Blood for Barter by Sharon Mamolo

Bethany Boudreaux is in exile. Self-imposed exile but that is not the point. The realm stops for no one and it is business as usual for the rest of the Lords and Ladies of the Realm. When Caius, werewolf representative for region one, comes to Beth with a problem, she jumps at the chance to escape the boring desert dunes of Vegas. Anything had to be better than endless hours of sitting around watching strippers, watching but not touching.

Her trip into the Tennessee Mountains brings more than a much-needed diversion. She lands in a centuries old battle she hadn’t known existed. A battle in which her boys are accused of all kinds of dastardly deeds. She is determined to find the truth. For in the truth she may finally find peace and a fleeting chance of love. But is she willing to pay the price? Book Description

More adventures from the riveting, imaginative, fantasy world Sharon has created, this time Bethany is still on her years separation from her boys, though being the devious kind of people they are they've found a slight but creative workaround !! She receives a note from Sasha asking for help with a problem and sets off with Sig and Caius (Shadow and sister to werewolf leader Katie) to see what they can do. It seems its a problem with her ongoing nemesis House of Frimbia who are enslaving shifters in their animal form, and bending laws to do so. In typical Sig and Bethany style they drive over to the area, meet with Caius and sort the problem – but of course with Bethany nothings ever that simple... Via various events connected to this puppy farm she ends up rescuing not only the young puppy shifters, but two older ones and three children. Of course these five become integral to further story-lines and the whole novel begins to weave together.

Beth found out more of her heritage with the boys in the last book, and that in part is why she chose the years separation. She decides events mean the time has come to end their temporary breakup which pleases all of them. Sasha chooses for political reasons to keep news of their reunion quiet, having discovered people were more forthcoming with information thinking he was once again an eligible bachelor. Ever the devious Elf, he wants to get the best out of any situation – though still constantly loses bets with Malachi!

In between sorting the shifters and the rescued children, helping the Allodials and her ongoing problems with Frimbia, Beth and Sig are trying to find solutions to the curse that had been placed. We learned of this in the last book, and it seemed to mean each time she had met the boys and been with them in past lives she had taken her own life and no one is certain of who or why or what was to blame until the existence of the curse was discovered. The boys frustrate her with lack of information – it seems their hands are tied in what they can reveal, Sig is reticent in what he discloses as he is worried for her safety and not certain of what exactly is the problem and her dreams are taking over her life and putting her in danger. She gets visited by a witch who keeps trying to persuade her to kill herself, and is very nearly successful a number of times. She needs very quickly to find out more about the curse to save her life but as always events conspire against her,.

Its another enjoyable and exciting foray into the fascinating world Sharon has created. It's never boring although as usual sometimes I'm left feeling confused about the silent conversations or events that happen as there is so much going on. As before I found that on second reading I picked up so much that had passed over my head first time round – that’s part of what makes this series such a treat, the detail it contains and the plot lines are so intricate that it takes time to work out how it all aligns. I love this type of book as you can read it again and again without getting bored.

Of course having eagerly awaited this book I’m now wanting to know what book four contains....oh I need more patience but thank goodness Sharon is a fairly quick writer and doesn't take a year per book as some do. As ever with a brilliant, engrossing series I'm torn between wanting to know how it ends and wanting more books to continue the series....always the same – its so sad when a good series ends but so frustrating when its still ongoing and you're wondering what’s going to happen. Sharon has two further books planned for Bethany and the boys.

As with the second book the spellings and grammar mistakes I mentioned in the first are virtually wiped out. This book is also a decent length at 385kb for a bargain price of just £1.95 – so many kindle “bargains” turn out to be little more than short stories which is so annoying. Sharon has produced books of conventional full length so you can really get stuck in and lost in another world for several hours. Its a self published book currently only available on kindle although I feel this series ought to be taken up by a publisher to open it up to those who buy conventional books. Still, that might mean the costs and therefore price increases so its a double edged sword. I just feel Sharon has so much promise as an author.

Now the stars – well, picky as I am I have to give this one five stars for another riveting saga from the Realm. There's nothing I could fault here – the criticism I have about being in the dark when the characters do certain actions or have a silent mental conversations I’ve come to accept as Sharon’s writing style and it suits the book – all is revealed in time and I just have to bite my impatience from wanting to know everything at once. As I've said often in my reviews they are subjective depending on the reviewer and we all like different things.

Just to note - I was given a copy of this book for review by the author but have not received any payment for my work. As always integrity is vital to me and my comments are genuine and not influenced in any way by receiving the book for free.

Midnight Ruby
                                          5 Stars!

Reviewed by Midnight Ruby 

Muse by J.A Slade

Maeve McKenna is a vampire with an eye for talent.

In life, Maeve was a renowned baroque art model, a muse for some of the greatest artistic minds of her era, from Rubens, to Monteverdi, to Caravaggio. In un-death, she quickly realized that there was a reason she wasn't running into very many thousand-year-old vampires: when you lack a sense of purpose, living forever isn’t nearly the deal that it first seems.

Maeve has dedicated her immortal life to finding and developing a series of protégés—names such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Jimmy Hendrix are all among her more impressive projects. When she meets Scott, a supremely gifted frontman for a struggling bar band, she thinks she may have found the next great rock maestro. There's only one problem: someone from her past is stalking her every move, and the dismembered, artistically arranged bodies of her former lovers are starting to pile up.

As if she didn't have enough on her plate already, an annoyingly persistent detective is on the verge of busting her for the (justifiably) brutal murder of Pornstache and Mullet, two slimy perverts who got all handsy with her in an alleyway at the worst possible moment. If Maeve can’t find a way to give the detective the slip and scare up some serious clues about her own mystery, then it’s only a matter of time before she and poor Scott end up as gruesome masterpieces on the wrong end of her stalker’s razor sharp tools of choice! Book description. 

This is a fantasy book containing vampires and in a predicted series – it has all the hallmarks of one I'd love. Sadly I just couldn't get along with it :( The main character is Maeve,an art-loving, 400-year-old vampire model and she teams up with an innocent human, Scott – who's a real talent in a local band. Maeve has helped bring artistic talent to the front in previous generations and she steps in to help Scott. And make him her latest protégée. Of course the story is never that simple and along the way they contend with Scotts' bitchy ex girlfriend, and characters from Maeves' past and present. Maeve manages to kill two thugs at the beginning incurring the notice of the local police and as she's also being stalked by an ex lover from the past who is dismembering bodies of her former lovers and arranging them around her the local police certainly need keeping away from that story!

The book takes the vehicle of a self penned novel by Maeve and she tries to tell her readers she's not a vindictive, selfish monster, but a compassionate, humanitarian, cultured person. There are infrequent memos to and from her publisher. I'm not entirely certain what was the intention in writing the book this way as I don't feel it adds anything to the story and seems superfluous. The main problem I have is Maeve – despite trying her best to convince readers otherwise – is simply dislikeable. I find her shallow and selfish. There are also a number of incidences where I feel even though a fantasy novel requires the reader to suspend belief these parts go too far. Can we really believe a detective will miss the noise of someone in the basement trying to escape – who at one point even makes it up to the basement steps, especially as said detective already believes there is something amiss with Maeve and her story? And maybe its just my quirky mind but... the ex girlfriend ends up in the basement for several days – Maeve feeds her but she never seems to allow – or girl ask for – toilet breaks. I know vamps don't need them but we humans do...

Overall the story romps on but I gave up half way through, feeling Scott was just too too naïve and lacking in backbone to be believable and Maeve just too cold for me to like. It's a shame because there's lots of promise in the summary of the book and I feel with some alterations such as making Maeve a bit more sympathetic and likeable and reworking the scenes where I felt even the best innocent would have trouble being fooled the general premise of the book has promise. I'd also give up the “its Maeve writing a story” part too – just seems somehow like the author is trying to fit a bit of everything in and is trying too hard. The main theme and the interactions are enough – take out the extraneous parts and I feel it would be far more enjoyable and a better book. Its planned as a series and if the next is adapted along these lines I’d be interested to read it – I do feel the author has got a vivid imagination and is capable or writing an excellent book – just that this one isn't it. Still, as reading is so subjective maybe I’m in a minority and others will love this book as it stands – I don't criticise to be negative but just to try to be helpful in saying what some readers will feel. I note there's one excellent review on Amazon so clearly some people like this book as it is. Maybe if you read other of my reviews and agree with them you'll be able to judge from that whether you will or won't like this book.

Well I’ve written what I didn't like - now for the positives...it's a good length – I hate books that style themselves novels when they are really just an extended short stories; it contains very few grammar or spelling mistakes, sadly many kindle novels are full of these and too many can quickly put a reader off so well done to the author for proofreading and ensuring this book has minimal errors; I feel the general premise for this book is excellent but the way its worked is just too overdone and the author has tried to fit too much in, less is more is always a good adage. I hope the next book takes note of this and the author feels my criticism is justified, as I feel there's real potential in the writing.

Stars; well sadly its only three – well done on the technical side but if I can't finish the book because I feel its just too beyond belief and confusing I can't rate it higher. I was interested enough to skip to the end and read it and I did like the “musical play off” between the two musicians close to the end. Scenes like that add to a book and make the characters so much more real.

Note; I received this copy free as part of the www.darkissreads.com reviewer programme and as always integrity to myself is the most important factor – I'm not paid for reviews and what I write is what I genuinely believe.

                                           3 Stars! 

Reviewed by Midnight Ruby. 

Auctoratus: Volunteer Gladiator by Robert Young

Rome, 77 AD. Darius Drusus, just fifteen, has allowed his smouldering rage at his abusive centurion father to flare up into a blaze of emotion. An attempt to protect his mother goes wrong and he finds he must now flee home, leaving his father for dead.

Arriving in the port town of Ostia, Darius is convinced his destiny lies in his own hands, but all that changes upon meeting an old ropemaker called Ambrus who has been waiting for him these past fifty years…

In an epic tale, Darius discovers he is to become the Auctoratus, the volunteer gladiator, who together with Ambrus and ex-slave Tertius form a triumvirate of friends who are put on a path to rescue the world from evil.

Never before told story of angels, gladiators, demons and adventures which force the fate of humankind into the hands of the Auctoratus.

From the heart of a boy comes the strength of a man. Book description

Auctoratus, the Volunteer Gladiator is a young adult fantasy novel. I did not realize this while reading the novel. The story gripped me sufficiently that I was totally unaware that I was reading a book designed for the teenage market. The story follows young Darius whose life is turned upside down with an act of justified violence that leads him onto a journey that totally reshapes is life. When Ambrus, a ropemaker, takes him under his protection. Darius finds his life turned into a roller coaster ride of adventure and violence as he trains to become a gladiator.

The story is told from the 3^rd person point of view, giving depth to the storyline. The Characters were well written and three dimensional so much so that even the supporting characters came to life. What I enjoyed most was the humorous interaction between Darius, Ambrus and Tertius which had me laughing throughout most of the book. The author’s comedic timing was fantastic and really makes the story that much more enjoyable. It is within these relationships that Darius and his companions find their strength to overcome even the most difficult of obstacles. As this is the first book in the series we really see Darius evolve from a teenager into man with the help of his companions.

The book was well written and had a modern day feel to the dialogue and was easy to read. The plot is complex and very intricate with its many different fantasy elements, which at times left me a bit confused and wondering how the author was going to brings things together. However, as I continued to read the sub plots were revealed which give more depth to the story and brought everything together nicely. Since this is the first book in the series I knew the story would continue in the second novel and when I finished this book I wanted the next book in my hands!  I was left hanging and wanting to know how things played out.

The only thing that I found lacking was the Kindle formatting, there were large gaps in-between the paragraphs and it was hard to tell where the chapters finished and started. This book is now available in paperback as well.

This book is a fun and heartwarming story and I highly recommend it for all ages. I enjoyed this so much that I want my 11 year old son to read this. I know he will find it quite enjoyable and exciting to read. With that said I give this book 4 stars, the formatting issues subtracting from an otherwise great novel.

                                           4 Stars! 

You may purchase Auctoratus: Volunteer Gladiator here :DarkissReads Bookstore

You may find Robert Young here :http://www.auctoratus.com/

Reviewed by Witchofthemists.

The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man by Mark Hodder

A clockwork man is abandoned in Trafalgar Square. A ghost displays a craving for diamonds. A lost aristocrat returns ten years after being lost at sea and instigates riots in London. The Rakes are indulging in seances. The Technologists are growing giant insects and transforming them into steam-driven vehicles. The British Empire's capital is in chaos, and in the midst of it all, Sir Richard Francis Burton and his wayward assistant, Algernon Swinburne, are beginning to suspect that someone, somewhere, is up to no good! Book Description

This review applies to the first in the series as well, though I would only give it ½ a star less than this Volume. The novel is in the Steampunk genre; which I have only recently been introduced to so I was completely venturing into the dark, quite excited though.

An exciting, entertaining & all round fun read. The writing is quite fast & furious, the story moves along at a good pace though occasionally the feel of the setting is lost because of this. The characterization is excellent, the Author has taken well known characters, put them into an alternate history and made them seem totally at home, keeping all of their traits alive & moving them on into unexpected areas. The two main characters are very engaging, more so than I would have thought, Swinburne especially sticks out, they could definitely be a Duo to watch out for.  

I have to say that the setting is evocative, and the different aspects of Technology advancement are something to behold, a fantastic imagination though quite believable at the same time. I would say though that you have to read the story carefully at times which doesn’t detract but just beware, time travel can be a little tricky. I like others couldn’t place this into one genre as there are aspects of Science Fiction, Mystery, Alternate History and just good old fashioned story telling.

I have to say a big thank you to the person that introduced me to Steampunk, a genre I didn’t know at all but now another exciting area to explore.

A world that is well researched, exciting, dynamic and I hope that the duo go onto bigger & better things. I loved it. 

  

    Reviewed by Cardmon

Beautiful Tears Sharon E Mamolo

Book 2 of the House of DeDe series

Bethany Boudreaux doesn’t regret becoming a Lady. She adores the toys all her newfound money can buy. She likes watching the fear in others when she enters a room. When she thinks about her boys, the two most powerful bachelors in the country, she becomes giddy enough to kill. Life is definitely good, until a chance encounter.

Now Beth is desperately trying to help others in difficult circumstances. Beth has a plan and patiently waits for the right moment to make her move. It wouldn’t be so hard, a piece of cake really, if her boys cooperated … no questions asked. Yet her boys are becoming difficult and her determination to get what she wants grows to the point of urgency. Failure is something she isn’t use to and she’ll obtain their cooperation, at any price. Book Description

The follow up novel in the fantasy series House of DeDe.

Bethany Boudreaux has reached her target of becoming a Lady of the Realm – it gives her things she has long dreamed of, money, power and influence. She still has very close relationships with her boys, Sasha and Malachi (lucky girl, they sound delicious) Being Beth though life never runs smoothly and a chance intervention in a fracas where she thinks a girl is being unfairly treated brings her powerful enemies and gives her insight into some of the more distasteful areas of the Realm. 

Beth is trying to help others in difficult circumstances now she has seen some of what goes on. She needs the cooperation of her boys though and they don't always see things in the same light. Add to that a mystery from her and their past that is influencing the present and a dangerous situation that arises when she tries to do a favour for Malachi and you have the ingredients for an exciting second novel. There's so much going on in this book its difficult to review without giving too much away but if you liked the first one you'll be blown away by this one. Some of the minor characters in the first book take greater roles – Nola and Sig for instance. Sig has really grown on me – he's such a great personality, powerful in his own right yet dedicated to both Beth and the boys. Malachi remains his supportive enigmatic self while Sasha stays true to his inexplicable rages and charm – I can't help it – i've a real soft spot for the Elf even though Malachi is far more reasonable, what can I say – I must like the bad boys :)

I got really almost tearful by the end and have been waiting anxiously for the next instalment Blood for Barter – out now. Sharon has the ability to create a world where everything and everybody seem real and its easy to get lost and caught up in the dramas surrounding the characters. As before the journey took me to areas I'd never imagines – its certainly not a predictable plot line and keeps you wondering what happens next. You certainly won't be bored by this series, if you enjoyed the first novel you'll love this one and like me be anxious for more. I can never decide really what I want – to keep on waiting for episodes knowing there's more but not knowing the end or to want the series to end so I know what happens. I re read books that really get to me and this series is definitely in my keepers list. I've already read it again twice – each time I see bits I missed before – something I often find with more complex books. Once you understand where a story is going minor throwaway lines and events take on a different significance.

I had some issues with spelling and grammar in the first book – this is much better in book two. I'm still left feeling in the dark sometimes though when the boys ans Sig have one of their mental conversations and sometimes I wonder just what it is that Beth or Sasha has had a rage over but by now I've accepted that its part of the book style and mostly all gets revealed later in the story– though I'd like a bit of a clue as to what’s happening.

As to stars – 4.5 this time – its a great book but I am a picky critic and my 5 star ratings need to be spot on, though Amazon only allows 4 and 5 stars so it'll go as a 5 there.

~Midnight Ruby   

You may purchase "Beautiful Tears" here : DarkissReads Bookstore

Reviewed by Midnight Ruby

Leiyatels Embrace by Clive Johnson

A highly original and intricately imagined world, the ancient castle kingdom of Dica has slowly declined to a somnolent shadow of its illustrious past but changes are in the wind, heralded by the sudden arrival of a mysterious army.

A complex tale unfolds as Lord Nephril, Dica’s Master of Ceremonies, and his oddly assorted companions strive to uncover not only who is then arrayed at their gates, but how their realm might be restored. What comes to light is a multi-layered fabric of interwoven interests and conflicts, an absorbing rebirth of ancient myth and legend, as alive and immediate now as in its dim and distant past.

At its heart is Leiyatel – the Living Green Stone Tree – preserver of the realm’s fortune and wondrous creation of the ancient Engers of Bazarral. What is to be her own fortune, though, and in whose hands will it finally rest? How will the disparate interests of Dican royalty, of Galgaverre’s Guardian, of the ancient Bazarran Stewards and of Leiyatel herself play out within Nature’s own domain? Book Description.

Not your usual fantasy novel, which I for one was more than happy with and fantastically something that is original which is hard to come across these days, in fact the story has nearly as much mystery as fantasy. A slow start, in fact it moves along at a steady page all through the book. This has meant that Castle Dica (the main setting) and its surroundings are beautifully described, in fact I felt totally at one with the environment. The characters are not what you would expect, they are written beautifully with complex undercurrents to each one. In fact the Authors writing is fantastic, totally engaging, he tempts you everywhere giving just enough information to be curious and leaving you plenty of scope to use your imagination, which allows the reader to actually think about the story, unusual in this genre but utterly refreshing. Anyone who likes Peake, Tolkien or Gemmell will love this book.

 I’m keeping this review short only because I’m unable to say everything that I would like succinctly, and so that I don’t give anything away by mistake, but I will say that the end is worth waiting for.

A book that is rich in every way possible and one that I am reading again now as I’m sure that I will have missed something and a book like this deserves to be read again and again plus it is just so satisfying, a Highly recommended read and again one that I just have to buy.The Author is currently writing a new novel set in the same world and I can’t wait.

                  5 stars

~ Cardmon

 You may purchase  Leiyatels Embrace here :    DarkissReads Bookstore

Reviewed by Cardmon

Interview with Sharon Mamolo

Welcome to the interview of author Sharon Mamolo, her novel "Lady of the Realm" was recently reviewed here on DarkissReads. The interviewer was our very own Midnight Ruby. Enjoy!

1) How did you get started in writing?

I like to write. At first, when I was very young, it was an exercise to practice English. Spanish is my first language and English my second. I’ve also a speaking disability and to this day strong emotions make me tongue tied and unable to speak properly. When I was young, I would escape into my world, a world where I was able to express myself as quickly as I thought. A world where I was not ridiculed for my accent, where I was accepted by my imaginary friends and I could converse in whatever language I wanted.

As I grew, my writing changed, naturally. I’ve always been a voracious reader and I liked the worlds I steeped myself into. I wanted to create worlds for others.

2) What has been the reaction to A lady of the realm? Has it been as you expected?

To tell you the truth, I try not to read everything that is written about my novels. Artists aren’t the most stable lot on this earth. We are full of doubt, always second-guessing our decisions. For the most part, I’m pleased at the reaction I have received thus far. I like my characters and their world and I like it that others find some hours of entertainment by my work.

3) As an artist I sometimes find a painting takes on a life and shape of its own as I progress – so in this vein did you have fixed ideas about where Bethany would go in the book or did you find the character defining her role as you continued writing as it does with my artworks sometimes.

When I first conceived of the storyline, I had a definite idea of where everyone was starting. I also had a strong impression of how the major plot was going to end. The DeDe series is urban fantasy so there is a lot more going on than Bethany’s relationship with her boys. 

As I write in dialogue, the characters most definitely take on a life of their own. For instance, Sigmund was a minor character in my notes, his role minimal. He wouldn’t have it. I had to follow his lead and let him have his say. I’m happy with the results for he has become a favorite of mine and I’ve several files of notes with his name on them. I’ve a feeling his going to have his own book one day.

4.  4)When you’re planning a series do you work out plots for the whole series – I notice sometimes that characters or events introduced briefly in an early book may become major in later ones – is this planned or do you look back and take minor developments and run with them further.

I cannot speak for everyone, but every word written has a purpose for me. As in life, I don’t believe in coincidences. Is it planned? To a degree. Characters flow through the world I created, each with their own problems ebbing and flowing out of each other’s lives. When they meet one of the major characters, we see how minor skirmishes from the past effect current circumstances.

This is true in real life. Take the infamous feud between the Hatfields and McCoys. The feud started in 1865 with the death of Asa McCoy who had the audacity to join the Union Army. 13 years later another man was murdered over an argument about a pig. The feud escalated, claiming the lives of more than a dozen family members from both families. Regardless of the deaths, they intermarried as quickly as they killed each other off. An official truce was declared on June 14, 2003. Can you imagine their family reunions?

5) What sort of working day do you have? For instance, do you have a set number of hours a day to work or a words target?

Ah, work. I’m a high school teacher during the day, a full time job that is demanding but rewarding. My second job, my passion, my dream, is writing. I not only like to write, I love to write. It is not a chore to sit in my corner with Donald (my guinea pig) and tap away at the keyboard.

I write every day. I do not take sick days. There are no holidays for my imagination. I do not care if I research the fashion of the 18th century for five hours and only write two sentences. To me, that is a successful day.

6.  6) What sparked your ideas for A Lady of the Realm?

I don’t know. I guess you can attribute it to the voices in my head.

7.  7) How long have you been writing?

I started writing the series 5 years ago. I’ve written other things; short stories, poems, articles for small publications but writing for the sake of entertainment didn’t occur to me until recently.

8) It must get difficult as books progress to remember who has done what/been with who etc do you use a pin-board, flow-chart or something to keep track of characters and plots?

I have several spiral notebooks with sections and sticky notes and scribbled messages that are barely legible. I save my writing on my computer, in file folders, which have more file folders headed with things such as “misc”, “storyboard”, “scenes”, “exes” and “old stuff”. I’m not sure how I keep everything together but I know where everything is, kinda. I do go back and reread passages from earlier books to make sure I don’t screw up character descriptions or contradict something someone said earlier. My main concern is keeping the main plot flowing and knowing, as the writer, the back-story. I’ve tons of extra scenes (especially between the boys) that will never be published but if I had not written them, the story would not flow properly.

9.  9) What’s your favourite reading genre?

I read from many different genres but my all time favorite, my guilty indulgence, is historical romance. I blame it on Mr. Darcy.

10) Can you tell us a bit about your life when you're not writing such as what do you enjoy doing,what is your life like?

I’m raising my children at this stage in my life. I’ve moved just outside of the New Orleans area, on a small 5-acre plot. I’ve plenty of furry and feathered friends to keep us busy. Southeast Louisiana is never without a festival so entertainment wise I am in heaven.

I’m an avid sports fan and I follow the Saints when they play, the tennis slams when they come up and anything else with men in tight fitting clothes.

I also spend a great deal of time with my best friend, my husband. How he puts up with me is a mystery I chose not to explore.

 Thank you Sharon for the insight into your world. We look forward to seeing more of your work here on DarkissReads.

Book of Elements by Cynthia Woods

Since the death of her husband, CAeli has begun to doubt her sanity. The night of their tenth anniversary, Vin died in a violent storm trying to protect her. Now CAeli hears his voice calling to her. Is it a trick of her grief stricken mind or something unexplainable? Does it have anything to do with her sudden string of troubles?

Vin, having crossed the barrier between life and death, is surprised to find that he feels no different than when he was alive. Beings of great power inform him that his work is not yet over; but only just begun. He learns of a talent inherent in his blood; one that allows connection with and manipulation of the element of air. These beings try to teach him to harness his ability so he can protect the very barrier he just crossed from annihilation.

On the living side of the barrier, a madman seeks the Book of Elements so he can tear down the barrier and be reunited with his lost family. Can Vin learn to harness his power in time? Will that power be enough to save the world of life from being destroyed? Book Description.

This book is in the fantasy/paranormal genre – I usually love these books but sadly just couldn't get into this one and didn't finish it. My review is based on what I did read – about half the book – and why I didn't like it. There are reviews from people who have loved this book and of course much of what we want to read is very subjective to individual taste. Although I didn't like this book clearly others do, so my opinion is perhaps most relevant to those that like the books I do, and you can find that out from my other reviews.

The novel starts with a couple celebrating their 10^th anniversary watching the night sky and looking for comets. Its a rainy evening however and they leave to return home, run into a weird storm, the car is run off the road and Caeli wakes up to find herself injured and alone. She gets taken to hospital and recovers but her husband Vin has disappeared. He's actually a man with some talent that allow him to manipulate air and has been taken by angels to an alternate reality where they teach him how to harness his skills. This is where the book began to fall apart for me as I felt I was reading two stories. Caeli narrates her part and Vin his and I don't seem able to relate to the characters enough to care about what happens to them. I'm not sure of the storyline and plot and just couldn't get into understanding what was happening. As I said its clearly a personal issue but I wasn't interested enough in the book to continue to the end. I'm quite picky though, I used to read books through religiously but now if something hasn't sparked my interest by halfway through I just drop it. I felt the characters were very flat, I didn't see them as “real” people and I found that there just wasn’t enough engagement between the characters.

I did read through to where Caeli wants to continue the search and where she begins to hear or imagine she is feeling Vin around. There is also a mysterious person out to get her and she gets her house broken into – the police are worried for her safety and there looks to be a budding romance starting between her doctor friend and one of the policemen. Just when I feel I’m getting a grip on what is happening with Caeli the book reverts back to Vin and his interaction and training with the angels. They mention the book of elements and it appears that Caeli's grandfather (I think) had a book that was hidden to keep it safe, which seems to be the mysterious book that has to be kept in safe hands for fear it will destroy the living world.

The book itself is well written without obvious spelling and grammatical errors, one of my more frequent issues with kindle books. Its a good length at 602kb – so many kindle books are little more than short stories or novellas – fine if that’s what you want but I like a good long book. It's published in kindle format only currently.

Its quite difficult to work out why I didn't get along with this book – there's nothing obvious and the premise fits all my usual criteria. I think its just that I couldn’t relate to the main characters and the plot lines seemed to jump about too much for me to follow. Just when I begin to get interested in one sub-plot the story jumps elsewhere and by the time it returns to that part I’d lost interest. There is a sequel planned for those who have enjoyed the book though so watch out for that.

For star ratings it has to be a two star – but remember that reviews are very subjective and not all readers want the same thing from a book. You may want to look at my other reviews to see what books I do enjoy to see if we share the same taste before discarding this book.

~ Midnight Ruby

                                          2 Stars!

Reviewed by Midnight Ruby