The Claimed

The Lost Witches of Aradia #6

by Maggie Sunseri

Long live Áine, Queen of Aradia…As uprisings and rebellions rage across the realm, Áine grapples with the consequences of her perilous decision. Drowning under the burden of grief, guilt, and shame, she wrestles with the shadows for control of her body and soul. Though her fierce protector, Daelon, has gone cold and unreadable—he remains in the castle, compelled to watch the love of his life get ever closer to his enemy.

When Lucius urges his new Queen to help him squash the revolution, Áine is forced to decide once and for fight for the realm or submit to the shadows.

The Claimed is the addictive, fast-paced sixth installment in The Lost Witches of Aradia series.

Genres: Audiobook, Romantasy, Paranormal, Witches, Magic, Fantasy

336 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2023

About the author

Maggie Sunseri is the author of fantasy romance books by day and a witch, tarot card reader, and succubus by night. She has a bachelor's degree in Anthropology/Sociology. When she’s not traveling the world, you’ll find her curled up with a good book and a hot cup of tea, pretending it’s autumn no matter the season.

Sign up for her newsletter at https://maggiesunseri.com for ARC opportunities, bonus content, and new releases, or follow her on Instagram and Facebook for more frequent updates.

You can join her secret coven (reader group) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/maggi...

She also writes a Substack about spirituality, mental health, addiction, sexuality, and all things witchy and creative. https://maggiesunseri.substack.com/

Reviews

[Tay_is_reading_again · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gosh this book had my anxiety HIGH. Again, so much happens within a relatively short fantasy book at just over 300 pages. I loved all the different POVs in this book. It really allowed me to see the character growths and regressions in this one!!! Maggie Sunseri has such a talent for creating worlds and characters. She has become my comfort author.

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I spent most of my time reading this book sounding like an engine that wouldn’t catch: but…but…but…but…but…but…but…but… Everything I thought was going to happen in this book occurred with a twist I never saw coming. Including several things that happened that I never anticipated at all. My heart is broken yet it’s still filled with so much hope for what Áine will accomplish in the future.
I received a complimentary advance copy of this book from the author.

[Sammantha (its_a_literary_life) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well I don’t think I breathed during this entire book! The amount of times I put my hand over my mouth was shocking. I’m awestruck. Pure anxiety the whole book but in the best way. 🤭

First, let me say a huge thank you to Maggie Sunseri for the ARC! I’m obsessed with this series. This is the 6th installment in The Lost Witches of Aradia Series and I don’t want it to end. We’ve seen a whole new side to Lucius and Áine in this book and I LOVED the darkness in this one. I’ve never been so torn between two fictional men in my whole life. I’m madly in love with them both!! 😏

I had no doubt this book would be another amazing and epic part to the story and she delivered! 👏🏻👏🏻 The world Maggie Sunseri builds in these books along with the magic system is unfettered and unfaltering. Truly some of the most beautiful writing and such a vivid storyteller. This book starts off from Cyrus’ POV and I thought that was interesting and enjoyed that. We still have alternating POVs throughout with Áine and Daelon. There isn’t as much action is this book as the last one but I don’t think it slows the pace of the book down at all because every character is experiencing the world in an entirely different light now. I also feel like there is some subliminal theme about addiction in this book with how the shadows overtake and control Áine at times and how she keeps a part of herself that she believes weak locked away. The way she deals with the loss and grief is heartbreaking but powerful. And Lucius. Whew! 🥵 This book showed me a whole other side to that man and my mind is distraught. You just never know what’s going to happen in these books and I love it!

[Katie Wells · Rating 4 out of 5]

“There is no darkness so dark that it cannot be touched by the light.”

“Hope is a thing that can never die. It can grow even in the most barren of fields. You can channel from hope even when you have nothing else left. There will be a path out of this darkness. And when you find it, you must take it and never look back.”

The Claimed might be my favorite book of The Lost Witches of Aradia yet. And I’m not even sure I can adequately explain why, but here goes.

Seeing Áine in this part of her journey with Lucius is absolutely heart wrenching. But it is also incredibly powerful to see her deal with her grief, loss and pain. In every moment I was reading this book, I truly did not know how things were going to turn out. Things seemed hopeful at times and hopeless at others, but that theme of just keeping a kernel of hope prevailed. I don’t want to give anything away but there are so many moving and unexpected moments here. And I know they are all going to be so important for the finale to come. Daelon and Áine will always have my heart. But maybe there’s some room in there for Lucius too. Can someone really be all bad? I guess we will find out.

If you haven’t started this series yet, pick up The Discovered! You’ll get witches, morally gray men, family secrets, dark and light forces colliding, spirituality, spicy romance and so much more.

[Aleta Meeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie Sunseri’s latest, The Claimed, is AMAZING! Get ready for all the feels!! You will laugh, cry, and every feeling in between! You will probably swear several times as well. Áine’s journey continues. If you are hoping this book will push you to either team Lucius or team Daelon, I can tell you for me, it left me even more torn. Áine learns so much more about herself and about Lucius. There is so much insight into the frail human psyche and all the messiness that comes with living, life, addiction, dependency, self-doubt, and those nagging voices in our heads that make us second (3rd, 4th, 5th, etc.) guess ourselves on the daily. Maggie helps us to see that we are capable, strong, and wise in our own rites, as people, but that we all need each other to thrive. There are so many life lessons in The Claimed. Affirmation in the strength of leaning on others is seen repeatedly. The Claimed leaves the reader wanting more. Well, y’all, there’s only one more book in this series, The Redeemed. Who do you think the redeemed will be? I’m hoping for all of them to be! Thank you, Maggie, for taking on the tough things in life and presenting them through these beautiful characters. Your strength and way with words leave me speechless.

[Karen Saberzadeh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all-time favorite series and this installment definitely does not disappoint. Kept me up late into the night to finish it. Aine had made her choice to save Dameon the only way possible and her decision takes her to some dark times struggling with an addiction. Just when you think you understand Lucius there's another twist to the plot. I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the final book in this series. Maggie Sunseri writes the most wonderful in-depth characters and worlds to escape to. You become friends (or enemies) with them all. At times I've both loved and hated both Dameon and Lucius, but I've never been bored. I highly recommend starting from the beginning and jumping into this magical world if you haven't read any of her books.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic series.  Every book gets better.   A fabulous plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat.  Just where will this adventure take Aine next? I lost a lot of sleep as I just couldn't but this one down. 

[Natalie Mummasbooknook · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. What a book! The 6th instalment of The Lost Witches of Aradia did not disappoint, but I am so upset by that ending!!!! We got to see more Lucius, and, as I am team Lucius I was very happy!
Anya goes through a lot in this book, like seriously, I would have given up in book one! I am so scared for the last book, but I also cannot wait to get it in my hands!

[Chetta Gorr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, this series is absolutely incredibly. There is spice amixed with a page-turning plot that literally had me on the edge of my seat. There are so many twists and turns throughout the story. The author has a beautiful writing style that allows readers to truly connect and feel the emotions of the characters which creates a unique experience. I could not put this book down.

[Raye · Rating 4 out of 5]

**ARC REVIEW**

Please be warned that if you have not read the last 5 books you are in for some spoilers lol. On that note, I will get on with it.

I am going to make this review as spoiler free as I possibly can. First off, The Claimed starts where The Scorned left off. Except we get Cyrus's point of view in the beginning chapter. We still get Aine and Daelon's POV as well. You also will get a glimpse into Lucius' mind as well.

What I loved. There is still a powerful sense of hope and community around Aine even in her darkest of times. When she forgets her purpose and who she is, those who love her come through. All the side characters you have grown to love in the books before are still there and there are even some surprise allies (just you wait lol). I really liked Maggie's take on our inner darkness and hints at substance abuse and other vices that help quiet that darkness. But in the end, you have to feel the hurt, live through the pain, and go into life with clarity or you cannot grow. This is what I took from Aine's painful and dark journey.

Some things I am still not so sure about and didn't love. This was the slowest of Maggie's books to date. I understand we are setting the scene for the bigger purpose and we're also in the developmental stages of a new romance. But it felt more like the pacing of a first book than the 6th book in the series. I also had a few issues with Aine's blackouts. While we do get to know at times what happened in Daelon's POV some of the time that was lost is never explained. This in no way took away from the beautiful writing or gut-wrenching emotions I felt while reading. But I think I expected more action and a faster pace. Maggie is still a word wizard and this is still one of my favorite witchy series. This was just something that caught me off guard.

All in all, this was a great book and I pray there is a happily ever after because that ending was rough lol. Check your DMs Maggie! LOL

[Joana · Rating 2 out of 5]

4/10 ⭐️

At only 22, Áine knows she's different, after her moms died to protect her, giving her a bracelet to "dull out" her gift. At her birthday party, in order to save a friend, Áine is forced to remove her bracelet and unleash her power, attracting all kinds of dangers she was previously shielded from.
As she is now free to use her power, a male voice in her head begins to guide her and help her on her path. At the same time, Daelon, a male witch, appears out of nowhere, promising to be there to help her as his life purpose.
Áine is led to the kingdom of Aradia, where she realizes a power-hungry political war is ongoing, making Lucius the reigning king (not exactly the rightful one).
As the books evolve, it becomes obvious who the voice in Áines head belongs to, who her mothers were, who Daelon is and why everyone either sacrificed or is risking for her. As for Áine,
she develops an obvious relationship with Daelon and a not so obvious, totally weird relationship with someone else.
The battle for the kingdom continues, and the community of remaining witches sides either with Áine or Lucius in a rebellion.

Seven books are not necessary, the plot would fit in three at most.
We get the romance, we get the smut, we get the magic universe plot building... but what we also get is so many filler chapters. Sincerely, the last three chapters of each book sum up the juice of the advancing plot for that book.
Other than that, I have to praise the author for not filling the book with explicit smut in every chapter (it does have a bit in each book, but nothing shocking or exaggerated).
It gets tiring and dull, and by the last two books, I almost DNF’d, but I was curious about the ending.

[Jenny Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have desperately awaited the 6th installment of the Lost Witches of Aradia. This book is emotionally gripping. It is a perfect continuation of the storyline. As always… I am so grateful that the author shared this beautiful world with her readers. It speaks to accepting all parts of yourself. Allowing your trials to make you stronger. Using your brokenness to lead to compassion for others. Not to mention… the scenes between Áine and Lucius will make you swoon!!! There are plot twists that keep you guessing. I am DYING for the next book. I am still Team Lucius!

Just a few of my favorite quotes:

“ Because he loved her. He loved her
enough to give her a choice to give her power even when it would directly threaten everything he'd spent his whole life to build.” -Daelon

"Hope is a thing that can never die. It can grow even in the most barren of fields. You can channel from hope even when you have nothing else left." -Orion

"I don't fault him for loving you still, not at all.
You're really quite easy to love." -Lucius

"I see you, Lucius. The real you.
Not the story that's been told. Not the person Angelina would have me believe is you." -Áine

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is incredible!! You go on an emotional roller coaster with the characters yet again, experiencing the twists and turns of coming face to face with your dark side. The hinting at substance abuse is elegantly weaved through the story, as well as the escapism that goes with, that we’ve all experienced. I love that through the dark times faith and community are never fully lost. You discover that sometimes the most wicked are in need of the most love. The only cons I have would be to say the book was slower paced than others, however it feels like a turning point in the entire series so that almost makes sense. At some point it turns 0-60 until the end of the book. Very hard to put this book down! Incredible new piece to our overall story, can’t wait to see where it goes!! I love that we don’t have to wait too long between book releases.

[Breanne Melville · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best one of the series! I loved the multiple POV from the characters, it let you see new sides of the character and make you fall in love with them even more! For someone who struggles with depression and addiction this book really spoke to me on an emotional level. Showing us all that we can over come our own evil shadows may it not easy but makes us stronger in the end. Make sure you have a tissue box you will be shedding many tears! Thank you for sharing this with us readers <3

-Breanne

[Krysti Kois · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was definitely a departure from the Aine that we have seen so far. Am I the only one who loves this version better? I am still firmly in the Aine + Lucius camp. That one scene with Aine, Damon and Lucius though….. I could definitely go for that too. There’s really too much going on in this book to talk about anything else as it would be too spoilery. Thankfully the last book, book seven, the Redeemed is not far away. Thank you Maggie, for this ARC copy and I can’t wait for the next one.

[Libby Charlotte Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

These books are HIGHLY underrated. I will say it LOUDLY for those in the back 👏 👏 👏

Oh dear god. I loved it. A change from the more holier than thou version of Aine. I don't know how this is going to end but I am here for it, please don't disappoint me!

I don't want to wait until the final book given I have demolished these back to back (as expected). But I have to wait patiently. Argh!

[Kaitlyn Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m not sure I like this one that much. Some parts had me HOOKED and other parts I was like UGH HURRY UP. I’m not even sure what the point of her doing what she did was. Like why did she even go there and do that? What did it do for the plot? How did it help save Aradia? This book was like those annoying filler episodes in your favorite Netflix series. Hopefully the next book with wrap this story up nicely.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intense and Raw. Book 6 in this series continues and best read in order to fully understand the events leading to this situation. What can I say other that “Wow,” “Intense and Raw,” “Powerful” and any other speechless emotions. Áine surprises me and the plot twist with Nathaniel is clever and poetic. So many tears from the heart bleeding because the emotions are real, raw and strong but so worth reading. I received a complimentary copy from the author to leave an honest review.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25
I liked the development of the relationship between A and L. Yet, L deserved so much more in his character arc. All that build up just for one time between them was not worth it. I wanted more moments between them. There was too much time spent on her warring with her shadow self, in my opinion. I wanted more A and L. Also the plot twist with N- I saw coming after the previous book. Overall, I’m left feeling like L was done wrong.

[Kim Goodwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maggie spins a take that will break your heart but also teach you about the truths of dark and light in the universe. She has been blessed with an amazing gift, and I am better for having read it. Congratulations, Maggie.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series!! I can’t wait to start the last book and yet I am so sad that I am almost finished with it. The story is amazing, the witch details are perfect and the characters are so great. I don’t know if I can ever love a book as much as this series again.