Jeaniene Frost is going into another world, with her Broken Destiny series. She´s still working with creatures and brings a modern touch of the present to the story. So this time it isn´t the vampires she is working with, but a young woman who has a special skill and can´t live a normal life. I know Jeaniene Frost from her Night Huntress/Night Prince/Night Huntress World books and the tone there is again to find in this first part of her Broken Destiny trilogy. So after reading this book, I am really looking forward to the other two.
The Beautiful Ashes
by Jeaniene Frost Broken Destiny #1
Publisher Harlequin on September 1, 2014
Genre Fantasy
Pages 298
Format Paperback
Source Purchased
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In a world of shadows, anything is possible. Except escaping your fate. Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse – her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who´s bound by an ancient legacy to betray her. Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn´t mean he can change his fate … no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn´t: that every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny, and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy one side and Adrian on the other. And nothing but ashes in between …
Story
Ivy has visions – dark visions. All her life she experienced them, they scared her and because of them she went through a doctor odyssey and had to pretend to be someone she wasn´t. Now, after the sudden death of her parents and the fact, that her sister went missing, she is again in a miserable position. In a small town where she is looking for her sister, she gets almost caught by a demon and sees her sister in a blurry vision on the other side; and knows by instinct, that she has to find a way to rescue her. But the demon world is ice cold, dark, and a very dangerous place for a human being.
Style
In a deliciously ironic way with some sarcastic undertone, great scenes and hilarious dialogues Jeaniene Frost shows again, that she knows how to capture the reader’s attention. The story is placed in the present world and the many worlds of the demons. You will find Gargoyles as well as demon´s Hounds, unearthly beauties, and brutal kings. Told from the figural narrative situation of Ivy, it sounds like she is sitting with the reader in a coffee, drinking one, and telling her story. As always the author uses a clear and simple tone and writing style. The setting is it, the different characters and the cruel creatures from hell are making this novel a wonderful paranormal/fantasy experience. You will see a lot of dark things and things you never thought you could imagine.
Characters
Life isn´t easy when you have to pretend to be normal; where you have to deny that you see things others don´t and where only your sister knows the truth. Yes, Ivy had to learn it the hard way from an early age on, that she isn´t like other girls and for sure, not as the rest of humankind. The fact, that she sees the other dimension determines her life. When she gets rescued by the mysterious and dark Adrian, she has to face another change in her life. This time it is the truth she learns about herself and her family. Because she isn´t what she thought she´d be. Okay, the author doesn´t give you very profound characters. But they have their shadows and dark sides and they bring tension into the plot. Between Ivy and Adrian is a flame from the very first moment they met. But when Adrian finds out, who she really is, he is shocked and does everything to keep her at arm’s length. Not the ideal situation in a fight against the dark dimension. But to watch how Ivy changes, how she grows into her new situation, and how she deals with everything, is one great and fascinating thing.
Conclusion
For paranormal and fantasy fans, this book is almost perfect. There is enough space for your own imagination, fascinating characters, and repellent creatures to make this first book of a new trilogy by Jeaniene Frost a pleasant read.
Happy reading
Jeaniene Frost
Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author whose works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, and the Broken Destiny series. To date, foreign rights for her novels have sold to twenty different countries. Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. Aside from writing, Jeaniene enjoys reading, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children and cook books frighten her.
I liked The Beautiful Ashes but I was slightly disappointed by it. It just wasn't as good as the Night Huntress books. But then again, it would be hard to top those.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree. This book was different from what I am used to with the Night Huntress books, and yet her style came through. But I guess, no other book, no matter about what she´ll write, can compare to her NH series ever :-)
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