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Soldiers of Blood & Ruin #1
Rox's Renegades
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B07QTFFQCW
From the author who brought you the "Keepers of the Talisman" trilogy.Enter a new apocalyptic world of vampires and zombies where humans are struggling to survive against all odds.---BioWar, World War III Sixty years ago, the first shot was fired. In the last ten years, our country has fallen. Chemical agents dropped mercilessly on friend and foe alike have created two new species of humanoid, and the world population has been reduced to small colonies of humans fighting against them to survive. Out on a routine patrol, my team and I run into the worst kind of trouble. Branded and left for dead by our superiors, we form bonds that cannot be broken and find asylum with the enemy. Seeking knowledge, my sexy team of four and I race across the wasteland fighting zombies, mutants, and our own transformation for the one thing that can give us answers: a sample of untainted DNA. Aligned with vampires and on the run, we thought things couldn't get worse until a hidden threat finds me. When conspiracy is the norm, who can I trust? The war is not over and the fight between the species has just begun.
From the author who brought you the "Keepers of the Talisman" trilogy.Enter a new apocalyptic world of vampires and zombies where humans are struggling to survive against all odds.---BioWar, World War III Sixty years ago, the first shot was fired. In the last ten years, our country has fallen. Chemical agents dropped mercilessly on friend and foe alike have created two new species of humanoid, and the world population has been reduced to small colonies of humans fighting against them to survive. Out on a routine patrol, my team and I run into the worst kind of trouble. Branded and left for dead by our superiors, we form bonds that cannot be broken and find asylum with the enemy. Seeking knowledge, my sexy team of four and I race across the wasteland fighting zombies, mutants, and our own transformation for the one thing that can give us answers: a sample of untainted DNA. Aligned with vampires and on the run, we thought things couldn't get worse until a hidden threat finds me. When conspiracy is the norm, who can I trust? The war is not over and the fight between the species has just begun.
234 pages, ebook
Published May 20, 2019
72 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
Rowan Thalia
27 books127 followersWelcome to my author page. My pen name is Rowan Thalia. I published my first novel on February 14, 2019.
I discovered very early on that I loved writing. Poetry was my first love and form of expression. I’ve written poems since I was sixteen and have quite the collection by now! Some of them you can find in my two poetry anthologies.
I’ve always been an avid reader and writer of short stories. My favorite author of all time is Anne Rice. In fact my pen name stems from one of her characters, Rowan, from The Witching Hour.
It wasn’t until 2017 that I decided to push through and write a full-length novel. I started Binding Rayne (which went through several title changes at first) but struggled with the direction. In the middle of the first draft, I happened upon the reverse-harem book community on facebook. The complicated romances rooted in my author heart and before long my book took on a new direction. The Keepers of the Talisman trilogy was born!
Since then, I have written and published many more reverse-harem romance novels, most of them paranormal in genre. Never to be one to sit idle, I’ve recently opened a second pen name - R. Thalia . With this name, I began the journey of writing my first (non-romance) paranormal thriller. I can’t wait to break out and show the book world my full range of capabilities.
Thank you for all of the support and love that has been shown toward my book babies so far, I hope to keep surprising you with bigger and better projects!
I discovered very early on that I loved writing. Poetry was my first love and form of expression. I’ve written poems since I was sixteen and have quite the collection by now! Some of them you can find in my two poetry anthologies.
I’ve always been an avid reader and writer of short stories. My favorite author of all time is Anne Rice. In fact my pen name stems from one of her characters, Rowan, from The Witching Hour.
It wasn’t until 2017 that I decided to push through and write a full-length novel. I started Binding Rayne (which went through several title changes at first) but struggled with the direction. In the middle of the first draft, I happened upon the reverse-harem book community on facebook. The complicated romances rooted in my author heart and before long my book took on a new direction. The Keepers of the Talisman trilogy was born!
Since then, I have written and published many more reverse-harem romance novels, most of them paranormal in genre. Never to be one to sit idle, I’ve recently opened a second pen name - R. Thalia . With this name, I began the journey of writing my first (non-romance) paranormal thriller. I can’t wait to break out and show the book world my full range of capabilities.
Thank you for all of the support and love that has been shown toward my book babies so far, I hope to keep surprising you with bigger and better projects!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
May 20, 2019
The challenges and deception are strong as the story progresses and the characters grow. Plenty of twists, turns and major sexy times! This had me engaged and invested early and I couldn't put it down. Everything I have come to expect from the SMUT Queen Rowan Thalia!
FMC Rox is a strong, in charge, take no shit kinda girl stuck in the wastelands with 3 potential husbands... but how will she choose? Each has an endearing quality that make her consider him, that is until a sexy stranger shows up who makes her 'zing'!
FMC Rox is a strong, in charge, take no shit kinda girl stuck in the wastelands with 3 potential husbands... but how will she choose? Each has an endearing quality that make her consider him, that is until a sexy stranger shows up who makes her 'zing'!
March 9, 2020
A day after I officially finished this novel and I am still mulling my thoughts. I liked it... and I didn't. There were parts that tickled the senses and kept me flipping the pages, while other parts made me roll my eyes or skim scenes.
There was a decent amount of character development, or rather, character introduction - for I am not sure if any of them, (aside from Kir) actually grow in this novel... the POV's are more for clarity and reader awareness of WHO these people are, and why they do what they do.
The situation they find themselves in is harsh, reminiscent of most Zombie games or movies I have seen over the last two decades. Add in the addition of Vampires (whose backstory still doesn't make sense to me, considering the flush and lush culture they've got going on) and you've got the setting for a story that probably should have been a lot more interesting than it was.
Maybe it is just me, but I couldn't fully connect - and there are enough details here and breadcrumbs that I really wanted to. I don't know about Rox, and aside from Kir and Ace, I am not really convinced I like the guys (but that's half of them, right?). Ah well.
There was a decent amount of character development, or rather, character introduction - for I am not sure if any of them, (aside from Kir) actually grow in this novel... the POV's are more for clarity and reader awareness of WHO these people are, and why they do what they do.
The situation they find themselves in is harsh, reminiscent of most Zombie games or movies I have seen over the last two decades. Add in the addition of Vampires (whose backstory still doesn't make sense to me, considering the flush and lush culture they've got going on) and you've got the setting for a story that probably should have been a lot more interesting than it was.
Maybe it is just me, but I couldn't fully connect - and there are enough details here and breadcrumbs that I really wanted to. I don't know about Rox, and aside from Kir and Ace, I am not really convinced I like the guys (but that's half of them, right?). Ah well.
June 21, 2019
This book was amazing in million ways! I loved everything about it, and I have no clue where to start listing all the greatness. I can start by saying that I devoured it, couldn't put it down and started reading the next book immediately, and not only because of the cliffhanger, which was really good.
I love the author's writing style. It simply immersed me in the book and I got lost in it. The ideas were so different and out of this world that I spent most of the book in a state between surprise and shock. And I am not even talking about the unexpected twists in the plot. I deliberately had no idea what the book was about so I got all the shock value unprepared and it was an amazing experience! The author has combined all the genres in this series!!! Not to mention that while reading, I felt like I was sitting in the cinema watching a movie, incredibly vivid. Loved every moment of it.
Then there are characters. Oh, I loved them so much, all of them, even the evil devious ones. Their evil ideas were ingenious. But Rox, Ace, Drake, Zac and Kir, are just to fall in love with. And I don't have favourites, they are beautiful as a unit. Their chemistry is off the charts, and what the author did with the sexy scenes here, is out of this world hot. And they fight together as a well oiled machine.
The world the author created is so amazing, so different, not necessarily beautiful, but incredibly interesting. There are all kinds of beings, there is superadvanced technology, genetic manipulation, dystopian, post-apocalyptic setting. Wow! And the story has a plot to match the setting. The plot is fast-paced, interesting, full of unexpected twists and characters, and some well placed explicit sexy scenes.
I loved this book so much, and I got so into it that I think I even forgot to blink while reading it. This is one of the best, most engaging books I have ever read and I love the author for writing it.
This is just the beginning, and the books should be read in order: Rox's Renegades (Soldiers of Blood & Ruin Book 1), Renegades at War (Soldiers of Blood & Ruin Book 2), and Renegades in Space (Soldiers of Blood & Ruin Book 3) coming soon.
I love the author's writing style. It simply immersed me in the book and I got lost in it. The ideas were so different and out of this world that I spent most of the book in a state between surprise and shock. And I am not even talking about the unexpected twists in the plot. I deliberately had no idea what the book was about so I got all the shock value unprepared and it was an amazing experience! The author has combined all the genres in this series!!! Not to mention that while reading, I felt like I was sitting in the cinema watching a movie, incredibly vivid. Loved every moment of it.
Then there are characters. Oh, I loved them so much, all of them, even the evil devious ones. Their evil ideas were ingenious. But Rox, Ace, Drake, Zac and Kir, are just to fall in love with. And I don't have favourites, they are beautiful as a unit. Their chemistry is off the charts, and what the author did with the sexy scenes here, is out of this world hot. And they fight together as a well oiled machine.
The world the author created is so amazing, so different, not necessarily beautiful, but incredibly interesting. There are all kinds of beings, there is superadvanced technology, genetic manipulation, dystopian, post-apocalyptic setting. Wow! And the story has a plot to match the setting. The plot is fast-paced, interesting, full of unexpected twists and characters, and some well placed explicit sexy scenes.
I loved this book so much, and I got so into it that I think I even forgot to blink while reading it. This is one of the best, most engaging books I have ever read and I love the author for writing it.
This is just the beginning, and the books should be read in order: Rox's Renegades (Soldiers of Blood & Ruin Book 1), Renegades at War (Soldiers of Blood & Ruin Book 2), and Renegades in Space (Soldiers of Blood & Ruin Book 3) coming soon.
May 21, 2019
Zombies and awesomeness
Anything with zombies, reverse harem, vampires and romance count me in. And this is all this book was about. The author did a good job building this world.
Anything with zombies, reverse harem, vampires and romance count me in. And this is all this book was about. The author did a good job building this world.
July 3, 2019
Tried to finish, and 70% in is as good as I can do. I gave it the good ol college try, but it is not one I can continue. It's muddled and all over the place. I don't get the relationship of the guys and her, there is some M/M action that makes no sense. The guys make jokes they don't want to "touch" in the swinging digit area, if you catch my drift, but they are good kissing each other. M/M is a turn off for me to begin with, and throwing it in for some added measure is lost on me. It might ve great for someone else, not me.
The phrase "deep in my/her core" is used so often I cringed.
The plot is all over the place, it does not hold my interest. Nope nope nope. I'm done.
The phrase "deep in my/her core" is used so often I cringed.
The plot is all over the place, it does not hold my interest. Nope nope nope. I'm done.
May 31, 2019
A solid start to the series
Rox's Renegades is the first in a new series about the end of the world as we know it. Well, the aftermath anyway. It has humans, vampires, and zombies. Humans are pretty standard. The vampires are kind of old world feeling and were experiments. The zombies, or Coldies as they are called, are the result of chemical warfare. They are different than your typical truding, "brains" type of zombie. Each has grouped in various colonies and are trying to live in an altered world. The book follows one unit of humans: Rox, Ace, Drake, and Zac. We also meet Kir along the way.
The storyline is interesting. Survival, love, betrayal, and a touch of politics all wrapped up in an easy to understand fashion. The build up to the next book at the end takes an interesting twist and I looked forward to seeing how that is done.
The characters are fun. Rox isn't a whiny MC at all and while she isn't all powerful(which I like), she does get things done. The guys are different, but all are guys you'd hope to meet.
The setting is clear and takes place in various areas. I'm looking forward to the next part though because, well, I can't say. Don't want to spoil it. You'll see.
The editing is well done. I noticed only one error(an extra letter in a word, you can still understand what it's supposed to be). The sentence structure makes for an enjoyable read and the continuity is solid.
Overall, I would recommend this book.
Rox's Renegades is the first in a new series about the end of the world as we know it. Well, the aftermath anyway. It has humans, vampires, and zombies. Humans are pretty standard. The vampires are kind of old world feeling and were experiments. The zombies, or Coldies as they are called, are the result of chemical warfare. They are different than your typical truding, "brains" type of zombie. Each has grouped in various colonies and are trying to live in an altered world. The book follows one unit of humans: Rox, Ace, Drake, and Zac. We also meet Kir along the way.
The storyline is interesting. Survival, love, betrayal, and a touch of politics all wrapped up in an easy to understand fashion. The build up to the next book at the end takes an interesting twist and I looked forward to seeing how that is done.
The characters are fun. Rox isn't a whiny MC at all and while she isn't all powerful(which I like), she does get things done. The guys are different, but all are guys you'd hope to meet.
The setting is clear and takes place in various areas. I'm looking forward to the next part though because, well, I can't say. Don't want to spoil it. You'll see.
The editing is well done. I noticed only one error(an extra letter in a word, you can still understand what it's supposed to be). The sentence structure makes for an enjoyable read and the continuity is solid.
Overall, I would recommend this book.
January 9, 2020
2 stars - not the worst but would not reread. I confess to only finishing it to know the ending.
Vampires, zombies, spaceships.. It's a little too much for me.
Besides, the mundane things of life (eating, going to bathroom, etc) receive attention that would have been better spend on character building (backstory, personality, relations, etc) and plotlines (which is not always logical or natural).
Vampires, zombies, spaceships.. It's a little too much for me.
Besides, the mundane things of life (eating, going to bathroom, etc) receive attention that would have been better spend on character building (backstory, personality, relations, etc) and plotlines (which is not always logical or natural).
May 23, 2019
Holy sh*t this book kicked butt. Rox is my new bff. This book was a completely new take on the aftermath of the apocalypse. A dystopian story with zombies, vampires and awesome hybrids. And let's not forget the scorching heat level. Man I need a cold shower and some chocolate!
I highly recommend this book and eagerly await book two. I promise you won't be disappointed.
I highly recommend this book and eagerly await book two. I promise you won't be disappointed.
June 5, 2019
This is an epic start to this story. There is a cliffhanger but there is a promise of the next book in a month. This is a RH with no MM so far but there are hints there could be some in the future. There is an instant bond between the partners so I would classify this as a slow to medium burn. Vampires, Zombies, Mutants, and conspiracy.
July 26, 2019
Good
It has a good storyline. Something haven't read before. I like characters. I enjoyed that Ace is a submissive male which is something I have never read before. I didnt like how it was fast paced in some parts and in others it seemed like it took forever. Overall good start the series.
It has a good storyline. Something haven't read before. I like characters. I enjoyed that Ace is a submissive male which is something I have never read before. I didnt like how it was fast paced in some parts and in others it seemed like it took forever. Overall good start the series.
April 14, 2020
Fun twist on zombies vs vampires
Firstly, this book is funny, sexy, and feels quite apropos for the pandemic we are dealing with right now.
I love that Rox is the leader of her unit and that the twists and turns took me by surprise without feeling as though they were out of left field.
I’m really looking forward to digging into book 2!
Firstly, this book is funny, sexy, and feels quite apropos for the pandemic we are dealing with right now.
I love that Rox is the leader of her unit and that the twists and turns took me by surprise without feeling as though they were out of left field.
I’m really looking forward to digging into book 2!
May 21, 2019
Amazing start
First book of the series and wow it’s off to a great start. Straight into the action and honestly I couldn’t put it down. Rox and her guys are fun and loving and snarky. Great dynamic between them. And the Plot!!! I can’t recommend it enough.
First book of the series and wow it’s off to a great start. Straight into the action and honestly I couldn’t put it down. Rox and her guys are fun and loving and snarky. Great dynamic between them. And the Plot!!! I can’t recommend it enough.
May 24, 2019
Wow amazing
I flove rox! Hawt sexy hunky men to boot yes please😉. If you like sexy men and lots of sexy times this is the book for you PS girls Drake's mine I licked him first (definitely an over 18 book)
I flove rox! Hawt sexy hunky men to boot yes please😉. If you like sexy men and lots of sexy times this is the book for you PS girls Drake's mine I licked him first (definitely an over 18 book)
June 2, 2019
Amazing dystopian world
I love rox, the guys each have their own personality that you can imagine and want in real life. hot sex, vampires, humans, hybrids and zombies can it get any better. There are jaw dropper and a cliffhanger but book two comes out soon so that's a plus.
I love rox, the guys each have their own personality that you can imagine and want in real life. hot sex, vampires, humans, hybrids and zombies can it get any better. There are jaw dropper and a cliffhanger but book two comes out soon so that's a plus.
June 25, 2019
An awful lot happens in Rox's Renegade, and at times I felt overwhelmed by the pace, but the story was riveting, and I loved Rox and her men. Action-packed from start to finish, with a great cast, I found this to be a great read with nice surprises.
June 28, 2019
Amazing!
Love it!
Definitely going to continue reading the series! I wanna see how vampires handle space! Rox is a bad ass and leads her mean through so tough battles. But every badass has some kind of kryptonight. Deff a must read
Love it!
Definitely going to continue reading the series! I wanna see how vampires handle space! Rox is a bad ass and leads her mean through so tough battles. But every badass has some kind of kryptonight. Deff a must read
October 3, 2019
Omg!
This book was amazing. So many diverse characters and I love how the relationship built. I totally didn’t expect to fall in love with the characters but I did. I really need to read the next one!!!
This book was amazing. So many diverse characters and I love how the relationship built. I totally didn’t expect to fall in love with the characters but I did. I really need to read the next one!!!
May 25, 2019
Rox's Renegades
Good start to the story and it keeps you reading. Some parts feel rushed but it was still easy to follow along. I would recommend this book.
Good start to the story and it keeps you reading. Some parts feel rushed but it was still easy to follow along. I would recommend this book.
May 29, 2019
5 stars
Another amazing book by Ms Thalia. Rox is an amazing heroine. and her harem is yummy. I can't wait for the next book
Another amazing book by Ms Thalia. Rox is an amazing heroine. and her harem is yummy. I can't wait for the next book
June 21, 2019
Dnf 29%
July 23, 2019
Where has this book been?
What a great series starter. I liked how it was a unique story line and characters and I can't wait to read book 2.
What a great series starter. I liked how it was a unique story line and characters and I can't wait to read book 2.
June 8, 2020
DNF 29%
I had high hopes for this one since first chapter was off to a good start !!!
All downhill from there... it fast (too fast) became an all you can eat lust buffet...
I know I know the author told us that FMC has gradually become attached to all of her guys over the course of the last months but telling your readers « believe this because I wrote it » is not the same as reading about those relationships developing over time... Same goes about sexual tension ... Writing « there was a lot of sexual tension » between such and such doesn’t feel tangible enough...
And the electrical current when FMC touches the vampire signalling that they’re mates for life???
Oh please !!! Insert major eye rolling here 🙄🙄🙄
I had high hopes for this one since first chapter was off to a good start !!!
All downhill from there... it fast (too fast) became an all you can eat lust buffet...
I know I know the author told us that FMC has gradually become attached to all of her guys over the course of the last months but telling your readers « believe this because I wrote it » is not the same as reading about those relationships developing over time... Same goes about sexual tension ... Writing « there was a lot of sexual tension » between such and such doesn’t feel tangible enough...
And the electrical current when FMC touches the vampire signalling that they’re mates for life???
Oh please !!! Insert major eye rolling here 🙄🙄🙄
November 29, 2019
So many twists
This is such a unique plot and storyline. Yes, there are vampires and zombies ,(here known as Coldies) but this post-apocalyptic paranormal RH will have you dashing around all the twists and turns the author throws into story. It will definitely keep you on your toes as you try to figure out what is really going on or what will happen next for Rox' renegades.
This is such a unique plot and storyline. Yes, there are vampires and zombies ,(here known as Coldies) but this post-apocalyptic paranormal RH will have you dashing around all the twists and turns the author throws into story. It will definitely keep you on your toes as you try to figure out what is really going on or what will happen next for Rox' renegades.
April 23, 2020
Loved this take on an apocalyptic world! Zombies, vampires and mutants, so different from the norm. Rowan dod an amazing job with the characters and plot, I can't wait for the next book!
October 20, 2019
4 Stars
Four Stars
Rox’s Renegades! I love the relationship between them. I never expected the enduro be like that. Now I need to know what happens next.
Four Stars
Rox’s Renegades! I love the relationship between them. I never expected the enduro be like that. Now I need to know what happens next.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews