Challenge Corner discussion

Welcome to the city of Angelthene. We hope you survive.

Loren Calla has only ever been ordinary. As a human struggling to survive in a city that caters to the needs of vampires, werewolves, witches, and other supernatural creatures, she always assumed her life would remain simple, predictable, and as safe as her world would allow.

Until she barely escapes abduction at the hands of Darkslayers—supernatural bounty hunters that possess the Sight, a magical tracking ability that allows them to see a person’s aura—and one of her friends is taken in her place. The abductors are demanding a ransom: Loren's life in exchange for her friend's safe return. Loren will do whatever it takes to get her friend back—even if it means accepting help from Darien Cassel, the leader of the Seven Devils, the most feared Darkslaying circle in the city.

Darien specializes in tracking down demons and criminals that are better off dead than alive, so when he takes a job to track down Loren and finds out she is human—and couldn't hurt a fly if her life depended on it—he decides to protect her instead of turn her in for a reward. As much as Loren doesn't want to admit it, Darien is her best and only chance at finding her friend alive, if she can somehow manage to get along with him—and not fall head-over-heels in love with him in the process, which is far easier said than done.

When more women start disappearing, and some of them slowly turn up dead, Loren and Darien's search for answers takes them deep into Angelthene's corrupt underbelly, where they discover a dark secret that threatens to unravel their world. And when tragedy strikes, Loren learns that love can make an ordinary person do extraordinary things.

From the author of Dreams of Ice and Iron comes a new fantasy romance perfect for fans of Sarah J Maas, Ilona Andrews, and Cassandra Clare.

Please note: This book contains darker content that might be triggering for some readers, including violence, mature language, sexual content, drug abuse, death of an animal (with a HEA), sexual harassment, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and suicide. It is not intended for anyone under the age of 18.

Looking forward to reading this!

Can I join in on this one with ya'll? I've been wanting to read this one for a while.

Hey! Yes join!! I've not heard of this til Laura mentioned it so I'm quite looking forward to this

The more the merrier!
Megan and Jamie.. I was going to read this first but I think I'll read Cash first. If I'm lucky I might be able to juggle the two of them.

Yeah I'll do Cash first I think. Gives me time to get my other fantasy read finished before jumping to this

I started Cash first, too. I'm reading that with the other book I started beforehand.

I'm hoping to read a couple of chapters before bed

I'm hoping to read a few before bed as well. If not, I'll start for sure in the morning.

I don't really read synopsis so to my delight there is magic in this book. Love books that weave magic into the world building. It's been a while since I've read anything like this. Fingers crossed it's good!

I've got to try and get through more of another book as its a libby hold and will go back in 3 days but I'll try and at least start this one today

I didn't get very far, Megan still in chapter 1. I fell asleep. I'll be behind as I'm going camping this weekend and won't have a lot of time to read

Part 1 => (view spoiler)[I'm not sure what to think just yet. I don't think that Loren is just a human. It doesn't make sense for all of these people to want her. I'm wondering if that vial of "food" she has on her at all times, is like some potion or something that hides what she really is?? (hide spoiler)]

I won't rush into it then. I'm reading another fantasy, 880 pages its showing on libby and I'm 38% in. Not enough time to read while working!

Part II => (view spoiler)[These two definitely have a connection. I'm almost wondering if they do fated mates or something like that in this one.

I'm still wondering if she's really just a human. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1
(view spoiler)[
I wondered if she was like a god? Maybe a demi god or something.
I can't decide if I'm enjoying this yet. Its weird. I've seen a booktuber go crazy for this and so far I don't see the hype? Maybe I'm overally critical.
Yeah possible, it affects her vision if she doesn't keep up the dose so I had wondered if it was diabetes!
(hide spoiler)]

Part III => (view spoiler)[I'm so mad at Darien for telling her they were a mistake...UGH. These two bring peace to one another, comfort, etc...gah, men lol

I'm so curious what/who Loren is. I really don't think she's 'just' a human. (hide spoiler)]

Part IV => (view spoiler)[At first, I completely believed that Taega was behind everything, but I was happy to see that she wasn't.

I never even considered that Calanthe was behind it. But now that everything is out there, it only makes sense. I didn't see her working with Randal though.

I'm glad that Darien at least realized that Loren wouldn't break it off with him and decided to track her cell phone.

I am curious how this will all end... (hide spoiler)]

Part V => (view spoiler)[Well that was a lot lol. I forgot about the necklace that she has been wearing. I love that she was able to reverse time. Didn't see that coming. Also didn't see her bringing Darien back to life. That was another surprise.

I love that she was able to be with her dad. Didn't see that little surprise either!!

Overall, I really enjoyed this one. (hide spoiler)]

Part 1
(view spoiler)[
I find in these fantasy books it usually takes several chapters to figure out who is who.
I'm in the same boat and can't figure out why Loren is being hunted. I assumed like Megan that the vial was for diabetes.
I'm intrigued to read more (hide spoiler)]

Part 2 chapter 18
(view spoiler)[
Is she going to be a bloody phoenix shifter or something?
(hide spoiler)]

I'm dying to read whats in those spoiler tags for the other parts

I had a hard time not trying to find spoilers on some things lol

Lol, me too!

Part 2
(view spoiler)[
I'm finding it hard to sort of keep track of who is who at times. I'd love a glossary or something.
So I'm doubting my shifter thing but she has to be linked somehow to this secret society maybe her parents or something.
(hide spoiler)]

I'm behind but reading, think I'm in chapter 18.

Part 2
(view spoiler)[I think she's more then just human. I would have thought Darien's mom would figure out what she is. That tattoo has something to do with it, I think.
Lots of interesting dynamics playing out. I suspect Darien will eventually kill Randall.
(hide spoiler)]

Part 3
(view spoiler)[
I'm so tempted to dnf. I have a rule about animals senselessly dying. No need to kill the dog off. Literally no need. It upsets me stupidly. So yeah if this book wasn't so bloody long and I wasn't so far into it. I'd be done.
Its overally complicated, too many characters and insanely long. It feels long too. We're getting no where and i'm bored.
(hide spoiler)]

Part 4
(view spoiler)[
I'm still mad about the dog.
So shes mortal but she came from a magical well, but that didn't make her magical but shes got some weird homing beacon for this well?
Yay Darien had some sense.
(hide spoiler)]

I can see what you're saying Megan about the (view spoiler)[dog. I was frustrated by that as well. (hide spoiler)]

I ended up really liking the book though. I was hoping ya'll would like it too so we could keep going with the series lol

Part 5 & epilogue
(view spoiler)[
So she saved him with the well.
Nice she got to meet her dad. Thought that was actually kind of sweet.
I was struggling to get really into this from part 2. I've found a lot of the books I'm reading are fantasy or romantasy and this just didn't match I think what I enjoy my romantasy to look like. Not that I am saying all that I've been reading is better than this. Its just different.
Quite frankly I didn't enjoy her being mortal. It kind of lets it down. Its different from being a super special girl suddenly and I enjoy that difference.
(hide spoiler)]

I find it a shame I didn't really love this. I had 0 expectations going into this so it didn't have to blow my socks off either really.

Laura may enjoy it more than I did. I just have a stupid personal thing where I usualy 1 star for it and give up on the book. If this wasn't 700 pages and I wasnt 500+ in I'd have done it.

I'm still reading! I believe Ivelisse read book 1 and is waiting to buddy read book 2.

Well, I'm 100% open to making this a series thread after you are done reading Laura.

Sorry, you didn't enjoy it Megan. I get what you are saying and why though. I (view spoiler)[still think she isn't fully mortal, but I'm thinking that will come out more as the books go on. This could be me just wishful thinking though, since I agree, I like it when both characters in a fantasy aren't mortal. But this is why I feel like there were be some twist or something from the well that will make her not as mortal as everyone thinks. Especially since she does have some magic. (hide spoiler)]

Jamie wrote: "Well, I'm 100% open to making this a series thread after you are done reading Laura.

Sorry, you didn't enjoy it Megan. I get what you are saying and why though. I [spoilers removed]"

Hopefully you're right! Maybe someone can tell me if you're right when you get there

Through chapter 31
(view spoiler)[
I didn't suspect Sabine to be alive, let alone turned into a vampire (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 32
(view spoiler)[
I like that this book keeps surprising me. I didn't think that the vampires were going to offer a working together solution after the pact was broken.
I'm at the point where I do want to see where this goes or ends (hide spoiler)]

Started this one yesterday afternoon and I'm enjoying it so far!

Part 1

(view spoiler)[Definitely want to know more about Loren. I really don't think she's human. That is an immense number of people to be after someone who apparently doesn't have power.

I'm looking forward to learning more about the medication she's taking. I don't think it's as simple as fainting spells and blood sugar. Power suppressants of sorts? Is she coming into her power and it's overwhelming?

Enjoying this so far! (hide spoiler)]

yay Brittni!! I really liked this one! Can't wait to see what you think!

Part 2

(view spoiler)[I'm enjoying the connection between the two fo them. I really still think she's not human and the drugs she's been taking must have a role in it all somehow. (hide spoiler)]

Up to chapter 41(view spoiler)[
Guys can be so stupid! He definitely wasn't thinking that he would hurt Loren 's feelings. (hide spoiler)]

Through chapter 45
(view spoiler)[
The dog scene was heart breaking (hide spoiler)]

Finished
(view spoiler)[
I found the first of the book a little confusing and long but I'm glad I pushed through and kept reading. I liked the ending, it was definitely a surprise to me that Loren would meet up with her real dad.
The only part I did guess correctly was that Loren would save everyone so in that regards I think I am intrigued enough to keep reading and try the second book. (hide spoiler)]

Laura - are you open to doing a series read for the other books open in the series?

Jamie wrote: "Laura - are you open to doing a series read for the other books open in the series?"

Yes, but I need to have a little break first before I start the next one.

Would around mid-August work for you?

Sure

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RESTARTING AUGUST 18TH, 2025


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Part I => (view spoiler)[It took me a sec to remember what was going on, but it didn't take too long to grasp it again.

I feel like these two are going to be put through the ringer in this one.

I really felt for Loren after what Valary did. I have a feeling this is going to come back because she didn't want Travis to tell Darien about it, but she's not going to be able to forget all the crap that Valary shoved into her mind. (hide spoiler)]