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Beast #1
Flames to the Beast
After the dismal slums of the city, Fortaleza was aglow with the orange flickers of the tavern fire and Leonardo's howls of death were no longer heard, Eli Santos became overridden with failure and guilt. Distraught over the death of his rouge brother-in-law, there in the darkness, a figure emerged. An ally turned foe, commanding leader of the Holy army in the Order of St. Michael- Keller glorified in murdering one of Eli's own kin after he exposed him as a werewolf. With fur as black as the night, Eli remained unseen in the shadows as he listened to Keller make a vow so vile, he dared to enact the words of an ancient and feared prophecy of his people: Flames to the Beast.
In the first installment of the Beast Trilogy, escape with Eli and Roslyn Santos from the clutches of a Half-born and his corrupted army on this fast paced journey to Michigan to gather their strongest ally, George 'Quicksilver' Crownwelm, and take it upon themselves to start a legacy as a means to protect themselves and ensure the existence of their werewolf brethren known in the second prophecy as Beast Bloods.
In the first installment of the Beast Trilogy, escape with Eli and Roslyn Santos from the clutches of a Half-born and his corrupted army on this fast paced journey to Michigan to gather their strongest ally, George 'Quicksilver' Crownwelm, and take it upon themselves to start a legacy as a means to protect themselves and ensure the existence of their werewolf brethren known in the second prophecy as Beast Bloods.
- GenresFantasy
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 19, 2017
1 person is currently reading
416 people want to read
About the author
M.A. Levi
5 books46 followersAuthor and Award winning Poet, M.A Levi is the author of the Beast Series. Finishing the third book in the series (Rising the Beast), she's currently working on the fourth and final installment of the series, Crusades of the Beast.
Adored by the readers, reviewers are saying M.A's work is 'truly original', 'epic' and 'wonderfully written'. Including their marks of a five-star rating, they wait for her next release Crusades of the Beast come out sometime in 2018.
Here is what one reviewer among many said about Levi's work.
"Great story! This story is great for someone who is intrigued with the supernatural and who enjoys thrillers. This book is sexy, thrilling, and one heck of an adventure! I recommend it. 5 out of 5. I also have learned that it is a series, so can not wait to get my hands on the next one" - Amazon Reviewer
Adored by the readers, reviewers are saying M.A's work is 'truly original', 'epic' and 'wonderfully written'. Including their marks of a five-star rating, they wait for her next release Crusades of the Beast come out sometime in 2018.
Here is what one reviewer among many said about Levi's work.
"Great story! This story is great for someone who is intrigued with the supernatural and who enjoys thrillers. This book is sexy, thrilling, and one heck of an adventure! I recommend it. 5 out of 5. I also have learned that it is a series, so can not wait to get my hands on the next one" - Amazon Reviewer
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
March 16, 2017
The action grabs you at the very beginning with visceral descriptions that impact the reader like watching a movie in high definition from all sides anticipating what lies ahead and you're not disappointed, but pleasantly surprised. Every scene I felt like I was right there with the characters. A very interesting read to say the least.
December 13, 2016
I have been reading M.A. Levi's novels since Beast Blood and she does not disappoint. Her writing, once again, enthralls you into a world of beasts, werewolves, immortals, and enemy armies. Her writing is beautifully flourished through the pages as she tells the story of a man, Eli, who does everything in his power to protect his lycanthrope clan. Especially his only family, Roslyn, the woman he loves, from the clutches of a powerful and cruel enemy who seeks to destroy her. In the midst of all the chaos, a legacy is born setting the story for the next adventure. I honestly believe that M.A. Levi's work of fiction is one of the best by far. I look forward to the next installment.
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April 3, 2017Flames to the Beast was written by M.A. Levi and was published 28 October 2016.
“After the dismal slums of the city Fortaleza was aglow with the orange flickers of the tavern fire and Leonardo’s howls of death were no longer heard, Eli Santos became overridden with failure and guilt. Distraught over the death of his rouge brother-in-law, there in the darkness a figure emerged. An ally turned foe, commanding leader of the Holy army in the Order of St. Michael- Keller glorified in murdering one of Eli’s own kin after he exposed him as a werewolf. With fur as black as the night, Eli remained unseen in the shadows as he listened to Keller make a vow so vile, he dared to enact the words of an ancient and feared prophecy of his people: Flames to the Beast.
In the first installment of the Beast Trilogy, escape with Eli and Roslyn Santos from the clutches of a Half-born and his corrupted army on this fast paced journey to Michigan to gather their strongest ally, George ‘Quicksilver’ Crownwelm, and take it upon themselves to start a legacy as a means to protect themselves and ensure the existence of their werewolf brethren known in the second prophecy as Beast Bloods.”*
I was given a complementary copy of Flames to the Beast to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.
DNF at 115 pages (out of 315)
There’s a slight chance that I’m not the kind of person who should be reviewing this book. Werewolves (or “beast bloods” as they’re referred to in this adaption) have never truly interested me. There’s something about people turning into glorified dogs that puts me off. However, I’m always very open to reading books out of my comfort zone. It allows me to evolve as both a reader and reviewer. Perhaps Flames to the Beast was not a great book to read for this purpose.
Let’s get the technical things out of the way before we delve into the meat of this book. I perused the other reviews and people seemed genuinely amazed at the quality of writing by M.A Levi. I don’t aim to be rude here, but it honestly feels like I read a different book. The writing was usually great, yes, (more on that below) but there were dozens of simple errors that are frustrating to come across. (“It needed to become destroyed” (48) and “He his” (60) come to mind, though I have plenty of other examples saved as well). This was only within the first 115 pages of the book, and was enough for me to stop reading altogether.
These clumsy mistakes detract from what could very well be amazing prose. Plenty of the descriptions have the possibility to flow in an almost lyrical fashion. They’re lush, vivid, and so meticulously explained that it’s as if you’re actually in the room with these characters. However, when you read something such as “He seen Leonardo reject Keller” (86), it seems even more out of place than it would in a book with mediocre writing. These errors are both frequent and blatant – I always give the benefit of the doubt to authors when I review their books, but I can’t turn a blind eye to the many mistakes in Flames to the Beast. I’d love to read another novel by M.A. Levi – she has a way with words that many other authors lack. Unfortunately the mistakes in Flames to the Beast overshadowed this advantage.
This book needs a heavy edit before I recommend it to anyone or try to read it again.
*Blurb by Goodreads
“After the dismal slums of the city Fortaleza was aglow with the orange flickers of the tavern fire and Leonardo’s howls of death were no longer heard, Eli Santos became overridden with failure and guilt. Distraught over the death of his rouge brother-in-law, there in the darkness a figure emerged. An ally turned foe, commanding leader of the Holy army in the Order of St. Michael- Keller glorified in murdering one of Eli’s own kin after he exposed him as a werewolf. With fur as black as the night, Eli remained unseen in the shadows as he listened to Keller make a vow so vile, he dared to enact the words of an ancient and feared prophecy of his people: Flames to the Beast.
In the first installment of the Beast Trilogy, escape with Eli and Roslyn Santos from the clutches of a Half-born and his corrupted army on this fast paced journey to Michigan to gather their strongest ally, George ‘Quicksilver’ Crownwelm, and take it upon themselves to start a legacy as a means to protect themselves and ensure the existence of their werewolf brethren known in the second prophecy as Beast Bloods.”*
I was given a complementary copy of Flames to the Beast to review. It in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion/review of the book.
DNF at 115 pages (out of 315)
There’s a slight chance that I’m not the kind of person who should be reviewing this book. Werewolves (or “beast bloods” as they’re referred to in this adaption) have never truly interested me. There’s something about people turning into glorified dogs that puts me off. However, I’m always very open to reading books out of my comfort zone. It allows me to evolve as both a reader and reviewer. Perhaps Flames to the Beast was not a great book to read for this purpose.
Let’s get the technical things out of the way before we delve into the meat of this book. I perused the other reviews and people seemed genuinely amazed at the quality of writing by M.A Levi. I don’t aim to be rude here, but it honestly feels like I read a different book. The writing was usually great, yes, (more on that below) but there were dozens of simple errors that are frustrating to come across. (“It needed to become destroyed” (48) and “He his” (60) come to mind, though I have plenty of other examples saved as well). This was only within the first 115 pages of the book, and was enough for me to stop reading altogether.
These clumsy mistakes detract from what could very well be amazing prose. Plenty of the descriptions have the possibility to flow in an almost lyrical fashion. They’re lush, vivid, and so meticulously explained that it’s as if you’re actually in the room with these characters. However, when you read something such as “He seen Leonardo reject Keller” (86), it seems even more out of place than it would in a book with mediocre writing. These errors are both frequent and blatant – I always give the benefit of the doubt to authors when I review their books, but I can’t turn a blind eye to the many mistakes in Flames to the Beast. I’d love to read another novel by M.A. Levi – she has a way with words that many other authors lack. Unfortunately the mistakes in Flames to the Beast overshadowed this advantage.
This book needs a heavy edit before I recommend it to anyone or try to read it again.
*Blurb by Goodreads
January 14, 2019
**Actual Rating 3.5**
Characters
There are three main characters in this book—Roslyn, Eli, and Keller. Keller is Roslyn's childhood friend who decided being in the friendzone was not an option. Roslyn and Eli are soulmates. For some reason it took most of the book for me to like Eli and Roslyn. They felt a little flat at first, but they for sure grow on you by the end of the book. Keller on the other hand was vividly written. Although deranged and manipulated by an inner demon, he was a complexly written character. One of the worst aspects of this book was the head hoping—it is all over the place. One moment you are in one character's mind and then another. It is all over the place and difficult to keep straight, especially when characters seemed to know things they shouldn't.
Plot
It feels like a pre-story—a legend being born. A demon manipulates a man's desire to love and be loved, and sets the wheels in motion. Set on Earth in the not too distant past (late 1800s), it gives a paranormal twist. There were a lot of paranormal differences—vampires are referenced but demons are there more often. The central paranormal creature is werewolves - or blood beasts. The twist? They are warriors of God. This is where the book takes a more biblical/dark Fantasy turn. Thankfully it isn't overbearing and was excellently executed.
Overall
The book is for sure for adults. There is cursing and a lot of gore. The writing is a combination of vivid imagery and clumsy phrasing. Plus the setting are very descriptive and there are lots of senses engaged—creating an in-depth feeling to the world.
The intro was basically written to download the reader but is off-putting and overwhelming instead. It was meant to give backstory to the characters but is instead chock full of information dumping. Plus Leonardo is not a likable character. However, the story and action picks up pace immediately.
Rating
3.5 stars (rounded down)
Overall an unpolished gem with lots of potential and interesting concepts and themes. A mixture of paranormal and historical with religious undertones.
Where did I get a copy?
The author provided me a copy. This is a voluntary review. More reviews at creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com.
Characters
There are three main characters in this book—Roslyn, Eli, and Keller. Keller is Roslyn's childhood friend who decided being in the friendzone was not an option. Roslyn and Eli are soulmates. For some reason it took most of the book for me to like Eli and Roslyn. They felt a little flat at first, but they for sure grow on you by the end of the book. Keller on the other hand was vividly written. Although deranged and manipulated by an inner demon, he was a complexly written character. One of the worst aspects of this book was the head hoping—it is all over the place. One moment you are in one character's mind and then another. It is all over the place and difficult to keep straight, especially when characters seemed to know things they shouldn't.
Plot
It feels like a pre-story—a legend being born. A demon manipulates a man's desire to love and be loved, and sets the wheels in motion. Set on Earth in the not too distant past (late 1800s), it gives a paranormal twist. There were a lot of paranormal differences—vampires are referenced but demons are there more often. The central paranormal creature is werewolves - or blood beasts. The twist? They are warriors of God. This is where the book takes a more biblical/dark Fantasy turn. Thankfully it isn't overbearing and was excellently executed.
Overall
The book is for sure for adults. There is cursing and a lot of gore. The writing is a combination of vivid imagery and clumsy phrasing. Plus the setting are very descriptive and there are lots of senses engaged—creating an in-depth feeling to the world.
The intro was basically written to download the reader but is off-putting and overwhelming instead. It was meant to give backstory to the characters but is instead chock full of information dumping. Plus Leonardo is not a likable character. However, the story and action picks up pace immediately.
Rating
3.5 stars (rounded down)
Overall an unpolished gem with lots of potential and interesting concepts and themes. A mixture of paranormal and historical with religious undertones.
Where did I get a copy?
The author provided me a copy. This is a voluntary review. More reviews at creatingworldswithwords.wordpress.com.
dnf
June 16, 2017I was given a free copy in exchange for a review.
DNF (read up to chapter 18)
I will not recap the story as many reviewers have already done so.
There's no doubt that M.A. Levi has a wonderful imagination and the storyline of Flames to the Beast is interesting. Unfortunately, though I gave it a good try, I could not finish. I found the numerous grammatical errors, typos, and malapropism to be very distracting.
M.A.'s story would fair better with professional editing.
DNF (read up to chapter 18)
I will not recap the story as many reviewers have already done so.
There's no doubt that M.A. Levi has a wonderful imagination and the storyline of Flames to the Beast is interesting. Unfortunately, though I gave it a good try, I could not finish. I found the numerous grammatical errors, typos, and malapropism to be very distracting.
M.A.'s story would fair better with professional editing.
January 9, 2019
Being the author to this fast-paced paranormal read, I'm rating Flames to the Beast from a biased position. Nevertheless, this is my review/interview. I loved how this story unfolded itself to me as I spent a lot of time making sure each character and plot point was well developed. In the story you'll meet my three main characters. Keller, my villain, who was an incredibly dark character for me to create. I had to kind of place myself in that role of a manic, violent, split personality, muderous man who is on a revenge streak to get back what he deemed entitled to: Roslyn. Now, Roslyn is my heroine. When I developed her character, I had to find a balance of passive enough to be swayed by what was happening around her, but brave and strong enough to decide her role within the chaos that had fallen her and her husband, Eli. She was a tad harder to develope throughout the story, because her define purpose within the story isn't revealed until near the end. As for Eli, he was a clear cut character for me to create. A strong, complex, honorable, character who sees the clear line of duty and rule following until the night of Leonardo's death. Then when everything becomes threatened, he risks all that he is, all that he knows to secure the love of his life, his wife, Roslyn. This sounds like a love triangle, I assure you it's so much more than two men in love with one woman. It's filled with lust, betrayal, secrets, anger, passion and the crossed, shaded lines of good versus evil. Overall, my greatest hope is for all who reads Flames to the Beast to become captivated by the intense story that overtook me so much nearly a year ago that now it'll soon become available to the public.
Oh, and Seeker Raven is my favorite character in this one. You'll soon know why. :)
Oh, and Seeker Raven is my favorite character in this one. You'll soon know why. :)
October 2, 2016
M.A. Levi has excellent and beautiful writing skills. While I'm reading the story, I found myself wondering if I just read a passage or did I think my way thru it. The writing is that beautiful and flows that easily. As a result, the story isn't told to the reader, but the reader is inside the story, experiencing what the author wants us to experience. The book is super interesting and captivating. I love the vibrant and colorful details. They fill out the story beautifully. The vibrant details and luscious story line kept me captivated till the very last word.
The writing illustrates the story in scrumptious and luxurious detail. I sense lots of love and passion on the part of the author. The story is absolutely gripping and demands the reader's attention. The story describes a completely unknown fantasy world. It's incredible how the writing can bring that world to life. Surprisingly, it's a really easy read. I was at page 40 before I checked on my progress.
In regards to the main story, and without giving away the plot line, I had no idea what it's like to be a werewolf. This book really opened my eyes to a new world, the world of fantasy. It's new (to me). It's exciting. It's dramatic. A "Beast of Blood" is a werewolf. It seems that werewolves lives and concerns parallel our lives and concerns. We are not alone!!
September 20, 2016
Being not much of a reader unless otherwise truly interested in what the topic is, I really liked this book. Very descriptive.
March 13, 2019
First off, I love werewolf novels, especially ones that take an unusual approach. The werewolves, also referred to as Beast Bloods, are interesting in their lore, a mix of angel and human that turns them into visual monsters when in fact they’re anything but. That the villain(s) are monsters but it’s not as apparent visually is an interesting take. While I liked all of that about the story, there were things that bothered me and pulled me out of the story.
The opening is strange and sounds more like the rantings of a lunatic than any kind of introduction, which is a bit off-putting. To add that with Leonardo’s (the first Beast Blood we’re introduced to) distasteful personality, it can be difficult to get into. Things do change for the better when the focus switches from him to the real main characters of the story. Roslyn and Eli still leave a lot to be desired, mostly because a large chunk of the book is dedicated to describing their physical attributes and reminding the reader through thoughts and words of other characters that the two of them are the most exquisite creatures on the planet. Because of this, there’s less development to their characters and very little else to explain why they’re together to begin with as the book’s main focus when it comes to the pair is on their strained relationship with only vague reasons as to what their shared past was like. Unlike Kelller, the main antagonist of the story, who is far more fleshed out and defined as a person than either of the protagonists.
Often words are misused, which took me out of the narrative, leaving me to wonder if the author’s first language is something other than English (Portuguese, maybe, as a large part takes place in Brazil) and she chose not to hire an editor with a better grasp of the language or she was simply trying a little too hard an it made her writing stinted and unnatural. The word ‘becomes’ springs to mind, because it’s the one most commonly misused in the book. A couple of examples of this are below, but the issue repeats throughout.
“Tomorrow might become different, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
“Deep in their seclusion, George and Sheryl slept nakedly upon the backside of their wrap-around porch.”
While those things annoyed me, I really did find the concept to be interesting. I don’t know if it’s coincidence, but the werewolf lore reminds me a little bit of Skyrim (video game, for those who don’t know), which adds a touch of familiarity that’s nice with all the nuances. My favorite character, mostly because he showed the most development and seemed the most three-dimensional, was Keller. Unlike the others, he was easiest to latch on to and might’ve made for a better MC than the ones we’re given, regardless of his allegiances. There is a strong Christian overtone, but only from the angels and demons standpoint, as it’s clear that the characters on both sides play in the grey area when it comes to morality, despite it being claimed otherwise.
Usually, I don’t say too much about secondary characters unless they really stand out, and there are a couple that I felt deserved to play a bit larger role simply because they seemed more intriguing. First is Talos, a Beast Blood who has a very unique power that isn’t much expanded on but sounds like it would make for a fascinating story (I won’t divulge the power and spoil you). Seeker Raven is also a character worthy of a bit more exploring, through an info dump gives us quite a bit of his backstory. Info dumps, I forgot about those, they’re done largely though either memories at inopportune moments or speech that again makes the book a bit of an awkward read. But there is a lot to be gleaned of the author’s creativity.
Overall, I think it’s a decent story that could’ve been executed a bit better.
The opening is strange and sounds more like the rantings of a lunatic than any kind of introduction, which is a bit off-putting. To add that with Leonardo’s (the first Beast Blood we’re introduced to) distasteful personality, it can be difficult to get into. Things do change for the better when the focus switches from him to the real main characters of the story. Roslyn and Eli still leave a lot to be desired, mostly because a large chunk of the book is dedicated to describing their physical attributes and reminding the reader through thoughts and words of other characters that the two of them are the most exquisite creatures on the planet. Because of this, there’s less development to their characters and very little else to explain why they’re together to begin with as the book’s main focus when it comes to the pair is on their strained relationship with only vague reasons as to what their shared past was like. Unlike Kelller, the main antagonist of the story, who is far more fleshed out and defined as a person than either of the protagonists.
Often words are misused, which took me out of the narrative, leaving me to wonder if the author’s first language is something other than English (Portuguese, maybe, as a large part takes place in Brazil) and she chose not to hire an editor with a better grasp of the language or she was simply trying a little too hard an it made her writing stinted and unnatural. The word ‘becomes’ springs to mind, because it’s the one most commonly misused in the book. A couple of examples of this are below, but the issue repeats throughout.
“Tomorrow might become different, but we’ll have to wait and see.”
“Deep in their seclusion, George and Sheryl slept nakedly upon the backside of their wrap-around porch.”
While those things annoyed me, I really did find the concept to be interesting. I don’t know if it’s coincidence, but the werewolf lore reminds me a little bit of Skyrim (video game, for those who don’t know), which adds a touch of familiarity that’s nice with all the nuances. My favorite character, mostly because he showed the most development and seemed the most three-dimensional, was Keller. Unlike the others, he was easiest to latch on to and might’ve made for a better MC than the ones we’re given, regardless of his allegiances. There is a strong Christian overtone, but only from the angels and demons standpoint, as it’s clear that the characters on both sides play in the grey area when it comes to morality, despite it being claimed otherwise.
Usually, I don’t say too much about secondary characters unless they really stand out, and there are a couple that I felt deserved to play a bit larger role simply because they seemed more intriguing. First is Talos, a Beast Blood who has a very unique power that isn’t much expanded on but sounds like it would make for a fascinating story (I won’t divulge the power and spoil you). Seeker Raven is also a character worthy of a bit more exploring, through an info dump gives us quite a bit of his backstory. Info dumps, I forgot about those, they’re done largely though either memories at inopportune moments or speech that again makes the book a bit of an awkward read. But there is a lot to be gleaned of the author’s creativity.
Overall, I think it’s a decent story that could’ve been executed a bit better.
October 20, 2017
'Flames to the Beast' is a kick-butt novel that centers around unrequited love, jealousy, revenge, possession, and a whole bunch of werewolves!
The book dunks you into action and murder within the first few chapters and it stays intriguing from then on, jumping from locations in South America to North America. Levi incorporates every sense in her descriptions making you feel like you jumped into the story alongside Eli and Roslyn. Characters are believable and 'real people' as shown in their dialogue, actions, and reactions. Regardless, if they can turn furry or not.
Definitely recommend to those craving some history twisted with tales of the paranormal.
The book dunks you into action and murder within the first few chapters and it stays intriguing from then on, jumping from locations in South America to North America. Levi incorporates every sense in her descriptions making you feel like you jumped into the story alongside Eli and Roslyn. Characters are believable and 'real people' as shown in their dialogue, actions, and reactions. Regardless, if they can turn furry or not.
Definitely recommend to those craving some history twisted with tales of the paranormal.
January 5, 2018
Wow, this was such a fast-paced kick-butt story. The descriptions were marvelous and really bring the story life. It totally wrapped around me, activating all of my imaginary senses as I lived in the world with the characters. Speaking of characters, the main three are so well developed that I found myself connecting with them all, even Keller, who I am pretty sure I was supposed to hate, but still loved. I was torn between Keller and Eli, who is a hero such heart and soul.
The action and fantastic elements really shined. There was a transformation scene that was so well done. I really appreciated that the shift wasn’t pleasant, I’ve never thought it should be. Everything about the Beast Bloods was reasoned out to make this telling of werewolves unique and gripping. Things near the end caught me totally by surprise and I look forward to seeing how this story carries on.
This is such a well-crafted story. It’s must read.
The action and fantastic elements really shined. There was a transformation scene that was so well done. I really appreciated that the shift wasn’t pleasant, I’ve never thought it should be. Everything about the Beast Bloods was reasoned out to make this telling of werewolves unique and gripping. Things near the end caught me totally by surprise and I look forward to seeing how this story carries on.
This is such a well-crafted story. It’s must read.
October 30, 2017
Such an adventure! I will admit that I don’t normally read this genre, but I was so intrigued and captivated by the storyline. I felt like I was in the story with Rosalyn and Eli (I LOVE that name!) as they navigate the perils that befall their werewolf kind. There are so many facets that make the plot complex and mesmerizing. Keller (Evod) is truly a terrible character and I found that I hated him more than any other villains I’ve encountered in a long time. The ending was both tragic and satisfying, a trait that I always equate to excellent storytelling.
October 14, 2017
This was my first time reading this author and I loved it! The story is captivating and the characters have amazing depth. The imagery was incredible and I felt I was right there in the story. Levi did a great job engaging the reader in this masterfully crafted world of supernatural beings and ancient codes. It takes great skill to write nuanced characters that don’t fall into overdone clichés. Well done! Can’t wait to keep reading the series.
November 30, 2016
Blood Legacy was a wild ride. M.A. Levi created characters with depth and emotion you can connect with.
I was pulled into a world of exotic werewolves that were known as Beast Bloods. They are defiantly unique. The group was chased from one continent to the US because of a love a man had for one of the Beast Bloods' wives. A female captured his heart at a young age and he wanted nothing but to possess her even at the expense of his soul.
The Beast Bloods came together to battle the knights but the pair who ran for their lives fell to a demon possessed man, but a child was saved, setting you up for book two.
There was so many things that happened in this story and I enjoyed what I read. The background story at the beginning was well throughout and impressive. I wanted to read the book right then. The fighting scenes were filled with detail and I could see the movements in my mind as they battled.
My only suggestion, I felt as if there was to much dialogue. At times it was all there was when you needed more of the scene.
With that being said, I'm curious what will happen in book 2.
I was pulled into a world of exotic werewolves that were known as Beast Bloods. They are defiantly unique. The group was chased from one continent to the US because of a love a man had for one of the Beast Bloods' wives. A female captured his heart at a young age and he wanted nothing but to possess her even at the expense of his soul.
The Beast Bloods came together to battle the knights but the pair who ran for their lives fell to a demon possessed man, but a child was saved, setting you up for book two.
There was so many things that happened in this story and I enjoyed what I read. The background story at the beginning was well throughout and impressive. I wanted to read the book right then. The fighting scenes were filled with detail and I could see the movements in my mind as they battled.
My only suggestion, I felt as if there was to much dialogue. At times it was all there was when you needed more of the scene.
With that being said, I'm curious what will happen in book 2.
November 18, 2016
Set in Brazil and the USA, Flames to the Beast is about a wolf family that undergoes several trails(displacement, loss of loved one, living in hiding, and loss of identity) and their quest to protect their clan members and their clan's legacy, regardless of the sacrifice that has to be made.
I enjoyed reading this book. Story line is unique and cleared of cliches. Thrilling through its language and actions. The descriptive details used to describe the setting and characters were superb.
If you enjoy reading a story with suspense, Flames to the Beast is perfect for you! The beginning took me by surprise and hints of suspense are scattered throughout the middle of the piece, and the ending was suspenseful as well. I could never predict what was to happen, nor can I predict what is to come in book 2!
This is my first book from Levi, but Levi is an excellent writer !
I enjoyed reading this book. Story line is unique and cleared of cliches. Thrilling through its language and actions. The descriptive details used to describe the setting and characters were superb.
If you enjoy reading a story with suspense, Flames to the Beast is perfect for you! The beginning took me by surprise and hints of suspense are scattered throughout the middle of the piece, and the ending was suspenseful as well. I could never predict what was to happen, nor can I predict what is to come in book 2!
This is my first book from Levi, but Levi is an excellent writer !
November 18, 2016
‘Flames to the Beast’ is very well written novel making it an easy read. The author did a great job in describing settings and characters allowing the reader to easily visualise the story as it played out. The plot had me intrigued from the start and had me captivated until the very end. The story had me constantly guess what would happen next. The characters were strong and developed nicely throughout the story. The pacing of the story was great making the story flow easily throughout the novel. Not wishing to give too much away, I really enjoyed the villain, Keller, and the heroine, Roslyn. I thought that they both fit into their roles perfectly. Overall I really enjoyed the story and would recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal.
November 1, 2016
Historical fiction is usually not my genre but this book was really a nice read. The author has a great talent for expressing herself and I loved her choice of words, which makes the book high quality. They were very descriptive and suited the time in which the story takes place. She managed to visualize the villain – Kellan – perfectly and even wrote some parts of the story from his POV which is something most authors shy away from.
I've read a lot of shifter books and it was refreshing to read it from a completely different perspective. The way she describes the life as a werewolf was fascinating.
For everyone who loves werewolves and a little historical touch, this is the perfect book!
I've read a lot of shifter books and it was refreshing to read it from a completely different perspective. The way she describes the life as a werewolf was fascinating.
For everyone who loves werewolves and a little historical touch, this is the perfect book!
October 8, 2016
Wow did I really enjoy this read. The story was well written and the characters were strong and defined. I particularly liked the villain, Keller. The author addressed his 'evilness' really well and with great depth. A highly recommended read and look forward to further works by this author.
November 3, 2016
M.A. Levi's writing was flawless. I would give the writing alone a five stars. I usually only read contemporary romance so a historical novel was a bit out of my comfort zone. But because of the writing, it was easy to follow and enjoy.
January 11, 2017
Flames to The Beast was a terrific follow-up to Beast Blood. Well written an full of great characters that kept me enthralled. An epic story of good verses evil. As the werewolves changed, I could almost feel my bones breaking along with them as my skin peeled away. I look forward to the next one.
January 10, 2018
Wow, Flames to the Beast sure is some apocalyptic, fire-and-brimstone novel with ingrained practitioners of the dark arts shouting their fervour to the heavens. This book evokes fire and fury, and not in half-measures either. Demons and blood clans are ready and willing to fight to the death. While this mood made the book interesting, sometimes I felt like the story was a high-volume stereo at full blast.
To be fair, there are some touching quiet moments where the two main characters, a married couple named Eli and Roslyn, talk about their feelings for each other and strive to find a home in Michigan, in 1881. Yes, in Michigan in 1881! Not a typical setting for a book, but it’s sure different. At first glance, it’s hard to imagine a struggle for the ages between supernatural clans in what must have been a heavily forested and sparsely populated state at the time (with a nod to 1881 Detroit) but that’s what the book shows. Also I needed to take a leap of faith that there could be so many werewolves in that state at that moment in history, enough to constitute a fighting force.
There are many moments of eloquent prose describing the beauty of the Michigan wilderness and about the transformation from human to werewolf. The body metamorphosis sounds quite painful though and I wouldn’t wish this special ability upon anyone. Especially when in literature, werewolves tend to end up fighting and unhappy.
There may be many readers who savour werewolf tales and also many romance readers who understand obsessing over a perceived love. For me, it was hard to understand why the main villain, Kelly, desperately craves Roslyn so much that it’s his lifelong crusade, and what a crusade it was, unless he was certifiably insane. Maybe I would have enjoyed the story more if it was more low key, like Kelly seeks Roslyn’s love like a cunning gentleman through wit and deception, like a playful game of seduction and rejection. But that would’ve taken the armies out of the story and all that fire and brimstone of Biblical proportions.
There were several grammatical errors, particularly it’s versus its. Also, there was much vulgar swearing by all characters, making it sounds like the author spoke for them, not necessarily their own voices. The swearing seemed strange and out of place at times, even if you don’t mind swearing. Also, since the evocation was so hell-bent, the swearing just made it seem even more weird, since the ardent speakers were already seized by Biblical fervour and couldn’t be any more strong or unclear.
To be fair, there are some touching quiet moments where the two main characters, a married couple named Eli and Roslyn, talk about their feelings for each other and strive to find a home in Michigan, in 1881. Yes, in Michigan in 1881! Not a typical setting for a book, but it’s sure different. At first glance, it’s hard to imagine a struggle for the ages between supernatural clans in what must have been a heavily forested and sparsely populated state at the time (with a nod to 1881 Detroit) but that’s what the book shows. Also I needed to take a leap of faith that there could be so many werewolves in that state at that moment in history, enough to constitute a fighting force.
There are many moments of eloquent prose describing the beauty of the Michigan wilderness and about the transformation from human to werewolf. The body metamorphosis sounds quite painful though and I wouldn’t wish this special ability upon anyone. Especially when in literature, werewolves tend to end up fighting and unhappy.
There may be many readers who savour werewolf tales and also many romance readers who understand obsessing over a perceived love. For me, it was hard to understand why the main villain, Kelly, desperately craves Roslyn so much that it’s his lifelong crusade, and what a crusade it was, unless he was certifiably insane. Maybe I would have enjoyed the story more if it was more low key, like Kelly seeks Roslyn’s love like a cunning gentleman through wit and deception, like a playful game of seduction and rejection. But that would’ve taken the armies out of the story and all that fire and brimstone of Biblical proportions.
There were several grammatical errors, particularly it’s versus its. Also, there was much vulgar swearing by all characters, making it sounds like the author spoke for them, not necessarily their own voices. The swearing seemed strange and out of place at times, even if you don’t mind swearing. Also, since the evocation was so hell-bent, the swearing just made it seem even more weird, since the ardent speakers were already seized by Biblical fervour and couldn’t be any more strong or unclear.
March 12, 2018
Flames to the Beast is a captivating and beautiful read. The story takes place in the 1880's and I love historical fiction. The author creates such a well crafted world that you get submersed in the scene, whether it be in the beautiful imagery of Michigan or inside the well-developed character's lives during that time.
The writing style has elements of beauty and gore, which is perfectly intriguing. "Leonardo's lime green eyes burst open becoming glowing orbs as the nocturnal sheen reflected them in the moonlight. He whipped around as he cast his gaze skyward finding his follower..." Then in the next scene: "His eyes enlarged as the possessive moon wielded its ancient power over his responsive body. Still bent forward, Leonardo's torso twisted as his bones began to break. The silver light of the moon consumed his flesh as his blood boiled underneath his thinning skin." I just love the magical way this story is written.
I gave Flames to the Beast 5 stars because it's unpredictable and exciting, never disappointing page after page. Recommended to lovers of paranormal historical fiction.
The writing style has elements of beauty and gore, which is perfectly intriguing. "Leonardo's lime green eyes burst open becoming glowing orbs as the nocturnal sheen reflected them in the moonlight. He whipped around as he cast his gaze skyward finding his follower..." Then in the next scene: "His eyes enlarged as the possessive moon wielded its ancient power over his responsive body. Still bent forward, Leonardo's torso twisted as his bones began to break. The silver light of the moon consumed his flesh as his blood boiled underneath his thinning skin." I just love the magical way this story is written.
I gave Flames to the Beast 5 stars because it's unpredictable and exciting, never disappointing page after page. Recommended to lovers of paranormal historical fiction.
February 6, 2019
FLAMES TO THE BEAST, the first in M.A. Levi's Beast Series, centers on two young Brazilian werewolves, Eli and Roslyn Santos, as they flee the torching of their changeling clan's town of Fortaleza. But such clans are made up of neither the vicious lycans of UNDERWORLD, nor the tribal teenwolves of TWILIGHT. Instead, Levi's werewolves dedicate their immortality to the protection of innocent humans. So why is Keller Luis Costa, Commander of the Holy Order of St. Michael, so intent on their destruction? Keller's character arc, and the chaos that ensures, contributes to making the novel very fast-paced, suspenseful, and entertaining. Levi's transformation scenes were especially well written - the pain of bones breaking, tendons twisting, muscles tearing, and skin peeling to expose underlying fur can be vividly felt. So looking forward to reading Beast Series Book Two: BEAST BLOOD.
May 14, 2017
You love werewolves.... this is the book for you. The writing is of high quality, the story is perfectly paced. It is a page turner in every sense of the word. Caution if you dont like graphic and gory stuff then this book may be a bit hard for you to appreciate but it is so well written that you could make it an exception and since its a page turner you will find yourself moving along quickly as the writing is so crisp.
November 14, 2017
Well, I just don’t really understand much about this book really.
To me, it just felt as though it didn’t have the focus of any book and hence it didn’t really move me in a particular way at all.
I didn’t really find a character whom I really liked or even enjoyed, it just was a bunch of them together doing something.
Although the ending is rather interesting about the birth of an immortal and eventually the epilogue in 2008 when it was originally in 1881. Interesting to say the least.
It just didn’t kept my interest at the front, sadly to say.
To me, it just felt as though it didn’t have the focus of any book and hence it didn’t really move me in a particular way at all.
I didn’t really find a character whom I really liked or even enjoyed, it just was a bunch of them together doing something.
Although the ending is rather interesting about the birth of an immortal and eventually the epilogue in 2008 when it was originally in 1881. Interesting to say the least.
It just didn’t kept my interest at the front, sadly to say.
February 14, 2019
The book is set in the 1800s. Brilliant writing filled with imagery, making it easy for the reader to picture the scenes. Violent at times and full of action. I like the twist where werewolves are the good guys.
Overall a very good book and sets the scene nicely to the sequel.
Overall a very good book and sets the scene nicely to the sequel.
October 1, 2017
Levi did a great job in Flames to the Beast! There was action, sex- it seems that the writing and the story are better and better with every new release. I will be reading the rest. She made a loyal reader out of me, that's for sure.
January 9, 2019
Being the author to this fast-paced paranormal read, I'm rating Flames to the Beast from a biased position. Nevertheless, this is my review/interview. I loved how this story unfolded itself to me as I spent a lot of time making sure each character and plot point was well developed. In the story you'll meet my three main characters. Keller, my villain, who was an incredibly dark character for me to create. I had to kind of place myself in that role of a manic, violent, split personality, muderous man who is on a revenge streak to get back what he deemed entitled to: Roslyn. Now, Roslyn is my heroine. When I developed her character, I had to find a balance of passive enough to be swayed by what was happening around her, but brave and strong enough to decide her role within the chaos that had fallen her and her husband, Eli. She was a tad harder to develope throughout the story, because her define purpose within the story isn't revealed until near the end. As for Eli, he was a clear cut character for me to create. A strong, complex, honorable, character who sees the clear line of duty and rule following until the night of Leonardo's death. Then when everything becomes threatened, he risks all that he is, all that he knows to secure the love of his life, his wife, Roslyn. This sounds like a love triangle, I assure you it's so much more than two men in love with one woman. It's filled with lust, betrayal, secrets, anger, passion and the crossed, shaded lines of good versus evil. Overall, my greatest hope is for all who reads Flames to the Beast to become captivated by the intense story that overtook me so much nearly a year ago that now it'll soon become available to the public.
Oh, and Seeker Raven is my favorite character in this one. You'll soon know why. :)
Oh, and Seeker Raven is my favorite character in this one. You'll soon know why. :)
April 24, 2017
I loved this book! Full of action, romance, and lots of twists and thrills, "Flames to the Beast" was a fun, easy read. It was my beach book on a recent vacation and did not disappoint. I am a big fan of pre-industrial America, and Levi demonstrated a keen knowledge of the era that enabled her to paint a stunning picture filled with detail and care. Her excellent world building was accompanied by well-developed characters-- I loved watching Eli and Roslyn's complicated marriage evolve through the story, and villain Keller was full of complexity and angst-- so much that at times I felt myself rooting for him. Though a bit graphic and gory at points, I think even the squeamish would find themselves flipping quickly through the pages, eager to find out what happens next. I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
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