House of Kings by Keary Taylor ~ Book Review

Book Synopsis:

Alivia’s father left her a letter before he died, begging her to stay away from the King and the Royals. But it was a plea made in vain. She never could have run from this life, not when she might be Cyrus’ resurrected queen. The King has arrived in Silent Bend and with him, he brought the end to Alivia’s mortal life. 

Uncontrollable bloodlust and an ever-shifting world rule her nights now. These twisted politics are deadly enough, but now her heart is the newest battleground. There’s no hiding from the one who hates everything she was born to, a spy who embraces everything she’s become, and a King who vies for someone she may soon remember. 

The games have begun. The House of Conrath is growing. Blood will be shed, the bodies will fall. Alliances will be tested and old enemies look like harmless children compared to the new ones rising from the shadows.  

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About the Author:

Keary Taylor grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now splits her time between a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest and Utah, with her husband and their two children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night. 

Book Review:

House of Kings is the third book in Taylor’s House of Royals series. Let me stress this is more than a trilogy. It is not apparent how many books are anticipated for this series, but Taylor has acknowledged that two more books will follow House of Kings within the year. And, it will take at least two more books to complete this story, judging by where House of Kings leaves us hanging. 

Alivia is officially dead or undead. The story begins with her waking up as a vampire and rightful ruler of the Southern Mississippi vampire coven, a role she inherited from her father’s royal bloodline. Alivia battles accepting who she now is and fighting to remain who she once was, while playing careful politics with a mad king. There is no room for error, and enemies are waiting to trip her around every corner. 

Adhere to these two warnings: Read the series in order, and be prepared for feelings of frustration after this third one. Just when you think the end is insight and answers will be revealed, Taylor pulls the rug from under you, and you will have many more questions. However, it’s the anxiety of the storyline and your anticipation for the next installment that will have you hooked on this series!  

I have a feeling the next two books will have much to reveal. So, for now, I rate this one 3.75 stars.  

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Andrea'. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~ 

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House of Pawns by Keary Taylor - Book Review

Book Synopsis:

The town of Silent Bend is about to explode into a war. Alivia swore to take the House from Jasmine after what she did, but it won’t happen without retaliation. The whole town is caught in the crosshairs of their manipulation and the body count is climbing. 

The explanation for Ian’s change is one he just can’t accept. To Alivia, it should fix all their problems, but Ian has become everything he hates most. And Liv accepting her fate and position will test their relationship to the breaking point. 

The threat of the King’s arrival looms just weeks away, and Alivia knows he will kill her as soon as he comes. She’ll need supporters at her side—immortal ones. And that means turning old enemies into loyal subjects… 

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Learn more about author, Keary Taylor.

Book Review:

House of Pawns is the second book following Taylor’s House of Royals. This book jumps right back where Taylor left us grasping, which I love! Folks, I devoured this one in 48 hours... during a workweek. 

We are immediately submerge back into Alivia’s world in Southern Mississippi where she has inherited a mansion, a chance at immortality pending violent death, and a vampire coven.  

Alivia’s character matures greatly in the second book. I thought the well established and brilliant theme of suppression would continue. However, I was wrong. Instead, there is raw reality of leadership and loyalty flowing through the pages. 

There is a dramatic difference between what we want to do and what we have to do whether out a sense of duty or destiny. As children, we are told this. As adults, we know its truth. However, heroes forfeit more than desire and will. They make hard scarifies for the greater good. Heroes and great leaders earn loyalty by first being loyal. A lesson young Alivia learns very quickly.

“You have my loyalty if I can count on yours,” I promise Anna as she looks back me. 

Yes, Taylor delivers profound themes in her writing, and I am determine that she is the queen of cliffhangers. However, it is all worth it. (I have a feeling this series is going to leave me with a really bad book hangover.) 

If you have a guilty pleasure for YA, read this now! And, mark March 8th on your calendars for House of Kings!     

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Andrea'. I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~ 

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East of Everything by A.O.K. Simpson ~ Book Review

Book Synopsis:

This is East London, where talk is cheap and beer is dear and everyone but you has an ironic tattoo. And this is a story of millennial men: of cobbled identity, flawed friendship and terrible love. 

René Dubois-Williams is thirty, and at a low ebb in his life. Jobless, loveless and living with his indulgent mother, there appear to be no limits to the depths of his degradation. But a chance encounter with a couple of old school friends—the pathologically charming Madoc, and Niceguy Howard—will set all three on a tortuous path of self-discovery; careering wildly through betrayal, redemption, triumph and despair. 

Will René finally find love with the remote and enigmatic Flame? Can Howard hang on to his bored and restless girlfriend, Anna? What will Madoc do with the body? 

Find out all this, and more, in… 

EAST OF EVERYTHING 

Purchase a copy from Amazon. 

Book Review:

This book reminds me of Fitzgerald’s This Side of Paradise, although Simpson writes about post-college, millennial men. His dark, sad and lonely theme delivers dry humor that had me chuckle out loud. The man has a way with words, and he knows it too. 

However, I found the first part of this book lacking. A good book pulls the reader deep into the story, begging the reader to loose his/her reality. The story’s progression was a bit slow for me, but I am hardly the target audience as a Gen X female. I think the writing buys too much into the egoistical visions of grandeur and the depression that follows the realization of inadequately. Whether intentional or not, this approach did not appeal to me.

So, why the 3 star rating? Either this is a well-accomplished author with a real diversion for millennial men, or there is a true talent that needs a little attention. Basically, I expect great things from this author. As a Gen Xer, I am naturally skeptical. Therefore, A.O.K. Simpson, don’t let me down. 

~*Disclaimer: This post was written by Andrea'. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own.*~ 

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