Unleashed

Makai Series #2

by Toni Kerr

Tristan can't wait to get to Darnell—a place where people have similar powers to his own and won't know about the horrific events that led to being exiled from his previous home. Unfortunately, they do know, and so does Lazaro, a ruthless man determined to regain possession of the powerful emerald Tristan stole.

And Lazaro isn't the only one on a quest for Tristan's blood.

A secret society of overzealous dragon slayers believes Tristan is a worthy target to hunt. When he is captured and put on trial for being an abomination to mankind, his continued denial of dragon ancestry won't keep him safe for long. The Slayers have been hunting for generations, and in a private museum of artifacts and past conquests, Tristan discovers a handful of gems akin to the emerald and a new mission—if he can survive long enough to escape captivity.

But then...no amount of protection or denial can save him from himself.

Genres: Fantasy

333 pages, Paperback

First published June 3, 2014

About the author

Toni Kerr lives with her husband, two dangerously creative children, and a fabulous Australian Shepherd in the Pacific Northwest. She loves the outdoors, horses, the high desert, Photoshop, music, salty things, and writing in the wee hours of morning when all is silent.

Reviews

[Cheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book!! I enjoyed all of the exciting things that happened!! When I started reading it was hard to stop! There was an interesting plot twist that just left me sitting there like, “whaaaaat!?” There we also awesome parts that made me go, “awesome!!!” And some sad parts that made me go, “oh no! Aw poor guy!” I suggest this book to anyone who likes adventure and interesting things along with fantasy type things! I can’t wait for more!!!!

[Mati · Rating 4 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

After the first book in this series, I was admittedly a little let down. Thankfully, Unleashed does help sort out many of the frustration I felt with that story. In Unleashed, we get some more answers on what's happening and a bit more dragon lore, and while there were a few things I still wasn't a fan of, I did enjoy this book more than it's predecessor.

I think one of the more interesting things about this book was we get to learn more about dragons. It doesn't just feel like 'dragon' is tacked on as an accessory term finally, and there is more story as to who is a dragon and why. I liked seeing some of the old powers expanded on a bit, and the story felt more fleshed out. There was a lot of hallucination in this story, which can make it confusing for the reader, but I didn't find it too overwhelming.

The thing that is still a little bothersome is the sort of limitless power feeling that comes into play. People are doing so much, and there really aren't good boundaries over what they can or can't do. I like my super powers to be a bit more controlled: you can use telepathy and telekinesis. The end. The Makai books don't really have boundaries like that I could see, so most of my frustration stems from just that personal desire for better corralling of powers. The only other real problem I had with this book was Dorian was just...gone... for like, almost the entire book. Since she was like a main character to start out with, that was sort of depressing. I wished she had been involved more, but she almost felt a little like an after thought near the end.

Overall, I was satisfied with the answers this book provided and it helped ease some of my frustrations from the first book.

[Ryshia Kennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the sequel to Descendent, Unleashed continues teenaged Tristan’s journey to face his enemies and his quest to protect himself and those around him by learning what his abilities, as one with dragon blood, are and how to control them. To do that he must learn who he is, what he was and what he might become. But in the process he’s also being reminded that his heritage can be dangerous, even deadly, and there are those that seek to kill him because of it. As in the first book he also has found those that will help him, including training him to understand who and what he is. In a back and forth of past to present and a telepathic ability to speak to people not physically there, Tristan explores his reality and learns who he can trust and who he can’t. He falls for the beautiful Shaely, meets a fairy and discovers the light as well as the dark in his new home. But it is the dragon slayers who threaten his very existence.

Unleashed is a deep and thrilling fantasy that left me anxious to read more as Tristan grows and develops his incredible heritage.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a superb sequel to a surprisingly good first book! I really enjoyed this edition to the series and await the next one eagerly!

This book keeps you on your toes. Its fast paced and makes you think. This isn't your average easy read. There were things I did not see coming a mile away, but enough that I did predict that I stayed interested and knew that I was following the book.

If you are wanting to start a series that not everyone has read, I highly recommend this one. A third installment will be available in the Spring and I will without a doubt purchase a copy!

I received my copy from the author Tony Kerr, in return for an honest review. This in no way effects the review or rating of the novel.

[Jeff Davault · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book, though I felt sorry for Tristan and the total lack of down time he gets. While I am looking forward to the next book, I do hope there is a significant time lag (in the context of the story) between them, since Tristan really can't be that far from a breakdown due to the sheer amount of change and challenge thrown his way.

Definitely fun, exciting, a bit challenging if you don't grasp the perspective and voice changes, but a fun book, and one which I would highly recommend reading the first of the series prior to reading this one, or you will likely be confused and miss a good deal.