My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Author: Maxym M. Martineau

Format: E-book

Pages: 400

Publication Date: June 25, 2019

Categories: Fantasy, Beasts, Romance, Magic, Assassins

Disclaimer: **I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Book Blurb:

Exiled Charmer Leena Edenfrell is running out of time. Empty pockets forced her to sell her beloved magical beasts-an offense punishable by death-and now there’s a price on her head. With the realm’s most talented murderer-for-hire nipping at her heels, Leena makes Noc an offer he can’t refuse: powerful mythical creatures in exchange for her life.

Plagued by a curse that kills everyone he loves, Noc agrees to Leena’s terms in hopes of finding a cure. Never mind that the dark magic binding the assassin’s oath will eventually force him to choose between Leena’s continued survival…and his own. 

In a game of trust and half-lies, only one thing can be certain: traps capture more than beasts and ensnared hearts are impossible to untangle.

MY REVIEW

Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this e-arc for an honest review.

Magic beasts! Undead assassins and a curse! This blurb had me at magical beasts. It was not hard for me to dive into this lush fantasy world. Leena is a beast charmer, and she reminded me of a Pokemon trainer! Yes, I said Pokemon. 😅 She had to find these beasts, tame them and put them in a special realm where they waited to be summoned. I wanted to be Leena and have a collection of beasts.

Leena is exiled from her home and there is a bounty on her head. The Cruor is a group of undead assassins, lead by Noc. Their powers are really interesting. They can control shadows and Noc can raise more assassins with his blood, like a vampire. Noc is powerful and in essence a “beast” as well. They are attracted to one another right away but Noc can’t get close, he is cursed. Noc finds her irresistible and Leena is a beast charmer so…why not try to tame his beast? 😉 They are meant to be .

Instead of carrying out the bounty, Noc and Leena negotiate on terms that may help both of them get out of the binds they are in. They are both trying to survive.

I love Leena. She’s strong, caring but vulnerable and she’s comfortable in her charmer skin. The magical beasts in the story are all amazing. They have different characteristics and powers. Noc is a typical strong male character, handsome, powerful and I love how he valued his friends even if he had to keep his distance. He has a sad past with lots of death involved and I hope we learn more about it in the next book.

I enjoyed Noc’s assassins: Calem, Oz and Kost – well not so much Kost, but he eventually grew on me. Their job is to escort Leena and make sure she stays in line but for the most part these guys come off friendly and funny (except Kost of course) and protect her. Leena seemed to soften these assassins up.

I didn’t think I’d read it through the night since I started it so late in the evening, but I could not put it down! This book was lots of fun, full of adventure, a delicious romance and those fantastic magical beasts. I look forward to the sequel.