Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Dark (A Kin Series Novella) by Heather Self

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Source:  Received eBook copy from author in exchange for a fair and honest review.

From Goodreads:

Mary Anne Moore doesn't know what she is. She can’t explain why she has lived so long.

Or why she never gets sick.

Or why the dreams she has come true.

She has hidden herself as a lowly servant to the households of Dublin's English elite for decades, until the night that changes her life. Now her sole purpose is the child she never expected to have. She will do anything in her power to keep the black-eyed monsters from discovering him and turning him into one of them.

For Kieran Moore, the dark is an ever-present parasite, waiting to devour his humanity. His mother’s love and the girl in his dreams has kept it at bay for years, but the more time that passes—the longer he has to wait for her—the more it grows. When tragedy strikes, it is all he can do to keep from being consumed by the darkness that infects him. He must continue to hold on to the hope of peace her presence will bring him, because it’s not just his fate on the line, but that of the entire world.


My Thoughts:



4 stars:  Did I really change to Team Kieran?  Yes, yes I did.

I want to start by saying that this book really should be read AFTER reading the first book in the series.  It's the background story for Kieran and if I hadn't read THE ONE (Book 1) I think I would have been confused.

With that said, this book was not what I expected.  I knew it was Kieran's story but it started with his mother.  That part of the story is written in beautiful third person.  Yes you did hear me say that.  I'm not a fan of 3rd person, but this author has a way of making it work for me.

Anne has a wonderful and sad story to tell.  I loved her for her strength.  Carrying a baby with no husband during a time when people would not look kindly on that, Anne finds a way to do it with pose and strength.  Nothing would get in the way of keeping her baby safe, even her own feeling.  Talk about a badass female, Anne had it down.

I loved Alex.  He loves Anne but doesn't know what's going on with her unborn son.  I so wished I could have learned more about their sweet romance.  But this story really is about Kieran and the beginnings with his mother are told in snippets enough to help us understand who his mother is.

The second half of this book is from Kieran's POV.  I will admit that I really wanted more.  If I hadn't had the background of book one, I would have been lost but still it was not enough.  I did learn so much about Kieran and what kind of man he is.  I trust him, where I didn't at the end of The One.  I will say, too, that while I was Team Chase at the end of book one, I have changed to Team Kieran.  Let me make this perfectly clear (especially to Chase), it has nothing to do with loving Kieran more than Chase.  Instead, it has to do with how much Kieran loves Evy.  I think "I" love Chase more but Kieran needs Evy and I think she needs him too.

If you've read The One, then this book is a must.  If you haven't read The One, then get on that!


10 comments:

  1. I love it when an author can make you enjoy 3rd person. I am not a big 3rd person reader either, but sometimes it works for me. I think it's cool that it starts off that way and then goes to Kieran's POV later. I have to read The One, but I am sure I will want this one after.

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  2. Oh, a 3rd-person pov that YOU liked?!? Color me impressed! I still need to read The One. Glad you liked this!

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    1. Right! It NEVER happens! But it did this time. Her writing was just beautiful.

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  3. Yay! I'm so happy you liked the 3rd person. :) Writing Kieran's part was HAAAAAAARD since I couldn't give too much away because of the upcoming books. As always, thank you, Val.

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  4. Wow! I loved The One and am excited to read this but I'm glad I got your perspective first. The fact that you changed teams is amazing, so I can't wait to read this. I love Heather's writing and this series had me hooked right way.:)

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  5. I still haven't read the first book! This must have been good if it made you switch teams though! Glad you enjoyed it so much! I need to read 'the one' soon!

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  6. Love the cover, indeed
    And I have not heard of this series before but it definitely looks like my cup of tea. I love everything paranormal
    GREAT review, Valerie
    Your reader,
    Soma
    http://insomnia-of-books.blogspot.com/

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  7. I love these covers! Seriously!!! I think I need to read book 1!!!

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  8. YAY! I'll read this soon. And Heather will be here at my house in about an hour! WOOT

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  9. Wonderful review! The book description is intriguing and from your review, I am now going to have to read book one because I really want to read this one! LOL
    Thank you for sharing this one!

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