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Daughter of Venus #2
An Enemy Defined
Deadly creatures. Inhospitable lands. The magical journey continues.
Five weeks after Lexi Guinel plunged into Gowerland from Earth, she is on the run from the irate King Ulric and the evil Selenites. With her is Prince Aeric, reluctant as always and grappling with bad tidings from home. Together, they must find the artifacts required to fulfill the Venus Prophecy and save Gowerland.
Working with Aeric doesn't mean Lexi trusts him. He seems to be cooperating, but does he have other plans? And can they find the artifacts before King Ulric and the Selenites catch them?
For every question answered, another arises, until a stunning betrayal unearths long-buried secrets that redefine Lexi’s knowledge of the enemy.
When faced with deceit, you cannot retreat.
Cover art by Raphael Barrington
Five weeks after Lexi Guinel plunged into Gowerland from Earth, she is on the run from the irate King Ulric and the evil Selenites. With her is Prince Aeric, reluctant as always and grappling with bad tidings from home. Together, they must find the artifacts required to fulfill the Venus Prophecy and save Gowerland.
Working with Aeric doesn't mean Lexi trusts him. He seems to be cooperating, but does he have other plans? And can they find the artifacts before King Ulric and the Selenites catch them?
For every question answered, another arises, until a stunning betrayal unearths long-buried secrets that redefine Lexi’s knowledge of the enemy.
When faced with deceit, you cannot retreat.
Cover art by Raphael Barrington
339 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2021
4 people want to read
About the author
Amy Maltman
3 books29 followersAmy Maltman’s first novel, Ride Every Stride, reached #1 on Amazon charts around the world. Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Amy grew up obsessed with animals and Star Wars. Not much has changed.
A graduate of the Universities of Guelph and Toronto, Amy is now a disabled pharmacist with syringomyelia, a rare spinal cord disorder. She enjoys spending time with her menagerie of pets (which is never large enough), watching too much TV (including Supernatural and True Blood marathons), playing Dungeons and Dragons, and collecting Funko Pops.
Amy is passionate about animal rights and the environment. She dreams of opening an animal sanctuary named Boomerang Farm and Sanctuary in honour of her golden retriever, Boomer, who died from cancer in 2015.
She once met Alexander Skarsgård and it was the best day of her life.
A graduate of the Universities of Guelph and Toronto, Amy is now a disabled pharmacist with syringomyelia, a rare spinal cord disorder. She enjoys spending time with her menagerie of pets (which is never large enough), watching too much TV (including Supernatural and True Blood marathons), playing Dungeons and Dragons, and collecting Funko Pops.
Amy is passionate about animal rights and the environment. She dreams of opening an animal sanctuary named Boomerang Farm and Sanctuary in honour of her golden retriever, Boomer, who died from cancer in 2015.
She once met Alexander Skarsgård and it was the best day of her life.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 27, 2025
"Only those who are worthy can open the tomb, and as to the location, they left only a riddle."
In my recent 5-star review of Amy Maltman’s opening novel in her new young adult DAUGHTER OF VENUS fantasy series, I confess I rather gushed:
… the use of well-worn chestnut fantasy tropes continues apace – swords and sorcery; the evil king and a dystopian kingdom; witches, elves, dwarves, trolls, and goblins; frustrated, unwitting and reluctant young love; a novel system of magic and a reluctant, unskilled user … once again, the list is long and well-used. Lexi’s position as an apprentice user of magic and the sole possible hope for the rescue of Gowerland from the rapacious clutches of its heartless, evil king Ulric and for the conversion of his much hated son, Prince Aeric, to the side of right and good is utterly predictable. But it’s gripping and compulsively readable through every page from start to finish.
To my delight, AN ENEMY DEFINED picks up right where A JOURNEY UNVEILED left off. The trials and tribulations of Lexi Guinel’s and Prince Aeric’s quest to find the artifacts necessary to fulfill the Venus prophecy and to save Gowerland arrive fast and furious and all the compliments I gave in that first review continue to apply. But, frankly, something in AN ENEMY DEFINED was failing to satisfy me and it took me a while to figure out what it was. Rather than building on the emotions, personalities and lives of the characters in her story and developing the immense potential of a dystopian Gowerland under the thumb of Aeric’s evil father, it occurred to me that, for significant portions of the novel, I was reading a screenplay version of somebody working on a Myst-like puzzle game, moving successfully from puzzle to puzzle in a world that was quite mysterious but rather on auto-pilot and devoid of genuine character, emotion, life or development. The story moves from A to B, to be sure, but there didn’t seem to be any rhyme nor reason, motivation or depth to the reasons behind it all.
Thankfully, those issues and concerns seemed to fade as Lexi and Aeric fell into the clutches of Aeric’s clearly demented uncle, Lucain. The story (not to mention the development of the hot and heavy sweat factor of Aeric’s and Lexi’s romantic relationship) seemed to pick up and move into high gear as AN ENEMY DEFINED reached its climax and the cliffhanger leading into the final novel of the trilogy. We’ll hope that the relentless problem-solving trope isn’t repeated in that final novel and that Maltman sticks to what she clearly does very well – genuine plot and character development, not to some pretty top-notch world building. Then there remains the final question as to whether Lexi will ever return (with or without Aeric) to the site of the plane crash in her own world. I hope I don’t have to wait long to find out.
Paul Weiss
In my recent 5-star review of Amy Maltman’s opening novel in her new young adult DAUGHTER OF VENUS fantasy series, I confess I rather gushed:
… the use of well-worn chestnut fantasy tropes continues apace – swords and sorcery; the evil king and a dystopian kingdom; witches, elves, dwarves, trolls, and goblins; frustrated, unwitting and reluctant young love; a novel system of magic and a reluctant, unskilled user … once again, the list is long and well-used. Lexi’s position as an apprentice user of magic and the sole possible hope for the rescue of Gowerland from the rapacious clutches of its heartless, evil king Ulric and for the conversion of his much hated son, Prince Aeric, to the side of right and good is utterly predictable. But it’s gripping and compulsively readable through every page from start to finish.
To my delight, AN ENEMY DEFINED picks up right where A JOURNEY UNVEILED left off. The trials and tribulations of Lexi Guinel’s and Prince Aeric’s quest to find the artifacts necessary to fulfill the Venus prophecy and to save Gowerland arrive fast and furious and all the compliments I gave in that first review continue to apply. But, frankly, something in AN ENEMY DEFINED was failing to satisfy me and it took me a while to figure out what it was. Rather than building on the emotions, personalities and lives of the characters in her story and developing the immense potential of a dystopian Gowerland under the thumb of Aeric’s evil father, it occurred to me that, for significant portions of the novel, I was reading a screenplay version of somebody working on a Myst-like puzzle game, moving successfully from puzzle to puzzle in a world that was quite mysterious but rather on auto-pilot and devoid of genuine character, emotion, life or development. The story moves from A to B, to be sure, but there didn’t seem to be any rhyme nor reason, motivation or depth to the reasons behind it all.
Thankfully, those issues and concerns seemed to fade as Lexi and Aeric fell into the clutches of Aeric’s clearly demented uncle, Lucain. The story (not to mention the development of the hot and heavy sweat factor of Aeric’s and Lexi’s romantic relationship) seemed to pick up and move into high gear as AN ENEMY DEFINED reached its climax and the cliffhanger leading into the final novel of the trilogy. We’ll hope that the relentless problem-solving trope isn’t repeated in that final novel and that Maltman sticks to what she clearly does very well – genuine plot and character development, not to some pretty top-notch world building. Then there remains the final question as to whether Lexi will ever return (with or without Aeric) to the site of the plane crash in her own world. I hope I don’t have to wait long to find out.
Paul Weiss
April 24, 2021
In this second novel, Lexi and Prince Aeric must embark on an incredible journey to find the relics to save Gowerland. Together, with Jarsen, Mylinna the Elf, and her dog Tink, they begin their search. However, King Ulric's men are also hunting them down....and the worst betrayal of them all is just around the corner.
This was AWESOME! If you are a fan of LoTR and The Hobbit, this is for you! It is an epic quest and full of action, adventure, elemental magic, prophecy, elves, magical creatures, nature and romance.
I really adored the thaw between Lexi and Aeric and watching their relationship evolve. This novel is about family, friendship, redemption, betrayal, trust, forgiveness, and love. I do want to give some trigger warnings for abuse and violence because of some detailed torture and battle scenes.
I have so many new favorite characters to add to my list! Aeric is still my favorite, however, with Elf Lord Taron right up there as well.
I can't wait for the third book! I need to know what happens next. If you are a fan of epic fantasy and wonderful indie books with INCREDIBLE world building and characters, this is the series is for you!
Thank you to Amy Maltman for the copy in exchange for my honest review.
This was AWESOME! If you are a fan of LoTR and The Hobbit, this is for you! It is an epic quest and full of action, adventure, elemental magic, prophecy, elves, magical creatures, nature and romance.
I really adored the thaw between Lexi and Aeric and watching their relationship evolve. This novel is about family, friendship, redemption, betrayal, trust, forgiveness, and love. I do want to give some trigger warnings for abuse and violence because of some detailed torture and battle scenes.
I have so many new favorite characters to add to my list! Aeric is still my favorite, however, with Elf Lord Taron right up there as well.
I can't wait for the third book! I need to know what happens next. If you are a fan of epic fantasy and wonderful indie books with INCREDIBLE world building and characters, this is the series is for you!
Thank you to Amy Maltman for the copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 27, 2023
Fantastic! Even better than book 1! I thoroughly immersed myself in the adventure and read this in no time. I eagerly await the 3rd book in this Fantastical work of Fiction.
October 1, 2023
I couldn't ask for anything more from a fantasy book. I'm not sure where to begin...
Lexi. What an amazing, complex and sympathetic character. My favourite thing about Lexi is her internal struggle to trust Aeric. Her mental back and forth isn't repetitive because Aeric gives the reader reason for us to doubt his allegiance. I found myself in Lexi's shoes, debating if he was good or not. This is probably my favourite part of the book and gives a great example of how great of a writer Maltman is.
The adventure they go on twists and turns and although there is the classic 'The One' trope to me the plot is never predictable. The trials Lexi and Aeric go on are really well thought out. I felt my brow furrowing as the pair tried to figure things out and finally nodded in relief as they solved their puzzles.
The combat is much more in depth in this book but not too detailed as it reflects where Lexi is in her experience. Compared to book one you can feel the growth in her knowledge as the way the action is described demonstrates that. I'm expecting it to be more detailed in book 3?
But the best part of this book was the end. No spoilers but wow! Twist after twist after surprise and shock. I was exhausted! Yet it finished so strong and left me hungry for more!
Finish book 3 Amy!
Lexi. What an amazing, complex and sympathetic character. My favourite thing about Lexi is her internal struggle to trust Aeric. Her mental back and forth isn't repetitive because Aeric gives the reader reason for us to doubt his allegiance. I found myself in Lexi's shoes, debating if he was good or not. This is probably my favourite part of the book and gives a great example of how great of a writer Maltman is.
The adventure they go on twists and turns and although there is the classic 'The One' trope to me the plot is never predictable. The trials Lexi and Aeric go on are really well thought out. I felt my brow furrowing as the pair tried to figure things out and finally nodded in relief as they solved their puzzles.
The combat is much more in depth in this book but not too detailed as it reflects where Lexi is in her experience. Compared to book one you can feel the growth in her knowledge as the way the action is described demonstrates that. I'm expecting it to be more detailed in book 3?
But the best part of this book was the end. No spoilers but wow! Twist after twist after surprise and shock. I was exhausted! Yet it finished so strong and left me hungry for more!
Finish book 3 Amy!
November 29, 2023
This book was everything that I hoped for, and so much more!
I completely adored A Journey Unveiled, and felt that Amy did an amazing job bringing us into her world and introducing us to it's magic, it's lore, and the many fascinating characters whose experiences and trials we would share, and just as any beginning to a great series should, it felt as though it ended with a promise of far greater adventures, discoveries, and challenges yet to be revealed and explored. I am extremely happy to say, An Enemy Defined not only delivered on that promise, but far exceeded anything that I could have imagined!
With the foundations of our story now firmly established, and the prophecy truly set in motion, much of this book from it's opening pages takes off at a gallop's pace! As our heroes must travel far and wide to reach the ancient temples that house the elemental artifacts they seek, It now feels as though the entire realm of Gowerland lies open before us! On this adventure there is no telling what our heroes will encounter down any path taken, be it the sadistic soldiers of the king who are now ceaselessly hunting for them, or fantastic and potentially dangerous beasts that make the wilds of this unknown world their home.
Time after time I was impressed that nothing about this story felt predictable. Just as our heroes themselves are made to learn a harsh lesson about never relaxing their guard, so, too, should the readers of this book always brace for the unexpected, as there were many incredible turns that took this quest in directions I simply never would have seen coming.
There are thrilling and heated moments of battle, curious and rewarding moments of discovery, profound and sincere moments of emotion, and delightful and charming moments of levity, and all of these elements felt interwoven superbly, so that I was never at odds with the book's tone or pace, and as I read on I truly felt my favorite chapter was always the very next one!
Just as I had recognized while reading A Journey Unveiled, I was sincerely left in awe by the magnificent job Amy has done articulating every emotion that her characters experience, especially with regards to Lexi and her incredible struggle to maintain composure and courage amid the most extreme of circumstances. This author truly has a deep emotional understanding, and a gift for expressing the sentiments and passions of her cast, and more than once I was brought to tears because her ability made it so easy to connect with her characters, and truly care for them.
Though there are many significant skirmishes found throughout this adventure, perhaps the most important battle being waged from the very first page to the last, is the conflict of trust between our heroes Lexi and Aeric. To save the people of this world and fulfill the prophecy, these two young heroes must work together and learn to believe in one another, but their faith in each other is constantly being bent, broken, mended, and broken once again by the chaotic events unfolding around them, and by the choices that they make throughout.
With each and every word added to their stories, I grow more fond of both of our heroes. The struggles that they endure deepen their understanding and change them for the better, but ultimately it's their own heroic character within that reveals itself and shows exactly why they were chosen. Lexi's point of view feels like the perfect vantage point through which to experience this world. She is at times vulnerable and overwhelmed, yet always curious and so courageous. She suffers so much, but the light of her hope never fades, even in the darkest dungeons.
It is commendable as well that this author has a tremendous respect of diversity and representation, and that respect shines throughout the pages of this book, embodied by the diverse and inclusive characters that she has envisioned. There are biracial, homosexual, lesbian, and even gender fluid characters found among her great cast, as well as disabled individuals who hold positions of great renown and respect within their community, demonstrating how there could be no limit to the value of such individuals in a society that imposes no limits upon them.
And yet another addition to the diversity of her cast, is this author's incredible love of animals, which also has found a home within her writing. Most of the creatures, critters, and animals found in this series are treated with as much respect, and have as much character, as many of their human counterparts! While unleashing her imagination, she brings to life many mythical and fantastical creatures as well! In this world there exists everything from Flying pigs to mighty Gryphons! and my personal favorite: Shape-Shifting Spy Cats!
I cannot recommend this book enough, and I cannot express how much I am looking forward to reading the final novel of this incredible series! A Journey Unveiled, and An Enemy Defined have forever reserved a spot in my heart, and I am entirely confident that A Destiny Confronted will join them there! Thank you so much, Amy, for being who you are, for believing in yourself, and for sharing the beautiful worlds inside of you!!
I completely adored A Journey Unveiled, and felt that Amy did an amazing job bringing us into her world and introducing us to it's magic, it's lore, and the many fascinating characters whose experiences and trials we would share, and just as any beginning to a great series should, it felt as though it ended with a promise of far greater adventures, discoveries, and challenges yet to be revealed and explored. I am extremely happy to say, An Enemy Defined not only delivered on that promise, but far exceeded anything that I could have imagined!
With the foundations of our story now firmly established, and the prophecy truly set in motion, much of this book from it's opening pages takes off at a gallop's pace! As our heroes must travel far and wide to reach the ancient temples that house the elemental artifacts they seek, It now feels as though the entire realm of Gowerland lies open before us! On this adventure there is no telling what our heroes will encounter down any path taken, be it the sadistic soldiers of the king who are now ceaselessly hunting for them, or fantastic and potentially dangerous beasts that make the wilds of this unknown world their home.
Time after time I was impressed that nothing about this story felt predictable. Just as our heroes themselves are made to learn a harsh lesson about never relaxing their guard, so, too, should the readers of this book always brace for the unexpected, as there were many incredible turns that took this quest in directions I simply never would have seen coming.
There are thrilling and heated moments of battle, curious and rewarding moments of discovery, profound and sincere moments of emotion, and delightful and charming moments of levity, and all of these elements felt interwoven superbly, so that I was never at odds with the book's tone or pace, and as I read on I truly felt my favorite chapter was always the very next one!
Just as I had recognized while reading A Journey Unveiled, I was sincerely left in awe by the magnificent job Amy has done articulating every emotion that her characters experience, especially with regards to Lexi and her incredible struggle to maintain composure and courage amid the most extreme of circumstances. This author truly has a deep emotional understanding, and a gift for expressing the sentiments and passions of her cast, and more than once I was brought to tears because her ability made it so easy to connect with her characters, and truly care for them.
Though there are many significant skirmishes found throughout this adventure, perhaps the most important battle being waged from the very first page to the last, is the conflict of trust between our heroes Lexi and Aeric. To save the people of this world and fulfill the prophecy, these two young heroes must work together and learn to believe in one another, but their faith in each other is constantly being bent, broken, mended, and broken once again by the chaotic events unfolding around them, and by the choices that they make throughout.
With each and every word added to their stories, I grow more fond of both of our heroes. The struggles that they endure deepen their understanding and change them for the better, but ultimately it's their own heroic character within that reveals itself and shows exactly why they were chosen. Lexi's point of view feels like the perfect vantage point through which to experience this world. She is at times vulnerable and overwhelmed, yet always curious and so courageous. She suffers so much, but the light of her hope never fades, even in the darkest dungeons.
It is commendable as well that this author has a tremendous respect of diversity and representation, and that respect shines throughout the pages of this book, embodied by the diverse and inclusive characters that she has envisioned. There are biracial, homosexual, lesbian, and even gender fluid characters found among her great cast, as well as disabled individuals who hold positions of great renown and respect within their community, demonstrating how there could be no limit to the value of such individuals in a society that imposes no limits upon them.
And yet another addition to the diversity of her cast, is this author's incredible love of animals, which also has found a home within her writing. Most of the creatures, critters, and animals found in this series are treated with as much respect, and have as much character, as many of their human counterparts! While unleashing her imagination, she brings to life many mythical and fantastical creatures as well! In this world there exists everything from Flying pigs to mighty Gryphons! and my personal favorite: Shape-Shifting Spy Cats!
I cannot recommend this book enough, and I cannot express how much I am looking forward to reading the final novel of this incredible series! A Journey Unveiled, and An Enemy Defined have forever reserved a spot in my heart, and I am entirely confident that A Destiny Confronted will join them there! Thank you so much, Amy, for being who you are, for believing in yourself, and for sharing the beautiful worlds inside of you!!
January 7, 2025
An Enemy Defined is an incredible continuation of the Daughter of Venus series! The characters are so compelling, and I loved the addition of the shape-shifting elf spies—they were such a unique and fun twist. The worldbuilding continues to amaze and the action-packed plot had me hooked from the first page. Once I started, I couldn’t put it down!
Aeric’s redemption arc is vivid and deeply moving. Watching his growth, struggles, and moments of vulnerability brought me to tears more than once. The exploration of the ruling family’s oppressive regime, with its parallels to Nazi Germany, was chilling but brilliantly handled. The way society in Gowerland ostracizes anyone even slightly different made Aeric’s sister and Lexi’s deceased brother, both representing the LGBTQ+ community, all the more inspiring and powerful.
This installment is packed with twists, magical creatures, and unforgettable moments. The diversity of the cast is beautifully woven into the story, adding depth and richness to the world. If you love epic quests, emotional storytelling, and characters that stay with you long after the last page, you won’t want to miss this book. I can’t wait for book three!!!
Aeric’s redemption arc is vivid and deeply moving. Watching his growth, struggles, and moments of vulnerability brought me to tears more than once. The exploration of the ruling family’s oppressive regime, with its parallels to Nazi Germany, was chilling but brilliantly handled. The way society in Gowerland ostracizes anyone even slightly different made Aeric’s sister and Lexi’s deceased brother, both representing the LGBTQ+ community, all the more inspiring and powerful.
This installment is packed with twists, magical creatures, and unforgettable moments. The diversity of the cast is beautifully woven into the story, adding depth and richness to the world. If you love epic quests, emotional storytelling, and characters that stay with you long after the last page, you won’t want to miss this book. I can’t wait for book three!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews