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Regrets of The Fallen
"Mother was Angel...Father was a Demon. Author Jake Taylor steps outside of his science fiction series (Silence In Numbers) to create the first of an epic Fantasy Fiction series, Victis Honor...a series that will allow the reader to get to know a myriad of characters...spend time with them...understand them, each book focusing on different ones; with all books leading to an exciting finish at the end of the series, where the characters come together in this ancient/futuristic fantasy world known as Sanctum."
In this first book of the Victis Honor series, a knight enters into a world unfamiliar to her old ways – one changed by the technological advances of the Ravakan Empire. Guns mix with magic, cars race alongside dragons, swords are raised against tanks. Skyscrapers rise above old taverns and trains run around markets. But for Isabella of Two Faces, all of this is background noise – because she doesn’t have long to see it.
Isabella has spent twenty years believing that she deserves her coming death. As a powerful knight of both demonic and angelic blood, over the course of two hundred years she has brought death to millions, and the guilt and regret is a weight too heavy to carry for long. Until she meets Haruka, the beautiful elven monk who sees something else in her, and who decides to help her carry that weight – though she brings her own problems with her.
Now, the knight and the monk race for time, picking up both allies and enemies along the way, while forging a love between them. Pursued by both Isabella’s past and Haruka’s guild of assassins, it’s a struggle for survival – and one that Isabella may lose...even if they win.
In this first book of the Victis Honor series, a knight enters into a world unfamiliar to her old ways – one changed by the technological advances of the Ravakan Empire. Guns mix with magic, cars race alongside dragons, swords are raised against tanks. Skyscrapers rise above old taverns and trains run around markets. But for Isabella of Two Faces, all of this is background noise – because she doesn’t have long to see it.
Isabella has spent twenty years believing that she deserves her coming death. As a powerful knight of both demonic and angelic blood, over the course of two hundred years she has brought death to millions, and the guilt and regret is a weight too heavy to carry for long. Until she meets Haruka, the beautiful elven monk who sees something else in her, and who decides to help her carry that weight – though she brings her own problems with her.
Now, the knight and the monk race for time, picking up both allies and enemies along the way, while forging a love between them. Pursued by both Isabella’s past and Haruka’s guild of assassins, it’s a struggle for survival – and one that Isabella may lose...even if they win.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
July 14, 2019
It's a bittersweet and action packed story. I did like it... but I'm not sure I'll make the effort to read the whole series though.
July 6, 2022
4.5
A little childish at some points—which includes both the dialogue and the plot—but I enjoyed it quite a lot, especially the ending. I am not ashamed to say that I cried, yet I am quite happy to see the author did not ran away from that ending. It's a sad but truthful reminded that not everyone gets a happy ending.
I would change some things about it, however. The prologue was not required; it should be one of the flashbacks/dreams told later throughtout the story. Chapter 1 would be, in my opinion, a better start. Though, I also think chapters 1 and 2 required a feel changes to make them running away with each other a little more believable. I mean, I am certain that love-at-first-sight exists, but I would tone it down a bit in here.
Nonetheless, I very much enjoyed this one. Isabella and Haruka's interactions were extremely cute. Though they were a little childish, I found myself entertained by their banter. I am sure we all want that one special person we can show our inner child to and truly be ourselves.
No sex scenes, which I liked. I don't mind them, but I think they are a bit overused. No need for 1/3 of the book to be comprised solely of sex scenes, right? Unless you're reading smut, of course. But for a normal romance book? I don't see a need for it.
We didn't get to see much about the world or the magic system, most of the book was Isabella and Haruka running away/fighting their pursuers, simultaneously deepening their relationship in the progress. The little we saw, however, seemed fairly interesting. Magic, runes, enchantments, all parts of a world which seemed to have societies as technologically advanced as ours. The various races and magical beasts could've been explored a little more, too, but I can't complain, since that wasn't the main focus of the story.
Something that bugged me a little, was Isabella's condition. I mean, her body's literally deteriorating because of her fractured mental state? I find that to be a little strange. Why not blame it on her hybrid nature? Maybe due to the large portion of each race, her body just can't handle it. To me it seems like a better explanation, but okay. A lot of—relatively—small things like that didn't make a ton of sense. Also, Isabella seemed to have gotten better (mentally) by the end, with Haruka by her side, so maybe her sickness could've been slowed a bit?
Anyways, a lot of minor issues, but they didn't take away my enjoyment. I am quite sad to see this book was released in 2014. I thought this was supposed to be a series, yet I can't find the continuation on the author's Goodreads page. I was very looking forward to the next book in the series, even hoping for it to be a continuation of Isabella and Haruka's story, instead of focusing on other characters. Still, that seems unlikely now. This book really affected me—cute at first, sad as fuck by the end. I won't be forgetting it any time soon, if I do forget it all. I sure hope the latest chapters will stay in my mind for a very, very long time.
A little childish at some points—which includes both the dialogue and the plot—but I enjoyed it quite a lot, especially the ending. I am not ashamed to say that I cried, yet I am quite happy to see the author did not ran away from that ending. It's a sad but truthful reminded that not everyone gets a happy ending.
I would change some things about it, however. The prologue was not required; it should be one of the flashbacks/dreams told later throughtout the story. Chapter 1 would be, in my opinion, a better start. Though, I also think chapters 1 and 2 required a feel changes to make them running away with each other a little more believable. I mean, I am certain that love-at-first-sight exists, but I would tone it down a bit in here.
Nonetheless, I very much enjoyed this one. Isabella and Haruka's interactions were extremely cute. Though they were a little childish, I found myself entertained by their banter. I am sure we all want that one special person we can show our inner child to and truly be ourselves.
No sex scenes, which I liked. I don't mind them, but I think they are a bit overused. No need for 1/3 of the book to be comprised solely of sex scenes, right? Unless you're reading smut, of course. But for a normal romance book? I don't see a need for it.
We didn't get to see much about the world or the magic system, most of the book was Isabella and Haruka running away/fighting their pursuers, simultaneously deepening their relationship in the progress. The little we saw, however, seemed fairly interesting. Magic, runes, enchantments, all parts of a world which seemed to have societies as technologically advanced as ours. The various races and magical beasts could've been explored a little more, too, but I can't complain, since that wasn't the main focus of the story.
Something that bugged me a little, was Isabella's condition. I mean, her body's literally deteriorating because of her fractured mental state? I find that to be a little strange. Why not blame it on her hybrid nature? Maybe due to the large portion of each race, her body just can't handle it. To me it seems like a better explanation, but okay. A lot of—relatively—small things like that didn't make a ton of sense. Also, Isabella seemed to have gotten better (mentally) by the end, with Haruka by her side, so maybe her sickness could've been slowed a bit?
Anyways, a lot of minor issues, but they didn't take away my enjoyment. I am quite sad to see this book was released in 2014. I thought this was supposed to be a series, yet I can't find the continuation on the author's Goodreads page. I was very looking forward to the next book in the series, even hoping for it to be a continuation of Isabella and Haruka's story, instead of focusing on other characters. Still, that seems unlikely now. This book really affected me—cute at first, sad as fuck by the end. I won't be forgetting it any time soon, if I do forget it all. I sure hope the latest chapters will stay in my mind for a very, very long time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2014
That's not tears. I got mud in my eye...
It's hard to put in words how I felt about this book. Beautiful, bittersweet... In many ways, the characters reminded me of myself. In many, they were very different. Reading was an emotional rollercoaster, with moments that had me laughing, crying... Beautifully written and funny... but one of few books that made me cry. I only wish it were longer. The final chapters felt as though they didn't do justice to the two girls I came to adore so much... Just as the two girls said... it ended too soon.
If you are reading this review, you are wasting good time that could be spent reading this beautiful work of art.
It's hard to put in words how I felt about this book. Beautiful, bittersweet... In many ways, the characters reminded me of myself. In many, they were very different. Reading was an emotional rollercoaster, with moments that had me laughing, crying... Beautifully written and funny... but one of few books that made me cry. I only wish it were longer. The final chapters felt as though they didn't do justice to the two girls I came to adore so much... Just as the two girls said... it ended too soon.
If you are reading this review, you are wasting good time that could be spent reading this beautiful work of art.
June 2, 2015
The author has some lofty ambitions with what is supposed to be a grand series (as stated in his foreword), but I think he has to do a lot better for that to happen.
I made it halfway through, and while there are some interesting ideas, I gave up after the umpteenth pointless fight where the characters shake yet another different magical attack from their sleeves at creatures ranging from aardvarks to zombies.
And while Bella and Haruki appear to be centuries old, I'm presented with (presumably) witty dialogue that wouldn't be out of place in a kindergarten playground. There's even an arguement that ends in lines of "Does not!" "Does too!" Really?
I made it halfway through, and while there are some interesting ideas, I gave up after the umpteenth pointless fight where the characters shake yet another different magical attack from their sleeves at creatures ranging from aardvarks to zombies.
And while Bella and Haruki appear to be centuries old, I'm presented with (presumably) witty dialogue that wouldn't be out of place in a kindergarten playground. There's even an arguement that ends in lines of "Does not!" "Does too!" Really?
March 24, 2015
Just wow
I shouldn't give this book the rating I have I really shouldn't but man I have almost no words for that ending just wow the book isn't very good in some places it wanders the characters are far from heroes but damn are they well written if you fantasy mixed with a little romance a little action and a lot of redemption then get this book the ending is worth it I assure you.
I shouldn't give this book the rating I have I really shouldn't but man I have almost no words for that ending just wow the book isn't very good in some places it wanders the characters are far from heroes but damn are they well written if you fantasy mixed with a little romance a little action and a lot of redemption then get this book the ending is worth it I assure you.
February 15, 2024
I've read this book three times now and it destroys me every time. I always cry so hard at the end.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews