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Souls Untethered Saga #2
Truths Unspoken
Lali had her say. Now it's Kai's turn.
Kai Awana can find anyone… well, almost. His ability to appear next to whomever he envisions should have made things easier, but even after months of searching and a series of morally questionable actions, he is still no closer to reaching the one person he desperately wants to find—his sister, Kala.
That is, until he comes across someone whose ability just might be exactly what he needs. The only problem is, this someone has every reason to hate him. But Kai will do anything to ensure he gets his sister back—even if it means blurring the line between right and wrong.
See the events before, during, and just after Souls Untethered through Kai’s eyes in this original companion novel set in the thrilling and captivating world of The Souls Untethered Saga.
Kai Awana can find anyone… well, almost. His ability to appear next to whomever he envisions should have made things easier, but even after months of searching and a series of morally questionable actions, he is still no closer to reaching the one person he desperately wants to find—his sister, Kala.
That is, until he comes across someone whose ability just might be exactly what he needs. The only problem is, this someone has every reason to hate him. But Kai will do anything to ensure he gets his sister back—even if it means blurring the line between right and wrong.
See the events before, during, and just after Souls Untethered through Kai’s eyes in this original companion novel set in the thrilling and captivating world of The Souls Untethered Saga.
- GenresFantasy
Unknown Binding
First published August 29, 2016
About the author
K.J. McPike
10 books60 followersAward-winning author K.J. McPike lives out of a carry-on suitcase and a backpack. (Mostly the backpack.) After growing up in rural Virginia, she embraced the nomad life and has since lived in nearly two dozen countries across five continents. No matter where she is around the globe, she is likely consuming too much caffeine and spending more time in coffee shops than her own apartment.
Want a free story from K.J.? Visit: www.kjmcpike.com/freebie
Want a free story from K.J.? Visit: www.kjmcpike.com/freebie
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 12, 2016
This one was a tough one for me. I absolutely loved XODUS. It's told from Lali's pov and she's such a great character. This is from Kai's and no matter how hard I try, I can't bring myself to like him. It's not only his actions and his lies, but he comes across as grumpy and judgmental. It's not attractive. But his story is heartbreaking. This book is him telling Lali what drove him to do everything he'd done. The chapters are separated by segments of a letter he's writing to her that is so full of emotion, I stopped caring whether I liked him or not. I even started wanting her to forgive him. It was an interesting experience - this rooting for someone who seem irredeemable.
I couldn't stop reading. It's hard to comprehend how good the writing is in this book. To create such conflict in me. I don't know if I liked this book, but at the same time I know it was perfect. I've never read something quite like that. It makes the review super hard. On one hand I want to give it 10 out of 5 stars. On the other, I'm not sure.
I think it's safe to say that I'll be waiting for the next in the series because I want, no I need, to see what happens next. Which I guess gives me my answer that this book did everything it was supposed to do.
I couldn't stop reading. It's hard to comprehend how good the writing is in this book. To create such conflict in me. I don't know if I liked this book, but at the same time I know it was perfect. I've never read something quite like that. It makes the review super hard. On one hand I want to give it 10 out of 5 stars. On the other, I'm not sure.
I think it's safe to say that I'll be waiting for the next in the series because I want, no I need, to see what happens next. Which I guess gives me my answer that this book did everything it was supposed to do.
July 10, 2016
The most fascinating character in XODUS was definitely Kai Awana, the mercurial teenage boy with the (clearly) hidden agenda that shows up out of nowhere to help the heroine, Lali, locate her missing mother. Kai's motivation for helping Lali, once the climax of that story was reached, were a lot more complex than Ms. McPike let us realize.
In Nemesis, we get the events of XODUS - before, during, and just after - from Kai's perspective. While a lot of the scenes, conversations and events were not as fresh the second time around, it was interesting getting said events from the opposite perspective.
Needless to say, Kai is a complicated cat.
I must say, I love Kelly McPike's writing style. It flows well, and I was just as entertained by Nemesis as I was by its predecessor. And now I can only wonder where the series goes from here ... because it sure ain't over yet!
In Nemesis, we get the events of XODUS - before, during, and just after - from Kai's perspective. While a lot of the scenes, conversations and events were not as fresh the second time around, it was interesting getting said events from the opposite perspective.
Needless to say, Kai is a complicated cat.
I must say, I love Kelly McPike's writing style. It flows well, and I was just as entertained by Nemesis as I was by its predecessor. And now I can only wonder where the series goes from here ... because it sure ain't over yet!
October 11, 2016
( I received a review copy of this book. Thanks to K.J. McPike!!!)
I enjoyed reading the first book in the series which was one of the finest books that I've read. It was great reading the book from Kai's point of view and looking at the things from a different perception.
It is easier to misjudge anyone after they have broken your trust. You always have a fear of being betrayed. That's why even after all that Kai tried to convince Lali, she wouldn't listen at all. Moral of the story is that never lie or else we have to face the consequences which are definitely not going to be good :p
There was great turn over of events and by the time Kai decided to clear it all up, the things had gotten messier. It was good knowing what had gotten Kai to do the kidnapping and how the circumstances had been for him. At the end of the book there a great twist which left me facinated.
I liked the authors amazing taste of names. Lalisaurous , Xitlali , Xodus .....aren't they cool :p
These are exceptional names which I've never come across before. I didn't need to worry about how to pronounce these names as the author had already taken care of it by giving an instruction manual of how to pronounce these words in the beginning itself.
I was already excited for the next book after reading Xodus and this book has made me all the more anxious. I'm waiting in anticipation for the next book to come up.
I enjoyed reading the first book in the series which was one of the finest books that I've read. It was great reading the book from Kai's point of view and looking at the things from a different perception.
It is easier to misjudge anyone after they have broken your trust. You always have a fear of being betrayed. That's why even after all that Kai tried to convince Lali, she wouldn't listen at all. Moral of the story is that never lie or else we have to face the consequences which are definitely not going to be good :p
There was great turn over of events and by the time Kai decided to clear it all up, the things had gotten messier. It was good knowing what had gotten Kai to do the kidnapping and how the circumstances had been for him. At the end of the book there a great twist which left me facinated.
I liked the authors amazing taste of names. Lalisaurous , Xitlali , Xodus .....aren't they cool :p
These are exceptional names which I've never come across before. I didn't need to worry about how to pronounce these names as the author had already taken care of it by giving an instruction manual of how to pronounce these words in the beginning itself.
I was already excited for the next book after reading Xodus and this book has made me all the more anxious. I'm waiting in anticipation for the next book to come up.
July 25, 2016
Nemesis, the followup companion novel to K.J. McPike's award-winning debut paranormal thriller, XODUS, stands on its own as an entertaining, action-packed, and well-written addition to the Astralis series.
As with any great conflict, there are two sides to every story. Told from Kai Awana's perspective, Nemesis offers an alternative narrative to the events that transpired in XODUS. Through his eyes, we are able to delve into Kai's intricate past, his internal conflicts with his own identity, and his complex relationships with XODUS' protagonist, Lali Yavari, and (surprisingly) XODUS' main antagonist, Cade. With Kai's personality as its main star, Nemesis shines with quick-witted remarks and laugh-out-loud punchlines speckled throughout its pages.
A must-read for every Astralis fan, K.J. McPike's Nemesis is a treasure trove of new information about the past and future of the Astralis universe (i.e. filling fans in on what really happened to Lali's mother, Xiomara, during those first few months and the rise of a NEW and SHOCKING "big bad"), and serves as a deeply personal case study of what it means to be truly human, a constant struggle with one's own morals and conscience.
As with any great conflict, there are two sides to every story. Told from Kai Awana's perspective, Nemesis offers an alternative narrative to the events that transpired in XODUS. Through his eyes, we are able to delve into Kai's intricate past, his internal conflicts with his own identity, and his complex relationships with XODUS' protagonist, Lali Yavari, and (surprisingly) XODUS' main antagonist, Cade. With Kai's personality as its main star, Nemesis shines with quick-witted remarks and laugh-out-loud punchlines speckled throughout its pages.
A must-read for every Astralis fan, K.J. McPike's Nemesis is a treasure trove of new information about the past and future of the Astralis universe (i.e. filling fans in on what really happened to Lali's mother, Xiomara, during those first few months and the rise of a NEW and SHOCKING "big bad"), and serves as a deeply personal case study of what it means to be truly human, a constant struggle with one's own morals and conscience.
July 10, 2016
Hmm, what can I say about Nemesis (Astralis #1.5)…how about it’s awesome. Though it’s set during and just after the events of Xodus I did not feel it was repetitive because this time around it’s told trough Kai’s perspective and allows for the reader to get a deeper understanding of his character.
With K.J. McPike’s superb storytelling skills, I was once again sucked right into the story from the very first page. Being inside Kai’s head was great and made me love his character even more. He was easily relatable and I completely understood and sympathized with him on the things he had to do because he truly believed it was the only choice he had in getting his sister back. He struggled with the rights and the wrongs and that added to the likability of his character. He was doing villainous things, but he wasn’t a villain.
Reading Nemesis, greatly added to the story world K.J. McPike has created and I highly recommend it to everyone who enjoyed Xodus.
With K.J. McPike’s superb storytelling skills, I was once again sucked right into the story from the very first page. Being inside Kai’s head was great and made me love his character even more. He was easily relatable and I completely understood and sympathized with him on the things he had to do because he truly believed it was the only choice he had in getting his sister back. He struggled with the rights and the wrongs and that added to the likability of his character. He was doing villainous things, but he wasn’t a villain.
Reading Nemesis, greatly added to the story world K.J. McPike has created and I highly recommend it to everyone who enjoyed Xodus.
July 10, 2016
This novel is a masterpiece! I was roped in and kept on the edge of my seat the entire time! Kai, the main character, is intricately woven so that he has incredible depth; his internal as well as external conflicts distinguish him from the majority of individuals, especially in how he manages to deal with every issue that arises in his life.
Simultaneously, McPike manages to have every other character have their own unique traits. There is never a point in the book where a character becomes dull and there is always advancement of the plot.
A must-read, to be sure!
Simultaneously, McPike manages to have every other character have their own unique traits. There is never a point in the book where a character becomes dull and there is always advancement of the plot.
A must-read, to be sure!
February 7, 2017
Exciting
This series is exciting and terrifying. How far would you go to save someone you love? In this series two teens have to figure that out. This series is a must have for YA fans of all ages.
This series is exciting and terrifying. How far would you go to save someone you love? In this series two teens have to figure that out. This series is a must have for YA fans of all ages.
June 13, 2017
I really enjoyed the first book in the Astralis Series by K.J.McPike and it was worth every star. Guess what, so is. Nemesis, book 1.5. At the beginning of this book, I thought, errrrmm I no Xodus so well, it will feel like I'm just reading it all over again, do I need to do this? But I am so glad I did. There is a,ways two sides to the same coin, and yes it is the same story, but again gives you so much more and a totally different perception of things, when we learn who and what Kai, is and why he acted as he did. The emotions of isolation, loneliness, loyalty, determination, regret with the innocence of first love, was overwhelming at times ( ok, I blubbered) but the strength of Kai's emotions and reasons was so strong, it was hard to berate him. Alongside Kai, we was also given more tidbits of information about the other characters who are involved in the series. But good grief, seriously K.J.Mcpike, what a twist !! How could you !!! That's so not fair. Then again that ending was brilliant, I can't wait to continue reading this series.
October 24, 2016
Last year I read K.J. McPike’s XODUS and it quickly made it to my top 5 reads of 2015. I loved everything about the book and the characters and was desperate to read more of their story. But I especially wanted to know more about Kai. I couldn’t wait to hear his side of the story so I jumped at the chance to read McPike’s latest Astralis novel, Nemesis.
Nemesis gives us the events before, during and after XODUS from Kai’s point of view. The story flows just as well as the first and despite including the same conversations and events, the depth and complexity of Kai’s character meant the story never felt repetitive. In fact, it was heartbreaking. Fueled by emotions and internal moral conflict, Kai was driven to do terrible things for the people he cares about the most. This story shows he’s not a villain, he’s simply human.
Nemesis added so much to depth to the world of the Astralis series and I am so excited to see where the series goes next!
I highly recommend the series to everybody with a love for paranormal and urban fantasy novels.
Nemesis gives us the events before, during and after XODUS from Kai’s point of view. The story flows just as well as the first and despite including the same conversations and events, the depth and complexity of Kai’s character meant the story never felt repetitive. In fact, it was heartbreaking. Fueled by emotions and internal moral conflict, Kai was driven to do terrible things for the people he cares about the most. This story shows he’s not a villain, he’s simply human.
Nemesis added so much to depth to the world of the Astralis series and I am so excited to see where the series goes next!
I highly recommend the series to everybody with a love for paranormal and urban fantasy novels.
December 30, 2016
At first, I assumed this book may be a boring retelling of Xodus, however I wanted to give it a chance since I loved Xodus so much and much to my surprise I was blown away! The story gives so much perspective into Kia's life and thoughts that aren't presented in book 1 that I'm left rethinking my initial reaction to his character (that I wasn't a fan of at first). It's so much more than a retelling---it includes scenes/parts that aren't included in the first book and does a great job of quickly recapping scenes the reader is already familiar with without feeling like the author just "copied and paste" from one book to another. Can't wait for the next installment!!!!
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January 14, 2019DNF
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews