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Storm Trilogy #1
Tormented Soul
Seattle is best known for its welcoming and diverse culture, but Kaden cannot seem to grasp the life it offers. When Megan, Kaden’s best friend, decides it’s time to hit the night life, it turns into a night they will never forget. Megan mysteriously disappears and Kaden is the only one invested in finding her. Along the way she meets an unusual ally, Finley, who reveals a world beyond the ordinary streets of Seattle. Kaden finds herself pulled into a dark world of fae as the two struggle to locate Megan before it’s too late.
322 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 12, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 16, 2015
This book was sent to me by author for my honest opinion
This book contains fae, and that's what initially attracted me to this book. The premises sounded pretty interesting: two best friends, one goes missing, the other goes on a quest to find said missing best friend, and obviously she will meet different creatures throughout this quest.
The first half of this book was okay. I say this because it was pretty bland action wise. Plus, the author was setting up the story so that took precedent. The second half of this book went downhill for me. It was more of the same blandness that the first half of the book had. There was some plot points that made me gasp, but there wasn't any type of arcs. No character arcs as well as no story arc. The story was pretty linear, in the sense that it was just event after event after event, and at the end there was no big reveal that caused me to be shocked or compelled to read the next book in the trilogy.
Not all is bad though, the main character, Kaden has a great heart even though her life is pretty messed up. She is very loyal to her best friend Megan. I do wish that their friendship would've been more present in the book. Also, I really liked Theodore, the gnome he was so cute and dorky --corky-- he cause me to laugh a couple times here and there. Lastly, Finley our somewhat, but not really love interest. He was Kaden's companion throughout the quest of finding Megan. You would think that Finley and Kaden would fall for each other because of all this time they are spending together, but they didn't. They started off as acquaintances and then very quickly turned into a friendship. I found it refreshing because the story was focused on the task at hand, which was finding Megan.
In conclusion, I feel like the author could have expanded the relationships in this book more so the readers could have a chance of getting more attached to the characters. Also, I feel like the novel should have gone a couple more rounds of editing. I found myself revising the book when I was reading it. Personally, I don't think that I will be picking up the next book because I'm just not invested in the story enough to pick it up. Lastly, I want to talk about my rating. The reason I gave it a 2 star was because of the characters. They were the only part of the book that kept me interested.
This book contains fae, and that's what initially attracted me to this book. The premises sounded pretty interesting: two best friends, one goes missing, the other goes on a quest to find said missing best friend, and obviously she will meet different creatures throughout this quest.
The first half of this book was okay. I say this because it was pretty bland action wise. Plus, the author was setting up the story so that took precedent. The second half of this book went downhill for me. It was more of the same blandness that the first half of the book had. There was some plot points that made me gasp, but there wasn't any type of arcs. No character arcs as well as no story arc. The story was pretty linear, in the sense that it was just event after event after event, and at the end there was no big reveal that caused me to be shocked or compelled to read the next book in the trilogy.
Not all is bad though, the main character, Kaden has a great heart even though her life is pretty messed up. She is very loyal to her best friend Megan. I do wish that their friendship would've been more present in the book. Also, I really liked Theodore, the gnome he was so cute and dorky --corky-- he cause me to laugh a couple times here and there. Lastly, Finley our somewhat, but not really love interest. He was Kaden's companion throughout the quest of finding Megan. You would think that Finley and Kaden would fall for each other because of all this time they are spending together, but they didn't. They started off as acquaintances and then very quickly turned into a friendship. I found it refreshing because the story was focused on the task at hand, which was finding Megan.
In conclusion, I feel like the author could have expanded the relationships in this book more so the readers could have a chance of getting more attached to the characters. Also, I feel like the novel should have gone a couple more rounds of editing. I found myself revising the book when I was reading it. Personally, I don't think that I will be picking up the next book because I'm just not invested in the story enough to pick it up. Lastly, I want to talk about my rating. The reason I gave it a 2 star was because of the characters. They were the only part of the book that kept me interested.
July 24, 2015
Readers' Favorite Review-
Tormented Soul, Storm Trilogy, Volume One is a young adult dark fantasy written by Dylann Rhea. Megan and Kaden have been best friends since they met in grammar school. Megan understands that Kaden’s mom has had problems, which means she’s either hospitalized or at home and drinking. Kaden’s dad left years ago; he just couldn’t put up with the quarrels with Kaden and Quinn’s mom any longer. Kaden’s in a sort of limbo now. She doesn’t want to go on to college and hasn’t found a job she’d consider working at. She also doesn’t see how she’ll ever get to leave home. It would mean leaving her little sister alone with her mother. It’s Saturday night, and Kaden and Megan have plans to go out to a pub where a jazz band will be playing. Megan’s brother got them fake IDs so they can have drinks, and they’re looking forward to having a harmless evening of flirtation and music. Kaden wants to sit in the back of the pub, just in case they want to leave without making a fuss, but the dark and isolated table near the exit has attracted two strange and unpleasant men. One of them morphs from being merely creepy to downright murderous, and the two girls decide to move. Every time Kaden looks that way, however, she notices the guy still watching them.
Dylann Rhea’s young adult dark contemporary fantasy, Tormented Soul, Storm Trilogy, Volume One, is a well-written and absorbing story filled with mythological references and adventure. I especially appreciated how the author set her story in the Pacific Northwest and enjoyed the scenes that take place in Washington State’s parklands. The lead character, Kaden, is strong and hellbent on rescuing her best friend after she’s been kidnapped by the men in the pub. Her companion, Finley, is an enigmatic fae nobleman whose history makes him particularly reluctant at first to join Kaden in her quest. These two characters work so well together in this exciting and fast-paced tale. While Tormented Soul is listed as a young adult fantasy, this fantasy will be appreciated by adult fans of dark fantasy as well. I had a marvelous time reading Volume One of the Storm Trilogy and am looking forward to the next installment in the series. Tormented Soul is most highly recommended.
~Jack Magnus
Tormented Soul, Storm Trilogy, Volume One is a young adult dark fantasy written by Dylann Rhea. Megan and Kaden have been best friends since they met in grammar school. Megan understands that Kaden’s mom has had problems, which means she’s either hospitalized or at home and drinking. Kaden’s dad left years ago; he just couldn’t put up with the quarrels with Kaden and Quinn’s mom any longer. Kaden’s in a sort of limbo now. She doesn’t want to go on to college and hasn’t found a job she’d consider working at. She also doesn’t see how she’ll ever get to leave home. It would mean leaving her little sister alone with her mother. It’s Saturday night, and Kaden and Megan have plans to go out to a pub where a jazz band will be playing. Megan’s brother got them fake IDs so they can have drinks, and they’re looking forward to having a harmless evening of flirtation and music. Kaden wants to sit in the back of the pub, just in case they want to leave without making a fuss, but the dark and isolated table near the exit has attracted two strange and unpleasant men. One of them morphs from being merely creepy to downright murderous, and the two girls decide to move. Every time Kaden looks that way, however, she notices the guy still watching them.
Dylann Rhea’s young adult dark contemporary fantasy, Tormented Soul, Storm Trilogy, Volume One, is a well-written and absorbing story filled with mythological references and adventure. I especially appreciated how the author set her story in the Pacific Northwest and enjoyed the scenes that take place in Washington State’s parklands. The lead character, Kaden, is strong and hellbent on rescuing her best friend after she’s been kidnapped by the men in the pub. Her companion, Finley, is an enigmatic fae nobleman whose history makes him particularly reluctant at first to join Kaden in her quest. These two characters work so well together in this exciting and fast-paced tale. While Tormented Soul is listed as a young adult fantasy, this fantasy will be appreciated by adult fans of dark fantasy as well. I had a marvelous time reading Volume One of the Storm Trilogy and am looking forward to the next installment in the series. Tormented Soul is most highly recommended.
~Jack Magnus
January 18, 2015
I’ve never been a big fan of fantasy novels, but I really enjoyed this book. It had me sucked in from the beginning and found it hard to put down. I loved the characters and that it seemed to focus more on friendship rather than romance that you see a lot of in YA fiction. Great book, and I cannot wait for the second book, I want to know what happens next!
January 15, 2015
This book really got my imagination going. Anyone who loves fantasy and teen fiction will fall in love with this book from the first page. The characters jump off the page and seem so real. I couldn't put it down once I started and I bet others will have the same reaction!
August 17, 2015
TORMENTED SOUL WAS REEEAAAALLLYYY GOOOD. Now, since I don't normally enjoy third person novels, I wasn't quite sure how I would like this; however, the whole way through this book I was enticed. The characters were definitely a big part of the enticement. The feelings you get are definitely pluses when reading a book, and thats what I felt when reading this. Things were making me cringe, laugh, screech, and cry. Although the story is very heart wrenching and filled with sadness, it does have its hilariously funny moments. I really cannot WAIT for the next one!!!
December 26, 2016
This book was an interesting read. I didn’t know what direction this book was going to take when it mentioned Fae creatures because the concept can go either way for me, depending on how the world is developed. I did enjoy this book due to its characters.
Kaden was a strong and determined character who was willing to literally do anything to save her best friend. Her willpower definitely made me want to continue to read it to the end. I loved her character development throughout the story. In the beginning, she came off as a character who suffered a lot but still had her head together. But when it got near the end, it was like DANG GIRL.
Kaden completely owned her feelings and fought for what she believed in which made me like her even more as a MC. Finely was a refreshing personality and a contrast to Kaden. The scenes they were getting on each other’s cases were my favorite because they were the perfect sparing partners in my book. Theodore the garden gnome was a gem in this book, especially the scene where he saved the day equipped with his snarky mouth.
Yet the beginning of this book was pretty boring. The author was setting up the plot of the story and it was just taking a while to get to the actual point of the story. Needless to say, there really wasn’t a climax to the plot which sucked because there could have been numerous avenues to build and develop it. Don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of good written scenes and events in the story but there really wasn’t any twist and turns in the plot that made me want to stay up all night to finish it. There was one discovery regarding what Kaden actually is that could have developed sooner and you know, actually told the reader what she is in the end. But unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
Another thing that bothered me was how my ship didn’t sail. I always want the books that I’m reading to have a romance, I don’t know that’s just me. I expected Kaden and Finely to fall in love as they were together for most of the book. I know that it’s cliche if they had fallen in love and most people wouldn’t have liked it, but I still would have preferred it if they had.
The ending is what saved the plot for me. My girl Kaden went all girl power on the antagonist and some unexpected events occurred which had me feeling some type of way. I liked how the author ended the book; it left the reader wondering what is to come for the MCs in the next book. I was left with some questions when I finished the story, but honestly I don’t know if I would pick up the next installment in this series.
Kaden was a strong and determined character who was willing to literally do anything to save her best friend. Her willpower definitely made me want to continue to read it to the end. I loved her character development throughout the story. In the beginning, she came off as a character who suffered a lot but still had her head together. But when it got near the end, it was like DANG GIRL.
Kaden completely owned her feelings and fought for what she believed in which made me like her even more as a MC. Finely was a refreshing personality and a contrast to Kaden. The scenes they were getting on each other’s cases were my favorite because they were the perfect sparing partners in my book. Theodore the garden gnome was a gem in this book, especially the scene where he saved the day equipped with his snarky mouth.
Yet the beginning of this book was pretty boring. The author was setting up the plot of the story and it was just taking a while to get to the actual point of the story. Needless to say, there really wasn’t a climax to the plot which sucked because there could have been numerous avenues to build and develop it. Don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of good written scenes and events in the story but there really wasn’t any twist and turns in the plot that made me want to stay up all night to finish it. There was one discovery regarding what Kaden actually is that could have developed sooner and you know, actually told the reader what she is in the end. But unfortunately, that didn’t happen.
Another thing that bothered me was how my ship didn’t sail. I always want the books that I’m reading to have a romance, I don’t know that’s just me. I expected Kaden and Finely to fall in love as they were together for most of the book. I know that it’s cliche if they had fallen in love and most people wouldn’t have liked it, but I still would have preferred it if they had.
The ending is what saved the plot for me. My girl Kaden went all girl power on the antagonist and some unexpected events occurred which had me feeling some type of way. I liked how the author ended the book; it left the reader wondering what is to come for the MCs in the next book. I was left with some questions when I finished the story, but honestly I don’t know if I would pick up the next installment in this series.
April 14, 2015
I absolutely loved this book. Everything about it was incredible, especially the premise of the book. Stories about Fae aren’t really popular so I was absolutely thrilled to read this book. It is about this girl named Kaden who tries to find her friend Megan that was stolen by a strange man they met in a club. When Kaden recruits Finley, a man who may know about who took her friend, she is thrown into a world full of Fae. This is a story about a girl’s quest to find her friend in Washington while discovering parts of her life along the way.
I just love this book so much and I cannot wait until Fallen Warrior comes out. There is just so much about this book to take into account. The plot was fast paced and I never felt like the story was getting dry. Something was always happening and it never strayed away from the intended plot. Also, the book isn’t really romanced based like most books. It may have moments when you think that Kaden and Finley would be cute together, but it never goes further than that. The book also made these characters so real for me that I got attached to them so quickly and I could relate to some of their pain they felt. They had such great personalities that I just felt like they were actual people that actually had human emotion (well Finley had Fae emotion, I guess) and they were just perfect characters in my opinion, I would not change them in anyway. Also, what made the book outstanding was Dylann’s writing style. It was incredible for this kind of story, I loved the way she created this entire world of Fae and her ability to write stories is just perfect. It was such an incredible read, and the ending made me cry so much. Gosh, I have so much going through my mind about this book right now. I just really cannot wait to read Fallen Warrior. I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys fantasy and young adult books.
I just love this book so much and I cannot wait until Fallen Warrior comes out. There is just so much about this book to take into account. The plot was fast paced and I never felt like the story was getting dry. Something was always happening and it never strayed away from the intended plot. Also, the book isn’t really romanced based like most books. It may have moments when you think that Kaden and Finley would be cute together, but it never goes further than that. The book also made these characters so real for me that I got attached to them so quickly and I could relate to some of their pain they felt. They had such great personalities that I just felt like they were actual people that actually had human emotion (well Finley had Fae emotion, I guess) and they were just perfect characters in my opinion, I would not change them in anyway. Also, what made the book outstanding was Dylann’s writing style. It was incredible for this kind of story, I loved the way she created this entire world of Fae and her ability to write stories is just perfect. It was such an incredible read, and the ending made me cry so much. Gosh, I have so much going through my mind about this book right now. I just really cannot wait to read Fallen Warrior. I highly, highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys fantasy and young adult books.
July 22, 2015
I made it 85% through. I just couldn't do it, I was almost in tears I was so bored and pining for something else to do. For me to not finish a book is extremely unusual, because I will always give a book the benefit of the doubt for a turnaround at the end. This time, I couldn't do it. If the title refers to the reader trying to make it through the book, then it lived up to all it's promises.
Maybe I set myself up for disappointment. I saw all these great reviews and thought, 'I'll give it a try, can't be too bad with these reviews.' And it wasn't bad! The premise was very good, very thought out. However, I was disappointed in the writing style, I felt like there was too much filler and explanation where they didn't need to be. I felt like the author was continually trying to explain more than necessary when I was perfectly capable of drawing obvious conclusions based on context. Some things just don't need to be explained, but the author did not hesitate to explain anyway.
Again, I thought it was a good idea and the premise was great, and I may have enjoyed it more written in a different style or way, but that's just my humble opinion and preferences.
Maybe I set myself up for disappointment. I saw all these great reviews and thought, 'I'll give it a try, can't be too bad with these reviews.' And it wasn't bad! The premise was very good, very thought out. However, I was disappointed in the writing style, I felt like there was too much filler and explanation where they didn't need to be. I felt like the author was continually trying to explain more than necessary when I was perfectly capable of drawing obvious conclusions based on context. Some things just don't need to be explained, but the author did not hesitate to explain anyway.
Again, I thought it was a good idea and the premise was great, and I may have enjoyed it more written in a different style or way, but that's just my humble opinion and preferences.
July 30, 2016
*This book was provided for an honest review*
One of my favorite young adult books I have read this year! Dylann Rhea did an amazing job! I totally loved Kaden, she was an amazing best friend, willing to go through so much darkness just at the chance of saving her best friend. She was such a strong heroine but real too! I really felt for her through the whole book. Her story never got dry or boring, it was fast-paced and tense. I loved Rhea's world building, probably one of my favorite takes on the fae! Anyone who loves YA or the Fae subgenre should definitely pick this first in the trilogy up!
*Done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information on our review process feel free to check out our fanpage Facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG*
One of my favorite young adult books I have read this year! Dylann Rhea did an amazing job! I totally loved Kaden, she was an amazing best friend, willing to go through so much darkness just at the chance of saving her best friend. She was such a strong heroine but real too! I really felt for her through the whole book. Her story never got dry or boring, it was fast-paced and tense. I loved Rhea's world building, probably one of my favorite takes on the fae! Anyone who loves YA or the Fae subgenre should definitely pick this first in the trilogy up!
*Done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official. For more information on our review process feel free to check out our fanpage Facebook.com/NerdGirl.NG*
December 7, 2015
The story and twists through out this book are unexpected and far fetched. The main character can't believe some of it as well. That is part of what makes this book fantastic. The journey takes us through alternate worlds in plain sight, weaving in and out of what we know as reality. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait to get started on the next one in the series. I received this book as part of a Goodreads giveaway.
January 15, 2015
Tormented Soul is one of those unique books that chooses not to cater to the cliches of the genre by focusing on romance and the dreaded love triangle bullshit but instead focus on something so much more important: friendship. It's one of those stories that makes you feel terrible by the end but in a good way.
February 14, 2016
A dark paranormal read, this story is caught between YA and NA genres and gives Fae a different spin.
Read full review in the 2016 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
Read full review in the 2016 February issue of InD'tale Magazine.
January 13, 2015
This book was awesome! It bridged the real world with the fantasy world perfectly and I can't wait for the second one!
November 30, 2015
At first this was just okay for me but that ending gave it more of what I was looking for. Full review coming soon!
October 29, 2015
Hold on, I just finished it and I need a minute to catch my breath. Or a month.
November 27, 2017
The author was at an event I attended so I decided to buy the book and see how it was. Although I enjoyed the main character the story was just not for me. I was going along fine until the story introduced the fae, which I am not the biggest fan of. I would have like to see a bit more of Kaden's life before this and I like the dynamic with her sister. I also enjoyed the main story of Kaden looking for her friend Megan but I felt there were too may side adventures and not enough about the main story.
August 26, 2016
Some minor spoilers ahead ...
Tormented Soul, book 1 of the Storm Trilogy, is the first book I’ve read about fae and their world. While I agree with another reviewer who said “the novel should have gone a couple more rounds of editing,” I based my star rating on the strength of the story and characters, which are appealing enough that most young readers won’t be bothered by that. Rhea is a strong storyteller. Her characters are vivid and clearly drawn, and they evoke strong responses in the reader, depending on the parts they play. Rhea’s dialogue is conversational and reflects her characters’ personalities. Her pacing is just right. And she advance her plot even-handedly.
Kaden, the main character, is someone you might want as a friend — especially if you go missing the way Kaden’s best friend Megan does. Kaden searches for Megan desperately throughout the book, along the way encountering an assortment of both dark and light fae characters. A second strong character is Finley, a fae outsider who the reader eventually learns was once more strongly connected to the fae community. He reluctantly becomes Kaden’s wingman, helping her penetrate the fae world to search for her friend.
What I liked best about the book was the characters and the gradual way their backstories were revealed throughout the book. For instance, when the story opens, Kaden’s mother is painted as mentally unstable and a heavy drinker. But things Kaden discovers on her quest to find Megan — and the way the fae respond to Kaden — make the reader ultimately question whether there is more to Kaden’s mother’s story. This and similar questions about Kaden’s and Finley’s backgrounds are not fully answered by the end of the book, leaving the reader wanting to know more. Recommended for YA readers who like a dark twist.
Tormented Soul, book 1 of the Storm Trilogy, is the first book I’ve read about fae and their world. While I agree with another reviewer who said “the novel should have gone a couple more rounds of editing,” I based my star rating on the strength of the story and characters, which are appealing enough that most young readers won’t be bothered by that. Rhea is a strong storyteller. Her characters are vivid and clearly drawn, and they evoke strong responses in the reader, depending on the parts they play. Rhea’s dialogue is conversational and reflects her characters’ personalities. Her pacing is just right. And she advance her plot even-handedly.
Kaden, the main character, is someone you might want as a friend — especially if you go missing the way Kaden’s best friend Megan does. Kaden searches for Megan desperately throughout the book, along the way encountering an assortment of both dark and light fae characters. A second strong character is Finley, a fae outsider who the reader eventually learns was once more strongly connected to the fae community. He reluctantly becomes Kaden’s wingman, helping her penetrate the fae world to search for her friend.
What I liked best about the book was the characters and the gradual way their backstories were revealed throughout the book. For instance, when the story opens, Kaden’s mother is painted as mentally unstable and a heavy drinker. But things Kaden discovers on her quest to find Megan — and the way the fae respond to Kaden — make the reader ultimately question whether there is more to Kaden’s mother’s story. This and similar questions about Kaden’s and Finley’s backgrounds are not fully answered by the end of the book, leaving the reader wanting to know more. Recommended for YA readers who like a dark twist.
January 13, 2015
A book that you just cant put down. I have never been so intrigued as much as I was with this must read Fantasy Novel. This author is going to go along way and cant wait to see what happens in the next book. Hurry up and write it!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews