Familiar: Everheart Dean Series Book 2

by Abby Kingston

Spellbinding . Mysterious. Dark. Countless lifetimes. Locked in a war with the Devil. And the fate of the world is the prize. Everheart Dean can live with being hunted. She can live with death hanging over her head every day. But there’s one thing she can’t live Sam Archer, the boy who has loved her for eons. Seven months have passed since Everheart discovered the horrifying truth—Lucifer’s forces are seeking her soul, and Sam and his five companions are the only ones who stand in their way. Sam will do anything to keep Everheart out of Hell’s reach. All he wants for her is a happy, normal life. But normal is easier said than done. Lucifer still haunts her dreams. Memories of a past life leave her shaken and full of questions. And a ghost with a secret has moved into her room. When Everheart’s meddling best friend, Sarah, comes to stay, events spiral out of control. Everheart’s love for Sam is put to the test as the truth behind the secrets he still keeps begins to emerge and she is faced with the toughest decision of her life—hold on to the ones she loves or face her destiny and risk everything… Enthralling and compelling, FAMILIAR is the second instalment in the Everheart Dean Series, a young adult paranormal fantasy ideal for lovers of the Twilight Saga and the Fallen Series.

404 pages, Paperback

Published November 19, 2022

Reviews

[Lady Readalot · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you could live your life many times over, would you want to remember each life, or not at all❓

In Luminous (Book 1 - Everheart Dean Series) we meet Evie a shy, young woman plagued by nightmares. She moves to Turquoise Cove with her Father but soon after, strange things start to happen. Who are the mysterious men she encounters everyday? Why does Evie feel like she’s met Sam before? Evie’s character arc goes through huge changes as realisations are made- her life isn’t what she thought it was.

Book 2 sees a change of setting as Evie, her Father, Sam and her Familiars move to Heronstone Island- to live under the radar. The beautiful setting however, belies a community on a knife’s edge. Tension grows with the arrival of Sarah, Evie’s best friend, whose natural curiosity quickly gets her and Evie in trouble. Sarah stirs a hornets nest and creates unwanted attention. It’s not long before Evie and her Familiars become targeted. Will the dark forces that pursue Evie finally claim her?

I’m loving how this series is progressing- Evie is maturing into her own power. There are many blocks to her growth creating frustration. Ultimately Evie must jump these hurdles to understand her own strength and find herself. There is a genuineness about this character which draws the reader in.

The last third of this book was incredible, fast paced, action packed, characters and love tested - I was absorbed and invested. The depth of devotion between Evie, and her Familiars was moving.

Read If you love tales with:
Good versus evil
Found family
Love through the eons
Interesting variety of characters
Religious mythology
Battles and angst


ARC provided - thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jess (fromthebookshelfofdreams) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow did Abby bring her all with this book.

There is so much at stake for Evie and her guys – things are tense. There is this constant feeling of being on edge as you read, knowing that things are about to blow up for Evie. And as always, when things go pear shaped she brings her all and handles it like an absolute powerhouse. Her character development throughout this book was phenomenal. So much growth and reflection on her past and she becomes even stronger than before.

I absolutely love the world and characters Abby has created. If you enjoy…
- high stakes
- epic fantasy
- paranormal creatures
- angels
- demons
- curses
- powerful FMC
- witty banter
- swoonworthy romance
- ‘touch her and I’ll k-ll you’ vibes

I definitely recommend picking this one up!

[Jeana Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of twists and turns in all the good ways! Evie and her demon protectors are all such likable characters. I truly love everyone…even the mysterious Ram.

The introduction of her nosey friend, Sarah, was not something I was expecting at all. I actually feel like she added so much depth to the storyline though. Cameron was equally as annoying as Sarah but again, he was needed for the storyline.

I liked the fact that when you truly feel like you have everything figured out and you get comfortable with the plot…BOOM, literal PLOT TWIST! I liked the fact that the storyline did change very often but was never confusing or muddled.

I also enjoyed the introduction of the fight and it did remind me a lot of the Twilight field scene, it was not viewed to me as a negative for me because it did help the plot move forward and explained details of character hierarchy.

This book was mysterious, heavy and encompassing yet so entertaining, I’m excited for Book THREE—if Sam and Evie don’t finally finish what they started I just may cry. 🤭

[Mirella Ivanova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please note: I have read the ARC copy. However, all the opinions and views are my own as any other review I make.

Very slight spoilers, please beware.

Rating 5🌟
Plot twist: 5🌟

Abby Kingston has done it again!!!! I am so impossibly in love with both of the books and they are honestly my favourite ARC books I've ever read!

They say that the second book is never as good as the first, well.. wrong!!! The second book does not disappoint and just as I thought the storyline can't get any better, it actually did!

I loved the character development of Evie, we seen her grow from this powerless soft girl, almost drowning in the most stupid way lol to a strong, independent, warrior woman that knows what she wants and how to take it.... and we stan that!!! 💗

What I probably love the most about this duet is the world building, most fantasy books are set in dark, gloomy places whereas these book just reek of sunshine and I can almost smell the ocean whilst reading some of the scenes! 🌊 🦭 Sunshiny fantasy world books are ones I didn't know I need in my life!

Between reading the first book and the second, I found myself thinking about the books and any book that makes me think twice after I've read it, it's an epic all time favourite in my records!

This duet has so many thropes I like, combined in such unique and artistic way.. the plot twists are exactly where you don't expect them and the author's writing style is probably one of my favourite I've read. ♥

Hats off to my dear Abby!

Silly old me... I think the moment I knew these books have my heart is when we found out that the main character can (and often do) talk to her cat 🐈 and the cat talks back... as a crazy cat momma, the author got me right there and then!!! 😂🙆‍♀️

I admire the self control Evie must have to be able to compose herself and act normal around so many sexy, cute boys that worship the ground she walks on! 🙆‍♀️ It doesn't hurt that they are also demons and have magic abilities, and fluff ton of money to spend on her! 😂 Can I please teleport to that reality? Thanks 🎉 🤣

I am praying to all the entities out there for book 3, I'm just not ready to say goodbye to this story! 😩🙌

Without spoiling much of the book, I want to say that if you love mythical legends, curses, angels and demons, high action fantasy books, you should definitely get both of these books!

I'll be re-reading them, thats a 100%, I also need the physical copies in my life and Christmas and my birthday are just around the corner so.. *cough cough* *adds to basket*

P.S. I will voluntarily pay extra netflix monthly subscription fees if they make these into movie series.. just saying 😂

[KimMacs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness Abby Kingston!!!! What are you doing to me? If you haven't read the first book, Luminous, you are missing out! I have finished the 2nd book in the Everheart Dean Series, and I need more now!!!!

Familiar is a continuation of Evie and Sam's story who we first met in Luminous. This books takes place about 7 months after Luminous ends. We find Evie, her dad, and all her familiars living in another sleepy town in Heronstone Harbour, Australia. Evie is trying to put back the pieces of her life after learning about the existence of angels and demons. Unbeknownst to Evie, this town in crawling with many other supernatural beings that we meet along the way. Evie's best friend from her pre-demon life comes to visit, and although she tries to put on the appearance of a normal life, that is not an easy feat to pull off. Things soon spiral out of control and her world is turned upside down.

Once I picked up this book, I had a hard time putting it down! I want to know what has happened in the past and what is going to happen in the future. I want to know everything! I want to know now! I loved getting to know all the characters better and to find out how some of the familiars Fell. The backstory of some of the demons were definitely unexpected and showed so much depth to those characters. Their histories are heartbreaking, and I find myself feeling sorry for them and hoping for their redemption.

As the story progresses, we see Evie go through many stages of growth, denial, and finally acceptance. We get to see more about her past lives as her memories are slowly coming back to her. She struggles with navigating how to move forward and by the end of the book, I am anxious to see how her story will continue to unfold. While you are reading this, the author has a way of pulling you in and getting you so invested in the story. The flashbacks of her past life are intriguing and surprising. It is a heart wrenching journey for Evie, and I can't wait to read more. Please release book 3 soon!!!!!

[Sarah Festa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you believe in past lives? If you do, would you want to remember them? Would they do more damage than good? Or would they perhaps stop history repeating itself?

That is the essence of this book.

Whilst the first one introduced our characters and took our MC on a journey to discover who she was and what she must do. This one sees her Guardians trying to keep the past from her but her past stopping at nothing to make her remember.

Whilst I feel this book was another slow burner, the last fifty pages or so was all go until the ending which as always, left us on a delicious cliffhanger and hungry for what comes next!

I really enjoyed learning more about her Guardians, about who they are individually and the past that haunts them on their path to redemption.

I'll be honest, I wasn't a big fan of the character Sarah. I thought she was pushy and most of the time she didn't actually consider what was best for Evie. But by the end I could see why their friendship held strong.

Sam, I have mixed feelings for, I can see how deeply he loves Evie and I know he thinks he is doing what's best for all but most of the time I found myself yelling as I read for him to stop being so controlling!

This is another great book in the series and I cannot wait for the next and final book, because I feel the biggest battle that has been looming in the background is finally going to come to a head in the final book.

[Amy Reierson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you haven't read Luminous stop right now and go read book one. However book two is going to blow your mind!
There is so much I feel like I don't even know where to begin. Or how to give an accurate description of how amazing this story is with put spoiling something. But here goes anyway...
Everheart Dean is someone very special to six exceptionally handsome and dangerous men, okay not men exactly but if crossed they are very very dangerous. Demon's, fallen Angels, those led astray looking to turn their wrong doings around and seek forgiveness.
Problem is someone's fear has them trapped in what seems almost like an endless time loop.
With the help of a few new friends, you know like the wolf next door who's still earning his place. Or your half vampire dad's new girl who's also a vampire and a true ally. Then there is the Coven of witches who look over the island and offered you safety. There is a visit from a couple of old friends, Sarah who isn't making anything simple, and the ghost who plays a big piece in the story.
Evie does some real growing in this book and I can't wait to see her really grasp on to her power whatever that may be in the next book.
And Sam her one true love well he's angry and I hope the others can keep him under control while we wait.
I can hardly wait for book three!

[Lydia36writes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Demons, witches, & shapeshifters, oh my!

Familiar is the second book in a planned trilogy. Like the first book (Luminous), this has all the Twilight vibes. I’m not a paranormal romance reader, so this pushed me out of my comfort zone…

What I liked:
- Supernatural creatures! This book is teaming with them.
- The flashes of Evie’s past lives.
- The boys! I really hope we get more of them in the final book. Some of them have such sass.
- Sarah…her meddling is what I’d probably do, too, given the situation.
- Zaqiel! (I shall say no more on this subject.)

What I didn’t enjoy:
- Slow pacing (it picks up halfway through), but I find that tends to happen in second books of trilogies.
- Sam😅 He’s that trope/character who knows what’s happening and refuses to explain things to the person in danger. (I couldn’t stand Dumbledore -movie version- because of this either.)
- Fated mates trope…I know many enjoy it, but it’s just not my thang.

But seriously, if you love the genre or just a fan of Twilight, pick this series up!

[Beth (what.beth.reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many thanks to Abby Kingston for the beautiful finished copy of Familiar. My honest review is below.

“Love is not a selfish desire. Everyone deserves the chance to love. And be loved.”

Familiar is the second book in the Everheart Dean trilogy by Abby Kingston, a YA paranormal fantasy series. Evie and her six protectors (her love, Sam Archer, and their five friends) are attempting to live a normal life in a new place, Heronstone Island, Australia, with her perfect cat, Theo. Even better? Evie’s best friend, Sarah, is coming to visit for three week. However, the perfect vacation visit is under threat, because the devil and his demons are knocking down Evie’s door…and showing up in her dreams.

“…when your biggest source of solace is a vampire tailing your ass, you know your life has gone from bizarre to utterly insane.”

Abby does a wonderful job of diving you deep into the lush and vibrant surroundings of Heronstone Island and into Evie’s thoughts and feelings. You can’t help but fall in love with Evie, Sam and their friends, and OF COURSE, Theo. Sarah is a great addition, too, and her meddling ways are exactly the way I’d expect a best friend to act in their sometimes bizarre circumstances.

[Christa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stakes of the game hold the key.

Where in book 1 Evie was on a journey to discover her destiny book two of this fantasy series dives into her past and how it is connected to her present.
While Evie is trying to figure out what het past is, the boys do everything in their power to keep the past from her.
All the while Evie's destiny is drawing nearer as she prepares for what she set out to do.

This book has shattered my heart and soul but i am obsessed!


I cant wait untill book 3 comes out !

[Lil · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book took the cake. I freaking love every freaking aspect of this book. I highly recommend men this book, but read the first one. Full review coming soon 😛.

[Nereid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dance with the devil

Evie certainly has had a few shocks lately, the sexy six boys were demons sent to protect her from the devil. She is apparently supposed to defeat Lucifer if humanity is to survive and she has done this same dance many life times before but never won. Talk about pressure and Sam was annoying as he was overprotective and acted all Neanderthal but never gave Evie any answers about her past. Even in the beginning he seemed like a scary stalker until you figured out what was going on. It was just weird, their interest in her in the beginning. Sam was the alpha in the group but overbearing and Evie was suffering emotionally because of it. Obviously he never learned anything from past lives and Evie was evolving this time around. I liked Leo and the other demons even Ram who seemed to say very little but they followed Sam's lead. Sarah was a pushy best friend, a bit over the top with the whole Ram thing as why couldn't she take a hint. She certainly messed the situation up for Evie but I guess she though she was helping her friend. Lucky for Evie she lives far away and cannot meddle in her life on a daily basis. Sam's devotion felt like an obsession to me and Evie was never heard in that relationship. Interested to see what he does now that she has walked away.

[Taylor | Probablyreadingromance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Demons, secrets, and a past that’s slowly being unlocked are just some of the amazing elements to Kingston’s second book in the Everheart Dean series Familiar. The dialogue between characters flows so well together and the descriptive details of Australia make me feel as though I am right there in the book with Evie. Having the book be in the POV of our main character Evie, makes the reader only know as much as she does throughout the book, and I absolutely love how well this is conveyed. I love finding out details when Evie does and solving the puzzle pieces together as though I am her. I enjoyed Evie trying to still have a normal life in this book, and with that how well written Sarah’s character was to only see one side of the story when so much more was going on. I cannot say enough of how well written this book was and how the twist at the end had me wanting the third book in my hands ASAP. If you love paranormal characters, romance, secrets at every turn, and past lives, this is the book for you!

[Kristine · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first book in the Everheart Dean series, I requested the arc for Familiar and I am so happy I was approved for the arc team.

In Familiar, Evie tries to move on from the things she learned in book one and come to terms with who she is as the bright one. Part of this is trying to learn how to protect herself from Hades’s demons and figure out answers to the questions none of her demon familiars will answer. As time goes on, Evie starts to remember her past lifetimes bit by bit. But small glimpses of the past are not enough to answer all of her questions. With dangers threatening at every corner Evie must face the past even if the past might destroy her.

One of the things I really enjoyed about this book was the glimpses into Evie’s past and how they connected to the present. I especially enjoyed the historical elements of Evie’s previous life in Germany during the war and how the author brought Hades and hell into this. The author’s creative way of bringing the supernatural world together with the world as we know it was one of the best parts of this book. After the crazy good plot twists at the end, I am really excited to see where the author takes us with the next book in the series.

Keywords: Supernatural, demons, vampires, shifters, Hades, The Apocalypse

[Allie · Rating 5 out of 5]

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬. 𝐒𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. 𝐊𝐞𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦. 𝐇𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡.

Abby upped the ante and blew me away with the second installment of the Everheart Dean series!! I need to know when book 3 comes out😩🙌🏽 Sam, Sam, Sam, what am I going to do with you?! Abby, I have a bone to pick with you! How dare you make me fall in love with a demon? Ok I’m calm! Evie is really coming into her own in Familiar! I absolutely love that Evie is no pushover. But of course she’s not perfect. She’s stubborn and doesn’t blindly follow orders. She’s also impatient, a quality that I unfortunately share because I need book 3🫠 I won’t say more because I absolutely think you need to check this series out if you are into a powerful FMC, hilarious banter, moments that make you swoon and high stake epic fantasies.

A huge thank you to the author for this arc! I received this review copy in exchange for an honest review, but it in no way influences my thoughts. It’s out now and available on kindle unlimited!

𝔽𝕒𝕧𝕠𝕣𝕚𝕥𝕖 𝕝𝕚𝕟𝕖𝕤:
✨ It’s always like this. No matter how many times a day I set eyes on Sam Archer, the first glimpse invariably knocks my breath from my lungs. Steals my heart all over again
✨ Humans yearn for paradise, for the pearly gates of Heaven. What they don’t understand is paradise is right here. In the vast and silent places. In the tiniest of creatures. In the glimmer of the stars on the water. There is peace here. If you know where to find it
✨ This earthly realm is a place of learning—of choices. It is a place where human souls have the chance to grow, change, and become more than what they are at the beginning
✨ It’s one of the saddest ironies—love is the most powerful force for good in the world, and yet it’s also the cause of the worst crimes we commit. Terrible things have been done in the name of love. Or the passions we mistake for love

[Amanda Glaeser · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book blew me away. Abby put everything into this book and it shows. The excitement, the heartbreak, the many twists in the last few chapters.

This is definitely a more serious book then the first one. The fight scenes were intense, you could feel it on every page. However, it had some funny scenes too. My favourite one is Daniel and his candy.

And there are some new characters too. A couple I hope we get to learn more about and one I'm not sure I trust. That might change in the next book if we get his backstory.

The character development of Evie and the boys is amazing. You get a more in depth look into how some of the boys fell and Evie's past lives. We also learn more about Evie's fight and a peek into how she lost one fight against Lucifer and the outcome of that fight.

I'm excited to see where Abby takes Evie's story in the next book. I have a feeling something huge is coming.

[Danielle Hughes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant sequel to Luminous, I was so excited to receive my ARC for review and it did not disappoint. The stakes are high, and its time for questions to be answered. I highly recommend Familiar and can't wait for Book 3!

[Oona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still invested in Evie and her entourage! Did find the intersection between flashbacks and actual history to be a bit… cliche? Corny? Something.

But man, did make me cry, and very keen for the next book! The chemistry has just enough give to keep you hooked… but needing more!