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Rise Of The Ash Gods #2

The Cloaked Maiden

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Two gods down, seven to go.

Valentina is having the worst time of her life. On the run from an invisible enemy, she now has to track down the rest of the gods of the Major Arcana and convince them to help her save the Mysteries of the Tarot and the world. On top of that, she has to deal with her twin sister, Ravenna, the Curse of the Moon, and the two sinfully hot gods she’s managed to trap in her tarot cards – Loki and Veles.

They both want her.

She’s too far from home, her family and her coven are in danger, and the last thing she needs is two powerful beings to fight over her. Or even worse, four! When she accidentally runs into Jupiter, the God of the Sky, and his frenemy who calls himself Death, Valentina has to accept her fate. She’s the only one who can make the stubborn, arrogant, egotistical gods with too much power to yield work together. The solution?

Give them what they want.

251 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2019

40 people are currently reading
75 people want to read

About the author

Cara Wylde

150 books650 followers
Cara Wylde loves to write about strong, feisty women and their hot Alphas who will do anything to make them happy. Her books are filled with romance and just a dash of mystery, suspense, and that eerie atmosphere she fell in love with reading too many gothic novels. With a master's degree in Comparative Literature, she can't help but play with tropes and themes from various genres, trying to come up with fresh perspectives on the paranormal characters her readers love so much. Vampires, shape-shifters, demons, witches... Cara will always make sure they get their own twists.

When she's not writing, Cara is reading, planning her next story, or daydreaming. Her idea of pure heaven is a day filled with nothing but her laptop, a huge coffee pot, relaxing music, and a new, exciting project.

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5 stars
71 (63%)
4 stars
25 (22%)
3 stars
11 (9%)
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2 (1%)
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3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
Profile Image for Leanne.
1,451 reviews33 followers
December 11, 2019
Such a good series!!! Can’t wait til the last two books are out!
Profile Image for Jamie Bee.
Author 1 book122 followers
April 8, 2019
In the second installment of the series, we find Val furiously packing to head back home. Her family is alive, and she must see them, her critical quest to find all the missing gods of the tarot deck willingly put aside. Magny doesn't want to go, and Val does have some trepidation about seeing her family. Will they and any other remaining members have suffered the fate of the suit-of-coins-protecting coven? But whatever she will find back home, she feels she must go to them. But these plans go awry at the airport when she spots the person whom she believes must be Jupiter. Since it isn't necessarily easy to find the gods, she decides to stay in Cairo and follow Gideon Jove.

Will Gideon Jove enter the pack willingly? What other gods and adventures await Val in this book.?

I so enjoy this series! It has a great premise of a low-level witch needing to save the tarot, and the author has created some interesting characters in Val and Magny as well as the gods she comes across. You definitely need to have read book 1, or you will be lost in book two as it essentially picks up where book 1 left off. I love Magny’s character; he plays the role of the joker well, sometimes intentionally and sometimes not. The only thing I find off-putting about the series is that the author does a lot of head hopping, sometimes from paragraph to paragraph within the same scene.

If you enjoyed the globe-hopping book one, you would enjoy Val’s further adventures.

I received a free copy of this book, but this did not affect my review.
Profile Image for JodyL.
1,644 reviews5 followers
April 5, 2019
Warning: You absolutely must read the previous books in order to understand what is happening and who the many characters are.
Twenty-one year old Valentina has the gods Loki and Veles in her Tarot deck. Now she only needs seven more. As she is getting ready to get on a plane in Cairo she sees someone that looks familiar. Her and her hobgoblin Magney follow after him. It turns out that he is Jove, the incarnation of the god Jupiter.
He tells her he isn't interested in helping her. What can she do to convince him and what is he hiding?
Valentina decides to go to a past-life therapist in order to find out who she is. What she finds out is very enlightening but caused a majorly huge problem.
She meets Nergal, the god of death when she is following Jove. We find out from a goddess some very important information about her relationship with these four gods.
Then we meet Hades, the god of the underworld as well as another goddess.
There a things written about other people such as Jove's human mother and Nergal's target that I hope will be concluded later on in the story so it doesn't feel like we are left hanging. Other than those off shoot stories not feeling complete, I enjoyed the story and interaction with all the characters. My favorite character is Magney. I am curious as to what he wants to ask for in the end.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Erika Robles.
92 reviews1 follower
April 7, 2019
Valentina is back. Now alone and unable to summon Loki and Veles' physical forms, Valentina sets out to save another part of the tarot in Cairo. With a little more knowledge of the tarot and her magic, coming to terms with having her twin sister's Higher Self instead of her own. Valentina finds out how the fourth dimension creatures are traveling to the third, and consequently possessing the other keepers of the tarot. On the verge of going home she finds the next god in her deck, self serving egotistical Jupiter, her Emperor, lucky for her he leads her straight to her Death, the card not the physical state, Nergal. Skewing her time sensor in her quest for answers, going against another terrible goddess and losing her virginity to 4 gods together, Valentina gets a reality check and awakening she might not have been totally ready for. This book blends a coming of age, for Valentina, with romance where choosing is overrated, a mix of different kinds of magic and the thing that really sets it apart from other RH fantasy/magic books, a blend of mythologies and gods which are expertly written and explained, even if you're not a mythology buff, in a way that leaves you curious and craving for more. Can't wait to see Valentina get the rest of her Gods harem in her deck, save her parents, and the third dimension as we know and love/hate it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Denise.
1,268 reviews5 followers
April 6, 2019
This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW. The Cloaked Maiden by Cara Wylde is the second book in the Rise of the Ash Gods series. I really enjoyed this read. Partly, because Cara Wylde writes in pictures and you can run the movie in your mind as you are reading. Mostly, because there is so much chemistry between the characters and they are so well thought out and presented. Then you have a storyline that is complex and addictingly enticing. Put it all together and you have a book that will not only keep your attention from start to finish, but also makes you lose track of time. You get to meet more of the Major Arcana and learn more of everyone's back story. There are some heated love scenes so Mature Readers Only Please. This is a series read and should definitely be read in the series order or you will miss major chunks of the story. I recommend reading the prequel - The Test as you are introduced to all the characters and given a good footing to start from. A great series that should definitely be on your TBR pile!

This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.
Profile Image for Brittany Smith.
63 reviews2 followers
January 26, 2020
This book wasn't without its flaws, such as some small editing errors, it was still entertaining. I did have problems with the one sex scene, seemed a bit unrealistic as far as what taking on 4 well-endowed lovers for a virgin would be like. However, this book did a good job fixing some plot holes from the first one and was, in general, a better book IMO. If I could change one thing it would be that I wished the men were developed a bit more and their individual relationship with the MC. Knowing that there will be 9 I feel like it will be a struggle to write convincing emotional connections between all of them. The world-building is amazing and I enjoy the mix of the tarot with more obscure god/goddess mythologies. While the third-person omniscient POV took a bit to get used to I can't say I hate it. Though I do wonder if using an alternating POV would be a better way to create the emotional connection between characters that I am missing.
2,906 reviews17 followers
March 30, 2019
I was completely engrossed from the first page to the last. Fascinating, unique, and sexy characters in a world just like ours, except magic really exists and ancient gods walk amongst us.

While in Cairo Val manages to secure the Suit of Pentacles. She will also meet Gideon Jove, a.k.a. Jupiter, the ancient Roman God of Sky and Thunder. He will introduce her to Nergal, the ancient Sumerian God of War and Pestilence. They will try to help her find the answer to the visions that started after she submitted to hypnosis in an effort to find a way to free Ravenna and find her Higher Self through past life regression.

Wow, just WOW, this is a fantastic book, I can't wait for the next book in this absolutely wonderful, and exciting series!

I am voluntarily leaving an honest and non-incentivized review of this ARC.
Profile Image for Caroline Doig.
5,458 reviews49 followers
April 20, 2019
This is book 2 to the Rise of the Ash Gods and I absolutely loved it. Valentina has captured the gods Loki and Veles and she put them in her tarot cards now she has to find seven more. She comes across Jove who is the incarnation of Jupiter and then she see’s Nergal and he’s the god of Death, Jove refuses to help Valentina so what will she have to do to convince him?. I’m looking forward to the next adventure that Valentina and her Hobgoblin Magney get up to next, you do need to read book 1 to understand the storyline and the characters or you will be confused but it’s a fantastic story/ series and I highly recommend this book it’s definitely well worth the read.
786 reviews4 followers
March 29, 2019
ONE OF MY FAVOURITE BOOKS THIS YEAR!
💥💥💥💥💥
Talk about full on adventure and almost impossible tasks. Boy do l admire the tenacity and gumption this very young ( what 17/18 years?) Witch come keeper, of the cards, as she uses her memories of the test she did in book 1, to get clues to find the gods for the empty cards. Ha! Then persuade a sexy man to become a tempory tarot picture card. With time against her, death helping and the enemys ahead you will find this an adrenaline rush and such a satisfying read.
Totally recommend you read book 1 first.
Profile Image for Vivian Chrisman.
2,811 reviews4 followers
April 7, 2019
With two Gods down and seven more to go, I hope I can make it until the end! This installment gives us a lot more information but it also gives us a lot more questions. Valentina has a long way to go before she can fulfill her destiny. My suggestion is to make sure you can "survive" a serial of this length before starting it. I truly believe that Ms. Wylde has a wonderful story in mind, it's just going to take a while to get it all. Be prepared....

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Judi.
1,923 reviews15 followers
April 2, 2019
You would think recreating the Trionfi Chiari would be a straightforward task for a Keeper of the Spades, but along the way Valentina has to learn much about the Tarot, magic, the gods and about herself. Her long circuitous route is fanciful and thought provoking. Though sometimes a little slow, this is an interesting read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Emily Dickson.
1,096 reviews7 followers
April 7, 2019
This is a great read but I would definitely read the first book first. Great chemistry between the characters as Valentina learns more about her tarot and magic. Lots of enemies and some Gods that must take their spot in her deck. While in Cairo she meets Jupiter and Nergal and Pestilence. She still is dealing with Ravenna and still has her hobgoblin. Loved it! I am voluntarily reviewing an arc I received from Booksprout.
Profile Image for Belinda Clemons.
2,455 reviews29 followers
April 7, 2019
I really loved the time sensor concept and the way Val needs Deaths, aka Nergal, Cloak to help her with it. also Jove aka Jupiter, appears along with Hades the Hermit. and Magny is so cute I really love his character. Val gets her Emperor and Death cards in this one so now with them with her and her The Hanged Man Loki and Magician Veles she has 4 out of 9 Major Arcana Ash Gods and the ending has me very curious I cant wait for book 3
Profile Image for Michelle.
10.7k reviews28 followers
April 12, 2019
The Cloaked Maiden is book two of the Rise of the Ash Gods series and it just gets better and better. I highly recommend you read the Prequel and book one otherwise you will be lost. Loved the interactions and chemistry between the characters. The writing is descriptive and the story is full of action, intrigue, mystery, danger, suspense, secrets and twists and turns that had me hooked from the prequel. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
1,421 reviews11 followers
March 25, 2019
Valentina is trying hard to collect all of the Ash Gods of the Major Arcana and save the Tarot - it is her destiny to save the world. But there are enemies hidden everywhere 0- her coven is in danger, and her family are in danger - will she succeed? Loved all of the twists in this story!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Michelle Fortune.
1,711 reviews5 followers
April 5, 2019
More stars are need for this book and series. I was on my seat throughout the entire book and cannot wait to see what is going to happen next. You will laugh and go through all of the emotions with these characters. The interaction and play with these characters will have you wishing that you could have the type of love they show.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Crystal.
1,258 reviews8 followers
April 8, 2019
Valentina is still in Cairo looking for answers when she runs in to Gideon Jove and even more questions. She also finds Nergal and these two are more frustrating than Loki. I am loving this series and how all the Gods have such different personalities and have given her different nicknames. I can't wait to see what happens with her parents and her trip to Thailand.
7,813 reviews65 followers
April 9, 2019
This is the second book in the series and just as good as the first one the characters are well developed and the storyline is just as smooth flowing that I have come to expect from this author. The chemistry and steamy scenes are great also.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Roxann Pool.
61 reviews1 follower
April 14, 2019
I had to read book one first and I loved both of them. I love all the characters and their interaction is lots of fun. I am patiently waiting for the rest of the series and I am not a patient person. This is a great distraction.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
908 reviews18 followers
April 20, 2019
With everything from astral projections, inter-dimensional travel, Gods from all different cultures like Greek, Sumeria, Hinduism, Tarots and loads of magic this series promises to be full of interesting surprises.

I enjoyed it and plan to read the rest of the series too.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Scarolet Ellis.
7,445 reviews52 followers
April 20, 2019
The Cloaked Maiden: A Reverse Harem Romance (Rise of the Ash Gods, Book 2) by Cara Wylde is an awesome story to read. This is book number two in this awesome story to read. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about paranormal and eroctic romance in their stories.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
74 reviews
August 6, 2021
Much more Interesting

I definitely became much more interested in this series and couldn't put it down this time while reading book 2. I mentioned in a previous comment that book 1 was a little slower to get into, but this book made up for it! I have read so many books by Cara and will continue to do so as she continues to keep them coming!
4,497 reviews24 followers
April 7, 2019
This book is filled with action and intrigue, it has a great storyline 👍. The chemistry and interaction between the characters is wonderful. I can't wait for more from this author. I received this book as a FREE ARC copy to read and I voluntarily leave this review.
Profile Image for Rebecca.
4,065 reviews
February 29, 2020
Must Read

So much happened in this story. All the craziness and still Val keeps her head up and keeps on going.the gods are another story all they wanna do is show one of the others or all of them up . Can’t wait to read the next book.
Profile Image for LeiT.
382 reviews5 followers
April 10, 2019
👌🏻

Yessss!!! Another great book and I can’t wait to see where this adventure takes Val next.

A must read for lovers of RH.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews

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