The Phantom by Gena Showalter [Review]

The Phantom (Rise of the Warlords #3, Lords of the Underworld #16) by Gena Showalter
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: June 13, 2023

Rise of the Warlords
1. The Warlord
2. The Immortal
3. The Phantom - Hardcover | Kindle
4. The Wrath

Related Series:
(find all the reviews for the series under the first review)
Lords of the Underworld
1. The Darkest Night

Gena Showalter
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

As the son of a war god, Roux Pyroesis has suffered unending pain—he’s caused it, too, dispatching his foes with alarming ease. Now he’s tasked with cutting out the heart of a powerful queen who rules an ancient prison realm inhabited by the most vicious immortal females in existence.

Blythe the Undoing is a decorated harpy warrior determined to annihilate Roux, the invader who killed her beloved consort. Nothing will stop her. Even if she must trap herself for eternity by sneaking into the brutal realm and taking the crown, pitting herself against the merciless male she’s sworn to despise.

Having never known desire, Roux is ill prepared for the stunning beauty who challenges him at every turn. For the survival of his army, duty comes first. Always. But what happens when the flames of Blythe’s hatred burn out and she craves him, too…but only one of them can live?

Thoughts on The Phantom: We're back with the Astra Planeta warriors and the harpy women who challenge them. And by challenge, I mean the collective harpy ladies taunt, tease, and otherwise do their best to make the warriors regret invading Harpina. Until, you know, the two groups are working together to thwart an enemy and all that.

So. Roux and Blythe. These two didn't get off on the best foot seeing as how Roux beheaded Blythe's consort in the heat of battle. Things get even more complicated when Blythe possesses Roux (to save herself and her kiddo) and gets to spend some time in his head. THEN things get even MORE complicated when Blythe's not-so-great daddio tosses her into a realm as bait for Roux.

Yeah, family dynamics are a mess for these folks. Between Blythe's father's actions and Roux's father's version of childrearing both of them have a lot to work through. But they do it. They snark and sass and go all stone cold sometimes, but these two get where they need to be.

A dangerous realm, a whole bunch of women who hadn't seen a man in a looooonnnnng time, a little case or two of betrayal, some fighting, some steamy kisses, a little teasing (okay, A LOT of teasing), and another wild challenge that needs to be won. Roux and Blythe. MAN, I like these two together.