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Morning Star Institute #1
Malicious
Being the daughter to the Devil has its draw backs, just ask seventeen-year-old Desdemona Starr, aka Dessi, who attends the Morning Star Institute, a private school where teenage Hellions, paranormals like Dessi, can learn and practice their Hell-given crafts. There Dessi’s life takes a dramatic turn towards chaos when she learns she’s part of a prophecy foretelling that she will one day tip the scale of Light or Dark, ultimately creating a war between Heaven and Hell.
Dessi finds herself at the top of the hit list when soul-sucking demons attack the institute in an attempt to end the prophecy. Thankfully, Dessi has two of the strongest teenage shape-shifting-Hellhound-boys on her side. Not to mention finding herself within a love triangle can only complicate matters. Until she chooses her path and the prophecy ends, her internal war between Light and Dark is not over. Danger lurks around the corner with the help of her friends, she’ll be ready!
Dessi finds herself at the top of the hit list when soul-sucking demons attack the institute in an attempt to end the prophecy. Thankfully, Dessi has two of the strongest teenage shape-shifting-Hellhound-boys on her side. Not to mention finding herself within a love triangle can only complicate matters. Until she chooses her path and the prophecy ends, her internal war between Light and Dark is not over. Danger lurks around the corner with the help of her friends, she’ll be ready!
- GenresFantasy
295 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 2, 2014
8 people are currently reading
106 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 31, 2016
This is another great paranormal thriller but this time the key characters are teenagers in a private school, the Morning Star Institute. Now whilst this school is a private one, it isn’t your usual education establishment as it is a school where Hellions attend to hone their skills! The leading young lady in this story is Desdemona Starr (aka Dessi), the daughter of the Devil and most of the young men attending with her are Hell hounds in training.
The story has the central theme of good v evil, with angels, demons, pixies, shifters and even a vampire making their appearances. As Dessi tries to avoid being captured by the beings seeking her by attacking the school, she seeks her older brother’s assistance in preventing more casualties. Protected by one particular Hell hound, sought for romance by the one she’d always looked upon as her best friend, Dessi is undergoing changes as she matures into her future role. With a potential love triangle, folks who really can’t be trusted and so much going on in her life, this is going to be an adventure with hidden dangers deftly woven into this intriguing plot making this a real page turner,
The story is brilliantly crafted, with great imagery bringing the scenarios and creatures to life in the reader’s imagination. It has characters it is easy to empathise with and relate to, you feel the angst and turmoil of Dessi as she lives through the dramatic and dangerous encounters. It was difficult to put this down at any stage, I wanted to read more at any opportunity. Now I really want to know what happens in the future novels in this paranormal adventure and romance! This is a fast paced thriller, packed with action and suspense making it so easy to highly recommend it to anyone who likes this genre from teens upwards.
Thanks to the author and publishers for gifting me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The story has the central theme of good v evil, with angels, demons, pixies, shifters and even a vampire making their appearances. As Dessi tries to avoid being captured by the beings seeking her by attacking the school, she seeks her older brother’s assistance in preventing more casualties. Protected by one particular Hell hound, sought for romance by the one she’d always looked upon as her best friend, Dessi is undergoing changes as she matures into her future role. With a potential love triangle, folks who really can’t be trusted and so much going on in her life, this is going to be an adventure with hidden dangers deftly woven into this intriguing plot making this a real page turner,
The story is brilliantly crafted, with great imagery bringing the scenarios and creatures to life in the reader’s imagination. It has characters it is easy to empathise with and relate to, you feel the angst and turmoil of Dessi as she lives through the dramatic and dangerous encounters. It was difficult to put this down at any stage, I wanted to read more at any opportunity. Now I really want to know what happens in the future novels in this paranormal adventure and romance! This is a fast paced thriller, packed with action and suspense making it so easy to highly recommend it to anyone who likes this genre from teens upwards.
Thanks to the author and publishers for gifting me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
October 28, 2015
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have to admit that I haven't read many young adult paranormal books but I was very pleased that I got the chance to read this one. I was even more surprised to learn that this was a also a debut novel for Alissa T. Hunter as in no way would you imagine it to be a debut novel.
I loved how the writing in the book flowed and and the imagery it gives. As this is set in a world of hellions, demons and angels it's important to have a good description so you can see what the writer is trying to show you. The story carries you along at a great pace with characters you want to spend as much time as you can with. Desi (the Devils daughter) is a very likeable lead, with great strength and an attitude that makes you believe that she can take on whatever is in front of her. Other great characters are Ace and Blake who are both shape shifting hell hounds. Ace the leader is the arrogant, self assured gorgeous one that you instinctively want to dislike but just can't and then there's Blake the doting best friend but who wants to be more. The line between good and evil is very hard to see at times and Desi has to discover exactly where she stands.
The backdrop of the story is set in a school for hellions, the Morning Star Institute were you get trained to be a demon. This is a very interesting place with all kinds of different people/characters you would expect to find in hell.
This was an amazingly interesting and unique story that wasn't dumbed down in any like some young adult books can be. It was extremely well written and once started it is very hard to put down. I for one can't wait for the next instalment and would recommend this book to readers of all ages.
I have to admit that I haven't read many young adult paranormal books but I was very pleased that I got the chance to read this one. I was even more surprised to learn that this was a also a debut novel for Alissa T. Hunter as in no way would you imagine it to be a debut novel.
I loved how the writing in the book flowed and and the imagery it gives. As this is set in a world of hellions, demons and angels it's important to have a good description so you can see what the writer is trying to show you. The story carries you along at a great pace with characters you want to spend as much time as you can with. Desi (the Devils daughter) is a very likeable lead, with great strength and an attitude that makes you believe that she can take on whatever is in front of her. Other great characters are Ace and Blake who are both shape shifting hell hounds. Ace the leader is the arrogant, self assured gorgeous one that you instinctively want to dislike but just can't and then there's Blake the doting best friend but who wants to be more. The line between good and evil is very hard to see at times and Desi has to discover exactly where she stands.
The backdrop of the story is set in a school for hellions, the Morning Star Institute were you get trained to be a demon. This is a very interesting place with all kinds of different people/characters you would expect to find in hell.
This was an amazingly interesting and unique story that wasn't dumbed down in any like some young adult books can be. It was extremely well written and once started it is very hard to put down. I for one can't wait for the next instalment and would recommend this book to readers of all ages.
October 7, 2015
I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Now with that out of the way,on to the review.
Desdemona Starr or Dessi as she's known, is the Devil's daughter. Her best friend Blake is a shape-shifting Hell hound who attends the same school as Dessi. Morning Star Institute is a private school for the training of the teanage Hellions,where they learn their craft. When soul sucking demons attack the school with Dessi in their sights she and two of the strongest Hell hounds have to come up with a game plan to keep Dessi alive. There's a prophecy about Dessi but will it come true? Can Dessi chose her own path or is it already chosen for her? How's she supposed to chose between two sexy shape shifters? The biggest question is can Dessi just stay alive?
Lots of action, demons and romance, perfect for the + 15 crowd. Even though I normally don't read Y.A. this was so well written I forgot it was Y.A. I was glued to the book and read it in one setting, it kept my interest the entire book. I will definitely read more by this author. 4 fangs.
Independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock.
Desdemona Starr or Dessi as she's known, is the Devil's daughter. Her best friend Blake is a shape-shifting Hell hound who attends the same school as Dessi. Morning Star Institute is a private school for the training of the teanage Hellions,where they learn their craft. When soul sucking demons attack the school with Dessi in their sights she and two of the strongest Hell hounds have to come up with a game plan to keep Dessi alive. There's a prophecy about Dessi but will it come true? Can Dessi chose her own path or is it already chosen for her? How's she supposed to chose between two sexy shape shifters? The biggest question is can Dessi just stay alive?
Lots of action, demons and romance, perfect for the + 15 crowd. Even though I normally don't read Y.A. this was so well written I forgot it was Y.A. I was glued to the book and read it in one setting, it kept my interest the entire book. I will definitely read more by this author. 4 fangs.
Independent reviewer for Paranormal Romance & Authors That Rock.
January 12, 2017
Far from ordinary
This is the first book that I've read by Alissa and while I did find it slightly slow to start it was an interesting read. Malicious is unlike the typical teen and YA books out there. This is the beginning to a story unlike any other and as is picks up its pace it can become addicting. The storyline itself is alluring and though the description talks about a love triangle there really doesn't seem to be more than a girl with a hot ex boyfriend and a male best friend with more feelings for her than she has for him and this was honestly a relief for me because I really don't care for love triangles. I am anxious to read book two and follow along with Alissa's writing career.
This is the first book that I've read by Alissa and while I did find it slightly slow to start it was an interesting read. Malicious is unlike the typical teen and YA books out there. This is the beginning to a story unlike any other and as is picks up its pace it can become addicting. The storyline itself is alluring and though the description talks about a love triangle there really doesn't seem to be more than a girl with a hot ex boyfriend and a male best friend with more feelings for her than she has for him and this was honestly a relief for me because I really don't care for love triangles. I am anxious to read book two and follow along with Alissa's writing career.
August 5, 2014
Couldn't put it down. Desi and Ace kept me on my toes throughout the whole book. Add Blake and Abe and it makes a great group of characters. Lain was a hoot and the writing was great. Can't wait for the next installment.
July 15, 2015
I loved this book. Its a great story from a first time author. Alissa did a great job with the characters. They are believable and fun to get to know. The environment is new exciting. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series. Great job Alissa!!!
October 20, 2015
I was given this book by the author in exchanged for an honest review.Thank you again :)
This was way more than I was expecting but in a good way.Love the cover,great story line,and characters.
Looking forward to reading more :D
This was way more than I was expecting but in a good way.Love the cover,great story line,and characters.
Looking forward to reading more :D
July 22, 2017
The book had some okay parts but overall I was pretty bored with it. I'm 89% of the way through and I'm not gonna even bother trying to finish it.
I found myself trying to read faster in hopes to get to more exciting parts of the book. But they never really came. And when something exciting did happen, I wasn't fully immersed into the story (though not for lack of trying), so the "exciting" event felt more like I was reading about it from a secondhand report of someone who had been there... rather than living through it firsthand myself, as the main character. If that makes any sense.
Obviously there are people who loved this book, but it just wasn't for me.
I thought about giving it 2 stars. But decided that maybe 3 stars is more suitable. I wanted to like this one, but there was just something missing from it.
I found myself trying to read faster in hopes to get to more exciting parts of the book. But they never really came. And when something exciting did happen, I wasn't fully immersed into the story (though not for lack of trying), so the "exciting" event felt more like I was reading about it from a secondhand report of someone who had been there... rather than living through it firsthand myself, as the main character. If that makes any sense.
Obviously there are people who loved this book, but it just wasn't for me.
I thought about giving it 2 stars. But decided that maybe 3 stars is more suitable. I wanted to like this one, but there was just something missing from it.
August 8, 2014
Excellent first novel by a promising young author! Great original concept, fast paced plot, interesting characters who will keep you guessing if they're good or bad, which side of good and evil they are on! Characters are well developed, with appropriate actions and language for their age group. Just the right element of suspense and romance; exciting battles with minimal descriptiveness of blood and gore- just my type because I don't like horror-type gore. Plenty of action, good representation of the struggle between good and evil in the main character and just how fine the line separating them is. It's a page turner, read it in one day! I am so looking forward to the next book in this series! Well done Ms. Hunter! You're on my favorites list!
February 17, 2017
I think the plot of this story is very original, I personally have never read anything with this idea. I loved the originality!
I loved Dessi as a strong female lead. It took me a while to decide if I liked Ace or not, and Blake... well I loved him right away.
The whole idea of angels and demons, hell and heaven, it's very intriguing! I do love PNR quite a bit, but this is definitely a YA book. I'm used to more adult themed books and it moving at a little faster pace. I totally recommend this to teens looking for a good mysterious paranormal story!
I loved Dessi as a strong female lead. It took me a while to decide if I liked Ace or not, and Blake... well I loved him right away.
The whole idea of angels and demons, hell and heaven, it's very intriguing! I do love PNR quite a bit, but this is definitely a YA book. I'm used to more adult themed books and it moving at a little faster pace. I totally recommend this to teens looking for a good mysterious paranormal story!
February 14, 2015
Loved the "Hell" World in which this was written! Definitely unique in it's genre right now. New author Alissa T. Hunter is a mesmerizing storyteller and has a thrilling way of engaging readers and keeping them on their toes. The characters are relatable and intriguing. Can't wait to read the next book; way to go Alissa!!!
April 30, 2015
I didn't hate it but I didn't love it. I read this book because my sister posted something about it so thought I would give it a try. It was a good way to pass some time but not one I am drooling over waiting for the next one.
April 3, 2015
I just cant read this. I tried
March 30, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. I was pleasantly surprised with how the love triangle played out and I can't wait to read Shameless.
September 25, 2019
Loved the characters.
February 13, 2018
I didn't even mean to start reading this until later. But I got caught on the first few pages and it pulled me in. The ending is a cliffhanger, but it feels like the best way the author could've extended the storyline. I loved this book and I'm excited to read the second one!
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews