Oscar Cavazos has always enjoyed telling stories. From campfire tales to childhood playground sagas, he has maintained his creativity and channeled it into entertaining others. Armed with a Starbucks iced coffee and a laptop, he is devoted to writing every day to try and better his craft. His motto is "the only way to get perfect is to practice", and he believes he has a long way to go.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review (LoP or Lovers of Paranormal)
My favorite part of this book was the Purgatorium – a world of the dead serving as a dark and broken mirror to the world of the living which Sebastian can call up at will (when he learns how to do so). The descriptions of Sebastian in Reaper mode were also pretty interesting and imaginative.
I like the idea behind this book and the potential it has, but I feel like it ended prematurely. There’s no real resolution, no immediate pay-off for sticking with this book to the end. There’s also a prologue which appears to have no ties to the story being told within this book’s pages. However, since the writer notes in the beginning that this is the first novella of a series (he later notes at the end of this book that it will have at least 7 parts), the pay-off and the prologue reasoning will likely be seen at some later point.
Although this book left me scratching my head, I wish the author luck in finishing the series and hope to see Dark Destiny living up to its full potential in the future.
I received a free copy, through LoP, in exchange for a review.
Sebastian, a typical 17 year teenager is about to have his world turn completely inside out and backwards. He's got two best friends, brother & sister twins, has a great girlfriend and has an overall positive outlook on life. One night, something out of the ordinary happens and a dark dormant power flares to life, but he has no real clue as to what is happening to him. All her knows if that there was a giant explosion at his girlfriends house, he thinks he sees an evil version of himself and the next thing he know, he's waking up, in his bed. But, this hidden power is calling to him and now he has to harness it and find his way, back to who he was originally, Death.
'From the door of one of the sagging huts, he sees his twin emerge, the wet, black hair hanging in his face, white teeth glinting in the dark as an evil grin spread over his horrible face. Screams erupt from the mud hut. Then another. And another. Like dominoes. The whole village in pain, crying out. The anguish of grieving mothers, the despair of mourning fathers. His twin comes toward him, closer and closer. In his hand, a Scythe, dripping with blood.'
This is a great short story, for a beginning of a series. The characters are becoming developed and it storyline is going in an interesting direction. I can almost see this as a serial TV series, since there are so many different aspects you can explore.
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review by the author via Lovers of Paranormal.
Firstly I was torn between 3 and 4 stars - I decided to be generous and go with 4 stars because the idea behind the book was different and interesting. The main reason for 4 stars was the opening chapter which gripped me and made me cry. The opening chapter not leading onto anywhere else in the book was also one of the reasons that nearly made me give 3 stars! It seemed such a waste not to be expanding on that storyline, it was also a little confusing although we are told at the end of book one/beginning of book two that it will come up again.
I enjoyed the book but it jumped around a little and new characters popped up without further explanation. I would have enjoyed longer periods of getting to know the newer characters and more information about them. I'm still wondering about the teacher.
I liked the characters but as the book was so short we couldn't get to know them well. The characters were well written and drew me in. The first chapter wasn't the only part of this book that had me in tears, the emotions of the characters were engaging and tough to ignore.
I'm going straight on to the next book in the hope that much more will be revealed about what we know already and not more new 'stuff' revealed.
I got this book from the author, free of cost, in exchange of an honest review from my side!
Firstly I would like to thank Oscar Cavazos, author of Dark Destiny, for giving me this wonderful opportunity of reading and reviewing this book.
The story is quite likable but I found it a little confusing at times. The author didn't used the full potential of this plot and story line. The characters needed to be flourished too.
I expected more after reading the blurb and was really excited when I started it but the prologue dimmed my excitement a little but I liked the story and the unique idea beyond this book was really remarkable.
This story is worth a shot and as it's the first part thus I hope that I would truly love the next part of the story and I'll be very happy to see this story develop in the next parts.
I would like to wish the author all the best for the upcoming parts in this series and will recommend ya all to go through this book and just hope that you guys will like the story because view points and reviews differ.
I got this book from the Goodreads's Group 'Lovers of Paranormal' under the 'Read to Review' scheme.
This was an interesting story. However I'm lost as to what the prologue had to do with the story. It didn't seem to have a place and I kept looking for the connection. It didn't make sense to me to have it there. I feel like the author could've slowed down on the story a bit and expanded on a few of the chapters to give this story a more complete feel to it. The story ended rather abruptly. I'm confused and not really sure what happened. As far as the story itself, it's pretty good. Really fast paced and very short. The concept of the Grim Reaper has always been a fascinating one to me. I don't often get the chance to read books that portray this "character" in different lights and really enjoy the way the author brought this one across. I love how the main character, Sebastian, goes through some normal teenager things like school, friendships, love, and loss. Quite a nice twist with the elements of mythology and good vs. evil. Overall a very nice, quick read.
A copy of this book was given in exchange for an honest review. This review will also appear on www.samanthalafantasie.com and Amazon.
I received a free copy of this book for my honest review from the Goodreads’ group; Lovers of Paranormal’s R2R.
The first chapter made me cry! I wanted badly in that moment to continue on with that story and those characters. I wanted to know where the author was going with those characters because I fell in love with them in one chapter…which is the mark of a great author. Yet, I was left entirely too frustrated to enjoy the next couple chapters as those character were left behind and new ones came into play… A part of me wanted to give this book a 4 star rating just for that…But, that wouldn’t be fair because that part of the book does serve a purpose later on. There is a reason for it. ^_^
All of the characters were so engaging and emotional. I had a really hard time putting this book down! I only wished it was a little longer…but if that’s my only complaint, then it’s more of a complement really.
Dark Destiny, Part 1 I received this book in exchange for an honest review by the Author and the “Lovers of Paranormal” Group on Goodreads.com This is a book is an okay read. The concept for this book is fantastic and has so much potential, but the book itself is a tad confusing and very disconnected. The writing style flows smoothly, but it is surprisingly immature for a YA book. The characters are not well described, but they are likeable. However I am still left wondering how some of the characters ‘fit’ in this story ... and I am still trying to decide how the prologue fit in with this book. I am sure these are all questions that will be answered in the follow-up books. But all up the story has potential and I am certain that the series will evolve into something fantastic.
*I received this book from LOP in exchange for my honest review* I have to say I was completed addicted from the very beginning of this book, and I couldn't put it down. In the prologue you meet Ethan and Makayla who form a inseparable bond over a Halloween snow globe. An unlikely duo that fall in love, and tragically both die. Then we leap into Sebastian's life as things begin to change for him, all because of an old creepy book and his time of awakening. Following Sebastian as he relearns to be a reaper with the guidance of Ariel and the elder to reap souls that have paid their toll. As he learns more about his reaping duties and powers he decides to bring his deceased girlfriend back which leads to more ciaos. This was an excellent novella, and I can't wait to read part 2.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was given the ARC for an honest review from Lovers of Paranormal.
This book grabbed me at the first chapter, took me approximately 4 hours to read and I had a hard time putting it down and going to bed. I start part 2 today and I'm pretty excited about it! Its a pretty fast paced book about a boy who is turning into a grim reaper before he is supposed to. It's actually kind of hard to describe. There's a lot of loss in this book, there is death surrounding everything (what did you expect its about death and grim reapers lol). You get to watch some of the characters grow.
Now on to part two!
Thank you for giving me this chance to read and review this book!
I was given this book in echange for an honest review (LoP).
This book grabbed me at the first chapter and I really didn't want to but it down to go to bed. It's boy who is turning into a grim reaper before he is supposed to. It's really complicated to explain so you'll just have to read it! You really get to watch some of the characters grow.I really enjoyed it and recommend it.
Sebastian has a normal life with normal friends. That's until his girlfriend gives him a book and tell him to read it. At first Sebastian dismiss the whole thing, but when his girlfriend dies and something weird happens with her death, he starts to rethink the whole book thing. He soon discovers that he is the reincarnations of death aka the grim reaper. With the book's assistance he starts his journey as death. But his first soul is his best friend and he didn't do the right thing. Life has a design and ones interrupted the design changes to something else, or to someone else. Sabatian's mistake comes at a high cost. Sebastian's character is ordinary at first and then takes a step into the grim reaper character. But living as a human might have changed him for good. Overall I liked his character, charming and wanting to save everyone he cares for is great trades.
I was completely confused with this novels prologue it didn't make any sense. One can only hope that this will be explained in the next release. Overall the plot was interesting and filled with events the new reaper has to deal with. I really liked the transformation from ordinary Sebastian to the grim reaper. Reaching the end I was ones again lost to the flashback of Sebastian's previous life and also hope that this will be more explained. Quote from the book: "When the toll is paid, a pact is made. That pact states that someone will pass. There is no changing this fact."
Sebastian seems to have it all, a beautiful girlfriend, two great best friends; life is good. Until it all falls apart. Sara, Sebastian's girlfriend, gives him a book that changes his existence. Not only his, but it seems to have a ripple effect. Not in a good way. Sebastian learns that he is Death reincarnated. That's a lot to put on a 17 year old, but then things start happening. And he has to make some hard choices. Let's hope that Sebastian makes the right ones.
Man, this whole book was a great twist on the Grim Reaper. Oscar does a great job with this uniquely told brilliant beginning. The writing is great in all of the parts. The only thing I didn't like was that there seemed to be three parts to this story and only two connected. I'm really not sure what the first part had to do with the second and third, which were clearly related. I can't wait for part two to come out. I want to know more!!
I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This is a wonderfully dark novella, introducing a series with so much potential. It's written for younger audiences, but can be read and enjoyed by anyone (I'm 38, and loved the heck out of it). The imagery evokes a graphic novel style to it that is different from what I'm used to reading. There are hints of lots of different elements, so it's hard to pinpoint exactly what I loved about it: suspense, paranormal, supernatural, romance, coming-of-age...
This book served to whet my appetite for more. Period.
I got this book as a read to review and I honestly have to say I liked this book even though it's different than most of the books I read. I like the fact that the author put in a lot of time doing his research before writing this book, I'm looking forward to reading the second one.