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The Guardians #1
Undone
Nicky is trying to be a good guy...All Gable wants is to be bad.
Fresh out of prison and down on his luck, Nicky is trying to be a good guy. With a past overrun by darkness and shadows, he's willing to do whatever it takes to change. He just never dreamed his road to redemption would open his eyes to a world full of magic and mystical beings.
All Gable wants is to be bad. Because only a bad person would do the things she's done and not even care. She's not looking to be saved, not from her world, not from herself. Not even by Nicky.
At sixteen, Nicky and Gable were in love, but eight years apart is a long time and people change. After the tragedy that once ripped Gable from Nicky's world, they never expected to see each other again, especially not on the opposing sides of a fight between good and evil.
They will rescue each other, they will betray each other, they will be undone.
Fresh out of prison and down on his luck, Nicky is trying to be a good guy. With a past overrun by darkness and shadows, he's willing to do whatever it takes to change. He just never dreamed his road to redemption would open his eyes to a world full of magic and mystical beings.
All Gable wants is to be bad. Because only a bad person would do the things she's done and not even care. She's not looking to be saved, not from her world, not from herself. Not even by Nicky.
At sixteen, Nicky and Gable were in love, but eight years apart is a long time and people change. After the tragedy that once ripped Gable from Nicky's world, they never expected to see each other again, especially not on the opposing sides of a fight between good and evil.
They will rescue each other, they will betray each other, they will be undone.
- GenresUrban FantasyFantasy
Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2014
3 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Roe
9 books169 followersJessica Roe is the author of The Guardians series, the Fortunate series and the Haven series.
She's the mother of one sassy daughter, two cats and the grumpiest rat you'll ever meet. She's a lover of rainclouds, Gandalf and all things fantasy. Also chocolate. Always chocolate. When she's not writing or reading she's works as a graphic designer.
She loves to write, and especially enjoys creating a character and seeing where they take the story (because we all know authors aren't REALLY in charge).
She likes strong, ready to fight, female characters who are just as capable at anything as the guys. She has a weird love for villains.
Don't hesitate to get in contact - she loves to hear from her readers!
She's the mother of one sassy daughter, two cats and the grumpiest rat you'll ever meet. She's a lover of rainclouds, Gandalf and all things fantasy. Also chocolate. Always chocolate. When she's not writing or reading she's works as a graphic designer.
She loves to write, and especially enjoys creating a character and seeing where they take the story (because we all know authors aren't REALLY in charge).
She likes strong, ready to fight, female characters who are just as capable at anything as the guys. She has a weird love for villains.
Don't hesitate to get in contact - she loves to hear from her readers!
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 22, 2014
An awesome and breathtaking read!!!
Is it really a debut novel by the author?? Doesn't look like that at all.
Auhor has done a great justice to this novel. One can find a very well blend of paranormal, thriller, crime, romance and adventure in it.
I loved every bit of it... especially the story of Gable and Sacha. (Oh how I love him!!!). Nicky's character was great too. A witty and charismatic guy whose normal and disappointing life takes a turn towards an adventurous and purposeful one. Pablo, a rich and powerful guy came across as a greedy person but yet those few bits and pieces of emotions left in him made me like him.
I loved how the past and present has been presented in the story and hats off to the way author has started and ended it. I already miss the next installment. Waiting impatiently for it.
I would highly recommend this novel to all the wonderful readers out there. It will definitely send chills and would be definitely one tough job to put it down.
Is it really a debut novel by the author?? Doesn't look like that at all.
Auhor has done a great justice to this novel. One can find a very well blend of paranormal, thriller, crime, romance and adventure in it.
I loved every bit of it... especially the story of Gable and Sacha. (Oh how I love him!!!). Nicky's character was great too. A witty and charismatic guy whose normal and disappointing life takes a turn towards an adventurous and purposeful one. Pablo, a rich and powerful guy came across as a greedy person but yet those few bits and pieces of emotions left in him made me like him.
I loved how the past and present has been presented in the story and hats off to the way author has started and ended it. I already miss the next installment. Waiting impatiently for it.
I would highly recommend this novel to all the wonderful readers out there. It will definitely send chills and would be definitely one tough job to put it down.
October 21, 2015
An absolutely brilliant debut. Blunt and punchy writing weaved perfectly with a passionate young love story - but don't be fooled, any hint of it leading into sentimentality is beaten down swiftly with a well-placed stick of sarcasm, wit or hilarity. Told from the angles of the two leads - Nicky and Gable, teenage sweethearts - the emotion and heartbreak of their youth is told honestly and you can genuinely see both stories from very different perspectives. But it doesn't stop there.
Being an urban fantasy, it lives initially on the edge of a whole other layer of New York, eventually plunging into the deep end with secret and seedy happenings for the Outcasts (those with magical or otherworldy ability/origin) trying to just get on with their lives. The Guardians are the watchers, there to help and there to protect, and I liked the fact this particular set of Guardians weren't all brash superhero types - they were more rejects of the rejects (but was more bad-ass, as the book suggests).
There wasn't too much or too little of anything, it was well balanced, with a supporting cast of well-rounded, likeable (and unlikeable!) characters. to be honest, you could see this happily transfer to the big, or small, screen, as the energy and humour would be enough to capture many a viewer in no time. I haven't enjoyed a new story so much for a good while, and I was cackling to myself particularly loudly a lot of the time.
This is genuinely wonderful writing, and far better than many books you may find on bookshop shelves - utterly recommended.
Being an urban fantasy, it lives initially on the edge of a whole other layer of New York, eventually plunging into the deep end with secret and seedy happenings for the Outcasts (those with magical or otherworldy ability/origin) trying to just get on with their lives. The Guardians are the watchers, there to help and there to protect, and I liked the fact this particular set of Guardians weren't all brash superhero types - they were more rejects of the rejects (but was more bad-ass, as the book suggests).
There wasn't too much or too little of anything, it was well balanced, with a supporting cast of well-rounded, likeable (and unlikeable!) characters. to be honest, you could see this happily transfer to the big, or small, screen, as the energy and humour would be enough to capture many a viewer in no time. I haven't enjoyed a new story so much for a good while, and I was cackling to myself particularly loudly a lot of the time.
This is genuinely wonderful writing, and far better than many books you may find on bookshop shelves - utterly recommended.
October 12, 2014
Undone is a fast-paced, captivating, and innovative urban fantasy. From the awesome cover to the first few opening scenes, I was hooked. Nicolas (Nicky) Pierce is newly released from prison and is attempting to turn over a new leaf, trying to avoid falling back into the bad habits that got him thrown into jail in the first place. Simply put, he's trying to live a normal life. However, it soon becomes clear that Nicky's life will be anything but normal because he is painfully attuned into the presence of an alternate world that most people are unaware exists. Author Jessica Roe does a great job in developing Nicky's character and describing Nicky's life-long struggles to cope with his abilities. It is this gift (or curse) that puts him on the radar of a highly secretive government department that wants to employ him in order to utilize his talents. The level of tension in the story builds with new revelations about the "Outcasts" , "Shadows", and the importance of "Shadow Guides."
Intermingled in the danger and intrigue that is Nicky's new occupation, is his complicated relationship with his former flame, Gabrielle (Gable). Nicky has known Gable since they were teenagers and has been in love with her for almost as long. There's just one problem for this reunited couple: Gable is walking on the wrong side of the tracks... in fact, she's actively working against Nicky and his new employer. I absolutely love anything with romance and Jessica Roe does a great job developing believable romantic tension between Nicky & Gable.
This author did a wonderful job in creating a fresh new paranormal universe, constructing realistic and witty dialogue, and creating relatable characters whom readers can root for. Here's an example of some of the snappy writing that can be found throughout the novel:
"Why do we need to go down to the wine celler?" He folded his arms and glared.
"So we can murder you and bury your body there. Trust me, we'd be doing everyone a favour."
Overall, I thought the characters were well-drawn, particularly Gable's inner resistance against the person she'd become and her road to redemption. The captivating writing pulled me in and made me want to know why Gable had decided to work for the criminal elements in the story. I also loved how this author provided enough detail to fully pull me into the story and made this intriguing setting come alive. If you are a fan of Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, or Kat Richardson, you MUST read this book! Jessica Roe is definitely a talented new author to look out for. I look forward to reading more books in this series!
Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Intermingled in the danger and intrigue that is Nicky's new occupation, is his complicated relationship with his former flame, Gabrielle (Gable). Nicky has known Gable since they were teenagers and has been in love with her for almost as long. There's just one problem for this reunited couple: Gable is walking on the wrong side of the tracks... in fact, she's actively working against Nicky and his new employer. I absolutely love anything with romance and Jessica Roe does a great job developing believable romantic tension between Nicky & Gable.
This author did a wonderful job in creating a fresh new paranormal universe, constructing realistic and witty dialogue, and creating relatable characters whom readers can root for. Here's an example of some of the snappy writing that can be found throughout the novel:
"Why do we need to go down to the wine celler?" He folded his arms and glared.
"So we can murder you and bury your body there. Trust me, we'd be doing everyone a favour."
Overall, I thought the characters were well-drawn, particularly Gable's inner resistance against the person she'd become and her road to redemption. The captivating writing pulled me in and made me want to know why Gable had decided to work for the criminal elements in the story. I also loved how this author provided enough detail to fully pull me into the story and made this intriguing setting come alive. If you are a fan of Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, or Kat Richardson, you MUST read this book! Jessica Roe is definitely a talented new author to look out for. I look forward to reading more books in this series!
Note: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 1, 2014
This is a fantasy book for adults, in that the themes and the writing style are sophisticated and complex. So is the plot, so let me see if I can sort of summarize it...
Nicky is recently out of jail, having spent a one year sentence when it was supposed to be six. Soon he is drafted by Walker and Charles into a government organization called the Guardians, because, as they explain, he’s a shadow guide. It takes a while for Nicky to understand what that means, but he's always known that he can see dead people in a shadow-like form, and now it's his job to protect humans from outcasts and vice versa. Outcasts are people with magical abilities, like witches, elves, and dwarves.
Nicky had always hated that he could see shadows - he thought it meant he was crazy, and he started taking drugs, which eventually lead to his jail time. Now he’s trying to work hard and be a good person, and accept both his abilities and limitations.
But his involvement with the Guardians reunites him with Gable, a bad girl he can’t help but be drawn to. They were once in love but now they’re working against each other, and that leads to all sorts of adventure, intrigue, and possible redemption.
The story centers mostly around Nicky, and his dialogue and interactions with the more reserved, official characters in the Guardians is both funny and clever. The whole book is clever; it mixes the impeccably drawn possibility of a secret fantasy world with some adult grit and drama. That’s not to say there isn’t humor, there is, in addition to romance.All in all, Undone is a great read, and I’m looking forward to the second installment. Well done!
Nicky is recently out of jail, having spent a one year sentence when it was supposed to be six. Soon he is drafted by Walker and Charles into a government organization called the Guardians, because, as they explain, he’s a shadow guide. It takes a while for Nicky to understand what that means, but he's always known that he can see dead people in a shadow-like form, and now it's his job to protect humans from outcasts and vice versa. Outcasts are people with magical abilities, like witches, elves, and dwarves.
Nicky had always hated that he could see shadows - he thought it meant he was crazy, and he started taking drugs, which eventually lead to his jail time. Now he’s trying to work hard and be a good person, and accept both his abilities and limitations.
But his involvement with the Guardians reunites him with Gable, a bad girl he can’t help but be drawn to. They were once in love but now they’re working against each other, and that leads to all sorts of adventure, intrigue, and possible redemption.
The story centers mostly around Nicky, and his dialogue and interactions with the more reserved, official characters in the Guardians is both funny and clever. The whole book is clever; it mixes the impeccably drawn possibility of a secret fantasy world with some adult grit and drama. That’s not to say there isn’t humor, there is, in addition to romance.All in all, Undone is a great read, and I’m looking forward to the second installment. Well done!
August 22, 2014
I enjoyed every minute I spent with the characters of Undone.
Nicky Pierce, newly released from prison, is recruited by the Guardians because of a talent he didn’t know he had. He can communicate with the shadow people, dead people, and he soon he sounds himself part of an organization whose goal is to save the disappearing outcasts. For the first time in his life Nicky has a purpose.
Gable loved Nicky once, in high school, but he broke her heart. Then she’d been Gabrielle and she’d had a family. After that she was alone, became Gable, and met a man, a werewolf, and her best friend. He disappears and she meets Pablo who soon makes her his “right hand man”.
In an easy back and forth from Gable’s to Nicky’s point of view and some flashbacks to the past, the story deftly unfolds. It becomes clear to the Guardians that Pablo may be taking the outcasts, who are magical beings, and using them for his own nefarious purposes. And as they fight to stop a potentially frightening outcome, an impromptu reunion with Gable has Nicky wandering who his former girlfriend has become.
With a refreshing and unique turn of phrase, the author brings alive a fascinating group of characters that had me turning pages to see what would happen next. Will the evil Pablo gain Gable’s full trust, and use her in his deadly plot, or will she realize who he is before becoming what he wants her to be?
August 12, 2014
Such an awesome book.
Nicky, fresh out of prison, is approached by Walker and Charles, who are part of a government organization, the Guardians. Soon Nicky learns he is a shadow guide (and what it means to be a shadow guide) and is introduced to the rest of the team.
Gable is Nicky's kind of sort of ex-girlfriend whom he hasn't seen since high school. Pablo is the richest most powerful man in New York, possibly the world, and he is immortal. Pablo wants the Box of Creation, (which could lead to world destruction) Nicky and the Guardians must keep it out of Pablo's hands. Gable, good girl gone bad, now works for Pablo, and she is extremely loyal to this man who came to her aid when she had no one and nothing. Thus, Nicky and Gable are on opposing sides and are working against each other.
A sweet, adventurous story unlike anything I've ever read. Bits of humor throughout the book, loveable characters and lots of adventure/action. Gable and Sasha's story is very touching; their story I liked most.
Nicky, fresh out of prison, is approached by Walker and Charles, who are part of a government organization, the Guardians. Soon Nicky learns he is a shadow guide (and what it means to be a shadow guide) and is introduced to the rest of the team.
Gable is Nicky's kind of sort of ex-girlfriend whom he hasn't seen since high school. Pablo is the richest most powerful man in New York, possibly the world, and he is immortal. Pablo wants the Box of Creation, (which could lead to world destruction) Nicky and the Guardians must keep it out of Pablo's hands. Gable, good girl gone bad, now works for Pablo, and she is extremely loyal to this man who came to her aid when she had no one and nothing. Thus, Nicky and Gable are on opposing sides and are working against each other.
A sweet, adventurous story unlike anything I've ever read. Bits of humor throughout the book, loveable characters and lots of adventure/action. Gable and Sasha's story is very touching; their story I liked most.
August 9, 2014
All his life, Nicky thought there was something wrong with him because he saw shadow people. After a failed fling as a rock star, Nikki was imprisoned for selling drugs. A secret organization called Guardian steps in, reduces his jail time, and in exchange, “hires” him to do a job. Nicky is a shadow guide, a rare person who can see people in the shadows. While aware of his strange affliction since childhood, he wasn't fully aware of its value to others…
In Undone, Jessica Roe spins an engrossing story of super talents and undercover organizations that will have the reader turning pages far into the night. His relationship with Gable sparks throughout the book—they were once in love, but become at odds with one another as the action unfolds.
Undone is fast-paced, satisfying read; a 5-star debut book for author Jessica Roe.
In Undone, Jessica Roe spins an engrossing story of super talents and undercover organizations that will have the reader turning pages far into the night. His relationship with Gable sparks throughout the book—they were once in love, but become at odds with one another as the action unfolds.
Undone is fast-paced, satisfying read; a 5-star debut book for author Jessica Roe.
April 15, 2024
Nicky is trying to be a good guy. With a past full of darkness and shadows, he's willing to do whatever it takes to change. He never dreamed his road to redemption would open his eyes to a world full of magic and mystical beings. All Gable wants is to be bad. Because only a bad person would do the things she's done and not even care. She's not looking to be saved, not from her world, not from herself. Not even by Nicky. At sixteen, they were in love, but eight years apart is a long time and people change.
April 18, 2014
This book draws you in from the very beginning. It is lively and fast paced with engaging characters and a good solid storyline. This is a classic story of good verses evil.
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August 14, 2019This review and many others can be found on my blog - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This book was hard for me to rate because there were aspects of it that I really loved and then some that I just wasn’t crazy about. The paranormal elements were interesting and the secondary characters were fun, but I wasn’t a fan of the main romance and I couldn’t quite connect to one of the main characters. But I definitely still enjoyed the book overall, and I want to see what happens next!
When Nicky gets out of prison, he finds that starting over can be tough. No one wants to hire him – until a strange group called the Guardians comes to him, claiming that he has a gift they can use – the ability to see shadows (basically ghosts). They tell him that the paranormal is real – not just shadows, but all sorts of magical beings (called the Outcasts). Some of the Outcasts are benevolent, but there are others that are out to harm people. That’s where the Guardians come in. They are there to protect the unsuspecting humans from the Outcasts with less than good intentions. Nicky is thrilled to finally find a purpose for his life and happy to join the Guardians. But he soon finds that someone from his past is on the opposing team – and he doesn’t want to believe that she’s as evil as everyone makes her out to be.
What I LOVED:
Gable.
Gable was definitely my favorite character in the book. When we meet her, she is the right-hand man to Pablo, the biggest, baddest bad guy in New York. But as the book goes on, we learn about her history with Nicky (they dated when they were sixteen) and about how she ended up with Pablo in the first place. We also learn that she is searching desperately for her best friend (and maybe more?), Sacha, who disappeared. As the backstory between Sacha and Gable unfolds, we see how extremely close they became and how they took care of each other for years before Sacha disappeared. I think that the Sacha/Gable relationship was my favorite in the book, even though we only see it in flashbacks. Once Sacha was out of the picture, Gable ended up with Pablo. Even though Pablo is a pretty despicable guy, he’s been good to Gable and he shares a special almost fatherly bond with her. Gable’s struggle to figure out who she really is and whether or not she’s truly “bad” plays a big part in the book.
The secondary characters.
There were lots of fun secondary characters in this book. The members of the Guardians each had distinctive personalities and added a lot of fun flavor to the story. Then there were the Outcasts with their eclectic mix of powers. Even the villains were interesting, especially Pablo, who was most definitely evil in a lot of ways, but undeniably sweet when it came to Gable.
The ending.
There was a pretty big twist at the end of the book that surprised me and definitely raised the stakes (especially for Gable). The ending of the book was kind of bittersweet, which I loved!
The negatives:
Nicky.
I just didn’t really connect with Nicky for some reason. He’s a fun character – a bit of a smart-aleck with a cynical wit – but I never really loved him. Plus, his power seemed a bit useless and boring – I didn’t see why everyone was so excited about it (at least the ways that he used it in this book). Because I never connected with Nicky, I also never got terribly attached to him and Gable together. Yes, they had a connection when they were sixteen, but they really didn’t have any connection in the present, so I really wasn’t rooting for them at all. In fact, I am 100% Team Sacha and I think I’ll be really sad if Nicky and Gable end up together in the end. Since I felt like I was supposed to be shipping Nicky and Gable, it kind of spoiled my enjoyment of the romance aspect of the book.
Started out slow.
The first third of this book was a bit slow to me. I think this was mostly because I wasn’t connecting with Nicky and the whole first third of the book was told from him POV. I didn’t really start to get into the book until Gable showed up a third of the way through (I kept thinking, where is this Gable that the synopsis talks about?!). The book improved significantly for me once Gable was introduced.
Some inconsistencies.
There were a few things about the Guardians that just didn’t make a lot of sense to me. Like the fact that the New York branch was ignored and underfunded because they were up against too big of an enemy – they were considered a lost cause. But that just never made sense to me. Surely if there was a huge threat in one area, the organization would want to give more resources to that area to negate that threat. After all, it’s not like there’s a solid border around New York and nothing that happens there could possibly affect any other area – what if Pablo had decided to expand? Even when Pablo was essentially threatening the whole world, everyone insisted that the Guardian bigwigs wouldn’t give them any backup so they’d have to handle it on their own. Why? I would think that they’d be a bit concerned about a threat against all mankind. Maybe a little? I just sometimes didn’t feel like the Guardians had their priorities straight (neither the local NY branch nor the organization as a whole).
So, I enjoyed this book and I’m definitely eager to read the next installment. If the whole book had been about Gable, I think I would have really loved it, but because I wasn’t a huge fan of Nicky (who was the main narrator) or the romance between Nicky and Gable, I give it 3/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This book was hard for me to rate because there were aspects of it that I really loved and then some that I just wasn’t crazy about. The paranormal elements were interesting and the secondary characters were fun, but I wasn’t a fan of the main romance and I couldn’t quite connect to one of the main characters. But I definitely still enjoyed the book overall, and I want to see what happens next!
When Nicky gets out of prison, he finds that starting over can be tough. No one wants to hire him – until a strange group called the Guardians comes to him, claiming that he has a gift they can use – the ability to see shadows (basically ghosts). They tell him that the paranormal is real – not just shadows, but all sorts of magical beings (called the Outcasts). Some of the Outcasts are benevolent, but there are others that are out to harm people. That’s where the Guardians come in. They are there to protect the unsuspecting humans from the Outcasts with less than good intentions. Nicky is thrilled to finally find a purpose for his life and happy to join the Guardians. But he soon finds that someone from his past is on the opposing team – and he doesn’t want to believe that she’s as evil as everyone makes her out to be.
What I LOVED:
Gable.
Gable was definitely my favorite character in the book. When we meet her, she is the right-hand man to Pablo, the biggest, baddest bad guy in New York. But as the book goes on, we learn about her history with Nicky (they dated when they were sixteen) and about how she ended up with Pablo in the first place. We also learn that she is searching desperately for her best friend (and maybe more?), Sacha, who disappeared. As the backstory between Sacha and Gable unfolds, we see how extremely close they became and how they took care of each other for years before Sacha disappeared. I think that the Sacha/Gable relationship was my favorite in the book, even though we only see it in flashbacks. Once Sacha was out of the picture, Gable ended up with Pablo. Even though Pablo is a pretty despicable guy, he’s been good to Gable and he shares a special almost fatherly bond with her. Gable’s struggle to figure out who she really is and whether or not she’s truly “bad” plays a big part in the book.
The secondary characters.
There were lots of fun secondary characters in this book. The members of the Guardians each had distinctive personalities and added a lot of fun flavor to the story. Then there were the Outcasts with their eclectic mix of powers. Even the villains were interesting, especially Pablo, who was most definitely evil in a lot of ways, but undeniably sweet when it came to Gable.
The ending.
There was a pretty big twist at the end of the book that surprised me and definitely raised the stakes (especially for Gable). The ending of the book was kind of bittersweet, which I loved!
The negatives:
Nicky.
I just didn’t really connect with Nicky for some reason. He’s a fun character – a bit of a smart-aleck with a cynical wit – but I never really loved him. Plus, his power seemed a bit useless and boring – I didn’t see why everyone was so excited about it (at least the ways that he used it in this book). Because I never connected with Nicky, I also never got terribly attached to him and Gable together. Yes, they had a connection when they were sixteen, but they really didn’t have any connection in the present, so I really wasn’t rooting for them at all. In fact, I am 100% Team Sacha and I think I’ll be really sad if Nicky and Gable end up together in the end. Since I felt like I was supposed to be shipping Nicky and Gable, it kind of spoiled my enjoyment of the romance aspect of the book.
Started out slow.
The first third of this book was a bit slow to me. I think this was mostly because I wasn’t connecting with Nicky and the whole first third of the book was told from him POV. I didn’t really start to get into the book until Gable showed up a third of the way through (I kept thinking, where is this Gable that the synopsis talks about?!). The book improved significantly for me once Gable was introduced.
Some inconsistencies.
There were a few things about the Guardians that just didn’t make a lot of sense to me. Like the fact that the New York branch was ignored and underfunded because they were up against too big of an enemy – they were considered a lost cause. But that just never made sense to me. Surely if there was a huge threat in one area, the organization would want to give more resources to that area to negate that threat. After all, it’s not like there’s a solid border around New York and nothing that happens there could possibly affect any other area – what if Pablo had decided to expand? Even when Pablo was essentially threatening the whole world, everyone insisted that the Guardian bigwigs wouldn’t give them any backup so they’d have to handle it on their own. Why? I would think that they’d be a bit concerned about a threat against all mankind. Maybe a little? I just sometimes didn’t feel like the Guardians had their priorities straight (neither the local NY branch nor the organization as a whole).
So, I enjoyed this book and I’m definitely eager to read the next installment. If the whole book had been about Gable, I think I would have really loved it, but because I wasn’t a huge fan of Nicky (who was the main narrator) or the romance between Nicky and Gable, I give it 3/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
December 14, 2014
If you’re looking for a story that’s got fantasy, mystery, drama, crime, adventure and just a hint of romance, this is the book for you! This paranormal story gives us that perfect balance of a good storyline, great characters and an intriguing world you want to know more about. Long story short, it’ll capture you!
Nicky is fresh out of prison and looking to set his life straight. The funny thing about life is that it sometimes throws you a curve ball. And in Nicky’s case that comes in the form of a secret organization that needs his help. Turns out that Nicky sees shadows (yes, dead people who haven’t moved on) and the Guardians need that special skill among their ranks.
Speaking of the Guardians, our introduction to this secret government agency means we are shown a world very different from our own. And, we also get to meet lots of great secondary characters, both those in the Guardian organization, and those they’re protecting, the Outcasts. The world-building is well done here and the different abilities that the characters posess is intriguing. It takes a little while to get into the adventure because there’s so much for us (and for Nicky) to learn about this world but once the action begins it doesn’t let up.
I thought Nicky was great. He was rough around the edges but also caring and sweet. I loved his humour and his inner monologue was very fun at times. Gabrielle, or Gable as we know her in this story, lives life on the bad side of the tracks. She works for a very evil man and has a reputation of being tough as nails. Because Nicky and Gable have a past, we’re treated to a few twists in the plot that add to the depth of both characters. I liked their chemistry and will enjoy seeing where their relationship takes them in the future.
Overall, this was a good read! The characters were well developed and the story provided enough mystery and twists to keep me turning the pages. I think there’s still a lot left to tell in this world and many stories to uncover. I hope the author is busy working on the next installment!
Nicky is fresh out of prison and looking to set his life straight. The funny thing about life is that it sometimes throws you a curve ball. And in Nicky’s case that comes in the form of a secret organization that needs his help. Turns out that Nicky sees shadows (yes, dead people who haven’t moved on) and the Guardians need that special skill among their ranks.
Speaking of the Guardians, our introduction to this secret government agency means we are shown a world very different from our own. And, we also get to meet lots of great secondary characters, both those in the Guardian organization, and those they’re protecting, the Outcasts. The world-building is well done here and the different abilities that the characters posess is intriguing. It takes a little while to get into the adventure because there’s so much for us (and for Nicky) to learn about this world but once the action begins it doesn’t let up.
I thought Nicky was great. He was rough around the edges but also caring and sweet. I loved his humour and his inner monologue was very fun at times. Gabrielle, or Gable as we know her in this story, lives life on the bad side of the tracks. She works for a very evil man and has a reputation of being tough as nails. Because Nicky and Gable have a past, we’re treated to a few twists in the plot that add to the depth of both characters. I liked their chemistry and will enjoy seeing where their relationship takes them in the future.
Overall, this was a good read! The characters were well developed and the story provided enough mystery and twists to keep me turning the pages. I think there’s still a lot left to tell in this world and many stories to uncover. I hope the author is busy working on the next installment!
December 14, 2014
If you’re looking for a story that’s got fantasy, mystery, drama, crime, adventure and just a hint of romance, this is the book for you! This paranormal story gives us that perfect balance of a good storyline, great characters and an intriguing world you want to know more about. Long story short, it’ll capture you!
Nicky is fresh out of prison and looking to set his life straight. The funny thing about life is that it sometimes throws you a curve ball. And in Nicky’s case that comes in the form of a secret organization that needs his help. Turns out that Nicky sees shadows (yes, dead people who haven’t moved on) and the Guardians need that special skill among their ranks.
Speaking of the Guardians, our introduction to this secret government agency means we are shown a world very different from our own. And, we also get to meet lots of great secondary characters, both those in the Guardian organization, and those they’re protecting, the Outcasts. The world-building is well done here and the different abilities that the characters posess is intriguing. It takes a little while to get into the adventure because there’s so much for us (and for Nicky) to learn about this world but once the action begins it doesn’t let up.
I thought Nicky was great. He was rough around the edges but also caring and sweet. I loved his humour and his inner monologue was very fun at times. Gabrielle, or Gable as we know her in this story, lives life on the bad side of the tracks. She works for a very evil man and has a reputation of being tough as nails. Because Nicky and Gable have a past, we’re treated to a few twists in the plot that add to the depth of both characters. I liked their chemistry and will enjoy seeing where their relationship takes them in the future.
Overall, this was a good read! The characters were well developed and the story provided enough mystery and twists to keep me turning the pages. I think there’s still a lot left to tell in this world and many stories to uncover. I hope the author is busy working on the next installment!
Nicky is fresh out of prison and looking to set his life straight. The funny thing about life is that it sometimes throws you a curve ball. And in Nicky’s case that comes in the form of a secret organization that needs his help. Turns out that Nicky sees shadows (yes, dead people who haven’t moved on) and the Guardians need that special skill among their ranks.
Speaking of the Guardians, our introduction to this secret government agency means we are shown a world very different from our own. And, we also get to meet lots of great secondary characters, both those in the Guardian organization, and those they’re protecting, the Outcasts. The world-building is well done here and the different abilities that the characters posess is intriguing. It takes a little while to get into the adventure because there’s so much for us (and for Nicky) to learn about this world but once the action begins it doesn’t let up.
I thought Nicky was great. He was rough around the edges but also caring and sweet. I loved his humour and his inner monologue was very fun at times. Gabrielle, or Gable as we know her in this story, lives life on the bad side of the tracks. She works for a very evil man and has a reputation of being tough as nails. Because Nicky and Gable have a past, we’re treated to a few twists in the plot that add to the depth of both characters. I liked their chemistry and will enjoy seeing where their relationship takes them in the future.
Overall, this was a good read! The characters were well developed and the story provided enough mystery and twists to keep me turning the pages. I think there’s still a lot left to tell in this world and many stories to uncover. I hope the author is busy working on the next installment!
August 3, 2014
I’ve had a very enjoyable few days reading this book!
Nicky gets out of prison, and unable to find anything else, he accepts a job offer from a mysterious organisation. He’s to become a Guardian, thanks to his ability to communicate with ghosts. He’s also glad to finally have a purpose, friends and a real home. Then he runs into his ex-girlfriend Gable, who’s working or the bad guys, just as members of the supernatural community start disappearing.
The world-building is really solid, and the writing style is excellent. The plot has some exiting twists. There are times when you feel not only for the heroes, but for the bad guys too!
This book is about magic, but it’s also about love. The author’s very skilled at balancing the magic of this world with the important human things. Nicky and Gable find each other again, after their lives had taken such very different paths, but if things are to work out between them, they have to find a new way to relate on this new ground. And they also have to find themselves amidst all the magic, danger and divided loyalties. You can’t help but be drawn into their struggles and adventures as they try to do exactly that, while staying true to what they feel they have to do.
I also like the other Guardians and the way they interact. You can really feel the warmth and friendship between them. Humour is a huge aspect of the book. Some of Nicky and Zay’s lines made me giggle aloud.
I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. Highly recommended.
Nicky gets out of prison, and unable to find anything else, he accepts a job offer from a mysterious organisation. He’s to become a Guardian, thanks to his ability to communicate with ghosts. He’s also glad to finally have a purpose, friends and a real home. Then he runs into his ex-girlfriend Gable, who’s working or the bad guys, just as members of the supernatural community start disappearing.
The world-building is really solid, and the writing style is excellent. The plot has some exiting twists. There are times when you feel not only for the heroes, but for the bad guys too!
This book is about magic, but it’s also about love. The author’s very skilled at balancing the magic of this world with the important human things. Nicky and Gable find each other again, after their lives had taken such very different paths, but if things are to work out between them, they have to find a new way to relate on this new ground. And they also have to find themselves amidst all the magic, danger and divided loyalties. You can’t help but be drawn into their struggles and adventures as they try to do exactly that, while staying true to what they feel they have to do.
I also like the other Guardians and the way they interact. You can really feel the warmth and friendship between them. Humour is a huge aspect of the book. Some of Nicky and Zay’s lines made me giggle aloud.
I will definitely be reading the rest of the series. Highly recommended.
July 7, 2014
I’ll admit I was just a tad bit leery about reading this book. I actually stared at the cover (off and on) for a couple of days before I flipped to the first page. However, once I started, I was thoroughly engulfed and I didn’t want to stop.
One of the things I most enjoyed was the dialogue amongst the characters. Nicky was funny, engaging, and quite charismatic. His interaction with the other characters kept me laughing and his inner turmoil was the best part of the plot. Although he struggled with a lot of things from his past, he eventually embraced what his life was really about and was able to see past what other couldn’t see.
Once Gable entered the picture I wanted nothing more than her to switch sides, but she was an integral part of the plot and without her indecisions I doubt the book would have been as good as it is.
I also liked the fact that the novel only hinted at the possibility of a love triangle, but didn’t take the “woe is me, who do I choose” angle. Gable will definitely have some hard choices to make, but I’m hoping she won’t become “that chick.”
I’m looking forward to more from Jessica Roe, specifically a sequel to Undone and I would definitely recommend this book to others.
One of the things I most enjoyed was the dialogue amongst the characters. Nicky was funny, engaging, and quite charismatic. His interaction with the other characters kept me laughing and his inner turmoil was the best part of the plot. Although he struggled with a lot of things from his past, he eventually embraced what his life was really about and was able to see past what other couldn’t see.
Once Gable entered the picture I wanted nothing more than her to switch sides, but she was an integral part of the plot and without her indecisions I doubt the book would have been as good as it is.
I also liked the fact that the novel only hinted at the possibility of a love triangle, but didn’t take the “woe is me, who do I choose” angle. Gable will definitely have some hard choices to make, but I’m hoping she won’t become “that chick.”
I’m looking forward to more from Jessica Roe, specifically a sequel to Undone and I would definitely recommend this book to others.
October 27, 2015
Meh.
It was just one of those books. Even finishing it required effort.
I guess, it just wasn't my type.*sighs*
I was literally this close to DNF-ing this book. But since I have already set a record for it this year, I decided to painstakingly bear this incredibly childish book and finish it. {i should get a gold star -.-}
I have no idea why it has so many ratings. Like honest-to-God, no clue. The writing's incredibly juvenile and jejune (and especially monotone in the initial chapters), the characters and the setting wasn't completely developed and half of the time I have no idea what is going on because that is how fast things change. The blurb had caught my attention because I thought it seemed like a cool idea.
But alas, it did not turn out that way. I would give it a 1 star but since this is the author's debut novel, I will relent and give it 2 stars.
2015 has just been such a disappointing year, in literary terms.
It was just one of those books. Even finishing it required effort.
I guess, it just wasn't my type.*sighs*
I was literally this close to DNF-ing this book. But since I have already set a record for it this year, I decided to painstakingly bear this incredibly childish book and finish it. {i should get a gold star -.-}
I have no idea why it has so many ratings. Like honest-to-God, no clue. The writing's incredibly juvenile and jejune (and especially monotone in the initial chapters), the characters and the setting wasn't completely developed and half of the time I have no idea what is going on because that is how fast things change. The blurb had caught my attention because I thought it seemed like a cool idea.
But alas, it did not turn out that way. I would give it a 1 star but since this is the author's debut novel, I will relent and give it 2 stars.
2015 has just been such a disappointing year, in literary terms.
July 11, 2015
Awesome! Love fantasy books that have older characters that the typical teens. Can't wait for the next in the series
February 15, 2015
Brilliant. This is the first time I have read anything like this and I was truly captivated from beginning to end. Brilliant characters and setting.
January 1, 2015
Loved this book!!
Great characters and story...can't wait for the next one to come out.
So many different supernatural characters between good and evil.
Great characters and story...can't wait for the next one to come out.
So many different supernatural characters between good and evil.
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