House of Eclipses Book Review

House of Eclipses is the first book in a new duology by Casey L Bond. Thank you to Lady Amber PR for the ARC copy.

BLURB

Noor is the unwanted, unloved third born of the Aten, chosen vessel of the sun goddess, Sol. While she has no chance at inheriting her father’s title, what she truly longs for is peace from his unrelenting hatred. Hope builds that she may finally be able to claim that reprieve when a missive arrives from the House of the Moon.

The new Lumin, chosen of the moon god, Lumos, seeks to broker peace with the Kingdom of Helios for the first time in ages. He envisions open trade routes and an end to archaic rivalries. His dedication to this cause extends to visions of a union between the two families by marrying one of Aten’s daughters, if one of the matches is a fit.

Driven by his own twisted agenda, Noor’s father is willing to sacrifice his daughters as pawns to steal the crown for him to further his despotic reign. But Noor has other ideas. For whomever wears the crown of moonlight, holds the power of the moon itself. With such strength at her command, she could finally defeat her tyrannical father.

Yet this endeavor cannot be accomplished without great sacrifice. As Noor learns more about Lumin Caelum, guilt over her betrayal consumes her, burning hot as the sun itself. If only he wasn’t kind, and selfless, and exactly what she wanted. If only she had greater dominion over her heart…

Can Noor carry out her plan and end her father’s vile reign? Or will unlikely alliances allow a new day to dawn?

REVIEW

I absolutely love Casey’s novels and House of Eclipses definitely didn’t disappoint. The world building and setting allowed me to truly imagine Helios and Lumina with their differing temperatures, environment, culture and leaders who talk to the goddess Sol and god Lumos.

The main characters are all very different, but my favourites were Noor, Caelum, Vada and Beron. The Aten, Noor’s father, is a cruel man and I didn’t like how he treated others. The Sol priests were so kind and caring, Kiran- her friend and Saric- who guides and helps share the truth with Noor. Her sisters, Citali and Zarina, have their own agendas and hate Noor. Noor has the kindest heart and tries her best to help others as the people of Helios don’t have much food as the Aten hoards it.

You truly see Noor’s character at the House of Dusk as she treats everyone with respect and wants to learn more about Lumina while Citali is very rude. I loved her interactions with Caelum and the bonds she forms with Vada and Beron. The relationship that grows between Noor and Caelum was slow but it was great to see their shifting feelings and their enjoyment in the time they shared with each other. I loved the way they told each other their feelings. There were so many reveals and twists that surprised me but I loved how Caelum, Saric, Kiran, Beron and Vada all support her.

It wouldn’t be the House of Eclipses without Sol and Lumos. Their story and how Noor and Caelum have their power is bittersweet. I can’t wait for the next book and definitely will read again.

5/5 stars