Review: Urban Fantasy is better with the lights off...
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 23, 2014
A copy of this book was given to me courtesy by an Author in exchange for an honest review.I am very particular about what I read but I also have an open mind and broad imagination….. More now than I’ve ever had as a child. Yeah I was told I should be writing. Eh, maybe next lifetime. When I was given this book Before the Storm by Claire Ashgrove, I was told that it was of the Urban Fantasy genre. I thought…. Eh, I’m not to giddy on reading anything with chanting or actually spoke/written spells in a story. People aren’t aware that you speak those words into your soul…. Let me be clear, I have had enough bad Karma to add to my life. We all know how Karma can be and her sister’s Conscious and ConsequencesWhich brings me to this novel, I absolutely enjoyed it. It had a little of everything in UF novels. The danger and thrill in this story had me on edge. The detailed description and the fear made me want to put my tablet down and pick it back up to find out what happened.The Love and passion in this story had my heart meltingHalle, a strong source of energy ready to wreak havoc on anyone who tries to harm her or sister. Being new to her powers she struggles with “Good Magic” and “Dark Magic. Not allowing herself to get close to anyone, she has trouble controlling any feelings that she has. Since she has no family that knows she exist, Halle finds refuge in that one person of her own kind or so she thought. Kale a Warrior for his kingdom throws himself onto Halle life and doesn’t know the consequences until history reveals itself about Halle. Kale agrees to assist Halle with her magic; he tries to help her get it under control but it only pulls them together with a force that is stronger than either of them. Their passion that is expressed in this story isn’t on HIGH ALET but it has depth. It still steams up the pages and makes you cheer for what they’ve found in each other. That I like; the story is new and so is the intimacy they share.Halle finds that the history beyond her magic, is keeping her mother hostage under the spell of her uncle. With this knowledge she convinces Kale to help free her mother and bring down her uncle. (Which was the plan all along) The two hold a bond that is easily broken with untold truths because of love and disappointing mind games.This novel, will leave you sitting in your reading chair, making expressions that will have your family wondering WTH is she reading???? Then you’ll have to tell them to get their own copy. I am actually surprise at the end of this book… I mean really friggin shocked and I give Claire a Virtual High Five for that. CAN NOT wait to see what she has in store next…. Really, I can’t wait Claire!  KUDOS to you!The history was OFF THE CHAIN!!! I love a great novel that holds history that tells another story within the book. Listen readers… Halle is powerful, it’s in her blood line. It runs deeper than infinity sink hole. I could write an entire synopsis but why… I don’t want to be the spoiler of this book…Check it out, it’s only going to get better…