Divine Blood
Beck Michaels
Guardians of the Maiden #1
Cover and Synopsis
Divine Blood Cover & Blurb
A map to a place they each desire. A destiny they didn’t expect.
The Shadow demon nearly took everything from Dynalya Astron, and it would soon return for more. When she discovers a way to fight back, she must go on a perilous journey and risk it all for those she holds dear.
Along the way, she meets Cassiel, a Celestial Prince with magic blood and wings as black as his heart. He wants nothing to do with Dyna until he learns she could lead him to a place he has been searching for all his life.
But reaching their destination is not as easy as they thought, nor are they the only ones who search for it. With danger at every turn and harrowing secrets between them, the quest will require much more than determination. They must fight for what they desire—or die trying.
For fans of Throne of Glass,The Cruel Prince, and The Lord of the Rings comes Beck Michael’s debut novel with remarkable characters, a budding romance, and gripping action. Divine Blood is the first book of an Epic Dark Fantasy series that explores the depths of loss, acceptance, and the true meaning of courage.
Book Information
divine Blood
Independently published June 2020 by Beck Michaels.
Genre : Fantasy
Pages : 367 pages, Kindle Edition
Review
Divine Blood by Beck Michaels
Minor Spoilers
Divine Blood by Beck Michaels is a fantastic start, to what I can only assume is going to be one epic series. For Michaels first book, both in the series and in print, I am blown away by the absolute gloriousness that is Guardians of the Maiden. I love complex storylines; the more moving parts, the better, and Divine Blood did not disappoint.
As someone with Aphantasia, or at least in my experience, I read for the story and plot. I don’t read to have the colour of someone’s eyes described to me in three paragraphs or pages of words describing trees. I didn’t find myself skimming paragraphs of, to me, useless, albeit often gorgeous, descriptions of forests.
Michaels story doesn’t go overboard on excessive details, but the writing is still elegant and beautiful.
Divine Blood is told from multiple POV’s without any abrupt or significant disruptions in the story. Michaels is clear and concise in her writing, and even though our characters were often together, there is no confusion as to whose POV is being conveyed to the reader. As Michaels story progresses and we encounter new, important characters, we also get new POV chapters.
We start with our Maiden, Dynalya. Usually, I’m not a fan of characters like Dyna. Instead, I like strong, fierce female leads. Women who don’t need men. Smart, strong-willed, ruthless women who would stop at nothing to get what they want.
Around a quarter way into Divine Blood & Dyna nearly died like seven times.
But it wasn’t all Dyna’s fault. On her own in her village, she is a force to be reconned with. A healer and wielder of Essence, but out on the road, she was willfully unprepared. Although Dyna lacked many qualities I admire – she did have a lot of qualities to be admired. She is kind and loving and far too compassionate for her own good. Too trusting, like a child who comes running home with hurt and broken animals regardless of how dangerous they may be.
In life, many of us could benefit from the lessons Dyna teaches throughout Divine Blood.
As a society, we would all benefit from being a bit more like Dyna.
Dyna has decided to leave her home searching for an old relic she believes will stop a Shadow Demon from coming and killing more children in her village, as it did to most of her family. Our dear Dyna’s first stop is to be to recruit her cousin, Zev, a half-breed werewolf. Instead, however, she is nearly executed on her way for wandering into a long-forgotten realm—the realm of the Celestials.
Enter Cassiel, the half-breed Celestial.
Cassiel decides to help Dyna and her cousin in her search for Mount Ida. A forgotten place that no one can find, although many have tried. Including Cassiel’s mother. Due to Dyna’s lineage, she has found herself in possession of an enchanted map that should lead them right to Mount Ida. Unfortunately, Dyna’s too-trusting nature, or as Cassiel says, because she is a stupid human, soon others know about the map.
Enter Von & Tarn – & the Prophecy.
Tarn and his minion Von are your typical bad guys. Humanized through POV chapters from Von’s perspective, we learn Tarn has been hunting for Sacred Scrolls that will lead him to Mount Ida. And so the hunt begins for Dyna, Zev & Cassiel. The Maiden and two of her six prophecized Guardians.
Divine Blood is truly lovely. Cassiel and Zev are both battling unseen demons within themselves as they attempt to keep Dyna safe. Dyna’s love and acceptance helping them to face their demons. Dyna is that one ray of sunshine on a stormy day and her Guardians will do anything to protect her.
The Seer from Faery Hill said the Maiden with the key would lead us to Mount Ida. She spoke of six Guardians who would protect you
Quotes
Divine Blood Quotes
Dread hung over her. Heavy and suffocating as a blanket during the humid heat of summer.
Moonlight shimmered over the pearl sheen of his wings, the feather tips brushing the floor.
Her soul was a luminous, blazing green with the light of a thousand thunderstorms.
A terrible chill sank through him when he realized he held the severed head of a wolf, its muzzle cracked open. Glass-like eyes frozen in terror stared up at him.
It looked like a hill of crushed rubies glimmering under the sunlight.
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