It Comes From Within by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Naomi Valkyrie did it again. Book 2 continues the story of Xenobia. There are new characters introduced that help grow the story and progress it further. The growth of Xenobia from book 1 into and throughout book 2 is fantastic. I can’t wait to read more in this series.
It Comes From Within by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
After Xenobia and her crew took out Javier and Kade in the first book of this series, she acquired the house that was led by Kade. She thought that things would finally settle down after all the small details were sorted and the members loyal to Kade weeded out. Little did she know that this was just the beginning of something bigger and badder coming their way.
A secret blood den ran by someone calling themselves the White Queen has emerged and is creating new vampires in the process. It’s up to Xen to shut it down if she wants peace within her house. She is also still trying to get a hang of the bond she formed with Matt and Onyx, maintain a relationship with Chi, train the girls who have different powers thanks to Xens blood, while having forgotten memories emerge. One more thing and Xenobia may just fall apart. She has to tap into her mental strength to be able to take all this on, luckily she is not alone this time.
I have said it before and I will say it again… I love love LOVE this author. They have such a weird and unique perspective that reflects in all of their writing. Nothing like reading about a badass female main character who can take on the world and never give up. Not to mention all of the different supernatural beings and elements added in!
I also really like how the author is taking the relationship between Xenobia and the men really slow. It shows the character arc of slowly gaining trust after being abused in the past. It also shows patience and loyalty on the men’s side of things. I am a huge fan of this whole polyamorous thing they have going on.
It Comes From Within by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
After reading book 1 and the prequel, I was so excited to get to read book 2 in this riveting series. We find Xen still struggling from the events of book 1. I am always such a fan of multiple POV’s so we can see what the other characters are thinking and feeling. This is a fast paced story with so much intrigue and danger lurking around every corner. Xen is dealing with the White Queen who wants her gone so she can rule and someone she trusted betrays her. Xen has to work quickly to try and keep herself and everyone she cares about safe. I am really enjoying this series and I feel like it does such a great job of blending the supernatural and making it feel realistic. Can’t wait for the next book!
It Comes From Within by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Again the second book in this series pulls you in from the beginning. The story does flow very well from one point of view to the others. I love how all of the main characters are integrated together especially Matthew, Xen, and Onyx. This book is very unique, I’ve never read one like this, I would highly recommend it. Plus, it’s a very easy read and has you wanting more.
It Comes From Within by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Not the book ending on a cliff hanger of that magnitude. I was sucked in and didn’t even realize I reached the end. The villain of the book took me by complete surprise but in hindsight it shouldn’t have. This was the best installment so far. The characters are fantastic. There isn’t a dull point in the book. I cannot wait until the next one comes out.
It Comes From Within by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
It Comes From Within is Book 2 in the House Valdis series and I highly recommend reading the prequel along with the first book as this story is the continuation…. and wow…..just when I thought I had it figured out. This author continues to be one of my favorites and the thought of the whole storyline along weaving in all of the details…I am totally amazed. Told in multiple POV’s, which I love to really get to know all the characters and how they come into play in this book… I can only hope that maybe there will be another book……fingers crossed.
Xenobia has so much riding on her shoulders. Protecting the ones that she loves, there is an imminent threat and trying to figure out whom is behind it all. With Matthew, Onyx, Chi there are multiple connections. The merge of two houses is a LOT…and Xen is trying not to feel that it is to much. With illegal blood den and secrets….trust if a big issue….especially feeling betrayal. Having the White Queen on your heels and lurking in the shadows…will Xen be able to protect everyone she cares about and will she find out the true identity of the White Queen….
I highly recommend this series…it is fantastic. The twists and turns had me turning the pages and glued to the story-line.
It Comes From Within by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It Comes From Within is the second book in the House Valdis series. I’d recommend beginning with the prequel, House Valdis Origins: Xenobia, as that provides vital background to this story. I’ve enjoyed many books by this author, who consistently delivers exciting and original urban fantasy stories with LGBT+ characters, and the House Valdis series is certainly no exception!
Xenobia is settling into her role at the head of the newly expanded House Valdis. She needs to strike a balance between doing what she can to protect and help those she loves, and not pushing herself too far. The growing threat from rogue vampires needs attention from her and her friends, before it gets out of hand.
I like that in this book we have more relationships developing between side characters. It’s good to see more of them, and have a broader spectrum of romances! The narrative shifts between multiple points of view, sometimes just for a page or two, so we get to see the perspectives of many characters on the story. Some of my favourites are Sylvia and Ezrah, who both get to play important parts in this story!
I’m looking forward to reading more from House Valdis! The story comes to a satisfying conclusion but there are still questions for a subsequent book to answer.
This book gets five stars from me! I’d recommend the series to paranormal romance fans looking for something with plenty of familiar characters and tropes, but also loads of original ideas to spark your imagination!
It Comes From Within by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This continues the story from The Rise of Valdis. I would suggest you read the prequel and Book 1. The story is very good. The characters will hold your interest through the whole story. I find it interesting that they can enchant themselves to loook like normal people. I really enjoyed the story. It’s action, romance, a bit of everything.
It Comes From Within by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the 2nd book in the House of Valdis series and we get a little more of Xenobia’s backstory. You really do need to read the prequel and the 1st book in order to fully understand what’s going on as we pick up roughly 6 months after the 1st book ends. I love the multiple POV’s we get in each chapter as it really allows you to relate to the different characters and gain insights that you otherwise wouldn’t have. This is a quick read and I can’t wait to see what Valkyrie has in store for Xenobia in the future.
Reviewed by @meggs1717
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The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie- 5 out of 5 stars
This quick read held my attention until the end. It is a well written and enjoyable debut novel. I love how the main character is a strong woman who supports other women. Can I also say just how gorgeous the cover art is on this book. I absolutely love this series. I recommend reading this book.
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It is some years since Xenobia fled her situation and she has a settled life on Earth, albeit she has to use a glamour to hide her origins, but she has her own business and is doing some good on the side, she helps girls by giving them the choice she didn’t have, the opportunity to work as one of her Companions where they will be looked after, fed watered, given a roof over their heads and most importantly, a choice of who they want to work with. One of the girls, Maggie was the catalyst for this decision, when Xenobia found her being beaten, she knew she had to act and now, Maggie is the only one she trusts with her true nature and the darkness within her.
All of it seems to be going well until a potential client enters her office for an interview and as she reads his emotions, she knows something isn’t right, especially when he mentions someone from her past, but regardless, she agrees to help and that is where things get complicated and Xenobia has to make a split second decision which will change her future forever. This new change means that she has to open up to everything she has been avoiding since her arrival seven years before, bringing down her walls and letting people in, however, what she doesn’t expect to happen is discovering a whole new world underneath the one she currently has, but will this new found information help, or hinder her life?
This is a paranormal romance where danger lies around every corner and nothing is quite as it seems as past and present collide to create a maelstrom of emotions, secrets, revelations and love, all while keeping you engrossed in the ties that bind an unusual group of people as they navigate new waters together.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Another wonderful book by a new favorite author of mine, Naomi Valkyrie. I absolutely love her style of writing. Each one of her books draw me in and I have a hard time pulling away to do real life! This one was no different. She does a great job world building and the characters are just amazing. The story was a little slow at first but just wait. It picks up and is very worth your time. I do recommend reading the short prequel but it’s not necessary.
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Naomi has to be one of the most creative authors I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. Who would think aliens and werewolves would go together? This story has me hooked from the first sentence. Nothing else mattered but finishing this book. Xenobia is such a wonderful being. Her dedication to protecting women who escape slavery and abuse is honorable. This novel has action, romance, friendship, lessons that you can apply to your own life.
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Prequel is a must before you read this book. Naomi Valkyrie is like my book goddess no joke. Her mind, her characters, her worlds, stories, just everything is diamond level amazing. This book is told from the perspective of primarily three to four people but has a total of six pov’s by the end of the book.
Xenobia has been on Earth now for seven years, arriving after the events of the prequel with her newly discovered powers. While she has worked hard to learn how to control them an event five years ago caused her to unleash for a moment. Now that issue has returned. Javier is a power-hungry man that will do anything to become a vampire, including forgetting his previous encounter with the true Xenobia and start to send her “messages”. The first is by kidnap of a man’s daughter to “repay” a debt only he is erased when paying it. Luckily, he was able to call Xenobia and she went there to save his daughter and take her in only to heal her in a way she never had before. Giving her blood to the girl to save her life had some risk of powers developing in the girl. Mercy is now alone having lost both of her parents and is now different on a cellular level and now can compel vampires. Detective Matthew Winters is not just a man but a shifter who after a “dream visit” reveals himself to Xenobia and she returns the reveal of herself. Onyx is a vampire that has a very entwined past with Matthew so when he shows up as Javier’s second messenger Matt is thrown for a loop when a painful truth is revealed. Chi is an ancient guardian and feels drawn to Xenobia to support her in the upcoming events with Javier. Xenobia has cut her heart from feeling now she has two men she is drawn to and a growing mountain of stress and threats coming her way.
Who will Xenobia chance her heart with? Can she and her allies beat Javier? How far will he go to get the power he craves? Everything about Xenobia draws you in, how she feels others’ emotions and yet can’t read their minds. She must earn their trust and her theirs to truly understand the private feelings and the meanings behind them. Saving Mercy gave her a blessing in a way she is no longer alone in what she is at least not completely anymore. The twists, turns, growth, evolving and morphing that the story and the characters go through pull you in deeper with every page and I cannot wait for book two, I must know what happens and how it will all end. I’ll meet you there, book two, It Comes from Within.
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am so glad I have found this series. Also, you do not have to read the prequel but I highly recommend it. Xenobia is one warrior of an alien. I truly love the multiple points of view in this book and cannot wait to get to the second one. If you like adventure and SciFi definitely try this series out.
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve read a few books by this author, but this is hands down my favorite so far! I read the prequel, House Valdis Origins: Xenobia, and it was such an amazing teaser that I was chomping at the bit to get to the official start of the series. Once I opened the book, time no longer existed (sorry to my responsibilities) as I was absolutely captivated and read straight through! The story became a movie in my head as the flow of the story was perfection. It also has multiple points of view which is an automatic brownie point for me! Xenobia is a force to be reckoned with, and definitely not someone you want to cross. There are scenes of meditations and dreams that are hard for me to explain, but some of my favorite parts of the book! If you enjoy sci-fi mixed with paranormal, then you will fall in love with this book. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
House Valdis Origins: Xenobia by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
fantastic!
I’m a huge fan of Naomi’s. I just started this series and I’m hooked. I cannot wait to read more about Xenobia. If you like this one definitely check out her other stories.
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Rise of House Valdis is my second time reading work from author Naomi Valkyrie. I started with the prequel to this story, House Valdis Origins: Xenobia. While not ‘necessary’ to read the prequel to this book, it was a quick read and I think worth it to really get to know the background of the main character, Xenobia.
I loved the way this story came together. With the descriptions, character developments and getting different points of view of the characters involved, it was so easy to feel the same feelings with them. The pages didn’t stop turning. This story seemed to have a little bit of everything! The author is incredibly imaginative and keeps you locked in until the end. I highly recommend to book lovers who love a strong female lead, where supernatural fantasy meets with sci-fi. It works!
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a book that was hard to put down. Who needs sleep anyway? I’m not always a big fan of multiple POV’s. However, when it’s done right, I actually LOVE it. This author does it right! You really get the feel for each character and get to know them well. The contrast between Xenobia and Matthew is extremely interesting and makes for a great read.
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I first discovered this author while reading the anthology Aliens on Earth which is a limited-edition 12 books romance collection (if you haven’t read it yet I highly Recommend going to check it out. You might find a new favorite author or book Series). After reading that story, I just had to check out more from Naomi Valkyrie. Coming upon this story after seeing the cover (which I thought was cool ) I wanted to dive in and read. Which I’m not disappointed in the least. This book was beautifully written and the world and characters the author built are very well detailed and it’s awesome , it helps build a better picture with in your imagination 🥰 i also love the Multiple POVs. I am totally looking forward to reading more from this new but talented author.
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Rise of House Valdis is the first book in The House Valdis Series. It is an urban fantasy, paranormal romance with action, danger, sci-fi elements, superpowers, shifters, vampires, and aliens. The story centers around the MC of Xenobia, an alien, trying to fit in and seem normal. Xen has a heart of gold but will do anything to protect those she loves even if it means exposing her powers and who she really is. She is a character that you find yourself rooting for and feeling a connection with because of her empathy, compassion, and kindness. Make no mistake though, Xen is strong, feisty, and will fiercely protect those she loves. This book had me hooked from the first the few pages due to the author’s unique writing style and great world building. Looking forward to the next book!
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As with the prequel to this series, the author definitely knows how to pull you in from the beginning. This book is not what I expected at all. I do like the fact that not only are there two points of view (like the norm), but there are three which is unusual. It does give you the most out of the story and you will be more well-rounded in what’s going on in the story. The characters are very well developed and they do grow throughout the novel.
Test of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book isn’t a disappointment from the last one. It has suspense, blooming romance, and comedy. It continues to draw you in until the very end. Come join the characters you’ve grown to love on this next part of their adventure.
Test of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book two in the series did not disappoint. The ending from book one instantly had you excited for the next in the series and this was exactly what I hoping for. The book starts right back from where the previous book ended with the four leaving the realm. As the story progresses, we learn more and more about each character as the story is told in their individual point of views. This will always be one of favorite ways for character development to expand and it is done very well in this series. This is best to be read in order in the series but could potentially be read as a stand alone. This book continues to focus on the four main characters but brings back old and introduces new characters that help move the story along. It is very important to note that there are some very heavy topics in this book but it is written very well and there is a warning at the beginning off the book. Overall, great futuristic read that will keep you wanting more.
Test of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second book in The Serrulata Saga, and it was just as incredible as the first! I wouldn’t recommend reading this as a standalone as it picks up right where the first book left off. There is also a great amount of detail overall, which I absolutely love, so getting the feel of the first one would help tremendously. You get to experience this story from multiple points of view, and I love that because it lets you get into the character’s minds a bit more. The depth of the characters is something that I have a hard time finding anywhere else. The author expertly crafts each character, developing them at the perfect pace, and making them somehow both diverse and relatable at the same time. The flow of the story is seamless as I never felt jolted out by an oddly placed phrase or scene change. I lost an entire weekend reading this book, so clear a couple days ahead of time. If you like the dystopian sci-fi genre, this should hands down be your next read! I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Test of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Make sure to read the Gathering of the Four before the Test of the Four! It picks up right where the previous book ends. They have finally reached outside the Realm, into the unknown world. Leora continues to develop her magic. Leopold recovers from his injuries and is trying to heal from this past as well. Roland and Aurora continue their newly formed relationship. Old and new characters are added to the mix. I highly enjoyed Eve’s continued development in the story. I also enjoy the blurb before the chapter because it gives the readers hints about what is about to happen and helps the reader to piece the information together. More of the technology and the city is revealed in this book. It is set in the distant future with alternative events to our current day. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
Test of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second book from this series I have read and it is really peaking my interest. I usually tend to read romance but this series has been able to extend my reading interests. I find that the books really flow well from one another and that I could not put this book down. I really became enamelled in the characters and the adventure they are embarking on. I really like how the author is able to wind together adventure,intrigue and a dash of romance. I really felt drawn to the characters and the chemistry that is being built within this series. I really look forward to further books in this series to see how it evolves.
Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
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Fantasy at a whole new level. Fast paced science fiction that will keep you glued to the end. Great characters with very detailed descriptive scenes. This author is on it, draws you in with great pace throughout. Looking forward to the next one.Test of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fantasy at a whole new level. Fast paced science fiction that will keep you glued to the end. Great characters with very detailed descriptive scenes. This author is on it, draws you in with great pace throughout. Looking forward to the next one.
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I really loved this story. After reading the prequel House Valdis Origins: Xenobia I was super excited to dive into this series and boy this story did NOT disappoint. I cannot say enough time and time again the story-telling that this author does is unique and I love how this book totally had me sucked in from the first page to the end. Multiple POVs are used and you really get to know each character and how they are embedded as you turn each page. This book was hard to put down and I cannot wait until I dive into book 2.
Xenobia is a protector and wants to come do right making sure women are safe and not being targeted or abused. When Xen rescue’s a girl named Maggie, this opens up a chain of events that could possibly put her in danger if anyone truly found out what she is. Can Xen keep everyone safe when they need her without exposing to much…
This is a great urban fantasy story and I highly recommend this book. Fantastic Read!
The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This Sci-Fi Fantasy is intense and will have you hooked with the twists and turns. I love strong leads like this one. Xenobia is enlightened enough to understand and appreciate the fact that she is different than others. Her past experiences taught her to be extra cautious around others, limit the amount of people who know about her abilities and never show her true colors.
I found the introduction of a wolf shifter and vampire quite intriguing and Xenobia’s personal response to them had me chuckling.
I enjoyed learning more about Xenobia’s world and abilities, as well as those belonging to the other supernatural beings. The meditation and dreams sequences were also a bit trippy which I enjoyed.
I hope to read more from this author since I enjoyed the last two titles. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
