Heritage

Vala #2

by Cloud S. Riser

Jewl Dite has always struggled with her heritage. Being the daughter of the goddess of love, she questions everything about the emotion. Which is a bummer because she's head over heels for Anj Willam, and thinks the feelings are mutual. It's hard to be sure though when she has magic that has been known to bewitch men into devoting themselves to her. Somehow they're able to strike a balance in their dysfunctional on-again, off-again relationship however.


This balance is disrupted when a strange boy named Teague enters her life and brings along with him a group of demons. Demons who want to make a deal with her in exchange for the safety of everyone she loves.


Now to protect those she holds most dear, Jewl must rely on the magic she's been trying so desperately to avoid. But at what cost? Will the boy she loves accept this dark secret, or will she lose him forever?

239 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 15, 2012

About the author

The Artist Formerly Known as J.F. Jenkins.

Yes, I've changed my pen name. If you're redirected here after looking up one of my old books, that's why. Rather than rebuild my profile here on Goodreads, I've simply decided to combine my books into one place.

Who am I?

I am Cloud S. Riser and I'm a storyteller. Step into my worlds. There is a little bit of everything. Romance, mystical creatures, bizarre new worlds, and great adventures.

Reviews

[Midu Hadi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this book for free, through Astaea Press, in exchange of an honest review.

What I liked:

the confusing relationship which Jewl & Anj had- you could never guess what they’d do to mess things up next.

Jewl & her insecurities made her feel more likeable while in the first book, she came off as bitchy.

Jewl’s sister is a character that I’d like to read about next- the way she flounces between thinking Jewl cares for her and then not was scary!

My favorites were Anj & Teague, of course.


What I didn’t like:

complete absence of adults- teacher or parents. The kids were free to do what they pleased and none of the characters felt the need to go to an adult when in trouble.

Jewl seemed to take her sister’s torture a bit too easily.

The world in these books need a bit more fleshing out.

Also reviewed at:
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[Jess(ToTheMoonAndBackReviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like J.F. Jenkin's first book of the series, the ending just kind of snuck up on me. Mind you it was not a dramatic cliff hanger that left me tearing my hair out in frustration but it was because I became so involved with the story and it became so addicting that when I came to the last page I had to blink a couple of times when I was forced back into reality.


I won't lie, I was a little disappointed that it didn't pick up with Zes and Chey and instead went into the direction of Jewel's story, but it was still a highly anticipated read that didn't disappoint. It took me a moment of thinking back to actually recall Jewell, she wasn't my favorite character in the series but it was refreshing to see what made the ice queen and heir to Aphrodite's legacy tick.


I felt a little bad for the girl, seeing all the thing's she had to go through and why she acts like she doesn't have any feeling's.


And there is a twist on the end which you will all love but alas I cannot reveal it for what fun would that be?

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

PDF free for honest review

I was a bit disappointed in this book. I guess at first when I saw it was a continuation of Vala: Agendas I was a bit excited to see where Cheyenne went next, but after getting into the book realized it was not from Cheyenne's view anymore, but Jewl's view. Not that Jewl was a bad character, but she was one I disliked in the first book, so was not thrilled to read from her point of view in this book. So, I guess you could say I started out on a bad foot with this book because of that. Like the first book, this one had slow moving parts of it, but unlike the first book, I didn't find it to ever really pick up to a point where I was on edge and just had to read more. All of this could also be because of my dislike of Jewl I suppose. I did muster on and pushed myself to read the book, but I feel as though I can't give a "glowing" review. The beginning was extremely slow moving and had nothing to keep me reading on in a "can't wait" fashion. Things did kind of start to happen later on, but it just was too late for me. Like I said, I did finish the book, so I guess that is something, but after doing so have no plans what-so-ever of reading any more in this series, sad to say. I think had the series continued from Cheyenne's view I would have been more into it perhaps, but who knows.

The author did a great job developing the characters and continuing to develop the characters from the first book, for the most part. I think my favorite part of the book was the characters. The plot was there, but seemed to drag on for me. I hate to give bad reviews, but this book just didn't do anything for me in the end, so I feel I must be honest about it. I don't know if it was the perspective it was told from, the plot, or just the book overall, but it just wasn't for me at all. Perhaps if you really liked the character of Jewl in the first book and wanted to learn more about her mysterious past and heritage this would be the book for you. I will say that, you do get a much better grasp on Jewl and what she is all about.

3/5 Stars, just wasn't for me.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts out from Jewl's point of view as we learn more about her, her family, and her on again/off again boyfriend, Anj. Jewl and Anj are stuck in a bad place where they both have secrets that they can't, or won't, reveal to each other. This makes a relationship hard and throughout the book there is tension between these characters.

Then Teague enters the picture. He's new to the school and while he is a teenager his mental state seems to be very child-like. He is afraid of the Dark and begins to stick to Jewl like glue. At first she thinks he is crazy but then she begins to see the Demons in the Dark as well. The more she tries to distance herself from Teague, the more she is drawn to him. There is something familiar about him but she can't put her finger on it.

Finally we have the storyline with Jewl and her power hungry aunt. Her aunt is out to ruin Jewl's dad and in the process Jewl herself. She threatens to hurt Sonnet, Jewl's sister, if Jewl won't comply with a trip to the Underworld. Knowing she has to go in order to spare Sonnet, Jewl in turn pushes Anj away even more in an attempt to save him from the dangers of the Underworld.

The book ends with Anj and Jewl finally spilling their secrets and Jewl taking her trip to the Underworld. There's a pretty big twist at the end and I can't wait to read the next one! I find these books easy to read and really enjoy the characters. They each have their own personality and stay true to their character.

I give this book 3 1/2 out of 5 stars.

[Juliette Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel, even though I was really hesitant going into it. I didn't like the character of Jewl at all in the last novel. I thought she was incredibly annoying. I knew this novel would change my mind about her a little bit though and it did to an extent. Read the rest of this review here: Paperbacks and Frosting

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

good second book. Review to come. 3.5

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was good but for me it ended a little blandly.