Game of Thrones & A Song of Fire and Ice

So I've become obsessed with watching and all things Game of Thrones. During the last month of school, I watched seasons 1-3 which was really bad because I was completely hooked and I was still watching during finals week. I pretty much holed myself in my dorm instead of leaving so I could watch the Starks and the Lannisters and Daenerys.

And since I have been watching Game of Thrones so much, I decided to start reading the book series that inspired it all. The series, A Song of Fire and Ice, is a little intimidating. It's not really the size that I'm having a problem with but it is a daunting story. Based on the tv show, I know that there are some many plot lines and characters to keep track of so I haven't gotten very far into the first book yet (about 200 pages). 

I bought the box set of the first five books and I am currently reading the first, Game of Thrones. From what I have read so far it seems that the books correspond almost directly with show, or rather the tv shows corresonds well with the books. I'm really interested in all of the plot lines that I have watched and read so far, from the Whitewalkers to Daenerys, mother of dragons, to the conflict between the Starks and the Lannisters. I find that this series has something for everyone. There is romance, political drama, fantasy, action, and a touch of humor that has resulted in an amazing series.

I truly admire George R. R. Martin for crafting this exceptional world and I applaud HBO and the show's directors and everyone who works on it for bringing his world to light. I look forward to reading about this that may have been portrayed differently in the show or not at all. I'm also excited to go more in depth with the characters. I enjoy books that have alternating point of views because it allows glances into the intricate minds of the characters. You see more and learn more about the characters when you see the world through their eyes.

I hope to keep posting about the book series as I read along and I would love it if you guys had any thoughts. Have you read the books? Do you watch the tv show? If so, what are your thoughts on either or both? Who is your favorite character and what is your favorite plot line?

Photo credits:  

Game of Thrones Cast Picture

Daenerys and Dragon

Ecliptic Review

Title: Ecliptic

Author: Sara Lunardi

Series: Ecliptic Saga #1

Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, slight Romance

Publish Date: October 10, 2013

Length: 367 pages

Format: paperback, ebook

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Description (From Amazon): "Have you ever wondered what the signs of the zodiac really are, and why they have influence on all human beings?" Alex asked us out of the blue. Was he kidding? What did this question have to do with our situation?

On the night of 13th June 2035, during an exceptional shower of shooting stars seen all over the world, mysterious signs representing zodiac constellations appear on the shoulders of Izie De Rossi and her twin brother Sam, two ordinary teenagers living in London.

From that night on, the lives of the twins will never be the same. A cruel countdown begins, leading them to fight for the survival of the entire human race alongside extraordinary creatures of the zodiac endowed with supernatural powers, the Guardians.

In the midst of all the dangers and sacrifices forced upon her by her mission, Izie meets the handsome and mysterious Riley. She feels immediately drawn to him in a shocking and overwhelming way...but things are not always as they seem.

My Review: Ecliptic is an incredible scifi/fantasy novel that focuses on astrology (which I love). Twins Izie and Sam live ordinary lives with their friend Ben until all three begin to develop powers on the 13th of June. This date is very important because it corresponds with information given in a prophecy. The twins eventually find out that they are Guardians of the zodiac sign Libra.

The novel follows two plot lines that eventually merge together. Both lines involve people who are learning and dealing with the powers that they have developed. Also, along the way the twins and some other Guardians learn that not all the Guardians of the zodiac are "good guys." They must fight against other Guardians who attempt to use the unique powers for their own gain.

The ending of the novel, before the epilogue, almost gave me a heart attack and I was going to be very upset with the way it ended. If the novel had ended without the epilogue there would have been a massive cliff hanger. The story still does end in a cliff but it is nowhere near as devastating as the one before the epilogue would have been.

Aside from a few grammatical errors and at one point I think the narration switches from third to first person, and back again, I think Ecliptic is a very well written novel. I loved the action scenes and the characters all felt real. Their emotions were beautifully described and I felt sympathy and anger along with them. The relationship between Izie and Riley seemed a little rushed but I guess when you're fighting for your life there isn't much time for dating. Plus there is a sequel coming so I will have to wait and see more of Izie and Riley.

Excerpt:  "Sophie nodded, she was ready. I knew I could rely on her, in difficult times she always showed great presence of mind. She was part of that category of people solid as the rock. She

hugged me with eagerness, it was a farewell.

"Good luck." she whispered in my ear.

"Remember your promise." I repeated looking her straight
in the eyes. Sophie returned my gaze, showing me that she would keep it. Knowing that Riley was safe gave me the strength to go through with it.

"Whenever you’re ready." Talia drew my attention towards her.

We checked again that no one was there and locked ourselves in one of the cabinets. Talia took us by the hand, ready to transport us. I looked down to the watch, and when the hands were in position, I nodded.

I could again feel the sensation of floating through the air, devoid from weight and shape. Time stood still for a few seconds. Dizziness came over me, rising from my stomach, I couldn’t get used to it. 
Our essences merged into one shrouded by light.

Then the braking, as if we were precipitating into a vacuum. My heart rose into my throat, and in a moment everything was over.

The stone house and the paved courtyard appeared. Sam was standing there just a few feet from the entrance, his black eyes pointed in our direction.

It all happened in the blink of an eye.

Sophie moved slightly and my body relocated as if it weighed just few ounces. At the same time, I was softly pushed towards the house while my brother was sucked in our direction. I could only feel the air rushing past our bodies. We were close for a split second, I was able to brush his arm, but Sam showed no emotion. Then we switched positions, and I stopped in the middle of the courtyard.

Matteo and Allison didn’t have time to cross the entrance door to implement the counter-act that they were certainly prepared for. Talia instantly disappeared along with Sam and Sophie. 

Now, I was alone."

Overall Opinion: Altogether I enjoyed this novel. I love astrology and was excited to read a story involving the zodiac signs. Other than a few grammatical errors I think this is a very well written novel. I give Ecliptic 4 stakes and I cannot wait until the sequel.

Get to Know the Author (From Goodreaads.com): Sara Lunardi was born and raised in the town of Genoa, Italy and now resides in London, the city provides the backdrop for much of her writing. Lunardi has a degree in Italian, Spanish, and English Literature and when not writing, she is the manager of a wellness and beauty center as well as a freelance beauty consultant for prestigious cosmetics brands. Lunardi's passion is transporting her readers into another world and providing them with a means of escape from their everyday lives. She is currently working on the second installment for the Ecliptic Saga, The Seal of Constellations which is due to be released next year.

Where to Get Your Copy: Amazon 

You'll Also Like: I thought of Ecliptic to be similar to I Am Number 4 and the Lorien series by Pittacus Lore. It also deals with people who are from other planets and whose powers are beginning to awaken.

Please leave a comment and tell me what you think of Ecliptic.

Ghost Hand Review

Title: Ghost Hand

Author: Ripley Patton

Series: The PSS Chronicles #1

Genre: YA, scifi/fantasy, romance

Publish Date: November 20, 2012

Publisher: Ripley Patton

Length: 386 pages

Format: paperback, ebook (Amazon, B&N, Kobo)

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Description (from Amazon): Seventeen year old Olivia Black has a rare birth defect known as Psyche Sans Soma, or PSS. Instead of  a right hand made of flesh and blood, she was born with a hand made of ethereal energy.

How does Olivia handle being the girl with the ghost hand? Well, she's a little bit morbid and a whole lot snarky.

Her mother thinks her obsession with death, black clothing, and the local cemetery is a bid for attention. But when Marcus, the new guy in Olivia's calculus class, stares at her like she's a freak, Olivia doesn't like it. And when her hand goes rouge, doing things she never imagined possible, Olivia finds herself running for her life with Marcus from a group of men bent on taking the power of her hand for their own nefarious purposes.

Brief Summary: Due to a rare birth defect that causes body parts to be made of energy, Olivia becomes a target of a group called CAMFers who wish to use the energy for their own purposes at the cost of the children that the PSS was apart of. Olivia, Marcus, and a band of other PSS kids go on the run to protect themselves and others like them. Along the way Olivia discovers some interesting things about herself, her hand, and the people around her that she never imagined could be possible.

My Review: I absolutely loved this novel. This novel has the perfect balance of mystery/thriller, romance, and scifi/fantasy. Olivia is a great protagonist as she is smart and independent but she also has real life problems in her life. Her father has died and her relationship with her mother is anything but perfect.

"Dr. Sophie Black, psychologist extraordinaire, took her doctor/patient confidentiality very seriously. She never told me anything, which was pretty ridiculous in a town so small and nosey you couldn't take a crap without the neighbors overhearing and asking you how it had all come out."

The opening scene with Olivia and Marcus in the calculus class is, perhaps, my favorite of the entire novel because it sets the ground work for their relationship and other people in the scene come back to play vital roles in the end. It is during this scene that Olivia learns something new about her ghost hand, something that she has never seen before in her seventeen years. She can "pick pocket" a person's soul. I won't go into too much detail about that because of possible spoilers, but this becomes very important later in the novel.

"My mother has refused to buy a tombstone. She hadn't asked my opinion. She'd informed me, "We don't need anything to mark his grave. That's not him." So, all there was to indicate Stephen Black's place of rest, to declare his time and existence on this earth, was a small stone provided by the cemetery that said G42. G for the cemetery section, 42 for the number of the plot. Just a letter and a number so they wouldn't dig him up by accident, or bury someone on top of him. My dad was nothing but a bingo call. "

Marcus and Olivia's relationship is a very real one because not only do they not fall in love(like) instantly, but Olivia initially thinks Marcus is a stalker, which later evolves into her thinking he is a compulsive liar. Going along with Olivia through the novel it is easy to believe that Marcus is a liar and that he never wants to share the whole truth with the people around him, but after more is revealed it is easier to understand why he has trust issues and likes to keep things to himself. The other boys in their PSS group, or "piss camp" are Nose, Yale, and Jason. All three boys are great, special, and important in their own ways. I loved every single one of them. 

The thriller/mystery aspects of the novel had me finishing this novel in one sitting. It is fast paced and adventurous without feeling too rushed. I instantly hated the CAMFers and everything they stand for and wanted the kids to succeed. I also think that what Marcus is doing with the list is very noble in that he wants to save and help others with PSS before they can be harmed simply for being born the way that they are. 

Overall: Ghost Hand is one of my favorite novels of this year. I am so happy and grateful that Ripley Patton gifted me with the opportunity to review this book. I loved the thriller/action movie feel of it that kept me up late at night to finish. Being a romantic, the relationship between Marcus and Olivia is my favorite part of the novel, although it does not take away from any of the other aspects. I excitedly give Ghost Hand 5 stakes. I was also fortunate enough to win an ARC copy of the sequel, Ghost Hold, and can say with certainty that I am in love with this series and I will absolutely be reading the third novel in the PSS Chronicles series.

About the Author (from Amazon): Ripley Patton lives in Portland, Oregon with one cat, two teenagers, and a  man who wants to live on a boat. She and her family, who lived in New Zealand for five years, are survivors of the 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes.

Ripley's short fiction has been nominated multiple times for awards, and she won the Sir Julius Vogel Award for Best Short Story 2009. Ghost Hand, a YA paranormal thriller, is her first novel, and the first in a three book series.

Get Ghost Hand Now: On Amazon  On B&N  On Kobo

Water and Fire Cover Reveal

The cover of Demelza Carlton's Water and Fire is finally here...

Title: Water and Fire

Author: Demelza Carlton

Genre: Fantasy, romance

Published: August 1, 2013

Publisher: Lost Plot Press

Description: Working as a student midwife in an Australian country hospital is never easy, but Belinda finds more trouble than most. There's the intern doctor who follows her around like an overgrown puppy, the dangerous local wildlife and her own secrets she must keep. When she finds herself without a place to live, what else can possibly go wrong? Or is it time for something to go right?

Book trailer: 

Water and Fire on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18187696-water-and-fire

Let me know what you think of this cover and check out my review of Demelza Carlton's Ocean's Gift.  It was great and I can honestly say that I am looking forward to this novel.

Hers to Command Review

Title: Hers to Command

Author: Patricia A. Knight

Series: Verdantia Series #1

Genre: scifi, fantasy, romance, erotica

Published: June 2, 2013

Publisher: Troll River Publications

Length: 346 pages

Format: paperback, ebook (Amazon, Kobo)

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Brief Summary: Ari deTano has always known that he was expected to marry Princess Fleur Constante, but since the marriage contract he has stayed away from her. While inexperienced, Fleur is willing to risk everything to take part in the Great Rite, sexual practices that generate energy to benefit the planet, in order to save their planet, Verdantia. The Great Rite has always only needed two people but Ari and Fleur discover that they are part of a very rare occurrence, in order to perform the Great Rite they require a third person. That person is Visconte Doral deLorion, Ari's aide de camp, and the man that he has been lusting after for years. \

*This is an erotic novel that contains MF, MM, MMF, and MFM scenes.* 

Review: I read this series out of order, reading the second before the first. However, coming back to this one, I loved it as much as the second one. The characters are engaging and lovable. Fleur is so head strong and independent that she is comfortable going up against the domineering, protective Ari. I love her as the heroine in this novel. And not only can she take on Ari but she is more than capable of handling Doral as well as Ari. Doral is a fabulous addition to Ari and Fleur's relationship. He is a quiet protector/assassin whose main concern is the pleasure of the ones he loves. Doral is also badly damaged from his time spent in slavery. Fleur and Ari show their own protective and vengeful sides when they decide to see to the person who caused their loved one pain.
       Hers to Command and the Verdantia series has quickly become additions to my top ten of this year. I love romance and those usually fall into erotic romances. However, unfortunately they usually are all sex and no actual plot. Hers to Command balances the amazingly hot sex with a great plot. The mystery of the invading, off-world species and the person who is betraying the citizens are well developed. This novel is amazing, fleshed out with ridiculously sexy guys, a powerful aphrodisiac, mysterious and strong plot, and a trio that you cannot help but fall in love with.

Overall: This novel is one of the best I have read this year. Ari, Fleur, and Doral have a bond and type of chemistry that is unmatched. I recommend this one to anyone who doesn't mind taking a walk on the wild side with their romance novels. I excitedly give Hers to Command 5 stakes and cannot wait until the third one in this series.

About the Author: Patricia A. Knight is the pen name for an eternal romantic who lives in Dallas, Texas, surrounded by her horses, dogs, and the best man on the face of the earth – oh yeah, and the most enormous bullfrogs you will ever see. Word to the wise: don't swim in the pool after dark.

Get Hers to Command Now: On Amazon   On Kobo

My review of the sequel Hers to Choose

Let me know what you think of Hers to Command and Hers to Choose.

Review and GIVEAWAY!!! of Ocean's Gift

Title: Ocean's Gift

Author: Demelza Carlton

Series: Ocean's Gift #1

Genre: Fantasy, paranormal, romance

Publish Date: November 28, 2012

Publisher: Lost Plot Press

Length: 56,890 words, Approx. 253 pages 

Version/Format: ebook (Kindle, iBookstore, Barnes and Noble, and Sony) and paperback

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Brief Summary: Mermaids Sirena, known as Vanessa on land, and her adult daughters travel ashore to gather information on what we humans know about the changing of the oceans. Vanessa captures the attention of a deckhand named Joe who is similarly affected. Vanessa must figure out a way to continue on with the purpose of her mission while battling her attraction to Joe...and keep it from her daughters, Maria and Belinda.

Review: When I began Ocean's Gift I didn't know what to expect. I haven't really read anything about mermaids before, but I was blown away by Vanessa, Maria, and Belinda. Majority of the novel is narrated in alternating first person POV of Belinda and Joe. As a love interest for Vanessa I think that Joe is great. He listens to her and respects her enough to keep his naughty thoughts to himself, although he does use his electrician knowledge to his advantage. And I loved the way Vanessa reciprocates as an independent and head-strong woman. I became fascinated with the mermaids and their culture. Belinda and Maria do not understand why Vanessa would willingly give her body to Joe when mermaids only consider it their duty to mate with humans.
       The daughters wish to go back home quickly although they do enjoy some of the human food and alcohol. Joe is amusing and his altercations with the mermaids are great. I think the purpose of the mermaids mission to land is a great one. They come to see about the harm and changes that are happening to the oceans that will one day affect us all tremendously. This is a very real message for today's world. The story of Ocean's Gift is amazing and the romantic scenes are sweet while being steamy at the same time. I wanted to cry at the end and am so happy that there is a continuation because I would have been devastated if it ended there. I loved Ocean's Gift and I think a lot of other people will too.  

Overall: Ocean's Gift is a great novel because of its characters, plot, and message. The necessity of preserving oceans is an important message that needs to be heard so that there is a brighter future for everyone – humans and mermaids. Ocean's Gift is getting a well deserved 5 stakes from me and I can't wait to read Ocean's Infiltrator. 

About Author (from Amazon): Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkeling trip she found that she was afraid of fish. She has since sum with sea lions, sharks, and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven meter cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below. Sensationalist spin?-No Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks, and all. Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world. The Ocean's Gift Series is her first foray into fiction. She'll follow this up with the first book of her suspense thriller Nightmares series, Nightmares of Caitlin Lockyer, to be released in July 2013. Author's website

Get Ocean's Gift Now: On Amazon   On Barnes & Noble   On Sony Reader Store  On Smashwords

                     Also get the continuation: Ocean's Infiltrator

And to celebrate Demelza Carlton's novels and the the release of her novel Water and Fire on Aug. 1, alongside with this being my 50th blog post, I am giving away three (3) free copies of Ocean's Gift on Smashwords. The winners will be emailed a code to receive their copy for free.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review of Patricia Knight's Hers to Choose

Title: Hers to Choose

Author: Patricia Knight

Series: Verdantia #2

Genre: romance, scifi, fantasy, erotica

Publish Date: July 15, 2013

Publisher: Troll River Publications

Length: unknown

Format: paperback, ebook (Amazon, Kobo) 

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Brief Summary: Flight Leader/Lady Sophillia DeLorion is asked by her brother, Doral to join with Commander Eric DeStroia in special, sexual rites called Greater and Lesser Rites that benefit their planet. However an off-world group called the Haarbs plot to recapture Sophi and inflict unimaginable torture all for a powerful aphrodisiac. 

Review: I am so incredibly excited and grateful that I received this novel as an ARC because it is one of my favorites this year. Sophi is perhaps one of my favorite heroines of all time. She is so strong and independent and I admire her for making it through the nightmare that she faced with the Haarbs. Eric is a perfect mate for Sophi in that he is powerful. He is able to guide his rides and Sophi and her flights while allowing her the independence she requires to feel safe and like herself. The cameo from Doral, Ari, and Fleur is so sweet and sexy that I cannot wait to read Hers to Command. They also appear in the final battle scene.
     Unfortunately I did not read Hers to Command before this novel so I was amazed with how the even the lesser rites can energize the planet and help its people. I was also horrified with the ruthlessness of the Haarbs and seriously creeped out with their methods of torture. I wanted to cry along with Sophi so many times throughout this novel, from her friends being taken to remembering her capture to waiting on the sidelines of battle for Doral and Eric's return. I absolutely loved Hers to Choose. I would and will recommend it to anyone and I will soon be going back to read Hers to Command.

Overall: This novel is one of my favorites this year. The chemistry between Sophi and Eric is so great my Kindle almost caught fire! Patricia Knight has become one of my favorite authors and I look forward to any more books that she will write. I excitedly give Hers to Choose a 5 out of 5 stars. 

About the Author (from Amazon): Patricia A. Knight is a pen name for an eternal romantic who lives in Dallas, Texas surrounded by her horses, dogs, and the best man on the face of the earth - oh yeah, and the most enormous bullfrogs you will ever see. Word to the wise: don't swim in the pool after dark.

Get Hers to Choose Now: On Amazon

Also get the first book in the Verdantia series: Hers to Command

On Amazon

On Kobo

also available in paperback

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Review of Bethany Aan's Hearts of Ishira

Title: Hearts of Ishira

Author: Bethany Aan

Genre: Science fiction/fantasy, romance, erotica

Published: September 15, 2012

Description from Amazon.com: “Arianna was always a bit of an empath, but when she wakes, broken and disoriented, on a strange planet, she is the only human able to communicate psychically with the big, sexy Thorsani warrior who rides in with his men to rescue the Earth women from their crashed space transport.

The Thorsani, humanoid but descended from sentient cats eons ago, are also marooned on this planet they have named 'Ishira'. Hunter and his brother Jace are Commander and lead physician of the Ishira colony. When the captured women tumble into their lives, the small Earthlings turn the men's world upside down. The girls bring drama and heartache, laughter and light...not to mention the first opportunity for sex in more than ten years. 

Ri, the oldest of her group, is drawn to both Hunter and Jace. Aside from being strong and capable warriors, they are also brilliant, sensitive men who delight in her abilities and her curvy form. Her power as a Reader gives her an instant, deep connection to Hunter, but Jace's playful curiosity about her species and his tendency to geek out about various things endear them both to her. 

Ri doesn't know what to do with the two beautiful, wonderful men who seem to think she's something they both want to keep. But for Ri and her ladies, their tumultuous new life takes a very interesting turn when they discover that the Thorsani way is to marry in teams of men...

The question is... who brought them to this planet, and why? And why in the world would someone be out to kill Ri?

But most important of all... Why do the insectoid Solvari mean to destroy every Thorsani in existence... and those who mate with them?”

Brief Summary: Hearts of Ishira starts off just the way I think a novel should begin. It begins with a mystery. Arianna awakens in a strange forest with no memory of how she arrived. She soon sees other women who are similarly injured and with no memory. Through a special power that Ri possesses she is able to feel the other inhabitants of the plant and knows that they only wish to help the women. Through advanced technology and the charming [ ;) ] nature of the Thorsani men the women must adjust to their new home and figure out how and why they are there.

My Review: I absolutely loved Hearts of Ishira so much in fact that I have already semi-stalked/admired the author on her blog and Facebook. This novel has everything I love: romance, science fiction/fantasy, and a mystery. Ri has become possibly my favorite heroine of all time because she is determined and strong enough to want to contribute and be productive in her new society despite her various injuries while still being feminine and warm enough to welcome the love of not one but two men. The planet of Ishira is so well described that I felt like I could accurately see everything that the characters saw. The opening scene reminded me a little of Lord of the Flies where one person takes control (Ri) and someone tries to take over. In this analogy one girl, Amy, can only be connected to Roger. Not even Jack, but Roger. The hatred and complete insanity that is Amy increased the action and mystery of the novel for me because she is so determined to bring Ri down. Some things that might be a caution or deterrent for some people is the women to men ratio and the custom of the Thorsani that results in menage and the catlike qualities of the men. Also the book is quite lengthy.

My Rating: Hearts of Ishira is definitely on my top five books of the year, possibly top ten ever. I give Hearts of Ishira a (5/5) only because my rating system prevents me from giving it a higher score. I literally stayed up until 3 am to finish this book.

I received this novel through Lovers of Paranormal on Goodreads.com 

Hearts of Ishira on Amazon
On Barnes and Noble
On Goodreads.com

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Review of Sean C. Sousa's Flash

Title: Flash (book 1 in Forever Trilogy)

Author: Sean C. Sousa

Published: 2012

Description from Goodreads.com: 

"Long ago, the first reign of Grigori Geist nearly destroyed the Earth.

Returned from exile, Geist is secretly rebuilding his kingdom beneath Antarctica, assembling his robotic Vaucan race to war against mankind. Only one obstacle remains: the war hero known as Brian Renney.

Yet Brian is losing a battle against his fears. Scars of heart and mind linger from his days in Vietnam, fueling his failures as husband and father. This embitters his youngest son, Jason – a star athlete torn between pursuing the love of his life, and meeting the demands of a father who is far from the storied army captain he once was.And all the while, Geist is coming for them.
In this dark hour, Brian and Jason encounter a war to end all others… and an unexpected ally who, once meant for evil, shall forever be a force for good."

Summary: The story of Flash involves an entire race of robotic soldiers called vaucans and archvaucans. There is an entire society called Regnum Aeturnum built under Antarctica that is populated by humans who are being controlled and have lost their free will. An archvaucan named Prince Ahya, later called Flash, who is ordered by his king, Grigori Geist, to murder a man named Brian Renney. Prince Ahya and Dietrich Schmidt plan to overthrow Geist and free the people. Brian Renney is the one man who can help them. A second story line of Brian Reneney and his family develops. Brian was a captain in the Vietnam war and has since become more introverted and closed off. He pushes his wife away and criticizes his sons. After an argument Brian walks away from his family and Prince Ahya comes to assassinate Brian. Brian gets the prince to cease his attack and the prince takes Brian away to protect him. His family wakes up in the hospital and believes that Brian has abandoned them. The novel continues with the two plot lines and they eventually combine to answer questions raised about how Brian and his time in the Vietnam war fits into Regnum Aeturnum and what Geist has planned. Events unfold that lead to disastrous consequences and confrontations that change everyone in the novel. 

My Reaction: I really enjoyed this novel. I find it very interesting that the author created another entire race/species along with another society. The blurb in the back of the kindle edition says that Sousa originally thought of this as a video game design. If he had made it I would definitely play, and I'm not a huge gamer. Along with the plot line of Regnum Aeturnum and the war against Geist came a secondary story line of Brian's family, mainly his son Jason and his friend Alessa. Being a romantic I loved this secondary story and was dying for the two to be together. The two, along with their friends, travel to Atlana to help with victims of human trafficking. I think this is a really important cause and am happy to see that a portion of every sale of this book goes to International Justice Mission and their work to end human trafficking. It was also nice to see the religious aspect and how important it is to Brian's wife Mary. I am glad to see that Flash is the beginning of the Forever trilogy because I would love to read more about these characters and to see how the fight to free the people of Regnum Aeturnum continues. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone because throughout the novel I was emotionally involved. I felt sad, angry, frustrated, and happy along with the characters. Also the battle scenes and nightmares of the Vietnam war that Brian has are so vividly portrayed it was like a movie. I give Flash 4 out of 5 stars and am anxiously waiting for the sequel.