I received this book to give an honest review.
After reading the product description and a few customer reviews, I was very excited to get started on the Cornerstone Deep series. Initially, I liked how it started out - got to read both perspectives of our hero and heroine - but as soon as Cole turns Anna over to the dreaded Lord Dressen (later realizing what a HUGE mistake that was) we don't get to hear a lot of what is actually going on with Anna. The majority of the book is spent with Cole and his brothers, James & Vincent. Don't get me wrong, they are sweethearts and I love them both, but I would have liked to know more about what was going on with Anna. the first 3 chapters we hear from he but then nothing until about chapter 9 or 10.
(It took me a little while to keep going with it but I wanted to see how it would end)
I found the explanations for the different dimensions, religions/belief system, laws, and class of citizens was confusing, randomly placed and difficult to keep track of. There were also terms and titles used for the characters throughout the book that were not greatly explained until nearly the end of the book.
I don't really feel the 'romance' between Cole and Anna. The spent a total of maybe 10+ min. together before he turns her over and doesn't realize until the next day who she is to him. I can understand his immediate need to go get her back and get to know her, but the fact that he is still hung-up on his late wife (400 years deceased) and basically starts out thinking that Anna will be just like her. His brothers try to set him straight and I think he gets that while the souls are the same, their personalities may very much be different, but he may still be holding out. I believe he could learn to love Anna, but the ending kind of kills it for me... I was expecting more than I got and I hope the next 2 books will restore my hope.
I am not satisfied with the ending -- but I digress, there are 2 more books in the series and I am hoping things will pan out for the better.
On to the characters!
Cole - 1st born of Sylis Shilo, founder of Terra. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and is starting to feel the strain. 400 years prior, his soulmate, Mianna, died (no explanation as to how) and he has been searching for a new soulmate ever since. He is the leader of the Reapers/Wizards of Terra, whom are tasked with keeping the peace among the lawmakers and enforcing the laws of Terra.
Anna Sinclair - Only child, and is an artist - stain glass is her medium of choice - and is searching for something to fill the void in her chest. Keeps off-putting the very forward, Lord Dressen. *didn't really get to read a lot about her and I found that very frustrating)
Lord Dressen -- older gentleman (not a fitting word for him) and has a HUGE obsession over Anna. While he is a good looking, wealthy & a high-standing member in public society, he has almost 30 years on Anna and he makers her uncomfortable. But he doesn't let that stop him passing a law on a curfew that will eventually get Anna in trouble and in his clutches (EWWW!)
James Shilo - 2nd born son of Sylis Shilo. He is the middle child and peacekeeper between the his older and younger brother. While is big and intimidating appearance screams, "Back off before I end you," his is calm and logical but knows what is right and wrong and is very gentle towards those he cares about. Cole seeks him out for council throughout the book and is wants nothing more than for his brothers to find happiness. But he will not hold back if he feels that they need a butt-kicking every now and then.
Vincent 'Kid' Shilo - 3rd born and youngest child of Sylis Shilo. With about a 300 year gap between his birth and James, he sometimes finds it difficult to communicate with his eldest brother and has a bit of an issue with authority (mostly when it concerns Cole). He is known to be quick to love and move on after his wife passes on but has been acting a bit differently about his latest love.
I know more about the Shilo brothers than I do about Anna at this point (funny, because it is HER name that is in the title) and I hope that changes in the rest of the series.