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The Inferno Unleashed #1
Empyreal Illusions
Fourteen-year-old Breena Taljain’s dreary existence in the slums of Purgaire comes to a sudden end when a chance encounter with a criminal mastermind known as the Patriarch goes horridly wrong. His assault on her for refusing to pay for her mother’s addiction leaves her comatose and teetering on the edge of life and death.Galbrecht Atalir is a washed-up doctor struggling to overcome his inner demons through alcohol and aggression. He never quite recovered from the unsolved murder of his family seven years prior. When he discovers Breena as his newest patient, he knows at once that the Patriarch is the one who eluded him for almost a decade.The medicine Galbrecht gives Breena draws her into a heavenly paradise. When it ebbs away, though, the recurring trauma plunges her into treacherous hinterlands. There, Breena must learn to find power in courage, hope, and love to overcome fiends of hatred bent on permanently ending her existence.With justice burning in his heart, Galbrecht begins a race against time to seek out the Patriarch in the underworld before Breena loses her struggle against the ever-darkening terrors of her mind….
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2013
3 people are currently reading
291 people want to read
About the author
Jake Bonsignore
8 books110 followersJake Bonsignore is the author of multiple novels, including Empyreal Illusions, Awakening the Fire, and The Lioness. He is a graduate of the University of South Florida with magna cum laude honors. Outside of his literary pursuits, he enjoys playing sports and is a fitness enthusiast. He is currently working on his next book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 28, 2013
This book is full of vivid and explosively real descriptions and plenty of action. Breena broke my heart, having grown up without a father and a deadbeat for a mom. I wanted more for her, and she gets it! But not before something very tragic happens to her. I am not a fantasy reader, but I was really swept away by Breena's adventures and the interesting characters she meets. I enjoyed this and really look forward to seeing more of Breena in the next book!!
June 9, 2013
5- Star Review for Jake Bonsignore’s Empyreal Illusions
So I will preface this review by saying that I found this author through an online author group and we really connected, so of course I wanted to read what he was writing. I normally don’t read fantasy books (I usually cannot follow the story or plots) so I was secretly hesitant about picking up this book.
Now, I look back on my hesitation and say WHY!?
This book was amazing! The characters, although hard to pronounce, were actually really easy to connect with. I was able to get into an easy reading flow with them and truly understand their emotions and struggles. I wanted so badly to hurt Breena’s parents for being deadbeats and absent. I was angry for her and I suffered for her. As a reader that is something that I want to do. I want to connect with my characters and feel their emotions, so I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to in this fantasy book!
I was completely enthralled with the adventures Breena took after she meets Galbrecht. She was forced to find herself in a world and a place that was unknown to her. Her struggles to overcome these people who want to see her dead are what brings the story to life.
Similarly, I love the descriptions that Jake provides for the reader. I can see the “caustic smoke wafting through her flaring nostrils” and other extremely vivid details that bring this world to life for my mind to explore. Lastly, the actual writing style is phenomenal. This isn’t amateur writing. This is someone who really knows the grammar and stylistic ways of writing. This book is worth the money you’ll spend on it.
Overall, I CANNOT wait to see where Jake takes us on his other book adventures. He may even have ignited my curiosity for the fantasy genre. I will def. be coming back for more of Jake’s work and Breena’s adventures. Thanks for writing an awesome book!
So I will preface this review by saying that I found this author through an online author group and we really connected, so of course I wanted to read what he was writing. I normally don’t read fantasy books (I usually cannot follow the story or plots) so I was secretly hesitant about picking up this book.
Now, I look back on my hesitation and say WHY!?
This book was amazing! The characters, although hard to pronounce, were actually really easy to connect with. I was able to get into an easy reading flow with them and truly understand their emotions and struggles. I wanted so badly to hurt Breena’s parents for being deadbeats and absent. I was angry for her and I suffered for her. As a reader that is something that I want to do. I want to connect with my characters and feel their emotions, so I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to in this fantasy book!
I was completely enthralled with the adventures Breena took after she meets Galbrecht. She was forced to find herself in a world and a place that was unknown to her. Her struggles to overcome these people who want to see her dead are what brings the story to life.
Similarly, I love the descriptions that Jake provides for the reader. I can see the “caustic smoke wafting through her flaring nostrils” and other extremely vivid details that bring this world to life for my mind to explore. Lastly, the actual writing style is phenomenal. This isn’t amateur writing. This is someone who really knows the grammar and stylistic ways of writing. This book is worth the money you’ll spend on it.
Overall, I CANNOT wait to see where Jake takes us on his other book adventures. He may even have ignited my curiosity for the fantasy genre. I will def. be coming back for more of Jake’s work and Breena’s adventures. Thanks for writing an awesome book!
June 7, 2013
Now, I am not one to give my reviews "Fluff" So believe me when I say this book is EPIC! I could not stop reading it. It was the type of book that drew you in and had you fighting for the characters with every new page. A MUST READ for anyone really. It has all the great elements to draw any person in: Love, Vengeance, Drama, Mystery, Adventure, I really could just go on and on about it but regardless you need to read it.
We start by meeting Breena. She has lived such a hard and horrible life, it just breaks your heart. I fell in love with her personality form the start. She just grabs your attention and you know she may be small and hurt, but she is a little survivor. She will rise above all this and as a reader we will be there to urge her on. We follow her through teetering on death and the many obstacles her comatose life throws at her. Slowly we get to see her change into a wonderful strong person. I really can't justify calling her a "girl" as at her young 14 she has been through hell. Her age may be young, but this girl is an old soul.
You fight each battle with these characters. While we are battling in another realm with Breena, in the present life we are hunting down her attacker with Galbrecht. He is on a mission and I hope to all heck he finds his peace for himself and all others hurt by this man. Every little bit of his adventure into the depths of scum I was holding my breath a little more. I want SO BAD for him to give what is deserved and to save Breena, but alas I cannot tell you much more as it could ruin the book and I REALLY don't want to do that :)
This book is great. I mean really just a fantastic read (Think I have said that a few times now) I was instantly pulled into the story from the first page and couldn't put it down. With the chapters switching realms and character POV it is always kept interesting. The book also rotates into parts 1-3 which gives you an idea of where it is going. I really enjoyed the plot of this book as well. It was new and attention grabbing. Jake really works his own magic with this story. Its almost like watching a movie. Though I think it should be a Tv show, as a 2 hour movie could in NO WAY to is justice. Well, even a TV show wouldn't but it would be closer. Scratch that, I like the show I have going in my head just fine :)
But really, Go read this book. Its worth your time and most certainly a top of the list book for me.
We start by meeting Breena. She has lived such a hard and horrible life, it just breaks your heart. I fell in love with her personality form the start. She just grabs your attention and you know she may be small and hurt, but she is a little survivor. She will rise above all this and as a reader we will be there to urge her on. We follow her through teetering on death and the many obstacles her comatose life throws at her. Slowly we get to see her change into a wonderful strong person. I really can't justify calling her a "girl" as at her young 14 she has been through hell. Her age may be young, but this girl is an old soul.
You fight each battle with these characters. While we are battling in another realm with Breena, in the present life we are hunting down her attacker with Galbrecht. He is on a mission and I hope to all heck he finds his peace for himself and all others hurt by this man. Every little bit of his adventure into the depths of scum I was holding my breath a little more. I want SO BAD for him to give what is deserved and to save Breena, but alas I cannot tell you much more as it could ruin the book and I REALLY don't want to do that :)
This book is great. I mean really just a fantastic read (Think I have said that a few times now) I was instantly pulled into the story from the first page and couldn't put it down. With the chapters switching realms and character POV it is always kept interesting. The book also rotates into parts 1-3 which gives you an idea of where it is going. I really enjoyed the plot of this book as well. It was new and attention grabbing. Jake really works his own magic with this story. Its almost like watching a movie. Though I think it should be a Tv show, as a 2 hour movie could in NO WAY to is justice. Well, even a TV show wouldn't but it would be closer. Scratch that, I like the show I have going in my head just fine :)
But really, Go read this book. Its worth your time and most certainly a top of the list book for me.
June 12, 2013
A few words that come to mind after reading this book- Eloquent, richly-detailed, intense, and well-developed.
Breena is a young girl raised in Purgaire by her drug-addicted mother. Never knowing her father, Breena struggles to provide for herself amidst the desperation around her. After Korvan, the owner of the local bar (and also her boss) takes advantage of her, she quits, leaving her unprotected against the ills of the street.
Tairo (aka known as many other names) quickly finds her. He exacts his form of justice against her since her mother owes him money for drugs and is unable to pay. He beats Breena to a pulp and leaves her to die.
Miraculously, Breena is brought to the hospital, where she is placed in the care of Galbrecht Atalir. Galbrecht is a doctor who spends his free time drinking his sorrows at the local pub. His wife & daughters were murdered in the past, and he’s never given up on searching for the culprit. Seeing Breena in her deplorable condition reminds him of his youngest daughter & pricks his heart. He does everything he can to save her, even giving her powerful drugs that send her into a kind of wonderland coma. He proceeds to hunt down the character responsible for the deaths of his family and for Breena’s deathly situation.
In her coma, Breena experiences growth & renewing of strength. She meets characters that reinforce her power and those she must fight to save herself & others.
"It takes courage to live, yes, she had told Mulciber not too long ago, but it takes true bravery to stand your ground in a world aligned against you."
The battle scenes are well-written but gruesome. The depth of description is a playground for the imagination! 5 Stars for sure!
Breena is a young girl raised in Purgaire by her drug-addicted mother. Never knowing her father, Breena struggles to provide for herself amidst the desperation around her. After Korvan, the owner of the local bar (and also her boss) takes advantage of her, she quits, leaving her unprotected against the ills of the street.
Tairo (aka known as many other names) quickly finds her. He exacts his form of justice against her since her mother owes him money for drugs and is unable to pay. He beats Breena to a pulp and leaves her to die.
Miraculously, Breena is brought to the hospital, where she is placed in the care of Galbrecht Atalir. Galbrecht is a doctor who spends his free time drinking his sorrows at the local pub. His wife & daughters were murdered in the past, and he’s never given up on searching for the culprit. Seeing Breena in her deplorable condition reminds him of his youngest daughter & pricks his heart. He does everything he can to save her, even giving her powerful drugs that send her into a kind of wonderland coma. He proceeds to hunt down the character responsible for the deaths of his family and for Breena’s deathly situation.
In her coma, Breena experiences growth & renewing of strength. She meets characters that reinforce her power and those she must fight to save herself & others.
"It takes courage to live, yes, she had told Mulciber not too long ago, but it takes true bravery to stand your ground in a world aligned against you."
The battle scenes are well-written but gruesome. The depth of description is a playground for the imagination! 5 Stars for sure!
May 30, 2013
OMG....wow! Jake is gonna be an author that brings teens into the realm of fantasy fiction.... this book was AMAZING! Excellent, unique plot, easy dialog, excellent writing style...Very rarely do I force myself to slow down...I usually go with the flow of the book...but for this one, I forced myself to slow down (until the last part of the book, then I just ran full speed ahead) to savor each word. Jake made me feel like I WAS Brenna, I felt her despair, her hope, her rage at the unfairness of it all. This book pushed all my buttons for an engrossing read, and to think that Jake is basically a new author...wowzer...he is amazing! I have the next book added to my to read list and even ordered the paperback after reading the e book...this is the 4th time in 2 years that has happened. (and 3 of those are from the same author- I can see myself doing this for this series as well it is just that great!)
June 4, 2013
Jake's story is full of colorful descriptions of the characters and the fictitious locations where they dwell on. It's fast paced and intriguing, and the reader wants to turn the pages and find out more about the fate of beautiful teenager Breena, the main character. From the first chapter, you're already hooked! The story is written with passion and superb imagination, it's a great book for young adults and especially those who enjoy a nice fantasy plot. Well done!
May 24, 2013
It took me a while to get into this book, as its not my usual type of reading, but once I did I found it an enjoyable fantasy novel.
Jake has a very easy to read writing style.
Great job well done.
Jake has a very easy to read writing style.
Great job well done.
June 30, 2013
I haven’t read fantasy in forever, and I can’t even tell you why. I’ve just been thirsting for a lot of YA contemporary lately, along with the occasional dystopian and paranormal YA novel. But I saw Jake Bonsignore’s book on Facebook in one of the Like events for Facebook Pages, and the cover immediately drew me to the book. I am not ashamed to admit I do judge a book by its cover. With so many books competing against one another for shelf space and online space, books nowadays have to have some reason to excite the reader, and his cover lured me in to read the blurb. Then the blurb itself excited me, and I bought the book, despite the protests my bank account made (we’re all good). In any case, let’s get on with the review.
Breena Taljain’s life nearly comes to an end when she comes across the Patriarch, a man so steeped in hatred he has all of Purgaire living in fear. His assault on her occurs because her mother’s addiction put them both in debt and left Breena a practical street rat having to work at a seedy bar just to pay for her own chance at existence.
Then you have Galbrecht Atalir, an alcoholic doctor dealing with the death of his entire family at the hands of the Patriarch. Breena and Galbrecht’s paths cross when he discovers Breena is his newest patient. In order to relieve her suffering, he gives her a drug that sends her to an entirely new world so far removed from Purgaire that Breena does not want to leave. However, when Breena’s health itself begins to decline, she finds she must journey to a harsh world in order to overcome the tribulations of her own mind.
I just want to say that what interests me most about this book is that Breena’s state in the hospital coincides with what’s happening with her in Araboth. At the beginning, when Galbrecht’s drug is working its magic, she is in the beautiful Araboth with achingly vivid, beautiful descriptions. But then Galbrecht realizes he can’t keep giving her more of the drug, so Breena is soon plunged into the hinterlands, a harsh, harsh wilderness filled with terrifying creatures that seem to represent the monsters of her own mind. It is such a psychological thriller that reminds me of Flavia Bujor’s Prophecy of the Stones, except it’s done one hundred times better, and Breena is a fully fleshed character struggling to stay alive against all odds. Her friends are there to compliment her and to help her remember that life is indeed precious, in spite of the appalling life she lived in Purgaire.
The pacing of this book is fast, super fast, so if you’re into psychological thrillers, especially of the fantasy variety, you’ll tear through this book. One moment Breena is living in Purgaire, scrounging any bit of money she can get from her perverted boss, and the next she is on the streets trying to outwit the the Patriarch, only to find herself nearly murdered at his hands. Then you go on to Galbrecht, then to Araboth, then Galbrecht again, and it’s a rollercoaster of intense emotions and varying points-of-view that are very colorful to read. This novel is a third person omniscient book, but Bonsignore does it so masterfully that you can’t wait to see what all the characters are thinking as they’re doing what they’re doing.
The Patriarch himself is so chilling to read about because he kills mercilessly and is responsible for a good majority of the addicted druggies in Purgaire–which is what makes Purgaire such a hostile environment. Since everyone is so contingent on the drug the Patriarch dishes out, people are heinous and have lost their humanity somewhere in the drug addictions, so people like Breena suffer in the process.
Breena is an incredibly strong heroine who, despite all the pain she has suffered, fights through and refuses to give up, especially knowing it is possible for her to have the life she deserves. As someone who has struggled with suicidal ideation, Breena herself is an inspiring character.
Galbrecht is also a very likable character too because of his unrelenting desire to help Breena, in spite of not knowing this girl. He refuses to lose his humanity in Purgaire.
Overall, this book deserves its full 5 stars. It is my type of book: both dark and fantastical. I can’t think of any YA fantasy books I can easily compare it to, but I very much look forward to his sequel, Awakening the Fire.
Breena Taljain’s life nearly comes to an end when she comes across the Patriarch, a man so steeped in hatred he has all of Purgaire living in fear. His assault on her occurs because her mother’s addiction put them both in debt and left Breena a practical street rat having to work at a seedy bar just to pay for her own chance at existence.
Then you have Galbrecht Atalir, an alcoholic doctor dealing with the death of his entire family at the hands of the Patriarch. Breena and Galbrecht’s paths cross when he discovers Breena is his newest patient. In order to relieve her suffering, he gives her a drug that sends her to an entirely new world so far removed from Purgaire that Breena does not want to leave. However, when Breena’s health itself begins to decline, she finds she must journey to a harsh world in order to overcome the tribulations of her own mind.
I just want to say that what interests me most about this book is that Breena’s state in the hospital coincides with what’s happening with her in Araboth. At the beginning, when Galbrecht’s drug is working its magic, she is in the beautiful Araboth with achingly vivid, beautiful descriptions. But then Galbrecht realizes he can’t keep giving her more of the drug, so Breena is soon plunged into the hinterlands, a harsh, harsh wilderness filled with terrifying creatures that seem to represent the monsters of her own mind. It is such a psychological thriller that reminds me of Flavia Bujor’s Prophecy of the Stones, except it’s done one hundred times better, and Breena is a fully fleshed character struggling to stay alive against all odds. Her friends are there to compliment her and to help her remember that life is indeed precious, in spite of the appalling life she lived in Purgaire.
The pacing of this book is fast, super fast, so if you’re into psychological thrillers, especially of the fantasy variety, you’ll tear through this book. One moment Breena is living in Purgaire, scrounging any bit of money she can get from her perverted boss, and the next she is on the streets trying to outwit the the Patriarch, only to find herself nearly murdered at his hands. Then you go on to Galbrecht, then to Araboth, then Galbrecht again, and it’s a rollercoaster of intense emotions and varying points-of-view that are very colorful to read. This novel is a third person omniscient book, but Bonsignore does it so masterfully that you can’t wait to see what all the characters are thinking as they’re doing what they’re doing.
The Patriarch himself is so chilling to read about because he kills mercilessly and is responsible for a good majority of the addicted druggies in Purgaire–which is what makes Purgaire such a hostile environment. Since everyone is so contingent on the drug the Patriarch dishes out, people are heinous and have lost their humanity somewhere in the drug addictions, so people like Breena suffer in the process.
Breena is an incredibly strong heroine who, despite all the pain she has suffered, fights through and refuses to give up, especially knowing it is possible for her to have the life she deserves. As someone who has struggled with suicidal ideation, Breena herself is an inspiring character.
Galbrecht is also a very likable character too because of his unrelenting desire to help Breena, in spite of not knowing this girl. He refuses to lose his humanity in Purgaire.
Overall, this book deserves its full 5 stars. It is my type of book: both dark and fantastical. I can’t think of any YA fantasy books I can easily compare it to, but I very much look forward to his sequel, Awakening the Fire.
October 19, 2013
There is always something to be said about an author who can build a fantasy world in his mind and transform it into a visual masterpiece in the readers mind. Jack Bonsignore did just that. I am a lover and a true appreciator of WORLD BUILDING and of CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT. Most of my reviews focus on my appreciation of the authors abilities to weave those two techniques together systematically to make a wonderful debut novel to a series. Jake was spot on! I am impressed! And it says a lot since I often have a “First Date Syndrome” with any new series. I often begrudge the first book in the series. Getting to know the main character, their flow, how they processes their emotions and how he/she moves through the chapter.
Breena, although only 14, was a brave girl with such strong emotions that you felt them as if they were your own. You lived in the disparity of Purgaire. You grow to hate the Patriarch for his selfishness and obvious disregard for human life. His existence is the cause of the disparity and fear in Purgaire. Then there is Galbrecht Atalir whose own life is set deep in the death of his family but is overcome with a strong desire to help Breena. The characters are strong well developed and work together.
The pace of the book is fast. I bite my nails, sat straight up in the edge of my bed, was grumpy for a few days because Breena was calling me back. I love Fantasy. I love being entrapped in a world that doesn’t exist and feeling the pain the main character felt. I felt it like I was there. She and I was one. Even though it was a dark fantasy, it was breathtaking AND I will read it again. It will be downloaded to my iPad and iPhone for easy retrieval and read whenever I want to visit Breena’s mind and pull the strength she held inside.
Jake Bonsignore is an Author to watch! Awakening the Fire is coming out in August and I will be getting that book as well! I am waiting with my hands extended and my heart open!
***Review has been written in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fansite at: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng
Breena, although only 14, was a brave girl with such strong emotions that you felt them as if they were your own. You lived in the disparity of Purgaire. You grow to hate the Patriarch for his selfishness and obvious disregard for human life. His existence is the cause of the disparity and fear in Purgaire. Then there is Galbrecht Atalir whose own life is set deep in the death of his family but is overcome with a strong desire to help Breena. The characters are strong well developed and work together.
The pace of the book is fast. I bite my nails, sat straight up in the edge of my bed, was grumpy for a few days because Breena was calling me back. I love Fantasy. I love being entrapped in a world that doesn’t exist and feeling the pain the main character felt. I felt it like I was there. She and I was one. Even though it was a dark fantasy, it was breathtaking AND I will read it again. It will be downloaded to my iPad and iPhone for easy retrieval and read whenever I want to visit Breena’s mind and pull the strength she held inside.
Jake Bonsignore is an Author to watch! Awakening the Fire is coming out in August and I will be getting that book as well! I am waiting with my hands extended and my heart open!
***Review has been written in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
For more information regarding our reviews please visit our fansite at: www.facebook.com/NerdGirl.ng
February 2, 2014
Jake Bonsignore is a brilliant author with an incredible knack for spinning a tale. I fell in love with Empyreal Illusions within minutes of starting it. In the beginning, we meet poor fourteen year old Breena Taljain, a girl who lives with a Nepenthe addict and works her way out of starvation at The Laughing Banshee, a bar run by an abusive barkeep and his prostitutes. After standing up for herself, Breena quits her awful job and decides to leave her awful town, Purgaire. The Patriarch, the man who sells Nepenthe and rules over the town with his terror, comes to collect money from Breena's mother, and whips Breena into a coma when she refuses him.
She wakes up in the beautiful world of Araboth, where she meets the coolest animal in the world, her guardian, Veku the Shisa, and reunites with her father. When Breena finally becomes accustomed to her new paradise, things suddenly go wrong.
Back in Purgaire, the Doctor, Galbrecht Atalir, finds Breena under the same conditions that his family had endured, and he knows that he must seek revenge against The Patriarch.
The story displays the beauty of the world that Breena is thrown into as well as the horrors of the town she used to belong to. Reading the story, I was constantly on my toes, loving to hate The Patriarch as much as I hated The Governor in The Walking Dead (and then some, for The Patriarch was even more evil, in my opinion).
I'm anxious to start Awakening The Fire, the sequel to Empyreal Illusions, because I absolutely must know what happens next.
Bonsignore has created an entirely new realm of mystical beings, magical occurrences and bravery. Look out, J.K. Rowling, because Bonsignore's world was as captivating as ever.
I highly recommend the Inferno Unleashed Series to anyone who loved Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.
She wakes up in the beautiful world of Araboth, where she meets the coolest animal in the world, her guardian, Veku the Shisa, and reunites with her father. When Breena finally becomes accustomed to her new paradise, things suddenly go wrong.
Back in Purgaire, the Doctor, Galbrecht Atalir, finds Breena under the same conditions that his family had endured, and he knows that he must seek revenge against The Patriarch.
The story displays the beauty of the world that Breena is thrown into as well as the horrors of the town she used to belong to. Reading the story, I was constantly on my toes, loving to hate The Patriarch as much as I hated The Governor in The Walking Dead (and then some, for The Patriarch was even more evil, in my opinion).
I'm anxious to start Awakening The Fire, the sequel to Empyreal Illusions, because I absolutely must know what happens next.
Bonsignore has created an entirely new realm of mystical beings, magical occurrences and bravery. Look out, J.K. Rowling, because Bonsignore's world was as captivating as ever.
I highly recommend the Inferno Unleashed Series to anyone who loved Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.
February 28, 2016
Jake Bonsignore paints a colorful world full of magical creatures, hateful people, helpful heroes, and hope. Breena lead a dreadful life of poverty. Her mother was a drug addict and at fourteen years old she was the one that had to work to bring home enough money to not completely starve to death. Money she had to hide or her mother would find it and buy more Nepenthe. Her bad luck seems to continue and the Patriarch catches up with her. He is the one that sells the drugs around town. And he wants Breena to pay up for her mother's addiction. In the end she can't run fast enough and ends up being beaten within an inch of her life.
Galbrecht is one of the doctors that watches over her. She's in a coma in the hospital, but somehow she wakes up in Araboth. This is where the book makes you think. I'm not sure if everything that happens to her in this other world is just a dream or if it is an actual place. Is it just a drug induced stupor as she trudges through this coma. Or has her soul perhaps been transported to a whole different world? And Galbrecht has some debts to settle with the Patriarch as well. He wants to get even for the things that the Patriarch has done to his family. He goes off on a journey of his own to track him down and he wants to put an end to all of this before someone else like Breena gets hurt.
Just as well, Breena has embarked on a magical journey in this new world. One that takes her through beautiful sights, breathtaking views, and into bleak existences all for the sake of a war and stopping those on the side of darkness. In order to find out if Galbrecht or Breena are victorious in their quests you need to grab this book and read it! I give this book 5 stars!
Galbrecht is one of the doctors that watches over her. She's in a coma in the hospital, but somehow she wakes up in Araboth. This is where the book makes you think. I'm not sure if everything that happens to her in this other world is just a dream or if it is an actual place. Is it just a drug induced stupor as she trudges through this coma. Or has her soul perhaps been transported to a whole different world? And Galbrecht has some debts to settle with the Patriarch as well. He wants to get even for the things that the Patriarch has done to his family. He goes off on a journey of his own to track him down and he wants to put an end to all of this before someone else like Breena gets hurt.
Just as well, Breena has embarked on a magical journey in this new world. One that takes her through beautiful sights, breathtaking views, and into bleak existences all for the sake of a war and stopping those on the side of darkness. In order to find out if Galbrecht or Breena are victorious in their quests you need to grab this book and read it! I give this book 5 stars!
June 24, 2013
Jake Bonsignore has diligently created a world that blends mythologies together and creates new ones. His ideas are innovative and imaginative, and the imagery within this book is beautifully vivid.
The protagonist is a convincingly cynical 14 year old girl by the name of Breena Taljain, who is a down on her luck miscreant living in a broken, drug addicted city. In Breena’s town, you are either a junkie, or being beaten up by one. She is left despairing of life, forced to grow up too soon.
When a traumatic event destroys her body, she is thrust into a heady drug-induced coma world. Here, she discovers an amazing paradise where her dreams can come true.
But there is a darker side to this perfect world, and it won’t rest until it finds her.
In contrast to his main character, Bonsignore introduces us to Galbrecht Atalir, a drunkard doctor with a secret past.
In the search for his own redemption, Galbrecht inflicts horrific violence against the regime of the shadowy Patriarch. Bonsignore does not shy away from these graphic depictions. Indeed, this is some of his most evocative work.
This debut epic fantasy creates horror and splendour in equal measure, contrasting fantasy and reality until the reader no longer realises which is which. Bonsignore leaves his readers asking ‘what happens next?’
The protagonist is a convincingly cynical 14 year old girl by the name of Breena Taljain, who is a down on her luck miscreant living in a broken, drug addicted city. In Breena’s town, you are either a junkie, or being beaten up by one. She is left despairing of life, forced to grow up too soon.
When a traumatic event destroys her body, she is thrust into a heady drug-induced coma world. Here, she discovers an amazing paradise where her dreams can come true.
But there is a darker side to this perfect world, and it won’t rest until it finds her.
In contrast to his main character, Bonsignore introduces us to Galbrecht Atalir, a drunkard doctor with a secret past.
In the search for his own redemption, Galbrecht inflicts horrific violence against the regime of the shadowy Patriarch. Bonsignore does not shy away from these graphic depictions. Indeed, this is some of his most evocative work.
This debut epic fantasy creates horror and splendour in equal measure, contrasting fantasy and reality until the reader no longer realises which is which. Bonsignore leaves his readers asking ‘what happens next?’
June 23, 2013
Jake Bonsignore does not follow the rules of fantasy. Empyreal Illusions has a hodgepodge of new (chainsaws and advanced medicine) and old (candlelight and constables on horseback) mixed into the world of Purgaire and a rich mythical land in Aeroboth and the neighboring hinterlands. It can be disconcerting to a fantasy reader reading about a fight involving brass knuckles and a chainsaw, but it does work with the story.
One thing that drew me in was that Bonsignore voices the concerns of the reader with the inner dialogue of the characters. Each time I found myself questioning the motives of the creatures of the world, Breena would think the same thing. I found this made the story more believable. The reader is left wondering what world is real and what is a dreamworld or if there is really any difference between the two. Many mysteries and side-stories are revealed along the way.
Be warned that it does end with a cliffhanger to whet the reader's appetite for the next book.
One thing that drew me in was that Bonsignore voices the concerns of the reader with the inner dialogue of the characters. Each time I found myself questioning the motives of the creatures of the world, Breena would think the same thing. I found this made the story more believable. The reader is left wondering what world is real and what is a dreamworld or if there is really any difference between the two. Many mysteries and side-stories are revealed along the way.
Be warned that it does end with a cliffhanger to whet the reader's appetite for the next book.
April 19, 2015
This book follows Breena as she struggles to stay alive and also Lodan a doctor who is fighting to make things right after the loss of his family. It is an intoxicating book and a must read. I can't wait to read the second book.
I struggled with this book, not because it wasn't good, it was great, but more because of the style. I do not like a lot of description when I read...I am more a dialoug person. There is nothing wrong with descriptive books, I struggle through reading them and this one also had a lot of inner dialoug as well so you had to read carefully to catch everything.
Jake did an amazing job in writing this book and everything is well thought out and plays out well. I was able to imagine each and every creature and character and location without a problem. A great up and coming author and book series right here!
I struggled with this book, not because it wasn't good, it was great, but more because of the style. I do not like a lot of description when I read...I am more a dialoug person. There is nothing wrong with descriptive books, I struggle through reading them and this one also had a lot of inner dialoug as well so you had to read carefully to catch everything.
Jake did an amazing job in writing this book and everything is well thought out and plays out well. I was able to imagine each and every creature and character and location without a problem. A great up and coming author and book series right here!
May 7, 2013
Empyreal Illusions is an amazing fantasy novel. I was lucky enough to read it while it was being developed. Once I started this book, I couldn't put it down, and I couldn't get enough. The fantasy genre is not my usual cup of tea, but if more books were like this one maybe it would be! Surprisingly, the sequel is even better. Just you wait.... Epic doesn't even begin to cover this series.
June 27, 2013
Empyreal Illusions is an amazing book. I loved reading it, it's such a captivating story. I'm looking forward to reading the next book to find out what will happen next on Breena's journey.
July 13, 2013
I enjoyed the book very much. It took me some time to figure out what was going on. It was a twist that I think is great. the characters are full and believable. all i all it was a great read
February 7, 2025
This book definitely blew me out of the water. I was not expecting what I read based on just the cover. AND IT IS A PRETTY COVER! But there’s really just so much more happening in this book than what the cover or the summary of the book tells you. I was completely and utterly undone.
Empyreal Illusions follows the story of two individuals. Breena Taljain and Galbrecht Atalir. (The amount of times I wanted to pronounce this ALTAIR was uncanny). Breena is a fourteen year old who lives and works in the slums of the city of Purgaire. Galbrecht Atalir is a doctor who works in the same city, and is often reveered as a drunk. After Breena crosses paths with a dangerous criminal called The Patriarch, she is found bloody within an inch of her life. Galbrecht has been searching for his family’s murderer for the last seven years of his life, and when he stumbles upon Breena, who bears a heavy resemblance to one of his daughters, he becomes more determined than ever to save her, and to bring this criminal, who he thinks might be related to his family’s murderer, to justice.
Where is the fantasy in this story you might ask? WELL I’LL TELL YOU!
While Breena is in her comatose like state, Galbrecht gives her a drug to ease her pain and transport her mind to a world of paradise called Araboth. It is in this world she meets a cast magical creatures and evil demons, but also learns about the power of courage, hope, faith, and love.
Back in Purgaire, the good doctor has taken up a Hero’s role in bringing those who do evil to justice, while doing the best he can to keep Breena alive with whatever medication he can get his hands on.
Bonsignore creates these magical immersive worlds, that easily get you lostwithin them. A spin of Narnia, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Alice Madness returns, he definitely adds his own flavour to the world of fantasy writing and has truly outdone himself in this EPIC YA fantasy novel. I’m not going to lie. What really got me into this story were the magical creatures in the land of Araboth. I had a really big geeky moment when Bonsignore made references to mythical Japanese creatures. Clearly a lot of research had gone into the many magical creatures that inhabit Araboth, not just the Japanese ones but all of them. You really have to have imagination to write and research this many creatures. I just loved combing through the passages and picking out creature references I knew like the oni, the baku, shikome, and the dark lands of Yomi.
What I enjoy about Breena’s character is that she isn’t afraid to voice what she’s thinking. She asks questions until she’s satisfied with an answer that makes sense to her. Unlike many fictional characters that just go along with the story, do as their told, let destiny and fate guide them, Breena isn’t satisfied with just following her destiny. She questions why and has this desire to know WHY. Breena is also very intelligent and possibly smarter than your average fourteen year old. She’s extremely observant to her environment and isn’t afraid to admit her faults.
“Am I dead, Lilim? Are we all? If this place isn’t heaven, what is it? There are a lot of things that just aren’t adding up and I need to know why. Someone assaulted me in a courtyard. His chains…”
The Doctor goes on a life changing journey of his own similarly paralleled to Breena’s. In Purgaire, he faces the demons of his world, criminals, the murderer of his family, and probably himself as he learns to move on from the death of his family. Where Breena has her life to change and self-image to do, Galbrecht is fighting for her, to avenge her, to bring the criminal to justice and by doing so, gains a powerful sense of conviction in himself.
Light has to exist at the end of the tunnel. I don’t care if its for me. Hell; I don’t want it to be. My hands are too bloody to clean. Breena’s aren’t, though. She and my girls were innocent. They won’t rest peacefully until I avenge them. The constables won’t help me.
Do you do this for them, his conscience mocked again, or for yourself? Do you plan to be their champion or just another man surrendering to violence? Vengeance will do nothing but make you another killer with no self-control.
I…I…my mind is set.
One thing I’m definitely looking forward to, probably towards the end, is what that Breena wakes up from her coma, what would they say to each other?
What stories they would tell… I can’t wait to read the next installment of the series Awakening The Fire.
3.5/5 Hearts of Love
Read my other reviews at www.akiikomorireading.wordpress.com
Empyreal Illusions follows the story of two individuals. Breena Taljain and Galbrecht Atalir. (The amount of times I wanted to pronounce this ALTAIR was uncanny). Breena is a fourteen year old who lives and works in the slums of the city of Purgaire. Galbrecht Atalir is a doctor who works in the same city, and is often reveered as a drunk. After Breena crosses paths with a dangerous criminal called The Patriarch, she is found bloody within an inch of her life. Galbrecht has been searching for his family’s murderer for the last seven years of his life, and when he stumbles upon Breena, who bears a heavy resemblance to one of his daughters, he becomes more determined than ever to save her, and to bring this criminal, who he thinks might be related to his family’s murderer, to justice.
Where is the fantasy in this story you might ask? WELL I’LL TELL YOU!
While Breena is in her comatose like state, Galbrecht gives her a drug to ease her pain and transport her mind to a world of paradise called Araboth. It is in this world she meets a cast magical creatures and evil demons, but also learns about the power of courage, hope, faith, and love.
Back in Purgaire, the good doctor has taken up a Hero’s role in bringing those who do evil to justice, while doing the best he can to keep Breena alive with whatever medication he can get his hands on.
Bonsignore creates these magical immersive worlds, that easily get you lostwithin them. A spin of Narnia, Pan’s Labyrinth, and Alice Madness returns, he definitely adds his own flavour to the world of fantasy writing and has truly outdone himself in this EPIC YA fantasy novel. I’m not going to lie. What really got me into this story were the magical creatures in the land of Araboth. I had a really big geeky moment when Bonsignore made references to mythical Japanese creatures. Clearly a lot of research had gone into the many magical creatures that inhabit Araboth, not just the Japanese ones but all of them. You really have to have imagination to write and research this many creatures. I just loved combing through the passages and picking out creature references I knew like the oni, the baku, shikome, and the dark lands of Yomi.
What I enjoy about Breena’s character is that she isn’t afraid to voice what she’s thinking. She asks questions until she’s satisfied with an answer that makes sense to her. Unlike many fictional characters that just go along with the story, do as their told, let destiny and fate guide them, Breena isn’t satisfied with just following her destiny. She questions why and has this desire to know WHY. Breena is also very intelligent and possibly smarter than your average fourteen year old. She’s extremely observant to her environment and isn’t afraid to admit her faults.
“Am I dead, Lilim? Are we all? If this place isn’t heaven, what is it? There are a lot of things that just aren’t adding up and I need to know why. Someone assaulted me in a courtyard. His chains…”
The Doctor goes on a life changing journey of his own similarly paralleled to Breena’s. In Purgaire, he faces the demons of his world, criminals, the murderer of his family, and probably himself as he learns to move on from the death of his family. Where Breena has her life to change and self-image to do, Galbrecht is fighting for her, to avenge her, to bring the criminal to justice and by doing so, gains a powerful sense of conviction in himself.
Light has to exist at the end of the tunnel. I don’t care if its for me. Hell; I don’t want it to be. My hands are too bloody to clean. Breena’s aren’t, though. She and my girls were innocent. They won’t rest peacefully until I avenge them. The constables won’t help me.
Do you do this for them, his conscience mocked again, or for yourself? Do you plan to be their champion or just another man surrendering to violence? Vengeance will do nothing but make you another killer with no self-control.
I…I…my mind is set.
One thing I’m definitely looking forward to, probably towards the end, is what that Breena wakes up from her coma, what would they say to each other?
What stories they would tell… I can’t wait to read the next installment of the series Awakening The Fire.
3.5/5 Hearts of Love
Read my other reviews at www.akiikomorireading.wordpress.com
June 18, 2014
5 Sakura’s
What an amazing novel!
With justice burning in his heart, Galbrecht begins a race against time to seek out the Patriarch in the underworld before Breena loses her struggle against the ever-darkening terrors of her mind….
This book was an amazing read, and I can’t believe I didn’t read it sooner. Breena is a tenacious, funny, and strong willed female lead, that you can’t help but love her from the moment you meet her on the first page. She sharp tongued, which gets her in trouble … the worst trouble. I found I connected with her within seconds of reading, there is something about the way Breena is put together as a character of fiction, that you can’t not want to follow her story. You want to fear for her, cry for her, and even get revenge for her.
I found the story to be strangely heart breaking. Such pain, trauma, and anguish in the first few chapters – I found my heart pounding with a strange anticipation, as I waited to see what would happen next. I found myself feeling so sorry for Breena, angry at her mother, and in utter rage over the Patriarch’s violent attack against her – which was of course her mother’s fault, not that the evil bitch gives a shit.
Whatever next, I hear you say, well the world of Araboth, talk about Fantasy come reality. It’s a great place, not just bright, cheerful, and full of joy. I like the fact it has it’s darker side, and it’s not ignored or simply mentioned once and then forgotten about.
I also love the description of each of the creatures, and people in it. Oh and I love Venku. Now he’s a djinn, and doesn’t look human. His personality is a win win, though. He’s funny, straight forward, slightly self-conscious, lovely, and unsure of himself, and his feelings. I love him, I really do. He’s one of those characters, you can’t help but want to meet in reality if you could.
I’ve decided I won’t say too much, I don’t want to spoil it for everyone else – this is a must read for everyone!
I loved every minuscule second I had my head in this book. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone. If you haven’t read it … you NEED to … NOW!
What an amazing novel!
With justice burning in his heart, Galbrecht begins a race against time to seek out the Patriarch in the underworld before Breena loses her struggle against the ever-darkening terrors of her mind….
This book was an amazing read, and I can’t believe I didn’t read it sooner. Breena is a tenacious, funny, and strong willed female lead, that you can’t help but love her from the moment you meet her on the first page. She sharp tongued, which gets her in trouble … the worst trouble. I found I connected with her within seconds of reading, there is something about the way Breena is put together as a character of fiction, that you can’t not want to follow her story. You want to fear for her, cry for her, and even get revenge for her.
I found the story to be strangely heart breaking. Such pain, trauma, and anguish in the first few chapters – I found my heart pounding with a strange anticipation, as I waited to see what would happen next. I found myself feeling so sorry for Breena, angry at her mother, and in utter rage over the Patriarch’s violent attack against her – which was of course her mother’s fault, not that the evil bitch gives a shit.
Whatever next, I hear you say, well the world of Araboth, talk about Fantasy come reality. It’s a great place, not just bright, cheerful, and full of joy. I like the fact it has it’s darker side, and it’s not ignored or simply mentioned once and then forgotten about.
I also love the description of each of the creatures, and people in it. Oh and I love Venku. Now he’s a djinn, and doesn’t look human. His personality is a win win, though. He’s funny, straight forward, slightly self-conscious, lovely, and unsure of himself, and his feelings. I love him, I really do. He’s one of those characters, you can’t help but want to meet in reality if you could.
I’ve decided I won’t say too much, I don’t want to spoil it for everyone else – this is a must read for everyone!
I loved every minuscule second I had my head in this book. I would recommend this to anyone and everyone. If you haven’t read it … you NEED to … NOW!
August 30, 2016
*3.5 stars*
This was book of the week #9 for my book group. I had a hard time rating this one and I hope I will be able to explain why I came to the one I did.... This review may contain spoilers!!!!!!
I did really enjoy the world building done in this book and not just for one world but for a few, the descriptive nature of what the characters saw gave me a pretty clear picture of what these places were like. I noticed that the author tried to give a lot of the information of the worlds was done through the back story of other characters and I enjoyed that but I have to admit that I have forgotten a few of them since there were many at one point, but that is not to say that the important ones did not stick out and at times my memory was jogged. The author has definitely thought this through and I can tell that all the deep issues that have come to light are just the beginning.
My biggest issue with this book was my inability to connect with the characters, they were are very well developed and I tried I really did but most of all I was annoyed by Breena and her internal sorrow that sort of became repetitive and boring, I know she had a rough go of things and yes I felt a bit sorry for her but she continuously claimed to be brave and confident yet she whines and complains the whole time and refuses to even let people in a little bit and help her, maybe she is confused but that is really all she made me..confused! All the paromancy stuff was a bit over my head too and I found some it weird.
Verku was the one character who did steal my heart, I have always wanted a large dog or lion guardian and the fact that he was a mix of both made it that much easier for me to adore him. Her also had this cute grandpa front he tried to put up, yet I knew he could be such a softy at times:
"To her, he was nothing more than an oversized puppy yearning for love."
The overall plot and adventure of this book was good and with the two separate worlds being described and it does not say for sure but I know they affect each other.I think this book is just the beginning of an interesting series.
This was book of the week #9 for my book group. I had a hard time rating this one and I hope I will be able to explain why I came to the one I did.... This review may contain spoilers!!!!!!
I did really enjoy the world building done in this book and not just for one world but for a few, the descriptive nature of what the characters saw gave me a pretty clear picture of what these places were like. I noticed that the author tried to give a lot of the information of the worlds was done through the back story of other characters and I enjoyed that but I have to admit that I have forgotten a few of them since there were many at one point, but that is not to say that the important ones did not stick out and at times my memory was jogged. The author has definitely thought this through and I can tell that all the deep issues that have come to light are just the beginning.
My biggest issue with this book was my inability to connect with the characters, they were are very well developed and I tried I really did but most of all I was annoyed by Breena and her internal sorrow that sort of became repetitive and boring, I know she had a rough go of things and yes I felt a bit sorry for her but she continuously claimed to be brave and confident yet she whines and complains the whole time and refuses to even let people in a little bit and help her, maybe she is confused but that is really all she made me..confused! All the paromancy stuff was a bit over my head too and I found some it weird.
Verku was the one character who did steal my heart, I have always wanted a large dog or lion guardian and the fact that he was a mix of both made it that much easier for me to adore him. Her also had this cute grandpa front he tried to put up, yet I knew he could be such a softy at times:
"To her, he was nothing more than an oversized puppy yearning for love."
The overall plot and adventure of this book was good and with the two separate worlds being described and it does not say for sure but I know they affect each other.I think this book is just the beginning of an interesting series.
July 29, 2016
Jake Bonsignore is a brilliant author with an incredible knack for spinning a tale. I fell in love with Empyreal Illusions within minutes of starting it. In the beginning, we meet poor fourteen year old Breena Taljain, a girl who lives with a Nepenthe addict and works her way out of starvation at The Laughing Banshee, a bar run by an abusive barkeep and his prostitutes. After standing up for herself, Breena quits her awful job and decides to leave her awful town, Purgaire. The Patriarch, the man who sells Nepenthe and rules over the town with his terror, comes to collect money from Breena's mother, and whips Breena into a coma when she refuses him.
She wakes up in the beautiful world of Araboth, where she meets the coolest animal in the world, her guardian, Veku the Shisa, and reunites with her father. When Breena finally becomes accustomed to her new paradise, things suddenly go wrong.
Back in Purgaire, the Doctor, Galbrecht Atalir, finds Breena under the same conditions that his family had endured, and he knows that he must seek revenge against The Patriarch.
The story displays the beauty of the world that Breena is thrown into as well as the horrors of the town she used to belong to. Reading the story, I was constantly on my toes, loving to hate The Patriarch as much as I hated The Governor in The Walking Dead (and then some, for The Patriarch was even more evil, in my opinion).
I'm anxious to start Awakening The Fire, the sequel to Empyreal Illusions, because I absolutely must know what happens next.
Bonsignore has created an entirely new realm of mystical beings, magical occurrences and bravery. Look out, J.K. Rowling, because Bonsignore's world was as captivating as ever.
I highly recommend the Inferno Unleashed Series to anyone who loved Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.
She wakes up in the beautiful world of Araboth, where she meets the coolest animal in the world, her guardian, Veku the Shisa, and reunites with her father. When Breena finally becomes accustomed to her new paradise, things suddenly go wrong.
Back in Purgaire, the Doctor, Galbrecht Atalir, finds Breena under the same conditions that his family had endured, and he knows that he must seek revenge against The Patriarch.
The story displays the beauty of the world that Breena is thrown into as well as the horrors of the town she used to belong to. Reading the story, I was constantly on my toes, loving to hate The Patriarch as much as I hated The Governor in The Walking Dead (and then some, for The Patriarch was even more evil, in my opinion).
I'm anxious to start Awakening The Fire, the sequel to Empyreal Illusions, because I absolutely must know what happens next.
Bonsignore has created an entirely new realm of mystical beings, magical occurrences and bravery. Look out, J.K. Rowling, because Bonsignore's world was as captivating as ever.
I highly recommend the Inferno Unleashed Series to anyone who loved Harry Potter and The Hunger Games.
July 27, 2013
It’s been awhile since I read a YA fantasy novel like this. The worlds that Jake Bonsignore have created are truly original. He can write from one extreme i.e. the downtrodden land of Purgaire to the next, i.e. the magical world of Araboth without skipping a beat. I thank him for providing me a copy in return for an honest review.
Reading this book was like watching a movie. The effects were not lost because the imagery is presented to you in a way that gives you guidance on what is being seen by the characters but also allows the reader to expand on that with their imaginative creativity. There are not many books like this. Even though you were flipped from one POV to another, it didn’t feel strained and the stories flowed seamlessly.
The raw emotions throughout this book pulled me through the ringer. The hell that Breena lived with due to her mother’s drug habit was described in such a way that I could feel her personal struggles, her pain, her loss, her anger, etc. The loss of Galbrecht Atalir’s family was a nightmare nobody should ever have to endure. The evil monster that had changed both of their lives forevermore was portrayed in such a way that I felt a darkness envelope me as I read about him. The internal and external battles that were fought had me from start to finish.
I recommend this book to anyone you likes a good fantasy novel with bits of every type of emotion under the sun wrapped into it. Plus there is mystery, suspense, revenge, hope and renewal that packages this book into a fantastic read. The cover drew me to the book, the writing sucked me right into it and I look forward to the next book in the series and any other writings of Jake Bonsignore.
Reading this book was like watching a movie. The effects were not lost because the imagery is presented to you in a way that gives you guidance on what is being seen by the characters but also allows the reader to expand on that with their imaginative creativity. There are not many books like this. Even though you were flipped from one POV to another, it didn’t feel strained and the stories flowed seamlessly.
The raw emotions throughout this book pulled me through the ringer. The hell that Breena lived with due to her mother’s drug habit was described in such a way that I could feel her personal struggles, her pain, her loss, her anger, etc. The loss of Galbrecht Atalir’s family was a nightmare nobody should ever have to endure. The evil monster that had changed both of their lives forevermore was portrayed in such a way that I felt a darkness envelope me as I read about him. The internal and external battles that were fought had me from start to finish.
I recommend this book to anyone you likes a good fantasy novel with bits of every type of emotion under the sun wrapped into it. Plus there is mystery, suspense, revenge, hope and renewal that packages this book into a fantastic read. The cover drew me to the book, the writing sucked me right into it and I look forward to the next book in the series and any other writings of Jake Bonsignore.
September 30, 2015
{my thoughts} – Breena Taljain, this is one character I can relate to. She is fourteen and she is forced to live in poverty because her mother is a drug addict. Her mother steals her funds to feed her habit. Bree has to get a job just to attempt to keep herself feed and clothed. The place she lives is a run down unsanitary situation that should from the description be condemned and the whole building should be burned to the ground. Eventually Bree has a run in with her mother’s drug provider and he beats her senseless and leaves her to die all because her mother has not paid him. I’m not sure why that became Bree’s issue but it did. She ends up in the hospital and this is when things get strange.
Bree is in a coma, but she is also in another world. She has been saved and rescued by her father. She is alive, she is completely healed and she is able to live her life freshly and newly. However, the person that saved her has other plans for her. It is unclear if this has been the plan the entire time, however, Bree is left feeling betrayed, forgotten and like she means nothing to no one accept her Beloved.
This sets her off on an adventure, one that can be clearly defined as sensational. It makes her think, it makes her grow up beyond her years, it makes her have to fight for what she wants and believes in. This book was remarkably well written. I am looking forward to starting book two when I have some free time. This is one of those books that will definitely stay with me.
Bree is in a coma, but she is also in another world. She has been saved and rescued by her father. She is alive, she is completely healed and she is able to live her life freshly and newly. However, the person that saved her has other plans for her. It is unclear if this has been the plan the entire time, however, Bree is left feeling betrayed, forgotten and like she means nothing to no one accept her Beloved.
This sets her off on an adventure, one that can be clearly defined as sensational. It makes her think, it makes her grow up beyond her years, it makes her have to fight for what she wants and believes in. This book was remarkably well written. I am looking forward to starting book two when I have some free time. This is one of those books that will definitely stay with me.
December 29, 2013
This book was another read in my review book group. Unlike a lot of other reviewers, I loved the beginning of this book. I fell right into the world. The part that I had trouble with was once Breena arrived in Araboth. I couldn't tell what was real or not, even though it was flashing back and forth. I did enjoy the world that Jake Bonsignore created and all of the different creatures he described. I do wish we had gotten more information on Purgaire and more background on Breena's mother and father, like how they met. Also I. Feel like there were a lot of loose ends and hopefully they get tied up in the next book.
I really liked Breena at the beginning of the book, I feel like she is very matured or her age and she was very brave. I feel bad that her life was so crappy and that her mom was such a loser. I want to know how and why her mom got addicted. Also why did Galbrecht fall off the face of the earth? He disappears and we don't hear about him again. Hopefully he will make an appearance in book two. Verku was my favourite character, I just felt drawn to him and his protector ways. I kind of hope he shows up in the "real world" so him and Breena can hook up haha.
I really enjoyed this epic fantasy read and I am excited to get started on book two. I have quite a few unanswered questions that I want answered. I would recommend this novel to fantasy lovers.
I really liked Breena at the beginning of the book, I feel like she is very matured or her age and she was very brave. I feel bad that her life was so crappy and that her mom was such a loser. I want to know how and why her mom got addicted. Also why did Galbrecht fall off the face of the earth? He disappears and we don't hear about him again. Hopefully he will make an appearance in book two. Verku was my favourite character, I just felt drawn to him and his protector ways. I kind of hope he shows up in the "real world" so him and Breena can hook up haha.
I really enjoyed this epic fantasy read and I am excited to get started on book two. I have quite a few unanswered questions that I want answered. I would recommend this novel to fantasy lovers.
December 8, 2013
Overall, this book was enjoyable. Just don't give up on it. Okay... I had a hard time with this book, especially at the beginning. It was the first time in a long time I just wanted to quit reading a book before I finished it (which I NEVER EVER do). I pushed through and it got much better. By the end of the book I was completely invested in the story. I think right off the bat I was angry with the way the heroine was being treated by everyone around her. And then the violence. And magically she is in a new world with new adventures. She's not sure if the world is real or not, though everyone around her is insisting it is. And as a reader, we know it's not because the author keeps flashing back into the real world and how she's in a coma. I spent a good chunk of the book so focused on how she can be two places at once and how I JUST KNEW it was all going to a dream, that I couldn't enjoy the book. When I stopped focusing on that, and became more enthralled with the pyromancy aspect, I started to enjoy the book a lot more. I'll definitely be reading Book 2.
This was the book of the week for AARRAR (Awesome Authors + Rad Readers = Amazing Reviews).
This was the book of the week for AARRAR (Awesome Authors + Rad Readers = Amazing Reviews).
August 1, 2013
I really enjoyed reading Empyreal Illusions it was so full of action, drama and so much more. Although there was some blood guts and glory which I dont like in my stories it wasnt so much that it took away from what was really going on. The creativity and detail in this story was amazing. Though I have to say it was a lot to take in at times and I found myself going back through and reading parts because I became confused, however the meaning behind the story was still there. I can't wait to get my hands on the sequel, I just know with the way this one ended its got to be awesome!
Breena who was once thought of being a weak little girl shows just how strong she can be. She learns to overcome the heart ache and struggles she once suffered from and sees what its like to be loved however, she still has her doubts and still has trouble trusting others. In the end she soon finds that she is not as abandoned as she originally thought she was, especially with the battles she has gone through now. However, we will see if she can truly defeat the evil that awaits her!
Breena who was once thought of being a weak little girl shows just how strong she can be. She learns to overcome the heart ache and struggles she once suffered from and sees what its like to be loved however, she still has her doubts and still has trouble trusting others. In the end she soon finds that she is not as abandoned as she originally thought she was, especially with the battles she has gone through now. However, we will see if she can truly defeat the evil that awaits her!
February 3, 2014
An enchanting tale told with such elegant and passion it will leave you breathless...
I was given an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My heart went out to this girl whose life was such an incredibly tragic. Some part of me doesn't want her to wake up from such a beautiful paradise only to be face the awful reality of things, even though she is fight the demons within. However who is to say what is reality. One's mind can be a refuge for to deal with pain and grief while get the love that one so desperately needs. Maybe this is the way ones soul can heal itself.
I love how the book flashed back and forth to give you the full picture of what was happening in the two different realities. The Author's perspective and emotional detail of this young girl's life is nothing short of amazing. He has truly captured the essence of her soul and brought it to life. This was truly a brilliant work of art. I am looking forward to reading book two in the series, awakening the Fire.
I was given an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
My heart went out to this girl whose life was such an incredibly tragic. Some part of me doesn't want her to wake up from such a beautiful paradise only to be face the awful reality of things, even though she is fight the demons within. However who is to say what is reality. One's mind can be a refuge for to deal with pain and grief while get the love that one so desperately needs. Maybe this is the way ones soul can heal itself.
I love how the book flashed back and forth to give you the full picture of what was happening in the two different realities. The Author's perspective and emotional detail of this young girl's life is nothing short of amazing. He has truly captured the essence of her soul and brought it to life. This was truly a brilliant work of art. I am looking forward to reading book two in the series, awakening the Fire.
July 26, 2013
This book has got to be one of the most wonderfully written books I have read this year, I am totally in love with this story. There was never a moment I wasn’t right in the story and seeing first-hand what was happening. The complete genius of following Breena from her impoverished life, to the beauty of the paradise she finds after being beaten so severely; to the parallel of the doctor racing to save her life and his own as well. I am not even going to try and explain, reading this story needs to be savored. I highly recommend this book to everyone, it is an awesome book, and with more to come I can only imagine the delights that are in store for us. I want to thank Mr. Bonsignore for giving me this book to read and review, it is without a doubt on the top of my favorites list. I have rated this book at 5 stars.
August 6, 2013
Interesting and intriguing
A very descriptive and well told story. The only drawbacks were a few situations and the repetitive 'why me's' that laced the pages. Regardless of that, the book was easy to follow and well written. That small opinion of mine does not mean that this story is not well worth your money, because I tell you now... it is!
Tossing between a washed up doctor that finds hope in the hopeless, and a young girl that teeters between mentally begging for death and fighting it off with all that she has, you will be gripped, if only to see how things will play out.
Characters that are easy to follow and well rounded and enemies that are easy to hate, you find yourself emerged in a story that will take you on a journey that you have never been on before. I highly enjoyed the story. Definitely worth a read!
A very descriptive and well told story. The only drawbacks were a few situations and the repetitive 'why me's' that laced the pages. Regardless of that, the book was easy to follow and well written. That small opinion of mine does not mean that this story is not well worth your money, because I tell you now... it is!
Tossing between a washed up doctor that finds hope in the hopeless, and a young girl that teeters between mentally begging for death and fighting it off with all that she has, you will be gripped, if only to see how things will play out.
Characters that are easy to follow and well rounded and enemies that are easy to hate, you find yourself emerged in a story that will take you on a journey that you have never been on before. I highly enjoyed the story. Definitely worth a read!
July 26, 2013
ok- so I haven't read a good epic fantasy book in ages- and then I picked up Jakes book (good NO!!! Fantastic YES) , empyreal illusions (the inferno unleashed) it is an absolute breath of fresh air and Jakes descriptions are out of this world- really felt like I was going along on the adventure... not going to add any spoilers- and ruin it for anyone- except to say i loved Breena, (she didn't have the best start in life)but is taken on an adventure out of this world... want to know more... then get this book- you WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED
but will say that once you pick this book up - you will not be able to put it down- cant wait for book2- well done JAKE
but will say that once you pick this book up - you will not be able to put it down- cant wait for book2- well done JAKE
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