Review: A beautiful love story, with the perfect blend of history and paranormal elements
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 04 15, 2013
Wow. I've never read Trisha Wolfe's works before picking up this novel and must say I'm astounded by her talent. Poignant and sensual, Astarte's Wrath is a beautiful story of an all-encompassing love, with the perfect blend of history and paranormal elements. Trisha Wolfe obviously did her research and knows how to capture sexy and heartbreaking romance with deep characters, a rich plot, and a world full of documented and original details.From the very first scene, I was pulled into the setting and storyline, as if I stepped back through time and into a living dream. The tension of Ancient Egypt at the cusp of both a historical and paranormal war was palpable. The characters were distinct, admirable, and real. With the dialog natural and the dynamics apparent (and without an info dump), the fantasy was easy to grasp. Soon enough, I couldn't tell what was fiction and what wasn't. I was fully submerged in the original world and characters Trisha Wolfe weaved with the true events and people.The Romance ... talk about swoon and gut-wrenching. Not only were Astarte and Xarion individually strong and lovable as characters, but together they made me smile, get tingly warm all over, and then bleed for them too. I could feel the warring emotions, the longing and devotion, as well as their desperation and devastation. I really appreciated how they knew their priorities and duties, could focus on them, but would also work to keep each other in mind. It made them and their relationship mature, realistic, and stand out even more.Then there was the smexing. It was explicit yet tasteful. We get just enough details to satisfy but also pant for more. *cough* Bath scene. *cough* And I absolutely love how it didn't dominate the story. Astarte's Wrath is about love but of all different types: between soul mates, best friends, a parent and child, as well as for one's country, race, and heritage. The theme of freedom and loyalty, choice and duty, greed and betrayal, especially in that actual setting and time in history, made such an amazing love story that was far from typical.Trisha Wolfe completely surprised me with this novel. I laughed. I cried. I fell in love and had my heart broken before she stitched it back together. Filled with well-rounded characters, engaging action, and a world that I couldn't help but believe in, Astarte's Wrath is going on favorites shelf. It's a must-read-now, especially if you're a fan of Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance with substance.**FAVORITE LINES (out of many)***>> "I would give up my crown if it meant finding a way to free you, Star." He releases my hand. "But you have to want that freedom. Not fear it.">> "Live freely and love deeply, my daughter."** eBook provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. **