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Kaylid Chronicles #5
Family
What price would you pay?
Being in the middle of creating history isn't a comfortable place. Toni Diaz has dealt with a lot in her life, but turning into an animal, meeting aliens, and trying to save the world wasn't anything she'd ever seen in her future. Trying to do the best thing for everyone she'll need to balance the good of her family with what is best for Earth.
Just when she thought everything was good, the Earth was safe, the aliens defeated, she'll find out the worst enemy isn't anything she can fight. Torn between standing up to the lies and rumors and protecting the only thing that matters, Toni will need to decide exactly what family means, and why sometimes the craziest option is the best one. Even as she prepares to do the impossible, she'll try to keep her loved ones safe, and pray the choices they have made are the right ones. Not just for her, but for all Kaylid left on Earth.
- GenresScience Fiction
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 10, 2019
47 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Mel Todd
83 books212 followersHey everyone! I'm Mel Todd and I live in Atlanta, Georgia at this moment. I write mostly romance free urban fantasy, urban science fiction, and soon fantasy.
Here are 4 truths and one lie about myself.
1 - I know how to milk a goat.
2- I once propositioned Dean Cain.
3 - I had my picture taken with Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.
4 - I have driven across the US.
5 - I have a library with over 2000 RPG books.
I'm working on the next book in the Twisted Luck series and have an duology I'm planning on writing for Nanowrimo in 2021.
Here are 4 truths and one lie about myself.
1 - I know how to milk a goat.
2- I once propositioned Dean Cain.
3 - I had my picture taken with Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner.
4 - I have driven across the US.
5 - I have a library with over 2000 RPG books.
I'm working on the next book in the Twisted Luck series and have an duology I'm planning on writing for Nanowrimo in 2021.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 28, 2021
Super Disappointing!
I have been living this world every chance I've gotten over the past two weeks. Any free time I had available, my kindle was in my hand and I was living with Kenna and her clan. Until this book.
First of all, why change POV on the last book? The other 4 were told mostly from McKennas pov; she should've been allowed to finish her story. This was more like a novella, only not as good as the others.
Second, why use the most wishy-washy of all the character to convey the much anticipated ending? Toni is selfish and self-centered, rarely caring how the others are doing. She doesn't even pay attention to her own childrens desires. And she never gives details about the others.
I would love to have finally seen the progression of McKenna and Perc's relationship. Something that was always just out of reach in all the other books.
Would have loved to know more about JD and Cass as well. All we get is, 'they are so cute together'. Ugh! And for as much as she talks about the kids, we never learn anymore about them. (I get that there may be a spin off, but come on!)
BTW, we never get the full story about what happened to Carina. Why did Nam shift in the store after being told not to shift in public? I doubt she would've just for fun after they saw Kenna punished before...
For the matter of romances, all the hints about her and Rarz but then nothing!!! She just pushes him away when she's not using him as a portal-taxi. Even her dreams about the 'dragons' and the other world are never explained fully. So she somehow has more Drakyn DNA. Ok... how so? and how does that effect her now? Can she and the kids create portals?
Did McKenna and Perc with the help of Wefor and Elao manage to help the other Kaylid not be discovered? How many Kaylid decide to leave planet? Do the friends of the group; like Kirk, Anne, and the others decide to leave planet? Are the others in the Clan able to create portals?
And then there's the third issue, and this one is really big: WHY is the bad guy Raymond Kennedy NEVER punished!? He's been a harsh villian through all these books and he is just going to get away with it all?!? Are you kidding me!?! JD knows who he is. He could've put two and two together and made the police aware when he's told about the woman and her partner being murdered!!!
Up until this book, Mel Todd was in my top 10 favorite authors list. Which is a big deal for me because I am an avid reader (averaging 300+ books a year) and I don't five star many books. But this series was so different and told so well. I have hyped it up to everyone. Talking about the mix of shifter, science, and aliens. I have never really been into the alien or scifi types but this series was next level. Until the end. This is a major hit then miss for me. Which has me worried, because am loving the Twisted Luck series and have even purchased those ebooks. But it's still on-going and now I am worried about how it will end. This should be a series I want to re-read. But with an ending like this, why bother???
I have been living this world every chance I've gotten over the past two weeks. Any free time I had available, my kindle was in my hand and I was living with Kenna and her clan. Until this book.
First of all, why change POV on the last book? The other 4 were told mostly from McKennas pov; she should've been allowed to finish her story. This was more like a novella, only not as good as the others.
Second, why use the most wishy-washy of all the character to convey the much anticipated ending? Toni is selfish and self-centered, rarely caring how the others are doing. She doesn't even pay attention to her own childrens desires. And she never gives details about the others.
I would love to have finally seen the progression of McKenna and Perc's relationship. Something that was always just out of reach in all the other books.
Would have loved to know more about JD and Cass as well. All we get is, 'they are so cute together'. Ugh! And for as much as she talks about the kids, we never learn anymore about them. (I get that there may be a spin off, but come on!)
BTW, we never get the full story about what happened to Carina. Why did Nam shift in the store after being told not to shift in public? I doubt she would've just for fun after they saw Kenna punished before...
For the matter of romances, all the hints about her and Rarz but then nothing!!! She just pushes him away when she's not using him as a portal-taxi. Even her dreams about the 'dragons' and the other world are never explained fully. So she somehow has more Drakyn DNA. Ok... how so? and how does that effect her now? Can she and the kids create portals?
Did McKenna and Perc with the help of Wefor and Elao manage to help the other Kaylid not be discovered? How many Kaylid decide to leave planet? Do the friends of the group; like Kirk, Anne, and the others decide to leave planet? Are the others in the Clan able to create portals?
And then there's the third issue, and this one is really big: WHY is the bad guy Raymond Kennedy NEVER punished!? He's been a harsh villian through all these books and he is just going to get away with it all?!? Are you kidding me!?! JD knows who he is. He could've put two and two together and made the police aware when he's told about the woman and her partner being murdered!!!
Up until this book, Mel Todd was in my top 10 favorite authors list. Which is a big deal for me because I am an avid reader (averaging 300+ books a year) and I don't five star many books. But this series was so different and told so well. I have hyped it up to everyone. Talking about the mix of shifter, science, and aliens. I have never really been into the alien or scifi types but this series was next level. Until the end. This is a major hit then miss for me. Which has me worried, because am loving the Twisted Luck series and have even purchased those ebooks. But it's still on-going and now I am worried about how it will end. This should be a series I want to re-read. But with an ending like this, why bother???
January 7, 2026
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I want to change my scoring by 0.50 or more of a star. -- I tend not to read reviews until after I read a book, so I go in with an open mind.)
2.25* ---- I had rated book 1 at 4 stars and then binged the rest. ---- It's rating would be higher if it wasn't the end of the series, IMHO it reads like there's another book after it! (It was published in 2019 and the author at the end says its the last one, but she might do a spin off following the child characters, but its a 'not planned' might.)
Last book in a series that is 5 novels and 4 novellas.
If this had been my first experience with this author, I'd be putting her on the 'avoid author' shelf.
Good
[] The characters ---- for the most part I still enjoyed them.
[] The plot ---- again, this was mostly fine.
[] The world-building
Bad
[] The first four novels are mostly told from the POV of one character, then the 5th inexplicably is told from one of the other characters POV for the most part with again a small POV of a bad guy. The novellas are the POV of the 'side' characters to the original MC, this worked for them.
I don't think I'd have minded if this book had been a split between the original MC, McKenna, and Toni, but for me it all being Toni's POV (& a bit of the bad guys) just didn't feel right. It wasn't helped for me that this was the last book.
[] Characters / Plot issues ---- Not in order -- Read late at night, so was not typing as I read.
Book 5 should not have been the end, so many things were left hanging, it needed to have a 6th book.
The author does state at the end, that she might return with a follow up series, centred on the children and the fight with the bad aliens. But I wanted the loose ends with this book tied up in a 6th book, and a bridging series about their lives
It's 7th of January 2026, the last book came out in 2019, she's moved on with her 'luck' universe that has 4 different series / novels set there, so it's highly unlikely I'll ever get closure with this series.
First time read the author's work?: No -- I really enjoy her 'Luck' series.
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: No
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
2.25* ---- I had rated book 1 at 4 stars and then binged the rest. ---- It's rating would be higher if it wasn't the end of the series, IMHO it reads like there's another book after it! (It was published in 2019 and the author at the end says its the last one, but she might do a spin off following the child characters, but its a 'not planned' might.)
Last book in a series that is 5 novels and 4 novellas.
If this had been my first experience with this author, I'd be putting her on the 'avoid author' shelf.
Good
[] The characters ---- for the most part I still enjoyed them.
[] The plot ---- again, this was mostly fine.
[] The world-building
Bad
[] The first four novels are mostly told from the POV of one character, then the 5th inexplicably is told from one of the other characters POV for the most part with again a small POV of a bad guy. The novellas are the POV of the 'side' characters to the original MC, this worked for them.
I don't think I'd have minded if this book had been a split between the original MC, McKenna, and Toni, but for me it all being Toni's POV (& a bit of the bad guys) just didn't feel right. It wasn't helped for me that this was the last book.
[] Characters / Plot issues ---- Not in order -- Read late at night, so was not typing as I read.
Book 5 should not have been the end, so many things were left hanging, it needed to have a 6th book.
The author does state at the end, that she might return with a follow up series, centred on the children and the fight with the bad aliens. But I wanted the loose ends with this book tied up in a 6th book, and a bridging series about their lives
It's 7th of January 2026, the last book came out in 2019, she's moved on with her 'luck' universe that has 4 different series / novels set there, so it's highly unlikely I'll ever get closure with this series.
First time read the author's work?: No -- I really enjoy her 'Luck' series.
Will you be reading more?: Yes
Would you recommend?: No
------------
How I rate Stars: 5* = I loved (must read all I can find by the author)
4* = I really enjoyed (got to read all the series and try other books by the author).
3* = I enjoyed (I will continue to read the series)
or
3* = Good book just not my thing (I realised I don't like the genre or picked up a kids book to review in error.)
All of the above scores means I would recommend them!
-
2* = it was okay (I might give the next book in the series a try, to see if that was better IMHO.)
1* = Disliked
Note: adding these basic 'reviews' after finding out that some people see the stars differently than I do - hoping this clarifies how I feel about the book. :-)
April 20, 2021
What?
I think Mel Todd is a V good writer, that said, this is a V disappointing book. The novellas in other voices? Great! The "Final" book in a series? Not great. & leaving the bad guys pretty much triumphant & untouched? V V not great. This book leaves way to much unresolved & unaddressed. It's as if Todd & the characters fell down a literary rabbit hole & wandered off into an alternate plot line. Where's the editor? There's a great feeling in this book that the author and the plot ran out of steam. Or maybe the author just got bored. I'm not particularly interested in any more books in this series unless the plot is wrenched back on course & the glaring flaws of this book repaired.
I think Mel Todd is a V good writer, that said, this is a V disappointing book. The novellas in other voices? Great! The "Final" book in a series? Not great. & leaving the bad guys pretty much triumphant & untouched? V V not great. This book leaves way to much unresolved & unaddressed. It's as if Todd & the characters fell down a literary rabbit hole & wandered off into an alternate plot line. Where's the editor? There's a great feeling in this book that the author and the plot ran out of steam. Or maybe the author just got bored. I'm not particularly interested in any more books in this series unless the plot is wrenched back on course & the glaring flaws of this book repaired.
January 21, 2023
Cliffhanger ending - BAD!!
I loved the series. It was well written, exciting and different. The characters were a little formulaic but the storyline allowed it. I read to day two escape which means there has to be good endings. If I want a bad ending or an uncertain ending, I wouldn't read because I have my own life. Not only was there not a complete ending, but a bad guy got away at the end. To me that's a cliffhanger and/or bad ending. And this is the last book of the series. I would have given the whole series of 5 except for this! Now I just wish I never read it.
.
I loved the series. It was well written, exciting and different. The characters were a little formulaic but the storyline allowed it. I read to day two escape which means there has to be good endings. If I want a bad ending or an uncertain ending, I wouldn't read because I have my own life. Not only was there not a complete ending, but a bad guy got away at the end. To me that's a cliffhanger and/or bad ending. And this is the last book of the series. I would have given the whole series of 5 except for this! Now I just wish I never read it.
.
April 5, 2021
Not Worth it
while i agree that this is how humans would act I hate the fact that she introduces character that get away with it all no justice whatsoever and in the last book you don’t even give us the story with the main character in it i hate the fact i actually liked it at first augh ! Don’t read this entire series unless you like being build up to end with nothing but disappointment
while i agree that this is how humans would act I hate the fact that she introduces character that get away with it all no justice whatsoever and in the last book you don’t even give us the story with the main character in it i hate the fact i actually liked it at first augh ! Don’t read this entire series unless you like being build up to end with nothing but disappointment
September 7, 2021
A good stopping point
And the roller coaster ride came to a smooth end with most getting their happy for now.
Hopefully some day more will be seen of the Elantrin Human Drakyn conflict, with new players. Thelia's impact in the future would be interesting as she will run circles around most, especially after exposure to Human culture. I would so like to see what the Kaylid can do with portals.
And the roller coaster ride came to a smooth end with most getting their happy for now.
Hopefully some day more will be seen of the Elantrin Human Drakyn conflict, with new players. Thelia's impact in the future would be interesting as she will run circles around most, especially after exposure to Human culture. I would so like to see what the Kaylid can do with portals.
March 5, 2021
Absolutely Amazing Series!
I waited until I finished all Kaylid Chronicles as well as all the Kaylid Novellas, to write this review because they were just too riveting to stop! Shifters, alien races, and great characters made a wild but fascinating group of stories.
I only hope author Mel Todd will let us know soon when the next series is coming. Can't wait!
I waited until I finished all Kaylid Chronicles as well as all the Kaylid Novellas, to write this review because they were just too riveting to stop! Shifters, alien races, and great characters made a wild but fascinating group of stories.
I only hope author Mel Todd will let us know soon when the next series is coming. Can't wait!
April 14, 2020
One would think that being stuck at home would mean more time for reading, yet it took me what seems like forever to start this book. However it took less than an afternoon to finish it. I just couldn't put it down. I expect to re-read this series by summer's end.
June 15, 2020
Exciting true to life story
This book reads like a real crime story. Sounds more like non-fiction than fiction. Because if people could shape change, politicians would fear it and anything politicians fear becomes intolerable and even illegal. Great story!
This book reads like a real crime story. Sounds more like non-fiction than fiction. Because if people could shape change, politicians would fear it and anything politicians fear becomes intolerable and even illegal. Great story!
November 16, 2020
Packing for a new world
A wave of anti shifter bigotry makes leaving the planet to move in with their portal using alien friends a smart idea. I hope there will be a book showing start of their new life.
A wave of anti shifter bigotry makes leaving the planet to move in with their portal using alien friends a smart idea. I hope there will be a book showing start of their new life.
March 15, 2021
Interesting overall
An intriguing series that ends on a happy note, though it leaves crumbs open for a future spin off. It’s all sci-fi with urban fantasy elements, no romance or steam and little cursing.
An intriguing series that ends on a happy note, though it leaves crumbs open for a future spin off. It’s all sci-fi with urban fantasy elements, no romance or steam and little cursing.
March 21, 2021
Great conclusion
Sad to see it come to an end but loved this series. Do feel that it left a lot of open ends and could clearly be continued....although M Todd has said that wasn’t the plan...I guess better to end early than continue a series too long. Really enjoyable.
Sad to see it come to an end but loved this series. Do feel that it left a lot of open ends and could clearly be continued....although M Todd has said that wasn’t the plan...I guess better to end early than continue a series too long. Really enjoyable.
July 20, 2025
A very satisfying conclusion to this series
This book successfully wrapped up most of the loose story ends while leaving some hooks for additional stories in the same universe. I'll have to look but the lists I have seen seem to indicate there are other books in this universe.
This book successfully wrapped up most of the loose story ends while leaving some hooks for additional stories in the same universe. I'll have to look but the lists I have seen seem to indicate there are other books in this universe.
August 31, 2019
An awesome final(?)
I've followed this story from the beginning. The author has grown a bunch since that book and the story has captivated me.
If you have read the first books, start with #1. You will enjoy it… a lot!
I've followed this story from the beginning. The author has grown a bunch since that book and the story has captivated me.
If you have read the first books, start with #1. You will enjoy it… a lot!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews