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Cursed Shifters #1
Magic Claimed
A prophesy that rules me.
A curse that ruins me.
A wolf shifter pack who claim I am theirs.
It wasn’t my choice to be sold to a powerful psychopath by my mother when I was a baby. It wasn’t my choice to be tortured for magic I don’t possess but on-one says no to Esoti and lives.
Except me.
There are worse things than death. Not dying for one.
In a world ruled by The Six, anyone magical is put to death, shifters are slaves and I am the lowest of the low. Until alpha wolves Alerick, Jarom and Eike capture me. The thing is, I don’t want to be anyone’s mate, or toy, or plaything.
They insist I’m anything but human, mastering my body and unleashing ancient magic hidden deep inside me.
The magic is untameable. Unpredictable. But it just might give me the one thing I’ve always dreamed about — revenge.
A curse that ruins me.
A wolf shifter pack who claim I am theirs.
It wasn’t my choice to be sold to a powerful psychopath by my mother when I was a baby. It wasn’t my choice to be tortured for magic I don’t possess but on-one says no to Esoti and lives.
Except me.
There are worse things than death. Not dying for one.
In a world ruled by The Six, anyone magical is put to death, shifters are slaves and I am the lowest of the low. Until alpha wolves Alerick, Jarom and Eike capture me. The thing is, I don’t want to be anyone’s mate, or toy, or plaything.
They insist I’m anything but human, mastering my body and unleashing ancient magic hidden deep inside me.
The magic is untameable. Unpredictable. But it just might give me the one thing I’ve always dreamed about — revenge.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2022
1100 people are currently reading
3710 people want to read
About the author
Charmaine Ross
237 books278 followersCharmaine Ross has penned over 50 heart-pounding tales straddling everything from reverse harem sci-fi and paranormal excitement to omegaverse allure and contemporary romance charm. Known for her blend of steam, full spice and all-the-feels, Charmaine's stories are your ticket to heart-stopping romance and boundless adventure.
Living with her endlessly supportive husband who has become a sounding board for her galaxy of ideas, Charmaine shares her lively home with two adult children and a pair of predictably spoiled cats. When she's not spinning tales, she's indulging in Netflix and Chill sessions, secretly hoping that one day, a Black Dagger Brotherhood vampire will swoop in and whisk her away.
With a wit as sharp as her imagination, Charmaine Ross fearlessly turns dreams into page-turning realities, steadfastly capturing the hearts of readers one mesmerizing story at a time.
Key tropes include:
- Scent matches
- Fated mates
- Hurt/ comfort
- Touch her and die
- Enemies to lovers
Catch up with her latest news at: https://www.charmainerossauthor.com/
Living with her endlessly supportive husband who has become a sounding board for her galaxy of ideas, Charmaine shares her lively home with two adult children and a pair of predictably spoiled cats. When she's not spinning tales, she's indulging in Netflix and Chill sessions, secretly hoping that one day, a Black Dagger Brotherhood vampire will swoop in and whisk her away.
With a wit as sharp as her imagination, Charmaine Ross fearlessly turns dreams into page-turning realities, steadfastly capturing the hearts of readers one mesmerizing story at a time.
Key tropes include:
- Scent matches
- Fated mates
- Hurt/ comfort
- Touch her and die
- Enemies to lovers
Catch up with her latest news at: https://www.charmainerossauthor.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 162 reviews
February 4, 2024
Another freebie i found on Apple Books that i regret downloading.
This was definitely not my kind of story in spite of being intrigued enough by the blurb.
I understand what the author’s intentions were for the story,but i didn’t feel it.
She’s been abused most of her life,but can’t die for some reason.
A chance encounter with 3 Alpha shifters turns out to be lifechanging,but she, and one of them,fight the mate bond.
The abuse continues,and she keeps ending up with the shifters,only to return to her abusive master.
She apparently has magic,but she doesn’t know how to use it,until she accepts that mate bond.
When she finally does,she knows, without any explanation, how to use the magic inside,and defeats her powerful master?
It might be a matter of it’s me,not the story,but i do know i’m not going to waste any more time on the series….
This was definitely not my kind of story in spite of being intrigued enough by the blurb.
I understand what the author’s intentions were for the story,but i didn’t feel it.
She’s been abused most of her life,but can’t die for some reason.
A chance encounter with 3 Alpha shifters turns out to be lifechanging,but she, and one of them,fight the mate bond.
The abuse continues,and she keeps ending up with the shifters,only to return to her abusive master.
She apparently has magic,but she doesn’t know how to use it,until she accepts that mate bond.
When she finally does,she knows, without any explanation, how to use the magic inside,and defeats her powerful master?
It might be a matter of it’s me,not the story,but i do know i’m not going to waste any more time on the series….
August 1, 2022
I'm by no means new to shifters, shifter romance, fated mates, etc. The underlying story in Magic Claimed was very intriguing, but the way it was delivered fell flat for me.
The characters were mostly hollow, although there were some good lines and great interactions. The spice scenes were decent. My problem was that the characters didn't feel real to me at all. I wanted to like Serafine more than I actually did. I wanted to like the mates more than I actually did. It was like the bones were there but everyone needed more fleshing out to become real.
The pacing was very fast imo. I had a hard time following what was going on because it was just boom. boom. boom. Serafine wanted to do this, so she did it. She didn't want to do that, so she didn't. What little internal monologue we got felt half-hearted.
I would have loved to see the worldbuilding expanded upon more as well. We got the entire backstory of the world thus far in like two paragraphs. I did like the way shifting was portrayed here, and the way it felt was described perfectly enough that I felt like I was Serafine and I was shifting too--which was great.
The characters were mostly hollow, although there were some good lines and great interactions. The spice scenes were decent. My problem was that the characters didn't feel real to me at all. I wanted to like Serafine more than I actually did. I wanted to like the mates more than I actually did. It was like the bones were there but everyone needed more fleshing out to become real.
The pacing was very fast imo. I had a hard time following what was going on because it was just boom. boom. boom. Serafine wanted to do this, so she did it. She didn't want to do that, so she didn't. What little internal monologue we got felt half-hearted.
I would have loved to see the worldbuilding expanded upon more as well. We got the entire backstory of the world thus far in like two paragraphs. I did like the way shifting was portrayed here, and the way it felt was described perfectly enough that I felt like I was Serafine and I was shifting too--which was great.
Read
July 23, 2023DNF 6%
This just did not work for me. Like I couldn’t keep going. The weird future yet ancient-esque setting was confusing and not something that I am interested in (im not a historical girlie).
This just did not work for me. Like I couldn’t keep going. The weird future yet ancient-esque setting was confusing and not something that I am interested in (im not a historical girlie).
Want to read
October 16, 2025🎁 FREE on Amazon today (8/23/2022)! 🎁
May 14, 2023
Please stop using the word plowed.
Thank you.
Thank you.
April 23, 2025
This was an okay read. The beginning was quite slow and the characters were a little bland. The only thing that fell really out of place were the smut scenes, those were not necessarily. The end was a lot better and that’s what I really enjoyed.
Read
August 3, 2025I don’t DNF books.
But it would be nice to know that the fmc has Slave collar on her neck.
And there was no trigger warnings in the book. None. Whatsoever.
Edit: There was also no trigger warning list on the authors website either. Unless I was looking in the wrong place. Just a trope list.
But it would be nice to know that the fmc has Slave collar on her neck.
And there was no trigger warnings in the book. None. Whatsoever.
Edit: There was also no trigger warning list on the authors website either. Unless I was looking in the wrong place. Just a trope list.
October 7, 2024
Nemesi - per RFS
.
Il destino mi aveva etichettata come paria
quando ero troppo giovane per capire.
Un’anomalia che nessuno comprendeva, e
ciò che la società non comprende, lo evita.
Fenici buongiorno, settembre ha portato con sé tanti nuovi titoli e fra questi una nuova serie, Mutaforma Maledetti; il nome della serie ha già in sé quello che adoro per cui ho deciso di intraprenderne la lettura.
I romanzi sono quattro e tutti autoconclusivi seppur collegati fra loro e ognuno parla di mutaforma differenti: Lupi-Draghi-Pantere- Grifoni. In un futuro fantasy, dopo quella conosciuta come la Guerra Sanguinaria avvenuta tra Fae, esseri fatati, e I Sei, esseri magici, questi prendono il potere creando un nuovo mondo chiamato con il nome di Exertor. In questo mondo gli esseri fatati vengono braccati da battaglioni di mutaforma, forgiati dai I Sei, proprio per annientare ogni essere che non rispetti le leggi, che sia esso un mutaforma o sia collegato in qualsiasi modo alla magia. Solo I Sei infatti vogliono esercitare i poteri magici. Il regno viene suddiviso in regioni, ciascun segmento governato da uno dei I Sei.
Anche ai mutaforma Lupi-Pantere e Draghi viene assegnata una regione, costretti a produrre beni e servizi per gli umani governati dai I Sei con il pugno di ferro.
Il romanzo parla di Serafine, che è un anomalia fra gli umani: lei possiede un potere molto speciale e per questo è usata come schiava da uno dei I Sei, Esoti. Durante uno dei compiti assegnatole si ritrova nel territorio dei Lupi e da quel momento la sua vita inizia a cambiare drasticamente. Come mai? Perché cadrà direttamente fra le braccia di quelli che sono destinati a essere non solo la sua unica via di fuga per liberarsi dalla schiavitù, ma anche la strada che la condurrà all’amore.
Immaginate invece la sorpresa dell’alpha Alerik e i suoi secondi, Jarom e Eike quando scopriranno che la piccola umana tutta pelle e ossa che indossa un collare e ha invaso il loro territorio non è una spia, ma bensì la compagna che il destino gli ha donato.
Riusciranno a liberarla? A scoprire perché questo grande potere è bloccato dentro di lei? E infine a conquistare il suo cuore?
Come avrete capito la trama del romanzo è alquanto avvincente ed è anche scorrevole nella lettura, ma… non mi ha convinto al cento per cento.
Parliamo quindi senza alcun indugio di cosa non va secondo me. Ci sono molti refusi, fra cui quelli di genere che si trovano nella sinossi, tanto da far sembrare il romanzo un MM, mentre in realtà è un Harem reverse. I pov sono tutti dal punto di vista femminile e questo mi ha fatto provare molta poca empatia con i personaggi maschili. Forse se fosse stato più lungo il romanzo, con pov alternati e maggiori interazioni tra i quattro protagonisti il mio giudizio sarebbe stato differente.
L’intero ritmo è dinamico, sì, ma il sentimento e l’introspezione poco sviluppati e il finale assolutamente troppo frettoloso, tanto che credevo non fosse una storia autoconclusiva, perché non riuscivo a concepire che il legame fra i personaggi, come l’evoluzione e presa di coscienza di sé della protagonista, si fossero risolti nell’arco di qualche pagina, compreso l’amplesso che è stato qualcosa del tipo Cambio ora tocca a te!
Quindi, in conclusione, la trama mi è piaciuta molto, ma a mio parere andrebbe infoltita e ampliata meglio, perché il romanzo meriterebbe molte più stelle di quelle che ho messo .
.
Il destino mi aveva etichettata come paria
quando ero troppo giovane per capire.
Un’anomalia che nessuno comprendeva, e
ciò che la società non comprende, lo evita.
Fenici buongiorno, settembre ha portato con sé tanti nuovi titoli e fra questi una nuova serie, Mutaforma Maledetti; il nome della serie ha già in sé quello che adoro per cui ho deciso di intraprenderne la lettura.
I romanzi sono quattro e tutti autoconclusivi seppur collegati fra loro e ognuno parla di mutaforma differenti: Lupi-Draghi-Pantere- Grifoni. In un futuro fantasy, dopo quella conosciuta come la Guerra Sanguinaria avvenuta tra Fae, esseri fatati, e I Sei, esseri magici, questi prendono il potere creando un nuovo mondo chiamato con il nome di Exertor. In questo mondo gli esseri fatati vengono braccati da battaglioni di mutaforma, forgiati dai I Sei, proprio per annientare ogni essere che non rispetti le leggi, che sia esso un mutaforma o sia collegato in qualsiasi modo alla magia. Solo I Sei infatti vogliono esercitare i poteri magici. Il regno viene suddiviso in regioni, ciascun segmento governato da uno dei I Sei.
Anche ai mutaforma Lupi-Pantere e Draghi viene assegnata una regione, costretti a produrre beni e servizi per gli umani governati dai I Sei con il pugno di ferro.
Il romanzo parla di Serafine, che è un anomalia fra gli umani: lei possiede un potere molto speciale e per questo è usata come schiava da uno dei I Sei, Esoti. Durante uno dei compiti assegnatole si ritrova nel territorio dei Lupi e da quel momento la sua vita inizia a cambiare drasticamente. Come mai? Perché cadrà direttamente fra le braccia di quelli che sono destinati a essere non solo la sua unica via di fuga per liberarsi dalla schiavitù, ma anche la strada che la condurrà all’amore.
Immaginate invece la sorpresa dell’alpha Alerik e i suoi secondi, Jarom e Eike quando scopriranno che la piccola umana tutta pelle e ossa che indossa un collare e ha invaso il loro territorio non è una spia, ma bensì la compagna che il destino gli ha donato.
Riusciranno a liberarla? A scoprire perché questo grande potere è bloccato dentro di lei? E infine a conquistare il suo cuore?
Come avrete capito la trama del romanzo è alquanto avvincente ed è anche scorrevole nella lettura, ma… non mi ha convinto al cento per cento.
Parliamo quindi senza alcun indugio di cosa non va secondo me. Ci sono molti refusi, fra cui quelli di genere che si trovano nella sinossi, tanto da far sembrare il romanzo un MM, mentre in realtà è un Harem reverse. I pov sono tutti dal punto di vista femminile e questo mi ha fatto provare molta poca empatia con i personaggi maschili. Forse se fosse stato più lungo il romanzo, con pov alternati e maggiori interazioni tra i quattro protagonisti il mio giudizio sarebbe stato differente.
L’intero ritmo è dinamico, sì, ma il sentimento e l’introspezione poco sviluppati e il finale assolutamente troppo frettoloso, tanto che credevo non fosse una storia autoconclusiva, perché non riuscivo a concepire che il legame fra i personaggi, come l’evoluzione e presa di coscienza di sé della protagonista, si fossero risolti nell’arco di qualche pagina, compreso l’amplesso che è stato qualcosa del tipo Cambio ora tocca a te!
Quindi, in conclusione, la trama mi è piaciuta molto, ma a mio parere andrebbe infoltita e ampliata meglio, perché il romanzo meriterebbe molte più stelle di quelle che ho messo .
June 28, 2023
This could have been so much better. There was so much promise.
The setting, the world, the idea was so good. Our current world ravaged by the effects of scientists tearing a hole into the fabric between the worlds and letting in the Fae. One catastrophical war and 1000 years later and society is ruled by The Six, magical beings that are seemingly unkillable. Natural magical beings are hunted and executed while unnatural magical beings are high up in the food chain.
It could've been so good. But unfortunately there were some issues, like the fact that some things just didn't make any sense.
Why were magical beings hunted, enslaved and hated while the world was ruled by The Six, which were, iirc, mostly liked or at least not despised. Furthermore, humans that were gifted magic by the Six, weren't hated either. It's been a 1000 years after the war, so the general hate against magical beings should've died down and enough humans would've mingled with leftover magical beings that the general populace shouldn'tve minded them. It's just weird and not explained enough. It's also weird that shifters and magic users would not just crush humans. Humans without technology cannot win against a dragon. Like, come on. It's a dragon. A big, scary, fire breathing dragon that can kill a puny, little human immediately.
In addition to that, magic was just weird. Never explained, or at least I didn't catch it when it was, and the different power levels just seemed too convenient.
I also didn't enjoy the whole dub-con thing in the romance. They say it was for her own good and that they'd continue making her feel good until she comes to her senses and understands that accepting the mate bonds would be good for her. That she only doesn't think she can love and is unwilling to accept it because she was tortured her whole life, I mean fair, but that doesn't mean they should force her to accept it. Just don't. Just leave the abused girl alone until she's had enough time to recover, to pick herself back up, to enjoy being free for a fucking second.
While on the topic of Serafine. I didn't like her. I didn't like any of the one-dimensional, flat characters. Except for Anise, her I could tolerate and I couldn't tell you why.
The whole book felt like an attempt to set up the series instead of a wellrounded book in itself. Everything was lacking and felt unfinished. If given more attention for the details, more time and care, and thought and structure this could've been a good book and great first installment to a new series. But like this, I couldn't recommend it.
The setting, the world, the idea was so good. Our current world ravaged by the effects of scientists tearing a hole into the fabric between the worlds and letting in the Fae. One catastrophical war and 1000 years later and society is ruled by The Six, magical beings that are seemingly unkillable. Natural magical beings are hunted and executed while unnatural magical beings are high up in the food chain.
It could've been so good. But unfortunately there were some issues, like the fact that some things just didn't make any sense.
Why were magical beings hunted, enslaved and hated while the world was ruled by The Six, which were, iirc, mostly liked or at least not despised. Furthermore, humans that were gifted magic by the Six, weren't hated either. It's been a 1000 years after the war, so the general hate against magical beings should've died down and enough humans would've mingled with leftover magical beings that the general populace shouldn'tve minded them. It's just weird and not explained enough. It's also weird that shifters and magic users would not just crush humans. Humans without technology cannot win against a dragon. Like, come on. It's a dragon. A big, scary, fire breathing dragon that can kill a puny, little human immediately.
In addition to that, magic was just weird. Never explained, or at least I didn't catch it when it was, and the different power levels just seemed too convenient.
I also didn't enjoy the whole dub-con thing in the romance. They say it was for her own good and that they'd continue making her feel good until she comes to her senses and understands that accepting the mate bonds would be good for her. That she only doesn't think she can love and is unwilling to accept it because she was tortured her whole life, I mean fair, but that doesn't mean they should force her to accept it. Just don't. Just leave the abused girl alone until she's had enough time to recover, to pick herself back up, to enjoy being free for a fucking second.
While on the topic of Serafine. I didn't like her. I didn't like any of the one-dimensional, flat characters. Except for Anise, her I could tolerate and I couldn't tell you why.
The whole book felt like an attempt to set up the series instead of a wellrounded book in itself. Everything was lacking and felt unfinished. If given more attention for the details, more time and care, and thought and structure this could've been a good book and great first installment to a new series. But like this, I couldn't recommend it.
May 2, 2024
This book has a lot of potential unfortunately it was rather flatly developed and was more about the smut than the story in my opinion. Reverse harem should suit you and I don't mind it but again this too was very shallowly developed. It is not a bad book but I think it could have been much better....
October 5, 2022
this was..okay. especially if you ignore the endless typos, plot holes, and vague plot line that disappears as the story ends. there was a lot of push and pull about trust and acceptance which got old after a while, but I understood where it was coming from.
February 6, 2024
Tengo que decir que la traducción de este libro está MUY MAL HECHA.
Muchas veces he salido de la trama por completo por cómo está hecha la traducción, pasas de en primera persona a segunda sin tener sentidos. Pasas con palabras en latinoamericano a castellano. Muchas veces se han comido muchos verbos, he tenido que releer algunas frases porque me sacaba de contexto al faltarle verbos.
Principalmente por eso se ha llevado 3 Estrellas.
Después si tengo que decir que la trama tiene mucho potencial pero se lo han sacado muy poco, no han sabido darle el boom fuerte a esta trama.
6 dioses que mantienen a raya el mundo, donde conviven humanos, faes y cambia formas como los lobos y dragones. Ella la protagonista una esclava de uno de ellos predestinada a ir mucho más lejos, a salvar al mundo siendo ligada a 3 cambiaformas.
Todo al principio ha tenido una evolución normal, lo correspondiente. Pero a mitad de libro en seguida ha cogido la carrerilla y de repente ya el romance súper marcado cuando hay 3 con los que tiene que hacer vínculo, cada uno con su personalidad especial la cual podría haber sacado mucho potencial para ir conociéndolos a tofos y entre la protagonista y ellos individualmente.
Han tratado muchas cosas de Magia y de poderes sobre ella pero que lo han dejado muy y en el aire. Pensaba que el libro finalizaría al menos dejando claro esto, pero tampoco.
Que dices bueno vale es una trilogía, siempre los primeros libros son así, pero es que informándome un poco, el segundo libro trata de uno de los secundarios. Que supongo que algo tocará de los protas de este libro, pero vamos que seguirá haciendo intrigas. Y el tercero según he visto ya es un mix de todo.
Entonces esto no se a donde llevará.
Si es verdad que le daré una oportunidad y me leeré el siguiente a ver por donde van los tiros. Pero me da la sensación de que esta muy desaprovechado la trama y el tirón que podría tener esta trilogía.
Muchas veces he salido de la trama por completo por cómo está hecha la traducción, pasas de en primera persona a segunda sin tener sentidos. Pasas con palabras en latinoamericano a castellano. Muchas veces se han comido muchos verbos, he tenido que releer algunas frases porque me sacaba de contexto al faltarle verbos.
Principalmente por eso se ha llevado 3 Estrellas.
Después si tengo que decir que la trama tiene mucho potencial pero se lo han sacado muy poco, no han sabido darle el boom fuerte a esta trama.
6 dioses que mantienen a raya el mundo, donde conviven humanos, faes y cambia formas como los lobos y dragones. Ella la protagonista una esclava de uno de ellos predestinada a ir mucho más lejos, a salvar al mundo siendo ligada a 3 cambiaformas.
Todo al principio ha tenido una evolución normal, lo correspondiente. Pero a mitad de libro en seguida ha cogido la carrerilla y de repente ya el romance súper marcado cuando hay 3 con los que tiene que hacer vínculo, cada uno con su personalidad especial la cual podría haber sacado mucho potencial para ir conociéndolos a tofos y entre la protagonista y ellos individualmente.
Han tratado muchas cosas de Magia y de poderes sobre ella pero que lo han dejado muy y en el aire. Pensaba que el libro finalizaría al menos dejando claro esto, pero tampoco.
Que dices bueno vale es una trilogía, siempre los primeros libros son así, pero es que informándome un poco, el segundo libro trata de uno de los secundarios. Que supongo que algo tocará de los protas de este libro, pero vamos que seguirá haciendo intrigas. Y el tercero según he visto ya es un mix de todo.
Entonces esto no se a donde llevará.
Si es verdad que le daré una oportunidad y me leeré el siguiente a ver por donde van los tiros. Pero me da la sensación de que esta muy desaprovechado la trama y el tirón que podría tener esta trilogía.
April 26, 2024
I had hope that this plot and the characters were going to improve as I went through the book, but it felt like it just went further downhill. Everything happens in maybe 2 weeks at a stretch. The characters felt like they had no personality and some characters had a complete mood change all of a sudden one chapter to the next. The plot felt bare and uneventful, with fight scenes seeming to be over in just a couple of minutes with little consequences.
April 6, 2024
I am very new to reverse harems. And have only read a few and this one had me hooked from start to finish. It had enough spice and didn’t over power the actual plot. Highly suggest.
August 1, 2023
DNF 70%
January 26, 2023
Das Cover des Buches hat mich sofort angesprochen, und da ich derzeit sehr gerne Bücher aus dem Genre Reverse Harem lese, war ich sofort Feuer und Flamme, als ich sah, dass Charmaine Ross sich in diesem Genre versucht. Von ihr habe ich bereits „Born from Darkness“ gelesen und war total begeistert. Dementsprechend groß war meine Vorfreude auf dieses Werk.
Es ist ein faszinierendes Buch in einer sehr interessanten Grundidee verankert, in der die Welt eine Revolution erlebte und man im Grunde genommen einen übernatürlichen postapokalyptischen Wahnsinn erlebt. Der Weltenaufbau ist auf jeden Fall ein Erlebnis, den ich so nicht erwartet hatte. Doch, egal, wie klasse der Weltenaufbau auch sein mag und wie sympathisch mir vereinzelte Charaktere sind, hat die Story an sich doch so einige Makos, die ich nicht einfach übersehen konnte.
In erster Linie wird bereits mit der Buchbeschreibung auf eine Prophezeiung hingewiesen, die angeblich eine zentrale Rolle spielt. Zumindest für die Protagonistin. Doch lernt man etwas über diese Prophezeiung? Nein. Wird sie mal in Teilauszügen erwähnt? Nicht wirklich. Das ist schwach. Wenn man so etwas als zentralen Punkt ausmacht, sollte man dem Leser schon das eine oder andere Leckerli hinwerfen. Meiner bescheidenen persönlichen Ansicht nach.
Die Charaktere an sich sind nicht unsympathisch. Ich mag Serafina, die Protagonistin. Und ja, ich finde es unheimlich traurig, wie lange man eigentlich braucht, um ihren Namen zu lernen. In gut der ersten Hälfte des Buches erfährt man diesen nämlich nicht. Da wird sie nur mit objektifizierenden Bezeichnungen angesprochen, die sie wertlos und unmenschlich erscheinen lassen. Eine Grausamkeit der Menschen und Esoti, einem der Sechs, unter denen sie dient.
Serafina ist als Protagonistin recht sympathisch. Ich mochte es, dass sie nicht verbittert war, was ich angesichts ihrer Situation durchaus verstanden hätte. Sie hatte zu niemandem Vertrauen und war berechtigterweise immer misstrauisch, allem und jedem gegenüber. Ihr Leben war bisher eine einzige Qual und ich verstehe, warum sie sich so lange gegen Alerick, Eike und Jarom wehrte.
Alerick, Eike und Jarom sind die vom Schicksal auserkorenen Gefährten Serafinas. Allerdings wehrt sie sich dagegen, denn sie sieht diese Gefährtenschaft als nichts anders als ein weiteres Gefängnis, um sie gefügig zu machen. Alerick und Eike kümmern sich sehr liebevoll um sie. Jarom ist da nicht ganz so liebevoll. Es gab wohl mit einer anderen Frau eine gewisse Vergangenheit. Dies wird aber nur angedeutet und nicht wirklich aufgearbeitet.
Was meiner Ansicht nach auch nicht wirklich aufgebaut wird, ist eine Beziehung zwischen den Charakteren. Ja, als Gruppe an sich bildet sich eine Art Dynamik zwischen Serafina und den Jungs. Aber eine so richtige Beziehung und Bindung zu jedem Einzelnen, wie ich es aus anderen Reverse Harem-Geschichten kenne, leider nicht. Das könnte einerseits an der Art liegen, wie die Autorin sich entschieden hat, die Geschichte zu erzählen. In vielen dieser Konstellationen findet man üblicherweise eine Erzählform, in der aus den verschiedenen Perspektiven der zentralen Figuren die Geschichte erzählt wird. Hier wird die Geschichte einzig und allein aus der Perspektive von Serafina erzählt. Das ist zwar spannend, weil der Fokus auf Serafina liegt, aber auch wieder sehr einseitig. Man erlebt nur ihre Gedanken- und Gefühlswelt – und leider auch ihr ständiges Jammern darüber, dass sie sich ihren Gefühlen für ihre Gefährten nicht hingeben kann, weil das ja was Schlechtes ist. Das lässt im Gegenzug kaum Raum für die Gefühle und Gedanken der anderen Beziehungsbeteiligten. Man kann nicht erleben, wie sie denken oder fühlen. Man erlebt nicht mit, wie sie wachsen und sich weiterentwickeln. Das ist allerdings bei Serafina auch nur bedingt vorhanden.
Serafinas Entwicklung könnte man als eine Spontanaktion beschreiben. Sie hat ein gutes Herz und will helfen, aber ihre Kommunikationsfähigkeit lässt durchaus – auch aus bekannten Gründen – zu wünschen übrig. Ich finde es unglaublich traurig, dass sie so viel Leid ertragen muss und dennoch ihr Herz für andere öffnen kann.
Es ist ebenfalls traurig, dass man über „The Six“ so wenig erfährt. Wer sie sind, welche Fähigkeiten sie haben und über welche Regionen sie herrschen. Im Bereich des Weltenaufbaus hätte ich es mir schon sehr gewünscht, wenn man das etwas besser beschrieben hätte. Das hätte die Welt noch lebendiger erscheinen lassen.
Trotz all der Meckerei hat mir die Geschichte sehr gut gefallen; ich war fasziniert und habe das Lesen wirklich genossen. Und ich kann nur sagen, dass ich mich schon sehr auf Band 2 („Magic Bonded“) freue. Das wird bestimmt wieder ein absolut faszinierendes Leseerlebnis mit einer krankhaft faszinierenden Welt und ungewöhnlichen Charakteren.
Hinweis: Das Buch habe ich als digitales Rezensionsexemplar via Booksprout im Austausch für eine ehrliche Rezension erhalten.
Es ist ein faszinierendes Buch in einer sehr interessanten Grundidee verankert, in der die Welt eine Revolution erlebte und man im Grunde genommen einen übernatürlichen postapokalyptischen Wahnsinn erlebt. Der Weltenaufbau ist auf jeden Fall ein Erlebnis, den ich so nicht erwartet hatte. Doch, egal, wie klasse der Weltenaufbau auch sein mag und wie sympathisch mir vereinzelte Charaktere sind, hat die Story an sich doch so einige Makos, die ich nicht einfach übersehen konnte.
In erster Linie wird bereits mit der Buchbeschreibung auf eine Prophezeiung hingewiesen, die angeblich eine zentrale Rolle spielt. Zumindest für die Protagonistin. Doch lernt man etwas über diese Prophezeiung? Nein. Wird sie mal in Teilauszügen erwähnt? Nicht wirklich. Das ist schwach. Wenn man so etwas als zentralen Punkt ausmacht, sollte man dem Leser schon das eine oder andere Leckerli hinwerfen. Meiner bescheidenen persönlichen Ansicht nach.
Die Charaktere an sich sind nicht unsympathisch. Ich mag Serafina, die Protagonistin. Und ja, ich finde es unheimlich traurig, wie lange man eigentlich braucht, um ihren Namen zu lernen. In gut der ersten Hälfte des Buches erfährt man diesen nämlich nicht. Da wird sie nur mit objektifizierenden Bezeichnungen angesprochen, die sie wertlos und unmenschlich erscheinen lassen. Eine Grausamkeit der Menschen und Esoti, einem der Sechs, unter denen sie dient.
Serafina ist als Protagonistin recht sympathisch. Ich mochte es, dass sie nicht verbittert war, was ich angesichts ihrer Situation durchaus verstanden hätte. Sie hatte zu niemandem Vertrauen und war berechtigterweise immer misstrauisch, allem und jedem gegenüber. Ihr Leben war bisher eine einzige Qual und ich verstehe, warum sie sich so lange gegen Alerick, Eike und Jarom wehrte.
Alerick, Eike und Jarom sind die vom Schicksal auserkorenen Gefährten Serafinas. Allerdings wehrt sie sich dagegen, denn sie sieht diese Gefährtenschaft als nichts anders als ein weiteres Gefängnis, um sie gefügig zu machen. Alerick und Eike kümmern sich sehr liebevoll um sie. Jarom ist da nicht ganz so liebevoll. Es gab wohl mit einer anderen Frau eine gewisse Vergangenheit. Dies wird aber nur angedeutet und nicht wirklich aufgearbeitet.
Was meiner Ansicht nach auch nicht wirklich aufgebaut wird, ist eine Beziehung zwischen den Charakteren. Ja, als Gruppe an sich bildet sich eine Art Dynamik zwischen Serafina und den Jungs. Aber eine so richtige Beziehung und Bindung zu jedem Einzelnen, wie ich es aus anderen Reverse Harem-Geschichten kenne, leider nicht. Das könnte einerseits an der Art liegen, wie die Autorin sich entschieden hat, die Geschichte zu erzählen. In vielen dieser Konstellationen findet man üblicherweise eine Erzählform, in der aus den verschiedenen Perspektiven der zentralen Figuren die Geschichte erzählt wird. Hier wird die Geschichte einzig und allein aus der Perspektive von Serafina erzählt. Das ist zwar spannend, weil der Fokus auf Serafina liegt, aber auch wieder sehr einseitig. Man erlebt nur ihre Gedanken- und Gefühlswelt – und leider auch ihr ständiges Jammern darüber, dass sie sich ihren Gefühlen für ihre Gefährten nicht hingeben kann, weil das ja was Schlechtes ist. Das lässt im Gegenzug kaum Raum für die Gefühle und Gedanken der anderen Beziehungsbeteiligten. Man kann nicht erleben, wie sie denken oder fühlen. Man erlebt nicht mit, wie sie wachsen und sich weiterentwickeln. Das ist allerdings bei Serafina auch nur bedingt vorhanden.
Serafinas Entwicklung könnte man als eine Spontanaktion beschreiben. Sie hat ein gutes Herz und will helfen, aber ihre Kommunikationsfähigkeit lässt durchaus – auch aus bekannten Gründen – zu wünschen übrig. Ich finde es unglaublich traurig, dass sie so viel Leid ertragen muss und dennoch ihr Herz für andere öffnen kann.
Es ist ebenfalls traurig, dass man über „The Six“ so wenig erfährt. Wer sie sind, welche Fähigkeiten sie haben und über welche Regionen sie herrschen. Im Bereich des Weltenaufbaus hätte ich es mir schon sehr gewünscht, wenn man das etwas besser beschrieben hätte. Das hätte die Welt noch lebendiger erscheinen lassen.
Trotz all der Meckerei hat mir die Geschichte sehr gut gefallen; ich war fasziniert und habe das Lesen wirklich genossen. Und ich kann nur sagen, dass ich mich schon sehr auf Band 2 („Magic Bonded“) freue. Das wird bestimmt wieder ein absolut faszinierendes Leseerlebnis mit einer krankhaft faszinierenden Welt und ungewöhnlichen Charakteren.
Hinweis: Das Buch habe ich als digitales Rezensionsexemplar via Booksprout im Austausch für eine ehrliche Rezension erhalten.
October 6, 2024
2.5 ⭐️
April 16, 2024
Shite
February 6, 2024
Excellent pnr rh Magical
Ok, this appears to be a series of interconnected paranormal reverse harem novels. Book 1 is dark and gritty, but not overwhelming. It's pretty much pg until the very end. The world building is thorough, with little bits revealed along the story. You really get to know the fmc. Many details about her are mysterious and the answers are provided as the book unrolls. She begins the story as a horribly abused slave who somehow cannot die. You'll have to read the book to know the next parts.
The writing flows and there are no distracting editorial errors. Book 2 appears to develop the plot using a new fmc.
Ok, this appears to be a series of interconnected paranormal reverse harem novels. Book 1 is dark and gritty, but not overwhelming. It's pretty much pg until the very end. The world building is thorough, with little bits revealed along the story. You really get to know the fmc. Many details about her are mysterious and the answers are provided as the book unrolls. She begins the story as a horribly abused slave who somehow cannot die. You'll have to read the book to know the next parts.
The writing flows and there are no distracting editorial errors. Book 2 appears to develop the plot using a new fmc.
September 7, 2022
A decent start to the Cursed Shifters series. I give this book a solid 3.5. I liked the premise, but certain aspects of the storyline fell flat to me. For instance, in a world run by 6 Rulers of Ancient Magic; those who have magic were persecuted, Shifters of all types were slaves and humans were at the top of the food chain. I just can't see a regular human being above an Alpha Wolf, Dragon or whatever. Nor can I see magical beings executed for having natural magic when the world is being controlled by 6 magical beings who use their magic to rule over others.
Serafine was a slave to Escoti; an ancient magical being who ruled over wolf shifter territory. The wolf shifters were salves to the land producing crops and other necessities to Escoti's kingdom. Serafine has been a slave since childhood, and she was treated abhorrently. The only reason Escoti kept Serafine alive was because he wanted to magic that dwelled deep inside of her.
Late one rainy night Serafine was sent out on a mission and stumbled into wolf territory where she met 3 Alpha wolves who claimed to be her fated mate. This is where things get fuzzy. Serafine didn't want mates because she has been a prisoner all her life. There was a lot of back-and-forth going on with Serafine not wanting her mates but unable to resist them. The story didn't really give any background information about Serafine's mates: Alerick, Eike and Jarom except that 2 out of the 3 mates wanted Serafine while the third didn't trust her.
The more time Serafine spent around her mates the more she felt the magic that was deep down within her. The story moves along quickly after that and there were things in the story that didn't flow together. Such as the curse that Serafine had that she never told the wolves about. Or how did she become a shifter when she never mentioned any of her parents being shifters?
The ending was rather anticlimactic considering all Serafine went through. I was ready to read about her making her enemies her footstool and it never happened. As far as romance goes Serafine was so against having mates but unable to resists the mate bond the relationship felt forced and lacking warmth. Eventually Serafine, Alerick, Eike and Jarom got their HEA but I just feel there was something missing from this story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to continuing the series. I have a feeling we will be seeing Serafine and her guys again real soon.
Serafine was a slave to Escoti; an ancient magical being who ruled over wolf shifter territory. The wolf shifters were salves to the land producing crops and other necessities to Escoti's kingdom. Serafine has been a slave since childhood, and she was treated abhorrently. The only reason Escoti kept Serafine alive was because he wanted to magic that dwelled deep inside of her.
Late one rainy night Serafine was sent out on a mission and stumbled into wolf territory where she met 3 Alpha wolves who claimed to be her fated mate. This is where things get fuzzy. Serafine didn't want mates because she has been a prisoner all her life. There was a lot of back-and-forth going on with Serafine not wanting her mates but unable to resist them. The story didn't really give any background information about Serafine's mates: Alerick, Eike and Jarom except that 2 out of the 3 mates wanted Serafine while the third didn't trust her.
The more time Serafine spent around her mates the more she felt the magic that was deep down within her. The story moves along quickly after that and there were things in the story that didn't flow together. Such as the curse that Serafine had that she never told the wolves about. Or how did she become a shifter when she never mentioned any of her parents being shifters?
The ending was rather anticlimactic considering all Serafine went through. I was ready to read about her making her enemies her footstool and it never happened. As far as romance goes Serafine was so against having mates but unable to resists the mate bond the relationship felt forced and lacking warmth. Eventually Serafine, Alerick, Eike and Jarom got their HEA but I just feel there was something missing from this story. Overall, it was an enjoyable read and I look forward to continuing the series. I have a feeling we will be seeing Serafine and her guys again real soon.
November 1, 2022
Magic Claimed by Charmaine Ross
Magic Claimed is Ross’s first book in her Wolf Shifter Paranormal Romance (Cursed Shifters Book 1) Series.
This book begins with Seraphine being sold into slavery by her mother at around five years old to the brutal Esoti. Esoti is an enslaver and member of a society known as “THE SIX,” these are a group of heathens that own “the lands.” Esoti tortures Seraphine, kills her and brings her back to life, starves her, and deprives her of water, all in search of something hidden deep within her. But what? Seraphine has no idea, but Esoti is desperate to find it. One night Esoti sends Seraphine to retrieve a magical wand when a group of men begins to chase her. Seraphine runs into the woods seeking shelter and smacks into a wolf, one of those wolves being Jarom. Jarom then takes Seraphine to his Alpha, only to discover that she is not what they thought she was. They thought she was some helpless human woman, but she wasn’t. Seraphine is a wolf shifter like they are, but she doesn’t know because her mother never told her.
Alerick(the Alpha)turns out that he and Seraphine are mates to one another. However, Jarom and Eike are suspicious of Seraphine, thinking she is a spy for Esoti, regardless of the mating.
But they need her to go back into Esoti’s lair so that they can take him down for good.
Jarom, ever the suspicious one, continues to treat Seraphine like ice up until the last few pages. You can see that he has a chip on his shoulders and a stone where his heart once was.
Eike has that rock-hard exterior but that cuddly bear interior once you get through to him. But he remained ever vigilant to protect his Alpha.
Alerick was ever that Alpha and was on guard, whether mated or not until he knew his pack was safe.
Ross could have given more backstories for the fellas, made ole boy Jarom grovel more, and made the guys overall kinder.
The storyline was good, then the end wraps up, but you have questions, HUNH?
Then you expect book 2 to help you along the way, but you have all new characters. If this book follows other shifter series I have read, maybe around book 4, the characters “should” come into play again. Who knows? (Not familiar with this writer)
I’m willing to follow the yellow brick road with Ross and see.
Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways/Charmaine Ross/ For this copy of this book for my honest review. So naturally, my opinions are of my own volition.
Magic Claimed is Ross’s first book in her Wolf Shifter Paranormal Romance (Cursed Shifters Book 1) Series.
This book begins with Seraphine being sold into slavery by her mother at around five years old to the brutal Esoti. Esoti is an enslaver and member of a society known as “THE SIX,” these are a group of heathens that own “the lands.” Esoti tortures Seraphine, kills her and brings her back to life, starves her, and deprives her of water, all in search of something hidden deep within her. But what? Seraphine has no idea, but Esoti is desperate to find it. One night Esoti sends Seraphine to retrieve a magical wand when a group of men begins to chase her. Seraphine runs into the woods seeking shelter and smacks into a wolf, one of those wolves being Jarom. Jarom then takes Seraphine to his Alpha, only to discover that she is not what they thought she was. They thought she was some helpless human woman, but she wasn’t. Seraphine is a wolf shifter like they are, but she doesn’t know because her mother never told her.
Alerick(the Alpha)turns out that he and Seraphine are mates to one another. However, Jarom and Eike are suspicious of Seraphine, thinking she is a spy for Esoti, regardless of the mating.
But they need her to go back into Esoti’s lair so that they can take him down for good.
Jarom, ever the suspicious one, continues to treat Seraphine like ice up until the last few pages. You can see that he has a chip on his shoulders and a stone where his heart once was.
Eike has that rock-hard exterior but that cuddly bear interior once you get through to him. But he remained ever vigilant to protect his Alpha.
Alerick was ever that Alpha and was on guard, whether mated or not until he knew his pack was safe.
Ross could have given more backstories for the fellas, made ole boy Jarom grovel more, and made the guys overall kinder.
The storyline was good, then the end wraps up, but you have questions, HUNH?
Then you expect book 2 to help you along the way, but you have all new characters. If this book follows other shifter series I have read, maybe around book 4, the characters “should” come into play again. Who knows? (Not familiar with this writer)
I’m willing to follow the yellow brick road with Ross and see.
Thank you, Goodreads Giveaways/Charmaine Ross/ For this copy of this book for my honest review. So naturally, my opinions are of my own volition.
October 10, 2025
Tropes:
• Fated mates
• Magia perduta
• Profezia
• Insta-love
• Eroina potente inconsapevole
• Alpha possessivo
Trama (in breve):
Jade scopre improvvisamente di avere poteri magici e di essere al centro di una profezia. Viene salvata da un misterioso guerriero, Kael, legato a lei da un destino che non può essere ignorato. Insieme dovranno combattere forze oscure e scoprire la verità sulle proprie origini… e sui sentimenti che li uniscono.
Personaggi:
• Jade: La classica protagonista "scoperta speciale", ma con poca caratterizzazione. Le sue decisioni sono spesso forzate dalla trama.
• Kael: L’eroe alpha misterioso, protettivo ma piatto. Dialoghi ripetitivi, poca evoluzione.
• I personaggi secondari sono dimenticabili e funzionali solo alla trama.
World Building:
Debole e poco sviluppato. Si intuisce un mondo più vasto, ma viene appena accennato. Le regole magiche non sono chiare, e mancano elementi distintivi.
Sistema Magico:
Confuso e vago. Non è spiegato in modo coerente: poteri che appaiono senza logica, dinamiche magiche semplificate e prive di struttura interna.
Stile di Scrittura:
Semplice, ma spesso ripetitivo.
Tendenza all’infodump e all’esposizione forzata dei pensieri. Dialoghi poco naturali, ritmo altalenante.
Lunghezza e Livello di Intrattenimento:
Piuttosto breve, ma a tratti faticoso. Alcune scene risultano prevedibili, altre inutilmente prolungate.
Bassa immersività, coinvolgimento emotivo scarso.
Plot Twist:
Poco efficace e molto prevedibile. Alcune rivelazioni avvengono senza costruzione narrativa.
Spicy:
Sì, presente, abbastanza esplicito ma privo di tensione emotiva. Inserito troppo presto nella narrazione.
Mood Generale:
Forzatamente epico, ma manca profondità. Atmosfera confusa tra romance paranormale e fantasy non ben definito.
A chi lo consiglierei:
Solo a lettori alla ricerca di un romance paranormale leggero e veloce, con aspettative basse sul worldbuilding e la coerenza interna.
Trigger Warning:
• Violenza (lievemente descritta)
• Sottomissione/alpha dynamics
• Manipolazione mentale (accennata)
Voto Personale: ⭐️⭐️☆☆☆
Un'idea con potenziale, ma penalizzata da una narrazione debole, personaggi stereotipati e uno sviluppo affrettato.
• Fated mates
• Magia perduta
• Profezia
• Insta-love
• Eroina potente inconsapevole
• Alpha possessivo
Trama (in breve):
Jade scopre improvvisamente di avere poteri magici e di essere al centro di una profezia. Viene salvata da un misterioso guerriero, Kael, legato a lei da un destino che non può essere ignorato. Insieme dovranno combattere forze oscure e scoprire la verità sulle proprie origini… e sui sentimenti che li uniscono.
Personaggi:
• Jade: La classica protagonista "scoperta speciale", ma con poca caratterizzazione. Le sue decisioni sono spesso forzate dalla trama.
• Kael: L’eroe alpha misterioso, protettivo ma piatto. Dialoghi ripetitivi, poca evoluzione.
• I personaggi secondari sono dimenticabili e funzionali solo alla trama.
World Building:
Debole e poco sviluppato. Si intuisce un mondo più vasto, ma viene appena accennato. Le regole magiche non sono chiare, e mancano elementi distintivi.
Sistema Magico:
Confuso e vago. Non è spiegato in modo coerente: poteri che appaiono senza logica, dinamiche magiche semplificate e prive di struttura interna.
Stile di Scrittura:
Semplice, ma spesso ripetitivo.
Tendenza all’infodump e all’esposizione forzata dei pensieri. Dialoghi poco naturali, ritmo altalenante.
Lunghezza e Livello di Intrattenimento:
Piuttosto breve, ma a tratti faticoso. Alcune scene risultano prevedibili, altre inutilmente prolungate.
Bassa immersività, coinvolgimento emotivo scarso.
Plot Twist:
Poco efficace e molto prevedibile. Alcune rivelazioni avvengono senza costruzione narrativa.
Spicy:
Sì, presente, abbastanza esplicito ma privo di tensione emotiva. Inserito troppo presto nella narrazione.
Mood Generale:
Forzatamente epico, ma manca profondità. Atmosfera confusa tra romance paranormale e fantasy non ben definito.
A chi lo consiglierei:
Solo a lettori alla ricerca di un romance paranormale leggero e veloce, con aspettative basse sul worldbuilding e la coerenza interna.
Trigger Warning:
• Violenza (lievemente descritta)
• Sottomissione/alpha dynamics
• Manipolazione mentale (accennata)
Voto Personale: ⭐️⭐️☆☆☆
Un'idea con potenziale, ma penalizzata da una narrazione debole, personaggi stereotipati e uno sviluppo affrettato.
November 3, 2024
All in all, a little meh. Good enough for a stuff your kindle but I am not going to buy the others in the series.
Seraphine, the MFC, feels... like the writer hasn't finished her biography or something. Like parts of her character and personality are left blank. She comes over shallow, in the way there is not much depth to how she was written. The internal dailogue is always the same. Always the distrust to everyone and anyone untill suddenly she saves one of her mates and everything changes? Like the bond she sees and feels then is different while she saw it all along. And then she is willing to mate with all three. It's to sudden for me. Like I missed a couple of chapters there. Almost like the writer was like: fuck, I'm almost out of ink, I need to wrap this up.
Her three mates are the same. Also shallow. I miss chapters from their pov. Just to get some idea of what is going on inside their heads. The writer makes them to be different but because of a lack of depth, they are kind of the same.
Furthermore, the story has some plotholes I just can't get around. Like this one (a little bit of a spoiler but not to much)
She has been taken by these shifter/mates. She is filthy and at the castle, everyone complains about her smell and how dirty she is because Seraphine isn't allowed to use anything to clean. (which in itself is kinda weird because if the smell is really that bad, even a cruel master would let her bathe because it would ruin is appetite otherwise).
They feed her, bath her untill she smells great and is squeeky clean. Then she has to return to the castle. I mean, people are going to notice! But nobody says a thin. I just can't...
Furthermore, she stays there for several days while Esoti (also just as shallowly written), always makes her bring his meals up. Personally, I would miss it when the slave who brings me meals three times a day suddenly doesn't.
All in all, I changed my three stars to two when I was writing this.
A good fanfic, not as much as an actual book on my shelves.
Also, the smut isn't worth it. And that says someting.
Seraphine, the MFC, feels... like the writer hasn't finished her biography or something. Like parts of her character and personality are left blank. She comes over shallow, in the way there is not much depth to how she was written. The internal dailogue is always the same. Always the distrust to everyone and anyone untill suddenly she saves one of her mates and everything changes? Like the bond she sees and feels then is different while she saw it all along. And then she is willing to mate with all three. It's to sudden for me. Like I missed a couple of chapters there. Almost like the writer was like: fuck, I'm almost out of ink, I need to wrap this up.
Her three mates are the same. Also shallow. I miss chapters from their pov. Just to get some idea of what is going on inside their heads. The writer makes them to be different but because of a lack of depth, they are kind of the same.
Furthermore, the story has some plotholes I just can't get around. Like this one (a little bit of a spoiler but not to much)
She has been taken by these shifter/mates. She is filthy and at the castle, everyone complains about her smell and how dirty she is because Seraphine isn't allowed to use anything to clean. (which in itself is kinda weird because if the smell is really that bad, even a cruel master would let her bathe because it would ruin is appetite otherwise).
They feed her, bath her untill she smells great and is squeeky clean. Then she has to return to the castle. I mean, people are going to notice! But nobody says a thin. I just can't...
Furthermore, she stays there for several days while Esoti (also just as shallowly written), always makes her bring his meals up. Personally, I would miss it when the slave who brings me meals three times a day suddenly doesn't.
All in all, I changed my three stars to two when I was writing this.
A good fanfic, not as much as an actual book on my shelves.
Also, the smut isn't worth it. And that says someting.
May 2, 2025
This started off great. Fast paced which I kind of liked - it's a hard balance in these types of books when you're trying to world build. in some areas this book did it okay and in others it really missed. Also what was the prophecy? I missed the completely.
I enjoyed that the female lead didn't immediately fall for the men. the distrust and trauma she held was important.... but I think this is a book that would have benefites from multiple POVs given the lack of depth behind the characters.
it did start off strong though...
and then it all just falls apart in what feels like a rush job.
- What happens to the red and grey(?) wolf that he was growling at before he took the arrow? I assume that was the ex but was it?
- why do we never get the story of the ex?
- when she forgives them... there's no real lead up to it or a slow forgiveness it's just an avalanche of yes... why? what is the catalyst to the change? she doesn't even know them... that's what was missing from this... like what relationship am I buying into? it was just starting and just building and then she was accepting it? how did we get from a to c?
- the jealousy angle had such potential but it just fizzled out... this imo should have been built on to help the transition from enemies to lovers
- defeating the enemy was so anticlimactic... like what?
- the key... when did we lose that... just gone like nothing... and spoken about as an after thought...
- the actual magical elements - It has so much potential and real start or world building here but I just need a bit more follow through. again, great start but then you suddenly put a magical forcefield around, have attacks from remaining 5 and your extra witch is gone... and you don't think that's worth it's own scene? just oh... week later and this has happened...
great start, disappointing end.
I enjoyed that the female lead didn't immediately fall for the men. the distrust and trauma she held was important.... but I think this is a book that would have benefites from multiple POVs given the lack of depth behind the characters.
it did start off strong though...
and then it all just falls apart in what feels like a rush job.
- What happens to the red and grey(?) wolf that he was growling at before he took the arrow? I assume that was the ex but was it?
- why do we never get the story of the ex?
- when she forgives them... there's no real lead up to it or a slow forgiveness it's just an avalanche of yes... why? what is the catalyst to the change? she doesn't even know them... that's what was missing from this... like what relationship am I buying into? it was just starting and just building and then she was accepting it? how did we get from a to c?
- the jealousy angle had such potential but it just fizzled out... this imo should have been built on to help the transition from enemies to lovers
- defeating the enemy was so anticlimactic... like what?
- the key... when did we lose that... just gone like nothing... and spoken about as an after thought...
- the actual magical elements - It has so much potential and real start or world building here but I just need a bit more follow through. again, great start but then you suddenly put a magical forcefield around, have attacks from remaining 5 and your extra witch is gone... and you don't think that's worth it's own scene? just oh... week later and this has happened...
great start, disappointing end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2022
This was a great start to a new series! It had some nice world-building, good characters, and a nice smattering of action and suspense. As a bonus, there were some very steamy scenes between Serafine, Alerick, Jarom, and Eike which I looooved.
Unfortunately, however, I wished that we had learned more about the guys. They have distinct personalities but I didn’t learn much about their background and I would have liked to. I especially missed this with Jarom because it was clear that he had had a bad experience with love in the past, and his hurt carried over into his relationship with Serafine. As for Alerick and Eike, I didn’t learn anything at all about their background and I feel like backstories always help with making characters feel real and three-dimensional. I also didn’t like the way that they cemented the last two “matings” as I would have liked it to have its own moment rather than it being under pressure.
My other complaint is just about the final confrontation. It felt pretty quick and just a little anti-climactic. I knew that this was the first of a series and up until the last few pages, I thought that Serafine and her men were going to be the MCs of the entire series. But when it finally concluded and realized that the next book will revolve around a brand new set of characters, I definitely didn’t feel satisfied with the way things all wrapped up. I still had a lot of questions and feel that some aspects of the plot could have been explored further.
Overall, I’m glad I was able to get an ARC copy of this book for free as I still loved Serafine and her men, but I wish that there had been a little more “oomph” in the ending and a little more background on the guys. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Unfortunately, however, I wished that we had learned more about the guys. They have distinct personalities but I didn’t learn much about their background and I would have liked to. I especially missed this with Jarom because it was clear that he had had a bad experience with love in the past, and his hurt carried over into his relationship with Serafine. As for Alerick and Eike, I didn’t learn anything at all about their background and I feel like backstories always help with making characters feel real and three-dimensional. I also didn’t like the way that they cemented the last two “matings” as I would have liked it to have its own moment rather than it being under pressure.
My other complaint is just about the final confrontation. It felt pretty quick and just a little anti-climactic. I knew that this was the first of a series and up until the last few pages, I thought that Serafine and her men were going to be the MCs of the entire series. But when it finally concluded and realized that the next book will revolve around a brand new set of characters, I definitely didn’t feel satisfied with the way things all wrapped up. I still had a lot of questions and feel that some aspects of the plot could have been explored further.
Overall, I’m glad I was able to get an ARC copy of this book for free as I still loved Serafine and her men, but I wish that there had been a little more “oomph” in the ending and a little more background on the guys. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
January 27, 2024
Ok, let me start of by stating I am a harsh rater. I thoroughly enjoy the shifter universe and although this book wasn't trash it wasn't good either. I thought the story had promise, but after a while the FMC began to get on my nerves. It was like as she learned things she just conveniently forgot key parts of what she heard/saw. It was frustrating. I understand she had a super crappy life up to this point (as far as she knows), but she just seemed simple.
***POSSIBLE SPOILERS*** ***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***
When the wolves asked her to relay information she would forget key points like....when they referred to the magic inside of her and that there were MULTIPLE children with it. Like come on! Then she saw the same magic in Anise and NEVER said anything?! Seriously....I don't know it just seemed incomplete. The other issue I had was that they never truly explained why she couldn't die. Like was it because of the piece of the book she had inside of her? Because it eluded to one of the other children that was supposed to also housed a piece of the book being killed. So...like why can't she die. They kept talking about death magic, but then didn't fully explain what that meant. Was the death magic how the book was hidden in her? Was it the cause of her inability to die? Like I'm still a little fuzzy on that part.
Overall, the storyline could have been fantastic, but it needed more character building, better world building, and maybe a clearer plot. I'm not sure, but there were a lot of loose ends that I was never fully capable of grasping. It was solid 2 star read for me.
***POSSIBLE SPOILERS*** ***POSSIBLE SPOILERS***
When the wolves asked her to relay information she would forget key points like....when they referred to the magic inside of her and that there were MULTIPLE children with it. Like come on! Then she saw the same magic in Anise and NEVER said anything?! Seriously....I don't know it just seemed incomplete. The other issue I had was that they never truly explained why she couldn't die. Like was it because of the piece of the book she had inside of her? Because it eluded to one of the other children that was supposed to also housed a piece of the book being killed. So...like why can't she die. They kept talking about death magic, but then didn't fully explain what that meant. Was the death magic how the book was hidden in her? Was it the cause of her inability to die? Like I'm still a little fuzzy on that part.
Overall, the storyline could have been fantastic, but it needed more character building, better world building, and maybe a clearer plot. I'm not sure, but there were a lot of loose ends that I was never fully capable of grasping. It was solid 2 star read for me.
June 24, 2025
Spoilers in review:
I love PNR and this one had a different take on it that I have not read before!
Serefine, a slave to one of the six, has not known anything in her life except the abuse of her master. She is cursed and is unable to actually die, as Esoti, her immortal owner has proven over and over again.
She has had her memory wiped, by magic, so has no memory of her parents or where she came from.
Not sure what era this book is written but is definitely Historical, as Serefine sleeps with the horses to keep warm, having not been given a room or bed since she was taken prisoner. She wears a magical band around her neck and when Esoti so desires, he causes her to choke on it, occasionally dying, sometimes not!
Whilst running from 3 would be rapists, she runs and hides on forbidden Werewolf lands. She is found by a werewolf, The Alpha's 2nd, Jarom, who immediately identifies her as his mate!
Taking her to his Alpha, she finds that he too responds that she is his mate also. His other second, Eike, also states she is his fated mate!! Three drop dead gorgeous men, wanting her, a slave girl from Esoti's castle?
This starts the story of Serafine trying to reject the bonds from her three werewolf mates, whilst also trying to escape the clutches of Esoti.
She fights for her freedom, not realising that the bonds of her three mates are the key to her freedom.
Jarom thinks she is a spy and tries hard to reject his bond with her also.
Can she escape the clutches of her captor and release the ancient magic in her that everyone seems to desire. Once she decides she needs to bond with her mates, releasing her magic she is able to overcome Esoti once and for all!
I love PNR and this one had a different take on it that I have not read before!
Serefine, a slave to one of the six, has not known anything in her life except the abuse of her master. She is cursed and is unable to actually die, as Esoti, her immortal owner has proven over and over again.
She has had her memory wiped, by magic, so has no memory of her parents or where she came from.
Not sure what era this book is written but is definitely Historical, as Serefine sleeps with the horses to keep warm, having not been given a room or bed since she was taken prisoner. She wears a magical band around her neck and when Esoti so desires, he causes her to choke on it, occasionally dying, sometimes not!
Whilst running from 3 would be rapists, she runs and hides on forbidden Werewolf lands. She is found by a werewolf, The Alpha's 2nd, Jarom, who immediately identifies her as his mate!
Taking her to his Alpha, she finds that he too responds that she is his mate also. His other second, Eike, also states she is his fated mate!! Three drop dead gorgeous men, wanting her, a slave girl from Esoti's castle?
This starts the story of Serafine trying to reject the bonds from her three werewolf mates, whilst also trying to escape the clutches of Esoti.
She fights for her freedom, not realising that the bonds of her three mates are the key to her freedom.
Jarom thinks she is a spy and tries hard to reject his bond with her also.
Can she escape the clutches of her captor and release the ancient magic in her that everyone seems to desire. Once she decides she needs to bond with her mates, releasing her magic she is able to overcome Esoti once and for all!
November 10, 2025
Truly beautifully written. I was genuinely surprised by the eloquence and enjoyed the story and character development.
Her reluctance towards the men was understandable but gradually became exasperating.
I mean, I get it, but goodness gracious.
She’s repeatedly admiring them and fervently rejecting them in the same long winded breath.
I have too much anxiety to have enjoyed her extended visits with the guys, knowing the extreme repercussions if she’s caught.
A few times, I’d think she was wisely about to return to her master’s castle, but then she’d allow them to take her to do something else in this forbidden land and I would have to put the book down to take deep breaths.
It got to a point where I actually went outside and touched grass.
But when I returned, she was still spending the longest day and night in the land she’s forbidden from.
I’m partial to rebellion, but just didn’t enjoy anything she chose to risk herself for.
There are many editing errors of repeated sentences back to back in Ch. 26, 27 & 32.
Even mix ups in the color coding of their soul lights, which is a sentence I never thought I’d write.
But it really is beautiful.
The middle chunk left a huge dent in my sanity and patience, and as soon as something we’ve been waiting for finally happens, they decide it’s orgy time instead of delving into the development.
But while I didn’t love the ending, it really was altogether well written.
I get the reason for all the loose threads intending to lead us into the next interconnected story, but it left this one without enough of its own resolutions.
Her reluctance towards the men was understandable but gradually became exasperating.
I mean, I get it, but goodness gracious.
She’s repeatedly admiring them and fervently rejecting them in the same long winded breath.
I have too much anxiety to have enjoyed her extended visits with the guys, knowing the extreme repercussions if she’s caught.
A few times, I’d think she was wisely about to return to her master’s castle, but then she’d allow them to take her to do something else in this forbidden land and I would have to put the book down to take deep breaths.
It got to a point where I actually went outside and touched grass.
But when I returned, she was still spending the longest day and night in the land she’s forbidden from.
I’m partial to rebellion, but just didn’t enjoy anything she chose to risk herself for.
There are many editing errors of repeated sentences back to back in Ch. 26, 27 & 32.
Even mix ups in the color coding of their soul lights, which is a sentence I never thought I’d write.
But it really is beautiful.
The middle chunk left a huge dent in my sanity and patience, and as soon as something we’ve been waiting for finally happens, they decide it’s orgy time instead of delving into the development.
But while I didn’t love the ending, it really was altogether well written.
I get the reason for all the loose threads intending to lead us into the next interconnected story, but it left this one without enough of its own resolutions.
January 3, 2024
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I knew when I started reading that it was part of a series, but didn't realize that each book kind of goes off to a new group. So book 1 was the story for Seraphine, Alerick, Eike, and Jarom. The world building was good, enjoyed getting to know the characters and it was slow burn until the end.
But because I didn't realize until near the end that this was the story for this group of characters, I then wished there was more character background, especially for the three MMCs. For example, were they around during the war? Are they that old? Are they actually brothers? Or brothers in a long-time-as-friends and leaders-of-the-pack kind of thing?
Also, I liked the MFC, but she spent most of the book resisting the MMCs as her mates and promising she was going to leave and then abruptly towards the end just loves them and accepts them. I understand why she would have initially rejected them and wanted her freedom considering the abuse she experienced. But again, I suppose in my mind I thought this story would carry-on into the second book and they would grow and develop, not realizing that this is just their book before it goes to others. So now having known that, the abruptness was a little annoying.
I presume all these groups will eventually come together towards the end to fight of The Six. I'll probably check them out to at least see what the end entails but I'm not in any hurry to do so.
But because I didn't realize until near the end that this was the story for this group of characters, I then wished there was more character background, especially for the three MMCs. For example, were they around during the war? Are they that old? Are they actually brothers? Or brothers in a long-time-as-friends and leaders-of-the-pack kind of thing?
Also, I liked the MFC, but she spent most of the book resisting the MMCs as her mates and promising she was going to leave and then abruptly towards the end just loves them and accepts them. I understand why she would have initially rejected them and wanted her freedom considering the abuse she experienced. But again, I suppose in my mind I thought this story would carry-on into the second book and they would grow and develop, not realizing that this is just their book before it goes to others. So now having known that, the abruptness was a little annoying.
I presume all these groups will eventually come together towards the end to fight of The Six. I'll probably check them out to at least see what the end entails but I'm not in any hurry to do so.
June 26, 2022
Very good
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you're looking for a good PNR RH with shifters and magic, this book will definitely entertain you.
We follow the story of Serafine, a immortal human who has been enslaved and tortured since her childhood by Esotis, a powerful lord who rules the world with five other people, calling themselves The Six.
But when Esotis sent one night Serafine to retrieve for him a new magic wand, Serafine had to change her path and go through the wolves territory. She's caught by Jarom, one of the Seconds of the local pack. But as Jarom accused Serafine of being a spy, he, the other Second, and their Alpha realised that she's their mate. But Serafine rejected this idea, just dreaming to be free one time in her life...
This story is definitely well written and contains all the ingredients of a good RH. The worldbuilding is interesting and I really would like to know more about Serafine past now!
Serafine is a broken FMC that I really like and the guys are hot🔥🔥🔥😏, domimant, and protective well except Jarom, the assh*le of the group but we know how it would end for him😏😏
Another good point is that unlike many other books, this one doesn't end on a cliffhanger and it's quite refreshing!
This serie has a great potential and I will read it eagerly!
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you're looking for a good PNR RH with shifters and magic, this book will definitely entertain you.
We follow the story of Serafine, a immortal human who has been enslaved and tortured since her childhood by Esotis, a powerful lord who rules the world with five other people, calling themselves The Six.
But when Esotis sent one night Serafine to retrieve for him a new magic wand, Serafine had to change her path and go through the wolves territory. She's caught by Jarom, one of the Seconds of the local pack. But as Jarom accused Serafine of being a spy, he, the other Second, and their Alpha realised that she's their mate. But Serafine rejected this idea, just dreaming to be free one time in her life...
This story is definitely well written and contains all the ingredients of a good RH. The worldbuilding is interesting and I really would like to know more about Serafine past now!
Serafine is a broken FMC that I really like and the guys are hot🔥🔥🔥😏, domimant, and protective well except Jarom, the assh*le of the group but we know how it would end for him😏😏
Another good point is that unlike many other books, this one doesn't end on a cliffhanger and it's quite refreshing!
This serie has a great potential and I will read it eagerly!
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