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Rise of the Iliri #10-11
The Rise of the Iliri: Books 10 & 11
The End has to come to all...
RISEN, Book 10 In the final stretch of the war, the rules are changing faster than Anglia can keep up. The Kaisae of all Iliri is gone. Her mates are holding the army together. Her dreams are changing everything—and Sal? She's not done yet. The Emperor has taken too much from her. Life, loves, and much of her happiness. All she has left is desperation—and blind trust. But she's not alone. She never has been.HOPE, Book 11 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. 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.Each book is a complete novel, not a cliffhanger. And because the iliri have insatiable and exotic sexual instincts, this set may be unsuitable for humans under 18.Box set word 377,545
RISEN, Book 10 In the final stretch of the war, the rules are changing faster than Anglia can keep up. The Kaisae of all Iliri is gone. Her mates are holding the army together. Her dreams are changing everything—and Sal? She's not done yet. The Emperor has taken too much from her. Life, loves, and much of her happiness. All she has left is desperation—and blind trust. But she's not alone. She never has been.HOPE, Book 11 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. 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.Each book is a complete novel, not a cliffhanger. And because the iliri have insatiable and exotic sexual instincts, this set may be unsuitable for humans under 18.Box set word 377,545
1267 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 14, 2019
222 people are currently reading
100 people want to read
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January 5, 2021
Epic
I am an avid reader and have enjoyed many, many books and this is hands down one of the best series I have ever had the pleasure of reading. If I wrote out my favorite characters and why this review would be a book because the characters were so perfectly written that I feel like I know them inside and out. There are no main and secondary characters because they all play a leading role. The story is hope personified. I am going to miss these guys so much but even perfectly beautiful things must come to an end and that ending was utterly sublime.
I am an avid reader and have enjoyed many, many books and this is hands down one of the best series I have ever had the pleasure of reading. If I wrote out my favorite characters and why this review would be a book because the characters were so perfectly written that I feel like I know them inside and out. There are no main and secondary characters because they all play a leading role. The story is hope personified. I am going to miss these guys so much but even perfectly beautiful things must come to an end and that ending was utterly sublime.
January 28, 2021
This is the 1st book I read by Auryn Hadley. I'm sorry I stopped reading this story 📖 at chapter 2 because it didn't grab my interest.
June 18, 2023
AMAZING SERIES!!!!
Ugh so many emotions and changes and heartbreak and happiness all in this series.
I've never cried and laughed and felt like I was part of the series so much in my life. Definitely recommend this series to everyone!
Ugh so many emotions and changes and heartbreak and happiness all in this series.
I've never cried and laughed and felt like I was part of the series so much in my life. Definitely recommend this series to everyone!
January 21, 2020
This review applies to the entire 11-novel series.
OK. This fantasy/sci-fi epic is good… no, make that great. I would have given it five stars, except I have a real problem with the way one particular main character’s story played out (see below).
This author (Auryn Hadley) excels at world, creature and character creation. Her “Iliri” are captivating and their mysterious origins serve as a subplot – with all the questions answered by the later novels. I have to say that part of the reason I was so enamored by them was they reminded me of vampires – both in the physical descriptions provided (long and serrated canines; pale skin, hair and eyes) and in the abilities most of them possess (charm/seduction, ultra-fast speed). Thankfully, Ms. Hadley didn’t endow them with sun sensitivity or sparkly skin!
The Iliri are the main focus of the novels, ten of which chronicle the species’ struggles to gain freedom from, and equality with, humans. (The 11th novel is an extended epilogue.) The main, unlikely heroine is Salryc Luxx (“Sal”), a pure-bred Iliri, former abused slave, turned military conscript, turned charismatic leader. Although Sal is a more-than-effective fighter and assassin, her heart is what leads her and, ultimately, what sets her species free and why the other species inhabiting the continent eventually show her such respect and admiration. This epic contains a large number of battle scenes, kidnappings, assassinations and, of course, romance and erotica.
The novels are, for the most part, well-written, with fewer errors than are typically encountered in most novels of this genre. There are passages where Ms. Hadley doesn’t spell things out for her readers, seeming to assume that we have grasped more than we really have. I ended up being confused by some passages, but I discovered that if I forged ahead, everything would eventually make sense.
Ms. Hadley does an excellent job of balancing all of the war, torture, and nail-biting suspense with good doses of humor. To me, the humor was never forced, never juvenile, and I actually giggled out loud at a couple of the passages.
Finally, I loved the dialog, especially the back-and-forth between the male characters. It seemed so natural and I couldn’t help but remember guys I’ve known who spoke and/or acted a LOT like Tyr or Arctic or Gage (some of the members of Sal’s harem). Makes me wonder what in Ms. Hadley’s background enabled her to do such a great job portraying the male point of view with such seeming accuracy.
A few words of warning – firstly, although the sexual content in the first novel or so is very mild, things get suddenly explicit by the fourth novel and turn even more graphic afterwards. Secondly, this series contains a great deal of fairly vivid battle and torture scenes.
Now, on to my major gripe…
and, this may contain what some would consider a spoiler, so…
here’s my spoiler space…
You have been warned!!
POSSIBLE SPOILER:
What I hated – despised, actually – about the story was the arc of one major character in Sal’s harem. The author literally tore this poor character apart (not once, but twice!) and sort of sullied his reputation, in my opinion, and I didn’t appreciate it one bit. I like my entertainment to have happily-ever-afters for ALL the main characters. I do not like to be put through an emotional wringer. Real life does enough of that to me – I sure don’t need my entertainment to leave me an emotional wreck and crying into my pillow for two nights in a row. (And, yes, the fact that I cried my eyes out means that Ms. Hadley is a really, really, really good storyteller!! But, I need my happily-evers, ok?)
So, word of advice – buy BOXES of tissue before you start on Novel 5 and make sure you re-supply said tissue for portions of the rest of the novels.
END OF SPOILER
In summary, I truly loved this epic and definitely recommend it, in spite of my unhappiness mentioned above. “Rise of the Iliri” is a little on the long side, but the story and the characters are well worth the time and energy invested. As for me, I don’t plan on reading any more of Ms. Hadley’s works until I have thoroughly researched whether any more of her main characters were harmed during the making of her novels!
OK. This fantasy/sci-fi epic is good… no, make that great. I would have given it five stars, except I have a real problem with the way one particular main character’s story played out (see below).
This author (Auryn Hadley) excels at world, creature and character creation. Her “Iliri” are captivating and their mysterious origins serve as a subplot – with all the questions answered by the later novels. I have to say that part of the reason I was so enamored by them was they reminded me of vampires – both in the physical descriptions provided (long and serrated canines; pale skin, hair and eyes) and in the abilities most of them possess (charm/seduction, ultra-fast speed). Thankfully, Ms. Hadley didn’t endow them with sun sensitivity or sparkly skin!
The Iliri are the main focus of the novels, ten of which chronicle the species’ struggles to gain freedom from, and equality with, humans. (The 11th novel is an extended epilogue.) The main, unlikely heroine is Salryc Luxx (“Sal”), a pure-bred Iliri, former abused slave, turned military conscript, turned charismatic leader. Although Sal is a more-than-effective fighter and assassin, her heart is what leads her and, ultimately, what sets her species free and why the other species inhabiting the continent eventually show her such respect and admiration. This epic contains a large number of battle scenes, kidnappings, assassinations and, of course, romance and erotica.
The novels are, for the most part, well-written, with fewer errors than are typically encountered in most novels of this genre. There are passages where Ms. Hadley doesn’t spell things out for her readers, seeming to assume that we have grasped more than we really have. I ended up being confused by some passages, but I discovered that if I forged ahead, everything would eventually make sense.
Ms. Hadley does an excellent job of balancing all of the war, torture, and nail-biting suspense with good doses of humor. To me, the humor was never forced, never juvenile, and I actually giggled out loud at a couple of the passages.
Finally, I loved the dialog, especially the back-and-forth between the male characters. It seemed so natural and I couldn’t help but remember guys I’ve known who spoke and/or acted a LOT like Tyr or Arctic or Gage (some of the members of Sal’s harem). Makes me wonder what in Ms. Hadley’s background enabled her to do such a great job portraying the male point of view with such seeming accuracy.
A few words of warning – firstly, although the sexual content in the first novel or so is very mild, things get suddenly explicit by the fourth novel and turn even more graphic afterwards. Secondly, this series contains a great deal of fairly vivid battle and torture scenes.
Now, on to my major gripe…
and, this may contain what some would consider a spoiler, so…
here’s my spoiler space…
You have been warned!!
POSSIBLE SPOILER:
What I hated – despised, actually – about the story was the arc of one major character in Sal’s harem. The author literally tore this poor character apart (not once, but twice!) and sort of sullied his reputation, in my opinion, and I didn’t appreciate it one bit. I like my entertainment to have happily-ever-afters for ALL the main characters. I do not like to be put through an emotional wringer. Real life does enough of that to me – I sure don’t need my entertainment to leave me an emotional wreck and crying into my pillow for two nights in a row. (And, yes, the fact that I cried my eyes out means that Ms. Hadley is a really, really, really good storyteller!! But, I need my happily-evers, ok?)
So, word of advice – buy BOXES of tissue before you start on Novel 5 and make sure you re-supply said tissue for portions of the rest of the novels.
END OF SPOILER
In summary, I truly loved this epic and definitely recommend it, in spite of my unhappiness mentioned above. “Rise of the Iliri” is a little on the long side, but the story and the characters are well worth the time and energy invested. As for me, I don’t plan on reading any more of Ms. Hadley’s works until I have thoroughly researched whether any more of her main characters were harmed during the making of her novels!
January 25, 2022
BEST BOOK SERIES I HAVE EVER READ
This series is the most beautifully well written series I have read. I finished all 11 books in the series in 2 weeks and bought the whole series and I have a headache from crying and laughing and I just can't put into words how AMAZING this whole series is. The writing is just mind blowing, the story telling is captivating, and the romance is ..I can't even describe ...but I WANT WHAT SAL HAS!!! This series will forever be the BEST BOOK SERIES I HAVE EVERN READ. and yes that's better than ACOTAR AND FROM BLOOD AND ASH!!!!! Both are series I loved ❤️ this one blew them out of the park!
This series is the most beautifully well written series I have read. I finished all 11 books in the series in 2 weeks and bought the whole series and I have a headache from crying and laughing and I just can't put into words how AMAZING this whole series is. The writing is just mind blowing, the story telling is captivating, and the romance is ..I can't even describe ...but I WANT WHAT SAL HAS!!! This series will forever be the BEST BOOK SERIES I HAVE EVERN READ. and yes that's better than ACOTAR AND FROM BLOOD AND ASH!!!!! Both are series I loved ❤️ this one blew them out of the park!
December 10, 2022
Epic
There is no other way to describe this series. Just epic. I am absolutely blown away by the characters and the detail in this story.
There is no other way to describe this series. Just epic. I am absolutely blown away by the characters and the detail in this story.
March 31, 2022
…Le sigh…
I don’t know if I should rate this 3, 3.5, or 4 stars
I’ll give the series 4 stars as a whole.
The first 6 I’d rate as 5 stars.
#7-8 will be 4 stars.
9-11 will be 3 stars.
The first 4-6 books were really good! I enjoyed them. I enjoyed the characters and the world building. I thought this story was super unique and exciting. I loved the Black Blades and their super specialized elite team. I loved their missions!
I dunno what happened after that. I got bored. There was too much war and not enough of anything else. There needed to be more balance.
The story eventually became formulaic. It felt like the same things were happening over and over again. That also contributed to me being bored. I also didn’t like it when the author started skipping from our main characters to random characters, who I don’t care about, across the world.
I didn’t wanna read about Zep’s baby mama. In fact, I prefer to pretend she isn’t a character and pretend none of that happened. Zep having a baby with another woman while he was with Sal rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t like it.
This series has steamy scenes but I wouldn’t classify it as steamy per se. There are probably one or two intimate scenes in each book. Any sex scenes in the first four books are almost entirely ‘fade to black’. After she gets a few mates then they have a couple orgies per book.
The series took a nosedive midway through and as it progressed I cared less and less about the characters.
Sal’s mates are: Jase/Cyno, Zep, Kole, Razor, Blaz, Tyr(Tye?)
I don’t know if I should rate this 3, 3.5, or 4 stars
I’ll give the series 4 stars as a whole.
The first 6 I’d rate as 5 stars.
#7-8 will be 4 stars.
9-11 will be 3 stars.
The first 4-6 books were really good! I enjoyed them. I enjoyed the characters and the world building. I thought this story was super unique and exciting. I loved the Black Blades and their super specialized elite team. I loved their missions!
I dunno what happened after that. I got bored. There was too much war and not enough of anything else. There needed to be more balance.
The story eventually became formulaic. It felt like the same things were happening over and over again. That also contributed to me being bored. I also didn’t like it when the author started skipping from our main characters to random characters, who I don’t care about, across the world.
I didn’t wanna read about Zep’s baby mama. In fact, I prefer to pretend she isn’t a character and pretend none of that happened. Zep having a baby with another woman while he was with Sal rubbed me the wrong way. I didn’t like it.
This series has steamy scenes but I wouldn’t classify it as steamy per se. There are probably one or two intimate scenes in each book. Any sex scenes in the first four books are almost entirely ‘fade to black’. After she gets a few mates then they have a couple orgies per book.
The series took a nosedive midway through and as it progressed I cared less and less about the characters.
Sal’s mates are: Jase/Cyno, Zep, Kole, Razor, Blaz, Tyr(Tye?)
August 12, 2022
I'm just stunned! Read now if you haven't started yet!!!
This series is right up there with The Age of Andinna, & the Shannara series in its Awesomeness & is as well written as authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Goodkind, & Terry Brooks have ever published! I quit literally got yelled at by my hubby, more than I'd like to admit, over the past couple of days since I Absolutely Could Not put this series down!!! It was Addicting in the Best of Ways, and even better, it was so well written that I think I was there, next to the characters, more than in my human house... Which should say something. I'd be more than thrilled for another 4 box-sets in the Iliri world! Maybe in the future, when Sal Luxx & Mates has 'recycled' and the Emperors 'Sky "SOS" Machine' has called down a few Earthlings, or another species, to investigate the 'summons' sent to the stars? I'd Love to see what Ayati has planned for the future and what the 3 races combined looks like in a couple hundred years! But regardless of all my wants & hopes, if you haven't began reading this series, you're seriously missing out of something awe-inspiring, epic! It's beyond morally educational in amazing ways and we can All learn from the lessons taught within the pages, because we aren't perfect and we can Always try to do better for each other. Thank you Auryn Hadley for writing a mind blowing series that should be put in lists along-side the Best Epic Fantasy Authors ever published!!!
This series is right up there with The Age of Andinna, & the Shannara series in its Awesomeness & is as well written as authors like J.R.R. Tolkien, Terry Goodkind, & Terry Brooks have ever published! I quit literally got yelled at by my hubby, more than I'd like to admit, over the past couple of days since I Absolutely Could Not put this series down!!! It was Addicting in the Best of Ways, and even better, it was so well written that I think I was there, next to the characters, more than in my human house... Which should say something. I'd be more than thrilled for another 4 box-sets in the Iliri world! Maybe in the future, when Sal Luxx & Mates has 'recycled' and the Emperors 'Sky "SOS" Machine' has called down a few Earthlings, or another species, to investigate the 'summons' sent to the stars? I'd Love to see what Ayati has planned for the future and what the 3 races combined looks like in a couple hundred years! But regardless of all my wants & hopes, if you haven't began reading this series, you're seriously missing out of something awe-inspiring, epic! It's beyond morally educational in amazing ways and we can All learn from the lessons taught within the pages, because we aren't perfect and we can Always try to do better for each other. Thank you Auryn Hadley for writing a mind blowing series that should be put in lists along-side the Best Epic Fantasy Authors ever published!!!
February 27, 2021
#10 Risen
One after another prophecies are fulfilled, but the idea that the Kaisae has to die or go insane, lingers.
Until Sal disappeared into the midst of the onslaught of the enemies assault. Lost under the thundering hooves of a military charge.
However, not all give up hope, for that is what Sal is for her side.
With friends: human, Iliri, grauori and celestial, Sal lives to finish what she has started.
Drama both on the battlefield, on the home front and within the bedroom, it's an exciting time for all.
#11 Hope
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.
One after another prophecies are fulfilled, but the idea that the Kaisae has to die or go insane, lingers.
Until Sal disappeared into the midst of the onslaught of the enemies assault. Lost under the thundering hooves of a military charge.
However, not all give up hope, for that is what Sal is for her side.
With friends: human, Iliri, grauori and celestial, Sal lives to finish what she has started.
Drama both on the battlefield, on the home front and within the bedroom, it's an exciting time for all.
#11 Hope
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.
November 2, 2025
this series and author should be a requirement
I'm not a fan of writing reviews. And when I do it's always at the end. This series is absolutely amazing. I think I'm in love with the author. This is the first series I've read by her and I can't even imagine trying to pick my favorite. But each book is exactly what you want. The characters and the world they live in is complete. And it's not just the main characters that are built up. You get to learn about soo many others. Never left to wonder "what happened to this person". Because other people in the world do exist.....
There may have been 1 or 2 questions not answered at the very end but I'm still very happy I read this series. I really fell in love with it.....even if I cried.....
Thank you A.H. Hadley for this amazing story.
I'm not a fan of writing reviews. And when I do it's always at the end. This series is absolutely amazing. I think I'm in love with the author. This is the first series I've read by her and I can't even imagine trying to pick my favorite. But each book is exactly what you want. The characters and the world they live in is complete. And it's not just the main characters that are built up. You get to learn about soo many others. Never left to wonder "what happened to this person". Because other people in the world do exist.....
There may have been 1 or 2 questions not answered at the very end but I'm still very happy I read this series. I really fell in love with it.....even if I cried.....
Thank you A.H. Hadley for this amazing story.
May 31, 2021
Oh wow! Such a great ending to the series!
I'm extremely happy I picked up this series to read. It was a wild ride to the end. A dream to have equality, love and acceptance for all in this world would be a dream come true. I would love to see politicians find a way to stop trying to control people of race, color, gender or sexual preferences. Let humanity be free to live authentic loving lives, I want that! To see that as a happy ending is beautiful! If only we could get rid of all the hate in this world! I loved living in this book reality. I don't ever want to leave the hope of loving and acceptance for everyone! Happily ever after!!
I'm extremely happy I picked up this series to read. It was a wild ride to the end. A dream to have equality, love and acceptance for all in this world would be a dream come true. I would love to see politicians find a way to stop trying to control people of race, color, gender or sexual preferences. Let humanity be free to live authentic loving lives, I want that! To see that as a happy ending is beautiful! If only we could get rid of all the hate in this world! I loved living in this book reality. I don't ever want to leave the hope of loving and acceptance for everyone! Happily ever after!!
January 10, 2022
Amazing as always.
This series was very good. I do prefer her later books but this was very well done. I think her books in more modern eras have more humor and her characters have more spunk. But Sal is a very good representation of the strong woman we all want to be. And personally I dream of a future where we are all one color and racism doesn’t exist. Hopefully not sexism either. These really were books about hope. And I think that with everything going on we all need that. I plan on rereading these as soon as I post this because I think I missed a lot the first time. There’s so much here that you don’t necessarily get the first time.
This series was very good. I do prefer her later books but this was very well done. I think her books in more modern eras have more humor and her characters have more spunk. But Sal is a very good representation of the strong woman we all want to be. And personally I dream of a future where we are all one color and racism doesn’t exist. Hopefully not sexism either. These really were books about hope. And I think that with everything going on we all need that. I plan on rereading these as soon as I post this because I think I missed a lot the first time. There’s so much here that you don’t necessarily get the first time.
June 10, 2022
Captivating! One of only 3 series that I’ve found that is 5 star worthy.
I have finally completed all 11 books in this series. I have read over 100 books in the last 5 months and am an avid reader of reverse harems. Honestly not his is probably the best and most refreshing series I’ve read in the last 2 years! Auryn Hadley managed to tackle love, prejudice, war and sexuality in a way that can almost everyone relate in many ways. I was in love with this series from the very first book and although it was a longer series than most reverse harems it’s worth every single minute I spent reading. I’ve found a new favorite author and can’t wait to read her next series.
I have finally completed all 11 books in this series. I have read over 100 books in the last 5 months and am an avid reader of reverse harems. Honestly not his is probably the best and most refreshing series I’ve read in the last 2 years! Auryn Hadley managed to tackle love, prejudice, war and sexuality in a way that can almost everyone relate in many ways. I was in love with this series from the very first book and although it was a longer series than most reverse harems it’s worth every single minute I spent reading. I’ve found a new favorite author and can’t wait to read her next series.
March 23, 2023
Can I be Iliri too??
Ok. So this is the 4th or 5th time I've read this series. It's that good. Rise of the Iliri series has become my go to series if I'm in a book slump, need a palate cleanser, or if I just want a comforting, familiar story. It's a timeless story, with the main plot being equality. I love the fantasy element mixed in with the reality, and Sal is so easy to love. From the first chapter, I was rooting for the Iliri, and I never stopped. Thank you, Ms. Hadley, for such an incredibly enjoyable read that I can keep going back to it. I'll never get tired of reading about Sal!
Ok. So this is the 4th or 5th time I've read this series. It's that good. Rise of the Iliri series has become my go to series if I'm in a book slump, need a palate cleanser, or if I just want a comforting, familiar story. It's a timeless story, with the main plot being equality. I love the fantasy element mixed in with the reality, and Sal is so easy to love. From the first chapter, I was rooting for the Iliri, and I never stopped. Thank you, Ms. Hadley, for such an incredibly enjoyable read that I can keep going back to it. I'll never get tired of reading about Sal!
January 2, 2026
So brilliant I wish this all was real
Eleven books … and for the first time ever I didn’t want it to end. I’d have kept reading about the foals and Sal’s boys growing up and the alliances working out. This series is so well written, so mind blowing, so Believable … I wish I was Iliri and could live there!
A.H. Hadley you are brilliant. I’ve not looked yet but I hope there’s so many more stories I can dive into. Your editing is impeccable.
I don’t want this to end and I don’t know if I’ve ever felt that way before. What a brilliant way to finish… I cried and laughed and fell in love. Thankyou so very much for sharing your beautiful mind.
Eleven books … and for the first time ever I didn’t want it to end. I’d have kept reading about the foals and Sal’s boys growing up and the alliances working out. This series is so well written, so mind blowing, so Believable … I wish I was Iliri and could live there!
A.H. Hadley you are brilliant. I’ve not looked yet but I hope there’s so many more stories I can dive into. Your editing is impeccable.
I don’t want this to end and I don’t know if I’ve ever felt that way before. What a brilliant way to finish… I cried and laughed and fell in love. Thankyou so very much for sharing your beautiful mind.
March 30, 2020
Amazing ending!!!
Wow.
When I first started I was like 11books, I bet I’ll get bored by book 4.... but oh no I should have known that this was Miss Hadley we are dealing with! This author has landed in my life and made herself my favourite. I’ve yet to read anything from her that I don’t like.
I love and will miss all my characters, oh Jace and Kolt my top men.
I enjoyed every single book in this series. But I am grateful that tonight I can finally go bed at a reasonable time lol.
Great ending and definitely will be reading this again.
Wow.
When I first started I was like 11books, I bet I’ll get bored by book 4.... but oh no I should have known that this was Miss Hadley we are dealing with! This author has landed in my life and made herself my favourite. I’ve yet to read anything from her that I don’t like.
I love and will miss all my characters, oh Jace and Kolt my top men.
I enjoyed every single book in this series. But I am grateful that tonight I can finally go bed at a reasonable time lol.
Great ending and definitely will be reading this again.
May 6, 2020
One of the best series I've read!
If you are a fan of epic fantasy novels a la Anne McCaffrey or Mercedes Lackey the Auryn Hadley's "The Rise of the Iliri" series is for you.
Much like the queens of epic fantasies, Auryn's writing strikes a perfect balance of long stretches of quotidian life with beautifully penned action scenes.
Throw in her wonderful integration of the different forms of love and duty, and Auryn's characters will have you
crying for, cheering with, and falling in love with them.
I honestly can't wait for more to this story.
If you are a fan of epic fantasy novels a la Anne McCaffrey or Mercedes Lackey the Auryn Hadley's "The Rise of the Iliri" series is for you.
Much like the queens of epic fantasies, Auryn's writing strikes a perfect balance of long stretches of quotidian life with beautifully penned action scenes.
Throw in her wonderful integration of the different forms of love and duty, and Auryn's characters will have you
crying for, cheering with, and falling in love with them.
I honestly can't wait for more to this story.
August 13, 2021
There are no words to accurately describe how amazing this book is
This series... This will be one of those series that years from now you'll still be pulling out to remember the emotional whirlwind that is this work of art. The pages will be worn from frequent readings and some pages may be tear stained but it will still be one of your all time favorites. all i have to say is thank you Auryn for your time and dedication to one of the most amazing series to exist. I can't imagine many will hit the bar you set.
This series... This will be one of those series that years from now you'll still be pulling out to remember the emotional whirlwind that is this work of art. The pages will be worn from frequent readings and some pages may be tear stained but it will still be one of your all time favorites. all i have to say is thank you Auryn for your time and dedication to one of the most amazing series to exist. I can't imagine many will hit the bar you set.
June 12, 2023
So good!
I loved this. You know it's been a good series when the end feels like saying goodbye to friends. So much work went into this. The world building. The systems. The connection between characters. Simple statements often foreshadowed outcomes 1000s of pages later. Keeping all the prophecy, strategy sessions, battle tactics, and politics straight. Not to mention fully choreographed fights. All beautifully done and so appreciated! Every series I've read of yours has been so good!
I loved this. You know it's been a good series when the end feels like saying goodbye to friends. So much work went into this. The world building. The systems. The connection between characters. Simple statements often foreshadowed outcomes 1000s of pages later. Keeping all the prophecy, strategy sessions, battle tactics, and politics straight. Not to mention fully choreographed fights. All beautifully done and so appreciated! Every series I've read of yours has been so good!
September 7, 2020
Couldn't stop till the end.
I must say I enjoy this author in the way she writes. The imagination of these novels are mind boggling. This is the second series of books form Auryn Hadley I have read. Neither was a disappointment. If you want to get lost for a while this is a good place to start.
Lots of action, and if you are not into the love scenes you can always skip those. This is a very well written series and very enjoyable. (Well I enjoyed it.)
I must say I enjoy this author in the way she writes. The imagination of these novels are mind boggling. This is the second series of books form Auryn Hadley I have read. Neither was a disappointment. If you want to get lost for a while this is a good place to start.
Lots of action, and if you are not into the love scenes you can always skip those. This is a very well written series and very enjoyable. (Well I enjoyed it.)
January 20, 2021
Just wow!
I'm simultaneously happy and sad. This was an epic story. Thank you for always taking your time to tell the story, letting it develop and having us fall in love with the characters. I almost wish to know more. There certainly could be a continuation in the future with the children grown up. I still wished for a happier ending for Black, he was flawed yes but he had a good heart. Maybe we will see him resurface in a future book.
I'm simultaneously happy and sad. This was an epic story. Thank you for always taking your time to tell the story, letting it develop and having us fall in love with the characters. I almost wish to know more. There certainly could be a continuation in the future with the children grown up. I still wished for a happier ending for Black, he was flawed yes but he had a good heart. Maybe we will see him resurface in a future book.
February 25, 2021
Great ending to an epic series!
I certainly was not disappointed with the way Auryn Hadley wove her magic to conclude this spectacular series. The world she created, the people she made us care for, the lives found and lost. It makes one wish she could weave that same magic around our world.
Bravo Auryn. I am sad to see this story of your end...but I certainly did love how I got here.
I certainly was not disappointed with the way Auryn Hadley wove her magic to conclude this spectacular series. The world she created, the people she made us care for, the lives found and lost. It makes one wish she could weave that same magic around our world.
Bravo Auryn. I am sad to see this story of your end...but I certainly did love how I got here.
May 8, 2021
The best ending ever.
I have stormed through all of the ROTI books because I simply couldn’t get enough and absolutely needed to know how it was all going to work out.
They’ve made me laugh, cry, frown, wiggle, gasp and everything in between. This ending was tear-jerking perfection and I have loved immersing myself in this world with such deep characters and well-considered plots.
What on Earth am I going to read now?!
I have stormed through all of the ROTI books because I simply couldn’t get enough and absolutely needed to know how it was all going to work out.
They’ve made me laugh, cry, frown, wiggle, gasp and everything in between. This ending was tear-jerking perfection and I have loved immersing myself in this world with such deep characters and well-considered plots.
What on Earth am I going to read now?!
July 2, 2022
Addicting
I’ve just finished reading this entire series of books for the third time and I’ll definitely be reading them again!
While there are a lot of books to this series, the story wasn’t deliberately drawn out just to get people to read them, it was more like the story just took that long to tell. I love that the author even wrote an extra book for what happens to everyone after the war is over and they go home.
I’ve just finished reading this entire series of books for the third time and I’ll definitely be reading them again!
While there are a lot of books to this series, the story wasn’t deliberately drawn out just to get people to read them, it was more like the story just took that long to tell. I love that the author even wrote an extra book for what happens to everyone after the war is over and they go home.
July 6, 2024
love it
Amazing books. Love, jealousy of longing, friends, steamy, and a lot more. I really hope A.H. Hadley wound write a novel on Sal and her guys and the family and her being amma. Did Shaden have here baby, what did keeya have, did Rayli have a baby with Joe? Just a lot more questions I would love to know. Wish the epilogue was 2 or 5 years out it would have been better if it had.
Amazing books. Love, jealousy of longing, friends, steamy, and a lot more. I really hope A.H. Hadley wound write a novel on Sal and her guys and the family and her being amma. Did Shaden have here baby, what did keeya have, did Rayli have a baby with Joe? Just a lot more questions I would love to know. Wish the epilogue was 2 or 5 years out it would have been better if it had.
May 18, 2021
Overall great series
I love the ending, just not sure Sal treated Blaec right even after death. I do love that they got their happily ever after. And that they still had to work on things after the war. I hated Tyr for about half of the book. "I got needs" yeah that endears you. But overall great series, lovely ending.
I love the ending, just not sure Sal treated Blaec right even after death. I do love that they got their happily ever after. And that they still had to work on things after the war. I hated Tyr for about half of the book. "I got needs" yeah that endears you. But overall great series, lovely ending.
November 6, 2021
Incredible!
When I started this series I thought it was going to be too long or that I would lose interest. Instead I found that I couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what was going to happen next and how Sal would survive it all. This series is incredible and one of the most enjoyable I’ve read in a long time! I look forward to reading more from this author.
When I started this series I thought it was going to be too long or that I would lose interest. Instead I found that I couldn’t put it down, I needed to know what was going to happen next and how Sal would survive it all. This series is incredible and one of the most enjoyable I’ve read in a long time! I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 17, 2023
Enthralling. Satisfying
I loved every moment of reading this complete series. Every aspect of the story was vivid and relatable. Laughing out loud, crying too. Many late nights, one night completely spent reading with no idea what time it was until morning came! I definitely recommend this series!
I loved every moment of reading this complete series. Every aspect of the story was vivid and relatable. Laughing out loud, crying too. Many late nights, one night completely spent reading with no idea what time it was until morning came! I definitely recommend this series!
October 10, 2025
second time
This is my second time reading this series and it held me as tightly in its grip as the first time.
An absolutely amazing read, all the twists and turns still kept me on the edge of my seat. Sal and the Black Blades are just fantastic.
Read it, from book 1 right through, you won’t regret it.
This is my second time reading this series and it held me as tightly in its grip as the first time.
An absolutely amazing read, all the twists and turns still kept me on the edge of my seat. Sal and the Black Blades are just fantastic.
Read it, from book 1 right through, you won’t regret it.
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