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The Rising
Templar
I'm a timekeeper. As the seventh son of a seventh son, I was born a timekeeper. I can't really say it's a job I enjoy, but the compulsion to provide my services is something I've just learned to live with. It's often a thankless job. I've learned to live with that as well.
When my brother asks for my services, I can’t deny him, but the moment I step into his office, my life is changed forever. One, my brother has been kidnapped. Two, the shifter he sent to protect me is gorgeous from the top of his head to the bottoms of his feet and every luscious inch in-between. It's just too bad he's a moron.
Sebastian
My friend and former platoon leader made me promise to protect his baby brother if anything ever happened to him. Watching him get kidnapped at gun point put that promise into play. I just wish he'd told me that Templar dabbled in black magic, something a shifter—especially a gargoyle—avoids at all costs. Magic users are evil and everyone knows it.
Between magical wards, ghostly spirits, and an insane maniac out to kill us, I know I'm in over my head. I'm just not sure what to do about it. Not only do I need to save my friend and my brother—who died a month ago—but I need to save Templar from himself. It wasn't a choice I had. He's my mate.
I'm a timekeeper. As the seventh son of a seventh son, I was born a timekeeper. I can't really say it's a job I enjoy, but the compulsion to provide my services is something I've just learned to live with. It's often a thankless job. I've learned to live with that as well.
When my brother asks for my services, I can’t deny him, but the moment I step into his office, my life is changed forever. One, my brother has been kidnapped. Two, the shifter he sent to protect me is gorgeous from the top of his head to the bottoms of his feet and every luscious inch in-between. It's just too bad he's a moron.
Sebastian
My friend and former platoon leader made me promise to protect his baby brother if anything ever happened to him. Watching him get kidnapped at gun point put that promise into play. I just wish he'd told me that Templar dabbled in black magic, something a shifter—especially a gargoyle—avoids at all costs. Magic users are evil and everyone knows it.
Between magical wards, ghostly spirits, and an insane maniac out to kill us, I know I'm in over my head. I'm just not sure what to do about it. Not only do I need to save my friend and my brother—who died a month ago—but I need to save Templar from himself. It wasn't a choice I had. He's my mate.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2020
156 people are currently reading
78 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 11, 2021
The concepts and world build were definitely interesting. Some of the story left a little to be desired but overall I was entertained.
December 30, 2020
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this book. Had a great story line and characters. It had the potential to be so much more. The shifter aspect of the story could of been expanded upon significantly and would of added to a much deeper story.
With no clue as to whether there will be any further books as a sequel or as a series (would love both) leaves for a lot of unresolved thoughts and questions.
What really happened to Markus?
would love to see a sequel expanding on the shifter part of the MCs relationship
the concerns of being gay and the expectation to have 7 sons to continue a timekeepers legacy, mpreg would be really cool, especially a gargoyle (gargoyle, so fascinating!)
can totally see a book with Daniel and Julian with their shared trauma and experiences
what "powers" do the other brother's have? It seems like there should be something.....
I really enjoyed this book. Had a great story line and characters. It had the potential to be so much more. The shifter aspect of the story could of been expanded upon significantly and would of added to a much deeper story.
With no clue as to whether there will be any further books as a sequel or as a series (would love both) leaves for a lot of unresolved thoughts and questions.
What really happened to Markus?
would love to see a sequel expanding on the shifter part of the MCs relationship
the concerns of being gay and the expectation to have 7 sons to continue a timekeepers legacy, mpreg would be really cool, especially a gargoyle (gargoyle, so fascinating!)
can totally see a book with Daniel and Julian with their shared trauma and experiences
what "powers" do the other brother's have? It seems like there should be something.....
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 7, 2020
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I found this on the Kindle Unlimited catalogue and was intrigued by the story: a timekeeper who connects the death and the Alice's and a gargoyle shapeshifters who believes all kind of magic to be evil and dark, all this while their brother and friend is gone missing.
Interesting, right? Well, it stated OK. Just what the blurb promised and a pretty nice rhythm. Then the first sex scene came, and everything felt rushed and unreslistic. And it only got worse.
I won't deny I love mating tropes. I'm a sucker for a good shapeshifter story with mate bounds in between. But I hate it when authors use the mating trope to rush the romance. They go from 0 to 100, from "I can't even see you because your are evil" to "You are my mate, I need you, I love you, I can't get you our of my sight". No, thank you.
I get using the mating bond as a compelling that makes the MCs to get closer, to intimate and such, but not as an excuse to not develop their feelings and just jump to the I'm so in love with you even if I barely met you yesterday. Urg.
And then the narration felt off sometimes. A little bit too simolisting in the bad sense, and things just kind of happened and it wasn't that interesting to keep reading. I don't like to DNF my reads and this was kind of short so I finished it, but I was not even interested by what would happen in the end.
I will just finish pointing that if felt like every character except for Daniel were there for filling. Roman and Mark, two of Templar's brothers, appear pretty early and literally do nothing. Mark has the excuse of being kidnapped, but Roman is sold as being a kickass and the true danger of the family... And then he just was there. The rest of the family also come around, because you can write a story about a big and united family and then not make them appear, but once again, they do little to nothing.
In short, I'm glad some other readers seem to be enjoying this. It was just not for me.
I found this on the Kindle Unlimited catalogue and was intrigued by the story: a timekeeper who connects the death and the Alice's and a gargoyle shapeshifters who believes all kind of magic to be evil and dark, all this while their brother and friend is gone missing.
Interesting, right? Well, it stated OK. Just what the blurb promised and a pretty nice rhythm. Then the first sex scene came, and everything felt rushed and unreslistic. And it only got worse.
I won't deny I love mating tropes. I'm a sucker for a good shapeshifter story with mate bounds in between. But I hate it when authors use the mating trope to rush the romance. They go from 0 to 100, from "I can't even see you because your are evil" to "You are my mate, I need you, I love you, I can't get you our of my sight". No, thank you.
I get using the mating bond as a compelling that makes the MCs to get closer, to intimate and such, but not as an excuse to not develop their feelings and just jump to the I'm so in love with you even if I barely met you yesterday. Urg.
And then the narration felt off sometimes. A little bit too simolisting in the bad sense, and things just kind of happened and it wasn't that interesting to keep reading. I don't like to DNF my reads and this was kind of short so I finished it, but I was not even interested by what would happen in the end.
I will just finish pointing that if felt like every character except for Daniel were there for filling. Roman and Mark, two of Templar's brothers, appear pretty early and literally do nothing. Mark has the excuse of being kidnapped, but Roman is sold as being a kickass and the true danger of the family... And then he just was there. The rest of the family also come around, because you can write a story about a big and united family and then not make them appear, but once again, they do little to nothing.
In short, I'm glad some other readers seem to be enjoying this. It was just not for me.
September 19, 2020
Good book with the potential to be better.
I enjoyed the premise, a timekeeper, Templar, the seventh son of a seventh son and how powerful and important he is to the world (it's a favorite trope). There is a gargoyle shifter, Sebastian, who had better get over his fear of magic quick because he promised Templar's brother that it something happened to him, he would protect Templar. And Templar is also his mate. So far so good.
Now the not so good
Then Templar's brother is kidnapped by a group of men, but we never feel find out who and there is only one big bad guy in the end with no connections. Other men fire at the two main characters, but again we never find out who, why, or who they were aiming at. There is some action, but we don't ever see a lot of it. We don't see the brother kidnapped, we later don't see when Templar and another brother were kidnapped or what happens to them after. We are simply told what happened. This is the first time I have had a great example of where an author should show us, not tell the reader what happened. I love action, I wanted to be right in the thick of it, but instead I am told it happened which makes me feel distant and impersonal to what is going on in the story. Ugh.
Also, I was excited by the seventh son and time keeper thing. It sounded so cool and everyone says how important Templar is and that he must be protected, but once again we never really see him do anything that requires protection. He mainly worked as a glorified grief counselor. Ugh again, this book sounded so good and it had fantasy, magic, action, romance, but nothing was ever explained well about what was happening, the bad guy's motive, Templar's importance, I want to see the action! Ah well better luck next time.
I enjoyed the premise, a timekeeper, Templar, the seventh son of a seventh son and how powerful and important he is to the world (it's a favorite trope). There is a gargoyle shifter, Sebastian, who had better get over his fear of magic quick because he promised Templar's brother that it something happened to him, he would protect Templar. And Templar is also his mate. So far so good.
Now the not so good
Then Templar's brother is kidnapped by a group of men, but we never feel find out who and there is only one big bad guy in the end with no connections. Other men fire at the two main characters, but again we never find out who, why, or who they were aiming at. There is some action, but we don't ever see a lot of it. We don't see the brother kidnapped, we later don't see when Templar and another brother were kidnapped or what happens to them after. We are simply told what happened. This is the first time I have had a great example of where an author should show us, not tell the reader what happened. I love action, I wanted to be right in the thick of it, but instead I am told it happened which makes me feel distant and impersonal to what is going on in the story. Ugh.
Also, I was excited by the seventh son and time keeper thing. It sounded so cool and everyone says how important Templar is and that he must be protected, but once again we never really see him do anything that requires protection. He mainly worked as a glorified grief counselor. Ugh again, this book sounded so good and it had fantasy, magic, action, romance, but nothing was ever explained well about what was happening, the bad guy's motive, Templar's importance, I want to see the action! Ah well better luck next time.
March 17, 2021
Some (or several) moles but really, I enjoyed it enough I don't feel like poking any particular holes.
The main problem that could... hamper or stop someone from enjoying this book might me the conception - it's pretty much an extended version of a... short story? Novella? And it shows. The pacing got serious speed, any unnecessary or side characters are pretty "invisible", the romance as well (though some caveats are made to stop short of that "mate!" stuff) and there may be a little black and white issue and some simplicity and some occasional pothole but really, it's about magic and gargoyle shifter(s) and I really should not read - start books so late but this was "short" enough I am finished and going to bed.
So yes, despite the things I could have find objections with (whoa, this is the second book like that today) I like enough I just don't see the point.
As I wrote somewhere, I read so much I can not realistically expect to read only 5 stars book (or 5 and 4) and that means that on the regular, books exactly like this - that may not be perfect and may slip from my mind easily but provide the entertainment or a laugh or excitement or something and I'd be glad for it being my daily bread, so to speak.
No reason not to 3-star recommend.
The main problem that could... hamper or stop someone from enjoying this book might me the conception - it's pretty much an extended version of a... short story? Novella? And it shows. The pacing got serious speed, any unnecessary or side characters are pretty "invisible", the romance as well (though some caveats are made to stop short of that "mate!" stuff) and there may be a little black and white issue and some simplicity and some occasional pothole but really, it's about magic and gargoyle shifter(s) and I really should not read - start books so late but this was "short" enough I am finished and going to bed.
So yes, despite the things I could have find objections with (whoa, this is the second book like that today) I like enough I just don't see the point.
As I wrote somewhere, I read so much I can not realistically expect to read only 5 stars book (or 5 and 4) and that means that on the regular, books exactly like this - that may not be perfect and may slip from my mind easily but provide the entertainment or a laugh or excitement or something and I'd be glad for it being my daily bread, so to speak.
No reason not to 3-star recommend.
November 16, 2020
The Rising by author Aja Foxx is a fast-paced action-packed read. I loved this story and wished it were a series I want more.
This story is written in dual POV which helps me get into the mindset of the characters.
Templar is a Time Keeper. He can see ghosts. He doesn’t charge for his services. He knows his obligations. He has a good heart but is slightly jaded by life and who he is.
Sebastian is a former platoon leader. He has promised to protect his baby brother. Believes that magic and those that practice it are evil.
There is a ton of story to this book, which I loved. I also love a lot of the side characters and would love for them to have their own spin-offs. I loved the connection between the characters, and I am looking forward to more stories perhaps in the future.
Five Shooting Stars
This story is written in dual POV which helps me get into the mindset of the characters.
Templar is a Time Keeper. He can see ghosts. He doesn’t charge for his services. He knows his obligations. He has a good heart but is slightly jaded by life and who he is.
Sebastian is a former platoon leader. He has promised to protect his baby brother. Believes that magic and those that practice it are evil.
There is a ton of story to this book, which I loved. I also love a lot of the side characters and would love for them to have their own spin-offs. I loved the connection between the characters, and I am looking forward to more stories perhaps in the future.
Five Shooting Stars
November 23, 2020
Interesting but annoying too
I love the idea of making use of the seventh son idea. And utilizing gargoyle shifters is a first for me. But the idea these two are fated mates? Never saw it. The relationship at the beginning was so annoying that I never "felt" a sexual tension in the book, so when they suddenly mated I was like ummm.... I must have missed a page somewhere.
The personality change was so drastic in one of the mates I couldn't really understand what the author was doing.
Introduced some awesome characters that we don't really get much depth to; hopefully the author will add to those characters.
Overall an interesting book, but I don't feel the need to seek out more of the authors books.
I love the idea of making use of the seventh son idea. And utilizing gargoyle shifters is a first for me. But the idea these two are fated mates? Never saw it. The relationship at the beginning was so annoying that I never "felt" a sexual tension in the book, so when they suddenly mated I was like ummm.... I must have missed a page somewhere.
The personality change was so drastic in one of the mates I couldn't really understand what the author was doing.
Introduced some awesome characters that we don't really get much depth to; hopefully the author will add to those characters.
Overall an interesting book, but I don't feel the need to seek out more of the authors books.
December 9, 2023
Great read
Aja Foxx doesn't disappoint, this is a great read. I loved Sebastian and Templar's rocky beginning and the story and world building was incredible. It's a fated mate and almost insta-love, but it does have a twist as it takes a while for them to learn to trust each other. As Templar searches for the answers he has to try and save two people in the process. I really loved this story as it's unlike any I've read before, I don't know if this is a series but I do know I need more!!
Aja Foxx doesn't disappoint, this is a great read. I loved Sebastian and Templar's rocky beginning and the story and world building was incredible. It's a fated mate and almost insta-love, but it does have a twist as it takes a while for them to learn to trust each other. As Templar searches for the answers he has to try and save two people in the process. I really loved this story as it's unlike any I've read before, I don't know if this is a series but I do know I need more!!
November 24, 2021
Just missing a mark...
I'm not sure if this is a new author or what but they are just missing the mark. If you're going to write about shifters they can't be dressed when they're not supposed to be. Sex scenes can consist of other vocabulary other than cock and ass. More characters than it appears the author can manage in one scene. It's just not mature writing and it's too bad because they're excellent tropes and themes.
I'm not sure if this is a new author or what but they are just missing the mark. If you're going to write about shifters they can't be dressed when they're not supposed to be. Sex scenes can consist of other vocabulary other than cock and ass. More characters than it appears the author can manage in one scene. It's just not mature writing and it's too bad because they're excellent tropes and themes.
September 7, 2020
A fun ride into the supernatural.
Two worlds collide when Sebastian meets his mate and gets his mind blown. Add a great family and a dash of evil and you get a great holiday weekend read. I liked the characters and storyline. A little disappointed in why the evil dude was evil but the other pieces of the book made up for it.
Two worlds collide when Sebastian meets his mate and gets his mind blown. Add a great family and a dash of evil and you get a great holiday weekend read. I liked the characters and storyline. A little disappointed in why the evil dude was evil but the other pieces of the book made up for it.
September 7, 2020
I’ve had this author’s books on my wish list for ages and finally decided to give this book a go as it was on KU.
I really enjoyed this book; it was funny, intriguing and gripping.
I adored Templar; he was sweet, stubborn and feisty. He made me laugh when he used his magic to place Sebastian outside the wards.
A great read, just a little rushed in places and repetitive in others.
I really enjoyed this book; it was funny, intriguing and gripping.
I adored Templar; he was sweet, stubborn and feisty. He made me laugh when he used his magic to place Sebastian outside the wards.
A great read, just a little rushed in places and repetitive in others.
September 14, 2020
Should be a series
This would make a great start to a series. Hope it turns into one for sure.
The plot was I rereading, the characters were very likable, the flow was pretty good. I wanted know more about Roman though. So.... If this is going to turn into a series, Roman goes first. I would 100% Read more of this and 100% enjoy this author.
This would make a great start to a series. Hope it turns into one for sure.
The plot was I rereading, the characters were very likable, the flow was pretty good. I wanted know more about Roman though. So.... If this is going to turn into a series, Roman goes first. I would 100% Read more of this and 100% enjoy this author.
September 15, 2020
More Erotica than Romance
Apparently written as erotica since the storyline takes second place to the sex scenes. It’s unfortunate because there are threads in the story which could be quite interesting if developed better. As it is, the plot serves only as a vehicle for more sex.
Apparently written as erotica since the storyline takes second place to the sex scenes. It’s unfortunate because there are threads in the story which could be quite interesting if developed better. As it is, the plot serves only as a vehicle for more sex.
January 11, 2021
Totally spellbinding. Wow, I really enjoyed the premise of a time keeper who can communicate with spirits, and this story was full of spirits and suspense. I was so absorbed in this story that I couldn't put it down. There was also love and passion between the two main characters, and overall this book was absolutely captivating.
August 26, 2021
When you read a ton of shifter books you can tend to get a lot of the same general things over and over again. This book has some unique things I haven't come across before, not even the slightest. That made me like this book even more. If you're looking for a quick read about MM shifter romance I would recommend this one.
March 20, 2023
Gargoyles are sexy!
Evil magic users always want to be immortal. That means killing innocents and using body fluids and / or bones in potions or spells.
This exciting book is about the gargoyle, his mate, and their family pulling together to overcome this evil.
I will keep this in my list of books to be reread when I need a good solid pick me up.
Evil magic users always want to be immortal. That means killing innocents and using body fluids and / or bones in potions or spells.
This exciting book is about the gargoyle, his mate, and their family pulling together to overcome this evil.
I will keep this in my list of books to be reread when I need a good solid pick me up.
October 16, 2020
Readable
There’s a decent plot here, but the writing is not very good. So many cliched phrases, excessive use of names, poor editing… But I did read it all the way through. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
There’s a decent plot here, but the writing is not very good. So many cliched phrases, excessive use of names, poor editing… But I did read it all the way through. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
November 10, 2020
My 2nd book of Aja Foxx and it won't be the last.
This book was very pleasurable read from the beginning to the very end. It has romance, I really loved and enjoyed Sebastian and Templar's relationship, and full with actions.
This book was very pleasurable read from the beginning to the very end. It has romance, I really loved and enjoyed Sebastian and Templar's relationship, and full with actions.
June 24, 2021
Okay (?)
This story was different than other books written by this author and I am leary of the new writing style😓! However there were portions of this book that had me laughing out loud so it's worth a read.
This story was different than other books written by this author and I am leary of the new writing style😓! However there were portions of this book that had me laughing out loud so it's worth a read.
December 19, 2021
This just wasn't for me. I didn't find the switch from prejudice and animosity to insta love and trust and butterflies believable at all, really struggled with the whole "consent is not a thing to worry about because MATES!" thing and then it kept losing my interest, especially towards the end.
January 13, 2023
As always, a very interesting premise. There were aspects of the character arcs/dynamics that felt WAY too easy and convenient, but that's sort of a thing these days and I can mostly over look it. Definitely wouldn't mind more books about the Santiago brothers, though.
April 10, 2023
brilliant
Another hit for Aja becoming a huge fan of theirs. Excellent story loved the time of a time shaper and of course the shifter aspect . Wonder if this is a series . I’d love to know how they’re going to confine the time shaped line unless one is an omega
Another hit for Aja becoming a huge fan of theirs. Excellent story loved the time of a time shaper and of course the shifter aspect . Wonder if this is a series . I’d love to know how they’re going to confine the time shaped line unless one is an omega
March 12, 2025
Great story, solid world building
I had hopes this might become a series, maybe for Daniel and Julian, maybe one or all of Templar’s brothers. Interesting concept: timekeepers. Highly recommended.
I had hopes this might become a series, maybe for Daniel and Julian, maybe one or all of Templar’s brothers. Interesting concept: timekeepers. Highly recommended.
April 18, 2025
Interesting turn of events
Templar is definitely a stubborn oddity, but love his style and sass!! Sebastian needs to smack himself down with his shifted hand! Daniel is calming maybe he can help his brother chill. Hope to learn more about the other brothers…
Templar is definitely a stubborn oddity, but love his style and sass!! Sebastian needs to smack himself down with his shifted hand! Daniel is calming maybe he can help his brother chill. Hope to learn more about the other brothers…
Read
October 30, 2020first person present tense, my pet peeve
February 2, 2021
The stunning story line
I don’t think I have anything to dislike about this book. I enjoy how they the used the romance in the particular story.
I don’t think I have anything to dislike about this book. I enjoy how they the used the romance in the particular story.
February 14, 2021
Quick read
It had a lot of interesting elements though Sebastian‘s change of heart seemed abrupt and things resolved a little to quickly.
It had a lot of interesting elements though Sebastian‘s change of heart seemed abrupt and things resolved a little to quickly.
August 17, 2021
A really easy read and I loved the characters. I had hoped this was the beginning of a series.
Read
October 26, 2021DNF: 60%
April 26, 2022
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews