Kaylin McFarren's Blog - Posts Tagged "thriller"
Five Stars From Midwest Review!
If you're a fan of murder mysteries but eschew the usual genre-formatted adventures that offer too-predictable protagonists and not enough depth, it's time to take a look at Buried Threads: a horse of another color. More than a murder mystery, this mingles a treasure hunt, an international race against time, a dark prophecy, Japanese culture, erotic encounters and a clever killer's modus operandi into a story that just won't quit.
Buried Threads opens with a bang: "Kenji Ota didn’t fit the description of a bloodthirsty killer. Upon meeting him, it would be difficult to believe he’d gotten away with murdering at least twenty-five men."
The tension never ends: as new twists pepper the plot, readers will find their expectations and viewpoints enhanced and expanded. As successful owners of a treasure hunting company, Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen have, over the years, honed routines virtually guaranteeing success; but their latest lead is anything but habitual and as they delve into international affairs in the process of tracking down a shipwreck's precious cargo, they fall under the scrutiny of a seasoned, deadly killer.
Fans of Indiana Jones will find a lot to like here: Rachel and Chase move from adventure to adventure with nary a breather. There's everything from sharks to caves and hidden tombs … and, of course, a gang is involved, thwarting their investigations at every turn.
Rachel and Chase grow and learn from their cross-cultural encounters in the process of their hunt: even Buddhist enlightenment isn't unheard of in the course of events. Japanese history and ethnicity also lends an extra dimension of cultural understanding to the saga.
Buried Threads is also about broken relationships, healing, and rediscovery: these elements of psychological tension are another unexpected thread running through the thriller format.
There's a healthy dose of romance representing one of the ties of Buried Threads, there's high adventure and much mystery, and there's solid tension in an erotic thriller that just doesn't quit. Seasoned fans of romance, mystery, and thriller writing will find this crossover title successfully blends elements of all three under one cover, creating a powerful piece of soft-core porn that adds an extra dimension to all three genres.
From geishas and Japanese street gangs to women just beginning to realize their inner strength, Buried Threads incorporates it all. It sounds almost too busy; but all these elements come together in a logical, satisfying progression that uses life's slings and arrows, twists and turns to provide an outstanding backdrop to what really matters: love. And without giving away the ending of the story (which will take many a seasoned mystery reader by surprise) suffice it to say that ultimately events come full circle, offering both a conclusion and the seeds of new experiences to come in an earth-shaking epilogue that neatly ties everything together. - Diane Donovan, Midwest Review
Buried Threads opens with a bang: "Kenji Ota didn’t fit the description of a bloodthirsty killer. Upon meeting him, it would be difficult to believe he’d gotten away with murdering at least twenty-five men."
The tension never ends: as new twists pepper the plot, readers will find their expectations and viewpoints enhanced and expanded. As successful owners of a treasure hunting company, Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen have, over the years, honed routines virtually guaranteeing success; but their latest lead is anything but habitual and as they delve into international affairs in the process of tracking down a shipwreck's precious cargo, they fall under the scrutiny of a seasoned, deadly killer.
Fans of Indiana Jones will find a lot to like here: Rachel and Chase move from adventure to adventure with nary a breather. There's everything from sharks to caves and hidden tombs … and, of course, a gang is involved, thwarting their investigations at every turn.
Rachel and Chase grow and learn from their cross-cultural encounters in the process of their hunt: even Buddhist enlightenment isn't unheard of in the course of events. Japanese history and ethnicity also lends an extra dimension of cultural understanding to the saga.
Buried Threads is also about broken relationships, healing, and rediscovery: these elements of psychological tension are another unexpected thread running through the thriller format.
There's a healthy dose of romance representing one of the ties of Buried Threads, there's high adventure and much mystery, and there's solid tension in an erotic thriller that just doesn't quit. Seasoned fans of romance, mystery, and thriller writing will find this crossover title successfully blends elements of all three under one cover, creating a powerful piece of soft-core porn that adds an extra dimension to all three genres.
From geishas and Japanese street gangs to women just beginning to realize their inner strength, Buried Threads incorporates it all. It sounds almost too busy; but all these elements come together in a logical, satisfying progression that uses life's slings and arrows, twists and turns to provide an outstanding backdrop to what really matters: love. And without giving away the ending of the story (which will take many a seasoned mystery reader by surprise) suffice it to say that ultimately events come full circle, offering both a conclusion and the seeds of new experiences to come in an earth-shaking epilogue that neatly ties everything together. - Diane Donovan, Midwest Review
Look what Chanticleer has to say about BURIED THREADS!
Rating:4 stars
Title: Buried Threads
Author: Kaylin McFarren
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Creative Edge Publishing LLC
From the alluring book cover depicting a Japanese woman holding a beautiful sword, to the twisty, explosive ending, Kaylin McFarren’s second novel in the Threads series, Buried Threads, takes you on an wild ride that will having you reading long into the night.
Treasure hunters Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen, first introduced in Severed Threads, return in this Steamy-Action novel, racing against time and overwhelming odds to recover a long-lost Japanese treasure. The Buddhist monk Satoru Yamada, or Shinzo, has hired them to locate a valuable Templar stone embedded in the scabbard of a sword at the bottom of the ocean. The sword is one of three, robbed from the tomb of a prince. Rachel’s employer believes that its return will save the soul of the woman who originally robbed the tomb, and also prevent a catastrophic natural disaster that could kill millions.
Fearlessly combining the influence of Japanese Manga with elements of romance, suspense, paranormal, and action-adventure, McFarren provides a fast-paced, scary, yet addictive reading experience. The author doesn’t mind bending the rules of craft or genre to present a complex, multi-layered story about fascinating characters—the beautiful yet numb geisha, the obsessed, vengeful Yakuza killer, the Buddhist monk who claims to see into both the future and the past, and of course, the intelligent and talented heroine, troubled by personal insecurities yet strong enough to expertly brandish a sword. As McFarren introduces you to each of these people against the backdrop of modern and ancient Japanese culture, you become hooked, soon kept in thrall of their unfolding stories and fearful of who will still be alive at the end.
Buried Threads interweaves cross-genre these plot elements in a tale that nevertheless accurately depicts Japanese subcultures. McFarren obviously has done her research on this exotic setting, enriching each page with details of Japanese urban nightlife, modern feminist attitudes, as well as the mindset of a centuries-old warrior culture. Readers who love to learn about foreign locales will enjoy this aspect of the book.
Because the author takes you so deeply inside the minds of multiple characters that are central to the plot, the back-and-forth among their points of view can at first be distracting. Typically, this would make it harder to connect with the characters. But McFarren draws intricate pictures of multi-faceted people, revealing their strengths as well as their fears and anxieties, so that you feel you know them instantly. The plot complications come fast and furiously, and you meet the large cast of characters quickly enough that you must pay close attention. This reviewer’s advice, though, is to be patient. Before you realize it, you’ll be well and truly immersed in this complex, edge-of-the-seat thriller.
Buried Threads was awarded a CLUE Award for Steamy/Action Thriller, a division of the Chanticleer Reviews Internationals Novel Writing Competitions.
Title: Buried Threads
Author: Kaylin McFarren
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Creative Edge Publishing LLC
From the alluring book cover depicting a Japanese woman holding a beautiful sword, to the twisty, explosive ending, Kaylin McFarren’s second novel in the Threads series, Buried Threads, takes you on an wild ride that will having you reading long into the night.
Treasure hunters Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen, first introduced in Severed Threads, return in this Steamy-Action novel, racing against time and overwhelming odds to recover a long-lost Japanese treasure. The Buddhist monk Satoru Yamada, or Shinzo, has hired them to locate a valuable Templar stone embedded in the scabbard of a sword at the bottom of the ocean. The sword is one of three, robbed from the tomb of a prince. Rachel’s employer believes that its return will save the soul of the woman who originally robbed the tomb, and also prevent a catastrophic natural disaster that could kill millions.
Fearlessly combining the influence of Japanese Manga with elements of romance, suspense, paranormal, and action-adventure, McFarren provides a fast-paced, scary, yet addictive reading experience. The author doesn’t mind bending the rules of craft or genre to present a complex, multi-layered story about fascinating characters—the beautiful yet numb geisha, the obsessed, vengeful Yakuza killer, the Buddhist monk who claims to see into both the future and the past, and of course, the intelligent and talented heroine, troubled by personal insecurities yet strong enough to expertly brandish a sword. As McFarren introduces you to each of these people against the backdrop of modern and ancient Japanese culture, you become hooked, soon kept in thrall of their unfolding stories and fearful of who will still be alive at the end.
Buried Threads interweaves cross-genre these plot elements in a tale that nevertheless accurately depicts Japanese subcultures. McFarren obviously has done her research on this exotic setting, enriching each page with details of Japanese urban nightlife, modern feminist attitudes, as well as the mindset of a centuries-old warrior culture. Readers who love to learn about foreign locales will enjoy this aspect of the book.
Because the author takes you so deeply inside the minds of multiple characters that are central to the plot, the back-and-forth among their points of view can at first be distracting. Typically, this would make it harder to connect with the characters. But McFarren draws intricate pictures of multi-faceted people, revealing their strengths as well as their fears and anxieties, so that you feel you know them instantly. The plot complications come fast and furiously, and you meet the large cast of characters quickly enough that you must pay close attention. This reviewer’s advice, though, is to be patient. Before you realize it, you’ll be well and truly immersed in this complex, edge-of-the-seat thriller.
Buried Threads was awarded a CLUE Award for Steamy/Action Thriller, a division of the Chanticleer Reviews Internationals Novel Writing Competitions.
Midwest Book Review's Appraisal
It’s been rumored that Banished Threads concludes a vivid mystery series revolving around sleuths, spies, and treasure hunts: so those who have relished Kaylin McFarren’s prior books should be prepared to read slowly, carefully, and enthusiastically, because this final book will end the series unless Kaylin surprises us all.
That said, Banished Threads should not be missed by either prior fans or newcomers, and twists the threads of family ties to their breaking points, as it uncovers stolen paintings, a missing granddaughter, an uncle accused of murder, and a plot to destroy a family.
Rachel and Chase have their hands more than full, especially since Rachel faces building her own future family circle, which may become endangered by her actions.
Taunt scenes of confrontation between characters, underlying issues of trust, forthcoming nuptials changed by unexpected voyages, and the terror of a kidnapped woman are all wound into atmospheric descriptions of setting and psyche alike. But it’s the psychological depth that keeps the protagonists filled with life and three-dimensional personalities: “He’d been protecting her from his psycho partner in the next room—a man who would beat her to death if given the chance. She slowly opened the door, exposing her fears and vulnerability. Then she slid down to the floor and stared straight ahead, waiting like a mouse in a trap.”
These revelations, liberally peppered throughout a story of danger and motivation, keep the plot moving quite a step above the usual genre mystery: “Where are my friends? She wondered. Maybe they never existed outside of her imagination. They were as phony and wicked as the fairy tales she had once believed in—the fairy tales her language teacher had enjoyed reading in boarding school and had cruelly destroyed the night he snuck into her room. It suddenly dawned on her that, no matter where destiny took her, she would always be caged, always be trapped in her childhood nightmares. Begging for love, begging for power. Begging to wake up and be free.”
Mystery and thriller readers will find this level of description setsBanished Threads apart from more singular plots as it evolves into a gripping story of life and death told on many levels, using real living, breathing protagonists whose actions and thoughts move beyond the art and intrigue circles they traverse.
Quite simply, Banished Threads is an emotion-charged ride through a series of close encounters that are as psychologically gripping as they are filled with action.
Mystery and thriller audiences are in for a real treat. – D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review Banished Threads
That said, Banished Threads should not be missed by either prior fans or newcomers, and twists the threads of family ties to their breaking points, as it uncovers stolen paintings, a missing granddaughter, an uncle accused of murder, and a plot to destroy a family.
Rachel and Chase have their hands more than full, especially since Rachel faces building her own future family circle, which may become endangered by her actions.
Taunt scenes of confrontation between characters, underlying issues of trust, forthcoming nuptials changed by unexpected voyages, and the terror of a kidnapped woman are all wound into atmospheric descriptions of setting and psyche alike. But it’s the psychological depth that keeps the protagonists filled with life and three-dimensional personalities: “He’d been protecting her from his psycho partner in the next room—a man who would beat her to death if given the chance. She slowly opened the door, exposing her fears and vulnerability. Then she slid down to the floor and stared straight ahead, waiting like a mouse in a trap.”
These revelations, liberally peppered throughout a story of danger and motivation, keep the plot moving quite a step above the usual genre mystery: “Where are my friends? She wondered. Maybe they never existed outside of her imagination. They were as phony and wicked as the fairy tales she had once believed in—the fairy tales her language teacher had enjoyed reading in boarding school and had cruelly destroyed the night he snuck into her room. It suddenly dawned on her that, no matter where destiny took her, she would always be caged, always be trapped in her childhood nightmares. Begging for love, begging for power. Begging to wake up and be free.”
Mystery and thriller readers will find this level of description setsBanished Threads apart from more singular plots as it evolves into a gripping story of life and death told on many levels, using real living, breathing protagonists whose actions and thoughts move beyond the art and intrigue circles they traverse.
Quite simply, Banished Threads is an emotion-charged ride through a series of close encounters that are as psychologically gripping as they are filled with action.
Mystery and thriller audiences are in for a real treat. – D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review Banished Threads
Great News!!
YAY!!! Buzzfeed picked Banished Threads as one of the top seven books to read in 2016! Check out this list by visiting: http://www.buzzfeed.com/rebecas486c54...
RT Review for Banished Threads
Romantic Suspense
BANISHED THREADS
Kaylin McFarren
4 stars
HOT
Readers will get quite a thrill from McFarren’s latest Threads novel! Chase and Rachel are back in this fast-paced romantic suspense, based in an art gallery in England. It’s full of family drama, stolen art, kidnapping and even more exciting sex between the globe-trotting couple. The story moves along at a brisk pace with plenty of peripheral characters to keep things interesting.
SUMMARY: Treasure hunters Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen sail to London looking to secure her uncle’s blessing for their upcoming nuptials. Pregnant, Rachel is starting to have second thoughts about the future. Those doubts take a back seat when they arrive in England and priceless artwork is stolen from Rachel’s uncle’s art gallery. The drama skyrockets once her uncle’s granddaughter is kidnapped and Rachel and Chase are dragged into a dangerous, life-threatening quagmire. (CreativeEdgePublishing, Mar., 259 pp., $9.95)
Susan Roberts, Romantic Times Review Source
Kaylin McFarren
BANISHED THREADS
Kaylin McFarren
4 stars
HOT
Readers will get quite a thrill from McFarren’s latest Threads novel! Chase and Rachel are back in this fast-paced romantic suspense, based in an art gallery in England. It’s full of family drama, stolen art, kidnapping and even more exciting sex between the globe-trotting couple. The story moves along at a brisk pace with plenty of peripheral characters to keep things interesting.
SUMMARY: Treasure hunters Rachel Lyons and Chase Cohen sail to London looking to secure her uncle’s blessing for their upcoming nuptials. Pregnant, Rachel is starting to have second thoughts about the future. Those doubts take a back seat when they arrive in England and priceless artwork is stolen from Rachel’s uncle’s art gallery. The drama skyrockets once her uncle’s granddaughter is kidnapped and Rachel and Chase are dragged into a dangerous, life-threatening quagmire. (CreativeEdgePublishing, Mar., 259 pp., $9.95)
Susan Roberts, Romantic Times Review Source
Kaylin McFarren
Mixology: The Thriller Genre
Does your favorite novel have hot intense sex with an on the edge of your seat plot and a psychotic character? Then believe or not, you're a fan of erotic, psychological thrillers, which many consider an explosive mix. Aside from the obvious, this genre is a great distraction from the general craziness of life. It dares to explore the darker side of our fantasies and their sometimes unintended consequences. Even though it does this by taking the reader to many extreme and taboo places, there are also beneficial topics involved, such as: overcoming our fears, breaking down barriers, not being victims of circumstance, and being true to our sexuality. Many of us live our lives doing what we have been conditioned to do instead of being true to ourselves and living authentically. Sometimes it takes an extraordinary situation to dismantle antiquated beliefs and to accept hidden truths about human nature and the human condition.
The real advantage of erotic thrillers is that they become a stimulating experience for the reader by delivering a roller coaster of emotions. It can be sexually-charged entertainment as well as thought provoking. One moment, you might be rooting for a villain to be caught and in the next, you’re longing for lovers to overcome their greatest challenges to be together—whether it’s forever after or just tangled up in bed. The real desire for an author creating a well-written, gripping story in this genre is to take the reader on a wild ride they never expected to experience and will take weeks…or maybe even months to forget. And even then, these books deserve to be read again and again, addressing our heightened need for passion, lust, exploration and intrigue, while throwing all caution to the wind and taking a step outside our comfort zone. Because what fun is it to restrict our book reading selections to conservative romances and historical drama when we can live precariously through hot, sexy characters in the pages of erotic thrillers, right?
Kaylin McFarren
Author of the Threads Series
www.kaylinmcfarren.comTwisted Threads
The real advantage of erotic thrillers is that they become a stimulating experience for the reader by delivering a roller coaster of emotions. It can be sexually-charged entertainment as well as thought provoking. One moment, you might be rooting for a villain to be caught and in the next, you’re longing for lovers to overcome their greatest challenges to be together—whether it’s forever after or just tangled up in bed. The real desire for an author creating a well-written, gripping story in this genre is to take the reader on a wild ride they never expected to experience and will take weeks…or maybe even months to forget. And even then, these books deserve to be read again and again, addressing our heightened need for passion, lust, exploration and intrigue, while throwing all caution to the wind and taking a step outside our comfort zone. Because what fun is it to restrict our book reading selections to conservative romances and historical drama when we can live precariously through hot, sexy characters in the pages of erotic thrillers, right?
Kaylin McFarren
Author of the Threads Series
www.kaylinmcfarren.comTwisted Threads
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
Another wonderful review!!
Requiem For A Queen
by Kaylin McFarren
Creative Edge Publishing
Book review by Mihir Shah, the US Review
"She wanted to find a way to survive on her own, just as she had planned to do before being discovered by Onoskelis."
In a fascinating concoction combining the realms of magic and Hell, McFarren delivers scintillating commentary on the quandary that is power: the more one has, the more one wants until the individual's true essence is so consumed by their hunger that they become mere puppets of that power, going to any and all lengths to attain it. Upon severing ties with the Nexus Institute, Samara Daemonium is the object of a wild goose chase featuring everyone from a former Nexus lover to Hell personified—Lucifer himself. Chaos ensues, yet like a phoenix, Samara attempts to rise from it and experience her own journey of introspection and self-realization.
In this third installment of McFarren's Gehenna series, the story opens up with powerful imagery of sand caves and a shapeshifter, Onoskelis, who comes to Samara's aid as she is on the verge of delivering her baby. While the work revolves around her, the characters in the world that McFarren has created are largely interested in retrieving her son and returning him to his father, Lucifer. Of course, earning Lucifer's wrath adds tremendous intrigue to Samara's character arc. After all, what would prompt an individual to make Lucifer an enemy and perhaps earn an eternity in Hell's prison? The answer becomes apparent very early on: Samara neither strives for her child to be a warrior nor to be exposed to the inferno of sins that is Hell. As Lucifer and others look for Samara, however, it is Queen Lucinda, Lucifer's daughter, who is on a mission to wreak havoc in Samara's life after her ambitions to rule the underworld take a major hit with Lucifer fancying Samara.
Samara's unyielding spirit and maternal instincts for her son, Papillon, named after the liberating nature of the butterfly, are on an inevitable collision course with Lucinda's irrational desire to destroy Samara, her child, and everything and everyone responsible for her escape from Hell. With the Red War in full force and Lucinda determined to eliminate her heir to the throne, the storyline integrates a tantalizing array of sprites, demon slayers, goblin witches, and even a fire-breathing dragon to create obstacles and provide allies for Samara and Papillon. Throughout it all, Samara recognizes she has innate abilities like telekinesis that haven't had a chance to be cultivated. Every ounce of energy and power will be needed to repel Lucinda while simultaneously keeping the birth of her son a secret.
In this tale of erotic romance and dark fantasy, there are numerous mind-numbing and convoluted choices that Samara is forced to make for her son. At the top of it all is deciding whether she can place her trust in Lucifer, the evil incarnate, when it comes to being reunited with her son and throttling Lucinda's heinous vision. Led by spectacular character development and an intriguing storyline, the novel delves deep into dark paranormal romance while retaining the themes of mesmerizing storytelling—a central character in dire straits who must think and act beyond that which she is capable of in order to preserve what is most meaningful for her. Fans of this fantasy subgenre may discover a new world to relish in this novel.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
Requiem For A Queen
by Kaylin McFarren
Creative Edge Publishing
Book review by Mihir Shah, the US Review
"She wanted to find a way to survive on her own, just as she had planned to do before being discovered by Onoskelis."
In a fascinating concoction combining the realms of magic and Hell, McFarren delivers scintillating commentary on the quandary that is power: the more one has, the more one wants until the individual's true essence is so consumed by their hunger that they become mere puppets of that power, going to any and all lengths to attain it. Upon severing ties with the Nexus Institute, Samara Daemonium is the object of a wild goose chase featuring everyone from a former Nexus lover to Hell personified—Lucifer himself. Chaos ensues, yet like a phoenix, Samara attempts to rise from it and experience her own journey of introspection and self-realization.
In this third installment of McFarren's Gehenna series, the story opens up with powerful imagery of sand caves and a shapeshifter, Onoskelis, who comes to Samara's aid as she is on the verge of delivering her baby. While the work revolves around her, the characters in the world that McFarren has created are largely interested in retrieving her son and returning him to his father, Lucifer. Of course, earning Lucifer's wrath adds tremendous intrigue to Samara's character arc. After all, what would prompt an individual to make Lucifer an enemy and perhaps earn an eternity in Hell's prison? The answer becomes apparent very early on: Samara neither strives for her child to be a warrior nor to be exposed to the inferno of sins that is Hell. As Lucifer and others look for Samara, however, it is Queen Lucinda, Lucifer's daughter, who is on a mission to wreak havoc in Samara's life after her ambitions to rule the underworld take a major hit with Lucifer fancying Samara.
Samara's unyielding spirit and maternal instincts for her son, Papillon, named after the liberating nature of the butterfly, are on an inevitable collision course with Lucinda's irrational desire to destroy Samara, her child, and everything and everyone responsible for her escape from Hell. With the Red War in full force and Lucinda determined to eliminate her heir to the throne, the storyline integrates a tantalizing array of sprites, demon slayers, goblin witches, and even a fire-breathing dragon to create obstacles and provide allies for Samara and Papillon. Throughout it all, Samara recognizes she has innate abilities like telekinesis that haven't had a chance to be cultivated. Every ounce of energy and power will be needed to repel Lucinda while simultaneously keeping the birth of her son a secret.
In this tale of erotic romance and dark fantasy, there are numerous mind-numbing and convoluted choices that Samara is forced to make for her son. At the top of it all is deciding whether she can place her trust in Lucifer, the evil incarnate, when it comes to being reunited with her son and throttling Lucinda's heinous vision. Led by spectacular character development and an intriguing storyline, the novel delves deep into dark paranormal romance while retaining the themes of mesmerizing storytelling—a central character in dire straits who must think and act beyond that which she is capable of in order to preserve what is most meaningful for her. Fans of this fantasy subgenre may discover a new world to relish in this novel.
RECOMMENDED by the US Review
Requiem For A Queen
Online Book Club Review!
Post by Odek » 28 Sep 2022
[The following is a volunteer review of "Requiem For A Queen" by Kaylin McFarren.]
4 out of 4 stars
Power is like a disease; it pollutes whatever it touches. Words by Perry Bysshe Shelley, written at the end of the book. It served as an inspiration to the author, Kaylin McFarren. Not only do the words apply to real-life situations, but they also provide context for the book, effectively summarizing its plot. Requiem For A Queen is a supernatural thriller that is exhilarating, captivating, and takes up three hundred and twenty-four pages. A fast book that indulges in a supernatural world created by Kaylin McFarren.
What happens when Lucifer is obsessed with you? Samara Daemoniam is hunted by hell's kingdom. Through Onoskelis, a shape-shifter and a friend, she takes shelter in a sand cave that served as the shifters' residence. Sam gives birth to a boy whom he names Papillon, which means butterfly. She hopes, through her guidance, he will not be like her father. They manage to live in peace till they are captured, which sets in motion a series of events. Separated from his son, she’ll stop at nothing to retrieve him. Her confinement by Lucifer, a black dragon, and an experience with witches who want her blood doesn’t loosen her will to find her son. With all this in motion, Queen Lucinda wants to overthrow her father, Lucifer, as she guides his army from hell to do her bidding.
I loved how fast-paced the book is. All the events that were set in motion were well planned. There is no moment when the author drags out an event to the point of boredom. When a challenge arose, it was overcome, leading to the next chapter of their lives. This is shown through the hard times Samara faces one moment after the other. An assumption might be made that the book's timeline is longer than the real timeline of the book, which was roughly two years.
I loved how the author introduced the book. A poetical piece starts the book. It captivates one's attention and interest. It gives a sense of foreboding; it explains lightly how the events unfold. I had a wow moment after finishing the book and reading the poem again.
There is nothing I disliked about the book. It was also exceptionally well edited. I would rate the book a 4 out of 4 stars. This is because the author was good at describing the events and the characters. It got to a point where I felt like I could help Samara. This meant that the book was able to evoke emotions in me. I was able to connect with the characters and felt as if I was a part of their world.
Due to the book being fiction, I would recommend it to anyone who loves thrilling stories that are based on fictional worlds.
******
Requiem For A Queen
[The following is a volunteer review of "Requiem For A Queen" by Kaylin McFarren.]
4 out of 4 stars
Power is like a disease; it pollutes whatever it touches. Words by Perry Bysshe Shelley, written at the end of the book. It served as an inspiration to the author, Kaylin McFarren. Not only do the words apply to real-life situations, but they also provide context for the book, effectively summarizing its plot. Requiem For A Queen is a supernatural thriller that is exhilarating, captivating, and takes up three hundred and twenty-four pages. A fast book that indulges in a supernatural world created by Kaylin McFarren.
What happens when Lucifer is obsessed with you? Samara Daemoniam is hunted by hell's kingdom. Through Onoskelis, a shape-shifter and a friend, she takes shelter in a sand cave that served as the shifters' residence. Sam gives birth to a boy whom he names Papillon, which means butterfly. She hopes, through her guidance, he will not be like her father. They manage to live in peace till they are captured, which sets in motion a series of events. Separated from his son, she’ll stop at nothing to retrieve him. Her confinement by Lucifer, a black dragon, and an experience with witches who want her blood doesn’t loosen her will to find her son. With all this in motion, Queen Lucinda wants to overthrow her father, Lucifer, as she guides his army from hell to do her bidding.
I loved how fast-paced the book is. All the events that were set in motion were well planned. There is no moment when the author drags out an event to the point of boredom. When a challenge arose, it was overcome, leading to the next chapter of their lives. This is shown through the hard times Samara faces one moment after the other. An assumption might be made that the book's timeline is longer than the real timeline of the book, which was roughly two years.
I loved how the author introduced the book. A poetical piece starts the book. It captivates one's attention and interest. It gives a sense of foreboding; it explains lightly how the events unfold. I had a wow moment after finishing the book and reading the poem again.
There is nothing I disliked about the book. It was also exceptionally well edited. I would rate the book a 4 out of 4 stars. This is because the author was good at describing the events and the characters. It got to a point where I felt like I could help Samara. This meant that the book was able to evoke emotions in me. I was able to connect with the characters and felt as if I was a part of their world.
Due to the book being fiction, I would recommend it to anyone who loves thrilling stories that are based on fictional worlds.
******
Requiem For A Queen
New Review for "Requiem For A Queen" from Online Book Club by Nelma Paulite
4 out of 4 stars!
Requiem For A Queen
"Requiem For A Queen by Kaylin McFarren is a novel about a supernatural fantasy that narrates the battle between good and evil, what a mother has to go through for the love of her child, and the super powers that they have as the story unfolds. The scenes are exciting and fast-moving that you will be amazed of the shocking secrets revealed in each chapter. You will be shocked by the surprising secrets exposed in each scene because it is so exciting and quick-moving.
The book "Requiem For A Queen" by Kaylin McFarren started with Samara Daemonium, half angel, half demon, struggles to give birth to his son, Papillon. She is being sought for by the entire Kingdom of Hell and all of its residents while She is expecting Lucifer's child and has turned away from the Nexus warriors, She was found by Shapeshifter Onoskelis freezing in the cold under a snow-covered branch and was given the opportunity to spend some time in the cave with Onoskelis. On the other hand, Lucifer would lock her up in her room and take her child away if he found out where she was, but Lucinda, Lucifer’s daughter who feels threatened by Lucifer's son, finds them instead and abducts Papillon and gave him to the witches. He had his own struggles and was found by his grandfather drowned in the river.
Samara is now forced to return to Hell in order to confront Lucinda and inform Lucifer about the existence of her son. Samara has no choice but to rely on Lucifer because her safety depends on revealing this dark secret. She encounters struggles in finding her son Sad, but it was also an opportunity for her to discover her real self and understands her powers.
The book's chapters take you to diverse settings and bring new casts of individuals, keeping you intrigued about what comes next. I only worried that I didn't understand the scenario while reading. One time it is describing it is in hell then the next paragraphs would describe the modern world. So I was confused, only to learn that this is the third series overall. I was more eager to read the earlier episodes as a result.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and action. I give this a rating of 4 out of 4 because it exceeds my expectations. It has a lot of action scenes that gets me excited to read more."
Requiem For A Queen
"Requiem For A Queen by Kaylin McFarren is a novel about a supernatural fantasy that narrates the battle between good and evil, what a mother has to go through for the love of her child, and the super powers that they have as the story unfolds. The scenes are exciting and fast-moving that you will be amazed of the shocking secrets revealed in each chapter. You will be shocked by the surprising secrets exposed in each scene because it is so exciting and quick-moving.
The book "Requiem For A Queen" by Kaylin McFarren started with Samara Daemonium, half angel, half demon, struggles to give birth to his son, Papillon. She is being sought for by the entire Kingdom of Hell and all of its residents while She is expecting Lucifer's child and has turned away from the Nexus warriors, She was found by Shapeshifter Onoskelis freezing in the cold under a snow-covered branch and was given the opportunity to spend some time in the cave with Onoskelis. On the other hand, Lucifer would lock her up in her room and take her child away if he found out where she was, but Lucinda, Lucifer’s daughter who feels threatened by Lucifer's son, finds them instead and abducts Papillon and gave him to the witches. He had his own struggles and was found by his grandfather drowned in the river.
Samara is now forced to return to Hell in order to confront Lucinda and inform Lucifer about the existence of her son. Samara has no choice but to rely on Lucifer because her safety depends on revealing this dark secret. She encounters struggles in finding her son Sad, but it was also an opportunity for her to discover her real self and understands her powers.
The book's chapters take you to diverse settings and bring new casts of individuals, keeping you intrigued about what comes next. I only worried that I didn't understand the scenario while reading. One time it is describing it is in hell then the next paragraphs would describe the modern world. So I was confused, only to learn that this is the third series overall. I was more eager to read the earlier episodes as a result.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy and action. I give this a rating of 4 out of 4 because it exceeds my expectations. It has a lot of action scenes that gets me excited to read more."
