Realm Walker Series
Book One
Kathleen Collins
Genre:
Urban Fantasy
Release
Date: October 28, 2013
Publisher: Carina
Press
ISBN:
9781426896545
ASIN: B00E1V5S3S
Pages:
189
Word
Count: 76,000
Goodreads
Rating: 3.75
My
Rating: 4/4.5
Book Description:
An estranged mate, a mangled body and
a powerful demon who calls her by name…
As a Realm
Walker for the Agency, Juliana Norris tracks deadly paranormal quarry using her
unique ability to see magical signatures. She excels at her job, but her friends
worry about her mysterious habit of dying in the line of duty without staying
dead. That's only the first of her secrets.
Most people
don't know Juliana became the mate of master vampire Thomas Kendrick before he
abandoned her seven years ago. Most people don't know the horrors she endured
at the hands of the vampire he left in command. Most people don't know her true
parentage, or why a demon on a world-threatening rampage has taken a personal
interest in her…
Even as
Juliana pursues the demon, it goes after all she holds dear—including Thomas,
who is back to claim her for his own. But if she can't reconcile her past and
learn to trust herself again, she will lose him forever.
My Take On The Book:
What can I
say… I’m a sucker for these types of books and this one didn’t disappoint.
Realm Walker and author Kathleen Collins take you on a great adventure with a
lovable albeit frustrating cast. I initially found myself pulled in by the
synopsis which I had to read on my very unreliable phone and email app, so I
stared the email and made sure to check it out on my computer when I got home.
I did, and boy am I happy I did. Not only does the cover art have the same feel
as some of my favorite authors, so does the writing and the setting. I was a
tad hesitant, but only slightly cause as of late I’ve read too many vampire
stories and truthfully I felt they might be a tad played out… but I’m happy to
have been proved wrong. It had a strong plotline, easy to follow and
interesting but that is just the tip of the iceberg.
The Great (Pros):
- Juliana. She’s just so badass, excuse my
language. Granted she had her whiny moments, a couple of which just want to
make you shake her silly, she pretty much always delivers on the awesomeness.
- Realm Walkers. I gotta say I love the concept of
Realm Walkers and they reminded me ‘Shadowblades’
from the Horngate Witches Series.
Sure they had some differences but they were equally kick butt.
- Nathaniel. I have a soft spot for the furry
werebeast. I’m not sure if it’s just my love for werewolves in general or it
was Nathaniel’s smart ass comments and swagger but I absolutely loved his
character. The relationship between Juliana and him was just so cozy and cute,
you kinda want your own Nathanial, pain in the ass or not.
- Thomas. Ok, so I’ve said it before but I was
totally over the vampire fad, but Thomas may have just pulled me outta that
mindset. He too had some annoying quirks, mainly from his age which he definitely
shows proudly through his vocabulary. ‘His Bride’ was thrown out so much, I
kinda wanted to cuff him upside the head and hope I got away with my life.
Understandably, regardless of his issues with Juliana he sticks to his guns
making him a totally lovable vamp.
- The Demons. Ok, so this is the second book I’ve
review with Demons as a foe. And just as much as I loved them in Dark Souls, I
love them as much in this one too. Not the Demons themselves, because I really
really hated them but more the role they play in the grander scheme of things.
I really liked the integration of the demons into the story line and the
scariness of not knowing what the hell to do to stop them. My absolute favorite
scene in this book stares one pissed of Demon and a swimming pool.
- Jeremiah and family. The fire elemental and his family are
way too cute. I love how they dote on Juliana in that very familial way.
Jeremiah is a father of sorts to our heroine and he shows how much he cares for
her almost immediately. The twins are sexy little turds… the way they mess with
Juliana and Thomas is priceless!
The Not So Great
(Cons):
- Inconsistency. Unfortunately, for every good there is
usually some bad and this story is no exception. There were a couple of moments
in this story that kinda contradicted themselves. I wish I could delve into
this topic a little more but to do that would ruin the experience for you guys
as readers.
- Love Triangle. I am not a huge fan of love
triangles; they are played out and washed out. I know they tend to creep into
stories you write and once the idea has revealed itself it’s hard to ignore. As
authors we tend to feel we are exempt and I know I myself have said “Mine will
be different” unfortunately often at times they aren’t and tend to just cause
an unnecessary drag in the story. Granted this one is done in a completely
different way that will kind of leave you reeling and scratching your head, but
a triangle is a triangle and a square is a square. Regardless of the ending,
there is always that awkwardness that accompanies the characters when they are
all on the same page. Plus as a reader you can’t help but root for one
character over the other.
- Catalina. I really really REALLY did not like
her, but I kinda feel like that was the point lol. She was a vial witch with a
b to Juliana, and well that my friends, is completely unacceptable. So for the
sake of pros and cons she’s being filed into this character even if the
character itself isn’t a fault in the book.
- Michael. Ok I was really conflicted with
putting him here cause I genuinely liked his character through most of the
book, but there is this one scene in the book towards the end of the middle… a
scene with Juliana, that constantly replays in my mind when I think of his
character and it irks me, especially since it falls into the inconsistency I
spoke about earlier. It was outta character for the person/vamp the author was
making him out to be. It just doesn’t work and once you read it you guys will
understand completely.
- Ben. Grr. Nuff said. No I’m kidding, he
much like Catalina bugged the ever loving daylight outta me. He started off as
a completely likeable character and then at the end he makes a 180 that makes
you want to drop kick him in the face with a steal toed boot cover in silver.
Seriously what a douche bag.
4 Stars/Quills
This book is
one I’d definitely recommend to people, especially people with a love for urban
fantasy. It was similar to ‘The Anita
Blake Series’ by Laurel K. Hamilton, the earlier ‘Southern Vampire Series’ by Charlaine Harris, ‘The Hollows’ by Kim Harrison with writing comparable to Chole
Neill author of ‘Chicago Land Vampires’
and Diana Pharaoh Francis author of ‘Horngate
Witches’. A definite must have for your virtual or literal bookshelves.
About The Author
Kathleen
Collins has been writing since Kindergarten. And while her ability has
drastically improved, her stories are still about monsters and the people who
play with them.
The rare
instances that she actually finds some spare time, she spends it playing with
her two boys. Three if you count her husband.
She is
currently hard at work on her next book.
Enter
The Giveaway For Your Chance To Win Goodies from the Author
1 Halloween Theme Prize Pack open to US
Shipping
The goodies include:
A felt owl bag
A cool Skull sign
A skull glow in the dark ring
Charms - including the vampire themed
"Blood Donor Wanted"
Fuzzy socks
A cool woven bracelet with silver
skulls
A skeleton voodoo doll key ring
Vampire themed cookie cutters
and last but not least Vampire shot
glasses
8 ebook copies of Realm Walker by
Kathleen Collins
“I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.”
