Book Review: Portraits of the Forsaken (The Gateway Trackers Book 4) By: E.E. Holmes

Portraits of the Forsaken (The Gateway Trackers Book 4)

by E.E. Holmes

May 22, 2018
309 pages
Publisher: Lily Faire Publishing
Pages: 309
Deep in the heart of old London town, spirits are drawn to the tempting lure of a lie...

As Jess Ballard is struggling to adjust to her new life in London without Finn Carey to watch over her, she has thrown herself into her role as a Tracker, using her gift to communicate with and help as many spirits as she can. But just as she begins to settle into a new city, the city reveals a mystery too intriguing—and dangerous—to ignore.

Something sinister is drawing restless spirits to a tiny old museum, luring them with a promise of salvation it cannot deliver upon. Meanwhile, Durupinen are being brutally attacked, and their gifts are being twisted with a Casting too terrible to comprehend. Can Jess discover the connection between the two mysteries before she—or someone she loves—becomes the next victim?

Portraits of the Forsaken is the much anticipated fourth installment in E.E. Holmes' paranormal series The Gateway Trackers.

Jess is now living in London and without Finn. She’s trying to not spend every waking moment thinking about him, but that’s easier said than done. Hannah is busy with her seat on the council, Milo has his hands full with the release of his new clothing line and Tia has moved to London and his attending medical school while trying to mend her broken heart as well.

Always an exciting storyline with a side of snark, Holmes fourth book in the Trackers series is fantastic. New threats emerge, while the foundation of the final installment in the series is laid. There were a few plots along the way that I would have liked to hear a little more about or have tied up, but I do believe that a few of them will make it to the next book.

Review: Whispers of the Walker (The Gateway Trackers Book 1)
Review: Plague of the Shattered (The Gateway Trackers Book 2)
Review: Awakening of the Seer (The Gateway Trackers Book 3)

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
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E.E. Holmes grew up near Boston, Massachusetts, where she spent the majority of her childhood reading books. She read them almost constantly, and as a result, perfected the art of walking and reading at the same time, a skill she can still perform to this day with remarkably few instances of falling on her face. She also wrote many books and poems in blank books and on the backs of legal pads her father brought home from the office. They remain some of her finest work.

E.E. Holmes lives in central Massachusetts with her husband, two children, and small, but surprisingly loud dog. When not writing, she enjoys watching unhealthy amounts of British television, procrastinating, and rediscovering her favorite books from her childhood all over again with her kids. Her next project is Spirit Ascendancy: Book 3 of the Gateway Trilogy, due for release in November of 2015.

Book Review: Awakening of the Seer (The Gateway Trackers Book 3) by E.E. Holmes

Awakening of the Seer (The Gateway Trackers Book 3)

by E.E. Holmes
November 21, 2017
Pages: 319
She can already see the dead...but is she starting to see the future?

Spurred by the injustices that nearly destroyed their family, Jess and Hannah Ballard are preparing to win back a seat on the powerful Durupinen Council. The odds are stacked against them, but that’s never stopped them before. But as Hannah faces the harsh realities of political intrigue, Jess must face a frightening new reality of her own.

Jess made a promise months before, a promise to help the trapped and tortured Walker, Irina. With Irina’s trial looming, Jess has her chance to make good on her word, but the spirit world may have other plans. Jess’s gift as a Muse is shifting. Her talent as an artist is now offering her terrifying glimpses into a future she may be powerless to change.

Unspeakable tragedy looms ever closer. Will Jess be forced to stand helplessly by, or will she interpret the signs before it’s too late?

Awakening of the Seer is book 3 in The Gateway Trackers series, and continues with Jess and Hannah at Fairhaven awaiting the continuation of the Airechtas, which was delayed due to the Shattering. Jess finds that her psychic drawings that occur while she’s sleeping, maybe more than just her gift as a Muse and has her more than a little concerned. Hannah has decided to accept the nomination for the Council seat and is trying to figure out how she can beat Marion’s manipulations of other clans.

Hannah takes more of a backseat in this story while Jess is thrust into many complications she’d rather forget. There are some definite wins and losses that make this is a good read in the series. There were many different storylines occurring and some could have used a little more attention to detail, as they seemed almost inconsequential when in reality they had importance to the story and future books.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review. 

Review: Whispers of the Walker (The Gateway Trackers Book 1)
Review: Plague of the Shattered (The Gateway Trackers Book 2)
Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
website-FB-twitter
E.E. Holmes grew up near Boston, Massachusetts, where she spent the majority of her childhood reading books. She read them almost constantly, and as a result, perfected the art of walking and reading at the same time, a skill she can still perform to this day with remarkably few instances of falling on her face. She also wrote many books and poems in blank books and on the backs of legal pads her father brought home from the office. They remain some of her finest work.

E.E. Holmes lives in central Massachusetts with her husband, two children, and small, but surprisingly loud dog. When not writing, she enjoys watching unhealthy amounts of British television, procrastinating, and rediscovering her favorite books from her childhood all over again with her kids. Her next project is Spirit Ascendancy: Book 3 of the Gateway Trilogy, due for release in November of 2015.

Book Review: Plague of the Shattered (The Gateway Trackers Book 2) by E.E. Holmes

Plague of the Shattered (The Gateway Trackers Book 2)

by E.E. Holmes
April 25, 2017

Pages: 329
When a spirit Shatters, no one is safe...

Once every five years, the Northern Clans of the Durupinen gather at Fairhaven Hall. There at the ancient castle, surrounded by the very spirits they are bound to protect and serve, the clans settle disputes and shape the laws that govern the Gateways to the spirit world. For the first time, Jess and Hannah Ballard have to represent their clan. It is an awesome responsibility—a great honor… and they are sure it’s going to be the most boring week of their lives.

Oh, how very wrong they are.

For something dangerous is stalking the halls of Fairhaven. It lies in wait, striking down victim after victim, undetectable and inescapable. No one knows what it is, or what it wants, but one thing is clear: no one is safe until it is captured.

As their fellow Durupinen fall victim one by one, it will be up to Jess and Hannah, the newest members of the Trackers, to solve the mystery before the entirety of the castle is possessed.

Plague of the Shattered is book 2 in The Gateway Trackers series and has Jess and Hannah returning to Fairhaven again. The girls have vowed never to return to Fairhaven unless necessary but necessary keeps popping up. Every five years, the Northern Clans of the Durupinen gather at Fairhaven to address issues within the agency, vote new council members and handle business. This year Jess and Hannah will be representing their clan.

Not even there a day and Jess’s Muse gift kicks into gear. Then Durupinen’s start falling one after another and no one appears safe. The story that follows shows how prejudice the Durupinen still are and always have been and how fear rules people.

Holmes writing is excellent and she weaves a truly fantastic tale. Not your run of the mill paranormal story which is very refreshing.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Whispers of the Walker (The Gateway Trackers Book 1)
Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
website-FB-twitter
E.E. Holmes grew up near Boston, Massachusetts, where she spent the majority of her childhood reading books. She read them almost constantly, and as a result, perfected the art of walking and reading at the same time, a skill she can still perform to this day with remarkably few instances of falling on her face. She also wrote many books and poems in blank books and on the backs of legal pads her father brought home from the office. They remain some of her finest work.

E.E. Holmes lives in central Massachusetts with her husband, two children, and small, but surprisingly loud dog. When not writing, she enjoys watching unhealthy amounts of British television, procrastinating, and rediscovering her favorite books from her childhood all over again with her kids. Her next project is Spirit Ascendancy: Book 3 of the Gateway Trilogy, due for release in November of 2015.

Book Review: Milo’s Story (A Short Story from the Gateway Triology) By: E.E. Holmes

Milo's Story: Stories from The Gateway (The Gateway Trilogy #3.5)

by E.E. Holmes

February 11th 2015

36 pages

by Lily Faire Publishing

From the world of E.E. Holmes' award-winning paranormal series, The Gateway Trilogy, comes the first in a set of stories that will take the reader even deeper into the lives of their favorite characters. In Milo's Story, journey back to Milo's first day at New Beginnings, and discover the details of how he and Hannah first met, told from the ever-sassy perspective of everyone's favorite spirit guide.

This is the story of Milo, who is a ghost in the Gateway Trilogy. It was a little short story that E.E. Holmes gave her e-newsletter subscribers. 

I enjoyed the short story. It gave the background of Milo that was never covered in the trilogy. It was short and sweet and worth the read. It’s always fun to know how a character came to be so to speak and this story gives some much needed background.

Getting 4.5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author:
website-FB-twitter
E.E. Holmes grew up near Boston, Massachusetts, where she spent the majority of her childhood reading books. She read them almost constantly, and as a result, perfected the art of walking and reading at the same time, a skill she can still perform to this day with remarkably few instances of falling on her face. She also wrote many books and poems in blank books and on the backs of legal pads her father brought home from the office. They remain some of her finest work.

E.E. Holmes lives in central Massachusetts with her husband, two children, and small, but surprisingly loud dog. When not writing, she enjoys watching unhealthy amounts of British television, procrastinating, and rediscovering her favorite books from her childhood all over again with her kids. Her next project is Spirit Ascendancy: Book 3 of the Gateway Trilogy, due for release in November of 2015. 

Book Review: Spirit Ascendancy (The Gateway Trilogy Book 3) by E.E. Holmes

Spirit Ascendancy (The Gateway Trilogy Book 3)
by E.E. Holmes
November 15th 2015
A POWER TOO TERRIBLE TO CONTROL...

IN THE WAKE of their terrifying escape from Fairhaven Hall, sisters Jess and Hannah Ballard find themselves on the run, pursued by the two most powerful groups in the history of the spirit world. On one side, the Durupinen, determined to capture the girls and prevent their role in an ancient prophecy that promises to destroy them and unleash the spirit hordes on the earth. On the other side, the Necromancers, ancient enemies of the Durupinen, hellbent on bringing the same prophecy to fruition. When the girls are betrayed and one of them falls into the Necromancers’ hands, both face decisions with cataclysmic consequences.

Will the lure of power prove too great to resist, or will the bond between the sisters survive this last, most crucial of tests?

Spirit Ascendancy is the much anticipated third and final installment of E.E. Holmes’ award-winning Gateway Trilogy.

Spirit Ascendancy is the final book in the Gateway Trilogy series. Please read the first two books before reading this one as it is not meant to be a standalone.

The saga continues as Jess and Hannah Ballard escape from Fairhaven and find themselves on the run from the Durupinen and the Necromancers. Everywhere they turn it seems someone wants to capture them and wants to use them for their own agenda. On this journey they are accompanied by Finn, Savvy, and Milo, not to mention some that are picked up along the way. Jess and Hannah do not want the prophecy to come true but if it does they want to be reading to stop it. Both girls find it hard to believe that they are the only ones who can stop the prophecy and at what cost?

One of my favorite series, the final book in the Gateway Trilogy was a excellent read and did not disappoint! I highly recommend this writer if you haven’t read her before. I look forward to exploring her other series as well.

Getting 5 sheep

Denise B

About the Author: 

website-FB-twitter
E.E. Holmes grew up near Boston, Massachusetts, where she spent the majority of her childhood reading books. She read them almost constantly, and as a result, perfected the art of walking and reading at the same time, a skill she can still perform to this day with remarkably few instances of falling on her face. She also wrote many books and poems in blank books and on the backs of legal pads her father brought home from the office. They remain some of her finest work.

She soon learned to love literature of the dramatic persuasion, and earned a B.A. in theater from the College of the Holy Cross. After graduation, she set out to prove that her degree was, in fact, not useless, and worked as a principal actor in a summer Shakespeare festival and as a theater teacher, directing over thirty productions and numerous workshops for youth and high school students. She spent seven years as the theater director at Wakefield High School where she also taught English literature and public speaking. It was in her classroom that she discovered the horrible truth: a disturbingly large percentage of high school students hate to read. This revelation devastated and bewildered her. She decided she wanted to do something about it, and thus she started work on her first young adult novel, Spirit Legacy: Book 1 of the Gateway Trilogy, which has gone on to win awards from Chanticleer Book Reviews and Media and The Independent Publisher Book Awards. She is also the author of Spirit Prophecy, Book 2 of the Gateway Trilogy, and three one act plays, one of which premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2009 to rave reviews.

E.E. Holmes lives in central Massachusetts with her husband, two children, and small, but surprisingly loud dog. When not writing, she enjoys watching unhealthy amounts of British television, procrastinating, and rediscovering her favorite books from her childhood all over again with her kids.