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Humans. Vampires. God. Lucifer.

One woman stands between them . . .

And they all want her dead.

Paresh Hawthorne returns to her childhood home never expecting to learn that her guardian uncle actually kidnapped her, or that the man who should have raised her, attorney Eric Ravenscroft, is an ageless Civil War veteran. Perhaps even more alarming is how Paresh affects Eric—her very essence both tames the vampiric beast within his heart . . . and calls to it. As Eric grapples with desire and unearthly urges, a cloaked man haunts Paresh’s dreams, and another threat appears in Jonathan, an ominous vampire with murky motives of his own.

Mysteries and lies stack upon escalating threats—both human and vampire—and the danger builds into a situation beyond anyone’s control. The Vampiric High Council’s Arch Elder has staked his interest in Paresh, and the grace of God may not be enough to protect her. If the fabled prophecy to redeem the Vampiric Nation is actually upon them, will their cold-hearted leader choose salvation . . . or order Jonathan to kill their savior in favor of destruction?

311 pages, ebook

First published August 1, 2017

11 people are currently reading
22 people want to read

About the author

Kastie Pavlik

6 books45 followers

KASTIE PAVLIK   is a gamer, artist, techie, and hopeless bibliophile who grew up loving all things macabre and creepy crawly, with an affinity for mythology, vampires, the paranormal, and psychology. Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 2008, she has subsequently beaten breast cancer, and manages a rare genetic disorder, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. She spends her days entertaining (annoying?) her feline overlords while adapting to her endlessly changing needs. Surrounded by the starry cornfields of Illinois, she enjoys a quiet life with her husband and their cats. She is the author of the Children of the Morning Star vampire series and the horror novelettes How to Make Lemonade and Mirage. Her writing influences include Edgar Allan Poe, Anne Rice, James Herbert, Alfred Hitchcock, and Hideyuki Kikuchi. She is a member of The Alliance of Independent Authors.


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5 stars
8 (50%)
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1 (6%)
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Profile Image for ThatReader.
387 reviews26 followers
May 12, 2019
Kastie Pavlik creates a twist on the vampire lore with this debut novel that adds a new layer to the genre. A classical battle of good and evil is turned on its head by the introduction of a fresh view: what if there was no soul that permitted us to choose between each? What if some beings are created with no capacity of knowing bad from good, pure from evil? But not everything is as plain as it seems. Taking hold of religious dogma and using them to further strenghten the plot, Kastie Pavlik brings us a rich and detailed world of vampires created by Lucifer himself in order to aid the war effort between heaven and hell. But when God strikes a deal with the Devil's own creatures, everything changes. The premise is clear, and so well thought, not good nor bad, vampires imply are, until the Creator decides to give them a chance of experiencing the range of human emotions.
In the midst of this comes Paresh, a girl with a dark past and a darker future, as everything is kept from her. She doesn't know it, but in her hands lies the future of the entire vampiric race. And because of that, Paresh is sure to be a hunted, haunted woman.
I was very taken by her relationship with Eric, and their love for one another, although instantaneous, was a credible one, there was such sweetness in their dealings, such raw emotion. But what had me glued to the pages, may I say, were two other characters: Lucien and Jonathan. Well constructed and well written, it feels like nothing is given away of these two, but that's not correct. In the underlines there's a world of knowledge to who they are and what they aim for, and I have to say, my heart skipped a couple of beats when I read a certain passage near the end. Now I can't wait to delve more into Jonathan's world, and discover all about him and Lucien...
A great start to a new series!
Profile Image for Anathea Krrill.
Author 10 books8 followers
June 30, 2019
What a delightful read! This book has everything you could want from a paranormal fantasy. It's brimming with adventure, prophecy and mystery. And there is sweet, sweet romance too, which is suitable for readers of all ages, but leaves enough to the imagination of the maturer audience😉
It took me a while at first to make sense of what exactly was going on, but it all became apparent soon. The story just flows once everything clicks into place. It is well paced, keeps the reader hooked, and urges you to turn the pages for more.
The worldbuilding is sublime. I fell in love with the Vampiric world that exists in the Arctic Circle! I'd love to be there and see it with my own eyes.
I like the way the story expands and finally merges into its conclusion. And with lots of room for more to come Book 2 jumped straight onto my TBR pile! I love the author's unique take on vampire lore, religion, good and evil. I did loose a few hours of sleep over this book, because I was unable to put it down. Just one more paragraph... one more chapter...
Before you close your book or ereader, don't miss out on the Author's Note & Acknowledgements, which in itself is an interesting read.
Profile Image for Sage Ivy Fia.
5 reviews
May 15, 2023
What a great surprise.

I enjoyed this book. I like that it does not give to much away all at once. Giving you polt twist and keeping you intrigued. Kastie Pavlik's writing flows easily and makes it easier to got lost in the story. You feel connected to the characters, and find yourself surprised by their choices.
Profile Image for M.K. K. Deppner.
Author 2 books16 followers
July 27, 2020
The Arrival details a young woman's return to a home where everything is at once the same and very different. Both a coming of age story where readers are invited into the story near the moment of transformation and a dark fantasy and supernatural horror with historical elements, The Arrival has something to offer a wide range of readers.

Pavlik's descriptions are scrumptious, a delight to the senses, without being overbearing. She brings to life both the ordinary world of Orison Crossing and the vampires who move through it. Pavlik's historical research also blends seamlessly into the elements of the fantastic and supernatural, each complimenting the other. It is really refreshing to visit a world which is firmly grounded in the reality many of us can comprehend--a "normal" Midwestern town and all that emcompasses--and be invited into a new world of vampire mythology where love and faith in the Almighty are pivotal pieces of this delightful page turning puzzle.

The story doesn't lag, and the characters drive it forward as they search for their way through the mire. Many novels take their time getting started--The Arrival dives right into the action without losing the reader. We are compelled immediately to wonder who and what and why without getting lost in too much telling.

Would recommend to anyone who enjoys a fresh take on vampire mythology, as well as fans of dark fantasy and supernatural horror.

Maybe a small spoiler ahead...?

On a less formal review note, I really simply enjoyed this book. The romantic aspects are sweet and I kept wanting more. Paresh's innocence charmed me, and I felt very protective of her when Eric's attraction to her became apparent. I kept thinking, 'Don't you hurt her!' I think it definitely says something positive about Pavlik's storytelling that the reader gets so invested like that. I find myself looking very forward to reading the next book! I am eager to know more about all the characters and continue to see their complex relationships move forward.
Profile Image for Julie Embleton.
Author 20 books78 followers
September 28, 2020
This debut novel of the Children of the Morning Star series certainly packs a punch. A meaty, detailed read, The Arrival opens with death and deceit, the themes of which hover throughout the story.

Eric and Paresh take the lead in this tale. Both struggle with what lies before them, in Paresh’s case, the untruths surrounding the death of her parents, the surfacing of her gifts and the undeniable pull she feels towards Eric Ravenscroft. Meanwhile, Eric fights his own battle. Drawn to Paresh, he knows who and what lingers in the shadows for her, his need to protect and love her driving him half out of his mind.
While their coming together is inevitable, it feels right when they do, but more importantly, the plot only intensifies after. This isn’t just a vampire falling in love tale. It goes way beyond.

Pavlik has built a complex, layered world, woven with religious dogma. It can be read as is, but dwell on the motives, beliefs and loyalties of the characters and you’ll unveil a deeper level that’ll have you contemplating the age-old battle between good and evil.

At times, I did find the delivery of history and background a little tedious and felt it slowed the pace. A lot of explaining is done through dialogue and for me, it dragged the flow in places. With such depth in Pavlik’s world, I can appreciate her need to lay it out for the reader, but I emerged from these passages wanting a return to action.

Two standout characters are Lucien and Jonathan. Pavlik keeps them shrouded in mystery, revealing glimpses of their history and personalities before dropping the curtain to leave me guessing again. Whether intentional or not, this tease kept me hooked. I know there’s so much more to come for these characters and I can’t wait to find out where she’s taking them.

Overall, a rich and substantial beginning to this series. I’m hoping the next in this series shares more of Lucien and Jonathan, and sees Paresh growing more self-confident.
Profile Image for Brenna.
13 reviews
July 28, 2020
I can’t remember the last time I couldn’t put a book down; I didn’t want to stop the ride. The characters are as real as the girl next door and the nice man who gave you change for a lollipop at the local grocer. You cannot get any more real than this if you are looking to connect with someone outside or your own world. Orison Crossing welcomes you—just don’t sleep. You’ll second guess your own motives and look introspectively are your life when you see what challenges face Eric and Jonathan is this thrill ride of seduction. Trust me when I say you’ll want to read this more than once.
Profile Image for Kastie Pavlik.
Author 6 books45 followers
September 3, 2023
Reader Reviews from Barnes & Noble on the original edition:

Anonymous ☆☆☆☆☆5 out of 5 stars. · 4 years ago
The Arrival Is The First Series Of This Trilogy. Kastie Pavlik, A ...
The Arrival is the first series of this trilogy. Kastie Pavlik, a new author, did an awesome job in writing this very intriguing book that covers many genres such as Science Fiction, Historical Romance and Mystery among a few. The plot is fascinating and has great characters. It's a definite page turner and I'm hooked. Can't wait for the next book. I'm definitely recommending this to all to read.

Anonymous ☆☆☆☆☆5 out of 5 stars. · 4 years ago
The Arrival Is A Great Book! Once I Think I Know The Plot, It Twis ...
The Arrival is a great book! Once I think I know the plot, it twists. The characters are charismatic and have depth. The book does start off quick and a little confusing with many characters introduced, but after a couple chapters you get into a groove. The vampire and religious tones of the book do not overshadow the story line. I kept going back to the book to find out what was going to happen next, and I usually do not read books that fast. I cannot wait for the next book in the series to come out!!

Reader Reviews from Amazon on the Original Edition:

A. Smith
4.0 out of 5 stars Vampire fanatic with a vague review
Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
Full disclosure: I grew up reading Anne Rice, so nothing lives up to how I remember those novels.

This was a complex story that I think most people will enjoy reading. I did not particularly like the religious aspects, but it didn’t take away from the characters.

I don’t want to add spoilers, so I’ll say that I’d definitely read the second book. I recommend The Arrival.


A&KC
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it.
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2018
Verified Purchase
The characters come to life and make you feel like you are there with them. Can't wait to read the 2nd book.
One person found this helpful


JaneSays
5.0 out of 5 stars Cool story. Looking forward to more.
Reviewed in the United States on December 17, 2017
TBH, it starts out a little confusing but it makes more sense as you go. It was easier for me once I decided to focus on the active characters in the first chapter and just make mental notes of the ones mentioned. It's a minor con in my opinion. I went back to it at a certain point and understood why they were there. The biggest pro in my opinion is the character and world building. They meld together with the story so you don't feel like you're being pulled out for descriptors and then put back in. With other books, I feel like I have to and sometimes do skip a page or two just to keep the flow going. You'd lose something if you skipped a page here. The pacing is decent, but it really picked up after the first few chapters and the farther I got, the harder it was to stop saying just one more page and then I'll sleep. This writer takes a unique approach to vampire lore, too, which is a nice change. I love vampires and would have liked more of them here, but the two main guys, Eric and Jonathan, have palpable tension every time they share a scene and their presences are big. They are powerful men who know exactly what they are and are used to getting their ways. There's so much I want to say about them, but I can't without giving something away. The story is tricky like that. Nothing is what it seems like and you question everything. And that's the thing that gets you! You can't put it down, you can't stop thinking about it, and you want to pick it up again when you're done. You want more. I want more! When is the sequel coming out?! Parents: I'd recommend this book to adults and older teens. The mature themes make it a parental call for anyone younger. I'm not going to share this with my 13 year old, but if I had a 16 or 17 year old, then yeah. This isn't Twilight. It's not even Twilight for grown ups, but since that's well known, it's a decent comparison. I liked it better than Twilght probably because it's meant for adults. There is a sex scene that is tactfully described and the escalating violence is tense, but doesn't have excessive gore. There is mild language and a few spots of cursing. It is LGBT friendly, has historical themes involving the Civil War, and uses an alternative view of Christian-based faiths involving God and the Devil.
5 people found this helpful


Planet_Reading
5.0 out of 5 stars Five blazing stars!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 1, 2019
Verified Purchase
Worth every star there is!
A refreshing new take on vampires. Loved the worldbuiling and the characters.
The chemistry between the characters is great, too. The story is well paced with twists and turns that kept me hooked. If you are into paranormal fantasy - especially vampires - and like a bit of romance too, then this book should definitely go onto your to-read-list.


D. Heiser
5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE LOVE LOVE
Reviewed in the United States on June 26, 2018
I had the privilege of reading a rough draft of this story several years ago. I purchased the book several months ago and life got in the way of reading it. Finally, I was able to pick it up to read and went to work several mornings tired as I was unable to put it down to sleep. I love the story, I love the historical references and I love the different perspective of God and Lucifer. I can hardly wait for Book #2 - hurry Kastie!!
2 people found this helpful
Profile Image for Skylar Kurtz.
Author 3 books9 followers
February 4, 2020
Well written, engaging characters, and I enjoyed the plot! This was the first time I read a book by Kastie, and I will definitely be checking out more!
Profile Image for Kastie Pavlik.
Author 6 books45 followers
Read
March 23, 2020
Editorial Review: "The first volume in Kastie Pavlik's 'Children of the Morning Star' vampiric fantasy series, "The Arrival" reveals an author with a genuine flair for originality and character driven narrative storytelling. A deftly crafted and unfailingly compelling read from beginning to end, "The Arrival" is unreservedly recommended and certain to be an immediate and enduringly popular addition to community library Fantasy Fiction collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of dedicated vampire fiction fans that "The Arrival" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $1.99)." - Midwest Book Review

From the Author: "When I set out to write this series, I wanted the reader to jump into the small town of Orison Crossing and land already running. I present a seemingly typical Midwestern village with a rather odd secret: it's 2006 and a Civil War veteran has an office on Main Street. (Sure, the townsfolk whisper all kinds of rumors, but when they say "bloodsucking lawyer" they mean it literally.) The characters needed to feel real, as though they might live next door, drive the same roads, and work (or hunt) in the reader's world. They came to life for me and I imagined them in my life in that very way. My daily life helped set up The Arrival's world and mythology, and to develop in-depth characters, all while delivering story blocks at a snappy pace. And that's something I plan to continue as I move the series forward. The first book always forms a foundation for a series, but, for me, it also sets up my expectations and goals for each subsequent book. I have the world and the story. Now I need to tell it."
3 reviews
September 23, 2022
I love a good vampire story, this is a good one. It offers a different perspective of the vampire tale. I like the characters and am ready to read book 2, then book 3, then book 4.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews

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