What do you think?
Rate this book
God of Secrets #1
Empire of Ash
Dangerous magic, a dark god, and ancient secrets.
Archaeologist Pellucid Rose discovers THE find of the century when an earthquake hits her Mycenae, Greece dig. But before she can claim it, a dark, dangerous, and very sexy stranger steps from a swirl of shadows claiming she’s loosed a sphinx on the world by translating an ancient secret on one of the scrolls.
What’s more, he insists Secret Magic requires her to go with him to capture the ferocious creature.
Against better judgment, Pell teams up with the hot stranger to discover a world of magic where the impossible is reality, crooked mortals hide corrupt secrets, and mysteries older than myth can kill you. That thought alone makes her heart race, but things get even worse when she discovers he’s hiding world-altering secrets, and only she has what it takes to stop him.
Empire of Ash is the first book in the enthralling God of Secrets paranormal romance series. If you like Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa, you’ll adore L. R. W. Lee’s vulnerable, intimate, and gritty tale of destined lovers, potent sorcery, and unique ancient myth retellings.
Archaeologist Pellucid Rose discovers THE find of the century when an earthquake hits her Mycenae, Greece dig. But before she can claim it, a dark, dangerous, and very sexy stranger steps from a swirl of shadows claiming she’s loosed a sphinx on the world by translating an ancient secret on one of the scrolls.
What’s more, he insists Secret Magic requires her to go with him to capture the ferocious creature.
Against better judgment, Pell teams up with the hot stranger to discover a world of magic where the impossible is reality, crooked mortals hide corrupt secrets, and mysteries older than myth can kill you. That thought alone makes her heart race, but things get even worse when she discovers he’s hiding world-altering secrets, and only she has what it takes to stop him.
Empire of Ash is the first book in the enthralling God of Secrets paranormal romance series. If you like Sarah J. Maas and Laura Thalassa, you’ll adore L. R. W. Lee’s vulnerable, intimate, and gritty tale of destined lovers, potent sorcery, and unique ancient myth retellings.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 26, 2020
About the author
L.R.W. Lee
29 books748 followers📚 USA Today Bestselling #Author 📚 Writing YA & NA #Fantasy #Romance 📚 Epic adventure. Surprising twists. Snarky #banter. Swoony romance.
Website: http://www.lrwlee.com
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/lrwlee/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lrwlee/
Website: http://www.lrwlee.com
FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/lrwlee/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lrwlee/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
October 21, 2020
Okay, I'll admit this right up front. I was drawn in by this completely gorgeous cover and you can't make me regret that. I mean look at it! Yes, I am a sucker and now you know that, you can disregard everything I say . . . ever. If you like.
Sadly, the book didn't live up to the draw. I had two problems right from the start and they weren't getting any better so I stopped at chapter 10. First, Pell is a neurotic spaz. She's forever tripping, spilling, falling, or simply opening closets for everything to spill out on her. I hate this and it is particularly galling when a supposed archeologist is an active danger to the dig she's part of. It's not good if you're wondering why her colleagues aren't wrapping her in cotton and telling her to have a nice lie-down while they do the important work. They'd totally have my sympathies if they did. So much for girl power.
But it's worse than just that because she's a mental spaz, too. She's forever jumping to conclusions, making absurd comparisons, or doing deals with herself about stuff that happens. Like, "How about I believe this absurd thing for a while so I can calm down a bit here and we'll revisit the whole episode later." Which could have been amusing, I suppose, if I bought it as part of someone scientifically competent and analytically trained. Which I do not.
Which brings up the worldbuilding, which is the second thing that kept poking me out of the story. In this world, the ancient Egyptians apparently spoke English, you see. Pell actually spells out the hieroglyphics of a scroll she finds so she gives us 𓈖 𓋴 𓅱 𓂋 which is "NSWR" which, since "they didn't use vowels", is the word "answer". So hieroglyphs are both phonetic and grounded in English. Those Egyptians were wily, indeed. Plus, once translated, the whole thing is a verse that scans and rhymes. In English. Obvs.
This sloppiness extends into the local Greek population as well. Which is introduced with this line, I kid you not:
So my immersion broke and I couldn't find my way back in. If you read Pell as an everywoman and Harpoc (yeah, don't get me started on that name) as the mysterious, powerful dude totally into everywomen, it would work out great. I just couldn't get there. It was shaping up to be an interesting buddy story that likely builds to more and that might turn out quite fun. I'm a little disappointed I couldn't go there with it.
But I can't. That is still a gorgeous cover, though.
Sadly, the book didn't live up to the draw. I had two problems right from the start and they weren't getting any better so I stopped at chapter 10. First, Pell is a neurotic spaz. She's forever tripping, spilling, falling, or simply opening closets for everything to spill out on her. I hate this and it is particularly galling when a supposed archeologist is an active danger to the dig she's part of. It's not good if you're wondering why her colleagues aren't wrapping her in cotton and telling her to have a nice lie-down while they do the important work. They'd totally have my sympathies if they did. So much for girl power.
But it's worse than just that because she's a mental spaz, too. She's forever jumping to conclusions, making absurd comparisons, or doing deals with herself about stuff that happens. Like, "How about I believe this absurd thing for a while so I can calm down a bit here and we'll revisit the whole episode later." Which could have been amusing, I suppose, if I bought it as part of someone scientifically competent and analytically trained. Which I do not.
Which brings up the worldbuilding, which is the second thing that kept poking me out of the story. In this world, the ancient Egyptians apparently spoke English, you see. Pell actually spells out the hieroglyphics of a scroll she finds so she gives us 𓈖 𓋴 𓅱 𓂋 which is "NSWR" which, since "they didn't use vowels", is the word "answer". So hieroglyphs are both phonetic and grounded in English. Those Egyptians were wily, indeed. Plus, once translated, the whole thing is a verse that scans and rhymes. In English. Obvs.
This sloppiness extends into the local Greek population as well. Which is introduced with this line, I kid you not:
“Pell!” Calix, the owner’s son, calls in GreekIt's her name. How do you call a name in a specific language? And no, there's no other dialogue, just her name. Which got up my back enough that I just couldn't picture any of the subsequent conversation as particularly Greek, either. I felt like she might as well have been in a US diner at that point. Which threw me out of the story further with the question, how the heck does she speak idiomatic Greek?!? She mentions being in a particular semester in an Austin university, so I can't imagine she has been at the dig long, but apparently, it's long enough to pick up the local patois. Flawlessly, no less.
So my immersion broke and I couldn't find my way back in. If you read Pell as an everywoman and Harpoc (yeah, don't get me started on that name) as the mysterious, powerful dude totally into everywomen, it would work out great. I just couldn't get there. It was shaping up to be an interesting buddy story that likely builds to more and that might turn out quite fun. I'm a little disappointed I couldn't go there with it.
But I can't. That is still a gorgeous cover, though.
June 14, 2020
“He catches my gaze, and for a second, I think he might explain but, surprise, surprise, he schools his expression and asks, “Ready to tackle Zephyr?”
Nothing makes a book more enjoyable than humor (well other than good smut), and this book had plenty of humor. I found Pell’s inner thought to be funny, awkward and relatable.
The writing was easy, the world building was awesome and the plot was interesting. Mythology has always been something I’ve enjoyed!
Hapnoc and his secrets drove me crazy, but I figured out his secret about who he was about 55% through. The romance seemed a bit, immature to me though. I just felt like hapnoc fell for Pell too quick without us actually seeing or know why he fell for her.
Overall this was a fun, and interesting read.
4/5 🌟’s
Nothing makes a book more enjoyable than humor (well other than good smut), and this book had plenty of humor. I found Pell’s inner thought to be funny, awkward and relatable.
The writing was easy, the world building was awesome and the plot was interesting. Mythology has always been something I’ve enjoyed!
Hapnoc and his secrets drove me crazy, but I figured out his secret about who he was about 55% through. The romance seemed a bit, immature to me though. I just felt like hapnoc fell for Pell too quick without us actually seeing or know why he fell for her.
Overall this was a fun, and interesting read.
4/5 🌟’s
June 15, 2020
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review
I loved this book, it’s a premise I’ve never read of before and I found it completely engaging.
The main character seems more human and normal than many female main characters and feels much more relatable as such.
The mixing of mythological stories along with a new realm had me reading even when I wasn’t meant to.
I’m now upset I have to wait for the next instalment, I hugely enjoyed this and would recommend.
I loved this book, it’s a premise I’ve never read of before and I found it completely engaging.
The main character seems more human and normal than many female main characters and feels much more relatable as such.
The mixing of mythological stories along with a new realm had me reading even when I wasn’t meant to.
I’m now upset I have to wait for the next instalment, I hugely enjoyed this and would recommend.
August 13, 2020
English review :
It was the Cover that caught my eye on Booksprout. She's really beautiful. The summary then convinced me to read the book. So I eagerly applied for the ARC.
I didn't wait long before I started reading. Just enough time to finish another book. I read it in three times because I have been disturbed a little too often. For my family, reading and writing a review means doing nothing ...
The universe is a mixture of mythologies, secrets and a good dose of mystery. It is very promising. When, in addition, there is a god involved, I fall directly into the author's spider web. You got me !The story begins at an archaeological site and it moves a lot. Everything looks normal until ... get the book if you want to know more.
Question characters, I had a little trouble with Pell at the beginning because she asks herself too many questions. Otherwise, she's not like female characters that I like to follow in general because she is not a strong head and has more tendency to want to hide than to face situations. She looks more like us.
Harpoc remains mysterious almost until three quarters of the story. Of course, we the readers suspect what he is quite quickly.
I really liked the story but only after several chapters because it took me a while to adapt to the style of the author. There were some terms that I had trouble understanding. English isn't my mother tongue.
I will of course read the other books in the series because I want to know how the relationship between Pell and Harpoc will evolve as well as discover "his world".
With this title, I discovered L.R.W. Lee. She already has other titles to her credit such as the "Sand Maiden" series.
https://www.paradise-book.fr/2020/08/...
*-*-*-*-*-*
Avis en français :
C'est la couverture qui a attiré mon regard sur Booksprout. Elle est vraiment très belle. Le résumé m'a ensuite convaincue de lire le livre. J'ai donc postulé avec empressement pour la copie numérique en Service Presse.
Je n'ai pas attendu bien longtemps avant de me lancer dans la lecture. Juste le temps de finir un livre. Je l'ai lu en trois fois car on m'a dérangé un peu trop souvent. Pour ma famille, lire et écrire un avis, c'est ne rien faire...
L'univers créé est un mélange de mythologies, de secrets et d'une bonne dose de mystère. C'est très prometteur. Quand, en plus, il y a un dieu impliqué, je tombe directement dans les filets de l'auteure.
Le récit commence sur un site archéologique et çà remue beaucoup. Tout à l'air normal jusqu'à ce que ... procure toi le livre si tu veux en savoir plus.
Question personnages, j'ai eu un peu de mal avec Pell au début car elle se pose beaucoup trop de questions. Autrement, elle dénote des personnages féminin que j'aime suivre en général car elle n'est pas une forte tête et a plus tendance à vouloir se planquer qu'à affronter les situations. Elle nous ressemble davantage.
Harpoc reste mystérieux sur qu'il est quasiment jusqu'aux trois quarts du récit. Bien sûr, nous lecteurs, on se doute de qu'il est assez rapidement.
L'histoire m'a vraiment plu mais uniquement après plusieurs chapitres car il m'a fallut un temps d'adaptation au style de l'auteure. Il y a eu des termes que j'ai eu du mal à comprendre.
Je lirai bien entendu la suite car j'ai envie de savoir comment va évoluer la relation entre Pell et Harpoc ainsi que découvrir "son monde".
Avec ce titre, j'ai découvert L.R.W. Lee. Elle a déjà d'autres titres à son actif comme la série "Sand Maiden".
https://www.paradise-book.fr/2020/08/...
It was the Cover that caught my eye on Booksprout. She's really beautiful. The summary then convinced me to read the book. So I eagerly applied for the ARC.
I didn't wait long before I started reading. Just enough time to finish another book. I read it in three times because I have been disturbed a little too often. For my family, reading and writing a review means doing nothing ...
The universe is a mixture of mythologies, secrets and a good dose of mystery. It is very promising. When, in addition, there is a god involved, I fall directly into the author's spider web. You got me !The story begins at an archaeological site and it moves a lot. Everything looks normal until ... get the book if you want to know more.
Question characters, I had a little trouble with Pell at the beginning because she asks herself too many questions. Otherwise, she's not like female characters that I like to follow in general because she is not a strong head and has more tendency to want to hide than to face situations. She looks more like us.
Harpoc remains mysterious almost until three quarters of the story. Of course, we the readers suspect what he is quite quickly.
I really liked the story but only after several chapters because it took me a while to adapt to the style of the author. There were some terms that I had trouble understanding. English isn't my mother tongue.
I will of course read the other books in the series because I want to know how the relationship between Pell and Harpoc will evolve as well as discover "his world".
With this title, I discovered L.R.W. Lee. She already has other titles to her credit such as the "Sand Maiden" series.
https://www.paradise-book.fr/2020/08/...
*-*-*-*-*-*
Avis en français :
C'est la couverture qui a attiré mon regard sur Booksprout. Elle est vraiment très belle. Le résumé m'a ensuite convaincue de lire le livre. J'ai donc postulé avec empressement pour la copie numérique en Service Presse.
Je n'ai pas attendu bien longtemps avant de me lancer dans la lecture. Juste le temps de finir un livre. Je l'ai lu en trois fois car on m'a dérangé un peu trop souvent. Pour ma famille, lire et écrire un avis, c'est ne rien faire...
L'univers créé est un mélange de mythologies, de secrets et d'une bonne dose de mystère. C'est très prometteur. Quand, en plus, il y a un dieu impliqué, je tombe directement dans les filets de l'auteure.
Le récit commence sur un site archéologique et çà remue beaucoup. Tout à l'air normal jusqu'à ce que ... procure toi le livre si tu veux en savoir plus.
Question personnages, j'ai eu un peu de mal avec Pell au début car elle se pose beaucoup trop de questions. Autrement, elle dénote des personnages féminin que j'aime suivre en général car elle n'est pas une forte tête et a plus tendance à vouloir se planquer qu'à affronter les situations. Elle nous ressemble davantage.
Harpoc reste mystérieux sur qu'il est quasiment jusqu'aux trois quarts du récit. Bien sûr, nous lecteurs, on se doute de qu'il est assez rapidement.
L'histoire m'a vraiment plu mais uniquement après plusieurs chapitres car il m'a fallut un temps d'adaptation au style de l'auteure. Il y a eu des termes que j'ai eu du mal à comprendre.
Je lirai bien entendu la suite car j'ai envie de savoir comment va évoluer la relation entre Pell et Harpoc ainsi que découvrir "son monde".
Avec ce titre, j'ai découvert L.R.W. Lee. Elle a déjà d'autres titres à son actif comme la série "Sand Maiden".
https://www.paradise-book.fr/2020/08/...
July 22, 2020
Pellucid Rose loves history. Chases it around the world at archeological digs. She finds this hidden trove of things she maybe shouldn’t have found. But it takes her on an adventure of mythical creatures come to life and not to mention a sexy guy who pushes her buttons but also... she can’t help being attracted to? Knows nothing of her parents who left her on the doorstep of an orphanage. Who is she exactly? Well she’s one sassy lady that’s what.
Pell’s story is Intriguing. Her sass funny. Her heart fierce. Different from Lee’s Sand Maiden series, but it too drags you in and doesn’t let you up for air until you’ve got no choice to until you reach the end. Leaves you needing more. The way things were described makes you feel like you’re there yourself. The way things unfold takes your heart into it’s awaiting palm. And never lets go. Quite the story to behold. And each character you meet has their own story of why they are there.
Come find out if you have what it takes to chase a sphinx around the world.
Pell’s story is Intriguing. Her sass funny. Her heart fierce. Different from Lee’s Sand Maiden series, but it too drags you in and doesn’t let you up for air until you’ve got no choice to until you reach the end. Leaves you needing more. The way things were described makes you feel like you’re there yourself. The way things unfold takes your heart into it’s awaiting palm. And never lets go. Quite the story to behold. And each character you meet has their own story of why they are there.
Come find out if you have what it takes to chase a sphinx around the world.
August 9, 2020
⚖️⚖️ONE THRILLING ADVENTURE⚖️⚖️
Hatching hades! Lee hit paydirt with all the charm, passion, finesse and unique insight, skipping the shenanigans, calming the chaos and roping the mayhem, sowing the seeds and watching them grow, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. A raging tempest of suspicious events and dubious circumstances, observant of the staggering trials and arduous tribulations, marking the deadly twist and wicked turns, catapulting those swirling feelings into play front and center, baring all the fervent facts, deals and fiascos, catapulting this jewel to a whole new level. Stumbling through a minefield of daring drama, hidden agendas, damning secrets, mystifying intrigue, grave danger and spiraling suspense, maneuvering through the cunning manipulations of deceptive deeds and dubious actions, blasting this jewel to life spectacularly. Tempting, tangled and tightly entwined, baring the crazy quirks and defying bents, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never envisioned. The characters are complex and genuine with traits and qualities that add depth and diversity, transforming into charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Lee, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
Hatching hades! Lee hit paydirt with all the charm, passion, finesse and unique insight, skipping the shenanigans, calming the chaos and roping the mayhem, sowing the seeds and watching them grow, wrapping this gem up sleek, shiny and tight. A raging tempest of suspicious events and dubious circumstances, observant of the staggering trials and arduous tribulations, marking the deadly twist and wicked turns, catapulting those swirling feelings into play front and center, baring all the fervent facts, deals and fiascos, catapulting this jewel to a whole new level. Stumbling through a minefield of daring drama, hidden agendas, damning secrets, mystifying intrigue, grave danger and spiraling suspense, maneuvering through the cunning manipulations of deceptive deeds and dubious actions, blasting this jewel to life spectacularly. Tempting, tangled and tightly entwined, baring the crazy quirks and defying bents, putting our characters through their paces, testing them in ways they could have never envisioned. The characters are complex and genuine with traits and qualities that add depth and diversity, transforming into charismatic personalities. The scenes are strikingly sharp with abundant details and descriptions that feel as though you were transported to ground zero with them. Remarkable job Lee, thanks for sharing this little jewel with us.
August 17, 2020
A wonderful start to a new series. I loved the Cover so I applied for a review copy.
It has so much excitement that it kept me drawn in. Loved reading this book...
It has so much excitement that it kept me drawn in. Loved reading this book...
December 9, 2020
Empire of Ash is the first book in a new series by L.R.W. Lee and I knew I was going to love it before I even read it. The story follows an archeologist named Pellucid (Pell, for short) as she uncovers secrets hidden in her Mycenae, Greece dig. She meets a handsome stranger, who steps out of shadows, and wants to help her fix a few accidental mistakes she made since unearthing the secrets.
This book is nonstop action, adventure, and just so much fun to read. Lee has a way of writing that is effortless and immersive in her storytelling. The characters are relatable, I loved Pell’s inner monologue. It sounded a lot like somethings I tell myself on a regular basis. All the others that come into the story just add a richness and makes you want to know more about them.
I was so drawn into this world that I immediately picked up book 2: Empire of Secrets!
This book is nonstop action, adventure, and just so much fun to read. Lee has a way of writing that is effortless and immersive in her storytelling. The characters are relatable, I loved Pell’s inner monologue. It sounded a lot like somethings I tell myself on a regular basis. All the others that come into the story just add a richness and makes you want to know more about them.
I was so drawn into this world that I immediately picked up book 2: Empire of Secrets!
July 15, 2020
I received an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.
My rating: 4,5 stars
it took about 60 pages for me to get hooked!!!!!
So I started reading the book and I was a bit confused by what I was reading. All types of food falling and then after going it on it hit me. There was an earthquake.
So I really enjoyed the start of the book. Pell was quite funny and I like the archeology twist. And then MR. Duster came along. Well hello to you too :D
The story revolves around some secret magic and Pell has to make the things right that she messed up. Will not tell you all the details. Just read it.
The story builds up and gets more interesting.
What I really like is that both main characters grow throughout the book. Especially Pell grows a lot which is also quite emotional for her.
Another thing I really liked was the detail in facts about the Egyptian history! It really gives the book charm. I loved the humor in the book and I really hope Pell stays that way.
Overall It is a really good book and definitely has a ya feel to it. I kinda hope the next book has a more mature feel to it.
My rating: 4,5 stars
it took about 60 pages for me to get hooked!!!!!
So I started reading the book and I was a bit confused by what I was reading. All types of food falling and then after going it on it hit me. There was an earthquake.
So I really enjoyed the start of the book. Pell was quite funny and I like the archeology twist. And then MR. Duster came along. Well hello to you too :D
The story revolves around some secret magic and Pell has to make the things right that she messed up. Will not tell you all the details. Just read it.
The story builds up and gets more interesting.
What I really like is that both main characters grow throughout the book. Especially Pell grows a lot which is also quite emotional for her.
Another thing I really liked was the detail in facts about the Egyptian history! It really gives the book charm. I loved the humor in the book and I really hope Pell stays that way.
Overall It is a really good book and definitely has a ya feel to it. I kinda hope the next book has a more mature feel to it.
August 4, 2020
Empire of Ash is the first book I read by the author and while the plot sounded great, I, unfortunately, didn't like the book :(
Worldbuilding was good, scenes and environments were clear and detailed. As a fan of archaeology (and mythology), it was fun to read about the sites they explored, not to mention the mythological beings/people they encountered.
Character development was decent. We walked alongside Pell (short for Pellucid), an archaeologist, as she tries to undo the mess she caused by reading an ancient scroll she just found. Pell is, in my opinion, a pretty particular person with a lot of inner dialogue (like... a lot a lot). That, I could get on board with, but what bothered me the most was that she doesn't feel or act her age but more like a teenager. Add that to the insistent chatter of her inner dialogue and ... yeah, I really didn't connect with her.
Harpoc, our mystery man in a leather jacket, was well fleshed out and out of the two, strangely enough, felt more real and believable. While he was (and yes, still remains) a mystery, he does open up more and more to Pell.
Pacing and flow were good. A nice balance between conversation and action to keep the story moving forward.
There were no (noticeable) errors and there was no sex described in this book (if that is important to you).
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and all in all I can say that unfortunately, this wasn't my cup of tea. It just felt unpolished and slightly too teens/ya for me. However, if the plot sounds good be sure to give the sample a try, it might be something for you!
Worldbuilding was good, scenes and environments were clear and detailed. As a fan of archaeology (and mythology), it was fun to read about the sites they explored, not to mention the mythological beings/people they encountered.
Character development was decent. We walked alongside Pell (short for Pellucid), an archaeologist, as she tries to undo the mess she caused by reading an ancient scroll she just found. Pell is, in my opinion, a pretty particular person with a lot of inner dialogue (like... a lot a lot). That, I could get on board with, but what bothered me the most was that she doesn't feel or act her age but more like a teenager. Add that to the insistent chatter of her inner dialogue and ... yeah, I really didn't connect with her.
Harpoc, our mystery man in a leather jacket, was well fleshed out and out of the two, strangely enough, felt more real and believable. While he was (and yes, still remains) a mystery, he does open up more and more to Pell.
Pacing and flow were good. A nice balance between conversation and action to keep the story moving forward.
There were no (noticeable) errors and there was no sex described in this book (if that is important to you).
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and all in all I can say that unfortunately, this wasn't my cup of tea. It just felt unpolished and slightly too teens/ya for me. However, if the plot sounds good be sure to give the sample a try, it might be something for you!
June 3, 2020
„Empire of Ash“ marks the start of a new Series (“God of Secrets”) by L.R.W. Lee with Pellucid Rose (Pell for short) as MC, an archeologist, who while digging in Mycenae unexpectedly, and with the “help” of an earthquake, comes across the FIND of her career, a scroll cache, mind it…. an Egyptian scrolls cache…. in Greece! Unable to wait… curiosity gets the best of her 😊, she reads one of the scrolls… aloud… sounds like a riddle… but before she can even secure the rest of the dig, a strange comes into the site weaving some tale of old prophecies, sphinxes awakening and secret magic, and insisting that Pell joints in some quest to catch the creature on the loose.
What follows is a fast-paced adventure, exciting mix of actual facts and fiction, with twist and turns that entice the reader to join the quest, solve the riddle and get hold of the Sphinx. Pell is a very strong character, with a very no-nonsense approach due to her very personal background, the perfect embodiment for a female heroine in paranormal romance, likeable in extreme and a stark counterpart to the male character, who by the way is not the guy you would wish to push out of the edge… of a dig (pun very much intended 😉)
The book is very well written, a successful blend of archeology, old Egyptian lore and paranormal romance, with several instant recognizable locations, multidimensional characters, and a carefully crafted plot with a satisfying end.
A tantalizing reading.
What follows is a fast-paced adventure, exciting mix of actual facts and fiction, with twist and turns that entice the reader to join the quest, solve the riddle and get hold of the Sphinx. Pell is a very strong character, with a very no-nonsense approach due to her very personal background, the perfect embodiment for a female heroine in paranormal romance, likeable in extreme and a stark counterpart to the male character, who by the way is not the guy you would wish to push out of the edge… of a dig (pun very much intended 😉)
The book is very well written, a successful blend of archeology, old Egyptian lore and paranormal romance, with several instant recognizable locations, multidimensional characters, and a carefully crafted plot with a satisfying end.
A tantalizing reading.
June 29, 2020
Love , love , love !!😍😍
What’s more to say ? 😍I loved the storyline . The story were beautifully written😍 5 stars !
Enjoy the ride and read it . 🥰❤️
What’s more to say ? 😍I loved the storyline . The story were beautifully written😍 5 stars !
Enjoy the ride and read it . 🥰❤️
September 1, 2020
This is book one of the God of Secrets series and the main character is archaeologist Pellucid (Pell) Rose, who is working on a dig in Greece, with a group of male colleagues and has to work hard to keep her place amongst some of them and their attitudes towards women. Only another couple of years doing digs and then she should be able to get a job as a curator at any museum she wants. If only she didn’t have to put up with characters like Irik, it would be great. It’s like being back at the group home where she was brought up. After a sudden earthquake, they go to check on any possible damage to their dig and Pell goes to check on the hidden staircase and underground cistern. She stumbles across the find of the century, with a secret room full of scrolls.
Only problem is, that by pulling out one of the scrolls and using her skills to read the hieroglyphs out loud, has unleased the creature the scroll was keeping a secret about. After she read it, a strange but mysterious and handsome man appears out of a swirl of shadows, to inform her that she has released the creature, a female sphinx on the world. It was a statue in the Louvre in Paris, that she had visited and seen, but she doesn’t believe this stranger until matters are forced by news reports later that day. Shortly after this, this stranger turns up in her hotel room, to see if she is ready to stop the sphinx or not.
No matter how strange things may be, she doesn’t want the thought of anyone’s deaths on her shoulders or mind. By reading the scroll out loud and for the being to be released, it seems she has some sort of secret magic, like Harpoc, as she finally gets to find out the name of the strange man. But there is a lot more for her to find out about this stranger, as well as more adventures to go on! Secret Magic is so much more than magic, but also the magic of secrets and the power that they hold. She now holds a scent of this secret magic and could herself be in danger from any being or creature she has released. He is not very forthcoming about himself and it took her long enough just to get his name from him, but that may not be the full truth, when he asks her to call him King of Roses, when they go after her third mistaken release.
The reality of what she is dealing with seems impossible, but she will soon find herself out of work, when what she discovered has to be hidden away. She will discover many myths are true and could kill her and many others if they get away from her. That crooked rich people with corrupt secrets, are nothing new, as figures in history have also been in this position. Her memories of a particularly handsy adult in the group home and his attention and treatment of a friend, has made her attention to scandal and crooked people in power positions, strong in her make-up. She is mixing now with the powers of Gods and secrets from the past, which could have world changing effects and it seems only she will be able to stop her handsome but strange companion.
An interesting read and definitely one that is a page turner, as you follow what is happening to Pell and get to laugh at her ridiculous inner voice and her lack of grace having her tripping up all over the place. Her mind may be wandering over this handsome man who has suddenly appeared in her life, making her do things that are not in her normal remit of comfort and making her vocalise many of her thoughts and desires. Pell’s very future is going to change as this stranger becomes a part of her life and everything that happens round her. I look to reading the next book in this series soon. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
Only problem is, that by pulling out one of the scrolls and using her skills to read the hieroglyphs out loud, has unleased the creature the scroll was keeping a secret about. After she read it, a strange but mysterious and handsome man appears out of a swirl of shadows, to inform her that she has released the creature, a female sphinx on the world. It was a statue in the Louvre in Paris, that she had visited and seen, but she doesn’t believe this stranger until matters are forced by news reports later that day. Shortly after this, this stranger turns up in her hotel room, to see if she is ready to stop the sphinx or not.
No matter how strange things may be, she doesn’t want the thought of anyone’s deaths on her shoulders or mind. By reading the scroll out loud and for the being to be released, it seems she has some sort of secret magic, like Harpoc, as she finally gets to find out the name of the strange man. But there is a lot more for her to find out about this stranger, as well as more adventures to go on! Secret Magic is so much more than magic, but also the magic of secrets and the power that they hold. She now holds a scent of this secret magic and could herself be in danger from any being or creature she has released. He is not very forthcoming about himself and it took her long enough just to get his name from him, but that may not be the full truth, when he asks her to call him King of Roses, when they go after her third mistaken release.
The reality of what she is dealing with seems impossible, but she will soon find herself out of work, when what she discovered has to be hidden away. She will discover many myths are true and could kill her and many others if they get away from her. That crooked rich people with corrupt secrets, are nothing new, as figures in history have also been in this position. Her memories of a particularly handsy adult in the group home and his attention and treatment of a friend, has made her attention to scandal and crooked people in power positions, strong in her make-up. She is mixing now with the powers of Gods and secrets from the past, which could have world changing effects and it seems only she will be able to stop her handsome but strange companion.
An interesting read and definitely one that is a page turner, as you follow what is happening to Pell and get to laugh at her ridiculous inner voice and her lack of grace having her tripping up all over the place. Her mind may be wandering over this handsome man who has suddenly appeared in her life, making her do things that are not in her normal remit of comfort and making her vocalise many of her thoughts and desires. Pell’s very future is going to change as this stranger becomes a part of her life and everything that happens round her. I look to reading the next book in this series soon. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
May 29, 2020
A Sexy Secret Keeper & A Snarky Archaeologist Team Up!!😍🔥🙊👷🔦📃
A Fabulous 4.5 Star Read 🌟
Empire of Ash (God of Secrets #1)
Pellucid Rose was left on the steps of a children's home as a baby.💔 She's battled bullying, disappointment & injustice throughout her life.😟 Thankfully she's a tough cookie that always had an idea of what she wanted to achieve, so has worked hard to attain her goal of becoming an Archaeologist hoping to then become a Museum Curator.👍
After an earthquake disturbs a wall in an underground dig, she finds what had been a sealed room. It has shelves filled with papyrus scrolls, it's unbelievable, especially as she's on a dig in Greece not Eygpt!!😲🙏 She can't help but take one down & read it - following protocols of course.😉 It reads like a riddle & when she finishes it a man steps out of swirling smoke.😱 She's terrified, although he assures her he means her no harm, and she fears for her ground breaking find. He tells her she's awoken something by reading the scroll & must replace it on the shelf then take responsibility for her actions!?😲🙊 Say what now??😕
Blimey this was exciting!🎉 I absolutely loved the world build of this story & it's pace. Having all of these ancient & mythological beings in modern day settings, completely out of step with our time, was horrifying, fascinating & heart breaking!😳😍😢 Pell was witty & her inner snark was strong, she was also kind of self righteous but I liked her strength, even when she was terrified.😂💪 Harpoc was frustrating, sexy & mysterious!😒💙🔥
I really can't wait for the next book because I'm dying to find out all of the things that were hinted at!💥🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
A Fabulous 4.5 Star Read 🌟
Empire of Ash (God of Secrets #1)
Pellucid Rose was left on the steps of a children's home as a baby.💔 She's battled bullying, disappointment & injustice throughout her life.😟 Thankfully she's a tough cookie that always had an idea of what she wanted to achieve, so has worked hard to attain her goal of becoming an Archaeologist hoping to then become a Museum Curator.👍
After an earthquake disturbs a wall in an underground dig, she finds what had been a sealed room. It has shelves filled with papyrus scrolls, it's unbelievable, especially as she's on a dig in Greece not Eygpt!!😲🙏 She can't help but take one down & read it - following protocols of course.😉 It reads like a riddle & when she finishes it a man steps out of swirling smoke.😱 She's terrified, although he assures her he means her no harm, and she fears for her ground breaking find. He tells her she's awoken something by reading the scroll & must replace it on the shelf then take responsibility for her actions!?😲🙊 Say what now??😕
Blimey this was exciting!🎉 I absolutely loved the world build of this story & it's pace. Having all of these ancient & mythological beings in modern day settings, completely out of step with our time, was horrifying, fascinating & heart breaking!😳😍😢 Pell was witty & her inner snark was strong, she was also kind of self righteous but I liked her strength, even when she was terrified.😂💪 Harpoc was frustrating, sexy & mysterious!😒💙🔥
I really can't wait for the next book because I'm dying to find out all of the things that were hinted at!💥🌟
Debbie, 1970, UK
July 1, 2020
Laura Thalassa and Sarah J. Maas are two of my all time fave authors, so I knew I was going to love this one before I had read a single line! Right from the start I fell in love with Pell, she is so brave but also vulnerable. Pell is clumsy and clever and snarky and shy. I love the banter between her and the sexy stranger who appears in her life and turns everything upside down. Empire of Ash is slow burn and I loved it - the relationship between Pell and the stranger (I am trying hard not to give away any spoilers) is so fun to read. I really loved that Pell was so tenacious and despite her many failures to get any information she can out of him she keeps on trying!
The pace of the story was perfect and the suspense of learning anything about the tight lipped stranger with odd eyes meant I just could not put this one down. I needed to know more, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series. I loved that the series was all about ancient mythology and that it was mixed in with the fact that Pell was an archaeologist.
As well as gifting us two amazing characters, we also get to learn a little about secret magic in this first book of the series, which sounds incredible - and I loved the way the creatures, including a sphinx and a harpy (among others) are trapped in the scrolls - I wonder what other mythological creatures we will get to see before the series is done.
An amazing first book in a series - I cannot wait to read more and follow Pell on what's sure to be an incredible adventure!
The pace of the story was perfect and the suspense of learning anything about the tight lipped stranger with odd eyes meant I just could not put this one down. I needed to know more, and I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book in the series. I loved that the series was all about ancient mythology and that it was mixed in with the fact that Pell was an archaeologist.
As well as gifting us two amazing characters, we also get to learn a little about secret magic in this first book of the series, which sounds incredible - and I loved the way the creatures, including a sphinx and a harpy (among others) are trapped in the scrolls - I wonder what other mythological creatures we will get to see before the series is done.
An amazing first book in a series - I cannot wait to read more and follow Pell on what's sure to be an incredible adventure!
June 16, 2020
Thank you to the author for providing me with an E-copy for an honest review.
One of the main reasons I requested this book was because I love archaeology and ancient history etc.
Although *extremely* YA - this book held my attention.
The characters were likeable and I enjoyed the story as a whole.
What is it about girls who fall for guys in leather jackets? The jacket alone would make me run for the hills. And, in typical YA fashion the MC is more fixated on how hot her potential attacker is rather than wondering how the fuck he appeared in a bunch of smoke.
From that point I knew what to expect from this book.
*But* it was a a fun read and I'll look out for more books from this author.
One of the main reasons I requested this book was because I love archaeology and ancient history etc.
Although *extremely* YA - this book held my attention.
The characters were likeable and I enjoyed the story as a whole.
What is it about girls who fall for guys in leather jackets? The jacket alone would make me run for the hills. And, in typical YA fashion the MC is more fixated on how hot her potential attacker is rather than wondering how the fuck he appeared in a bunch of smoke.
From that point I knew what to expect from this book.
*But* it was a a fun read and I'll look out for more books from this author.
June 21, 2020
Great story line, realistic female lead, and a mysterious male counterpart: this has all the makings of an epic series launcher. If I had to pick apart the pieces I didn't like, I would just be pointing out what was probably the author's intention all along: leaving too many unsolved mysteries and unanswered questions by the book's end!
At times, Pell's inner voice monologue gets to be a bit too much, and I feel it takes away from the relationship that builds between she and Harpoc. There are instances where we see her true feelings bubble beneath the surface, and as captivated readers, we are waiting anxiously for her to voice her thoughts aloud, but the 2nd inner voice then inconveniently steps in and seems to dull the mood and eventually quell those deep questions and considerations we so desperately need and want to come out in her conversations with Harpoc.
I am hoping that those minor issues will come to light later in this story as it unfolds, and I have faith that the character of Pell will grow exponentially by the end, as she has begun to show some character construction already...
AND I WANNA KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THOSE OTHER SECRETS, DAMMIT!!! 🤣
At times, Pell's inner voice monologue gets to be a bit too much, and I feel it takes away from the relationship that builds between she and Harpoc. There are instances where we see her true feelings bubble beneath the surface, and as captivated readers, we are waiting anxiously for her to voice her thoughts aloud, but the 2nd inner voice then inconveniently steps in and seems to dull the mood and eventually quell those deep questions and considerations we so desperately need and want to come out in her conversations with Harpoc.
I am hoping that those minor issues will come to light later in this story as it unfolds, and I have faith that the character of Pell will grow exponentially by the end, as she has begun to show some character construction already...
AND I WANNA KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THOSE OTHER SECRETS, DAMMIT!!! 🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2020
Gold eye, silver eye 💕
Amazing, well written, easy to read first book in the series, full of action, magic, romance and awesome MC, with a fantastic plot and great world building 🤩
Pell is an Archaeologist, who happens to discover "the find" of the century and the sudden appearance of a hot, sexy stranger, turns her world upside down, making her live the best adventure of her life 🤯😲🏃♂️🏃♀️🕵️♂️🕵️♀️
Chasing mythological beings across beautiful and ancient archaeological places, her trust and feelings for this mysterious man keep going deeper but, can she really trust him??? 🤔😥😩
This is the first book of this Author I have read and I absolutely loved it, can't wait for the next one to find out what's coming next for Pell and Harpoc 😍💖
Amazing, well written, easy to read first book in the series, full of action, magic, romance and awesome MC, with a fantastic plot and great world building 🤩
Pell is an Archaeologist, who happens to discover "the find" of the century and the sudden appearance of a hot, sexy stranger, turns her world upside down, making her live the best adventure of her life 🤯😲🏃♂️🏃♀️🕵️♂️🕵️♀️
Chasing mythological beings across beautiful and ancient archaeological places, her trust and feelings for this mysterious man keep going deeper but, can she really trust him??? 🤔😥😩
This is the first book of this Author I have read and I absolutely loved it, can't wait for the next one to find out what's coming next for Pell and Harpoc 😍💖
June 2, 2020
Empire of Ash: A Passionate Paranormal Romance with Young Adult Appeal (God of Secrets Book 1) by L. R. W. Lee is a awesome story that I have read. This is book number one in this awesome start to a brand new series written by a brand new author for me to read and I can not wait to read the next book in this awesome series. I highly recommend this story to everyone who loves reading about paranormal stories.
I received a free advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest & unbiased review
I received a free advance reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest & unbiased review
June 25, 2020
I've always been fascinated by ancient Egypt. In "Empire of Ash," you're transported with Pell into archeological finds and get to take a peek inside the excavations to see what mysteries lie within. Pell has a curious but determined personality and I felt she is easy to understand. Harpoc on the other hand is evasive yet protective. Charming yet complicated, and "really, really ridiculously good looking."*
With Pell, what you see is what you get...or is it?
I look forward to finding out in the next book what secrets Pell unknowingly holds.
*Cred to Zoolander.
With Pell, what you see is what you get...or is it?
I look forward to finding out in the next book what secrets Pell unknowingly holds.
*Cred to Zoolander.
May 28, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The humour is spread well throughout it’s pages, the characters are well sketched out and very believable. This is a wonderful book for anyone who enjoys exploring ancient mythology.
From the horrible begins she endured, Pell (Pellucid), with determination has become the co-supervisor on an archeological dig in Greece where she stumbles across ancient scrolls, meets the man whose eyes she has long dreamed of, and brings the Sphinx at the Louvre back to life. So begins the excitement of the book.
Do you want fun? It’s here. Travel? It’s found in these pages. Adventure? Absolutely! Romance? For sure. Oddballs. You bet!
This is one of the best most fun books I have read in a very long time and I highly recommend it.
From the horrible begins she endured, Pell (Pellucid), with determination has become the co-supervisor on an archeological dig in Greece where she stumbles across ancient scrolls, meets the man whose eyes she has long dreamed of, and brings the Sphinx at the Louvre back to life. So begins the excitement of the book.
Do you want fun? It’s here. Travel? It’s found in these pages. Adventure? Absolutely! Romance? For sure. Oddballs. You bet!
This is one of the best most fun books I have read in a very long time and I highly recommend it.
August 16, 2020
This excellent storyline is the start of a new series and impresses. There is a strong, yet vulnerable heroine who with the help of Mother Nature uncovers a marvelous archeological find. This book has a fast-pace, humor, magic, mystery, myth, and twists. I liked this read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
August 20, 2020Like all her books this one definitely did not disappoint. The story line was captivating. The struggles Pell experiences as an archeologist is stunning yet doesnt stop her, making her fight harder. The intense attraction with the mysterious savior is exciting. The adventures they experience trying to fix what has been done is riveting. I have been suffering an extremely painful headache for weeks and I still couldn't put this one down. I felt like something was missing when it ended. Thank goodness there's a book 2 coming out soon. As I anxiously wait for it....
February 6, 2021
I have Never read or listened to this author before, got the book on Audible and listened to it there. Narrator was Excellent and brought the storyline to life. I found this Author's sense of humor so good, just a hoot!! The inner monologue Pell has throughout the book made me laugh more times then I can say. Pell the Main Character is quite a Character and she has the same deep streak of Curiositie as myself which just made me laugh all the more.
Highly recommended this Story and really want to listen to the 2nd book in this Series.
Highly recommended this Story and really want to listen to the 2nd book in this Series.
June 1, 2020
A great read. Pell is a well written character that I fell in love with instantly. She handles herself no matter what happens and even when she is afraid. It is a good mix of mythology with a twist. I can't wait for the next book!
June 1, 2020
This book was thrilling, captivating and interesting. It keeps you captivated and wanting more every time. You never have time to drop the book down. The writing was easy and out going. The concept is really original and the way it has been executed is truly amazing. I really enjoyed reading it. It’s a great book for mythology and romance lovers.
June 5, 2020
Great start to a new series. It skillfully blends myths with a modern world and has enough action to keep you interested until the end. The main character is strong and won't let anything hold her back for long and I love her interactions with the other characters.
September 14, 2020
Pell is an archaeologist, who discovers the find of the century and unknowingly releases mythological beings. A mysterious man appears and informs her of what she has released and that he needs her help to take care of them.
This is an amazing, well written first book in this new series by L.R.W. Lee.
Empire of Ash is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I absolutely loved it!
This is an amazing, well written first book in this new series by L.R.W. Lee.
Empire of Ash is the first book that I’ve read by this author and I absolutely loved it!
February 13, 2021
Pellucid Rose is a devoted archaeologist on a dig in Greece, when she finds what appears to be an ancient antiquity. She excitedly translates the hieroglyphics and unleashes a sphinx onto the world. Black smoke surrounds her and a very handsome, mysterious man appears. He is a calming influence on Pell and he begins to tell his story. First, he informs Pell that, since she is responsible for the sphinx's release into the world, she's the one who has to recapture it and take it back where it belongs. It's a dangerous mission and Pell comes to understand that there are more secrets than she could ever expect. She still doesn't know who he is and gives him names like Mr. Cocky Pants, Crazy Guy, but it's really Harpoc and he's the god of secrets. As they travel around the globe, recovering and replacing secrets, there's an attraction brewing between Harpoc and Pell that is sweet and still mysterious. I got a little annoyed with Pell's inner voice, especially when she whined or shouted over Pell. And I didn't like the addition of the messed up world and the corrupt politicians. It came up at the beginning and it was still a major point at the end. I want to be immersed in a fantasy, especially one that is woven this well. Pell and Harpoc are wonderfully fleshed out and have personalities that jump off the page. They're secretive and and amusing as they confront enemies who seek to destroy the god of secrets' power.
Sarah Kisko does an excellent job with the narration. The voices are clear and dynamic as she brings each character to life!
Sarah Kisko does an excellent job with the narration. The voices are clear and dynamic as she brings each character to life!
August 17, 2020
I jumped at the chance to read an ARC of Empire of Ash and I am so thankful I did! I love YA/NA paranormal romance reads and this was a fresh storyline. I very much enjoyed the book and Pell was a great main character! I cannot wait for the rest of their series!
Pell is on an archeological dig when a small earthquake opens up a undiscovered room. The secrets she finds open her eyes to a whole new world of adventure... and a very handsome stranger.
It was a pleasure to read Empire of Ash and I look forward to reading more of the author’s works!
Pell is on an archeological dig when a small earthquake opens up a undiscovered room. The secrets she finds open her eyes to a whole new world of adventure... and a very handsome stranger.
It was a pleasure to read Empire of Ash and I look forward to reading more of the author’s works!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews