Title: In the Light of the Moon
Series: Dark War Chronicles #1
Author: A.L. Kessler
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Format: eBook, 167 pages
Published: June 9, 2013
ASIN #: B00DAN29TY
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Copy: review copy from author
1/2
Stripped of all control, panther shifter Kassity has no choice but to be a killer for Lucius. Obeying the vampire was simply her way of life, until Jax comes to town and brings trouble with him. When she recognizes Jax as her fated mate, Kassity must deal with betrayal, secrets and Lucius in order to be with him.
With a war raging between all supernatural creatures Jaxon must decide who he is fighting for-and against. What started as a simple job turns into a complicated game of hearts when he meets Kassity, the woman he thought he was rescuing. But not everything is as it seems in Lucius’ territory.
This book’s a bit of a mixed bag; some parts I loved while as others… not so much but, this series definitely has long-term potential. A. L. Kessler just needs to work out a few kinks. The paranormal aspects are complex and captivating, Kass is a phenomenal character who I hope we’ll see again in future novels and the ending blew the main story arc wide open. But, as much as I loved the Dark Wars Chronicles universe, the world-building was one of the areas that I did find was lacking. In the Light of the Moon is a quick, enjoyable read and a strong start to the DWC series.
I liked how Kessler keeps her readers in the dark for a large portion of this book; I was never quite sure whether Lucius or Kass’ family had her best interests in mind. There are ugly rumors flying about both sides but I wasn’t able to put two-and-two together until nearly the end. Jax complicates things even further because he’s playing for both teams but he’s also Kassity’s fated mate so, at times, I found it difficult to trust him even though I desperately wanted to. I will say this much, he’s the lesser evil in Kass’ life, at least for the time being anyway.
As much as I enjoyed the mystery surrounding Kass; I can’t say that the same holds true for the world or the paranormal elements. Apparently there’s this big supernatural war, its referenced countless times throughout the book, but that’s pretty much all I know. Who started it? Why are they fighting? Who’s on what side? For something that seems to be pivotal to this series’ overall story arc I found the lack of information on it frustrating. Then there are Immortals, The Originals and The Circle. I’m not really sure who or what these supes even are. This book has one of the smallest first-installment-in-a-series set-ups I’ve seen in a long time which is too bad because, in short, I was left with way too many questions and not enough answers.
I enjoyed the fight scenes, especially when the shifters were in their cat forms. Kessler does a great job of mimicking feline hunting techniques by having her characters attack by pouncing, leaping from trees and of course, they always land on their feet. The link between Kass and her panther-self is blocked thanks to Lucius which added an interesting twist to the standard shapeshifter lore as well.
In the Light of the Moon starts A. L. Kessler’s Dark Wars Chronicles off with a bang thanks to its entertaining story, complex characters and intriguing world. I just wish that the latter had been better developed; I guess there’s always next time.
[author] [author_image timthumb=’off’]http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dctlIiq64tY/UcC75OdqDjI/AAAAAAAAIhI/ng3Ovz1AhPA/s1600/ALKessler.jpg[/author_image] [author_info]
A.L. Kessler is a paranormal romance and steampunk author residing in Colorado Springs. Since she was a teenager she’s loved weaving stories and spinning tales. When she’s not at the beck-and-call of the Lord and Lady of the House, two black cats by the names of Jynx and Sophie, playing with her daughter, or killing creepers and mining all the things with her husband of 4 years, she’s either reading, participating in NaNoWriMo, or writing in her Blog Writing Rambles. You can find her story Keeper in Evernight Vol II, her steampunk short, Of Souls and Steam, in Penny Dread Vol. III, also Midnight Symphony, her first novella is now available.
[/author_info] [/author]
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Rabid Reads
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Great review Carmel it does sound promising, but world building is very important in the first book to draw me in, and make me buy the rest. So for now, not adding it to the wishlist, perhaps after some more reviews I will change my mind.
I don’t blame ya. There are so many books out there begging for attention that it’s hard to pick-up an unproven novel.
The series sounds promising, it’ll have to go on my TBR 🙂
Haha what’s one more for the pile, right!? 😉