What do you think?
Rate this book
Ars Numina #4
The Shadow Warrior
Bitter. Broken. Brutal. Molded since childhood to be the perfect weapon, Gavriel d’Alana (also known as Death’s Shadow) has devoted himself to serving Thalia Talfayen. The life of a Noxblade is lethal and lonely, and since the princess has no need of him, he secretly believes there’s no reason for him to live—and he should seek a glorious death—but that’s before he tangles with a tiger woman who unleashes his darkest desires. Tough. Tenacious. Trustworthy. Magda Versai has a reputation for being unattainable—no deep attachments, only discreet amusements. If she has her way, the pride will never learn of her private heartbreak, as she accepted her curse years ago. Now, she focuses on work, which is why she’s acting as Raff’s bodyguard while secretly hunting for Slay. The search leads Mags to team up with a Noxblade so belligerent that she can’t resisting baiting him. She’s the steel, he’s the flint, and the sparks they strike together might kindle a fire that could warm them for a lifetime, if they don’t kill each other first…
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 26, 2019
69 people are currently reading
834 people want to read
About the author
Ann Aguirre
82 books7,068 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in Mexico with her family. She writes all kinds of genre fiction, but she has an eternal soft spot for a happily ever after.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
April 26, 2019
Gavriel was trained from childhood to be a lethal assassin, as a Noxblade his sworn duty has been to protect Princess Thalia and it's a job he's been proud to do. But as the Princess makes a marriage alliance with wolf and Pine Ridge alpha Raff he believes his duty as her bodyguard is over and is looking for a new way to serve. Magda has been working as Raff's personal protection but her main reason for travelling to the Eldritch lands is her hunt for former pack member Slay. Nobody knows if Slay willingly became traitor and betrayed the pack or whether he's been taken hostage but Mags is determined to hunt him down and find out the truth. Gavriel agrees to be her guide and help Mags with her hunt but he has very little idea what he's just signed himself up for and the sparks are about to fly.
Events at the beginning of The Shadow Warrior run alongside ones in The Wolf Lord and it was interesting to see how Gavriel reacted to Raff and Thalia's growing closeness, he had always considered himself in love with the princess but it doesn't take him that long to realise it was just admiration. This story gives us some great development in the ongoing story arc and shows that their enemies are only getting started on their campaign designed to start a war. Gavriel and Mags have a part to play in deescalating certain situations but there is far more going on behind the scenes that we're only starting to uncover.
Although the book has plenty of action and a lot going on the best thing by far was the romance and the slow build between Mags and Gavriel. Raised to be a top assassin Gavriel didn't have anything like a normal childhood and he's already lost the warriors he was closest to. He can think of 100 ways to kill someone but he finds it very difficult to make small talk so he came across as quite abrupt in previous stories but he's actually pretty sweet once you get to know him. What I really loved was that Mags was the dominant one in their relationship, Gavriel will fight alongside her when they're in danger but when it comes to the bedroom he prefers to let her take the lead and he likes a little pain to go along with his pleasure.
It's very rare to find a romance hero who isn't a bossy alpha male so Gavriel was a really refreshing change. I also loved the way Mags introduces him to Dominance and submission, she's very open and upfront about her own sexuality and desires and she slowly earns Gavriel's trust well before they start any kind of kinky play. There was no diving in at the deep end, it was all about discovering what worked for both of them and sharing their deepest fantasies. They were perfectly matched in so many ways even though both of them were incredibly wary of relationships.
The Shadow Warrior also set things up perfectly for the next book, The Warrior Priest, and I can't wait to get to know Callum better.
Events at the beginning of The Shadow Warrior run alongside ones in The Wolf Lord and it was interesting to see how Gavriel reacted to Raff and Thalia's growing closeness, he had always considered himself in love with the princess but it doesn't take him that long to realise it was just admiration. This story gives us some great development in the ongoing story arc and shows that their enemies are only getting started on their campaign designed to start a war. Gavriel and Mags have a part to play in deescalating certain situations but there is far more going on behind the scenes that we're only starting to uncover.
Although the book has plenty of action and a lot going on the best thing by far was the romance and the slow build between Mags and Gavriel. Raised to be a top assassin Gavriel didn't have anything like a normal childhood and he's already lost the warriors he was closest to. He can think of 100 ways to kill someone but he finds it very difficult to make small talk so he came across as quite abrupt in previous stories but he's actually pretty sweet once you get to know him. What I really loved was that Mags was the dominant one in their relationship, Gavriel will fight alongside her when they're in danger but when it comes to the bedroom he prefers to let her take the lead and he likes a little pain to go along with his pleasure.
It's very rare to find a romance hero who isn't a bossy alpha male so Gavriel was a really refreshing change. I also loved the way Mags introduces him to Dominance and submission, she's very open and upfront about her own sexuality and desires and she slowly earns Gavriel's trust well before they start any kind of kinky play. There was no diving in at the deep end, it was all about discovering what worked for both of them and sharing their deepest fantasies. They were perfectly matched in so many ways even though both of them were incredibly wary of relationships.
The Shadow Warrior also set things up perfectly for the next book, The Warrior Priest, and I can't wait to get to know Callum better.
May 18, 2019
I liked all three previous heroines. I was wondering what additional information I'd be given so I don't dislike Magda. Her behaviour and comments previously didn't leave any room for me to like her.
I'm glad Anne Aguirre is this good. I really liked Magda here. She is tough and formidable, but it is never in your face. Add her compassion into the mix and you can't stop loving her. Death's shadow didn't stand a chance against this curious cat.
Speaking of him, at first I thought I'd be annoyed by his Thalia issue, but it was so well written that one moment you are annoyed by his thoughts and the next you're rooting for him with all your heart. His is the ultimate loner character and it works so well in this story.
The romance progression is also well written, but it isn't that strong to leave any lasting impression. That brings me to the thing I didn't like in the book and that's sex. The only good part about sex here is that those scenes didn't last long. Before someone thinks it's because of the switched power dynamics - it's not. The author is smart and kept the scenes short.
The story takes place at the same time as Thalia's story, so you already know what will happen to a certain point. The new information you do get here is that Shay might not be a willing companion of the group Magda and Gavriel are following. He may not be a traitor after all.
Ars Numina is a fascinating world and I'm eager to read more. It seems the monk is the next hero and I can't wait.
I'm glad Anne Aguirre is this good. I really liked Magda here. She is tough and formidable, but it is never in your face. Add her compassion into the mix and you can't stop loving her. Death's shadow didn't stand a chance against this curious cat.
Speaking of him, at first I thought I'd be annoyed by his Thalia issue, but it was so well written that one moment you are annoyed by his thoughts and the next you're rooting for him with all your heart. His is the ultimate loner character and it works so well in this story.
The romance progression is also well written, but it isn't that strong to leave any lasting impression. That brings me to the thing I didn't like in the book and that's sex. The only good part about sex here is that those scenes didn't last long. Before someone thinks it's because of the switched power dynamics - it's not. The author is smart and kept the scenes short.
The story takes place at the same time as Thalia's story, so you already know what will happen to a certain point. The new information you do get here is that Shay might not be a willing companion of the group Magda and Gavriel are following. He may not be a traitor after all.
Ars Numina is a fascinating world and I'm eager to read more. It seems the monk is the next hero and I can't wait.
April 16, 2019
You know, I am not a romance novel kinda woman. If a book has a romance in it, fabulous, bring it. But I'm not going to actively search one out...unless it involves shape-shifting animari complete with tribal intrigue, battle lines, inter-species war, and erotica. Yes, erotica.
You have discovered my weakness.
Ann Aguirre's "Ars Numina" series is entertaining and captivating and even though you know what will happen by the end of the book, you still love every page. She has created a paranormal world of shape-shifting wild cats, wolves, bears, lizard-creatures and the otherworldly Eldritch. Each has their own kingdom with separate leaders and rule of law. Being set in present-day time, the animari are hidden from humans but still have modern amenities like running water, Wi-Fi and cell phones. But it still cracked me up whenever the leopard king drove his Range Rover or the tribes used drones for reconnaissance.
Her latest addition to this exciting series is The Shadow Warrior. We've met the two main characters in previous books: Gavriel, the Eldritch Noxblade for Princess Thalia, and Mags, the tiger bodyguard for wolf leader, Raff Pineda. Mags is still searching for the traitorous Slay and has discovered his trail within the Eldritch kingdom. With the princess' blessing, Gavriel resigns from her service and partners with Mags in the search.
Gavriel was a bit of a jerk in the The Wolf Lord but in this book the reader finds room in their heart for the broken assassin. His entire life has been dedicated to learning the multitude of ways to kill a man: poison, weapon, or silent beating, Gavriel is a pro. But he is absolutely clueless how to talk to a person. And Mags, kickass tiger woman that she is, is the leader in the search and we learn she is the dominant in the relationship, in more ways than one.
Their kingdoms are sworn enemies but with imminent war with the Golgoths growing ever closer, each tribe has to reach across the aisle and work together. Within the story, Gavriel needs to learn how to trust and to allow people into his comfort zone. Mags finds him challenging and I couldn't help thinking the man was a repair project she couldn't pass up.
Now, the sex. I have never read a book that warns the reader it contains "rough sex and pain play". For readers who might take the disclaimer to heart, I didn't find it too over the top. There is dominant role-play, bondage, biting, pinching, choking. But as the author builds a relationship of sexual trust between Gavriel and Mags, she is also building the readers' trust. Instead of immediately tossing the two into a tryst with whips and chains, they spend a night with Mags just running her fingers through his hair as she explains the ways sexual partners come to a mutual understanding before taking it to the next level. It was very sweet.
But first, they have a fight training practice that ends with Gavriel flat on his back, Mags on top in total control, with a slave boner. Sorry, it made me crack up. Such an awesome series.
While there are fight scenes and action, The Shadow Warrior has moments of sweetness and character illumination. Each grows as a person and if the characters were not animari, the book would read as two flawed humans who meet, fight, have hot sex, fall for one another, etc.
I strongly recommend starting with the first book of the series, The Leopard King, otherwise you will not understand what is going on. They go fast and have great characters. I cannot wait for the next book, The War Priest.
(I want to thank Mel Jolly of Author Rx for the ARC of The Shadow Warrior. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.)
You have discovered my weakness.
Ann Aguirre's "Ars Numina" series is entertaining and captivating and even though you know what will happen by the end of the book, you still love every page. She has created a paranormal world of shape-shifting wild cats, wolves, bears, lizard-creatures and the otherworldly Eldritch. Each has their own kingdom with separate leaders and rule of law. Being set in present-day time, the animari are hidden from humans but still have modern amenities like running water, Wi-Fi and cell phones. But it still cracked me up whenever the leopard king drove his Range Rover or the tribes used drones for reconnaissance.
Her latest addition to this exciting series is The Shadow Warrior. We've met the two main characters in previous books: Gavriel, the Eldritch Noxblade for Princess Thalia, and Mags, the tiger bodyguard for wolf leader, Raff Pineda. Mags is still searching for the traitorous Slay and has discovered his trail within the Eldritch kingdom. With the princess' blessing, Gavriel resigns from her service and partners with Mags in the search.
Gavriel was a bit of a jerk in the The Wolf Lord but in this book the reader finds room in their heart for the broken assassin. His entire life has been dedicated to learning the multitude of ways to kill a man: poison, weapon, or silent beating, Gavriel is a pro. But he is absolutely clueless how to talk to a person. And Mags, kickass tiger woman that she is, is the leader in the search and we learn she is the dominant in the relationship, in more ways than one.
Their kingdoms are sworn enemies but with imminent war with the Golgoths growing ever closer, each tribe has to reach across the aisle and work together. Within the story, Gavriel needs to learn how to trust and to allow people into his comfort zone. Mags finds him challenging and I couldn't help thinking the man was a repair project she couldn't pass up.
Now, the sex. I have never read a book that warns the reader it contains "rough sex and pain play". For readers who might take the disclaimer to heart, I didn't find it too over the top. There is dominant role-play, bondage, biting, pinching, choking. But as the author builds a relationship of sexual trust between Gavriel and Mags, she is also building the readers' trust. Instead of immediately tossing the two into a tryst with whips and chains, they spend a night with Mags just running her fingers through his hair as she explains the ways sexual partners come to a mutual understanding before taking it to the next level. It was very sweet.
But first, they have a fight training practice that ends with Gavriel flat on his back, Mags on top in total control, with a slave boner. Sorry, it made me crack up. Such an awesome series.
While there are fight scenes and action, The Shadow Warrior has moments of sweetness and character illumination. Each grows as a person and if the characters were not animari, the book would read as two flawed humans who meet, fight, have hot sex, fall for one another, etc.
I strongly recommend starting with the first book of the series, The Leopard King, otherwise you will not understand what is going on. They go fast and have great characters. I cannot wait for the next book, The War Priest.
(I want to thank Mel Jolly of Author Rx for the ARC of The Shadow Warrior. The opinions expressed in this review are honest and my own.)
November 16, 2024
My first time reading a romantasy with bdsm as it's not usually my cup of tea, but this book had me giggling and kicking my feet.
Mags and Gavriel are my new comfort couple.
Mags and Gavriel are my new comfort couple.
December 1, 2019
Lai arī šī ir sērijas ceturtā grāmata, ar visai sarežģītu pasauli un daudziem varoņiem, notikumiem ir diezgan viegli sekot līdzi, pateicoties visu iepriekšējo grāmatu konspektiem, kurus autore laipni pievienojusi ievadā. Šeit ir sastopami elfveidīgi cilvēki, daudzu sugu maiņveiži, mūsdienu tehnoloģijas, viduslaiku dzīvesapstākļi nomaļos rajonos, karš, maģija, varas spēles, nodevības, un, protams, mīlestība.
Gavriel d’Alana – disciplinēts, auksts, prasmīgs slepkava, viens no pēdējiem Noxblade brālības kareivjiem.
Magda Versai – mežonīga, dominējoša sieviete kareive, kas ir vienlīdz nāvējoša gan cilvēka, gan tīģera veidolā.
Abi vientuļie kareivji kļūst par pāriniekiem un dodās misijā, kas mainīs viņu dzīves neparedzētos veidos.
Gavriel d’Alana – disciplinēts, auksts, prasmīgs slepkava, viens no pēdējiem Noxblade brālības kareivjiem.
Magda Versai – mežonīga, dominējoša sieviete kareive, kas ir vienlīdz nāvējoša gan cilvēka, gan tīģera veidolā.
Abi vientuļie kareivji kļūst par pāriniekiem un dodās misijā, kas mainīs viņu dzīves neparedzētos veidos.
April 30, 2019
3.5 stars
I’m a fan of the Ads Numina series and have really enjoyed Ann Aguirre’s PNR series. I like the interplay between the different types of characters and the taut tension between the various couples.
This particular pairing between Noxblade, Gavriel d’Alana, and Chief Security shifter, Magda Versai is unusual and intriguing for me. Gavriel is trained as a highly disciplined Noxblade and sublimates his masochistic tendencies. He has never found a safe place to share his proclivities. Magda is an alpha female. She is used to being in charge and as the head security for the shifters, she has experience doling out pain. What makes this relationship interesting is that power dynamics change often between the two. It’s refreshing to see the couple not have to define the relationship in a traditional sense.
What is missing for me is a strong advancement of the overarching storyline. Much of the story is centered around the two main characters, who admittedly, are probably more complex than the others have been thus far. There is little development in the connections between the Animari, the Eldritch and the Golgoths. I’m particularly anxious to find out what happened to Slay.
I’m a fan of the Ads Numina series and have really enjoyed Ann Aguirre’s PNR series. I like the interplay between the different types of characters and the taut tension between the various couples.
This particular pairing between Noxblade, Gavriel d’Alana, and Chief Security shifter, Magda Versai is unusual and intriguing for me. Gavriel is trained as a highly disciplined Noxblade and sublimates his masochistic tendencies. He has never found a safe place to share his proclivities. Magda is an alpha female. She is used to being in charge and as the head security for the shifters, she has experience doling out pain. What makes this relationship interesting is that power dynamics change often between the two. It’s refreshing to see the couple not have to define the relationship in a traditional sense.
What is missing for me is a strong advancement of the overarching storyline. Much of the story is centered around the two main characters, who admittedly, are probably more complex than the others have been thus far. There is little development in the connections between the Animari, the Eldritch and the Golgoths. I’m particularly anxious to find out what happened to Slay.
October 21, 2020
Notes:
Read All the Books Before Audible Escape Poofs: #6
- I like the characters but the attempt to make the story fit within the established timeline was weird. It's good because it gave extra details to events that have already happened but the kind of relationship the two have were not really given the time to develop.
Read All the Books Before Audible Escape Poofs: #6
- I like the characters but the attempt to make the story fit within the established timeline was weird. It's good because it gave extra details to events that have already happened but the kind of relationship the two have were not really given the time to develop.
August 2, 2024
H is grieving so significant loss and betrayal by his queen. Then he meets the h who challenges him to just give himself to her. Loved this couple and their dynamic. She gave him what he needed and he trusted her.
June 16, 2024
Lovely
January 30, 2020
And so we turn to book 4, Gavriel d’Alana's book.
Gavriel is a white haired, red-eyed Noxblade assassin, the most lethal of all. He has been in love with Princess Thalia but when she makes a strategic marriage to Raff Pineda, a wolf lord, he knows there is no chance for him. He decides to try to track down an insurgent stronghold of supporters of Thalia's father, Lord Talfayen.
Magda Versai is a tiger shifter and Raff's bodyguard. She is concerned that her pack-mate, jaguar shifter Slay has either turned traitor or been kidnapped by supporters of the old Lord Talfayen and is determined to track him down.
Magda and Gavriel reluctantly agree to work together as their goals seem similar, despite the fact that they loath and detest each other for atrocities which took place between the Eldritch and the Animari. But as they work together they come to respect each other and maybe something more.
Gavriel has some unusual sexual preferences, ones that Magda is more than happy to indulge. Although the book comes with a warning about rough sex, dominance and pain play which I don't usually enjoy reading in novels, I found the way in which Gavriel and Magda's relationship developed was written in a very sensitive way, in fact it was sensual and steamy.
What I love about this series is the way in which the romance is subservient to the plot. In this case Magda and Gavriel have lots of adventures as they track the renegades, none of which seem superfluous or contrived, the ending was suitably nail-biting and this may even be my favourite couple so far.
Gavriel is a white haired, red-eyed Noxblade assassin, the most lethal of all. He has been in love with Princess Thalia but when she makes a strategic marriage to Raff Pineda, a wolf lord, he knows there is no chance for him. He decides to try to track down an insurgent stronghold of supporters of Thalia's father, Lord Talfayen.
Magda Versai is a tiger shifter and Raff's bodyguard. She is concerned that her pack-mate, jaguar shifter Slay has either turned traitor or been kidnapped by supporters of the old Lord Talfayen and is determined to track him down.
Magda and Gavriel reluctantly agree to work together as their goals seem similar, despite the fact that they loath and detest each other for atrocities which took place between the Eldritch and the Animari. But as they work together they come to respect each other and maybe something more.
Gavriel has some unusual sexual preferences, ones that Magda is more than happy to indulge. Although the book comes with a warning about rough sex, dominance and pain play which I don't usually enjoy reading in novels, I found the way in which Gavriel and Magda's relationship developed was written in a very sensitive way, in fact it was sensual and steamy.
What I love about this series is the way in which the romance is subservient to the plot. In this case Magda and Gavriel have lots of adventures as they track the renegades, none of which seem superfluous or contrived, the ending was suitably nail-biting and this may even be my favourite couple so far.
March 11, 2020
I was going back and forth between writing reviews for each individual book in this series, or just one for all of them and ultimately I decided on just writing one :) mostly, because I devoured all four books currently available in it in three days… yep, I just couldn’t stop… once I started, I needed to know what’s gonna happen next… which is a bit of a pain, because we are still two books away from finishing the series :) and now I am in withdrawal… the fifth one comes out in april, and the last one next year… or so I think :) each book in the series focuses on a different couple, but there is one bigger story arch happening throughout them all… some of them even overlap and we follow different people during the same time… it’s a paranormal / urban fantasy series, where we have an alternate version of our world but with shapeshifters and other paranormal creatures and whatnot :) the series is definitely on the darker side, fast paced with a lot of action… the romances are usually based on a pretty fast forming connection, mostly because a lot of things are happening at the same time, but it worked for me every time, so no complaints here ;) for some reason this series gave me similar vibes to Burned lands by Bec McMaster, as in there's a heavy focus on action and other things happening with characters and not mainly the romance between them… there are a lot of emotional moments so prepare thyselves cause Ann Aguirre is not afraid to kill people… yeah… I learned that the hard way… I gave each story in this series so far 5 stars and even though I liked some of them a bit more and some a bit less, I enjoyed myself immensely while reading them all :) I will probably reread them before the last one comes out next year, and hopefully I will be able to read them slowly this time so that I can write a more coherent and detailed reviews for each individual story ;) but nevertheless, I highly encourage you guys to give this series a try :)
XOXO
A
XOXO
A
January 7, 2020
if you like the series, keep reading! this happens during the previous book's timeline but separate from the action there for most of it. Looking forward to the last two books
March 25, 2024
I started reading this just before I started my new job, and that was clearly a mistake. My mental energy has been so incredibly drained that I struggled getting through this. Despite liking it a lot!
🐯 Mags was so my kind of FMC. Capable, strong, and still emotionally available/vulnerable. Plus she's described as bigger and beefer than our noxblade. A delicious image. Plus, she's already a domme! She already knew she liked femdom before meeting that MMC. AND she's bi. What else could I ask for in an FMC??
🐯 Gavriel was nice too. A little porcupine assassin, who is sexually repressed the nth degree. Watching Mags wind him up and unspool him was *chef's kiss*. I liked his version of submission too. He wants to fight and be subdued. To be overwhelmed and defeated.
🐯 I'd have love more and longer sex scenes, but honestly, that's just me being a horny gremlin. I think most would think that there is a perfect amount of smut
🐯 This book felt like it had smaller stakes in the overall plot than the others so far, but we did learn some new stuff that will be sure to have impact on the next books
🐯 Mags was so my kind of FMC. Capable, strong, and still emotionally available/vulnerable. Plus she's described as bigger and beefer than our noxblade. A delicious image. Plus, she's already a domme! She already knew she liked femdom before meeting that MMC. AND she's bi. What else could I ask for in an FMC??
🐯 Gavriel was nice too. A little porcupine assassin, who is sexually repressed the nth degree. Watching Mags wind him up and unspool him was *chef's kiss*. I liked his version of submission too. He wants to fight and be subdued. To be overwhelmed and defeated.
🐯 I'd have love more and longer sex scenes, but honestly, that's just me being a horny gremlin. I think most would think that there is a perfect amount of smut
🐯 This book felt like it had smaller stakes in the overall plot than the others so far, but we did learn some new stuff that will be sure to have impact on the next books
April 16, 2019
The Shadow Warrior was action packed with a few slow parts but I enjoyed it all the same. I especially loved the way the relationship developed between the main characters because of how unlikely a pairing they were not only because they were different species but for other reasons that I won't post because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I enjoyed it and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Copy provided by author
Copy provided by author
July 21, 2021
4.5
Tiger shifter Magda goes on a mission with gloomy Eldritch assassin Gavriel, leading to mutually unexpected developments.
I was entirely unable to put this down - it was almost a 5* read.
Tiger shifter Magda goes on a mission with gloomy Eldritch assassin Gavriel, leading to mutually unexpected developments.
I was entirely unable to put this down - it was almost a 5* read.
May 14, 2019
The ARS NUMINA series is the absolute best. I love it so much and it’s series one of my favorite series ever.
I was blessed to receive an eARC of this one from the author and of course I flew through it.
I love these character so much. And I love the couples in every one.
Mags and Gavriel were no different.
I loved learning the back stories and watching their slow burn romance develop. They are so perfect for each other. As all the couples are.
You cannot help but to love these characters and get invested in this story and the things that are happening for them.
I seriously ship every one of the couples so hard. You just root for them no matter what the situation is.
While the romance is a major thing in this series the story line is also very intriguing and there is quite a bit of action packed into these.
The one overlapped what happened in The Wolf Lord quite a bit but what just got to see what was happening with Gavriel and Mags during that time.
I seriously applaud Ann Aguirre every time I read this series. I tell pretty much every one to read it.
I cannot wait to read the next one The War Priest!!!
I was blessed to receive an eARC of this one from the author and of course I flew through it.
I love these character so much. And I love the couples in every one.
Mags and Gavriel were no different.
I loved learning the back stories and watching their slow burn romance develop. They are so perfect for each other. As all the couples are.
You cannot help but to love these characters and get invested in this story and the things that are happening for them.
I seriously ship every one of the couples so hard. You just root for them no matter what the situation is.
While the romance is a major thing in this series the story line is also very intriguing and there is quite a bit of action packed into these.
The one overlapped what happened in The Wolf Lord quite a bit but what just got to see what was happening with Gavriel and Mags during that time.
I seriously applaud Ann Aguirre every time I read this series. I tell pretty much every one to read it.
I cannot wait to read the next one The War Priest!!!
May 23, 2020
4.5 stars. This is the 4th in the series. It went along in the beginning with the events of the 3rd book. This character has been intriguing me since the first book and my heart breaks for him. Though he is surrounded by death, the senseless loss he had in the first, and the brutal finality of his loss in the second had me hoping for this hopeless hero. Mags, the heroine, is one awesome tiger lady. I loved her and felt the light she brought with her. Ah! This series. It's rough and brutal, but I really liked how these two had pretty much already lost so much there wasn't a lot of extra deaths happening, but dealing with the aftermath of deaths and loss. Weird to state it, but this may be the "feel good" romance of the series with death bringers as the leads. Kudos to the author. I loved it.
April 10, 2019
I was super excited to get my hands on an ARC of the latest installment of the Ars Numina saga. Mags drags Gavriel along on a quest to see if they can determine what happened to Slay, and boy is he not enthused by hanging out with her hotness... at first. If you are looking for a hero who is basically the definition of the Arrested Development jail guard shouting "No Touching!" crossed with the crone shouting "Shame" as Cersei walks down from the Sept, Gavriel is your dude. No more moping over the ice princess! Lots of tiger mama magnificence to whip him into shape. Some interesting revelations in this book and some plot threads set up for the next book nicely (I have been waiting for the War Priest since they introduced him in Book 1!).
Already started my first re-read.
Already started my first re-read.
June 14, 2022
3.5 stars.
An improvement over book 3, but still not what I was expecting from this series after finishing book 1.
This H&h are definitely an interesting combo. They both have issues to work through and I liked them together. This hero was submissive (especially in the bedroom) and the heroine really took the lead in their sexual escapades and often outside of them. They also both liked pain in the bedroom. While this isn’t my personal cuppa, it was an interesting change to the usual H/h dynamic.
The one thing that kinda spoiled the book for me was at the ending when the heroine got over her issue a little too quickly and unbelievably.
Safe; hero was a virgin, heroine very experienced, no OW drama but some slight OM drama, no scenes with om/ow, no cheating.
An improvement over book 3, but still not what I was expecting from this series after finishing book 1.
This H&h are definitely an interesting combo. They both have issues to work through and I liked them together. This hero was submissive (especially in the bedroom) and the heroine really took the lead in their sexual escapades and often outside of them. They also both liked pain in the bedroom. While this isn’t my personal cuppa, it was an interesting change to the usual H/h dynamic.
The one thing that kinda spoiled the book for me was at the ending when the heroine got over her issue a little too quickly and unbelievably.
Safe; hero was a virgin, heroine very experienced, no OW drama but some slight OM drama, no scenes with om/ow, no cheating.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2019
This is a good solid book with a nice story with great chemistry between the characters.
Part of the story overlaps with the earlier book "The Wolf Lord", so this is definetly a series you need to read in order.
Ann Aguirre does a nice update of the story so far in the intro, but I recommend everybody to read the earlier books. Which shouldn't be a problem as they are good.
I also like the way the whole dominance-submission relationship between the two felt, a nice change from the usual fare.
I can recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the next installment of the 'Ars Numina' series!
Part of the story overlaps with the earlier book "The Wolf Lord", so this is definetly a series you need to read in order.
Ann Aguirre does a nice update of the story so far in the intro, but I recommend everybody to read the earlier books. Which shouldn't be a problem as they are good.
I also like the way the whole dominance-submission relationship between the two felt, a nice change from the usual fare.
I can recommend this book and am eagerly awaiting the next installment of the 'Ars Numina' series!
May 26, 2019
I didn't expect to like this as much as I did, I guess I expected the main characters to be colder and their sexual encounters to be rougher but that wasn't the case. The heroine a tiger shifter actually hid a very soft heart that had been hurt by losses. She was also deadly and kick-ass. The hero too had been reeling with loss and growing up in a society where he never had love and acceptance. Both of them journey together to find Slay who went missing together in the first book and along the way find something they weren't looking for.
May 20, 2021
Quick(ish) Review
Possibly my favorite of the series. Two bad mofos falling in love, a hero with a soft tender center only for his woman. A heroine who can kick anybody’s butt and save herself. And left me ready for the next book. Chef’s kiss.
Possibly my favorite of the series. Two bad mofos falling in love, a hero with a soft tender center only for his woman. A heroine who can kick anybody’s butt and save herself. And left me ready for the next book. Chef’s kiss.
June 5, 2022
Another beautiful book in this series. Definitely a LOT of murder and destruction in this series. Building a new, more just world through murdering the old isn’t my idea of right. But I still loved this story.
And these two broken, frozen people who found each other.
I was recently struck by how I’ve never seen a book for the man is infantilized… and so many books with women who are babied and spanked. This book, has two very strong people… but the woman is stronger. She is more powerful even to a very powerful man. Loved it! And they can also bring out the soft side of each other. Because they are so strong, they don’t have to be strong for the other in this relationship. It’s pretty darn awesome.
And these two broken, frozen people who found each other.
I was recently struck by how I’ve never seen a book for the man is infantilized… and so many books with women who are babied and spanked. This book, has two very strong people… but the woman is stronger. She is more powerful even to a very powerful man. Loved it! And they can also bring out the soft side of each other. Because they are so strong, they don’t have to be strong for the other in this relationship. It’s pretty darn awesome.
Read
October 1, 2020I did this in audio and I have to confess that I pretty much skipped most of the sex scenes - which is hard to do in audio. The leading man's kink here is not for me which is why I am not giving this a star rating. I did think the trust building parts of the relationship between tiger shifter and noxblade outside of the sex scenes were well done. From a series standpoint this runs parallel to the previous book so doesn't really move the background arc forward much.
April 27, 2019
This review is also posted on my blog.
One of the best things about this book is the BEGINNING. This is not a standalone romance novel, but a book that must be read as part of a series. There is a very long and involved recap of the previous books in this series, and thank goodness for that. Because as much as I absolutely adore these books, I also have a mind like a sieve and can have lots of trouble remember plot lines. The events of this story do take place within the timeline of The Wolf Lord and the stories overlap. I really appreciate the recap and definitely wish more authors will start doing this.
So. This book. I mean, the sexual tension between Gavriel and Mags was VERY intense. I shipped them almost immediately after meeting them. Gavriel is a little cloud of angst who deserves so much love, and Mags is just so wondeful? I love Mags a lot. She's very focused and she's aware that her and Gavriel have very little in common at first. Their people do not have a great history. Gavriel is a Noxblade, one of the Eldritch, while Mags is Animari - or more specifically, a tiger shifter.
This world and time the characters are living in is a very tense one. Battles have been fought and while many have already died, and war is imminent. Tentative alliances have cropped up, but their people remain tense and after so much animosity over the years, it's hard to overcome all that overnight. Gavriel and Mags have a temporary truce in the beginning as they have the same goal in mind - find out what happened to Slay, the missing Animari who has been gone since the first book. Slay is believed to have sold out his people to the rebel Eldritch, and Mags is determined to get to the bottom of it. I'm still convinced the last book in this series is going to be about Slay, so I was never convinced he's bad. But I do want him to be okay? And sometime soon, please.
There's a very otherworldly, almost fantasy-ish feel to the story, because it's so far removed from humans. So, it does seem weird to have modern technology incorporated into the story. It's kind of jarring every time I dive back into the series, but I think it's easy enough to get back into the world after a few chapters.
This story does something that I don't read about in romance books often? I think I'm just not reading the right books, not that there's probably not enough out there. But in The Shadow Warrior, Mags is dominant when it comes to sex. And Gavriel enjoys pain and when someone can dominate him. From their very first sparring scene where Mags is half naked (because of course any shifter would prefer to fight with no clothing since it is a potential obstacle if their opponent has already decided to take off their shirt), the scene is just sizzling with enough sexual tension to melt snow and set their entire place aflame. So, precious Gavriel has lived a very...lonely life serving as a Noxblade. But even when he knows what he wants sexually, Mags teaching him everything is SO. HOT. What makes all of this even better is all the enthusiastic CONSENT. I swoon.
I really love this series, and I want more people to give this series a shot because it is amazing. I can't wait to read The War Priest!
***Thank you to the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review***
One of the best things about this book is the BEGINNING. This is not a standalone romance novel, but a book that must be read as part of a series. There is a very long and involved recap of the previous books in this series, and thank goodness for that. Because as much as I absolutely adore these books, I also have a mind like a sieve and can have lots of trouble remember plot lines. The events of this story do take place within the timeline of The Wolf Lord and the stories overlap. I really appreciate the recap and definitely wish more authors will start doing this.
So. This book. I mean, the sexual tension between Gavriel and Mags was VERY intense. I shipped them almost immediately after meeting them. Gavriel is a little cloud of angst who deserves so much love, and Mags is just so wondeful? I love Mags a lot. She's very focused and she's aware that her and Gavriel have very little in common at first. Their people do not have a great history. Gavriel is a Noxblade, one of the Eldritch, while Mags is Animari - or more specifically, a tiger shifter.
This world and time the characters are living in is a very tense one. Battles have been fought and while many have already died, and war is imminent. Tentative alliances have cropped up, but their people remain tense and after so much animosity over the years, it's hard to overcome all that overnight. Gavriel and Mags have a temporary truce in the beginning as they have the same goal in mind - find out what happened to Slay, the missing Animari who has been gone since the first book. Slay is believed to have sold out his people to the rebel Eldritch, and Mags is determined to get to the bottom of it. I'm still convinced the last book in this series is going to be about Slay, so I was never convinced he's bad. But I do want him to be okay? And sometime soon, please.
There's a very otherworldly, almost fantasy-ish feel to the story, because it's so far removed from humans. So, it does seem weird to have modern technology incorporated into the story. It's kind of jarring every time I dive back into the series, but I think it's easy enough to get back into the world after a few chapters.
This story does something that I don't read about in romance books often? I think I'm just not reading the right books, not that there's probably not enough out there. But in The Shadow Warrior, Mags is dominant when it comes to sex. And Gavriel enjoys pain and when someone can dominate him. From their very first sparring scene where Mags is half naked (because of course any shifter would prefer to fight with no clothing since it is a potential obstacle if their opponent has already decided to take off their shirt), the scene is just sizzling with enough sexual tension to melt snow and set their entire place aflame. So, precious Gavriel has lived a very...lonely life serving as a Noxblade. But even when he knows what he wants sexually, Mags teaching him everything is SO. HOT. What makes all of this even better is all the enthusiastic CONSENT. I swoon.
I really love this series, and I want more people to give this series a shot because it is amazing. I can't wait to read The War Priest!
***Thank you to the author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review***
April 19, 2022
Back in book #1 twin Eldritch Noxblade assassins were sent to the home of the Animari leader, and Prue unexpectedly shifted and took one out before they could talk. The remaining twin is left angry and bitter with no revenge when his Princess makes a deal with the Animari. The final straw is when she marries a wolf shifter and all his pining for her goes unnoticed.
It’s enough to make him do something dramatic... like run off with a tiger shifter to find her missing friend.
Even the Eldritch find Gavriel unnerving with his odd colouring and his red eyes but Magda just keeps baiting him and discovers he has unexpected submissive tendencies. oh my...
Two people out of place in their own worlds, find a place with each other.
4 stars
It’s enough to make him do something dramatic... like run off with a tiger shifter to find her missing friend.
Even the Eldritch find Gavriel unnerving with his odd colouring and his red eyes but Magda just keeps baiting him and discovers he has unexpected submissive tendencies. oh my...
Two people out of place in their own worlds, find a place with each other.
4 stars
April 11, 2019
I was excited to receive an ARC because I had enjoyed the first 3 books in the series and wanted more! I loved the characters, Gavriel and Mags. Their relationship was unique, private, and special. Their journey together was a learning experience for Gavriel, both in life and love. The ending, though, was not all I could have wished for.
April 24, 2021
OK, so here's the thing about this book for me. If you'd asked me before I picked it up, I'd have sworn in a court of law that kink stories with a Domme as a main character just aren't my thing.
I love, intellectually, that they exist. I have zero judgement for anyone whose thing they are. It's just that... based on a 25-year history of reading what has to add up to thousands of dodgy kinkfic stories (and writing a one or two of them myself), not to mention actualfax published stories, I've never felt drawn to stories that feature a Domme (yes, even the ones that featured Natasha Romanov, damnit). I don't know why - I just figured it was the inexplicable way I was wired and felt slightly embarrassed that my wiring and my inner feminist couldn't figure out a way to coexist peacefully instead of just grudgingly agreeing to ignore each other.
Apparently, however, I can no longer say this. I don't know what it is about Mags and Gavriel's relationship that manages to hit my kinks when so many other Domme-led stories haven't, but it really, really does. I loved the development of their relationship (although I had to smile about Ms Aguirre's author's note regarding whether or not she'd managed to redeem Gavriel and make him likeable in this book: I mean, if Ilona Andrews can convincingly redeem Hugh d'Ambray, I don't think there was ever any doubt that Gavriel had at least the potential for redemption).
Plus, unlike with the niggling "AHEM! This Is How To Communicate Well In A Relationship! Reader, please be advised!" moments between Dominic and Pru in Book 1 , the discussions of kinks, limits and explicit consent - and withdrawal thereof at any time -were all really nicely woven in with the scenes themselves in this instalment.
Speaking of which, when it came to the actual kink scenes themselves... they were beautifully written: scorching (well, I thought they were anyway) and sharp in places, but still very clearly consensual and with zero sense of bordering on abuse that less skillful kink story writers can demonstrate.
Also, HALLELUJAH for having a character who's pretty much introduced as bi from the get-go - as soon as we get any backstory for Mags, we learn that she's had two lovers: one male and one female, and they both get equal weighting in her memories.
All of that enthusing notwithstanding, I do agree with a couple of the reviewers below who mention that a weakness of the book overall was how little it moved the main series plot arc forward. Yes, Mags discovers what we, as readers, already know: . We learn how the Golgoth were created. And we get to see a couple of the scenes in Wolf Lord from a different perspective, which was an interesting technique to use... it didn't annoy me the way it did some other readers, but I'm also not sure it was as effective as it could have been. And other than those three things, not a great deal of importance, series-wise, seems to have happened by the end of the book.
Personally, though, I'm less worried about that lack of forward movement than a lot of people seem to be. I've said countless times that I read books for the characters - to see them develop and interact, and - if they've become favourites - simply to get to hang out with them for a bit. And I enjoyed watching Mags & Gavriel's relationship developing - and watching Gavriel in particular begin to understand and accept himself as he is - enough that I didn't feel the lack of more non-relationship plot threads that intensely.
In fact, my only criticism is that I didn't feel like Mags got to do nearly as much developing along the way as Gavriel did.
I think, in the end, I didn't enjoy this instalment quite as much as Demon Prince. Alastor & Sheyla's story is still my favourite - but I think Shadow Warrior comes in at a very close second.
And I'm really, REALLY looking forward to the final two books in the series (OK, mostly Book 6, but I'm at the point where I trust Ms Aguirre to make Callum's book well worth reading too)
I love, intellectually, that they exist. I have zero judgement for anyone whose thing they are. It's just that... based on a 25-year history of reading what has to add up to thousands of dodgy kinkfic stories (and writing a one or two of them myself), not to mention actualfax published stories, I've never felt drawn to stories that feature a Domme (yes, even the ones that featured Natasha Romanov, damnit). I don't know why - I just figured it was the inexplicable way I was wired and felt slightly embarrassed that my wiring and my inner feminist couldn't figure out a way to coexist peacefully instead of just grudgingly agreeing to ignore each other.
Apparently, however, I can no longer say this. I don't know what it is about Mags and Gavriel's relationship that manages to hit my kinks when so many other Domme-led stories haven't, but it really, really does. I loved the development of their relationship (although I had to smile about Ms Aguirre's author's note regarding whether or not she'd managed to redeem Gavriel and make him likeable in this book: I mean, if Ilona Andrews can convincingly redeem Hugh d'Ambray, I don't think there was ever any doubt that Gavriel had at least the potential for redemption).
Plus, unlike with the niggling "AHEM! This Is How To Communicate Well In A Relationship! Reader, please be advised!" moments between Dominic and Pru in Book 1 , the discussions of kinks, limits and explicit consent - and withdrawal thereof at any time -were all really nicely woven in with the scenes themselves in this instalment.
Speaking of which, when it came to the actual kink scenes themselves... they were beautifully written: scorching (well, I thought they were anyway) and sharp in places, but still very clearly consensual and with zero sense of bordering on abuse that less skillful kink story writers can demonstrate.
Also, HALLELUJAH for having a character who's pretty much introduced as bi from the get-go - as soon as we get any backstory for Mags, we learn that she's had two lovers: one male and one female, and they both get equal weighting in her memories.
All of that enthusing notwithstanding, I do agree with a couple of the reviewers below who mention that a weakness of the book overall was how little it moved the main series plot arc forward. Yes, Mags discovers what we, as readers, already know: . We learn how the Golgoth were created. And we get to see a couple of the scenes in Wolf Lord from a different perspective, which was an interesting technique to use... it didn't annoy me the way it did some other readers, but I'm also not sure it was as effective as it could have been. And other than those three things, not a great deal of importance, series-wise, seems to have happened by the end of the book.
Personally, though, I'm less worried about that lack of forward movement than a lot of people seem to be. I've said countless times that I read books for the characters - to see them develop and interact, and - if they've become favourites - simply to get to hang out with them for a bit. And I enjoyed watching Mags & Gavriel's relationship developing - and watching Gavriel in particular begin to understand and accept himself as he is - enough that I didn't feel the lack of more non-relationship plot threads that intensely.
In fact, my only criticism is that I didn't feel like Mags got to do nearly as much developing along the way as Gavriel did.
I think, in the end, I didn't enjoy this instalment quite as much as Demon Prince. Alastor & Sheyla's story is still my favourite - but I think Shadow Warrior comes in at a very close second.
And I'm really, REALLY looking forward to the final two books in the series (OK, mostly Book 6, but I'm at the point where I trust Ms Aguirre to make Callum's book well worth reading too)
June 4, 2020
In each volume of Ann Aguirre’s Ars Numina series, we experience a new and different romance between a new couple, and we follow along with the next part of the ongoing plot. In The Shadow Warrior (Ars Numina Book 4), we experience the flip side of book three. In book three, wolf lord Raff and Princess Thalia got married and dealt with some of her enemies. During that, Magda (Mags), a tiger-shifter, went with Gavriel, an Eldritch Noxblade, to try to figure out what happened to Slay, Ash Valley’s second in command. Gavriel mostly goes because he doesn’t want to watch the princess, to whom he is devoted, marry an Animari. Mags is Ash Valley’s head of security, and she doesn’t yet know whether Slay was taken prisoner, or defected to the enemy. She’s trying to figure out which it is and thinks she’s found his trail. The two head out, and encounter refugees who need their help. They end up tracking Eldritch loyalists (Eldritch who are loyal to Thalia’s dead father) to their stronghold.
Content note for explicit sex. Each couple is different in their sexual desires and needs, and this time a bit of BDSM comes into the mix. I will say that, thankfully, headstrong straight-talking Mags does not turn out to be a submissive or a masochist. In most authors’ hands she probably would have. Consent is important in these books–another thing I love–and Mags and Gavriel build trust slowly. I adore Mags in all of her muscular glory. These two start out as just sex partners, and things grow from there.
I enjoyed watching Gavriel develop a sense of humor. It isn’t easy for him to expand his sights beyond his training as a Noxblade assassin; certainly that’s all Thalia ever saw him as. Thanks to Magda, he starts looking beyond his precious princess to what’s really going on amongst the Eldritch.
The plot proceeds apace! Our heroes find more of the mysterious “contaminated” Eldritch who seem to be nearly-mindless monsters, and realize what’s causing their unusual state. They figure out whether Slay turned traitor or was captured. And it’s just plain interesting to see some of the events from book three from an entirely different perspective. I believe there are supposed to be two more books in the series–I can’t wait to read them!
Original post on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/06/r...
Content note for explicit sex. Each couple is different in their sexual desires and needs, and this time a bit of BDSM comes into the mix. I will say that, thankfully, headstrong straight-talking Mags does not turn out to be a submissive or a masochist. In most authors’ hands she probably would have. Consent is important in these books–another thing I love–and Mags and Gavriel build trust slowly. I adore Mags in all of her muscular glory. These two start out as just sex partners, and things grow from there.
I enjoyed watching Gavriel develop a sense of humor. It isn’t easy for him to expand his sights beyond his training as a Noxblade assassin; certainly that’s all Thalia ever saw him as. Thanks to Magda, he starts looking beyond his precious princess to what’s really going on amongst the Eldritch.
The plot proceeds apace! Our heroes find more of the mysterious “contaminated” Eldritch who seem to be nearly-mindless monsters, and realize what’s causing their unusual state. They figure out whether Slay turned traitor or was captured. And it’s just plain interesting to see some of the events from book three from an entirely different perspective. I believe there are supposed to be two more books in the series–I can’t wait to read them!
Original post on my blog: http://www.errantdreams.com/2020/06/r...
March 27, 2020
Oh my sweet, broken Gavriel. How much tragedy can one man take? I want to give him everything he desires and more!
He and Magda make a hilarious and dangerous pair. I was worried that after her scene with the tea in The Wolf Lord, I wouldn't be able to connect with her as the heroine, and while I still think she was an uber dick for that (it is possible to be honest without being mean), having the space to flesh out her character here worked well. She has so much compassion and her own painful history; she is exactly what Gavriel needs - someone to see him as worthy and to help him understand and explore his needs - while he is the perfect person to work his way past her defenses without either of them realizing that is what's happening. They can't change the damage that was done to one another, but together they can move forward from it, and I think that's one of the sweetest things imaginable.
I hate bingeing television shows, but clearly I have no similar qualms about books, because this is the 4th Ars Numina book I've read in as many days, and it is no understatement to say that they are saving my mental and emotional stability as my area has gone into shelter-in-place due to the pandemic. I will be forever grateful for Ann Aguirre. The only thing I have to complain about is the fact that I still have to wait a month for the release of The War Priest!
He and Magda make a hilarious and dangerous pair. I was worried that after her scene with the tea in The Wolf Lord, I wouldn't be able to connect with her as the heroine, and while I still think she was an uber dick for that (it is possible to be honest without being mean), having the space to flesh out her character here worked well. She has so much compassion and her own painful history; she is exactly what Gavriel needs - someone to see him as worthy and to help him understand and explore his needs - while he is the perfect person to work his way past her defenses without either of them realizing that is what's happening. They can't change the damage that was done to one another, but together they can move forward from it, and I think that's one of the sweetest things imaginable.
I hate bingeing television shows, but clearly I have no similar qualms about books, because this is the 4th Ars Numina book I've read in as many days, and it is no understatement to say that they are saving my mental and emotional stability as my area has gone into shelter-in-place due to the pandemic. I will be forever grateful for Ann Aguirre. The only thing I have to complain about is the fact that I still have to wait a month for the release of The War Priest!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews