Review: Beautiful and tragic, Astarte's Wrath is a must read!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 03 19, 2013
We don't speak of the future and what it could mean for us.  Or what it may change.There is only now,My duty to protect him.I already loved the steampunk world the author created with the Egyptian back setting in Destiny's Fire and knowing Astarte's Wrath would take place in ancient Egyptian times, I was excited to read it.  Confession time: I am absolute fascinated with anything Egyptian!  It was always the only subject I looked forward in history class, I've seen every documentary I come across on TV, I designed an Egyptian inspired line for one of my fashion design classes, I've watched The Mummy movies more times than I can count, and the time I actually got to hold real papyrus paper was a highlight of my education (I was in Kindergarten).  As you can imagine, I was geeking out when I was reading this book.  It was just too good and it felt so real!  I'm not a fan of historical books, at all because most of them bore me, but Astarte's Wrath captivated my attention from the very beginning.Astarte (Star) belongs to the Kythan race and like her fellow Kythan's, she was born into a life servitude.  Her job is to guard the last pharaoh, Xarion who also happens to be her childhood friend.  Star has feeling for Xarion (and really, how can you not?) but since their love is forbidden, she doesn't let herself think too much about it.  After all, she is forced to guard him with her life and he will soon have to marry someone else.  But when Xarion finally confesses his feelings to Star, it's suddenly all she can think about.  Even though she knows they could never be together.  Even though people are out to murder Xarion and Star must protect him, their forbidden romance can very well end up being the end of both of them.  I really loved Star and Xarion's relationship.  I'm a huge sucker for best friends turned romance plots and the forbidden aspect made it that much better.I could say my favorite thing about this book was the setting.  The way things were described allowed me to see it in my head in great detail.  Plus, I got excited every time an iconic Egyptian legend was mentioned like Cleopatra, Caesar, Amen-Ra and The Scorpion King (among others).  I could also say that my favorite thing were the characters.  Star is a tough yet vulnerable kick butt chick and I couldn't help but feel connected to her from the very beginning.  Phoenix was Star's best friend, he was funny, loyal and a ladies' man.  He also managed to steal pretty much every scene he was in.  I wanted more of him and was happy to find out that he's getting his own book! *happy dance* And Xarion=yum!  He was cocky but sweet and he could swoon you right off your feet.  I freaking loved him!  But I really do think that my favorite thing was the writing.  I knew from the summary that I this book was going to be sad.  But the writing flowed so beautifully and it had a way to just suck you in that I was still shocked over what happened near the end.  It just killed me!  Although this isn't your average happily ever after, the story of Star and Xarion is a beautiful, tragic yet bittersweet one.  I'm really sad that's it's over since I could read about this world over and over.  But, my consolation is knowing that I have Pheonix's story to look forward to.  Astarte's Wrath is a story about love, loss, betrayal and...hope.  A great addition to this series which can be read as a companion to Destiny's Fire or a stand alone.  I would recommend you read both since they Star and Dez's story do tie-in.5 out of 5 stars!Some of my favorite non-spoiler quotes from Astarte's Wrath:-Hi slips press together, the slight dimples in his cheeks appear.  It's enough to make my legs tremble, and I lower my gaze from his.  "No," he says, and lifts my chin with his smooth fingertips.  "You never look down.  You're every bit my equal."-He releases a heavy breath, his grip tightening on my hand.  "Would you give up your friends?  Would you trade a long, nearly immortal life of servitude in exchange for a short one...with me?"-"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."-"Oh please be difficult.  It's been a while since my last romp, and I'm sorely in need of foreplay.""Don't deny me your feelings anymore," he says low.  "I need you now-all of you."  He swallows, the cords of his neck tense.  "I want to belong to you.  Let me please you."  His eyes are heated.  "Let me serve you."Without waiting for my reply, he lifts us out of the water, his arms securing me against his body.  His eyes never leave mine as he walks us into his room, then lowers my feet to the floor.  Trailing his fingers up my arms, sending shivers dancing over my skin, he reaches the silver clasps of my shift.  With a click, the clasps come undone, and my wet shift slides down, pooling around my feet.I actually have a cover reveal scheduled on Thursday so we can do yours on Friday.  Oh and trust me, my first forms were embarrassing but I can do them in my sleep now.Just one question.  When I do cover reveals for authors, I put a question on the sign up if the blogger would be interested in reviewing the book.  I then give the author access and they can look at the `yes' responses and see who they want to send some review copies to.  Do you want me to add that question on this form too?***Read more of my reviews at:Nereyda @Mostly YA Book Obsessed