Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance (The Legacy Series Book 3) by Melissa K. Roehrich

“She’d finally won. Finally taken her freedom, leaving nothing but blood and desolation in her wake. Because that was what monsters did. It was the only was to survive in a realm full of villains.”

Buckle up if you are going to start the third book, Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance, of Melissa K. Roehrich’s high intensity, dark romantasy The Legacy Series. Tessalyn Ausra has become even more of a threat than anyone imagined, but now she is aware of her potential and has gained a steely confidence that her abusive childhood experience tried to strip from her. At one time Theon St. Orcas wanted Tessa for the power she would supply him, now he will do everything in his power to save her. But, he may be the last person she will ever trust again. Their connection runs deeper than the bond and its presence may ultimately be the lifeline for both of them. Luka Mors is tied to both Theon and Tessa and has been entrusted with their portection but when betrayal enters the relationships it may be more than this dragon shifter can shoulder. While Axel St. Orcas’ life is forever changed his love for Kat and their future together precariously balances on a precipice, their’s and all of Devram existance is now dependant on what Tessa does next.

You are my source of everything I hate about this realm, but you are also my source of the things I crave. You are the source of what broke me, but you are also the source of what saved me. You are the source of my fury, but you are also the source of every dark desire. You are the source of what I have become, but you are also a source of complete acceptance of who that person is. You are the source of my own self-discovery, and how twisted is that, Theon? – Tessa

The sparks continue to fly in Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance as Tessa and Theon navigate the source bond that ties them together and the prophecy that pits them against each other. Their very existence is in peril because of the other but is also completed by them as well. Add in Luka Mors and there is an endless supply of spice in this book. I love how none of the characters are the “good” or “bad” guy in this story, but are flawed and damaged and drawn to each other in ways that defy explanation. If you are this far into the series you realize that Melissa’s characters will take on a life of their own in your mind and it’s only amplified with this story. Where she will take the relationships remains to be seen but it’s one more reason this series is such a wild ride!

Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance has so much going on in such a heart-racing way. I’m going to assume that you have already read books one and two (if not get after it!) In the big picture, Tessa is nothing like the girl we met in the opening story. She has come into her power and understands more fully the game of life/death and control that is being played around her with each side viewing her as its pawn. She has also learned from her experiences and begins to subvertly play her own game in a contest not only between the factions of Devram but the gods themselves. We are getting far enough into the series where the multiple subplots are seeing many developments, some expected and some you will never see coming. Additionally, the many POVs, which Melissa incorporates so seamlessly, really help the reader get a sense of the big picture of this epic story. Finally, the main plot line is building as the tensions crescendo to a suspense-filled ending that perfectly sets the stage for book 4.