Blog Tour: Astarte's Wrath by Trisha Wolfe

Tour Hosted by Trisha Wolfe

Title: Astarte's Wrath

Author: Trisha WolfePublishing Date: March 2nd 2013

Pages: 215
Genre:  YA Fantasy/Alternate History

Series: Kythan Guardians  #.5
Source: Kindle version provided by author

  

A tragic love story.

Two thousand years before Dez Harkly developed her secret powers, Guardian Astarte was vowed to protect by the binds enslaving her to the Egyptian pharaohs. Discover the prophecy that originated from a very different time, and spans generations to link two very different girls.

This is the beginning.

Set against the backdrop of the Battle of Actium, in the city of Alexandria, Star struggles with her guardian duties as her feelings for the newly named pharaoh of Egypt grow deeper. Not only is Caesarion her duty, he's the son of Cleopatra, and he's human. All of which makes their love forbidden.

But when a conspiracy linked to Caesar creeps into Alexandria, Star must choose between helping her fellow Kythan free themselves of their servitude, and protecting her charge - the last pharaoh - while Egypt burns around her.

I was so totally excited to get my hands on this book. I read Destiny's Fire a while back and loved it! This is the book that goes back to the beginning, the start of the Destiny's purpose. The book was everything I hoped for and more. I couldn't put it down, I was mesmerized. I just loved it. 

Back thousands of years ago, the Kythan race existed, Shythe and Narco, and they lived together in harmony. They were enslaved, designed to do one thing, protect the Pharaoh and their family. Star is Xarion's guardian, he is to become Pharaoh, he is Cleopatra's son. Star loves him but is not his equal in Alexandria's eyes. She is just the protector. Octavian's army is out to take over Alexandria and kill Xarion for the throne. He has created a new Kythan race, one that has power of the Aether, the spirit world. Star and her friends are in the fight for the Pharaoh's life and their own. 

Wow, what a great story. The love story was intense, the battle scenes intense. I loved the way it followed the ending of Cleopatra's reign. It was not true to all historical fact of course, it had it's own story, but I felt that this was the true story. The historical facts that exist around Cleopatra are lies. This one is the real story, and it's a must read. The fantasy mixed with History wasn't the only thing that got me going. 

The love story, oh my goodness. Trisha sure knows how to get it right. I loved the forbidden but destined love between Xarion and Star. It was sweet and passionate, built of childhood friendship, lifetime loyalty, and of course some pretty strong hormones... I mean Xarion sounds HOT!!!! No Insta Love- No Love Triangle, just good ole true love that isn't supposed to be. 

The characters... well they were icing on the cake. The story awesome, the love awesome, the historical elements awesome.... the characters beyond awesome. 

There were a couple of moments I really wanted to slap Star at the very beginning for letting her brain control her heart.. but she got over it. She was just a kick butt character for sure. She was smooth, strong, brave, and really don't mess with her. Xarion, well he was just swoon worthy times ten. A real smooth operator, knew what to say and where to put his hands. Tall, Dark, and Handsome! He was also very sweet, devoted, funny, and just plain lovable. Love him I did too. 

I really don't have any complaints about this book, well except parts in the end, but I could see it coming. The tears were only slightly drowning my pages. The last bit of the ending was just superb! It brings everything together just perfectly. 

If you liked Destiny's Fire... this is a must. If you have not read Destiny's Fire, you should and read this one too. They both are awesome in my book. 

Sneak Peek: Bath Scene from Xarion’s POV

Star narrows her eyes at me, her full, bottom lip puckering out the way it does when she’s in serious thought—and though I’m listening to her words, all I want to do is trap that bottom lip between my teeth. Nip it and caress it with my tongue. 

“I knew you’d say that,” she says. “And that is precisely why I didn’t want you to know.” She raises her hand from my chest and swipes the wet hair from my forehead. Her body subtly moves against me with this action, and it drives me wild. “A possible retaliation by the guardians is just one more weighted burden on top of the many you already carry. You don’t need the added strain. Let me deal with Candra and the Kythan. They’re my kindred. As long as I’m their equal—in both power and status—I can protect you.”

This woman—the woman I’ve loved my entire life—is my protector. She not only guards against physical threats, but watches over my mental wellbeing. But I cannot allow her to carry all my problems alone anymore. I want to be her guardian, to be the one to comfort her when she’s fearful, and protect her against this world.

I tilt my head and suck in a deep breath. “This is why you won’t be with me.” I want her to admit it. If she finally confesses that our titles and her battle with the right course of action have been the only reasons for her kept affections, then by Gods…help me from laying her out on this tile and taking her—making her mine. I won’t stop. 

She nods.

“This is the only reason.” She nods again, and that is all the conformation I need. “Then I refuse to let them keep us apart for one more moment.” I grasp her face between my hands and claim her lips with mine. 

Her lips are soft and warm as I achingly coax them into a fevered kiss, unable to hold back my desire for her. I had planned for our first kiss many times, imagined it over and over. The way I would caress her lips slowly and lovingly, conveying my affections. But every emotion I have ever felt for Star rushes to the surface all at once, and I can’t slow. I won’t. I won’t allow her a moment to question our actions, to reconsider us. I’m going to kiss her senseless—kiss the reason right out of her infuriatingly rational head.

Help Trisha and the Tuff Girl Legion get to 50 reviews on Amazon for the full scene release of the “Bath Scene” on Trisha’s blog! You can bookmark the bonus material here!Sneak Peek: Bath Scene from Xarion’s POV 

Bio: Trisha Wolfe is the author of the YA Steampunk DESTINY'S FIRE (Omnific Publishing), the NA Historical/Supernatural ASTARTE'S WRATH, and the upcoming YA Utopian FIREBLOOD from Spencer Hill Press, October 2013. Her NA Dark Fantasy OF SILVER AND BEASTS available May 2013. 

She’s the creator of YA Bound, a promotional site for the Young Adult genre. Also a member of SCWW and The Apocalypsies. Check out www.TrishaWolfe.com for more on her books and bonus material. Follow Trisha on Twitter @TrishWolfe and like her Facebook page for updates.

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