The Rise of House Valdis (House Valdis Series) by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by Stephanie Runyon

The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Xenobia refuses to have a serious relationship with She found Javier beating Maggie five years ago, and Xenobia attacked him. Only Maggie knew that she wasn’t human. Maggie and the girls who were “employed” by Javier left as well. Xenobia had also borrowed some of his money. Despite this being a past issue, Javier has sent Mr. Smith to insist she return the women. Mr. Smith claims Javier has his daughter because of a debt of $100,000. Javier told him that if the girls were returned, then his debt would be excused and his daughter would not be harmed. Xenobia gave Mr. Smith the money, and he set up an exchange. Before he left for the exchange, Mr. Smith told Xenobia that his daughter’s name was Mercy. Something told Xenobia he didn’t think he would survive the exchange.

Xenobia receives a phone call: “Save Mercy.” Xenobia uses her power to keep him alive so he can learn where she is. She felt him die. Xenobia has to hurry to save Mercy. She arrives to find two men raping Mercy, and she intervenes by using her power to make the men commit suicide. Mercy is wounded, and Xenobia takes her back to the brothel house. She realizes that Mercy isn’t going to survive. Xenobia realizes Mercy needs blood. She uses her own to rescue Mercy, despite not knowing if there will be any unintended side effects.

The following day, Detective Matthew Winters questions Xenobia about a body that had her business card. Xenobia denied knowledge of the body. Matthew questions her about Mercy. Xenobia denied knowing her.

Matthew knew that Xenobia was lying. He could smell Mercy and sense Xenobia’s distress when he questioned her. As a wolf shifter, his senses were heightened. There was more about Xenobia that intrigued him as well. Later that evening, Matt falls asleep, and his dream shows Xenobia at the crime scene. Matthew returns to the brothel. He has one question for Xenobia.

“What are you?”

The Rise of House Valdis is a unique fantasy romance story involving Xenobia Valdis, Matthew Winters, and the women they have taken a vow to protect. The vivid details given to the characters display their strengths and insecurities as they face danger from humans and other supernatural creatures. The attraction between Xenobia and Matt is palpable, but they both carry baggage from the past that they have to face before diving into a relationship. The alternating perspectives of the characters made it easy to relate to the inner turmoil they faced. The plot is unpredictable, and the multiple twists kept me fully invested in the book. Readers who enjoy romance novels with magical creatures will enjoy Naomi Valkyrie’s The Rise of House Valdis. This series shows amazing promise to become a favorite for me.

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