Elaine White's Life in Books

The Author

 

 

Elaine White is the author of multi-genre MM romance, celebrating 'love is love' and offering diversity in both genre and character within her stories.

Growing up in a small town and fighting cancer in her early teens taught her that life is short and dreams should be pursued. She lives vicariously through her independent, and often hellion characters, exploring all possibilities within the romantic universe.

The Winner of two Watty Awards – Collector's Dream (An Unpredictable Life) and Hidden Gem (Faithfully) – and an Honourable Mention in 2016's Rainbow Awards (A Royal Craving) Elaine is a self-professed geek, reading addict, and a romantic at heart.

 

The Reviewer

 

I’m an author and reader, who just can’t get away from books. I discovered the MM genre a few years ago and became addicted.

Top #50 UK reviewer on Goodreads
#1 reviewer on Divine Magazine

The Heretic Priest (The Age of Waking Death, #2) - C.N. Faust

Book – The Heretic Priest (Book 2, Age of Waking Death)
Author – C.N. Faust
Star rating – ★★★★★
Would I read it again – Yes
Plot – very intriguing, brilliantly done, darker than 1st book
Characters – still lovable, still dangerous, still well done.
Movie Potential – ★★★★★
Ease of reading – Very easy to read.

 

**I WAS GIVEN THIS BOOK, BY THE AUTHOR, IN RETURN FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**

 

Again, this book has an amazing front cover on it. The artwork really gives the atmosphere and mood of the book before you even open up the cover. Second and third books are always favourites of mine, because now that (as a reader) I know the characters and their parts, the story progresses faster and you can come to expect certain reactions from them. This one was exactly the same. I actually found myself frowning in confusion when a new character was mentioned because I was so into the story by that point, that I wondered if I’d mis-read it or just forgotten who this person was. Turns out, I was happily surprised to find that it was a new character and that they were going to be a very intriguing one at that.

 

This book didn’t disappoint in any way, following from the first. I continued the story well, keeping the intrigue and mystery from Book 1 and highlighting it with darker actions. There were parts of the book where things happened that I’d been hoping for, but not sure if they would happen, and things that completely took me by surprise.

 

Again, the medieval torture descriptions were a combination between gross and fantastic. I’m not entirely squeamish when it comes to books; films are different; but this one had me squirming. Which is great, because I want to be so involved that I forget it’s not real. This series does that to me.

 

The romance in this book was great too. However brief it was, I loved that Meridith got a little romance in, just because the party was ruined by ‘the intruder’ (No spoilers now) I did, however, have a terrible feeling that Nisroch would try to seduce Felix. I won’t say now, whether he does or not, but I have always felt, from even before they got together, that Felix and Pharun were meant to be. I’ll leave it up to anyone who reads to book to find out whether they are or not.

 

Unsurprisingly, I am still as in love with Pharun as I was in the first book. This shocked me a little, because I don’t usually connect with the brutal, promiscuous characters, especially if they are/or are bordering on sadistic. But Pharun does something to me that I will never explain. Probably what he does to Felix. He’s the most complex character, without the writer ever really having to put that across directly. He feels, he loves, he uses people, he’s bored, he’s smart, he’s cunning…there are a million reasons to love him. Anyone who reads this book and doesn’t connect with Pharun, or Felix, at the very least, doesn’t have their head screwed on straight. They are fantastic characters.

 

I will say, without giving anything away, that I was somewhat shocked by Felix’s father. I always knew Felix was important, but I never truly grasped that fact until his father was revealed to him. I do like the explanation of why he is who he is. It makes perfect sense considering who says it. (I know, cryptic!) Admittedly, though, once I knew, I realised that Pharun had been telling us in hints all along. He wanted Felix to know who his real father was, but he either didn’t want to push Felix into discovering the truth and taking away his free will, or else he just loved him too much to admit it and give him any doubts. Either way it just shows how much Pharun cares for him.

 

The one thing I really did smile at, was that somehow, no matter what, everyone always ends up at Mahlii’s door at some point or another. Pharun’s little visit was not a surprise at all, considering his character, but it was fun to see how different Mahlii was with him. I will say that I was surprised that the Mahtrador’s always ended up at his temple, even though they all hate him and are freaked out by him. It just shows how much power he truly has; or they all think he has.

 

I am very intrigued to see how Book 3 will progress. To be honest, I’m not sure if it is the last of the series or not, but I wish it wasn’t. This is a series that I could read a good 20+ books on and never get bored of it once.

 

I’m looking forward to finding out what happens to Shrukian, and Olympia (I will never look at riding crops the same way again!) and to see how Pharun and Felix get on in the next book. It’s going to be an interesting ride, no matter what happens. And you can bet I’ll be there to see it through.