Customer Reviews

Atlantis Awakening (Warriors of Poseidon, Book 2)

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Erin Connors is seeking an alliance between the Seattle Circle of Lights (a coven of witches) and the Atlanteans. Little did she expect that the mere presence of Ven (aka the King's Vengeance) would call to her magic. Erin knows she has to control the Wilding for it can lead to dark magic, or does it? Erin has the power of legend, as she is a gem singer. Will her powers be enough to save Riley? And just what dark plan does Caligula have in store for Erin?

I am officially hooked on the Warriors of Poseidon! Next to Alaric, Ven is the character I most wanted to see have his story told and Alyssa Day simply outdid herself! Tension emanates from the very first page as I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough! Alyssa Day really shines in ATLANTIS AWAKENING as this tale is perhaps one of the top paranormal books published this year.

Erin is headstrong and the perfect match for one such as Ven. Alyssa Day creates strong female characters who truly embody the essence of the ideal heroine. Erin is determined to see her quest through and only such a resolute character could handle the King's Vengeance!

ATLANTIS AWAKENING is the third story in the Warriors of Poseidon series and all of the elements really come together in this one. The underlying stories with the other Atlanteans add a layer of depth that only strengthens the overall series. ATLANTIS AWAKENING can be read as a stand alone, but I highly suggest reading this series in order so that the character development of each of the Warriors of Poseidon can truly be appreciated.

ATLANTIS AWAKENING builds upon the strong foundation already established in ATLANTIS RISING and Wild Hearts in Atlantis (from WILD THING). Alyssa Day has carefully crafted a fantastic world populated by various supernatural factions. The conflicts are growing, as are the alliances, and I for one can't wait to see where Alyssa Day takes us next! Highly recommended!

COURTESY OF CK2S KWIPS AND KRITIQUES

Erin Connors is a ninth-level witch of the Seattle Circle of Light. Ten years ago an ancient vampire, Caligula, massacred her family. Since then, Erin has been filled with the need for vengeance. In a stroke of irony, she must team up with the legendary Atlantean warrior, Vengeance "Ven", in order to defeat a growing threat in the area. Erin is able to call upon the Wilding, a type of magic that few are able to control. Erin is also a rare breed of witch; she is a gem singer. A gem singer is one whose soul resonates with the spirit of the stones of the earth. Until Erin, the gem singers of the Nereids were thought to be only myth; however, the Atlanteans are seeing a lot of "mythical beings" from the ancient scrolls popping up in the area.

He is known as The King's Vengeance. It has been his name and duty for centuries. Now that Atlantis's warriors have risen, Ven must help wage a war against the vampires. More humans are being turned into vampires every night. Caligula is building an army for unknown reasons. Ven has never liked witches, but they are better than dealing with vampires. The feisty witch, Erin, strikes him as different from the instant they meet. Ven is able to hear Erin's gems sing! He quickly realizes that he does not want the witch to leave his sight. An intense and dark desire flows within Ven that he is almost unable to control. Problem is that there is no time to consider what is happening or why.

Lady Riley and her unborn child are dying. No one knows why or is able to stop it. The only chance to save them is for Erin and Ven to depart Atlantis, battle the undead and shifters, and recover the Nereid's Heart - a ruby of immense power. Time is quickly running out.

**** This time the story revolves around the second heir to the throne. In the first book of the series, Ven seemed stronger than his older brother, Conlan. Where Conlan must use subtle diplomacy and strategy, Ven uses strength, battle training and weapons. I found it fascinating to watch Erin break through his barriers (while he broke through hers). You do not have to read any of the prior books in the series to understand what is going on, but those who do will find it add to the drama. I found this story to be an engrossing read and can hardly wait to read Justice's story. ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

In Altlantis Awakening the leads Erin and Ven were much better developed leads than Conlan and Riley from the previous book The Warriors of Poseidon (Atlantis Rising, Book 1). As a witch and Gem Singer, Erin is a strong enough heroine to stand up to the "@$$ kicking" (his words, multiple times) Lord Vengeance. I would have liked to have seen their relationship progress a little more slowly though, the soul-meld should be a jump-start not a jump-to-lightspeed, so that the reader can fall in love with the romantic leads as they fall in love with each other. Author Day does a better job with her other characters. She makes excellent use of her supporting cast and continues to flesh out her returning characters and their relationships.

In fact looking back at the story there are side characters that stand out more than the leads. There was an especially poignant scene between star crossed lovers high priest Alaric and rebel leader Quinn, as the brief bittersweet taste of the soul-meld they must deny brings them even more anguish. I could have used a quick refresher on a couple of the other warriors, but it makes sense that, since there are so many, just a few can play significant roles in each story. In addition to Alaric, Justice got some interesting screen time to set up the next full length novel Atlantis Unleashed which will be his story.

Atlantis Awakening would have been a 4.5 star read, if it weren't for the rape scene half-way through the book. The only purpose that I could see for the scene was to bludgeon the reader with the fact that the bad guy Caligula was really really evil, but that was already well established and later on in the story Caligula actually tells the victim's sister (and the audience as well) that the victim has suffered this fate numerous times. Not only was this scene unnecessary, it broke the momentum of the story and it took me a while to get back into the flow of the story - making the scene's placement directly before a love scene between the romantic leads especially unfortunate. This was significant enough to drop my rating by a full star, but I liked the rest of the story and I can't wait to read about more about Justice and vampire double agent Daniel/Drakos too in the upcoming Warriors of Poseidon (Atlantis Unleashed, Book 3)(June 2008).

If you happened to have missed Day's connected novel for warrior Bastien in Wild Thing you should check it out, and also watch for another short in the upcomingShifter.

In Seattle, Atlantean warriors Ven, Brennan and Alexios battle vampires when a peer Christophe arrives with a message from Ven's older brother King Conlon. His Highness wants his sibling to represent the Seven Isles of Atlantis at a meeting with the witches of the Circle of Light; the topic being an alliance against the vamps.

As Ven impatiently awaits the wizard he is to meet at a pub, he prays his brother and pregnant sister-in-law Riley an emotional empath has plenty of babies so he is not close in line to the throne. A witch Erin Connors arrives to discuss a quest that no one else seems to want to join her on. Ven touches her causing the wilding music to start. Erin struggles to control it while Ven stunned flees to Atlantis to see High priest Alaric to learn what did occur. However, Erin telepathically calls him back as she is in trouble. He returns and with the help of Drakos the vampire stops two witches from harming Erin. Drakos warns Ven that Caligula wants Erin before fleeing. Three witches arrive to take charge of Erin so Ven leaves for Atlantis where Alaric tells him Erin is a mythical gem singer. Erin and Ven have begun their adventures in love, in trying to rescue her sister and stopping Caligula and the evil Goddess Anubisa.

This exciting epic fantasy will grip the audience because of the courageous lead couple as neither is prepared for love. However, the key to this superior tale is that the various paranormal species such as Goddesses, Atlanteans and vampires and human witches all seem genuine and the myriad of subplots tie together in the final confrontation, but also set up the next tale. Although readers might doubt that a certain person has been a traitor for a decade with no one aware of it, fans will not doubt how good the Atlantis series is.

Harriet Klausner

I read the first one and actually enjoyed it a bit this one just seemed disjointed. The hero and heroine went from antagonism to mind melding within a page. It just didn't work for me, I didn't think there was any sort of chemistry.

Well, the alpha males are great men, the women are hot headed, strong, brave and such. Yes, the background and personality are different, but the couple sexual fierceness and mating style is quite similar.

So, if you take them out of their reality and strip them, they are almost the same. But, the fight against the vampires continue interesting. Alaric and Christophe are great and I look forward for their own stories. And yeah, for Quinn and Alaric to get together, since they are the only couple that seem to try and resist the soul-melding powers, making it all more interesting.

It is as the first, simple, quite popular type of writing that will reach many different type of romance readers.

The first book was good enough to make me want to read the next one immediately. A bit of a let down - I thought the Atlantis Rising was far better than Atlantis Awakening. For one thing the same "dead" villians have returned for the second book. I found that lazy on the author's part - the conclusion of the first book was a triumph over the bad guys etc etc etc. Was it that hard to find new villians for a romance novel? I'm not going to buy the third book in this series, if someone gave it to me, I would read it, but I won't be spending my money on it.

This is actually the 2.5 Book of the series. (Warrior Bastien has a short story in the Anthology Wild Thing). Vengeance and Erin's story was interesting. Too much build up to the end. Not enough build up of the relationship. However, having said that, the ending was great. I loved the plot twist with Justice. I cannot wait to read Justice's book and see what heroinne he is given. Erin was annoying at times, but I loved Vengeance's character. The way he went from old speak to current talk was funny as heck. Also, the book had several laugh out loud moments.

This is a great followup to the original book and the novella.

Without repeating what has already been written regarding the plot, I really really liked how we got to see so many interesting characters and at the same time, we got to see Ven and Erin really connect - they didn't get `lost in the shuffle'. Plus, the book made me very eager to read more about everyone else!

I had so much trouble while I was reading it - read faster to see what happens? Or slow down so the book doesn't end so fast!

I wound up reading faster, then rereading the book!

Second in the Warriors of Poseidon paranormal romance series about the elite guard protecting the king of Atlantis. The couple focus is on Erin Connors and the King's Vengeance with Seattle as this story's base of operations. Their goal is the retrieval of Nereid's Heart.

My Take
I do enjoy the guards' smug approach to fighting the vamps. I do wish however that Day spent more time creating a depth of tension. Sure, there's the usual tension from the battles, will the shield hold, who is this goddess inhabiting my body...you know, the usual. But it doesn't make my heart race or urge my eyes to speed across the page.

It is a hoot to read the exchanges between the human women who become involved with an Atlantean. Modern women aren't so hot on the "me Tarzan, tree swinging" thing.

Oh, please. Day, you have got to do a better job than this! Day has Erin whining and moaning about "taking a life". It is just not believable in any sense. This is the person who helped plan and took part in the massacre of her family. This person has betrayed everyone around them. They were about to murder Erin and Ven. And, she feels bad that she protected herself. Arghhhhhh...! Quinn is soooo much more believable in her terrified acceptance. So is Dierdre. Could we swap??

No, that last line in the story was such a throwaway! Simply an excuse to give it the title.

The Story
What a way to destroy a good battle?! Instead of a willing woman, Ven has to take this meeting with a member of the local coven and whoever it is, is late. Well, an alliance to take out Caligula wouldn't hurt.

It's on their way to the coven's meeting house that Erin is attacked and one of her rescuers whispers the name "Caligula". A name that conveys a world of meaning and anger as it explains the sudden upsurge in vampires in the area.

Conlan is in despair for Riley gets sicker every day. None can help. Alaric's power does not encompass pregnancy or childbearing. the First Maiden is unable to do more than pace. But Ven refuses to remain in Atlantis at Riley's side. This alliance is too important. And Erin is his.

It's betrayals and battles. Warnings of spies. Personal battles between Ven and Erin as he tries to protect her.

The Characters
Erin Connors is a gem singer [one whose soul resonates with the spirit of the stones of the earth; it requires some degree of elven blood] with the Wilding Magic, using song to heal and do battle. She's also a member of the Seattle Circle of Light coven. Ten years ago, her entire family was slaughtered by vampires and now she learns that her sister Dierdre is alive but Turned, fighting still against Caligula. The high priestesses had learned of her existence but did not tell Erin.

The King's Vengeance "Ven" is horrified. He is now the heir to the throne; the court will be plotting with who he should join. They're calling him "Your Highness"!?? Conlan and Riley had better start popping out babies and get him out of this!

Crown Prince Conlan is about to be crowned king and married to Riley Dawson, pregnant with his child. But it's a sickly pregnancy. The child does not thrive and it is hurting Riley. There are seven Warriors of Poseidon, a special Guard to protect the king. Besides Ven and Conlan, the guard includes: the blue-haired Lord Justice; the damaged Alexios; the cheeky Christophe; Brennan who was cursed to never feel again after he was caught fooling with a senator's daughter in Rome; Bastien, still in Florida with his new mate; and, Denal, the baby who really needs to sit down for a week at least with DVDs, the boy just doesn't grasp cultural references! Marie is the First Maiden of the Nereids, a priestess of the Goddess and Bastien's sister.

Alaric is the high priest of Poseidon; to retain his power and help his people he must remain celibate even at the cost of his soul mate, Quinn Dawson, leader of the rebels. Jack Shepherd is a tiger shifter and a rebel leader as well. He's a little too close to Quinn for Alaric's comfort. Reisen is fighting with the rebels. Taking on suicide missions in his attempts to redeem the honor of his house.

The high priestesses of the Circle of Light are Lillian, Berenice, and Gennae. They have their doubts about Erin's control over the Wilding Magic.

Caligula, yup, the Roman emperor, is a vampire. An extremely strong vampire and he really wants Erin. That way, he'll have a matched set he can torture.

Daniel, a.k.a., Drakos, is a vampire ally who helped them kill Barrabas and Anubisa, the vampire goddess of Chaos and Night (see Atlantis Rising). Seems he was a Spartan warrior back in the day.

The Cover
Oooh, pretty with its blues and purple mists swirling around a jeans-clad, buff body wearing a deep blue shirt open and displaying that smooth chest, the tattoo of Poseidon's mark vivid on his left pec.

The title is convenient. Yes, it is about Atlantis but the "awakening" is simply a word.