Bunny's Reviews: The Legionnaire Review Spotlight

Discover the epic military fantasy where magic determines your place in life. “This grim, passionate tale will scorch readers.” – Kirkus recommended review

We’re celebrating the release of The Legionnaire by Samantha Traunfeld! Read on for more details!

The Legionnaire by Samantha Traunfeld is an engaging fantasy novel that is sure to intrigue the reader the deeper into the story that you go. Told from three different POVs you get a nice amount of detail and balance throughout this story. While this story focuses heavily on Saiden, you still get enough to keep you coming back for more, and leaves you with an ending that will leave you reeling.

The Legionnaire tells the story of Saiden, "Blood Cursed" she's called because of her red hair. She's scorned and hated simply for that one fact. What no one knows is that she's blessed by the gods. She carries gifts, but she keeps it secret. But she's not the only one carrying secrets. But due to her appearance she is hated by any who see her hair. But she is one of the best when it comes to the fighters in the legion.

Meanwhile, there is Queen Lorelai. She's soon to be fully crowned queen, but her life is under threat. She is the face of the "Ungifted" but the truth is that she too has been blessed by the gods. Unfortunately, she must hide this fact or else lose her life. But what if she is to lose it anyway? She wants to live her life, but she can't. Her advisors give her the facade of being in control, but the truth is that they are the ones looking to control how things are.

Then there is Saiden's partner, Mozare. I struggled with him. LOL! I had a love/hate relationship when it comes to him. He too is hiding secrets of his identity. He works with the legion, and he's Saiden's partner, but he is a double agent. He works with others who are on a quest for power. And those who quest for power must strip it away from those who have it. He believes what he is told to believe. So he believes that what he is doing is the right thing, but what if it's all a lie?

This book is truly engaging and the characters are going to draw you in rapidly. Saiden seems to be the one who will be caught in the crossfire. Saiden has made to go through so much throughout her life, and it seems that that is her path. To suffer unfortunately. But it's nice to know that she has such a good relationship, on it's face, with Mozare. But the question becomes...can their friendship stand in the face of who he really is?

The ending of this book is going to absolutely rock you. I don't know if this book is going to be part of series, but I am willing to get down on my knees and beg for a second, if not third book to keep this storyline going. LOL! I have to know what becomes of these characters!! There has to be more! The way that there is no true finality to this book I'm crossing my fingers, toes and anything else I can (except for my eyes, sorry not sorry I won't do that LOL) that there is going to be more to come. Because I will hungrily eat up another book following these characters.

This is a truly engaging NA fantasy novel that is one that you're not going to want to miss out on reading. It's nicely written, and will keep you engaged to the final page and begging for more.

4.5 out of 5 stars

Thank you to the author, Samantha Traunfeld, and R&R Book Tours for the opportunity to read and review this book. I look forward to what comes next!

The Legionnaire

Publication Date: November 14, 2023

Genre: NA Epic Fantasy

Saiden, a Blood-Cursed legionnaire—blessed by both the God of Life and Goddess of Death—is a paradox. Called both “death-bringer” and “world-ender,” she is surprisingly careful about taking lives and proving herself to be a monster. Torn between her loyalty to her queen and the need to protect her people, Saiden struggles to decide who she is going to be in a world that has already cast her aside.

Queen Loralei is hiding the fact that she’s been blessed by the God of Life while navigating the manipulative and dangerous landscape of ruling a kingdom. When she discovers a mysterious prisoner in her dungeons, she begins to unravel a complicated plot that shadows her reign and would change the course of history.

Mozare, gifted by the Goddess of Death with the powers to control shadows, is hiding lots of secrets in the dark. As Saiden’s legionnaire partner, he would do everything to protect her—even if that means killing the queen she swore to protect to save her from a fate worse than death.

With friends and enemies becoming indistinguishable from each other, can these three individuals survive long enough to fulfill their destinies without losing those closest to them, or will their missions irreparably ruin them—and possibly the entire kingdom?

Available on Amazon

About the Author

Samantha’s love of stories began when she was about 12—could read a whole book in a day and wrote lots of stories featuring cute ghosts. Now she writes stories about badass women, sharp weapons, and banter-y relationships.

When she isn’t writing she’s usually cuddling her dog, starting a new craft project she might not finish, or trying to figure out how video games work.

There’s a 94.6% chance you can find her curled up in a bookstore somewhere (math is not her strong suit), but if you don’t, you can find more information on her website.

Samantha Traunfeld