#BlogTour: STEADFAST by Michelle Hauck // #Review + #Giveaway

Hello and welcome to my blog tour post for

STEADFAST by Michelle Hauck!

I am reviewing the first book in the series, GRUDGING, for you today. There is also a giveaway for the first two books in the series (which I highly recommend you entering!). But before you read my review, let's learn more about the series finale, STEADFAST!

STEADFAST

Author: Michelle Hauck
Series: Birth of Saints #3
Publisher: Harper Voyage Impulse
Publication Date: December 5, 2017

Summary:
The final novel in Michelle Hauck's Birth of Saints trilogy, Steadfast follows Grudging and Faithful in telling the fateful story of Claire and Ramiro and their battle against a god that hungers for blood.

When the Northerners invaded, the ciudades-estado knew they faced a powerful army. But what they didn’t expect was the deadly magic that was also brought to the desert: the white-robed priests with their lethal Diviners, and the evil god, Dal. Cities have burned, armies have been decimated, and entire populaces have been sacrificed in the Sun God’s name, and it looks as if nothing can prevent the devastation.

But there are still those with hope.

Claire, a Woman of the Song, has already brought considerable magic of her own to fight the Children of Dal, and Ramiro, a soldier who has forsaken his vows to Colina Hermosa’s cavalry in order to stand by her side, has killed and bled for their cause. Separated after the last battle, they move forward with the hope that the saints will hear their prayers, their families will be saved, and that they’ll see each other once more.

A stirring conclusion to the Birth of Saints series, Ramiro and Claire’s journey finds completion in a battle between evil and love.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

This series started with...

GRUDGING

Author: Michelle Hauck

Series: Birth of Saints #1

Source:

Publisher: Harper Voyage Impulse

Publication Date: December 22, 2015

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary:

A world of chivalry and witchcraft…and the invaders who would destroy everything.

The North has invaded, bringing a cruel religion and no mercy. The ciudades-estados who have stood in their way have been razed to nothing, and now the horde is before the gates of Colina Hermosa…demanding blood.

On a mission of desperation, a small group escapes the besieged city in search of the one thing that might stem the tide of Northerners: the witches of the southern swamps.

The Women of the Song.

But when tragedy strikes their negotiations, all that is left is a single untried knight and a witch who has never given voice to her power. And time is running out.

A lyrical tale of honor and magic, Grudging is the opening salvo in the Book of Saints trilogy.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book as part of this blog tour to review. This in no way impacts my opinions.

This was a really strong start to a new fantasy series that I am sure I am going to love. Great characters, a really interesting mix of religion and magic, plus good action sequences all make for this to easily be one of the top fantasy books I've read in a long time.

I liked all the characters in this one and thought they were really well fleshed out. From the summary it seems as though we are only going to get to know Ramiro and Claire, but we learn about other characters as well and get to see everything that happens from all perspectives. This really added depth to the book that otherwise wouldn't have been there.

I think I would have liked the world building to have been done differently. There was a lot of good in there - with good information - but it felt as though it took a long time to get to the point where I felt comfortable reading about the history and intricacies of the world without getting bored. Most epic fantasy novels of this nature start out slow, but this one felt tedious at times, especially around 35% when the two main characters met for the first time. However, this didn't really detract from my reading experience because it was so well done and so interesting.

I am really intrigued by the magic system. I think there is a lot of ground to cover still in the next couple books to see exactly how far reaching this magic is. I liked Claire's hesitations and reservations using it, but I would still like to see more of it. From the description of the next book, it appears we get to do so!

In the same vein, I want more of the religious aspects, especially with the Northerners religion and "false God" Dal. I think their ways are really well done, but we have just scratched the surface. I have so many questions that I want answered immediately! This book gave us a lot of good details, but also left you wanting more and to pick up the next one right away.

I guess I don't really have real complaints about this book, I just want to continue reading the series. This was such an intense and interesting start to the series and I can't wait to see how this story unfolds! I have high hopes for Ramiro and Claire and I am really excited to continue reading.

Also in this series...

FAITHFUL

Author: Michelle Hauck

Series: Birth of Saints #2

Publisher: Harper Voyage Impulse

Publication Date: November 15, 2016

Summary:

Following Grudging--and with a mix of Terry Goodkind and Bernard Cornwall--religion, witchcraft, and chivalry war in Faithful, the exciting next chapter in Michelle Hauck's Birth of Saints series!

A world of Fear and death…and those trying to save it.

Colina Hermosa has burned to the ground. The Northern invaders continue their assault on the ciudades-estados. Terror has taken hold, and those that should be allies betray each other in hopes of their own survival. As the realities of this devastating and unprovoked war settles in, what can they do to fight back?

On a mission of hope, an unlikely group sets out to find a teacher for Claire, and a new weapon to use against the Northerners and their swelling army.

What they find instead is an old woman.

But she’s not a random crone—she’s Claire’s grandmother. She’s also a Woman of the Song, and her music is both strong and horrible. And while Claire has already seen the power of her own Song, she is scared of her inability to control it, having seen how her magic has brought evil to the world, killing without reason or remorse. To preserve a life of honor and light, Ramiro and Claire will need to convince the old woman to teach them a way so that the power of the Song can be used for good. Otherwise, they’ll just be destroyers themselves, no better than the Northerners and their false god, Dal. With the annihilation their enemy has planned, though, they may not have a choice.

A tale of fear and tragedy, hope and redemption, Faithful is the harrowing second entry in the Birth of Saints trilogy.

Purchase:

Amazon | Chapters | TBD

Michelle Hauck lives in the bustling metropolis of northern Indiana with her hubby and two teenagers. Two papillons help balance out the teenage drama. Besides working with special needs children by day, she writes all sorts of fantasy, giving her imagination free range. A book worm, she passes up the darker vices in favor of chocolate and looks for any excuse to reward herself. Bio finished? Time for a sweet snack.

She is a co-host of the yearly contests Query Kombat and Nightmare on Query Street, and Sun versus Snow.

Her epic fantasy, Kindar's Cure, is published by Divertir Publishing. Her short story, Frost and Fog, is published by The Elephant's Bookshelf Press in their anthology, Summer's Double Edge. She's repped by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary.

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