Worlds Burn Through

The Chronicles of Nowhere #1

by Vicki Keire

Chloe Burke has nightmares of a world burned to ash and the strange boy who saves them both.

Underneath the dreams lurks a deeply buried reality; Chloe and a handful of others are survivors of a decade old apocalypse that burned their home world to the ground.

Now their ancient enemies hunt them again. To keep their adopted world safe, Chloe must undergo a ritual of blood sacrifice that will have life-long consequences if she survives. Her lethal protector, Eliot Gray, must keep her alive long enough to do it.

Together they will uncover even more dangerous secrets buried in the past’s deepest, darkest ashes.

Genres: Fantasy, Fiction, Dystopia, Ebooks, Urban Fantasy, Novella, Young Adult

78 pages, ebook

First published January 19, 2012

About the author

Vicki Keire grew up in a 19th Century haunted house in the Deep South full of books, abandoned coal chutes, and plenty of places to get into trouble with her siblings. She holds degrees in English Literature with specialties in the 18th Century, Romanticism, and Postcolonial Theory. She spent the last decade teaching writing and literature at a large, football obsessed university while slipping paranormal fiction in between the pages of her textbooks.

When not reading and writing about all things paranormal, she indulges in her eclectic musical tastes, enjoys other people's cooking, keeps vampire hours, and adds to her massive stockpile of quirky t-shirts and blank but designer notebooks. She'd rather burn the laundry than fold it. She believes that when an author wins the Newberry, he or she gets a secret lifetime pass to Neverland. She still lives in the Deep South with her husband, two children, two dogs, and three cats, but is pretty sure her house isn't haunted. A person can't be so lucky twice.

Gifts of the Blood is the first of a trilogy set in the mythical town of Whitfield, where she has several other paranormal series planned. Whitfield is a compilation of all she loves about her upbringing with a sprinkling of the things she doesn't. She spends time there when stymied on other projects, but also because it's an interesting world in its own right. Even though she created it and the people who live there, it still has the power to surprise her. She hopes you enjoy it as much as she does. You can learn more about it and her other projects at:

Website: http://vickikeire.com/
Blog:http://vickikeire.blogspot.com/

Reviews

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read this one on BE.

Memo to My Future Self:

Dear Patri­cia,

you requested this on Net­Gal­ley because for some rea­sons (the cir­cle. It’s just the tree in a cir­cle with some­thing resem­bling a sky­line below) the cover reminded you of Diver­gent, and the title sounded cool, and in the end, you just thought “Hey, why not?”

A few days later you actu­ally also started read­ing it, which is some­thing you rarely do. Yes, you request books but it takes too long for the pub­lish­ers to approve you and by then you’re not in the mood any­more. (Cue jokes about ex-boyfriends) And despite the fact that you didn’t know that it was not a full novel, but more of a teas­ing novella, you can’t say you didn’t like it.

But wait! This book is one that could make New Adult hap­pen! HA! Extra points for pos­si­ble New Adult! (More about that in a future post. Beau­ti­ful Dis­as­ter and pos­si­bly even Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series are New Adult books! And we will make New Adult hap­pen, do you hear me?)

There was much poten­tial to be found here, but in your opin­ion, it would have needed bet­ter edit­ing: Some parts seemed very rushed, oth­ers too slow. Though, mostly it was too rushed. Espe­cially the “recov­ery” could have been por­trayed bet­ter. Because of the pac­ing, sev­eral things felt off, for exam­ple the Chloe’s rela­tion­ship to her mother. That is not to say that it was a bad novel, it just left you unsat­is­fied, mainly because really, the whole world­build­ing and plot slipped away, every­time you man­aged to grab them. (Does that make sense?)

Some­thing inter­est­ing is that this isn’t just nar­rated by Chloe and Eliot, but also their par­ents, whose rela­tion­ship seems to be less com­plex than it orig­i­nally seemed: Eliot’s father has some really bit­ter emo­tions about Chloe’s father. And yeah, you didn’t like it, because it seemed like the easy way out – Which means that the author has to be pretty bril­liant to make it work in the next installment!

*scratches head* Is there any­thing else? Hm. Because it was rushed, and short, there is not much you can say except for: Read the sequel if it’s not too expensive!

Sin­cerely,
hope you’re the world’s best cupcake-er and have already made New Adult happen,
Patri­cia

[Jennifer (Bad Bird Reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally on my blog: http://readingandwritingurbanfantasy....

The Good
The goose bumps that engulfed my arms refused to dissipate the first few pages of Worlds Burn Through. I was sucked in from the get-go and didn't put the book down until I turned the last page.

Chloe has lived a somewhat normal life, but after her father's death, things just wouldn't go back to normal. Chloe and her mother now have a strained relationship, which is about to get even more tense as Chloe is pulled into a world of weird. For reasons unknown to Chloe, these creatures called the Abandoned are out to kill her, and only her guardian Eliot Gray, the boy who haunts her dreams, can keep her alive. What the future holds for Chloe, no one knows, but it's not going to be pleasant, that's for sure.

I would almost classify this book as young adult if not for some language that I haven't seen in a young adult book yet (though I have not read a lot of YA in general). But the classification I got from the publisher's website says paranormal sci-fi. But it could easily fall into the urban fantasy category with a potential in paranormal romance.

Chloe as a character was pretty interesting. She has not been the same since her father died. She doesn't find enjoyment in the world like she use to. And after some horrible things happen to her (sexual assault and an attack from horrible fire creatures), she is finding it hard to accept the new reality she is forced to now live in. But she has an obvious potential for strength that I think will grow in future books.

I liked Eliot a lot. His strength, both physical and mental, was quite obvious from the beginning. His care for Chloe was very endearing, and I can't wait until it takes a turn towards the romantic. His combat skills were noteworthy and made for some exciting fight scenes. But it was actually Alexander who interested me the most. He was not a big part of the book, but his short appearance made a huge impact. His fight is also with the Abandoned but in a whole other way. The Abandoned are using his influential family as a means to getting Chloe. Alexander may not know it, but through his aversion to these things that parade as humans, his political and financial battle with them may just save Chloe's life. His snarky attitude fits perfectly with his aggressive/jokester demeanor. I can't wait to see what he has in store for the Abandoned.

This book focuses on multiple characters, which at first irritated me but then became both exciting and essential. As a reader, it was nice to know what was happening in other parts of the region while the Abandoned sank their claws into numerous victims.

I am looking forward to learning more about the dynamics of the world Keire has created. The little background we get from this book was a great appetizer for what I hope will be a hefty load of world building we will see in the next book.

Worlds Burn Through is full of suspense and amped up my adrenaline through good old fashioned anxiety. I truly did fear for the characters and often held my breath, waiting to see how they were going to get out of some pretty dismal situations. Keire's writing is both streamline and mesmerizing. I will for sure be looking out for other books by this wonderful author.

The Bad
Really, the only thing that annoyed me was how abruptly it ended. The book doesn't end, it just stops in the middle of the story. Kind of like a 'to be continued' sort of thing. I don't mind cliffhanger endings, but this sudden ending bothered me enough to knock off a star.

The Snuggly
Not too much romance in this book but there is a lot of hints that there will be in the next book. No sex except for a scary close call of a sexual assault.

Overall
I can't wait for the next book. Keire has created a thrill ride of action, adventure, with a hint of romance. Though I wish the book was longer, I still enjoyed reading every page. Chloe, Elliot, and Alexander are all multi-dimensional characters that make this story a great read. I think Keire might be a hidden gem in the writing world and has a bright future ahead of her. A highly recommended book.

Excerpt
“Chloe,” he whispered, and the room around them exploded into a ring of fire. There were shapes in the fire, of people who were wrong, who were stretched too thin and who undulated with the flames. Their hands were flattened and sharp with fingers and teeth like razors, and she knew they had to get out. There were no adults to save them now. She did not cry out as the boy dragged her out of her bed. His slim body blocked her from the flames, his hands a strange alchemy of object, motion, and light. He cut through blood-colored flames with a single flare of gold, with a strength and steadiness that did not match his age, and walked through them, past razor-sharp hands that reached for them. He brought her to a place thick with the smell of forest and river where her mother waited, catching her up in the smothering embrace frightened parents reserve for their children. As she looked over her mother’s shoulder, she saw, through what looked like an arched, open door, a world engulfed in flames. There were tears on her cheeks, and she didn’t know why, except that a world was burning, her world, and there was nothing she could do.

[Kait Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have a love/hate relationship with trilogies. I love the continuation of story. I really really REALLY hate having to wait to find out what happens. I really enjoyed this novella--it's so full of rich characters and worldbuilding that I was actually quite surprised to find that it WAS a novella. LOTS of story packed in a tiny space, lacking for nothing except a closer release date of the next installment. Worlds Burn Through is a must read for contemporary fantasy, urban fantasy, dark fantasy, and paranormal romance alike (though you're going to have to wait until the next installments for resolution on the romance part, I suspect). I fell in love with Keire's work with her Angel's Edge trilogy, and this shorter work did NOT disappoint.

[AH]

Kindle free download 3/14/12

[roe · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn’t realize that this would be a partial story. It is short which wasn’t the problem. The problem was that it had no conclusion. Like a serial novel, it just ends at the end of a chapter and we don’t have the rest of the editions. We meet all these characters, there is one group to at only has one scene and seems entirely out of the blue. The pacing and emotions were off due to lack of development. Some areas are too fast to feel anything, during an attack we don’t get the fear because it happens so fast. Some areas are super slow like why do we spend so much time in the cabin with no action and not even much exposition. Also, we see Eliot have like drastic emotions, like blinding anger but other than being told his uncle told him about the bond, we aren’t given the back history of the bond. Also, as a tiny sticking point, her recurring nightmare/dream was fine at first as I assumed it was like a prophecy dream, but then in context with the memory being from when she was six and he only slightly older, didn’t seem to match up in terms of children that age.

[Ian Caithness · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe Burke dreams of creatures who walk through fire and a strange boy who saves them both.
Her parents convinced her long ago that the dreams are the result of a childhood fever, but she can’t shake the feeling that some of it is real, most especially the boy.

Beneath the dreams lies a deeply buried reality: Chloe and her family are refugees from Annwyn, once a formidable techno-agrarian civilization now burned to ash. Years before, a handful of her world’s survivors escaped to present-day Earth after their world was razed by the Abandoned, powerful elemental creatures who burn through world after world in an endless cycle of consumption and destruction.

Using a combination of alien technology and indigenous elemental magic, the refugees sealed off their burning world from modern-day Earth by binding one of the Burke bloodline to the portal. To keep her safe, Chloe’s parents hide her as a normal teenager in Atlanta, with no knowledge of her true birth or purpose. But the Abandoned slowly infiltrate anyway, brutally murdering everyone who knows their ultimate goal: to reopen the portal and let more of their kind through.

Eliot Gray is a Guardian, the last member of a powerful warrior tradition, kept isolated from his adopted world by the uncle who trained him. Unknown to his blood-bound Ward except in dreams, he must convince her that not only is her life in danger, but to trust him as well. Enraged by her family’s lies and grieving over her losses, Chloe must face the truth about her origins as she becomes the Abandoned’s next target. Together they journey to Gray’s Landing, the tiny town sparsely populated by refugees from her world, in order to protect the portal hidden there.

But just across the river from Gray’s Landing is Raven’s Ward, an industrial wasteland of a town determined to expand no matter what the cost. When Alexander, troublesome heir to the vast Ravenwood fortune, returns home after getting kicked out of school, he finds that his power-hungry father has strange new business partners who are determined to make Gray’s Landing their own. Unsettled by the changes he sees in his family and home since their arrival, Alexander vows to do everything in his power to keep these bizarrely dangerous partners from growing stronger.

Can Chloe and Eliot keep their adopted world safe from annihilation, while Alexander fights the Abandoned in his own home? Will the secrets buried in the past’s deepest, darkest ashes destroy yet another world?

Curiosity Quills Press is beginning to develop a reputation for publishing exceptional science fiction and paranormal fiction. From The Zona by Nathan Yocum to The God Particle by Ron Kierkegaard, Jr., their portfolio of literature is ever expanding and Worlds Burn Through by Vicki Keire is no exception. Worlds Burn Through is an exceptional novel that blends the ever-growing genre of “paranormal (or supernatural) young adult” and “high fantasy”. Vicki Keire creates a novel that is superb in the world she has created with characters that are accessible to readers and a world that people can step into, believe in and imagine in their minds. That’s the core of an exceptional novel. What makes Worlds Burn Through is how fast-paced and readable it is. From beginning to end, it’s a raw, non-stop journey of discovery for Chloe Burke as she battles to save one world without knowing one is already on the brink of being list.

What comes as a surprise to readers is how short it is, given that it packs a punch. Two of the principle characters, Cass and Eliot, wield swords, guns and vehicles page after page, fighting creatures of fire and saving their Wards from something they don’t yet fully understand. It’s through the eyes of many characters from Chloe to Eliot, Miranda to Alexander that we begin to see where this series is heading. It has the beginnings of a great novel with enough cliff-hangers and open endings that readers will almost certainly want to read more. It’s a shame, really, that Vicki Keire decided to divide the novel into several parts, rather than create one major high fantasy novel that leaves readers feeling satisfied with their purchase.

It seems part of Curiosity Quills Press‘s strategy to have writers divide their novels into several shorter novels. There’s a sense in Worlds Burn Through that this novel could have been made all the more special if it was one full length novel that explores the background, the worlds, the characters in one grand and great tapestry. That’s what these novels need – the flow and freedom to explore the worlds that the authors create. Worlds Burn Through is defined as a “paranormal sci-fi” but it seems more fitting to call this a “paranormal fantasy” since science-fiction is more associated with futuristic or dystopic novels, rather than novels that are set in the present day.

Worlds Burn Through is an exceptional starting point for another promising writer from this publishing house, a novel that brings in everything we’ve come to expect from these types of writers – a thoroughly enjoyable, subtly dark and dangerously twisted in its creation. Part of what makes this novel create is that we are immediately thrown into the past, into the background and backdrop of a world destroyed by destruction, chaos and warring factions.

[Rianonne · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 stars

[Adele Threadgold · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Craving a quick taste of paranormal YA that’s not a fill-in-the-blanks story? Read on…



I thoroughly enjoyed Worlds Burn Through – Keire’s writing is easy to read, and the pages pass quickly. There is a lovely balance between dialogue and description, and the worldbuilding was handled with grace – just enough details at just the right times, without wandering into infodump wastelands. Those growing wearing of formulaic YA may be interested in learning that this isn’t a romance – no instalove or instalust here – but there are definitely some interesting character connections that hint something may develop further along in the series.

I really enjoyed the variety of characters, especially the mix ages – some of the characters are teens, some are adults – and the unique personalities. Given the short length of the novella, it’s difficult to get “attached” to any of them, but I suspect that might change over the course of the series. My only real gripe is that while the blurb indicates that Chloe is the main character, she spends a startling proportion of this story unconscious/out of touch with reality, so it’s actually her guardian Eliot, plus Chloe’s mother and HER guardian, who are the stars of the show. (I suspect if I were fifteen, I’d have NO issues with this what.so.ever. Eliot’s all big, lethal and sexy…plus he rides a motorcycle. As a YA Hero, he rocks.) I’m hopeful that as the series continues, Chloe will wake up and get proactive. (Or at least active.)

Speaking of the series continuing, let’s take a moment to talk about the length of this story. I enjoy short fiction, especially when I’m sampling new authors or genres, but I do get frustrated when a novella comes across as an incomplete story…and that unfortunately happened here. I expected there to be a lot of unresolved subplots at the end of the story, given that Worlds Burn Through is a) a novella and b) the first of a series and c) YA. That being said…I expected there to be at least one subplot resolved, or some decisive action taken by the heroine at the very least, and that just didn’t happen. Many questions were raised, many plots set into motion, many characters introduced, but at the end of the story, they were all still in play. This is the literary equivalent to a delicious meal without dessert – enjoyable, but ultimately not-quite-satisfying.

Summary: A fast-paced, engaging story that grabs your attention and doesn’t let go. Graceful worldbuilding and likeable characters combine for a series-starter that will leave you craving more.

There are more reviews like this on Dark Side of the Covers...

[Karissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a copy of this book to review through NetGalley(dot)com. It is a well written story but very short. The books ends literally with a "to be continued". Still it was an egaging enough read with an interesting, if not completely unique, premise.

Chloe has a reoccuring nightmare about fire all around her and the boy who saves her. A bad night of partying and a fight with her mother reveal the truth to Chloe, she is the only hope for a race whose only planet died in a fiery apocalypse. Now the old enemies of her people are here to hunt the rest of Chloe's race down. Right now all that stands between Chloe and her enemies is her Guardian, Eliot. Unfortunately Chloe remembers nothing of her past with Eliot.

This book was a fast paced and fun romp. The action is non-stop from the moment Chloe hits the party scene with one of her friends. I would recommend this only to older teens since there is an almost rape scene in here and girls are unknowingly drugged at the party. Anyway, Chloe is kind of a hard to like at the beginning of the story but her acceptance of the crazy situation surrounding her makes her more interesting. Chloe also has some interesting elemental magic powers. You are just starting to get to know her as the story ends.

The story is one that readers of this genre have read before. The last of a dying race has one hope, and that hope is Chloe, with their enemy becoming more aggressive Chloe's life is shattered by the need for her to take up her responsibilities to her race. Of course there is the extremely hot Eliot who is her destined Guardian. He ends up helping her recover from a horrible attack when they are separated from the others. Eliot's care for Chloe makes him lovable and his frustration at the fact that Chloe can't remember their past together adds some interesting depth to his character.

Chloe is a bit of a victim this whole novel and that bothered me a bit. I hope in the next installment she steps it up and really starts to take action on her own rather than hiding behind Eliot.

Overall this was a fun read. There is an interesting world being built here, the writing is well done, and the characters are easy to relate to. There is just a hint of romance, a lot of action, and lots of world-building. Definitely for older teens only because of language and a sexual assault scene (although nothing ends up happening). I have two complaints: this is super short and nothing more than an intro to the story and Chloe plays a victim throughout the whole story. Not sure if I will read the next one or not; it was enjoyable but nothing outstanding.

[Diayll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally Reviewed at:Mother/Gamer/Writer
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 Controllers
Review Source: NetGalley
Reviewer: Heather



Worlds Burn Through is a really good intro for what I hope will be an exciting series: The Chronicles of Nowhere. The story gives you just enough to suck you into an enticing world, where the total destruction of our human world is nigh. A world where one girl who has lost her memory is all that stands between it.



We are quickly introduced to our main heroine, Chloe, though she has no idea what she is. There is also introduction of her guardian, the young man who plagues her dreams filled with fire. Eliot had been protecting her from the destructive forces who seek to kill her before she can bind herself and save them all – including the unknowingly human race.



But the main problem is Chloe doesn’t remember. She has no memories of the first time they fought the Abandoned – fiery creatures set on greed and destruction. Her parents, seeking to give her a normal life, had decided that it would be best for her not to remember, or to even know her past. This plan works out wonderfully until Chloe’s father, Arran, is murdered.



Now that’s all I’m going to give you folks. So if you want to know if Chloe succeeds, or if Eliot fails his ward, you’ll have to nab yourself a copy to read the more in-depth plot lines, action and extreme conflict.



For me this story was a major tease, and it does leave you hanging BIG time. I know some may not enjoy stories that just chop you off, but I relish in them. I can’t wait to see what happens next, and though it generally kills me to wait, I find I enjoy the suspense. I recommend this to young adults, although I’ll disclose that there is a cuss word or two in the book. I also feel that older teens, college aged, and adults who love fantasy can enjoy this story too.



I think it’s also best to point out that this is a novella – 78 pages. So it should make for a rather quick read, and this is why it works as a cliffhanger. But don’t let the size fool you. Worlds Burn Through is an adventure; an action packed novella that is sure to please.

[Tracy Cembor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awakening from a nightmare of a world on fire, Chloe Burke discovers she is not an ordinary teenager nor is the nightmare only in her imagination. Her life quickly changes, and Chloe finds herself on the run with Eliot Gray, a boy she does not know but who seems to know a lot about her. The action is non-stop, and the stakes are high for Chloe, her family, and the world they live in. If she cannot find a way to thwart an ancient enemy, everything Chloe loves will burn.

Vicki Keiri's detailed characters are what make Worlds Burn Through such a riveting read. Even her secondary characters feel like people you know, and her main character Chloe is a fantastic heroine. Where so many teenage characters exist on the extremes of wimpiness and passiveness, or at the other extreme of improbable coolness in the face of Armageddon, Chloe reacts to her new situation in a way that is refreshing and believable.

Especially in books are marketed as young adult, I believe it is important to have characters with a hint of reality in them. What we read, along with what we watch, does color our perspectives, so we should uphold heroines who are either good role models or from whom we can learn.

For example, Twilight's Bella is a wuss; we don't want our next generation of women believing that her inaction would really achieve anything. The story just happens to her, and she's just lucky that some guys thought she was cute. Another example is Scarlett O'Hara; she is not a good person, but the audience can learn a lot from her mistakes. Little Women is a classic young adult book I would recommend everyone read. The characters have their faults, but they also learn and grow and face their challenges. If you don't believe that the characters we read become our heroes, just ask the guys reading comic books how many of them want to be Batman.

Back to Worlds Burn Through, the story roars from the beginning and doesn't let off the gas. It moves very fast from scene to scene. My only wish would be to have more time with the characters, especially the secondary cast. The book is on the short side, which makes it a great weekend read.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Though this book was a novella, it was action packed. Filled with a good plot and great characters, I could not put it down. I started to read the second part as soon as I was done the first because I just couldn't let the story go. We have a strong alpha male MC named Eliot *swoon* and Chloe who is a stubborn, determined girl, who I have a feeling will turn out to be a powerhouse later on.

Chloe is dealing with the loss of her Father and strange dreams of a boy and a world of fire. Little does she know what is about to be thrown at her. Creatures of fire that can burn most anything with a single touch. And their new target just happens to be Chloe. Eliot is her Guardian, the boy she happens to be dreaming about, sent to protect her from these fiends. He will do anything and everything it takes to keep her safe. Everyone she loves is in danger, including this arrogant male by her side. Eliot has to keep Chloe alive long enough to fulfill her destiny, no matter the cost to him. Will he be able to get Chloe to Gray's Landing, or will he fail, losing everything that matters to him?

We get more than one PoV in these books. I loved how Ms.Keire wrote side stories so we can see what is happening to other characters affected by the creatures after Chloe. There are 2 side stories, one being Cassius (Eliot's Uncle) and Miranda (Chloe's Mom) and the other being Alex Ravenwood (the Burke's rival's). I loved knowing what was going on "mean while" with other people, because it did affect more than just Chloe and Eliot. It is a definite well rounded story with all its views and angles in place. The fight scenes are just amazing. I was in awe of the sword swinging poetry!

I loved this book, though I would of liked it to be a little longer. I recomend this series to anyone, it has something for everyone. Romance, mystery, and epic battles, all in one nice little bag! A true page turner! I can't wait until the next installment to the series.

[Stacy Sabala · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review- Worlds Burn Through by Vicki Keire

In book one of The Chronicles of Nowhere, Chloe Burke just lost her father and she is extremely angry at her mother, Miranda. Chloe basically refuses to do what her mother tells her. She also has these strange dreams of fire and a dark haired boy. These shocking dreams add to her anger.
One night she is determined to go out with her friends instead of stay home with her mother. The date starts out normal but goes downhill fast. Her date decides to drug her and try to force things on her. Even stranger things start occur. As she is fighting off her date the wind picks up and breaks the window cutting him. Then the door busts open and a dark haired man enters the room.
His name is Eliot Gray and he is her guardian. He is there to save her and take her to a safe place. She doesn’t know who she really is or that her life is in danger. The Abandoned are after her and they attempt to kill her in the alley but Eliot is there to save her. He takes her into hiding while his uncle protects her mother Miranda.
This story is an interesting one. Miranda and Chloe have been in hiding for most of Chloe’s life. She has no clue who she really is. Of course the Abandoned find her and come after her. Eliot is her bonded guardian but she has no memory of him. There is a lot going on as this story begins. The author keeps things moving pretty well. The only part that annoys me is Chloe’s attitude. She is a brat. I realize she has had a devastating loss and her life is in danger but her anger and hate toward her mother is beyond ridiculous.
It will be interesting to see if she changes. I really hope so. I can’t enjoy a story if I don’t like the characters. So far however I’m cutting her some slack. She has had a bad week. I can’t wait to read what happens next as I really like the story as it evolves. I give it a 4 out of 5.

[Ning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read my original review here:
http://readingbykindlefire.blogspot.c...


When I saw the cover for this one, I knew I had to read it. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and the blurb sounds just like my kind of thing. However, this book, while OK, did not live up to my expectations.

Let’s start with what I liked about it. It’s pretty fast-paced and there’s a lot of mystery going on with the background story. I thought the idea of the Abandoned and the fire was pretty neat (I’m into anything that related to magic of some kind). The author had a way with feelings that I related to Chloe’s fear and confusion easily as well as Eliot’s anger and frustration. Also, I love the third person POV. Too many YA these days have only first person POV. I love to read the story from someone else’s POV to find out the entire story. This just can’t happen with 1st person POV.

However, this book was just too short to feel complete. Nothing was explained. I feel like the blurb had more information than what was explained in the book. And no secret was uncovered because we were just left hanging at the end. There is a second book, but they should probably be made into one just because this one didn’t have any information. It’s like reading half of a complete book.

Lastly, it really bothered me that the women did nothing. The guys did the protection while the women were the protected. The women are always scared and confused and helpless. I know it’s going to get better later (otherwise what’s the point right?), but currently I just don’t really like the girls.

In the end, while I liked this book, it didn’t fulfill its potential because of its length. I do want to read the 2nd one to find out what happens and see if it’s going to be any better.

[Kristin (Blood,Sweat and Books) · Rating 4 out of 5]

First off lets get the technicalities out of the way. I was given this book to review through Netgalley. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any way for them.


That being said here is my review:

Chloe has lived a fairly normal life. Like any other normal teenage girl who is straddling the line between adolescence and adulthood Chloe is rebelling against her mother after her fathers death a few months prior. That all changes on the night of her Birthday. Suddenly thrust into the world of her nightmares and chased by creatures called the abandoned, Chloe must forget everything she has ever known and rely on the boy from her dreams to see her to safety.

This book is much shorter then I thought it would be but that didn't seem to matter. I was sucked into the book from the very first page. The story itself isn't unique. It's your standard dying race with only one hope for salvation kinda story. I'm sure it might even follow the same premise as dozens before but it wouldn't matter,I would still read this book. I liked the characters and want to learn more about the world they came from and why exactly Chloe was kept in the dark all these years about her true identity. I want to know what happened between Chloes mother Miranda and her Guardian Cass and why things seem so strained between them. Guess I will just have to read more to figure it out.

Overall I really did enjoy this short little Novella. It has a promising start and I do look forward to more in the future. I am rating it 4

[Soo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtesy of NetGalley

Minor Rant:

It's a teaser! Evil, evil teaser! Where's the next one?

End Rant.

Chloe Burke has dreamed a nightmare of fire and intense fire-hazel eyes as long as she can remember. But the nightmare is old news and her world is colored by her father's death. It's already been two months, but it hasn't been long enough to ease the pain. She tries to avoid fighting with her Mom, fills her day with activities to occupy her mind, and wants to go home & end the date from hell. Instead, Chloe's world becomes a clash of fire and darkness as everything she knows gets turned inside out.

The story caught my interest from page one. The writing is a little heavy handed at the beginning but I shrug that off because events unfold quickly as characters are introduced. Right away, I knew I was going to want more and eleven chapters wasn't going to cut it.

Now I'm done and I have to say that I hope the next part to the story will be released soon. The story takes place here on Earth but snippets of another one is glimpsed through the characters. In a short time, I find myself intrigued & liking the main characters, and squinting my eye at the Abandoned. Vicki Keire, I'm glad to have read your story & look forward to more.

[Megan · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received this as an ebook from NetGalley.

First of all, I wasn't expecting it to be so short. There was literally a To Be Continued at the end of the "novella," which is so not done in literature today. If you're going to TBC the ending to such a short book, then just write the whole book. I'm curious to find out how it ends, but I have a feeling that the heroine will save the day along with her guardian and all will be peachy keen. Maybe a few people will die. I'm not curious enough to pay anything for it, and I probably wouldn't search it out.

The characters bothered me because the women did nothing but let the men protect them. They did nothing for themselves, they refused to act for themselves, and whenever they were asked to act they just sat there frightened. The men did all the fighting, coming out bloodied and masculine, while the women cowered or fainted or almost died. The men then carried them to safety and took care of them while they recovered. Guess being the key to saving the world means you're helpless.

The relationships between the guardians and their wards is not explained or really even delved into except for some allusions to having "feelings" for them. There is no character development at all, and that was a disappointment considering this is supposed to make you want to read the next part.

[Isra Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worlds Burn Through was a wonderful little novella about a girl named Chloe and how her life is changing after the death of her father, in mysterious ways of course.

I have to admit that I enjoyed reading Worlds Burn Through more than I thought I would. When I received the ARC from NetGalley, I thought that the premise sounded interesting but would just be one of those books that you enjoy but don't consider continuing with the series. Reading it proved to me that that wasn't the case at all.

Even if you end up reading the book and decide that you aren't a huge fan of it, there's no way that you can deny that Vicki Keire doesn't have a way with words. The way she writes is inspirational and while I was reading it, I could imagine everything so vividly thanks to the description and beautiful wording.

While I'm not sure I'll continue on to read the rest of the series (too many books, not enough time), I do know that I really did enjoy what I did read of it. I hope that whoever picks up a copy of it discovers the wonders of Worlds Burn Through the way that I did, and even if they don't, I hope that they find themselves submersed in the vivid imagery of Vicki Keire's writing.

[Stacey Conrad · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tags-series, paranormal romance, NetGally ARC, fire, novella

Chloe thinks she is an ordinary girl. She’s not-she’s the last of her kind; the only one who can stop the abandoned from burning this world like they did other worlds before. Eliot is her guardian; he’s been removed from her memory along with the knowledge of who she is and what she needs to do.

Pros- This short novella caught my attention with great imagery and a slightly different twist on the “poor me, I’m an ordinary girl” tale. The action starts right away. Chloe is dropped into a quite plausible, dangerous situation and she needs rescuing.

Cons- I would have liked more backstory; maybe it will come later. Is there going to be a love triangle? We meet a second guy-he seems okay. There is another possible romance between Mom and her guardian. This feels like it could be its own stand-alone story; maybe it’s a spin-off.
Overall- I enjoyed this series starter. I think it could be one whole book rather than three short novellas. Its only $1.99 on Kindle-worth the money. I have another book by this author-guess I will read it!

[Kate Copeseeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keire, we need to have words! How DARE YOU write a story that is so freaking fantastic I couldn't put it down. And HOW DARE YOU make it short enough that I can swallow it up in one reader gulp. And HOW DARE YOU not make a book this good 500 pages long.

Because all I can do right now is whine... "I want MOOORRREEE!" like my three year old when I give him ice cream. And luckily I have the second book to satiate my great hunger, but I don't know what I'm going to do when that one is finished and I have nothing left... and I would probably, like a druggie, sell my clothes and my electronics and whatever else (anyone want a teething baby??) to read the third one.

So, despite my irritation with you, I guess I will just have to say that your writing gets better and better. I can't wait to read the next one. And HOLY CRAP, what you will be writing 5 years from now will probably blow my mind.

[Christina Boulard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worlds Burn Through is a really great little novel. I say 'little' because it's short. VERY short. TOO short!
Vicki Keire had a wonderful way with words. Her descriptions are so vivid and they make this book really come to life.
The characters are written beautifully, and I can guarantee that most teen girls (ahem, and some 'older' girls!) who read this book will fall in love with Eliot pretty much as soon as he's introduced.

The only issue I have is, as I mentioned above, it's much too short. Yes, it's only book one of a trilogy, but it seems to me that the next two books will have to be much longer to fit everything in!
It's a great teaser book that will leave you wanting more.

This book will be a hit with older teens--And I should warn you, this IS a book for older teens, I'd say 16+. There is some language (the F-bomb is dropped a few times), so don't buy this for the littler ones.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm definitely looking forward to the next two!

[manda-rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Let me start off by saying that this book is a very short story. And it has the potential to draw you in immediately. There's paranormal, action, and definitely a lot of mystery. But what did it lack? Well, honestly nothing was explained. You only saw glimmers of possibilities. But there was never a whole picture to look at.

Chloe is your average teenager who just lost her dad and is rebelling against her mom. Only we find out she's not really average. According to my slim knowledge, she's possibly an alien from a destroyed planet. And now she's being hunted by some fiery-looking dudes. But she has Eliot to protect her and keep her safe.

Honestly, I was drawn in from the moment the book started. But nothing was ever explained. I'm going to go out on a limb and say that you need to read the second one with the first as if they were one book. Hopefully things will be explained in the second book. I am planning on reading it, so I'll let you know if it gets better...

[Jessie Verino · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really not sure how to rate this novella. The writing was crisp and full of action. Chloe is a great character and very believable. Her mother, not so much. Daniel as her counterpart also appears well developed. The story premise of guardians, almost as a race themselves, is interesting, but we don't find out much about them, or why there are families of guardians and families being guarded. Yes, the Abandoned have burnt their home world and are working their way to Earth, but it felt as if this symbiotic relationship between guardian and guarded has been an ages old way of life.

The story is well written and the plot complex. The problem I had was the "to be continued" at the end. According to the blurb, this is "the first instalment in the paranormal novella trilogy." I expected a complete, stand-alone story, and it isn't.

That being said, I'd like to read the entire story. When the third installment comes out, I'll probably buy the second & third.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars! A very short, action-packed start to a new series by Vicki Keire. This is my first read by this author, and I am eager to dive into the next installment!

This is one of those reviews where I hesitate to say too much, as it was really short. Therefore, easy to give away spoilers. Yet, there was so much folded into the short format. The characters that were introduced were solid. Chloe was a typical teenager thrown into a rough situation. Eliot, her guardian, was just a fantastic character to meet. I love the whole Guardian/Ward relationship, that was very well fleshed out.

Between the Abandoned and the Guardians, this little package packs quite the punch! Chloe and Eliot must survive!

This story does not end at all, I must warn you. It is expected to pick up immediately in the next installment.

[Traci · Rating 3 out of 5]

This really isn't a bad book, but it's more of a short story than anything. The story is set up to be a bit confusing. I'm sure this is the author's choice but for one, I'm finding it really hard to really, really like the story. We're left in the dark about so much, but then again, so is the main character Chloe. She too is in the dark for most of the story.

The reader is learning right along with Chloe about the things in her life that she doesn't quite understand. I would like to know more about her mother and father; we know some about her father but not much. We know some things about her mother as well, but still, we don't know much.

There is a preview of the next book at the end if you must know more. I however did not keep reading. I'd like to get the next one to read the entire thing instead of just a snippet of information.

[Daniel Tribble · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as an eARC and really enjoyed it. There was a lot of action, interesting twists, and Ms. Keire's trademark complex cast of characters. I really liked the new world she created. This novella introduced a universe that is every bit as detailed as her Whitfield novels, but somehow seems bigger- the stakes are higher, and these may be her most interesting villains yet. I can't wait to see what happens.

[Specialk · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book confused me. I like the premise, as it seemed to be an interesting hybird of science fiction and fantasy. However, the book was brief, and cut off at an extremely strange place. It wasn't just a cliff-hanger, it was a world-hanger. You had barely learned the characters names and the book was finished.

I'll give book 2 a chance. But if it doesn't move the story forward, I fear I'll lose interest quickly, no matter how fast a read it is.

[Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I fell in love with the group of characters from the get go. I really enjoyed the action and how everything really moved. I read from start to finish on my iPhone in the woods while camping. Yes, it's that good. I was committed to a great story..what can I say! Afterwards, I sat for awhile and really thought about Eliot and Cass. I seriously LOVED every minute and cannot wait to read more. Bravo!

[Julie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Total surprise with this one. It sounded good through the synopsis but I wasn't really expecting it to be that good. I was WRONG! It was great. I'm getting the second book now so that I can keep reading about these wonderful characters. I'm also planning on trying out more of the authors stuff. Her writing style is totally my speed and I love the development she gives the characters without seeming to spend a lot of time on them. Totally awesome book!