Reborn

Reborn #1

by S.L. Stacy

Back in high school, Siobhan Elliot’s life was simple: Cheerleading, friends, and parties. But that all changed the night she and her friends investigated a mysterious light in the woods. There they found an injured man–an irresistible man with hypnotic blue eyes and magnificent black wings. A man Siobhan recognized. He was the handsome dark angel from her dreams. And with one touch of his hand, he left her with a special gift: a set of mythical wings that would change her life forever. Then he disappeared without a trace. Siobhan thought she would never see him again.

Now, six years later, her dark angel reappears –this time as a teaching assistant at her college. He calls himself Jasper. He challenges everything Siobhan thought she knew about herself and her world. And he’s come back for only one thing: her.

Or so he says. Siobhan is about to find out that nothing is what it seems in this strange, new world.

Genres: Paranormal, New Adult, Amazon, Paranormal Romance, Mythology, Romance

223 pages, ebook

First published November 4, 2013

About the author

Join S.L. Stacy's mailing list to never miss a giveaway, release, sale, and more: http://eepurl.com/g0nQEz

S.L. Stacy is the Amazon bestselling author of the new adult romantasy series, Reborn, which she describes as Lore Olympus meets Greek. Alien Gothic is her fifth novel. She resides in Colorado with her family.

Reviews

[S.L. Stacy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the most amazing book ever, but I *might* be biased... ;)

[Siobhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reborn is the first book in S.L. Stacy’s Reborn series, and it’s one that had me hooked. This one sucked me in with ease, ensuring I devoured this in a single sitting, and left me eager to see what comes next in the series.

I love stories that take mythology and interject them into the modern world, and that’s exactly what this one did. Not only did it do it well, but it also added elements that make it unique. It’s mythology that is known, mixed with a unique twist to make it stand out, which ensures everything sucks you in deep. I could not get enough of the way things were unfolding, curious to see how the pieces would come into place. I’ll be honest and say I didn’t enjoy the romance quite as much as I enjoyed the worldbuilding, but this reflects my personal preference. I prefer a single love interest over mixed feelings, and such is what happened with this one. The way things ended, however, suggest the future books will focus on a single love interest, and I am excited to see that play out.

All in all, Reborn was a fabulous start to what promises to be a highly addictive series. I could not get enough of the way this one played out and was left desperate for more.

[Max Power · Rating 5 out of 5]

While not afraid to try different genres, I am quite often put off by a description of a book. In this case I came to Reborn with a touch of apprehension but I need not have worried. Here is a book with originality and style that is not just well written, but I sense well researched as well. I am far from an expert in Greek mythology but it's incorporation to the plot felt quite natural.

The main character has a uniquely Irish name which I suspect many will pronounce phonetically and therefore incorrectly and I had a wry smile at that thought. Siobhan is a strong character and while I never ever give away a plot in a book even from reading the blurb you will know this story revolves her relationship with a dark angel called Jasper and a pair of wings. Don't be put off, Reborn is a book that incorporates the themes of love friendship and perhaps above all redemption as all good books should. It is clear that there will be more to follow and I think this is a writer who has found their voice and will only get better. Bravo.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is such a fun read for anyone interested in Greek Mythology. S.L. Stacy has created a completely new Greek Mythology world and made it absolutely fascinating. I also was very excited to discover that even though it is placed in the Paranormal Romance genre it is more paranormal fantasy with just a tad romance thrown in. There are only a few intimate scenes that were nicely written, and not too in your face. This is important because the story is not centered around the romance, or any love triangle (though there is a love triangle - quadrangle?), but about the growth of our resident heroine as she learns of her past life from people who are not the most trustworthy, and works through who she is as an individual.

Siobhan is such a fun and dynamic character. She was a cheerleader in high school, and in college she is on the board in her sorority. However she is also happy to be in yoga pants and a t-shirt. She is not the typical high maintenance sorority sister. She is smart. She is organized. She doesn't take shit from people. That includes: Jasper, who is quite an ass hole - but you still want to root for him; Max, who is really creepy, and I still am not sure that he will be gone in the next book - he's the kind of guy that you can't get rid of until you're in witness protection. Seriously. And then there is Jimmy, who can also be an asshole, but at least he has a reason.

I cannot wait for the next book. There was no real cliff hanger with this story - I mean, there sort of is, but it isn't one that is going to drive you completely batty until the next book is released. You want more, but you will still have all of your hair come release day. There are so many different areas of the story that raised questions and I cannot wait to see how they turn out!

The only reason I did not give this story a 5-star rating is because there is a bit of an inconsistency in the plot regarding a secondary character. Even though they do not have a main role, they are still an integral part of the story, and I'm quite shocked that I am the only one that has noticed it (based on the other reviews I have read through). Other than that, the editing was pretty on par with other indie books (and mainstream) - only a few missing punctuation marks. Nothing that draws away from the story.

All in all a great debut novel and start to what is looking to be a fantastic series!

***Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information regarding our reviews please visit our Fan Site: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG***

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reborn is one of the most exciting books I have read in several years. I love this new version of a paranormal romance which blends Greek mythology and science to give it some readability and education to mix with it. This book is a breath of fresh air and I can not to wait to read more volumes of the "Reborn" saga it is well worth the read. I highly recommend this book to all paranormal romance readers out there you won't be sorry.

[Eric Lahti · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the marks of a good novel, in my opinion anyway, is when I find myself immersed enough in the story that I start wondering what I would do in the same situation.

S.L. Stacy's Reborn worked that way for me, albeit it was tricky for me to imagine myself in the story since it's told from the point of view of a young woman in a college Sorority. I went to college so - check - got that one. I've been many things but I've never been in a Sorority and I've never been a woman. If that's the only barrier to immersion, it's a small one and the fact that Reborn was that immersive makes it a pretty damned impressive story. Effective writing is the key to that one and Ms. Stacy is a damned fine writer.

So, what's good about it (other than the writing)? Well, for starters it's just flat-out a good story. Ms. Stacy manages to seamlessly weave together the mundane aspects of college, the sisterhood of the Sorority, and the wings that pop out of the back of the main character whenever her emotions start to run wild. That's also an impressive feat unto itself and a that makes this a great example of well-written urban fantasy fiction.

The mystery of the story helps keep the reader going, too. Ms. Stacy is masterful at dropping little bread crumbs of information that keep you wondering about what's going on. As one mystery is answered, it leads invariably to another, larger mystery that will be covered in the sequel (Relapse). Don't get me wrong here, you don't leave Reborn wondering what the hell just happened, you leave it satisfied that its part of the story has been covered. But that story is only part of a larger arc. I haven't read Relapse yet, but it's on my TBR list.

[Kayla Howarth · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very beginning to the very end, this entertaining take on Greek gods and their descendants kept me wanting more and more and more. And more.
It was well written, fast paced, plot driven, and highly addictive.
I loved almost everything about this book. The characters were real, (I'm kind of sick of reading about college aged virgins- totally unrealistic). Yes the MC suffered from indecisiveness between a few guys, sometimes overlapping in one night (making out with one, sleeping with another) but it was written in a way that I thought was REAL. Real college students act like that!
The only thing I didn't like, which is probably more a personal opinion than anything - I didn't like the fact she stays in a bad relationship to try and "fix" the bad boy. Young readers/new adults (who the book is aimed at) need strong role models. Someone who's confident enough in themselves to leave. I still have hope that this may happen in the sequel; I'm hoping we will see the main character grow.I can't wait!

[Angela Lockwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sexy, fast paced YA story, and I enjoyed it very much. (YA but contains some sexual content.) I read this book in a few sittings, which is always a good sign.
Who knew that there is more of a link between the ancient Greek city of the gods Olympus, and an American sorority, apart from the use of the Greek alphabet? At some points I was a bit puzzled by the plot, but decided to not question it too much and go with the flow.
The main character Siobhan Elliot is a perky American College student and initially I sympathised a lot with her. She carries a secret that seems impossible to reveal to people, and she ended up pushing the ones she loves away. What made me scream at the pages, was the fact that when Siobhan had the chance to mend bridges and rekindle a lost love; she ends up making some terrible choices. I suppose she is very human in thinking she can turn a bad boy good. But with the YA feel of the book I would have liked Siobhan to be a better example. There is a follow up, so here’s hoping.

[H.N. Sieverding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, especially the character of Jasper, he was my favorite. I’m a sucker for the bad guys and Jasper is definitely a lovable, sexy bad guy. I also loved how the author tied mythology to the story line and twisted it in a way to make it unique to her own story. I’m hoping there is a sequel! I can’t wait to find out what happens next for Siobhan and her friends (mostly Jasper).

[Debbie Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Siobhan and her friends come across a man with wings in the woods and it changes them. Years later he is back for her and things change again. Now she is faced with choices that will lead her places she might not come back from. Love this story about the mischief caused by the gods.

[Coco.V]

🎁 Books 1 -3 are FREE on Amazon today (7/12/2023)! 🎁

[Sara Santana · Rating 4 out of 5]

++Review Originally Posted on What A Nerd Girl Says++



This is such an incredible debut novel, and I have so much hope for Shaina and her first novel. She left me in a cliffhanger in this novel, so I’m hoping that she will gain the recognition she deserves and we’ll see this second novel in 2014.

Weaving Greek mythology into contemporary lives is nothing new to the young adult genre. In fact, this is something that I’ve been exposing myself more and more to lately, and each series I read impresses me that much more. The beauty of Greek mythology is that there is so much of it. What Stacy does in this novel is bring forth characters that we don’t often see in these YA novels, except maybe as secondary characters. I think she does a great job with it, and in bringing forth characters that we aren’t as familiar with, she creates a story that is full of surprises, twists, and turns. I didn’t know what to expect at all, and that is such a big part of the reason I kept reading.

Its a fast paced novel, which is always a good sign. Things are interesting from the beginning. Siobhan meets Jasper within the first few pages, and the reaction she has when she meets him is so visceral and so memorable that you need to know what is going to happen next. The relationships, the mystery and the tension that builds throughout the stories keeps you turning the pages, eager to reach the end, to figure out what is the story behind Jasper, and his need for Siobhan.

I also love the relationships in this novel. Its sexy as hell, and even though I have mixed feelings toward Jasper, there are some seriously steamy scenes that left me feeling a little flushed and breathless. That doesn’t happen very often, so when it does, I’m pretty excited. I’m not big on overly steamy novels, and this definitely is NOT it. They are hot and perfectly smutty, and I found myself disappointed when there weren’t more of them, another thing that never happens with me. There is so many sexy, dark, bad boys in this novel, with Jimmy and Jasper and I loved all the scenes that got hot and heavy.

Plus, Siobhan is such a great main character, because she’s so real and fleshed out. She has a backstory, she has a daily life, she has hobbies and concerns and worries and goals, and humor and all of that. I love that, even while her world is upside down, with Jasper and what he brings into her life, she is still going to class, and doing homework and working hard and having fun with her sorority. It makes her VERY real. Her entire world is not wrapped around this mysterious boy. Instead he disrupts this world that she has built for herself. She’s clever, and strong, and I can’t wait to see how she grows as the series goes along.

I do have an issue with the main characters’ name but I am kind of snobby when it comes to names. A huge reason why I couldn’t get through Fifty Shades was because the names. I’m a snob and I recognize that. It is a problem but I kind of just deal with it haha. I wasn’t a fan of the name of Jasper but I could get past that. The name Siobhan was difficult. Its not one that I was used to, and I had no idea how to even pronounce it until she does it for someone later in the novel. Its hard to relate to a character when their name is something you can’t pronounce. I understand it in a fantasy novel or a full blown science fiction, but it did bother me. This is SO trivial, but it is something that I thought of while reading. So much about the book makes up for this tiny little thing that will probably only bug name snobs like me.

All in all, this is fun and quite impressive debut for S.L. Stacy. I won’t sit here and say that I thought it was going to be awful, because I know Shaina and I know that she is most definitely NOT a bad writer. God, no way. But you always feel a little hesitant when reading indie writers, that self-published. I know, because I am one. My worries were for naught though. Its an incredibly beautiful novel, and I am very impressed, and I think that she has immense talent and creates a stunning and compelling story.

[P.A. Rudders · Rating 5 out of 5]

This debut book from S.L. Stacy combines elements of fantasy, romance, mythology, and science fiction and yet still retains a very contemporary feel. Whereas in many books that explore similar themes where the reader has to completely suspend disbelief, here the author achieves a believable and flowing story that moves along at a thrilling pace; from the very first chapter there are mysteries to be solved with the promise of many more to follow.
Written in the first person, the narrator, Siobhan, a high school sorority girl with a secret that takes the reader on a journey across time and space, is faced with many dangers and dilemmas as she comes to discover just who and what she is. Set against the backdrop of American college life, the unfolding story of Siobhan's past and present is cleverly interwoven with her romantic involvements and everyday college life; this and the occasional references to popular culture give the novel a contemporary feel often lacking in novels of this genre. By writing in the first person, the central character, Siobhan, is as fully developed a character as you could ever hope for, but this is not at the expense of the other core characters, many of whom are fascinating enough in their own right to warrant possible sequels of their own in the future.

In the early parts of the novel, Siobhan is clear in mind who her friends are and who the enemy is, but events unfold to reveal that nothing is so clear. Initially the reader is led to believe the story centres on the theme of lost and reunited love, but again, the story unfolds in different and unexpected directions. Conflict, dilemmas, and shifting alliances all emerge to provide the ingredients of an exciting page turner. I've deliberately avoided referring to closely to the plot itself, as to do so might well spoil the potential reader's enjoyment, or inadvertently give too much away.

Whilst 'Reborn' stands well as a stand-alone novel, there are enough unanswered questions and speculations as to the future to warrant, if not demand an entire series. Had I not already known this was a debut novel I would have assumed this to be one of many from an established author. Highly recommended.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love it when a book is surprisingly awesome. The main character, Siobhan, is pretty kick ass. As you read in the synopsis, a visitor to earth left her with a pair of wings. Wings! And despite the obvious challenges that must have presented, she moves forward with life and just takes it in stride. Siobhan is part of a sorority in her college, and that was pretty cool to see, especially since I was never in one (I don’t think I even know anyone who was.) So it was a neat insight into sorority living, plus I felt that made the book unique as well.

Jasper, the dark angel that gifted her with wings, annoyed me a little bit, but I think that was the author’s intention. And I wish the front page showed how to pronounce Siobhan’s name. (It is in the book, but not right at the beginning.) You know when you read to yourself in your head; I think I just mumbled through her name every time.

I’ve never read anything similar to this story, and that’s a good thing. It gets tiring when you read stories that feel the same, over and over and over again. Greek gods, myths, college living, romance; it’s all there. So my hats off to you Ms. Stacy; you made a fan out of me and I can’t wait to read the next one.





My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars



~Pam



*****I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.*****

[Book Junky Girls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Siobhan's life changed 6 years ago when she met the "Dark Angel" from her dreams in the woods and he gave her wings, before he dies. Now in college, jugling school work and her sorority duties she sees TA Jasper, but he's also her mysterious, Dark Angel. This is her story of trying to figure this out and tell fact from myth.

Interesting read with a modern twist on the Greek Gods. I enjoyed the history lesson's thrown in with the story as you try to figure out who's who and what their motives are. Seeing Siobhan's strugles between what is right and what is easy and all the twists leave you guessing what will happen next. This was a begining novel a it had some action, but it was also allot of setting you up for future novels. Excited for more from this series.

[Kyra Dunst · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Olympian gods are back on Earth, but it's not easy to tell who is good or who is evil. In High School, Siobhan runs into a man in the woods whose touch gives her a difficult ability. He disappears before she can find out what is happening, and she doesn't see him again until six years later in college. What she discovers is that she is the reincarnation of Psyche, Eros' wife, and the man she met so long ago is her past-life-husband. Her life was already a little complicated, and now it gets worse. Her murderer in the last life is here, too, and Eros isn't being honest with her. Add in the awakened offspring of Demi-gods, and things get a little crazy. I hope to read more from this series.

[Tom Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a tale of relationships, which includes every emotion known to man and the Gods. Love, hatred, deceit, friendship, regret, hope, despair and recrimination are all portrayed here, plus much more besides.
I may not be a fan of the paranormal genre, but you don’t have to be a fan to recognise a good story. We find in this tale, a beginning, a middle and an end – and it’s an end which leaves the reader seeking more.
Imagery, characterisation and dialogue are all created well, and given the circumstances of the story, they all work. If the aim of the author is to suspend belief, then this author has achieved that aim.
I believe that for fans of paranormal, fantasy, sci-fi, mythology and Young Adult stories, this will be a welcome escape from reality.

[Trista Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book through Paranormal Romance Junkies on Facebook in exchange for my honest review.

In the words of George Takei, "Oh My!". This book was absolutely phenomenal! I loved the use of greek mythology as the premise behind the plot. It was exceptionally written (I only found like two errors) and it kept me entertained the entire time. Great characters, amazing word building and some sex scenes that are deliciously enticing! It ends on a cliffhanger which is always a bummer, but I can't wait until the next one comes out. Please S.L. Stacy, say its soon! If you haven't read this little treasure yet, you need to do it now. I highly recommend it!

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

48% in and it's draaaaging. Promiscuous college sweetie is "not like that" but is having thigh tingles about 3 different men and has sex with the one she least likes. Cue endless eluding to Greek tones and meeting people and so far nothing else besides being strangled unconscious by a sorority sister.
I like the idea of the story, which drew me to the book, but you have to drop some info of the greater plot before the endless possibility of something happening becomes irritating.
I read the end and got most of the info for the rest of the book.

[Brandy Corona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an interesting spin on Greek Mythology and it kept me interested from the get go. The writing was awesome and flowed nicely. This story was amazing and I cannot wait to read more from this author! Grab this, you won't regret it!

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it. The end definately sold me on looking for the next book. I was not sure I liked where the story was going, but despite cheerleaders and sorority sisters I still managed to devour his book and hope for many more.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Love all books that involve Greek Mythology characters, and this book was no exception, loved the characters and the concept. The plot twists were pretty exciting, and I can't wait to read the next book, would defiantly recommend to others.

[Belle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some unexpected twists in it.. and the love story really confused me what with her moving from one guy to another.. was a bit weird.

[J.C. Hannigan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was AMAZING! I read it in one morning!!! Loved the characters, the plot, everything. totally recommend!

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book

A twist on good boy gone bad. Manipulation, gods and goddesses are the name of the game and one girl who's memory has been altered.