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Pillars of Magic: Dominion Chapter #5
Absolution
A witch doesn’t always wear black, sometimes he wears snark and blood.
Sam is well known for his attitude and now that he’s a vampire, he’s not taking crap from anyone. Not his mentor Gabe, his rival Seiran, or even his roommate Constantine. He wants to be left alone to be the brooding monster the media promised he could be.
But war is on the horizon between vampires and humans. Sam barely has control of his bloodlust, especially when he’s not even certain how to stalk the night without becoming a revenant. When his cibo, a blood donor meant to control the beast, arrives to help, Sam finds Luca irresistible, but tied to another powerful vampire.
Sam’s mentor begins to unravel as the vampires start to rage. Sam can either join the puppets of the darkness, or find his own way. When the magic of vampires and witches collide, Sam hopes the firestorm of his newly awakened powers can save them all.
Sam is well known for his attitude and now that he’s a vampire, he’s not taking crap from anyone. Not his mentor Gabe, his rival Seiran, or even his roommate Constantine. He wants to be left alone to be the brooding monster the media promised he could be.
But war is on the horizon between vampires and humans. Sam barely has control of his bloodlust, especially when he’s not even certain how to stalk the night without becoming a revenant. When his cibo, a blood donor meant to control the beast, arrives to help, Sam finds Luca irresistible, but tied to another powerful vampire.
Sam’s mentor begins to unravel as the vampires start to rage. Sam can either join the puppets of the darkness, or find his own way. When the magic of vampires and witches collide, Sam hopes the firestorm of his newly awakened powers can save them all.
346 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 23, 2019
48 people are currently reading
98 people want to read
About the author
Lissa Kasey
75 books656 followersLissa Kasey is Ace/Aro and ENBY. Lissa's storytelling specializes in in-depth characters, detailed world building, sweet and spicy romance, and twisting plots to keep you clinging to the page.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 7, 2021
4 Stars
Review:
This might be my favorite in the series so far!
I put off reading this one for a while because I couldn’t remember who Sam was (been a while since I read the previous books) and because I thought this was a completely separate story just set in the same world. This book is actually super connected to the other books and heavily features all those characters. I would not recommend it as a standalone, and I would definitely not recommend skipping it because it adds so much to the other characters’ stories, especially Sei and Gabe’s, which I hope are still continuing.
Sam was a great character. Rough life. Been through some shit. Struggling with past trauma and his new needs and desires now that he’s a vampire. But not a bad person, and definitely not a monster like he sometimes thinks. He did have his… ah… vampire moments, but that wasn’t his fault. He was actually a caring and thoughtful guy where it mattered.
This one had a m/m/m romance. It was a little rushed for me where Luca was concerned, but Sam even said he didn’t think he was in love with Luca yet, and I enjoyed it alright. It was a fairly easy, low angst, steamy romance with characters who respected and cared about each other.
It was the vampire stuff that really made this book shine for me. There was so much about not only vampire politics and society but also how they work, their bonds, their powers, and how their long lives affect them. Old, powerful vampires. Mentally unstable vampires. Power-hungry vampires. Learning about Gabe and Max specifically, two of the oldest, was interesting. I even liked when Sam would get to see inside Max’s mind.
Overall, a great book that brings some great new characters into the main group, shows the reader a really interesting peek into the vampires of this world, and continues the story for all the characters you know and love!
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: eBook*
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1-4 in Lissa Kasey's Dominion Series. Fans of character-focused m/m urban fantasy with witches and vampires. Anyone who likes books with struggles and/or mental illness but also lots of positivity and support, plus a bit of fluffiness, to balance it out.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
This might be my favorite in the series so far!
I put off reading this one for a while because I couldn’t remember who Sam was (been a while since I read the previous books) and because I thought this was a completely separate story just set in the same world. This book is actually super connected to the other books and heavily features all those characters. I would not recommend it as a standalone, and I would definitely not recommend skipping it because it adds so much to the other characters’ stories, especially Sei and Gabe’s, which I hope are still continuing.
Sam was a great character. Rough life. Been through some shit. Struggling with past trauma and his new needs and desires now that he’s a vampire. But not a bad person, and definitely not a monster like he sometimes thinks. He did have his… ah… vampire moments, but that wasn’t his fault. He was actually a caring and thoughtful guy where it mattered.
This one had a m/m/m romance. It was a little rushed for me where Luca was concerned, but Sam even said he didn’t think he was in love with Luca yet, and I enjoyed it alright. It was a fairly easy, low angst, steamy romance with characters who respected and cared about each other.
It was the vampire stuff that really made this book shine for me. There was so much about not only vampire politics and society but also how they work, their bonds, their powers, and how their long lives affect them. Old, powerful vampires. Mentally unstable vampires. Power-hungry vampires. Learning about Gabe and Max specifically, two of the oldest, was interesting. I even liked when Sam would get to see inside Max’s mind.
Overall, a great book that brings some great new characters into the main group, shows the reader a really interesting peek into the vampires of this world, and continues the story for all the characters you know and love!
*Rating: 4 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: eBook*
Recommended For:
Fans of Books 1-4 in Lissa Kasey's Dominion Series. Fans of character-focused m/m urban fantasy with witches and vampires. Anyone who likes books with struggles and/or mental illness but also lots of positivity and support, plus a bit of fluffiness, to balance it out.
Original Review @ Metaphors and Moonlight
May 27, 2022
4.5 Stars
Man, I struggle a little bit rating this one. I'm going to round up in part for my love of the series as a whole. But this was a hard one. I love Gabe and Seiran together so much and it's hard to see them like this. Sure it's not entirely Gabe's fault, but I like my characters in love to all be good and happy even when the focus is on a new couple. Of course life can never be that easy for those two.
That being said I do like Sam, Con, and Luca together. There wasn't a lot of deep introspection of them as a couple. They're still really just all getting to know each other. But I liked the beginnings of the three of them. Sam really develops in this story though. He's starting to grow up and accept that a life as a vampire is better than the alternative being dead. He's coming into his own and his powers and finally making choices for what he wants in his life.
This book was all dark and twisty and if it was new characters not already established couples I probably would have adored it. But Gabe and Seiran have already been through so much. This book closes out the first chapter of the Pillars of Magic series. I'm happy that things will pick up in another arc because this is in some ways a major cliffhanger with no immediate resolution coming for Seiran. For Sam and his boys they have a lot to learn about each other, but I liked where they were headed.
Man, I struggle a little bit rating this one. I'm going to round up in part for my love of the series as a whole. But this was a hard one. I love Gabe and Seiran together so much and it's hard to see them like this. Sure it's not entirely Gabe's fault, but I like my characters in love to all be good and happy even when the focus is on a new couple. Of course life can never be that easy for those two.
That being said I do like Sam, Con, and Luca together. There wasn't a lot of deep introspection of them as a couple. They're still really just all getting to know each other. But I liked the beginnings of the three of them. Sam really develops in this story though. He's starting to grow up and accept that a life as a vampire is better than the alternative being dead. He's coming into his own and his powers and finally making choices for what he wants in his life.
This book was all dark and twisty and if it was new characters not already established couples I probably would have adored it. But Gabe and Seiran have already been through so much. This book closes out the first chapter of the Pillars of Magic series. I'm happy that things will pick up in another arc because this is in some ways a major cliffhanger with no immediate resolution coming for Seiran. For Sam and his boys they have a lot to learn about each other, but I liked where they were headed.
December 26, 2019
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.75 stars
Absolution is the fifth book in Lissa Kasey’s engaging Dominion series. The first four books were first published in 2011-2012, then re-released as self published books in 2015-2016, which is when I read them. It has been almost four years since the fourth book in the series, Ascendence, was released and Kasey has now republished the whole series again. (I am not clear if/how the stories changed from the 2015-2016 versions to now.) I remembered this series fondly from when I read it, so I was really excited to see Kasey had expanded the series with Absolution, as I find this world really interesting and I was eager to return to this world and these characters. The earlier books focused primarily on two couples — Seiran and Gabe, a powerful earth witch and a vampire; and Jamie and Kelly, two witches (and Seiran’s half-brother and good friend, respectively). Though Seiran is really the focal point of the series given his immense power and major role in the politics, this series has a nice found family element that I really like. I have enjoyed seeing the growth of these characters, as well as the political intrigue and changes in the magical world they are a part of.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
3.75 stars
Absolution is the fifth book in Lissa Kasey’s engaging Dominion series. The first four books were first published in 2011-2012, then re-released as self published books in 2015-2016, which is when I read them. It has been almost four years since the fourth book in the series, Ascendence, was released and Kasey has now republished the whole series again. (I am not clear if/how the stories changed from the 2015-2016 versions to now.) I remembered this series fondly from when I read it, so I was really excited to see Kasey had expanded the series with Absolution, as I find this world really interesting and I was eager to return to this world and these characters. The earlier books focused primarily on two couples — Seiran and Gabe, a powerful earth witch and a vampire; and Jamie and Kelly, two witches (and Seiran’s half-brother and good friend, respectively). Though Seiran is really the focal point of the series given his immense power and major role in the politics, this series has a nice found family element that I really like. I have enjoyed seeing the growth of these characters, as well as the political intrigue and changes in the magical world they are a part of.
Read Jay’s review in its entirety here.
August 26, 2019
This quite an interesting book, it has a intricate world that had many layers to it.
This is the first book that I have read of this series and by this author, it was stated to be a stand-alone within the main plot, as it is about a side character coming into his own, but to be frank I felt that I was missing a lot as I hadn’t read the previous books, so it is MY recommendation that for full enjoyment read these books in order.
However saying that the action and intrigue of the story did make this a good read, as Sam came to accept his status as a vampire, and how Luca and Con fitted into his life I liked how the relationship between the three progressed. Overall an enjoyable read.
This is the first book that I have read of this series and by this author, it was stated to be a stand-alone within the main plot, as it is about a side character coming into his own, but to be frank I felt that I was missing a lot as I hadn’t read the previous books, so it is MY recommendation that for full enjoyment read these books in order.
However saying that the action and intrigue of the story did make this a good read, as Sam came to accept his status as a vampire, and how Luca and Con fitted into his life I liked how the relationship between the three progressed. Overall an enjoyable read.
November 14, 2019
This is a new to me author but the blurb for this book was too good to pass up. While I loved the story and found the characters intriguing, the world the author created was by far my favorite part. So much thought and attention to detail went into it and it shows. Plus it’ll have you thinking which is a big win with me. This is why I joined LesCourt review. How else will I find new favorites like this one. You will want to block some time to read this so you can completely immerse yourself into the world created.
March 27, 2021
It’s been far too long since I read the first four books in this series but that worked out fine since this one can definitely be read as a stand-alone. Ten years I’ve been waiting for Sam’s story and the author didn’t disappoint. Not even a little.
There’s action, great character development, twists and turns I didn’t see coming, plus old favorites to visit with. The ending is perfect and now I’m on pins-and-needles waiting for the next book. *grins*
There’s action, great character development, twists and turns I didn’t see coming, plus old favorites to visit with. The ending is perfect and now I’m on pins-and-needles waiting for the next book. *grins*
August 26, 2019
This has been a long time coming with a new book in this series and it is so worth it. Sam is a character I wanted a story and this makes me happy. This story is amazing. I love the characters and the storyline. I just kept on read because I didn't want to stop.
August 28, 2019
*looks up from third rereading session* Get your hands on this fantastic, amazing, fascinating, smoking hot, and filled with more twists and turns than a roller coaster tale ASAP!!
October 4, 2021
I admit to being slightly disappointed to not have another book from Sei's point of view when I first started this one. Sei goes through a LOT of changes between the previous book, this book and then throughout this book, so it would've made sense to have a whole other book from his side of things. HOWEVER, that being said, I ended up in love with Sam and grateful to experience this period of time through his eyes. (Not that I wouldn't have enjoyed a multi-POV book throughout the events of this story, but I know a lot of people don't like POVs that bounce around. I am a fan of all types of POV writing though). Sam goes through some serious hell and is not an easy person to be around, but he is loveable in his way. As much as he tries to be a cold badass at times, he turns out to be a sweet, caring soul. Con and Luca, both incredibly important in Sam's life during this book, are quite similar in that way. (And I would've loved to see alternate versions from Con and Luca's POV, just for fun.)
I did have a little bit of trouble with my short-term memory in this book though, as I have since book 2 - more characters join with each book, and each character changes and grows with each book, as the world around them shifts, (sometimes literally). If I were a note taker, (which I am SO not), I should've been taking notes throughout. I don't think that there are necessarily plot holes or too much left out. There are jumps in time and events that get a little glossed over because we see things in each book through the eyes of characters with their own priorities. Sometimes events are less important to one character than another - but as a reader, I might've been up for epic long books with multi-POV and a full fleshing out of each tiny detail. (Or I might've seen page counts that high & run away.)
I do know that I want to continue on with these characters for books to come and will be rereading the ones out so far.
I did have a little bit of trouble with my short-term memory in this book though, as I have since book 2 - more characters join with each book, and each character changes and grows with each book, as the world around them shifts, (sometimes literally). If I were a note taker, (which I am SO not), I should've been taking notes throughout. I don't think that there are necessarily plot holes or too much left out. There are jumps in time and events that get a little glossed over because we see things in each book through the eyes of characters with their own priorities. Sometimes events are less important to one character than another - but as a reader, I might've been up for epic long books with multi-POV and a full fleshing out of each tiny detail. (Or I might've seen page counts that high & run away.)
I do know that I want to continue on with these characters for books to come and will be rereading the ones out so far.
November 12, 2023
Loved the books. The only problems i have is that they change characters every few books. The first two and 4th are from seirans POV and the 3rd goes from kelly to jamie every chapter and this one is Sams.
The biggest problem I have with this one is that it gives times of events then says something different. The book starts in late February, lets say bet 25th. Sam goes to ground a few days later so like march 1st. He wakes up 76ish days later so may 15th or so. Seirans kids where born 4 weeks before he comes back as it says they spent a few weeks in the hospital and little less then two weeks home. Meaning they were born start of April. At the end of the book during the samhain part, it says the kids are less then 5 months old. Yet that can not be as samhain is halloween, if thwy are less then 5 months old they would have been born in June, yet it tells us they were born at the start of April.
I know Raising Kaine is not part of the book but I also have to bring this up. At the end of the book during Samhain, kelly and Jamie say they are going to have a kid. Then Raising Kaine takes place 4 years later and they are still looking? Then the next book is 13 years after the last book and there is no mention of their kid or kids still at the start? What happened to them having kids?
The biggest problem I have with this one is that it gives times of events then says something different. The book starts in late February, lets say bet 25th. Sam goes to ground a few days later so like march 1st. He wakes up 76ish days later so may 15th or so. Seirans kids where born 4 weeks before he comes back as it says they spent a few weeks in the hospital and little less then two weeks home. Meaning they were born start of April. At the end of the book during the samhain part, it says the kids are less then 5 months old. Yet that can not be as samhain is halloween, if thwy are less then 5 months old they would have been born in June, yet it tells us they were born at the start of April.
I know Raising Kaine is not part of the book but I also have to bring this up. At the end of the book during Samhain, kelly and Jamie say they are going to have a kid. Then Raising Kaine takes place 4 years later and they are still looking? Then the next book is 13 years after the last book and there is no mention of their kid or kids still at the start? What happened to them having kids?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 19, 2021
Wow
Well this definitely brought forth some serious revelations. It also marked a future story because I can’t imagine it ending like that.
Well this definitely brought forth some serious revelations. It also marked a future story because I can’t imagine it ending like that.
May 21, 2021
Cliffhanger alert!
Love the stories. The character growth and their relationships are heartfelt and breath realism. I do, however, hate hate HATE cliffhangers
Love the stories. The character growth and their relationships are heartfelt and breath realism. I do, however, hate hate HATE cliffhangers
October 24, 2021
Not my thing
I really disliked this book so where to begin, Max did not like him Luca same I used to like Sam but not in this book all of the characters personalities seem off
I really disliked this book so where to begin, Max did not like him Luca same I used to like Sam but not in this book all of the characters personalities seem off
June 3, 2023
Intense and beautiful
A dark and beautiful story. Intensely emotional, beautiful, sexy, and a bit k!nky. Absolutely an amazing read. Sam might be my favorite so far.
A dark and beautiful story. Intensely emotional, beautiful, sexy, and a bit k!nky. Absolutely an amazing read. Sam might be my favorite so far.
March 11, 2020
I loved this series. I hope there will be more books since it felt unfinished.
September 10, 2019
I discovered Lissa Kasey's books a while ago, but this is the first book I read of this series and I loved it! Ms Kasey is an expert in create characters that are emotionally complex taking you with them in their struggle and this book is not an exception. You can find the relationship between Sam, Luca and Con really interesting not only because the romance and hot scenes but because the way Ms Kasey work through the insecurities of her otherwise strong characters and guide them to find love and a future together. Of course the underlying story is also captivating and full of action. Also I want to add that even if in the blurb the author specifies that the book can be read as a standalone I totally disagree, I started by now the rest of the series and you'll understand the epilogue better if you do so. Amazing series and great reading!
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest opinion.
September 16, 2019
This is Sam's redemption story so to speak. He was a player in the bad guys games for two books and now he gets to be the hero of his own story.
To be honest I was unsure about him, but getting to read his thoughts and how he perceived things really helped endeared me to him. He'll never be a favorite like Seian or Kelly, but he's a good guy and deserves to be with the men he loves and live a content life.
This book opens up a new storyline in the overall arc and I'm scared where the author is going to go. The characters we hav loved and admired thus far are crumbling and the road to recovery seems to be a long one.
Absolution wasn't a book I expected to want, but I loved it all the same.
To be honest I was unsure about him, but getting to read his thoughts and how he perceived things really helped endeared me to him. He'll never be a favorite like Seian or Kelly, but he's a good guy and deserves to be with the men he loves and live a content life.
This book opens up a new storyline in the overall arc and I'm scared where the author is going to go. The characters we hav loved and admired thus far are crumbling and the road to recovery seems to be a long one.
Absolution wasn't a book I expected to want, but I loved it all the same.
November 6, 2019
This is the fifth book in the Dominion series
Okay first off I have to confess that I started this series at the latest book ,book five . Why because I liked the cover on this book the best yeah I'm like that I don't ask me why it just is . What turned me of about most of the covers for the series was the cover model for the main protagonist his look just left me uninterested to much like a girl . Don't get me wrong I have no problem with pretty guy's but the anorexic look of this model just gave me the creeps . Know back to the review I really liked this book but I really liked Sassy Sam the most I like his attitude his personality period . And his two men are scorching I will be reading the feast of this series just maybe not in order Lol .
Okay first off I have to confess that I started this series at the latest book ,book five . Why because I liked the cover on this book the best yeah I'm like that I don't ask me why it just is . What turned me of about most of the covers for the series was the cover model for the main protagonist his look just left me uninterested to much like a girl . Don't get me wrong I have no problem with pretty guy's but the anorexic look of this model just gave me the creeps . Know back to the review I really liked this book but I really liked Sassy Sam the most I like his attitude his personality period . And his two men are scorching I will be reading the feast of this series just maybe not in order Lol .
September 11, 2019
This is the story of Sam, Con and Luca. I loved the characters and the chemistry between them is off the charts. This is a first time author for me and what a great story. I loved the detail and the descriptions. Written beautifully. The action and drama keeps you turning the pages. Great great read and I can't wait for the next book.
I received this book as an Arc and I am reviewing it voluntarily.
I received this book as an Arc and I am reviewing it voluntarily.
November 10, 2019
Absolution
I really loved this book! A lot of questions are answered and more character growth develops. Its wonderful to see both Seiran and Sam accept their parts and move forward, more so Sam than Sei, but we all know Sei's issues are deeper! For me it was really wonderful to have some of my more burning questions answered. Always love reading anything Lisa writes!
I really loved this book! A lot of questions are answered and more character growth develops. Its wonderful to see both Seiran and Sam accept their parts and move forward, more so Sam than Sei, but we all know Sei's issues are deeper! For me it was really wonderful to have some of my more burning questions answered. Always love reading anything Lisa writes!
December 19, 2019
Very melancholy
While I loved the characters and events in this book, I felt like the author was trying to revise a bit of history with Seiran claiming that Gabe hadn't been normal, or loving, since before Sei became his Focus.
But beyond that, this book was rather excellent. I loved seeing the journey that Sam has gone through to finally accept his own value.
While I loved the characters and events in this book, I felt like the author was trying to revise a bit of history with Seiran claiming that Gabe hadn't been normal, or loving, since before Sei became his Focus.
But beyond that, this book was rather excellent. I loved seeing the journey that Sam has gone through to finally accept his own value.
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November 4, 2019So freaking good
I seriously can't get enough of this series. I loved following Sam in this one while still getting to see the rest of these amazing characters. The epilogue was absolutely fantastic, I so cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
I seriously can't get enough of this series. I loved following Sam in this one while still getting to see the rest of these amazing characters. The epilogue was absolutely fantastic, I so cannot wait to read the next book in the series.
January 14, 2020
Loved it
Absolution was heartbreaking good. The book is mainly about Sam and his coming to terms with being a vampire. A side storyline is of Sai and Gabe’s Love life unraveling. While the story doesn’t end in a happily ever after it does end a happy for now.
Absolution was heartbreaking good. The book is mainly about Sam and his coming to terms with being a vampire. A side storyline is of Sai and Gabe’s Love life unraveling. While the story doesn’t end in a happily ever after it does end a happy for now.
April 19, 2021
So great..
This is another great addition to the series. I'm looking forward to reading more about all of them. Also, looking forward to Gabe's return to Seiran.
This is another great addition to the series. I'm looking forward to reading more about all of them. Also, looking forward to Gabe's return to Seiran.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews