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Summoner Sisters #2
Sacrifice
Give all you have. Double it. Now it's a sacrifice.
On the road again after a travesty of a September, sisters Summer and Lia are ready to ease back into their monster banishing routine. However, with the approach of All Hallow’s Eve, “routine” quickly starts fading in the rearview. First, a mystic hijacks their friend's mind from across the country. Next, a mysterious warlock warrior ambushes them in the dead of night. Then, the most unlikely suspect starts kidnapping kids on the bayou. Before the sisters know it, these seemingly separate mysteries have swept them into a plot which threatens catastrophe on a global scale. Out of time and options, the sisters must choose between disaster and breaking their rules one more time. Now, if only they could figure out which one of those was the least dangerous--or the least bloody.
Sacrifice is the sequel to the fast-paced debut novel Feeding Frenzy in The Summoner Sisters series.
On the road again after a travesty of a September, sisters Summer and Lia are ready to ease back into their monster banishing routine. However, with the approach of All Hallow’s Eve, “routine” quickly starts fading in the rearview. First, a mystic hijacks their friend's mind from across the country. Next, a mysterious warlock warrior ambushes them in the dead of night. Then, the most unlikely suspect starts kidnapping kids on the bayou. Before the sisters know it, these seemingly separate mysteries have swept them into a plot which threatens catastrophe on a global scale. Out of time and options, the sisters must choose between disaster and breaking their rules one more time. Now, if only they could figure out which one of those was the least dangerous--or the least bloody.
Sacrifice is the sequel to the fast-paced debut novel Feeding Frenzy in The Summoner Sisters series.
- GenresFantasy
340 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2016
40 people want to read
About the author
Allison Hurd
4 books954 followersI mostly use Goodreads as a reader. I love talking books, cracking jokes (some say too many), and trying to invoke The Once And Future King all the time always. Send me a friend request! I avoid sending them as many expect indie authors to be very aggressive and I don't want to start a friendship with a shudder at the thought of incoming bookwhacking from an author. (Which I do not do!)
A quick list of negatives:
-I won't add your book to my group, as that's not how my group works.
-I don't work for Goodreads or Amazon and can't fix your technical issues.
-I'm not looking for romantic connections
Sorry if that crushes your hopes! I hate being the bearer of bad news, but I also think it's better we're upfront with each other :)
If you are here to learn about my books, the third book in The Summoner Sisters, is expected next year, and I have three other series and two stand-alone books I'm slowly writing. I write fiction--strong emphasis on urban fantasy and mythic fantasy.
If you're looking for The First One's Free it's presently free! Sign up here for your free short story!
Hope to chat with you here or in a group!
Pronouns: she/her/hers
A quick list of negatives:
-I won't add your book to my group, as that's not how my group works.
-I don't work for Goodreads or Amazon and can't fix your technical issues.
-I'm not looking for romantic connections
Sorry if that crushes your hopes! I hate being the bearer of bad news, but I also think it's better we're upfront with each other :)
If you are here to learn about my books, the third book in The Summoner Sisters, is expected next year, and I have three other series and two stand-alone books I'm slowly writing. I write fiction--strong emphasis on urban fantasy and mythic fantasy.
If you're looking for The First One's Free it's presently free! Sign up here for your free short story!
Hope to chat with you here or in a group!
Pronouns: she/her/hers
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 15, 2019
Another adventure of the sisters Lia and Summer who are modern monster-banishers. This time they face an which was a bit beyond my previous knowledge of mystical lore. In fact, I seemed to be missing a lot of required background to fully understand this novel. Also, I kept asking myself how the two sisters knew all these rituals and spells. Did they just happen across them in this modern world? This is a problem I often encounter in Urban Fantasy – somehow, I just can’t seem to connect the world we live in with magic. I know, there is probably something seriously wrong with me.
Contrary to the previous book, where I really like the connection and instant understanding between the two sisters, I felt a bit excluded and intrigued by the sisters’ superficial banter. Luckily, things started to turn at about 50% where I got finally engaged in the story – most likely due to the rising tension of a really good-looking .
In the end, this book did not make me a fan of Urban Fantasy, but given the price and the entertainment it was still worth it.
Favourite quote:
I simply nod, regretting my weakness, that I could not know goodness for fear of its evil.
PS: Full disclosure, I don’t know the author personally, but really value the interaction with her here on Goodreads.
Contrary to the previous book, where I really like the connection and instant understanding between the two sisters, I felt a bit excluded and intrigued by the sisters’ superficial banter. Luckily, things started to turn at about 50% where I got finally engaged in the story – most likely due to the rising tension of a really good-looking .
In the end, this book did not make me a fan of Urban Fantasy, but given the price and the entertainment it was still worth it.
Favourite quote:
I simply nod, regretting my weakness, that I could not know goodness for fear of its evil.
PS: Full disclosure, I don’t know the author personally, but really value the interaction with her here on Goodreads.
February 20, 2019
This review is going to be a little different than most of mine. Usually I create a poorly spelled, hastily dashed off review that I hope will remind me of the gist of the book some time in the future. Those reviews are mostly for me with a very small amount of editing built in, in case someone else reads it to decide on their next choice. The other caveat, before I get to the point is that the writer is a friend of mine. However, (yes poor grammar plus poor spelling, deal with it) I paid for the book so I get to review it however I want.
This book affected me emotionally as much as any other 5 star that I have given. There are probably several external contributions that came into play but in general it is more the writer than anything else. There is a scene about 1/3 of the way in that makes you believe in magic. Hurd calls it a sympathy spell and spell it is, but one that makes me want to actually try it IRL, as the kids say. I am not sure I have ever read something that made me want to go out and connect with another person as much as these few pages did. Possibly it was Edwin's beverage of choice (one contributing factor) or perhaps it was the fact that I am missing my wife who is a continent and an ocean away for an extended time, but the words Hurd wrote makes me miss and long for the kind of connection created by the spell. They make me want to add my own words, to strengthen existing, and create new bonds between the people I love and the ones I haven't met yet. Seriously sappy crap and it takes a genius to make me feel that way.
There are many other things to love about Sacrifice, one of my favorites is that although the main characters are women, the are first and foremost people. They have issues, not male or female issues, just issues related to things trying to kill them. They just do what needs to be done which frequently includes Summer getting her ass kicked and then getting back up again after some seemingly unrecoverable injury.
The last thing I will note is a section towards the end. I can imagine Hurd abusing the wine bottle as well during this writing session, there are a long string of utterly ridiculous puns that given the state I was in brought tears to my eyes I was laughing so hard. This will obviously be very situational, whether you are ready to go slapstick or not.
This review will almost certainly be lost to time, probably sooner than later. I desperately hope that Hurd's book isn't. It is unlikely given the state of publishing these days but it deserves more readers, attention and love. Her first book was a good first book, showing promise but rough and somewhat flawed, her second, is one I will remember forever. If you have any interest in Urban Fiction you have to try these out, they are very inexpensive and relatively short and worth any time you give to them.
This book affected me emotionally as much as any other 5 star that I have given. There are probably several external contributions that came into play but in general it is more the writer than anything else. There is a scene about 1/3 of the way in that makes you believe in magic. Hurd calls it a sympathy spell and spell it is, but one that makes me want to actually try it IRL, as the kids say. I am not sure I have ever read something that made me want to go out and connect with another person as much as these few pages did. Possibly it was Edwin's beverage of choice (one contributing factor) or perhaps it was the fact that I am missing my wife who is a continent and an ocean away for an extended time, but the words Hurd wrote makes me miss and long for the kind of connection created by the spell. They make me want to add my own words, to strengthen existing, and create new bonds between the people I love and the ones I haven't met yet. Seriously sappy crap and it takes a genius to make me feel that way.
There are many other things to love about Sacrifice, one of my favorites is that although the main characters are women, the are first and foremost people. They have issues, not male or female issues, just issues related to things trying to kill them. They just do what needs to be done which frequently includes Summer getting her ass kicked and then getting back up again after some seemingly unrecoverable injury.
The last thing I will note is a section towards the end. I can imagine Hurd abusing the wine bottle as well during this writing session, there are a long string of utterly ridiculous puns that given the state I was in brought tears to my eyes I was laughing so hard. This will obviously be very situational, whether you are ready to go slapstick or not.
This review will almost certainly be lost to time, probably sooner than later. I desperately hope that Hurd's book isn't. It is unlikely given the state of publishing these days but it deserves more readers, attention and love. Her first book was a good first book, showing promise but rough and somewhat flawed, her second, is one I will remember forever. If you have any interest in Urban Fiction you have to try these out, they are very inexpensive and relatively short and worth any time you give to them.
October 25, 2025
I enjoy the details of the different pantheons, especially those that aren't as common in current urban fantasy.
Read
May 15, 2017Once again I shan't rate my own work, but I have to say, I think Sacrifice is even stronger than Feeding Frenzy. Feeding Frenzy is a lot of fun. But Sacrifice turns it up to 11. More jokes. More plot. More at risk. More tension. More book, in general! If you like Feeding Frenzy, you'll probably really enjoy Sacrifice. And if you enjoy a quick, riveting ride of urban fantasy with no romance "A" plots, you'll probably find the series a fun ride.
As always, I do warn that this book has adult language and humor, and isn't all sunshine and rainbows. This book asks what would you do if there wasn't a way to win, and what lengths would you go to in order to honor the trust bestowed to you?
Sometimes the answers aren't easy.
As always, I do warn that this book has adult language and humor, and isn't all sunshine and rainbows. This book asks what would you do if there wasn't a way to win, and what lengths would you go to in order to honor the trust bestowed to you?
Sometimes the answers aren't easy.
May 18, 2019
The first book was good. This one was better. It was darker and had less familiar pantheons for the sisters to deal with. Don't get me wrong, Greek is a great way to start, but Aztec brings more surprises. The sisters are still just as funny and have great chemistry. Adding a warlock made for a fun trio. It's a shame the next book isn't ready. I'd read the prequel novel, but sadly the links didn't work on Goodreads. The rest of my review will contain spoilers.
The Good.
It's only been seven weeks since the events of the first book. Summer took a beating in it. Her injuries still exist. Normally characters get a free re-spawn, but not in these books. I love it when books treat themselves realistically, regardless of how fantastic the elements within.
James was an awesome character. I'm an avid RPG video gamer. I always play as the wizard/sorcerer/mage on my first playthrough. Some games love their tropes and always have a female-only spellcastor with a male-only tank as an option. It's so refreshing having the women be the tanks and the attractive man be the magician.
Going with Aztec gods was genius. It would have been easy to pick another culture's gods and goddesses that more Americans are familiar with (e.g. Egyptian or Hindu). Fewer are familiar with Xolotl and Quetzalcoatl (though I used the later in one of my books). The best parts of these books are the interactions between Summer, Lia, and the gods and goddesses in their domain.
I loved the game of hide 'n seek between Summer, Lisette, Celeste, and the ghosts. The anticipation of that scene made me not want to put the book down.
The maguey competition between Summer and Lia can only be described as the Masochist Olympics. I look forward to these and other injuries still being present in book three and beyond.
It was a small thing, but I loved how Summer attributed a problem with rounding up monsters to "Future Summer's lookout." I always comment about Future Phil having to deal with a problem I'm putting off solving. It's always fun when great minds think alike.
The sporting match. It was a highlight. That's all I need to say.
The Bad.
Summer and Lia still haven't gone back to fighting over the fairy Summer freed in the first book. I kept waiting for Lia to blow up on her, but it never came. I just can't believe she was cool with it so quickly in the last book. Something tells me this argument will never happen.
Summer and Lia sure make a lot of excuses for their actions. I had hoped other banishers would attack them and add a little more action to book two. It never happened. It absolutely MUST happen if book three or I'll have to call shenanigans on other banishers even existing.
The Technical.
There's still a lot of violence and profanity, especially profanity.
There are some scenes of ritualistic torture.
The Good.
It's only been seven weeks since the events of the first book. Summer took a beating in it. Her injuries still exist. Normally characters get a free re-spawn, but not in these books. I love it when books treat themselves realistically, regardless of how fantastic the elements within.
James was an awesome character. I'm an avid RPG video gamer. I always play as the wizard/sorcerer/mage on my first playthrough. Some games love their tropes and always have a female-only spellcastor with a male-only tank as an option. It's so refreshing having the women be the tanks and the attractive man be the magician.
Going with Aztec gods was genius. It would have been easy to pick another culture's gods and goddesses that more Americans are familiar with (e.g. Egyptian or Hindu). Fewer are familiar with Xolotl and Quetzalcoatl (though I used the later in one of my books). The best parts of these books are the interactions between Summer, Lia, and the gods and goddesses in their domain.
I loved the game of hide 'n seek between Summer, Lisette, Celeste, and the ghosts. The anticipation of that scene made me not want to put the book down.
The maguey competition between Summer and Lia can only be described as the Masochist Olympics. I look forward to these and other injuries still being present in book three and beyond.
It was a small thing, but I loved how Summer attributed a problem with rounding up monsters to "Future Summer's lookout." I always comment about Future Phil having to deal with a problem I'm putting off solving. It's always fun when great minds think alike.
The sporting match. It was a highlight. That's all I need to say.
The Bad.
Summer and Lia still haven't gone back to fighting over the fairy Summer freed in the first book. I kept waiting for Lia to blow up on her, but it never came. I just can't believe she was cool with it so quickly in the last book. Something tells me this argument will never happen.
Summer and Lia sure make a lot of excuses for their actions. I had hoped other banishers would attack them and add a little more action to book two. It never happened. It absolutely MUST happen if book three or I'll have to call shenanigans on other banishers even existing.
The Technical.
There's still a lot of violence and profanity, especially profanity.
There are some scenes of ritualistic torture.
June 6, 2018
Summer and Lia are at it again, making the world safe for, well, everyone.
Hurd is a captivating writer, drawing you in with the witty and loving banter between her characters and keeping you turning the pages with realistic fight scenes that often end in someone (usually Summer) in a lot of pain.
One of the fun things about The Summoner Sisters books is that Hurd isn't afraid of taking the time to teach the readers a little bit, whether its about the dangers of depression or the proper way to enjoy and respect other cultures. The first person POV is a favorite of mine because it lets me see and hear what Summer is thinking. It takes a special kind of talent to be able to reveal the story in bits and pieces as your main characters figure it out without making ti too obvious or making their leaps in logic too grand. Thankfully, Hurd does that well.
Hurd is a captivating writer, drawing you in with the witty and loving banter between her characters and keeping you turning the pages with realistic fight scenes that often end in someone (usually Summer) in a lot of pain.
One of the fun things about The Summoner Sisters books is that Hurd isn't afraid of taking the time to teach the readers a little bit, whether its about the dangers of depression or the proper way to enjoy and respect other cultures. The first person POV is a favorite of mine because it lets me see and hear what Summer is thinking. It takes a special kind of talent to be able to reveal the story in bits and pieces as your main characters figure it out without making ti too obvious or making their leaps in logic too grand. Thankfully, Hurd does that well.
April 23, 2019
Sooooo fun! The whole Xolotl game was just excellent
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews