I really wanted to love this book, it has many elements that generally I adore but it didn't work for me. I am aware this is a 2nd book in a series and I did attempt to read the first but I found the characters in both books lacking depth and personality. The dialogue felt...stilted. The concept behind this series (Atlantis, vampires, shifters) is great and grabbed my attention, the execution just doesn't work for me.


I recieved this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Natasha/Tasha/Tash had ran as a tiger and than a man shot at her. She gave her animal side reign. Her tail counterbalanced her to keep her body upright and her motions fluid. Tasha refused to hunt in her tiger form, finding the act of physically destroying another life abhorrent. Tasha was certain she’d never completely let go of her humanity that defined her, never fully release control to her animal instincts. Tash shuttered, feeling more anxiety about the change, then she heard the bullet a foot from her head. The change hurt. It was always harder for her to become human than it was to be feline. Tash had so many questions, it was past time she sought answers. She wanted to close her eyes and give in to the pain and exhaustion. But Tasha had to eat first. After eating the third cold double cheeseburger she knew she’d have to stop at a drive-through on her way home. When she got back to the house, Ashlyn would be in bed, and Katie still at work. Tash just wanted to sleep now that she’d exerted some of the restless energy she’d had since leaving Atlantis. Since leaving part of her life, she had been hiding out in the woods. Tash knew she couldn’t do this blindly. As much as she hated, she had to get back to the Krypt Keeper, and see Stephan, she couldn’t be discovered and spend the rest of her days living in a lab. Tash missed Raif, it was pain that went bone deep. She was angry with him for not warning her for abandoning her when she needed him most. What she most wanted in the world was to be held by him, her mate. Tash’s appetite and change in appearance were at the top of the list of questions she had. Katie was already home and told her they had to talk, that she’d been different ever since she came home from Bermuda. She’d been distant and angry. Katie knew there were things going on she’d never understand but said you used to talk to me. Tash said “ When were you going to tell me?” Katie said “Tell you what?” Tash had almost believed her innocent act, as she had for years. Tash knew the depth of Katie’s betrayal she knew it the first time she changed. And scented Ashlyn. “ What were you going to tell me Keith was Ash’s father?” Keith was the man Tash had been engaged to eight years ago. Katie said, ``I wanted to tell you so many times.” “I didn’t know how to say it after awhile it didn’t seem important.” Tash replied “ How about Tash I’m the reason your fiance left you. By the way, we're having a baby.” Than Tash said “What really hurts, what really kills me, is you lied to me , for eight years you lied to me.” “Your my sister the only family I have I should be able to trust you completely, without question. How could you do that to me?” Katie said Keith hadn’t known about Ashlyn until three months ago. She knew she had to tell him when she saw them at the airport. Than Tasha said she’d be leaving she hoped Katie and Keith were a happy family with Ash. It had been three months since Tash left Atlantis and learned she could change. In eight hours she’d be at Stephan’s. Tasha finally slept on the airplane. She was in the castle in Atlantis. Atlantis was eight miles below the sea’s surface. It had wonderful memories. She wandered the halls looking for the lavish garden that help her love. Instead she was in a room meant for cold clinical calculations. Three people were arguing over something, three people Tasha remembered from the recent past, one she loved dearly. Raif -Tasha’s mate- said “ She’s not ready. I feel her confusion…. Her anger… her pain… she’s not ready yet.” Atreya said “Poseidon wants this done now. He knows of your sacrifice, of the prophecy. He is being patient as a God is able to be. How much longer should I tell him he must wait for you?” Raif hung his head “I don’t know. I should have told her more, but in truth I didn’t fully know what to expect. I should be with her now. I thought it would be easier with less contact.” Than tasha woke up in the plane. Tassha learned she had been dream walking as she ahd for a lot of her life. Stephan told Tasha Raif had betrayed her. He told her later of natural and created vampires. Tasha told Stephan she wasn’t used to feeling helpless and needy and she didn’t particularly like it. She appreciated him putting her up and everything but she thought she should find her own place, get a job, and continue to live her life. She didn’t want to be a burden. Stephan told natasha she was not and never would be a burden to him. He was honored she sought him out for guidance. She had shown more strength, courage, and compassion than anyone he had ever met. He knew what this was costing her. She’d lost everything. Whatever he was able to do for her after all she’d done for them, know that it was his honor, privilege to do. She learned quite a bit this week, about changing, and healing and was rather proud of her accomplishments.
I absolutely loved this book. It was a great paranormal read. I loved Stephan and Tasha together. At times I choked up when reading this. I didn’t want to put this down and didn’t until I read the last page -what’s a little sleep loss. I loved the plot and pace. I loved the way this was written. This book had : mystery, vampires. Alantians, danger, kidnapping, torture, a prophecy, Poseidon, Atlantis, a lost home, betrayal, a mating and so much more. Anyone who loves paranormal books should read this. I loved the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I highly recommend it. I have a new favorite book.

I thought this was a stand alone, but it is, in fact, the sequel to Choice. But from what I read, I don't feel like I need to read the first one to get an understanding of what's happening, but it would be good to read it in order. This book opens up with a hunt, and the ride continues from there. Fated mates, gods, vampires, and war is always a great way to become a top contender for a favorite in my eyes. Tash is bad ass, receptive and open to her situations even though their is a much betrayal going on! She handles everything like a boss! I will be rereading this after I read the first book.

Although I enjoyed this book, I feel like it's my duty to disclose a few things about it first....

You should probably read the first book (Choice) before picking this up. I spent the first half of this book trying to wrap my head around the what was going on and how these characters all knew each other. But around the half way mark, I felt I had enough information to move forward, enjoying it for what it was.

That being said, it also appears that this is either a re-pub or re-write. When I pulled up the book on Goodreads, it looks as though this was originally written and published in 2011. Not knowing the reason, I don't think it truly matters, it's just an observation.

Once I got a feeling for the characters and/or where the story was going, I'll admit that I was enthralled. In fact, after finishing this book, I honestly wish I had read the first one first. The story line is absolutely right up my ally and the characters were endearing. Mixing vampires and shifters was actually a new one for me and I found that I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I got the feeling that this series wasn't over and I noticed that there were quite a few more additions to the series. I'm looking forward to stepping back in to this world and seeing where the relationship between Tasha and Stephen go.

This was an a great book filled with intrigue! Natasha is the heroine she’s a Changling! She’s the mate of Raif! But has strong feelings for the vampire Stephen! She’s is kidnapped, beaten, burned and many other things, in an attempt to break her mating bond! You will need to read to find out why all this is happening!

I read this book as an arc from NetGalley