Shannon Murphy is an ecologist and professor who loves her work. She has dedicated nearly two decades of her life to discovering the mysteries of the world and finding ways to save it. She has no time for distractions, least of all romance. Not after how the last one ended. But when she boards a flight to London for a week-long conference, she’s enthralled by the presence of Tod Corvus, a famous actor and musician. Their attraction is immediate, mutual, and far too tempting to ignore.

A single night with him alters everything, thrusting Shannon into a world beyond science—one where gods, alternate realms, and supernatural abilities exist. As if that isn’t enough, Shannon discovers connections to the divine realm and that she is a goddess herself. Now she must not only navigate the growing bond with Tod, who is also Loki (the Ae God of Chaos), but also learn how to control her newly awakened abilities and uncover her true lineage.

HIDDEN, the first book in the Triquetra Prophecy trilogy, is a fast-paced fantasy novel packed with action and steeped in a rich blend of ancient myths. The universe that Hacks creates is bold and expansive. She smoothly combines multiple elements from different mythologies (including Norse, Greek, Egyptian, Asian and many others) to create an interconnected universe where these ancient beings exist in today’s modern society.

Shannon is a sharp protagonist. A scientist at heart, she takes her sudden transformation in stride. Her intelligence and resilience make her a strong lead, though she has a habit of sometimes reacting impulsively. Loki, on the other hand, is a surprise. For a God of Chaos, he carries a lot of human emotion: guilt, protectiveness, even regret. He owns up to his past mistakes and isn’t afraid to be vulnerable, which adds depth to his character. His interactions with his family (especially Thor) bring humor, warmth, and flair to the story.

The romance is spot on, intense, and sizzling with undeniable physical chemistry. Readers can feel the tension and excitement rolling off the pages of the novel. However, this seems like a double-edged sword; while the characters have great chemistry, their emotional connection lacks a little. At times, it feels that without the soulmate bond and physical attraction, their relationship wouldn’t grow into a spellbinding love story. As a result, there are moments that don’t hit as hard as they should.

Hacks still delivers a well-executed plotline. Even with the novel’s fast pace, things never feel rushed. Her writing style is easy to read, and there aren’t any noticeable errors that disrupt the flow of the narrative. Longtime mythology fans will certainly appreciate this fresh spin on the genre.

Melody Grace Hicks’s romantasy novel HIDDEN is a fascinating blend of mythological elements that offers a thrilling, fast-paced adventure. While the romance could benefit from more emotional depth, the book still delivers an exciting start to a trilogy for fans of the genre.

~Tomi Alo for IndieReader