ARC Review: Keeper of Scarlet Petals

This book was gifted to me by The Nerd Fam and Aethon Books. This in no way impacts the rating of the book. All of my reviews contain my honest opinions.

Publication Date: May 14, 2024
Title: Keeper of Scarlet Petals	Author: A.N. Skye
Series:	Genre: Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Aethon	Page Count: 364

Content Warnings:

• Graphic: 
• Moderate: sexual content
• Minor: death of parent

To be a Keeper is to dedicate one's life — and heart — to protecting another. Jasmine wasn't ready for it. Less than a year into her training at Sanctuary, a college for Keepers and mages alike, and with a fresh start from a brutal life of thievery in the slums, all she wanted to do was continue mastering the sword arts and avoid her other responsibilities. Those plans are ruined when she's assigned to be the protector of a young nobleman whose family was murdered. Her new charge is cocky, smug, and drives her up a wall at every opportunity. Forced to protect a man she can't stand with her life, Jasmine needs to find time that isn't there to continue her training and keep assassins from killing both of them, all the while learning magic and discovering that there's more to life than survival. And yet, Jasmine starts to find herself inexplicably drawn to him. In the slums, Jasmine never had room to care about anything other than putting food on the table. But she's not in the slums anymore, and she can't keep her feelings tied down forever. Unfortunately, burgeoning love is the least of Jasmine's problems. As pieces of a malevolent plot start to unfold around them, she and her charge realize that there might be only one thing left that they can rely on. Each other. Keeper of Scarlet Petals is the first book in a new romantasy series with a strong female lead, heartwarming romance, and cursed magic. It's perfect for fans of Scholomance and Fourth Wing!

Upon reading "Keeper of Scarlet Petals," I found myself immediately intrigued by the unique premise of the story. The concept of individuals undertaking rigorous training to become guardians, solely to protect those who are learning the art of magic, struck me as both innovative and captivating.

In many ways, the mage training depicted in the novel was pleasingly reminiscent of the iconic Harry Potter series. Although it wasn't explained in intricate detail, the elements of the magic system that were revealed were sufficient enough to keep me engrossed and eager to learn more.

An unexpected, yet fascinating addition to the story was the introduction of the Xolani people. This twist added a layer of complexity to the plot that I found really appealing. The Xolani people and their magical history piqued my curiosity.

However, what truly stood out for me was the relationship between the characters Jasmine and Asher. Their journey from being rivals to becoming allies, and ultimately lovers, was a captivating progression. I found their interactions to be engaging and their dynamic vibrant.

Despite its mild challenges, "Keeper of Scarlet Petals" was an enjoyable read. The author's unique take on magic, combined with compelling characters and an intriguing plot, drew me in and held my attention.