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Shattered Skies #1
Beginnings End
I was only three days old when the world, as my parents knew it, became the nightmare that I live in; the only place that I have ever known as home. In my world, the humans are no longer the hunters perched comfortably at the top of the food chain. Humans are now the hunted, the prey; vulnerable and scared, just waiting to be consumed. The stories of the creatures that go bump in the night are no longer fiction. The monsters are real and they do want to hurt you. I live in a world where 'the something' lurking in the shadow isn't a figment of an over active imagination but a real nightmare waiting to attack; a world where I have to lie my way through every minute, just to stay alive.
286 pages, Paperback
First published March 20, 2010
About the author
Heather Linn
9 books20 followersHeather Linn never had any notion of reinventing the Vampire. Her real intention was to give them back their bite. "They are not our friends, they are not our lovers, they are the embodiment of evil, the monsters under your bed, the demon in the shadows. They don't want to be us, they want to eat us"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
September 3, 2013
This was officially the most ridiculous book I read so far. In the beginning I thought it could be trashy fun, but the further I got into it, the more obvious it became it was just trash. It is a fast read though, so I made it to the end! This review will contain spoilers, sorry, but some books don't deserve being treated with that kind of respect.
December 2, 2015
Soundtrack: Tainted love
https://youtu.be/YTGiyQRG2EE
Novel tightly squeezed into a 3.
It's the beta and pure basic editing that principally destroyed this novel. A bit of strategic finessing and there was room to lift the dead spots and we have the makings of what should have been a fine story.
Beta/word editing 1
Creativity 3.5
Execution 2.7 (given from a lack of pace that could have been avoided with a beta)
https://youtu.be/YTGiyQRG2EE
Novel tightly squeezed into a 3.
It's the beta and pure basic editing that principally destroyed this novel. A bit of strategic finessing and there was room to lift the dead spots and we have the makings of what should have been a fine story.
Beta/word editing 1
Creativity 3.5
Execution 2.7 (given from a lack of pace that could have been avoided with a beta)
May 3, 2015
***Spoiler alert***
Not to be mean, but this is going on my 'worst in a while' pile. OK, I don't really have such a stack, but I barely finished this one and I'm barely fending off the urge to rant here in this review. I'm so baffled by this book. Not because of the poor writing (that might have been passable with another few editing passes). Not even because there were too few contractions in the dialogue and names/endearments were used far too frequently, leaving everyone sounding forced and formal. No, I was completely stymied by the fact that it made no sense.
The basic premise is that Vampire-like aliens have invaded earth and COMPLETELY enslaved the human race. A generation later humans only exist as food, breeders and slaves. With the exception of our main character and her cohort, there are no other free humans, that we know of. So, please note the COMPLETE annihilation of human civilisation, but somehow the common currency is still the dollar, roses are still given as a romantic gesture, people (or more to the point, not people) still read paper bound, pre-invasion books, one would presume in English (as opposed to whichever method galaxy traversing aliens might possess), the main character still refers to jobs that have health insurance and days off, etc. The book seems to posit that humanity can be simultaneously overthrown and enslaved by an overpowering advanced species, but still be the dominant culture. Um...I'm gonna have to go with NO on that one. It makes no sense at all!
This was not believable dystopian future. It felt like Vampires/Dominion were just inserted into the current western world and expected to work. It doesn't, not at all. Why would a conquering species decide to live a human lifestyle, use human technology instead of their superior tech, or adopt the mannerisms and habits of their slaves?
Similarly, the current sexist opinions of modern America were exaggerated and expected to make sense in a drastically different circumstance. With the few (15) remaining free humans, a breeding program was established, but women are still treated as less important than men because they don't go out and fight (just as stay-at-home mothers are so often disparaged for not working outside the home in the real world). Excuse me, but when facing such imminent extinction is there ANYTHING more important than bearing the continuance of the species?
I obviously this is just my opinion, but it read as illogical to not value the importance of reproduction. The way Cat and all the other males treated the women as 'barefoot pregnant' simpletons with no valuable contribution to make was both infuriating and out of place. It felt artificial, or rather like no deep thought had been put into how near extinction would alter human perceptions of gender roles in a new and limited environment. They would surely change.
What's more, there were 11 women and 5 men available to breed, but it was also suggested that assigned breeding partners were essentially marriages (and not polygynous marriages either, or at least this is notably not stated). This doesn't seem to have addressed the basic math problem inherent in this. There are two women to every man.
My biggest confusion revolved around the timeline though. I understood that Dr. Walker locked himself and the babies away the day of the invasion because the Vampires were killing all the children, aged or infirm people. He then raised the children to mimic Dominion (Vampire/Human hybrids). But, if he was locked away during the subsequent years, how did he know what behaviours to teach the children. Also, it was AFTER invading that the Vampires bred Dominion. This means that the oldest Dominion can't be any older, and probably younger (since the children were already born at the time of the initial invasion) than the babies Dr. Walker raised. So, the very behaviors he was teaching the children hadn't even occurred yet, or at best were just developing. It makes no sense! I thought that this might clear up when the big reveal about Dr. Walker occurred, but no, it just created more questions. Such as, if there were already Vampires on the planet, how was Akia the first Dominion?
Then there are all the silly little rules that pop up. If a person is given Dominion blood 6 times they become immortal, how random. Dominion having sex with humans will kill them. I can kind of follow this for female Dominion, but why would male Dominion die? There is no deposit to eat away at their insides. Is it magic of some sort? And how exactly was this little quirk bred into their DNA in the first place? I'm not just complaining about the illogical aspect of some of these, but also the way they just kept appearing unexpectedly.
Even if I hadn't been completely cross-eyed trying to follow the plot, I still probably wouldn't have liked the book. I simply hated the main character. Cat was selfish, mouthy, mean, and just about too stupid to live. As an example, what was she doing at the ball in the first place? If she could't hunt that night, attendance requires mandatory inebriation of all women (just one more example of how women are devalued and disempowered in this book), and there's a good chance she could be discovered as a mole, why attend? It seemed to be an opportunity to party, but who does that when it endangers everyone you love? Beyond showing enough of her personality to dislike her, there was almost no character development. Well, almost none for Cat. There was none for the other characters, none at all. Most of the remaining humans didn't even get names!
So, by this point it's probably redundant to say I didn't like the book. A lot of people do...to each their own. I have the sequel that I picked up free at some point, but I can't imagine I'll be reading it.
Not to be mean, but this is going on my 'worst in a while' pile. OK, I don't really have such a stack, but I barely finished this one and I'm barely fending off the urge to rant here in this review. I'm so baffled by this book. Not because of the poor writing (that might have been passable with another few editing passes). Not even because there were too few contractions in the dialogue and names/endearments were used far too frequently, leaving everyone sounding forced and formal. No, I was completely stymied by the fact that it made no sense.
The basic premise is that Vampire-like aliens have invaded earth and COMPLETELY enslaved the human race. A generation later humans only exist as food, breeders and slaves. With the exception of our main character and her cohort, there are no other free humans, that we know of. So, please note the COMPLETE annihilation of human civilisation, but somehow the common currency is still the dollar, roses are still given as a romantic gesture, people (or more to the point, not people) still read paper bound, pre-invasion books, one would presume in English (as opposed to whichever method galaxy traversing aliens might possess), the main character still refers to jobs that have health insurance and days off, etc. The book seems to posit that humanity can be simultaneously overthrown and enslaved by an overpowering advanced species, but still be the dominant culture. Um...I'm gonna have to go with NO on that one. It makes no sense at all!
This was not believable dystopian future. It felt like Vampires/Dominion were just inserted into the current western world and expected to work. It doesn't, not at all. Why would a conquering species decide to live a human lifestyle, use human technology instead of their superior tech, or adopt the mannerisms and habits of their slaves?
Similarly, the current sexist opinions of modern America were exaggerated and expected to make sense in a drastically different circumstance. With the few (15) remaining free humans, a breeding program was established, but women are still treated as less important than men because they don't go out and fight (just as stay-at-home mothers are so often disparaged for not working outside the home in the real world). Excuse me, but when facing such imminent extinction is there ANYTHING more important than bearing the continuance of the species?
I obviously this is just my opinion, but it read as illogical to not value the importance of reproduction. The way Cat and all the other males treated the women as 'barefoot pregnant' simpletons with no valuable contribution to make was both infuriating and out of place. It felt artificial, or rather like no deep thought had been put into how near extinction would alter human perceptions of gender roles in a new and limited environment. They would surely change.
What's more, there were 11 women and 5 men available to breed, but it was also suggested that assigned breeding partners were essentially marriages (and not polygynous marriages either, or at least this is notably not stated). This doesn't seem to have addressed the basic math problem inherent in this. There are two women to every man.
My biggest confusion revolved around the timeline though. I understood that Dr. Walker locked himself and the babies away the day of the invasion because the Vampires were killing all the children, aged or infirm people. He then raised the children to mimic Dominion (Vampire/Human hybrids). But, if he was locked away during the subsequent years, how did he know what behaviours to teach the children. Also, it was AFTER invading that the Vampires bred Dominion. This means that the oldest Dominion can't be any older, and probably younger (since the children were already born at the time of the initial invasion) than the babies Dr. Walker raised. So, the very behaviors he was teaching the children hadn't even occurred yet, or at best were just developing. It makes no sense! I thought that this might clear up when the big reveal about Dr. Walker occurred, but no, it just created more questions. Such as, if there were already Vampires on the planet, how was Akia the first Dominion?
Then there are all the silly little rules that pop up. If a person is given Dominion blood 6 times they become immortal, how random. Dominion having sex with humans will kill them. I can kind of follow this for female Dominion, but why would male Dominion die? There is no deposit to eat away at their insides. Is it magic of some sort? And how exactly was this little quirk bred into their DNA in the first place? I'm not just complaining about the illogical aspect of some of these, but also the way they just kept appearing unexpectedly.
Even if I hadn't been completely cross-eyed trying to follow the plot, I still probably wouldn't have liked the book. I simply hated the main character. Cat was selfish, mouthy, mean, and just about too stupid to live. As an example, what was she doing at the ball in the first place? If she could't hunt that night, attendance requires mandatory inebriation of all women (just one more example of how women are devalued and disempowered in this book), and there's a good chance she could be discovered as a mole, why attend? It seemed to be an opportunity to party, but who does that when it endangers everyone you love? Beyond showing enough of her personality to dislike her, there was almost no character development. Well, almost none for Cat. There was none for the other characters, none at all. Most of the remaining humans didn't even get names!
So, by this point it's probably redundant to say I didn't like the book. A lot of people do...to each their own. I have the sequel that I picked up free at some point, but I can't imagine I'll be reading it.
March 25, 2013
3.5 out of 5 Stars
Torn between the day and the night, Catalina treads a dangerous, deadly trail among the monsters; sex is her weapon. But what happens when her heart takes over and she falls in love with the head monster, the leader of a new breed of Vampire that is chillingly capable of killing her and the humans she loves?
Courageous Catalina never had the chance to live in the normal world we take for granted. Instead she was born into a world ruled by the alien Vampires that have taken over the planet. Half the human race is dead, the survivors have been raped and pillaged, and the alien Vampire invaders have bred a nearly indestructible new race, the Dominus, a horrific genetic mix of human and vampire.
Catalina and her small family of rogue humans have been led by a brooding Doctor since their infancy. So far, they have managed to live secretly among the new deadly breed of monster, killing when they can.
Then Catalina, the black sheep of the family, rejects the subservient female role assigned her, and demands to be a warrior on the front lines with the men, bedding one Dominus after the next, in a world where sex kills.
Hell bent on destroying as many of the Dominus as she can, Catalina is drawn to the bed of the King Dominus, Akia. Her emotions flare in his presence and she feels a strange, tumultuous, magnetic pull towards him and him to her, but this star-crossed attraction can only lead to death. But for whom?
Beginnings End is the first book in the Shattered Skies series. This book introduces you to a dystopian society that has been torn apart by the Vampires and Dominus that control everything. Any human that wasn't useful to the vampires and Dominus were destroyed when they took over. The remaining humans have become either feeders or breeders in this new society. Feeders, do just that, they are the food source. Breeders are those humans who are creating the new generations of Dominus.
Cat, our heroine of the story, is one of 16 humans that were saved as infants by Dr Walker. She and her 'siblings' have grown up under his care and also as research for him. He's shown the girls how to become 'homemakers' and the boys to be 'warriors'. Cat, however doesn't want to be one of the girls and rather would be a warrior with the boys. So she trains and fights along side them, which doesn't make her very well liked by any of her siblings. This really sets the tone for most of the book as Cat is mostly the outsider in her family, with only 3 people, Darien and the twins, Jewel and Jared, who she lets in.
While I enjoyed the first half of the book, the characters never really grew on me. We never saw more then Dr Walker, Darien, Cat and the twins for more then a sentence or two the entire book. It didn't really allow for the 'outsider' status to set up, at least not for me. There is something about both Cat and Darien that feel unfinished, character-wise anyway.
Unfortunately, something happened to Cat in the story (around 56% in on my Kindle) that really caused me to struggle to complete the rest of the book.
While I most likely won't read further in the series, I encourage each reader to make their own decision after reading this book. I believe if that particular instance hadn't happened I would have enjoyed the remainder of the book and possibly given the next in the series a try. It is a decidedly different twist on the vampire mythology and for other readers might be just what they're looking to read.
Torn between the day and the night, Catalina treads a dangerous, deadly trail among the monsters; sex is her weapon. But what happens when her heart takes over and she falls in love with the head monster, the leader of a new breed of Vampire that is chillingly capable of killing her and the humans she loves?
Courageous Catalina never had the chance to live in the normal world we take for granted. Instead she was born into a world ruled by the alien Vampires that have taken over the planet. Half the human race is dead, the survivors have been raped and pillaged, and the alien Vampire invaders have bred a nearly indestructible new race, the Dominus, a horrific genetic mix of human and vampire.
Catalina and her small family of rogue humans have been led by a brooding Doctor since their infancy. So far, they have managed to live secretly among the new deadly breed of monster, killing when they can.
Then Catalina, the black sheep of the family, rejects the subservient female role assigned her, and demands to be a warrior on the front lines with the men, bedding one Dominus after the next, in a world where sex kills.
Hell bent on destroying as many of the Dominus as she can, Catalina is drawn to the bed of the King Dominus, Akia. Her emotions flare in his presence and she feels a strange, tumultuous, magnetic pull towards him and him to her, but this star-crossed attraction can only lead to death. But for whom?
Beginnings End is the first book in the Shattered Skies series. This book introduces you to a dystopian society that has been torn apart by the Vampires and Dominus that control everything. Any human that wasn't useful to the vampires and Dominus were destroyed when they took over. The remaining humans have become either feeders or breeders in this new society. Feeders, do just that, they are the food source. Breeders are those humans who are creating the new generations of Dominus.
Cat, our heroine of the story, is one of 16 humans that were saved as infants by Dr Walker. She and her 'siblings' have grown up under his care and also as research for him. He's shown the girls how to become 'homemakers' and the boys to be 'warriors'. Cat, however doesn't want to be one of the girls and rather would be a warrior with the boys. So she trains and fights along side them, which doesn't make her very well liked by any of her siblings. This really sets the tone for most of the book as Cat is mostly the outsider in her family, with only 3 people, Darien and the twins, Jewel and Jared, who she lets in.
While I enjoyed the first half of the book, the characters never really grew on me. We never saw more then Dr Walker, Darien, Cat and the twins for more then a sentence or two the entire book. It didn't really allow for the 'outsider' status to set up, at least not for me. There is something about both Cat and Darien that feel unfinished, character-wise anyway.
Unfortunately, something happened to Cat in the story (around 56% in on my Kindle) that really caused me to struggle to complete the rest of the book.
While I most likely won't read further in the series, I encourage each reader to make their own decision after reading this book. I believe if that particular instance hadn't happened I would have enjoyed the remainder of the book and possibly given the next in the series a try. It is a decidedly different twist on the vampire mythology and for other readers might be just what they're looking to read.
November 24, 2014
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review. I received this book before it was re-edited, so I can only give my opinion on what I read.
This is the first book in the Shattered Skies series. It is a very intriguing tale and I enjoyed it.
Catalina is a character I had mixed feelings for. I liked her determination and independence, but hated her attitude at times. She comes across as very arrogant and superior, even though she is a human living in a world conquered by vampires, who are actually aliens from another planet.
I started to read the story and I was quickly pulled in. I love the concept of vampires being aliens; that actually makes sense! However, it was the idea of sex as a weapon which somewhat ruined the story for me. Don't get me wrong, I know sex has been used as a weapon since Adam begat Eve, but the way this story was written had me scratching my head at times, as there seemed to be contradictory elements within the story.
The story itself was extremely exciting and full of danger. I loved the tension created within the tale, and the scene between Catalina and King Akia just after the ballroom one was extremely intense. But sad to say that the characters felt a bit one dimensional with very little depth, and were not as "alive" as they could have been. In actuality, I was on the side of the Dominus vampires and feeling sorry for them, although I should have been rooting for the humans. I know that it's weird, but I really took a liking to Akia, even though he is really not in the story a lot of the time. However, things are not all that they seem and there are several twists and turns that surprised me. Dr. Walker, the doctor who rescued the human babies, including Catalina, during the invasion, has his own secrets. I really didn't like him very much; I got a really funny vibe about him. My suspicions were realised when his secrets were revealed. However, it wasn't his secret as much as his parenting that threw up a red flag in my mind. It smacked too much of indoctrination and brainwashing. His attitude towards female and male roles within the "family" dynamic was extremely upsetting to my modern sensibilities. I kept wondering if he had been reading an old Dr. Spock book, as well as others from the 1930's to 1960's about a woman's place in the home and in society. It was a bit too "June Cleaver" or "Stepford Wives" for my taste. No wonder Catalina rebelled!
The ending is a bit ambiguous, but is that better than a cliffhanger? I have said this many times, but I have a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers. However, an ambiguous ending is just as irritating as a cliffhanger in my opinion, as it leaves the reader wondering where the story is going to lead next. I am not sure if I will be continuing with this series, but I won't rule it out either.
Heather Linn has written an interesting novel with an intriguing premise. I loved her fast paced writing style and the flow was okay. However, I felt the character development needed a bit more work.
I recommend this book if you love science fiction, dark fantasy, paranormal horror or dystopian genres. - Lynn Worton
This is the first book in the Shattered Skies series. It is a very intriguing tale and I enjoyed it.
Catalina is a character I had mixed feelings for. I liked her determination and independence, but hated her attitude at times. She comes across as very arrogant and superior, even though she is a human living in a world conquered by vampires, who are actually aliens from another planet.
I started to read the story and I was quickly pulled in. I love the concept of vampires being aliens; that actually makes sense! However, it was the idea of sex as a weapon which somewhat ruined the story for me. Don't get me wrong, I know sex has been used as a weapon since Adam begat Eve, but the way this story was written had me scratching my head at times, as there seemed to be contradictory elements within the story.
The story itself was extremely exciting and full of danger. I loved the tension created within the tale, and the scene between Catalina and King Akia just after the ballroom one was extremely intense. But sad to say that the characters felt a bit one dimensional with very little depth, and were not as "alive" as they could have been. In actuality, I was on the side of the Dominus vampires and feeling sorry for them, although I should have been rooting for the humans. I know that it's weird, but I really took a liking to Akia, even though he is really not in the story a lot of the time. However, things are not all that they seem and there are several twists and turns that surprised me. Dr. Walker, the doctor who rescued the human babies, including Catalina, during the invasion, has his own secrets. I really didn't like him very much; I got a really funny vibe about him. My suspicions were realised when his secrets were revealed. However, it wasn't his secret as much as his parenting that threw up a red flag in my mind. It smacked too much of indoctrination and brainwashing. His attitude towards female and male roles within the "family" dynamic was extremely upsetting to my modern sensibilities. I kept wondering if he had been reading an old Dr. Spock book, as well as others from the 1930's to 1960's about a woman's place in the home and in society. It was a bit too "June Cleaver" or "Stepford Wives" for my taste. No wonder Catalina rebelled!
The ending is a bit ambiguous, but is that better than a cliffhanger? I have said this many times, but I have a love/hate relationship with cliffhangers. However, an ambiguous ending is just as irritating as a cliffhanger in my opinion, as it leaves the reader wondering where the story is going to lead next. I am not sure if I will be continuing with this series, but I won't rule it out either.
Heather Linn has written an interesting novel with an intriguing premise. I loved her fast paced writing style and the flow was okay. However, I felt the character development needed a bit more work.
I recommend this book if you love science fiction, dark fantasy, paranormal horror or dystopian genres. - Lynn Worton
March 20, 2015
It was free when I got this book and thank god because if I would have spent money on it, I would have returned it for a refund. If you can find it for free or you can borrow it then I would go that route if you really want to read it.
Its not earth shattering awesome just something to kill time, maybe even get a laugh out of the dialogue because roughly there is none. Most of the book is Cat thinking and having monologue with herself and really half of what is in going on her head is on repeat. I was quick to realize that she thinks that everyone is "smart", the human race, her father figure Dr. Walker, the monsters, her whole flipping family, even herself which most likely half of the book is about. If you want a count on how many times the word smart is tossed around, the count is around 33 times(yea I started counting, sad I know) and this book is not that long.
I also came to the conclusion that in this book...
It was like reading a very disturbing prostitution book. The cover of the book through me off I figured they're would be killing against the so called monsters but apparently not with the gun that appears on the front. There's a 2nd book but if its anything like the 1st I won't be spending my money on it.
Its not earth shattering awesome just something to kill time, maybe even get a laugh out of the dialogue because roughly there is none. Most of the book is Cat thinking and having monologue with herself and really half of what is in going on her head is on repeat. I was quick to realize that she thinks that everyone is "smart", the human race, her father figure Dr. Walker, the monsters, her whole flipping family, even herself which most likely half of the book is about. If you want a count on how many times the word smart is tossed around, the count is around 33 times(yea I started counting, sad I know) and this book is not that long.
I also came to the conclusion that in this book...
It was like reading a very disturbing prostitution book. The cover of the book through me off I figured they're would be killing against the so called monsters but apparently not with the gun that appears on the front. There's a 2nd book but if its anything like the 1st I won't be spending my money on it.
February 20, 2014
SHATTERED SKIES SERIES by Heather Linn
Book One Shattered Skies Beginnings End
Catalina was just a baby when she lost her parents and the world ended, leaving her to live in the nightmare that the world had become.
Humans became food or slaves while the monsters that took over became rulers. These monsters are what your nightmares are made of they are the things lurking in the dark and the things that go bump in the night, and they will hurt you!
Catalina now spends her adult life lying to stay alive, along with a few other humans they have been trained to act and look like the monsters just so they can stay alive.
WOW BLOODY WOW.
I’m very happy that the author Heather Linn contacted us at Luscious Literature about her books, because I became hooked from the first chapter.
Now this is a paranormal series and I will hold my hands up and say it’s really not something I would read but I’m so glad that I have read it as it was out of this world. This book has you on the edge of your seat and your heart beating fast with all the situations that these people find themselves in.
Book One Shattered Skies Beginnings End
Catalina was just a baby when she lost her parents and the world ended, leaving her to live in the nightmare that the world had become.
Humans became food or slaves while the monsters that took over became rulers. These monsters are what your nightmares are made of they are the things lurking in the dark and the things that go bump in the night, and they will hurt you!
Catalina now spends her adult life lying to stay alive, along with a few other humans they have been trained to act and look like the monsters just so they can stay alive.
WOW BLOODY WOW.
I’m very happy that the author Heather Linn contacted us at Luscious Literature about her books, because I became hooked from the first chapter.
Now this is a paranormal series and I will hold my hands up and say it’s really not something I would read but I’m so glad that I have read it as it was out of this world. This book has you on the edge of your seat and your heart beating fast with all the situations that these people find themselves in.
April 16, 2013
This series shows promise; I love the lead, the other characters are intriguing, there were a few WTF twists and the few spots of humour were genuinely funny.
However there is a but... the dreaded multiple-love-interest cliché is present. Having to follow the thoughts of Cat as she wrings her hands over two guys is a bit of a bore - especially as her reactions and deepest thoughts show that she has really made her choice, but is too afraid to admit it to herself. I hope that the author doesn't drag this subplot out, less then a quarter of the way into the book, it was over and everyone knows how it will all end, so end it.
As for now I'm planning to buy the next book in the near future. As long as this Twilightesque love triangle is written out of the series, I can see Shattered Skies as a welcome new take on the vampire mythology.
However there is a but... the dreaded multiple-love-interest cliché is present. Having to follow the thoughts of Cat as she wrings her hands over two guys is a bit of a bore - especially as her reactions and deepest thoughts show that she has really made her choice, but is too afraid to admit it to herself. I hope that the author doesn't drag this subplot out, less then a quarter of the way into the book, it was over and everyone knows how it will all end, so end it.
As for now I'm planning to buy the next book in the near future. As long as this Twilightesque love triangle is written out of the series, I can see Shattered Skies as a welcome new take on the vampire mythology.
May 16, 2013
I really enjoyed this series, was free on Amazon which sometimes those free books can be really? This series was refreshing, magical and exciting. I couldn't put it down, it's about how vampires rule our earth and the humans are slaves or wiped out. So this Dr. Walker saved 16 kids from a fate of death and he makes them soldiers or housewives and the main character Cat is different from every one in her group and you find out why, and it has you reeled in that you want to know what happens next. If you life paranormal, action and romance this series is for you.
April 24, 2012
loved this book cant wait for the next one
February 8, 2013
Love this story. Can't wait to see where it leads. Next book is to be released on authors birthday. March 20. I can't wait.
August 24, 2017
Wow
I could not put this book down...Heather has really wrote this to where ur there with the characters... I'm getting the 2nd book today...its been since Twilight series or Outlander that I have enjoyed a book so much
I could not put this book down...Heather has really wrote this to where ur there with the characters... I'm getting the 2nd book today...its been since Twilight series or Outlander that I have enjoyed a book so much
July 12, 2018
Was a good story
January 29, 2019
Great read
A very easy read, took less than 24hrs ,can't wait for book 2 & 3, Heather writes a good book.
A very easy read, took less than 24hrs ,can't wait for book 2 & 3, Heather writes a good book.
March 1, 2019
A great read n a great story
May 22, 2014
Beginning's End Book One of the Shattered Skies series by Heather Linn begins with an alien invasion. But it's not the kind we think of: little men with big heads. No, it's something far worse, and humans ignored the warnings.
The aliens of Catalina's world are vampires who have come to enslave, feed upon and breed with the human race. The product of vampires and humans are Dominus, who are virtually invincible because of the vampires' careful planning. But will their over-planning be their downfall?
The first chapter caught my attention right away. Who is Catalina? What is her weapon against these creatures that are twice as fast, twice as strong and can survive in the daylight? And how did she just kill one?
The author's world of the Shattered Skies series has pretty cool concept of vampires and what would happen if they invaded Earth. The main character Catalina is brash and tough. She is not satisfied with her lot in life and is out to fight for her freedom. But one night everything goes horribly wrong when she finds herself face-to-face with the king Dominus.
As far-fetched as the events in the book are, I kept reading. Catalina was an OK character. She was consistent. She was tough. She also was bit annoying, but not enough for me to stop reading. The other characters were one-dimensional. Some of them were stupid. I should say naïve. OK. Some were naïve and some were down right stupid. But they did their job in supporting whatever Catalina took it upon herself to do.
The plot is sketchy. I kept waiting for something to be revealed and it never was. Nothing was really resolved and Catalina makes a mess of things. However, the background and the history were good. I think that’s why I kept reading, just waiting for that big reveal that never came. I was not satisfied with the ending.
The setting is basic. It plays a role in the “plot” but is not overly important.
This book has a lot of sexual content in it, so I’ll have to rate this for adults only even though the characters are barely out of their teens. It bordered on erotica in places so be aware.
Although it began with intrigue, the breadcrumbs left by Beginning’s End were not enough for me to follow into the next book of the series.
Rating 3/5
The aliens of Catalina's world are vampires who have come to enslave, feed upon and breed with the human race. The product of vampires and humans are Dominus, who are virtually invincible because of the vampires' careful planning. But will their over-planning be their downfall?
The first chapter caught my attention right away. Who is Catalina? What is her weapon against these creatures that are twice as fast, twice as strong and can survive in the daylight? And how did she just kill one?
The author's world of the Shattered Skies series has pretty cool concept of vampires and what would happen if they invaded Earth. The main character Catalina is brash and tough. She is not satisfied with her lot in life and is out to fight for her freedom. But one night everything goes horribly wrong when she finds herself face-to-face with the king Dominus.
As far-fetched as the events in the book are, I kept reading. Catalina was an OK character. She was consistent. She was tough. She also was bit annoying, but not enough for me to stop reading. The other characters were one-dimensional. Some of them were stupid. I should say naïve. OK. Some were naïve and some were down right stupid. But they did their job in supporting whatever Catalina took it upon herself to do.
The plot is sketchy. I kept waiting for something to be revealed and it never was. Nothing was really resolved and Catalina makes a mess of things. However, the background and the history were good. I think that’s why I kept reading, just waiting for that big reveal that never came. I was not satisfied with the ending.
The setting is basic. It plays a role in the “plot” but is not overly important.
This book has a lot of sexual content in it, so I’ll have to rate this for adults only even though the characters are barely out of their teens. It bordered on erotica in places so be aware.
Although it began with intrigue, the breadcrumbs left by Beginning’s End were not enough for me to follow into the next book of the series.
Rating 3/5
November 1, 2013
I absolutely loved this book!! The characters were very well thought up and the storyline was flawless. When I started reading it, I couldn't stop!!
The story starts out that there was a crisis where all the humans were killed off by aliens from another planet; vampire aliens. These vampire aliens begin reproducing with humans making a new race called the Dominus. There were a few select human babies that survived thanks to a doctor; who raises them to know that the males are warriors and the females are left the task of taking care of the males and reproducing. Well, not for Catalina. She is the female heroin in the story.
I loved Catalina's character. She reminds me a lot of me because I don't think I could just lay around and make babies either. She is in love with her best friend, Darien. She wants nothing more than to be with him. But, his mate is already chosen. She doesn't like being told what to do and can very well handle herself.
Then it happens. During a scouting job, Catalina gets caught up in a room alone with the Dominus King. For some reason, things don't go as planned and you find out later in the book why. How can she keep her feelings for the Dominus King secret from her elite group and the fact that she is human from the Dominus King who will kill her if he finds out.
I loved how the story played out. I HATED the Dominus King in the beginning, but the more I got to know his character, I was actually rooting for him!! I know right!?!? I love Darien, but I felt like he was so wishy-washy. Especially when the secrets started coming out and he turned his back on Catalina. But, then his true feelings began to show and if became very comfusing for me. I wanted to root for Darien but at the same time I just wanted to go away so that Catalina and the King could live happily every after. LOL. I know..I'm strange!!
I definitely give this book 5 stars. I have already read book two in the series as soon as I finished this one, so that review will be posted during the tour. Fantastic job to Heather for a wonderful story and a very elegant twist to your typical vampire romance novel!!
The story starts out that there was a crisis where all the humans were killed off by aliens from another planet; vampire aliens. These vampire aliens begin reproducing with humans making a new race called the Dominus. There were a few select human babies that survived thanks to a doctor; who raises them to know that the males are warriors and the females are left the task of taking care of the males and reproducing. Well, not for Catalina. She is the female heroin in the story.
I loved Catalina's character. She reminds me a lot of me because I don't think I could just lay around and make babies either. She is in love with her best friend, Darien. She wants nothing more than to be with him. But, his mate is already chosen. She doesn't like being told what to do and can very well handle herself.
Then it happens. During a scouting job, Catalina gets caught up in a room alone with the Dominus King. For some reason, things don't go as planned and you find out later in the book why. How can she keep her feelings for the Dominus King secret from her elite group and the fact that she is human from the Dominus King who will kill her if he finds out.
I loved how the story played out. I HATED the Dominus King in the beginning, but the more I got to know his character, I was actually rooting for him!! I know right!?!? I love Darien, but I felt like he was so wishy-washy. Especially when the secrets started coming out and he turned his back on Catalina. But, then his true feelings began to show and if became very comfusing for me. I wanted to root for Darien but at the same time I just wanted to go away so that Catalina and the King could live happily every after. LOL. I know..I'm strange!!
I definitely give this book 5 stars. I have already read book two in the series as soon as I finished this one, so that review will be posted during the tour. Fantastic job to Heather for a wonderful story and a very elegant twist to your typical vampire romance novel!!
August 8, 2015
When I began reading this book, I initially went uh-oh, I've clearly bought a book here that's not intended for my demographic. I suspect it was written for the YA market. The idea of Vampires was one thing, but vampires from outer space, now that was beginning to push the envelope a little. I decided that I would persevere and read the book anyway - after all I'd already bought it - and I'm so glad I did. Shattered Skies; Beginnings End was a damn good read. Yes, it wasn't intended for my age bracket, I get that, but the basic story and characters were interesting and easy to identify with.
At the end of the day this book is first and foremost setting the scene for future books in this series and there's nothing wrong with that. I give the author Heather Linn some real kudos for the twists she had in her plot. I certainly didn't pick them all. The end of the book set things nicely for the next book.
Author Linn has an interesting, almost conversational writing style, which I think probably appeals to her target market. I personally felt that some more attention to editing and layout could well have improved the readability of the book. There were also the requisite number of typos and word errors that one has come to expect from self-published books (which I'm assuming this is) but I have made a point of never letting that detract from my reading of the story.
I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would once I got past the first chapter. I might even have considered 5 stars if the layout and editing was better and perhaps my only real gripe - the dialogue. I did feel the dialogue was stilted in places. The reality is people do talk in contractions and author's have to accept that and write their dialogue that way.
Look, this is a novel concept for a plot, it was well constructed and basically just an enjoyable little read. If you're a vampire fan, then this is a new take on an old theory. Give it a go!
At the end of the day this book is first and foremost setting the scene for future books in this series and there's nothing wrong with that. I give the author Heather Linn some real kudos for the twists she had in her plot. I certainly didn't pick them all. The end of the book set things nicely for the next book.
Author Linn has an interesting, almost conversational writing style, which I think probably appeals to her target market. I personally felt that some more attention to editing and layout could well have improved the readability of the book. There were also the requisite number of typos and word errors that one has come to expect from self-published books (which I'm assuming this is) but I have made a point of never letting that detract from my reading of the story.
I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would once I got past the first chapter. I might even have considered 5 stars if the layout and editing was better and perhaps my only real gripe - the dialogue. I did feel the dialogue was stilted in places. The reality is people do talk in contractions and author's have to accept that and write their dialogue that way.
Look, this is a novel concept for a plot, it was well constructed and basically just an enjoyable little read. If you're a vampire fan, then this is a new take on an old theory. Give it a go!
April 8, 2013
I had read the first couple of chapters a while ago and I was instantly interested in this book. Then a week or so ago Amazon had it as a free read and I just at the chance to get it.
This book is another different take on Vampires and how they came to be. Except now they are at the top of the food chain and ruling the world and we humans are used for only 3 purposes. 1. Food 2. Mating 3. slaves. Yup, Vampires rule the world.
I started this book this afternoon and here I am 1:00 in the morning and I am done. It wasn't a short book, I believe it was 25+ chapters.It was a interesting read. I love reading books where their is a new twist on our classic Vampire. And this book is that.
These characters are well written and as the book goes on you get a better insight into who they are.
Their are quite a few main player. You have Cat, Akia and Darien. Then you have Dr. Walker, Jewel and Jared who are twins. All of these characters are great. And as the story progresses you get a better insight into who they are.
This book has a few surprise that I never saw coming. Usually I can see it coming. But I didn't with this book. I love being surprised.
The next book is out I believe and I can't wait to buy it for I can read it and see where everyone is at. I must say though, I want Cat with Akia. Yes, he hates humans and doesn't know what she is but I think his opinion will change. Darien I liked as the book started but I really stared to dislike him towards the end. So for now I am hoping that Cat will come back into contact with Akia in the next book. I have to buy the next book and hope that they will see one another again.
This book is another different take on Vampires and how they came to be. Except now they are at the top of the food chain and ruling the world and we humans are used for only 3 purposes. 1. Food 2. Mating 3. slaves. Yup, Vampires rule the world.
I started this book this afternoon and here I am 1:00 in the morning and I am done. It wasn't a short book, I believe it was 25+ chapters.It was a interesting read. I love reading books where their is a new twist on our classic Vampire. And this book is that.
These characters are well written and as the book goes on you get a better insight into who they are.
Their are quite a few main player. You have Cat, Akia and Darien. Then you have Dr. Walker, Jewel and Jared who are twins. All of these characters are great. And as the story progresses you get a better insight into who they are.
This book has a few surprise that I never saw coming. Usually I can see it coming. But I didn't with this book. I love being surprised.
The next book is out I believe and I can't wait to buy it for I can read it and see where everyone is at. I must say though, I want Cat with Akia. Yes, he hates humans and doesn't know what she is but I think his opinion will change. Darien I liked as the book started but I really stared to dislike him towards the end. So for now I am hoping that Cat will come back into contact with Akia in the next book. I have to buy the next book and hope that they will see one another again.
December 2, 2013
Catalina (or better known as Cat) is a rogue human, trying to survive in a world full of new breed of Vampires. Her only weapon to kill these monsters is sex (quite the weapon). Growing up under the radar of the Dominus, Cat has learned to fight against them instead of being like the typical female and taking care of everyone and having more children.
Things are going well for her until one night she is paired up with the king and she ends up falling in love with him. The chemistry these two have is lit up right from the beginning, each not sure what to do or make of it but they do know they find it hard to stay away from each other.
Rogue humans living in a world of a vampires is a whole new twist on this paranormal genre. I really enjoyed this take on it as its an interesting concept…humans being the less dominant race. Cat is a very strong willed woman and won’t sit back and take the easy way out of things, she jumps in to things full steam and deals with the consequences afterwards. The supporting characters, Dr. Walker, Darien, and Akia all add unique qualities & personalities to the story which make it that more interesting.
Definitely looking forward to book 2 and would recommend this to anyone who loves books about vampires :D
Things are going well for her until one night she is paired up with the king and she ends up falling in love with him. The chemistry these two have is lit up right from the beginning, each not sure what to do or make of it but they do know they find it hard to stay away from each other.
Rogue humans living in a world of a vampires is a whole new twist on this paranormal genre. I really enjoyed this take on it as its an interesting concept…humans being the less dominant race. Cat is a very strong willed woman and won’t sit back and take the easy way out of things, she jumps in to things full steam and deals with the consequences afterwards. The supporting characters, Dr. Walker, Darien, and Akia all add unique qualities & personalities to the story which make it that more interesting.
Definitely looking forward to book 2 and would recommend this to anyone who loves books about vampires :D
June 11, 2013
I loved the story line and especially the new ideas that were brought forth with this novel. Having read so many Vampire and other fantasy love stories, both Y/A and Adult, I was sure this would be the same as all of the others. Heather Linn did a fantastic job creating a new world that I've never imagined and a spectacular twist that I never saw coming! High praises for a wonderful new author that I look forward to following over the years.
January 20, 2016
Ok, I'm on the fence here. Yes there were tons of grammatical and spelling errors, but I can tell you that they didn't really bother me as much as some others have stated. Some books like that have made me nutty reading them but I really just skimmed over them. So, the "set up" that kind of knocked me for a loop there, wrong, just wrong. I have to agree with some that the characters felt "flat" and I do see that. But, and it's a big but, I really like this and will read the next book.
May 26, 2013
I was a little leary about this book but loved it. The story is so different then most of the vampire series out there and the characters are really easy to relate to (for the most part haha) for a first time novel it was really good hopefully going to be able to get the next one in the series shortly.
Want to read
June 4, 2013There is a really drama filled debate raging on Amazon right now about this book. http://www.amazon.com/Shattered-Skies...
The author was advertising that the book is free on Kindle this week. I am semi-intrigued and many read it.
The author was advertising that the book is free on Kindle this week. I am semi-intrigued and many read it.
August 27, 2013
I really enjoyed this book, looking forward to reading the 2nd one night waves.
Though Cat is a bit flakey for being the Heroine it is definitely a page turner..lots of action, romance of sorts..and what a twist about the family and their "father" I wonder if Cat meets up with Akia again..the chemistry between those two was hot! I give this 4 stars :)
Though Cat is a bit flakey for being the Heroine it is definitely a page turner..lots of action, romance of sorts..and what a twist about the family and their "father" I wonder if Cat meets up with Akia again..the chemistry between those two was hot! I give this 4 stars :)
September 1, 2013
A very intriguing story that pulls you in multiple directions.
You don't know what to expect, and what you expect is wrong. Though I do want to continue the series, I hope the editing is better. The amount of errors was tremendous.
Catalina is prophesied to save the world from vampires, though she doesn't know it - and who better to tell her than her father figure, a vampire in hiding...
You don't know what to expect, and what you expect is wrong. Though I do want to continue the series, I hope the editing is better. The amount of errors was tremendous.
Catalina is prophesied to save the world from vampires, though she doesn't know it - and who better to tell her than her father figure, a vampire in hiding...
August 5, 2015
Human or nonhuman?
Cats story is one of mystery and intrigue, you never know. Saved as an infant with several others babies, raised by a man they considered their father, only to find out later that he is vampire, the very thing they hunt to kill or be killed. Cat's many lives should run out but she always returns to herself.read on to find out how she lives and has lived!
Cats story is one of mystery and intrigue, you never know. Saved as an infant with several others babies, raised by a man they considered their father, only to find out later that he is vampire, the very thing they hunt to kill or be killed. Cat's many lives should run out but she always returns to herself.read on to find out how she lives and has lived!
December 11, 2014
A different spin on humans vs. vampires
I enjoyed Ms. Linn's book. I enjoy the genre and love seeing a new twist thrown in the mix. I look forward to checking out the rest of the series.
I enjoyed Ms. Linn's book. I enjoy the genre and love seeing a new twist thrown in the mix. I look forward to checking out the rest of the series.
August 3, 2015
Shattered skies:beginners end by Heather Linn
Absolutely loved this book. Have never read another vampire book with this storyline. I cried, got upset for the characters and can't wait to read the next one!! A riveting book!!
Absolutely loved this book. Have never read another vampire book with this storyline. I cried, got upset for the characters and can't wait to read the next one!! A riveting book!!
April 8, 2016
New book, New world
I found the concept new and different. Cat, the heroine, is feisty and likeable. I've already moved on to read the second in the series and this will definitely be added to my watch list for new books in the series.
I found the concept new and different. Cat, the heroine, is feisty and likeable. I've already moved on to read the second in the series and this will definitely be added to my watch list for new books in the series.
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