Customer Reviews

All That Bleeds (A Novel of the Etherlin)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I admit I was nervous about reading a book where the heroine is descended from the Muses and inspires artwork and the sciences in human minds. But this book blew me away. The plot is fast paced, keeps you guessing, and the world building is great.

The hero, Merrick is extremely protective of the heroine, Alissa, and their love letters were hilarious to read. Merrick is a man who has chosen to do one thing, help Alissa, and no one is going to stand in his way. Merrick will do anything to protect Alissa. Alissa does NOT do stupid things and makes smart decisions. She is very likeable. The love story was sweet and romantic. Both characters had real emotions and were believable.

When I finished this book I wanted to read it again. The end of the book has an excerpt from the second novel of the Etherlin series coming in summer 2012 and I cannot wait to read it. I loved this book and highly recommend it.

I really liked All That Bleeds, Kimberly Fox's first novel in her new Etherlin series and even though All that Bleeds is a much better story, I think my enjoyment was enhanced by having read the prequel short First Light in the Tied with a Bow anthology. Because even though Frost's Etherlin world is interesting and populated with Muses, the gangster-like Ventala (half human progeny of vampires), and fallen angels, the world is not fully explained here, so it helped to have a bit of the world building coming in. Having read the short, I also had a heads up on the leading pair Muse Alissa and one time ventala enforcer Merrick there was just a glimpse of their forbidden romance - but I though that even that peek was stole the spotlight from the leading pair in short, and I was so ready for their story here.

One of the things that I really enjoyed about All That Bleeds is how that relationship - a friendship that should never have been nurtured - grew from afar through gifts and letters. As much as I like soul mates, building on a connection that grew over time was a nice change of pace to all of those instantaneous mate bonds which are all too often used as a quick and dirty device to pull PNR couples together. And being exceedingly hero-centric I thought that Merrick was a great romantic lead - an understated but lethally dangerous intelligent bad boy with a heart. Also, even though the background plot ties up pretty quickly at the end, I did liked the touch of the suspense which served to bring the pair together and keep them together with the heroine in peril long enough to cement their relationship.

Probably the one thing I found odd about the book was the Muses themselves, while the idea of special race with the ability to magically stoke the creative energy in the humans they sponsor was very original, they ended up feeling sort of like psychic cheerleaders who magically inspire their groupies to greatness. I don't know that Muses on the whole entirely work for me yet.

Even still, I did enjoy the All That Bleeds, and the setup for the next starring pair - a Muse and a fallen angel - will have me checking out the next book.

Alissa is the good girl, Merrick plays the bad boy, and they both do it oh so well. The story opens in the height of action and continues with a quick pace throughout the book. Even in the downtime scenes, the getting to know our characters bit, it still flows quickly and fluidly, never a dull moment. Learning about both Alissa's past and Merrick's was interesting and often downright entertaining. (Merrick's definitely the winner for the crazy friend story.) Alissa's character is endearing and I felt for her and the facade she had to put on every day in order to play her role appropriately and care for her father. Merrick, while harsh in some of the things he does, never made me hate him for what he did, not once. If anything he's someone you swoon over without thinking twice.

The plot had twists and turns and navigation's I didn't expect. While the romance was expected (and wanted!) by reading the summary, it was still tense and moving. Who doesn't want someone that only has eyes for them and would move heaven and earth to get to them? When I finished this book I realized I'd love to read more about where the characters go, and whoohoo - that's why there are more books to come. I will definitely be picking up the next book in The Etherlin series.

ARC Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake.

The demonic slaughter occurs at the Arts & Innovation Benefit held at the House of North. Body guard Mr. Clark takes his charge, Alissa the last heiress muse to a safe location, but she insists they return to rescue the human hostages. He refuses saying unless the Etherlin Council president Dimitri Xanakis orders him to do so she will remain safe. Mr. Clark reminds her that the damned cannot resist the smell of the blood of a muse like she is. Furthermore he blames the ventala hybrid vampires for failing to kill the demon in Varden. Merrick the ventala arrives and easily kills Corthus the demon, who had slaughtered many. Over Mr. Clark's objection, Alissa thanks Merrick.

Five years later, Alissa and Merrick remain attracted to one another, but each knows that is taboo. However, everything changes when someone abducts the muse and removes her from the safety of the House. Merrick vows to use every tool in heaven, hell and earth to rescue the forbidden female he has loved since she bravely shook his hand after he killed Corthus.

The first Etherlin romantic fantasy is a terrific ultra dark (due to constant violence that lives up to the title as even demons bleed) thriller. The vivid story line is action-packed but it is the forbidden relationship between the muse and the ventala that is at the heart of Kimberley Frost's turn from the lighthearted frolics of the Southern Witch saga to this dark tale.

Harriet Klausner

I am a fan of her other series, Southern Witch, this one is even better. The characters in this book are richer and the story has more depth. I really didn't want to put this one down. This is a great book for anyone interested in romance with intrigue with a supernatural twist.

4.5 I read through the night, couldn't put it down, needed a resolution.I give it 4 stars. MS. Frost writes characters that I bond to very easily. I really enjoyed the Muse/vampire/human society, the mystery was intriguing, the romance very forbidden. Merrick, the tall dark and handsome vampire/human enforcer and Alissa the intelligent, loyal and beautiful Muse. It built up to a intensity so great I could not stop reading. Then it pulled everything together too quickly, it was unsatisfying. The couple the story was based on had their story resolved. I really thought it should have been drawn into another book. They was so much more for them to do in this world Ms Frost built. At the end is a peek into the next book. It sounds promising, centering around the Fallen Angel and another of the Muse's stories. So, it looks as each book will focus on another Muse and her whirl of a tale. Perhaps they will all tie in and what I was looking for will happen with each new book ? Only the next one in the series will tell.

I am still very excited after finishing the last page of All That Bleeds by Kimberly Frost....a fantastic tale...with all the elements of a great romance...an inescapable destiny...a mystery created in betrayal and lies...a take on the paranormal that is both unique and beautifully portrayed in each page. Buy this book...and fall in love with Merrick and Alissa....you will find yourself eagerly awaiting the next in the series due out in June 2012....Kudos to Ms Frost for a beautifully written tale in All That Bleeds...I recommend it with great joy to all who love paranormal romance with a fresh take. I loved this book!!!

All That Bleeds by Kimberly Frost
Paranormal Romance Jan 3rd, 2012
4 ½ stars

All That Bleeds is a new paranormal series by Kimberly Frost. It is a bit of a departure from the more lighthearted books in her Southern Witch series. That is because it is more serious and complex. However, it still retains the author's delightfully entertaining writing style that charms you with her sympathetic characters. This series centers on females Muses who work to inspire others for the greater good of mankind. All the Muses are competing to be the lead Muse and win the Wreath which helps focus their powers.

In this story, Alissa North is a Muse and the last of her line. After her mother's suspicious suicide, her father lost her mother's muse power and fell into madness. As she struggles to help her father and win the Wreath which she hopes to help her father and discover the real reason behind her mother's mysterious death, she finds herself kidnapped! Luckily the dangerous and lethally handsome vampire enforcer Merrick (who she has secretly been communicating with) is enamored with her and secretly keeps watch over her. As a result, he saves her. Both are strongly attracted to each other but their relationship is forbidden if Alissa wants to win the Wreath. Torn by her need for justice and her growing affection for a man who will stop at nothing to protect her, Alissa must discover what is most important.

This is a fabulous new series that drew me in from the first page. I can't wait for the next book which features Alissa's muse friend Cerise who I suspect will have a very interesting romance with a fallen angel! What attracted me to this first book is how well defined and immersing the world the author has created. Muses are highly regarded and it was fascinating to read all the politics, betrayals and backstabbing that occur behind the pretty façade that they show to the `normal' public. I also liked the dangerous edge brought from the mystery behind the person/s who wish to discredit Alissa and bring her downfall. Plus the true reasons behind the death of Alissa's mother are very unexpected if anticlimactic. The growing love between Alissa and Merrick was very powerful to read as both characters are misunderstood but together find understanding and comfort with each other that they could not find with anyone else. Their forbidden love was suspenseful to read as I wanted them to overcome their obstacles and find happiness together.

Engaging characters, a star-crossed love and a lethally handsome hero make for spectacular reading.

Reviewed by Steph from Bookaholics Book Club