This paranormal story allowed me to indulge in my guilty pleasure - The Originals.  I love their story even more than I love Vampire Diaries.  It will definitely help to have watched parts of the shows to understand the basic history and lore behind the Mikaelson family, but if you haven't you can still just enjoy the story.

The Rise really highlighted each sibling's strongest personality trait - almost too much so.  Elijah was the controlling planner, Klaus was the hot-headed impulsive one, and Rebekah was just sort of lost because she cares too much about everything.  I think she was my greatest disappointment.  She has become a much stronger person since this story took place and I was sad not to see that part of her character more.

It was fun to watch their beginnings in New Orleans and see how the start of all the fueds between the various species began.  This is a must read for fans of the series.  It ties in well with what I've seen of the series and really opens up the family's past, making how they act now even more exciting.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

(I got a copy through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.)

I have only watched a few episodes from the TV show, so I'm far from being an expert on the Mikaelson siblings and the kind of plots they get into in episodes. However, I'm not sure at all I found them here, nor that they were really interesting at all, in a more generic way. I kept thinking that they were, well, out of character—which was baffling, since I was under the impression that the people who worked on this novel were also those who worked on the series?

There was a lot of love in there, and of the insta-love, not very impressive kind. Rebekah, why not, as the series very early on showed that she was quick to develop interest for human guys. But in many other ways, she was so far from the badass girl I saw on screen. Neither could I find ruthless Klaus in the love-smitten dullard that ambled through the novel most of the time—and his reaction regarding Rebekah's love interest was way too removed from what I would have expected (TV!Niklaus would never have had such a mellow reaction, let her do as she pleased so easily). Elijah was closest to his character, I think, with his desire and efforts to build a home for his family, and thus keep the latter together. I must not be the right audience for so much romance, especially when involving immortals, who I wouldn't expect to develop feelings so quickly.

Mostly Elijah's plot seemed to be the main one, with his siblings' antics supposed to help (Rebekah recruiting an army) yet not helping much in the end, or just consisting in wooing a girl—at least the not-caring-about-what-others-do was somewhat Klaus-like, but that was all. (Also, why they absolutely had to remain in New Orleans, where they weren't welcome, was a bit puzzling. But I guess finding another city would've demanded long days or weeks of travel, uncertainty as to what they'd find there, and having to delay finding a home at last... So, well, I could live with that.)

Speaking of plots and ways of moving it forward, I would also have expected vampires to be more cunning, more prepared. As mentioned at the beginning of my review, I haven't watched many episodes; yet I remember Klaus's plan regarding how to undermine Marcel's influence, and... there wasn't much of that here. These vampires seemed too naive, too easily surprised by other characters or events, too vulnerable, compared to the "Originals" I had been led to expect. This doesn't fit with my idea of immortals.

In the end, my feelings about this book were mostly annoyance and boredom, and I couldn't care less about what would happen to its characters (including the secondary ones, whose fates were so easy to guess anyway). I'll stick to the TV series.

The Blurb

Family is power. The Original vampire family swore it to each other a thousand years ago. They pledged to remain together always and forever. But even when you're immortal, promises are hard to keep.

Arriving in New Orleans in 1722, Original vampire siblings Klaus, Elijah and Rebekah Mikaelson believe they've escaped their dangerous past. But the city is lawless, a haven for witches and werewolves unwilling to share territory. The siblings are at their mercy…especially after Klaus meets the beautiful and mysterious Vivianne. Her impending marriage is key to ending the war between the supernatural factions—and Klaus's attraction to her could destroy the uneasy alliance. As Elijah works toward securing a piece of the city for his family, and Rebekah fights her unexpected feelings for a French captain, will Klaus's volatile desires bring their world crashing down—and tear them apart for good?

My Thoughts

I just cannot get into this one, I liked the blurb which is why I selected it, but it is just not holding my attention and I'm not invested in the characters, I made it about 30% before giving up. I will be putting on my "to try again later" shelf, as I am very much a mood reader....but at the moment it's just not my cuppa tea..

Book provided by Author/Publisher via NetGalley for an honest review

The year is 1722. Elijah, Klaus and Rebekah have fled, from Mikael their father who is hell bent on killing them, to the new world. They try in New Orleans to build up a new life and have the past nine years lying low not really being able to settle in a town that is ruled by witches and werewolves. But everything is about to change. Vivianne, born of a mother who is a witch and a father who was a werewolf is betrothed to a werewolf to establish a union between witches and the werewolves that should bring peace between them. But then Klaus sets his eyes on Vivianne and the union is in jeopardy.

This is without a doubt a book written for the fans of the tv-seriesThe Originals, if you don’t like the show or has not even heard of the Mikaelsons then you probably won’t like it as much as a fan of the show. Like me, who loved the book! I can’t remember the last time I read a book with such an enjoyment that the time just flew buy and suddenly there book is over and I just wanted more, but there isn’t any more because the last 8 % of the book is just the first part of the next book (that I want pronto!) and now I’m sad because it was so good.

I mean it had insta love and everything and I bought it. Sure Rebekah falls way too soon, but that is part of her character, she has never been very lucky when it comes to men. Seeing Klaus in love was more of surprise, but it worked also. Elijah as usual is the one trying to stay level headed and keep his brother away from problem, but as always, Klaus is a loose cannon and Elijah will always put his family before anything. Was the ending predictable? Yes, but I didn’t mind that either. Damn I just sucked up the story like a sponge sucking up water.

5 bloody stars

Thank you Netgalley for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!