Reviews

The Wrath by Gena Showalter

alyssa1226's review

adventurous dark emotional funny reflective sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Gena Showalter has done it again with this book! Only Gena can make a series get better with each book, and that is exactly what she did with The Wrath. The storyline and plot were classical, Gena. The writing was beautiful as always. The story and romance were woven beautifully , and one did not take over the other. I was kept on the edge of my seat and could not stop reading. There was action from page one. I adore the two MCs, Rathbone and Neeka. I am so glad that they finally have got a book. You may remember them from Lords Of The Underworld series. I love the banter between them. I could not stop laughing. I also love how two broken people come together and heal each other. There were a few twists and turns that I did not know what to expect. I have another favorite Gena couple with Rathbone and Neeka. I can not wait for the next book. 

abumblebeee's review

dark funny tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

adrihean's review

4.0

 

“The Wrath,” by Gena Showalter 

 

I really liked this book. It’s a good spicy adult romance with sunshine x grumpy and also gods. I liked how the MFC is so odd and interesting and makes the MMC go crazy trying to keep up with her. “How dare he spy on her while she plotted to betray him…” its definitely worth the read. 4 out of 5 stars. 

 

-Contemporary 

-Sunshine X Grumpy 

-Greek Gods 

-Multi POV 

-Enemies To Lovers 

-Fated Mates 

 

Thank you for the ARC. 

 

 

madrona's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

tanyad74's review

adventurous emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

The Wrath by Gena Showalter is a bit different than the previous books in The Rise of the Warlords series. Our male main character is not an Astra, instead he is Rathbone the Only, nephew to Hades. 

The newest task for the Astra will have them bumping heads with Rathbone. They have a common interest but are on opposite sides. Erebus is playing them all like puppets. 

Neeka the Unwanted is a different kind of Harpy. She is plagued by visions of future and past. She is also Taliyah's best friend. For reason's unknown to Taliyah and the Astra's, Neeka has paired up with Rathbone. She's had visions of the future and she's trying to find a way that they all can survive this trial. 

I absolutely love Harpies. They're totally badass. No one wants to get on a Harpy's bad side. They will tear you up! Neeka can of course kickass, but her power lies in her visions. I felt a softness to her. Like a vulnerability I hadn't seen with other Harpies and it threw me for a bit. She is constantly busy in her mind trying to find solutions to make her vision change. It seems like every time she manages to do something to change the future, it doesn't affect it all. Her determination to keep everyone she loves alive keeps her constantly scheming but her heart is breaking because if she's successful and everyone lives, it's possible they will all think of her as a traitor. Neeka was the type of character that is funny and powerful but also tugged at my heart strings. I hated how everyone treated her when they thought she was a traitor. Rathbone even put her through some awful spots! 

While Neeka and Rathbone work together, there is always some new bombshell. Challenge after challenge with so much back stabbing. Right up until the end I was constantly questioning who to trust. The action and story were so fast paced, it w as a real struggle to put it down at bedtime. The adrenaline kept me up. 

There was so much to love about The Wrath. I have to have a good romance and I got it! Neeka and Rathbone's had me in tears multiple times. One of my favorite couples. However I've said that about the other Harpy couples too, so there's that! The action kept the adrenaline pumping and I loved every minute of it. I'm also wondering if Azar is our next hero. I was left sad for him and want him to get his HEA.

romancingthereaders's review

dark emotional funny tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 

I was so lucky to get an early copy of The Wrath and all I can say is wow. Okay, I'm going to say more than just that, but you get the idea. What I love so much about reading books by Gena Showalter is that for me at least they are comfort reads. Those books that you know before reading them that you can going to go in and visit friends. I think part of that comes from her wonderful ability to grow a world for you. Authors like this is why after so many books I'm still excited to get a new one. 

I loved both Rathborn and Neeka. They are both the type of characters that keep your emotions bouncing up and down. I never knew what I was going to feel page to page. At times I was angry, other times I wanted to cry. Not to worry there are some chuckles in there also. You can't read a book by Showalter without laughing. 

I felt for these characters and all they went through. So much happens and you never know who you can trust. Often you thought is bad isn't vice versa. The story kept me on my toes. I often found myself not wanting to put the book do to those pesty things we have to do like make dinner. I think if you're a reader of Showalter than you are going to be so happy for this book. If you haven't yet read her, you are in for a treat. I myself would go back to book one and read them in order. You don't have to read the first series but reading this one in order will enhance the stories. 

joyffree's review

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

 Book four is here and prepare yourself for one heck of an AB workout

Neeka had me rolling
She is a harpy with some issues?
She likes veggies, not meat
She can't remember yesterday but she is pretty keen that it went well
She is seen as less than in the harpy community due to her deafness, despite the fact she is an oracle
And now she is finding herself very attracted to the enemy, Rathborne or is it Rathbone, who is trying to resurrect his love -
The love that is going to enslave and destroy
Don't worry though, she's got a plan
If only she can remember

I devoured this release
Such a great couple.
The romance was a slow burn but the tension between these two bled off the pages
The banter. The empty threats and misdirection. The denial of their obvious chemistry. The moment they both capitulate. It was done in a way that felt natural. One of my favorite couples.

Action-packed from the beginning to the end. With all kinds of fub ar scenes. Some had me laughing others I was a bit worried.
Plenty of twists and maybe betrayals? Let you decide.

But truly, what do you expect when you mix a slightly off God on a mission to resurrect his lost love and a very eccentric Harpy who resets?

A paranormal series that you do not want to pass up. Great world-building. Solid storylines that keep the reader engaged and coming back for more. A cast of characters that will enamor any reader.
One of my few one-click preorder authors 

bookloversofantastic's review

5.0

Wahoo, just wahoo, that book was really something, it was amazing, Neeka was awesome !! I loved it soo much.

Neeka is the right amount of crazy, what a ride, not sure I would like to be in her head

nikkisbooknook's review

emotional mysterious tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Rathbone, The King of Agonies has met his match in one Harpy-Oracle!

Neeka continues the fine tradition of Harpy's with a harsh but witty banter, an inflated sense of self and an unhealthy obsession with making things right. Neeka is also the BFF of General Taliyah so you know there has to be a hidden agenda for her to now seemingly assist the other side. 

Rathbone has a big shadow hanging over him.  He is Hades's nephew. His mission to resurrect his long lost wife is about to get derailed by a very determined Harpy. But The Astra have their own plans for his soon to be restored wife!

These two are the kind of enemies to lovers i salivate over.  The chemistry is blistering hot and Rathbone is torn between the love for his wife and this new, perplexing fascination with Neeka. They are slow burn goodness. Oh, and the slew of nicknames that Neeka hits Rathbone with at every  opportune moment - sublime!

Well structured, well rounded characters and HAWT steamy scenes!

booklovinmamas's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

The Wrath is the fourth installment in Gena Showalter’s Rise of the Warlord series. Readers of Gena Showalter’s beloved Lords of the Underworld series will recognize the main characters in this book. I loved that we were finally getting a book with Rathbone and Neeka. Neeka is one of the harpies that I have been interested in learning more about since she was introduced to the LOTU series. 

Storyline: Neeka the Unwanted is a harpy oracle able to see visions, and she’s an asset to have when she can find certain things and predict the future. Rathbone, the King of Agonies and nephew of Hades, needs Neeka’s help in finding his dead wife’s bones. She accepts even though she knows it will put a target on her back with the Harpies and Astra Warriors, especially when they realize she’s helping the enemy. Rathbone will do anything to have his dead wife back after what happened to her, but the second he starts working with the harpy, she ends up testing his love for his dead wife. There’s also the issue of the Astra Warriors wanting his wife’s bones, too, for some reason. That reason will be revealed during Neeka’s vision and also other POVs that Gena wrote in this book. 

Thoughts: I’ve always loved that Gena writes kickbutt heroines, and she once again nailed it with Neeka. Neeka could very well be my favorite harpy now after reading this book. I loved her so much, and it was emotional to find out why she had the name Unwanted to her name. It was heartbreaking to learn her backstory and what happened to her, but she’s one who endured and became a kick-butt harpy and proved everyone wrong. I loved how she handled the King of Agonies and made him flustered. 

Another thing Gena writes well is alpha male characters, and Rathbone was that, plus more. He is Hade’s nephew, which is definitely a plus in his character. The interactions between him and his Uncle were funny, and I loved how these two handled each other. (I loved getting more of Hades in this book, and hopefully, we will get his book soon.) Rathbone is also someone you don’t want to mess with, and that’s something I would expect from someone related to Hades, plus what he has gone through. Yes, we learn his backstory, too. 

The banter between Rathbone and Neeka was comical, and I couldn’t help but laugh out loud with these two. This is a slow burn, so readers will have to wait a while, but it’s so worth it. It’s obvious these two have chemistry, but one or both are stubborn. Neeka is one lucky gal to have Rathbone. =) Rathbone is one lucky guy to have Neeka, too! 

This book did have my heart beating so fast with some of the adventures that Neeka and Rathbone went through, though. It’s not going to be easy to find the bones of Rathbone’s late wife, and you’ll be surprised why the Astra Warriors want the bones, too. I loved that Taliyah from The Warlord played a role in this book, which is why I highly recommend reading these books in order. 

This was another great installment in this funny, action-packed, adventurous world that Gena has created for her readers. I can’t wait for the next one, and here’s hoping we get more of Hades. Gena makes it really hard to pick up another book after reading her books because I need more of the characters and storylines she creates, which is why she will forever be one of my favorite Paranormal Romance authors. More people need to read her books. 

Story Rating: ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️.5

Steam/Spice: 🌶️🌶️

Standalone or Part of Series: It’s part of the Rise of Warlords Series.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, definitely. I recommend ALL of Gena’s books. 

Genre/SubGenre(s): Romance | Paranormal Romance

Trope(s)/Element(s): Fated Mates | Enemies to Lovers | Kickbutt Heroine | Alpha Hero