Vices & Virtues
by Alexis L. Menard
Blurb:
The Cycle always repeats itself. Why would this one have a different ending?
The Past: Osric Hale lives, steals, and commits all his vices under the ruthless sun of Sol-Trabes. After completing corrupted contracts for good coin, he’s almost saved enough to pay for a new life somewhere else. When his last job goes wrong, he’s tasked with finding a missing Divine with a woman who hates him—or face eternity in a crypt. Everything changes when the job for a lifetime ends in the death of the Sun King. Osric loses his life, the woman he loves, and from his failure, the realm is left stuck in Night.
The Present: Desiree Darrow needs to end the Eternal Night to stop her sister from dying under service to the Night Queen. But to do this, she needs the help of a man who died over a hundred years ago. As a Soul Summoner, she raises Osric Hale from the dead to help her find the Sun King, set his soul free, and restart the Cycle. But old betrayals and secrets are resurrected with him, challenging the path ahead.
As the past and present converge, Des discovers a centuries-old connection between her and Osric, and an ancient evil that has endured just as long. The past repeats itself, but the Cycle must be broken. Desiree and Osric will have to face their greatest sacrifice yet to bring back the Sun.
My Review:
Some authors just know how to pull you into their worlds, and
this one did it again!
This standalone romantasy was such a beautiful mix of magic,
mystery, heartbreak, and a love story that refuses to die. Told across two
timelines, we slowly uncover the tragedy surrounding the death of the Sun King
while watching two stories unfold and connect in ways I never expected.
Desiree and Marsal were fantastic heroines, both strong and
determined in their own ways, but Osric was easily one of my favorite parts.
His personality brought so much life to the story, and I loved discovering more
about him as the pages went on.
This isn't necessarily a book you can breeze through without
paying attention. There is a lot happening, and I occasionally found myself
needing to refocus. Still, the story always managed to pull me right back in.
The twists kept me guessing, and the conclusion felt beautifully suited to the
characters and the world.
And the romance? Absolutely swoon worthy and heartbreaking! A
necromancer, a soulmate brought back from the dead, and a love that has been
tested across countless lifetimes. Add in gods determined to interfere, and you
have a recipe for an emotional roller coaster.
If you love fated love, reincarnation, impossible odds, and
romances filled with endless longing, put this one on your list.
Beautifully atmospheric, deeply emotional, and full of magic. I closed this book with a full heart and absolutely no regrets. Highly recommend!
