Tags
ashes, book review, Erica Stevens, indie author, indie book review, indies, paranormal, paranormal romance, self-published, series, the kindred, vampires, young adult
For the past four years Cassie has only known vampires as her enemy. With the revelation of Devon’s true nature she must come to terms with the fact that not everything she knows is right, especially when the source of her Hunter powers is revealed. Slowly, Cassie begins to unravel the mystery that enshrouds Devon as the bond between them grows and intensifies. It’s not until a woman from his past walks into their present, that Cassie realizes there are far more layers to Devon than she ever realized. Layers that may very well destroy her, and everyone that she loves. Thrown off by the new arrival in their town, and struggling to survive, Cassie is not prepared for the devastating blow that leaves the world she knows nothing but a pile of rubble and ashes. Ashes that may very well give rise to something else inside of her, something that’s not entirely human.
Book 2 of 5
This is a young adult fictional story that includes some language, violence, and mild sexual situations. Recommended for ages fifteen and up.
Cover art by Cover art by www.EbookLaunch.com
Blurb and cover from Goodreads
5 out of 5 stars
After the cliffhanger ending of Kindred, I simply had to read this, there was no question about it! This book takes off minutes after the first left off, with Devon :SPOILER FOR FIRST BOOK: rushing the wounded Cassie to the emergency room. :SPOILER OVER: As I said before, I read the first four books of this series in a four day marathon, downing one after the other because I was having too much fun.
The plot:
Characteristic of Stevens’ writing, the plot is fast and doesn’t disappoint. It read very quickly and very easily, never letting the reader sink into a sense of boredom, but at the same time giving plenty of pauses. While reading I tried not to compare this to Stevens’ other PNR vampire series, The Captive (which has a secure seat on my Shelf of Awesome), but there is definitely the same style of heart-stopping romance interspersed with intense action.
The characters:
There is a level of development among the characters, particularly in their relationships. Cassie and Devon become closer in lieu of sharing their secrets and battling Julian. Meanwhile, Cassie’s Hunter friends, Melissa and Chris, as well as Luther, their mentor, and her grandmother, must learn to deal with the newfound knowledge that Devon is not only a vampire, but an exceptionally powerful Elder.
In this book, we also meet Isla, a completely despicable antiheroine who crawls up from Devon’s past. Julian is more prominent in this book, though he still stays mostly in the shadows without much chance to really get to know him. Nonetheless, he makes a prize villain and I was gaping at my eReader screen in horror of what he might do next.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this book, I am a massive fan of this author, and I highly recommend this series to readers of upper YA paranormal romance who like vampires!
Inkspelled Faery 