The Original

by K.M. Wray

Brie:

All I want is to get to grandmother’s house, heal her and find out what really happened the night my parents were killed.

But the elders refuse to let me leave the small town where our tribe lives. My magic is stronger than the rest of our people. This makes the elders protective.

They believe there are monsters out there that hunt our kind. And if I leave, the monsters will find me and kill me like they did my parents. Myth and fairy tales if you ask me. And I’m tired of the stories.

So I make a plan. It’s a good plan. A simple plan. And then I meet him. And his kind.

I think I should have listened to the elders.

Colin:

Why should I care about weak pathetic humans? Yet I do.

It started the day I met the unicorn shifter centuries ago. She offered a chance to restore my humanity, but I wasn’t ready. Something happened to my blood thirst that day and I haven’t drunk from a human since.

And then today, Brie wanders into vampire territory. She’s more human than shifter with a flicker of magic. Such a disgrace to what her clan once was.

My cousin and his family thirst for her blood. My former lover clings to the hope of rekindling what we once were. And I’m stuck with this crazy compulsion to save Brie.

I shouldn’t care. But I do.

The Original a new adult urban fantasy. A fast-paced read full of vampires, unicorn shifters and magic. And a touch of clean romance.

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 21, 2021

Reviews

[Anna Sowinska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an interesting read! I got this book on Winnipeg Comiccon and it was calling me so I had to read it now (I'm sorry, my dear TBR pile!). I liked the characters, the plot and how fast paced it was. It had some shortcomings when it comes to proofreading and the plot was a tiny disproportionate (suddenly everything starts happening at once) but I really liked how consistent the plot was and the tiny plot twist (or rather: going against readers' expectations). All in all: a really nice (and quick) read.

[Wanda Siesicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This author is new to me but not the last. I really enjoyed reading this book. The author description of the characters really brought them alive for me. The prognostic, Brie, had a different type of magic that I have never read about before. I enjoyed learning about her magic as she was finding out about it. I can't wait for the next book in the series.

I volunteered an honest review in exchange for an ARC copy of this book.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t normally read fantasy but I really enjoyed the storyline and the characters. It was a quick read and I found myself wanting to read more about the characters and their development.

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome

This book really touched my heart. I half expected a different ending, but this one was perfect. Now I have to see what else this author has to offer. :-)

[Trinity Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this take on a vampire story. Brie has a pretty extraordinary ancestry and has a lot to learn about herself and her kind. And Colin has a good heart and has lived long enough to know what kind of life he wants to lead. I like that he feels compelled to help Brie, even while he argues with himself that she's more trouble than it might be worth. I very much liked the ending and how things turned out for both Brie and Colin.
With family rivalries and new friendships, this story was a really enjoyable read.

[Quinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a book with this kind of shifter before, so it was fun to read about something a little different... and vampires! Of course I enjoyed it! I think I'll definitely read more by this author.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love!

It is refreshing to read a romance standard that isn't smut! Thank you for this book! I have found a new author I enjoy! I've also never read a shifter book with unicorns! I love it!!

[Heather Wassing · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF.
I'm not the target audience.