[ARC Review] The Wrath by Gena Showalter

PUBLISHER'S SYNOPSIS: For centuries, Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies, has existed for one purpose: recovering the enchanted bones of his slain wife to bring her back to life. He’s never been closer to success. But a new enemy has risen. A band of deadly war gods who have thirty days to destroy her or suffer the consequences. With time running out, Rathbone hires a maddening harpy-oracle, unaware she has an agenda of her own.

Neeka the Unwanted is a fierce warrior on a mission: stop Rathbone and the gods. She’s seen the future if either is victorious, and it’s horrifying. She’ll do whatever proves necessary to forge a new path, even seduce the ruthless royal from his purpose. What she can’t predict? How the intense male will shatter her hard-won defenses along the way. 

As Rathbone battles unexpected betrayals, cunning foes and the wild temptress he craves with every fiber of his being, he knows he must choose: hold on to a cold dream or embrace a new flame.  

**The following review was also submitted to Under the Covers Book Blog as a guest review**

MY THOUGHTS: The Rise of the Warlords series just keeps getting better and better. The Wrath features my favorite couple yet, despite the fact that far less focus is on the Astra warlords. The shift in focus has definitely kept the over-arcing plot of the series interesting, as we saw less of the next Astra task and more how it affects any bystanders. 

Neeka and Rathbone truly had some of the best interactions (flirting?) of the series, and a lot of that had to do with how much I loved Neeka and her personality. Her confidence and how she verbally expresses herself is definitely a new goal. As an oracle who slips in and out of visions, Neeka was a treat to read and kept me grinning every time it was her turn to shine. Gena always manages to strike the perfect balance between serious conversation, banter, and sarcasm, and this combination is at its peak in this paranormal romance. 

Without spoiling plot points outside of the synopsis, I really liked that there was more than usual to focus on within the story. So far, the series has given us the relationship and the warlord's task in each book; but, The Wrath ended up giving us far more, both in terms of couples and things that needed to be accomplished for the Astra to succeed. 

With Gena's witty writing, fantastic dialogue, and more than usual happening with the Astra and their harpies, The Wrath is a must read for paranormal fans who gravitate towards strong females and the gruff males who fall in love with them. 

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Release date: 2/6/24

Format: eARC

eARC provided via: Gena Showalter's Review Team