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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
I started this book with no expectations and I really enjoyed it. I LOVED the premis it and was hooked within the first few pages!
Annika was a great main character and her feelings and actions felt real based on how she grew up. I really liked how Annika’s and Kalan’s relationship evolved. It wasn’t a straight line. They slowly grew to trust and know each other but there was a back and forth, there were setbacks. They didn’t accept anything blindly about the other and I appreciated this.
I did enjoy the first half of the book more than the second but still an amazing book overall! Definitely recommend it!
I’m excited to read the next two books in the series!
Annika was a great main character and her feelings and actions felt real based on how she grew up. I really liked how Annika’s and Kalan’s relationship evolved. It wasn’t a straight line. They slowly grew to trust and know each other but there was a back and forth, there were setbacks. They didn’t accept anything blindly about the other and I appreciated this.
I did enjoy the first half of the book more than the second but still an amazing book overall! Definitely recommend it!
I’m excited to read the next two books in the series!
Vengeance Born by Kylie Griffin is the first book in her series The Light Blade and is an excellent addition to the genre of romantic fantasy.
Annika is Na'Chi (a half-blood), part human and part Na'Reish (demom). Annika suffers daily in living with the other Na'Reish who spit on her and abuse her daily for the impurity of her bloodline. She desperately wishes for escape and it comes in the disguise of a human prisoner and Light Blade warrior Kalan. At first Kalan is disgusted by her half-blood status because such a thing is unheard of in the human world, but her offer of escape in return of safe passage to the human city sparks Kalan's need for survival so he agrees and the two escape the Na'Reish fortress.
The rest of the book features Annika and Kalan finding their way home and finding friendship along their travels. Annika is very shy and expects Kalan to hurt her and leave at every crossroads. She learns that not everyone is out to harm her and some can be trusted. Kalan learns although Annika is Na'Chi she is not Na'Reish which proves to be a huge difference.
In the human city, Annika and Kalan are forced to deal with those people who have hardened their hearts to both the Na'Reish and the Na'Chi and want nothing to do with Annika or her people. Kalan and Annika have to work together to bring piece to the city and to each other.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I picked it up with the intention of something to fill my time before my other books came in at the library. But once I entered the world of Light Blades and Na'Reish I found I really liked what I was reading. The characters are very well constructed, the imagery Griffin writes is vivid, and you are heart broken at the harsh treatment Annika has had to consistently endure. I found myself wanting more by the end and am now desperately awaiting the sequel.
I would suggest this book to those who enjoy an intricate romantic fantasy.
Annika is Na'Chi (a half-blood), part human and part Na'Reish (demom). Annika suffers daily in living with the other Na'Reish who spit on her and abuse her daily for the impurity of her bloodline. She desperately wishes for escape and it comes in the disguise of a human prisoner and Light Blade warrior Kalan. At first Kalan is disgusted by her half-blood status because such a thing is unheard of in the human world, but her offer of escape in return of safe passage to the human city sparks Kalan's need for survival so he agrees and the two escape the Na'Reish fortress.
The rest of the book features Annika and Kalan finding their way home and finding friendship along their travels. Annika is very shy and expects Kalan to hurt her and leave at every crossroads. She learns that not everyone is out to harm her and some can be trusted. Kalan learns although Annika is Na'Chi she is not Na'Reish which proves to be a huge difference.
In the human city, Annika and Kalan are forced to deal with those people who have hardened their hearts to both the Na'Reish and the Na'Chi and want nothing to do with Annika or her people. Kalan and Annika have to work together to bring piece to the city and to each other.
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. I picked it up with the intention of something to fill my time before my other books came in at the library. But once I entered the world of Light Blades and Na'Reish I found I really liked what I was reading. The characters are very well constructed, the imagery Griffin writes is vivid, and you are heart broken at the harsh treatment Annika has had to consistently endure. I found myself wanting more by the end and am now desperately awaiting the sequel.
I would suggest this book to those who enjoy an intricate romantic fantasy.
Hmmmm...what did I think of this book? Well, with the exception of a few parts this would be an excellent book for Young Adults. Annika is half human, half demon and is shunned by both worlds. She needs to drink blood to survive so of course the humans (who actually don't know that a human/demon hybrid exists) assume she is a demon. The demons treat her like a human because she has compassion for them. Annika meets human Light Blade warrior Kalan in her father's dungeon (her father as it happens is the leader of the demons) and helps him escape on the condition that he take her with him.
The humans worship a Goddess who is simply referred to as "She" or "Her" throughout the book. The Goddess has foretold that the arrival of Annika is important to the humans and she is important to the survival of the Goddess' children. Of course not all the humans believe Annika should be allowed to live so some drama ensues.
I'm still not very clear what exactly a Light Blade is or the importance of human/demon hybrids but I have hope that as this series progresses things will be explained.
All in all this was an enjoyable fantasy romance, it sort of reminded me of the Christine Feehan "Dark" series without as much violence and sex.
The humans worship a Goddess who is simply referred to as "She" or "Her" throughout the book. The Goddess has foretold that the arrival of Annika is important to the humans and she is important to the survival of the Goddess' children. Of course not all the humans believe Annika should be allowed to live so some drama ensues.
I'm still not very clear what exactly a Light Blade is or the importance of human/demon hybrids but I have hope that as this series progresses things will be explained.
All in all this was an enjoyable fantasy romance, it sort of reminded me of the Christine Feehan "Dark" series without as much violence and sex.
Yawn. When will I learn to stop buying books because they have pretty covers?
Never, apparently. This is part of a trilogy. But not for me!
Never, apparently. This is part of a trilogy. But not for me!
This book was so captivating that I couldn't put it down. I finished reading this in one day! I loved the slow build up of trust and affection between Kalan and Annika. It was refreshing watching them learn to trust each other and slowly develop feelings for one another. It made their relationship seem more realistic and less forced. This book captured my interest from the first page and just kept reeling me until the very end. There was so much tension and suspense that made this an all the more interesting read. I look forward to the next book in this series.
Even though I put this one on the "fantasy" shelf, the truth is - it's a typical romance. A new take on the Romeo and Juliet. Only Juliet is half-demon. And Romeo is the great human leader fighting demons. And both of them don't have time to get married and kill themselves for love - no, they are far too busy running away from their enemies, saving their (and others') lives, discussing race differences and having sex. So yes, it's not exactly Shakespeare but quite fun :)
VENGEANCE BORN is one of my all time favorite books and I love the world that Griffin has created; it’s the right balance of interesting world-building while still keeping the characters and their romance at the front. The simple story of two warring species – humans and demons – provided a great backdrop to Annika and Kalan’s love story and I was engaged from the very first page.
Annika was one of the best heroines I've ever read because she's the perfect mix of vulnerable and compassionate while also being tough and resilient. She’s lived a lonely existence, despised by the Na’Reish and feared by humans, but she still holds strongly to her dreams and hopes. She wasn't afraid to stand up to Kalan and the human Council and she knew she was worth more than what she's been given in life. I loved seeing her make friends with those who don’t judge her (loved little Rissa!) and it was great to see her finally find a place to call home.
I also adored our hero Kalan, who struggled to trust Annika at first but he held to his honor and his word and kept an open mind. He was a fair and just ruler for his people and he didn't shy away from being challenged. Once he understood that Annika was nothing like the ruthless Na'Reish he went all in on respecting her and accepting his attraction to her. This was a man who knew how to cherish and care for his partner. And the way he eventually coaxed Annika into accepting her demon side was beautiful.
This was a wonderfully created world with all kinds of potential for future books and I can't wait to see what happens next for the humans and their fight against the Na'Reish.
Content Warning: recounting of past parental abuse; references to rape (not MCs), blood slavery (off page)
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Favorite Quotes:
Annika had tangled herself in his thoughts, wrapped herself around his soul, and slid right in next to his heart. The realization filled him with the most incredible sense of peace.
Annika was one of the best heroines I've ever read because she's the perfect mix of vulnerable and compassionate while also being tough and resilient. She’s lived a lonely existence, despised by the Na’Reish and feared by humans, but she still holds strongly to her dreams and hopes. She wasn't afraid to stand up to Kalan and the human Council and she knew she was worth more than what she's been given in life. I loved seeing her make friends with those who don’t judge her (loved little Rissa!) and it was great to see her finally find a place to call home.
I also adored our hero Kalan, who struggled to trust Annika at first but he held to his honor and his word and kept an open mind. He was a fair and just ruler for his people and he didn't shy away from being challenged. Once he understood that Annika was nothing like the ruthless Na'Reish he went all in on respecting her and accepting his attraction to her. This was a man who knew how to cherish and care for his partner. And the way he eventually coaxed Annika into accepting her demon side was beautiful.
This was a wonderfully created world with all kinds of potential for future books and I can't wait to see what happens next for the humans and their fight against the Na'Reish.
Content Warning: recounting of past parental abuse; references to rape (not MCs), blood slavery (off page)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Favorite Quotes:
Annika had tangled herself in his thoughts, wrapped herself around his soul, and slid right in next to his heart. The realization filled him with the most incredible sense of peace.
This cover made me realize the importance of good lighting on my cleavage. Seriously the light is coming from behind her but is somehow also on her boobs. Maybe that's also some of her magic powers.
Also the book was good too 😃
Also the book was good too 😃
