by Jasmyn | Mar 19, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Getting to know more about the Marakai and Valkirin was amazing! And I finally found out for sure who these mysterious Talismans are and more about their legacy. I loved the way the various tribes’ cultures are so diverse, and while I see their inspirations, they are still very unique and fun to visit.
Events are unfolding rather quickly in both Nocturne and Solis, and the Vatras are breathing down the doors as they continue their hunt for the talismans as well.
One of the things that stands out the most to me is the depth of the characters. Each stands out on the own and they develop and change, adapting to the story as things change around them.
Nazafareen’s purpose in the grand scheme of things is becoming more clear. And while she seems to be the “main” character, she could never get anything done without her friends and companions. Even friends that no longer travel with her, like Javid, still have major moments to play and I was really excited to see that they stay as a part of the story.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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Title: Monstrum (The Fourth Talisman #3)
Author: Kat Ross
Genre: High Fantasy
Content Rating: PG-13
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On the White Sea, realm of smashers and sea monsters, a ship is carrying Nazafareen and Darius to the Isles of the Marakai, where the wise woman Sakhet-ra-katme has guarded the secret of the talismans for centuries. But another is searching too, a daeva born in the brutal prison of the Kiln, who plans to use the talismans to free the Vatras and their mad king. When their paths collide at the emperor’s lavish palace in Tjanjin, Nazafareen and Darius face their deadliest and most cunning foe yet.
In the mountain fastness of Val Moraine, the Pythia’s minions are on the scent of another talisman, this one from the Danai clan. Trapped behind a thick wall of ice, everyone’s going slightly mad—the perfect cauldron of suspicion and betrayal for Thena, who sees a chance to redeem her failure and bring the talisman back to Delphi. Then she’ll be free to indulge her twisted obsession with Darius—and make him pay.
And in Samarqand, Javid is drawn into the treacherous currents of a royal succession. When the old king dies and his son takes the throne, the depths of the prince’s depravity become clear. A journey north reveals the source of the spell dust he’s addicted to—and leaves Javid with an impossible choice.
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by Jasmyn | Mar 19, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Science Fiction, Fantasy
Nemesis brings a lot of the Fourth Talisman characters back together again – only to send them off on their own quests once again. I love how Kat Ross keeps her world so large and on such a grand scale but still manages to keep me close to the characters I’ve grown to love.
In Nemesis, I got to travel deep into the Kiln as Nazafareen hunts the leader of the Vatras, a man from the legends with a tie to the realm of Dominions (the underworld). I found it fascinating that we’ve made it into the fourth book and I seem to be just now introduced to the real bad guy – very impressive, as there were plenty of plots and plans along the way to keep everyone busy.
There were some rather surprising twists, including Javid’s life at the palace under the watch of a royal addicted to spell dust (which, btw, ewww gross, but moving on) that has already gone crazy and is only going to get even more so. But all these scattered storylines are coming together in an amazing way, and I really want to see how all the threads come together.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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Title: Nemesis (The Fourth Talisman #4)
Author: Kat Ross
Genre: High Fantasy
Content Rating: PG-13
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In the fourth volume of the Fourth Talisman series, Nazafareen risks everything on a desperate gamble to stop the Vatras once and for all…
With Meb safely among her own people, Nazafareen has finally embraced her dangerous fire magic. She is the Fourth Talisman, destined to free the heirs from the wards binding their own extraordinary power. With Nocturne and Solis poised on the brink of war, the choices she makes will decide the fate of mortals and daevas alike.
Determined to confront Culach and make amends, Nazafareen goes to Val Moraine, setting off a chain of events that ultimately leads her deep into the perilous wasteland called the Kiln and the faceless enemy waiting there. But the ancient hatred that shattered the world a millennium before is stronger and far more devious than she and her companions imagine.
Is the Viper truly dead? And can Nazafareen triumph without facing the darkness that lurks within her own heart?
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by Jasmyn | Mar 14, 2019 | Book Reviews, Readers, Science Fiction, Fantasy
I love the immense world that Kat Ross has created for The Fourth Talisman series. Throughout book two, Solis, the world continues to expand as we learn more about the Vatras, the Greeks, and the
Valkirin. I learned more about the characters and places on every page, and the adventure continues to grow.
Nazafereen is in Greece with a mission. A tricky one that takes most of the book to accomplish. But as she navigates the solution to her problem, she is unaware that Darius is also in danger. My one big hang-up here was at the very end. I wanted is POV a little bit more. I was so used to seeing what was happening to him, and then bam, something happened and I only got a recap without many details. And the details sounded exciting.
Back in Valkirin, things aren’t looking so good for Victor. But pay close attention to everything happening here. There’s a big clue and I almost missed it, but now I’m curious to see how it all plays out. Even characters that appear to be secondary in nature have their chance to shine and play important roles here – which just brings the world to life even more.
I think what impresses me most about the series so far is that scale of the world that Kat Ross has brought to the pages. Details are polished and characters (even side ones) feel like they are complete people and not just used to push the story along. The way the storylines overlap and lives cross in unexpected ways remind of some of the fantasy greats.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
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Title: Solis (The Fourth Talisman #2)
Author: Kat Ross
Genre: High Fantasy
Content Rating: PG-13
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In the second volume of the Fourth Talisman series, Nazafareen’s path takes a twist, setting her on a journey into the heart of the maelstrom…
It’s been a thousand years since the Avas Vatras tried to burn the world to ashes. A thousand years since they were imprisoned in the brutal wasteland called the Kiln. But revenge is a dish best served cold—even, apparently, by the children of fire.
In Delphi, Nazafareen joins forces with the followers of Dionysius to rescue her friends from the Oracle’s dungeons and seek out the three talismans whose extraordinary powers stopped the Vatras before. With her own breaking magic growing stronger by the day, she must walk a razor’s edge to control her volatile temper. And if the Vatras find the talismans first, their last hope will die.
In the frozen wastes of the Valkirin range, Victor strikes an uneasy bargain with bitter enemies to keep his tenuous grip on the Maiden Keep. The other holdfasts are coming for him. But it’s a traitor within Val Moraine’s walls that may prove to be his downfall.
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