Wednesday’s Reading Roundup post is here! This week I read part three of the Aven Cycle by Cass Morris…

This is the blurb…

“Latona of the Vitelliae, mage of Spirit and Fire, lies still as death. Her fate rests in the hands of her allies, who must redeem her soul from the churning void where Corinna, leader of a banished Discordian cult, has trapped it.

Protected by a cabal of corrupt priests and politicians, Corinna plans her most daring assault yet: a ritual striking at the ancient heart of Aven, with the power to swallow the city in a maw of chaos and strife. Her success would be Aven’s doom, and the greatest violence would fall upon the most vulnerable.

Before Sempronius Tarren can join Aven’s defense—and his beloved Latona—at home, he must end the war abroad, outwitting the blood-soaked machinations of his Iberian opponents. His own magical talents remain hidden, but dire circumstances tempt him to succumb to ambition and use forbidden tactics to hasten the way to victory.

To defeat Corinna, Aven’s devoted protectors will need to perform extraordinary magic, rally support from unexpected quarters, and face the shadows on their own souls.”

I really enjoyed parts one and two of this series and was really looking forward to part three. Here is my response on Goodreads…

The Bloodstained Shade by Cass Morris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I found this an excellent and utterly absorbing read and am astonished that the author is having difficulties with publishers! She continues to develop her characters (I love her depiction of the three central sisters), also deftly handling multiple points of view and the many different settings for the action. Her detailed research into Ancient Rome at the time of the Republic is clearly shown throughout the series. This book also has a very satisfying ending, with an obvious dark cloud that is not resolved. So, I wasn’t really surprised to discover that a fourth book is in the pipeline. I do hope that she is able to publish this soon because I can’t wait to read it!

View all my reviews

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I have now left the world of fantasy Ancient Rome behind and moved on to something new. Mind you, I am looking forward to a return to both Cass Morris’s Aven and James Islington’s Hierarchy!

Happy Reading!

Love and best wishes,

Anne

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