{Blog Tour Review} Dracian Legacy (Dracian, #1) by Priya Kanaparti

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dracian legacy, paranormal romance, priya kanaparti, reuts publishing, review, ya, young adult

I was a part of this book’s tour when it was self published last year and I am thrilled to help spread the word about the re-release with REUTS Publishing!

At seventeen, Ren Pernell knows the meaning of tragedy.

But then, a year after losing her parents, Axel Knight walks through the door and changes everything. Strange creatures start to appear, her best friend suddenly finds her irresistible, and an undeniable, unexplainable bond with Axel threatens to drive her insane. She knows he’s the key. There’s something he’s not sharing, and she’s determined to find out.

Demanding answers, she finally learns the truth: everything she ever believed is an illusion. Caught in a centuries-old blood feud between races she never knew existed, Ren discovers her true destiny. She’s the chosen one, the Echo, preordained to end the bloodshed.

There’s just one catch–in order to save those she loves and a homeland she’s never seen, she’ll have to die.

With the clock running out, she’ll have to navigate a new world of betrayal, lies and deceit. If she can forgive, finding love even in the darkest places, she just might be able to escape the prophecy. But how much is she willing to sacrifice for a cause she didn’t know she was part of? And what will it take for her to be free?

Blurb and cover from Goodreads

4 out of 5 stars

I read this book back when it was self-published, so I was very excited to read this new version released with REUTS Publications. However, I kept comparing notes on this version versus that version, so I must warn you that comparisons are going to occur in this review.

The plot:

There’s lots of kissing and intense make-out sessions. I mean LOTS. There was also a good deal of martial action and add in the magic, that makes for a romance-centric adventure to keep you turning the pages! I thought that the world building should have been done more and earlier in the story and it should have been clearer sooner who was who and what was what. There were a few inconsistencies, mainly this one part around midway through where Ren says to Axel “you could always give up the throne for me,” but we don’t hear anything about Axel :SPOILER: being a prince :SPOILER OVER: until past the 90% mark of the story. This version also cuts out the explanation about what Dean and Ren being “bonded” means and how they ended up that way and I thought that should have been elaborated more. Still, the story trots along at a good pace and there weren’t any “dead zones.”

The characters:

I will say that Ren was more multi-dimensional in this version and doesn’t throw herself at Axel as easily, which I liked. She was good about sticking with decisions once they were made and not trying to back out. Though I wish she’d ditch her best friend. Pey annoys me. (Sorry, Pey.)

Axel is a dichotomy of sorts. He’s drop-dead gorgeous, carries magical daggers, rides a motorcycle, and favors leather. With that description, you’re probably expecting a bad boy, right? Nope. Axel is…oh, gosh he’s amazing. Sweet and romantic, yes, but also a talented young warrior driven by guilt and a need to save as many people as he can. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a dangerous boy with a conscience.

I mentioned Dean earlier, so I should probably talk a bit about him here. I want to hate Dean very badly, but the author does a good job of showing his vulnerable, non-cocky side just enough that he can’t be completely written off. I get frustrated with him and I can’t help but want to scream in his face that it’s his own fault Ren didn’t choose him because if he was good enough for her, he wouldn’t have spent his high school years screwing around with half their high school’s female students.

I adored Joshua, Ren’s older brother. He was overprotective of Ren and utterly precious with his girlfriend, Cassie. He’s the big brother nobody would mind having.

There were a few other characters who made their appearances. I laud the author for giving us glimpses into all of them, even when they weren’t central to the story. Even the characters who come across as bullies are given lines that hint at an unknown backstory and I loved that.

We’re told who the villain is earlier on and shown in no uncertain terms that Goarders are bad, but I felt like more should have been explained through the story—like why Ren feels drawn to a certain baddie, etc. At the end we learn how Ren could be the end of the Dracians, but I thought it should have been made clear just how Ren could save the Dracians. I suppose that’s for the future story installments.

In short, I like this series and I want to find out what happens next. There were some places I took issue, but I think it’s still a wonderful, original story and especially love that the hero isn’t a bad boy for once. I recommend this to fans of YA paranormal romance, especially ones who like swoon-worthy romance!

About the Author

Priya lives in the beautiful city of Boise, ID as a full-time working mom and part-time YA Novel Author. For the past 7+ years she has worked in multiple fortune 500 companies and has recently found the passion to read and write. The Dracian Legacy is her first YA paranormal romance series. She strongly believes that true love conquers all and that’s a common theme you’ll find within her novels.

You can find her online at: Blog ~ Facebook ~ Pinterest ~ Twitter

Review: Cornerstone (Souls of the Stones, #1) by Kelly Walker @KWalkerWrites

Tags

cornerstone, epic fantasy, indie book review, kelly walker, review, self-published, the souls of the stones, ya, young adult

Epic Fantasy combines with Young Adult romance in this stunning new adventure set in a richly developed medieval world.

When Emariya Warren learns enemy forces have captured her father, she’ll do anything to save him. Anything. Even marry a mysterious prince she knows nothing about in order to rally the strength to arrange a rescue. During her journey to Torian’s foreign castle, Emariya comes face to face with her mother’s killers–and a deadly secret.

Not only does Emariya possess a powerful but unexpected magical gift passed down through each of her families, the prince she’s promised to marry possesses a third, and an ominous prophecy has warned the three gifts must never be combined.

If she breaks her promise to marry Torian, she won’t be able to save her father and if she keeps it, she may bring a curse upon everything she holds dear. Determining which choice is best won’t be easy, but when she meets the gorgeous prince who may desire more than just her heart, she realizes she will have to fight just to have a choice at all.

Her heart wants him desperately. Her head begs her to run. If she doesn’t want to share her mother’s fate, she’ll have to find a way to untangle the truth from the lies in time to save herself.

Discover the heartbreaking betrayals, fascinating magic and fated love of Cornerstone.

Blurb and cover from Goodreads

4 out of 5 stars

I’m fairly certain this book was on my currently reading shelf for months. The fact is that I found it a tad slow and felt that the whole journey and traveling sequences took far too long and I was waiting for something to happen. Then I finally decided it was time to bite the bullet and just finish it already and I actually enjoyed it toward the end, so much so that I went and bought the rest of the trilogy (which I do not do lightly).

The plot:

There was actually a lot that went on through this book, I was just waiting, waiting, and waiting some more for Riya to actually meet this reportedly über-nasty prince. There were kidnappings, attacks, fights, rescues, and chases—meanwhile I was tapping my fingers, wanting to meet Prince Ahlen and see if he really was as bad as we were being led to believe. I probably should have put aside my impatience and forgotten about His Highness, but me and my idea of how the story should go got in the way.

The characters:

Riya means well, I’ll give her that. She’s willing to do whatever needs to be done for the sake of her people and was exceptionally courageous. She was a little sheltered and didn’t realize when she was being used, but became a tad wiser by the end and certainly grew over the course of the book.

Garith is the blacksmith’s son who has been in love with Riya since childhood, but has been tragically friend-zoned. He still faithfully protects her with his life and his loyalty was admirable, even if he could be misguided at times.

Jessa is Riya’s handmaiden and best friend. While a minor supporting character, she had a key part to play. I mostly thought of her as breathing baggage, but have to admit she showed pluck when it was needed.

Here is where I usually talk about the villain. But I can’t because, well, that would be breaking the book review blogger’s code of no spoilers, so I’ll just say if I hadn’t cheated and read the blurbs of the later books, I never would have seen it coming.

I really didn’t like the middle of this book, I’ll admit. But I adored the beginning and I adored the end and I dove into the sequels with a gusto and was not disappointed at all. I do recommend this series, but don’t wait for Prince Ahlen, because he doesn’t show his face until we get to the end.

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Review: Crown of Midnight (Throne of Glass, #2) by Sarah J. Maas

Tags

crown of midnight, fangirling, fantasy, review, sarah j maas, team chaol, ya, young adult

An assassin’s loyalties are always in doubt.
But her heart never wavers.

After a year of hard labor in the Salt Mines of Endovier, eighteen-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien has won the king’s contest to become the new royal assassin. Yet Celaena is far from loyal to the crown – a secret she hides from even her most intimate confidantes.

Keeping up the deadly charade—while pretending to do the king’s bidding—will test her in frightening new ways, especially when she’s given a task that could jeopardize everything she’s come to care for. And there are far more dangerous forces gathering on the horizon — forces that threaten to destroy her entire world, and will surely force Celaena to make a choice.

Where do the assassin’s loyalties lie, and who is she most willing to fight for?

Blurb and cover from Goodreads

4 out of 5 stars

I am sorry, I really am, but this will be more of a rant/sob session than a review. This book made me both furious and heartbroken. I kind of feel like I had just went through a breakup which is ridiculous, but I am SO very attached to this story and it hurt me and now I can’t seem to get over it.

The plot:

What can I say about the plot? Well, I started this book in the evening and finished at 3:00 a.m. and that should be all you need to know. I had a lot of trouble prying myself away from this, even though I kind of started hating what was happening in a “how could the author bloody do this to me” way somewhere around the 55% mark. I did think the perspective shifts were overdone, with as many as three perspectives in a single scene, still it was interesting to get multiple views, even if it could be distracting.

The characters:

Can I punch Celaena, please? Really hard and in the face? I wanted to beat some sense into her for her…her obtuseness. Really, girl, get your head on straight. Chaol omitted the truth because he thought he was protecting you whilst Nehemia outright lied (after she promised there’d be no falsehoods between you, might I add) and Chaol is the one you tear into? Then we find out it wouldn’t have mattered if he’d told you or not because Nehemia freaking planned the whole thing. GET OVER IT ALREADY.

I have never liked Nehemia. I know a lot of people do, but I’m at a loss as to why. Yes, she’s an advocate for her people and so on and so forth, but she’s always struck me as an “ends justifies the means” sort and I think she proved me right. :SPOILER: I was supposed to be sad when she turned up dead, but I wasn’t because I never found her relatable or even likeable and am clueless as to why Celanea would go into depression, lying around and doing nothing after she died. I mean, when Sam was killed, Celanea cried herself to sleep then set out to gank the guy who’d done it the next morning. And at the time Sam was the only person in the world she could even call a friend. But when Her Royal Highness gets her throat cut… Really? You’re Adarlan’s Assassin. PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER. :SPOILER OVER:

Dorian…he was okay in this book. I would have liked him, maybe even adored him if it hadn’t been for this one scene toward the end where he’s “glad she was seeking comfort from him instead of Chaol.” Them’s fightin’ words, boy. Alright, so maybe I’m taking the whole “Team Chaol” thing too far. Dorian grows a lot in this book and starts to questions his father’s actions more, becoming his own man and future ruler material. I did like him better in this book than the previous one.

And now we get to Chaol. Oh, Chaol. What can I say about Chaol? Well, you’ve probably already guessed that I love him to bits. He’s brave with a heart of gooey eiderdown under that dutiful exterior and wants to do the right thing, even if he’s a little misguided right now. Self-sacrificial and passionate and courageous and loving and sheer amazing—okay, I’m fangirling, time to stop.

I warned you this would be less of a review and more of a rant. Thinking back, this book stirred so many passionate feelings on my part, maybe it deserves another star for getting me this involved. But I’m mad at it, so I refuse. The ending broke me into itty bitty, jagged pieces and I am kind of angry at Sarah J. Maas. Will I buy the next book? I kind of have to if I want to find out what happens to my OTP and if the king gets his. Oh, and :SPOILER: Celaena and Chaol had better get back together in Heir of Fire, or There. Will. Be. BLOOD. :SPOILER OVER:

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Review: Magic of Thieves (Legends of Dimmingwood, #1) by C. Greenwood

Tags

book review, c greenwood, epic fantasy, fantasy, indie author, indie book review, indies, negative, review, self-published, ya, young adult

In a province where magic is forbidden and its possessors are murdered by the cruel Praetor, young Ilan, born with the powerful gift of her ancestors, has only one hope for survival. Concealment. In the shadow of Dimmingwood, she finds temporary protection with a band of forest brigands led by the infamous outlaw Rideon the Red Hand.

But as Ilan matures, learns the skills of survival, and struggles to master the inherent magic of her dying race, danger is always close behind. When old enemies reappear and new friendships lead to betrayal, will her discovery of an enchanted bow prove to be Ilan’s final salvation or her ultimate downfall?

* * * * *
When I was small, my mother taught me about the magickless—evil men who hunted our kind to destroy us. They came from across the water to steal the lands of our ancestors. Pretending to want peace, they enslaved us and sought to extinguish what they couldn’t possess, the one thing their harsh laws could never control. Our ancient powers. One day, my mother warned me, violence would shatter the safety of our home, and when that day came, we must fight. And we must win.
* * * * *

Blurb and cover from Goodreads

3 out of 5 stars

This review will be brief because it won’t take much to sum up my thoughts.

This is not a long book and I feel like that was its largest problem. I usually have nothing against short books or novellas, but this felt like the first 20% or so to an epic fantasy novel ripped out and sold on its own. It takes the main character, Ilrun, from five years of age to sixteen with no clear focus to the story. It felt like there wasn’t a defined goal yet, as if I was just reading backstory, and I spent most of the book being mad at Ilrun.

For me, the main character doesn’t have to be my favorite, but I do have to at least like him/her. I did not like Ilrun. I couldn’t really understand why she idolized the leader of the bandits as she did and I got mad when she shamelessly double-crossed other characters. She had her relatable moments, but there weren’t enough of them to redeem her for me.

On the other hand, the author did create an original and fascinating world I think I would have been more interested in exploring had this been part of a larger book. The world building was probably the best part of this story and I do laud the author on an interesting fantasy realm.

I think this could have been a good book if the writer had made Ilrun a little less brutal and given us something to resolve at the end instead of a continuous storyline that just stops. But as this story is, I really can’t recommend it.

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Review: Ignite (Midnight Fire, #1) by Kaitlyn Davis

Tags

kaitlyn davis, midnight fire, paranormal romance, review, vampires, young adult

Alternate Cover Edition for ASIN B005U8GQT6

With one last look, one final search of the lines of his face for some sign, Kira turned and ran away from the sound of the man she loved laughing in the face of her death.

When Kira Dawson moves to South Carolina, she meets Luke, a blond goofball who quickly becomes her best friend, and Tristan, a mysterious bad boy who sends shivers down her spine. Kira knows they’re keeping secrets, but when she discovers Tristan’s lust for blood and her own dormant mystical powers, Kira is forced to fight for her life and make the heartbreaking decision between the familiar comfort of friendship and the fiery passion of love.

4 out of 5 stars

Okay. So here we have a paranormal romance with a vampire. No, don’t roll your eyes. Yes, he’s over 150. Yes, she’s inexplicably drawn to him. But what if I told you she’s one of the only humans who can kill a vampire and she does it by shooting concentrated sunlight out her hands, huh? Do I have your attention now? Good.

The plot:
When I realized this was a vampire story, I was a little put off. I had high hopes for this story and when I stumbled across that, my heart kind of sank. But Ms. Davis surprised me and made a story that was both fun and with a twist on vampires I haven’t seen before. The story develops well and I did get into it, even if the casual dating mentality of a few of the characters in this book was kind of a point down for me.

The characters:
Kira was a fun heroine. She has no idea who or what she is at the beginning and has to learn to cope with her newfound abilities and the vampires who want to drink he dry so they can become invincible.

Tristan, out love interest, is aptly named. One of the rare vampires who has maintained his soul, he belongs neither to vampire kind nor humankind.

Luke is Kira’s best friend and takes on a rather bug brother/mentor role. He is a protector, a human who can immobilize vampires by causing them extreme pain, but he can’t kill them. He is NOT Tristan’s biggest fan and is convinced that the vampire is just using Kira. Still, he means well and I kind of found the rivalry between him and Tristan amusing.

This was a good book overall. And did I mention it’s free on Amazon? (Link below.) So if you like vampires, paranormal romance, or chicks who shoot light out their hands, go check it out!

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Freebie Friday #1 Captured (The Captive, #1) by Erica Stevens

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5 stars, awesome, Erica Stevens, freebie, friday freebie, indie author, indie book review, kindle, paranormal romance, review, self-published, Vampire, ya, young adult

I thought I’d try starting a new meme on Fridays since I LOVE my Kindle and I LOVE freebies. So here it is! The inaugural and pilot post of Friday Freebies. If you know of any other books that are free for Kindle today or on an upcoming Friday, I’d love to hear about them!

Blood Slave.

Captured, taken from her beloved family and woods, Aria’s biggest fear is not the imminent death facing her, but that she will be chosen as a blood slave for a member of the ruling vampire race. No matter what becomes of her though, Aria knows that she must keep her identity hidden from the monsters imprisoning her. She has already been branded a member of the rebellion, but the vampires do not know the true depth of her involvement with it, and they must never know.

Though hoping for death, Aria’s world is turned upside down when a vampire named Braith steps forward to claim her. He delays her execution, but Aria knows it’s only a matter of time before he drains her, and destroys her. Especially once she learns his true identity as a prince within the royal family; the same royal family that started the war that ultimately brought down humankind, reducing them to nothing more than servants and slaves.

Aria is determined to hate the prince, determined not to give into him in anyway, but his strange kindness, and surprising gentleness astonish her. Torn between her loyalties to the rebellion, and her growing love for her greatest enemy, Aria struggles to decide between everything she has ever known, and a love she never dreamed of finding.

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So behind…

Tags

blogger, blogging, book review, books, fantasy, indie author, indie book review, indies, just for fun, procrastination, reading, review, self-published, ya, young adult

I am so very behind on my reviews that it isn’t even humorous. I’m going to have to do a whole post just to show you how very behind I am. but until then, this is what I am currently reading! (It’s pretty flipping awesome so far!)

As the last of the Incenaga Witches, Emmeline has been tortured and forced to use her power to kill. But unlike the Incenagas before her, she has survived. With her freedom restored, she should feel safe, invincible even. After all, she has the protection of Prince Erick’s army and a power strong enough to obliterate any enemy. Yet Emmeline lives in fear for the next person who will try to control her, and no one can seem to find the tyrant threatening to claim her.

Until it’s too late.

With everything on the line, and the enemy at her throat, will Emmeline be able to use her power like never before? Even if it kills her?

In The Underground Witch, the second novel of the Incenaga Trilogy, Debbie Dee delivers enough adventure, heartbreak, and suspense to captivate readers at every turn.

Blurb and cover from Goodreads

Review: Sora’s Quest (The Cat’s Eye Chronicles, #1) by T. L. Shreffler

Tags

epic fantasy, fantasy, indie author, indie book review, indies, magic, mythology, review, self-published, series, the cats eye chronicles, tl shreffler, young adult

This book is permanently free on Amazon, BN.com, Apple, Kobo and more!

Sora Fallcrest always dreamed of adventure, but as a member of the nobility, she learned the ways of a Lady instead. Now seventeen, she is expected to choose a husband and marry. She plots to run away, but just as she is stepping out the door, she runs into a mysterious man–and is kidnapped.

Abducted from her manor, Sora is plunged into a world of magical races, arcane jewelry and forgotten lore. She finds herself at the mercy of a dangerous assassin, haunted by an even darker past. She yearns for freedom, but he won’t let her go–not when her Cat’s Eye necklace is the only thing that can save his life.

But the necklace itself presents a problem. It is an ancient device from the long forgotten War of the Races, and its magic has the ability to steal souls. Can Sora learn to wield its power — or will the power wield her? (Winner of the SKOW 2006 Best Fantasy Award)

Blurb and cover from Goodreads

5 out of 5 stars

This review is going to have a touch of fangirling. While I confess that I found the beginning, where Sora spontaneously hatches the idea to run away, a bit awkward, as soon as we get to the Blooming, it’s straight uphill from there. Books like this are why I love Epic Fantasy. I’ve said it many times, but it bears repeating that Epic Fantasy is my one true literary love. This book has earned itself a hard-won place on my very select Shelf of Awesome. This was a story that demanded I finish it and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the characters for weeks. I have unearthed a new series to follow and I am so, so thrilled!

The plot:

I found the premise of the plot to be refreshingly original, but not so different it lost its fantasy flavor. It was set up in such a way that I could breathe when I put it down, but at the same time the story wouldn’t leave me alone. I had to know what would happen and I went and downloaded the sequel the very next day (would’ve been sooner, but I needed Wi-Fi) because I was going into withdrawals.

The characters:

I really liked Sora and I think she is one of the few characters I would actually get along with in real life. She is headstrong, occasionally rash, and stubborn, but intelligent and with a core desire to do what is right. She didn’t whine, but she didn’t back down easily, even when Crash, the assassin, was nonverbally threatening to throttle her. She was compassionate and brave, if a bit naive at first, but still one of my favorite heroines I have encountered recently.

Crash, the assassin, is a mysterious figure who we don’t really learn anything about until the end. I think if I had to sum him up in a word, it would be “awesome.” It is difficult for me to put into words why I like him so much, but I guess it’s just because he is…awesome. It’s kind of hard for me not to grow fond of a ninja-like character shrouded in mystery who has inner monologues that go like this: He [Crash] didn’t waste words while fighting. It was useless to taunt the dead. Crash narrowly beat out Sora as my favorite character and I absolutely loved the part at the end where Volcrian’s wraith—spoiler—and Sora—spoiler—and Crash—spoiler.

There were two other main characters in addition to our villain, of the same race as our villain to boot. Dorian, the Wolfy mage, and Burn, the Wolfy mercenary. Dorian was a fun-loving, light-hearted thief who comes across as something of a little boy forced to grow up too soon. I grew truly fond of him as well as Burn and I couldn’t believe it when the author went and—spoiler.

Years ago, Crash took out a contract on the twin brother of Volcrian, a bloodmage. Now Volcrian seeks revenge for the death of his twin, growing more and more desperate as his searches turn up nothing. Volcrian has been twisted and warped by hatred and bloodlust, but it’s kind of difficult to properly hate his guts when you think about what he has been through. He is the ideal villain—balancing evil with just the right amount of sympathetic qualities to prevent you completely loathing him.

I am a fan of this series, as was confirmed when I read the second one and found it to be as incredible as the first. I am very, very excited for the third book releasing at the end of this month and to fans of fantasy and adventures stories in general, I cannot recommend this book enough!

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Review: Determinant (Guardians of Vesturon, #3) by A.M. Hardgrove

Tags

aliens, book review, paranormal romance, review, ya, young adult

January St. Davis, on her own since the age of sixteen and struggling to stay in college, thinks she’s scored in a major way when she lands a paid summer internship at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. One evening, after working an especially long shift, a chance encounter with a group of mysterious men alters the course of her life.

Rykerian Yarrister, a Guardian of Vesturon with unearthly powers and impossibly gorgeous looks, finds himself at odds over the human female he recently saved from certain death. When it seems he is on the verge of winning her over, she is ripped from his hands by a strange and powerful being, threatening to destroy her if his demands are not met.

Do Rykerian and the Guardians have the ability to meet this fierce barbarian’s ultimatums, or will January suffer a horrid demise?

Blurb and cover from Goodreads

5 out of 5 stars

I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read this book. I became very attached to Maddie and Rayn and I didn’t want to leave them behind, even if Rykerian is a bit difficult not to like. In the end, I found myself liking this book more than the previous two and adoring January and Rykerian to bits!

The plot:

Okay, you could probably split this book into two novellas with their own beginnings, middles, and ends, but I think it worked. I saw the same “problem” here that I did in the previous book of there being a slight lack of direction after the first half. Nonetheless, this was a wonderful tale and I am very, very glad I read it.

The characters:

January. Poor January! The day she graduates high school (at sixteen) she is thrown out by her “father” who tells her that she is not really his daughter and that the reason her mother has always seemed to hate her is because January is the product of a rape and her mother really does hate her. Forced to live in her car, January is lucky enough to be taken in by various people who try to help her out. As time goes by, she is cut off from her little brother and sister (who are the only people who’ve ever really loved her) by her she-dog of a mother and the total cur who is her mother’s husband. January struggles to make her grades to get into med school, but working two jobs and sleeping way too little take their toll and soon she starts slipping. Nonetheless, she manages to get an internship at the Centers for Disease Control and that’s where she is infected with hemorrhagic smallpox the real trouble starts. I really, really just wanted to hug this poor girl. She had absolutely no one and I just wanted her to be okay! When Rykerian comes along, I was so happy because I knew he’d take care of her (yes, I know it’s a romance and I shouldn’t have been worried).

Rykerian was just…so flippin’ sweet. He is the more shy and awkward of the Yarrister siblings and though I didn’t really take to him in the earlier books, I found myself liking him even more than Rayn. I really enjoyed how this love story follows them all the way to when :SPOILER: their first child is born. That was quite possibly my favorite part. And it is priceless when Annalise gives them a schedule because she and Rowan are tired of listening to Rykerian and January argue over who’s turn it is to hold the baby. :SPOILER OVER:

One of my favorite characters was Jurek, the inter-matter shape shifter mercenary. He was gruff and a little hard on the outside, but with a heart of goose down and a wonderful sense of humor. I loved his mockery of the Vesturions, only because he was so funny!

An awesome series and I’m looking forward to reEmergent!

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Review: Resurrection (Guardians of Vesturon, #2) by A.M. Hardgrove

Tags

aliens, book review, indie author, paranormal romance, review, young adult

“Maddie knew she was dying. Her life started to flash before her. She had visions of running down the soccer field, scoring a goal, eating her mother’s yummy, homemade, sticky cinnamon rolls, standing in her foyer listening to the police tell her father that her mother had been killed in a car accident. Each vision was disturbingly clear—as if it was happening again.”

Rayn Yarrister, the first-born son and Leader of The Guardians, has been imprisoned on Vesturon for breaking their most sacred of covenants. He is suddenly jolted by Maddie’s telepathic pleas for help, as her life hangs in the balance. Can he alert The Guardians in time to save his soulmate? Or will he face his trial alone and broken without his one true love?
In Resurrection (Book 2), The Guardians of Vesturon are facing their biggest challenges as Earth is threatened by an invading species from a distant planet intent on destroying it for its resources. The Guardians, as protectors of the universe, have been assembled to defend not only Earth, but other vulnerable worlds as well. The Yarrister family is threatened by an unknown entity intent on discrediting them. Will they uncover this plot in time to save themselves from ruin? Will The Guardians succeed in stopping the Xanthians, or will Earth be invaded and ravaged by this marauding species?

Blurb and cover from Goodreads

5 out of 5 stars

So after the cruel cliffhanger at the end of Survival, I leapt straight into this book! It was just as awesome as the first and I am so, so happy that I gave this series a shot! I enjoyed this story greatly, as if reflected by the five stars, however, there were a few issues I had.

The plot:

I had the issue of the plot seeming a bit unfocused. I prefer for there to be a single problem being worked out over the story, but here there were different issues that sprang up as we went down the road. The question this book asks is: Will Rayn and Maddie be united? While we do get our answer at the end and I loved the whole ending part of this book, I think it bugged me. But maybe it only bugged me because I’ve been told to watch that in my own writing? I’m not sure it would have bothered me otherwise.

The characters:

Maddie is just as lovable as ever, getting into plenty of YouTube- and emergency responder-worthy accidents and scrapes. It was interesting to watch the relationship between her and Rayn take its twists and turns and weather its storms.

Rayn’s siblings take a more back-seat role here, but they still pop up from time to time to remind us of just how adorable they are. His parents also make their appearances and you can see that in spite of being married for decades, they’re still in love. (Which was just another part I enjoyed!)

Here we also meet Saylan, who looks as though she will be the female love interest to Xarrid in the fourth book. I liked her, but there’s one place in particular (you won’t be able to miss it) where I wanted to scream or slap her or do something to make her shut up. Nonetheless, her mistake bore positive fruit in the end.

This series is wonderful and definitely one to watch. While its themes of chastity and morality could get tiresome for some people, it was just the opposite for me and for that reason, I’m giving it 5 stars!

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