Rogue (The Talisman Series) by Tam DeRudder Jackson – Review by Ayla Phipps

Rogue by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by Tam DeRudder Jackson; the original synopsis drew me to this story immediately. Within the first few pages the story developed into so much more than I expected, while Baz is a rogue it is not exactly by choice. Taking the best option in a bad situation he has been a rogue now for three years, but his key goal is to introduce a new class of Celtic fighters outside of the current black and white status of warriors and rogues. Reading that a warrior has until their 28th birthday I thought it was some type of trinket but meeting Delaney you quickly learn that it is the fated mate of a warrior, she is his talisman.
Working for the war goddess Morrigan is not an easy task but it’s better than allowing her to kill you the day of your birthday when you fail to find your talisman. While Baz completes every mission Morrigan gives him, she is not his true patroness, and he has an alternative goal in his life. He wants to go to one of the many other deities and start a third class of Celtic fighters, mercenaries, with him as their leader. Morrigan has her rogues hunting the Sheridan family warriors though, it is through Delaney’s perspective you learn why. A Sheridan ancestor denied the goddess’s offer to go to bed with her, being that they are descendants of a clan of demigods they can survive a night in her bed without dying from the experience. A thousand-year curse finally broken by Rowan and Alyssa Sheridan’s wedding giving rogues and talismans until the age of forty-two to find each other, which is a huge thing considering they originally only had seven years to find each other between the sign ceremony and their 28th birthday. Delaney now has hope once again for the first time in two years that she may still have a chance at love and happiness. Baz while pondering the possibility he wonders more so how it could affect his ultimate mission. When given the opportunity to move and have a training room for his rogues he takes the chance leading to the unexpected.
Will Baz succeed in getting his own class of fighters? How do Delaney and Baz find each other? Is their bond strong enough to save her? The incredible world the author creates pulls you in on page one and continues to build until the very end. I found myself feeling the irritation and shock with the characters and the ultimate fear and love Delaney and Baz feel when she is robbed of her memories. This is a page turner from start to finish and is a refreshing read. Instead of the young coming of age stories of olde this book is with older characters in their early thirties getting the chance to find their warrior and talisman. I look forward to reading more of this amazing series very soon.

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