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Blood Angel #2
Beginnings
Surrounded by a new world where the horror films she grew up watching have become reality Alee finds that the most unlikely characters have become her lifeline. If she thought hunting in the wild and drinking blood was bad, what will she think when she becomes the hunted? Newly armed with the knowledge of being half witch and half vampire Alee, the only surviving Dhampir in history, is forced to learn to control a lifetime of magic and vampire powers if she wants to survive.
366 pages, ebook
First published May 24, 2013
34 people want to read
About the author
Nina Soden
19 books156 followersNina has always been creative, be it art, theatre, film – anything but singing – you don’t want to hear that! She earned her bachelor’s degree in Theatre and Military Science from Eastern Michigan University where she spent most of her time either on stage, rappelling down buildings, or working one of three jobs. After college she moved to Los Angeles, like so many other actors, in pursuit of her dreams. In 2008, after some major life changes, Nina self-published her first book PRIVATE WORDS UNSPOKEN, a compilation of poetry. Since then, her dreams have gotten bigger and she likes to think her storytelling ability has gotten better. She has done everything from secretarial work to business development to being the Director of a private preschool. She has fired a M16, jumped out of a C130, and given birth – TWICE - but she always returns to her art.
Though she’ll forever be a Michigan girl at heart, she now lives in the South with her husband and two beautiful children. If she’s not working on her latest story, you can find her lounging with a good book, playing with her kids, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to Starbucks coffee.
Though she’ll forever be a Michigan girl at heart, she now lives in the South with her husband and two beautiful children. If she’s not working on her latest story, you can find her lounging with a good book, playing with her kids, or indulging in her unhealthy addiction to Starbucks coffee.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
August 9, 2014
* I received an ARC by author for my honest opinion.*
This is the 2nd book of the Blood Angel trilogy. After reading the 1st book, Awaken, I became engrossed with the creative world and lively characters that were introduced. I would highly suggest reading these books in order to understand this world/characters that N. Soden has created for readers to follow story from beginning to the conclusion.
The author did not disappoint. I found the pace flowed smooth and steady, and rapidly increased when action occurred. I could not stop turning the pages. I just had to find out what happened next.
I was grateful that the story begins where the 1st book ends, so I was able to move with story at a rapid pace for myself.
The main characters were so believable, and I could see each growing within their roles of this story. I really dislike when characters become stagnated. There are new characters introduced. This is a good thing because I found myself with questions that had to be answered, thus making my curiosity roar. I loved the dramatic events/tragedies that made the characters (humanly) realistic.
There are twists and turns that captures the reader's attention that will keep you guessing. I dislike predictability. The author's "easy to read" talent is very influential throughout the story.
Though, I read an ARC, which contains a few grammar mistakes<3, this book has been edited. This should not deter readers.
As the story comes to a close, many things will come into play. Thus making me excited to read the final book in trilogy.
I continue to have questions, especially, with the new characters and what their roles are for the next book. I loved how the author brought the families, involved, together and faced whatever was thrown at them.
This story is simply amazing. After reading the 1st book, I knew this story had great potential. Now after reading this story, it has greatly exceeded my expectations.
I would recommend this book to all family/friends/readers. I'm anxiously waiting for the next book to see what the final outcome brings. Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the 2nd book of the Blood Angel trilogy. After reading the 1st book, Awaken, I became engrossed with the creative world and lively characters that were introduced. I would highly suggest reading these books in order to understand this world/characters that N. Soden has created for readers to follow story from beginning to the conclusion.
The author did not disappoint. I found the pace flowed smooth and steady, and rapidly increased when action occurred. I could not stop turning the pages. I just had to find out what happened next.
I was grateful that the story begins where the 1st book ends, so I was able to move with story at a rapid pace for myself.
The main characters were so believable, and I could see each growing within their roles of this story. I really dislike when characters become stagnated. There are new characters introduced. This is a good thing because I found myself with questions that had to be answered, thus making my curiosity roar. I loved the dramatic events/tragedies that made the characters (humanly) realistic.
There are twists and turns that captures the reader's attention that will keep you guessing. I dislike predictability. The author's "easy to read" talent is very influential throughout the story.
Though, I read an ARC, which contains a few grammar mistakes<3, this book has been edited. This should not deter readers.
As the story comes to a close, many things will come into play. Thus making me excited to read the final book in trilogy.
I continue to have questions, especially, with the new characters and what their roles are for the next book. I loved how the author brought the families, involved, together and faced whatever was thrown at them.
This story is simply amazing. After reading the 1st book, I knew this story had great potential. Now after reading this story, it has greatly exceeded my expectations.
I would recommend this book to all family/friends/readers. I'm anxiously waiting for the next book to see what the final outcome brings. Happy Reading!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 21, 2015
Beginnings, Book 2 of the Blood Angel series, opens on the first day of school in Atlanta, Michigan, just two weeks after Alee learned her true identity, and was reunited with her birth parents. Now she is known to all but her wiccan family and her boyfriend Kyle (and we readers) as Aleerah, and she is still dealing with the mind-numbing changes she has been through, and the knowledge that there would be many more to come. Kyle has been her lifeline through it all, but in her new identity as the “new girl” at school, she must pretend that she has never met him—or any of her friends.
At the new student orientation, Alee meets Jathan, who seems to know more about her than makes sense, and who takes on an oddly protective role in her life. He seems to be, simultaneously, ever-present and elusive—and Alee is strangely drawn to him. Her cousin Phoebe, who is a year behind Alee in school, gradually becomes not only a helper in times of need – particularly the need for the “red syrup”—but also a friend. Her new father teaches her to hunt, and teaches her many of the ways of her new world, although many of these are uncertain. As the child of a witch and a vampire—as a dhampir—no one knew what abilities, and what weaknesses, she would develop: she is the only dhampir anyone has heard of who lived past infancy.
Damian and Victoria are also growing into their shape shifting powers, now with the assistance of their mother. When they learn the truth about their small town of Atlanta—the social and governmental structures beneath the facades that ordinary people assume are real—the twins are angered, and determined to rectify things. With their newfound powers, and willing collaborators, they are confident of success.
The more you learn about Alee and Kyle’s struggles to fit into her new world, the more you will want to know about her Dhampir powers will be, and how she and Kyle will overcome the difficulties of staying together in that world. The more you learn about Damian and Victoria’s plans for revenge and retribution, the more you will want to know about how they could even begin to effect such massive changes in such a longstanding tradition.
The tension builds as the highly prestigious annual October 31 celebration approaches, an event which is attended only by the very most elite members of Atlanta’s social structure. You will be stunned at the conclusion when it explodes across the page: Damian and Victoria’s plan unfolds, Alee's new family is ripped apart, Alee and Kyle, and a ballroom of others, are dead, and the only one who is able to offer some slight prevention of a total disaster is Jathan.
At the new student orientation, Alee meets Jathan, who seems to know more about her than makes sense, and who takes on an oddly protective role in her life. He seems to be, simultaneously, ever-present and elusive—and Alee is strangely drawn to him. Her cousin Phoebe, who is a year behind Alee in school, gradually becomes not only a helper in times of need – particularly the need for the “red syrup”—but also a friend. Her new father teaches her to hunt, and teaches her many of the ways of her new world, although many of these are uncertain. As the child of a witch and a vampire—as a dhampir—no one knew what abilities, and what weaknesses, she would develop: she is the only dhampir anyone has heard of who lived past infancy.
Damian and Victoria are also growing into their shape shifting powers, now with the assistance of their mother. When they learn the truth about their small town of Atlanta—the social and governmental structures beneath the facades that ordinary people assume are real—the twins are angered, and determined to rectify things. With their newfound powers, and willing collaborators, they are confident of success.
The more you learn about Alee and Kyle’s struggles to fit into her new world, the more you will want to know about her Dhampir powers will be, and how she and Kyle will overcome the difficulties of staying together in that world. The more you learn about Damian and Victoria’s plans for revenge and retribution, the more you will want to know about how they could even begin to effect such massive changes in such a longstanding tradition.
The tension builds as the highly prestigious annual October 31 celebration approaches, an event which is attended only by the very most elite members of Atlanta’s social structure. You will be stunned at the conclusion when it explodes across the page: Damian and Victoria’s plan unfolds, Alee's new family is ripped apart, Alee and Kyle, and a ballroom of others, are dead, and the only one who is able to offer some slight prevention of a total disaster is Jathan.
February 23, 2017
Rating overview
Writing: ★★★★
Story: ★★★★ 1/2
Characters: ★★★★ 1/2
Appearance: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★ (4.5)
---
This book was given to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story is a Young Adult/Supernatural novel set in the town of Atlanta. It continues the storyline of Aleerah (Alee), a teenager who is starting to learn more about her true nature of being a dhamphir (half human/half vampire). The second novel takes a look at her new life she has had to create for herself and how it overlaps into her old one.
The critical points
Writing: Nina writes wonderfully, connecting characters to emotions and effortlessly carrying the story along with her. There were still areas in this novel that were editorial oversights and a couple of areas where word usage made me pause and reread more than it should have. So in all, 4/5 as far as that whole process goes.
Story: The story-telling process shows vast improvement from the first novel. relying less on the development of the main character, the readers are able to dive right into her life and pick up on her new talents of being both a witch and vampire. Learning about the Underground and its connection with her family is still elusive but with a third book, I hope to gain more background on the Wenham Coven.
Characters: The characters remaining from the first novel carry on with their same qualities, so I didn't find myself questioning anyone's reactions. The only thing that left me wondering throughout the book was Jathan's character. I couldn't really confirm, even by the end of the book, whose side he was on or if he was real.
Appearance: Love the simple, gothic and eye-catching use of colors. It says to the reader to be aware and that's just what they will find inside.
Writing: ★★★★
Story: ★★★★ 1/2
Characters: ★★★★ 1/2
Appearance: ★★★★★
Overall: ★★★★★ (4.5)
---
This book was given to me as an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The story is a Young Adult/Supernatural novel set in the town of Atlanta. It continues the storyline of Aleerah (Alee), a teenager who is starting to learn more about her true nature of being a dhamphir (half human/half vampire). The second novel takes a look at her new life she has had to create for herself and how it overlaps into her old one.
The critical points
Writing: Nina writes wonderfully, connecting characters to emotions and effortlessly carrying the story along with her. There were still areas in this novel that were editorial oversights and a couple of areas where word usage made me pause and reread more than it should have. So in all, 4/5 as far as that whole process goes.
Story: The story-telling process shows vast improvement from the first novel. relying less on the development of the main character, the readers are able to dive right into her life and pick up on her new talents of being both a witch and vampire. Learning about the Underground and its connection with her family is still elusive but with a third book, I hope to gain more background on the Wenham Coven.
Characters: The characters remaining from the first novel carry on with their same qualities, so I didn't find myself questioning anyone's reactions. The only thing that left me wondering throughout the book was Jathan's character. I couldn't really confirm, even by the end of the book, whose side he was on or if he was real.
Appearance: Love the simple, gothic and eye-catching use of colors. It says to the reader to be aware and that's just what they will find inside.
May 2, 2014
i am so into this series i love it more more more i say!!! and well done nina soden i love your work!!!
May 29, 2013
So, this is the second book in my Blood Angel Series, and I have to admit I am a little biased. No, it is true... I am. You see I spent a lot of time working my fingers on the keys and stretching my imagination with this one. The result… I believe that my story telling has gotten much better than it was during the writing process of Awaken. Don’t get me wrong I still love Awaken, and you need to read that book before this one to truly appreciate everything that is happening in Alee’s life, but as I hope will happen with every new book – I believe I have become a better writer. The editing process with this one was more grueling… I went through a number of editors and with each one I ended up making major re-writes and with each one I began to discover more and more about each of my characters. So, I hope you will decide to pick-up a copy and see what exciting and scare things are happening to Alee in Beginnings!
February 8, 2019
The story gets better and better!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews