What do you think?
Rate this book
What Kills Me #1
What Kills Me
An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race.So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive.How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?
323 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2012
158 people are currently reading
5109 people want to read
About the author
Wynne Channing
2 books304 followersWynne Channing is an award-winning national newspaper reporter and young adult novelist.
She started writing horror/fantasy tales as a girl. She still has the first novel that she wrote when she was 10. It’s (unintentionally) hilarious.
Wynne loves telling stories and as a journalist, she has interviewed everyone from Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Jackman to the president of the Maldives and Duchess Sarah Ferguson. The closest she has come to interviewing a vampire is sitting down with True Blood‘s Alexander Skarsgard (he didn’t bite).
She briefly considered calling her debut novel “Well” so then everyone would say: “Well written by Wynne Channing.”
She started writing horror/fantasy tales as a girl. She still has the first novel that she wrote when she was 10. It’s (unintentionally) hilarious.
Wynne loves telling stories and as a journalist, she has interviewed everyone from Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Jackman to the president of the Maldives and Duchess Sarah Ferguson. The closest she has come to interviewing a vampire is sitting down with True Blood‘s Alexander Skarsgard (he didn’t bite).
She briefly considered calling her debut novel “Well” so then everyone would say: “Well written by Wynne Channing.”
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 366 reviews
July 23, 2012
Oh. My. GOD! This book is freaking fantastic! I seriously could not put this book down and I had the "just one more chapter" dilemma going on and before I knew it I had finished it. I was feverishly devouring up every single word, and when I read the last line I was hoping there was more. There is going to be more right? There has to be more!!! I cannot tell you how much I LOVE this book. It would have to be one of my favourite vampire reads...right up there with The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa. It is unique, and fresh, and witty, and so full of action...oh man the action was non-stop and at such a fast pace. It felt like I was watching a movie, rather than reading a book, and all thanks to the amazing author Wynne Channing, who I would love to thank for providing me with a copy of her book, when she was offering it up in exchange for my honest review. And, I was completely blown away. My heart is still pounding and my palms are sweating, I'm telling you it felt like I was actually along for the ride, in this book.
What Kills Me, is a thrilling, heart-stopping and action-filled story about 17 year old Axelia aka Zee, who is a Canadian studying in Rome. One night, she finds herself lost trying to make her way back to her lodgings when she is approached by a very handsome young man, who is willing to help her find her way back home. At first, she is reluctant to accept his offer of help, but something stirs inside her compelling her to take a chance and live a little. And why not, she was in Rome. Well, if only she decided to play it safe. The next night she decided to meet up with this stranger named Paolo and go out for gelato. She never been out with a boy before, and this was her first date. Paolo was the perfect gentleman, showing her the sights and before she knew it, her perfect date would be her worst nightmare. Having secluded her in a Church, he turned out to be a vampire, and Zee could not believe her luck. Fighting for her life, she managed to break free from his clutches but ended up falling into a well, which was filled with Ancient Blood. This blood is from the first and original vampires, and without even knowing, Zee had just died and become a vampire. And this is where the story really begins.
The ancient prophecy foretold of the one who would cause the extinction of the vampire race, and Zee is that very girl. Once she awakens, all hell breaks loose and Zee finds herself being chased by the soldiers of the Monarch and being dragged back and sentenced to die. They cannot have her, the demon vampire, an abomination, roam the earth if it means they could no longer be. Teamed up with a reluctant bladesmith named Lucas, who is the well-trained, strong, silent type and very swoon worthy indeed, Zee must battle against the Monarch to survive. Will she be able to convince the Monarch that she is not the demon that they are making her out to be, and will she be able to find the hope and courage to move forward? Well, you will all need to read it to find out because I am not one who is willing to divulge any spoilers. All I can tell you is that you will not be disappointed, and that you will be going on one hell of a ride and adventure. You will travel from Europe to Asia, go on wild car chases, climb the highest peaks, jump from tree to tree, dodge bullets, cut off vampires heads and fall in love. What more can you ask for?
So, if you were wondering what book to read next that had all this, I would say pick this book up, you will not be sorry. I absolutely am breathless and I am hoping that there is more, because one book is just not enough. Thank you Wynne Channing, I loved it!
What Kills Me, is a thrilling, heart-stopping and action-filled story about 17 year old Axelia aka Zee, who is a Canadian studying in Rome. One night, she finds herself lost trying to make her way back to her lodgings when she is approached by a very handsome young man, who is willing to help her find her way back home. At first, she is reluctant to accept his offer of help, but something stirs inside her compelling her to take a chance and live a little. And why not, she was in Rome. Well, if only she decided to play it safe. The next night she decided to meet up with this stranger named Paolo and go out for gelato. She never been out with a boy before, and this was her first date. Paolo was the perfect gentleman, showing her the sights and before she knew it, her perfect date would be her worst nightmare. Having secluded her in a Church, he turned out to be a vampire, and Zee could not believe her luck. Fighting for her life, she managed to break free from his clutches but ended up falling into a well, which was filled with Ancient Blood. This blood is from the first and original vampires, and without even knowing, Zee had just died and become a vampire. And this is where the story really begins.
The ancient prophecy foretold of the one who would cause the extinction of the vampire race, and Zee is that very girl. Once she awakens, all hell breaks loose and Zee finds herself being chased by the soldiers of the Monarch and being dragged back and sentenced to die. They cannot have her, the demon vampire, an abomination, roam the earth if it means they could no longer be. Teamed up with a reluctant bladesmith named Lucas, who is the well-trained, strong, silent type and very swoon worthy indeed, Zee must battle against the Monarch to survive. Will she be able to convince the Monarch that she is not the demon that they are making her out to be, and will she be able to find the hope and courage to move forward? Well, you will all need to read it to find out because I am not one who is willing to divulge any spoilers. All I can tell you is that you will not be disappointed, and that you will be going on one hell of a ride and adventure. You will travel from Europe to Asia, go on wild car chases, climb the highest peaks, jump from tree to tree, dodge bullets, cut off vampires heads and fall in love. What more can you ask for?
So, if you were wondering what book to read next that had all this, I would say pick this book up, you will not be sorry. I absolutely am breathless and I am hoping that there is more, because one book is just not enough. Thank you Wynne Channing, I loved it!
November 8, 2012
This review has also been posted on my Happy Indulgence Blog. Check it out for more reviews!
I really enjoyed What Kills Me, it's just so refreshing and fun to read! With the vampire genre being overdone so many times, the author still managed to breathe some life into the book to make it unique.
Axelia is just a normal girl living abroad when she bumps into a handsome man named Paolo. Looking for a bit of adventure, she decides to meet him for a late night date and unexpectedly gets turned into a vampire. But not just any vampire, it turns out she's the destined one in a prophecy that will mean the death of the vampire race.
What I really liked about this book, was the hilarious, spunky and charming heroine. She's a girl I'd like to be good friends with just from the funny things she says, especially in the midst of a serious situation. She's obviously thrust into a situation that is crazy and she just makes the best of it, while discovering her super strength in the mean time.
Lucas on the other hand, is not your typical prince charming. He pushes and prods the heroine with incessant teasing and snobbery, until she picks up that he might have feelings for her. I didn't much enjoy the typical romance that occurs afterwards but I suppose a bit of love creates meaning for them.
The book wraps the vampire mythology nicely with Vee's discovery of it. Unlike a lot of other urban fantasy books, there isn't a lot of info dumping to jar the story. It's quite fast-paced and hard to put down. I hope there's going to be a sequel!
This is a fun, enjoyable and action-packed read that I would recommend to others. I received a review copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review, thanks for this opportunity!
Edit: After thinking about this for a while, I've bumped the rating from 4 stars to 5. It's definitely better than a lot of 4 stars out there.
I really enjoyed What Kills Me, it's just so refreshing and fun to read! With the vampire genre being overdone so many times, the author still managed to breathe some life into the book to make it unique.
Axelia is just a normal girl living abroad when she bumps into a handsome man named Paolo. Looking for a bit of adventure, she decides to meet him for a late night date and unexpectedly gets turned into a vampire. But not just any vampire, it turns out she's the destined one in a prophecy that will mean the death of the vampire race.
What I really liked about this book, was the hilarious, spunky and charming heroine. She's a girl I'd like to be good friends with just from the funny things she says, especially in the midst of a serious situation. She's obviously thrust into a situation that is crazy and she just makes the best of it, while discovering her super strength in the mean time.
Lucas on the other hand, is not your typical prince charming. He pushes and prods the heroine with incessant teasing and snobbery, until she picks up that he might have feelings for her. I didn't much enjoy the typical romance that occurs afterwards but I suppose a bit of love creates meaning for them.
The book wraps the vampire mythology nicely with Vee's discovery of it. Unlike a lot of other urban fantasy books, there isn't a lot of info dumping to jar the story. It's quite fast-paced and hard to put down. I hope there's going to be a sequel!
This is a fun, enjoyable and action-packed read that I would recommend to others. I received a review copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review, thanks for this opportunity!
Edit: After thinking about this for a while, I've bumped the rating from 4 stars to 5. It's definitely better than a lot of 4 stars out there.
January 1, 2015
07-06-12
The author was very kind for letting me have a free ebook copy of this for review, and I'm very grateful! Thank you Ms. Channing!
I'm still on chapter three, but this book immediately made me laugh! That is very rare for a book to make me do. I usually don't have many reactions while reading. And this book just made me laugh! A very, very rare reaction!
For now, I LOVE What Kills Me!
UPDATE: 07-06-12
This kicks Twilight's hideous ass hard! One of the best vampire books I've ever read!
Oh! I'm liking this more and more! What Kills Me is just awesome! It's direct and straight to the point. Hallelujah! *does weird happy dance* I'm liking how Zee doesn't drool or get too carried away by Lucas' handsomeness :) Yeah! You go girl, don't think too much of the guy!
Ooh... I will probably sleep late tonight :D
More to say after I finish reading this.
UPDATE: 07-07-12
Hm... ok. I just finished reading. Hm. The giddiness and excitement I felt for this book just vanished when I was on the last four chapters. That's already the climax! Shouldn't you feel a lot of things on the climax? But I felt nothing. I read and understood it, but there was no spark of emotion in me to feel the climax and ending. I was kind of disappointed with the ending. I was saying to myself, "That can't be right! There should be more! It shouldn't end easily like that." I was expecting an explosive finale. But I didn't get it. So I was like:
Before and during the climax there were many expected scenes, and my reaction was:
Okay! So enough of me talking about the climax and ending.
The characters! I <3 Lucas!
At first I was:
Zee/Axelia -Her name is kind of hard for me to pronounce. I always end up saying Athelia :P Summer lovin'! What you are about to do is crazy, but I like it. Go get that boy!
Paolo - You better take good care of her, you sweet, handsome boy!
Later:
Zee - Get the hell out!! MOVE!! Do something!
Paolo - Bastard! You're weak and you deserve to die!!
Noel - So fatherly to a stranger O_o Are you nuts?!
Jerome - uh... are you an important character?
General -
Lucas -
MUCH Later:
Zee -
Noel and Jerome -
Lucas -
ENDING
Zee -
Lucas -
Overall, Zee was kind of weak, but not the Bella Swan kind of weak. She didn't know what to do most of the time. It was just on the ending when she showed she could actually do something. Yey! Not an entire marionette after all. Lucas makes me puke rainbows. Enough said!
Nonetheless, this book sucked me in! I love how the romance wasn't emphasized here. It was just enough to satisfy me. The way it was written wasn't confusing and didn't have so much unnecessary adjectives, some descriptions did kind of dumped too much info, but it's forgivable. Chapter twelve was unexpected. ME GUSTA! And if there was a second book, I would buy and read it!
UPDATE 07-31-2012
Here I am in school, lunch break, just had siopao and iced coffee, and I keep on thinking what else to review. Sucks because I share my kindle with my older sister and she has it right now so I don’t have anything to read. But I remembered a book, which I feel my previous review for it did not do justice on just how awesome it is. So I’m here to correct what I have done and to thank the author again for giving me the chance to read and review her novel.
Wynne Channing’s debut novel, What Kills Me, just really killed me! The comedy, sarcasm, action, suspense, and romance packed in this book made me laugh, leave me in awe, grit my teeth, and drool over Lucas. The only problem with this book is that it had to end so abruptly. It left me in a very crucial moment, where you MUST know what will happen next, where you will wonder what happened to the next chapter. And then you realize there is no next chapter, but the next installment of the series. And Ms. Channing clarified to me and just made me uber happy and excited that there is another upcoming book of What Kills Me.
The characters of this book are hilarious, especially Axelia. I’m glad she’s the speaker of this novel and not some kind of overbearing, air-head heroine I read in most YA novels. Axelia, or Zee, for short, changed from a normal, 17-year-old girl from Canada into a dangerously monstrous mistake of the Vampire clan, whom they must destroy. Yes, there was the initial drama of Zee not having a normal life again and the how to escape those badass captors, but (and this is why I love Zee) she got over that drama and quickly did something so she could escape and find refuge. From a useless marionette into a powerful vampire, that is Zee.
The typical prince charming in every YA novel is an unbelievably handsome, sexy, mysterious, snobby young man, who has a penchant for insulting, humiliating, and pushing the heroine away until he finally declares he is in love with her, but their budding romance must be stopped because he is very different or from the opposite side where the heroine stands. Lucas, as described in the book, is handsome, sexy, somewhat mysterious, and somewhat broody. But he is just the same as Zee. He is sarcastic and funny. He had me drooling and wanting him!
What I loved in their romance was that it didn’t start with love at first sight. Their romance went through a roller coaster ride, a very long ride, where after all those loops, they realized they were in love with each other. See? It gave readers ample time to believe there really was a spark between them. And I was really waiting for that moment where they would finally profess their love for one another.
I very much enjoyed this book and would love to reread it. And this is totally recommended! What Kills Me is an all-new, one of a kind, original, and refreshing vampire novel (minus the sparkles) that will just leave you begging and needing for more!
go to my site to see the whole review my link text
The author was very kind for letting me have a free ebook copy of this for review, and I'm very grateful! Thank you Ms. Channing!
I'm still on chapter three, but this book immediately made me laugh! That is very rare for a book to make me do. I usually don't have many reactions while reading. And this book just made me laugh! A very, very rare reaction!
For now, I LOVE What Kills Me!
UPDATE: 07-06-12
This kicks Twilight's hideous ass hard! One of the best vampire books I've ever read!
Oh! I'm liking this more and more! What Kills Me is just awesome! It's direct and straight to the point. Hallelujah! *does weird happy dance* I'm liking how Zee doesn't drool or get too carried away by Lucas' handsomeness :) Yeah! You go girl, don't think too much of the guy!
Ooh... I will probably sleep late tonight :D
More to say after I finish reading this.
UPDATE: 07-07-12
Hm... ok. I just finished reading. Hm. The giddiness and excitement I felt for this book just vanished when I was on the last four chapters. That's already the climax! Shouldn't you feel a lot of things on the climax? But I felt nothing. I read and understood it, but there was no spark of emotion in me to feel the climax and ending. I was kind of disappointed with the ending. I was saying to myself, "That can't be right! There should be more! It shouldn't end easily like that." I was expecting an explosive finale. But I didn't get it. So I was like:
Before and during the climax there were many expected scenes, and my reaction was:
Okay! So enough of me talking about the climax and ending.
The characters! I <3 Lucas!
At first I was:
Zee/Axelia -
Paolo - You better take good care of her, you sweet, handsome boy!
Later:
Zee - Get the hell out!! MOVE!! Do something!
Paolo - Bastard! You're weak and you deserve to die!!
Noel - So fatherly to a stranger O_o Are you nuts?!
Jerome - uh... are you an important character?
General -
Lucas -
MUCH Later:
Zee -
Noel and Jerome -
Lucas -
ENDING
Zee -
Lucas -
Overall, Zee was kind of weak, but not the Bella Swan kind of weak. She didn't know what to do most of the time. It was just on the ending when she showed she could actually do something. Yey! Not an entire marionette after all. Lucas makes me puke rainbows. Enough said!
Nonetheless, this book sucked me in! I love how the romance wasn't emphasized here. It was just enough to satisfy me. The way it was written wasn't confusing and didn't have so much unnecessary adjectives, some descriptions did kind of dumped too much info, but it's forgivable. Chapter twelve was unexpected. ME GUSTA! And if there was a second book, I would buy and read it!
UPDATE 07-31-2012
Here I am in school, lunch break, just had siopao and iced coffee, and I keep on thinking what else to review. Sucks because I share my kindle with my older sister and she has it right now so I don’t have anything to read. But I remembered a book, which I feel my previous review for it did not do justice on just how awesome it is. So I’m here to correct what I have done and to thank the author again for giving me the chance to read and review her novel.
Wynne Channing’s debut novel, What Kills Me, just really killed me! The comedy, sarcasm, action, suspense, and romance packed in this book made me laugh, leave me in awe, grit my teeth, and drool over Lucas. The only problem with this book is that it had to end so abruptly. It left me in a very crucial moment, where you MUST know what will happen next, where you will wonder what happened to the next chapter. And then you realize there is no next chapter, but the next installment of the series. And Ms. Channing clarified to me and just made me uber happy and excited that there is another upcoming book of What Kills Me.
The characters of this book are hilarious, especially Axelia. I’m glad she’s the speaker of this novel and not some kind of overbearing, air-head heroine I read in most YA novels. Axelia, or Zee, for short, changed from a normal, 17-year-old girl from Canada into a dangerously monstrous mistake of the Vampire clan, whom they must destroy. Yes, there was the initial drama of Zee not having a normal life again and the how to escape those badass captors, but (and this is why I love Zee) she got over that drama and quickly did something so she could escape and find refuge. From a useless marionette into a powerful vampire, that is Zee.
The typical prince charming in every YA novel is an unbelievably handsome, sexy, mysterious, snobby young man, who has a penchant for insulting, humiliating, and pushing the heroine away until he finally declares he is in love with her, but their budding romance must be stopped because he is very different or from the opposite side where the heroine stands. Lucas, as described in the book, is handsome, sexy, somewhat mysterious, and somewhat broody. But he is just the same as Zee. He is sarcastic and funny. He had me drooling and wanting him!
What I loved in their romance was that it didn’t start with love at first sight. Their romance went through a roller coaster ride, a very long ride, where after all those loops, they realized they were in love with each other. See? It gave readers ample time to believe there really was a spark between them. And I was really waiting for that moment where they would finally profess their love for one another.
I very much enjoyed this book and would love to reread it. And this is totally recommended! What Kills Me is an all-new, one of a kind, original, and refreshing vampire novel (minus the sparkles) that will just leave you begging and needing for more!
go to my site to see the whole review my link text
August 18, 2012
What Kills Me is not just another vampire story…I promise. The story is unique, fast paced, action packed, suspenseful in all the right places, and laugh out loud funny.
Axelia (Zee) is a 17-year-old girl studying abroad for a few months. She takes a chance on a guy who she figures she'll probably never see again, and it ends badly. Now thrown into the world of the paranormal, Zee must figure out how to survive as a vampire; not an easy task when just about everyone you meet is trying to kill you.
I love the characters, especially Zee and Lucas. I really loved their relationship and how it evolved over time. There was no love at first sight, no instant attraction. The way the author brought them together slowly made everything seem more realistic, and the back and forth between Zee and Lucas was hilarious. I loved Zee's personality. She was a great character and easily likable. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to find out what happens!
Check out our interview with Wynne Channing:
http://makingconnectionsgroup.blogspo...
Axelia (Zee) is a 17-year-old girl studying abroad for a few months. She takes a chance on a guy who she figures she'll probably never see again, and it ends badly. Now thrown into the world of the paranormal, Zee must figure out how to survive as a vampire; not an easy task when just about everyone you meet is trying to kill you.
I love the characters, especially Zee and Lucas. I really loved their relationship and how it evolved over time. There was no love at first sight, no instant attraction. The way the author brought them together slowly made everything seem more realistic, and the back and forth between Zee and Lucas was hilarious. I loved Zee's personality. She was a great character and easily likable. I am looking forward to the next book in the series to find out what happens!
Check out our interview with Wynne Channing:
http://makingconnectionsgroup.blogspo...
November 18, 2015
Well, that was fun.
At the beginning, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like the heroine. She started off with a few TSTL moments that made me shake my head in pity and annoyance, but quickly evolved into a very enjoyable and entertaining protagonist. Same thing with Lucas, though instead of being dumb like Zee, he was an ass at first.
So I'm really picky when it comes to vampires. I like my vampires bad-ass, preferably evil and heartless. There have been more 'humane' vampires I liked, too, but I can't stand it when they're too emo or seductive. You're a bloodthirsty monster with super powers, for crying out loud! Embrace it!
Luckily, the vampires in this book were to my liking.
With that said, I enjoyed the story, the characters and the humor. Don't know whether I'll be reading the sequel, though. I find it rather expensive and although I enjoyed this novel, I'm not sure if it managed to make me curious enough about what's going to happen next.
(Oh yeah, just one more thing: I hate that the blurb spoils so much of the story. The mystery surrounding Zee's uniqueness isn't revealed until halfway through!)
At the beginning, I was pretty sure I wasn't going to like the heroine. She started off with a few TSTL moments that made me shake my head in pity and annoyance, but quickly evolved into a very enjoyable and entertaining protagonist. Same thing with Lucas, though instead of being dumb like Zee, he was an ass at first.
So I'm really picky when it comes to vampires. I like my vampires bad-ass, preferably evil and heartless. There have been more 'humane' vampires I liked, too, but I can't stand it when they're too emo or seductive. You're a bloodthirsty monster with super powers, for crying out loud! Embrace it!
Luckily, the vampires in this book were to my liking.
With that said, I enjoyed the story, the characters and the humor. Don't know whether I'll be reading the sequel, though. I find it rather expensive and although I enjoyed this novel, I'm not sure if it managed to make me curious enough about what's going to happen next.
(Oh yeah, just one more thing: I hate that the blurb spoils so much of the story. The mystery surrounding Zee's uniqueness isn't revealed until halfway through!)
September 30, 2016
This is NOT your typical Vampire Story. Most books about vampires all have most of the same things but this was completely different and I loved it from page 1. The way Vee becomes a vampire was original and her powers compare to no others. I really liked all the characters. Vee was strong and extremely determined. Super funny that no matter how powerful she is, roaches still terrify her more than anything else! Lucas is the seriously sexy, vampire love interest. Possibly even better than Edward Cullen! (I did say, possibly) This was just an all around wonderful book and I am very excited to see what the sequel has in store for me.
September 9, 2012
Isn’t it weird how you can read two books completely different and yet award them the same rating? This was something I was thinking about earlier when I finished this book. Thinking about my five star books, some of them I knew from the beginning that it was going to be an awesome read. With What Kills Me, this wasn’t the case. But after a bit of trouble with the opening, this book did a 180 and took me completely by surprise.
Axelia, otherwise known as Zee, is on a two month stay in Rome studying Italian. In a rush to get home one night, having lost track of time, she meets a guy called Paolo. That one incident is to be her downfall, because Paolo isn’t interested in dating girls, as she finds out the following evening. He’s more interested in murdering them. His plans go awry however, and she ends up a vampire...through unconventional means. From then Zee is on the run from the entire vampire race, because according to prophecy, she isn’t just any vampire. She’s the one that’s going to bring the destruction of all vampires.
If The Immortal Rules didn’t kill my belief that the vampire genre has been exhausted, What Kills Me certainly did. Seriously, if you still think that, you need to read this. Think words like Monarchy, Crucivium, Sacriva. Have you ever heard of vampires worshipping gods? No? Well, they do now. Wynne Channing impressed me with the fresh ideas she’s brought to the table. I loved seeing this new side to vampires, one where an actual empire has been created, its very foundations built on something so superstitious as a prophecy. Quite frankly, I’ve never been convinced by the idea of a prophecy. There’s something so...convenient about it, something almost intangible that makes me want to roll my eyes. In this case, however, it worked, perhaps because of the context.
Zee went through a pretty extensive, not to mention impressive, transformation. At the beginning, I had one word to describe her: stupid. What kind of girl tells her whole life story to and goes on a date with a guy she met only the night before? A guy who is so obviously trouble? But then when she became a vampire, she didn’t spend very long being self-pitying and railing at Paolo. Faced with death together with him soon after, her survival instinct rears its head and she doesn’t just talk about saving herself, she talks about saving them. Zee toughens and wisens up. Just a little. In later fight scenes I got a little tired of her screaming and not actually kicking butt, but she did find small ways to help. Then she learns to fight and eventually she’s a badass vampire you do not want to mess with. There is true development in her character that was a pleasure to see. Not to mention the fact that she is hilarious.
Now, two things in this book that are conspicuously absent: insta-love and love triangle. Yes, I see the relieved faces. Here we have Lucas, a vampire highly skilled in martial arts and weapons handling. Unless you want your head cut off, I suggest you stay on his good side. It’s quite easy, really. Just don’t try to kill him. Lucas starts off as wanting nothing to do with Zee; he quite clearly puts a wall between them. The relationship between them is incredibly gradual. I loved the banter between them, it was subtle, but witty. It was so sweet to see him help Zee when she was struggling with her acts and morals as a vampire, and see her lightening the mood when he became concerned. Their feelings for each other weren’t revealed until the last possible minute and their fight for each other was just moving; it’s then you see their depth of feeling for the other.
The writing, without being overly descriptive, was vivid enough for me to have consistently clear images in my head – not just images, but mood and atmosphere. The fight scenes were fast-paced and action-packed and this made a nice contrast with, for example, the temple in Taiwan (at least until all hell broke loose). Nor is the story predictable. While I was a teeny bit suspicious of one particular character, she still managed to surprise me. Not to mention the plot twist. Channing has no qualms about taking her time: she leaves you comfortable in the knowledge of one thing and then springs a surprise on you at the last minute.
While this wasn’t perfect, I was incredibly immersed in the story. I was a bit wary starting it but the author soon dispelled that. I don’t know if there’s a sequel in the works, though I can, in a way, see potential for one. In any case, there are no questions left unanswered, the story is wrapped up nicely and I will most definitely be on the lookout for further work from this author.
A huge thank you to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted on my blog.
Axelia, otherwise known as Zee, is on a two month stay in Rome studying Italian. In a rush to get home one night, having lost track of time, she meets a guy called Paolo. That one incident is to be her downfall, because Paolo isn’t interested in dating girls, as she finds out the following evening. He’s more interested in murdering them. His plans go awry however, and she ends up a vampire...through unconventional means. From then Zee is on the run from the entire vampire race, because according to prophecy, she isn’t just any vampire. She’s the one that’s going to bring the destruction of all vampires.
If The Immortal Rules didn’t kill my belief that the vampire genre has been exhausted, What Kills Me certainly did. Seriously, if you still think that, you need to read this. Think words like Monarchy, Crucivium, Sacriva. Have you ever heard of vampires worshipping gods? No? Well, they do now. Wynne Channing impressed me with the fresh ideas she’s brought to the table. I loved seeing this new side to vampires, one where an actual empire has been created, its very foundations built on something so superstitious as a prophecy. Quite frankly, I’ve never been convinced by the idea of a prophecy. There’s something so...convenient about it, something almost intangible that makes me want to roll my eyes. In this case, however, it worked, perhaps because of the context.
Zee went through a pretty extensive, not to mention impressive, transformation. At the beginning, I had one word to describe her: stupid. What kind of girl tells her whole life story to and goes on a date with a guy she met only the night before? A guy who is so obviously trouble? But then when she became a vampire, she didn’t spend very long being self-pitying and railing at Paolo. Faced with death together with him soon after, her survival instinct rears its head and she doesn’t just talk about saving herself, she talks about saving them. Zee toughens and wisens up. Just a little. In later fight scenes I got a little tired of her screaming and not actually kicking butt, but she did find small ways to help. Then she learns to fight and eventually she’s a badass vampire you do not want to mess with. There is true development in her character that was a pleasure to see. Not to mention the fact that she is hilarious.
Now, two things in this book that are conspicuously absent: insta-love and love triangle. Yes, I see the relieved faces. Here we have Lucas, a vampire highly skilled in martial arts and weapons handling. Unless you want your head cut off, I suggest you stay on his good side. It’s quite easy, really. Just don’t try to kill him. Lucas starts off as wanting nothing to do with Zee; he quite clearly puts a wall between them. The relationship between them is incredibly gradual. I loved the banter between them, it was subtle, but witty. It was so sweet to see him help Zee when she was struggling with her acts and morals as a vampire, and see her lightening the mood when he became concerned. Their feelings for each other weren’t revealed until the last possible minute and their fight for each other was just moving; it’s then you see their depth of feeling for the other.
The writing, without being overly descriptive, was vivid enough for me to have consistently clear images in my head – not just images, but mood and atmosphere. The fight scenes were fast-paced and action-packed and this made a nice contrast with, for example, the temple in Taiwan (at least until all hell broke loose). Nor is the story predictable. While I was a teeny bit suspicious of one particular character, she still managed to surprise me. Not to mention the plot twist. Channing has no qualms about taking her time: she leaves you comfortable in the knowledge of one thing and then springs a surprise on you at the last minute.
While this wasn’t perfect, I was incredibly immersed in the story. I was a bit wary starting it but the author soon dispelled that. I don’t know if there’s a sequel in the works, though I can, in a way, see potential for one. In any case, there are no questions left unanswered, the story is wrapped up nicely and I will most definitely be on the lookout for further work from this author.
A huge thank you to the author for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This review is also posted on my blog.
January 13, 2013
This. Book. Is. AWESOME.
What Kills Me is filled with action, blood and romance. Wynne Channing is truly gifted and her writing made the whole story like a movie for me. I hope she gets a movie deal for her book someday.
The main character, Axelia, is the most hilarious character I have ever come across in all the books I've read. I actually sat there guffawing for a good five minutes before continuing the story, and this happened many times.
That said, there was also gore and blood in this book. I say gore because I'm not a person who likes horror movies, and I turn squeamish when I see blood (except my own). There is killing, sword-fighting, awesome kung-fu moves and heads being lopped off. And I loved the action. Channing kills off characters as quickly as you get to know them - with the exception of Axelia and a few - which literally ripped my heart out as I'd grown to love some of them very much. It is, however, essential in reiterating how ruthless a world Axelia has been thrust into.
Another thing I loved was that part of the story is set in Taiwan. Having been there more than three times, I felt I was there again when Axelia explored Taipei.
There are a few major plot twists, especially the ending which is totally ingenious. The tension was practically screaming out of my Kindle and I couldn't do anything except read on.
Axelia is a really loveable character and I admire her strength. She is perfectly flawed, and I love that as I hate seeing characters start out small and weak, then undergo a 360° transformation at the end of the book and become invincible or something. Axelia, while she grows stronger and surer of herself, takes a long time to adjust and is still very much vulnerable, especially when it comes to the people she cares for. Lucas complements her wonderfully and is her rock. It's amazing how these two realise their growing affection for each other.
I was already looking forward to the sequel when I wasn't even halfway through this book - which means you totally need to pick this up and read it! This is a vampire book like no other and is seriously worth your time. I'm absolutely looking forward to the sequel to see what Wynne Channing has up her sleeves next. Five stars!
What Kills Me is filled with action, blood and romance. Wynne Channing is truly gifted and her writing made the whole story like a movie for me. I hope she gets a movie deal for her book someday.
The main character, Axelia, is the most hilarious character I have ever come across in all the books I've read. I actually sat there guffawing for a good five minutes before continuing the story, and this happened many times.
That said, there was also gore and blood in this book. I say gore because I'm not a person who likes horror movies, and I turn squeamish when I see blood (except my own). There is killing, sword-fighting, awesome kung-fu moves and heads being lopped off. And I loved the action. Channing kills off characters as quickly as you get to know them - with the exception of Axelia and a few - which literally ripped my heart out as I'd grown to love some of them very much. It is, however, essential in reiterating how ruthless a world Axelia has been thrust into.
Another thing I loved was that part of the story is set in Taiwan. Having been there more than three times, I felt I was there again when Axelia explored Taipei.
There are a few major plot twists, especially the ending which is totally ingenious. The tension was practically screaming out of my Kindle and I couldn't do anything except read on.
Axelia is a really loveable character and I admire her strength. She is perfectly flawed, and I love that as I hate seeing characters start out small and weak, then undergo a 360° transformation at the end of the book and become invincible or something. Axelia, while she grows stronger and surer of herself, takes a long time to adjust and is still very much vulnerable, especially when it comes to the people she cares for. Lucas complements her wonderfully and is her rock. It's amazing how these two realise their growing affection for each other.
I was already looking forward to the sequel when I wasn't even halfway through this book - which means you totally need to pick this up and read it! This is a vampire book like no other and is seriously worth your time. I'm absolutely looking forward to the sequel to see what Wynne Channing has up her sleeves next. Five stars!
August 13, 2015
Whhhhhaaaatttttt
This book is amazing omg
I love this vampire story and I NEED to read the next one
So so great
This book is amazing omg
I love this vampire story and I NEED to read the next one
So so great
March 19, 2014
I picked up this book with bad intentions.
I've been bored of Serious Literature lately and honestly, I have a good time reading atrociously bad books, trashing them in reviews, and exposing my friends to the pain. That's why I have so many negative reviews up - a negative review is way more fun to write than a positive one. So I saw this book, thought the cover looked stupid and the synopsis seemed like it was rife with this generation of YA's current fads of violent sexism, and picked it up.
I expected another book identical to what seems like the majority of YA urban supernatural books: a teen girl who is just SO BEAUTIFUL SHE DOESN'T EVEN REALISE IT because she's SO PALE WITH HER MOUSY BROWN HAIR meets a boy at school who is a huge dick to her while she chases after him and he pushes her away because SURPRISE HE IS A VAMPIRE/WEREWOLF/FALLEN ANGEL/DEMON/MERMAID/KAPPA AND WANTS TO MURDERFUCK HER WOW SUCH A BAD BOY!!! and then 900 PAGES OF THEM MAKING MOON EYES AT EACH OTHER until the author remembers 75% of the way into the book that there's supposed to be a plot, so they shoehorn in some villains to menace the girl that the boy has to save her from. Ta-da! I just described what feels like 90% of the current crop of paranormal fantasy young adult bestsellers.
What I got instead was an action-adventure book about a teenaged girl in extraordinary circumstances who goes on a rollicking adventure with a vampire boy who is initially standoffish towards her but slowly warms to her by virtue of their clearly portrayed on-screen chemistry, a vampire novel rife with violence and gore and blood, you know, the way a vampire book should be.
I was a little annoyed, I'll admit, how the author went well out of her way to have her vampires drink blood without ever actually having to hurt or kill someone innocent to do so - the blood just kind of appears out of nowhere, in convenient prepackaged CapriSun containers, a plot point that is discussed once and then never really mentioned again. It felt like a cheap and lazy way to have the edginess of BLOODTHIRSTY KILLERS!!! without having to have the main characters we're supposed to be rooting for have to do anything actually morally wrong. It was hard to be too irritated about this facet considering the book more than makes up for that in terms of general gore. Y'all, a shitload of people get their heads cut off in this book. The author does NOT shy away from writing out fight scenes that include really graphic violence, people getting their heads cut off, stabbed in the face, stabbed in the chest, chopped in half with car doors (!!!), stabbed in the head with glass shards, burnt to a bloody crisp oozing pus and charred flesh, eyes gouged out, bones broken, spines broken...
IT'S AWESOME, FRANKLY.
The main character has a stupid name, yes. Her existence is entirely improbable, yes. The fact that she learns to use a sword well enough in the span of about three or four hours to fight people who have trained with them for hundreds of years is very silly, yes. You could tell the author was getting tired of having her cower in the corner while other people (especially boys) fought to rescue her and really wanted Zee to make the transformation from Helpless Damsel to Action Girl without having to have a huge timeskip. I find this acceptable. Is it silly? Yes. But you know what? If Buffy can do it, then this chick can do it. Fuck it, why not. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'll take 900 Mary Sue Action Girls over a single Bella Swan, Ana Steele, Abby Abernathy, etc etc. Zee is a magical vampire who isn't supposed to exist because she has super extra special magical blood and defies all the rules of vampires in this universe. Sure she can rip other vampires apart with her bare hands, why not. FUCK IT.
I found Zee very likeable. She wasn't whiny, but she wasn't unrealistically callous about her situation either. She was kind to others while not letting people walk all over her - her ability to put up with Lucas without bursting into tears whenever he was mean to her showed that clearly.
And Lucas is mean to her - at first, but it never crosses the line to actual emotional abuse like, say, Twilight does. He very quickly warms up to her and their romance takes time to develop; there is no insta-love here, no "HEY I JUST MET YOU AND THIS IS CRAZY BUT YOU'RE MY SOULMATE SO LET ME STALK YOU MAYBE?" Zee doesn't lose her mind over Lucas' incredible handsomeness, which is nice considering this genre is so rife full of "HE WAS THE HOTTEST BOY IN THE WORLD HE WAS SO HOT THAT I LITERALLY EXPLODED INTO A FROTH AND THEN THE UNIVERSE COLLAPSED, UNABLE TO CONTAIN HIS HOTNESS." Like, control your thirst, YA protags. Am I right? Zee and Lucas initially dislike each other but are thrown together in incredible danger and have to depend on each other because they're all they have, and their slow buildup of camaraderie - where their jibes turned into good-natured teasing - was incredibly refreshing to read.
So yeah. Is this book well-written? No; the prose is really mediocre. Is this book fresh and original? No; the plot is less of a plot than it is the characters swinging from cliche to cliche as if on monkeybars. But is it fun? Is Zee a good role model for teen girls? Hell yeah. I feel like this book didn't take itself as seriously as the goofy cover would have you believe, which is actually a great thing; so many of these grimdark supernatural fantasy YA books are just entirely up their own butts, whereas this one let itself have a little fun with the genre and poke fun at itself in many places. I'd let my hypothetical teen daughter read this over the 800 Twilight clones in a heartbeat, and really I think that's all that matters in YA. Also because I think there should be more teen girl role models who RIP CAR DOORS OFF THEIR HINGES and CUT OFF THEIR ENEMIES' HEADS WITH SWORDS.
So there.
EDIT: you know what? FUCK IT. I'm giving this 4 stars. I'd give it an actual objective rating of maybe two and a half stars just because it is objectively a mediocre book in many ways, but compared to the crap that keeps getting perfect rave reviews on Goodreads, I think this deserves a higher rating and more attention.
I've been bored of Serious Literature lately and honestly, I have a good time reading atrociously bad books, trashing them in reviews, and exposing my friends to the pain. That's why I have so many negative reviews up - a negative review is way more fun to write than a positive one. So I saw this book, thought the cover looked stupid and the synopsis seemed like it was rife with this generation of YA's current fads of violent sexism, and picked it up.
I expected another book identical to what seems like the majority of YA urban supernatural books: a teen girl who is just SO BEAUTIFUL SHE DOESN'T EVEN REALISE IT because she's SO PALE WITH HER MOUSY BROWN HAIR meets a boy at school who is a huge dick to her while she chases after him and he pushes her away because SURPRISE HE IS A VAMPIRE/WEREWOLF/FALLEN ANGEL/DEMON/MERMAID/KAPPA AND WANTS TO MURDERFUCK HER WOW SUCH A BAD BOY!!! and then 900 PAGES OF THEM MAKING MOON EYES AT EACH OTHER until the author remembers 75% of the way into the book that there's supposed to be a plot, so they shoehorn in some villains to menace the girl that the boy has to save her from. Ta-da! I just described what feels like 90% of the current crop of paranormal fantasy young adult bestsellers.
What I got instead was an action-adventure book about a teenaged girl in extraordinary circumstances who goes on a rollicking adventure with a vampire boy who is initially standoffish towards her but slowly warms to her by virtue of their clearly portrayed on-screen chemistry, a vampire novel rife with violence and gore and blood, you know, the way a vampire book should be.
I was a little annoyed, I'll admit, how the author went well out of her way to have her vampires drink blood without ever actually having to hurt or kill someone innocent to do so - the blood just kind of appears out of nowhere, in convenient prepackaged CapriSun containers, a plot point that is discussed once and then never really mentioned again. It felt like a cheap and lazy way to have the edginess of BLOODTHIRSTY KILLERS!!! without having to have the main characters we're supposed to be rooting for have to do anything actually morally wrong. It was hard to be too irritated about this facet considering the book more than makes up for that in terms of general gore. Y'all, a shitload of people get their heads cut off in this book. The author does NOT shy away from writing out fight scenes that include really graphic violence, people getting their heads cut off, stabbed in the face, stabbed in the chest, chopped in half with car doors (!!!), stabbed in the head with glass shards, burnt to a bloody crisp oozing pus and charred flesh, eyes gouged out, bones broken, spines broken...
IT'S AWESOME, FRANKLY.
The main character has a stupid name, yes. Her existence is entirely improbable, yes. The fact that she learns to use a sword well enough in the span of about three or four hours to fight people who have trained with them for hundreds of years is very silly, yes. You could tell the author was getting tired of having her cower in the corner while other people (especially boys) fought to rescue her and really wanted Zee to make the transformation from Helpless Damsel to Action Girl without having to have a huge timeskip. I find this acceptable. Is it silly? Yes. But you know what? If Buffy can do it, then this chick can do it. Fuck it, why not. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'll take 900 Mary Sue Action Girls over a single Bella Swan, Ana Steele, Abby Abernathy, etc etc. Zee is a magical vampire who isn't supposed to exist because she has super extra special magical blood and defies all the rules of vampires in this universe. Sure she can rip other vampires apart with her bare hands, why not. FUCK IT.
I found Zee very likeable. She wasn't whiny, but she wasn't unrealistically callous about her situation either. She was kind to others while not letting people walk all over her - her ability to put up with Lucas without bursting into tears whenever he was mean to her showed that clearly.
And Lucas is mean to her - at first, but it never crosses the line to actual emotional abuse like, say, Twilight does. He very quickly warms up to her and their romance takes time to develop; there is no insta-love here, no "HEY I JUST MET YOU AND THIS IS CRAZY BUT YOU'RE MY SOULMATE SO LET ME STALK YOU MAYBE?" Zee doesn't lose her mind over Lucas' incredible handsomeness, which is nice considering this genre is so rife full of "HE WAS THE HOTTEST BOY IN THE WORLD HE WAS SO HOT THAT I LITERALLY EXPLODED INTO A FROTH AND THEN THE UNIVERSE COLLAPSED, UNABLE TO CONTAIN HIS HOTNESS." Like, control your thirst, YA protags. Am I right? Zee and Lucas initially dislike each other but are thrown together in incredible danger and have to depend on each other because they're all they have, and their slow buildup of camaraderie - where their jibes turned into good-natured teasing - was incredibly refreshing to read.
So yeah. Is this book well-written? No; the prose is really mediocre. Is this book fresh and original? No; the plot is less of a plot than it is the characters swinging from cliche to cliche as if on monkeybars. But is it fun? Is Zee a good role model for teen girls? Hell yeah. I feel like this book didn't take itself as seriously as the goofy cover would have you believe, which is actually a great thing; so many of these grimdark supernatural fantasy YA books are just entirely up their own butts, whereas this one let itself have a little fun with the genre and poke fun at itself in many places. I'd let my hypothetical teen daughter read this over the 800 Twilight clones in a heartbeat, and really I think that's all that matters in YA. Also because I think there should be more teen girl role models who RIP CAR DOORS OFF THEIR HINGES and CUT OFF THEIR ENEMIES' HEADS WITH SWORDS.
So there.
EDIT: you know what? FUCK IT. I'm giving this 4 stars. I'd give it an actual objective rating of maybe two and a half stars just because it is objectively a mediocre book in many ways, but compared to the crap that keeps getting perfect rave reviews on Goodreads, I think this deserves a higher rating and more attention.
July 13, 2012
What Kills Me is a heart pounding story about a girl named Axelia (Zee) who is studying in Rome and meets a kind boy who helps her find her way home. Charmed by his good manners and good looks, Axelia agrees to go out with him, but soon learns that he's not what he seems. Paolo is a Vampire. Running from her life, Axelia falls into a sacred well only to wake up dead and the girl who has been fated to end all vampires.
To be honest, I wasn't sure about this book at first, it was a little to fast in the beginning and I had a hard time connecting with Axelia, but as the story moves on and she meets Noel, Jerome and Lucas I started to get more invested and by the time the book was done I can honestly say that I ended up enjoying this more then I thought I would.
I love my vampire books, always was one of my favorite genres, so it's nice to still be able to sink into this story and be surprised. This was a fresh take on this lore, giving the readers something different then other vampire stories.
I have to hand to Wynne Channing, she really knows how to write a helluva kick-ass fighting scenes. It's heart pounding crazy and a complete rush every time Zee or Lucas would fight to survive. But what impressed me the most was the clever way Channing twisted-up this prophecy. Did not see that coming. At all, and I absolutely loved it. Smart smart cookie!
I really loved Lucas and Zee. Although these two characters had a shaky start, they have some really great chemistry. I loved being on the run with them and watching there connection grow from annoyance to devotion. Lucas comes off harsh and rude and even a jerk, but he's loyal and protective and a fighter. Zee was easy to love the minute we meet her. Human or vampire, she has such a sweet and kind nature. So it was pretty comical to think of her as the one to kill the existence of vampires. She feels guilty when ever they stole a car and is even afraid of bugs for crying out loud. While there is very little romance in this story, what we did get was some really adorable banter, moments that made me smile and sparks of affection, which pleased the sap in me.
Bottom line, What Kills Me turned out to be a really great read. The plot is exciting and fascinating, the characters were well written and brave and the story line was unique and fun.
Well done!
Special thanks to Wynne Channing for providing us a copy in exchange for a honest review.
This review and more can also be seen at;
To be honest, I wasn't sure about this book at first, it was a little to fast in the beginning and I had a hard time connecting with Axelia, but as the story moves on and she meets Noel, Jerome and Lucas I started to get more invested and by the time the book was done I can honestly say that I ended up enjoying this more then I thought I would.
I love my vampire books, always was one of my favorite genres, so it's nice to still be able to sink into this story and be surprised. This was a fresh take on this lore, giving the readers something different then other vampire stories.
I have to hand to Wynne Channing, she really knows how to write a helluva kick-ass fighting scenes. It's heart pounding crazy and a complete rush every time Zee or Lucas would fight to survive. But what impressed me the most was the clever way Channing twisted-up this prophecy. Did not see that coming. At all, and I absolutely loved it. Smart smart cookie!
I really loved Lucas and Zee. Although these two characters had a shaky start, they have some really great chemistry. I loved being on the run with them and watching there connection grow from annoyance to devotion. Lucas comes off harsh and rude and even a jerk, but he's loyal and protective and a fighter. Zee was easy to love the minute we meet her. Human or vampire, she has such a sweet and kind nature. So it was pretty comical to think of her as the one to kill the existence of vampires. She feels guilty when ever they stole a car and is even afraid of bugs for crying out loud. While there is very little romance in this story, what we did get was some really adorable banter, moments that made me smile and sparks of affection, which pleased the sap in me.
Bottom line, What Kills Me turned out to be a really great read. The plot is exciting and fascinating, the characters were well written and brave and the story line was unique and fun.
Well done!
Special thanks to Wynne Channing for providing us a copy in exchange for a honest review.
This review and more can also be seen at;
April 13, 2014
THIS BOOK WAS..... AMAZING!! I legit couldnt put it down when i started reading it. It was one of my favourite books ive ever read. When you read the summary you were probably like omg another vampire book, but trust me it isnt. This book has its own unique story and features that youll probably not find in other books. Its one of those books you have to read. Once you start it you cant wait to finish!
September 7, 2013
This was phenomenal! I need book 2 now! Don't let it fool you it's not YA at all and so so good! Zee is the perfect character. She's humble while being totally kick ass and her relationship with Lucas was exactly how I like them in a a book. I'm so glad I read this one and will be waiting not so patiently for book 2 later this year!
July 27, 2012
This was frigging awesome.
So funny. I thought Lucas may be moody all the way through but he was just so funny!
It was refreshing.
And DAMN I've read about so many HOT guys called Lucas!
And he was definitely HOT.
I loved that ending.. It was great.
Can't wait for the next one!
So funny. I thought Lucas may be moody all the way through but he was just so funny!
It was refreshing.
And DAMN I've read about so many HOT guys called Lucas!
And he was definitely HOT.
I loved that ending.. It was great.
Can't wait for the next one!
August 30, 2012
What Kills Me is a YA Paranormal Romance written by Wynne Channing. I read this as a R2R with Making Connections YA Edition. As always, a special thank you to the mods and author for allowing me to participate.
★★★★
Awesome start! Keep them coming!
The Rundown:
Axelia, or Zee as is her nickname, is in Italy for the summer to go to school and hopefully have an adventure or two, but when she meets a handsome boy, things go from a night out on the town to very bad in a split second. She wanted a little excitement on her summer away from home, but life just got real complicated and now she’s a changed girl, people are trying to kill her and a brand new horrifying world has just revealed itself. Being chased all over the country by sword wielding psychos doesn’t leave much time for Axelia to become adjusted to her new world, but things could be worse as she makes new friends and might even find love.
The Review:
This was a nifty little read. Coming in at about 200 or so pages, this story starts out with Zee as a normal girl living a normal life who finds herself in a dire situation that changes her and her future forever. This story was very well written. It was thrilling, creative and adventurous. I was impressed with Axelia’s character. She was an ever-evolving heroine who started out shy and scared but grew into a brave warrior. The hero, Lucas, was strong, courageous and I liked his devotion to Zee. I also liked how they didn’t get along in the beginning but grew to care about one another as the adventure and journey continued. They were cute and sweet together and a force to go up against!
The idea of how Axelia came to be changed was terrific. I love the lore the author creates and the world she builds is very interesting and colorful.
My only complaint… it was too short and I wanted more!
The Wrap Up:
I’d suggest this book to anyone looking for a quick and exciting YA paranormal read. I really hope there are more books in the works because it left off with an eye popping cliffy and I want to know what’s next for Zee and Lucas! They definitely have more adventures ahead!
★★★★
Awesome start! Keep them coming!
The Rundown:
Axelia, or Zee as is her nickname, is in Italy for the summer to go to school and hopefully have an adventure or two, but when she meets a handsome boy, things go from a night out on the town to very bad in a split second. She wanted a little excitement on her summer away from home, but life just got real complicated and now she’s a changed girl, people are trying to kill her and a brand new horrifying world has just revealed itself. Being chased all over the country by sword wielding psychos doesn’t leave much time for Axelia to become adjusted to her new world, but things could be worse as she makes new friends and might even find love.
The Review:
This was a nifty little read. Coming in at about 200 or so pages, this story starts out with Zee as a normal girl living a normal life who finds herself in a dire situation that changes her and her future forever. This story was very well written. It was thrilling, creative and adventurous. I was impressed with Axelia’s character. She was an ever-evolving heroine who started out shy and scared but grew into a brave warrior. The hero, Lucas, was strong, courageous and I liked his devotion to Zee. I also liked how they didn’t get along in the beginning but grew to care about one another as the adventure and journey continued. They were cute and sweet together and a force to go up against!
The idea of how Axelia came to be changed was terrific. I love the lore the author creates and the world she builds is very interesting and colorful.
My only complaint… it was too short and I wanted more!
The Wrap Up:
I’d suggest this book to anyone looking for a quick and exciting YA paranormal read. I really hope there are more books in the works because it left off with an eye popping cliffy and I want to know what’s next for Zee and Lucas! They definitely have more adventures ahead!
August 10, 2012
I received this book from the author in return for a honest review. The book is about a 17 year old girl Alexia aka Zee to her friends. She's spending the summer in Rome, as luck would have it the first cute boy she meets just happens to be a vampire who wants to drink her blood. She gets away from him only to fall down a well to her death but to climb out a sire-less vampire. A sire-less vampire is prophesied to bring about the end of all the vampires, so the empress the leader of the vampires sends out her guards to bring her back to be put to death.
In her quest to get away she meets Lucas a vampire living with his father and a younger boy vampire they help her out as well as offer to help her get away from the guards but that proves impossible when the general shows up with his guards and Lucas and Zee are the last one standing he promises to protect her as his father would want him too. The pair is sets out on a quest to find Lucas sire in hopes that she will be able to save them from the General and his men who want to hunt her down.
I loved Zee she's just so innocent it's refreshing to read about getting used to being a vampire as well as the trouble that follows her in. I like the chemistry between Zee and Lucas there is so much potential, it's really sweet. The story instantly sucks you in with action, than keeps you wanting more as the story progresses. There are a few twists I didn't see coming and I love that the book kept me guessing. I found the characters well developed, that I had a good feel of who they are as well as what they look like. I found the story a unique twist on the vampires and I really liked that aspect of the story. I’ve always been a sucker for a vampire book since I was a kid so this book was right up my alley. Overall I loved the book, but I want more, I’m crossing my fingers and hoping for another chapter in the story. Plus I love the cover it's beautiful.
June 20, 2012
Wynne Channing’s debut novel, “What Kills Me,” is to die for. I’m not being cute here; this vampire novel kicks the you-know-what out of most other vampire novels out there.
The premise is original. The characters are well developed. The settings are beautifully described. The story is fluid and fast-paced. The action is almost non-stop, but never over the top. Most importantly, the series’ potential is unlimited.
The main characters, Zee and Lucas, make you want to cheer. They’re damaged, yet determined. They’re also a great team, whether working in tandem to remove heads and limbs from enemies or supporting each other through a never-ending series of betrayals and heartbreak. Thankfully, Channing depicts how they deal with their burgeoning feelings for each other with style and finesse, instead of overwhelming the reader with endless prose about physical attraction and pseudo-narcissism.
The ending was one of the best I can recall. While bringing the story to a satisfying, albeit surprise, conclusion, the information revealed has the potential to turn the entire series on its ear.
I eagerly—but not very patiently—await the next installment.
I highly recommend “What Kills Me” for fans of YA, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy … although I firmly believe it should be on the must-read list for anyone who loves great fiction.
The premise is original. The characters are well developed. The settings are beautifully described. The story is fluid and fast-paced. The action is almost non-stop, but never over the top. Most importantly, the series’ potential is unlimited.
The main characters, Zee and Lucas, make you want to cheer. They’re damaged, yet determined. They’re also a great team, whether working in tandem to remove heads and limbs from enemies or supporting each other through a never-ending series of betrayals and heartbreak. Thankfully, Channing depicts how they deal with their burgeoning feelings for each other with style and finesse, instead of overwhelming the reader with endless prose about physical attraction and pseudo-narcissism.
The ending was one of the best I can recall. While bringing the story to a satisfying, albeit surprise, conclusion, the information revealed has the potential to turn the entire series on its ear.
I eagerly—but not very patiently—await the next installment.
I highly recommend “What Kills Me” for fans of YA, paranormal romance, and urban fantasy … although I firmly believe it should be on the must-read list for anyone who loves great fiction.
September 5, 2013
What a surprising find!! This has features that I enjoy in a good book. Strong MC, hot male lead, action and lots of twists and turns. It kept my attention from beginning to end. The romance was subtle but it was there. So I think it will satisfy my romance-phobic friends. I loved that Zee is strong and finds ways of saving herself and doesn't just rely on Lucas. The banter and connection between the two was sweet and my inner 13 year old girl clapped her hands in glee a couple of times.
The ending was probably my least favorite part and I have no idea which road book 2 will take but will eagerly pick it up!
The ending was probably my least favorite part and I have no idea which road book 2 will take but will eagerly pick it up!
February 9, 2014
What Kills Me was a really good read.
I never felt bored, because it was full of action.
I really liked Zee. (Axelia)
She made me laugh with her sarcasm, and turned out to be a pretty kickass character at the end of it.
I didn't like Lucas at first, but when he stopped being cold towards Zee, he grew on me.
The ending was really good, and it defiantly made me want to read book two to see where it all goes from there.
I never felt bored, because it was full of action.
I really liked Zee. (Axelia)
She made me laugh with her sarcasm, and turned out to be a pretty kickass character at the end of it.
I didn't like Lucas at first, but when he stopped being cold towards Zee, he grew on me.
The ending was really good, and it defiantly made me want to read book two to see where it all goes from there.
May 19, 2016
4.5 stars. If you are looking for a book full of action from the first page, with plenty of humour, a bit of romance and a different slant on vampires, then you will love this book. I was hooked and suffered the one-more-chapter syndrome the entire book. Highly recommended!
April 3, 2021
2.5 stars
The best part of the book was the ending, it was unexpected and wow. Really, but the ending alone is not enough to save all the rest. It is quite a mediocre book, with some things that aren't so smoothly developed (especially in the first half of it. The second half is slightly better, but not by far).
The best part of the book was the ending, it was unexpected and wow. Really, but the ending alone is not enough to save all the rest. It is quite a mediocre book, with some things that aren't so smoothly developed (especially in the first half of it. The second half is slightly better, but not by far).
December 19, 2012
Gaaaah! This is one AWESOME book! I knew from the summary plot that I would like it. :))
Okay, before anything else, Thank you so much for recommending this book to me Lexie! I O U for it. :D
Alright, here we go.
From the very beginning to the very end, it's exciting! All of it was well created, character building, plot, twists and everything! And I love Zee, very adorable girl! She kind of reminds me of Anna from Sweet Evil and sometimes Vere from Unmaking Hunter Kennedy, their all naive in their cute ways. Lucas! Ah, the man with few words, I would love to trade anything to get into his mind. *cough* Lucas' POV please *cough* with his limited words,
(FANGIRL MODE)
ASDFGHJKL!! *breathe in, breathe out*
Even, the romance, is simply amazing, they realistically developed, you know, sometimes the love at first sight thing seems to be overrated nowadays.
Story wise, well, if anyone can notice, I really like quick paced story. Because I can read it in a quick pace too. And by quick pace, I mean, not boring. And this is one good book! Good job! I'm actually hoping for a sequel, but well, I can only hope!
You know some book is interesting if the first page already attracts you, or hit your curiosity and captivating if you reach almost the end of the page without realizing it. So I therefore conclude, What Kills Me is both and in Zee's favorite word, I say, "Seriously!!" :D
THIS IS A MUST READ! I SWEARRRR!
August 13, 2016
Axelia a.k.a. Zee, 17 years old, from Winnipeg, Canada, is vacationing in Rome…. On the week that she’s there, to cut the story short, running from a date who wants to kill her, she fell into this sacred well filled with vampire blood and emerges as vampire! Which to the vampire world is an abomination, except for a prophesy of a girl falling into the well who will rise as vampire and will restore order by killing the entire vampire race. Now, on the run from the vampire queen’s soldiers and mercenaries, fighting to survive with the help of a reluctant ally, Lucas, a vampire bladesmith.
Zee has this very bubbly personality, funny, innocent, shy, very friendly and just adorable. You will love her, well, I did! Not to mention she loves gelato, just like me!!!! lol.
While Lucas is the exact opposite, he is the silent type, doesn’t smile, not so friendly. To start with he was quite rude, but it is just part of his protective personality that you will love. Plus, he is loyal and protects Zee with his life! So in another word, he is perfect, six feet tall, muscle, stunning green eyes and with that italian accent, sexy!!!!
The story is really quite interesting. Full of surprises! Even to the end. A fun read. A Paranormal lovers must!!!! The writing is superb! A full on action, suspense, funny, and a hint of romance. Written on Zee’s POV.
And it's FREE right now in Kobo and Amazon... ;)
Review also posted here :
http://slitsread.wordpress.com/2014/0...
https://www.facebook.com/SLiTsReaD
I LOVED THIS!!!!
Zee has this very bubbly personality, funny, innocent, shy, very friendly and just adorable. You will love her, well, I did! Not to mention she loves gelato, just like me!!!! lol.
While Lucas is the exact opposite, he is the silent type, doesn’t smile, not so friendly. To start with he was quite rude, but it is just part of his protective personality that you will love. Plus, he is loyal and protects Zee with his life! So in another word, he is perfect, six feet tall, muscle, stunning green eyes and with that italian accent, sexy!!!!
The story is really quite interesting. Full of surprises! Even to the end. A fun read. A Paranormal lovers must!!!! The writing is superb! A full on action, suspense, funny, and a hint of romance. Written on Zee’s POV.
And it's FREE right now in Kobo and Amazon... ;)
Review also posted here :
http://slitsread.wordpress.com/2014/0...
https://www.facebook.com/SLiTsReaD
September 4, 2012
Ugh. I was really hoping this book was going to awesome...but I feel like it didn't bring anything new to the table as far as Vampire's go. :/
Axelia, while her name is still badass, fell short as a heroine for me. Not until the last 80% of the story did she start to take semi-advantage of her powers.
I really did not care for the romance in this story either. Lucas was way too distant and just flat out rude to Axelia. I'd hardly even consider them friends for the first half of the story based on the way they treated each other. I actually thought a chunk of the story was missing when I reached a certain point. One page they could't stand each other and the next they suddenly started to care/love for each other? Yah, that didn't work for me. That type of relationship is almost worst than the dreadful insta-love. Why banter and bicker when you can just be nice to each other from the beginning/actually develop true feelings?
This story just wasn't really for me but I know lots of people will enjoy this one.
Axelia, while her name is still badass, fell short as a heroine for me. Not until the last 80% of the story did she start to take semi-advantage of her powers.
I really did not care for the romance in this story either. Lucas was way too distant and just flat out rude to Axelia. I'd hardly even consider them friends for the first half of the story based on the way they treated each other. I actually thought a chunk of the story was missing when I reached a certain point. One page they could't stand each other and the next they suddenly started to care/love for each other? Yah, that didn't work for me. That type of relationship is almost worst than the dreadful insta-love. Why banter and bicker when you can just be nice to each other from the beginning/actually develop true feelings?
This story just wasn't really for me but I know lots of people will enjoy this one.
April 13, 2013
I'm going to write a review this weekend. 14 hours to get on & off this island to run 3 errands today. Exhausted! Yeah. About that. Anyhow. My brain can't do justice to this book at the moment so this is a reminder to self: REVIEW this killer book!
I'm going to be honest, I read this because Wynne Channing seems super nice. I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm happy to report that Ms. Channing blew me away!
I think it's insane that this book only costs 99 cents, but I know how it goes trying to get readers to give your work a chance in a sea of choices.
I'm going to be honest, I read this because Wynne Channing seems super nice. I wasn't sure what to expect. I'm happy to report that Ms. Channing blew me away!
I think it's insane that this book only costs 99 cents, but I know how it goes trying to get readers to give your work a chance in a sea of choices.
August 12, 2012
Genre: YA/New Adult Urban Fantasy
My Review:
This was such a great read!!! **happy squeals** This was crazy hard to put down, the action just hits you from get get-go. We barely meet Axelia, whose friends call her Zee, before she meets a mysterious and quite yummy looking stranger, but all is not what it seems. Then like tsunami waves, the action just keeps coming. Insane crap keeps happening to this girl, she just CANNOT catch a break! And you are left in shock going, "NO FREAKIN' WAY!!!"
Axelia is believable and super easy to connect with. You like her right away, even when she does something stupid. Then your heart breaks for her as she copes with becoming a vampire and the severing of human ties. You're outraged at the unfairness of it all. Her reactions are in perfect tune with how you'd think someone would react; she's brave but not suddenly a kick-butt heroine out of nowhere.
Then there's Lucas. Perfect! Sure he's a jerk at first and stays pretty abrasive, but you understand who he is and where he's coming from and what type of man he is underneath the burliness. There's a good amount of back story letting you ...and Axelia... warm to him. There's some great chemistry between the two!
I love all the crazy and creative happening in this book. I love that I kept thinking that it just couldn't get any worse and then it would. I love how surprised I was throughout the book. I love the great twist that comes at the end and how it's open to more, but enough closure that you can sigh that happy sigh of a book well concluded.
The only complaint I could make is that everything happened so quickly, that I wish I could've gotten to know all the characters, especially the peripheral ones, better. I'm torn on this point. On one hand, if Axelia spent a few days at each location, we would all know each other much better and the feeling between our MCs could grow at a more natural pace. On the other hand, the crazy pace is what makes this book special. Hmmm. Guess I can't have my cake and eat it too, can I?
Cover Art:
This is they type of cover that gets me to read a book without so much as reading the blurb! It's just that freaking beautiful! See the butterflies?!? I love little details like that! And I love the title as well; it's a perfect tease for what we'll find inside and yet still quite mysterious.
See more of my reviews on my blog, Known to Read.
My Review:
This was such a great read!!! **happy squeals** This was crazy hard to put down, the action just hits you from get get-go. We barely meet Axelia, whose friends call her Zee, before she meets a mysterious and quite yummy looking stranger, but all is not what it seems. Then like tsunami waves, the action just keeps coming. Insane crap keeps happening to this girl, she just CANNOT catch a break! And you are left in shock going, "NO FREAKIN' WAY!!!"
Axelia is believable and super easy to connect with. You like her right away, even when she does something stupid. Then your heart breaks for her as she copes with becoming a vampire and the severing of human ties. You're outraged at the unfairness of it all. Her reactions are in perfect tune with how you'd think someone would react; she's brave but not suddenly a kick-butt heroine out of nowhere.
Then there's Lucas. Perfect! Sure he's a jerk at first and stays pretty abrasive, but you understand who he is and where he's coming from and what type of man he is underneath the burliness. There's a good amount of back story letting you ...and Axelia... warm to him. There's some great chemistry between the two!
I love all the crazy and creative happening in this book. I love that I kept thinking that it just couldn't get any worse and then it would. I love how surprised I was throughout the book. I love the great twist that comes at the end and how it's open to more, but enough closure that you can sigh that happy sigh of a book well concluded.
The only complaint I could make is that everything happened so quickly, that I wish I could've gotten to know all the characters, especially the peripheral ones, better. I'm torn on this point. On one hand, if Axelia spent a few days at each location, we would all know each other much better and the feeling between our MCs could grow at a more natural pace. On the other hand, the crazy pace is what makes this book special. Hmmm. Guess I can't have my cake and eat it too, can I?
Cover Art:
This is they type of cover that gets me to read a book without so much as reading the blurb! It's just that freaking beautiful! See the butterflies?!? I love little details like that! And I love the title as well; it's a perfect tease for what we'll find inside and yet still quite mysterious.
See more of my reviews on my blog, Known to Read.
June 27, 2012
Also Found On: A Book and A Record
Wow...just...wow! This book was so incredible and amazing and wonderful! It was exactly the vampire book that I have been waiting for! Okay, I'll stop gushing, but seriously, this is exactly what I've wanted from a vampire book since I read Interview with a Vampire. Reasons why this is amazing:
1. The story. Wynne Channing has such an amazing talent as an author, not only does she suck you in, she doesn't leave you hanging! She takes you right along throughout the story, and you really get the sense that you're seeing everything through Axelia's eyes. (I'm in LOVE with that name btw) She also has that awesome structural talent of having every chapter end with a need to keep going. (I kept saying: “I'll stop after the next chapter, I need to get some sleep!” and that never happened.) The way that Wynne's vampires are portrayed is so much closer to original lore than any YA vampire story that I have ever read, thankfully! (No, her vampires DON'T sparkle, they are way too Bad A for that)
2. The characters. Holy crap, was I falling for Lucas from the beginning?! You bet I was!What a great cast, from Lettie and Uther, to Lucas, and Jerome, even Lucas' Obaia was really intriguing to read about, my heart sort of broke for her.
3. Axelia, Axelia, Zee. Ahh, this girl, oh man, she sounded like every girl that I know wrapped up in one! What an amazing character and voice, her reaction to becoming a vampire are at times both heart wrenching and hilarious, and her first impressions of Lucas made me laugh out loud. I loved watching her fight for survival as well acclimating to becoming a vampire. Getting to be inside her head for the short time that I was was such a treat!
Basically everything about this novel was incredible. Seriously. If you're getting tired of the same-old same-old concerning vampire stories, don't give up yet! Read this and YA vampire lit can be redeemed! I do have one suggestion though: read it with the lights on. There were definitely some heart pounding moments and delicious adrenaline rushes. My only complaint? That it ended! (Note to Wynne: please write a sequel, as a matter of fact write a hundred sequels, because girlfriend, this is one of my favorite books of 2012!)
Wow...just...wow! This book was so incredible and amazing and wonderful! It was exactly the vampire book that I have been waiting for! Okay, I'll stop gushing, but seriously, this is exactly what I've wanted from a vampire book since I read Interview with a Vampire. Reasons why this is amazing:
1. The story. Wynne Channing has such an amazing talent as an author, not only does she suck you in, she doesn't leave you hanging! She takes you right along throughout the story, and you really get the sense that you're seeing everything through Axelia's eyes. (I'm in LOVE with that name btw) She also has that awesome structural talent of having every chapter end with a need to keep going. (I kept saying: “I'll stop after the next chapter, I need to get some sleep!” and that never happened.) The way that Wynne's vampires are portrayed is so much closer to original lore than any YA vampire story that I have ever read, thankfully! (No, her vampires DON'T sparkle, they are way too Bad A for that)
2. The characters. Holy crap, was I falling for Lucas from the beginning?! You bet I was!What a great cast, from Lettie and Uther, to Lucas, and Jerome, even Lucas' Obaia was really intriguing to read about, my heart sort of broke for her.
3. Axelia, Axelia, Zee. Ahh, this girl, oh man, she sounded like every girl that I know wrapped up in one! What an amazing character and voice, her reaction to becoming a vampire are at times both heart wrenching and hilarious, and her first impressions of Lucas made me laugh out loud. I loved watching her fight for survival as well acclimating to becoming a vampire. Getting to be inside her head for the short time that I was was such a treat!
Basically everything about this novel was incredible. Seriously. If you're getting tired of the same-old same-old concerning vampire stories, don't give up yet! Read this and YA vampire lit can be redeemed! I do have one suggestion though: read it with the lights on. There were definitely some heart pounding moments and delicious adrenaline rushes. My only complaint? That it ended! (Note to Wynne: please write a sequel, as a matter of fact write a hundred sequels, because girlfriend, this is one of my favorite books of 2012!)
August 30, 2012
This book caught me entirely by surprise, and in a terrific way. If you like Hostel (without the gore) or Kill Bill… heck, if you like Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, add some vampires and a whole lot more, and you will like this book. There is so much that happens within this story that I am shocked that the author fit it all in there. And furthermore, it doesn’t feel like anything is glossed over. At just over 200 pages, you get a whole story – with room for a sequel, I believe. From the very first page to the very last page I was enthralled and could barely put it down.
The beginning has all the makings of a classic girl meets boy and falls in love story, but of course there is a twist. And the twists just keep on coming. This is the life of Axelia, Zee for short. And her life has just gotten flipped and turned upside down, nothing will ever be the same. Ever. And she will probably never eat a fishball again. Ha, I bet you want to see what the heck I am talking about there, don’t ya??
People are dying left and right, and Zee is suddenly on the run, and with someone who seemingly can’t stand her - Lucas. Just great. Of all the blessed luck in the world! When you are a new vampire and you are being hunted down, you don’t exactly get to choose your running mate. There is so much going on underneath the top layer, that you can’t help but sit and watch. First, Zee – she is awesome. If I was a newly turned abomination to the vampire race, I would certainly want to be her. She is witty and intelligent, clumsy and awkward. She is just fabulous. And then her accomplice on the run, Lucas. There is so much more to Lucas than meets the eye, I found myself under his spell right away. I wanted to yell at Zee, “kiss him!!!”. Sigh. The struggles we go through as a reader when we can’t get our favorite characters to listen to us.
On top of an action and drama packed storyline you also get some of the most beautiful and descriptive imagery. At times it is dreamy and swoon worthy, while at others it is rough and edgey, and even more, you get serenity, fear, and pleasure. And I’m only talking about the landscape. This book reads fast, there is a steady rhythm to events, and they keep you moving. I am an instant fan of Wynne Channing’s, and I am on pins and needles waiting for the next book in this series.
The beginning has all the makings of a classic girl meets boy and falls in love story, but of course there is a twist. And the twists just keep on coming. This is the life of Axelia, Zee for short. And her life has just gotten flipped and turned upside down, nothing will ever be the same. Ever. And she will probably never eat a fishball again. Ha, I bet you want to see what the heck I am talking about there, don’t ya??
People are dying left and right, and Zee is suddenly on the run, and with someone who seemingly can’t stand her - Lucas. Just great. Of all the blessed luck in the world! When you are a new vampire and you are being hunted down, you don’t exactly get to choose your running mate. There is so much going on underneath the top layer, that you can’t help but sit and watch. First, Zee – she is awesome. If I was a newly turned abomination to the vampire race, I would certainly want to be her. She is witty and intelligent, clumsy and awkward. She is just fabulous. And then her accomplice on the run, Lucas. There is so much more to Lucas than meets the eye, I found myself under his spell right away. I wanted to yell at Zee, “kiss him!!!”. Sigh. The struggles we go through as a reader when we can’t get our favorite characters to listen to us.
On top of an action and drama packed storyline you also get some of the most beautiful and descriptive imagery. At times it is dreamy and swoon worthy, while at others it is rough and edgey, and even more, you get serenity, fear, and pleasure. And I’m only talking about the landscape. This book reads fast, there is a steady rhythm to events, and they keep you moving. I am an instant fan of Wynne Channing’s, and I am on pins and needles waiting for the next book in this series.
July 25, 2012
I absolutely loved this book! I just finished it and my heart is still racing from the anticipation and the excitement of the last few chapters. I think I even held my breath at one point worried about what was going to happen!
Wynne Channing's writing has a way of captivating the reader. I swear, I felt like I was watching a movie! I could see every detail from the visual, to the sounds, to the feelings, to the action. This story never lags and it is an amazing adventure. If you love vampire books, do not pass this book up! Channing does a fantastic job building the world and opening up this unique spin on the vampire folklore.
Not only was the world-building phenomenal, the character development was just as great! I loved Zee, the protagonist. From the very first chapter, I adored her. Her humor was infectious and she has this charm about her.
”I just thought vampires would look, you know, vicious while drinking blood,” I said. “You look like you’re in kindergarten with your juice pack.”
So many more quotes that I absolutely loved! But I don’t want to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t read the book – so go read the book!!
We start off with Zee being a normal girl spending the summer in Rome. She meets a boy and of course he brings trouble! Then her life changes when she becomes a vampire – by accident… or maybe by fate? This sets off the chain of events in the book. There’s a vampire monarchy, ancient prophecies, sword fighting, traveling through Italy and Taiwan, fighting scenes, and a hint of romance thrown in there.
Zee will come across Lucas. Lucas helps Zee survive, even though he didn’t really want to in the beginning. ”Choosing to survive. That is brave. So be brave. Come with me.” Talk about swoon worthy! I adored his character.
I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’ll stop now. I definitely recommend this book. The characters are awesome, the plot is unique, the visual and auditory descriptions are amazing, there is non-stop action, and it has humor woven in. I heard there is a sequel in the works, I can’t wait! Thank you to my Goodreads friend, Heinzypop, for recommending this book and for writing such a lovely review! It is from your comments that the book was brought to my attention :)
Wynne Channing's writing has a way of captivating the reader. I swear, I felt like I was watching a movie! I could see every detail from the visual, to the sounds, to the feelings, to the action. This story never lags and it is an amazing adventure. If you love vampire books, do not pass this book up! Channing does a fantastic job building the world and opening up this unique spin on the vampire folklore.
Not only was the world-building phenomenal, the character development was just as great! I loved Zee, the protagonist. From the very first chapter, I adored her. Her humor was infectious and she has this charm about her.
”I just thought vampires would look, you know, vicious while drinking blood,” I said. “You look like you’re in kindergarten with your juice pack.”
So many more quotes that I absolutely loved! But I don’t want to ruin it for anyone who hasn’t read the book – so go read the book!!
We start off with Zee being a normal girl spending the summer in Rome. She meets a boy and of course he brings trouble! Then her life changes when she becomes a vampire – by accident… or maybe by fate? This sets off the chain of events in the book. There’s a vampire monarchy, ancient prophecies, sword fighting, traveling through Italy and Taiwan, fighting scenes, and a hint of romance thrown in there.
Zee will come across Lucas. Lucas helps Zee survive, even though he didn’t really want to in the beginning. ”Choosing to survive. That is brave. So be brave. Come with me.” Talk about swoon worthy! I adored his character.
I don’t want to give any spoilers, so I’ll stop now. I definitely recommend this book. The characters are awesome, the plot is unique, the visual and auditory descriptions are amazing, there is non-stop action, and it has humor woven in. I heard there is a sequel in the works, I can’t wait! Thank you to my Goodreads friend, Heinzypop, for recommending this book and for writing such a lovely review! It is from your comments that the book was brought to my attention :)
September 10, 2012
Axelia (Zee) is studying Italian in the center of the culture in Italy. when she meets Paola things seem to be perfect, but things quickly go from good to bad, to worse. Paola is NOT what he seems to be and he leads Zee to the sacred grounds of the Ancients. When Zee finds herself drowning in a pool of blood and somehow manages to get out, things go from normal to creepy in a matter of minutes. Once she emerges she's taken to face the Queen and faces punishment for her intrusion on sacred ground. She soon finds out she's not like others of her kind.
Once she escapes, she heads into the woods and simply runs to find a way be free. Its there she finds the cottage, Lucas and his family who are rebels of the queen. Lucas is a skilled swordsman and fighter. Soon the queens warriors catch up with Zee and Lucas' family fight to save her and all but Lucas survive. On the run they seek out an old friend of Lucas' who can help them seek out Lucas' maker, who has knowledge about the prophecy surrounding Zee.
<>Their journey is seemingly full of peril as the monarchy is still hot on their trail and Zee and Lucas have to fight to stay alive. Once they reach their destination they think they have sanctuary for a while. However, things aren't what they seem as their lookout is found killed, turned to ash, and others are missing. Soon the army of the queen is right there. Zee and Lucas are shocked to find out how they were found. Things are getting getting tense, but the tables will turn.
I can't spoil the ending as it was a truly shocking revelation which leads to what will be the next story in the trilogy, or so I'm told... Wynne has a great way of storytelling and descritptive details which make Zee and Lucas jump off the pages. The cliff hanger near the end was intense and had me turning pages well into the early morning hours. I loved Zee and Lucas and I can't wait to see how things turn out next! A 5 star read for sure!
Once she escapes, she heads into the woods and simply runs to find a way be free. Its there she finds the cottage, Lucas and his family who are rebels of the queen. Lucas is a skilled swordsman and fighter. Soon the queens warriors catch up with Zee and Lucas' family fight to save her and all but Lucas survive. On the run they seek out an old friend of Lucas' who can help them seek out Lucas' maker, who has knowledge about the prophecy surrounding Zee.
<>Their journey is seemingly full of peril as the monarchy is still hot on their trail and Zee and Lucas have to fight to stay alive. Once they reach their destination they think they have sanctuary for a while. However, things aren't what they seem as their lookout is found killed, turned to ash, and others are missing. Soon the army of the queen is right there. Zee and Lucas are shocked to find out how they were found. Things are getting getting tense, but the tables will turn.
I can't spoil the ending as it was a truly shocking revelation which leads to what will be the next story in the trilogy, or so I'm told... Wynne has a great way of storytelling and descritptive details which make Zee and Lucas jump off the pages. The cliff hanger near the end was intense and had me turning pages well into the early morning hours. I loved Zee and Lucas and I can't wait to see how things turn out next! A 5 star read for sure!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 366 reviews