Official Review: Haven by Dria Andersen
Posted: 10 Sep 2016, 21:02
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Haven" by Dria Andersen.]
3 out of 4 stars
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Gods, Demigods, other-worldly realms, and magical powers are all part of the fast-paced, intricately woven story that is Haven, by Dria Andersen. Andersen thrusts the reader immediately into the struggles of Liliana Marcolev, a woman on the run, who visits clubs called Haven, in a desperate search for her missing sister, Kita. Havens are safe zones and places of power around the world needed for Demis to recharge their magical powers on Earth. Having illegally entered Earth from her Demi realm, Liliana must evade soldiers of the Amanda, a force responsible for policing and protecting the Demis, to continue her search.
Enter the Tegan brothers, Xavier, Leonalph, and Fallon. The brothers are leaders of the Amanda, headquartered in Haven. Upon entering Haven, Liliana unknowingly embarks on a collision course with her destiny. Liliana meets Leonalph and the two circle each other with ever-increasing sexual tension. Xavier discovers Liliana’s true identity and sends her to her home realm of Legba, with Leonalph as her escort. On their journey, the two face angry parents, the King and Queen, the Prince, royal decrees, and assassination attempts while the growing passion between them flames ever hotter.
The plot thickens as Andersen flashes forward to a meeting of the God Rugaba and Goddess Oya. They watch over the Demis and recognize that evil, an entity called Ofeeree, is on the rise and Earth is in danger of being destroyed. Without their knowledge, Liliana and Leonalph become players on the stage of a drama of good versus evil that is developing on Earth. Through several of these meetings of the Gods, Andersen provides backstory and succeeds at creating a rich world of fantasy, intrigue, and romance.
Overall, I enjoyed the obstacles that Andersen forces her protagonists to overcome during their journey. Liliana and Leonalph are complex characters each with deep emotional scars who must rise to the challenges that fate throws at them. In Haven, Andersen creates an action-packed, sexy story that I could not put down. I loved the ending of the book the most, but do not want to spoil the surprise for future readers by giving any details here.
One thing that I did not like initially was a need to reread sections of the story. The story contains complex mythology. New Gods and Goddesses, the evil Ofeeree, seven realms of Demis each with their own names and cultures all proved challenging to remember, but I would flip back a few pages to review and then dive back into the story. Inevitably, I read the book twice and on the second time through found the story richer for its depth.
I rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars. Haven, by Dria Andersen, was a great read. Complex mythology caused the need to reread sections of the book for me, but overall, I loved the story. I also noted a few minor editing errors. I enjoy fiction that involves supernatural entities and magical powers, not to mention romance. If you like sizzling sexual tension, characters that are not what they seem, and a plot full of curve balls, then this story is for you. This book will appeal to readers of fantasy, paranormal romance or erotica.
******
Haven
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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3 out of 4 stars
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Gods, Demigods, other-worldly realms, and magical powers are all part of the fast-paced, intricately woven story that is Haven, by Dria Andersen. Andersen thrusts the reader immediately into the struggles of Liliana Marcolev, a woman on the run, who visits clubs called Haven, in a desperate search for her missing sister, Kita. Havens are safe zones and places of power around the world needed for Demis to recharge their magical powers on Earth. Having illegally entered Earth from her Demi realm, Liliana must evade soldiers of the Amanda, a force responsible for policing and protecting the Demis, to continue her search.
Enter the Tegan brothers, Xavier, Leonalph, and Fallon. The brothers are leaders of the Amanda, headquartered in Haven. Upon entering Haven, Liliana unknowingly embarks on a collision course with her destiny. Liliana meets Leonalph and the two circle each other with ever-increasing sexual tension. Xavier discovers Liliana’s true identity and sends her to her home realm of Legba, with Leonalph as her escort. On their journey, the two face angry parents, the King and Queen, the Prince, royal decrees, and assassination attempts while the growing passion between them flames ever hotter.
The plot thickens as Andersen flashes forward to a meeting of the God Rugaba and Goddess Oya. They watch over the Demis and recognize that evil, an entity called Ofeeree, is on the rise and Earth is in danger of being destroyed. Without their knowledge, Liliana and Leonalph become players on the stage of a drama of good versus evil that is developing on Earth. Through several of these meetings of the Gods, Andersen provides backstory and succeeds at creating a rich world of fantasy, intrigue, and romance.
Overall, I enjoyed the obstacles that Andersen forces her protagonists to overcome during their journey. Liliana and Leonalph are complex characters each with deep emotional scars who must rise to the challenges that fate throws at them. In Haven, Andersen creates an action-packed, sexy story that I could not put down. I loved the ending of the book the most, but do not want to spoil the surprise for future readers by giving any details here.
One thing that I did not like initially was a need to reread sections of the story. The story contains complex mythology. New Gods and Goddesses, the evil Ofeeree, seven realms of Demis each with their own names and cultures all proved challenging to remember, but I would flip back a few pages to review and then dive back into the story. Inevitably, I read the book twice and on the second time through found the story richer for its depth.
I rate this book a 3 out of 4 stars. Haven, by Dria Andersen, was a great read. Complex mythology caused the need to reread sections of the book for me, but overall, I loved the story. I also noted a few minor editing errors. I enjoy fiction that involves supernatural entities and magical powers, not to mention romance. If you like sizzling sexual tension, characters that are not what they seem, and a plot full of curve balls, then this story is for you. This book will appeal to readers of fantasy, paranormal romance or erotica.
******
Haven
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like Jennifer Allsbrook's review? Post a comment saying so!