Review: one for the keeper files
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 28, 2013
Heavy Metal A Goddesses Rising Novel Natalie J. Dramschroder.ARC supplied by Netgalley.I hadn't realised there was a previous book to this one, but it didn't make any difference as the novel was easy to follow. I was a little wary at first, not sure what to expect, and thinking it would be based around mythical Greek/Roman goddesses or something, I like those but couldn't see how they'd fit this story.  However it was current time descendants of them who had special talents, these being passed down generations though only the females  had any powers they got at 21, and these varied greatly.We start with Riley, alone and on the run, not knowing who to trust and no understanding of what's really happening to her. She's seen mention of Sam on a Goddess website, and scopes him out one night when he's working late in his bar. She's been targeted by unknown people and lost her job, home, has no family, had her car stolen, and then while she's in the bar suspects the trio who've just entered are after her. She's right and Sam helps her escape. Slowly she opens up to him about her situation, having no alternative and he persuades her to meet some other members of the society. He's a great guy, hot and sexy, thoughtful and caring, and the attraction between him and Riley is clear early on, but they are each very wary for their own reasons. We meet some interesting characters in the Society, learn more about Sam and Riley's background, get taken into danger and car chases, break-ins and muggings and the plot centred around Riley gets larger and involves many more people than initially though.Its a well though out adventure, fairly realistic within the definition of fantasy ( I hate those where fantasy is used as an excuse to just go wildly over the top, and the characters get new powers whenever hey need to get out of a scrape!) It keept me engrossed and invested in the outcomes for the people in the book. I enjoyed the whole idea of people with extra powers, and wish I'd read the earlier book - that will now go on my " I want" list :) Riley is so scared, and yet everyone reaches a breaking point and she develops a strength and determination she didn't think she had. I liked Nick and Quin too, and Marley who'd been punished for her transgressions but she did what she did for love, just sad she was being used by a real b-stard of a person...That's real life though isn't it, and added to the feelings of who to trust that the group had.I enjoyed this, it's one I know I'll want to re read over and I'd be more than happy to read the fist and any further novels from the series. It's a good length too at 352 pages, though I suspect the price on Amazon is a mistake as it does seem expensive compared to usual entangled prices and Natalie's earlier Goddess novel.Stars: great book, full five.