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The Chronicles of Koa #1
Netherworld
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
Demons, ghouls, vampires, and Syths. The Netherworld Division is an organization of angels and humans who are there to keep the escaped creatures from the Netherworld in check in this action-packed paranormal thriller.
Introducing Koa Ryeo-won, a half-blood vampire with an enchanted sword and a membership to the most elite vampire castle in Europe.
A vengeful demon threatens everything Koa has worked hard to protect. Not even Halston and his legendary infinity gun can stop him, but Koa's mother might be strong enough to do it--if only her curse can be broken.
There is one vampire that can help.
First stop, the Ivory Tower, where only the most notorious supernatural beings are kept. But even that won't be enough. Koa must prepare herself to return to the place that nearly killed her. The Netherworld.
The Chronicles of Koa Series
Publication order:
Netherworld (The Chronicles of Koa, Book 1)
Dark Prophet (The Chronicles of Koa, Book 2)
Lyrinian Blade (The Chronicles of Koa, Book 3)
Demons, ghouls, vampires, and Syths. The Netherworld Division is an organization of angels and humans who are there to keep the escaped creatures from the Netherworld in check in this action-packed paranormal thriller.
Introducing Koa Ryeo-won, a half-blood vampire with an enchanted sword and a membership to the most elite vampire castle in Europe.
A vengeful demon threatens everything Koa has worked hard to protect. Not even Halston and his legendary infinity gun can stop him, but Koa's mother might be strong enough to do it--if only her curse can be broken.
There is one vampire that can help.
First stop, the Ivory Tower, where only the most notorious supernatural beings are kept. But even that won't be enough. Koa must prepare herself to return to the place that nearly killed her. The Netherworld.
The Chronicles of Koa Series
Publication order:
Netherworld (The Chronicles of Koa, Book 1)
Dark Prophet (The Chronicles of Koa, Book 2)
Lyrinian Blade (The Chronicles of Koa, Book 3)
301 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2013
617 people are currently reading
2676 people want to read
About the author
K.N. Lee
132 books907 followersK.N. Lee is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author who resides in Charlotte, North Carolina. When she is not writing twisted tales, fantasy novels, and dark poetry, she does a great deal of traveling and promotes other authors. Wannabe rockstar, foreign language enthusiast, and anime geek, K.N. Lee also enjoys helping others reach their writing and publishing goals. She is a winner of the Elevate Lifestyle Top 30 Under 30 "Future Leaders of Charlotte" award for her success as a writer, business owner, and for community service.
She is signed with Captive Quill Press and Patchwork Press.
K.N. Lee loves hearing from fans and readers. Connect with her!
www.knlee.com
www.WriteLikeAWizard.com
www.Facebook.com/knycolelee
www.twitter.com/knycole_lee
www.wattpad.com/user/KNycoleLee
She is signed with Captive Quill Press and Patchwork Press.
K.N. Lee loves hearing from fans and readers. Connect with her!
www.knlee.com
www.WriteLikeAWizard.com
www.Facebook.com/knycolelee
www.twitter.com/knycole_lee
www.wattpad.com/user/KNycoleLee
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 127 reviews
March 14, 2016
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
That ending!!! Talk about a cliffhanger, but I guess you have to do that sometimes. I have to get the second book to continue on and see what is going to happen.
I thought this book was pretty awesome. Now Koa could get a little whiny at times, which she shouldn't do because she's a kick-butt heroine :)
I might have to put in a few *SPOILERS* to explain a few things.
So Koa is half vampire and half something else, we don't know yet what that is, it's a big secret. Her dad was a powerful vampire that was King of the Netherworld until he was killed by a demon named Bund. He is a mercenary to Greggan who is the new King of the netherworld.
Koa's mother Raven is a black cat because she had a curse put on her by another person in the book. I will keep that to myself :)
Halston is her boss and she's in love with him. They work for the Netherworld Division. Halston isn't a mere man either, but I will keep that one to myself too :)
Koa has this bad@ssed Lyrinian sword that is from the netherworld and seems to have a mind of it's own and goes into a frenzy when she uses it against evil. Halston has a similiar weapon but it's a gun. Of course they are more bad @ssed then the picture below ↓
Someone is out to get Koa and they have to travel to the netherworld to get some help from different types of monsters and try to defeat Greggan and Bund. There is a lot going on with this part of the book. Actually, there is a lot going on in the book period. I loved that it just didn't stop. There are not points in this book that dragged for me, it just flowed right along.
There are several new characters I'm excited to learn more about. I love the characters currently in the book, well accept for the bad guys but I digress!
*I would like to thank NetGalley and Booktrope for the opportunity to read this book.*
That ending!!! Talk about a cliffhanger, but I guess you have to do that sometimes. I have to get the second book to continue on and see what is going to happen.
I thought this book was pretty awesome. Now Koa could get a little whiny at times, which she shouldn't do because she's a kick-butt heroine :)
I might have to put in a few *SPOILERS* to explain a few things.
So Koa is half vampire and half something else, we don't know yet what that is, it's a big secret. Her dad was a powerful vampire that was King of the Netherworld until he was killed by a demon named Bund. He is a mercenary to Greggan who is the new King of the netherworld.
Koa's mother Raven is a black cat because she had a curse put on her by another person in the book. I will keep that to myself :)
Halston is her boss and she's in love with him. They work for the Netherworld Division. Halston isn't a mere man either, but I will keep that one to myself too :)
Koa has this bad@ssed Lyrinian sword that is from the netherworld and seems to have a mind of it's own and goes into a frenzy when she uses it against evil. Halston has a similiar weapon but it's a gun. Of course they are more bad @ssed then the picture below ↓
Someone is out to get Koa and they have to travel to the netherworld to get some help from different types of monsters and try to defeat Greggan and Bund. There is a lot going on with this part of the book. Actually, there is a lot going on in the book period. I loved that it just didn't stop. There are not points in this book that dragged for me, it just flowed right along.
There are several new characters I'm excited to learn more about. I love the characters currently in the book, well accept for the bad guys but I digress!
*I would like to thank NetGalley and Booktrope for the opportunity to read this book.*
January 22, 2018
Actual rating 2.5 Stars, rounded up to 3 Stars.
I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it. This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
I really enjoyed this story as a whole, but I had some issues with it as well.
Starting off with what this book does well, it has a very unique take on vampires and Nephilim. I can honestly say that I haven't read anything resembling this world that Lee has created before in other books. The concept of the story is very good and I think with some polishing it could be incredible.
I felt like this book was way too short and lacked detail. It felt like the bare bones of what a book should be. It has the main concept, the characters, and the plot, but it lacks the details needed to fully understand the scope of the story being told. This also brings me to the characters. While I liked these characters, I didn't love them. I didn't feel a connection to them that would make me fall in love with them. At times I didn't feel like I knew them at all. This is where details would have been most advantageous in the story. As far as the world-building goes, more details is never a bad thing in a fantasy book. There were points in the book, especially when the main characters enter the Netherworld, that were confusing to follow. The author was telling instead of showing. An instance of this is when Lee tells the readers that the main character can fly. There is no explanation as to why, nor is there a description of her attempting it. She just flies. It didn't go into any details regarding this power that the main character has. Every time she flew I just pictured Superman, but I know where Superman's power comes from so his power of flying doesn't confuse me. Every time she flew it was very unconvincing and ridiculous to me. Details are the backbone of a story. Without them, the story falls flat and doesn't engage the reader.
I found the narrative a bit choppy and unconvincing at times. I also think that this book could use a serious sit down with an editor. There were misspellings and mispunctuation galore, and sometimes there was even the wrong form of a word used. While these things may not bother some people, they sadly impacted the enjoyment of the story for me.
The ending was a bit abrupt. I wouldn't really call it a cliffhanger though because there wasn't anything really hanging in the balance. I think that I would have preferred a cliffhanger, to be honest. The story just stops. I kept scrolling through my e-reader thinking that I didn't have the complete file downloaded to my kindle app.
This book (and this series) has great potential. It definitely has some missed opportunities in regard to the world building and character growth, but the story is original and catching. I think that with some refining this story could be so much more. I will definitely be continuing the series. I know that this book is the first by this author, and I think that over time her writing can only get better. I am excited to see what else K.N. Lee has to offer. I would recommend this series to those that enjoy action-packed urban fantasy stories.
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
I received a free copy of this book and volunteered to review it. This review MAY contain spoilers. Read at your own risk.
I really enjoyed this story as a whole, but I had some issues with it as well.
Starting off with what this book does well, it has a very unique take on vampires and Nephilim. I can honestly say that I haven't read anything resembling this world that Lee has created before in other books. The concept of the story is very good and I think with some polishing it could be incredible.
I felt like this book was way too short and lacked detail. It felt like the bare bones of what a book should be. It has the main concept, the characters, and the plot, but it lacks the details needed to fully understand the scope of the story being told. This also brings me to the characters. While I liked these characters, I didn't love them. I didn't feel a connection to them that would make me fall in love with them. At times I didn't feel like I knew them at all. This is where details would have been most advantageous in the story. As far as the world-building goes, more details is never a bad thing in a fantasy book. There were points in the book, especially when the main characters enter the Netherworld, that were confusing to follow. The author was telling instead of showing. An instance of this is when Lee tells the readers that the main character can fly. There is no explanation as to why, nor is there a description of her attempting it. She just flies. It didn't go into any details regarding this power that the main character has. Every time she flew I just pictured Superman, but I know where Superman's power comes from so his power of flying doesn't confuse me. Every time she flew it was very unconvincing and ridiculous to me. Details are the backbone of a story. Without them, the story falls flat and doesn't engage the reader.
I found the narrative a bit choppy and unconvincing at times. I also think that this book could use a serious sit down with an editor. There were misspellings and mispunctuation galore, and sometimes there was even the wrong form of a word used. While these things may not bother some people, they sadly impacted the enjoyment of the story for me.
The ending was a bit abrupt. I wouldn't really call it a cliffhanger though because there wasn't anything really hanging in the balance. I think that I would have preferred a cliffhanger, to be honest. The story just stops. I kept scrolling through my e-reader thinking that I didn't have the complete file downloaded to my kindle app.
This book (and this series) has great potential. It definitely has some missed opportunities in regard to the world building and character growth, but the story is original and catching. I think that with some refining this story could be so much more. I will definitely be continuing the series. I know that this book is the first by this author, and I think that over time her writing can only get better. I am excited to see what else K.N. Lee has to offer. I would recommend this series to those that enjoy action-packed urban fantasy stories.
More reviews on my blog: Novel Nerd Faction
October 22, 2013
Dump me right into the action and I will get caught up in whatever world you have created, no matter how bizarre or preposterous.
Narrate too much, and you will lose me, no matter how creative the plot may be.
K.N. Lee’s Netherworld: the Chronicles of Koa opens with a bloody sword fight in her living room. Is it weird that Koa can stand on the ceiling? Of course. But you picked up a urban fantasy/paranormal book, not Emma. The strange and inexplicable had better be part of the story!
Koa is attacked by Syths but thank Flannery, Lee doesn’t spend time narrating the history of Syths, how they were spawned, who they serve, etc. Koa fights them, kills them, and the scene shifts to a Paris coffee shop. You immediately want to know more. And Lee obliges, but she lets the story tell itself.
As it should be.
More of my review here: http://dilectusmeusmihi.blogspot.com/...
Narrate too much, and you will lose me, no matter how creative the plot may be.
K.N. Lee’s Netherworld: the Chronicles of Koa opens with a bloody sword fight in her living room. Is it weird that Koa can stand on the ceiling? Of course. But you picked up a urban fantasy/paranormal book, not Emma. The strange and inexplicable had better be part of the story!
Koa is attacked by Syths but thank Flannery, Lee doesn’t spend time narrating the history of Syths, how they were spawned, who they serve, etc. Koa fights them, kills them, and the scene shifts to a Paris coffee shop. You immediately want to know more. And Lee obliges, but she lets the story tell itself.
As it should be.
More of my review here: http://dilectusmeusmihi.blogspot.com/...
January 20, 2021
3.5 stars
May 9, 2018
3.5 stars
Took a while to get used to the writing style but I enjoyed the start to this series, hopefully the next one will have more action.
May 12, 2015
Koa is a young woman that's a hybrid, meaning she can survive off of a mixture of blood and food. Koa struggles to be around people and keep her inner vampire in check, which makes kicking demon arse the perfect job for her. Did I mention she wields a sword? Yes, it's very cool. The fight scenes are pretty awesome. Besides her job, she enjoys spending time with her cursed mother (bummer right?), watching movies, and crushing on her angelic boss. Up until now Koa has been able to stay off the radar of many baddies but that's all changing now that she's the target of several demons attentions.
Halston is Koas boss, best friend, and protector. It's up to him to keep not only Koa safe and inline but also to protect all of his other agents and the innocent people of Earth. Halston is pretty angelic, in my opinion, even the way he looks pretty much pegs him as one, so it's not surprising Koa has a thing for the blue eyed blond.
I really enjoyed this story because I was constantly trying to figure out what was going to happen next, but was always surprised when things took a left turn. The book wasn't as predictable as I've come to expect from books geared towards teens, which was nice. It's just a cool story with evil vampires, good vampires, demons, rampaging angels with a cutesy light love story on the side.
I think this is great for older teens and adults who dig this sorta stuff. Koa is a likable heroine that you can easily cheer on and snicker at as the story progresses. There is swearing and such with battle scenes, but it's not bad at all or overdone. Typical teen stuff.
May 30, 2015
~ I received this book from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review ~
Actual rating: 2.5 stars very generously rounded up to 3
I somewhat enjoyed this book. The idea is quite interesting and original. It didn't blow me away as I hoped, though.
What mostly disappointed me is that I couldn't feel any connection to the characters: I followed their adventures, I tried to figure out what secrets they were hiding but... I simply didn't care.
IMO, another flaw is that the narrative was a bit messy, confusing. At times I had the feeling that some information was missing or that the Author suddenly jumped from one scene/setting to another without properly describing it.
Overall, even though I see potential in this series, I don't know if I'll pick up the sequel.
Actual rating: 2.5 stars very generously rounded up to 3
I somewhat enjoyed this book. The idea is quite interesting and original. It didn't blow me away as I hoped, though.
What mostly disappointed me is that I couldn't feel any connection to the characters: I followed their adventures, I tried to figure out what secrets they were hiding but... I simply didn't care.
IMO, another flaw is that the narrative was a bit messy, confusing. At times I had the feeling that some information was missing or that the Author suddenly jumped from one scene/setting to another without properly describing it.
Overall, even though I see potential in this series, I don't know if I'll pick up the sequel.
June 1, 2013
Koa is a young woman living near Paris; she likes popcorn and movies, reading Jane Austen, and spending time with her cat. Oh yes, and she's a vampire (or half-vamp, anyways) who hunts creatures of the Netherworld for a living, and has a boss/best-friend that is sinfully good-looking and too good to be true.
The story follows Koa as she decides to move to England after her home in France being targeted by Syths (Netherworld thugs). She decides that it's time now to find the answers the the questions she's long held: what is her connection with the Netherworld? Why is her mother a cat? Who killed her father?
The good stuff:
Koa. She is awesome. Strong, independent, and lethal. (I have a confession to make - writing this review the very American term of "Kick ass" entered my head for the first time in my life. I'm not sure that is a good experience...)
Koa is a vampire. She makes no apologies for this, nor does she shove the fact down your throat, which I find refreshing after too many brooding vampire characters.
Halston. Yes please. Um, I mean, he's a perfectly acceptable character, a good friend to Koa, and has his own secrets.
The whole idea and telling of the Netherworld is bold and imaginative, although I got a little lost amongst all the many monsters that were suddenly added when Koa and Halston finally got to Netherworld.
Alice - there was a brief glimpse of her, but I have a feeling she's going to be pretty amazing later in the series.
The not-so-good stuff:
I wanted to smack Koa for being so annoyingly naive about Halston. They spend all their time together, hold hands and flirt constantly - jump on him already!
When Halston very nearly gets angry in the Netherworld. Did I miss something? What actually made him boiling hot angry?
The Americanisms. Koa is Korean/French and living in the UK with her English boss, but the story is dotted with American terms and expressions. Not enough to ruin a perfectly good story, but enough to catch my attention.
That ending - what the *#@#! How can you leave us hanging there?!
So, all in all, a book I'd highly recommend to others. When is the next one out?
The story follows Koa as she decides to move to England after her home in France being targeted by Syths (Netherworld thugs). She decides that it's time now to find the answers the the questions she's long held: what is her connection with the Netherworld? Why is her mother a cat? Who killed her father?
The good stuff:
Koa. She is awesome. Strong, independent, and lethal. (I have a confession to make - writing this review the very American term of "Kick ass" entered my head for the first time in my life. I'm not sure that is a good experience...)
Koa is a vampire. She makes no apologies for this, nor does she shove the fact down your throat, which I find refreshing after too many brooding vampire characters.
Halston. Yes please. Um, I mean, he's a perfectly acceptable character, a good friend to Koa, and has his own secrets.
The whole idea and telling of the Netherworld is bold and imaginative, although I got a little lost amongst all the many monsters that were suddenly added when Koa and Halston finally got to Netherworld.
Alice - there was a brief glimpse of her, but I have a feeling she's going to be pretty amazing later in the series.
The not-so-good stuff:
I wanted to smack Koa for being so annoyingly naive about Halston. They spend all their time together, hold hands and flirt constantly - jump on him already!
When Halston very nearly gets angry in the Netherworld. Did I miss something? What actually made him boiling hot angry?
The Americanisms. Koa is Korean/French and living in the UK with her English boss, but the story is dotted with American terms and expressions. Not enough to ruin a perfectly good story, but enough to catch my attention.
That ending - what the *#@#! How can you leave us hanging there?!
So, all in all, a book I'd highly recommend to others. When is the next one out?
June 19, 2015
Koa is a young woman that's a hybrid, meaning she can survive off of a mixture of blood and food. Koa struggles to be around people and keep her inner vampire in check, which makes kicking demon arse the perfect job for her. Did I mention she wields a sword? Yes, it's very cool. The fight scenes are pretty awesome. Besides her job, she enjoys spending time with her cursed mother (bummer right?), watching movies, and crushing on her angelic boss. Up until now Koa has been able to stay off the radar of many baddies but that's all changing now that she's the target of several demons attentions.
Halston is Koas boss, best friend, and protector. It's up to him to keep not only Koa safe and inline but also to protect all of his other agents and the innocent people of Earth. Halston is pretty angelic, in my opinion, even the way he looks pretty much pegs him as one, so it's not surprising Koa has a thing for the blue eyed blond.
I really enjoyed this story because I was constantly trying to figure out what was going to happen next, but was always surprised when things took a left turn. The book wasn't as predictable as I've come to expect from books geared towards teens, which was nice. It's just a cool story with evil vampires, good vampires, demons, rampaging angels with a cutesy light love story on the side.
I think this is great for older teens and adults who dig this sorta stuff. Koa is a likable heroine that you can easily cheer on and snicker at as the story progresses. There is swearing and such with battle scenes, but it's not bad at all or overdone. Typical teen stuff.
Rating: 3.5 stars
Halston is Koas boss, best friend, and protector. It's up to him to keep not only Koa safe and inline but also to protect all of his other agents and the innocent people of Earth. Halston is pretty angelic, in my opinion, even the way he looks pretty much pegs him as one, so it's not surprising Koa has a thing for the blue eyed blond.
I really enjoyed this story because I was constantly trying to figure out what was going to happen next, but was always surprised when things took a left turn. The book wasn't as predictable as I've come to expect from books geared towards teens, which was nice. It's just a cool story with evil vampires, good vampires, demons, rampaging angels with a cutesy light love story on the side.
I think this is great for older teens and adults who dig this sorta stuff. Koa is a likable heroine that you can easily cheer on and snicker at as the story progresses. There is swearing and such with battle scenes, but it's not bad at all or overdone. Typical teen stuff.
Rating: 3.5 stars
May 20, 2013
After reading the first couple chapters online I knew I had to read more about Koa! The author has created a engrossing world with vampires, angels and other mythical creatures. And not just any mythical creatures, her creations were... awesome! I could really see this being a movie with all the action and amazing imaginary. More than anything, I appreciated the creativity of this book, traveling in the Netherworld was a fascinating journey. Also, the story surprised me. At one point Koa had killed everyone fairly easy with her magical sword and I thought that was the end of it but then what happened next had me on the edge of my seat. Koa also made some choices after separating with the handsome British accented Halston that astonished and pleased me, I felt like the story was getting better and better. I like when an author isn't afraid to create and K.N. Lee really kept her story interesting. There are so many things I loved, Raven, Wren Castle, the Netherworld Division, Ian, the alchemist, the oracle, the shadows, the discs (cool), the possiblities with Jax... Plus the end, I really didn't see it coming, when Koa remembered what she was made to forget, what a twist! This book introduced a wonderful world, compelling characters and plenty of conflict for the story to continue. Now I can't wait for the next installment.
May 23, 2013
The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld is the debut novel of K.N. Lee. The story follows Koa, a mysterious hybrid vampire who thirsts for blood, but can walk in the daylight and fly. Yes, I said fly. Due to circumstances that are unknown to us at the beginning of the book, Koa is special, not only because of her power of flight, but because she is wanted by creatures of the Netherworld. As you read this book, you'll be entertained and thrown from left to right with the various revelations and plot twists that are revealed throughout!
K.N. Lee developed a wonderful cast of characters and creatures for her novel. Vampires take the center stage in the story, but they're not in any way the bland, overused vampires you see in other books. Besides vampires you'll read about a fallen angel seeking redemption, demons, and even creatures created by K.N. Lee herself. She did a great job designing these creatures and the world they inhabit.
Despite some noticeable grammatical errors, K.N. Lee has done a fantastic job with her debut novel. It has a fantastic story, twists and turns throughout, and some mysteries you won't see coming. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books as she writes them. The Chronicles of Koa #2 will certainly be a day one purchase for me!
K.N. Lee developed a wonderful cast of characters and creatures for her novel. Vampires take the center stage in the story, but they're not in any way the bland, overused vampires you see in other books. Besides vampires you'll read about a fallen angel seeking redemption, demons, and even creatures created by K.N. Lee herself. She did a great job designing these creatures and the world they inhabit.
Despite some noticeable grammatical errors, K.N. Lee has done a fantastic job with her debut novel. It has a fantastic story, twists and turns throughout, and some mysteries you won't see coming. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books as she writes them. The Chronicles of Koa #2 will certainly be a day one purchase for me!
May 28, 2013
A fantasy adventure, a coming of age vampire story, an epic storyline with a twist…Sounds like a great combination, and it is. The Chronicles of Koa is a wonderful story full of likeable characters, a clear world, and a fun mission. Koa, a headstrong, willful girl captures you immediately. Her desire to return to the netherworld, uncertain of the dangers, and her reckless behavior leadyou on an adventure…an adventure to find the key to her past, and possibly a key to her future.
Oh, and the ending… when revelations open her eyes… you will be as torn as Koa…Which way will her heart turn. I am already burning with curiosity as to where the next chapter will take us… how the characters will develop, and where the new challenges will lead. How will they fight the darkest of their enemies, and what is truth about her mother???
This is the start to a wonderful new series, and I look forward to seeing where the story takes us, and watching Koa’s story unfold.
Oh, and the ending… when revelations open her eyes… you will be as torn as Koa…Which way will her heart turn. I am already burning with curiosity as to where the next chapter will take us… how the characters will develop, and where the new challenges will lead. How will they fight the darkest of their enemies, and what is truth about her mother???
This is the start to a wonderful new series, and I look forward to seeing where the story takes us, and watching Koa’s story unfold.
June 6, 2013
A fantasy adventure tale with a bite!
For her debut novel, K.N Lee weaves a fast paced, vivid and detailed world, full of intrigue, sweet action and most importantly... interesting characters.
I enjoyed the build up of the world through the different perspectives, whether through fallen angel Halston, the still enigmatic Raven, or of course our resident bad-ass Koa.
Although set and drawn from some familiar concepts like vampires and mystical creatures, the world feels original and comes alive through its own history and every character has an interesting twist or backstory.
Koa is a little bratty, but i look forward to seeing her grow as a character as she continues to kick butt across Europe, the Netherworld or whatever other cool places this adventure might lead!
no doubt here, I'll be picking up this sequel day one!
For her debut novel, K.N Lee weaves a fast paced, vivid and detailed world, full of intrigue, sweet action and most importantly... interesting characters.
I enjoyed the build up of the world through the different perspectives, whether through fallen angel Halston, the still enigmatic Raven, or of course our resident bad-ass Koa.
Although set and drawn from some familiar concepts like vampires and mystical creatures, the world feels original and comes alive through its own history and every character has an interesting twist or backstory.
Koa is a little bratty, but i look forward to seeing her grow as a character as she continues to kick butt across Europe, the Netherworld or whatever other cool places this adventure might lead!
no doubt here, I'll be picking up this sequel day one!
May 27, 2013
Just when I thought there was no where else to go with the fascinating mysterious stories of vampires, this book takes it where no one else has went. I was hypnotized by the vivid imagination instilled in K. N Lee. Once I started reading instantly I felt like I was apart of Koa it makes you wonder to the extreme every flip of the page what's next, what's to come!?? Read this book I guaranteed you will not be left disappointed. I'm excitedly awaiting the sequel expect some sleepless nights of wondering what's to come once you finish the book. I'm finding myself creating my own variations of how it will end, keep it coming Koa your the bomb!!!
May 20, 2013
The ending had me on edge. I have to say I have not read a vampire novel like this one before. Koa is a very intriguing character. I love all the different creatures. I had a hard time writing this review because I don't want to spoil it for anyone. I could see some of the scenes playing out like a movie in my head. I can not wait to find out what happens next! K.N.Lee took me on adventure to the Netherworld that did not disappoint. I will have to come back to this review, I just don't feel like I am giving the book justice.
January 15, 2014
This book is so awesome!! There’s so much detail and the plot is really cool. Koa is a half-blood vampire that’s works for a task force, known as the ‘Netherworld Division’. There is a serial killer from the Netherworld that likes to prey on little girls. In order to stop him she must go to a prison in the Netherworld to enlist the help of a prisoner; the only one that can stop him. With a cursed mother, an enchanted sword and a human pet, Koa's life couldn’t be further from normal. There’s just so much action in this book, I think I even stopped blinking at one point just in case I missed something! This is definitely one of those books that you can’t put down. I have read a lot of vampire novels in the past but this one simply kicks ass! It is not your usual supernatural book for sure. I highly recommend!
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February 21, 2021
One of my favourite series that should definitely be read by more people!! Written by one of the sweetest women there is❤️
March 5, 2014
The Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld is another dark fantasy heroine story that doesn't do anything new to the genre. However, it does provide for an enjoyable read and has some good--though few and far between--action sequences.
To begin with, I applaud K.N. Lee's decision in creating a relatable non-Caucasian protagonist, as minorities tend to be very rare in today's book publishing market. Lee manages to give Koa a certain level of exoticness that makes her feel different from other famous ladies such as Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games) and Beatrice Prior (Divergent). She's tough, she's witty, but she's also vulnerable and naïve...all traits which make her feel more human than vampire.
Oh, did I mention she was half-vampire?
Here's a short summary of the plot. Koa is a half-vampire hybrid who assists members of a secret organization that oversees vampire activity on earth. These vampires must register themselves and adhere to a strict set of rules while in the human world, else face deportation to the Netherworld, or worse, death. Born in Korea and now living in France, Koa helps Halston, her "guardian angel", mentor, and best friend, bring in and/or put down any vamps who break the rules. As if vampires weren't enough, they must also deal with other Netherworld baddies like Scyths, which kind of reminded me of the Quiet Men from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
That's the premise in a nutshell. Now the protagonist, Koa, also has a pet cat named Raven whose importance isn't really known until near the end of the book. I won't go into spoilers here, but this talking cat made for some interesting interactions with Koa. I just wish she had a larger role. The cat doesn't do much and I felt she was sorely underused. At any rate, I didn't much relate to her all that much.
As for Halston, I have to say I wasn't too fond of him until later in the book, when he really "shines" so to speak. He has great powers and abilities, but I couldn't relate to him or find him interesting in any way. I'm sure others will disagree, but that's just how I feel. Also, there were too many interactions between him and Koa that I felt were too...how do I say, mushy? I don't mind Halston being protective and loving of Koa, but there are only so many hang-touching, tear-wiping, cheek-brushing moments I could take before I just couldn't stand the guy. He becomes more brooding in the end, which I felt was a better role for him rather than the super-sentimental would-be lover of Koa.
Koa herself is your usual young heroine: young, beautiful, powerful, dangerous, intelligent...and she's missing a big chunk of her memories. Nothing new, granted, but it doesn't take away from her character. You really get a feel for who she is and what she wants. While Koa is strong, she is not unbeatable, and often needs help dealing with her enemies. She has to be rescued a few times too, which may turn off some fans.
One of my biggest complaints about the novel is its slow start. It isn't until about halfway through the book that things really begin to pick up. The first book in a series often entails a lot of exposition and Koa is no exception. The first half of the novel feels like a long soap opera, exploring Koa's relationship with Halston, Raven, and her fellow agents. Only when Koa and Halston finally decide to enter the Netherworld and confront the impending invasion of Netherworld vamps do things really get exciting. This is not to say that interesting things don't happen during the first half of the novel, only that it takes a long time to get to the good part. It might deter some fans from really getting into the story.
Koa has one of the coolest weapons, the Lyrinian blade, which is a cross between a samurai kitana and Bilbo's "Sting" from Lord of the Rings. There's nothing like having a trusty weapon at your side at all times and I wish I had the skill and patience to master such a blade. Koa wields it as if it were a part of herself, which makes for some great close-quarter fight scenes in the book. My only regret is that she didn't use it more, but fans of sword-fights will definitely get their kicks by book's end.
Aside from Koa, the only two characters I really liked were Evina and Tristan. Sadly, both appear in the second half of the book, which makes me wish Lee had utilized them earlier. Evina is a vampire princess of sorts from the Netherworld, a sexy, seductive, snarky woman who enjoys getting under Koa's skin. Tristan is a War-Breeder. I'll let the name speak for itself. He's the kind of guy you want with you when the crap hits the fan.
Lee's description of the Netherworld is both creepy and vivid. From the Jems that act as patrol guards for wayward spirits to the Ivory Tower where dissidents are imprisoned for all eternity, it was fun reading about Koa and company's exploration of this dark realm. I hope Lee returns to the Netherworld very soon, but it sounds like such a lively place (no pun intended.)
The book ended on a cliffhanger that I'm sure will have fans salivating for more. Though it felt a bit rushed to me, I appreciate KN Lee's flare for the dramatic, as the story ends on a burgeoning crisis that will affect both the Netherworld and the human world. My only gripe about the ending was its introduction of a main character so late into the story. We hear talk of him throughout the book, then he finally appears, throws everything into a loop, there's a big fight scene, escape...and curtain down? Though I understand the need for tension and foreshadowing, I wish that the character, Jax, had made some appearance earlier in the novel, such as in flashbacks. His sudden appearance coupled with a fast-paced ending have left no time to develop his character. While I'm sure Lee will delve deeper into his character in the next installment, I kind of wish she had left Jax as a mystery man rather than suddenly drop that sudden reveal near book's end.
So let me sum it all up with pros and cons.
The Pros:
~Interesting and relatable protagonist (with a cool sword)
~An imaginative world (the Netherworld)
~An exciting cliffhanger
The Cons:
~Story does not pick up until halfway through
~Lack of action sequences
~Supporting characters are a mixed bag of good(Evina, Tristan) to not so much (Halston, Raven).
K.N. Lee has taken a brave step into creating her own series and I applaud her first installment. Though I wasn't blown away, I found Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld, a welcomed stroll through a talented writer's imagination.
To begin with, I applaud K.N. Lee's decision in creating a relatable non-Caucasian protagonist, as minorities tend to be very rare in today's book publishing market. Lee manages to give Koa a certain level of exoticness that makes her feel different from other famous ladies such as Katniss Everdeen (Hunger Games) and Beatrice Prior (Divergent). She's tough, she's witty, but she's also vulnerable and naïve...all traits which make her feel more human than vampire.
Oh, did I mention she was half-vampire?
Here's a short summary of the plot. Koa is a half-vampire hybrid who assists members of a secret organization that oversees vampire activity on earth. These vampires must register themselves and adhere to a strict set of rules while in the human world, else face deportation to the Netherworld, or worse, death. Born in Korea and now living in France, Koa helps Halston, her "guardian angel", mentor, and best friend, bring in and/or put down any vamps who break the rules. As if vampires weren't enough, they must also deal with other Netherworld baddies like Scyths, which kind of reminded me of the Quiet Men from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
That's the premise in a nutshell. Now the protagonist, Koa, also has a pet cat named Raven whose importance isn't really known until near the end of the book. I won't go into spoilers here, but this talking cat made for some interesting interactions with Koa. I just wish she had a larger role. The cat doesn't do much and I felt she was sorely underused. At any rate, I didn't much relate to her all that much.
As for Halston, I have to say I wasn't too fond of him until later in the book, when he really "shines" so to speak. He has great powers and abilities, but I couldn't relate to him or find him interesting in any way. I'm sure others will disagree, but that's just how I feel. Also, there were too many interactions between him and Koa that I felt were too...how do I say, mushy? I don't mind Halston being protective and loving of Koa, but there are only so many hang-touching, tear-wiping, cheek-brushing moments I could take before I just couldn't stand the guy. He becomes more brooding in the end, which I felt was a better role for him rather than the super-sentimental would-be lover of Koa.
Koa herself is your usual young heroine: young, beautiful, powerful, dangerous, intelligent...and she's missing a big chunk of her memories. Nothing new, granted, but it doesn't take away from her character. You really get a feel for who she is and what she wants. While Koa is strong, she is not unbeatable, and often needs help dealing with her enemies. She has to be rescued a few times too, which may turn off some fans.
One of my biggest complaints about the novel is its slow start. It isn't until about halfway through the book that things really begin to pick up. The first book in a series often entails a lot of exposition and Koa is no exception. The first half of the novel feels like a long soap opera, exploring Koa's relationship with Halston, Raven, and her fellow agents. Only when Koa and Halston finally decide to enter the Netherworld and confront the impending invasion of Netherworld vamps do things really get exciting. This is not to say that interesting things don't happen during the first half of the novel, only that it takes a long time to get to the good part. It might deter some fans from really getting into the story.
Koa has one of the coolest weapons, the Lyrinian blade, which is a cross between a samurai kitana and Bilbo's "Sting" from Lord of the Rings. There's nothing like having a trusty weapon at your side at all times and I wish I had the skill and patience to master such a blade. Koa wields it as if it were a part of herself, which makes for some great close-quarter fight scenes in the book. My only regret is that she didn't use it more, but fans of sword-fights will definitely get their kicks by book's end.
Aside from Koa, the only two characters I really liked were Evina and Tristan. Sadly, both appear in the second half of the book, which makes me wish Lee had utilized them earlier. Evina is a vampire princess of sorts from the Netherworld, a sexy, seductive, snarky woman who enjoys getting under Koa's skin. Tristan is a War-Breeder. I'll let the name speak for itself. He's the kind of guy you want with you when the crap hits the fan.
Lee's description of the Netherworld is both creepy and vivid. From the Jems that act as patrol guards for wayward spirits to the Ivory Tower where dissidents are imprisoned for all eternity, it was fun reading about Koa and company's exploration of this dark realm. I hope Lee returns to the Netherworld very soon, but it sounds like such a lively place (no pun intended.)
The book ended on a cliffhanger that I'm sure will have fans salivating for more. Though it felt a bit rushed to me, I appreciate KN Lee's flare for the dramatic, as the story ends on a burgeoning crisis that will affect both the Netherworld and the human world. My only gripe about the ending was its introduction of a main character so late into the story. We hear talk of him throughout the book, then he finally appears, throws everything into a loop, there's a big fight scene, escape...and curtain down? Though I understand the need for tension and foreshadowing, I wish that the character, Jax, had made some appearance earlier in the novel, such as in flashbacks. His sudden appearance coupled with a fast-paced ending have left no time to develop his character. While I'm sure Lee will delve deeper into his character in the next installment, I kind of wish she had left Jax as a mystery man rather than suddenly drop that sudden reveal near book's end.
So let me sum it all up with pros and cons.
The Pros:
~Interesting and relatable protagonist (with a cool sword)
~An imaginative world (the Netherworld)
~An exciting cliffhanger
The Cons:
~Story does not pick up until halfway through
~Lack of action sequences
~Supporting characters are a mixed bag of good(Evina, Tristan) to not so much (Halston, Raven).
K.N. Lee has taken a brave step into creating her own series and I applaud her first installment. Though I wasn't blown away, I found Chronicles of Koa: Netherworld, a welcomed stroll through a talented writer's imagination.
May 30, 2021
Koa's problem is nothing a good kick up the bum with a nice sharp pair of winklepickers wouldn't fix.
Lee's Netherworld was an original creation (to me at least) and an entertaining place at that. You never quite know what's going to be around the corner. That's about it for the good things.
The story reminds me of one of those American TV series like Supernatural or True Blood, where all the actors are impossibly good looking, have chin dimples and perfect, glow-in-the-dark teeth (fangs?), and they'll beat the crap out of some poor bastard and then they pop up with nary a scratch or a hair out of place on their perfectly coiffed do. UGH! The main character, Koa, is a misbehaving brat, who is old enough to know better...but doesn't. In fact, she's a dickhead; always making bad decisions that result in her being rescued by her much older, impossibly good looking mentor (who probably has a chin dimple). I found her so annoying, I almost DNF. She needs a good kick up the arse. The story is okay I guess, if you like fantasy. I don't. There were too many typos and grammos, indicating the "editing on a budget" approach. I've read worse though. The biggest letdown was the ending...there wasn't one. Or maybe there was and it happened so abruptly, I missed it.
All in all, it's not an unpolished turd, but it ain't no masterpiece either. I think this ranks only 1 and 1/2 stars.
Lee's Netherworld was an original creation (to me at least) and an entertaining place at that. You never quite know what's going to be around the corner. That's about it for the good things.
The story reminds me of one of those American TV series like Supernatural or True Blood, where all the actors are impossibly good looking, have chin dimples and perfect, glow-in-the-dark teeth (fangs?), and they'll beat the crap out of some poor bastard and then they pop up with nary a scratch or a hair out of place on their perfectly coiffed do. UGH! The main character, Koa, is a misbehaving brat, who is old enough to know better...but doesn't. In fact, she's a dickhead; always making bad decisions that result in her being rescued by her much older, impossibly good looking mentor (who probably has a chin dimple). I found her so annoying, I almost DNF. She needs a good kick up the arse. The story is okay I guess, if you like fantasy. I don't. There were too many typos and grammos, indicating the "editing on a budget" approach. I've read worse though. The biggest letdown was the ending...there wasn't one. Or maybe there was and it happened so abruptly, I missed it.
All in all, it's not an unpolished turd, but it ain't no masterpiece either. I think this ranks only 1 and 1/2 stars.
April 23, 2021
this book is extremely captivating ,I couldn't put it down
June 9, 2013
4.5/5 Stars
Synopsis:
Koa is half-vampire, half-well, you will just have to read and find out for yourself. Along with her best friend and mentor, Halston, she hunts Netherworld creatures on Earth: Vampires, Syths . . . if it's evil, Halston and Koa are fighting it. When Koa discovers Halston has been keeping secrets about her past (and the years of memory loss that goes along with it), she takes it upon herself to find answers that are destined to be painful, both emotionally and physically. An unlikely team comes together to help Koa reverse the curse on her mother and find out the truth about her past. That truth may be just the thing to kill her.
Opinion:
I made a TON of notes as I was reading about Koa. Everything from "What the deuce is happening?" to "Oh, I get it." to "Kiss him already!" K.N. Lee has brought something amazing to a character type (i.e. vampires) that has gotten to be . . . well, boring. She has introduced us to an array of characters that are nothing short of a melting pot in the world of Fantasy Adventure/Paranormal. It is a bit like Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments in that sense, but nothing like it in every other sense. Is that confusing? Wait . . . wait. I just confused myself.
Koa is so fascinating and descriptive that one of the notes I kept making was "What was going through her head when she wrote this?!" The character and place descriptions are unlike anything I've seen before. Castles made of stone and bone, giants made of metal, child-like monsters, fallen angels who kick more evil booty than a little bit . . . too many for me to mention without giving spoilers. These descriptions are what I like most about this book and what is going to make me purchase the next installment. I cannot wait to see where the author takes these characters next.
Now . . . for the part I hate doing the most: The Cons.
There aren't many cons for me. Koa's emotions go back and forth from ass kicker to girl in love with her boss to woman who has insecurities about both of those things while kicking some major booty with her Lyrinian sword. I did catch some of the grammatical errors, but nothing that takes away from the story.
The end is semi-depressing because we have to wait until the next book to figure out where everything and everyone fits in. But that's always a good sign of a great story, right?
To see the full review, check out my blog:
http://lions-and-lambs.blogspot.com/2...
Synopsis:
Koa is half-vampire, half-well, you will just have to read and find out for yourself. Along with her best friend and mentor, Halston, she hunts Netherworld creatures on Earth: Vampires, Syths . . . if it's evil, Halston and Koa are fighting it. When Koa discovers Halston has been keeping secrets about her past (and the years of memory loss that goes along with it), she takes it upon herself to find answers that are destined to be painful, both emotionally and physically. An unlikely team comes together to help Koa reverse the curse on her mother and find out the truth about her past. That truth may be just the thing to kill her.
Opinion:
I made a TON of notes as I was reading about Koa. Everything from "What the deuce is happening?" to "Oh, I get it." to "Kiss him already!" K.N. Lee has brought something amazing to a character type (i.e. vampires) that has gotten to be . . . well, boring. She has introduced us to an array of characters that are nothing short of a melting pot in the world of Fantasy Adventure/Paranormal. It is a bit like Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments in that sense, but nothing like it in every other sense. Is that confusing? Wait . . . wait. I just confused myself.
Koa is so fascinating and descriptive that one of the notes I kept making was "What was going through her head when she wrote this?!" The character and place descriptions are unlike anything I've seen before. Castles made of stone and bone, giants made of metal, child-like monsters, fallen angels who kick more evil booty than a little bit . . . too many for me to mention without giving spoilers. These descriptions are what I like most about this book and what is going to make me purchase the next installment. I cannot wait to see where the author takes these characters next.
Now . . . for the part I hate doing the most: The Cons.
There aren't many cons for me. Koa's emotions go back and forth from ass kicker to girl in love with her boss to woman who has insecurities about both of those things while kicking some major booty with her Lyrinian sword. I did catch some of the grammatical errors, but nothing that takes away from the story.
The end is semi-depressing because we have to wait until the next book to figure out where everything and everyone fits in. But that's always a good sign of a great story, right?
To see the full review, check out my blog:
http://lions-and-lambs.blogspot.com/2...
May 28, 2015
“You are the key to our ability to coexist with the human world.”
Netherworld I’m ashamed to say has been on my wishlist for over a year! Finally reading it, I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to jump into action with Koa! This book is filled with my style of reading! A kickass female lead, secrets, hot men, demons, angels, and new worlds…all equal to Pandora’s favorite!
Koa is a feisty firecracker who doesn’t take lightly to the things that bump at night. Even being half vampire, she’s still determined to keep order in her world. With the guidance of Halston, she strives to be the best member of the Netherworld Divison. But there’s many secrets Koa doesn’t know of. In fact a portion of her memory has been tampered with to forget for time being. She doesn’t know why her magical Lyrinian sword beats to the blood of evil or why she has these flashbacks of an unknown life. With her mom cursed as a cat and dead young girls showing up, Koa needs to find who’s behind all of this. Before she knows it, her one ally maybe the one who caused her life in immediate danger and enemy who she helps escape maybe her past lover!
I loved each character that was in this story! Bund fit the part of a sadistic demon. Evina and her special skills was another great addition to the group of misfits. Jax mixed with mystery is added just in time to spin the story around a few times! Koa goes on a journey and shows her skills more than once. The story goes different characters view. Romance is entwine but not the main focus, just enough to keep the gitty smiles!
This book has amazing spins and world building! Koa goes from our world to the dark and creepy Netherworld. The plot line spun in one direction and went a different one…all in a good way! The only question I would have is if the human world knew or how did the vamps come to coexist. Other than that, I highly recommend for fantasy, paranormal readers!
Major Cliffhanger, so have one-click ready! Book two is available to read!
I love it so much the same day I order book two and finished reading!
Thank you NetGalley providing a copy for honest review!
“You know Evina, she is a temptress, and you can’t ask for a better skill than that when it comes to getting other vampires on your side. Al is recruiting others topside to infiltrate Greggan’s organization. And Jax,” Halston paused and Koa tensed at the name. “You are going to free him, because he is the key to killing Greggan and freeing your mother from her curse. Your mother, she is only one who can stop Bund.”
Netherworld I’m ashamed to say has been on my wishlist for over a year! Finally reading it, I can’t believe I’ve waited this long to jump into action with Koa! This book is filled with my style of reading! A kickass female lead, secrets, hot men, demons, angels, and new worlds…all equal to Pandora’s favorite!
Koa is a feisty firecracker who doesn’t take lightly to the things that bump at night. Even being half vampire, she’s still determined to keep order in her world. With the guidance of Halston, she strives to be the best member of the Netherworld Divison. But there’s many secrets Koa doesn’t know of. In fact a portion of her memory has been tampered with to forget for time being. She doesn’t know why her magical Lyrinian sword beats to the blood of evil or why she has these flashbacks of an unknown life. With her mom cursed as a cat and dead young girls showing up, Koa needs to find who’s behind all of this. Before she knows it, her one ally maybe the one who caused her life in immediate danger and enemy who she helps escape maybe her past lover!
I loved each character that was in this story! Bund fit the part of a sadistic demon. Evina and her special skills was another great addition to the group of misfits. Jax mixed with mystery is added just in time to spin the story around a few times! Koa goes on a journey and shows her skills more than once. The story goes different characters view. Romance is entwine but not the main focus, just enough to keep the gitty smiles!
This book has amazing spins and world building! Koa goes from our world to the dark and creepy Netherworld. The plot line spun in one direction and went a different one…all in a good way! The only question I would have is if the human world knew or how did the vamps come to coexist. Other than that, I highly recommend for fantasy, paranormal readers!
Major Cliffhanger, so have one-click ready! Book two is available to read!
I love it so much the same day I order book two and finished reading!
Thank you NetGalley providing a copy for honest review!
“You know Evina, she is a temptress, and you can’t ask for a better skill than that when it comes to getting other vampires on your side. Al is recruiting others topside to infiltrate Greggan’s organization. And Jax,” Halston paused and Koa tensed at the name. “You are going to free him, because he is the key to killing Greggan and freeing your mother from her curse. Your mother, she is only one who can stop Bund.”
August 4, 2014
Koa is a hybrid vampire. She thirsts for blood; as most vampires do. However, Koa can walk in sunlight and she can actually fly. Koa works with with Halston hunting netherworld creatures. After Koa is attacked by Syths in her french home. She is talked into moving to the UK. Koa then decides its time to find out what she can't remember. You see Koa has a gap in her memory. She knows her father was killed by a Netherworld creature.
Which Netherworld creature is responsible and why? Why is her mother is a cat? Can Koa really trust Halston?
I enjoyed reading Netherworld.
Koa is an awesome character. She is strong, independent and lethal, she can be somewhat irritating when she acts like a spoilt brat though.
Halston; Koa's boss and friend. His feelings for Koa are stronger than just friendship but he has never told her. Halston has some secrets of his own too.
I like that Koa and Halston hunt Netherworld creatures but they are the creatures that want Koa too. (Why I hear you ask, I guess you'll have to read the book and find out!!!)
I think that for a debut novel K.N. Lee has done a great job. The characters all have depth and room to grow more throughout the series. The world that K.N. Lee has created is pretty cool and has a strong base to build on further.
I was kept on my toes by the pace and the twists and turns that the plot holds. Netherworld held my attention and I didn't feel like I wanted to walk away and leave the book. At times I found myself thinking that I hadn't seen that coming.
I think that this is a promising start to a series and I'm looking forward to reading book #2
Which Netherworld creature is responsible and why? Why is her mother is a cat? Can Koa really trust Halston?
I enjoyed reading Netherworld.
Koa is an awesome character. She is strong, independent and lethal, she can be somewhat irritating when she acts like a spoilt brat though.
Halston; Koa's boss and friend. His feelings for Koa are stronger than just friendship but he has never told her. Halston has some secrets of his own too.
I like that Koa and Halston hunt Netherworld creatures but they are the creatures that want Koa too. (Why I hear you ask, I guess you'll have to read the book and find out!!!)
I think that for a debut novel K.N. Lee has done a great job. The characters all have depth and room to grow more throughout the series. The world that K.N. Lee has created is pretty cool and has a strong base to build on further.
I was kept on my toes by the pace and the twists and turns that the plot holds. Netherworld held my attention and I didn't feel like I wanted to walk away and leave the book. At times I found myself thinking that I hadn't seen that coming.
I think that this is a promising start to a series and I'm looking forward to reading book #2
June 24, 2013
I am going to admit it right off; I originally picked up this book because of the awesome cover and genre. I am always on the lookout for new urban fantasy reads and this was a good little read. Netherworld (The Chronicles of Koa 1) has a new take on the vampire origin and takes place in the human realm, as well as the Netherworld where all manner of creatures live. I enjoyed the world building, which was very colorful and in my opinion well written and I think it was a good beginning for future works taking place in this series. The character building was also good, but I found myself frustrated at times with Halston's treatment of Koa, stating she has to be ready to know more. In turn Koa tends to act out and ends up in sticky situations because she does not have the patience to wait, which at times left me with a feeling of okay, grow up and let's move it along. Overall I feel this is a hopeful beginning of a potentially really good series with many of the questions answered and situations resolved by the end of the book. However, I do feel it is necessary to state that it does have a cliffhanger ending that opens the door for future storytelling, but not one that would make you meltdown into a tantrum. I am looking forward to continuing the series and finding out what happens next.
July 22, 2014
Netherworld is a darkly intense of a young woman with a huge chunk of her past missing. She simply cannot remember most of her teen years and she doesn't understand why. Her best friend, Halston, holds the key to the truth but is reluctant to reveal it because he knows it will put her life in danger. Until the day comes and the truth can no longer be hidden. What waits for Koa on the other side of the Netherworld Gate will shake the very foundation of all she believes.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters are diverse and interesting, the battle scenes are exciting, and the story has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Koa is a headstrong young woman whose reckless behavior sometimes get her into trouble. She's a fighter, but not invincible. Halston is a fallen angel trying to redeem himself so he can return to the Kingdom of Heaven. He's also a man with a dark side and a lot of secrets, not all of them his own. Together, they must stop Greggan, a king vampire, from unleashing hell on earth.
Secrets are a big part of the story and though some were revealed by the ending, enough was left out to leave me eager for the next book in the series. Can Koa and Halston defeat Greggan? Will Koa's mother ever be returned to her true form? How will Koa choose between two men who each hold pieces of her heart? I guess I'll just have to read on to find out.
I enjoyed this book very much. The characters are diverse and interesting, the battle scenes are exciting, and the story has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing. Koa is a headstrong young woman whose reckless behavior sometimes get her into trouble. She's a fighter, but not invincible. Halston is a fallen angel trying to redeem himself so he can return to the Kingdom of Heaven. He's also a man with a dark side and a lot of secrets, not all of them his own. Together, they must stop Greggan, a king vampire, from unleashing hell on earth.
Secrets are a big part of the story and though some were revealed by the ending, enough was left out to leave me eager for the next book in the series. Can Koa and Halston defeat Greggan? Will Koa's mother ever be returned to her true form? How will Koa choose between two men who each hold pieces of her heart? I guess I'll just have to read on to find out.
October 13, 2014
Netherworld by K.N. Lee
A cross between the movies Blade, The Matrix, and the Fever book series by Karen Marie Moning, with a touch of Sabrina the Teenaged Witch.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. My attention was focused on every twist and turn. The female lead character Koa reminds me of the character Makayla in the Fever series, and Blade in the movie Blade, and Neo in The Matrix. The character Halston is like the characters Abraham Whistler, and Jerricho Barrons in the Fever series, and Morphus in The Matrix, with Sebastian in Sabrina the Teenaged Witch.
While reading Netherworld: The Chornicles of Koa, I felt like I was a fly on the wall; soaking up every tidbit and secret of this story. I was intrigued to find out the secret about her cat. As I progressed with reading the story I could not put the book down. I had to know more. I had to find out about Koa's and Halston's past. I wanted to know if they were connected or even related. With Koa's not having any memory of her past, I had to read on.
When a book grasp my attention in such a way that I turn nothing on and tune everything out, that's a good book in my opinion.
A cross between the movies Blade, The Matrix, and the Fever book series by Karen Marie Moning, with a touch of Sabrina the Teenaged Witch.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. My attention was focused on every twist and turn. The female lead character Koa reminds me of the character Makayla in the Fever series, and Blade in the movie Blade, and Neo in The Matrix. The character Halston is like the characters Abraham Whistler, and Jerricho Barrons in the Fever series, and Morphus in The Matrix, with Sebastian in Sabrina the Teenaged Witch.
While reading Netherworld: The Chornicles of Koa, I felt like I was a fly on the wall; soaking up every tidbit and secret of this story. I was intrigued to find out the secret about her cat. As I progressed with reading the story I could not put the book down. I had to know more. I had to find out about Koa's and Halston's past. I wanted to know if they were connected or even related. With Koa's not having any memory of her past, I had to read on.
When a book grasp my attention in such a way that I turn nothing on and tune everything out, that's a good book in my opinion.
December 20, 2013
Oh my goodness! I think I fell in love with this book the moment it came in the mail! The book transports you to a new world that you would never imagine before. I am not a huge vampire book reader, but this book changed my view on the whole vampire thing! I am telling all of my friends about it! I am forcing everyone to read the book, so they have the same experience that I had with the book! I really encourage you to pick up this book and read it for yourself. You will fall in love with the sexy Koa, laugh with the funny Raven, try to understand the non-human Halston, and you will understand why the Netherworld is such a dangerous place! I can't wait until the next book comes out and I get to read the book and see how the story continues! I am eagerly waiting the return of Koa, Raven, and Halston!
July 22, 2017
<3 5 Stars.
This was an absolutely stunning start to The Chronicles of Koa series. There was something so unique about this story, especially the way the characters and storyline developed, making it very different to other stories in the same genre. K.N. Lee has exceptional talent and has created a fascinating, exciting and dangerous world with characters that I connected with so deeply that I was rooting for them from the beginning. I absolutely adored Halston and the development of his and Koa's relationship, and the revelations that come to light were mindblowing getting me so excited to see how this will affect the relationships forged in this book, and how Koa views herself.
5 Stars!
This was an absolutely stunning start to The Chronicles of Koa series. There was something so unique about this story, especially the way the characters and storyline developed, making it very different to other stories in the same genre. K.N. Lee has exceptional talent and has created a fascinating, exciting and dangerous world with characters that I connected with so deeply that I was rooting for them from the beginning. I absolutely adored Halston and the development of his and Koa's relationship, and the revelations that come to light were mindblowing getting me so excited to see how this will affect the relationships forged in this book, and how Koa views herself.
5 Stars!
February 20, 2016
Terrible book - DNF @ 34%.
*primary female character: immature, rash, constant poor decisions without thought, lack of communication - surprised she isn't dead from all her stupid decisions; immature emotional relationship
*primary male character (Halston): maintains secrets that impact the primary character's life despite his love for her in the sake of 'protection'; obsessed with character; communication issues.
Other issues with book:
*poor plot development
*lack of maturity of both characters and their decision making capabilities
*Kao faces much adversity but rather than strategizing, she decides to 'sire' a vampire! Yeah, like that really going to take stress off your plate. This was the last straw.
*primary female character: immature, rash, constant poor decisions without thought, lack of communication - surprised she isn't dead from all her stupid decisions; immature emotional relationship
*primary male character (Halston): maintains secrets that impact the primary character's life despite his love for her in the sake of 'protection'; obsessed with character; communication issues.
Other issues with book:
*poor plot development
*lack of maturity of both characters and their decision making capabilities
*Kao faces much adversity but rather than strategizing, she decides to 'sire' a vampire! Yeah, like that really going to take stress off your plate. This was the last straw.
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