I have conflicting feelings about this, now that I've finished it. It took me a long time to really get immersed in the story (which isn't unusual for me when I'm starting a new series, but I felt like it took a little longer than normal with this one for some reason), then I spent about 35% really enjoying it, and then I was kind of let down by the last few pages.

I might be too tired to articulate my thoughts right now in any detail, but I'm going to try.

I really liked the world Lia Cooper created, with supernatural beings being known by normals. I just generally enjoy that more than the hidden, secretive thing or some reason. I think I like the way things work (definitely for the weres), but I don't think I learned enough in this one to be certain. The magic system seems really interesting, though, and I'd like to know more about the other supernatural beings in this world.

Ethan and Patrick were pretty good characters, but I didn't love either of them. I liked them both, mostly, but they could be petulant and kind of stupid (or willfully ignorant, I'm not sure which). I think I liked Ethan a little more, probably because I generally like the magic-user character(s) the most in urban fantasies. I just didn't feel like there was much character growth. Both of them seemed to be making progress, but then at the end...I'm not sure.

The writing itself was good, and I was a little surprised to find out this was Lia Cooper's debut novel. It could use one more quick edit (there were a few misspellings/misused words, a couple of words and phrases doubled in a sentence, and a few instances of a word missing from a sentence, I think), but it wasn't bad.

I might not continue the series, but I'm not sure yet. I do want to know what else happens because there were loose ends I want to see tied up. I also want to know more about this world, now that I'm familiar with it and will hopefully be less confused with the next book. (I found myself re-reading a few parts to try to figure things out, and I think I mostly did, but I still have some questions.)

Press Release (ePRNews.com) - NEW YORK - Feb 22, 2017 - We are very happy to be launching the Alchemy of Love Mindfulness Training Book 9: Tree of Life: Spiritual Poetry Book

 

The Tree of Life Spiritual Poetry by Nataša Pantović Nuit is the second poetry book within this serial exploring the alchemy of soul, the manifestation of four elements within Gaia, four directions and our spiritual journey, four stages of Life and their relationship to living our highest potential. Soul and spirit within a poetic journey

 

The Tree of Life in various religious interpretations, within myths, and as a mystical concept represents the inter-connectedness of all life on our beautiful planet. The Tree of Life is considered to be the symbol of ‘Creator’. ISBN-13: 978-9995754136 Publisher: Artof4Elements, 14th February 2017, Format: Paperback Size: 90 pages 6×9″

 

The Alchemy of Love Mindfulness Training is Spiritual but not Religious venture, we do not represent any Religion or a Sect and there is NO attempt to sell the offering as an offering of a ‘Guru’. The books are practical, easy to read and inspirational and the spiritual exercises are from various Religions and Philosophers of our past and present.

 

Artof4Elements is a Mindfulness Training and self-help Publisher. We designed and launched a mindfulness training serial called Alchemy of Love Mindfulness Training. We publish books, audio, and video materials in areas of Mindfulness, Meditation, Self-Help, New Thought, Alternative Health, Vegetarian and Vegan Food and Nutrition, and Conscious Parenting.

 

Nataša Pantović Nuit is Author, Trainer, Yogi and Spiritual Researcher that lives and works in Malta. Author of 9 Mindfulness Books called Alchemy of Love Mindfulness Training.

 

Always fascinated with energies of: Love, Divine, Power of Mind, Creativity, Tao, Living one’s Highest Potential, Nuit writes spiritual fiction and non-fiction exploring topics of inner-development, esoteric or occult teachings, and New Consciousness. The main theme of her Mindfulness Training Books is our alchemy transformation, the alchemy of soul, our everlasting quest to find the gold within, discovering the stone that transforms metals into gold.

 

Available through Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/dp/9995754134)

 

*FLASH FREEBIES*

 

Duality (EnertiaTrials 3) by J. Kowallis releases on Friday, which is absolutely AMAZING (check out my gushing 5 star review on the blog)!

 

 

If you haven't started this series yet, the time COULD NOT BE BETTER! Afterimage & Encender (books 1&2) are now FREE on Amazon kindle!!  They are only free for a limited time so grab your copies NOW! If you like dystopian, great world building, strong characters and just general awesomeness, then this is the series for you!

 

 

You can also come celebrate the release of Duality tonight on Facebook with a whole lineup of fabulous authors, Lauren Bird Horowitz, E.J. Mellow, Elise Kova, Dela, Jennifer Kay Wilson, and Courtney Ruggles & enter to win some awesome bookish prizes including a $100 Amazon giftcard!

 

 

 

Links:

 

AFTERIMAGE:
https://www.amazon.com/Afterimage-Enertia-Trials-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00VVPZY0O/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1479398726&sr=8-2

 

ENCENDER:
https://www.amazon.com/Encender-Enertia-Trials-Book-2-ebook/dp/B01B5EIV7I/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1479398726&sr=8-3

 

FACEBOOK RELEASE PARTY:
https://m.facebook.com/events/338789266473502

 

 

Hey Bookworms! There's a rockin' Facebook party for the release of Duality by J. Kowallis happening this Thursday 11/17!! That means you can come chat about all things bookish and enter to win some sweet prizes from the lady of the hour herself, J. Kowallis, along with authors, Lauren Bird Horowitz, E.J. Mellow, Elise Kova, Dela, Jennifer Kay Wilson, and Courtney Ruggles!! And you get to do it all from the comfort of your home! Click the link below to find out more info and join in all the fun! 

 

https://www.facebook.com/events/338789266473502/?ti=cl

 

 

  OHHMGEE!! I don't even know where to start with this. Duality WRECKED me. This story was brutal. Completely devastating. The Enertia Trials have never been sunshine and rainbows, by any means, but this book was especially savage. And I loved every page of it, even when it destroyed me.

 

 

 

 

Duality picked up pretty much right where Encender left off. Our group of ragtag anti-heroes separated by wicked circumstance and fighting tooth and nail to get back to each other. The thing I really loved was that each person was going through so much externally and internally, it had kept me glued to the pages throughout the whole thing.

Reggie...oh gawd Reggie. My heart ached for her. Things were so dark for Reggie, but one thing that I felt never truly wavered, was her incredible strength and her deep seeded hope that the future could hold some light.

 

 

 

 

You could really tell just how much has happened in the two previous books because it all hung like a weight around Nate's shoulders in this one. I could feel the burden he carried. Constantly keeping it together and relentlessly moving forward in pursuit of the only thing left that truly mattered to him, Reggie. While he's always been the cool-headed guy taking charge, you started to see the cracks in this tough exterior. The pressure seemed to be breaking through in waves. It ended up making him more of a wild card than we've previously seen. And it amped up the anxiety big time. I kept trying to prepare myself for him to completely lose his shit all together.

 

 

 

Ransley...holy hell. I LOVE Ransley. She is the ultimate wild card, and I adore that about her. It's her unfathomable amount of passion that drives her and while it can definitely back fire (LITERALLY), it always comes from her heart. She isn't someone that gets close to people easily, but she is someone that would fight to the end of the Earth for you once you do break past the prickly exterior. As horrific as Reggie's struggles were, my heart freaking SHATTERED for Ransley. I just can't. I still can't even process what happened with her. I worry for her, I really do, maybe more than anyone else right now. I also have to say how absolutely PERFECT her ability is for her. This wild, ferocious, all consuming, and utterly beautiful thing. This girl is on fire!!!

 

 

 

 

All I can say is thank goodness for Roy. I feel like he was a solid anchor through this tale. He really stepped up and tried to hold things together while all hell was breaking loose around him. He was the yin to Ransely's yang, there's no arguing that. Which ultimately left Ransley questioning their relationship even more. I also think Roy has one of the COOLEST abilities I have EVER heard of. I love the idea of corporeal fission...imagine how much you could accomplish with that ability?! All the books you could read!!!

 

 

 

 

Okay, so besides the AMAZING line-up of characters, this story was a pulse-pounding, anxiety inducing, heart-breaking roller-coaster ride that you won't want to end. It is EVERYTHING I want in a dystopian book especially. It is vicious, ruthless and so utterly raw, it will scrape against your nerve endings and you'll keep wanting more. I can't recommend this series enough! Each new addition has topped the last, even when I thought there was no way that was even possible! Be forewarned though, this book will gut you. It will tear you apart and turn you into a bloodthirsty animal by the end. I can't wait to see what happens next, for so many reasons, but especially after that heart-wrenching ending!

 

 

 

 

I also want to get personal and even more fan-girly for a quick moment. A million squees and thanks to J. Kowallis for so many things, the beautiful paperback copy of this book for review (which totally floored me to see my quote on the cover!), the super sweet shout out in the Acknowledgments, and more than anything, for being such a kind, cool, and totally bad-ass story teller that weaves these deliciously addictive tales that I can't get enough of! Thank you, a million times, thank you!