Shadows of Asphodel by Karen Kincy Book Tour, Review, and Giveaway

                                  

About Shadows of Asphodel:

When Ardis discovers a man bleeding to death on the battlefield, she knows she has to walk away.

1913. In her work as a mercenary for Austria-Hungary, Ardis has killed many men without hesitation. One more man shouldn’t matter, even if he manages to be a charming bastard while he stands dying in the snow.

But when he raises the dead to fight for him, she realizes she must save his life.

If a necromancer like Wendel dies, he will return as a monster—or so the rumors say. Ardis decides to play it safe and rescues him. What she doesn’t expect is Wendel falling to one knee and swearing fealty. Ardis never asked for the undying loyalty of a necromancer, but it’s too late now.

Ardis and Wendel forge an uneasy alliance underscored with sexual tension. Together, they confront rebels, assassins, and a conspiracy involving a military secret: robotically-enhanced soldiers for a world on the brink of war. But as Ardis starts to fall for Wendel, she realizes the scars from his past run more deeply than she ever imagined. Can Ardis stop Wendel before his thirst for revenge destroys him and everyone else around him?

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Review
5 stars

Ardis has never been one to question who lives and who dies in her work as a mercenary.  She is  always focused on the ransom.  When she finds Wendel, for the first time she questions leaving him alive.  Wendel is different though, he is a necromancer and if that wasn’t unusual enough he swears fealty to Ardis for sparing his life.

Ardis doesn’t want his fealty, nor does she want to align herself with a man who raises the dead.    As they journey they find themselves immersed in  danger, uncovering a conspiracy, and a romance no one saw coming.

I was not quite sure what to expect with this story since I don’t typically read books with a necromancer as a lead character.  Well that just changed, bring on the necromancers.  I absolutely loved Wendel, he is cocky, has a swagger, and a refreshing surprise.  Ardis a sword wielding mercenary is tough as nails, but you soften to her as she begins to find a connection to Wendel.   Excellent story, a complete surprise and Karen Kincy has a way of taking this steampunky early 1900’s setting and transforming it into words that you can visualize while reading.  Anxious for the next in the series.

About the Author:
Karen Kincy (Redmond, Washington) can be found lurking in her writing cave, though sunshine will lure her outside. When not writing, she stays busy gardening, tinkering with aquariums, or running just one more mile. Karen has a BA in Linguistics and Literature from The Evergreen State College. 

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Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)

a Rafflecopter giveaway