Song of Shadows

by Sylvia Mercedes

A Disastrous Mission. A Forbidden Love.Hollis trained for years to master the possessing spirit inside her. One wrong move and the spirit will overwhelm her body and damn her soul . . . but as long as she maintains control, Hollis wields incredible magic in the service of her Goddess. Fendrel is her partner and fellow soldier in the war against heretic witches. Together they join a mission to retrieve an important prisoner from enemy territory. When disaster strikes, and the mission is compromised, they must depend on each other for survival across a perilous mountain range. But as danger draws them closer than ever, the secret feelings Hollis harbors for Fendrel grow harder to ignore. She knows the Law. She knows love between members of her Holy Order is punishable by death.She doesn’t know how much longer she can deny the passion threatening to ignite between them.

Genres: Fantasy

204 pages, Paperback

Published April 11, 2019

About the author

Hi, there. I'm Sylvia: cat-lover, tea-drinker, book-addict, and avid fan of the Kickbutt Heroine Fantasy Genre! If you like reading about tough heroines with extraordinary powers facing their demons and saving their loved ones . . . then we ought to be friends!

Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter. You get my novel, Song of Shadows, for FREE when you sign up!

Reviews

[Di · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would recommend this book for anyone who is highly interested in magic of any kind. The story line was interesting and fast-paced from the beginning. The characters seemed a little secretive themselves and a lot is left to be discovered as the series progresses I’m sure.

[Jocelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

PUBLISH THIS WOMAN'S BACKLOG!!!

[Shawna Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost wish I had started here so I knew who Hollis and Fendrel were and their history together, because I didn’t care much for either in the Venatrix Chronicles, but this… this brought a much-needed humanity to two fairly controversial characters when seen through Ayleth and Terryn’s perspective.

I am, sadly, left with questions unanswered… not exactly important ones, but I wonder if Hugon’s fate was ever known… my heart was breaking so hard for that little guy. I’m going with he probably died in slavery, or did he die that night out on the pier in the crush?

And I want to know the seer’s name, even if his history and further fate is unknown, because I certainly don’t recall Hollis sharing his story with Ayleth on the road through the Witchwood to Dulimurian, nor do I remember Dread Odile talking about a seer she had been trying to get back….

But not even getting those answers matters in the end, because this prequel adds a bit of a different slant to future deeds… especially after having finished the series and realizing nothing is ever quite as black and white as it seems.

And how not everyone agreed with Dread Odile’s methods, given the seer’s efforts to stay out of her clutches.

Read it… you’ll enjoy it, even if you (like me) inadvertently saved this one for last.

Oh, and if you want a copy it’s free on the author’s website if you sign up for her free newsletter.

[Bri Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first read by this author. I think I got a copy via her newsletter. I really enjoyed the world building. This was a short story but it packed a lot of information and adventure. It weaved pretty seamlessly and didn’t feel choppy. Maybe slightly rushed but not lacking in detail. It left me wanting to know more. It was a nice appetizer of a book. The themes are not something I prefer and it’s a bit darker than I usually read- that’s a me problem. I don’t really like witches and demons and things like that. For not being my “taste” I actually really enjoyed it. It was a new twist on old tales. There was a hint of romance. This would appeal to fans of Sarah J Maas, The Witcher, Red Queen, and other fantasy and world building stories.

[Andra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prequel to Venatrix Chronicles

Sylvia did a wonderful job detailing the backgrounds for a couple of the Venators. We are also introduced to some new characters. It’s a very detailed set-up to the series and prophecies for events to come.

“No past. No future. Only the hunt.”
“No choice, only destiny. No future save that which was already preordained.”

[Jenn Z · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were some heart wrenching moments in this book so be prepared to cry. For a first time reader of this author I’m definitely going to be back for more I enjoyed the writing so much.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing story. Hollis might have trained for a long time but control is the whole answer. Will she save the prisoner on time? Intriguing, with lots of action and perhaps even a romance.

[Bess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollis's backstory!

[brii | brii (four months behind...) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was everything I didn't know I needed. I loved going back into Hollis’ past so much and seeing things through her eyes. I read this after reading the first few books in the actual series, so I think that helped me view this whole prequel in a different light.
I went into it without the highest regard for Hollis, and I left it with an entirely different opinion of her. I'm glad for that, to be honest. I really appreciated learning more about her, so I'm thankful that this installment of the series exists.