Fans of the Twilight series will find numerous similarities to The Progeny by Ashlynne Laynne. So fans of that series will find much to enjoy in this story. So keep reading to get a quick glimpse at this book and you can find out even more about this release by visiting the other blogs hosting this tour.
Ascher questions the purpose for his existence and which world he truly belongs to: the human world or the vampire world. Two months from sealing to Ursula— a prearranged union to a woman he abhors — he’s at his wit’s end. He knows if he calls off the sealing, the Romanian clan will strike with deadly force, but he cannot see eternity with a cold empty shell of a woman like Ursula.
Just when he thought life was complicated enough, he meets Shauna— a beautiful, bi-racial human Wiccan — and immediately develops an unshakable attraction to her. She makes him feel alive and vital despite his origins and Ascher makes a decision that turns his immortal world upside down.
MY IMPRESSIONS OF THIS BOOK:
After reading The Progeny by Ashlynne Laynne I'm left with feelings reminiscent of when I read the Twilight books. There were some parts I enjoyed but I had problems with the main characters. Ascher is almost a carbon copy of Edward in his demeanor and his poetic love for the woman that will endanger his world, as well as his youthful appearance and desire to be around humans by going to school yet again. Shauna is reminiscent of Bella with her extreme naïveté, over the top emotions, and her part in a relationship that leads to an unexpected result with big ramifications.
Ascher is the only half-bloodling, created as an experiment whose special abilities are desired by others but make him feel like an abomination. Throughout almost the entire book he bemoans how awful and dangerous he is while still lusting and chasing after Shauna, who has otherworldly abilities of her own that don't become apparent until she comes into contact with Ascher's world. Ascher wants Shauna in his life no matter that setting aside the woman he's been arranged to marry means war to him, his family, and the woman whose blood calls to him. Shauna's life gets turned upside down too by meeting Ascher and she's willing to do anything to be with him, including trusting him with her very life since her blood is special and therefore very hard to resist. She easily jumps to conclusions though and runs headlong into danger without thinking. There were many times I just wanted to strangle her but kept reading as the secondary characters completely won me over and had me fully invested in their outcomes.
The relationship between Ascher and Shauna was annoyingly unrequited in the early parts of the story as Ascher didn't trust himself around her. It's in the latter half of the book where their relationship gets steamy and results in the unexpected, which again brought to mind Edward and Bella. Amongst their sexual interludes were some fast-paced action sequences as Ursula, the woman Ascher spurned, starts an all out war that leads to lots of bloodshed but not a clear cut conclusion.
Even though I had problems with the main characters I found myself drawn to the secondary characters, especially the romance between Gabe and a female close to Shauna. They're much more likable characters and stronger-willed and I wish we could've seen more of them together. Quinn also won me over with his charming pseudo-womanizing ways that hid a heart damaged by too many losses. He's extremely loyal and protective and deserves a HEA of his own. It's these characters that kept me reading as much of the rest of the book feels reminiscent of other stories.
With its frustrating main characters and over the top villainess there were times I wanted to scream but the immensely likable cast of secondary characters kept dragging me back. Although not everything in this story worked for me I still think paranormal fans will find it satisfying, as will Twilight fans, and I look forward to Ms. Laynne's future works to set herself apart from what's come before.
My rating for this is a C+
*I received this book from the author in exchange for my honest opinion.
BUY LINK: Amazon
AUTHOR INFO:
Ashlynne Laynne has always had a soft spot in her heart for vampires but grew tired of the garlic fearing, sun-loathing creatures of old. An avid horror movie fan, she tends to enjoy media and music that is of a younger, more eclectic nature. This was the catalyst for her writing The Progeny. The vampire/witch pairing is unique and different when most books pair vampires with werewolves.
Ashlynne loves writing on the edge and teetering between the erotica and romance genres, and thinks of Ascher and Shauna as the wicked, damned version of Romeo and Juliet. She is currently working on books three and four of her Progeny Series, book one of her upcoming Rocker Series, and an untitled novella WIP. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading and spending time with her family. She juggles the hats of wife, mother, full time employee and part-time writer, hoping to write full time one day soon.
Ashlynne lives in North Carolina with her husband and teenage son.
No comments:
Post a Comment