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Ringer’s Masquerade #1
Devil's Lullaby
Débuts Summer of 2012
Sebastian’s haunting gaze seemed to penetrate my very being revealing my secrets, fears, and desires. My name rolled off his tongue, tempting me to take exactly what I hungered for. His world was laced with agony and inconvenient truths, whereas mine was saturated with sweet, beautiful, carefree lies. Sebastian promised me nothing of a happy ending. The demonic spawn with an angelic voice could derail my only purpose for living, but still I hesitated to look away. My curiosity would certainly be my undoing–but then again, death was inevitable.
Life perceived by the soulless ones…
Created to die, Catherine’s fate never veers from the surgical death awaiting her next birthday. As a soulless spawn, she’s utterly obedient to all of the Ringer’s demands in hopes to fulfill her only purpose for existence–to be the perfect organ donor for her terminal progenitor. Although Catherine hasn’t ever met her progenitor, an unexplainable, impossible bond ties their lives together, forever.
Catherine waits patiently for death, until Sebastian gives her a taste of something more, something worth fighting for. When his uncontrollable, consuming passion can’t get any more dangerous, Sebastian reveals the Ringer’s most guarded secrets–secrets they’d kill to keep.
Sebastian’s haunting gaze seemed to penetrate my very being revealing my secrets, fears, and desires. My name rolled off his tongue, tempting me to take exactly what I hungered for. His world was laced with agony and inconvenient truths, whereas mine was saturated with sweet, beautiful, carefree lies. Sebastian promised me nothing of a happy ending. The demonic spawn with an angelic voice could derail my only purpose for living, but still I hesitated to look away. My curiosity would certainly be my undoing–but then again, death was inevitable.
Life perceived by the soulless ones…
Created to die, Catherine’s fate never veers from the surgical death awaiting her next birthday. As a soulless spawn, she’s utterly obedient to all of the Ringer’s demands in hopes to fulfill her only purpose for existence–to be the perfect organ donor for her terminal progenitor. Although Catherine hasn’t ever met her progenitor, an unexplainable, impossible bond ties their lives together, forever.
Catherine waits patiently for death, until Sebastian gives her a taste of something more, something worth fighting for. When his uncontrollable, consuming passion can’t get any more dangerous, Sebastian reveals the Ringer’s most guarded secrets–secrets they’d kill to keep.
- GenresDystopiaScience Fiction
ebook
First published June 1, 2012
4 people are currently reading
705 people want to read
About the author
Sarah J. Pepper
24 books434 followersAward Winning Author, Sarah J. Pepper, specializes in fantasy and paranormal romance. She unveils the beauty of love in her new adult/young adult novels. Her works envelope dark, paranormal romance - think "happy ever after" but with a twisted, dark chocolate center. Real-life romance isn't only filled with hugs, kisses, bunnies, and rainbows. True-love can be more thoroughly described in times of darkness and tribulation. It's in those harsh moments where you see what a person is truly capable of - both the good and bad. Sometimes prince-charming isn't always on time, and the glass slipper is a little snug. However, it doesn't mean Charming is not Mr. Right, and who says every shoe is the perfect fit? www.sarahjpepper.com
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 20, 2015
Some authors create colorful and exciting escapes into reading as they carefully paint each scene. Sarah Pepper is among those authors, but her unique talent lies in NEVER worrying about staying inside the lines! Welcome to a world that is as dystopian and dysfunctional as any with a brilliant twist to its plot! Devil’s Lullaby, the flagship book of her new series, Ringer’s Masquerade. Imagine being bred to die. Imagine being created scientifically as a clone to replace your wealthy, dying look alike. Would that make you a parts center for another? Could you accept it? Would you go willingly to your death or would the thought of having a real life cause you to break all of the rules for one chance to be truly alive?
A visit to Sarah Pepper’s active imagination would be a trip to a world filled with bold ideas, bold characters and unique storylines, kind of like getting lost in a magical playground where anything can happen and probably will. Rapidly paced, detailed to the max and filled with intrigue, secrets and “what-ifs” Sarah Pepper stands out as a writer to read, as you fall into her tales, hook, line and sinker! Follow Catherine and Sebastian as they barrel toward their end, while finding something special, something forbidden and something that feels like truly living!
I received this copy from Sarah Pepper in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Ringer's Masquerade - Book 1
Publication Date: July 28, 2015
Publisher: Neximus Publishing
Genre: NA Fantasy Romance
Print Length: 242 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
A visit to Sarah Pepper’s active imagination would be a trip to a world filled with bold ideas, bold characters and unique storylines, kind of like getting lost in a magical playground where anything can happen and probably will. Rapidly paced, detailed to the max and filled with intrigue, secrets and “what-ifs” Sarah Pepper stands out as a writer to read, as you fall into her tales, hook, line and sinker! Follow Catherine and Sebastian as they barrel toward their end, while finding something special, something forbidden and something that feels like truly living!
I received this copy from Sarah Pepper in exchange for my honest review.
Series: The Ringer's Masquerade - Book 1
Publication Date: July 28, 2015
Publisher: Neximus Publishing
Genre: NA Fantasy Romance
Print Length: 242 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 29, 2015
No Spoilers....This book is written in Catherine's POV, this is a part of a series and does end with a cliffhanger. However this is a nice long detailed book. The box set will be released in 2 days. I will be buying the box set because OMG this is a great beginning. As a reader I found myself falling in and out of love with some of the minor characters throughout this book multiple times. I could feel the pain of the characters and the confusion. What is the right answer, what are the right things to do, who deserves love, and who doesn't. I grew with Cat as a character, I felt her pain, her happiness, her curiosity, and her love. A mark of a truly gifted author. I truly enjoyed reading this. This is also a book that an older teenager can read and enjoy. The writing pulls you in and doesn't let you go until the last page is read (somewhere around 2 AM).
July 28, 2015
Devil’s Lullaby has absolutely hypnotized me! This book is so heartfelt and quite frankly, nothing like I have ever read before. I was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review and it certainly passed with flying colors. At the beginning of the story, Cat starts by explaining the world that she lives in and what information she knows. She was grown from a petri dish as a complete clone of the original Catherine. Her progenitor is the only one who she lives for. One day, she will give her life so that the real Catherine will have her second chance at life. Catherine is the one who waits for her just on the opposite side of those black doors which haunts her with nightmares during her sleep…that and those awful purple pills that her Ringers literally force her to swallow to keep her body from having poor health experiences. While she understands that she only has five years to live, her growth spurts are rapid and extensively self-altering within each year. Her mind also evolves along with her perception of the life that she yearns for, but knows that she can never have. James is the best thing that has ever happened to her and she savors her time with him while she knows that it is slightly breaking the rules. But, he is only a friend and will always be that way. When Sebastian starts to take an interest, she tries everything in her power to evade him and even calls him the devil, playing his music and singing his lullabies to lure her to him. He is the complete opposite of who she should be spending her time with, but his antics and his liveliness succeed in consuming her entirely. Cat quickly learns that those who were supposed to be holding her life in their hands, have secrets; however, she doesn’t understand whether they are to hurt her or protect her from the truth. Who can she trust and will the truth be too much for her to take? What will this mean for her life or her progenitor’s life if she fails to see between the lines?
My favorite characters are Cat, Sebastian and Jenny. I loved being able to walk through life and the learning process with Cat while she experienced everything that was new to her. I laughed at most of the names that she called everything; but, I was mostly intrigued with her paintings which captured her progenitor’s memories and her nightmares. She also began to paint what she felt when she was experiencing different emotions; those scenes were difficult for me to read because they were so emotional and choked me up. Sebastian’s love for music was inspirational. While Cat conveyed her soul with painting, Sebastian conveyed his with music. Jenny’s energy is exceptional. She brings everyone in the room together with her joy and her trusting nature. My least favorite character was James because his character always seemed full of false emotion and soulless.
Overall, I really loved this story because it made me truly feel so many emotions. I laughed at the simple things that we take for granted while the author explained descriptions from Cat’s point of view. I cried when her desires and dreams stole her mind away from her sole purpose of life. My heart even leapt at some of the experiences that Cat was able to have. Through loneliness, love, loss, friendship and pain, I compliment this story and the author with high praise and five stars, deserving of more. The creativity and complexity of the characters, situations and depth of life truly captivated me and literally blew my mind. I recommend Devil’s Lullaby to anyone who enjoys science fiction and young adult fiction. I look forward to reading the second book this series.
My favorite characters are Cat, Sebastian and Jenny. I loved being able to walk through life and the learning process with Cat while she experienced everything that was new to her. I laughed at most of the names that she called everything; but, I was mostly intrigued with her paintings which captured her progenitor’s memories and her nightmares. She also began to paint what she felt when she was experiencing different emotions; those scenes were difficult for me to read because they were so emotional and choked me up. Sebastian’s love for music was inspirational. While Cat conveyed her soul with painting, Sebastian conveyed his with music. Jenny’s energy is exceptional. She brings everyone in the room together with her joy and her trusting nature. My least favorite character was James because his character always seemed full of false emotion and soulless.
Overall, I really loved this story because it made me truly feel so many emotions. I laughed at the simple things that we take for granted while the author explained descriptions from Cat’s point of view. I cried when her desires and dreams stole her mind away from her sole purpose of life. My heart even leapt at some of the experiences that Cat was able to have. Through loneliness, love, loss, friendship and pain, I compliment this story and the author with high praise and five stars, deserving of more. The creativity and complexity of the characters, situations and depth of life truly captivated me and literally blew my mind. I recommend Devil’s Lullaby to anyone who enjoys science fiction and young adult fiction. I look forward to reading the second book this series.
February 9, 2013
Wow, I just finished Devil’s Lullaby (The Ringer’s Masquerade) by Sarah J. Pepper and it was absolutely positively brilliant. Literally the passion in this book erupted. I seriously needed some time to process everything before I wrote this review. The author has a way of engrossing the reader from the very first chapter. I am not kidding when I say… I could not put this down. I felt like I was in a constant battle with this book…Do I put you down? No, no I can’t right now. Hmm, after the next chapter yes I will put you down. Nope that didn't happen. So, I devoured this book in one sitting. It was fan-freaking-tastic! I have to give kudos to the author, because she truly knocked my socks off with this story. This is hands down one of my favorite paranormal romances thus far.
Could you imagine being created for the sole reason of saving yourself? Well not really yourself more like the real you. Am I confusing you yet? LOL, no worries the book will explain it all. This story is based on Spawn’s and Progenitors. Spawn’s are created for the sole existence of saving their Progenitor. Spawn’s are something similar to clones for the paranormal effect of the story. Think of the idea of living even if fate has sentenced you to death. Hmmm, after reading Devil’s Lullaby I almost wished I had a Spawn; someone who was able to guarantee my time here on Earth.
The characters and the plot were so well written in this book. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen….. BAM the author hit me with another twist and turn that kept me yearning for more. I would find myself giggling and crying all in the same chapter. Oh and Cat, I loved her….Yes, seriously loved her. She was so naïve yet so liberal. It was fascinating watching her grow into a young woman. Yet, it was gut retching living through her nightmares or were they her nightmares? Oh Sebastian the devil himself! **blushing** I found myself screaming at him more than once throughout the book. Boy oh boy that gorgeous Spawn sure did make my heart flutter with those tantalizing blue orbs that he possessed and his signature smirk. **sigh**
Seriously, if you love paranormal romance and truly want a great read this is the one for you. I cannot wait to finish this series. That’s right peeps it’s a series consisting of three books. The 2nd book in the series is called Death’s Melody and is already out and available for purchase. The third book in the series is releasing in late 2013. Happy reading peeps!
***5 STARS***
See the full review at www.SeductiveRomanceReviews.com
***The author offered a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review***
Could you imagine being created for the sole reason of saving yourself? Well not really yourself more like the real you. Am I confusing you yet? LOL, no worries the book will explain it all. This story is based on Spawn’s and Progenitors. Spawn’s are created for the sole existence of saving their Progenitor. Spawn’s are something similar to clones for the paranormal effect of the story. Think of the idea of living even if fate has sentenced you to death. Hmmm, after reading Devil’s Lullaby I almost wished I had a Spawn; someone who was able to guarantee my time here on Earth.
The characters and the plot were so well written in this book. Just when I thought I knew what was going to happen….. BAM the author hit me with another twist and turn that kept me yearning for more. I would find myself giggling and crying all in the same chapter. Oh and Cat, I loved her….Yes, seriously loved her. She was so naïve yet so liberal. It was fascinating watching her grow into a young woman. Yet, it was gut retching living through her nightmares or were they her nightmares? Oh Sebastian the devil himself! **blushing** I found myself screaming at him more than once throughout the book. Boy oh boy that gorgeous Spawn sure did make my heart flutter with those tantalizing blue orbs that he possessed and his signature smirk. **sigh**
Seriously, if you love paranormal romance and truly want a great read this is the one for you. I cannot wait to finish this series. That’s right peeps it’s a series consisting of three books. The 2nd book in the series is called Death’s Melody and is already out and available for purchase. The third book in the series is releasing in late 2013. Happy reading peeps!
***5 STARS***
See the full review at www.SeductiveRomanceReviews.com
***The author offered a copy of her book in exchange for an honest review***
July 23, 2013
I found this book at the suggestion of the author to read and review. As I started to read it I realized this was unlike books I typically read. We are in a hospital that grows spawns from a Petri dish. I mean seriously, they grow people in a hospital. crazy! These spawns are created to help the person they were created from live since their bodies can no longer allow them to function normally for whatever reason. These spawns are only Created for that reason alone. They are put through rigorous tests of strength and mentality to make sure their bodies are perfect for someone else. Their lives are not their own and with that are not expected to be around for more than a few years.
I was a little confused as to everything going on at first but as I followed Cat through her nightmares I learned as she did. Cats goal in life was to die for Catherine. This is all the spawns know and they do it willingly. Her body and all that is in it can help Catherine to live a life she no longer can in her body. Catherine was in a fire that left her with nothing. She was horribly disfigured and was in a coma for years which caused mental issues for Catherine as well. Cat dreamed of Catherine's life but at the time she didn't really understand that's what It was. Cat and Catherine are sisters in all intents and purposes. They share the same soul and see each other in their dreams. We learn this and much more just by living through Cat. she is naive, just like a child, and takes everything by its literal meaning. I loved that about her. She was feisty and funny and never gave up.
Reading this book of Cats short life was bittersweet. She meets Sebastian and Tian his progenitor and with Sebastian come feelings Cat never knew she could feel or was even allowed to feel. She was happy to be allowed her short time with him. To know there was more to this world than tests and torture.
I'm still kind of in a daze right now after reading this. Reading this made me need to know more of Cat and Catherine. Sarah pulled me into this harsh world she created and I couldn't get enough of it. So many times I fought back the tears that threatened to spill as I read about Cats love for Sebastian. How she couldn't form the words so she showed him in other ways.
Their world was cruel and short but it showed me at love can be found anywhere, family isn't just the people at are their by blood but are the ones that are bound to you, and at anything can happen even in the most heartbreaking of situations.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. I literally could not put it down. A tragic world with an ending you really have to read for yourself.
I was a little confused as to everything going on at first but as I followed Cat through her nightmares I learned as she did. Cats goal in life was to die for Catherine. This is all the spawns know and they do it willingly. Her body and all that is in it can help Catherine to live a life she no longer can in her body. Catherine was in a fire that left her with nothing. She was horribly disfigured and was in a coma for years which caused mental issues for Catherine as well. Cat dreamed of Catherine's life but at the time she didn't really understand that's what It was. Cat and Catherine are sisters in all intents and purposes. They share the same soul and see each other in their dreams. We learn this and much more just by living through Cat. she is naive, just like a child, and takes everything by its literal meaning. I loved that about her. She was feisty and funny and never gave up.
Reading this book of Cats short life was bittersweet. She meets Sebastian and Tian his progenitor and with Sebastian come feelings Cat never knew she could feel or was even allowed to feel. She was happy to be allowed her short time with him. To know there was more to this world than tests and torture.
I'm still kind of in a daze right now after reading this. Reading this made me need to know more of Cat and Catherine. Sarah pulled me into this harsh world she created and I couldn't get enough of it. So many times I fought back the tears that threatened to spill as I read about Cats love for Sebastian. How she couldn't form the words so she showed him in other ways.
Their world was cruel and short but it showed me at love can be found anywhere, family isn't just the people at are their by blood but are the ones that are bound to you, and at anything can happen even in the most heartbreaking of situations.
I truly enjoyed reading this book. I literally could not put it down. A tragic world with an ending you really have to read for yourself.
August 11, 2015
Let's be honest, everything Sarah Pepper writes is bloody brilliant. There's no stopping her. From fairytales and fantasy to dark romance and Devil's Lullaby, book one in Ringer's Masquerade, is very high up on her list of perfections.
The story started off, as all hers do, with a bang. We are given a great storyline and beautifully detailed world to dip into. Then we are hit with Pep's artful display of character building, as we meet the main cast. I fell for all her characters, in this book, even the ones I hated. They were all just done so well that I couldn't help but love them. They each had their own personalities, reactions, speaking trademarks and even items I would expect them to wear. When you get that close to a character you feel as though you truly know them and are completely a part of their world and their story. I felt this way from cover to cover.
I loved the story that was building throughout this book and how Pep was able to gracefully wind the highs and lows through each chapter. I felt so much. I felt everything the characters did. Everything. It was so much fun. After being highly engrossed in the story, I felt that Pep perfectly wound it down, but gave us loads to look forward to in the second book. She also created enough depth and interest to really make it a great series.
The pace was lovely. It was fast, slow and everything in between. I loved feeling as though I was sprinting through sections, reeling through the actions and emotion, then held like a top and given time to unwind, think and enjoy everything she had told me, as well as bask in the detail and depth she was about to give me.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Only one Problem.
It ended.
Now I am distraught and...oh wait. I'll just start book two. Sweet!!!!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
The story started off, as all hers do, with a bang. We are given a great storyline and beautifully detailed world to dip into. Then we are hit with Pep's artful display of character building, as we meet the main cast. I fell for all her characters, in this book, even the ones I hated. They were all just done so well that I couldn't help but love them. They each had their own personalities, reactions, speaking trademarks and even items I would expect them to wear. When you get that close to a character you feel as though you truly know them and are completely a part of their world and their story. I felt this way from cover to cover.
I loved the story that was building throughout this book and how Pep was able to gracefully wind the highs and lows through each chapter. I felt so much. I felt everything the characters did. Everything. It was so much fun. After being highly engrossed in the story, I felt that Pep perfectly wound it down, but gave us loads to look forward to in the second book. She also created enough depth and interest to really make it a great series.
The pace was lovely. It was fast, slow and everything in between. I loved feeling as though I was sprinting through sections, reeling through the actions and emotion, then held like a top and given time to unwind, think and enjoy everything she had told me, as well as bask in the detail and depth she was about to give me.
Absolutely gorgeous.
Only one Problem.
It ended.
Now I am distraught and...oh wait. I'll just start book two. Sweet!!!!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
February 18, 2013
This book is amazing! A little confusing in the beginning. I think the point of that is because we start out knowing as much as Cat does. But around chapter 6, I couldn't put the book down! You have so many feelings circling around this one character.
Sarah has created a world that absolutely terrifies me. Where people are made in petri dishes. The whole point of their life is to save someone else. Would I be okay with killing a child that looks just like the one I'm trying to save? As a parent, I completely understand. But to have the roles reversed, I'm not so sure. If I was a spawn would I really want to die to save someone I've never met? To go through the painful growth spurts, being poked and prodded everyday, knowing from day one you only have 5 years to live.
Catherine would do anything for her progenitor, as would any spawn. Until she finds something more to live for.
I just know you will get sucked into this life Sarah has created! I cannot wait to read book 2!
Sarah has created a world that absolutely terrifies me. Where people are made in petri dishes. The whole point of their life is to save someone else. Would I be okay with killing a child that looks just like the one I'm trying to save? As a parent, I completely understand. But to have the roles reversed, I'm not so sure. If I was a spawn would I really want to die to save someone I've never met? To go through the painful growth spurts, being poked and prodded everyday, knowing from day one you only have 5 years to live.
Catherine would do anything for her progenitor, as would any spawn. Until she finds something more to live for.
I just know you will get sucked into this life Sarah has created! I cannot wait to read book 2!
January 29, 2013
I love this book series. Sarah puts into the realm of science fiction a person's real life - the people in each one of our lives who love us, challenge us, dislike us, tolerate us, and hate us. While you may end up on an emotional roller coaster with each character, after you know their story, you understand them and where they are coming from -- maybe we should consider learning each person's story in our life and then our prospective and feelings may change.
Aside from all that -- Sarah writes sexual tension better than any author I have read and I just love the story.
Aside from all that -- Sarah writes sexual tension better than any author I have read and I just love the story.
August 2, 2015
I received this book for and honest review!
I lo ed this book, it was beautifully written.
, and had a great story line. This is the first of a trilogy and it is very detailed. I did t know what to think at first and the it sucked me in.
It is told in Catherine's poi t of view, we see everything the way she sees it and what she thinks about. She's got a certain innocence that is brilliantly portrayed!
This is a must read!!
I lo ed this book, it was beautifully written.
, and had a great story line. This is the first of a trilogy and it is very detailed. I did t know what to think at first and the it sucked me in.
It is told in Catherine's poi t of view, we see everything the way she sees it and what she thinks about. She's got a certain innocence that is brilliantly portrayed!
This is a must read!!
March 5, 2013
I loved this book! I had the privilege of talking to Sarah before I read her book.
And my gosh! outstanding job Sarah!
It is truely bittersweet romance story that will just cling to the person reading this novel. I didn't want to put it down!
I was entranced with the fluid writing , the intense detail as her words brought the book to life. A must read!
And my gosh! outstanding job Sarah!
It is truely bittersweet romance story that will just cling to the person reading this novel. I didn't want to put it down!
I was entranced with the fluid writing , the intense detail as her words brought the book to life. A must read!
July 30, 2015
This is a new must read series, makes u feel all emotions, i really loved the connections between the characters, and when Cat's heart was broken so was mine, I can't wait to see how this story continues, what a great start and the box set is now out. Highly recommended
I recieved an arc copy from the author in exchange for my honest review
I recieved an arc copy from the author in exchange for my honest review
August 1, 2015
I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review..
This was a very good read, well written, with a great storyline and strong characters..
I am looking forward to reading the next book, as I need to know what happens...
I love Sebastian and Cat..
In my opinion Sarah J Pepper has created a great story...
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it..
This was a very good read, well written, with a great storyline and strong characters..
I am looking forward to reading the next book, as I need to know what happens...
I love Sebastian and Cat..
In my opinion Sarah J Pepper has created a great story...
I thoroughly enjoyed reading it..
March 11, 2018
Umm... I honestly don't know what I just read. I was confused for most of the book. I guess it sticks to the premise that Cat is pretty much clueless about life since it was never taught to her so that's how the story played out since it was in her POV. It started making a bit more sense towards the end but not enough....
July 27, 2015
When I first came across Sarah's giveaway, she asked for a small request....honesty in a review. Well if anyone knows me, I love honesty and truth. As I sit here with sleep exhaustion, from pulling a serious all nighter. No JOKE!!. I unfortunately had to read this on my MAC. Its hates me, and laughs at me for not being smarter then it. I couldn't seem to load this on my iPad Kindle App. #techystrugglesarereal. I had to bunker down in my not so comfy chair and read.
Reading wasn't the hard part, within the first few sentences, I felt like I was the fish being caught in the vast ocean of book worlds- hooked and reeled in. I floundered with what kind of world Sarah was pulling me into. Hesitant to trust the characters because of the strange yet appealing pull you have with the narrators start. Spawn, progenitor, ringer, soul, soulless, pods, probes,.....these words were intriguing, I had the who, what, where and why's- circulating a battle into my brain. But I had to keep reading to find my answers.
Right off the bat Sarah won my heart in three stages-
(Art) I love what all means of art creates. With the paintings, to which helped and scared Cat when nightmares rigged her dreams, colourful meds that plagued each one of the spawns. Sarah used vibrancy in her words as she spoke about Cat's struggles and how Cat painted her fears, tears, and joys. But left you hanging as to where the story was going and what was the real purpose of Cat's paintings. Is there a purpose? ...I will leave that up to you if you haven't read this book.
(Eyes) hazel, greens, blues... I have a thing with eyes, they speak volumes with unspoken words. Sure enough Sarah's world did that exact thing. The eyes are the windows to ones soul. She forces you to acknowledge that even though the spawns are supposed to be soulless and only to have the great purpose of giving their Progenitor renewed life, with whatever they need from the spawns body.
She made you look into each characters eyes and find their soul... Did they even have one? What brought their soul to the surface of each one of the characters she created. As us readers, non readers and people you cross everyday we have eyes of different colors. With what I believe everyones eyes will either show you their soul, or show you their guarded soul... You still have to wonder... If I was created from science's petri dish would we be soulless or would my eyes show a soul?
So with that question I had to continue the journey.
(Music) Im not talented, but music has a way of calming me in real life, whether the genre is how my mood is that day it will calm my soul. So when Sebastian's talent was exposed and Cat's lack there of, of what a piano could do. I felt her interest and fear of this object. But the way she could see Sebastian color his world with notes of music, as she did with her painting, really pulled at my heart. Can soulless spawns create such beauty?
Could she trust Sebastian's mesmerizing ways or should she stick with James her best friend? Is there truth in family? what is family? Who's eyes told truth? You seriously go through this rollercoaster with Cat.
Again I had to keep reading.
The struggle was apparent for me as I'm a firm believer to follow my gut.
But how do I scream that to Cat? I can't and I couldn't. I had to wonder if Sarah was taking me through a maze of mirrors and I had made many wrong turns as who to trust. But as I let my eyes follow the story, my gut still rang strong, and no I didn't eat anything bad either. I was still the floundering fish being pulled to the end of this book. Family has many meanings, souls , spawns, pods, soulless all mean different things to me now that I have finished. I was so taken by this world, that my own world of night became early morning. I went to bed with a heavy heart that I was done, but reminded myself this story has not finished. So as I laid my body into the comfort of bed, my brain wheels turned at what could possibly be next.
I thank you Sarah J Pepper for the giveaway and this opportunity to be in your world. Though I did not give much away, except some tidbit words you may know, or have to google.
Just know that my view may be different from the next, each one of us left a piece of our soul in what we wrote. Five stars for Devil's Lullaby.
P.S. My youngest wanted to know what I was doing with all these words I was writing.. he was intrigued. At 6 he recognized some words, but asked what many were. I hope that Kingston will one day enjoy reading as much as I do.
Reading wasn't the hard part, within the first few sentences, I felt like I was the fish being caught in the vast ocean of book worlds- hooked and reeled in. I floundered with what kind of world Sarah was pulling me into. Hesitant to trust the characters because of the strange yet appealing pull you have with the narrators start. Spawn, progenitor, ringer, soul, soulless, pods, probes,.....these words were intriguing, I had the who, what, where and why's- circulating a battle into my brain. But I had to keep reading to find my answers.
Right off the bat Sarah won my heart in three stages-
(Art) I love what all means of art creates. With the paintings, to which helped and scared Cat when nightmares rigged her dreams, colourful meds that plagued each one of the spawns. Sarah used vibrancy in her words as she spoke about Cat's struggles and how Cat painted her fears, tears, and joys. But left you hanging as to where the story was going and what was the real purpose of Cat's paintings. Is there a purpose? ...I will leave that up to you if you haven't read this book.
(Eyes) hazel, greens, blues... I have a thing with eyes, they speak volumes with unspoken words. Sure enough Sarah's world did that exact thing. The eyes are the windows to ones soul. She forces you to acknowledge that even though the spawns are supposed to be soulless and only to have the great purpose of giving their Progenitor renewed life, with whatever they need from the spawns body.
She made you look into each characters eyes and find their soul... Did they even have one? What brought their soul to the surface of each one of the characters she created. As us readers, non readers and people you cross everyday we have eyes of different colors. With what I believe everyones eyes will either show you their soul, or show you their guarded soul... You still have to wonder... If I was created from science's petri dish would we be soulless or would my eyes show a soul?
So with that question I had to continue the journey.
(Music) Im not talented, but music has a way of calming me in real life, whether the genre is how my mood is that day it will calm my soul. So when Sebastian's talent was exposed and Cat's lack there of, of what a piano could do. I felt her interest and fear of this object. But the way she could see Sebastian color his world with notes of music, as she did with her painting, really pulled at my heart. Can soulless spawns create such beauty?
Could she trust Sebastian's mesmerizing ways or should she stick with James her best friend? Is there truth in family? what is family? Who's eyes told truth? You seriously go through this rollercoaster with Cat.
Again I had to keep reading.
The struggle was apparent for me as I'm a firm believer to follow my gut.
But how do I scream that to Cat? I can't and I couldn't. I had to wonder if Sarah was taking me through a maze of mirrors and I had made many wrong turns as who to trust. But as I let my eyes follow the story, my gut still rang strong, and no I didn't eat anything bad either. I was still the floundering fish being pulled to the end of this book. Family has many meanings, souls , spawns, pods, soulless all mean different things to me now that I have finished. I was so taken by this world, that my own world of night became early morning. I went to bed with a heavy heart that I was done, but reminded myself this story has not finished. So as I laid my body into the comfort of bed, my brain wheels turned at what could possibly be next.
I thank you Sarah J Pepper for the giveaway and this opportunity to be in your world. Though I did not give much away, except some tidbit words you may know, or have to google.
Just know that my view may be different from the next, each one of us left a piece of our soul in what we wrote. Five stars for Devil's Lullaby.
P.S. My youngest wanted to know what I was doing with all these words I was writing.. he was intrigued. At 6 he recognized some words, but asked what many were. I hope that Kingston will one day enjoy reading as much as I do.
July 31, 2015
This book has been on my TBR list for quite awhile, but I just read an eARC of it for an honest review.
Devil's Lullaby left me utterly speechless. This is definitely one of the most beautiful books I have read this year. Even the heartbreaking moments are full of intense love and beauty, showing acts of great courage and sacrifice.
The theme is one of a very controversial nature, but is treated in such a way as to keep the reader from focusing on controversy. Instead you are drawn into the lives of the characters, involved, through the flawlessly gorgeous language within. In addition, the dazzling concepts and imagery used are extremely powerful and leave an indelible mark upon the reader, even after the story has ended.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Though, I do suggest that you buy the boxed set, so that you can start in on the next book immediately.
Devil's Lullaby left me utterly speechless. This is definitely one of the most beautiful books I have read this year. Even the heartbreaking moments are full of intense love and beauty, showing acts of great courage and sacrifice.
The theme is one of a very controversial nature, but is treated in such a way as to keep the reader from focusing on controversy. Instead you are drawn into the lives of the characters, involved, through the flawlessly gorgeous language within. In addition, the dazzling concepts and imagery used are extremely powerful and leave an indelible mark upon the reader, even after the story has ended.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Though, I do suggest that you buy the boxed set, so that you can start in on the next book immediately.
July 30, 2015
Wow!!!! This book has been an amazing ride. My eyes would not close since they were wide-eyed!!! This author had a way to bring me in and keep me there. Oh my!!!! At first I was kind of confused about what was going on but once it clicked I was in AWE. My heart was beating hard in some chapters. I loved the innocence that is portrayed in this book by the main character, Catherine. I am totally excited and happy to have been able to have had been able to have been gifted the ARC for my honest review for this book. This book is like NO OTHER I have ever read. I am so excited that I want my husband to read it since I will be buying the series!!!! If there is a book that you need to read this year YOU MUST READ THIS ONE!!!! Thank you Sarah J. Pepper
October 24, 2014
I'm sorry, but I just couldn't continue reading this novel. I really tried especially after reading the synopsis which I found very intriguing, and all the five-star reviews. I got a third-way thru before I gave up. I understood the premise of the story, but there was just something about it that rubbed me the wrong way. Just not my cup of tea.
January 2, 2016
3.5-4
It took some time to get into this book. I felt things were kind of all over the place and a bit complicated to understand exactly what was going on, which I can assume was the intentional purpose. Towards the end I felt a bit more comfortable with the story, and look forward to continuing the series!
It took some time to get into this book. I felt things were kind of all over the place and a bit complicated to understand exactly what was going on, which I can assume was the intentional purpose. Towards the end I felt a bit more comfortable with the story, and look forward to continuing the series!
July 25, 2015
another amazing book written by Sarah j.Pepper! have to say it was not like anything I've ever read before but I was drawn in from the beginning. I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends!
November 10, 2015
This is an amazing book. The storyline is awesome.
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