Helpful Score: 3
As a fan of Linda Howard and JR Ward I found this to be a little of both. To be honest I started to listen to the CD version of the book then couldn't wait for the weekend to be over and more drive time and I bought the book.
I have to admit that I preferred it on CD so much better -- Read by Vanessa Hart (I plan on finding more of hers) it was excellent - perhaps its because I read so much, I tend to gloss over sections at times -- it lost something if you didn't listen (or read) to all of it. The CD conveyed their feelings more and made all the different plot changes more believable - As the first book in the series there was necessary detail about the vampires, warriors, and the worlds they lived in. However it made you long for more of relationship building between the two main characters Luca and Chloe. I did end up listening to the entire book on CD even after I finished the book and I'm glad I did. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, which hopefully will be more character driven.
I have to admit that I preferred it on CD so much better -- Read by Vanessa Hart (I plan on finding more of hers) it was excellent - perhaps its because I read so much, I tend to gloss over sections at times -- it lost something if you didn't listen (or read) to all of it. The CD conveyed their feelings more and made all the different plot changes more believable - As the first book in the series there was necessary detail about the vampires, warriors, and the worlds they lived in. However it made you long for more of relationship building between the two main characters Luca and Chloe. I did end up listening to the entire book on CD even after I finished the book and I'm glad I did. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, which hopefully will be more character driven.
Helpful Score: 3
This book is quite different for Linda Howard and for the first few pages I wasn't sure I would like it. I really do like vampire paranormal romances and after the first few pages I was hooked. I think it is the best book she's written recently. But again - you have to like vampire paranormal romance! If you like Lara Adrian, you will like this book! I hope she writes lots of sequels.
Helpful Score: 2
I am surprised I haven't heard more about this duo because I really liked this book. I have already put the next in the series on my wish list. Luca is the Blood Born of the title- the rare vampire with a mother & father who were vampires. It is all about the vampire community, politics, ruling Council and a rebellion brewing from the vampires who think they should subjugate the inferior humans of this world. The humans play a supporting role in this book, those that are important are the Conduits who are descended from Immortal Warriors who guard the human population. These Warriors live in a alternate world and must be called here by their descendants. That is what the Rebel Vampires don't want to happen so they are hunting and destroying the Conduits. Sara is one of these Conduits who is saved from Vampires by Luca, the Council's Enforcer. Luca is surprised to realize that Sara is able to remember him, humans always forget him as soon as he is out of sight. That makes her important to him, important enough for him to guard. The romance is not a major part of the story but is none-the-less satifying. There is a huge battle that does not really decide anyything but leads into the next book. There is a lot of background story in this book, so I think the rest of the series will be even better.
Helpful Score: 1
This book surprised me in many ways, not always in a good way but it did nonetheless. It's the first book in a
new series and as in most first books it has the bitter task of introducing the world and the characters.
The world we are thrown in is nothing totally unique but it worked for me. We have vampires living hidden
between the ignorant humans who are unaware of the danger they live in. Vampires aren't completely the way they
are often pictured in these kind of books but they aren't really something new either. They need the human blood
and the best way to do that is to stay hidden in the dark or otherwise the humble humans would start a rebellion
against the monsters. That's what most of the vampires think. In the last few years a group of rebells formed
and now wants to grab the reigns of the world and form it the way they want it
We also have the immortal warriors who are there to save the human race from the danger that will come. They are
from another world and can only enter ours if invited by a so called conduit, a special human descendant of this
warrior. The conduits are the warrior's only way to get here so it is a logically step for the vampire rebells
to try to destroy this passage. So the conduit hunt begins.
All in all I think the many story-lines and different plot directions distracted a bit too much from the romance
between Chloe and Luca. I was surprised that they loved each other at the end. The world building was nicely done
and the story was interesting. The story didn't grab me as much as I wanted it too but all in all I may still want
to read book 2, Warrior Rising. I'm highly intrigued by both Sorin and his heroine Iklayina.
new series and as in most first books it has the bitter task of introducing the world and the characters.
The world we are thrown in is nothing totally unique but it worked for me. We have vampires living hidden
between the ignorant humans who are unaware of the danger they live in. Vampires aren't completely the way they
are often pictured in these kind of books but they aren't really something new either. They need the human blood
and the best way to do that is to stay hidden in the dark or otherwise the humble humans would start a rebellion
against the monsters. That's what most of the vampires think. In the last few years a group of rebells formed
and now wants to grab the reigns of the world and form it the way they want it
We also have the immortal warriors who are there to save the human race from the danger that will come. They are
from another world and can only enter ours if invited by a so called conduit, a special human descendant of this
warrior. The conduits are the warrior's only way to get here so it is a logically step for the vampire rebells
to try to destroy this passage. So the conduit hunt begins.
All in all I think the many story-lines and different plot directions distracted a bit too much from the romance
between Chloe and Luca. I was surprised that they loved each other at the end. The world building was nicely done
and the story was interesting. The story didn't grab me as much as I wanted it too but all in all I may still want
to read book 2, Warrior Rising. I'm highly intrigued by both Sorin and his heroine Iklayina.
