What do you think?
Rate this book
The White Order #1
The Pact of the White Blade Knights
London, 1884.
While other twenty-seven-year-old, middle-class women think about rearing children and attending dinner parties, Hazel finds herself unmarried and unemployed.
The stuffy barons of the Royal Archaeologic Society don’t believe a woman can be an archaeologist, so they gave her the sack. Having slapped the leader of the society when he groped her breasts might have something to do with losing her job.
With bills to pay and a stomach to fill, she accepts a position as dealer in ancient artefacts. It’d be her dream job except that her new employer, Tyon Sancerre, has more secrets than an Egyptian tomb and is probably involved with the Whitechapel’s mob.
When he says he needs her to find his long-lost fellow crusader knights, she thinks he’s mad, a rich, handsome, but mad man.
Tyon claims to be a sin-eater, a human turned into an immortal to clean people’s souls from their sins. After he and the other sin-eaters—the knights of the White Blade—were cursed, they were separated and scattered around the world. Alone the sin-eaters don’t hold much power, and with their enemies—the sin-breathers—multiplying and causing wars and famine, the only way Tyon has to find his brothers is through a relic Hazel worked with at the museum.
It’s all poppycock, that’s what she says. But when sin-breathers attack them, a ghost appears to her, and she witnesses wounds healing themselves in a moment, she wonders if her beliefs need to be reconsidered.
And the worst thing? She’s falling in love with an immortal, cranky, too-many-centuries-year-old white knight.
****Due to the content of the book, this novel is for an adult audience only****
While other twenty-seven-year-old, middle-class women think about rearing children and attending dinner parties, Hazel finds herself unmarried and unemployed.
The stuffy barons of the Royal Archaeologic Society don’t believe a woman can be an archaeologist, so they gave her the sack. Having slapped the leader of the society when he groped her breasts might have something to do with losing her job.
With bills to pay and a stomach to fill, she accepts a position as dealer in ancient artefacts. It’d be her dream job except that her new employer, Tyon Sancerre, has more secrets than an Egyptian tomb and is probably involved with the Whitechapel’s mob.
When he says he needs her to find his long-lost fellow crusader knights, she thinks he’s mad, a rich, handsome, but mad man.
Tyon claims to be a sin-eater, a human turned into an immortal to clean people’s souls from their sins. After he and the other sin-eaters—the knights of the White Blade—were cursed, they were separated and scattered around the world. Alone the sin-eaters don’t hold much power, and with their enemies—the sin-breathers—multiplying and causing wars and famine, the only way Tyon has to find his brothers is through a relic Hazel worked with at the museum.
It’s all poppycock, that’s what she says. But when sin-breathers attack them, a ghost appears to her, and she witnesses wounds healing themselves in a moment, she wonders if her beliefs need to be reconsidered.
And the worst thing? She’s falling in love with an immortal, cranky, too-many-centuries-year-old white knight.
****Due to the content of the book, this novel is for an adult audience only****
231 pages, Paperback
First published October 24, 2019
12 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
July 19, 2020
I got a copy of this book in return of an honest review.
What a surprisingly amazing read!
It has a rich story line and it is wonderfully executed. There is vast amounts of paranormal and romance to keep you hooked from the very start. The characters are real, and with Ms Russell’s writing it is so easy to become them.
I am very much looking forward to reading book 2!
What a surprisingly amazing read!
It has a rich story line and it is wonderfully executed. There is vast amounts of paranormal and romance to keep you hooked from the very start. The characters are real, and with Ms Russell’s writing it is so easy to become them.
I am very much looking forward to reading book 2!
April 4, 2021
I got a free copy of this book via Voracious Reader Only in exchange for an honest review.
So this is not the type of book I normally read. Generally I stay away from books that are set in a past time, but I was intrigued by the excerpt. I was very suprised how much I like this book. To me, its a unique story and I would be very interested in reading more.
So this is not the type of book I normally read. Generally I stay away from books that are set in a past time, but I was intrigued by the excerpt. I was very suprised how much I like this book. To me, its a unique story and I would be very interested in reading more.
November 17, 2019
The Classic Fight of Good vs. Evil… and Then Some!
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and oh, what a complex world she weaves. This is definitely a classic story of Good vs. Evil, the sin-eaters vs. the sin-breathers (love those concepts BTW), but the author has given the world an incredible depth and backstory. I appreciated that she allowed the backstory to be woven through the novel instead of being presented as a data dump, as often happens in fantasy. The words are deftly written well. She pulled me right into the book and made me feel as if I were living in this paranormal, alternate universe Victorian England. The first scene was set in the distant past and set the stage for the rest of the novel. I don't want to give away too much because I just think this book needs to be read to be fully appreciated. I saw one of the reviews which stated that she wasn't expecting this much sex in the book. Personally, I didn't think there was a lot of sex. Of course, the main thing that I read is romance, so I am used to rather steamy books. This book did definitely have some steam, but it was character-driven, completely in context, and didn't overshadow the work. I can definitely agree with the author saying “over 18 only” on the description, which she does on Amazon. But if you don't mind a bit of steam with your fantasy, this author has provided a detailed, engrossing world that you will find hard to escape until you finish.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
This is the first book that I have read by this author, and oh, what a complex world she weaves. This is definitely a classic story of Good vs. Evil, the sin-eaters vs. the sin-breathers (love those concepts BTW), but the author has given the world an incredible depth and backstory. I appreciated that she allowed the backstory to be woven through the novel instead of being presented as a data dump, as often happens in fantasy. The words are deftly written well. She pulled me right into the book and made me feel as if I were living in this paranormal, alternate universe Victorian England. The first scene was set in the distant past and set the stage for the rest of the novel. I don't want to give away too much because I just think this book needs to be read to be fully appreciated. I saw one of the reviews which stated that she wasn't expecting this much sex in the book. Personally, I didn't think there was a lot of sex. Of course, the main thing that I read is romance, so I am used to rather steamy books. This book did definitely have some steam, but it was character-driven, completely in context, and didn't overshadow the work. I can definitely agree with the author saying “over 18 only” on the description, which she does on Amazon. But if you don't mind a bit of steam with your fantasy, this author has provided a detailed, engrossing world that you will find hard to escape until you finish.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
December 4, 2019
Hazel works in the museum for the Royal Archaeological Society, determined to be different from her dad, who died a laughingstock. She believes in science, not magic. What she believes though, is about to be turned on its head.
This was a great story that captured and held my interest all the way through. Hazel’s reasons for the way she is are clearly explained, leaving you in no doubt about the way she acts. Tyon, on the other hand, is a bit of an enigma; his story only coming out in fits and starts. There is an attraction between them although they don’t act on it straight away. Aleximanus has his own story to tell, and it’s not one you think of to begin with. My heart broke just a little bit for him and I really can’t wait to read his story (I’m optimistic he will get one.)
This is a complex and intriguing story, delving into myths and legends you may not have heard of. The world-building is excellent, and the characters have a richness about them that immediately helps you to connect with them. This is the first book in the series so you are left with a slight cliffhanger regarding one of the characters, plus a HFN for our two main characters.
I honestly can’t wait to see where this story goes next! Absolutely recommended by me.
This was a great story that captured and held my interest all the way through. Hazel’s reasons for the way she is are clearly explained, leaving you in no doubt about the way she acts. Tyon, on the other hand, is a bit of an enigma; his story only coming out in fits and starts. There is an attraction between them although they don’t act on it straight away. Aleximanus has his own story to tell, and it’s not one you think of to begin with. My heart broke just a little bit for him and I really can’t wait to read his story (I’m optimistic he will get one.)
This is a complex and intriguing story, delving into myths and legends you may not have heard of. The world-building is excellent, and the characters have a richness about them that immediately helps you to connect with them. This is the first book in the series so you are left with a slight cliffhanger regarding one of the characters, plus a HFN for our two main characters.
I honestly can’t wait to see where this story goes next! Absolutely recommended by me.
January 27, 2020
What a satisfying read! Author Russell has a way of drawing you into the story with characters Tyon, Hazel, and Aleximanus’ at the center, a web of good and evil that keeps you guessing at every turn. The author uses beautifully constructed metaphors that practically dance as she unfolds the layers of each character.
From the start, you understand Hazel’s desire for Tyon, and the complexities he presents with allowing her to get close to him. With awesome description, the reader becomes enchanted almost with how eloquently the story flows through the plot.
Hazel, now working for Tyon, is drawn into unforeseen danger. Aleximanus, who breathes sins, is the arch enemy of Tyon. As the story unfolds, it is Hazel who denies herself the truth. But will she discover it fully? Will she find love after all? I highly recommend this book, and other books by author Russell!
From the start, you understand Hazel’s desire for Tyon, and the complexities he presents with allowing her to get close to him. With awesome description, the reader becomes enchanted almost with how eloquently the story flows through the plot.
Hazel, now working for Tyon, is drawn into unforeseen danger. Aleximanus, who breathes sins, is the arch enemy of Tyon. As the story unfolds, it is Hazel who denies herself the truth. But will she discover it fully? Will she find love after all? I highly recommend this book, and other books by author Russell!
November 18, 2019
Good vs Evil...
The Pact of the White Blade Knights is the first book in The White Order series. This is a great start to a new series! Fast-paced and action-packed, this Victorian paranormal romance is a page-turner. The characters are well developed throughout the story. The storyline is well written and captures your interest from the first. The backstory is spun skilfully throughout to bring the entire story together.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
The Pact of the White Blade Knights is the first book in The White Order series. This is a great start to a new series! Fast-paced and action-packed, this Victorian paranormal romance is a page-turner. The characters are well developed throughout the story. The storyline is well written and captures your interest from the first. The backstory is spun skilfully throughout to bring the entire story together.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I read and reviewed this book with no obligation.
January 7, 2020
I enjoyed this story of Hazel and Tyon. Hazel has to come to terms that there is supernatural things happen around her when she meets Tyon and Alexander. She meets these men after she gets fired from her job at the museum. There is also a mystery in this story that someone is murdered.
I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
I received a complimentary copy via Booksprout. This is my honest unbiased opinion.
February 1, 2020
An amazing story, with a unique and complex storyline, and excellent world building. The characters were well developed and the plot kept my interest throughout reading. I'm anxiously waiting for the next installment in the series.
Just a warning: the book is intended for mature audiences of 18+.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Just a warning: the book is intended for mature audiences of 18+.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
February 8, 2020
Loved this "gaslamp" paranormal romance! The love story was scorching hot and compelling. The worldbuilding was very unique, with a clear good vs evil dichotomy that seemed almost a cliche but then the story twists in the best way. Those neat divisions got very messy, very quickly--I loved the shades of gray and depth to the characters.
November 17, 2019
I enjoyed reading this book. The story is well written and enjoyed the characters. I’m really looking forward to the next book. I recommend reading.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
March 27, 2020
A perfectly steamy mystery to perfect a long day at home! This read kept me intrigued, guessing and on the edge of my seat. The characters were excellent and the emotions they experienced were portrayed perfectly making you feel as though you were them.
November 20, 2019
I very much enjoyed reading this book. This is a story I am recommending to my friends. I was entertained and trilled to keep reading this story.
April 20, 2021
** I received a free digital copy of this book through Voracious Readers Only in exchange for an honest review.
I had certain expectations for this book and I must say, it didn't disappoint! I felt this was a well-crafted and plotted story from beginning to end. I was left with a few unanswered questions by the time I was done but nothing that affected my overall reading enjoyment.
As a Victorian-era geek, I do love a good Victorian-inspired novel, especially if there's magic involved. There is a great deal of magic and sorcery in this book so if you love this combination, this book will work for you. I was surprised at how well the magic was integrated into this world. The dynamics of the magic and how it could be used on more "ordinary" people gave me reason to believe that someone like Tyon really could have stayed hidden for 800 years without any suspicion. It's also not big, bombastic magic (although that is in here) but the characters often opt for a more subtle and interactive kind of magic. The setting of the Victorian-era was also excellently portrayed. I loved the author's use of concise but vivd imagery in her descriptions and at times I felt like I was envisioning the places the characters were in.
One of the main selling points is the relationship between Hazel and Tyon. I really enjoyed reading about their development over the course of the novel. For me, it helped that alternating chapters were written from their perspectives. I don't often enjoy reading differing perspectives but sometimes I would ask myself: I wonder what Tyon thinks of this situation? I wonder what Hazel is doing right now? How does Tyon/Hazel interpret this interaction?
Which leads me to another point and that is the author does a great job in making you care about their relationship. No, it's not just a smutty romance but there is a strong dynamic and believable attraction between Hazel and Tyon. Their development hit certain beats at exactly where I needed them to be. At no point did I ever feel like Hazel's characterization was rushed and I think her initial resistance to Tyon's history is believable and reflective of what our own reactions would be if someone said they were a sin-breather.
Their relationship also develops over the course of the main characters trying to solve a mystery. I don't often read mysteries (but you can bet I watch a lot of detective shows) so I'm not sure what constitutes a 'good' mystery novel. I will say I felt the mystery was rather straightforward and basic. There were twists and turns but nothing that really surprised me. That's not to say I wasn't curious about who the perpetrator was! I actually think the author gave us the right dose of mystery that satisfied the mystery aspect, the romance aspect, and the paranormal aspect. It all worked really well together. Any more could have been a bit messy.
I really don't have any sort of criticism for the book except for a few nitpicks that I don't think are worth mentioning because those are more subjective to who I am as a reader. There were some typos but nothing distracting. I moved on from those and quickly forgot about it. Overall, I would definitely recommend The Pact of the White Blade Knights for people who enjoy this genre.
Final rating: 4.25/5 stars aka if it's not on your TBR yet, consider it!
I had certain expectations for this book and I must say, it didn't disappoint! I felt this was a well-crafted and plotted story from beginning to end. I was left with a few unanswered questions by the time I was done but nothing that affected my overall reading enjoyment.
As a Victorian-era geek, I do love a good Victorian-inspired novel, especially if there's magic involved. There is a great deal of magic and sorcery in this book so if you love this combination, this book will work for you. I was surprised at how well the magic was integrated into this world. The dynamics of the magic and how it could be used on more "ordinary" people gave me reason to believe that someone like Tyon really could have stayed hidden for 800 years without any suspicion. It's also not big, bombastic magic (although that is in here) but the characters often opt for a more subtle and interactive kind of magic. The setting of the Victorian-era was also excellently portrayed. I loved the author's use of concise but vivd imagery in her descriptions and at times I felt like I was envisioning the places the characters were in.
One of the main selling points is the relationship between Hazel and Tyon. I really enjoyed reading about their development over the course of the novel. For me, it helped that alternating chapters were written from their perspectives. I don't often enjoy reading differing perspectives but sometimes I would ask myself: I wonder what Tyon thinks of this situation? I wonder what Hazel is doing right now? How does Tyon/Hazel interpret this interaction?
Which leads me to another point and that is the author does a great job in making you care about their relationship. No, it's not just a smutty romance but there is a strong dynamic and believable attraction between Hazel and Tyon. Their development hit certain beats at exactly where I needed them to be. At no point did I ever feel like Hazel's characterization was rushed and I think her initial resistance to Tyon's history is believable and reflective of what our own reactions would be if someone said they were a sin-breather.
Their relationship also develops over the course of the main characters trying to solve a mystery. I don't often read mysteries (but you can bet I watch a lot of detective shows) so I'm not sure what constitutes a 'good' mystery novel. I will say I felt the mystery was rather straightforward and basic. There were twists and turns but nothing that really surprised me. That's not to say I wasn't curious about who the perpetrator was! I actually think the author gave us the right dose of mystery that satisfied the mystery aspect, the romance aspect, and the paranormal aspect. It all worked really well together. Any more could have been a bit messy.
I really don't have any sort of criticism for the book except for a few nitpicks that I don't think are worth mentioning because those are more subjective to who I am as a reader. There were some typos but nothing distracting. I moved on from those and quickly forgot about it. Overall, I would definitely recommend The Pact of the White Blade Knights for people who enjoy this genre.
Final rating: 4.25/5 stars aka if it's not on your TBR yet, consider it!
October 24, 2019
Interesting Historical Urban Fantasy
Welcome to the world of the sin-eaters and sin-breathers. It’s a centuries old war that started with the Crusades and the The White Blade Knights, a small band of knights who made a Pact to fight evil for eternity, banded together forever to draw strength and power from each other. Sin-breathers generate one of each of the Seven Deadly Sins, contaminating humans with evil. Sin-eaters are their opposite number, able to consume the sins of humans to give them free will away from the corruption of their previous sins.
Centuries after their beginnings, a woman in London in 1884, gets drawn into their endless battle for good or evil. Hazel is alone in the world. She is a talented scholar who has just been fired from her job at the Royal Archeological Society. She has no other source of income and knows as a woman it will be difficult to find employment elsewhere. Forced to take any job, even ones that make her slightly wary she is approached by two very different men in the same day to offer her work.
Neither jobs make her very comfortable but she ends up taking the job offered by Sebastyon Sancerre, as the lesser of two evils. Her job is help locate an object she has held at work and was drawn to. Tyon, as he asks to be called, sounds mad with his talk of sorcery, and his need to find his brothers with the mystery object, but a woman’s got to eat!
This was an unusual book for me. I was approached by the author to see if I would review it as an Advanced Reader Copy and I was intrigued by the subject enough to give it a go. Barbara Russell is not an author I’d come across before so I was taking a bit of a leap of faith, but I’m glad I did.
This story is very different from a lot of Paranormal Romance books. It is quite plot heavy and the romance part of the book is woven into the plot seamlessly enough that it verges on the Urban Fantasy. However, the romance is front and centre and sex is talked about explicitly throughout.
The characters were really interesting. Hazel is a strong, educated and independent woman in a time where women were still expected to put marriage and family above all other desires. She’s in a difficult and vulnerable position but she still manages to meet all the strange and different things that are thrown at her head on.
Tyon is filled with fury, frustration and grief over the loss of his brothers to betrayal. His powers are unbalanced by the absence of his fellow White Blade Knights and his attraction to Hazel is distracting whilst he is doing his best to fight alone against the sin-eaters, in particular the brother knight who betrayed his order five years earlier, Aleximanus.
Aleximanus is an intriguing character who has embraced the evil of the sin-eaters for reasons we are initially unaware of. He seeks to contaminate Hazel into becoming a lust-breather so that he may destroy Tyon. He demonstrates the consequences of the sacrifices that are made in order to fight evil for centuries at a time.
This is a complex and interesting story that keeps you reading. I enjoyed that is set in London in the 1880s. It adds an extra touch of fun to the story. The ending creates a Happy for Now situation but there is definitely a lot more to come with this story.
Welcome to the world of the sin-eaters and sin-breathers. It’s a centuries old war that started with the Crusades and the The White Blade Knights, a small band of knights who made a Pact to fight evil for eternity, banded together forever to draw strength and power from each other. Sin-breathers generate one of each of the Seven Deadly Sins, contaminating humans with evil. Sin-eaters are their opposite number, able to consume the sins of humans to give them free will away from the corruption of their previous sins.
Centuries after their beginnings, a woman in London in 1884, gets drawn into their endless battle for good or evil. Hazel is alone in the world. She is a talented scholar who has just been fired from her job at the Royal Archeological Society. She has no other source of income and knows as a woman it will be difficult to find employment elsewhere. Forced to take any job, even ones that make her slightly wary she is approached by two very different men in the same day to offer her work.
Neither jobs make her very comfortable but she ends up taking the job offered by Sebastyon Sancerre, as the lesser of two evils. Her job is help locate an object she has held at work and was drawn to. Tyon, as he asks to be called, sounds mad with his talk of sorcery, and his need to find his brothers with the mystery object, but a woman’s got to eat!
This was an unusual book for me. I was approached by the author to see if I would review it as an Advanced Reader Copy and I was intrigued by the subject enough to give it a go. Barbara Russell is not an author I’d come across before so I was taking a bit of a leap of faith, but I’m glad I did.
This story is very different from a lot of Paranormal Romance books. It is quite plot heavy and the romance part of the book is woven into the plot seamlessly enough that it verges on the Urban Fantasy. However, the romance is front and centre and sex is talked about explicitly throughout.
The characters were really interesting. Hazel is a strong, educated and independent woman in a time where women were still expected to put marriage and family above all other desires. She’s in a difficult and vulnerable position but she still manages to meet all the strange and different things that are thrown at her head on.
Tyon is filled with fury, frustration and grief over the loss of his brothers to betrayal. His powers are unbalanced by the absence of his fellow White Blade Knights and his attraction to Hazel is distracting whilst he is doing his best to fight alone against the sin-eaters, in particular the brother knight who betrayed his order five years earlier, Aleximanus.
Aleximanus is an intriguing character who has embraced the evil of the sin-eaters for reasons we are initially unaware of. He seeks to contaminate Hazel into becoming a lust-breather so that he may destroy Tyon. He demonstrates the consequences of the sacrifices that are made in order to fight evil for centuries at a time.
This is a complex and interesting story that keeps you reading. I enjoyed that is set in London in the 1880s. It adds an extra touch of fun to the story. The ending creates a Happy for Now situation but there is definitely a lot more to come with this story.
November 10, 2019
Interesting take on medieval hero's & villains.
First of all I was not expecting all the sex, in this book. The descriptions I read on the arc for this book said nothing about it. So be warned, I would say 18 & up only. I can handle some sex in a book, but I usually don't read this much. Otherwise, the medieval nights that are immortal, so they can cleanse sins from humans was a neat story idea. I do like that they all had different powers on top of that. I also like that you made them more human by each having their own issues that they each struggled with. I love the redeeming qualities she gave Alexander (can't spell his real name). I love that Tyon found his mate in time to keep him balanced. I hated that Hazel was turned into something she hated. However, it did help balance Tyon more. I am not a huge mystery person myself. I am more into fantasy, supernatural, paranormal, etc. That being said it was an interesting read.
First of all I was not expecting all the sex, in this book. The descriptions I read on the arc for this book said nothing about it. So be warned, I would say 18 & up only. I can handle some sex in a book, but I usually don't read this much. Otherwise, the medieval nights that are immortal, so they can cleanse sins from humans was a neat story idea. I do like that they all had different powers on top of that. I also like that you made them more human by each having their own issues that they each struggled with. I love the redeeming qualities she gave Alexander (can't spell his real name). I love that Tyon found his mate in time to keep him balanced. I hated that Hazel was turned into something she hated. However, it did help balance Tyon more. I am not a huge mystery person myself. I am more into fantasy, supernatural, paranormal, etc. That being said it was an interesting read.
March 27, 2021
I received a copy of this book in return for leaving an honest review. I read it in a day....I think that says alot. I found the premise and characters appealing and well written. They were well rounded and you became invested in the outcome. The romance and paranormal aspects were evident but did not overwhelm the authors great ability to spin a narrative that twisted and turned. I can not wait to read book 2!!!!
April 4, 2021
This book pulled me into the unique world the author created.
I haven't read a historical/paranormal book in a while so it took me a moment to get into the time period but once I read a couple of pages I was hooked and now I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens to everyone next.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
I haven't read a historical/paranormal book in a while so it took me a moment to get into the time period but once I read a couple of pages I was hooked and now I can't wait to read the next book to find out what happens to everyone next.
Note: I received a copy of this book from the author for an honest review.
April 9, 2021
Not a genre I normally read, but I loved this book and could not put it down..
I enjoyed the Victorian setting and how the rules governing society at the time influence decisions made, along with the paranormal and a bit of mystery this makes the book a great read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only
I enjoyed the Victorian setting and how the rules governing society at the time influence decisions made, along with the paranormal and a bit of mystery this makes the book a great read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author via Voracious Readers Only
January 9, 2022
Heather needs a job. Any job. Tyon is an ancient warrior who has been around for eight centuries. He is after a hallow. Apparently Heather has been around one during her last job. Will they find it? What a fantastic story this was. I cannot wait to read the next one.
October 23, 2023
Very good
Hazel is going through a trying time. So bad in fact it could cause her to starve or become a prostitute if she does not find a job. This was a different world building with sin eaters and so forth. I quite liked it.
Hazel is going through a trying time. So bad in fact it could cause her to starve or become a prostitute if she does not find a job. This was a different world building with sin eaters and so forth. I quite liked it.
May 3, 2021
This is the first book in the series which introduces a new world of sin breathers and sin eaters through an interesting blend of historical and supernatural romance. An enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2022
I can definitely say that this is a steamy Victorian era romance with action to boot. I thought it was well written and interesting to the end.
February 1, 2022
The Pact of the White Blade Knights gives a new perspective on the concept of sins and brotherhood while presenting a powerful love story. I cannot wait to read the next ones!
October 3, 2019
I was approached by the author to see if I would review an Advanced Reader Copy and I was intrigued by the subject enough to give it a go. Barbara Russell is not an author I’d come across before so I was taking a bit of a leap of faith, but I’m glad I did. All opinions are my own.
Welcome to the world of the sin-eaters and sin-breathers. There’s a centuries old war that started with the Crusades, between these two factions. The White Blade Knights, a small band of knights who made a Pact to fight evil for eternity, banded together forever to draw strength and power from each other, they became sin-eaters. Sin-breathers generate one of each of the Seven Deadly Sins in a human, contaminating them with evil. Sin-eaters are their opposite number, able to consume the sins of humans to give them the choice of free will without the corruption of their previous sins weighing them down.
Centuries after their beginnings, a woman in London in 1884, gets drawn into their endless battle for good or evil. Hazel is alone in the world. She is a talented scholar who has just been fired from her job at the Royal Archeological Society. She has no other source of income and knows, as a woman, it will be difficult to find employment elsewhere. Forced to take any job, even ones that make her slightly wary she is approached by two very different men in the same day to offer her work.
Neither jobs make her very comfortable but she ends up taking the job offered by Sebastyon Sancerre, as the lesser of two evils. Her job is to help locate an object she has held at work and was drawn to. Tyon, as he asks to be called, sounds mad with his talk of sorcery, and his need to find his brothers with the mystery object, but a woman’s got to eat!
This story is very different from a lot of Paranormal Romance books. It is quite plot heavy and the romance part of the book is woven into the plot seamlessly enough that it verges on the Urban Fantasy. However, the romance is front and centre and sex is talked about explicitly throughout.
The characters were really interesting. Hazel is a strong, educated and independent woman in a time where women were still expected to put marriage and family above all other desires. She’s in a difficult and vulnerable position but she still manages to meet all the strange and different things that are thrown at her, head on.
Tyon is filled with fury, frustration and grief over the loss of his brothers to betrayal. His powers are unbalanced by the absence of his fellow White Blade Knights and his attraction to Hazel is distracting whilst he is doing his best to fight alone against the sin-eaters, in particular the brother knight who betrayed his order five years earlier, Aleximanus.
Aleximanus is an intriguing character who has embraced the evil of the sin-eaters for reasons we are initially unaware of. He seeks to contaminate Hazel into becoming a lust-breather so that he may destroy Tyon. He demonstrates the consequences of the sacrifices that are made in order to fight evil for centuries at a time.
This is a complex and interesting story that keeps you reading. I enjoyed that it is set in London in the 1880s. It adds an extra touch of fun to the story. The ending creates a Happy for Now situation but there is definitely a lot more to come with this story.
Welcome to the world of the sin-eaters and sin-breathers. There’s a centuries old war that started with the Crusades, between these two factions. The White Blade Knights, a small band of knights who made a Pact to fight evil for eternity, banded together forever to draw strength and power from each other, they became sin-eaters. Sin-breathers generate one of each of the Seven Deadly Sins in a human, contaminating them with evil. Sin-eaters are their opposite number, able to consume the sins of humans to give them the choice of free will without the corruption of their previous sins weighing them down.
Centuries after their beginnings, a woman in London in 1884, gets drawn into their endless battle for good or evil. Hazel is alone in the world. She is a talented scholar who has just been fired from her job at the Royal Archeological Society. She has no other source of income and knows, as a woman, it will be difficult to find employment elsewhere. Forced to take any job, even ones that make her slightly wary she is approached by two very different men in the same day to offer her work.
Neither jobs make her very comfortable but she ends up taking the job offered by Sebastyon Sancerre, as the lesser of two evils. Her job is to help locate an object she has held at work and was drawn to. Tyon, as he asks to be called, sounds mad with his talk of sorcery, and his need to find his brothers with the mystery object, but a woman’s got to eat!
This story is very different from a lot of Paranormal Romance books. It is quite plot heavy and the romance part of the book is woven into the plot seamlessly enough that it verges on the Urban Fantasy. However, the romance is front and centre and sex is talked about explicitly throughout.
The characters were really interesting. Hazel is a strong, educated and independent woman in a time where women were still expected to put marriage and family above all other desires. She’s in a difficult and vulnerable position but she still manages to meet all the strange and different things that are thrown at her, head on.
Tyon is filled with fury, frustration and grief over the loss of his brothers to betrayal. His powers are unbalanced by the absence of his fellow White Blade Knights and his attraction to Hazel is distracting whilst he is doing his best to fight alone against the sin-eaters, in particular the brother knight who betrayed his order five years earlier, Aleximanus.
Aleximanus is an intriguing character who has embraced the evil of the sin-eaters for reasons we are initially unaware of. He seeks to contaminate Hazel into becoming a lust-breather so that he may destroy Tyon. He demonstrates the consequences of the sacrifices that are made in order to fight evil for centuries at a time.
This is a complex and interesting story that keeps you reading. I enjoyed that it is set in London in the 1880s. It adds an extra touch of fun to the story. The ending creates a Happy for Now situation but there is definitely a lot more to come with this story.
April 11, 2021
It was a bit slow near the beginning in my opinion but it did pick up and I enjoyed the story. The premise of the story is also really interesting, so I would definitely recommend.
January 2, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of the book via "voraciousreadersonly" in échange of an honnest review.
It was a great book ! I was hooked from the beginning and wanted to know what was going to happen ! I recommend it if you want a good story, with a bit of adult romance and something nice to read.
The writing of the book is great.
I like the different point of views within the chapters, it helped to understand a bit more about the characters.
I read a lot of romance, and this one was a bit different of my usuals, but I am not disappointed at all ! I want to read the second book now to see what happens.
It was a great book ! I was hooked from the beginning and wanted to know what was going to happen ! I recommend it if you want a good story, with a bit of adult romance and something nice to read.
The writing of the book is great.
I like the different point of views within the chapters, it helped to understand a bit more about the characters.
I read a lot of romance, and this one was a bit different of my usuals, but I am not disappointed at all ! I want to read the second book now to see what happens.
October 18, 2019
I didn't know the level of steam I was getting into with this book. It's high. This is definitely an adult romance. That being said, the story line was quite original. I haven't read anything with a similar magic system and found it quite enjoyable. The relationship between the main characters is believable, which I find hard to achieve with love at first sight/fated mates romances. What was surprising was that the antagonist became a sympathetic character fairly early in the plot and I found myself cheering him on. Overall, it was very entertaining, though steamer than I prefer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2019
This book was a good read. I enjoyed the dynamic between the 3 main characters, and the realization that the bad guy really isn't so bad at all.
This book wasn't what I expected when I started it, but I enjoyed it. I would like to read the rest of the series.
This book wasn't what I expected when I started it, but I enjoyed it. I would like to read the rest of the series.
Read
November 13, 2019I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the other books! Well written and the characters dang! Great job!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews