This is Epic complex Fantasy.
At times it is a heavy read but I found it to be well worth persevering with.
The characters are engaging and the story certainly sucked me in.

The Purist is about Eridan and Sfassa, wrathful gods, sleeping goddesses, gleaming green eyes in the dark, and ah, so many dangerous secrets.

It was a good read. The world is vast and complex with loads of different species and deliciously tangled up histories.

It was also a really difficult read. The Purist was not an easily accessible book. I found it difficult to imagine what the characters looked like or what was going on. I couldn't keep the characters or their relations straight, and overall I felt like I had to force a lot of mental effort every time I read it.
But the difficulty had a bright side to it, after putting in the effort, I became extremely immersed in the story. I would love for this book to have a sequel so that I could return to its world.

This was so very beautiful. I am not sure what exactly I expected going in but I could not possibly have expected this.  I'm hardly sure where to start. There was a lot going on in the story, I am not sure whether I would call it a  love story, a political fantasy, a quest, or a space opera, there was a little bit of all of the above.

It took me a few chapters to warm up, not because it didn't immediately grab me or because the writing wasn't gorgeous, but because there just really was a lot to take in. The world is very complex and extremely well-built. Part of my enjoyment came in wanting to see more of it. The descriptions of places, people, and cultures were so interesting and so diverse, not to mention vividly written in a way that drew me in.

But if the word was wonderful the characters were equally so. I absolutely adored Eridan. For all the small mistakes he made and his moments of naivety I never actually felt frustrated with him. I always understood exactly where he was coming from and was rooting for him to overcome his obstacles. His love for Sfassa was beautiful and his complicated relationship with the Northwarden did things to my heart as well.

Sfassa herself was wonderful. Strong and fierce and written so well that I absolutely understood at every moment why Eridan adored her so. I believed the way they loved each other wholeheartedly. 

The Northwarden's character was a bit of an enigma throughout and the way the story was written lent itself perfectly to that. I came to love the character too without ever feeling certain I entirely understood them, which felt right.

I could go on, the quest was interesting, and the interspersed chapters of character history were given to me in such a way that the reading still just flowed. They were just the right length so that I was never annoyed at being sidelined into the past or disappointed to return to the current timeline.

In the end I think my only real complaint is that the book ended with a few questions left not entirely answered. There was much left that I would have liked to read expanded upon or see how it would go. But even those unanswered things did not feel like a cliffhanger, but more as though they readily left the world open for a second book which I would absolutely love to read. So I suppose the only complaint really is that there isn't more.

This one was a definite win for me. I will be thinking about parts of it for days to come. And I will, without doubt, be looking for more by this author.

An amazingly detailed and complex world filled with political intrigue. This was a little slow to get going and occasionally the flashbacks were distracting when it came to the main plot, but otherwise this was a thoroughly enjoyable read. The set up with the assassination attempt was gripping and Eridan and Sfassa relationship was interesting. I did find Sfassa’s reasons for keeping her secret perhaps a tad contrived but all in all this was a great epic fantasy with elements of sci-fi.

There is a bunch of information and fun stuff in this story.
A well done world of three different race and powerful gods.
This was labeled as MM but it really isn't. There is no sex so, I guess it doesn't matter. The main pair is Eridan and Sfassa. Man and woman.
The majority of this book is about Eridan and his quest.
Some people will find this fascinating.. 
It is a good book, just..as it turns out... Not for me.
But it is an entertaining read. Maybe if there is more in the future.

(Given a copy for an honest review) (Thanks) (NetGalley)

This is an amazing and very good fantasy book.
I loved the world building, so complex and detailed, and I liked the way the character were developed.
It could have been a 5 stars but unfortunately it took a bit too long before the plot started going and it was possible to understand what was going on and why.
I'm curious to read other books set into this world and see what will happen.
Recommended!
Many thanks to NineStar Press and Netgalley for this ARC

This book puts you right into the action and political intrigue from Eridan's POV during an assassination attempt on his wife, Sfassa. This story is actually quite complicated in the present; then, we are thrown into flashbacks of various pasts. While the flashbacks are interesting and weave into the story, they also detract from it as I was not really sure what to pay attention to--what was important. Every time I thought I was getting a handle on the plot, the story moved. In the beginning, I felt frustrated that I didn't know what was going on. I think I finally sussed what was happening when Sfassa's sister was telling her the lore of their people. Part of what makes this challenging is the time periods we are dealing with--these characters live much longer life spans, so that gives us a lot of history and detail. The other issue is that the POV switches from chapter to chapter, and then start to switch within chapters. Finally, there are different regions and peoples with their own politics, cultures, and religious beliefs. 

There seem to be several races living in a quasi-medieval style world with sorcerers and fur-folk. Sirrithani are the interbreeding between the Dana (more humanish) and Sonnaroi (fur-folk). The people belong to different classes like tradecaste, landcaste, swordcaste, sorcerers' guild, crafters, etc. The main storyline is about the Northwarden with considerable power who can shapeshift and is bound by two Consorts. Their offsping are where the sorcerers get their powers from. They also acts as peacekeeper (through force) between the various factions if they betray their treaties. There are rebels that try to kill the Northwarden's Consorts because then they are supposed to sleep until new Consorts are born and the cycle starts anew. When they sleep, the sorcerers lose some power and then the Great Houses try to take over control and territory rather than honoring the agreements made centuries ago in the Settlement Wars. 

As our MC is told, "learn how stories and music do real work in the world, against the swords of tyrants and fools." So, it makes sense that Eridan is a type of bard, but he is also the Demuaira Queen's son and thus often seems to act as a sort of ambassador. When he finds out his wife is not who she appears to be, he has a horrible choice to make since the Dana do not support interbreeding and the Purists are even more violently opposed to it. Thus begins an epic quest to find a solution. I don't know how to talk about this book any more than that without spoilers.

This world is intriguing and unique. There are some interesting ideas about gender explored here. My main issue seems to come down to writing style, but I think the author was trying to be clever to keep the plot secrets as long as possible. Unfortunately, that makes hard reading for the first 40% of the book. Once the story settles into itself and stops shifting into the past, it is enjoyable. The characters are likable. But, just when the way the story is told improves, the plot suffers. Why not just tell Eridan the truth? What is the point of being a super powerful immortal being if you have so many limitations? Eridan had to sneak away, but then no one makes him go back home when he is found? Why is he doing this alone anyway? If he is such a skilled diplomat and liar, why does his face betray his thoughts all the time?

In some ways, this reminds me of the Celta series by Robin D. Owen or The Princes of The Blood (or even the Lost Gods) by Megan Derr even though this is not really a romance--let's say it has romantic trappings. The World is built and there is plenty of room for many more tales. I am intellectually interested, but not emotionally invested. I am still curious about many things, but I am not sure if I would want to read this again.

I received this book as an ARC thanks to Ney Galley and Nine Star Press! 
The Purist was Amazing at times complex and others simply beautiful! I can only categorize this as Epic Fantasy reminiscent of Lord of the rings but also somehow with elements of science fiction that amazingly Worked! I Love the world I loved the characters I Loved the love! constant faithful and boundless it was one of the most beautiful Love stories that I have ever read! I Also loved how music was the most important language! A complex and beautiful story with the simple message of Love No matter what form, a love of soul and not form I couldn't put it down and can't wait to read it again and again! this is the type of tale that will only deepen and grow with every read! Great job M, Crane Hana!!