It was a typical night for the powerful and
mistrusted half-breed, Lord Malachi. He was working on his daily list of those
who needed to be manipulated, seduced, coerced and in extreme cases, eliminated
when he suddenly realizes he must reevaluate his long and lurid past with his
best friend and shadow, Lord Aleksander. They made many mistakes throughout the
years, and he believes he can rectify some of the more egregious crimes. He
wants to right the wrongs because the sordid secrets they share have exacted a
steep toll; a toll he is no longer willing to pay. In his typical approach to
all business matters, the half-breed decides to gamble with their lives one
more time. If he succeeds, he'll be able to save the dark-elf from himself; if
he fails, they shall lose more than their lives. Book Description.
My
reviews are genuine whether I bought book or received it as an ARC, I don't
gush and give false praise – I don't believe that helps readers or authors so
what you read is what I truly feel about a book.
A
Lady of the Realm was one of the first books I reviewed and I was instantly
hooked into the series. I love the world Sharon has created, full of witches,
fairies (not with pretty wings and six inches high but some tough characters..)
Elves (same for them – no sweet tiny helpful creatures but some scheming
manipulative people), vampires, werewolves and demons. None are really
stereotypical and they balance really well in Sharon's world. This is book four
– initially I was a bit disappointed – I love Malachi, who wouldn't? But was
hoping to pick up from where the last book left off. This takes us right back
to the start of the boys meeting – a prequel to Lady of the Realm if you like
although as it contains elements from later stories where it brings us up to
date it couldn't have worked as book one. Its a great book itself , just my
wanting to know where and whets happening with Beth right from start that got
me feeling a bit lost. Expectations and all they – but book five hopefully
later this year will bring that and I'll be eagerly waiting :)
It was fascinating picking up from the early days and
seeing what the “boys” were like then, and seeing some of the events happening
that shaped their later behaviours. Sasha is still the same erratic manic
person but harder I feel than when he has Beth to temper him in later books –
even though she's often the cause of his problems. I liked seeing the young
Maria too – and finding out why Sasha married. Malachi was pretty much the same
as I see him now – very intelligent, always on the ball and definitely out to
give anything to protect Sasha.
As always Sharon's writing is riveting and in the first book I
noted the overuse of apostrophes – that's all long gone and these later books
are far more polished. Its been good to see how Sharon's writing had developed
– more finesse and yet still the same raw, gritty storyline with real people
who are tough, bitchy (Beth – definitely Beth!! ) manipulative and yet lovable.
(Not cuddly loveable but emotive love) It’s been good to read about how it all
started and what happened from a POV other than Beth and to see if what I
thought was going on was what actually happened – two sides to all stories and
all that...it’s given me a greater understanding of much of the boys actions
where it went over my head quite often before.
Sharon does bring us up to date towards the end, and a brief
glimpse of the next book - whetting my appetite for more from the Realm...hope
you get a quiet life this year Sharon and plenty of writing tine : ) as I'm
keen for more to feed my fix!
Stars: four and half – only because of my expectation of what it
was going to be, not because the writing isn't up to scratch. Like I said I can
see why it wasn't released earlier but I need (OK wanted...) more of the story
as it is now. I'm just a terribly impatient person :( and when I'm lost in
another world as I ma here I just want to know more of the story. At £1.94 for
198 pages is a good price because its definitely one for my keepers file to be
read over again. I love to read a complete series once all books are out and
with good writing there's always bits the reader has missed that get picked up
second and subsequent readings I've found.
Reviewed by Midnight Ruby
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