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Saturday, August 22, 2015

Book Review: Dark Summoner (Relic Keeper #1) by D.D. Miers

Dark Summoner (Relic Keeper #1)
by D.D. Miers

Paperback, 175 pages
May 6th 2015
"Looking at him made me desire things I never thought I would want." 

Abby Davenport has spent the last ten years forgetting her past until a fateful night reveals her false reality. Thrust into a new world of dark sorcery and ancient magic, she's shocked to discover her destiny lies as the keeper of a powerful relic. Now everyone wants to control, own, or destroy her. No longer able to discern truth from lie, she’s torn between a charming guardian and a mysterious summoner. Abby finds herself strangely drawn to each man—one sworn to protect and one who calls to her soul. Can she survive the strange and dangerous labyrinth of the first realm, where every move, emotion, and reaction must be a calculated one?

My experience reading Dark Summoner, book one of the Relic Keepers series was mixed. The first half of the book is rife with the paranormal standards; twenty-something college student Abby Davenport has a terrible secret she’s determined to overcome. Estranged from her father, and plagued by self-doubt, she’s muddling her way through life with her best gal pal and café co-worker Regan. She frequents clubs with monikers such as “Club Deviant” and “Club Fervor”, where she sips vodka and cranberry. Oh, and she’s clumsy. She fumbles and falls down, especially in the presence of hot new stranger Dorian. I for one am so over the clumsy girl motif and I’m sure I’m not alone. I found it difficult to push past the unoriginality, and at times awkwardness, of the first half of the book. Sentences like “I spied Reagan out on the dance floor with Julia, the two of them shaking their booties as they danced to popular hip-hop song” had me cringing for sure. Then, alas, around the half way point, things became more interesting and far more fluid.

Enter Dark Summoner, Kieron. Kieron is charged with protecting Abby in The First Realm, the alternate world in grave danger wherein she has been secreted away. Kieron, too, is a type (tall, muscle-bound, dark and tan with a perma five-o’clock shadow, alpha all the way), but it just so happens I like this type … a lot. Against all odds, unlikely Abby is charged with saving the realm from certain demise as foretold in prophecy. Resistance, acceptance, and training ensue. Add a love triangle of sorts between Abby, Dorian, and Kieron and you’ve got the makings of an entertaining tale. So while there’s nothing abundantly original about this book, it’s a decent read overall.

Dark Summoner is a quick read and has appeal. The cover design is stunning and attractive. I plan to read books two and three, both due out this October. I’m optimistic the series has hit its stride and will continue to flow with an entertaining authenticity characteristic of the latter part of book one.

3 optimistic sheep




Bianca Greenwood

About the Author:
With her debut novel Dark Summoner, D.D. Miers begins the Relic Keeper Series, a fast-paced romantic saga filled with danger, destiny, and magic, set in her favorite genre, Paranormal and Fantasy Romance.

Born with a wildly overactive imagination, she’s told stories of enchanted worlds, treacherous villains, and epic love for as long as she can remember. She keeps a watchful eye for the paranormal hiding around every corner and constantly checks the window or rearview mirror for a vampire or fairy.

Although she has a fondness for all things fantasy, she’s an epic romance fan at heart and in everything she asks, “What would Jane Austen do?” The journey to becoming a published author has been a long but exciting one. A fervent desire for taking readers from the ordinary to the extraordinary keeps her motivated, and she believes that everything is better with a good helping of romance thrown in.

D.D. is a proud member of the Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Fantasy, Futuristic, & Paranormal Sub-Genre of RWA (FF&P). She continues to attend conferences and writers’ workshops in order to help inspire, share, and promote her love for romance.

During her downtime, she loves to spend time with her family, share her obsession of all things romance with other fans, and catch up on her never-ending TBR list. She resides in beautiful Southern California with her wonderful husband, an adorable toddler, two kitties, and the many different characters living in her head.

2 comments:

  1. Sounds interesting, but I'm not a fan of the love triangle trope. I'll wait to see what you think of books two and three before I dive in. Great review.

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  2. Thank you! The love triangle isn't really a large part of the story, but it's present for sure. Stay tuned. I plan to read/review forthcoming releases 😉

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