A determined orphan, a dangerously alluring heathen, and the search for her missing brother
Twenty-year-old orphan Kara Darling will do anything to find her missing brother, even break into the crypt of one of the most dangerous heathens. The last thing she expects is to meet Keaton himself. More than that, he’s willing to make her a deal: marry him, free him from the confines of his crypt, and he’ll tell her everything she wants to know.
Now, Kara is forced to choose between finding out what really happened to her brother, the only family she has left, or the family that took her after the attack, and gave her a home and a purpose by allowing her to attend their academy for ghost hunters.
Trusting Keaton is out of the question, but no one from the academy will give her answers. If Kara wants information, she’s going to have to trust Keaton, whether she wants to or not.
Fans of Beetlejuice and Buffy the Vampire Slayer are addicted to this new dark paranormal ghost romance by a USA Today Best Selling Author.
Isadora Brown loves all things dark, dangerous, and deadly. Things that go bump in the night and send shivers down backs are things she adores. She loves (and writes) sexy, forbidden romance, usually with some bite and a hint of magic. She is the author of The Somerset Series, The Dark Paradise Trilogy, The Stranger Trilogy, and The Neverland Trilogy.
First in the series and it’s awesome! It’s exciting and witty, it’s enjoyable and entertaining and it’s got some fantastic characters that are snarky, sassy and feisty. The author has done a great job drawing you in with incredible world building in this slow burn ghost romance and I want more!!
Surrender the void - book 1 was a quick introduction to the Keeper of the Crypt Saga and it was a pretty good start. Kara is witty and full of sarcasm more so with Keaton when their paths cross when they both need each other for different reasons. They both end up in a mutually beneficial alliance (more for Keaton i think) to help each other. It was a great read and im curious to what will happen next for these two characters
Desperate for answers about her younger brother's fate, trainee Keeper Kara risks more than she realises, by secretly visiting the crypt of a heathen with the worst reputation who's imprisoned there...but what changes her life? And how is the school impacted badly? Isadora Brown's Surrender The Void is her sensational Keepers Of The Crypt series opener that's sure to be a winner!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
3 ½ stars This is book of the Keepers of the Crypt Saga series and the main character is Kara Darling, a twenty year old orphan, who lost her parents and her brother Richard to shades when she was seven. Her parents were ripped to pieces, but her brother was taken alive, with no body ever being found. She was found and taken in by Dean Davidson and brought up at the Crypt Keepers academy. Eventually starting her studies there once she was old enough, to become a Keeper. One place none of the students is allowed to go in Ember Hallow, is the cemetery. But Kara has dragged two of her friends and fellow students to the cemetery on Samhain, to get into the crypt of the heathen, Keaton. She has heard that the crypts are where all the shades are put that the Hunters capture and she wants to see if her brother is there. Maybe he was taken to be turned into a shade. She enters the crypt by herself, while her friends stay outside and she soon feels a dark presence in the darkness. She can soon make out the shape of a green tinged figure of a man in a pinstriped suit. He seems solid for a spirit and isn’t anything like she expected, as their teachers don’t teach them anything about Heathens like Keaton. She knows she shouldn’t say his name three times, that’s for sure. He plays with her and is interested in more with her and tells her he will make her a deal. He will find out about her brother, if she gets him out of the prison he is in and marries him! That will allow him to escape the Keepers, who use him and shades for nefarious purposes, experimenting on them and worse. Not that this is anything their teachers would tell them. She knows she can’t trust Keaton, he is a very dangerous being who was locked up once dead in a very secure manner. When the academy is attacked and being ripped apart by lack ghouls, souls of the damned she and her friends are overcome by these beings and could be killed. She calls for Keaton and he is pulled from his prison. She will now have to follow through on their deal and marry him whatever that might involve! A short introduction to this world of shades ghouls, the damned Heathens, Hunters, Keepers and more. What her actions may have caused we have to wait and see. I received an ARC copy of this book from BookSprout and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
In Surrender the Void, Isadora Brown crafts a darkly captivating tale that pulls you into a world where the lines between the living and the dead are dangerously thin. As someone who’s always been drawn to stories with a blend of mystery, magic, and a touch of the macabre, this book had me hooked from the start.
Kara Darling, a twenty-year-old orphan with a fierce determination, is a heroine I instantly connected with. Her relentless pursuit to find her missing brother resonates deeply, especially when faced with impossible choices that challenge her very sense of right and wrong. When she breaks into the crypt of the infamous Keaton—a move that’s as brave as it is reckless—she finds herself entangled in a dangerous deal that could either destroy or save her.
What I love most about Surrender the Void is how Brown masterfully balances the eerie with the emotional. Keaton, the enigmatic and dangerous heathen, is more than just a villain; he’s a complex character with his own agenda, making the tension between him and Kara all the more intense. Their slow-burn connection is palpable, filled with moments of mistrust, intrigue, and a chemistry that simmers just beneath the surface.
The story’s gothic atmosphere, reminiscent of Beetlejuice and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, adds a rich layer of darkness and unpredictability. The stakes are high, and as Kara is torn between her loyalty to the academy that gave her a home and the desperate need to uncover the truth about her brother, the plot twists keep you on edge, wondering what she’ll decide—and at what cost.
For readers who love paranormal romance with a strong, determined heroine, a mysterious anti-hero, and a plot that keeps you guessing, Surrender the Void is a must-read. Brown doesn’t just tell a story; she weaves a spell that holds you captive, eagerly awaiting what comes next in this hauntingly beautiful series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
"Numquam excitare impios." / "Never wake the wicked."
When I first read the blurb for Surrender the Void, I wanted to read it ASAP. And now that I have, I see it was both different and better than I'd imagined!
When she was a child, one night destroyed Kara's family and irrevocably changed the path of her life forever. Years later, Kara is a student at the Crypt Keepers Academy (yep academy...hello castles, libraries, creepy cemeteries, dormitories, and gothic vibes!). She's determined to get answers about that night which leads her to Keaton's crypt. Long-dead and trapped, the silver-tongued heathen wants to make a deal with her... and it appears to include tying herself to him forever.
"You want the darkness. You want the Void. It scares you. I scare you. But you're pulled to it all the same."
StV was a fun intro to this serial. With intrigue, secrets waiting to be revealed, the threat of peril, and the beginning of a spicy relationship between Keaton and Kara, I have been surely hooked.
How I found myself attracted to a moldy dead guy is beyond me, but it has indeed happened. I'm so excited to see where book 2 takes me!
FYI this book is novella-length and will be part of a series of short books following the same characters and story.
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily reviewing.
This story was so captivating! It may be a shorter read than I usually go with, but that does not mean the story was any less good. I want to know more about everything that has happened so far! I truly enjoyed this book.
I adore the mischief Kara apparently likes to get into from time to time with her two best friends. She is trying to find out what happened with her brother this go around and stumbles upon him. The one entity they are warned to never meet. Only she does because, again, she wants answers and was hoping to find them there. She is told to fear him, but she is strangely drawn to him. Kara holds her own though.
Keaton proposes a deal with Kara in exchange for the information she is wanting about her brother. The deal? Just a simple marriage and he wants the “benefits”. Nothing major. Right?! Kara tried to find more information about Keaton and wasn’t able to. He didn’t offer anything up. Will she give in based on what little she knows?.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Surrender the Void is the first book in the Keepers of The Crypt Saga. It begins well enough with a bit of suspense as Kara enters the forbidden cemetery to speak to the heathen Keaton. She is determined to find out what happened to her brother Richard. Dealing with the devil or one of his minions will get you into trouble, and that is precisely what Kara finds with Keaton. She is drawn to the darkness in him while loyal to the Keepers, her family. There are several mysteries to solve here, and more will undoubtedly be revealed in the remaining books in the series.
Surrender the Void is an effortless read. However, the storyline is a bit disjointed in places. I like the idea of the series and will read the next book in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When the people you trust won't give you answers, you have to reach out more questionable sources. This is our heroine's dilemma and it is going to cause some major adjustments in her life.
This is book one of the series, so no issues there.
The is an urban fantasy/paranormal romance story. The story is well written and easy to read with a very detailed setting that is going to take some time to digest. The characters are well done and full of mysteries which I am looking forward to delving into. I like our heroine who is still rather inexperienced, but learning quickly. And in a story that moves along at this pace, she is going to need to learn just as quickly as possible. Overall, this was a great start to a new series and I look forward to seeing where it goes next.
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout for review purposes
I feel a bit like it's a guilty pleasure, but I just love Keaton. He's devious, he's charming, I'm pretty sure he's lying and manipulating Kara (and me!) and I'm just all "Bring on the deceit Keaton!" He's very well written and a pleasure to read, sarcasm and all. Kara seems a little lost with him, but she's shown flashes that makes me think she'll give him a run for his money.
This is a super fast paced tale, full of action and mystery. It hits a quick stride in the first few pages and doesn't let up, but it works. It's a serialized novel, so it does end on a pretty big cliffhanger, with most everything left unresolved. However five parts of it are published and a sixth is coming in February 2023, so it's being updated regularly.
I can hardly wait to find out what happens next, Brown's written an engaging story that drags you in. I received a free copy and chose to review.
This quick little read kicks off a brand new series. One that presents us with lots of questions and not so many answers. At least, not yet. Anyone familiar with Beetlejuice will recognize some of the quintessential characteristics: snarky, feisty, irreverent, and a whole lot of “what the heck did I just get myself into?” I have no idea what the answer to that question is at this point in time, but I’m very curious to come back and find out more. Who’s telling the truth and who’s lying to Kara? Will she learn the true fate of her brother? My fingers are crossed that we’ll learn all this and more as the series continues. I received a complimentary advanced copy of this book through Booksprout.
Kara Darling will do anything to find her missing brother, she lost her family when they were attacked by Shades. She was taken in by Davidson and he looked after her. She breaks into a crypt in the cemetery to get answers. What she actually finds is Keaton who is desperate to get out and make any deal to do it. Keaton exploits her by telling her if she marries him to free him he will give her all the answers she needs, even after looking in the library she finds nothing about him. A great start to the story but ends on a cliffhanger I thoroughly enjoyed this book and read it in one sitting without putting it down, Can’t wait for book 2 to see what happens next I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is the first book in the series laying down the plot. Graham was expelled from the academy because of his conspiracy theories, what he did was plant a theory in Kara’s mind that she cannot get rid of, it is a way to find her brother who was kidnapped by the shades. However to get the answers she must go into the crypt of an evil man. This has the feel of Beetlejuice meets the supernatural. I think I’m going to like Keaton. I am waiting to read the second book before I decide if I like the series or not. I gave it four stars because it flowed nicely and it was a good start.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kara wants to know why shades carried her brother off all those years ago, but no one at the academy will tell her, and she wonders if they even know. The only being who might have the answers is the heathen Keaton, and the only way she can ask him is to break into his crypt. Unfortunately, Keaton is asking something in return for the answers to her questions, and Kara isn’t sure she’s willing to pay the price. Interesting and well written characters that draw you in to the story. A little action, and magic with an interesting twist in the plot that kept me engrossed in this book.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.
This well-written, quick read has an interesting storyline and characters. Kara orphaned at a young age watched her parents die and her brother taken, now that she is old enough she will do whatever it takes to find out what has happened to him. Taken in by the Keepers, Kara, with the help of some close friends attempt to enter a forbidden place that just may lead to her doom or salvation. This has been a great beginning to a promising series and I can’t wait to read what happens next. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This book gives us a glimpse into a new series that catches a readers attention. I do wish this story was longer as it is an introduction into a world of ghouls, keepers spirits and more. Kara and Keaton start off rocky but you can see the potential for a great love connection, depending on what happens next. I hope we get answers to many mysteries especially Kara brother Richard. I'm looking forward to the follow-up.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
If you liked Beetlejuice you will really enjoy this story. A secret academy of keepers a forbidden soul that should never never be released and a young woman looking for answers. Yet all is not quite as clear as the adult keepers would like the trainees to believe. Lots of action, lots of secrets and lots of fun to read!.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kara was rescued by the Keepers when her parents were murdered and her younger brother disappeared. She grew up on Academy grounds and is now a junior Keeper. The one thing she can never give up on is finding her brother - no matter the cost or danger to herself. When Kara makes a desperate move everything changes and secrets begin to fly.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
This is more of a prequel feel to start a new series that was very entertaining to read. Just introduces a few characters and gives a good feel to what is coming. Lots of questions raised that should be answered in the following books. But really made me laugh and think Beatlejuice was the basis for a few characters but it really worked to get a feel for what is coming. Just entertaining and fun.
A very quick read that gives us and introduction to this new series. Kara is on a quest to find out what exactly happened to her brother. She has plenty of questions, definitely not enough answers, short on trust and loads of suspicion and intrigue. Good story, the flow of it needs some tidying up. But I liked the concept and looking forward to the next book.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Loved it. Keaton is such a character, and I loved the humour he injected into this novella with his interactions with Kara. This novella really set the stage for what seems like will be a really interesting series, and I am eager to find out what else is in store for Kara and Keaton on her journey into finding out the truth of what happened to her brother.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Kara and Keaton's story was definitely interesting all is not as it seems, there is mystery, suspense, drama, secrets and a deal in the mix that could change everything, for answers. This was fast paced and enjoyable to read. A great start to a world builder.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I've read several books written by Isadora Brown; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books.
This is the first book in the Keepers of the Crypt Saga; it is the beginning of a new series. The story continues into the next book and needs to be read in order.
I received a free copy of this book via booksprout and I’m voluntarily leaving a review.
Surrender the Void is book one in the Keepers of the Crypt saga. This book is an enjoyable, quick read. I look forward to seeing what happens next with Kara and Keaton. Along with what Kara decides to do. I would recommend this book if you are a fan of paranormal books.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Surrender The Void is book one in the Keepers of the Crypt Saga. In this book we get an intro to the series and the characters. This is a well written paranormal romance with interesting characters, and a unique storyline. After that cliffhanger ending I look forward to reading the rest of this series. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
Another great book of Isadora. This book has an interesting plot. If you like a haunting story, you probably will like it. I'm really curious to see how it will be developed, because in some parts I got a bit lost, but it doesn't make my experience, a bad thing. I recommend it for sure.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and devoured it in one sitting without putting it down, I was that gripped. The main characters are fantastic especially Keaton, with his roguish personality. I'm really looking forward to reading book 2 to see what happens next with Kar and Keaton 😀.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sorting through trust, bonds, and loyalties is tricky, especially when those you once would have trusted are out of reach, and maybe no longer trustworthy.
Intriguing ghost and danger filled universe with well drawn and enticing characters.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I thoroughly enjoyed this captivating paranormal romance! The author expertly weaves a tale of unexpected love, mystery, and suspense. The characters are intriguing, and the story is engaging, emotional, and heartwarming. Fans of paranormal romances will love this slow-burn, ghostly tale.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I enjoyed this book, though I didn't get into it at first .Kara begins in the forbidden cemetery determined to find answers as to what happened to her brother. lots of mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.