Fatal Rites The Brotherhood of the Fourth Order of Mary Magdalene Book One
Paranormal and Urban Fantasy
Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd
March 29, 2020
285
In a world of Catholicism, curanderismo and paganism, new author, Xandra Roz, crafts Fatal Rites, a sizzling fast-paced paranormal romance about Alessandro, leader of ‘The Brotherhood of the Fourth Order of Mary Magdalene’ and his quest to save his fated mate, Omari, from the clutches of Lucifer and Armand De Garis, brutal vampire-sovereign of the New Orleans Coven of the Accursed.
Born of Christ’s blood through Mary Magdalene’s lineage, Alessandro’s faith is tested, and he finds himself disillusioned with the very organisation that sanctions the Brotherhood—the Vatican. Alliances are forged between the Brotherhood, the Defenders of the Light, the New Orleans Lycans, and Archangel, Kassiel, to rid the world of the basest of evil. Unknown to Alessandro, Omari has trained since a child, mastering the art of Krav Maga and the use of the Sai daggers. So, when the Allies are immobilised, she is forced to test her battle skills with the worst-imaginable malevolence.
In a narrative of universal truths, the two warrior mates and the allies are forced to navigate through heartbreak, betrayal and cultic rituals. Fatal Rites takes fantasy into a multifaceted, multi-layered dimension of complex characters willing to risk all in the name of love.
Reviewed by Madison Davis
Member of the Paranormal Romance Guild Review Team
In this first book in ‘The Brotherhood of the Fourth Order of Mary Magdalene’ series, we meet Alessandro, the charismatic leader of the Fourth Order of Mary Magdalene.
His task and duty in this book are to save his mate Omari, who has been taken by Lucifer and Armand De Garis, the vampire leader of the New Orleans Coven of the Accursed.
Omari is a warrior and fighter capable of self-defense and martial arts and finds herself in the middle of the battle, using all of her training.
The Vatican sanctions the Brotherhood, founded based on Catholic beliefs, and therefore faces many supernatural challenges and fights evil… in Fatal Rites; Alessandro finds himself disappointed about the power behind the order. He and Omari have to fight against Evil, distrust, dishonesty, betrayal, and the pain that comes with love.
Fatal Rites is a fast-paced story that carries the reader within the shortest time into the plot’s heart. Good meets Evil, neutrality meets distrust, and I admit, I have been lured in to believe I can trust one character – and was utterly misled. I’m sure I wasn’t the only reader facing the same trap.
Armand De Garis is an outstanding character, in my opinion. Almost overpowering Alessandro, but the Brotherhood leader finally gets his way and becomes my favorite character. He is unique, strong, powerful in his beliefs, and responsible rather than reckless, even though it doesn’t seem so at times.
Omari is a detailed, worked-out person within the book, blessed with her own power and strength, and I admire her. (I think the only reason why she isn’t my favorite is my jealousy. I’m a bit in love with Alessandro).
The plot is well knitted, and the story building, the writing, the descriptions, and the character development is outstanding. I haven’t read a book of this quality in quite some time. It’s a real page-turner, and I’m excited to see it’s the first book in a series. I’d love to read the next one.