This Life of Mine
by Victoria Lynn · Chronicles of Elira #2 · 2023
Marcus is tired of losing those he loves. The last shred of his childhood has been uprooted and he feels alone… again. When the ruler's new policies take effect, the anger of the Rusalkan mountain king is unleashed upon the borderlands. With refugees streaming into Elira by the hundreds, the stories from the wall are horrific. Marcus joins a convoy to lend his medical skills to those in need at the Eliran border. What he finds there is about to change his life forever. Dilara’s life as a slave in Rusalka was anything but idealistic. Consumed by a system that was designed to use, abuse, and discard the likes of her, she has been taken through the very depths. Carrying a traumatic secret and wounded in her frenzied escape, she finds herself with an unlikely protector and an even more confusing relationship. Can she traverse the waters of this new life and make it her own? And can Marcus overcome his own deformities to find the one missing piece? Or will his life forever be marked by suffering and sacrifice?
Rating: 5.00/5 from 2 ratings · Heat: 1 · Genres: Christian Fiction, Fantasy
Reviews
M. L. Milligan — 5/5
Oh. My. HEART. THIS BOOK! I knew going into this book that it was going to be tough. Raw. Hard. Deep. It was all those and so much more. I absolutely ADORE this book. So much. Marcus was my baby in Once I Knew, and I was beyond excited to learn he was getting his own book. But that excitement could not have prepared me for just how deep and moving and utterly beautiful this book is. I had a few hesitations initially as to the topics Victoria would be covering, but she did it masterfully. This Life of Mine was real and tough without being overly descriptive and dark. We got to see Marcus and his struggles (this boy's heart is PURE GOLD) and Dilara and her demons. I loved it. I couldn't put it down. I did not want this book to end. And I desperately need the next in this series.
Kaytlin Phillips — 5/5
REREAD 2024: I just finished reading this for the second time! It is just as good as i remember and did me do much good to reread it! I love even more if that was even possible! ORGINAL REVIEW 2023: Oh, my heart! My heart, you guys!!! Ack! This book....*breathes* Okay, I finished this yesterday, but just now had time/got my thoughts together enough to review it. Characters: Marcus! Oh, he is my baby! I honestly really need a Marcus. Does anyone know where I can get a real one? Just to be friends with, I'd be happy with that...lol...he's so sweet! Yet his doubts feel so real! They really hit me hard because I often struggle with thinking that I'm not enough, I'm doing things wrong, I should be doing something else, etc... you know how the cycle goes. My self-worth can be pretty low at times, and I related so much with Marcus in that area, and it was so beautifully touching! Dilara was a sweet, broken little thing, and I wanted to hug her the whole time! The poor darling! ack! My heart broke for her! Fendrel is such a wise and sweet guy! I love him too! Everard is so sweet! I love his character! Kahru was cute! As were all the little ones running around the tavern! And yes, there are so many good characters! I loved them all! *hugs for everyone* Themes: Finally, a book I can do this on again... my favorite part of Christian Fiction is actually having a theme area that is worth mentioning! Worth was a huge theme in the book, that our worth is not in men but in our Holy Father above! Every life, no matter how small or broken it seems, is important! You are here for a reason. Even if you can't see it yourself, God has placed each of us here for a reason! I loved the beautifully touching themes of forgiveness, worth, and pro-life that were woven into the story so seamlessly! It was so beautiful! Romance: A kiss or two... it was so beautiful, though! The slow progression and just ack! My heart ached for these characters! Language: N/A Content: There is a brief mention of a forced abortion and holding the stillborn baby....Dilara's backstory is a bit dark as she was a slave and pretty, and you can imagine where that's going. But there is nothing too harsh. The delivery is beautiful and done with love. But I know it might be triggering some, so I thought I'd mention it. Overall: This story is raw and emotional, and beautiful! Lynn has done a fantabulous job bringing the world of Elira alive, and I loved it! I don't really have any critiques, except I personally got tripped up on all the E names that popped up in the beginning...lol...but that could have just been me, took me a bit to get them straightened out in my head as to who was who... This is a beautiful book that I would recommend to anyone over the age or 16, just because of Dilara's hard past, and I loved it! I really can't say enough how much I loved!