The Sorceress Transcendent, by Casey Blair
The Book
Synopsis:
Once mortal enemies on the battlefield, what can they become supporting each other instead?
When Varius, the greatest general of the Aurelian Empire, is forced to flee his homeland, there's only one person he can turn to.
A powerful sorceress and once his most deadly enemy, Theira is the only combatant who's ever escaped the war between their peoples. But with the memories of how they kept each other going from opposite sides of a battlefield, when a bleeding Varius knocks on her door, she lets him in, even knowing what will follow.
Theira may have gotten away, but as long as the war goes on, she'll never really be free. Now with both their peoples actively hunting them, the two most dangerous fighters in a never-ending war will have to join forces to do the impossible: end it once and for all, on their terms.
And if they can dare to dream boldly enough, maybe find happiness for themselves, too.
My Review
The Sorceress Transcendent is a standalone romantic fantasy novella, written by Casey Blair; a delicious self-contained story featuring an enemy-to-lovers romance in a more epic context of a war between two nations. Varius, former general of the Aurelian Empire, is forced to flee after a treason, and the only place where he can hide is the cottage of the witch that was her enemy during years.
Together, in that secluded cottage, Theira and Varius get to explore the relationship that was forbidden, as both were the reluctant leaders of their armies in a war they were not convinced of. It will become a really passionate love between both, while at the same time, we will see Theira opening more to Varius, leading to a plan that might put a end to this pointless war.
Being a short length book, Blair takes the opportunity to write a really intense relationship, fulfilling most of the expectations that romance readers might have from this book. Even with this in mind, we also get a taste of a more epic scope, a conflict that is threatening to destroy both nations.
The Sorceress Transcendent is the perfect definition of a self-contained romantic novella, using the words wisely to tell a great story, showing the talent of Casey Blair as storyteller.
Disclaimer: This novella has been read as part of the SFINCS. This review/rating only represents my personal opinion and it might differ with what the team decides.
The Author/s
Casey Blair
Casey Blair is a bestselling author of adventurous, feel-good fantasy novels with ambitious heroines and plenty of banter, including the completed cozy fantasy series Tea Princess Chronicles, the fantasy romance novella The Sorceress Transcendent, and the action anime-style novella Consider the Dust. Her own adventures have included teaching English in rural Japan, taking a train to Tibet, rappelling down waterfalls in Costa Rica, and practicing capoeira. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest and can be found dancing spontaneously, exploring forests around the world, or trapped under a cat.