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By reader request, Hope is a full-length epilogue novel to show what comes after the series ends.
The war is over. The dead have been laid to rest. Peace is on the horizon, and Anglia is a country that needs to be put back together. After a failed coup, a new king who's spent more time away from the country than on his throne, and two new kingdoms sharing the same space, it's starting to feel like combat was easier to handle.
But Dominik Jens has an idea. What this country needs is a celebration to unite the three species. He has one in mind, but he's not quite sure it's going to fly. The nobles hate the idea, the iliri love it, and the grauori haven't responded. They're too worried about the Orassae's grandchildren, who are due to be born at any time.
Peace isn't made from drawing lines in the sand. It's all about erasing them. That's how Hope is built, and it's the only way for Anglia to move forward together.
Luckily, they have plenty to spare.
This 120,000 word story is in addition to the complete and finished series (Books 1 - 10). It was written for the readers who wanted to re-visit the characters they have grown to love as they settle in after the war. Like all of the Rise of the Iliri novels, this epic fantasy story focuses on loving relationships, platonic and romantic, with a steamy reverse harem theme. Some erotic love scenes are explicit and almost unbearably titillating, although not for all readers—especially humans under eighteen.
Bonus Epilogue Content Epic Fantasy.
The war is over. The dead have been laid to rest. Peace is on the horizon, and Anglia is a country that needs to be put back together. After a failed coup, a new king who's spent more time away from the country than on his throne, and two new kingdoms sharing the same space, it's starting to feel like combat was easier to handle.
But Dominik Jens has an idea. What this country needs is a celebration to unite the three species. He has one in mind, but he's not quite sure it's going to fly. The nobles hate the idea, the iliri love it, and the grauori haven't responded. They're too worried about the Orassae's grandchildren, who are due to be born at any time.
Peace isn't made from drawing lines in the sand. It's all about erasing them. That's how Hope is built, and it's the only way for Anglia to move forward together.
Luckily, they have plenty to spare.
This 120,000 word story is in addition to the complete and finished series (Books 1 - 10). It was written for the readers who wanted to re-visit the characters they have grown to love as they settle in after the war. Like all of the Rise of the Iliri novels, this epic fantasy story focuses on loving relationships, platonic and romantic, with a steamy reverse harem theme. Some erotic love scenes are explicit and almost unbearably titillating, although not for all readers—especially humans under eighteen.
Bonus Epilogue Content Epic Fantasy.
541 pages, ebook
First published October 14, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
October 25, 2019
I want a bachelorette party just like that
OMG! I’m not crying; you’re crying!!!! I can actually get behind this last book! It allowed me to have the closure I needed to be ok with leaving this Iliri world... Only for me to start this ride all over. This was most definitely not a one time read series. I could be deep into another book and get an Iliri craving. I know asking for a spin-off would probably be too much. But just to see the next generation grow even though I know they had a happily ever after... would be... *siiiiiigh*
OMG! I’m not crying; you’re crying!!!! I can actually get behind this last book! It allowed me to have the closure I needed to be ok with leaving this Iliri world... Only for me to start this ride all over. This was most definitely not a one time read series. I could be deep into another book and get an Iliri craving. I know asking for a spin-off would probably be too much. But just to see the next generation grow even though I know they had a happily ever after... would be... *siiiiiigh*
October 24, 2019
Hope
As I sit here crying having finally finished Hope (I read this more slowly than I have ever read one of Auryn Hadley books dreading getting to the end), I have to say that I'm still not willing to let them go. I think I'm just going to start book 1 (for what's probably the 5th? time now) and join them on their adventure again. These characters will stick with me for the rest of my life.
As I sit here crying having finally finished Hope (I read this more slowly than I have ever read one of Auryn Hadley books dreading getting to the end), I have to say that I'm still not willing to let them go. I think I'm just going to start book 1 (for what's probably the 5th? time now) and join them on their adventure again. These characters will stick with me for the rest of my life.
October 28, 2019
Perfect ending!
This series is not just 11 books. This is a set of immaculate novels that show struggle and acceptance, greed and hope, tyranny and redemption. At the heart of it, it is a story of love, family, and endurance. There are layers that once peeled away show such complexity that their story simply can't be easily forgotten.
The FMC when we meet her in the first novel is looking for a way to live or die on her own terms. On her journey, as the series progresses, she touches the lives of those around her in a profound way, while making new friends and creating a family of chosen individuals who see something in her that she has to learn to see for herself. She is resilient and learns about herself and about the culture she was raised to be ashamed of.
Her relationships evolve over time and new ones are formed as they travel across the continent in the midst of war.
If you enjoy phenomenal world building, intricate plots, and characters that are complex and grow over time...you will love this. There is blood, sex, violence, strategy, war, hate, greed, and love throughout it all. But most of all there is hope.
And the epilogue's epilogue... that's "ayati"...
This series is not just 11 books. This is a set of immaculate novels that show struggle and acceptance, greed and hope, tyranny and redemption. At the heart of it, it is a story of love, family, and endurance. There are layers that once peeled away show such complexity that their story simply can't be easily forgotten.
The FMC when we meet her in the first novel is looking for a way to live or die on her own terms. On her journey, as the series progresses, she touches the lives of those around her in a profound way, while making new friends and creating a family of chosen individuals who see something in her that she has to learn to see for herself. She is resilient and learns about herself and about the culture she was raised to be ashamed of.
Her relationships evolve over time and new ones are formed as they travel across the continent in the midst of war.
If you enjoy phenomenal world building, intricate plots, and characters that are complex and grow over time...you will love this. There is blood, sex, violence, strategy, war, hate, greed, and love throughout it all. But most of all there is hope.
And the epilogue's epilogue... that's "ayati"...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2024
***5 stars***
Overall
Auryn didn't just give us a 1 or 2 chapter epilogue. She wrote an ENTIRE 541 page epilogue. A beautiful end to and adventurous tale. It closes all of the threads we could hope for. Pleasantly title "hope" that is the true theme of this book. Hope for a better future in their world. It answers the What Happens After We Win? question that often plagues most epic fantasy readers. So often we are just left with and they live happily ever after, and don't discuss all the issues that would likely occur.
Sal and Co are back home. Her first TRUE home and they are figuring out what it means to just live and not always be fighting inner or outer battles. It truly is a beautiful ending.
Cover
I don't think I need to say anything here. We know how I feel about the covers at this point.
Recommendation
If you have read all 10 other books in this series and for some reason think you are done. You are not. You need this book. This series is a masterpiece and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone that will just listen to me.
Overall
Auryn didn't just give us a 1 or 2 chapter epilogue. She wrote an ENTIRE 541 page epilogue. A beautiful end to and adventurous tale. It closes all of the threads we could hope for. Pleasantly title "hope" that is the true theme of this book. Hope for a better future in their world. It answers the What Happens After We Win? question that often plagues most epic fantasy readers. So often we are just left with and they live happily ever after, and don't discuss all the issues that would likely occur.
Sal and Co are back home. Her first TRUE home and they are figuring out what it means to just live and not always be fighting inner or outer battles. It truly is a beautiful ending.
Cover
I don't think I need to say anything here. We know how I feel about the covers at this point.
Recommendation
If you have read all 10 other books in this series and for some reason think you are done. You are not. You need this book. This series is a masterpiece and I will recommend it to anyone and everyone that will just listen to me.
October 12, 2019
So good
This is the ending to one of the best series I have ever read. The entire thing, beginning to the end was so very good. The way Ms. Hadley can weave the characters together with the war and the love is just amazing.
This is the ending to one of the best series I have ever read. The entire thing, beginning to the end was so very good. The way Ms. Hadley can weave the characters together with the war and the love is just amazing.
October 24, 2019
Just amazing
Exactly the ending we needed to this beyond amazing series, 12/10 recommended. Totally have not just a book hangover now but an entire series hangover, whatever will I do with my life haha
Exactly the ending we needed to this beyond amazing series, 12/10 recommended. Totally have not just a book hangover now but an entire series hangover, whatever will I do with my life haha
November 1, 2019
I can't say enough about this series. Having just finished this last book I'm quite emotional. It was beautiful. All the best feelings. This series was a gift and this last book was the beautiful wrapping. I'm hard pressed to remember any series that has impressed me more.
June 24, 2021
I really wasn’t sure what to expect from an epilogue novel, and for whatever reason had kept putting of reading this, but after re-reading books 1-10, I took the plunge, and I really loved it. There isn’t huge drama, it is just visiting Sal and her guys and friends as they adjust to peace and settle into Arawhen- I really loved that we get to spend time with all of the characters, and not just Sal and the guys. I loved seeing them all becoming family, being parents, and seeing Jarl and Nya’s babies being born. I love their ending :)
December 1, 2019
The best books ever!
I enjoyed this series so much I cried, laughed and cheered for these characters. I’m so sad to see it end and I don’t know what to do next. Thank you so much for the best series I’ve read in ages!
I enjoyed this series so much I cried, laughed and cheered for these characters. I’m so sad to see it end and I don’t know what to do next. Thank you so much for the best series I’ve read in ages!
Read
March 19, 2021This has been a roller coaster ride, we started off slow but boy did it pick up. This review is for the last book in the series so it’s really not possible to not have spoilers here, for those of you that haven’t even read book 1, I don’t know what you are doing here.
Sal has suffered but I’m not going to go through that I’m going to only go through the RH aspect; she had the expected (IMO) insecurities and I enjoyed her character growth till the last book.
Tyr, my man, don’t u know that human women always have two families when they get married, duh!
Blaz, shocked, for real though it’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for.
Jase, he didn’t get lots of airplay in the last books but it was okay since the first ones were almost only about him. This guy was to Sal if you had a best friend that got all your quirks and weirdness but still loved you with his whole self, beautiful just!
Kolt, hot guy with a kid and he made sure we didn’t forget it, kinda irked me.
Zep, you know the coolest guy in school who makes you his friend and makes it so worthwhile like how did you ever go through life without this guy in your life. That was Zep and cool people also have problems but we sometimes forget they are also human so it was always shocking when Zep mentioned any insecurity, he always seemed a-okay.
Would have enjoyed a peek into Dom’s and Artic’s triad some more, but Dom mostly 😊
Will miss you guys.......
Il bax genause!
Sal has suffered but I’m not going to go through that I’m going to only go through the RH aspect; she had the expected (IMO) insecurities and I enjoyed her character growth till the last book.
Tyr, my man, don’t u know that human women always have two families when they get married, duh!
Blaz, shocked, for real though it’s always the quiet ones you have to watch out for.
Jase, he didn’t get lots of airplay in the last books but it was okay since the first ones were almost only about him. This guy was to Sal if you had a best friend that got all your quirks and weirdness but still loved you with his whole self, beautiful just!
Kolt, hot guy with a kid and he made sure we didn’t forget it, kinda irked me.
Zep, you know the coolest guy in school who makes you his friend and makes it so worthwhile like how did you ever go through life without this guy in your life. That was Zep and cool people also have problems but we sometimes forget they are also human so it was always shocking when Zep mentioned any insecurity, he always seemed a-okay.
Would have enjoyed a peek into Dom’s and Artic’s triad some more, but Dom mostly 😊
Will miss you guys.......
Il bax genause!
October 20, 2019
We needed this epilogue and we got it. Almost everyone got their closure, some of them more tear-wrenching than others. We got to see what Anglia looks like after the war and plans for the future, not only for their country but for the whole continent. We met again characters that we missed and loved, others that are more recent but made an impression and characters that have been with us from the very beginning.
When I began reading this book, I was squealing and clapping and jumping with excitement and almost in a kind of agony, because it is the last taste of a story I loved and characters that are so well-portrayed, so real, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the story completely while reading it. As I read, I kept checking the pages left, wishing it would not end. I just wanted a little bit more. But alas, it came to its end, an end that made me tear up, both happy and anxious, for a future that Sal will have in her world but we will never get to experience with her.
Thank you Auryn, for giving this whole series to us. It made me laugh, stress, cry, worry and fume with anger. You did exactly what a great author is capable of doing. You gave us a world we could live in, see, taste, smell and hear. You gave us characters we could identify with, love, hate and believe in. Il bax genause.
When I began reading this book, I was squealing and clapping and jumping with excitement and almost in a kind of agony, because it is the last taste of a story I loved and characters that are so well-portrayed, so real, I couldn't help but be drawn in by the story completely while reading it. As I read, I kept checking the pages left, wishing it would not end. I just wanted a little bit more. But alas, it came to its end, an end that made me tear up, both happy and anxious, for a future that Sal will have in her world but we will never get to experience with her.
Thank you Auryn, for giving this whole series to us. It made me laugh, stress, cry, worry and fume with anger. You did exactly what a great author is capable of doing. You gave us a world we could live in, see, taste, smell and hear. You gave us characters we could identify with, love, hate and believe in. Il bax genause.
April 19, 2020
Predictable but I assumed that would be the case as it usually is in a wrap up book. I didn’t like that after 10 books of Sal saying she never wanted kids to oh I didn’t realize it during the war but now I’m jealous and do want my own kids, followed by two pure illiri coincidently being born and offered to her to adopt. Yes I did say predictable but shesh. It seemed like every. Single. Character. that was ever mentioned in the series made an appearance in this which was challenging to remember who was who. With that being said I really enjoyed Ran and Ryali in particular finding their own happily ever afters. Since every single character did, it would have been annoying if even one hadn’t been given theirs. I may even be interested in a spin off but hope the author could add some realism I.e some sadness...not everyone can always be cured from death, etc.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2020
18.11.2020 I really really loved this whole series. I’m considering starting at the Beginning and reading it again, since no other book seems to appeal to me at the moment and everything I pull out, I don’t even get to the end of the first chapter...
29.11.2020 After reading the whole series a second time in a row, I still feel a little hangover to be honest. I really loved this series and it is one of my absolute favourites.
16.12.2020 I really would love this series as a print on demand in hardcover with all 11 titles in one big book. Not really to read it, because I read mostly on kindle, but for my book shelf, for putting little tabs on the best scenes and quotes and just to have it to flip through the pages. I wouldn’t mind it being a big A4 size leather bound version either. My dream gift for christmas...
29.11.2020 After reading the whole series a second time in a row, I still feel a little hangover to be honest. I really loved this series and it is one of my absolute favourites.
16.12.2020 I really would love this series as a print on demand in hardcover with all 11 titles in one big book. Not really to read it, because I read mostly on kindle, but for my book shelf, for putting little tabs on the best scenes and quotes and just to have it to flip through the pages. I wouldn’t mind it being a big A4 size leather bound version either. My dream gift for christmas...
October 25, 2019
Best bloody series ever!
It's 1am and I've just finished Hope. The series is finally finished. I can honestly say that this series has changed my life.... And I don't say that lightly. This book finally brought it all to a close in the most epic and satisfying way, bringing a few laughs and some really poignant moments, and ended with a few years. It's especially awesome to see imperfect, broken, flawed Blaec Doll keep his final promise to Sal. He never left her and he rewrote Ayati for her. LT came good in the end.
Auryn Hadley, thank you for writing such an amazing series. I'm now officially ranking you as my #1 favourite author, ahead of Feist, Tolkien and Pratchett!
It's 1am and I've just finished Hope. The series is finally finished. I can honestly say that this series has changed my life.... And I don't say that lightly. This book finally brought it all to a close in the most epic and satisfying way, bringing a few laughs and some really poignant moments, and ended with a few years. It's especially awesome to see imperfect, broken, flawed Blaec Doll keep his final promise to Sal. He never left her and he rewrote Ayati for her. LT came good in the end.
Auryn Hadley, thank you for writing such an amazing series. I'm now officially ranking you as my #1 favourite author, ahead of Feist, Tolkien and Pratchett!
October 13, 2019
I’m not crying ... you’re crying
Auryn Hadley you are absolutely amazing. You really know how to pull our heart strings. All the heartfelt conversations with all the characters... Dom, Shift, Rayna.... Jarl and Sal... Dom and Shift... Sal and Rayna..
that ENDING WITH THE PUPS AND SAL ADOPTING THEM. Actual tears happened.
And then the cherry on top.. Blaec at the end.
Gosh hands down best ending of a series i have ever read.
Thank you for giving us this world to jump into and fall in love with. ❤️
Auryn Hadley you are absolutely amazing. You really know how to pull our heart strings. All the heartfelt conversations with all the characters... Dom, Shift, Rayna.... Jarl and Sal... Dom and Shift... Sal and Rayna..
that ENDING WITH THE PUPS AND SAL ADOPTING THEM. Actual tears happened.
And then the cherry on top.. Blaec at the end.
Gosh hands down best ending of a series i have ever read.
Thank you for giving us this world to jump into and fall in love with. ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 27, 2019
Ok
It was ok. Felt like some of the dialogue was a bit...fluffy, and I could've done without it. Again, I would have cut this book in half as there was a lot in there that I didn't feel was needed.
It was ok. Felt like some of the dialogue was a bit...fluffy, and I could've done without it. Again, I would have cut this book in half as there was a lot in there that I didn't feel was needed.
July 6, 2025
I just finished rereading this series for the unknownth time, and it made me cry again. The character development, world building, and emotions put into this series are absolutely epic. I can not recommend this series enough.
October 21, 2019
A simply stunning finale to a epic series. Thank you
April 26, 2021
I needed this book. So many times a series ends and leaves so many things up to ayati. This connects the strings and shows the pattern. It is perfection.
April 5, 2026
📚Book review📚
📚Rise of the iliri 1-11 by A. H. Hadley
⭐️ Rating: 3.75-4 for the whole series
There are some series you enjoy… and then there are series that take you with them. Rise of the iliri is one of those you just wanna keep reading.😍
Spanning 11 books, this epic fantasy series follows Salryc Luxx. An Iliri woman born into a world where her kind is treated as expendable, enslaved, and less than human. What starts as a survival story quickly evolves into something so much bigger. It turns in to war for freedom, identity, love, and a war for her species’ future.
From the very first book (BloodLust), I was pulled into a brutal world where war is constant, loss is inevitable, and hope feels almost impossible. But what makes this series so good is how it balances that darkness with deep emotional connections, found family, and growth.
Sal is one of the strongest female protagonists I’ve ever read. Not because she’s perfect, she is quite far from perfect. She’s fierce, strategic, deeply emotional, and shaped by trauma, yet she never stops fighting. Watching her rise from a lowly soldier to something so much more was one of the most satisfying character arcs I’ve experienced. Sal kind a reminds me of Aelin from Throne of glass-series, and Aelin is one of my favorites ever😍🤩
And then there’s the relationships.
This is a reverse harem series, but unlike many others, the relationships are built slowly over time. Nothing feels rushed or shallow. Every bond, partner, and connection develops through shared experiences, trust, and sometimes heartbreak. It’s messy, complicated, and feels real.
⭐️The world-building is another standout. The series takes place during an ongoing war where resources are scarce and entire races are being wiped out, creating a constant sense of urgency and tension. This book also gives out so much history of how these people got here and what led to these events.
💔That said, this series is not easy to read.
It deals with heavy themes: slavery, violence, war, loss, and trauma. There were moments that genuinely hurt to read, and book 5 in particular felt emotionally devastating. But those moments are also what make the story feel so impactful. Nothing is glossed over, and consequences feel like they matter.
❌What I will say tho. Since this story is told from multiple point of views, I noticed somewhere in the middle of the series there were conversations that kept repeating. Some characters would discuss something between themselves and later on would discuss it with others. This all created a feeling like we were going over the same conversations over and over again. This was more in few books towards the end of the series. So that made me lower the points for this series.
❤️By the time I reached the final books (Risen and Hope), it felt like saying goodbye to people I had lived alongside for years. The final installment, especially, provides a sense of closure and peace after everything the characters endure, showing not just the end of war but what comes after all of the loss and fighting.
Overall, this series is: – Epic and emotionally intense – Character-driven with deep relationship development – Dark, but ultimately hopeful
❤️If you love: – Strong, complex female leads – Slow-burn reverse harem – War-heavy fantasy with high emotional stakes – Found family and character growth
…then this series will absolutely wreck you (in the best way).
📚Rise of the iliri 1-11 by A. H. Hadley
⭐️ Rating: 3.75-4 for the whole series
There are some series you enjoy… and then there are series that take you with them. Rise of the iliri is one of those you just wanna keep reading.😍
Spanning 11 books, this epic fantasy series follows Salryc Luxx. An Iliri woman born into a world where her kind is treated as expendable, enslaved, and less than human. What starts as a survival story quickly evolves into something so much bigger. It turns in to war for freedom, identity, love, and a war for her species’ future.
From the very first book (BloodLust), I was pulled into a brutal world where war is constant, loss is inevitable, and hope feels almost impossible. But what makes this series so good is how it balances that darkness with deep emotional connections, found family, and growth.
Sal is one of the strongest female protagonists I’ve ever read. Not because she’s perfect, she is quite far from perfect. She’s fierce, strategic, deeply emotional, and shaped by trauma, yet she never stops fighting. Watching her rise from a lowly soldier to something so much more was one of the most satisfying character arcs I’ve experienced. Sal kind a reminds me of Aelin from Throne of glass-series, and Aelin is one of my favorites ever😍🤩
And then there’s the relationships.
This is a reverse harem series, but unlike many others, the relationships are built slowly over time. Nothing feels rushed or shallow. Every bond, partner, and connection develops through shared experiences, trust, and sometimes heartbreak. It’s messy, complicated, and feels real.
⭐️The world-building is another standout. The series takes place during an ongoing war where resources are scarce and entire races are being wiped out, creating a constant sense of urgency and tension. This book also gives out so much history of how these people got here and what led to these events.
💔That said, this series is not easy to read.
It deals with heavy themes: slavery, violence, war, loss, and trauma. There were moments that genuinely hurt to read, and book 5 in particular felt emotionally devastating. But those moments are also what make the story feel so impactful. Nothing is glossed over, and consequences feel like they matter.
❌What I will say tho. Since this story is told from multiple point of views, I noticed somewhere in the middle of the series there were conversations that kept repeating. Some characters would discuss something between themselves and later on would discuss it with others. This all created a feeling like we were going over the same conversations over and over again. This was more in few books towards the end of the series. So that made me lower the points for this series.
❤️By the time I reached the final books (Risen and Hope), it felt like saying goodbye to people I had lived alongside for years. The final installment, especially, provides a sense of closure and peace after everything the characters endure, showing not just the end of war but what comes after all of the loss and fighting.
Overall, this series is: – Epic and emotionally intense – Character-driven with deep relationship development – Dark, but ultimately hopeful
❤️If you love: – Strong, complex female leads – Slow-burn reverse harem – War-heavy fantasy with high emotional stakes – Found family and character growth
…then this series will absolutely wreck you (in the best way).
March 24, 2020
And drop
Sal is back in Anglia. She and her pack, friends, the whole army are finally home. Home. Not just people now, or even a building, but an entire city almost. Complete with the University she had already started to assemble. People loved the Iliri so much they were willing to pay to be taught by them. But can happiness achieved during wartime last after the war has ended? And the war between species, is it truly over? Or, with nothing left to do, will people fill that time with pettiness? Words instead of swords? And just what does peace look like for a species as primal as the Iliri? Three thousand years of slavery hasn't given them a chance to discover that. But, if anyone can pull it all together it's Sal.
Spoilers ahead.
Auryn you've done it. Even though the war is over, I would still read anything you wrote about the Iliri. Short stories, anecdotes, novellas, epic novels, another 10 book story arc... Lol. Seeing how all the pieces for together, and the new introductions leaves so many threads on the tapestry yet to weave. I wanna meet Pig and Keeva's Piglet, to watch the guys deal with diapers and teething, how the kids handle school and the guys handle homework with them, Inessi and Ran, Marnia and her mate, all the 'meant fors' and how they settle in, to see what else is the rest of the ships, if they dismantle the tower, what Kaisaes are like in times of peace, to see if Hax and R (forget her whole name) ever calm their butts down, the baby from the prophecy- whether it's Narnx's or Geo's and how that plays into the whole emperor lineage, and 100 other things. It's not just the humans in the books that fell in love with the Iliri, the human readers did, too. And we'll take whatever crumbs you give us and smile.
Sal is back in Anglia. She and her pack, friends, the whole army are finally home. Home. Not just people now, or even a building, but an entire city almost. Complete with the University she had already started to assemble. People loved the Iliri so much they were willing to pay to be taught by them. But can happiness achieved during wartime last after the war has ended? And the war between species, is it truly over? Or, with nothing left to do, will people fill that time with pettiness? Words instead of swords? And just what does peace look like for a species as primal as the Iliri? Three thousand years of slavery hasn't given them a chance to discover that. But, if anyone can pull it all together it's Sal.
Spoilers ahead.
Auryn you've done it. Even though the war is over, I would still read anything you wrote about the Iliri. Short stories, anecdotes, novellas, epic novels, another 10 book story arc... Lol. Seeing how all the pieces for together, and the new introductions leaves so many threads on the tapestry yet to weave. I wanna meet Pig and Keeva's Piglet, to watch the guys deal with diapers and teething, how the kids handle school and the guys handle homework with them, Inessi and Ran, Marnia and her mate, all the 'meant fors' and how they settle in, to see what else is the rest of the ships, if they dismantle the tower, what Kaisaes are like in times of peace, to see if Hax and R (forget her whole name) ever calm their butts down, the baby from the prophecy- whether it's Narnx's or Geo's and how that plays into the whole emperor lineage, and 100 other things. It's not just the humans in the books that fell in love with the Iliri, the human readers did, too. And we'll take whatever crumbs you give us and smile.
December 30, 2019
I'm sitting here all teary eyed!
I've read this series in the sets that were put out. The very last 2 books were not in the sets. I have struggled to finish this series, but not for reasons you may think. 1, I suffer from severe depression and usually books are my escape from reality. However the last few months were so bad that the depression took away my love for reading. I fought very hard to get back. This series has helped. I've finally finished and I am so happy that I did. 2, my personal life has been very hard the past few months on top of the depression.
I have read so many mixed reviews for this series and I wonder if those people really gave it a chance to be great. These books progressed so well, the growth of the characters has been an incredible journey in and of itself! The world building became better with each book and left you wondering what would happen until the very end. I can honestly say that I did not expect the ending that this series had. I don't want to say what the ending was, as not to ruin it, but I don't think Auryn Hadley could have ended it any better than she did. I have all the feels right now and I am so happy that I pushed through my depression to get to the end. Auryn, you have written an absolutely amazing series and I can't wait to read more of your work! This series has also changed some of my perspectives on life, yes, it is that good and yes, it is that inspiring! If you are wondering if you should read this series, you definitely should. I'm not sure you can find a more inspirational series out there. If you struggle to get through the books, keep trying. It is definitely worth your time to read these books.
I've read this series in the sets that were put out. The very last 2 books were not in the sets. I have struggled to finish this series, but not for reasons you may think. 1, I suffer from severe depression and usually books are my escape from reality. However the last few months were so bad that the depression took away my love for reading. I fought very hard to get back. This series has helped. I've finally finished and I am so happy that I did. 2, my personal life has been very hard the past few months on top of the depression.
I have read so many mixed reviews for this series and I wonder if those people really gave it a chance to be great. These books progressed so well, the growth of the characters has been an incredible journey in and of itself! The world building became better with each book and left you wondering what would happen until the very end. I can honestly say that I did not expect the ending that this series had. I don't want to say what the ending was, as not to ruin it, but I don't think Auryn Hadley could have ended it any better than she did. I have all the feels right now and I am so happy that I pushed through my depression to get to the end. Auryn, you have written an absolutely amazing series and I can't wait to read more of your work! This series has also changed some of my perspectives on life, yes, it is that good and yes, it is that inspiring! If you are wondering if you should read this series, you definitely should. I'm not sure you can find a more inspirational series out there. If you struggle to get through the books, keep trying. It is definitely worth your time to read these books.
May 25, 2025
Captivating!
I started this series thinking it was possibly going to be good. I read the first book straight through, then immediately started the second one. When it kept my interest focused as hard as the first one, I checked to see how many were in the series and how many were already ready to read. Eleven books that are filled with characters that bring a world into intense and emotional existence were what I found. I read the entire series straight through. I have finished the final one of this series, but I will come back to reread them. It is one I know can be revisited with new details catching my attention and with me wondering how I missed it the first time.
This series is absolutely worth the time reading, not only the first one, but all eleven. It is not an easy series to read because it shows so much of how we as an entire people can act in the world A.H. Hadley built. It made me think, hope, cry, laugh, cheer, growl, hope, and I can't wait to do it again in the future while rereading, or maybe even checking out other books by this author. Please, if you are on the fence about trying this series, take the time. If the first book doesn't make you want to check how things go with the next one, you have still read a book that was different than your "normal" choice. If you do get hooked and want to check the second book, then you know there's a good likelihood you will be reading the entire series.
I started this series thinking it was possibly going to be good. I read the first book straight through, then immediately started the second one. When it kept my interest focused as hard as the first one, I checked to see how many were in the series and how many were already ready to read. Eleven books that are filled with characters that bring a world into intense and emotional existence were what I found. I read the entire series straight through. I have finished the final one of this series, but I will come back to reread them. It is one I know can be revisited with new details catching my attention and with me wondering how I missed it the first time.
This series is absolutely worth the time reading, not only the first one, but all eleven. It is not an easy series to read because it shows so much of how we as an entire people can act in the world A.H. Hadley built. It made me think, hope, cry, laugh, cheer, growl, hope, and I can't wait to do it again in the future while rereading, or maybe even checking out other books by this author. Please, if you are on the fence about trying this series, take the time. If the first book doesn't make you want to check how things go with the next one, you have still read a book that was different than your "normal" choice. If you do get hooked and want to check the second book, then you know there's a good likelihood you will be reading the entire series.
May 27, 2020
Oh the feels.
It took me months to finally open this book because I didn't want the series to end. I fell in love with every character and didn't want to say goodbye. There were tears (I wont say why but I'm sure everyone cried at one particularly point of the series), lots of smiles and a feral need to see the iliri free. I love Sal when she's going by her instincts. Sod politics, sod "proper" manners, be feral. Fight hard, love harder. Plus, iliri orgies are hot! After finally finishing the series, after many times of rereading the earlier books, I now need to go on recovery. As someone who reads a book a day, its exceedingly rare for me to require time to recover from a book, but this series packs a punch. It's honestly one of my favourite series and is on my go-to list when I cant decide on a new book. I seem to reread the series every 6 months or so, and every time I get the same emotions as I did the first time around (possibly earlier, because I know what's coming). Yes I'm aware this is a ramble, however its 2am, I've been reading since midday and I have a book hangover.
It took me months to finally open this book because I didn't want the series to end. I fell in love with every character and didn't want to say goodbye. There were tears (I wont say why but I'm sure everyone cried at one particularly point of the series), lots of smiles and a feral need to see the iliri free. I love Sal when she's going by her instincts. Sod politics, sod "proper" manners, be feral. Fight hard, love harder. Plus, iliri orgies are hot! After finally finishing the series, after many times of rereading the earlier books, I now need to go on recovery. As someone who reads a book a day, its exceedingly rare for me to require time to recover from a book, but this series packs a punch. It's honestly one of my favourite series and is on my go-to list when I cant decide on a new book. I seem to reread the series every 6 months or so, and every time I get the same emotions as I did the first time around (possibly earlier, because I know what's coming). Yes I'm aware this is a ramble, however its 2am, I've been reading since midday and I have a book hangover.
June 30, 2021
Epic Fantasy doesn’t come close to explain this series
At the conclusion of Book 11, I feel I have closed a massive part of my life. ROTI is an epic tale of love, freedom, friendship and equality. There are betrayals and battles and bloodlust. Sal’s boys are hot and the sexy times are scorching.
I feel I’ve lived my life with Sal from private in the CFC army, through all the battles with the Terran army and the showdown in Terric City and watched the Kaisae overcome everything, to be the amazing ruler as destined.
Warning - there are parts of this book that will make you cry (not ugly cry like book five but your eyes will leak) and you’ll laugh. That’s the magic of such an amazing author, Auryn Hadley. So thank you for a series that will be read and read and reread for so many years to come
A ten star read for the entire series. Highly recommend.
il bax genause - it matters
At the conclusion of Book 11, I feel I have closed a massive part of my life. ROTI is an epic tale of love, freedom, friendship and equality. There are betrayals and battles and bloodlust. Sal’s boys are hot and the sexy times are scorching.
I feel I’ve lived my life with Sal from private in the CFC army, through all the battles with the Terran army and the showdown in Terric City and watched the Kaisae overcome everything, to be the amazing ruler as destined.
Warning - there are parts of this book that will make you cry (not ugly cry like book five but your eyes will leak) and you’ll laugh. That’s the magic of such an amazing author, Auryn Hadley. So thank you for a series that will be read and read and reread for so many years to come
A ten star read for the entire series. Highly recommend.
il bax genause - it matters
January 23, 2024
I cant even begin to say how amazing this series was. I'm a pretty slow reader so I spent months and months with Sal and the Blades. Throughout the series I was always looking forward to the little bits of down time between the fighting when they can relax and just enjoy what is around them, in book 11, we finally got that. You watched these characters evolve even more now that they are safe and with friends.
Throughout the series, I've laughed, cried, been angry enough to put the book down and everything else in-between. It is amazingly well written and hope some day for the memory to fade enough I can enjoy it again like its the first time.
At this point in time, this is my #1 series, I have not come across anything so well written and impressively consistent throughout all 11 books. Great job Hadley! Please consider writing just one more from the perspective of the next generation. I cant get enough.
Throughout the series, I've laughed, cried, been angry enough to put the book down and everything else in-between. It is amazingly well written and hope some day for the memory to fade enough I can enjoy it again like its the first time.
At this point in time, this is my #1 series, I have not come across anything so well written and impressively consistent throughout all 11 books. Great job Hadley! Please consider writing just one more from the perspective of the next generation. I cant get enough.
August 1, 2020
Iliri Series
I have just completed this series. I read from book one to book eleven in this series, so this is my review for this entire series. I absolutely loved this series and all the characters involved that made it wonderful. The RISE OF THE ILIRI series is one of the best series I have ever read. An idea for a world without prejudice and persuasion. I truly loved how everyone came together to make it happen. The truth spoken with out fear and answers given without shaming. Hope and Love the most powerful of all emotions that can carry everyone through anything that life throws at them. Teaching, learning, caring and sharing. All these lessons that everyone should learn in life. Empathy. I truly truly recommend this series and I hope that everyone else finds this series as moving as I did.
I have just completed this series. I read from book one to book eleven in this series, so this is my review for this entire series. I absolutely loved this series and all the characters involved that made it wonderful. The RISE OF THE ILIRI series is one of the best series I have ever read. An idea for a world without prejudice and persuasion. I truly loved how everyone came together to make it happen. The truth spoken with out fear and answers given without shaming. Hope and Love the most powerful of all emotions that can carry everyone through anything that life throws at them. Teaching, learning, caring and sharing. All these lessons that everyone should learn in life. Empathy. I truly truly recommend this series and I hope that everyone else finds this series as moving as I did.
February 27, 2021
The finale of the series, and oh what a series it has been!
So the final episode shows what peace looks like for a group of people that have lived a battle almost all their lives. It's a time of wonder, a time of adjustment, a time of settling, and above all a time of hope.
It is also a time to ensure the errors and prejudices of the past are not repeated in the future.
A time to understand that all species are not the same, so accommodations have to given to differences in customs.
Prejudices still linger, but hopefully the reaction to that prejudice will make a rethinking of a person's attitude and behavior.
Yes, I have been engrossed in this series, thanks to the writer's penmanship, to create a world I could envisage, characters that became real to me.
I live in hope that our own world could learn to become more tolerant and non prejudicial.
So the final episode shows what peace looks like for a group of people that have lived a battle almost all their lives. It's a time of wonder, a time of adjustment, a time of settling, and above all a time of hope.
It is also a time to ensure the errors and prejudices of the past are not repeated in the future.
A time to understand that all species are not the same, so accommodations have to given to differences in customs.
Prejudices still linger, but hopefully the reaction to that prejudice will make a rethinking of a person's attitude and behavior.
Yes, I have been engrossed in this series, thanks to the writer's penmanship, to create a world I could envisage, characters that became real to me.
I live in hope that our own world could learn to become more tolerant and non prejudicial.
August 22, 2021
And it comes to an end.
Given that this is the last book in the series, I had high expectations which weren't exactly fulfilled.
This is due to the fact, that although I am glad to have had the chance to "see what comes after the happily ever after", it didn't give us that much of the gang "in the future". Yes, we did get to read a bit about their lives in Anglia and we got to read about everyone finally becoming allies and all that, but I guess I was expecting to read a bit more into the future... Maybe that's just me but pretty much everything I read was kind of implied with the previous books so spending the whole final book retelling them instead of like telling us about it in the first part of the book and then giving us a few years down the road in the rest, it just left me unsatisfied.
Given that this is the last book in the series, I had high expectations which weren't exactly fulfilled.
This is due to the fact, that although I am glad to have had the chance to "see what comes after the happily ever after", it didn't give us that much of the gang "in the future". Yes, we did get to read a bit about their lives in Anglia and we got to read about everyone finally becoming allies and all that, but I guess I was expecting to read a bit more into the future... Maybe that's just me but pretty much everything I read was kind of implied with the previous books so spending the whole final book retelling them instead of like telling us about it in the first part of the book and then giving us a few years down the road in the rest, it just left me unsatisfied.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 4, 2025
Absolute perfection
I cannot give this series a higher review. This is and will continue to be my favorite series I’ve ever read - and I’ve read thousands of books.
Characters- diverse, develop over time, absolute perfection in what I want to occur from every single character
World building- I’ve never read anything like this, and it’s wonderfully done. Love how the history of the continent continuously grows over time
Spice- could be spicier, but the scenes are well done, perfectly choreographed, and realistic, AND get the love across
Storyline- so many twists and turns, gut wrenching moments, and a story of hope and love. Always kept me on my toes and could not tear my eyes away
Epilogue- everything I could’ve asked for and more. I wish I could live in this series for the rest of my life.
Hands down the best series ever. ❤️
I cannot give this series a higher review. This is and will continue to be my favorite series I’ve ever read - and I’ve read thousands of books.
Characters- diverse, develop over time, absolute perfection in what I want to occur from every single character
World building- I’ve never read anything like this, and it’s wonderfully done. Love how the history of the continent continuously grows over time
Spice- could be spicier, but the scenes are well done, perfectly choreographed, and realistic, AND get the love across
Storyline- so many twists and turns, gut wrenching moments, and a story of hope and love. Always kept me on my toes and could not tear my eyes away
Epilogue- everything I could’ve asked for and more. I wish I could live in this series for the rest of my life.
Hands down the best series ever. ❤️
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