Kaiya escapes her ordeal at the hands of the Teleri Emperor, only to return to a homeland beset by enemies on all sides, and crumbling from within.

As a teenager, she quelled a rebellion with the Dragon Scale Lute. As a young adult, she vanquished a dragon with the power of her voice.

Now, robbed of her magic by grief, Kaiya must navigate a web of court intrigue to save the realm before it falls. Only she can lay claim to the Dragon Throne on behalf of her unborn sons—whether the father is the lover who perished rescuing her, or the hated enemy who killed him.

In the final story in Kaiya’s saga, she must rally a nation, repel invaders, and prove to the world why her family alone holds the Mandate of Heaven.

Purchase Link: Amazon

Goodreads: Symphony of Fates (The Dragon Songs Saga #4) by J.C. Kang

Review

Rating: 5 stars

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

In this final novel in The Dragon Songs Saga, we find Kaiya trying to come to terms with her ordeal whilst a captive of the Teleri and mourning the loss of her true love Tian. With the fate of the Kingdom resting on her shoulders, Kaiya must find the strength to rally and, without her magic, find a way to secure the Throne and bring peace to the realm.

I thoroughly enjoyed the last installment to this thrilling series. From the beginning, it has been carefully crafted and mapped out, and with so much detail that it brings this world completely to life. Kaiya has gone from strength to strength throughout the series. Growing so much from the teenager she was in Book 1 to a young woman capable of uniting the lands.

I have loved reading Kaiya’s story unfold and going on her journey with her. The supporting cast have been brilliant throughout, each with their own depth and motivation so you can never be quite sure who to trust.

If you haven’t read the series, I highly recommend it!

The Lady’s Horsemen are riding out once more. Carrying death’s scythe to where tormented souls linger.
But what awaits them in a world where divine magick has returned?

Pitch is recovered from the injuries he received in the Forest of Dean, and Silas won’t soon forget the part he played in setting his guardian back on his feet.
The ankou and the daemon have been reunited in a most unexpected and intimate way, but barely have they caught their breath when a new threat arises.

A tortured spirit is frightening both the living and the dead along the roads of Devon.
But is this soul a monster that must be stopped, or another pawn in the necromancer’s mysterious game?
With Azazel’s magick re-emerging after hundreds of years, maleficium plagues the world once more. But who is wielding the forbidden arcane magick of the angels?

Do they work alone?
And why are they so intent on harassing the Lady’s Horsemen?

Silas has never felt stronger, or more determined to live up to the Order’s high expectations. He’s faced the walking dead, outwitted the enchanted Hall, and gained an ally in the skriker.
But he’s not sure he’s equipped to handle his growing attraction to a troubled daemon.
And Silas fears that getting any closer to Pitch and his tragic secrets may prove as dangerous as the monsters they are riding to face.

Purchase Link: Amazon.com

Goodreads: The Greensward (Pitch & Sickle #4) by Danielle K. Girl

Review

Rating: 5 stars

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

Having recovered from their injuries, Pitch and Silas are back on the road this time in search of a ghost so tortured that even the dead are afraid. But with unspoken feelings between them, can Pitch and Sickle still work together to overcome everything that they must face?

The Greensward is my favourite book in the series so far. Pitch and Silas are finally becoming a little closer, although they still have their own internal battles to overcome. A lot more of Pitch’s past is revealed and it is unexpected and devastating to learn of what he went through. Knowing more about what torments him gives a greater insight into his character and why he acts as he does. I am looking forward to seeing how Silas’ further understanding of his companion develops their relationship further.

In this novel, the foe that they must face is not what they seem, and Silas learns that even other Ankou cannot always be trusted. Whilst he has gained greatly in confidence of himself and his abilities, it is obvious that his mission is best served by having Pitch at his side and help from his increasing number of allies.

We learn more about the Blight and the world that Silas is living in, and I cannot wait for Book 5 to be released!

Silas Mercer has faced wily boggarts, mad faerie queens and enraged forest spirits. But can he withstand a daemon who is losing his mind?

Pitch and Sickle are left bruised, battered and reeling after their confrontation with the Verderer.
They have learned a startling truth behind the arrowhead that wounded Silas, a truth that must be taken to the Lady Satine and the Order without delay.

But his encounters in the Forest of Dean have effected Pitch in alarming ways. The daemon’s body may have healed but his erratic behaviour and wildly unpredictable temper grow ever more concerning.
Silas owes his life to Pitch. Their experience in the forest has brought them a closeness he could not have imagined possible.

But what can he do for a daemon who is losing his way?

And how long will Silas survive, if he must ride alone?

Purchase Link: Amazon.com

Goodreads: The Skriker (Pitch & Sickle #3) by Danielle K. Girl

Review

Rating: 5 stars

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

After their battle against the Verderer, Silas and Pitch are doing their best to heal. Silas’ wounds are physical, and he is also deeply troubled by what he learned during the confrontation. Pitch’s injuries have healed, but he is growing increasingly angry, erratic, and self-destructive. In the end, Silas has had enough, and they part ways. Once alone, he encounters Charlie; a human who is on the run from his own past. Together they find comfort in each other, however Silas is concerned that his life will bring danger to his new friend. But Charlie is not so easily phased by the supernatural and has a secret of his own.

Book 3 introduces some more supporting characters who I am sure will have roles to play as the series progresses. I really enjoyed learning about them and seeing their relationships with Silas develop. Silas himself is very concerned for Pitch as his feelings for the daemon grow stronger. Yet he is unable to bear seeing Pitch self-destruct and this forces them to part. Once reunited, his tenderness and love for Pitch is tested when Pitch continues to try to push him away. Pitch’s character is tormented, but I do see some hope for him with Silas’ support and belief that he can be better. In book 3 we learn more about Pitch’s past and develop a deeper understanding as to why he acts as he does.

The world building is just as detailed and vivid as the previous books, and the characters complex. Each one is being driven by their own motivations and desire to stop the Blight from destroying their world.

This series just gets better and better and I cannot wait to read book 4.

Silas Mercer is a dead man walking.

And the mysterious Order of the Golden Dawn have big plans for their newest ankou and his deathly bandalore.

Life as a servant of death has its challenges.

But the biggest one of all is Silas’s daemonic guardian, Pitch.

He may look like heaven, but he’s making Silas’s life all kinds of hell.

The daemon is arrogant, egotistical and his appetite for violence and tea cakes is fast outgrowing the small village where they have been recuperating since their run-in with Black Annis.

Now, the increasingly unstable Blight is causing new havoc, and fresh monstrosities are emerging.

Pitch and Sickle are back in the saddle, and on their way to the haunted Forest of Dean.

But can Silas rely on his guardian’s protection?

Or will Pitch prove to be the most dangerous encounter of all?

Purchase Link: Amazon.com

Goodreads: The Verderer (Pitch & Sickle #2) by Danielle K. Girl

Review

Rating: 5 stars

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

After their trials against Black Annis, Pitch and Silas barely have enough time to recover before they are on the road again. This time to find the blight stricken Verderer. Yet within the Forest of Dean, they face a foe far worse than they imagined. Together they must overcome the teratism but forging a true partnership may be the toughest challenge of all.

I thoroughly enjoyed the second book in the series and had so much trouble putting it down. We start off where book 1 left us. Joining our heroes on the road are Lady Satine’s horses Lalassu and Sanu, who are not quite what they seem.

In The Verderer, we start to learn more hints about Pitch’s past and why he has been sent to the human realm. It is clear that he is in great pain, but he tries to hide this behind his destructive and often cruel behaviour. Silas is learning more how to deal with the erratic daemon and there are moments between them that pave the way for the relationship that is slowly developing. Silas is still of the mind that Pitch is toying with his feelings, that are causing him great conflict. Yet the two of them do seem more comfortable with each other than they were in book 1.

The pacing suits the novel. Time is taken for every aspect, and this sets up the final battle in which The Verderer is revealed. The action scenes are incredibly well-written and again I was turning each page in anticipation of what will happen next.

I am really enjoying the series and cannot wait to read book 3.

1885 London, England
Silas Mercer died once. He’d rather not do it again.

On his return to the world of the living, Silas finds himself in the hands of the mysterious Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn.
The Order has London society clamouring for their services, with tarot readings, seances and exorcisms among their arcane specialities.
Now they seem intent on making Silas their newest recruit.
But they want far more from him than cheap parlour tricks.
When the Order partners him with the scandalous rake, Tobias Astaroth, Silas’s new life is turned on its head in more ways than one.
Tobias is quick-tempered, dangerously charming, and far more than the man he seems.

For Silas, surviving what the Order has planned for him will be a challenge.
But finding a way to survive Tobias Astaroth could prove impossible.

Purchase Link: Amazon.com

Goodreads: The Bandalore (Pitch & Sickle #1) by Danielle K. Girl

Review

Rating: 4 stars

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

When Silas Mercer is rescued from death, he soon learns that his saviours brought him back for a purpose. He is to join the mysterious Order of the Golden Dawn and assist them in their otherworldly activities. With no memory of his past life, Silas must not only put together who he was as a man and who he is now, but the new world around him that is such a departure from everything that he has ever known. When he is partnered with the seemingly obnoxious and non-human Tobias Astaroth, Silas learns that his role in The Order is much more important than he could ever have imagined.

The Bandalore is a great read and introduction to the version of 1800s London that the author has created. They have combined many different lores and cultures (including Japanese!) to flesh out this unique world. Taking place from Silas’ POV we learn about The Order at the same pace as the protagonist, which I preferred as it avoids an information dump and things are revealed naturally and in pace with the story.

I enjoyed meeting the characters that inhabit the world and their unique abilities. Tobias seems to do his best to alienate all those around him, but you occasionally see another side to him. A side that is in pain and is the reason for much of his behaviour. The romance is very much slow burn and there only subtle hints in this first novel. Again, due to the complexity of the series and characters, I feel this pacing is right and I look forward to seeing how their relationship develops, as well as what secrets Tobias is forbidden from speaking of.

The Bandalore is a great first installment of the series and I am very much looking forward to reading book 2.