Synopsis
Sylina has sacrificed everything for her goddess–her soul, her freedom, her eyes. Life in service to the Arachessen, a cult of the Goddess of Fate, has turned Sylina from orphaned street-rat to disciplined killer, determined to overthrow Glaea’s tyrannical king. But when a brutal vampire conqueror arrives on their shores, Sylina faces an even deadlier adversary. She’s tasked with a crucial mission: infiltrate his army, earn his trust… and kill him.
Atrius is a terrifying warrior carving an unstoppable path through Glaea. Yet when Sylina becomes his seer, she glimpses a dark and shocking past–and a side of him that reminds her far too much of parts of herself she’d rather forget. Sylina’s orders are clear. The conqueror cannot live. But as the blood spilled by Glaea’s tyrant king runs thicker, her connection with Atrius only grows stronger. A connection forbidden by her vows. A connection that could cost her everything.
Thoughts
So far, this is my favorite book in the Crown of Nyaxia series. Part of the reason is pure nostalgia, as Sylina’s sacrifice reminds me of World of Warcraft’s demon hunters, who ritually sacrifice their vision for spectral sight. I have not played for a while, but this story gave me the itch a bit, haha. But, back to the story! It was amazing. The world-building and character development were phenomenal. The enemies-to-lovers dynamic between Sylina and Atrius was fire!
I am following the author’s recommended order, so I will be reading The Songbird & the Heart of Stone next. I am very excited to continue this immersive story!
★★★★★