Review – EXILED by M.R. Merrick

Kindle Edition

Published June 28th 2011

by M.R. Merrick

ASIN B0058OMWYU

Author’s website 

Source: Provided by author for an honest review

Purchase the eBook from Amazon here

Purchase the paperback from CreateSpace here

Goodreads

“Chase Williams is a demon hunter in the Circle, or at least he was supposed to be. On his fifteenth birthday, Chase stepped up to the altar to claim his elemental power, but it never came. Elemental magic is passed down to a hunter through the bloodline, but on Chase’s birthday, the bloodline stopped.

Exiled without the Circle’s protection, Chase has spent two years trying to survive a world riddled with half-demons and magic. When he has a run in with a frightened, and seemingly innocent demon, he learns the Circle’s agenda has changed: the Circle plans to unlock a portal and unleash pure-blood demons into the world. Vowing to stop them, and knowing he can’t do it alone, Chase forms a reluctant alliance with Rayna – a sexy witch with an attitude and a secret.

In their attempt to stop them, Chase and Rayna find themselves in the middle of the Circle’s plan, leaving one of them to decide what their friendship is worth, and the other’s life depending on it.”

EXILED is a masterpiece of a debut from author M.R. Merrick. Fully engrossed by the end of the first chapter, I didn’t want to do anything else but keep reading. It is very rare for me to become so attached to a story. During the times I couldn’t read, it stayed in my thoughts and I couldn’t wait to pick it back up. This book is easily one of my top favorite reads of the year.

With non-stop action from beginning to end, each scene in EXILED transitioned seamlessly into the next. Merrick’s skill for description shines as he revealed dimensions, events and imagery so crisp that I could visualize each event like a movie in my head. As a reader, being able to connect with the characters and circumstances is imperative. I was able to do just that with Chase as he experienced a myriad of emotions and trials while fighting for good. It felt as if he and I were friends, and I was right there in the thick of Chase’s journey with him.

The plot itself was absolutely phenomenal. Merrick’s creativity kept me wondering where the story would go, and was amazed at where it did. There is adventure and danger, rejection and redemption, love and romance. One of my bookish pet peeves is when an intense plot takes the back burner to the romance aspect. Thankfully in EXILED there is truly the perfect balance in this story. Just the right amount of attraction and tension without it being overwhelming, plot staying firmly in the forefront. I am curious to see where it leads. And the ending.. Oh, the ending! So much happened… I was so sad for Chase, but also very proud of the strong person he became. I normally don’t use book quotes in my reviews, but this one gave me chills!

“I was chosen to carry the mark of the gods. I will stand up and be what the spirit named me: their protector.”

I am recommending this book to everyone. Man or woman, no matter what age, if you like fantasy and action, you will love EXILED. It is amazing! I am just totally on board for this series, and cannot wait for the second book, which I am incessantly pestering the author to give me. EXILED is available on multiple platforms, so there is zero excuse for you not to check this out and love it as much as I do.

Review – Descended by Blood

eBook

Publication:

August 26th 2011

by Accendo Press

Angeline's website

Source: Received from author for an honest review

Purchase from Amazon here

Goodreads

"Brooke Keller is a high school junior who has never spent much time living in one place. She is finally in a town long enough to almost snag the boy of her dreams, until her life is threatened after killing a fanged man in his attempt to kidnap her.

Brooke begins a dangerous journey in an effort to find out who is after her and how to stop them.

 In a world with powerful and prejudiced vampires, Brooke must tap into the side of her that she never knew existed at the risk of losing her life in order to save it."

This debut, the first of the Vampire Born trilogy novels from Angeline Kace, was an absolute smash hit for me. I read this in almost one sitting (would have, were it not for pesky things like responsibilities). I was totally sucked into this new world she created, and just could not get enough. 

Action packed from the beginning, Angeline Kace masterfully takes us on a journey full of new vampire lore, intense action, love, betrayal and self-discovery. This story is seriously amazing.

In My Mailbox (18)

This meme is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a great opportunity for bloggers to show what books they bought, received in the mail, or borrowed from the library/friend!

And one day, I promise, that I will film an IMM video when I'm not just home from work and exhausted. Promise!