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Killian Blade #3
The Rowan's Destiny
The Rowan's destiny is to power the stone and save the magic of witches everywhere. Or is it?
When the words of the past reveal new secrets, Arden must decide which path to follow—the one dictated by others, or the one designed by her.
From the ballroom to the battlefield, Arden and the Imperium Cadre discover an intricate web of deceit and a massive abuse of power. One woman’s need to manipulate the world has changed the course of history, and her continued reign threatens the foundations of tomorrow.
Past and present unite in fury to avenge itself against the Prime. Allies old and new. Bonds formed. Battle lines drawn.
Arden and the cadre must strike hard and fast to eliminate the threat and find their destiny.
When the words of the past reveal new secrets, Arden must decide which path to follow—the one dictated by others, or the one designed by her.
From the ballroom to the battlefield, Arden and the Imperium Cadre discover an intricate web of deceit and a massive abuse of power. One woman’s need to manipulate the world has changed the course of history, and her continued reign threatens the foundations of tomorrow.
Past and present unite in fury to avenge itself against the Prime. Allies old and new. Bonds formed. Battle lines drawn.
Arden and the cadre must strike hard and fast to eliminate the threat and find their destiny.
365 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2021
503 people are currently reading
575 people want to read
About the author
Stella Brie
14 books432 followersAuthor of steamy contemporary and paranormal romance books, Stella Brie lives outside of Nashville, TN, with her husband and golden retriever, Bailey.
After her husband challenged her to write a paragraph, she wrote a book! Ideas are pestering her night and day now. She's currently in her writing cave, but when not writing, you can find her reading, boxing, traveling and all the other good things in life.
After her husband challenged her to write a paragraph, she wrote a book! Ideas are pestering her night and day now. She's currently in her writing cave, but when not writing, you can find her reading, boxing, traveling and all the other good things in life.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 185 reviews
June 13, 2022
Awesome, but…
4 stars *I think*
I think this might have been my least favorite of the series, but since I loved all the books that doesn’t mean too much. Here are some of my complaints:
I wish we were able to get a satisfactory ending for Vargas. I feel like he was a thread left hanging, an unresolved plot line, a loose end. He has to find a new body. How’s that going to work out? Where is he gonna get a body? How long is this going to take? Will his mate recognize him? I detest when authors do this to readers. It feels like a cheap ploy to get us to read their next series.
I don’t feel like the relationship between Fallon and Arden was very well done. First of all, there wasn’t a good resolution to the issue of him disappearing and ignoring her for the last half of the second book and the first half of this one. Arden just got tired of being mad. Fallon never even apologized, he just gave excuses. Also, they were supposed to be mates…but they didn’t have any sort of tangible mate bond, not like she had with Valerian. They just got a little tingly when they touched…?
There were a few other issues, specifically regarding the next Prime being the primal sources connected to the sanctuaries…that doesn’t particularly make sense. Especially since the primal sources connected to the sanctuaries don’t seem to strengthen the cadre, only the building itself. How is that going to help the masses? It won’t even help the cadres once they leave the property. This resolution won’t keep the balance between free will and obedience. I repeat, it makes no sense at all. That’s not even considering that the primal sources weren’t even mention until the end of the last book. It all just came out of nowhere. Needless to say, I was dissatisfied with that resolution as well.
Also, the Primal Source threatens to be watching Arden…why? She’s not the Prime, she doesn’t have the prime power; she refused it and allocated it elsewhere. So why do they need to watch her? This was not well thought out.
Will Arden ever learn to use her elf magic? She ignores it 99% of the time and she’s as weak as a baby elf. She doesn’t even show interest in learning or strengthening it. Elf magic lessons seemed to be a brief plot devise in an earlier book to give Arden time to bond with Fallon. Once he flaked it was never really mentioned again.
What’s going to happen to the light elf kingdom? What about the old king? Is he alive or dead? Was there a new king chosen? Nobody knows. That was left unresolved as well. Another loose thread.
How about Arden’s dad and the whole dark elf king business… Is Arden a princess now? It was never mentioned. Is she now heir to the dark elf throne? Idk. Is she not ‘elf enough’ to be his heir? Does he need to have more kids? Will the magic choose his successor instead? We get no answers. #loosethreads
I think I was dissatisfied with a lot of the resolutions to the various storylines. There were too many loose ends that weren’t addressed. Several things didn’t seem well thought out or had holes in the reasoning.
4 stars *I think*
I think this might have been my least favorite of the series, but since I loved all the books that doesn’t mean too much. Here are some of my complaints:
I wish we were able to get a satisfactory ending for Vargas. I feel like he was a thread left hanging, an unresolved plot line, a loose end. He has to find a new body. How’s that going to work out? Where is he gonna get a body? How long is this going to take? Will his mate recognize him? I detest when authors do this to readers. It feels like a cheap ploy to get us to read their next series.
I don’t feel like the relationship between Fallon and Arden was very well done. First of all, there wasn’t a good resolution to the issue of him disappearing and ignoring her for the last half of the second book and the first half of this one. Arden just got tired of being mad. Fallon never even apologized, he just gave excuses. Also, they were supposed to be mates…but they didn’t have any sort of tangible mate bond, not like she had with Valerian. They just got a little tingly when they touched…?
There were a few other issues, specifically regarding the next Prime being the primal sources connected to the sanctuaries…that doesn’t particularly make sense. Especially since the primal sources connected to the sanctuaries don’t seem to strengthen the cadre, only the building itself. How is that going to help the masses? It won’t even help the cadres once they leave the property. This resolution won’t keep the balance between free will and obedience. I repeat, it makes no sense at all. That’s not even considering that the primal sources weren’t even mention until the end of the last book. It all just came out of nowhere. Needless to say, I was dissatisfied with that resolution as well.
Also, the Primal Source threatens to be watching Arden…why? She’s not the Prime, she doesn’t have the prime power; she refused it and allocated it elsewhere. So why do they need to watch her? This was not well thought out.
Will Arden ever learn to use her elf magic? She ignores it 99% of the time and she’s as weak as a baby elf. She doesn’t even show interest in learning or strengthening it. Elf magic lessons seemed to be a brief plot devise in an earlier book to give Arden time to bond with Fallon. Once he flaked it was never really mentioned again.
What’s going to happen to the light elf kingdom? What about the old king? Is he alive or dead? Was there a new king chosen? Nobody knows. That was left unresolved as well. Another loose thread.
How about Arden’s dad and the whole dark elf king business… Is Arden a princess now? It was never mentioned. Is she now heir to the dark elf throne? Idk. Is she not ‘elf enough’ to be his heir? Does he need to have more kids? Will the magic choose his successor instead? We get no answers. #loosethreads
I think I was dissatisfied with a lot of the resolutions to the various storylines. There were too many loose ends that weren’t addressed. Several things didn’t seem well thought out or had holes in the reasoning.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 25, 2021
Pages: 355
My rating: 4
This is the third and last book where Arden is the main character. The series will go on, but it will have a different main character (Meri).
I liked that Arden is a strong character. She is a warrior, loyal and loves her family the one who raised her and her newly found.
In this book we find out who the prime is and what Arden is supposed to be. But will she like it?
I also like the addition to this book which is called Arden’s world. We can find all important characters there also the witches council, the imperial cadre, Lucifers demons. I added some of it to my list of characters.
The Characters: Names and descriptions of the persons, can be found at the end of book three in Arden’s world
Summery:
My rating: 4
This is the third and last book where Arden is the main character. The series will go on, but it will have a different main character (Meri).
I liked that Arden is a strong character. She is a warrior, loyal and loves her family the one who raised her and her newly found.
In this book we find out who the prime is and what Arden is supposed to be. But will she like it?
I also like the addition to this book which is called Arden’s world. We can find all important characters there also the witches council, the imperial cadre, Lucifers demons. I added some of it to my list of characters.
The Characters: Names and descriptions of the persons, can be found at the end of book three in Arden’s world
Summery:
January 6, 2026
Review will follow shortly...
October 28, 2022
Review at book 1
December 28, 2025
Hitting all three books here. I enjoyed this story immensely. While so many elements could have come across as stale and overdone they worked in a fresh way. I can’t explain it. Even when the fmc chewed her lip repeatedly it didn’t piss me off.
RH no MM or FF👏🏼
KU📖
HFN (they all end up together and that battle is over but you don’t see any future FUTURE stuff it just ends abruptly with a cookout and later on some sentiment). 😑
Special fmc. Special men. 🫠🙄🤣
Low to medium spice but written differently enough that it was not a copy and paste effect. 🍆🍆🍆
The ending was my least fave part. It didn’t give us anything. That was a big disappointment to me as a reader. I see the author is continuing the series via side characters. But even then the story just ended. I want heirs and futures and how the fuck do they manage it all? Ugh.
The battles were fast and again, the words “abruptly ended” need to be used again. 🤷🏻♀️😆
But as an anxious reader I also appreciate that-so glass half full and all.
Sometimes the pace was off but the author did manage to get back on track better than other writers. Although some times big reveals felt small-just the way things were written-several huge reveals would have been missed had I not been reading closely enough. I had to go back a few times and read a few pages to see if I missed some build up ahead of time only to realize no, I did not. A few big things just got slotted into the story. 🤷🏻♀️
I don’t feel like the men all had enough one on one time w the fmc but that is the price you pay when it’s five men and 3 books. I did not feel her connection to Fallon was good bc the author really damages it and again, the build up back felt anticlimactic. I think the writer should have lessened the fmc’s fury at Fallon and allowed her the space to actually be fucking understanding of what he was having to do. That entire situation she was such a damn brat about. It made no sense to me. She wouldn’t listen to the rest of her guys and just thought the worst of him. It didn’t fit her character at all.
I will take that any day over five men and five books where the story circles the toilet just to find the word count to make five books even happen. Bravo to the writer for sticking to the plot and what works and not word counting and what makes her more money (dragging out the book count).
Overall this might be a series I grab again to read. It held my attention and that, my friends, is saying something.
RH no MM or FF👏🏼
KU📖
HFN (they all end up together and that battle is over but you don’t see any future FUTURE stuff it just ends abruptly with a cookout and later on some sentiment). 😑
Special fmc. Special men. 🫠🙄🤣
Low to medium spice but written differently enough that it was not a copy and paste effect. 🍆🍆🍆
The ending was my least fave part. It didn’t give us anything. That was a big disappointment to me as a reader. I see the author is continuing the series via side characters. But even then the story just ended. I want heirs and futures and how the fuck do they manage it all? Ugh.
The battles were fast and again, the words “abruptly ended” need to be used again. 🤷🏻♀️😆
But as an anxious reader I also appreciate that-so glass half full and all.
Sometimes the pace was off but the author did manage to get back on track better than other writers. Although some times big reveals felt small-just the way things were written-several huge reveals would have been missed had I not been reading closely enough. I had to go back a few times and read a few pages to see if I missed some build up ahead of time only to realize no, I did not. A few big things just got slotted into the story. 🤷🏻♀️
I don’t feel like the men all had enough one on one time w the fmc but that is the price you pay when it’s five men and 3 books. I did not feel her connection to Fallon was good bc the author really damages it and again, the build up back felt anticlimactic. I think the writer should have lessened the fmc’s fury at Fallon and allowed her the space to actually be fucking understanding of what he was having to do. That entire situation she was such a damn brat about. It made no sense to me. She wouldn’t listen to the rest of her guys and just thought the worst of him. It didn’t fit her character at all.
I will take that any day over five men and five books where the story circles the toilet just to find the word count to make five books even happen. Bravo to the writer for sticking to the plot and what works and not word counting and what makes her more money (dragging out the book count).
Overall this might be a series I grab again to read. It held my attention and that, my friends, is saying something.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 14, 2021
An Enemy Is Uncovered
This is the third book in a continuing series. It marks the end of this section of the story that focuses on Arden. The story will continue in future books focusing on a different main character, therefore there is no cliffhanger, just a few hooks to get you looking forward to the next books in the series.
This book is filled with content to keep you guessing what will happen next. The plot moves at a very fast pace and a lot happens to the characters. I gulped this book down in one sitting despite my gritty eyes at the end because I couldn’t stop following what was happening with each new turn of the page.
Arden must find a way to achieve her destiny, whatever she chooses to make of that. She has been given the guidance of visions of her deceased mother and other ancestors who set things into motion to provide her with a chance to make things right in the world of magic. The path she was forced to walk has taken her to a place where she can discover who her enemy is and do her best to defeat them. She also has to determine the best way to lead the witches into an age of acceptance of all magic users, no matter how much they hate the idea.
The path to winning her battles is not an easy one and not everything is smooth sailing in her relationships with the members of the Imperial Cadre. External pressures come to bear on their relationships and it may prove too much to accept for Arden when decisions are made for her without her knowledge or agreement.
This book is filled with passion, romance and the love of a family, made through choice. It’s not only the Cadre who are important to this sense of family but also those that raised Arden in the absence of her mother, and the other friends that she makes on her journey.
This author writes such rich and diverse characters they seem to step off the page into your heart and mind. They feel real and believable, as though you could bump into them in the street. The members of the Cadre are all so different yet at heart, they share the same passion for helping and protecting others weaker than themselves. They are flawed in such different ways and their personalities sometimes may be abrasive, but they are good people and adore Arden and the changes she has brought to their lives. I like how each relationship Arden has with the members of the Cadre is unique and separate from the others. Obviously, there is some involvement because these men have been family to each other for nearly 1000 years, but they don’t butt in too much and Arden doesn’t let them even if they wanted to. All of them, including Arden, have their own responsibilities separate from being part of the Imperium Cadre and these can take them away from home for days and weeks at a time. However, they are lucky that texting works across dimensions. Technology and magic in conjunction seem to do marvellous things!
There is so much unveiling of hidden truths in this book that it is difficult to keep up. It may be complex and fascinating, but the fabulous plot does not overwhelm the emotional content of this book. The characters and their emotions, and their connections to each other are as important to the book as the troop manoeuvres, magic skills and political manipulation. It’s very difficult for an author to maintain that balance in a book of this nature and that this author has achieved such a perfectly poised balance is a credit to her. It gives me high hopes for the rest of the series, that it’s not just the fabulous Arden that makes this series so readable but the entirety of the way she writes.
I’m sincerely looking forward to the next section of this series because even though one section of the plot is resolved, this world is fascinating and the next main characters are just as intriguing as Arden is!
This is the third book in a continuing series. It marks the end of this section of the story that focuses on Arden. The story will continue in future books focusing on a different main character, therefore there is no cliffhanger, just a few hooks to get you looking forward to the next books in the series.
This book is filled with content to keep you guessing what will happen next. The plot moves at a very fast pace and a lot happens to the characters. I gulped this book down in one sitting despite my gritty eyes at the end because I couldn’t stop following what was happening with each new turn of the page.
Arden must find a way to achieve her destiny, whatever she chooses to make of that. She has been given the guidance of visions of her deceased mother and other ancestors who set things into motion to provide her with a chance to make things right in the world of magic. The path she was forced to walk has taken her to a place where she can discover who her enemy is and do her best to defeat them. She also has to determine the best way to lead the witches into an age of acceptance of all magic users, no matter how much they hate the idea.
The path to winning her battles is not an easy one and not everything is smooth sailing in her relationships with the members of the Imperial Cadre. External pressures come to bear on their relationships and it may prove too much to accept for Arden when decisions are made for her without her knowledge or agreement.
This book is filled with passion, romance and the love of a family, made through choice. It’s not only the Cadre who are important to this sense of family but also those that raised Arden in the absence of her mother, and the other friends that she makes on her journey.
This author writes such rich and diverse characters they seem to step off the page into your heart and mind. They feel real and believable, as though you could bump into them in the street. The members of the Cadre are all so different yet at heart, they share the same passion for helping and protecting others weaker than themselves. They are flawed in such different ways and their personalities sometimes may be abrasive, but they are good people and adore Arden and the changes she has brought to their lives. I like how each relationship Arden has with the members of the Cadre is unique and separate from the others. Obviously, there is some involvement because these men have been family to each other for nearly 1000 years, but they don’t butt in too much and Arden doesn’t let them even if they wanted to. All of them, including Arden, have their own responsibilities separate from being part of the Imperium Cadre and these can take them away from home for days and weeks at a time. However, they are lucky that texting works across dimensions. Technology and magic in conjunction seem to do marvellous things!
There is so much unveiling of hidden truths in this book that it is difficult to keep up. It may be complex and fascinating, but the fabulous plot does not overwhelm the emotional content of this book. The characters and their emotions, and their connections to each other are as important to the book as the troop manoeuvres, magic skills and political manipulation. It’s very difficult for an author to maintain that balance in a book of this nature and that this author has achieved such a perfectly poised balance is a credit to her. It gives me high hopes for the rest of the series, that it’s not just the fabulous Arden that makes this series so readable but the entirety of the way she writes.
I’m sincerely looking forward to the next section of this series because even though one section of the plot is resolved, this world is fascinating and the next main characters are just as intriguing as Arden is!
January 15, 2022
4.6 stars.
So. I really enjoyed this whole series.
But the ending of this book was just disappointing and a bit abrupt.
Plus. I got three words for you.
No. Group. Scenes.
Zero.
Not even any ménages.
So that also added to the disappointment.
Also the fact that Fallon was sort of an afterthought?
I mean he’s got a pretty deep connection with Arden, but he spends so much time in the light Elven kingdom, on his own, that he kind of lost some of it.
I don’t know.
I think the story and the plot was fantastic.
I really enjoyed all the politics and the magic and the action.
The relationships on the other hand, could’ve been better.
The harem was way different than I prefer. It was more like Arden was in 5 separate relationships with guys who happened to be friends and brothers in arms. Rather than them all being in a cohesive relationship together.
It was a good series.
I just wish, one, that there was more, and two, that the harem was more together.
One thing I’ve learned about RH series.
Good endings are hard to come by.
😕
So. I really enjoyed this whole series.
But the ending of this book was just disappointing and a bit abrupt.
Plus. I got three words for you.
No. Group. Scenes.
Zero.
Not even any ménages.
So that also added to the disappointment.
Also the fact that Fallon was sort of an afterthought?
I mean he’s got a pretty deep connection with Arden, but he spends so much time in the light Elven kingdom, on his own, that he kind of lost some of it.
I don’t know.
I think the story and the plot was fantastic.
I really enjoyed all the politics and the magic and the action.
The relationships on the other hand, could’ve been better.
The harem was way different than I prefer. It was more like Arden was in 5 separate relationships with guys who happened to be friends and brothers in arms. Rather than them all being in a cohesive relationship together.
It was a good series.
I just wish, one, that there was more, and two, that the harem was more together.
One thing I’ve learned about RH series.
Good endings are hard to come by.
😕
September 14, 2021
Omggg, i fucking loved it. Arden was for me one of my fave heroins, she was not as young as everyone is. She actually had some brains and could fight, even tho she was naive sometimes cuz how she grew up. (sheltered) To be honest, i was scared for this to end but at the same time i was relieved to get a great ending to it. I want more of Arden and her cadre, even tho i know this was the end of her story.
October 1, 2021
A good conclusion with an exciting battle to defeat the Prime. There is definitely hints that there will be more stories set in this world which I look forward to.
December 7, 2022
it’s 3am and i have no energy to capitalize letters that should be capitalized.
it honestly would have been a good read if the book started off just creating bonds with the five of them. instead, i’m given a half-assed baked insta-love type of story. though there was some build up on their love stories sure (can’t deny that), i found it absolutely weird that i still felt like everything was happening too fast.
like bro… theron’s admission that he liked her gave me no indication besides the whole “pretty powerful and changing us” stuff that he actually liked her. honestly, the closest person i found that there was some foundation was astor’s.
fallon’s were alike theron’s. and daire’s was just confusing. first he had the whole hate type thing towards arden and then suddenly, he’s changed and totally smitten for her? i have no complaints on valerion’s (i might be mispronouncing the name bc i forgot already) except how he’s immediately in love with her after he finds out he’s her mate (okay maybe there is a complaint).
also the buildup on torin being her father was just a let down.
points of nyssa being the enemy though. didnt see that one coming. cassandra’s redemption arch is good. so points also for that but honestly, i’m basing my review with her and her chemistry with her partners and the fact that there wasn’t much excitement on the book except the occasional caro confrontation since that’s all i found entertaining.
also can i just say, the sex on the book is also a let down. all fast no taking time. it’s like a virgin—3 minutes and its all over.
merry christmas
it honestly would have been a good read if the book started off just creating bonds with the five of them. instead, i’m given a half-assed baked insta-love type of story. though there was some build up on their love stories sure (can’t deny that), i found it absolutely weird that i still felt like everything was happening too fast.
like bro… theron’s admission that he liked her gave me no indication besides the whole “pretty powerful and changing us” stuff that he actually liked her. honestly, the closest person i found that there was some foundation was astor’s.
fallon’s were alike theron’s. and daire’s was just confusing. first he had the whole hate type thing towards arden and then suddenly, he’s changed and totally smitten for her? i have no complaints on valerion’s (i might be mispronouncing the name bc i forgot already) except how he’s immediately in love with her after he finds out he’s her mate (okay maybe there is a complaint).
also the buildup on torin being her father was just a let down.
points of nyssa being the enemy though. didnt see that one coming. cassandra’s redemption arch is good. so points also for that but honestly, i’m basing my review with her and her chemistry with her partners and the fact that there wasn’t much excitement on the book except the occasional caro confrontation since that’s all i found entertaining.
also can i just say, the sex on the book is also a let down. all fast no taking time. it’s like a virgin—3 minutes and its all over.
merry christmas
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 17, 2021
I re-read books 1 and 2 before beginning The Rowan's Destiny and I do recommend it for readers like me, who read them closer to their release. This series has such detailed world building and connections between the characters, places, and events that it's both amazing and sometimes you need a refresher. For this final book, we get to see Arden finally fulfill her destiny with the support of her family (found and blood) by her side. There are a lot of moving pieces, strategies, and fights between the start of the book til the end, because the final showdown with the various enemies was never going to be simple. New allies pop up (one in particular made me smile a lot) and enemies are finally revealed. No worries though, even with all the challenges and battle prep, we get lots of emotional and steamy moments between Arden and her guys.
Arden continued to be as strong, compassionate, vulnerable, and warrior-like as ever. She's just a great FMC in my opinion. The remaining cadre members solidify their feelings and connections with her, bonding the group further. The multi-POV continued to help with insight into each guy, which is necessary at times to get the complete story. Fallon is still not my favorite of the guys, but someone has to be at the bottom of that list I guess, and Theron is probably at the top for me. But this group together has purpose, power, and I felt the love when reading the characters.
There were times when I felt the pacing of the story lost a bit of momentum since, like I said above, there's a lot of ground to cover. I never felt like there was filler though. Sometimes the strategies and fighting were a bit convoluted because of how much was happening too. I loved how so many of the conflicts were resolved and how true to character Arden stayed. The resolution of the witches and particularly the Prime issue for example.
Ms. Brie has said that Meri will be getting a book (not sure if it'll be a series or a standalone) so that's a relief since there's a lot still to unpack. There are some other threads of the plot that may be addressed in future books also that I'm curious about (one that was esp emotional) but can't say because major spoilers. Hopefully we'll get hints of what Arden and her guys are up to but I know they'll be happy together. Overall, this has been a great series with lots of pieces coming together to form a whole, intricate picture.
Arden continued to be as strong, compassionate, vulnerable, and warrior-like as ever. She's just a great FMC in my opinion. The remaining cadre members solidify their feelings and connections with her, bonding the group further. The multi-POV continued to help with insight into each guy, which is necessary at times to get the complete story. Fallon is still not my favorite of the guys, but someone has to be at the bottom of that list I guess, and Theron is probably at the top for me. But this group together has purpose, power, and I felt the love when reading the characters.
There were times when I felt the pacing of the story lost a bit of momentum since, like I said above, there's a lot of ground to cover. I never felt like there was filler though. Sometimes the strategies and fighting were a bit convoluted because of how much was happening too. I loved how so many of the conflicts were resolved and how true to character Arden stayed. The resolution of the witches and particularly the Prime issue for example.
Ms. Brie has said that Meri will be getting a book (not sure if it'll be a series or a standalone) so that's a relief since there's a lot still to unpack. There are some other threads of the plot that may be addressed in future books also that I'm curious about (one that was esp emotional) but can't say because major spoilers. Hopefully we'll get hints of what Arden and her guys are up to but I know they'll be happy together. Overall, this has been a great series with lots of pieces coming together to form a whole, intricate picture.
September 28, 2021
The final book of this trilogy is something else! I enjoyed the vast majority of the story, but there were some things I didn’t care for as much.
I felt Arden was entirely too quick to forgive Fallon. I understood his reasoning, but no. Just no. All the no’s in fact. His redemption was rushed and unsatisfying to me.
I was a tad confused by the journal from her mother because what I read did not scream out at me that the Primary is who it ended up being. In fact, from everything learned about this person there is zero indication that they could be the Primary.
Also, what’s up with the puck character? He’s referenced in the second journal and then again possibly (?) in the third, but then he’s sort of randomly inserted into the story with this odd role that doesn’t entirely fit with the narrative and then his continued role in Arden’s life isn’t exactly addressed which makes things confusing. I don’t know, he just feels like a rushed character that wasn’t given true depth so he felt out of place to me.
Anyway, how they end up defeating the Primary made me all giddy inside. I love magical ingenuity and that is a lovely example. We also have the hint of setup for more books in this series/world. Yay! Hopefully we’ll get to see our favorite characters having an active role in the next book(s). Overall rating 4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I felt Arden was entirely too quick to forgive Fallon. I understood his reasoning, but no. Just no. All the no’s in fact. His redemption was rushed and unsatisfying to me.
I was a tad confused by the journal from her mother because what I read did not scream out at me that the Primary is who it ended up being. In fact, from everything learned about this person there is zero indication that they could be the Primary.
Also, what’s up with the puck character? He’s referenced in the second journal and then again possibly (?) in the third, but then he’s sort of randomly inserted into the story with this odd role that doesn’t entirely fit with the narrative and then his continued role in Arden’s life isn’t exactly addressed which makes things confusing. I don’t know, he just feels like a rushed character that wasn’t given true depth so he felt out of place to me.
Anyway, how they end up defeating the Primary made me all giddy inside. I love magical ingenuity and that is a lovely example. We also have the hint of setup for more books in this series/world. Yay! Hopefully we’ll get to see our favorite characters having an active role in the next book(s). Overall rating 4.25 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 24, 2021
The best series ever!
I'm blown away at how much I loved this series! I can't fathom how people could put this down without finishing it. The storyline and world building was amazing. I've never read a story written with this concept before. The Prime, The Rowan, all of it. Stella outdid herself with this series! Well done!
I'm blown away at how much I loved this series! I can't fathom how people could put this down without finishing it. The storyline and world building was amazing. I've never read a story written with this concept before. The Prime, The Rowan, all of it. Stella outdid herself with this series! Well done!
February 10, 2025
By far one of the most gripping and...
Emotional series I have read. Fantastic world. Fantastic characters and development, fantastic story back and sub plots.
Absolutely amazing and I can find little I would change... In fact nothing I don't think.
I can not wait to read the next books in this world
Emotional series I have read. Fantastic world. Fantastic characters and development, fantastic story back and sub plots.
Absolutely amazing and I can find little I would change... In fact nothing I don't think.
I can not wait to read the next books in this world
August 31, 2024
.
Loved this series! Just read all three in about 4 days! I am about to start the spin offs, I love each of the characters and want to read more about them. Not ready to let them go yet.
Loved this series! Just read all three in about 4 days! I am about to start the spin offs, I love each of the characters and want to read more about them. Not ready to let them go yet.
September 21, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The epic finale I have been waiting for finally came and boy, was it amazing! I love the way things ended. I will miss these great characters!
The epic finale I have been waiting for finally came and boy, was it amazing! I love the way things ended. I will miss these great characters!
January 10, 2024
4.5 stars
January 22, 2025
This was fun! The ending wrapped up well. Set up the next book well too. They have the sorceress as the next bad guy, I think the best friend/new queen will be main character.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2022
First of all I want to say Job well done on bringing this massive story to a conclusion.
Even though it was only three books it felt more like 10 or like a marathon binge-read.
And while I liked the story and enjoyed the overall read it had waay too much going on.
From dark fae and light fae, vampires, witches, wolves, dragons, pucks, dark/light elves, demons, incubi to the prime and the primal source... it got all bit jumbled, confusing, and convoluted...
Often times the different parts/areas/kingdoms and the things happening there felt disjointed.
Almost like every story idea she ever had crammed into one big story.
And don't get me started with all title and name dropping with all the various kings, queens, princes, princesses lords, commanders, etc ... ugh. it made it feel so very fairytale.
The various revelations weren't all that surprising (who else was it gonna be?!) and I have to admit a bit anti-climatic, maybe because up until these revelations they were so very abstract, we knew nothing about them apart from a few passing references. I guess this sense was emphasised by the rather short final showdown. Honestly, the underworld battle in book 2 was bigger, longer and more complex and had me completely sucked in btw. Wow!
So yeah when compared with this brilliant piece in the 2nd book this felt like a bit of a letdown..
As for Arden herself, she was alright, if a bit Mary Sue-ish. I didn't like her whole heritage thing, she just had to keep getting even more extra special snowflake.
Plus she's supposed to be 328 and yet a lot the time she comes across more like 18.
The relationships with her harem got and felt better apart from...
Fallon. He didn't feel part of the harem anymore, that's if he ever really did. He was gone on missions for his father for most of the first book, was gone completely for the last part of the second book and most of the first part of this book with only brief appearances since then. All in all he felt rather superfluous and more like a way to add yet more drama which really was Not needed. Like I said before I prefer harems with 3-4 guys and this did nothing to persuade me otherwise...
Writing style is sometimes a little jarring cause she keeps switching tenses, sometimes it seems accidental but other times its because she switches from telling the story in 1st person, present tense to someone giving a retelling of their last days or meeting or conversation or sth only to switch right back to 1st person, present tense.
Even though it was only three books it felt more like 10 or like a marathon binge-read.
And while I liked the story and enjoyed the overall read it had waay too much going on.
From dark fae and light fae, vampires, witches, wolves, dragons, pucks, dark/light elves, demons, incubi to the prime and the primal source... it got all bit jumbled, confusing, and convoluted...
Often times the different parts/areas/kingdoms and the things happening there felt disjointed.
Almost like every story idea she ever had crammed into one big story.
And don't get me started with all title and name dropping with all the various kings, queens, princes, princesses lords, commanders, etc ... ugh. it made it feel so very fairytale.
The various revelations weren't all that surprising (who else was it gonna be?!) and I have to admit a bit anti-climatic, maybe because up until these revelations they were so very abstract, we knew nothing about them apart from a few passing references. I guess this sense was emphasised by the rather short final showdown. Honestly, the underworld battle in book 2 was bigger, longer and more complex and had me completely sucked in btw. Wow!
So yeah when compared with this brilliant piece in the 2nd book this felt like a bit of a letdown..
As for Arden herself, she was alright, if a bit Mary Sue-ish. I didn't like her whole heritage thing, she just had to keep getting even more extra special snowflake.
Plus she's supposed to be 328 and yet a lot the time she comes across more like 18.
The relationships with her harem got and felt better apart from...
Fallon. He didn't feel part of the harem anymore, that's if he ever really did. He was gone on missions for his father for most of the first book, was gone completely for the last part of the second book and most of the first part of this book with only brief appearances since then. All in all he felt rather superfluous and more like a way to add yet more drama which really was Not needed. Like I said before I prefer harems with 3-4 guys and this did nothing to persuade me otherwise...
Writing style is sometimes a little jarring cause she keeps switching tenses, sometimes it seems accidental but other times its because she switches from telling the story in 1st person, present tense to someone giving a retelling of their last days or meeting or conversation or sth only to switch right back to 1st person, present tense.
September 25, 2021
3.5 stars.
I liked the first two books in this series, I even recommended them to a friend. Somehow I didn't enjoy this third book as much. The story is still intriguing, the writing is good but my overall experience was of watching a story unfold, without getting caught up and swept away.
The biggest problem; I couldn't connect with Arden, she is too sickeningly perfect with the answers to everything. She feels clinical, so when she does experience emotion, it doesn't ring true. I didn't find her relationships steamy, her males were just another opportunity to illustrate how perfect she is. The only difficult relationship was of course his fault, not hers, which I found annoying.
Interesting read, but I'm disappointed in this last book and glad to have finished it.
I liked the first two books in this series, I even recommended them to a friend. Somehow I didn't enjoy this third book as much. The story is still intriguing, the writing is good but my overall experience was of watching a story unfold, without getting caught up and swept away.
The biggest problem; I couldn't connect with Arden, she is too sickeningly perfect with the answers to everything. She feels clinical, so when she does experience emotion, it doesn't ring true. I didn't find her relationships steamy, her males were just another opportunity to illustrate how perfect she is. The only difficult relationship was of course his fault, not hers, which I found annoying.
Interesting read, but I'm disappointed in this last book and glad to have finished it.
March 20, 2022
I'm bored... what's wrong with this one?? what happend there?..
I don't get all the drama with Fallon really...
I don't understand why the witch coven tahing tkes so long to be solved ether...
Ok then, the h became stupid toward the end, kind of continuity in this book actuly, so it's gonna be 2 stars for me, to bad.
I don't get all the drama with Fallon really...
I don't understand why the witch coven tahing tkes so long to be solved ether...
Ok then, the h became stupid toward the end, kind of continuity in this book actuly, so it's gonna be 2 stars for me, to bad.
December 6, 2022
boring
Finale was boring and anticlimactic. Didn’t give me much excitement to read.
How crazy everyone was obsessed with Fallon’s mom.
Enemies to allies? Open her heart? Will she take on another mate? That’s how I interpreted that letter. Because who was really her enemy that became an ally?
Finale was boring and anticlimactic. Didn’t give me much excitement to read.
How crazy everyone was obsessed with Fallon’s mom.
Enemies to allies? Open her heart? Will she take on another mate? That’s how I interpreted that letter. Because who was really her enemy that became an ally?
September 16, 2024
Dnf because I literally can’t anymore. It’s like the author took 5 different ideas for books and just jammed it into one.
And please, this book is so predictable. The light fae queen is obviously the primary (rolls eyes). I dnfed before I confirmed that the light eleve archivist is her father but I just know he is.
And please, this book is so predictable. The light fae queen is obviously the primary (rolls eyes). I dnfed before I confirmed that the light eleve archivist is her father but I just know he is.
September 19, 2021
3 action packed stars.
Predictable but still enjoyable. A fine end to Arden’s story. The author did a good job keeping the plot tight & wrapping up Arden’s story while keeping the reader interested in a few other developing threads. look forward to the next FMC in this series.
Predictable but still enjoyable. A fine end to Arden’s story. The author did a good job keeping the plot tight & wrapping up Arden’s story while keeping the reader interested in a few other developing threads. look forward to the next FMC in this series.
January 17, 2025
Giving 2 stars to the 1st 3 books in the series because the story itself was engrossing, I needed to know what happened!
However, I really did not enjoy the writing style at all. Diction=bad.
I don't think I will be reading any other books from this author.
However, I really did not enjoy the writing style at all. Diction=bad.
I don't think I will be reading any other books from this author.
November 14, 2023
the repetitive content in this book made my eyes heavy (dnf 80%)
May 26, 2024
See book 1 review
This ending was a let down
This ending was a let down
February 20, 2025
This is a bad final book. The romance and plot fluctuate erratically, and all plot twists are dropped with a "oh, this happened. so what?" very mediocre
honestly 2 stars is accurate
honestly 2 stars is accurate
January 14, 2023
3.75⭐
Book #3
(Final book regarding Arden as the MC)
‼️This review might contain small spoilers for previous books‼️
✅🆗 Fantasy: witches, vampires, shifters, Fae, dragons, warlocks,... Mixed race - confusing❗
✅ RH
✅🆗 Romance/romantic interests
✅ Smut (one-on-one, basically jumping between beds)
🆗 Found family
✅🆗 Plot
✅🆗 Pace
✅ Powerful FMC, special one❗
✅ Powerful, protective alpha males (a bit faded)
✅🆗 Mates
✔️ HEA
❗ Everything goes nice and easy. No inner conflict, no real struggle. Lacks connection.
Presentation:
With each diary and conquered battle, Arden comes closer to unravel the secrets hidden from her and the world.
A dangerous power has been pulling the strings of Fate, tipping the balance of the world through greed, hurt and destruction.
To have a chance to fight it and restore order in the world, several key moments have been carefully organized.
Arden's struggle and growth to discover her heritage, her family and her friendships and relationships are tested and put to the test.
Notes:
Overall it is a quite enjoyable and thrilling series.
However,
- Races: still a confusing mess. I spend half the time trying to recall which of race or mixture of races the characters were and which powers they had from each race and even in some cases each subspecie (like bloodlines and incubus, etc). This universe and the differences between races and powers were not clear.
In this book there was... not a glossary but more of a resume of every character. When I saw the mention of a glossary right at the beginning of the book I was mentally screaming "Finally!". And then it said something like "beware, it contains spoilers". So, I decided to skip it. Basically no help while reading. Frustrating!
But it still wouldn't help much. While it has the basic description of each character (race(s), physical attributes, main features), it does not explain their powers. And some of which are not really shown/used during the series (just appear once just to say they appeared, ex. Theron's summer Fae powers or the Elven's inanimate object powers or Elven's powers in general).
And I still don't know the difference between:
* Elves / Fae: is it just the ability to animate objects? But not every elven/elf(?) can do it? Does this mean those who cannot are basically fae??
* Witches/Fae/Elves/Warlocks: is it basically where they go get their magic?
* Light/Dark Elves
* Light/Dark Fae
* Winter/Summer Fae
- Arden was a "special one", where she didn't really have problems with her powers. I mean, she never really felt she really had to struggle, that maybe her powers where not enough. She trained (which took a bit of the hate from me for being a "special one") but she was always too self assured even when the odds where against them.
The plot - everything goes well and easy, some small struggles or problems but nothing major. Everything aligns, surprise surprise, well for the HEA. Once again, no real struggle, no doubts (even secretly). Maybe because the author choose to deal with several issues by having one of the guys resolve it without showing the reader if they had any problem with it. It was simply "okay, I'll work on it, done", or "I have someone that can do that for us, here" or get impossible intel or get them something just like that. No obstacle. So much so that they never even really trained Arden with her new powers nor really investigated all leads nor have really kept a secret of many things they should. Need to know is basic standard operation. Especially important when going against someone super powerful. I think.
The RH was a bit too... predictable? Easy? They were all introduced right from the start, no jealousy, no doubts, some exterior problems but once again no inner conflict "Is he? Does he? Him too? All of them? I don't want to hurt them". I felt no real connection between the characters nor to them. I am not a fan of huge angst but it also doesn't need to go so...easy?well? Don't get me wrong, I still liked it, there were quite some nice funny moments even hot and sassy ones. But... Something is missing.
But overall, I quite like it. It was a light story where everything goes well. HEA
And as always my respect to the author.
No hate nor hurt intended with this review.
Book #3
(Final book regarding Arden as the MC)
‼️This review might contain small spoilers for previous books‼️
✅🆗 Fantasy: witches, vampires, shifters, Fae, dragons, warlocks,... Mixed race - confusing❗
✅ RH
✅🆗 Romance/romantic interests
✅ Smut (one-on-one, basically jumping between beds)
🆗 Found family
✅🆗 Plot
✅🆗 Pace
✅ Powerful FMC, special one❗
✅ Powerful, protective alpha males (a bit faded)
✅🆗 Mates
✔️ HEA
❗ Everything goes nice and easy. No inner conflict, no real struggle. Lacks connection.
Presentation:
With each diary and conquered battle, Arden comes closer to unravel the secrets hidden from her and the world.
A dangerous power has been pulling the strings of Fate, tipping the balance of the world through greed, hurt and destruction.
To have a chance to fight it and restore order in the world, several key moments have been carefully organized.
Arden's struggle and growth to discover her heritage, her family and her friendships and relationships are tested and put to the test.
Notes:
Overall it is a quite enjoyable and thrilling series.
However,
- Races: still a confusing mess. I spend half the time trying to recall which of race or mixture of races the characters were and which powers they had from each race and even in some cases each subspecie (like bloodlines and incubus, etc). This universe and the differences between races and powers were not clear.
In this book there was... not a glossary but more of a resume of every character. When I saw the mention of a glossary right at the beginning of the book I was mentally screaming "Finally!". And then it said something like "beware, it contains spoilers". So, I decided to skip it. Basically no help while reading. Frustrating!
But it still wouldn't help much. While it has the basic description of each character (race(s), physical attributes, main features), it does not explain their powers. And some of which are not really shown/used during the series (just appear once just to say they appeared, ex. Theron's summer Fae powers or the Elven's inanimate object powers or Elven's powers in general).
And I still don't know the difference between:
* Elves / Fae: is it just the ability to animate objects? But not every elven/elf(?) can do it? Does this mean those who cannot are basically fae??
* Witches/Fae/Elves/Warlocks: is it basically where they go get their magic?
* Light/Dark Elves
* Light/Dark Fae
* Winter/Summer Fae
- Arden was a "special one", where she didn't really have problems with her powers. I mean, she never really felt she really had to struggle, that maybe her powers where not enough. She trained (which took a bit of the hate from me for being a "special one") but she was always too self assured even when the odds where against them.
The plot - everything goes well and easy, some small struggles or problems but nothing major. Everything aligns, surprise surprise, well for the HEA. Once again, no real struggle, no doubts (even secretly). Maybe because the author choose to deal with several issues by having one of the guys resolve it without showing the reader if they had any problem with it. It was simply "okay, I'll work on it, done", or "I have someone that can do that for us, here" or get impossible intel or get them something just like that. No obstacle. So much so that they never even really trained Arden with her new powers nor really investigated all leads nor have really kept a secret of many things they should. Need to know is basic standard operation. Especially important when going against someone super powerful. I think.
The RH was a bit too... predictable? Easy? They were all introduced right from the start, no jealousy, no doubts, some exterior problems but once again no inner conflict "Is he? Does he? Him too? All of them? I don't want to hurt them". I felt no real connection between the characters nor to them. I am not a fan of huge angst but it also doesn't need to go so...easy?well? Don't get me wrong, I still liked it, there were quite some nice funny moments even hot and sassy ones. But... Something is missing.
But overall, I quite like it. It was a light story where everything goes well. HEA
And as always my respect to the author.
No hate nor hurt intended with this review.
September 13, 2023
Supernaturals/Enemies to Lovers/Kick Ass FC
SYNOPSIS (of 4 Book series): The FC is a 300 year old witch who has been hiding with her foster family, a fae princess and Lucifer‘s executioner, in a „pocket realm“ waiting for a sign that it is time for her to fulfil her destiny. Her natural mother was a seer and left instructions as to when the FC should come out of hiding and what she should do when she did. When the FC comes to the real world she connects with the Imperium Cadre, a group consisting of an Elf, Fae Prince, Dragon King, Incubus and Vampire who are destined to help her and who run a Sanctuary for supernaturals that is also a nightclub. The story arc covers how she slowly learns about her heritage, her natural parents and her role as the Rowan to bring balance back to the world and defeat the Prime. The final book includes a climactic battle and HEA.
The books are well written and there is plenty happening to keep the reader engaged. The world building is good and the relationship building OK although a bit rushed for my liking. I very much liked the FC who was strong and could hold her own. I like an FC who can fight and stand up for herself. The MCs were all likeable and individual so you could see how different each of their relationships with the FC were. The one downside for me was that whilst there was plenty of sex I felt it lacked heat and was a bit on the clunky side. This author also took the approach that whilst the MCs were all friends and in a cadre the FC‘s relationship with each and the sex scenes were all separate and individual which was an interesting approach.
For me, whilst I enjoyed the story arc and the FC I just couldn‘t fully engage with the romantic story line. I could not connect with or feel the relationships between the FC and each of the MCs but that could just have been me not gelling with this author‘s style. They just seemed to feel superficial and cold, I‘m not sure why.
Finally, the story was quite basic and not unique in that the FC‘s destiny was to kill the evil Prime and the Prime had seen the future and tried to eradicate the FC and her family to prevent her from achieving her destiny. The FC herself was a super strong one of a kind witch hybrid. Surprise, surprise the Prime failed to stop the FC who had been hidden away. I felt that the unveiling of who the Prime was was anticlimactic as instead of there being a big reveal its kind of just stated in a conversation who it is and how they discover it is by reading some diary entries.
Still, a good, enjoyable series and well written.
SYNOPSIS (of 4 Book series): The FC is a 300 year old witch who has been hiding with her foster family, a fae princess and Lucifer‘s executioner, in a „pocket realm“ waiting for a sign that it is time for her to fulfil her destiny. Her natural mother was a seer and left instructions as to when the FC should come out of hiding and what she should do when she did. When the FC comes to the real world she connects with the Imperium Cadre, a group consisting of an Elf, Fae Prince, Dragon King, Incubus and Vampire who are destined to help her and who run a Sanctuary for supernaturals that is also a nightclub. The story arc covers how she slowly learns about her heritage, her natural parents and her role as the Rowan to bring balance back to the world and defeat the Prime. The final book includes a climactic battle and HEA.
The books are well written and there is plenty happening to keep the reader engaged. The world building is good and the relationship building OK although a bit rushed for my liking. I very much liked the FC who was strong and could hold her own. I like an FC who can fight and stand up for herself. The MCs were all likeable and individual so you could see how different each of their relationships with the FC were. The one downside for me was that whilst there was plenty of sex I felt it lacked heat and was a bit on the clunky side. This author also took the approach that whilst the MCs were all friends and in a cadre the FC‘s relationship with each and the sex scenes were all separate and individual which was an interesting approach.
For me, whilst I enjoyed the story arc and the FC I just couldn‘t fully engage with the romantic story line. I could not connect with or feel the relationships between the FC and each of the MCs but that could just have been me not gelling with this author‘s style. They just seemed to feel superficial and cold, I‘m not sure why.
Finally, the story was quite basic and not unique in that the FC‘s destiny was to kill the evil Prime and the Prime had seen the future and tried to eradicate the FC and her family to prevent her from achieving her destiny. The FC herself was a super strong one of a kind witch hybrid. Surprise, surprise the Prime failed to stop the FC who had been hidden away. I felt that the unveiling of who the Prime was was anticlimactic as instead of there being a big reveal its kind of just stated in a conversation who it is and how they discover it is by reading some diary entries.
Still, a good, enjoyable series and well written.
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