 17, 2018
Woot! Woot!

Kindle Unlimited - Thank you!!!
This series is still a total treat! There's always the big events, but I really love all the little gems scattered throughout that don't get left behind. Must be some impressive storyboards?

Too many special and fun moments to list them all. I was really hoping Stewart's storyline would be continued. And it was. Yay! Carl's outburst of unabashed, joyous, enthusiasm had me grinning.

It does seem like Roberta's daughter kind of keeps fading into the background. She shows up at the occasional meal but doesn't have much of a 'place'. Seems like the ladies would just go nuts doting on a little girl, especially Louise. It just doesn't seem true to the pride, even if she's not a lioness? There hasn't been a lot of homestead time in the last scenarios so I should probably just be patient since this author doesn't ignore the bit players. Although, there are around 30 children in Sean's community and he doesn't seem to interact with them at all. Hard to believe they wouldn't be all over him every chance they'd get? Oh.... And still waiting for someone to gift Sean with a copper battle staff, sword, or something so that he can do an emergency ground/discharge and not fry himself when he's standing up to impossible numbers. Maybe in combo with the fairy sword? That's the closest I can come to anything nitpicky.

Looking forward to the baby boom. Best of luck to the author. IMO, children's characters are something a lot of authors just don't do well. But hey, he pulled off writing a lion god and really nailed it. That's no small thing.
Profile Image for Chris Evans.
903 reviews43 followers
June 17, 2020
This is a combination review of the entire 17+ book series as I binged the entire The Valens Legacy over the about a month.

The Positives:
- The writing is really good. Often when I binge an author things like their crutch words become constant irritants that didn't happen here.
- Stryvant doesn't mess around. The plot never really stops or meanders, each story having important events that carry the narrative forward.
- There's two maybe three arcs in this series but each flow one into another smoothly so it all seams like a natural progression.
- All the arcs are entertaining and engaging I always wanted to know what would happen next or figure out the mystery.
- The Main character rides the line of being a Gary Stu never really crosses that line.
- Functional magic system and cohesive world.

The Negatives:
- The pervasive fetish portions. Even during serious portions Stryvant will often break my immersion with sexual talk or fetishes.
- Repetitive sex and romance. It does get better later in the series, but since Stryvant's fetishes don't change over the course of the book neither do these scenes. I started skipping them, but he'd often stick important plot points in the middle of them.
- The women characters tend to be on the bland side and over sexualized.

Over all I enjoyed the series.
377 reviews4 followers
August 12, 2018
Too Much Going On, Too Many Characters
I found this to be the least satisfying novel in the series thus far.

The rare moments of Sean's interaction with the family, notably discovering and admiring the talents of people such as Cali, are nice and fun.

The frenetic pace of politics and battles occurring on multiple fronts across multiple cities across a half-dozen potential enemy groups in each city, each group of which has at least a few characters of enough not to make decisions that might effect the outcome of things, just made for. mishmash of unremarkable, tedious narrative.

The mage politics surrounding the demon summoning fall out where interesting.

The government knowledge and taciturn acceptance of mages and lycans seems a little far-fetched. Maybe I needed to put my tinfoil hat on to find it plausible?

I think things will pick up on the fun side of things when the next generation starts to make an appearance.
320 reviews4 followers
July 20, 2018
A joyful book

I have fallen for this book as hard as every other book in this series.if you have not read them yet jump to the being and start.the chaeter s are well we the story has a great plot and pace. I have enjoyed the mental pitchers the story brings to me I feel that it's depth is amazing.and shows no slowing
P this story i look forward to reading for years to come. Although the work is hard to share with small adults.so full steam ahead kind sir. Till I read you next time thanks for my sleepless nights. From a greatful fan
Profile Image for Effie Eshel.
104 reviews7 followers
July 24, 2018
The best in the series

A great book is one that you don’t want to do anything else but sit and read. The Sean Valens legacy is a great series that gets to the top of my reading list, regardless who is on cue, immediately.
In a series of very good books, I think this one is the best so far. The story gets more interesting characters added and the characters development is great.
I could not put it down and finished it in one evening. No more need to be said.
I look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Angel Ludwig.
299 reviews10 followers
October 10, 2018
Good, solid, fun reading

Up front: I like the series, started reading using KU and then bought the whole series because I’ll be rereading them.

That said, I’m an editorial geek. Part of what attracted me was how professionally edited the first several books were. That has slid a bit, starting around book 5 or 6. We do notice these things. 😉 It went from an average 1 mistake per 10 pages or so down to 1 in 5-6. Still not too bad, but I figure this might bring it to the author’s attention before it gets to ugly levels.
226 reviews1 follower
July 20, 2018
Govt Entities (spoilers)

As a member of the deep state, I'm glad someone had the govt agencies do the right thing, even though forced. Churchill said to be quoted something close to "Govt will do the right thing when it's the absolute last thing it can do". It's nice to know the american govt can be written in a way that they are corrupt minions ruining the lifes of people fighting for their rights to be free.
48 reviews3 followers
July 20, 2018
this series keeps delivering

Jan Stryvant fonts to share his amazing world of magic and lycans. The U.S. Government gets more focus in this book, and their various interactions with the Lycans and each other are entertaining and believable.
I enjoyed this volume as much as any of the previous and hope the author will be able to continue to release this series even after leaving KU.
3 reviews2 followers
July 30, 2018
Fantastic as always

This writer has the ability to allow you to identify with the characters and is so fast paced that you fly through it always wanting to find out what will happen next. It's very reminiscent of action movies from the late eighties and early nineties when the hero goes through hell but still throws a one liner out just so you laugh.

Definitely on my favorite list and I can't wait for the next book.
Profile Image for Daniel Martinez.
58 reviews
July 13, 2018
Best Book so far

A lot happens in the book and while certain wives don’t get much screen time that’s to be expected with so many wives and the books lacking any filler. The magical world continues to grow as the author gives hints about different parts of the magic world that I can’t wait to see, especially John’s side of the magic world. Can’t wait for the next book.
189 reviews1 follower
July 15, 2018
Love it but...

The further into this series we get the more perspectives we seem to get per book. I really hate switching between a dozen different people. We need more of the MC and less of the supporting views. His wives views are fine. Hell the secret service views were fun. The rest was boring. Ill admit i skipped a few pages until i saw a name i cared about lol...
Profile Image for Frank Bertino.
1,771 reviews19 followers
July 24, 2018
Changing Role

Sean struggles with having to be the lycan leader rather than a field commander.
I like the action, humor, strategy and romance. Dialogue can be hilarious. The federal government's involvement in the war to free the lycan slaves, adds some new and interesting complications. I look forward to the next book.
Profile Image for Preston  Dannelley.
348 reviews11 followers
July 31, 2018
PC or not PC that is the question

When I read the blurb I figured this is the beginning of the end. Politicians are getting involved? I almost passed on reading this one. O me of little faith! I am glad I hung in there so relax, no politicians were harmed in the making of this story.
Profile Image for R. Scott VanKirk.
Author 9 books11 followers
October 2, 2018
Getting better all the time

I'm enjoying the series more and more. The author is successfully upping the scope and the interest and doing a good job. My big gripe Still Remains just the sheer volume of names that get thrown at us. I would very much appreciate a dramatis personae section to remind me who is who.
27 reviews
November 12, 2018
Epic battles/ doing what is right

Make sure you start with book one in this series. Great story. The character s are fighting a war one that ensures the freedom of the lycans. Who have been used by the magic community as slaves for the last four thousand years. Sean is learning how to become the best leader he can. I'm the upcoming battle
Profile Image for Saul Baisley.
179 reviews1 follower
November 21, 2018
Another great story

This was another great story in the Valen’s saga.. really enjoyed the character development and the attention paid to the tactical aspects of both battle and no violent solutions. The introduction of the government in this novel really put a new twist on things and brought in new challenges for the characters. Can’t wait to see what comes next...
Profile Image for Goede.
201 reviews3 followers
December 14, 2018
I really like this serie. I started it as an experiment to try something different and from that moment on it seems I cannot stop reading. I am used to read john conroe, drew hayes, jim butcher, benedict jacka, ben aaronovich.
To me the stories of those writers are a significant part of my life. As of now the stories of Jan Stryvant are part of it too.

for what it is worth; I recommend!
Profile Image for Jesse A Barrett.
16 reviews
July 14, 2018
Another great addition to the Valens Legacy

Sean Valens continues eo expanded his crusade, and the opposition grows even more desperate.

The stakes are higher than ever, and the war every one was afraid might come appears to have arrived!
Profile Image for michael hooper.
672 reviews2 followers
July 15, 2018
Loved it

Fast paced page turner that I happily stayed up late to finish it once I started reading. Highly recommend the series and check out his other books. Looking forward to reading the next book
278 reviews5 followers
July 16, 2018
All nighter

Couldn't out this novel down. The story moves along at a fast clip, and the MC is developing nicely. Glad to have the short stories to expand the narrative without derailing the main novels storyline. Can't wait for the next.
Profile Image for Brian.
83 reviews2 followers
July 17, 2018
Good read. Liked it a lot

I enjoyed this book a lot. If you have been reading the series from the beginning you will like this book a lot. If you have not read the series I recommend starting the first book then reading up to this book. Highly recommended
402 reviews4 followers
July 17, 2018
Great book!

Another great book in the Valens Legacy, so if you liked the 8 first ones you won’t be disappointed ! So pick up this book and start reading! (If you haven’t read the other ones you know what to do!)
267 reviews
July 18, 2018
More of the good stuff!

One of the things i love is a series of books, something you can get your teeth into and leaves you wanting more. This is one of them and the adventures of Sean and co always lesve me salivating like a wolf for the next one! Keep em coming
266 reviews13 followers
July 18, 2018
A nice change of pace.

A good edition to the series things have escalated once again and in an interesting way. The last couple books were stagnating a bit with just rescue missions constantly and that was broken up a bit in this book. I'd recommend it to fans of the series.
6 reviews
July 20, 2018
Nice work.

A good, folks up tale!

The delegation of command tasks was necessary to story continuance and continuity. However, at this rate the poor boy will never be allowed out of bed! Good action, amusing byplay, and sound character development. Gotta admit I'm hooked
Profile Image for Russ Roberts.
5 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2018
Cracking good read

Any book which I can't put down deserves 5 stars, I have really enjoyed the sense of humour and interaction of characters. The story arc has had me hooked since book 1. Great job can't wait for the next instalment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews

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