Age Group: YA
Source: Blog Tour
Series: Valkyrie #1
Challenge(s): Ebook challenge, Young adult reading challenge, 150+ reading challenge, Debut Author Challenge, YA Mythology challenge, ABC challenge, YA/MG fantasy challenge
Buy this Book: Amazon
Summary(from Goodreads):
“That day I knew for sure. I’d lost control of my tears then. They fell in huge, mocking drops. I stared at Joshua through those bitter tears, my heart missing beats as I tried to remember to breathe. I finally knew what the glow meant. I was a freak and Joshua was going to die.”
Bryn Halbrook had always seen the glow. But it is only when her best friend dies that she discovers the meaning of those beautiful golden auras – Death. Alone, lost in the foster system, she struggles to understand who she is and why she was cursed with the ability to see the soon-to-be-dead.
The new foster kid, Aidan, isn’t helping any. Mr. Perfect seems to fit in no matter what, making her feel even more pathetic. But when his affections turn to her, Bryn finds him hard to resist. Impossible actually. A mystery himself, Aidan disappears, leaving behind a broken heart and a mysterious book that suggests Bryn might not be entirely human.
Bryn stands at the threshold of a journey of discovery. Will destiny help her find herself, find her purpose and her place in a world in which she’d never belonged?
| This book was so awesome! I have not read a Valkyeri book before and this was such a great one to start with. The book just flows along at a great pace. It’s never boring, never slow. Dead Radiance is a great adventure that kept me riveted from start to finish.
Bryn is awesome! She is kick butt, kind, and all around awesome! I started out feeling so bad for her. She had no friends and she was bounced from foster home to foster home. It must have been tough on her. I certainly couldn’t imagine it. And then there is the glow that she sees around people. I just wanted to hug her! But once she started figuring out who she really was, things started turning around. It was at this point that I became super engrossed in her story. And then there is Aiden. Boy oh boy did I like Aiden. First of all he is super smart and resourceful. I have a thing for smart guys. Kind of a big thing. And man did Aiden and Bryn have chemistry! Honestly I found myself impatiently |
waiting for the next encounter between the two of them as I was reading. I wanted to see even more of them. And that ending! It killed me! I thought a little bit more could have been developed in the relationship front for the two of them. But all in all I liked the pace and I loved that it was believable. Too many times, I read a story where people fall victim to insta-love. Not here, and it was so refreshing.
Overall, Dead radiance is an awesome start to a series! I loved it!! One of my favorite books that I have read this year so far. It is well written, and the plot is great! I cannot wait to find out what will happen next! I need to read the next book asap.
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| 5/5 Gavels |
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Julie W
What an awesome review! I can’t remember ever reading a Valkyeri book either, which definitely made me curious about this one! I’m so glad to hear that you liked it! I just finished a book where there was the dreaded insta-love between two characters! It wasn’t done well at all and I really didn’t feel any chemistry between the characters, even though I read the whole thing! That kind of killed any connection I could feel to them and it ended up ruining what could have been a good book. I’m doubly glad that this book doesn’t have that now! This book is going on my TBR list now 🙂
jwitt33 at live dot com
Molli @ Once Upon a Prologue
Whoa, this one sounds AWESOME, Michelle! I love that you’re always bringing new books into my life. I don’t know that I would have stumbled across this one if I hadn’t read your review. It’s clear that you enjoyed it, so I will have to keep an eye out for it!
Molli | Once Upon a Prologue
Christy D
Valkyeri? I’m in! Sounds great.
Kari
Wow, this sounds awesome! I’ve never read a book like that, either, but I hope this will be my first. I’m soo glade the love isn’t instant and he’s a smart kid. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wanted to throw a book across the room because the love is awful. I need to go add this to my goodreads. I never would have even heard of this book without your post. Thank you!