Book Review: BloodLust

• Book Blurb

  First a slave, then a conscript, she’s always been at the mercy of monsters. When she’s offered a chance to unsheathe her claws, will death spill out?

  Sal Luxx is desperate to prove her kind are more than beasts. Born a second-class citizen in a world ruled by humans, the hardheaded pure-bred iliri has had subservience beaten into her veins. But her waning hope for freedom surges when she is given a pass to the trials for an elite military unit… and unleashes her inner predator.

  After Sal’s interaction with her new brothers-in-arms triggers strange mental powers, the knowledge her abusers have kept from her drives a growing rage. Yet even as she struggles to smother her rising berserker instincts, she’s undermined by the irresistible urge to claim a mate.

  Will Sal’s untamable nature spawn a rebellion or a massacre?

  BloodLust is the darkly intense first book in the Rise of the Iliri epic science fantasy series. If you like fierce female leads, shocking secrets, and scenes of primal passion, then you’ll love Auryn Hadley’s sharp-edged adventure.

  Buy BloodLust to declare dominance over despots today!

  Like all the books in the Rise of the Iliri series, this is a complete epic science-fantasy novel, without a cliffhanger. The female lead has multiple consensual romantic relationships as well as fulfilling friendships that matter to the storyline.

  Because the iliri have insatiable and exotic sexual instincts, it may be unsuitable for humans under 18. Due to the subject matter of this series, be aware of triggers for racial injustice, persecution, and various forms of discrimination. Like with many complex stories, things do not start out in a happy place.

  First a slave, then a conscript, she’s always been at the mercy of monsters. When she’s offered a chance to unsheathe her claws, will death spill out?

  Sal Luxx is desperate to prove her kind are more than beasts. Born a second-class citizen in a world ruled by humans, the hardheaded pure-bred iliri has had subservience beaten into her veins. But her waning hope for freedom surges when she is given a pass to the trials for an elite military unit… and unleashes her inner predator.

  After Sal’s interaction with her new brothers-in-arms triggers strange mental powers, the knowledge her abusers have kept from her drives a growing rage. Yet even as she struggles to smother her rising berserker instincts, she’s undermined by the irresistible urge to claim a mate.

  Will Sal’s untamable nature spawn a rebellion or a massacre?

  BloodLust is the darkly intense first book in the Rise of the Iliri epic science fantasy series. If you like fierce female leads, shocking secrets, and scenes of primal passion, then you’ll love Auryn Hadley’s sharp-edged adventure.

  Buy BloodLust to declare dominance over despots today!

  Like all the books in the Rise of the Iliri series, this is a complete epic science-fantasy novel, without a cliffhanger. The female lead has multiple consensual romantic relationships as well as fulfilling friendships that matter to the storyline.

  Because the iliri have insatiable and exotic sexual instincts, it may be unsuitable for humans under 18. Due to the subject matter of this series, be aware of triggers for racial injustice, persecution, and various forms of discrimination. Like with many complex stories, things do not start out in a happy place.

• My review

  What an excellent start to this series. Honestly, it wasn’t what I expected at all—and that’s a good thing.

  I went in thinking it would be more romance-heavy (something along the lines of Venemous), but the blurb makes it clear: this is epic science fantasy, and romance is more of a slow burn throughout the series. That’s my only “critique”—I always want more romance, but I’m greedy like that. Aside from that? Perfection.

  This book introduces us to Sal, one of the most memorable heroines I’ve ever read in epic fantasy sci-fi. She’s an iliri—resilient, insecure, and incredibly strong. I love how she constantly wrestles with her instincts, and how she is the alien surrounded by humans (a refreshing flip from the usual trope where the FMC is human and the love interests are aliens).

  Her “brothers-in-arms” are all distinct and well-developed. The reverse harem romance doesn’t truly begin here—this book lays the groundwork. The harem grows gradually across the series, and you’ll be surprised who ends up in it.

  One thing to note: the iliri are aliens, and their sex lives reflect that. The intimate scenes are sometimes bloody (Iliri like to bite).

  Also, because this book deals with slavery, war, and persecution, there are plenty of content warnings you’ll want to check if you’re sensitive to those topics.

  What an excellent start to this series. Honestly, it wasn’t what I expected at all—and that’s a good thing.

  I went in thinking it would be more romance-heavy (something along the lines of Venemous), but the blurb makes it clear: this is epic science fantasy, and romance is more of a slow burn throughout the series. That’s my only “critique”—I always want more romance, but I’m greedy like that. Aside from that? Perfection.

  This book introduces us to Sal, one of the most memorable heroines I’ve ever read in epic fantasy sci-fi. She’s an iliri—resilient, insecure, and incredibly strong. I love how she constantly wrestles with her instincts, and how she is the alien surrounded by humans (a refreshing flip from the usual trope where the FMC is human and the love interests are aliens).

  Her “brothers-in-arms” are all distinct and well-developed. The reverse harem romance doesn’t truly begin here—this book lays the groundwork. The harem grows gradually across the series, and you’ll be surprised who ends up in it.

  One thing to note: the iliri are aliens, and their sex lives reflect that. The intimate scenes are sometimes bloody (Iliri like to bite).

  Also, because this book deals with slavery, war, and persecution, there are plenty of content warnings you’ll want to check if you’re sensitive to those topics.

Character & romance details

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