DARK SACRIFICE by Angie Sandro (ARC Review)
Dark Paradise Book 2
Re-Published August 12, 2014 by Forever Yours
2.5 CrossBones
"The makings of a beautiful Gothic Romance, just a little too jumbled and the heroine needs to grow up."
Synopsis -
A GIFT AND A CURSE
Mala LaCroix sees dead people—really. After using her psychic gifts to catch a killer, she's locked in a psych ward and must strike a deal with the devil to secure her release. Apprenticed to a dark arts practitioner, Mala vows to free herself and save her loved ones from danger. But she doesn't know who to turn to when her crush on Landry Prince turns into something more serious.
A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH
Landry has sacrificed everything to protect Mala. A near-death experience changes him forever, and now he, too, possesses supernatural powers he doesn't understand. Mala and Landry must band together to defeat the dark forces—both human and otherworldly—who would use their abilities for evil. Even as they fall for each other, they must prepare to battle for their very souls . . .
Word count: 95,000 (Goodreads)
Review -
Took me quite a while to write this review, mainly because I had quite a bit of conflicting emotions in regards to the story-line. Did I not like it due to the fact that I did not read Book 1, Dark Paradise? Or did I just really not like the plot, or was it just the main character? While this book was very well written, descriptions were dead on and the author did know much of comings and goings in the Vodoun world, the plot in itself could use a little more help. Not to mention the main character could use a definite reality check and grow up. "With great power, comes great responsibilities." That saying is true with more than just super heroes. When you wield magic as powerful as what Mala LaCroix holds within her very soul, one cannot just dabble into it, begin a drastic spell, then stop in the middle and say, "Oh, never mind", especially when dealing with other people's souls.
Mala LaCroix is the last living LaCroix, a family of extremely powerful Voodoo Queens. As such she is next in line to the thrown when her Great Aunt passes on to the other side. An aunt whom she has promised to be an apprentice to, and learn how to wield her dark art. But when the time comes she is less than enthused. But with enemies from both sides of the grave out to kill her, maybe going with dear old Auntie isn't such a bad idea.
Landry Prince has escaped the hands of death once again. Only this time, he hasn't come back alone. There is a demon living beneath his skin, devouring his soul with every breath he takes. And the only one he can rely on to rid himself of the demon in the Voodoo Queen herself, Magnolia. The question in that scenario, at what lengths will she go? And how can he keep Mayla safe when he can barely even trust himself?
When the action and magic happen, they do indeed make an impression. Too bad there isn't enough of the good to outweigh the bad. And the supposed 'bad' characters are the ones who keep to story flowing. Just as Magnolia tried to explain to her bullheaded niece, there is no such thing as black magic, either the wielder has a black soul or a light one. The decisions you make and the reasons behind them are all that truly matter. Anyone who practices voodoo, or has any roots in the craft, art or religion, may want to skip this read, because what Mayla does in the end will make you want to make a special little doll with her name on it. This book reads more like a Y/A than a N/A, if not for the sex. The characters are not really at the maturity of someone in the twenties, more like teenagers who still don't know which way is up. With some tweaks, this series does carry a lot of potential. As it stands now... This book cannot be read as a stand-alone, too much needed information is lost without having read the first book.
Mala LaCroix is the last living LaCroix, a family of extremely powerful Voodoo Queens. As such she is next in line to the thrown when her Great Aunt passes on to the other side. An aunt whom she has promised to be an apprentice to, and learn how to wield her dark art. But when the time comes she is less than enthused. But with enemies from both sides of the grave out to kill her, maybe going with dear old Auntie isn't such a bad idea.
Landry Prince has escaped the hands of death once again. Only this time, he hasn't come back alone. There is a demon living beneath his skin, devouring his soul with every breath he takes. And the only one he can rely on to rid himself of the demon in the Voodoo Queen herself, Magnolia. The question in that scenario, at what lengths will she go? And how can he keep Mayla safe when he can barely even trust himself?
When the action and magic happen, they do indeed make an impression. Too bad there isn't enough of the good to outweigh the bad. And the supposed 'bad' characters are the ones who keep to story flowing. Just as Magnolia tried to explain to her bullheaded niece, there is no such thing as black magic, either the wielder has a black soul or a light one. The decisions you make and the reasons behind them are all that truly matter. Anyone who practices voodoo, or has any roots in the craft, art or religion, may want to skip this read, because what Mayla does in the end will make you want to make a special little doll with her name on it. This book reads more like a Y/A than a N/A, if not for the sex. The characters are not really at the maturity of someone in the twenties, more like teenagers who still don't know which way is up. With some tweaks, this series does carry a lot of potential. As it stands now... This book cannot be read as a stand-alone, too much needed information is lost without having read the first book.