Protectors of Poison

Forgotten Gods #2

by Laura Greenwood

Sera is used to being forgotten and is happy to be, even if her healing powers have waned in the years since people forgot her real name.

Everything changes when a minor god turns up and reveals her scorpions are being blamed for a poisoning. Determined to prove her innocence, Sera must take her place as a goddess once more and uncover the plot threatening to destroy her.

Protectors of Poison is part of the Forgotten Gods series and is Serket's full story. It is based on Egyptian mythology.

Genres: Fantasy, Mythology, Romance, Paranormal, Audiobook, Fiction, Magic

150 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 11, 2018

About the author

Laura is a USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy romance and urban fantasy. She lives in the UK, where most of her books are set, with her partner. When she's not writing, Laura can be found exploring worldwide cusine with her partner, drinking tea, and reading fantasy books. Laura specialises in quick reads, featuring healthy relationships and consent-positive moments, regardless of whether she's writing light-hearted romance, mythology-inspired modern fantasy, cozy fantasy or anything in between.

Discover one of Laura Greenwood's most popular series:
- The Apprentice of Anubis (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Forgotten Gods (mythology inspired fantasy romance)
- Jinx Paranormal Dating Agency (mythology inspired paranormal rom-com)
- House of Blood and Roses (vampire romantasy)
- Amethyst's Wand Shop Mysteries (urban fantasy murder mystery)
- Scales of Justice (mythology inspired modern/urban fantasy)
- Purple Oak Oasis (cozy fantasy romance)
- Falhaven Castle (cozy fantasy romance)

You can find a full book list and more information on her website, or in her Facebook Reader Group.

Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Laura Greenwood]

The Forgotten Gods Series:

1. Protectors of Poison: Scorpio: books2read.com/protectorsofpoison
2. Daughter of the Sun: books2read.com/daughterofthesun
3. Servant of Chaos: books2read.com/servantofchaos
4. Devourer Of Hearts: books2read.com/devourerofhearts
5. Acolyte Of Truth: books2read.com/acolyteoftruth
6. Empress of the Dark: books2read.com/empressofthedark
7. Serpent Of The Crown: books2read.com/serpentofthecrown
8. Seeker Of Relics: books2read.com/seekerofrelics


Short Story Prequel to Acolyte of Truth: Priestess of Truth: https://books.authorlauragreenwood.co...
Boxed Set: Forgotten Gods: Books 1-3: books2read.com/forgottengods

[Abi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. It was short, which I knew going in, but unfortunately that made the romance feel very basic and not particularly convincing. Additionally, Greenwood's lack of commas before a "but" really interrupted the flow of the writing for me. Obviously, that's a pet peeve, but it was irritating and took me out of the flow of the story. I liked the Egyptian mythology. It was fun. Overall, I don't think I would recommend this. It just didn't click with me. 3 stars.

[Cailin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy booya, yes! More, please!!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review and I simply fell in love with both the idea of the story and the story itself.

I adore mythology and imagination, and the two married wonderfully and seamlessly within this inventive story. The characters, being based on myth, were of course not wholly original, but the modern takes on their personalities and lives were very much so! I found this book to be a refreshing take on the gods of old and I cant wait to see what happens next within this book-world!

If you like deities attempting to blend in, a dash of mystery, simmering romance, and magic, you will love this book!

[Nathalie Bookwurm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protectors of Poison by Laura Greenwood is a quick, fun urban fantasy set in a world where Egyptian gods walk among humans. We follow Sera, secretly the goddess Serket, who’s been living a quiet life as a vet nurse. When she's accused of poisoning Osiris, she must team up with the charming god Sed to uncover the truth—and maybe rediscover her place among the gods.

Strong female lead

Flirty romance

A sprinkle of mythology

Verdict: A great pick if you enjoy short paranormal romances with a mythological flair.

[Katy Lohman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't think I've read a Laura Greenwood book that I don't like. This tale of the scorpion goddess Serket is no exception. I love that she was a veterinarian, using the last of her powers to heal.

[Emily Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sera was a veterinary nurse working on an injured kitten and, with no one near her, she used her healing powers to knit the bones and heal the abused animal. The vet was ready to begin surgery, but she told him it did not appear necessary. He came into the room and praised her magic touch with animals, startling her that he came so close to the truth! Her powers were too weak to help humans now, so she did what she could for animals. As they left for the evening, a jackal ran in front of Sera’s car! The vet pulled up beside her car. She knew the animal was injured, but the vet could not permit a wild animal into the clinic due to possible disease. So Sera lied and told him she had a friend who worked at the zoo and would take the jackal to him. Instead, she took him home and cleaned the infected wound on his belly. Then she went to bed.

In the morning, she went downstairs to check on the jackal but instead found a man! He said, "Hello Serket." She asked him not to call her that, but he was a god as she was and they knew each other by sight. Sed, one of the minor gods, told her he was there because Osiris had been poisoned. He said one of her scorpions from her temple had been used, but she told him she had no more scorpions and her temple no longer existed. Because no one had been to her temple or even said her name, her powers had faded. She still had immortality, but her healing was greatly reduced. He asked for her help, but she said no. Then she reconsidered, but when she came back downstairs, he was gone.

Because she is the only one who can save Osiris, Sera returns to Egypt. She works with Sed to find out what is happening, who is trying to set her up, and who tried to kill Osiris. And while they are getting to know each other better, they begin to feel an attraction. Will they solve the mystery? Will they save Osiris? And what will they do with that attraction that won’t go away?

This was a very good story. I loved how the author wove the Egyptian mythology, which I was unfamiliar with, into the story. I thought the author handled it all very well, bringing the gods to life so we can know them better. I enjoyed the mystery that was presented. The characters were very likable and I hope we see more of them going forward.

[Diana in SC · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars overall, 5 stars story, 4 stars narration

A short fantasy of Egyptian gods with a splash of romance!

Sera is a lonely woman who spends her time healing animals as a veterinary nurse. She hides the fact that she is actually Serket, the Egyptian goddess of healing, but she has lost most of her powers over the years. Unexpectedly, one of her fellow gods finds her and asks for help. Will Sera help him and get pulled back into her old society?

This is a surprisingly meaty fantasy story in spite of being so short (2.5 hours). It is told in first person perspective only from the point of view of Serket. The romance subplot is sweet with closed-door love scenes, a writing choice that worked well. It would probably be rated PG if it were a movie. I loved how the gods' powers worked similarly those in Neil Gaiman's famous novel “American Gods”. When humans forgot their names and no longer worshipped them, the immortal gods' powers were severely reduced. When this happens, a goddess basically must live like a human. I really like Serket and Zed (I am unsure of the spelling). Serket is a gentle soul, but she has an inner strength and good moral fiber. I love the quick pacing of the story and the suspenseful scenes. I highly recommend this audiobook to anyone who wants a short fantasy with shape-shifting Egyptian gods.

The female narrator did a very good job. She did a very good Egyptian-sounding accent for Zed, and he sounded like a sexy man. Minor characters sounded nicely distinctive. I am on the fence about the choice of accent for Serket. She speaks with a distinct London accent. Perhaps Serket has been living in London a long time (it is unclear in the story) but I think that Serket should have a trace of an Egyptian accent, or at least reacquire an Egyptian accent after being around Zed a while. Serket's English accent does sound pleasant, and the narrator properly conveys her gentle soul with her voice. Overall, I enjoyed the narration.

I received a free Audible audiocode via #AudiobookObsession, and I voluntarily wrote this honest review.
#AudiobookObsession Reviewer

[LMR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protectors of Poison: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Scorpio By: Laura Greenwood
SomeTimes, Poison Heals What Ails You!
What's A Forgotten God to DO...
When She's being Framed for Attempted Murder of Who God,
By Her Very Own Venomous Scorpions... Her Babies NO LESS!
Well she Travels to Clear Her Name,
And, if Possible, Heal the Damage,
From the Poisson Done in Her Name!
Maybe SomeWhere along the Way...
She'll find SomeOne to Heal Her HEART TOO!
I was granted an ARC of Laura Greenwood's "Protectors of Poison: A Zodiac Shifters Paranormal Romance: Scorpio" via B00|{$P®0UT; I recommend this book to others based upon its own merits. All opinions expressed within this review are uniquely my own & freely given!
Until next time... Happy Reading!

[Jamie Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Egyptian goddess Serket is alive in modern times (known as Sera) and working as a veterinary technician. Known for her healing, Serket's powers are on the wane because Egyptian gods and goddesses are largely forgotten. Sed, a jackal god, appears to her as a wounded jackal, and she rescues him, not knowing of his divine state. Soon, he lets her know and also asks her if she is involved in the poisoning of Osiris, as the venom appears to have come from one of her scorpions. She is not involved in this, of course, so they join forces to try to figure out what exactly is going on.

Will they figure out the source of this poisoning? Will they be able to save Osiris? Will Serket regain any of her power?

What an interesting, quick read. We don't often see ancient Egyptian mythology in paranormal stories. Sed and Serket are ones I haven't heard of before, so it was fun to see them in action and learn a little bit about them and their myths. Even though this book was short, the author had good pacing and characterization. I'll be interested in reading more of this.

I received a free copy of this, but that did not affect my review.

Read my other reviews at https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com.

[Rhonda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was offered an opportunity to read this ARC and since I hadn't read any of the series previously but had seen it advertised, I wanted to take a chance. I'm so glad I did. I've always ben enthralled with mythology and this storyline is loosely based on Egyptian Mythology and it's gods.
Serket, aka Sera, is a small god of healing working as a human in a veterinarian office. Her magical healing powers are almost completely gone, no longer able to help humans, she does have enough to help with animals occasionally. That's where Sed, the protector of Kingship, found her. He had turned into a jackal so she would help him and then in turn ask her to help the god Osiris who was dying.
Are you intrigued yet? I thought so, so was I. Laura Greenwood has taken Egyptian Mythology and wove it through a paranormal romance to make a book so intriguing with characters containing personality traits and quirks that make them humanly relatable, a plot that wove through seamlessly and a slow burning romance that makes you sit up and take notice, waiting to see what happens. I loved it and of course, will have to continue finding these books to see what all I've missed.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of the boxed set...This is a NON-SPOILER REVIEW. The Forgotten Gods: The Complete Series by Laura Greenwood is a set of three books. This was an exciting read for me because I absolutely love mythology. especially Egyptian mythology. This set of three books is an awesome rollercoaster ride full of fun, drama, emotional turmoil and brilliantly written characters. I actually read the first book (Protectors of Poison) when it first released in 2018 and fell in love with Sera's story. When I saw all the books put together in one set, I jumped at the chance to read the books back to back. Despite the fact that the characters are based on mythology and therefore not original characters, the spin that Laura Greenwood puts on her version of these Gods is amazing. The stories she gifts as experiences are so worth the read. Here is a not to be missed read if you are a fan of Gena Showalter, Ilona Andrews or Rick Riordan's style (But As An Adult Version).

This honest and voluntary review was made possible by reading a copy through Booksprout.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this up as ARC after seeing the author’s books before but not having a chance to try her out. I didn’t even look at what the book was about…I just knew I wanted to get a feel for the series. It was a pleasant surprise to find out it had to do with an Egyptian mythology theme, as that’s something I absolutely love to read about. The gods and goddesses mentioned throughout the book are actual ones in myth, and the author does a really good job with portraying and bringing their characters to life in the story. It didn’t take long for me to get wrapped up in the book and finish it. It’s a quicker read, but it wasn’t too short for the story to develop…great for that rainy/snowy day. Not too steamy, so it that bothers you, no worries there. Just enough to not take away from the plot of the story. I’ll definitely be checking out more books from this author.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Claire Milbrandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Protectors of Poison is centered around Sera is a vet nurse who heals the animals around her while no one is looking. As we are led into the story, turns out that Sera is the almost forgotten Goddess named Serket, the Scorpion Goddess. She is called upon by Sed to heal Osiris who has been poisoned with the venom from one of her scorpions. As she and Sed go back to Egypt to see about healing not only Osiris, but also Sera, who has to become the Goddess that she had happily left behind. But it turns out that her past is coming back to haunt her and nothing is as it seems.

I love the world and personalities that Laura Greenwood has created in this story! She has given us another beautiful and powerful world that I feel like I am a part of as soon as I start listening/reading. As for the Audiobook, Sabrina Sterling is a fabulous narrator, I have never heard any audiobooks by her, but she is amazing!

I would recommend this book to anyone!

[Black Cat Books Reviews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Stats
Writing: 6/10
Plot: 6/10
Characters: 7/10
World-Building: 6/10

For the writing, it was alright, but wasn’t amazing. I will say that I loved it when the author pointed out that, while Serket is immortal and you would think she’d be wealthy, since she is a woman, she was only allowed to start really saving money until the last 2 centuries.

For the plot, it was very short, so there wasn’t much room for an elaborate plot, but it was straight-forward and fun.

For the characters, I thought they were really cute. Sed was just trying to help and accepting Serket as she is. Serket maintained such a nice and sweet demeanor throughout the years.

Lastly, world-building. Again, because it was very short, there wasn’t much room for an elaborate world-building, but I did love the idea that the gods lose their powers as people believe in them less.

It was short, but it was a fun read.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was new to me i have never read anything that had Egyptian Gods in it i thought the plot was interesting Sera who is the Goddess Serket is living in very modern times when someone from her past Seb the jackal half God comes looking to find out if she is behind and attack on Osiris. Sera knows nothing about it so Seb ask for her help she refuses at first she has very little magic left but goes home to Egypt anyway even if its to find out who framed her. Once there the magic of Egypt is not all she finds her growing attraction to Seb makes her rethank her no romance with gods rule. They will have to beat and old enemy of Serket if she is to be able to save Osiris. I found it interesting i wish there had been slightly more action with the battle scene but still a decent short story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shweta · Rating 5 out of 5]

There have been numerous series based on the Norse & Greek mythologies but very few that talk about the Egyptian Gods and Goddesses. This is one of the few series that I've across that are based on Egyptian mythology and is very interesting.

Based on Osiris, Isis, Sekhmet (known as Sera in this book), this book lays the foundation of how the Gods and Goddesses are losing their powers because people are losing their faith in them & forgetting them. Intertwining with this theme is how Osiris is poisoned by Scorpions which are Sera's familiars and the animal she shifts in.

Very well written and easy to follow this book was a really great read.

The only thing that I think can be added to this book was more history and background on Egyptian Gods, Goddesses and culture.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mild spoilers

So tragic. Hard enough to be a goddess in a world that no longer has faith in you, but to have someone actively trying to erase you from existence? Sera aka Serket left home long ago when her powers wained and the world moved on now she lives a simple life as a veterinary nurse and heals animals. When a jackal shows up out of nowhere she nurses him back to health only to find he’s not a jackal but Sed a minor god who’s been looking for her. Now they’re on a journey to save a god, protect Sera and find the culprit of both egregious crimes.
Very good story. I enjoy the blend of Ancient Egyptian and the modern world. Interesting to see how gods might adapt to the world and how it’s moved on. A bit of something for everyone action, mystery, history, romance.
I received a free copy of this book. This review reflects my honest opinion freely given.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sera works as a veterinary tech, but her healing powers once were a saving grace for humanity.

She lost a great deal through over-use during the World Wars.

Now Serket faces a different challenge: Osiris, mate of Isis, is one of the highest Egyptian gods.

Sadly, he has been poisoned -by a Serket Scorpion.

She finds her temples in disarray - with efforts being made to obliterate her image and name altogether.

Can she find the strength to help save Osiris? A little help from Sed might go a long way - and a surprise from Isis might help as well.

Destruction and saving lie close together in this suspenseful adventure!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Darcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story. Yes, it is a quick read but it is definitely good. It has some mystery, suspense, drama, and romance. It is extremely well written and the characters are beautifully developed. I loved Sera and Sed together. They have great chemistry and personalities. The story is different with the Egyptian Gods and how they would be in today’s society. It made a very unique story. I would have loved it to be longer just because I would have loved to read more about Sera and Sed. But, the shorter story doesn’t leave you feel like you are missing something. It was definitely worth reading and doesn’t disappoint.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shayay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Narrator does a good job fitting the characters and she has a nice accent.

Quick story about Sera, who is an Egyptian Goddess that finds herself in a bit of situation. Her healing powers have waned as people begin to remember her less and less, and someone is out to take her down. Sed, an Egyptian God, is investigating the poisoning of another God and it’s led him to Sera. The venom from Sera’s scorpions seems to be the cause, but there’s more to it than that. Liked the god scenario, but things did move a little slowly with the Egyptian mythology. Still an entertaining read, but I would’ve liked a bit more focus on the romance. I loved that Sera could change into a large scorpion; too cool! Fun premise. Overall, an enjoyable story.

[Ilona Nurmela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun 2hr short on variations around Egyptian gods & mythology

I loved this short story about Serket and the mysterious poisoning of Osiris. It’s fun to imagine the immortals of old still walk among us and some are less, some are more forgotten, but still there. I liked how the author took the idea of erasing of several pharaos from Ancient Egyptian history and applied it to erasing gods. I also liked how Serket was the Scorpion goddess (while in modern times we think more of a male Scorpion King) and that Greenwood’s gods were shapeshifters. Loved Serket’s and Sed’s sweet love story weaved in. Recommended read for lovers of Egyptian myths&legends, forgotten gods with a clean&sweet romance sideline.

[Laura Moylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sera works as a nurse at a veterinary clinic. Over the thousands of years that she has lived as a goddess she has lost some of her power. It takes days now for her to regain her strength after a healing. Each animal at the clinic had been abandoned or mistreated before arriving at George’s clinic. He always made sure that she got to her care safely before he left too, every night. The Gods and Goddesses of Egypt are still around and they are all sworn to keep their heads down and not draw attention so that humans wouldn’t find out the truth. The majority of humanity had stopped believing in them a long time ago, and so their powers dwindled.

A hurt jackal shows up and Sera and George get him into the car and she promises to bring the jackal to a ‘friend at the zoo’. Lol. Nope it was Sed, a god who was the protector to the kingship. He has come to Serket (Sera) because someone has poisoned Osiris who is very ill and they are hoping that Serket can use her healing powers on him and save Osiris. Sed believes the poison came from one of her temple’s scorpions. He talks her into coming and it is a scary adventure as we find out who is behind the poisoning and why. I am still reeling over the why. *shakes head* However, feelings between Sera and Sed occur and most of their interactions are funny once they get to Egypt. The fight scenes are cool and she is very protective of Sed. I do not like scorpions. I had to be careful once I realized there were scorpions in the book as they freak me out.

So I read it early in the day and read a few more books so I wouldn’t think about it and have nightmares. The whole world concept and how it all fits into the regular world is just awesome. I really loved this book and quickly began the next. Totally binge worthy.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader_for_LifeTLG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serket and Sed - Serket's magic has faded to the point that she can no longer heal humans, only small animals. But she's still serving her purpose. When the jackal god Sed approaches her to help save a poisoned Osiris, she is faced with the reality that someone is trying to frame her for his death, and wipe her memory from the annals of history. Who would be so cruel, so cold and callous? Why her? The answer is rather obvious to her once she sees the destruction that was wrought. Hell hath no fury and all that.

This was a good short story but the romance between the two MCs happened in a blink of an eye. No buildup, no tension. But a good read nonetheless.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Victoria Golby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgotten Egyptian Gods #1

Sera (Serket) feels she is a forgotten god and is now working as a vet nurse as she feels her heeling powers are not strong enough to help humans anymore. She has the god Sed visit asking for her help as Osiris has been poisoned, seemingly by one of her scorpions, and he thinks she can help. When they get to Egypt she finds Osiris isn’t the only one she needs to worry about.

The characters are well written and I liked the humour throughout the book. I enjoyed this as it’s interesting to read about the different parts of Egyptian culture but in a modern setting. I can’t wait to read the next in the series.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Linda (ellsky) Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Serket "Sera" is the focus of this book and she shines brightly. As the goddess of healing and poisons, her animal is the scorpion, and her adventures to regain some of her strength and magic are very fun to read. Her compassion is shown frequently and make her a very endearing main character. I enjoyed learning more about Serket as I was not familiar with this Egyptian goddess, and I hope she is able to show up in future books in the series as well. I enjoyed this book a lot more than the first book in the series, Feather of Balance, as I felt it did a much better job of introducing the world the series exists in without overwhelming me with too many names and too much information. I will definitely be continuing the series. I read this on Kobo Plus.

[Estella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sera is used to being forgotten and is happy to be, even if her healing powers have waned in the years since people forgot her real name.

Everything changes when a minor god turns up and reveals her scorpions are being blamed for a poisoning. Determined to prove her innocence, Sera must take her place as a goddess once more and uncover the plot threatening to destroy her.

Protectors of Poison can be listened to as a stand-alone story and is based on ancient Egyptian mythology.

This was a great book! I really enjoyed this short story. It was short but you wouldn't know it. I loved it and I look forward to reading more of this series. This book can be read as a standalone but you will want to read more.

[Marjorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This falls somewhere between urban fantasy and paranormal cozy - Laura has brought the ancient Egyptian pantheon into modern times and imagined what all those years and inherent changes would do to the once proud and powerful gods. Sera has found a comfortable place in a vet clinic helping injured animals with the little magic she has left as she fades into obscurity - until she crosses paths with a jackal who it not what he appears.

Suddenly she is pulled back into a world she thought she left as she works to clear her name. Lots action, adventure, excitement - and romance. This stays to the sweet, light and hopeful side of things though - hence my comparing it more to a cozy than a more serious urban fantasy. Enjoyable quick read

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love mythology and this just makes it more real and modern. Taking mythological people and making them real with lives it fabulous and add to that the shifter aspect and it just gets better!
This is the tale of Sera (Serket) and Sed, who need to solve a mystery and help Osiris to get better after being poisoned by some of Sera's scorpions. She is naturally a healer but with waning powers and hes is the god of kings, currently in service to Osiris and Isis. but someone is trying to get rid of Sera.
All in all a good tale worth the read and I enjoyed it

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jennifer G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Serket has been forgotten. Sera remains. She has little magic left after all these years but what she has, she still uses to heal. When a minor god tracks her down to help heal a major god and to defend her scorpions, she returns to her homeland. There she discovers she is in more danger than she realized.

Good, not great. I love Egyptian mythology and the characters were good but the story was too short. It would have benefitted from being extended. More time with Sera and Sed (buildup and after), more time with the 'villain". The villain, especially. More character history, more motive detailing. All in all, for a novella, good.

[DeeDeeWReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great first book in the Forgotten Gods series. Sera is a vet assistant that always seem to 'help' the hurt animals the come in. One day, she finds a hurt jackal outside the clinic. Taking it home, she finds there is more to this jackal that meets the eye.

It seems a major god has been poisoned and Sera is being blamed. Come along as she and Sed prove her innocence and find that a forgotten goddess isn't always as forgotten as she seems. A lot of secrets to be found and love is in the air. Great fast read, but full of the gods we all love and should always remember.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.