I just finished The Banshee's Embrace, the first book in The Banshee's Embrace Trilogy by Victoria Richards. With our family's Irish/Scottish background; I was excited to find a paranormal story venturing onto the realm of banshees. What was my review of Book 1 of Victoria Richards, The Banshee's Embrace Trilogy?
I received a complimentary copy of this book for use in my upcoming review. All opinions and experiences are my own.
Quick Summary of The Banshee's Embrace. Jacqueline Huston has no idea what has been happening to her, but it started the night she was attacked by men with strange powers. While mortally wounded in the attack, Jacqueline knows she would have surely died if her husband hadn't thrown himself into the line of fire. But being alive is little comfort when your husband is dead. Ever since that night, Jacqueline has been strangely drawn to death for reasons she doesn't understand. When death is nearby, she can see when it is coming for someone. However, it's her urge to sing when she gets close to dying people that she finds most disturbing.
Toby Williams is a wizard and a member of the Brotherhood of Merlyn, an ancient order of powerful wizards. He's been charged by an ancient order of wizards to keep an eye on Jacqueline. Half banshees are rare, and if placed in the wrong hands they can be a powerful weapon. As owner of Merlyn's Bar, a place the lovely Ms. Huston frequents, it seems an easy enough assignment for Toby.
When a sinister wizard attempts to kidnap her, Jacqueline learns a frightening truth about her heritage, and her powers. Will she be able to use her powers to save Toby, the man she is falling in love with, or will her powers consumer her, causing her to lose everything she holds dear?
The Banshee's Embrace offers a nice break from the usual paranormal romance themes. While The Banshee's Embrace does serve up wizardry and good vs. evil--and a romance--offering the Banshee (or, rather the half-banshee) as the main character was a welcomed break from the overdone vampires and traditional witches. Richards takes readers down a slightly different path in her series and it was nice to venture away, although slightly, from the norm.
The Banshee's Embrace starts the series off quickly. Readers are introduced to the plot and the characters rather quickly--and the pace moves at a similar speed through to the end of the book. With quick, easy to read passages, the book flows quickly. Yet, even with its speed, it offers just enough intrigue to keep readers pulled into the story to the end. There is not a lot of character development or background story in this book--and there are loose ends here and there. This book did a nice job helping me develop an interest in the characters and their plights, while leaving enough missing pieces to keep me reading the series for resolution.
Would I recommend The Banshee's Embrace? If you enjoy paranormal romance novels, this is worth your time. It's a quick read--but, it will hold the reader's interest. I would recommend reading the book as a set--almost as one longer book than as a series. There are some pretty explicit, romantic scenes in the book--so, while the reading level may be suitable for those younger paranormal fans--the subject matter is not as a whole. I would also note that the first book is also currently a free offering on Amazon for Kindle.
Buy The Banshee's Embrace Trilogy on Amazon:
The Banshee's Embrace (The Banshee's Embrace Trilogy Book 1)
The Banshee's Desire (The Banshee's Embrace Trilogy Book 2)
The Banshee's Revenge (The Banshee's Embrace Trilogy Book 3)
About the Author
Victoria Richards is a native southern Californian. She is a married and hard working mom of two beautiful daughters. She has been writing since she was old enough to pick up a pencil, but it wasn't until her college years that she really developed a love for writing creatively.
At the suggestion of her creative writing professor, she decided to pursue a full-time career as a writer, something that she enjoys and gives her immense satisfaction. An even greater satisfaction comes when fans follow her and enjoy reading her books.
Connect with Victoria:
Website | Facebook |TwitterLiterary Addicts | Goodreads | Amazon author page
Follow The Tour Here
0 Comments