The Warrior Priestess

The Warrior Midwife #2

by E.P. Bali

An enemies to lovers fae fantasy

Concubine. Wife. Priestess.

Captured by a demon king, Drake, with his memories returned and Saraya, must now come to terms with a surprising truth:
That Drake is not only Saraya's true mate, but is also the son of a monstrous deity who bound his powers at the age of thirteen. But now the demon king wants Drake's true powers to be unbound for his own nefarious purposes.
Forced to marry one another, Drake and Saraya must now gain the trust of the Court of the Demon King in order to escape.
But there are even bigger forces at play here.
Will Saraya give into her desire to be Drake's fated mate? Or will she do the unthinkable?

Join Saraya and Drake the seductive adventure in Book 2 of the Warrior Midwife Trilogy

Please note that due to the mature themes in this novel, it is best suited to audiences aged 18 and over.

Genres: Fantasy, Fae, Romance, Fantasy Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Romantasy, Magic

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2022

Reviews

[❁ lilyreadsromance ❁ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuing after the last book cliffhanger, the MCs are now thrown into a new realm where they basically need to band together despite what happened last time. Which is vague I know but I can't help it.

For me, although this one actually have more interesting things happened compared to the first book, it didn't exactly grab my attention enough. In fact, I couldn't fully believe in these two people's attraction toward each other. Their chemistry and love were just okay for me. Her sudden ascension towards a priestess was also sorta cheesy 😬 and perhaps unnecessary in my opinion.

All in all, I think it is an okay series with a kinda unique plot. Our heroine is a skilled midwife and could also manipulate someone's body responses. So, that's pretty different already.

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t know if I have it in me to read the third book. I greatly prefer power to come from love and working together rather than rejection and loss.

I don’t feel intrigued, I just feel annoyed.

Also, this world is so mysogonistic that the evil queen doesn’t get to be in control. She’s a minion for a shadow king. Why!?

Sigh.

This book got way too complicated, needed editing, and has some elements that made me not enjoy it so much.

[Madeline Goldsworthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an epic middle instalment in this trilogy, so much action and adventure and heartfelt relationships between characters. I enjoyed seeing more of Opal and seeing Drake’s steed was really cool. I enjoyed seeing the development of Saraya’s and Drake’s relationship and the world building is top notch. Once again, the book ends in a way the makes you want to dive into the final instalment.

[Oh dear · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do enjoy the plot and world of this series but the main love interest has suddenly gone from being a rival in the last book to being weirdly obsessed and calling her his ‘mate’.

[Lorianne · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a drastic drop from the first book to the second - I literally rated the first one 5 stars because I was hilariously entertained the whole time and had never read a book about a magical midwife and I adored the whole disguising as a man to go to fighting school plot. I was wishing there was more of everything in that book.

The second one went in such a weird direction and drake became so weird and had like the opposite of character growth.. all his personality was zapped away in this book?? It was so disappointing cause I love a sassy dark character who loves a good fight. He just turned into a brainless “all I want is my mate and to kill beep boop” and it was so annoying to read.

ALSO the entire plot of being in the demon court with all the slaves was awful. It was SUCH a drastic change from the first book which was decently wholesome to like really dark and misogynistic and NOT what I was hoping to read??? I was really really hoping we could enjoy more midwifery plot lines without the abused slaves, ya know.

Last thing I hated (but actually there’s probably more but these are the main ones) I DESPISE when there are fated mates or something and then one of them has to “reject” or leave the other one to “win”. Like how about we work together with our super sick powers rather than have to win through suffering???? It makes me SO MAD. Ugh.

I feel like every review I write ends like this, but I’m extra sad about this one because I LOVEDDD the first book. It could have been so much better. Unfortunately for me, I have to see how it ends so I’m off to skim through book 3 🤪 hopefully it’s better than this one lololol

[Lexi · Rating 3 out of 5]

By no means as good as the first one tbh but it was still pretty good. The sex scenes were kinda mid so it took away a bit from the story also the ending seemed kind of unnecessary. I may read the third at some point but I think I need a break first before I start it rip.
🫡

[fortheloveofbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like I liked it a lot but that ending hurt me so much. If what I think has happened has actually happened I’ll be realllllll sad and idk how I’ll be able to cope 🙃😭😭😭

[Kimbot the Destroyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rounded up to a 3*
I can't not finish the series but I think all the neat ideas got used up in the first book.

If you were just pushing through for the spice, go on ahead and dnf. Drake is a terrible lay.

There is ZERO romance. You don't get to see them fall in love. This book gives me situationship vibes in the spot where the butterflies should be.

[Mackenzie (mackenziespocket) · Rating 2 out of 5]

nope

REP: mixed race main character (fantasy races), nonbinary side character

[Ella · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars

[Kiki Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

POV: Multiple.
Genre: Fantasy.
Tropes: Fated Mates, Forced Marriage, One Bed, Enemies to Lovers, Cliffhanger.
Format: E-ARC

"I am a princess born and bred. Nobility is in the blood, no matter what titles one may or may not have."

Kicking off right as The Warrior Midwife ends, we follow Saraya and Drake through their trials and tribulations. As a second book, there was still no slowing down. It kept a wonderful pace and took me on an emotional journey. I laughed and cried and screamed. This one did move into a more mature audience, but everything has been crafted so intricately to fall into place in a meaningful and purposeful way. I am so excited (and a little sad) for book three to get here.

If you love strong female leads and dark and mysterious Fae, this one is for you. I also recommend for fans of ACOTAR and anyone who wishes to take a step into the fantasy genre.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so disappointed in this book. The first one was really well done and the ending really had me hooked and dying to read the next one and everything was going great in this one until the author went the whole faded mates way and while the two people had known each other and were enemies in the first book there was no real natural progression and development romantically for them it was as if the author just used the whole faded mates thing and the fact that they were mildly attracted to each other before to move things along faster which really sucked because the actual plot itself was and still is interesting but I just couldn't stay invested when The faded mates things kept taking me out of the story and annoying me. So for all of that sadly it's two stars even though other aspects of the plot we're still really interesting I just couldn't focus.

[Nim_reads_a_lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sept 2025 -Second read of this book. This author wants the reader and her characters to SUFFER before she lets them have their HEA. This story took Soraya and Drake to literal hell and back again. Lots of triggers and trauma. I love this series.

[vanessa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book disgusted me. The overall story plot of Drake and Saraya (main characters) was forgettable because I couldn’t get over the disgust in reading the amount of sex slaves, breeding slaves, slave assaults etc was used to depict this demon world. I loved the first book but wtf was this book. The fact that Lysander had escaped that world and had to endure it all over again was so disturbing. There is a scene in the book where the slaves are performing sexual favors to their captors in a “party” so the female lead refrains from looking at a certain area because she knew Lysander was located there and she said Lysander “knew how to play the game” what?! It’s like she was excusing Lysander being sexually abused to survive. There comes a point where I have to question why the author thought it was okay to write this into a story.

[Ilona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the trilogy and I honestly did not expect it to go this way! It surprised me but it was still really good! I really like the characters and it was nice to see Saraya learn more about her powers. It was also nice to learn more about Drake and how he grew up, why he is who he is..
A lot of crazy things happened in this book.
And that ending 🤯 I'm reaaaally glad I can immediately start reading the next book! Because I need some answers!!

[Shylah Wilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fae Battle and a Reaper Returned

This book wasn’t as fun to read as the first. The plot seemed odd to me and I ended up putting it down for a while before finishing. The story has potential, so I’m hoping things get less confusing. I do enjoy Saraya as a character, but there seems to be oddities I cannot get over in this book.

[Miranda Markham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved how this book just continues on from the first. I had a feeling there was something going on with Drake and I’m so happy with how it all went. I couldn’t wait to read this second book and now I can’t wait to read the next. The story just keeps getting better and better. I really hope Drake and Saraya end up back together.

[Donia · Rating 5 out of 5]

C’est ouuuufffff

[Aei · Rating 4 out of 5]

That birthing ritual scene with the fears and ancestors?! What is E. P. Bali tapped into?! I’m loving the evolution of Saraya’s power.

[Ronja · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This book was a normal NA fantasy. It was more predictable than the first one. It was very lovey dovey with the mate stuff (which I personally do not really like). But the ending was badass and I liked it. Will read the third one.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is really good. I love mates workout insta love. It did drag for me a bit and I’m having trouble with all the characters. I’m not sure what is making things drag for me but I still love the overall story.

[bubbabooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the second installment in this trilogy. I loved finally seeing the romance, and the big bad is finally known. I look forward to reading the last book in this series, and I hope for a happy ending with Drake and Saraya.

[Chey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Drake has his memories back, but now knows he's the son of a deity who bound his powers when he was younger, and now wants to unbind them. He is forced to marry Saraya, and together they'll need to work on trusting each other to overcome the challenges heading their way.

Jumping straight back into the story, I liked that the book picked right up after The Warrior Midwife, and puts us back in the action. Drake and Saraya may have come together in a slightly unconventional way, but they suite each other well, and together create a great story.

I'm still missing the romance aspect in this series. Book one had no spice and the romance wasn't really there, and this book is pretty close to being the same. There was a little more romantic elements in this one, but it was still sorely lacking in it. I couldn't believe that Saraya and Drake were truly a couple, not because of the lack of steam between them, but the lack of romantic themes in their story.

[bibliophile · Rating 1 out of 5]

CW: Rape on & off page, pedophilia, sex traffic, death in childbirth, monster sex, enslavement.

The tone shift from book 1 to 2 was drastic & miserable. Book 1 read like a cozy fantasy mystery with a couple high stake scenes. I stuck through it longer than I should have, trying to view the lens of midwifery seeing she sexual violence & healing through it but I couldn’t stomach it. The FMC kept being promoted to another level of a archaic sect with literally her being the only member & not doing anything to save anyone by 60% - you are weak & useless & I’m tired of waiting for the whining to stop & for some type of pay off/change/improvement.

Also again an EDITOR(S) would really help with contradicting story lines.

The FMC saying she missed & wished her sister was with her while she was enslaved watching her friends being raped & used. Her then also saying she was glad to see her friends in the demon realm… who were also being raped, enslaved, forced to murder. WTF?!

[Laura Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second instalment in Saraya's journey and it is every bit as good as book 1! It starts immediately where the first book finished. Saraya and drake are in trouble and need to find their way out before disaster strikes. This book is full of magic and action, and of course still the most adorable animal companion ever!
This book is heavier than book 1 but still has moments to make you laugh.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the warrior priestess and can't wait for book 3, the ending was such a cliffhanger you will want to read the next one immediately!

[i · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY MUST IT END ON A CLIFFHANGER?! Need the next one ASAP!! Thank you for an ARC <3

We follow Saraya and Drake on a journey down under… and I don’t mean Australia. They go through trials as friends and as maybe a little bit more. There are some 18+ scenes within so be warned it gets spicy ;) I loved the drama, romance, action, EVERYTHING.

Thank you again!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic sequel! It picks up right where the warrior midwife finishes and oh my goodness what a gripping story!

There is great character development from the first book, and some great new characters introduced. The inter world politics are revealed as the true evil of the series is identified. Thank you for the ARC and cannot wait for the next book!

[Taz Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't recommend this enough!!
I've been transfixed on the last 100 pages of this book tonight and I just couldn't stop, tears have been falling freely and the heart ache is really!
The story has so many plots and twists and turns it keeps you on your toes and the enemies to lovers is the best!!
I'm dying for the next one to come out!

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted this to be more than 3 stars. The first book was fantastic but the writing in this one just threw me off. Happy I finished it but I’m hesitant to read the third.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Review**

I wanted to enjoy this as much as The Warrior Midwife, but this one felt noticeably weaker for me.

There is technically more happening here with demons, forced marriage, hidden powers, court politics, a new priestess role, and a larger threat but somehow I felt less invested. The story became more complicated without necessarily becoming more compelling.

Saraya and Drake’s relationship also did not work as well for me in this book. I liked their tension in the first one, but once the fated-mate element became more prominent, some of the chemistry started feeling forced rather than naturally developed. Their relationship became very intense very quickly, and I occasionally felt like the mate bond was doing more work than the actual romance.

Saraya becoming High Priestess was interesting in theory, especially because it expanded her abilities and connected her more deeply to Umali, but parts of that storyline felt rushed. She gains a lot of power and responsibility in a relatively short amount of time.

I did enjoy the demon realm and learning more about Drake’s history. The reveal surrounding his father, his sealed powers, and what he might become added a darker element to his character that I found much more interesting than the romance.

The ending was also strong enough to keep me interested in the final book. The larger threat involving the Green Reaper, Saraya’s decision regarding Drake, and everything surrounding his transformation definitely raised the stakes.

Overall, this was not bad, but it felt less focused and more predictable than the first book. I still like the world and characters enough to continue, but I wanted more from this installment.

3/5. An interesting continuation, but The Warrior Midwife was much stronger for me.

PLOT/SPOILERS

- The story begins immediately after Quartz City falls to the demons, with Saraya, Drake, and several others captured.
- Saraya learns that her stepmother Glacine is actually connected to the demons and helped orchestrate the attack on Quartz City and the death of Saraya’s father.
- Saraya and Drake are taken into the demon realm and brought before King Havrok.
- It is revealed that Drake is not only Saraya’s true mate but also the son of a powerful monstrous deity.
- Drake’s dangerous powers were magically sealed when he was thirteen because of how destructive he could become.
- Havrok wants those powers unbound and intends to use Drake for his own purposes.
- Saraya and Drake are forced to marry, fulfilling the blood contract made by their fathers.
- They pretend to cooperate with Havrok while secretly looking for a way to escape and protect their allies.
- Their forced proximity pushes Saraya and Drake closer together, and Saraya begins accepting that their mate bond may be real.
- Havrok sends them on a mission to assassinate King Osring of Kaalon.
- Saraya and Drake discover Kaalon is protected by an illusion and its people are still alive, so they fake the assassination rather than obey Havrok.
- They begin secretly building alliances and planning a rebellion against the demons.
- Saraya travels spiritually to Umali and is officially anointed as her High Priestess.
- Her powers expand, giving her stronger healing abilities as well as control over lightning.
- Saraya learns that she is meant to rebuild the warrior midwives and play a much larger role in the coming conflict.
- Saraya and Drake help free several of their captured allies, including Jerali and Blythe.
- They learn that Havrok is not the only major threat and that an ancient Fae known as the Green Reaper is consuming entire realms.
- The Green Reaper becomes the larger enemy, forcing the human and Fae kingdoms to consider working together.
- Saraya discovers that Drake’s sealed monstrous power may be one of the only weapons strong enough to stop the Green Reaper.
- The problem is that fully releasing Drake’s power could destroy the person he currently is.
- Saraya is ultimately forced to make a devastating decision involving their mate bond in order to unleash Drake’s full strength.
- She rejects/severs their bond, causing Drake to fall into the abyss and begin transforming into something far more dangerous.
- Saraya survives and becomes Queen Apparent following her father’s death.
- She leaves with her remaining allies for the Sky Court, hoping to gather support and eventually reclaim Quartz City.
- The book ends with Drake’s fate uncertain, Saraya separated from him, and the threat of the Green Reaper continuing to grow.