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A.H. Hadley
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BloodLust: A Complete Epic Science-Fantasy Series (Rise of the Iliri Book 1) Kindle Edition

by A.H. Hadley (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 out of 5 stars 2,683 ratings

First a slave, then a conscript, she’s always been at the mercy of monsters. When she’s offered a chance to unsheathe her claws, will death spill out?

Sal Luxx is desperate to prove her kind are more than beasts. Born a second-class citizen in a world ruled by humans, the hardheaded pure-bred iliri has had subservience beaten into her veins. But her waning hope for freedom surges when she is given a pass to the trials for an elite military unit… and unleashes her inner predator.

After Sal’s interaction with her new brothers-in-arms triggers strange mental powers, the knowledge her abusers have kept from her drives a growing rage. Yet even as she struggles to smother her rising berserker instincts, she’s undermined by the irresistible urge to claim a mate.

Will Sal’s untamable nature spawn a rebellion or a massacre?

---

This is book 1 in an 11 book complete series.

Due to the subject matter of this series, please check the Sensitivity Notice and the Author's Note page at the beginning of the book for specifics.

---

** A.H. Hadley is the fantasy persona of the international best selling author Auryn Hadley. Only the pen name has changed, the stories you enjoy have not changed.

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  1. Book 1 of 11
    Rise of the Iliri
  2. Print length
    394 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    April 2, 2016
  6. File size
    6.0 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 11 books in this series.

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  1. No one can let you down if you haven't been leaning on them. Maybe it's time to start leaning.
    Highlighted by 202 Kindle readers
  2. "Only 'bout one female is born fer every four or five males.  Of those, maybe one in ten is an alpha type.  We call them kaisaes.  Pack Leaders."
    Highlighted by 157 Kindle readers
  3. Iliri women chose their mates, not the other way around, and it wasn't uncommon for a woman to keep her own harem.
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A.H. Hadley is the fantasy persona of the international best selling author Auryn Hadley. Known for rich plots and intricate world building, crossing over from romance to writing fantasy - and sometimes science fiction - only makes sense.Biologist by education, horse person by choice, and an author because her muses simply won't shut up, A.H. Hadley merges her eclectic love of science and magic together to create books that will allow you to escape the doldrum of daily life. Currently living in Texas with her husband, four dogs, four cats, and a small herd of huge horses, A.H. Hadley is best known for writing strong women, intelligent men, and stories where the families we find are the ones that matter most.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01CPQZSPS
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Spotted Horse Productions
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 2, 2016
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 2nd
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6.0 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 394 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1956455304
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 11 ‏ : ‎ Rise of the Iliri
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 out of 5 stars 2,683 ratings

About the authors

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Previous page
  1. A.H. Hadley

    A.H. Hadley

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    A.H. Hadley is the fantasy persona of the international best selling author Auryn Hadley. Known for rich plots and intricate world building, crossing over from romance to writing fantasy - and sometimes science fiction - only makes sense.

    Biologist by education, horse person by choice, and an author because her muses simply won't shut up, A.H. Hadley merges her eclectic love of science and magic together to create books that will allow you to escape the doldrum of daily life. Currently living in Texas with her husband, four dogs, four cats, and a small herd of huge horses, A.H. Hadley is best known for writing strong women, intelligent men, and stories where the families we find are the ones that matter most.

    See more on the author's page
  2. Auryn Hadley

    Auryn Hadley

    Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
    Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

    Auryn Hadley is an American girl who swelters in the summers with her husband, three dogs, and the neighborhood cats. Her coffee addiction is impressive and allows her to keep writing the next book. Her husband keeps telling her it's great, even though he doesn't like to read, so she ignores him.

    With a degree in biology, a few decades in gaming, and a love for all things out of this world, she writes across genres looking for the story that is begging to be told. From love to loss, hopes and dreams, there's always an escape waiting inside the pages of her books. She tries to capture the idealism of New Adult literature while addressing more adult topics because life doesn't get any less exciting when you grow up.

    See more on the author's page
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Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
2,683 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be an amazing start to a wonderful series, praising its fantastic action and borderline gore content. The characters are well-developed, with one customer noting they feel like best friends, and the writing quality receives positive feedback, with one review specifically highlighting the well-written war scenes. The world-building is particularly impressive, with one customer describing it as a "well-laid out tapestry." Customers appreciate the pacing, with one mentioning finishing the book in just two days, and they praise the author's talent.

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ReadabilityStorylineCharacter developmentWriting qualityWorld buildingPacingCreativityAuthor
179 customers mention "Readability"179 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an amazing start to a wonderful series.

"...I get bored with the same old thing. This author surprises, entertains, and delights my imagination. And that's saying a lot...." Read more

"...It's still very entertaining. However, if discrimination is going to be triggering for you, avoid this book...." Read more

"This introduction was a great start to the series that improved with every book, 8/10 out so far...." Read more

"...This series are one of the best series I ever read and that doesn’t really tell you anything but for me that reads basically 1-2 books a day (yes),..." Read more

146 customers mention "Storyline"136 positive10 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of the book, particularly its fantastic action and borderline gore content, with one customer noting it deals with impossible odds.

"...I want to know more about; action that doesn't bore, instead supporting the plot...same for sex scenes; and universal lessons to teach about not..." Read more

"...• The sex scenes are nice. Some are just a couple of lines and some are rather long and explicit. The first book doesn’t have a lot of them though...." Read more

"...But the story ... my lands, the story just sweeps you up and drags you out into the ocean, and the only choice you have is to read faster...." Read more

"...The story-line is a marvel, the characterizations thorough, the world building is out-of-this-world, the romance is carefully and perfectly..." Read more

114 customers mention "Character development"110 positive4 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, noting that the characters are well developed and make readers laugh, with Sal being particularly praised as an amazing character.

"...strong, independent, damaged, outcast but brave and compassionate female main character; a chosen family of supportive, interesting people I want..." Read more

"...The series are an epic fantasy with SI-FI, war, huge depth and complicated characters and so much more...." Read more

"Loved it. Well thought out characters, a strong FMC and a main squeeze you want to either bang or murder...." Read more

"Started as a very good story. Good characters, world building, battles (when they happened), love, life and death, a new species (Iliri) and..." Read more

59 customers mention "Writing quality"51 positive8 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with one customer noting that the war scenes are particularly well crafted, while another mentions there are no typos in the text.

"...The first book doesn’t have a lot of them though. They are all well described and good but you should know they are there in case you’re not in to..." Read more

"...The history, the racial divide, the language, the battles (past and present) all combine to make a work of art...." Read more

"...The writing is superb and the pacing kept me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next." Read more

"...It was intricately detailed and never vague...." Read more

57 customers mention "World building"57 positive0 negative

Customers are impressed with the world-building in this series, describing it as mind-blowing and deep, with one customer noting its complexity.

"...This author surprises, entertains, and delights my imagination. And that's saying a lot. I'm not usually one to review...." Read more

"...It's a very interesting world and there's still a lot we don't know...." Read more

"...The series are an epic fantasy with SI-FI, war, huge depth and complicated characters and so much more...." Read more

"... The first book has a lot of unbelievable world building...." Read more

39 customers mention "Pacing"28 positive11 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with several noting its great momentum in the beginning, and one mentioning it's a slow-building harem series.

"...She has animal ears, faster reflexes, better agility, and is maybe stronger but that wasn't really clear...." Read more

"...I think the author did a great job in showing the MC's bravery and courage, as well as the loyalty of the members of the Black Blades...." Read more

"The book started out slow and just as things started to get good it ended, so of course I have to read the next book!" Read more

"...the heroine Sal grow from a slave/prostitute to a very kind and understanding Queen...." Read more

30 customers mention "Creativity"30 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the creativity of the book, praising its well-thought-out and utterly unique world, with one customer noting how the elements combine to create a work of art.

"...divide, the language, the battles (past and present) all combine to make a work of art. My one gripe is about the Iliri language...." Read more

"...-line is a marvel, the characterizations thorough, the world building is out-of-this-world, the romance is carefully and perfectly developed...." Read more

"...The world building was great and had plenty of unique elements in it...." Read more

"...Characters appear and then reappear later like a well laid out tapestry...." Read more

25 customers mention "Author"25 positive0 negative

Customers praise the author's talent, with one noting how she pulls readers into her world, while another highlights her ability to create a completely different universe.

"...I'm a serial reader. I get bored with the same old thing. This author surprises, entertains, and delights my imagination. And that's saying a lot...." Read more

"...I would especially like to thank the author for an entire volume of epilogue...." Read more

"...It’s hard to find such an interesting and exciting author who not only writes intelligently but also provides top rated plots, characters and..." Read more

"...Great job auryn hadley!!!" Read more

Still at the top!!!
5 out of 5 stars
Still at the top!!!
For sure one of my tip favorite series. Doesn't matter how many re-reads and the revamped version only makes it all the sweeter. This series is pretty much as good as it gets and I will be completely falling down the rabbit hole with the rest of the series. Because putting it down is next to impossible!!!
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Stacy9203
    5.0 out of 5 stars Never enough
    Reviewed in the United States on April 19, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This book and the many that follow in this series or another one of her books like The Wolf of Oberham series she's written (I could go on and on) are truly great books and series. I read. A lot. I'm a serial reader. I get bored with the same old thing. This author surprises, entertains, and delights my imagination. And that's saying a lot. I'm not usually one to review. I mean, this is my second time around reading these books. Yes. But I thought I'd stop and maybe help the next reader to try this author. It's so hard to tell these days. Inane humor or the same old story can get ridiculous. This author is NOT that kind of pretender.
    She's good. The kind of good that keeps me looking for more of her work and finding her other pen names. Trust me, friend. This one's a winner. Oh, and yes, it's a reverse harem. And I'm not into those. I avoid those. But this author is just. That. Good. It's natural and unoffensive. Go figure.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Julie R.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting start
    Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2025
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I wish a few things had been slightly clearer about the world from the start instead of inferring from things that happen. It's a very interesting world and there's still a lot we don't know. The basics: there are humans and iliri and there's been a good bit of interbreeding over time. Pure humans have black skin and pure iliri are super white with serrated teeth and tend to be smaller. Most iliri are slaves in this country and treated even worse in others. Metal is also really scarce, so when they talk about swords and armor they're using ceramics, resin, and leather, that type of stuff. Sal is one of the last pure blood iliri females. She got out of slavery by being allowed to join the army. There's a war brewing and one of the inciting nations is trying to kill all iliri. Sal is just finding out her abilities as she's tried to play as human as possible all her life and wasn't really around her own kind much. She has animal ears, faster reflexes, better agility, and is maybe stronger but that wasn't really clear. Anyway, the guys know way more about iliri culture but for some insane reason don't simply explain much of it to her and kind of let her stumble through. It's still very entertaining. However, if discrimination is going to be triggering for you, avoid this book. Sal faces a lot of it, sometimes meekly, sometimes bravely.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Finnegan
    4.0 out of 5 stars Complex plot, characters and relationships that improve with every book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 4, 2019
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This introduction was a great start to the series that improved with every book, 8/10 out so far. This series has everything g I love about scifi/fantasy; a complicated, strong, independent, damaged, outcast but brave and compassionate female main character; a chosen family of supportive, interesting people I want to know more about; action that doesn't bore, instead supporting the plot...same for sex scenes; and universal lessons to teach about not just tolerating but accepting and loving diversity, including both strengths and weaknesses in ourselves and others and how to fight for equality.

    While I love Sal (such an underdog!), a few inconsistencies and instances of illogical behavior got to me. For example (SPOILER ALERT), Sal never had a friend or similar position prior to the Black Blades. However, she gives Blaec advice encouraging him to lean on his subordinates, other Black Blades, whom she barely knows. Plus Blaec's behavior changes a lot over timehe becomes a very different person as does Zep. He acts prejudiced and bullish towards her at the trials and then explains it away as trying to take down her arrogance. Sal is pretty humble, even lower in confidence at that point. Reps behavior is that of a bully, not only not taking responsibility for his behavior but also blaming the recipient, his victim. Sal is capable enough to show him otherwise, that shes not his victim. He responds by liking her more, which is also consistent with milder bullies ,they follow those who best them. Another explanation is that he envies her abilities and that's why he bullies her. That would make him more of a bad guy, contrary to whom he develops into later. Blaec's erratic, conflicted behavior toward Sal and his role in the wars and with Sal can partially be explained as by his internalized racism. To a certain extent, I enjoy his complexity and my emotional and intellectual response to him. How does the author explain or describe that or does she ignore it? Also, the idea that a hero, especially a smart, realistic or e en jaded hero would contemplate sacrificing him or herself to save a few people in the short-term is stupid, naive. It will always lead to more bloodshed, one way or another (in the real world it just leads to more violence)...always! So, I loathe when a seemingly intelligent, savvy, clever individual even contemplates doing such a thing. Overall, I love the series. It's my favorite RH ever and in the top for general Sci-fi/fantasy.

    These errors/inconsistencies in the characters' personalities resolve in the next few books as they become rounder and accept their united goals and purpose. I believe this is easier after the death of you know who...or you'll find out, anyhow. Enjoy! BTW I wish we could get a few pages to a chapter on what a (day in the life?) life was like for Sal in Merriton as a slave and not just vague memories of rage and humiliation. As of book 8, that's where we stand. This review is a result of my 3rd rereading of book 1 in 1 year.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Jess
    5.0 out of 5 stars I don't sleep anymore...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 30, 2018
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    This series has messed with my sleeping pattern. There's no more 'just one more chapter': I'm lucky if I can finish one book and get to sleep before starting the next. I've been surviving on two hours sleep a night, if that.
    Basically: you think you knew the reverse harem genre? You were wrong. Everything else pales before Sal and her pack. Auryn has given us full-length, well written, immersive books and the only thing I can say I'm unhappy with about them right now is that I'm going to have to wait for book eight to come out. I'm so totally over-involved with Sal's life now though, that however long it takes, I'll be here, waiting for the next one to come out.
    The best thing? The relationships are realistic. Obviously there's alien instincts and stuff that makes the harem more culturally acceptable (to some), but there's no gooey nonsense to make you shake your head in disappointment in fake, porn-style relationships that seem more like someone's messed up wet dream than the genuine connections Sal has with her mates and they with each other.
    I can't go back to the crappy reverse harem books now. I've been spoiled.
    Thank you Auryn!
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  • Avidreadersbc
    5.0 out of 5 stars Mind-blowing⚔️❤️🔥
    Reviewed in India on July 8, 2021
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    From romance to heart-pounding action, this series has it all & is the ultimate treasure for all fantasy lovers. Even entrenched in a mystical world, this series portrays an amazingly truthful picture of the human nature, both the good & the bad - the backstabbing politics, the unreasonable hate & bias based on colour, the disturbing and unfortunately true treatment of those perceived to be different, this story paints both sides of the coin i.e, the gruesome dark side of the human nature interspersed with the blinding light of Love, kindness & brotherhood expressed by humans & any other species.
    🏹🐺🖤🗡️
    Report
  • Lisa Gurroby
    5.0 out of 5 stars sensational more than I expected
    Reviewed in Australia on December 21, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I wasn’t sure before I started this book but wow what a great read. Fascinating characters and story line is moving along well
    Report
  • tiarasa
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic!
    Reviewed in Germany on August 28, 2024
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    I'm submitting this review quite late. By now, I've had the entire series for quite a while and have read it multiple times. The whole series is grippingly written, and there were several moments where I had to cry quite a bit. Each of the Black Blades is an interesting personality, so much so that I was attached to each one of them after the first book. The main character, Sal, isn't human, but you can still relate to her very well. Rise of the Iliri can fit into so many genres that I believe this series has something for almost everyone. There are large battles, many fights, love stories, dealing with the death of loved ones, the fight against oppression and slavery, and so much more.
    ----
    Ich gebe diese Bewertung relativ spät ab. Inzwischen habe ich die ganze Reihe schon relativ lange und mehrmals gelesen. Die ganze Reihe ist packend geschrieben, an einigen Stellen musste ich auch ziemlich weinen. Jeder einzelne der Black Blades ist eine interessante Persönlichkeit, so dass ich schon nach dem ersten Buch an jedem einzelnen gehangen habe. Der Hauptcharacter Sal ist kein Mensch, trotzdem kann man sich gut in sie hereinversetzen. Rise of the Iliri kann man in soviele Genre packen, dass ich denke, dass diese Reihe wohl für fast jeden etwas ist. Es gibt große Schlachten, viele Kämpfe, Lovestorys, Umgang mit dem Tod von geliebten Menschen, Kampf gegen Unterdrückung und Sklaverei u.u.u.
    Report
  • B Funch
    5.0 out of 5 stars I'm at the start of a series by Auryn Hadley
    Reviewed in France on August 19, 2020
    Format: KindleVerified Purchase
    That's a good place to be when you like reading good srories as much as I do.
    I enjoyed reading The devil's muse series very much and I'm looking forward to the next in the Bioluminescence series.

    The iliri universe promises to be an interesting one!

    Thank you, Auryn Hadley!
    Report

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