(Books #1-2)
By: W.J. May
*Hey everyone welcome to The Chronicles of Kerrigan Tour! Below I've reviewed both books in this incredibly entertaining series!*
*Presented by: Bewitching Book Tours*
(The Chronicles of Kerrigan, #1)
By: W.J. May
Release Date: September 5th, 2011
Genre(s): YA Paranormal/Fantasy
My Review: (4/5 stars*)
Rae of Hope is really good, and very entertaining. It has a familiar story plot but how everything's done is very unique. The main character Rae Kerrigan is quirky, misunderstood, and brave and I liked her for those qualities they kept things exciting. Mostly all of the characters are incredibly cool and easy to like. The story felt very female Harry Potter-esque to me which strangely worked and I loved the whole boarding school for kids with tatús (special tattoos that give abilities) idea. Tatús are tattoos that appear when you turn 16 and are inherited from one of your parents. I really enjoyed the Urban Fantasy feel and the twists the story takes.
Rae is a fifteen-year-old girl who has always felt left out. So when her Uncle Argyle convinces her to accept a scholarship at a prestigious and mysterious boarding school she goes—no questions asked. Little does she know she has more in common with all the students than they would have her believe. Guilder Boarding School is for the extraordinarily gifted—where kids on there sixteenth birthday receive a mark called a tatú that gives them unbelievable abilities. Their supernatural tattoos and powers form based on a number of different factors. But Rae is skeptical of everything because she was never told that she was an individual with such power. Her parents died in a fire when she was young making her the sole survivor. It's even more difficult to fit in because everyone seems to know dark secrets about her family—and they're afraid of her. Rae must embrace her tatú and prepare herself for what lies ahead; along with learning the extent of her ability and more about her parents history and why it makes everyone afraid.
Overall I greatly enjoyed Rae of Hope it had some twists that you couldn't guess easily, betrayals, and unexpected alliances. The tattoo idea is really neat and I like how it's carried out, Rae's parents mysterious past and secrets were very interesting. The story is well written, and definitely worth the read. The reason I gave it 4 of 5 stars is because it's really good but it had some unnecessary parts and some repetitive phrases with a ton of information thrown at you in the beginning. I had a difficult time sorting out and remembering who each character was; also I wish their was more action integrated. But aside from that Rae of Hope is the kind of book you sit down for hours reading because you want to see how the story will unfold. It also sets up the plot for the next book without leaving you with a huge cliffhanger. I'm excited to read the sequel Dark Nebula—certainly an interesting title, can't wait to see what happens with Rae and Devon's romantic development.
Rae is a fifteen-year-old girl who has always felt left out. So when her Uncle Argyle convinces her to accept a scholarship at a prestigious and mysterious boarding school she goes—no questions asked. Little does she know she has more in common with all the students than they would have her believe. Guilder Boarding School is for the extraordinarily gifted—where kids on there sixteenth birthday receive a mark called a tatú that gives them unbelievable abilities. Their supernatural tattoos and powers form based on a number of different factors. But Rae is skeptical of everything because she was never told that she was an individual with such power. Her parents died in a fire when she was young making her the sole survivor. It's even more difficult to fit in because everyone seems to know dark secrets about her family—and they're afraid of her. Rae must embrace her tatú and prepare herself for what lies ahead; along with learning the extent of her ability and more about her parents history and why it makes everyone afraid.
Overall I greatly enjoyed Rae of Hope it had some twists that you couldn't guess easily, betrayals, and unexpected alliances. The tattoo idea is really neat and I like how it's carried out, Rae's parents mysterious past and secrets were very interesting. The story is well written, and definitely worth the read. The reason I gave it 4 of 5 stars is because it's really good but it had some unnecessary parts and some repetitive phrases with a ton of information thrown at you in the beginning. I had a difficult time sorting out and remembering who each character was; also I wish their was more action integrated. But aside from that Rae of Hope is the kind of book you sit down for hours reading because you want to see how the story will unfold. It also sets up the plot for the next book without leaving you with a huge cliffhanger. I'm excited to read the sequel Dark Nebula—certainly an interesting title, can't wait to see what happens with Rae and Devon's romantic development.
Synopsis:
How hard do you have to shake a family tree to find out the truth of the past?
Fifteen-year-old Rae Kerrigan has never questioned her family’s history. That is until she accepted a scholarship to Guilder Boarding School in England. Guilder is a very unique, gifted school.
Rae has no idea what she is getting herself into or that her family’s past is going to come back and taunt her. She learns she is part of an unparalleled group of individuals who become marked with a unique tattoo (tatù) on their sixteenth birthday. The tatù enables them to have supernatural powers particular to the shape of their marking.
Both her parents were marked though Rae never knew, as they passed away when she was young and never told her. Learning about her family’s past, her evil father and sacrificial mother, Rae needs to decide if there is a ray of hope for her own life.
Fifteen-year-old Rae Kerrigan has never questioned her family’s history. That is until she accepted a scholarship to Guilder Boarding School in England. Guilder is a very unique, gifted school.
Rae has no idea what she is getting herself into or that her family’s past is going to come back and taunt her. She learns she is part of an unparalleled group of individuals who become marked with a unique tattoo (tatù) on their sixteenth birthday. The tatù enables them to have supernatural powers particular to the shape of their marking.
Both her parents were marked though Rae never knew, as they passed away when she was young and never told her. Learning about her family’s past, her evil father and sacrificial mother, Rae needs to decide if there is a ray of hope for her own life.
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(Chronicles of Kerrigan, #2)
By: W.J. May
Release Date: December 15th, 2012
Genre(s): YA Paranormal/Fantasy
My Review: (4/5 stars*)
Dark Nebula is just as good as Rae of Hope if not better! It has a lot more drama and delves into Simon Kerrigan's (Rae's father) evil plans that are being carried out by followers who hold the same beliefs that he did. It's compelling from beginning to end and it's very cool to see Rae getting a handle on her powers and becoming this strong independent girl who others in the boarding school look up to instead of fear. She has really stepped up to the role as a leader. There is quite a bit of secrets and betrayals in this book and that keeps things fascinating and lively. Once again this series feels very Urban Fantasy and I absolutely loved that! Some of Rae's family history is explored further and it's fun unraveling those secrets. Like the first book you'll find yourself flying through this one as it's just as captivating. I was really glad to see some of the same characters return along with some new ones that spring up who are as equally interesting.
Dark Nebula starts off with Rae getting picked up at the airport by Devon. Since Rae of Hope 1 month has passed and summers over thus beginning the new school year with Rae as a senior at Guilder Boarding School. From that month away things have changed and Devon has already adapted to working for the elite organization known as the Privy Council; and Rae has had some time to practice and learn more about her abilities. New students are introduced with even more mysterious powers. Rae and Devon struggle to conceal their relationship from the school which gets pretty difficult and complicated. Rae gets in over her head when she's left out of the loop from the councils plans so she starts gathering information on her own—which leads to some shocking revelations.
There are scenes that felt a little dragged out, and at random times Rae seemed very immature and air-headed which was slightly irritating. Also the story wasn't surprisingly new but I still really enjoyed it for its entertainment and fun aspect. It was very predictable throughout but I didn't mind all that much. The idea of Tatús are absolutely brilliant and clever, W.J. May writes an enjoyable chronicle full of page turning events! Dark Nebula makes a great addition to this enthralling fantastical series. The ending was well done and leaves you with a cliffhanger so I'm looking forward to reading the next book House of Cards!
There are scenes that felt a little dragged out, and at random times Rae seemed very immature and air-headed which was slightly irritating. Also the story wasn't surprisingly new but I still really enjoyed it for its entertainment and fun aspect. It was very predictable throughout but I didn't mind all that much. The idea of Tatús are absolutely brilliant and clever, W.J. May writes an enjoyable chronicle full of page turning events! Dark Nebula makes a great addition to this enthralling fantastical series. The ending was well done and leaves you with a cliffhanger so I'm looking forward to reading the next book House of Cards!
Synopsis:
Leery from the
horrifying incident at the end of her first year at Guilder Boarding
School, Rae Kerrigan is determined to learn more about her new tattoo.
looks Her expectations are high, an easy senior year and a happy reunion
with Devon— the boy she’s not supposed to date. All hopes of happiness
fade into shattered dreams the moment she steps back on campus.
Lies and secrets are everywhere, and a betrayal cuts Rae deeply. Among her conflicts and enemies, it appears as if her father is reaching out from beyond the grave to ruin her life. With no one to trust, Rae doesn’t know where or who to turn to for help.
Has her destiny been written? Or will she becomes the one thing she hates the most—her father’s prodigy.
Lies and secrets are everywhere, and a betrayal cuts Rae deeply. Among her conflicts and enemies, it appears as if her father is reaching out from beyond the grave to ruin her life. With no one to trust, Rae doesn’t know where or who to turn to for help.
Has her destiny been written? Or will she becomes the one thing she hates the most—her father’s prodigy.
Thanks for the great reviews! Totally appreciated :)
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