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Mystery of the Makers #2

The Lost Temple of Psiere

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As the heir to the throne, Royal Connate Olivienne Dracore cannot escape having a Shield team protecting her wherever she goes. But with the addition of Shield Commander Castellan Tosh, she has a team that doesn’t just guard her person but also aids in her job as a historical adventurist. She knows without a doubt that together they can unravel the Divine Mystery of who the Makers were and why they created the great temples.

With the conclusion of their last mission, Olivienne acquired the map needed to find the mysterious third great temple of Psiere. And there is no one better to accompany than her beloved Cmdr. Tosh. But before they can leave to brave the dangers of the unknown, first they must brave their own oathing ceremony. They will need each other for the coming mission because as with all things related to the Makers, mystery often begets mystery and danger is always just a wrong step away. Especially when the prize is something that could change Psiere forever.

346 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2020

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About the author

K. Aten

20 books317 followers
Award winning author and Michigan native, K. Aten writes sapphic heroines into existence one story at a time.

As a writer:
I've published 16 novels since 2018. I write across the romantic genres, including science fiction, fantasy, historical, contemporary drama, paranormal romance, dystopian, rom com, and adventure. However, my primary output is speculative fiction.

Please see my website, Amazon, or anywhere my books are sold for book descriptions & updates.

SOME WORDS END THE SILENCE, OTHERS BEGIN IT
_____________________________________________

As a reader:

My Ratings
5 Stars-The book made it into my heart and if I had to make a top 50 list of all time this book would shimmy its way in.
4 Stars- I loved the book, it was amazing. However, it's not on the elite 'favorite of all time' list.
3 Stars- This is the broadest category. I liked the book all the way to it was average. This should be a 2.5 to 3.5 section.
2 Stars- I read the book all the way through but did not like it.
1 Star- I only give a 1 if I can't finish the book because I dislike it so much. There are a few reasons for DNF. Poor plot line, poor grammar and/or spelling, or maybe just a subject I don't care for.
I DO ROUND UP!

Email: [email protected]
Linktree: www.linktr.ee/katenauthor
Social media: @katenauthor
AO3: www.archiveofourown.org/users/katenau...

“The true measure of success is in not being defined by your failures.”

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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Lex Kent.
1,683 reviews9,555 followers
November 9, 2020
4.25 Stars. This was another really good installment in Aten’s Mystery of the Makers series. The election really messed up my reading this week. I couldn’t read, I couldn’t sleep, and I was a mess. I’m just so happy that it’s over and the weight that was sitting on me is gone so I can finally start reading again. I figured the best way to get back into the groove would be to read a new book from one of my favorite authors. I wanted a book that would really engage me and keep my mind from being distracted by outside things, and I also wanted something fun. I’m happy to say that this book was all the things I was looking for and more.

This is the second book of Aten’s Mystery of the Makers series. These books hit a lot of different genres but the best way to describe them would be adventure-fantasy books with a baby hint of sci-fi. Take Tomb Raider and mix it with Indiana Jones, then put them on a planet that is still developing so that the society is living in a steampunk like era. The point is if you like WLW adventure books, this series is for you. If you are new to the series I would HIGHLY recommend reading book one, The Sovereign of Psiere first. This is a series that needs to be read in order as this book answers many questions from the first. The characters evolve and the storyline does too and I don’t think it would be nearly as enjoyable if you started with book 2.

This book is on the longer side. Goodreads says only 350 pages but according to my Kindle it was more like 500. I’m guessing that page number is more for the physical book. Regal has some of the biggest books I have ever seen. They are even bigger than Bella and BSB, so that might be why it says 350. Anyway, my one slight issue with this book is I did think it went a little long in parts, mostly when they were trying to discover the lost temple. All of it was interesting to read, I just think I would have edited some parts out to move on a little quicker. The Indiana Jones character of this book is the princess, and next in line to rule, so she has a military unit around to protect her on these adventures. There were times I felt like Aten had written unneeded dialogue or scenes for the secondary members on the team. But because she took the time to do these extra scenes, the secondary characters become more real and turned into actual individuals instead of just a blob of protector-like characters. So while I would have personally cut out a bit more, I can see the trade-off for why Aten kept the length.

This was a bit of a bridge book. Don’t worry, there is still plenty of excitement but it really seems to be a book that supports the first and the third book to come. This book answers a ton of questions from the first which was really nice to have answered. This book also sets up the third, and maybe final, book perfectly. I don’t want to give anything away but I think the third book is going to be explosive. I think it will be action-packed, intense, but also really entertaining. I honestly cannot wait.

I almost forgot to mention, for any WLW romance fans out there you will not be disappointed. The couple of the Princess and her Commander are great and you can’t help but root for them. They have a strong connection but their relationship will be tested. Will Olivienne and Castellan make it as a couple? Well you’ll just have to read the book to find out what happens.

This is a great fantasy-adventure series that I easily recommend. I have so much fun reading this series and it was exactly the distraction and entertainment that I needed right now. If you are interested in this series please read book one The Sovereign of Psiere, first. Reading order is very important in this series. I’m really excited for the next installment and hopefully Aten won’t make us wait too long.

A copy was given to me for a honest review.
Profile Image for Jo.
430 reviews6 followers
March 10, 2021
This novel was an immersive read. A wonderful mix of fantasy and scifi elements which gives us a vivid, intriguing and plausible world - one which I would love to visit!

The story starts slow but picks up pace quickly. I found the action scenes, romance and dramatic beats well-crafted. The attention to detail was also not overwhelming and modification to language used in dialogue was a nice touch. Likewise, the mention of a greater challenge looming for Olivienne, Castellan and their allies at the end was an excellent hook for readers following this series.
Profile Image for Carolyn Elizabeth.
Author 9 books158 followers
November 17, 2020
This is my first ARC review. Many thanks K. Aten for the honor.

This novel picks up shortly after the first, The Sovereign of Psiere, and you do need to read them in order.

This is a terrific example of sci-fi/steampunk storytelling and, though these are the only books I have read by KA, I feel I can say with confidence her imagination and attention to world building is a cut above most within lesfic.
I very much enjoyed the slightly modified language which was easy enough to understand in context (like Farscape). The island adventure scenes were exciting and fun with a cast of creatures reminiscent of The Lost World. I totally would have enjoyed even more creature action and island danger.

Castellan and Olivienne's romance is sexy and mature and they have great chemistry. Their romance is not without its conflicts which were expected, but also earned and resolved honestly. There were plenty of intimate moments between them--some more explicit than others--which worked fine for me.

My critiques are craft issues. The instances of head-hopping ranged from nuisance to pulling me fully from the story to go back and have to re-read parts to figure out from whose perspective I was reading.

The intricate world-building and focus on too many of the secondary characters also served, at times, to slow down the story so much as to lose momentum and tension.

Despite my issues, I fully enjoyed this story. I recommend this series without reservation. Well done, Kelly.



Profile Image for XR.
1,911 reviews101 followers
November 14, 2020
Another great installment for the Mystery of the Makers series by Aten. I can't get over this world and all the missions Olivienne and Tosh go on with their team of specialists. It's so easy to see the landscape in your mind just as Aten describes it. I can't wait to see more of this world!

Also, I wish Nessie was real.
Profile Image for Carol Hutchinson.
1,004 reviews70 followers
June 9, 2021
An Exciting Adventure!

Olivienne and Tosh are off on a mission to find the mysterious third temple of Psiere but with the added task of trying to unravel the mystery of the makers too. Experiencing an adventure they will never forget, with a protection team and their skills, they face dangers and before they can even get started on the real adventure, they have their own personal engagements to get through first!

It was so good to be back in the mysterious world of Psiere with Olivienne and Tosh as they embarked on another adventure. The Lost Temple of Psiere follows on from the The Sovereign of Psiere and I would definitely recommend reading the first book in the series before indulging in this second adventure as it will provide you with all the background information you need to know who is who and what has lead them to this moment in their lives.

There were so many good moments in this! It was packed with everything from intense, dramatic, adventurous scenes, to cute ones, magical ones, and some heated ones. It had a bit of everything and I was on the edge of my seat enjoying each and every discovery Tosh and Olivienne made with the team. I loved how their relationship not only developed but was tested and even under pressure at moments given the situation in which they found themselves.

The best bit for me was how imaginative these stories are. K Aten really has created a world that is truly unique, from the people, to the history, to the creatures, and even the language. You can literally imagine being there and in the moment with them all. You can picture the imagery and feel a part of the adventure.

I also have a new favourite character. Nessie is AMAZING! But if you want to know about Nessie and why, you are just going to have to read the book!!!

I highly recommend this series, it has a dystopian feel to a sci-fi genre based story that is laced with magic and wonder beyond the imagination. I am excited now to see what the future holds in store for Psiere, Tosh, and Olivienne.
Profile Image for Kitty McIntosh.
Author 10 books53 followers
December 26, 2020
‘The Lost Temple of Psiere’ is the second in the Mystery of the Makers series by K Aten, and although I didn’t think it possible, it’s even better than the first. K Aten has imagined a world both familiar and foreign and her world-building is exquisite. Olivienne, Royal Connate and heir to the throne of Psiere, is on a mission to find out more about the Makers. Where did they come from, who were they – and what role did the have to play in the history of Psiere? Now getting closer to her goal, she plans another trip with her Shield team and her lover, Castellan Tosh. But threats to their mission and to the future stability of Psiere bring danger and peril.

I love the innovative use of language in the Psiere stories. It immerses the reader in the world and I’d forgotten just how must I enjoyed being there. The story is full of adventure, tension, wonder and passion. It is stunning. There were some amazing revelations and so much more I wanted to know. I must admit to gasping in surprise a few times. I can’t wait for the next in the series!

I was given this ARC for review.
45 reviews
November 6, 2020
Love, love, love it! K Aten manages to avoid what few can . . . the dreaded middle book slump. No this one is as good and even better than the first and I highly suggest everyone give it a try. There are a couple things I think could have been better. Mainly the big reveal should have had a few more pages to develop and to process with the characters but still the rest was up to snuff. I predicted some of the ending but there were a couple of things that pleasantly surprised me and I loved them.

Overall 4.75 Definitely reading the third
Profile Image for Annette Mori.
Author 50 books167 followers
July 24, 2022
Read the first book in the series and this second was just as good. Now I am anxiously awaiting number 3! Bravo. Highly recommend thus series.
Profile Image for Andi.
545 reviews26 followers
March 16, 2021
Wow, just wow. Loved this second installment in Aten's Makers/Psiere series. I knew I would like this book - I've loved Aten's books and Sovereign of Psiere was excellent - but I put off reading this because I knew it wasn't going to be the end of the story. There will be another book after this one, so Book 2 ends with some major things unresolved - and, honestly, with the death of a prominent side character. I finally gave in, read it, loved it, and will now have to eagerly wait for the next installment!

Newly engaged, Connate Olivienne Dracore and Commander Castellen Tosh are tasked by the Queen to seek out the Lost Temple of Psiere with the hopes of unearthing more true about the origins of the Psi and the truth about the Makers' role therein. However, unrest has beset the kingdom of Psiere and a new discovery - the presence of stones amplifying Psi powers - escalates the danger facing everyone.
Profile Image for Peter DeWolf.
101 reviews5 followers
October 31, 2021
This is book #2 in Aten's Mystery of the Makers series. As I said in my review of #1, I consider the series to be mostly fantasy with a touch of Science Fiction. I'd say that this book has more than a touch; the history of the Psiereans only goes back a few hundred years, but here we learn why that is - and a lot about the mysterious Makers, whose technologies have led to many discoveries that make life what it is on Psiere.

I strongly suggest that you read the books in order: #1 (The Sovereign of Psiere) introduced us to Olivienne and Castellan and their team, kicked off their romance, and gave us hints of suspicious doings on Dromea (the Southern island) - as well as sets up a quest to discover the mysterious Temple of Antaeus. That is a standalone book - and I suppose this one could be too, except it finishes up a lot of plot threads introduced in book #1 and it will be much more satisfying to come in knowing (some of) what is going on in this world.

This was just as fun as the first book. Olivienne and Castellan have their Oathing ceremony (we expect their Consorage next year), we get to know their Parens and Sibs better, as well as friends and the various members of the Shield Corp unit assembled by Castellan to defend Olivienne (the Connate - next in line to become Queen). There is Adventurism, both on Schola and Magna. There is politics and treachery and acts of war.

And there is death - including significant people. (I was really hoping that Doctore Gemeda Shen with her Telesana and an Antoraestone or two might be powerful enough to heal even from death, but nobody even considered it. Rats!)

I stayed up well after midnight last night to finish this; it fully pulled me in. It came to a good stopping point - no cliffhanger, per se - but it is very clear what one of the main threads of book 3 will be. I am anxiously awaiting for Aten to finish it up and publish it. Soon. :)

One little fun observation: Commander Castellan Tosh (and Captain Seema Velten) were frequently described as "dashing". That warmed my heart, since I've only previously seen that adjective applied to men - but it was exactly right for the two military women. Well done!

I quite enjoyed this series. Book #3 will be a must buy.
Profile Image for Lisa  R Smith.
434 reviews9 followers
November 21, 2020
I can’t wait for the next one!

The first two books of this series were good. Read the blurbs. Of course there were some problems, like me stumbling over words the author borrowed from Earth english, then altered to give her characters a language of their own (before the end I was forming some thoughts about why she did this). The adventure and discovery, as well as the GREAT fauna described in the first book, were far more interesting then the MC’s romance. I’m not really sure why or when these women fell in love - they have some great sex - I guess we have all been caught by that hook at one time or another. Honor and duty are important themes to these characters and when the bad guys show up it’s definitely white hats against black hats. I like that whole honor/hero/duty thing so I didn’t roll my eyes once....they do do a lot of saluting.

I’m on board with this series. Give it a try and see what you think 🤔
Profile Image for J H.
513 reviews9 followers
May 16, 2021
When are we getting book 3?!

I have 2 new (for me) favorite authors this year, and K. Aten is one of them. This series has been very enjoyable, as well as a refreshing deviation from typical heroine stories. There are elements of supernatural, steampunk, quests, romance, and sci-fi all rolled into the series so far. (I'm sure I've missed some others.) The main characters are very likeable, and have incredible chemistry between the two of them. I hope that they'll continue to have many adventures so that we'll have more books in the series.
Profile Image for Rhiannon.
94 reviews36 followers
May 2, 2021
Right! Part 2...continues with much of the action style narration and I pure am immersed in it. So much so that it seems like watching it as a movie. The new territory they discover and the creatures there are amazing but not detailed, just enough to create the necessary tension. And Nessie...pure brilliant. Now comes the part that I dreaded since understanding the story of Psiere's creation: the war, the divide...
Profile Image for Wendy.
791 reviews9 followers
June 18, 2024
The adventure continues in this second book of the series. The relationship between the MCs and among the team surrounding them deepens. We get to understand more of this foreign yet familiar world and how it was possibly shaped. But as questions get answered, more comes up. Also, the action ramps up and it's shaping up to an (hopefully) equally exciting book number 3.
Profile Image for Dide.
1,489 reviews52 followers
November 1, 2023
My praise is in continuum and i patiently await the preparation for war (and am i glad it's all within the pages from a book).
Profile Image for JAYNE.
151 reviews6 followers
October 28, 2022
Awesome series by K. Aten which has me totally hooked.

This is the second in the Maker series which I would suggest reading in order.

The Lost Temple of Psiere, book 2, further elaborates on the adventurist (and Queen in waiting) Olivienne’s quest to discover who the Makers were and what secrets they left. Her Shield team and the ever-charismatic Commander Castellan Tosh continue the adventures with Olivienne.

I was pleased to see Dr Shen also features and we learn more about her character along with amusing banter with Commander Tosh.

The world building and Psiere language is very well constructed, and the characters have depth. The map at the front of the book is a nice touch to get one orientated in the world of Psiere. The pace of the book is spot on and a compelling read.
Profile Image for Elena.
270 reviews5 followers
November 21, 2021
Had lots of fun with this follow-up to "The Sovereign of Psiere", it's another adventure and action packed story, with mystery, conspiracy, and constant challenges, quite the entertaining ride. For anyone who enjoys "Indiana Jones" type stories, this book and the first in the series are much recommended.
Profile Image for Kelley Hart.
3 reviews4 followers
May 25, 2022
better than the first

I love this book I can’t believe it but it was better than the first. It was written extremely well the characters were likable and you could relate to them. It was exciting there was action wonder laughter tears. I’m really looking forward to the next installment in the series I really really really hope it comes out soon! I highly recommend
Profile Image for Odd Bin.
278 reviews13 followers
December 8, 2020
Aten is just a master at world building and spins a wonderful yarn.
Profile Image for KJ.
454 reviews1 follower
August 15, 2021
Another excellent adventure! Can't wait for the next one!
Profile Image for Dani.
402 reviews14 followers
December 7, 2020
Really loved the second book in the Mystery if the Makers series. I enjoy the adventure and discovery in this series. I can’t get enough of all the mystical or greater beast like Nessie that keep appearing. I love Castellen and Olivienne and the continued growth of their relationship. They are not perfect but they continue to learn and improve their connection. The life lost at the end tore at my heart. I can’t wait to see what comes with book 3.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Caitlin.
413 reviews
July 22, 2024
A solid follow up to the first Mystery of the Markers, The Sovereign of Psiere. It has been a fun ride following the characters as they find clues and put the pieces together. I am really enjoying the slow mystery unraveling and can't wait for more clues to drop. Given where this story ended, no spoilers, I am curious how the mystery will be explored still while tackling the bigger world issues.

It was great to see more of the crew that is guarding Olivienne and see them continue to grow as well. Castellan and Olivienne continue to grow as individuals but also as a couple. A definite read for those who enjoyed the first book, and can't wait until the next book!
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