Unrepentant

The Reckoning #1

by Daphne Moore

A reluctant heroine. Her fated mate. One soul crushing choice.



Despite being a Tiger shifter, Lily Kaplan strives for a serene life. Unfortunately, being a Seer granted visions by the DayKing denies her that luxury. She is one of three Seers who know the location of the Keys that, when assembled, would allow exiled gods to walk on Earth.



However, there is one who will stop at nothing to claim them.



Morgan, warchief of the Daoine Sidhe, seeks to rid the realm of Seers and claim the Keys. Out of options, Lily must meet Daoine’s minions head on in battle. Yet when a small boy gets caught in the midst, Lily’s priorities shift to protecting him.



Through the boy, she encounters the greatest threat she has ever known.



Gaius, who claims to be the child’s guardian, awakens feelings within Lily she never knew existed. The undeniable attraction of a true mate. But, with a team of assassins hunting for her, that bond could create a weakness for her enemies to exploit.



In a choice between love or survival, will she follow her head... or her heart?

Kindle Edition

Published July 1, 2021

Reviews

[K Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the world that Daphne Moore created in Unrepentant. It was a unique plot with a high fantasy vibe to it. The idea of this event called The Reckoning that happens every so many years and turns people who could otherwise be allies and friends against each other because of the side they were born into is really interesting.

Unrepentant centers around Lily, a tiger shifter and oracle, and Gaius a lilim/enkimmu. They should be enemies, given secrets that were revealed later in the book, but they have an undeniable and destined attraction to each other. I won’t give away any spoilers, but they have a sweet love for each other even in the face of danger. I do wish their story didn’t end with this book, but I’m glad they were able to find their peace and get away from the upcoming Reckoning.

The only negatives I have for this book and series so far are these:
1. I wish there was more world building prior to jumping into the storyline. Even something as small as a glossary/key explaining the different species and the story behind the DayKing and NightQueen and how everything works into the Reckoning. It took me a few chapters to really feel like I understood the world they were in and what was going on.
2. I also wish there was more relationship building and communication between them. There was never really a part where it seemed like they actually got to know each other it was all a little instant love like.
3. I’m a little disappointed that Lily and Gaius have their HEA ending without doing anything to help stop the Reckonings that they hate so much. Lily was so confident and has this background of previously being a huge fighter in other Reckonings, but it just doesn’t really show now. I know she decided to retire and doesn’t want anything to do with future Reckonings, but I would’ve loved to see her try to end them all together somehow. Or convince more people to stop fighting or something.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

[Ilona Nurmela · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun fated mates action-adventure mashing up lots of different myths, loved it!

I’ve had this book on my TBR list for a year and usually the bare-chested covers Indicating hot shifter romances put me off, but this actually turned out to be a rather timid, low heat one. Lovable strong leading characters, shiters, fé, ancient vampire beings, trolls, kobolds, rusalki and other magical beings thrown together and of course, there is a prohpecy and an ancient feud. Lily, a recluse seer tiger shifter happens to defend a 2yo stranded by her home and gain his lilim (vampire) guardian as a bodyguard. When lots more magical assassins show up, she isn’t certain who they are after - the 2yo or herself. There are fierce battle scenes, a mild heat (almost fade to black) seggs scene and a lot of Celtic, Russian and Sumerian mythology mashed up together - all of which I loved. Especially fun were the descriptions how Anastasia, the rusalka changed her form from dripping all over the place to mist as per her mood or anxiety levels - brilliant! I liked the fated mates development and the surprises along the way - no spoilers, read it yourself.

Recommended for lovers of tiger shifter romances, adult action-adventure and sword and sorcery fantasy, mashup of myths and legends and fated mates romantasy.

[Angie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daphne Moore has written a 5-star book. This book is so full of twists and turns that will keep you reading just to find out what happens on the next page. There are feelings of mistrust, betrayal, and a few friendships that are hard to find. There are feelings between Lily and Gaius and they get together for one night and she ends up pregnant but doesn't tell him just yet. She doesn't know if she can trust him not to control her. Things don't go well for them as the fight that is coming for her gets closer. At one point, she finds out that Gaius had been sent to kidnap her, and she is hurt and mad over this. She asks her friend Anastasia "if her offer of a place to stay was still open?" Anastasis tells her "Yes." Lily goes to stay at Anastasia's with Mark. Mark is the toddler that she helped save.
Can Lily and Gaius get past her hurt and get back together?
This was an interesting book and I would recommend it to anyone.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[BlueBug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily and Gaius should be on opposite sides. That's how it has been for Lily and just about anyone who isn't part of her family. But when he discovers she has a worse enemy, they end up working together, and the sparks fly. Their situation isn't typical, and they should be feeling the things they do for each other. But they are thrown together as they fight a common enemy who is bent on ending Lily's life. She doesn't want to play the game anymore, but the fates would have things go differently.

What a fantastic beginning to a series. The twists and turns to the story have the reader navigating a world of chaos and waiting to see if things will work out between the heroine and the hero as they follow each corner the characters turn. And in the background are the dreams Lily would rather not have because she's ready for a normal life. The story takes us to the edge and back so many times that the HEA ending is exactly what we need and what the characters deserve. I loved it and can hardly wait to see where the author takes us next.

[Cherisse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a different take on the usual paranormal mythology. Based around 2 God's, the Night Queen and the Sun King, each having their own following from different paranormal species. Every so many years their followers fight to find the keys to release them from their prison, the Reckoning. Lily is Changing Kin, a tiger shifter, who has visions of the keys' locations. She has been part of several Reckonings in the past and has decided she does not want to take part. She meets Gaius whilst saving a human child. Gaius is a Lilim, similar to a Vampire, however they drain energy from their victims. Both on opposite sides of the paranormal communities, however an instant attraction draws them together.
The story was well written with several twists and turns, and several side characters that were enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adena Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author knows how to pace her action. The action is frantic, the mission imperative, the characters tough; and yet, despite the romantic suspenseful thriller storyline (which is much like the work of Dianne Duvall), the author has thrown in a few lighthearted moments that had me giggling (like Lily's driving - "The DayKing gave the cat-kin good reflexes. Relax.") There are hooks in this novel for the romantic suspense buff, hopeful mothers, lovers of alpha males and feisty females, shifters, vampires and desperate quests (like preventing global trials and tribulations just short of the End of Days). There is a lot in this novel to enjoy - I think that almost everyone can find an element that appeals. What appeals to me is how the author managed to roll all this together into one book. I need to see how the next turns out.

I received an ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Reckoning is coming and Lily wants nothing to do with it this time. As a powerful tiger shifter and a seer she is always drawn into the battle between the DayKing and the NightQueen, and she is simply tired of all of it and of watching her friends die. When an human child is attacked on her property she protects him and takes him in. Along with him comes a man, a Lilim, claiming to be his guardian. The two of them should be enemies but both feel the pull of fate as destined mates. This book introduces some interesting characters and an overarching storyline that will be fun to explore. I received an advance copy of this book and voluntarily left a review.

[Aimee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this story. Lily was an interesting character even if I didn't love her. I felt her interaction with Gaius was a little flat. I don't want to give anything away so I'm going to leave it at that.

I also found a few parts a bit difficult to understand and I felt as though there were passages I was reading over and over to understand.

Overall this was an interesting story with a decent cast of characters. I would like to know more about them. I will be reading more from this author in the future.

Happy Reading!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first book in The Reckoning series a well written story that kept me turning pages. Tiger shifter, Lily Kaplan and Gaius's story of suspense, drama, danger, and romance. I want to read more in this series. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Reader03 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A woman seeking peace finds the exact opposite but also finds her fated mate. I voluntarily received this book for an honest review.

[Sn8wflake · Rating 3 out of 5]

fae, shifter, vamp

a shifter falls for a vamp. secrets are revealed and turmoil reigns. love comes with a lot of groveling and Time

[Beatrice Gleaves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed it