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Goddess Born #2
A Grave Inheritance
Book two of Goddess Born
Selah Kilbrid may descend from the goddess Brigid, but her heart beats--and breaks--the same as any human. Yet enduring the scorn of London's most noble lords and ladies is a small price to pay for a chance at true happiness. Selah would endure much more for love, and her betrothed, Lord Henry Fitzalan, is prepared to challenge anyone foolish enough to stand in their way--even another goddess born.
But when a captivating young gentleman draws Selah into a world shadowed by secrets, she is forced to confront her darkest fears. What if some differences are too great to overcome and a future with Henry is doomed from the start?
With these doubts threatening her impending marriage, a violent attack on an innocent child pushes Selah to the very edge of her power. She must find a way to cross into the Otherworld and regain her strength--or forfeit the streets of London to death and disease.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2014
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January 9, 2015
See the full review at http://aliteraryvacation.blogspot.com.
With Kari Edgren's first book in her Goddess Born series the author did a wonderful job of combining 1700s Colonial Pennsylvanian history with an otherworldly environment of ancient powers and healing. In this second installment we move away from the Quaker community our main character Selah has always known into the dangerous, unfamiliar worlds of both London society and the darker and dirtier back alleys of this ever-shifting city. As in the first book, Selah once again has to navigate the very human issues surrounding her, such as being accepted by her fiancé's noble counterparts that see her as little more than an upstart, as well as the fantastical otherworld that now presents new obstacles and enlightenment that she never even imagined existed.
Selah is a character unlike any other I have seen before. I love the way Ms. Edgren presents her as both a plucky, proud woman ready to fight for the love she has found with Henry Fitzalan as well as a young woman with the goddess Brigid's blood flowing through her veins, blood that gives her this remarkable gift that requires her to heal anyone who asks for her help whether she truly wants to or not. Expanding her story beyond what we saw in Goddess Born, everything Selah must face in A Grave Inheritance pushes her further and further and makes her fight even harder for what she truly wants out of this life as well as to keep herself and those she loves alive.
While the more realistic down-to-earth issues she is facing - getting others to support her marriage to Henry and getting his betrothal to the Princess Amelia dropped so Henry and she can marry, keeping her relationship with her best friend Nora from falling apart in London when their interests pull them in different directions, etc - are interesting, it is the advancement of the otherworldly storyline that really drew me in. In London Selah discovers that there are many more descendants of Brigid walking around, each with their own unique powers, and that the restrictions she has placed on her own powers are only the tip of what she is capable of doing. Along with these more positive discoveries there is the realization that an ancient evil is also prowling the streets, an evil that wants nothing more than to draw the descendants of Brigid into a battle to save the humans they have been charged with protecting and to unleash even more evil onto the world.
A Grave Inheritance ends on a delicious cliffhanger that has me itching for the next book in the series to come out! I highly recommend those interested in a cross over between historical fiction and fantasy to read both Goddess Born and A Grave Inheritance in preparation for the next book to come. It is easy to become very attached to these well drawn and intriguing characters and the experiences they go through, and I cannot wait to see what angles the story takes and the conclusion to this captivating series.
With Kari Edgren's first book in her Goddess Born series the author did a wonderful job of combining 1700s Colonial Pennsylvanian history with an otherworldly environment of ancient powers and healing. In this second installment we move away from the Quaker community our main character Selah has always known into the dangerous, unfamiliar worlds of both London society and the darker and dirtier back alleys of this ever-shifting city. As in the first book, Selah once again has to navigate the very human issues surrounding her, such as being accepted by her fiancé's noble counterparts that see her as little more than an upstart, as well as the fantastical otherworld that now presents new obstacles and enlightenment that she never even imagined existed.
Selah is a character unlike any other I have seen before. I love the way Ms. Edgren presents her as both a plucky, proud woman ready to fight for the love she has found with Henry Fitzalan as well as a young woman with the goddess Brigid's blood flowing through her veins, blood that gives her this remarkable gift that requires her to heal anyone who asks for her help whether she truly wants to or not. Expanding her story beyond what we saw in Goddess Born, everything Selah must face in A Grave Inheritance pushes her further and further and makes her fight even harder for what she truly wants out of this life as well as to keep herself and those she loves alive.
While the more realistic down-to-earth issues she is facing - getting others to support her marriage to Henry and getting his betrothal to the Princess Amelia dropped so Henry and she can marry, keeping her relationship with her best friend Nora from falling apart in London when their interests pull them in different directions, etc - are interesting, it is the advancement of the otherworldly storyline that really drew me in. In London Selah discovers that there are many more descendants of Brigid walking around, each with their own unique powers, and that the restrictions she has placed on her own powers are only the tip of what she is capable of doing. Along with these more positive discoveries there is the realization that an ancient evil is also prowling the streets, an evil that wants nothing more than to draw the descendants of Brigid into a battle to save the humans they have been charged with protecting and to unleash even more evil onto the world.
A Grave Inheritance ends on a delicious cliffhanger that has me itching for the next book in the series to come out! I highly recommend those interested in a cross over between historical fiction and fantasy to read both Goddess Born and A Grave Inheritance in preparation for the next book to come. It is easy to become very attached to these well drawn and intriguing characters and the experiences they go through, and I cannot wait to see what angles the story takes and the conclusion to this captivating series.
January 8, 2015
It can be rare for me to like a second book more than the first, but that is exactly the case with A Grave Inheritance, book two in the Goddess Born series. The author has really outdone herself with this one. As we follow Selah to England so she can meet up with her love James and they can finally marry, the story starts off with an exciting occurrence (before the voyage to England) and just keeps getting more and more intriguing and interesting as the story progresses.
In this book, we really get to see the author's writing chops, as her historical detail is impeccable. With every page, I could picture the action as it was happening. I could see the clothes of the era and the scenery in my mind's eye, and it was a very pleasing reading experience indeed. Yet it's not just the historical elements that make this a great series. The characters are wonderful. Selah is an honorable and strong woman who stands up for what she believes. I so admire that in my female protagonist. James irritated me early on, but he is also honorable and so in love with Selah. They're love is a great love and it makes the story even better (and I'm not much for mushy love stories...not that this is). Add in the paranormal elements tied to legends from Ireland and the book, really the series, is the entire package. Historical fantasy at its finest!
If you have not picked up this series, I recommend that you do. I'm so looking forward to Book 3, as yet untitled. It's sure to be an exciting conclusion to what I believe is a planned trilogy. Of course, if the series extends past a trilogy, I won't complain.
In this book, we really get to see the author's writing chops, as her historical detail is impeccable. With every page, I could picture the action as it was happening. I could see the clothes of the era and the scenery in my mind's eye, and it was a very pleasing reading experience indeed. Yet it's not just the historical elements that make this a great series. The characters are wonderful. Selah is an honorable and strong woman who stands up for what she believes. I so admire that in my female protagonist. James irritated me early on, but he is also honorable and so in love with Selah. They're love is a great love and it makes the story even better (and I'm not much for mushy love stories...not that this is). Add in the paranormal elements tied to legends from Ireland and the book, really the series, is the entire package. Historical fantasy at its finest!
If you have not picked up this series, I recommend that you do. I'm so looking forward to Book 3, as yet untitled. It's sure to be an exciting conclusion to what I believe is a planned trilogy. Of course, if the series extends past a trilogy, I won't complain.
December 2, 2014
I loved this book! I devoured it in two days. There was no way that I could put it down. It caught my attention in the very first chapter and you never let it go. There were so many twists and turns that I didn’t know where the book was going to take me. (Something that doesn’t happen to me very often.)
I loved that there was more than one conflict/issue that the main characters had to deal with. It felt more realistic that way, usually in this life we are dealing with more than one difficult challenge at a time. As if that wasn’t already enough, so many wonderful, complex characters were added to the world of Selah & Henry. I love these new characters and all the surprises they held.
Kari is a talented writer. The book is fun and easy to read, but the writing style is more sophisticated than many YA books. Add that to the fact that it doesn't follow the over done love triangle formula used by many YA books these days and you have a winner. I can't wait for the next one!
I loved that there was more than one conflict/issue that the main characters had to deal with. It felt more realistic that way, usually in this life we are dealing with more than one difficult challenge at a time. As if that wasn’t already enough, so many wonderful, complex characters were added to the world of Selah & Henry. I love these new characters and all the surprises they held.
Kari is a talented writer. The book is fun and easy to read, but the writing style is more sophisticated than many YA books. Add that to the fact that it doesn't follow the over done love triangle formula used by many YA books these days and you have a winner. I can't wait for the next one!
November 27, 2014
3.5!!
Full review this Dec 2nd!!
The sequel is finally here!!!!
LET SELAH AND HENRY STAY TOGETHER AND NOBODY WILL GET HURT. NOBODY > MY FEELINGS. MY HEART. MY EMOTION.
Full review this Dec 2nd!!
The sequel is finally here!!!!
LET SELAH AND HENRY STAY TOGETHER AND NOBODY WILL GET HURT. NOBODY > MY FEELINGS. MY HEART. MY EMOTION.
February 2, 2015
Last year I read and enjoyed Kari Edgren's debut, Goddess Born, a novel of a lonely young woman with exceptional healing powers struggling to find her place in a superstitious community, though I had a few issues with it. But I was anxious to see how things would play out in A Grave Inheritance, the second book in the series, and I'm pleased to report that I ended up liking this one better than the first book!
The story picks up a few weeks after the first book left off, with Henry Fitzalan, the man Selah Kilbrid fell in love with believing he was an indentured servant, but who turned out to be heir to a dukedom and promised to a princess, back in England, and Selah, his affianced, preparing to follow him to meet his father and the king and secure her place as his bride. But the day before she is set to leave, an encounter with a strange man and an even stranger beast set her on edge. After a treacherous sea voyage, she arrives in London with her nerves and thoughts in a jumble, anxious to reunite with Henry but worried that his feelings for her and his determination to marry her may not have survived their separation. She quickly learns just how much the deck is stacked against them, with Henry standoffish in public, and a king, a princess, and most of English society condemning her as a gold-digging upstart. The one bright spot is the discovery of a fellow Goddess Born, a handsome young man keen to help Selah learn more about her heritage, to help her replenish her powers while in England, and to let him into her heart if he has his way.
As if fighting for her one true love and attempting to prove her worth to English society weren't enough, Selah has an encounter with a street waif that leaves her injured, and when she later sees that same waif nearly kill a little boy with just a touch, Selah realizes there are more powerful forces on the loose in London than just the Goddess Born. As more people fall ill and die, and as the little waif seems to be taunting Selah, circling ever closer with more creatures of the underworld, Selah is drawn deeper into the community of Goddess Born in England. But even with her newfound friends, defeating an ancient foe with its sights set on Selah may prove to be more than she can handle, especially when those she loves most are placed directly in the path of a monster.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this stage of Selah's story, I did miss the Colonial America setting, which is what drew me to this series in the first place. But this London installment makes up for that by constantly keeping my attention on the plot and the subtext and the revelations about Selah's heritage, and on a truly creepy villain in the form of a little girl. There are more than a few pulse-pounding moments when Selah's insecurity and doubt about Henry and her place in his world had me on pins and needles, but, as in the first book, Henry continues to be pretty swoon-worthy and proves himself a worthy match for a Goddess Born. And Selah and Henry are HAWT together, even while remaining fully clothed. Nonstop action and emotional drama had me burning through the pages right up to the cliffhanger ending that sets the stage for an epic confrontation in the final book. If you're looking for something a bit different in historical romance and can handle a little magic and mythology mixed in with your history, give the Goddess Born series a shot. I am anxiously awaiting the conclusion to this exciting, romantic series!
The story picks up a few weeks after the first book left off, with Henry Fitzalan, the man Selah Kilbrid fell in love with believing he was an indentured servant, but who turned out to be heir to a dukedom and promised to a princess, back in England, and Selah, his affianced, preparing to follow him to meet his father and the king and secure her place as his bride. But the day before she is set to leave, an encounter with a strange man and an even stranger beast set her on edge. After a treacherous sea voyage, she arrives in London with her nerves and thoughts in a jumble, anxious to reunite with Henry but worried that his feelings for her and his determination to marry her may not have survived their separation. She quickly learns just how much the deck is stacked against them, with Henry standoffish in public, and a king, a princess, and most of English society condemning her as a gold-digging upstart. The one bright spot is the discovery of a fellow Goddess Born, a handsome young man keen to help Selah learn more about her heritage, to help her replenish her powers while in England, and to let him into her heart if he has his way.
As if fighting for her one true love and attempting to prove her worth to English society weren't enough, Selah has an encounter with a street waif that leaves her injured, and when she later sees that same waif nearly kill a little boy with just a touch, Selah realizes there are more powerful forces on the loose in London than just the Goddess Born. As more people fall ill and die, and as the little waif seems to be taunting Selah, circling ever closer with more creatures of the underworld, Selah is drawn deeper into the community of Goddess Born in England. But even with her newfound friends, defeating an ancient foe with its sights set on Selah may prove to be more than she can handle, especially when those she loves most are placed directly in the path of a monster.
While I thoroughly enjoyed this stage of Selah's story, I did miss the Colonial America setting, which is what drew me to this series in the first place. But this London installment makes up for that by constantly keeping my attention on the plot and the subtext and the revelations about Selah's heritage, and on a truly creepy villain in the form of a little girl. There are more than a few pulse-pounding moments when Selah's insecurity and doubt about Henry and her place in his world had me on pins and needles, but, as in the first book, Henry continues to be pretty swoon-worthy and proves himself a worthy match for a Goddess Born. And Selah and Henry are HAWT together, even while remaining fully clothed. Nonstop action and emotional drama had me burning through the pages right up to the cliffhanger ending that sets the stage for an epic confrontation in the final book. If you're looking for something a bit different in historical romance and can handle a little magic and mythology mixed in with your history, give the Goddess Born series a shot. I am anxiously awaiting the conclusion to this exciting, romantic series!
December 10, 2014
When I read Kari Edgren's A Goddess Born, the first book in this series, earlier this year I fell in love with it. Not only do I like historicals, but I love paranormals/supernaturals (especially those with mythological components) and though I don't normally like all kinds of romance, I do like them when they are not sappy or southern, so to speak.
So, when A Grave Inheritance, book two in the series also called Goddess Born series, became available to me for review, I was anxious to read it. It pretty much picks up where A Goddess Born leaves off, yet takes us to new places and on an action-adventure that kept me turning the pages. If you haven't read the first book, she does do the usual back telling in a way that you'll still enjoy the story, but both books are so good, you might want to go back and read the first one. They're in digital format, so they are relatively cheap enough to buy the whole series.
In this second book, she takes her protagonist Selah (who is human, but with some powers of the supernatural, as she is descended from a Celtic goddess). Kari escorts her, and readers, back to Victorian England and ingratiates us to all the atmospheric details that emanate from that time period. She writes with a vivid and lively pen in a way that swept me right into the tale. Her descriptions are lovely and sweet-tasting, her sentences lovely. She's one of those writers that treats writing like a work of art.
She's labeled New Adult, but she crosses many boundaries. Without the paranormal element, she'd be historical romance. And really, to me, it's more supernatural historical fiction! They are clean, which is the way I like my romances too (I'm not a prude either!). They essentially are good for young adult readers, too, and I'd love to share these with my daughter at some point. If you are buying for YA, they are good for 18-25, but younger also based on their interest and reading level. They are a sophisticated break from some of the dystopian, vampire, zombie, and etc. novels. I'd say they are wonderful for those young readers who like mythology, and in my case, adults too.
They do have enough meat to be read and enjoyed by adults, unless you like strictly old school Harlequin or erotica romance. But see, it's the kind of meat that, personally, that I love in a book. A great plot, magical story, courageous and kind main female, and a dreamy, but decent man who treats the woman as equal all score high marks with me for this book. The characters have challenges and conflicts to face, giving the reader twists and turns to enjoy, and this creates an exciting tale--one that had me sliding past each page of my Kindle with fervor.
I love Kari's original tale and her ancient supernatural elements. I think that A Grave Inheritance was even better than the first, bringing more suspense and drama and great sense of time and place as they head to 18th Century London. I liked the villains she portrayed and the introduction of more with goddess-like powers.
I am super happy Kari chose to write this series; it has taken me to my fun place of reading magic and mythology and Old Word tales mixed with love and adventure. I absolutely can't wait to read the next one. Highly recommended for any weekend night you have free! It will enchant you in a way that will lead you to read it very quickly.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
So, when A Grave Inheritance, book two in the series also called Goddess Born series, became available to me for review, I was anxious to read it. It pretty much picks up where A Goddess Born leaves off, yet takes us to new places and on an action-adventure that kept me turning the pages. If you haven't read the first book, she does do the usual back telling in a way that you'll still enjoy the story, but both books are so good, you might want to go back and read the first one. They're in digital format, so they are relatively cheap enough to buy the whole series.
In this second book, she takes her protagonist Selah (who is human, but with some powers of the supernatural, as she is descended from a Celtic goddess). Kari escorts her, and readers, back to Victorian England and ingratiates us to all the atmospheric details that emanate from that time period. She writes with a vivid and lively pen in a way that swept me right into the tale. Her descriptions are lovely and sweet-tasting, her sentences lovely. She's one of those writers that treats writing like a work of art.
She's labeled New Adult, but she crosses many boundaries. Without the paranormal element, she'd be historical romance. And really, to me, it's more supernatural historical fiction! They are clean, which is the way I like my romances too (I'm not a prude either!). They essentially are good for young adult readers, too, and I'd love to share these with my daughter at some point. If you are buying for YA, they are good for 18-25, but younger also based on their interest and reading level. They are a sophisticated break from some of the dystopian, vampire, zombie, and etc. novels. I'd say they are wonderful for those young readers who like mythology, and in my case, adults too.
They do have enough meat to be read and enjoyed by adults, unless you like strictly old school Harlequin or erotica romance. But see, it's the kind of meat that, personally, that I love in a book. A great plot, magical story, courageous and kind main female, and a dreamy, but decent man who treats the woman as equal all score high marks with me for this book. The characters have challenges and conflicts to face, giving the reader twists and turns to enjoy, and this creates an exciting tale--one that had me sliding past each page of my Kindle with fervor.
I love Kari's original tale and her ancient supernatural elements. I think that A Grave Inheritance was even better than the first, bringing more suspense and drama and great sense of time and place as they head to 18th Century London. I liked the villains she portrayed and the introduction of more with goddess-like powers.
I am super happy Kari chose to write this series; it has taken me to my fun place of reading magic and mythology and Old Word tales mixed with love and adventure. I absolutely can't wait to read the next one. Highly recommended for any weekend night you have free! It will enchant you in a way that will lead you to read it very quickly.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
December 4, 2014
I loved Kari Edgren's first installment in the Goddess Born series, Goddess Born, and could not wait to read book two. Edgren combines historical fiction, fantasy, paranormal elements, and romance in the Goddess Born series. And she does it with aplomb. These books are clean romance novels, which is such a nice change of pace for me. I love it when I can share a book with my mom and not have to blush when we talk about it.
A Grave Inheritance begins about three months after Goddess Born ends. Not to worry, though, Edgren provides a good recap of the events occurring in the gap between books. This book starts off with a bang and the fast pace continued for the entire story. There was much more action in A Grave Inheritance than in Goddess Born. It made for an exciting read, one that was difficult to put down.
There was a really exciting and unexpected turn to the plot in this story. Edgren really shocked me, and I love it when authors do that. I thought that A Grave Inheritance had more depth and more intensity than its predecessor. It made the book even more thrilling to read. There was a focus on other Goddess born, which was so neat, because Selah finds out she's not alone, that there are other Goddess born out there. I loved that, and that she found a sense of community among other Goddess born. For an orphan who has to keep her true identity a secret from nearly everyone she knows, Selah deserved to be around people who truly knew and understood her.
My one complaint about A Grave Inheritance is that it ended on quite a cliffhanger. I literally cannot wait until book three comes out. I highly recommend the Goddess Born series!
A Grave Inheritance begins about three months after Goddess Born ends. Not to worry, though, Edgren provides a good recap of the events occurring in the gap between books. This book starts off with a bang and the fast pace continued for the entire story. There was much more action in A Grave Inheritance than in Goddess Born. It made for an exciting read, one that was difficult to put down.
There was a really exciting and unexpected turn to the plot in this story. Edgren really shocked me, and I love it when authors do that. I thought that A Grave Inheritance had more depth and more intensity than its predecessor. It made the book even more thrilling to read. There was a focus on other Goddess born, which was so neat, because Selah finds out she's not alone, that there are other Goddess born out there. I loved that, and that she found a sense of community among other Goddess born. For an orphan who has to keep her true identity a secret from nearly everyone she knows, Selah deserved to be around people who truly knew and understood her.
My one complaint about A Grave Inheritance is that it ended on quite a cliffhanger. I literally cannot wait until book three comes out. I highly recommend the Goddess Born series!
December 7, 2014
A digital copy of this book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
The tale revolves around Selah Kilbrid, who is a descendant of Goddess Brigid. She is as emotional and fragile as any human. Her man, Lord Henry Fitzalan is fiercely devoted to her. Things take a turn when Selah get to learn of some sinister truths which could damage a lot of things she holds dear. Her strength drains and fails her at a very inopportune moment, and she needs to cross over to the other world to get it back. Does she decide to do that, and embrace the other world, or does she decide to leave this one, is what the tale takes us through.
This was a superb fantasy tale from the Goddess Born series. Having not read the first book in the series, I was apprehensive about how I would relate to this book. The tale was so engrossing that it had me hooked - although I was new to the characters and the series. I finished the book in one setting and I was completely captivated by the characters that I couldn't stop thinking about them even after finishing the book. The narration is superb - clearly bringing out the internal turmoil in the characters and the pain that they try to deal with. I loved the way Selah's emotional conflicts are portrayed - making her appear even more vulnerable and human, endearing her to the reader. The pace of the book was excellent - just what it takes to make the book gripping. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next one in the series now.
Highly recommended to lovers of all fantasy genres.
My rating for this book: 5 stars
The tale revolves around Selah Kilbrid, who is a descendant of Goddess Brigid. She is as emotional and fragile as any human. Her man, Lord Henry Fitzalan is fiercely devoted to her. Things take a turn when Selah get to learn of some sinister truths which could damage a lot of things she holds dear. Her strength drains and fails her at a very inopportune moment, and she needs to cross over to the other world to get it back. Does she decide to do that, and embrace the other world, or does she decide to leave this one, is what the tale takes us through.
This was a superb fantasy tale from the Goddess Born series. Having not read the first book in the series, I was apprehensive about how I would relate to this book. The tale was so engrossing that it had me hooked - although I was new to the characters and the series. I finished the book in one setting and I was completely captivated by the characters that I couldn't stop thinking about them even after finishing the book. The narration is superb - clearly bringing out the internal turmoil in the characters and the pain that they try to deal with. I loved the way Selah's emotional conflicts are portrayed - making her appear even more vulnerable and human, endearing her to the reader. The pace of the book was excellent - just what it takes to make the book gripping. I am eagerly looking forward to reading the next one in the series now.
Highly recommended to lovers of all fantasy genres.
My rating for this book: 5 stars
January 23, 2015
A Grave Inheritance is the second book in the Goddess Born series. This installment continues the story of Selah and Henry as Selah arrives in London to be reunited with Henry. The first half of the novel concentrates on romantic problems between Selah and Henry. I found their trials and tribulations extremely realistic.
I absolutely loved this book. I’m not a huge fan of paranormal or fantasy novels, but Edgen makes the story so utterly believable that a reader can forget that the Goddess Born don’t exist (or maybe they do?). I like that the story is not merely a romance, but a complicated mystery full of intrigue and suspense. There are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep the most jaded of readers entertained.
The characters of A Grave Inheritance are believable and well-developed. Not only does Selah and Henry’s love grow, but their persons as well. Even the secondary characters have a clear background story. Edgen paints the historical setting in such a manner that I felt that I was transported back to Georgian England.
My only complaint about this book is that it ended without a full resolution of the story. We are now forced to wait for the next installment in the series to find out what happens. How cruel.
I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction that enjoy a bit of supernatural and intrigue with their romance.
I absolutely loved this book. I’m not a huge fan of paranormal or fantasy novels, but Edgen makes the story so utterly believable that a reader can forget that the Goddess Born don’t exist (or maybe they do?). I like that the story is not merely a romance, but a complicated mystery full of intrigue and suspense. There are enough twists and turns in the plot to keep the most jaded of readers entertained.
The characters of A Grave Inheritance are believable and well-developed. Not only does Selah and Henry’s love grow, but their persons as well. Even the secondary characters have a clear background story. Edgen paints the historical setting in such a manner that I felt that I was transported back to Georgian England.
My only complaint about this book is that it ended without a full resolution of the story. We are now forced to wait for the next installment in the series to find out what happens. How cruel.
I recommend this book to lovers of historical fiction that enjoy a bit of supernatural and intrigue with their romance.
January 2, 2015
A Grave Inheritance is the lively, action-packed sequel to Goddess Born. From page one, I was sucked into an awesome roller coaster ride of magic, royalty and intrigue in late 18th century London.
I went into this book thinking that Selah was the only character with a huge secret but boy, was I wrong. They're were all kinds of secrets revealed; some were surprising and others were not but it made for a very exciting story. Nothing was what it seemed and I loved every twist, turn and new revelation.
There are a ton of new characters in this book who add so much to the story as a whole. Some were really neat and lovable and some were really shady (I'm looking at you, Julian). It seemed like the characters and story expanded as the the setting did; London is a huge city so it makes sense that there would be more people surrounding Selah and affecting her life. There were also old characters who surprised me...in a good way. I'm looking forward to seeing those characters in the next book.
I loved A Grave Inheritance and am so excited to read the next book. The story is engaging, the characters are unique and there is never a dull moment. 4 stars.
I went into this book thinking that Selah was the only character with a huge secret but boy, was I wrong. They're were all kinds of secrets revealed; some were surprising and others were not but it made for a very exciting story. Nothing was what it seemed and I loved every twist, turn and new revelation.
There are a ton of new characters in this book who add so much to the story as a whole. Some were really neat and lovable and some were really shady (I'm looking at you, Julian). It seemed like the characters and story expanded as the the setting did; London is a huge city so it makes sense that there would be more people surrounding Selah and affecting her life. There were also old characters who surprised me...in a good way. I'm looking forward to seeing those characters in the next book.
I loved A Grave Inheritance and am so excited to read the next book. The story is engaging, the characters are unique and there is never a dull moment. 4 stars.
December 29, 2014
A Grave Inheritance was incredible. Edgren has written another masterpiece; I simply couldn't put the book down.
We continue the story of Selah and her journey to Henry's world. Little did she know that the journey would unlock the key to her past.
Kari Edgren is an amazing writer who never disappoints. This entire series has been amazing so far. I highly recommend anything she writes as it's sure to be incredible. I can't wait for book three!
We continue the story of Selah and her journey to Henry's world. Little did she know that the journey would unlock the key to her past.
Kari Edgren is an amazing writer who never disappoints. This entire series has been amazing so far. I highly recommend anything she writes as it's sure to be incredible. I can't wait for book three!
January 6, 2015
The sequel to Goddess Born did not disappoint! I found the characters & the dialogue to be just as engaging as ever. I rarely laugh out loud while reading, but did so while reading this book. LOOOOVE that this takes placed in eighteenth century England! So fascinating. From a historical fiction perspective, Edgren fleshes out some nooks & crannies of history I hadn't given much thought (but now find super fascinating).
April 16, 2015
I liked that this book takes place in England- i have the same connection with the characters, but feel like the story has a fresh appeal, the different setting is exciting.
December 26, 2014
Love!!! Fast paced.
December 23, 2014
[Full disclosure: I received a free ebook in conjunction with the blog tour in exchange for an honest review.]
After having read Goddess Born, the first book in Kari Edgren’s trilogy, I was very, very excited to get my hands on A Grave Inheritance. The first book had been so great that it would be hard to top, but I had faith that she would be up to the challenge. And of course she was.
Selah is a much different character now. She’s more sure of herself and of Henry, but there are still little doubts lingering beneath the surface. Those doubts aren’t helped when Henry seems to all but ignore her for a while and chastises her for using her gift when he knows she can’t help it. Will they be able to overcome their differences? Or will the pressure from pretty much everyone in King George’s court undo the love they found back in the colonies? Especially when Julian, another descendant of Brigid starts showing an interest in Selah.
Yes, some people will probably get frustrated with Selah doubting Henry all of the time, but you have to remember that although they’re in love, they haven’t exactly known each other for a long time. It’s natural that Selah fears Henry will leave her once he goes back to his life as the King’s favourite courtier. And Henry doesn’t exactly alleviate those doubts early on. Both of them grow so much as characters throughout this book that you can hardly recognize them from how they were at the beginning of Goddess Born. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I do have to say that they both change for the better.
I kind of saw some of the plot twists coming, but there were others that completely blindsided me. Especially the revelation about Selah’s family and the fact that Brigid wasn’t the only deity to have mortal descendants with powerful gifts. For a largely character-driven novel, the plot is fairly fast-paced so I really can’t complain about that. The only real criticism I have is that I wish a little more had happened in the middle of the book; it wasn’t boring, but it wasn’t exactly super interesting at times. Since that’s really my only complaint (and it’s pretty minor), I’d have to say that the plot was pretty darn good overall.
One of the things that made me fall in love with Goddess Born, aside from the characters, was Kari Edgren’s writing. It’s just as good, if not better, in the sequel. She has this beautiful way of describing things that makes you feel like you really are there with the characters; that’s rare enough in authors. What makes her writing great as opposed to good, however, is the fact that she can give a very authentic historical atmosphere. Edgren makes you really feel like you’re in England in the 1700s. I know almost nothing about the period but she puts in these little details of everyday life that it makes the story ring true. It’s quite amazing, really.
It’s not often that second books are just as good if not better than the first book. Yet here we have A Grave Inheritance, a wonderful tale of love, magic, intrigue, gods and goddesses. It’s an emotional roller coaster at times and Kari Edgren really makes you feel all of her characters’ hardships. You can’t help but get emotionally invested in her characters and that’s part of the reason why I’m so anxious for the third book. Selah’s story is far from over.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars.
After having read Goddess Born, the first book in Kari Edgren’s trilogy, I was very, very excited to get my hands on A Grave Inheritance. The first book had been so great that it would be hard to top, but I had faith that she would be up to the challenge. And of course she was.
Selah is a much different character now. She’s more sure of herself and of Henry, but there are still little doubts lingering beneath the surface. Those doubts aren’t helped when Henry seems to all but ignore her for a while and chastises her for using her gift when he knows she can’t help it. Will they be able to overcome their differences? Or will the pressure from pretty much everyone in King George’s court undo the love they found back in the colonies? Especially when Julian, another descendant of Brigid starts showing an interest in Selah.
Yes, some people will probably get frustrated with Selah doubting Henry all of the time, but you have to remember that although they’re in love, they haven’t exactly known each other for a long time. It’s natural that Selah fears Henry will leave her once he goes back to his life as the King’s favourite courtier. And Henry doesn’t exactly alleviate those doubts early on. Both of them grow so much as characters throughout this book that you can hardly recognize them from how they were at the beginning of Goddess Born. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I do have to say that they both change for the better.
I kind of saw some of the plot twists coming, but there were others that completely blindsided me. Especially the revelation about Selah’s family and the fact that Brigid wasn’t the only deity to have mortal descendants with powerful gifts. For a largely character-driven novel, the plot is fairly fast-paced so I really can’t complain about that. The only real criticism I have is that I wish a little more had happened in the middle of the book; it wasn’t boring, but it wasn’t exactly super interesting at times. Since that’s really my only complaint (and it’s pretty minor), I’d have to say that the plot was pretty darn good overall.
One of the things that made me fall in love with Goddess Born, aside from the characters, was Kari Edgren’s writing. It’s just as good, if not better, in the sequel. She has this beautiful way of describing things that makes you feel like you really are there with the characters; that’s rare enough in authors. What makes her writing great as opposed to good, however, is the fact that she can give a very authentic historical atmosphere. Edgren makes you really feel like you’re in England in the 1700s. I know almost nothing about the period but she puts in these little details of everyday life that it makes the story ring true. It’s quite amazing, really.
It’s not often that second books are just as good if not better than the first book. Yet here we have A Grave Inheritance, a wonderful tale of love, magic, intrigue, gods and goddesses. It’s an emotional roller coaster at times and Kari Edgren really makes you feel all of her characters’ hardships. You can’t help but get emotionally invested in her characters and that’s part of the reason why I’m so anxious for the third book. Selah’s story is far from over.
I give this book 4.5/5 stars.
December 30, 2014
What I particularly like about Kari Edgren's writing is that I always lose track of time and space. Life continues, people have conversations, children run around playing, and I sit happily in my bubble reading. Totally immersed in the world a Celtic goddess who travels to London for her one true love.
In A Grave Inheritance we pick up right where Goddess Born left off. Henry has left for London to try and persuade the King to release him from his arranged betrothal to the Princess. Selah is in the colonies restlessly waiting and planning her travel to London to find him. Her arrival brings on a whole new set of trials and tribulations. 1700 England isn't the nicest of places throw in a woman from the colonies, of Irish decent, with supernatural abilities and well...you can only imagine.
Kari Edgren does so many things right. Her ability to transport you back in time with description and characters is just bewildering to me. I would think writing about London alone in that time frame would be hard enough. But to mingle in the historical life of the colonies as well as British life and have them blend and make sense is fascinating. Nothing is as it seems in A Grave Inheritance. There are so many nefarious characters. All of which have their own agendas. Add to that the secrets, mix in the paranormal, and top it all off with a love story in the making, and you can see why I was lost.
Selah is a character that I have truly grown to love. She is so fierce and I feel like she's growing into herself as the story progresses. She is not one to back down and struggles sometimes to keep her mouth shut. I can only imagine how difficult that was back then. But she is also very kind, loving, even flirty. I'm not sure she even is aware of her own beauty. She's a pleasure to read and turning out to be one of my favorite heroines.
I would be remiss if I didn't mention Henry. He appears to be Selah's perfect match. If only those around would agree. A Lord in love with a commoner is something very much frowned upon. But he stays true even when faced with a multitude of challenges. I appreciate that very much. It would be too easy for the author to create drama when none is needed. The plot in itself has plenty to go around. I am anxious to see where Henry's story line goes.
I thought the story ended perfectly. Setting us up for book three. Love is strong, friendships renewed, alliances made, and the hunt is on for a very worthy adversary, or two or three. Things are heating up and I expect quite the explosive conclusion.
*A copy of this book was kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
February 4, 2015
Originally posted at: http://www.peekingbetweenthepages.com...
Having read Goddess Born, the first book in Kari Edgren’s trilogy and enjoying it immensely, I knew I had to read A Grave Inheritance and I was not disappointed! As with any sequel a review is a bit difficult without maybe giving away a spoiler from the first book so be forewarned before you go on if you do intend to read the series. In A Grave Inheritance we continue Selah’s journey – this time to meet her love Henry in London. A Grave Inheritance takes us back in time combining elements of magic and mythology giving the reader a truly captivating tale.
In A Grave Inheritance Selah comes to London to be with Henry but unfortunately it seems he is not hers alone. She has to contend with his betrothed and even another goddess born. Yet Henry assures her he only has eyes for her and of course Selah will do anything for Henry and their lives together. Yet when Henry begins to question Selah’s use of her gifts she has to wonder if they do indeed have a future together. He must accept her for who she is – a descendant of a goddess. It doesn’t help that Henry’s father is not approving of their betrothal either especially since Henry is already promised to the king’s daughter. And then there is Julian who is another descendant of Brigid’s. He is showing a great deal of interest in Selah but can he be trusted. As time goes on things really begin to heat up and Selah starts learning more and more about her family and her roots. What she learns shakes the foundations of who she always thought she was and as a malevolent force takes control of the very things that mean the most to Selah she knows that she will have to fight it with everything she can.
Oh I know this review is a bit vague but I don’t want to talk about the story much except to say it was really good. A Grave Inheritance is faster paced than the first one and really brings alive the sights and sounds of England. I loved that we got to see more of the goddess born traits that Selah possesses really shine in this book. It was also really interesting to see her family dynamics change drastically and I hope we learn more about that in the next book. I can’t help but mention the book cover as well. I think it is absolutely gorgeous. Last but not least this installment ended on a whoosie of a cliffhanger which I didn’t expect at all but it certainly makes me even more anxious to delve into the next book!
Recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction with elements of the paranormal. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the final book!
Having read Goddess Born, the first book in Kari Edgren’s trilogy and enjoying it immensely, I knew I had to read A Grave Inheritance and I was not disappointed! As with any sequel a review is a bit difficult without maybe giving away a spoiler from the first book so be forewarned before you go on if you do intend to read the series. In A Grave Inheritance we continue Selah’s journey – this time to meet her love Henry in London. A Grave Inheritance takes us back in time combining elements of magic and mythology giving the reader a truly captivating tale.
In A Grave Inheritance Selah comes to London to be with Henry but unfortunately it seems he is not hers alone. She has to contend with his betrothed and even another goddess born. Yet Henry assures her he only has eyes for her and of course Selah will do anything for Henry and their lives together. Yet when Henry begins to question Selah’s use of her gifts she has to wonder if they do indeed have a future together. He must accept her for who she is – a descendant of a goddess. It doesn’t help that Henry’s father is not approving of their betrothal either especially since Henry is already promised to the king’s daughter. And then there is Julian who is another descendant of Brigid’s. He is showing a great deal of interest in Selah but can he be trusted. As time goes on things really begin to heat up and Selah starts learning more and more about her family and her roots. What she learns shakes the foundations of who she always thought she was and as a malevolent force takes control of the very things that mean the most to Selah she knows that she will have to fight it with everything she can.
Oh I know this review is a bit vague but I don’t want to talk about the story much except to say it was really good. A Grave Inheritance is faster paced than the first one and really brings alive the sights and sounds of England. I loved that we got to see more of the goddess born traits that Selah possesses really shine in this book. It was also really interesting to see her family dynamics change drastically and I hope we learn more about that in the next book. I can’t help but mention the book cover as well. I think it is absolutely gorgeous. Last but not least this installment ended on a whoosie of a cliffhanger which I didn’t expect at all but it certainly makes me even more anxious to delve into the next book!
Recommended for those who enjoy historical fiction with elements of the paranormal. I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the final book!
July 9, 2015
I absolutely loved the first book in this series, Goddess Born and devoured this book. A Grave Inheritance picks up a few months after the end of the first book, making it seem like I never left Selah's world. Selah's betrothed, Lord Henry Fitzalan has returned to London, leaving Selah behind in the Colonies with one of his men, James. Henry must find a way out of his betrothal to the King's daughter, Amelia. When Selah finally arrives in London to join Henry, she leaves behind a mysterious attack by a large white dog in the Colonies. Selah wants nothing more than to marry Henry and return to her home so she can refuel her powers in Brigid's waters. However, as soon as Selah arrives in London, trouble begins following her around.
A Grave Inheritance was filled with action right from the start. I'm glad more of Selah's powers were explored as well as introducing more characters that are Goddess Born. It was interesting to hear more of the history of Brigid's people and the other gifts they possess. It was also quite a surprise to me to see how Kari wrapped these characters together so they would be in close contact with Selah and she didn't even know. It was an even greater surprise to see how they were connected to Selah. Selah faces troubles from both the natural and supernatural in this installment; even though the issues stemming from the supernatural were much more dangerous, Selah's interests lie deeper with solving her natural troubles first as these would stop her from marrying Henry. The love story that continued between Selah and Henry was sweet and devastatingly romantic. The ending of the book leaves off with a cliffhanger surrounding Selah's issues with the supernatural, so I can not wait to dig into the next book.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
A Grave Inheritance was filled with action right from the start. I'm glad more of Selah's powers were explored as well as introducing more characters that are Goddess Born. It was interesting to hear more of the history of Brigid's people and the other gifts they possess. It was also quite a surprise to me to see how Kari wrapped these characters together so they would be in close contact with Selah and she didn't even know. It was an even greater surprise to see how they were connected to Selah. Selah faces troubles from both the natural and supernatural in this installment; even though the issues stemming from the supernatural were much more dangerous, Selah's interests lie deeper with solving her natural troubles first as these would stop her from marrying Henry. The love story that continued between Selah and Henry was sweet and devastatingly romantic. The ending of the book leaves off with a cliffhanger surrounding Selah's issues with the supernatural, so I can not wait to dig into the next book.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
January 2, 2015
I enjoyed the first book in this series. My only minor complaint about the first book was that the pacing seemed slow at times. I definitely don't have the same complaint with this book since it moved at a much faster pace, and I loved it!!
At the beginning, Henry is already in England and Selah is preparing to join him. She has an odd experience before she leaves which shakes her up a little bit. When she gets to England, she and Henry have to act more formal with each other since lots of eyes are on them due to a prior commitment Henry made before he met her. Henry is able to appease her but she does doubt him quite a bit throughout this book.
I love Henry and Selah! There were obstacles and complications for them to overcome and they each had someone else vying for their affection. They also had plenty of people working to keep them apart. At one point, Selah isn't sure if she completely trusts Henry and has to decide what her feelings for him are.
There are also some great side characters--James Roth, Henry's personal secretary who Selah doesn't get along with, Selah's best friend, Nora, and her mother Lucy, who are both Quakers that travel to England with Selah, and Lady Catherine Dinley, the young widow who welcomes Selah and her friends into her home and helps her through some dicey situations.
A lot is revealed in this book about Selah and she finds others who are like her. I love Ms. Edgren's writing--I felt like I was there in England with them and had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. There were some great twists and the cliffhanger ending left me wanting more. I'm definitely looking forward to book 3!!
Content: Minor swearing. Kissing. Clean!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
At the beginning, Henry is already in England and Selah is preparing to join him. She has an odd experience before she leaves which shakes her up a little bit. When she gets to England, she and Henry have to act more formal with each other since lots of eyes are on them due to a prior commitment Henry made before he met her. Henry is able to appease her but she does doubt him quite a bit throughout this book.
I love Henry and Selah! There were obstacles and complications for them to overcome and they each had someone else vying for their affection. They also had plenty of people working to keep them apart. At one point, Selah isn't sure if she completely trusts Henry and has to decide what her feelings for him are.
There are also some great side characters--James Roth, Henry's personal secretary who Selah doesn't get along with, Selah's best friend, Nora, and her mother Lucy, who are both Quakers that travel to England with Selah, and Lady Catherine Dinley, the young widow who welcomes Selah and her friends into her home and helps her through some dicey situations.
A lot is revealed in this book about Selah and she finds others who are like her. I love Ms. Edgren's writing--I felt like I was there in England with them and had to keep reading to find out what would happen next. There were some great twists and the cliffhanger ending left me wanting more. I'm definitely looking forward to book 3!!
Content: Minor swearing. Kissing. Clean!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
April 29, 2015
I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher in return for this honest review.
When I've read the first book, I usually evaluate a sequel on whether it develops the author's premise further. This is an aspect of A Grave Inheritance that I would judge successful. When Selah Kilbrid travels from Pennsylvania to London, she encounters other goddess born with different gifts, and even a different goddess. There are also new abilities and possibilities available to her as a child of Brigid that she had never imagined. For Selah, the Old World opens a new world of experiences.
I admit that I hadn't expected originality because the aristocracy of Georgian England is a well-trod territory for historical romance. I am not really interested in the lives of aristocrats in any period. I preferred the first book because the Pennsylvania Quaker environment was so unexpected for a novel in this category.
Another problem is that the storyline in this second novel wasn't resolved. There is a cliffhanger ending. It might be advisable to put off reading this book until the third novel is available. The cliffhanger caused me to rate this book lower than I would have if the ending had been more satisfying.
For the blog version of my review see http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2015/...
When I've read the first book, I usually evaluate a sequel on whether it develops the author's premise further. This is an aspect of A Grave Inheritance that I would judge successful. When Selah Kilbrid travels from Pennsylvania to London, she encounters other goddess born with different gifts, and even a different goddess. There are also new abilities and possibilities available to her as a child of Brigid that she had never imagined. For Selah, the Old World opens a new world of experiences.
I admit that I hadn't expected originality because the aristocracy of Georgian England is a well-trod territory for historical romance. I am not really interested in the lives of aristocrats in any period. I preferred the first book because the Pennsylvania Quaker environment was so unexpected for a novel in this category.
Another problem is that the storyline in this second novel wasn't resolved. There is a cliffhanger ending. It might be advisable to put off reading this book until the third novel is available. The cliffhanger caused me to rate this book lower than I would have if the ending had been more satisfying.
For the blog version of my review see http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2015/...
December 27, 2014
>Review - A Grave Inheritance -
>I received this book from the author and from Paranormal Romance and Authors that Rock. I am an independent reviewer. This is the second book in the Goddess Born Series and ends with a cliffhanger.
>I never read the first book in the series, but I was able to enjoy this book and figure things out fairly quickly. Not having any prior knowledge of Henry and Selah's relationship, I was confused as to why Selah even wanted him. He was betrothed to another, acted cold towards Selah, left her in the colonies to travel alone, didn't stand up for her, in short, not a man I liked.
>The story was fast paced and the characters and their interactions with each other kept the story moving. The little witch girl, Deri, was a bit freaky and a bit too evil for the rest of the story. The feeling of Jane Austin and the occult crept over me more than once while reading. Selah is in a state of unknown in her relationship to Henry, yet must band together with others of her kind to save those the evil ones are trying to kill.
> This book is for a young adult (14+) audience. The story was a bit violent, but romantically tame.
January 7, 2015
I love a good story about embattled love, and A Grave Inheritance is just such a story. The juxtaposition of an heirloom knife being used to chop herbs in the kitchen one minute and destroy a hellhound the next is priceless. This attack, on the eve of Selah's voyage to reunite with Henry in England is but a foreshadowing of things to come.
So the King of England might arrest her for distracting Henry from his fiancee, a princess. So Henry is acting cold towards her. So the touch of a beggar girl leaves a burn on her skin.
Alliances are forged and broken. More goddess born come to light, so Selah is not as alone as she thought, which is a good thing. I suspected who sent the basket of needful goodies for Selah to cross to the Otherworld, and it turns out I was right. Usually, I don't like being able to guess something in a book in advance, but Ms. Edgren handled the exposition so well, all I did was give a fist pump and whisper, "Yeah!"
I do not avoid books with a supernatural element, but I don't usually go searching for them either. I will be searching for the next book in Edgren's "Goddess Born" series.
So the King of England might arrest her for distracting Henry from his fiancee, a princess. So Henry is acting cold towards her. So the touch of a beggar girl leaves a burn on her skin.
Alliances are forged and broken. More goddess born come to light, so Selah is not as alone as she thought, which is a good thing. I suspected who sent the basket of needful goodies for Selah to cross to the Otherworld, and it turns out I was right. Usually, I don't like being able to guess something in a book in advance, but Ms. Edgren handled the exposition so well, all I did was give a fist pump and whisper, "Yeah!"
I do not avoid books with a supernatural element, but I don't usually go searching for them either. I will be searching for the next book in Edgren's "Goddess Born" series.
August 18, 2015
Another fast-paced book in the Goddess Born series. Although I was sad at the departure from the Quaker village setting, I still very much enjoyed the drama of London's high society. In this installment I liked seeing Selah soften a bit as she gained empathy and understanding for the characters around her.
November 16, 2014
I loved the fast pace, the plot twists, the mysterious powers, the sinister villains, and the great love story that just keeps building. This is what a "good read" is all about!
July 14, 2015
I loved how this book deepens the mythology.
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