This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.

Introduction
The Warlord is the first book in the 'Rise of the Warlords" series. And this book kicks off with spicy and thrilling action and a theme of forbidden love at times. This book was intense and action packed and it really pulls you into the story right away. Gena Showalter adds her own intense flair to the story and only Gena Showalter could really make this one work so well. She definitely adds the right balance to this kick ass romance that just impressed me so much and is definitely one of my favorite reads of the year. (I know we are only in the second week of the year, but this one just checked off all the boxes for me).

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Alaroc 'Roc' Phaethon
-Alpha
-Warlord
-Fulfills His Duty
-Almost indestructible
-Royalty

The Heroine: Taliyah Skyhawk
-Harpy
-General
-Kick Ass
-Virgin
-Sacrificed
-Sassy

Summary
Taliyah has been preparing to be the Harpy General all of her life and she also has become a fierce warrior for her people. Ever since she was sacrificed, she knew her duty and obligations and now she will need to marry the warlord, Alaroc Phaethon. Alaroc in order to receive what he needs for his people, will need to marry a virgin bride that will be sacrificed in thirty days. From the moment of their marriage, Taliyah and Alaroc have been at each other's throats while at the same time a fiery passion has been slowly building between them. As their desire ignites so does a fierce love, but who will win in the end of their never ending battle? Will love be lost or conquer in the end? 3

My Outlook
There is such a brilliance to the writing style of this one. I absolutely couldn't get enough of this one. Its also one of the best enemies to lovers romances I have ever read. It just worked so well for me, and I am SUPER picky about this trope but it just really worked. It was so interesting seeing these two come together. Gena Showalter really built their sexual tension so well. There is lots of great smexy times in this one, so fair warning if that isn't your cuppa tea. I really adored how she implemented the spice within their relationship. Its where we see other forms of intimacy begin to grow between Alaroc and Taliyah. There is also this great sense of forbidden for them to love each other especially when Taliyah is trying to kill her husband, and Alaroc having to sacrifice her in 30 days. The tension was brilliantly mastered, and the plot was well built with just the right touch of edgyness and a bit of playfulness to make it work. The world building was so well done and I was so drawn into this world that the author creates for her readers.

Overall View
I found the Warlord to be a wonderful read that captures your attention from the beginning, it builds into a tremendous crescendo of passion, zest and thrills to touch the reader deeply!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5/5
World Building: 5/5
Cover: 5/5
Hero: 5/5
Heroine: 4.5/5
Steam: 5/5
Heart & Feels: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Overall View: 5/5 ( )

Another awesome book by Ms. Showalter. It took me a little bit to get into the book but once they were on even footing so to speak it went really well. Another great series ( )

I love Taliyah

But couldn't stand Roc. I thought he was a sociopath and the scene where he felt to see if she was a virgin was oh so wrong of him. He wasn't a hero to me, he was the villain.

The story was wonderful with it's sick game and utter hopelessness of it all.

It will be interesting to see what is next. ( )

I enjoyed this more once the couple just acknowledged their feelings and stopped fighting it, and the story ended strong, but I can't quite round up to 4 stars. It wasn't one of my favorites, but I was entertained. ( )