I was born in blood and pain. I should have been thrown to the wolves with my mother’s body, my soul destined to roam the woods with my sisters. But fate laid its cold hand on me as I entered this world, wrapping its icy fingers around mine and leading me towards a life I could so easily have never seen.
CC Davie does it again… I am a mess after Lyrik’s story but in the best way. I knew this wasn’t going to be a HEA because this is the story of how Lyrik became as bad ass as she is & I knew that it was all because of ✨Trauma✨ But while this story is heartbreaking it was necessary. It just makes you FEEL ALL THE FEELINGS As always I felt safe with the author handling these sensitive topics & even though I could see certain things coming - like a slow moving car crash - wow did she blindside me with others…
I also just need to say CC Davie is a master at writing action scenes. I don’t think Ive read another author that makes me feel like I’m in the action like she does. She is at her BEST when she is writing strong AF women taking no prisoners & I LOVE IT! She melds emotional impact with loveable strong characters & action so well - can you tell I’m obsessed?
I thank the author for writing Lyrik's story and for ARC.
The author did her magic again and gave us novella that shook to my core. I knew that Lyrik's past would hurt more than anything and it did. I loved her in previous books because she's super badass, fierce, loyal, I-don't-give-two-fucks-attitude, a fearsome female to be ever known. She's a force to be reckoned with!
So, the author took us to her past that broke her thoroughly (emotionally & physically). Lyrik was a rare female to ever born in Drayvn bloodline (a very powerful, deadly bloodline) and her sire placed her in a secluded place with the Sylvyns to raise her until she comes of a age to breed male children. But they left the place with Lyrik when she was fifteen but her sire tracked them and killed her parents in front of Lyrik and she was taken back to her sire where she was brutally trained by Darius until of age.
Lyrik wanted nothing more than to avenge her parents so, she trained and trained until she couldn't stand straight. When the time comes to attack, she killed her sire and her older brothers until she's the only Heir of Vasilica stands. That is, she was betrayed by the ones she trusted with her whole life. Lyrik somehow managed to escape the prison and travelled as far away from that place.
Getting to know how Lyrik become from young and naive to hard hearted person was soo heart breaking and unbelievable. It's difficult for her to trust a person again because she didn't want her past to repeat. They broke and put her together to do it again and again! I was never prepared for this book to hit hard and my emotions are completely shattered. And I couldn't stop thinking about everything that happened. But I'm glad to see her as strong willed women again.
I can't wait to see how she gonna destroy the person who wronged her in thef final book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Non-spoiler review - I received this Beta from CC and honestly, I was blown away by this amazing novella. I found the pacing, plot, characters, and history/world-building all really well done! Lyrik is one of my favourite characters in the Heliacle Chronicles series and I loved getting to see her back story and understand how she was shaped into the woman she is now.
When this comes out - run, don’t walk to get this book, and read it!
Spice 0.5/5 (this book isn’t really about the spice - there are relationships but for a lot of this Lyrik is a child) Plot 5/5 Pace 5/5 Character Personality 5/5 Character Growth 5/5 Writing Style 5/5 World Building 5/5 if you have read the previous 2 books in this series otherwise it is more 3/5
Lyric was by far the most interesting character in the first books, so getting a full book on her is exactly what was needed. Her story really fills out the world as well, and explains so much about her and her interactions with others. I'm eager for the next, which I assume will pick up where the last book left off.
This is my formal complaint for C.C. Davie after reading The Heir of Vasilica:
Firstly, WTF, my heart is on the floor.
Secondly, I’ll never forgive you for making me wait until December for the next book.
Thirdly, I was halfway in love with Darius and I allowed myself to be naive for a single moment and he LOCKED HER UP? He plotted AGAINST HER? He BROKE HER HEART? I am amassing an army and riding at dawn.
In all seriousness, I loved Lyrik’s story, regardless of how heartbreaking it was. She is an absolute boss and I am very excited for her to rip out that stupid man’s throat.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Oh my gosh was this novella incredible! I love how we finally get to see why Lyrik is the way she is! She never had an easy life, but she overcame all of her struggles, even when she had a set back, and persevered into the badass that we all love in the first two books of the Wytchling Chronicles!! This is a must read!
This novella is phenomenal. It’s everything you want in a fantasy book while also absolutely gut wrenching. It is Lyric’s backstory and you know going into it that there will be trauma and pain but you’re not prepared for the brutality of her past and her amazing self resolve and kindness in the midst of it, as well as fully developed characters and world building in such a short space. Read the first two books in this series so you can read this one! It is that good.
I did not think I was going to like this book after reading the Heliacle books first as I hate back tracking stories but I absolutely loved this book and the greater understanding it gave you about Lyrik !! I would almost say it was my favourite from the three ! And now my heart breaks even more for this character especially with how the last book ended 😢 I need A song of chaos now ! My heart needs to be mended !
5⭐️ I MAY NEVER RECOVER FROM THIS BOOK. When I have picked up the broken pieces of my shattered heart I will return and try to write a coherent review. In short: The Wytchling Chronicles continues to be one of my ALL TIME favourite series. And Lyrik is utterly stitched into my soul.❤️🔥 BRING ON THE NEXT BOOK 😭😭😭
This is the best book I have ever read. It is absolutely useless as a standalone, though -we need all the backstory and forestory for it to hit as hard as this. Seriously though, partway through this book, after reading all the previous ones... is the greatest literary climax I have ever absorbed and I sucked it in like I had been drowning. It just fucking blew my mind and then broke my heart. Fuck me. I would be literally WEEPING if I didn't already know Lyrik survives (not a spoiler -this is her backstory). Be aware she goes through some seriously traumatic shit, and if this doesn't tear at your emotions, then you should get a psych eval. You will not get a HEA, but you will get after-care. .. More on the whole series so far: I LIVE for the fact that Davies' characters are real and diverse and can demonstrate a RANGE of emotions but still stay true to their inner character, which is unique from all the other characters, who are not just one-dimensional... GODS, she's written everyone in the whole collection with such DEPTH. So many authors write variations on Mary sues and they can be fun, but C.C.Davies' characters get VULNERABLE and they fuck up and they suffer losses and they're so fucking REAL. The way Davies writes, a reader can identify with and attach to any character and self-insert, but even when the character makes mistakes they're relatable and when they suffer great losses you're moved by their grief as if it's your own, and when they reach amazing heights you feel like you could try to be like them, and when they struggle and fall and are reborn you feel like these God-like achievements that they make in life are through sweat and tears and effort and that no matter what you yourself have been through, you can recover because they have. This series is therapy.
Star Score - 100/5 ⭐ (I wish I could give this more stars)
Spice Score - 0/5 🌶 (This book DOES NOT need spice!)
What to expect/tropes: 🗡✨TRAUMA! ✨ 🗡Big Feelings 🗡Strong FMC 🗡Queer Rep 🗡Fantasy
Things I loved about this book: The way this book made me actually feel big feelings and had me stopping and gasping at what I was reading.
Overall Review: OH MY GOD! The way that this book spoke to me on an emotional soul feels level is outstanding. Heart wrenching and deeply moving.
This novella is Lyriks backstory before the events of Heliacle Rising. Lyrik is a bad ass, take no shit, strong and fiery character that you will fall head over heals in love with.
C.C Davies gifts you with her incredible story that will take your breath away. You will feel so deeply for what Lyrik experiences and by the end, know her so intensely. This backstory is the novella you wish for all of your favourite side characters.
The way that C.C so carefully and sensitively takes you through the events, I have always felt safe with this author. Get your tissues and get your knives ready because you will be ready to slayyyy when you read about what she goes through.
The side characters are *Chefs kiss
The plot is on point! Its clear, its heart wrenching, its relatable. The action scenes are sooooo good. World building, Character Growth and Writing Style is 5 Stars!
Lyrik Damaris was born in blood and pain, destined for a life filled with hardship. Fate, however, had other plans, leading her toward a life she should never have had. In this novella, Lyrik tells her story, one of trauma, heartbreak, and a resilience that forces her to confront her darkest fears
This entire book was filled with heartbreak. I was absolutely devastated for Lyrik the entire time. The whole book felt like one giant trauma after another, and it truly helped me understand her character on a deeper level. The ending was unexpected and left me feeling incredibly heartbroken for her. I honestly can't imagine how she felt, and I applaud C.C. Davie for her ability to leave readers emotionally wrecked. The writing was so raw and genuine that I felt every emotion Lyrik experienced
The artwork at the beginning of each chapter was a beautiful touch that added a lot to the atmosphere of the story. It was stunning and enhanced the reading experience, making it even more immersive
The previous book was also heart-wrenching for Lyrik, and this novella just built on that emotional intensity. I feel completely devastated for her, but I also cannot wait to read the final book in the series, even though I know my heart will be torn apart by these characters one last time. Lyrik is such an important character, and the way she makes decisions is so specific and meaningful, adding to her complexity and depth
This book broke my heart in a way that has me rating it 6 stars. (What that says about me idk but it shows the extreme talent that is C.C)
"My name is Lyrik Damaris. And this is my story"
Lyrik is one of my favourite characters of the series - sassy, badass, fierce and incredibly strong. Reading about her life from childhood was utterly heartbreaking but gives a real insight into why she is who she is- slow to trust and quick to bite, I don't blame her at all. The trauma she has faced only makes me admire her strength even more, I am both in awe of her perseverance and shattered by the reality that is her past. This book gives you a deeper understanding of Lyrik and makes me love her so much more, the unsummontable pain she's overcome to find her place in the world is almost unbelievable.
The emotional turmoil C.C managed to carve into this book was amazing, I couldn't put it down but was simultaneously weeping into my food while cooking.
I didn't see any of the twists and utter betrayal coming which is a true credit to C.C and made them that much more devastating.
Thinking back to the ending of book 2 after reading this makes me TERRIFIED for book 4. BUT I CAN'T WAIT.
I'm getting feelings just thinking about writing a review for this book. I adored Lyrik from the moment I got to know her in B1 and B2 - you know this 5ft-nothing absolute badass of a woman has been through ✨hell✨ to get to where she is and to carve out the life and love that she has, so there was no question I needed to devour her back story. This book has some deep, dark themes that are expertly handled by CC while simultaneously balanced with the vulnerability, essence and soul of the characters and world - it had me loving and despising characters, it had me in tears, it had my jaw literally dropped and it had me fist pumping and cheering in my room at 2am. This book is a definite must-read if you liked B1 and B2, it adds even further immersion and understanding into the characters and world in a way that only deepens the overall experience of this series. Bring on Lyriks retribution arc. 🔥
I feel so hurt by this book. I was pre-warned going into it that it would be a bit tough to read if you love Lyrik, which I DO. SHES MY FAVOURITE.
But… there was so much emotion in this book. Learning Lyrik’s backstory, right from a child was really sad. There are mountains of reasons why she’s the sass queen with trust issues, and not for a single moment can I blame her.
Knowing how much progress she has made from her upbringing to where we are in the time line now, she’s the strongest most courageous person. The ending of The Shadow of Wings makes SO MUCH MORE SENSE NOW. And it hurts. It truly truly hurts.
In saying that, it’s apparent that Lyrik has just been a badass right from the get go. She’s got trauma, spice and everything nice all packed into a 5 foot frame 😂
If you’re looking for an amazing, sapphic, fantasy read written by a New Zealand author, then I thoroughly suggest you pick up Heliacle Rising!
C.C Davie is going to be billed for my therapy, she’s forced me into picking up cosy fantasy read to mend my broken heart 🤗🫠
Lyrik,my Girl💔 why is it,that it's always the best that have to suffer the most?! The hurt,the betrayal...Yeah,this "little Novella" had me in tears, all right.i'm so angry and furious on her behalf..I'm actually vibrating with frustration.
Speaking of frustrating things...
Where is "A Song of Chaos"???? I need it.i need my Girl to get at least some kind of HEA.
(I really hope for her to meet Darius on the big Battlefield and for her to serve some more Justice there)💀💀💀 There's no redemption or forgiveness for him.not on my watch.nuh-uh!
my poor heart 😭 Ok, I read the dedication, chuckled about the trauma, and then completely forgot it as I read through this book. I jinxed myself saying "oh wow, I'm holding up so much better in this book, I didn't even cry!" as I was nearing the last bit of this book, then I was absolutely SMACKED in the face and shattered 💔 So very well written, didn't see any of that coming. So excited (and scared) to finish this series!
Love lyrik so much and so glad we got her back story. I hate that she’s always had it so rough. Really hoping we get a HEA for her, and not death….love the authors writing style! Keeps me very interested in the story. Binged all 3 books in a day and a half and waiting patiently for December now
Wow. The intricate backstory of a character we once knew so little about, deliberately obscured by her own design, is truly captivating. The heartrending twist of betrayal towards the end amplifies the profound sense of devastation we feel for her, especially when she confronts those enemeies once more.
The heart is the strongest organ inside of our bodies. It can break but can also heal. It can shift and change how we see and feel. It feeds our emotions and nurtures our soul. It can help us heal and gives us the purpose to live a life that we can be worthy of.. that we are worthy of.
This is the last book I could find in the Wytchling Chronicles, unfortunately it doesn’t answer any questions from book 1 or 2. It has one character from the first two books and her story. It feels like it should be part of a different world or a stand alone. Good book, but very disappointed author didn’t finish the series.
I love that this book gave you more of Lyrik and her background so that the next book you have a better idea of her past. I was feeling it all for Lyrik, I was upset for her but she is fierce, strong, and smart. Definitely one of the best FMC I've read in a while.
This was heartbreaking. I liked Lyric in the first 2 books but dang knowing her heart, history and betrayal I fell in love with her character even more. But there must be some kind of retribution or vengeance story after this… this cant be the end right?