Title: Wraith
Author: Sylvia Mercedes
Pub. Date: January 20, 2021
Pages: 319
Pub: Not Listed
Genre: Fantasy Romance Retelling
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Can love blossom among the thorns?
Refocused and determined, Nelle plans to snatch the spellbook and escape Roseward Isle once and for all. But when a powerful magic storm blows in—bringing with it a small castaway of mysterious origins—Nelle and Soran are obliged to lie low inside the lighthouse until it passes.
Trapped in close quarters, they cannot hide from their deepening attraction.
But fate is against them. Soran knows the nightmare he created will not remain bound much longer. He must convince Nelle to leave him, to escape Roseward before she becomes the Thorn Maiden’s newest victim. And Nelle sees the moment fast approaching when she will betray Soran. He will never forgive her, but how can she do otherwise? Papa’s life depends on her mission’s fulfillment.
Will two lost souls find their way through the tangled briar of lies and mistrust? Or will shadowy thorns tear them apart . . . forever?
This will be a spoiler free review. I listened to the audiobook via Audible. I’ve enjoyed this series a lot and I’m really excited to dive into Sylvia’s other series now! If you’re interested, you can check out my spoiler free reviews for Thief and Prisoner. If you like these books, this series, you should check out my spoiler free review for Stolen Mage Bride for a look at what happens before the first book in this series.
While I really did enjoy this series – I’m always a fan of Beauty and the Beast retellings, I loved Nelle and Soran – I was left a little bereft with this book. I didn’t love it as much as I thought I was going to. It was a fairly decent ending with a lot of action, drama and high emotions. But I guess I just expected more.
I think my issue was that it was really predictable. I wasn’t surprised by anything that happened in this book. Everything kind of just conveniently happened. I get that it’s a retelling and that there are only so many things that can happen, but I was hoping for some twist.
My favorite element of this book – this series, really – is the relationship between Nella and Soran. I honestly really loved the two of them together and how much they change and grow. I thought their chemistry was so great and so enjoyable. Their arc in this last book is full of ups and downs, love and betrayal. The way Soran is just about completely undone by her, and the way Nelle cares for him so deeply…it’s so good. It just makes what goes down between them so much worse.
The events leading up to the ending – the choices Soran makes, the choices Nelle makes create so much drama and conflict and you get wrapped up and sucked in. I’ll be curious to see if there is a spin off series – I’d read it. I don’t want their story to be over yet.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It wasn’t everything I’d hoped or expected, but it’s a good book that sucks you in regardless. You’re immersed and you end up not wanting people to talk to you because you need to find out what happens next.
Writing The Universe 
One thought on “Book Review: Wraith (The Scarred Mage of Roseward #3)”