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Ascension
Ivy, a modest and compassionate woman, finds herself thrust into a world of violence, a life she can't fathom. Torn and disheartened, she embraces her immortal family and learns to accept her new life with all its turmoil. Amidst the chase for violent criminals, especially the notorious College Rapist, Ivy finds love with Jay, the enigmatic night club owner. Jay, using his club as a breeding ground for the underground drug trade, is on the brink of penetrating the Los Zetas cartel, the most dangerous criminal syndicate in the Americas. Ivy and her family collaborate with a chosen few from the NYPD, accepting of their vigilante ways. She builds a strong friendship with Officer Melanie Dunn, a staid, sexual assault specialist, working together tracking the College Rapist. As his spree escalates to murder, one of their own is a target of his nefarious deeds. Will Ivy find this victim in time? Will she be able to deliver her brand of justice?
284 pages, Hardcover
First published July 8, 2013
1 person is currently reading
534 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 17, 2013
This book has two main aspects. The most dominant is the police procedural as the characters track down the College Rapist. The secondary aspect is the main character beginning her life as a vampire. There is a fleeting romance element but this is not a vampire romance book. Ivy's new vampiric life is predominant at the start of the book but the procedural aspect grows to take over the plot. The descriptions are good and the level of vocabulary is more sophisticated than the typical level for paranormal romance. If you like police procedurals and are OK with vampires doing the investigation, this book may work well for you. Otherwise this book is not likely your cup of tea.
November 7, 2013
I was provided with a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
First off, this book was not my cup of tea - not enough romance and too much of a procedural crime novel. If you like CSI or Law and Order, this book probably would appeal to you.
The book starts off where Ivy (the heroine) is learning to be a vampire after she was turned. Ivy was attacked and saved by good vampires who changed her in order to save her life. I liked the many secondary characters and wish they would have been drawn out more. I did like how the author explained their backgrounds. Ivy learns that they work with NYPD cops to bring down criminals. Currently, they are after the college rapist. Most of the novel concentrates on this investigation and it is solved by the end of the book. At the same time, Jay(the hero) who operates a nightclub is trying to bring down the Los Zeta Drug Cartel with the help of other vampires. The Los Zeta investigation continues in the second book I assume.
Things I did not like:
1. No build up in the relationship between Ivy and Jay. They meet at a club for the first time and are instantly in love.
2. Ivy comes from a past marriage where she was abused. She seems to have no problems with intimacy and jumps into bed with Jay right away. This is one of the things I can't stand in romance books.
3. I do not especially like 1st person POV. I can't seem to get into the book.
Nicole
First off, this book was not my cup of tea - not enough romance and too much of a procedural crime novel. If you like CSI or Law and Order, this book probably would appeal to you.
The book starts off where Ivy (the heroine) is learning to be a vampire after she was turned. Ivy was attacked and saved by good vampires who changed her in order to save her life. I liked the many secondary characters and wish they would have been drawn out more. I did like how the author explained their backgrounds. Ivy learns that they work with NYPD cops to bring down criminals. Currently, they are after the college rapist. Most of the novel concentrates on this investigation and it is solved by the end of the book. At the same time, Jay(the hero) who operates a nightclub is trying to bring down the Los Zeta Drug Cartel with the help of other vampires. The Los Zeta investigation continues in the second book I assume.
Things I did not like:
1. No build up in the relationship between Ivy and Jay. They meet at a club for the first time and are instantly in love.
2. Ivy comes from a past marriage where she was abused. She seems to have no problems with intimacy and jumps into bed with Jay right away. This is one of the things I can't stand in romance books.
3. I do not especially like 1st person POV. I can't seem to get into the book.
Nicole
Read
January 26, 2015This is my book and I'm hoping for some feedback and constructive criticism.
Nadine
Nadine
August 27, 2015
Very very mild spoilers.
Probably more on the verge of 3.5 stars, this book was a good read.
I enjoyed the story and different-but similar- take on the immortals. (By different but similar I mean that Nadine took something that is well known, included characteristics that are staple for immortal/vampire type creatures and made them her own by adding other unique features. It was easy to read (not meaning that in a bad way) and I think the ease of reading helped to ease some of the more grotesque sections of the book. I also found personally, for someone who hasn't studied criminology, the questions Ivy asked about the cases were questions I had; such as what is MO, and the different types of criminal rapists.
As for the characters, I enjoyed hearing about how they were all changed in the past to who they are now and though I suspect they've had centuries to develop their character it would have been nice to see a bit more development from them, though I know the focus was on Ivy and she underwent quite a development.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I'm interested to see where it is going with the mob in the sequel. What usually makes me love a book is when I find a character I relate to or one that stands out. I think Justus could be that character for me but as of this first novel, unfortunately I did not make that connection.
If you like stories about crime fighting superheroes I'm sure this is a good read for you. Personally I see the immortals as more superhero than supernatural, so if people are defining it by its "supernatural-ness" and that is hindering your want to read this book, don't let that stop you!
As someone who has lived in London, I enjoyed some of the references, or at least things I felt were references to London!
Good luck on the next book, looking forward to it!
Probably more on the verge of 3.5 stars, this book was a good read.
I enjoyed the story and different-but similar- take on the immortals. (By different but similar I mean that Nadine took something that is well known, included characteristics that are staple for immortal/vampire type creatures and made them her own by adding other unique features. It was easy to read (not meaning that in a bad way) and I think the ease of reading helped to ease some of the more grotesque sections of the book. I also found personally, for someone who hasn't studied criminology, the questions Ivy asked about the cases were questions I had; such as what is MO, and the different types of criminal rapists.
As for the characters, I enjoyed hearing about how they were all changed in the past to who they are now and though I suspect they've had centuries to develop their character it would have been nice to see a bit more development from them, though I know the focus was on Ivy and she underwent quite a development.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. I'm interested to see where it is going with the mob in the sequel. What usually makes me love a book is when I find a character I relate to or one that stands out. I think Justus could be that character for me but as of this first novel, unfortunately I did not make that connection.
If you like stories about crime fighting superheroes I'm sure this is a good read for you. Personally I see the immortals as more superhero than supernatural, so if people are defining it by its "supernatural-ness" and that is hindering your want to read this book, don't let that stop you!
As someone who has lived in London, I enjoyed some of the references, or at least things I felt were references to London!
Good luck on the next book, looking forward to it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews