This is actually book three in the Tox Files series, if you count the prequel. I would suggest reading them all and in order to understand everything that goes on in each book. Warrior's Seal, Conspiracy of Silence then this one Crown of Souls. The entire series focus on a group of soldiers with their leader being "Tox" Cole Russell. Each character has their own personality type and really play a very important role in their missions.

Ronnie Kendig always does such a great job at keeping the suspense, action and drama all at the forefront. I love books about our special forces, military, police force and such. This series also has a touch of romance in it as well. Kendig always does a great job at grabbing your interest from the beginning and keeping it till the end, while still keeping you hanging in there for the next one in the series.

Cole is a complex man with many secrets which he feels honor bound to keep. When the enemy seems one step ahead of him the entire way, he is dealing with one thing after another. Will Cole be able to forgive and realize his past is just that a past?

Crown of Souls is intense and phenomenal to say the least - it is immediately setting you on your heals and having your heart beat out of your chest. Your mind is blown out of that cranium of yours. You have a fire fight right off the bat - Can you believe the luck that "Tox" has? him and his friends? you wont believe the reason why - and guess what happens next - well they.........no way am I going to give you the story - but I can tell you how it can make you feel and think - it is diabolical, berserk, deadly, careless, careful, chivalrous, defenseful(my word), defenseless, and faithful. - wow and there are so many more words that can describe how you can feel from this book - it is an intense book that you will just have fun reading if you like an adventure plus book.

This exciting sequel to "Conspiracy of Silence" does not disappoint! It combines military action which is Ronie Kendig's specialty along with the added excitement of an archaeological twist in a high stakes adventure: finding the treasure is a necessary step in saving lives!

Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig is the story of Tox Russell, the head of a Special Forces team. Tox is adjusting to balancing his work life and his personal life, especially since his new love works in conjunction with his team. The team faces a unique difficulty when a former colleague is using his skills for his own evil plots. I love mysteries and suspense and TV shows like NCIS, but I found it very difficult to get into this book. As part of a series, I assume it would have been easier if I had read the first book before this one. Reading this book on its own, I had a very hard time connecting with the characters and following events in the first half of the book. That being said, this author is incredibly skilled at writing about military ops. I would recommend this book, but not as a standalone novel. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

The complexity and depth of this novel takes my breath away! Crown of Souls is packed with intense danger, roiling with romantic tension, and tempered by the possibility that Cole may not be able to separate himself from the one wreaking havoc throughout the world.

The Tox Files is such a great series! I love the combination of present and past in the books and the way the threats to the modern world are totally wrapped up in items connected to the ancient world. Cole Russell is one deep character. Watching him navigate danger, lead his team, struggle with his past choices, and try to keep the woman he loves safe makes for a story that is hard to stop thinking about long after the last page is turned!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Crown of Souls is perfect for those who love Tom Clancey or Dan Brown style books but with a spiritual thread and a romance. The action is tense, the writing sharp, and I inhaled this novel. It follows closely on the heels of Conspiracy of Silence and the action launches from the very first page. You could read this without the prior book, but it may make more sense if you read them in order. I am already anticipating the next volume of the Tox Files. If you love international thrillers with military overtones, this is the book (and series) for you.

Crown of Souls is not your average bookish journey. Kendig delivers an all-out world class high stakes expedition for the reader-heart! With its soaring highs, gut-wrenching lows, and diverse band of authentic characters, this story deeply engages readers across the full spectrum of emotions!

Cole "Tox" Russell is a completely intoxicating character. History, action, romance, mystery, faith, you name it, Crown of Souls delivers! It's all there and masterfully crafted. Move over Laura Croft, Indiana Jones, and Mission Impossible, Tox simply blows the competition out of the desert!

I requested the opportunity to read this book through the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

I love Ronie Kendig's books as they are well researched and true to life.
Being the wife of a retired Army paratrooper a lot of her books bring back many memories of our 20+ years in the military. I especially appreciate her research and attention to detail.

I really like to read books in order although sometimes it's not necessary to read a series in order. I didn't realize that this was a series and so I spent the first half of the book feeling disconnected: I was still trying to figure out who all the characters were and what they brought to this elite team of soldiers.
I'm really glad I stuck with it as the story took off for me about 40% in; the plot was thickening and I finally felt connected to the characters. Tox did annoy me a bit with all his self-recrimination.
Another thing that surprised me about this story was the way Kendig mixed the soldier thriller genre with fantasy (science fiction?). It's a very unique perspective and made the story super interesting.

I enjoyed it and look forward to the next book in the series and seeing what evil the Wraith team battles next.

I was provided an eARC by the publisher. This is my honest review.

“It took one ten thousandth of a second—exactly 0.000169 seconds—for the bullet to rip through his shoulder” (location 42). Tox is shot in his home territory and I was immediately drawn in to the story. This book is a little Lord of the Rings, Warehouse 13, a little bit of Grimm, and a whole lot of Indiana Jones. It was action packed, full of crazy danger, and still thought-provoking. This book would make a great movie.
As Tox chases a former brother-in-arms around the world, he wrestles with what to do about his foe/friend. When does one cross the line between fighting evil and becoming evil? If his friend is beyond hope, is he as well?
I appreciated Haven and how she centered Tox and kept speaking truth to him. We all need people in our lives like her who can keep perspective when we can’t. Tox is also blessed with a group of men who will stand by him through anything. The relationships are very compelling.
I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it. Thank you to Bethany House for providing me with a free e-copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

In less than one ten-thousandth of a second, lives will be changed causing Tox and his crew to face their toughest mission yet and not all will survive.

Having earned some much-needed rest, Cole “Tox” Russell and his crew have hit the beach to relax. When a sniper hits Cole and the shooter is discovered to be one of their past team members, things quickly become more interesting. The shooter, Alec King is one of the only other people that could be considered as good as Tox. He is carrying a grudge from years ago when a mission they were both on didn’t end as he would have liked. Ever since, he has been enacting his own form of justice. He wants Tox to join him to prove that they can be unstoppable and Alec is willing to stop at nothing to convince Tox to join him. Tox worries that maybe Alec is right and he is more like his old friend than he would like to admit. Secrets long kept are unearthed along with a mysterious artifact that could lead to the destruction of humanity. Tox and his team must race against the clock and find a way to stop Alec before more death and destruction is unleashed.

If you are a fan of Indiana Jones, Tomb Raider, or even National Treasure, I would highly recommend Crown of Souls and The Tox Files. Ronie Kendig has become a master of Military Thrillers. This book goes back and forth between Tox and his mission, to the past and why the artifact they are hunting is so important. If you don’t follow both times lines closely, you might miss some important information for the story. The best thing about a Ronie Kendig novel is there is something there for everyone, Romance, Suspense, History, Mystery and so much more. There are intense moments at just the right time and then things mellow out to calm the reader before being thrust right into the next tough and tense situation. It was hard for me at times to follow the past and present parts, but they did enhance the story and made the mystery all the more intense. It is obvious throughout the entire book that Kendig is familiar with the military and isn’t just writing about something she has no clue about. The lingo, the way they team interacts with each other on missions and during down time makes each one believable as a valuable member of the team and an asset to the story. One of my favorite things about reading books by Kendig is I know I’m going to be entertained and enjoy the story along with the characters and how they connect with one another. I recommend Crown of Souls to all readers that enjoy a good thriller with a military background and strong ties to an ancient mystery that could devastate the lives of all it comes in contact with.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within are my own.

This book starts with a bang! Literally! From the first page to the last, Ronie Kendig delivers nonstop action, suspense, intrigue, and adventure. To top it off, some humor, romance, and witty banter are thrown into the mix. Cole “Tox” Russell and his comrades tackle a new threat in Crown of Souls, picking up where Conspiracy of Silence left off. The author is a master at creating engaging, layered characters and exotic, intriguing locations and combining them with a complex storyline that will keep you reading into the night. While this book could possibly stand alone, it would be greatly enriched by reading the previous book, Conspiracy of Silence, and the introductory novella, The Tox Files, first, as they help set the scene for this story. There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end, so be prepared to be eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy from the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.

Crown of Souls was an incredible book. Ronie Kendig writes like no other. Her details, fast paced action and heart stopping adventures keep coming faster than you can believe. There was supernatural, ancient history and archelogy all woven through the story. Flashbacks into the connecting background story in ancient times tied the story together.
This is the first of this series I have read. I loved the interaction between Cole and Haven, her faith, his inner struggles and the humor from his team made this an enjoyable read.
This is a great read for most, but for me with the length, the supernatural element and the flashbacks, not so much. I found the flashbacks interrupted the story and the supernatural is just not my thing. This is just personal preference.

Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig is book 2 in The Tox Files series and is a masterpiece. I love the opening with Cole and Haven. Haven is one of the best female characters; she strong, smart and has a fascinating job. When Cole does something stupid trying to protect her, she gets it. She doesn't like it but she gets it and she stands her ground. The author created what appear to be extremely realistic scenes between Cole and Haven in the restaurant. Cole is trying to blend into society, have a normal relationship and is constantly vigilant. It's an action-packed military novel but Ronnie gives it an amazingly human aspect. Even down to the jokes and the ribbing that the guys give each other. I found the storyline with Alex, the villain to be thought provoking. I'm not even in the military and you can almost support what he does until he goes over the deep in. He makes it sound so reasonable.
As in the other books in the series, you have a couple different storylines going on at the same time. One is from hundreds of years ago. Kendig expertly ties them all together in such a way that I plan to go back and read the book again much slower. In Kendig fashion you are holding your breathe because you don't know if everyone will make it to the end of the story. No spoilers here 
Secondary Characters: Runt is an interesting addition to the group. I see potential for him. Ram still fascinates me. Cell cracks me up; Fom his computer geekness to his Indiana Jones comments to his dislike for flaming arrows.
Crown of Souls is a total winner for Kendig. She has outdone herself with this series. This is a novel you will read so fast to get to the end to know what is going to happen. Then you want to go back and read it slowly to enjoy the intricacies of the storylines. Ronnie's imagination and creativity are well displayed in this novel.
Sexual Content - kissing
Violence - yes, I was not disturbed by any of this violence and I am pretty weak stomached when it comes to violence. There is military violence.

Once again, I was drawn into the intense world of Tox and his team as they race to try and get ahead of the devastation being wrought by a powerful crown in the wrong hands. There are many facets to the story that weave together and enhance its complexity, including flashbacks to ancient times when we see the crown in use in another dangerous era. Tox and Haven's relationship is still new and is tested when they once again work together under extraordinary pressure and circumstances. I loved the way they look to each other for emotional support despite the tension that often arises between them. I missed Chiji in this book but felt like Haven stepped up in his absence to balance out Tox's thoughts when they get dark. Some of the deeper themes of the book are addressed in Tox's wrestle with where the line is between justice, vengeance, and evil. We got to know Ram a little better, as well as Ram's sister Tzi who has some drama of her own going on (which I hope we get to the bottom of in the next book!) There is a quick pace to the book and just when things seem like they take a pause, the plot ramps up again even more. I can totally see this book playing out as a fantastic action movie with just the right amount of romance. I'm not going to give away any details, but know that this is a book that keeps the reader enthralled and turning the pages!

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Loved the first book in this series, so I was really excited to read this one! It was no letdown, packed with adventure twists and turns and the same beloved characters. This was a great story, that will keep you guessing until the very last page- and then begging for the next one.

This was a great book - full of a little bit of everything! Ronie's characters ducked me in and kept me there from the first page to the end and I already can't wait for the next book in the series. The theory that Tox and Alec delve into as to whether a person is redeemable or not once they cross a certain line made me stop and think about the concept.

This book was so good!

This is the first time I have read one of Ronie's books and although this is the second book in the series, I didn't feel lost and I loved it!! There was just enough information in this book to help the reader not feel lost, but not enough to give away the whole story in book 1. So I still plan to read book 1.

Tox is an amazingly complex character that I am sure many readers will fall in love with. Tox has great relationships with the guys on team Wraith, and you can see that he truly cares about them and their lives. The dynamics between Haven and Tox play out in interesting ways, especially when you throw in previous love interests! How will Wraith's mission play out? Will it have irrevocable consequences in their lives? And how will the secret that Tox is keeping affect the relationship between him and Haven? There is lots of intrigue and suspense, military action and history all thrown together with just enough romance! This book will keep you engaged to the last page and leave you wishing it wasn't over!

I also loved how there was a dual timeline taking place. It did take me a little bit to get into the older story but after a while you realize how important it is to the current day story taking place. There is lots of intrigue and suspense, military action and history all thrown together with just enough romance! This book will keep you engaged to the last page and leave you wishing it wasn't over!

Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books for review from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. All opinions I have expressed are my own.

Shrouded in intrigue and mystery, Kendig ensnared me from page one. I was transported to the desert surrounded by fantastic artifacts and found myself in awe of her descriptions. By opening his book you are in for a treat. I was dying to find out what happens, but also wanting to savor every moment knowing that eventually the book has to end. Crown of Souls follows Tox and his top secret team known as Wraith as they tackle whatever is sent their way. Each man has his skills, and they are all an integral part of the team. This is the second novel in the Tox Files Series. I would recommend you read the first book and Novella, not because it's necessary to enjoy this one, but because they are that good. In this book Tox must decide who he really is. Can he see the fine line between right and wrong?

Alec King is a skilled soldier. There was a time when Tix would say they were like brothers. Time has passed, and when Alec contacts Tox to help him write some wrongs, Tox can see where he is coming from. Determined to do the right thing without hurting more people Wraith sets out to capture Alec. Little do they know there are some mysterious ancient artifacts in play, and nothing is as it seems. Can they stop Alec before it's too late?

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys an amazing ride. From the beginning I felt as if I was on an adventure and never wanted it to end. I loved the relationship between Tox and his team, and how Haven understood him. Loving a soldier seems like no easy task, but if anyone can do it, Haven can. I can't wait to see what Kendig comes up with next. I am anxiously awaiting Thirst for Steel. I received a copy of this book and was in no way forced to post a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A book that will leave you breathless and quite possibly with jet lag as you follow Tox and crew to help stop a mad man. A mad man who is one of them. A special forces soldier who has decided to take justice into his own hands. I am really loving this series. Ronie has always written top notch military fiction, but this series adds the excitement of looking for ancient artifacts. Ones that have the ability to cause a plague and massive deaths. We also are seeing the inside of the mind of a soldier. One who wants to right what is wrong, but also under strict orders. HOOAH for Ronie Kendig.