Everdark

This book continues the story of Riley, Eli, Seth, Nyx and the others. This time the story branches out from Savannah to Charleston. It is extremely refreshing to read stories that play in other town, not just always New Orleans or some nondescript made up geographical area. To be honest, I would love to go to Savannah and see the area and just maybe glance a look at some of the others.
The author has a marvelous talent as story teller. I am glad i found this series and hope she will continue to stay true to her own story line, and not what fans want to read

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Afterlight, so I was beyond excited to get my hands this book. The chemistry between Riley and Eli in book one was scorching, and I was hoping that passion would spill over into this book. In a way I did get my wish, since Riley was bitten by strigoi her blood is not as addictive as it was before; therefore Eli could be more comfortable around her. However, I did not feel that spark like I did in book one. They are all over each other in the first couple of chapters, but it gets a little repetitive and I did not feel the same level of excitement for them as I did in Afterlight. I did, however, like watching Riley’s brother, Seth, relationship with one of the Dupres get hinted at. I show more think there is a little something going on there and I am hoping we will get to explore that little side plot further in the future.

As for the action, in the beginning there was quite a bit going on, so the story moved along well. About halfway through though, the book starts to lose steam. Riley, Eli and crew are in pursuit of the villain but nothing actually happens for a good hundred pages and I started to lose interest. I was also getting a little confused with Riley’s feelings towards Eli. Victorian keeps entering her mind, messing with her body and feelings and she is not always so opposed to him being there. It was just creepy how Victorian could control some of her actions and get her very excited. I was not a fan, and I am quite surprised Riley is not putting up more of a fight over this invasion. She does vocally say she is not happy with the situation, but I am wondering if this is going to be more of an issue in book three. Plus, poor Eli, he can’t fight someone when that someone is in Riley’s mind. I hope this is going to get cleared up in the next book and Riley will be kicking Victorian to the curb.

As for the ending all I can say is: WOW! The jam packed, action filled, suspenseful ending made some of the slower pace from before worth it. There was a huge cliffhanger that will leave you begging for the next book in the series. Luckily, Elle was nice enough to give us a little teaser for the book three and I think that will tide me over until it releases.

Overall, this was a solid sequel, but one I did not like it as much as the first book. The slow pace really just bummed me out and I am hoping that the next book will pick the action back up again. That being said, I still think it is worth reading and getting to see where Riley’s crazy life has taken her now. show less

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: You won’t be able to put it down.

Opening Sentence: “Hold her down!”

The Review:

Riley Poe and her assorted family and friends return in this second installment of the Dark Ink Chronicles series. This one starts as Riley and a bunch of other young people are going through a change of sorts, becoming not vampires, but mortals with extra abilities. It seems, in the last book, there was some sort of attack by a specific type of bloodsucking vampire. In order to keep all of the victims from becoming vampires themselves, they had all been moved to an isolated island and detoxed, as it were, causing the vamp venom to just make them extra special without making them immortals. This show more process is especially difficult for Riley and thusly her love, Eli, who must stand by helplessly. And what she’s been holding back is even worse on everyone surrounding her.

After a successful transition, everyone returns to their previously scheduled lives among the merely mortal. But, soon that secret comes back to bite Riley in the butt, and puts her in some rather sticky situations. You see, when a vamp bites those who are mortal, their venom not only turns them, but also gives their maker complete access to their minds. So Riley now has telepathic communication with one of her makers. But worse yet, she is also living out the kills of his brother, whom also took a bite out of Riley. She must suffer through watching these horrors from his eyes, yet she is powerless to do anything about it.

When Eli and his family find out this pretty little bit of information, they vow to murder the two who are responsible. However, there are some unforeseen consequences, and I won’t tell you what happens after that.

Everything considered, I did enjoy this book and found it practically impossible to relinquish so I could do other things, like feed the kids, or talk to my husband. I find the setting, current day Savannah and Charleston, descriptive and vivid, and the mythology and belief systems quite original.

All that being said, I do have two mini warnings about this book. First, so much of what happens in this book is based on a past that occurred in the previous one. So you might want to pick up the first book first. I wish I had. Not that it takes away from this piece of the story, because it doesn’t, but there are a lot of references to the type of creatures they are fighting against, their mythology and characteristics that I am assuming are gone over in the first installment. Second, this ends on a large cliff hanging type moment. So, if you’re not into the waiting game, which I usually am not, you might want to let her finish out her storyline before picking up the series.

Notable Scene:

Nightmares plagued me; hunger plagued me worse. I crawled around on all fours, lunging and gnashing at anything that happened by. Heartbeats thumped all around me, and I could hear blood rushing through vessels. I wanted it. I needed it.

I fought to get it. I didn’t care whose it was.

The big one had to have a lot; I could smell it, almost taste it on my tongue. Like a cat, I waited; he grew close. I leapt, wrapped my legs around his waist, and used all my strength to hold him still. I wanted what pumped through his veins. Hands grasped me; voices yelled. I was pulled off. I thrashed; my body writhed; on all fours I scrambled away. My senses alerted me to another-a smaller one-but the resonating whoosh-whoosh of the substance I craved pumping through his body beckoned me. I crouched, then lunged, wrapping my whole body around him to prevent escape. Something coldcocked me in the head-in the f***ing head! I flew back, my prize released, and I hit the ground hard. Air left my lungs. My head throbbed. I lay there, seeing nothing but darkness and stars. My chest rose and fell. My heart barely beat. Stillness washed over me. I was unsure whether I was sleeping or dead.

I wasn’t dead; I’d learned a lesson. Pretending to be asleep, I waited for another to come to me; the hunger inside me roared as I sensed his approach. Why wasn’t anyone giving it to me? I’d f***ing get it myself. I waited. He drew closer. His breath brushed over me, leaning close. Quickly, I wrapped my legs around him, grabbed his head, and found his throat with my mouth. I held fast, with my teeth and body. Something was wrong, though. There was no rush of blood, no thump-thump as it beat through his body. Weakened, I allowed him to shake me off, I hit the ground, and he landed on top of me. He held me down; at first I thrashed. He allowed me to. Drained, as I was, slumber claimed me and pulled me into darkness.

The Dark Ink Chronicles Series:

1. Afterlight

2. Everdark

3. Eventide

4. Black Fallen

FTC Advisory: Penguin/Signet provided me with a copy of Everdark. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review. show less

Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy

Tattooed tough chick Riley Poe is back for round two in EVERDARK and still reeling from a double vampire bite that has turned her into a ‘more than mortal girl’. The Dupré vampire family, including her new love Eli, are more than willing to help train her to use her new abilities to join the fight against the evil vampires. Be prepared for a lot of loving and a lot of fighting.

One of the highlights from the first book for me was the very dangerous attraction between Riley and Eli. Riley’s seductive blood type was something Eli constantly battled with. In EVERDARK, because of being bitten, Riley’s blood is no longer as potent which means no more fight. When Eli wants Riley, he goes show more after her. It’s still hot, but not as much. To keep the romantic tension high, Riley is pursued through her dreams by one of the evil (or is he?) vampires that bit her. Victorian makes no secret that he wants Riley and tells her repeatedly about his sexual fantasies.

A few redundancy issues struck me this time including the repetitive descriptions of the sex and fight scenes. I also was hoping for more from the plot. It felt a lot like most of the story was killing time until they could face down the villain.

Overall, EVERDARK is another good urban fantasy romance that builds on the excellent characters created in the debut and dumps a whole heap of new problems for the protagonist to overcome. It’s not as strong as AFTERLIGHT, but it’s a solid sequel. Consider yourself warned that there is a doosey of a cliffhanger in EVERDARK. There is a sneak peak of the next book at the end which helps smooth things over a bit, but you’ll still be dying for the 3rd book in The Dark Ink Chronicles series which is titled EVENTIDE when it’s published on March 6, 2012.

Sexual Content:
Several sex semi graphic scenes. A sexual assault. show less

This is probably not a good thing and authors probably hate people like me, but I judge a book by how difficult it is to put down. If I'm constantly looking at the percentage at the bottom of the Kindle, wondering how much more I have to read, then it's not a great book by my standards. If I'm willing to stay up until 3 AM just to finish reading it, then it's good.

I can't say why I didn't think this book was great. It's plot was interesting enough. I think it was too wordy about things I wasn't interested in. I skipped a few pages and didn't seem to lose any of the story. Sooooo...why was it there? I got bored. Riley has too many people who think she's amazing. How amazing can she possibly be? I don't know...I just didn't get into show more it.

But, that's just me. I'm sure others will love it. Happy reading. show less

reviewed by http://urbanfantasyinvestigations.blogspot.com/

I absolutely LOVED AFTERLIGHT and could not wait to get my hands on EVERDARK. Riley and Eli's relationship is a bit easier now but it seems like they consume each other and have a hard time being at all apart and it ended up being a bit annoying having them all over eachother at every moment. Riley is also fighting against the venom that is now in her system from the attack on her from Valerian and Victorian at the end of book two. She is getting stronger and getting new powers to go along with the lost time and violence she has to deal with in the beginning of the book while also dealing with her new unwanted bond with Victorian. There was a lot of action and danger in show more EVERDARK. Riley, her brother Seth, Eli and his family are searching for a killer that is obsessed with Riley and is sending horrific visions of his killings to her as they happen. I enjoy Elle's descriptions and the flow of her writing but I feel that EVERDARK wasn't as good as AFTERLIGHT It just didnt hold my attention as much and I found myself getting a bit bored. Also be warned that the ending is a huge cliffhanger so you will definitely want to read book 3 when it comes out in March of 2012. show less

I really enjoyed this book. Great story with great characters. I don't normally put in book quotes, but I really liked this one and thought I would share.

"All the horror movies you watched as a teenager? Go back and watch them again. Make notes. Make lists from notes. There are survival skills embedded in those wacky dacky fricky fracky slasher stores that will done day come in freaking handy. Start with Zombieland. Smart movie, that. Rule number four: the double tap."

I will say that this book does have a cliffhanger. I now have to wait a year to see what happens to Riley and crew. I wish I didn't have to wait that long.