Kamryn Vale is a Dahnan witch who wants nothing more than to complete her studies in the World Between and return to her normal life. But when a sister-witch is murdered and another kidnapped, Kamryn discovers a dark magic so terrifying it threatens the safety of both her worlds. Driven by the need to help in the investigation, Kamryn must deal with the complications of working with the mysterious Watchtower Knights.
After two hundred years in exile, the Knights have been invited back to protect the Witches at the Collegium. They can't afford any mistakes, and Alex knows his attraction for the fire witch has trouble written all over it. With one eye on the investigation and the other on Kamryn, Alex must balance his obligation to duty with the needs of his heart.
Publisher: Momentum
Date Published: April
22, 2014
Genres: Fantasy, romance
This novel focuses on the Collegium that is located in the
World Between, a protected realm accessed only by magical doorways from Earth.
These doorways are controlled by the Primus, twelve senior Witches who rule
Sarras, a territory in the World Between.
The book begins with our heroine, Kamyrn Vale, a third year
fire Witch running from Sentinel Braddock. Fleeing from Braddock, Kam hides in
the only unlocked room in the hall and disturbs Alexander’s bath. I think you
can see where this is going! Alexander the Reckless is tall, gorgeous, nude and
a Watchtower knight.
The Watchtower knights were banned from the Collegium and
from interacting with the Dahnan Witches centuries ago but what the Witches at
the academy don’t know is why. A group of six knights were allowed in because
of a situation that both the Primus and Sentinels could not solve; the murder
of a student Witch and a missing second. This occurred even with the protection
surrounding the academy. Kam agrees to help the knights along with the help of
her Quatre, three other Witches gifted with water, air, and earth magic. A
Quatre is needed in order to keep the Witches balanced and to successfully use
magic in the World Between. Trying to find the missing Witch and to keep the seductive
Alex at arm’s length, Kam has a lot on her plate and I truly enjoyed her trek.
I read mainly adult fiction and I felt as if the writing in
this story was more of a young adult style. The pace was good and the universe
was interesting as it was set on Earth, but there was a whole other magical
plane that the academy was on. Although, the collegium was the focal point, everything
else felt unfinished to me. Other areas in the Sarras territory, like other
towns and the Watchtower wasn’t incorporated in this first book, but I hope to see
it in the succeeding novels.
One thing for certain was that I had a hard time connecting
with Alex. He was chivalrous, honourable, and courageous and had a sense of
humour. I liked his character, don’t get me wrong, but it seemed very
superficial. I didn’t know him well enough to really invest in him. Maybe revealing
his past might have secured a deeper connection to the reader. I would truly
like to have known how he died because apparently you can only become a
Watchtower knight if you die protecting a Witch. I also was wondering if the
knights retain their memories of their previous lives.
Kamryn’s character was passionate with a smart mouth and
seemed to get into trouble a lot. I would have expected her to be more
temperamental and quick to anger because she controlled the fire element. Yes,
she was feisty but she didn’t have that explosive personality I assumed she
would have. Kam and Alex had more of an insta-love than a slow development, but
it worked okay. I enjoyed the personalities of the other three Quatre more so
than Kamryn and I can’t wait to read their adventures.
There were a lot of question left unanswered, but this is just
the beginning to a great series. I sincerely recommend this to anyone who enjoys
fantasy and romance.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
