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The Night Sender

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Who are the night senders? Where do they come from? Why are they so shrouded in secrecy?

These are the questions Rose Woodburn desperately wants answered.

At midnight on her 18th birthday, Rose, like all ladies of the court, receives a visit from one of the night senders. It is a coming of age rite she has been warned to fear, but Rose, always defiant, is not scared. She’s fascinated by these creatures.

When the visit awakens a part of her she never knew existed, Rose begs her night sender, Roosha, to return. But Roosha, condemned to a life of servitude, is bound by sacred law never to see her again.

Undeterred, Rose embarks on a mission to uncover the secrets surrounding these mystical creatures and their true purpose—a mission that will reveal far more than she bargained for and forge an unlikely alliance. But can it be trusted?

Obsessed with discovering the truth, Rose finds herself on a harrowing path of self-discovery and drawn into an affair so forbidden, its punishment is a fate far worse than death.

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 16, 2020

1 person is currently reading
1530 people want to read

About the author

Christina Tsirkas

3 books37 followers
Christina Tsirkas grew up in New York City and has since migrated to the beautiful beaches of sunny South Florida where she lives with her partner and the most amazing cat, Kitty.

Christina's true passion lies in storytelling. She draws inspiration from all of the other wonderful artists, writers, composers, and actors who transport us into other worlds and realms with their characters, performances, and creativity.

In December 2020, Christina released her debut novel, The Night Sender, a female-driven fantasy romance. After much consideration, she removed the book from circulation and will be re-releasing an updated version at the beginning of 2023, followed by the other two books in the trilogy.

Recently, Christina has been inspired by poetry and released her first collection in June 2022. The book, Femme Feral is available on Amazon in both ebook and paperback.

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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
Profile Image for Rainz ❤️rainnbooks❤️(on a break).
1,368 reviews88 followers
January 13, 2021
Many Thanks to the author for an ARC copy of The Night Sender. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.

Rose Woodburn is celebrating her 18th birthday but it’s a celebration with a difference coz at the stroke of midnight, she will be visited by a night sender, part creature part human who would help her lose her virginity and be ready for marriage without fear. The purpose is seemingly noble but why then are the girls of the court warned to be wary of these creatures and why is everything so shrouded in secrecy and mystery?

Rose’s enthusiasm and passion for life however makes her different from other girls in the court in the fictional place of Dover and it is this character that welcomes Roosha with openness and thereby demanding further exploration of her sensuality and womanhood.

The debut work by the author is exceedingly well-written with multiple themes coming into play. Rose’s journey of self-discovery and her growth in character from the childish and naïve young girl to the woman secure in her knowledge of her sensuality and about love and sacrifice was conveyed brilliantly. Rose’s relationship with her mother and also finally growing to trust her only friend Vivianna, the fights with her nemesis Savannah each segment of the story builds up the thrill ride for this 3-part series.

It is admirable that beneath the layers of this fantasy world, the author Christina Tsirkas has layered a very thoughtful tale of a woman’s struggle focussing on her marital rights and her freedom to choose. It is also a tale that shows the revengeful spirit of a wronged woman. The concept of how the night senders come into being was even more surprising. Roosha and his friend Avidan with their guilt-ridden lives and sentence of servitude evokes sympathy. The author has woven a magical story of passionate love and with images so clear-cut that the fantasy world becomes real for a reader. The sizzling chemistry between the leads adds to the hotness and the intimate scenes were quite erotic.

The story ends as a cliff-hanger at a very crucial point and I just can’t wait for book #2 to know the outcome of this forbidden love between Rose and Roosha.

This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/, Goodreads, Amazon India and Twitter.
Profile Image for Louise H's Book Thoughts.
2,039 reviews316 followers
December 28, 2020
As debut novels go The Night Sender, by Christina Tsirkas, is a good offering. It has some well developed, strong and complex characters that quickly draw you into the story, whilst the fast paced, twisty and engaging plot holds you there. The prose flows well with the author including period words that reinforce a Georgian era feel to the setting. Descriptions were detailed, but not overly so, allowing a good mental image to be formed.


The premise of this book was quite intriguing, the erotic elements adding an unexpected, and very sultry, edge to it. This is a multi-layered story, unfolding to reveal a new piece of information or another puzzle to add to the pile. The author did this in a way that allowed me to assimilate new information and start trying to fit the pieces together, without overwhelming me. There was some great foreshadowing and hints, some of which only became apparent later in the story.


I do think the world building needs strengthening. Situations very close to the main characters were well structured - the role of the Night Sender, the strictures of the "court" but from where do Rose and her mother get their money? Is there a king who rules their city? Are they near the coast? Are they an independent state or part of a large country? What was the weather like? It wasn't until well past the half-way mark that we discover Rose's father died when she was four, though how/why I don't think was mentioned. However this didn't spoil my enjoyment of what is a very good start to this story.


This also felt very much like instalove, particularly since Roosha had barely spoken more than a few words to Rose at that point. In fact, given the very erotic nature of their initial relationship, it felt more like lust. However, whilst I didn't quite buy into Roosha and Rose falling in love, I did soon find myself believing in the strength of their feelings for one another. Overall the emotions in the book were portrayed well.


The seemed to be quite a few different themes running throughout the book. Other than the conventional fantasy theme of the underdog good guys v the powerful bad guys, there was also the story of a young woman's erotic awakening and acceptance of her sexual nature plus a commentary on fitting societal expectations/strictures (or not in Rose's case). The book ends on a soft cliff-hanger, I will definitely be continuing with the story when the next book releases.
Profile Image for AJ.
239 reviews104 followers
January 12, 2021
Thank you to the author or sending me a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review!

"If you love him as you say you do, would you condemn him to death for your own pleasure?"

I felt that this story was very was extremely good for the authors debut. I enjoyed the era in which the story took place and world although the world building and descriptions could have been a bit more detailed.

Rose was a very likeable character and I liked her rebellious attitude towards her "awakening" and The Night Sender tradition. Her romance with Roosha was sweet but if you're not a fan of insta-love then you might not enjoy it as much. It was a very quick leap from friends to lovers. Roosha and his personality made it enjoyable in my opinion.

I would've liked for a things to have been explained more in this book. I felt like there were quite a few instances when a event or situation happened that the author built up but then there as no explanation as to why it was important, what lead to it or who was the cause.

Overall this was an enjoyable read and I appreciate how the author normalized women's sexuality and didn't make it as something that should be hidden or sacred.

3.5/5 ✰’s
Profile Image for Saf ST.
135 reviews6 followers
January 31, 2021
3.75 rounded to 4

Such a different read for me! I usually know what to expect with PNR (which is why I love them), but I love how on top of the romance, the author includes so many feminist themes throughout. It left me thinking about power and its abuse. What starts as something noble can be corrupted. Words are powerful and can govern the mind, feelings, and emotions.

Narration & Plot

The Night Sender is very well written. I loved the premise, and the Night Sender is such an interesting figure. The author shows great imagination, and I really enjoyed entering this new word. At times though, the dialogues seemed a little too descriptive and long. They would have been more powerful if they were condensed a little, but my interest was still captivated, and I really wanted to know more throughout the whole book.

This first book does answer a lot of questions, but it is part of a trilogy. So, the soft cliffhanger at the end still promises there is more to be discovered, a lot more! 🙂

Characters

I love the twists and the suspense about the characters and their backstory. Everybody is true to character, and the reveals are very well done!

What confused me a little was the declaration of love between the two main characters. There was definitely lust, but I wish they wouldn’t have thought of it as love right away (it took away from its power). I think they had plenty of opportunities to realize it later. Another problem for me was with Madeira and how she came to be. I thought there could have been a mention in this first book. But again, it’s a trilogy, so perhaps, it’s just me being impatient. 🙂

FYI…

This book has a few scenes that could be described as erotic. If you don’t mind them, then give The Night Sender a try! I believe you’ll find Roosha so intriguing! 🙂

*** Disclaimer: I received an e-copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Christina Tsirkas. ***
Profile Image for Veronica (Honey Roselea Reads).
785 reviews204 followers
January 24, 2021
description
My Blog | My BookTube | My Book Club | Instagram | Twitter

Thank you to Christina Tsirkas for originally gifting me The Night Sender in exchange for an honest review.

My review of The Night Sender will be up on my blog Honey Roselea Reads on February 11, 2021 10 AM CST. I will update here once it is officially published. For now, here is a preview to what the review will look like:

❀❀❀❀

On her 18th birthday, Rose Woodburn is visited by a night sender, just like every of age girl in the court, except, no man is to know about the night senders. But life for Rose is made difficult by the mean girl, Savannah who desperately wants to make Rose's life a living hell.

What Rose doesn't intend to do is find herself noticing things in a different light. Especially when it comes to the night sender that intends to have her for her special night.

I gave The Night Sender four stars, quite enjoying myself and the fantasy aspect of this book. It was fascinating to see the history behind the night senders and their purpose as well as the way Rose and...
Profile Image for Ross Eberle.
Author 8 books1,586 followers
July 23, 2022
I have finished NOW reading this book. My review of it at the behest of the website The Purple Shelf Club is way late, I know. But now, at least I am aware of Christina Tsirkas's skill as an author. I won't go into many details here as my time is very limited. But just recently, I was telling Alexis Miller, unpredictability is an author's most powerful weapon...And Christina has plenty of this to spare. Even if this isn't my typical genre to dabble in.
Profile Image for Victoria Liiv.
Author 11 books159 followers
June 25, 2021
The Night Sender captures a court life through the eyes of a young girl forced to abide by the rules of what is proper and expected of her by the society. In many of the books featuring arranged marriage, the girl either learns to love or flat out falls in love with the suitor. Rose is different. She has been different from other girls her whole life. In a society where passion is looked down upon, Rose has kept a spark. That spark burned brighter after the midnight of her 18th birthday when she received a visit from one of the night senders, like all of the court girls do. And that spark sealed her fate, the court rules and properties be damned.

Christina Tsirkas writes a very compelling story of a girl discovering her sensuality, finding love in the most unexpected way and how that love unravels a mystery.

The setting, plot and characters were encompassing. Christina writes in a manner where you get insight into every character just the perfect amount on just the right moments. There is a lot of switching back and forth between character point of views and some might call it head hopping. Those switches let me understand the characters and their intentions in a way that a single point of view would never have accomplished. I do think the switches could have come more smoothly in parts of the story and feel like there is room to grow in that particular front. Everything else I really enjoyed.
Profile Image for The Page Ladies Book Club.
1,807 reviews115 followers
June 14, 2021
Who are the night senders? Where do they come from?

Why are they so shrouded in secrecy?

These are the questions Rose Woodburn desperately wants answered.

At midnight on her 18th birthday, Rose, like all ladies of the court, receives a visit from one of the night senders. It is a coming of age rite she has been warned to fear, but Rose, always defiant, is not scared. She’s fascinated by these creatures.

When the visit awakens a part of her she never knew existed, Rose begs her night sender, Roosha, to return. But Roosha, condemned to a life of servitude, is bound by sacred law never to see her again.

Undeterred, Rose embarks on a mission to uncover the secrets surrounding these mystical creatures and their true purpose—a mission that will reveal far more than she bargained for and forge an unlikely alliance.

But can it be trusted?

Obsessed with discovering the truth, Rose finds herself on a harrowing path of self-discovery and drawn into an affair so forbidden, its punishment is a fate far worse than death.

Thank you, Christina Tsirkas, for giving me the chance to read The Night Sender!

The Night Sender was an enjoyable read! The character development was excellent. Rose was great. She's stubborn, passionate and, in the beginning, naïve. It was enjoyable to follow her character through the book and seeing her become a confident young! Then there's Roosha! Just the way the night senders come to be is something! That was a surprise! There is some major chemistry between Roosha and Rose! The author did a wonderful job weaving all the unique elements together! The author’s descriptions are done well, making it feel real! This was a fast-paced, passionate coming of age, and magical! I look forward to reading the next book! Happy reading everyone
Profile Image for Jill.
660 reviews8 followers
December 21, 2020
This review was originally published on Myth and Magic Book Club

Myth: 4/5

Traditional court restraint and propriety is secretly supplanted by the court ladies Night Sender ritual. For every young woman on her 18th birthday is visited by a Night Sender to help her explore her sensuality before following court protocol and being married off to a nobleman.

A daring premise that plays the court women’s learned restraint against the younger women’s exploration. The story was rich as the main character, Rose, desperately tries to remain an individual in the confines of court life. She’s dogged in her attempts, but not too stubborn to listen to and learn from those around her. She knows what she wants, but she’s willing to learn from other’s experiences to achieve the goal. Rose learns to trust her instincts, but also learns to trust her family and friends.

Magic: 3/5

The magic and mystery surrounding the night senders is certainly still unfolding. The first book introduces a mysterious ritual, shrouded in fear. Things aren’t always what they seem though and Rose is determined to find out how the night senders came to be and how the experience has twisted over time.

Overall: 3.5/5

A fresh take on high society paranormal romance.
Profile Image for Millie.
326 reviews
February 17, 2021
Goodreads Giveaways ARC

This book isn't like anything else I've read. It wasn't a typical fantasy romance or paranormal romance. First, I loved the feminist themes, and the coming of age/sexuality aspect. I also loved seeing Rose grow into a confident woman, form a friendship with Vivianna, and learn to understand her mother. The female interactions in this story are at the forefront. The romance aspect could have been fleshed out more, but I did feel the connection and feelings that Roosha and Rose had for each other so it didn't bother me that they had the insta love thing. I just would have liked to see more of their communications. I also felt like the unwanted sexual advances and contact were dealt with very well and handled realistically. Overall, I felt a huge connection to Rose and was on the edge of my seat at times. I felt like the amount of information that was revealed was perfect with the pace of the story.

I also wanted a bit more world building and I was left with some questions, but I think that will come with future books, and I can't wait to see where the story goes from here.
Profile Image for Sara McClaflin.
125 reviews6 followers
May 14, 2021
Read the full review here: https://onreviewbysara.com/2021/05/13...

I was lucky enough to read this book after the author reached out to me. I hope the prospective reader will read this review fully before making any prejudgments on the book. I will give the book my thoughts. These thoughts are completely my own and not swayed in any way by anyone else’s reviews or opinions.

Check out my blog for more: www.onreviewbysara.com

My Rating: My honest rating is 4 out of 5 stars. For a debut novel, this was unique and different. I really enjoyed it and I want to read more. This world feels so much larger that one book. I am ready to sit down and experience more night senders and their tumultuous relationships. This novel gives off a feeling of excitement and all I want to do is sit down with any book this author writes and get away from my every day life.
Profile Image for Michelle (Chelle's Book Ramblings).
292 reviews4 followers
December 23, 2020
Thanks to the author for gifting me with a copy of this book.
The appeal of The forbidden fruit plus The fight to remain true to your nature, this is what this book was. A journey of a woman's passionate nature in a world of restriction.
The erotic charge of this book was very well executed, there was sensuality and feeling. I liked Rose's character and her need to push her boundaries, her inquisitive personality.. She had to know more About everything.
I would have liked more of The background of The Night Senders themselves, It was quite an interesting concept. But since The ending of The book was quite surprising I might get that in a future book?
It was a good read, there were a few slow parts Where I struggled a bit but I think It had more to do with me Than with The story it self. Go Check It out and give this new Author a try.
Profile Image for Laura Smith.
Author 5 books116 followers
March 29, 2021
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I recommend The Night Sender to older teens and women who love stories about high society or fantasy that is grounded more in reality than the fantasy aspects. This book kept me reading on, especially as its tension built and its plot unraveled bit by interesting bit. You can read my full review here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/night...
Profile Image for SkyGrey.
234 reviews
April 29, 2021
Left Wondering **Spoilers**

There is so much left out about the time period, her family history and what they do in court. Why would they only take some gold coins with them when they left? They have servants and they are obviously wealthy. What happened to the dress maker? Why was it that no one left Dover but Charles had an imported chocolate business. The women are married but acting like they are in a junior high school clique.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
3 reviews
April 3, 2021
Amazing, well-written, fast-paced. From the first page you are right in the story. I felt connected to the characters right away. The story develops quickly and I found myself unable to put it down. There's suspense, romance, and an underlying message about the importance of women connecting to their sensuality. I can't wait for the next book in this series.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews

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