Dust to Blood (Red Slaves) [Kindle Edition]

Tonya Cannariato (Author)

Book Description

It's a simple formula: Magical power equals political power...

Sparks are flying between researcher Anne Crosby and no less than nine men--but it's not what you think. Whenever these nine amnesiacs touch anyone, electrical mayhem results. More surprising: all of them have dust instead of blood in their veins, even though they're quite alive. It's Anne's job to track down who and what these men are, even though she takes a dim view of the supernatural.

Her research takes Anne to Russia and the discovery of the devastating magical source behind the former Soviet Union's power--a source the resurrected KGB wants back. Anne must stop them, and they'll do anything to stop her.

A novel of 55,135 words.

Editorial Reviews

Review

What a cool beginning to what promises to be an AWESOME series! I think it could totally be the next big thing in fantasy/paranormal. -Goodreads reviewer

The premise is AMAZING and has so much potential to be something really special! It is unique and imaginative, but familiar enough that the reader doesn't feel totally blindsided. -Goodreads reviewer

The mythology was really original and captured my attention (I especially liked the reason there was three of them and the power of the figurines). I hope the author keeps writing about this group and I hope the next book has more dragons!! -Goodreads reviewer

I thought the idea behind this was really imaginative and unique, and it was very well written. I could picture the scenes and the characters perfectly, and I was never bored. -Goodreads reviewer

I love books in foreign lands and  liked how the author wrote the political landscape and Russian history and governmental officials into the storyline. It's a really fast read and not too long. I was so curious to see what would happen I was flipping my Kindle pages as fast as I possibly could! -Goodreads reviewer

Product Details

• File Size: 370 KB
• Print Length: 242 pages
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Publisher: Katarr Kanticles Press; 1 edition (April 21, 2012)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007WHHU0M
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Not Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #772,013 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Intrigue, Romance and Dragons! August 29, 2012

By CabinGoddess

Format:Kindle Edition

This book started off like a snowball in early fall only to roll faster and faster till I was unable to stop reading it. It had several things that were a must for me and one of the big ones? Location, Location, Location... Russia, particulary Ekaterinburg where Tsar Nicholas II's family was murdered during the Bolshevik Revolution. One of my favorite romantic notions is that Anastasia, his daughter, was still alive and not one of the murdered family members so much so I wanted to name my first born after her. I found it interesting that our leading lady was named Anne, hmmm I wonder!

Russia has always been a land of mystery in my mind. The KGB, the artwork, Marxism, Revolutions abound and the wonderful expansive literature colored a young girls day dreams. The novel had espinage and secret cabal's of ex-KGB agents that drew me in and had me hopping. And it had one of my favorite mythological creatures, dragons. Tie it up in a romp through the mountains, fantasy and intense, heated romance and I was looking for where to pitch a tent for the next adventure.

Tonya Cannariato is a clever, intelligent author who shows a lot of promise. Her next novel Dementional is already out and it is not a follow up to this one but a Sci-Fi Romance, which Orangeberry is also touring!

I have to admit I was totally confused for at least the first 15% of the book. I ended up going back and reading the synopsis and applying that I started getting it. The only thing I was lacking as a good prologue. I think if I had one it would not be so hard to follow Anne's first days, what her drive was, and who and what the boss was all about. But like I said once it got rolling.. Oh look! I just found my tent stakes and I already have good winter gear! Can't wait for the next segment of Anne and the rest of the cast's adventure!

(I received this book as a gift from the author. It was for my enjoyment and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.")

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An exotic story that will keep fantasy adventure readers hooked in its talons December 16, 2012

By Compulsion Reads

Format:Kindle Edition

Anne Crosby is a researcher, sent to Russia by a rich and erratic boss to look into dragons, of all things. Anne is understandably cynical, until she and her research assistant discover the existence of nine orphans who confess to have few memories of their past, and oh....bleed dust instead of blood. Romance and destiny are in the air when Anne feels a strange, alluring connection to one of the orphans.

She recommits to finding the truth about the dragons, but she's not alone in her quest. The KGB is making a new run for infamy, and they'd sure like dragons on their side to do it.

Dust to Blood is a pleasing fantasy adventure. Tonya Cannariato gives Anne a strong voice and a decent backbone before sending her protagonist on a dangerous search for answers that will take her all over Russia and through plenty of twists and turns.

I enjoyed watching the adventure unfold through Anne's eyes. She is a likable protagonist who doesn't at first realize just how deeply she is involved in the mystery she's trying to solve. Cannariato keeps the pace strong and blends tension and romance well.

Believability becomes a factor in the last quarter of the book as Anne's situation gets more and more precarious and strange. I had some difficulty swallowing the ease in which Anne accepts world-changing discoveries that forever alter the essence of who she is.

On the whole, Dust to Blood is a strong an exotic story that will keep fantasy adventure readers hooked in its talons.

(This book was provided to Compulsion Reads for review by the author.)

3.0 out of 5 stars I felt ultimately disappointed by the characters and by the ending October 29, 2012

By Masquerade Crew

Format:Kindle Edition

WALKI'S REVIEW

Chicago-based researcher Anne Crosby is sent to Moscow to investigate rumours of dragons. Her contact Igor introduces her to three Ivans, three Vassilys and three Fyodors, who have no memories of their past, and dust in their veins instead of blood. Anne has to avoid suspicious people watching her, while travelling to other parts of the countries and making friends with Olga, a librarian and ex-KGB trainee.

While `Dust to Blood' delivered the dragons, and despite an engaging first chapter, I felt ultimately disappointed by the characters and by the ending. While I found it readable, it felt superficial and I wondered if I had stumbled into chicklit zone (a genre that doesn't suit my needs, or my tastes, or my standards). `Dust to Blood' had the potential and the ideas to fill two volumes if Tonya Cannariato had chosen to expand with more details and more dialogues, but she opted for another path.

I remember reading Dan Brown's `Angels and Demons' and thinking of it as a trash novel with an IQ. I would have given it three stars. Today, I'm struggling to give `Dust to Blood' two and a half stars. As an avid booklover and honest reviewer, I feel disappointed when I cannot muster enthusiasm about a novel. This modern fantasy is a trash novel with a degree in tourism.

Disclaimer: This book was provided free of charge by either the author or publisher. There was no financial gain in regards to this review, and the opinions presented above were not artificially influenced in any way.

More About the Author

A voracious reader since she was a toddler, and an ordained spiritualist, Tonya Cannariato has now presided over the marriage of her love of reading and her love of writing. She's lived a nomadic life, following first her parents in their Foreign Service career through Africa, Europe, and Asia, and then her own nose criss-crossing America as she's gotten old enough to make those choices for herself. She's currently based in Milwaukee with her three loves: her husband and two Siberian Huskies. She suspects her Huskies of mystical alchemy with their joyous liberation of her muse and other magical beings for her inspiration. She loves to sleep, to watch her interesting dreams, some of which are now finding new life in written form.