Name: The Warlord
ISBN: 9781335926661

Gena Showalter

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter begins a dark, sexy new series--Rise of the Warlords--with a fan-favorite character from her beloved Lords of the Underworld series, Taliyah Skyhawk. The ice maiden faces off with her greatest enemy, a villain brutal beyond imagining. For centuries, Taliyah Skyhawk has prepared to become Harpy General, leader of the deadliest female army in existence. One of the requirements? Remain a virgin. But, for a chance to save her people, she must wed the fearless leader of the Astra Planeta, Alaroc Phaethon. The time has come for Roc to sacrifice another virgin bride to his god. There has never been a woman alluring enough to tempt him from his path. No warrioress powerful enough to overcome his incredible strength. No enchantress desirable enough to make him burn beyond reason. Until now. With the clock ticking, war between husband and wife ignites. Except Taliyah never expected the merciless king to challenge the future she once envisioned. She certainly never anticipated the thrill of their battles turning into games... The problem is, only one spouse can survive. Love is a battlefield in Showalter's The Warlord. Rise of the Warlords Book 1: The Warlord

The Warlord

Alejandra 

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter begins a dark, sexy new series—Rise of the Warlords—with a fan-favorite character from her beloved Lords of the Underworld series, Taliyah Skyhawk. The ice maiden faces off with her greatest enemy, a villain brutal beyond imagining. For centuries, Taliyah Skyhawk has prepared to become Harpy General, leader of the deadliest female army in existence. One of the requirements? Remain a virgin. But, for a chance to save her people, she must wed the fearless leader of the Astra Planeta, Alaroc Phaethon. The time has come for Roc to sacrifice another virgin bride to his god. There has never been a woman alluring enough to tempt him from his path. No warrioress powerful enough to overcome his incredible strength. No enchantress desirable enough to make him burn beyond reason. Until now. With the clock ticking, war between husband and wife ignites. Except Taliyah never expected the merciless king to challenge the future she once envisioned. She certainly never anticipated the thrill of their battles turning into games… The problem is, only one spouse can survive. Love is a battlefield in Showalter’s The Warlord.

A Novel

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

The Warlord is the first book in the 'Rise of the Warlords" series. And this book kicks off with spicy and thrilling action and a theme of forbidden love at times. This book was intense and action packed and it really pulls you into the story right away. Gena Showalter adds her own intense flair to the story and only Gena Showalter could really make this one work so well. She definitely adds the right balance to this kick ass romance that just impressed me so much and is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. (I know we are only in the second week of the year, but this one just checked off all the boxes for me).

Taliyah has been preparing to be the Harpy General all of her life and she also has become a fierce warrior for her people. Ever since she was sacrificed, she knew her duty and obligations and now she will need to marry the warlord, Alaroc Phaethon. Alaroc in order to receive what he needs for his people, will need to marry a virgin bride that will be sacrificed in thirty days. From the moment of their marriage, Taliyah and Alaroc have been at each other's throats while at the same time a fiery passion has been slowly building between them. As their desire ignites so does a fierce love, but who will win in the end of their never ending battle? Will love be lost or conquer in the end? 3

There is such a brilliance to the writing style of this one. I absolutely couldn't get enough of this one. Its also one of the best enemies to lovers romances I have ever read. It just worked so well for me, and I am SUPER picky about this trope but it just really worked. It was so interesting seeing these two come together. Gena Showalter really built their sexual tension so well. There is lots of great smexy times in this one, so fair warning if that isn't your cuppa tea. I really adored how she implemented the spice within their relationship. Its where we see other forms of intimacy begin to grow between Alaroc and Taliyah. There is also this great sense of forbidden for them to love each other especially when Taliyah is trying to kill her husband, and Alaroc having to sacrifice her in 30 days. The tension was brilliantly mastered, and the plot was well built with just the right touch of edgyness and a bit of playfulness to make it work. The world building was so well done and I was so drawn into this world that the author creates for her readers.

I found the Warlord to be a wonderful read that captures your attention from the beginning, it builds into a tremendous crescendo of passion, zest and thrills to touch the reader deeply!

Lover of Romance 

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
The Warlord is the first book in the 'Rise of the Warlords" series. And this book kicks off with spicy and thrilling action and a theme of forbidden love at times. This book was intense and action packed and it really pulls you into the story right away. Gena Showalter adds her own intense flair to the story and only Gena Showalter could really make this one work so well. She definitely adds the right balance to this kick ass romance that just impressed me so much and is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. (I know we are only in the second week of the year, but this one just checked off all the boxes for me).

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Alaroc 'Roc' Phaethon
-Alpha
-Warlord
-Fulfills His Duty
-Almost indestructible
-Royalty

The Heroine: Taliyah Skyhawk
-Harpy
-General
-Kick Ass
-Virgin
-Sacrificed
-Sassy

Summary
Taliyah has been preparing to be the Harpy General all of her life and she also has become a fierce warrior for her people. Ever since she was sacrificed, she knew her duty and obligations and now she will need to marry the warlord, Alaroc Phaethon. Alaroc in order to receive what he needs for his people, will need to marry a virgin bride that will be sacrificed in thirty days. From the moment of their marriage, Taliyah and Alaroc have been at each other's throats while at the same time a fiery passion has been slowly building between them. As their desire ignites so does a fierce love, but who will win in the end of their never ending battle? Will love be lost or conquer in the end? 3

My Outlook
There is such a brilliance to the writing style of this one. I absolutely couldn't get enough of this one. Its also one of the best enemies to lovers romances I have ever read. It just worked so well for me, and I am SUPER picky about this trope but it just really worked. It was so interesting seeing these two come together. Gena Showalter really built their sexual tension so well. There is lots of great smexy times in this one, so fair warning if that isn't your cuppa tea. I really adored how she implemented the spice within their relationship. Its where we see other forms of intimacy begin to grow between Alaroc and Taliyah. There is also this great sense of forbidden for them to love each other especially when Taliyah is trying to kill her husband, and Alaroc having to sacrifice her in 30 days. The tension was brilliantly mastered, and the plot was well built with just the right touch of edgyness and a bit of playfulness to make it work. The world building was so well done and I was so drawn into this world that the author creates for her readers.

Overall View
I found the Warlord to be a wonderful read that captures your attention from the beginning, it builds into a tremendous crescendo of passion, zest and thrills to touch the reader deeply!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Hero: 5/5
Heroine: 4.5/5
Steam: 5/5
Heart & Feels: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Overall View: 5/5

Taliyah is the kind of woman who needs a big story and she gets it!  There's no damsel in distressing for this Harpy - she'll take her enemy's head and use it as a bowling ball, thank you very much!

The Skyhawks as a whole are women not to be missed with as we've seen in the LOTU series.  Now Taliyah gets a HEA - but not before some epic battles of wit, wisdom, and warfare are waged.  

Alaroc is thousands, if not millions, of years old.  He was created by Chaos and along with the other Astra Planeta, they conquer worlds. solar systems and entire universes.  They bow to no-one but Alaroc may just get on his knees for Taliyah.  He has finally found his match - pity he has to kill her in a month!

The chemistry is undeniably hot between these two - both using seduction and outright war strategy to try and usurp the other.  It's not only Taliyah's life on the line, the other Harpies are in danger too. Erebus is an absolute pile of poop of a person.  There are plenty of cameos from Harpies and LOTU to tie the two story arcs together but you really don't have to have read LOTU to enjoy this series.

Nicola Sarah Brooks

Taliyah is the kind of woman who needs a big story and she gets it!  There's no damsel in distressing for this Harpy - she'll take her enemy's head and use it as a bowling ball, thank you very much!

The Skyhawks as a whole are women not to be missed with as we've seen in the LOTU series.  Now Taliyah gets a HEA - but not before some epic battles of wit, wisdom, and warfare are waged.  

Alaroc is thousands, if not millions, of years old.  He was created by Chaos and along with the other Astra Planeta, they conquer worlds. solar systems and entire universes.  They bow to no-one but Alaroc may just get on his knees for Taliyah.  He has finally found his match - pity he has to kill her in a month!

The chemistry is undeniably hot between these two - both using seduction and outright war strategy to try and usurp the other.  It's not only Taliyah's life on the line, the other Harpies are in danger too. Erebus is an absolute pile of poop of a person.  There are plenty of cameos from Harpies and LOTU to tie the two story arcs together but you really don't have to have read LOTU to enjoy this series.

Roll on book 2.