Review: Nocturne (Fourth Talisman #1) by Kat Ross

Nocturne, a wilderness of eternal night.

Solis, a wasteland of endless day.

Nazafareen is a Breaker, a mortal who has the rare ability to shatter spell magic—although her power carries a high price. With the memories of her former self erased and nowhere else to turn, she comes to Nocturne hoping to start a new life under the triple moons of the darklands.

But when an assassin forces Nazafareen to flee to the sunlit mortal city of Delphi, she finds herself embroiled in a deeper mystery whose origins lie far in the past. Why was the continent sundered into light and dark a thousand years before? And what really happened to the elegant but ruthless creatures who nearly reduced the world to ashes? The new Oracle might know, but she’s outlawed magic and executes anyone caught practicing it. Nazafareen must hide her powers and find a way out of the city—before it’s too late.

As the net slowly tightens, something ancient and vengeful begins to stir in the arid death zone called the Kiln. A dashing daeva named Darius is pursuing Nazafareen, but so are a multitude of enemies. War is brewing again. Can she stay alive long enough to stop it?

Review

Rating: 5 stars

*I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review*

Nocturne is the first novel in the Fourth Talisman series by Kat Ross. Centred around mortal and magic-breaker Nazafareen, Nocturne follows her on her quest to restore her memories and discover who she really is.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Nocturne. It is a brilliantly-crafted fantasy novel with a rich and immersive world that draws in the reader right from the beginning. The lands, religions and magics have been developed in such a vividly descriptive way that you feel as though you are actually living within the pages. I loved the characters of Nazafareen and Darius. Nazafareen is a very strong and determined woman who, despite realising that she may not like all that she learns about her previous life, is fully resolved to find out the truth and protect those whom she cares about. Darius is equally strong and determined to protect Nazafareen and his unwavering love for her is clearly felt throughout the novel. There is also a wide-range of supporting characters all whom have parts to play as the story unfolds.

One thing I did not realise until I started reading is that the Fourth Talisman series is a follow-up series to the Fourth Element series which I have not read. Whilst I will certainly be reading it, I will probably finish this series first so I can re-discover Nazafareen’s past with her however some readers may prefer to start with the original series.

Nocturne is an amazing first novel in the Fourth Talisman series and I enjoyed reading it very much. If you love fantasy then I definitely recommend you checking out the series.