Tag Archives: Maxym M. Martineau

Shadows of the Lost by Maxym M. Martineau – a Review

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Shadows of the Lost by Maxym M. Martineau – a Review

 

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Description:
Once I was a Charmer, and the magical beasts of this world loved me. Now I’m something else. Something darker.

As a member of the Charmers Council, Gaige is able to form lasting bonds with the magical beasts of his world. At least, he used to be a Charmer…until he died and was brought back as one of the immortal assassins of Cruor. Now he’s far more dangerous.

…and something beyond the shadows lies in wait, hungry to claim him for its own.

As leader of the assassins, all Kost can do is watch as Gaige struggles with his new life day by day. He wants nothing more than to ease Gaige’s suffering–yet how can he when they both know he’s the one responsible? There is nothing left but bitter memories and hopeless longing between them. Yet when Gaige is lost to the shadow realm, Kost is the only one with any chance of bringing him back: if they can learn to trust (and perhaps love) each other again.

 

 

Review:

Shadows of the Lost by Maxym M. Martineau is the 1st book in her Guild of Night series. This series is a spinoff of Martineau’s wonderful Beast Charmer series.   Shadows of the Lost focuses on Kost and Gaige, with Oz and Caleb and many of our favorite characters playing big parts in this story.  

Gaige was a Beast Charmer, taming magical beasts, who loved him; but he died, and was brought back as one of the immortal assassins of Cruor.  Kost, is the leader of the assassins, and he sees how Gaige is struggling to handle the shadows; together with Oz and Caleb, they try to train Gaige. Though it’s been many years, Kost still has feelings for Gaige (LGBTQ), and now that he is an Undead, he finds it difficult to resist him.   Gaige fights off his nightmares with the shadows, and soon realizes there is something pulling him into those dreams.  When Gaige tells the others that it is not his shadows that is creating havoc with the beasts all over; Kost agrees there is something more dangerous. .  Leena (great to see her again) helped Gaige to be able to be with the Beasts he loved. In a short time, both Gaige and Kost succumb to their feelings, as their emotions and love proved how good they were together

When Gaige disappears, the whole team, Ozais, Caleb, Kaori, Isla, Raven realize that a very powerful old mage has taken Gaige. Kost, Ozais, Caleb and Isla enter the Shadow Realm to find and save Gaige.

What follows is an exciting, intense, action-packed adventure to find the evil mage. The villain in this story was extremely powerful, taking control of minds and absorbing them. The battles to fight were intense and intriguing, and as we raced to the climax; we were on the edge of our seat to see who will survive.  To say too much more would be spoilers, and you need to read this book in its entirety. I loved seeing so many characters from the previous series, including Noc and Leena; as well as the Beasts that we loved.

Shadows of the Lost was an amazing and epic high fantasy, wonderful romance, great characters, and mythical beasts.  This was a tale of love, danger, courage, dark shadows, monsters, camaraderie, with wonderful world building.  Maxym M. Martineau has once again given us a fantastic start to this new series, which was so very well written.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

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The Shattered Crown by Maxym M. Martineau – a Review

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The Shattered Crown by Maxym M. Martineau – a Review

 

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Description:
Leena Edenfrell never dreamed of igniting a war, and her pair bond, Noc Feyreigner, never wanted to set foot on a battlefield again. But when their enemies combine forces, they have no choice but to fight. While Noc makes moves to reclaim his throne, Leena acts as the new Crown of the Charmer’s Council, searching for a way to stop the enemy from raising an ancient dragon destined to burn their world to ash.

But no matter how hard Noc and Leena fight, the odds are stacked against them, and soon a winged shadow reign over Lendria. It’s then they learn the true price of victory: in order to tame the terrifying beast, Leena will have to sacrifice her own heart…and perhaps lose herself in the process.

 

Review:

The Shattered Crown by Maxym M. Martineau is the 3rd book in her The Beast Charmer series.  Leena Edenfrell is now the Crown of the Charmer’s Council, and pair bonded to Noc Feyreigner, the rightful King of Lendria. I have loved Leena and Noc, and in this third and final? book, their love for each other was wonderful to watch. I was also thrilled to spend time with her Cruor trusted friends, who have become her family (Kost, Oz, Calem, Gaige & many others). Most of all, I love love all the beasts that belong to her and others.

But war is on the horizon, as their enemies (Yazmin, Darrin, King Varek) are out to destroy them all.  Leena and Noc know that the enemy will be difficult to defeat, and they start off asking for help from a Queen from another kingdom, who hates Noc.  Leena convinces them that helping would also save their own lives.  The journey to stop Yazmin & King Varek is a fight that is nonstop action, epic battles, exciting, tense, with lives on the line. There are a few surprises that they come across, which escalates the war.  Yazmin is truly evil in this book, and Leena has her hands full trying to stop her destruction.

What follows is an exciting, vivid, intense action-packed adventure to find a way to defeat the Yazmin, King Varek and stop the ancient dragon, Ocnolog. The beasts were the best part, as it was fun to see so many of the different beasts come to their rescue, and see more of what they can do.  To say too much more would be spoilers, and you need to read this book in its entirety.

The Shattered Crown was an amazing and epic adventure, with fantastic mythical beasts, wonderful characters and a fabulous couple. The battles to fight were done so well, and as we raced to the climax; we were on the edge of our seat to see who will survive.  Maxym M. Martineau has written a wonderful series, and I will miss our amazing heroes, Leena, Noc, Kost, Oz, Calem and the rest of this amazing group.  

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau – Review & Giveaway

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Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau – Review & Giveaway

 

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Description:
Exiled beast charmer Leena Edenfrell is in deep trouble. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts on the black market—an offense punishable by death—and now there’s a price on her head. With the realm’s most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes him an offer he can’t refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

If only it were that simple. Unbeknownst to Leena, the undying ones are bound by magic to complete their contracts, and Noc cannot risk his brotherhood of assassins…not even to save the woman he can no longer live without.

 

 

Review:

Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau is the first book in her new fantasy The Beast Charmer series.  This is my first time reading this author, and after finishing this book, it will not be my last.  I loved Kingdom of Exiles.

Leena Edenfrell, our heroine, is a beast charmer, who is living in exile for a crime she did not do.  A beast charmer has the ability to tame wild beasts and bond with them.  Leena is very strict, making sure those who want one of her many beasts, must treat them with care and love.  One night on her way home, Leena is accosted by someone who is trying to kill her.  Leena manages to stop the person with help from one of her beasts, and learns that there is a bounty on her head. 

Noc, our hero, and the leader of Cruor team of assassins comes to the rescue of one of his men, and because of Leena’s strength, he is willing to make a bargain with her; but he is compelled to kill her no matter what, when their bargain is complete. Noc is also cursed, and is desperate to find a way to remove the curse; finding a beast that can do that; hence the agreement with Leena to find beasts for his 3 top men and himself.

At the start, Noc was very distant and cold, but over a period of time, especially watching how Leena is so loving with her beasts, he slowly begins to have feelings for her, which he knows he cannot allow to happen.  I loved Noc’s men, especially Oz and Calem, and Kost  loosened up in time.

What follows is an exciting, intense action-packed adventure to find those wonderful magical beasts, and to find the truth of who put the bounty on Leena’s head.  When Leena’s life hangs by a thread, Noc will do anything to save the woman he has fallen in love with, despite the repercussions. It was a slow built romance between Noc and Leena, but I really liked them together. I loved how Leena became trusted friends with the other members of Cruor; she was a fabulous heroine.  She was amazing, especially nearer to the end when she had to suffer torture.  To say too much more would be spoilers.

Kingdom of Exiles was a great start and wonderful world-building to this different kind of fantasy series.  The beasts were the best part, as it was fun to learn about the different kind of beasts and what they can do.  The battles to fight and save Leena were done so well, and as we raced to the climax, we were on the edge of our seat to see if she will survive.  The villain in this story was evil, and I did like the ending, which will lead to the next book.  Maxym M. Martineau has written a wonderful story, and I look forward to what she has next for us.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

Maxym M. Martineau is a staff writer and editor by day, and a fantasy romance author by night. When she’s not getting heated over broken hearts, she enjoys playing video games, sipping a well-made margarita, binge-watching television shows, competing in just about any sport, and of course, reading.

Following her passion, Maxym earned her bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Arizona State University. She is represented by Cate Hart of Corvisiero Literary Agency. Her debut, Kingdom of Exiles, is slated for release in June 2019.

 

 

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