Monstrum: Review

Monstrum
by Kat Ross
(Fourth Talisman, #3)
350 pages
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Publication date: June 15th 2018
Genres: Adult, Fantasy

Loved It

Synopsis:

Content Rating: Adult content including sex and violence (although not graphic in nature except for one scene of royal succession.) Contains LGBT content.

Fourth Talisman series, the hunt is on for the three daevas whose powers saved the world once before….

On the White Sea, realm of smashers and sea monsters, a ship is carrying Nazafareen and Darius to the Isles of the Marakai, where the wise woman Sakhet-ra-katme has guarded the secret of the talismans for centuries. But another is searching too, a daeva born in the brutal prison of the Kiln, who plans to use the talismans to free the Vatras and their mad king. When their paths collide at the emperor’s lavish palace in Tjanjin, Nazafareen and Darius face their deadliest and most cunning foe yet.

In the mountain fastness of Val Moraine, the Pythia’s minions are on the scent of another talisman, this one from the Danai clan. Trapped behind a thick wall of ice, everyone’s going slightly mad—the perfect cauldron of suspicion and betrayal for Thena, who sees a chance to redeem her failure and bring the talisman back to Delphi. Then she’ll be free to indulge her twisted obsession with Darius—and make him pay.

And in Samarqand, Javid is drawn into the treacherous currents of a royal succession. When the old king dies and his son takes the throne, the depths of the prince’s depravity become clear. A journey north reveals the source of the spell dust he’s addicted to—and leaves Javid with an impossible choice.

Review:

• I received this book free though Xpresso Book Tours.

See my reviews of Nocturne (Fourth Talisman, #1) and  Solis (Fourth Talisman #2). It’s very hard to review the third book out of a four book series (at least I assume it’s four books. The forth book Nemsis has been announced.)

By this time I am super deeply invested in these characters. I’ve been with Nazafareen and Darius since the beginning. Although you don’t have to read their first series, The Fourth Element Trilogy, it does add emotional weight to the Forth Talisman (and it’s EXCELLENT!)

By this time in the series I’m an emotional wreck because THINGS ARE NOT WORKING OUT! The Pythia and her lackey Thena are ruining everything and Nicodemus is running amok and Victor is going crazy and things are FALLING APART at Val Moraine!!! Ok, Ok… back up.

You probably have no idea what I’m blabbing on about if you haven’t read the first books. Which is what makes this so hard, it’s not a stand alone novel. The story is so big and complicated at this point that its almost impossible to wrap it up neatly for you( and it is most definitely not wrapped up neatly by the end of Monstrum although there is a clear course for our characters to follow.)

The world building and character development are great. It’s why I feel so invested in this series. Every character is well thought out and complex. Even minor characters feel lived in.

The world of Nocturne/Solis is mysterious and familiar, the mythology so well done and the locations are amazing without having to take too much time away from the action.

The plot is complex and rich, every turn is filled with either action, love, or lies.

The Forth Talisman series is excellent in nearly every way and Monstrum is no exception.

It was a book I couldn’t wait to finish and yet dreaded to finish because I know that I there’ll be looong wait for the conclusion of the story. I just couldn’t bear to say goodbye to these characters, leaving them when there was still so much happening.

Bottom Line:

Kat Ross writes binge worthy fantasy stories. Get Nocturne and Solis and Monstrum, lock yourself away somewhere with lots of snacks and read them!

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