Hey there! Welcome to my stop on the Hunted Blog Tour hosted by Girls Heart Books Tours. Click here to follow along with the tour schedule.
Today I'm reviewing the second book, Hunted. In case you missed it, I reviewed the first book, Scorned, yesterday. Click here to read my review.
Title: Hunted
Series: LeKrista Scott, Vampire Hunted #2
Author: Tyffani Clark Kemp
Publication Date: April 16th 2014
Genre: Paranormal / Vampires
Purchase: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Createspace | B&N
Synopsis
LeKrista Scott survived three separate vampire attacks, almost drowned, and turned down her boyfriend's proposal. What else could possibly go wrong?
Apparently, if it's not one thing, it's another. Lizette, a brand new vampire with a grudge, blames LeKrista for being turned into a monster. In retaliation, she decides to go straight for the throat, so to speak, and attack LK's ailing mother at her rest home. LeKrista enlists the help of her "Vampire liaison" Roman, but it could never be that easy. Not for her.
A daywalker, a born vampire who can walk in the sun, has been hired by the head of the Vampire Counsel to collect LeKrista and the debt she owes him. As payment, her great great aunt is taken. Once again, the Mages refuse to help, so what is a girl to do but rescue her family herself?
With her back against the wall, LeKrista will rise up stronger and teach the preternatural world to fear the Vampire Hunted.
The first book in this series released over a year ago, and as I was reading Hunted, I kept thinking about how the story and characters have developed exponentially since then. Things are coming together and making sense while still giving Kemp much more story to tell. I was no longer scratching my head wondering what just happened. The characters are more fully developed, and I was better able to connect with them. Plus I was just darn excited to find out what was going to happen next!
LeKrista has changed in many ways from the first novel, all for the better, while staying true to herself. Her physical appearance has changed. She doesn't spend so much time passed out, and she's much stronger and quite a fighter this time around. I was happy to delve into LeKrista's family history, and as I got to know her and her family, I felt more connected to her in this book than in the first one. When she begins having disturbing nightmares where she's emotionally devastated over and over again, I wanted to kill the person hurting her in those nightmares. I wanted her to get revenge in those terrible dreams. They affected me in a way that made me want to cry for her.
In Hunted, I learned more about Pierce and why he's been keeping a huge secret - he's more than human but can't tell LeKrista until they're married and have consummated the marriage. I think this is really interesting and different from other stories. The heat between Pierce and LeKrista has been turned all the way up! In the first book, their relationship seemed blah and lifeless. I wondered why they were even together, so I was excited to see they are passionately in love.
I'm still not sold on Roman's character. Different characters have been snarky to LeKrista about choosing to associate with Roman, but really, he came for her to protect her. She didn't seek him out. I don't trust Roman; I think he pretends to love LeKrista because he wants the very same thing as the vampire he created - to use her to take over the world so vampires don't have to hide from humans any longer, not to mention the fact that Vampires, Mages, Werewolves, and Shapeshifters are all vying for power.
For the minor characters, I love Tate the most. She's become LeKrista's best friend. Craven, the daywalker, is a new and interesting character thrown into the mix. He's a welcome addition to the cast of characters, and as a daywalker, he differs from vampires in a few ways that I thought were really cool. Lizette is just plain annoying. Shouldn't she blame the one who turned her into a vampire rather than LeKrista? Sometimes her vendetta felt like a repeat of when Perdita was after LeKrista. When it comes to Eddy I'm torn - much of the time I don't like him, but then he'll say or do something that makes me think it's possible I'll end up liking him.
I'm still trying to understand the Mages. LeKrista learned she's a powerful Mage. Since she's a Mage as well as her family, why won't the Mages help her? I understand they don't like that LeKrista has been mixed into vampire affairs, but I'd think they would want to help untangle her from all that. Xiomara, who is one of the most powerful Mages and the one who seems to be in charge, has a cold heart. I think she's afraid of LeKrista's power.
With time, memories, and events shifting all around, characters with magical powers, and mysteries to be unlocked, Hunted is a book not to be missed.
My Rating:
Book One
Series: LeKrista Scott, Vampire Hunted #1
Author: Tyffani Clark Kemp
Publication Date: October 15th 2012
Genre: Paranormal / Vampires
Source: Review copy
Purchase: Amazon | Smashwords | B&N
Synopsis
LeKrista Scott has killed a vampire, and now his lover wants revenge.
After months of watching her from the shadows, Lucretious, a millennia old vampire, finally makes his attack during a party thrown by his maker, Roman - a party where Roman proclaims his protection over LeKrista. Roman steps in and saves her life, but not before she deals Lucretious the true death in front of his lover, Perdita.
Now LeKrista is running for her life and Roman is trying to save it, but she's not sure if he really cares or if he has some underhanded reason for keeping her alive. She seeks help from Mages, but they refuse to help her, even though she exhibits high potential as a Mage herself. In a last ditch effort, Roman whisks LeKrista away, but Perdita finds them. LeKrista must eliminate Perdita one way or another.
About the Author
Tyffani Clark Kemp has been writing since she discovered in the sixth grade that it wasn't enough just to read about fantastic places, but she could create her own. She weaves small bits of herself into everything she writes whether it be a science fiction piece about aliens or a dramatic romance fraught with conflict and love. In September 2012, Tyffani and a friend started SideStreet Publishing LLC. She lives in South Carolina with her family and her fluffy shii tzu-mix dog who thinks he's a Saint Bernard.
Author Links
Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Series Facebook
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Don't you just love it when the second book gives you what you crave. I understand frist books have to build the world and introduce the characters so it's no surprise to me when I have even more fun as the series continues and the author focuses more on the characters, putting them in new situations and growing them along with the series. I enjoyed your review!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's awesome when that happens!! I think since the first book released over a year ago, you can see how much the author's writing has grown and how much she's developed the characters and plot. I agree with everything you're saying! Thank you so much, Laura! :)
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