Vengeance Born by Kylie Griffin

Vengeance Born by Kylie Griffin, is the first book in her Light Blade series.  This is a book about two couples, one a half demon and the other a human warrior. Vengeance Born is a Fantasy Romance, and totally different then most romance stories.  It is a story of two unlikely people, who come together to help each other survive a deadly situation.  It is a story of trust, prejudice and how love can change anything. 

Annika, is a half-breed of human and demon; who is also a healer, and has lived all her life in a demon world, run by her demon father who hated her. In her world, the demons (Na Reish), use humans as blood-slaves, but half-human half-demon (Na Chi) children are looked upon with hatred.  Annika thinks of herself as the only Na Chi, as others were killed at birth.  She was kept alive by her father, the King, to torture her as revenge.  Annika dreams of escaping, and grasping a chance at possible freedom, she helps an imprisoned human Light Blade warrior to escape, with the promise of helping her.

Kalan, the Light Blade, agrees to help Annika, but he distrusts her as he knows she is a demon, and he has been brought up to hate all demons. Annika used her healing powers to help Kalan, and then helps him escape his imprisonment.  The beginning of the story is about their escape, running for their lives from the Na’Reish warriors who are searching for them. Kalan, is an honorable man, as well as a strong and handsome warrior.  He finds it difficult to trust Annika, and has a hard time hiding his dislike for what she is.  At times he finds himself sympathetic to the life she has lived, as they learn more about each other during their travel to the human land.  Annika is truly a warm and giving person, but has known what it’s like to be hated all of her life.  She too does not trust Kalan, but is used to that type of behavior towards her.  At times, you find yourself cringing at the treatment others have towards Annika, and even Kalan, does the same with his preconceived notions.  But slowly, Kalan begins to see another side, and the distrust and hatred, begins to change to friendship. 

Griffin does a wonderful job, of showing us the improbability of a friendship coming out of this, not to mention a romance.  It is done so well, and very slowly.  Both learn to open their hearts and learn to love, though for Annika, it is difficult transition, as she knows nothing of love and acceptance.  It was also very well done showing Annika’s need for blood, and how she trained herself to only use animal blood, since her father tortured her as a child to kill for blood. Kalan begins to learn about Annika, and the difficult life she has lived, and you see the change in him as time goes on. Kalan is a good and kind leader of his people, and what he learns from Annika goes a long way to trying to help his people change their prejudices, which will take a long time.   

Griffin also has created some excellent characters in the Light Blade series, whom we will continue to learn about them as this series continues.  I really liked Kymora, and Arek has a lot of potential as a possible hero, and we know Varian will soon get his story.  Of course, in any fantasy, even in romance, there are villains, and this book has them. 

Vengeance Born is an excellent book by Kylie Griffin, and I really enjoyed reading this book.  The romance is so different then the norm, and it is very gratifying.  Prejudice plays a major part, and though this book has a happy ending, it is far from over.  The series will continue, with much anger, hatred and prejudice still to be fought, not to mention the war between the demons and humans.  Up next, Alliance Forged.

Reviewed by Barb