Sealer’s Game by Kathy Coleman

Sealer’s Game
Kathy Coleman
(Sealer Saga #1)
Publication date: October 22nd 2019
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Hell hath no fury like a goddess scorned…

As Champion, Carita of Bel Auryn thought she would spend her days fighting demons. Instead, she is drawn into the latest scheme of the Moon Goddess, Ruby: a contest to choose a man who will have the “honour” of fathering her child. When Ruby encourages Carita to choose a man for herself, she picks the man she is most drawn to–and immediately regrets it.

Lucian Veradayne is the Lord of Death. He knows he must win Ruby’s game at any cost. It doesn’t matter that he has avoided her for two thousand years. Nor that she tried to kill their first child. And it really doesn’t matter that he would much rather woo Carita. The Soul Well has given Lucian a prophecy: he and Ruby must have another child. A child who will save the world.

Dealing with their mutual attraction will be the least of Lucian and Carita’s problems. They are not the only ones who have been drawn into Ruby’s game. Someone else wants to win. Someone who wants Ruby dead. Will Carita and Lucian be able to protect her long enough for a victor to be named? And if they succeed, will they be able to walk away from each other to ensure the prophecy is fulfilled?

Sealer’s Game is a 55,000 word fantasy romance novella about the King of the Underworld, a kick-butt warrior priestess, and a ruthless goddess who will stop at nothing to get her own way. It contains language, descriptions of violence, and sexual themes that may not be appropriate for all readers. Recommended for ages 18+.

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Author Bio:

Kathy Coleman lives in a little town in Ontario with her parents, one younger brother and two mischievous little dogs named D’Argo and Coco. She attended Trent University, majoring in English and Cultural Studies.

When she is not being kept awake at 3 a.m. by characters who refuse to quit talking, she can be found performing karaoke at charity events, updating her book blog I Write, I Read, I Review, shopping, or playing video games.

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Review

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Sealer’s Game opens up with a scene that will be triggering to many readers.  I had a lot of issues with it myself. I don’t want to accuse the author of pushing an agenda on a major cultural issue – and honestly, a lot of us do that whether we intend to or not.  That said, the opening scene and attitudes toward Ruby for not wanting to have a child by Lucian are… pointed.  And this, in turn, colored my impressions of the whole book.

Sometimes Ruby can appear as a sympathetic character.  Sometimes, mostly when she’s in scenes with Carita, she can be nice and affectionate.  Other times she comes off as evil incarnate.

I also took issue with Lucian’s need to make a baby with Ruby, despite her clear hatred for him and her previously expressed decision to NOT HAVE A BABY WITH HIM.  This tripped, er, all of my consent warnings.  His decision to approach in disguise, therefore, makes him as vile as a man can be.  Her feelings and consent do not enter into the equation. We have a word for that.

Lucian’s interest in Carita is palpable, and almost admirable. Carita herself is a very naïve young woman, and she also seems to be fairly easily led.  This makes it difficult to feel much sympathy for her.

The author has a remarkable way of describing a scene.  It is easy to immerse oneself into the action, and while I obviously took issue with a few aspects of the story I had no trouble staying in the story.  Suspension of disbelief was no problem.  She dropped tantalizing hints of a unique wider world happening all around the characters, one I’d be curious to know more about.

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