Rebellion: The Outer Territory

Day of Sacrifice #2

by S.W. Benefiel, Stacey Wallace Benefiel

Cara needs something to live for.
Abel just needs to keep her alive.
As members of the newly formed rebellion against the Gods, Cara and Abel have their parts to she is a skilled healer and he is the Guardian put in charge of her protection. Or is it the other way around?

Genres: Witches, Paranormal, Vampires, Paranormal Romance

ebook

First published September 7, 2010

About the author

Hi. Stacey Wallace Benefiel here. I use the name S.W. Benefiel for the Day of Sacrifice stories. Feel free to leave ratings and reviews of the DoS stories here or on my regular page. Thanks!

Reviews

[Stacey Benefiel]

I have a great time writing the DoS short stories. Hope you enjoy these little reading escapes.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since finishing "Day of Sacrifice" book one of this novella series I have been crazily awaiting this release. I hoped it would be just as great as the first, and Stacey did not disappoint. In fact in this installment there was more action, more magic, more romance. In the first book the story was played through the two characters Flora and Julian. They are still big in this book as they are the leaders of the rebellion against the Gods and their askance for sacrifices. This story is mainly looking through the eyes of Cara (Mrs Grant) who is the mother of Aiden, Julian's last sacrifice charge before Flora. She joins the group and helps the fight.
The first installment of this great growing novel left me hanging for more. Well I can tell you, this one is just as bad. Stacey is a wonder with her character builds, and the plot of the storyline just keeps getting better and better. She makes it an easy read that just sucks you in from the word go.
Yet another great success Stacey. Thanks for sharing your wonderful world with us. :D

[Vicki Keire · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been a fan of Stacey Wallace Benefiel since her first foray into YA fiction with Zellie Wells and Glimpse, which I totally enjoyed. Having loved Glimpse and Glimmer, I was curious about what she would do with a more adult universe. It has been interesting to follow the characters from Day of Sacrifice a little bit further on their journey. This new world Ms. Benefiel has created is deeper and fuller, with a complex mythology and magical system that is truly unique. Gods and goddesses who are powerful but also petty and vindictive, prophecies, rebellions, angels and witchcraft- I've never encountered anything like the world her DoS series is set in. In a paranormal reading market where it's hard to find anything new, Rebellion does exactly that. With two novellas so far, we also get multiple points of view of a situation pushed to the breaking point. Characters pushed to rebel against the powers that be find new depths within themselves, and also new attractions to each other. This is something that sets her DoS series apart from Glimpse and Glimmer- there is a decidedly adult edge of sexuality. Rebellion is more about romance and anticipation. I liked the way she switched to new characters from DoS; it was interesting to revisit Julian and Flora, but from the outside looking in. The only thing I wish was different was that Rebellion was longer and gave us more. I wanted to stay with the two main characters just a little bit longer, so hopefully there will be a third one out soon.

[Christel Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please, please, please tell me I don't have to wait until March for Dormant? This is an awesome sequel, adding more character development and action! Plus, I think I have a crush on Abel...oy vie! Highly recommended, but need to read DoS first to get the basics set up.

[Sarah Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is a fantastic series!! The characters are well written and there is plenty of action. I look forward to the next installment.

[Serena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot: This book is part 2 of the Day of Sacrifice series (my review of the first one here). This one had a bit more fighting in it which showed off even more of the magic that people possess in this series which was AWESOME in my opinion. Semi-superheros fighting along side guardian angels in a rebellion against the Gods = AWESOME.

Characters: I was little confused with the switch of characters. There’s a different POV in this book but it’s the same story line and the characters. Once I realized who was who again, the story grabbed my attention and didn’t let go. I loved seeing the extent of Cara’s powers! I definitely felt like I wanted some more of the steaminess from Flora’s perspective again but there was enough flirting throughout the whole book between Flora/Julian AND Cara/Abel.

Other Stuffs: I hope that the wonderful Stacey is able to give us part three soon! This series has really renewed my faith in short stories (I’m even reading another short story that steampunk / historical).

Please visit http://pensivebookeaters.blogspot.com for more reviews :)

[Toniann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend reading DOS 1 before starting 2 JUST so you won't miss out on the beginning of such a good story! While part 1 was my favorite, part 2 starts where we left off and introduces new/old characters to the fold. Our favorite couple is still around, just not as vocal this time due to the introduction of Cara/Able, which is a more grown up type of budding relationship. I found their banter to be hilarious! Not as hot as the first pairing, but there is alot going on and the characters have new issues to deal besides the building tension. I really wish I read this on my kindle or wrote down some of the lines that had me laughing because I wanted to high 5 Stacey!

I think I usually find the dark and twisty stories to be funny because thats the kind of thing I dig. We get to learn a little about our vampire friend and their is mention of a were female, I can't wait until book three to see how they play into DOS. I have already recommended this story to my friends and think anyone who has not read DOS should download it right now!

[Lacy♪ ♫Movements of a Demigod ♪ ♫ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the way that this short story has introduced us to another interesting couple as the rebellion continues to grow. This time Julian and Flora take a back seat to Cara and Abel. Cara was the mother of Julian's last charge Aiden before his sacrifice and has joined the cause. Cara lends her powers to the growing rebellion and finds love with gaurdian Abel. I can't wait to see what will happen next as the rebellion moves forward in their mission to end the Day of Sacrifice for good.

[Lauralynn Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this world the author has created. I really enjoyed Day of Sacrifice, and I wasn't disappointed with this second story in the series. I love the characters, the action, and the emotions in these stories. Great job! I can't wait to read more by this author.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE IT!! I am trying to get all of the books and read them NOW!

[Kelly/yllektra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review for both books: Day of Sacrifice and Rebellion/ crossposted from I Work For Books

I found these books over at Smashwords, looking for something short and exciting to read and let me tell you, they didn't disappoint. These two short stories/novellas follow Flora Hamilton, the first-born of the Supernatural Hamilton family and for that, the one who has to be sacrificed on her 21st birthday to the gods, so that their grace continues to provide the family with fortune and luck and prosperity.
Original? I thought so too. I hadn't read anything like that before.

Flora's birthday is in three days and she is trying to live life as passionately as she can, indulging in alcohol consumption, going out and generally being a bit wild... It is after a party that she wakes up hangover and beat. So much that her "guardian angel" quits and it is at that point in time, where she stands so vulnerable that an assassin comes after her. Why? you could ask, she would be sacrificed in three days anyways...
Well, supernatural families rely solely on these sacrifices for the continuation of the prosperity and the maintenance of their extraordinary powers. The sooner they make use of the good fortune, the sooner it exhausts and since a sacrifice is made every 21 years, there is a possibility that the grace of the gods will be exhausted sooner than that. This is what happened to the Fitzerald family, rival to the Hamiltons. They have no more grace left but Mr Fitzerald is hungry for power and as Mr Hamilton doesn't wish to do business with him anymore, he seeks revenge by killing his firstborn, hence taking away his grace as well.

Lucky for Flora, even though she knew she was to be killed, she didn't just have mindless fun, but dedicated herself to practicing the fire magic she possessed, becoming quite the formidable witch. As soon as her sister, Fauna, warns her she barely escapes the assassins attempts to save her, while at the same time her best friend, Aiden, gets sacrificed because he just turned 21. His Guardian, Julian, watched both Aiden and Flora grow up so he hurries to rescue her when she is attacked again out in the street.
Hoping for help, they go to Flora's father but he doesn't want to hear of anything else than preparations for her sacrifice. Consequently, Flora and Julian flee and it is there in his own safe house that they bond and Julian is compelled to reveal to her what is really going on... Something that leads to ... Rebellion...

In the second story we follow Julian and Flora as they try to overturn the regime and make sure that supernatural families are no longer obliged to sacrifice their firstborn child. You'd think most if not all people would jumo at this opportunity and join the rebellion army to save their children right?
Well think again...Some supernaturals really DO NOT want to lose their powers, the first being Fitzerald and Aiden's dad, Mr Grant. His wife and Aiden's mother, Cara Grant, being a powerful witch and a wicked spell/potion maker joins the rebellion and what happens is magical and tragic and dramatic and everything in between.

Can you tell I loved these stories?
I can't believe I have to wait till April for the next story! :(
Even though the first story was 28 pages and the second 38, they felt almost complete. Of course, I' d love it if we could have them expanded and elaborated on, so that we could get an even better feel of Flora, Julian, Fauna, Clark, Abel, Cara, Alexander, Meagan...
The language was nice and it flowed harmoniously, the dialogues and plot were believable and young adults acted the way we expect them to act. It was packed with action with a dash of romance (a generous dash) and adventure and drama, with a little sprinkling of humor. XD

In just a few pages, the author helped us create our own image of the characters in our mind and really get inside their head, as it was described through different people. Not exactly POV, but the characters feelings and thoughts were described.
All characters apart from Grant and Fitzerald were likable and I have indeed, difficulty in choosing my favorite character. Of course, Flora and Julian started everything, but Cara and Abel were adorable and I'd love to know more about Fauna and Clark who are clearly meant to be!

Verdict: For short stories, Day of Sacrifice and Rebellion were a fascinating read that kept me at the edge of my seat never wanting to stop reading. It was a real bummer that we had a cliffhanger and we have to wait for April.. I want the new story now darnit! :P

Rating: About 4 and 4 1/2 stars! Don't miss the chance to read the

[Jessica Subject · Rating 5 out of 5]

*This is a combined review of the first three books in the Day of Sacrifice series*

The story begins with Flora waking up - naked after an all-night bender - to her Guardian telling her she quits. A message left for Flora from her sister indicates she is in danger and needs a Guardian more than ever. It is only three days until her day of sacrifice. As the oldest child, at 21 she must give her life for her family. She must be there and alive to grant her family favors from the Gods. It has been tradition in all paranormal families for centuries, but she soon finds out there are many secrets her family her kept from her, including the fact that she is not her family's true sacrifice.

The series follows Flora's struggle to stay alive and her fight against the gods to end the horrible tradition of sacrificing young adults. The Prophecy begins with immediate conflict and drew me quickly into the story. The background information was presented in the action but did not slow down the pacing of the story. Rebellion fits right in where The Prophesy left off, but also works as a stand-alone. The pace is slower in the beginning, but speeds up to keep the story moving. Dormant is another stand-alone but a great addition to the Day of Sacrifice story. While there is not as much action, this story carried the same intensity by playing with my mind.

Each story brings about the development of two different characters and their relationship with each other. They are all involved in the fight against the gods, but each one finds and/or fights for love.

Day of Sacrifice is a fabulous paranormal romance series. I look forward to reading the next story, Takeover, which is set to release in July 2011.

[Lara Dunning · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rebellion starts where Day of Sacrifice ends, but it is from the view of Cara, a witch and mother of a recent sacrifice. She has left her hateful husband to join the rebellion and do whatever it takes to stop anymore human sacrifices.

At Julian’s home in the Outer Territory Cara uses her skills to heal and save any others from being taken, along with providing motherly advice to all the younger rebels. Her powers are strong, but even the strong need a shoulder to lean on and Abel, a guardian angel, is assigned to protect her. As the story progresses the group of rebels finds themselves confronted with the enemy. Luckily each of the rebels has had specific past experiences which help put a kink in their plans. By the end Cara and Abel are on their own mission where their growing feelings for each other surface, even in the presence of danger.

Rebellion starts at the perfect point, right where the action ended in the last book. Using a different point of view meshes well with this sequel as the book is more about how witchcraft fits into the equation of human sacrifice and how it can possibly stop it. The relationship between Cara and Abel are just enough to keep the tension between them moving at a more mature pace. Which fits perfectly with Cara’s character of being older and less rash than the youth of the rebellion.

[Melissa Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another good, fast read. I don't think I've ever read a series like this, where all the stories are short stories. Again just a a couple questions/comments I have:

1. What was the roof made of on Julian's house? Or should I assume that it came off from the strong blast of air, the helicopter gave off because it was so old?

2. I like how they buried the dead Guardians and their charges, that seemed really sweet.

3. I get that the stories are short, so it makes things move faster than when you read a 300+ page story, but at the same time it's throwing me off. It's like this series is in the brain storming phase. Where the author has the characters and situations sorted out. They just need to add in all the extra boring details and random crap that are in most stories, the filler, I guess you can call it. This author left all that out. She gets right to the point.
That was just something I felt needed to be said...for whatever reason.

Otherwise that was it. On to the Dormant now.

[Kait Nolan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I felt like this was a step up on the action front in this series. It did not end where I would have ended it, but hey, author's choice. I really enjoyed Cara and Abel, and I felt like this was a really good continuation of Day of Sacrifice. Really looking forward to the third installment.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, this was more than I thought it would be. Review coming

[Jessica]

Almost as good as the first book but not quite.

[Hope York · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the first but it’s an Ok short story.

[Jennifer Wharton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confusing but couldn't put it down