Lost in despair, Alexis teeters on the edge of an abyss, her lifeline of hope fraying into a thin thread. If it snaps, she'll plunge into complete darkness. With the help of her son and her writing, she's been able to hold on. Until now. Erratic impulses, disturbing delusions and her own demonic blood threaten her sanity. When she's forced to choose between hanging onto hope or letting go to serve her Amadis purposes, she faces a decision with inconceivable sacrifices. Alexis runs to the one place she thinks will provide answers, only to find herself at the center of another battle of good versus evil, not only with the Daemoni, not only within herself...but also against the worst opponent imaginable. But even if she wins, what will she lose?
Kristie Cook is a lifelong writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. Besides writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and being magical. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her puggle. She can be found at www.KristieCook.com.
Wow, this series is really getting good! The first one in this series was the authors debut and you could easily tell. She has greatly improved her writing style and emotional connection that was missing. Also the back and forth banter between characters felt real and genuine, not contrived as it did before. This storyline is quite common, Angels vs demons blah blah blah, but the author has put a unique spin on it which makes it all the more interesting. I'm looking forward to the next one. Oh, one more thing, there are zero love triangles, the author could of easily gone there at the beginning of this book, but she didn't! Yay for me!
It's funny because I'm siting here trying to come up with adequate words for this review when really I feel like saying "hot....wow... amazing....yippy...ohh...nice....need to fan self....HOT"...You think that's good enough? For those of you who have read this book already I know you are shaking your head YES because you fully understand what I am referring to. For those of you who haven't read Purpose, please do yourself a favor and purchase a little of Tristan for Christmas. You won't be disappointed.
I'll try to get back on track and get the sexy pictures out of my head so I can write this review. I also don't want to spoil this book for people who may not have read Promise yet...(again, read it soon!). Purpose starts out in the present-day and we learn what Alexis has been forced to deal with over the years. She is in a dark place and her emotions jump off the page. It's easy to see how badly she is suffering and Kristie did an outstanding job at depicting this dark time.
We get a more complete look into the world of the Amadis and Daemoni. More questions are answered and the history is explained which opens up this series for what will come up next. I do have to say that I fell in love with Owen in this book and I am currently in talks with Kristie to try to have him for myself...I really am! I swear. But Owen would have to be one of my all-time favorite side characters and he came around at the perfect time.
Purpose started off with drastically different emotions than what we experience while reading Promise; with it's hope of new love and romance. We had to get through the clouds in order to see the sun and oh wow, did the sun come out! Parts of Purpose brought tears to my eyes and other parts ..."rocked me like a hurricane"....(you will know what I mean after reading the book). It was like being on a rollercoaster until the very end.
I never thought that any other book could make my heart pound like Promise did but I was wrong. Purpose exceeded all expectations and presented a story that kept my emotions on high-alert. A true masterpiece that will appeal to all paranormal romance fans.
I thought I liked the series opener, Promise, but I had no idea how much I would love the second installment. Honestly, it was even better than the first. I'm loving everything about this series and can't believe I have to wait so long to find out what happens next in the third book. Kristie Cook really knows how to keep her readers and fans wanting more!
Promise left me very sad at the end and I wad dying to know what would become of Tristan and Alexis would deal with everything that happened. She was still waiting for answers to so many questions and dealing with a broken heart on top of it all. It just seemed so unfair. Then to find out that Cook has flashed us seven years down the line, I felt like my heart broke all over again for her. But it wasn't all heartache and sadness in this installment. Cook brought back the romance, the wonderful relationships Alexis shares with her family and friends (Sophia, Rina and Owen) and on top of it all we get to know Dorian as well. I adored him and loved their relationship. What a cute and sassy kid! Too cute for words.
I know this isn't a young adult series per se, but I think it still fits for the older YA audience. It's got all the great elements you want in a story and series and Cook's writing flows without effort. It's captivating and full of fun (and sometimes scary) surprises. I can only hope the third installment in the Soul Savers series comes out soon because once again Cook left me with questions I want answers to and not to mention I just can never get enough of these characters! I loved, loved, loved this book!
This wasn't an easy read. In the first book, we don't know the outcome of whether or not Tristian is alive. We see the birth of Dorian and the book comes to an end. The beginning of this we see that 7 years has gone by. And Alexis is still in a very emotional grieving process. I had a couple problems with this. It's been 7 years, she should have found a way to cope by then. She should have been rational to be a mother to her son. The extreme emotional breakdowns, after so many years, were too much too often. The first half of the book is really just her spending all her time crying and it wasn't much of a story. It really took away from the story and I almost didn't finish it.
This book did have an interesting story, I just wish so much of the pages weren't wasted on an emotional basket case who needed to grow up. The storyline of not giving birth to a daughter (never happened before) was interesting and while it probably will be explored later, I thought could have been used to give us something interesting to latch onto in the first half of the book.
I liked the first book. I did. Nothing spectacular, but it was still a decent read. I'm hoping the next is nothing like the first half of this book. The character was just too weak for me to like.
Today's review is on the book Purpose by: Kristie Cook
Puropse is the second book in Cook's Soul Savers series and sadly is a big flop in my opinion.
The first quarter of the book focuses on Alexis and her self loathing. Even with Tristan being gone for 7 years she still mourns his loss to the point where I as a reader became bored out of my mind. She is so distraught that her mother has pretty much taken over as a parent of Alexis' son Dorian.
Finally, when I was just about ready to put the book down and never pick it back up, Tristan comes back into the fold. I was hoping for much more adventure than actually happened. I still felt that Cook hasn't identified her audience properly as the more romantic and steamy moments left me hanging. If your going to write steamy, then do it. Don't stop short, or don't do it at all.
I was amazed at the lack of attention that Dorian received throughout the book. Even when reunited with his father.
This book didn't leave me hanging on the edge of my seat, it just left me hanging.
This book was better than Promise, and I loved Promise! There is not much I can say without spoiling the book. I'll say that I couldn't put it down. I really got invested in Alexis and her emotions, almost like I could feel everything she did. It made for a pretty intense read. I can't wait till the next one comes out. Please hurry Kristie!! If you haven't read them, get on it! Warning: There is a bit of language and sex. So steer clear if you can't handle that.
I received the book for free through Goodreads First Reads.
The book as a whole was a satisfying sequel to Purpose, though you won't feel that on the first quarter of the book. Life and real action begins on the second quarter of the book. The thing that made it different from Promise is the fact that it reveals another aspect of Tristan and Alexis' love, and the Amadis in general. The way Alexis has different personalities and turned moody most of the time, really irritated me to the bones. and I admired how Sophia was able to stand up by her. There was a point when I persuaded her myself to consider Owen already! Just when I thought that the story was going another path, but Tristan unexpectedly appears!..and so many things happened in the duration of a week or two. Finally, most of the questions that left us hanging on Promise are finally answered here, after reading it, I finally understood and was able to say "Ah, that's why."...
The book had the same theme as "Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader". The real battle is within you, and most people don't know this. It's about choosing the right path, and how these choices determine our future, what happened to Alexis. The hardest part of it all is when it is your own love that hurts you the most, and despite all your efforts, it doesn't end well. However, "Purpose" gave us a lesson that in these times, it is only with God that we can find true hope,and he has a plan for us, and everything will work out according to His plan for us, our "purpose" here on Earth. In addition, the book reminded me how to remain faithful. Alexis, though absurd as she may be in other's eyes, but she knew deep inside how to be a loyal and faithful wife. One thing that taught me though: I shouldn't give up on things I believe in. I should remain faithful despite when others pressure me to do something I don't like. It kind of can relate to the idea of having faith on the promises of God. Though we don't understand things right now doesn't mean He won't fulfill His promises to us..
In the end, the book had a great storyline, plot, very effective characters, and surprisingly we can learn a lesson from this novel.(:
After reading book 1 "Promise" I jumped back onto Amazon and bought Purpose I just couldn't wait to find out what happens next, I'm so glad I did. This book is 7 years later from the first.
Wow! Kristie Cook has done it again! This book seriously just blew my mind. Had me literally hanging on every word, I started reading in the morning and finished by night. Thank goodness I'm a woman cause the multitasking thing I concured! My kindle didn't leave my hand all day. LOL!
Right from the start I was drawn in, the way Kristie Cook wrote the emotion coming from the main character Alexis was so powerful it had me sitting with a box of tissues ( I partly blame the hormones lol) I felt her heartbreaking pain, her sorrow and all her multi Alexis confusion. As the plot builds on we feel Alexis get stronger and the spine tingling love returns in full force. *sigh*
You connect well with each individual character, they all have their own unique quality that brings life to this story and they always bring a smile to your face, even fits of giggles.
This story is action packed and full of surprises, who doesn't love that?! We get some answers concerning Alexis, and have more questions by the end. I can't WAIT to find out what happens next in book 3 Devotion. Such a thrilling continuation from Promise.
3.5 rating! After that cliff-hanger at the end of Promise (book 1) I had to start this book straight away. I was dying to find out what happened! And again, Kristie Cook doesn’t disappoint with her story.
After the events in Promise….seven years have passed. Everyone believes Tristan is dead other than Alexis. As the years have gone by, Alexis has never given up hope but has slowly slipped into a state of depression. As Alexis tries to battle her inner demons, she is forced to choose between her love for Tristan or to serve the Amadis by having a daughter with someone else. With no other options, Alexis turned towards her enemy leaving her life in danger…..but will anyone come to her rescue?
I really enjoyed this story. Once again we’re thrown into the lives of Alexis and Tristan and it is just as good as the first one. Once I started reading I knew I’d like the story...however, I was extremely shocked that 7 whole years had passed. That’s a long time but nonetheless, it was a still an interesting route to take because so much had happened within the years. As you can imagine not being able to find out what happened to Tristan and knowing he’d been gone for so long....I did start to get worried BUT I’m glad things got back on track.
For me, I enjoyed Alexis so much more in this story…maybe not the first 20% of the book because she was so depressed because you sometimes felt the weight of her troubles on you. To say the least I definitely felt more connected to her this time around. Not only do we see her troubles but we also see her highs, we finally find out about her powers and what is actually is. So a lot of questions were answered. Finally!
I loved that we got to see little Dorian and he was a great addition. And that last scene with him….get ready for the tissues. I’d been eagerly awaiting that scene through most of the book so when it happened I loved it, so emotional and such a happy moment. I bet your wondering what scene I’m on about…well…I’m not going to tell you. Guess you better read it and find out.
Overall, I enjoyed the second book as much as the first. I’m looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.
Purpose picked up where Promise left off so well. Again, I was SO GLAD I had it by my side when I finished Promise. I am EAGERLY awaiting Devotion in Feb 2011 and Genesis, a Novella available Oct 19th 2011 in ebook form!
Alexis is getting through life without the other half of her soul. Dorian keeps her busy and so does her writing. They keep her grounded and from falling over the edge completely.
This book was INTENSE! The imagination of author Kristie Cook is outstanding. I love the paranormal aspects that Author Kristie Cook brings to life not only in her book but through the writing of Alexis.
In Purpose, Alexis must find her PURPOSE. She must choose...Heaven or Hell. Happiness or eternal sorrow. Will the good in her overcome the demon blood or will the evil conquer all?
The action, love, devotion, back stabbing, friends, foes and everything in between is so prominent in this book. Alexis discovers a side of herself that she never knew existed. Boy is it one heck of a side too!!
When you have paranormal creatures of all types going up against each other, whose side do you think they will take? I PROMISE that PURPOSE will give you a thrill as you read to find out and more!!
(Again...I keep my reviews very spoiler free so I am holding a lot back on this review. I really highly suggest you reading this ADULT series)!!!
Purpose is even better than the book that came before it! If I could give this book an infinite rating, I would. In Promise, Kristie Cook showed us the joy and happiness of first and true love. But in Purpose, she shows us the opposite; the heartache and despair left behind when that love and hope is taken away.
It's been seven years since the Daemoni attack that took Tristan away from Alexis. It's unknown whether he's alive or dead. The only things keeping Alexis from plunging head-first into darkness are her son Dorian, her writing, and the thin ray of hope that Tristan is still alive; but that hope is dwindling.
When the Daemoni threaten to take away the only things left in her life that are keeping her going, Alexis travels to the one place she believes still holds a strong connection to her lost love. With the Ang'dora fast approaching, the battle of good versus evil not only against the Daemoni but within her own mind, and a battle against the one opponent she could never kill, Alexis will have to find the strength to save herself and those she loves.
As I said in my review for Promise, I love how Kristie makes her characters so real, but it's the emotion of the characters and the story that stands out the most. I don't think I've ever read a book or series that made me feel as much as this one does. The emotion rolls right off the pages and wash over you. There is no way you could feel nothing while reading this book.
In Purpose, Alexis is lost in the despair and heartache of Tristan's absence. Hanging on the edge of sanity, her mind has fractured to help cope with the loss: there's Almost Alexis who is close but not quite Real Alexis, Foggy Alexis who keeps her in a state of numbness, Swirly Alexis who mixes fact and fiction, Psycho Alexis who lashes out at the slightest provocation, and then there's Evil Alexis who is her own Daemoni side whispering evil in her ear. If not for Dorian and her writing, she would surely have given up hope. But now with the added threat of the Daemoni, as well as the Amadis, threatening to take that hope away permanently, Alexis is more determined than ever to hang on no matter what. So she travels to Florida where the beach house Tristan built her is located, hoping that their happy memories will help strengthen her resolve. While there she makes an unexpected and unbelievable discovery, comes into her powers as the goes through the Ang'dora, and once again has to battle the Daemoni.
Her son, Dorian, is such an adorably sweet little boy. Already coming into his father's warrior strength, and possessing his mother's fierce protectiveness, Dorian is wise beyond his six years of age. He also holds Alexis' great capacity to love. Having never met Tristan, and because of Alexis making sure that Dorian knows who his father is and that he is loved by Tristan, Dorian is able to love and miss this father. That love causes him to get into numerous fights at school when the other kids say horrible things about Tristan. As a very young boy he has a strength of character that I can't help but admire.
There is so much more I would love to say about Purpose, but I really don't want to give anything away and spoil the story for anyone else. Where Promise ended bitter-sweetly, Purpose finishes on a much better note. I'll leave this review with this thought: The best kind of true love is born from adversity and hard work and is fated to last forever.
It was more than easy to fall in love with the first book in the Soul Savers series – Promise. With an incredible story, writing and amazing characters that stick with you, I knew that as I read the last page I needed to know more. Thankfully I didn’t have to wait but a few short months for the second book – Purpose to be released. Let me just say that Cook has totally outdone herself. Her writing and story from one book to the next blended and flowed and her characters were the same that I fell in love with from the first book.
Purpose takes place 7 years after Promise left off. It’s a whirlwind of sorts learning all that’s happened in Alexis’s life over those years. She’s struggling with everything and for good reason. If you haven’t read Promise, you need to start there to know just what I’m talking about. She’s lost and more than broken and doesn’t know how to deal even after all these years that an extremely traumatic event that happened at the end of Promise. You can see and almost feel her struggles right along with her. She’s become one of those characters for me that I feel I know and understand and I’m excited to read more throughout the continuation of the series.
As with every series it’s great to learn more about the history of all the characters especially when dealing with otherworldly beings. It was great to learn right along with Alexis some of what she not only has become but some of what she’ll be forced to deal with throughout her life. I’m looking forward to learning more about both the Amadis and Daemoni races in future books, as I believe that Cook has just touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to both. The mystery behind each race left so many questions in Promise, yet with Purpose, Cook made it a point to answer some, yet left others open. The unanswered questions didn’t take away from the story in the slightest. Especially since this is only a small part of a much larger story, with many more books yet to come *Happy Dance*!
Ohhh and there’s just now way I could forget to mention Owen. He was much more of a character in this book and, well, he quickly found a spot in my heart and that spot is still burning bright. He blended in perfectly and I believe he has a larger part in the series in the books to come. His story needs to be told *hint hint Kristie!*.
With emotions running high from Promise to Purpose - It’s thrilling, fast paced, sexy – with moments I found myself shaking my head, my heart breaking a little, gasping or laughing out loud. Let’s just say that I’ll never be able to listen to the song “Rock You like a Hurricane” the same again. Get the books and read them quick to find just exactly what I’m talking about!
Cook has what it takes in these self published works to take this industry by storm. If you have yet to read Promise, you have to fix that soon. It’s a MUST read for everyone who loves great writing and characters that stick with you. Promise and Purpose quickly became two of my favorite books in 2010 and two books that I’ll be reading over and over again for a long time to come. Anyone who loves a good paranormal story with a steamy romance, you have found the perfect two books just for you. I highly recommend both Promise and Purpose to everyone. Enjoy!
For more info and reviews please visit my Book Review Blog here - A Life Bound By Books
Alexis is heartbroken at the loss of her husband and soul mate. Each day is a battle for her sanity. With her son, mother and writing to relay on Alexis is barely making it till one day she decides something needs to be done before her delusions and demonic blood take her over the edge. Returning to a place with happy memories, Alexis makes a very dangerous decision involving the evil Daemoni that leads to an unexpected discovery.
This review contains spoilers from the first book in the series, Promise. This was a difficult review to write because there is one really big thing that cannot be given away but here goes nothing.....
For those who read Promise, you shared the loss of Tristan with Alexis only to be followed by the birth of their son. The problem there being that only women can rule the Amadis which are a like an angel army that fight the Daemoni and help save souls of humans. Purpose takes place 7 years after Promise ends. Alexis has now become a famous writer and is in terrible shape. She refuses to move on because in her heart she knows that Tristan was taken by the Daemoni so he can be converted back to evil rather than killed like everyone else believes. She has little to no contact with anyone outside her house and has physically aged decades. Out of no where she sees a familiar face she cannot place and this starts her on her road to recovery. She drives to Florida to the house Tristan built her. There she makes a brash decision to confront Daemoni and expects them to either capture her and take her where they are holding Tristan or kill her and then she can join Tristan in the after life. What she didn't expect was......well you'll have to read to find out what happened next. This is big and I think you have to read it yourself to get the full effect.
Alexis really changes as a character and becomes stronger as the book progresses. She starts coming into her powers and they are quite impressive. Alexis also has a lot of issues going on in her mind. She has a dark voice that is trying to lead her down a dark path and get her to choose her Daemoni blood when it comes time for her transition. This inner voice really has you pulling for Alexis. Since the time of her transformation, or Ang'dora, has arrived we finally learn more about the Daemoni and Amadis. We learn their origin and I think everything becomes even more interesting once their history is told. The world in the Soul Savors series really opens up when the existence of vampires, werewolves and other demons coming to light.
In Promise we meet Alexis and are introduced to the world of the Soul Savers and in Purpose, everything is taken to another level. What Alexis is going through in her life and in her mind is darker and more dangerous than ever before. The battle to save souls continues and it become harder and more personal. I thought the pace was faster and the characters were even better in this book. Alexis really isn't the quiet, weak girl we first meet anymore and she becomes more admirable. Owen, who is Alexis' protector and one of my favorites is also back. I love his sence of humor and was impressed to find out the full extent of his powers and what he is exactly. Promise was good but Purpose was better and I can't wait to see what Kristie Cook has in store for the next book.
I absolutely loved the prologue, the opening line was so poetic ‘living with half a soul is like living forever in the hour before dawn, when the sky is no longer black, but a dark charcoal gray waiting for the light.’ Alexis’s love for Tristan and depression over losing him came across so well I wanted to cry.
This feeling of 'despair' she had, continued through chapter one, even though it was now seven and a half years after his disappearance, which I found a little disconcerting because after all, she did have a 6yr old son who should have been her first priority and wallowing in self pity for so long isn’t conducive to a good mother/son relationship. I was however getting rather bored with it by the time I had gotten 25% into the book and still she was having nightmares and couldn’t function properly as a human being, just because he was no longer around. The story up to now had failed to move on. It was quite obvious that Tristan was going to return but I think there is a fine line between suspense and boredom, at this point ‘Purpose’ had crossed the line and headed straight into ‘yawn’ territory!!
I do understand Kristie was trying to get a point across,.. the belief our 'purpose' for being here is to do good, how our choices have consequences etc. and that Alexis was having an inner battle between her evil side and good side (like we all do!!)but the point was made in the first few chapters and did't need to be dragged on so long.
I was disappointed that when Tristan did finally return it was very un-dramatic, surely he deserved a more interesting re-entrance after hearing so much about Alexis’ woes!
The action did improve later in the book and the pace picked up to put the story back on a par with the first in the series (Promise) which I did enjoy much more than it’s sequel!
I will be reading the next book.....even if only to drool some more over Tristan.....and Owen!!! but I hope Kristie tries to keep the story moving and not get stuck in one place for too long x
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I really liked Kristie Cook's first book Promise and was excited to start reading the second book. I started reading it Monday evening late and I had severe difficulties not reading it throughout the whole night. I got my sleep and finished it on Tuesday. I loved this book!
Purpose starts 7 years after Tristan had to leave Alexis. They had a very short honeymoon, which was interrupted by Daemoni attack. Alexis is still waiting Tristan to return. After 7 long years, her mind is getting very tormented and dark. She is not willing to believe that Tristan is dead even though for 7 long years she has not seen or heard anything about him. Even when she sees a video of somebody killing Tristan, she still has faith that Tristan will return.
The pressure from outside to Alexis for moving on gets bigger, the council is still hoping that Alexis will also give a birth to a girl who could take a lead of Amadis. Alexis only wants Tristan.
I loved the way writer developed Alexis' character. Alexis grows stronger as a woman, as Amadis. I loved the way the writer described Alexis' internal dialogues and that writer showed Alexis as a complex person with many aspects. I loved that there were several Alexis - the good, the evil, the confused, the foggy. It showed her like a real person with human feelings, doubts, pain and love.
Dorian was absolutely adorable, so sweet and sincere. The scene when he meets his daddy was heartbreakingly beautiful. It made me cry.
I also loved that we got more to know about Owen, I think it was interesting part of the plot.
The only thing which seemed little flat, was the description Tristan gave Alexis about what he did these 7 years. It sounded too easy, too flat. Luckily it didn't ruin my opinion of the book. Tristan made it all good at the sexy and hot parts of the book :)
Ending of the book was interesting. What will happen to Dorian? I would love to know. I am really hoping that the writer will continue writing about them.
I think this is probably the most emotional book Ive ever read. For the first third of it I felt everything Alexis felt. Utter despair and depression. I felt so sorry for her. I was desperately hoping the whole time that she would be reunited with her Tristan.
And without spoiling things too much I was so overjoyed when the story finally started working out for Alexis. Such was the talent and pure genius of the writing that I nearly cried with happiness for her.
There is some good action and Amadis magic/fighting in this book. And Alexis finally gets her turn to kick ass (which she does very very well!)
Aside from the beautiful relationship between Alexis and Tristen I feel one of the best aspects of these books is the complex world of demons and amadis. And a lot more of that world is explained in Purpose too.
Another bonus to this book was exploring other characters. Where Promise is mostly Alexis and Tristen, Purpose does explore other charactors and their backgrounds which I really enjoyed. And of course Alexis and Tristen's son, Dorien also featured heavily in the story line of this book. I loved how Alexis made sure the whole time Tristen was away, that Doren knew his Daddy had not abandoned them and that he was a good person and would come back to them some day. And on that subject, the scene on the beach at the end had me in tears of joy. I literally sat there and cried for there had been such a build up throughout the book for that scene to come that when it did, I just felt such overwhelming happiness for them. To me, this shows pure literary talent as it isn't very often that a book makes me cry.
So now I'm going to be very impatient until the next book comes out and we hopefully get to see Alexis and Tristen fulfilling their purposes as Amadis (and a few more bedroom scenes added in would be good too because they are some of my favourite bits of these books)!
If you've read Promise then you don't need anyone to tell you to pick Purpose up, its a must have! I wish I could give it so many more stars than 5!
"Purpose" is an equally enjoyable sequel to 'Promise.' This story takes place 7 years after 'Promise' ends. Alexis is a mess. Her moods and personality changes waver from depression, anger, madness and numbness. She has aged and gained weight and she just cannot get on with the business of living without her soul mate, Tristan. The only person that somewhat keeps her from ending it all is her son, Dorian. He is the love of her life and she does not want to leave him without both a mother and a father.
Then, one day, she begins to emerge from her fog after seeing hallucinations of Tristan here and there. Her body and mind are screaming for her to become healthier and she begins running as a means to get rid of excess energy. Finally, she decides to go off on her own for a while until she can regain some sanity. She goes back to Miami to the home Tristan built for her. There she receives a miracle, Tristan comes back to her. He has been held captive and tortured since their separation and he is unsure if he will hurt her.
As I stated in my review of "Promise,' Ms. Cook does a fabulous job writing incredible characters and stories. However, there is one area that posed a problem for me. You see, there are a lot of books on the market right now about angels and demons. However, the characters portraying these angels are far less angelic in their speech and actions. They cuss like sailors, covet, steel, kill and maim and we are expected to believe they are godly. We the mere humans are the ones who are flawed and struggle daily to be better. The angels and God are the ones we look up to for strength and guidance. Ms. Cook wants us to believe that Alexis is a direct descendant of angels (not fallen angels); yet, her language and actions just do not sell this idea to me very well. Oh well. What do I know? "Purpose" is definitely a good read so read it and decide for yourself.
This week has been a very good week because I read Kristi Cook's first and second novel in the Soul Savers Series! My only complaint is that I have to wait X (?) amount of months for the third novel to be published.
Highlights of this novel for me included the different personalities Alexis would take on in dealing with her grief in losing Tristan. Having lost some loved ones to early in life, I know the feeling of Psycho Alexis lashing out at little things as she is unable to deal with everyday life on its own terms. I really related to her coping skills as she tries to navigate through the haze of her daily routine trying to function with the gaping hole in her heart that was her husband.
Once again, I love how Miss Cook weaves together a very original and intriguing story line that even ties in the very genre in which she herself writes! I love Alexis as a writer and I love how she escapes in her writing to soothe herself. I myself find it very therapeutic to write when the sh*t is hitting the fan or I just need to sort my feelings out in my head. As a mother, I also think the relationship between Dorian and Alexis, although slightly dysfunctional was beautiful in its tragedy.
Okay, so another thing I wanted to touch on that I thought was fantastically executed was how this author managed to bring in a religious deity without force feeding dogma. I think it a pretty realistic concept for the devout follower (Amadis) to the atheist or agnostic (Deamoni sp?) to at some point in their lives develop a feeling that something bigger that encompasses every emotion guides the universe somehow...Miss Cook was able to deliver the force behind the Amadis power and how they 'convert' demons beautifully.
Everything about this novel was balanced perfectly. The epic romance of Alexis and Tristan was once again explosive and tasteful. I felt a connection to every character (yes even Vanessa) and EAGERLY await the arrival of the third book in this series!
I don’t know about anyone else, but the beginning of this book was hard to handle. I won’t go into detail in case you haven’t read the first book, Promise, in this series, but Alexis is very depressed. The depression is what makes about a large portion at the beginning of the book. The author takes us where Stephenie Meyer did not take us in New Moon. In New Moon, most of the depression is skipped over and shown with simple pages marked with a month. In Purpose, the author explains the emotions that Alexis is dealing with down to the “alternate” personalities that she has (evil, swirly, foggy, and almost Alexis). It was tough reading about. While I appreciate the vivid descriptions, I wanted Alexis to get over herself and just do something. Good or bad, just act!
I’m not sure why, but I didn’t love this book as much as the first one. Maybe it is because I felt like the plot didn’t develop fast enough. I normally never ever say this, but I found a lot of similarities between this book and Twilight. Seriously, I try to never compare things to Twilight because it is too cliché. Young adult paranormal books are always going to have similarities to Twilight. But, this one had A LOT. I don’t feel like I can go into too much detail without giving away any spoilers.
Here is how I break it down, the first book, Promise, was wonderful. I considered it a must read. Before beginning the next book, Purpose, I felt that it was a must read since you were left with such a cliff hanger from the first book. However, after reading the second book, I am not loving this series as much. The third book in the series comes out next year and I am sure that I will read it just to find out where everything is going with Tristen and Alexis.
Purpose was a great continuous on from Promise, filled with lots of action, suspense, heartache, and twists and turns Im sure the reader will enjoy.
After 7 years Alexia is still lost, lonely and her heart still broken,she continues her writing, just hanging on by a thread. Dorien is ALexia's only reminder of Tristan and she must continue on with life to be a mother and the writer she has always wanted to be. Dreams continue to haunt her and she is not the Alexia she use to be.
I wont go into much with this review as I dont want to include spoilers, but prepared to be enlightened and given alot more meat in this sandwich,. We find out more about the Amadis, Alexia finds out she is not just unique..... traits and insights into the past, and information into the world in which Alexia is now a part of.
Kristie has continued on her characters from book one, giving us emotions and characteritics Im sure that you will be sniffing over and characters you will enjoy. The love between ALexia and Tristan has grown, if anything I find them more in love.... The heartache between the two was well put forth and I was unsure if this love was going to live - last - ......
I enjoyed the storyline, the way in which it progressed, I read this in record breaking time, straight after Promise. I really enjoy it when I can jump from one story to the next. This story contains explanations and insight into why Alexias writing was a much needed part of her life, and how the Amadis became about. An interesting and intriguing concept for sure.
This read was a rollercoaster ride filled with emotions, action, suspense, love and the world of the paranormal we all enjoy to read. I eagerly the next book to find out the secret behind Dorien not being able to lead, and what challenges they have ahead of them.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I greatly enjoyed Purpose more than the first book Promise. While the beginning is a bit depressing to read as Alexis struggles through her daily life, the ending to Purpose was much more hopeful and happier than the first book (big time). If you haven't read the first book just know that Alexis is suffering a lot and since this book takes place 7 years after Promise I think she should've recovered at least somewhat in the time. I can understand her pain and I thought a certain someone would've been a huge help to her recovery. The way it's written you can't help but sympathize and hope for her happiness regardless of her actions. When the book starts picking up it gets pretty exciting, there is a lot going on with the Amadis and their ongoing war with the Daemoni. I loved learning more about both sides especially the history of the Amadis and their purpose (couldn't help myself sorry). Reading about Alexis undergoing changes was even better, she busts out some pretty awesome moves (and inspired me to run again, really). We also see a lot more of Owen and I was glad for it. He added some much needed light to the story. When the book enters into what I call Phase 2 things really pick up (in more ways than one) there is more action, more magical abilities, more romance, and the story starts moving along at a fast pace. I think I read Phase 2 in it's entirety in one sitting. Yep I was that eager to see what happens and I was enjoying every minute of it. I really liked that we are learning about pretty much everything along with Alexis, we're confused when she is and we are shocked when she is. Soul Savers has just picked up a lot of steam, can't wait to see where the series goes from here!
My Thoughts: My first thought was absolute avarice! I was positively gleeful to find out what happened to Tristian and Alexis. I wasn't quite crouching over my Nook, and hissing "My precious" like Gollum in LOTR, but that's highly likely to happen when I get to Devotion. As you can see from the previous posts, my obsession this week has been the Soul Saver series, beginning with Promise and also including Genesis, and Purpose does not disappoint!
We pick up with Alexis seven years later, where she's barely hanging on. She's become a successful writer, a mother to their son Dorian, and an occasional lunatic. The pain and anger she feels is palpable. Tristian has not returned as promised after sacrificing his freedom to the Daemoni save her and her Amadis family, nor has she gone through the Ang'dora, so she cannot go after him. Her ability to produce the needed female offspring to the matriarchal Adamis royal line is brought to the forefront and it's time to let go of Tristian or tumble over into the abyss...
Or option three! Tristian could come back and we watch them kick some serious ass together, show those Twilight weenies how to REALLY break a headboard, and finally become a family with their son.
While I'm on the subject, can I just say, Kristie Cook is as masterful writing fight scenes and heart-breakingly beautiful personal truth moments as she as at writing the love scenes? WHEW! I mean it was getting hot in here! I'm just so over the moon with this series. When I say I couldn't put it down, I really couldn't put it down!
Read this in 5 hours...very good follow up! It took a while to get going though. The first part of the book didn’t have much action and in a nut shell, Alexis is now 27 years old. The first 25% of the book covered the 7 years without Tristan. 7 long, depressing, sad years. 7 years that Alexis fights the thoughts that Tristan is dead. Her writing and their son Dorian is what keeps her going during this time, but even with that, she is depressed. She lashes out at her mother and Owen. She lets herself go, get’s fat, doesn’t really take care of herself, etc.
During these years of depression, Alexis almost develops a split personality. One that is her "normal" self, her "surly" self and then almost evil self. She talks to herself, she thinks she's seeing things...like the vampires she writes about in her novels. She really thinks that she's going crazy. Of course, these things are later explained, but it does make you feel sad for her.
Finally…Tristan and Lexi are back together...but after he's been gone for so long, her mother worries of him being turned. Which is understandable. After being held prisoner and being told all kind of crazy things, I bet it would be hard to hold on to yourself.
The rest of the book focuses on Lexi fighting for herself as she goes through the change, and then ultimately fighting for both Tristan and her family. Very powerful stuff.
There is so much I could say about Purpose, I'm not sure where to even begin.
This is an incredible sequel to Promise and I enjoyed it thoroughly. Alexis struggles as she tries to live her life with out Tristan and is most definitely failing at the living part. She's just barely getting by - existing in the hopes that her heart's promise that Tristan still lives is right. Her greatest lifeline is clearly her son... her only connection to her beloved Tristan.
A refreshing twist from most YA paranormal books in that the heroine ages with in the book. I found this gives the reader an incredible understanding of the character, and also gives the character depth and realism with in her life's struggle.
This book is an incredible rollercoaster ride of emotion. Alexis' pain is written in such a vivid fashion that you find yourself feeling her emotions as you read each step of her journey. Tristan's own personal struggle is both raw and powerful and leaves your heart completely empowered willing him to win the fight. The connection between Tristan and Alexis holds an incredible power of it's own. They are a perfect match.
Well worth the read and I can't wait to see what happens next!
The wonderful Kristie Cook has done it again! Just like with her first novel, Promise, I fell in love immediately! I cannot wait until I can get the next one! This book takes place seven years after Promise ended. In that time poor Alexis has been in a horrible state of depression and many other mental problems. Her mother is still with her to help her care for her son. In this novel Alexis goes through many moods that she would classify as Foggy Alexis, Evil Alexis, Angry Alexis, Almost Normal Alexis, and etc…. But it does get better because guess what….yup I am so not telling you and you are going to have to read it to find out, but awesome! I can’t believe that everything turned out okay and that promises were able to be kept. Although a lot of obstacles stood in the past of happiness, Lexi overcame them and became the strong powerful woman that she is now. God I hate trying to explain this without spoilers and I don’t want to ruin it for everyone but things are crazy hard to explain anything! All I have to say is that if you have not picked this book up or the first in the series Promise….you really need to. You will not be disappointed!
With Tristan missing and nothing but complete heartache all Alexis has is Damon, her mom and her books. She has become a very famous author but she hates the fame because all she can think about is how much she misses her soul mate, and since their wedding her souls other half. Once Rina joined there souls in he Amadis ceremony there actually became one. She Alexis starts feeling really weird and not even her precious 7 year old can pull her out of it, she decides to leave so she don't hurt them anymore then she already has. When a vampire makes a second threat about her not finishing her book she thinks she has completely lost her mind until Owen burst in to make sure she is safe. Together they go to Tristan and Alexis's beach house ob the Florida keys, she tricks Owen into leaving for a few minutes, but its enough time for her to leave and go looking for the daemoni, if she cant be with Tristan in her life she wants to go to hell to be with him or die, but things don't turn out as planned, Tristan saves her from an evil vampire named Vanessa. Once they are reunited the unthinkable happens and it will take everything Alexis has bring her Tristan back for good.
I instantly bought this book after I read the Promise, the first book in the series. It takes place 7 years later from the end of Promise. And let me tell you it is heart wrenching. Alexis is in a dark and emotional place. Still not over her loss. To help distract herself she started writing and became pretty famous but later in the book there is a great twist that deals with her writing.
She is raising Tristan and her child with the help of her mother and she has never given up on Tristan being alive. With her belief that he is still alive she decides to confront the Daemoni and finally finds out the truth. Things pick up from there.
In this second book Alexis’ character has become much stronger from the first book. The only thing I didn’t like (coming from a mother’s stand point) was that she left her child for a period of time. But I can also understand it was to find her true love.
I absolutely like this book and I can not wait for the 3rd one…especially with the way this one ended. If you are 18+ I highly recommend you to read this series!