By Dark Deeds

Blade and Rose, Book 2

By: Miranda Honfleur

Narrated by: Amanda Leigh Cobb

Length: 26 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Her hands shackled. An assassin hunting the man she loves. Will she save him in time?

Elementalist Rielle needs to get to the man she loves before the assassin pursuing him finds her mark. There's only one problem: she's chained aboard a slave ship bound for a foreign land.

And her new life is harsh, with her movements watched, food scarce, and safety even scarcer. Immortals ravage Emaurria, and a distant relation sparks the fires of rebellion against the new king while shrewd royals angle for an advantageous marriage. Powerful foreign nobles whisper promises in Rielle's ear - and lies with fatal consequences - but with more than her life at stake, whom can she trust? And while Jon faces personal demons, wars, widespread hunger, unrest, and politics, the assassin lurks in his periphery, a knife in the dark.

With her death looming at every turn and an unforgiving barren desert between her and Jon, can Rielle save him before it's too late, or will the brutal sands claim her life...and everything she loves?

If you like the romance of A Court of Thorns and Roses, the dark intrigue of the Black Jewels series, the epic adventure of Game of Thrones, and a heroine who never gives up, you’ll love this romantic epic fantasy series.

Pick up By Dark Deeds and dive into a medieval world sensual and dark, full of magic and greed, love and blades, where factions vie for influence and there are no easy choices....

(Note: This is an adult fantasy novel, and as such, there are adult situations depicted, including adult language, violence, romance, depression, alcohol and/or drug use, etc. This is the second book in a projected six-book series, so although this book's story is complete, it is not a stand-alone novel.)

©2018 Miranda Honfleur (P)2019 Miranda Honfleur

My new favorite series.

I seriously can’t understand why this series isn’t in mainstream bookstores and libraries. I feel it is just as good if not better than many of the books I’ve read there.
Oh! The feels! For most of the book, I wanted to either shake someone or hug them. The things that Rielle had to go through and the destruction of Jon over her disappearance made me want to scream and cry and hope no one was watching me listen to this book. Not to mention Brennan’s about face.
Amanda Leigh Cobb has narrated another masterful performance. This was one of those books that made me want to hurry up and find out what happens, while purposefully delaying, just so I can stay in the world Miranda Honfleur created just a little bit longer.
All of the characters are soooo flawed. Good and bad. Every. Single. One of them. I was so close to yelling at Jon. Yelling at Rielle. Yelling at the both of them. Together. Lots of yelling. Olivia was my savior. She was the only one who had a brain in her head and even her, poor girl, couldn’t catch a break.
Leigh, on the other hand, came out smelling like roses compared to the shitstorm he unleashed on the world.
I loved that the book was so long. A lot of people complained about the elves being boring but I loved that there were good “fantasy” creatures that came back as well as the bad. If we can have knights and princesses, why not dragons and giants? Or mermaids and elves? It reminds us that not only one little piece of the world was affected, but the whole thing.
I can’t wait for the next installment. Thank you, Miranda Honfleur, for the audiobook arc in exchange for my unbiased review.

Heartbreaking!!

This book is absolutely nothing like the first book. The first one was definitely more lighthearted and fun. This one is almost hard to read because of how much pain and heartbreak is in here. I absolutely never cry ever for any reason, but there's one point in this story where a tear fell down my cheek. The story is written beautifully, where you feel the characters love and anguish and it feels like you're there in the room with them. I had no idea the story was headed in this direction. Just when you think you know what's going to happen and who is going to end up with who, you're sorely mistaken. The book reminds me a lot of Sarah J. Mass books, where romance changes in every book. I almost want to say I liked this book better than the
Sarah j. Mass books I've read. I wasn't screaming at Rielle. But I was screaming at John. Oh it was painful, but so good. On to the next one if my heart can take it.

Wow! Just Wow!

Wow! What a great follow up to Blad eand Rose! The narrator is really great and the storyline flows well following the adventures of all our main characters as they navigate the dangers of life!
Nothing is easy for any of them and all suffer at the hands of others ot at the hands of dangers around them!
I really enjoyed this and look forward to the continuing adventures of all! I really need to find out what happens to them - there are hints of yet more adventures that will try out the courage and will of all of our characters

I highly recommend thiis, but please read/listen to the first book before this one as they do follow on!

I received an ARC copy and am leaving this review freely and absolutely without reservations!!

Even better than the first

This book was even better than the first if that is possible. I loved it so much and I got so invested in the story I got so mad at the characters twice that I had to put the book down because I realized how upset I was getting. I just wanted everyone to come out with all the secrets and make everything right, but that would not be a very interesting story would it? I cannot wait to read more about Rielle, John and Brennan! Miranda Honfleur is great at cliff hangers making you need the next book now, which is something I love about her books.
I got to read this as an audio book and it has a great narrator!

Fantastic adventures!

This book takes you on a roller coaster of emotions for sure! Just when you think it’s going to be a wonderful moment, there’s a kink and everything gets upended! Fantastic second book in the series! I can’t wait for the next!
Amanda Leigh Cobb is absolute perfection with her narration! Crisp clear voice and you are never confused about which character is speaking! She changes characters flawlessly! A favorite voice for me!

wow what just happened!

'Dark Deeds' by Miranda Honfleur is the story of Rielle. 'Blade & Rose' is the start of the series.
'Dark Deeds' is his follow up; second book in the series.
This series has 5 books, but later this year (2019) book 6 will be released. There are also 2 novella's. This audiobook is about 26 hours and 6 minutes long. .

The narrator, Amanda Leigh Cobb has a nice and clear spoken voice and with pacing that makes the story easy understand and follow. She is easy to listen to.
I always need to get used to someone voice, but in her case it didn't take long.
I liked Amanda Leigh Cobb's voice straigh away. Her pronunciation is very good and she added the perfect amount of emotion when needed. The sound quality is also good. She is awesome and she totally uplifts the story with her talent as narrator.

This audio-book is very long. Same as the previous book.
This is book is awesome, intruiging and absolutely worth the read, just make sure that you have the next book available to read immediately because you will want it. This story is also very sad and making you happy the next part.
The author does a great job at drawing you into this magical world and teasing you with little bits of information along the way that creates mystery among their journey leading to a big plot twist near the end of the book. I can not wait to start the next book!

This books has many feels. Many more so than the previous book. I went to bed at night worried for fictional characters, that's how much this book snared me and dragged me in. The author puts you right in the trenches with the characters, experiencing every hardship and joy. And lordy were their hardships. To be honest I had a hard time listening to a certain part. It made me very sad and I felt in my deepest soul. I had a hard time to keep on reading this story. A specially because I could relate with my real life. But I am glad I did.

Dive into a medieval world sensual and dark, full of magic and greed, love and blades, where factions vie for influence and there are no easy choices.

Elementalist Rielle needs to get to the man she loves before the assassin pursuing him finds her mark. There's only one problem: she's chained aboard a ship bound for a foreign land and her new life is harsh, with her movements watched, food scarce, and safety even scarcer.

Immortals ravage Emaurria, and a distant relation sparks the fires of rebellion against the new king while shrewd royals angle for an advantageous marriage. Powerful foreign nobles whisper promises in Rielle's ear—and lies with fatal consequences—but with more than her life at stake, whom can she trust? And while Jon faces wars, widespread hunger, unrest, and politics, the assassin lurks in his periphery, a knife in the dark.

With her death looming at every turn and an unforgiving barren desert between her and Jon, can Rielle save him before it's too late, or will the brutal sands claim her life... and everything she loves?

I would definitely recommend this book if you like romance, magic and an action packed adventure across the kingdom you will enjoy this book. It's a good continuation for 'Blade and Rose' series.
But beware, this book is a lot darker than the first book in the series. Really not that light-hearted.
If you don't like that, this isn't for you.

If you like the romance of A Court of Thorns and Roses, the epic adventure of Game of Thrones, and a heroine who never gives up, you’ll love this romantic epic fantasy series.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

Everything you know will be turned upside down

Woof this book was a whopper. Now I know why the author named it By Dark Deeds.
I literally read about all these deeds in the Darkest hours of the night because I couldn't stop listening!!

I liked Rielle in the first book, but I LOVED her in book 2. After her kidnapping, she is sold into slavery and must learn to survive until she can figure out a way to escape. She was so strong on her own and this book honestly got real dark. She had to make decisions that were anything but easy, but very real for what I imagine slave trade looks like if you are "lucky" like Rielle. Between two bad situations, she chose the one that would protect herself and others who have become important to her.

Jon is truly losing himself to his duties. Torn between being the hopelessly in love and desperate boy who wants nothing but to find Rielle, and being a King who puts his people above his own wants and desires, he makes far too many disastrous mistakes that will have long lasting affects on the people he loves. If you loved Jon in book one, you may...struggle with book 2. Deep Deep down, he is that man, but his actions in By Dark Deeds definitely do not show it.

Shadow- the villain, ma she is one bitter hag. That's all I'll say about that.

Let's talk about Brennan. If you're team Brennan, this book will likely be a treat for you. He's a major character and his attitude changes almost as much as Jon's does. He's kind, caring, and dare I say or believe it, selfless? He's the person that Rielle fell in love with many years ago and the only one who casts aside his life and responsibilities to go after her. Though, fear not Jon fans, it's clear to me that this love triangle will continue on for a while yet, so hold onto your hats because I honestly can't tell who she'll end up with.

I'm so glad we also got more Olivia and Lee POVS in this book. Olivia finds the world a lonely place after the loss of her love, James. Now, she must try to lead his son Jon in the right direction as he mirrors the image of his father. She gets in cahoots with a lovely guard and he was the rare, yet desperately needed comedic relief. And I ship them so. hard.

Ok, let's talk about the ending. Man, when Jon and Rielle finally get to see each other again and she finds out all Jon has done in her absence, it was like watching a dumpster fire in the best of ways. Like oh man, you knew it was coming and he'd get his just desserts and it would be wicked and painful, but you couldn't take your eyes off it. Not for one second.

I can honestly say I had no idea where book 2 was going to lead me, but I sure as heck wasn't expecting what I read. I'm planning to go into book 3 with no expectations because it's clear that the author does not hesitate to turn everything upside down, and then some.

Incredible World Building

This is the second book in an intriguing and different series. The first book in this series was good but it had a lighter feel to it than this one which was much darker in places. The storyline involves lots of action and surprises and the characters continue to develop and we can watch them grow! The writing style is very good and the storyline flows easily in this high-stakes drama which is in turns heart-wrenching and heartwarming.

I don't want to give too many spoilers but here are a few snippets of information, Rielle was kidnapped and rushed aboard a slaver, unable to use her magic because of her shackles. The treatment she received on board wash horrid and humiliating but she was bought by a woman who wanted a scribe, whilst her brother wanted Rielle as a mistress.

Jon is helpless to help her, he's trying to be a good king and help the people. He asks Brennan, to use his abilities to track her down, something Brennan is eager to do as he's in love with Rielle. By the time he finds her, she has made a dangerous alliance in the hope of getting back to Jon. Jon's forced into making alliances of all kinds to help his people. Whilst Brennan seems to have got the girl he loves!

There is so much more I could say, but won't because I don't want to spoil your enjoyment of this book, I loved it and can't wait for the next one in the series to be available to listen to.

The narration of the book by Amanda Leigh Cobb was excellent, her interpretation of the characters and the wonderful world created by this talented author could not have been improved upon. She brought this story to life for me.

I was given this audiobook as a gift and am voluntarily writing my review.

Book three please!

This book series seriously has it all! The characters are spectacular, both the main ones and the smaller supporting characters. Each have such unique traits that make them so realistic and incredibly easy to connect and relate to. The pacing of these books is perfect, and the story just flows along leaving the listener completely engaged. Amanda is a fantastic narrator, and I truly love her voice and ability to allow the listener to be whisked away and immersed in the story. She does an incredible job at allowing each character to have their own voice. I would absolutely recommend!

Amazing storytelling

This is the second book in the Blade and Rose series and I was completely engrossed in the story and characters. I could not stop listening until I got to the end of the book. Amazingly told with wonderful characters.