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LAST OF THE GODS
A mysterious Amherst Snowden has invited select students to join his Young Haven academy. None of the students know why they were chosen to attend. Upon arrival, the students realize they have much in common with each other. All of the students were juvenile delinquents and are known troublemakers. All have special powers unlike any of their peers back home. What they do not realize is their troubles fitting into “normal” society stem from their own unique DNA…which is not quite human. Snowden has assembled the student body based on those bearing triple helix DNA, believed to be the same DNA shared with the Gods and Goddesses of our past. When the Gods disappeared into mythology and legend, a part of their legacy remained in the bloodline of some individuals. Snowden tells them he started Young Haven to be a place of safety where they each can develop their powers without judgment. Alarmingly, the more the students get to known Snowden, the more they are convinced his purpose for assembling them is not based on altruistic motives. So how do they fit into his master scheme?
The story focuses on a group of teens that bond quickly in the dormitories. There is Ray, the firebrand and fierce loner, whose broken home life has left him scarred both on the inside and outside. Farrah is a Persian beauty, with an extroverted personality and flair for the dramatic. Xandra hides her pain of having been a ward of the state through piercings and a protective wall around her feelings. She has the power to see the future and read minds. Evie is the lovely opal-eyed charmer, who has European and Asian heritage. Like Xandra, she can read thoughts of others, as well as having a connection to the Earth. She can be enchanting or destructive, and she has little control over her emerging powers. Fraternal twin brothers Rian and Roan are polar opposites. Although Roan has a special gift for healing, Rian has yet to discover what his powers are and feels unlike the others. Even his brother’s Clumber Spaniel dog, Angus, does not bond with Rian. Angus becomes the dorm’s ever-present unofficial mascot. Last--but not at all least--is Carys. Her violet eyes and power of attraction can enrapture any person and she has a knack for manipulation. Although she walks in an aura of light, she may be the darkest one present. The teens’ newly forged friendship will be tested when such strong egos clash and powers are challenged.
When Snowden makes a peculiar request of the group, they realize all good deeds have motivations and consequences.
The story focuses on a group of teens that bond quickly in the dormitories. There is Ray, the firebrand and fierce loner, whose broken home life has left him scarred both on the inside and outside. Farrah is a Persian beauty, with an extroverted personality and flair for the dramatic. Xandra hides her pain of having been a ward of the state through piercings and a protective wall around her feelings. She has the power to see the future and read minds. Evie is the lovely opal-eyed charmer, who has European and Asian heritage. Like Xandra, she can read thoughts of others, as well as having a connection to the Earth. She can be enchanting or destructive, and she has little control over her emerging powers. Fraternal twin brothers Rian and Roan are polar opposites. Although Roan has a special gift for healing, Rian has yet to discover what his powers are and feels unlike the others. Even his brother’s Clumber Spaniel dog, Angus, does not bond with Rian. Angus becomes the dorm’s ever-present unofficial mascot. Last--but not at all least--is Carys. Her violet eyes and power of attraction can enrapture any person and she has a knack for manipulation. Although she walks in an aura of light, she may be the darkest one present. The teens’ newly forged friendship will be tested when such strong egos clash and powers are challenged.
When Snowden makes a peculiar request of the group, they realize all good deeds have motivations and consequences.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 8, 2015
8 people want to read
About the author
V.L. Burke
1 book6 followersV.L. Burke is a newly minted fantasy writer as well as a lawyer specializing in Fashion Law (yes it's an actual thing!). She is a dual citizen of the USA and Ireland. In her writing, she enjoys creating characters whose personalities do not match preset formulas, then taking those characters on journeys and letting them grow along the way.
Genealogy is one of her passions...and the DNA component to the young students in LAST OF THE GODS was fueled by the mysteries being unlocked in DNA genealogy. She is happy to discuss family trees and DNA genealogy with readers.
When she is not speaking on legal panels or writing about emerging topics in the law, she is a foodie, loves watching 3-D movies as well as documentaries, haunted mazes and scavenger hunts, Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, binge watching shows/series, H.R. Giger, and she is known for her mischievous sense of humor.
Twitter: @VL_Burke
https://twitter.com/vl_burke
Facebook.com/V.L.Burke1
https://instagram.com/V.L._Burke
Genealogy is one of her passions...and the DNA component to the young students in LAST OF THE GODS was fueled by the mysteries being unlocked in DNA genealogy. She is happy to discuss family trees and DNA genealogy with readers.
When she is not speaking on legal panels or writing about emerging topics in the law, she is a foodie, loves watching 3-D movies as well as documentaries, haunted mazes and scavenger hunts, Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, binge watching shows/series, H.R. Giger, and she is known for her mischievous sense of humor.
Twitter: @VL_Burke
https://twitter.com/vl_burke
Facebook.com/V.L.Burke1
https://instagram.com/V.L._Burke
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 1, 2017
A fun romp that ranges from a camp for teens with special abilities--who have been ostracized from "normal"society for their powers--to the darkest underworld, the literal realm of the dead. Burke has written a fresh take in the YA genre, and the journey is an engaging one that travels through a realm rarely explored in such narratives. Combine teen X-Men, youthful passions and the power of myth and you have a new winner of a book from an emerging author worth watching.
April 18, 2017
Wonderful debut novel from Ms. Burke! I was very excited to find this gem of a book and immediately got to work reading it. The characters, though descendants of the Gods, were very relatable and the plot did not lag one bit. I have a particular love for Greek Mythology and Burke did it justice! I can't wait to read more from this up-and-coming author!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews