Happy Monday everyone! Hope you had a great weekend. I know I did! I spent most of the weekend with my son being goofy, which isn’t that the best part of being a Mom? Anyways today I wanted to introduce you to a new author with her first book in the series The Fated. This book was an easy read and one I immensely enjoyed if only because it was a break from the typical Young Adult paranormal romance that is so popular right now. If you enjoy a book that is tied to Greek mythology, then this is a book you should really check out!
I received this book via the author, Angela McPherson. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
Hope's Decree by Angela McPherson Series: The Fated #1
Published by Untold Press, LLC on August 13, 2013
Length: 284 pages
Reviewing eARC Rating:
When everything else is lost, there is always hope.
Most teens want an epic senior year. All Trinity Whitebone hoped for was a normal one. She is the direct descendant of Pandora and fated to rectify the terrors released into the world by her curious ancestor.
Blain Heros is the sworn guardian created by Zeus to protect Trinity. His mission is to train her to defend humans against Pandora's curse. For Blain, training a mortal for battle is impossible. For Trinity, taking orders from an overbearing immortal whose touch leaves her dizzy, is hopeless. But with each passing lesson, frustration and confusion give way to an electrifying bond.
Together they are a force to be feared, only defending humans against an ancient curse isn’t the only threat in the world anymore. A band of rogue immortals is hunting Trinity because her power is key to unleashing an unholy darkness into the mortal realm. As the war between light and dark brews, Trinity vows to fully embrace her fate—or die trying.
Hope’s Decree book one of The Fated series by Angela McPherson is a coming-of-age story about a girl starting her senior year of high school with one major twist. She can feel other people’s emotions. Not only that but she is haunted by night terrors that started when she was a girl, but now they seem more prophetic. Throw in a hot, unattainable guy, two best friends, and a little Greek mythology and you have yourself an amazing read!Trinity Whitebone is a strong MC. She not only learns about her dreams and her gifts, but accepts why she has them and is ready to fulfill her destiny, even if a little hesitantly.
Most teenagers couldn’t wait to turn eighteen. Would I even be around by then? A new goal of mine, don’t die. -Trinity
I found her relatable, even if a bit shallow. I mean really, who worries about work and school and hanging out with friends when the entire world depends on your life?! Crystal and Keri are her two best friends and I think they bring out the best in her. Keri is grounded and keeps the peace, where as Crystal is the consummate party girl. Then there’s Blain Heros. Oh. My. God. The way this character is described I pictured a God among men…..sorry but there’s really no other way to say that! He is the obvious love interest, yet he is aloof and unattainable and without totally spoiling the book for you he is more than meets the eye.
I loved the layering of the plot with the story of Pandora’s jar in Greek mythology and what was happening to our MC. It added a depth to the story that most YA novels are missing today and made it very hard to predict what was going to happen, which I loved! Probably my favorite scene in the whole book, happens around 40% into it and Blain and Trinity are basically at a stalemate as he decides what he can and can’t tell her. It was like an “ah-ha!” moment for Trinity as the pieces fell together.
So why 4 stars and not 5? I found the story a little slow to start. I was instantly hooked by Trinity’s night terror at the beginning, but then I thought too much of the story was given to the mundane, like what has happening in English class that day or what was eaten for dinner. That’s just me though, I felt that it slowed the progression of the story. Also there was a lot of repetition in the storyline, instead of moving forward. This didn’t really take away from the main plot line but it was distracting for me.
Overall, I truly enjoyed this book. It’s unique among the YA books of today in that, even though there are paranormal occurrences, there were no vampires, no werewolves, just regular mortals, for the most part anyways! And I loved the villain in this novel, he is very likable even if he kinda gave me the creeps at times! If you enjoy Greek mythology and a good paranormal romance, I highly recommend you give this novel a try. I promise you won’t be disappointed!
About Angela McPherson
Born and currently residing in Midland, Texas, Angela shuffles three busy children (not including her husband) all over the place. She works in a busy pediatric doctor's office as a nurse during the day, and writes at night. She is addicted to coffee-who isn't? And firmly believes that chocolate can fix all-especially chocolate ice cream. She laughs a lot, often at herself and is willing to try anything once (she thinks). When Angela isn't rushing kids around, working or writing, she's reading. Other than life experience, Angela turns to a wide variety of music to help spark her creative juices. She loves to dance and sing, though her kids often beg her not to.
[…] know you do it too) I have on good authority that the author is currently working on it. I loved book one of The Fated series and so I really can’t wait to see where she takes the characters […]