My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent was released in the U.S. on August 1, 2009 in paperback, audio and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in all formats at Amazon and in paperback and eBook formats at Barnes & Noble.

It is also included in the Soul Screamers Volume One omnibus. (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads)

Published by Harlequin TEEN, the print edition is 384 pages.

My Soul to Take is the first book in the Soul Screamers series by author Rachel Vincent.

***

Kaylee Cavanaugh knew she wasn’t crazy. She didn’t know what was wrong with her, but she knew she didn’t need to go to the mental hospital. Again.

The fact that she had these panic attacks that made her scream bloody murder for no apparent reason didn’t mean she’d lost her mind. Did it? She didn’t think so.

But now, every time she screamed, something bad seemed to happen. A girl would die. Which made her incredibly curious and more than a little afraid. Was it just a coincidence or was she having premonitions? Or maybe was she so completely delusional that she couldn’t tell what was real anymore.

Whether it was all in her mind or something more sinister, Kaylee had to find out the truth. And fast. Because if she could predict and prevent even one person’s death, she had to try. Being called crazy she could live with. Letting someone die she couldn’t.

Especially if her next predication was for someone she cared about. Because if she couldn’t save them, once she started screaming she might not be able to stop.

***

My Soul to Take is the refreshingly original, incredibly addictive and wholly engaging first book in author Rachel Vincent’s Soul Screamers series. It is a story that is filled with mystery and surprises, twists and turns and a wonderfully unique take on the legendary banshee.

Readers will be drawn into the world the author created from the very moment they meet Kaylee Cavanaugh. She is instantly likable and her sarcasm, quick wit and honesty are hugely appealing.

All her life, Kaylee has been having what she thought were out-of-control panic attacks. They’d gotten so bad that her aunt and uncle had her committed to a mental hospital to see if they could fix what was wrong with her. But aside from those times when she just couldn’t stop screaming, she felt completely normal.

Normal enough to sneak into a club with her best friend Emma. Normal enough to agree to dance with Nash Hudson, the popular and incredibly swoon-worthy senior who finally noticed she existed.

But when she felt the need to scream, right in front of Nash, she wasn’t so sure how normal she really was. And now that her most embarrassing secret was revealed, she wasn’t sure she could ever feel normal again.

Especially when the need to scream seemed to be caused by a girl she’d never met before. A girl who appeared to be surrounded by a dark shadow. And a girl who died only a short time later with no obvious cause.

As Kaylee tries to figure out what it all means, she learns that her family has been keeping secrets from her. Secrets about who they are and who she is. And shocking secrets about the world she lives in.

Author Rachel Vincent introduces readers to a new kind of paranormal mystery with My Soul to Take. The pace is quick, the writing is clever and imaginative and at times simply beautiful, the characters are funny, charming and entertaining, the love story is one that will immediately grab hold, and the suspense will keep readers thoroughly engrossed.

With writing and characters that are incredibly easy to connect with, a heroine who is not only relatable but lovable, a male protagonist who is charismatic and totally irresistible, and a story that is gripping and different and intriguing, My Soul to Take is one must read book that is absolutely unputdownable.

Reviewer gives this book…

On a personal note:

So. Freaking. Awesome. I am seriously in love with this series all over again.

Whether it’s the first time you’ve read it or the tenth, this book will take you on a ride, it will give you chills, it will grab and squeeze your heart and keep you utterly captivated right from the start.

I know, because it did that for me on my first read and it did exactly the same thing on this, my second, read.

There is no slow wind-up to this story. There is no long “getting to know you” period for the characters. You know right away what the dynamic is between Kaylee and Emma. You get a feel for exactly who both girls are and even though they are completely different, there’s no surprise that they’re friends.

Then there’s Nash Hudson. You know exactly who he is. He’s popular, he’s charming, he’s incredibly good looking and he only has eyes for Kaylee and not for her much more outgoing and curvy friend. And as much as you don’t want to trust him, you can’t help but notice that he only sees Kaylee. Which makes you love him instantly. It’s what made me fall head over heels for him within minutes of meeting him.

And, of course, then there’s this amazing, riveting, incredibly entertaining story. It really does pull you in immediately. I love that you get the first clue that something’s different about Kaylee in that very first scene. And while you may know, or think you may know, what’s wrong with her, she doesn’t.

I loved learning about the bean sidhes and how the author made those characters and their abilities unique to her story. I loved getting these small glimpses at things that may be important in future books in the series even though they didn’t play a large role in this book. Especially the Netherworld.

And I totally loved the mystery. The first time I read it I was just as clueless as Kaylee. I was so completely and totally surprised by just how things ended. And on the re-read I picked up on all those hints that I didn’t even realize were hints that first time.

But what I loved most was Kaylee. She is such a lovable character. She is funny and sarcastic and humble and honest and good. She wants to do what’s right, she cares about her friends and she definitely doesn’t play the victim.

She’s a fighter and just doesn’t accept things with a nod. She challenges people and is unbelievably determined. If she hadn’t tried to solve the mystery things would have been very, very different. And even though Nash may have been her savior on a couple of occasions, I have no doubt she would have pulled through without him.

Between the characters, the writing and the story line, I couldn’t possibly pick my favorite. They all work in harmony to create this story that is just so easy to devour and made me want to rush right into book two. Or even start reading it all over again. Even after the re-read.

***

I have a ton of favorite passages – many of them sarcastic, some of them the kind that leave you breathless. For my favorite I opted for breathless.

“Me,” he whispered back, leaning forward so that his lips brushed my ear as he spoke. His scent enveloped me, and his cheek felt scratchy against mine. “You should be thinking about me.” His fingers intertwined with mine in my lap, and he pulled away from my ear slowly, his lips skimming my cheek, deliciously soft in contrast to the sharp stubble. He dropped a trail of small kisses along my jaw, and my heart beat harder with every single one.

*** First time readers may not want to read this next part. No spoilers, but does talk about my feelings about Nash***

My thoughts on the re-read:

My Soul to Take was every bit as awesome as I remembered it. It was actually even better than I remembered it to be. I first read My Soul to Take back in early 2010 before I started blogging. I stumbled across the series and took a chance and I loved it. So much so that I devoured all available books back-to-back-to-back.

I immediately fell in love with Nash Hudson, and the whole concept of bean sidhes was new and fascinating and completely different.

Going back to this first book just about two years later, knowing all that I know about what transpired over the course of those other four full-length books was tough. But I was still excited to do it.

I wanted to remain steadfast in my dislike of Nash. I didn’t want to risk falling for him all over again only to be heartbroken. But I also wanted to see if I noticed Tod this time around, because he didn’t even factor on my radar during that first read.

Well, I fell for him again. He was just so unbelievably nice and perfect for Kaylee. He was supportive and charming and sexy. And he was there for her whenever she needed him to be. So, yes, I fell for him. Again. And I’m sure as I read each book in this series, he will destroy me all over again.

I am actually shocked that there were no surprises as far as the larger details are concerned. I remember this book. Which is not at all a common thing for me this far into a series. Of course I remember the characters, but I remember the mystery, I remember the events and I remember just how things ended. Way more than I thought I had, would or could.

I’ve devoured well over two hundred books since I last read My Soul to Take so I wasn’t sure just how much I’d remember. But I remembered everything that was important.

But it was the subtle details that were once again new to me. Details that either I missed the first time around, or that I didn’t fully appreciate because I was racing through the book, as simply a reader, trying to find out what was going to happen next and how the mystery was going to resolve itself.

What I missed on the first read was just how amazing so many of the passages are. Lines like these:

 A bolt of uncertainty shot through my heart, piercing my determination like a spear through flesh.

Some were even more vivid, some were beautiful, some were torturous and some were sarcastic, but all of them amazing. These passages were what kept me captivated this second time around, when I already knew about the love story, knew the answer to the mystery, and knew how things would turn out way down the road. And these passages were what kept this book memorable for the past two years since I last read it.

On the re-read, I noticed some of those hints at things to come later in the series that I didn’t know were important. I was able to see Aunt Val as a more sympathetic character than I did the first time. And I noticed just how good Kaylee was for Tod, who, as a reaper could have become cold and inhumane without her.

I did not find any reason to dislike Nash in this book or pick up on any clues that I might feel differently later on.

I am so glad that I took the time to re-read My Soul to Take, which had been my favorite book in the series until If I Die was released. And I can’t wait to continue on with My Soul to Save.

***

Book trailer for My Soul to Take:

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Destiny’s Fire by Trisha Wolfe was released in the U.S. on January 10, 2012 in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Published by Omnific Publishing, the print edition is 240 pages.

Destiny’s Fire is one of the books that can be chosen for the 2012 Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi at TheStorySiren.com.

Dez Harkly has a secret. One that she’s been forced to keep her entire life. One that if it were discovered would put her in danger. One that could get her banished from Haven Falls. Or worse…. One that could get her killed.

As a Kythan, a descendant of the guardians of the Pharaohs of ancient Egypt, she is duty bound to be a Protector to humans. And at the age of seventeen she’ll come into her powers. But when that day comes, she will no longer be able to keep her secret. She’ll no longer be able to hide who she really is. She’ll no longer be safe.

Unless she can somehow find a way to hide her powers, she and her mom will have to run. But with their enemies, the Narcolym, descending upon Haven Falls, leaving her home and her friends behind is the last thing that Dez wants to do.

So, when an unexpected ally offers a solution to her problem, Dez must decide whether or not to put her trust in him. But if she’s wrong it will cost her everything. Because giving him her trust means not only putting her life in his hands, but giving him her heart.

***

Destiny’s Fire is a fast-paced, exciting and deliciously different paranormal young adult novel by author Trisha Wolfe that takes readers to a future where the descendants of an ancient race of beings that guarded the Pharaohs of Egypt are fighting for their survival.

This action-packed story is the first book in a new series by the author, set in the not-so-distant future in a place called Haven Falls, where the Shythe have been trying to maintain the peace with their enemies, the more aggressive Narcolym. Both have grown weaker as humans continue to grow less dependent upon them as Protectors and the demand for their powers diminishes.

And as a race whose existence is bound to the humans’ need for them, the Kythan are in danger of facing extinction. With only the Shythe and the Narcolym remaining of their kind, the two must not only co-exist, but work together to come up with a way to ensure their survival. Even if it’s one that may incite a rebellion.

As Dez, Jace, Lana and Nick try to discover just what the Shythe Council knows, they prepare themselves for war. Training in secret, even before they’ve come into their powers, they want to be ready to defend themselves and their kind against the enemy Narcos. But when the Narcos start appearing around Haven Falls, it becomes even more important to find out why they’re there and just what they they plan to do. Before it’s too late.

From cover to cover, Destiny’s Fire is filled with action, suspense, mystery and an intense and heartbreaking love triangle that will keep readers captivated. The world is intriguing, the characters are incredibly likable and their abilities are simply fascinating.

The main character Destiny “Dez” Harkly is brave and strong and courageous and yet delicate, fearful and indecisive when it comes to love. Her relationship with Jace is ever-changing and adds to the dramatic tension. And each of her encounters with Reese sends the tension through the roof. For her, for Jace and especially for the reader.

With all the excitement of a paranormal adventure combined with all the heat and anguish of a gripping love story, this incredibly fast-paced story, that can easily be devoured in one sitting, will be unputdownable.

Reviewer gives this book…

On a personal note:

What first drew me to Destiny’s Fire was the description. I loved that this story was set in the future but was about a race of beings who were descendants of the guardians of an ancient civilization. And I loved learning about them and their powers.

But of course I wanted to know more. About them. About their history. And about the different races of Kythans. As this is the first book in the series, I am anxiously awaiting the next book to see what else will be revealed about these guardians of the Pharaohs.

I loved the different powers the Narcolym and the Shythe had. It was fascinating to see just how their powers could be wielded and how they could be used in the modern day. Though I am not exactly sure how they are used in 2040 by the Kythans in their role as Protectors, seeing their powers in action at the bar Cogs and used with those crystals was pretty awesome.

And I am so curious how they would have been used in ancient Egypt, or if the powers of the guardians at that time were different. It would be seriously amazing to learn more about their history and their evolution in a future book in the series.

I loved what the main character Dez Harkly was capable of – though I won’t reveal just what she could do here, because that would be spoiler-y. Her history and her abilities were totally bad-a**. As a fighter she was an incredibly strong heroine…. though in matters of the heart she was the complete opposite.

In training she could take down Nick and Lana easily. And with some effort she could take down Jace. She was incredibly courageous and she didn’t run away from danger. And that was before she came into her powers.

But when it came to the boys in her life and the love triangle she got herself into for being too indecisive and slightly clueless, she was a complete scaredy cat. So I loved Dez, because I loved flawed characters, but she drove me a little crazy for not standing up for what she wanted or making the hard choices when she needed to.

And she was too quick to forgive. Way too quick. Going from wanting to kill someone to wanting to kiss them in a heartbeat made me want to go at her with Charge or Flame to knock some sense into her. But because she was so kick-a** with everything else, I still found her likable.

Surprisingly, to me anyway, Jace was my favorite of the two boys. Actually, I am totally shocked by that one. Reese was all sorts of strong and mysterious and dangerous, which is usually my favorite, but I just didn’t connect with him like I did Jace. Jace may have been the good boy, but he was still pretty broody and fiery tempered and way more trustworthy and deserving of Dez.

And Lana was a great character – she was actually my favorite. She was fun and super nice and forgiving and open-minded and incredibly understanding. She may not have been the best fighter, but she was the perfect balance to Dez.

I thought the pace worked well overall. It was a super quick read and kept me engaged from start to finish. There were a few scenes toward the end that I thought were a bit rushed, though, and could have allowed for more time for Dez to accept some of the surprises that were thrown her way.

And as I said before, I would have loved to know more about the Kythans, but I guess that’s what sequels are for. So, I will definitely be picking up the next book in the series. Besides, while it wasn’t a tormenting cliffhanger ending, there is a lot left up in the air for book two, and I really want to find out just what happens next.

***

Favorite Passage:

…His eyes traced my face, taking me in. My breath caught as they settled on my mouth.

His hands hesitated and, before I could question his response, he pressed his lips to mine, hard. His kiss was demanding and hungry. I released a small moan and wrapped my arms around his back, pulling him closer.

***

Places to Stalk:

Book trailer for Destiny’s Fire:

***This review is based on an eARC I received from the publisher, Omnific Publishing, in exchange for my honest review. Read More

Exiled by M.R. Merrick was released in the U.S. on June 28, 2011 in eBook format and on August 27, 2011 in paperback format.

It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. (The nookbook can be found here.)

Self-published, the print edition is 286 pages.

Exiled is the first book in The Protector series. The second book, Shift, releases on February 1, 2012.

Chase Williams was exiled.

Unable to tap into his elemental power, the Circle deemed him unworthy and sent him away.

He is a demon hunter.

Even without the protection of the Circle, Chase knows who he is. It’s in his blood. It’s what he was born to be.

He is a fighter.

He fights for what he believes to be right. He fights for the safety of those who can’t fight for themselves. He fights because it’s all he knows.

And now he’s ready to fight back.

Alongside those he once thought were his enemies. Against those he used to call friends. In order to keep a dangerous adversary from unleashing an unimaginable evil on the world.

But he may be too late.

To stop his enemy. To protect his friends. And to save those he loves most.

***

Exiled is an intense, thrilling and action-packed urban fantasy meets epic adventure story with an electrifying pace that will keep readers racing through the pages. With a unique and incredibly imaginative set of characters, from witches to warlocks, from vampires to werecats and from gremlins to giants, this story has them all, and more, and integrates them into the world the author created seamlessly.

Chase Williams is a demon hunter born and raised. But when his elemental powers aren’t revealed to him on his birthday in front of the Circle, not only is he disgraced but so is his father, who immediately chooses sides against him and his mother.

After years in exile things are only getting worse. Not only are the half-demon attacks escalating, but now it seems that someone is kidnapping them, putting them more on edge than ever and making Chase’s life even more dangerous.

When Chase learns that not all Underworlders are the evil monsters he always thought them to be and that the Circle isn’t as righteous, he is forced to question everything he’s learned and everything he knows. And he will have to rely on a mysterious half-demon named Rayna to help him find answers.

Author M.R. Merrick has written an exciting and highly addictive story with Exiled. Told in the first person, his story takes readers to Stonewall where half-demons lurk in the shadows, where exiled hunters fight against the most dangerous of their kind and where a renegade member of the Circle seeks to release an unspeakable evil in their quest for power.

Exiled is a quick read, with captivating characters and an intriguing plot, that grabs hold from the opening sentence and won’t shake readers loose until they’ve experienced the action, discovered the mystery and gone on the adventure with Chase through the dark and dangerous streets of Stonewall to the fantastical fairytale world beyond.

An enthralling one-sit-read filled with action, betrayal, excitement, magic, prophecies, mystery and surprises, Exiled will keep readers submersed in the story and will leave them eager to continue the adventure in the next installment in the series.

Reviewer gives this book…

Amazing!

On a personal note:

Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. Ad infinitum.

Wait? Do I have to say something else? Well, I suppose I can find a few more things to say about this book.

Yes. I loved Exiled. I have been wanting to read it for a couple months now. Ever since I first heard about it. I was drawn in by the title. There’s nothing quite like the idea of a character being exiled that will spark my curiosity.

Then there was that cover. What a gorgeous and absolutely perfect match that cover is for the title. The colors, the forlorn image of that tree and the ravaged looking font completely lured me in. And once I read that description… well, I just had to have this book.

I mean, it has demons. And demon hunters. Two of my very favorite types of characters to read about. Still, I didn’t immediately fall in love…. Until I read the first line.

Oh yeah, the claws came out. And I mean literally. Right there in that first sentence.

There was no slow introduction to Chase or to his world. You are right in it from the very beginning. There is no question about how the story will progress from that point. There is no confusion about who Chase is or how he exists.

His world is filled with danger. It’s exciting. It’s action-packed. It’s electrifying. And Chase? He’s fearless. He’s impulsive. He’s a definite risk-taker. And he’s one pretty kick-a** demon hunter.

Yep. Chase is so totally awesome. But what I love most about him is the fact that he isn’t perfect. Which of course makes me love him all the more. He is frustrating. He doesn’t listen. He can be rude at times. He is unbelievably stubborn. But he is also very brave. And he isn’t so stubborn that he isn’t willing to keep an open mind.

The world in Exiled is definitely dark, dangerous and gritty as seen through Chase’s eyes, which is just the kind of world I want to read about. I loved being able to follow Chase as he tried to uncover just what the Circle was up to in his world and in that other one.

I also love Rayna. She’s a total curiosity. I’m still dying to find out exactly… no… no I can’t say what I’m dying to find out about her. But a huge part of the mystery in this story and the next surrounds Rayna.

And I loved reading about all the different types of characters that existed in this book. Some of them good, many of them bad, but all of them interesting and a few rather unique.

How amazingly creative this author is and what a dynamic story he wrote. I absolutely loved it and can’t wait to see what’s coming up next in Shift. And from what I hear, once I start reading that first chapter I won’t be able to put it down.

***

 

 

 

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Dark Days by C.A. Kunz was released in the U.S. on January 15, 2012 in paperback and eBook formats. It is currently available to order online in both formats at Amazon.

Self-published, the print edition is 482 pages.

Dark Days is the sequel to The Childe by the authors.

Cat Colvin is ready to start her sophomore year with a clean slate. Slowly recovering from the shocking news her parents revealed to her, Cat is more than ready for things to just be normal.

This year she has the perfect boyfriend, Ryan. She’s strong enough to stand up to her bully, Isaac. She’s not willing to put up with any attitude from her swimming competitor, Kristen. And her headaches and fainting spells are a distant memory.

She just wants to go to school. Hang out with her friends. Spend time with her boyfriend. And maybe read the next Robert Craven novel.

But when two strangers show up in town claiming to know who she is, Cat learns that not all secrets are out in the open, that Astoria may not be the safest place for her to be and that she has enemies that will stop at nothing to find her.

When danger can come from anywhere and anyone, and can strike at any time, Cat will need to accept who she is and learn to protect herself and those she loves if she wants to make it through the dark days ahead.

So much for normal.

***

Once again readers will be drawn into this richly imaginative world that the authors created in Dark Days, the sequel to The Childe, where not everyone is as they seem, there are more secrets than revelations and danger abounds.

In Dark Days, the drama is intensified, the pace is accelerated and the mystery deepens for Cat Colvin as she discovers that while she got answers to questions she didn’t even know she had, she’s still being kept in the dark. And that her quiet hometown of Astoria isn’t the place she thought it was.

The story continues shortly after the events in The Childe which left Cat reeling from the shocking news her family revealed to her. And before she can even fully recover and start her sophomore year with some semblance of normalcy, she discovers that what she learned was only the tip of the iceberg and that there are more surprises in store for her and things are even more dangerous than she could have imagined.

As Cat tries to find answers while at the same time keeping her own secrets hidden, her enemies manage to get closer. But with each question that gets answered, a new one arises and if Cat can’t figure out what their intentions are and who’s pulling the strings, she just might fall into their trap.

Dark Days has even more twists and turns than the first book in the series, new and intriguing characters to be wary of, returning characters who are every bit as lovable or detestable as they were, and a mystery that continues to grow even more mysterious.

With many questions still to be answered, secrets to be revealed, characters’ motives to be understood and enemies to be identified, Dark Days is every bit as enchanting as The Childe. Even more so.

And with an even bigger cliff to be left hanging from, that will leave readers begging for the next installment, this sequel is not to be missed.

Reviewer gives this book…

Loved it!

On a personal note:

I couldn’t wait to pick up this next book in the series and get back into this incredibly mysterious world that Cat Colvin lives in. I loved meeting Cat in the first book in the series and I was thrilled that I didn’t have to wait too long before I got to continue her story.

I was dying to find out if any of my suspicions were true – a few definitely were and a few are still to be determined – and just how much would be revealed in this book about Cat, about the residents of Astoria and especially about her enemies.

And while a lot was revealed in Dark Days, not everything was. Actually, with the introduction of new characters and the return of a few characters whose stories I thought were done, I think the mystery is even bigger now. Especially with the way things ended. Talk about a cliffhanger.

Once again I found myself not trusting anyone aside from Cat. Though she was totally unpredictable, I knew exactly who she was and that she wasn’t an enemy. But everyone else was fair game. Everyone’s behavior was suspicious. Even the seemingly unimportant characters.

I don’t typically suspect everyone in the books I read, but in this series I do. For some reason with these books I feel that no one is above suspicion. And while I might not get an immediate answer about whether a particular character is who they claim to be, I’m confident that all will be revealed at some point in the series.

I totally love that all of the mysteries in this book are not so easy to solve. Some are fairly complex, leaving me with not the first clue as to what the right answer is. The authors must have planned exactly how every little aspect was going to play out before they started this series, because otherwise there is just no way they could keep all the characters, their motives and their actions straight from one book to the next. And yet so far they have managed to do it perfectly.

The pace was definitely faster in this book. Even though it was over four hundred and fifty pages, Dark Days was a super quick read. And there was a lot more action. Action that I’d love to talk about if it weren’t so spoiler-y. But I will say that this story definitely takes a darker, more violent, turn. Which makes it the ideal title. Because these were definitely some dark days for Cat, for her friends, for her family and for the entire town of Astoria.

The story was once again told from multiple points of view, but the transitions between each were much smoother and much easier to identify and didn’t pull me away from the story. And the illustrations that introduced each chapter were just as amazing as they were in The Childe.

I loved some of the new characters, and I totally loved the direction the story took at the end. Though I did miss a few of Cat’s friends that weren’t as present in this book as they were in book one. And I even missed Isaac and his bad boy behavior. I hope to see more of all of them in the next book.

The cliff the authors left me on is a pretty major one. I can’t even guess as to what is going to happen next. I still have no clue as to the motives of many of the characters and I’m still waiting to see just what other secrets are being kept from Cat.

I have a feeling the wait for book three is going to seem very, very long.

***

If you’d like to check out my review of the first book in the series, The Childe, click here.

If you’d like to know Cat Colvin a little better, be sure to check out my interview with her, here.

***

This review is based on a printed ARC provided by the authors in exchange for my honest review.

***

The Childe Blog Tour is still going on. To check out the other stops to learn more about the series and to find out about the giveaway, just click on the button below.

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Initiation by Imogen Rose was released in the U.S. on November 25, 2011 in eBook format and on December 25, 2011 in paperback format.

It is currently available to order in both formats at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. (The nook book is HERE.)

Self-published, the print edition is 412 pages.

Initiation is the first book in the Bonfire Academy series, a prequel series to The Bonfire Chronicles.

Cordelia Hammer thought she was returning to Bonfire Academy for a year of improving her tennis game and spending time with her boyfriend Quinn. She chose to go back because she thought it would be easy, fun and relaxing.

She already learned everything the school had to teach her. She had the three rules of Bonfire Academy down cold. She knew how to control her abilities. And she knew just who to avoid.

But when she was ordered into Frau Schmelder’s office on her very first day and was told she was to be a mentor to the young daughter of one of the bigwig donors to the school, she knew any chance at having a relaxing year was over.

Because her new charge, Faustine, was not only one of the youngest students to attend Bonfire Academy, but she was human. Or at least partly human.

And being human was not exactly welcome at Bonfire Academy. It was not practical. And it was definitely not safe.

Making it through a week would be surprising. Making it through Initiation would be a miracle. But with her luck, Cordelia was just hoping they’d manage to survive even one day.

***

Initiation is the irresistibly addictive, action-packed first book in the new prequel series to The Bonfire Chronicles. With a plot that is filled with twists and turns, mystery and suspense, and danger lurking around every corner, this story will be unputdownable.

And with a wide variety of characters with some rather unique abilities and unpredictable natures, the tension at Bonfire Academy is palpable. An environment that can quickly turn chaotic in an instant keeps both the characters and readers on edge.

Cordelia Hammer has returned to Bonfire Academy for her third year, a voluntary year, to be close to her boyfriend Quinn and to improve her game of tennis. But that all changes when she meets the new student council president, Jagger.

Jagger is a mystery. Cordelia’s not exactly sure just what he is, not completely anyway. But because of Bonfire Academy’s three Golden Rules, she can’t ask. And when they form an instant bond she’s not sure whether to be upset or happy about it.

While she probably should be enraged, Jagger is gorgeous and she has bigger problems. She’s been asked to mentor a new student, Faustine, whose very nature – her human nature – is a risk to her and to Cordelia.

And when a seemingly unplanned attack turns out to be much more than that, Cordelia has even more to be worried about. Especially since Faustine seems to possess a skill that she doesn’t even know she has.

Author Imogen Rose has created an incredibly inventive story with Initiation, that combines all the tension and suspense of a mystery novel with the action and danger that have come to be expected in every book with a paranormal element. And the interesting characters, the labyrinthine plot, the quick pace and easy flow of the writing, will keep readers hooked.

Taking this series back to Bonfire Academy was a brilliant decision by the author. It gives readers a peek at just what life was like at Bonfire Academy prior to the events in The Bonfire Chronicles. It introduces them to Faustine at a younger age, gives them insight into some of the other characters’ abilities, and sets up the mystery and intrigue that surround Faustine long after she leaves the Academy.

Initiation can be read without having read Faustine. And in fact, the mystery will be even greater for those who opt to start the series with this prequel novel.

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy paranormal stories with a twisty-turny plot, a mystery or two that need to be solved, characters that aren’t always to be trusted, enemies with hidden agendas and action that’s quick to devolve into chaos.

Reviewer gives this book…

On a personal note:

I loved this first book in the prequel series to The Bonfire Chronicles. What an amazing start to this series. It was so easy to get caught up in the story and everything that was happening with, and to, the characters. The writing flowed beautifully and kept me engaged with all that was going on from beginning to end.

I also loved that the author decided to create a prequel series to tell the story of what happened at Bonfire Academy. I happen to be a huge fan of books set in boarding schools so when I heard that the author was doing a series set at Bonfire Academy I was ecstatic.

Especially since Bonfire Academy isn’t exactly a normal boarding school. Not even close. While it’s a school for the privileged, it’s not one you’d want to attend if you were human. Even those that aren’t don’t always have it easy.

And while I want to reveal just what types of students attend Bonfire Academy and just what chaos and mayhem goes on at that boarding school in the foothills of St. Moritz, I will keep my lips sealed. It is one of the Golden Rules after all. And I am not going to be the one to break that rule, or any of the other rules for that matter.

In fact, the school has three rules, the most important being to trust no one. And the author definitely created a story where nearly everyone was suspect. No one seemed particularly trustworthy, except maybe the main character, Cordelia. And even those you wanted to trust you couldn’t because of the school’s rules and the fact that the author made sure there was an air of secrecy behind each of her characters.

Cordelia was awesome. I loved being able to see the story through her eyes. She was definitely strong, confident but not overly arrogant, had a temper but didn’t go ballistic too often – unless provoked, of course – and was incredibly protective of Faustine even though she didn’t have to be.

And I loved, loved, loved Jagger. His immediate connection to Cordelia surprised me at the beginning and it took me a few pages to figure out just why, and how, they were connected, but I loved that the two characters had this connection. And I can’t wait to see what happens with that in the next installment. Especially since….

Nope, I’m not going to say. I’ve been purposely cryptic about just what Bonfire Academy is and what the characters are, so I’m not about to reveal anything more about the Cordelia, Jagger and Quinn situation. Anyway….

Where Jagger would definitely be the bad boy in this series, which is probably why I love him so much, Quinn would be the good boy. As Cordelia’s boyfriend, he’s pretty perfect, but of course because he is so perfect I can’t but help loving Jagger more.

And what surprised me most was that I even loved the young Faustine. She was just as entitled as I remember her, but as a twelve-year-old, and seeing her through Cordelia’s eyes, she showed a softer, more vulnerable side that I would never have imagined. She was even sweet at times.

There were two pretty big mysteries that were set into motion at the outset of this book. And there were a number of other smaller mysteries that were left up in the air at the story’s end to hopefully be revealed at some point later in the series. I was able to guess at one, but the motives for the other were completely hidden from me until they were revealed at the very end.

It’s not absolutely necessary to have read Faustine in order to fall in love with this book. I actually think that in some ways reading this book first would be even better because one of the two big mysteries would be a total mystery to those who hadn’t read that other book.

While this story doesn’t completely leave you hanging from a cliff, there are a number of things left up in the air that make you desperately want to get your hands on the next book immediately. Besides, after surviving a year at Bonfire Academy and making it through the Initiation who wouldn’t want to come back to start a second year and see if they make it through Integration?

I know I can’t wait to see what’s coming in Integration. And I hope  it’s told from Cordelia’s point of view again. Though I wouldn’t mind seeing things from Jagger’s point of view.

***

There was one particular passage that absolutely leapt off the page and grabbed me, and it was right at the beginning:

A meeting with the president was so rare that most new students thought he was a myth made up by the school to keep us in line-an imaginary creature painted in colors of fear.

***

This review is based on a finished eBook I received from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.

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