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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Sixth in the Lizzie Grace paranormal fantasy series set in Australia and revolving around a witch and her familiar on the run from the witch's family.
My Take
Hoo, boy. Deadly Vows is action packed (and humor-filled) as Lizzie is forced at last to deal with her husband. And we finally get the full backstory on how Lizzie ended up married to this jerk. That Arthur has been dropping tidbits of hints for the past five stories!
It certainly gives Lizzie and Belle's story credibility as to why they've been on the run and so terrified of being caught. It's a classic case of powerful versus weak, with no hope for Lizzie of anyone believing her side.
All of which we learn as Arthur uses first person protagonist point-of-view from Lizzie's perspective of two women who have been on the run for thirteen fear-filled years. That's merely the start, for Castle Rock is Lizzie and Belle's last stand on a wolf reservation that's anti-witches and anti-magic. Yet loaded with wild magic that's taken a liking to Lizzie.
Luckily, Lizzie is evolving magic-wise, and she gets a few ideas on how some of those "improvements" have come about. Katie has another few ideas as well, that could well foreshadow future events.
With some help from Belle and Eleanor (who'd've thunk!??), Lizzie gains some important self-realizations.
Talk about dysfunctional..! Yeah, it's not just family that's monstrous in the series — fortunately, family isn't necessarily the one you're born into, but the one you make — and Arthur certainly includes the more, ahem, "standard "monsters for her magic world. Thank god for second chances!
That said, I really do recommend reading this series from the start, as it provides greater background to Deadly Vows, as Arthur concentrates more on Lizzie's confrontation with her archnemeses without as much interaction with the people (and wolves) of Castle Rock.
The Story
Lizzie has never been very powerful despite having been born into a very powerful family. For the first sixteen years of her life, she was made to feel worthless until her father decided to force her into an unwanted marriage.
After all, Daddy Dearest might as well make the best possible use of his useless daughter.
Until he finds her again in Castle Rock and discovers his daughter has evolved, raising questions in his mind.
The Characters
Lizzie Grace has prophetic dreams, senses evil, has a gift for psychometry, and has been infused with the wild magic, making her the reservation's guardian. The telepathic Belle is Lizzie's best friend, a fellow witch, and Lizzie's familiar.
Castle Rock, Australia is...
...the capital of the Faelan Reservation. One of seven werewolf reservations, it's home to the O’Connors, a pack of gray wolves.
The Psychic Café is...
Lizzie and Belle's business set in Castle Rock. Penny is a waitress; Celia is Penny's newly arrived niece. The gossip brigade (a group of 27 women) have made it their unofficial headquarters.
The Rangers are...
...the police force on the reservation with Aiden O'Connor, a werewolf, as the head ranger who is dating Lizzie. Tala is Aiden's second-in-command. Ciara O'Connor is Aiden's sister and the coroner. Jaz is a ranger who married into the Marin pack. Jen is part of the ambulance crew.
Lucy Marin runs a B&B. Mia is the wolf to whom Aiden had been engaged. Dillon is one of Aiden's brothers. Aiden's mother, Karleen Jayne O'Connor, highly disapproves of Lizzie and is issuing threats. Mac is a brown-haired wolf.
Maelle Defour is a vampire who runs Émigré, the local nightclub. And she'd like to get Belle in her bed. Roger is her man-ghoul servant, a thrall who received eternal life in return for eternal servitude through whom Maelle can see and speak.
Kash is Belle's current boyfriend, although Monty has some very persistent ideas about that. Bree's brother is opening a new restaurant, and she's come up from Melbourne to help him. The Railway Bistro is a pub. The Whitefin is a café in Albury.
The High Witch Council is...
...the governing body for witches with Monty Ashworth the new reservation witch…and Lizzie’s cousin. Eamon is his orange cat (and familiar) who loves to attack Lizzie. Lizzie's parents, Lawrence and Eleanor Marlowe, are the most powerful couple of Canberra's council. Lizzie blames herself for the death of her older sister, Cat. Juli is her married brother.
Nellie had been Belle's grandmother and the owner of a vast collection of rare and irreplaceable books on magic and the supernatural. Which Belle inherited. Belle's mother, Ava Sarr, is the one who helped them escape.
Samuel Kang is in charge of the investigation. Jamie is a professor friend of Monty's.
Clayton Marlowe, her father's friend and a second cousin, is the jerk Lizzie had been forced to marry when she was sixteen. I reckon he also wants Belle to remove that nasty spell she put on him, lol. Rafael is his chauffeur. James O'Conner is a wolf from Black Valley in Ireland.
The Regional Witch Association (RWA) handles...
...regional issues. Ashworth is the RWA representative who ended up staying and is practically family to Lizzie. Eli is his husband and a retired RWA witch.
The Black Lantern Society is...
...a watchdog group that ensures justice prevails. Jenna Jones is a truth seeker; Ruby Harrison is an auditor. I think Sophie is Ashworth's sister and a member of the BLS.
Wild magic comes through a wellspring from the deeper recesses of the earth and is neither good nor bad, but if a wellspring is unprotected, it will attract evil. And there are/were two unprotected wellsprings on the reservation. Katie had been Aiden's youngest sister, dying of cancer. She'd been married to Gabe, a witch, who had only wanted his beloved wife to be happy. A Manananggal is a vampire-like monster or witch that preys on sleeping pregnant women or newlyweds.
The Cover and Title
The cover is DARK, which makes it a perfect representation of the story. A cartoonish image of the red-haired Lizzie shows her in worn jeans and a black T, facing us, half-kneeling on a rock as her hands spark with wild magic. There's a full moon behind her with a glow of green light around Lizzie as she prepares to defend herself. The author's name is at the very top with the title below Lizzie. Both are in white. The series info is at the very bottom in the lime green that glows on rocks and in her aura.
The title refers to those Deadly Vows Lizzie's father and friend forced on her all those years ago.
My Take
Hoo, boy. Deadly Vows is action packed (and humor-filled) as Lizzie is forced at last to deal with her husband. And we finally get the full backstory on how Lizzie ended up married to this jerk. That Arthur has been dropping tidbits of hints for the past five stories!
It certainly gives Lizzie and Belle's story credibility as to why they've been on the run and so terrified of being caught. It's a classic case of powerful versus weak, with no hope for Lizzie of anyone believing her side.
All of which we learn as Arthur uses first person protagonist point-of-view from Lizzie's perspective of two women who have been on the run for thirteen fear-filled years. That's merely the start, for Castle Rock is Lizzie and Belle's last stand on a wolf reservation that's anti-witches and anti-magic. Yet loaded with wild magic that's taken a liking to Lizzie.
Luckily, Lizzie is evolving magic-wise, and she gets a few ideas on how some of those "improvements" have come about. Katie has another few ideas as well, that could well foreshadow future events.
With some help from Belle and Eleanor (who'd've thunk!??), Lizzie gains some important self-realizations.
Talk about dysfunctional..! Yeah, it's not just family that's monstrous in the series — fortunately, family isn't necessarily the one you're born into, but the one you make — and Arthur certainly includes the more, ahem, "standard "monsters for her magic world. Thank god for second chances!
That said, I really do recommend reading this series from the start, as it provides greater background to Deadly Vows, as Arthur concentrates more on Lizzie's confrontation with her archnemeses without as much interaction with the people (and wolves) of Castle Rock.
The Story
Lizzie has never been very powerful despite having been born into a very powerful family. For the first sixteen years of her life, she was made to feel worthless until her father decided to force her into an unwanted marriage.
After all, Daddy Dearest might as well make the best possible use of his useless daughter.
Until he finds her again in Castle Rock and discovers his daughter has evolved, raising questions in his mind.
The Characters
Lizzie Grace has prophetic dreams, senses evil, has a gift for psychometry, and has been infused with the wild magic, making her the reservation's guardian. The telepathic Belle is Lizzie's best friend, a fellow witch, and Lizzie's familiar.
Castle Rock, Australia is...
...the capital of the Faelan Reservation. One of seven werewolf reservations, it's home to the O’Connors, a pack of gray wolves.
The Psychic Café is...
Lizzie and Belle's business set in Castle Rock. Penny is a waitress; Celia is Penny's newly arrived niece. The gossip brigade (a group of 27 women) have made it their unofficial headquarters.
The Rangers are...
...the police force on the reservation with Aiden O'Connor, a werewolf, as the head ranger who is dating Lizzie. Tala is Aiden's second-in-command. Ciara O'Connor is Aiden's sister and the coroner. Jaz is a ranger who married into the Marin pack. Jen is part of the ambulance crew.
Lucy Marin runs a B&B. Mia is the wolf to whom Aiden had been engaged. Dillon is one of Aiden's brothers. Aiden's mother, Karleen Jayne O'Connor, highly disapproves of Lizzie and is issuing threats. Mac is a brown-haired wolf.
Maelle Defour is a vampire who runs Émigré, the local nightclub. And she'd like to get Belle in her bed. Roger is her man-ghoul servant, a thrall who received eternal life in return for eternal servitude through whom Maelle can see and speak.
Kash is Belle's current boyfriend, although Monty has some very persistent ideas about that. Bree's brother is opening a new restaurant, and she's come up from Melbourne to help him. The Railway Bistro is a pub. The Whitefin is a café in Albury.
The High Witch Council is...
...the governing body for witches with Monty Ashworth the new reservation witch…and Lizzie’s cousin. Eamon is his orange cat (and familiar) who loves to attack Lizzie. Lizzie's parents, Lawrence and Eleanor Marlowe, are the most powerful couple of Canberra's council. Lizzie blames herself for the death of her older sister, Cat. Juli is her married brother.
Nellie had been Belle's grandmother and the owner of a vast collection of rare and irreplaceable books on magic and the supernatural. Which Belle inherited. Belle's mother, Ava Sarr, is the one who helped them escape.
Samuel Kang is in charge of the investigation. Jamie is a professor friend of Monty's.
Clayton Marlowe, her father's friend and a second cousin, is the jerk Lizzie had been forced to marry when she was sixteen. I reckon he also wants Belle to remove that nasty spell she put on him, lol. Rafael is his chauffeur. James O'Conner is a wolf from Black Valley in Ireland.
The Regional Witch Association (RWA) handles...
...regional issues. Ashworth is the RWA representative who ended up staying and is practically family to Lizzie. Eli is his husband and a retired RWA witch.
The Black Lantern Society is...
...a watchdog group that ensures justice prevails. Jenna Jones is a truth seeker; Ruby Harrison is an auditor. I think Sophie is Ashworth's sister and a member of the BLS.
Wild magic comes through a wellspring from the deeper recesses of the earth and is neither good nor bad, but if a wellspring is unprotected, it will attract evil. And there are/were two unprotected wellsprings on the reservation. Katie had been Aiden's youngest sister, dying of cancer. She'd been married to Gabe, a witch, who had only wanted his beloved wife to be happy. A Manananggal is a vampire-like monster or witch that preys on sleeping pregnant women or newlyweds.
The Cover and Title
The cover is DARK, which makes it a perfect representation of the story. A cartoonish image of the red-haired Lizzie shows her in worn jeans and a black T, facing us, half-kneeling on a rock as her hands spark with wild magic. There's a full moon behind her with a glow of green light around Lizzie as she prepares to defend herself. The author's name is at the very top with the title below Lizzie. Both are in white. The series info is at the very bottom in the lime green that glows on rocks and in her aura.
The title refers to those Deadly Vows Lizzie's father and friend forced on her all those years ago.
agirlandherlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent series!
My Youtube series review is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCbLcfbFW5o
My Youtube series review is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCbLcfbFW5o
clockworkbook's review against another edition
4.0
Trigger/Content Warning: remembrance of past attempted rape, sexual assault, torture
4.25 - Lizzie and Aiden's relationship continues to make progress, as does Lizzie's confidence, power and control over her personal power and the wild magic. It is wonderful how Lizzie and Belle have created a family of choice and we still get their snark and incredible friendship. I recommend this engaging series.
I am enjoying this series, but I have to say that the repeated and frequent weakness, loss of strength etc of Lizzie's legs and only Aiden keeping her from falling on the ground is frustrating. It is especially noticeable as I have read the series nearly back to back, so it stands out. I would have liked it if Lizzie would have acknowledged the continued issue. I get that she is expending far more physicality, magic and energy than is her norm, but it would have been nice to have her acknowledge "here I go again". Lol
4.25 - Lizzie and Aiden's relationship continues to make progress, as does Lizzie's confidence, power and control over her personal power and the wild magic. It is wonderful how Lizzie and Belle have created a family of choice and we still get their snark and incredible friendship. I recommend this engaging series.
I am enjoying this series, but I have to say that the repeated and frequent weakness, loss of strength etc of Lizzie's legs and only Aiden keeping her from falling on the ground is frustrating. It is especially noticeable as I have read the series nearly back to back, so it stands out. I would have liked it if Lizzie would have acknowledged the continued issue. I get that she is expending far more physicality, magic and energy than is her norm, but it would have been nice to have her acknowledge "here I go again". Lol
mpaolilli's review against another edition
5.0
We’re finally”_____.” Favors owed help the girls in a few ways. I’m excited for the next chapter…
katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
I am really really enjoying this series. Only two things keep it being a 5 star favorite series to me.
1 - Sometimes it feels like there are easy solutions to their problems, and they are just not seeing it.
Specifically, the Clayton / dickhead father thing. I've been saying for 3 books now that the solution is to go on the offensive. What they did was illegal. And frankly, it is NOT Lizzie's word against theirs. Look, she was 16, and she ran away the night of the wedding. That makes it indisputable that she did not want that marriage. She stayed gone for nearly 13 years, until the monsters found her. That just cements the fact as utter truth. There is no defense to that, and no way to counter it. That she was drugged is her word against theirs, but that she did not consent - that she was coerced - is indisputable truth ... because if it wasn't true, she wouldn't have run. Period. Inarguable.
So she needs to file a charges. Give an interview at every media outlet she can. Make this widely public. Make herself untouchable, because with it so public, if she's harmed they are the obvious culprits. She was a child. In no universe would the public at large not be on her side.
Also, the fact that she even wastes time worrying about her father wanting into her life to marry her to someone else ... really? Really?? I don't care if he wants you to marry Jesus, you are a 29 year old woman, he has no authority over you, and you have his balls in your hand given his criminal behavior. He can't make you do anything. Frankly, he must be a crack addict for even thinking it's a possibility. And she's a dumbass for wasting energy worrying about it.
2 - The weird relationship with Aiden.
The thing is, I really like Aiden - as a character, as a love interest, he's pretty great. But I do not have words to express how much I despise their relationship. He cares about her, but he keeps her at weird arm's length with the constant reminders that he will never marry her, there's no serious future to this relationship. And now we've got this dangling thing of some wolf chick he loved - who was a lying betrayer - that will be popping back into his life soon. And he feels torn about it because he seems to kind of still love her. WTF? He cares about Lizzie, but she's not a wolf, and he'll never marry a non-wolf (so he keeps saying), and so their relationship is under this weird umbrella of reluctance. Like he doesn't really WANT her, but he can't help his emotions, and he's overall not very happy about it. He's sweet to her, but he won't say he loves her ... he even gets awkward about saying he cares. He gets pissy when she says anything about them being temporary, but he at the same time, he says they are temporary. He wants her to enjoy the now, but she IS! She's just also doing her best to keep from utterly investing in him, because she knows - and he reminds her - that there's only one way this can end.
I just don't want this for Lizzie. She's spent her whole life with people around her - people who should care about her - looking at her and judging her for being not quite good enough. Her parents were unhappy that she wasn't quite powerful enough. Ashworth, Monty, they love her, but they've made comments to the same end (less so lately, though - she has won their respect). But after being treated for ages like ... well, okay, I guess I have no choice but to accept that you're here, you suck, it's a little embarrassing how lame you are, but I have to live with it because you're in my life - seriously, that's the attitude I think she got from everyone in Canberra - it hurts to see Aiden treating her very much the same. He's attracted to her, he can't help but have her in his life, but he's not particularly thrilled about it, because she's not a wolf. She's not enough.
I hate that. I want her to find someone who thinks the sun and moon shines out of her soul. Someone who thinks s/he is so fucking lucky to have her in his life, and wouldn't trade her for a goddamn thing because she's fucking perfect. She deserves that, goddamn it.
And so I can't help but side-eye Aiden, while I look around at the other characters in this world and hope for one of them to step to the forefront as someone who could actually love Lizzie. Someone she could love back. Someone who doesn't give a flying fuck how much power she has, or whether she can turn furry.
1 - Sometimes it feels like there are easy solutions to their problems, and they are just not seeing it.
Specifically, the Clayton / dickhead father thing. I've been saying for 3 books now that the solution is to go on the offensive. What they did was illegal. And frankly, it is NOT Lizzie's word against theirs. Look, she was 16, and she ran away the night of the wedding. That makes it indisputable that she did not want that marriage. She stayed gone for nearly 13 years, until the monsters found her. That just cements the fact as utter truth. There is no defense to that, and no way to counter it. That she was drugged is her word against theirs, but that she did not consent - that she was coerced - is indisputable truth ... because if it wasn't true, she wouldn't have run. Period. Inarguable.
So she needs to file a charges. Give an interview at every media outlet she can. Make this widely public. Make herself untouchable, because with it so public, if she's harmed they are the obvious culprits. She was a child. In no universe would the public at large not be on her side.
Also, the fact that she even wastes time worrying about her father wanting into her life to marry her to someone else ... really? Really?? I don't care if he wants you to marry Jesus, you are a 29 year old woman, he has no authority over you, and you have his balls in your hand given his criminal behavior. He can't make you do anything. Frankly, he must be a crack addict for even thinking it's a possibility. And she's a dumbass for wasting energy worrying about it.
2 - The weird relationship with Aiden.
The thing is, I really like Aiden - as a character, as a love interest, he's pretty great. But I do not have words to express how much I despise their relationship. He cares about her, but he keeps her at weird arm's length with the constant reminders that he will never marry her, there's no serious future to this relationship. And now we've got this dangling thing of some wolf chick he loved - who was a lying betrayer - that will be popping back into his life soon. And he feels torn about it because he seems to kind of still love her. WTF? He cares about Lizzie, but she's not a wolf, and he'll never marry a non-wolf (so he keeps saying), and so their relationship is under this weird umbrella of reluctance. Like he doesn't really WANT her, but he can't help his emotions, and he's overall not very happy about it. He's sweet to her, but he won't say he loves her ... he even gets awkward about saying he cares. He gets pissy when she says anything about them being temporary, but he at the same time, he says they are temporary. He wants her to enjoy the now, but she IS! She's just also doing her best to keep from utterly investing in him, because she knows - and he reminds her - that there's only one way this can end.
I just don't want this for Lizzie. She's spent her whole life with people around her - people who should care about her - looking at her and judging her for being not quite good enough. Her parents were unhappy that she wasn't quite powerful enough. Ashworth, Monty, they love her, but they've made comments to the same end (less so lately, though - she has won their respect). But after being treated for ages like ... well, okay, I guess I have no choice but to accept that you're here, you suck, it's a little embarrassing how lame you are, but I have to live with it because you're in my life - seriously, that's the attitude I think she got from everyone in Canberra - it hurts to see Aiden treating her very much the same. He's attracted to her, he can't help but have her in his life, but he's not particularly thrilled about it, because she's not a wolf. She's not enough.
I hate that. I want her to find someone who thinks the sun and moon shines out of her soul. Someone who thinks s/he is so fucking lucky to have her in his life, and wouldn't trade her for a goddamn thing because she's fucking perfect. She deserves that, goddamn it.
And so I can't help but side-eye Aiden, while I look around at the other characters in this world and hope for one of them to step to the forefront as someone who could actually love Lizzie. Someone she could love back. Someone who doesn't give a flying fuck how much power she has, or whether she can turn furry.
mellhay's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Keri is not scared to put her characters through their nightmares. And keep me holding my breath as she does it. Amazing writing.
As I've said, Keri doesn't repeat herself in events. Each book ups the game. The terrible that can happen is something different here. We do have a dark entity that arrives and haunts the reservation. But we also have one that is in human form that comes looking for revenge on Lizzie and Belle.
This book REALLY shows Lizzie's growth with where she started as these ladies ran when they were 16 years old, and even in their short months here in the reservation. She has a lot of trauma from her past to face, and she sure faces it all.
Lizzie faces her blood family past, but also sees she has created a loving family of dear people close to her in the reservation. She has what she always wanted and never received elsewhere.
The power show in this book! Wowza! I want to see what this means for Lizzie and her blooming magic. She's a LOT more than she ever thought she was.
Once again, I have to give a huge shout out to the narrator of this series. Katherine Littrell. Amazing vocal work with the characters. They each have their own voice, accent, and personality that comes through.
As I've said, Keri doesn't repeat herself in events. Each book ups the game. The terrible that can happen is something different here. We do have a dark entity that arrives and haunts the reservation. But we also have one that is in human form that comes looking for revenge on Lizzie and Belle.
This book REALLY shows Lizzie's growth with where she started as these ladies ran when they were 16 years old, and even in their short months here in the reservation. She has a lot of trauma from her past to face, and she sure faces it all.
Lizzie faces her blood family past, but also sees she has created a loving family of dear people close to her in the reservation. She has what she always wanted and never received elsewhere.
The power show in this book! Wowza! I want to see what this means for Lizzie and her blooming magic. She's a LOT more than she ever thought she was.
Once again, I have to give a huge shout out to the narrator of this series. Katherine Littrell. Amazing vocal work with the characters. They each have their own voice, accent, and personality that comes through.
jemmacweir's review against another edition
5.0
This book, as with all the others in the series, kept me hooked. When I wasn't reading it, I was counting the hours until I could. There was just enough resolved to keep me satisfied, but also enough hinted at to make me desperate for the next one.
Highly recommend this series
Highly recommend this series
wetdryvac's review against another edition
5.0
A series that just keeps getting better, with both the grim and the fluffy nicely intertwined with decent world building and character development. I'm really enjoying this run.