Dominion’s strong hold, the planet Isroth, is crawling with soldiers, and worse—the Kinduri. Nova knew her mission was impossible, but hiding the truth of what she really is may be the most critical thing she’s ever done.
Presented to Cyrillius as the fugitive he’s been chasing for lunars, the last thing Nova expected was to be complimented and revered by the man, praised for her work. The destroyer of planets has offered her a job, and it’s one Nova can’t refuse.
She came to Isroth with a goal: kill Cyrillius. But something is wrong. She just…can’t. Something is stopping her. Maybe she judged Valen for not being able to leave Cyrillius too harshly. Maybe he truly just can’t.
Time is ticking. Because the longer it takes her to figure their freedom out, the more sense Cyrillius and Dominion is starting to make.
Keary Taylor is the USA TODAY bestselling author of over twenty novels. She grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now splits her time between a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest and Utah, with her husband and their two children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night.
Please Note: Keary does not check Goodreads very often, so the best way to get in contact is directly through email: me@kearytaylor.com.
I've said it in previous reviews and I'll say it again here. These stories are short, really one or two books inexplicably separated for some reason. As to the content, it's getting harder and harder to really appreciate the story. I could see the holes in Nova's plan to take down Chrisallus (can't recall spelling of his name) a mile away. How is it that Chrisallus has a whole planet full of Kinduri that with just a touch, they can read your mind and your intentions, but allows strangers in his presence without using their services, especially since they're there when Nova and Edan arrive. Chrisallus being a tyrant dictator with a whole universe harmed over and over, it seems ridiculous that Nova and Edan get beyond the ship that brought them to the planet in the first place.
Not to mention that on a hostile world, Nova doesn't even consider that her conversations and movements are being recorded and recklessly reveals her plan and other details to Edan while living in Chrisallus' compound with his subjects, presumably loyal to him and his cause. And let's not get started on how in just a few days, and after a lifetime of fear and hatred, Nova is beginning to doubt her mission to the point she's considered just staying in the planet and living a life as a weapons developer for Chrisallus as he and his vision destroy worlds, most recently her own. It's just mind boggling.
I think it would have done Nova and Valen good to display their attraction to one another when they meet for the first time in front of Chrisallus instead of pretending to be strangers. Especially since Nova and Valen can't stop themselves from "tiny smiles" and not so convert glances at one another. I just rolled my eyes, it's something I often see in writing that frustrates me. Life and death situation or some other complex scene that could spell bad things and the characters just can't stop themselves from that glance. Sighs.
For me, it's getting harder and harder to buy in to this series but I'm hopeful that the next installment picks back up.
In Keary Taylor's Nero Blood, which is the 4th installment to her famous space opera fantasy story, we are taken immediately to the planet Isroth. On Isroth, the planet is desolate and cold and ruled by the vicious enemy, Cyrillius. All that our heroine, Nova knows is that Cyrillius is an evil man and has full control of her love, Valen Nero. Nova decides that once and for all, she must destroy Cyrillius and his cruel domination of planets and lives so that she can bring peace to the galaxies and reunite with Valen. Through her shared dreams with Valen, she sees a future that can either be beautiful or gloomy, all based on the outcome of her triumph.
But not everything is as it seems according to Cyrillius. He tries to show Nova the truth to her future and a possibility that might reunite her with Valen. But does she fall for the evil commander's words or will her own inner strength shine light to the REAL truth?
In an epic battle between good and evil, lives will be lost, loved ones will be compromised and a possible future of peace and love might be harder than Nova realizes.
Nero Blood kicks off exactly where Nero Awakening ended and the action never stops.
Nova is on her way to try and end Cyrillius but ends up realizing her goal is much more difficult than she ever imagined; she actually can't even imagine killing him now, she's literally blinded to the thoughts.
I don't want to say much more because I feel like I will spoil everything with even the smallest updates. Nova definitely has her hands full as her plans change and everything becomes beyond her control. This book moves at a fast pace due nature of this series and the action scenes are just incredibly intense. You can't put the book down once you start - it is truly impossible.
I love the new twists that Keary adds into this story. She is constantly keeping us on our toes and we are forever changing our ideas, hypothesis and adding more questions to our never-ending list.
I get so sucked in to each episode that I forget that we aren't reading a full novel til I get to the end and I am left waiting with bated breath for the next one to arrive.
And if you are as vested as I am in this series, you may even find yourself cursing in this world's language.
In the fourth of seven episodes in the Neron saga, it follows right where the last one left off. Nova is in the hands of Cyrillius with plans to kill him so she can be with Valen. There she learns there’s more to why Valen could not leave, and complications arise in her own plans to rid the galaxy of Cyrillius. Much like previous the previous episodes, it feels like not a lot is happening but it is all at the same time. And while I’m still confused on how the, for the most part untrained, protagonists (except for Valen) are able to successfully escape the clutches of the all powerful Dominion that has ruled the galaxy for years, I suppose that’s what heavy doses of suspension of disbelief are for. That aside I still really enjoy any moments between the two main characters, Valen and Nova, as the work to have the future they want together.
Nero Blood is a continuation of all three episodes before it. Each one surprisingly gets better and better. With more twists and turns and more suspense. Each episode I read, I get more involved, and more attached to the characters, and there adventurous journey. I want to hug them, punch them, squeeze them! I feel so much apart of their world, I hate when each episode ends!
This is a great addition to this series, I couldn’t put it down. As more is revealed, I find myself more anxious to see what will happen next. I’m enjoying these characters and the storyline. I look forward to reading what happens next.
Another entry in the Nero universe and it's another cracker. Nova went to try and kill Cyrillius and end his grip on the universe and Valen, but actually carrying out that plan is harder than it appears.
Although this is just another episode, there is so much happening I almost forgot that it wasn't a full novel. Once again I was drawn into Nova's world, the whole thing is so vividly painted I can almost envision it. The story is so full of twists and turns I really don't know where it's going to go next and I love that. I love that Nova and Valen are finally in the same place at the same time, but where they go from here, I don't know because the proverbial has just hit the fan. Is the next episode ready yet?
These episodes go by so fast and things happen in such easy, simplistic, fanfic-like succession that I barely have time to develop an opinion of them.
What I can say, however, is that the story building is ultimately skeletal and flimsy. Problems occur and are solved easily. Each new event is predictable and has been done a thousand times. Of course Nova calls herself stupid but goes with it anyway. Of course her family comes for her when she leaves and ruins everything. Of course Valen is just suddenly able to take Nova's side. Of course Nova is suddenly "the best engineer in the galaxy." Of course of course of course...
This feels more and more like a fanfic as a result of how rapidly things happen and how heavily the plot relies on you already wanting Rey and Kylo to be together and relies on you as a reader being totally sold on "I know we've met 3 times but we're telepathically linked and soulmates so our love IS real but like we'll have a moment of doubt so we don't seem TOO instalove but it's still definitely instalove."
If you're after a really fast paced and quick moving story that takes out its plot points in ultra rapid succession to get us from one major event to another then this will be an entertaining series, but for something as epic as a space fantasy I tend to expect a more epic, complex, larger-than-life feeling so space operas that don't go the distance are just... eh...
I might like book #5 better because it's apparently just going to be Nova and Valen trapped alone a planet so maybe we'll get some character and relationship development but like... it might also just be 100 pages of them kissing and probably having sex until suddenly Nova is like "okay but like we gotta go kill cyrillius still despite me like getting exactly what i wanted by us being trapped here alone."
Death is what is on Nova Nero’s mind. The death of Cyrillius. For all of the pain and destruction he has caused. He must be destroyed. Equipped with the training Nova received on Salypso, she and Edan head to kill Cyrillius. The only thing Nova didn’t take into consideration is any safeguards Cyrillius may have put in place. The Kinduri have far reaching abilities Nova was not prepared for. The power to alter your mind. One touch and the Kinduri have the ability to make it so Nova is unable to kill Cyrillius or have Valen leave Cyrillius service. Nova finds herself unable to accomplish what she set out to do when she arrived on Isroth. She finds out she has to be Cyrillius newest weapons engineer, much to her dismay. Nova also finds out why Valen says he cannot leave Cyrillius service. Something not even Valen knew. Valen comes to aid Nova but soon finds the tables turned. When Zayne, Nova’s father and Nymiah try to assist Nova in her quest, they wind up being captured and the Kinduri extract information that is used against Nova. In the maylay that follows, Nova’s father is killed when Nymiah uses her Nero abilities to try and kill Cyrillius. Though the effort was unsuccessful, it did provide an opportunity for them to escape. Nova splits the crew. Zayne, Nymiah and Edan make a break for it in the Corsair. And Nova and Valen take Cyrillius’s newest, fastest ship. While making their harrowing escape, Nova and Valen go off course and crash land on an unknown planet. Now it’s just Nova and Valen alone on a deserted planet. What will happen next?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Slag! No surprise here, but I am still totally loving the Nero series! Nero Blood was intensely action-packed, with so many twists and turns. We finally get to see Valen and Nova together. Their chemistry is actually sweet, in an ass kicking sort of way, if that's even a thing. As per usual, in the series, we end in a gigantic cliff hanger. As far as Cyrillius is concerned, he's still a threat, but he has definitely been brought down a notch and is squirming in his pants, I'm sure. We also lost our first major character, and I have to admit that, I cried. It really came as a shook to me, but also angers me a little, as I really wanted to learn more about them.
The author, Keary Taylor, continues to amaze me with her skill of developing her characters, and story. The world that she has created in the Nero series, is un-real. She writes in such great detail, that I believe these spaceships, and crazy planets are real. I can feel myself in them.
I can t wait for the next one! I know that we will only get 3-4 more, but I also know I will re-read these many times!
Nova Nero has just unknowingly stepped into a sticky situation and she doesn't even know it. This story continues Novas journey in ending the rule of the rule of Cyrillius. He seems charming and convincing and would probably make lesser people crack. But not Nova! This woman is a firecracker with such compassion. for the ones she loves. One of my favorite parts of this book is when she describes the feeling of a soul mate. Every time I read this series I get closer and closer to the edge of my seat. The energy between Nova and Valen even when they aren't in the same sector, makes my heart flutter with anticipation. I cant imagine when they can even do when they get together. Every time I feel like they have discovered some new information, more happens. This story is like quicksand, the more I feel like it makes sense, the further I sink into the new possibilities of what could be I definitely recommend this book to anyone into science fiction and suspense.
Another fantastic episode to add to an already fantastic series. This episode starts pretty much where the previous one left off. Nova has been “captured” by Edan and taken to Isroth and Cyrillius, but the idea to kill him doesn’t quite go to plan. Can Nova and Edan escape before Cyrillius discovers their true intentions?
All the characters make you more attached to them with each episode but I have to say I absolutely love the character of Edan, I have done since the very moment we were first introduced to him in Neron Skies (Neron Rising episode 2). He’s like the brother you always wanted, he’s smart, savvy and definitely sassy and he comes more and more lovable with each episode.
With twists and turns around every corner, this story is another brilliant addition to the Neron Rising Saga. A solid 5 star read!
I am in total love of this series by Keary Taylor! Nero Blood picks up right where the last book left off without missing a beat and was able to quickly and easily move back into the action without any awkward transitions. I have always loved how Taylor is able to give depth to all her characters - in particular her villains and Nero Blood was no different. By doing so, you are second guessing yourself on which side you are actually on, it isn't exactly black and white. While the end of the novella you are definitely more on the side of "good" it brought up questions for where this series may end up going - what is good may not exactly be as easy to see in the end. Fantastic read and highly recommend for those that aren't typical sci-fi fans - this series has this typical horror fan 100% hooked!
‘Nero Blood’ was a great read. I felt like it really picked up the pace of the saga after the last episode and we were taken on a fast paced adventure with Nova and Edan as they ventured into the unknown.
In this episode, we get to see more of Valen and Cyrillius. This added a new dimension to the storyline and enabled us to learn a little more about the complexities of the undertakings that Nova has to face.
I really enjoyed this episode, with its fast paced and exciting story. As usual, Nova was bold and heroic. I love Keary Taylor’s female characters and Nova is no exception to this. Bring on the next book!
Honestly, this is still too short and the romance happens way too fast (they even mention in canon that it doesn't make sense for them to be this in love this quickly, but they roll with it anyways lol) but there's actually a sense of tension and real stakes. There's action and adventure and all that good stuff. And there are some satisfying moments and mysteries solved.
Anyways, I really dislike the formatting of this series because honestly all of these little books could fit in one omnibus and read like a smooth narrative, but it is what it is.
Are you hanging on? Because this is one roller coaster ride of a saga, and this episode easily kept up the spiraling twists and turns. Now, I'm perched at the top of a death-defying plunge, just waiting for the next episode to drop. This ride has it all: Sci-fi, space fantasy, action, adventure, and romance, all thrown in with a cautionary tale of planetary overuse of resources and what can happen when one company claims all the power. Do you feel it? That clenching in your gut that happens just before you plunge? That's what Keary Taylor creates for her readers, and she's just done it again.
I'm quite relieved actually. When I went into this series, I thought it was going to be a 3 to 4 book series. When I read episode 3, I thought that it was too easy for Nova to infiltrate the Dominion. Then Keary Taylor announced that this will be about a 7 to 8 episode series. I was relieved while reading episode 4 because things became harder to handle for Nova and her crew. I shed a few tears when Nova found that her father died. But I really liked how Nova couldn't dwell on his death because Cyrillius was trying to capture them. I'm excited to see what is in store for Nova and Valen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This serie is one of the best I've read and it keeps getting better and better with every new development. Valen and Nova show that even with everything against them and people around them trying to manipulate their actions they can change their future. Loved every minute of this book and highly recommend it and to be honest every book that Keary Taylor has written or will write. She is an amazing writer and her talent knows no boundaries. Can't wait for the next chapter!
Picking right up where the last book ended this installment sees Nova right in the heart of the Dominion and shows another whole side of Valen and his love for her. No matter what gets thrown at this girl she never gives up, she has every reason to give into Cyrillius however she is determined to win both her and Valen's freedom.
This 4th installment leaves me wanting more, I highly recommend this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Hmm Nova goes on this insane mission to finally understand why Valen can’t kill the evil dude and gain a lil respect for his struggle and continued dedication where it shouldn’t be. Then instead of the idiot bunch staying safe where she left them they come a long and jam up everything ending in the death of her dad.... Leaving her and Valen stranded together on some unknown planet.. Lots of twist drama and action and I loved every bit of it ...
This one the 4 book in her new series. And as always it didn't disappoint. It has so many twists and thing just go so wrong. We finally get to see Valen and Nero together. Isroth the planet is desolate and cold. Finally seeing Cyrillius put down is wonderful. I can't wait for the next one as always.
Wow. These stories just keep getting better and better. I love how this one starts right where Nero Awakening ended. Nova is just one awesome chica, I just love her character. This is as good as the other three. It had me sucked in from start to finish. If I keep going I will spoil it, so you need to read it. Thank you Keary for another amazing book.
I loved Nero Blood. And I'm seriously impressed with how good this series is. Something that I love most of all is how we learn something new each episode so it never gets boring. The storyline, the characters, and the romance keep on getting better each time! And the ending of Nero Blood was truly amazing.
From beginning to end, this book held my attention and din't let it go. I loved every moment, and the horror aspect to her not being able to go through with her plan was awesome. Although part of me believes the villain was a little too lenient with Nova and Edan, I understand he was trying to get her on his side.
The craziness of the ending and the little twist when everything felt not right had my jaw drop. I loved every second of this one.
Having read the previous 3 I'm enamoured how Keary does it all how does she create such characters that keep you entertained keep you engrossed the whole book you won't be disappointed at all with this series of episodes I for one can't wait for more.
A great addition to this series with more drama, danger and one woman's fight to end evil. Edan turns Nova into Cyrillius but nothing goes as she planned. How long can she hide the fact she's Nero? Things aren't what they seem and now she understands Valen and what was done to him. 4.8
I loved the pace of this episode and it really feels like things are about to get real interesting. You get to delve a little deeper behind enemy lines. The character build up is going strong - Nova has so many layers and can really get the best out of people. Can't wait for the next episode.
Another great episode. I was not expecting the big tragic twist. Very sad but then now that I’m thinking about it more she didn’t stay broken long. Can’t give anything away. It’s too long a wait for more, though.
This is just slam amazing! It’s perfect in every sense of the word! Nothing I say can describe it better than perfect! The action, the romance, the pacing, that ending! And with every instalment I just love Valen more! Perfection!