TEEN: Crusade 1: The Cursed Ones - Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie

Release Date: 03/02/11

BOOK BLURB:

The Cursed Ones, or vampires, have made their presence known to mankind. They promised to help bring peace to the world but then declared war on humanity. The identity of their leader is unknown. Most people are too afraid or unwillingly to take a stand against them. Others, like eighteen-year-old Jenn Leitner, train secretly to become vampire fighters and risk everything in the process. Alongside her is fellow Hunter, Antonio de la Cruz. But Antonio has a secret - he is a vampire fighting on the side of humanity. Jenn must battle with her hatred of all things vampire, and her love for Antonio. For together only they can bring light into the darkness the vampires have drawn over the face of the planet...


REVIEW:

Having felt a little cheated with the least book that I read by these two authors (Dark Secrets 3) I was a little apprehensive to start a new series. I shouldn’t have been but you know when that little niggle has wormed its way between your shoulder blades that makes you wonder if it’s worth spending out for? Well that had been there for some time and unfortunately it had put me off starting this title.

Afterwards when I looked back, I can understand why it was there but did feel a little silly when I started this title and was pleasantly surprised as elements that I’d liked from the two authors writing styles came flooding back with some great characters, some interesting premises and a kick ass plotline that blew my expectations away. I really wondered why I’d delayed and with most of my niggles soothed away by the authors writing I suddenly rediscovered with a crash why I’d come to doubt them.

Whilst the concept and majority of the book felt like reinvention to a certain degree, when the principle heroine collapsed in the third act (mentally and physically) I suddenly remembered why I’d been put off the authors as this sequence felt more like a way to pad out an idea that was only half baked. Yes that top part was gooey, delicious and full of all sorts of wonder but the rest, not so much, just a big mess that needed more time before being taken out of the oven.

That said there is still a lot of interest to be had within but the authors really need to find a serious fix for the principle heroine and one that will allow the readers to see why she was suddenly given a lot of responsibility after the meltdown that felt like it would go on forever. While I do have problems with this book, I am prepared to give these two another crack of the whip provided that the next release in this series fixes a lot of the problems to do with our heroine. If they don’t then it’s pretty much the last book by them I’ll read.

12+: Wicked: Resurrection - Nancy Holder, Debbie Vigue

BOOK BLURB:

What the Cahors witches thought was the end of their troubles turns out to be only the beginning. A threat more powerful and more frightening than anything they have faced before has been watching and waiting. Holly and the Cahors witches must come together and find Jer and Eli as both the Deveraux and the Cahors family lines face eradication. All the secrets of the Cahors will be revealed, forcing them to overcome their greatest weaknesses in order to achieve their most powerful strengths. Only united do they have any chance at victory, but before the end, sacrifices will be made, alliances forged, and old friends lost forever.


REVIEW:

OK, having loved the original two titles in the series (recently released as omnibi) I was really looking forward to something special to help conclude the wonderful experience I’d had within their hallowed pages.

What unfurled however was not only a let down to the readers but something that I’m surprised actually made it to print as the title was not only slow in pace but almost tortoise like in its exploration as well as enthusiasm. Add to the mix no fizz or bang and an almost secondary consideration to characterisation and it’s a great shame as well as annoying after what readers had come to expect.