Ascension (Dark Breed Book #1) by Sable Grace
What a fun read! I would classify this as a PNR with UF elements. It had all the things I look for: kick-ass heroine (Kyana), brooding alpha-male goodness (Ryker), side characters with depth, action packed and a new twist on the old Greek myths (as opposed to the new ones, rolls eyes at self).
Blurb
The gates of hell have opened, and one woman will stand in the crossfire as the Dark Breed—vampyre, demons, shape shifters—and mankind fight their last battle for survival.
Kyana is half Vampyre, half Lychen . . . and the last of her kind. Determined, dangerous, and damned, she has no love for the mortals who have imprisoned and misused her. But when the Order of Ancients entrusts her with a mission—to find the key that will send the Dark Breed back into Hell for eternity—Kyana has no choice but to accept.
She is furious to learn her assignment comes with an escort . . . Ryker, a demigod and fierce warrior who long ago found a way under her skin and stayed there. In a shaky alliance, they discover an ancient cult with dangerous motive and a god who seeks to destroy all others. And as Kyana begins to feel the heat that threatens to bind her to Ryker, she knows she has to resist. For it could only mean the undoing of them both
Review:
The writing is very polished for a debut. The book has been getting a lot of knocks because the first 2 chapters are a bit overwhelming with all the world building. Don’t give up on it! I swallowed it all in one gulp and guessed I would figure it all out by the end of the book! I was happily rewarded with the snarky dialog and action scenes that were fast paced. Most importantly, the sexual tension between Kyana and Ryker was steamy (and otherworldly sex is one of the reasons why we love this genre. I am woman enough to admit it
The only thing that bothered me was the way the book ended. You are reading along and there is a big climactic moment, and then....it ends! I honestly thought the next chapter was missing from the ARC
Some of my favorite lines: (Ryker and Kyana talking)
"Kyana blinked up at him, unable to stop the warmth of satisfaction she felt at seeing the welts of her palm print on his cheek. 'I shouldn't have slapped you.'
His hard glare rested on her. 'No. You shouldn't have.'
'I should have punched you instead.'"
(Haven, Kyana's best friend)
"I'm not staying out here by myself. I watch scary movies. I know what happens to the blond girl in the woods."
I give Ascension 4 mythological sheep (the Greek kind)
SS
Check out Sable Grace at their website
LOVE that his name is Ryker. That alone is good enough reason for me to read it. Totally agree with cliff hangers, love to hate them. But such an abrupt ending....that has me a tad worried. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review Sharon!
Ha ha! "I should have punched you!" Excellent!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a good read! I need to look it up :) The thought of a glut of world building doesn't bother me. But then I watch so much anime where I'm lost for the first half of the series that it's starting to seem normal ;)
Great review!
LOL, Jo- I know what you mean about anime/manga. I'll be 10 books into a series and *still not sure what is going on but the characters are hot ;)
ReplyDeleteAwesome review! so glad Im not alone in really enjoying this one =D
ReplyDelete@Larissa, I know. I think people over thought it instead of just enjoying it for what it was.
ReplyDelete@Sharon - exactly! Those tasty anime/manga boys *tee-hee*
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