There’s only one thing better than being young and rich in Manhattan—being the queen of a clan of immortals.
Morgan Winterborne comes from a long line of hunters—immortals who run a prestigious international auction house by day and cut off the heads of their enemies at night. They’ll do whatever it takes to keep the vampires that stalk the city under control.
But power breeds greed, and Morgan will have to determine who is loyal and who would like to see her fall from the helm of the Winterborne clan. A stalker, an irresistible guy who won’t stay away, an immortal crow, her own family—who is the enemy, and which one will turn her into a real killer?
The answers lie in an old box commissioned at the auction house by an anonymous client. What’s inside will reveal her dead mother’s darkest secrets and force Morgan to face her own.
Dark Legacy is the first book in the new House of Winterborne series. Get ready to be addicted!
Luanne Bennett is an author of fantasy and the supernatural. Born in Chicago, she lives in Georgia these days where she writes full time and doesn’t miss a thing about the cubicles and conference rooms of her old life. When she isn’t writing or dreaming up new stories, she’s usually cooking or tending a herd of felines and basset hounds. Look for book three of the Katie Bishop series coming this spring!
“An immortal never really dies; an immortal transitions”.
„Dark Legacy“ the first book in the new urban fantasy “House of Winterborne” Series by Luanne Bennett is already a must read!
Katherine Winterborne, the Head of the Winterborne House hides a secret so dangerous that the only way to keep it hidden seems to take it to the grave with herself, not an easy feat for an immortal…. Somehow, and with the aid of dark magic, she seemingly succeeds in disappearing leaving her daughter Morgan in charge of the house, who is on one side a little overwhelmed by the task and in the other not really fond of the rigid and centuries-old rules, that seemed to have outlived their purpose in this modern times. As Morgan access the throne, for yes, there is a throne, think of the House of Winterborne as the epitome of Immortal aristocracy; the events unfold and Morgan is forced to manoeuvre the opposing policies, while trying to found out where the loyalties of each implicated subject lies, and finding out the secret her mother went to such extremes to hide.
If you are expecting vampires hiding in the shadows, dark 😉 or otherwise, just think again, Luanne Bennett’s immortals hide in plain sight in the most sought-after places in New York’s real state landscape, with the occasional trip to the Hamptons and the like. These immortals factually rule society and politics behind the screens and read like real life characters, credible, full-fledged, relatable and fully enjoyable throughout the book. Some you will love, some you will love… to hate, but they would not let you cold 😉 in any setting.
True to Luanne Bennett’s style, he book is well-written, with a good edition, action packed, with a balanced mix of fast-action and in-deep description, a surely wonderful addition to the genre that will also appeal to non urban-fantasy fans looking for a smart story willing to delve further outside of their preferred genre.
This is a great story of witches, vampires and shifters. Luanne Bennett has this way of adding a totally different twist to what might sound like typical characters. This is a fresh view of a clan of witches that hunt vampires in New York. Family greed, secrets and love that defies the norm.
I wanted to like this, I really did, but failed. Two stars for effort. I just don’t understand. The heroine queen mother seems like a strong woman, but she never taught her daughter to fight knowing what her she was up against? You don’t leave a weak ruler. Even one with magic. It made a weak book.
I started reading the book and was initially wondering about the intro, but as i started reading the book i understood the relativity to the story. I normally read a book over 2 or 3 days but this one i could not put down, i read it in a day. Once i got into the story i loved the characters especially Hawk. The book has excellent background characters that add to the story without diluting it, they all play their part very well. I thought the main family characters were very sly and sneaky and thought they were being very unfair to Morgan the main character. Glad to see that things worked out the way they should towards the end of the book. I'm not outlining too much of the story as i don't want to spoil the enjoyment that you will get from reading it. All i will say is i can't wait until the next book comes out. another great series from Luanne Bennett.
This is an intriguing new series from the author of the Fitheach trilogy and the Katie Bishop series. This one is full of twists and turns, magic and mystery. . . and it will drag you into it's world from the very beginning. This is not your New York City. This is the New York of witches and vampires, old blood and even older curses. It will take everything one young witch had to hold on to her coven together while trying navigate the political treacherous waters that come with it. If she's not strong enough, prejudices and old hatreds may keep her from her heart's desire I can't wait to see where this new series will take us and what old and new friends we may meet.
** I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Although I’m not a great fan of Vampires, I found this book really engrossing and very hard to put down! It tells the story of the Winterborne Family – who are rich and powerful Immortals. Successful business magnates by day; assassins by night. Their prey – the ‘Night Walkers’. The newly crowned Queen of the Winterborne Clan is a young and very powerful witch, but has yet to discover her hidden talents. Can she gain the respect of her Clan, especially when she takes an illicit lover or they discover her dark secret?
Immortals, witches, familiars, shifters, vampires, ancient pacts... A rich supernatural world plays out around Morgan and the rest of the Winterbourne Coven, which she is now the "Queen" of, though she'd rather be addressed more simply as "leader."
The Winterbournes are immortal witches--they made a pact with the gods (unnamed) eons ago to hunt down the Nightwalkers, preventing them from overtaking humanity. They live in NYC, living in plain sight in the world of the obnoxiously rich elite (they run a Christie's-like auction house, for one). Morgan's mother committed suicide (not a spoiler, it's in Ch.1) and left Morgan as her rightful heir. However, why did she do it? They don't become immortal until age 30, and 20-something Morgan is unprepared to lead the hunt against the Nightwalkers, until she grows into her inborn, unusually powerful magic. She receives help from her father-figure Jakob, her best (mortal) friend Jules, her familiar(s), and her golden-eyed flying love interest.
(To address a point by another reviewer: yes, it's annoying that Morgan's mother didn't train her to fight. However, none of the witches are trained, oddly--it's revealed that they are all thrown into fighting without training and their instincts apparently always kick in. I guess being immortal means they aren't as worried about mistakes. Also, witches' powers are like reflexes in this book; they don't require much, if any training to activate. Their magic is wholly innate, so none of it is taught.)
***This is a ramble-ly review, be forewarned. My brain doesn't stay on one track!***
1. Supernatural Worldbuilding -Definitely not the most fleshed-out fantasy book I've read, but this urban fantasy is a solid entry to the genre. -I loved the inclusion of different kinds of witch aspects like references to athames and familiars, without getting bogged down in witch stereotypes. There aren't any wands, cauldrons, potions, or flying brooms. -More emphasis is placed on their varied magical powers and the monsters they're destined to battle. -There's the mystery of Morgan's mother's suicide--she wanted to protect her daughter from a "Dark Legacy," but what is it? -Coven politics and intrigue abound. Can Morgan trust her Uncle Cabot and Aunt Rebecca, or will they backstab her to usurp her throne? The old guard isn't happy about the continuation of the matriarchal tradition of the Winterbourne Coven. -The traditional supernatural categories have unique twists, at least unique from the books I've ever read. -I haven't seen immortal witches paired together, nor the limitation that they don't become immortal until age 30. So many books stop the aging process at 18-20ish. It's also possible for them to age and/or die under various circumstances. -They're sworn to hunt down Nightwalkers, a monster of the night similar to vampires, BUT whose intelligence is closer to zombies. -There are several mortals who know what the Winterbournes are, which is nice to see. Other novels featuring supernatural beings tend to make unnecessary drama around mortals finding out their "true nature."
2. Favorite characters: -Jules: she's known Morgan's secrets since they were kids, and helps ground Morgan in the world outside of Winterbourne politics. She's like a sister, and her fierce loyalty leads her to protect Morgan in any way she can. She may be a mere mortal, but her quick-thinking helps Morgan time and time again. -Jakob: He's an immortal too, so he helped raise Morgan's mom, not just Morgan and her siblings. His paternal love shows through as he helps her navigate her new role and the dangers that come with it. -Monoclaude: her familiar. His words are too mysterious, and we all probably wish he could get to the point... But he is also an immortal(?) talking frog statue with telepathy, so he gets a pass. We don't get to see him much, but I have a soft spot for frogs and mysterious magical mentors, and he's both.
3. Villains -At first it's her own coven, because they're all skeptical of this young woman's ability to lead an immortal clan of monster-hunters. Morgan doesn't seem to have a vicious bone in her. -The monsters: Nightwalkers. -Spoiler... but related to the Nightwalkers, although even more dangerous. This breed shows up at the end.
4. Love Interest & Romance Plot: -The love interest is definitely creepy the first time the meet, and the second, and the third time... -He follows her home AND refuses to introduce himself. Morgan should've called security or kicked his a**! -For context, supernatural forces are afoot and Morgan seemed familiar (have to be vague, huge spoilers involved). However, this does NOT excuse his stalking and cornering her! -Their relationship reeks of insta-love. I wish the author developed their relationship in a more healthy, non-rushed way. -The love interest is more likable as the book goes on. He also has interesting abilities, to be honest. -If you "forget" his initial behavior, he's a decent guy who helps Morgan kick monster-butt. -There's friction because of supernatural species prejudices. Thankfully it doesn't drag on unnecessarily, because Morgan tells her clan to mind their own business.
FINAL NOTES: *3.5 stars, but I rounded up. *The relationships, characters, and Worldbuilding could have benefitted from being fleshed out. *I found several typos, albeit far apart, where incorrect words were included that were close to the correct ones (like "closed" instead of "close"). *A solid start to the trilogy. I hope it doesn't let me down.
Luanne has started my next obsession! This book jumps right into the story and pulls you right in. Morgan is a mesmerizing character that grows and changes so much in this book that you can’t help but cheer for her. Dreamy Hawk is willing to protect her at any cost and love without question. The uncles are her protection and they all have a hidden lure that makes you wonder what their stories are! Cannot wait to read the next!!!!
(FYI I tend to only review one book per series, unless I completely change my mind on a series, so want to change my scoring.)
I do not read reviews before I read a book, I like to go in with an open mind.
I liked another of her books (first only not read more of that series yet, so might have gone downhill), so was expecting to like this one to. This book really disappointed me. I'm unwell and thought the book was a safe bet on my mountain of a TBR pile of new authors / new series by authors gave 3 stars to, books to try.
So much potential but for me ruined by plot points that made no sense, a stupid MC and a 'love interest' that to me was repellent.
Spoiler has a triggering detail.
First time read the author's work?: No
Will you be reading more?: Not of this series and honestly am put off trying other series and even reading more of the books I have 3 stars to!
Would you recommend?: Not this series -- Kate Bishop, the first book I liked, haven't read the rest yet.
------------ 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. :-)
This book... started off well enough, but ended up in a only somewhat coherent fever dream. Somewhere in the middle it gets weighed down by the fact that the main character isn't very good at... being an adult, let alone being in charge of her family. Like, I have trouble rooting for her, quite frankly. She knows certain things are going on that shouldn't be but are really really (add however many 'reallys' you like here) bad for her, and does nothing about them. Doesn't even BEGIN to do anything about them. I would go so far as to say that she helps them along by her inaction in fact. She doesn't seem overly good or important for her job, in her family at the auction house, or in their other aspects either. She doesn't seem all that well educated, in the regular world, but even more so about her own. Why was she left in charge again?! Her mother literally hand picked her to be the next leader well before taking her own life-- so it's not like the mother didn't know when her daughter was going to be taking over-- but she still somehow didn't prepare her daughter for the job at all... for some reason... And there's a scene where Mora is reading something her mother wrote that was laughably inappropriate in the face of the entire rest of this book. Her mother talks about how none of the other women in the family know their legacy, but she was lucky because her mother told her. Then she talks about how she's gonna make she her daughter knows too-- spoiler, she absolutely DID NOT REMOTELY do that.
Literally NO ONE in this thing has a reasonable, respectful, responsible, loving relationship. Like... how can so many people, in so many different relationships not ever get it right, like on accident? One time? I am pretty sure ALL the characters in this thing only make bad decisions and/or are actively bad people. And quite frankly, I think the author made plenty of bad decisions when they put together the story beats for this thing too. I am trying to think of a single sympathetic/likeable character in this book... and I can't even pick the little girl because she comes with parents who are two of the three people in this story that are vying for the title of 'the worst'... Oh, the minor character magical boulderfrog is probably ok.
I got to about the 65% mark before this thing went headlong into wall, turning itself into an absolute slog that I had to force myself to finish. Sometimes I get spiteful about finishing books, and this is one of those. Finished out of spite, not enjoyment.
Because the first 50% of the book seemed pretty good, I can't bring myself to give it less than 3 stars, based on my personal system for reviewing books. But if my rating confuses, know that I would give it 2 stars before I would recommend it to anyone. Ever.
This was a disappointing and very very frustrating read. She is one dimensional and and idiot making bad decisions after bad decisions. He is awful, I mean they meet and he throws her off a building…charming
I have stayed away from vampire books for a while, but the description intrigued me and I'm so glad I read it. Well written, great plot. Ill definitely give the next book a try.
Morgan is a witch and destined to be the queen of the House of Winterborne . They are the hunters of the vampires. But her Uncle Cabot wants the control of Winterborne.