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Bitter Ashes #1
Death Cursed
Madeline is cursed. A touch from her, even accidental, can kill, and she’s haunted by the victims she never meant to hurt. Alone, isolated, and remorseful, she thinks life can’t get any worse--until she’s kidnapped in the middle of the night and thrown into a secret world more twisted than her darkest nightmares.The Vaettir claim to be the children of the gods, created by the fates themselves, and tell her she’s one of them--and that they can help her control her abilities. But not everything is as it seems, not all gods are good, and the dark powers surrounding Madeline are no exception. She finds herself in the middle of an ancient search for a dangerous and all-powerful charm, one that has the power to kill all humans and bestow its bearer dominion over all. Amid the secrets and danger is Alaric, a deadly cat shifter, who’s as mysterious as he is alluring.When the Vaettir’s plans come to light and Madeline is betrayed, she embarks on a quest to find the charm herself, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Her dark gifts may just be the key to everything, but will she be able to accept them in time, or will the Vaettir destroy mankind, and inherit the earth?Find out in Death Cursed, the first book in a series sure to please fans of Bella Forrest’s Shade of Vampire and Ilona Andrew’s Kate Daniels series.Discover the underworld of the Vaettir, gods and monsters, secrets and lies, and a temptation equal parts irresistible and deadly...
280 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2015
1071 people are currently reading
1850 people want to read
About the author
Sara C. Roethle
125 books936 followersSara C. Roethle is a Fantasy author and part-time unicorn. She enjoys writing character driven stories in various fantasy realms with elements of Celtic and Norse myth, humor, and metaphysical ponderings.
Her series include:
Tree of Ages
The Thief's Apprentice
The Moonstone Chronicles
Xoe Meyers
Bitter Ashes
Her series include:
Tree of Ages
The Thief's Apprentice
The Moonstone Chronicles
Xoe Meyers
Bitter Ashes
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 123 reviews
April 10, 2018
PERCEPTION IS EVERYTHING
If you are not comfortable reading graphic violence, then stop reading this review right now — this book is not for you. However, if you can tolerate reading about violent kidnapping, murder up close and personal, amputated body parts, searing burns and blood — lots and lots of blood — then keep going.
Madeline Ville literally spent every single minute of her life, until she was 18, in the foster care system. Abandoned as a newborn, she was never adopted and never fit in, always feeling “wrong” somehow. Eventually, she came to understand that the “wrongness” was actually a super-sensitivity to other people’s emotions.
Some 10 years after being released from foster care, Madeline Ville is still empathic to emotions, particularly those associated with pain. She not only knows when a person is in pain, she actually feels their pain in the same part of her body that is hurting on the other person.
Maddy also knows the meaning of the phrase “kills with kindness.” Twice now, she has touched a person on the face, trying to calm them, only to feel a rush of energy into her body and have them die within moments of her touch. Since a gash on the face and a broken wrist are not usually considered mortal injuries, Maddy is convinced that she has caused the two deaths. She just doesn’t know how or why. So, choosing the career of a freelance writer, Maddy also chooses to become somewhat of a recluse. Limited contact with people means limited chance to touch someone and possibly end another life.
Then, one night she gets violently kidnapped from her bed and is transported deep into the woods. Once there, she is held down on soft earth by her kidnappers while vines wrap around her body and choke her into unconsciousness. When she awakens, she finds herself in a strange stone ediface, much like a castle.
Being summarily called to the Doyan of said castle, Maddy is informed that she is not human, but a variety of Fae out of Norse mythology called a “Vaettir.” She is also told that she was born with the traits of a Vaettir executioner and put on earth, in exile, until her skills were needed, which, according to the Doyan, is right now.
At this point, the Doyan dismisses Madeline, thinking that she will accept this massive change in her world-view instantly, nod her head, salute crisply and say “Well, alrighty then! That just explains everything. And, now I will go kill by empathic touch when you say so and just because you say so.”
But, as the old saying goes, that Doyan’s got another think coming.
At this point, the plot thickens, the blood flows and one well-written dark fantasy leaps into edge-of-your-seat action. In fact, there is so much action, so much tension and so much betrayal — page after page after page — that I actually had to stop reading several times in order to catch both my breath and my psychological balance. You just know that a storyline and its characters have gotten their hooks into you when you find fingernail marks in the protective cover of your iPad!
In the promotional blurb for this novel, the author clearly states that this entry is a do-over, an extended and revamped version of her first book in the Bitter Ashes series. Having a copy of the original book, I spent some time comparing and the extended version definitely fills in some blanks, clears up some confusing relationships and clarifies the storyline. And it does it smoothly and almost seamlessly.
The ending of this new version is much better than that of the original. While there was no cliffhanger before and there still is none, Maddy’s journey has been clearly and cleanly broken into stages. We now have a good idea as to the purpose of the next stage and we have a whole new group of lies and subterfuge to deal with. The hook has been set.
I was provided an ARC of this novel by the author at my request. The opinions expressed above are my own.
If you are not comfortable reading graphic violence, then stop reading this review right now — this book is not for you. However, if you can tolerate reading about violent kidnapping, murder up close and personal, amputated body parts, searing burns and blood — lots and lots of blood — then keep going.
Madeline Ville literally spent every single minute of her life, until she was 18, in the foster care system. Abandoned as a newborn, she was never adopted and never fit in, always feeling “wrong” somehow. Eventually, she came to understand that the “wrongness” was actually a super-sensitivity to other people’s emotions.
Some 10 years after being released from foster care, Madeline Ville is still empathic to emotions, particularly those associated with pain. She not only knows when a person is in pain, she actually feels their pain in the same part of her body that is hurting on the other person.
Maddy also knows the meaning of the phrase “kills with kindness.” Twice now, she has touched a person on the face, trying to calm them, only to feel a rush of energy into her body and have them die within moments of her touch. Since a gash on the face and a broken wrist are not usually considered mortal injuries, Maddy is convinced that she has caused the two deaths. She just doesn’t know how or why. So, choosing the career of a freelance writer, Maddy also chooses to become somewhat of a recluse. Limited contact with people means limited chance to touch someone and possibly end another life.
Then, one night she gets violently kidnapped from her bed and is transported deep into the woods. Once there, she is held down on soft earth by her kidnappers while vines wrap around her body and choke her into unconsciousness. When she awakens, she finds herself in a strange stone ediface, much like a castle.
Being summarily called to the Doyan of said castle, Maddy is informed that she is not human, but a variety of Fae out of Norse mythology called a “Vaettir.” She is also told that she was born with the traits of a Vaettir executioner and put on earth, in exile, until her skills were needed, which, according to the Doyan, is right now.
At this point, the Doyan dismisses Madeline, thinking that she will accept this massive change in her world-view instantly, nod her head, salute crisply and say “Well, alrighty then! That just explains everything. And, now I will go kill by empathic touch when you say so and just because you say so.”
But, as the old saying goes, that Doyan’s got another think coming.
At this point, the plot thickens, the blood flows and one well-written dark fantasy leaps into edge-of-your-seat action. In fact, there is so much action, so much tension and so much betrayal — page after page after page — that I actually had to stop reading several times in order to catch both my breath and my psychological balance. You just know that a storyline and its characters have gotten their hooks into you when you find fingernail marks in the protective cover of your iPad!
In the promotional blurb for this novel, the author clearly states that this entry is a do-over, an extended and revamped version of her first book in the Bitter Ashes series. Having a copy of the original book, I spent some time comparing and the extended version definitely fills in some blanks, clears up some confusing relationships and clarifies the storyline. And it does it smoothly and almost seamlessly.
The ending of this new version is much better than that of the original. While there was no cliffhanger before and there still is none, Maddy’s journey has been clearly and cleanly broken into stages. We now have a good idea as to the purpose of the next stage and we have a whole new group of lies and subterfuge to deal with. The hook has been set.
I was provided an ARC of this novel by the author at my request. The opinions expressed above are my own.
August 25, 2016
Bitter Ashes This book was a good start to the Bitter Ashes series but I just couldn't get on board with the story 100%. There isn't any denying that the writing is good and the world building is okay ... it was just that some aspects of the story was flat out confusing. Mainly, the confusion has to do with what the main and secondary characters are. Spent most of my time while reading trying to figure out if they're fae, shifters/were or some other creature that I cannot imagine. Due to the uncertainty of species of the characters (the book states that they're Vaettir) I had to look this up to find out at least what the word meant. Without a clear distinction between the characters and their natures made it hard to stay focused. The story was entertaining but I found the heroine (Maddy) to be extremely naive and a bit annoying. The story presents other characters along with the heroine that are much stronger. Hopefully, as the series progresses her character will grow and be able to balance out the male leads (Alaric and James).
December 30, 2015
2.5 rating. This book had solid writing and had a good story line but I just could not get into the book.
February 7, 2017
This is a good book but i have to give 2 stars.... it could be my fault, but the truth is i could not read it in a row.... i have to read something in between and only when i have nothing else to read, do i read this one!
the story seems interesting, but the plot.... for me it was a little slow, it seems that almost nothing happens in this one.... and the final is completely open.... i do not know if i will continue reading this series!
the story seems interesting, but the plot.... for me it was a little slow, it seems that almost nothing happens in this one.... and the final is completely open.... i do not know if i will continue reading this series!
August 9, 2017
Jumbled
Right from the beginning, the reader and Madeline are thrown into a chaotic world with little to go on and forced to acclimate to a confusing situation about who and what is going on around a strange fortress where she is suddenly thrust into a role with little sense. Underdeveloped characters and rushed, thin back stories make up this book. Along with needing a better editing job.
Right from the beginning, the reader and Madeline are thrown into a chaotic world with little to go on and forced to acclimate to a confusing situation about who and what is going on around a strange fortress where she is suddenly thrust into a role with little sense. Underdeveloped characters and rushed, thin back stories make up this book. Along with needing a better editing job.
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April 10, 2018
I think this book has a lot of potential, but I gave it three stars because it seems like it hasn't had enough editing. There seem to be some gaps. I don't mind the mystery, but there are some holes in my imagination. Very little is described about the castle. I can't imagine how people live there or how it functions, socially. There's just not much explanation there. Also, I think some of the characters could be explored a little more. There was also a lot of over-explaining of little details that don't really matter. However, about half-way through the book, things picked up a little and moved quickly. The world that Roethle creates has a lot of promise and I'm kind of curious about how the series will progress. Her writing is imaginative, but this book just felt a little unfinished to me. I think, had it been edited a little more, I definitely would've given it four stars. I absolutely loved the Tree of Ages series, so I'm a little surprised. I like that all the characters have some depth that hasn't been explored yet, I think that leaves room for things to develop in the following books.
August 4, 2018
This was an interesting one. Great prologue that pulled me right in. Unfortunately once the story proper started I found myself getting more and more annoyed by the circumstances, and where I could see this obviously leading. They kidnapped her because the want to use her. She awakes, no-one tells her where she is or why at first just being autocratic, mean and mysterious. I hate when people withhold valid information from h/H for 'reasons' only the reasons are simply to create plot drama. And despite her couple of early escape attempts it is clear she is going to end up doing exactly what her nasty selfish captors want - which just bugged me. Yet I was still interested in the events of the story. And the twists and turns and action. I also liked how Maddy was smart enough to know she couldn't trust anyone - just wish her actions always reflected that.
January 15, 2018
This was so-so. Some parts dragged on and others flew past without enough explanation. I'm interested to see what happens, but it's 50/50 whether or not I continue with the series.
January 20, 2018
Needs work.
I'm always interested when an author looks at an underused piece of mythology...the trouble is, there's more need for world building and explanation, which just isn't here. The trope of the long lost child is used here, but not to its fullest potential, which leaves me feeling like I missed a couple chapters somewhere that would have explained some of these choices and rationales. We're asked to take a lot on faith (the war, the villain, her abilities) and the story just doesn't support it. There's not even any central conflict that gets resolved while leaving the larger conflict open. It's just basically a character study.
Then the book just...ends. Editing isn't just about proofreading. Frankly, if i wasn't in a publishing drought, I wouldn't bother with book 2. As it is, I still may not, but I always hope for improvement as the author gains experience.
I'm always interested when an author looks at an underused piece of mythology...the trouble is, there's more need for world building and explanation, which just isn't here. The trope of the long lost child is used here, but not to its fullest potential, which leaves me feeling like I missed a couple chapters somewhere that would have explained some of these choices and rationales. We're asked to take a lot on faith (the war, the villain, her abilities) and the story just doesn't support it. There's not even any central conflict that gets resolved while leaving the larger conflict open. It's just basically a character study.
Then the book just...ends. Editing isn't just about proofreading. Frankly, if i wasn't in a publishing drought, I wouldn't bother with book 2. As it is, I still may not, but I always hope for improvement as the author gains experience.
April 9, 2018
This is a dark fantasy novel about a group of creatures known as the Vaettir who all possessed special powers according to the God/Godessess they represented and then there was Madeleine. She was a recluse, who lived quietly in her own small house, working from home and having no family and few friends if any. She had been a foster child through all her childhood being carted from one foster home to another and finding love in none of them. This is what she thought of her world: ‘The world would be a lovely place if we could wash away fear and bad memories, but it wasn’t a lovely place, it was full of ugliness’. So when she was abducted by strange men one fine night though terrified out of her wits, what she discovered was taken within her stride. She was told that she was part of the Vaettir and that she was their executioner, that she was able to release trapped souls and that she represented the Death Goddess, however, Maddy was also an empath and the rest of the Vaettir had no explanation for this. She felt that this was her curse and wanted only to learn more about this so she could get rid of it! She hated that she was an executioner and it seemed as though this death figure had grown a heart! She was on a mission to find a charm and she was travelling with Alaric, who she had fallen for quite badly, James who terrified her as he was the questioner and Sophie, Alaric's sister, but who would she give the charm to? Could she also become the protector for humanity? Or would Maddy finally come to grips with who she really was?
August 11, 2016
This novel is easy to read but if you like fantasy/dark novels, I think you'll enjoy this one. Be aware that there are mistakes in the editing (not too many), and there seemed to be a certain amount of time between Book 1 and Book 2 that was missing from the writing. However, it wasn't hard to catch up. By the way there are three books in this series.
The story is about a young woman who is single and works from her home. In other words, she is a loner (so it's no problem for her to disappear because few, if anyone, will miss her). And
disappear she does! Suddenly she is not a player in "our" world. She has been basically
kidnapped and taken to a world which lies underneath the ground. And this is the place where she starts to live the life for which she was meant to live. However, it is fraught with "other-worldly" people and creatures. This is also a romance; therefore, yes, she finds someone in this new world (to her) who definitely appeals to her. Older school aged kids and adults may read this set of novels (and they are short and easy reading), but I wouldn't suggest your younger youth read it because of the sexual parts in it. It's not too bad, though -- things like the two lovers bathing together, etc.
The book is easy reading (I finished Book 1 in one day) and enjoyable. At least, I enjoyed it! Give it a try. I think you'll enjoy it, too!
The story is about a young woman who is single and works from her home. In other words, she is a loner (so it's no problem for her to disappear because few, if anyone, will miss her). And
disappear she does! Suddenly she is not a player in "our" world. She has been basically
kidnapped and taken to a world which lies underneath the ground. And this is the place where she starts to live the life for which she was meant to live. However, it is fraught with "other-worldly" people and creatures. This is also a romance; therefore, yes, she finds someone in this new world (to her) who definitely appeals to her. Older school aged kids and adults may read this set of novels (and they are short and easy reading), but I wouldn't suggest your younger youth read it because of the sexual parts in it. It's not too bad, though -- things like the two lovers bathing together, etc.
The book is easy reading (I finished Book 1 in one day) and enjoyable. At least, I enjoyed it! Give it a try. I think you'll enjoy it, too!
December 28, 2015
This book had me excited. For the writing style! After reading so many free and self published books lately, it was a gem to find this author, and this book. I missed a good writing style so much! As for the story, it was good. Some parts I found hard to believe--I enjoy books which are believable, no matter how much fantasy it involves--but I would recommend it. It has made me want to read the next books! As well as that, it has made me want to read them without spoiling them or reading reviews of them first, an act I tend to engage in. Almost a five, but I feel a few aspects of the story need work, and there needed to be more character interaction and events in the first half of the book. I highlighted a few grammatical and spelling errors in the eBook, but otherwise, it was satisfactory overall.
P.S, if you notice the shelves I have it on and wonder why it is under zombie, just read the book. It will make sense. Heck, it will probably become an inside joke if you do.
P.S, if you notice the shelves I have it on and wonder why it is under zombie, just read the book. It will make sense. Heck, it will probably become an inside joke if you do.
May 20, 2016
Two stars, because yes, it was okay. Had I not been Scandinavian, I might have given it three stars, but I found the Norse Myth part distracting because there was so little of it, and when there was it bore little resemblance to Norse Myth - e.g. a furry lindworm the size of a grizzly bear.
Another issue was that I would have liked to see our main character fleshed out some more. She is witness to, and experiences, some quite upsetting and violent happenings, and while she is shaken by it, I would still have expected a stronger reaction.
What I did like was the plot and the whole concept of an executioner, plus the characters are not one-dimensional, and the constant "ping-pong" where Madeline has to figure out whom she can trust and whom she can't.
Another issue was that I would have liked to see our main character fleshed out some more. She is witness to, and experiences, some quite upsetting and violent happenings, and while she is shaken by it, I would still have expected a stronger reaction.
What I did like was the plot and the whole concept of an executioner, plus the characters are not one-dimensional, and the constant "ping-pong" where Madeline has to figure out whom she can trust and whom she can't.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 6, 2016
The first of a well written series
A roller coaster ride with few slow spots that slow down. If the rest of this series continues at this pace I will be ecstatic. I gladly look forward to reading the rest of series with baited breath. If the rest of it is as well written, it will be a fantastic read for anyone lucky enough to find and read it. As it is, it was a wildly fun ride as I followed the story line as the characters ran from one situation to another and I can't wait for the rest of them to arrive so I can dive Into them.
A roller coaster ride with few slow spots that slow down. If the rest of this series continues at this pace I will be ecstatic. I gladly look forward to reading the rest of series with baited breath. If the rest of it is as well written, it will be a fantastic read for anyone lucky enough to find and read it. As it is, it was a wildly fun ride as I followed the story line as the characters ran from one situation to another and I can't wait for the rest of them to arrive so I can dive Into them.
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June 29, 2016This is another one of those books I want to like, but in the end I was just flat annoyed.
It was all set up, and very slow for the first act. At the point things start getting interesting and building up the book is over and the reader is teased into a 'your princess is in another castle' kind of ending. GRRRR...
It was all set up, and very slow for the first act. At the point things start getting interesting and building up the book is over and the reader is teased into a 'your princess is in another castle' kind of ending. GRRRR...
February 27, 2017
Where's the rest of the book? And why was so much time spent on insignificant things. Back story is a good idea when nothing happens the first half of a small book. This stopped a little after the inciting incident but way before the climax. And the inciting incident didn't start till three forths of the way through the book, instead a stupid romance took up way too much time.
November 18, 2018
Struggled to get into this one. Story is solid enough it’s just very cat and mouse. It’s not a question of if there’s a betrayal, it’s when and who. I get the feeling there’s gonna be a lot of double crosses and back stabbing in the continuation. Not sure I’m quite ready for that yet. Favourite character at the moment is James.
July 9, 2016
I got this book for free and was disappointed. She introduced to a world that she never really explained. I was confused and upset with the main character. She went from not trusting anyone to trusting people to not trusting them again. I will not read any more of this series.
August 1, 2016
Couldn't connect to the characters - none of them had enough details to feel fleshed out. And, the main character's decisions about who to trust and who not to seemed really poorly thought out and erratic.
October 14, 2016
I liked this book but not at first. It was very confusing and only after reading half the book it started to make sense. I didn't realize it was part 1 but when the discussion came about traveling to another continent, there had to be a part 2 and I was disappointed.
December 15, 2016
Violent, Nordic based, and too bloody
This book is not a romance, unless your I to snuff S&M. I am eliminating this from my library, and am trying to forget the twisted story. Do not waste your time, money and sanity.
This book is not a romance, unless your I to snuff S&M. I am eliminating this from my library, and am trying to forget the twisted story. Do not waste your time, money and sanity.
September 27, 2016
2.5 stars.
Interesting but the characters were a bit flat and there was a severe lack of world building for me. I just didn't feel vested in the story or the characters.
Interesting but the characters were a bit flat and there was a severe lack of world building for me. I just didn't feel vested in the story or the characters.
April 13, 2018
Meet Madeleine 'Maddy', a troubled young woman who burdened with a curse to kill the people she touches, lives a solitary life.
That changes when she gets kidnapped from her bed and is seemingly buried alive in the middle of the forest.
Upon waking up, she finds herself in a refuge underground amidst warriors who tell her she is one of them, a Vaettir, a descendent from the gods/goddesses of old.
If that's not hard to believe, well, try believing you're an executioner and your curse is actually a gift... go figure.
What does Estus want with her? Will she be able to embrace her gift and her Vaettir side? But most importantly... will she be able to get out of there alive?
My take on the book:
The book in itself is well written, the plot is good but I'm undecided whether I like it or not...
The start was good, you got thrown into it when Maddy gets kidnapped. As the story unfolds in the Salr it gets a bit long and while of course the story continues to build and Maddy learns more about herself and the others... it just felt a tad too long. The last few chapters were in my opinion the best, making me want to grab the next book asap.
Character development was decent, we get to know Maddy fairly well, what happened in her past, how she reasons and what's important to her. As for the other characters, we only get to know them superficially, so hope the next book reveals more about them.
There were a few errors (mainly at the start), but nothing to break your head over.
There is no sex described but we know it happened, so if that's important for you, this book is fine.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and all in all it wasn't bad but it felt a bit 'stuck' in the middle. As said, ending was great so will read the next one!!
That changes when she gets kidnapped from her bed and is seemingly buried alive in the middle of the forest.
Upon waking up, she finds herself in a refuge underground amidst warriors who tell her she is one of them, a Vaettir, a descendent from the gods/goddesses of old.
If that's not hard to believe, well, try believing you're an executioner and your curse is actually a gift... go figure.
What does Estus want with her? Will she be able to embrace her gift and her Vaettir side? But most importantly... will she be able to get out of there alive?
My take on the book:
The book in itself is well written, the plot is good but I'm undecided whether I like it or not...
The start was good, you got thrown into it when Maddy gets kidnapped. As the story unfolds in the Salr it gets a bit long and while of course the story continues to build and Maddy learns more about herself and the others... it just felt a tad too long. The last few chapters were in my opinion the best, making me want to grab the next book asap.
Character development was decent, we get to know Maddy fairly well, what happened in her past, how she reasons and what's important to her. As for the other characters, we only get to know them superficially, so hope the next book reveals more about them.
There were a few errors (mainly at the start), but nothing to break your head over.
There is no sex described but we know it happened, so if that's important for you, this book is fine.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book and all in all it wasn't bad but it felt a bit 'stuck' in the middle. As said, ending was great so will read the next one!!
January 4, 2018
Omg!
I love this book!
It starts out mildly confusing which is ok because it mirrors Maddy’s feelings. She is snatched out of bed in the middle of the night and taken to the Salr. Maddy has no idea what is going on and feels like she’s dreaming at first (being sucked through the ground by vines definitely seems more like a nightmare than real life).
Maddy quickly learns that she is a member of a race called Vaettir which gives the feel of a fae like race. Sophie (Maddy’s childhood social worker) is also Vaettir and tries to help Maddy understand her new life. Maddy is quickly launched into the politics of war where a wrong choice can mean a horrible half death (her soul would be trapped forever in her own corpse).
The book has a good pace and Sara Roethle does a fantastic job of keeping the reader at the same point Maddy is at - you don’t figure something out until Maddy does.
~The Romance~
Alaric is Sophie’s brother and oh my damn! His initial interactions with Maddy are flirty and throw her completely sideways. Through out the story it just gets better with twists and turns and Maddy learning to trust Alaric.
~OMG WTF~
Definitely a cliff hanger and I swear I wish I had money on my debit card to buy the rest of Sarah’s books because based off this first intro to her work, the rest are definitely going to be fantastic!
I love this book!
It starts out mildly confusing which is ok because it mirrors Maddy’s feelings. She is snatched out of bed in the middle of the night and taken to the Salr. Maddy has no idea what is going on and feels like she’s dreaming at first (being sucked through the ground by vines definitely seems more like a nightmare than real life).
Maddy quickly learns that she is a member of a race called Vaettir which gives the feel of a fae like race. Sophie (Maddy’s childhood social worker) is also Vaettir and tries to help Maddy understand her new life. Maddy is quickly launched into the politics of war where a wrong choice can mean a horrible half death (her soul would be trapped forever in her own corpse).
The book has a good pace and Sara Roethle does a fantastic job of keeping the reader at the same point Maddy is at - you don’t figure something out until Maddy does.
~The Romance~
Alaric is Sophie’s brother and oh my damn! His initial interactions with Maddy are flirty and throw her completely sideways. Through out the story it just gets better with twists and turns and Maddy learning to trust Alaric.
~OMG WTF~
Definitely a cliff hanger and I swear I wish I had money on my debit card to buy the rest of Sarah’s books because based off this first intro to her work, the rest are definitely going to be fantastic!
April 20, 2018
Maddy lives alone with no pets, works from home and seemingly has no friends. This is all because of a secret she bears and that is somehow she's caused the deaths of 2 people in her life....just by touching them. Now add her being kidnapped in the middle of the night and held prisoner by people claiming to be more than human and you've got yourself the start of one crazy tale!
I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the premise of the story, the writing and the pace. While there are some errors here and there with the writing/editing it's not enough to pull you out of the story as you're going along. If you're looking for a book with a good, enjoyable main character then you've struck pay-dirt here. Maddy is a a combination of what you expect from any normal person....she's smart, scared, brave, naive, trusting, feisty and a bit sad all rolled up together. I like a character with dimension. The craziness of this story (from her point of view) throws everything at her and she reacts as you would expect. She's not super human (although she does have powers), she's not perfect because she does make mistakes...sometimes you want to just strangle her but it's hard for even us to know who she should and shouldn't be trusting. Lots of twists and turns in this tale and I like that too. I definitely need to read book 2 now!
Great read. I highly recommend it!
I enjoyed reading this book. I liked the premise of the story, the writing and the pace. While there are some errors here and there with the writing/editing it's not enough to pull you out of the story as you're going along. If you're looking for a book with a good, enjoyable main character then you've struck pay-dirt here. Maddy is a a combination of what you expect from any normal person....she's smart, scared, brave, naive, trusting, feisty and a bit sad all rolled up together. I like a character with dimension. The craziness of this story (from her point of view) throws everything at her and she reacts as you would expect. She's not super human (although she does have powers), she's not perfect because she does make mistakes...sometimes you want to just strangle her but it's hard for even us to know who she should and shouldn't be trusting. Lots of twists and turns in this tale and I like that too. I definitely need to read book 2 now!
Great read. I highly recommend it!
May 27, 2024
I found this one a bit uneven. Maddy is kidnapped from her bed and finds herself in a fortress where she is told she is one of the vaettir, a Norse name for nature spirits, but also rather wider than that if googled. She has a 'gift' or curse whereby she can inadvertently draw out the energy of other people, killing them, when she is only trying to comfort them for a relatively slight injury. For some reason, she has been left in the human world, untrained, until now, but the leader of a particular faction among the vaettir wants to use her ability. Quite a bit of the story involves walking around the fortress and traipsing up and down corridors and in and out of the kitchen, so it did strike me as rather static until Maddy finally leaves the fortress.
There is a lot of torture and graphic descriptions of injury and death. There is also a sort-of romance with another character, the brother of a vaettir who helps the heroine. Maddy is drawn into the conflict between the various factions and never knows who is on whose side given the shifting allegiances. It's a bit confusing about the abilities of the various characters - her would-be boyfriend has cat fangs at times but doesn't actually shift into a cat creature. Altogether, I found the world-building not quite concrete enough and the violence a bit too graphic so I can only give this an OK 2 star rating.
There is a lot of torture and graphic descriptions of injury and death. There is also a sort-of romance with another character, the brother of a vaettir who helps the heroine. Maddy is drawn into the conflict between the various factions and never knows who is on whose side given the shifting allegiances. It's a bit confusing about the abilities of the various characters - her would-be boyfriend has cat fangs at times but doesn't actually shift into a cat creature. Altogether, I found the world-building not quite concrete enough and the violence a bit too graphic so I can only give this an OK 2 star rating.
April 19, 2018
Being grabbed from your bed as you awaken from sleep, then put down on soft dirt whereupon slithering objects begin covering your skin-absolutely terrifying and attention-getting introduction to the book!
Madeline is an orphan, tossed from one home to another while growing up, with no family she knows. Has had unhappy experiences of trying to help people who then die, worrying her that she caused it. When she is plucked from her lonesome life and awakens inside large mansion with unusual people, she finds herself learning some unpleasant things about herself. She seems to have a friend in James, one of her kidnappers, but she is slow to trust anyone after her experiences. Finally, with help, she is able to escape from her prison. However, this is obviously just the first episode as we do not yet know how her new relationships are going to work out.
There is violence in this book, and some supernatural powers. I guess I deleted a star as I can’t quite see where the story is leading, and for the violence, which is not to my taste. The story, however, is riveting and I will be reading the next in the series. I received this as an advance copy of an eBook, in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely terrifying introduction to a riveting story.
Madeline is an orphan, tossed from one home to another while growing up, with no family she knows. Has had unhappy experiences of trying to help people who then die, worrying her that she caused it. When she is plucked from her lonesome life and awakens inside large mansion with unusual people, she finds herself learning some unpleasant things about herself. She seems to have a friend in James, one of her kidnappers, but she is slow to trust anyone after her experiences. Finally, with help, she is able to escape from her prison. However, this is obviously just the first episode as we do not yet know how her new relationships are going to work out.
There is violence in this book, and some supernatural powers. I guess I deleted a star as I can’t quite see where the story is leading, and for the violence, which is not to my taste. The story, however, is riveting and I will be reading the next in the series. I received this as an advance copy of an eBook, in exchange for an honest review.
Absolutely terrifying introduction to a riveting story.
April 27, 2018
Here is another book that just grabs you, like watching an elephant stampeding at you. (In a good way) I tried to put is down, really I did ... when I finally did finish reading. I swore I would not read the next one in the series, but guess what? I lied to myself, again. It's not so much the overall content of being a Death Bringer, it's the moral issues that ask those questions we all want answers to. Is it worth all that you are to allow someone to use you for their own gains? Why would you not want to help someone pass on, when it's their time? Do we always have to suffer to create balance in the things we do to ourselves and others?
So here I am. Starting the second book. I want to go on the record as saying ... if a person cries in the woods, do the trees hear you? Think about it.
So here I am. Starting the second book. I want to go on the record as saying ... if a person cries in the woods, do the trees hear you? Think about it.
September 23, 2024
Paranormal fantasy at its best and worst. You have a single woman, Maddy, who has lived her life alone since the age of 18. She gets kidnapped in the middle of the night from her home and is taken somewhere to be used by others. She learns that she is not human and meets a woman, Sadie, who had just happened to be her advocate when she was in the foster system. Sadie has a brother who makes Maddie feel something again for the male species but it turns out that she is not exactly human hersel. She is what they call Vaettir and her speciality is releasing souls into the world, what the Vaettir call an Executioner. Maddis is caught up in a tug of war for the ruling of all Vaettir but Maddie has powers nobody knows about and I can't wait to read the rest of the series to see what she is quite capable of.
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