Seithe

Pravus #1

by Poppet

In a rage Phoebe stalks out on her past. Fate twists her into new arms when she enters the club Pravus, where the fallen congregate. She steps out of her life induced coma and indulges in SEITHE.

He's intoxicating, enthralling, and dangerous. Is he a Vampyre, Demon, or Fallen angel? She's about to find out, if he doesn't kill her first.

This is a scorching journey to reawaken your senses. Phoebe's light can only be found in the darkness of Seithe's home, in his bedroom, in his arms.

Book 1 in the Pravus Vampire Romance series.

To avoid spoilers while experiencing this series please make sure you read them in order: The reading order of these novels is: Seithe - Venix - Zauran - Sveta - Ryan - Arelstin's Lair - Aisyx

Genres: Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, Erotica, Vampires, Fantasy, Dark, Angels

Nook

First published January 31, 2014

About the author

Amazon bestselling author Poppet is currently published with Wild Wolf Publishing, Tirgearr Publishing, Eibonvale Press.

Reviews

[LizBookAddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread 13.02.2015

5 Sensational STARS

I originally read this book years ago when my virginal reader mind could not fully comprehend the content nor the absolute brilliance of this author's writing. Not to mention I was horribly allergic to first-person and could not at the time, understand what I was reading. But I knew one thing for absolute certainty, this was going to be a story that would stick with me for many moons to come....



Phoebe walks out on her lazy crap-head of a boyfriend and takes a night stalk through Sea Point, Cape Town. (yes, this is my city and it was from page one that the author captured my attention because it's a visual I can actually imagine with certain clarity). She stumbles upon an entrance to a what is seemingly a Goth club. But the people are strange with glowing eyes and creepy shadows. Phoebe's in a pissy mood and would only just like the strongest drink on tap but like a proverbial sheep in the presence of wolves, she is soon accosted with unwanted attention... and a saviour jumps out of the shadows though....



He distracts her from the uglies and buys her a drink, H for Hormones and soon Phoebe's senses are reeling from the intoxicating stranger and the dangerous atmosphere and she passes out...

When she awakens though, a blast of sensory information is thrust upon her closed human mind and the tall dark stranger engages her in unlocking her mind and ultimately her "eyes"....



The interaction from there is an overflow to a reader's mind and a mind-trip so complex and yet so simple, you'll walk around in a daze in the real world until you're getting about 70% of the book when you have your "AH HAH" moment...

Ofcorse at this point, the niggling supernatural element is blasted at you at warp speed... and you're again left reeling just about the same way as poor vulnerable and fragile Phoebe....

Don't mistake her though for weak, because she's not one of those TSTL heroines... she is thrust into a world so acutely in focus and comes out the other side with a voice, literally stronger than that of all the supernatural being surrounding her...

I'm overwhelmed once again by this book, and instead of not quite understanding as I did years ago, I now see the light of it and by FUCK, ITS BLINDING!

I've gushed and gushed to this author before about her absolutely brilliantly dark mind and how her writing resonates down to the core and even then it's not quite sufficient.

This series (which I now intend to finish) is not for the faint of heart. It's not a paranormal romance like those of old or those of new. Its Paranormal, bite-your-fucking-teeth, tense-right-up-your-spine MIND bending Romance. And perhaps not recommended for just anyone...

But if you're looking for something differrent and you're willing to give up control of your mind to Poppet and her twisted script... then this is for you...

Now excuse me, I need to go sob in the corner and convince myself I'm still sane....

[Jessy (Jessy's Book Club) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As posted on http://jessysbookclub.wordpress.com/

I almost don’t have words … I… wow! After I was done I thought, this here is the reason I LOVE paranormal romance!

First things first, Phoebe is angry at her boyfriend Brian. She takes a walk to cool off and finds a club, Pravus. She’s not allowed in but a stranger, Seithe, says he’s with her and they enter. She notices something different with the people in the club but decides it must be a goth club, and anyway, she’s angry and in need of a drink. Seithe gets her the drink, she blacks out and wakes up to find herself naked, with Seithe performing some sort of sensual test on her… and the games begin…

This is dark paranormal romance. Seithe tested Phoebe to the extreme, his idea to open up her mind to what he says is a mediocre existence.

I stare with silently accusing eyes into his face. He’s mad. He’s totally loony. And for fuck’s sake I think I’m in love with him. And he’ll probably kill me sooner or later.

I have to admit I read the first 20% in a state of stunned confusion. I was just so unsure as to why she would trust Seithe. Especially since the things he was doing to her were so… intense! Ok so Seithe was hot…

This is the kind of man women will do anything for. We are shallow, but the gene pool preference instinct demands copulation with this type of male. And he’s an alpha with a capital A.

And when Seithe stopped being scary, and believe me he was, he became so endearing..

Love me. That’s all I ask of you. Don’t stop. Don’t let them get to you or interfere.

Then just when the light had gone on in this dark tale, we get Jowendrhan. Identical to Seithe, he wants Phoebe for himself, to love and yes, to protect. See someone has ‘marked’ phoebe and she may not survive what’s in store for her. Jowendrhan is convinced that Seithe cannot take care of Phoebe. I really wanted to hate Jowendrhan, unlike Phoebe I was sure which of the brothers I want but the best love triangles in my opinion are the ones that have you switching sides as you switch pages.

I look into his huge brown eyes, sparkling with moisture, “Phoebe, the Spirit is so strong in you. I don’t understand how you can let him dictate to you and control you… The Vampyre in me fights my human half. One half of me wants to kiss your feet and adore you, the other half just wants to fuck you broken.”

Yet it’s not just a love story. Seithe wants to make Phoebe stronger. To get her to rely on her senses and her intuition, something she takes for granted. But if she’s to survive their world and offer her dose of salvation, she has to learn to trust her most basic instincts.

Sigh this was such a good story! It’s about true love, trust, forgiveness, salvation …. just beautiful. It seriously messed with my head and my emotions. A complex dark journey but well worth it. I simply loved it! I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!

4.5 Stars!

[Gitte TotallyBookedBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started this book blind with no preconceptions and not knowing what it was really about...which considering part of the story line is very apt!

I'm not going to lie, at first I had no clue what was going on, reading this book, I felt like there was a secret I hadn't been let in on, but I did know that I was completely hooked and loved the writing style which I found to be unique and refreshing. I have never read a book by Poppet before, this is NOT my last!

As far as paranormal books goes, this is without doubt one of my favorites, the 2 worlds human/paranormal colliding through a chance encounter, when Phoebe, having just broken up with her sod of a man Brian, stalks angrily into a bar for a much needed drink. This bar, without giving anything away, is NOT your average bar...and so the story begins....with the scrumptious but eerie and baffling Seithe.

Phoebe has NO idea what she is getting herself into...thinks it's a "game" and plays along not really knowing the world she has entered willingly/unwillingly?! Seithe plays dangerous mind games, some that hint at BDSM but isn't really by definition. He insists on opening her mind, see beyond what is normal and humanely possible, experience the full scale of her feelings, provoking reactions and sensations.
Phoebe although feisty, strong willed and totally rational, kind of just goes along with it all, which at first I couldn't quite understand, but then again would you not?... If actually confronted with someone like Seithe....would you question? Was it a case of her wanting to go along for the ride accepting of a probable end? I'm not sure...

It was very dark, intense and quite frankly scary at times. At one stage I almost felt like I was sitting in a cold damp basement reading, whilst at other times I was literally on that edge by a real fire where you know if you move just one more centimeter you will feel your skin burning. But somewhere in the dark there is always bound to be a light..and it came and I saw and I understood and it became "more real"!!

Between the darkness, the game playing there is passion, romance, emotional pain, love and forgiveness...heightened human emotions!! It kept me reading, devouring this book and feeling EVERYTHING......if that is not amazing writing I don't know what is..credit where credit's due Poppet!!

[Sali · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY FREAKIN CRAP BATMAN !!!! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS PARANORMAL THIS BOOK ROCKED MY WORLD !!!!!

WARNING this review will contain a fuck of a lot of swear words .......coz holy shit wat a ride !!!

NO-ONE but NO-ONE can mind fuck u like POPPET !!!

Today i am kicking myself in anger !!....why u ask ??....oh well its simple
i have had this whole series sitting on my kidle waiting to be read for months . I brought them coz i FREAKIN ADORE poppets writing style ........WHY THE FUCK did i wait so long to read them !!!!

Poppet is a writing genius . Her depth, insight & intelligence is evident in the way she writes ...but her genius comes from her fast paced story , incredible characters & the most incredible plot & amazing effort put into every detail whilst telling a story. There is not 1 hole in this plot, every reading second is valid & has u craving the next !

This book was fucking brilliant !!! there r no other words !!

u can tell by the amount of F bombs at how clever this book is !!

im not going to tell u anything about this book . U need to experience it 4 yourself ....& that is exactly wat i felt it was ...AN EXPERIENCE !!

thank fuck 4 u poppet !!.the paranormal lit world needs u !!

ok ive got to go start the next pravus series book

ROCK ON BITCHES !!.....OH & POPPET im sending u a big fat Aussie pash 4 this mwahhhhhh

[Monica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I bought this on accident on Amazon looking for another book. I was surprised with the amount of sexuality in it. It was ok for me. It resembled too many books. Kind of cliche. A book that kept coming to mind was The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod. What made it different was the sexuality. The material was like a rip off on other books. Not feeling this.

[Sadie Forsythe · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, rounded up to 4 **spoiler alert**

I'm torn on how to rate this one. At some points, I really liked this book. This is important to note, because I'm about to list a series of complaints that will make me sound like I didn't. But they were the potholes in an otherwise smooth experience. While generally enjoying the book, I had some really frustrating moments reading it.

The first came about because of the unique writing style. It uses a lot of short, clipped sentences, often consisting of a single, descriptive word. "Angry." "Hot" "Scared" "C-c-c-cold" This is definitely used stylistically, as opposed to a lack of writing skill and it does fit the tone the book wishes to create, especially since Phoebe spends so much of it angry, but it also doesn't allow for a lot of description. I happen to like those details and I missed them.

The unexpected writing carried into the romantic scenes too. There is a lot of foreplay in this book. A full 39% of the book progresses in various forms of sexual teasing (really, there's little else) before there is a sex scene and it's the most obfuscated sex scene I've ever encountered. Not un-erotic, but not clear on what's happening either. Really, they all kind of felt that way. They were sexy, but more because of Poppet's descriptions of emotions than actual actions. I feel like I should call this erotica, but on reflection the sex isn't graphic at all. It just feels that way. Odd, I know.

Also odd is the fact that Phoebe accepted all the strange paranormal things she encountered 100% without question. She noticed them, rationalised some of it away and simply ignored the rest. There wasn't any sense that she thought it strange that peoples' eyes and hair changed colors "every 32 seconds" or that Seithe could blind her at will or transport them about. None! How realistic is that? For me this was a strong weakness in the plot and it REALLY needed to be addressed.

This lack of believability was exacerbated by Phoebe's amazing ability to trust. The fact that the whole thing has a satisfactory ending doesn't really negate the fact that Phoebe was almost too stupid to live for returning to Seithe again and again. Really, all logic suggests that she should have been running like hell in the opposite direction. He kept insisting she trust him and then doing things that PROVED she shouldn't (BIG deal type things, you know, like try and kill her), then insisting she trust him again. And you know what, like a mindless idiot she did. This was amazing to me.

I also couldn't always follow her leaps of logic about why Seithe was doing the things he did. Sometimes it felt like magic that Phoebe understood. For example, at one point he was feeding her and she suddenly understood that he was trying to teach her about instincts. I get the linguistic gymnastics going on here, he was putting food IN her mouth, therefore it could lead to INstincts. But somehow seeing those words on paper and connecting random actions to a meaningful but vague theme aren't quite the same thing. How did Phoebe get there? There were a lot of these sorts of miraculous "ah-ha" moments. In fact, the happy ending comes about because of one.

Lastly, to have the whole thing boil down to some form of brotherly one-upmanship, that instantly dissolved with no lingering ill-feelings a) stole a little of the books gravitas and b) was damned unbelievable. I mean, come one, Phoebe had made her choice abundantly clear, so why did the trial have to happen? And if the two were so hostile toward one another how did they make peace so quickly? Not to mention the fact that they pretty much hijacked phoebe's life, manipulated, terrified and forced her to question her own worth. How come she wasn't pissed off? Felt like a very convenient HEA to me.

Again, there were a number of aspects of this books that made me go "grrr,' but for the most part I enjoyed the experience of reading the book. I'd be more than up for reading another of Poppets works.

On a side note: I THNK that this is a repackaging of the Pravus series (or more exactly, a combination of the Pavus and Neuri series), making this a retitle of Seithe. This is an issue for me, because I happen to have a copy of Zauran that I picked up on the free list last year. I think it's probably repackaged as Zaria and Zauran, which is listed as book 2 of the Neuripra series. I'd read it now if I was certain it was the same storyline. I really hate uncertainty in these matters though.

[Jennifer Hampton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t expect to like Poppet’s dark fantasy erotic romance book, Seithe. It had a lot against it from the outset. First off, it is written in the present tense and those books usually tend to be pretentious and frustrating failures of an author skilled enough to write but not skilled enough to write well. Second, it is heavily erotic, and most writers of erotica have a hard time avoiding blatant pornography, essentially tossing in a lot of sex scenes and adding enough plot to try to justify the idea that the work doesn’t belong in Hustler or the little room off to the side of the video store.
Poppet proved me wrong with this one. There are a number of things I really liked. The basic premise is simple. Phoebe is ready to give up on men after the relationship with her boyfriend gets to be a bit too much. She wanders into a strange bar and ends up the prisoner of some kind of supernatural being. Before you know it, she’s in a strange relationship with the man/demon/vampire person named Seithe. He awakens her to the use of her senses and the power of her free will while sending her on a harrowing journey with frights, dark recollections, and sanity stretched almost to the breaking point.
The best thing about the book is its characters. Seithe is evil. No, he’s not. Yes, he is. No he’s not. Poppet does that to the reader. Just when you think he’s right on the road to Sparklyville, he does something violent and disturbing to remind the reader (and Phoebe) that he’s not a misunderstood human hunk, he’s a supernatural being whose morality isn’t ours. Like Phoebe, the reader gains a level of confidence about the creature’s intentions, and just when we’re feeling fully safe; he does something erratic or even vile and we’re jerked back into reality, or unreality. Phoebe is a fine character, too. She’s constantly surprising as well. At one moment, we see her as a one-dimensional literary construct, and just as we get comfortable with that label, Poppet drags the carpet out from under us.
The book is a good buy. It is inexpensive in Kindle form on Amazon and a pretty quick read. Don’t let your kids read it, but don’t browse past it because you think you’ve read it before.

http://hampton-networks.com/book-revi...

[S.B. (Beauty in Ruins) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Seithe is a slice of supernatural erotica, with a creative twist on the usual ‘gothic’ myths. Phoebe is the kind of character you can relate to as a reader, and that’s what makes Seithe himself so very seductive. From their first public meeting in the gorgeously goth nightclub (which, incidentally, I would love to visit), she falls under his spell, transforming herself to meet his standards, and leading her to private games of torturous pleasure in his lair. It's all to easy to see ourselves in her place, and to willingly follow her into darkness

Like Exploits and Darkroom, Seithe deals with power relationships, but in a different way. In Exploits, it was cruel and unhealthy, but still close enough to ‘normal’ to seem realistic. In Darkroom, it's another one-sided relationship, but one that goes beyond cruel and unhealthy, and into sadistic and dangerous. In Seithe, the obsession here goes both ways (creating an artificial sense of equality), and the supernatural element makes it seem so much more acceptable.

Personally, I found Seithe to have the most attractive ending of the three, perhaps because it’s not one I expected her to write. If you’ve yet to experience Poppet’s unique style, her flair for language, and her psychological mastery, I urge you to give her a read. She’ll challenge you as much as she entertains you, and she’ll never make you feel safe within the story, but she’ll ensure you come out the other side. Whether or not you come out unscathed, unchanged, is entirely up to you.

[M.L. Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Seithe by Poppet is a new twist on a familiar genre. Seithe introduces the reader to Phoebe, a young woman who decides to leave her unfulfilling life behind and venture into the unknown. Entering a mysterious club called Pravus, Phoebe unwisely demands a drink; thereby putting herself in mortal and spiritual danger. As hostile men close in on her, a gorgeous stranger intervenes and marks her for his protection. What follows is a roller coaster ride of sensual delights and terrifying experiences as Phoebe discovers the truth about her mysterious protector and the paranormal world he inhabits.

Although Seithe is without a doubt an adult novel with graphic sexual experiences and violent scenes, it is so much more. Poppet weaves characters that are three dimensional and complex. At times, the reader fears Phoebe is a stereotypical damsel in distress needing saving, but then she demonstrates a surprising strength and capacity for forgiveness. Most complicated of all is Seithe, the male protagonist who takes the reader on an emotional ride, at times making the reader fear his amoral approach to life and others, falling madly in love with his giving spirit. The fact that his behavior is so ambiguous keeps the reader engaged until the very end.

And don’t think for a moment that you know where this one is going because even when you feel as if you’ve figured it out, Poppet throws in a curve and ends the novel with a hugely satisfying surprise.

[Livvy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite the sluggish beginning, I found that once things started to develop I couldn't put it down. The religious undertones were phenomenal and well researched. I also thought that it was an interesting approach to the whole angels, demons, vampyres lore--a breath of fresh air. The supporting characters were well done and I'm interested in where some of them my go in the series. The hero (Seithe) was a bit off his rocker at first and the heroine (Phoebe) wasn't my favorite but the story itself more than made up for it.

Pros: well researched folklore (unlike most paranormal books), very detailed descriptions-you could almost feel like you were there, fabulous price and no gaps in plot or story.

Cons: slow beginning, heroine was too easily swayed (in my opinion)

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is tired of reading the same old thing in paranormal books or anyone who like christian folklore. I will be reading more of this author for sure.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one helluva mind-boggling read. I'm honestly not sure if I can wrap my brain around what I just read. This was dark supernatural erotica at it's best. You are not only thrown into the world from the POV of the main character, you are suffocated by it. Seithe is some kind of something...IDK he is just...WOW. There are no words. Phoebe is a very strong willed female and from the moment they encounter each other the chemistry is undeniably scathing. Seithe works to open up Pheobe's senses and free will all the while doing it in the most sadistic fashion. Phoebe then encounters others of Seithe's kind and they all have an agenda and Phoebe becomes the center of it. She then has to figure out on her own who is telling the truth and who is totally screwing her (no pun intended)... This is a really intense book, spiritually deep and well thought out. It brought out a lot of emotion that I was in knots at times. I look forward to the next book in the series.

[Rissa (an M/M kinda Girl!!) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This book had an interesting concept & I probably would have enjoyed it a lot more but things were constantly being repeated...annoying. It was also told in the first person, which normally doesn't bother me but for some reason I didn't want to be in her head! She gave me whiplash with all her back and forth. Seithe was HOTT & I liked how he challenged all her senses. There was some religious stuff that got a bit to 'indepth' for me but overall I enjoyed the story. I will probably finish off the rest of the series just to find out how it all turns out!

[Kimberly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hmmmm.

This one just wasn't for me. I got tired of reading the same scene over and over. I get it, she liked the hot dark sex; but I didn't need to reread every few pages. I had to force myself to finish in hopes that there would be some excitement and there was a bit-just not enough for me to read another book. None of the characters had me cheering for them or feeling anything other than the fact that I couldn't wait to finish the book.

[Pam]

DNF ~ I'm gonna put this away for now ... I really can't get into it and it has nothing to do with the writing style, the author is very compelling and very descriptive … but 35% of feeling, tasting, expressing, describing, teaching and learning all about our other senses ~ I think this has officially overloaded my senses :/

[Akilah Raines · Rating 5 out of 5]

omg this was Amaaaaaaaaaaziiiiiiiing!!!!!! I could not put it down!!! weirdly irresistible, sexy&dark with humor! I freakin loved it!!!! it starts off a bit confusing but that's what draws you and you simply can't resist. something new to the supernatural world if you ask me..... I want more seithe and phoebe! :P

[Raven Dane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensuous, alluring and deadly, Seithe is intriguing and written by someone with a deep understanding of the hypnotic beauty of darkness. Beautifully written, addictive and highly recommended for all lovers of dark fantasy at its darkest.

[Cas Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Strike is a ride you've forgotten you can have. Humanity has never been this sought after or exquisite. The multiple twists and pace make this an exciting read. It is an unusual romance, which would appeal to both genders, making this exceptional.

[Lisa · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book has received some good reviews so I decided to read it. Now that I have read it I can honestly say-don't waste your time. I'm so glad it was free. This book was really dark and hard to follow. Definitely not for me.

[liirogue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my style I guess. I found the story quite repetitive. It seemed like the same storyline or idea was repeated over and over but with little plot or character development. I never felt attached in any way to the characters. The religious element also got a little too ham-handed for my tastes.

[Emily Finch · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into it, so I just skimmed most of it.

[Jowanna · Rating 1 out of 5]

Great idea. Very poorly written and edited. Needs a make-over

[Miranda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really loving Poppet's writing so far. Very different and at times dark. Seithe was by far my favorite! I look forward to reading the next in this series!

[ToddAn · Rating 2 out of 5]

one of the craziest wierdest books of all time!

[Lani · Rating 3 out of 5]

How many times can one girl pass out? Apparently the answer is: Every chapter.

[Emma Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. At first when I started reading the book I didn't know what to think.... But once I got a little further into the story I just couldn't put this book down. This book is full of amazing and very unique characters and the way Poppet has written this novel is truly brilliant. I would highly recommend this book series however they should be read in order. Thank you Poppet for making me think about the difference between dark and light and the way the human mind portrays life to us. Such an amazing and captivating story.

[Milan Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, what an interesting read.

Mysterious, dark and enlightening all at the same time. I was fascinated by the talent and knowledge that is weaved into a beautiful story.

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and very changeable then your typical Vampire book. Loved the concept and its a breath of fresh air

[Jorge · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING AND REALLY VERY INTERESTING FOR THE READER.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! Totally NOT what I was expecting with this book! I feel like I need to go confess my sins now :)

The book starts off with Phoebe walking out on her boyfriend - He's a jerk - a slob - why does she always pick the losers? "There comes a time when you know you know if you don't put some space between yourself and him urgently, someone is going to end up damaged and broken"

Stomping down the road, she hears music - following it, curious, she follows the stairs going down.. a club?? why not - Let's get "totally mindlessly trashed out of my skull", drunk -

She comes to a stop at the bouncer, ready to pay her entrance fee, but he just looks at her like a reject. Staring back into his black eyes, challenging him, but he doesn't move to let her in.

"it's ok, she's with me" Oh just what every girl who just leaves the loser boyfriend at home, another guy thinking he can step in and take control of her - NO THANKS -

Phoebe is a strong willed woman who doesn't take no for an answer - she is tired of being pushed around by scummy men who think women are only good for 2 things - "Shaggin' and Scrubbin'" ummm….. pass :)

So Phoebe enters the club with this guy - she turns to tell him to bug off now that she's inside - but he leans into her and asks her what she's doing there - She lets this stranger know it is a public place and she can go anywhere she wants to get a drink -

This stranger didn't like that answer - so he grabbed a drink that the yummy bartender put on the counter and handed it to her. He told her to drink up and get out -
Phoebe just shrugged, she didn't like the service here anyways - so she took a drink she was offered, the slowly everything started going hazy, surely that drink couldn't have contained THAT much alcohol, she only had one sip ...

When Phoebe is jarred into awareness, her body flinches with the attack of scorching heat on her spine. She is rather well secured, face down on a bed, and yes, someone is over her and something is moving over her skin - "Hello? Am I naked?" she hears the male's voice talking to her, Asking her what she is feeling even though she can't see it - She feels cold, then scorching heat, something cold and slimy slithering down her back -

Seithe is a strange man - he gets his kicks off of Adrenalin - he keeps Phoebe on her back and forces these strange sensations on her , she doesn't know rather she is excited or pissed off - After awhile, she demands he takes her home - so he does - only she passes out just before they leave - when she awakes, she's back at her loser boyfriends house -

Brian - the "shithead" starts making demands on where she was - as she gets out of the shower - she decides to pack her stuff up and leave him.. good for her :)

When she gets to her new apartment, everything looks so glum, and she realizes, she misses Seithe - why? Who knows, so she heads back down to the club - the bouncer remembers her, lets her in, and she stands by the bar looking for Seithe - The bartender gets after her about coming alone - and just as a strange man comes up to her, Seithe shows up out of nowhere and the other man's eyes flare such an alarming shade of red that icy fear wraps tendrils around her. "That's NOT human. That's really scary"

So takes another drink - NOT the same as last nights - but it seems to have the same effect on her. When she passes out, she is back at Seithe's place. Ready to play more "blind" games to enhance her senses.

Ok so things go weird for Phoebe while at Seithe's house - he is a very controlling guy and withholds her eye sight, her eating, and refuses to fully pleasure her until she finishes his teachings - but oh the teasing he does ... :)
Seithe is the opposite of everything Phoebe wants – and yet the things he teaches her, the things he does to her, the way he makes her feel ….

It takes awhile for us to figure out what exactly what Seithe is - we know he's not human, or not fully human - we know he can move and manifest things with his mind - but what is he?? I was surprised :)

The rest of the story - once Seithe's family is introduced takes a strange twist and leaves you guessing at everything that comes at Phoebes.

The ending has a big surprise as well - another thing I wasn't excepting from this book - but it left me with goose bumps and happy thoughts :)

Defiantly a Great book! I'm excited to read more of Poppet's books now :)

[Kazza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a Few Thoughts -

Well, wasn’t this book a trip! First of all, just viewed as a paranormal alone, Seithe is very interesting, and quite unique in a number of ways. Yes, the word Vampyre is thrown out there - blood is a commodity, to be drunk, used as a medium for data transference. However, they are not stock standard Vampires. My thoughts the whole way through Seithe were of The Nephelim. Either way it’s doesn’t matter. Either way it’s a paranormal, but with so much more going on.

Seithe has an interesting and strong spiritual influence. Particular references are made to The Bible, including chapter and verse, and I enjoyed them. I must note that some people may have a problem with the Biblical references/interpretations; personally I did not. I see the basic ideas of love, forgiveness, redemption, the body as a direct temple to The Creator, whoever/whatever you choose that to be, the importance of the individual’s Spirit, as genuinely sound principals. The idea of people having free will and free moral agency is correct. I liked the way the spiritual mixed with paranormal. I just tapped into it and thought it was worth noting and throwing out there.

The Characters -

Phoebe is an angry ant. Small, used to dating men that do not treat her well, she has a somewhat volcanic demeanor. Her latest disaster, Brian, is the reason her introduction to Seithe began; as she was looking for a few drinks and walked into Pravus, a club with bite, and ran into Seithe. Phoebe works as a PA and lives in Cape Town, neither of which are vital to the storyline, however, the references to Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, and the seals at Bertie’s Landing were all nice touches, adding to the overall feel. Phoebe is not my favourite character, but I admired her resilience in the face of supernatural beings who were heavily into mind games that often turned physical. She held it together and she listened when I think I would have thrown my hands up and said “this is all too hard, I’m out of here.”

Seithe is hard to describe. He is nothing if not interesting, and keeps the reader off-kilter with his behaviours and actions. He is secretive, but educational, loving, but cruel. Seithe alone can be confusing enough without even mentioning the tricks of his family. Something you do learn is Seithe is more than he appears and I like to be kept guessing. Although I found him forgiving, he bothered me too, so, I liked him without loving him.

There is a cast of interesting secondary characters. I’m sure they will get/have their own books. I had a love/hate relationship with Jowendrhan, which ended with love. I personally volunteer to make him my mission :)

The Writing -

First person present tense is always a ballsy move. If you get it wrong it’s woeful, if you get it right it’s very powerful. It worked a charm in Seithe. Being in Phoebe’s head was well and truly required, because without her POV I’m not sure how sympathetic a character she would have been. Also, with the amount of psychological games, depravation, and sensory overload thrown Phoebe's way, it would have had minimal impact written in any other tense or from any other character's POV. It really was spot on for the book.

The prose is incredibly adjective driven making the writing most creative, almost poetic and bursting with life.

I also found the writing interesting because it had cross-over vernacular - bollocks, arse, ass, don’t give a stuff, G'day Sport included.

I cannot say more about the book as it would spoil it; and Seithe keeps you guessing - who is good who is not? What’s going on here? Why does Phoebe pass out so much?! Hang in there, what is happening and why becomes apparent, plus there is quite a bit of explanation near the end, which I could have done without, but it will please others. Some things were uncomfortable for me, other things will be uncomfortable for others; but it makes you think, and it makes you feel. I can’t ask for much more from a writer or book.

Basically, I see Seithe as a bit avant-garde; it’s like a Dali of the paranormal world. If you’re looking for something paranormal, but different, with an erotic current, some dark but interesting concepts, a little out there, then Seithe is a book I would definitely recommend to you.

Slightly longer review here -
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