Tuesday, January 14, 2014

Destiny Gift (4 stars) and Soul Oath (5 stars) by Julianna Haygert

About Destiny Gift (Everlast #1)
(from GoodReads)

Thirty years in the future, a sinister New York City exists in permanent darkness.

A student at the secured NYU, nineteen-year-old Nadine has visions of Victor Gianni, an imaginary guy she has real feelings for. Afraid of being truly insane, she explains the visions away as simple daydreams, but she can no longer deny them when she bumps into Victor in real life. But this Victor doesn’t know her, and turns her away. After the encounter, Nadine’s visions change to those of eerie fates, gods she’s never heard of, demons with sharp claws they are not too timid to use … and instructions.

To discover if she’s losing her mind, Nadine follows the vague directions—with the real, rude and reluctant Victor—leading to a man who knows it all: Nadine can restore an ancient creed by unveiling the clues on her visions, and bring sunlight and peace to the world again. But that’s only if the demons and the other evil forces behind the darkness don’t stop her first.


Review

Nadine is in love with the man of her dreams, only he really is a man that only exists in her dreams. In a world gone black, Nadine experiences intense visions. At first, they are solely about Victor. Not that she has a problem with it, with each vision she falls more in love. But then the visions start providing clues that might just save their world.

Her friends beg her to live a normal young adult life, full of parties and good times. One night, she meets the mysterious Micah. A deliciously real man. Just as they get close, she discovers Victor is no longer just a fantasy. But there's a battle brewing, and not just for her heart.

My fascination with reading always begins and ends with characters. As much as I love an exciting story, it's always for naught if I can't connect with the character. Not a problem here. Nadine is a romantic girl at heart, but she's got a building strength that I found endearing. She's not without flaws, but what fun would a perfect character be anyway? And the men... Victor and Micah are both intriguing, but neither is some super stud. They both have their own demons (and fates) to discover.

But, psst... I am so Team Micah! Decide for yourself by picking up this page turner. I highly recommend it for fans of new adult fantasy.

Rating: 4 stars

About Soul Oath (Everlast #2)
(from GoodReads)

It’s been three months since Nadine last heard from Victor, Micah or Ceris, allowing her to concentrate on her own life. But until Victor and Micah find the scepters that will restore them as true gods, their human bodies will require her healing touch and it’s only a matter of time until they wreak havoc on her life again.

As if to prove that, Victor shows up at the hospital dragging along with him a swarm of demons. Nadine is forced to flee to safety. Despite her attempts to keep her loved ones protected, the demons find her, and they bring her to Imha, the goddess of Chaos.

Now, confronted by her greatest fear, Nadine finds a new motivation. Vengeance. And when seeking revenge, no risk is too great, including her own life.


Review

And it only gets better with book 2!

Book 1 left you desperate for more with several lives hanging in the balance of revealed secrets. Fortunately, book 2 starts off in a steady jog and quickly builds to an all out run. Nadine finds herself struggling to survive as the state of the world only worsens. Demons roam the streets, and they are looking for her.

What they do when they find her is heartbreaking, but it creates a fiery need for her to embrace her strength and fight. Victor and Micah are wrapped up in forces beyond his control, but Micah has something Nadine desperately wants: the ability to grant her one wish.

Loved, loved, loved this sequel. Still Team Micah, actually even more after this book. But this book is so much more than two boys competing for a girl. It hits on almost every emotion... sadness, anger, fear, temptation. When your heart is not racing from excitement, it will break. I sniffled through much of this book, Nadine's torment so clear.

Can't wait for the continuation of the series and for the upcoming Cup of Life, a novella told from Micah's point of view. Yum!

Rating: 5 stars


About Juliana Haygert

New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.
Author Links:
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Note: I received a complimentary copy for review purposes. A positive review was not requested or guaranteed; the opinions expressed are my own.

2 comments:

Juliana Haygert said...

*happy dance* So glad you enjoyed them!

Shhh ... Cup of Life is already on sale ;)

Tia Bach said...

Can't wait for more Micah (picked up my copy today). Now, to rearrange my reading schedule to sneak it in. ;-)