The Last Rising - Rachel Firasek

Pages: 102

Published: September 6th 2011 by Entangled Publishing

Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Adult

Format: Ebook

Date Finished: 5^th February 2012

Synopsis:

After paying two millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary Phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last. But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end up back in his life for her next assignment.

Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.

Review:

I was recently offered the chance to read the third book in the Curse of the Pheonix series – The Last Beginning of Net Galley, but without much information I had no idea that it was the third book and that I would have to go back and read the first two to begin with. The premise sounded fantastic and unique and when February rolled around I wanted to get straight into it.

Let me tell you for 2.99 it was more than a bargain.

The Last Rising has one of the best first chapters I have read in a long time. Not only that, it is one of those stories that I was thinking about when I was not reading it and growing more excited knowing that there were more stories written by Rachel.

From the get go I could feel the heat, the passion and compassion of the characters. I fell in love with Ice and her sassy yet sweet personality. Ice wasn’t generic to me and the author gave her a wonderful balance of flaws and likable traits. I enjoyed the layered background history as the story progressed and the emotional inflictions she had with her past, present and future.

I loved the concept of an Ancient Goddess Isis and the Phoenix being reborn into a new life and not having any memories of their previous mark. It is here that the tables are turned and Ice is brought back into the world where her previous mark starts to become a big part of her life. Turner was a fantastic character as well and despite Brodie being a bit annoying he was so darn cute and very like his father.

It does help that I am in love with Egyptian Mythology and this was the perfect reason to rekindle my love of romance and interest in mythology. You also get to see a little of Osiris who’s history is blended in with the story and it made me fall even more in love with Rachel’s writing.

For once here is a romance that I admired and grew to love and that had reason not just fate. I loved Rachel’s writing it had fantastic pace and always had me guessing. There were some parts that I predicted, but it never once took away the great story that was The Last Rising and I cannot wait to get started on book Two The Last Awakening.

This is a must read for fans of Paranormal Romance who like a little steamy sex but who also love their mythology and enjoy that heartwarming love that grows on you from page one. I will certainly be devouring anything Rachel has written.

★★★★★

If you are interested in learning more about Isis click here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isis

If you are interested in learning more about http://www.rachelfirasek.com/

Falling Under- Gwen Hayes

Pages: 324

Published: 2011 by Penguin Books Australia Ltd

Genre: Y.A/ Paranormal

Date Finished: 5^th January

Rating/ Recommendation: 4.5 stars ****

Synopsis:

Theia Alderson has always led a sheltered life in the small California town of Serendipity Falls. But when a devastatingly handsome boy appears in the halls of her school, Theia knows she's seen Haden before- not around town, but in her dreams.

As the Haden of both the night and the day beckons her closer one moment and pushes her away the next, the only thing Theia knows for sure is that the incredible pull she feels towards him is stronger than her fear.

And when she discovers what Haden truly is, Theia's not sure if she wants to resist him, even if the cost is her soul.

Review:

One of those novels that have sat on my bookshelf since God knows how long, and one that I was excited for all over again when I decided to start reading some of my older books.

For the most of this novel I was hanging on the edge of the seat, almost as frustrated and anxious at Theia was. But I loved the suspense and the mystery and I honestly couldn’t say that I could predict what was going to happen which made me more excited the deeper I got into the story. I have gone through some strange and wonderful things myself in regards to the supernatural and I really like the parallel between reality/ fact and the supernatural elements that blended well together. I am a sucker for a story that makes me ask questions just as much as the characters do.

There were little fragments in Falling Under where we also got a glimpse of what was going on inside Haden’s mind and life and thought that was a great way to introduce a little perspective and to understand the story from different angles.

Theia was a tough character for me to pin down, at times she had wonderful qualities about her and was fascinating; especially her part in the bigger picture. She lives a controlled life and it’s only natural for her to want to break out and experience life. Coming from the experience of being controlled 24/7 for a long period of time I understood her reaction and the desire to break free from the mold. Her choices were obvious of a typical teenage girl in her situation and for that kudos for Gwen for portraying it well, but she also had redeeming qualities, like smarts and provoking background history not to mention despite being a tad meddlesome was a good friend and wasn’t too self absorbed and self important.

The cast of characters were a great bunch with powerful Donny and quiet but eccentric Amelia together they were fantastic, all bouncing of each other and yet working together. I love those kinds of friendships. I also really enjoyed the humor and the interacting they experienced with the boys in their lives. It was an entertaining cast and I enjoyed getting to know all of them; including Haden Black who is your typical ass hat, but worth it for a good read.

I couldn’t help but feel there was a little more to just referencing some other well know Y.A books in the genre, and little pieces of the story reminded me of others I had read before, but not the point that I was rolling my eyes and didn’t enjoy the story because for me it was unique in a way that I haven’t read a book quiet like it. Gwen’s writing is fresh and yet decadent. It made me feel almost like I was drowning at some parts and I mean that in a good way [confused much]

Nearing the end I was thrown a curveball when the world as we know it is upside down and almost reversed. By this stage in the novel I was begging to finish the book as it was making me beyond anxious for Theia and almost felt like we were back at square one again with Haden. It was confusing, even after being thrown back inside Theia’s head again, but when I adjusted it was fascinating.

I certainly enjoyed the story, it took a little longer to read and process but was worth every second of it. I cannot wait to get my copy of Dreaming Awake which was published January 3^rd 2011 by NAL Trade [?]