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Birthright of Scars Duology #1
Birthright of Scars: Rising
Falling in love with his bounty hunter was never part of the plan.
After the Kobalt empire spent decades suppressing Pyron culture, Emperor Cinnabar designed the walled Pyron sector with only one purpose: extermination.
Disrel of Tourmal has little left except his sister, but he won’t accept death without a fight. When the state mandates that all Pyrons relocate to the walled sector, Disrel does not hesitate to don a mask and replace the capitol flag with one that proclaims Pyron is free. What he didn’t count on was a simple act of defiance becoming the symbol of an empire-wide revolution. By the time dawn breaks, a sable commander renowned for catching renegades is on his trail, and Disrel is driven into the center of the resistance against the state.
Decorated Sable Commander Ambrosia is ready for the challenge of pulling Pyron resistors off Tourmal’s streets. But the layers of unrest in the capitol go deeper than a masked renegade inciting insurrection, locking her in a deadly dance between conviction and duty, comrades and terrorists—one that requires a flawless loyalty to the state to survive. And the unassumingly charming Disrel keeps getting in her way.
Disrel and Ambrosia are thrust into each other’s paths—as renegade and sable, as citizens of the empire struggling to survive the upheaval. But as their feelings for each other grow, they’ll have to choose: one love destined to destroy them both, or the fate of an empire?
Adult Dark fantasy with trigger warnings for: brief depictions of early stages of genocide, racism, SA, and violence.
Sequel also includes: torture, hypodermic needles, and the deaths of children.
After the Kobalt empire spent decades suppressing Pyron culture, Emperor Cinnabar designed the walled Pyron sector with only one purpose: extermination.
Disrel of Tourmal has little left except his sister, but he won’t accept death without a fight. When the state mandates that all Pyrons relocate to the walled sector, Disrel does not hesitate to don a mask and replace the capitol flag with one that proclaims Pyron is free. What he didn’t count on was a simple act of defiance becoming the symbol of an empire-wide revolution. By the time dawn breaks, a sable commander renowned for catching renegades is on his trail, and Disrel is driven into the center of the resistance against the state.
Decorated Sable Commander Ambrosia is ready for the challenge of pulling Pyron resistors off Tourmal’s streets. But the layers of unrest in the capitol go deeper than a masked renegade inciting insurrection, locking her in a deadly dance between conviction and duty, comrades and terrorists—one that requires a flawless loyalty to the state to survive. And the unassumingly charming Disrel keeps getting in her way.
Disrel and Ambrosia are thrust into each other’s paths—as renegade and sable, as citizens of the empire struggling to survive the upheaval. But as their feelings for each other grow, they’ll have to choose: one love destined to destroy them both, or the fate of an empire?
Adult Dark fantasy with trigger warnings for: brief depictions of early stages of genocide, racism, SA, and violence.
Sequel also includes: torture, hypodermic needles, and the deaths of children.
487 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2023
66 people are currently reading
1926 people want to read
About the author
Laurisa Brandt
4 books56 followersLaurisa Brandt grew up along the Alabama Gulf Coast, where she spent her summers dreaming of high fantasy adventures and writing them down in spiral notebooks. She once narrowly missed being struck by lightning and later came face to face with the ghost in Uncle John’s house.
While working for a therapeutic horseback riding program for people with special needs, she was hired by a Hollywood stunt actor to write a TV pilot episode. She finds inspiration through her many interests, which include: mixed martial arts, freestyle motocross, horseback archery, and antediluvian archaeology.
She lives in rural Pennsylvania with her husband and their adopted Timneh African Grey parrot, Hercules. You can visit her online at laurisabrandt.com.
While working for a therapeutic horseback riding program for people with special needs, she was hired by a Hollywood stunt actor to write a TV pilot episode. She finds inspiration through her many interests, which include: mixed martial arts, freestyle motocross, horseback archery, and antediluvian archaeology.
She lives in rural Pennsylvania with her husband and their adopted Timneh African Grey parrot, Hercules. You can visit her online at laurisabrandt.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 10, 2022
“What if one impossible friendship could change the world, spark a love that would catch fire and start a revolution in the hearts of thousands.”
Laurisa created a beautiful and yet divided world of the Kobalt Empire. You just feel for the Pyrons and the horrible treatment that they have been forced to live with. You feel for the sables- how they were taken and trained from a very young age.
There are so many action and adventure scenes throughout the book, that will always keep you on your toes and has you flipping through the pages faster so you can find out what happens next.
Disrel is so protective of the people he loves, especially his sister, Solla. He just wants the Pyrons to be free and not to be treated for less than their worth. When he becomes the Tourmaline Renegade, it was wonderful seeing that he had to work to become the Renegade with his training and he is still not perfect.
Ambrosia has so many layers and keeps her true self to the world. She was raised and trained to be property of the state (similar to the Black Widows). I love seeing her stand up for what is right even when no one would listen to her.
Disrel and Ambrosia’s friendship is one of the purest things in the book. I enjoyed seeing the glimpses of Ambrosia’s true self peak through while she was with Disrel. This book is written in Dual POV, so it wonderful getting into both of their heads.
There is beautiful artwork throughout the book, that brings some of the most important scenes to life. There are also maps of the cities and a pronunciation guide (which is always helpful).
There is a cliffhanger at the end of this book and can’t wait for book 2 to see what happens and their happily ever after.
Laurisa created a beautiful and yet divided world of the Kobalt Empire. You just feel for the Pyrons and the horrible treatment that they have been forced to live with. You feel for the sables- how they were taken and trained from a very young age.
There are so many action and adventure scenes throughout the book, that will always keep you on your toes and has you flipping through the pages faster so you can find out what happens next.
Disrel is so protective of the people he loves, especially his sister, Solla. He just wants the Pyrons to be free and not to be treated for less than their worth. When he becomes the Tourmaline Renegade, it was wonderful seeing that he had to work to become the Renegade with his training and he is still not perfect.
Ambrosia has so many layers and keeps her true self to the world. She was raised and trained to be property of the state (similar to the Black Widows). I love seeing her stand up for what is right even when no one would listen to her.
Disrel and Ambrosia’s friendship is one of the purest things in the book. I enjoyed seeing the glimpses of Ambrosia’s true self peak through while she was with Disrel. This book is written in Dual POV, so it wonderful getting into both of their heads.
There is beautiful artwork throughout the book, that brings some of the most important scenes to life. There are also maps of the cities and a pronunciation guide (which is always helpful).
There is a cliffhanger at the end of this book and can’t wait for book 2 to see what happens and their happily ever after.
dnf
June 9, 2024DNF @ 40%
Not even two pages into this, I thought, well, I probably should have tried reading a sample, because this writing is, uh... not my favourite. 😭 Some examples: "her strong nose plowed through space.", "The sultry, silky smacks of lips caressing", "the shadows of two people morphed into one undulating ball of passion", "Ships creaked and groaned in mournful song as their hulls made love to the piers", "Rosy, golden baubles of light orbited tepid ellipses around Ambrosia". The author also used 'roared' a lot, which ended up really bugging me. 🫣 I ended up doing a search to look at all of them, and they include: "his breath roared through his throat", "he roared through his teeth", "His stomach roared", "His heartbeat roared in his ears", "The wind roared around his helmet" (this exact line was in there twice, and later on, Disrel's own breath "roared in his helmet").
There were also parts that didn't make sense to me, e.g. a character pulling her cropped hair back into a ponytail - isn't cropped hair like... a pixie cut?? How is there enough for a ponytail?? Also, this is the second book I've read where 'clamor' was used where I think it should be 'clamber' ("clamored up"), unless I've missed the memo and these words now mean the same thing?! And I was really confused about the setting too, as we have Earth references ("my full name would choke a hippo", hors d'oeuvres, ragtime, "soldiers rushed him like lions", etc.), so with the descriptions of 'corecycles' and 'skyn' and other techy/futuristic things too, the world-building just felt so messy.
Maybe this book does a good job covering oppression, fighting against the system, etc., and maybe the developing relationship between the two leads does indeed get really good, but I will not be wading through this writing further to find out.
Not even two pages into this, I thought, well, I probably should have tried reading a sample, because this writing is, uh... not my favourite. 😭 Some examples: "her strong nose plowed through space.", "The sultry, silky smacks of lips caressing", "the shadows of two people morphed into one undulating ball of passion", "Ships creaked and groaned in mournful song as their hulls made love to the piers", "Rosy, golden baubles of light orbited tepid ellipses around Ambrosia". The author also used 'roared' a lot, which ended up really bugging me. 🫣 I ended up doing a search to look at all of them, and they include: "his breath roared through his throat", "he roared through his teeth", "His stomach roared", "His heartbeat roared in his ears", "The wind roared around his helmet" (this exact line was in there twice, and later on, Disrel's own breath "roared in his helmet").
There were also parts that didn't make sense to me, e.g. a character pulling her cropped hair back into a ponytail - isn't cropped hair like... a pixie cut?? How is there enough for a ponytail?? Also, this is the second book I've read where 'clamor' was used where I think it should be 'clamber' ("clamored up"), unless I've missed the memo and these words now mean the same thing?! And I was really confused about the setting too, as we have Earth references ("my full name would choke a hippo", hors d'oeuvres, ragtime, "soldiers rushed him like lions", etc.), so with the descriptions of 'corecycles' and 'skyn' and other techy/futuristic things too, the world-building just felt so messy.
Maybe this book does a good job covering oppression, fighting against the system, etc., and maybe the developing relationship between the two leads does indeed get really good, but I will not be wading through this writing further to find out.
December 28, 2022
Oh my gosh. What a beautiful tapestry this story was. The exploration of themes from purity to racism to religion to technology… this was SO well written and deep and raw. Brandt has a way of spinning words so beautifully with rich, colorful characters whose deepest qualities speak right to you. This is, hands-down, my best read of 2022. It made me ache, cheer, stress-eat, want to yell and cry. A story that can elicit such strong feelings, evoke a sense of wonder, and touch on the familiar is one that is worth experiencing. Please read this. It was amazing!
January 21, 2023
This is a read you won't want to pass up! It gives you a little of everything - adventure, mystery, romance - and the multifaceted plot keeps the pages turning. The dystopian world you explore between these pages will probably raise your indignation at some point for all the injustices and burn of familiarity in the exploration of the realest and rawest sides of human nature, both good and bad.
The vibrant descriptions paint full pictures of each moment in your mind's eye, and a world that doesn't actually exist somehow starts feeling so completely real. Each character is so distinct and well-written that they not only stand uniquely apart from each other, but they fully did their job in making me care about the good ones, want to punch the annoying ones, and loath the evil ones. The fight and action scenes were by far some of my most favorite moments, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, it ramped up to an incredible, action-packed, cliff-hanger ending.
I can't wait for book 2 to see what happens next!
The vibrant descriptions paint full pictures of each moment in your mind's eye, and a world that doesn't actually exist somehow starts feeling so completely real. Each character is so distinct and well-written that they not only stand uniquely apart from each other, but they fully did their job in making me care about the good ones, want to punch the annoying ones, and loath the evil ones. The fight and action scenes were by far some of my most favorite moments, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, it ramped up to an incredible, action-packed, cliff-hanger ending.
I can't wait for book 2 to see what happens next!
February 17, 2023
🖤❤️🖤Fans of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay are going to love this! 🖤❤️🖤
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 stars - this book deserves all the stars.
I can't wait for Birthright of Scars to be made into a movie, it would translate so well.
From the very beginning, this book grabs you by the throat and does not let go. It's a living example that prologues can be done very well and enhance a story, and I am grateful to the author for including it (I didn't even realise I was reading a prologue, I was just turning the pages frantically to see what happens next).
The gorgeous cover reflects the high standard of Laurisa Brandt's writing - it is VERY well written, full of vivid descriptions of the world, tender moments between characters, and action-packed scenes.
The writing is flawless and a pleasure to read. The prose, worldbuilding and descriptions are unapologetically raw and realistic, and the story is beautifully woven with great pacing.
A pile of rotting juri fruit now crowned the top of the garbage bin, their bright yellow guts oozing through the cracks in their swollen peels
He set his hand on the barrel of the bike and smiled as the gentle resonations of the engine pulsed up through his arm. Mored had designed these bikes to outrun military police. So how fast could it go? He pushed the throttled with his thumb, then pulled back a quarter when the bike bucked and almost left him hanging in the air. She was sensitive and responsive.
The action scenes are worthy of Matthew Riley's Ice Station and Scarecrow.
The descriptions of the motorbike riding are incredible, I felt like I was the one "hunkred down" and 'carving a path'
So many of the themes and underlying messages resonated with me, and shook me to my core. I'm feeling so many emotions, this book has had left a profound impression on me and I don't think I'll be able to stop thinking about it for a long time.
It even features an enemies-to-lovers romance. YES.
I cannot wait to see this on the big screen. In the meantime, WOW. Thank you to the author, Laurisa Brandt, for providing me with this Advanced Reader Copy and I'm now a proud owner of the paperback! 💕
Review edited 17th Feb 2023 after I went back and found some of my favourite quotes
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 stars - this book deserves all the stars.
I can't wait for Birthright of Scars to be made into a movie, it would translate so well.
“What if one impossible friendship could spark a love that would catch fire and start a revolution in the hearts of thousands?”
From the very beginning, this book grabs you by the throat and does not let go. It's a living example that prologues can be done very well and enhance a story, and I am grateful to the author for including it (I didn't even realise I was reading a prologue, I was just turning the pages frantically to see what happens next).
The gorgeous cover reflects the high standard of Laurisa Brandt's writing - it is VERY well written, full of vivid descriptions of the world, tender moments between characters, and action-packed scenes.
The writing is flawless and a pleasure to read. The prose, worldbuilding and descriptions are unapologetically raw and realistic, and the story is beautifully woven with great pacing.
A pile of rotting juri fruit now crowned the top of the garbage bin, their bright yellow guts oozing through the cracks in their swollen peels
He set his hand on the barrel of the bike and smiled as the gentle resonations of the engine pulsed up through his arm. Mored had designed these bikes to outrun military police. So how fast could it go? He pushed the throttled with his thumb, then pulled back a quarter when the bike bucked and almost left him hanging in the air. She was sensitive and responsive.
The action scenes are worthy of Matthew Riley's Ice Station and Scarecrow.
The descriptions of the motorbike riding are incredible, I felt like I was the one "hunkred down" and 'carving a path'
So many of the themes and underlying messages resonated with me, and shook me to my core. I'm feeling so many emotions, this book has had left a profound impression on me and I don't think I'll be able to stop thinking about it for a long time.
It even features an enemies-to-lovers romance. YES.
I cannot wait to see this on the big screen. In the meantime, WOW. Thank you to the author, Laurisa Brandt, for providing me with this Advanced Reader Copy and I'm now a proud owner of the paperback! 💕
Review edited 17th Feb 2023 after I went back and found some of my favourite quotes
January 22, 2023
This was an epically beautiful read that encompasses so many themes in a perfect way!
First of all the writing of this book is impeccable! You will be sucked into this from page one and not able to put it down! There is a dystopian vibe with the Kobalt people oppressing the Pyrons. The tension between this is enough to make an incredible read but add in an unexpected friendship and a young man wanting to fight for the better of his people and you have found a trifecta of literary perfection.
Drisel, is a young Pyron man who has decided to make a stand against the Kobalt people. He is kind and compassionate and struggles with the violence involved on his quest. His struggles make him relatable and humanize the struggle of wanting to make a stand and actually having to do it.
Ambrosia is a sable, a female solider held to impossible standards. While she and her sister soldiers are all amazing fighters they are also stuck serving for life. Girls are selected at a young age and required to complete their training without ever pursuing a family for themselves.
Through circumstances these two begin an unlikely friendship that surpasses their race. It was so sweet to see the innocence of their interactions in contrast to the violence they are both forced to experience.
Beware that the ending will get you in a chokehold but it is completely worth it!! I need more and can’t wait to see where the adventure takes us!
First of all the writing of this book is impeccable! You will be sucked into this from page one and not able to put it down! There is a dystopian vibe with the Kobalt people oppressing the Pyrons. The tension between this is enough to make an incredible read but add in an unexpected friendship and a young man wanting to fight for the better of his people and you have found a trifecta of literary perfection.
Drisel, is a young Pyron man who has decided to make a stand against the Kobalt people. He is kind and compassionate and struggles with the violence involved on his quest. His struggles make him relatable and humanize the struggle of wanting to make a stand and actually having to do it.
Ambrosia is a sable, a female solider held to impossible standards. While she and her sister soldiers are all amazing fighters they are also stuck serving for life. Girls are selected at a young age and required to complete their training without ever pursuing a family for themselves.
Through circumstances these two begin an unlikely friendship that surpasses their race. It was so sweet to see the innocence of their interactions in contrast to the violence they are both forced to experience.
Beware that the ending will get you in a chokehold but it is completely worth it!! I need more and can’t wait to see where the adventure takes us!
December 11, 2022
“A world without Pyrons is a world without light.” But when all of the world seems determined to stomp out what is left of the Pyron race, Disrel’s ignorant act of defiance sparks a revolution across the Kobalt empire.
What I loved the most about Birthright of Scars: Rising was the contrasting point of views of the main characters, Disrel and Ambrosia. I laughed at Disrel’s witty one-liners and lost my breath while I sped through the fast paced, high stakes action scenes the Tourmaline Renegade so often found himself in. But the quieter, more intimate side of the story with Ambrosia had me turning page after page, hoping that the next one would bring me back to the Selenite Skynhound. I loved every fleeting meet by chance moment that led up to a slow friendship blossoming into romance that I’m excited to continue to explore in the upcoming release of part two.
What I loved the most about Birthright of Scars: Rising was the contrasting point of views of the main characters, Disrel and Ambrosia. I laughed at Disrel’s witty one-liners and lost my breath while I sped through the fast paced, high stakes action scenes the Tourmaline Renegade so often found himself in. But the quieter, more intimate side of the story with Ambrosia had me turning page after page, hoping that the next one would bring me back to the Selenite Skynhound. I loved every fleeting meet by chance moment that led up to a slow friendship blossoming into romance that I’m excited to continue to explore in the upcoming release of part two.
December 21, 2022
This story rocks. It feels genuine and exciting and the author really cares about the world she made. The characters feel flawed yet real and exciting yet grounded. The world is fantastical but also dystopian and will please a broad audience. Looking forward to the next one.
December 12, 2022
💟Dual POV
💟Slowburn
💟 Brother-Sister moment
💟Enemies to Friends to lovers
✨If I must carry the scars of everything I’ve lost, I will set our people free or die trying.
The book has dual point of view. There are two clans; Kobalt and Pyrons. So many pyrons have sacrificed their lives. They are fighting for their freedom. Disrel was oblivion to his true self until he met a group of people who are secretly working to save their people. Solla doesn’t want to lose another family member and Disrel want freedom for Pyrons. The Sable Queen is looking for Tourmaline Renegade. And Disrel is keeping a secret from Solla.
Destiny is strange though, he wasn’t supposed to form a bond with his bounty Hunter . Yet destiny brought them together. Somehow he also got caught in the hidden plan. Now it’s either their growing feelings for each other, can destroy them or can destroy the kobalt empire. Will Solla forgive her brother? Will Tygo find a way to tell Solla the truth? The book was so engrossing and intriguing.
💟Slowburn
💟 Brother-Sister moment
💟Enemies to Friends to lovers
✨If I must carry the scars of everything I’ve lost, I will set our people free or die trying.
The book has dual point of view. There are two clans; Kobalt and Pyrons. So many pyrons have sacrificed their lives. They are fighting for their freedom. Disrel was oblivion to his true self until he met a group of people who are secretly working to save their people. Solla doesn’t want to lose another family member and Disrel want freedom for Pyrons. The Sable Queen is looking for Tourmaline Renegade. And Disrel is keeping a secret from Solla.
Destiny is strange though, he wasn’t supposed to form a bond with his bounty Hunter . Yet destiny brought them together. Somehow he also got caught in the hidden plan. Now it’s either their growing feelings for each other, can destroy them or can destroy the kobalt empire. Will Solla forgive her brother? Will Tygo find a way to tell Solla the truth? The book was so engrossing and intriguing.
January 25, 2026
4.5* Adult Dystopian Sci-Fi
-Dual POVs
-Forbidden loyalties
-FMC: taken & trained from childhood to be a soldier for the emperor
-MMC: oppressed but trying to fight back and protect his sister and his people
There are heavy themes, situations and moral dilemmas in this book. There are many gritty and raw moments but there are also meaningful moments of camaraderie, hope and Faith. Felt like Red Rising meets Robin Hood meets Tron. This book definitely ends on a cliffhanger so I need to read book 2 of this duology ASAP.
Contains: Assault (SA), oppression, violence, death
-Dual POVs
-Forbidden loyalties
-FMC: taken & trained from childhood to be a soldier for the emperor
-MMC: oppressed but trying to fight back and protect his sister and his people
There are heavy themes, situations and moral dilemmas in this book. There are many gritty and raw moments but there are also meaningful moments of camaraderie, hope and Faith. Felt like Red Rising meets Robin Hood meets Tron. This book definitely ends on a cliffhanger so I need to read book 2 of this duology ASAP.
Contains: Assault (SA), oppression, violence, death
January 23, 2023
Words can't describe just how incredible this book is. Amazing worldbuilding, character beats, moral discussions and qualms where no one answer is the true right way, this book is a beautiful piece of art.
The world is absolutely breathtaking. You can picture the gorgeous sunsets of the Kobalt Empire, and yet the sadness of Pyron rituals in the dark. The way that Brandt develops everything in this story just shows how much she cares about this world and the characters that live in it.
Speaking of the characters, they're all made to absolute perfection. Aka, they have so many flaws that they feel like real people. Despite our two protagonists being enemies, you're simultaneously rooting for both of them to succeed in life. In addition, a memorable cast of side characters will keep you engaged with every word.
I'm not going to get too into the plot because of spoilers, but it's just as amazing as everything else. There is something in this book for everyone, so definitely give it a shot, because you don't know what you'll be missing out on.
The world is absolutely breathtaking. You can picture the gorgeous sunsets of the Kobalt Empire, and yet the sadness of Pyron rituals in the dark. The way that Brandt develops everything in this story just shows how much she cares about this world and the characters that live in it.
Speaking of the characters, they're all made to absolute perfection. Aka, they have so many flaws that they feel like real people. Despite our two protagonists being enemies, you're simultaneously rooting for both of them to succeed in life. In addition, a memorable cast of side characters will keep you engaged with every word.
I'm not going to get too into the plot because of spoilers, but it's just as amazing as everything else. There is something in this book for everyone, so definitely give it a shot, because you don't know what you'll be missing out on.
January 5, 2023
If you're looking for a fast-paced book with lots of action and a fresh new world to discover, Birthright of Scars has it. Disrel is a strong and easily lovable character, with the best quips and humor to boot. His journey navigating the "rigged system" of his oppressive world shows just how much of a light in the darkness he is, and not only to those that know him best. All the characters are made very real and relatable, and the scene to scene writing is seamless, all adding to this book's powerful ability to suck you into Disrel's grey and formidable world. One thing I very much enjoyed was how Brandt played with multiple historical analogies throughout the book, without making any one story point seem like a copycat of something else. This first book leaves you with a stomach-dropping end, and I am very much awaiting the second book of this duology. Highly recommend :)
December 26, 2024
What an exceptional dystopian read that hooked me from the first page! The characters were compelling, and their journeys kept me invested. The plot was masterfully crafted. If you enjoy dystopian stories, this book is a must-read! I also loved the few pictures that were inserted! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 I can’t wait to read the sequel in this duology! The ending does cut off quite abruptly and nothing is wrapped up or revealed at the end; felt like she could have just wrote one long 1,000 page book. But it was still a great read; make sure you have the sequel ready to go because it picks up right where it left off!
January 9, 2024
This book was SO good! I’ve been telling everyone about it nonstop because it really deserves so much more appreciation! Can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
December 11, 2022
I don't know where to begin or end with how much I loved this book! All I can say is WOW! My only disappointment is that the sequel is not available yet lol
January 18, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
One glance of the gorgeous book cover is enough to make you get Birthright of Scars: Rising for your bookshelf. One minute of reading page 1 and your unapologetically sucked into Disrels world and you'll love every second of it. Kobalt vs Pyron. Will you choose a side? It seems so easy at first glance but the deeper you dive the more intricate it gets. Its never black and white. Every moment away from this book will leave you thinking about it, wondering what will happen next, questioning everyone and everything while trying to come up with your own theories. Just when you think you've got something figured out, Laurisa throws you a curveball and you're back to square one itching for more.
Laurisas rich, detailed writing made me feel like I stepped right into Disrel and Ambrosias world with them. The dual point of view gave insight to Pyron and Kobalt life. Plus, who doesn't love knowing what's on the hearts of each of the main characters to better understand them. It was hard not to fall in love with each character. Even the most vile person(s) in the book I loved. If even only for being such a well written antagonist.
BOS is a beautifully mixed and balanced writing with heart, action, slow burn romance, and tears. Butterflies in your stomach one moment and knots the other. It leaves you hanging on each moment, holding your breath with every turn of the page. Detailed like no other you'll want to read it twice to really soak it all up.
I cannot wait for the second book and look forward to all future writings from Laurisa.
One glance of the gorgeous book cover is enough to make you get Birthright of Scars: Rising for your bookshelf. One minute of reading page 1 and your unapologetically sucked into Disrels world and you'll love every second of it. Kobalt vs Pyron. Will you choose a side? It seems so easy at first glance but the deeper you dive the more intricate it gets. Its never black and white. Every moment away from this book will leave you thinking about it, wondering what will happen next, questioning everyone and everything while trying to come up with your own theories. Just when you think you've got something figured out, Laurisa throws you a curveball and you're back to square one itching for more.
Laurisas rich, detailed writing made me feel like I stepped right into Disrel and Ambrosias world with them. The dual point of view gave insight to Pyron and Kobalt life. Plus, who doesn't love knowing what's on the hearts of each of the main characters to better understand them. It was hard not to fall in love with each character. Even the most vile person(s) in the book I loved. If even only for being such a well written antagonist.
BOS is a beautifully mixed and balanced writing with heart, action, slow burn romance, and tears. Butterflies in your stomach one moment and knots the other. It leaves you hanging on each moment, holding your breath with every turn of the page. Detailed like no other you'll want to read it twice to really soak it all up.
I cannot wait for the second book and look forward to all future writings from Laurisa.
June 29, 2023
In the glorious Kobalt empire, Pyrons are being herded into ghettos. But one man dares to send a message: "Pyron is free." When his rebellious antics brand him as a folk hero, Disrel becomes known as the Tourmaline Renegade. But after the Kobalt emperor's daughter is raped and murdered by an unknown assailant, the emperor assumes the Renegade is to blame and swears revenge: a manhunt for Disrel's alter ego, and death to every Pyron.
Disclaimer: I am something of a tough critic, just to state that upfront. That said, I was impressed with this book in several ways.
If I'm being honest I thought that this book's trope-focused marketing was a little bit guilty of burying the lead. You can get ETL anywhere (though it's not always good) but not every book has worldbuilding compelling enough that it can portray a fantasy racial genocide without me completely checking out from what's usually a thinly-veiled reference to some pet political issue of the author's.
This was not that. I could definitely feel Disrel's anxiety as every opportunity and way of escape is cut off for his people, and how futile their struggle is as they try to climb in order to survive, like rats on a sinking ship, that find death waiting at the top as well as the bottom. How it's become normalized for him to be hated by every passing person, but on some level it still hurts.
One of the main selling points of this book is as "edgy" Christian fiction, as well as, "with physical attraction", and I was evaluating it on this basis. I wanted to find out what these labels mean, especially if they were an excuse for license. Overall I felt that they weren't. This could still change in the 2nd book, but I didn't feel the book veered into lustful territory. For the most part, sexual themes were limited to straightforward discussion of culture, as well as discussion and reasonably restrained depiction of SA. That said, I did find one passing line, a sexual metaphor, to be distasteful since it felt unnecessary and vulgar. Other than that I have no objection so far although it certainly remains to be seen what the main couple will do in the 2nd book.
The romance has a reasonably slow buildup and I feel it especially works from Ambrosia's POV. I'm not one of those people who's extremely affected by sexual tension in romantic novels, (I say, as I observe other women) but I did appreciate how the moments of greatest tension focused on hand-holding. That's some edgy stuff right there lol.
Probably my biggest complaint with the book is the fact that some of the metaphors felt tenuous, either self-referential (shaped like itself) or with words simply being used incorrectly or seemingly oblivious to their connotations, rendering some of the writing difficult to interpret. However, there is some gorgeous writing in it as well.
If I am correct, the Pyron God may also be a Trinity, and it is possible that Thelis represents the Holy Spirit, but I'm not sure.
I appreciated how the plot really picked up, and how much the author clearly is in love with her worldbuilding and characters. Because of this it felt sincere. I also appreciated the boldness to tackle such complex issues as abortion and SA, while it still felt natural to the worldbuilding. I would recommend for mature Christian readers who care more about message than surface level evaluations of "content".
Disclaimer: I am something of a tough critic, just to state that upfront. That said, I was impressed with this book in several ways.
If I'm being honest I thought that this book's trope-focused marketing was a little bit guilty of burying the lead. You can get ETL anywhere (though it's not always good) but not every book has worldbuilding compelling enough that it can portray a fantasy racial genocide without me completely checking out from what's usually a thinly-veiled reference to some pet political issue of the author's.
This was not that. I could definitely feel Disrel's anxiety as every opportunity and way of escape is cut off for his people, and how futile their struggle is as they try to climb in order to survive, like rats on a sinking ship, that find death waiting at the top as well as the bottom. How it's become normalized for him to be hated by every passing person, but on some level it still hurts.
One of the main selling points of this book is as "edgy" Christian fiction, as well as, "with physical attraction", and I was evaluating it on this basis. I wanted to find out what these labels mean, especially if they were an excuse for license. Overall I felt that they weren't. This could still change in the 2nd book, but I didn't feel the book veered into lustful territory. For the most part, sexual themes were limited to straightforward discussion of culture, as well as discussion and reasonably restrained depiction of SA. That said, I did find one passing line, a sexual metaphor, to be distasteful since it felt unnecessary and vulgar. Other than that I have no objection so far although it certainly remains to be seen what the main couple will do in the 2nd book.
The romance has a reasonably slow buildup and I feel it especially works from Ambrosia's POV. I'm not one of those people who's extremely affected by sexual tension in romantic novels, (I say, as I observe other women) but I did appreciate how the moments of greatest tension focused on hand-holding. That's some edgy stuff right there lol.
Probably my biggest complaint with the book is the fact that some of the metaphors felt tenuous, either self-referential (shaped like itself) or with words simply being used incorrectly or seemingly oblivious to their connotations, rendering some of the writing difficult to interpret. However, there is some gorgeous writing in it as well.
If I am correct, the Pyron God may also be a Trinity, and it is possible that Thelis represents the Holy Spirit, but I'm not sure.
I appreciated how the plot really picked up, and how much the author clearly is in love with her worldbuilding and characters. Because of this it felt sincere. I also appreciated the boldness to tackle such complex issues as abortion and SA, while it still felt natural to the worldbuilding. I would recommend for mature Christian readers who care more about message than surface level evaluations of "content".
April 23, 2025
2.5/5⭐️
Okay, this was a struggle to finish. I wanted to DNF at 40%, but I loved the premise and felt that it had a great foundation. I really wanted to like it, but I didn’t.
I liked the world setting; I did feel it was a little under explained; I wanted to have a little more background and history.
For me, it had Tron-y vibes, with the futuristic motorcycles and racing, which I found at the beginning very interesting. As the book advanced, I found that the rhythm felt off; most of the chasing/motorcycle scenes appear too frequently and were long. So just as you are understanding the characters and the world they live in, bum! An action scene. This made me lose interest quite fast.
I liked Ambrosia, and if I finished this book was because of her. She was a complex character and a very interesting one, but I just wish that her soft side took a little bit longer to reveal itself. Since I don't think she'll have a tough time accepting all of Disrel.
Now, Disrel I hated. I found it very difficult to connect with him at any level. He felt immature, and not in a way that I’m learning. His hero story is all over the place; everything happens without logic (e.g., the old renegade unmasking himself after meeting him for 5 minutes), he doesn’t have a plan nor a team, and he believes that he is the only one that can save his people, and that maybe he can do it by himself. He is a horrible character, he treats his sister, his reason for wanting a better life (according to him), like sh!t using the excuse that he is protecting her.
There were also some time jumps (e.g., a week or days passed) between the story that was written like the events were happening right after, so it also disrupted the pacing while you were trying to figure out what was happening.
I did like the spiritual and cultural part of Pyron, and I felt it was one of the best things about the book. I would have liked to have more of this than another chasing or action scene.
I really, really wanted to like it, but it was too many things that felt wrong, and that took away from the core of the story.
Okay, this was a struggle to finish. I wanted to DNF at 40%, but I loved the premise and felt that it had a great foundation. I really wanted to like it, but I didn’t.
I liked the world setting; I did feel it was a little under explained; I wanted to have a little more background and history.
For me, it had Tron-y vibes, with the futuristic motorcycles and racing, which I found at the beginning very interesting. As the book advanced, I found that the rhythm felt off; most of the chasing/motorcycle scenes appear too frequently and were long. So just as you are understanding the characters and the world they live in, bum! An action scene. This made me lose interest quite fast.
I liked Ambrosia, and if I finished this book was because of her. She was a complex character and a very interesting one, but I just wish that her soft side took a little bit longer to reveal itself. Since I don't think she'll have a tough time accepting all of Disrel.
Now, Disrel I hated. I found it very difficult to connect with him at any level. He felt immature, and not in a way that I’m learning. His hero story is all over the place; everything happens without logic (e.g., the old renegade unmasking himself after meeting him for 5 minutes), he doesn’t have a plan nor a team, and he believes that he is the only one that can save his people, and that maybe he can do it by himself. He is a horrible character, he treats his sister, his reason for wanting a better life (according to him), like sh!t using the excuse that he is protecting her.
There were also some time jumps (e.g., a week or days passed) between the story that was written like the events were happening right after, so it also disrupted the pacing while you were trying to figure out what was happening.
I did like the spiritual and cultural part of Pyron, and I felt it was one of the best things about the book. I would have liked to have more of this than another chasing or action scene.
I really, really wanted to like it, but it was too many things that felt wrong, and that took away from the core of the story.
July 21, 2025
I want to be very clear: this book has a lot going for it and there is much that I enjoyed about it, so much so that I will finish the duology. I liked the dual POV of Disrel the Pyron renegade and Ambrosia the Black Widow-esque soldier of the empire; the artwork scattered throughout the story; the sci-fi elements (I got "Tron: Legacy" and "Minority Report" vibes off the setting, although there's no alternate reality or pre-cog crime unit in this book); and the political struggle that is clearly based on the Third Reich and its Holocaust.
But there were tiny, niggling things that pulled me out of the story, including modern words like "dating" and "therapist" (it's just odd when the whole world is made up); the insta-feelings between the two main characters; the familial dynamic between Disrel and his sister Solla (I don't know exactly how to put it into words but not all of it was working for me); and the very obvious presentation of the Christian worldview (this story is incredibly pro-life, anti-violence, and pro-restoration/forgiveness). I am a Christian and have no issue with its inclusion, but I ultimately want more subtlety (show > tell) in the stories I read; but seeing as how this is YA, I certainly understand how I, as a 37 year old, might have different reading needs/desires when it comes to that.
Additionally, the Pyron faith seemed like an amalgamation of Christianity and spiritualism, and I'm not a fan of syncretism, even in worlds that are not my own. Like, find a way to write a religion that reflects your own (the author clearly thanks Christ in her acknowledgements) without blurring the essentials with squishy language.
I hope that review makes sense and doesn't necessarily discourage people from reading "Birthright of Scars: Rising" because it still has a lot to offer a reader who enjoys science fiction, revolutions, and a slow-burn romance.
But there were tiny, niggling things that pulled me out of the story, including modern words like "dating" and "therapist" (it's just odd when the whole world is made up); the insta-feelings between the two main characters; the familial dynamic between Disrel and his sister Solla (I don't know exactly how to put it into words but not all of it was working for me); and the very obvious presentation of the Christian worldview (this story is incredibly pro-life, anti-violence, and pro-restoration/forgiveness). I am a Christian and have no issue with its inclusion, but I ultimately want more subtlety (show > tell) in the stories I read; but seeing as how this is YA, I certainly understand how I, as a 37 year old, might have different reading needs/desires when it comes to that.
Additionally, the Pyron faith seemed like an amalgamation of Christianity and spiritualism, and I'm not a fan of syncretism, even in worlds that are not my own. Like, find a way to write a religion that reflects your own (the author clearly thanks Christ in her acknowledgements) without blurring the essentials with squishy language.
I hope that review makes sense and doesn't necessarily discourage people from reading "Birthright of Scars: Rising" because it still has a lot to offer a reader who enjoys science fiction, revolutions, and a slow-burn romance.
September 11, 2025
It's been a long time since I've been this conflicted about how I feel about a book...
The world was pretty nicely built and the clases' conflicts were well thought of. Main characters had well developed personalities showing their struggles, hopes and faiths. The author put a lot of thought into building the structure itself and it shows. But the plot...well...It had some wholes and despite it being full of epic action frankly I found it...extremely boring. Also advertised enemies to lovers aspect was really disappointing. I didn't feel the chemistry between the main characters at all. It's probably more developed in the second book but since I was so bored I have no interest in continuing reading the series...
It was not a bad book, just not for me. I did however highlighted some quotes I liked:
"Surrender is the first step on the long journey to victory."
"It was easier to kill than to love. Love demanded weakness, vulnerability, trust. It was a shackle ready to bind her will, a remorseless thief. Love was a monster that demanded submission, surrender, and sacrifice."
"-Fate is malleable at times, like iron in the fire. You just have to know when to strike, and where to strike it. [...]
-You've disproved ypur own point Callon. You admit that fate is untouchable, unbendable, unbreakable.
-That's what fire is for. It changes everything it touches.
But who will handle the fire without getting burned?"
"Isn't wounding just as immoral as killing if the injury is permanently crippling?"
"Love was pain, because loss shadowed it like a vulture."
"If we don't sacrifice for what we want, what we want will become the sacrifice."
"What is a life lived without love? Just a dream of death from which there is no waking."
The world was pretty nicely built and the clases' conflicts were well thought of. Main characters had well developed personalities showing their struggles, hopes and faiths. The author put a lot of thought into building the structure itself and it shows. But the plot...well...It had some wholes and despite it being full of epic action frankly I found it...extremely boring. Also advertised enemies to lovers aspect was really disappointing. I didn't feel the chemistry between the main characters at all. It's probably more developed in the second book but since I was so bored I have no interest in continuing reading the series...
It was not a bad book, just not for me. I did however highlighted some quotes I liked:
"Surrender is the first step on the long journey to victory."
"It was easier to kill than to love. Love demanded weakness, vulnerability, trust. It was a shackle ready to bind her will, a remorseless thief. Love was a monster that demanded submission, surrender, and sacrifice."
"-Fate is malleable at times, like iron in the fire. You just have to know when to strike, and where to strike it. [...]
-You've disproved ypur own point Callon. You admit that fate is untouchable, unbendable, unbreakable.
-That's what fire is for. It changes everything it touches.
But who will handle the fire without getting burned?"
"Isn't wounding just as immoral as killing if the injury is permanently crippling?"
"Love was pain, because loss shadowed it like a vulture."
"If we don't sacrifice for what we want, what we want will become the sacrifice."
"What is a life lived without love? Just a dream of death from which there is no waking."
April 10, 2025
This is an important book.
The oppression of the Pyron people through generations is well explained. The discussion of how laws target pyrons is an important historical reference to many other oppressed groups throughout history.
The pyrons felt very native American coded and I enjoyed that.
I really enjoyed Ambrosia's chapters and wish we had more of her.
I'm glad this book exists and I want more authors to write books about the oppression of a group of people, I think in our current climate it's important now more than ever to share those stories.
Things I didn't like as much.
I felt like this book really needed a few more rounds of edits.
The dialogue between the two romantic leads felt a little stilted and I didn't enjoy those interactions as much as I wanted to.
I would have liked some more world building. I'm a person that checks out at lore dumps but I had a hard time understanding if skyn was just another name for clothing, but if I remember correctly Pyrons had to have their chips in that always made their skyns white? So what did the fancy skyns look like?
I got vibes of the island that Skywalker is at at the end of Rise of the Jedi but that may be because I needed something to grasp onto and I felt the book wasn't giving me much.
I felt the relationship between Ambrosia and was all off page and if we had gotten more time with Ambrosia it would have been nice to see more of that relationship.
There are 20+ instances of someone wiping their hand over their mouth (or some variation of it). It's a personal pet peeve of mine when a motion is used repetitively in a novel.
Overall I'm glad the book exists and I hope it inspires more books like it.
The oppression of the Pyron people through generations is well explained. The discussion of how laws target pyrons is an important historical reference to many other oppressed groups throughout history.
The pyrons felt very native American coded and I enjoyed that.
I really enjoyed Ambrosia's chapters and wish we had more of her.
I'm glad this book exists and I want more authors to write books about the oppression of a group of people, I think in our current climate it's important now more than ever to share those stories.
Things I didn't like as much.
I felt like this book really needed a few more rounds of edits.
The dialogue between the two romantic leads felt a little stilted and I didn't enjoy those interactions as much as I wanted to.
I would have liked some more world building. I'm a person that checks out at lore dumps but I had a hard time understanding if skyn was just another name for clothing, but if I remember correctly Pyrons had to have their chips in that always made their skyns white? So what did the fancy skyns look like?
I got vibes of the island that Skywalker is at at the end of Rise of the Jedi but that may be because I needed something to grasp onto and I felt the book wasn't giving me much.
I felt the relationship between Ambrosia and was all off page and if we had gotten more time with Ambrosia it would have been nice to see more of that relationship.
There are 20+ instances of someone wiping their hand over their mouth (or some variation of it). It's a personal pet peeve of mine when a motion is used repetitively in a novel.
Overall I'm glad the book exists and I hope it inspires more books like it.
September 19, 2025
This book has been on my TBR for the longest time.
Now that I finally got down to reading it and finishing it, my only regret was not starting it earlier. The story is fantastic. The author has built a futuristic world, pulling from real historical and biblical events to capture a place filled with violence, inequality, and injustice. It was deep and thoughtful, especially the lengths she went to flesh out Pyron culture, traditions, and language. I would even go to say that this was a biblical retelling of many stories I'm familiar with, but with the truth being portrayed in raw, gritty and unfiltered fashion, yet told in the author's flowery narrative style. There are even illustrations (colored in ebook and b&w in the paperback) that were done by the author herself, and which added a nice touch to everything.
Fair warning: this book is dark, with heavy themes of genocide and brutality. Not for the faint of heart.
I really enjoyed reading about Disrel and his people, but I genuinely relished in reading about Ambrosia, her childhood, her formative years, and the unique but heart wrenching suffering that she endures as a sable.
There were also so many quote-worthy quotes that I found in this book - which could have made for awesome highlights and annotations, but because I'm one of those folks who refuses to mar a paperback book, I left them all alone. There were too many for me to write down anyway.
If you want a sci-fi book with Tron vibes, biblical undertones, and a growing romance, go for this. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in this duology and find out what happens next.
Now that I finally got down to reading it and finishing it, my only regret was not starting it earlier. The story is fantastic. The author has built a futuristic world, pulling from real historical and biblical events to capture a place filled with violence, inequality, and injustice. It was deep and thoughtful, especially the lengths she went to flesh out Pyron culture, traditions, and language. I would even go to say that this was a biblical retelling of many stories I'm familiar with, but with the truth being portrayed in raw, gritty and unfiltered fashion, yet told in the author's flowery narrative style. There are even illustrations (colored in ebook and b&w in the paperback) that were done by the author herself, and which added a nice touch to everything.
Fair warning: this book is dark, with heavy themes of genocide and brutality. Not for the faint of heart.
I really enjoyed reading about Disrel and his people, but I genuinely relished in reading about Ambrosia, her childhood, her formative years, and the unique but heart wrenching suffering that she endures as a sable.
There were also so many quote-worthy quotes that I found in this book - which could have made for awesome highlights and annotations, but because I'm one of those folks who refuses to mar a paperback book, I left them all alone. There were too many for me to write down anyway.
If you want a sci-fi book with Tron vibes, biblical undertones, and a growing romance, go for this. I can't wait to read the 2nd book in this duology and find out what happens next.
February 19, 2024
*This is a review for the complete duology and will be cross-posted for each book.*
It has been very hard to articulate a review for this book. Every time I sit down to write something about it, I’ve been hindered by reviewer’s block. Part of this is because I have not read the first book in the series in a while and had to go back and refresh my memory. Most of this block, however, stems from the overabundance of feelings I have for these books.
Let me begin with this: the Birthright of Scars duology exemplifies perfectly why I love indie books so much. Scratch that. It exemplifies why I love books, no matter how they are published, so much, though Indie/self-pub authors have really cultivated a practice of making publishing a professional endeavor, and there are some shining lights of writing talent that just stand out from the crowd (more than I find among traditionally published books). Brandt’s narrative and characters are nothing short of extraordinary, evoking an intensity of emotion in me I rarely feel when reading; when I find a novel, much less two, that makes me experience sorrow and comedy and joy as Brandt’s does, I immediately love it.
See the full review on my blog!
Blog / Instagram / Literal / BookBub
It has been very hard to articulate a review for this book. Every time I sit down to write something about it, I’ve been hindered by reviewer’s block. Part of this is because I have not read the first book in the series in a while and had to go back and refresh my memory. Most of this block, however, stems from the overabundance of feelings I have for these books.
Let me begin with this: the Birthright of Scars duology exemplifies perfectly why I love indie books so much. Scratch that. It exemplifies why I love books, no matter how they are published, so much, though Indie/self-pub authors have really cultivated a practice of making publishing a professional endeavor, and there are some shining lights of writing talent that just stand out from the crowd (more than I find among traditionally published books). Brandt’s narrative and characters are nothing short of extraordinary, evoking an intensity of emotion in me I rarely feel when reading; when I find a novel, much less two, that makes me experience sorrow and comedy and joy as Brandt’s does, I immediately love it.
See the full review on my blog!
Blog / Instagram / Literal / BookBub
January 31, 2024
I adore this story!
This is the type of book I devour, and I managed it in just a few days. What a delight book two is nearly upon us!!
I went in blind, which always feels bold, yet I quickly fell in love. Drisel is such an easy to love character, and Ambrosia is a light amongst the dark.
What I'll also say, is I am SO THANKFUL the bad guy was almost immediately recognizable, even when they were charming, and I can't stress enough how much that means.
The romance was delicious, and so sweet, and believable, even in the moments that weren't quite real world believable ;) the way the author wrote it had me giggling like I have never giggled before. Seriously. I don't know who I was reading this, but I, again, am a greedy gremlin SO READY for book two.
The world was rich. I'm not one for lots of descriptions on food, parties, fabrics, etc, but I caught myself reading more to enjoy everything. It wasn't overdone in this instance—the authors voice was distinct and held throughout. I honestly enjoyed the richness of everything.
Plus, it was a really fun cross between fantasy and sci-fi which I think was perfect. It bridges the two genres well, it wasn't jarring as a fan of both.
Oh, and the artwork sprinkled throughout the ebook was gorgeous. I really appreciated it. And I'm not one for character artwork often.
Truly, this book was a delight. Thank you!
This is the type of book I devour, and I managed it in just a few days. What a delight book two is nearly upon us!!
I went in blind, which always feels bold, yet I quickly fell in love. Drisel is such an easy to love character, and Ambrosia is a light amongst the dark.
What I'll also say, is I am SO THANKFUL the bad guy was almost immediately recognizable, even when they were charming, and I can't stress enough how much that means.
The romance was delicious, and so sweet, and believable, even in the moments that weren't quite real world believable ;) the way the author wrote it had me giggling like I have never giggled before. Seriously. I don't know who I was reading this, but I, again, am a greedy gremlin SO READY for book two.
The world was rich. I'm not one for lots of descriptions on food, parties, fabrics, etc, but I caught myself reading more to enjoy everything. It wasn't overdone in this instance—the authors voice was distinct and held throughout. I honestly enjoyed the richness of everything.
Plus, it was a really fun cross between fantasy and sci-fi which I think was perfect. It bridges the two genres well, it wasn't jarring as a fan of both.
Oh, and the artwork sprinkled throughout the ebook was gorgeous. I really appreciated it. And I'm not one for character artwork often.
Truly, this book was a delight. Thank you!
February 14, 2023
Warning: This review could contain spoilers for some people.
I could hardly stop reading this book and I would have finished sooner if not for having to tend to my kids haha! I truly got lost in the story; Laurisa described the things she was writing about so well and in such detail that I could vividly imagine and practically visualize what she was talking about, which made me feel as if I was there and living in that moment. There were a couple of instances where the emotions were so thick in the story it brought me to tears. Several times I held my breath and braced myself for an impact that I never felt because I was seeing things so plainly in my mind. I am greatly looking forward to seeing how Disrel and Ambrosia further their relationship. I truly enjoyed the banter that was shared between the two of them; Disrel’s sense of humor was so effortless, real and my very favorite kind of humor that I couldn’t help but laugh when he was joking around, I even disturbed the baby at one point while trying to get her to sleep for her nap haha! I look forward to reading the next part in Disrel and Ambrosia’s story, and another masterpiece. Good on you friend for a job well done.
I could hardly stop reading this book and I would have finished sooner if not for having to tend to my kids haha! I truly got lost in the story; Laurisa described the things she was writing about so well and in such detail that I could vividly imagine and practically visualize what she was talking about, which made me feel as if I was there and living in that moment. There were a couple of instances where the emotions were so thick in the story it brought me to tears. Several times I held my breath and braced myself for an impact that I never felt because I was seeing things so plainly in my mind. I am greatly looking forward to seeing how Disrel and Ambrosia further their relationship. I truly enjoyed the banter that was shared between the two of them; Disrel’s sense of humor was so effortless, real and my very favorite kind of humor that I couldn’t help but laugh when he was joking around, I even disturbed the baby at one point while trying to get her to sleep for her nap haha! I look forward to reading the next part in Disrel and Ambrosia’s story, and another masterpiece. Good on you friend for a job well done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2024
This was a great action packed sci/fi fantasy book which features some pretty serious subjects like genocide, racism, and the subjugation of women. It was a heavy read, but it was written so well, the author weaving a story that includes these subjects but also a people fighting for their rights, a forbidden love, and the strength of family and friends.
Disrel is a Pyron who just wants to live his life, but the government continues to take more rights away from his people, simply because of their looks. When he decides to take things into his own hands to protest the changes, things get crazy. What follows is a story with a lot of action, stomach turning sequences, and a friendship that shouldn’t be.
This book was great. Highly entertaining, even with such serious tropes. It was a page turner for sure, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book to see what happens with Disrel, Ambrosia and his friends and family.
Highly recommend if you want a serious sci fi/fantasy read.
Disrel is a Pyron who just wants to live his life, but the government continues to take more rights away from his people, simply because of their looks. When he decides to take things into his own hands to protest the changes, things get crazy. What follows is a story with a lot of action, stomach turning sequences, and a friendship that shouldn’t be.
This book was great. Highly entertaining, even with such serious tropes. It was a page turner for sure, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book to see what happens with Disrel, Ambrosia and his friends and family.
Highly recommend if you want a serious sci fi/fantasy read.
April 1, 2024
Wowza - This was amazing!
This is the type of story I love - Dystopian world, sweet romance, action, and political intrigue. The setting was so original and the morality behind the story heart wrenching.
Laurisa has a wonderfully unique voice that I loved. The world building was brilliant - deep yet easy to follow. Disrel is a cinnamon roll with the dedication and intensity of a hardcore hero, yet his quips and banter are adorable. Ambrosia is a misunderstood military vixen with a heart of gold and hidden desires. Both were characterised beautifully and I am rooting for them to be end game.
I knew this was book one in a duology, so I didn't mind the epic cliff hanger because I have already bought book two. I can't wait to find out what happens.
This is the type of story I love - Dystopian world, sweet romance, action, and political intrigue. The setting was so original and the morality behind the story heart wrenching.
Laurisa has a wonderfully unique voice that I loved. The world building was brilliant - deep yet easy to follow. Disrel is a cinnamon roll with the dedication and intensity of a hardcore hero, yet his quips and banter are adorable. Ambrosia is a misunderstood military vixen with a heart of gold and hidden desires. Both were characterised beautifully and I am rooting for them to be end game.
I knew this was book one in a duology, so I didn't mind the epic cliff hanger because I have already bought book two. I can't wait to find out what happens.
July 17, 2024
Ok It's good. That being said, I'm a little sidetracked with figuring out if it's supposed to be an alternative reality where gunpowder wasn't discovered... or just another world altogether, or like a post apocaliptic world rebuilt? I don't know and it kind of bothers me reading it. That being said, it is well written and I like the characters. You have to be ready for a genocide story though, especially in the second book of this duology. Speaking of duology, I felt like the author just wrote a 1000 pages book and split it between two books pretty randomly in the middle. There is no arc concluded, no revelation at the end of book one. Honestly, it just felt like the end of a chapter, and the second book just picks off where the other left off, just another chapter... Since I had the second book on hand, I just kept on reading, but it's just weird to me.
March 19, 2025
This book is a masterpiece and I’m already plowing through book 2.
It’s marketed as a dystopian sci-fi romance but really the romance arc feels like a sub plot of a sub plot. The true plot is a story of revolution and liberation. It asks good questions surrounding the nature vs nurture argument, the people we choose to be amid uncontrollable circumstances. It sparks ideas about stability vs freedom and the price that is paid for each.
It’s a story about morality and how far you’re willing to go for your principles and ideals. It’s a story that begs to be discussed at length, and thoroughly. Time will tell if it ends up in my all time faves, but at least for now it’s an easy and enthusiastic five stars.
It’s marketed as a dystopian sci-fi romance but really the romance arc feels like a sub plot of a sub plot. The true plot is a story of revolution and liberation. It asks good questions surrounding the nature vs nurture argument, the people we choose to be amid uncontrollable circumstances. It sparks ideas about stability vs freedom and the price that is paid for each.
It’s a story about morality and how far you’re willing to go for your principles and ideals. It’s a story that begs to be discussed at length, and thoroughly. Time will tell if it ends up in my all time faves, but at least for now it’s an easy and enthusiastic five stars.
May 17, 2024
This book tackles a range of human emotions and difficult choices. While the book is a futuristic dystopian with science fiction themes, I noticed many similarities to historical events, which I really enjoyed.
Even if you aren’t a science fiction fan, you will love this story as it follows a man who takes up the mantle of a long-gone vigilante hero trying to save his people from being eradicated by a an empire who harbors unfounded hatred against them. There’s also a wonderful enemies-to-lovers plot that is really enjoyable.
The plot twists are great and the suspense and action had me on the edge of my seat. Recommend to anyone looking for a good story with a semi-fantasy setting.
Even if you aren’t a science fiction fan, you will love this story as it follows a man who takes up the mantle of a long-gone vigilante hero trying to save his people from being eradicated by a an empire who harbors unfounded hatred against them. There’s also a wonderful enemies-to-lovers plot that is really enjoyable.
The plot twists are great and the suspense and action had me on the edge of my seat. Recommend to anyone looking for a good story with a semi-fantasy setting.
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