It’s Wednesday, so it’s time for my reading post! I actually managed to finish two books this week, both from the same series. Here is the first one…

The series I am currently reading is the Aven Cycle by Cass Morris and the first book is titled From Unseen Fire. This is the blurb…

“The Dictator is dead; long live the Republic.

But whose Republic will it be? Senators, generals, and elemental mages vie for the power to shape the future of the city of Aven. Latona of the Vitelliae, a mage of Spirit and Fire, has suppressed her phenomenal talents for fear they would draw unwanted attention from unscrupulous men. Now that the Dictator who threatened her family is gone, she may have an opportunity to seize a greater destiny as a protector of the people — if only she can find the courage to try.

Her siblings—a widow who conceals a canny political mind in the guise of a frivolous socialite, a young prophetess learning to navigate a treacherous world, and a military tribune leading a dangerous expedition in the province of Iberia—will be her allies as she builds a place for herself in this new world, against the objections of their father, her husband, and the strictures of Aventan society.

Latona’s path intersects with that of Sempronius Tarren, an ambitious senator harboring a dangerous secret. Sacred law dictates that no mage may hold high office, but Sempronius, a Shadow mage who has kept his abilities a life-long secret, intends to do just that. As rebellion brews in the provinces, Sempronius must outwit the ruthless leader of the opposing Senate faction to claim the political and military power he needs to secure a glorious future for Aven and his own place in history.

As politics draw them together and romance blossoms between them, Latona and Sempronius will use wit, charm, and magic to shape Aven’s fate. But when their foes resort to brutal violence and foul sorcery, will their efforts be enough to save the Republic they love?”

And here is my response on Goodreads…

From Unseen Fire by Cass Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As someone who studied Ancient Rome at university, this blending of history and fantasy really intrigued me. I enjoyed the book immensely, particularly the three central female characters. The plot was fast moving and interesting so I was gripped right until the final pages. The writing may not be the best, but the author definitely knows how to tell a good tale! I liked the book so much that I bought the next two books straight away.

View all my reviews

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After finishing this first episode, I downloaded the second ebook in the series straight away…

The second book’s title is Give Way To Night and this is the blurb…

“Latona of the Vitelliae, mage of Spirit and Fire, is eager to wield her newfound empowerment on behalf of the citizens of Aven–but societal forces conspire to keep her from exercising her gifts, even when the resurgence of a banished cult plots the city’s ruin. To combat this threat, Latona must ally with Fracture mage Vibia, the distrustful sister of Sempronius Tarren.

While Latona struggles to defend their home, Sempronius leads soldiers through wartorn provinces to lift the siege of Toletum, where Latona’s brother Gaius is hemmed in by supernatural forces. Sempronius must contend not only with the war-king Ekialde and his sorcerers, but with the machinations of political rivals and the temptations of his own soul, ever-susceptible to the darker side of ambition.

Though separated by many miles soon after their love affair began, Latona and Sempronius are united by passion as they strive to protect Aven and build its glorious future.”

And this is what I thought of the book…

Give Way to Night by Cass Morris
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an excellent sequel. The depiction of Ancient Roman life from a female point of view, with added magical abilities, was deftly done. A great deal of research must have been done behind the scenes! The plot was written from the point of view of several characters, including the enemies of some of the main protagonists. Characterisation continued to be excellent with great development.

Without giving anything away, I must say that the use of a very female regular occurrence at a crucial time in the plot made me laugh out loud! I don’t think that I have ever read a fiction book with such a twist and I commend the author!

I have now started the third book and was surprised to see that a fourth episode is in the pipeline too.

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I really hope that Cass Morris publishes volume four very soon!

Happy Reading everyone!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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