This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
About The Book
New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter begins a dark, sexy new series–Rise of the Warlords–with a fan favorite character from her beloved Lords of the Underworld series, Taliyah Skyhawk. The ice maiden faces off with her greatest enemy, a villain brutal beyond imagining.
For centuries, Taliyah Skyhawk has prepared to become Harpy General, leader of the deadliest female army in existence. One of the requirements? Remain a virgin. But, for a chance to save her people, she must wed the fearless leader of the Astra Planeta, Alaroc Phaethon.
The time has come for Roc to sacrifice another virgin bride to his god. There has never been a woman alluring enough to tempt him from his path. No warrioress powerful enough to overcome his incredible strength. No enchantress desirable enough to make him burn beyond reason. Until now.
With the clock ticking, war between husband and wife ignites. Except Taliyah never expected the merciless king to challenge the future she once envisioned. She certainly never anticipated the thrill of their battles turning into games… The problem is, only one spouse can survive.
Love is a battlefield in Showalter’s The Warlord.
My Review
First Impressions
The Warlord is the first book in the ‘Rise of the Warlords” series. And this book kicks off with spicy and thrilling action and a theme of forbidden love at times. This book was intense and action packed and it really pulls you into the story right away. Gena Showalter adds her own intense flair to the story and only Gena Showalter could really make this one work so well. She definitely adds the right balance to this kick ass romance that just impressed me so much and is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. (I know we are only in the second week of the year, but this one just checked off all the boxes for me).
Main Protagonists
The Hero: Alaroc ‘Roc’ Phaethon
-Alpha
-Warlord
-Fulfills His Duty
-Almost indestructible
-Royalty
The Heroine: Taliyah Skyhawk
-Harpy
-General
-Kick Ass
-Virgin
-Sacrificed
-Sassy
Summary
Taliyah has been preparing to be the Harpy General all of her life and she also has become a fierce warrior for her people. Ever since she was sacrificed, she knew her duty and obligations and now she will need to marry the warlord, Alaroc Phaethon. Alaroc in order to receive what he needs for his people, will need to marry a virgin bride that will be sacrificed in thirty days. From the moment of their marriage, Taliyah and Alaroc have been at each other’s throats while at the same time a fiery passion has been slowly building between them. As their desire ignites so does a fierce love, but who will win in the end of their never ending battle? Will love be lost or conquer in the end? 3
My Outlook
There is such a brilliance to the writing style of this one. I absolutely couldn’t get enough of this one. Its also one of the best enemies to lovers romances I have ever read. It just worked so well for me, and I am SUPER picky about this trope but it just really worked. It was so interesting seeing these two come together. Gena Showalter really built their sexual tension so well. There is lots of great smexy times in this one, so fair warning if that isn’t your cuppa tea. I really adored how she implemented the spice within their relationship. Its where we see other forms of intimacy begin to grow between Alaroc and Taliyah. There is also this great sense of forbidden for them to love each other especially when Taliyah is trying to kill her husband, and Alaroc having to sacrifice her in 30 days. The tension was brilliantly mastered, and the plot was well built with just the right touch of edgyness and a bit of playfulness to make it work. The world building was so well done and I was so drawn into this world that the author creates for her readers.
Overall View
I found the Warlord to be a wonderful read that captures your attention from the beginning, it builds into a tremendous crescendo of passion, zest and thrills to touch the reader deeply!
Book Details
Title: The Warlord
Author: Gena Showalter
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Audiobook
Source: Library
Length: 11 Hours and 53 Mins
About the Narrators
Narrator: Max Bellmore
No Bio Available
Book Links
Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Kobo| Goodreads| LibraryThing| Storygraph| Literal Club| Audible| Anyplay
Book Evaluation
Storytelling Quality: 5
Story Itself: 5
Character Development: 5
Writing Style: 5
World Building 5
Feels + The Romantic Heart 5
Pacing 5
Plot 5
Narration= 5
Cover Art 5
Ending 5
Book Ratings
Rating of the Book
Steam Level
Simmering cup of tea—soft warm touches and light intimacy
Warmin’ by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.
Steamin’ up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.
Blazing fire to the building-The prime focus is the sex scenes, scorching hot, and could burn one. Less focus on the emotional intimacy to the relationship.
Series Order
Rise of the Warlords
The Warlord-Pub 2021 #1 in the Series
The Immortal-Pub 2022 #2 in the Series
The Phantom-Pub 2023 #3 in the Series
About The Author
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.
Gena Showalter is one of those authors that I see everywhere but have never tried. This one sounds like a great start to the spin-off series!
It’s been a while since I read one of her books but I have enjoyed her in the past and this sounds like another one that I would like.
This is one of those authors that I have always wanted to read but just haven’t for one reason or another. This sounds really good!
I am curious about this author books, but never had the chance to read one. This sounds thrilling.
I love that with your review, you included a steam rating. That’s so clever! There are some elements to this book that intrigues me, despite it not being the typical kind of novel I’d pick up. I like the concept a lot!
I still need to finish up the last few books of her Lords of the Underworld series. I’ve always thought she did a good enemies to lovers. Yay for the heroine being one of her harpies.
I haven’t read a book by this author before. This definitely sounds like a great one. I’m putting it on my wish list.
Great review.