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The Waif in the Wilds #1
Vicious Creatures
I've been asleep for the past ten years.
The horror of waking up from the best dream ever and remembering you’re a monster is indescribable. My soul is screaming for mercy, for forgiveness, for redemption… but I know I’ll never get it. I’m going to Hell for everything I’ve done.
The only thing I can do now is take as many monsters with me as I can.
My list is almost complete. There’s one more name to go, and it’s the hardest job I’ve ever done.
I’m on my way to Castlemaine — a bizarre little town hidden in between Wildwood Canyon and the Badlands of California.
Strange things lurk in Castlemaine. It’s the Bermuda Triangle of the United States — a place of weird old magic, odd people, and vicious creatures like me. Nobody ever wants to go there, because they might not ever come back. But I’ve got no choice.
I’m going to take out the man who taught me to kill.
Vicious Creatures is book one in The Waif in the Wilds, a hot new Urban Fantasy series by bestselling author Lauretta Hignett.
The horror of waking up from the best dream ever and remembering you’re a monster is indescribable. My soul is screaming for mercy, for forgiveness, for redemption… but I know I’ll never get it. I’m going to Hell for everything I’ve done.
The only thing I can do now is take as many monsters with me as I can.
My list is almost complete. There’s one more name to go, and it’s the hardest job I’ve ever done.
I’m on my way to Castlemaine — a bizarre little town hidden in between Wildwood Canyon and the Badlands of California.
Strange things lurk in Castlemaine. It’s the Bermuda Triangle of the United States — a place of weird old magic, odd people, and vicious creatures like me. Nobody ever wants to go there, because they might not ever come back. But I’ve got no choice.
I’m going to take out the man who taught me to kill.
Vicious Creatures is book one in The Waif in the Wilds, a hot new Urban Fantasy series by bestselling author Lauretta Hignett.
276 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 29, 2023
1271 people are currently reading
810 people want to read
About the author
Lauretta Hignett
53 books469 followersA raving fangirl for all things paranormal, supernatural, supernormal and fantastical, Lauretta writes fun Urban Fantasy, PNR and Superhero adventures with a dash of sweet romance and humour.
She's a massive fan of Young and New Adult fiction, loves a plot twist, hates cliffhangers, and always keeps her readers on their toes.
When she's not writing, Lauretta enjoys fad diets, sunshine, her two little children, weird craft projects and massive amounts of dark chocolate
She's a massive fan of Young and New Adult fiction, loves a plot twist, hates cliffhangers, and always keeps her readers on their toes.
When she's not writing, Lauretta enjoys fad diets, sunshine, her two little children, weird craft projects and massive amounts of dark chocolate
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 142 reviews
June 19, 2024
Trigger ⚠️
FL has a seriously traumatized background and then goes after human monsters... so semi explicit flashbacks of torture or what the dude's were planning to do.
Cathartic to see them die, but showing the reasons why could be bad for some.
FL has a seriously traumatized background and then goes after human monsters... so semi explicit flashbacks of torture or what the dude's were planning to do.
Cathartic to see them die, but showing the reasons why could be bad for some.
October 28, 2023
Lauretta Hignett has taken one of my favorite characters from her Blood and Magic Series and created a wonderful new storyline about Chloe.
Chloe was a simple young woman who had virtually been asleep for 10 years. She lived as a hairdresser and a wonderful friend to Prue! When she awoke, she was in for a very
rude awaking.
Chloe is out to fix her past life, and along the way, she gets involved with several new and interesting friends. Dwayne the goose, Jeb the creature of the forest and a young girl named Sarah. Oh, and we can't forget Nathaniel, the owner of the Gym.
Chloe is being hunted by a person from her past as well as new threats. They definitely don't want Chloe to get away!
I found this storyline absolutely fantastic, and I definitely couldn't put it down!
So, if you loved Lauretta's past books, this one is a must-read.
If you have never read her other series, you will still enjoy this one immensely. But if you want the full enjoyment, pick up her Blood and Magic Series. Actually, start with her best-selling Imogen Gray series, and you can love these all from the very beginning like I did. You won't regret it!
Chloe was a simple young woman who had virtually been asleep for 10 years. She lived as a hairdresser and a wonderful friend to Prue! When she awoke, she was in for a very
rude awaking.
Chloe is out to fix her past life, and along the way, she gets involved with several new and interesting friends. Dwayne the goose, Jeb the creature of the forest and a young girl named Sarah. Oh, and we can't forget Nathaniel, the owner of the Gym.
Chloe is being hunted by a person from her past as well as new threats. They definitely don't want Chloe to get away!
I found this storyline absolutely fantastic, and I definitely couldn't put it down!
So, if you loved Lauretta's past books, this one is a must-read.
If you have never read her other series, you will still enjoy this one immensely. But if you want the full enjoyment, pick up her Blood and Magic Series. Actually, start with her best-selling Imogen Gray series, and you can love these all from the very beginning like I did. You won't regret it!
January 7, 2024
I’ll start by saying I haven’t read Hignet’s previous connecting series, Blood and Magic”, however I don’t really think it affected my enjoyment of ‘Vicious Creatures’. There was enough background, flashbacks and explanation to enable the reader to start Chloe’s journey here…
Vicious Creature’s is a really fun urban fantasy read, the FMC Chloe is a remorseful kickass former assassin, she had a chance to live as another simpler, sweeter version of herself and it changed her life for the better. She is on the run with her sidekick Dwayne the Battle Goose and ends up in the town of Nexus which is bursting with quirky supernatural characters. The plot is wonderfully written with plenty of mystery, a lovable found family and a super hot shadowy, growly love interest. It has a lot of originality and I can’t wait to see how the story goes from here.
Vicious Creature’s is a really fun urban fantasy read, the FMC Chloe is a remorseful kickass former assassin, she had a chance to live as another simpler, sweeter version of herself and it changed her life for the better. She is on the run with her sidekick Dwayne the Battle Goose and ends up in the town of Nexus which is bursting with quirky supernatural characters. The plot is wonderfully written with plenty of mystery, a lovable found family and a super hot shadowy, growly love interest. It has a lot of originality and I can’t wait to see how the story goes from here.
May 3, 2024
I was bamboozled because the ARC reviewers got to review this first. So you don’t see or there just wasn’t any low ratings expressing the truth of this book. That’s unfortunate. So now I can’t trust reviews, can’t trust book descriptions, can’t trust ratings, and now I’ll need to hold off buying a book until others get bamboozled before me to rate it truthfully. Oh the joys of consumerism in 2024!
What on earth is this even about? It is so full of just TSTL, constant crying, bipolar ADHD crap I can’t for the life of me figure out what the point of it all is. Is the point to give readers a headache??? Because 5 stars in that. This feels like the just turned 14 high school drama type book for YA. So maybe I’m not the correct genre for that. Even still, could the author tone down the bursting in tears a bit?
What on earth is this even about? It is so full of just TSTL, constant crying, bipolar ADHD crap I can’t for the life of me figure out what the point of it all is. Is the point to give readers a headache??? Because 5 stars in that. This feels like the just turned 14 high school drama type book for YA. So maybe I’m not the correct genre for that. Even still, could the author tone down the bursting in tears a bit?
February 4, 2024
This was fantastic! I can't really describe what about it was so fantastic, it just hit all the right spots for me.
The world is interesting and original, the characters all morally grey and I love Chloe and all the side characters. They are easy, quick reads, and there're several of them.
I'm off to read the second!
The world is interesting and original, the characters all morally grey and I love Chloe and all the side characters. They are easy, quick reads, and there're several of them.
I'm off to read the second!
February 12, 2024
This was so enjoyable and really easy to read. There is a lot of good world-building and characterization here, and the story is just GOOD. Unique circumstances, and an overall super enjoyable read. I didn't love the flashbacks, but I do understand we need a very good understanding of the history of our protagonist, but I think this could have been achieved in a better way.
Regardless, this was awesome. I loved it and I devoured it and I am already rushing through the rest of the series.
Regardless, this was awesome. I loved it and I devoured it and I am already rushing through the rest of the series.
May 18, 2024
DNF at 7% the beginning of the book is supposed to be your most polished and compelling part. But if the starting scene is this clunky and drawn out I don’t want to know what the rest of the book is like.
We spend the first 5% of this book setting up one scene. One scene.
5% of the book spent convincing the reader that the guy she is seen talking to is a bad dude. Just over and over, new drawn out, heavy handed evidence for a character that doesn’t even matter and can’t even be called a side character. On top of that, we have to sit through her making up, and continuing to act out, a sob story and pretending to be vulnerable for far too long.
Yes yes we get the picture already, he is a bad guy. Can we please move on from this needlessly long starting scene? We have spent way too much time here. I understood what was happening within the first two pages, and yet I’m still being bashed over the head with “he’s evil, look how gross and evil this throwaway character is. You thought you hated this character already? Well how about now!? And what about this!? And also he kicks puppies. And he drowns kittens”
Not to mention we have to keep listening to her bemoaning a fake made up backstory for this con. The entirety of what has happened in this book thus far could have easily been condensed to a few paragraphs with nothing lost. And then we could fucking move on. Something like a good first hook sentence that would instantly skip to the important bits, like maybe just “Mr. blank liked to beat his wife.” Then explain how the main character knows this about him, how he might seem like an unassuming godly man, but the thoughts running through his head were anything but saintly ect. BOOM just condensed 4% of the entire book down to a few sentences.
I don’t know if this book is self published… but I know this is self published.
We spend the first 5% of this book setting up one scene. One scene.
5% of the book spent convincing the reader that the guy she is seen talking to is a bad dude. Just over and over, new drawn out, heavy handed evidence for a character that doesn’t even matter and can’t even be called a side character. On top of that, we have to sit through her making up, and continuing to act out, a sob story and pretending to be vulnerable for far too long.
Yes yes we get the picture already, he is a bad guy. Can we please move on from this needlessly long starting scene? We have spent way too much time here. I understood what was happening within the first two pages, and yet I’m still being bashed over the head with “he’s evil, look how gross and evil this throwaway character is. You thought you hated this character already? Well how about now!? And what about this!? And also he kicks puppies. And he drowns kittens”
Not to mention we have to keep listening to her bemoaning a fake made up backstory for this con. The entirety of what has happened in this book thus far could have easily been condensed to a few paragraphs with nothing lost. And then we could fucking move on. Something like a good first hook sentence that would instantly skip to the important bits, like maybe just “Mr. blank liked to beat his wife.” Then explain how the main character knows this about him, how he might seem like an unassuming godly man, but the thoughts running through his head were anything but saintly ect. BOOM just condensed 4% of the entire book down to a few sentences.
I don’t know if this book is self published… but I know this is self published.
May 27, 2024
“No one comes between a girl and her battle goose.”
This was the line advertising this book online and I read it based on that alone, without learning anything more about it, which was risky but turned out great! I started out skeptical but the book really drew me in and by the end, I was invested and ready to read the next in the series. I look forward to seeing where this goes!
And yes, the goose provides some great entertainment.
This was the line advertising this book online and I read it based on that alone, without learning anything more about it, which was risky but turned out great! I started out skeptical but the book really drew me in and by the end, I was invested and ready to read the next in the series. I look forward to seeing where this goes!
And yes, the goose provides some great entertainment.
May 2, 2024
Normally like LH books, but it was a chore to read…absolutely did not care for Chloe…liked how she called herself sweet dumb Chloe…but now that she has woken up she still is dumb Chloe she just lost the sweet..also has a lot of nerve calling Nathaniel dumb as a box of rocks…it was a pot meet kettle moment…lots of other reviews were screaming about trigger warnings…guess I am not sure want they were bitching about unless it was the unintelligent shaming I seen a lot of from our soooo smart Chloe..
March 14, 2024
a really interesting story and take on a supernatural world. Loved the backstory and the FMC. We get to know her through flashbacks and snippets of her very sad and violent story that are well narrated. The reason for the 3 stars is 1) how complicated the MMC mission is to explain - wowser it is so complicated that even the author struggles to explain it and that dialogue is really difficult to follow - in my opinion could have been a lot more simple and still be compelling for the reader; 2) the FMC killing spree justification of the sect leaders is bit "light" - she kills someone who someone else said is evil... it is not really believable from a narrative prospective; sounds like there are few corners that were cut there to progress with the story.
We meet the MMC in this first book half way through the story; he is dark and dangerous and the FMC feels his influence - nothing too unexpected. Another corner cut is the background justifying his threat to kill the FMC if she does not help him eliciting a "ok I will do it if you need me to" from her. All in all, the story is original, secondary characters are interesting with high potential, the narration could be more relatable as require a lot of "suspended believe" not only for the world built but it is interesting enough that the reader is engaged.
We meet the MMC in this first book half way through the story; he is dark and dangerous and the FMC feels his influence - nothing too unexpected. Another corner cut is the background justifying his threat to kill the FMC if she does not help him eliciting a "ok I will do it if you need me to" from her. All in all, the story is original, secondary characters are interesting with high potential, the narration could be more relatable as require a lot of "suspended believe" not only for the world built but it is interesting enough that the reader is engaged.
January 30, 2024
Weird book and too overly the top in scope for world building for me. Interesting enough but not loving it. Will read the second book and see.
November 30, 2023
Well wow! This was so different to what I was expecting, so different to anything I've read before. And it kept that sentiment going throughout the book. I started off sympathising big time with this poor girl sobbing her eyes out in a dinner. Very quickly that sympathy turned to giggling and finally, I was just astounded! Astounded at "Anna's" acting skills, astounded at her proclamations, and most certainly astounded by her actions! All of which was in the first chapter... which had me rubbing my hands together in anticipation of what next! And what a mysterious tale the author has fashioned, hitting me with surprise after surprise.
Another huge wow, these characters! My word, Ms Hignett has hatched characters that boggle the mind, EVERY SINGLE ONE! Well, maybe not HATCHED but definitely something more otherwordly than created, that's too bland a word to describe these innovative characters, and yeah, pun intended.... I mean, we get Chloe, who's entire life screams "wrong", we get the most fabulous, aggressive, kickbutt goose, we get a little girl called Sarah who's, well heck, something different! We get gods, we get shifters, we get clandestine organisations; bloodthirsty organisations, we get a mysterious town and a mysterious cult, yep, we get pretty much everything and best of all, it makes perfect sense, a story that keeps you engaged from the beginning, characters that are moulded into a presence so unique, they're all drool worthy. Seriously, my jaw kept opening unaided, unhinged and unable to shut, so yeah, the drool was the unintentional result. Chloe, oh heavens, Chloe... I wanted to pick her up, smother her in hugs and kisses and whisk her away to a secluded island where she would be safe and happy. And of course Dwayne too, I'd NEVER seperate them!
The more the story opened up, the more the plot unfolded, the more my jaw dropped. I really enjoyed the snippets of the past from Chloe, the things she endured, what she was conditioned to do, is horrific. An assignment gone wrong actually goes very right for Chloe, she realises how she had erred when she "awakens" and the need to correct it is overwhelming, the need for redemption is overwhelming. Only thing is, the more she discovers, the more intricate her world becomes, the more she realises nothing is quite so simply. From a "simple" girl wanting to eliminate a man who, she feels, turned her into a monster, to a revelation of gods, different worlds and of the importance of Chloe's role in it all. Yep, pretty much mindblowing, both Chloe and I were reeling. The magnitude of who, of why and the how is collosal, the plot is collosal, the characters are too, it's all larger than life, it's all thrilling, it's all so stunningly captivating. A story guaranteed to blow your mind as much as it did mine. A story that will have you rooting and cheering for Chloe, a story you'll desperately WANT to keep reading!
Another huge wow, these characters! My word, Ms Hignett has hatched characters that boggle the mind, EVERY SINGLE ONE! Well, maybe not HATCHED but definitely something more otherwordly than created, that's too bland a word to describe these innovative characters, and yeah, pun intended.... I mean, we get Chloe, who's entire life screams "wrong", we get the most fabulous, aggressive, kickbutt goose, we get a little girl called Sarah who's, well heck, something different! We get gods, we get shifters, we get clandestine organisations; bloodthirsty organisations, we get a mysterious town and a mysterious cult, yep, we get pretty much everything and best of all, it makes perfect sense, a story that keeps you engaged from the beginning, characters that are moulded into a presence so unique, they're all drool worthy. Seriously, my jaw kept opening unaided, unhinged and unable to shut, so yeah, the drool was the unintentional result. Chloe, oh heavens, Chloe... I wanted to pick her up, smother her in hugs and kisses and whisk her away to a secluded island where she would be safe and happy. And of course Dwayne too, I'd NEVER seperate them!
The more the story opened up, the more the plot unfolded, the more my jaw dropped. I really enjoyed the snippets of the past from Chloe, the things she endured, what she was conditioned to do, is horrific. An assignment gone wrong actually goes very right for Chloe, she realises how she had erred when she "awakens" and the need to correct it is overwhelming, the need for redemption is overwhelming. Only thing is, the more she discovers, the more intricate her world becomes, the more she realises nothing is quite so simply. From a "simple" girl wanting to eliminate a man who, she feels, turned her into a monster, to a revelation of gods, different worlds and of the importance of Chloe's role in it all. Yep, pretty much mindblowing, both Chloe and I were reeling. The magnitude of who, of why and the how is collosal, the plot is collosal, the characters are too, it's all larger than life, it's all thrilling, it's all so stunningly captivating. A story guaranteed to blow your mind as much as it did mine. A story that will have you rooting and cheering for Chloe, a story you'll desperately WANT to keep reading!
January 24, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
This girl kills bad people and she isn’t sorry about it. If you’re convinced you're destined to go to hell when you die, you might as well take a few people with you, right?
On the run from the only life she has ever known, Chloe is lost without a purpose other than killing those who made her into a killer. Circumstances lead her to a paranormal town with secrets of its own and Chloe is faced with the choice to find a way to accept her past or give up. She has so much pent-up grief and anger that she can't see a future for herself, but even those who have committed atrocious acts can find redemption in loyalty and helping those who need it most.
"This is the only thing that gives me peace. Killing people like you is the only thing that silences the screaming in my head, just for a moment, and I relish it." - Chloe
As Chloe starts to collect friends in Castlemaine, we are introduced to some truly fun secondary characters who may have as much baggage as her own demons. The standout was obviously Dwayne, the vicious sidekick was delightfully surly with a personality to match his ego. Whoever thought a goose couldn't be fierce never met a goose - even if Dwayne may be more than just a normal bird.
I loved the magical tease of this world and the slow unfolding of past events mixed in with the present. The first chapter drags you right into the action, there is little lead-in or explanation until further into the book. Stick with it, the story is worth it I promise, and all will be revealed.
"Goddamnit, I was like a leaky tap these days. Child Assassin Chloe never cried. Sweet Dumb Chloe cried at insurance commercials. Who the fuck was I now?" - Chloe
This was a story of grief, abuse, and depression, but also the power of companionship to heal. Chloe's determination and strength will only serve her well as she integrates into Castlemaine and finds her place in the paranormal town for morally grey individuals. And I just know Malik Malleus, the prime candidate for a slow-burn love interest, won't be able to keep Chloe at arm's length forever.
While some plot lines are concluded, more persist to the next book and there is a cliffhanger. I can't wait to pick up book two!
More reviews at www.ratherbookish.com
Tropes and Themes: Urban Fantasy, Magic, Mystery, Paranormal, Vampires, Angels, Hell, Dystopia, Animal Sidekick, Monsters, Small Town, Slow Burn.
This girl kills bad people and she isn’t sorry about it. If you’re convinced you're destined to go to hell when you die, you might as well take a few people with you, right?
On the run from the only life she has ever known, Chloe is lost without a purpose other than killing those who made her into a killer. Circumstances lead her to a paranormal town with secrets of its own and Chloe is faced with the choice to find a way to accept her past or give up. She has so much pent-up grief and anger that she can't see a future for herself, but even those who have committed atrocious acts can find redemption in loyalty and helping those who need it most.
"This is the only thing that gives me peace. Killing people like you is the only thing that silences the screaming in my head, just for a moment, and I relish it." - Chloe
As Chloe starts to collect friends in Castlemaine, we are introduced to some truly fun secondary characters who may have as much baggage as her own demons. The standout was obviously Dwayne, the vicious sidekick was delightfully surly with a personality to match his ego. Whoever thought a goose couldn't be fierce never met a goose - even if Dwayne may be more than just a normal bird.
I loved the magical tease of this world and the slow unfolding of past events mixed in with the present. The first chapter drags you right into the action, there is little lead-in or explanation until further into the book. Stick with it, the story is worth it I promise, and all will be revealed.
"Goddamnit, I was like a leaky tap these days. Child Assassin Chloe never cried. Sweet Dumb Chloe cried at insurance commercials. Who the fuck was I now?" - Chloe
This was a story of grief, abuse, and depression, but also the power of companionship to heal. Chloe's determination and strength will only serve her well as she integrates into Castlemaine and finds her place in the paranormal town for morally grey individuals. And I just know Malik Malleus, the prime candidate for a slow-burn love interest, won't be able to keep Chloe at arm's length forever.
While some plot lines are concluded, more persist to the next book and there is a cliffhanger. I can't wait to pick up book two!
More reviews at www.ratherbookish.com
Tropes and Themes: Urban Fantasy, Magic, Mystery, Paranormal, Vampires, Angels, Hell, Dystopia, Animal Sidekick, Monsters, Small Town, Slow Burn.
December 27, 2024
Oh Man, this book was exactly what I needed. The plot was fresh and original—not your typical overdone storyline. It features a strong female lead who’s witty (not just a stereotypical “bitch”), genuinely funny, and has a best friend who’s a goose. Yes, a goose. The male lead is, of course, broody and dark, but in a way that feels compelling rather than annoying. The banter between the two main characters was wildly entertaining, and I loved the slow burn of their relationship.
Chloe was raised by her father to be an assassin—a weapon for him to wield at his discretion. During one of her missions, she adopted the false persona of “Sweet Dumb Chloe.” However, a spell was cast on her that prevented her from recognizing or remembering magic, effectively locking her undercover personality in place and erasing her true identity as a cold-blooded assassin. For ten years, she lived as “Sweet Dumb Chloe,” until the spell was broken. When it broke, not only did she remember everything, but she also gained the ability to see what people were thinking.
This newfound ability helped her on her quest to eliminate everyone responsible for turning her into an assassin. She saved the hardest target for last, knowing the odds of her surviving the encounter were slim. To locate him, she settled in a strange town called Castlemaine, where she befriended various “monsters” and Nathaniel, a not-so-scary shifter who couldn’t actually shift.
On her journey to kill her final target, Chloe stumbled upon a new quest that required her to team up with Malik, who is terrifying yet deliciously dark. By the end of the book, the primary quest was resolved, but the story left us on a cliffhanger, perfectly setting up the next installment. I appreciated that the main plot was wrapped up, while the cliffhanger was intriguing enough to keep me hooked without being overly frustrating.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot was intriguing, the characters were well-developed, the banter was sharp and funny, and it was a quick, easy read. The only thing that could have made it better? A little more spice.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character Development/Depth: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chloe was raised by her father to be an assassin—a weapon for him to wield at his discretion. During one of her missions, she adopted the false persona of “Sweet Dumb Chloe.” However, a spell was cast on her that prevented her from recognizing or remembering magic, effectively locking her undercover personality in place and erasing her true identity as a cold-blooded assassin. For ten years, she lived as “Sweet Dumb Chloe,” until the spell was broken. When it broke, not only did she remember everything, but she also gained the ability to see what people were thinking.
This newfound ability helped her on her quest to eliminate everyone responsible for turning her into an assassin. She saved the hardest target for last, knowing the odds of her surviving the encounter were slim. To locate him, she settled in a strange town called Castlemaine, where she befriended various “monsters” and Nathaniel, a not-so-scary shifter who couldn’t actually shift.
On her journey to kill her final target, Chloe stumbled upon a new quest that required her to team up with Malik, who is terrifying yet deliciously dark. By the end of the book, the primary quest was resolved, but the story left us on a cliffhanger, perfectly setting up the next installment. I appreciated that the main plot was wrapped up, while the cliffhanger was intriguing enough to keep me hooked without being overly frustrating.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The plot was intriguing, the characters were well-developed, the banter was sharp and funny, and it was a quick, easy read. The only thing that could have made it better? A little more spice.
Overall: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️
Plot: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character Development/Depth: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 13, 2025
Chloe is one of the most damaged people ever put to paper. Born only to be used as n assassin by her father she be never known love, kindness or empathy. She is murdering people (of all ages) by the time she is five, taught to be invisible, silent and deadly. If she failed her punishments were horrendous, any form of torture that you can imagine she endured and never did she try to escape. Insanely Chloe loved her father he only wanted to please him, psychologically manipulated as well. as a final cruelty Chloe's father teaches her all about Christianity, heaven and hell and what will be waiting for her in the afterlife. At sixteen she is sent into a private school undercover, her cover is that of a girl who is not very bright but has a sweet personality. Why Chloe and her father don't know is the school is a haven for supernaturals and my human children allowed in are spelled to be oblivious to what is around them. Child's father cannot understand what Chloe is playing at, his best asset has seemingly forgotten all her training and thinks she's ordinary. After trying everything to who Chloe out of whatever is going on he dumps her as she I useless to him now. Cat toward the here nd Chloe he had the spell lifted, she is herself again but also different in lifting the spell the witch went bit too far and Chloe cm now see into everyone she meets soul, she knows their deposit secrets thoughts and feelings. Unable to live like this Chloe decides to kill herself but not before killing those responsible for making her what she is...,............ This book sounds all deep and gloomy but it really isn't mainly due to the matter of fact attitude Chloe has to her past. Chloe is also side character from the Bone s series by the same author.......
February 17, 2024
Good, entertaining, and surprisingly deep
It all started with a killer goose. I mean, how much more silly and raucous can that be? Yet, something about Chloe’s story pulled me in and made me read almost the whole thing in one sitting. There’s just so many layers to the story and characters, it’s fascinating to keep reading and uncovering layer after layer.
This is a redemption story at its heart. Chloe has just been awakened from a 10-year spell that locked away assassin Chloe, who had been honed into an instrument of destruction from birth. The spell instead turned her into loving, good, slightly airheaded Chloe who loved everyone and everything. Now that the spell’s been broken, the real Chloe has to find a way to make both halves of her personality live together in harmony.
Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds, and Chloe’s first and overriding impulse to do this is to assassinate the man who was her teacher. Many, many tries. Even as he continues to teach her, and continues to resist her attempts to assassinate him, and she realizes she’s learning and growing, still she keeps throwing herself against that wall where she tries yet again to kill him. I feel ya, Chloe. I, too, continue my self-destructive behaviors in spite of knowing and feeling better. Must be the familiarity of habit or something like that.
See what I mean? Deep. But also funny. I also love how Chloe collects monsters like that cool neighborhood mom collects kids just randomly dropping in for dinner.
It all started with a killer goose. I mean, how much more silly and raucous can that be? Yet, something about Chloe’s story pulled me in and made me read almost the whole thing in one sitting. There’s just so many layers to the story and characters, it’s fascinating to keep reading and uncovering layer after layer.
This is a redemption story at its heart. Chloe has just been awakened from a 10-year spell that locked away assassin Chloe, who had been honed into an instrument of destruction from birth. The spell instead turned her into loving, good, slightly airheaded Chloe who loved everyone and everything. Now that the spell’s been broken, the real Chloe has to find a way to make both halves of her personality live together in harmony.
Of course, it’s not as easy as it sounds, and Chloe’s first and overriding impulse to do this is to assassinate the man who was her teacher. Many, many tries. Even as he continues to teach her, and continues to resist her attempts to assassinate him, and she realizes she’s learning and growing, still she keeps throwing herself against that wall where she tries yet again to kill him. I feel ya, Chloe. I, too, continue my self-destructive behaviors in spite of knowing and feeling better. Must be the familiarity of habit or something like that.
See what I mean? Deep. But also funny. I also love how Chloe collects monsters like that cool neighborhood mom collects kids just randomly dropping in for dinner.
July 17, 2024
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
3.75* -- I read all 4 books back to back, so this rating is for all of them.
I enjoyed the world, didn't realise when I stated that it's a spin off series, that I'd only read book one of, but found that that didn't matter. Can definitely read all 4 books in the series as its own thing.
I enjoyed the characters, main and secondary, and would like to see more of their adventures.
First time read the author's work?: No
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
3.75* -- I read all 4 books back to back, so this rating is for all of them.
I enjoyed the world, didn't realise when I stated that it's a spin off series, that I'd only read book one of, but found that that didn't matter. Can definitely read all 4 books in the series as its own thing.
I enjoyed the characters, main and secondary, and would like to see more of their adventures.
First time read the author's work?: No
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: Yes
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
April 12, 2024
good
This is dark urban fantasy, with a heroine who might be on the shadier side of morally grey.
The series is a spin-off from the blood and magic series, which it might help to have read first, though it’s not entirely necessary (more world building background than anything else).
Chloe is a former assassin who has spent the last ten years under a spell that hides reality from her, and having been restored to herself, she is struggling with the truth: not the truth of the supernatural as one might suppose, but the truth of herself. Her eyes have been opened, both literally and metaphorically, to the truth, and she’s not entirely happy with it.
That’s how the list of people she needs to kill got made, and it’s how she finds herself in a supernatural town, with a murderous goose, and making friends with numerous other dark entities.
It’s an entertaining read, with some rather dark events (lightly mentioned but definitely traumatic for our heroine). Her goosey companion Dwayne (arguably the best reason for reading the book) is extremely amusing (and murderous), and her ever growing stable of dark-and-dangerous-and-maybe-damaged entities will make you smile (mostly at the fact that sometimes Chloe still acts like dumb, sweet Chloe).
This one is for the urban fantasy fans who enjoy their stories a little darker, but with humorous elements.
This is dark urban fantasy, with a heroine who might be on the shadier side of morally grey.
The series is a spin-off from the blood and magic series, which it might help to have read first, though it’s not entirely necessary (more world building background than anything else).
Chloe is a former assassin who has spent the last ten years under a spell that hides reality from her, and having been restored to herself, she is struggling with the truth: not the truth of the supernatural as one might suppose, but the truth of herself. Her eyes have been opened, both literally and metaphorically, to the truth, and she’s not entirely happy with it.
That’s how the list of people she needs to kill got made, and it’s how she finds herself in a supernatural town, with a murderous goose, and making friends with numerous other dark entities.
It’s an entertaining read, with some rather dark events (lightly mentioned but definitely traumatic for our heroine). Her goosey companion Dwayne (arguably the best reason for reading the book) is extremely amusing (and murderous), and her ever growing stable of dark-and-dangerous-and-maybe-damaged entities will make you smile (mostly at the fact that sometimes Chloe still acts like dumb, sweet Chloe).
This one is for the urban fantasy fans who enjoy their stories a little darker, but with humorous elements.
October 26, 2023
Finally got my hands on this highly anticipated read! Couldn't wait for Chloe's story after her cameos in the final book of the Blood & Magic series. This book backtracks a bit to introduce a newly awakened Chloe at the start of her journey of redemption. Her eyes are opened after living 10 years under a spell that hid her true self as a highly trained child assassin. She tries to make up for her past misdeeds by killing all the bad people that made her into who she is. The last person on her list leads her back to the strange town of Castlemaine. A town where even other supernaturals are afraid of. She has a battle goose as her best friend/backup and befriends a child poltergeist and teenage hell hound along the way. Add in a dark, mysterious, handsome god-like founder of the town who watches her every move - what more can you ask for in a book?
This book can be read as a standalone but would highly recommend reading all the other previous series to get the best enjoyment. The writing and dialogue is top-notch. The author builds a world with unique and endearing characters that you would want to be BFFs with. Couldn't put the book down. The next installment can't come out fast enough!
This book can be read as a standalone but would highly recommend reading all the other previous series to get the best enjoyment. The writing and dialogue is top-notch. The author builds a world with unique and endearing characters that you would want to be BFFs with. Couldn't put the book down. The next installment can't come out fast enough!
July 29, 2024
2.5-3 stars?
Look, that was one heck of an opening chapter. It immediately hooked and reeled me in. After that it kind of went down hill. I will say the next couple of chapters where a bit slow but still engaging and then you get to the middle of the book and it seems like the author just gave up.
Our MC just seems to skate by. I don't get the thing with the goose. Is it supposed to be a funny sidekick? Why not have a cat or something? A goose is a bit weird and I already knew from the begining of the book he'd end up turning into some demigod of something from how they're engaging.
Also as I was reading I got the sense I was missing some key information and did a little digging to find out that there was an entire series prior to this one that had Chloe in it. I think that would have been helpful to know before starting this series but decided to just go with it. I didn't what to start a 6 book series just so I could read this one. Thankfully it didn't seem I had to since the author just info dumped on us the entire time.
I truly don't understand the 5 star ratings. I'd give it a 2-3 stars but 5 is like LOTR, TOG, spark of the Everflame, etc. I don't know who's reading this and thinking "literary masterpiece"
Look, that was one heck of an opening chapter. It immediately hooked and reeled me in. After that it kind of went down hill. I will say the next couple of chapters where a bit slow but still engaging and then you get to the middle of the book and it seems like the author just gave up.
Our MC just seems to skate by. I don't get the thing with the goose. Is it supposed to be a funny sidekick? Why not have a cat or something? A goose is a bit weird and I already knew from the begining of the book he'd end up turning into some demigod of something from how they're engaging.
Also as I was reading I got the sense I was missing some key information and did a little digging to find out that there was an entire series prior to this one that had Chloe in it. I think that would have been helpful to know before starting this series but decided to just go with it. I didn't what to start a 6 book series just so I could read this one. Thankfully it didn't seem I had to since the author just info dumped on us the entire time.
I truly don't understand the 5 star ratings. I'd give it a 2-3 stars but 5 is like LOTR, TOG, spark of the Everflame, etc. I don't know who's reading this and thinking "literary masterpiece"
November 3, 2023
Wow, what a ride!
Chloe has a few problems, mainly that she is trying to deal with her two lives. The first as a vicious, assassin, abused and molded into a monster by her father. The other, an innocent that learned how to love and exist as a pure soul. Now that they have been shoved back together, she has to relearn who she really is, and find her true place in the world.
She is beyond broken. Determined to finish her kill list of all the monsters that formed her, she has to pick up the pieces of her life and learn to either live with it or die.
Luckily, she finds help, but not in the places you would expect. To learn more you'll have to read it, but I'll tell you up front, she's finding a path with the help of her equally broken friends. An alien goose, a hellhound, a ghost, and a group of misplaced gods. It's gonna be a journey!
I can't wait to travel along it with Chloe. She might be the most complex character yet in this growing world!
Pick this up is you love a strong character, adventure, moments of ridiculous fun, and savage, vicious, (misunderstood) creatures!
Chloe has a few problems, mainly that she is trying to deal with her two lives. The first as a vicious, assassin, abused and molded into a monster by her father. The other, an innocent that learned how to love and exist as a pure soul. Now that they have been shoved back together, she has to relearn who she really is, and find her true place in the world.
She is beyond broken. Determined to finish her kill list of all the monsters that formed her, she has to pick up the pieces of her life and learn to either live with it or die.
Luckily, she finds help, but not in the places you would expect. To learn more you'll have to read it, but I'll tell you up front, she's finding a path with the help of her equally broken friends. An alien goose, a hellhound, a ghost, and a group of misplaced gods. It's gonna be a journey!
I can't wait to travel along it with Chloe. She might be the most complex character yet in this growing world!
Pick this up is you love a strong character, adventure, moments of ridiculous fun, and savage, vicious, (misunderstood) creatures!
December 3, 2023
I struggled to figure out how to rate this book because of mixed feelings. I almost dnf at the beginning because it was too confusing and there were multiple flashbacks and characters at play. Overall there were a ton of flashbacks in this entire book. I understand why the author might have felt they were necessary but I’m not sure they were. I don’t need to know a teenager was gang raped by her dad’s employees to understand that it happened.
However, the idea of someone with almost a split personality understanding a magical world for the first time became interesting enough that I stuck with this story. I like that Chloe is slowly losing it trying to reconcile two parts of herself that she had no control over with a new version of her that’s free. I like that she’s a bad ass but not 100% unbeatable and bitchy (a line a lot of authors can’t figure out.) I don’t think the cliffhanger was much of one at all and I’m not worried about it/her but I am going to read the second book ASAP to see where things go and if she ever figures her life out.
However, the idea of someone with almost a split personality understanding a magical world for the first time became interesting enough that I stuck with this story. I like that Chloe is slowly losing it trying to reconcile two parts of herself that she had no control over with a new version of her that’s free. I like that she’s a bad ass but not 100% unbeatable and bitchy (a line a lot of authors can’t figure out.) I don’t think the cliffhanger was much of one at all and I’m not worried about it/her but I am going to read the second book ASAP to see where things go and if she ever figures her life out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2024
So many sides to Chloe!
This book took a while to set its hooks into me. It's a little darker than what I normally read, and Chloe, our leading lady, wasn't really grabbing me as a character I could come to like. But then about halfway through it all sort of just clicked into place for me & from there I didn't want to put the book down!
To say that Chloe has had a hard life is, in some respects, is a massive understatement. But in other ways, she wasn't always unhappy with her life. And this is part of her moral dilemma and contributes a lot towards her current motivations.
This book really ties a range of emotions in for me. Disgust, revulsion, empathy, sympathy, just to name a few. And somehow, in amongst all that, laugh out loud humour. For anyone who likes picking their way into the deeper inner workings of a character, there's really a full existential crisis just waiting for you to sink your teeth into (but I'll leave that for someone else to discuss).
I read this book through Kindle Unlimited and will be going straight back in for part 2.
This book took a while to set its hooks into me. It's a little darker than what I normally read, and Chloe, our leading lady, wasn't really grabbing me as a character I could come to like. But then about halfway through it all sort of just clicked into place for me & from there I didn't want to put the book down!
To say that Chloe has had a hard life is, in some respects, is a massive understatement. But in other ways, she wasn't always unhappy with her life. And this is part of her moral dilemma and contributes a lot towards her current motivations.
This book really ties a range of emotions in for me. Disgust, revulsion, empathy, sympathy, just to name a few. And somehow, in amongst all that, laugh out loud humour. For anyone who likes picking their way into the deeper inner workings of a character, there's really a full existential crisis just waiting for you to sink your teeth into (but I'll leave that for someone else to discuss).
I read this book through Kindle Unlimited and will be going straight back in for part 2.
July 4, 2024
I'm not even sure
One of my pet hates is running different timelines, especially if it isn't necessary. I almost gave up with during the first half of the book but then we got to meet the goose. All I have taken away from this book is Chloe wants to die, cries a lot and is/was an assassin... Doesn't eat much for days but packs a punch (realistic? No)
What made this an hmmm book for me, was she knows about supernatural creatures but still acts like they are impossible. If you are looking for a little romance this is not the book for you or me to be honest. I honestly couldn't visualize Chloe, is that meant to be the assassin mystery? Is she tall, short, muscular, trim?? Well I suppose we know she has violet eyes.
I suppose what bothered me about this read is I'm not sure even the author knew where this was going. At points I was just wondering what the heck I was reading and why the story wasn't connecting with the backwards forwards we were put through.
One of my pet hates is running different timelines, especially if it isn't necessary. I almost gave up with during the first half of the book but then we got to meet the goose. All I have taken away from this book is Chloe wants to die, cries a lot and is/was an assassin... Doesn't eat much for days but packs a punch (realistic? No)
What made this an hmmm book for me, was she knows about supernatural creatures but still acts like they are impossible. If you are looking for a little romance this is not the book for you or me to be honest. I honestly couldn't visualize Chloe, is that meant to be the assassin mystery? Is she tall, short, muscular, trim?? Well I suppose we know she has violet eyes.
I suppose what bothered me about this read is I'm not sure even the author knew where this was going. At points I was just wondering what the heck I was reading and why the story wasn't connecting with the backwards forwards we were put through.
October 25, 2023
I just finished this book, and I am so excited to read more. I had read this author’s Blood and Magic series in three days, so I couldn’t contain my excitement in getting this series. This book follows Chloe whom we saw in the series I had read. I loved her in that, and I love her even more after reading this one. Poor Chloe is so broken by so many events in her past, and we get to see some of those events in not graphic detail, but we don’t need them to feel her pain. I am so looking forward to her journey for her own need of redemption, what is going to happen with the residents of Castlemaine, and just anything that comes next with her. Excellent writing, wonderful plot, engaging characters, and overall a great urban fantasy. Highly recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.
January 19, 2024
Two words: Battle Goose.
I read the first three in this series back to back because I need to know what happened to the goose, let’s be honest. LOL (The 4th isn’t out yet.)
I enjoyed the Bad Bones series- this is a spin off of a character from those books. I liked the way the author used her as a plot twist and this is the follow up.
I also started Imogen Gray (another character from this world building) but couldn’t really get into it.
This series is entertaining but does have some more complicated elements (fractured gods, Lightbringers) that are the reasons I didn’t follow thru on Imogen. They just don’t quite work for me-they just don’t feel integrated into the whole, or possibly aren’t developed well enough.
HOWEVER, Hignett is a creative writer and she’s funny, which goes a long way with me. And Dwayne is awesome. 🪿 So Chloe West was a win in my book.
I read the first three in this series back to back because I need to know what happened to the goose, let’s be honest. LOL (The 4th isn’t out yet.)
I enjoyed the Bad Bones series- this is a spin off of a character from those books. I liked the way the author used her as a plot twist and this is the follow up.
I also started Imogen Gray (another character from this world building) but couldn’t really get into it.
This series is entertaining but does have some more complicated elements (fractured gods, Lightbringers) that are the reasons I didn’t follow thru on Imogen. They just don’t quite work for me-they just don’t feel integrated into the whole, or possibly aren’t developed well enough.
HOWEVER, Hignett is a creative writer and she’s funny, which goes a long way with me. And Dwayne is awesome. 🪿 So Chloe West was a win in my book.
August 12, 2024
entertaining urban fantasy adventure series
This is an urban fantasy adventure series. Very entertaining the great storyline and great characters. This is the third book in this series which originated from us spin off the imaging great immoral series. This is Chloe‘s story for 10 years she was Sandy’s goofy best friend. Kind of naïve dumb blonde personality Until the veil is lifted and at that time a spell that was put on her was lifted as well. Her father had actually trained her to be an assassin since she was a very young child. Now she was on a killing spree checking out a list of people Including her father. Her travels took her to a town called Castleman which most people including paranormal avoided because it was just a strange channel or so many people just disappeared and never came back. She is seeking the last person on her list but it’s going to find so much more. Read on and see where her adventure takes her.
This is an urban fantasy adventure series. Very entertaining the great storyline and great characters. This is the third book in this series which originated from us spin off the imaging great immoral series. This is Chloe‘s story for 10 years she was Sandy’s goofy best friend. Kind of naïve dumb blonde personality Until the veil is lifted and at that time a spell that was put on her was lifted as well. Her father had actually trained her to be an assassin since she was a very young child. Now she was on a killing spree checking out a list of people Including her father. Her travels took her to a town called Castleman which most people including paranormal avoided because it was just a strange channel or so many people just disappeared and never came back. She is seeking the last person on her list but it’s going to find so much more. Read on and see where her adventure takes her.
October 22, 2024
An assasin looking for redemption
I won't lie I got this book based on the cover. I've been wanting to read a book where the lead character has an animal sidekick like a familiar or something. Glad I went for this book because it was a great read. Her sidekick is of course the goose. Not sure what his deal is but I can't wait to find out. He's very entertaining and I love their relationship. Now there isn't any romance in this, maybe just a little attraction is mentioned towards the end but that's it. So very slow burn romance. Also liked the concepts of some the supernaturals in this, very interesting and something i haven't come across yet. I really enjoyed this series and I'm very much looking forward to what happens next because I feel like so many doors where opened in this so the possibilities are endless.
I won't lie I got this book based on the cover. I've been wanting to read a book where the lead character has an animal sidekick like a familiar or something. Glad I went for this book because it was a great read. Her sidekick is of course the goose. Not sure what his deal is but I can't wait to find out. He's very entertaining and I love their relationship. Now there isn't any romance in this, maybe just a little attraction is mentioned towards the end but that's it. So very slow burn romance. Also liked the concepts of some the supernaturals in this, very interesting and something i haven't come across yet. I really enjoyed this series and I'm very much looking forward to what happens next because I feel like so many doors where opened in this so the possibilities are endless.
December 1, 2024
Rounding up. More 3.5. The beginning of the book was a bit painful. It really drug and the constant jumping from present to past was pretty confusing until it all settled down. The history of her "grooming" is pretty horrific and extremely sad. For a strong main character, Chloe spent a good portion of the book being a dumb blonde in tears. I couldn't tell if she meant to sounds airheaded or if it was a natural hold over from her 10-yr hiatus from being an assassin. She also swung pretty violently between "The voices are Me" to "I need to kill them to stop the voices". The intro of Mallik was pretty forecasted based on her memories and reaction to them. He is the Dark side of Love and is almost immediately the love interest. Secondary characters in Dwayne, Sarah, and Jeb are strong and supportive. The ending is a full set up for Book 2.
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