Release

The Protector #3

by M.R. Merrick

After uniting the shifters and calling in reinforcements, Chase has to face his toughest challenge yet: learning to control his emotions. But as tensions rise and his powers grow, controlling his emotions becomes the least of his problems.

Terrorized by a multi-shifter who is hell-bent on turning him, Chase questions just how far he’s willing to go to stop his father. Meanwhile, Tiki’s virtuous nature has placed him in the middle of Vincent’s past, leaving Chase to oppose a senate of vampires and defend a demon he hates.

Trying to balance his friends, his enemies, and his inner demons, Chase is left searching for answers about the Mark, his destiny, and where he can find the next soul piece. Stopping Riley is his top priority, but as more obstacles arise, he finds himself doubting all the decisions he’s made - especially regarding Rayna.

One thing is for certain: Chase has finally realized that he doesn’t know anything. The light doesn’t always quell the darkness, the monsters don’t always stay in the shadows, and the past doesn’t always stay in the past - sometimes, the demons inside are the hardest to fight.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Paranormal, Magic, Demons, Vampires

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2012

About the author

M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of The Protector Series, and The Rise of Genesis. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he's usually found at the computer between a pair of headphones and a large bowl of cereal.

Reviews

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars - Action and imagination explode to make this one unforgettable!



I love the imagination of M.R. Merrick. The world he has crafted in The Protector series is Urban Fantasy at it's best. There's enough real life in it that I'm comfortable, not overwhelmed trying to keep track of a whole different existence. Next he adds all my favorite kinds of paranormal creatures, vampires, shifters, demons and more. Add to that a few demon hunters, witches, and some magic. Mix thoroughly with trips to other worlds, a seriously freaky vampire council that even scares Vincent and some loving between Chase and Rayna and you have the makings of a fabulous book.

All of the action and save the world craziness from Exiled and Shift were still going strong in Release, but there are some interesting additions to this third book. Chase is really showing sign that the challenges he has faced have changed him - in other words he realizes that he shouldn't run head long into everything without thinking it through. I love how he really does figure some things out in this one. I will admit that that growth comes at a cost, but I'm truly proud of Chase and how far he has come.

Still totally LOVE Rayna. She's figuring out who she is and that's still the strong, powerful girl that can kick your butt, thank you very much. But there's more to her, so much more. I thought she came a long way in Shift but this book adds even more. What's totally awesome is that she's not broken by the challenges she faces but she become even stronger and she opens up a little bit.

What's even better is that Chase and Rayna are figuring things out between each other as well. I've read a lot of paranormal/fantasy books where the main characters fall all over each other in a matter of chapters and so often it feels rushed or much too instant. What I've learned to love about The Protector series is that the relationship between Chase and Rayna develops at a more normal pace. They set things aside to deal with the mess of Riley but may now be rethinking that option. It just feels right. Well played.

This book cannot be reviewed without mentioning Vincent. He plays a much bigger role in this book and he certainly is the vampire that I love to hate. I've tried very hard to cut him some slack but there's just no other way to put it. Vincent is an ass and I truly love that about him. He has the best lines too. I about peed my pants laughing a few times. So I cannot resist giving you just a hint of one of my favorite scenes with Vincent.

Streams of sunlight broke through and landed on Vincent. It took a moment before he noticed and a shrill sound shot from his lips.

"I'm melting!" he yelled. He dove to the ground, rolled away from the newly made sunbeam, and unknowingly stopped in the one I had created when I fell. Vincent lay on his side in the fetal position while sunlight beamed down on him.

"Wait a minute," I said, stepping closer.

Vincent's hand covered his head, as though that would protect him from the sun's touch. Beams of light reflected off his pale hands, but they didn't catch fire and they didn't burn -- they didn't even smoke.

"Vincent," I said.
"Get it away from me!"
"Vincent, the sun is touching you."
"What?" (Kindle location 1134)

Hehe. I so loved that scene. And trust me, Vincent deserved to be traumatized by the sun and a whole lot more. His "I'm melting!" line goes down as a classic.

There are so many secondary characters that rock in this book. My favorite is Willy, the shuddering demon. Best demon ever! I love Tiki, Marcus and Grams too. All with strong personalities that just make this book such a strong read.

So lets add things up, shall we? Fabulous action, incredibly imaginative world building, strong main characters that have made signification growth, some well paced attraction between the mains, awesome secondary characters with enough personality to warrant their own book, and now add the twists and turns of a outstanding plot and you have a great urban fantasy read.

I loved this book. The ending has me begging and hassling M.R. Merrick to get on with writing book 4. I cannot wait to read how this series will end.

If you enjoy the YA urban fantasy/paranormal scene, then make sure you pick up this series for sure!

[Giselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Electronic Advanced Reader Copy was provided by the publisher for review. Quotes have been pulled from an ARC and may be subject to change.

Chase Williams is back trying up stop his father Riley from collecting soul pieces. As he gets stronger day by day, Riley is strong but Chase has more than one element and in the protectors eyes that makes him one of the strongest.

Chase has grown a lot from the previous books, I can’t say I generally like him for a character that is arrogant isn’t worth the time in my book, but at least in Release, he’s determined to keep everyone safe and well. Especially when he cares about them. I also grew fond of Chase when he realizes that his actions also have a lot of consequences and the ending was one of his mistakes that I’m pretty sure will make him even more stronger.

I love the whole story between the gods and the humans, werecats, vampires, demons, and protectors. The world building in this one is summed up in one word, “Intense!” I loved it. I wanted more of it. I wanted the book to keep going and keep telling me the history of each of these creatures, and dump me with all their stories. This is what Matt does best, and I can’t help but want more.

The pacing in this one definitely gave me trouble. I wanted more action and more plot. I wanted to keep going and keep turning the pages, but I had a lot of trouble keeping up with it. I felt there was a ton of dialogue that wasn’t needed nor did it add too much to the story. I also felt it was rather long. It just kept going, and going and going. If it was cut down by about fifty pages, maybe it wouldn’t feel as long.

Characters
Well done! Lots of characters maturing, changing and realizing they have the power to change their lives.

Pacing
Good with the amount of action scenes.

Cover & Design
The castle is an important piece but doesn’t exactly scream, Pick me up!

Plot
Very good. A clear cut mission is laid down and tons of action with a drop of romance.

Overall, a great addition to the Protector series and a must-read for any paranormal action fan!

[Annabelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

*****FINAL RATING: 4.80 STARS*****

CATCHALL
Release was, without a doubt, one of my most favorite recent reads. I adored it. There's such wonderful and thrilling development in this installment, and the action is enough to give any adrenaline junkie a high. Seriously. It has a little bit of everything. Some romance, major battles, and and some serious hurdles to overcome. Essentially, I want to crawl into this book and live there. Hypothetically, because although it is awesome to read about magic and monsters a life-running, it may not actually be as fun to experience. I advise precaution. Anyway, moving forward, before I go and travel off on a tangent again.

THE HERO
CHASE
I adore Chase, and I love his character growth. In Exiled and Shift, he was more than a little arrogant. In Release, he hasn't lost all of that attitude but he's gotten a lot better. I definitely appreciated that and didn't get nearly as frustrated with him as I had before! He still doesn't always make the right decisions, but neither does anybody, so, you know. I love that he's passionate, too, and doesn't do things halfway. He's also much more vulnerable than he lets on, and when he makes mistakes he truly does regret his actions eventually.

THE LOVE INTEREST
RAYNA
Rayne doesn't let anyone walk all over her. She's powerful for certain, and though she's still learning to handle her newfound abilities she is determined to use them to help. She doesn't want to stand around while everyone else does all the work, and it's not about glory. Rayna sometimes tries to act like she doesn't care, but it's pretty clear that she does. Really, it's impossible not to love her. She's fabulous, to put in concisely, and is just such a unique character.

THE SECONDARIES
I was feeling too lazy to make individual headers yet again…ah, well. Maybe next time. Actually, I promise next time.
MARCUS
Marcus is one of my favorite characters. He's the best possible father figure to Chase, and clearly, he really cares for him. He shows that more than once in more than one way. He really puts himself put there for him and doesn't seem to be afraid to risk anything. How can you not admire that? Sometimes adult characters in YA are just nonexistent or horrible, and that's not realistic in the slightest and I hate that. Here, we see a strong, good leader with some serious shoes.
RILEY
Riley is still out villain, still twisted by hate and dark powers. On some level, though, he fascinates me. He lusts after power. Wants to rule the world. Doesn't realize that it's something that can rule him. I certainly see that he wants power. Power corrupts, and it's addictive. Even so, there's something alluring in him. Stop looking at me like that.
WILLY
Willy is another one of my most-loved characters. He's a shifting demon and it's clear that he and Chase share a deep bond. Though originally shy, he's become much bolder as he's found his place in the world. He still struggles but he's definitely improving. He is such a dynamic character, and I think a lot of people will find something to relate to in him. There's one more thing I really wish I could say about him, but it is major spoiler, so I'll not.
TIKI
Tiki is such an odd and yet unique character. There's never been anyone quite like him in any book I've read. He is very central to this book. He's intensely loyal. Not just to Chase, but to anyone he feels deserves his help and protection. He doesn't try to hide what he thinks. He simply says things as they are, and I find that very refreshing. And when Chase gets worked up about something or other he is very often the voice of reason.
VINCENT
Vincent is the vampire who wasn't prominent in the second book, but definitely had a role to play here. And did I like his role? Yes! He definitely wasn't what I expected him to be, and though I already had an opinion of him from before it was really hard for me to stick to that opinion as I began to learn so much more about him. We get a lot of Vincent's tragic backstory, and it's hard to keep disliking someone like that when you see what they've had to suffer through.

THE PLOT
Let me start this off with a story.

So, about a year ago, I was reading with my then-boyfriend, who picks up one of the worst books I've ever read. (I won't name names but coughIncarnatecough.) So anyway, he basically asks me why I keep reading if about one-quarter of the stuff I read is trash. I told him that not quite that much of it is trash, but essentially his point still held. I then told him that the thing is, a lot of books try to fit into this mold of what's proper and what people are going to like. But the best books are the ones that break out of that and become something entirely new. And that finding those gems are worth it. Basically, what I meant was that so many books try to be the next big thing by being like the last best thing, only different. (Brill choice of words, Annabelle. God, now I'm talking to myself in my reviews.) See, but the best books, Release among them, don't do that. They're not afraid to become something all their own.

Release was, to put the entire book into one word, incredible. That's why I loved it. It fascinated me and made me second-guess myself and just when I thought I had everything figured out, it'd throw something at me that seemed completely out of the blue but when I looked closer, the answer had been there all along. Sounds cliché, but it's true!

I love the pacing. It's not molasses slow, but it doesn't move so quickly that I'm just kind of sitting there frazzled and wondering what the hell is going on. It kept me fully engrossed and wishing I could read faster, because there was always, always some sort of unknown. Some lynchpin factor that made everything that much more dangerous, and every victory that much more satisfying.

I already made the whole point of how important originality is, and it really, really is evident here. Are there similarities to other books? Obviously. I'd be worried if there weren't. That would just be weird. It's a unique series and not quite like anything else I've ever read. There's magic in the form of elemental power, but there's also more than that. There're different Realms, which is so cool and blows my mind so much I don't even have words for it. Then there's…well, okay, I don't want to spoil things.

So, um, yeah. I don't gush this much about books that I wouldn't recommend to absolutely anyone, so I think it's pretty clear how much I loved this. The plot is gorgeous. Original. Sparkling. Who needs anything else?

THE ROMANCE
Romance makes me happy. Anyone who is familiar with my reviews knows that. I am very into romance. Love the stuff. So I adore when a couple is perfectly matched, the way Chase and Rayna are. They argue, for sure, and definitely get at each other's throats. But that's because they care. They have some of the best chemistry I've ever read, quite honestly, but things aren't easy for them. And the things keeping them apart don't seem false or contrived; they seem real. I love that they want to do what's best, but you can't fight love, right? :)

THE WRITING
There's really not much to say here, other than that this writing is gorgeous. Absolutely, glitteringly gorgeous. And since the first book, it's only gotten better. Chase really does develop a more unique voice with every page that passes, and his inner thoughts aren't annoying but insightful. I love the banter between the characters, and the way their language changes when they need to have a more serious conversation. Also, everything is described so sharply. The fantastical creatures, the other Realms…I can picture them clearly, thanks to Matt's vivid writing. It's almost like it's been captured in a photo and framed for memory. That clearly.

THE ENDING
So, the first thing that happened when I read the ending involved me going back several pages in the book so I could read them again. Because I literally could not believe what happened. Or rather, I would not. I didn't want to! I mean, it was upsetting, really upsetting. And, uh, I definitely cried. Like, a lot. I most definitely did not see that coming. That's why I had to double check. But no, it really, actually happened. My poor heart cannot take this madness. I get why it had to happen. I really do. Totally doesn't mean I have to like it.

WRAPUP
I would recommend this series to anyone. Everyone. Seriously. I practically guarantee that you will love it! I adore fantasy, and this is one spectacular one. Fantastic characters, real and actual development, and an original storyline to boot. If you guys don't know this already, I adore Matt and his books and will totally continue this series. Probably I will read all of his books forever and ever. So, really, you have my strongest recommendation. Go on! Pick up this series! I dare you.

FINE.

Find more of my reviews on Sparkles and Lightning!

[Alexa (Once Upon a Chapter) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This review was originally posted at Pages of Forbidden Love

My Thoughts:

I couldn’t wait to dive back into this series since I really liked the first book and was in all out love with the second book. I really like that the author wrote a young adult book that was told in the male pov and it is a fantasy book. As a huge YA reader I hardly can ever find fantasy in the YA section that interests either interests me or exists in the first place! The same goes for YA books with a male lead! So I always enjoy coming back to the world and characters that the author created because I know I’m in for a great adventure and a kick ass story.

I have to say the characters suffered in this book. I’m a very character driven reader, I know I say that all the time but the characters really matter to me. The characters in this story matter even more to me because I have already spent two books reading about them and I expected things to be a certain way for them. I have to say the character interactions were lacking a bit in this book. I was use to the characters being upbeat even in their not so bright world and I wanted them to have those witty moments like they have had in the previous books. I feel like this time around all of the characters were suffering physically and emotionally so it made it very hard to read about my favorite characters being down on themselves and not trusting themselves to survive the war that is placed at their feet. I have to say I really miss the way the characters were once acting in the previous books because this is the book in the series were the characters have to feel bad about their situations, life and death, and question themselves on if they should be in love with someone or not!! *mumbles at the very least at least Chase got to kiss her a few times*

While the characters were taken down a notch I do have to say the action and the storyline picked up. The plot started to go in so many directions that you never knew what was going to be happening. Were the characters going to be locked up in a different world or were they still on Earth but fighting off an old family of vampires for an older vampire named Vincent that they don’t even like or trust that much. So while my characters were suffering I do have to say the plot lines picked up and started to get deeper and more meaningful than they were in the first two books. So I did enjoy the fact that the fantasy elements were really enhanced during this book and the storyline became something more.

Overall, I’m sad to say my characters didn’t pull it out for me in this book. I still love all of them, even Vincent, but they just felt a little lackluster from everything they were going through. I know I know you are all going to get on my case and say that the characters have to suffer from time to time but I just miss the old spark and sass that they all had in the first two books. As I said the plot lines did become more involved so if you were waiting around for the plot to get thicker then this is a book you will love. So while I’m sad to say I didn’t love Release I do like it for the way it moved the story to the final battle stage.

4 hearts (stars)

[Stephanie Ward · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

'Release' is the third book in the young adult fantasy Protector series. It continues where book #2 (Shift) left off, with Chase and the crew trying to find Riley and stop him, while tons of other crazy stuff keeps happening. I know that this sounds like a really flimsy summary and it is. But if I were to try to explain everything that happens in the book, let alone the series so far, this post would take 3 days to read. So, I'm improvising and making the summary really generic, which I hate doing.

I am so amazed and disappointed in myself for not reading this series sooner. I had read so many awesome reviews of the first two books in the series, but I never got around to reading them. So, for the last couple of days my nose has been pressed against my Nook and I have been devouring the first three books to catch up. Crazyness - pure and simple. I will tell you now and again later in the review - If you have not read this series - DO IT NOW. You will not be disappointed. I promise.

Honestly, I don't know where to start with this book or what to say about it. There's so much happening with the characters - Chase is struggling to find and stop his father, trying to figure out what's going on with Rayna, attempting to control himself, and learning some really hard life lessons. He goes through some big character changes and growth in this book. He matures a lot and learns even more, which only makes me love his character and his role in the series more. The other characters deal with heavy issues too - again, I just don't have the time to delve into all the juicy details. There are several story lines going on at once, but they don't clash with each other or confuse the reader. They flow effortlessly into one another at a good pace - not too fast to make your mind spin and not too slow that you feel like nothing will ever happen. It's a great medium pace - perfect in my opinion. The writing is superb. From the first sentence of the first book, I was hooked - immediately drawn into the magical world that the author has richly created for us. The characters, the history behind everything, the plot itself - everything is detailed with great precision and gives the series a wonderful depth and layers that make it so much richer than most novels out there. The end of the book was a big deal - it was so, so bad! WHY?! Like many others who have read and loved the series, I was crushed. I cried. I was really angry and upset. I get why it had to be that way, but I SO didn't want it to happen. No spoilers though - READ IT YOURSELF - NOW! Overall, this is an amazing continuation of a fantastically epic fantasy series. It breaks the genre barriers and definitely will appeal to fans of all types of fiction. I will undoubtedly continue to see what happens next. Seriously - read this series. I promise you'll love it!

Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Makayla · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, this is definitely not a trilogy.

In this third installment (of there definitely better be more series), Chase finds himself dealing with the issue that is Riley, and his journey to find the soul pieces. Of course, much more than that occurs.

I am so incredibly happy with how the characters have developed. Tiki and Vincent in particular - Merrick did a fantastic job making these characters project off the page and into my life. But you see, I may have started to smile every time Tiki stood up for Vincent and said, “awww” in my head. Which means, in fangirl language,



Yeah. That happened. Maybe it’s all in my head, but it’s all beautiful in my head. Needless to say, once you start wild shippings, you know something special is going on.

Have I mentioned Merrick’s humor? Well, the moments of sarcastic angst had me smirking all over the place. Until something major happened. Morgana faces for this book.



That being said, I had some major issues with the pacing. Specifically, this book involved more than one major action scenes. As a result, I can’t even remember how many, or specific ones because it’s all jumbled in my head. And they are described in great detail. If you’re into that thing, great. But I honestly got bored after reading Chase struggle with some demon that you know he’ll defeat somehow or other with a fantastic power play for the tenth time. I’d skim a lot of those, without losing any of the plot. I think the books pacing suffered a lot from those, and it’s a difficult to handle without cutting those intricate details (and I could understand why some wouldn’t want to).

Which leads me to the conclusion that this book was too long. For the first half, the pacing was perfect. But then more and more obstacles kept popping up - then were defeated. Until something else huge popped up - to be defeated also. It finally got to the point where I was asking if we were ever going to actually see something big happen. So much time was devoted to developing these other, smaller obstructions, that I believe a lot of the effect of the finale confrontation, that had been built up the entire book, was taken away. Anticipation is good, but there comes a point where the wait spoils the meal.

It’s unfortunate because I really enjoyed all else about the book, but the pacing ultimately through me for a looper that spoiled the rest. If you’re one to enjoy great sequence of adventures, you probably won’t have a problem! But I read for the moments of Chase’s great insight, and the sweet moments between Tiki and Vincent, as well as the pleasure of watching characters deal with hurtles - when a balance has been struck between the three. And for me, the pacing of the plot outraced all else.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm having a hard time writing this review. Like, my thoughts are all scattered and every time I try to pin them down, I get a little angry at Chase for the way he's acting. I know he's conflicted, I know he's just learning the ropes, I know he's having issues but... sometimes I just want to shake some sense into him. Chaaaassssse. Don't be a douche to the people you're supposed to be protecting.

I think his treatment of Vincent and his vampires is the thing that bothers me. Yeah, Vincent was a grade A asshole to him and he's the thorn that's perpetually in Chase's side but that Chase callously turned his back when someone was begging for his help doesn't sit well with me. It was hard for me to have any sympathy for Chase after some of the things he did. It was hard for me to like him after some of those things.

Just so we're clear, I did enjoy this book. The other dimensions are wonderfully imaginative, the beings that live in those dimensions are creepy and gross and often very, very dangerous, and the overall arc is moving forward nicely. However, I think Chase has a lot of growing up to do. He needs to come to terms with what being a Protector is. Will this be easy? Heck, no. Nobody seems to know how to give him direction and those that do speak in riddles and rhymes. But being a Protector is more than just having all this power. It's about protecting those that need it. Including asshole vampires.

(I will add in here that Chase does reach a point where he see this and he steps up to be all Protector-y. But... I think he has a long way to go, still. A long, bumpy, probably dangerous way. There will likely be blood. Possibly guts.)

I have high expectations for you, Chase. Bloody battles and pure hearts and all that jazz. Hop to it!

-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal

[Tee loves Kyle Jacobson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release is the third book in The Protector Series and M.R. Merrick has got the lock down on this series. Man oh man poor Chase is going through so much. He has finally come to terms that his father is evil and wants to destroy the world by letting the demons in. And if that isn't enough he has Riley who is also out to destroy him and keeps attacking him. But Chase is determined not to let this get to him. He watches everyone and everything and the one thing he is sure about is that people are not what they seem. He knows he can no longer trust people and he has will have to weed the good people out of the bad. But how do you do that when you are constantly under attack?

Chase has to learn how to control his emotions. He is not so sure he can because his emotions are running pretty high. It seems like every foot he walks forward he has to take two steps back.Being terrorized by a multi-shifter is hard because his emotions are running high and he is always on alert. And if matters couldn't get worse Chase has decided to defend a demon he hates. But for Chase right is right and he knows he has to defend this demon. Chase is still looking for answers about his mark and the ring and every time it looks like he is making way something or someone else comes in and disturbs the peace and answers he is looking for.

Stopping Riley is his top priority and he knows that in order to get answers and keep everyone safe he is going to have to take Riley out. Riley is dangerous and is intent on taking Chase out. If that is not crazy enough for him he is having second thought about Rayna. She is acting weird and her choices are not always good and Chase finds himself questioning every thing he knows about Rayna. Will Chase be able to defeat Riley? Will Rayna show her true colors? What is Chase to do about controlling his emotions?

[Malachi · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first two books were great because of the relationship between Chase and Rayna and their adventures together. I loved having them adventure and fight alongside each other as they slowly fell in love. They made a perfect couple and Rayna was the perfect love interest. However, in this one Rayna's role is greatly reduced and it ruins not only this book, but the entire series.

And as Rayna is sidelined, Vincent takes over the book. Vincent is easily the most irritating character ever and it's really awful that Chase allows him to constantly flirt with Rayna. It makes Chase look really bad. Not to mention that Vincent always gets away with threatening, insulting, attacking, betraying and trying to kill Chase and his friends.

Sidelining Rayna in favor of Vincent has to be the worst decision ever.

Also, in Chapter 25 of the first book Vincent said he was a turned vampire, but now all of a sudden he is a born vampire. Blatant contradiction.

Furthermore, numerous other things bring down this book. Chase spends so much time brooding and blaming himself for everything. In the first part of the book they spend too much time planning and it doesn't even help them much at all. And the adventures into the other dimensions were disappointing this time. In Drakar they were just retracing their steps in the first book. And Vortan was just weird and crazy.

In summary, a great series is ruined by a really disappointing sequel. By sidelining Rayna and elevating Vincent this book undermines and gets away from everything that made the series great to begin with. I doubt anyone wanted to see less of Rayna and really don't understand how the author thought it was a good idea to go in that direction.

[Chapter by Chapter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so you know those series’ where once you start the first page of the next installment, you are instantly pulled back into the work and its characters as though you had never left? Release by M.R. Merrick did just that. I was thrilled to have been able to come back again in to this fabulous world created by M.R. Merrick. The characters have become ones that I have come to love reading about and following, and am in constant need to know what is happening, or going to happen, with them!

The first scene that you walk into upon opening the first page is one that left me wondering what the heck was going on? But in a good way! It was straight into a fight scene of magical proportions. A battle of wills, of whose magic can overcome the others first…and I was instantly crying out “Chase! Who are you fighting? Be carefulllllll!” I love when an author throws you right into the mix of things without a chance to even take a breath. Gah! M.R. Merrick is certainly one of those authors who know how to start of a book, and grab the reader’s attention, because my attention was certainly gripped!

In Release, we are still left with Chase, Rayna, Marcus, Tiki, Willy and the gang trying to figure out how to get the other remaining soul pieces before Riley’s does. With much training with Marcus, Chase has learned to control his emotions, which in turn has allowed him to control his magic. But something is happening to Chase, and something terrible is happening to him when he starts to use his magic. And Chase is not the only one whose magic is changing. Rayna learns an unbelievable fact about just how strong of a witch she is, and we learn how important her role is in all of this.

Even though Chase still has his most reliable crew to help him out, he also comes face to face with those who don’t believe he has the knowledge or the experience to do what needs to be done. And never mind the fact that Chase has aligned himself with a variety of different demons and half-breeds. Although Chase has come to accept and assist these half-breeds, it’s these other Hunters that can’t get past the fact that they are demons.

What’s amazing about the way in which M.R. Merrick writes is that he is able to intertwine different storylines into one amazing story! Take for instance the problems that arise with Victor (whom, by the way, I have come to crush on again in this installment). With his own past coming back to haunt him, Victor must now seek out the assistance of Chase and his Scooby gang, even after all the evil that he did to them in the past. As the Protector, Chase must dig down deep and find it in him to be who he is meant to be…the Protector of all who seek help…even if it is the infamous Victor. And can I just say that the interactions between Chase and Victor had me cracking up all over the place? I am so in love with the way in which M.R. Merrick makes his characters connect with each other. Their conversations were one of the reasons I fell in love with these characters.

On top of that, Chase’s father, Riley, has upped the ante and is now coming after Chase with no holds barred. With the help of the Dark Brothers, Riley will thwart Chase time and time again. But Riley is not the only one hot on Chase’s heels. Arian is also out in full force, doing whatever he can to get Chase to come to his side, and prevent Riley from obtaining the pieces needed, and rule by his side instead.

In Release, we also witness the deepest and darkest secrets of both Victor and Willy. We witness the more vulnerable and humane side of Victor and the reasons behind why he is who he is, and we see the reasons behind why Willy is so scared of Victor and the personal demons he has hidden deep within him.

Don’t even begin to think that these are the only obstacles preventing Chase from accomplishing his mission. With evil coming at him from all avenues, things don’t look very promising for our hero and his band of misfits.

I said it once, and I’ll say it again….M.R. Merrick is a freakin’ amazing writer! He has the ability to capture your imagination and take you to places that you can’t even begin to dream about. His characters are ones that you will come to love and ones that you will love to hate. The way in which he introduces new characters into the fold is done seamlessly and it feels as though they have always been there in the background…just waiting for their chance to appear.

The way in which he describes the battle scenes are done in such a way that you can’t help but he completely engrossed in the story unfolding before you. His ability to weave the tale in the various different backdrops presented had me hooked from back in book one, Exiled, and continues in Release. The different twists and turns riddled throughout the book easily makes Release the best of the three books in the series thus far.

Not only does M.R. Merrick grip you with his amazing story telling skills, but he also grabs a hold of your emotions. Release will break your heart into a million pieces with nothing to pick them up with in the end. The way in which M.R. Merrick ends the book left my mouth agape and crying out for the next one immediately. I believe the exact words that came out of my mouth in the end were “Say it ain’t so…!”.

Fans of The Mortal Instruments series and Buffy the Vampire Slayer will fall in love with The Protector series, and Release will solidify your reasons for loving this series. As in the famous words of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist “Please sir, can I have some more…?” (in a really awful English accent. Seriously, I can’t do it if my life depended on it…)

[Richa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at City of Books - http://ecstatic-for-books.blogspot.com/

I absolutely loved Release - it was spellbinding, intense and thrilling. This is the third book in The Protector series by M.R. Merrick - one of my favourite series of 2012. The stakes are higher than ever in this captivating installment, and I read the entire book with my heart in my mouth and my eyes glued to the screen.

Chase has grown so much over the course of this series. He learns a lot about himself, and he's a lot stronger too - physically as well as mentally. His loyalty to his friends is unfailing, and he would do anything to save them.

Riley could kill me, but Rayna, Willy, Tiki, and Marcus would all walk away from this. I would die before I let anything happen to them. They were all I had left; they were my family.

Even though he's stronger now, Chase encounters some major glitches with his magic. His revelations shocked me, and I'm desperately hoping that they get resolved in Endure, the fourth and final book in the series.

Rayna is as badass as ever in Release, and I loved that. She's also more open, and starts to let Chase in a bit more. I loved their romance in this book, and I can't wait to see more of it in the next one! Rayna is so supportive of Chase, so understanding. She can motivate him like no one else.

“I saw who you were and I see who you’ve become, and I know in the depths of my heart that you’re going to make it through all this. And I know more than anything that you’ll never stop fighting.”

Rayna grabbed both sides of my face, and locked her gaze with mine. “Listen, you are not allowed to leave me. I need you here, fighting with me.” I smiled, and this time it was as true as any I’d ever had. “Until the end.”

Rayna shows a more compassionate side of herself in this book, but she hasn't lost any of her spunk. She grows a lot too, just like Chase does. She learns to accept who she is, and comes to terms with her newfound powers. She's a witch, but a very rare and different kind. We get to see Rayna doing some cool magic in Release!

Willy is...well, Willy. He's as adorable as ever, and I like that he stands up for himself a lot more in this book. Also, we get to learn more about his past, and one particular event almost had me in tears! I was heartbroken for him. And I still am. Willy is still struggling a lot with his past, and I found myself sympathizing with him at every turn. There is a huge plot twist involving Willy, but I can't say any more. You'll have to read the book to find out!

Vincent is probably the most ambiguous character in this series. I've had mixed feelings about him previously, but now, on the whole, I think he's a good guy. I think he's taken a turn for the better, and he has a lot of potential. Of course, he's still extremely annoying, and pisses Chase off a lot. But I found their banter hilarious!

“When this is all over, I think I’ll have a statue made,” Vincent said.
“Why bother? Nobody worships you,” I said.

This one had me laughing out loud. Now that they're not at each others throats all the time (okay, most of the time), they seem comfortable with exchanging casual insults, and this added a lot of humour to an otherwise intense book. I was actually really surprised with most of Vincent's thoughts and actions in this book, because I never pegged him as a guy who could actually care about people. But he really does. He cares for his adopted vampire family, and he does whatever he can to protect them. I found that really sweet. I really hope Vincent comes all the way to the good side in Endure, because he really is one of my favourite characters.

Tiki. Oh my god I love him. He's so quirky, so unique, and he surprised me multiple times in Release. I love how loyal he is to Chase even though they barely know each other. Tiki is gentle and calm most of the time, and I think he's the most reasonable person in their little group. More so than Marcus, even. He's adamant to see the good in everyone, even Vincent, and manages to convince Chase to help Vincent out. He's completely honest with everyone, and of course, he's also a very powerful demon. It astonishes me when his demon comes out, because I can't imagine gentle Tiki being so ferocious. Tiki plays a much bigger part in Release, so if you love him as much as I do, you'll love this book!

There are so many twists and turns in this novel, it's actually quite hard to keep up. The plot is fast-paced and filled with action, just the way I like it. Release was incredible! Though Shift remains my favourite in the series so far, this one is a close second. M.R. Merrick's writing is, of course, as amazing as ever, and the beautiful imagery made it so easy for me to visualize exactly what was going on.

And now the ending. I really don't want to say anything, but I can't help myself. It was heartbreaking. I couldn't believe what I read, and I really really hope it didn't actually happen. That's all I'm going to say about it, even though I have this huge rant in my mind!

Overall, I found this book mind-blowing, and I absolutely cannot wait for the next one, even though I don't want this series to end. I can't wait to see more of Chase and Rayna kicking ass together, and more of Tiki and Vincent too! M.R. Merrick has truly created a beautiful world in this series, and that cliffhanger ending has me begging for more.

[Ishaal Ramroop · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really guys? Why isn't this series more popular? It's wayy better then Cassandra Clare's shadowhunter franchise and the books are much longer too, hopefully when I'm done with this series kobo will have atleast 1 more series similar to this one in the recommended tab 😅

[ReadingDiva Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Originally posted @ ReadingDiva's Blog - Rating 5 of 5

REVIEW: I could use many words to describe The Protector Series, but only one does it justice…EPIC. Release is the 3Rd book of The Protector series and it is so far the best book in the series. The plot follows the same awesome path as Exiled & Shift; now that paths have been taken and relationships and partnerships have been formed the time to break evil has come.

Release is perhaps the best of all 3 books. I loved how much drama and action this book has. There are big developments in this book. Chase has become a bad ass hero who pretty much has every power imaginable, Rayna has finally managed her shifting and hasn’t slow down as far as taking care of the bad guys. Marcus as usual is the voice of reason and keeps everyone in check. I could keep going about how much those three characters make this book and the series as a whole awesome. But one has to be fair and give big thumbs up to Willy and Tiki. Both of those characters give the series the necessary balance.

The relationship between Chase & Rayna is complicated. They are quite different but that’s pretty much what brings them together. I will stay away from spoilers about their relationship but I can’t help and share some of my favorite quotes from Vincent. I will add this much. I LOVE CHASE & RAYNA.

Vincent, one of the most powerful vampires on Earth, after some serious developments he has had to make some attitude adjustments. I think his sarcasm and attitude was so well crafted by Merrick that I couldn’t help but like him more and more.

—SPOILER—


“Forgive me if I seem hesitant. I am a born vampire. If you haven’t put two and two together, that means I’ve never set foot in the sunlight unscathed. Can you even fathom this moment for me?”
I stared blankly at him. I didn’t really care what he was going through. We were on a tight timeline. Time on Drakar moved much slower than it did on earth. I couldn’t afford to be away longer than absolutely necessary. Vincent shook his head and released a low growl. “Five hundred years I’ve lurked in the shadows, always cautious and aware of the moment the sun might rise. I’ve never enjoyed what I imagine is the beauty of a sun setting over the ocean. Never known the warmth it can provide on a hot summer’s day. I’ve spent over five centuries in darkness, and now the moment I can walk in the light has come. I apologize if my desire to savor this hinders your patience.”

Merrick creates creditable scenarios and he is able to easily switch scenes from terrorizing to funny. Some scenes had me laughing out loud.

“Fire!” I yelled. “You’re on fire! You’re melting, Vincent, you’re melting!” Vincent didn’t stop. He launched himself back in the forest. Orange and blue leaves shot into the air as he dove into the bushes. Branches shook and leaves fell from their stems as he struggled to pull himself through the other side. I couldn’t contain myself; laughter spilled from my lips and I bent over, gasping for air. I dropped down to one knee, trying to catch my breath, but it was too much. I was laughing so hard I couldn’t breathe. Tiki’s disapproving glare aside, I basked in this moment: the panic that had covered Vincent’s face, the fear that filled his eyes…it had all been worth it.

“Thank you, Mr. Williams. Only you could manage to destroy a moment so beautiful.” “I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist.” I smirked. That wasn’t true; I wasn’t sorry at all. In fact, I’d happily repeat that moment in my mind for the rest of my life. “I’m happy you find amusement in what would otherwise be a life-changing moment for me.”


—END SPOILER—

Release is an adventure into the unknown. I love the descriptions, the details and the voices of each character. The reader will have no problem transporting themselves to the worlds Merrick has created. I could imagine the colors and the smells. I could picture the creatures and the magic, I am not often left in awe after reading a book but this has left me wanting and craving more.

Merrick is a fantastic author, and he has earned a place among the best in the genre. The Protector Series has everything I enjoy in a paranormal/urban fantasy series. It has tons of action, likeable characters, awesome world building/travels between worlds/kick-ass heroine/hot hero and a great group of secondary characters that bring the necessary spark and balance to the story. Release brings a lot to the table and I couldn’t help but feel sad once it was finished. I love every page of this story, I am sure readers will love it too.

Highly recommended.

[Alaiel Kreuz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third books in a series are always dangerous because they have the power to make you love the series even more or hate it so much and so suddenly that chances are you will never continue with it.
If that is your fear then don't worry. You will experience a lot of different emotions while reading this book, but you will embrace them.

Let me start with the hero of the story because yes, Chase deserves a whole paragraph more than anyone. I mean, if you've read the first two books you know how much he has suffered, how much he has lost and how much he cares for the ones that follow him no matter what.
But like a human guy he is he has flaws, specially his temper, that more than often has puts him and everyone else in trouble.
In this book, gladly for him (and for me too!) he begins to control himself so well that I would have hug the guy if I could. I've seen him change step by step and I'm so freaking proud of him!

As for his companions... where to begin with? See, the problem is this: Mr.Merrick has this amazing ability of telling not only one story but a lot of small stories inside a big one so by the end of each book you know so much about so many characters and develop feelings for all of them that is impossible to write with coherence (as you may have noticed already...).

Anyway, let's continue with Rayna. She is not only Chase's love interest, she is a shifter, a wicht and a kickass heroine. She has it all! Her comebacks are always clever and full of strength and she is always ready to back up Chase and help him reach their common goal.
In a single sentence: when I grow up I want to be like her.

Then we have Willy, of course. Who doesn't remember Willy? He was this scared kid that always managed to get in trouble and became a punching bag very often. But don't misjudge him, things have changed a lot for him since book two. He is now a shifter too and he is becoming stronger, not only in the outside but also inside of him. As he begins to find his place in this world his confidence makes him so cute and irresistible!

Tikki deserves huge mention here since we, finally, get to read about his past. And it was heartbreaking. But let me tell you something: I admire Tikki since book one for one thing only, he is loyal. Fiercely loyal. And I appreciate it so much that his other qualities like being the voice of reason and his boldness are even better.

Marcus has also a great role as Chase's father figure because, let's face it, most people need a figure to follow and Chase's real dad, Riley, sucked at it. Thank goodness Marcus exists, that's all I'm going to say.

Of course, I can't forget to mention Vincent. I don't know how but this man has won a place in my heart, even if my head does not agree with it. Because, to be honest, I'm not sure I trust him yet. Saying that I enjoyed his bigger role in this book and I'm dying to know what the future holds for him.

Finally, the plot! Guys, I love you all and trust me when I say that this is going to hurt me a lot, but I have to say it: Would you read the book already? Pretty please? I need someone to talk about it right now!!! Yes, I'm desperate. Want to know why? Let's see, first of all, the pace was great, nothing was rushed and I got to enjoy every second of the adventure.
Then of course we have the twists, and there were plenty. Whenever I thought "Ha! Now I got it, I just KNOW what's is going on, you won't fool me again, Mr.Merrick!" a new twist would prove me wrong and I would look at all of it again and realize that, heck, the real answer was there all along!
As for the ending, remember to grab a tissue. Maybe a lot. Because I cried like a baby during 10 minutes and re-read the last pages a dozen times just to make sure I wans't imagining things. I mean, Mr.Merrick, how could you?! I get why but... why?!

Sadness aside my final sentence is: I can't encourage you enough to read this series. Action, adventure, romance, drama, clever dialogues... is there anything more you may need? Originality maybe? The Protector series has it too!

[Smash]

SMASHTASTIC IMPRESSIONS:


I went into this book thinking it was the final book, but that was obviously not the case. We get one more! Of course, this means I now must wait to KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. Ugh. THE ENDING! Oh, the ending will leave you so verrah sad. I was anticipating the event and was extremely touched. I was at lunch in a restaurant, and started getting sobby at the table. Alone. Reading a book. Creepy cat lady? NOT ME! I’m creepy book lady! Oh wait. I’m creepy cat lady too. Boo. Anywho, the ending is a tear-jerker and the events leave you wanting sheer revenge, just like Chase!

WORLD-BUILDING: Holy. Frakin. Hell. Blown away, truly. I think I was most impressed with the settings of the different dimensions that are visited in this installment. The settings defied all logic yet Matt somehow made it all make sense. It was sometimes difficult to follow but I think my mouth was open most of the time by the sheer imagination that went into their creation. AND the action that took place while in these dangerous dimensions was just sheer awesome! Talk about a page-flipper! The creatures were also extremely imaginative and so vivid that I had no issues visualizing them.

CHARACTERS: Oh man, how I love these characters! Grams was a hoot in this installment. That old bat is spicy and doesn’t let the young folk walk all over her. Her banter with the group was so amusing. And we get more Rai time, which is just fine with me. I love this creature! One of my favorite creature sidekicks in a series. She reminds me of some sort of Pokemon with how she morphs into a fiercer form of her self. She is very protective of Chase and saves his ass a few times. Just adore her! ♥ Tiki remains wise and compassionate about the plight of others, even if they are less than savory. I love how fair he is, even though I felt like bitch slapping a few people. Or maybe trout slapping is more appropriate? We get to see Tiki’s demon come out, which was o.O-inducing!

Willy and Chase have some heart-warming talks about their friendship and how they are prepared to fight until the end. Their bond is so beautiful! I loved Willy’s positive traits being pointed out in this book. He’s such a great guy. On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, we have Vincent. I have never been a fan of Vincent and while he shows some sort of humanity and compassion in this installment, his former actions towards some characters left me really angry and disgusted. Shady bastard is the term that comes to mind. Chase and Vincent are at odds throughout the entire book, but damn if Chase doesn’t man up and help out where he is needed.

Of course, Chase is a standout, as he should be. This guy has changed drastically since Exiled, but he still holds on to some self-doubt and continues to feel guilt over all the events that have and will occur. He has surely matured, however, and uses his new-found confidence to stand up to some serious threats. He is the Protector, after all, and would definitely die saving the innocent. I hope it doesn’t come to that, or Matty boy will have some serious hate mail. And maybe a flaming bag of poo on his doorstep…I kid, of course. *shifty eyes*

Rayna and Chase have come a long way in their relationship. There are constant obstacles in the way of their happiness, but damn if they don’t fight for their right to experience love. They make me feel mushy and I so badly want this to work out for them!

FAVORITE QUOTES

”Wonderful,” I said. “We have Vincent, the day-walking vampire. Blade would be so proud. Can we go now?”

MAD PROPS FOR A BLADE REFERENCE!

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely mind-blowing.

As this is the third instalment in a planned four book series, I won't be discussing the plot in detail. I don't want to spoil this awesome story for anyone, it's something you need to experience for yourself. I will, however, tell you just how extremely entertaining, action-packed and thoroughly jaw-dropping it was! You couldn't pry this book from my hands, it was THAT good. Merrick expanded the already rich and complex world even more, exploring different dimensions, adding new interesting characters and introducing us to new legends, stories from the past and information crucial to understanding and fully appreciating the story. However, while abundant in otherworldly creatures, magic, eye-popping fight scenes and vividly described settings, Release is still comprehensive and easy to follow.

Release blends non-stop action and a journey to discovering yourself into one fascinating story, that is just as entertaining and breathtaking as it is moving and inspiring. If I was to describe this book using just one world, I'd pick EPIC. The writing is compelling and addictive, the characters are three-dimensional and truly unique, the plot twists are many and they are often shocking. And the humor! I just love the humor in these books! The dialogues are super fun to read, full of witty observations and biting remarks. And the relationship dynamics between all the characters are intensely enjoyable.

Like I said before, both the plot line and the settings are top notch, ultimately though, it's the awesome characters that make the story for me. They are all realistically drawn and depicted in a way that makes you connect with them instantly. Each character has a distinct personality and possesses some sort of unique ability (supernatural or not). They're vivid, colorful, energetic, often snarky and badass, but they're also very human. Both Chase and Rayna are tough and fierce, but they're also emotional, vulnerable and soft on the inside. They try their best to do the right thing, but they don't always know what "the right thing" is, they make mistakes, they doubt themselves. They fall and then they get back up, dust themselves off and try even harder. That's what makes them so awesome. That's what makes me love them so much. They're not perfect. No one is perfect. But they fight for what they believe in, even if it's hard. Even when it hurts. Even if you don't know who you can trust and who your real enemy is.

I thought that Chase grew a lot as a character in Release. He had to learn to control his abilities, which basically meant working on his temper and controlling his emotions. He had to search for the soul pieces, but he also had to do a lot of soul-searching within himself. He was an awesome character to follow in Exiled and Shift, but he was still very immature then. In Release he changes a lot, smartens up and learns a lot about himself. I loved that!

As much as I loved Chase, Rayna, Willy and Tiki, I must admit I absolutely adored Willy's grandmother! What a fantastic, sharp-tongued, kick-ass character she is!

All in all, if you're not familiar with The Protector series yet, you have some serious catching up to do. It's such a great series, filled with creative ideas, breathtaking action sequences and characters you'll quickly grow attached to. If you adore fantasy genre and enjoy stories that are complex, awesomely imagined and thoroughly entertaining - this is the series for you!

____

Also posted over at:

[Reeka (BoundbyWords) · Rating 5 out of 5]

As seen on my blog:



I literally JUST finished reading this. So my emotions are still pretty damn raw right now. Oh man..ok..let me try to breathe here so I can write something you can comprehend. Okay..ready..here I go..

I won't go into too much detail storyline-wise, as that could get a bit spoiler-y, very fast. This book was a continuation of SPECTACULAR (Book #1) and AMAZING (Book #2), so I didn't doubt for a second that this book would be less than either of those things-of course, it exceeded BOTH. The third installment of this series brought SO much more to the surface, and allowed readers to step into the lives of the characters a little more intimately. Actually, a LOT more intimately in the case of our favourite (not) Vampire, Vincent Taryk.

I have the biggest love/hate relationship with this man, but was ecstatic for the chance to learn more about him in this book. He was featured in almost all of the scenes, and I especially loved that the venture back into Drakar had him tagging along as well! Oh..oh MAN..I WISH I could tell you all the greatness that was this entire section of the book. As I mentioned in my review of Exhiled, Drakar was my heart and soul, I fell in love with EVERYTHING it had to offer: characters, imagery, lifestyle ..LOVED IT!

The remainder of the book followed suit. We were introduced to 3 more worlds, in which Mr. Merrick worked his descriptive magic to it's full extent. These worlds were bursting with brilliant imagery-my mind was in a haze. I felt things, I smelled things, I YEARNED to be where the characters took their next step (um, not the scary worlds though). This author has SUCH a talent for invoking emotions that otherwise lie dormant when reading other books-especially those with a paranormal backdrop. I find that I'm not usually prone to feeling close to characters that have powers/shift into creatures etc. It's just not natural (obviously), therefore it's sometimes hard to get into a storyline of that nature. But Merrick makes it WORK, and he makes it work HARD. I am more tied to these particular characters than I have been to any others in a long, long time. Okay..I'm fan-girling..I know this..IT CAN'T BE HELPED.

It should also be noted that with each book, Merrick has exposed just enough information to keep you intrigued throughout the entire thing, and leave you biting your nails with impatience for the next installment. Not a second of this book was boring, dull, or unnecessary. Every tidbit of info was needed and justified, every line of dialogue added depth and furthered my interest in what was about to happen next. The relationship between characters grew at a pace that made sense, and did not feel at all contrived. I don't think there was one moment when I said to myself "uh..well THAT was ridiculous."

THE ENDING...oh dear GOD. I can't...there aren't words. I won't say anymore..oh man..oh man oh man oh man oh man..oh MAN.

I need to stop writing, but my fingers won't let me..I could very well be here all night..I should..I should stop. PLEASE go read this book. PLEASE go read this entire SERIES from the BEGINNING.

M.R. Merrick..you are officially one of my heroes. Thank you a MILLION times for turning such a brilliant idea into printed word, and allowing us to consume it with our minds.

----------
*DISCLAIMER* I received this book as an ecopy from the author, in order to participate in the blog tour.

[Jagged · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You want to hug, don't you?"

What an ending! Yeah, that was rude. I bawled my eyes out. I can't believe you did that, Merrick, but I have to say, it really did up the ante!

"I'm melting!"

I love Vincent. I was very happy to see him again in this book. He is my favourite quasi villain of the series. I especially loved the scene of Vincent and the sun. I was laughing my ass off. And I couldn't help but side with chase...I would have been hard pressed not to do the same thing.

I kind of feel like a dick. Thanks Merrick! I hadn't even noticed the lack of Tiki's story because there is always so much going on in these books. Glad to feel like an ass. I certainly appreciated his back story though. I am curious about Mr. Tiki, he is certainly one of my favourite characters in the series.

"You have three..." AHAHAHAHAHAHA. Yeah...nice touch. I love the immaturity, it really speaks to my inner child.

Miss Rayna sure had some attitude issues, once again. She had lots of blows to dish out in this book. I was getting a little irked with her. But I have to say, she really does do a great job of representing women and our complicated bitchiness. You know, I can't like her because we have too much in common? Maybe that's the problem.

The battle scenes were a little repetitive at times. Chase's first attack would miss, and Rayna would follow up with a connecting shot. It got a little more creative toward the end.

There were a few grammatical errors and interesting word choices, but nothing major.

I LOVED the world buildup! I LOVED the character development! I loved the plot and sub plots. Everything from book one until now has come together beautifully. These books are captivating. There is SO much going on! I would recommend re-reading or at least skimming the books over before reading the new ones because Merrick does not do a whole lot of previous book reflection. There is some, but I found myself forgetting major events and characters.
So much happens in these books. They do not get stale, and you do not feel like the story hasn't progressed by the end of the book. Chase grows and becomes a new character--but nothing too far from his original development that you can't recognize him.

The good guys get DESTROYED! I love that about these books. Nothing is easy for Chase. He really has to work to get things done. And there are so many set backs. So many stories say it's an uphill battle, but never feel that way. This is not the case. The adventure behind the plots are fantastically written, but it most certainly feels hopeless and frustrating for all character's involved.
And then there were the penalties that Chase endured when using his magic. So descriptive, and incredibly intriguing.

Willy and Vincent's history made me cry...and then the END! Merrick knows how to pull on the heart strings--I'll leave it at that.

The biggest issue I had was that Chase had to have everything dumbed down for him in order to understand what was going on. He couldn't put two and two together, and it is kind of insulting to me as the reader. I felt that I wasn't expected to be capable of following the story and putting together all the hints given throughout the book.

But overall: 5 stars. Loved the story. Completely engrossed. Enjoyed all the descriptions of creatures and places. The uniqueness to the adventures and all the intricacies behind the plots are put together beautifully. I am eagerly awaiting the next in the series. Thank you Merrick, for the enjoyable read.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

For someone so young, Chase has seen a lot of death and destruction and it doesn't look like it's going to be ending soon. This time around in the third installment of Merrick's Protector Series, Chase's title as The Protector is heavily challenged as he's hunted by the psychotic multi-shifter Arian, while racing his father Riley from dimension to dimension to get to Ithreal's soul pieces to prevent worldwide annihilation and keeping his friends breathing. But after the events of Exiled and Shift, Chase is cut off from the Gods and now his powers start going haywire, it seems like this whole saving the world thing would have to been done the old fashioned way with a little elbow grease and a good dagger.

I love the covers of these series, they're always so mysterious and their full meaning isn't revealed until well into the story and everything clicks and you have an "aha!" moment.

Chase has always been pretty hot headed, and with so many elements burning in his core he needs to learn emotional control fast - but with everyone rushing to deal with the coming onslaught, I felt like he was pretty isolated and left to figure things out on his own for the most part. I was really proud that he took so much initiative and really proved his worth as a leader and The Protector in some of the most trying situations.

Sometimes intriguing secondary characters never get their day, but I was so surprised how much depth and history Merrick revealed in Released that added to the growth of several characters and their story arcs in addition to Chase's story. This was especially true with Willy (my absolute favorite character) and his tragic past in conjunction with the vampire Vincent's familial problems that end up being a large thorn in Chase's side.

I especially loved that Chase's friends end up playing a more integral role to his character development. Tiki acts like The Protector's conscience, gently reminding Chase of his obligations to every poor soul in any world that needs help. They constantly clash for a while, but it's important in the road to Chase fully accepting his role as The Protector.

Since more or less solidifying their relationship in Shift, Rayna and Chase this time around are a bit more subdued. I was a bit sad that we didn't get to see more of them together (but this story isn't meant to be a bad teen romance), but the stolen moments that they do get are so cute and give such a bright flare of hope for Chase to keep trudging through the dark.

Merrick continues The Protector Series with his sharp wit, distinctive and alluring demonic dimensions and of course thrilling visceral action sequences. But here's the thing, I was so used to Merrick's action sequences I thought I knew how they'd play out - because it was formulaic. There's some equal sparring, a sudden dire situation and desperation but it all works out in the end because that's how a heroes story goes.

I have to hand a slow appreciative clap to Merrick right here because while these sequences kept me entertained, they lulled me into such a deep sense of security that I was completely blind sided by the ending. I mean, Merrick had to have some serious cajones to pull that ending off, I am both shocked and supremely pissed and can't wait to see what happens in the next installment!

[Amy Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! M.R. Merrick has done it again. This book is just as fantastic, if not better than the first two. As with the first two books, this one starts of with a bang, throwing you right into the action. Then it keeps going strong from beginning to end leaving just enough time between events to catch your breath and let things absorb. Along with that, the character growth is amazing. We really get to know more about the characters and their pasts too. This was such a great continuation of the story and I can't get enough.

Still stubborn, and easy to piss off, Chase really does go through a lot of changes in this book. I can't help but feel bad for him for all that he has been through, and the guilt that he carries around. He totally mans up in this though. Don't get me wrong, he still flies of the handle once in a while and does some really stupid things, but he is realizing now that Marcus, Willy, Rayna, and Tiki are his family now. He will do anything for them even if it means sacrificing himself. On top of the impending war that Riley is bringing, he is struggling with his powers. They are too much for him to handle and they are literally hurting him. I love that he really starts to be able to keep his anger in check and is working hard at controlling himself and also helping and being nice to others that he otherwise wouldn't.

I will briefly touch on the other characters too since they are all so important in this. Vincent become a major part of this, even more so than before I think. I still don't care for him much, but I definitely have a much better understanding of him, and even feel a little bad for him. Oh, and his humor in this gave some much needed comic relief at times. Rayna is struggling with all of the new things going on, but she is still tough and fierce. She also discovers new things about herself and needs to embrace it. Willy is in a tough place in this one, and it takes a while to really find out why, but when we do, I just wanted to climb in the book and hug him. He is such a great character. One of my favorites. Then there's Tiki and there's not much to say about him except although he is odd, he is wise too.

They need to get the soul pieces and destroy them before Riley gets his hands on them and absorbs their power. It is a race to try to get them before he does, and on top of that, Arian has his own agenda and there is a major issue with the vampires too. There is so much going on in this, but surprisingly it is never confusing or overwhelming. They are thrown from one bad situation to the next while trying to complete their mission. They need to learn to work together with others they never would have dreamed of partnering up with before. Tension is high, lives are being taken, and time is running out.

From the first page, this book is full of heart pumping action that will keep your heart racing. I fell right back into the story and experienced it along with all of the characters. The visual imagery I get from M.R. Merrick's writing is fabulous and I find myself totally lost in the worlds he has created. This book had me holding my breath, laughing, and crying. The ending had me wanting to throw my nook out the window, then go get it and beg for the next book. This series just gets better with each book!!

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

So, what’s my barometer for giving a book a 5* review? I haven’t really discussed this with my readers and followers, but the answer is pretty simple. The book has to be one that grabs me from the beginning, has characters that I honestly and truly care about, and keeps me emotionally invested in those same characters throughout not just the first book, but the rest of the series. If that same book or series brings out the ‘Mom’ in me, makes me want to reach through any of my social media networks and shake the author, or if it leaves me in an emotional heap when I’m done I consider it a bonus. Guess where I was at the end of Release?

So far The Protector Series has been an emotional, action packed roller coaster ride. Readers were introduced to the amazing world building and characters that comprise the series in Exiled. Mysteries were made clearer, the magic became stronger, allies were strengthened and the world building expanded even more in Shift. Nothing in either of the first two books can possibly prepare readers for what Chase and his crew of family, friends and allies have in store for them in Release.

This book had me on the edge of my seat. There were so many twists and turns, more than a few dangerous – almost hopeless moments and some down right craziness that caused me to have a really hard time putting it down. I really had to re-read a few parts – not because they weren’t made clear the first time – it was more like ‘did that really just happen?’ moments that I had to confirm. Trust me when I say that MR Merrick pulled out all the stops and held nothing back for this one.

In Release Chase has grown stronger, but that strength is taking an unexpected toll on him. Rayna discovers more about herself and her powers. Readers see a whole new side to Vincent and discover some secrets he’s spent a life time hiding. We get to know even more about Tiki and Willy is as loyal as ever. And yes, Marcus’ timing is still perfect. *cough, cough* There are some new characters thrown into the mix, both good and bad. Speaking of bad guys, they are really, really bad in this series. None of them are more manipulative and pure evil than Riley though. Did I mention that this was one intense read?

To be fair, I’m going to give potential readers a little disclaimer. This book is not for the faint of heart. The world building is amazing but it doesn’t even compare to some of the creatures that Chase and his friends encounter in Release. There were some that actually made me cringe and I’m not exaggerating. Then there is the emotional element. *sigh* I’m not even going to elaborate on it because if I do I might let something slip. Besides the fact that Chase pretty much wallows in guilt for the turmoil that those closest to him have to endure, the forces outside of everyone’s control carry an emotional intensity that doesn’t let up until the very end – and not even then. Remember that emotional heap I referred to earlier? Yeah, I was there at the end of Release.

If you’re not a fan of cliff hangers, be forewarned. I’m still recovering from the ending. Mostly by what happens in the final scenes but also by what readers are left not knowing. Let’s just say that The Protector #4 – Endure can’t come out soon enough.

[Teresa Mary Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

More Reviews Here: Readers Live A Thousand Lives

Exiled was good, Shift was great, but Release was even better. I don’t know how, but M.R. Merrick has outdone himself yet again. It seems that each book in this series just gets better and better. I am thoroughly enjoying taking this journey with Chase.

Chase has come a very long way since Exiled. When we first meet him, he is a bit whiny and always wondering why bad things happen to him; almost as if bad things never happen to anyone else. Now though, Chase is strong and fierce and ready to accept responsibility for his actions. That being said, I do think he is too harsh on himself at times. He blames himself for everything and I think he needs to start letting other people accept blame for their actions as well. It is not simply his fault alone; it is really a combination of events. However, with the events that transpired in this book I do not see Chase letting go of the self-blame any time soon.

Rayna continues to be my favorite character in the books and the fact that her presence is significantly less in Release in comparison to previous books was a bit of a drawback for me. I missed her personality and I would have liked to have seen more of her. I understand why she was gone and it was interesting to see how much Chase really has come to rely on her, but I still missed her nonetheless.

One character that we did see a lot more of in Release was Grams and I absolutely loved that. She has such a commanding presence and she steals every single scene she is in. I really enjoyed learning more about her character. Also I loved all the insults she dished out constantly.

If you read my reviews for Exiled and Shift, you know that I like Vincent, a lot, in a really weird way. Well that continued in this book. I just love his egotistical personality. Don’t get me wrong, he drives me nuts at points, but I also enjoy watching Chase put him in his place. Also, we see a different side of Vincent in Release, and well it was refreshing.

The plot in Release finally starts to give us some answers. Granted, not nearly as many answers as I would like, but hey it’s a start. It is finally clear where the story is going and everything is set up nicely for a final showdown. The other shoe has dropped so to speak.

I am really loving this urban fantasy world that Merrick has created. It is so different and refreshing and I can always vividly imagine it. I have no problem believing that it takes place in the here and now, despite it being clearly fantastical.

All in all, Release is a great continuation of this series and if you have not started this series yet, I recommend you do so soon. I am really looking forward to what is in store for Chase next, especially with that killer ending.

*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Merrick has done it again with this installment in The Protector series. In Release, we venture to even more mysterious and dangerous worlds and see a bunch of new creatures, as well as run into a few familiar ones. Most of Release is about Chase finding the remaining soul pieces and destroying them before Riley and the Dark Brothers get their hands on them.

Chase has changed a lot since the beginning of the series and it really shines through in this Release. Things are even tougher for him now though and he’s still struggling to control his powers and figure out his role as the Protector. Even though he finally learns why his powers are going crazy, he’s still not that close to discovering how to fix it all. A lot of this book as to do with Chase’s inner struggles at realizing his destiny and coming to grips about the important people in his life. His relationships are strengthened and solidified in this book, and it was nice seeing each of the main characters come through for each other and band together to fight this evil.

In Release, you finally learn the extent of Rayna’s abilities and her place in all this. Although I would’ve liked to see more of her, since she’s usually so kickass, you’ll notice the guys play a bigger role in this book. Vincent’s story unfolds completely and you get to meet his vampire family and learn why he is the way that he is. There are plenty of hunters that show up too and I was very happy to see Grams play a bigger role in the story. She is such a funny character, I loved all her scenes.

My only gripe with this series in general is that all the answers are taking FOREVER to be revealed. I loved learning about all these creatures and there are quite a few story lines that you have to follow, which is fine and all, but I’m close to pulling my hair out waiting for things to turn around and for Chase to find the answers to all the questions he, and I, have. If you know me, you’ll know I hate when a story drags, building things up is important, yes, but throw us a bone! I feel like, after three books, I still have a ton of questions and I’m seriously waiting for the climactic, pivotal point where Chase figures things out and things start looking up. I understand he’s supposed to go through pain and have these crazy adventures, but I feel like nothing’s being resolved, even in the slightest in Shift or Release, and Merrick is saving it all for the last book. Release has just left me feeling frustrated and dejected like how I felt after Shift, only worse because even worse things happen in Release than in Shift!

Either way, I enjoyed this book and Merrick’s world of dastardly creatures. The ending is pretty intense and a bit sad, so be prepared. Through it all you really sympathize for Chase and I’m so ready for him to kick some Riley and Dark Brothers’ ass. I can’t wait to see how it all ends and get the answers to all my questions!

[Brittani (Game, Read, Teach) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can find more reviews, along with this one on my blog Hope, Faith & Books

I definitely thought this was the best book yet! Still filled with tons of action! There was definitely things I didn't see coming in this book! So I guess I'll start with how many people Marcus and the group got to work together. They actually managed to get a huge amount of people to agree to work together! That's definitely not easy since a majority of those people were at odds with each other. I was disappointed however that Riley decided to take to mass attacks, attacking pretty much every group who decided to work with Marcus and everyone. A majority of those groups lost half or more of their people. Its amazing how the good guys in this battle keep getting setback no matter how hard they try to get ahead! It also sucked that some of those people working with them had to go into hiding for like half the book just to protect themselves and make sure Riley couldn't find them before resurfacing to help. And then on top of Riley's never ending attacks, they also had to deal with Arian, the old leader of the Hollowlights that Riley so felt the need to give power to. That guy was dead-set determined to turn try and turn Chase into a Shifter! It was like his obsession!

And then Chase. He was having a seriously difficult time controlling his elements! It was like one small emotional moment turned into a huge release of his powers and he couldn't control it. And to make matters worse, as the book went on his powers were becoming to much for him. They were actually hurting him. I thought Chase couldn't get a break in Shift, he seriously couldn't get one in Release! I cant imagine how much he was dealing with in this book! Especially after he lost the ring and one of the demon gods soul pieces to Riley in the previous one! And then we have Rayna. We finally find out why she was having trouble with her Witch powers. Comes to find out, she's a specific type of Witch (not spoiling which kind). So once she figured out exactly what type of magic she was supposed to be studying, her powers came to her a lot easier! I must say, even amongst the chaos in this book, I really enjoyed that Chase and Rayna still got a few moments to themselves and I loved that their relationship took a turn! :)

Seriously, how many times is Chase supposed to go into the other dimensions for soul pieces and have them taken by Riley?!?!?! I mean he got two and lost one at the end. I feel so bad for him... He is seriously doing all he can to try and stop Riley but it doesn't seem to matter! That ending crushed me! Between losing one of the soul pieces (not telling which one) and the death of one of the group I was so sad! So not cool Riley! Chase will get you eventually!!!

[Dani Morales · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I completely was hyped up on Shift that I couldn’t wait to read Release. Usually when I do that I get majorly disappointed…. So not the case here, I was absolutely blown away again. That’s right AGAIN! I also have to say I cried in this book, specifically at the end. If you haven’t read Shift, then stop right here!!

So I love WILLY, he keeps getting better and better. He’s developed a tough skin and stands up for what he thinks is right. Since he’s become a wolf, he hasn’t been able to see Chase and Rayna that much but that doesn’t change the fact that they are family and that’s one of the things I love about M.R. Merrick's books. Family is important, blood doesn’t mean everything, it’s the bonds that are formed. Chase, Rayna, Willy, Tiki, and Marcus are a dysfunctional family, but one none the less. They look out for each other which is good considering what they are up to face.

Riley and the Dark Brothers are unrelenting. Chase’s powers are developing faster than they thought possible, sounds good right? Well not everything is always as good as it seems. Sometimes with great power comes a great consequence. Will Chase’s power be the one thing that costs him his family? Why is his powers starting to go haywire? I hoped Chase and Rayne would be able to take their “relationship” further, but with all that was going on that didn’t happen. The attraction is still there and a few kisses may have been executed perfectly J .

TIki is awesome. He’s the one who stands up for Vincent when everyone else didn’t want to. Vincent, sigh, where to begin with him. If there was other circumstance, I might like Vincent, but as we sit now, not so much. Lol. I got a better understanding for him in this book, and the way he cares about his family. However, Vincent comes into trouble with his biological family and seeks Chase’s help. This is why Tiki stands up for him and in turn gets Chase to do the same.

The end will leave you shocked and saying, “Oh.My.God what the hell just happened?!” Then you’re going to cry, well I started to cry a little before then. I swear I did and I tweeted M.R. Merrick's as soon as I finished saying he made me cry. I love this series and can’t wait for the next book and whatever book M.R. Merrick's rights next. He has definitely made me a fan of his. It’s so easy to get swept up in the worlds he creates. Their scary beautiful and the creatures are terrifying but amazing at the same time. You can't put the book down once you've started, it's almost physically impossible. Wonderful Job M.R. Merrick's! I cannot be happier reading one of your books, seriously, you've made me change my whole opinion on male writiers. I have to say you've set the standard extremely high!

[Kayleigh {K-Books} · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. M.R Merrick is fast becoming one of my favourite authors of all time. Ever since I got the first book in this series, Exiled, I was completely obsessed with it. Shift was even better and I didn't know how Matthew was going to bear it... but he did. Release was an epic and phenomenal installment to one of my favourite paranormal/fantasy series. I was completely captured right from the first page and I couldn't stop reading until I had finished and found out what happened. It was just incredible.

Chase, Marcus, Rayna and the others are back and preparing for an apocalypse. Not only do they have the threat of The Circle that they have been battling against in the previous 2 books but now Chase's father is on the loose playing God and Chase and the others must stop him. Even if that means journying to the darkest dimensions to find a way. But will everyone make is out alive?

I am just so in love with this series. No words can describe just how good it is. The only way you will find that out is by picking up this incredible series and going on this magical journey yourself. Trust me you will not be disappointed. M.R Merrick is a phenomenal author. One of the best in the YA Paranormal/Fantasy genre in my opinion and I could just read his books again and again and be just as shocked, obsessed and enraptured as the first time I read them. M.R Merrick's writing style is addictive. He pulls you into this phenomenal world right at the start of the first page and he will not let you go until you are done left reeling and begging for more.

Release is without a doubt the best one in the series so far and I am dying for book 4 to find out what will happen next. M.R Merrick's characters are addictive and you just become so attached to them you have to keep reading to find out what happens to them and if anything bad happened you are left with your heart in a million pieces crying... yeah this is what Release did to me. M.R Merrick is a phenomenal writer but also a evil man at times.

If you want a phenomenal, epic, intense roller-coaster ride paranormal series to be consumed by and obsessed over look no furthur. The Protector series is a must-read. It will leave you breathless and begging for more. Release is an epic, intense and heartbreaking installment to the series that left me soul-crushed but it is awesome and one of the best books I have read this year. I need book 4... like right now!
So what are you waiting for? Go pick up this series right now! It's phenomenal.

[Candace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anything I say could possibly spoil future reader's experiences. So my thoughts here will be brief.

The hardy band of misfits continues to unite towards their single common goal, stopping Riley. It is a long haul though as faith is low, numbers are down, and time is running out. Chase reacts instead of responds and this is a deadly trait for a leader. He has seen the results of his actions, and desperately desires to gain control over his emotions and powers, but this takes time and training. Rayna still needs to understand fully who and/or what she is. Both becomming fully aware of what they can do is crucial, and I suspect that in the end it will be their combind abilities that be key, however that is still to be seen.

I love how the characters are developing in this book. Chase and Rayna are not mature thirty year olds, they are still teenagers. They have the weight of the world on their shoulders when they should be going to college, partying, and having a great time. I'm enjoying seeing their relationship grow. They have not just jumped into this and gone nuts; they are really good friends who seem to be allowing fate to take them where it will. They have built bonds based on trust that will get them through some extremely rough times.

Admittedly, I am a huge fan of Vincent, but then I am very much a Vampire kind of girl. I was happy to see that he is still around, and pretty vocal (not that he was ever a wallflower).

So many questions demand answers, but where will they find them? Will they find them in time? Are the gods paying attention? What are the Dark Brothers really up to? Is Riley in his right mind, or has someone possessed him or maybe put some sort of spell on him? These are some of the thoughts I had going through my mind as I started reading this book. I have anxiously been waiting to read this ever since I finished Shift. I cannot, in good conscience tell you what answers are given. I can, however, tell you I was left with more questions! Each reader needs to sit down with this book and fully experience it. So, what can I tell you? I can tell you that you want to read this book! M.R. Merrick did an amazing job with this! I did not want to put it down; I read it from start to finish in under 24 hours, because I could not do anything else. This is the best book of the series!

Now the question buring most in my mind? When do I get to read the next book?!?

[Mandy Reads Indie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Merrick!! Don’t know how you do it…but you did it…and with each book the series just gets better and better. All of your characters absolutely exploded (that’s a good thing) in this one and we get so much more of them it seems. Rayna…love her more and would love my girls to grow up just like her. Well, just minus the fur. But really, the girl is fierce, confident, brave and bold. Again, I say…LOVE her. And to mention all the history we learn about Tiki and Vincent and sweet Willy…all pulled together makes this one powerful book.

Right from the start of RELEASE I hated someone...Eric. I was so sick of his attitude and the book had barely even started. He is vile and ugly and I just didn't like him. But who comes in and teaches him a lesson? Only one of my most favorite people in this series…Grams! I won't say what happens, but just know she is awesome. #TeamGrams

With each book of the series we see Chase's character grow and develop more and more. Who once started out as an arrogant teen, hell bent on killing any demon he comes in contact with...turns out to be a great young man with new morals and beliefs. He will do just about anything for the people he loves...even if most of them are demons. And the fact that he can’t just leave Vincent to fend for himself, speaks volumes for his character. Because after all the hell that Vincent has put Chase through; no one would blame him if he did.

We also learn a new twist to the story too. Someone might have plans of his own when it comes being leader over the Underworld. This revelation only makes matters worse for Chase and his friends. And I ain’t gonna lie…the horrid things this ‘twist’ could do actually had me scared for the group. Not only do they have to watch their back when it comes to Riley, but now they have this new threat lingering in the shadows. It could be one heck of a problem for them. And as time goes on…this ‘twist’ just gets crazy out of control and more and more people end up getting hurt.

And that ending! I am in tears thinking about it. Why Merrick? Why? Again, I won’t give away the details but keep in mind…tissues will be a must. No one is safe, absolutely no one.

So there you have my jumbled mess of a review. I had all kinds of thoughts running around in my head about the book and I apologize if it came out sporadic. But I can promise you…this series rocks…and it rocks hard. I cannot believe I had waited so long to read it but ever so glad I did.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release, for me, felt a bit slower than the previous books. It's getting to the point in the series where shit's gonna get real, but you're not quite there yet and the anticipation is killer. That being said, there's still plenty of drama unfolding. Chase's powers seem to be, quite literally, trying to destroy him from the inside out. His father is still at large and getting closer and closer to what might be too powerful to beat. Not to mention the strain of seeing his friends risk themselves for him and their cause is wearing heavily. At times you want to shake him to snap him out of it, but you'd be wallowing too, if you were him.

That still doesn't mean I'm okay with his decisions regarding Rayna. It takes no time at all for Chase to run scared. And while I can kind of understand it, it's really just frustrating as all get out because they're good for each other and the last thing they both need is another reason to be sad. So I think they're dumb. But I believe it'll all be okay. I have to.

Pacing and decision-making frustrations aside, when the book picks up, it really picks up. Chock full of more fantastic and action-packed dimension-hopping, the later part of the book doesn't quit and keeps you on the edge of your seat. You'll be confused, anxious, and eventually heartbroken.

Which brings us to the ending. Guys. Prepare for all the feels. Anything you thought was sad or hard in the series before this, about to be blown to pieces. I cried. Granted, it's not that hard to make me cry in a book, but this was difficult to get through. Heading into Endure is going to be painful.

Probably my favorite part of this series overall is that it defies a lot of the stereotypes of this genre. Sure, there's an all-powerful, Chose One teen, but I'm not sure I've ever seen an author make that very power the Achilles's heel. It leaves the reader wondering if all this power really was meant for Chase and whether he's going to be able to save everyone. I definitely can't wait to find out!

The series remains enthralling and full of adventure, and I can't wait to see how it all ends. If you still haven't checked out this series, you should get on it! Now! It's a fantastic series written by an awesome author (who also follows me on Twitter and it makes me fangirl real hard! :P) and any YA paranormal fan should try it.

Check out more reviews at http://allinabook.blogspot.com/!

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another fantastic adventure book by M.R. Merrick. He has an enormous talent for creating a world that you can fall straight into, with vivid imagery and characters that you want to egg on to be better people and fall in love.

Chase continues on his journey to find the soul pieces of Ithereal. He is trying his hardest to stop his Father, Riley from finding them and also stop him from killing any more Underworlders. With the help of Marcus, they are gathering their own army to help bring down Riley. All Underworlders have not gotten along and even more so against the Hunters. But now they all have one enemy and together they can hopefully overcome Riley.

Chase is trying to control his emotions, which in turn helps control his ever growing powers. But something isn’t going right, while travelling into another world, his skin splits open and he cannot heal himself. Chase doesn’t know what is happening or why when he was just getting control over everything.

The vampire, Vincent is having his own crisis and Chase is being guilted into helping by Tiki. But he gives his word to help and in return Vincent has to align himself with Chase. Vincent doesn’t make things easy and is forever complaining about every little thing. He is turning into a hindrance more than a help.

Rayna is acting very strange and not being herself. Chase doesn’t know if he should pursue her or just let everything be. There are a lot of higher priorities in his life than love after all. Rayna is having her own family issues as well. The tension builds; will they surrender to their feelings or fall further apart?

Will Chase get to the soul pieces in time? Can he overcome his pain and skin splitting? Can Chase help Vincent with his family problems and survive? What about Rayna, will she forgo her attitude problem and love Chase? Can Riley be beaten?

Overall, this is another adventure not to be missed; Indiana Jones in fantasyland. This series is gaining momentum for the finale that will go off with a BANG. The creatures in this one are amazing, M.R. Merrick has a vast imagination with creatures of all shapes, sizes and abilities; there is certainly nothing like them anywhere. The combination of a little love, heroics, family drama’s, artefact hunting and loyalty all bring together the heart of Release. Bring on number 4, I need to find out what happens to Chase!