laurenjodi's review against another edition
2.0
Ascension
2 Stars
Synopsis:
Kerrick is one of the Guardians of Ascension, sexy vampire warriors with wings assigned to protect humans called to Ascension. Foresworn to never love again, Kerrick's vow is tested when he must guard Alison Wells, a woman with incredible supernatural powers, from Death Vampires. Alison has always felt like an outsider until she is caught up in a battle for supremacy between opposing armies and the only one she can trust is a man who refuses to accept that they are destined for each other.
Review:
I really wanted to enjoy this book but unfortunately found myself struggling despite its potential.
While the relationship between the hero and heroine is steamy, the romance and chemistry is lacking - the only reason they get together is the mating bond. Alison starts out as an intriguing character with emotional and familial issues, but their resolution is completely contrived and ultimately undermines her characterization. Other than the fact that Kerrick is a sexy, alpha male, there is little to set him apart from the dozens of other similar characters in various PNR series.
None of the secondary characters is particularly appealing and they are actually irritating and off-putting. Endelle, for example, is supposedly a majestic and powerful leader but resorts to dirty talk and even pimping out her warriors. Thorne comes across as nothing but a boorish alcoholic who shouldn't be leading anyone into battle, and Marcus, the only one with any redeeming qualities, is a sanctimonious jerk.
The writing is excessively descriptive and repetitious, often focusing on irrelevant issues and the world building is lacking in any substantial explanation and detail.
Overall, a real disappointment and I doubt that I will be reading any further.
2 Stars
Synopsis:
Kerrick is one of the Guardians of Ascension, sexy vampire warriors with wings assigned to protect humans called to Ascension. Foresworn to never love again, Kerrick's vow is tested when he must guard Alison Wells, a woman with incredible supernatural powers, from Death Vampires. Alison has always felt like an outsider until she is caught up in a battle for supremacy between opposing armies and the only one she can trust is a man who refuses to accept that they are destined for each other.
Review:
I really wanted to enjoy this book but unfortunately found myself struggling despite its potential.
While the relationship between the hero and heroine is steamy, the romance and chemistry is lacking - the only reason they get together is the mating bond. Alison starts out as an intriguing character with emotional and familial issues, but their resolution is completely contrived and ultimately undermines her characterization. Other than the fact that Kerrick is a sexy, alpha male, there is little to set him apart from the dozens of other similar characters in various PNR series.
None of the secondary characters is particularly appealing and they are actually irritating and off-putting. Endelle, for example, is supposedly a majestic and powerful leader but resorts to dirty talk and even pimping out her warriors. Thorne comes across as nothing but a boorish alcoholic who shouldn't be leading anyone into battle, and Marcus, the only one with any redeeming qualities, is a sanctimonious jerk.
The writing is excessively descriptive and repetitious, often focusing on irrelevant issues and the world building is lacking in any substantial explanation and detail.
Overall, a real disappointment and I doubt that I will be reading any further.
booksabrewin's review against another edition
5.0
Caris Roane is a new author for me. This book was selected by my book club last month and I never got around to reading it. How silly that decision was for me, because in light of my book club reading the sequel in this series, I had to read the first one and haven't regretted finally picking the book up for a second.
Alison is a therapist who has trouble engaging in relationships with men. She longs to fall in love and start a family but after her one experience with a man ended in him in the hospital she has given up on that dream. She is content to focus on her career, but even that is hard to do when her mind keeps straying to what she could have. She thinks maybe going back to graduate school will help her find more appeal in her life, but it is on the last day at her practice that her life changes forever. She is confronted with a black-winged beautiful man who is determined to drink her blood and harness powers Alison has been trying to ignore. A white-winged gorgeous man comes to her rescue and she can't help but feel an irresistible pull towards him. She feels like she's known him for centuries and yet this is the first time she has laid eyes on him. She wants to dive into his arms and stay there for as long as he will have her, but with her powers, how can she be sure she won't hurt him like the last man she was with?
Kerrick has experienced heartbreak. He has lost two wives and three children due to his occupation as a Warrior of Blood. He has made a vow that he will not take another wife or even form any sort of relationship with another woman outside of a causal bite and sexual encounter. That all changes when he meets Alison. All of a sudden his vow is growing harder and harder to keep. He wants her in a way he has never wanted any other woman, even his previous wives. He is determined to help her and then leave her. He can't risk her getting killed simply for being close to him. Not again.
Alison and Kerrick are destined for each other. They have a draw to each other that can't be ignored. If only they would embrace their connection instead of fighting it tooth and nail, they could possibly have the happily ever after they both have dreamed about all their lives.
Wow, just... wow. I read this 500-page monster in the matter of a few hours. I was completely engulfed in the world and I just couldn't stop the turning of pages to eat, sleep, or do any of the other mundane human necessities. The in depth world created by the author was much the same as The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward (one of my absolute FAVORITE paranormal romance series, by the way). I never pictured vampires with wings and to be honest, when seeing the cover, I thought it was another angel book (hence my hesitation to read it). The authors new race of vampires is great, even the death vamps is a nice ultra baddie.
To summarize, the writing was excellent, the characters were stellar, and the plot was absolutely remarkable.
Ascension is a vampire world in another dimension that is out of this world. The romance, the action, and the sheer volume of awesomeness makes this book a must read for any paranormal romance buff.
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booklvrkat's review against another edition
5.0
I have always loved stories about angels. This story takes it one step further with Vampire Guardians. What a beautiful world Caris Roane has built around this love story of Alison & Kerrick. The war between Earth and 2nd is coming to a head.... will Kerrick as Alison's Guardian be able to save her... without losing himself?
renpuspita's review against another edition
3.0
I won Ascension and Burning Skies when I chat with the author, Caris Roane at VampChix blog :)
So I'd finish read this.I torn to give it 3 or 4 stars. But I give it 4 stars instead :)
EDIT : After read Burning Skies, the 2nd book, that I loved, I just give this one 3 stars, due too much told about the world background and I don't have a connection with the character. But as the first book at series, this book not so bad, but not my cup of tea either :)
Will write entire review soon.. and I must said my favorite character in this book not the hero (Kerrick) or heroine (Alison), but Endelle, the boss.. How I want to see Her Supremeness to fall, and I believe, she will fall.. hard :))
So I'd finish read this.I torn to give it 3 or 4 stars. But I give it 4 stars instead :)
EDIT : After read Burning Skies, the 2nd book, that I loved, I just give this one 3 stars, due too much told about the world background and I don't have a connection with the character. But as the first book at series, this book not so bad, but not my cup of tea either :)
Will write entire review soon.. and I must said my favorite character in this book not the hero (Kerrick) or heroine (Alison), but Endelle, the boss.. How I want to see Her Supremeness to fall, and I believe, she will fall.. hard :))
rclz's review against another edition
2.0
This is the first in this series and I won't be reading another. This book doesn't even fall into the category of 'maybe I'm in the wrong frame of mind. I like the idea but it was poorly executed. I don't mind some 'will they won't they get together' but this taken to the extreme. My number one problem though was the lousy conversation. In many places it sounded like they were all sixteen years old when they were supposed to be centuries old. There were some characters I liked and would love to know what happened to them but not if it means flipping my way through another one of these.
mardr216's review against another edition
4.0
This was an interesting book about winged vampire warriors that are protecting Mortal Earth and Second Earth which is on a different dimension. In the book we follow Alison Wells as she discovers this new world of vampire warriors and unbelievable powers. Alison was born with supernatural powers and has been hiding them all her life and now that she has discovered this new world she might not have to anymore. She meets Kerrick a vampire that is part of the Warriors of the Blood from Second Earth and her whole world turns upside down. Now Alison is in grave danger and Kerrick is entrusted to be her Guardian of Ascension but the steamy chemistry picks up fast between them adding to the dangers.
The story did have some similarities that reminded me of the series written by JR Ward except these vampires have wings but you can definitely see JR Ward’s influence in the writing. Some of the similarities are the dematerializing, memory wipes and the mist they use to obscure what’s happening from human eyes. Even with the similarities it doesn’t compare with the magnitude of the BDB series yet it was a good book. It also had the soul mate principle which is something that is widely used. The characters were not well developed with the exceptions of both Kerrick and Alison. Also the book took a while before we arrived at the point of the story and what Alison is predestined to be.
The book did have some differences that made the book shine on its own and it gave us a different twist incorporating fantasy with science fiction. The different dimensions were a great addition to the story and the ascension part. Alison and Kerrick were well developed we get to see what they have both gone through in the past and the conflicts they face in the present time. Kerrick is a great character that charmed me and had me laughing at the same time. Overall it was a good read, with a good pace that had some action and steamy romance. It did keep me interested and I liked the way the relationship between Kerrick and Alison was not easy that it had its ups and downs. I will also like to see what happens with Marcus and Havily.
The story did have some similarities that reminded me of the series written by JR Ward except these vampires have wings but you can definitely see JR Ward’s influence in the writing. Some of the similarities are the dematerializing, memory wipes and the mist they use to obscure what’s happening from human eyes. Even with the similarities it doesn’t compare with the magnitude of the BDB series yet it was a good book. It also had the soul mate principle which is something that is widely used. The characters were not well developed with the exceptions of both Kerrick and Alison. Also the book took a while before we arrived at the point of the story and what Alison is predestined to be.
The book did have some differences that made the book shine on its own and it gave us a different twist incorporating fantasy with science fiction. The different dimensions were a great addition to the story and the ascension part. Alison and Kerrick were well developed we get to see what they have both gone through in the past and the conflicts they face in the present time. Kerrick is a great character that charmed me and had me laughing at the same time. Overall it was a good read, with a good pace that had some action and steamy romance. It did keep me interested and I liked the way the relationship between Kerrick and Alison was not easy that it had its ups and downs. I will also like to see what happens with Marcus and Havily.
ristaylor's review against another edition
3.0
What I found most intriguing about this book and what I hope will continue throughout the series are the powerful women. One of my favorites is Endelle, she rules over the Warriors of Blood and is the most powerful ascendant in centuries; she calls all the shots in the war against the Death Vamps. Her style is somewhat harsh and sometimes overbearing but she has a big job to do, after all she is in charge of saving the worlds and she’s getting the job done. I find her extremely interesting and I’m looking forward to reading more about her. Read Full Review Here:http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Heart-to-Heart-The-BN-Romance/Ascension-by-Caris-Roane/ba-p/786428
emilyhei's review against another edition
5.0
Living a life and having to hold back the person you truly are is not an uncommon feeling for Alison Wells, whose special abilities have put others at risk. Alison is plagued with dreams that promise a future she knows she will never obtain but give her glimpses of hope, even if it is only in her dreams. Alison's dreams are about to become a reality when a warrior saves her life Kerrick is a vampire warrior forced to protect Alison while she prepares for her Ascension.
Over the centuries Kerrick has refused guardian details on all females, but his leader is forcing the union and Kerrick is finding it hard to resist as a rare bond becomes apparent between Alison and Kerrick. Incredibly creative, Ascension takes readers to another level as you learn about two earths,
Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=5607
Over the centuries Kerrick has refused guardian details on all females, but his leader is forcing the union and Kerrick is finding it hard to resist as a rare bond becomes apparent between Alison and Kerrick. Incredibly creative, Ascension takes readers to another level as you learn about two earths,
Full review on Single Titles
http://singletitles.com/?p=5607