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The Blackchurch Guild: The Shadow Knights #1
The Leviathan
Welcome to Book One in the exciting and diverse new series, The Blackchurch The Shadow Knights.
The greatest trainer of all is a man they call The Leviathan…
Enormous, with a Scots father and a Greek mother, Tay Munro is the stuff gods are made of. He is also the meanest, biggest, nastiest trainer of men at Blackchurch. He speaks several languages and is brilliant in anything he does. Most importantly, he is a firm believer that women should not be warriors and he does his best to wash out the female he is assigned to train.
Enter Athdara de Ghent.
Beautiful and mysterious, Tay is attracted to her from the start but that does not stop his attempts to break her. When he realizes how strong she is, he becomes intrigued. Athdara is a warrior from the Flanders region, but there is a darkness about her.
There is also a vulnerability.
Tay, the resister of women, begins to fall for the women he cannot break. When her real reasons for coming to Blackchurch are revealed, Tay realizes she’s not there simply to learn the ways of the Blackchurch Guild.
Athdara’s reasons are much deeper even than that.
Join Tay and Athdara in a blood feud that has followed Athdara all the way to the wilds of Devon. Because Blackchurch is a trainer of men, they are forbidden to take sides in any given conflict that comes to their doors. They’re not protectors, but trainers and teachers.
Will Tay choose his oath to The Blackchurch Guild over the woman he loves?
The greatest trainer of all is a man they call The Leviathan…
Enormous, with a Scots father and a Greek mother, Tay Munro is the stuff gods are made of. He is also the meanest, biggest, nastiest trainer of men at Blackchurch. He speaks several languages and is brilliant in anything he does. Most importantly, he is a firm believer that women should not be warriors and he does his best to wash out the female he is assigned to train.
Enter Athdara de Ghent.
Beautiful and mysterious, Tay is attracted to her from the start but that does not stop his attempts to break her. When he realizes how strong she is, he becomes intrigued. Athdara is a warrior from the Flanders region, but there is a darkness about her.
There is also a vulnerability.
Tay, the resister of women, begins to fall for the women he cannot break. When her real reasons for coming to Blackchurch are revealed, Tay realizes she’s not there simply to learn the ways of the Blackchurch Guild.
Athdara’s reasons are much deeper even than that.
Join Tay and Athdara in a blood feud that has followed Athdara all the way to the wilds of Devon. Because Blackchurch is a trainer of men, they are forbidden to take sides in any given conflict that comes to their doors. They’re not protectors, but trainers and teachers.
Will Tay choose his oath to The Blackchurch Guild over the woman he loves?
328 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 19, 2023
379 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Le Veque
324 books2,086 followersJuggernaut Indie author Kathryn Le Veque is a 'tour de force' in publishing.
Kathryn is a critically acclaimed 21-time USA TODAY Bestselling author, a charter Amazon All-Star author, an Indie Reader top seller, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance with over 100 published novels.
Among her many accomplishments, she is the CEO of Dragonblade Publishing, the #1 Historical Romance e-book publisher on Amazon. In 2020, Kathryn collaborated with Sourcebooks publishing for a Medieval Fight Club series set in Scotland.
Kathryn is a critically acclaimed 21-time USA TODAY Bestselling author, a charter Amazon All-Star author, an Indie Reader top seller, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance with over 100 published novels.
Among her many accomplishments, she is the CEO of Dragonblade Publishing, the #1 Historical Romance e-book publisher on Amazon. In 2020, Kathryn collaborated with Sourcebooks publishing for a Medieval Fight Club series set in Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
January 19, 2023
The start of a new series, filled with suspense, drama, and some brutality, I was totally immersed in this exciting novel. Fleeing her home with her young brother after the heinous betrayal by her uncle, when he attacked Breda Castle, the seat of the Duchy of Toxandria, killing both her father and older brother, Athdara de Ghent hides her brother in a safe place and seeks out St. Denis de Bottreaux, her father's friend and allay, with a request to train at the Blackchurch Training Grounds. The training is brutal by any standards and only the fittest survive, that is if they can make it past The Leviathan. Tay, named The Leviathan, is horrified to discover that he has a female trainee, and given that he wants as little to do with women as possible, he does everything in his power to weed them out at the first opportunity. He quickly discovers that driven by revenge towards her uncle, Athdara is another breed altogether and despite her femininity and beauty, she is nevertheless determined to push through and achieve her objective. Danger follows Athdara to Exmoor Forest, and Tay cannot turn a blind eye or remain neutral toward the woman who has not only captures his heart but has also proven her worth as a trainee. Despite the dramatic ending to this book, it does close on a good note with a promise of revenge and justice being carried out. I received a copy of this exciting and well-written novel as a gift from Dragonblade Publishing and NetGalley and this is my honest and voluntary review.
January 19, 2023
*Arc kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
So this was my first time reading this genre and author. It was well written and I enjoyed the world building and characters for the most part. Unfortunately, it felt a bit flat to me. I didn’t have any expectations going in but I was a little disappointed that for a book that is supposed to be about training a woman warrior, there was actually little to no training and the warrior spent quite a bit of time in tears and weeping or running away. The only thing I really liked about the fmc is that she had no problem calling out the mmc.
I don’t think this genre is for me but I will say the writing itself was good.
So this was my first time reading this genre and author. It was well written and I enjoyed the world building and characters for the most part. Unfortunately, it felt a bit flat to me. I didn’t have any expectations going in but I was a little disappointed that for a book that is supposed to be about training a woman warrior, there was actually little to no training and the warrior spent quite a bit of time in tears and weeping or running away. The only thing I really liked about the fmc is that she had no problem calling out the mmc.
I don’t think this genre is for me but I will say the writing itself was good.
January 19, 2023
Devon 1212
A fast paced, exciting, intriguing and fierce story, only as this author can weave!!
She had been left with most of her family dead and was after revenge.
He was a warrior, training others to be as fierce as he... which was very, ah, fierce.
When she showed up to train at the Blackchurch Guild, he knew she would not last long.. but she did.
He could not help admire her for her tenacity and determination, that slowly turned into something else.
A wonderful story brought out all the emotions!
A fast paced, exciting, intriguing and fierce story, only as this author can weave!!
She had been left with most of her family dead and was after revenge.
He was a warrior, training others to be as fierce as he... which was very, ah, fierce.
When she showed up to train at the Blackchurch Guild, he knew she would not last long.. but she did.
He could not help admire her for her tenacity and determination, that slowly turned into something else.
A wonderful story brought out all the emotions!
February 1, 2023
What a fantastic beginning to this new series. I have read "The Executioner Knights" series where we were first introduced to the mysterious Blackchurch Knights and I was totally intrigued. Tay, "the Leviathan" and Athdara de Ghent's story was the perfect introduction to the Blackchurch Knights. I loved it and look forward to more stories with such diverse, fascinating characters. They certainly have interesting tales to tell!
January 16, 2023
The Leviathan by Kathryn Le Veque is the beginning of a new series and an auspicious one. It takes place a the training ground of the Blackchurch Guild, a private enterprise run by the de Bottreaux family, as it had been for several generations. There were firm rules, one being total neutrality. The Guild could “sell” warriors to a cause/side, but never take part in it other than that. Tay Monro was from Scotland of mixed Greek/descent. He was a trainer at Black Church, a position he had worked to earn for many years and of which he was exceedingly proud. He was unattached to any woman, a fact of which he was also exceedingly proud. He had made a mistake several years before and now it made it is business to rid the guild of any woman who made it as far as his level. Athdara de Ghent was the daughter of the late Duke of Toxandria. He and her older brother had been killed by her uncle. She and her younger brother had escaped but she intended to go back and retrieve what was theirs. That was why she would start training at Blackchurch tomorrow. She had passed the testing phase (known as dregs) and was ready to train. She and the woman she had beaten, Marina, had entered the Black Cock for a meal and a bed. There she met a man; she normally wasn’t impressed by the men she met out and about, but this man was different. She agreed to meet him again in three days and made her way to her bed, to prepare for the morrow.
You can see where this is going. Not without plenty of roadblocks, I’m afraid. She landed in the Leviathan’s group first. The goal was endurance. Simply putting up with it. Of course, there were rules. If you were carried off you were done. As was his habit, he chose a woman to demonstrate on. Get rid of her easily. Only then did he recognize her. She won the first round using a rule they hadn’t mentioned. Then it was her turn to take him down. She did. This was a terrific story with wonderful characters; characters only Le Veque could write. Tay was huge, and stubborn, and frightened most people, but he was loyal and made friends easily. Athdara was stubborn, too, and had a purpose: revenge. The Earl couldn’t take sides but there were other ways to help. So, he did. The plot was pretty simple with a lot of road blocks and details in the middle. They were in love. Could they be together? Sometimes simple is best. This was a wonderful book, a little different than most of Le Veque’s but close enough to keep her fans satisfied.
I was invited the read a free e-ARC of The Leviathan by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #KathrynLeVeque #TheLeviathan
You can see where this is going. Not without plenty of roadblocks, I’m afraid. She landed in the Leviathan’s group first. The goal was endurance. Simply putting up with it. Of course, there were rules. If you were carried off you were done. As was his habit, he chose a woman to demonstrate on. Get rid of her easily. Only then did he recognize her. She won the first round using a rule they hadn’t mentioned. Then it was her turn to take him down. She did. This was a terrific story with wonderful characters; characters only Le Veque could write. Tay was huge, and stubborn, and frightened most people, but he was loyal and made friends easily. Athdara was stubborn, too, and had a purpose: revenge. The Earl couldn’t take sides but there were other ways to help. So, he did. The plot was pretty simple with a lot of road blocks and details in the middle. They were in love. Could they be together? Sometimes simple is best. This was a wonderful book, a little different than most of Le Veque’s but close enough to keep her fans satisfied.
I was invited the read a free e-ARC of The Leviathan by Dragonblade, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Dragonblade #KathrynLeVeque #TheLeviathan
July 30, 2023
In the year 1209, Athdara de Ghent was the last hope and defense for her one and only family, her little brother against her evil uncle, who is last surviving heir to a doomed dukedom. Athdara manages to barely escape with him in tow promising to exact revenge on her uncle and restore her brother to his rightful place as the duke. Athdara hears of the fabled Blackchurch Guild, who trains both men and women to become the strongest warriors the world has ever seen. Athdara luckily gets in with some deviousness by defeating the only other woman there but rightfully earns her place. They decide to celebrate her victory and in doing meets a wonderful guy, Tay Munro. Athdara can’t stop thinking of the Tay but to her shock she finds out Tay is the Leviathan, whom she must fight. Athdara does the only thing she can think of by hitting him in the groin. When Tay learns Athdara true purpose there he must decide to not only take sides but sacrifice everything he holds dear, including his heart.
What a wonderfully told medieval romantic story that is just amazing! Of course, you can always expect these kinds of deeply entrenching, engaging stories from Ms. Kathryn Veque every single time! She just knows how to write with such heart that you can’t help getting caught up in the story either. Visually you can just see everything with no problem and crystal clear. All characters whether they be major, or minor are fully fleshed and well-drawn out. The love scenes also don’t slow down the story enhancing the strong attachment that Tay and Athdara have even though their beginning didn’t start off inauspiciously. Tay is just one amazingly stoic hero that does a pretty good job in hiding his true feelings but still the others know him entirely too well. Still, he is one intriguing guy that he gets added to my ever-growing list of book boyfriends. Athdara is even a great strong courageous heroine that isn’t a slouch either. She even is willing to put everything on the line to help fight for what is right. I do look forward to more in the series, but I will still enjoy every story that Ms. Le Veque writes no matter what it is!
What a wonderfully told medieval romantic story that is just amazing! Of course, you can always expect these kinds of deeply entrenching, engaging stories from Ms. Kathryn Veque every single time! She just knows how to write with such heart that you can’t help getting caught up in the story either. Visually you can just see everything with no problem and crystal clear. All characters whether they be major, or minor are fully fleshed and well-drawn out. The love scenes also don’t slow down the story enhancing the strong attachment that Tay and Athdara have even though their beginning didn’t start off inauspiciously. Tay is just one amazingly stoic hero that does a pretty good job in hiding his true feelings but still the others know him entirely too well. Still, he is one intriguing guy that he gets added to my ever-growing list of book boyfriends. Athdara is even a great strong courageous heroine that isn’t a slouch either. She even is willing to put everything on the line to help fight for what is right. I do look forward to more in the series, but I will still enjoy every story that Ms. Le Veque writes no matter what it is!
May 3, 2023
This story is set in a secret guild that trains the best fighters. This is a dual perspective of Tay and Athdara: Tay who is a trainer for these elite fighters and is one of the best. However, he is especially tough on the women fighters, who he thinks should not be there and does his best to get them to quit. Tay meets his match when Athdara shows up to be trained as a warrior, whose reasons are her own, but she must not fail. So, no matter what Tay throws at her, she does not back down, and Tay starts to develop feelings that he should not have and jeopardize his place at the guild.
The writing of this story was good. I found this secret guild training the best warriors interesting as well as Athdara mission being compelling and I really wanted her to succeed in everything, plus outsmarting Tay was awesome. She was such a badass, smart, resourceful, and scrappy and I loved reading from her perspective. This story has a bit of teacher and student trope with Tay training her to be a warrior, which is a trope I like if done right.
Tay had a really big ego which was damaged after he loved a woman and she left him, so he took it out on every woman that came to the guild. He might not have thought women should not have warriors, but he went above and beyond trying to get them out. He just came off as a jerk the whole first half of the book and he was just having a pity party. After he came around, I did like him better and I did enjoy the budding relationship and proving that he is actually a good guy. This story was a fun read. Some parts were really enjoyable and others not so much.
I received this advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
The writing of this story was good. I found this secret guild training the best warriors interesting as well as Athdara mission being compelling and I really wanted her to succeed in everything, plus outsmarting Tay was awesome. She was such a badass, smart, resourceful, and scrappy and I loved reading from her perspective. This story has a bit of teacher and student trope with Tay training her to be a warrior, which is a trope I like if done right.
Tay had a really big ego which was damaged after he loved a woman and she left him, so he took it out on every woman that came to the guild. He might not have thought women should not have warriors, but he went above and beyond trying to get them out. He just came off as a jerk the whole first half of the book and he was just having a pity party. After he came around, I did like him better and I did enjoy the budding relationship and proving that he is actually a good guy. This story was a fun read. Some parts were really enjoyable and others not so much.
I received this advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.
January 16, 2023
The Blackchurch Guild is everything chivalrous!
As much as I love my modern conveniences, Ms. Le Veque sure can make me wish I lived back in the 1200s. Her men are always brave, honorable, and fierce, and her heroines are some of the strongest women I've ever read in fiction. Here, we're introduced to the Blackchurch Guild, a training program for the most elite warrior, the Shadow Knight.
After her nearly all of her family is killed and her ancestral lands lost, Athdara flees to England to find an old friend of her father's and ask for help. This friend now runs the Blackchurch Guild, and as a favor to his old friend he allows her to try out for admission to their full five-year program, which is a grueling process that only the strongest will survive. Her skill and intellect more than make up for her lack of brute strength, and she finds herself in the group of recruits who are facing the first and most fearsome of the nine trainers - the Leviathan, Tay Munro.
Tay has his own reasons for making sure none of the female applicants pass through his class, but he finds he's at a distinct disadvantage with the lovely Athdara. Not only does she have the protection of his boss, but she also has a story that creeps into his long-dormant heart and forces him to take up her cause as his own.
I absolutely loved the slow pace of their romance, the gradual development of the threats and obstacles they face, and the surety of their love once they are brave enough to recognize it. There is tragedy along the way, and the "third-act breakup" certainly didn't go according to plan, which only serves to prove the creativity and originality of this author's storylines. The only thing guaranteed is a soul-satisfying HEA, which was beautifully accomplished here.
I know I say it with every one of her books that I read, but Ms. Le Veque truly is a master of medieval romance. Each book is better than the last, with no end in sight. I wholeheartedly recommend this as well as every single one of her books. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
As much as I love my modern conveniences, Ms. Le Veque sure can make me wish I lived back in the 1200s. Her men are always brave, honorable, and fierce, and her heroines are some of the strongest women I've ever read in fiction. Here, we're introduced to the Blackchurch Guild, a training program for the most elite warrior, the Shadow Knight.
After her nearly all of her family is killed and her ancestral lands lost, Athdara flees to England to find an old friend of her father's and ask for help. This friend now runs the Blackchurch Guild, and as a favor to his old friend he allows her to try out for admission to their full five-year program, which is a grueling process that only the strongest will survive. Her skill and intellect more than make up for her lack of brute strength, and she finds herself in the group of recruits who are facing the first and most fearsome of the nine trainers - the Leviathan, Tay Munro.
Tay has his own reasons for making sure none of the female applicants pass through his class, but he finds he's at a distinct disadvantage with the lovely Athdara. Not only does she have the protection of his boss, but she also has a story that creeps into his long-dormant heart and forces him to take up her cause as his own.
I absolutely loved the slow pace of their romance, the gradual development of the threats and obstacles they face, and the surety of their love once they are brave enough to recognize it. There is tragedy along the way, and the "third-act breakup" certainly didn't go according to plan, which only serves to prove the creativity and originality of this author's storylines. The only thing guaranteed is a soul-satisfying HEA, which was beautifully accomplished here.
I know I say it with every one of her books that I read, but Ms. Le Veque truly is a master of medieval romance. Each book is better than the last, with no end in sight. I wholeheartedly recommend this as well as every single one of her books. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
January 17, 2023
Blackchurch Guild is a training program that creates elite warriors called Shadow knights, under the training of some of the best knights in the world. None are more fierce or formidable than the Leviathan. Athdara de Ghent is on the run from her Uncle after he murdered her father and brother and took over their duchy in Toxandria. She comes to Blackchurch to seek help from her father's friends St. Denis, the owner of the guild. Blackchurch never takes sides in any conflict but St. Denis offers to train her for free so that she can lead and fight with an army. After surviving the dregs training and becoming a recruit, Athdara celebrates at a tavern with a friend and meets Tay Munroe, fierce-looking yet sweet and protective, who she connects with and makes plans to see again. But when she meets the Leviathan on the training field, a man known to fail any woman from training, she's shocked to learn that it's Tay. As they train together, Tay is impressed by her courage and intellect and wants to support her in her cause, but to do that he'll have to give up Blackchurch.
This is the first book I've read by Kathryn Le Veque and I really enjoyed it. This is the first book in her new series so it introduced a lot of characters. Athdara is such a strong female character and I loved how hard she fought for her little brother. Tay was the typical tough warrior, gruff and opinionated about a woman's place, but so sweet and protective and open to change for the right woman. I'm looking forward to reading about the other warriors in the guild.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the first book I've read by Kathryn Le Veque and I really enjoyed it. This is the first book in her new series so it introduced a lot of characters. Athdara is such a strong female character and I loved how hard she fought for her little brother. Tay was the typical tough warrior, gruff and opinionated about a woman's place, but so sweet and protective and open to change for the right woman. I'm looking forward to reading about the other warriors in the guild.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 13, 2023
Epic, Emotional, Enthralling Love Story:
I must say after first reading the history of the Blackchurch Guild I was totally amazed with the in-depth imagination the author brings forth to make this love story absolutely gripping.
There is a large cast of characters but, this first of the series deals with Tay one of the greatest trainers known as the Leviathan and Athdara a woman who comes to the Guild to be trained as a warrior. She has to avengeher father and brothers' murders by their uncle. Tis the basic plot with a bit of romance.
We meet many guild trainers that have their own specialties of warfare and are intricate players in this first book of a new series.
Athdara and Tay meet in a most unusual way and sparks are noted.
This is a very emotional story that only grows stronger as their feeling Ingnite until they can't deny their feeling any longer.
Many heartfelt confessions, I chucked, many Oh No's and Oh Heavens this can't be good, bits of anger, frustrations, passion, fireball first kiss, and of course an awful villain or two.
A wonderful epilogue that completed the love story of Tay and Athdara to a wonderful conclusion.
An interesting beginning for this new series that I would guess we will be learning more of the Blackchurch Guide and the trainers in books to come.
The cover: 5 Star
I must say after first reading the history of the Blackchurch Guild I was totally amazed with the in-depth imagination the author brings forth to make this love story absolutely gripping.
There is a large cast of characters but, this first of the series deals with Tay one of the greatest trainers known as the Leviathan and Athdara a woman who comes to the Guild to be trained as a warrior. She has to avengeher father and brothers' murders by their uncle. Tis the basic plot with a bit of romance.
We meet many guild trainers that have their own specialties of warfare and are intricate players in this first book of a new series.
Athdara and Tay meet in a most unusual way and sparks are noted.
This is a very emotional story that only grows stronger as their feeling Ingnite until they can't deny their feeling any longer.
Many heartfelt confessions, I chucked, many Oh No's and Oh Heavens this can't be good, bits of anger, frustrations, passion, fireball first kiss, and of course an awful villain or two.
A wonderful epilogue that completed the love story of Tay and Athdara to a wonderful conclusion.
An interesting beginning for this new series that I would guess we will be learning more of the Blackchurch Guide and the trainers in books to come.
The cover: 5 Star
August 4, 2025
Delightful read !! Lots of Action and romance !!!
This was an amazing read !!!
Athdara is a young lady who has had a very tragic life . Her family was killed and just her and her brother remain. But he us much too young to take his right full place as Duke of Tixandria. So Athdara has hid him away as she searches for help. Which leads her to the Black church guild, very , very far away. The only way to get into the guild is to go through the rather strenuous classes in order to learn how to become a warrior. Learning how to fight , and defensive and offensive ways of combat. Leading his to lead fighters and command an army . These are things she must know about in order to overthrow her dastardly uncle.
She cannot fail.
Tay is a very experienced warrior, and one of the greatest teachers at the Guild. But he doesn't think a woman belongs there . Not fighting . At all .
As Athdara and Tay meet , and have a most pleasant conversation, he thinks that he has perhaps found a woman that he can actually ---- like.
Until he realizes that she is the new recruit that he has been hearing about .
Athdara and Tay were a delightful pair to read about . Made me realize how much I missed reading about knights, and honor and vengeance. It was one of the 1st genres I ever read, and am happy I found this series !!!
This was an amazing read !!!
Athdara is a young lady who has had a very tragic life . Her family was killed and just her and her brother remain. But he us much too young to take his right full place as Duke of Tixandria. So Athdara has hid him away as she searches for help. Which leads her to the Black church guild, very , very far away. The only way to get into the guild is to go through the rather strenuous classes in order to learn how to become a warrior. Learning how to fight , and defensive and offensive ways of combat. Leading his to lead fighters and command an army . These are things she must know about in order to overthrow her dastardly uncle.
She cannot fail.
Tay is a very experienced warrior, and one of the greatest teachers at the Guild. But he doesn't think a woman belongs there . Not fighting . At all .
As Athdara and Tay meet , and have a most pleasant conversation, he thinks that he has perhaps found a woman that he can actually ---- like.
Until he realizes that she is the new recruit that he has been hearing about .
Athdara and Tay were a delightful pair to read about . Made me realize how much I missed reading about knights, and honor and vengeance. It was one of the 1st genres I ever read, and am happy I found this series !!!
January 21, 2023
Terrific story, great series beginning....
The first in a new series, this is the story of Tay and Athdara. Tay Munro is a Blackchurch trainer. Blackchurch is a special medieval guild of highly trained warriors in England.
Munro has been a trainer for years and is not especially fond of women, having had a bad experience in the recent past.
Athdara is a new trainee and it is her goal to become Blackchurch trained as she has a specific reason for such an accomplishment.
But first she has to make it past Munro, aka the Leviathan. He is known for being especially difficult with women trainees. Maybe not so with Athdara, as she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, and it has interfered with his usual style.
Athdara is training because she has something she needs to do and there is a very dark side to it. She is also running from those who intend to do her great harm. In the meantime, the attraction that she feels toward the Leviathan is interfering with her plans.
It's a terrific story, with a colorful group of characters, an enthralling plot, and of course, a happy ending. I read it from start to finish, and am looking forward to the next story in this series.
The first in a new series, this is the story of Tay and Athdara. Tay Munro is a Blackchurch trainer. Blackchurch is a special medieval guild of highly trained warriors in England.
Munro has been a trainer for years and is not especially fond of women, having had a bad experience in the recent past.
Athdara is a new trainee and it is her goal to become Blackchurch trained as she has a specific reason for such an accomplishment.
But first she has to make it past Munro, aka the Leviathan. He is known for being especially difficult with women trainees. Maybe not so with Athdara, as she is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, and it has interfered with his usual style.
Athdara is training because she has something she needs to do and there is a very dark side to it. She is also running from those who intend to do her great harm. In the meantime, the attraction that she feels toward the Leviathan is interfering with her plans.
It's a terrific story, with a colorful group of characters, an enthralling plot, and of course, a happy ending. I read it from start to finish, and am looking forward to the next story in this series.
February 9, 2023
Finding Pure Love
This being the first book in this new series The Leviathan : The Black Church Guild some how Kathryn LeVeque managers to make you fall into her world of these believable stories. There is always a comfort, a familiar feeling, a connection, and knowing that you will never be disappointed in that story.
Tay Munro was called The Leviathan. He was the Greatest Trainer in the Black Church . The Meanest, Biggest, Nasty, Brilliant, and he had no time for women warriors.
Athdara deGhent was the daughter of a Duke. She was on a mission to save her Fathers legacy. All that was left was her Brother the heir at the age of six. Left on her own she needed to find help with people trailing her and wanting to kill her and her brother. So she goes to a friend of her fathers who happens to run the Black Church in Hope of helping her raise an army.
Tay and Athdara meet at a bar not knowing who each other were. A spark ignites hoping to see each other again. Only the next time they meet they are both in for a shock. A Journey begins . Certainly rocky and emotionally torturous.
There relationship is pure enchantment, endearing, heartfelt, and magical. You feel, hope and certainly cry. As always with Kathryn’s stories it is an Experience of PURE ENJOYMENT.
This being the first book in this new series The Leviathan : The Black Church Guild some how Kathryn LeVeque managers to make you fall into her world of these believable stories. There is always a comfort, a familiar feeling, a connection, and knowing that you will never be disappointed in that story.
Tay Munro was called The Leviathan. He was the Greatest Trainer in the Black Church . The Meanest, Biggest, Nasty, Brilliant, and he had no time for women warriors.
Athdara deGhent was the daughter of a Duke. She was on a mission to save her Fathers legacy. All that was left was her Brother the heir at the age of six. Left on her own she needed to find help with people trailing her and wanting to kill her and her brother. So she goes to a friend of her fathers who happens to run the Black Church in Hope of helping her raise an army.
Tay and Athdara meet at a bar not knowing who each other were. A spark ignites hoping to see each other again. Only the next time they meet they are both in for a shock. A Journey begins . Certainly rocky and emotionally torturous.
There relationship is pure enchantment, endearing, heartfelt, and magical. You feel, hope and certainly cry. As always with Kathryn’s stories it is an Experience of PURE ENJOYMENT.
March 10, 2023
I can't imagine how hard it is for a writer to begin a new series. Introducing many characters and making you love them so you want to continue the series. This was a homerun for me.
Didn't have as much violence as some of the other stories written by this talented author, but it did have some. The opening scene with what happens to our h broke my heart. She is strong and had to make some tough choices, which she does.
The H is the meanest and toughest of the trainers at Blackchurch Guild. Feels very strongly women have no place in the Guild, so he is tougher on them. Our h is not about to let this trainer get to her and she succeeds. There journey to HEA is not smooth at all and what a journey it is.
Romance builds slowly, great dialogue, some high hearted moments especially the epilogue which is 6 years or so in the future. Lovemaking outside of marriage, heat level 3+ out of 5.
Story is filled with suspense, twists, violence, nasty villains, and interesting main and secondary characters. Lord's name used in vain a couple times and a crude word.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, great character development, romance and tad of steam. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some other tidbits to decide to read this story. (ljb)
Didn't have as much violence as some of the other stories written by this talented author, but it did have some. The opening scene with what happens to our h broke my heart. She is strong and had to make some tough choices, which she does.
The H is the meanest and toughest of the trainers at Blackchurch Guild. Feels very strongly women have no place in the Guild, so he is tougher on them. Our h is not about to let this trainer get to her and she succeeds. There journey to HEA is not smooth at all and what a journey it is.
Romance builds slowly, great dialogue, some high hearted moments especially the epilogue which is 6 years or so in the future. Lovemaking outside of marriage, heat level 3+ out of 5.
Story is filled with suspense, twists, violence, nasty villains, and interesting main and secondary characters. Lord's name used in vain a couple times and a crude word.
No cheating, no cliffhanger, great character development, romance and tad of steam. I can't improve on the blurb, just giving you some other tidbits to decide to read this story. (ljb)
January 16, 2023
Athdara is on the run with her little brother after her uncle invaded her father's duchy, and murdered the rest of her family.
Our heroine is an incredibly brave and determined young woman, prepared to do anything to get revenge.
Tay is known at Blackchurch as The Leviathan. As the trainer of the newest recruits, he's the toughest.
Our hero has very strong views about where a woman belongs, and it's not on his recruit field.
This is the start of a fabulous new series based around the Blackchurch Guild. A place that turns out the fiercest and most sought-after knights in the world. The characters we meet here are not your average knights in shining armour but warriors who are the absolute best at "no holes barred" combat.
As usual when you pick up a book by this author you should make sure you have nothing else that needs to be done because you will not be able to put the book down. So get yourself a drink and a box of tissues and settle down for a wonderful journey into the past. Don't expect hearts and flowers from this great historical romance.
I loved every page and can't wait for the next one in the series.
Our heroine is an incredibly brave and determined young woman, prepared to do anything to get revenge.
Tay is known at Blackchurch as The Leviathan. As the trainer of the newest recruits, he's the toughest.
Our hero has very strong views about where a woman belongs, and it's not on his recruit field.
This is the start of a fabulous new series based around the Blackchurch Guild. A place that turns out the fiercest and most sought-after knights in the world. The characters we meet here are not your average knights in shining armour but warriors who are the absolute best at "no holes barred" combat.
As usual when you pick up a book by this author you should make sure you have nothing else that needs to be done because you will not be able to put the book down. So get yourself a drink and a box of tissues and settle down for a wonderful journey into the past. Don't expect hearts and flowers from this great historical romance.
I loved every page and can't wait for the next one in the series.
January 25, 2023
Classic Kathryn Le Veque ! 😍 A gorgeous guy with long dark hair and muscles that will make you drool has a complex about women. He can’t stand any who attempt to infiltrate his domain, the Blackchurch Guild, where he trains men to be the most elite, well rounded warriors in the world. Enter a strong willed, stubborn, beautiful woman bent on revenge for the death of her father and older brother. To me, this book reminds me more of her earlier books in that it seemed to have a little more meat to the story than a couple of her more recent, novella types. I adore Kathryn Le Veque’s style of writing and her very creative stories! She has a gift for transporting you back into the time and place of her characters. I think I’ve read almost every book she’s ever written, but in the last year or so she’s been so busy writing that I fear I might have missed one. Highly recommend! I can’t imagine anyone who can resist the wonderful allure of Kathryn’s writing world. 🥰
January 29, 2023
Another brilliantly written story by Kathryn Le Veque! Once I started reading it, I had a hard time to put it down. I've read quite a few books where the heroine of the story is tough as nail or a Shield Maiden but this heroine, Athdara, surpassed them all in her physical and character strength. She goes through the brutal training at Blackchurch Training Grounds so that she could learn how to fight to regain the castle and Duchy for her young brother that had been stolen by her treacherous uncle.
One of the trainers she must face is Tay, The Leviathan, and he will not make it easy for her as he doesn't believe a female should be training at Blackchurch. He is surprised by her strength and determination, though, and soon finds himself wanting to help her.
I loved their story, even amidst all the brutality, a love and passion arises and both will do everything needed to protect each other. A solid 5* read for me!!
One of the trainers she must face is Tay, The Leviathan, and he will not make it easy for her as he doesn't believe a female should be training at Blackchurch. He is surprised by her strength and determination, though, and soon finds himself wanting to help her.
I loved their story, even amidst all the brutality, a love and passion arises and both will do everything needed to protect each other. A solid 5* read for me!!
January 20, 2023
New series, new world, new family
I've been intrigued by the Blackchurch guild since this author released Starless, one of the first in the Executioner Knights series, in which the heroine was a Blackchurch-trained fighter. And this book did not disappoint!
Kathryn le Veque has created a wonderfully believable new world within her existing world we already know and love. She's introduced a wonderful new cast of characters who I can wait to meet in their own books. Plus, she included a few breadcrumbs to familiar families.
Tay and Athdara's story is sweet and compelling. And the fact that she's a kick-ass fighter and can literally bring Tay to his knees is a total plus! Athdara's been through some trauma, and Tay has a bit of baggage, but they work through their "stuff" as a beautiful story unfolds.
Well done, Kathryn le Veque!!!
I've been intrigued by the Blackchurch guild since this author released Starless, one of the first in the Executioner Knights series, in which the heroine was a Blackchurch-trained fighter. And this book did not disappoint!
Kathryn le Veque has created a wonderfully believable new world within her existing world we already know and love. She's introduced a wonderful new cast of characters who I can wait to meet in their own books. Plus, she included a few breadcrumbs to familiar families.
Tay and Athdara's story is sweet and compelling. And the fact that she's a kick-ass fighter and can literally bring Tay to his knees is a total plus! Athdara's been through some trauma, and Tay has a bit of baggage, but they work through their "stuff" as a beautiful story unfolds.
Well done, Kathryn le Veque!!!
January 30, 2023
Great beginning to new Blackchurch series
The winning elements in this action romance are a tough yet sensitive heroine, a grumpy hero and a fighting school full of unique characters. The story is of a woman who lost her home and is pursued by assassins, and it’s is surprisingly believable. It’s a book you want to read in one sitting.
I love the gritty realism of this author’s medieval novels. She churns out so many, yet all feel fresh and inventive.
But Leviathan is her best for some time. It is based around the community of Blackchurch. There is a sense of camaraderie, as well as the tensions that arise when any group of people live together. The story has unpredictable action, and deep emotions. The side characters are great, too.
Really looking forward to the next in this series.
The winning elements in this action romance are a tough yet sensitive heroine, a grumpy hero and a fighting school full of unique characters. The story is of a woman who lost her home and is pursued by assassins, and it’s is surprisingly believable. It’s a book you want to read in one sitting.
I love the gritty realism of this author’s medieval novels. She churns out so many, yet all feel fresh and inventive.
But Leviathan is her best for some time. It is based around the community of Blackchurch. There is a sense of camaraderie, as well as the tensions that arise when any group of people live together. The story has unpredictable action, and deep emotions. The side characters are great, too.
Really looking forward to the next in this series.
May 13, 2024
Fantastic!
If I could give a rating higher than 5 I would. I have read 60+ books by KLV and have never been disappointed. I always love the characters, especially the male characters and this book is no exception. Tay is a Blackchurch trainer and all brawn. He was hurt by a woman in his past and has no patience for woman who wants to be Blackchurch trained. That was until he met Athgara. She is on a mission to regain her father’s duchy for her younger brother who is in hiding and she needs training to do that. But she and her brother are being hunted by bounty hunters hired by her uncle, the man her killed her father and older brother to gain power. Tay and his fellow Blackchurch trainers are men of honor and the bond between the men is unbreakable. Loved, loved, loved this book, the characters and the love story within.
If I could give a rating higher than 5 I would. I have read 60+ books by KLV and have never been disappointed. I always love the characters, especially the male characters and this book is no exception. Tay is a Blackchurch trainer and all brawn. He was hurt by a woman in his past and has no patience for woman who wants to be Blackchurch trained. That was until he met Athgara. She is on a mission to regain her father’s duchy for her younger brother who is in hiding and she needs training to do that. But she and her brother are being hunted by bounty hunters hired by her uncle, the man her killed her father and older brother to gain power. Tay and his fellow Blackchurch trainers are men of honor and the bond between the men is unbreakable. Loved, loved, loved this book, the characters and the love story within.
January 20, 2023
Oh I really liked this book! There is so much scope for developing the series as I expect each trainer will have his story. Blackchurch will no doubt over time change from an all male training ground to a village with families and children running around!
KLV is very good at increasing the tension step by step and I kept having to remind myself that her books always have a happy end and all would be well as I could see the difficulties which Tay and Athdana would have to surmount. There were a few twists and turns in the story which I had not seen coming.
I wonder whether Marina will have her story too. She says she does not like men...well, I wonder.
I shall certainly be looking forward to the next instalment!
KLV is very good at increasing the tension step by step and I kept having to remind myself that her books always have a happy end and all would be well as I could see the difficulties which Tay and Athdana would have to surmount. There were a few twists and turns in the story which I had not seen coming.
I wonder whether Marina will have her story too. She says she does not like men...well, I wonder.
I shall certainly be looking forward to the next instalment!
January 20, 2023
A riveting start to a new addition in the library of Kathryn Le Veque
What an incredible start to the Blackchurch Guild. If you've read other books from Kathryn level he you're probably familiar with the Guild. William Marshall was familiar with this particular organization. One of his knights fell in love with a Blackchurch knight.
This book reminded me of the old style of writing from Kathryn. It was heavy on character development as well as a big plot while mixing in the nuances of conversation between the characters, as well as her trademark humor. I love that we can still be surprised and entertained by the medieval knights and their code of honor.
I can't wait for the rest of the series.
What an incredible start to the Blackchurch Guild. If you've read other books from Kathryn level he you're probably familiar with the Guild. William Marshall was familiar with this particular organization. One of his knights fell in love with a Blackchurch knight.
This book reminded me of the old style of writing from Kathryn. It was heavy on character development as well as a big plot while mixing in the nuances of conversation between the characters, as well as her trademark humor. I love that we can still be surprised and entertained by the medieval knights and their code of honor.
I can't wait for the rest of the series.
February 24, 2023
After the devastating attacks on her home and the deaths of her father and older brother, Athdara goes underground with her younger brother. Running away from her uncle and his mercenaries as the destroy her home and the duchy that is her brother’s inheritance.
After two years of hiding she seeks help from a friend of her father who trains warriors. She hopes he can train her to overthrow her uncle and take back her family’s duchy. Upon reaching Blackchurch castle, she qualifies as a trainee but is met by a gigantic man who will attack her with a club. She knows she doesn’t have the strength to defeat him so she uses her brains but feels terrible that she is so evil to resort to such methods to win.
After two years of hiding she seeks help from a friend of her father who trains warriors. She hopes he can train her to overthrow her uncle and take back her family’s duchy. Upon reaching Blackchurch castle, she qualifies as a trainee but is met by a gigantic man who will attack her with a club. She knows she doesn’t have the strength to defeat him so she uses her brains but feels terrible that she is so evil to resort to such methods to win.
February 13, 2024
The Leviathan: The Blackchurch Guild has been an exciting and engrossing read! This book is a
The Leviathan: The Blackchurch Guild has been an exciting and engrossing read! This book is a page-turner, and I could not put it down. The characters draw you into the story and have you wishing you were there.
The storyline was intriguing and suspense filled. With each chapter I read, promising myself I would continue the next day, I got more and more engrossed in the story.
I love all the characters, except the villains, and how each one played a part in making this a truly enjoyable read!
I'm looking forward to the next book in The Blackchurch Guild series!
I definitely recommend reading this series by Kathryn Le Veque!
The Leviathan: The Blackchurch Guild has been an exciting and engrossing read! This book is a page-turner, and I could not put it down. The characters draw you into the story and have you wishing you were there.
The storyline was intriguing and suspense filled. With each chapter I read, promising myself I would continue the next day, I got more and more engrossed in the story.
I love all the characters, except the villains, and how each one played a part in making this a truly enjoyable read!
I'm looking forward to the next book in The Blackchurch Guild series!
I definitely recommend reading this series by Kathryn Le Veque!
January 29, 2023
Great start to a new series!
Once again, readers are admitted to a world of knights and ladies, with the star ladies also with Warrior skills! How they came to acquire the finishing touches of their skills is the main thrust of the story, along with a developing love interest. The path of true love never is smooth—and so it goes with our couple.
A bit of linkage to prior books/series is found in the brotherhood of knights, some of whom have last names we have come to know and love. There is plenty of room to grow for these characters in future books, and I eagerly await them to see how Ms. LeVeque develops them.
Once again, readers are admitted to a world of knights and ladies, with the star ladies also with Warrior skills! How they came to acquire the finishing touches of their skills is the main thrust of the story, along with a developing love interest. The path of true love never is smooth—and so it goes with our couple.
A bit of linkage to prior books/series is found in the brotherhood of knights, some of whom have last names we have come to know and love. There is plenty of room to grow for these characters in future books, and I eagerly await them to see how Ms. LeVeque develops them.
February 4, 2023
More, more, more!!!
So many stories waiting to be told in this series.
A young woman with her mind on revenge enters the world of the Blackchurch Training Grounds. Fighting for each level, she wants to be strong enough to take back her home from her murdering uncle for her younger brother. The bond that grows between her and her trainer, the Leviathan, can't be good. It can only lead to heartache. What sacrifices will be taken? When assassins show up, precautionary measures may not be enough.
Prepare yourself for the unexpected.
Violent descriptions and some sexual content.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
So many stories waiting to be told in this series.
A young woman with her mind on revenge enters the world of the Blackchurch Training Grounds. Fighting for each level, she wants to be strong enough to take back her home from her murdering uncle for her younger brother. The bond that grows between her and her trainer, the Leviathan, can't be good. It can only lead to heartache. What sacrifices will be taken? When assassins show up, precautionary measures may not be enough.
Prepare yourself for the unexpected.
Violent descriptions and some sexual content.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
May 21, 2023
The Leviathan is Legendary
The Leviathan, the first book in Kathryn LeVeque’s Blackchurch Guild series, is a tale of legendary knights, and the school where they are train and are trainers. Tay Munro is the trainer known as the Leviathan, and he’s not fond of women at Blackchurch, until he meets Athdara deGhent. Athdara challenges Tay, and he can’t but admire her and her purpose for wanting to train at Blackchurch. Tay and Athdara are fabulous characters, as are the other trainers at Blackchurch. The story has action and intrigue and was just plain fun! I can’t wait to see who will find their happily ever after in the next story!
The Leviathan, the first book in Kathryn LeVeque’s Blackchurch Guild series, is a tale of legendary knights, and the school where they are train and are trainers. Tay Munro is the trainer known as the Leviathan, and he’s not fond of women at Blackchurch, until he meets Athdara deGhent. Athdara challenges Tay, and he can’t but admire her and her purpose for wanting to train at Blackchurch. Tay and Athdara are fabulous characters, as are the other trainers at Blackchurch. The story has action and intrigue and was just plain fun! I can’t wait to see who will find their happily ever after in the next story!
August 23, 2024
Exciting story
Athdara de Ghent was trying to protect the Duchy of Toxandria, Breda Castle from her Uncle Attila de Ghent who was on his way burning the village. She had to protect her little brother Nikolai who was the heir now that her father and brother Milo were dead when they had perished trying to save the town.
Athanra goes to Lord Bottreaux’s the Blackchurch guild and trains so she can get her revenge but the men there were not so welcoming to women. She leaves her brother with a priest in London who took him to live with a farmer and his family. This was an exciting story.
Athdara de Ghent was trying to protect the Duchy of Toxandria, Breda Castle from her Uncle Attila de Ghent who was on his way burning the village. She had to protect her little brother Nikolai who was the heir now that her father and brother Milo were dead when they had perished trying to save the town.
Athanra goes to Lord Bottreaux’s the Blackchurch guild and trains so she can get her revenge but the men there were not so welcoming to women. She leaves her brother with a priest in London who took him to live with a farmer and his family. This was an exciting story.
September 22, 2024
It's typically one of her novels
She loves history and it shows. But there are too many characters and the plot is always a little too unbelievable. I prefer authors that introduce two other characters from the series in the first book. Don't overwhelm me with names and descriptions. Especially, don't give me backstory on every single one. I hate time jumps unless the rest of the series takes place from the jump, and then why have the first book on a different timeline. This book had a short story feel to it because there were no scenes that were character studies. There was lots of tell and not enough show.
She loves history and it shows. But there are too many characters and the plot is always a little too unbelievable. I prefer authors that introduce two other characters from the series in the first book. Don't overwhelm me with names and descriptions. Especially, don't give me backstory on every single one. I hate time jumps unless the rest of the series takes place from the jump, and then why have the first book on a different timeline. This book had a short story feel to it because there were no scenes that were character studies. There was lots of tell and not enough show.
October 16, 2024
Tay is a Blackchurch Guild Trainer... the best of the best, and he worked all his life to get to this position.
Athdara is a young woman who is trying to keep her little brother alive as her uncle is trying to murder the little boy like he did with his brother and nephew. Atilla the uncle wants the duchy for himself.
Athdara is firm in her decision that she wants to fight for her brother's birthright, reluctantly Tay is the one who trains her.
Another great story by this author! I couldn't put the book down and read it in 24 hours. This author's characters are always so vivid that I feel right along with them.
Athdara is a young woman who is trying to keep her little brother alive as her uncle is trying to murder the little boy like he did with his brother and nephew. Atilla the uncle wants the duchy for himself.
Athdara is firm in her decision that she wants to fight for her brother's birthright, reluctantly Tay is the one who trains her.
Another great story by this author! I couldn't put the book down and read it in 24 hours. This author's characters are always so vivid that I feel right along with them.
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