The Wine Dark Daughter

Author: Damien Colucci

Genre: Fantasy

Series: The Wine Dark Series Book 1

Date Published: 2024

Book Length: 324

Format: Paperback supplied by authors own publishing in return for an honest review

Star Rating: 5***** I loved it highly recommend

About Book: History is littered with the fates of mortals who rose too close to the gods.

Returning triumphant from the cursed city of Urruc — where even the divine dare not tread — Desma has brought wealth, power, and victory to her home kingdom of Apasa. Among the treasures is the revered Belt of Turan, said to have adorned the hips of the Goddess of Love herself.

Desma’s mother, the High Priestess Timothea, calls for a celebration in the temple to honour the priceless find. But when unwanted visitors attempt to lay claim to the treasure, the High Priestess is brutally slain. To save her distraught father from eternal shame, Desma commits an unforgivable sin that saves his soul — and damns hers.

Pronounced unclean by the King and banished from her home, Desma is forced to live by a punishing set of rules that set her apart from society. Her only hope of reclaiming her life is to be cleansed by a merciful kingdom.

But Desma’s path to redemption is littered with the dark truths of love and power…

My Thoughts: The Wine-Dark Daughter is a Fantasy book and the first book in the Wine Dark Series.

Fantasy books are not my usual genre to read but this year I am trying to broaden my reading material to see if I am missing out on something.

As I read through, one of the first things I notice is there are a lot of players in the book, but the main protagonists shine through so it does not deter from the story but enhances it.

The book is gruesome in parts but the plot is intricate and the story moves at pace. Coluccio’s writing style is vivid, enabling me to fully embrace the story . A few of the earlier scenes felt a little drawn out, but with that being said at 324 pages this is a short fantasy book in comparison to others I have looked at. But I must say that the book is a captivating start, I fell in love with Desma for all of her faults, to what promises to be a promising series.

In conclusion, an intricate story, well written with vivid descriptions and I recommend for those of you who are fans of epic tales and strong characters.