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Searching for Eden #2
The Call of The Dark
Eden has left. Trapped in the wrong realm, his soul torn in two, Khari is a shadow of himself. Hunted and trying to save the Fae from humans who want them dead, Khari is desperate to cross back to his own Realm—to Eden. With his people relying on his skills, and a Divide as impenetrable as an iron wall keeping him out of his world, Khari fights to find peace with his past and the memories that plague his mind.
One question haunts him. Why did Eden leave?
In the Elven Realm, Eden faces trials beyond anything any life before has asked of him. Heartbroken, lost and at the mercy of a monster, he has to draw on his strength like never before—just to ensure he will see another dawn. An evil is stirring and maybe stopping it is beyond even the powers of the gods. If he is going to save the Fae and Humans alike from the wickedness that threatens, he needs to join forces with the one man he would rather see cast to the flames of Hell.
Sometimes, after all, the heroes are also the nightmares.
One question haunts him. Why did Eden leave?
In the Elven Realm, Eden faces trials beyond anything any life before has asked of him. Heartbroken, lost and at the mercy of a monster, he has to draw on his strength like never before—just to ensure he will see another dawn. An evil is stirring and maybe stopping it is beyond even the powers of the gods. If he is going to save the Fae and Humans alike from the wickedness that threatens, he needs to join forces with the one man he would rather see cast to the flames of Hell.
Sometimes, after all, the heroes are also the nightmares.
403 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2014
11 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
September 12, 2018
Stunning! Captivating! Enchanting!
Horrific.
Daunting.
Painful.
So beautiful I was brought to tears more than once.
This is a story I will read more than once. I have to take a break before moving on to the next book ShadowFae. I need something light, fluffy and silly because Kathleen Kerridge tore me apart here.
Horrific.
Daunting.
Painful.
So beautiful I was brought to tears more than once.
This is a story I will read more than once. I have to take a break before moving on to the next book ShadowFae. I need something light, fluffy and silly because Kathleen Kerridge tore me apart here.
December 9, 2014
The Call of the Dark was even more entrancing than the first book, something I never imagined possible! I enjoy how all of the characters stand on their own with such unique personalities and traits and how much they all grow over the course of the story. Eden, especially, has grown and matured drastically from the boy we left at the end of 'Into the Woods'. I had to force myself to go slow with this one, because I could have easily devoured it in one night, but I wanted to enjoy the detail, because that is one of the best things about these books: they are so intricately detailed. I can't praise this series highly enough and I'm very much looking forward to the third book!
October 10, 2015
Call of the Dark is the second book in the Searching for Eden series. If you enjoyed the first book, Into the Woods, this one will not disappoint.
The author takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions from start to finish. Violence and tenderness, hatred and love, life and death and much more can be found on every page, as you join the adventure to reunite Eden and Khari.
I read it in one go, as I had to know what happened next, and will no doubt be reading it again soon.
I eagerly await book three, Shadowfae, when it comes out in 2015.
January 1, 2015
Kathleen, you had me weeping and distraught throughout. Every emotion that Khari and Eden and the others experienced wrecked my soul. I wish I had better words to put together for this review. Thank you for this experience. I'll be rereading this duology.
December 8, 2014
It was great. I'm so amazed by how this went. Thank you so much for writing this. I cannot wait till you get the next one out. ^^
July 21, 2015
So I didn't love the first book, but I thought I'd give the second a try. Unfortunately I found the issues just compounded and I was just unable to get into it.
First of all, an annoying typo. The author repeatedly uses the word "span" as the past tense of "spin." I can not imagine how that one typo got through proofing and editing... It is annoying!
Mostly, though, I just didn't find much interest in the theme that humans are all terrible because they stereotype and generalize, given the overly simplistic treatment of the fae culture. Like in the last book, the author used the story to express her personal political viewpoint.
Of course, authors use their own worldview in creating their stories and that is not necessarily a bad thing. But the story should expand upon it and provide insight, show us some level of thought and consideration to the concept. This story just highlighted the naiveté of the worldview.
For example. The criticisms of the humans, not simply voiced but shown in their behaviors and actions, included the fact that they generalize and prejudge. OK, fair enough. Humans do this. The fae, supposedly, are an egalitarian society who has grown beyond this petty childishness.
Except their bad guys wear a uniform. They have an entire race that is born evil, recognizable on sight. And there are scenes in which they decry the humans and this other race in the same breath.
So I thought "maybe later in the book they (the fae, as surrogate for the author's higher level of understanding) recognize the hypocrisy here?" But then why make the human behavior so over the top? (calling the fae "it" even though they were very human-like and attacking them without attempting to talk to them at all. It was a pretty clear illustration of what the author thinks of the human race). If she intended the fae to learn that humans are impossible to judge instantly, why present human characters as basically either good (Eden's father) or evil (everyone else she describes at this point?)? Because although the fae society she designed is black and white, light and dark, good and evil, human society is not. Humans are all a little bit of both.
So then I realized that there was no good place for her to take this without tossing out truths she's already established. That whether she actually believes that humans are as simple as she has made them or she simply backed herself into a corner trying to follow her plot, the damage was done . The fae world she has created has a social system out of a children's book, not an adult fantasy. I don't require GRRM level political complexity in erotic romance, obviously, but in this series she wants to use it as a contrast to human society and its ills, and her efforts are hindered by her limited understanding of the issues she is addressing.
There are other issues with the writing. The entire set-up with Eden giving himself to the enemy was already a weak plotline, and it was made weaker in this book with Eden apparently oblivious to the fact that the man he had given himself over to was a bad guy. I mean, his evilness was pretty well delineated in the previous book, you know with him raping a child and killing his sister and all. The reason I dislike the "give myself to the bad guy" trope is that it preassumes a kind of astronomical level of stupidity in the character as it is, and the opening scene in this book exacerbates that with Eden repeatedly insisting that he doesn't have to be so *mean* because Eden was there voluntarily. An evil guy being mean, who would have guessed? (apparently, not Eden).
The story also continues the "war is a great time to find love and have babies" trend. The baby conveniently disappears during the battle scenes. It is a very odd model of parenthood.
So I DNFed it. The writing is not terrible, but there was just nowhere good for this story to go. The political commentary was too oversimplified to be interesting, and yet it highlighted issues in the world building for the fairy tale (a genre I like, by the way).
Edit: Although I actually did check before posting, I'm told that span is used in some areas in England as a past tense for spin. I'm going to leave the comments because I think the fact that it reads wrong to US readers is still valid criticism, but I am now less confused about the presence of a single typo in an otherwise fairly grammatically sound book (^_-) It wasn't a huge factor in my rating, just an annoyance.
First of all, an annoying typo. The author repeatedly uses the word "span" as the past tense of "spin." I can not imagine how that one typo got through proofing and editing... It is annoying!
Mostly, though, I just didn't find much interest in the theme that humans are all terrible because they stereotype and generalize, given the overly simplistic treatment of the fae culture. Like in the last book, the author used the story to express her personal political viewpoint.
Of course, authors use their own worldview in creating their stories and that is not necessarily a bad thing. But the story should expand upon it and provide insight, show us some level of thought and consideration to the concept. This story just highlighted the naiveté of the worldview.
For example. The criticisms of the humans, not simply voiced but shown in their behaviors and actions, included the fact that they generalize and prejudge. OK, fair enough. Humans do this. The fae, supposedly, are an egalitarian society who has grown beyond this petty childishness.
Except their bad guys wear a uniform. They have an entire race that is born evil, recognizable on sight. And there are scenes in which they decry the humans and this other race in the same breath.
So I thought "maybe later in the book they (the fae, as surrogate for the author's higher level of understanding) recognize the hypocrisy here?" But then why make the human behavior so over the top? (calling the fae "it" even though they were very human-like and attacking them without attempting to talk to them at all. It was a pretty clear illustration of what the author thinks of the human race). If she intended the fae to learn that humans are impossible to judge instantly, why present human characters as basically either good (Eden's father) or evil (everyone else she describes at this point?)? Because although the fae society she designed is black and white, light and dark, good and evil, human society is not. Humans are all a little bit of both.
So then I realized that there was no good place for her to take this without tossing out truths she's already established. That whether she actually believes that humans are as simple as she has made them or she simply backed herself into a corner trying to follow her plot, the damage was done . The fae world she has created has a social system out of a children's book, not an adult fantasy. I don't require GRRM level political complexity in erotic romance, obviously, but in this series she wants to use it as a contrast to human society and its ills, and her efforts are hindered by her limited understanding of the issues she is addressing.
There are other issues with the writing. The entire set-up with Eden giving himself to the enemy was already a weak plotline, and it was made weaker in this book with Eden apparently oblivious to the fact that the man he had given himself over to was a bad guy. I mean, his evilness was pretty well delineated in the previous book, you know with him raping a child and killing his sister and all. The reason I dislike the "give myself to the bad guy" trope is that it preassumes a kind of astronomical level of stupidity in the character as it is, and the opening scene in this book exacerbates that with Eden repeatedly insisting that he doesn't have to be so *mean* because Eden was there voluntarily. An evil guy being mean, who would have guessed? (apparently, not Eden).
The story also continues the "war is a great time to find love and have babies" trend. The baby conveniently disappears during the battle scenes. It is a very odd model of parenthood.
So I DNFed it. The writing is not terrible, but there was just nowhere good for this story to go. The political commentary was too oversimplified to be interesting, and yet it highlighted issues in the world building for the fairy tale (a genre I like, by the way).
Edit: Although I actually did check before posting, I'm told that span is used in some areas in England as a past tense for spin. I'm going to leave the comments because I think the fact that it reads wrong to US readers is still valid criticism, but I am now less confused about the presence of a single typo in an otherwise fairly grammatically sound book (^_-) It wasn't a huge factor in my rating, just an annoyance.
January 14, 2015
5 star review by Dan
I was worried after reading “Into the Woods” that the sequel wouldn’t hold up to the first book. Boy was I wrong! I’m thinking if I had more than 5 stars that this sequel would have them!
I read both these books back to back. They were so good that I didn’t even pause before clicking on the second book.
In this book, Eden has left Khari and gone to the Elven Realm without him. Jaizel has taken him prisoner and locked him up inside a dark cold mountain and at the same time sealed the ways into the Realm. All of Eden’s friends are locked on the other side, in the human world. In the Realm, no one knows Eden is there. Eden has given up everything to protect the ones he loves, but is all hope really lost? Can Eden survive the beatings and rapes? What will happen when a greater evil threatens not only the Elven Realm, but all the worlds?
I really, really, enjoyed the way this book flipped EVERYTHING and showed us the other side of the story. It showed us that Light doesn’t always mean good, and Dark doesn’t always mean bad. It also shows us help can come from the most unlikely of sources.
I would love to say so much more about this book, but can’t really without doing major spoilers for book one. Since I’m posting both of these reviews together, that would be a bad thing! I don’t want to spoil even one of the surprises in this series for you future readers!
I must say that the characters, locations and events in these books are written extremely well. I feel I know the whole host of characters, and can’t wait to see them again in the upcoming prequel “Legacies” due in the Spring of 2015 and book three “Shadowfae” due in the Fall!
I can’t recommend these two books any higher. I’m telling you, if you are a fantasy reader, go get them now. You can thank me later, get to Amazon one-click now!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
I was worried after reading “Into the Woods” that the sequel wouldn’t hold up to the first book. Boy was I wrong! I’m thinking if I had more than 5 stars that this sequel would have them!
I read both these books back to back. They were so good that I didn’t even pause before clicking on the second book.
In this book, Eden has left Khari and gone to the Elven Realm without him. Jaizel has taken him prisoner and locked him up inside a dark cold mountain and at the same time sealed the ways into the Realm. All of Eden’s friends are locked on the other side, in the human world. In the Realm, no one knows Eden is there. Eden has given up everything to protect the ones he loves, but is all hope really lost? Can Eden survive the beatings and rapes? What will happen when a greater evil threatens not only the Elven Realm, but all the worlds?
I really, really, enjoyed the way this book flipped EVERYTHING and showed us the other side of the story. It showed us that Light doesn’t always mean good, and Dark doesn’t always mean bad. It also shows us help can come from the most unlikely of sources.
I would love to say so much more about this book, but can’t really without doing major spoilers for book one. Since I’m posting both of these reviews together, that would be a bad thing! I don’t want to spoil even one of the surprises in this series for you future readers!
I must say that the characters, locations and events in these books are written extremely well. I feel I know the whole host of characters, and can’t wait to see them again in the upcoming prequel “Legacies” due in the Spring of 2015 and book three “Shadowfae” due in the Fall!
I can’t recommend these two books any higher. I’m telling you, if you are a fantasy reader, go get them now. You can thank me later, get to Amazon one-click now!
A copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review. Please visit www.lovebytesreviews.com to see this and many more reviews, author interviews, guestposts and giveaways!
January 9, 2015
I absolutely positively loved this book. I was on a roller coaster of raw emotions throughout the entirety of the book. I actually welled up with pure happiness during a few parts in the book.
There was however a few points in the book that at one point made me so angry that I wanted to stop reading it but pushing through that anger made me realize that the book made up for itself and it was my own point of view of life and the way things should be, trying to impose itself in a fantasy world.
I can't wait until book 3 and any other books that follow up on this wonderful story! Please anyone who has doubts reading this book, don't, it's amazing... :)
There was however a few points in the book that at one point made me so angry that I wanted to stop reading it but pushing through that anger made me realize that the book made up for itself and it was my own point of view of life and the way things should be, trying to impose itself in a fantasy world.
I can't wait until book 3 and any other books that follow up on this wonderful story! Please anyone who has doubts reading this book, don't, it's amazing... :)
February 25, 2015
Eden has really dropped himself in the s**t this time, his naivety putting him in extreme danger at the hands of his lover Khari’s vicious, violent and sadistic father Jaizel.
Across the Divide, in another world, Khari his making his own pact with his own personal devils – the human race.
As Eden and Khari long desperately for each other, drama worthy of an opera plays out with Eden finding out there is (a little)more to Jaizel than a taste for rape and brutality, while Khari’s disillusionment with a race he once envied comes at a time when all worlds are under common threat.
This is book two of Searching for Eden – and I’m enjoying the ride. The pace is kept strong by keeping the action close to a small number of characters. Important events happen off stage, in the wings. Closeness between the two main characters is detailed and intimate, stretching out their time together, languorous and decadent. Our world is of course echoed in the world the elves inhabit without there being a direct correlation: food, clothing, how one sits to eat, the warm remembering of fairytale castles from our own childhood stories, the way we treat those different from ourselves, how power has tendencies to corrupt. KK sprinkles her story of lovers in an enchanted land with little barbs that prick at the cosy bubble of escapism we wrap ourselves in. Those who see ourselves as human are forced to accept the truth of our shortcomings. Gods may walk upon the earth, but they walk alone in pain and sorrow while their creations are ravaged, their words are twisted and their names taken in vain.
At the end of this book is a note that says: ShadowFae Coming 2015.
I do hope so.
Quote: “Forever. And when forever ends, I’ll find a way to keep loving you. Ready to go save the worlds?”
Across the Divide, in another world, Khari his making his own pact with his own personal devils – the human race.
As Eden and Khari long desperately for each other, drama worthy of an opera plays out with Eden finding out there is (a little)more to Jaizel than a taste for rape and brutality, while Khari’s disillusionment with a race he once envied comes at a time when all worlds are under common threat.
This is book two of Searching for Eden – and I’m enjoying the ride. The pace is kept strong by keeping the action close to a small number of characters. Important events happen off stage, in the wings. Closeness between the two main characters is detailed and intimate, stretching out their time together, languorous and decadent. Our world is of course echoed in the world the elves inhabit without there being a direct correlation: food, clothing, how one sits to eat, the warm remembering of fairytale castles from our own childhood stories, the way we treat those different from ourselves, how power has tendencies to corrupt. KK sprinkles her story of lovers in an enchanted land with little barbs that prick at the cosy bubble of escapism we wrap ourselves in. Those who see ourselves as human are forced to accept the truth of our shortcomings. Gods may walk upon the earth, but they walk alone in pain and sorrow while their creations are ravaged, their words are twisted and their names taken in vain.
At the end of this book is a note that says: ShadowFae Coming 2015.
I do hope so.
Quote: “Forever. And when forever ends, I’ll find a way to keep loving you. Ready to go save the worlds?”
April 10, 2015
I wasn't as happy with this book as I was with the first one. Sorry that most of my review is spoiler! I hope the third book is better than the second. I'm still giving this four stars because I only give lower than four for books that I really don't like and this book still has enough in it for me to like, especially Eden and Khari and their love for each other.
December 15, 2014
I enjoyed this book more than the first. Jai definitely stole the show. He gave humanity to a fantasy story. As the previous book, this story is a fantasy that has two male MCs, not an MM Romance. If you enjoy fantasy, this is your book. If you are looking for a smexy story, keep looking.
It contains M/M & M/F scenes. In relationship with the concerns of other readers, Eden's scene was out of place for me because of the plot line. I don't think it helped it at all, not because with whom it happened. Khari's scene was handled perfectly. It showed the reason behind it and advanced the plot.
Overall, a good story. I think the series could have ended with this book, but the author set the stage for the next one. Which I'm planning to read.
It contains M/M & M/F scenes. In relationship with the concerns of other readers, Eden's scene was out of place for me because of the plot line. I don't think it helped it at all, not because with whom it happened. Khari's scene was handled perfectly. It showed the reason behind it and advanced the plot.
Overall, a good story. I think the series could have ended with this book, but the author set the stage for the next one. Which I'm planning to read.
January 9, 2015
The first book had me addicted to Kathleen Kerridge's books/writings. The second book...wow... I love the way the characters come to life throughout the book, and some come with surprises! Just when you think you have one all figured out-BAM think again! I am very glad I gave in a bought the second book in Searching for Eden series, as I mentioned in my review of book 1 this is epic in every way. It will make you want to laugh, cry, scream and jump for joy. I am 'patiently' waiting for another book. These two books are something you have to experience yourself, you won't regret it!
I forgot to mention in my first review- if you do not like M/M and M/F sex scenes you should not read these books. I have to say though the sex is HOT.
I forgot to mention in my first review- if you do not like M/M and M/F sex scenes you should not read these books. I have to say though the sex is HOT.
May 19, 2015
Another great book in this fantasy series which remind me so much of the fantasy series I read as a young teen but obviously they were not M/M orientated. In saying that though, these are slow building stories and do have a few trigger warnings re: rape and incest but are very well written. They are romantic too but I find this is a love story and I'm patiently awaiting book #3 to be released :)
It's so nice to venture off to another land and get out of your head. This is a fae series unlike others I have read.
It's so nice to venture off to another land and get out of your head. This is a fae series unlike others I have read.
December 3, 2014
A lovely fantasy novel only incidentally m/m. With a wide sweeping vision of a reality tentatively linked to our mundane world, I found the premises of the world Kathleen has built intriguing. My only negative comment is the occasional editing error. This is not enough to prevent this from being a thoroughly enjoyable and engrossing series. Looking forward to some time in 2015 when the third novel will be released. (fingers crossed for early 2015)
December 29, 2014
After reading book one I didn't think it would be possible to love the follow on as much. Boy was I wrong. Not only does this story captivate you, it lives you feeling as though you've loved, laughed and cried along with each brilliantly created character. This story just flows so easily, you find yourself fully immersed within the worlds in with this author has created. I personally applaud you for such a heart warming read. Looking forward to more!
February 5, 2015
This was a very difficult book to read in the fact that the scenes were extremely emotional and draining for me and the characters. It was very powerful and gave a different view on right and wrong in the world. I couldn't stop reading once I was able to actually sit down and not stop. I do hope there is another book in the works, but if not this one had a good enough ending as to being able to imagine the infinite possibilities. A job well done, in my opinion.
May 23, 2015
Great read that kept me glued to the pages. Plenty of action as prophesies unfold. The characters are further expanded. I got a real look at Jaizel who in his own weird way wasn't so bad. The plot only got deeper and more complex in this book. The real kicker is that book three in the series will not be out until the end of the year. I do hope that book is better edited.
April 16, 2015
Wow I did not expect this side of the story. It had me rethinking some things. You can see how the characters developed but they seem to blend well together. Really enjoyed this book. Looking forward to the next
May 29, 2015
Ok I'love love this series & this book did not dissapoint! I cannot wait for the next book I'm completly hooked.
November 28, 2016
re-read
March 31, 2015
Oh My God
I fell in love with the characters from the first book and couldn't wait for this one. The wait was so justified! The book while dealing with some very strong issues of rape, domestic abuse and torture was also said very beautiful love story. I recommend everyone read this book and be ready for rollercoaster the it ride that it is!
I fell in love with the characters from the first book and couldn't wait for this one. The wait was so justified! The book while dealing with some very strong issues of rape, domestic abuse and torture was also said very beautiful love story. I recommend everyone read this book and be ready for rollercoaster the it ride that it is!
January 26, 2015
Good MM read
Loved them book. It was was riveting story. Action pack from the beginning to the end. If you love romance I recommend the book. I did not rate it a five because I like monogamous relationships.
Loved them book. It was was riveting story. Action pack from the beginning to the end. If you love romance I recommend the book. I did not rate it a five because I like monogamous relationships.
November 25, 2015
Compare to first book I somehow did not connect with second book. Story plot was full of suffering and drama to be of a good story. But, I went over it and finished it.
Maybe in audio format it will be different. But for now it was okay read.
Maybe in audio format it will be different. But for now it was okay read.
February 7, 2015
Very good
This is a wonderful bo ok. I wonder about how someone can come up with some of the parts about cruel people and the things some people are capable of.
And
This is a wonderful bo ok. I wonder about how someone can come up with some of the parts about cruel people and the things some people are capable of.
And
Read
July 26, 2017I'm kinda upset. I don't like wasting my time on a series that goes downhill and by some of the reviews I've read it went all the way downhill. This is me basically saving my energy and emotions because based on what I've read, the 2 MC's slept with other women and that fucking monster and child rapist was forgiven. I don't forgive easily and I definitely would never forgive someone like him. Soooo I'll fucking pass. How fucking disappointing.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews