Bestselling author JENA GREGOIRE was born and raised in New Hampshire, USA, and despite her abhorrence for any season which dares to drop to a temperature below seventy degrees, she still currently resides there with her two children and several furbabies. Always a passionate reader, her love of urban fantasy books inevitably morphed into a love of writing them. She is currently working on two series - the Hellfire series and the Executioner series.
I was *REALLY* nervous to read/review this one. My book junkie friend/owner-creator of PureTextuality (the site that I blog for) wrote this short story! My first thought: "Holy crap....I KNOW an author. How cool is that?!?!?". My second thought: "What if I don't like it? How on Earth will I do that review?". Luckily for me, it turned out on the positive end of things. PHEW *swipes forehead*!
Burning brings us Lucas, who meets Natalia, and he quickly falls for her. On his way to meet her for one of their dates, he discovers something is terribly wrong. Burning is a SUPER short story, and just when you start to get "into" it, it ends. I think I need to be a diva and demand (ok, ask really nicely) for the next installment, The Devil You Know.
I have to say up front, I know this author. I would rate this short prequel more as a 3.5. As I always TRY do with my ratings, I rounded up since a 3.5 isn't a choice on Goodreads. Occasionally, I do round down but not very often.
The story begins slowly but soon picks up. Ms Gregoire's writing flows smoothly and her descriptions are well written. The only problem I really had was, it was too short. I was just getting into the story and "the end". This bodes extremely well for the first full length novel in the series.
I'm not a big fan of short stories, but if it's a prequel in a series, then I like to read them so I can get an idea of what to expect from the first full lenght novel. And I have to tell you, that Demon Legacy Series seems to be very promising.
In Burning we meet the hero, Lucas nd his new found love, Natalia. A vampire and a witch. There's really nothing paranormal happens before the end of the book. Lucas tells us how they met, how they spend the time together from then on and a little bit about his life.
Then near the end the POV changes for one chapter and we're in Natalia's head. And this is when we learn about her important job. She's a records keeper. And she holds an information that could turn our little peaceful planet into the demons' playground. This is the information that every demon wants to put their hands on. This makes Natalia a target.
By the very end of the book Lucas has one mission.
Revenge.
While Lucas's character didn't really get me hooked, the turns of events really make me want to read the first book in the series already. Vampires, witches, demons, angels, a bloody battle for Earth and who knows what else we can expect from this series.
Vampires, check. Witches, check. Demons, check. The combination of these awesome creatures had me primed and ready to enjoy this short story by J.M Gregoire.
Burning, is a short story lead-in to Ms. Gregoire’s, Demon Legacy Series. I appreciate the concept of this idea very much. It provides the reader with a fairly well rounded taste of the characters, the broad over-arching conflict, as well as a peek into this new world.
With smooth and flowing prose, Gregoire beautifully set the stage for this series. A lot of information is given within this short work and the delivery wasn’t choppy or haphazard. There is a lightness to Gregoire’s writing style, an ease and flow if you will. Again, not clunky or trying to be overly complex. Her descriptive writing is solid, pulling the reader into her world.
My only lament was that it was so short. Thus, leaving me wanting!
Even though this is only thirteen pages, I was hooked from beginning to end. Burning is a thrilling short story that leaves a brilliant ending to dip into (of what would only be assumed) a fantastic series.
In the matter of these small amount of pages, I felt like I really knew Lucas and Natalia. Their relationship is unique and interesting to read about. The contrast of characters clash in a really effective way and I instantly wanted to know more about them and read on and on and on.
The writing is beautiful. Gregoire's description is so detailed that I felt like I was there, witnessing the scene. If this is only a snippet of the author's writing, imagine what a whole series of this stuff! Me like! ;)
My only complaint is that it is too short ... but I guess that counts as a positive aspect too, depending on the way you look at it. I can't judge too much on a story that length, so this review is a bit vague, but I definitely recommend it.
It was a bit of a rough start but the detailed descriptions give in to a world that is captivating. And while getting a story started can be difficult, once in the swing of it, it was an impressive supernatural world, with vampires and witches and demons. A very good start to a urban fantasy series!
Although the prose is well written, full of powerful language and easy to read, romance is apparently not her style! And I've got to ask, what was with the random question marks? Building up the romance might not have worked as well as it could have but god, she can write suspense and action! Lucas is a bit of a cliché character, a womanising vampire, and even though his love story with Natalia is short, you believe it. You want Lucas to find out what happened to her, you want to find out more about her coven and his powers to see auras.
All in all, a very good start to what I'm sure will be a powerful fantasy series!
This short story is just that, short. This is the prequel to The demon you know. I received this story from the author earlier and I must say, I am in love. The writing is amazing. The story is romantic and tragic and my heart broke so much for Lucas and Natalia I am definitely going to be reading the next book. I've been hooked!! Reviewed by Ashley E. Of faebooks.co.uk
I had the opportunity to beta-read this short story, and it's a very interesting gateway into a world of vampires, witches, and all other supernaturals we love to read about. Congrats on your first published work! And I'd love to have a pdf format of the finished piece ;)
This is a novella prequel to an upcoming Demon Legacy series. I think the novella, for the shortness of the book, provided a great introduction into the story that will likely follow, and I love that the plot is well laid out. There's a heartbroken vampire, with his lost love witch, and a demon that he will undoubtedly seek revenge on. This gives way for so much potential in the series and I can't wait! There was only one thing that threw me off, even with it only being 27 pages, and that was a lack of background information. There was plenty of background for the characters, but not of the vampires and witches. How is he walking in daylight? If she is his only love, where is he getting his blood, or does he not need to? How did she know she was a witch- was she born one, created into one- and how did Cassandra know to find her, and how did she know she was meant to be the record keeper? Again, it was a short prequel, but I feel a bit more background could have been fit in within even a couple of extra paragraphs. That said, it really doesn't take away from the lead up into the coming story, and I imagine what I'm missing here will probably be well defined in the first book. Review by Kendra of www.FaeBooks.co.uk
Burning is a promising start to a series! For a short story it held my attention and I was invested in the outcome of the plot. Honestly, when I was done my reaction was "THAT'S IT?!" as I said, it's a promising start to the Demon Legacy Series.
The only critique I will give is the lack of development of the characters and background story. Being that it's a short story, it's also a prequel and should be addressed. While the love story between Natalia and Lucas was sweet they both seemed a bit flat and two-dimensional. There were aspects that were touched on that should have been elaborated such as Lucas's brother Micheal, Lucas's past, the coven and the guardians. These all seemed to be a big part of the story. Maybe J.M. Gregoire will elaborate on this in the first book, I hope she does.
I enjoyed this quick read and despite the minor hitches it has a lot of promise and I look forward to continuing with the series.
As a prequel to a series, this short story sets up the potential of what may come quite nicely. Lucas is a vampire, jaded and a bit of a playboy until he encounters Natalia. Natalia is a witch, and the coven records keeper. Lucas can see auras, and Natalia’s was unlike any he had ever encountered.
When Natalia meets her untimely death at the hands of a demon, Lucas is too late to save her, and he is determined to find the one thing who took his love from his life.
I’m certainly interested in seeing where this story will lead. I have the background on why Lucas is now searching, and I know what the demon took from Natalia’s library before her death. The concept is a unique one, and while the characters are roughly outlined, there is much more to discover about both of them.
I received the eBook from Jeep Diva Reviews for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Burning is a short story prequel to the Demon Legacy series being written by J.M. Gregoire. I received this story from the author and immediately devoured it. It's a real short read, but a good one that leaves you anticipating the series, as well as rooting for Lucas to exact his revenge. In a very short time it gives you a decent enough amount of background to get a taste for the world Lucas and Natalia call home. I enjoyed the little time I got to spend in Gregoire's head and am looking forward to 'The Devil You Know', Book #1 of the Demon Legacy Series which is expected at this point to be coming out in June of this year.
A great big thank you to Gregoire for giving me the opportunity to read her work and allowing me to hang in her head for a little while. If you like to torture yourself with teasers for upcoming literary adventures be sure to check this out!
I thought this short story prequel was very well done. It is definitely one of the best short stories I have read in a long time (not that I read them that often, but still). Usually, I find that I don't connect with the characters because authors don't take the time to develop them enough, due to the shortness of the story. But this one was different. I thought that both Lucas and Natalia were well-developed and I was, therefore, able to understand (for the most part) and connect with them. I would like to know more about this world, though, where vampires, witches, and demons live out in the normal world and don't seem to hide their identities. I look forward to reading the novels of this series.
This really short story was super interesting! Lucas was a great character (well, for what we learn of him in these few pages). He's the play boy kind of guy and we realise soon enough that he's a vampire. Then, one night Lucas will meet Nathalia and his whole world will change for ever.
This prequel was exciting, filled with action and promise for the future series. The bad guy is a disgusting monster without any feelings for his victim and he won't back down to get what he wants.
I don't know if we will meet Lucas in the rest of this series, but this character will be tormented for the rest of his life with probably a vengeance demon at his side? This prequel started with a mix of supernatural beings, people with strange powers and abilities and I'm here waiting to read the next book in this legacy!
Burning is a prequel to the Demon Legacy that J.M Gregoire is currently writing, and can’t wait to get my hands on the next one!
Lucas is your typical playboy vampire living in Venice. Loving the ladies is a hard job, but someone has to do it, right? All that changes on the day that he meets Natalia. Have you ever met that one person that knocks your world off kilter? Lucas has and the love that he feels for her is breathtaking.
Natalia is a records keeper for a coven and it is a job that she absolutely loves. After spending time and getting to know Lucas, she realizes that she is right where she wants to be. I am excited to see where this series goes and I would love to see more of Lucas. That being said, I can’t help but feel that Michael is going to be a seriously badass character. Let’s hope I am right and he is in the series somewhere!
Demons, vampires and witches - I thought Ms. Gregoire's short story had YA written all over it. Not only is it for a mature audience, but it is awesome!
In only a few pages, the author introduced me to two characters, a vampire and a witch, but not of the traditional varieties. By the end of the chapter, they were in love, as I was with them. Then comes the second chapter, and everything the two lovers shared is taken from them... violently and sadistically.
The writing is extremely fast-paced. It compelled me to keep reading and left me wanting more. The story sets up a man's quest for revenge - a hunt for a wicked and mysterious villain. I look forward to reading the book series it spawns.
As a prequel to a series, this short story op only 13 pages sets up the potential of what may be a great Series. You get to know the main characters Lucas and Natalia and fall rock hard for their unlikely romance. I look forward to see what Burning has started. Although the ending is not a happy one, it gives you some great ideas where book 2 may lead.
J.M. Gregoire has set a great world with interesting characters and can't wait for her second book "The Devil You Know."
In this short novella you're introduced to Lucas and Natalia. You're swept away by their love and hooked instantly into the joy Lucas feels for her. It's a fast paced, exciting novella that leaves you wanting more. I can't wait to read the first book in the Demon Legacy series and to see what else J.M. Gregoire has in store for us!
Very Very good short read. I can't wait to read more in this series! I was completely captivated by the characters even in this short time. I have no doubt that this is just going to get better and better!
Venice will never be the same... not that I've been there mind you, but still! This prequel tells of Lucas, a playboy vampire and Natalia, the new records keeper for the covens. How they meet, the pull they both feel towards each other and the love that grows.
I instantly took a liking to the world the author created. Well.. it's our world with supes (vampires, witches, shifters, demons,...) in it :p , but the way Jena described her environment, scenes and conversations made it for the reader very easy to follow and as such was very immersive.
The characters were superb, loved them! Pacing was good, not too slow not too fast.
I would strongly recommend reading this prequel before reading the first of the series 'The devil you know' as this really sets the stage and gives you an indication how the world works.
Be aware though that this is a bittersweet and short prequel (in my honest opinion exactly what a prequel should be, but that's me).
I was just about to begin reading "The Devil You Know" when I discovered that there was a prequel novella entitled, "Burning." So, I decided I would read the novella first. Unfortunately, it is only 27 pages and lacks the world building and characterizations that would encourage a reader to go on in the series. However, since I already own "The Devil You Know," I will go on to read it.
Lucas is a vampire who has a bevy of beautiful women eager to warm his bed. Yet, he is extremely taken when he meets a witch named, Natalia. For once he acts as a gentleman, courting her with reverence and respect. When they do make love, he learns the meaning of love. Yet, Lucas is not prepared when he goes to visit Natalia only to learn she has been killed at the hands of a demon. Now his mission is to locate the spawn and send it back to hell.
I never really got a real sense of who Lucas or Natalia really are. Additionally, it wasn't until close to the end of the read before I figured out that the setting for the book is modern day and not 100-200 years ago. As I stated earlier, this novella suffered from poor characterizations and poor world building. I just hope the first book in the series makes up for it.
Burning is an extremely short novella of only 37 pages. It is the lead-in to J.M. Gregoire's upcoming novel, The Devil You Know. In one quick sitting, you can polish this book off and get a very good sense of the novel to come. In Burning, we are introduced to Lucas, a playboy vampire, who falls madly and deeply in love with Natalia, a witch. He turns from his former wicked ways to be a better man for her. The sweetness and depth of their relationship is described more than experienced. We don't actually see them interacting more than we are told about how their relationship has progressed.Natalia is the keeper of a dangerous secret that makes her the tragic victim of a demon who is after the information she possesses. Things do not end well for Natalia, and this spurs Lucas to avenge his one true love.This was a good introduction to set up Lucas's motivation for what is sure to play out in The Devil You Know. I think there was definitely room to add some more pages and expand upon Lucas and Natalia's relationship. However, this was enough to wet my appetite for The Devil You
If you just want a taste into The Demon Legacy series then you have come to the right book. Burning is a quick read (no joke it’s like 13 pages on my nook) and introduces the world and its creatures. It seems we have witches, vampires, and of course demons. This little story will not leave you with butterflies of “Awww they made it against all odds.” Nope. There is not HEA in this story but that’s ok because revenge is so much sweeter.
I have not read the rest of the series yet but will be doing so this month. So check back for the reviews. This is a short review because it was a short story.
I typically don’t go for things that are that quick of a read. I’m giving it 3.75 stars (weird I know) but I don’t know how to grade something that wasn’t a novella or novel length. It was definitely higher than a 3.5 but not quite a 4 because I wanted more bulk to the story. So 3.75 stars it is.
My Review: This was a quick little book used as a jump start to the Demon Legacy series. And what a jump it was! This jump start was like using a semi-truck to jump start my chocolate warmer. There was a lot of stuff packed into this little series opener.
There was a witch and a vampire falling in love, a demon out to steal something from the witch even if he has to kill her to get it, and two brothers who must come to terms with their differences.
I knew it was a short story when I started but I was so not ready for it to end just like that. I went looking for the next in the series, The Devil You Know, but it isn’t out yet. Waaaaaaaaa
I will be watching for the next one with chocolate bated breath!
What a great way to start a series! The characters introduced are strong. I love the witch and the vampire love story. Natalia's love makes Lucas want to be a better "man". But all of his hopes and dreams are taken away in a moment. And Lucas knows this as soon as he sees the demon leaving Natalia's apartment. Devastated at the sight of his tortured love, Lucas regresses back into pain and anger and promises revenge.
I enjoyed this short story. You can feel the immediate chemistry between Natalia and Lucas. One of my favorite parts is when Natalia sarcastically talks about his golden eyes.
There is nothing I didn't like about the story, other than wanting more and hoping Lucas satisfies his revenge against the demon.
After four-hundred years, Lucas finally found a woman to tame his restless heart. Natalia welcomed the vampire into her life without any fear, and he fell immediately for the beautiful witch. As their love blossomed in the beautiful city of Venice, Italy, they are suddenly faced with a tragic twist of fate. This prequel served its purpose with me because I’m definitely hooked! Although it was a short story, the love between Natalia and Lucas is deeply felt. With the perfect setting, great story line, and wonderful characters, I can’t wait to see what happens next!
I think it started off a little rough but shows promise for the series. I think the main point of the story was to demonstrate the depth of Lucas' feelings for Natalia as motivation for what I'm guessing will be a quest for revenge.
If you want a quick scare and a little heartache, this is a good bet. I'm not sure whether this is a must read for the series. It's a prequel and I have not yet read any others in the series.
Wow! Short but enticing! I can't wait to read the rest and find out what happens!
While there's not a whole lot of content to this prequel (it's short), it really gets to the point and I found myself instantly connected to the characters. Gregoire does a great job of drawing you in, especially in a short space.
I highly recommend this short story, and am looking forward to reading the whole series!