Reviewed: September 30th, 2021
Released: September 25th, 2020
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy
“This was a war between monsters. And I was caught in the middle.”
Shapeshifters exist. Monsters are real. And no good deed goes unpunished.
Nursing student Ellie St. James didn’t mean to get involved in a war between rival gangs of shifters, but saving the life of a local mob boss’s child has dragged her into one. When Ellie’s life is threatened because of her involvement, she’s forced to go on the run, protected by Carter Ballis, head of security for the mobster’s family, and a lethal shifter himself.
Blood, fire, and warfare weren’t part of Ellie’s plans, but even if she survives, her life will never be the same. The world is more than she knew, and she’s seen too much. People capable of morphing into deadly creatures from legends and folklore around the globe are coming for her.
The cost of staying alive means trusting Carter to defend her, and he’s every bit as frightening as the creatures that want her dead…
Helen’s thoughts: 5/5
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the first of a four book series, (fortunately all published!) as the ending is a bit of a cliffhanger! Ellie St. James is an ordinary human thrust into a world she never knew existed; one that is determined to kill her. Only one man, a mythical shifter, can protect her.
Carter is a Talos, a protecter. He is a shifter based on a character out of greek mythology. I enjoyed this take on the shifters being from the world of Atlantis instead of the typical paranormal shifters.
In a short space of time, Ellie goes through a myriad of emotions and Ashwood portrays them very well as she tries to cope with unimaginable horrors as well as a continued threat to her life.
Carter is a wonderful character, struggling to overcome his hatred of humans to protect this girl. But his innate need to protect drives him to protect her with his life.
They do, of course rub each other up the wrong way, and fate is bound to shove a few roadblocks in the way, but this is action packed, emotional rollercoaster of a ride with a refreshing cast of characters.
About the author:
Don’t believe all the hype. Sarah Ashwood isn’t really a gladiator, a Highlander, a fencer, a skilled horsewoman, an archer, a magic wielder, or a martial arts expert. That’s only in her mind. In real life, she’s a genuine Okie from Muskogee, who grew up in the wooded hills outside the oldest town in Oklahoma, USA, and holds a B.A. in English from American Military University. She now lives (mostly) quietly at home with her husband and four children, where she tries to sneak in a daily run or workout to save her sanity and keep her mind fresh for her next story.
You can find more about Sarah via:
Book One: Ashes on the Earth
Link to book on Amazon UK: eBook | Paperback
Link to book on Amazon US: eBook | Paperback
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my books which are available in eBook or paperback: Book One: Sentinals Awaken. Book Two: Sentinals Rising. Book Three: Sentinals Justice. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
Helen Garraway 