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Fallen Angel/Vampire #1
Cruxim
What is Cruxim?
Amedeo is Cruxim, a mysterious, immortal fallen angel. Destined to seek redemption as a vampire hunter, he nourishes his insatiable thirst on their blood. But when the object of his passion, the novice nun Joslyn, is turned and enters a vampire coven, Amedeo's worlds collide. Shattered by the loss of his beloved, he vows to rid the world of vampires once and for all, even if it means destroying Josyln in the process.
A Paranormal Game of Cat and Mouse
Joining Amedeo on his quest to rid the world of the undead is Sabine. Half-woman, half-lioness, she is a Sphinx, a Guardian who has protected humans from vampires since the dawn of time. Yet Sabine comes to this fight pursued by her own enemies. Dr. Claus Gandler knows the secret of Sabine's mythological past and has vowed to torment her for eternity or destroy her forever.
Immortal Ever After?
Captured by the evil doctor, Amedeo and Sabine are paraded as sideshow freaks in Gandler's Circus of Curiosities. Only vampire Joslyn has the power to intercede. Will she prove Amedeo's redemption, or his destruction?
Amedeo is Cruxim, a mysterious, immortal fallen angel. Destined to seek redemption as a vampire hunter, he nourishes his insatiable thirst on their blood. But when the object of his passion, the novice nun Joslyn, is turned and enters a vampire coven, Amedeo's worlds collide. Shattered by the loss of his beloved, he vows to rid the world of vampires once and for all, even if it means destroying Josyln in the process.
A Paranormal Game of Cat and Mouse
Joining Amedeo on his quest to rid the world of the undead is Sabine. Half-woman, half-lioness, she is a Sphinx, a Guardian who has protected humans from vampires since the dawn of time. Yet Sabine comes to this fight pursued by her own enemies. Dr. Claus Gandler knows the secret of Sabine's mythological past and has vowed to torment her for eternity or destroy her forever.
Immortal Ever After?
Captured by the evil doctor, Amedeo and Sabine are paraded as sideshow freaks in Gandler's Circus of Curiosities. Only vampire Joslyn has the power to intercede. Will she prove Amedeo's redemption, or his destruction?
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2012
181 people are currently reading
2135 people want to read
About the author
Karin Cox
41 books98 followersKARIN COX is an Australian author who writes in her “spare time” while being a fulltime mum to two precocious girls and a black cat with the improbable name of "Ping Pong." She is the author of more than 50 trade-published titles, including children’s and adult fiction, biographies and travel guides, and Australian natural and social history texts, several of which are award-winning. Being so busy hopping from one genre to another, she runs almost wholly on white wine and insomnia, which could account for the cray-cray, but probably doesn’t.
Her poems and short stories have been published in anthologies worldwide, and her novels and anthologies GROWTH, CAGE LIFE, CROWS AND OTHER BEASTS, CRUXIM, CRECHE, CREED, DARK GUARDIANS and WHAT THE SEA WANTS are available from all good online distributors and bookstores. Titles in Karin’s bestselling DARK GUARDIANS trilogy have several times topped best-seller charts for gothic romance and dark fantasy.
FACEBOOK: http://smarturl.it/KCfacebook (approx. (www.facebook.com/KarinCox.Author)
TWITTER: http://smarturl.it/KCtwitter
(https://twitter.com/Authorandeditor)
WEBPAGE: http://smarturl.it/karin (www.karincox.com)
PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/authorandeditor/
iGoogle: https://plus.google.com/u/0/
Her poems and short stories have been published in anthologies worldwide, and her novels and anthologies GROWTH, CAGE LIFE, CROWS AND OTHER BEASTS, CRUXIM, CRECHE, CREED, DARK GUARDIANS and WHAT THE SEA WANTS are available from all good online distributors and bookstores. Titles in Karin’s bestselling DARK GUARDIANS trilogy have several times topped best-seller charts for gothic romance and dark fantasy.
FACEBOOK: http://smarturl.it/KCfacebook (approx. (www.facebook.com/KarinCox.Author)
TWITTER: http://smarturl.it/KCtwitter
(https://twitter.com/Authorandeditor)
WEBPAGE: http://smarturl.it/karin (www.karincox.com)
PINTEREST: http://pinterest.com/authorandeditor/
iGoogle: https://plus.google.com/u/0/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
April 3, 2013
Ok, so I am really on the fence with this one and I am struggling on how to explain why. Maybe because Amedeo was so lost or alone... he didn't know where he came from, was on his own since childhood, his mother and father dead, no father figure to raise him so he didn't even get to grow up with his half sister. No friends, no significant other, and no children of his own. He takes an interest in Joslyn, but doesn't. He doesn't understand her need for love and attention, and when she makes a mistake he abandons her where she then becomes something he hunts and kills. He then abandons her again. At every turn he basically pushes away someone who never stops loving him and only toward the end of the book does he realize that no matter what, he does love her in his own way, but SHE never knows it.
He meets Sabine and can't bring himself to love her until after he is imprisoned for decades. Misunderstood and abused / tortured, he believes God has forsaken him when he again loses Sabine.
I struggled to love him...I wanted so much more for him, but he made it so hard even knowing his history. And uh, sorry, but I also struggle with grasping him with Sabine...a Sphynx? Yeah, just doesn't work for me. I was hoping the introduction to a female Cruxim will lead somewhere, but she doesn't materialize until the end again.
So yes, I'm on the fence with this one. The book was truly just OK for me. It had the potential to be a great book...kinda like 'A Discovery of Witches' feel, but it just didn't get there for me. For those who loved it, great. For anyone interested in reading it, you may get it better than I did so I won't say not to read it. It had an old world feel to it which I liked given what he was...and was different from the contemporary feel of most paranormal books.
He meets Sabine and can't bring himself to love her until after he is imprisoned for decades. Misunderstood and abused / tortured, he believes God has forsaken him when he again loses Sabine.
I struggled to love him...I wanted so much more for him, but he made it so hard even knowing his history. And uh, sorry, but I also struggle with grasping him with Sabine...a Sphynx? Yeah, just doesn't work for me. I was hoping the introduction to a female Cruxim will lead somewhere, but she doesn't materialize until the end again.
So yes, I'm on the fence with this one. The book was truly just OK for me. It had the potential to be a great book...kinda like 'A Discovery of Witches' feel, but it just didn't get there for me. For those who loved it, great. For anyone interested in reading it, you may get it better than I did so I won't say not to read it. It had an old world feel to it which I liked given what he was...and was different from the contemporary feel of most paranormal books.
October 29, 2013
Before reading Cruxim, I thought it would be another paranormal vampire novel. I couldn't have been more wrong. When I first began reading Amedeo's story, I was intrigued by the mystery and drama surrounding this winged creature who feasts on vampires. These vampires are not the heroes. They do not sparkle and are definitely not cool. They are evil, bloodsucking plagues, and it's Cruxim's job to rid the earth of them. And then there's Sabine, the Sphinx, who also feasts on vampires. Cruxim's and Sabine's relationship is complicated. There's definitely sexual tension as they explore the idea of forbidden love. Then add Joslyn to the love triangle. She's a girl Amedo once loved who had been unwittingly turned into a vampire.
Their paths cross more than once, and often times their lives are mired in tragedy and strife, as Amedo and Sabine are being hunted by an evil scientist.
I thought the blend of paranormal and mythology brilliant. The grammar flawless. The prose, poetic. If I could give this book a higher rating, I would. It is simply the most intriguing, creative and original paranormal I've ever read.
Their paths cross more than once, and often times their lives are mired in tragedy and strife, as Amedo and Sabine are being hunted by an evil scientist.
I thought the blend of paranormal and mythology brilliant. The grammar flawless. The prose, poetic. If I could give this book a higher rating, I would. It is simply the most intriguing, creative and original paranormal I've ever read.
October 21, 2015
I really got into this book not just because it was about vampires and I do love those, but the author posed a question that I've never considered... What preys on the vampire... Well the Cruxim. Amedeo a forgotten Angel, but I think he's so much more... Ame is a unique creature along with Sabine a Sphinx are the predators and they prey on the vampires, yes the vampires are the bad guys in this story and boy they are a sadistic and blood thirsty bunch! I was intrigued with this story, completely fascinated with the mythology, action, drama and mystery of the storyline. Over all a fast paced well written unique story that left me wanting more..
Ms Cox is a new author to me, one I will be watching out for.
I will be grabbing the next book in this series..
A great dark paranormal read! I would recommend it to all paranormal fans and to those who are looking for something different..
Ms Cox is a new author to me, one I will be watching out for.
I will be grabbing the next book in this series..
A great dark paranormal read! I would recommend it to all paranormal fans and to those who are looking for something different..
November 9, 2014
1.5 Stars.
This is not at all what I was expecting. And I give this the half star because the ending was decent. Cox showed that she's not afraid to take chances with her characters and is capable of getting her hands dirty when it comes to recounting villainous acts. That's great. I always have respect for authors who don't mind upsetting their readers in some ways. But unfortunately, it was too little too late.
Amedeo was incredibly boring. For everything that he was supposed to be, he showed nothing of it. I was expecting him to be bad ass. I was expecting him to be unrelenting. But he's not. He's far too feminine. Cox needs to write in a more male perspective, she needs to remove the feminine touches from his character. Ame read like a 13 year old girl. The only reason I knew he was male was because you were told so. He didn't feel it.
He's also very timid for such a creature as he was supposed to be. He screams and yells and threatens, but ultimately, doesn't do anything at all. This read lacked excitement.
A lot of his character traits didn't make sense. I really don't see how he was so able to resist killing the vampires, or why he even would.
He's a mess.
I found that I really didn't care about where this story went. I actually wanted to give up when Ame reunited briefly with the circus crew.
I have no emotional ties to any of the characters. Sure, there were some horrific things taking place, but oddly, there was no emotion in this read. I read it cold.
The romance was just disturbing. Really. He wants a girl he's known since she was a child. That's perverted. And he's knowingly using these women, he's knowingly stringing them along. But he doesn't care. Yet, he preaches his love for God, and damns everything that isn't "pure".
I found it difficult to swallow his personality, and the shit he was spewing, when his actions were so atrocious.
This was certainly not the book for me. I need much more emotion invested to enjoy a book. I need to have much more stimulation. I also need a book to make a little bit of sense. And this just didn't do it.
I will not read further.
This is not at all what I was expecting. And I give this the half star because the ending was decent. Cox showed that she's not afraid to take chances with her characters and is capable of getting her hands dirty when it comes to recounting villainous acts. That's great. I always have respect for authors who don't mind upsetting their readers in some ways. But unfortunately, it was too little too late.
Amedeo was incredibly boring. For everything that he was supposed to be, he showed nothing of it. I was expecting him to be bad ass. I was expecting him to be unrelenting. But he's not. He's far too feminine. Cox needs to write in a more male perspective, she needs to remove the feminine touches from his character. Ame read like a 13 year old girl. The only reason I knew he was male was because you were told so. He didn't feel it.
He's also very timid for such a creature as he was supposed to be. He screams and yells and threatens, but ultimately, doesn't do anything at all. This read lacked excitement.
A lot of his character traits didn't make sense. I really don't see how he was so able to resist killing the vampires, or why he even would.
He's a mess.
I found that I really didn't care about where this story went. I actually wanted to give up when Ame reunited briefly with the circus crew.
I have no emotional ties to any of the characters. Sure, there were some horrific things taking place, but oddly, there was no emotion in this read. I read it cold.
The romance was just disturbing. Really. He wants a girl he's known since she was a child. That's perverted. And he's knowingly using these women, he's knowingly stringing them along. But he doesn't care. Yet, he preaches his love for God, and damns everything that isn't "pure".
I found it difficult to swallow his personality, and the shit he was spewing, when his actions were so atrocious.
This was certainly not the book for me. I need much more emotion invested to enjoy a book. I need to have much more stimulation. I also need a book to make a little bit of sense. And this just didn't do it.
I will not read further.
August 12, 2013
Favourite Line “Then what, Archangel Amedeo, eats you?” “Regrets,” I answered. “Only regrets.”
OMG what an emotionally horror! Not in a bad way that you don't want to read it but in a way that OMG people are sick freaks!
Amedeo is well a angel I think that rids the world of Vampires Sabine is a Sphinx and there is a crazy Dr. Who captures them for his freak circus and then at night likes to torture them. He's a sick sick man. He kidnaps family members of his workers and makes them do his work. It's all very very disgusting.
I love Ame and Sabine. I don't know what to think about Joselyn. Ame rescued her when she was a child and continued to watch over her. Then Beltran (big nasty vampire) gets to her and changes her.
So much is against Ame, all he wants is to fine Sabine and rid the world of Vampires and that crazy Dr!!!
It's a great paranormal story!! I would totally recommended to the paranormal lovers!!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review
FOUR PARANORMAL FAIRIES
OMG what an emotionally horror! Not in a bad way that you don't want to read it but in a way that OMG people are sick freaks!
Amedeo is well a angel I think that rids the world of Vampires Sabine is a Sphinx and there is a crazy Dr. Who captures them for his freak circus and then at night likes to torture them. He's a sick sick man. He kidnaps family members of his workers and makes them do his work. It's all very very disgusting.
I love Ame and Sabine. I don't know what to think about Joselyn. Ame rescued her when she was a child and continued to watch over her. Then Beltran (big nasty vampire) gets to her and changes her.
So much is against Ame, all he wants is to fine Sabine and rid the world of Vampires and that crazy Dr!!!
It's a great paranormal story!! I would totally recommended to the paranormal lovers!!
I was given this book in exchange for an honest review
FOUR PARANORMAL FAIRIES
November 2, 2024
Enjoyable but ends incomplete so really need to have the next one in the series before starting.
June 22, 2023
A unique storyline where the Angels are also Vampires and/or vampire hunters. Filled with mythology, a freak show and gore. Unfortunately, only book #1 appears to be available on e-reader and I'm not sure if the 3rd book has been released. I'm interested in reading the rest of the adventure, but it's not easily available.
March 25, 2016
This was the first time I heard of a Cruxim, so of course, I got curious. It turned out, curiosity really did kill the cat ... and rose again. The author, Karin Cox made this book very easy to read so I give props to her. I really appreciated it how she carefully visualized Amedeo, a dark, driven, fallen angel and how this immortal vampire-killer lived his solitary life. And I specially liked how she portrayed vampires for what they really were - cunning, ruthless, bloodsuckers.
Likewise, there was Sabine, a mythical or mythological creature called a Sphinx, a character I don't normally found in YA/Fantasy books. A quite intriguing half-human, half-lioness. I found myself rejoicing a little whenever she came back alive every morning like a Phoenix. Sadly though, during the day, when she's not free, she's at the hands of a cruel mad scientist who painstakingly killed her every night. Yes, I preferred her more than Joslyn, and I was equally fascinated with her being. I look forward to reading more about her on the second book.
Karin Cox is talented and witty and poetic. She knows how to characterize the villains in her book. Bertran & Gandler were equally sick and disgusting, I definitely disdain Bertran for what he had done to Amedeo and his love interest. His ultimate end was a satisfaction to me. Gandler on the other hand, was a psycho who rejoiced in investigating and experimenting otherworldly creatures. The epitome of most villainous character.
The story was unique and it had a considerable amount of action and adventure. Inasmuch as I would like to tell you more of Amedeo and Sabine and the vampires, I am afraid I might give the whole story right away. But the fact remains that Karin Cox is on her road to stardom. She writes really well and she's remarkable. If this was her first foray in writing, I didn't realize it. If I were to compare her the fashion world, I'd say, she belongs to the High-Fashion society.
Likewise, there was Sabine, a mythical or mythological creature called a Sphinx, a character I don't normally found in YA/Fantasy books. A quite intriguing half-human, half-lioness. I found myself rejoicing a little whenever she came back alive every morning like a Phoenix. Sadly though, during the day, when she's not free, she's at the hands of a cruel mad scientist who painstakingly killed her every night. Yes, I preferred her more than Joslyn, and I was equally fascinated with her being. I look forward to reading more about her on the second book.
Karin Cox is talented and witty and poetic. She knows how to characterize the villains in her book. Bertran & Gandler were equally sick and disgusting, I definitely disdain Bertran for what he had done to Amedeo and his love interest. His ultimate end was a satisfaction to me. Gandler on the other hand, was a psycho who rejoiced in investigating and experimenting otherworldly creatures. The epitome of most villainous character.
The story was unique and it had a considerable amount of action and adventure. Inasmuch as I would like to tell you more of Amedeo and Sabine and the vampires, I am afraid I might give the whole story right away. But the fact remains that Karin Cox is on her road to stardom. She writes really well and she's remarkable. If this was her first foray in writing, I didn't realize it. If I were to compare her the fashion world, I'd say, she belongs to the High-Fashion society.
January 20, 2013
This book asks some intriguing questions: if vampires prey on humans, what kind of creature preys on vampires? Why have they never entered into human mythology? Or have we always recognized them, but misinterpreted their role?
Karin Cox posits a new supernatural predator that hunts the hunters, the Cruxim. Solitary creatures with the appearance of angels, they awaken with no knowledge of their own origins but the need to kill and feed on vampires. The story follows one such Cruxim, Amedeo, and his struggle to balance two impossible loves with the need for retribution against the master vampire Beltran that torments all three.
I had minor stylistic qualms about the gothic dialogue, but otherwise I enjoyed the conceptual basis of the story and the pacing of each revelation on Amedeo's quest for self-discovery and vengeance No doubt there will be more to learn in future books, as his conflict with the vampires escalates. I look forward to seeing how this new mythology evolves.
Karin Cox posits a new supernatural predator that hunts the hunters, the Cruxim. Solitary creatures with the appearance of angels, they awaken with no knowledge of their own origins but the need to kill and feed on vampires. The story follows one such Cruxim, Amedeo, and his struggle to balance two impossible loves with the need for retribution against the master vampire Beltran that torments all three.
I had minor stylistic qualms about the gothic dialogue, but otherwise I enjoyed the conceptual basis of the story and the pacing of each revelation on Amedeo's quest for self-discovery and vengeance No doubt there will be more to learn in future books, as his conflict with the vampires escalates. I look forward to seeing how this new mythology evolves.
November 18, 2014
A book of gothic horror that, judging by some negative reviews, can go over people's heads quite easily. Had this book been published with an Anne Rice byline it would be easily averaging a near perfect rating. But since the world is indeed a cruel place let me say: it lost a star because it is slow at times. The tower jail narrative could have been reduced to a paragraph.
I really enjoyed Cox's style however. The two plot twists at the end made me want more but I will not binge-read the series. This book is to be enjoyed at a slower pace taking in all the wonderful horrors Cox has created for your minds' eye.
I really enjoyed Cox's style however. The two plot twists at the end made me want more but I will not binge-read the series. This book is to be enjoyed at a slower pace taking in all the wonderful horrors Cox has created for your minds' eye.
March 4, 2016
In love...
When I first read the synopsis I was skeptical the story would be worth the read. Though once I started I couldn't stop. I like the characters the story line, everything. It seem that it's very unfair for Ame, Sabine and Joselyn. How this tyrant can truly be so cruel. I look forward to reading of his demise.
I'm very pleased and anxious to read the next installment.
When I first read the synopsis I was skeptical the story would be worth the read. Though once I started I couldn't stop. I like the characters the story line, everything. It seem that it's very unfair for Ame, Sabine and Joselyn. How this tyrant can truly be so cruel. I look forward to reading of his demise.
I'm very pleased and anxious to read the next installment.
June 4, 2016
Cruxim: book one
I enjoyed the book. It kept me on the edge of my seat through it all. I wished it didn't end.
I enjoyed the book. It kept me on the edge of my seat through it all. I wished it didn't end.
January 31, 2013
Originally posted at Give it to Cupcake.
After reading the blurb for Cruxim, I knew that I would most likely enjoy this book. It's paranormal/mythical characters are something I enjoy reading about, and I'd never read about a Syphinx, never mind ever heard about a Cruxim. So, I knew it was going to be a new adventure for me when I began reading.
We experience Amedeo's story through his point of view, something that was fairly new to me as well! I've read a few books in which it was a males point of view, but they were contemporary romances novels. Nothing prepared me to read through the eyes of age old, vampire hunting angel, and I loved it. Ame is focused on his mission and is hard and unattached, unless it comes to Joslyn or Sabine, both women who love him deeply. He loves them as well, but in very different ways.
I really enjoyed that aspect of the story, a kind of love triangle between Joslyn, a girl turned vampire, and Sabine, a Sphinx he finds that eases his pain of the fate of Joslyn. It's interesting and complex and you can feel Ame's emotions throughout the story as he battles his inner self over his love for both of these creatures. But what fuels Amedeo most is revenge, and that always makes for one heck of a story.
Although Ame is a strong and lovable character, it's the ladies of this book that really capture my heart. My affection for Joslyn was out of control. She's so innocent and pure, even when she endures the pain and challenges that she's faced and her body may no longer be innocent, her mind and love for Ame stays with her. I'm a sucker for a romance like that.
The other smaller characters that you meet along the way will capture your heart, freaks and oddities as they are. Cruxim is filled with passion, revenge, action, and love all mixed together to form this story that is unlike any I've ever read. The ending had me in near in tears, but now I have to find out what fate lies ahead for Amedeo in the next book!
After reading the blurb for Cruxim, I knew that I would most likely enjoy this book. It's paranormal/mythical characters are something I enjoy reading about, and I'd never read about a Syphinx, never mind ever heard about a Cruxim. So, I knew it was going to be a new adventure for me when I began reading.
We experience Amedeo's story through his point of view, something that was fairly new to me as well! I've read a few books in which it was a males point of view, but they were contemporary romances novels. Nothing prepared me to read through the eyes of age old, vampire hunting angel, and I loved it. Ame is focused on his mission and is hard and unattached, unless it comes to Joslyn or Sabine, both women who love him deeply. He loves them as well, but in very different ways.
I really enjoyed that aspect of the story, a kind of love triangle between Joslyn, a girl turned vampire, and Sabine, a Sphinx he finds that eases his pain of the fate of Joslyn. It's interesting and complex and you can feel Ame's emotions throughout the story as he battles his inner self over his love for both of these creatures. But what fuels Amedeo most is revenge, and that always makes for one heck of a story.
Although Ame is a strong and lovable character, it's the ladies of this book that really capture my heart. My affection for Joslyn was out of control. She's so innocent and pure, even when she endures the pain and challenges that she's faced and her body may no longer be innocent, her mind and love for Ame stays with her. I'm a sucker for a romance like that.
The other smaller characters that you meet along the way will capture your heart, freaks and oddities as they are. Cruxim is filled with passion, revenge, action, and love all mixed together to form this story that is unlike any I've ever read. The ending had me in near in tears, but now I have to find out what fate lies ahead for Amedeo in the next book!
July 3, 2013
I love a book about Angels. And I really love books with sexy fallen angels, like Amedeo. But Amedeo is more than just an immortal fallen angel, he is a Cruxim; an immortal whose sole purpose is to seek out and kill vampires. Their blood calls to him and it is a call that he eagerly answers, a call he meets with an insatiable appetite.
That is until Joslyn, a girl that has stolen his heart was turned into one. Then he is torn between the girl he loves and an undeniable hunger.
Karin Cox managed to combine two of my loves in Cruxim, angels and vampires. Sexy angels and vampires at that.
Though Karin Cox doesn't change the vampire, the idea of the Cruxim hunting vampires is completely awesome. And I had absolutely no problems routing for Amedeo in this book. Come on just say that name...Amedeo, it just rolls off the tongue, sounds sultry, alluring and sexy. But Amedeo is more than a sexy angel. He is powerful, relentless, intense, dedicated, and incredibly sweet, vulnerable, forgiving, has a deep heart and rises to any challenge. I love this angel.
Then you have Joslyn, the vulnerable girl who did nothing but love Amedeo. Who made the enormous mistake of trusting a vampire. Now she suffers with the knowledge of what Amedeo really is and the fact that they can never be together. But that doesn't stop her from loving him. Joslyn despite being a vampire has a very large heart and her love knows no bounds. She is loyal, dedicated and just might do anything for the one she loves.
But there is another woman, Sabine, the Sphinx that unlocked the deep recesses of Amedeo's heart. Destined to spend the day time as a statue, Sabine has cemented her place in Amedeo's heart forever. Sabine is a fierce warrior and can easily take care of herself, but will do anything for the one she loves. She is loyal, dedicated, and kind.
All these together makes for a great story. In Cruxim you have a story of love, tenacity and courage. Love angels, vampires, Fantasy? Then Cruxim is the story for you.
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
That is until Joslyn, a girl that has stolen his heart was turned into one. Then he is torn between the girl he loves and an undeniable hunger.
Karin Cox managed to combine two of my loves in Cruxim, angels and vampires. Sexy angels and vampires at that.
Though Karin Cox doesn't change the vampire, the idea of the Cruxim hunting vampires is completely awesome. And I had absolutely no problems routing for Amedeo in this book. Come on just say that name...Amedeo, it just rolls off the tongue, sounds sultry, alluring and sexy. But Amedeo is more than a sexy angel. He is powerful, relentless, intense, dedicated, and incredibly sweet, vulnerable, forgiving, has a deep heart and rises to any challenge. I love this angel.
Then you have Joslyn, the vulnerable girl who did nothing but love Amedeo. Who made the enormous mistake of trusting a vampire. Now she suffers with the knowledge of what Amedeo really is and the fact that they can never be together. But that doesn't stop her from loving him. Joslyn despite being a vampire has a very large heart and her love knows no bounds. She is loyal, dedicated and just might do anything for the one she loves.
But there is another woman, Sabine, the Sphinx that unlocked the deep recesses of Amedeo's heart. Destined to spend the day time as a statue, Sabine has cemented her place in Amedeo's heart forever. Sabine is a fierce warrior and can easily take care of herself, but will do anything for the one she loves. She is loyal, dedicated, and kind.
All these together makes for a great story. In Cruxim you have a story of love, tenacity and courage. Love angels, vampires, Fantasy? Then Cruxim is the story for you.
*Received a free copy in exchange for an honest review
January 1, 2016
I was given my copy of Cruxim to read for review, and in turn as I always say that its only right that I take the time and give my fair and unbiased opinion in a review. These are my feelings as I finished this awesome novel.
What a amazing story I found as I clicked my kindle on to start my adventure into Karin Cox’s world that she created for us in “Cruxim”.
I have to tell you that this is the first time that I have read a book with so many different, unusual characters at one time. All their emotions are experienced by you the reader are so dynamic, although at times some are pretty gruesome you will find yourself still reading faster to see what the heck is around the corner waiting to jump at you. Surprising you when you thought you knew what was coming at you next!
Amedeo’s character is so heart felt, I absolutely fell in love with him… he’s a different hero, one that will take you on many spine chilling journeys as he travels to accomplish what he is meant to do in his life. As a Cruxim, a winged creature he must try to rid our world from vampires… the very evil dangerous vampires.
Amedeos life is full of mystery - he in many ways is like a human, as he too has a heart that is torn in different directions between two loves…. Sabine, a Sphinx and Joslyn, a girl he had once loved. (before she was turned into a vampire)
A wonderfully new, and fresh novel of vampire lore. A dark world of a wide range of oddities. it’s a story that you must read to understand the complex array of characters, and the remarkable way that Ms Cox has woven this phenomenal world in which they exist in. Karin Cox is most definitely an author that I will and look forward to reading more of in the future.
I HIGHLY recommend “Cruxim” as a must read.
Recommend: 18 and up
Rating: 5/5 angel stars
Angel Anne Reviews
What a amazing story I found as I clicked my kindle on to start my adventure into Karin Cox’s world that she created for us in “Cruxim”.
I have to tell you that this is the first time that I have read a book with so many different, unusual characters at one time. All their emotions are experienced by you the reader are so dynamic, although at times some are pretty gruesome you will find yourself still reading faster to see what the heck is around the corner waiting to jump at you. Surprising you when you thought you knew what was coming at you next!
Amedeo’s character is so heart felt, I absolutely fell in love with him… he’s a different hero, one that will take you on many spine chilling journeys as he travels to accomplish what he is meant to do in his life. As a Cruxim, a winged creature he must try to rid our world from vampires… the very evil dangerous vampires.
Amedeos life is full of mystery - he in many ways is like a human, as he too has a heart that is torn in different directions between two loves…. Sabine, a Sphinx and Joslyn, a girl he had once loved. (before she was turned into a vampire)
A wonderfully new, and fresh novel of vampire lore. A dark world of a wide range of oddities. it’s a story that you must read to understand the complex array of characters, and the remarkable way that Ms Cox has woven this phenomenal world in which they exist in. Karin Cox is most definitely an author that I will and look forward to reading more of in the future.
I HIGHLY recommend “Cruxim” as a must read.
Recommend: 18 and up
Rating: 5/5 angel stars
Angel Anne Reviews
August 12, 2013
This is quite an entertaining book. Unfortunately it is the first volume of a series, so the story does not end with this book and you stay wanting to know the end. The beginning could not be better. The entities the author created (the cruxim (Amedeo) and the sphinx (Sabine)) are immortal creatures that have a common enemy, the vampires. The plot is simple: Amedeo helps a young lady (Joslyn) to survive from an abusive father and fall in love with her, but she is turned into a vampire by one of his enemies. And he happens to meet Sabine, an sphinx that also kills vampires. They are persecuted and captured by Dr. Gandler, their enemy, that wants to become a vampire, and they are exposed in a circus of curiosities. After some animosities, they find some allies and manage to escape. But Sabine is capture again and Amedeo now has to rescue both Sabine and Joslyn. Very fast paced story, characters well constructed, this is a story that you read on the edge of your chair. Very hard to put the book down before it finishes and I really hope it does not take long for the author to come with the sequel. I am addicted to her style of easy reading and story flowing like there is no tomorrow!
I recommend this book to the permanent library of any reader that loves a well written fantasy book. I bought this book from Amazon.com. Opinion expressed here is my own.
I recommend this book to the permanent library of any reader that loves a well written fantasy book. I bought this book from Amazon.com. Opinion expressed here is my own.
February 18, 2015
One thing that I like to take advantage of is when an author offers a book for free. This gives me a chance to try a new author without fear of wasting my hard earned money. This was one of those great finds! The first few pages had my wheels spinning with questions. Why are we starting here? How did the character get there? Why!! I am one of those readers whose brains are spinning ahead and wondering about the magic of the story! Can’t wait to read it all as fast as I can because I love the story and then sad when it is over. I’m sure some of you know what I mean.
I enjoy an underdog when I read a story and I found myself cheering for multiple underdogs throughout the book. Amedeo is a character you fall in love with and hope that he wins every battle he comes across. But never fear if you are the person who always cheers for the villain you have numerous opportunities to do so. If you like a fight for good and evil this is the book for you. Filled with vampires, angels and sphinx there was a good mix of different lore’s that really open up the imagination. The author does a wonderful job of painting a picture of the time and area. I always feel that if I can imagine it in my mind than the author did their job of pulling me into the story. Can’t wait to read the next two books in the series.
I enjoy an underdog when I read a story and I found myself cheering for multiple underdogs throughout the book. Amedeo is a character you fall in love with and hope that he wins every battle he comes across. But never fear if you are the person who always cheers for the villain you have numerous opportunities to do so. If you like a fight for good and evil this is the book for you. Filled with vampires, angels and sphinx there was a good mix of different lore’s that really open up the imagination. The author does a wonderful job of painting a picture of the time and area. I always feel that if I can imagine it in my mind than the author did their job of pulling me into the story. Can’t wait to read the next two books in the series.
March 31, 2013
I enjoyed reading this book. I have never heard of a Cruxim but it is a new and different concept for me and I enjoyed it. Also Sabine is a sphinx and that is a creature that is not usually in the books either. I can’t wait to read the second one to find out what happens next and the revenge that will play out.
The author really knows how to write villians in this story. Bertran, the vampire is sick and twisted. There are no strong, dark, romantic vampires in this book. I loved to hate Bertran as well as Gandler. Gandler is a mad scientist who loves to experiment on people as well as supernatural creatures. When he becomes part of the supernatural community the torture and experiments are taken to new heights. There were a lot of twists and turns in this story and the plot continues into the next book. I can’t wait to see where it takes us.
The story was original and it had a lot of action. There were a few parts that were a little slow moving for me. I loved how the author was able to bring what was usually mortal enemies and have them work together to resolve the conflicts the characters encounter. I will be reading the next in the series.
*I received this book free from the author for an honest review.*
The author really knows how to write villians in this story. Bertran, the vampire is sick and twisted. There are no strong, dark, romantic vampires in this book. I loved to hate Bertran as well as Gandler. Gandler is a mad scientist who loves to experiment on people as well as supernatural creatures. When he becomes part of the supernatural community the torture and experiments are taken to new heights. There were a lot of twists and turns in this story and the plot continues into the next book. I can’t wait to see where it takes us.
The story was original and it had a lot of action. There were a few parts that were a little slow moving for me. I loved how the author was able to bring what was usually mortal enemies and have them work together to resolve the conflicts the characters encounter. I will be reading the next in the series.
*I received this book free from the author for an honest review.*
February 17, 2013
Thought you knew all there was to know about vampires and the creatures that hunt them? Well think again, because if you haven't 'met' a Cruxim or a Sphinx, well you have not fully 'lived' in the supernatural world.
'Cruxim' is one of the most original supernatural tales I have read in a long, long while - and I have read a load of 'vampire, angel, demon, fairy-filled' books. Add to this an outstanding cast of characters, intense love-affairs, dramatic scenes, historic places, and a story based on extremely well-researched mythological facts - and you most certainly have the next big thing in this well-loved genre.
Karin has a beautiful and effortless way with words - her descriptions are breathtaking, her characterisations are dimensional, her plot is flawless. Believe me, when you delve into the magical world she has created, you will not be disappointed - only so much in that you will need to wait for her to finish the next book in the series!
Let 'Cruxim' take you an all-consuming adventure you will not want to tear yourself away from...
'Cruxim' is one of the most original supernatural tales I have read in a long, long while - and I have read a load of 'vampire, angel, demon, fairy-filled' books. Add to this an outstanding cast of characters, intense love-affairs, dramatic scenes, historic places, and a story based on extremely well-researched mythological facts - and you most certainly have the next big thing in this well-loved genre.
Karin has a beautiful and effortless way with words - her descriptions are breathtaking, her characterisations are dimensional, her plot is flawless. Believe me, when you delve into the magical world she has created, you will not be disappointed - only so much in that you will need to wait for her to finish the next book in the series!
Let 'Cruxim' take you an all-consuming adventure you will not want to tear yourself away from...
March 26, 2013
oh Ame...
Amedeo is a Cruxim.. But he let people call him Ame...
I normally read vampires and love them. But Cruxim? Cruxim feeds on vampires blood and that got me intrigued. There are so many supernatural creatures in this book, Cruxim, Vampires, and now Sphinx?
I love the language. It's beautiful. I love the story. I feel so bad for Ame and his misfortune. Karin Cox made him so lovable. He's so trying to be good. To do good. The story is interesting but I couldn't help myself and skimmed through some small parts of it... I never peaked look at the end of the book but with Ame I did. I had to know if he's going to be alright. And thank goodness he is.
Vampires in this book drink human blood. They can turn humans. They turn themselves to bats. They get burned in the sun. And die from a stab through the heart. Cruxim drinks their blood. And sphinx eats their flesh.
If you like paranormal, you'll like this book.
Amedeo is a Cruxim.. But he let people call him Ame...
I normally read vampires and love them. But Cruxim? Cruxim feeds on vampires blood and that got me intrigued. There are so many supernatural creatures in this book, Cruxim, Vampires, and now Sphinx?
I love the language. It's beautiful. I love the story. I feel so bad for Ame and his misfortune. Karin Cox made him so lovable. He's so trying to be good. To do good. The story is interesting but I couldn't help myself and skimmed through some small parts of it... I never peaked look at the end of the book but with Ame I did. I had to know if he's going to be alright. And thank goodness he is.
Vampires in this book drink human blood. They can turn humans. They turn themselves to bats. They get burned in the sun. And die from a stab through the heart. Cruxim drinks their blood. And sphinx eats their flesh.
If you like paranormal, you'll like this book.
November 29, 2014
Don't be fooled by the cover of this book into thinking it's another paranormal romance. It's not. And to overlook this book is to deprive yourself of a real adventure.
Amedeo is a Cruxim, a supernatural being who does God's work by killing vampires. An immortal being he has lived for centuries and endured terrible tortures at the hands of humanity, who believe him to be the very creature he hunts.
Throughout his long life he has made many acquaintances the most noteable, a small girl he rescued and sponsored, and a Sphinx named Sabine. They are the loves of his life and there is nothing he will not do to protect them.
This book, the first in a trilogy is nothing if it's not gripping. Gruesome in places, with unspeakable acts of oppression and cruelty, it's definitely not for the faint hearted. But I've never read anything quite like it and I recommend it for fans of non-romantic paranormal reads.
Amedeo is a Cruxim, a supernatural being who does God's work by killing vampires. An immortal being he has lived for centuries and endured terrible tortures at the hands of humanity, who believe him to be the very creature he hunts.
Throughout his long life he has made many acquaintances the most noteable, a small girl he rescued and sponsored, and a Sphinx named Sabine. They are the loves of his life and there is nothing he will not do to protect them.
This book, the first in a trilogy is nothing if it's not gripping. Gruesome in places, with unspeakable acts of oppression and cruelty, it's definitely not for the faint hearted. But I've never read anything quite like it and I recommend it for fans of non-romantic paranormal reads.
March 17, 2013
I really loved this book! The only thing, that I wish this book had was a better description of Ame. I don't even remember it saying what it was that he looked like, until he switched clothes with evedra, and it stated he had long hair. I would have liked for his character to be described a little more. Other than that, no real complaints. I did not foresee jocolyn dying. At all. Their were times in this book when I did not think that Ame would make it out at all. It started off with Ame being held in a tower a village, then quickly the story turned to the circus. I could not have foreseen the death and horror that , that would have brought to Ame. I was surprised! It was great! Everything that I didn't expect happened in this book, happened! I will definitely read book two of this series!!
July 3, 2013
When I first saw the title of the novel I wasn't sure what I was in for. Cruxim. Never heard of it. The cover drew me in right away. Soon I learned that this wasn't your typical vampire story. Cox has introduced two new creatures, Amedeo, the fallen angel who has to kill vampires to find redemption and the half-woman, half-lioness, Sabine, who is a Sphinx. The introduction of the two breathes new life into the vampire world. And Dr. Gandler is a creepy villain that made my skin crawl. Each time he appeared I had the instinct to cover my eyes. This paranormal romance, for me, had it all. A clever story, flawed heroes, despicable villains, shocking scenes, and one surprise after another. It was hard for me to put down.
April 9, 2015
This book was really dark at some parts and very interesting to read. I actually liked this book way more than I initially thought I would when I picked it up. This book was NOT YA, for which I am very happy about! It's hard to find good paranormal, beasty, books without the shallowness and predictability that comes with YA. Angels, vampires, sphinx, dwarves, two-headed men - so much in one book!
The characters were very likable (and hatable) in many ways. I feel like there was a lot of depth to them and they felt very real with their inner struggles and obstacles. It was fun to sit back and "watch" as this story played out. I can't wait to read the next book - this one left me wanting more!
The characters were very likable (and hatable) in many ways. I feel like there was a lot of depth to them and they felt very real with their inner struggles and obstacles. It was fun to sit back and "watch" as this story played out. I can't wait to read the next book - this one left me wanting more!
February 15, 2013
Top in Vampire Lore: From the opening page, Cruxim took me on a journey into a dark world of bloodsuckers, a legendary Sphinx, and a menagerie of human circus oddities (among them the wolfman and two-headed man), owned and controlled by the wicked butcher, Dr. Claus Gandler (a scientist more savage than any during the holocaust).I fell in love with the Cruxim. Amedeo is like no other paranormal hero. He's not infallible. He bleeds, he grieves, he suffers in affairs of the heart and personal conscience. He must make choices that no man, or angel, should ever have to make. I recommend this debut novel by Karin Cox.
July 19, 2014
Seeing as how this was the first book by Karin Cox that I've read I was understandably apprehensive that it would follow the new pattern for paranormal fantasy. Girl mets a supernatural hot guy, they fall in love, he saves her, they live happily ever after. I was delighted to find that I was absolutely wrong.
Having the Cruxim as a predator for vampires gave the story a great twist. I've often wondered what would stop vampires from simply taking over if they were so inclined. It was also refreshing to have a flawed hero. One who made mistakes, sometimes even ones with devastating consequences. All in all a very different but very good read
Having the Cruxim as a predator for vampires gave the story a great twist. I've often wondered what would stop vampires from simply taking over if they were so inclined. It was also refreshing to have a flawed hero. One who made mistakes, sometimes even ones with devastating consequences. All in all a very different but very good read
July 7, 2015
I actually liked this book. It was a different take on Mythology which I happen to love. Cruxim's isn't actually in the Myths but we may mistake them for Fallen angels or actually Heavenly angels because of their wings. This story was a play on that. Ame is a Cruxim who's responsibility (as far as he knows) is to rid the world of Vampires. He hunts and drains the blood from them until they are ash. During one of his nightly stalks he witnesses a little girl begin abused so he intercedes only to mess up her life in her opinion. He falls in love with her an a Sphinx (yes I said Sphinx..lol). It gets interesting from there but you have to read it for yourself. Like I said I liked it.
February 6, 2013
When Vampires were created, so were the Cruxim.
I found this book an enthralling read. I love Vampires, and I tend to be very sensitive to new ways of portraying them. This book didn't disappoint. These Vampires can only turn into bats, and don't regenerate, but otherwise they're not inconsistent with everything I've come to believe a Vampire to be.
I'm intrigued by the concept of the Cruxim. It seems to fit well, that there should be a being created with the express purpose of keeping the population of the evil undead in check. I can't believe nobody's thought of it before!
I found this book an enthralling read. I love Vampires, and I tend to be very sensitive to new ways of portraying them. This book didn't disappoint. These Vampires can only turn into bats, and don't regenerate, but otherwise they're not inconsistent with everything I've come to believe a Vampire to be.
I'm intrigued by the concept of the Cruxim. It seems to fit well, that there should be a being created with the express purpose of keeping the population of the evil undead in check. I can't believe nobody's thought of it before!
February 16, 2013
Even supernatural creatures have relationship troubles. Cox does a wonderful job of bringing the Cruxim to life, a winged vampire killer with ethics. He finds the women in his life, if you could call them that, confusing as they throw his emotions into a spin cycle. But this isn't all love story. There's plenty of blood spilling action to be had as the Cruxim sets off to rescue his true love. The story flows effortlessly and you'll find yourself rooting for this winged creature. You hope he overcomes his enemies and gets the right girl in the end. But does he?
April 2, 2013
I did enjoy this book and am eager read the second one in the series. The story kept me gripped to see the outcome, but was a little too horrific and intense to read another one real soon. I think I need a little respite of a fluff book before I read the next one. Even so it is one I will still look for since I appreciated the introduction of new mythical creatures. I so agree with another review that I missed a better description of Ame. I was shocked to find out at the end of the book that he had long hair the whole time which shifted what I had conjured for myself.
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