Different kind of vampire story
351940
I loved this book, I love Rose, I love Gabriel, I love Sadie and William, okay now I will talk about the story lol The start of this book is so sad, my heart broke for Roseline and how she tried to find a way to save her sister only to have the pure evil Vladimir turn her love for her sister against her in the worst way. This book is not a soft, romance that has a mean vampire in it, this book is dark,  violent, with a pure evil vampire but still beautifully romantic. I was thrilled when Roseline was able to go to Chicago and finally try to live a teenage life that was ripped from her over 300 years ago. I enjoyed this part of the book, it was fun, romantic, the female friend she makes Sadie is great, she is the girl that acts like she is against society, dressing goth or punk. Then she feels this draw to someone at the school and then we meet Gabriel, a jock but underneath he is an artist and his stepfather won't stop pushing him to be something he doesn't want to be. Gabriel feels this pull towards Rose also and cannot understand why but he wants to share things with her, be with her. This part of the story is full of normal teenage angst, jealousy, and love. We also meet Nicolae, he ends up being from Rose's homeland and clearly hates her and she hates him. Rose doesn't understand why he is posing as a foreign exchange student in the home of her new friend, eventually we learn what he is doing and why they hate each other. Strange things start to happen to Gabriel, transformations that Rose does not understand and markings on his arms that scare her but she does not know why. Even though she is connected to Gabriel for some reason she cannot risk their lives, she makes a decision that breaks my heart. Rose's feelings for Gabriel, Sadie, and William grow and fear takes over, when an old love and her best friend from her homeland finds her and comes to get her she knows if she stays then her evil husband would find them and they would all be dead. Gabriel, Sadie, William, and even Nicolae all decide to go after Rose, they travel to Romania and there they find out all about who Nicolae is and who Rose is, and why she left. When we read about Rose again I start to cry, can't believe the description of what Vladimir did to her. I can't stop crying when Fane goes after her trying to get her away from him, to ease her torture, wishing he had never brought her back. Then we meet Nicolae's evil Uncle, the hunter and he ends up using Gabriel in a horrible way to set a trap for Rose. So many things go wrong, people die, people are saved, trust is lost, sacrifices are made, and life is given even if not wanted. I can't wait to read the next book.
298347
I am a huge fan of vampire books so I was excited to have the chance to read this one. I liked that this book was a little different than some of the books out there in this genre. The vampires is this story are not romanticized, but they are humans who have been infected and turned deadly..out to kill and feed off any humans they encounter with perhaps a few other plans a little more hidden.  Fitz is a crusader, trained to fight the vampires who are called "rippers" in the story. Fritz finds himself ordered by the Pope to bring back the people of St. Johns who will be exposed to a swarm of these Rippers. If he fails in this he will be condemned by the church and in this task there are several hurdles and redirections that he must face as he asseses what he should do, including the realization that there may be more than a few heretics in the midst at St. Johns' making his task diffucult.
The only downfall to this book is that the book slowed down toward the middle, but I still enjoyed the different spin to this book.

I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my review.
4150857
I received this book for free and this is my honest review. This story follows a young woman who thinks she is almost less than ordinary as she learns that she has power and skills that cross into the world of vampires.  I have read some other vampire books that can be a bit "gory" but this one is not.  There is enough of a story line that keeps things moving fairly quickly.  Overall I enjoyed this book even though at times I felt like the story jumped ahead and I missed something.
3133931
This paranormal story has some wonderful characters, likeable and not. The author takes his time in describing them and I have a very clear sense of who each was and what they looked like. Not a typical girl falls for vampire and then becomes one. The leading lady has a mind of her own. However, I could see that in subsequent novels, the story may become more cliched. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading the book.
1364488
As I am always looking for a different take on the Vampire story, this is one of them. While the 'heroine' of the story is not running for the hills with the knowledge that vampires exist, she looks for the answers to help her understand what it all means and how she fits into it. Being a Warden to the undead. I gave this book four stars because it held my attention. I wanted to find out what was written in the journal. Who was being imprisoned and why. And the secrets from the past. This is a story I will tell my friends about.
1892073
This book was really different from your typical werewolf story. I liked that it had a variety of mythical creatures and a mixed bag of good vs evil characters. It is a little dark though. I imagined as I read that I was in a storm covered apocalyptic setting.
1816387
This was a very unusual vampire novel. It started very slowly with only subtle hints at vampirism, more like a story about the hell named school, where bullying is part of the daily grind.

With the second half, the story finally turns into a real vampire story - however, I'm not sure I did like the twists and turns the author presented. First, there is the sudden change in Cole's behaviour. While she was quite capable of controlling her desires throughout the first half of the book, her sudden defeat and return of the bloodlust appeared untriggered, without plausable transition and I asked myself 'why now'?

The second let-down was when the author moved her story away from the academy and all of a sudden Tammy's (the girl who befriended Cole at school) father, her mother-to-be and a bunch of other people came into focus and were targeted by Cole. Taking the story away from the academy and out into the 'real' world somehow diminished the author's previous efforts to create a creepy, haunting and claustrophobic atmosphere. Suddenly the plot went from unique to common, and I was disappointed by the all-to-familiar vampire hunter scenario that followed, especially loathing the very convenient appearance of Serena, secret spy for Tammy's father who discovered the vampire threat and seemingly trained vampire huntress. When no one but Tammy discovered and understood the threat Cole was posing the whole time, suddenly Serena jumps out of the box to affirm her and save the day.

I guess I wanted a showdown duel between Tammy and Cole alone, without interference from the outside world. It woud have been a great chance for Tammy to grow from her former unsure self and pretense of insanity. Also, it would have been a nice idea if Tammy would have discovered she'd inherited some of her mother's abilities, which were mentioned but not put to purpose.

Altogether, I found that I very much enjoyed the promising first half of the book, both for its original and subtle take on the vampire theme and the depressing atmosphere the author so perfectly created within the walls of Dame Arlington-Airds Academy. However, during the second half this vampire story very much pales into mediocrity, which could not satisfy my initial enthusiasm.

(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review)
94266
This book is not like your normal paranormal romance story, it is very different and very interesting the idea created by A.B. Bloom. I liked this story a lot and enjoyed the world and mystique created, the story captures you and you end up thinking about it long after you put it down to get back to normal life. I do not read paranormal books regularly but this one certainly help my attention.
4724789
Well this was certainly a different sort of story. Trish is a nurse working and helping to care for her Nana.  She stops at an estate sale and finds an old locket. The locket takes her to Criminy and a completely different world where things are not as they seem.  Criminy had a witch put a spell on the locket to bring him his soul mate.  The story has a new twist on blood drinkers and what they must do for survival. Trish is uncertain about this new world and after she's there a few days needs to figure out she can get home. Criminy is hoping she'll grow to love him and stay. Together they end up figuring out lot of things to make his world a better place. Not sure if I'll read any more. Was a bit too much for me overall. The writing was good and the characters were well developed just a bit too strange of a world for me.
3886810
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It gives a twist to the regular vampire story. I couldn't wait to finish it, to see what would happen, and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
116300
I really enjoyed this book. It's not your typical Vampire story and it keeps you at the edge of your seat right until the end. I fell in love with the characters and can't wait to see what's coming next. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.
4752939
This is a different approach to the traditional paranormal stories. I almost felt like I was reading, Avatar: The Last Airbender vs. Vampires. In this novella there are Elemental Witches and Mages, Werewolves and Vampires or Vamsyrians.

The Vampires or Vamsyrians are keeping the Elemental Witches and Mages captive so they can breed them in hopes of producing a Spirit Elemental, whom they need to overthrow the Vamsyrian king. (Partial quote) Some aspects are the same such as; the vampires sleep like the dead during the day, they drink blood, they're strong, fast and can read minds but what is different is the vampires drink from all four Elementals (fire, water, earth and air) to absorb the abilities of their magic.

The Werewolves are kind of pathetic in this story. Werewolves were selected by the vampires not because of their ability to change into gruesome creatures when the full moon cycled around, but for their height and strength. Like Elementals, they were prisoners. Theyd been caught as humans and infected with the werewolf curse as leverage. If they guarded the nurseries and kept them secret, after five years, the guards would be given the cure and sent on their way. (Direct quote) So if you like werewolf stories, I don't think you would like this aspect of it!

A lot happens in this short story. I know this was written because of something she wrote in books 3 and 4 of the Bonded by Blood Vampire Chronicles so maybe if you have read those, this would mean more to you than what it did for me.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
1599170
A different kind of vampire, fast paced and just long enough to get a real few for the characters and wanting to know more about them and the town.
2773626
It was a different kind of story than what I usually read. I enjoyed it.
979023
A great take on the vampire story. This is a different twist on the history and back ground of where the vimpire and vampyre came from and the difference and how they developed into two different types and how the interplay effects the politics, love and lives of the vamps and humans. There is ofcorse a prediction of the future and a big bad vamp.
3234010
This was a decent vampire story. Set in a modern day era, in a small Missouri town, two females (one human, one vampire) struggle independently with trying to not lose a family member. Lauryn McBride fights to not lose her father, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's; and Amede, who is trying to find her sister who has been gone many years. Through several plot twists, their connections and relationships develop to introduce new characters as these two reach internal, emotional finales.
Though I feel the conclusion was a bit shorter in detail than most of the story, I did enjoy the book. A bit different twist of vampire story, and plot twists kept my attention. I would be interested in reading other works form this author. This book was provided to me free for review purposes by WaterBrook Multnomah.
4739549
I really enjoyed this story. It had a good and different take on living in society with an illness that is similar to vampire symptoms.  The MC's  were very likable.
The writing was excellent and the story very interesting.
Only kissing in the story but this is appropriate because they did not have time for much else, not instant love. I really  liked that in the story.
Overall, great tale. I hope there will be a sequel.