{Book Review} Astarte’s Wrath by Trisha Wolfe

Author: Trisha Wolfe

Genre: Upper YA/NA Egyptian mythology, paranormal
Published: March 2nd 2013
Publisher:
Pages: 215
Source: ARC from author

Goodreads Summary:

A tragic love story.

Two thousand years before Dez Harkly developed her secret powers, Guardian Astarte was vowed to protect by the binds enslaving her to the Egyptian pharaohs. Discover the prophecy that originated from a very different time, and spans generations to link two very different girls.

This is the beginning.

Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Actium, in the city of Alexandria, Star struggles with her guardian duties as her feelings for the newly named pharaoh of Egypt grow deeper. Not only is Caesarion her duty, he’s the son of Cleopatra, and he’s human. All of which makes their love forbidden.

But when a conspiracy linked to Caesar creeps into Alexandria, Star must choose between helping her fellow Kythan free themselves of their servitude, and protecting her charge—the last pharaoh—while Egypt burns around her.

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My Rating of this Book – 5 out of 5 stars

My Review:

I’ve been so excited for Astarte’s Wrath’s release since… ah, I think it’s actually been more than a year ago when Trisha Wolfe first mentioned her concept to me. And now, it’s finally here!!!! Yay!!!! *Happy Dance.* This is such an amazing book! I’m so honored that I got the chance to read this ARC and had the opportunity to absolutely fall in love with it!

Now, I’ll admit, the first chapter, I was a bit lost. Starting with such intense action, I just couldn’t follow what was going on or why a battle was taking place. I didn’t have any background to go off of. I didn’t know Star’s purpose or her role in the fight. And some of the description was kind of confusing. Fortunately, as I settled into the plot and read a little further, I began to understand more what had happened, and learned more about the Guardians and their role as slaves and solders.

Honestly, this novel is INTENSE, which I really enjoyed! It kept me engaged, blending amazing battle senses, unexpected betrayal, and forbidden romance.  But I have to say, what I fancied the most about Astarte’s Wrath was the cast of characters. Star was an amazing lead! She’s tough. She’s smart. She secretly has a soft side. I loved the way she was written. I just wish the novel was a little clearer on her transformation. I couldn’t quite picture her in her Shythe form.

I also was enchanted by Xarion. He’s humorous, charming, loyal… I especially loved the bath scene – Mmm, steamy!! However, the guy I was crunching on throughout the novel was, actually, Phoenix. He’s a bit more of a bad boy than Xarion, which I’m totally attracted to. And I admired his friendship with Star. How they could tease each other and still be totally honest. It was perfect chemistry!

Finally, I have to give Trisha Wolfe special props for having done such an amazing job bringing the ancient Egyptian city, Alexandra, and its diverse culture back to life. I actually felt I was living in that time period, walking amongst the Egyptian people and merchants. I felt I could touch the stone walls of the city and be a part of the celebrations. It was beautiful!

To sum it up, Astarte’s Wrath is simply thrilling!! It was wonderful. It was romantic. It was heart-breaking… I just couldn’t put this book down, and I would highly recommend adding it to your TBR list.

***Ketch’s Book Nook’s Choice Theme Song for Astarte’s Wrath***

***Sneak Peek: Bath Scene from Xarion’s POV***

Star narrows her eyes at me, her full, bottom lip puckering out the way it does when she’s in serious thought—and though I’m listening to her words, all I want to do is trap that bottom lip between my teeth. Nip it and caress it with my tongue.

“I knew you’d say that,” she says. “And that is precisely why I didn’t want you to know.” She raises her hand from my chest and swipes the wet hair from my forehead. Her body subtly moves against me with this action, and it drives me wild. “A possible retaliation by the guardians is just one more weighted burden on top of the many you already carry. You don’t need the added strain. Let me deal with Candra and the Kythan. They’re my kindred. As long as I’m their equal—in both power and status—I can protect you.”

This woman—the woman I’ve loved my entire life—is my protector. She not only guards against physical threats, but watches over my mental wellbeing. But I cannot allow her to carry all my problems alone anymore. I want to be her guardian, to be the one to comfort her when she’s fearful, and protect her against this world.

I tilt my head and suck in a deep breath. “This is why you won’t be with me.” I want her to admit it. If she finally confesses that our titles and her battle with the right course of action have been the only reasons for her kept affections, then by Gods…help me from laying her out on this tile and taking her—making her mine. I won’t stop.

She nods.

“This is the only reason.” She nods again, and that is all the conformation I need. “Then I refuse to let them keep us apart for one more moment.” I grasp her face between my hands and claim her lips with mine.

Her lips are soft and warm as I achingly coax them into a fevered kiss, unable to hold back my desire for her. I had planned for our first kiss many times, imagined it over and over. The way I would caress her lips slowly and lovingly, conveying my affections. But every emotion I have ever felt for Star rushes to the surface all at once, and I can’t slow. I won’t. I won’t allow her a moment to question our actions, to reconsider us. I’m going to kiss her senseless—kiss the reason right out of her infuriatingly rational head…

For the full scene release of the “Bath Scene” on Trisha’s blog, help Trisha and the Tuff Girl Legion get to 50 reviews on Amazon! You can bookmark the bonus material here!

***Giveaway***

Author Trisha Wolfe is giving away $10 Amazon Gift Card or PayPal Cash and Signed Bookmarks!!! To Enter, Click Here -> a Rafflecopter giveaway

Trisha Wolfe is the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY’S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), the NA Historical/Supernatural ASTARTE’S WRATH, and the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD from Spencer Hill Press, October 2013. Her NA Dark Fantasy OF SILVER AND BEASTS available May 2013.

She’s the creator of YA Bound, a promotional site for the Young Adult genre. Also a member of SCWW and The Apocalypsies. Check out www.TrishaWolfe.com for more on her books and bonus material. Follow Trisha on Twitter @TrishWolfe and like her Facebook page for updates.