Relentless by Karen Lynch
Narrator: Caitlin Greer
Series: Relentless #1
Published by Audible
Published on: January 5, 2016
Genres: Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Length: 12 hours, 27 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
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Sara Grey’s world shattered ten years ago when her father was brutally murdered. Now at seventeen, she is still haunted by memories of that day, and driven by the need to understand why it happened. She lives a life full of secrets, and her family and friends have no idea of the supernatural world she is immersed in or of Sara’s very powerful gift.
In her quest for answers about her father’s death, Sara takes risks that expose her and her friends to danger, and puts herself into the sights of a sadistic vampire. On the same fateful night she meets Nikolas, a warrior who turns Sara’s world upside down, and who is determined to protect her even if it’s the last thing she wants.
Sara’s life starts to spin out of control as she is hunted by an obsessed vampire, learns that her friends have secrets of their own, and reels from the truth about her own ancestry. Sara has always been fiercely independent, but in order to survive now she must open herself to others, to reveal her deepest secrets. And she must learn to trust the one person capable of breaking down the walls around her.
** This book has language that may be offensive to some readers.
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This is another of those series that for whatever reason never hit my radar until it had been out quite awhile. This book is also one of those that I am kicking myself for not having found until now. I could not put it down. That’s my main criteria for a good book. Well, that and if I immediately buy the next book, and of course I did! Young adult urban fantasy? I was so in!
Sara Gray lives in a world of the paranormal, all the while pretending to everyone that she doesn’t. Her close friend is a troll named, Remy, who befriended her when they both were children. She is able to heal injuries and the only one who knows this is Remy. She was orphaned when her father was killed by a vampire and now lives with her disabled uncle. Her other closest friends are brothers, Roland and Peter, and they have a secret too. A big secret. She also has a raven that visits her named, Harper-just one of those whose life she saved with healing. In her spare time she haunts the underground message boards online to find out all she can about vampires. And when she goes out with her friends and meets a vampire, she becomes his obsession-and not in a romantic way. She meets vampire hunter, Nicholas, after this encounter. And after meeting him, he won’t leave her alone. Because he knows what she is, even though she has no idea.
What followed was quite the adventure, because Sara seems to attract trouble at every turn. And that’s because Sara is determined to find the vampire that killed her father. Along the way, there’s plenty of action, and life and death moments. Not to mention Nicholas never leaving her alone. I really enjoyed Sara as a character, she’s spunky and snarky, but she is kind as well. I did have a problem with the amount of times she would slip away from Nicholas to do her own thing. Of course it causes lots of major problems and puts her friends as well as herself at risk. If she had only done it one or two times, I wouldn’t have a problem, but she just kept doing it. It got a bit old, even if it did further the story along. I know lots of people might pick this book apart due to this, but I forgave it because I enjoyed so much else about the story.
I listened instead of read and really enjoyed the narration by Caitlin Greer. I actually think that she is what made this a non-stop listen for me, and I added half a star due to how much I enjoyed that listen. Well, that and all the supernatural aspects and action. I enjoy listening to books now and when I got the book for free, I added narration for $1.99 and thought it was worth every penny. Can’t beat that price for such a well written and narrated story. I actually did the same thing when I bought the second book, Refuge.
I thought this was a good first effort in this series and actually highly recommend it. Seventeen year old girl meets her destiny in a supernatural world that human’s know nothing about? Yes, please. Great characters of all types just rounded it all out for me. It was well worth the listen!
FYI-For older teens and adults due to some extreme language
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Relentless Series
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I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
Okay this definitely sounds like my kind of read! Great review!
Oh, I think you would like this series Ali. I have listened to three of them and loved them all!
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Relentless by Karen Lynch (@Mollykatie112, @karenlynchNL, @audible_com)
Gah! I actually have this in ebook and something tells me (you know, that little voice that speaks to me when YOU really enjoy a book) that I better get to reading this one sooner than later. And I just may go ahead and get the audio as well. Sara seems like the plucky kind of heroine I enjoy and I like that there seems to be strong friendships here. I also like that Sara’s going to be learning about a supernatural world right along with us. Great review, Lorna. Hopefully I can squeeze this one in this month. 😀
I really enjoyed the whole thing Brandee. And yes there’s lots of strong friendships in these books. I have listened to three so far and they have all been exciting for me-non-stop!
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Relentless by Karen Lynch (@Mollykatie112, @karenlynchNL, @audible_com)
I have never heard of this, and love that it sits at the end of the YA spectrum. Adding to my list, it sounds addictive!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare
It is addictive, I’ve listened to three so far and I am waiting for the fourth to be released soon. I think you might enjoy these Kimberly 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Relentless by Karen Lynch (@Mollykatie112, @karenlynchNL, @audible_com)
A troll best friend, a raven and she’s a trouble magnet. Sounds fun. Never heard of it so glad to read your review, Lorna!
They are fun listens! I can’t believe I hadn’t heard of them especially since there’s over a thousand ratings on GoodReads and they are all highly rated 🙂 Sorry I haven’t made it to Delighted Reader lately.I had surgery on one eye and will be having the other done next week. Can’t really read well and the computer isn’t easy either!So I have been listening 🙂
Audio, yay, even if it usually takes me a month to finish a book
I really have fallen in love with listening to books-as long as its a good narrator 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Relentless by Karen Lynch (@Mollykatie112, @karenlynchNL, @audible_com)
Having a series out for a while is a good thing though… don’t have to wait too long for the next one! I love that her bf is a troll! And I want to know Roland and Peter’s secret! You are killing me today Lorna!
Naomi Hop recently posted…Waiting On Wednesday #214 – Royally Screwed / Moon Chosen (@EmmaChse, @pccastauthor)
I think you would like these Naomi!First one is free. I have listened to three and I’ve enjoyed all of them 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Relentless by Karen Lynch (@Mollykatie112, @karenlynchNL, @audible_com)
Oh totally picked up that first book. This sounds good and you are right, can’t put down a book is a mark of something good! 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…On My Wishlist; The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Oh good! I hope you love it as much as I did and besides you can’t go wrong with free!
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Relentless by Karen Lynch (@Mollykatie112, @karenlynchNL, @audible_com)
Oooh nice! I kep meaning to read this one! Heard some really good things that convinced me but alas! I have yet to read it! If all goes well I may binge the series one day! Glad to hear it was awesome! Great review!
I have pretty much binge read them as well, with just a few other books in between. You should try them, especially since the first one is free.Thanks!
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Relentless by Karen Lynch (@Mollykatie112, @karenlynchNL, @audible_com)
Sometimes finding out about a book or series late can be a good thing as then at least the next few books are hopefully out already and you don’t have to wait for the next one. There aren’t as many YA urban fantasy books out there, so glad to hear it was a good one.
This one sounds intriguing with the secrets and her not knowing what she is at first, but the vampire hunter she meets does know. Sara does sound like a nice character, although it does get old fast when a character keeps putting themselves in danger. Glad to hear the narration was so done well! Great review!
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: My Five Favorite Game Genres
Thank you Lola! And you are right, I loved that I could immediately get the next two books. And the next one will be out soon I think. This series is pretty great 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Audiobook Review: Relentless by Karen Lynch (@Mollykatie112, @karenlynchNL, @audible_com)