I am VERY excited to participate in this book blitz for Talis Jones’ latest release, REVENGE DE LOS MUERTOS! Kicking off an all-new urban fantasy series, it promises a twist on the beloved trope of vampires, werewolves, witches, and the like. The cover is epic, the concept is intriguing, and I am 100% on board. Even better, she promises that this series will have an HEA so I don’t have to sweat as much while binging it haha! Keep reading this post to find out more about the book, the author, read an exclusive excerpt, watch the book trailer I made, check out my review, and enter a giveaway!

The Book

Revenge de los Muertos
(Revenge of the Dead)
(Fifth Sun #1)
Talis Jones
NA Urban Fantasy
November 02, 2021

Amazon | Goodreads

Selah’s biggest dilemma was trying to decide what to study in college. That is, until she stumbled across a clue to the grandparents she’d never met and hopped on a plane to Mexico where she would discover an entire hidden world of magic and monsters. Her best friend was a bruja, the Chupacabra was more than a myth, and she’d inadvertently caught the attention of the terrifying Blood King with golden eyes. What started as a two-week vacation quickly devolved into an adventure she might never return from. 

Día de los Muertos had almost arrived and the monsters were on the hunt.

The Trailer

I couldn’t resist making a book trailer for this new Talis Jones series! I hope you like it and maybe it’ll make you curious to read the book!

The Excerpt

TEASER: Rafael’s POV

EXCERPT: Selah’s POV

“G’night,” Noa yawned finally before claiming the remaining bedroom next door. 

I moved to shut my own door when Rafael prowled past, likely heading towards his own room at the end of the hall. At least I guessed it was his as it was the only door kept firmly shut. Seeming to sense my gaze, he pivoted and met me at the doorway. Leaning against the frame with his arms crossed he stared deep into my eyes almost as if searching for answers in there though he must not find them because a frown quickly tugged at his mouth.

“How did you and your friend meet?” he asked curiously.

My fingers fiddled nervously with the doorknob as a fond smile lit up my face. “School. We’ve gone to the same school since I can remember and she was always in my classes, sitting with me at lunch, wanting to be my friend. Noa is pretty direct. When she decides something, she makes it happen.”

“I can see that,” he nodded tersely.

Wanting to smooth things over, I thanked him. “I’m really very sorry about the mix up, but thank you for letting us stay. We really don’t mind finding a hotel tomorrow,” I assured him. “This is your home and we don’t want to intrude.”

Something I said, though I couldn’t guess what, caused his lips to twitch. “You are free to stay, I do not mind.” I arched an eyebrow and he released an amused huff. “Much,” he amended. 

“Well, thank you,” I offered again. “You are very kind and generous to offer.”

“Not many would use those words to describe me,” he shook his head, his voice low enough that I wasn’t sure I was meant to hear him.

“Then they don’t know you,” I answered anyway. It was an impulsive response because I didn’t know him beyond his name and yet it felt right. Or maybe I was just a people pleaser like Noa teased me of being.

Even if offered in ignorance, my words made him pause. “Call me Rafi,” he smiled. Then with a shove off the door frame, he resumed prowling towards his room. 

pooled ink Review

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy to review!

Revenge de los Muertos kicks off an urban fantasy series set in Mexico and with each page I fell a little more in love. The culture, the characters, the concept…it all comes together into a gripping book that I couldn’t step away from. But where to start?

CULTURE. This book endeavors to share with readers about life in Mexico, Mexican culture, Mexican food, Mexican history, and Mexican holidays such as El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead aka NOT Halloween). The thing is, it does it in a way that isn’t heavy handed. No, instead you become immersed in it naturally as the main character, Selah, and her best friend, Noa, become immersed in it when they travel to Mexico and make some friends there. I loved it. I found it fascinating (and the food made me so hungry!) but it never distracted from the story. We get to learn more about Mexico while never having to sacrifice pacing or plot. There is even Spanish sprinkled throughout the book, but do not worry because it’s done in a way where context often translates it for you and something I thought was pretty awesome is that at the back of the book the author includes a glossary! I love when authors help us readers out with bonus stuff at the back of the book! BEST OF ALL (I really love food, okay? haha) apparently in the paperback version, the author included some of her mom’s recipes! There was some food mentioned that was unfamiliar to me, but it definitely had me in the mood for Mexican take-out!

CHARACTERS. Okay, some people might love Selah and some might be silly and call her useless. If you think she’s a bit useless then you’re not wrong but that’s the point, okay?! Trust me, it’s a plot point and you need to see it through! I personally thought Selah was such a loving and kind-hearted character that I loved her right away. I read loads of different types of books featuring various kinds of leading ladies and they don’t always have to be badass warrior women. Best of all (in my opinion haha) is that this book takes on my favorite trope ever which is when the grumpy one falls in love with the sunshine one. Selah is obviously the sunshine one and so who might be the grumpy one? Well, this book is told in two alternating POVs: Selah’s and Rafael’s.

Rafael is tall, dark, handsome, speaks English in a lovely accent (in my head anyway lol), and is the big, bad, scary, powerful leader of the Malinche coven. I really fell hard for him because while he’s totally a favorite trope of mine, his character doesn’t become an extreme like so many authors tend to do. So often to make a character a “sexy badass” they make him almost psychotic and in real life you would NOT want to be near them. Who wants to date some guy who lavishes in murder and being coated in blood and has no plans or desire to change his ways?!?! Rafael, however, remains so human and realistic (magical powers aside) that it only made it even more exciting to watch as his life and Selah’s continued to collide. The romance is definitely slow-burn and actually I really liked that a lot too. There’s too much going on for them to focus on such things, which I also thought was pretty realistic, and so while there is a blossoming romance it isn’t the main plot of this book. Look, everyone has different opinions, but I 100% ship Selah and Rafael and am both excited and scared to read what will become of them in book 2 (though the author has promised a Happily Ever After for the series and I’m totally holding her to that!).

There are of course other characters in this book and I am so protective of the Malinche coven (NO ONE DARE HURT MY PRECIOUS NEW FRIENDS). I love when a book can give me several favorites rather than devoting all of its time to one main couple.

CONCEPT. Vampires, Witches, and Werewolves take on a whole new twist in this series and I’m totally here for it. The “witches” in this book, called Nahualtin, date back to the Aztecs and come in different forms such as brujas (witches), sirens, reapers, and tlacocoyotl (vampire-werewolf hybrids). Brujas channel their magic with spells, runes, etc. while sirens use their voice, rhythm, music, humming, and such. Reapers seem to have the same powers as brujas but have to “power up” which they do by draining the life out of something. Tlacocoyotl (which literally means half-coyote) “power up” by drinking blood (animal is fine, human is better, nahualtin is best) and they can also transform into a massive monster form that’s a cross between a coyote, a wolf, and something scary) though while in that form they can’t use spells and stuff.

It’s different, but familiar enough that I was able to pick up on this new magical world pretty quickly and found it unique and refreshing. I’m sometimes an adventurous reader and sometimes I just like what I like. This book did a really good job of blending my comfort zone with something totally new and I absolutely recommend you give it a try. There is a slow-burn romance going on, but there are also elements of a murder mystery, mafia-style politics, tourist fun, found family, and more. Also, this book had a major plot line that gets tied up nicely at the end along with a few other plot lines that, well, you’ll just have to read book two to follow up on and I’m totally going to! The next book is currently slated to release in January, which is like only a minute away compared to how long some books take to release, so I am already dancing in excitement!!

If you enjoy reading urban fantasy or paranormal romance, then you need to give this series a try. I’m serious! Fans of Patricia Briggs (Mercy Thompson), Ilona Andrews (Hidden Legacy), Annette Marie (Guild Codex), Aileen Erin (Aunare Chronicles), and other awesome authors or stories within the genres (like the TV show version of Vampire Diaries), then you really need to check out Revenge de los Muertos. It has a fascinating fast-paced plot with a swoon-worthy slow-burn romance and it’s all set in the beautiful land of Mexico. Do not miss out on this amazing series! *squeals* Okay, okay, I’m calming down. Maybe. 😛

Cheers.

The Author

Website | Goodreads
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Talis Jones is a Mexican-English author of magic and mischief. Graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Theatre she has explored both stage and film, now finding herself drawn towards the literary world as a new venue for storytelling.

Dog mom, Broadway enthusiast, and life-long bibliophile, Talis currently resides in North Carolina.

Find out more by visiting her website www.talisjonesofficial.com.

The Giveaway

Enter for the chance to win! 5 winners will be selected to receive an eBook of Revenge de los Muertos (Open internationally) and 1 winner will be selected to receive an autographed paperback copy of Revenge de los Muertos (USA only)!!!