Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links that I receive commission or payment from in exchange for referrals. SouthernMessMoms is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Author: D.C. Akers
Website: dc-akers.com
Genre: Epic fantasy, Fantasy and Science fiction, Paranormal Mystery, Paranormal Fantasy, Short Stories Series
Books currently in the series: 2
“Known as a place of refuge, Haven is a sanctuary for those with supernatural abilities. Decades of peace between the Witches, Vampires, Goblins, Elves, and Orcs is coming to an end. Now the once tranquil world is shrouded in deception and corruption. Dark secrets tear at the very fabric of their alliance, giving way to an evil that stirs in the shadows. Exhilarating and utterly gripping, the HAVEN series is an action-packed journey full of suspense, magic, mystery, and intrigue.”
Below is a brief synopsis of each book and my opinion of it.
Book Length: 166 pages
Main Characters: Sam Dalcome, Sarah Dalcome and Travis
“Sam Dalcome thinks he is so completely average that no one ever notices him. Until he discovers a mysterious stranger outside his home. Bewildered, he tries to uncover the stranger’s intentions. But Sam is sidetracked when he and his friend Travis discover a secret passageway deep in the town’s quarry that leads to a hidden cavern. What they uncover next will not only change their lives forever, but will uncover the first clue to a deadly Dalcome family secret. Sam finds himself drawn into a world of mystery and magic he never knew existed, which brings him closer to a destiny he never knew was possible. Get it today for FREE.”
I am a big fan of Fantasy Fiction and quick “teen reads”, I enjoy reading and mixing it up with a variety of genres just makes it even better. Okay, so let’s start with the positives, what I like about this book. I’m not huge on short stories most of the time…I tend to want more details…more information…just well more. That being said, this book coming as a group (I got the collection of one and two together) really helped me not feel like I was missing out.
This seems like it really would be a great teen book. The story line is easy to follow and the characters come across as realistic and understandable. This book was full of suspense and magic and was based in a small town, I mean who wouldn’t be pulled into that (even just a little). It was fast and suspenseful and I was quickly drawn into the story.
However, there are quite a few errors that kind of gave me some hangups. The story line was a bit drug out for me…especially seeing as it took place over just TWO DAYS! That was a long two days!! By the end you really start to catch on to a few things and it does make me want to read the next one…however, I sort of wish that instead of writing this as a bunch of little books (which is even more money I have to pay out if I care to keep reading) it had been done in one larger novel.
Honestly, it was a bit “slow” in the beginning and really just followed the lives of Same, Sarah, and Travis…like literally…that’s a lot of pages for just two days! Once things, nothing ordinary of course, started happening later in the book I started to wonder what would happen next.
Overall, the book has some interesting and unique moments, but I never really “got into it” and got to a place where I just couldn’t put it down like I was hoping for. I hated that it ended right when things got “good” and exciting. I get that this book was basically written in order to introduce you to the characters fully…however, I read novels all the time and they somehow do the same thing without dedicating an entire “episode” or book to it. I wish it hadn’t been quite so drawn out and the story line hadn’t seemed to drag. I will be reading the next one…heck I got it as a set…however, if I hadn’t gotten it as a set I’m honestly not sure if I would have read book two or not.
Book Length: 278 pages
Main Characters: Sam Dalcome, Sarah Dalcome and Travis
“The Great War of Haven ended thirteen years ago but Alisa Dalcome is about to discover that the war did not end for her. Placed on Earth as a sleeper agent for the Majesty of Haven, Alisa had one objective—protect the portal keys at all costs. In the wrong hands the magical keys could jeopardize the safety of everyone on Haven. But Alisa’s relocation was more than just Majesty business; it was also a chance for her to escape her enemies, enemies that still wanted her dead. Alisa wasn’t thinking about herself when she left Haven, she was thinking about her children Sam and Sarah. The Great War had already taken her husband Rylan; she would be damned if she would let it take her children too. But what Alisa didn’t count on was her inquisitive son Sam and his friend Travis. Sam’s world has turned upside down after discovering magic is real. After barely escaping the caves Sam begins to piece together the past day’s events when he stumbles onto his mother’s secret past. With the clues mounting, Sam must dig deeper to uncover the truth that could change his life forever.
But Sam doesn’t realize that his mother’s past has already caught up with them. Hidden within the shadows nearby is Haven’s most malevolent predator—the Viper. A hunter forged from the blackest of magic, it watches, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Can Sam uncover the truth in time or will his mother’s past collide with the present placing them all in grave danger?”
After reading book 1 I just wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about this one, but I read on anyways. This book reminded me of a J.K. Rowling in a way. Although it was short it still managed to pull me in and keep me wanting more. I have to say that this book was so much better than book 1! I mean amazingly better! It is a fast past young adult book that follows along on Sam’s adventure. This book picks up where A Stranger Magic leaves off.
Revenge of the Viper wastes absolutely no time in getting to the action and fun stuff (unlike book one). There are plenty of action packed fight scenes that flow smoothly and have you cringing and crossing fingers hoping things go the way they should. A ton of new characters are tossed in and the information for the introduction is almost like an overload after the way book one was written. I will say that there is a twist in this book that I didn’t expect…it definitely makes Sam’s mission all that more risky and important.
While this is a YA book, I feel that it could be enjoyed by anyone that likes this type of genre. The characters are well developed, the story flows smoothly and the plot twists and action definitely keep you on your toes! I would say that after reading book 2, if you purchase the books as a collection (which I totally recommend) it is totally worth reading…I still just can’t bring myself to say that A Stranger Magic is a good stand alone book lol
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.