REVIEW: Sable Grace's Chosen

Book: Chosen

Author: Sable Grace

Series: Dark Breed

Publishing stats: August 28th 2012 by Avon

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Cover Blurb:  She was a Dark Breed -- half Vampyre, half Lychen.
Now she is CHOSEN…

Kyana is the new Goddess of the Hunt, chosen for her determination to survive as much as for her passion to protect those she loves. Now, just when she's finally ready to shed her past and let the one man who really matters into her heart, an evil has resurrected, and only Kyana stands in its way.

But Ryker, as the new Zeus, will not let her fight alone. It has taken him too long to convince Kyana they belong together for him to lose her. And if it means descending into the depths of Hades to make the ultimate sacrifice, then so be it.

The fate of the world is at stake, and for Kyana and Ryker, no fight has ever been more personal.

First line: She watched Haven tilt her head back and let out an unladylike shout of laughter, and everything in Kyana Aslan's body warmed with contentment.

What I liked: One of the things I love most about this series is the character development. In the first book, we're met with a Kyana who is essentially a lonely, angry warrior bitch with but a few friends to whom she is completely loyal. As the story  unfolds, however, and glimpses of Kyana's past are shown you come to gain a better understanding of Kyana. Simultaneously, as Kyana's present twists and turns in ways she never could have imagined, she comes to thaw and let more of herself be shared with those around her. In particular, the romance between her and Ryker acts as sort of a stablizing agent for the both of them. Serious and noble Ryker finds himself cutting loose, tough and prickly Kyana finds herself softening. This book had all of this development coming to full bloom and, finally, let readers see the final result.

What I didn’t like: The story happened, the bad guy was defeated, new roles were established and then...it was over. We didn't get to see Ryker and Kyana settled in their romance. We didn't get to see the reprecussions of a beloved character's death. This was supposedly the last book of the series but several loose ends were left dangling. I hope that this was intended to Kyana's story and not that of the series itself - it would be nice if there could be more books, perhaps taking on Haven as a main character, that would develop on the ending Chosen provided.

Overall: This book was not as good as its two predescessors and, in my opinion, did not live up to the tension the back cover blurb promised. That being said, that more than one character dies by book's end did come as a surprise, especially considering the identities of those characters. Overall, however, the book's redemption comes from the fruition of the character development and being able to witness just who Kyana and Ryker - among others - have grown into over the course of the three books. What is more, this book really highlighted the relationships that tie this cast of characters together and demonstrated how these relationships have served to shape and strengthen the characters.

Would I read this author again: Yes, if she (technically, they, I know) continued on with this series in some fashion - I did mention wanting the ending developed and fleshed out, didn't I?

My rating: ♥♥/5

To purchase the book for yourself, you can find it at Chapters.Indigo.ca, Amazon.ca, Amazon.com, or The Book Depository. Enjoy!

Top 5 Sundays #8 - Most Looking Forward to! {In the 2nd Half 2012}

2012 has been one heck of a good year for book releases and it doesn't show any signs of stopping anytime soon. Remember my Top 5 post two weeks ago? "Fave Books from First Half of 2012!"? So many authors, so many books have already released that it's hard to imagine the coming months could compete. That is, until you look at the release schedule and realize that it's not only imaginable, it's impending. Listed here today are some of the books I'm looking the most forward to.

#5 - Chosen (Dark Breed #3) by Sable Grace

Expected publication: August 28th 2012 by Avon Books 

She was a Dark Breed -- half Vampyre, half Lychen.
 

Now she is CHOSEN…

Kyana is the new Goddess of the Hunt, chosen for her determination to survive as much as for her passion to protect those she loves. Now, just when she's finally ready to shed her past and let the one man who really matters into her heart, an evil has resurrected, and only Kyana stands in its way.

But Ryker, as the new Zeus, will not let her fight alone. It has taken him too long to convince Kyana they belong together for him to lose her. And if it means descending into the depths of Hades to make the ultimate sacrifice, then so be it.

The fate of the world is at stake, and for Kyana and Ryker, no fight has ever been more personal.

#4 - Blood Bath and Beyond (An Immortality Bites Mystery #1) by Michelle Rowen

Expected publication: August 7th 2012 by NAL Obsidian

Sarah Dearly is adjusting to life as a fledgling vampire, satisfying her cravings at vampire-friendly blood banks. But when her fiancé Thierry takes a job with the Ring—the secret council in charge of keeping vampires in line—Sarah’s about to get more than a taste of danger…

Being engaged to a centuries-old master vampire can be challenging—especially when he takes a job with the Ring. Thierry’s in for fifty years of nonstop travel and deadly risk. It’s enough to make any woman reconsider the wedding…any woman except Sarah, that is!

Traveling with him to Las Vegas for his first assignment, they encounter a child beauty pageant contestant from hell, as well as a vampire serial killer leaving victims drained of blood, potentially exposing the existence of vampires to the whole world. But when Thierry’s truly ancient history comes back to haunt him, and he’s accused of a crime he didn’t commit, it’s up to Sarah to clear his name before their immortal lives come to an end.

#3 - A Trace of Moonlight (Abby Sinclair #3) by Allison Pang

 Expected publication: October 30th 2012 by Pocket  

Drinking from the waters of the Lethe and offering herself up as Faerie’s sacrificial Tithe …these just might be the least of Abby Sinclair’s problems.

Abby’s pact with a demon—whether or not she remembers making it—is binding, so she’d better count herself lucky that (in the words of a daemon who knows better) there’s nearly always a loophole. But her friends’ reckless attempts to free her, well intentioned though they may be, set off a disastrous chain of events. In no time at all, Abby turns her incubus lover mortal and gets herself killed, cursed, and married to an elven prince whose mother wants her dead. She might have even been able to recover from all that had she not lost the Key to the CrossRoads to her mortal enemy, who promptly uses his restored power to wreak havoc on the OtherWorld and put its very existence in jeopardy.

Only one person can make things right again, but to find her Abby must place her trust in allies of mixed loyalties, and conquer her nightmares once and for all.

#2 - Lord's Fall (Elder Races #5) by Thea Harrison  

Expected publication: November 6th 2012 by Berkley 

In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two mates find themselves on different paths, torn between their duty to the Wyr and the passion that binds them...

Before she met Dragos, half-human half-wyr Pia Giovanni was alone and on the run. Now, she's mated, pregnant and heading south to repair the Wyr's frayed relationship with the Elves. Being separated from Dragos is painful, but for the good of the Wyr demesne they need to figure out how to be partners, in more places than just the bedroom.

In New York to preside over the Sentinel Games, Dragos is worried about his mate, but knows that finding two replacement sentinels is essential to show the rest of the Elder Races just how strong and brutal the Wyr demesne can be. But as the games heat up, Pia's negotiations with the Elves take a turn for the dangerous, straining her bond with Dragos and threatening everything they hold dear...

#1 - Widow’s Web (Elemental Assassin #7) by Jennifer Estep

 Expected publication: August 21st 2012 by Pocket  

I used to murder people for money, but these days it’s more of a survival technique.

Once an assassin, always an assassin. So much for being plain old Gin Blanco. With every lowlife in Ashland gunning for me, I don’t need another problem, but a new one has come to town.

Salina might seem like a sweet Southern belle, but she’s really a dangerous enemy whose water elemental magic can go head-to-head with my own Ice and Stone power. Salina also has an intimate history with my lover, Owen Grayson, and now that she’s back in town, she thinks he’s hers for the taking.

Salina’s playing a mysterious game that involves a shady local casino owner with a surprising connection to Owen. But they call me the Spider for a reason. I’m going to untangle her deadly scheme, even if it leaves my love affair hanging by a thread.

**BONUS** - Out for Blood (House of Comarré #4) by Kristen Painter 

 Expected publication: October 30th 2012 by Orbit 

After nearly dying at the hands of the Aurelian, Chrysabelle finds new determination to move beyond life as a comarré. That is until the Kubai Mata bring a new task to her doorstep: rescue the child Tatiana has kidnapped, or Mal becomes enemy number one.