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Mirage of Sand and Glass #1
Mirage of Sand and Glass
By indie author Mercedes M. Taylor, comes the first book in a heart provoking new fantasy romance trilogy. Fans of fantastical magic, action, and adventure will fall in love with the magical fantasy romance waiting in the world of Triora. If you’re an avid reader of fantasy romance erring on the sweeter side, with a plot beyond the romance, with action and adventure, then this fantasy romance trilogy needs to be added to your TBR. Follow the young heroine, Danica, as she’s stolen from her home in the desert and brought to the magical lands of Triora. Will she escape? Stay? Fall madly in love? Or will she succumb to the creatures waiting to devour her whole? Only time will tell. Get lost in the action and adventure in this intensely heartbreaking fantasy romance. The Mages forced us to live and die in the desert, adding salt to the wound by sending the Wraith to cull us every fifty years. I’m nothing but an orphaned human, destined to die alone with nothing but failure surrounding me. That is, until he came, stealing me away under the guise of the Wraith. Nothing would ever be the same. Would I ever find my way back to the desert and the only people that I loved? Or was I destined to die in the magical lands of Triora? A thousand years ago, humans left the magical lands of Triora to escape the powerful magic of the Mages. Not long after, the new human Colony became plagued with cullings from the Wraith, a scourge of evil on the land. No one dared venture past the Colony’s walls except one lone girl, looking for a brighter future. Danica left the safety of the Colony only to find an object that would call a Mage to her doorstep. Unwillingly, she is taken to the magical lands of Triora, only to find her world shattered as she tries desperately to determine what is real and what is a mirage. The magical world of Triora lures her in with promises of love and belonging, but her home in the Colony dwells painfully on her mind. One can never be too careful in a land where magic reigns supreme and mirages become nothing more than deceit and trickery. A compelling fantasy romance that will leave you begging for book two. A story of romance, magic, fantasy, self-discovery, hardship, and a dive into self-acceptance will keep you hooked from start to finish. Join Danica on her journey of self-hatred to acceptance while traversing foreign magical lands, looking death in the face and more. Will you join Danica and dive into the depths of the magical fantasy romance that is Mirage of Sand and Glass?
424 pages, Paperback
Published September 8, 2021
4 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 29, 2021
Magic, romance, mystery, and adventure? Sign me up! I’m so glad I read Mirage of Sand and Glass, Mercedes Taylor’s debut novel that follows the story of a young woman on a journey into a magical world and romance, but also on a journey of self-discovery.
Danica, the main character, lives in the Colony, surrounded by the desert and plagued by dark figures called the Wraiths. The poorest members of the Colony face hardships and starvation. Danica and the other orphans struggle to survive.
Seeking a rumored human settlement, Danica leaves the colony in search of hope. What she discovers in the desert begins her journey to Triora, a land of magic, where she meets the mysterious-and gorgeous-mage Hale.
The budding romance between Danica and Hale is at the heart of this book, but I found the main character’s internal struggle a compelling thread woven throughout the narrative. Danica sees herself as a rejected orphan and is plagued by self-doubt.
Regardless of Danica’s insecurities, when she is confronted by the terrifying Wraiths, the Mages, and a strange new world of magic, she always has hope and never stops fighting. Her actions reveal that she is a hero in the making. I enjoyed seeing how the character developed and I hope that in future books she can realize her true value and power. I really want to see her kick some butt.
Mercedes builds a captivating world of magic and romance filled with intriguing characters. It was a fantastic read and I am looking forward to the next book written by this new author.
Danica, the main character, lives in the Colony, surrounded by the desert and plagued by dark figures called the Wraiths. The poorest members of the Colony face hardships and starvation. Danica and the other orphans struggle to survive.
Seeking a rumored human settlement, Danica leaves the colony in search of hope. What she discovers in the desert begins her journey to Triora, a land of magic, where she meets the mysterious-and gorgeous-mage Hale.
The budding romance between Danica and Hale is at the heart of this book, but I found the main character’s internal struggle a compelling thread woven throughout the narrative. Danica sees herself as a rejected orphan and is plagued by self-doubt.
Regardless of Danica’s insecurities, when she is confronted by the terrifying Wraiths, the Mages, and a strange new world of magic, she always has hope and never stops fighting. Her actions reveal that she is a hero in the making. I enjoyed seeing how the character developed and I hope that in future books she can realize her true value and power. I really want to see her kick some butt.
Mercedes builds a captivating world of magic and romance filled with intriguing characters. It was a fantastic read and I am looking forward to the next book written by this new author.
October 5, 2021
Amazing first book!
It begins with Danica’s journey to find a better life for herself and those she has chosen to care for. Instead she is forcibly dragged back to her miserable life but with a treasure she stumbled upon in the desert. The amethyst that Danica thought was her ticket to her next meal ends up being the catalyst for a life altering adventure that results in her being whisked away from the only home she has ever known.
The first half of the book is world building. You learn about the history of humans and Mages from different points of views which leaves you wondering what the truth of the past really is. About halfway through, the book takes a steamier turn before but will her past ruin Danica’s chance at happiness or are things really not quite adding up?
By the end of it all, Danica has not only found herself in a world of trouble but is questioning who she really can trust and what is merely a mirage.
I’m am anxiously anticipating the next two instalments in the trilogy.
It begins with Danica’s journey to find a better life for herself and those she has chosen to care for. Instead she is forcibly dragged back to her miserable life but with a treasure she stumbled upon in the desert. The amethyst that Danica thought was her ticket to her next meal ends up being the catalyst for a life altering adventure that results in her being whisked away from the only home she has ever known.
The first half of the book is world building. You learn about the history of humans and Mages from different points of views which leaves you wondering what the truth of the past really is. About halfway through, the book takes a steamier turn before but will her past ruin Danica’s chance at happiness or are things really not quite adding up?
By the end of it all, Danica has not only found herself in a world of trouble but is questioning who she really can trust and what is merely a mirage.
I’m am anxiously anticipating the next two instalments in the trilogy.
September 29, 2021
This is book one of a brand new fantasy series and also a debut by Mercedes M. Taylor. I am a huge fantasy fanatic so when I read the blurb, and seen the BEAUTIFUL cover I automatically one clicked.
The FMC Danika is a tough and selfless, in the beginning of this book we join her on her struggles in the colony. When something huge happens (that’s all your getting, no spoilers😉) she gets thrown into a whole new world, where she learns everything she grew up knowing was a lie…….. from sparking new romance and learning the truth to lies, betrayal and heartbreak. This poor girl can’t catch a break.
I can’t wait for book 2, I have a feeling that she is going to come into her own and the world better watch out.
The FMC Danika is a tough and selfless, in the beginning of this book we join her on her struggles in the colony. When something huge happens (that’s all your getting, no spoilers😉) she gets thrown into a whole new world, where she learns everything she grew up knowing was a lie…….. from sparking new romance and learning the truth to lies, betrayal and heartbreak. This poor girl can’t catch a break.
I can’t wait for book 2, I have a feeling that she is going to come into her own and the world better watch out.
May 18, 2022
Well.. okay then.
I enjoyed the beginning of this book, then about halfway through it started to seem very rushed to me and I almost put it down. I don't want to spoil anything, but suffice it to say that there's a reason for that. :) This ended up being a pleasant surprise.
I enjoyed the beginning of this book, then about halfway through it started to seem very rushed to me and I almost put it down. I don't want to spoil anything, but suffice it to say that there's a reason for that. :) This ended up being a pleasant surprise.
October 19, 2021
I loved this book so much!!!!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews