If you think Blood Warrior by H.D. Gordon was great, which I do, you are in for more thrilling reading with Half Black Soul (Book 2 of the Alexa Montgomery Saga).
This is Book 2 of the Alexa Montgomery Saga for those of you who have not YET read Blood Warrior(Book 1).
The story picks up right where it left off in Book 1. Alexa has left Two Rivers, heading to Dangeon, the prison where it is rumored her mother is being held. Alexa believed her mother was killed by the Lamia, but has been told that is a lie. Believing her sister Nelly will be safe in the city, she hits the road alone.
An incident in a parking lot adds new images to her tattoo. This time she had to kill a human. The monster inside her is getting harder and harder to contain. Once unleashed, she fears losing herself as she almost can’t get it contained again. Lucky for her, Kayden did not listen to her and follows her. His presence is a balm, helping her to calm down and get control of her monster inside.
As they prepare to enter Dangeon to rescue her mother, Alexa fears the outcome. This may be the last time she sees Kayden.
“Kayden ran his hands through my hair, and I shuddered in his arms. His fingers found my chin and tilted my head back so that I was looking up into those beautiful sunrise eyes. “It’s okay Alexa,” he whispered…… Then, he kissed me. The sounds of the ocean died out around me. The smell of the salty air disappeared and yielded to the scent of my Kayden; my Libra. I knew nothing other than the way his lips felt and moved against mine as desperate as they had been in the parking lot of that rest stop, just a couple of days earlier. His warmth and safety…and, yes, love, gave me a reprieve that I hadn’t realized I needed so badly. All of a sudden I wished I’d given myself to him in that hotel last night. But, this would have to be enough. Against my wishes and beyond my control, a single tear fell from each of my eyes. It all seemed so incredibly…unfair.”
Then she enters Dangeon.
“Be ready” she told her monster silently.
“I’m always ready.”
Back at Two Rivers, her sister Nelly has had to do some growing up. She has stumbled upon a conspiracy in the city, war is coming and sides must be chosen.
She makes covert trips to the woods to strengthen her powers, preparing for the struggles ahead. One such trip lands her in serious trouble. It is the full moon and the werewolves roam the woods at night. She shouldn’t be out here.
Victoria, a werewolf, hates both Alexa and Nelly and has been waiting for a chance like this. She catches Nelly’s scent and rushes through the woods, intent on ripping her throat out.
Now Nelly’s powers will be tested.
“Helpless. I hated that word. I had considered myself helpless for my entire life. I’d skimmed by with the comfort that Alexa would always be by my side to fight my battles for me.
I realized. I had never given myself enough credit. I could handle this. I’d have to. No one was here to wipe my bottom and give me a bottle.
Victoria – she was positive that I was what I always thought I was: helpless. Well she was wrong.”
Nelly, forced to look out for herself now, takes charge. But she needs Alexa to return. She knows about the dirty little secret hidden in the woods and about the blood.
H. D. Gordon does not disappoint in this sequel to Blood Warrior. She tells it from multiple points of view and it really worked for me. It didn’t interrupt the flow at all and actually made it easier to follow the events. I felt like I was watching a movie.
Her characters mature throughout the story, making them genuine. The plot continues effortlessly and gains momentum, pulling you with it. Secrets are laid bare and you zigzag along, picking up crucial, need-to-know-information with each scene. Great writing, with many thrilling fight scenes and descriptive inner conversations by the characters makes for a great sequel. My connection is stronger and my anticipation is revved up.
I hope H.D. Gordon writes really, really fast. I want more!
Oh yeah! The very last sentence is a killer! I know you will be tempted to peek, but don’t. It’s worth the wait!
Another thing I enjoyed was the inner dialogue between Alexa and her monster, or other self. It is often humorous. Here is one of my favorites.
Alexa to monster: “We don’t have to kill them!”
Monster: “Oh, for shits sake, grow a pair….This is war, Warrior. Get with the program or turn back around and go the f..k home!”
I had several laugh-out-loud moments because of these conversations.
4 STARS Loved it.
If you have not read the first book in this series you can read my review here: http://wp.me/p27ipo-ak
This Just In
I have it from a reliable source that Book 3 of the Alexa Montgomery Saga is tentatively scheduled for release in Mid September. This makes me so happy. I won’t have to wait a long time to pick back up where I left off.
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Books by H.D. Gordon
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