Vincent, Survivor by O.L.Eggert

Title: Vincent, Survivor (Vincent Series #1)  
Author: O.L. Eggert
Pages: 370
Formats:
e-book: 3.78£  
paperback: 10.23£
Where you can buy it:  Amazon.uk
Plot summary: Vincent Li always assumed he’d die in Oakwood. If the local gangs didn’t get him, then cigarettes and alcohol eventually would. Now, he’s pretty sure minotaurs will kill him instead, and if not them, the ghouls dragging people into the dark will. In the wake of an unexplained spike in homicides, a masked figure opens portals to another world—a world filled with dangerous magic and mythological monsters. 
Creatures that shouldn’t exist suddenly do, and they don’t mix well with humans. Vincent is trapped in Oakwood as the city is torn apart, but he’s no stranger to violence and will do whatever it takes to survive

 

 I received a free e-copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review and I’m happy to say that yes I sincerely loved the book.

“Vincent, survivor” is a real gem of paranormal thriller.  The action starts from chapter one and the pace never slows down, in fact even during the rare moments where you get to catch your breath you can still feel the tension in the air, you already know that something’s potentially bad is going to happen soon enough.

The plot was good and kept you turning the pages as fast as possible, there were shocking twists at the end of the book that left my poor jaw hanging. I really had not seen them coming. 

The characters were well defined, with a main character that I’d define “prickly” but – in the end – like Elise you end up liking him just fine. Not that the secondary characters were less likeable, especially Flea—I really wanted to adopt him ha ha.  The bad guys were as bad and twisted as you they could get. I won’t give anything way but---oh well, it was so easy to totally hate them.

The author’s style was great, sleek but detailed giving you clear and vivid images, very film-like. Be warned: there is a fair amount of swearing in this book, violence and gory descriptions. However, it didn’t really disturb me (And if you’re fan of Games of Thrones or The Walking Dead you’ll do just fine!) as I see it as part of the world building. Besides, “Vincent, survivor” gets some extra points in my eyes for not giving me any unnecessary romance and for not sugarcoating the harsh reality described in the book. I really appreciated the attitude “I don’t take shit from anyone” that seems to permeate the whole book.  

Last but not least, I found the book’s paranormal twist very original. Seriously, an apocalypse-like catastrophe brought on humans by minotaurs? A wizard pug-dog (and so cute at that!)? I really wasn’t expecting any of that (not from this book) and I was pleasantly surprised. So---what are you waiting for? Go and get the book, you won’t be disappointed! 

Rating:

 

4 blossoms

A Promise of Fire by Amanda Bouchet (#Kingmaker 1) (ARC)

Title: A Promise of Fire (#Kingmaker #1)

Author: Amanda Bouchet

Release date: 2nd of August

Formats:
e-book: 8.23£  
paperback: 13.99£

Where you can buy it: Amazon.co.uk, Amazon.com

Plot summary:  Catalia "Cat" Fisa is a powerful clairvoyant known as the Kingmaker. This smart-mouthed soothsayer has no interest in her powers and would much rather fly under the radar, far from the clutches of her homicidal mother. But when an ambitious warlord captures her, she may not have a choice…
Griffin is intent on bringing peace to his newly conquered realm in the magic-deprived south. When he discovers Cat is the Kingmaker, he abducts her. But Cat will do everything in her power to avoid her dangerous destiny and battle her captor at every turn. Although up for the battle, Griffin would prefer for Cat to help his people willingly, and he's ready to do whatever it takes to coax her…even if that means falling in love with her.

 

 

"Have I cheated death again? Hades must be allergic to me"

I'm impressed. "A Promise of Fire" positively surprised me and definitely managed to exceed my expectations. It was a captivating and mesmerizing reading. A perfect blend of action, sizzling romance and Greek mythology skilfully woven together.  Evocative and fluent writing helped to create a mesmerizing world full of enthralling characters, spinning together a fascinating story. 

I loved Catalia whose sarcasm reminded me of my own but Griffin, Carver, Kato & Flynn were a great source of endless fun too. And let's not forget Griffin's sister and family! Their dinners together were so entertaining! I absolutely adored how every one of the characters was intriguing in her/his own right. 

I must say that, in the end, the romance won me over. I didn't like Griffin that much, the masculine dominant type not being really my cup of tea. Sort of. But I ended up liking him and Cat has an item. Although, He kidnapped her but I must say I found him quite agreeable, he never treated her badly and was often very respectful of her. Catalia on her part complained a lot but as - she herself admitted - was never in any real discomfort (except the kidnapping part that is). I was under the impression that most of the time she complained a lot just to not make the Beta team life easy and as reaction to feelings she didn't understand. Given her past, I guess that it is more than understandable. Anyway, by the end I really liked not only Cat & Griffin but also the whole team. It was definitely endearing to see Cat ending up teaching Kato & Flynn, sharing jokes and so on. 

Back to the topic of Cat & Griffin, it was so damn fun to see Cat trying to resist Griffin's charms and her own feelings for him at all costs. And yes, Griffin was maybe a bit insistent but never felt abusive or overwhelming, straddling the line between sheer stubbornness and mischievous flirting. Add the fact that the romance add its own divine reason to be---* Well played Amanda!* 

In addition to everything I have mentioned so far, the book also had a fair amount of action, twists, divine plotting and political intrigue. It was a page-turner up to the very end, almost. Yes, you read it right. Sadly, the whole plot suffered an abrupt stop toward the end due to "make-up scenes overload". Let me explain, throughout the book there was a fair amount of spicy scenes, well written and blended together with good plot and action. However, at some point, at the end of the book, everything stops happening and you find yourself with a chunk of pages full of lengthy make out scenes that separately might have worked perfectly but put together one after another just crashed the overall pace and bored me to death. On me, it had the same effect of an icy shower. 

Overall, "A Promise of Fire" remains a very promising start for what looks like an intriguing and scorching new trilogy. 

I'm already looking forward to know more about every one of the characters (yes, they were that good!), I'm dying to know Cat's secrets and have the burning need to know how the threads will now unravel--I need the second book! (Like now?)

I'll be definitely keeping an eye out for the Kingmaker trilogy as should you! 

Rating: 

3.5 blossoms

- You can read the first 5 chapters HERE

Revenge is Sweet (Immortals of London #2) by Berni Stevens (ARC)

Title: Revenge is Sweet (Immortals of London #2)

Author: Berni Stevens

Release date: 12th of July

Formats:
e-book: 2.40£  

Where you can buy it: Amazon.co.uk

Plot summary: Hell hath no fury like a vampire seeking revenge …
Life hasn’t been exactly normal for Ellie since she became a vampire. Although joining the legion of the undead was always going to take some getting used to, even if you are the partner of Will Austen, the Elder of London. But when Daniel, a fifteen-year-old fledgling vampire, unexpectedly turns up at Ellie’s and Will’s Highgate home, things start getting very strange – and more than a little scary.
Events take a devastating turn as a mystery troublemaker leaves behind a trail of carnage – and it soon becomes clear they will stop at nothing to get the Elder’s attention, even if it involves hurting the person he cherishes the most …
But when it comes to Ellie, Will Austen is the wrong vampire to mess with.

"Revenge is a dish best served cold"

Ladies and gentlemen, Berni Stevens did it again, she created another lush and sexy vampire novel, full of suspense, romance, twisted renegades, creepy vampire children and you name it. This sequel to "Dance until Dawn" doesn't let down.

As in the previous book Will & Ellie were sweet, endearing and so damn funny. The bantering between them was, as always, a real piece of art. (Ellie and Luke trying to get Will to use a mobile phone was definitely priceless).

Revenge is sweet is also very suspenseful, in my opinion even more than Dance until Dawn. I seriously didn't see some of the final twists coming and I really loved the initial mystery surrounding the new antagonist.At some point I was probably screaming as much as Ellie and what happened to Daniel---it was so heartbreaking! My heart went out to him.

Another thing I highly appreciated was how Ellie and with her the reader gets to know more about Will's past and how in the end their relationship solidify into something really beautiful (and they're so cute!).

I can't help but notice how things balanced out so to speak, in the first book is Will to be kidnapped in this one it is Ellie, they're even now (ha-ha). And what about the scold's bridle? Totally creepy. Berni Stevens writes such nasty antagonists that is really to wholeheartedly hate them.I'd lie if I say I didn't enjoy the bad guy's demise, I'm still waiting to read Khiara's though... I'm here popcorn in hand waiting to read her death!

 

As in the first book the writing style is smooth and  the pages fly by. Besides, it was very refreshing to have "Revenge is sweet" spare me from unnecessary and overly angsty melodrama and needless love-triangles(Thank you Berni, brava!).

What can I say? The ending was good, couldn't have been better really. But now what am I supposed to do with my life? I need more Will and Ellie! In truth, I believe every woman in this world needs a Will...and I don't mean a vampire, I mean a gentleman!

 

Rating:

3.90 blossoms

A couple of side notes:

1. The Cover IS GORGEOUS! Take a better look HERE.
2. While reading I found the song "Vampire Heart by HIM" to be a good soundtrack 
3. London as a setting is just perfect.