The Moreva of Astoreth by Roxanne Bland is an excellent fantasy novel for sci-fi lovers. In the faraway land of Uruk lived the goddess of love called Astoreth. She sought total devotion from her subjects, including a rule that they must never share their bodies with another unless during certain rituals; a sin punishable by execution. Her granddaughter, Tehi, had a mixed bloodline of the gods and inferior beings, or so she thought. She hated the “inferior” people and skipped a ceremony because some "inferiors" had been invited. Her grandmother punished her by sending her away to serve as a beacon steward in the village (Mjor) of these “inferior” beings. There, the village head, Teger, caught her fancy, even though they were hostile towards each other. Tehi was torn between breaking her vows, the disgust she felt for Teger’s race, and the possibility of incurring her grandmother’s wrath.

The Moreva of Astoreth is a fantasy-based novel that felt realistic. I fell in love with the book from its cover. It was hypnotic and drew me in. It had a strong plot that was unique, entertaining, and educative. I reflected while reading this book, taking away lessons that will stay with me forever. I realized that the mind is a battlefield, a place we must conquer before the physical realm. Hate, love, and every other emotion first takes root in the mind before manifesting physically. I learned to question beliefs rather than accepting everything handed to me. Also, Roxanne’s writing style was simple, and the editing was flawless. The storyline had depth, displaying themes like sacrifice, bravery, deceit, and love so pure. I enjoyed the suspense, intrigue, and droplets of humor. Roxanne has written a fantastic book! The Moreva of Astoreth was an interesting and mind-awakening read. I loved it.

The Moreva of Astoreth is the first book in The Peris Archives series by Roxanne Bland. Tehi Moreva is more than just a priestess. She is also an opinionated scientist whose beliefs are much different than her goddess grandmother. While her grandmother Astoreth is very religious, Tehi has her own beliefs, and she is not ready to bend to anyone else’s will. But her biggest sin turns out to be missing a religious rite, and she is banished for a year from the only place she has ever called home. Forced to go to a new territory, Tehi is supposed to be the spiritual leader of the military personnel stationed there. She has no idea who she can trust and who is her friend. She needs to keep her head and heart in the game and survive the year somehow. Can she do it? Can she keep herself away from temptation? Or will she fall for more than just temptation?

The Moreva of Astoreth is perhaps the most entertaining science fiction novel I have ever read. I am pleasantly surprised as to how much I loved this story. Each character is lovingly crafted and developed; you can find strengths and negatives in each of the characters and enjoy them as a whole. Each character added depth to the plot and made their presence known in the story. This is a story for adults considering some elements of the narrative, but that is what makes it for me. Tehi is a fighter; she is a headstrong woman with very strong views. She is confident, powerful, and understands herself better than anyone (a very refreshing personality trait). She owns the narrative and guides the plot until the end. I feel this is a wonderful start to a new series!