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Sands of Maeoris #0.5
To Etch a Promise in Bone: A Sands of Maeoris Prequel Novella
Generations ago, an army of dark elves swept across the land, stealing the power of the other magical races until they were only remnants of their former selves. For centuries they've ruled, subjugating the conquered peoples without mercy, crushing any hint of a rebellion in the desert city and beyond.
Until now.
Kael is a survivor who knows better than to trust anyone, instead keeping her head down as she tries to survive the sand-covered streets of Adraedor. But when Theron, the disgraced Lord Marshal with a secret agenda, arrives in the city, Kael's world is turned upside down.
The man who stole everything from her.
As the rebel forces grow stronger and the empire's grip tightens, Kael and Theron find themselves caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. With Kael's thirst for revenge driving her every move, and Theron's own hidden motives threatening to derail her plans, the stakes couldn't be higher. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of the city, Kael and Theron must confront their own demons and make difficult choices that could mean the difference between life and death. But as they draw closer to their ultimate goals, they realize that nothing is as it seems, and betrayal lurks around every corner.
In this heart-pounding thriller, Kael and Theron will risk everything to claim their own destinies, but the price of freedom may be higher than they ever imagined.
To Etch a Promise in Bone is the prequel novella for the Sands of Maeoris series. This novella details some history between our main characters and introduces you to the world. To Bind a Dark Heart is the first book in the series and will be available on March 21st, 2023.
Until now.
Kael is a survivor who knows better than to trust anyone, instead keeping her head down as she tries to survive the sand-covered streets of Adraedor. But when Theron, the disgraced Lord Marshal with a secret agenda, arrives in the city, Kael's world is turned upside down.
The man who stole everything from her.
As the rebel forces grow stronger and the empire's grip tightens, Kael and Theron find themselves caught in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. With Kael's thirst for revenge driving her every move, and Theron's own hidden motives threatening to derail her plans, the stakes couldn't be higher. As they navigate the treacherous landscape of the city, Kael and Theron must confront their own demons and make difficult choices that could mean the difference between life and death. But as they draw closer to their ultimate goals, they realize that nothing is as it seems, and betrayal lurks around every corner.
In this heart-pounding thriller, Kael and Theron will risk everything to claim their own destinies, but the price of freedom may be higher than they ever imagined.
To Etch a Promise in Bone is the prequel novella for the Sands of Maeoris series. This novella details some history between our main characters and introduces you to the world. To Bind a Dark Heart is the first book in the series and will be available on March 21st, 2023.
Kindle Edition
Published March 1, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 22, 2024
I very much enjoyed this prequel and I'm very excited now to get into the first Sands of Maeoris book. I was pleasantly surprised by this book kinda falling into my lap and I can't wait to read more from this author after this series too.
December 20, 2023
okay. this was cool.
This desert fantasy novella was a great beginning to what seems to be an epic fantasy romance. there's a lot of backstabbing royals, slaves trying to hold a rebellion, and two main characters on opposite sides. Kael is a slave girl dressed as a boy just trying to survive. Theron is the Marshal who has come stop a rebellion in a mine run by his sleezy brother. There's a lot of family dynamics in this one as most of her family is part of the rebellion. I really liked the tension, and the author didn't hold back on showing some brutality as well. I was surprised by this and will definitely continue.
check content warnings for SA, among other things.
This desert fantasy novella was a great beginning to what seems to be an epic fantasy romance. there's a lot of backstabbing royals, slaves trying to hold a rebellion, and two main characters on opposite sides. Kael is a slave girl dressed as a boy just trying to survive. Theron is the Marshal who has come stop a rebellion in a mine run by his sleezy brother. There's a lot of family dynamics in this one as most of her family is part of the rebellion. I really liked the tension, and the author didn't hold back on showing some brutality as well. I was surprised by this and will definitely continue.
check content warnings for SA, among other things.
July 28, 2024
Okay maybe this is my own fault but I just could not get into this story even halfway through.
I'm not sure if it's the writing style or the too many povs that were overlapping rather confusingly or if it was just the fact that I did not understand the storyline that well, but if the rest of the series is written like this then I will not have the patience or temper to read the other books...
I'm not sure if it's the writing style or the too many povs that were overlapping rather confusingly or if it was just the fact that I did not understand the storyline that well, but if the rest of the series is written like this then I will not have the patience or temper to read the other books...
June 10, 2023
This is the beginnings of one of those oh-so-creepy enemies to lovers Svartalfar/human dark romances, but this one revels in its desert setting, infusing everything with gritty atmosphere and lashings of lore baked in to the text. You like the formula, but wish for something ever so slightly different with a hint of Game of Thrones alongside a well-realized D&AD setting, this would be the prequel to test the waters.
Because let's just hold on a second. World building perfection. It might get a tiny bit complex what with all the dark elf family names, alliances and sigils, but you get the feeling the main series is where this really matters rather than just being curious flavoring here to whet your appetite. The same goes for all the odd elemental fantasy races that may or may not be half demons, sirens and shifters to go with our tough-as-nails human heroine.
Kael is kick-ass; a tiny bit more so than to be entirely realistic but she's no dumb damsel throwing herself into fights she couldn't possibly win. Her enemy, rival and obvious future lover Theron is the hard shell with a heart of... Well, part gold, part rage. But the rage isn't his fault (it's a dark elf thing). Side characters play their roles perfectly, from the villainous "Beast" ruling over his encampment of slaves from his harem bed to Kael's adoptive family who radiate warmth (possibly literally given they seem to have fire elemental ancestry).
Sometime the writing in these steamy romances can feel a bit too young for the subject matter, but not here. I'd say it's on par with the better D&AD books, for fans of fantasy romances with a bit of danger beyond that offered by the enemy/lovers themselves. The only down side I could see was that the fight sequences could feel a little rushed and confusing . Even so,it put me in mind of the New Adult dark fantasy romance style of Carissa Broadbent, only set in a tabletop RPG inspired world.
While dark-n-steamy isn't my usual thing, I am very intrigued by the fantasy world and the strength of the writing. A serious one to watch out for, and well worth checking out before book 1.
Because let's just hold on a second. World building perfection. It might get a tiny bit complex what with all the dark elf family names, alliances and sigils, but you get the feeling the main series is where this really matters rather than just being curious flavoring here to whet your appetite. The same goes for all the odd elemental fantasy races that may or may not be half demons, sirens and shifters to go with our tough-as-nails human heroine.
Kael is kick-ass; a tiny bit more so than to be entirely realistic but she's no dumb damsel throwing herself into fights she couldn't possibly win. Her enemy, rival and obvious future lover Theron is the hard shell with a heart of... Well, part gold, part rage. But the rage isn't his fault (it's a dark elf thing). Side characters play their roles perfectly, from the villainous "Beast" ruling over his encampment of slaves from his harem bed to Kael's adoptive family who radiate warmth (possibly literally given they seem to have fire elemental ancestry).
Sometime the writing in these steamy romances can feel a bit too young for the subject matter, but not here. I'd say it's on par with the better D&AD books, for fans of fantasy romances with a bit of danger beyond that offered by the enemy/lovers themselves. The only down side I could see was that the fight sequences could feel a little rushed and confusing . Even so,it put me in mind of the New Adult dark fantasy romance style of Carissa Broadbent, only set in a tabletop RPG inspired world.
While dark-n-steamy isn't my usual thing, I am very intrigued by the fantasy world and the strength of the writing. A serious one to watch out for, and well worth checking out before book 1.
April 4, 2023
Great set up for book1
After having read book 1, this prequel really paints a full picture on how Theron and Kael became as bitter, anger and focused as they were in book1.
In this book, the reader see the life Kael lived and how she came to be a part of the rebellion.
The reason why Theron ended up becoming the Marshall of the slave settlement is explained. The reader becomes privy to Theron's original intentions concerning the slaves and what changed. Also, we see the first attempt on Theron's life and how Herrath betrayed him.
If possible I recommend reading this book before book1. If you already read book 1 read this before book 2.
After having read book 1, this prequel really paints a full picture on how Theron and Kael became as bitter, anger and focused as they were in book1.
In this book, the reader see the life Kael lived and how she came to be a part of the rebellion.
The reason why Theron ended up becoming the Marshall of the slave settlement is explained. The reader becomes privy to Theron's original intentions concerning the slaves and what changed. Also, we see the first attempt on Theron's life and how Herrath betrayed him.
If possible I recommend reading this book before book1. If you already read book 1 read this before book 2.
April 3, 2024
"You're afraid of change. I get it, kid. But sometimes you have to roll the dice and see what happens. There are more important things than just surviving.”
Setting:
This story takes place in a slave camp in a desert. Many of the people present are descendants from
various fantasy races and as such have some non-human aesthetics like horns or vestigial wings. Functionally they're not really all that different from humans.
Characters:
Kael: Kael is a slave. She survived the brutal conquest of her people and is justifiably very angry about it.
Theron: Theron is a dark elf and the military commander who was in charge of killing Kael’s people off. In general he's not concerned with much of anything beyond moving back into the position of glory he once held and still being alive when he gets there.
Plot:
Theron has been given the rulership over the slave mine Kael is currently trapped in. His task is simple, make the mine more productive. Kael’s got enough on her plate with trying to live through each day suffering as little misery as possible. When the man responsible for her tournament shows his face she can't help but think it might be a chance for revenge.
My Thoughts:
It is with noting that while this might be a prequel to a romance story this book is very much not a romance itself. Kael and Theron deeply hate each other. They don't get together. It's never even suggested that they might. Do not read this if you want a romance story.
That point aside, how is it? It's decent. It's a quick read that pretty much is what it says on the tin. There's nothing I feel that is particularly worthy of calling out either positively or negatively. It's a book about an angry slave and her slaver. It's not really more complicated than that.
Did this prequel sell me on reading the main series? Not right away but I might look into them at some point in the future.
Setting:
This story takes place in a slave camp in a desert. Many of the people present are descendants from
various fantasy races and as such have some non-human aesthetics like horns or vestigial wings. Functionally they're not really all that different from humans.
Characters:
Kael: Kael is a slave. She survived the brutal conquest of her people and is justifiably very angry about it.
Theron: Theron is a dark elf and the military commander who was in charge of killing Kael’s people off. In general he's not concerned with much of anything beyond moving back into the position of glory he once held and still being alive when he gets there.
Plot:
Theron has been given the rulership over the slave mine Kael is currently trapped in. His task is simple, make the mine more productive. Kael’s got enough on her plate with trying to live through each day suffering as little misery as possible. When the man responsible for her tournament shows his face she can't help but think it might be a chance for revenge.
My Thoughts:
It is with noting that while this might be a prequel to a romance story this book is very much not a romance itself. Kael and Theron deeply hate each other. They don't get together. It's never even suggested that they might. Do not read this if you want a romance story.
That point aside, how is it? It's decent. It's a quick read that pretty much is what it says on the tin. There's nothing I feel that is particularly worthy of calling out either positively or negatively. It's a book about an angry slave and her slaver. It's not really more complicated than that.
Did this prequel sell me on reading the main series? Not right away but I might look into them at some point in the future.
May 6, 2024
quick enjoyable & informative
Super quick novella — prequel to To bind a dark heart — the perfect appetiser for the rest of the series — in to etch a promise in bone we get a bit of an origin story for how and why Kael became a rebel assassin — as well as how Prince Theron ended up stuck in Adreador as a slave hunter — the novella sets the scene quite nicely for the hatred and allure between Theron and Kael throughout the rest of the series — and I love that we get the full picture of the pivotal moment — for both parties — that truly sets them on their paths as rebel, slave hunter and mortal enemies — one of the best written novellas I’ve had the pleasure of reading
Super quick novella — prequel to To bind a dark heart — the perfect appetiser for the rest of the series — in to etch a promise in bone we get a bit of an origin story for how and why Kael became a rebel assassin — as well as how Prince Theron ended up stuck in Adreador as a slave hunter — the novella sets the scene quite nicely for the hatred and allure between Theron and Kael throughout the rest of the series — and I love that we get the full picture of the pivotal moment — for both parties — that truly sets them on their paths as rebel, slave hunter and mortal enemies — one of the best written novellas I’ve had the pleasure of reading
October 20, 2024
4 Stars
To Etch a Promise in Bone is the prequel to the Sands of Maeoris series by Atley Wykes.
I loved this book/series- devoured it in one sitting, and then went looking for more.... Wonderfully woven fantasy with refreshingly original premise, lore, and characters. Another one of my favourite series.... ever!
Can't recommend this series highly enough- I have read it several times now and never tire of this world and characters.
If you love romantasy with plenty of action and adventure, then you will definitely want to check out this book/series/author asap!
Happy Reading...
Thank you, Atley Wykes!
To Etch a Promise in Bone is the prequel to the Sands of Maeoris series by Atley Wykes.
I loved this book/series- devoured it in one sitting, and then went looking for more.... Wonderfully woven fantasy with refreshingly original premise, lore, and characters. Another one of my favourite series.... ever!
Can't recommend this series highly enough- I have read it several times now and never tire of this world and characters.
If you love romantasy with plenty of action and adventure, then you will definitely want to check out this book/series/author asap!
Happy Reading...
Thank you, Atley Wykes!
Read
June 7, 2024DNF 30%
I know this is just a novella but I gave a peek inside the first book aaaaaand this is definitely not my cup of tea. Too much going on, didn’t like the prose and smut with someone who you said murdered your whole family in front of you is a bit too much even for my standards like what happened to SHAME?????
I know this is just a novella but I gave a peek inside the first book aaaaaand this is definitely not my cup of tea. Too much going on, didn’t like the prose and smut with someone who you said murdered your whole family in front of you is a bit too much even for my standards like what happened to SHAME?????
October 16, 2024
2024 Reads #552/250
Read for the Sights of Sweden Challenge 2024-2025
September 20, 2024 - January 10, 2025
Online Availability:
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Read for the Sights of Sweden Challenge 2024-2025
September 20, 2024 - January 10, 2025
Online Availability:
📖 Kindle Unlimited Subscription/$
📖 Everand Subscription - Ebook
January 29, 2024
It was a good introduction to the world and story. These prequels are really nice to understand the vibe of the author. I have a feeling the first novel will be have a more erotic feeling, which is a yes for me, but the prequel was good to understand the overall feeling of the worldbuild and characters.
Looking forward to read the first novel.
Looking forward to read the first novel.
March 31, 2024
Interesting
This was an interesting novella, kept my attention and had action. Slaves and the masters that rule them, pretty brutal world. It was a pretty quick read.
This was an interesting novella, kept my attention and had action. Slaves and the masters that rule them, pretty brutal world. It was a pretty quick read.
August 14, 2024
I like that this book passes the Bechdel test, has characters that do grow, and I felt invested in both characters stories.
May 29, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews