Kaylin McFarren's Blog - Posts Tagged "annihilation"
Great Review for ANNIHILATION, Book 2 Gehenna Series
Annihilation
by Kaylin McFarren
Creative Edge Publishing LLC
Book Review by Michelle Jacobs
"Lucifer's most frightening power is annihilation. You don’t need knives, spears or firearms when you can turn your enemies to dust with the wave of a hand."
Hell has a new ruler, and her desire for eternal power knows no bounds. When Queen Lucinda replaces her father on the throne of Hell, a new reign of terror and perverse dominion begins. But maintaining control proves to be more difficult than Lucinda imagined as political enemies conspire, secret alliances form, and her father's spirit returns to claim what it is his. Evil retribution is unleashed when he reclaims the throne in a stealthy, unexpected move. Lucifer punishes his daughter and begins the hunt to kidnap and possess the enigmatic Samara, who becomes his queen by brutal force. But some outside of Hell believe Samara to be the miracle prophesied to destroy Lucifer and save the world from annihilation. Will she discover her power in time, or will Lucifer's mark consume her?
This thrilling venture into the depths of Hell offers unrelenting intrigue and fearsome characters. The betrayals and powerplays between individuals and political factions stoke the suspense and keep readers guessing over loyalties and outcomes. Demons, shapeshifters, angels, and half-humans populate the pages of this paranormal fantasy. These characters provide a complex network of good and evil as they try to protect themselves and their families. At times, they resort to unspeakable violence and sacrifice in the fight to stay alive. Samara emerges as a young woman learning to use her powers and discovering her true destiny as either the Queen of Hell or savior of the world. Her brutal journey into the bowels of Hell and the bed of Lucifer is not for the faint of heart. The rape scenes are graphic, and the violence in Hell is torturous and savage. The demons in Hell torment and torture, delivering punishment in unimaginable ways.
However, there are also timeless stories of love, friendship, sacrifice, and identity within this hellish tale. The rich worldbuilding and deeply imagined story bring forth classic themes about the corrupting influence of power and evil's corrosive, destructive force. The mythic and horrific combine to generate a fantastical, dark descent into cruelty with a hint of hope on Earth as forces align to defeat Lucifer. Swerving allegiances keep the plot twisting and readers engaged as the action moves toward an epic battle.
Pop culture and texts from many different cultures are full of stories, representations, and manifestations of Satan and Hell. From classical literature's Inferno and Doctor Faustus to television's Lucifer and Supernatural, portraying the devil offers opportunities to explore morality and question the nature of good and evil.
McFarren leans into the challenge with her convincingly detailed depiction of Lucifer, his daughter Lucinda, and a host of demons at his command. McFarren wields her own kind of power as she unleashes this story from her boundless imagination and creative soul. Readers should tread carefully if they dare follow her dark tale into the depths of Hell. As Dante warned, "Abandon all hope ye who enter here." The scenes of graphic violence, erotica, and torture are intense, and Lucifer is not a conflicted soul looking for redemption. He is every bit the iconic Satan of old, and Hell is one's worst nightmare and vision of despair and horror.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
Annihilation
by Kaylin McFarren
Creative Edge Publishing LLC
Book Review by Michelle Jacobs
"Lucifer's most frightening power is annihilation. You don’t need knives, spears or firearms when you can turn your enemies to dust with the wave of a hand."
Hell has a new ruler, and her desire for eternal power knows no bounds. When Queen Lucinda replaces her father on the throne of Hell, a new reign of terror and perverse dominion begins. But maintaining control proves to be more difficult than Lucinda imagined as political enemies conspire, secret alliances form, and her father's spirit returns to claim what it is his. Evil retribution is unleashed when he reclaims the throne in a stealthy, unexpected move. Lucifer punishes his daughter and begins the hunt to kidnap and possess the enigmatic Samara, who becomes his queen by brutal force. But some outside of Hell believe Samara to be the miracle prophesied to destroy Lucifer and save the world from annihilation. Will she discover her power in time, or will Lucifer's mark consume her?
This thrilling venture into the depths of Hell offers unrelenting intrigue and fearsome characters. The betrayals and powerplays between individuals and political factions stoke the suspense and keep readers guessing over loyalties and outcomes. Demons, shapeshifters, angels, and half-humans populate the pages of this paranormal fantasy. These characters provide a complex network of good and evil as they try to protect themselves and their families. At times, they resort to unspeakable violence and sacrifice in the fight to stay alive. Samara emerges as a young woman learning to use her powers and discovering her true destiny as either the Queen of Hell or savior of the world. Her brutal journey into the bowels of Hell and the bed of Lucifer is not for the faint of heart. The rape scenes are graphic, and the violence in Hell is torturous and savage. The demons in Hell torment and torture, delivering punishment in unimaginable ways.
However, there are also timeless stories of love, friendship, sacrifice, and identity within this hellish tale. The rich worldbuilding and deeply imagined story bring forth classic themes about the corrupting influence of power and evil's corrosive, destructive force. The mythic and horrific combine to generate a fantastical, dark descent into cruelty with a hint of hope on Earth as forces align to defeat Lucifer. Swerving allegiances keep the plot twisting and readers engaged as the action moves toward an epic battle.
Pop culture and texts from many different cultures are full of stories, representations, and manifestations of Satan and Hell. From classical literature's Inferno and Doctor Faustus to television's Lucifer and Supernatural, portraying the devil offers opportunities to explore morality and question the nature of good and evil.
McFarren leans into the challenge with her convincingly detailed depiction of Lucifer, his daughter Lucinda, and a host of demons at his command. McFarren wields her own kind of power as she unleashes this story from her boundless imagination and creative soul. Readers should tread carefully if they dare follow her dark tale into the depths of Hell. As Dante warned, "Abandon all hope ye who enter here." The scenes of graphic violence, erotica, and torture are intense, and Lucifer is not a conflicted soul looking for redemption. He is every bit the iconic Satan of old, and Hell is one's worst nightmare and vision of despair and horror.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
Annihilation
Thank you sooo much, Kirkus!!
Got my KIRKUS REVIEW today and was a bit nervous to see it. Then I wanted to celebrate after reading my "amazing" ANNIHILATION review. I'm posting it here for my Facebook followers, friends, and incredible supporters to read. I'm definitely happy dancing over this one!! 😊
STAR REVIEW!
In this paranormal sequel, a teenage angel/demon hybrid and her family clash with hell’s power-hungry queen and her famous dad, Lucifer.
With her father, Lucifer, supposedly dead, Queen Lucinda aspires to be the most powerful figure in hell, tormenting and consuming demon and human souls. World domination is also in reach if she can turn the tide in the imminent Red War between heaven and hell. It seems odd, then, that Lucinda focuses her attention on Crighton, Lucifer’s former soul seeker and a Nephilim (an angel/demon), whom the queen loves. Crighton lives in Middle Earth, a place that’s neither heaven nor hell, with his guardian angel soul mate and their 17-year-old daughter, Samara. But Lucinda has a diabolical plan; she abducts someone in Crighton’s family who’s reputedly the key to destroying heaven in the war.
Meanwhile, Lucifer, an angel once more, hijacks a “meat suit” and returns to hell. He aims to seize the throne back from Lucinda while his disturbing obsession with Samara slowly brews. He may be an even bigger threat than his daughter, as he’ll likely use his power to annihilate everything—heaven, hell, and Earth.
McFarren’s epic follow-up to Soul Seeker (2020) brims with vivid characters and subplots, fueling the sequel’s impressive pace. For example, Samara’s demon-filled school days culminate in a murder mystery, and disappearing members of Crighton’s family spur several rescue missions. In addition, the author’s pithy details don’t linger excessively on scenes of brutal torture and explicit sex. Much of the cast is gleefully complex, harboring unexpected connections to others, and rarely trustworthy, though Samara is a consistently appealing young protagonist. While Lucinda’s thirst for power drives the story, the lengthy final act swerves drastically, introducing a myriad of new characters and twists aplenty involving Samara and a weirdly specific prophecy. Still, the doozy of a cliffhanger will surely leave readers yearning for a third series installment.
To summarize this review, supernatural beings propel this intricate, intriguing, and surprisingly energetic tale.
Annihilation
STAR REVIEW!
In this paranormal sequel, a teenage angel/demon hybrid and her family clash with hell’s power-hungry queen and her famous dad, Lucifer.
With her father, Lucifer, supposedly dead, Queen Lucinda aspires to be the most powerful figure in hell, tormenting and consuming demon and human souls. World domination is also in reach if she can turn the tide in the imminent Red War between heaven and hell. It seems odd, then, that Lucinda focuses her attention on Crighton, Lucifer’s former soul seeker and a Nephilim (an angel/demon), whom the queen loves. Crighton lives in Middle Earth, a place that’s neither heaven nor hell, with his guardian angel soul mate and their 17-year-old daughter, Samara. But Lucinda has a diabolical plan; she abducts someone in Crighton’s family who’s reputedly the key to destroying heaven in the war.
Meanwhile, Lucifer, an angel once more, hijacks a “meat suit” and returns to hell. He aims to seize the throne back from Lucinda while his disturbing obsession with Samara slowly brews. He may be an even bigger threat than his daughter, as he’ll likely use his power to annihilate everything—heaven, hell, and Earth.
McFarren’s epic follow-up to Soul Seeker (2020) brims with vivid characters and subplots, fueling the sequel’s impressive pace. For example, Samara’s demon-filled school days culminate in a murder mystery, and disappearing members of Crighton’s family spur several rescue missions. In addition, the author’s pithy details don’t linger excessively on scenes of brutal torture and explicit sex. Much of the cast is gleefully complex, harboring unexpected connections to others, and rarely trustworthy, though Samara is a consistently appealing young protagonist. While Lucinda’s thirst for power drives the story, the lengthy final act swerves drastically, introducing a myriad of new characters and twists aplenty involving Samara and a weirdly specific prophecy. Still, the doozy of a cliffhanger will surely leave readers yearning for a third series installment.
To summarize this review, supernatural beings propel this intricate, intriguing, and surprisingly energetic tale.
Annihilation
