Dark Souls

Dark Souls #1

by E.J. King

An enemy that will stop at nothing. A love that will risk everything.

Since her family was murdered, former vampire hunter Kaylie Hart has been chasing normalcy. But when two mysterious strangers show up claiming her life is in danger, Kaylie learns you can’t outrun your fate. They come with a warning about an impending battle against a fierce enemy, but their arrival also brings a possibility Kaylie isn't prepared to handle.

As Kaylie’s two worlds collide, she must face her deepest fear– falling in love with a man who has the potential to destroy her entire world.

Dark Souls is the first book in a gripping supernatural series.

Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Ebooks, Urban Fantasy, Romance

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 22, 2014

Reviews

[Shawna Finnigan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Warning that this review may contain some more mature or adult topics and it may contain some small spoilers.

I thought that this book had the potential to be a good free eBook, but boy was I wrong. The plot had so much potential and the story reminded me a lot of one of my favorite tv shows, Supernatural, but a lot of things just fell flat for me.

First of all, I didn't like the way that the story was written. It felt extremely cheesy and rushed. This story could've easily been much longer and we could've spent more time with each conflict. The characters also didn't act like normal humans. They didn't seem believable at all and I constantly rolled my eyes at what the characters were doing.

The romance/sexual parts of the book were easily the worst part for me. There were two brothers competing over the main character, which felt oddly like a dating sim, but the idea of two brothers competing over the same person AND the girl being interested in both of the brothers made me slightly uncomfortable. There was also no chemistry between Kaylie and either of the brothers. It was simply lust and hormones. It seemed like any romantic scene was somehow underlined by a desire to touch someone or have sex with them instead of having any sort of romantic interest in the other person. Rafe was especially an issue with this. He was an arrogant douchebag who only cared about sex. It was a little tough to read some of his comments and when he pushed Kaylie to the ground to protect her from a falling tree branch... oh my lord. "His hard body weighed heavily on me in a completely erotic way." Like ma'am, if he tried to protect you and ended up getting into an erotic position, get the hell away from him because he's a freaking creep.

Overall the idea of hunting vampires would've been interesting, but the way that the story and the sexual parts were executed hindered from my enjoyment of the book.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/9/2019)! 🎁

[Cielo Mae · Rating 1 out of 5]

RATING: 1.2/5.0



Good day! (≧∇≦)/

I really do have a bunch of spoilers below so be sure if you really want to continue reading (especially if you don't like spoilers before reading a book). You have been warned.


SYNOPSIS:
Kaylie spent two years forgetting that she was a hunter of dark souls after her family was murdered. She moved from place to place to hide. After finally settling down believing that she was hidden from those who would do her harm, trouble followed her. She again met the person who saved her life back then from the Hart family murder (Rafe), and he told her that the dark souls know where she is and that they are coming for her. Now, Kaylie must do her best to prepare herself for the dark souls are keen on finishing what they had started.



THE COVER:
The cover was cool. The woman was beautiful, and looking at her, I saw someone confident and someone that have encountered something painful. The white thingies on the cover reminded me of snow, while the soft cloth reminded me of something exotic. The effect was stunning. While I think that the name of the series a bit too large, the layout and font of the written names and words was good. However, if I would contrast the cover with the story, it was very far from it that it could be a cover for another story. First, there was definitely snow. Second, there was no exotic anything here. Lastly, the woman on the cover seems fearless, confident, with a sense of humor though her eyes were sad and a badass. Kaylie was so not fearless, no sense of humor, grim and overwhelmed by melancholy, and definitely not badass. For a cover, it was good. But as a glimpse of the story, it was not a good one.



THE CHARACTERS:
The grim and melancholy outlook of Kaylie was annoying to me. She did not carry the attitude well in this book. She came out as a self-centered, emotional bitch that I would have no guilt of slapping a number of times. She could have carried it good if she was not any of the following. She was way too trusting for one. Going with someone who claims to have helped you before was suspicious as hell. It was a potential murder scenario. Second, she was way too easy to convince to go back to being a hunter. Mind that the girl avoided the thing for two years. Why does a couple of guys convinced her? Okay, more like the attack on her after the "talk" was the cause, but it was like a minor thing, so why the weight of the thing on her decision to go training again? She was also out-of-shape for a hunter. But hey! A person who have done a dark soul killing at the age of eight was supposed to be badass even without that much training! Note that the guys who attacked her was, according to Rafe, disorganized. She's prideful about it (the training, the helping her out), but it came across as annoying when she hurt herself instead of showing something cool. The last straw was when she was taken down by Owen and his brother. Come on! To resort to jewel kicking was also a cheap move coming from a "cool" heroine.

What's up with the glasses Rafe? It feels like he was working for security because of that. He was a cranky guy and feels like he was always on the verge of a temper. Cranky does not translate to hot or cool. So why, I ask, the reference on how he attracts women? I mean, I got zero charm from him. I don't get it. Kaylie's attraction to him was really that unbelievable.

Ethan was the sweet, friendly type of guy. He was a bit talkative too. He was okay, and I was happy to note that his attraction to Kaylie was believable. I was confused on if the guy was a hunter too because he was supposed to have made a kill while he was ten years old (and no matter what he said, it was amazing too) and the fact that he was injured while fighting alone without giving much of a fight was bewildering.

Are the dark souls supposed to be scary or anything? I mean, they are a disorganized bunch, so why be scared of them? No leader that I know of, though it was hinted that a faction was out there to get Kaylie. I was confused by that by the way (their hierarchy). Also, dark souls? If that was to give distinction or a dash of coolness to the book (or to this antagonist), then give the guys some distinction. If they are the same as vampires, then why not call them that? It was not only the name that give's it coolness, but what they have and what they can do.



THE PLOT, THE WRITING, THE WHOLE SHEBANG:
The plot was intriguing enough that I decided to give it a try, however I find out that the author didn't give it justice. The tone and writing appeared grim to me. It was like a pirated copy of other supernatural books and it does not even come close to those books' goodness. The book was easy to understand at least (language was an uncomplicated english, the sentences in right order, the editing perfect).

Most of all, it was way too short! I finished it under an hour and that sucks. It made up for a fast paced story where the main character accepted the situation way too fast for someone who spent two years evading such fate. Her dilemma and trauma became inconsequential. It's like it was not important at all so Kaylie's attitude was annoying to me. If her character was meant to be cool because of this, it appeared as if she was deliberately doing that to get attention or to stand out.

Kaylie didn't even appear badass. She was out of shape and that sucks. If someone was on the habit of stashing a (killing) knife on her bag, you would think that that person was paranoid enough to get into shape. She was supposed to be not stupid to know that those who killed her family would not stop until she was dead. The girl was moving around from place to place for pity's sake!

Also, there was a tell-tale beginning of a romance here, what with Rafe's mysterious dialogue with Kaylie and Ethan's admitting that he was attracted to her. It would be nice if I could feel their attraction with each other, but honestly, it was not that evident. Yes, there are sentences saying that Kaylie feels the attraction for one or the other (the wanting-to-kiss part, the wanting to help them) but it was so sudden, the sentences upfrontly stating the intent that I was left asking why or if she was sure that was what she was feeling. I do understand Ethan being attracted to Kaylie since he admitted that he find her pretty, but Rafe's attraction to Kaylie was not given a reason as to why that it appeared stalkerish or a love at first sight when they met before. Considering that they met amidst Kaylie's family's slaughter, that would be disturbing. I hope the author would give the attraction a credible reason on the next book. Over all, the romance department here was not that intense (more of an attraction) that it was just a distraction, or more like, a chance for the reader to understand or know the characters (the discussion's about themselves, etc.).

The part where the dark souls are looking for Kaylie to drain her to save themselves was plausible. But I ask, why do they want to save themselves? Owen's brother was a plausible candidate since he was new to that, but why the other dark souls? They are already past the dilemma of drinking blood from a person, so why do they want to be saved? Why band together when only one can do it? Also, I'll point out that Kaylie's acceptance of the brothers when they help save her was...okay, believable, but having no weariness at all? That's naive...or weird.

When they find Ethan attacked, it felt like it was not a big deal. Yes, he was injured and down for the count, but it appeared as just a light encounter. I mean, no one was really distraught. Ethan even said that the dark souls left. Why? They are supposed to be ruthless, yes? So why did they just left? Moreover, the researching the old family records is a cliche. Really? Really? Was I supposed to be impressed by that? There's not even a revelation forthcoming!

Speaking of an attack, whatever happened to Breanna? Rafe felt evil when they were looking for her. Is that true? He doesn't appear to be the joking type so I was sure that something was going on, and that's not just a falling branch. When Kaylie found out that Rafe was a lost soul, she left, forgetting about the girl. They all forgot about the girl. What is that? Would a decent person do that? Was that dilemma about Breanna placed there for Rafe and Kaylie to be alone to reveal that Rafe was, again, a lost soul? If so, that was such a waste of words and sentences if it was inconsequential at all. I mean, there are easier ways. The branch could've fallen when they were alone, without looking for Breanna.

The Owen and sibling attack was also a joke. It feels like they were not really evil (more like crazy) and it does not warrant to be a climax at all. Even Rafe and Ethan saving Kaylie was a testament how incompetent Kaylie was if she could not do something about the crazy duo all by herself. She even resorted to kicking the man's jewels, and that is supposed to be the last resort (yes it was, but she was the heroine. She's supposed to be kicking ass!).

The ending was not satisfying. It ended with the brothers moving on the apartment above Kaylie's and them still searching for a cure for Rafe on Kaylie's family's records. There are many questions left unanswered: the love life, the dark soul's attack, the deal with Kaylie's blood (why the heck is she special by the way?), Kaylie's training. The story felt like it was actually one-fourth of the book and I was left hanging.


OVERALL:
I would not recommend this, let alone read the book two because I'm not intrigued enough (or if it is the same as this one). I find the events coincide with a number of supernatural books pieced together, not in a good way! It was also way too short (shorter than most short stories) and the decisions the main characters have was not thought of. The events all through-out the book was super cliche, and the author didn't even do it justice to forgive those. But that is not to say that you might find this as your type of book, so go ahead and read (This is after all, only my opinion). It's short so it's not much of a hassle.

Regardless of everything, good reads to you! (❁´▽`❁)*✲ﾟ*

[Serena · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting, it reminded me of the TV series "Supernatural", Kaylie Hart now goes by Jones after her family was mysteriously attacked and murdered - there is a community of Hunters and she was born into a family of them that goes back to the founding of the country /America. Her family focused on Dark Souls - or vampires with gold eyes, people who die with the blood of a Dark Soul in them come back and complete the transformation into a Dark Soul by drinking human blood. Those that don't drink are called Lost Souls and doomed to die.

When two Hunters find her after she's left the life and enrolled in college she doesn't know why - they say Dark Souls are coming after her, which prooves true. Half brothers and Hunters Rafe and Eithan are just the beginning, they say they want to protect her from what's coming - but when she finds out that draining her blood is rumored to cure a Dark Soul, and sees first hand that a vial of her blood ends the life of a Lost Soul - can she trust that Rafe - who is also a Lost Soul - and his brother have her best interests as a Hart, can she trust them with her heart?

Other young women are dying, she might not have been the only Hart to survive, and there are other things than Dark Souls that Hunters hunt...she promises Rafe that she will find a cure with the help of her families legacy - a Hunter's library. But can she keep her promise and live?

[Geraldine M · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner

The Hunter was being hunted and didn't believe it . Hiding from the horrors of a family killed by vamps, Kaylie meets two brothers, also hunters, and her life takes on new meaning as they hunt together trying to find missing college girls.

[Marla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good so far!!

The book started sliw but once you get into it you cant put it down..her descriptions of Ethan & Rafe are perfect!

[Elise · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I had never read a vamp/ hunter book before I would have liked it but..... I found myself comparing it to other books.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A shift from normal vampire lore.

[Alex Latham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 40 complete.

[Sanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

2,5 ⭐️

[Joshua (ithildins) · Rating 1 out of 5]

This reads like a SPN fanfic where the MC is speshul and gets to tag along with the hunter brothers. I'm sorry, the Soul Hunter brothers. The author changed just enough to boost the fanfic to original status, but it's still obvious.

Bringing up molestation and rape doesn't make your fiction "edgy" or "serious"; it doesn't auto-elevate it to "adult" status. If the author isn't going to handle that topic with respect, then they shouldn't bring it over to their fantasy world.

[Connie Zinsmeister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!

Hot guys and dangerous vamps abound! Kaylie has moved around often her whole life due to her parents being Hunters of vampires. When her family was killed ,she was on her own. Things got complicated when two hot guys move in above her and nearby college girls are found dead and drained of blood.

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great read

Kaylie just wants to live a normal life. But the past can never be forgotten. Ethan & Rafe are hoping that Kaylie has the answers to save Rafe as she has special blood. Kaylie realises that she needs to save Rafe before it is too late. But her feelings are all confused as she feels something for both brothers how can she ever choose?
A good read

[Felicia Seay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting yet boring.

This entire story was like the first chapter of a book. Interesting idea, but drawn out too much for my liking. Then the ending was a cliff hanger, obviously meant to make you want to read more of the story. But honestly, for me it was just too depressing to bother continuing with the series.

[trisha chapman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read...

I picked this book as I was scrolling through looking for something to read. I enjoyed it, was not hard going and did not get lost in the storyline. Cannot wait to read next novel.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kaley is from a family of Hunters, but trying to go to college. Rafe and Ethan are Hunter brothers that end up in the apartment upstairs. Will the fact that Rafe has been bitten and Kaley might be the cure impinge in their training and cooperation?

[★ 𖦹 Makayla 🎀 ⊹ · Rating 4 out of 5]

If your just wanting a filler to read while you wait on a book or something light to read but want to love this is the bookkkk!!! It does leave off on a cliffhanger so I would say don't be like me and not have the second book ready!

[Arkin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced, exciting, and leaves you wanting more.

I tore through this story, easily getting lost in the world of hunters and dark souls. It was beautifully paced and had the perfect blend of action, romance, and suspense.

I’ll definitely be picking up book 2.

[Gina Burney · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick read and decent. Though I can’t put it into a complete thought, there is something missing from this story.

It does leave on a cliff hanger that makes me want to continue just to find out what happens. Maybe the gaps from this will be filled by others but it still needs more.

[Laura Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun vampire read

Nice twist partway through the story that kept me reading.
Had a similar feel to Karen Lynch’s Relentless trilogy for part of it. I’d recommend it for her fans.

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Souls

This was a great read . Vampires are real. but can she save herself from the life she left behind

[Maria A Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story line. Will have to get the rest to see what happens with the brothers.

[Monica Bready · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this new series

Just as I said...I am loving this new series. Just a little different, which I always enjoy. About to head over to Amazon to purchase book #2 for Kindle.

[Dorothy Pitts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Book!

Great story with believable characters. I can't wait to read the next book in the series! A very amazing author!

[Leslie Galindo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Okay

For me, there is not enough meat on the bone of this story to make this a good (rather than ok) story.

[Veronica Whiteman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Souls love

Great book great starter series With the characters Romance but not Not quite there. Perfectly written and it leaves you asking what's next

[Wendy t · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is giving be Buffy or supernatural vibes

[Harmony Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

decent

Not bad. Decent action. Gonna try the next book hopefully it’s got more action and excitement in it. We’ll see

[LaTisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book but reminds me of the show, Supernatural.

[Shayna Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is definitely one of the better vampire books I’ve read and I was only slightly hoping for a why choose