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Daray Hall (Unpublished) #1
The Awakening
Seventeen year old Kylie Redding is trying to recover from the emotional devastation of her best friend's suicide. She hates the people in her school, she hates her step-dad, and she hates life. When Kylie begins choking on her own blood, she's surprisingly happy at the thought of dying, because she'll get to see Tara again. What she doesn't count on is awakening in a strange mansion, and finding out that she's just started her journey to becoming a vampire. The Moon Goddess Selene has chosen Kylie for a special reason, and it soon becomes apparent.
Tara is not dead, and she's been given a special gift by their loving goddess. As her best friend, it's only natural that Kylie step up and become her Protector, someone that will be willing to die for her in a seconds notice. When someone begins sacrificing residents of Daray Hall, her new home, Tara's gift of mind reading comes in handy, and the two begin searching for the elusive killer. However, this gift puts Tara in great danger, and Kylie begins to doubt her choices, and herself.
Together, they uncover a strange plot to summon an evil, vengeful goddess that will destroy the world with fire until only those that worship her are left. When the ultimate showdown happens, Kylie isn't sure what is going to happen; only that she needs to protect Tara with everything she has. No matter the cost.
Tara is not dead, and she's been given a special gift by their loving goddess. As her best friend, it's only natural that Kylie step up and become her Protector, someone that will be willing to die for her in a seconds notice. When someone begins sacrificing residents of Daray Hall, her new home, Tara's gift of mind reading comes in handy, and the two begin searching for the elusive killer. However, this gift puts Tara in great danger, and Kylie begins to doubt her choices, and herself.
Together, they uncover a strange plot to summon an evil, vengeful goddess that will destroy the world with fire until only those that worship her are left. When the ultimate showdown happens, Kylie isn't sure what is going to happen; only that she needs to protect Tara with everything she has. No matter the cost.
ebook
First published May 17, 2012
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About the author
Samantha Hoffman
26 books144 followersSamantha Hoffman is a thirty-one-year-old author who has always had a passion for both reading and writing. She began writing very young and has since unpublished most of her earlier works as her writing style has continued to develop.
Her favorite genre to write is paranormal romance, but she also likes to dabble in fantasy and horror, as well as having a new love of science fiction. She loves werewolves, vampires, zombies, magic, and anything supernatural.
Her all-time favorite author is Tamora Pierce, who shaped her view of the world, love, and heroines with her writing and storytelling.
Her favorite genre to write is paranormal romance, but she also likes to dabble in fantasy and horror, as well as having a new love of science fiction. She loves werewolves, vampires, zombies, magic, and anything supernatural.
Her all-time favorite author is Tamora Pierce, who shaped her view of the world, love, and heroines with her writing and storytelling.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 23, 2013
First I want to say that everyone takes inspiration from everything its just how it is used that matters. So yes Kylie's going to school where she's supposed to learn how to be a vampire and how to control it; this is like a lot of books and not just vampire books. And yes there's characters that have special gifts and characters that protect those with special gifts like a lot of other books but guess what!? This is from the point of view from a character who's the protector! So refreshing lol. And I have to say I liked this book a lot more than a lot of books with this sort of set up. It was well written, kept you wanting more and had amazing characters instead of flat boring ones. I have to say there was one point in the book where I was basically screaming at Kylie "OMG! Come on! Dont you remember what Tara said that one time! Well I remember! And you were like Oh I feel weird about them too! REMEMBER DAMN YOU!!!" and so on... Not my proudest moment but yeah...
August 12, 2012
Yes there are a few similarities with other books but I understand that there are only so many plots for vampire books and they are getting smaller and smaller I loved the book and i'm looking forward to the next. Oh and if anyone feels like complaining about similarities between this and another don't. Go read Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead then go read the Covenant series by Jennifer L. Armentrout. It's almost a clone for Vampire Academy except instead of vampires dhampirs and soulless vampires you have demigods half human half demigods and insane demigods that are addicted to the magic inside the other 2, and the story/characters are almost duplicateed.
Alex=Rose Aiden=Demitri Lea=Mia Seth=Lisa and the scenes/plot are almost an exact copy. But that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy Covenant I liked it allot.
Alex=Rose Aiden=Demitri Lea=Mia Seth=Lisa and the scenes/plot are almost an exact copy. But that doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy Covenant I liked it allot.
September 28, 2012
I enjoyed the (first?) 2 books in the Daray Hall series and would happily buy and read more if they were to be written.
The premise is a bit like a cross between the Vampire Academy and the House of Night books but this doesn't subtract from the fact that the story is well written, the characters likeable and the plot interesting. In fact book 2 is actually very different from either of the able named series and I actually enjoyed this even more than book 1. The introduction of more of the Greek God pantheon was well done and the reader is left wanting more (although I think perhaps Kylie's story is as done as it can be).
My main complaint with the series? The main characters name. I hate it! It doesn't fit with her character at all. Kylie seems to be a pretty, girly, fluffy name, far unlike the strong female lead that we are introduced to.
The premise is a bit like a cross between the Vampire Academy and the House of Night books but this doesn't subtract from the fact that the story is well written, the characters likeable and the plot interesting. In fact book 2 is actually very different from either of the able named series and I actually enjoyed this even more than book 1. The introduction of more of the Greek God pantheon was well done and the reader is left wanting more (although I think perhaps Kylie's story is as done as it can be).
My main complaint with the series? The main characters name. I hate it! It doesn't fit with her character at all. Kylie seems to be a pretty, girly, fluffy name, far unlike the strong female lead that we are introduced to.
October 12, 2012
This is an exceptionally written book by Samantha Hoffman that will kept me captivated till the end and left me begging for me. I so can't wait to read the next book in the series and I know I will not be dissatisfied. I was drawn into Kylie's world as she goes through major changes and learns how to deal with them. This a must read in my opinion. If you want to be drawn in to Kylie's world then pick up this awesome book Samantha Hoffman. Will Kylie make it through everything she has to go through?
August 6, 2012
As someone who likes to read the free books on nook, I come across a lot of bad novels dealing with the vampire world that is so popular right now. I was pleasantly surprised by this story. I forgot they were vampires about halfway through the story which was a pleasant surprise.
March 18, 2015
I decided to read this book because it pertained to Selene, the Moon Goddess. This was a new goddess on my list so it made this storry a must-read.
Meet Kylie, a girl who has just lost her best friend (who committed suicide) and lives with a step-dad who is mean and brutal and a mother who is uncapable of defending her. She is picked on at school and finally lashes out and gets into a fight that earns her a temporary vacation from school. Instead of enjoying some time at home, Kylie ends up sick and she dies. Or rather, that is what everyone else thinks. Kylie has been choosen by the Goddess, Selene, to be one of her followers. Kylie is thrust into a whole other life where she learns that she has a purpose. More importantly, she learns to accept that she has nothing to be ashamed of for being different then other girls.
I am torn about this story. I felt the mythology was lacking and I was drawn to this book because of that part. I liked Kylie but I found the story had some parts that made it unrealistic. Other parts of this story, I really enjoyed. There is another book in this series and I will read it because overall this story was interesting. The author set up the end just right where I know there is more to come but I have no clue what. I hope to see more details about Selene, Moon Goddess, and others goddesses mentioned in the first book included in the second story. I understand the story is not about the goddess but a little more detail or realistic interaction would have benn more to my liking.
Meet Kylie, a girl who has just lost her best friend (who committed suicide) and lives with a step-dad who is mean and brutal and a mother who is uncapable of defending her. She is picked on at school and finally lashes out and gets into a fight that earns her a temporary vacation from school. Instead of enjoying some time at home, Kylie ends up sick and she dies. Or rather, that is what everyone else thinks. Kylie has been choosen by the Goddess, Selene, to be one of her followers. Kylie is thrust into a whole other life where she learns that she has a purpose. More importantly, she learns to accept that she has nothing to be ashamed of for being different then other girls.
I am torn about this story. I felt the mythology was lacking and I was drawn to this book because of that part. I liked Kylie but I found the story had some parts that made it unrealistic. Other parts of this story, I really enjoyed. There is another book in this series and I will read it because overall this story was interesting. The author set up the end just right where I know there is more to come but I have no clue what. I hope to see more details about Selene, Moon Goddess, and others goddesses mentioned in the first book included in the second story. I understand the story is not about the goddess but a little more detail or realistic interaction would have benn more to my liking.
October 16, 2013
I really hate to give books "bad" reviews, the same goes for this book. While it was not a bad book, it wasn't anything amazing. The author is a good writer, but there was nothing original about this book. If you have read some of the top YA paranormal/fantasy book series, you will see all the different story lines from those, pulled into this book. It is like she took the best of all those other series and made it into a different book. Also, for being a paranormal/fantasy type book, it did not have a lot of that aspect to it. At points it was forced, like the author remembered these were vampires with special powers and had to do something magical all of a sudden.
One thing that really irked me, why did we have to keep saying, "Andrea is on the heavy side", like that is the only defining quality about her? It was said over and over and over again and I don't think that was fair.
Another thing,
Overall, it had promise, but just did not fulfill its destiny.
One thing that really irked me, why did we have to keep saying, "Andrea is on the heavy side", like that is the only defining quality about her? It was said over and over and over again and I don't think that was fair.
Another thing,
Overall, it had promise, but just did not fulfill its destiny.
March 17, 2013
The idea behind this book (vampire bodyguards, vampire goddesses, and vampires with special powers) has been done many times before, like with House of Night and Vampire Academy, but I still really loved it. The main character felt real and likeable, and I couldn’t help but love her. Her relationship with the person she’s sworn to protect was different because she was in love with her. The main character is bisexual, and I really liked that. She had a hard time figuring out who she was, and it made me relate to her all the more. There wasn’t much romance in this book, which I really liked, since most paranormal romance books seem to be love stories with a bit of plot mixed in. The action in this book is well-written (action scenes seem to be a specialty of this author) and the twist ending had me in shock.
March 31, 2013
This book was very similar to the House of Night series in some ways, but they were kind of unavoidable. Like the author stated, sometimes things need to be done a certain way for the story to happen. Anyways, this book was awesome and I loved it. The main character was caring and brave and skilled, and I loved her relationship with Tara. It was my favorite thing about the book. That and there was very little romance. The writing was fluid and detailed and in first person, which is always a bonus. The ending was amazing and was perfect.
December 9, 2012
Omg. I can't believe that this novel was that good. At first I was pretty skeptic about it but then it turned out to be pretty damn amazing. The ending had me wondering though but now that I've read the description of the second installment, I can see where the next novel will lead.
February 23, 2013
This story deal with teen suicide and how a friend left behind had to deal with the emotioal devastion from it.
The characters felt real and the plot moved me.
This was a good read with mystery, romance, and vampires what more can you ask for?
The characters felt real and the plot moved me.
This was a good read with mystery, romance, and vampires what more can you ask for?
September 5, 2012
Its not a bad series. It a little like Vampire Academy and House of Night series rolled into one. I wish there was more relationship development with Kraven. For a free read, its not bad.
April 3, 2013
This book was perfectly and the characters are very likable, its just werid to me that Kylie somewhat loves her best friend as a sister but has a crush on her also...
April 5, 2013
I read this in a couple hours. I couldn't seem to make myself stop reading it.
April 10, 2013
This book remunded me of a few other books that have come out and been popular. A good read but everything happens so fast.
June 24, 2013
loved it! kinda sad at the ending though! saw some similarities to the house of night novels but a lot of differences. Recommend reading both series though!
July 4, 2013
Over all not a bad book. But it was a little wonky with the story lines. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending, I guess I have to read two and see if this story can redeem itself in my eyes.
November 20, 2013
Did NOT like the ending...
February 15, 2014
I stumbled upon this by accident, and truly loved this book. I love the characters and their story. the depth and relationships formed are great! I am ready for the next one.
March 11, 2014
this had the potential to be so much better. not happy with the ending... or many other parts. I feel like I just read an after school special about vampires.
February 9, 2015
I liked the characters in the story, but I really hated the ending. To me, part of the mystery was very obvious right from the beginning. I have definitely read worse.
February 20, 2013
really enjoyed it
April 17, 2013
Awesome!!!!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews