She believes he murdered her parents, the King and Queen of the Sky Throne. She believes he wants her and her sister dead. But one person’s perception and reality are rarely so succinct.
Charlotte grew up being in love with the man she was promised to marry. Aurek was a warrior, a Daeva Prince to equal her Daeva Princess, and meant to protect their people when they took the throne. Where she was spoiled and young, he was patient and understanding. When she had outbursts, he was there to sooth her naive woes. It was a perfect match, just like her parents intended.
Until he murdered them.
Hiding was something she never thought she would achieve. It was only a matter of time. But hours became days, and days became years. The thought of being found slipped away, becoming nothing but nightmares and memories. Her and her sister made a life in a world filled with technology, hiding amongst Humankind despite being nothing so simple. They were safe, and it was all that mattered.
Until he found them.
Becca Ryden’s debut novel is a fantasy/romance with dark undertones. It is set in modern-day with ties to the 1800s and encompasses various fantasy elements, from magic and vampires to the elements and the old gods. If you find certain events triggering, this book may not be suitable for you.
“Desperation” is the first novel in The Animus series.
About The Author
Becca grew up in Washington state, not too far from Seattle. It was a place where waking up to woodpeckers banging on the gutters and savoring the oddly refreshing smell of a freshly mucked stall became familiar. Growing up as an only child may be seen by some as a lonely experience, but for Becca, it ignited her imagination and sparked her storytelling instincts at a young age. At thirteen, she began writing stories, albeit with terrible plots. Nevertheless, it marked the beginning of an incredible journey that she’s still living today.
Even after completing her first book as part of her Senior Project in high school, Becca’s passion for writing didn’t diminish. She decided to take a daring step and joined the US Army, embarking on an adventurous chapter of her life. However, during that time, her creativity took a backseat. It wasn’t until later, when she picked up the book she had written in high school, that she cringed at her earlier attempts. After her deployment to Afghanistan, falling in love with and marrying a wonderful man, and completing her service, Becca felt a deep longing to revisit her childhood dream.
And now, here she is, years later, with her debut novel finally in her hands. This story has been a decade-long dream of hers, and it’s only the first installment of what will become a series.