Sage Wilkins had no idea he had secret super powers until he lost his temper and almost blew down his family home. After a week on the run with this curse spiraling out of control, he’s started to wonder if it wouldn’t be safer if he didn’t exist.
Gideon Ward thought having a secret super power was great when he was a kid. Now, it’s just kind of one of those things. But even an amazing gift seems pointless when there’s no villain to fight, no evil to undo. The most he uses it for is to reduce inflammation in his furry clients at the vet clinic. He can’t help but wonder if he’ll ever be accepted as more than the strange kid that Caspar and Theo adopted ten years ago.
It’s random chance when Gideon is the one to help rescue Sage… or is it? When one of your dads can see the future, you never really know. Someone has to teach Sage to control his power, and that someone turns out to be Gideon. But Sage isn’t the only one who has something to learn. Before Gideon can find acceptance in his community, he has to learn to accept himself first, and to find joy in the magic that already exists inside him.
This book is the first in a new series that picks up with the second generation of the pack you grew to love in The Outcast Chronicles. It can absolutely be read on its own, but you’ll get maximum enjoyment if you’ve read the first series as well.
Hot and sexy as well as romantic and action-packed, The New Ancients series gets off to a magnificent start with Dark Wind. Gideon and Sage's romance is filled with all the romance, sweetness, angst, misunderstanding, and - finally - the hawt sex we've come to expect from a Crista Crown story. Being a book and series revolving around the second generation, we not only get to discover these new characters, find out more about them and their role in the world Crown's created, but we also get to continue experiencing the action, drama, mystery, and paranormal excitement powering these books. This is slowly turning into one of my favorite paranormal romance series - I include the parent series in that judgement, too, just to be clear. :)
The only minor, minor annoyance is how the characters react when they first run into their fated mates. Or, not them particularly, but those around them, who often look confused by their packmate's reaction. Which is weird. I mean, considering how many times their packmates found a true mate, you'd think the signs/symptoms would be immediately recognizable by all the rest. It's just a small thing bugging me.
Shifters, magic, power, and mates...all things that have me diving in with both feet. I enjoyed the introduction to this world despite feeling like I was lost when everything really got going. I'll be adding the preceding series to my TBR list in preparation for the next book in this new series to be available. There was a fair bit of character growth which I like to see in stories where sometimes lust and the supernatural can trump depth. Definitely not recommending it as a standalone, but it's a great start to something that is promising to be exciting and interesting with a lot of twists, turns, secrets, and discovery.
While it was an interesting start to this series, I really wouldn't say it's a standalone. It leans heavily on everything that happened in The Outcast Chronicles nearly halfway through this story and I highly recommend reading the parent series to fully grasp all the implications and the follow-through for all the story threads brought up here. Especially because those threads aren't given any kind of conclusion at all, just a whole lot more questions and implications. Pivotal characters and "educational" moments come from beings that play significant roles in why Sage, Gideon, and everyone else are now experiencing all the crazy so yeah, definitely not meant to be read all by itself.
As for Sage and Gideon themselves, I liked both men though I could have used a lot more individual background. There are basics there and if you've read Outcasts I'm sure there's more about Gideon to satisfy that, but I didn't sink as deep into either person as much as I hoped to. Powers and learning control were given a basic place in the story, though the importance of those things was given quite a bit of thought and page time in the beginning. The focus was kept on the denial of feelings and the overall mystery that's going to carry the series. Like I said before, this was a great start, not a comprehensive one, but a appetite-whetting kind that interests me to continue but doesn't inspire a craving to have more right this second.
This is the first solo Crista Crown book I’ve read and I was blown away. Now I want to read the whole Outcast series so I can better know all the characters. I love how it’s not your typical shifter or paranormal read and the world she created is amazing. I’m now hooked on all of her work.
aaaaaaaaaaaaaamazing.. i loved this so much.. it is wonderful and sexy and fun. it is so much fun! i really loved these characters and this series is so much fun to see people from the original series. i loved it
This author is pretty much a consistent 4-star read for me! I always find the story entertaining and the characters are usually well-rounded! I loved seeing Gideon finally finding his way, not to mention the fact that Sage was just the guy to complete him! We don't all know at a young age where our passion is going to lie in our life... sometimes we just have to wait for it! *grin*
Now, to find time to read Blood Fall! I have always found Kaden fascinating!
When there is a spin off or continuation with their kids or a family member I want to read that series to get the full effect but I won't be continuing or reading the starter series. Just wasn't for me.
Crista did it again! Sage and Gideon's story was definitely the best way to start this new series off in my opinion! Cant wait to see what's next in this series!
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Man it was good to see that Gideon finally got over the chip on his shoulder in regards to family after everything he’d been through before Theo and Caspar adopted him and the 11 other "special" kids with powers that Wamp was training to become his army so the chip totally understandable. It was cool to see him grown up and becoming the person he was meant to be, first doing all that schooling and internship with Ralph to become a vet, but no one trusts him to look after his animals for anything major Ralph is usually called and then given the credit so Gideon is kind of at a crossroads in this story. Sage is a "special" who has come into his powers over air/wind after an argument with his parents over college and money. He got angry and then forced his dad against a wall and then nearly hit him with a knife so Sage freaks and runs as he scared that he may hurt someone else and he didn’t until he was picked up by this couple who refused to drop him off and then tried to sexually asault him so his powers burst from him to protect him and he ran and the barn collapsed and they died but Kurt and Kaden found out after investigating the string of freak weather patterns that they thought it may be a special who has just come into their powers and found out the people that died were serial rapists and murderers so Sage. Gideon keeps on asking Caspar advice on the future and what he should do but Theo has asked Caspar to not use his gift on the kids unless something extremely bad could happen. Gideon is restless so Kaden has asked if he wants to come with him to collect the possible untrained special, he agrees and they find a wee omega fox which both Gideon and Kaden expect a kid but when Sage finally shifts he tells them that he’s not a kid that he’s 19 years old. Both Gideon and Sage notice that they’re both extremely compatible with each other but Gideon being his stubborn self fights and it and was planning to ignore Sage but as soon as they take him home to their house Caspar tells Gideon that he’ll be training Sage so he can master his powers. When Gideon is dismissive of Sage after he’s mastered his training basically telling him to go back home, Sage is completely fed up with him and one thing leads to another and they both express their feelings but it isn’t until Sage lets himself be completely vulnerable and opens their connection so Gideon can see all of him, does it give Gideon the courage to do the same. I loved getting some more snippets of the outcast pack members and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book, especially for Kaden and Josh. I’d definitely recommend this book, series and authors to everyone.
I loved the Outcast Series & was saddened that it was over. Imagine my delight when I heard about this spin off, which is basically the kids coming into their own. I would highly recommend reading the prior series so you get the full effect on where these kids came from and the struggles everyone went through. So in the last book, Casper & Theo have helped free the kids that were being held and have given them a home. In this book, we see those kids grown. Gideon was the eldest and de facto leader of the children. He is restless. He has become a vet but he feels that everyone still sees him as a kid and is lost in the vet's shadow. When he goes with his brother to find & help a "special", he thinks they are going to find a kid as they normally come into their powers at puberty. What he doesn't realize is that he finds his mate and Sage is no kid. Casper & Theo task Gideon with helping Sage learn to control his powers. Gideon try's his best to keep from claiming Sage since Sage makes it known that once he masters his powers, he has to go home to his parents to help them out. But love will not be denied and they give in to their desires. I loved poor Bethany, who is an empath, having to deal with the lust rolling off of these two. We have a newish bad guy on the horizon that has lost control of his "people", and this next generation is going to have to come together, along w/the remaining Ancients, to save the world. I can't wait for the next book in the series.
ARC provided by LesCourt Services in exchange for an honest review.
This is actually the first book that I've read from Crista Crown and I really enjoyed the story and characters involved. The New Ancients is a follow on series from The Outcast Chronicles which I haven't read but I didn't feel lost at any point. Characters and past events were explained well enough to be able to understand what was going on and what the characters were fighting for. Sage and Gideon make a wonderful couple as they build up a relationship. Sage had no idea that he would gain a power until an argument with his father. On the run, he's saved by Gideon and his brother and both MC's feel an instant pull but Gideon is very reluctant to act as Sage's life is back with his parents and he's only just coming up to his twenties. Each man has his own inner battle, deciding what they truly want out of life in regards to job, home life and relationship. This couple are adorable to read together, there's a lot of back and forth between their growing feelings. Crista has written a great family pack. There are a lot of characters that are fun to read and whilst there's a lot of banter, there is also a huge sense of love and pack, people that are there for you through it all which, with the story line and what you can sense is coming up in this series, is hugely important.
Since I was a child I loved paranormal stories especially about people with special powers. When I started reading shifter stories, with all the alpha/omega, M/M and Mpreg twist, my favorite books were always the ones that have characters that have superpowers, are shifters or both. So then I discovered Crista Crown and the Outcast chronicles and found all my favorite stories bundle up together. When the series finished, Crista promised the story of the next generation in a new series and this is it! The first book on the new series is about Gideon (one of the kids adopted by Theo and Caspar) and Sage, his mate. The story is romantic and sweet but also has a lot of interesting situations arising when Sage came into his powers and Gideon helped him. Of course there are a lot of hot scenes, mating love and babies. Loved it! The book can be read as a standalone but you really enjoyed it more if you first read the Outcast chronicles. I received this book as an ARC and this is my honest review.
I missed the outcast series so when offered the chance to read this as a spin off and standalone, I thought I wouldn’t have missed out on much and this was largely true, up until they travel to the Tennessee pack and we were introduced to lots of new characters, characters that were in the previous series, but other than to feel slightly confused, it didn’t detract from the really good story between Gideon and Sage.
Gideon has the special power to cool things and freeze them, which works well in his job as a vet. One day he helps his “brother” rescue a young man who has a new power. Sage has no idea what is going on and quite frankly he is scared. Scared enough to run.
The two characters fight their attraction to each other at first, so when they come together they are really hot and steamy. The world that they live in, is really well constructed and thought out but I would expect nothing less from this author.
My verdict is that this is another great series in the making, but I would recommend reading the Outcast series first which I will do.
*I voluntarily read this book. All opinions stated are solely my own and no one else's*
This was an interesting story where shifters had special powers.
Sage’s powers have awakened leaving him feeling scared and on the run. Can anyone help him control his abilities?
I’ll have to give Gideon some credit, his resistance to giving into his desires lasted longer than I thought it would. Gideon and Sage were sweet, tip toeing around each other. Their bond zinged and pulsed every time they were in close proximity.
There were a few funny moments but my favourite was when Sage and Gideon had their heads in the gutter, thinking all sorts of dirty thoughts and Bethany, being an empath, felt their desires and started choking lol.
The plot got more complex as the story developed. This was a gripping story especially, towards the ends as the paranormal start using their powers. Interesting start to the series - I look forward to reading Kaden’s story.
OK, I have to admit I’m biased because there were a lot of details about Kentucky in this particular book that were so accurate. It was a lot of fun to read about places I call home. Now back to the story! This is a great sequel to the original series. The adventures continue and it’s fun to see the second generation meet their mates and new foes. Can’t wait for book 2. Highly recommended
Sweet and fun read. Some shifters have special powers and they can learn to control and fine tune those powers. Gideon's whole made family has lots of special powers and they help and teach others how to be safe and how to use their new powers. I really enjoyed Caspar and Theo have been wonderful, loving parents that have given love and guidance to their amazing family.
Gideon and Sage are special together and i enjoyed how they are learning to work together. They have a wonderful, steamy and intense connection that will make you smile.
This is book one of a brand new series and it can be read as a stand-alone. I am sure that their is more enjoyment if you have read the Outcast Chronicles, but i have not read them and i was not feeling lost.
I was gifted this book from the LesCourt Author Services and i freely give my honest opinion and review.
Great start to a new series. Gideon and Sage was my first jump into this Universe though I do see this is a spin off of another series. I was able to follow this and enjoy it without the other series but it did make me want to know more about what happened previously and get to know those characters too. Sage is thrown when he has powers and not knowing how to control them, scared and on the run. Enter in Gideon who is use to powers and that type of life; willing to do anything to help him. Loved the sweet connection they had and the struggles they both had to deal with were different but both meaningful. The Universe pulled me in and was brilliant from start to finish. Can't wait for the next. I voluntarily reviewed an 'Advance Author’s Copy' of this book.
So the description says this “absolutely can be read on its own” and I am here to say “Forget that”. The story starts fine, providing background and history to the new characters but as it progresses it begins to fall back on characters and elements fro the first series which, if not fresh in your mind, will leave you lost.
The plot becomes multi-layered and convoluted at about 70% and the further I read the less I understood, or cared, about these new characters. It would be best to consider this a continuation of the first series and read them all in close succession. And plan to read book 2 because book 1 doesn’t bring any resolution to any of the story threads in book 1. The story just stops and leaves the reader waiting for an answer.
This is an excellent start to a new series and I really enjoyed it. The storyline is intriguing, the world building is well done, I love the characters and the best part is Gideon's wonderful family. Sage and Gideon are a sweet couple and I like how their relationship develops. They have a lot to deal with but they also have the support of family and friends. I like the surprising twists in the story as well as the super power aspect. The secondary characters are amazing and I look forward to reading the next book in this new and interesting series.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.
I loved the Outcast series, and I can tell that this one is going to be just as good if not better. Gideon is grown but still thinks that everyone sees him as a kid, but he never thought that hed find his mate. Sage cant and dont know how to channel his powers, and needs to go home. Fate has other plans for both of them and wont be denied. This book, as all the rest, is brilliantly written with wonderfully loveable characters that has a way working their way into your heart. I cant wait for the next book.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
I haven't read the Outcasts series and while this is a standalone, I've obviously missed out on some crucial information. I'll definitely be rectifying that situation. This was a great story with plenty of twists and turns. I loved the idea of "super powers" and having to basically grow into them. Sage is an amazingly sweet young man and I loved how he was able to help Gideon realize where his true happiness was and become more accepting of himself. The story ends on a HFN because it's an encompassing story arc that will be played out over the course of the series. I can't wait to continue this story.
I am so happy that we now get to see the kids grown and finding their own mates. Gideon is a little lost but he doesn't realize it until after spending actual, real time with Sage. Sage is on unsteady ground but is determined to get his life back and will do the hard work to make that happen. As their lives twist and merge, you will find yourself wondering what could happen next. And then, WOW! it happens. I cannot wait to see what happens next for them and who will be the next to find their mates. I know who I want to see but I'll wait.
I really enjoyed the Outcast Chronicles, so I’m happy to see a spin off series. Especially if it’s all the kiddos! Sage was so, so sweet, and Gideon was very vulnerable. I adore Gideon’s relationship with Casper, seeing it mature was great. I loved seeing the characters from the previous books, that family vibe really makes a good series. It really keeps me interested and coming back for more! A definite recommend.
I really love when authors write series that follow the generations of a family. We get to see the kids when they were just born and then getting their love stories and their journeys is really just a bonus.
I really liked Sage and Gideon's story. It was really interesting to see Gideon as an adult and who he grew up to be and how he was able to pass things along to Sage.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
It was nice to see Casper again as a Dad. The kids being grown is nice see. It's an unexpected twist what's happening with the magic I didnt really recognize that in the last series. Great HFN I assume we'll see more of this couple as the series continues.
This is the story of Sage and Gideon. Crista Crown is a first time author for me and what a lovely gift. This book made me want to read the first series. I loved the characters and the chemistry between them. It is filled with drama and suspense and humor. Fun to read. Great great story.
I received this book as an Arc and I am reviewing it voluntarily.
*WARNING* contains m/m sexual situations This the first book of the spun off from The Outcast Chronicles. I'm glad I read the Outcast Chronicles first, there many characters and references to the first series that I think I would have been confused. It nice seeing how these kids are turning out. I like the different paranormal beings and this story adds vampires to the mix.
You can't know just how excited I was to see this story line continued with the next generation . I was not disappointed . It was good if not better than the original series . I can't wait for the next chapter in their story unfolds.
This book was a great continuation of the original series. It was great to see Gideon become such a wonderful man and Sage is really sweet. Can’t wait for more in this series.