Shadows of Asphodel by Karen Kincy

Shadows of Asphodel (Shadows of Asphodel, #1)

by Karen Kincy

She never asked for the undying loyalty of a necromancer. 

1913. Austria-Hungary. Ardis knows better than to save a man on the battlefield. Even if he manages to be a charming bastard while bleeding out in the snow. She hasn't survived this long as a mercenary without some common sense. 

When she rescues Wendel, it isn't because he's devilishly handsome, but because he's a necromancer. His touch can revive the dead, and Ardis worries he will return from the grave to hunt her down. Besides, a necromancer can be useful in this world on the brink of war. 

A gentleman of questionable morals, Wendel drops to one knee and pledges his undying loyalty to Ardis. She resists falling for him, no matter how hot the tension smolders between them. Especially when she discovers Wendel's scars run much deeper than his skin, and it might be too late to truly save him from himself.

Reviewed by Romance Schmomance on

4 of 5 stars

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First of all, Washington represent (I was raised in Olympia)! Okay onto the book ... let me begin with that the only thing I know about 'dieselpunk' is that I love the clothes! Hell yeah I would walk around in all of those on a daily basis if I could. Other than that, that's all I know about this genre. If you couldn't tell already, this was a first for me this specific genre and I enjoyed every moment of it. There was quite a bit of lingo that I didn't know (my bad), so I kept asking my husband what everything was. Needless to say, I was very fascinated!

Ardis - B-A-D-A-S-S ... need I say more. She's a mercenary and her sword's name is Chun Yi, you already know when a sword is named, it can do damage. And Ardis can definitely take down people with Chun Yi by her side. Her motto is kill or be killed. And all of that changes when she meets the sarcastic, cocky and mysterious Wendel, who just happens to be a necromancer. As she found him on the battlefield nearly dead, we witness her softer side, she does what she can so he won't die. And it's not long after that, that Wendel is down on one-knee swearing fealty to hear until the debt is repaid.

Their love happened rather quickly, but I can't say that I minded too much because I wanted it to happen. It doesn't take Ardis much time at all to really care for him and we see that right from the beginning (as much as she tries to deny it). And you witness how much of a foreign territory it is for her, definitely more for Wendel because it's something he's not use to - someone that wants to be around him. I love them together, they're both very strong, and not just physically, but emotionally.

The story kept me hooked the entire time, quite a bit of twists, plenty of action (and not just fighting ones), actually would have loved more steamy scenes, cause they're just wellll .... I'll keep that to myself.

Well, I love this genre and I love this book! This is a first in the series, so I'm pretty curious to see what she has in store for the next one because this one didn't seem open-ended at all. I want more, I want more.

Side note: if you have any suggestions for the dieselpunk, please comment below. I want to read more!

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 23 January, 2014: Finished reading
  • 23 January, 2014: Reviewed