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The Wraith's Memory
After his death at the hands of immortals, Chiron awakens as a Wraith—an immortal servant bound into systems that profit from secrecy, hierarchy, and sanctioned violence.
Caught between corrupt mortal institutions and the immortal forces that manipulate them, he discovers that survival itself can become a form of complicity. As political rot spreads and relationships fracture under unspoken obligations, Chiron is forced to confront the cost of inaction and the danger of endurance mistaken for restraint.
The Wraith’s Memory is a slow-burn gothic fantasy about institutional corruption, asymmetrical power, and the moral cost of surviving worlds that demand silence in exchange for protection.
Caught between corrupt mortal institutions and the immortal forces that manipulate them, he discovers that survival itself can become a form of complicity. As political rot spreads and relationships fracture under unspoken obligations, Chiron is forced to confront the cost of inaction and the danger of endurance mistaken for restraint.
The Wraith’s Memory is a slow-burn gothic fantasy about institutional corruption, asymmetrical power, and the moral cost of surviving worlds that demand silence in exchange for protection.
Published August 20, 2020
6 people want to read
About the author
Whitney Rines
3 books9 followers"Whitney Rines lives in Minnesota with her husband and cat. Drawing from mythology and folklore across world cultures, she crafts stories that explore the darker complexities of power, survival, and moral compromise. Her work examines how individuals navigate systems built on deception and hierarchy, finding inspiration in the uncomfortable spaces between heroism and complicity."
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
January 19, 2021
The massacre of a village by a mysterious group of conspirators spreads division and war across Liansea and chases survivors. This was a great book and I enjoyed reading it. It is full of mystery, fantasy, and action. I couldn’t put this book down. Their was a lot old creatures, wraiths, wyvern, and dragons. It was a fast paced story and Chiron was my favorite character. I liked his backstory and how he progressed through the book. This is a great teen book and their wasn’t anything I didn’t like from the book.
March 31, 2021
The wraith’s memory is the second book in its series. It is a dark fantasy story written about a village boy, Chiron, working away trying to make a better life for his family. He leaves for school, and after his return, he encounters unpleasant things. His mission then becomes a fight against evil, and that’s where the excitement begins.
The story may start a little slow, especially if you haven’t read book one. But, once you get into things, everything falls into place.
The world-building and its action-packed theme truly takes you on an adventure. In addition, the characters and its diverse cast create an in-depth story you really don’t want to end. On top of everything else, I also found the writing to be strong, and since I had already read the previous book, I knew I was in for a beautiful experience.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes dark fantasy and action thriller stories.
The story may start a little slow, especially if you haven’t read book one. But, once you get into things, everything falls into place.
The world-building and its action-packed theme truly takes you on an adventure. In addition, the characters and its diverse cast create an in-depth story you really don’t want to end. On top of everything else, I also found the writing to be strong, and since I had already read the previous book, I knew I was in for a beautiful experience.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes dark fantasy and action thriller stories.
October 20, 2020
4.5 Stars. Excellent fantasy with new twists on old creatures, e.g., wraiths, wyvern, dragons. The book begins somewhat cryptically with creatures and a plot that lacks definition but, after a few more chapters, I found myself rereading the beginning because it now made sense. This is one of the few times that I’m not furious about the cliffhanger ending. In fact, I look forward to the next book.
February 28, 2021
THE WRAITH’S MEMORY: Between Gods And Mortals Book II
by Whitney Rines
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was given this book by the author, via Booktasters in exchange for my honest review. My thanks to both.
13 year old Chiron has already suffered tragedy. His mother and sister have fallen to a Plague that killed many in his village Aritehn. He is the only surviving villagers who can read and write and becomes an essential connection between Aritehn and the rest of Nismyth. He attempts to become a soldier but is knocked back by his immortal interviewer Elocina. Later he finds she has sponsored him to train at the Scholars Guild in Idiris, although he will remain in her indentured service until he has fully paid back her investment.
On a rare visit home, he finds Elocina in his village, preparing to put five alleged traitors to death, one of whom is Chiron’s brother Elan. Chiron acts against her and has to bear the slaughter of his entire village at her hands for his rebellion. Left for dead, a magical influence sustains him, and he becomes a wraith. Rescued and now in the service of the Lady Anstarra, Chiron remembers what Elocina did to him and his village. With growing powers, can he bring justice for his village and stop Elocina?
Now, while I admit Fantasy isn’t my “go to” genre, I did enjoy this book. The characters were complex and very well thought out, and the environment was beautifully imagined.
But… I felt the beginning lacked sufficient explanation and became confusing. I got lost a few times, but in persevering, those elements became clear later in the story. I followed another reviewer’s example and re-read the beginning, and felt I understood it much better having established what was what and who was who.
I particularly like the characters Chiron, Freidl and Erika, and had a healthy loathing for Elocina, Jatal, and many of the immortals who use humans as pawns in their dark games.
Chiron’s growth was a joy to read and the storyline became compelling. I had to force myself to put the book (kindle) down, and even then I found my mind wandering to Chiron and the machinations of the immortals. Whitney Rines’ ability to transport you to the front lines and fully immerse you in the story is commendable.
Overall, I loved The Wraith’s Memory, although I do think you have to be fully invested in the story to really appreciate the skill involved in creating such a developed fantasy world. I recommend The Wraith’s Memory to fans of fantasy sagas, but think it may be a bit much for the uninitiated. I have given this book four stars.
by Whitney Rines
⭐⭐⭐⭐
I was given this book by the author, via Booktasters in exchange for my honest review. My thanks to both.
13 year old Chiron has already suffered tragedy. His mother and sister have fallen to a Plague that killed many in his village Aritehn. He is the only surviving villagers who can read and write and becomes an essential connection between Aritehn and the rest of Nismyth. He attempts to become a soldier but is knocked back by his immortal interviewer Elocina. Later he finds she has sponsored him to train at the Scholars Guild in Idiris, although he will remain in her indentured service until he has fully paid back her investment.
On a rare visit home, he finds Elocina in his village, preparing to put five alleged traitors to death, one of whom is Chiron’s brother Elan. Chiron acts against her and has to bear the slaughter of his entire village at her hands for his rebellion. Left for dead, a magical influence sustains him, and he becomes a wraith. Rescued and now in the service of the Lady Anstarra, Chiron remembers what Elocina did to him and his village. With growing powers, can he bring justice for his village and stop Elocina?
Now, while I admit Fantasy isn’t my “go to” genre, I did enjoy this book. The characters were complex and very well thought out, and the environment was beautifully imagined.
But… I felt the beginning lacked sufficient explanation and became confusing. I got lost a few times, but in persevering, those elements became clear later in the story. I followed another reviewer’s example and re-read the beginning, and felt I understood it much better having established what was what and who was who.
I particularly like the characters Chiron, Freidl and Erika, and had a healthy loathing for Elocina, Jatal, and many of the immortals who use humans as pawns in their dark games.
Chiron’s growth was a joy to read and the storyline became compelling. I had to force myself to put the book (kindle) down, and even then I found my mind wandering to Chiron and the machinations of the immortals. Whitney Rines’ ability to transport you to the front lines and fully immerse you in the story is commendable.
Overall, I loved The Wraith’s Memory, although I do think you have to be fully invested in the story to really appreciate the skill involved in creating such a developed fantasy world. I recommend The Wraith’s Memory to fans of fantasy sagas, but think it may be a bit much for the uninitiated. I have given this book four stars.
March 30, 2021
This book is a fast-paced dark fantasy that will keep the reader engaged. The story follows Chiron as he seeks a way to save the village of Aritehn while finding his way to his destiny. The story is well-written and the author brings to us characters who are worth reading about and knowing. There are many unexpected twists and turns in this fantasy adventure that brings to us a world with wraiths, wyverns and many other creatures.
It took me some time to get into the book, but on pursuing ahead, I found the book to be quite enjoyable. The story will make you love some characters, hate some and then again re-think your opinions of them. This book is a good fit for those who love a good fantasy fiction novel! The author has done a good job with the descriptions and world setting. It is complex and well developed. I am grateful to the author and Booktasters for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book!
It took me some time to get into the book, but on pursuing ahead, I found the book to be quite enjoyable. The story will make you love some characters, hate some and then again re-think your opinions of them. This book is a good fit for those who love a good fantasy fiction novel! The author has done a good job with the descriptions and world setting. It is complex and well developed. I am grateful to the author and Booktasters for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book!
April 1, 2021
Whitney Rines has gifted us with an imaginative environment occupied by interesting, well thought out characters. Though the start of the book felt a bit slow, it was certainly not in a bad way.
Wraith's Memory transports readers to the world of Liansea, a place both Mortals and Immortals call home. While open conflict rages across the land, driving people from their homes and straining what strongholds of perceived safety exist, other mysterious players are engaged in a conspiracy few in that world could imagine. Mortals and Immortals alike are swept up in this world of turmoil and mystery.
If you enjoy fantasy, mystery, and conflict I truly believe you will enjoy sharing Chiron's journey through this novel. Wraith's Memory will leave readers excited for more.
I have only one brief caution: If you are sensitive to tragedy, this story may not be best for you. For me, however, the end was worth the journey.
Wraith's Memory transports readers to the world of Liansea, a place both Mortals and Immortals call home. While open conflict rages across the land, driving people from their homes and straining what strongholds of perceived safety exist, other mysterious players are engaged in a conspiracy few in that world could imagine. Mortals and Immortals alike are swept up in this world of turmoil and mystery.
If you enjoy fantasy, mystery, and conflict I truly believe you will enjoy sharing Chiron's journey through this novel. Wraith's Memory will leave readers excited for more.
I have only one brief caution: If you are sensitive to tragedy, this story may not be best for you. For me, however, the end was worth the journey.
February 26, 2021
I've never read a dark fantasy book so I wasn't sure what to expect when I began reading this book. But after the first few chapters I was hooked! Rines' writing style is so descriptive and makes you feel like you're right there with the characters! The world building of this dark fantasy isn't like anything else I've read before and it really impressed me. There's different creatures such as wraiths and dragons and as a new dark fantasy reader, I was fascinated. It has the classic heroes, who have backstories that make you want to root for them and villains (with interesting journeys) who you want to see get taken down. Overall, this was a great read and I'm glad I have finally gotten into the reading world of dark fantasy :)
March 21, 2021
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
If you love book full of action, interesting world build-up, constantly at the edge of your seat, this is the perfect book for you. Unfortunately for me, I am not one of those.
The setting of the world was definitely interesting, I will give it that. The history between the Mortals and the Amaranthine is very interesting in how their interactions and betrayals between one another started causing conflicts that at the end resulted in war. The effect that the war has caused on the Mortals and their kingdoms, running out of resources, people turning on their own people... It was very fascinating.
Then we start with Chiron... and boy did the story pick up. Things happen in such a quick pace for me, that you don't get a lot of breathing room before something else happens to the characters. It's something is happening, something is happening, a character dies but no time to mourn since something is happening again! It slows down later on in the story, but there were moments when I felt overwhelmed by what was going on.
Now, I will admit that I haven't read the first book, so probably a lot of these characters have already been introduced before. But I never felt a lot of character development, since we never get to really see how the character really is, why they do what they do, even for the new characters. There might be snippets here and there of introspection, but never something meaningful that sparked a connection.
Beyond this, the world is certainly engrossing with Wraiths and bonds, Reavers, Knight-Mages, Dragonborns, and Amaranthines, and so many characters and history. It will definitely keep you entertained from beginning to end.
If you love book full of action, interesting world build-up, constantly at the edge of your seat, this is the perfect book for you. Unfortunately for me, I am not one of those.
The setting of the world was definitely interesting, I will give it that. The history between the Mortals and the Amaranthine is very interesting in how their interactions and betrayals between one another started causing conflicts that at the end resulted in war. The effect that the war has caused on the Mortals and their kingdoms, running out of resources, people turning on their own people... It was very fascinating.
Then we start with Chiron... and boy did the story pick up. Things happen in such a quick pace for me, that you don't get a lot of breathing room before something else happens to the characters. It's something is happening, something is happening, a character dies but no time to mourn since something is happening again! It slows down later on in the story, but there were moments when I felt overwhelmed by what was going on.
Now, I will admit that I haven't read the first book, so probably a lot of these characters have already been introduced before. But I never felt a lot of character development, since we never get to really see how the character really is, why they do what they do, even for the new characters. There might be snippets here and there of introspection, but never something meaningful that sparked a connection.
Beyond this, the world is certainly engrossing with Wraiths and bonds, Reavers, Knight-Mages, Dragonborns, and Amaranthines, and so many characters and history. It will definitely keep you entertained from beginning to end.
December 12, 2020
When I started reading, I first was a bit sceptic about the fantasy world
however I soon wanted to know the end of the story. So, it's really a
page turner!
I look forward to read the next book! I would like to give this wonderful
book a 5 star rating!
I received an advance copy for free by BookTasters and I'm leaving this
review voluntarily. I'm happy I could read this wonderful dark fantasy
book.
however I soon wanted to know the end of the story. So, it's really a
page turner!
I look forward to read the next book! I would like to give this wonderful
book a 5 star rating!
I received an advance copy for free by BookTasters and I'm leaving this
review voluntarily. I'm happy I could read this wonderful dark fantasy
book.
March 18, 2021
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my honest review. 2.5-3 out of 5. By no means a bad book! It may just be me, but I felt very weighed down by the entire story. The pacing and writing style just didn’t work for my specific tastes. The actual plot? Incredibly interesting, but it was hard for me to hold focus for any amount of time. If you like mythological tales and action, this may be a good fit for you! Just not my most favorite cup of tea.
December 4, 2020
Returning to the world of Gods and mortals opens up a vast new perspective of Liansea and the characters therein. The pace of this novel is different to that of the first, it has a slower build up to the key events. This is partly due to the book's increased length.
Some old characters return and are given far more room to grow and develop, I personally find a lot of satisfaction in getting more of a character's backstory so I hope readers of the first book appreciate the space given to Kyris and Chiron to flourish.
Some of the themes of tragedy, family dynamics and societal attitudes to the other may resonate with some more than others and can be uncomfortable at times. However, the book does balance some of its bleakness with light and inspirational interplays between some of the characters.
Along with old characters, a plethora of new characters and places are brought in and explored. The breadth and history of Liansea is explored a lot more and The Wraith's Memory offers untold avenues that could, nay, should be explored.
I've given this story 4 stars because no story is perfect but I think this is a solid story that keeps you wanting.
Some old characters return and are given far more room to grow and develop, I personally find a lot of satisfaction in getting more of a character's backstory so I hope readers of the first book appreciate the space given to Kyris and Chiron to flourish.
Some of the themes of tragedy, family dynamics and societal attitudes to the other may resonate with some more than others and can be uncomfortable at times. However, the book does balance some of its bleakness with light and inspirational interplays between some of the characters.
Along with old characters, a plethora of new characters and places are brought in and explored. The breadth and history of Liansea is explored a lot more and The Wraith's Memory offers untold avenues that could, nay, should be explored.
I've given this story 4 stars because no story is perfect but I think this is a solid story that keeps you wanting.
April 1, 2021
Between Gods and Mortals by author Whitney Rines, is a fast paced, page turning dark fantasy. It starts slow with a vivid and intricate world building and then develops on plot and multifaceted character development. It amalgamates suspense and action with the themes of bonding, friendship and loyalty. The storyline is full of unexpected twists and turns and takes you on a journey of highs! Chiron's character ended up leaving a mark on me and can't wait for the next book in the series.
December 21, 2020
The reading was a little slow at first and didn't make a lot of sense. As it went on though it became a true page turner! Wonderful book with old time characters. A must read for those that love a gothic story full of action.
February 6, 2021
It is an interesting book. This is definitely for fantasy lovers. Dark and with a wish for more. I recommend this book even though I’m not a fantasy fan. Great story. I do like the journey of Elocina. She is a difficult character and it is interesting to follow her path. The transformation of Chiron is well written.
April 3, 2021
This is a well written book. However it wasn't what I expected. Its a bit of a change to what I had been reading. I like the use of the classic characters but with a twist and the discriptive language used
November 28, 2020
Book review; book two of Bwtween Gods and Mortals
I can’t believe the house of Lady Melinda has fallen. The battle was intense. I’m on part two now . This truly epic. Waiting to see if anyone can stand up to Jatal. Will word get to the empress, and who will be sent to stop him? The book, filled with mysterious memories. Why are they fighting for it? What secret does it hold? And who is Kiyris and what part does he play,especially whit his past?
I highly recommend this book. I enjoyed it immensely and can’t wait to see what comes up next.
I can’t believe the house of Lady Melinda has fallen. The battle was intense. I’m on part two now . This truly epic. Waiting to see if anyone can stand up to Jatal. Will word get to the empress, and who will be sent to stop him? The book, filled with mysterious memories. Why are they fighting for it? What secret does it hold? And who is Kiyris and what part does he play,especially whit his past?
I highly recommend this book. I enjoyed it immensely and can’t wait to see what comes up next.
February 8, 2021
This was a really good book. The interaction between the characters was engaging. It was good to see characters from Pearls of time and find out about their backstory.
March 1, 2021
The author did a fantastic job when creating this world. And while it starts off a bit slow, it will really does pick up about a quarter of the way through. The authors gives us a cast of unforgettable characters....quiet of a few of them to honest, but overall this was a good read. If you’re into fantasy, this one is worth a read.
January 14, 2021
Attention to dark fantasy lovers and those who are ready to get pulled into a series - this book is for you!
Rines uses fantastic descriptions and deep world building to fully immerse readers into the world of Between Gods and Mortals. While I feel like the first fourth of the book was written in a way that was more detached from the main character it had been following - there weren't too many internal thoughts and after a lot of exposition it became very action heavy - after this section the characters become more personable and sympathetic, and the gore is toned down some. I think that, overall, the writing was strong and the story worth the read. I liked the dark elements and the unique way the societies within this world function.
So, 4 stars!
Rines uses fantastic descriptions and deep world building to fully immerse readers into the world of Between Gods and Mortals. While I feel like the first fourth of the book was written in a way that was more detached from the main character it had been following - there weren't too many internal thoughts and after a lot of exposition it became very action heavy - after this section the characters become more personable and sympathetic, and the gore is toned down some. I think that, overall, the writing was strong and the story worth the read. I liked the dark elements and the unique way the societies within this world function.
So, 4 stars!
August 2, 2020
The Wraith’s Memory is an Amazing dark fantasy book that draws you in with heroes you can love and villains you can despise before exceeding all expectations. It starts with a village boy named Chiron trying to make a better life for his family a getting roped into the worlds form of slavery without his input. He is sent to a far off school where he excels and when he returns home tragedy strikes when his owner, an Immortal named Elocina, is setting up to execute some villagers. From then on he is propelled into a world of massive stakes with a cast of colorful and lovable characters who fight against villains with genuine evil agendas that are believable while still being delightfully evil. There is a major stakes change near the end that is jarring at first but it works out for the best and it leads very well into the other book “Dragonborn” because it is chronologically before it. In short, this is a dark tale with many twists and turns but the characters shine bright and make you love the book all the more.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews