October 14, 2012

Review: Absolution by Susannah Sandlin


Title: Absolution
Author: Susannah Sandlin
Series: The Penton Legacy #2
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Format: eBook/Paperback
Release Date: October 9th 2012
Source: ARC provided by author


Contact Susannah


Overall Rating: 5 Bad Boys – Absolutely Loved It!!!!!
Reviewer: Kat


Author Summary

With the vampire world on the brink of civil war over the scarcity of untainted human blood, battle lines are being drawn between the once peaceful vampire and human enclave of Penton, Alabama, and the powerful Vampire Tribunal.

Mirren Kincaid once served the tribunal as their most creative and ruthless executioner—a time when he was known as the Slayer. But when assigned a killing he found questionable, Mirren abandoned the tribunal’s political machinations and disappeared—only to resurface two centuries later as the protector and second-in-command of Penton. Now the tribunal wants him back on their side.

To break their rogue agent, they capture Glory Cummings, the descendant of a shaman, and send her to restore Mirren’s bloodthirsty nature. But instead of a monster, Glory sees a man burdened by the weight of his past. Could her magic touch—meant by the tribunal to bring out a violent killer—actually help Mirren break his bonds and discover the love he doesn’t believe he deserves?


My Thoughts

Another page-turner. Another all-nighter my lovelies. This series is now on my Top Ten list.  Even this early in the game (it’s only Book #2), I feel that The Penton Legacy deserves a place among the elite of the paranormal romances.

To be included on my Top Ten list, a series will evoke strong emotion from me, is memorable enough that I’m sure I’ll recall details for a long time to come, I’ll want to pick it up and do a reread and I would never hesitate to recommend it to all my friends risking my reputation as a reviewer. The Penton Legacy absolutely meets these requirements.

If you like Midnight Breed by Lara Adrian, Black Dagger Brotherhood by JR Ward and Sentinel Wars by Shannon K Butcher, you’ll like this series. In my opinion, the worldbuilding, plot, writing and emotional connection to the characters is on par with those exceptional ‘must read’ paranormal romances.

The first in the series, Redemption, is amazing (you can check out my review of Redemption by clicking here) and I found this one is even better. The excitement and suspense is on the same level as the first but I think it was the main characters in Absolution that I connected with more.

Mirren, oh dear GAWD, that bad boy is hot! And Glory is one remarkable heroine. There are not too many people who can stare down a 6’8”, 300 lb., muscled, goateed, tattooed, Norse-descended, Scottish-born, Irish-raised vampire mercenary, born and bred to kill. Mankind and vampkind alike run for the hills when they see or even hear whispers of The Slayer. But not Glory. Oh no.  With hands on hips, she stares him down, talks his ear right off and brings him to his knees.  All with love, respect and understanding that is not easy with a tormented soul like Mirren. I love these characters. I found their chemistry to be true and admired how they dealt with everything that was thrown at them.

Like the last novel, there’s non-stop action so strap yourselves in for the ride and get ready for an all-nighter.


About the story…

The story continues with more mayhem in the small town of Penton - a place where vampires and humans lived together in peace and harmony until recently. After a pandemic that threatened the lives of humans, a vaccine was found and administered to most of the population.

Crisis averted. For the mankind that is.  Vampkind, however, is not faring so well. The vaccine is toxic to them so they cannot drink from any human who received the treatment. There is a serious shortage of blood now for vampires and they are suffering in a very bad way.  It has reached the point of desperation where unvaccinated humans are abducted for their blood. Some are even sold on the vampire black market.

The Vampire Tribunal is aware of Penton and how Aidan has a steady supply of unvaccinated humans living with him while other vampires are starving. Hunger, paranoia of a potential threat to their power makes Penton a target. One member of the Tribunal has his own plans for vengeance and uses what he can to fuel the fire of the others.

In this second novel of the series, Glory finds herself amongst all this madness. She is one of the abducted humans and after her escape, it’s believed she poses a threat. Mirren brings her back to Penton for protection. And so the excitement begins.  


About the Characters…


Everyone, and I mean everyone, vampires and humans alike is scared shitless of Mirren. Even the almighty Vampire Tribunal. Born and bred as a gallowglass (an elite mercenary warrior) in life, he was a fierce warrior. After turned vampire, he worked for the Tribunal as a mercenary doing their dirty work.  He left them and eventually joined with Aidan desiring a peaceful life. 

Even though he now lives in this very small town where everyone knows your business, no one knows his real story (not even Aidan). They only know rumors of his past. He’s grouchy, prickly and avoids getting close to anyone.

This quote from the last book cracked me up: Aidan’s description of Mirren upon meeting Krys.
“Mirren gave her a curt nod and assumed his normal expression, something between a sphinx and a turnip. Aidan stifled a laugh; Mirren considered that his friendly look.”

Also from the last book: Mirren having to sit and talk to a delegate from the Vampire Tribunal.
“The big guy sat through the twenty-minute ordeal wearing his stone-gargoyle face, arms crossed over his chest, answering Renz’s questions with a full repertoire of grunts and vague, monosyllabic replies. Thank God Renz had a good sense of humor. “You don’t like to talk about your past, do you, Mr. Kincaid?” he finally asked. Mirren fixed him with a look that would freeze icebergs. “You think?” It had been his longest sentence of the night.”

There’s that warrior side of him but there’s also a soft side that no one but Glory has ever managed to bring out. Glory is a fabulous heroine. She’s smart and more stubborn than Mirren could ever think of being. This is a quote from when she suspected Mirren was going to leave:
“She did love him, damn it. All of him. She just had to convince him of it. And if he tried to walk out on her, she might have to find her own inner gallowglass.” Love that line and I think it gives you great insight into her character! 
There’s a real kinship between the main characters and the banter between Aidan, Mirren and Will is hilarious. Afraid as they were of Mirren, it didn’t stop them from poking a stick at the big ole grouch trying to get a rise out of him.


Bottom Line


After only two novels, I have listed this series in my Top Ten favorite PNR series of all time. The story is memorable, compelling and has a unique spin in a genre saturated with vampires.  I quickly became invested in the characters and I enjoyed it so much that I have no hesitation in recommending it to you my friends!  It’s one that I will most assuredly do a reread and know I’ll enjoy it again just as much.

Happy Reading!!

5 Bad Boys – Absolutely Loved It!!!!!


Buy Now From Amazon…
Book #1: Redemption
Book #2: Absolution

  


Book #3: Omega (available for pre-order, expected pub date Feb 2013) Omega (The Penton Legacy, #3)





5 comments:

  1. great reviews, it's one of my favorite series too and Mirren ^^ is so far my favorite character

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Miki! Mirren is awesome! His grouchiness and how Glory dealt with him cracked me up. lol! i think Will's story will be good too. I have a feeling there's a lot inside that boy that'll make us love him too.

      Delete
  2. I am personally wary of vamps but every time I read your reviews with these fangers as leads, I find it so exciting. Now I read these vamp books vicariously through you. - Braine

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL! I'm glad I can help you out in that department B. You know I'm a total fang girl. I understand your wariness though. There's a lot of them out there. Some good some bad. I particularly like the fangers in this series. The most talented of authors are coming up with new ways to explore this genre and entertain us. Hopefully some day you'll give them a chance again. So are you reading mostly contemporary and moving away from the paranormal?

      Delete
  3. Really great review luv. With a recommendation like this I totally have to add this one to the top of my TBR pile. Can't wait to get started!!

    ReplyDelete