The Perilous Prophecy of Guard and Goddess by Leanna Renee Hieber

From Goodreads:

The Goddess: In the beginning, there were lovers: a winged deity of power and light, and a queen of grace and beauty. Phoenix was murdered, his beloved stolen away to the Whisper-world. But their passion inspired the Muses. Through great sacrifice, it could live again.  

The Guard: There are always six, mortal hosts for the divine. Battling spirits through the ages, they defy Darkness, Lord of the Dead. In 1867, a shadow rises. The tide turns against them, and all hope falls on a child of prophecy, an eerie, snow-white girl yet to be born. But her path must be cleared. A Great War is coming, and song, wind and stars whisper that the eighteen-year-old Beatrice Smith must give everything to prepare.

 Even though this is actually listed as #3 in the Strangely Beautiful tales, the story is a prequel to the first 2 books, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker and The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker (Strangely Beautiful). I reviewed both of them HERE. In a strange way, I do think it was appropriate to list it as #3 rather than .5 or such because the story makes more sense if you have read the first 2 books prior. Having said that, I must admit that I did not enjoy this book as I did the first two.

For me, the story was a bit all over the place and I had a hard time connecting to the characters. I didn't care for the goddess at all and found her to be flighty and selfish. I also did not connect to the Cairo guard, which is the guard prior to Alexi's group, until the very end.

The story felt uneven to me and my interest would pick up and wane as the story was told. It was as if too much wanted to be told in this book and it would have been better to concentrate on one story. Too much importance was equally placed on the goddess's relationship and the guard's relationships and nothing really stood out. The composition of how things were placed just didn't work for me. I would have enjoyed it more as a prequel to have concentrated on Persephone and the Phoenix's relationship and how darkness tried to ruin them. Perhaps even leading to her mortal birth, but still be the main focus to this book.

I give this book 2 1/2 stars. I just didn't love this book as I did the first 2. Those I recommend highly as I loved both books. In fact, the kindle version of The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parkeris only $2.99. I believe it is a part of the summer sale.


I received this eARC from NetGalley and DP. No compensation was given.

The Strangely Beautiful Saga by Leanna Renee Hieber

Leanna Renee Hieber as Persephone Parker

From Goodreads: What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Hidden in the dark heart of Victorian London, the Romanesque school was dreadfully imposing, a veritable fortress, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met its powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadows, of the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She saw simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gift. This arched stone doorway was a portal to a new life, to an education far from what could be had at a convent-and it was an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death...

This first book in the series had me captured pretty quickly. You can tell that Leanna Hieber has done her homework as the book really does capture the essence of those 18th century romantic novels. In fact the prose was quite poetic. She was also able to fully introduce the paranormal aspects within the book while keeping to the time period. Persephone Parker is true to her name and what happens within the book keeps pretty true to the mythical story. There are a few twists and turns within to make it it's own mythology to be explored and learned, but just enough left over to keep it honest. Alexi makes a great counterpart for Percy. I love that you also get to see a bit into his heart in this voyage as well. The other characters consisting of the guard do not play a big role within this book, but yet they play an important one. I knew they would play a bigger part as the saga moves on in the stories. 

I give this book 5 stars and really don't want to say much more about the book. Reading it is it's own reward! Those looking for a true romance really need to look no further and pick up this book. Those looking for a great PNR also need to look no further. This one is it. It is full of romance of a time gone by with lots of mystery in the paranormal added to it. 

What is great is at this time Barnes and Noble have the ebook for FREE! Either go to the site and click on free ebooks area or just click HERE.

From Goodreads: With radiant, snow white skin and hair, Percy Parker was a beacon for Fate. True love had found her, in the tempestuous form of Professor Alexi Rychman. But her mythic destiny was not complete. Accompanying the ghosts with which she alone could converse, new and terrifying omens loomed. A war was coming, a desperate ploy of a spectral host. Victorian London would be overrun. Yet, Percy kept faith. Within the mighty bastion of Athens Academy, alongside The Guard whose magic shielded mortals from the agents of the Underworld, she counted herself among friends. Wreathed in hallowed fire, they would stand together, no matter what dreams or nightmares—may come. 

This book is the second in the series. And so, when the first one ended, I knew I'd want to read more, so I had already purchased this book and I started it immediately! This is also why I decided to review them together.


If the talk of war in the first book made you think, "that was it?" then you know you are in for a huge ride with this book. In this one you also get to meet more of the guard in a more personal way and also see what is in their hearts they so badly hide from one another. The question with these little secrets becomes is this what can tear them apart? Can this be a betrayal not only of the heart, but of the guard or even Percy? 


You also get more romance with Percy and Alexi. Lot more of Alexi's Darcy-esque manner and steamy looks he only gives Percy. Not to mention you get a little more action than you would have in those 18th century novels. ;) They do explore their relationship and what her past and his possession means to one another. I felt it was dealt with in a very adult manner which I enjoyed. All of these characterizations are important in understanding how the Guard and Percy stand a chance to beat Darkness. The question remains. Are they able to see past their own mortal hearts? Are they able to stay true to one another? Can they stand a chance against Darkness? Guess you'll have to read the book to find out.


I give this book 4 stars. It is a great companion to the first and really finishes up aspects of the first book that might have lingered. Leanna Renee Hieber has really made a great saga with these books alone. I do so hope you get a chance to read them.

Also, I came across this video interview of the author. I thought you'd enjoy. You can also find her on her web site and on twitter. The first book has also been optioned to be a part of a musical theater production! 

The Twisted Tragedy of Miss Natalie Stewart (Magic Most Foul #2) by Leanna Renee Hieber

Series: Magic Most Foul #2
336p.
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Available Now
Source: TBR pile

I'm coming for you. 

The whispers haunt her dreams and fill her waking hours with dread. Something odd is happening. Something...unnatural. 

Possession of the living. Resurrection of the dead. And Natalie Stewart is caught right in the middle. Jonathon, the one person she thought she could trust, has become a double agent for the dark side. But he plays the part so well, Natalie has to wonder just how much he's really acting. 

She can't even see what it is she's fighting. But the cost of losing her heart, her sanity...her soul.

My thoughts:
As the first book hinged around the Portrait of Dorian Gray,  this one also revolves around another horror tale, but to a much less degree. Still, the nod to the other horror book is unmistakeable. Not sure if I should share what story it revolves around because I'm not sure if it would be seen as a spoiler, but it is obvious within the book.

This book picks up where the last left off so I would say that you should read these books in order. I figured it would build upon the first book in the same way her other series, Strangely Beautiful, had done. I have to say that I enjoyed this one as much as I did the first. I do like this author's gothic romances. It is as dark as the first tale and still leaves you with questions in the end. No cliffies, but just knowing there is a continuation of the tale and an unfolding of the mystery of "The Society". A group of either people or demons with a horrifying agenda.

We also get introduced to more secondary characters in this book, Rev. Blessing and Rachel. Both unique in their own way and quite compelling as well. They are great compliments to our already known secondary characters whom we met in the first book. There is also a couple of hounds (greyhounds) we are briefly introduced but are based on real characters rescued by a friend of the author. Yea, I know... but I'm a sucker for a good dog character. LOL

I give this book 4 stars. If you like gothic tales based loosely on horror books (it's not too horrifying... I'm a wimp and had no problems), then I suggest this series. I'm curious as to what the next book aludes to in the horror genre.