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 Terri M. LeBlanc on

3 of 5 stars

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Back in August of 2015, I read Clockwork Menagerie, a Shadows of Asphodel novella. I was enchanted with Karen Kincy’s writing and steaminess of the love story presented in just a few short pages. I immediately got my hands on the two novels in the series and then left them on my virtual bookshelf until #COYER Blackout.

After finishing book one, Shadows of Asphodel, I immediately asked myself, “Why the hell did I wait so long to read this?!” This alternate WWI history with mechs and magic is right up my alley and reminded me of a grown up version of the Leviathan series by Scott Westerfeld.

I grew to love Ardis, the main female protagonist, and her independent ways and ideas. Her relationship with Wendel (what a delightfully unusual name!) is hot and steamy and doesn’t require any commitment. It is a refreshing change of pace and one I quite enjoyed.

However, by the end of book two, Storms of Lazarus I was cursing Kincy and the dramatic uncharacteristic change that happens between the two characters. This change, due to my own personal life choices, made me angry. And as a reader, the change upset me because it seems to go against EVERYTHING that Ardis and Wendel thought and said to that point.

Overall, between books one and two, I enjoyed the action and intrigue with the alternate historical fiction twist. But the two characters, whom I admired the most and were the main reason I kept reading, quickly became characters that I disliked partway into book two. In the end, I wasn’t happy with the series at all.
This review was originally posted on Second Run Reviews

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 8 February, 2017: Finished reading
  • 8 February, 2017: Reviewed