[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Strix (Bag of Tricks)

Katalina Leon is an artist, an author, mother and wife. She writes for Loose Id Publishing and Ellora’s Cave. Kat tries to bring a touch of the mystical and a sense of adventure to everything I write because I believe there’s a bold, kick-ass heroine inside all of us who wants to take a wild ride with a strong worthy hero. 

The Strix (Bag of Tricks)
Authors:  Kataline Leon and Amber Skyze

Synopsis:
A cursed amber amulet unearthed in Pompeii flings Arcona into a past life of witchcraft, bloodshed, revenge and sexual slavery to the cruel Master of a gladiatorial school. This violent parallel world is populated with “Slayers,” blood-drinking immortals devoted to the gods of war and mayhem.

As a Strix, or malignant witch, Arcona once used sex and blood rituals to create a race of immortal warriors to unleash on Rome. Now it’s time to pay.

The gladiator Tyr was one desperately lonely lover she betrayed. Against his will, she turned him into Upir Likhyi, a foul vampire. For two millennia he’s lived a grim existence as a Slayer, in constant sexual arousal yet denied release; now, he's pissed off and wants revenge. He kidnaps Arcona planning to drink her dry and break the curse. 

Along the way Arcona and Tyr relive their sexual slavery at the hands of Rome and blood sport in the arena, but the real magic is they forgive and fall in love. 

Too bad another Slayer wants them dead.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer - Michelle M:

*eARC received from the author via BTS

When Chelle from LITERAL ADDICTION asked me to read The Strix for their 10/12 Promo Event I eagerly agreed. Upon starting the book, however, I was a little confused. I didn't stay that way for too long though. 

Once the book got to present day and Arcona was fully introduced, things started coming together. 

Arcona goes back to Salem to spend the day with her college friends. After lunch, they go to a Wiccan store where they all dip their hands into a sack and pick out a stone. Arcona picked out red amber. This was where things started happening. She has this weird feeling and ends up back at the shop. After she leaves the store she goes into what she "thinks" is a gentlemen's club. That is where the adventure really begins. 

You go on a wild ride from the past Arcona to the present day Arcona, where she has been reincarnated without memory of the past. She does end up remembering though, so that she can 'clean' everything from her past life. 

There have been many times were I haven't connected with characters in a book. I feel like I did with a few of these though. Tyr is one that has a great story and comes a long way during the course of the story. At the end you will end up saying "oh I am so glad that happened!" 

LITERAL ADDICTION's Guest Reviewer gives The Strix (Bag of Tricks) 3 1/2 Skulls.

The Strix (Bag of Tricks)