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Tag Archives: the kindred

Release Day Review: Phoenix Rising (The Kindred, #5) by Erica Stevens

27 Tuesday Aug 2013

Posted by Elisabeth in review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

book review, Erica Stevens, indie author, indie book review, indies, paranormal, paranormal romance, phoenix rising, self-published, the kindred, Vampire, ya, young adult

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Reeling from the aftermath of Cassie’s death, they find themselves trying to survive in a tumultuous world filled with more enemies than friends. Struggling through the rage consuming him, Devon must come to terms with the fact that the woman he loved has died. He has little time to deal with his grief though as The Elders want them dead, the Halflings are still running free, and the missing children have become the focal point of concern.
On a mission to rescue the children, they set out on a journey from New York to Canada that will forever alter the course of their lives and make them realize that sometimes what rises from the fire may be something even more dangerous and deadly. That it may, in fact, be the death of them all.

Blurb and cover from Goodreads

5 out of 5 stars

This may be the best book by Erica Stevens that I have read yet. That is not to say it is my favorite because I am quite honestly convinced The Captive series shall eternally be my favorite, but I think that in terms of plot, mechanics, and development, this is her best work yet (that I have read). In this one I believe we hear from more perspectives than previously, but the author is usually careful to make sure you know who’s talking and it is interesting to have an insight into what goes on in certain characters’ heads. The sarcasm and wit was absolutely priceless and I cheered and cringed in all the right places. This, as I mentioned before, is rather more horror-esque than most vampire stories I’ve read (though there are still oodles of the seductive, drop-dead gorgeous vampires, too), but that’s how vampire tales were meant to be, I suppose.

The plot:

We get about a combined ten pages in this book to relax. Otherwise there is always something happening, always a problem, always suspense to make you need to turn the flipping page. I loved how everything from the beginning of the series works together at the end of this book and how all the loose ends come together for resolution. Nothing (and I mean nothing) is achieved too easily or without complications and I was in utter suspense until the satisfying, grin-bestowing end.

The characters:

Everyone has matured since the beginning, even the centuries-old vampires. Everyone has their struggles and trials to overcome, but especially Devon and Cassie.

Julian has to repeatedly come to terms with his place in the love triangle and, despite his rather damning first appearance in the series, it was impossible not to empathize with him and hope that he’ll find his own Cassie someday. (Note to author: I would not at all be opposed to a spin-off series with Julian as the hero. Just saying…)

Joey, Dani’s brother who I was just waiting to get bumped off, actually redeems himself as does another character, partially, who has made you want to beat her with a frying pan since the beginning.

I really, really like the way this ended (and I love Barnacle to bits) and while I am a little saddened to see yet another of my favorite series end, I couldn’t have asked for a better ending and I definitely recommend this series to anyone who will pick it up.

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Review: Inferno (The Kindred, #4) by Erica Stevens

26 Monday Aug 2013

Posted by Elisabeth in review

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

book review, Erica Stevens, indie author, paranormal, paranormal romance, self-published, series, the kindred, ya, young adult

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Deadly. That is what her time imprisoned by The Commission has made her. Just how deadly, and exactly what was done to her, Cassie doesn’t know but she is terrified of the possibilities. Though they try to hide it, Cassie knows that the people she loves most are also afraid of what she might become. But that may be the least of her problems as she comes face to face with the deserted town she was locked away in, and the destruction the Halflings have wrought upon it. Destruction she must try to stop before even more innocent people are killed and the Halflings escape the town. However, the existence of the Halflings has also caught the attention of someone else, someone powerful and angry; someone determined to destroy her and everyone that she loves.

Book 4 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

Oh, the torment…of all this series, the cliffhanger for this one was by far the worst. I am aching to read my ARC of the fifth and final book, but before I can do that, I have ordered myself to be a good little blogger and tell you all about this one. Inferno has much more horror-esque content than the previous books or Ms. Stevens other vampire series (which I am honestly trying not to bring up), but that can be a bad or good thing depending on how you like your vampires.

The plot:

Consistent with the rest of the series, this book was fast, intense, yet broken up with heart-melting moments of romance that make you root for the couple. I truly enjoyed this one though there is one part that I, true to my past practices, more or less skipped.

The characters:

Devon and Cassie are still the focus and I love them to bits, but I’d like to discuss the other characters this time.

Chris came over to Devon’s “side” in the second book, but I truly appreciated his shows of loyalty toward both Devon and Cassie in this one. His brotherly affections truly made me empathize with him and he has become one of my favorite characters.

Julian, who one would have thought beyond redemption in the first two books, has had the misfortune to fall for Cassie, but while he protects her with the same zeal as Devon, he also accepts that Devon is who she belongs with. I really, really liked Julian in this one and I really, really hope he’ll be alright in the next.

As if Devon and Cassie and everyone else didn’t have enough to worry about, the other Elders turn up to make things even more difficult. Their leader, Zane, and his mate, Anastasia, are the epitome of creepy (for lack of a better word), while Devon’s estranged brother, Robert, isn’t any better. Unlikely alliances with the Elders against a common foe leads to devastating consequences that culminate into—that’s right—another cliffhanger!

Quick and concise, this book is a credit to the rest of the series and I am very, very excited to start Phoenix Rising!

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Review: Ashes (The Kindred, #2) by Erica Stevens

24 Saturday Aug 2013

Posted by Elisabeth in review

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Tags

ashes, book review, Erica Stevens, indie author, indie book review, indies, paranormal, paranormal romance, self-published, series, the kindred, vampires, young adult

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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!

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