Boring, I've stared this book several times since I downloaded from NetGalley and laid it aside each time. I managed to get further this time, but stiBoring, I've stared this book several times since I downloaded from NetGalley and laid it aside each time. I managed to get further this time, but still couldn't make myself finish it; deleting permanently.
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Boring, I've stared this book several times since I downloaded from NetGalley and laid it aside each time. I managed to get further this time, but still couldn't make myself finish it; deleting permanently....more
I found the amount of information thrown at the readers at the beginning a bit disconcerting but I finally decided that I was going to read all the boI found the amount of information thrown at the readers at the beginning a bit disconcerting but I finally decided that I was going to read all the books that I had started but not finished in January of this years and this was the first one I finished. However, I found the pacing slow, especially considering the viciousness of the murders. Editing would have helped this book, dialogue could have been cut and this would have made the pace faster and the reading more enjoyable. This is something that will improve as the writer continues to write.
While this is a murder mystery is not what most readers expect when they read this genre; it adds a fantasy element with gods and monsters and skills that aren’t considered normal. The author does a wonderful job of building both his world and his characters. Just when I though the Sequa was incapable of honesty she would surprise me and the other characters are equally enjoyable. I am glad I finally made myself finish this book and I would read something else by this author.
2.75/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
Merged review:
I found the amount of information thrown at the readers at the beginning a bit disconcerting but I finally decided that I was going to read all the books that I had started but not finished in January of this years and this was the first one I finished. However, I found the pacing slow, especially considering the viciousness of the murders. Editing would have helped this book, dialogue could have been cut and this would have made the pace faster and the reading more enjoyable. This is something that will improve as the writer continues to write.
While this is a murder mystery is not what most readers expect when they read this genre; it adds a fantasy element with gods and monsters and skills that aren’t considered normal. The author does a wonderful job of building both his world and his characters. Just when I though the Sequa was incapable of honesty she would surprise me and the other characters are equally enjoyable. I am glad I finally made myself finish this book and I would read something else by this author.
2.75/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**...more
I've always moved ancient history and the period that this is set in is on my favorites.
This is a prequel to [book]: LEHACY OF KINDS) and it has madeI've always moved ancient history and the period that this is set in is on my favorites.
This is a prequel to [book]: LEHACY OF KINDS) and it has made it easier to understand the characters and their motivations Even though I've only read 1/4 of this, there would have been instances where I would have questioned a characters actions or motivation if I had not read the prequel. I've read some reviews that have said something like " why was ? hunted for years by ?" and if they had read this they would have known.
While this is targeted for YA readers I do feel it should be for mature young adults (17 and up) because of sexual content.
4.5 Stars
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I've always moved ancient history and the period that this is set in is on my favorites.
This is a prequel to [book]: LEHACY OF KINDS) and it has made it easier to understand the characters and their motivations Even though I've only read 1/4 of this, there would have been instances where I would have questioned a characters actions or motivation if I had not read the prequel. I've read some reviews that have said something like " why was ? hunted for years by ?" and if they had read this they would have known.
While this is targeted for YA readers I do feel it should be for mature young adults (17 and up) because of sexual content.
I thought this was a story about reincarnation but it seems more like a story about a boy who hears voices. I know that his is a YA story and that usuI thought this was a story about reincarnation but it seems more like a story about a boy who hears voices. I know that his is a YA story and that usually doesn’t detract me but I found this book to be slow and it failed to hold my attention. I’ve picked it up several times over the last few weeks before I finally finished it tonight. While it had some interesting parts it was too easy to walk away from and will be quickly forgotten.
2/5 STARS **Receiving a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley did not influence my rating or review of this book; all opinions are my own.**
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I thought this was a story about reincarnation but it seems more like a story about a boy who hears voices. I know that his is a YA story and that usually doesn’t detract me but I found this book to be slow and it failed to hold my attention. I’ve picked it up several times over the last few weeks before I finally finished it tonight. While it had some interesting parts it was too easy to walk away from and will be quickly forgotten.
2/5 STARS **Receiving a digital ARC from the publisher via NetGalley did not influence my rating or review of this book; all opinions are my own.**...more
Unlike most books with an immortal this does not have vampires, but it does have other evil characters besides Nazis and I found the story very entertUnlike most books with an immortal this does not have vampires, but it does have other evil characters besides Nazis and I found the story very entertaining. While I didn’t particularly care for the author’s take on Jesus it was something that I was able to read, dismiss and forget; this is something I’ve done in the past and as long as the writer doesn’t fill the book with this I’ll do the same.
I really enjoyed the character of Steven and hope that as he continues on his immortal path he will retain has humanity. He isn’t perfect, but he’s a much better character than the best immortal in the book, Chow Li. I was really disappointed that after centuries in which he has see the depth of depravity and viciousness Chang Sou and his followers have sunk he cannot destroy them even when he realizes that soon the protection that has kept them as virtual prisoners is failing. He should have suspected that Chan Sou was lying and had another nefarious reason for wanting to meet with Steven in the monastery.
I thought the author did a wonderful job with both the character building and the story as a whole. The fact that these immortals seem to gather more powers as time passes but it’s hard to believe they are able to lie dormant for extended periods and remain alive without taking the pills with no effect. Since this novel was set during and after WW2 and considering where Steven found his supply of the pills I enjoyed the fact that Chang Sou was modeled on Thor, except he his immoral and doesn’t have a hammer, but when you are “possibly the missing link that Himmler’s German Ancestral Heritage Organization was seeking; a blonde, blue-eyed giant almost 7” tall, muscular, very broad shoulders and hands the size of catcher mitts” you don’t need a hammer.
4.5/5 Stars: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
Merged review:
Unlike most books with an immortal this does not have vampires, but it does have other evil characters besides Nazis and I found the story very entertaining. While I didn’t particularly care for the author’s take on Jesus it was something that I was able to read, dismiss and forget; this is something I’ve done in the past and as long as the writer doesn’t fill the book with this I’ll do the same.
I really enjoyed the character of Steven and hope that as he continues on his immortal path he will retain has humanity. He isn’t perfect, but he’s a much better character than the best immortal in the book, Chow Li. I was really disappointed that after centuries in which he has see the depth of depravity and viciousness Chang Sou and his followers have sunk he cannot destroy them even when he realizes that soon the protection that has kept them as virtual prisoners is failing. He should have suspected that Chan Sou was lying and had another nefarious reason for wanting to meet with Steven in the monastery.
I thought the author did a wonderful job with both the character building and the story as a whole. The fact that these immortals seem to gather more powers as time passes but it’s hard to believe they are able to lie dormant for extended periods and remain alive without taking the pills with no effect. Since this novel was set during and after WW2 and considering where Steven found his supply of the pills I enjoyed the fact that Chang Sou was modeled on Thor, except he his immoral and doesn’t have a hammer, but when you are “possibly the missing link that Himmler’s German Ancestral Heritage Organization was seeking; a blonde, blue-eyed giant almost 7” tall, muscular, very broad shoulders and hands the size of catcher mitts” you don’t need a hammer.
4.5/5 Stars: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**...more
4.5/5 STARS: **This is an honest, unbiased review. I would like to thank the author and/or/publisher for providing an ARC through Netgalley, all opi4.5/5 STARS: **This is an honest, unbiased review. I would like to thank the author and/or/publisher for providing an ARC through Netgalley, all opinions are mine.** I thought that it started slow but I kept reading because I usually love this authors novels and I am glad I did because once again he has done a wonderful job with world building, mixing Vikings, magic and different creatures in this amazing series. The magic system is unusual, the protagonist and heroine are amazing and all the other characters are so well-drawn you actually feel like you are there.
Despite being told by the gods to "trust in love" Inos makes mistakes because she believes that it must be someone of her class and station that she is to find love with. However, most of the readers aren't that blind and we know that the gods meant Rap and we just wonder how much hardship they will endure before she realizes that she never had to leave the kingdom to find that person and that he will do anything, no matter how dangerous to ensure that she becomes the queen he knows she can be.
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4.5/5 STARS: **This is an honest, unbiased review. I would like to thank the author and/or/publisher for providing an ARC through Netgalley, all opinions are mine.** I thought that it started slow but I kept reading because I usually love this authors novels and I am glad I did because once again he has done a wonderful job with world building, mixing Vikings, magic and different creatures in this amazing series. The magic system is unusual, the protagonist and heroine are amazing and all the other characters are so well-drawn you actually feel like you are there.
Despite being told by the gods to "trust in love" Inos makes mistakes because she believes that it must be someone of her class and station that she is to find love with. However, most of the readers aren't that blind and we know that the gods meant Rap and we just wonder how much hardship they will endure before she realizes that she never had to leave the kingdom to find that person and that he will do anything, no matter how dangerous to ensure that she becomes the queen he knows she can be.
This book was well-written, it’s character-driven and the characters are well-drawn. There’s not a lot of action in this book, but I feel the Ms. GratThis book was well-written, it’s character-driven and the characters are well-drawn. There’s not a lot of action in this book, but I feel the Ms. Gratton did this to set up the story that will continue in future books. The story is filled with metaphors and symbolism that I found beautiful. It has betrayals, intrigues both personal and political, hidden motives and secrets. It is written with different POV’x (six is my count is correct) so the reader needs to pay attention.
King Lear is the ruler of an island nation that has two different types of magic; he follows the star-based magic of the stars which deal with prophecies and despises the other magic of the soil and root water and springs. After the death of his wife he covered most of the wells causing unrest. He is old, cruel and losing his mind. He has three daughters and each one is different; the two eldest Gaela and Regan are close and they have always ignored their youngest sister, Elia.
As the eldest, Gaela expects to inherit the throne from her father, she is filled with anger and rage, she trains as a warrior and intends to be a warrior-queen when she has the throne. She is married, but the only reason is because she need the men that he husband has; she despises him and has no intention of bearing his children or the child of any man. She sees her sister, Regan as more of a partner than her husband but she would destroy her if she thought that she would try to take the throne from her. Although she doesn’t believe in either type of magic she is content to let the people worship as they please if they obey her.
Regan, is a witch who uses the magic of the earth and water for her own purposes. She is madly in love with her husband and longs to give him a child but has been unable to carry one to fruition. Gaela has told her that it will be her child that will inherit the throne from her and while she has some aspirations for the throne it is only because of her husband; if she were queen she would be the figurehead and he would be the ruler. Both she and Gaela believe that father had something to do with the death of their mother.
Elia is the youngest child and the favorite of their father, she follows his worship of the stars and constellations. As a child she also had some knowledge of the earth-based magic. She had a friend, Ban who was the bastard son of the earl of Errigal who taught her about this magic. Her father disapproved of the friendship between the two of them and had his father banish him from Leer six years ago. Since this she has mostly forgotten what she knew of the other type of magic. She has no aspirations for the throne and wants to be a priestess to the stars. Over the years she has tried to get closer to her sisters but they have always rebuffed her efforts. She does not believe that her father had anything to do with the death of their mother and this is just one more thing they hold against her.
Ban has become a deadly soldier known as The Fox for the king of the nearby kingdom of Aremoria, Morimaros who wants to marry Elia. I think this will become a love triangle in subsequent books which is one of my least favorite plots. However, I did enjoy this novel and will probably read the next one.
4.25/5 Stars: **I received a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. I sincerely thank the author and/or publisher for providing an ARC through NetGalley,.**
Merged review:
This book was well-written, it’s character-driven and the characters are well-drawn. There’s not a lot of action in this book, but I feel the Ms. Gratton did this to set up the story that will continue in future books. The story is filled with metaphors and symbolism that I found beautiful. It has betrayals, intrigues both personal and political, hidden motives and secrets. It is written with different POV’x (six is my count is correct) so the reader needs to pay attention.
King Lear is the ruler of an island nation that has two different types of magic; he follows the star-based magic of the stars which deal with prophecies and despises the other magic of the soil and root water and springs. After the death of his wife he covered most of the wells causing unrest. He is old, cruel and losing his mind. He has three daughters and each one is different; the two eldest Gaela and Regan are close and they have always ignored their youngest sister, Elia.
As the eldest, Gaela expects to inherit the throne from her father, she is filled with anger and rage, she trains as a warrior and intends to be a warrior-queen when she has the throne. She is married, but the only reason is because she need the men that he husband has; she despises him and has no intention of bearing his children or the child of any man. She sees her sister, Regan as more of a partner than her husband but she would destroy her if she thought that she would try to take the throne from her. Although she doesn’t believe in either type of magic she is content to let the people worship as they please if they obey her.
Regan, is a witch who uses the magic of the earth and water for her own purposes. She is madly in love with her husband and longs to give him a child but has been unable to carry one to fruition. Gaela has told her that it will be her child that will inherit the throne from her and while she has some aspirations for the throne it is only because of her husband; if she were queen she would be the figurehead and he would be the ruler. Both she and Gaela believe that father had something to do with the death of their mother.
Elia is the youngest child and the favorite of their father, she follows his worship of the stars and constellations. As a child she also had some knowledge of the earth-based magic. She had a friend, Ban who was the bastard son of the earl of Errigal who taught her about this magic. Her father disapproved of the friendship between the two of them and had his father banish him from Leer six years ago. Since this she has mostly forgotten what she knew of the other type of magic. She has no aspirations for the throne and wants to be a priestess to the stars. Over the years she has tried to get closer to her sisters but they have always rebuffed her efforts. She does not believe that her father had anything to do with the death of their mother and this is just one more thing they hold against her.
Ban has become a deadly soldier known as The Fox for the king of the nearby kingdom of Aremoria, Morimaros who wants to marry Elia. I think this will become a love triangle in subsequent books which is one of my least favorite plots. However, I did enjoy this novel and will probably read the next one.
4.25/5 Stars: **I received a free digital ARC in exchange for an honest, unbiased review. I sincerely thank the author and/or publisher for providing an ARC through NetGalley,.**...more
While I did enjoy this story and the characters in it felt like it was a little rushed. I like the different take on the vampire beginnings and the trWhile I did enjoy this story and the characters in it felt like it was a little rushed. I like the different take on the vampire beginnings and the trouble that the race is facing. The author did a wonderful job in bringing all the characters to life and giving us a glimpse at a little of their stories. After centuries of intermingling with humans, the vampire race is on the verge of extinction because they can no longer create new vampires. Each attempt results in a horrific death to the one that they have at tempted to change.
Taris and his sister Kalin adopted Hayley, a young homeless girl and as they watched her grow into a beautiful woman she has become an integral part of their lives. Hayley loves them both and she is determined to find a solution for “Papa Bear” so that their race will be saved. She believes she has found the answer and despite his misgivings Taris gives into her pleas to let her test her theory on herself and he tries to change her only to lose her as they have lost countless others. They are both devastated to lose the daughter they had adopted and Kalin finally gives into the despair she has held at bay for years; to have a child of her own.
After burying their child, in the family tradition with the entire honor that they would give to one of their own Taris is watching a news program where a young medical researcher, Dr. Sarah Bridgeman is discussing the medical breakthrough she and her partner Nick Patton have discovered Taris realizes that this could be the cure they need. He is determined to get to her and convince her to help them. he knows that time is of an essence as there are other vampires who will be after her for this knowledge and unlike him they will stop at nothing to get the knowledge from her and once they have it she sill be disposed of. He manages to get to het in time, but unfortunately in saving her from the enemy he has to do things that no ordinary human could do which means that he has to tell her more than he wanted her to know from the outset.
The story moves along and everything is wrapped up nicely in this storyline. While there are some loose ends, it is not a cliffhanger that leaves the reader counting the days until the next book. I felt like that there was just too much of everything working out just as it was suppose to too easily and quickly. There not just one HEA, but two. The romances were just too convenient and too rushed. While I can understand the necessity in one of the cases I feel like the other could have waited to a later book. Since this is only the author’s second novel I can overlook these details and hope that has she continues writing that these things are improved. I plan to read the next book in the series and then decide if this is a series I want to continue to read.
3.5/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**
Merged review:
While I did enjoy this story and the characters in it felt like it was a little rushed. I like the different take on the vampire beginnings and the trouble that the race is facing. The author did a wonderful job in bringing all the characters to life and giving us a glimpse at a little of their stories. After centuries of intermingling with humans, the vampire race is on the verge of extinction because they can no longer create new vampires. Each attempt results in a horrific death to the one that they have at tempted to change.
Taris and his sister Kalin adopted Hayley, a young homeless girl and as they watched her grow into a beautiful woman she has become an integral part of their lives. Hayley loves them both and she is determined to find a solution for “Papa Bear” so that their race will be saved. She believes she has found the answer and despite his misgivings Taris gives into her pleas to let her test her theory on herself and he tries to change her only to lose her as they have lost countless others. They are both devastated to lose the daughter they had adopted and Kalin finally gives into the despair she has held at bay for years; to have a child of her own.
After burying their child, in the family tradition with the entire honor that they would give to one of their own Taris is watching a news program where a young medical researcher, Dr. Sarah Bridgeman is discussing the medical breakthrough she and her partner Nick Patton have discovered Taris realizes that this could be the cure they need. He is determined to get to her and convince her to help them. he knows that time is of an essence as there are other vampires who will be after her for this knowledge and unlike him they will stop at nothing to get the knowledge from her and once they have it she sill be disposed of. He manages to get to het in time, but unfortunately in saving her from the enemy he has to do things that no ordinary human could do which means that he has to tell her more than he wanted her to know from the outset.
The story moves along and everything is wrapped up nicely in this storyline. While there are some loose ends, it is not a cliffhanger that leaves the reader counting the days until the next book. I felt like that there was just too much of everything working out just as it was suppose to too easily and quickly. There not just one HEA, but two. The romances were just too convenient and too rushed. While I can understand the necessity in one of the cases I feel like the other could have waited to a later book. Since this is only the author’s second novel I can overlook these details and hope that has she continues writing that these things are improved. I plan to read the next book in the series and then decide if this is a series I want to continue to read.
3.5/5 STARS: **I want to thank the author and/or publisher for providing a copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are mine.**...more
Haunting. The author asks the question: which curse is more severe? In my personal opinion, both are. Addie has a deep desire to experience life, but Haunting. The author asks the question: which curse is more severe? In my personal opinion, both are. Addie has a deep desire to experience life, but her life is characterized by being forgotten. Her words and actions are quickly forgotten; meaningful relationships and possessions are out of reach. Instead, she endures countless one-night stands and superficial connections until she can no longer tolerate the pain from the endless dé ju vu. The second curse shares a similar drawback: those afflicted think the person is perfect in every way. Their experiences are shallow and fleeting, leaving the curse holder with regret. I find myself in a situation where I can relate to Addie's feelings of being forgotten. I recently lost the one person who genuinely cared for me over 41 years. They were instrumental in my healing process and made it possible for me to recover. Would I trade my soul to alter the situation? No. In the end, death serves as another form of curse where one faces the risk of being forgotten when their loved one passes away and no one remains....more
I love this series, the storyline, the characters and their interactions absolutely everything. The author was correct, Stacia did not settle for "secoI love this series, the storyline, the characters and their interactions absolutely everything. The author was correct, Stacia did not settle for "second prize." Her crush on Chris was based on two things; he saved her and was the only man besides her father (before Declan) that didn't objectivy her. I believe Declan knew from the beginning that Stacia is the only woman for him. He needed the previous relationship with CAECO as a reference. As much as Tanya & Chris were fated so are Stacia & Declan....more
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