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Sovereigns of the Dead #1
The Lantern-Lit City
Ultimate evil is simple to denounce...unless that evil lives in you.
Cara is a monster. Inside her dwells a creature akin to the undead prowlers that roam the kingdom. When a mysterious man kidnaps her lady, Cara ties her identity to the quest to free her. If she succeeds in the rescue, it will prove that she's not evil. But danger lurks along the way to the fabled city Riverfen. Cara’s inner beast is a benefit and a curse, saving her life and endangering her in turn. As she gives into it more and more, Cara fears what such a bonding will produce.
As Cara battles her inner self, Princess Gwen hides her forbidden sorcery from the world. After being forced to flee her home by an anti-magic Inquisition, Gwen finally has the chance to pursue her enchantments. But her spellcasting provokes the very man whom Cara pursues.
Each woman’s power could free her...or doom the lantern-lit city.
This epic fantasy by Vista McDowall is for those who love courtly intrigue balanced by violence, complex magic systems, a lush new world, and diverse characters.
Cara is a monster. Inside her dwells a creature akin to the undead prowlers that roam the kingdom. When a mysterious man kidnaps her lady, Cara ties her identity to the quest to free her. If she succeeds in the rescue, it will prove that she's not evil. But danger lurks along the way to the fabled city Riverfen. Cara’s inner beast is a benefit and a curse, saving her life and endangering her in turn. As she gives into it more and more, Cara fears what such a bonding will produce.
As Cara battles her inner self, Princess Gwen hides her forbidden sorcery from the world. After being forced to flee her home by an anti-magic Inquisition, Gwen finally has the chance to pursue her enchantments. But her spellcasting provokes the very man whom Cara pursues.
Each woman’s power could free her...or doom the lantern-lit city.
This epic fantasy by Vista McDowall is for those who love courtly intrigue balanced by violence, complex magic systems, a lush new world, and diverse characters.
468 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2020
5 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
March 15, 2021
DNF.
The book started alright and even though things happen fairly quickly I gave up about a third of the way in. I just didn't give a shit about any of the characters. Most interesting for me was Cara, but she appears to be a side-character, as most chapters so far were from the POV of other people. The two noblewomen in particular I couldn't care less about. I'm just so tired of reading about the problems of the hyperprivileged.
The book has a very high rating, so if the description appeals to you give it a try. It just wasn't for me.
The book started alright and even though things happen fairly quickly I gave up about a third of the way in. I just didn't give a shit about any of the characters. Most interesting for me was Cara, but she appears to be a side-character, as most chapters so far were from the POV of other people. The two noblewomen in particular I couldn't care less about. I'm just so tired of reading about the problems of the hyperprivileged.
The book has a very high rating, so if the description appeals to you give it a try. It just wasn't for me.
October 29, 2024
Honestly I was drunk at a renaissance Festival and met the author. It was most definitely an impulse buy but I’m so happy I did. I was able to get lost in this book and the twists at the end did genuinely surprise me. I really liked the drama as well. It was a super fun read and I would suggest it to any one who likes fantasy’s with a little drama. Can’t wait to continue the series.
February 9, 2025
The Lantern-Lit City is extremely well done and a fascinating story. With twists and morally grey characters around ever corner, the story is engaging and I really thought anything could happen. I've never read a book that I thought needed to be a TV show more than this one and I mean that as a compliment.
With a few different POVs, we see everyone heading to Riverfren and their lives slowly intertwining. Everyone has layers. The "good" are not all they seem or may be capable of much more mayhem in the next book, and the "bad" have a few points I actually agree with. I simultaneously felt bad for and disliked those who were mean and manipulative or murderers. There were a couple POVs that didn't initially intrigue me, but my patience definitely paid off and I'm excited to see what happens in the next book. The book is long but well worth it.
I feel like McDowall is a bold enough writer that we will see great redemption and destruction to and from our main characters in the next book and I'm looking forward to it.
With a few different POVs, we see everyone heading to Riverfren and their lives slowly intertwining. Everyone has layers. The "good" are not all they seem or may be capable of much more mayhem in the next book, and the "bad" have a few points I actually agree with. I simultaneously felt bad for and disliked those who were mean and manipulative or murderers. There were a couple POVs that didn't initially intrigue me, but my patience definitely paid off and I'm excited to see what happens in the next book. The book is long but well worth it.
I feel like McDowall is a bold enough writer that we will see great redemption and destruction to and from our main characters in the next book and I'm looking forward to it.
February 6, 2021
Not my kind of fantasy
Midway thru this book, it became more of a 'bodice buster' than the type of fantasy I was looking for.
Midway thru this book, it became more of a 'bodice buster' than the type of fantasy I was looking for.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews