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Chronicles from the Applecross #1
Chaos Born
A fresh and exciting debut novel introducing the Chronicles from the Applecross.
Lora Blackgoat, smuggler and mercenary, has been lying low after a job gone bad made her a laughing stock in the industry. When a childhood friend turns to her for help, Lora leaps to restore her reputation and starts hunting a killer who is stalking the gas-lit streets.
She never expects that her path will lead her to the Order of Guides, a sadistic militant religious organisation - or to Roman, a deadly and dangerously attractive half-angel warrior who also hunts the killer.
When Lora discovers that the killer has broken fundamental laws of magic to enter the city, she also uncovers a conspiracy that leads back into her own dark past.
Lora Blackgoat, smuggler and mercenary, has been lying low after a job gone bad made her a laughing stock in the industry. When a childhood friend turns to her for help, Lora leaps to restore her reputation and starts hunting a killer who is stalking the gas-lit streets.
She never expects that her path will lead her to the Order of Guides, a sadistic militant religious organisation - or to Roman, a deadly and dangerously attractive half-angel warrior who also hunts the killer.
When Lora discovers that the killer has broken fundamental laws of magic to enter the city, she also uncovers a conspiracy that leads back into her own dark past.
331 pages, ebook
First published November 13, 2012
31 people are currently reading
1451 people want to read
About the author
Rebekah Turner
7 books57 followersWith a degree in graphic design and a raging coffee addiction, Rebekah escaped the corporate world to freelance in between sensible adult jobs. She rides a motorcycle called Fat Betty, owns two dogs who don’t get walked enough, and can never seem to find a blue pen when she wants one. She’s a dedicated movie gal, with a special affection for classic horror and action movies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
August 4, 2014
This is one of those books that I wanted to like more than I did. There is the heart of a good plot and some interesting characters here, but some of the quality of the writing and the main character herself fall flat for me. She had way too many tstl moments and I had a hard time placing her age and experience because of these moments. I am curious about the next volume, but not enough that I am rushing right out to download it.
January 4, 2014
The writing itself was fine. Plot, character development, dialog, etc. all completely fine.
I just didn't like the main character at all or the overall story. I never could find anything likable about her. All the other characters, yes, but the protagonist... I can't name a single redeeming quality with which the author blessed her.
Bummer. I had high hopes for enjoying this series but it is just not for me.
I just didn't like the main character at all or the overall story. I never could find anything likable about her. All the other characters, yes, but the protagonist... I can't name a single redeeming quality with which the author blessed her.
Bummer. I had high hopes for enjoying this series but it is just not for me.
November 23, 2013
Welcome to a dark world filled with demons and satyrs and magic. Chaos Born by Rebekah Turner is the foundation for a new series, Chronicles from the Applecross. Within the Weald, a magical world within another, its citizens all are some type of supernatural beings, and there is an organized hierarchy on the streets that almost seems mob-like. Lora has fallen on hard times, her last job was a disaster, there is a contract out on her and just staying alive seems to be a fulltime job. When she is approached to help out an old friend, how can she say no? In a world where loyalty can be bought, Lora is unsure who to trust, it seems everyone has their own agenda and Lora is caught in the middle. When the hellspawn attack and the leylines go wonky, even her magic could fail her. Welcome to Lora’s world. Think Thunderdome with dark magic.
When an author starts a new series, there has to be a sturdy foundation. Rebekah Turner has created an intensely dark world, gritty and intense, almost over-powering with its detail, but I did say ALMOST! As the backbone of the series, I see some intriguing reading to follow! There is an edgy and sinister feel that runs throughout this tale that sometimes feels rather steampunkish in its attitude.
Lora is a tough, but lonely and sometimes self-conscious heroine, definitely flawed, right on down to her limp. She has magic, and brains and snark to the hilt. Told through her eyes, the journey through the Weald and Lora’s life while inside her brain is like a trip through an emotional maze, listening to her mental banter, her assessments of each situation, her feelings toward others around her. The satellite characters are equally well done, but interestingly, they have a slight smudge, making them just a little mysterious, as if they are hiding something from Lora. From start to finish, the action unfolds one scene after another in vivid detail.
Ms. Turner has created a great series for lovers of dark fantasy who enjoy edge of the seat turmoil, oily dark villains and intensely twisted plots!
I received a review copy from Escape Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Chronicles from the Applecross, Book 1
Publication Date: November 1, 2012
Publisher: Escape Publishing - Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd
ISBN: 9780857990013
Genre: Adult Romance, Sci-fi, Fantasy
Page Count: 301
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
When an author starts a new series, there has to be a sturdy foundation. Rebekah Turner has created an intensely dark world, gritty and intense, almost over-powering with its detail, but I did say ALMOST! As the backbone of the series, I see some intriguing reading to follow! There is an edgy and sinister feel that runs throughout this tale that sometimes feels rather steampunkish in its attitude.
Lora is a tough, but lonely and sometimes self-conscious heroine, definitely flawed, right on down to her limp. She has magic, and brains and snark to the hilt. Told through her eyes, the journey through the Weald and Lora’s life while inside her brain is like a trip through an emotional maze, listening to her mental banter, her assessments of each situation, her feelings toward others around her. The satellite characters are equally well done, but interestingly, they have a slight smudge, making them just a little mysterious, as if they are hiding something from Lora. From start to finish, the action unfolds one scene after another in vivid detail.
Ms. Turner has created a great series for lovers of dark fantasy who enjoy edge of the seat turmoil, oily dark villains and intensely twisted plots!
I received a review copy from Escape Publishing in exchange for my honest review.
Series: Chronicles from the Applecross, Book 1
Publication Date: November 1, 2012
Publisher: Escape Publishing - Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd
ISBN: 9780857990013
Genre: Adult Romance, Sci-fi, Fantasy
Page Count: 301
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
August 11, 2016
This book came highly recommended and it didn't take me long to work out why - it's a brilliant combination of urban fantasy and paranormal...add a host of interesting heroes with well-muscled bodies and Lora...
I love that Lora isn't perfect, overpowered and sunny. She's grumpy, forgets to eat, sleep or shower, has a penchant for expensive shoes and the hot heroes, yet she doesn't just lay down for any bloke, either. She hurts, too - from past injuries that never healed properly, an unusual quality in a heroine. Instead of embracing the power she's born with, she seems to hesitate every time she uses it - making her the opposite of most fantasy heroes I've ever read.
If I had a complaint, it's that this book has a little too much description of clothes and rooms - too many unnecessary details when Lora first introduces the reader to someone or when she gets dressed. Not quite as bad or as detailed as the Sookie Stackhouse series, but somewhere along the way to that level of description. I laughed when I read Lora's description of Applecross, which is the name of an affluent suburb in my city - very different to Lora's Applecross!
I was miffed when it ended, until I realised the sequel was only a few short days from release and I could pre-order it, which I promptly did.
Five well-earned stars.
I love that Lora isn't perfect, overpowered and sunny. She's grumpy, forgets to eat, sleep or shower, has a penchant for expensive shoes and the hot heroes, yet she doesn't just lay down for any bloke, either. She hurts, too - from past injuries that never healed properly, an unusual quality in a heroine. Instead of embracing the power she's born with, she seems to hesitate every time she uses it - making her the opposite of most fantasy heroes I've ever read.
If I had a complaint, it's that this book has a little too much description of clothes and rooms - too many unnecessary details when Lora first introduces the reader to someone or when she gets dressed. Not quite as bad or as detailed as the Sookie Stackhouse series, but somewhere along the way to that level of description. I laughed when I read Lora's description of Applecross, which is the name of an affluent suburb in my city - very different to Lora's Applecross!
I was miffed when it ended, until I realised the sequel was only a few short days from release and I could pre-order it, which I promptly did.
Five well-earned stars.
September 18, 2018
The premise was super interesting but the last half was clumsy. Lora went from one battle straight into another and then another, and then another... very abruptly which was jarring and unrealistic. The writing was iffy but i’m hoping it gets better as the trilogy goes on, I’m interested enough to keep reading.
January 9, 2018
Where has Rebekah Turner been all my life??
This was a rollicking good read, filled with great twists and turns and I loved the writing style and the voice, which gave such a sarcastic edge to the heroine Lora Blackgoat.
I loved all her failures (they were many); and a great supporting cast of characters. In fact my only problem was that sometimes there was so many characters, Lora would mention one she'd met in her travels and I'd have to think, now who the heck was that, and where did Lora meet that guy/gal/demon/Regulator/priest?
Not that it worried me because the pace was so good I just wanted to keep reading.
I loved the world of Applecross. I love the character of Roman. So many flaws to the various characters but it made them more human (whether they were human, or not).
I'm very glad I picked this up on a recent sale - a great time to try new authors - and I look forward to seeing where the series goes and what Rebekah Turner does with Lora and Roman next.
My one grizzle was that there were quite a few typos, and while it didn't worry me and I kept reading, it did distract from what was a great story, and I think it's a shame they slipped through.
This was a rollicking good read, filled with great twists and turns and I loved the writing style and the voice, which gave such a sarcastic edge to the heroine Lora Blackgoat.
I loved all her failures (they were many); and a great supporting cast of characters. In fact my only problem was that sometimes there was so many characters, Lora would mention one she'd met in her travels and I'd have to think, now who the heck was that, and where did Lora meet that guy/gal/demon/Regulator/priest?
Not that it worried me because the pace was so good I just wanted to keep reading.
I loved the world of Applecross. I love the character of Roman. So many flaws to the various characters but it made them more human (whether they were human, or not).
I'm very glad I picked this up on a recent sale - a great time to try new authors - and I look forward to seeing where the series goes and what Rebekah Turner does with Lora and Roman next.
My one grizzle was that there were quite a few typos, and while it didn't worry me and I kept reading, it did distract from what was a great story, and I think it's a shame they slipped through.
November 17, 2013
Chaos Born. Chronicles from the Applecross 1. Rebekah Turner .
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book Reviews.
I'm finding this a really difficult review to write. I love fantasy books, especially those that are intense and have depth, not just the light and fluffy that's the norm. I loved Lora too as the heroine, she's struggling, has a hard life, and yet has her own code of integrity.
So what am I having a problem with? Well, there's almost too much depth here, the book is so stuffed full of different types of people, Humans, Full Bloods and Mixed Breeds, run within a world that’s dystopian and so very different. Add to that the problem that The Weald, the place where this book is set, is a little world of its own set within another world, with its own specific rules....Then there's the fact of so many different types of hierarchies, each having their own rules about what's acceptable, and who takes precedence....you can see where I was really confused in the beginning. In fact even though I’ve finished I’m still unclear about so much. Hopefully book two will help clarify issues.
Lora is having problems after her last job went wrong, not her fault but mud sticks. She owes money to the wrong type of person, one who'll take his dues in blood if necessary, so she needs to make some cash quickly. But there's been weird goings on in The Weald, and she's been asked by a childhood friend to look into it – not for the cash she needs but for friendship. She hopes sorting this mess and finding the killer will restore some of her credibility. Then she gets more enmeshed, bullied into doing things she doesn't want, beaten up time and again, put in the path of danger from people her in her world and from supernatural sources. She's so much she needs to know but doesn't, everyone is holding secrets that concern her, and not knowing can lead her into real dangers.
Its a very intense read, with so much to take in. Just when I thought I was getting a fix on the characters something would happen that confused me once again. Seth, a Balck Watchman – one sort of the law keepers- seemed very arrogant, he's a part time lover of Lora's and clearly he was very sexy, but what does Orella, the woman who helped bring up Lora, have against him? Then there's Roman, Nephilm, who’s seriously hot...yet at first meeting he and Lora do not get on at all well. I can see the beginnings of a love triangle there forming – maybe :) And what's behind Lora's charm pendant that Orella gave her as a child, and is so insistent that she always wears it. What about the fact Lora can use magic when she shouldn’t be able to, and has to keep that concealed?
Its a novel packed so full of secrets, conspiracies, dangers, and combined with the myriad of types of character and the different levels of law keepers, I almost gave up trying to work out what was going on. For me its a potentially great read, but so confusing, with little background information to let me work out how everyone fits together and what their role is. It almost feels like I’ve jumped into a well established existing series, so though I think its got five star potential for me, this book is a three star read. I did enjoy it, but could have got so much more out of it if I’d understood more instead of feeling like I was floundering in a sea of oddities.
Its a bargain price though for a solid 301 pages – currently free! So you've nothing to lose by getting this, and it may be that the confusion I felt is purely personal and it works better for others. Its partly steampunk in feel, and TBH that’s something I struggle with and usually avoid, but its not heavy on the tech side so not a huge problem.
NB: ARC received via Netgalley.
Review from Jeannie Zelos Book Reviews.
I'm finding this a really difficult review to write. I love fantasy books, especially those that are intense and have depth, not just the light and fluffy that's the norm. I loved Lora too as the heroine, she's struggling, has a hard life, and yet has her own code of integrity.
So what am I having a problem with? Well, there's almost too much depth here, the book is so stuffed full of different types of people, Humans, Full Bloods and Mixed Breeds, run within a world that’s dystopian and so very different. Add to that the problem that The Weald, the place where this book is set, is a little world of its own set within another world, with its own specific rules....Then there's the fact of so many different types of hierarchies, each having their own rules about what's acceptable, and who takes precedence....you can see where I was really confused in the beginning. In fact even though I’ve finished I’m still unclear about so much. Hopefully book two will help clarify issues.
Lora is having problems after her last job went wrong, not her fault but mud sticks. She owes money to the wrong type of person, one who'll take his dues in blood if necessary, so she needs to make some cash quickly. But there's been weird goings on in The Weald, and she's been asked by a childhood friend to look into it – not for the cash she needs but for friendship. She hopes sorting this mess and finding the killer will restore some of her credibility. Then she gets more enmeshed, bullied into doing things she doesn't want, beaten up time and again, put in the path of danger from people her in her world and from supernatural sources. She's so much she needs to know but doesn't, everyone is holding secrets that concern her, and not knowing can lead her into real dangers.
Its a very intense read, with so much to take in. Just when I thought I was getting a fix on the characters something would happen that confused me once again. Seth, a Balck Watchman – one sort of the law keepers- seemed very arrogant, he's a part time lover of Lora's and clearly he was very sexy, but what does Orella, the woman who helped bring up Lora, have against him? Then there's Roman, Nephilm, who’s seriously hot...yet at first meeting he and Lora do not get on at all well. I can see the beginnings of a love triangle there forming – maybe :) And what's behind Lora's charm pendant that Orella gave her as a child, and is so insistent that she always wears it. What about the fact Lora can use magic when she shouldn’t be able to, and has to keep that concealed?
Its a novel packed so full of secrets, conspiracies, dangers, and combined with the myriad of types of character and the different levels of law keepers, I almost gave up trying to work out what was going on. For me its a potentially great read, but so confusing, with little background information to let me work out how everyone fits together and what their role is. It almost feels like I’ve jumped into a well established existing series, so though I think its got five star potential for me, this book is a three star read. I did enjoy it, but could have got so much more out of it if I’d understood more instead of feeling like I was floundering in a sea of oddities.
Its a bargain price though for a solid 301 pages – currently free! So you've nothing to lose by getting this, and it may be that the confusion I felt is purely personal and it works better for others. Its partly steampunk in feel, and TBH that’s something I struggle with and usually avoid, but its not heavy on the tech side so not a huge problem.
NB: ARC received via Netgalley.
February 26, 2014
4.5 Stars
Now that I have finished the Chicagoland Vampire series – until more books come out – I decided I wanted to try a new series with a kick-ass heroine and decided on this series by an Australian author, Rebekah Turner. The cover of the first book, Chaos Born grabbed my attention at first and when I read the description, I thought that this could be a great read. I was not disappointed at all!
Lora Blackgoat is a fantastic heroine to read about. She stands out in her hometown because she looks like a Witch Hunter, due to her white blonde hair, but she also has a noticeable limp caused by an accident that occurred in her late teens. Her reputation precedes her as well, due to the deaths during her last assignment. She takes it all in her stride and uses witty remarks that often had me giggling at her. She takes pride in the few possessions that she owns and has a normal girly attachment to her kick-ass boots and her ‘special’ cane. What cracked me up at times was when she was insulted by her weight, she always had a quirky retort ready to go, because you know what it’s like, stress eating can do that to a girl!!
The plot in this book was gripping, as we hunt a killer that is leaving gruesome bodies behind. It was difficult to see who was behind it all and was intriguing to see the direction of the plot. Lora has a lot of resources up her sleeve and at some points was pressured into helping others. She has a number of people that she has close to her from the past and present and soon she is unsure of whom she can trust. At times she was sad as she missed the friendship she had with Caleb when they were young, was confused about the current relationship she has with Seth and is in denial about the sparks she has with Roman! It was entertaining to say the least to see her deal with these men as well as hunt the killer.
I enjoyed reading about the world Rebekah created as she described the surroundings and all the paranormal creatures that were there, none of which are the normal ones we read about. They all seem to have been crossbred at some stage, so you never knew what you were going to run into next. There was plenty of action, fast plotting and even a few swoon moments to confuse Lora!!
The pace of the book was fantastic and I was never left waiting for something to happen. Trouble seemed to follow Lora everywhere she went. Rebekah has done a remarkable job on this book and I am keen to see where things are going to go now. I’m looking forward to the next book, Chaos Bound, which I hope to get to soon!!
I received a copy of this book from the Publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Now that I have finished the Chicagoland Vampire series – until more books come out – I decided I wanted to try a new series with a kick-ass heroine and decided on this series by an Australian author, Rebekah Turner. The cover of the first book, Chaos Born grabbed my attention at first and when I read the description, I thought that this could be a great read. I was not disappointed at all!
Lora Blackgoat is a fantastic heroine to read about. She stands out in her hometown because she looks like a Witch Hunter, due to her white blonde hair, but she also has a noticeable limp caused by an accident that occurred in her late teens. Her reputation precedes her as well, due to the deaths during her last assignment. She takes it all in her stride and uses witty remarks that often had me giggling at her. She takes pride in the few possessions that she owns and has a normal girly attachment to her kick-ass boots and her ‘special’ cane. What cracked me up at times was when she was insulted by her weight, she always had a quirky retort ready to go, because you know what it’s like, stress eating can do that to a girl!!
The plot in this book was gripping, as we hunt a killer that is leaving gruesome bodies behind. It was difficult to see who was behind it all and was intriguing to see the direction of the plot. Lora has a lot of resources up her sleeve and at some points was pressured into helping others. She has a number of people that she has close to her from the past and present and soon she is unsure of whom she can trust. At times she was sad as she missed the friendship she had with Caleb when they were young, was confused about the current relationship she has with Seth and is in denial about the sparks she has with Roman! It was entertaining to say the least to see her deal with these men as well as hunt the killer.
I enjoyed reading about the world Rebekah created as she described the surroundings and all the paranormal creatures that were there, none of which are the normal ones we read about. They all seem to have been crossbred at some stage, so you never knew what you were going to run into next. There was plenty of action, fast plotting and even a few swoon moments to confuse Lora!!
The pace of the book was fantastic and I was never left waiting for something to happen. Trouble seemed to follow Lora everywhere she went. Rebekah has done a remarkable job on this book and I am keen to see where things are going to go now. I’m looking forward to the next book, Chaos Bound, which I hope to get to soon!!
I received a copy of this book from the Publisher, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 2, 2013
I found Chaos Born to be an interesting introduction to the world of Lora Blackgoat. Despite the fact that this is a Harlquin imprint, there was little to no romance in the story. I thought the world building was well done although a bit confusing and maybe too basic and bland.
Lora was a fun, smart-mouthed character who I would have liked more if she would have quit going off on her own when she knew multiple factions were after her. I also had a really hard time believing she would have been able to walk considering the abuse her bum leg kept taking.
However, what bothered me most about this book was the extreme lack of copy editing. There were many instances of incorrect word usage and redundant phrasing. The biggest problem was the constant use of possessives instead of plural - often multiple times on the same page. No publishing house should ever allow this type of error to make it through their editing process. The apostrophe catastrophe must be stopped and when in leaks into professionally edited books, I want to lose my mind.
Lora was a fun, smart-mouthed character who I would have liked more if she would have quit going off on her own when she knew multiple factions were after her. I also had a really hard time believing she would have been able to walk considering the abuse her bum leg kept taking.
However, what bothered me most about this book was the extreme lack of copy editing. There were many instances of incorrect word usage and redundant phrasing. The biggest problem was the constant use of possessives instead of plural - often multiple times on the same page. No publishing house should ever allow this type of error to make it through their editing process. The apostrophe catastrophe must be stopped and when in leaks into professionally edited books, I want to lose my mind.
December 10, 2012
MICHELLE'S REVIEW - 10TH DECEMBER 2012
RATING:4.5 SMEXI SETH & ROMAN STARS with a dash of snarky REUBEN
I love me some Urban Fantasy and Rebekah Turner, Australian author, has wowed me with her first instalment in this new series.
Now, this is either Chronicles From The Applecross series # 1 or, The Chronicles Of The Applecross. The digital book says both, Goodreads chooses Chronicles From The Applecross, either way, this was a smashing start to this series, with a nice dash of Steampunk.
This is one of Escape Publishing’s ( Imprint of Harlequin Australia) first lot of digital books released.
Love the detail in the world building. The Outlands, is in the human world, Bangkok, the modern world, modern technology. If you are in the know and can pay the hefty toll price you can cross into The Weald. Gas light, horse drawn hansom cabs, corsets, and a whole array of fantasy/paranormal creature’s co-exisiting, the best they can together. The Outlands is a common hiding place for criminals from The Weald. Modern technology won’t work in The Weald.
For some reason it does for Lora.
It was a lot of fun being in this world Rebekah built for the reader, full of danger, magic, mystery, violence, gore, untrustworthy characters, smexi lads, twists and a Lady who plays by her own rules.
Love all the characters. The Butcher of Applecross is the particularly nasty villain.
Lora Blackgoat aka Chopper, is a runner. Due to her Snow White hair, she is assumed to be a Witch Hunter...... but is she? This 31 yr old with the bung knee, due to a horse accident, is a kickass chick. She relies on her cane with the carved goat head, more than not. She takes a whooping in this book and she gives as good as she gets. Her mouth I fear will be the death of her. She is a gambler, likes her drink of the ‘let’s get smashed’ kind, illegally smuggles weapons over the border, smokes cigarillos and is a handful for Gideon and her adoptive mum Orella Warbreeder, an Elf Witch.
Lora works for Gideon, a Satyr, ( half goat ) for the Blackgoat Watch and she is also the ward of Gideon Blackgoat . Gideon loves his fez’s and a nice smoking jacket. He wanted to be able to blend with humans so he gave himself a makeover of the not so goat looking style.
I did laugh out loud at some of the things Lora says.
“I get accosted all the time,” I said defensively. “So, you can shut the f*^k up.”
“And then there’s the matter of your filthy sailor mouth. You’ve the morals of an alley-cat, Lady Blackgoat, and one of these days, you’re going to find yourself in the kind of trouble you can’t insult, drink or fist fight your way out of.” Taunton gave another sniff. “It’s no wonder you’ve grown to be a bitter spinster.”
“Who’s bitter? I’m a free woman wearing expensive boots,” I snapped. “Now, can you take this quick-draw rig or not?”
“Yee-es?” I drawled, not needing a map to know where this was going to go.
The man gave me a wide, shit-eating grin. “How much for a roll?’
“F*#k you.” I arched an eyebrow like he bored me, and turned back to the bar.
“What’d you say, bitch?” he growled.
“Alright.” I kept my back to him. “I take it back. Un-f*#k you.”
Next thing I new, my arse was being grabbed and rubbed like he was wishing for a genie. I spun and knocked his hand away.
“Like it rough, do you,” he growled. “Ugly white-haired bitch like you would have to take it doggie style.”
“You kiss your mother with that mouth?” Cloete was all coiled energy, eye zeroed in on the warlock and one hand hovering near the knives at her belt.
“Too early in the night for this, innit?” the barkeep behind us asked. “This is why women aren’t welcome here. Nothing but trouble.”
“They started it,” I protested, not taking my eyes off the warlock.
The sailors were watching with interest, stupid grins on their dirty faces as they waited for the night’s entertainment. Cloete gave me a wild look that promised violence and I said some bad words in my head.
The characters are colourful and as dangerous as some of them are smexi.
Rebekah has a wonderful witty imagination and can handle juggling a lot of characters successfully, bouncing them off each other to weave a well thought out plot.
Captain Seth Hallow likes to call Lora ‘dimples’, he also doesn’t mind a bit of off duty time with Lora. He is a rather smexi character. He has known Lora for fifteen years. They have history. He is of the slap and tickle variety. Someone she finds hard to resist.
And doesn’t he know it.
Watchman Captain Caleb Haskett, a childhood friend of Lora’s, has separated himself, wanting more from his life, leaving Lora and their childhood friendship behind......until......
Enter Regulator Roman, half Nephilim. These dudes should be feared, but Lora really fears nobody. Roman is a smexi guy, although different to Seth, their characters are strong, and protective of Lora.
But why?
Joseph ‘The Hacksaw’ Daleman, is the loan shark Lora owes money to. Note the middle name. Yes, he would be the one you don’t want to borrow off or else........it ain’t pretty.
I was drawn to the book purely based on the cover. I am so happy the story was just as good.
This first instalment is rich in imagination, throw in some hellspawn, an exorcism or two, add the dark and dangerous world of The Weald and its colourful characters, and you have the beginnings of a kickass urban fantasy series that I can tell is going to rock my face off.
Oh, and not to mention the contract she has on her own head, she kind of pis&ed Benjamin the Bloody off by killing his brother.
I think she wants to give Benjamin the 'forked sign of evil' , I think equates to giving 'the bird'.
I look forward to reading more in this very promising series.
FAVE QUOTES:
Kill zombie dog. Blow chunks later.
I tried to get myself under control, tried to distract myself by thinking about something gross and unsexy.
Overcooked broccoli. Farts in a small room. Gideon naked.
I nearly vomited in my mouth, found I was under control again.
Michelle
RATING:4.5 SMEXI SETH & ROMAN STARS with a dash of snarky REUBEN
I love me some Urban Fantasy and Rebekah Turner, Australian author, has wowed me with her first instalment in this new series.
Now, this is either Chronicles From The Applecross series # 1 or, The Chronicles Of The Applecross. The digital book says both, Goodreads chooses Chronicles From The Applecross, either way, this was a smashing start to this series, with a nice dash of Steampunk.
This is one of Escape Publishing’s ( Imprint of Harlequin Australia) first lot of digital books released.
Love the detail in the world building. The Outlands, is in the human world, Bangkok, the modern world, modern technology. If you are in the know and can pay the hefty toll price you can cross into The Weald. Gas light, horse drawn hansom cabs, corsets, and a whole array of fantasy/paranormal creature’s co-exisiting, the best they can together. The Outlands is a common hiding place for criminals from The Weald. Modern technology won’t work in The Weald.
For some reason it does for Lora.
It was a lot of fun being in this world Rebekah built for the reader, full of danger, magic, mystery, violence, gore, untrustworthy characters, smexi lads, twists and a Lady who plays by her own rules.
Love all the characters. The Butcher of Applecross is the particularly nasty villain.
Lora Blackgoat aka Chopper, is a runner. Due to her Snow White hair, she is assumed to be a Witch Hunter...... but is she? This 31 yr old with the bung knee, due to a horse accident, is a kickass chick. She relies on her cane with the carved goat head, more than not. She takes a whooping in this book and she gives as good as she gets. Her mouth I fear will be the death of her. She is a gambler, likes her drink of the ‘let’s get smashed’ kind, illegally smuggles weapons over the border, smokes cigarillos and is a handful for Gideon and her adoptive mum Orella Warbreeder, an Elf Witch.
Lora works for Gideon, a Satyr, ( half goat ) for the Blackgoat Watch and she is also the ward of Gideon Blackgoat . Gideon loves his fez’s and a nice smoking jacket. He wanted to be able to blend with humans so he gave himself a makeover of the not so goat looking style.
I did laugh out loud at some of the things Lora says.
“I get accosted all the time,” I said defensively. “So, you can shut the f*^k up.”
“And then there’s the matter of your filthy sailor mouth. You’ve the morals of an alley-cat, Lady Blackgoat, and one of these days, you’re going to find yourself in the kind of trouble you can’t insult, drink or fist fight your way out of.” Taunton gave another sniff. “It’s no wonder you’ve grown to be a bitter spinster.”
“Who’s bitter? I’m a free woman wearing expensive boots,” I snapped. “Now, can you take this quick-draw rig or not?”
“Yee-es?” I drawled, not needing a map to know where this was going to go.
The man gave me a wide, shit-eating grin. “How much for a roll?’
“F*#k you.” I arched an eyebrow like he bored me, and turned back to the bar.
“What’d you say, bitch?” he growled.
“Alright.” I kept my back to him. “I take it back. Un-f*#k you.”
Next thing I new, my arse was being grabbed and rubbed like he was wishing for a genie. I spun and knocked his hand away.
“Like it rough, do you,” he growled. “Ugly white-haired bitch like you would have to take it doggie style.”
“You kiss your mother with that mouth?” Cloete was all coiled energy, eye zeroed in on the warlock and one hand hovering near the knives at her belt.
“Too early in the night for this, innit?” the barkeep behind us asked. “This is why women aren’t welcome here. Nothing but trouble.”
“They started it,” I protested, not taking my eyes off the warlock.
The sailors were watching with interest, stupid grins on their dirty faces as they waited for the night’s entertainment. Cloete gave me a wild look that promised violence and I said some bad words in my head.
The characters are colourful and as dangerous as some of them are smexi.
Rebekah has a wonderful witty imagination and can handle juggling a lot of characters successfully, bouncing them off each other to weave a well thought out plot.
Captain Seth Hallow likes to call Lora ‘dimples’, he also doesn’t mind a bit of off duty time with Lora. He is a rather smexi character. He has known Lora for fifteen years. They have history. He is of the slap and tickle variety. Someone she finds hard to resist.
And doesn’t he know it.
Watchman Captain Caleb Haskett, a childhood friend of Lora’s, has separated himself, wanting more from his life, leaving Lora and their childhood friendship behind......until......
Enter Regulator Roman, half Nephilim. These dudes should be feared, but Lora really fears nobody. Roman is a smexi guy, although different to Seth, their characters are strong, and protective of Lora.
But why?
Joseph ‘The Hacksaw’ Daleman, is the loan shark Lora owes money to. Note the middle name. Yes, he would be the one you don’t want to borrow off or else........it ain’t pretty.
I was drawn to the book purely based on the cover. I am so happy the story was just as good.
This first instalment is rich in imagination, throw in some hellspawn, an exorcism or two, add the dark and dangerous world of The Weald and its colourful characters, and you have the beginnings of a kickass urban fantasy series that I can tell is going to rock my face off.
Oh, and not to mention the contract she has on her own head, she kind of pis&ed Benjamin the Bloody off by killing his brother.
I think she wants to give Benjamin the 'forked sign of evil' , I think equates to giving 'the bird'.
I look forward to reading more in this very promising series.
FAVE QUOTES:
Kill zombie dog. Blow chunks later.
I tried to get myself under control, tried to distract myself by thinking about something gross and unsexy.
Overcooked broccoli. Farts in a small room. Gideon naked.
I nearly vomited in my mouth, found I was under control again.
Michelle
December 10, 2012
RATING:4.5 SMEXI SETH & ROMAN STARS with a dash of snarky REUBEN
I love me some Urban Fantasy and Rebekah Turner, Australian author, has wowed me with her first instalment in this new series.
Now, this is either Chronicles From The Applecross series # 1 or, The Chronicles Of The Applecross. The digital book says both, Goodreads chooses Chronicles From The Applecross, either way, this was a smashing start to this series, with a nice dash of Steampunk.
This is one of Escape Publishing’s ( Imprint of Harlequin Australia) first lot of digital books released.
Love the detail in the world building. The Outlands, is in the human world, Bangkok, the modern world, modern technology. If you are in the know and can pay the hefty toll price you can cross into The Weald. Gas light, horse drawn hansom cabs, corsets, and a whole array of fantasy/paranormal creature’s co-exisiting, the best they can together. The Outlands is a common hiding place for criminals from The Weald. Modern technology won’t work in The Weald.
For some reason it does for Lora.
It was a lot of fun being in this world Rebekah built for the reader, full of danger, magic, mystery, violence, gore, untrustworthy characters, smexi lads, twists and a Lady who plays by her own rules.
Love all the characters. The Butcher of Applecross is the particularly nasty villain.
Lora Blackgoat aka Chopper, is a runner. Due to her Snow White hair, she is assumed to be a Witch Hunter...... but is she? This 31 yr old with the bung knee, due to a horse accident, is a kickass chick. She relies on her cane with the carved goat head, more than not. She takes a whooping in this book and she gives as good as she gets. Her mouth I fear will be the death of her. She is a gambler, likes her drink of the ‘let’s get smashed’ kind, illegally smuggles weapons over the border, smokes cigarillos and is a handful for Gideon and her adoptive mum Orella Warbreeder, an Elf Witch.
Lora works for Gideon, a Satyr, ( half goat ) for the Blackgoat Watch and she is also the ward of Gideon Blackgoat . Gideon loves his fez’s and a nice smoking jacket. He wanted to be able to blend with humans so he gave himself a makeover of the not so goat looking style.
I did laugh out loud at some of the things Lora says.
“I get accosted all the time,” I said defensively. “So, you can shut the f*^k up.”
“And then there’s the matter of your filthy sailor mouth. You’ve the morals of an alley-cat, Lady Blackgoat, and one of these days, you’re going to find yourself in the kind of trouble you can’t insult, drink or fist fight your way out of.” Taunton gave another sniff. “It’s no wonder you’ve grown to be a bitter spinster.”
“Who’s bitter? I’m a free woman wearing expensive boots,” I snapped. “Now, can you take this quick-draw rig or not?”
“Yee-es?” I drawled, not needing a map to know where this was going to go.
The man gave me a wide, shit-eating grin. “How much for a roll?’
“F*#k you.” I arched an eyebrow like he bored me, and turned back to the bar.
“What’d you say, bitch?” he growled.
“Alright.” I kept my back to him. “I take it back. Un-f*#k you.”
Next thing I new, my arse was being grabbed and rubbed like he was wishing for a genie. I spun and knocked his hand away.
“Like it rough, do you,” he growled. “Ugly white-haired bitch like you would have to take it doggie style.”
“You kiss your mother with that mouth?” Cloete was all coiled energy, eye zeroed in on the warlock and one hand hovering near the knives at her belt.
“Too early in the night for this, innit?” the barkeep behind us asked. “This is why women aren’t welcome here. Nothing but trouble.”
“They started it,” I protested, not taking my eyes off the warlock.
The sailors were watching with interest, stupid grins on their dirty faces as they waited for the night’s entertainment. Cloete gave me a wild look that promised violence and I said some bad words in my head.
The characters are colourful and as dangerous as some of them are smexi.
Rebekah has a wonderful witty imagination and can handle juggling a lot of characters successfully, bouncing them off each other to weave a well thought out plot.
Captain Seth Hallow likes to call Lora ‘dimples’, he also doesn’t mind a bit of off duty time with Lora. He is a rather smexi character. He has known Lora for fifteen years. They have history. He is of the slap and tickle variety. Someone she finds hard to resist.
And doesn’t he know it.
Watchman Captain Caleb Haskett, a childhood friend of Lora’s, has separated himself, wanting more from his life, leaving Lora and their childhood friendship behind......until......
Enter Regulator Roman, half Nephilim. These dudes should be feared, but Lora really fears nobody. Roman is a smexi guy, although different to Seth, their characters are strong, and protective of Lora.
But why?
Joseph ‘The Hacksaw’ Daleman, is the loan shark Lora owes money to. Note the middle name. Yes, he would be the one you don’t want to borrow off or else........it ain’t pretty.
I was drawn to the book purely based on the cover. I am so happy the story was just as good.
This first instalment is rich in imagination, throw in some hellspawn, an exorcism or two, add the dark and dangerous world of The Weald and its colourful characters, and you have the beginnings of a kickass urban fantasy series that I can tell is going to rock my face off.
Oh, and not to mention the contract she has on her own head, she kind of pis&ed Benjamin the Bloody off by killing his brother.
I think she wants to give Benjamin the 'forked sign of evil' , I think equates to giving 'the bird'.
I look forward to reading more in this very promising series.
FAVE QUOTES:
Kill zombie dog. Blow chunks later.
I tried to get myself under control, tried to distract myself by thinking about something gross and unsexy.
Overcooked broccoli. Farts in a small room. Gideon naked.
I nearly vomited in my mouth, found I was under control again.
Michelle
I love me some Urban Fantasy and Rebekah Turner, Australian author, has wowed me with her first instalment in this new series.
Now, this is either Chronicles From The Applecross series # 1 or, The Chronicles Of The Applecross. The digital book says both, Goodreads chooses Chronicles From The Applecross, either way, this was a smashing start to this series, with a nice dash of Steampunk.
This is one of Escape Publishing’s ( Imprint of Harlequin Australia) first lot of digital books released.
Love the detail in the world building. The Outlands, is in the human world, Bangkok, the modern world, modern technology. If you are in the know and can pay the hefty toll price you can cross into The Weald. Gas light, horse drawn hansom cabs, corsets, and a whole array of fantasy/paranormal creature’s co-exisiting, the best they can together. The Outlands is a common hiding place for criminals from The Weald. Modern technology won’t work in The Weald.
For some reason it does for Lora.
It was a lot of fun being in this world Rebekah built for the reader, full of danger, magic, mystery, violence, gore, untrustworthy characters, smexi lads, twists and a Lady who plays by her own rules.
Love all the characters. The Butcher of Applecross is the particularly nasty villain.
Lora Blackgoat aka Chopper, is a runner. Due to her Snow White hair, she is assumed to be a Witch Hunter...... but is she? This 31 yr old with the bung knee, due to a horse accident, is a kickass chick. She relies on her cane with the carved goat head, more than not. She takes a whooping in this book and she gives as good as she gets. Her mouth I fear will be the death of her. She is a gambler, likes her drink of the ‘let’s get smashed’ kind, illegally smuggles weapons over the border, smokes cigarillos and is a handful for Gideon and her adoptive mum Orella Warbreeder, an Elf Witch.
Lora works for Gideon, a Satyr, ( half goat ) for the Blackgoat Watch and she is also the ward of Gideon Blackgoat . Gideon loves his fez’s and a nice smoking jacket. He wanted to be able to blend with humans so he gave himself a makeover of the not so goat looking style.
I did laugh out loud at some of the things Lora says.
“I get accosted all the time,” I said defensively. “So, you can shut the f*^k up.”
“And then there’s the matter of your filthy sailor mouth. You’ve the morals of an alley-cat, Lady Blackgoat, and one of these days, you’re going to find yourself in the kind of trouble you can’t insult, drink or fist fight your way out of.” Taunton gave another sniff. “It’s no wonder you’ve grown to be a bitter spinster.”
“Who’s bitter? I’m a free woman wearing expensive boots,” I snapped. “Now, can you take this quick-draw rig or not?”
“Yee-es?” I drawled, not needing a map to know where this was going to go.
The man gave me a wide, shit-eating grin. “How much for a roll?’
“F*#k you.” I arched an eyebrow like he bored me, and turned back to the bar.
“What’d you say, bitch?” he growled.
“Alright.” I kept my back to him. “I take it back. Un-f*#k you.”
Next thing I new, my arse was being grabbed and rubbed like he was wishing for a genie. I spun and knocked his hand away.
“Like it rough, do you,” he growled. “Ugly white-haired bitch like you would have to take it doggie style.”
“You kiss your mother with that mouth?” Cloete was all coiled energy, eye zeroed in on the warlock and one hand hovering near the knives at her belt.
“Too early in the night for this, innit?” the barkeep behind us asked. “This is why women aren’t welcome here. Nothing but trouble.”
“They started it,” I protested, not taking my eyes off the warlock.
The sailors were watching with interest, stupid grins on their dirty faces as they waited for the night’s entertainment. Cloete gave me a wild look that promised violence and I said some bad words in my head.
The characters are colourful and as dangerous as some of them are smexi.
Rebekah has a wonderful witty imagination and can handle juggling a lot of characters successfully, bouncing them off each other to weave a well thought out plot.
Captain Seth Hallow likes to call Lora ‘dimples’, he also doesn’t mind a bit of off duty time with Lora. He is a rather smexi character. He has known Lora for fifteen years. They have history. He is of the slap and tickle variety. Someone she finds hard to resist.
And doesn’t he know it.
Watchman Captain Caleb Haskett, a childhood friend of Lora’s, has separated himself, wanting more from his life, leaving Lora and their childhood friendship behind......until......
Enter Regulator Roman, half Nephilim. These dudes should be feared, but Lora really fears nobody. Roman is a smexi guy, although different to Seth, their characters are strong, and protective of Lora.
But why?
Joseph ‘The Hacksaw’ Daleman, is the loan shark Lora owes money to. Note the middle name. Yes, he would be the one you don’t want to borrow off or else........it ain’t pretty.
I was drawn to the book purely based on the cover. I am so happy the story was just as good.
This first instalment is rich in imagination, throw in some hellspawn, an exorcism or two, add the dark and dangerous world of The Weald and its colourful characters, and you have the beginnings of a kickass urban fantasy series that I can tell is going to rock my face off.
Oh, and not to mention the contract she has on her own head, she kind of pis&ed Benjamin the Bloody off by killing his brother.
I think she wants to give Benjamin the 'forked sign of evil' , I think equates to giving 'the bird'.
I look forward to reading more in this very promising series.
FAVE QUOTES:
Kill zombie dog. Blow chunks later.
I tried to get myself under control, tried to distract myself by thinking about something gross and unsexy.
Overcooked broccoli. Farts in a small room. Gideon naked.
I nearly vomited in my mouth, found I was under control again.
Michelle
January 8, 2014
In her debut novel Rebekah Turner takes the reader to a world hidden of the Weald which exists within our own but this is a place where technology does not work and magic thrives:
Lora Blackgoat is a smuggler and mercenary who is not afraid to take her use her rolls lethally (she is now begrudgingly called the Chopper). After a job that did not go as well as planned and did not pay as well as she needed it to, Lora is lying low and trying to avoid the bookies and creditors she owes money too, but Lora can only stay out of the bars for so long before the thirst hits her. When Lora is approached by an old childhood friend approaches Lora to use her skills and contacts to find out who the Butcher of Applecross is, Lora jumps at the chance to redeem her some what tattered reputation. The farther Lora digs into the murders, the more she realizes that there is dark magic surrounding each death and the deaths are about to get very personal. Lora is going to have to use every trick in her belt to try and defeat this evil but there is going to be causalities on the way and a big truth is going to be revealed which will change everything.
I have mixed feelings about this book. There were aspects that I really liked/enjoyed and there were aspects that I felt were under explored or explained where I felt the story was hampered by it. This book is more for those who like the Fantasy genre that is based around an Elizabethan time period. Although our part of the world in is in the 21st century in Lora's world it feels behind in the times, as there is no technology that works there and with the Order and the The guild, there is a lot of secret society feels to the world.
I really really liked that Lora was not your typical heroine (which means I liked her as a character). Yes she is brass as hell and her mouth gets he into trouble more often than not, but it is her physical disabilities as well as a gambling and alcoholic issues that truly make her different. Lara always had her whits about her even in her vulnerable moments and she did not let anything slow her down. I found it very interesting her ability to use human technology in the Weald and magic in the Outlands, very cool and very useful to say the least. I am really interested in her past and what happened to her mother, father ect. I'm still not 100% sure what it mean to be a ****** (sorry don't want to give it away, if you have read the book you'll know what goes there), so I hope that is explained more in the next novel. The one thing that I was not a fan of was Lora being attracted to every guy in her life. There was too much oh he's good looking or oh I'll sleep with him even though I know he's not good for me, but maybe secretly loves me and might be good for me...What??? And this was more than one guy I'm talking about. This kind of sub plot is not something I enjoy in books. I understand that romance or love interest are common place in many books and there are times when they enhance the overall plot, I just did not think this occurred here.
I found that there were a few things that were glazed over and not fully explained throughout the book and while Lora's past is a secret and we are discovering it with her, there are aspects within the world building that just are not fully explained. There are so many different types of creatures, areas, societies ect that I found it a little overwhelming and trying to figure out where everyone belonged in this world. There was also the underlying (and not so underlying) racism towards some of the characters in the book that were not fully explained. I just think the world building could have been better and I think that Turner tried to put a little too much in the first novel.
I think people who are into the paranormal, urban fantasy and fantasy genre(s) will enjoy Turner's novel, however, I do not think that if you are looking to try these genres that you should pick up this book. There is too much going on in this world, and with different types of creatures, I could see some people being overwhelmed by it (I mean there were times I was and I read in these genres on a regular basis). I would read the next novel in this series to see what additional trouble that Lora gets into but also to see if Turner does more world building, but I think it is mainly Lora that will keep me coming back for more.
Enjoy!!!!
Lora Blackgoat is a smuggler and mercenary who is not afraid to take her use her rolls lethally (she is now begrudgingly called the Chopper). After a job that did not go as well as planned and did not pay as well as she needed it to, Lora is lying low and trying to avoid the bookies and creditors she owes money too, but Lora can only stay out of the bars for so long before the thirst hits her. When Lora is approached by an old childhood friend approaches Lora to use her skills and contacts to find out who the Butcher of Applecross is, Lora jumps at the chance to redeem her some what tattered reputation. The farther Lora digs into the murders, the more she realizes that there is dark magic surrounding each death and the deaths are about to get very personal. Lora is going to have to use every trick in her belt to try and defeat this evil but there is going to be causalities on the way and a big truth is going to be revealed which will change everything.
I have mixed feelings about this book. There were aspects that I really liked/enjoyed and there were aspects that I felt were under explored or explained where I felt the story was hampered by it. This book is more for those who like the Fantasy genre that is based around an Elizabethan time period. Although our part of the world in is in the 21st century in Lora's world it feels behind in the times, as there is no technology that works there and with the Order and the The guild, there is a lot of secret society feels to the world.
I really really liked that Lora was not your typical heroine (which means I liked her as a character). Yes she is brass as hell and her mouth gets he into trouble more often than not, but it is her physical disabilities as well as a gambling and alcoholic issues that truly make her different. Lara always had her whits about her even in her vulnerable moments and she did not let anything slow her down. I found it very interesting her ability to use human technology in the Weald and magic in the Outlands, very cool and very useful to say the least. I am really interested in her past and what happened to her mother, father ect. I'm still not 100% sure what it mean to be a ****** (sorry don't want to give it away, if you have read the book you'll know what goes there), so I hope that is explained more in the next novel. The one thing that I was not a fan of was Lora being attracted to every guy in her life. There was too much oh he's good looking or oh I'll sleep with him even though I know he's not good for me, but maybe secretly loves me and might be good for me...What??? And this was more than one guy I'm talking about. This kind of sub plot is not something I enjoy in books. I understand that romance or love interest are common place in many books and there are times when they enhance the overall plot, I just did not think this occurred here.
I found that there were a few things that were glazed over and not fully explained throughout the book and while Lora's past is a secret and we are discovering it with her, there are aspects within the world building that just are not fully explained. There are so many different types of creatures, areas, societies ect that I found it a little overwhelming and trying to figure out where everyone belonged in this world. There was also the underlying (and not so underlying) racism towards some of the characters in the book that were not fully explained. I just think the world building could have been better and I think that Turner tried to put a little too much in the first novel.
I think people who are into the paranormal, urban fantasy and fantasy genre(s) will enjoy Turner's novel, however, I do not think that if you are looking to try these genres that you should pick up this book. There is too much going on in this world, and with different types of creatures, I could see some people being overwhelmed by it (I mean there were times I was and I read in these genres on a regular basis). I would read the next novel in this series to see what additional trouble that Lora gets into but also to see if Turner does more world building, but I think it is mainly Lora that will keep me coming back for more.
Enjoy!!!!
November 10, 2013
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I did not know this series, or even the author but when I saw that the first and second book were available on NetGalley, I was curious to see how they were. And, well, when it comes to urban fantasy I’m always up for it!
Lora Blackgoat does not really know who she is or what she is. She knows about her mother, who abandoned her when she was a child, but his father is completely unknown, as well as her origins. She has evolved into an area of the city where all sorts of creatures live, trying to pass more or less unnoticed. She herself was raised by a woman of great powers, as a satyr who has now become her boss. She accepts any work that might make her earn some money, whether exorcisms, researches for some objects or other things like that. Yet despite that her life was quite normal for her, her last mission will initiate an abrupt change. Indeed, during an exorcism, Lora will be forced to kill someone in self defense. But this event has many consequences: a price on her head, a lack of money, or even the announcement of something big coming.
Many things happen in this novel and I admit that I was really fascinated by the world that the author presents here. Everything is quite complex and it is true that it was interesting to discover the subtleties. The only thing that bothered me a little, it is true, may be the lack of explanations that leaves us somewhat in the dark regarding certain points. I also hope that we’ll know a little more later in the second volume. Lora is a strong young woman who has yet faced many events in her life to become the person she is. She is also determined and stubborn despite what she undergoes daily. A new life will open to her in this novel, something that she did not expect and nor did we. But she will have to accept what it is and what it means for her future. Here, Lora will have to pursuit a killer that everyone seems to be looking for. She didn’t expect that this story would change her. I admit that I was really surprised to see the turn of this situation, I don’t think we can imagine some of the tracks before having them in front of us. A story mixing demons, Nephilim, conspiracies and magic. A very good mix in a story such as this one!
Then of course, there is more than Lora and I still have to talk to the two men who will have an impact on her life. Roman, the mysterious Nephilim we don’t know anything about and yet who seems to be linked to our heroine. And Seth, a man who himself is quite intriguing. It’s hard to decide about his fate, and it is clear that he appreciates our heroine even if at the same time we do not really know what he wants from her. However we understand in the story that everything is ultimately more complicated than we thought and things will unfold in due course.
It was to conclude a very good first novel, although I have a lot of questions, including many about this different world. I would like to understand a little better how it is governed and organized with that many groups with highly placed people. But as I said, we have characters we can only appreciate and I ‘m curious to see how the story will evolve now. Of course, a good plot is profiling here and I had no idea, not even one second about the real culprit who hides his game. A series to discover!
My English review
I did not know this series, or even the author but when I saw that the first and second book were available on NetGalley, I was curious to see how they were. And, well, when it comes to urban fantasy I’m always up for it!
Lora Blackgoat does not really know who she is or what she is. She knows about her mother, who abandoned her when she was a child, but his father is completely unknown, as well as her origins. She has evolved into an area of the city where all sorts of creatures live, trying to pass more or less unnoticed. She herself was raised by a woman of great powers, as a satyr who has now become her boss. She accepts any work that might make her earn some money, whether exorcisms, researches for some objects or other things like that. Yet despite that her life was quite normal for her, her last mission will initiate an abrupt change. Indeed, during an exorcism, Lora will be forced to kill someone in self defense. But this event has many consequences: a price on her head, a lack of money, or even the announcement of something big coming.
Many things happen in this novel and I admit that I was really fascinated by the world that the author presents here. Everything is quite complex and it is true that it was interesting to discover the subtleties. The only thing that bothered me a little, it is true, may be the lack of explanations that leaves us somewhat in the dark regarding certain points. I also hope that we’ll know a little more later in the second volume. Lora is a strong young woman who has yet faced many events in her life to become the person she is. She is also determined and stubborn despite what she undergoes daily. A new life will open to her in this novel, something that she did not expect and nor did we. But she will have to accept what it is and what it means for her future. Here, Lora will have to pursuit a killer that everyone seems to be looking for. She didn’t expect that this story would change her. I admit that I was really surprised to see the turn of this situation, I don’t think we can imagine some of the tracks before having them in front of us. A story mixing demons, Nephilim, conspiracies and magic. A very good mix in a story such as this one!
Then of course, there is more than Lora and I still have to talk to the two men who will have an impact on her life. Roman, the mysterious Nephilim we don’t know anything about and yet who seems to be linked to our heroine. And Seth, a man who himself is quite intriguing. It’s hard to decide about his fate, and it is clear that he appreciates our heroine even if at the same time we do not really know what he wants from her. However we understand in the story that everything is ultimately more complicated than we thought and things will unfold in due course.
It was to conclude a very good first novel, although I have a lot of questions, including many about this different world. I would like to understand a little better how it is governed and organized with that many groups with highly placed people. But as I said, we have characters we can only appreciate and I ‘m curious to see how the story will evolve now. Of course, a good plot is profiling here and I had no idea, not even one second about the real culprit who hides his game. A series to discover!
November 26, 2013
Originally posted at Vampire Book Club
Rebekah Turner has created an interesting world in Chaos Born. In a setting similar to the Victorian-era, the Weald is a place where religion and magic compete for supremacy. A place where regulators, consisting of solider humans and nephilim, working for Grigori priests, mete out punishments to those who use “darkcraft” (dark magic). Applecross specifically is a gritty, gray, dirty place where humans feel themselves above anyone of a supernatural race. On the other end of the spectrum is the Outlands, or what is considered the modern day world. The people of the Weald can easily pass through a tollbooth to get to the Outlands although most prefer to stay where the magic is strongest.
Lora Blackgoat is a runner in The Weald (what many consider a mercenary in the Outlands). A recent job gone bad has tarnished her already questionable reputation and made her somewhat of a laughingstock. When an estranged childhood friend comes to her for help, Lora sees it as an opportunity to turn things around. When Lora starts to look for the Butcher of Applecross, getting to the end may lead her somewhere she didn’t want to go.
I liked Lora’s character. She was one of those perfectly flawed characters. She has her vices and she makes mistakes, she seems to have trouble following her everywhere, but at the center she always strives to do what is right. Regardless of how bitchy she may come across, there are those she truly cares about and she will fight for them with all her strength.
As far as flaw go, the same can be said for the majority of the secondary characters in Chaos Born. We know Lora’s character, as the story is written from her point of view, but the trend in Applecross seems to be looking out for yourself first and foremost. It’s difficult to know everyone else’s true motivations. This is something that Lora has to deal with more and more as the story progresses.
Rebekah Turner sets Lora up with two love interests. Seth, a Captain of the City Walk, has been Lora’s on-again off-again for almost half her life. She just can’t seem to resist him but she also doesn’t completely trust him either. The scenes between Lora and Seth were filled with a lot of chemistry. They have a kind of tug-of-war going on between them and Turner does a wonderful job conveying their frustrations with one another.
On the other hand, when Lora first meets Roman it is one of those scenes where they don’t really interact, but you can tell the significance of their meeting and you try to read faster to get to the next time they share a scene together. Their attraction to one another is subtler than that between Lora and Seth. Roman is a Regulator and a nephilim. Nephilim Regulators have a tendency to literally go crazy over time and many people give them a wide berth.
While the initial mystery of the story is solved by the end, the investigation leads to many secrets being revealed that will have to be dealt with in future books. Chaos Born was one of those books that, when finished, I was really happy I found it and read it. I look forward to reading book 2 Chaos Bound, which releases early December!
Rebekah Turner has created an interesting world in Chaos Born. In a setting similar to the Victorian-era, the Weald is a place where religion and magic compete for supremacy. A place where regulators, consisting of solider humans and nephilim, working for Grigori priests, mete out punishments to those who use “darkcraft” (dark magic). Applecross specifically is a gritty, gray, dirty place where humans feel themselves above anyone of a supernatural race. On the other end of the spectrum is the Outlands, or what is considered the modern day world. The people of the Weald can easily pass through a tollbooth to get to the Outlands although most prefer to stay where the magic is strongest.
Lora Blackgoat is a runner in The Weald (what many consider a mercenary in the Outlands). A recent job gone bad has tarnished her already questionable reputation and made her somewhat of a laughingstock. When an estranged childhood friend comes to her for help, Lora sees it as an opportunity to turn things around. When Lora starts to look for the Butcher of Applecross, getting to the end may lead her somewhere she didn’t want to go.
I liked Lora’s character. She was one of those perfectly flawed characters. She has her vices and she makes mistakes, she seems to have trouble following her everywhere, but at the center she always strives to do what is right. Regardless of how bitchy she may come across, there are those she truly cares about and she will fight for them with all her strength.
As far as flaw go, the same can be said for the majority of the secondary characters in Chaos Born. We know Lora’s character, as the story is written from her point of view, but the trend in Applecross seems to be looking out for yourself first and foremost. It’s difficult to know everyone else’s true motivations. This is something that Lora has to deal with more and more as the story progresses.
Rebekah Turner sets Lora up with two love interests. Seth, a Captain of the City Walk, has been Lora’s on-again off-again for almost half her life. She just can’t seem to resist him but she also doesn’t completely trust him either. The scenes between Lora and Seth were filled with a lot of chemistry. They have a kind of tug-of-war going on between them and Turner does a wonderful job conveying their frustrations with one another.
On the other hand, when Lora first meets Roman it is one of those scenes where they don’t really interact, but you can tell the significance of their meeting and you try to read faster to get to the next time they share a scene together. Their attraction to one another is subtler than that between Lora and Seth. Roman is a Regulator and a nephilim. Nephilim Regulators have a tendency to literally go crazy over time and many people give them a wide berth.
While the initial mystery of the story is solved by the end, the investigation leads to many secrets being revealed that will have to be dealt with in future books. Chaos Born was one of those books that, when finished, I was really happy I found it and read it. I look forward to reading book 2 Chaos Bound, which releases early December!
November 23, 2012
Chaos Born is one of the first titles released by Harlequin's newest venture, Escape Publishing. It is an exciting start to a new series which has a lot of potential and I'm thrilled that Escape is offering Australian authors new opportunities to share their talents globally.
Featuring Lora Blackgoat, Chaos Born is a creative urban fantasy novel set in The Weald, a world hidden within our own where magic shuns technology. Lora is a Runner working the Blackgoat Watch, an agency run by Gideon, a satyr, who brokers a range of services including retrievals, security work and the occasional exorcism. After her last job went awry, forcing Lora to behead the client and her possessed colleague, she has been lying low but when an old friend asks for help she agrees to help him hunt down a brutal killer stalking Applecross.
Lora Blackgoat is not your typical heroine. A mercenary with a gambling addiction that she funds by smuggling from the Outlands and fond of a drink or three, she wields magic learnt from the woman who raised her after the death of her mother. She has a fearsome reputation for violence, despite relying on a cane due to an accident as a teenager that crushed her pelvis and has few people skills. Though her white hair marks her as a Witch Hunter she has never displayed the talent but as she hunts for the Butcher of Applecross it becomes obvious that Lora is more than she seems. Despite her prickly personality, Lora is an appealing protagonist who is, albeit somewhat begrudgingly, loyal and brave. Her (many) flaws make her more believable and I especially like that she owns up to her mistakes.
Turners inventive world building includes elements of steampunk and hosts a mix of paranormal creatures. Full bloods are rare, Otherkin (half breeds) are more common and within the novel there are shape shifters, brownies, witches and All of The Weald's community is kept in line by the City Watch, a police force of sorts, but the Order of Guides, a militaristic religious order run by Grigori Priests use half Nephilim as Regulators to enforce their will amongst the magical residents, distinguishing between darkcraft and lightcraft. I'm not entirely clear on some elements of Turner's world, for example humans seem to be part of The Weald as well but I'm not sure why or how they fit in.
While the plot focuses on establishing the world and its characters their is a strong storyline involving the identity of the killer stalking Applecross, leading to some action packed confrontations. There is also the beginnings of a romance for Lora with Roman - a half-angel Regulator whose attraction to her threatens them both. Plenty of mystery remains for Turner to follow up in continuing the series including the tall man who haunts her dreams and how Lora will deal with the revelations about her past.
Debut author Rebekah Turner plans that Chaos Born will be the first of six planned books in the Chronicles from the Applecross. Fast-paced and imaginative I really enjoyed this novel, I am already looking forward to the next installment and I urge fans of the paranormal fantasy genre to give Chaos Born a try.
October 24, 2013
This is the first book in this series " The Chronckes of Applecross" that is set in the "Weald", a world within a world. The Weald is a place where magic takes precedence over technology. In this hidden land we find both human and "other" types. A mix of paranormal and steampunk with almost a dystopian edge.
In this setting we meet Lora Blackgoat, a Runner who is working for Gideon the Satyr who helped to raise her. Her work for him is an odd mix of security, retrieval ,magic and even the occasional ultimate put down. This heroine is no shrinking violet, she's a smart mouthed, hard nosed mercenary with a fearsome reputation. Her gambling and drinking habits would put most to shame and she's liable to set fire to a powder keg at any minute! She's often mistaken for a Witch Hunter due to her striking colouring but her heritage is far more complicated then that.
She's approached by an old friend from her youth and asked to find out all she can about a fearsome killer nicknamed "Butcher of Applecross" and possible connections to a dead Nephilim who recently committed suicide. This brings her closer to the Order of Guides a deeply religious sect run by Grigori priests who use Nephilim as Regulators to trap and punish those who use dark magic. In particular one very attractive Nephilim called Roman. He's a fierce sexy individual but Lora doesn't need added complications as she already has regular booty calls from Seth a Captain in the City Watch - local police force and she's not sure she wants that!
Having tried hard to keep her extraordinary magical abilities a secret all her life Lora finds herself having to rely on them and trust that any who find out will be on her side but trust doesn't come easy to Lora. Her mothers death and the mystery of her father have marked her . She has to be careful as she's not really sure just who is on her side and fearing that Hells Spawn are the real killers she now has to convince the authorities that perhaps those in charge are the real danger!
I really liked this book. Lora is a fantastic heroine even though she's definitely flawed. Badly hurt when younger she has a severe limp that at times really slows her down but she doesn't let it stop her. She's not the most friendly or pleasant character but she is smart, loyal and very brave. Caught between Seth and Roman the author has set up a very interesting romantic triangle. This was a wild ride through a land peopled with numerous interesting characters and the ending just makes this reader want more. If you enjoy urban fantasy or dark paranormals with a hint of humour then this is definitely worth a read.
In this setting we meet Lora Blackgoat, a Runner who is working for Gideon the Satyr who helped to raise her. Her work for him is an odd mix of security, retrieval ,magic and even the occasional ultimate put down. This heroine is no shrinking violet, she's a smart mouthed, hard nosed mercenary with a fearsome reputation. Her gambling and drinking habits would put most to shame and she's liable to set fire to a powder keg at any minute! She's often mistaken for a Witch Hunter due to her striking colouring but her heritage is far more complicated then that.
She's approached by an old friend from her youth and asked to find out all she can about a fearsome killer nicknamed "Butcher of Applecross" and possible connections to a dead Nephilim who recently committed suicide. This brings her closer to the Order of Guides a deeply religious sect run by Grigori priests who use Nephilim as Regulators to trap and punish those who use dark magic. In particular one very attractive Nephilim called Roman. He's a fierce sexy individual but Lora doesn't need added complications as she already has regular booty calls from Seth a Captain in the City Watch - local police force and she's not sure she wants that!
Having tried hard to keep her extraordinary magical abilities a secret all her life Lora finds herself having to rely on them and trust that any who find out will be on her side but trust doesn't come easy to Lora. Her mothers death and the mystery of her father have marked her . She has to be careful as she's not really sure just who is on her side and fearing that Hells Spawn are the real killers she now has to convince the authorities that perhaps those in charge are the real danger!
I really liked this book. Lora is a fantastic heroine even though she's definitely flawed. Badly hurt when younger she has a severe limp that at times really slows her down but she doesn't let it stop her. She's not the most friendly or pleasant character but she is smart, loyal and very brave. Caught between Seth and Roman the author has set up a very interesting romantic triangle. This was a wild ride through a land peopled with numerous interesting characters and the ending just makes this reader want more. If you enjoy urban fantasy or dark paranormals with a hint of humour then this is definitely worth a read.
January 27, 2014
Its easier to say what I didn't like about this book than list for hours all the things I loved. My gripe which I am sure for some will be a plus point, was the sheer detail at times. There's a difference between feeling like you are there and actually having it rammed down your throat. I love character detail, I love setting a scene, but I felt it was just too much.
With that part over with let me tell you what I loved. Lora Blackgoat is basically me but in a fictional character form - at least her manor-isms and 'gammy' leg are me. She is attitude, she's ruthless and she looks after what is hers. She abuses herself to get through her dark thoughts and at times feelings. There's more to Lora than meets the eye and she put so much humour into this book for me that I couldn't help but feel a kin towards her.
In the way of 'sexy' characters we have Seth and Roman. Ok, I would have liked a little more 'detail' there, but this book isn't a sexy paranormal romance. Given the choice, Roman would be my man but I have a feeling that may change with the other book to Seth.
This book is a crime paranormal book with humour and gore thrown in. It will appeal to so many different audiences. If you like to read a good paranormal book but get sick of all the sex, this could be for you. Don't get me wrong, there's a little but its minor and not very detailed at all.
The story has a good pace, there's some nice twists I didn't see coming with characters and the whole setting of the book is really good. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I will definitely be looking to read future works by Rebekah Turner.
I gave Chaos Born 4 stars out of 5 and would recommend this book to anyone who likes a paranormal romance (With very little romance) and some crime thrown in.
Review also featured on my blog - http://www.bewitchedbooks.co.uk/
With that part over with let me tell you what I loved. Lora Blackgoat is basically me but in a fictional character form - at least her manor-isms and 'gammy' leg are me. She is attitude, she's ruthless and she looks after what is hers. She abuses herself to get through her dark thoughts and at times feelings. There's more to Lora than meets the eye and she put so much humour into this book for me that I couldn't help but feel a kin towards her.
In the way of 'sexy' characters we have Seth and Roman. Ok, I would have liked a little more 'detail' there, but this book isn't a sexy paranormal romance. Given the choice, Roman would be my man but I have a feeling that may change with the other book to Seth.
This book is a crime paranormal book with humour and gore thrown in. It will appeal to so many different audiences. If you like to read a good paranormal book but get sick of all the sex, this could be for you. Don't get me wrong, there's a little but its minor and not very detailed at all.
The story has a good pace, there's some nice twists I didn't see coming with characters and the whole setting of the book is really good. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I will definitely be looking to read future works by Rebekah Turner.
I gave Chaos Born 4 stars out of 5 and would recommend this book to anyone who likes a paranormal romance (With very little romance) and some crime thrown in.
Review also featured on my blog - http://www.bewitchedbooks.co.uk/
December 16, 2013
I loved it!! I loved it!! I loved it!! I want to shout it out loud, walk up to random people and tell them to read this book. I loved it!! The writing, the humor, the storyline, the characters, everything about this book rocked my socks off. I am on a total book high, it was just what I was looking for.
With a whole new world within a world, it takes place in a place called 'The Weald', which seems like both the scariest place to live and the coolest. The world building and mythology was so richly detailed, I couldn't get enough of it. All of the creatures that live there, the Nephilim!, the magical system and the main character herself. I loved it!
Right from the start, Lora, came onto the page with humor, power, and questions that I definitely needed answered. A completely awesome main character, I loved that everything was told from her point of view, she's funny, smart, has secrets that she doesn't even realize she has, and magical powers that were very cool. Awesome, awesome, awesomeness.
This isn't a romance, but there are some slight romantic edges, but it's really slight. The two leading men are both sexy, intriguing and downright yummy. First there is Seth, her childhood/teen love, he's mysterious and the twist at the end concerning him had me dropping my jaw. Then there is Roman, the Nephilim who is not only scary, he's interesting, I really liked him. I can't decide who I like more, it should be interesting to see what happens with them.
Chaos Born is fantastic Urban Fantasy, if you like this genre at all, go get this book now!! It's amazing, I loved it!! Now, excuse me while I go dive into Chaos Bound, book 2, can't wait to find out what happens next.
Originally posted on Me, Myself & Books Blog
http://memyselfandbooksblog.blogspot.com
With a whole new world within a world, it takes place in a place called 'The Weald', which seems like both the scariest place to live and the coolest. The world building and mythology was so richly detailed, I couldn't get enough of it. All of the creatures that live there, the Nephilim!, the magical system and the main character herself. I loved it!
Right from the start, Lora, came onto the page with humor, power, and questions that I definitely needed answered. A completely awesome main character, I loved that everything was told from her point of view, she's funny, smart, has secrets that she doesn't even realize she has, and magical powers that were very cool. Awesome, awesome, awesomeness.
This isn't a romance, but there are some slight romantic edges, but it's really slight. The two leading men are both sexy, intriguing and downright yummy. First there is Seth, her childhood/teen love, he's mysterious and the twist at the end concerning him had me dropping my jaw. Then there is Roman, the Nephilim who is not only scary, he's interesting, I really liked him. I can't decide who I like more, it should be interesting to see what happens with them.
Chaos Born is fantastic Urban Fantasy, if you like this genre at all, go get this book now!! It's amazing, I loved it!! Now, excuse me while I go dive into Chaos Bound, book 2, can't wait to find out what happens next.
Originally posted on Me, Myself & Books Blog
http://memyselfandbooksblog.blogspot.com
June 17, 2014
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The action is non-stop all the way through with some great one-liners and comebacks. Lora has been tasked with finding a thief and returning the property he stole. When she sees what is in the satchel, she can't help but wonder what all the fuss was about as there is nothing worth stealing.
What she doesn't know is that the job was a test. A Grigori priest is curious about her and her origins, he wants her to take a test to see if she is a Witch Hunter. Her guardian, Gideon refuses his request and to be truthful, she is glad. She is very wary of the Grigori and the Regulators who are governed by them. The Regulators are made up of humans and Nephilim and they do what-ever they need to do to uphold the laws.
With a serial killer on the loose, a loan shark wanting his money back, a hit put out on her and the people she loves not telling her the whole truth, Lora doesn't know who to trust. She's also got two Captains of the City Watch wanting her to help find the serial killer. Caleb, who she grew up with and Seth, who she has an on again, off again thing, then she's got a Nephilim Regulator called Roman who she is drawn to.
She soon finds out that the serial killer is actually a couple of Hellspawn and that her blood was the key that brought them over into the Weald. She is being manipulated by so many people and she can't seem to catch a break.
If you like urban fantasy with a touch of steam-punk and a shed load of Otherkin then this is a book for you.
I loved this book so much that I bought the next book straightaway. I didn't even bother reading the little snippet at the end of the book.
The action is non-stop all the way through with some great one-liners and comebacks. Lora has been tasked with finding a thief and returning the property he stole. When she sees what is in the satchel, she can't help but wonder what all the fuss was about as there is nothing worth stealing.
What she doesn't know is that the job was a test. A Grigori priest is curious about her and her origins, he wants her to take a test to see if she is a Witch Hunter. Her guardian, Gideon refuses his request and to be truthful, she is glad. She is very wary of the Grigori and the Regulators who are governed by them. The Regulators are made up of humans and Nephilim and they do what-ever they need to do to uphold the laws.
With a serial killer on the loose, a loan shark wanting his money back, a hit put out on her and the people she loves not telling her the whole truth, Lora doesn't know who to trust. She's also got two Captains of the City Watch wanting her to help find the serial killer. Caleb, who she grew up with and Seth, who she has an on again, off again thing, then she's got a Nephilim Regulator called Roman who she is drawn to.
She soon finds out that the serial killer is actually a couple of Hellspawn and that her blood was the key that brought them over into the Weald. She is being manipulated by so many people and she can't seem to catch a break.
If you like urban fantasy with a touch of steam-punk and a shed load of Otherkin then this is a book for you.
I loved this book so much that I bought the next book straightaway. I didn't even bother reading the little snippet at the end of the book.
November 15, 2013
The first book in the Chronicles of Applecross is an adventure of magic and the paranormal.
A job gone wrong has made Lora Blackgoat a laughing stock as a smuggler and mercenary, so when a friend asks her for help she jumps at the chance to restore her reputation. What she uncovers in her investigation not only leads her to the sadistic militant religious Order of Guides and to Roman, a dangerous nephilim who also hunts the killer, she discovers that the killer has broken the fundamental laws and of magic and a conspiracy that goes back to her own dark past.
The author has created a great urban fantasy world that promises great entertainment. The conflicts in the plot are well detailed and the motivations of the characters clearly defined in this smooth flowing plot. All of the characters have strong, attention grabbing personalities that keeps the readers entertained throughout.
Lora is a kick ass heroine, who makes mistakes and thinks she knows it all, but finds that everything is what it seems. She’s one of those characters you don’t know whether to cheer her on or yell at her to stop, but the reader definitely wants to know what she will do next. She has a romantic interest in Seth, one of the Black Watchmen, but also finds herself attracted to Roman.
I almost put this book down at first, the book starts off with Lora on a job, but seems to proceed slowly to the next point, but I am very glad that I kept reading and once the plot really gets going there is never a dull moment with lots of action. The author creates an intriguing and complex world with vivid intensity and great detail. I am looking forward to reading Lora’s next adventure.
A job gone wrong has made Lora Blackgoat a laughing stock as a smuggler and mercenary, so when a friend asks her for help she jumps at the chance to restore her reputation. What she uncovers in her investigation not only leads her to the sadistic militant religious Order of Guides and to Roman, a dangerous nephilim who also hunts the killer, she discovers that the killer has broken the fundamental laws and of magic and a conspiracy that goes back to her own dark past.
The author has created a great urban fantasy world that promises great entertainment. The conflicts in the plot are well detailed and the motivations of the characters clearly defined in this smooth flowing plot. All of the characters have strong, attention grabbing personalities that keeps the readers entertained throughout.
Lora is a kick ass heroine, who makes mistakes and thinks she knows it all, but finds that everything is what it seems. She’s one of those characters you don’t know whether to cheer her on or yell at her to stop, but the reader definitely wants to know what she will do next. She has a romantic interest in Seth, one of the Black Watchmen, but also finds herself attracted to Roman.
I almost put this book down at first, the book starts off with Lora on a job, but seems to proceed slowly to the next point, but I am very glad that I kept reading and once the plot really gets going there is never a dull moment with lots of action. The author creates an intriguing and complex world with vivid intensity and great detail. I am looking forward to reading Lora’s next adventure.
December 25, 2013
I got this book from NetGalley, free of cost, in exchange of an honest review from my side.
Firstly I would like to thank the author and publisher for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this book.
I liked this story very much. It has a fresh concept and the plot is also awesome. I liked the presentation of the concept and the awesome writing style of the author really made the read a gripping read for me.
I have a complaint here and that is the excessive descriptions regarding unnecessary things like clothes, room decorations, etc and this small thing made the read irritating at times and I really had to skip pages just to return back to the main stream.
The characters are good and Lora is a easy-going and 'devil may care' type of girl who isn't cliche and doesn't keep on drooling on guys though she has a knack for hot guys and honestly speaking who doesn't? Although I liked this carefree facet of her personality but there is a hidden facet as well which is emotionally weak and vulnerable. Though she tries to act smart and confident all the times but there are certain moments when the readers get to see her weak side as well and the author presented this beautifully.
Roman is great and swoon worthy and I liked the way his and Lora's life intertwined. The mystery and the suspense is thick in here and that kept me hooked in till the end. I loved the story very much and would definitely recommend it to others, hope that you guys will like it as well.
Firstly I would like to thank the author and publisher for giving me this opportunity of reading and reviewing this book.
I liked this story very much. It has a fresh concept and the plot is also awesome. I liked the presentation of the concept and the awesome writing style of the author really made the read a gripping read for me.
I have a complaint here and that is the excessive descriptions regarding unnecessary things like clothes, room decorations, etc and this small thing made the read irritating at times and I really had to skip pages just to return back to the main stream.
The characters are good and Lora is a easy-going and 'devil may care' type of girl who isn't cliche and doesn't keep on drooling on guys though she has a knack for hot guys and honestly speaking who doesn't? Although I liked this carefree facet of her personality but there is a hidden facet as well which is emotionally weak and vulnerable. Though she tries to act smart and confident all the times but there are certain moments when the readers get to see her weak side as well and the author presented this beautifully.
Roman is great and swoon worthy and I liked the way his and Lora's life intertwined. The mystery and the suspense is thick in here and that kept me hooked in till the end. I loved the story very much and would definitely recommend it to others, hope that you guys will like it as well.
August 13, 2016
Awesome, just awesome! I really liked almost everything about this book. Lora was a snarky, determined, tough badass who I enjoyed immensely. She managed to rush into danger without feeling suicidal, have adult relationships without coming across as easy, dispute with her friends and family without going overboard, and retain a sense of humour without it feeling forced. *Sigh* If only I could find more characters like her.
My only real complaints are that the book could do with a little more editing to address the missing words and I never could get a firm handle on the world. The city names were real-world and there were cars, guns, etc., but there was also some magical, steampunk-like realm where modern technology wouldn't work and mystical creatures lived among humans. This could have been a dystopian future, an alternative reality, alternate history, etc. It doesn't define itself in any way and this left me perpetually confused on the matter.
Despite that, I laughed a lot, rooted for Lora and her cohort, snickered at the mild romance, and generally just had a good time. At about 50%, I went ahead and bought the sequel, knowing I would want it as soon as I finished this one and I'll be starting any minute now.
My only real complaints are that the book could do with a little more editing to address the missing words and I never could get a firm handle on the world. The city names were real-world and there were cars, guns, etc., but there was also some magical, steampunk-like realm where modern technology wouldn't work and mystical creatures lived among humans. This could have been a dystopian future, an alternative reality, alternate history, etc. It doesn't define itself in any way and this left me perpetually confused on the matter.
Despite that, I laughed a lot, rooted for Lora and her cohort, snickered at the mild romance, and generally just had a good time. At about 50%, I went ahead and bought the sequel, knowing I would want it as soon as I finished this one and I'll be starting any minute now.
December 4, 2013
I was so disappointed with this book. The first 17 chapters were dragging, it was like a minute by minute account of Lora's entire days in boredom. It started to pick up and for many chapters we had action and excitement then we got the woe is me when the truth was discovered. Why can't a main character just be happy with who and what they are for a change.
The story itself was an ok story and could have worked if not for 17 chapters of nothing relevant to that story, I'm all for a bit of background on characters and a little peek has to what may be going on but this book had too much not needed info that it ruined what could have been a start to a great new series.
Lora! I felt that the author didn't really like her, she was written in a way that kept you at more than arms length and not want you to relate to her. She was a very distant character.
I would have liked a little more on the world the author created, I try to visualize the worlds of books but this is were a little more info was needed.
I'm sorry to say that even though this book had its good points it had to many bad for me.
The story itself was an ok story and could have worked if not for 17 chapters of nothing relevant to that story, I'm all for a bit of background on characters and a little peek has to what may be going on but this book had too much not needed info that it ruined what could have been a start to a great new series.
Lora! I felt that the author didn't really like her, she was written in a way that kept you at more than arms length and not want you to relate to her. She was a very distant character.
I would have liked a little more on the world the author created, I try to visualize the worlds of books but this is were a little more info was needed.
I'm sorry to say that even though this book had its good points it had to many bad for me.
April 8, 2014
I am going to try for really short, I know I say that sometimes, but, ok really short:
3 reasons by Jenny Loves to read
1.) Reasons you chose this book
The cover looks kick-ass, and it was free.
2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book
It was a pretty cool world, even if the world was never really explained. So I guess some sort of other dimension to our world and there were humans and otherkin...yes I would have liked to know more about the world. Anyway, cool heroine, a hunt for a killer and a good premise.
But maybe it was because I read it over a month, I was never really hooked. Still good.
3.) Reasons you are recommending this book
If you like UF in another world.
3 reasons by Jenny Loves to read
1.) Reasons you chose this book
The cover looks kick-ass, and it was free.
2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book
It was a pretty cool world, even if the world was never really explained. So I guess some sort of other dimension to our world and there were humans and otherkin...yes I would have liked to know more about the world. Anyway, cool heroine, a hunt for a killer and a good premise.
But maybe it was because I read it over a month, I was never really hooked. Still good.
3.) Reasons you are recommending this book
If you like UF in another world.
June 23, 2014
Wasn't sure what to expect with this book. but I found it very entertaining. The story is mostly seen through the eyes of Lora a runner who lives in the Weald. I loved her character although she can be a bit foolhardy trying to prove a point. The book was full of colourful characters. Some i just couldn't imagine what they could look like.
The story is full of colourful characters and twists and turns that I did not even see coming. I really like Roman...... i dont know why but his broody nephilim nature just makes him sound sooo attractive.
I did feel like some of the event went on for much too long. I know the author was trying to be descriptive but I could have done without most of it.
Loved this book, very entertaining.
The story is full of colourful characters and twists and turns that I did not even see coming. I really like Roman...... i dont know why but his broody nephilim nature just makes him sound sooo attractive.
I did feel like some of the event went on for much too long. I know the author was trying to be descriptive but I could have done without most of it.
Loved this book, very entertaining.
May 6, 2016
Thoroughly loved the world building in this and discovering what was what. Lora is full of sass and fight and doesn't let her lame leg interfere with what she has to do. Raised by a satyr and elf witch, she is attuned to Applecross, a less affluent part of town. An old friend she has always had a thing for asks for her help and she finds herself in more trouble than ever, on a path where the impossible has likely occurred.
She's flawed and takes offense but no wonder in the world she lives in.
A fabulous read though the copy editing needed more work. However this didn't detract from my enjoyment so no loss of stars.
Looking forward to book 2.
Disclaimer: I know Rebekah personally but this doesn't affect my star rating.
She's flawed and takes offense but no wonder in the world she lives in.
A fabulous read though the copy editing needed more work. However this didn't detract from my enjoyment so no loss of stars.
Looking forward to book 2.
Disclaimer: I know Rebekah personally but this doesn't affect my star rating.
April 11, 2014
A great story and intriguing characters that were only marred by poor editing. There is a big difference between smelt and smelled, just like there is a big difference between lightening and lightning. I get that the author is an Aussie and I took so many courses in British Literature that I am used to a lot of spelling and grammar differences, but this was a shoddy job. Smelt refers to meltjmg ore to separate metal or to refine metal, whereas smelled refers to scent. Lightening is becoming less dark or brighter, whereas lightning accompanies thunder during a storm. I enjoyed the story and I plan to read the next book, but I certainly hope that the editing has improved.
December 18, 2013
I've received an ARC of this in exchange of a honest review
Más reseñas: El Extraño Gato del Cuento
Llevo tiempo debatiendo si hacerle un post "oficial" en el blog, y la verdad es que no quiero. Demasiado trabajo para algo que no disfruté leer.
Mientras leía veía el potencial del libro, tiene una buena historia, muy interesantes personajes pero es aburrido de leer.No sé si no estaba de humor para leer este tipo de historia o quizá el libro simplemente no es para mí. Punto positivo: AMO la portada.
¿Voy a continuarlo? No lo creo.
Más reseñas: El Extraño Gato del Cuento
Llevo tiempo debatiendo si hacerle un post "oficial" en el blog, y la verdad es que no quiero. Demasiado trabajo para algo que no disfruté leer.
Mientras leía veía el potencial del libro, tiene una buena historia, muy interesantes personajes pero es aburrido de leer.No sé si no estaba de humor para leer este tipo de historia o quizá el libro simplemente no es para mí. Punto positivo: AMO la portada.
¿Voy a continuarlo? No lo creo.
November 27, 2013
Chaos Born is the first installment in the Chronicles from the Applecross Series by Rebekah Turner.
This first book is a lot to take in. I love the paranormal/fantasy genre and had high hopes for this book. Unfortunately my hopes plummeted with this book. I did like the plot and the idea for this series. I also liked the story line.
Where I had the problem was this intricate world that Ms. Turner has woven. There is too many characters and sub characters, realms and supernatural character for me to completely dive into this one.
To see the rest of this review click here
March 20, 2015
Glad I gave this book a chance
I was kindle cleaning when I discovered this book...I read about three chapters and wanted to give up. I don't really read these types of books and I was really confused about the different types of species. But...I continued reading...
I'm really glad I did! I enjoyed the humor of Lora and the mystery of the story. I'm kind of hoping this doesn't turn into a romance triangle because I'm with Roman all the way. I thought the writing was good and the description of every place was easy to picture. I'm curious about the next book...which I will begin reading now.
I was kindle cleaning when I discovered this book...I read about three chapters and wanted to give up. I don't really read these types of books and I was really confused about the different types of species. But...I continued reading...
I'm really glad I did! I enjoyed the humor of Lora and the mystery of the story. I'm kind of hoping this doesn't turn into a romance triangle because I'm with Roman all the way. I thought the writing was good and the description of every place was easy to picture. I'm curious about the next book...which I will begin reading now.
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