What do you think?
Rate this book
Angel's Edge #1
Gifts of the Blood
Caspia Chastain, art student and barista, is gifted (or plagued, if you ask her) with the ability to draw the future, usually at the worst possible times. Her parents are four years dead; everyday she watches her brother Logan fight his cancer diagnosis. Things get worse for Caspia the day she draws an angry stranger framed by planes of light and violent, bloody images. That exact same stranger walks up to her out of nowhere mere hours later knowing things he shouldn't, like her name, her brother's illness, and her strange ability. That's when Caspia discovers her hometown is a refuge for supernatural beings both Light and Dark, and she and her brother find themselves caught up in a war between the two that predates their very birth. In order to protect herself and her brother, she turns to the one who seems to have started it all: the man who walked out of her sketchbook calling himself Ethan.
But Ethan has his own agenda, Logan's getting sicker fast, and Caspia finds that drawing the future isn't the only strange thing she can do. Meanwhile, someone really wants all of them dead. In a town where Dark doesn't equal Evil and Light isn't always Good, Caspia and Ethan find themselves making strange alliances and even stranger sacrifices in order to protect those they love.
But Ethan has his own agenda, Logan's getting sicker fast, and Caspia finds that drawing the future isn't the only strange thing she can do. Meanwhile, someone really wants all of them dead. In a town where Dark doesn't equal Evil and Light isn't always Good, Caspia and Ethan find themselves making strange alliances and even stranger sacrifices in order to protect those they love.
210 pages, Paperback
First published December 28, 2010
118 people are currently reading
4387 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Keire
8 books205 followersVicki Keire grew up in a 19th Century haunted house in the Deep South full of books, abandoned coal chutes, and plenty of places to get into trouble with her siblings. She holds degrees in English Literature with specialties in the 18th Century, Romanticism, and Postcolonial Theory. She spent the last decade teaching writing and literature at a large, football obsessed university while slipping paranormal fiction in between the pages of her textbooks.
When not reading and writing about all things paranormal, she indulges in her eclectic musical tastes, enjoys other people's cooking, keeps vampire hours, and adds to her massive stockpile of quirky t-shirts and blank but designer notebooks. She'd rather burn the laundry than fold it. She believes that when an author wins the Newberry, he or she gets a secret lifetime pass to Neverland. She still lives in the Deep South with her husband, two children, two dogs, and three cats, but is pretty sure her house isn't haunted. A person can't be so lucky twice.
Gifts of the Blood is the first of a trilogy set in the mythical town of Whitfield, where she has several other paranormal series planned. Whitfield is a compilation of all she loves about her upbringing with a sprinkling of the things she doesn't. She spends time there when stymied on other projects, but also because it's an interesting world in its own right. Even though she created it and the people who live there, it still has the power to surprise her. She hopes you enjoy it as much as she does. You can learn more about it and her other projects at:
Website: http://vickikeire.com/
Blog:http://vickikeire.blogspot.com/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews
January 24, 2016
Wow, what a surprise. I honestly started this book expecting to not like it, maybe hate it if it comes down to it and I have Fallen and Hush Hush to blame for my Angel-Paranormal book trust issues, but this book reminds me just why and how much I enjoyed reading YA angel books before.
The writing style, although a little inconsistent at times, was great I really really liked it which was why even when the pacing of the story at the start was slow, really slow, I still managed to enjoy the book. The plot was all sorts of intriguing. I specifically liked how the booked tried to introduce a new concept with the wings and the armor.
Caspia is beating and wearing herself down to support his sick brother, herself and her studies. They are already an orphan but from time to time, they get some support from the people in town where they grew up with. She's a talented artist, but that's not what makes her special, it's her eyes, liquid silver colored eyes, and her ability to draw a glimpse of the future.. The Gifts of the Blood as what her grandmother says.
I had doubts with her, in fact I still do. She's supposed to be special and strong and gifted, but all I get to read from her was whining and her being a brat. Well, really I tried to understand her, I guess I'm just not yet 100% immuned with the drama. Anyway, she did show her kick-ass and interesting side but she still disappoints me from time to time.
Then there's Ethan.
I don't know if I have been watching too many Supernatural episodes lately but I can't help but imagine Ethan as.. Castiel.
Crazy I know, because Cas looks a lot older than how Ethan was describe, but with his calm and cold demeanor he's all I can think about. However, Ethan is far different from Castiel, in rank at least. He's not an archangel, he's a guardian angel. Well that's what I think he is because he guards Caspia's brother, that was his job until he decided to take it upon himself to guard Caspia as well.
Overall: I liked this book a lot. There were underdeveloped ideas and cliche but those hardly matters for me anymore because at the end of the day what really matters is if you enjoyed the book, and I did, and that ending was all sorts of perfect! I wouldn't have it any other way! Now if I could just get my hands on the book 2, that would be great.
3.5 stars I'm rounding up because of Ethan alone. Evil laugh.
"Evil, real evil, should it ever show itself to you, will wear the most beautiful form you've ever seen and charm you as nothing ever has.."Gifts of Blood is an emotional story which is also packed of cheesiness and drama. But the funny thing was.. I didn't care, because I liked it so much I'm itching to get my hands on the sequel right after I finished reading it.
The writing style, although a little inconsistent at times, was great I really really liked it which was why even when the pacing of the story at the start was slow, really slow, I still managed to enjoy the book. The plot was all sorts of intriguing. I specifically liked how the booked tried to introduce a new concept with the wings and the armor.
"Caspia, we're not birds. We don't fly. What most people see as wings are more like doors."It was ridiculous but a legit imagination. It was actually refreshing to read a bit more different to what I was used at reading. The character development were flawed but realistic as well.
Caspia is beating and wearing herself down to support his sick brother, herself and her studies. They are already an orphan but from time to time, they get some support from the people in town where they grew up with. She's a talented artist, but that's not what makes her special, it's her eyes, liquid silver colored eyes, and her ability to draw a glimpse of the future.. The Gifts of the Blood as what her grandmother says.
I had doubts with her, in fact I still do. She's supposed to be special and strong and gifted, but all I get to read from her was whining and her being a brat. Well, really I tried to understand her, I guess I'm just not yet 100% immuned with the drama. Anyway, she did show her kick-ass and interesting side but she still disappoints me from time to time.
Then there's Ethan.
"'I found the both of you hunted by darkness. And then'-he looked up at the stars-'I saw a girl with liquid silver, and everything changed.'"He's actually the main reason why I liked this book a lot. I'm more of a bad-guy type of girl, but let's be honest here, it's hard to resist a man who's selfless and smoking hot, aside from the fact that he's a freaking angel.
I don't know if I have been watching too many Supernatural episodes lately but I can't help but imagine Ethan as.. Castiel.
Crazy I know, because Cas looks a lot older than how Ethan was describe, but with his calm and cold demeanor he's all I can think about. However, Ethan is far different from Castiel, in rank at least. He's not an archangel, he's a guardian angel. Well that's what I think he is because he guards Caspia's brother, that was his job until he decided to take it upon himself to guard Caspia as well.
"'He did little things like that, carrying things, making sure I was warm, keeping me from falling, chasing away fear. I hadn't invited him to do these things; he just did, until without even realizing, I had come to like it.'"See? It's so cheesy, that alone should've turn me off, but no! This just make me love Ethan too! All the small awkward things he tried to do just keep on making me love him! He's so dreamy and he's so freaking adorable I just can't get enough of him!
Overall: I liked this book a lot. There were underdeveloped ideas and cliche but those hardly matters for me anymore because at the end of the day what really matters is if you enjoyed the book, and I did, and that ending was all sorts of perfect! I wouldn't have it any other way! Now if I could just get my hands on the book 2, that would be great.
3.5 stars I'm rounding up because of Ethan alone. Evil laugh.
January 9, 2014
3.5 Dark & Light Stars
You have Light and Dark inside you, like all humans. You are neither wholly one nor the other. You are a creature of choice.”
“Light and Dark. Good and evil. They’re just words. They mean the same thing.”
Unbeknownst to most us, there is a war fought every minute of the day. A war inside our souls and outside, about who will claim them. Light and darkness, good and evil aren't what define us. These are just definitions. Human attempts to explain deeper urges and excuse themselves for making mistakes. Benevolent creatures fall and malevolent may save your life. But true evil? This is another story and beware..
This our story. The story of a Gifted Girl and an Angel.
“I saw a girl with liquid silver eyes, and everything changed.”
Caspia a young talented artist, struggles with despair every day. Studying art and working to support her sick brother, has brought her to her knees. Her only family is fading away every day.
Sometimes she draws the future. A gift of the blood, her grandmother always told her. Until one day she draws the face of one man that will change her life forever.
Underneath those eyes the color of oceans, eyes that were older than breath, he wanted to be human with me, for just a moment.
-"Be human with me, Caspia."
Ethan is a Guardian, ready to lay his existence at Caspia feet. Ready to Fall.
Nephilim and Fallen Angels, Demons and family, nothing is as it seems in this small town. Why is everyone seem to be stalking Caspia? And will she and Ethan be together against all odds or Death, a life sentence, will draw them apart?
“Just Ethan and Caspia,” I agreed in a whisper. Just the two of us, whatever we were and whatever we were becoming, were in it together.
A really emotional story with exciting and promising storyline that I felt had a really slow beginning. It picked up considerably after 70% and that's why I give a positive review/rating. You can also feel the attraction between the main couple but no steam factor worth mentioning. In first POV, Caspia is narrating the events as they unfold before her eyes. This sustains a mystery level that appealed to me. What I liked the most though, is the lyrical writing style of Mrs. Keire. It seemed almost effortless and I really admired it. It created a sense of impending doom that helped with the story.
I am very curious to see what's next for Ethan and Caspia!
*Copy courtesy of Curiosity Quills Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
You have Light and Dark inside you, like all humans. You are neither wholly one nor the other. You are a creature of choice.”
“Light and Dark. Good and evil. They’re just words. They mean the same thing.”
Unbeknownst to most us, there is a war fought every minute of the day. A war inside our souls and outside, about who will claim them. Light and darkness, good and evil aren't what define us. These are just definitions. Human attempts to explain deeper urges and excuse themselves for making mistakes. Benevolent creatures fall and malevolent may save your life. But true evil? This is another story and beware..
This our story. The story of a Gifted Girl and an Angel.
“I saw a girl with liquid silver eyes, and everything changed.”
Caspia a young talented artist, struggles with despair every day. Studying art and working to support her sick brother, has brought her to her knees. Her only family is fading away every day.
Sometimes she draws the future. A gift of the blood, her grandmother always told her. Until one day she draws the face of one man that will change her life forever.
Underneath those eyes the color of oceans, eyes that were older than breath, he wanted to be human with me, for just a moment.
-"Be human with me, Caspia."
Ethan is a Guardian, ready to lay his existence at Caspia feet. Ready to Fall.
Nephilim and Fallen Angels, Demons and family, nothing is as it seems in this small town. Why is everyone seem to be stalking Caspia? And will she and Ethan be together against all odds or Death, a life sentence, will draw them apart?
“Just Ethan and Caspia,” I agreed in a whisper. Just the two of us, whatever we were and whatever we were becoming, were in it together.
A really emotional story with exciting and promising storyline that I felt had a really slow beginning. It picked up considerably after 70% and that's why I give a positive review/rating. You can also feel the attraction between the main couple but no steam factor worth mentioning. In first POV, Caspia is narrating the events as they unfold before her eyes. This sustains a mystery level that appealed to me. What I liked the most though, is the lyrical writing style of Mrs. Keire. It seemed almost effortless and I really admired it. It created a sense of impending doom that helped with the story.
I am very curious to see what's next for Ethan and Caspia!
*Copy courtesy of Curiosity Quills Press, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
March 19, 2011
Intriguing start and concept, and a strong relationship with her brother...but things got confusing very fast. The drama just wasn't played out in a compelling manner, and the relationship took me by surprise because it seemed so creepy at first! It did get better as it progressed, but mostly because it's hard to resist a guy who's so selfless. Caspia is fine and somewhat interesting, but...it's easy understand why she liked him, but it was harder to really define why he gave up so much for her. The writing is actually very strong, particularly in passages relating to her brother, but it's a little mannered at times in a way which is sort of strange.
Overall, a promising premise for a book that just wasn't plotted in a unique or interesting way. This is the author's indie debut and one of those times when an editor could have really helped tighten up the story and heighten the tension. It might be interesting to see what she comes up with in the future.
Overall, a promising premise for a book that just wasn't plotted in a unique or interesting way. This is the author's indie debut and one of those times when an editor could have really helped tighten up the story and heighten the tension. It might be interesting to see what she comes up with in the future.
August 21, 2013
(Source: Downloaded for free from amazon.co.uk)
Caspia can draw pictures that then come true. The one thing she didn’t want to draw was her brother dying from cancer, but it came true anyway.
When Caspia draws a picture of someone and just hours later she meets him, she isn’t really sure what’s going on, but before long finds herself in the middle of a battle between angels and nephilim.
Who is the man Caspia drew? What does he want from her? And why does she have this gift anyway?
This book just bored the pants off me. It was dull, it was unoriginal, and it nearly put me to sleep.
Caspia was just dull. She had this gift of being able to draw the future, and all she did was moan about it. I understood why she was so upset over her brother’s diagnosis, but then she never seemed to spend any time with him unless it was someone else’s idea which was weird.
The storyline was just dull, and so unoriginal. I mean a girl that can draw pictures of the future – been done before, but I thought the author did that quite well, but the angels? Oh gosh, I was so bored. It just didn’t hold my attention at all. I think fallen angel stories have to have something great about them nowadays, and this one just didn’t.
To make things worse the end than wasn’t an end at all. The story just stopped with a ‘to be continued’. I can’t complain too much though because I was extraordinarily pleased that the story finished at 88% and I didn’t have to sit through another 12% of this boredom.
Overall; just dull for me.
2.5 out of 10.
Caspia can draw pictures that then come true. The one thing she didn’t want to draw was her brother dying from cancer, but it came true anyway.
When Caspia draws a picture of someone and just hours later she meets him, she isn’t really sure what’s going on, but before long finds herself in the middle of a battle between angels and nephilim.
Who is the man Caspia drew? What does he want from her? And why does she have this gift anyway?
This book just bored the pants off me. It was dull, it was unoriginal, and it nearly put me to sleep.
Caspia was just dull. She had this gift of being able to draw the future, and all she did was moan about it. I understood why she was so upset over her brother’s diagnosis, but then she never seemed to spend any time with him unless it was someone else’s idea which was weird.
The storyline was just dull, and so unoriginal. I mean a girl that can draw pictures of the future – been done before, but I thought the author did that quite well, but the angels? Oh gosh, I was so bored. It just didn’t hold my attention at all. I think fallen angel stories have to have something great about them nowadays, and this one just didn’t.
To make things worse the end than wasn’t an end at all. The story just stopped with a ‘to be continued’. I can’t complain too much though because I was extraordinarily pleased that the story finished at 88% and I didn’t have to sit through another 12% of this boredom.
Overall; just dull for me.
2.5 out of 10.
April 10, 2013
I read this three days ago and it's already fading fast. What I do remember: instalove and poor character development. The story had potential, but I am so sick of the prevalence of instalove in the paranormal genre--it's such an author cop out. Hmmm...if I write about an angel instead of a regular old human guy, then I can make up some shit about how angels fall in love at first sight with plain Jane humans, and it will be believable because he's an angel and they're different! Because I said so.
Yeah, no. You suck. Write me some believable attraction, some flirting & conversation--a slowly building love story. Not some chick who is scared to death when she first meets the dude--scared enough to totally freak out, like screaming and shit--scared enough to need to be "angel sedated", and then they're a couple the next day. No, I kid you not--the next freaking day. Enough, I say. Seriously.
Yeah, no. You suck. Write me some believable attraction, some flirting & conversation--a slowly building love story. Not some chick who is scared to death when she first meets the dude--scared enough to totally freak out, like screaming and shit--scared enough to need to be "angel sedated", and then they're a couple the next day. No, I kid you not--the next freaking day. Enough, I say. Seriously.
February 7, 2012
So after just finishing this book I will admit I have mixed emotions. While I am happy to see a pretty original idea set the bones for the story Cas irked my soul. You would think that a lifetime of drawing the future would open your mind to other various possibilities but she was so stuck in her was it was just annoying. Ethan was yummy, I truly have no complaints about Ethan or Logan for that matter. I also found that the story was a little jumpy, it never really flowed from one section to the next. And while I know this is a series and you can t reveal all in the 1st book I still was pissed by the various inconsistencies, the overall pace, and the cliff hanger.
August 21, 2013
I usually really like books about drawing the future. I find them really interesting.
Though, this one didn't deliver, and was more about angels than her gift.
I did like the relationship between Caspia and her brother, but it seemed like they didn't really spend time together.
Caspia did say numerous times how she was going to spend more time with him, but she never did.
She was either at school, working, or painting tarot cards.
The pacing was really slow. I was really really bored and just wanted something interesting to happen.
I have no desire at all to read book two.
Though, this one didn't deliver, and was more about angels than her gift.
I did like the relationship between Caspia and her brother, but it seemed like they didn't really spend time together.
Caspia did say numerous times how she was going to spend more time with him, but she never did.
She was either at school, working, or painting tarot cards.
The pacing was really slow. I was really really bored and just wanted something interesting to happen.
I have no desire at all to read book two.
April 30, 2018
This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. It's just ok if you want to read a quick paranormal, with Angels as the main magical creatures and a sad backstory. The worldbuilding could have been interesting, because the author has some good ideas but we don't see a lot of development of the magical world in this book, maybe in the next books the worldbuilding will be better developed, or so I hope. Also, the characters aren't bad, but I liked more the side characters than the main ones, but guess what? Yep, they're not so well developed, and it's a shame because I saw a lot of good potentialities in them, too.
All in all, it wasn't a bad reading, it's quick, as I have said, and not too bad, but I was hoping for something more. Honestly, I don't know if I would go on with the series.
All in all, it wasn't a bad reading, it's quick, as I have said, and not too bad, but I was hoping for something more. Honestly, I don't know if I would go on with the series.
April 4, 2011
Made. Of. Awesomesauce.
MOAR PLEASE!
Really enjoyed this vivid and well written paranormal tale and can't wait for the sequel. It was imaginative and most importantly DIFFERENT from a lot of what I've read lately. LOVED.
MOAR PLEASE!
Really enjoyed this vivid and well written paranormal tale and can't wait for the sequel. It was imaginative and most importantly DIFFERENT from a lot of what I've read lately. LOVED.
April 1, 2014
Dark magnetism and intensity draws you into the most delicious debut!
Indie author Vicki Keire is certainly one to watch, as her phenomenal paranormal romance for the YA/ Fantasy genres is simply breathtaking. Fans of ‘Angelfall’ by Susan Ee (or) ‘Hush, Hush’ by Becca Fitzpatrick will find this scintillating series one that captures both the mythical and the supernatural ambience. Full of electric intensity and intoxicatingly heady passion between the main protagonists, here is a sparkling story that tugs at the heartstrings. Emotionally connected to the characters, the additional layers of depth {including battle between light & dark} added to the overall ‘all-encompassing’ storyline, so as to set it apart from other self-published works of lesser substance. I was most impressed by this assured first instalment, as it sets the standard incredibly high for the sequel and continuation. Highly imaginative concepts and inspired vision forms the backbone for an extraordinary world, of delicious darkness and sinister secrets.
“you have light and dark inside you, like all humans. You are neither wholly one nor the other. You are a creature of choice…”
Caspia’s special gift to draw the future leads her into the path of supernatural beings {both light & dark}, whereby she uncovers secrets about her family and herself more remarkable than anything she could have imagined. Everything she knew about her life; such as her hometown, her family and even her friends is completely turned on its head…for nothing is as it was. Everything changes. More so when herself and her brother find themselves at the heart of an ancient, epic battle between good and evil. Then there is Ethan – the man who walked out of her sketchbook and into her life…
This exquisitely interwoven tale of immeasurable depth and scope, is a compelling *new* edition to a highly popular & very competitive genre. Awe inspiring creativity and deftly drawn world-building, reminded me of Kamia Garcia’s ‘Beautiful Creatures’ in this sense. Caspia and her brother Logan and Ethan were unforgettable characters, who I instantly liked and so found their growth and development throughout the story an interesting one. The adjoining sub-plots {such as the mystery of someone wanting them dead, and Ethan’s hidden agendas etc.} kept me in constant suspense and guessing as to what next unexpected occurrence would take place!
If you are a fan of Young Adult paranormal/ romance then I would definitely commend this book and strongly suggest that you consider either adding it to your bookshelves (or) having a read. *I downloaded an e-copy from ‘Story Cartel. Com’ to read and provide an honest and non-biased review*
Indie author Vicki Keire is certainly one to watch, as her phenomenal paranormal romance for the YA/ Fantasy genres is simply breathtaking. Fans of ‘Angelfall’ by Susan Ee (or) ‘Hush, Hush’ by Becca Fitzpatrick will find this scintillating series one that captures both the mythical and the supernatural ambience. Full of electric intensity and intoxicatingly heady passion between the main protagonists, here is a sparkling story that tugs at the heartstrings. Emotionally connected to the characters, the additional layers of depth {including battle between light & dark} added to the overall ‘all-encompassing’ storyline, so as to set it apart from other self-published works of lesser substance. I was most impressed by this assured first instalment, as it sets the standard incredibly high for the sequel and continuation. Highly imaginative concepts and inspired vision forms the backbone for an extraordinary world, of delicious darkness and sinister secrets.
“you have light and dark inside you, like all humans. You are neither wholly one nor the other. You are a creature of choice…”
Caspia’s special gift to draw the future leads her into the path of supernatural beings {both light & dark}, whereby she uncovers secrets about her family and herself more remarkable than anything she could have imagined. Everything she knew about her life; such as her hometown, her family and even her friends is completely turned on its head…for nothing is as it was. Everything changes. More so when herself and her brother find themselves at the heart of an ancient, epic battle between good and evil. Then there is Ethan – the man who walked out of her sketchbook and into her life…
This exquisitely interwoven tale of immeasurable depth and scope, is a compelling *new* edition to a highly popular & very competitive genre. Awe inspiring creativity and deftly drawn world-building, reminded me of Kamia Garcia’s ‘Beautiful Creatures’ in this sense. Caspia and her brother Logan and Ethan were unforgettable characters, who I instantly liked and so found their growth and development throughout the story an interesting one. The adjoining sub-plots {such as the mystery of someone wanting them dead, and Ethan’s hidden agendas etc.} kept me in constant suspense and guessing as to what next unexpected occurrence would take place!
If you are a fan of Young Adult paranormal/ romance then I would definitely commend this book and strongly suggest that you consider either adding it to your bookshelves (or) having a read. *I downloaded an e-copy from ‘Story Cartel. Com’ to read and provide an honest and non-biased review*
July 22, 2012
***3.5 Stars***
"So when my “gift” decided this was the perfect time to make its reappearance, I shouldn’t have been surprised. Everything else was coming unglued. Why not my head, too?"
Gift or a curse that is how Caspia Chastain felt about her blood gifted ability to draw the future it wasn't something could call on though ... it just happened and right now she didn't have time for it. She was busy trying to take care of her older brother Logan the only family she had left who was diagnosed with liver cancer.
So when she drew something other than her class assignment she was a bit surprised since she hadn't had any episodes in several months and she didn't welcome it. She never drew people either but there he was beautiful but with angry features and a tornado of wind and items flying around him a book, a talon .... (no spoilers)
So when Ethan, the face from her drawing shows up during a that evening in the town Apothecary shop she has a full blown melt only to wake up in her house with her hand bandaged and *him* sitting in a chair in HER house! Scared out of her mind Caspia asks for explanations but doesn't right away get the answers she is looking for but in time things begin to reveal themselves.
So begins her journey into understanding and learning about Ethan and "the fallen" the forces of light and dark and the warning that sometimes light doesn't always mean good and darkness doesn't always mean evil and miracles DO happen!
“Some few of my brothers had walked among humans and dared to love human women. These Nephilim loved fiercely and deeply. It seemed to me they had been struck with a sickness, or taken prisoner, and I dared to pity them. How sad, I thought, to Fall because of love. Until it happened to me.”
I really liked this little book it was a short fun read if I had wanted to knock it out in an afternoon I could and the price tag of just .99 at Amazon.com for the Kindle version made it totally worth it. I really love Caspia as a heroine I think there may yet be much to this story and this book was just the foundation. I also bought book #2 so I guess I will be finding out soon ;)
“Only in darkness could the light be so completely, brightly beautiful.”
"So when my “gift” decided this was the perfect time to make its reappearance, I shouldn’t have been surprised. Everything else was coming unglued. Why not my head, too?"
Gift or a curse that is how Caspia Chastain felt about her blood gifted ability to draw the future it wasn't something could call on though ... it just happened and right now she didn't have time for it. She was busy trying to take care of her older brother Logan the only family she had left who was diagnosed with liver cancer.
So when she drew something other than her class assignment she was a bit surprised since she hadn't had any episodes in several months and she didn't welcome it. She never drew people either but there he was beautiful but with angry features and a tornado of wind and items flying around him a book, a talon .... (no spoilers)
So when Ethan, the face from her drawing shows up during a that evening in the town Apothecary shop she has a full blown melt only to wake up in her house with her hand bandaged and *him* sitting in a chair in HER house! Scared out of her mind Caspia asks for explanations but doesn't right away get the answers she is looking for but in time things begin to reveal themselves.
So begins her journey into understanding and learning about Ethan and "the fallen" the forces of light and dark and the warning that sometimes light doesn't always mean good and darkness doesn't always mean evil and miracles DO happen!
“Some few of my brothers had walked among humans and dared to love human women. These Nephilim loved fiercely and deeply. It seemed to me they had been struck with a sickness, or taken prisoner, and I dared to pity them. How sad, I thought, to Fall because of love. Until it happened to me.”
I really liked this little book it was a short fun read if I had wanted to knock it out in an afternoon I could and the price tag of just .99 at Amazon.com for the Kindle version made it totally worth it. I really love Caspia as a heroine I think there may yet be much to this story and this book was just the foundation. I also bought book #2 so I guess I will be finding out soon ;)
“Only in darkness could the light be so completely, brightly beautiful.”
January 13, 2014
A romance with fallen angels, a city populated with supernatural beings hidden from human eyes ...
An angels story ... It's been awhile since I read one. So I was kinda excited...
If the synopsis drew me, I must admit that the story was a little soft. There was action but it was diluted in explanations that dull the history a little.
Ditto for the interactions between the characters. They are interesting but the story lacks of dialogues to make the text more dynamic. Sure, they are some good ones but not enough for my taste.
So, I read some parts diagonally to get to the heart of the action. And I'm always grumpy when I do that...
However, all these points must not put off the reader. Really!!!
Caspia emotions are intense and her love for her brother is very touching. The young woman fights against death as well as to discover the secrets surrounding her life and the world in which she lives.
The plot is intriguing.
My curiosity was piqued by Asheroth's madness. He is a dangerous character as much as tender and surprising. In its own way, he has touched me. And I really would have liked to see him appear more often because he intrigued me.
Realistic and interesting story, despite the presence of supernatural beings, with good potential. I expect Darkness in the Blood to quench my thirst for actions, informations...
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
An angels story ... It's been awhile since I read one. So I was kinda excited...
If the synopsis drew me, I must admit that the story was a little soft. There was action but it was diluted in explanations that dull the history a little.
Ditto for the interactions between the characters. They are interesting but the story lacks of dialogues to make the text more dynamic. Sure, they are some good ones but not enough for my taste.
So, I read some parts diagonally to get to the heart of the action. And I'm always grumpy when I do that...
However, all these points must not put off the reader. Really!!!
Caspia emotions are intense and her love for her brother is very touching. The young woman fights against death as well as to discover the secrets surrounding her life and the world in which she lives.
The plot is intriguing.
My curiosity was piqued by Asheroth's madness. He is a dangerous character as much as tender and surprising. In its own way, he has touched me. And I really would have liked to see him appear more often because he intrigued me.
Realistic and interesting story, despite the presence of supernatural beings, with good potential. I expect Darkness in the Blood to quench my thirst for actions, informations...
Lucie
http://newbooksonmyselves.blogspot.fr...
December 13, 2015
Gifts of the Blood is book #1 of the Angel's Edge series. It is a #YA paranormal fantasy. Caspia is 18, a freshman at Andreas Academy of Fine Arts, she works in a local coffee shop and she cares for her brother who has terminal cancer. Caspia is also gifted with the ability to draw the future into her art, this rare gift is part of her family bloodline and one which is drawing unwanted attention.
When she meets a dark mystery man, one she has just drawn into a picture with shades of light and dark, bloody fingers and one rolling with anger, she fears for her life, but Ethan is there to protect and soon it becomes apparent that most of the good folks of Whitfield are not as she had first thought. From Mr Markov her blind employer to Mrs Alice the craft shop owner, there is more than first meets the eye.
As the story unfolds we find out more about Ethan and his fellow fallen Angels and just how far they will go to protect the ones they love. This is a safe and popular storyline for this genre. For me I felt that Ethan made life changing decisions a little too easily and another character Asheroth switched from bad guy to good guy with no real explanation. I would have liked more of the twins from the coffee shop and what happened to the threatening college art lecturer? If these characters are to reveal more in the next book in the series I wanted more hooks to keep me interested about their future.
When she meets a dark mystery man, one she has just drawn into a picture with shades of light and dark, bloody fingers and one rolling with anger, she fears for her life, but Ethan is there to protect and soon it becomes apparent that most of the good folks of Whitfield are not as she had first thought. From Mr Markov her blind employer to Mrs Alice the craft shop owner, there is more than first meets the eye.
As the story unfolds we find out more about Ethan and his fellow fallen Angels and just how far they will go to protect the ones they love. This is a safe and popular storyline for this genre. For me I felt that Ethan made life changing decisions a little too easily and another character Asheroth switched from bad guy to good guy with no real explanation. I would have liked more of the twins from the coffee shop and what happened to the threatening college art lecturer? If these characters are to reveal more in the next book in the series I wanted more hooks to keep me interested about their future.
July 9, 2014
For this review, I’ll KISS (Keep It Short and Simple).
* I give Gifts of the Blood 2.5 stars
* There was humor thrown here and there.
* It was fast paced.
* Romance was like I-don’t-like-you-you-just-popped-out-of-a-drawing to I-trust-you-completely-but-I-can’t-explain-why-I-just-love-you.
* The book lacks drama and angst.
* Caspian, the book’s heroine, loves his dying brother very much, has this very interesting gift which she kinda despises and then after freakin’ out on seeing the guy on her drawing come alive she decides she actually likes him. Ethan, on the other hand, is a hot, enigmatic guy who acts like a stalker and is very protective of Caspian who he claims was the reason for his Falling.
* Mr. Markov was the character who intrigued me the most. He has so much to tell and he has an interesting personality.
* Gifts of the Blood lacks character development. I like its plot, yes, but I find that I had a much greater expectation than what I actually got from the book.
* This book doesn’t entirely suck though, so you should maybe give it a try.
* I give Gifts of the Blood 2.5 stars
* There was humor thrown here and there.
* It was fast paced.
* Romance was like I-don’t-like-you-you-just-popped-out-of-a-drawing to I-trust-you-completely-but-I-can’t-explain-why-I-just-love-you.
* The book lacks drama and angst.
* Caspian, the book’s heroine, loves his dying brother very much, has this very interesting gift which she kinda despises and then after freakin’ out on seeing the guy on her drawing come alive she decides she actually likes him. Ethan, on the other hand, is a hot, enigmatic guy who acts like a stalker and is very protective of Caspian who he claims was the reason for his Falling.
* Mr. Markov was the character who intrigued me the most. He has so much to tell and he has an interesting personality.
* Gifts of the Blood lacks character development. I like its plot, yes, but I find that I had a much greater expectation than what I actually got from the book.
* This book doesn’t entirely suck though, so you should maybe give it a try.
April 10, 2012
This book is by far the best angel-demon book about the fight between good and evil in a while. The prose is refreshing and the plot very realistic. The novel is a breath of fresh air with a new twist on a very classical plot line/story. The characters were relate-able and realistic. Even with all the bizarre events happening around the main character, she remains relatable as she tries to piece out her life and where she fits into the world around her. She is determined and fierce, but unsure and confused which makes the story even more believable. There is nothing I hate more than a level headed character, when crazy and bizarre *hit is happening to him/her and he/she is all like, "Oh, thats wierd, but believe it, because I know it to be true way deep inside even though the answer isn't obvious why." And the way girl characters seem to swoon all over the hot guy. What is up with that? She tried real hard to fight it, but feels like him and her are linked together and that is why Caspia and Ethan's relationship seems real. If only real life wasjust as interesting as this book.
November 25, 2012
Ok so I have now realized that I have never reviewed this book when it totally sucked shit. Sooo... here goes nothing....
The heroine was stupid and I hats how tall she was. The only thing I loved about her was that she could paint the future.
The "hot" guy was a sucker for tall helpless shit eating stupid girls who I didn't really mind but he had to lover her? Well I guess someone had to. I don't know what this author wad thinking when she wrote this but she in my oppinion she should have thought this through more(and by more j mean a lot!). To tell u the truth I didn't even finish it.(sigh). The ending probably sucked anyways so I'd be all too happy to miss that Cu's I don't know about u but it really sucks to read a book with a sucky ending and definitely not the good kind. Well enough of my short ranting, its not like I can rewrite the book myself right? But I doubt that I can make it better. Well I'm out;)
The heroine was stupid and I hats how tall she was. The only thing I loved about her was that she could paint the future.
The "hot" guy was a sucker for tall helpless shit eating stupid girls who I didn't really mind but he had to lover her? Well I guess someone had to. I don't know what this author wad thinking when she wrote this but she in my oppinion she should have thought this through more(and by more j mean a lot!). To tell u the truth I didn't even finish it.(sigh). The ending probably sucked anyways so I'd be all too happy to miss that Cu's I don't know about u but it really sucks to read a book with a sucky ending and definitely not the good kind. Well enough of my short ranting, its not like I can rewrite the book myself right? But I doubt that I can make it better. Well I'm out;)
May 11, 2012
I enjoyed this book, kept me on edge. Didn't expect the 'human' side of things with Ethan, but yeah good plot. It made me very emotional at time with Logan kept waiting for Caspia to wake-up and find him gone so I was pleased at the ending in a way. But now she's stronger than Ethan and how is he going to manage to protect her.
January 7, 2011
I really enjoyed this story. The plot was creative and unlike any I've read before. The emotion that Caspia shows towards Ethan and Logan was truly believable. I was able to understand her grief and fear of losing those she loved along with the love she felt so strongly for them. Overall, this book was filled with romance, mystery, adventure, and even some sorrow so whatever you are looking for- it's in there and you're sure to be satisfied after finishing it.
May 18, 2012
This book was okaaaaaay. It seemed like the author was trying to please every reader. I did like the characters of Ms.Alice and Mr. Markov, and even Asheroth didn't seem like such a prick towards the end, so I hope his character is more developed in the next story. Ethan's character didn't seem fully fleshed out, he just wasn't that interesting all in all. His character started out great with the first meeting with Caspia in Ms. Alice's shop, but it kind of went downhill from there.
January 17, 2011
I absolutely loved this book! It was very original in it's plot. I loved Caspia as a main character. She was very strong willed and yet also vulnerable. Her relationship with her brother is so close and lovely. And I just love Ethan. :) I can't wait to read the rest of the series and meet more of the supernatural inhabitants of her hometown.
March 27, 2011
"Gifts of the Blood" by Vicki Keire is a very good book. It's about Caspia an art student with the ability to draw the future. She lives with her brother who fights his cancer and their parents are dead. And then, Caspia learns that her hometown is something special and the Light and Dark are two complicated meanings!
I like the story and the writing style of the author!!
I like the story and the writing style of the author!!
July 21, 2011
One of the slowest books I've ever read. Not only that, the characters seemed manic to me. One minute they're talking rationally and the next they're screaming and saying hurtful things to each other. Then, of course, they calm down and are rational again. Not just one character, but all experienced this. Just can't bring myself to read the sequel. Too much work.
February 25, 2011
Just started but great so far!
February 26, 2011
This was my first ebook read and I must say that I enjoyed every minute of my time with this story. The concept of Caspia’s gift was phenomenal. And Ethan…. Well, he can be my Romeo any day. LOL
July 29, 2015
faz Crepúsculo parecer muito bom.....me forcei ler até a metade e depois desisti antes de jogar meu kindle pela janela.
August 7, 2019
tried several times and gave up. the main character is annoying and the plot makes no sense.
March 23, 2018
I am just not into paranormal books with angels. I got this for my kindle through a BookBub offer so I thought I would give it a try and see if it could change my mind. I liked Caspia's paranormal drawing gift and the history of the nephilim was intriguing but there was too much insta-love and not enough actual plot and character development. I just didn't get invested enough to want to read the second book. If you are into paranormal YA angel series, then I would say give the first book a try.
October 14, 2024
This book was really hard to follow. I made it to chapter 12 before giving up. The arrival of Ethan into Caspia’s life and the no questioning of it was so absurd. Then the writing made me feel stupid like I am that friend wanting to know what people are talking about in a conversation and no one is letting me in on it. Seems like something written by an artsy fartsy mind.
December 27, 2016
I always liked a good book with angles fallen because of love for mortal women. Gifts of Blood is interesting, adventure, love, loss, fights between good and evil (with a twist - the evil is not the obvious one). I liked it.
May 7, 2017
While I liked this well enough, I don't feel like it really went anywhere. I'm not even completely certain what/who the actual conflict/antagonist is. Maybe that will be better revealed in the second book? I'm not sure if I'll be buying the next one, at least not yet and not at full price....
Displaying 1 - 30 of 129 reviews