I apologize for so very late Fresh Face Friday. I was slammed with weekend with my son’s birthday and all the festivities with the holiday. But, better late than never I am presenting to you Brooke Kennedy and Briana Gaitan’s Ethereal Underground. This is a very interesting paranormal/sci-fi romance. It’s an intriguing story and I am interested in reading the continuation of the series. For my full review keep reading after the book blurb. I hope you all have had a great weekend and a very Hoppy Easter. 😉
Book Blurb:
Can the person who was sent to steal your soul, be the same person who steals your heart?
The keepers are protectors of the planet Cabalin, charged with defeating identified enemies and preventing other planets from waging war on their dying planet. They are expected to keep their emotions in check and do as they are told no matter what the consequences. One of their rising warriors, however, has been placed on sabbatical for reasons unknown to those around him. Rebellious, impulsive, and moody, Ash has continued to break the rules by frequenting the Ethereal Underground, the seedy hang out in the eighth layer of the planet. Ash has always believed in the keeper’s cause, but his taste for adventure always seems to get him in trouble.
The seraphs live on a different plane of existence. They watch over the mortals and reap their souls when it is time for them to depart to the afterlife, but do not associate with the beings otherwise. They are duty bound and loyal creatures, each of them having an affinity for a force of nature that they can use when needed. When a seraph breaks the rules, they are banished and stripped of their affinity. These evil creatures are named the fallen. Annalise, a reaper seraph blessed with an affinity for water, has always followed the rules until she is called to reap Ash’s soul and take it to the afterlife. This time, however, she finds it difficult to take the soul.
Their worlds were never supposed to meet. Now everyone’s future is in jeopardy, their lives turned upside down as they find themselves on the run from the very people they thought they could count on. The two of them must search for a way to clear their names and hunt down the evil forces of the fallen, without losing themselves or those they hold dearest. This epic fantasy will take you on an exhilarating quest for love, truth, and revenge.
Review:
Ash is a keeper. He is a guardian for all of the layers of Cabalin. Annalise is a reaper seraph. She is responsible for taking souls to the afterlife. Ash has been leading a double life in the eighth layer. None knows him as a keeper but most know him as a successful fighter. Annalise has followed the rules all of her existence until the day she is sent to reap Ash’s soul. Something inside her decides to heal him instead of reap his soul. This affects the both of them. They soon realize that they are now bonded. Ash can use her powers with water and Annalise can feel his human emotions. Along with this body they are also both cast out from their worlds. Ash, feeling responsible for Annalise’s position, decides he will do anything to make it right even hunting down fallen seraph’s that have a devious and evil plan. The one thing they didn’t count on was the feelings for each other that would come with the bond. Can two different beings work together for a common goal of truth and revenge to return to their lives or will their adventure and bond change them irrevocably?
I enjoyed this story after it got started. It was a bit of a slow start, but once the story really picked up it was quite an addicting read. In fact when it ended I wasn’t ready for the story to end. I really enjoyed the creative story. It was inventive and unique. I think for me personally it started slow because so much of the world had to be built before the story could really get started. But, once it took off and the story with Ash and Annalise really took off it was quite engrossing. I think what also helped were the supporting characters. Finley, Arie and Leon was wonderful additions. Leon was especially important with the love triangle aspect. Finley and Arie helped with the comedic relief. Not only were the characters fundamental in the story but the structure of the world helped to propel the story and created a depth that really extended the adventure. The layers with representation of a class system was wonderfully portrayed something not just socio-economic but actual physical layers of the world. This really added a great dimension to the story. Overall, I think this was a very interesting book and an intriguing start to a wonderful series. I look forward to reading the next novel in this series.